Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Fans of South Park know of the famous Casa Bonita. Heaven to one Eric Cartman. Now comes Casa Beer, created by Denver’s Ratio Beerworks, a Mexican-style lager with lime. The very sessiony 4.8% ABV beer is available on draft at bars (yes, plural) throughout the restaurant.
Craft beer has seasonal beers, most notably in winter but there are certainly beets for spring, summer and fall too. When obe thinks of gin, you may not think that way but Leopold’s Distilling in Colorado does and their summer gin is out now for 2023.
“This gin draws on the warm climates from which its exceptional ingredients are harvested by hand: Spanish Blood Oranges for a rich sweetness, French Immortal Flowers and Juniper Berries for a cool and clean flavor, and Australian Lemon Myrtle for a fresh, citrus finish. Each ingredient is distilled individually to honor its distinctive flavors.”
It may have been past time for New Belgium Brewing to update the Fat Tire recipe. The VooDoo Ranger series of IPAs has been ahead of the iconic Amber ale for some time now.
And the inside and outside are now new for 2023.
“Today, Fat Tire blends a subtle malt presence with a slightly fruity hop profile and crisp finish, to create a bright and balanced beer that drinks easy, anywhere.”
I might have gone with seasonal versions and used this lighter one for summer and gone with something maltier in Winter.
Now this is a simple but classic label, ornament, check. red and green, check. Name it Holiday Ale and done. Now go find it tucked between all of New Belgium’s VooDoo Ranger IPAs.
“Tis the season for flavors of cranberry and orange, cinnamon and spice, for everyone naughty and nice!”
It is not often that you see a second location announcement with the location being the French Alps. But that is what Colorado’s Outer Range Brewing is doing…
“Colorado’s Award-winning craft brewery and apres hub, announced Saturday that they are taking their quality craft beer and mountain lifestyle concept to the heart of the French Alps, with a second location in the picturesque, quaint town of Sallanches, France. Set to open in winter 2022, the Sallanches brewery will include a Nashville Hot Chicken restaurant, coffee roaster, a private event space for large parties or weddings, and a climbing wall with floor-to-ceiling views of Mont Blanc.”
To Colorado and Czech beers at third Cohesion Brewing Company.
Let’s have some lagers, shall we?
Cohesion 10º: Světlé Výčepní Pivo (Pale Draft Beer) “Single decocted lager with a light hop flavor and touch of malt sweetness. The most commonly consumed style in the Czech Republic. Honey, refreshing, smooth.”
Cohesion Polotmavý: Ležák 12º (Half Dark Lager) “Our amber lager with a name that translates to “half dark”. Rich notes of caramel malty goodness are balanced by herbal hop flavors, and a touch of bitterness. Malty, nutty, balanced.”
Cohesion 12º: Světlý Ležák (Pale Lager) “Our version of the most famous Czech lager – the original pilsner from Pilsner Urquell falling in this style. A full bodied malty lager with a rounded bitterness. Sweet hay, herbal, pleasant bitterness.”
Cohesion Tmavý: 14º Tmavý Speciální Pivo (Special Dark Beer) “Dark brown with rich malt flavors, this double decocted lager has flavors of toffee and a touch dark chocolate, with a light finish. Rich, toasted malt, full-bodied.”
I received a lovely little classic gin sample from Spirit Hound Distillers in Lyon, Colorado.
Here is my review….
Straight up, this is very bright and clean. I get a touch of spice and later citrus but this is almost smooth, no burn at all and easy to drink without a cocktail. Proper British is the best description.
In G&T form, it doesn’t try to steal the show. Maybe it should just a touch more as the balance is a little tilted towards the quinine. But it does really bring a big orange citrus note forward which I quite enjoy.
The “Hounds” also produce a straight malt whisky, a cask strength malt whisky, a Colorado honey whisky, a rum and two other types of gin.
Avery Brewing is up to a 59th Barrel experiment! That is crazy. And I have a soft spot for the Emerald Isle since my better half has that blood in her veins.
This beer looks very cool. Peat smoke and milk stout could be a really striking flavor profile.
Mulling spices are a great Christmas Ale tradition and except for here in SoCal, sweaters are too. Avery has combined them both for their latest winter warmer.
We close out November with a Balaton cherry ale from Upslope Brewing in Colorado. This is the 15th iteration of their Christmas beer following the raspberry version from last year.