Category: Guide to better beer

how to discover new beer to try

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from persimmons to pecans

On the heels of persimmon comes this new 9to me) beer from Texas.
512-whiskey-barrel-aged-double-pecan-porter

The label reads:“(512) Double Pecan Porter is a robust porter accented by locally grown roasted pecans and subtly enhanced by aging in recently emptied oak whiskey barrels for two months. For this first-ever bottling, only one 200L barrel was bottled. Notes of chocolate, coffee and pecan marry with the subtle flavors of vanilla and whiskey to make this a wonderful winter warmer worth sharing and savoring.”

My hope is that the pecan flavors can overcome the whiskey. Some aged whiskey or bourbon beers lose some of the nuances that I prefer.

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Persimmon Lambic?

Just when you think the beer world has pulled all the rabbits out of the hat, here comes another new idea…
upland-persimmon-lambic-2
from the Indiana brewery…
“The persimmons were provided by Aaron Persinger, a local singer/songwriter who is currently the drummer for Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band.”
They have a whole slate of fruited lambics coming this year, including KIWI!

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Half Acre + 3 Floyds =

a Helles?
half-acre-three-floyds-invasion
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.

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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.
idaho

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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.
balticthunderlabel

Paired with a meatball sandwich. Probably not the best choice for this beer. Would have been better with pastrami or pot roast.

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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.
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Check out this new Minnesota brewery HERE

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Grow the Revolution

chatoe-rogue-oregasmic

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.”

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Improved glassware from New Belgium

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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.