Archive for the 'Beer' Category

18
Aug
10

Small, Yet Very Large

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Categories: Beer and Microbrew
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These days, more and more larger brewing companies are starting to take over the beer market and are beginning to slowly run smaller breweries out of business. However, there are just a few small brewing companies all over the world that are still going strong making their microbrew beer. Companies like Uinta, Moosehead, and Samuel Adams have all made their mark on the beer industry and have not showed any sign of slowing down, even if the competition has twice the resources and control over 90 percent of the beer market.

Based out of Utah, the Uinta brewing company has been brewing world class, full-flavored, microbrew beer since 1993. Ever since its inception into the beer market, this brewery has done nothing but expand. Although the whole company started in a renovated mechanic’s garage, it has since expanded into a 26,000 square foot facility specifically designed for brewing only the best beer. The interesting fact about the Uinta brewery is that its entire facility is run 100 percent by wind power, making it the first Utah business to accomplish this feat.

Like the Uinta brewery, the Moosehead brewery located in Saint John, New Brunswick, has been an independent brewery since its inception in 1867. Ever since its beginning, this microbrew beer company has been run and controlled by the Oland family, now in its sixth generation of ownership under Derek Oland. Showing that the company still has what it takes to compete with the best, the Mooshead brewery earned a Gold award at the World Beer Cup in 2003, and another at the prestigious Monde Selection.

Probably one of the most highly known microbrew beer companies around the world is the Samuel Adams brewery based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ever since its beginning in 1984, this American-made brewery has done nothing but expand and brew only the best beers everyone can enjoy. While only taking up only 0.9 percent of the American beer market, Samuel Adams seems like they are at the top of the list in terms of all of the consumers who have chosen Samuel Adams as their beer.

With all of the support behind these microbrew beer companies, there is no telling how far these small, independent breweries will go. Only one thing is for sure; these breweries are not going anywhere, no matter how big the competition gets.

Related: Microbrew Beer of the Month Club

04
Aug
10

A Simple How To: How is Beer Brewed?

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Categories: Beer
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Though it’s undeniably one of the most popular beverages in the world, some people take their interest in this drink more seriously than others. Considering that there are so many different varieties of beer with varying flavors, colors, and carbonation profiles, it’s not hard to understand why people would be fascinated with it. It is delicious when enjoyed by itself and it can also be greatly enhanced by pairing it with the right foods. Though some types are more popular than others, many prefer to constantly taste new micro brews, which is why there are beer of the month clubs that allow you to try new ones each month.

Of course, if you really want to take your knowledge of this popular beverage to the next level, it helps to understand how it is brewed. Many people are aware of the different ingredients involved, such as water, Hops, and barley, but beyond that they don’t have a very clear idea of how the brewing process goes. Essentially, it involves taking malted barley and placing it into hot water which will allow the sugars to come out. The next part of the process of making beer is mixing those sugars with Hops.

After taking the mixture of malt sugars and Hops and allowing it to cool, yeast is added. This allows fermentation to take place, which is a crucial part of the process. Basically, the yeast goes to work on the malted sugars, and ethyl alcohol and CO2 are released as a result. This is the main fermentation process, and when it’s done the solution just needs a little bit of added sugar to allow for the carbonation. It’s at this point that the solution is considered beer and it is ready to be bottled or kegged.

Though the process sounds very simple, it’s actually a lot more complicated and requires careful control and measurements. Breweries have got the process down to a science, and that is how they are able to consistently deliver their beer the same way. Knowing this process helps you to realize why people are so fascinated with the beverage, and it also helps you to appreciate the subtle differences in each brew.

22
Jun
10

An Introduction to Cask Ale

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Categories: Beer
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If you’re new to the microbrew culture, you’re probably realizing that’s it’s difficult to keep track of all the different styles of beer America’s microbreweries are putting out. What’s the difference between a Pale Ale and an India Pale Ale? A porter and a stout?  A dubbel and a tripel? Indeed, even for the veteran microbrew consumer, there’s always something to learn. Today we’re going to introduce you to an entirely different kind of beer: cask ale, or “real ale,” as some call it.

While a white ale and a stout are about as different as two beers can be, they still have a lot in common. Like virtually all beer consumed in the United States, these beers are filtered after fermentation is complete in order to remove sediment. Then, they’re pasteurized in order to extend the lifespan of the beer on store shelves or in the local watering hole. Next, they have additional carbonation added to them to appeal to the modern palate. Finally, they’re bottled (or canned) and shipped off for consumption.

But beer wasn’t always produced like this – indeed, only since the second half of the 20th century has “modern” beer production taken hold. Fortunately, beer purists have taken it upon themselves to preserve traditional ales. Cask ale can be hard to find, in part because it’s a risky offering for pubs to have available. Pubs have to sell it quickly, as it won’t keep nearly as long as a keg of Bud Light, and they have to commit to selling an entire keg, as cask ale is always served directly from the vessel in which it was conditioned (fermented). That said, it’s well worth the effort to find an opportunity to try cask ale.

Cask ale, unlike most beer you’ve likely ever had, isn’t filtered, pasteurized, artificially carbonated, or bottled. This means that it has a freshness unlike any beer you’ll find at the local convenience store. Also, it’s got a very different character – because it’s only naturally carbonated, cask ale tends to have a smoother, creamier “mouthfeel” than modern beer. While there’s a good chance you won’t find a cask ale in the first place you look, if you ask around, you’ll likely be able to find some, whether at a local brewery or at a pub specializing in craft beer.

In some ways, cask ale is simply a “traditional” mirror of many of the beers you know well. Cask ale can come in many styles; it’s not a “style” of beer in and of itself; it’s simply a method of producing beer, regardless of the style of the particular ale in question. If you’re a microbrew veteran, cask ale is a great next step in your exploration of beer. If you’re brand new to microbrews, cask ale will be a fun and very different experience for you. We recommend that you make the effort to track some down!

Have a look around and check out our Beer of the Month Club and Wine of the Month Club.

15
Jun
10

Beer for a Special Occassion

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Categories: Beer
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If you’ve had a particularly good week in the office or you’re celebrating a special occasion, you may not feel like cracking open just another bottle of your usual beer (especially if you’re usual isn’t a tasty microbrew!). Maybe you’re looking for something a bit more exotic – something to enjoy as a special treat. Well, don’t worry. You don’t have to simply put down your $8.99 for a six-pack of a mid-range microbrew. Indeed, when you want something especially luxurious, here are a couple of beers to try that will require a much more sizeable investment.

90 Minute IPA – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Milton, DE ($10.99/four pack at Bevmo.com)

Even if you’ve never tried it, there’s a chance you’ve heard of Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA. Some beer enthusiasts go so far to refer to this brew as America’s finest microbrew. We’re not in the business of making such endorsements, but we can say that if you like a rich, complex, hoppy brew, you’ll probably enjoy 90 Minute IPA. While this beer is as hoppy as you’d expect from a Double IPA, it’s also remarkably well-balanced, with a maltiness and fruit-based sweetness that helps to round out the flavor profile. Note that it’s called “90 Minute” IPA for a reason – with an ABV of 9.0%, 90 minutes is how long Dogfish Head recommends that you spend enjoying this distinguished brew.

Bourbon County Stout – Goose Island Brewery – Chicago, IL ($19.99/four pack at Bevmo.com)

Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout is a rich, dark imperial stout that’s aged in used Jim Beam bourbon barrels. While this isn’t the only bourbon stout on the market, Goose Island claims that this was the first bourbon stout ever produced. Full of vanilla, chocolate, and caramel aromas and flavors, this is about as full-flavored and full-bodied a beer as you’re likely to find. Indeed, this brew is so rich and complex that you can even age it for up to five years! Whenever you choose to consume it, at 13% ABV, it’s certainly a “sipping beer” – you’re not likely to be tossing back several of these at a time – and works nicely as, or with, dessert.

Given the price points of these beers, they’re not likely to become your usual, but they’re certainly worth a try for a special occasion or a celebration. Treat yourself to one of these unique brews!

Have a look around and check out our Beer of the Month Club and Wine of the Month Club.

07
Jun
10

An Introduction to Barleywine

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Categories: Beer
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If you’ve been through the aisles at your local beer emporium lately, you’ve likely noticed at least a few barleywines on the shelves. Indeed, many of America’s most popular microbreweries are starting to offer this unique, and, for most of us, foreign style. So what exactly is barleywine, and what should you expect if you decide to try one?

Beer or Wine?

First things first – is barleywine wine? Or is it beer? Or something else entirely? In reality, barleywine is simply a style of beer, whose origins can be traced back to England well over a century ago (and probably much farther back). Barleywine isn’t like the average beer you find at the megamart, though. Below, we’ve put together the beginner’s guide to barleywine. We think you’ll find that trying it for the first time will be well worth your while.

Flavor:

We’re guessing the most important question you have is “what does it taste like?” Barleywines have a wide range of flavor profiles. Some are rich with dominant flavors of stone fruit (think plums), and others are extremely hoppy, like an IPA. Whichever you choose, you’ll find that the alcohol in barleywine is much more noticeable than it is in the beer you’re used to. That’s because barleywines to tend to have an ABV% of anywhere between 8 and 13%!

Appearance:

Again, there’s a range with this style, but the lightest barleywines tend to begin with a rich, amber color. Barleywines can be as dark as a porter or stout, though, so if you like darker beers, choose a barleywine that fits your preferences. If you like a lighter brew, try a lighter-colored barleywine (likely to be hoppier with less of a rich, fruit flavor).

Aroma:

You’ll definitely notice the alcohol in the aroma, but aside from that, the aroma of a barleywine tends to follow the same rules as more typical beer. The darker the barleywine, the more likely the aroma is to be full of coffee, toffee, or chocolate notes. Conversely, with a lighter barleywine, you’re liable to find an in-your-face, hop-heavy aroma similar to an IPA.

Now that you know a thing or two about barleywine, which examples might be a good bet for a first experience with barleywine? We recommend trying one of the following, but a beer emporium or higher-end supermarket will likely give you the opportunity to browse a local selection.

XS Old Crustacean – Rogue Ales Brewery – Newport, OR

A deep, dark barleywine with rich notes of fruit and burnt sugar, but a healthy serving of hops to maintain a well-balanced flavor profile.

Olde School Barleywine – Dogfish Head Brewery – Milton, DE

This medium-bodied barleywine is bursting with fruity sweetness – think plums, dates, figs, etc. Be careful with this brew – it clocks in at 15% ABV, so this is definitely for sipping!

Have a look around and check out our Beer of the Month Club and Wine of the Month Club.

01
Jun
10

Summer Seasonal Beer Preview: East Coast

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Categories: Beer and Seasonal Beer
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Now that we’ve taken a look at some newly-available summer seasonal ales from the West Coast, it’s time to set our sights on the East Coast. Summer Beer seasonals tend to be similar regardless of where they come from, so there’s not necessarily a stylistic difference between East and West Coast summer brews. That said, we couldn’t leave you East Coasters out of the fun. Here are some of the best summer beers available out east.

Long Trail Belgian White – Long Trail Brewing Co., Bridgewater Corners, VT

Like many American summer seasonals, Long Trail’s Belgian White is light, citrusy, refreshing brew that’s a great beverage for the backyard or the beach. However, as the name of this brew suggests, Long Trail has modeled their summer offering on a classic Belgian style: white beer, or witbier. In addition to a reminiscent of lemons and oranges, you’ll find notes of spices like coriander. Don’t be alarmed if this brew pours a little hazy – it’s unfiltered, so it won’t be crystal clear. This a nice riff on a witbier and fits nicely into the family of American summer ales.

Where to find it: CT, MA, ME, NJ, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT

UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen – Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA

Harpoon is well-known and well-liked on the East Coast, but could rightfully be called Sam Adams’ lesser-known cousin. Like Sam Adams, Harpoon calls Boston home and puts out a wide selection of interesting microbrews. Harpoon might be best known for their “UFO” line – short for UnFiltered Object. Harpoon’s UFO Hefeweizen is a popular year-round offering, but for summer, Harpoon creates a special UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen. Like the witbier mentioned above, hefeweizen is a traditional European style, although hefeweizen originated in Germany.  “Hefs” are wheat beers, which gives them a sweet, bready aroma and a light, tart profile. Harpoon goes out on a limb and adds raspberries to their summer Hef, resulting in a slightly sweeter flavor profile. Some beer purists frown on so-called “flavored” beers, but you’ll find that Harpoon’s raspberry Hef isn’t overpowering. Like the Long Trail Belgian White, this is an unfiltered beer, so again, don’t worry about this beer’s cloudy appearance!

Where to find it: AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV

Summer Weizen – Smuttynose Brewing Co., Portsmouth, NH

Looking for a more traditional summer ale? Don’t let this brewery’s odd name deter you – look no further than the Summer Weizen from Smuttynose. Along with the usual slightly sweet, slightly citrusy profile of this summer brew, you’ll find a surprisingly full body. The truly unique aspect of this brew, though, is the aroma of chamomile and honey, which makes for a pleasant, inviting, and very summery profile. If you’re out by the pool with a cooler full of Smuttynose Summer Weizen, it’d be tough to drink just one!

Where to find it: CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH,NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WI

Don’t be afraid to have a look around and check out our Beer of the Month Club.

17
May
10

Just a Few Quirky, Fun, Microbrew Beer Names

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Categories: Beer

One of the biggest reasons microbrews have become so popular over the last 20 years is the wide variety of styles microbrewing has brought to the American palette. Whether you’re an avid beer drinker and subscribe to our beer of the month club, or just a weekend warrior, Americans are drawn to the creative, free-wheeling spirit of the microbrewing industry. Unlike the well-known American “macrobrews” put out by Anheuser-Busch, Miller, and Coors, microbreweries are known for taking risks, innovating, and giving beer lovers the chance to try something new.

Many microbrews are also known for their quirky names. Let’s take a look at some prominent, oddly-named beers at the stories behind them.

“Fat Tire” – New Belgium (Fort Collins, Colorado)

Like many microbreweries, New Belgium Brewing is the outgrowth of a passionate homebrewer, Jeff Lebesch. To develop his homebrewing repertoire, Lebesch embarked on a cycling tour through Europe, where he acquired classical European ingredients and recipes. Back home in Colorado, Lebesch developed an amber ale he called Fat Tire – a nod to the tires on the mountain bike that carried him through Europe. Along with his wife Kim, Lebesch started New Belgium Brewing in the early 1990s; today, New Belgium is one of the most successful and well-known microbreweries in the country, and Fat Tire is its flagship brew.

“Boont Amber Ale” – Anderson Valley Brewing Company (Boonville, California)

Since we’re on the subject of amber ales with quirky names, we’d be remiss if we failed to mention Boont Amber Ale. Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC) produces a wide variety of delicious brews, and is steeped in the heritage of its surroundings. Nestled in the Anderson Valley of Northern California’s Mendocino County, AVBC uses a historical local dialect known as “Boontling” in the naming of several of its beers. “Boont” Amber Ale simply means that the award-winning brew comes from Boonville.

Boonville, even today a sleepy town off the beaten path, historically has been a rural community based on agriculture and logging. Due to its isolated location, the locals were able to craft their own local dialect with over a thousand unique words. To honor that heritage, AVBC describes each of it’s beers as “bahl hornin’” – good drinking.

“Pliny the Elder” – Russian River Brewing Company (Santa Rosa, California)

Another California brew with a unique name, Pliny the Elder is a massively hoppy double IPA. Of course, Pliny the Elder was also a Roman naturalist and military commander you may remember from school. While probably not the most prominent Roman you can think of, Pliny the Elder is noteworthy for creating the first botanical name for hops, a key ingredient in all beers. Given the level of hops in this brew (100 out of a possible 100 IBUs – International Bitterness Units), the name is certainly well-deserved.

We could write an encyclopedia on microbrews with a quirky history, so check back soon for more!

13
May
10

Beer 101: A Primer in Beer Terminology

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Categories: Beer

The explosion of the microbrewing industry in America has led to a corresponding increase in beer lingo. When Anheuser Busch, Coors, and Miller were even more dominant in the American beer market than they are now, most people weren’t aware of terms like India Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, or Oatmeal Stout (that are often the favorites of beer of the month club memberships and small pubs), let alone able to tell the difference. We’ll dive into the definition of these and more styles later on, but for now, let’s start from the top. First, what exactly is beer? Second, what about things like “malt liquor” and “ice beer?” Do those even count as beer? Let’s take a look.

Beer – The Basics

Beer is the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, and in many countries it’s still the most popular alcoholic beverage. Given its prevalence, it can be surprisingly difficult to define what exactly beer is. Strictly speaking, beer is nothing more than water, some form of grain (traditionally barley), hops, and yeast. The well-known Bavarian purity law known as the Reinheitsgebot dates to the late 15th century and rules out any ingredients aside from the above. In fact, because the role of yeast was unknown at the time, even yeast was technically forbidden!

Today, the definition of beer is a bit more flexible, with ingredients like fruits or vegetables commonly used to add interesting flavors to beer. The grain component of beer can change from style to style too, with grains like wheat or rye often used to create distinct styles of beer. So why are some beer-like beverages referred to as “ice beer” or “malt liquor?”

Malt Liquor

Many of us know malt liquor as the clear, golden beverage that comes in 40-ounce glass bottles (“forties”) and have names like Olde English or Country Club. Typically malt liquors are beers that are brewed with the aim of producing a higher alcohol content. Because of the higher alcohol content, many U.S. jurisdictions require the beverage to be labeled as “malt liquor” rather than simply as beer. Because different states have different regulations, there’s no hard and fast rule, but many brews that have an alcohol content higher than 5 or 6 percent are labeled as malt liquor. Malt liquors also commonly include cheap “adjuncts” like corn or rice; these ingredients allow the producer to sell the beverage at a low price point, and also contribute to the higher alcohol content. Malt liquors are generally considered to be lower-quality beers, but some high-quality brews use the label “malt liquor” and can be quite interesting.

Ice Beer

Ice beer is an unique style of beer. Traditionally rooted in the German eisbock, ice beer is simply a beer (traditionally a German bock) that has been partially frozen. Because water freezes at a higher temperature than alcohol, freezing a beer allows brewers to remove ice from the beer, thereby reducing the water content and concentrating the flavor and level of alcohol. Ice beers can have a much higher alcohol content than more typical beers.

Most Americans are aware of ice beer due to the ice beer trend of the 1990s. You may recall that Miller and Anheuser Busch both introduced ice beers during the 90s. While not generally regarded by connoisseurs as high-quality brews, the ice beers produced by America’s biggest brewers are popular with college students for their higher alcohol content.

If you’re like the many Americans who are growing more and more interested in micro-brewed beers, you’ll probably want to pass up malt liquor and ice beers; instead, try some of the interesting styles we mentioned earlier: whether you go for an India Pale Ale or a Hefeweizen, you’ll be getting a higher-quality, more flavorful, more complex, and more interesting beer!

26
Apr
10

Beer Pairing – Great Beers That Go With The Grill

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Categories: Beer
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With temperatures starting to warm up across the country, many of you are probably starting to think about taking the cover off the grill and getting back to eating outside. It’s not too much of a stretch to say that if you’re thinking about grilling again, you’re probably thinking about having a couple of cold ones in the backyard while you appreciate the sunshine. With that in mind, here are a few nice microbrews that are pretty easy to find, and should go well with grilled fish, chicken, or steaks.

Fish (Salmon, Trout)

Let’s assume you’ve decided on a nice, rich fish like salmon or trout. As you might assume, a beer with a citrusy flavor/aroma profile will tend to work nicely here. You also want a beer that will cut through the fishes’ oiliness with a refreshing degree of hoppiness. Finally, it’s advisable to avoid a beer that’s too heavy, like a stout or a porter. That said, these kinds of fish can stand up to a bit of body, so don’t reach for the lightest beer you can find, either. We recommend Deschutes (Bend, Oregon) Cascade Ale – or if you can’t find that, try a Sam Adams (Boston, Massachusetts) Boston Lager. Sam Adams isn’t the most obscure choice, but both of these beers are medium-bodied with fresh, citrusy profiles that should work great with your dish.

Chicken

Few dishes are more simple than grilled chicken, but when done right, few dishes are tastier. Whether you’re working with breasts, wings, or thighs, you’ll want something that nicely complements the smokiness of the chicken and the sweetness of your typical barbecue sauce. Here, you’re looking for a brew that scores a little higher in the maltiness category, and doesn’t get too in your face with bitter,  herbal hop character. Altbier (often referred to simply as “Alt”) is a great style to work with here. Full-bodied but not heavy, it’s a smooth, slightly sweet variety. If you can find it, Alaskan (Juneau, Alaska) Amber is one of the best examples of the style. If you’re on the east coast, try Long Trail (Bridgewater Corners, Vermont) Double Bag.

Steaks

Flank steak, New York strip, filet mignon – you can’t go wrong with steaks on the grill, but the right beer can take your dish to the next level. Happily, you can go a couple of different directions here. If you think you’d like a robust beer that will complement your steak while minding its own business, a dark variety like a Brown Ale will work nicely. Brown Ales tend to be full-bodied and complex with notes of both sweetness and bitterness. Try Abita (Abita Springs, Louisiana) Turbodog if this sounds like you.

On the other hand, you may want a beer that can stand up to your steak a bit, and refreshingly cut through all of that big beef flavor. An in-your-face, hoppy ale is what you’re looking for in the case – go for an India Pale Ale (IPA), or if that sounds a bit too adventurous, try an ESB (Extra Special Bitter), which is basically a notch down on the hoppiness ladder from an IPA. If you’re looking to try an IPA, go with Stone (San Diego, California) if you’re on the west coast, or Harpoon (Boston, Massachusetts) IPA. If an ESB is more your style, look for Sierra Nevada (Chico, California) ESB.

If you haven’t already been inspired to fire up the grill in 2010, we hope you are now. Try two or three of these tasty brews and let us know what you think!