NanoBryg rss syndication

Session #37: When to drink the good stuff

Posted: March 5th, 2010, 4:34pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

The Session - Beer Blogging Friday The Session is a monthly one-day event held by beer bloggers around the world, where they each post their thoughts on a unified theme.

This edition of The Session is sponsored “SirRon” at The Ferm .

The Session #37: Announcement – The Display Shelf: When to Drink the Good Stuff

Finding a drinking occasion that lives up to the reputation of the bottle and the story of its acquisition is not a dreadful struggle to have, but it is a struggle nonetheless. When my good friends are over and we have had a few other beverages, will we still be able to enjoy my cave aged Hennepin that I bought after my tour of the brewery and have cellared for ten years? Will I miss it like I miss that four year old Golden Monkey?

The topic is open ended and the rules of The Session are close to nil. You can use your post to be persuasive or therapeutic. You may choose to tell a story of a great bottle you once opened or boast of your own beer collection.

I have only just started experimenting with cellaring some of my beer. Even before I discovered craft beer I’d believed in the idea that “fresh beer is better beer”. I mean, take away most of the water, add some flour, and you’ve got bread. What bread tastes better after sitting for some length of time? Even after my craft beer epiphany I still gravitated toward “pale” brews, which still benefit from being drunk fresh.

As such, I haven’t really run into the problem of setting something aside “for a special occasion”. (I do however, have a bottle or three whose siren song I’m resisting so that I can have it later this year.) Most of my friends are beer fans themselves and appreciate those rarer, “special” beers. Those that aren’t, well, they either bring their own beer or I choose something just for them that helps keep them away from the stuff they just wouldn’t appreciate. Those occasions are few and far between, though. I moved away from most of my close friends and only see them occasionally. My wife, while she enjoys a nice craft beer, doesn’t like the high-gravity stuff that does well with aging. That usually just leaves little old me to enjoy those beers I’ve been saving.

Then, of course, there’s the “don’t postpone joy” philosophy. I remember in my youth I got my mother a candle shaped like a rose or something. Well, she wouldn’t burn it because it was too nice. Years later, we discovered it in the attic. It was completely malformed, the fragrance was gone, and even if the wick would have held a flame it wouldn’t have melted evenly. Instead of enjoying it soon after receiving it, she saved it for a special occasion and never got to enjoy it at all. My wife likes to paint these one-of-a-kind pottery bowls which are just lovely, but rather than leave them to gather dust on a shelf, she uses them. A couple of them have small chips out of them as a result, but she has enjoyed them. Why wait?

Writing this reminds of two things. One, if I’m going to cellar more beer I need to get a bit more organized as I don’t really know what I have or how long it’s been in there. But, then, doesn’t that go against the “spirit” of beer? Beer is simple, approachable. If I’m going to start cataloging my purchases by vintage and judging whether or not the occasion is “worthy” of a bottle, doesn’t that send me careening down the path to one of those annoying oenophiliacs we all know? Still, I know that there are some rather tasty beers that become even more tasty with just a little time and patience, and who wouldn’t want that?

Secondly, I’m reminded that I haven’t gotten together with friends—to chat over some good beer—in an embarrassingly long time. This is something I will need to rectify very soon because, to me, being with friends is more than enough reason to celebrate.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/03/05/session-37-when-to-drink-the-good-stuff/';

Related Posts:

Guinness cupcakes

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 4:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

We had company over this evening, so the wife pulled out all the stops, including baking some cupcakes made with Guinness.

Delicious.

They were moist and delicious. My wife, who doesn’t like stout, loved them.

We found the recipe at Big City, Little Kitchen

cupcakes (makes about 2 dozen)

1 cup Guinness Stout
1 stick, plus 1 tbsp, unsalted butter
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups dark brown sugar
¾ cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2-½ tsp baking soda

glaze

8 oz cream cheese
1-¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
⅓ cup milk

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Butter a muffin tin or use paper cups.

Combine the Guinness and the butter, chopped into 1-inch chunks, in a large sauce pan, and heat to melt the butter. Remove from heat, and whisk in the cocoa and sugar. In a bowl, whisk the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla, then add to the beer mixture. Sift together the flour and baking soda, and fold into the batter. Pour into muffin molds and bake for 25 minutes, or until inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes, remove from muffin tin, and cool completely on a rack.

Using a mixer, whip cream cheese until smooth, sift in sugar, and beat. Add milk, and beat until smooth. Spread glaze over cooled cupcakes.

Update: Not manly enough for you? Butch cupcakes for men

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/02/18/guinness-cupcakes/';

Related Posts:

Great Arizona Beer Festival

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 9:02pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Let’s see. Over two feet of snow four days ago, and now in the midst of getting between 10 and 20 more inches today and tomorrow. I was assured that this type of thing doesn’t happen around D.C.

I would definitely like to be somewhere warm, and soon. A beer festival in Tempe, Arizona sounds ideal.

Press release:

22nd ANNUAL GREAT ARIZONA BEER FESTIVAL TO FEATURE ARIZONA’S LARGEST FESTIVAL SELECTION OF SPECIALTY AND MICRO-BREWED OFFERINGS

TEMPE, Ariz. – (Jan. 15, 2010) – Thousands of beer lovers from throughout the region are expected to flock to Tempe Beach Park the weekend of March 6-7, 2010 for the 22nd Annual Great Arizona Beer Festival. The annual festival is the primary fund raising event for Sun Sounds of Arizona, a reading service for people who are blind or whose disability prevents them from reading printed material, such as newspapers, magazines and best-selling books.

Presented by azcentral.com, the festival is dedicated to the enjoyment of fine craft brews. More than 7,000 beer aficionados, Arizonans and guests attend this weekend-long festival each year to celebrate and sample more than 200 specialty and micro-brewed beers – more than any other festival in the state – from all over the Southwest and beyond. The festival also features live music, games, a variety of great food, and fun for people age 21 and over. This year’s live entertainment will be provided by local bands Big Nick and The Gila Monsters (Saturday, March 6) and Major Lingo (Sunday, March 7).

Additional event sponsors include 944 magazine, which is the presenting sponsor of the VIP Experience. Casino Arizona is the Safe Ride Home Sponsor, KDKB is the official FM Radio sponsor, and Yelp.com is also a featured sponsor.

This year’s event will include several exciting new components, such as:

For the first time in the history of the festival, select beers will be judged by a panel of representatives from azcentral.com, 944 magazine and DRAFT magazine.
The VIP Experience, presented by 944 magazine, will feature casino-style gaming including blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em poker, roulette and craps, with opportunities to win and bid on raffle and live auction prizes with casino “winnings.” All proceeds benefit Sun Sounds of Arizona. The VIP area will also feature a variety of other games and catered food.
Guests can try their luck in the virtual paintball laser shooting gallery, a new attraction that offers a realistic paintball experience without the mess of traditional paintball presented by Tempe Paintball. A perfect score qualifies guests for a prize drawing.
Also, returning this year, the popular beanbag game Cornhole will be hosted by tournament organizers Cornhole Arizona.
The Designated Driver pavilion area will feature free massages provided by Arizona School of Massage Therapy, a variety of non-alcoholic drinks provided by The Pop Shop, and designated parking.
Leading up to the event, the GAZBF will host a variety of online contests and promotions through azcentral.com, 944.com and their fan pages on social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

“I think this year’s event is going to be a great one! In addition to great beer and vendors, we have a lot of new ideas to entertain the crowd,” says Sue DesParte, chair of the 2010 event. “I’m also looking forward to raising as much money as possible, since every nickel we earn goes directly to Sun Sounds of Arizona.”

Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the gate for general admission, including up to 24 different beer samples, or $80 in advance/$90 at the gate for VIP admission. In addition to catered food, shade, VIP entertainment and games, separate restrooms, and other amenities, VIPs may also enter an hour before the festival starts and will receive a free event T-shirt and gift bag. Designated drivers receive general admission entry to the festival for only $20 and VIP entry for $30.

The Great Arizona Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets are available at www.azbeer.com and at participating pubs and retail outlets. Visit www.azbeer.com or call 480-774-8300 for details.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/02/09/great-arizona-beer-festival/';

Related Posts:

The best beer in the world is…

Posted: February 7th, 2010, 6:43pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

The Washington, D.C. region was hit with a record-setting snowfall* starting two days ago and ending around 4:00 PM yesterday. They’re not used to snow in these parts, much less two feet of it.

After six hours of digging to free my two cars, I finally got to sit down with a well-deserved beer**.

Man, that’s good. That may be the best beer I’ve ever had.

Oh, look. They’ve brought in the heavy equipment.

The best beer in the world is the one you have before the pain of your back-breaking labor lays you up for two days.

* It’s being referred to as “snowpocalypse” and “snowmageddon”
** In this case, it happens to have been a Flying Dog Raging Bitch

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/02/07/the-best-beer-in-the-world-is-3/';

Related Posts:

Want to go the Beer Summit in Phoenix, Arizona?

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 2:18am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Fizz is a marketing company in Atlanta. They’re having a contest to give away a pass to the conference*, held February 28-March 1 at the Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Normally, the pass costs about $1,100. But you could get in for free.

Come up with the best beer brand name that would never get approved by the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Bonus points for sending a mockup label to go with your beer name or doing anything else that we think is funny. Email your entry by Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). Yep, it’s that simple.Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

Humor

Cleverness in breaking rules

Unapprovability

General wit

Go here for the details: Contest: Best Un-Approvable Beer Name

* The Beer Summit gathers 500 professionals from the beer industry to talk about the biggest issues in beer and beer marketing.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/28/want-to-go-the-beer-summit-in-phoenix-arizona/';

Related Posts:

More beer etymology

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 2:32pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Some may think that cerebral topics like word origins and “the people’s drink” don’t go together (much the same way I don’t like chocolate in my peanut butter and vice versa) but I think it’s great.

Zythophile: Words for beer (2) – was ‘beer’ originally cider?

To rub in the point that ealu and beór were seen as distinct and separate drinks a thousand years ago, Ælfric, abbot of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, who lived from around AD 955 to AD 1010, wrote of John the Baptist in one of his “Homilies” that “ne dranc he naðor ne win, ne beór, ne ealu, ne nan ðæra wætan ðe menn of druncniað,” that is, “nor drank he neither wine, nor beór, nor ale, nor any other liquor that makes men drunk.” Ælfric, who was a conscientious writer, clearly felt he needed to differentiate beór from ealu, as well as ealu from win. Beór, then, comes through from Anglo-Saxon texts as strong and sweet, and different to, or separate, from ealu.

Fascinating stuff

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/27/more-beer-etymology/';

Related Posts:

Beer for your dungeon crawl

Posted: January 26th, 2010, 3:01pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

I love when two of my passions intersect. The other, in this case, is Dungeons & Dragons. I played quite a bit in my teens and twenties, but gave up on it when other time-consuming stuff entered my life (marriage, children, home ownership, sucky commute, etc.). In the last year or so I’d been really missing it, so I found a bunch of like-minded fellas in similar straits and we get together every couple of weeks (schedules permitting, naturally).

I recently spotted this:

Geeks are Sexy: Six Geeky Drinks for the Dungeons and Dragons Table

While I don’t recommending getting out-of-your mind drunk while playing (certainly gets in the way of focusing, and unless you’re in the middle of a tavern scene , it can make for some truly less than stellar roleplay… not that I, um, speak from experience…) there are a variety of drinks out there which can certainly lend an extra layer of geekiness to your game. Some are clearly put together for the geek set, while others retain their geek cred through the virtue of their historical appropriateness. Here’s a few of my suggestions:

My recent favorite, and the first in the beer category, is Wychwood Brewery’s Hobgoblin, a delightful ruby beer. The website characterizes it as having a “toffee malt flavour balanced with a rounded moderate bitterness and an overall fruity flavor.” I will admit to buying this beer primarily on its namesake alone at my local wine and beer shop; however, I was absolutely in love with the taste from the first sip.

In addition to some other Wychwood offerings, they also offer up as appropriate for this category Rogue Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout and Trappist ales (offering Chimay as an example).

Now I know there are many more beers that could fit this category. At the risk of pegging my “Geek Meter”, here are some off the top of my head: Most of your fantasy realms hearken to the Medieval period in Europe, so virtually anything from Middle Ages Brewing seems appropriate. Bad Elf Ale and its brethren come to mind, if you go by name alone and ignore the Christmas art on the label. (I’ve certainly encountered my share of “bad elves” in my adventures.) Weyerbacher also has a few, with Old Heathen, Heresy, Merry Monks, or Prophecy. The Clipper City’s Heavy Seas line would be good if you’re fighting pirates (or are one). Magic Hat Hocus Pocus, Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale, and Great Divide’s Claymore Scotch Ale (“is that a sword under your cloak or are you happy to see me?”) also would fit the bill. And let’s not forget all those Stone Brewing gargoyles.

What else could fit in a fantastic realm? What were Frodo and his pals drinking at The Prancing Pony?

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/26/beer-for-your-dungeon-crawl/';

Related Posts:

Beer at Burger King?

Posted: January 22nd, 2010, 10:41pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

NPR: Burger King Rolls Out The Beer Barrel

Burger King may be number three after McDonalds and Subway in terms of sales in the fast-food restaurant business. But it plans to be the first in at least one area — serving beer and I’m not talking about the root beer.

Reports are that Burger King will be serving beer at a location in Miami Beach which will be the first in the chain to serve alcohol.

According to the Associated Press they’ll be offering Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors products. That’s a good thing, because I don’t need a temptation to go into a fast food joint.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/22/beer-at-burger-king/';

Related Posts:

Beer news sampler

Posted: January 20th, 2010, 5:59pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

A small sampling of beer-related news that recently caught our eye.

Anheuser-Busch InBev shipping water to Haiti
ABIB is shipping 600,000 cans of water to aid in Haiti. They’ll also be matching donations to the American Red Cross and have shipped over 5 millions cans of drinking water to victims of natural disasters in the last two years.

Workers’ strike against Anheuser-Busch InBev affecting supplies in Belgium
Inventories of Stella Artois and Leffe are just about depleted.

Another reason to drink beer
Xanthohumol, found in hops, shows promise in fighting cancer.

Beoir
A new beer consumer’s group for Ireland.

Trying to remove the ban on mixed beer drinks in Nebraska
Regulators say they just want to remove an archaic and unnecessary law. Opponents say they’re trying to open the door for alcopops.

Give a pint, get a pint
Cascade Regional Blood Services (based in Tacoma, Washington) says that their promotion of giving a pint of beer when you donate a pint of blood worked so well that they’re going to expand it.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/20/beer-news-sampler-16/';

Related Posts:

New advice site for homebrewers: BrewAdvice.com

Posted: January 17th, 2010, 4:05pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

From the press release:

BrewAdvice.com, a community-driven site focused on answering all questions related to beer, officially launched today [January 16, 2010]. Unlike forums, message boards, Facebook, or Twitter, BrewAdvice.com is specifically set up as a simple question and answer knowledge base. Ask a question, get a number of answers, select the best one, and get on with brewing. The site was quietly opened to the public a little over a week ago, and the response was overwhelmingly successful.

Questions range from basic homebrewing process questions, like “How do you choose a yeast”, to more theoretical brewing questions, such as “What does ‘Imperial’ mean with regards to style?” to the more advanced side of the craft, for example the effects of aging on Alpha and Beta acids in hops. There are also questions that aren’t strictly for the homebrewer, such as a question about pairing beer with mussels, and general beer storage advice.

Users on the site gain reputation through activity. The more active a user, the more power he or she has on the site. One gains reputation by asking good questions and leaving good answers. As users participate more, they gain access to commenting, voting, and moderation tools. “It’s a site run by the community,” says co-founder PJ Hoberman.

The site is built on the StackExchange network, which is itself based on StackOverflow, a web site for programmers that I frequent daily. It’s an interesting and different way of collecting and sharing information. Many newcomers mistake it for yet another forum, but that’s not what it is and after a little while you just “get” it. Since it’s community-driven, the more you put in the more you get out. I know there’s a lot of homebrewing knowledge out there; this will be a good way to tap it.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/17/new-advice-site-for-homebrewers-brewadvice-com/';

Related Posts:

Pyramid Breweries swag

Posted: January 15th, 2010, 1:32am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

One pleasant side effect of my Beer-a-Day project is hearing from the brewers whose beer I included. One such is Pyramid Breweries, who were so happy to see five of their beers in my list they sent me some tchotchkes:

I love the industrial-strength church key as well as the t-shirt for my wife. Very thoughtful. Thanks guys (especially Meech)!

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/14/pyramid-breweries-swag/';

Related Posts:

Are big beer mergers good for craft brewers?

Posted: January 12th, 2010, 7:08pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Speaking of Heineken’s purchase of FEMSA, Public Radio’s Marketplace had a story on how consolidation of brewing giants can help craft brewers.

Marketplace: Are beer mergers a good brew for biz?

Uli Bennewitz owns the Weeping Radish Farm Brewery in Jarvisburg, N.C. He also runs a butchery and an organic farm.

Everybody is wary of “where does this stuff come from?” There is clearly a move towards local, local, local. And I think that is an advantage for small breweries.

They also follow up with a bit of analysis on the Marketplace blog:

Maketplace Scratch Pad: One world, one beer company?

Paddy [Hirsch] recently visited Stone Brewing Company near San Diego, and they told him they loved it when the big companies merged. The mergers turn off beer-drinkers, perhaps in principle but also because something bad seems to happen to the flavor of a decent beer when it gets swallowed up by a mega-corporation. People start looking for alternatives.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/12/are-big-beer-mergers-good-for-craft-brewers/';

Related Posts:

Beer-a-Day: More attempts

Posted: January 11th, 2010, 5:09pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Could I perhaps have inspired others? I’d like to think so, but not likely.

Anyway, someone else is attempting the “beer-a-day” thing for 2010.

A Year of Beer

His dedicated blog is much prettier than my attempt, and he’s putting in more information for each beer. Please give your support and encouragement. We all know how hard it is to do.

Know anybody else doing this? Let us know in the comments.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/11/beer-a-day-more-attempts/';

Related Posts:

Beer news sampler

Posted: January 11th, 2010, 3:27pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

A sixer of news items on beer that we spotted recently.

BBC News: Anheuser-Busch InBev to cut 800 European jobs
That’s about 10% of their European workforce and is ” a response to falling beer sales”. Well, if they made any products I’d want to drink…

Idaho Statesman: It’s been a good decade for craft beer
Patrick Orr talks about some of the gains and newsworthy items in craft beer during the aughts.

Heineken to buy FEMSA beer operations for $5.5 billion
Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. is the Mexican brewer of Sol, Tecate, and Dos Equis. This deal gives the Dutch giant a larger foothold in the Americas. I don’t expect much innovation here. In fact, I just expect the same old fairly bland mass-produced beer, just produced by fewer companies.

Counterfeit beer in China
Apparently, “fancy” beers like Corona and Budweiser are being substituted with cheaper lagers. Fleeced customers apparently don’t notice.

UK beer drinkers should expect beer prices to go up
Brewing giants InBev and Diageo both cite sluggish economy as the need for the increase.

Mid 18th-Century beer mug may auction for upwards of $100K
“A 268-year-old beer mug that was spirited to Canada during the American Revolution by an iconic Loyalist refugee — Rev. John Stuart, the future founder of the Anglican Church in Upper Canada — hits the auction block this month in the U.S. and is expected to sell for close to $100,000 because of its remarkable provenance.”

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/11/beer-news-sampler-15/';

Related Posts:

Brooklyn Brewery Monster Ale Revisited

Posted: January 10th, 2010, 1:15am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

I have taken a few timid steps toward cellaring some of my beer. Last January I had some Brooklyn Monster Ale and very specifically put aside a bottle to have…oh, about now. It’s been an awful temptation to see it back for just about all of 2009. This is a bottle from 2008.

Very pretty caramel color and clear. What little head it has falls fairly quickly. There’s some vanilla in the aroma, plus a bit of floral, but mostly it’s significantly malty/bready. It’s thick. Not syrupy, but obviously very high gravity. Big malty flavor with a little bit of heat from the alcohol.

Question is: Is it better than it was a year ago?

I say yes. Most of the “harshness” I found in it last January has certainly mellowed. It’s warm and complex. It’s good. Should I cellar it for longer? I don’t know, but it would be hard to leave it alone for that long.

Monster Barleywine

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/09/brooklyn-brewery-monster-ale-revisited/';

Related Posts:

You could win trip to the Budvar Brewery in Prague

Posted: January 8th, 2010, 1:15am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

UK writer Pete Brown has won yet another trip to České Budějovice, Bohemia, Czech Republic. (You know, where Budějovický Budvar is.) He loves the place, but has decided that a third trip for him won’t have the same universal karma as making it a first trip for someone else. So, he’s giving it away. You only need to write a little something.

Working in conjunction with Budvar UK and The Publican, we’re launching a mini-competition to encourage new beer writing talent.

This is open to anyone who is passionate about beer, wants to write about it, but has not yet had anything published in print media. We can’t and don’t want to exclude bloggers because most people who are keen to write about beer have started doing so electronically, but we want to offer someone the chance to break into being published offline for the first time.

It’s simple. You need to write a thousand-word piece on the subject of ‘Why Beer Matters’, interpreted in whatever way you see fit. You need to send this to me (Pete Brown) by 29th January, remembering to include your real name, postal address and contact telephone number.

Judges will include me (Pete Brown), and Publican editor Caroline Nodder. The winning entry will be published in The Publican, and the successful writer will be invited on a press trip to Ceske Budejovice, which also takes in a day trip to the stunning medieval town of Ceske Krumlov some time in early spring.

This is open to any writer, anywhere (though you’d have to get yourself to either London or Prague under your own steam if you live outside the UK.)

PETE BROWN: WIN MY TRIP TO THE BUDVAR BREWERY!

Better get to work!

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/07/you-could-win-trip-to-the-budvar-brewery-in-prague/';

Related Posts:

Beer-a-Day Project: I did it!

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 1:51am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Now that I’ve done it I can hardly believe I made it through. It was harder and more different than I expected going in. When I first did some research to see if anyone had ever done anything like this I couldn’t believe how few had actually tried it, almost all failing to finish, with many quitting before getting even halfway.

By the time I got to the third month I understood why. This is hard! I mean, not only was I drinking more than I ever had in my life, but I had to make sure I did it each and every day. Things went best when I brought home my mixed case and photographed all the bottles before putting them in the fridge. Then I could fix up the photos and prepare the articles so that when I actually did drink the beer I needed to only add my impressions. Unfortunately I wasn’t always able to do that, so there were many days that were a bit of a scramble.

Never in my adult life did I ever think that I would say to myself “Oh, damn. I have to drink a beer today. Nuts.”

In late November I was on the home stretch, confident that I would finish and feeling good about myself. Of course, that’s when I found out about Dale Van Wieren, who is now over 10,000 daily beers. I’d have to keep going for 24 or so years to catch up. It was rather disheartening to be sure. I consoled myself with a beer.

Many thanks to Ye Old Spirit Shop in Frederick, Maryland. If it wasn’t for their extensive selection and encouragement to buy single bottles I never could have done this. For the last third of the year, I had to go shopping with a list of beers that I’d already had as part of this project so I wouldn’t buy them again.

Thanks also to those Hop Talk readers who offered up enthusiasm and encouragement over the course of this past year.

And thanks most of all to my patient and understanding wife, who was not only the inspiration for this project but also my biggest fan. She helped me sample quite a few beers and reminded me more than once of my daily obligation.

Here’s the top 10 brands I sampled this year:

1. Samuel Adams – 20
2. Flying Dog – 15 (19 if you include Wild Goose)
3. Saranac – 12
4. Brooklyn – 11
(tie) Dogfish Head – 11
(tie) Victory – 11
7. Great Divide – 10
8. Abita – 8
(tie) Samuel Smith – 8
(tie) Weyerbacher – 8

I didn’t try to rate the beer as I sampled them; I just tried to give my impressions. There were some surprises: Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout, Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout, and Flying Dog Raging Bitch are three I rather liked, but there were plenty more that I was glad I had.

As for ones I wasn’t so glad about, an awful lot of the European lagers in green bottles were lightstruck, which I suppose shouldn’t be a surprise. What is surprising is how many people still drink them and think that’s the way quality beer is supposed to taste. Back in July I had several American macro lagers. Of them, I found Miller Lite the best of the bunch, but, honestly, that’s not saying much. I did try to keep an open mind, though.

You can see the list of beers in order in each of the monthly recaps, but here’s an alphabetical list:

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/03/beer-a-day-project-conclusion/';

Related Posts:

Beer-a-Day Project: December recap

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 6:45pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

I can’t believe I’m done.

I can’t believe I did it.

I’ll have more reflections on this soon, but for now here’s the list of beers for December. Links to recaps for the other months are at the bottom of this message.

Previously:

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2010/01/01/beer-a-day-project-december-recap/';

Related Posts:

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #365

The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration^® Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration^® Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home.

Well, this is it. Three hundred sixty-five unique beers. 2009 has been quite a year, and not just for this little project. It’s time to celebrate.

Amber, clear, with a thick head. Nice citrusy and piney hops aroma. Nice bite from the dry hops. That’s good stuff.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/31/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/';

Related Posts:

Hop Talk wishes you and yours a Happy New Year

Posted: December 31st, 2009, 6:59pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

As we say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in 2010, Ron and I and our families wish you and yours a new year full of more joys, fewer sorrows, and plenty of good beer.

There’s a lot of boozing going on tonight; be careful and be responsible.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/31/hop-talk-wishes-you-and-yours-a-happy-new-year/';

Related Posts:

Rogue Brutal Bitter

Posted: December 31st, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #364

An Imperial bitter with exotic traditional floor malts, citrusy, hoppy flavor, stupendous hop aroma.

I don’t think this is a commentary on the year just ending, but Freud would probably have something to say about it.

Orangey with a chill haze. Big citrusy hops aroma. Fairly big hops, but lighter than something that proclaims itself as an “Imperial” anything. It’s good.

Rogue Brutal Bitter

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/30/rogue-brutal-bitter/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/12/30/Origins_of_the_word_%e2%80%9cbeer%e2%80%9d'

Origins of the word “beer”

Posted: December 30th, 2009, 1:50pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Our friend Zythophile is at it again. This time with the first part of an article that explores the origins of the word “beer” with explorations of its equivalent in other languages. Etymology fascinates me; I think maybe I should have been a linguist.

Here’s an excerpt:

In Britain, as on the continent, that change from m to v meant that the old Brythonic (British Celtic) word for “beer”, *korm, altered its form, becoming *cwrf (pronounced “coorv”) in old Welsh, then cwrwf, before losing the f to become modern Welsh cwrw, pronounced “cooroo”. (Welsh being what is known technically as a “mutating” language, incidentally, certain initial consonants change when nouns are used with prepositions, and that includes hard “c”, which becomes hard “g”: I am grateful to a young woman called Kat for imparting the information that the essential order at the bar in grammatically correct Welsh would be “Dau peint o gwrw ac baced crisps, plis.” This is particularly important in the Lleyn peninsula, where you wouldn’t want the locals to think you were from Swansea.

Zythophile: Words for beer

He promises to actually get to the word “beer”, and “ale” as well, in a future article.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/30/origins-of-the-word-beer/';

Related Posts:

Mad River Steelhead Porter

Posted: December 30th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #363

Steelhead Scotch Porter is a unique twist on a tradional style. Balanced with dark roasted barley and crystal malts, with the perfect blend of peated malt for a subtle smokey flavor.

Dark brown with a creamy head. Roasty and smokey aroma. Not bad; perhaps just a bit too much smoke.

Mad River Brewing Company

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/29/mad-river-steelhead-porter/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/12/29/When_%e2%80%9cale%e2%80%9d_did_not_mean_%e2%80%9cbeer%e2%80%9d'

When “ale” did not mean “beer”

Posted: December 29th, 2009, 7:37pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

“Ale” and “beer” have not always been synonymous. Used to be ale didn’t have hops, for one thing.

Zythophile (a favorite read of mine) offers up a lengthy article on when the two terms merged. It’s not as simple as many think.

Why weren’t stout and porter called ales? This is a reflection, 200 years on, of the origin of porter (and brown stout) in the brown beers made by the beer brewers of London, rivals of the ale brewers for 500 years, ever since immigrants from the Low Countries began brewing in England with hops.

Zythophile: The long battle between ale and beer

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/29/when-ale-did-not-mean-beer/';

Related Posts:

St. Rogue Red Ale

Posted: December 29th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #362

Reddish copper in color, a roasty malty flavor, with a hoppy-spruce finish.

Nice clear copper with a thick head. Malty aroma with a bit of resin. Very piney taste. Interesting. I’m not sure yet if I like it.

Rogue – Saint Rogue Red

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/28/st-rogue-red-ale/';

Related Posts:

Brooklyn Winter Ale

Posted: December 28th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #361

Based on the satisfying malty ales of blustery Scotland, Brooklyn Winter Ale will have you looking on the bright side of things. Rich Scottish malts bring deep bready flavors to a beer with a full copper color, a round, smooth palate, and brisk hopping that pulls the sweet malts into balance. See – things are looking up already!

Very pretty amber color. Subtle malty aroma. Brooklyn Brewery is generally one of my favorites, but I’m just not feeling it for this one.

Brooklyn Winter Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/27/brooklyn-winter-ale/';

Related Posts:

Mad River Brewing John Barleycorn Barleywine

Posted: December 27th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #360

Medium-dark brown; substantive head. Molasses, maybe a little maple syrup. Some roastiness. Dried fruit with a little burnt toast.

Mad River Brewing

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/26/mad-river-brewing-john-barleycorn-barleywine/';

Related Posts:

Anchor Christmas Ale 2009

Posted: December 26th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #359

Every year since 1975 the brewers at Anchor have brewed a distinctive and unique Christmas Ale, which is available from early November to mid-January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.

Dark brown with a creamy beige head. Lots of spice in there; nutmeg mostly. The flavor is very rich and spicy. This would be good for dessert.

Anchor Christmas Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/25/anchor-christmas-ale-2009/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/12/25/Rogue_Santa%e2%80%99s_Private_Reserve'

Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve

Posted: December 25th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #358

A double-hopped Red, reddish in color, with a roasty, malty flavor and a hoppy spruce finish.

Deep amber with a thick, beige head. Light aroma that deepens as it warms. Roasty flavor for sure; perhaps a bit too much.

Rogue Ales – Santa’s Private Reserve

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/24/rogue-santas-private-reserve/';

Related Posts:

Samuel Adams Cream Stout

Posted: December 24th, 2009, 3:24am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #357

Samuel Adams® Cream Stout is a true cream stout, balancing body and sweetness with the natural spiciness of grain and hand selected English hops. Our Brewers use generous portions of roasted chocolate and caramel malts as well as unroasted barley to impart a fullness of body, a roasty malt character and rich, creamy head. Its dark mahogany color make it almost as easy on the eyes as it is on the palate.

Deep dark color with ruby highlights. Roasty and bready aroma. Creamy and roasted flavor; very smooth. Almost too smooth. I could have plenty more of these.

Samuel Adams

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/23/samuel-adams-cream-stout/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/12/23/Tr%c3%b6egs_Mad_Elf_Ale'

Tröegs Mad Elf Ale

Posted: December 23rd, 2009, 3:31am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #356

The Mad Elf, a cheerful creation to warm your heart and enlighten your tongue. The combination of Cherries, Honey, and Chocolate Malts delivers gentle fruits and subtle spices. Fermented and aged with a unique yeast, this ruby red beer has significant warming strength that underlies the pleasant character of this intriguing yet delicious Ale. The Mad Elf, a jolly and delicious beer for the Holidays.

Reddish gold. Rich aroma, sweet and spicy, with dried cherries. Quite sweet. It’s good, but I think this one could have stood to age a bit.

Tröegs Mad Elf Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/22/troegs-mad-elf-ale/';

Related Posts:

Heineken bottle Christmas Tree

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 2:40pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

As seen on Nanjing Road in Shanghai, China.

(via Boing Boing (via Inhabitat (via Recyclart (via Chine Informations))))

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/22/heineken-bottle-christmas-tree/';

Related Posts:

Ed Hardy Light Beer

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 2:52am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #355

After yesterday’s selection, I don’t hold out much hope.

Pale blonde and fizzy. Slightly vegetable smell. Not much flavor.

Give it a pass.

Ed Hardy Beverages

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/21/ed-hardy-light-beer/';

Related Posts:

Ed Hardy Premium Beer

Posted: December 21st, 2009, 2:53am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #354

Once in every generation a brand comes along that simply defies convention. This generation’s brand is Ed Hardy. With a cult of customers that is the envy of any brand, a fanatical celebrity following, and a worldwide marketing machine that spans more than 40 countries.

From the golden touch of Christian Audigier and the masterful brush stroke of Don Ed Hardy, The Godfather of the modern tattoo.

The time has come for Ed Hardy Beer. No Rules, No Expectations, No Limitations.

Apparently I’ve been living under a rock, because until I saw this beer at my favorite retailer I’d never heard of the guy. My wife tells me that anyone between the ages of ten and twenty-nine will buy just about anything with Ed Hardy’s name on it. From a beer perspective I don’t get it. I’ve certainly seen more interesting and/or artistic labels.

Pale straw with a white head. Slightly fruity aroma with a bit of sulfur. I’d call it fizzy and tasteless, but it’s fairly flat.

If you like Ed Hardy merchandise, well, this is something you could add to your collection. If you like beer, don’t bother.

Ed Hardy Beverages

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/20/ed-hardy-premium-beer/';

Related Posts:

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Posted: December 20th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #353 Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

We use three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a luscious deep dark chocolate flavor through a blend of specially roasted malts. We brew it every year for the winter season. It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years.

This is an old favorite. Dark as night, with a thick, tan head. Deep, roasty chocolate aroma. More roasty chocolate in the flavor. This is darn good, but at 10% ABV it’s a occasional treat. I’ll need to cellar some.

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/19/brooklyn-black-chocolate-stout/';

Related Posts:

RJ Rockers The First Snow Ale

Posted: December 19th, 2009, 1:01am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #352 RJ Rockers The First Snow Ale

This hearty American pale ale contains a rich blend of spices that warms the soul on a cold winter’s night. Chill the mug, stoke the fire, and savor this quality seasonal brew. Available only during the Winter season.

The D.C. area is about to be pelted with the biggest snowstorm since 1987. This seems an appropriate choice, then.

Golden yellow with just the slightest chill haze. Creamy head. Cinnamon and nutmeg in the aroma. The spices don’t overwhelm the beer, though. I rather like that.

RJ Rockers

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/18/rj-rockers-the-first-snow-ale/';

Related Posts:

Space beer for sale

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 4:47pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Remember the space beer? This was beer brewed from barley grown from some that had spent five months on the International Space Station.

Well, now it’s available at retail.

From Kirainet.com:

Sapporo has put on sale 250 six-packs of beer produced in space. The six-packs, holding 330-ml bottles, are available at a price of ¥10,000 each (around 75 euros, 110 dollars). What makes the beer special is that the original barley seeds were stored for five months in the International Space Station. It is the first time “Space beer” is produced. Sapporo Breweries Ltd. promises that the money earned from the sale of the beer will be destined to promote scientific education in Japan.

I’d love to have some of that to finish out my Beer-a-Day project. Any kind soul with deep pockets care to help make that a reality?

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/18/space-beer-for-sale/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/12/18/Leinenkugel%e2%80%99s_Red_Lager'

Leinenkugel’s Red Lager

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 3:41am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #351

Our family’s Better Red. Brewed since 1993 with five barley malts, two of which are specially roasted, and Cluster and Mt. Hood hops for a smooth, hearty, robust taste no other Red can match.

Clear amber with an off-white head. Light malty aroma. A bit sweet with a bit of roastiness. Pretty good.

Leinenkugel’s Red Lager

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/17/leinenkugels-red-lager/';

Related Posts:

Weyerbacher Slam Dunkel

Posted: December 17th, 2009, 1:46am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #350

Slam Dunkel was a small batch release in 2007. We had such an overwhelming response that we had to put it in the seasonal rotation. We also decided we couldn’t live without drinking this beer every year! This 7% Double Dunkelweizen is unfiltered and made with over 50% wheat malt along with pale, munich, and a touch of chocolate to give it the traditional color and flavor. Bitterness is subdued to allow the Weihenstephen yeast to shine through with those traditional notes of banana and clove.

Dark brown and a bit hazy. Plenty of banana in clove in the aroma, with an underlying bite from the alcohol. Big malty flavor. That’s a good sipping beer.

Weyerbacher Slam Dunkel

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/16/weyerbacher-slam-dunkel/';

Related Posts:

Great Divide Belgica

Posted: December 16th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #349

Belgica—the Roman name the Low Countries—is a marriage of the best in American and Belgian brewing traditions. Belgian pilsner malt, a generous amount of American and European hops and a unique Belgian yeast strain combine to give Belgica big notes of citrus and spice, creating a lively concoction perfect for spring in the Rockies—or the Ardennes.

Pale yellow with a beefy white head. I can definitely smell the promised citrus and spice; especially cloves. Flavor is heavier than I expected, with a flavor a bit like roasted apricots in the finish. That’s not bad, but at 7.2% ABV is probably a bit bigger than I would generally have to wile away a Spring afternoon.

Great Divide Brewing

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/15/great-divide-belgica/';

Related Posts:

Abita Christmas Ale

Posted: December 15th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #348

Generally, this beer is a dark ale, however, the recipe changes each year, offering a unique product crafted with special care. Enjoy your holidays with Abita Christmas Ale. The spicy character is excellent with traditional holiday foods such as gingerbread or spiced nuts.

Medium brown with off-white head. Aroma is light with a bit of spice and caramel. Fairly malty taste with a bit of nuttiness.

Abita Christmas Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/14/abita-christmas-ale/';

Related Posts:

Barons Black Wattle Superior

Posted: December 14th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #347

Crafted for those who demand the finest of beers, Wattle Seed Ale’s character is born from the select blend of roasted barley and wheat, with subtle hopping and the unique infusion of Australian wattle seed. The resulting beer offers a superb balance of flavour and complexity, richness in colour with a lasting creamy head. A truly robust yet provocative ale.

Golden brown. Interesting rich aroma with something like maple syrup. That’s…unusual. It’s not bad but I don’t know if I’d want a steady diet of it.

Barons Brewing

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/13/barons-black-wattle-superior/';

Related Posts:

Kalik

Posted: December 13th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #346

It bills itself as the “Beer of the Bahamas” and is brewed by Commonwealth Brewery, a subsidiary of Heineken International.

Clear pale yellow. Aroma is slightly floral with a little of that lager “funk”. Taste is, well, typical of a European-style light lager. I’ll gladly have some time next time I’m in the Bahamas (like that’ll ever happen) but don’t feel any need to ever have it again.

Commonwealth Brewery

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/12/kalik/';

Related Posts:

Pyramid Snow Cap Ale

Posted: December 12th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #345

Deep mahogany in color, our full-bodied winter warmer is brewed in the spirit of British winter ales. Crafted with a flurry of roasted chocolate and caramel malts, and generously hopped, it delivers a smooth finish that makes this beer the perfect cold weather companion.

‘Tis the season for the winter warmer. I expect I’ll be having a lot of them this month as I finish out my project.

Deep brown with gold highlights. Rich, slightly spicy aroma, almost like there’s a bit of cinnamon in there. Rich, slightly roasted flavor. That’s good; I’d gladly have that again.

Pyramid Snow Cap Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/11/pyramid-snow-cap-ale/';

Related Posts:

Pyramid ThunderHead IPA

Posted: December 11th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #344

Our hop heaping IPA is a golden nectar garnering thunderous reviews. Its floral aroma strikes a harmonious blend between a sweet malt flavor and bold hop bitterness. Enjoy this thirst quenching adventure.

A pretty light amber, clear with an ivory colored head. Pineapple and grapefruit aroma from the hops. Nice flavor with a pleasant bitterness that doesn’t kick you in the head. I’d gladly have that again.

Pyramid ThunderHead IPA

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/10/pyramid-thunderhead-ipa/';

Related Posts:

Smuttynose Summer Weizen

Posted: December 10th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #343

Light, tasty & full of character, our summer wheat ale is brewed with a combination of domestic and continental wheat and barley malts, lightly hopped & fermented with a Belgian wit yeast, resulting in a delightfully tangy & refreshing flavor.

This beer is brewed for warm weather enjoyment. Bring some to your next picnic, barbeque [sic] or Frisbee game.

Available in sixpacks and on draft from May through August.

I just can’t seem to let summer go.

Pale gold with a white head that dissipates quickly. A bit floral in the aroma, with that wheat tang. Light and dry.

Smuttynose Summer Weizen

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/09/smuttynose-summer-weizen/';

Related Posts:

Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

Posted: December 9th, 2009, 1:51am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #342

Our interpretation of a classic English beer style is copper-colored, medium-bodied and highly hopped. Its flavor is delightfully complex: tangy fruit at the start, with an assertive hop crispness and a long malty palate that one well-known beer writer has compared to the flavor of freshly-baked bread.

Brown with some golden highlights and an off-white head. Fruity aroma, like pineapple, and a little floral. I know that this has won a bunch of awards, but it seems a bit off-balanced to me, at least at first. As I get deeper into the glass I’m digging the bite of the hops in the finish.

Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/08/smuttynose-shoals-pale-ale/';

Related Posts:

Magic Hat Howl

Posted: December 8th, 2009, 3:57am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #341

Born of dark and cold and snow in the marrow of the northeast’s longest night, HOWL comes in on wailing winds with winter-weary eyes burning holes in sunless shadows. In its darkened depths out inner voids are warmed.

Dark and opaque with a fairly thick head. Lots of coffee in the aroma. Lots of roasted flavor. That’s pretty good. (As an aside, my wife likes the label.)

Magic Hat Howl

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/07/magic-hat-howl/';

Related Posts:

Magic Hat #9

Posted: December 7th, 2009, 1:50am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #340 magic-hat-9

A beer cloaked in secrecy. An ale whose mysterious and unusual palate will swirl across your tongue and ask more questions than it answers. A sort of dry, crisp, refreshing, not-quite pale ale. #9 is really impossible to describe because there’s never been anything else quite like it.

Light, golden color, not unlike apple juice. Some floral and spice aromas. Dry and crisp as they suggest, with perhaps a little pineapple. Interesting.

Magic Hat #9

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/06/magic-hat-9/';

Related Posts:

Victory Lager

Posted: December 6th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #339 Victory Lager

Perfectly balanced, this authentic version of a German helles-style lager satisfies gloriously. Lean, German malts and fine European hops offer subtle harmony.

Pale straw; white head. Odor is light with a bit of grain. Taste is light with some floral essence. A good session beer.

Victory Lager

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/05/victory-lager/';

Related Posts:

Twenty Things Worth Knowing About Beer

Posted: December 5th, 2009, 4:08pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

All too often, surfing the web is just clicking from one irrelevant site to another, being held mesmerized like a slot-machine addict repeating “just one more pull” over and over, hoping for that big jackpot.

Sometimes you get serendipity and stumble across something meaningful.

I don’t think this is it. But it is a web comic about beer. The web comic is called “The Oatmeal” and it’s offered by Matthew Inman. (There are a fair few other rather funny offerings. I like the recent one about web design.) Anyway, while it does still perpetuate some beer myths I think you’ll find it worth a chuckle.

Help stop cenosillicaphobia!

The Oatmeal: Twenty Things Worth Knowing About Beer

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/05/twenty-things-worth-knowing-about-beer/';

Related Posts:

Moonglow Weizenbock

Posted: December 5th, 2009, 2:05am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #338 Victory Moonglow Weizenbock

This dark amber wheat beer features fruity and spicy aromas galore. Significant strength underlies the pleasant citric appeal of this bock beer. Redolent with the flavors of harvest fruit, Moonglow typifies the traditional weizenbock-style so thoroughly enjoyed throughout Bavaria. Left unfiltered, its unique yeast strain gives Moonglow a radiance all its own.

Deep amber with a couple fingers’ worth of head. Lots of fruit and spice in the aroma. Full of flavor, with yeast, malt, and spice.

Victory Brewing Company Moonglow Weizenbock

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/04/moonglow-weizenbock/';

Related Posts:

Yakima Twilight Ale

Posted: December 4th, 2009, 3:03am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #337 Victory Yakima Twilight Ale

The tenacious grip of big, juicy hop aroma and character slides smoothly into rich, dark malts. This heavyweight battle between fresh, Yakima Valley hops and dark, roasted malts is resolved harmoniously as the flavors merge to deliver complex satisfaction with a warming edge. Enjoy the ‘twilight’ for the bright and brassy hops!

Medium-dark brown, clear, with a big head. Roasty, malty aroma with grapefruit and pine from the hops. The roastiness and big bitter hops make for an interesting combo. At 8.7% ABV this is a “take it slow” kind of beer.

Victory Brewing Yakima Twilight Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/03/yakima-twilight-ale/';

Related Posts:

Hell or High Watermelon

Posted: December 3rd, 2009, 1:13am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #336

The definition of summer in a pint glass. This unique, American-style wheat beer, is brewed with 400 lbs. of fresh pressed watermelon in each batch. Light turbid, straw color, with the taste and essence of fresh watermelon. Finishes dry and clean. 5.5% ABV – 17 IBUs

Summer is but a memory. It’s currently cold and rainy outside. The beauty of beer, though, is that it can take you anywhere. And where I’d like to be right now is lounging in my hammock on a lazy summer day.

Pale yellow with a little haze. I was afraid the watermelon would smell like a Jolly Rancher, but it’s not nearly as overt. Taste is light, but I’m not sure about it. Maybe it’s because I’m not a big fan of watermelon. Still, considering my experiences with fruit beer, it’s not too bad.

21st Amendment Brewery

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/02/hell-or-high-watermelon/';

Related Posts:

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter

Posted: December 2nd, 2009, 1:44am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #335

Like Hunter S. Thompson… Gonzo Imperial Porter is deep and complex. This turbo charged version of the Road Dog Porter is mysteriously dark with a rich and malty body, intense roasted flavors, and a surprisingly unique hop kick. With Gonzo weighing in at 7.8% ABV, it will bite you in the ass if you don’t show it the proper respect.

This is one of my favorite beers. I enjoyed it a little too much quite a bit at Gonzofest when they had it on the nitro pump. I can’t believe I’ve never really written it up.

Opaque brown and thick, with a head that looks like a chocolate milkshake. Some coffee, vanilla, and dried fruit in the aroma. Rich and roasty, but this is definitely a sipping beer.

Flying Dog Brewery Gonzo Imperial Porter

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/01/flying-dog-gonzo-imperial-porter/';

Related Posts:

Beer-a-Day Project: November recap

Posted: December 1st, 2009, 7:41pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Wait, only a month to go? Where has the year gone?

Previously:

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/12/01/beer-a-day-project-november-recap/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/12/01/Tr%c3%b6egs_Pale_Ale'

Tröegs Pale Ale

Posted: December 1st, 2009, 1:16am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #334 Troegs Pale Ale

A Tröegs Brewery classic, our Pale Ale is copper colored with generous amounts of Cascade hops to create a floral, aromatic pale ale that smells as delicious as it tastes.

Tröegs Pale Ale pairs nicely with Mediterranean foods, starches and anything with fresh herbs. The floral hop character also blends with cheesy dishes like pizza, pasta and dips.

Pale gold and clear. Floral and caramel in the aroma. Clean and light with a bit of bite in the finish. I’d have that again.

Tröegs Pale Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/30/troegs-pale-ale/';

Related Posts:

Hoptopsy ESB

Posted: November 30th, 2009, 5:30am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #333

I often find myself at Barley and Hops.

This time, I availed myself of their Hoptopsy ESB.

It has a nice amber color and a good finger’s-width off-white head. Plenty of spicy hops in the aroma. Medium malty body offset by a pleasant bite.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/29/hoptopsy-esb/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/11/29/Saranac_Season%e2%80%99s_Best'

Saranac Season’s Best

Posted: November 29th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #332 Saranac Season's Best

Brewed with a special blend of domestic and Belgian malts for a delicate nut-like character, you’ll love this Lager’s rich taste and signature hop aroma. The exceptional full-bodied taste reflects our Brewery’s extraordinary commitment to brewing beers of the highest standard of quality.

Medium-dark brown and clear. Rich aroma with a good bit of nuttiness. The flavor matches the aroma. I never would have pegged this as a lager. It’s good.

Saranac Season’s Best

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/28/saranac-seasons-best/';

Related Posts:

Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale

Posted: November 28th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #331

The psycho in the pack… K-9 Cruiser is a dark, sweet and malty winter warmer that will captivate any adventurous craft brew drinker. A true Flying Dog original, K-9 Cruiser is the perfect brew to warm you up in those cold winter months.

Golden brown with a finger’s width of head. Malty aroma with a bit of spice. Nice and malty, with a bit of roastiness. It’s good.

Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/27/flying-dog-k-9-cruiser-winter-ale/';

Related Posts:

Saranac Adirondack Lager

Posted: November 27th, 2009, 5:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #330 Saranac Adirondack Lager

Our classic German lager has a perfect balance of caramel malt sweetness. Look for a rich, amber color and medium body.

Pale amber with an off-white head; small bubbles. Slight earthy and peppery aroma. A little toastiness in the taste.

Saranac Adirondack Lager

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/26/saranac-adirondack-lager/';

Related Posts:

Saranac Black Forest

Posted: November 26th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #329 Saranac Black Forest

A Bavarian black beer with distinctive carmel [sic] malt sweetness and rich creamy trademark head. Flavorful, yet smooth; it is very drinkable!

Deep, dark brown with reddish-orange highlights. Caramel and malty. Fairly malty but not overly so, with more carbonation than I expected. Pretty good.

Saranac Black Forest

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/25/saranac-black-forest/';

Related Posts:

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted: November 25th, 2009, 11:11pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

turkey Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States.

In addition to institutional gluttony, it is also apparently the biggest travel holiday of the year.

Bear that in mind while you’re scarfing down your turkey and fixin’s and all that beer (or whatever libation you choose).

We here at Hop Talk wish a safe and happy holiday. We certainly have much to be thankful for.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/25/happy-thanksgiving-2/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/11/25/Tr%c3%b6egs_Rugged_Trail_Nut_Brown_Ale'

Tröegs Rugged Trail Nut Brown Ale

Posted: November 25th, 2009, 12:53am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #328

Designed as our session beer, Rugged Trail Nut Brown Ale is bronze in color with a velvety smooth taste and subtle chocolate note. Rugged Trail’s lower alcohol content and subtle hoppiness make it the perfect beer to enjoy during the day and into the night.

Rugged Trail Nut Brown Ale is the perfect complement for spicy Mexican and Asian dishes and and spicy, broth-based soups.

It’s a pretty, dark brown color with ruby highlights. Aroma is clean and has that “subtle chocolate note” they mention. Taste is light, but not too light, with a bit of roastiness. I’m not generally a fan of nut browns, but that’s pretty good.

Tröegs Rugged Trail Nut Brown Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/24/troegs-rugged-trail-nut-brown-ale/';

Related Posts:

Smuttynose IPA

Posted: November 24th, 2009, 4:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #327

Ten years ago we brewed our first batch of Shoals Pale Ale, our American interpretation of the traditional British ESB (Extra Special Bitter) style. At the time, it was widely considered to be darned hoppy. However, a funny thing happened over the last decade – our Shoals Pale Ale didn’t change; beer lovers did, and we started to hear more and more: “Why don’t you guys make a really hoppy beer?”

You could say, then, that Smuttynose IPA is a physical salute to the glory of the American hop grower. The citrusy hop flavor coming from a mixture of Simcoe and Santiams is pleasantly balanced by a smooth bitterness from the Amarillo hops. The beer itself is light bodied and crisp with a golden color that will throw a slight haze, as we bottle it unfiltered. At 65 IBU’s, this is definitely not a training-wheels IPA, but is meant for hop lovers looking to satisfy their craving in a way that’s not easy to find. We think they’ll be quite pleased.

It’s the color of tea with a lacy head. The hops are pretty floral with some spiciness. The hops are way up in front; obviously dry-hopped. If you like hop bitterness you’ll like this.

Smuttynose “Finestkind” IPA

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/23/smuttynose-ipa/';

Related Posts:

Hops history

Posted: November 23rd, 2009, 3:03pm CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

“The Zythophile” has a fascinating history of the use of hops in beer. As you might expect, we have a certain fondness for those little flower cones.

A short history of hops

When exactly hops began to be cultivated for putting into beer, rather than just being gathered wild from forests, is surprisingly unclear. German sources today claim that hop gardens appear in records dating from the second half of the ninth century in and around Hallertau, in Bavaria, Southern Germany, which is still the world’s largest single hop-growing area. However, they do not specify exact documents in which these hop gardens are mentioned, which makes it impossible to rely on their assertions. The best evidence seems to be that commercial hop cultivation happened in Northern Germany first, and not until the 1100s or 1200s, feeding the breweries of the Hansa trading towns, which were exporting hopped beer from at least the 13th century onwards. (Merchant beer brewers in North German cities eventually became rich enough to join the local aristocracy, something not found in Britain until the 18th century).

“Short”? Well, compared to book form. As usual, Mr. Phile debunks a number of wildly held beliefs. It’s a good read; check it out.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/23/hops-history/';

Related Posts:

Stone IPA

Posted: November 23rd, 2009, 1:39am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #326

Medium amber with a little chill haze. Big hop aroma, with grapefruit and toast. Big hop flavor and delicious.

They should just call this “hop head’s delight”.

Stone IPA

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/22/stone-ipa/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/11/22/Tr%c3%b6egs_Dead_Reckoning_Porter'

Tröegs Dead Reckoning Porter

Posted: November 22nd, 2009, 1:37am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #325 Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter

In the 14th Century, Sailors would rely on sheer skill to get from a starting point to a final destination. They called this Dead Reckoning. We see our beer the same way. We know where to begin and know where to go, but there are hundreds of ways to get there.

Dead Reckoning is unfiltered and weighs in at 5.8% abv and 53 IBU’s. It features Pilsner, Caramel, Chocolate and Roasted malts along with Chinook and Vanguard hops. “The outstanding taste and flavor of Dead Reckoning originates in the chocolate and roasted malts,” says John Trogner. “There is a nice hoppiness in the front of the beer, followed with a rich, smooth cocoa mouth feel.”

Very dark and nearly opaque. Beige head is a finger thick and rugged. Chocolate and roast coffee; smells rich. Nice roasted flavor with a hefty yet mellow bitterness. When I think of a porter that’s pretty much what I’m looking for. Delicious.

Tröegs Dead Reckoning Porter

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/21/troegs-dead-reckoning-porter/';

Related Posts:

Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale

Posted: November 21st, 2009, 3:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #324 Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale

Anniversaries are important. They are benchmarks to help us gauge where we stand, and more importantly, they help us to see where we have come from. Each fall, we like to celebrate our anniversary by releasing a very special beer. A beer that represents our past while looking forward to our future. For the past 29 years, we at Sierra Nevada have had a commitment to using the finest raw ingredients, and the freshest, most flavorful hops in all of our award winning ales and lagers. Our Anniversary Ale is no exception.

This beer is a big, full-flavored ale bursting at the seams with fresh, spicy and aromatic hops. Our 2009 Anniversary Ale is brewed in the style of an American IPA, a style that Sierra Nevada helped create. This beer is a complex brew made up with a combination of four varieties of malts that add a rich and complex backbone to showcase our signature hop variety: the Cascade. This hop produces the big piney and citrusy flavors that Sierra Nevada beers are known for and is one of the varieties that have become the definition for what the new styles of American beers represent.

Gold with an orange hue. Quite a bit of grapefruit in the aroma. Oh yeah, that’s Cascade alright. Yum.

(Hey, Ron! Get some before it’s gone!)

Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/20/sierra-nevada-anniversary-ale/';

Related Posts:

Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Lager

Posted: November 20th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

©Hop Talk – Use of this feed on other sites without express permission is prohibited

Beer-a-Day #323

This dog enjoys his days in the sun… Old Scratch Amber Lager is a malty, mellow beer that is fermented at medium temperatures to develop both ale and lager characteristics. “Gold Scratch” raises the standard in the amber lager category.

Pretty copper color, clear, with a good sized off-white head. Rich and malty aroma, with a bit of floral hops. Medium-bodied and malty but easy to drink. This is one of my fall-back beers.

Flying Dog Brewery – Old Scratch Amber Lager

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/19/flying-dog-old-scratch-amber-lager/';

Related Posts:

Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale

Posted: November 19th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #322

The young pup of the pack… Tire Bite Golden Ale is a refreshing, light, warm weather slammer with a flavorful hop edge. Brewed using exclusive imported German hops, this beer draws craft beer drinkers back from the “dark” side of the cooler.

It’s been unseasonably warm this November, so what the heck. Light gold with a white head that drops quickly. Aroma is very light, perhaps a bit floral. Taste is a bit fizzy and, well, inoffensive. I generally love Flying Dog beers, but this one didn’t thrill me.

Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/18/flying-dog-tire-bite-golden-ale/';

Related Posts:

Barons Pale Ale

Posted: November 18th, 2009, 1:01am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #321 Barons Pale Ale

This thirst quenching Barons Pale Ale uses the finest Australasian ingredients including Pacific Hallertau and Nelson Sauvin Hops. Best enjoyed icy cold.

Pale with a yellowish-orange caste. I get a bit of lemon and caramel in the aroma. Medium body with just enough hops in the finish. I’m glad this made the trip from Australia in such good shape.

Barons Brewing

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/17/barons-pale-ale/';

Related Posts:

Warsteiner Premium Verum

Posted: November 17th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #320

A world class traditional pilsner, Warsteiner Premium Verum is a slightly pale German-style pilsner with a clean, crisp, refreshing import taste. Warsteiner is brewed with fresh Arnsberger Forest spring water sourced at the brewery in Warstein, Germany, naturally soft water that helps to create the smooth taste and thick creamy head. Warsteiner truly is The Premium German Beer. Brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516.

Pale straw with a fizzy head. Aroma is light and crisp. Taste is light and crisp and eminently drinkable. What a German pilsner should taste like.

Warsteiner Premium Verum

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/16/warsteiner-premium-verum/';

Related Posts:

BrewPoll plugin update

Posted: November 16th, 2009, 3:57am CET by Al

I have made a minor tweak to the BrewPoll plugin. It should now behave a little bit better with large images in your posts.

It is working here (currently WordPress 2.8.6) but is simple enough that it should work on any 2.x version of WordPress. (But you’re keeping your WordPress installation up-to-date anyway, right?)

If you find it useful, please drop me a line.

BrewPoll plugin

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/15/brewpoll-plugin-update/';

Related Posts:

Anchor Steam Beer

Posted: November 16th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #319

Anchor Steam derives its unusual name from the 19th century when “steam” seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. The brewing methods of those days are a mystery and, although there are many theories, no one can say with certainty why the word “steam” came to be associated with beer. For many decades Anchor alone has used this quaint name for its unique beer. In modern times, “Steam” has become a trademark of Anchor Brewing.

A pretty amber color with a thick head. Aroma is unique; I don’t know if I’ve ever smelled anything like it. My wife says it smells “clean”. Taste has a bit of oakiness and toastiness to it. It’s good.

Anchor Steam

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/15/anchor-steam-beer/';

Related Posts:

Warsteiner HiLight

Posted: November 15th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #318

I approach this beer with no small amount of trepidation. It is a “light” beer. It is a lager from Europe. It is in a clear bottle. If you’ve been following this project you know that any of those three things does not generally bode well for my enjoyment of a beer.

It’s lighter even than ginger ale. It appears to have avoided being lightstruck, but probably because they use hop extract rather than whole hops. Aroma is “beery” with a bit of lemon zest. Flavor is incredibly light. For all I’m giving up, 87 calories in 11.2 US ounces just doesn’t seem worth it. Better to skip the french fries and have a more flavorful beer.

Warsteiner Premium HiLight

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/14/warsteiner-hilight/';

Related Posts:

Brew Free or Die IPA

Posted: November 14th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #317

I was at my favorite retailer recently and I was able to score seven craft beers in cans. I declare a “Can Week”! (But, sadly, this is the end.)

Today: Brew Free or Die IPA from 21st Amendment Brewery, a famous brewpub in San Francisco that only recently started canning some of their beer. (I couldn’t get ahold of their Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer for this week. I hope to get some soon.)

Brewed with some serious west coast attitude. This aromatic golden IPA starts with a sucker punch of six different hops to the nose, quickly balanced by a solid malt back bone. Our top selling beer at the pub, this IPA starts big and finishes clean leaving you wanting more.

Amber with an orangish cast. Some fruit and resiny aroma from the hops. Has a very nice finish. Why, yes, I do want some more.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/13/brew-free-or-die-ipa/';

Related Posts:

Caldera IPA

Posted: November 13th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #316

I was at my favorite retailer recently and I was able to score seven craft beers in cans. I declare a “Can Week”!

Today: IPA from Caldera Brewing a small microbrewer in Ashland Oregon and the first in Oregon to can their beer.

An American-style India Pale Ale brewed with plenty of body and an assertive hop profile.

Medium amber and clear. Lots of grapefruity hop aroma. That’s pretty good, although I’m finding it a little harsh in the finish. My wife rather likes it, though.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/12/caldera-ipa/';

Related Posts:

Caldera Pale Ale

Posted: November 12th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #315

I was at my favorite retailer recently and I was able to score seven craft beers in cans. It’s time for “Can Week”!

Today: Pale Ale from Caldera Brewing a small microbrewer in Ashland Oregon and the first in Oregon to can their beer.

A West Coast-style pale ale balancing plenty of hops with a malty backbone.

Straw colored with a white head. Fruity aroma; reminds me a bit of pineapple. The bitterness from the hops sneak up on you. This is good. I’d gladly have this again.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/11/caldera-pale-ale/';

Related Posts:

Caldera Ashland Amber

Posted: November 11th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #314

I was at my favorite retailer recently and I was able to score seven craft beers in cans. Can you say “Can Week”?

Today: Ashland Amber from Caldera Brewing a small microbrewer in Ashland Oregon and the first in Oregon to can their beer.

A crisp, well-balanced, refreshing amber. Simplicity is the key to this recipe.

Clear amber with a cream-colored head. Aroma has a bit of vanilla and piney hops. Flavor is crisp and light without being too light. This is a quaffable beer. I’ll have this again.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/10/caldera-ashland-amber/';

Related Posts:

Oneupsmanship

Posted: November 10th, 2009, 6:37pm CET by Al

From Tiger Beer in Malaysia, by Saatchi & Saatchi.

[www.youtube.com]

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/10/oneupsmanship/';

Related Posts:

Oskar Blues Old Chub

Posted: November 10th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #313

I was at my favorite retailer recently and I was able to score seven craft beers in cans. Why not “Can Week”?

Today: Old Chub from Oskar Blues.

Old Chub is a Scottish strong ale brewed with hearty amounts of seven different malts, including crystal and chocolate malts, and a smidge of US and UK hops. Old Chub also gets a dash of beechwood-smoked grains imported from Bamburg, Germany, home of the world’s greatest smoked beers. Old Chub is 8% alcohol by volume.

While Dale’s satisfies our hop addiction, Old Chub takes care of our deep affections for malt.

The cola-colored beer (almost black) features a tan head, a creamy, skim-milk mouthfeel, and rich, semi-sweet flavors of caramel and chocolate throughout. The addition of smoked grains gives Old Chub a delicate kiss of smoke on the finish.

Old Chub is the beer equivalent of a lightly smoked single malt scotch, or your favorite dark chocolate. We call it Rocky Mountain Mutha’s Milk. People who tell us defiantly, “I don’t drink dark beer,” often fall deeply in love with Old Chub. We can’t blame them.

Dark coppery color. Warm, almost smoky aroma. Big, malty flavor with a good bit of complexity. That’s pretty good, although I don’t think I’d want it more than occasionally.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/09/oskar-blues-old-chub/';

Related Posts:

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout

Posted: November 9th, 2009, 2:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #312

I was at my favorite retailer recently and I was able to score seven craft beers in cans. A perfect excuse to make this “Can Week”.

Next up: Ten Fidy Imperial Stout from Oskar Blues.

It’s the beer equivalent of decadently rich milkshake made with malted-milk balls and Heaven’s best chocolate ice cream. Ten FIDY is about 10% ABV and is made with enormous amounts of two-row malts, chocolate malts, roasted barley, flaked oats and hops. Its huge-but-comforting flavors hide a whopping 98 IBUs that are deftly tucked underneath the beer’s mountains of malty goodness.

Deep, opaque brown, with a head that looks like chocolate mousse. Lots of chocolate roastiness in the aroma. Boy, that smells good. The taste doesn’t disappoint. It’s big and malty and the bitterness, if anything, seems understated. That is really good.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/08/oskar-blues-ten-fidy-imperial-stout/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/11/08/Dale%e2%80%99s_Pale_Ale'

Dale’s Pale Ale

Posted: November 8th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #311

I was at my favorite retailer recently and I was able to score seven craft beers in cans. So, I’m declaring this “Can Week”.

First up: Dale’s Pale Ale from Oskar Blues.

Dale’s Pale Ale is our flagship beer and America’s first hand-canned craft beer. It’s an assertive but deftly balanced beer (somewhere between an American pale ale and an India Pale Ale) brewed with hefty amounts of European malts and American hops.

It features a merengue-like head, a copper color, and a hoppy nose, thanks to a big post-boil addition of Centennial hops. To complement its hoppy first impression, Dale’s also sports a rich middle of malts and hops, and a bracing finish. Dale’s is 6.5% alcohol by volume, and features 65 International Bittering Units.

We think of it as the perfect, everyday beer for hopheads like us. Dale’s Pale Ale’s rich flavor has helped us make many new fans, and its numerous honors have helped us kick huge holes in the misconceptions regarding cans.

Muddy amber with a little haze; off-white head with lots of lacing. Nice big piney and resiny aroma from the hops. Nice “backbone” and plenty of bitterness in the finish. A glorious beer for my fellow hop-heads.

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/07/dales-pale-ale/';

Related Posts:

Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale

Posted: November 7th, 2009, 3:14am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #310 smuttynose-old-brown-dog-ale

Old Brown Dog has been cited as a classic example of the “American Brown Ale” style of beer. Compared to a typical English Brown Ale, Old Brown Dog is fuller-bodied and more strongly hopped.

It’s the color of a strong tea, with an off-white head. Smells very “bready”. Malty, with a bit of roastiness and a bit of hop bitterness. I’d gladly have this again.

Smuttynose Old Brown Dog

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/06/smuttynose-old-brown-dog-ale/';

Related Posts:

Anchor Liberty Ale

Posted: November 6th, 2009, 12:08am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #309

A special top-fermenting ale yeast is used during fermentation and is responsible for many of Liberty Ale’s subtle flavors and characteristics. Carbonation is produced by an entirely natural process called “bunging,” which produces champagne-like bubbles. Dry-hopping (adding fresh hops to the brew during aging), imparts a unique aroma to the ale. It is a process rarely used in this country today.

Dry-hopping is rare? I don’t know about that.

Pale yellow with a creamy white head. I smell some fruitiness (apples perhaps) and some spice. Maltiness in the beginning but plenty of hops in the finish. That’s darn good.

Anchor Steam – Liberty Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/05/anchor-liberty-ale/';

Related Posts:

Newcastle Brown Ale

Posted: November 5th, 2009, 1:34am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #308

It’s the color of weak coffee and clear. I get a little caramel aroma and maybe a little chocolate. Balanced sweetness with no bitterness in the finish. In spite of being imported in a clear bottle this is fresh and delicious (unlike the one I tried for O-fest 2009). This is really good, and I wish I had more than the one.

Newcastle Brown Ale (UK)
Newcastle Brown Ale (US)

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/04/newcastle-brown-ale/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/11/04/Brewer%e2%80%99s_Alley_Pilsner'

Brewer’s Alley Pilsner

Posted: November 4th, 2009, 1:57am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #307

A very pale beer brewed as a lager and which has a crisp, assertive Czechoslovakian Saaz hop character. This beer took 6 weeks to produce because the strain of yeast we used has a slow and cold fermentation, which results in a very smooth beer. 4.3% alcohol by volume.

This was the first Brewer’s Alley beer I ever saw in a bottle. (They’ve recently changed the label to match their other bottles so I don’t have a picture.)

Pale straw with a white, fizzy head. A slight nuttiness and fruitiness in the aroma. Pleasant malty sweetness with nice bitterness. One of my favorite beers to have after a rough day of yardwork.

Brewer’s Alley

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/03/brewers-alley-pilsner-2/';

Related Posts:

Smuttynose Star Island Single

Posted: November 3rd, 2009, 1:34am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #306

Visitors to Smuttynose Island, peering across the dark waters of Gosport Harbor towards the ragged rocks of neighboring Star Island, are sometimes startled by the fleeting sight of mysterious, alluring creatures swept up from the Atlantic’s cold, inky depths. Or so they tell us.

Our Star Island Single is an eminently sessionable, abbey-style ale offering a beguiling mix of flavor and refreshment. This medium-bodied golden ale features a slight residual sweetness from Honey Malt and hints of citrus and tropical fruits from the unique Belgian yeast it is fermented with, leaving a crisp dry finish. Enjoy it sociably while you savor good times, tall tales, friendly company & life’s unexpected pleasures.

Sounds really interesting, plus both my girls are fascinated by mermaids.

Light yellow with a little chill haze. Aroma is light and vaguely reminiscent of soap. (Uh-oh.) Taste is fruity and dry. I’m not liking it much, though.

Smuttynose Star Island Single

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/02/smuttynose-star-island-single/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/11/02/Brewer%e2%80%99s_Alley_K%c3%b6lsch'

Brewer’s Alley Kölsch

Posted: November 2nd, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #305

Our Kölsch is pale gold with light body and a slightly dry palate. It has a mild bitterness and delicate hop aroma. This beer is a clean and pleasant thirst quencher, which earned a Bronze Medal at the 1998 Great American Beer Festival. 4.6 – 5.0% alcohol, by volume.

Brewer’s Alley Head Brewer Tom Flores calls this (which happens to be their most popular brew) a “gateway” beer.

Pale gold with a fizzy head. Aroma is slightly floral. Light without being too light, with just enough bitterness. I like it.

Brewer’s Alley

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/01/brewers-alley-kolsch/';

Related Posts:

Beer-a-Day Project: October recap

Posted: November 1st, 2009, 7:37pm CET by Al

Only. Two. Months. To. Go.

Previously:

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/11/01/beer-a-day-project-october-recap/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/11/01/Stoudt%e2%80%99s_Double_IPA'

Stoudt’s Double IPA

Posted: November 1st, 2009, 2:36am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #304 Stoudt's Double IPA

Our IPA is a strong, full bodied ale with intense hop character and deep golden color. Multiple kettle hop additions and generous dry hopping contribute to the powerful yet smooth and fragrant hop character of this beer.

Pale gold in color. Hop aroma is soft and floral, but the hops really come through in the taste. Big and fragrant but not overpowering. This does not taste like it is 10% ABV.

Stoudt’s Brewing

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/31/stoudts-double-ipa/';

Related Posts:

Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Posted: October 31st, 2009, 12:58am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #303

Deep, nearly opaque amber color with a good inch of creamy-looking head. Piney and resiny aromas, with a bit of vanilla I think. Nice, big hoppy flavor with a little bit of sweetness in the finish.

Oh, I’m worthy brother.

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/30/stone-oaked-arrogant-bastard-ale/';

Related Posts:

Wild Goose XPA

Posted: October 30th, 2009, 12:12am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #302

The Extra Pale Ale is a new addition to the Wild Goose family of English-inspired ales. The XPA’s nose has herbal-like undertones of citrus and pine. A refreshing light to medium-bodied ale with a balanced malt sweetness and spicy, citrus hop character. A clean, crisp finish makes for a great session ale for people who prefer maltier styles.

Five percent may be a bit high for a session beer, but I am glad that Flying Dog kept around the Wild Goose line.

Pretty light amber and clear; head is fizzy and drops fairly quickly. I get some floral and earthy aromas. Flavor is light with a pleasant bitterness without being a tongue-stripper. I could see having a bunch of this, especially at a barbecue.

Wild Goose XPA: Extra Pale Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/29/wild-goose-xpa/';

Related Posts:

Smuttynose Robust Porter

Posted: October 29th, 2009, 2:34am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #301 Smuttynose Robust Porter

This hearty, mahogany colored ale is brewed to evoke the dark, full-bodied ales that were a favorite of dockworkers and warehousemen (hence the name “Porter”) in 19th century London. It is a good bet that when Dickens’ Mr. Pickwick sat down for a pint, he would have been drinking an ale much like our Robust Porter. This is a smooth and very drinkable beer, characterized by its well-balanced malt and hops, plus subtle notes of coffee and chocolate.

It’s the color of coffee with a chocolate head. Nice roasty coffee aroma with a bit of chocolate, as promised. Body is lighter than I expected, but it’s still darn good.

Smuttynose Robust Porter

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/28/smuttynose-robust-porter/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/10/28/Tr%c3%b6egs_JavaHead_Stout'

Tröegs JavaHead Stout

Posted: October 28th, 2009, 1:40am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #300

JavaHead Stout contains a blend of locally roasted espresso and Kenyan coffee beans by St. Thomas Roasters in Linglestown, PA.

JavaHead’s recipe is based off of our original oatmeal stout. After the boil, the hot wort passes through our hopback vessel on it’s way to fermentation. Packed full of whole leaf hops and a bed of ground coffee beans, the hopback vessel is similar to using a huge French press, intensifying the coffee nose and releasing subtle hints of coffee flavor. The result is a lush oatmeal mouthfeel balanced with cocoa, roast and subtle coffee flavors.

Three. Hundred. Beers.

Wow.

I honestly wasn’t sure I’d get this far. And, frankly, I’m glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I need something special to celebrate with. I probably should be having a beer made with coffee this late in the evening, but what the hell.

Dark and dark, with a thick, creamy head. Coffee and resiny hops in the aroma. Nice and smooth with that nice coffee bitterness. Boy, that’s good.

Yay me.

Tröegs JavaHead Stout

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/27/troegs-java-head-stout/';

Related Posts:

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti

Posted: October 27th, 2009, 12:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #299 Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti

…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? (9.5% ABV)

Pours as dark and thick as used engine oil; the head looks like a chocolate milkshake. Lots of nice roastiness with some vanilla in the aroma. You can really taste the oak. That’s some good stuff.

Great Divide Brewing

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/26/great-divide-oak-aged-yeti/';

Related Posts:

Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine

Posted: October 26th, 2009, 12:00am CET by Al

Beer-a-Day #298 Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine

By far the biggest dog in the yard… Horn Dog Barley Wine is a dark and malty English-style Barely Wine that is aged for a minimum of three months before being packaged. Like a fine wine, this beer will only get better with age when stored at optimum conditions.

According to the label, this is VINTAGE0811. November, 2008 I assume? Well, then. It should be nicely aged.

Golden brown and an almost syrupy texture. Aroma reminds me of spicy dried fruit. Some vanilla in the taste and more of that dried fruit.

You know, I didn’t used to like barley wines; they were just too thick for me. But I’ve come around to liking them. This is simply delicious.

Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine Style Ale

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/25/flying-dog-horn-dog-barley-wine/';

Related Posts:

New Holland Ichabod

Posted: October 25th, 2009, 1:00am CEST by Al

Beer-a-Day #297 New Holland Ichabod

Ichabod combines malted barley and real pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg in a delicious and inviting brew. A rewarding complement to many dishes, Ichabod pairs well with autumnal foods such as poultry and root vegetables. After dinner, try it with your favorite dessert!

Pale gold and clear. Cinnamon is quite pronounced in the aroma. Light flavor and spicy. Interesting.

New Holland Brewing

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/24/new-holland-ichabod/';

Related Posts:

Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2009/10/24/Paulaner_Oktoberfest_M%c3%a4rzen'

Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen

Posted: October 24th, 2009, 3:33am CEST by Al

Beer-a-Day #296
Paulaner Oktoberfest

This is, perhaps, the quintessential Märzen.

Not quite as orange as Americanized versions of the style, clear, with a nice off-white head. Mild aroma with some roastiness. Malty, of course, with caramel and a hint of the hops. Good stuff. Now I’m craving bratwurst and sauerkraut.

Paulaner

submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2009/10/23/paulaner-oktoberfest-marzen/';

Related Posts:

NanoBryg rss syndication » Items by Al

Feeds

Items by Al

Posted: March 5th, 2010, 4:34pm CET by Al

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 4:00am CET by Al

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 9:02pm CET by Al

Posted: February 7th, 2010, 6:43pm CET by Al

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 2:18am CET by Al

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 2:32pm CET by Al

Posted: January 26th, 2010, 3:01pm CET by Al

Posted: January 22nd, 2010, 10:41pm CET by Al

Posted: January 20th, 2010, 5:59pm CET by Al

Posted: January 17th, 2010, 4:05pm CET by Al

Posted: January 15th, 2010, 1:32am CET by Al

Posted: January 12th, 2010, 7:08pm CET by Al

Posted: January 11th, 2010, 5:09pm CET by Al

Posted: January 11th, 2010, 3:27pm CET by Al

Posted: January 10th, 2010, 1:15am CET by Al

Posted: January 8th, 2010, 1:15am CET by Al

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 1:51am CET by Al

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 6:45pm CET by Al

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 31st, 2009, 6:59pm CET by Al

Posted: December 31st, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 30th, 2009, 1:50pm CET by Al

Posted: December 30th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 29th, 2009, 7:37pm CET by Al

Posted: December 29th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 28th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 27th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 26th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 25th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 24th, 2009, 3:24am CET by Al

Posted: December 23rd, 2009, 3:31am CET by Al

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 2:40pm CET by Al

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 2:52am CET by Al

Posted: December 21st, 2009, 2:53am CET by Al

Posted: December 20th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 19th, 2009, 1:01am CET by Al

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 4:47pm CET by Al

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 3:41am CET by Al

Posted: December 17th, 2009, 1:46am CET by Al

Posted: December 16th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 15th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 14th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 13th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 12th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 11th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 10th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 9th, 2009, 1:51am CET by Al

Posted: December 8th, 2009, 3:57am CET by Al

Posted: December 7th, 2009, 1:50am CET by Al

Posted: December 6th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: December 5th, 2009, 4:08pm CET by Al

Posted: December 5th, 2009, 2:05am CET by Al

Posted: December 4th, 2009, 3:03am CET by Al

Posted: December 3rd, 2009, 1:13am CET by Al

Posted: December 2nd, 2009, 1:44am CET by Al

Posted: December 1st, 2009, 7:41pm CET by Al

Posted: December 1st, 2009, 1:16am CET by Al

Posted: November 30th, 2009, 5:30am CET by Al

Posted: November 29th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 28th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 27th, 2009, 5:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 26th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 25th, 2009, 11:11pm CET by Al

Posted: November 25th, 2009, 12:53am CET by Al

Posted: November 24th, 2009, 4:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 23rd, 2009, 3:03pm CET by Al

Posted: November 23rd, 2009, 1:39am CET by Al

Posted: November 22nd, 2009, 1:37am CET by Al

Posted: November 21st, 2009, 3:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 20th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 19th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al

Posted: November 18th, 2009, 1:01am CET by Al

Posted: November 17th, 2009, 1:00am CET by Al