About the beer: Ah yes, the crisp air of the fall season can only mean two things for beer lovers: 1. Pumpkin flavored everything & 2. Oktoberfest style beers! Being a native New Englander means being lucky enough to experience all four seasons, but it also comes with the unapologetic love for all of the Sam Adams seasonal varietals. And what’s not to love about a new beer for every season?
About the beer: Dopplebocks are dark and strong lagers that are traditionally enjoyed in the winter months. There’s still no reason why you can’t enjoy them any time of year though so last week I cracked open a bottle I had in my small beer cellar. The one I went with, Smuttynose S’Muttonator is a great example of this traditional style, but with an American twist.
In a Nutshell: Smuttynose S’muttonator is a great American take on a classic German style.
Review: Smuttynose has long been a favorite New England brewery of mine. While they are mostly known for more conservative fair like pale ales, when they do bolder styles in their Big Beer series they never disappoint. The S’Muttonator is no different. It’s a big, bold, nutty beer that tastes great. While dopplebocks are meant to be strong beers, both in their flavor and alcohol, I’ve often found many of them a bit too sweet to really get into. The S’muttonator does a nice job balancing out the sweeter qualities with just a kiss of hops, making it a beer I think anyone could enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5
(Photo by Dan Larson)
About: Craft beer isn’t exactly the first thing one thinks when one thinks of New Jersey. There are however a number of fine craft breweries in the Garden State. Today we’re going to take a look at a brew from River Horse Brewing Co. out of Lambertville, NJ.
About the beer: Longtime readers of Beeriety will recall that recently a friend and I brewed up a very unique style of beer called a braggot (pronounced “bracket”). This style of beer, which has its origins as a mead, comes from Wales, but is associated with the United Kingdom at large, as there are multiple takes on this ancient recipe across the British Isles. I had never tried a braggot before brewing one, and seldom thought I would ever get the chance. Imagine my surprise when perusing my new favorite craft beer store, the Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont, MA, I came upon the “Slippery Slope” by The People’s Pint, a small brewery located in Greenfield, MA.
About the Beer: Off the coast of Massachusetts, on the tiny island of Nantucket, lies a brewery called Cisco. Though a small brewery, Cisco exports beer to most of the eastern seaboard, including all of New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and even down to Florida. However, those outside of the Massachsetts area might be a little less familiar with the brew we’re going to look at this week: The Lady of the Woods.
About the beer: Mikkeller Brewery from Denmark is out to excite Danish taste buds, break a few rules and inspire all around. With a mission like that, it’s no wonder they were named Danish brewery of the year during their first year and the fifth best brewery in the world, all in their first year of production. Their concoction on display for this week’s installment is the Chipotle Porter (known as Texas Ranger over on their home shores). Clocking in at 7.7% ABV, this beer is brewed with Chipotle chili peppers, and was brewed particularly for the Texan audience, though it can be found elsewhere in the states.
About The Beer: Kwak is a classic Belgian beer best known for the unusual teardrop shaped glass it’s often served in. Although actually named after its inventor there’s an old story of the name coming from the sound of the beer rushing down the long stem of the glass. There was a time when all Belgian breweries created unique glassware for their beers. This was done for marketing purposes but also to ensure that the brew was showcased in a manner that highlighted its strengths.
About the Beer:
This week I have selected the Coffeehouse Porter from Berkshire Brewing Company out of South Deerfield, Massachusetts. BBC’s Coffeehouse Porter is an American Porter weighing in at 6.2% ABV and can be found in either a 22 oz bottle or on draft. (more…)
About the Beer:
It’s a difficult task attempting to place the Sam Adams within the American beer culture. As far as craft brewers go, one would be hard-pressed to deny their influence on America’s beer economy. In stark comparison to the American Macro-brewing industry, Sam Adams has remained an independent force providing a fine selection of brew over the past three decades. One of the most intriguing series of brews of late to come from the Boston Beer Company’s first home in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, is their trio of brews known as, “The Barrel Room Collection“. The most stellar of which is the Stony Brook Red. All three beers are meant to represent Sam Adams’ take on several Belgian style brews.
About the Beer: This beer comes from the unlikely location of Salt Lake City, Utah. The restrictive alcohol policies in Utah have does not make it easy for craft beer culture to flourish there. Despite this one Salt Lake City brewery is beginning to attract national attention for their bold beers. (more…)
