Session beers have become increasingly popular amongst U.S. brewers, and now it seems clear the trend has serious legs. The nation’s largest craft brewer has officially entered the category with Belgian Session, an easy-drinking 4.3 percent ABV brewed to quench a drinkers summer thirst. This offering pours a beautiful golden color, with vibrant orange hues… Read more »
What can we say; we are suckers for a story. When we heard Odell Brewing would be releasing Footprint RegionAle, we got pretty excited. The beer pays tribute to all 10 states the company is currently distributed with a collection of regional ingredients. Wild rice, prickly pear, green chilies and honey are just a few… Read more »
As the cider category continues to grow up, we have found it necessary to expand our product reviews to these craft beer-esque creations. The channel is an interesting one, clearly slipstreaming the success that craft beer is experiencing by offering a full-flavored, alcoholic beverage that appeals to men, women and a growing number of gluten-restricted… Read more »
When done properly, there are very few beers that have the appeal of a well-crafted Belgian IPA. Wiledeman is the first of 12 new beers being introduced this year by Flying Dog and if this offering is any indication of how the other 11 will turn out, we can’t wait to sample. It’s a variation… Read more »
Let’s be honest. Most brown ales aren’t going to knock your socks off. The nice part about a good brown ale is that its incredibly drinkable. Brown ales aren’t meant to exceed 6 percent ABV and they usually end up being very approachable. Redhook’s Nut Brown is no different. It pours a light brown, almost… Read more »
Sometimes there is just no replacement for a simple, well-made beer. Saranac White IPA is exactly that. In fact, it might be one of the better offerings to ever come out of the F.X. Matt brewery. The white IPA has become an increasingly popular hybrid style amongst many craft brewers but few have been able… Read more »
So, is it beer? Wine? Both?!? Dogfish Head has blended the two cultures in one bottle with their Noble Rot offering. They’ve used a Belgian yeast with pils and wheat malts in conjunction with the juice of botrytis infected viognier grapes and pinot gris must. Put that all together in a Dogfish Head embossed bottle… Read more »
Smuttynose certainly doesn’t mess around when it comes to their BIG BEER series and Baltic Porter doesn’t disappoint. Baltic Porter is an incredibly well made beer with no frills, something that often goes unnoticed in an industry that prides itself on style innovation. This beer pours a jet black in color with a frothy mocha-colored… Read more »
A Rauch Bock you say? If there is such a thing as a Black IPA, who’s to say there shouldn’t a smoky double bock as well? The two styles don’t often meet, but in the true spirit of innovation Boston Beer Co. has created this so-called ‘half-breed’ brew. Cinder Bock pours a shiny ruby red… Read more »
Of all the samples we get sent, Dogfish Head’s Tweason’ale was one of the most anticipated. Being that most craft brewers neglect the ever growing segment of gluten-intolerant individuals in our society, it’s incredibly honorable that Dogfish Head spent the time, effort and money to produce a ‘beer’ for both the health conscious beer drinkers… Read more »
This year we are introducing ‘first taste,’ an extension of our product reviews designed to give readers our thoughts on a special release beer before it hits the market. Though the 2012 edition of Hop Henge Experimental IPA was released about a week ago, it’s just now finding its way to retailers’ shelves. For a… Read more »
The New Belgium Lips of Faith series is really a chance for the brewers to spread their wings and explore, and one of the newest offerings (though we are bit behind on the review) is Clutch. 80 percent stout blended with 20 percent dark sour wood beer make for quite the interesting drink. Clutch pours… Read more »
If you aren’t familiar with Jack’s Abby yet, don’t worry — you will be soon enough. A Boston area startup that began brewing in July of this year, Jack’s Abby specializes in nothing but lagers. And if you had any doubt about the potential of the lager category, one sip of their delicious brews might… Read more »
Stone Brewing Co. loves to collaborate and when they do, things usually turn out pretty well. Their latest brings together the talents of John Kimmich of The Alchemist and Jamie Floyd of Ninkasi. More Brown Than Black IPA, Stone’s fifth collaboration beer in 2011 was brewed in support of the victims of Hurricane Irene, which… Read more »
