At Hawthorne Hophouse in Portland, OR, patrons can order whatever’s new from several nearby breweries, perhaps discovering they love peppery saisons or tart krieks. But the 24 taps don’t end there, as there are fermentations from producers around the Northwest, all vying to create beverages locals might like. And locals like hops. So a dry-hopped... View Article
For nearly 40 years, beer drinkers in post-World War II America were conditioned to think the best beer was a bright golden color—clean and crisp without a hint of haziness, even at palate-numbing temperatures. A well-made beer was transparent and devoid of any sediment.
Those of us fortunate enough to have experienced the North American beer renaissance would never have imagined anything like this in the 1970s. But there was no stopping the growth of craft beer once the ball was rolling . Now that growth has taken us from a foundation of British, German and Czech classics through... View Article
Nowadays, beer lovers can turn to seasonal brews at virtually any time of the year. New season-specific styles, such as fresh hop and pumpkin ale, have taken a seat at the table with more reverent names such as oktoberbest, doppelbock and winter warmers. Many seasonals were originally brewed for celebrations, or when ambient conditions or... View Article
Cardinal Pale Ale This ale from Nebraska Brewing pours a golden straw color with a lacing head. Floral hops and background malt in the nose. A nice medium-bodied beer that shows some caramelized malt and good bittering hops. The finish has more of the floral notes encountered in the aroma. Cottonwood Endo IPA The beer... View Article
Judges at the 30th annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver handed out medals in 83 categories in September, but no beer type received more attention than pale ale. That’s because pale ale is divided into seven distinct categories for the annual judging to accommodate stylistic variations and the sheer volume of entries.
Avery 18 Dry Hopped Rye Saison This 8.12 percent alcohol by volume ABV Colorado beer pours a cloudy amber color with a respectable head. There is a hint of citrus to the floral nose. The flavor gives off touches of apple skin and a bit of the rye spice, without being too peppery. Plenty going... View Article
It is a sure sign that the pioneers of the American craft- brewing movement now have more than a few grey gray hairs. Last year Sierra Nevada celebrated its 30thth anniversary with a special four- beer series. Brewers like Avery (18), Great Divide (17) and Stone (15) are closer to their milestone 20thth anniversary than... View Article
To many, the discovery of Belgian beers is a moment of great enlightenment, and to those of us who came to know them long ago, they are still amazing. The integration of technology, moxie and charm forms a righteous trinity, one that is orchestrated in the brewhouse.
