Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
These are the beers that I wish I could taste for the first time.
I had my first sip of Sun King beer this year and now I want more!
Their winter offering comes with an ominous name and the word “imperial”. I recommend this beer because it is from a small place working in the shadow of 3 Floyds and because it is an ESB which is an undermade style the rest of the year. Let alone at Christmas.
Plus I love that these guys do the can beer thing too.
After finally having my first Great Lakes beer at the Beer Bloggers Conference, I am looking forward to maybe finding this under my tree!
Another really cool label with great graphics. And if Edmund Fitzgerald is any indication this spiced ale should be really good.
The Bridgeport Big Brew series keeps picking up steam…
“Nightcap was created to mirror traditional liqueur or spirit nightcaps enjoyed in hopes of warming cold toes and noses prior to a long winter slumber. A malt driven brew, Nightcap begins with the enjoyable bitterness of Chinook hops and finishes with strong hints of vanilla. BridgePort brewers aged 33-percent of the brew in Makers Mark oak barrels for nearly a year – evidenced in the warm and spicy undertones of the brew. Because of its unusual aromatic scent, it is recommended that Nightcap be enjoyed in a tulip glass to allow for the full fragrance to escape.”
I talked about Craft Cans now here is a can filled with a winter warmer.
Here is what the fine folks at 21st Amendment have to say about their winter seasonal…”Fireside Chat is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. We begin with a rich, dark ruby brown, English-style ale and then improvise with spices until we know we have a beer worth sharing with the nation. During Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, Fireside Chat will brighten the faces of those who enjoy it, near the hearth or at the table. Its subtle blend of spices balances the malty ale and will make this a foodie’s favorite, as it pairs perfectly with holiday meals.”
The creativity of brewers is amazing. And the same goes for a good marketer/advertiser.
Case in point….
The Schmaltz people have outdone themselves. This looks like a fun pack for anybody of the craft beer faith. Some of these beers are too much for me but the final beer, a mix of the other seven could be intriguing.
How many times have you wished for a beer that had the same flavor profile as the Danish dessert risalamande?
OK, I’m just trying to hide the fact that I am again posting about Mikkeller and a new beer. It is getting old but no less fun
First, here is the risalamande….”Risalamande (or “ris a la mande”) is a delicious, traditional Danish rice dessert based on rice, cream, and almonds served with hot cherry sauce. Risalamande is typically enjoyed at Christmas time, but is recommended for dessert lovers all year through.”
Now here is the beer inspired by it…..
Apparently, all the pastry ingredients went into the beer. Is it good? Have you had it? I would love to hear reviews.
Being a huge Portland Trailblazer fan, I have longed for more Blazer themed beers in Beervana. I mean, come on, one of best players was Terry Porter. Pun happy brewers could have a field day with that.
Well now, we are getting closer, Laurelwood Brewing (home of Deranger and Vinter Varmer) has brewed “Bald Faced Truth Teller Ale” which is the name of both a radio show and a charity helmed by Blazer beat writer John Canzano. The Bald Faced Truth Foundation funds extracurricular activities for kids by offering grants to children who wish to participate in the areas of arts, music, drama, education, athletics and other enriching activities.
When the weather turns chilly, one beer style that I like to turn to for a warm up is the traditional barleywine.
And one of the best to sample is from sometimes neglected and not talked of enough, Mad River Brewing.
John Barleycorn Barleywine (9.5% abv)
“Nutty caramel malt aroma, a sweet, warming full body and features hints of plum, black currant and maple. Serve in a snifter with desserts, chocolate, or sipping with a good cigar.”
Does this sound delicious or what?
“What you hold in your hand is a very special beer. Unlike most of the beers we produce- meant to be consumed fresh as possible, our Framboise takes nearly two years to create. This Belgian-style ale starts out like most many beers undergoing a two-week fermentation process. From there, things go radically different. The beer was moved to wooden barrels where we added Oregon raspberries and several types of “wild” yeast and bacteria to give create this unique beer.”
Clever names still abound in the craft beer world. In my top 10 beer names is the canned creation of New England brewing, Neighbor of the Beast.
Here is what the brewery has to say about this neighborly offering…”This HELLaciously delicious Belgian Ale is brewed with pilsner malts, candi sugar and blended with American and German hops. It will help you accept that cloven-hooved guy next door.”