Ten Octoberfest Beers To Try

10 American O-Fest Beers Worth Trying

1. Victory Brewing – Festbier

Commercial Description: Seductively smooth, this medium-bodied amber beauty is akin to the great Oktoberfest beers of Munich. All German malts and whole flower European hops make this lager true to style.
Abv: 5.6%

2. Flying Dog – Dogtoberfest

Commercial Description: Brewed with 100% imported German ingredients. Full-bodied caramel sweet with a light, toasted and crisp, clean finish.
Abv: 5.6%

3. Left Hand – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description: Biscuity, malty goodness dominates upfront while the noble pedigree hops lend a properly spicy, dry finish. Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi.
Abv: 6.6%

4. New Glarus – Staghorn Octoberfest

Commercial Description: Brewed using the time honored methods and an extra slow lager to release the smooth flavor of our roasted malts. Expect this bier to pour with a rich head of foam that will enhance its incredible spice bouquet. Staghorn Octoberfest combines a smooth amber body with a clean crisp finish. Abv: 6.25%

5. Great Lakes – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description: An amber lager with rich malt flavor balanced by fragrant noble hops.
Abv: 5.2%

6. Bell’s Beer – Octoberfest

Commercial Description: Octoberfest trades in the assertive hop presence for a focus on a light caramel malt note, lending body without too much sweetness.
Abv: 5.5%

7. Avery – The Kaiser

Commercial Description: We took all that is good in a traditional Oktoberfest – gorgeous, deep copper sheen, massive malty backbone and spicy, floral, pungent noble hops – then intensified each into this, an Imperial Oktoberfest.
Abv: 9-10% (please note, this is an Imperial)

8. Brooklyn – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description: Brewed from the finest German malt and hops, Brooklyn Oktoberfest is true to the original style, fullbodied and malty, with a bready aroma and light, brisk hop bitterness.
Abv: 5.5%

9. Short’s – Noble Chaos Octoberfest

Commercial Description: A subtle hop bouquet and toasted caramel malt flavors create a well balanced beer that finishes fresh and clean. With a pleasant nose and medium body, this brew is a taste of the season.
Abv: 5.5%

10. Sprecher – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description: Traditionally brewed to celebrate the harvest season, this reddish-brown lager has a rich caramel character and a long flavorful finish. Its delicious malty sweetness is nicely accented by a slightly fruity bouquet and a mild hop flavor. Abv: 5.75%

Ten Beers To Try During Octoberfest

10 American O-Fest Beers Worth Trying

1. Victory Brewing – Festbier

Commercial Description:Seductively smooth, this medium-bodied amber beauty is akin to the great Oktoberfest beers of Munich. All German malts and whole flower European hops make this lager true to style.

Abv: 5.6%

2. Flying Dog – Dogtoberfest

Commercial Description:Brewed with 100% imported German ingredients. Full-bodied caramel sweet with a light, toasted and crisp, clean finish.

Abv: 5.6%

3. Left Hand – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description:Biscuity, malty goodness dominates upfront while the noble pedigree hops lend a properly spicy, dry finish. Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi.

Abv: 6.6%

4. New Glarus – Staghorn Octoberfest

Commercial Description:Brewed using the time honored methods and an extra slow lager to release the smooth flavor of our roasted malts. Expect this bier to pour with a rich head of foam that will enhance its incredible spice bouquet. Staghorn Octoberfest combines a smooth amber body with a clean crisp finish. Abv: 6.25%

5. Great Lakes – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description: An amber lager with rich malt flavor balanced by fragrant noble hops.

Abv: 5.2%

6. Bell’s Beer – Octoberfest

Commercial Description:Octoberfest trades in the assertive hop presence for a focus on a light caramel malt note, lending body without too much sweetness.

Abv: 5.5%

7. Avery – The Kaiser

Commercial Description: We took all that is good in a traditional Oktoberfest – gorgeous, deep copper sheen, massive malty backbone and spicy, floral, pungent noble hops – then intensified each into this, an Imperial Oktoberfest.

Abv: 9-10% (please note, this is an Imperial)

8. Brooklyn – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description:Brewed from the finest German malt and hops, Brooklyn Oktoberfest is true to the original style, fullbodied and malty, with a bready aroma and light, brisk hop bitterness.

Abv: 5.5%

9. Short’s – Noble Chaos Octoberfest

Commercial Description: A subtle hop bouquet and toasted caramel malt flavors create a well balanced beer that finishes fresh and clean. With a pleasant nose and medium body, this brew is a taste of the season.

Abv: 5.5%

10. Sprecher – Oktoberfest

Commercial Description:Traditionally brewed to celebrate the harvest season, this reddish-brown lager has a rich caramel character and a long flavorful finish. Its delicious malty sweetness is nicely accented by a slightly fruity bouquet and a mild hop flavor. Abv: 5.75%

Eight Craft Beer Counter-Pairings for Classic Wine Pairings

Eight Craft Beer Counter-Pairings for Classic Wine Pairings
Caviar

Classic Wine Pairing: Champagne
Craft Beer Alternative: Belgian Strong Golden Ale or Tripel
Commercial Examples: Victory Golden Monkey, Ommegang Tripel Perfection, New Belgium Trippel, North Coast Pranqster, Russian River Damnation
Industry Expert: Ray Daniels, Director, Cicerone®  Certification Program 
“Fine Sturgeon caviar has a delicate salmon-like flavor that requires the finesse that comes with a highly-carbonated Strong Golden Ale. The water cracker-like malt flavor, peppery phenols, and minerally dryness cleanse the palate of the caviar richness while hooking into its earthiness. The touch of honey sweetness will balance the residual saltiness and leave you wishing for another bite and sip—if you can afford it!”
Oysters

Classic Wine Pairing: Chablis
Craft Beer Alternative: Dry Stout
Commercial Examples: Moylan's Dragoons Irish Dry Stout, Sprecher Brewing Irish Style Stout, Bison Brewing Chocolate Stout
Industry Expert: Lew Bryson, beer writer and author of the blog Seen Through a Glass
"It may seem counter-intuitive, given the difference in character and appearance between dark beer and pale wine, but the dry bitterness and slightly smoky touch of the Stout works perfectly with the sweet, brine touch of a fresh-shucked oyster. It works well with fried oysters in a po' boy, too!"
Lobster

Classic Wine Pairing: Chardonnay
Craft Beer Alternative: Flanders-style Red Ale or Grand Cru
Commercial Examples: New Belgium La Folie, Lost Abbey Red Poppy, The Bruery Oude Tart
Industry Expert: Bill Sysak, Beverage Supervisor and Certified Cicerone®  at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens 
"Grand Cru and lobster are a match made in heaven! This style of beer has a pleasing tartness on first sip that cuts through the richness of the lobster meat, the carbonation from this style allows your palate to be refreshed for the next bite. The next sip accentuates the lobsters succulent sweet nature. The beer has wonderful acetic notes that precludes the use of lemon with your lobster. The shellfish also elevates the beer bringing out wonderful fruit characteristics of black cherries, passion fruit, and currants with an intense vinous finish. Vinous you say, red wine with shellfish, unheard of! Not so with beer!” 
Duck

Classic Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir
Craft Beer Alternative: Belgian Dubbel
Commercial Examples: Ommegang Abbey Ale, Allagash Dubbel Ale, Goose Island Pere Jacques, Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Dubbel, Lost Abbey Lost & Found
Industry Expert: Jared Rouben, Brewmaster of the Goose Island brewpubs 
“Belgian Dubbels have wonderful dried cherry and plum flavors and aromatics that pair so well with duck. Regardless of how the duck is prepared the Dubbel has layers of flavor to compliment the richness of duck. I am thinking Sun Wah's Peking duck with pickled vegetables , sweet hoisin sauce, in a warm dumpling bun with our "Bitter Love" a Belgian Dubbel with brandied cherries, burnt orange peel, and shaved cinnamon.” 
Steak

Classic Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon
Craft Beer Alternative: Black Lager, Dry Stout or "Black IPA"
Commercial Examples: Black Lager: Full Sail Session Black Lager, Moonlight Brewing Death & Taxes, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, Deschutes Hop in the Dark, Odell Brewing Mountain Standard
Industry Expert: Sayre Piotrkowski, Certified Cicerone®, Restaurant Consultant and Editor at BeerAndSoul.com 
"When pairing a steak dish, I almost always reach for something dark and dry. Beyond that, cuts of beef can vary drastically in fat and iron content. Also, the cooking method you select will influence the pairing as well. If you are grilling, a bit of smoked-malt to the beer's grist can really make things light up. A grilled flat-iron steak will work wonders with a Rauchbier, especially if a bit of the beer finds its way into whatever you've concocted to brush and/or marinate the meat with. For a more delicate pan-seared filet mignon, I might reach for a simple, clean-finishing Dry Stout or even an ultra-contemporary Black IPA/CDA. Dark and hoppy beers can really work wonders with a well-marbled cut of beef. I find the Black IPA especially useful with more expressive sauces like Au Poivre or a reduction." 
Lamb

Classic Wine Pairing: Bordeaux
Craft Beer Alternative: Robust Porter/ Smoked Porter
Commercial Examples: Anchor Porter, Bell's Porter, Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Alaskan Smoked Porter, Stone Smoked Porter, Yazoo Sue
Industry Expert: Ashley Routson, Founder of DrinkWithTheWench.com and BeerMixology.com
"Most commonly described as gamey, lamb is an acquired taste for many people. Its rich and earthy flavors demand an equally robust and rustic beer pairing. The dark roasty and lightly burnt malt flavors in a Porter heighten the earthiness and gaminess of the lamb, while its dry, roasty finish and moderate carbonation cut through the fat, acting as a perfect palate cleanser. When it comes to grilled lamb dishes, the smoke and char flavors in Smoked Porters really make the pairing pop."
Barbecue

Classic Wine Pairing: Rosé and Zinfandel 
Craft Beer Alternative: Saison, Double IPA & Black IPA
Commercial Examples: Saison: New Holland Golden Cap, Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere, Boulevard Tank 7, The Bruery Saison Rue, Lost Abbey Red Barn; Double IPA: Firestone Walker Double Jack, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Founder's Double Trouble, Dogfish Head 90 Minute; Black IPA: See Steak
Industry Expert: Lucy Saunders, author of Grilling with Beer and culinary/craft beer instructor at the Siebel Institute
“Now in the world of wine, a fruity white zinfandel or rosé is typically recommended for barbecue or grilled foods. But I'm a fan of fresh beer. A lighter Saison or unfiltered Farmhouse Ale with a spicy, yeasty edge goes well with pulled pork or grilled chicken—refreshing but not overly malty and sweet. For brisket with a lemon-garlic-pepper rub, I'd choose a double IPA, with resinous hop character to enhance the peppery heat and cut through the smoke."
Dark Chocolate

Classic Wine Pairing: Port
Craft Beer Alternative: Barleywine
Commercial Examples: Sierra Nevada Big Foot, Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, Great Divide Old Ruffian, Rogue Ales Old Crustacian, AleSmith Old Numbskull
Industry Expert: Nicole Erny, Master Cicerone® 
“The ‘wine’ in Barleywine has nothing to do with grapes; rather the designation comes from England where these high-alcohol beers were classified as Barleywine due to their strength. There is a breadth of flavor and quite a bit of license to interpret the style, but the characteristics that pair well with chocolate are the intense toffee, caramel, and cereal malt flavors along with a wallop of sweetness and high alcohol. Don't forget to bring these beers up to 55 or 60°F, because a cold Barleywine will shock the melted chocolate in your mouth, causing an unpleasant mouthfeel, plus you won't experience the full effect of the beer at low temperatures. Stick to the higher alcohol, sweeter examples to pair with dark chocolate, and the effect will be much like having a toffee and chocolate confection. Salt enhances flavors and makes sweetness tantalizing, so choose a salted dark chocolate bar to really send the pairing over the top!”

The 2012 St. Patrick's Day Beers

St. Patrick's Day is one of those wonderful beer-drinking holidays, like Mardi Gras or Purim (which might not be beer-drinking holidays to everyone but should be). Under no circumstances, however, should you ever drink anything dyed green, no matter how many glasses in. Hoist a pint of Guinness, sure, or a Murphy's Irish Stout or Killian's Irish Red — the classics. Or you might consider one of these alternative brews worth your time, no matter your flavor preference or whether you're in Ireland or San Francisco. Because this Saturday, we'll all be drinking a lot. It might as well be good.

The Breakfast Beer: Dogfish Head Aprihop
You'll need something to kick this holiday off. This is no ordinary fruit-infused beer — Delaware's Dogfish Head uses real apricots to complement a huge hoppiness that rivals its signature 60 Minute IPA. Consider it oat alternative.

The Lunchtime Beer: Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro
Colorado's Left Hand Brewing Co. has figured out a way to make its beloved Milk Stout even better: by creating a unique bottle that allows the beer to be carbonated by nitrogen. That's the same thing those little widgets in bottles and cans of Guinness do, except Left Hand managed to do it without a widget. The result? A creamy head of foam and a silky, slightly sweet beer that's perfect when paired with salty corned beef and braised cabbage.

The Red Beer: Boulevard Irish Ale
Roasted barley malt helps create the red-amber hue of traditional Irish-style red ales. This version, from Kansas City's Boulevard Brewing Co., is a standout, with flavors of caramel, toffee, and freshly baked bread.

The Dark Beer: Bell's Kalamazoo Stout
Bell's Kalamazoo Stout is bold and robust in the American craft-beer sense, not in the traditional Irish style like Guinness, but it's no worse off for it. It's like a shot of Italian espresso. And some additional brewer's licorice gives it an especially bitter edge.

The "Green" Beer: Bison Organic Honey Basil Ale
Because, seriously, food coloring is not okay. Bison Brewing, from Berkeley, Calif., is a leader in organic beer with an initiative to reduce its carbon footprint. That's all fine and good, but how's the beer? Excellent, as it turns out. The year-round Honey Basil is a little sweet and a little herbal. Don't pour it in the river.

The Boston Beer: Samuel Adams Irish Red
The city knows how to celebrate St. Patrick's, there's no doubt. And so does the Boston Beer Co., which since 2007 has made this hallmark example of an Irish-style red ale. Earthy English hops balance the beer's nutty-sweet malt backbone. You could make it your go-to for the whole day.

The Chicago Beer: Half Acre Daisy Cutter
Brimming with orange-citrusy hops. And it comes in a 16-ounce can, making it parade-proof.

The New York Beer: Ommegang Witte
A New York-y, Belgian-style witbier on a day meant to celebrate an Irish saint? Just go with it. The perennial medal-winner is endlessly enjoyable in warm weather, and you don't even need an orange slice as garnish.

The San Francisco Beer: Anchor Old Foghorn
"Old" represents the English barleywine style after which this beer is modeled, and "Foghorn" is a nod to the city that is Anchor Brewing Co.'s home base. This beer is malty yet hoppy, bitter yet sweet, beefy yet refined. English, and yet not English at all.

The Across-the-Pond Beer: Belhaven Scottish Ale
In case you really need to broaden your horizons. A distinct but not overwhelming burnt-sugar sweetness distinguishes the UK-brewed ale. You can find it here in America in bottles, but be on the lookout for bars and bottle shops that offer Belhan's nitro-carbonated cans or drafts. The smooth bubbles add an extra dimension of enjoyment.

The Bedtime Beer: Schlafly Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Bourbon barrels have to be discarded after one use, which is good news for brewers like the St. Louis Brewery, maker of Schlafly beer. They buy up the oak and use it to age their potent imperial stout. This version explodes with flavors of oak, vanilla, chocolate, and booze. A perfect way to say goodnight.

5 Beers No Man Should Drink After 25

You had your fun in college. Now it’s time to stop drinking crappy beers. Pour yourself a good micro brew from Vermont or Colorado and take a few lessons here. If you’re 25 or older and drink any of the following beers, you’re simply stuck in the past. You’re one of those hangers-on. All your friends are talking behind your back and speculating about when you’ll get a job and get on with your life. Some are even placing bets. It may also help if you stop crashing on the couch of the fraternity house and get a real apartment, you deadbeat.

Milwaukee’s Best. Milwaukee has produced some nice things, such as the Violent Femmes, but don’t give this sinister little city too much credit. The devil moved into town in 1849 to entice the nation with the most abominable beer imaginable-Old Milwaukee. Some experts contend that this horrible brew was even warned about in the Bible. If you enjoy gagging and even puking before the point of being drunk, this just may be your beer.

Keystone Light. Rejected Coors. Do you need to know any more about this god-awful drink? Coors Light, in its superior condition, is watered-down piss water. When something goes wrong with the flavor or color, the company bottles it as Keystone Light. The only thing worse than this Colorado beer is that some states sell a special version that contains no more than 3.2% alcohol.

Budweiser. This beer was cool in your college days. After 25 years old, however, don’t drink it. Everyone seems to pretend that it’s a good beer, at least when they’re too loaded to know otherwise. It does get you wasted, after all. If you’re going to drink Budweiser after your prime years, take a trip to Canada to do it. Canadians get a whole different version that is right up there with the finest microbrews.

Busch. Busch is about as wack as the president it was named after. OK, so the beer was not actually named after a president. In fact, it came many decades before the oil guys hijacked America. Who knows what it was named after, and who cares? One thing that is certain about Busch is that this beer is just horrible, more so than any president.

Schlitz. Holy Schlitz, this beer is bad! Who cares that it’s a high-proof malt liquor? It produces so much foam that you’ll hardly be able to drink much of it anyway. You may drink this beer with impunity if you’re either a Texan, a teenager or a punk rocker. Otherwise, grow up and drink something of higher stature. Schlitz is just wrong.

Is Beer Really Cheaper than Gas?

Once again, gas prices are on the rise. Along with pain at the pump, the costly increase comes with consumer frustration, extensive news coverage, and plenty of fodder for late night talk show hosts and politicians alike.

Here in the beer world, we’ve seen a recent surge in graphics, t-shirts, and signs emblazoned with the witty saying, "Beer – Now Cheaper than Gas. Drink Don’t Drive."

While we certainly appreciate the clever wording we couldn’t help but wonder how much truth there is to the claim. Our research shows that it all depends on what you’re drinking and how that beer came to be.

The price of gas has already risen by 44 cents per gallon since December, and this past week the national average in the U.S. was $3.72 – 40 cents higher than a year ago, 15 cents higher than the price the previous week and 28 cents away from matching the United States’ all-time high of $4.05 (on a national average basis).

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 80 percent of the cost that an American consumer pays accounts for crude oil and refining, while 10 percent of the cost covers distribution and marketing and the remaining 10 percent is taxes. In many European countries, taxes are close to 50 percent and prices at the pump are nearly double.

Beer is a different story. When you compare the cost of homebrew to the price of beer purchased in a bar or at a store, the difference is substantial. Approximately 3 percent of the money you pay for a commercial beer covers the ingredients and production, while the rest is for packaging, marketing, and distribution. Regardless of who’s doing the brewing, ingredients for a super hoppy double IPA are going to cost about twice as much as the ingredients for something like a blonde ale or cream ale, made with just a single base malt. More complex beers sometimes calI for multiple kinds of specialty grains and an over abundance of hops, further increasing the production costs. This is why craft beers are obviously priced much higher than macro lagers. No matter how you look at the costs, there are far more variances than there are consistencies.

With all of these variables to consider, we decided to stick to what we know and use some real life homebrew and commercial beer examples for the sake of comparison. Here’s what we came up with:



In conclusion, if (and only if) you’re brewing your own malty beer with well sourced ingredients – beer is cheaper than gas.

If you have a draft system, a ½ keg of non-craft beer may soon be about the same price as gas. If you have a draft system and you’re buying ½ kegs of the good stuff, gas will likely always be way cheaper than your beer. Guess that’s the price you pay for being a snob.

Bottled and canned beers are not likely to ever be cheaper than buying gas. If it even gets close, driving will be a privilege reserved for the very rich.

We won’t call anyone out on their claims, as the statement can technically be true – we just thought it was an issue worth exploring.

Mendocino Oatmeal Stout Review #78

Mendocino Oatmeal Stout
Style: Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 6%
Winter Seasonal Brew
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Samuel Smith Stout Glass


Mendocino Brewing Company
(The Hopland Brewery)
Ukiah Mendocino County, California 
Michael Laybourn and Norman Franks
1983

“Jet black in color and full·bodied with a rich, creamy, long-lasting head. Robust, with luscious chocolate and coffee flavors, it is balanced with just the right amount of UK Golding hops. Brewed with massive quantities of oats, our Oatmeal Stout is smooth in the extreme. It pairs well with a wide range of hearty, full-flavored foods and delicious desserts. Our Oatmeal Stout is 6.0% alcohol by volume and 100% marvelous!” [Between ABV change and lack of a Warrior hops mention in the new description, it looks like this should be filed as a new beer on the rating sites.

Appearance:
Pitch Jet Black Color
Thin Minute Mocha Head
Nagging Retention
Dusting Of Lace On The Glass
Slight Sparkling Carbonation
Dark Clarity


Aroma:
Usual Suspects In The Aroma
Cocoa 
Oats
Smoked Ash
Black Tea
Caramel
Burnt Molasses
Charred Oak
Pipe Tobacco
Rasinettes
Trail Mix
Licorice
Coffee

Mouth Feel:
Sweet/Bitter Balance
Flawless Balance
Velvety Texture
Medium Bodied- Not As Big As Some Stouts
Easy Drinkability- Lacks A Wow Factor But Is Decent
Sessionable- I Had No Desire To Have Another One
Gritty Palate
Refreshing Enough
The Finish Climbs Into A Modest Sense Of Cocoa And Roasted Malts With Astringency That Takes Away From The Creaminess
Oats Are Apparent In The Aftertaste But Is Not Quite Smooth Because Of The Sharp Smokiness


Tasted of dark and smoky malts, also some dark chocolate flavor in there as well. Oatmeal, cocoa mix, milk chocolate, and chocolate milk are prominent while the finish shows a bit of nearly burnt toast and smoky ash. Tasted pretty fake to me.


3 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer
 
 

Ten Can Beers To Drink Now

Ten Canned Beers to Drink Now
It's been 75 years since the world saw its first beer can. Now, led by can-only breweries, we're seeing a renaissance for brews that are colder, brighter, hell, more refreshing. Here are 10 that prove that.

Dale's Pale Ale
Oskar Blues brewery tried its hand at all types of beer — a hefewiezen, a Scotch ale, a stout — but its basic brew is the best: bright and rich, not too bitter. Drink it cold or drink it just below room temperature: tastes delicious either way. And it should, since Oskar Blues has been canning all its beer since 2002 — long before the bigger craft brewers caught on.

Porkslap Pale Ale
Butternuts is an upstate New York brewery that's deep in farm country, and all their craft brews bare proof of that provenance. The best, though, is Porkslap Pale Ale, a cult favorite flavored with a spot of ginger to spice things up. It clocks in at just 4.3 percent a.b.v., though, so you may need to keep this six-pack all to yourself.

Brooklyn Lager 16 oz
Back in 1988, Brooklyn Brewery set up shop in an old matzo ball factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where they taught visitors how to actually talk about hops. It took them two decades to put the stuff in a can, but it was worth waiting: it's just as good as the bottle, but comes in a 16 oz tall boy — much more efficient than 12 oz of glass.

Fat Tire Amber Ale
In Fort Collins, Colorado, the new New Belgium brewery began canning its famous ale last summer, and it was just in time. In a can, Fat Tire tastes crisper, and you start to notice things about it, like its hint of sweet caramel, that explain why it's so popular.

Harpoon IPA
Though this brew has been around since 1993, they just started canning it last month — for this summer only. Supplies are limited, so it's worth a try soon, especially if you pair it with Harpoon's recommendations: grilled hot dogs and toasted marshmallows. Summer?

CynicAle 16 oz
If you're in Minneapolis, head to any good liquor store for a four-pack of Surly Brewing Co tall boys. Surly offers all of its yearly and seasonal beers in cans, but we like the CynicAle the best. It's a Belgian beer, so it's light and crisp and perfect for summer. A note: If you're not in the Twin Cities, it's tough to find, so we suggest you start making friends from Minneapolis now

Boont Amber Ale
Anderson Valley is a little brewing company up in Boonville, California, and unlike Brooklyn Brewery, they've managed to keep their operation relatively small and charming. This spring, inspired by the environmental benefits of a lighter, more recyclable material, they started offering their Boont Amber Ale in cans. The brewery recommends serving this beer between 40 and 45 degrees, which means that, if you take it out of the refrigerator and throw it in a duffel bag, it should be just right by the time you get to the park. Try that with a bottle? No thanks.

Pabst Blue Ribbon
Because it's cheap. Because it's everywhere, because cans are easy at bars, and because that's okay. It comes in glass too, but that just looks

Simpler Times Lager
Even cheaper than the PBR, this beer from Minhas Craft Brewery clocks in at 6.2 a.b.v and is about $3 for a six-pack at your local Trader Joe's. The plus side? It tastes much better — slightly malty, with a twang of bitter hops — than the budget cans of your college past.

One to Avoid? Genesee Cream Ale
Thick but flat, bitter but creamy. It's cheap and it's nostalgic and like so many sorta disgusting things, it's a classic. So if you're going to partake in this oddly named product, first introduced in 1960, do so out of a can, for chrissakes.

Five Traits of Hardcore Philadelphia Phillies Fans

The following information is intended for serious Philadelphia Phillies fans only. Everyone else can click elsewhere right now.


A heavenly view of the Phillies home at Citizens Bank Park.
Wikimedia Commons
There are many ways to know that you are truly a hardcore Phillies fan. Here are five of your traits:

Five traits #5: Not overly demanding

You were mad that your favorite online site didn't have a laptop in the exact red Phillies hue that you requested. So, you have refused to shop there ever since and have messaged everyone you know suggesting that they do the same.

Five traits #4: Focused on what matters most

AdChoices

Whenever you saw anything Phillies related this offseason on your smartphone, computer screen, a highway billboard or on a restaurant place mat, your attention was drawn to it like Hunter Pence to the locker room buffet after a win.

You are also reading this outrageously cheeky article, fully knowing that it's contents are far more important that any supposedly 'important' work that your boss annoyingly wants done by the end of the day.

Five traits #3: Engaged in digital video therapy

Enraging content alert just ahead. Skip to the next section, if you must.

Immediately after the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Phillies in three successive playoff seasons, you found yourself drowning your sorrows in a repetitive digital fashion.

After pulling out that Brad Lidge narrated 2008 highlight reel, "Perfect Season", you watched it over and over until your DVR simply stopped accepting your replay commands.

Five traits #2: Dreaming of prime real estate

While you enjoy your current living space, ideally you would prefer to actually establish residence within Citizens Bank Park.

This very logical consideration makes sense because the open-air facility has numerous quality food venues, family-friendly seating areas, the ultimate HDTV screen, a large park-like grassy area where your children can play and easy access to the highway for a quick commute to work and school.

Five traits #1: Baseball connections trump all other relationships

Every hardcore fan fully appreciates the massive importance of the Phillies in their lives. It has been your experience that connections with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and other acquaintances is important to a degree. However, all of those life links must be connected to your team in order for you to tolerate them.

If it came down to it and at times it has, you've had that 'talk' with others to inform them that your not sure if you have enough in common to move forward in your relationship. Being open-minded, you even gave these misguided souls, the phony "it's not you, it's me" line with the faint hope that they would come to their senses and see things your way.

Since most don't, you instantly recognize that you are much better off being rid of them and get back to watching the game as they leave you alone in peace with your team.

Extra innings

One other way to know that you love the Phillies is the sense of humor that you share with other fans.

After so many challenging seasons, you are rightfully in a happy place in your baseball life and value the importance of this team's current run. You also know that fans of some other teams aren't at the same place in their sporting lives and don't like the fact that you and your kind are enjoying yourselves.

Drinkify –Harmonizing Music & Liquid Refreshment

Visit Drinkify.org and type in a musical artist – any artist or band that comes to mind. One click of the "What Should I Drink" button and you’re served an adult beverage recipe that corresponds with the musician(s) you entered (and quite possibly your mood.) As an added bonus, you get to listen to their music as you read the recipe.

I’ve had a lot of fun running the gamut of my iTunes collection just to see what Drinkify will come up with. Here’s a small sampling of what I got:

Led Zeppelin The Led Zeppelin
8 oz Canadian Club whiskey
8 oz coffee

Combine in a highball glass and serve.

Pearl Jam The Pearl Jam
1 PBR

Serve cold.

Jack Johnson The Jack Johnson
2 oz Sipsmith gin
2 oz honey
1 bottle cranberry juice

Combine in a highball glass. Garnish with a shrimp and serve.

Metallica The Metallica
4 oz Captain Morgan spiced rum

Sere neat. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Kanye West The Kanye West
6 oz Hennessey

Serve neat. Stir slowly.

Makes sense to me. If nothing else, all of these recipes provide great entertainment value.

Drinkify was built in "twenty-four boozy hours" by a designer, a data person, and a code guy at Music Hack Day Boston 2011 and not only do I enjoy what they came up with, I think that its origin makes for a pretty cool story.

According to the site, The Echo Nest platform and popular music site Last.fm help to power Drinkify.

I’m hoping they do a reverse version sometime – where I type in what I want to drink and they give me new music suggestions to compliment my type of tipple. That would be thirst quenching, mind-expanding, and with any luck pleasing to my ears.

Regardless, do yourself a favor and give Drinkify a shot, it’s great fun.

Wolavers Organic Oatmeal Stout Review #77

Wolavers Organic Oatmeal Stout
Style: Stout
ABV:  5.9%
Part Of  The Active Beer Rotation
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Victory Nonic Pint


Otter Creek Brewing
"The Shed Brewery"
616 Exchange Street Middlebury, Vermont
1991

This full flavored stout imparts hints of coffee, chocolate, and roasted flavors. It is brewed with an ample supply of locally grown organic rolled oats.

Appearance:
Impenetrable Black Color With Ruby Cast Around Edges
Slender Head That Doesn't Rise To Great Heights
Vanishing Act Head Retention
Fishnet Lacing
Blind Clarity
Fleeting Carbonation
Roasty Looking

Aroma:
Aroma Is Sweet Inviting
Husky Oats
Cheerios
Toasted Pumpernickel
Rye Bread
Roasted Sunflower Seeds
Peat
Compost
Hazelnut (Nutella)
Smoked Bacon
Chicory
Pecans
Burnt Popcorn


Mouth Feel:
Burnt Finish That Sports A Twinge Of Dry Grass Bitterness
Luscious And Desirable Texture
Mellow And Velvety Palate
Sweet/Bitter Balance
Succinct Balance
Convincing And Straightforward
Pleasantly Sessionable- All Day Drinker 
Mouth Feel Is Of Toasted Oatmeal Drowning My Taste buds In A Ocean Of Melted Semi-Sweet Chocolates
High Drinkability- If You Are Looking For A Good Stout, But Doesn't Sacrifice Quality For Drinkability
Light Bodied- A Little Thin For A Stout Of This Stature
Well Prepared Alcohol Profile
"Super Coffee" Breakfast Beer

Tastes roasty malty, with notes of corn flakes, chocoff, almonds, and a dry peaty element.  In the middle The chocolate-rum-rasin-brandyish flavor is pleasant because the taste is mild but sweet and off-biter yet gentle.Standard sweet stout flavoring, resonating with cocoa powder, instant coffee and dark chocolate shavings. A little thin but backed by flavor. This beer is a good example that excellent ingredients make all the difference. On the 7th day God made this stout and he rested with a six pack.


5 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer

 

Flying Fish Exit 4 Review #76

Flying Fish Exit 4
Style: Abbey Tripel
ABV: 9.5 %
Part Of The N.J. Turnpike Exit Series
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Ne Belgium Tulip Glass


Flying Fish Brewing Co.
Small Craft Brewery
First Founded On Th World Wide Web
Cherry Hill, N.J.
Gene Muller
1995

You are holding the inaugural release in a multi-year brewing experiment-to brew a series of beers as diverse as the great state of New Jersey. Our theme is the state-long artery that connects us. Each beer will focus on the unique aspect of an individual exit, whether an ingredient or event. The journey begins at Exit 4- right up the street from the Flying Fish brewery. As one of the first craft brewers to embrace Belgian-style beers, we’ve chosen to start with a Belgian triple, finished with plenty of American hops. Note the hazy golden hue and the aroma of citrus with hints of banana and clove. Then taste the Belgian malt flavors and a subdued bitterness in the finish. Bottle conditioned, this beer will develop as it ages. Enjoy.

Appearance:
Pleasant To The Eye
Glowing Marigold Color
A Soft White Cascading Head
Head Retention Thins Out But Last The Whole Ride Down
Dirty Clarity- Tiny Particles
Sporadic Spots Of Lacing
Laid Back Carbonation- Odd

Aroma:
Aroma Is A Little "Hefe"
Big Alcohol (Hairspray)
Fresh Cascade Hop (American)
Sage
Pesky Amarillo Hop Heavy 
Crunchy Raw Grains
Pale Malts
Orange Juice
Lemon
Sour Cream
Belgian Yeast
Crushed Flowers
Bubblegum

Mouth Feel:
Well Concealed Alcohol
A Different Interpretation To The Style
Fuller Bodied Beer- A Nice Heft To The Beer
Sweet/Bitter Balance
Well Rounded Balance
Changes To An Agreeable Bitter Aftertaste As It Clears The Throat
Mouth Feel Is Of Bubbalicious Bubblegum
Belgian Yeast Quality Flavors On The Palate
Long Lingering Abrasive and Pithy Rindy Zest Bittersweet Finish
Blurring Drinkability- To Many Will Blur Things
Cab worthy Sessionability
More IPAish


Quite bright and citrusy with loads of light mint and lean pale malt. There was also a lot of soft American hoppiness over the well-developed pale malt leanness. I really quite enjoyed this. In the middle The taste is of sweet bubblegum/cotton candy, with growing honey as it progresses. It has a bready, spicy backing. An American citrusy hop taste, with mild bitterness finishes it off, along with noticeable, though not overpowering alcohol. A well done beer enjoy.....Cheers!


4 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer


 
 

Ten Top American Microbreweries Worth A Visit

Though most restaurants might not have cicerones (read: sommeliers for beer) working the dining room floor quite yet, American craft breweries are creating an exciting collection of artisanal, local and limited edition brews that could elevate humble beer from a drink to swill to something to savor. Get out of the bar and behind the scenes with our list of 10 top American microbreweries worth a visit—and a taste.

1. Samuel Adams, Boston

The granddaddy of craft breweries, Samuel Adams was founded in 1984 and has grown to national prominence while staying true to its independent roots. Take an hour-long tour of the brewery, which are hard to miss—they take place every 45 minutes from Monday to Saturday. The popular tour covers not only the brewing process, but also the storied history of patriot and beer aficionado Sam Adams. After the thirst for knowledge is quenched, guests can sample some of the company’s 30 styles of beer.

Stay: Though the Samuel Adams brewery is located in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, it’s a quick cab ride to the luxurious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Stay here and you’ll be treated to precise service and a location directly across the street from the Public Garden and Boston Common.

2. Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, Milton, Del.

This small brewery is revered by beer enthusiasts—its limited release batches (such as the autumnal Punkin Ale) sell out quickly. Dogfish Head forgoes the usual hops/water/barley mix for ingredients like chicory, maple syrup and licorice root. And by working with a molecular archeologist, the team recreates ancient recipes, like the one used for their Midas Touch (the ingredients were found inside drinking vessels in King Midas’s tomb), which is made with honey, grapes and saffron. Reservations are recommended for tours of the Milton microbrewery, where you’ll learn about the ins-and-outs of fermentation and enjoy tastings.

Stay: The oceanfront Boardwalk Plaza Hotel (just 30 minutes from the brewery) has Victorian-style rooms and modern conveniences including high-speed Internet and whirlpool bathtubs.

3. Brooklyn Brewery, New York City

The brewery—a former matzo ball factory—creates its beers, such as Pennant Ale and Black Chocolate Stout, in the hip Williamsburg neighborhood. Small reservation-only tours are hosted on weeknights (including a guided tasting of four beers), but you can also kick back at the popular Tasting Room hangout on weekends. Enjoy the brews, order pizza and join free no-reservations tours on Saturdays.

Stay: For Manhattan luxury that’s not far from Brooklyn, the Four-Star Trump SoHo New York has big city decadence (Fendi Casa furnishings and custom-made Italian bedding) and car service for your trip to the brewery.

4. Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, Calif.

With a signature brew named Arrogant Bastard Ale, it’s clear Stone Brewing Co. doesn’t take itself too seriously. The brand does take its brews seriously—they’ve gone from producing 400 barrels of beer in 1996 to more than 148,000 last year. Free daily tours of the ever-expanding brewery are conducted by a staff of “Indoctrination Specialists,” and include explanations of the brewing process and craft beer culture, a guided tasting and good-natured wise cracks. Visit the bistro afterward for fare made with local organic produce or take a stroll in the gardens.

Stay: Make a day trip to the brewery from the historic US Grant Hotel in San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter—it offers easy access to the bustling downtown and major sights.

5. Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.

Oregon is a mecca for craft brew enthusiasts, so it’s no surprise to find Deschutes Brewery nestled in the picturesque mountain town of Bend. The brewery makes bold, experimental batches like The Abyss dark stout, as well as some of the industry’s most beloved brews, like the Black Butter Porter. Open-to-all-ages tours are offered daily, where all the details of brewing are revealed. Afterward, guests can pick up bottles at the gift shop or try the brews on tap at the nearby pub.

Stay: The Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend has a sleek design that still fits with the town’s folksy persona (think organic bedding and wood cabinetry).

6. Rogue Ales Brewery, Newport, Ore.

On the craft brew scene since 1988, Rogue is constantly expanding its roster of ales (which all have helpful food pairing ideas on the labels). The company has over a dozen unique “meeting halls” in Oregon, California and Washington, but to see where it all happens, visit the Brewer’s On the Bay pub inside the Rogue Ales Brewery on weekday afternoons. Just tell the bartender you are there for a tour and enjoy a pint from one of the 40 taps while you wait for it to start.

Stay: Harrison House bed and breakfast in Corvallis (an hour from the brewery) is housed in a Dutch-Colonial building just blocks from Oregon State University.

7. New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colo.

Starting off as a basement-brewing project for a husband and wife team, this brewery now hosts events such as bike-in movies and a traveling short film series. At the Fort Collins “Liquid Center” headquarters, 90-minute tours school visitors on beer—including the popular Fat Tire and seasonal releases such as Old Cherry Ale—as well as the company’s environmental efforts (they were the first wind-powered brewery in the United States).

Stay: For a luxurious stay in Colorado, head to The Ritz-Carlton, Denver (about an hour drive from Fort Collins), with cosmopolitan ambiance and a Four-Star spa.

8. Road Dog’s Brewery Tour, Seattle

Instead of picking just one brewery to visit in the Emerald City—Seattle has over 150 craft and microbreweries in and around the city—sign up for one of Road Dog’s Brewery Tours. Popular with tourists and locals alike, the daily tours stop at three breweries—including notables such as Elysian Brewery, Pyramid Brewery and Elliot Bay Brewery—where you’ll sample brews, see behind the scenes and pick up souvenirs.

Stay: The historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel has a central downtown location that makes it easy to explore the city—including the world-famous Pike Place Market—by foot.

9. Allagash Brewing Company, Portland, Maine

Inspired by the then under-appreciated Belgium style of beer, Allagash Brewing Company began as a one-man, 15-barrel operation and now has a steady rotation of yearly brews, as well as specialty and limited lines. The brewery’s popular tours are open to all ages with samples for those over 21—bring ID, they card everyone—and will give you a chance to ask about Allagash’s unreleased experimental Coolship collection, which uses a traditional process culled from pre-refrigeration era brewing.

Stay: The White Barn Inn & Spa in Kennebunkport (about an hour drive from Portland) is a charming 26-room hotel with a Five-Star restaurant and lush gardens.

10. Live Oak Brewing Company, Austin, Texas

For anyone interested in the Old World method (and results) of Central European brewing, Live Oak Brewing Company is a must-visit. Located in East Austin, the brewery pumps out its Big Bark Amber Lager and Liberation Ale and hosts twice-monthly tours. Take note: the tours require pre-booking and the brewery is not temperature-controlled, so dress accordingly for Texas weather.

Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Austin’s spacious guest rooms overlook the city and some have a pretty view of Lady Bird Lake (book a room with a balcony if you want to catch some year-round sunshine).

A Winning Chilli Recipe

"Threw Stuff* in a Pot" Chili
 
2 - Pounds of 80% Ground Beef
1 - Pound of HOT Italian Sausage (Remove Casing)
3 – 15 oz. Cans of Dark Red Kidney Beans (Rinsed and Drained)
3 – 15 oz. Cans of Pinto Beans (Rinsed and Drained)
2 – 28 oz. Cans of Diced Tomatoes with the juice
1 – 6 oz. Can of Tomato Paste
1 – 6 oz. of Water
1 – Yellow Onion (Chopped, not Diced)
3 – Celery Stalks (Chopped, not Diced)
1 – Green Bell Pepper (Chopped, not Diced)
1 – Red Bell Pepper (Chopped, not Diced)
1 – Tbsp. of REAL bacon pieces
4 – Tsp. of Beef “Better than Bouillon”
3/4 - Tsp Cups of Oatmeal Stout (Homebrew!)
1/4 - Tsp Chili Powder (Plus more to taste)
1 Tbsp. – Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbsp. – Minced Garlic
1 Tbsp. – Dried Oregano
2 Tsp. – Ground Cumin
2 Tsp. – Tabasco Sauce
1 Tsp. – Dried Basil
1 Tsp. – Salt (Kosher)
1 Tsp. – Ground Black Pepper
4 Tsp. – Ground Cayenne Pepper
1 Tsp. – Paprika
1 Tsp. – Granulated Sugar

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout Review #76

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout 
ABV: 5%
Style: Sout
Part Of The Wide Range Of Beers Brewed
355mL Bottle Poured Into  A Samuel Smith Tulip Glass

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery
(Sam Smith's)
Tadcaster North Yorkshire, England
Humphrey Smith, Oliver Smith
1758 Samuel Smith
1847 John Smith

Originally a drink for lactating mothers, oatmeal stout was described as nutritional on early labels. Oats are in the same family as barley, and a small addition yields great flavor. Popular in the late 1800’s, the last oatmeal stout was brewed before the First World War until Samuel Smith reintroduced this style in 1980.

Almost opaque, with an unusually silky texture and complex, medium-dry velvet palate. Bittersweet finish.

Appearance:
Ace Of Spades Color
A Nice Symmetric Layer Of A Caramel Colored Foam Hat On Top
Head Slowly Tickles Down In The Retention Department
Clingy Curtains Of Lacing On Glass
Blinding Clarity
Vulnerable Carbonation


Aroma:
Oatmeal Cookies
Whole Milk
Fresh Sea Breeze
Rich Oats
Robust Coffee
Molasses
Raw Malt
Rural Grains
Cocoa
Heathly Amounts Of Roasted Barley
Lingonberry

Mouth Feel:
Rounded And Well Balanced
Sugar Sweet/Bitter Sweet
Seductive Drinkability- Like Coffee At 5:00PM
Medium Bodied- Bordeaux Like Body
Projects A Pleasant Mellow Nature On The Palate And Is Big On Structure
"Gotta Try Again" Sessionability
Smooth And Mouthwatering
Gummy Texture
Refreshing Chocolate Note Aftertaste That Comes Around As Shy For A Premium Stout
Four Course Meal
Finish Is A Surprising Sweet Nugget Combination Of Milk Chocolate And Nuts With Smooth Oatmeal That Drops Elegantly
Barely There Alcohol Bite

A very flavorful for such a small beer. Light lactose-like sourishness. Roasted and toasted malts. Coffee is full force with nuttiness right behind. Some molasses and just a touch of breadiness. Really good!  

5 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer 
 
 
 


 

4 Nice Chocolate Beers For Valentines Day

Forget About Whitmans Chocolates Try These.

Forget hot cocoa; get your chocolate fix with one of these beers.

Foothills Sexual Chocolate

This chocolate-charged North Carolina seasonal reappears in February. Brewed with organic Peruvian cocoa nibs, this stout’s completely chocolaty, but there are swirls of toffee, coffee and dark fruit, too. At 9.7% ABV, it’ll certainly put you in the mood.

Lefty’s Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal and Valrhona cocoa powder in the brew evoke chocolate-chip cookies; perky carbonation and a little roast keep the mouthfeel light.

Boulevard Chocolate Ale

For the second year, brewer Steven Pauwels teamed up with chocolatier Christopher Elbow to brew this specialty beer “dry-hopped” with Dominican cocoa nibs. It pours orange, but tastes like chocolate milk laced with strawberry, chilies and a little bitterness.

Charleville Box of Chocolate

This 10.5%-ABV Belgian-style quadrupel’s the ultimate aperitif: The aroma simply oozes chocolate, and on the tongue, it’s a dead ringer for liqueur truffles.

Chimay Triple / Blanche (White) / Cinq Cents Review #75

Chimay Triple / Blanche
ABV: 8%
Style: Abbey Tripel
Part Of The Chimay Three Line
11.3oz Bottle Poured Into A Chimay Chalice

Chimay Brewery
Trappist Brewery
Scourmont Abbey
Hainaut, Belgium
Monk Brewed
1863

Chimay Tripel, with its typical golden colour, its slightly hazy appearance and its fine head is especially characterised by its aroma which results from an agreeable combination of fresh hops and yeast. The beer’s flavour, as sensed in the mouth, comes from the smell of hops: above all it is the fruity notes of muscat and raisins that give this beer a particularly attractive aroma. The aroma complements the touch of bitterness. There is no acidity, but an after-bitterness which melts in the mouth. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurised.
Ingredients: Water, malted barley, wheat starch, sugar, hop extract and yeast. 

Appearance:
A True Work Of Art!
Molten Golden Color
Creamy Meringue Quality Head
Essence Of The Head Is Long Lasting
Lacing Is Chunky And Static- Forms Stain Glass Window Splotches
Murky Clarity- Unfiltered Suspended Yeast

Aroma:
Contains Tons Of Micro Aromas
Wet Cobblestones
Wild Orchid
Belgian Yeast
Banana
Cinnamon
Blueberries
Pineapple
Gorgonzola
Muscat

Mouth feel:
Pure And Natural Palate- Monk-Tastic
Harmonious Drinkability-It Has Monk Magic In It
Sweet/Bitter Balance
Intelligent Balance- This Brew Is The Yoda Of Tripels
Knows Where To Put The Flavors At And In The Right Times
Well Crafted Texture
Vulnerable Sessionability- Makes You Weak At The Knees And Wanting More
More Blonde Than Tripel
Mouth Feel Is Rich And Complex
Delightful Finish Is One Dimensional Of Sugars And Alcohol
Simple And Great
Fruity Banana Flavors On The Aftertaste, Like They Been Dipped In Alcohol Instead Of Chocolate 




A complex plateau of what must be sterling hops and exotic citrus and Asian spices. Very clean malt balance and crisp refreshing finish that pleads with the drinker to have another sip. It is the devil, such a rare and special beer that goes down so easily and quickly. It has a slight astringent bitterness and fruit flavors that use your tongue as a dance floor long after the brew is finished.

3 Out Of 6
My Least Favorite Out Of The Chimay Trio
Want A Sixer

Bailey’s Blonde Ale: A Pleasant Surprise Internet Review

I picked it up on a whim. I’d never even heard of it before but I was trying to pick out a few different styles that my boyfriend might actually dig. He’s a pretty rad guy but not much of a beer drinker, steering more toward macro lagers or sweet, pink Lindemans Framboise. Not much into hoppy bitterness, I decided to pick up a few laid-back Sly Fox pilsners, a Lindemans Kriek (this I know he loves) and two Bailey’s Blonde Ales. I’d never had a Bailey’s Blonde before but my experience with the style has been one of balance without too much in the way of overpowering bitterness and a lighter profile overall.

Well, he took a sip and, to my surprise said, "this is pretty bitter." I took a sip and, while it does have a nice (Amarillo?) hops kick, it is nicely balanced with a superb mouthfeel. It’s amazing how differently peoples’ palates decipher tastes, isn’t it? When I think of bitter, I think IPAs and American Barleywines. I have learned though that he tends more toward the sweet and malty, so this brew definitely isn’t for him. On the flip side, I have found another beer that I absolutely love.

Appearance
Darker in color than I imagined it would be, Bailey’s Blonde pours a vibrant, deep orange with a fluffy, cloud-white, creamy head.

Aroma
Scents of spice and flowers are backed by a lightly sweet, almost imperceptible caramel malt.

Taste
The sip starts out sweet and citrusy, with more of a focus on the malt but finishes with a lovely hoppy bite in the back. The spicy floral notes in the nose really star, but I find Bailey’s Blonde very well balanced.

Mouthfeel
Heavier than I anticipated, this is an ale I know I’m drinking; I’d say medium-bodied (when I expected light to medium-light) with the perfect amount of crisp carbonation.

Overall
For a random pickup at the store, I couldn’t be more pleased. I most definitely enjoyed Bailey’s Blonde Ale and can see myself drinking it just about any time of the year.

Five Wings And Beer Pair For The Super Bowl!

Ain’t no thing but our favorite wing and beer pairings.

 

Lemon Pepper & Boddington’s Pub Ale

Mild-mannered Boddy’s politely steps aside for the wing’s lemon and pepper flavors, but its hop bite and soft, creamy mouthfeel tidy up the palate.

Garlic Parmesan & Rio Grande Brewing Chili Cerveza

Spice things up Southwestern style: A chili beer brings on the heat, while its green pepper flavor is a perfect pard’ner to garlic and parmesan.

Honey Barbecue & Widmer Brothers Pitch Black IPA

This wing’s tangy barbecue sauce gets fresh-off-the-grill credentials from a black IPA’s roasted notes, which emulate a charred flavor.

Hot & Samuel Adams Bonfire Rauchbier

With a mouthfeel thick enough to battle this wing’s blaze, this rauchbier’s smoky tones complement the heat to create a firestorm of flavor.

Spicy Asian & Hoegaarden

In this global-inspired pair, a traditional Belgian witbier’s coriander and lemon draw out the wing’s ginger-and-red-pepper sweetness, while refreshing, zippy wheat tames the sauce’s spice.

Anderson Valley Winter Solistace Review #74

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Winter Seasonal Beer
ABV: 6.9%
12oz Bottle Poured Into Dogfish Head Tumbler Pint Glass

Anderson Valley Brewing Co.
Boonville, California
Trey White And Partners
1987

Each year, when people are starting to unpack their winter clothes and replenish their firewood, our tiny brewery in the coastal redwoods of Northern California makes seasonal preparations of a different kind. As the cold arrives, we release a unique beverage created to add warmth to even the coldest and darkest of winter's days. Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale begins with a very high original gravity to create a hearty and spicy brew with a deep amber hue and a smooth finish. Anderson Valley Brewing Company wishes you the very best for the holiday season and the New Year. 

Appearance:
Rust Colored Body
Tightly Packed Off-White Bubble Wrung Quality Head
Head Runs Out Off Steam Quickly
Stringy/Leggy Lacing On The Glass 
Clear Enough To Read Through
Restrained Carbonation

Aroma:
Mediocre Aroma, You Have To Dig In To Achieve Smells
Spiced Plum Pudding
Waffle Cone Aroma
Coconut
Fresh Mountain Air
Pretzel
Black Cherry
Carrot Cake
Cinnamon 
Cream Soda
Toasted Cranberry

Mouth Feel:
Not Overly Spiced Filled
Medium Bodied
Sweet/Bitter Balance
Easily Able To Enjoy Multiple Beers In One Sitting
Finish Has A Kind Of Breakfast Feel, Like Eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Mouth Feel Is Fantastic Cream Soda Quality
Aftertaste Is Not That Sweet Or Sappy Like Most Brown Beers
Reddish Wine/Fruit Juice And Has A Sneaky Bitter Bite Quality Aftertaste
Exceedingly Refreshing And Drinkable
Sessionable- The 6.9% ABV Will Not Get You Terribly Drunk That You Are To Wasted To Function
Weird Complex
"Fun House" Beer With The Mixture Of Flavors
Strong English Ale/Eggnog Hybrid Texture
Whoppers Candy Palate

Some hop or malt on the initial taste, then it fades to some cherry and possibly a hint of vanilla. Next taste revealed some citrus or orangey flavors. Another smell yields a leathery background aroma. Its interesting that the flavor and aroma are in a state of constant flux, very dynamic. In the middle is the malt-forward flavor is of plum, brown sugar and baking spices with bit of a spicy hop note coming forward. Next taste is roast and malty. Next sniff is vegetables! This beer is very complex, I must admit. Next sniff is like whiskey.  This beer might not be the best beer, but it does have a lot of personality.

4 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer