Over the last few years we’ve seen a veritable boom in the number of craft beer establishments around the country, including many that specialize in artisanal foods. And with this growth, we’ve also seen another development: a newfound appreciation of cask-conditioned beer.
21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer: Cloudy gold color with a direct red watermelon nose. Small, but persistent head. Very drinkable. The watermelon flavor is subdued with a slight hint of the rind in this 4.9 percent ABV beer. A perfect warm weather poolside brew from California. Hangar 24 Orange Wheat: Cloudy yellow... View Article
The United States Department of Agriculture’s food pyramid suggests that we all consume two to four servings of fruit daily. I’m relatively certain that fruit beers don’t qualify, but with a wonderful fruity lambic or wheat beer in hand, one can dream.
Though beer styles have evolved relatively recently, all have tangible connections to more ancient brews through ingredients or methods. Brewers were bound by resources and climate on one hand; and regional heritage, pride and individualism on the other. For altbier, the indigenous brew of Düsseldorf, it is a combination of all those factors. Obliged to... View Article
Everyone remembers that one bottle of beer that awakened their thirst for beer knowledge. Mine was Sans Culottes from La Choulette. At the time I had no idea what a bière de garde was, but with my high school French I knew that the beer’s name literally meant “without underwear” and it bought back memories... View Article
La Bavaisienne Ambrée A straight forward bière de garde from France’s oldest farmhouse brewery, Theillier. This bière has a rustic simplicity that speaks volumes. La Bavaisienne Ambrée embraces earth, caramel, dust and holds a slight iron taste with some barnyard funk. This is a bière de garde by which all others should be measured. (7%... View Article
For those planning on visiting the region, this is not a touristy part of France; being able to speak some basic French would be very helpful. The French don’t even visit this area, as they prefer the sexier south of France. Nord-Pas-de-Calais is often described as the industrial part of France, but nothing could be... View Article
Bison Organic Chocolate Stout: Deep brown color with a thin tan head opens this 5 percent ABV brew. This stout has a drier, baker’s chocolate flavor profile, with a slight cigar finish. Deschutes Black Butte XXI: This 11 percent ABV porter is brewed with coffee beans and cocoa nibs, and 20 percent of the beer... View Article
The next time you order a coffee or a chocolate drink, you might not be in a coffee house. Starbucks may not like to admit it, but a growing number of people are turning to brewers instead of baristas for their daily fix.
