The Beer Buzz

Monkey Fist IPA from Shipyard Brewing

2013-06-12T19:32:00.001-07:00

By Rick

Shipyard Brewing Company: Monkey Fist IPA

The name piqued my curiosity, so I checked the Shipyard Brewing Company website (www.shipyard.com) for information. Monkey Fist IPA is so named because it is “edgy, aggressive and explosive.”

I would say this brew certainly qualifies as a classic American IPA. It pours that classic copper-brown color with a frothy head- and that classic hoppy aroma is released with the pouring. The classic hop experience continues through to its crisp finish. I wanted to go a couple more rounds with this one! (But be careful: this brew packs a bit of a wallop with a 6.9% ABV!)

Don’t be afraid to pair this brew with spicy, hearty foods- or just enjoy that classic IPA taste by itself!

Cheers!

Applehead Wheat Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company

2013-06-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

By Rick

“Summertime… and the drinking is easy…”

I’m looking forward to the warmer weather in Central PA. I’m also looking forward to trying some “warm weather brews”.

Applehead Wheat Ale certainly fits the bill. Check out the Shipyard Brewing Company website (www.shipyard.com) to find out more about this fast-growing craft brewery in Portland, Maine.

Applehead pours a golden yellow with a frothy white head. (It looked quite nice in my pilsner glass!) There’s a nice, subtle aroma of apple, cinnamon and nutmeg.

I was expecting a “cidery” taste, but I was pleasantly surprised with a sweeter, juicier taste and a crisp, refreshing finish. (And with a 4.5% ABV- you can finish a few of them at your next get-together!)

Applehead would be great with grilled fruit- or how about as a “dessert beer”- with some apple pie and ice cream?!

Cheers!

Fixed Gear American Red Ale from Lakefront Brewery

2013-06-12T19:21:00.002-07:00

By Rick

Balance.

The label of Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery (www.lakefrontbrewery.com) Fixed Gear American Red Ale features a drawing with a unique theme and variation on a bicycle. Balance is important in cycling- as well as in a good beer.

Fixed Gear pours a reddish-brown hue with a frothy head. This brew left a very nice lacing throughout my sampling! Its balance was readily apparent with aromatic hints of both hops and malts. The balance continues throughout the mouthfeel and finish. This is a very satisfying (6.8% ABV) beer!

Don and I had just performed with our band at a local arts festival. We had worked up a thirst and Fixed Gear was the perfect match for our post-concert pizza and salty snacks!

Nothing like balancing our business and pleasure too!

Cheers!

Blood Orange Imperial India Pale Ale from Freedom's Edge Brewing Company

2013-06-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

By Guest Reviewer Jim Walter of Cheyenne, Wyoming

It's been a while since I posted a guest review here, and a lot has changed. I'm no longer in Upstate NY, one of the fastest growing beer areas in the states. I moved to Cheyenne, WY in May.

One of my concerns when moving to Wyoming was that I was leaving a great beer area, for the unknown. Yes, Fort Collins is only 45 minutes away, but I knew nothing about the craft beer scene in Cheyenne, or if there even was one.

Much to my delight, I quickly found Freedom's Edge Brewing Company and their fantastic tap room in the historic Tivioli Building in downtown Cheyenne.

This week they released the first of their Bad Horse Beer series this week. The Blood Orange Imperial India Pale Ale. This beer clocks in at a hefty 9% ABV and is only available in 22 oz bombers, and tastings in the tap room. The beer is a red IPA and it is brewed with orange peel and American hops.

My first impression of this beer comes from the packaging. The label is awesome, and the fact that they sealed the cap with wax, gives it a great eye appeal. The beer pours with a typical copper IPA color and left about 1 1/2 inches of foam. At 9% ABV, this beer is not at all overpowered by the alcohol in it. The aroma of hops is strong, and you catch a hint of oranges in it too. The beer tastes as advertised. It has all the characteristics of a good red IPA, and at the front, there is just enough orange flavor to give it a signature taste. The orange lends a touch of sweetness to the beer balancing the bitterness of the hops.

It wasn't long ago that I would instinctively turn my nose up at any beer that had fruit in it. It shows my palate has come a long way when it was announced on Facebook that this was going to be released last week and I was excited. The beer did not let me down.

At $12 for a 22 oz bomber it is a touch pricey, so I was relieved that it lived up to the hype I created for it in my mind. You can find it at Freedom's Edge Tap House in Cheyenne, or you might get lucky and find them at a Rocky Mountain Brew Fest this summer. It is a limited release so enjoy it while you can.

Cheers!

Blue Heron Pale Ale from Mendocino Brewing Company

2013-05-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

By Rick

“The legend grows.”

Mendocino Brewing Company was the 1^st Post-Prohibition brewpub in California- the 2^nd in the USA- commencing in 1983. Check out their interesting website ( www.mendobrew.com) for more info.

Blue Heron is brewed in the classic style of the American Pale Ale. It pours a golden-yellow with a frothy head- and with that wonderful hoppy aroma too! Nice lacing continued throughout my sampling- as did a bubbly, effervescent mouthfeel and a nice hoppy finish.

This 6.1 % ABV American Pale Ale would pair nicely with practically any food. With the Central PA weather finally warming up- I can’t wait to match this brew up with some of my favorite American classics: hot dogs and hamburgers!

Cheers!

Red Tail Ale from Mendocino Brewing Company

2013-05-25T16:01:00.001-07:00

By Rick

The legend continues.

Mendocino Brewing Company was the 1^st Post-Prohibition brewpub in California- the 2^nd in the USA- commencing in 1983. Check out their interesting website ( www.mendobrew.com) for more info.

Red Tail Ale is their flagship brew. It pours a hearty reddish-brown color with a nice frothy head. The key word with this beer is balance. There’s a nice balance of malt and hops throughout its aroma, mouthfeel and finish.

Because of this this classic balance- I wouldn’t be afraid to pair this 6.1% ABV brew with any type of food- or simply by itself.

Enjoy a legend: Red Tail Ale.

Cheers!

Helles Lager from Fordham Brewing

2013-05-25T15:56:00.001-07:00

By Rick

One of the great things I like about trying different types of beers is learning a little bit about the history of the beer. (Dare I say “every pitcher has a story”?!)

Helles Lager was the German version of the increasingly popular (Czech) pilsner beer during the mid-1800s. This is Fordham Brewing Company’s version of the Munich classic that’s meant for everyday drinking. Check out their website (www.fordhambrewing.com )to learn more about this Dover, Delaware brewery.

Helles Lager pours a straw-yellow with a proper head. (Helles is German for “bright/ light colored”.) I detected mild lacing throughout my sampling and a slightly grassy aroma after pouring. Although I’m a hop-head, I really like the clean, crisp, effervescent feel of this type of beer in mouth. Great clean finish too!

This 5.4% ABV brew would pair nicely with lighter foods: perhaps appetizers and/or salad. (How about German potato salad?!) It’s also the kind of beer that would really taste great on a hot summer day!

Prost!

Scotch Ale from Fordham Brewing

2013-05-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

By Rick

“To everything… there is a season…”

Those prophetic words can even apply to beer! If you’re looking for a seasonal brew to warm your soul on winter nights- try a Fordham Brewing Company (www.fordhambrewing.com ) Scotch Ale.

This hearty brew pours a reddish-brown with a nice frothy head. As you would expect with a scotch ale- a smoky, malty aroma is apparent. That smoky malt continues through the mouthfeel and enhances its crisp finish.

This 8% ABV brew would pair nicely with other hearty foods- all those tasty items we love to eat during the winter! Tis the season…

Cheers!

Irish Whiskey Cask Stout from Innis & Gunn Brewery

2013-04-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

By Don

So, we headed off to Cleveland for Easter this year to celebrate with my wife's family.

Still in search of some more Very Mad Cow Stout from Revolution Brewing out of Chicago, I thought I would check in Cleveland. I saw on the Revolution website that they had a distributor in Cleveland.

I didn't have a lot of time so I only went down to the beer and wine store near my InLaws house.

No luck.

But while I was there, I thought I'd look around and see if anything jumped out at me.

And then I saw it.

On the top shelf, I spotted a 4-pack of Innis & Gunn's "Irish Cask." Innis & Gunn is a brewer from Edinburgh, Scotland. Irish Cask is an Oak Aged Beer. It's a Scottish Stout matured in rare Irish Whiskey Barrels. Sounds interesting!

I grabbed the 4-pack and went up to the counter. As I was checking out, the guy behind the counter said, "Have you tried the Kentucky Bourbon Ale?" Then, he went off to retrieve it from the cooler. My father-in-law said, "I'll get that one for you." More on that one later.

Irish Cask pours to a nice chocolate brown with a foamy head that dissipated quickly, but left a thin coating on the top throughout my tasting. Of course, with the whiskey element, there's good lacing left on the sides of the glass.

The aroma of this one isn't overwhelming. I detected faint hints of whiskey, vanilla & chocolate.

This one has a sweet chocolatey taste with hints of vanilla and caramel. It's "oaky" and is really smooth. Not much carbonation at all. Good feeling going down your throat. I felt like it was "thin" for a stout, but that wasn't a bad thing.

This would make a great after dinner, sipping, dessert beer.

7.4% ABV.

Great stuff from Scotland!

Cheers!

I Hardcore You Imperial IPA from Brew Dog/Mikkeller Brewing

2013-03-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

By Don

So, at my recent trip to the "Hop Shop" in State College, I had filled my "Create Your Own 6-pack" and I stepped up to the counter. I was still thinking that I'd like to try something else. I didn't really want to get a pint or litre bottle of anything because I wasn't planning any tasting parties anytime soon.

I had been having a great beer conversation with the Hop Shop Beer Connoisseur and he said, "If you like Double IPA's, you might want to try this one."

He walked over to a shelf and picked up a bottle with a strange looking label and said, "I really like this one."

"I Hardcore You" is a limited release partnership between Brewdog Brewing in Aberdeen, Scotland and Mikkeller of Denmark. It combines Brewdog's "Hardcore IPA" and Mikkeller's "I Beat You." Always up for discovering something new, I picked up a bottle and made it a "7-pack!" :-)

Rick and I were moving some furniture for my Mom. After we were done, my Mom made a great lunch of stuffed shells, sausage, salad and garlic bread. For the Beer Buzz Beer Buddies, we thought it would be a good time to do some sampling. Rick brought 4 of his recent "Beer of the Month" brews and I brought my bottle of I Hardcore You.

Being an Imperial India Pale Ale, we saved this one for last. At 9.5% ABV, it was probably better to get a good "base" down in our stomachs anyway! :-)

I Hardcore You pours to a pretty golden amber or caramel color. It had a finger or so of head which slowly dissipated, but left good lacing on the glass and left a coating on the top that remained though our tasting. At 9.5%, you definitely see the alcohol clinging to the glass.

Lift the glass to your nose and get two nostrils full of the fruity, citrusy aroma.

As we were sampling, we were letting my Mom have a sip of each one. She liked the Helles Lager that we sampled, but as we got to the Pale Ales and IPAs, she was grimacing with each taste. When she tasted this one, she said, "Oh my God! That's the worst one!"

So, Rick and I knew we probably had a good one here! :-)

If you don't like hoppy beers, you'll want to stay away from IPAs -- especially Imperial IPAs.

But with this one, Rick and I found it to be very drinkable. I've read some other reviews and possibly since this one was a limited release and of course had to be shipped over from 'across the pond,' maybe the hops are a little more subdued than they would be if you were having this on tap.

This was a great tasting and easy drinking Imperial IPA. It was best saved for last. This would be a better after dinner drink than to have it competing with your meal.

You get a nice caramel or honey taste. The malt seems to overtake the hops on this one giving you more of a coating feeling. The bitter hop taste is a bit more subdued, but you still to a little hop kick.

Rick shared that this was his favorite of the tasting.

Unfortunately, being a limited release, if you can't find this one where you are, you probably won't find it again. :-(

Good stuff from 'across the pond!'

Cheers!

Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale from Lazy Magnolia Brewing

2013-03-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

By Rick

Remember the candy jingle that started “Sometimes you feel like a nut….”?!

I was looking for something a bit different in my beer fridge and found a Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale by Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company. It’s said to be the first beer in the world made with whole roasted pecans. It’s also a Bronze Award winner in the Specialty Beer Category of the 2006 World Beer Cup. Check out Mississippi’s first brewery’s website.

Southern Pecan (4.39% ABV) pours a beautiful caramel brown with light beige head. Nice effervescence! Its aroma is not overpowering, but I could pick up hints of malt and nuts. Its taste isn’t overpowering either, but it was a nice change-of-pace from my usual choice of hoppy ales. Nice clean and crisp finish too!

It only makes sense to pair this ABV brew with nuts or other salty snacks. (I also would love to try it with a slice of pecan pie!)

“Sometimes you feel like a nut….”

Cheers!

Blowing Rock High Country Ale from Boone Brewing

2013-03-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

By Rick

Ahh… it’s winter in Central PA. What better time to sample some different beer?!

My latest “Beer of the Month” shipment recently arrived, so Don & I combined business with pleasure by decorating his parents’ house while sipping some samples.

The first one we tried was Blowing Rock High Country Ale from the Boone Brewing Company in Boone, NC. Check out their website to learn more about this microbrewery. BTW: they’re doing some contract brewing- “shipping out” some beers to be bottled in other facilities. Some “purists” may not approve of this type of venture, but I think it’s a great way for “young breweries” (2005) to manage their costs until they’re financially stable. (Sam Adams/ Boston Brewing started this way!)

I consider High Country Ale a good primer for those venturing into the (wonderful) world of ales. It pours clear and golden- with a frothy beige-white head. There is a slight, but not overwhelming hint of a hoppy aroma as I raise my glass to my lips. I experienced an enjoyably crisp and effervescent taste with a clean finish. Pair this brew with your light snacks/ veggies; it won’t overpower them. I couldn’t find its ABV, but I would guess it falls into the traditional American ale ABV- somewhere between 4- 5%.

Cheers!

Deep South Pale Ale from Lazy Magnolia

2013-03-10T06:27:00.001-07:00

By Rick

Back in November, Don & I mixed some business with pleasure: we helped put Christmas decorations outside of his parents’ house and helped ourselves to some beer samplings!

We shared a bottle of Deep South Pale Ale- produced by the Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company in Kiln, Mississippi. Check out their website to learn more about the first brewery in Mississippi!

Deep South Pale Ale (5.3% ABV) pours clear and golden with a proper head. I picked up subtle hints of hops and malt. Interesting! It’s crisp and effervescent- with more of a malty-rather than hoppy- finish. Don & I agreed that this brew would pair well with salty snacks, but we chose to pair ours with putting up Christmas lights. (Now- if they would all work!)

Cheers!

Blowing Rock IPA by Boone Brewing

2013-03-10T06:23:00.000-07:00

By Rick

Back in November, Don and I mixed business with pleasure by putting up Christmas lights at his parents’ house- interspersed with some beer samplings. Don finally got ALL the lights to work so we decided to celebrate with one our mutual beer favorites- an IPA.

Although Blowing Rock IPA is a product of the Boone Brewing Company in Boone, NC- I read on the label that this particular bottle was produced in Wilkes-Barre, PA. This is an example of “contract brewing”: outsourcing some of their products for brewing and/or packaging. It’s a cost-effective method for some breweries so they can meet the product demands of their customers.

Blowing Rock IPA pours copper-brown with a frothy head. (Nice lacing after my quaffs!) It has a nice hoppy aroma, but not overly fruity. I enjoyed its classic bitter taste- along with its bubbly effervescence- and its clean finish. Pair this IPA with your burgers and dogs- or enjoy by itself! But drink responsibly: it’s 6.2% ABV!

It was a good day: the Christmas lights were up- and the beer went down! Life is good!

Cheers!

Very Mad Cow Milk Stout from Revolution Brewing

2013-03-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

By Don

My sister-in-law visited us from Chicago for Christmas this year and you know what that means? BEER!

Lisa has great taste in beer and always picks up some great selections that are only available in the midwest.

My absolute favorite this time around was 'Very Mad Cow' Milk Stout from Revolution Brewing in Chi-town.

This is one that we didn't get a chance to sample when Lisa and Dominic were here, but she left it for me to try later.

We had some people over on Sunday, December 30th for the Browns vs. Steelers game - last game of the season. It was a meaningless game with both teams out of the playoffs, but with me being a Browns fan and Rick (and many of my neighbors) being a Steelers fan, it's always a fun rivalry.

After we were well into the game (and into a few beers), I pulled out the bottle of Very Mad Cow Milk Stout. I apologize for the picture, but as I said, we were several beers into the afternoon! :-)

The first reaction that everyone had as they sampled it was...WOW! What is this?

Very Mad Cow pours to a nice, dark, maple brown without much of a head (but you don't need it!).

This Milk Stout is aged in Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrels so you get that bourbon, woody oak aroma. I think I should have poured this one into a brandy snifter or something, but it was a sampling so everyone just got a small sample.

The taste is smooth with a nice bourbon flavor up front with some chocolate hints and maybe a little coffee in there for good measure.

It's 9.7% ABV and just 30 on the IBU scale.

From the looks of it on their website, Revolution beers are only available around Chicago and in the Cleveland area.

My suggestion....if you're anywhere near that part of the country, find Very Mad Cow and DRINK IT!

Cheers!

Righteous Ale from Six Point Brewing

2013-03-08T16:36:00.002-08:00

By Don

So, I finally checked out a local beer store that I've been wanting to check out. It's called the 'Hop Shop' in Downtown State College. It's a 'beer boutique' with over 500 selections. They even have a 'Draft Tower' with 8 rotating selections where you can bring in a growler and get it filled up with your favorite brew on tap!

I had a great conversation with the beer connoisseur on duty. I"m sorry I didn't get his name!

Anyway, I made up my own 6-pack. One of his suggestions was "Righteous Ale" from Six Point Brewing. Six Point Brewing of Brooklyn, NY "bottles" their beer in cans. So, I was intrigued. The can said "Beer is culture"on it so I was more intrigued. I put the 16 OUNCE! can in my 6-pack and continued 'hop shopping.'

Righteous Ale pours to a nice, dark amber color with a nice, frothy head that slowly dissipated but left a nice layer on top and good lacing on the sides of the glass as well.

Righteous Ale is brewed with Rye Malt giving it its 'earthy' character. It has a faint citrus aroma as it is dry-hopped with herbal and citrus hops.

It's a full-bodied brew. I called it 'bittersweet.' It his a nice, crisp bite from the hops, but the citrus gives it a little sweetness too. I really enjoyed this one. Great rye ale!

6.3% ABV, 57 on the IBU scale.

Now, I'm even more intrigued. I need to find out more about this Six Point Brewing.

And I need to make another trip to the Hop Shop!

Our FIRST EVER Beer Buzz CONTEST!!!

2012-12-26T13:44:00.002-08:00

It's the Holiday Season!

And we here at The Beer Buzz want to give you a FREE Set of (10) Assorted Plastic Beer Mugs!!!

Check out samples of the mugs by clicking HERE.

Here's how YOU can win!

Just write us a short review (250 words or less) of your FAVORITE brew. It could be something we've already reviewed on the site or something we've never tried.

E-mail your review (and a picture of the bottle or can and the beer poured into a glass - if you can) to beer@beerbuzz.info.

We'll choose 1 lucky entry and post the review on our site! Then, you'll receive 10 Assorted Plastic Beer Mugs as well!

All entries must be received by 5pm EST Friday, January 25th.

Good luck from Don & Rick at The Beer Buzz!

Cheers!

Good Nature Brewing

2012-12-09T14:45:00.002-08:00

By Guest Reviewer Jim Walter of Chittenango, New York

When you hear that a brewery has reformulated a beer that you thought was perfectly fine, it is usually not a good omen. What come to mind is "New Coke" one of the biggest marketing disasters ever. So when I heard that Good Nature Brewing of Hamilton, NY had changed its India Pale Ale I was a little apprehensive.

To do a fair comparison I took advantage of their offer to kick the end of the "old" IPA by selling growler fills for 1/2 off and I also picked up a growler of the "new" IPA. To be fair to brewer Matt Whalen, he was not happy with the old IPA. It wasn't holding the nose very long and he knew he needed to make changes. You have to give him credit for admitting that something just wasn't right, and then making moves to change it.

As a fan of the old IPA I opened my growler with no less than a little trepidation. The new IPA poured into my pint glass with about an inch of head on it. It pours with a lighter color than the old IPA, actually a very nice light copper color. The nose is full of the citrus and floral notes imparted by the Cascade and Chinook hops used to brew this IPA. At 6.8% ABV this beer holds it own very nice and is quite drinkable.

The biggest difference in the new IPA with the old IPA is that now Good Nature runs the beer through a hop back system. This system is designed to keep the hoppiness and nose of the IPA much longer than the old brewing process.

The result of the new and improved ale is a very drinkable and enjoyable IPA. It's delicious for someone who considers himself and IPA partisan, but at the same time, it would be a great beer for someone who is starting to enjoy IPA's and learning about them. The general verdict is that Good Nature has done very well in reformulating their IPA into an even better version of a great beer.

So how do you obtain a growler or pint of the Good Nature IPA? It is not easy. Good Nature Brewing is a startup in Hamilton, NY, which is about 45 south east of Syracuse. They can be found in bars in Central NY or you can make plans to tour their brewery. The brewery is small, but the best part is you probably will be given the tour by head brewer Matt Whalen, as he and his wife Carrie run the entire operation with a little bit of outside help. So if you find yourself in upstate NY, maybe for a Colgate vs. Penn State affair, make plans to check out the brewery at Good Nature Brewing.

Cheers!

471 Small Batch IPA from Breckenridge Brewery

2012-11-26T16:10:00.000-08:00

By Don

Thanksgiving 2012.

My family and I traveled back to Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with my In-laws.

On the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, a bunch of us went out for a drink to a place called the Burntwood Tavern in Rocky River, Ohio.

I stepped up to the bar and checked out their beer list. Nothing was really catching my eye. Since we were in the Cleveland area, I was going to get something from Great Lakes Brewing, but only saw Dortmunder Gold and I wanted something a little more "hearty" for the chilly Thanksgiving Eve.

Dogfish 60 Minute IPA was on tap so I ordered that.

The bartender came back with a small sampling-size beer mug. I said, "What's this?" He said, "You like IPAs, right?" I told him that I did and he said, "Then try this. It's 471 Small Batch from Breckenridge."

I took a sip and changed my order.

471 Small Batch is a limited edition ale that, according to the Breckenridge website, their Brewmaster created to "separate the weak from the strong."

It pours to a wonderful amber color with a minimal head that dissipated quickly, but left a thin layer of foam on top and left good lacing along the sides of the glass.

Lift the glass to your nose and you'll get two nostrils-full of that signature "fruity" IPA aroma.

The taste doesn't disappoint either. It gives you an initial hop kick followed by the sweet, hoppy taste and the final bitter bite in the back of the throat like a good IPA should.

471 Small Batch clocks in at 70 on the Bitterness Unit scale and is 9.2% ABV.

It's well carbonated, but smooth.

This is definitely more of a sipping beer than a gulping beer. I tried one with a linguini and clam sauce dinner and it paired nicely. After dinner, I had a couple of Ginger Snap cookies and they were a nice compliment as well.

More good stuff from Breckenridge, Colorado!

Cheers!

Dunkel Heffen-Weissbier from Franziskaner Brewery

2012-11-13T19:04:00.002-08:00

By Rick

Where did October go?!

It's a great transition month of weather, clothes- and food/ drink! We turn our attention to heartier flavors- and Franziskaner's Dunkel Heffen-Weissbier fits the season! Check out their very interesting website at www.franziskaner.com to learn more about this brewery! (You'll even learn how to properly pour a wheat beer!)

Franziskaner is the oldest privately-owned brewery brewery in Munich, Germany- dating back to 1363! There's a very interesting timeline on their website. (Consider that the Reinheitsgebot- the German Purity Law of 1516-declared that beer must be made from only barley, hops and water!)

Dunkel Heffe-Weissbier literally translated is "dark yeast white beer." Sometimes you might see the German term "weizzen" instead, but Bavarian wheat beers tend to use weiss. (Wheat has the same etymological root as white.)

Because of the darker Munich malt- this wheat beer pours a beautiful caramel-brown color with a creamy brown head. (Have you mastered the proper pour yet?!) I can detect the aromas of hearty malt meshing with the sweetness of the wheat. This 5% ABV brew is very well balanced in terms of its effervescence, fullness and finish! You can confidently pair this beer with hearty foods of your choice- or just enjoy by itself!

Don't let another month go by without trying a Franziskaner Dunkel Heffe-Weissbier!

Cheers! (Prost!)

Original Oktoberfest/Amber Marzen from Hacker-Pschorr Brewery

2012-11-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

By Rick

“I’m not worthy!”

Writing a review for Hacker-Pschorr beer is like writing a critique of a Shakespearean play- or a Beethoven symphony. Its quality and heritage are known world-wide. This beer company has quite a history: its beginnings harken back to 1417! Check out their very interesting website at www.paulenerhpusa.com Hacker-Pschorr also is famous for its presence at Munich’s OKTOBERFEST- made famous by King Ludwig I in 1810.

This “Original Oktoberfest” is one of my favorite beers. Its subtitle name “Amber Marzen” tells us beer geeks a little bit more about what we should expect to see and taste: a hearty beer that originally was brewed in spring (Marzen is the German word for “March”) with sufficient malt & hops to ferment throughout the warm German spring and summer months. The kegs were ready to be “emptied” by October- hence the celebration!

So much for the history lesson: on to the beer! It pours a beautiful amber-brown with a frothy head. The aroma of hops and malt entice! This brew “explodes” in my mouth: effervescence, sweet hops, hearty malt- even a hint of spice to complete this tasteful experience!

Don’t let its Oktoberfest name deceive you. Their website states: it’s “a beer for all seasons”. This 5.8% ABV brew pairs well with those hearty Oktoberfest brats, Thanksgiving dinners (or leftovers) and even a summer cook-out!

I may not “be worthy”- but Hacker-Pschorr’s Original Oktoberfest/ Amber Marzen is!

Cheers!

Perpetual IPA from Troegs Brewing

2012-09-23T05:37:00.000-07:00

By Rick

I’ve been spending some time refinishing some furniture. I find it very therapeutic. It takes time, but requires patience and perseverance. I also get to listen to my favorite oldies music- and drink some of my favorite beers!

I was looking in my beer fridge for something that would cut the sawdust taste in my mouth and I found a PERPETUAL IPA by the Troegs Brewing Company in Hershey, PA. (Yep, THAT Hershey!) Check out their website @ www.troegs.com I’m not sure why this ale is so named, but I did find out that it’s now available year-round! (Maybe that’s why it’s “perpetual”?!)

BTW: PERPETUAL IPA is considered an “Imperial Ale”. Sometimes you also might hear the term “Double IPA” used. It denotes a hoppy version of the classic pale ale- with an ABV of 7.5% or more. (Just what makes us Hopheads so happy!)

I took a break from sanding to pour the brew into a pint glass. PERPETUAL IPA is a classic straw-colored ale with a proper head. Nice effervescence too! My nose picked up the classic citrus/ hoppy aroma as I gulped down my “reward” for my hard work! And rewarded I was! That effervescence and hoppy taste was “just what the doctor ordered” to clear my palate of that sawdust taste in my mouth! From start to finish- what a great IPA!

If this 7.5% APV brew can cut through the sawdust- imagine how great it will taste with the heartiest of foods- or reward yourself after doing some work around the house!

Speaking of work: I’ve got some more sanding to do…

Cheers!

Yuengling Brewery Tour

2012-09-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

www.yuengling.com

By Rick

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “Birds of a feather flock together”. That’s how I felt on a recent Saturday morning when I toured the Yuengling Brewery. I literally was “rubbing shoulders” w/ other beer geeks! (My wife and son also accompanied me since we were returning home from our eastern PA vacation. They too enjoyed the informative- and free- one hour tour.

The oldest brewery in America (1829) is located near the center of the coal-mining town of Pottsville, PA. There’s no parking lot for us tourists, so be ready to “feed the meters” for on-street parking! Be sure to wear completely closed shoes too- or you won’t be permitted on the tour.

Since it was a Saturday, there was no brewing taking place. (Bummer!) Saturday tours can get crowded too- with up to 55 in each group. (Ours had ~ 25.) Check out the Yuengling website (www.yuengling.com) for more tour info.

Our tour guide was well-informed and entertaining. She began the tour by taking us down to one of the oldest sections of the Brewery: the hand-dug fermentation caves that were used before refrigeration. History and humor were eloquently intertwined! I was intrigued how Yuengling managed to stay in business during Prohibition. (I don’t want to give the story away: take the tour and find out yourself!)

We proceeded with the brewery tour at a quick pace, but I never felt rushed. Keep in mind that this is a 180+ year-old facility, so there were areas where we had to walk single file. Our guide was quite willing to answer all of our “beer geek” questions along the way! We learned that the Pottsville plant now only produced bottles; a newer facility in nearby Mill Creek, PA now produced the kegs. Yuengling bottles and kegs are also produced in a former Stroh’s brewery in Tampa ,Florida.

Our tour concluded at the Brewery’s Rathskeller for a free sample (5 beers were on tap, but we were limited to just one sample of our choice) and- of course- a stop at the well-stocked Souvenir Store!

It was neat to see so many people taking pictures throughout the tour and buying souvenirs before heading out to our cars. As we were leaving my wife said: “There really are a lot of beer geeks out there!”

Yep. “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Cheers!

Dale's Pale Ale by Oskar Blues Brewery

2012-09-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

By Rick

My buddy Don was able to get 4 tickets to the Penn State- Ohio University football game. (BTW: Both Don and his wife Lori are Ohio University Alumni! Congrats to the Bobcats on their big win!) Don, Lori, my wife & I enjoyed the game, but we enjoyed another great PSU tradition too: tailgating! We also stopped by the Bobcat Bash/ Alumni Tent for a delicious brunch! Kudos for their fine hospitality!

PSU asks that no glass bottles be used while tailgating, so I found a few cans in my beer fridge to bring along. One of them was “Dale’s Pale Ale” by the Oskar Blues Brewery in Colorado. Check out their interesting website @ www.oskarblues.com

It’s been said that “Dale’s Pale Ale is the best pale ale (and perhaps the best beer) you can buy in a can.” IMHO- it would be hard to argue with that statement! I’m sure we could debate the can vs. the bottle packaging, but cans- at least these cans- don’t have any of that metallic taste that might turn off beer snobs like me!

Dale’s Pale Ale pours out a classic golden pale ale color with a white frothy head. LOTS of that classic sweet, hoppy aroma accompanies the pour too! That classic hoppy taste continues into the mouth and ends with that classic dry, crisp finish! Dale’s Pale Ale is so hoppy that some purists might “mistake” this brew as an IPA! (Personally- I like those kinds of “mistakes”!)

This beer will pair up well with any food, but it’s tasty enough to enjoy by itself! Drink responsibly: it’s 6.5% ABV! The next time you find yourself in need of a great beer for that tailgate party- or for any occasion- try Dale’s Pale Ale!

Cheers!

Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale from Sea Dog Brewing

2012-09-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

By Rick

Summertime… and the livin’ is easy…

And our beer selections are many!

My buddy Don gave me a membership in a BEER OF THE MONTH CLUB for a retirement present. What a great gift! One of the great beers we recently sampled was Sea Dog Brewing Company’s “Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale”. Check out their website www.seadogbrewing.com for more info RE: their flavorful (and award-winning) brews!

I realize that some beer purists may scoff at a fruity beer, but I think they’re great for these hot summer days! Whether it’s a “reward’ after doing some yard work, enjoying a backyard barbeque –or just “chillin” on that porch/ patio- a fruity beer exemplifies that “easy livin’ summer lifestyle “!

The scent of blueberry immediately enticed me upon its opening and its pouring. The golden liquid and white, frothy head further enticed me! Enjoy the bubbles too! (Impress your friends by pouring this in a fluted glass! You might want to add a few blueberries too!)

Although the scent of blueberry was prominent during the opening, it does not overpower the taste. Notice “the bubbles”! I love that fresh, crisp taste and that clean finish! (And with a 4.6% ABV- you can responsibly enjoy a few!) This is one of those beers that I would recommend with that fresh fruit salad appetizer or with your grilled fruit desserts!

Enjoy your summers- and enjoy a Sea Dog Wild Blueberry What Ale too!

Cheers!