Features
Scotland’s Sobering Stats
by Martin Morse WoosterNumbers can be suprising, as in the case of Scotland. Contrary to popular images, the descendants of blue-bottomed Braveheart aren’t any wilder in their drinking habits than their southern neighbors. In fact, in some repsects, the Scottish are considerably more conservative with their beer drinking, as well as their brand preferences.
Tartans and Tankards: Exploring the Craft Breweries of Scotland
by Martin Morse WoosterYou may have tried some beers from Scotland over the years—the powerfully malty Dark Island from the Orkney Brewery, or the unique range of beers from Heather Ales. Like most beer lovers, after trying these beers, you’re curious about where the beers come from and why they are what they are. What, after all, makes... View Article
Wine vs. Beer: The Head-to-Head Comparison
by Steve HolleFirst Gulp Wine 8,500-4,000 B.C., in Egypt Beer 4,300 BC., in Babylonia Home Soil Grapes must be grown in limited number of temperate climates. Numerous grains from many climates can be used in creating beer. Conversion Wine fermentation relies on sugar from grape juice. Brewer uses malt to prepare barleycorn for conversion to sugar. Extras... View Article
Wine vs. Beer: In Vino Veritas. (In Beer, Refreshment.)
by Steve HolleFor all the similarities that exist in making beer and wine, consumers’ perception of the two beverages couldn’t be further apart. For too many people, beer is the inexpensive, generic, blue-collar drink of the masses that washes down brats and burgers and celebrates mundane victories, like a sub-90 round of golf. On the other hand,... View Article
Starting Your Own Brewery Collection
by Dave GausepohlI’ll never forget it. It was the summer between fourth and fifth grade when I toured my first brewery. My father knew a salesman from the George Wiedemann Brewery in Newport, KY. We met up with him one afternoon and toured the brewery. At the end of the tour, my father sampled a few beers... View Article
Holiday Housewarmers
by Gregg GlaserHoliday beers. Christmas beers. Winter beers. Whatever name they’re given by their makers, these bigger-than-usual, once-a-year ales and lagers are tasty examples of the brewer’s high art. It’s an age-old tradition for European brewers to make big, bold, special beers at the end of the year, both for the holidays themselves and the cold winter... View Article
NoFibs Takes a Stand
by Roger ProtzI don’t know if the word “fib” exists in American English, but on this side of the Pond it means an unimportant, inconsequential lie. Purists and prelates may argue that a lie is a lie in any language, and that point has been underscored by the creation in Britain of an organization known as “NoFibs.”... View Article
Columns
Departments
Imperial IPAs: Always Original
by K. Florian KlempBorn during the Industrial Revolution, out of necessity and fueled by novelty, India pale ale is the subject of a 300-year-old saga that remains an unfinished book. The abridged version of British brewers sending their hoppy, fortified pale ales to troops in India is merely the veneer of this rich legacy.
Philly: Town With a Thirst for Liberty
by Paul RuschmannWhen we were growing up in New Jersey, our families never thought of vacationing in Philadelphia: on weekends, we went to the Shore. Those were the days before “weekend escapes.” And long before we became beer travelers.
Beer Talk
Star Brew 2810
by - -Marin Brewing Co. Larkspur, CA Available: CA, OR Comment: Marin Brewing Co. is a brewpub that was founded in 1989. Star Brew was first brewed in 1992 to celebrate the leap year. The second batch, brewed in 1996, again to celebrate the leap year, went on to win gold at the World Beer Cup, and... View Article
Spoetzl Shiner 96
by - -Spoetzl Brewery, Inc. Shiner, TX Available: AR, AZ, CA, IA, MD, MN, OH, OK, TX, WA, WI, WY Comment: Shiner 96 a limited–edition, authentic Märzen-style brew. The commemorative ale is a tribute to the brewery’s 96-year history and reminiscent of the craft beers that first poured out of the “little brewery” in 1909. Shiner 96... View Article
Weihenstephan Korbinian
by - -Weihenstephan Brewing Co. Weihenstephan, Germany Imported by Bavaria House, Wilmington, NC Available: AL, AZ, CA, CN, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WA, WI. Comment: Weihenstephan is the oldest operating brewery in the world and home of... View Article
Hop Hog IPA
by - -Lancaster Brewing Co. Lancaster, PA Available: MD, NJ, PA, VA Comment: Lancaster Brewing calls it their “hoppiest” beer to date. Alcohol (wt.): 6,29 Alcohol (vol.): 7.9 Color: Copper Bitterness: 55 Original Gravity: 17 Final Gravity: n/a Malts used: Two Row Malt, Caramel 40, Ashburn Mild Hops used: Fuggles, Cascade
Atomium Premier Grand Cru
by - -Atomium Brewing Co. Belgium Imported by: Morgan Imports Chicago, IL Available: IL, IN Comment: A Belgian golden ale, Atomium’s Premier Grand Cru is created through a unique 6-grain production process that uses spelt, rye, malted barley, maize, wheat and buckwheat. Alcohol (wt.): 6.37 Alcohol (vol.): 8 Color: Golden Bitterness: n/a Original Gravity: n/a Final Gravity:... View Article
Erdinger Oktoberfest Weizen
by - -Erdinger Brewing Co. Available: All States Alcohol (wt.): n/a Alcohol (vol.): n/a Color: n/a Bitterness: n/a Original Gravity: n/a Final Gravity: n/a Malts used: n/a Hops used: Hallertau
London Porter
by - -The Meantime Brewing Company, Ltd. London, England Available: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MD, NC, OH, PA, VA, WI Comment: Meantime Brewing Co. takes it’s name from Greenwich, where it is located. Seven malts go into Meantime’s London Porter, helping recreate a recipe of 1750. Alcohol (wt.): 5.17 Alcohol (vol.): 6.5 Color:... View Article
Frostbite Ale
by - -Lake Placid Brewing Co. Lake Placid, NY Available: NJ, NY, PA, VT Alcohol (wt.): 5.4 Alcohol (vol.):6.8% Color: Deep copper Bitterness: 60 Original Gravity: n/a Final Gravity: n/a Malts used: n/a Hops used: Amarillo
Old Numbskull
by - -AleSmith Brewing Co. San Diego, CA Available: AZ, CA, MA, OH, OR, MA Comment: Old Numbskull is AleSmith’s first barley wine offering. Alcohol (wt.): 8 Alcohol (vol.): 10 Color: n/a Bitterness: n/a Original Gravity: 1100 Final Gravity: 1026 Malts used: Maris Otter, crystal malt Hops used: Fuggles, Goldings and “a new English variety that is... View Article
Zoetzuur Flemish Reserve
by - -deProefbrouwerij Lochristi, Belgium Imported by: Seattle, WA Available: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, OR, OH, WA Comment: Zoetzuur is Flemish for “sweet-sour.” The beer is fermented with two yeasts—Saccharomyces and (semi-wild) Brettanomyces. Prior to final fermentation a hint of kriek (black cherry) is added. Alcohol (wt.): 5.6 Alcohol (vol.): 7 Color: amber/reddish Bitterness: 21 Original... View Article
Pipers Scotch Ale
by - -Sprecher Brewing Co., Inc. Glendale, WI Available: IL, WI Comment: Sprecher Scotch Ale is a top-fermented ale created by blending seven different varieties of malts with several types of hops in a multi-step mash process. Alcohol (wt.): 6.6 Alcohol (vol.): 8.27 Color: red/brown Bitterness: 21 Original Gravity: 1072 Final Gravity: n/a Malts used: Aromatic, Caramel,... View Article
Hoptical Illusion IPA
by - -Blue Point Brewing Co. Patchogue, NY Available: MA, MD, NY, PA Comment: This American-style IPA features a rare (unnamed) hop exclusively grown on a farm in Oregon. Offered in six packs and on draft. Alcohol (wt.): 5.0 Alcohol (vol.): 6.3 Color: n/a Bitterness: 60 Original Gravity: 1060 Final Gravity: n/a Malts used: n/a Hops used:... View Article