Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
These are the beers that I wish I could taste for the first time.
Bell’s Brewery has added hawberry to their latest iteration of the Eccentric Series. It was also brewed with maple syrup and other spices.
I have been lucky enough to sample a few Bell offerings, Oberon, the Christmas Ale and I have a Batch 9000 sitting in the cellar. This might be one to snag and try.
Here is what the gonzo brewers at Flying Dog have to say about their version of the coffee stout…
“Ditch the yuppies with their overpriced lattes and pour yourself a pint of our robust coffee stout. Brewed with a secret roast from The Black Dog Coffee Company, it’s the perfect balance of nutty coffee flavors and chocolate malt notes. Perfect morning, noon and night, this stout’s velvety taste will make it hard to ever return to your favorite acne-prone barista. (He’ll live).”
“Named for Myrcene, a component of essential oils in the hop flower, Myrcenary Double IPA is our tribute to those who revere the illustrious hop, and their unyielding exploit to craft hop forward beers. Brewed with a blend of hops containing the highest levels of Myrcene, this double IPA prevails with a tropical fruit-like flavor, a pungent floral aroma, and a clean getaway.”
I have recently had a couple of Odell’s beers. Both were good but didn’t blow me away, maybe this is the beer that changes that.
Who would have thunk 20 years ago that people would be discussing craft beers that weren’t going to be released for months?
Well, here goes with a Scottish ale that arrives on our shores this month.
From the esteemed Traquair Brewery in Scotland comes 2020. Oddly named for a celebratory 2011 beer but if you have sampled their beer before, you know it will be good.
Here is the breweries description: “Traquair 2020 Ale has a deep brick-red color and an aroma of oak, caramel and toffee. Wonderful flavors suggesting plums, raisins, currants, chocolate and gently roasted malt are balanced by significant 10% ABV.”
It seemed like the collaborative brewing trend has lost some of the steam and “cool” factor lately. Thankfully this special brew is here to disprove that….
This version was brewed at Jolly Pumpkin so expect some sour or tart to it to accompany the juniper, chestnuts, sage and caraway. Sounds simialar to the Saison du Buff with the herbs.
Tomorrow, Wynkoop Brewing releases “Hickenlooper’s Inaugurale”.
This new draft-only beer commemorates Wynkoop founder John Hickenlooper being sworn in as Governor of Colorado on January 11.
The beer will be sold at Wynkoop Brewing Company until they run out, and the brew will be offered at the official inauguration dinner on January 11 at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium. I have never heard of that happening so another first for craft beer!
The beer is a mix of brown ale and winter warmer which is appropriate for the weather in Colorado and around the country. Sounds good to me. Their should be beers for special occasions all the time.
The Full Sail Brewmaster series marches on with a great beer name for what promises to be another great addition to the legend of Full Sail, Bump in the Night.
This is in the NW style of CDA (Cascadian Dark Ale) which is a big malty and hoppy hybrid beer that has really been a hit across the nation. If it is as good as the last reserve beer, Sanctuary then it is not to be missed.
Ninkasi Brewing from Eugene, Oregon is kicking off 2011 with a new red ale.
Here is what their label tells us….”A new year a new beer! Each year, Renewale will be something new and special to enjoy while winter runs its course. For 2011, we brewed a delicious Irish-style red ale that’s smooth and refined with a hint of toasted malt and a clean finish. A great beer for a new year, cheers!”
One of the breweries that has international cred along with Mikkeller and BrewDog is the unpronouncable Nogne O, from Norway. Their most sought after brews are the Horizon series.
Dark Horizon, the 3rd edition of this epic 15.5% imperial stout.
Red Horizon, a 17% ale fermented at low temps with sake yeast. Redolent of vanilla, caramel, and toffee.
Sweet Horizon, a 14% coffee stout. Intensely sweet; don’t drink it with dessert… it IS dessert!
No it is not the latest in the George Clooney caper movies. It is a sequel of sorts or a side project for the mad brewers at BrewDog.
They have two beers ready, an IPA and a Stout. Pedestrian for people who stuff beer into taxidermy but the twist is that this is a private label type thing. These two beers will be a store exclusive. What store? Tell me if you find out.