Little did I know, fall’s favorite pumpkin beers have a history in America, long before our current craft beer renaissance. In fact, in a book published in 1801 by Samuel Stearns, pumpkin beer is listed right after ‘porter’ and ‘ale.’
Pumpkin beer has a history even longer than the 19th century, however. While most Europeans had never even seen a pumpkin, both pumpkins and brown sugar were easily accessible in early uncolonized America, while proper malt was not. Colonists brewed pumpkin beer for health and sustenance, replacing malt entirely with pumpkin meat. Even America’s first folk song, written around 1643, sings of pumpkin beer:
Instead of pottage and puddings and custards and pies,
Our pumpkins and parsnips are common supplies;
We have pumpkin at morning and pumpkin at noon;
If it was not for pumpkins we should be undone
… Hey down, down, hey down derry down….
If barley be wanting to make into malt
We must be contented and think it no fault
For we can make liquor, to sweeten our lips,
Of pumpkins and parsnips and walnut-tree chips.
Join me in celebrating American history with your favorite pumpkin beer today. Cheers!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Avery Karma Review #44
Avery KarmaStyle: Belgian Ale
ABV: 5.2%
Spring Seasonal
Limited Release
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Dogfish Head Pint Glass
We believe in Karma. We suspect most of you do, too. It truly is a global concept. Very simply put, "you get what you give." Inspired by this principle and the wonderful farmhouse and pale ales of Belgium, we've created Karma Ale, a decidedly fruity and estery ale, intricate in body and nose, all driven by a unique Belgian yeast strain. Remember, good things DO happen to good people. Here's to being good!
Avery Brewing Co.
Boulder, Colorado
Adam Avery-President & /Brewmaster
September 1993
Appearance:
Light Tea Color
Cloudy Clarity
Frothy Eggshell White Head
Nice Retention
Quaint Lacing
Rising Carbonation
Aroma:
Artificial Smelling Aroma
Tropical Fruits
Sweet Ginger
Strawberry
Belgian Yeast
Phenolic Spice
Ashy
Mouth Feel:
Spritzy Light Bodied Beer
Watery Texture
Watery Palate
Sour/Sweet Balance
Fruity Session Beer
Medium Drinkability- Like Drinking Liquified Trixs Cereal
Fairly Refreshing
Harsh Mouth Feel
Faint Astringency In A Short Finish
The flavor shows fruity Belgian yeast with pale malts and dry grains. The beer had a Pils-like quality to it's flavor profile, though considerably more yeasty. The beer has a slight dry hop flavor on the aftertaste. They classify this as a Belgian ale, but I disagree with this. I consider this beer to be more of a APA or a light IPA.
1 1/2 Out Of 6
Don't Want A Sixer
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Heavy Seas The Great Pumpkin Internet Review
I was at the local beer store this past weekend, with the intention of loading up on pumpkin, fall, and Oktoberfest beers. One of the first ones I saw was this beer, The Great Pumpkin. How could I not buy a beer named “The Great Pumpkin?” The cartoon for which this beer is named is one of my favorites. I college my philosophy professor even had us do a study into The Great Pumpkin. I can’t remember the reason for the study, but I do remember liking it. I digress.
The Great Pumpkin pours a nice burnt orange color with a thin white head. This beer is also crystal clear. This baby rocks in at 8% and the label reads it as an imperial pumpkin ale. I guess this goes along with Clipper City’s Heavy Seas line of big beers. The label also says, “beer brewed with pumpkin and spices.”
The nose on this imperial ale smells very much like a pumpkin pie. The spices are distant, but present. There is some sweetness there as well. I didn’t get any pumpkin meat like what you can find in some pumpkin beers. I also didn’t notice any heat in this imperial offering. On the first taste those distant spices come rushing up and kick you in the face. They are a bit strong, but not totally overwhelming. There is a nice pumpkin pie finish to the beer along with some heat.
This one is a slightly different pumpkin ale than what you normally see. There are not a lot of imperial pumpkin ales out there right now and this one does a pretty good job at helping to define the “style.” It is a drinkable beer but the spices are a bit heavy handed in my eyes. Grab it while you can and be careful, these babies only come in 22 oz bottles.
The Great Pumpkin pours a nice burnt orange color with a thin white head. This beer is also crystal clear. This baby rocks in at 8% and the label reads it as an imperial pumpkin ale. I guess this goes along with Clipper City’s Heavy Seas line of big beers. The label also says, “beer brewed with pumpkin and spices.”
The nose on this imperial ale smells very much like a pumpkin pie. The spices are distant, but present. There is some sweetness there as well. I didn’t get any pumpkin meat like what you can find in some pumpkin beers. I also didn’t notice any heat in this imperial offering. On the first taste those distant spices come rushing up and kick you in the face. They are a bit strong, but not totally overwhelming. There is a nice pumpkin pie finish to the beer along with some heat.
This one is a slightly different pumpkin ale than what you normally see. There are not a lot of imperial pumpkin ales out there right now and this one does a pretty good job at helping to define the “style.” It is a drinkable beer but the spices are a bit heavy handed in my eyes. Grab it while you can and be careful, these babies only come in 22 oz bottles.
Friday, September 23, 2011
9 Reasons To Drink In A Bar
A Bar Called Cajun Mike's 9 Reasons Are As Follows:
1. We Are Fully Prepared For The Zombie Apocalypse.
2. We Probably Won't Give You Syphilis.
3. Ain't No Party Like A Liver Failure Party.
4. Complimentary Prostate Exam With A $10 Purchase.
5. Women With Loose Morals And Questionable Standards.
6. There Is No Sobriety Only ZUUl!
7. I Put LSD In One Of The Bottles And Don't Know Which One.
8. Your Poor Desicion Making Skills Are Dangerously Rusty.
9. Jesus Said, "Yea, And Thou Shalt Act The Fool.
Here are my top 9 reasons for drinking at the bars I like best:
1. Good Beer Selection
I’m a beer geek and there’s nothing more disappointing than walking into a place and realizing the only "craft beer" option they have is Shocktop.
2. Clean Glassware
I know that glass washing machines don’t always perform at 100% but it’s seriously gross to get a beautifully poured beer in a pint glass with someone else’s lipstick on it.
3. Friendly & Attentive Staff
Ever notice how places seem more fun when you’re friends with the bartender? When people pay attention to you, joke around and are generally pleasant it’s hard not to have a good time.
4. Free Food
I know this sounds silly (and possibly cheap) but my two favorite dive bars here in Buffalo both use free food to lure people in. One offers free popcorn and the other always has free nachos (with all of the toppings!) After a night out, free nachos are more than enough someone to choose that establishment for a nightcap.
5. A Good Crowd
No one likes drinking alone. Bars that have a crowd of the kind of people you like being around are always more enjoyable than bars that are empty or filled with d-bags and divas in their best prissy pants.
6. Good/Proper Acoustics & Lighting
When I go out, I go out to socialize and there’s nothing worse than being in a bar that is so ungodly loud I can’t hear myself think, let alone catch what my buddy next to me is saying. Similarly, it’s not always good to feel like you’re in a cave but if the light pours in and blinds you before the sun goes down, that can be obnoxious too.
7. Decent Music Selection
Whether it’s a jukebox, someone’s iPod plugged into the speakers system or a live band, the music makes a difference. I know everyone has different preferences but there’s plenty of music that pleases almost everyone (or at least refrains from annoying them) – classic rock, party hits, that kind of thing…
8. Fun & Games
There is a bar that I go to strictly because I love playing shuffleboard there. There’s another bar I like because of their photo booth. Darts are fun but I guess I kind of expect a dart board at most places. People like pool… you get the point.
9. Adult Atmosphere
When I was in college I went to college bars and now that I’m 5 years out, I find myself annoyed when there are bunches of underage kids binge drinking around me. I like places that can pull off classy without being pretentious. Basically, I’d rather see art on the walls than chewing gum.
There you have it folks. Anything I missed?
1. We Are Fully Prepared For The Zombie Apocalypse.
2. We Probably Won't Give You Syphilis.
3. Ain't No Party Like A Liver Failure Party.
4. Complimentary Prostate Exam With A $10 Purchase.
5. Women With Loose Morals And Questionable Standards.
6. There Is No Sobriety Only ZUUl!
7. I Put LSD In One Of The Bottles And Don't Know Which One.
8. Your Poor Desicion Making Skills Are Dangerously Rusty.
9. Jesus Said, "Yea, And Thou Shalt Act The Fool.
Here are my top 9 reasons for drinking at the bars I like best:
1. Good Beer Selection
I’m a beer geek and there’s nothing more disappointing than walking into a place and realizing the only "craft beer" option they have is Shocktop.
2. Clean Glassware
I know that glass washing machines don’t always perform at 100% but it’s seriously gross to get a beautifully poured beer in a pint glass with someone else’s lipstick on it.
3. Friendly & Attentive Staff
Ever notice how places seem more fun when you’re friends with the bartender? When people pay attention to you, joke around and are generally pleasant it’s hard not to have a good time.
4. Free Food
I know this sounds silly (and possibly cheap) but my two favorite dive bars here in Buffalo both use free food to lure people in. One offers free popcorn and the other always has free nachos (with all of the toppings!) After a night out, free nachos are more than enough someone to choose that establishment for a nightcap.
5. A Good Crowd
No one likes drinking alone. Bars that have a crowd of the kind of people you like being around are always more enjoyable than bars that are empty or filled with d-bags and divas in their best prissy pants.
6. Good/Proper Acoustics & Lighting
When I go out, I go out to socialize and there’s nothing worse than being in a bar that is so ungodly loud I can’t hear myself think, let alone catch what my buddy next to me is saying. Similarly, it’s not always good to feel like you’re in a cave but if the light pours in and blinds you before the sun goes down, that can be obnoxious too.
7. Decent Music Selection
Whether it’s a jukebox, someone’s iPod plugged into the speakers system or a live band, the music makes a difference. I know everyone has different preferences but there’s plenty of music that pleases almost everyone (or at least refrains from annoying them) – classic rock, party hits, that kind of thing…
8. Fun & Games
There is a bar that I go to strictly because I love playing shuffleboard there. There’s another bar I like because of their photo booth. Darts are fun but I guess I kind of expect a dart board at most places. People like pool… you get the point.
9. Adult Atmosphere
When I was in college I went to college bars and now that I’m 5 years out, I find myself annoyed when there are bunches of underage kids binge drinking around me. I like places that can pull off classy without being pretentious. Basically, I’d rather see art on the walls than chewing gum.
There you have it folks. Anything I missed?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Esquire Names Best Black IPA Options
Dark and hoppy has become quite popular lately and the Black IPA style seems to be everywhere. Our friends at Esquire have compiled a list of their favorite not-so-pale ales. I thought I’d share their list despite with my embarrassing confession of having only tried 3 of the 11 beers listed.
My personal favorite is Stone’s Sublimely Self Righteous and that was only mentioned in the 15th Anniversary write up. If these are all as good (or better) – I’m in for a treat.
Looks like I’ve got some drinking to do…
1. Deschutes Hop in the Dark
2. Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet
3. Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA
4. Victory Yakima Glory
5. Uinta Dubhe (pronounced "doo-bee")
6. Short’s Bludgeon Yer Eye
7. Odell Mountain Standard
8. Southern Tier Iniquity
9. 21st Amendment Back in Black
10. New Glarus Black Top
11. Midnight Sun XXX Black Double IPA
My personal favorite is Stone’s Sublimely Self Righteous and that was only mentioned in the 15th Anniversary write up. If these are all as good (or better) – I’m in for a treat.
Looks like I’ve got some drinking to do…
1. Deschutes Hop in the Dark
2. Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet
3. Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA
4. Victory Yakima Glory
5. Uinta Dubhe (pronounced "doo-bee")
6. Short’s Bludgeon Yer Eye
7. Odell Mountain Standard
8. Southern Tier Iniquity
9. 21st Amendment Back in Black
10. New Glarus Black Top
11. Midnight Sun XXX Black Double IPA
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Anchor Humming Ale Review #43
Anchor Humming AleStyle: American Pale Ale
Autumn Seasonal
ABV: 5.9%
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Peroni Lager Glass
To commemorate an important milestone in Anchor Brewing’s long history, a special ale seemed appropriate. Having found and experimented with a very rare and unusual hop variety called Nelson Sauvin, we knew that its unique character would impart a wonderful flavor and aroma to a pale ale brewed especially for the occasion: Humming Ale.
Anchor Brewing Company
San Fransisco, California
Ernst F. Baruth
Otto Schinkel, Jr.
1896
Appearance:
Golden Color With A Slight Orange Hue
Hazy Clarity
Three Fingered Bubbly Head
Retention All The Way Down
Relatively Low Effervescence
Ring Lacing
Aroma:
Lemon Pine Sol
Orange
Pomegranate
Sour Milk
Vegetation
Soap
Nelson Sauvin Hops
Mouth Feel:
Light Bodied
Thin Feel
Clean And Simple Ale
Light Sweetness/ Medium Bitterness Balance
Low Drinkability- Though To Drink And Finish
Dry Lingering Bitter Finish
Resin Flavor Lingers On The Palate
Not Refreshing Or Quenching
The flavor seemed to have a cooked vegetable quality that included cabbage and beets, with biscuits on the back of the tongue. The palate of this beer was thin and malty, with almost non-existent hop flavor. Faded to a malty presence and a long dry bitter finish.
0.5 Out Of 6
Don't Want A Sixer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)