Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Hanssens Artisanaal’s Scarenbecca Kriek is another lambic on my list to try It is created with Belgian Schaerbeek cherries. Like many of the more interesting fruits and vegetables, this type is not grown much. Maybe there will be an heirloom revival. Because this beer uses every bit of the cherry. The fruit the pit and the stem.
And if you have been good enough this year, Santa might bring this to you but at $26.00 at Vendome in Toluca Lake, you will have needed to be VERY good.
Widmer is charging forward with more of the Rotator series. I have yet to sample O’Ryely IPA and now the Spiced IPA is getting close to release.
I have enjoyed Falconers and X-114 and even the Citra golden ale too. So I anticipate liking these two new ones as well.
Keeping up with the craft beer world is a a fun adventure that has allowed me to meet many great people and visit some truly fun places. The downside is that it easy, too easy, to over spend. There are just too many beers and beer events to drink and attend.
It is a good problem to have. But unless you have a benefactor with deep pockets, there is always a financial wall that you run into.
Enter Christmas and my wife…..
For 2012, I get $20.00 to spend each month on those beers that I want but have left on the shelf. So, the next time that I see two bottles and would normally have only bought one. Now I can try both. Or I can take a flyer on a beer that intrigues me but that I know little about. Or I could order some off the interwebs. The possibilities are endless.
Throughout 2012, there will be posts of “allowance” beers. But if you have ideas or suggestions for beers that you would pick-up if someone handed you $20 as you walked into your beer store, then let me know. And feel free to let me know if you like any of my choices or if you think that I went off the deep end.
If you haven’t settled on a party for New Years Eve, here are two in the Los Angeles area that you can try (if tickets are still available)
1) Tony’s Darts Away will have one 9pm seating featuring an abundance of vegan and non-vegan fare and beers. $95 for you all you can eat AND drink, plus a commemorative glass (tax and gratuity included).
Tony’s will also be raffling prizes throughout the night, including vintage California craft beer; gift certificates for Tony’s Darts Away + Mohawk Bend; Golden Road Brewing swag; and the grand prize: brewing a batch of beer with Golden Road Brewing’s brewmaster, Jon Carpenter. For reservations, email NYE2012@tonys.la
2) City Tavern in Culver City will be hosting a “Brew Years Eve” Beer Garden. From 10pm to 1:30am, $68 will allow patrons to enjoy unlimited beer, wine & champagne, plus a glass an extra special toast at midnight; a reduced $56 price tag will be extended to guests with an accompanying dinner reservation (full kitchen ‘til 10pm).
In addition, City Tavern’s notorious table tap booths can be reserved for $100 per person (each booth seats 6-8, 10 if you’re determined/overly friendly), and includes unlimited table taps, wine & champagne, plus an extra bottle of champagne to toast at midnight.
Merry Christmas to all!
Here is the final review of holiday ales and it is the iconic Anchor Christmas.
You can check out all of the labels (and I mean all) HERE
I am a big fan of the Ninkasi boxes that come out in summer and winter with four bombers in it and now Bridgeport is entering the mixed box game with….
“For the first time in its 27-year history, BridgePort Brewing Company will release a 12-bottle variety pack featuring four of its signature brews. The Beervana Brewer’s Box, will include BridgePort IPA, Hop Czar, Kingpin and a seasonal craft selection.
“This is the first time in our 27-year history that we’ve had a group of beers that are in such high demand that they warrant a variety pack,” commented Brewmaster Jeff Edgerton. “It wasn’t until the addition of Kingpin that we finally felt ready to launch the Brewer’s Box for long-time fans to have access to the four top beers as well as the chance for new customers to try BridgePort for the first time.”
The Beervana Brewer’s Box will be distributed nationally and will feature three bottles each of:
IPA: Our award-winning IPA is brewed with a blend of five hop varieties (Cascade, Golding, Ahtanum, Crystal and Chinook) and presents a floral, citrusy aroma and full hop flavor, while downplaying the bitterness. The beer pours smooth in the glass, emitting its signature golden glow.
Hop Czar: An Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with over two pounds of whole leaf hop cones in each barrel. The Emperor of IBU’s, Hop Czar is triple hopped with four varieties (Nugget, Chinook, Centennial and Cascade) to produce an aggressively bitter, yet drinkable flavor.
Kingpin: This triple-hopped red features rye and caramel malt yielding a deep red color. Kingpin uses a rarely-grown Willamette Valley Hop varietal known as Liberty Hops from fourth generation hop farmer John Annen of Annen Bros. Farm in Silverton, Oregon.
Winter Seasonal, Dark Rain: Black Wheat and Dark Crystal Malt add dense color and mild smooth flavors to this intensely hopped Black Ale. This ale has a very drinkable, mid-level alcohol and bitterness that starts with roasted and hoppy aromatic notes and finishes with the dry hop character of the Nugget hop varietal. A Chinook, Crystal, Centennial and Cascade blend is used in our hopjack to provide full flavored background hoppiness.”
Oh, I almost forgot to add that Widmer has a similar box too. And was is better is that I can get all of them here in Los Angeles.
Since Santa shares this holiday with a certain other fellow, he might want to stop and raise a glass in Bethlehem. Pennsylvania of course and the Bethlehem Brew Works home of Rude Elf’s Reserve.
The story behind this beer is quite fascinating. Check it out HERE
Here’s to a merry and beer filled Christmas and let’s hope Santa Claus (Kris Kringle, Sinter Klass, St. Nick) has a fun and safe journey around the world!
The Brewery – Schloss Eggenberg
The Beer – Samichlaus Classic
The Details
““Samichlaus” beer is brewed once a year, in each case on December 6th, and stored and matured afterwards for over 10 months before it is bottled. “Samichlaus” beer can mature for many years in the bottle; older vintages obtain a complexity and receive their creamy warm aftertaste. This beer can be served with heavy meals and desserts, particularly with chocolate – or as digestive and meditations drink.”
The Brewery – Harpoon
The Beer – Vermont Spruce Tip
The Details
“This hearty ale is a showcase for a traditional yet seldom used brewing ingredient: spruce tips. Harvested at their tender, ripe, bright green peak in Downer State Forest, Vermont, these spruce tips impart citrus, pine, spice, herbal and earthy notes. A host of malts, a hint of roasted barley and generous use of Chinook hops complement the unique spruce flavor.
We’d like to thank the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and all of the many great volunteers that helped us with this unusual harvest.”
Enjoy this beer with friends and family at any celebration or feast.
The Brewery – Kuhnhenn
The Beer – Winter Wonder Lager
The Details
“Deep amber color lager, strong malt aroma, sweeter malt flavor, high bitterness to balance alcohol and sweetness. Made each May for winter solstice. This special yeast gives a unique flavor to this ultra strong lager.”