Since I have been experimenting with different beers for the last few years and I've really learned a lot. I've learned that it's important to drink craft beers because when you do you are supporting small companies that generally care for their employees.
It's also important to drink craft beer because it's delicious, unique and there are a million varieties and styles to experience out there.
Please feel free to submit your beer photos and review to I Love Craft Beer. Have a question for me? Please ask, I'd be happy to discuss anything related to craft beer!
(via thebeerbelly)
Went to a great Dogfish Head event last night in New York City. Besides these 20 taps they had 75 Minute IPA on Cask. Each beer was only $5, which was a great deal even though some of the glasses were smaller sized for the higher alcohol beers.
Last night I visited Sunswick in Astoria, NY and tried the newest offering from Brooklyn Brewery, Mary’s Maple Porter.
I was pleasantly surprised that the maple was too sweet or overpowering. There was just enough sweetness and the maltyness and coffee-like flavors were very nicely balanced.
If you live in New York City or close by, give this a try, it’s worth it!
Visit this link to read more about Mary’s Maple Porter and to find out what local bars you can find it on tap!
Stone Vertical Epic 10.10.10
This past Sunday I enjoyed Stone Vertical Epic (10.10.10) for the first time.
Here’s a little about the beer from BA:
“Fermented with the legendary Ardennes strain of Belgian yeast, 10.10.10 is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale brewed with pale malt and triticale (a cross of wheat and rye), hopped with German Perle hops, and steeped with chamomile during the whirlpool stage. In secondary fermentation, we added a juice blend of Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties.”
I really enjoyed the grape and wine flavors in the Strong Pale Ale. I enjoyed it with dinner and drank it slowly. If you love wine and beer then this is something you should try. Also, if you have someone in your life who’s more into wine than beer introduce them to this, they’d appreciate it.
• The total economic impact from the beer industry on California’s economy is $25.3 billion.
• There are currently over 200 working breweries, brewpubs & beer companies in California, more than in any other state.
• San Francisco city has eight working breweries.
• The Bay Area…
Sam Adams - How Beer is Made
This is a comprehensive video that explains the brewing process that Sam Adams uses. Sure, Sam Adams is a huge brewery but they are still considered to be makers of craft beer when you compare them to the “other guys.”
edit: thanks for the edit suggestion on this, made the change!
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
This rye IPA from Sierra Nevada pours a deep amber color, lots of caramel hues along with some garnet and burgundy colors when held to the light. A nice ivory colored head sits atop the glass, very nice retention and really nice lacing along the glass. The aroma is pleasant, citrusy and grassy, reminiscent of lemongrass, is the first impression. Rye is definitely there complimenting the lemongrass with some earthier spice-like aromas, backed by a nice grainy malt presence that the rye also compliments, very well rounded aroma. Nice earthy flavor profile, a lot less citrus in the hop flavors but replaced with nice coniferous flavors. The rye is again a big player, much stronger, some caramel sweetness that plays off both the rye and the malt comes through at the finish. The body is a bit soapy, a little juicy, but still has a decent dry finish, and amply carbonated.
Verdict: A nice rye IPA from Sierra Nevada, not sure I’d say it’s better than Torpedo, but it’s got a nice mix of flavors that makes for a solid hoppy beer with a little something extra.
I’m also looking forward to giving this one a try. Nice review!
Oak Aged Un-earthly + Stilton Cheese = perfect midnight snack
I’m posting this photo because it’s a great shot and because Southern Tier is one of my favorite brewers. I still haven’t tried this one, which is sad because I’ve heard great things about it. It’s on my list of beers to try (which is getting longer everyday).
What’s your favorite Spring Beer?
It feels like spring today here in New York City so let’s talk Spring Beers!
Brewing Up A Business by Sam Calagione
A Few Facts about Dogfish Head & the founder Sam Calagione that I learned while reading this great book:
- The founder Sam designed the Dogfish Head logo
- Sam’s wife Mariah runs the Social Networking side of the business
- Sam designed (carved) the original fish-shaped tap pulls that you see replicas of at bars today
- Dogfish Head made 30 different beers in their first year
- When Sam decided to open he opened as a Brew Pub not a Brewery so they could fall back on the food sales if the beer wasn’t a hit … the beer was a hit by the way
Samuel Smith’s, The Famous Taddy Porter - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
Backyard brewin’ with Kramer & Stryker. A future brewing co.
We are welcomed into a friend’s place to see how they brew their own Belgian style beers -a craft once only known to Monks of the old days.
“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”
-Leonardo Da Vinci
