a Helles?
Yes, indeed. I have yet to try Half Acre, but after watching them on HopCast, I really want to sample their line-up. The two 3 Floyds beers that I have had were fantastic so this should make for a great beer.
50 from 50 – Idaho
Idaho has some great craft brew. Unfortunately, not a lot of great craft brew distribution. Grand Teton has a larger territory and I picked up a DIPA that may have been past it’s prime. If I had drunk it a couple of weeks earlier, the review would probably be better.
50 from 50 – Louisiana
Abita is probably the best known of the Louisiana breweries but their Christmas Ale is not usually seen here in California. So it gets the nod for the Bayou beer.
Defense against the Dark Beers – Baltic Thunder
Since I am not the best dark beer critic, I delegate to someone who really digs the dark side. Here is another quick review…
Surprising aroma of citrus…Medium head, beautiful mahogany color. Complex flavor profile, full caramel roastiness finishing in a medium bitter. Definitely bitter on the back end.
Paired with a meatball sandwich. Probably not the best choice for this beer. Would have been better with pastrami or pot roast.
Lift Bridge
I have had quite a few “grape-fruity” IPA’s of late. But here is a beer that actually has grapefruit in it. I’m surprised I have never seen this before from some other brewery.
Check out this new Minnesota brewery HERE
Review – Batemans Combined Harvest
Grow the Revolution
The Chatoe line keeps rolling along with the OREgasmic. Truly local beer this is. This is part of what the RogueNation is saying about it…”2010 Chatoe Rogue products will use Rogue Micro Farms’ Independence, Revolution, Liberty, Freedom, Newport, Rebel and Alluvial hops from the Wigrich Appellation and Dare, Risk and Dream malts from the Tygh Valley Appellation. Chatoe products will include Pinot Envy Ale, Dirtoir Ale, Single Malt Ale, and OREgasmic Ale.”
Improved glassware from New Belgium
New Belgium Globe Glass
*A narrow opening that benefits foam and enhances the beer’s bouquet.
*A globe shape that captures and directs the beer’s aromas toward your nose.
*New etchings inside create a continuous stream of bubbles to release and refresh flavors.
*A stem that keeps your hand from warming the beer and allows unobstructed viewing pleasure.
*Decidedly thicker, our new glass is more durable from the beaded lip down to the reinforced stem.
East meets West meets Italy
“This may well be the craziest and amazing brewery in the world” – Leonardo Di Vincenzo, Brewmaster, Birra del Borgo
Truer words may never have been spoken. Four breweries collaborating on one project! Two Italian craft brewers – Teo Musso, Brewmaster of Birrificio Le Baladan and Leonardo Di Vincenzo of Birra del Borgo, and two Italian-American craft brewers – Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Vinnie Cilurzo of the Russian River Brewing.
The first beer will be an English Mild with a dash of chestnut.
Review – Alpine Beer Co. Duet
IPA. How I love those initials. When it is done right, there is nothing better. This one is right up there in the top 20.