50 from 50 – New Jersey & Illinois
Two new beers from two heretofore unknown (to me) breweries.
First up is the selection for the Garden State from Cricket Hill Brewing.
Then we head to one of the midwest’s hot hop spots, Illinois for a taste of weiss from Two Brothers Brewing.
Vintage Estate Wine & Beer
Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin have great beer scenes. One way to gauge that is by how many wine stores are adding more and more beers or in the case of Vintage in Ohio, adding a whole new tasting room.
Check out their tap list HERE
Review – Midnight Sessions
50 from 50 – Maryland & New Hampshire
Clipper City has a great special series of beers under the moniker, Heavy Seas. Here is my review of the imperial pilsner.
Then I travel via the highway of beer to New Hampshire for a first taste of Smuttynose. Since I am an IPA freak, I selected their regular version. Hopefully, I will build on this with more beers from the Smuttynose folks.
0 Dark 30
The rise of the Cascadian Dark! Oakshire makes some great stuff. Especially the Overcast Espresso Stout. Now here comes their take on the black IPA.
Review – Mr. Beer
A review of a pale ale made with Mr. Beer. Code name – Minkey
Pint’s Pub
Denver, like Portland and now Los Angeles is full of great places to sit down and have a great craft brew or two. Pint’s Pub marries the English pub with the American brewpub. All of their beers sound great but the Dark Star caught my eye.
Here is the description to whet your appetite…”Dark Star Ale
Live ale from the hand pump. A robust nut-brown ale with a malty start and a traditional dry-hopped finish.”
Ojai Beverage Company
Since my parents are more into wine than beer, I am relieved to find places that serve both and serve both well. The Ojai Beverage Company is such a place.
This is a recent tap list. (Yes, tap list)
St. Louis Framboise Lambic
Sierra Nevada Crystal Wheat
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner
Green Flash West Coast IPA
Paulaner Salvador Doppelbock
Unibroue Trois Pistoles Strong Dark Ale
Abita Turbo Dog Brown Ale
Shipyard Pugsley’s Signature XXXX IPA
Klokke Roeland Belgian Strong Ale
Kona Pipeline Porter
Acme Pale Ale
Nitrogen Tap-Island Brew. Starry Night Stout
Check their website HERE
Review – Troegs Nugget Nectar
Even though whenever I see the name “Nugget” I think of Denver and how badly I want Portland to beat them, I had to try this beer that is # 19 on the Beer Advocate ALL-TIME TOP BEERS list.