In my 50 Beers from 50 States quest, I came upon the Peace Tree Brewery in Iowa and I sample their Hop Wrangler IPA. One of the best beers of 2010 in my book.
Now they have doubled and a half the Hop Wrangler to come up with…
new from Upslope
Though I would have expected a brown can to match the name. I am glad that Upslope is growing their canned beer offerings.
“Upslope Brown Ale. It’s an English-style Brown Ale with an American twist in that its sweet roasted-malt base is offset by a pronounced hop bitterness and higher alcohol content — about 6.7 percent by volume — than its counterparts brewed across the pond. It has a well-balanced character with a clean, dry finish that makes it easy to kick back several in one sitting.”
Read this update from the Boulder Camera to get the full scoop on this Colorado brewery.
XMAS BEER – Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger
We head to Washington State for a pirate themed Christmas Ale. And the best description of the beer can be found on the taproom blog
XMAS BEER – Frosted Frog
As part of the 50 States challenge, I knocked Ohio off the list with B.O.R.I.S the Crusher. We return to Hoppin’ Frog for today’s seasonal ale, the Frosted Frog.
Here is what the label trumpets: “The essence of Christmas is captured in this very bottle you are holding. Perfectly blended spices compliment Frosted Frog’s rich malt flavors, creating the ultimate Christmas experience. Celebrate the holidays as you savor this very special seasonal offering.”
I am a fan of the spiced winter warmers.
XMAS Beer- Face Plant
Today’s holiday ale comes from Bayern Brewing, a purveyor of Bavarian style beers in Montana.
Here is their doppleweizen with the great skiing name of Face Plant.
“Face Plant Doppelweizen. This top-fermented, unfltered Wheat Bock beer is the counterpart to Bayern’s famous Doppelbock Lager. Bayern’s only decoction-brewed beer, the recipe uses five types of malt (Wheat, Pilsener, Carmel, Munich and Chocolate), and has an o.g. of > 17 % Plato, producing a stout 7.5 % Alc. by Vol. As with all Bayern wheat beers, Face Plant surprises with its complex flavor. German Hallertauer Perle hops give this hearty Bock beer a perfectly balanced sweetness.”
XMAS BEER – Sled Wreck
When I go to Portland for Christmas this year. Amongst my many beer goals is to have my first taste of any of the award winning beers from Barley Brown’s. They won gold in the CDA category at this years Great American Beer Festival and they have an Old Ale for the holidays with the wonderful name of Sled Wreck.
I am very jealous that the beer scene in Eastern Oregon, though far apart from each other, is much more happening than Los Angeles is right now.
XMAS BEER – Parrots and Palm Trees
Karl Strauss has taken a page from The Bruery playbook and has embarked on a beach bum version of the 12 Days of Christmas.
Here is their initial offering according to their press release:
“Parrot in a Palm Tree is a big festive beer. Baltic Porters are known for their rich, dark fruit flavors. Loaded with espresso, dark chocolate, and fruit flavors, this northern European style is similar to a less roasty version of a Russian Imperial Stout. To bring out the raisin and plum flavors in the beer, a portion was aged in tawny port wine barrels from neighbors down the street at San Pasqual Winery. “In the last few years we’ve seen a trend toward barrel aging and we thought rather than putting this beer into bourbon barrels, it would pair better with a sweet, fruity tawny port. We called our friends at San Pasqual Winery and the rest is history,” says Paul Segura, Brewmaster for Karl Strauss. After several months in the barrels, the aged beer was blended with a fresh batch creating a subtle oak and port-like finish.
Weighing in at 8.5%, this beer is a great after dinner sipper, pairing equally well with chocolate and fruit desserts. Karl Strauss Executive Chef, Gunther Emathinger, created a special beer-shake to celebrate the release–blending the Baltic Porter and vanilla bean ice-cream for a festive holiday treat. If you have the willpower and patience, this beer will get better with age and can be enjoyed for several years to come.
Parrot in a Palm Tree is the first release in the company’s “Twelve Days of Christmas San Diego Style” series, naming each installment with a wink to life along the coast. The first in a series of twelve, Parrot in a Palm Tree plays off of the 12 Days Of Christmas, with a distinctively San Diego twist. “Living in San Diego we don’t have partridges, but we do have squawking parrots. We thought this would be a fun nod to the locals,” says Paul. Look for the second installment of the series next holiday season”
XMAS BEER – Full Sail Powder Stash
Here is what the Hood River beer pioneers have to say about their winter offering…
“To celebrate the newly fallen snow and the predictions for an epic snowfall year, Full Sail Brewing will release a new beer in their Brewer’s Share line up, Powder Stash Pale, brewed by Full Sail’s Pub staff.
“It’s an easy drinking, low alcohol, nitro beer so it’ll be smooth and creamy, just like the powder on the mountain,” says Matt Bowers, Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub Assistant Manager. “We decided to brew this beer to contrast the strong, dark and hoppy beers typical of the season. We thought having a nice easy drinking smooth nitro beer would be a great option after a day on the snow. Brewed with pale malt for its drinkability and dry hopped with Simcoe’s for a piney citrus character, it’ll drink light, but will have lots of flavor,” added Lisa Merkin, Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub Manager. ABV 5% IBU 50.”
XMAS BEER – Fuller’s Jack Frost
We travel to England for our next seasonal ale. And the English make some excellent warmers that don’t assault the palate.
Fuller’s makes Jack Frost which they describe as, “brewed with Crystal malt and a dash of blackberries, Jack Frost delivers a fruity, robust yet refreshing flavour that lingers long on the palate.”
XMAS BEER – Calapooia Kringle Krack
From Block 15 in Corvallis to Calapooia Brewing in Albany which is just around the corner almost.
Another fun and cheeky name for a holiday ale is Kringle Krack. Krack is a strong Winter Ale with a forceful malt profile backed by three different types of hops. Then it is aged for eight months to take it from strong to old and strong. Like Kris Kringle himself.