Lyke2Drink

Tuesday Tasting: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a new whiskey from Brown-Forman.

The Labrot & Graham Distillery was brought back from the dead in 1996 thanks to the renewed interest in quality Bourbon. Located in Woodford County, about an hour outside of Louisville, in the midst of major thoroughbred horse farms the site was first used for a distillery in 1812 by Elijah Pepper. The facility changed hands several times before it became the Labrot & Graham Distillery. Brown-Forman acquired that company and in 1973, during a long slide in Bourbon sales, the company ended up abandoning the distillery. Twenty years later Brown-Forman was looking for a location to house a new premium spirits brand and the company re-acquired the property.

Under the leadership of Master Distiller Chris Morris the distillery has established the Woodford Reserve label as one of the leading premium American whiskey brands. The Bourbon has a grain bill of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye and 10 percent barley.

The Woodford label has been used for some special releases and now Woodford Reserve Double Oak is the first permanent line extension. The whiskey uses barrels from the Brown-Forman Cooperage, maturing first in new, charred oak barrels, then moved to a second barrel which has been toasted for more than twice as long as the first barrel.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a deep amber color and has a honey-sweet and wood aroma with a hint of caramel. This whiskey has a long flavor profile. Classic vanilla and dark fruit notes dominate the taste, with bits of nut and spice notes. The finish is bright with a hint of pear skins.

Around the World in 80 Drinks: CIA Launches Wine Lovers Boot Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:06:00 +0000

Around the World in 80 Drinks is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores drink culture and the places where great beer, wine and spirits are created and consumed.

The Culinary Institute of America is launching a new series of classes designed for the wine enthusiast at its St. Helena, Calif. campus.

Wine Lovers Boot Camp will take place at the CIA Greystone campus, near many great Napa Valley vineyards. Two courses will launch the Wine Lovers Boot Camp series, a five day Basic Training program and a two day Tasting Like a Pro program.

The Basic Training program will feature CIA faculty, information on great wine regions, tastings and food and wine pairings. Students will use the CIA kitchen to prepare a multi-course meal with paired wines. Class dates for 2012 are Feb. 13–17, April 16–20 and May 21–25. Tuition is $2,195 per person.
Tasting Like a Pro will teach the casual wine drinker how to adopt professional approaches to tasting wine. The two day program will guide feature structured tastings, where students will learn the influence on flavor of winemaking techniques, from barrel fermentation to fortification. Blind tastings will ultimately test their ability to identify wines like professionals. Class dates for 2012 are Feb. 2–3, Feb. 29–March 1, March 26–27, April 13–14 and May 17–18. Tuition is $895 per person.

Both classes are open to students 21 years of age and older.

Information about the CIA Wine Lovers Boot Camp is available at www.ciachef.edu/enthusiasts.

Tyler’s Restaurant & Taproom to Host Raleigh Rare and Vintage Beer Tasting on Feb. 4 to Benefit Pints for Prostates

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:55:00 +0000

Tyler’s Restaurant &Taproom in Raleigh will play host to the Raleigh Rare and Vintage Beer Tasting on Feb. 4 from 2-6 p.m. to raise awareness and funds in the fight against prostate cancer.

The tasting event features beers and cider from 40 craft producers served under a tent adjacent to Tyler’s at 18 Seaboard Ave. in Raleigh, N.C. The event benefits Pints for Prostates, an awareness campaign reaching men through the universal language of beer.

“Tyler’s has put together an incredible collection of rare and vintage beers for this event. It’s a great way for beer fans to come together and support the fight against prostate cancer,” said Rick Lyke, a drinks journalist and prostate cancer survivor. Lyke founded Pints for Prostates in 2008 after successful prostate cancer surgery. The group urges men to get regular prostate health screenings.

Tickets for the Raleigh Rare and Vintage Beer Tasting are $65 and available online at http://raleighrarebeertasting.eventbrite.com/. Designated driver tickets are available for $15. A percentage of the net proceeds will be support Pints for Prostates.

“We created the Raleigh Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting to provide beer enthusiasts with the ultimate beer tasting experience,” said Daniel Kulenic, one of the owners of Tyler’s Restaurant and Taproom. “We are serving 40 rare and vintage beers poured by brewery representatives – all benefiting a great cause. This is a gathering of some extremely unique and hard to find offerings.”

Event sponsors include Aquafina Pure Water, Harris Fine Beverage Distributors, Long Beverage, Mims Distributing and Tryon Distributing.

Forty breweries are expected to appear at the event, including: 21st Amendment Brewery of California (Allies Win the War 2011 Vintage); Allagash Brewing of Maine (Allagash Thing 2); Anchor Brewing of California (Anchor O.B.A. Our Barrel Ale); Anderson Valley Brewing of California (Boont Bruin); Avery Brewing of Colorado (Avery Immitis and Avery Meph Addict); Beer Republic Brewing of California (Bear Republic Black Racer); Bell’s Brewing of Michigan (Black Note Stout); Big Boss Brewing of North Carolina (Hell’s Bizz-Ness White Oak Aged Blend on Cherries); Bodebrown Cerejaria & Escola of Chile; Brooklyn Brewery of New York (Brooklyn 2007 Black Chocolate Stout and Brooklyn 2007 Vintage Monster); The Bruery of California (Bruery Cuir Anniversary Ale); Crispin Cider of (Wonderwall Unfiltered Pear Cider); Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales of Delaware (Dogfish Head Bitches Brew 2010 Vintage Original Batch); The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery of North Carolina (Duck Rabbit Bourbon Barrel Aged Baltic Porter); Duvel Moortgat of Belgium; Elysian Brewing of Washington (Elysian Mens Room Ale); Foothills Brewing of North Carolina (Sexual Chocolate 2010 Vintage); Fullsteam Brewing of North Carolina (Summer Basil Farmhouse Ale 2011 Vintage); Great Divide Brewing of Colorado (Great Divide Petty Theft Sour); Green Flash Brewing of California (Green Flash 2009 Barleywine); Heavy Seas Brewing of Maryland (firkin of Heavy Seas Siren Noire); Highland Brewing of North Carolina (Highland Spivey Mountain Wit); Huske Hardware House Brewing of North Carolina (Black hOPS and Watermellon Wheat); Kuhnhenn Brewing of Michigan (Kuhnhenn Olde Brune); Lagunitas Brewing of California (Lagunitas 2010 Bourbon Barrel Cappuccino Stout); Left Hand Brewing of Colorado (Whiskey Barrel Aged Widdershins Barleywine); Lone Rider Brewing of North Carolina (cask of Lone Rider Deadeye Jack with Laphroaig soaked oak chips); Natty Greene’s Brewing of North Carolina (Natty Greene’s Habanero Smoked Porter and Natty Greene’s Barrel Aged Strong Ale); New Belgium Brewing of Colorado (2011 La Terrior); New Holland Brewing of Michigan (Blue Sunday Sour); Brewery Ommegang of New York (Ommegang 2010 Adoration Aged in a Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel); Peak Organic Brewing of Maine (Weiss Principal); Brouwerij Rodenbach of Belgium (Rodenbach 2008 Vintage); Rogue Ales of Oregon (Rogue Creamery 75th Anniversary Ale); Sierra Nevada Brewing of California (Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Quad); Ska Brewing of Colorado (Ska Local Series Hoperation Ivy #18); Smuttynose Brewing of New Hampshire (Smuttynose 2006 S'muttonator Doppelbock and Smuttynose 2007 Wheat Wine Ale); Stone Brewing of California (Stone Double Dry Hopped Ruination); Terrapin Brewing of Georgia (The Wizard 2009 Side Project Aged in Woodford Reserve Barrels); Uinta Brewing of Utah (Uinta 2009 Vintage Anniversary Barleywine); Victory Brewing of Pennsylvania (Ranch S Double IPA); Weyerbacher Brewing of Pennsylvania (Weyerbacher Fifteen).

The Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh has rooms available for attendees and free public transportation is available via the R-LINE, an eco-friendly approach to urban transportation. This FREE circulator service features hybrid electric buses that will connect you to The Raleigh Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting (Seaboard Station – R3) from the Sheraton (Raleigh Convention Center – R13).
“Men are 33 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than women are to have breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer claimed the lives of nearly 34,000 American men in 2011,” Lyke said. “The Raleigh Rare and Vintage Beer Tasting is a great way to remind men to get screened.”

About Tyler’s Restaurant & Taproom

Tyler’s Restaurant and Tap Room has locations in Apex, Carrboro, Durham and now Raleigh. Founded in 1998, Tyler’s has been a local favorite for folks of all ages and has won a variety of awards for its food, beer and atmosphere. Serving American comfort food with a seasonal twist, Tyler’s offers business-paced lunches by day and casual dining at night. Tyler’s was voted one of America’s 100 Best Beer Bars by Draft Magazine. For more information visit: www.tylerstaproom.com.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 240,890 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2011. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Tuesday Tasting: Cigar City Jai Alia IPA

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:42:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample an IPA from Florida.

Cigar City Brewing is recognized as one of the best craft breweries in the south. Cigar City Brewing was founded by Joey Redner in Tampa, Fla., is 2009. The company has a 15 barrel brewhouse located in the Carver City-Lincoln Gardens neighborhood.

Cigar City Jai Alia IPA pours a hazy amber gold color with a moderate off-white head. The beer has a hoppy aroma and the flavor offers a classic combination of IPA notes. There is an assertive grapefruit note to open and plenty of hops are present throughout the flavor profile. This beer is a great way to show friends what an American IPA should taste like.

Beer Hunter: The Movie Looks to Kickstarter to Get Off the Ground

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:11:00 +0000

Michael Jackson was the unlikely father of the global craft beer movement. But the British journalist, who passed away in 2007, did more for good beer with words than most brewers in the late 1970s were doing with hops and malt. He can rightfully be credited with inspiring a generation of craft brewers and beer enthusiasts.

Jackson's landmark 1977 book, The World Guide to Beer, cataloged beer styles and brewing nations as they had previously never been treated. More books would follow and his 1989 The Beer Hunter television series was way ahead its time. There were no Food Networks or Travel Channels back then, but Jackson took viewers to the capitals of the brewing world.

J.R. Richards, a freelance documentary filmmaker and television producer, worked with Jackson from 2003-2006, producing video tastings and short documentaries for Michael Jackson's Rare Beer Club. Along the way he captured 60 hours of video of Jackson in the U.S., England, Ireland, France, Belgium and the Czech Republic, much of it still unreleased. The idea was to turn the footage into a documentary or even an update of The Beer Hunter series. A 2006 heart attack and Jackson's struggles with Parkinson's disease slowed the project, then news came of Jackson's death.

Now Richards is using Kickstarter to try to raise $30,000 to finish the project and produce a documentary film that could premier at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colo. It was at several GABFs that I had my limited encounters with Jackson, who was a rock star to the throngs of beer fans. When Jackson would approach a booth to try a beer or show up at a media tasting event you could see brewers spring to attention and make sure that The Beer Hunter received a perfect pour. So it would be a fitting tribute to Jackson to have this film ready for the fifth anniversary of his passing.

So far Richards has raised just under a third of his goal. If you want more information you can visit http://www.beerhuntermovie.com/.

Around the World in 80 Drinks: Trip Advisor Food and Wine Rankings

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:13:00 +0000

Around the World in 80 Drinks is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores drink culture and the places where great beer, wine and spirits are created and consumed.

Trip Advisor is a useful online service if you want to avoid booking a room at a modern day version of the Bates Motel. They also provide consumer feedback on what to do and where to eat in top travel destinations around the world.

Trip Advisor recently published its Travelers' Choice award winners, including a list of the Top 10 U.S. food and wine destinations:

New Orleans, La.
Napa, Calif.
Chicago, Ill.
Charleston, S.C.
San Francisco, Calif.
New York, N.Y.
Savannah, Ga.
Santa Fe, N.M.
Las Vegas, Nev.
Asheville, N.C.

It is hard to argue with any of these locations as being noteworthy for foodies. However, since the list is promoted as a top 10 for food and wine, it is difficult to understand why cities such as Portland, Ore., or Seattle, Wash., are left off the rankings.

Like any of these rankings, it is designed to get people talking and build website traffic. The difficulty is that what might make my top 10 will not necessarily hit your top 10. The best service these types of lists perform is to suggest new places to try.

Around the World in 80 Drinks: American Wine Society to Hold National Conference in Oregon

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:48:00 +0000

Around the World in 80 Drinks is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores drink culture and the places where great beer, wine and spirits are created and consumed.

The American Wine Society, the nation’s largest wine consumers’ organization, will hold its 45th National Conference in Portland, Ore., from Nov. 8-10.

The event opens with a reception featuring Oregon wines followed by two days of tasting sessions with leading wine personalities from the world's top regions. The event features wine pairing meals, including a sparkling wine breakfast and grand banquet. Pre-conference activities include wine dinners and excursions to nearby wine country.

The AWS selected Portland because of the easy access to the Pacific Northwest wine industry, as well as the city's nightlife, and emphasis on locally produced food and drink. To learn more about registering for the event visit http://www.americanwinesociety.org/.

The American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition and the Amateur Wine Competition are held in conjunction with the conference. The organization’s wine judge certification training will also be held at the event.

Founded in 1967, the AWS has more than 4,000 members and 125 local chapters. This is the first time the organization has held its conference in Portland.

Tuesday Tasting: Rogue Yellow Snow IPA

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a winter IPA from Oregon.

Rogue Ales has a tongue in cheek approach to brewing serious beers. Hence the name "Yellow Snow." But while it is good advice not to eat yellow snow, it is a good idea to drink a Rogue Yellow Snow IPA.

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA pours a cloudy orange-gold color with a slightly off-white foamy head. The beer has a rich hoppy nose, with plenty of pine and spice notes. The Amarillo and Revolution hops come through pretty firm in the beer's 70 IBU body. This beer has the classic west coast IPA bitter finish.

Champagne: The Science Behind the Bubbles

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:26:00 +0000

More sparkling wine is purchased during this time of year than any other. Popping the cork on New Year's Eve is a well established tradition.

Thanks to the American Chemical Society's Bytesize Science video series we now know the bubbles that give Champagne its pop are just following Henry's Law. The video notes that more than 600 different chemical compounds join carbon dioxide in sparkling wine, helping to create the aroma and flavor.

Quoting a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the video also suggests the best way to pour a glass of Champagne to maximize the sensory experience is at an angle to retain up to twice as much carbon dioxide in the wine when compared to pouring down the middle of the glass.

Tuesday Tasting: Two Great Smoked Beers

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:33:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a pair of smoked beers.

Smoked beers are fairly rare finds. You know you have found a great beer bar or retailer that stocks smoked beer. A recent trip to Bamberg, Germany, reminded me of just how much I enjoy these beers. Rauchbier is not for every day or for every one. But when the time is right, these are flavorful beers that satisfy a unique taste spectrum.

The myth about smoked beers is that they are heavy. The reality is that these beers can be delicate. While they are full of flavor, smoked beers don't need to be overwhelming. If you have not tried rauchbier, my suggestion is to ease into it and not make a smoked beer your first beer of the day. There is nothing to be afraid of with these beers, but they do tend to challenge your concept of what a beer should taste like. You don't want to follow up a Miller Lite with a Schlenkerla Urbock. You may want to have a roasty stout or porter before you crack open your first smoked beer. Others beers that present solid flavor profiles, such as a hoppy IPA or malty bock, can also serve to get you in the right mindset for your first-ever smoked beer. The flavors in these beers are no more intense, just different.

Smoked beer is a taste of history, taking you back in time to when malt was dried with the help of open fires. If you like peaty Scotch or enjoy smoked meats, rauchbier will be at once familiar and also different. Trying new drinks is all about the adventure and having a willingness to maintain an open mind. Remember as you try these beers that in many parts of the world prior to the industrial revolution almost all beer was smoked beer.

Heading into the Christmas season I visited several of my favorite retailers looking for holiday beers and specialties to share with family and friends. At the grapevine Wine Shop and Wine Bar in Fort Mill, S.C., I discovered Victory Otto Ale. At Total Wine & More, Aecht Schlenkerla Fiche, a doppelbock brewed for the holidays, was on the shelf. Even though I have enjoyed many beers from Victory and Schlenkerla over the years, this is my first encounter with either of these beers.

Aecht Schlenkerla Fiche: Schenkerla typically uses beech wood from Franconian forests to smoke its beers, but in this case they use oak for a holiday doppelbock. Traditionally, oak trees were harvested for home and ship building. The brewery says the malt smoked with oak produces a smoother and more multi-layered smoky note than the intensely aromatic beech smoked malt. This doppelbock is a bright copper colors and is 8 percent alcohol by volume. The brewery adds a nice amount of Hallertau aroma hops to this beer. The smoke is round and pleasant in this beer with a good amount of sweet malt for balance.

Victory Otto Ale: The back label on this beer explains it was inspired by a 1987 visit to Bamberg by travelers that recently had also visited the Orval monastery brewery in Belgium. Decades later they wondered what impact smoked malt might have on a Belgian dubbel. This 8.1 percent alcohol by volume ale is the result of the pairing of two classic European beer styles. The beer pours a light brown color with a decent tan head. The Trappist yeast strain comes through with some fruit notes and the smoke is mellow and long lasting. The beer is unique and flavorful.

Around the World in 80 Drinks: Napa Valley Restaurant Month

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:08:00 +0000

Around the World in 80 Drinks is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores drink culture and the places where great beer, wine and spirits are created and consumed.

Most of the world's truly great wine regions are also well known for great cuisine and artisan food products. Vineyard operations and the entire wine making process fits well with the tenants of the Slow Food movement and its emphasis on utilizing quality locally produced ingredients. Napa Valley has earned its reputation for producing exceptional wines and the culinary scene across the region is nothing short of amazing.

But just like Napa's cult cabs, higher calibre Napa Valley restaurants command breathtaking prices and reservations can be hard to come by during the height of the tourist season.

That makes Napa Valley Restaurant Month in January worth considering for a winter wine country escape. Napa Valley Restaurant Month is taking place at more than 58 restaurants and hotels, including Michelin-star recipients the Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, La Toque, Solbar and Bouchon, along with other notable eateries such as Fish Story, Bottega Napa Valley, Cole’s Chop House, FARM, Brix, Brannan’s Grill and Mustard’s Grill.

Napa Valley hotels and inns are also offering special packages so you can turn dinner into a full weekend of touring and wine tasting.

Tuesday Tasting: Twelve Beers for This Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:56:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a dozen beers worthy of holiday celebrations.

A Facebook friend recently asked me if I had a list of my favorite beers for the holiday season. A Twelve Beers of Christmas collection of can’t miss favorites for holiday entertaining and special meals with family and friends. That prompted me to do a little thinking and a bit of tasting.

This is my 2011 list of the Twelve Beers of Christmas. I have to admit that I’ve not encountered some of my old favorites (such as Young’s Winter Warmer, Pyramid Snow Cap Ale, Avery Old Jubilation Ale, Saranac Season’s Best Nut Brown Ale, Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter and Affligem Noel) that might have earned a spot on this list. There is still plenty of time to catch up with these old friends over the holidays, but these 12 beers are worth looking for and sharing with guests.

Sierra Nevada Celebration: The 2011 version of this beer is even more flavorful than I recall. It pours a reddish brass color and has a pronounced hoppy nose. From the thick lacing head to the bountiful hop character that carries this beer, it is an American classic. Missing this beer during the holidays would be like not putting up a Christmas tree.

Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale: As a veteran of more than 40 Upstate New York winters I can testify to the need for a warm winter coat and a refrigerator stocked with beers like Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale. The beer pours an amber brown color with a decent head. The aroma is slightly sweet and the flavor has good balancing hops, malt, maple and fruit notes. You can sense the 7.7 percent alcohol by volume.

Rogue Santa's Private Reserve Ale: This copper colored ale packs plenty of hops, but is nicely balanced with a slightly roasted malt character. Rogue has long been one of my favorite northwestern breweries and, even with the amazing growth of craft breweries in the region, Santa’s Private Reserve is a reminder why you want to stay off the naughty list.

Trader Joe’s 2011 Vintage Ale: Pound for pound the best value among seasonal beers on the market. At $4.99 a 750-milliliter corked and caged bottle, this beer is made for the grocery chain by Unibroue in Quebec and could easily sell for twice the price. A Belgian-style dark ale on lees, there is a fruit quality to the aroma and plenty of spice character in the flavor. There is a good firm malt body to this beer. I now have four years of Trader Joe's bottles laid down and the 2008 is still very drinkable, so I look for this beer to improve in the next 12-18 months.

Corsendonk Christmas Ale: This Belgian ale pours a dark brown color with a moderate tan head. The nose offers some spice notes and a hint of toffee sweetness. Figs, biscuit cookies and brown sugar in the malty flavor profile is balanced slightly by some bitter notes. Plenty of holiday character in this beer.

Thirsty Dog Bourbon Barrel Aged Siberian Night: Siberian Night Russian Imperial Stout is a year-round beer from this Ohio brewery, but add some time in an ex-Bourbon barrel and I’ll stack this one up against any Christmas ale or winter warmer. Dark, thick character with plenty of roasted notes balanced by vanilla and Bourbon sweetness. Throw a couple of logs on the fire.

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale: Want to find a great Christmas beer? Try starting with a brewery that makes nothing but great beer. The ale pours a dark and slightly cloudy color, with a decent amount of carbonation. Lots of dark fruit notes, biscuity and spicy. You will want to split the 750 milliliter bottle with at least two friends.

Deschutes Jubale: This annual winter release is a dark reddish brown color and offers a malty aroma. This is a true winter warmer. The flavor has a great toffee base, spicy hops and long finish. The beer opens nicely as it warms in your glass.

Geary’s Winter Ale: The Maine brewery is one of the original east coast craft beer pioneers, brewing for the first time in 1986. Described on the company’s website as a hearty India Pale Ale, the brewery uses Mt. Hood, Golding & Fuggle hops in this ruby colored ale. But Geary's Winter Ale goes a bit beyond what you would expect from an IPA. There is more malt than you usually find, along with hints of vanilla and a trailing hint of baking spices.

Scaldis Noel: This unfiltered Belgian ale undergoes a secondary bottle finishing. The beer pours a reddish brown and has enough malt for two average beers. This is a rich and flavorful beer. Figs, apricot and raisin flavors roll from the glass.

21st Amendment Fireside Chat: This 7.9 percent alcohol by volume brew pours a nut brown color. The solid malt base has hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Cocoa nibs are used in the brew, giving the beer some extra depth.

Anchor Christmas Ale 2011: They have been making this holiday treat in San Francisco for an amazing 37 years. The 2011 beer pours a dark brown color with a thick tan head. The recipe on this beer changes each year and they keep it a secret. The 2011 is not my all-time favorite vintage, but it is tasty with some nutmeg, cloves and allspice in the profile that includes pine hop notes.

Tuesday Tasting: Red State & Blue State Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:57:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample Heaven Hill Distilleries new Red State and Blue State Bourbons.

Heaven Hill Distilleries have decided to insert themselves in a fun way in the run up to the 2012 election season with the release of Red State and Blue State Straight Bourbon Whiskeys. These 80 proof Bourbons are designed to give drinkers a chance to show party affiliation. The electronic maps on television news coverage of presidential elections have forever associated "red" with states backing Republican candidates and "blue" with states won by Democrat candidates.

As part of the release of the whiskeys, Heaven Hill will launch a Facebook promotion where "likes" between Jan. 3 and Nov. 6, 2012 of either Red or Blue will result in a donation to the USO and its programs offering support to members of the U.S. military.

Blue State Bourbon opens with a caramel nose. The whiskey has a new penny color. The flavor starts with a sweet note, but the rich barrel finish takes over. There is a toffee and bit of spice in the finish.

Red State Bourbon has a slightly sweet nose with more wood showing through. The whiskey is also a bright copper color. The flavor on this one starts off mellow and there is plenty of oak.

Both of these Bourbons are solid, basic drinks. They won't knock your socks off, but at around $15 a bottle they are decent values and good conversation starters.

Around the World in 80 Drinks: Drinking Smoke -- Rauchbier in Bamberg, Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:50:00 +0000

Bamberg Rathaus

Around the World in 80 Drinks is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores drink culture by visiting the places where great beer, wine and spirits are created and consumed. In this edition we explore Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site tucked away in Germany's Franconia region.

What it lacks in size and big city glitz, Bamberg more than makes up for in charm and beer. Bamberg is a fairytale place with centuries-old buildings that luckily went untouched by World War II. The narrow lanes that criss-cross the Regnitz River climb up and down the seven hills that make up the city.

Bamberg is a city known for flavorful beer and food. The city's 70,000 residents have nine breweries to quench their thirsts. If they tire of these, nearly 100 more are in nearby Franconian villages like Memmelsdorf. The brewing tradition runs deep in Bamberg. The Reinheitsgobot (German Beer Purity Law of 1516) is widely recognized, but it was preceded by the Bamberg Beer Purity Law of 1489 dictating that local brewers could use only hops, malt and water to make beer. Prince Bishop Henry III Gross of Trockau had become frustrated by the use of herbs, berries and even mushrooms and decided to take a stand.

Walking around the ancient city of Bamberg is a delight for photographers.

Located to the north of Munich and east of Frankfurt, Bamberg would own a rightful place on the world beer map for brews like Fassla’s Bambergator Doppelbock, Mahrs’ Ungesspundete Lagerbier and Keesmann Herren-Pils, but it is the Rauchbier (smoke beer) that puts this city on every serious beer tourist’s itinerary. All told, there are nine breweries in the city: Ambräusianum, Brauerei Fässla, Brauerei Greifenklau, Brauerei Kaiserdom, Keesmann Bräu, Klosterbräu, Mahrs Bräu, Schlenkerla Brauerei Heller-Trum and Brauerei Spezial. A tenth brewery, Maisel, closed in 2008. Fassla Keller now operates at the former Maisel location.

Mahrs is just one of nine Bamberg breweries.

Much like Bamberg itself, Rauchbier is taste of history. Two of Bamberg’s breweries continue to make Rauchbier and both export to the U.S. Schlenkerla, home of the world famous Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier, and Spezial, which dates back to 1536, both use beechwood fueled fires to create a mellow smokiness to the malt.

A visit to either Schlenkerla or Spezial is a classic German brewery tap experience. Unlike the massive beerhalls of Munich, these multi-room locations feel more like a friend's home. Entering from the street into a wide hall, you open a second door that brings you inside the tavern. You will not find a traditional bar. Instead, you will be taken to one of a series long tables and there you will join strangers already enjoying beer or in the middle of a meal. This feels odd the first time you do it, but that soon passes as you get the feel for the Bamberg beer culture. A busy bartender is visible at a service bar, expertly pouring half liter “Willy” glasses, and waiters and waitresses fill trays, whisking them to the tables.

The Spezial Keller is a great place to rest and hydrate after a walking tour of the city.

In warm weather months outdoor drinking is popular in Bamberg. Bierkellers or Sommerkellers are tree-shaded affairs that make for pleasant gatherings with friends. The Spezial Keller is an 800-seat beer garden located high on a hill, oddly not far from where the rival Schlenkerla in brewed. The Greifenklau Brewery also has a wonderful outdoor terrace that overlooks the red tile roofs of Bamberg. Service at these locations can be a bit slower than at the pubs in Bamberg, but relax. Half the experience is slowing down to enjoy the beer, view and atmosphere.

Bamberg is known to many brewers in the U.S. because it is home for Weyermann Specialty Malt. The company traces it roots back to 1879 when it was little more than a roasting drum under a tarp. Today the massive maltings, located across the railroad tracks from the Bamberg station, is a complex of buildings. The company ships specialty malts around the world. The Bamberg facility has a test brewery where lucky visiting guests get to taste pilot batches of beer.

Smoking barley for rauchbier is a different process than roasting barley. Roasted barley is what gives beer some of its flavor and produces the dark color in stouts and porters. The roasting process halts germination, which makes sugars available to the brewer. Roasting barley, which is similar to roasting coffee beans, is done with indirect heat at higher temperatures. The smoking process purposely allows flavors from wood fires to infiltrate and impart flavor.

Weyermann Specialty Malt calls Bamberg home.

The Schlenkerla sign is a beacon for many beer tourists.

The Schlenkerla pub retains its traditional feel.

Tasting Smoke

If you wonder what beers tasted like before the mid-1800s, you can search for clues of brewing’s smoky past in a glass filled with a Rauchbier. To be used for brewing barley must be turned into malt and that germination process must be halted at just the right time. In the past brewers had really two options: spreading the grain and allowing either the air, wind or the sun to help dry it, or employing open flames fed by wood to assist the process along, much like Scotch distillers us peat.

Schlenkerla Rauchbier: This 5.1 percent alcohol by volume Bamberg classic is dark amber with a thin, but lacing head. Light and refreshing, it offers immediate smoke up front that lingers throughout.

Schlenkerla Urbock: This fall seasonal tastes slightly less smoky, with more hop character and more malt. This 6.5 percent alcohol by volume beer has a sweet alcohol edge.

Spezial Rauchbier: Amber brown color, this brew has a soft malty character and its subtle level of smoke leads you to think of having a second.

“Rauchbier is historic beer. Beer as it used to be,” says Matthias Trum, the sixth generation of his family to run the brewery where Schlenkerla is made. Trum says that today’s smoked beer is a throwback to the middle ages when brewers did not have access to the heat exchangers developed during the industrial revolution.

Planning Your Trip

The best air connections from the U.S. will take you to Frankfurt or Munich. German trains are fast, clean and convenient. You can be drinking a rauchbier in just about three hours after landing in Germany.

The Bamberg Tourism and Congress Service has packages designed for beer lovers. They also can arrange for guides with a great knowledge of local history and familiarity with Bamberg’s brewers.

A number of tour groups also make stops in Bamberg. I recently lead a group organized by BeerTrips.com on a visit to the city as part of a fundraiser for the Pints for Prostates campaign.

Where to Stay

You will not find the usual glut of chain hotel in Bamberg, where most lodgings are small family-run operations. Hotel Brudermuhle at Schranne 1 is located along the river and a short walk from some of Bamberg's best places to grab a beer. If you want to stay even closer to the beer, Fassla Brewery at Obere Konigstrasse 21 has basic rooms right above the brewery and beer hall. It also happens to be located directly across the street from Spezial.

What to Do When You are Not Drinking

Visit the Franconian Brewery Museum which is located in the former Saint Michael's Benedictine Abbey overlooking Bamberg. The former abbey, now a home for senior citizens, once had a brewery dating back to 1122. The museum has a great collection of earlier brewing equipment, signs and other memorabilia.

Eat a Bamberg Onion. Like Rauchbier, this baked onion stuffed with ground pork and spices, is a flavorful treat you will not find in many other places. Here's a Bamberg Onion recipe if you would like to try making them at home.

Take in the four tower Bamberg Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1237. It is the final resting place for Emperor Henry II and Pope Clemens II. Among the art in the cathedral is the Bamberg Rider.

Find your sweet spot at the Cafe am Dom on Ringleinsgasse, which makes a great chocolate filled with a Schlenkerla Rauchbier creme.

Walk the city with your camera looking for the perfect Bamberg photo. For many it is the Bamberg Rathaus (old city hall) that was built literally hanging off a bridge. For others it is the rose garden at the Prince-bishop Friedrich Karl von Schönborn residence across from the Bamberg Cathedral. You will come back with plenty of great photos.

Bamberg's narrow streets are great to roam.

Fassla offers guest rooms right above the brewery.

Matthias Trum runs the famous Schlenkerla Brewery.

Spezial Rauchbier is a local treat.

What Will Santa Leave Under Your Beer Can (or Bottle) Christmas Tree?

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:11:00 +0000

I'm sure Martha Stewart and my interior designer wife, Sandy, would would throw disappointed glances in the direction of these crafty beer drinkers, but in our current hard economic times let's face it: the cost of a fresh cut Christmas tree is just not in the budget for many Americans.

You can still get into the mood of the holiday season and all you need are the contents of your recycle bin. Lyke2Drink has chronicled beer can Christmas trees in the past and felt like it was time to revisit this timeless holiday tradition.

Obviously, the elves behind these creations have differing points of view on key design elements. Some prefer bottles, while others go for cans. Some are devoted to single brands, while others are a bit more flexible and like to experiment with color.

Here's wishing you a happy holiday season. Now get drinking. That tree just won't grow on its own.

Tuesday Tasting 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample Highland Park 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Highland Park is recognized by many as one of the top Scotch brands in the world and rightfully so. The range from the Kirkwall distillery is delightful from bottom to top. The distillery has been turning out whisky on the Orkney Islands since 1798.

Highland Park 18 Year Old Single Malt pours a light golden color. First added to the line up in 1997, the nose has a bit of wood and a whiff of smoke. The flavor is full and bright. There is a honey sweetness overall, nice hints of salt and wood, with a smooth peat smoke finish.

This is a very nice sipper and at $105 a bottle a great gift for a special Scotch fan.

Tuesday Tasting: Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2002

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:17:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2002.

Vintage and special release Bourbons are some of my favorite spirits. Distillers bring out the best and rarest from their rickhouses. The results are often spectacular and seldom fail to deliver something memorable.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2002 is a rich amber copper color. There is an inviting maple note to the aroma. The flavor has more of the maple at the outset, but evolves with a nutty character and some nice raw oak edges. The finish has bits of spice.

This is the 17th vintage in the Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon series. Bottled at 86.6 proof cut from the 129.8 barrel strength, the whiskey is smooth and inviting. Priced at $25.99, the is a great bargain. The release is expected to hit the market at the end of January 2012.

The bottle sent to me as a sample was from barrel number one, put in the barrel on June 7, 2002. It was bottled on November 1, 2011.

Tuesday Tasting: Parker’s Heritage Collection 10-year-old Bourbon Finished in Cognac Casks

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample the latest special release from Heaven Hill.

Parker's Heritage Collection has been around for five years now. It is always something interesting and worth looking for if you have even the slightest interest in Bourbon.

The fifth edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection, a limited annual series of aged American Whiskeys that pays tribute to sixth generation Master Distiller Parker Beam, is the first “wood-finished” Bourbon produced by Heaven Hill. The Bourbon is a collaboration between Parker Beam, the grand-nephew of Jim Beam who has practiced his craft at Heaven Hill for more than 50 years; and Alain Royer, sixth generation Cognac master blender and founder of A. de Fussigny Cognac. Royer is now working for the Cointreau family within the Renaud Cointreau group.

The 2011 Parker’s Heritage Collection whiskey is a 10-Year-Old Bourbon that had aged in high storage on the sixth floor of Heaven Hill's Rickhouse “V” in Bardstown. In February 2010, 15 French Limousin Oak barrels that each held 350 liters (92.5 gallons) of 3-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac from the Frapin cellars were emptied, the barrels were then wrapped to keep them wet and leakproof, and three days later they were shipped to Kentucky. When they arrived the oversized casks were filled with the aged Bourbon and transferred to the sixth floor of Rickhouse JJ, where they rested for six months to extract the delicate floral notes that permeated the Cognac barrels. On August 22, when Royer and Beam deemed them ready, these large Cognac barrels were dumped by hand, yielding 6,000 750 milliliter bottles of whiskey.

Parker’s Heritage Collection 10-year-old Bourbon Finished in Cognac Casks is bottled at 100 proof and is not chill-filtered prior to bottling. It pours a polished mahogany color with a slight hit of vanilla in the nose. The flavor is smooth and long with a peppery flourish at the finish. Serve this one neat to get the most of the barrel finishing. A perfect sipper for a fall evening or a special tailgating treat.

This whiskey retails for $80.

Details on Brews Featured at Denver Rare Beer Tasting III Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:13:00 +0000

Details on the 30 rare, exotic and vintage beers expected to be poured at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting III have been released.

The event takes place on Sept. 30 at the Wynkoop Brewery while the Great American Beer Festival is being held in Denver. Presented by All About Beer Magazine, the event benefits the Pints for Prostates campaign.

The Denver Rare Beer Tasting III is sold out. It is one of the more talked about events that places during GABF weekend.

Alaskan 2009 Cherry Vanilla Baltic Porter is brewed from glacier-fed water and a generous blend of the finest quality European and Pacific Northwest hop varieties, plus premium two-row pale and specialty malts. Alaskan Brewery’s water originates in the 1,500-square mile Juneau Ice Field and from the more than 90 inches of annual rainfall. Cherries and vanilla beans were added to this limited edition brew. This beer has not been commercially available for two years.

Avery Dihos Dactylion features a primary fermentation using a proprietary blend of saison yeasts and a secondary fermentation of house brettanomyces wild yeast strain, lactobacillus and pediococcus. Aged in fresh Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, Dihos Dactylion bursts with aggressive aromas of red wine and a touch of Brett. Delightfully sour to the taste, initial lactic acid flavors hit high in the cheekbones before transitioning to complex layers of soft fruit, oaky-tannins and red wine. Dihos Dactylion is No. 7 in Avery’s Barrel-Aged Series of beers, made on a "one-and-done" basis in small batches. Only 248 cases were produced and bottled on January 28th, 2011.

Big Sky 2006 Buckin’ Monk is a Belgian-style tripel brewed with pale malt, wheat, oats and honey, hopped with Hallertau Tradition, then aged in an American Oak barrel that previously contained a California Chardonnay. Classic Belgian Tripel flavors and aromas are present followed by a very pleasant sourness reminiscent of green Sweet Tarts. Fifty cases resulted and members of the Big Sky Brewing team have been slowly depleting (drinking) the stock over the years. This beer has never officially been offered to the public. Only a very few cases remain.

Boulevard Lovechild #1 is an experimental beer, part of the Lovechild Sour Ales series. These beers are unreleased and still in testing stages, so this is a special rare beer treat from Boulevard. Lovechild #1 is a dark ale with Brettanomyces, aged for one year in second-use whiskey barrel. Rich warming caramel, tart dark fruit and funky wild yeast notes.

The Bruery The Wanderer is a dark sour ale, custom-blended to celebrate the 5th anniversary of City Beer Store in San Francisco. This beer combines both sour ales aged in red wine barrels and strong ales aged in Bourbon barrels, then aged with cherries and blackberries for an added layer of complexity. Only 15 barrels of this beer were blended and it will not be made again.

Brooklyn Cuvee de la Crochet Rouge is a mutation of Brooklyn Local 1, barrel-aged for six months on wine lees (sediment) from the Red Hook Winery in Brooklyn. The natural wild yeasts from the Long Island vineyard completely transformed the beer, which was then re-fermented in the bottle. This special cuvee was blended from two barrels on chardonnay lees and one barrel on pinot noir lees. Only 50 cases were produced and none of it will be sold to the public.

Cascade Borbonic Plague is a Northwest Sour Ale based on strong imperial porters fermented on an Abbey yeast. The beer is spiced in the kettle and hits the fermenter at 22 to 25 Plato. Borbonic Plague spends up to 30 months in Bourbon and Pinot Noir barrels. These barrels are fed a rich diet of dates, cinnamon and vanilla beans. This beer was blended just one time and was the 2009 Great American Beer Festival Wood and Barrel Aged Sour Beer category Gold Medal winner.

Cigar City Neilsbohrium Rum Barrel-Aged Imperial Raisin Sweet Stout is a collaboration with Denmark’s Mikkeller. Hopped exclusively with Mt. Rainier hops and aged in Flor de Cana Rum barrels, the beer is black and full bodied with rum and chocolate notes in the nose. Big chocolate and complex roasted flavor notes with layers of toffee, black licorice and rum, with hints of raisins. Cigar City and Mikkeller each brewed an imperial sweet stout and blended them to make Neilsbohrium, which has been sold only at the two brewery tasting rooms.

Dogfish Head 2004 Olde School is one of the oldest vintages remaining in the Dogfish Head cellar. Brewed in the Fall, this barleywine is made with dates and figs using a technique brewery owner Sam Calagione discovered in an old notebook used by an English cellarman.

The Duck-Rabbit The End of Reason is made using 2009 Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter that was allowed to sour in 23 year-old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon barrels. Michigan Montmorency cherries were added to the barrels. The beer is beautifully sour, woody and complex, with the rich support of a full-bodied Baltic Porter. This is a true one-off for Duck-Rabbit. Only a couple of kegs have been previously served at select festivals in North Carolina. Very few people have had the chance to try this beer, and very few ever will.

Firestone Walker Agrestic Ale is one of the very first adventures Firestone Walker has taken into the world of sour beers. The brewery’s flagship Double Barrel Ale was inoculated with Brettanomyces in Union Barrels that also served as the vessel for the primary fermentation of the beer. This tart beer is a must try for all sour beer lovers. Never bottled -- and not likely to be bottled anytime soon -- this ale has only been poured at only one other event.

Foothills Brewing 2009 Sexual Chocolate is an imperial stout aged on organic cocoa nibs. Dark and rich, with hints of bittersweet chocolate, tart fruits and slightly smoky, Sexual Chocolate is produced annually in limited quantities. The release date is a major event in Winston-Salem. This beer was brewed in 2008, then aged on cocoa for about a month and has been sitting in a keg since them. This is one of only two kegs still in existence in the world.

Full Sail 1998 Old Boardhead Barleywine was made with four specialty malts and hundreds of pounds of the finest Northwest hops. Full Sail always puts some aside on the “Brewer’s Top Shelf” in the back of the cooler to sample how the malt flavors mature with the effects of time. Thirteen years have been kind to this barleywine, the very first bottling of Old Boardhead. The hops have moved aside and the beer has developed multiple layers of complexity: dried fruits, caramel, and a warming alcohol finish. This is the last of the 1998 vintage known to exist in the world.

Great Divide 2008 Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is Yeti Imperial Stout’s sophisticated sibling. They may be from the same clan, but they have entirely different personalities. Oak aging gives a subtle vanilla character, rounding out Yeti’s intense roastiness and huge hoppy nature. Who says you can’t tame a Yeti? As part of Great Divide’s cellar program, this beer has been aged for three years at the brewery. This beer has not been released anywhere else.

Highland PSA Pilsner is a small batch beer brewed to raise awareness for the Pints for Prostates campaign. Brewed using Best Maltz (Best Pilsen Malt) from Heidelberg, Germany, Carapils and Vienna from Briess Malt in Wisconsin and the yeast strain that created the Czech Republic’s reputation for producing the world’s greatest Pilsners. Saaz hops provide a modest 20 IBU and delicate effusive aromatics. This small batch Pilsner is a refreshing session beer that finishes clean and crisp. It has previously only been served in the brewery tasting room.

Jolly Pumpkin Lúpulo de Hielo – “Ice Hop” -- is a hoppy sour beer that was aged for about a year in oak and blended with Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca, a sour white ale. The beer is a limited edition offering created by Jolly Pumpkin to support the Pints for Prostates campaign. There are just three ways to get a taste of this unique beer: 1. Today at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting III; 2. By joining the Rare Beer of the Month Club; or 3. Visiting a Jolly Pumpkin location in Michigan on October 1.

Laughing Dog St. Benny’s Labby Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ale was brewed in 2009 to celebrate the brewery’s fourth anniversary beer. A strong Belgian ale, the last 150 gallons was aged for one year in Heaven Hills Bourbon barrels, resulting in a wonderful mix of Belgian ale, oak, vanilla and Bourbon flavors.

Left Hand Brewery 2009 Fade to Black Vol. 1 was the 2010 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal winner in the Foreign Style Stout category. This one time, limited release beer pours black with licorice, espresso bean, molasses and black cardamom notes that give way to a feeling of self-loathing, burnt opportunities and smoked relationships.

Lost Abbey/Port Brewery Deliverance is a blended of Brandy barrel-aged Angel’s Share and Bourbon barrel-aged Serpent’s Stout. This is the first batch of Deliverance ever blended. Less than 700 cases were produced and it sold out in 2010. Only one batch of Deliverance will be packaged each year by the brewery.

Nebraska Inception Series #1 Toasted Barn is smoked porter aged in Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey barrels for six months. The beer is made with 35 percent smoked Briess malt. The barrel aging offers a mellowed smokiness, vanilla aromatics and oak tannins. This beer is an extremely limited one-off batch that will only be sold at the brewpub in Papillion, Nebraska.

New Belgium Eric’s Ale is an Ameri-Belgo Peche, made with 50 percent strong golden lager blended with peach sour ale acidified for 3 years in French oak. This keg, one of only four left in the world, was cellared one year.

New Holland Rum Barrel-Aged Pilgrim’s Dole Wheatwine is a barleywine-style ale made with 50 percent wheat malt and aged in New Holland Rum barrels. Pilgrim’s Dole blends warming and slightly sweet flavors with a unique caramelized character. It has a rich, malty body with a unique caramelized character and hints of raisins, nuts and figs. The rum is fermented from molasses and cane sugar before being twice distilled and aged in new American Oak for more than 1 year. Less than 100 gallons of this particular treatment exist in the world.

Odell Rare Blend is a special brew created exclusively for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting III by Doug Odell from casks he hand selected. This one of a kind beer has never been served anywhere before today. Doug, Wynne and Corkie Odell started their brewing odyssey in 1989 in a converted 1915 grain elevator located on the outskirts of downtown Fort Collins. Odell's was just the second microbrewery to open in Colorado.

Rogue Charlie 1981 is back after an absence of two years. Charlie is brewed with hops and barley from Rogue’s own farms. A strong American-style stout aged for 14 months in American rum barrels. Charlie is a powerful brew, orange-amber in color, with huge Daretm Malt profile, and big bittering and finishing hops. Charlie 1981 is brewed in honor of Charlie Papazian. It was Charlie's book, The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, that sparked Rogue Brewmaster John Maier’s interest in the craft in 1981. This anniversary beer is brewed in limited quantities.

Samuel Adams 2011 Utopias is made from a precise aging process and the finest all-natural ingredients from around the world. Samuel Adams Utopias is an uncarbonated beer of distinction. Brewed in small batches, blended and aged in the Barrel Room at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, Samuel Adams Utopias is hand-bottled. The 2011 batch of Samuel Adams Utopias weighs in at 27 percent alcohol by volume. Only 12,000 bottles were produced.

Sierra Nevada Brewing 30th Anniversary Rum Barrel-Aged Fritz and Ken’s Stout is a strong American-style stout aged for 14 months in American rum barrels. Only one rum barrel was used to age a small amount of this already limited-release beer. This beer in its non-rum barrel aged form was originally released in 2010 as part of a series of four beers made in collaboration with craft brewing pioneers to mark the 30th anniversary of Sierra Nevada Brewing.

Stone 2010 Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Russian Stout is brewed in the authentic style of a Russian Imperial Stout. Intensely aromatic, with notes of anise, black currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol, it is heavy on the palate. This is from the only batch ever made by Stone using Stranahan’s barrels for aging. It has been aging for a year and no one has ever tasted the beer.

Thirsty Dog Bourbon Barrel-Aged 12 Dogs of Christmas is a winter warmer that is spiced for the holidays with honey, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Established in 1997 in Akron, Ohio, Thirsty Dog makes a range of year round and seasonal beers.

Weyerbacher Idiot’s Drool is an old ale that has spent four and a half years in oak barrels. A full-bodied, deep burgundy ale with an incredibly rich and complex character. Extended aging has imbued this beer with notes, vanilla, oak, leather and sweet sherry. A mild acidity rounds out the pallet. Only 100 cases have and will ever be produced of this beautiful beer. Due to the small size of the batch, Idiot’s Drool is not for sale outside the brewery.

Wynkoop Metacool Maltuwanna Imperial Amber Ale is a brand new creation. Tea-colored, this malty imperial amber ale is enhanced with hemp seeds and kilos of U.S. hops. The result is a heady wonder with rich malt and hop charms topped with a dank, aromatic nose. One of the last two kegs of a beer released on April 20, 2011.

Jolly Pumpkin Lúpulo de Hielo to be Released by Rare Beer of the Month Club to Support Pints for Prostates

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:54:00 +0000

For the second consecutive year Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales of Michigan and The Rare Beer of the Month Club™, which ships unique craft beers nationwide, are teaming up on a special limited release beer to benefit the Pints for Prostates campaign.

Jolly Pumpkin Lúpulo de Hielo was brewed with pumpkin, cacao and spices, then aged in oak barrels. Brewed by Jolly Pumpkin to help raise awareness about prostate cancer and generate funds for the Pints for Prostates campaign, it will be featured in The Rare Beer of the Month Club™ in October. Shelton Brothers, one of the leading craft beer distributors and importers, handles Jolly Pumpkin and is donating its services.

“Lúpulo de Hielo – ‘Ice Hop’ — is a hoppy sour beer that was aged for about a year in oak and blended with our sour white, Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca,” said Ron Jeffries, president of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. “We are excited to once again be involved with the Pints for Prostates campaign in reaching men through the universal language of beer.”

The beer will feature the Pints for Prostates logo on its label, which includes the blue ribbon to remind people of the ongoing search for a cure to prostate cancer, a leading cause of death among American men. A donation from every 750 milliliter bottle of Lúpulo de Hielo sold will be made to the Pints for Prostates campaign.

“This is a rare beer that delivers an important message. We want men to take charge of their health and get screened for prostate cancer,” said Rick Lyke, a prostate cancer survivor who founded Pints for Prostates after successful prostate cancer surgery in April 2008. “We’re thrilled that Jolly Pumpkin, The Rare Beer Club and Shelton Brothers are supporting the campaign in a way that will catch the attention of men needing to hear our message. We want to engage men in a conversation that might just save their lives.”

When this very limited batch of Jolly Pumpkin Lúpulo de Hielo is gone, it is gone. There are only three ways for beer lovers to try the unique farmhouse-style ale:

· Join The Rare Beer Club online or call 800-625-8238 and be sure to start your membership by October 15 or earlier.
· Attend the Denver Rare Beer Tasting III in Colorado on Sept. 30, where Jolly Pumpkin will be pouring samples of the brew alongside more than two dozen other great craft brewers offering extremely rare and exotic beers;
· Visit a Jolly Pumpkin location in Ann Arbor or Traverse City, Mich., where a limited amount of Lúpulo de Hielo will go on sale Sept. 30.

“The Rare Beer Club is proud to be associated with the Pints for Prostates campaign. A little education and early detection goes a long way to save lives,” said President Kris Calef. “It’s been a fun project each year for a noble cause. A win for everyone. Our members are always excited to get an exclusive feature and when it comes from Jolly Pumpkin, we’re sure to sell out quickly. We’ll be donating $1.00 for every bottle sold and including a Pints for Prostates coaster in each October shipment as a way to remind our members to get tested.”

“Shelton Brothers is proud to be associated with this Pints for Prostates project,” said Matt Dinges, General Manager of Shelton Brothers. “We’re quite pleased to be working with one of our brands, Jolly Pumpkin, and The Rare Beer Club. The beer fits perfectly with our mission to bring consumers exceptional brews from great brewers. In this case the beer even comes with a message to men about protecting their health so they can enjoy great beer for years to come.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer will claim the lives of 33,700 men in the U.S. during 2011. Prostates cancer is 33 percent more common in men than breast cancer is in women, yet few men know they should start with regular prostate health screenings at age 40. The Jolly Pumpkin Lúpulo de Hielo release is part of the Pints for Prostates Oktoberfest for a Cure observance that is taking place from Aug. 26 to Oct. 22 at venues across the U.S.

About Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Welcome to a land of open fermentation, oak barrel aging and bottle conditioning. At Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales we are dedicated to more than the traditions of old world craftsmanship. Everything we do is designed to create ales of outstanding art and flavor. Focusing on traditional rustic country style beers brought to life through labor and love, we strive to create beers to lighten the spirit and soothe the soul. Sharing our joy to the betterment of mankind is the most that we could hope for. Few pleasures accompany an inspired ale more agreeably than an equally inspired menu of hearth baked pizzas and gourmet salads topped with native meats, cheeses, and vegetarian suited alternatives. Whether it’s the satisfaction of a quick snack or the fulfillment of an entire meal, an assortment of delectable dishes acknowledges the distinct qualities of both our Traverse City and Ann Arbor restaurants. Preserving local culture by cultivating our appreciation for fresh, seasonal, and regional resources allows Jolly Pumpkin to fulfill our vision for humanity.

About The Rare Beer Club™
The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club™ offers four different options for consumers. From the very inception of our original domestic beer of the month club in 1994, we’ve focused on consistently providing three primary product characteristics: Quality, Variety & Freshness. And in that spirit, we now offer you four outstanding beer club options, each dedicated to those same principles. Our owner’s favorite club features the finest the world of beer has to offer in limited-release, celebratory, artisanal beers from some of Michael Jackson’s favorite breweries. Two different selections are presented each month in 750 ml bottles, often cork finished, and some individually tissue wrapped. Members experience bold U.S. and imported interpretations of Farmhouse Ales, Russian Imperial Stouts, Barley Wines, Belgian Abbey Ales, varied Imperial, Extreme, Strong Ale and Grand Cru offerings, oak-aged ales imparting bourbon and vanilla notes, and much more. Many selections are pushing the envelope of creativity, are not yet distributed in the U.S., and brewed such that they can be cellared and aged.

About Shelton Brothers
The best beers…imported by hand. What exactly does that mean, and how do we do it? The best beers are brewed with a sense of place, a distinctive house character, and an appreciation for tradition, value, and/or the natural art of beer-making. Beer should have depth, texture, and nuance – it should sometimes even be a little rough around the edges. There are a few (very few) exceptions to every rule, but generally speaking, that means the following about a brewery’s beers: brewed in small batches using traditional methods; unsweetened; unpasteurized; unfiltered/bottle-conditioned; little to no use of spices or adjuncts; slow-fermented; distinctive house yeast or yeasts; and dry as opposed to sweet. There’s no miracle to importing good beer – just hard work and a lot of travel. We specifically seek out unmanipulated beer, generally looking to small breweries with craftsmen taking seriously their passion for a natural, traditionally-made product. Shelton Brothers is the only beer importer with these specific criteria for hand-selecting what we offer to our customers. We’ve turned down offers from large European breweries, and we’ll do it again. We’re only interested in bringing you the very best.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 240,890 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2011. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Pints for Prostates Belgium Beer Tour Scheduled for Sept. 7-15, 2012 BeerTrips.com Itinerary Stops in Brussels, Brugge and Gent

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:23:00 +0000

BeerTrips.com and Pints for Prostates are teaming up for a special trip to Belgium from Sept. 7-15, 2012, that will benefit the fight against prostate cancer.

The seven night dream trip to Belgium includes beer tastings, escorted cafe crawls, guided city tours, abbey visits, special meals and more in Brussels, Brugge and Gent. The trip will include tours of famous breweries, including Chimay, Cantillon and Moortgat.

BeerTrips.com has been providing unique beer travel experiences to destinations around the world since 1998. BeerTrips.com is offering this special Pints for Prostates group tour to Belgium on a limited basis. A total of 14 slots will be sold for this tour at $2,195, plus air. The trip includes seven nights lodging in centrally located hotels; breakfast daily, three beer dinners and two beer lunches; and train and coach transportation. Details on this trip can be found at www.BeerTrips.com.

The tour will be hosted by Pints for Prostates founder and beer journalist Rick Lyke. Lyke has been writing about beer, wine and spirits for 30 years and has visited Belgium several times. Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 charity that reaches men through the universal language of beer with an important health message.

“BeerTrips.com has put together a fantastic trip to Belgium, which many beer lovers consider to be Beer Heaven,” said Lyke. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership to help us raise funds and spread the word to men about the importance of regular prostate health screenings and early detection.”

“Belgium is one of the favorite BeerTrips.com destinations,” said Mike Saxton, founder of BeerTrips.com. “We offer small groups an intimate experience with the chance for insider tours of some the most famous breweries in the world. If you love beer and love to travel, this gives you the chance to experience a great week in Belgium, enjoying history, culture, food and beer along the way.”

As part of the BeerTrips.com and Pints for Prostates partnership, Pints for Prostates will raffle a trip for two for the special trip. For a $10 donation for a single ticket, $25 donation for three tickets or $50 for seven tickets, donors will be entered to win the trip that includes:

• The BeerTrips.com Belgium trip for two Sept. 7-15, 2012

• Roundtrip Airfare for Two from the Continental United States

• Seven Nights in Fine Centrally Located Hotels

• Brewery Tours

• Escorted Cafe Crawls

• Guided City Tours

• Breakfasts Daily/3 Beer Dinners/2 Beer Lunches

• Train & Private Coach Transportation

The total value of the trip for two is estimated at $6,500. The drawing will be held on July 29, 2012. The prize is non-transferable. No cash substitute will be offered. The winner and their guest are responsible for obtaining passports and all trip related costs not outlined above. You must be 21 years old to enter.

About BeerTrips.com

Beer Trips.com was founded in 1998 to offer serious beer people the opportunity to travel to the world’s best beer destinations with other people who love great beer. Beer and travel, travel and beer — these are two of our favorite things. Both, in our estimation, are worth a fair amount of life’s energy. Our goal, and our very reason for existing, is to take our travelers the best beer destinations, drink, taste and enjoy the best beers, meet the beer-loving people of the countries we visit, and explore the history, culture, art and architecture of the interesting places where beer “grew up”. To do this we stay in nice, well-located hotels, eat at great restaurants that emphasize beer in their fare, and visit breweries, brew pubs, cafes, and museums that enhance our understanding and appreciation of beer and its rich history and culture

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 240,890 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2011. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Pints for Prostates Oktoberfest for a Cure Events Reaching Men Through the Universal Language of Beer

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Pints for Prostates is organizing a series of Oktoberfest for a Cure events designed to encourage men to take charge of their health and get regular prostate health screenings.
The Oktoberfest for a Cure celebration takes place from Aug. 26 to Oct. 22 and includes more than 20 special rare beer tastings, appearances at festivals, events at breweries and retailers from San Francisco to Boston, and a nine night trip to the Czech Republic and Germany that culminates at the original Oktoberfest in Munich.
“September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the fall is also a time when a great many beer festivals take place. It is the perfect time to reach men through the universal language of beer,” said Rick Lyke, a drinks journalist and prostate cancer survivor. Lyke founded Pints for Prostates in 2008 after successful prostate cancer surgery. The group urges men to get regular prostate health screenings.
Oktoberfest for a Cure prostate cancer awareness events have been made possible by generous grants from Dendreon Corp., Rogue Ales and the Oregon Brewers Festival. Support has also been provided by BeerTrips.com, Brewer’s Best and All About Beer Magazine, along with venue operators, brewers and partner organizations.
The preliminary schedule for Pints for Prostates Oktoberfest for a Cure includes:
■Aug. 26-27 and Sept. 1-30: Prescott Brewing Co., Prescott. Ariz. Mobile testing unit at two locations in Prescott. Prescott Brewing will also offer a commemorative Pints for Prostates glass during September.

■Aug. 27 from Noon to 8 p.m.: Midwest Brewers Fest, Plainfield, Ill.

■Sept. 1 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.: Pints for Prostates at the Liberty Steakhouse & Brewery in High Point, N.C., with the High Point Regional Health System. The first 100 guests receive a special pint glass.

■Sept. 7 from 6-8 p.m.: Pints for Prostates at Pyramid Alehouse, Walnut Creek, Calif. Presented by Diablo Valley Oncology and Pacific Urology. For more information visit http://www.diablovalleyoncology.md/events/blog.

■Sept. 9-19: Pints for Prostates European Beer Tour with stops in Prague, Bamberg and Munich for Oktoberfest. www.BeerTrips.com for more details.

■Sept. 9 from 6-11 p.m.: San Diego Professionals Against Cancer 17th Annual Festival of Beer at Columbia and B Streets, San Diego, Calif.

■Sept. 10 from 4-8 p.m.: Craft Brew Palooza, Hyde Park Village, Tampa, Fla.

■Sept. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Oktoberfest for a Cure Arlington Toast with Zero, at Champps Americana Pentagon Row, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, Va. Tickets are $25 and available at www.pintsforprostates.org

■Sept. 24 from 1-4p.m.: San Diego County Beer Fair at the Liberty Station at Ingram Plaza, San Diego, Calif.

■Sept. 29 to Oct. 1: Great American Beer Festival, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colo.

■Sept. 30 from 1-4 p.m.: Denver Rare Beer Tasting III, presented by All About Beer Magazine at the Wynkoop Brewery, Denver, Colo.

■Oct. 5 from 6-10 p.m.: VBGB Oktoberfest for a Cure Cornhole Tournament at VBGB, 920 Hamilton St., Charlotte, N.C. Includes first Charlotte tapping of Highland PSA Pilsner.

■Oct. 6 from 6-9 p.m.: Baltimore Beer Opening Tap Celebration at the Rams Head in Baltimore, Md., $30 includes beer samples, finger food and live music.

■Oct. 8 from Noon-10 p.m.: World Beer Festival, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, N.C.

■Oct. 11 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.: Harpoon Cares Oktoberfest for a Cure, Harpoon Brewery Tasting Room, 306 Northern Ave., Boston, Mass. Tickets are available at www.pintsforprostates.org.

■Oct. 17 from 6-9 p.m.: Johnny Malloy’s Medina at 1038 North Court, Medina, Ohio, part of Cleveland Beer Week.

■Oct. 18 from 6-9 p.m.: Johnny Malloy’s Chapel Hill at 1954 Buchhozer, Akron, Ohio, part of Cleveland Beer Week.

■Oct. 19 from 6-9 p.m.: Johnny Malloy’s Strongsville, 15323 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio, part of Cleveland Beer Week.

■Oct. 22 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Piedmont Brewer’s Cup homebrewing competition at Big Boss Brewery, 1249 Wicker Dr., Raleigh, N.C.

Additional Pints for Prostates Oktoberfest for a Cure events are expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks. A complete listing of events is available at http://www.pintsforprostates.org/.
“Oktoberfest for a Cure is an opportunity for the beer community to come together over a critical health issue. Men are 33 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than women are to have breast cancer. The sad fact is that men are about 30 years behind women in advocating for their health,” said Lyke, who was 47 years old at the time his cancer was detected during a routine physical exam. He did not have any symptoms or family history of the disease. “According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer claimed the lives of more than 33,700 American men in 2011. The fact is most of these deaths could have been prevented with regular prostate health screenings.”
About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 240,890 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2011. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Highland Brewing Co. to Release PSA Pilsner to Support Pints for Prostates Awareness Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:33:00 +0000

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Highland Brewing Co. is releasing PSA Pilsner to help raise awareness about prostate cancer and generate funds to fight the disease that one in six American men will face.

Highland PSA Pilsner is a limited release lager created by Highland Brewer Joey Justice that will initially be available only on draught. PSA Pilsner will be tapped for the first time on March 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. during a special event at the Highland Brewing Tasting Room, 12 Old Charlotte Highway in Asheville, N.C. The beer will benefit Pints for Prostates, an awareness campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer. Highland Brewery will donate 50-cents from each pint sold.

The beer takes its name from the PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test, a critical tool in the early detection of prostate cancer. Highland PSA Pilsner is the latest addition to the Pints for Prostates campaign, which is designed to be a friendly and non-threatening reminder to men to take charge of their health.

“We have been working on developing a new Pilsner and want to get the reaction of our fans to the new beer at our tasting room. We thought this would be a great opportunity to raise awareness about prostate cancer,” said Oscar Wong, Highland Brewing founder and a prostate cancer survivor. “Pints for Prostates is spreading the word across the country and this is a perfect opportunity to bring this important message to Asheville.”

Pints for Prostates will have an information table at the event, along with t-shirts, hats and a raffle for a nine-night trip for two to Prague, Bamberg and Munich for Oktoberfest. The Tim Marsh Collective will provide live music during the release event.

“Pints for Prostates really appreciates the support of Highland Brewing and I am looking forward to tasting PSA Pilsner,” said Rick Lyke, a Charlotte marketing executive and beer writer who founded Pints for Prostates in 2008 after successful prostate cancer surgery. “Few people realize that men are 33 percent more likely to face prostate cancer than women are to develop breast cancer. With early detection and proper treatment, the disease is nearly 100 percent survivable, but last year 32,000 American men died from prostate cancer. Men need to take charge of their health and start having regular prostate health screenings and PSA tests at age 40.”

According to Justice, Highland PSA Pilsner reflects his love for great Pilsner. The recipe combines Best Maltz (Best Pilsen Malt) from Heidelberg, Germany, with Carapils and Vienna Malt from American specialty malt producer Breiss, with the wort nursed through an extended brewing, fermentation and conditioning cycle utilizing the yeast strain that created the Czech Republic’s reputation for producing the world’s greatest Pilsners. Classic Czech Saaz hops provide a modest IBU count and delicate effusive aromatics. This small batch Pilsner finishes clean and crisp, and at 4 percent alcohol by volume, can lay claim to being an honest, distinctly refreshing, and highly quaffable session beer, hand crafted with love of the brewer’s art.

“Prostate cancer is about 30 years behind breast cancer in terms of awareness and social standing. The pink ribbon can be found on everything from cat food to wine, but the blue ribbon for prostate cancer awareness is on very few products as a reminder to men,” Lyke said. “Having Highland PSA Pilsner on the market is a major step forward in raising awareness about prostate cancer. Highland Brewing is really stepping up to the plate to help guys.”

During the last two years more than 100 Pints for Prostates events have been held, organized by volunteers and often hosted on a local level at breweries, restaurants or brewpubs. Those wishing to organize an event can get information by visiting www.pintsforprostates.org.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 218,000 new prostate cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2010. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

About Highland Brewing Co.
Highland Brewing Co. rolled out its first beer kegs in December 1994. Built almost entirely of retrofitted dairy equipment, the original brewery in downtown Asheville could produce up to 6,500 barrels of beer per year. In October 2006, the company moved to a larger, more efficient brewery in east Asheville with a 20,000 barrel capacity. Owner/founder Oscar Wong and Vice President/Brewmaster John Lyda have been at the brewery since its inception. What began as a three person operation has grown into a staff of 18. Currently, the Highland brand is sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. More information is available at http://www.highlandbrewing.com/.

Around the World in 80 Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:25:00 +0000

I don't drink to get drunk. I'm not saying it has never happened. None of you would believe me if I made that claim. But the fact is I don't drink to get drunk.

I drink for many reasons. To have a conversation with friends. To wash down a meal. To celebrate. To kill time waiting for for a flight. To quench a thirst. To research a story. But mostly, I drink to go places.

For me, beer, wine and spirits are more about the culture, the people, the environment and the attitude of a place than they are about alcohol content. Travel is all about new experiences and getting a taste of what the locals enjoy. You can do that through food, music, art, architecture, sports, fashion, literature and history. But to me, drink is an essential part of that experience. It can help you connect with the people, with the land and the place in ways that nothing else can really accomplish. It is a link to the past. It is a source of pride. And it opens doors that welcome a traveler.

During the last few years, Lyke2Drink has provided an outlet to share some of my experiences. There have been vineyard tastings, beer festivals and distillery tours. In each case, being there has helped me communicate about the beverage. My travels for both pleasure and business have been enriched by finding the local drink. Drinks tourism is something that can take you to a new place and let you bring the experience back home.

Don't get me wrong. Cologne is still a great city without Kolsch, just not quite as lively. A drive through the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York is still beautiful without Riesling, just not quite as romantic. A trip to Kentucky is still fun without Bourbon, just not as spirited. Cities like Prague, Florence, Dublin, Edinburgh and Munich would still be tourist meccas without drink, but I submit they are much better with drink. And how many of us would have really heard of places like Islay, Reims, Bardstown, Bamberg and Napa if it were not for the local contribution to the world of drink?

Around the World in 80 Drinks is a new direction for Lyke2Drink that is directly connected back to the roots of this blog. It will provide a focus that I hope you will enjoy. The blog will offer tips on drinks travel destinations and chronicle some of my experiences. In some cases, it will be armchair travel. Hopefully, many of the adventures will be from the road as we discover the world's great drinks. Eighty drinks that define who we are and the places we come from in a way that nothing else really can. I'm getting thirsty just thinking about it.

Pack your bag. We are on our way.

A Year of Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:13:00 +0000

During 2010, the Lyke2Drink blog committed to chronicle a year's worth of adult beverage enjoyment.

Some drinks were consumed with friends, others were tasted solo while researching articles. Some were purchased while on the road, others were shipped to me by brewers, vintners and distillers looking for coverage. Whether they were sipped at a festival or enjoyed during a dinner with my family, the task of making sure I had a new drink to review for each and every of the 365 days of the year was both challenging and rewarding.

Looking back over the 365 drinks, there were 228 different beers, 62 wines, 63 spirits, 6 cocktails, 4 ciders and 2 sakes. There were too many good drinks to try to name favorites. If you put me in a corner and said pick some of the best from each category, I would have to say that it really comes down to a few experiences along the way.

In the Beer category, it is nearly impossible to beat the September afternoon at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. Jolly Pumpkin Biere de Goord was one highlight, the beer that was brewed to help raise awareness and funds for the Pints for Prostates campaign. Among the 26 beers poured that day were some truly rare brews, including three that are single day release big beers that could be sipped just feet from one another: Big Sky Barrel-Aged Ivan the Terrible, Three Floyds Dark Lord  and Foothills Sexual Chocolate.

In Spirits, having the chance to taste two new Bourbon releases at the distilleries was pretty special, particularly when Bill Samuels Jr. was the host for Maker’s Mark 46  and Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris conducted the tasting of the Woodford Reserve Master's Collection.

In Wine, some bottles enjoyed with my wife that reminded us of earlier winery visits. These included Hermann Wiemer Semi-Dry Riesling, Dr. Konstantin Frank Fleur de Pinot Noir, Kathryn Hall 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Louis Martini 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and  Raffaldini La Dolce Vita.

On the “unique” side of things, there was bacon used in vodka and beer; the Bolivian liqueur made from the same raw ingredients used to produce cocaine and the Ohio wine made from a nearly extinct grape variety. Memorable drinks came in the form of a four beer anniversary series from Sierra Nevada, some great cocktails and a number of good wines. But quality is a common thread that unites the drinks of 2010, like Anchor Christmas Ale, Olde Mecklenburg Bauern Bock, Firestone 14 Annivewrsary Ale, Ledson 2009 Carneros Chardonnay , Highland Park 25 Year Old, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale and Germain-Robin Coast Road Reserve.

With Day 365 Drink, this feature of the blog is being retired. But Lyke2Drink will bring back the weekly “Tuesday Tastings” review segment during January. This blog has been around since 2006 (which is almost ancient when it comes to the drinks blog world) and we are approaching 1,500 total posts. Our plan during 2011 is to take a slightly new focus for Lyke2Drink. This approach will encompass a part of the drinks culture that the blog has touched upon from time to time in the past -- a vibrant and fertile topic that few other outlets really thoroughly cover. In this way we hope to remain relevant to readers and enhance the usefulness of this blog in helping you enjoy the best beer, wines and spirits.

Visit Lyke2Drink in the coming weeks and see where this new direction takes us on our drinks journey.