Archive for July, 2009

July’s Selection

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Sierra Nevada - Kellerweis


kellerweis

Kellerweis is one of the only American Hefeweizens made using the traditional Bavarian style of open fermentation. This difficult and labor-intensive technique adds uncommon depth and flavor complexity. Our hazy-golden hefeweizen is deeply flavorful, refreshing and perfect for a sunny day. To serve, pour two-thirds into a glass, swirl and pour the rest.

4.8% ABV

Sam Adams - Blackberry Witbier


Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier

From the Sam Adams website,

The blackberries we use in Samuel Adams® Blackberry Witbier are perfect for this brew. They deliver a subtle sweetness that balances the traditional citrus flavors from the witbier. The blackberries used in Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier are sourced from family farms, located at the foot of the Oregon Trail and Cascade Mountains in Western Oregon, where they have been growing some of the best blackberries in the world for centuries. By bringing the blackberries, orange and coriander together with an appealing malt character and a spiciness from the hops, we’ve brewed a flavorful beer with a smooth finish that’s both sweet and tart.

5.5% ABV

Pete’s Wicked Ale


Petes Wicked Ale

From Petes Wicked website (ha),


Pete’s Wicked Ale is an experience out of the ordinary. Our tantalizing ruby-brown ale with distinctive malts and aromatic Brewers Gold hops is sure to stir up an urge to get loose.

5.3% ABV

Kirin Ichiban


Kirin Ichiban Special Premium Reserve

Japanese style beer brewed in America (Anheuser Busch).

With his gold label and Special Premium Reserve appellation, Ichiban outclasses and outperforms.

In 1990, Ichiban’s debut made a splash in the world of super premium beers. The luxurious single wort (or first press) process yields a unique, complex flavor. With his gold label and “Special Premium Reserve” appellation, Ichiban outclasses and outperforms. But don’t be fooled by a snooty attitude — this is a great beer that goes with anything.

What makes Ichiban great

Prominent wort. Finest barley malt, premium hops, smooth finish, no bitter aftertaste.

4.95 ABV

Negra Modelo


Negra Modelo

The pride of Mexico’s dark ales, Negra Modelo is characterized by its smooth texture and full-bodied flavor. Negra Modelo is a perfect example, one of a few remaining examples of an original Vienna lager. The unique flavor of Negra Modelo has led to its being considered as Mexico’s “micro brew.” Negra Modelo is brewed with levels of carbonation that are higher than lagers, resulting in a rich foam and strong effervescence, but does not have the heaviness and harsh, bitter bite normally associated with dark beers. Its unique flavor makes Negra Modelo a real discovery for consumers.

5.4% ABV

Grolsch - Premium Lager


Grolsch - Premium Lager

Grolsch has a distinctive, full bodied and crisp taste that has been developed through almost four centuries of crafted brewing tradition.

Grolsch owes its superb quality to the selection of the finest natural ingredients, the traditional bottom fermentation brewing process and the unique stain of yeast.

Peter Cuyper’s significant discovery of the two hop types in the mid 1600s has been recognized by incorporating them into the Grolsch Brewery logo that is still in use today. This design has been inspirational as a symbol of the distinctive taste of Grolsch, which will be brought to mind wherever you see this logo.

PS: Props to whoever designed the Grolsch bottle with that script style hand writing.

5% ABV

June’ Selection

Monday, July 6th, 2009

Victory’s Hop Wallop

victory_hop_wallop

From Victory’s website,>

We celebrate the pioneering spirit of old Horace ‘Hop’ Wallop and those who dare mighty adventurous things in this vivid, robust ale. As our annual homage to the hop harvest, expect loads of aromatic splendor and bitter beauty.

8.5% ABV

Intercourse Paradise Pale Ale

paradisepaleale

As in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. For those of you that have never heard of Intercourse, it’s a small town out in Lancaster County, PA.

Lancaster is of course the famous home to the Pennsylvania Dutch (who are from Germany mind you), many of whom are Amish. If you read the linked wikipedia entry, you’ll also note that Intercourse is located in Leacock township.

Now let’s get this straight, the Amish, also know as Amish Mennonites, or simply Mennonites, have a clustering of followers in Intercourse, part of Leacock. Men…intercourse…c*ck…If that isn’t some pun-laden joke waiting to happen, I don’t know what is. Except, I think there is so much potential, it’d be hard to pull it off just right. That’s why I’m not even going to try.

Instead, take a look at the label to Intercourse Brewing Co’s Paradise Pale Ale. Intercourse Brewing…you can’t say the Amish don’t have a sense of humor.

And then a silo, with two bushes, what does that look like to you? And a barn with the doors open? Sounds like intercourse is brewing alright..

5% ABV

Harpoon Summer Beer


summer

Harpoon Summer Beer is a Kolsch style ale. Originating in the Rhineland city of Cologne (Koln), Kolsch ales have the characteristics that many people associate with lager beers. Kolsch is brewed with an ale yeast, but like other northern German light ales, it is straw gold in color and light bodied. The flavor is mild. The hopping levels provide a crisp, dry finish that make this beer particulary refreshing.

5% ABV

Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen


tuchd_web

Traditional Bavarian dark unfiltered, keg-conditioned wheat ale.

5.3 ABV

Dogfishhead Raison D’Etre


raison

Here we have another interesting beer from the fine folk at Dogfish Head in Milton, Delaware. Raison D’Etre is brewed with Belgian beet sugars and green raisins and is sure to be a unique experience. As the bottle says, this beer pours a deep mahogany color that is very opaque, with red tones shining through as you bring it to the light. Producing about 1/2 inch of very light tan head that settles very quickly. The aroma is intriguing, prune and raisin scents are nicely rounded off with gentle roasted malts and a slight smell of alcohol. The flavor of this beer is very different. Tastes of raisins or plums and a very strange sweet flavor surely influence by the beet sugar used in this brew, a bit of malt seems to round off the flavor but it is rather difficult to place the flavors in this ale. Though this beer is 8% ABV the alcohol is rather mute, particularly when distracted with all of the very interesting flavors in this beer. As with many complex ales, more flavors are noticeable when served cool, but I find this beer more drinkable cold. The mouthfeel of this beer is a bit sticky but it is reasonably drinkable and the body isn’t too heavy. Though the flavors of this beer are very unique it goes down quite smoothly but likely will not be drunk very quickly. Certainly not the beer for everyone but if you are looking for something different and don’t oppose fruit flavors you may enjoy this brew. Give it a shot and ride your bike.

8% ABV

Paulaner Hefeweizen


paulaner

Pours a nice dirty blonde color, nontranslucent with no carbonation activty present after pour. Decent two to one finger head with a nice cling to the glass. This beer has hints of wheat added with some citrus smells. Nothing prominent but good mild smells. The taste goes along the same as the smells. Good combinations of citrus and clove tastes as well as. Nice mellow finish to the beer. Overall a good hefeweizen with a nice taste and smell. Very nice beer to have on a hot summer day.

5.5% ABV

River Horse - Summer Blonde Ale


riverhorsesummerblonde

Great summer memories are born out of uncomplicated times. We’ve made that the basis for our summer blonde recipe and kept this ale pure and simple. Relax and enjoy this all natural, light, golden beauty; a seasonal offering from the River Horse Brewing Company.

4% ABV