The BrewThusiast | Always Looking for a Beerventure

Port Brewing Company “Hop 15″

Posted on May 18, 2012 by BrewThusiast

A great trend I see in craft beer lately is a lot of breweries incorporating a “Bottled On” date on their brews. This comes in handy when picking up a hoppy IPA! Fresh is best right? It may be fun to age beer, but I like my IPA’s as fresh as possible! Although it does come in handy when one does want to age a brew if the date is already on the bottle. I would like to see more breweries use the “Bottled On” date stamp. Speaking of a fresh beer…
Port Brewing Co.’s “Hop 15” Imperial / Double IPA was originally brewed in honor of their 15th anniversary. It is brewed with 15 different varieties of hops. The one I picked up was bottled on 3/26/12. It poured a cloudy light copper color with a thin, slow forming white head. The aroma was straight up hops, citrus and pine. It was like pine needles blended with grapefruit rinds, a touch of vanilla and brown sugar. The taste started out sweet, like a really ripe red grapefruit. Then got real bitter and dry, like drinking pure hop pellet juice. All the while there was a malty caramel flavor going on that made a nice vehicle for all the hoppiness. The mouthfeel was full and sticky. The finish was bitter, hot and spicy, with a biscuity aftertaste. The 10% abv was only evident as being 10% in the finish. As the label on this brew suggests, this is a Hop Bomb! Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in Ale, Beer, Brew, Double IPA, Hop Head, Hops, Imperial, Imperial Double IPA, Imperial IPA, Port Brewing | Leave a comment

Goose Island’s “Sofie”

Posted on May 11, 2012 by BrewThusiast

So far 2012 is proving to be a great year as far as new and tasty brews being made available in my home state of New Jersey! I feel like NJ is finally getting in line with the booming craft beer movement going on in the U.S.! Recently I came across a beer from a brewery I really have not “officially” seen distributed in my state. The only brew I have had from this brewery came under the guise as being a Trader Joe’s beer. Did I mention this particular brewery has been a big deal in craft beer news in the last 12 months? Have You figured out what brewery I am talking about yet?
Goose Island’s “Sofie” Belgian Style Ale is 80% Belgian style ale blended with 20% Belgian style ale aged in wine barrels with orange peel. The bottle I purchased has a bottling date of 3/8/12. This is very much a Saison. It pours a pale cloudy yellow with a one finger thick stiff meringue like head. The aroma is full of citrus and earthy oak. The taste is refreshing and citrusy, and develops with spicy yeast, orange zest and wine flavors. The mouthfeel is medium to thin with moderate carbonation. The finish is dry and spicy with a nice oak aftertaste. This would be great enjoyed outside on a nice summer afternoon with grilled meat! Totally ignoring any news articles and focusing completely on the beer, I think it’s a great brew! Absolutely try it if it’s available in your area! Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in 2012, Aged Beer, Ale, Beer, Belgian, Brew, Goose Island, Saison | Leave a comment

Rogue Ales / Voodoo Doughnut “Bacon Maple Ale”

Posted on May 4, 2012 by BrewThusiast

It is easy to get sucked in by the allure of specialty beers. On several occasions I have been psyched out of my mind when I

find a beer promising exotic flavors or ingredients, only to be incredibly disappointed by faux ingredients or nonexistent flavors. I have learned to be weary of specialty beers over time. However, not all are disappointments in a bottle or can. It helps if you try specialty beers from trusted, quality breweries. Recently there has been a lot of buzz and major differences of opinions regarding a specialty beer from Oregon. Of course when it finally came in NJ I had to see for myself what the big deal was…
Rogue Ales / Voodoo Doughnut “Bacon Maple Ale” – Voodoo Doughnut, located in Portland and Eugene Oregon is home of the “Maple Bacon Bar” Rogue and Voodoo Doughnut have joined forces and released a beer that mimics the legendary breakfast confection. Technically this can be considered a Smoked Beer. It pours a reddish amber color with a sturdy two finger thick off-white head. The aroma is enticing with maple and smoke. The taste starts out malty sweet with delicious maple syrup, and then the smokiness of the bacon doesn’t just reveal itself, it marries with the maple perfectly. Then there is a slightly bitter doughiness rounds out this brew for the full doughnut effect. I think I can only describe it as breakfast in a glass! I can say that this beer delivered on every promised flavor. I have been burned by too many beers that have promised bacon, and I could not find the slightest bit of bacon in it! This brew has restored my faith in bacon flavored beer! The 6.5% abv was barely present. As far as specialty beers go, this beer is exactly what it lead me to believe it should be! I’m not making a trip to Seattle anytime soon to try the real doughnut so I can only imagine this is the next best thing… if not better. I mean come on, this is beer we are talking about! Get one and try it for yourself,. You can order it directly though Rogue’s Webstore! Here’s To Good Beers!

Posted in Ale, Bacon, Beer, Brew, Doughnut, Maple, Maple Bacon, Rogue Ales, Smoke, Smoked Beer, Voodoo, Voodoo Doughnut | Leave a comment

Terrapin / Shmaltz “A Beer For Hope – Reunion Ale ’11″

Posted on April 27, 2012 by BrewThusiast

On my perpetual quest for tasty high quality and interesting beer, I occasionally come across one that includes chili peppers as an ingredient. I love this idea! I enjoy spicy foods, so why not a spicy brew? The only problem is that a lot of times I don’t think the peppers translate well in the end. I want that beautiful pepper burn that lingers, you know? Well, to my palate’s delight I happened upon a very spicy beer. Not only was this beer spicy, but it also supports a good cause! This brew helps raise funds and awareness on behalf of the institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research (www.imbcr.org). Tasty beer that helps a good cause… yes please!
A collaborative effort from Terrapin Beer Company and Shmaltz Brewing Company “A Beer For Hope – Reunion Ale ‘11” is a dark ale brewed with cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and chili peppers. It pours a dark brownish amber color with a two finger thick, large bubbly tan head. The aroma is sweet with vanilla and roasty malts, dark sticky fruit and light cocoa. The taste is initially very chocolaty, then a noticeable chili pepper burn that completely covers the palate and lips takes over. Once the palate “warms up” the solid malty vanilla backbone reveals itself. The mouthfeel is medium, and the finish is smooth and long with vanilla and heat from the chili peppers. The 7.6% ABV is hardly noticeable. So far this brew has the best application of chilies that I have ever come across in beer, hands down! An excellent offering from two great breweries! Here’s To Good Beers!

Posted in 2011, Ale, Beer, Brew, Chili, Dark, Dark Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Co., Terrapin | 2 Comments

Cricket Hill Reserve Ale “No.3 Barleywine”

Posted on April 20, 2012 by BrewThusiast

While I love trying tasty brews from all around the country and the world, I try not to forget there is great beer in my

own state! New Jersey has really begun to boom with quality craft beer over the past few years! If you don’t believe me check out New Jersey Craft Beer.com. Not only are new breweries popping up, but establishments are also starting to recognize the craft beer community and adding these delicious local brews to their taps! If you find yourself in the Garden State be sure and sample some of the local beer options. I recently picked up a brew from Fairfield, NJ…

Cricket Hill Brewery’s “Reserve Ale No. 3 Barleywine” availability is limited and only comes in a 22oz bottle. It pours a hazy amber color upon which a thin, tight white head sits. The aroma is sweet with fresh caramel, malt, bread, tropical fruits, and a slight nuttiness. The taste brings on big malt and fruit juice flavors upfront, followed by vanilla and sticky caramel. The mouthfeel is full and juicy. The finish is wet, hoppy, and warm from the 8.5% abv. This is a very tasty and fruity barleywine. I imagine this might do very well in the cellar for a few years. Much Love to Cricket Hill for pumping out tasty big beer in NJ! Support your local brewery no matter where you live! Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in Ale, Barley Wine, Beer, Brew, Cricket Hill, New Jersey Beer, NJ | Leave a comment

Evolution’s “Migration Series Bourbon Barrel Dark Ale” (Winter 2011)

Posted on April 13, 2012 by BrewThusiast

Seriously, I don’t know that I will ever get over how generous the craft beer community is! It’s awesome when you tap into a group of people who are just as passionate as you are about something. During a recent family trip to Delaware, I found myself back at one of my favorite breweries, Evolution Craft Brewing Co. I always stop in when I am in the area for a couple pints and a few growler fills to take back to NJ! On this visit I had the pleasure of watching the brewers in action on one of their last brew days before they shut down their Delmar, DE location to officially move into their new lager Brew Pub in Salisbury, MD.. So without further rambling…
Evolution Craft Brewing Co.’s “Migration Series Bourbon Barrel Dark Ale” (Winter 2011) is a Dark Ale aged eight months in bourbon barrels. It pours a solid black color, topped with a one finger creamy brown head. The head reduces to a thin film, but does last down to the bottom of the glass. The aroma is sweet with bourbon, vanilla, maple, dark brown sugar and raisins. The taste follows the smell for the most part with the rich flavors of bourbon, vanilla, oak, chocolate, dark fruit, and spicy hops. The mouthfeel is medium. and warms the palate with its 10.5% ABV. Though I will say even though the high abv is always present it is never distracting. The finish is dry, hot from the abv, and sweet. I really like the way the bourbon, vanilla flavors compliment the sweet cocoa and raisin flavors. One can really taste the care and love that was put into this beer! I am honored to have been bestowed this brew by an excellent gentleman brewer from Evo! Congrats to Evo for moving on to a bigger space! Much luck to you in Salisbury, MD! Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in 2011, Aged Beer, Ale, Beer, Bourbon Barrel, Brew, Brewery, Dark Ale, DE, Delmar Delaware, Evolution | Leave a comment

Dogfish Head’s “75 Minute” IPA

Posted on April 6, 2012 by BrewThusiast

What do you get when you add one great IPA to another great IPA? That should be a no brainer. Blending beers is

something that has been around forever. Have you ever blended two beers together to make something new? Anyone who has enjoyed a Black and Tan has. Chocolate beers and fruit beers tend to blend well. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Ok, last question… What does 60 Minutes + 90 Minutes equal? …75?
Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales “75 Minute” IPA is a blend of their “60 Minute” and “90 Minute” IPAs. It has been dry hopped with whole leaf hops, and then bottle conditioned with maple syrup. It pours a three finger white pillowy head that lasts to the bottom of the glass. The color is a hazy golden orange. The aroma is sweet and earthy with caramel, citrus hops, vanilla, maple, malt and grass. Upfront the taste is a mix of citrus, grassy and piney hops, followed by a nice caramel malty backbone. The maple syrup translates clearly as well. The mouthfeel is medium, and the finish is dry and bitter with a bit of heat from the 7% abv. Otherwise the abv is barely detectable. This is a very nice and well rounded IPA. It delivers maple and malt sweetness along with citrusy, grassy, and piney hops. What’s not to like? This brew def lives up to it’s reputation. Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in Ale, Beer, Brew, DE, Dogfish Head, India Pale Ale, IPA, Maple Syrup, Milton | Leave a comment

Ayinger “Celebrator”

Posted on March 30, 2012 by BrewThusiast

I’ve probably said this before, but it doesn’t hurt to stress it again. To respect American craft beer, we have to respect where its roots! It’s easy to stroll down the micro/craft suds aisle and grab great brews from excellent breweries these days. But it is important to understand that these beers are a lot of times are modeled after really tasty foreign brews from other countries. Why is it important to know this? Because in tasting these very old and traditional foreign beers, we can see how modern breweries are taking them and evolving them into delicious new creations. Plus these traditional brews are still very, very tasty! For instance…
Ayinger’s “Celebrator” Doppelbock pours a dark brown with red edges, and forms a creamy one finger thick tan head. The aroma delivers sweet malt, dark fruit, yeast, and spice. The taste starts off smokey and sweet with caramel and brown sugar. Then more complex and robust flavors of dried figs, raisins, and coffee take over the palate. The mouthfeel is medium with sharp carbonation. The finish is sweet and smooth with a slight warming from the 6.7% abv. Did I mention that this brew comes with a Billy Goat toy? It’s like an adult liquid happy meal! This is a brew worthy of respect! Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in Ale, Ayinger, Beer, Bock, Brew, Celebrator, Doppelbock, German Beer | Leave a comment

Uinta Brewing – Crooked Line Series “Labryrinth”

Posted on March 23, 2012 by BrewThusiast

Decisions, decisions… I am sure I have mentioned before that I tend to get lost sometimes in the brew store! I wander the

aisles and cases for way too long. I am like a kid in a candy store. I want it ALL, but obviously can not afford it ALL at once! So I have to pick and choose, and try to choose wisely! I am sure I am not this only beer aisle wanderer out there! At times, my indecision and can make the brew store seem like a maze. So this post is for us “kids in the candy store”. A tasty beer with a fitting name for my rambling this week!
Uinta Brewing’s Crooked Line Series “Labyrinth” Black Ale brewed with licorice sticks and aged in oak barrels. It pours a solid black color with a two finger, chocolate brown head. The aromatics are really nice on this brew, with chocolate, coffee, cola, licorice, roasted malt, vanilla, caramel and molasses. The sweet and roasty taste was equally as complex, with the flavors of licorice, chocolate, molasses, oak, vanilla, honey, bourbon, toast, dark malt and alcohol. By the way, you would never guess from taste alone that this is a 13.2% abv brew! The mouthful is full, silky and rich. The finish is smooth, creamy and chocolatey with a nice licorice cooling mixed with the warm alcohol. This seemed more like an Imperial Stout than a “Black Ale” to me. Either way this is truly a Labyrinth of tasty flavors! This one is a no brainer for those lost in the brew store! Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in Aged Beer, Ale, Beer, Black Ale, Brew, Imperial, Imperial Russian Stout, Imperial Stout, Oak, Stout, Uinta Brewing Co. | Tagged Licorice | Leave a comment

Founders “Curmudgeon’s Better Half”

Posted on March 16, 2012 by BrewThusiast

The use of oak / bourbon barrels is really a huge thing now in craft beer. It’s actually very practical and genius. A brewery makes a beer, and that beer may be great right out of the fermenter. However, let that same great beer age in an oak or bourbon barrel and you have a whole new brew. A brew with layers of complex and tasty flavors. It’s like getting two for one. Two great brews from one solid recipe. It really is a beautiful relationship, the oak barrel and beer. Alone the oak barrel is stoic and rough, but the beer brings out the best in the barrel. One might say that beer is the barrel’s “Better Half”. Which bring me to this weeks brew…
Founders “Curmudgeon’s Better Half” is a very tasty Old Ale. Founders takes their Curmudgeon Ale, adds molasses and ages it in bourbon barrels that had also aged maple syrup. It pours a radiant amber color with a one finger, off-white creamy head. The aroma is strong with bourbon, vanilla, syrup, malt, banana and dark fruit. Much like the smell, the taste is all bourbon upfront, followed by molasses, vanilla bean, caramel, banana, maple, floral hops and a hint of spice. The mouthfeel is medium and very warming. The finish is smooth and creamy like a quality bourbon whiskey. The heat from the 11.9% abv is never offensive or distracting. A very tasty, yet almost comforting beer. Kinda like a Better Half should be! Here’s to Good Beers!

Posted in 2012, Aged Beer, Ale, Beer, bourbon, Bourbon Barrel, Brew, Founders, Maple Syrup, Old Ale | Leave a comment