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Beer Showcases

PD’s own dissect beer. Leave the pretentiousness on the curb.

Urban Chestnut Brewing Company | Big Shark Lemon Radler

April 30, 2018 |

Love. We all need love, right? I love a few things in life. Aside from my beautiful wife and the kids she claims are mine, my other great loves are biking and beer, or beer and biking. Now, in St. Louis it’s impossible to have one ‘favorite’ brewery, but I do have one favorite bike shop. I’ve been buying bikes from Mike Weiss and Big Shark for 20 years. They are MY bike shop. So, when I learned that my favorite bike shop was teaming up with one of my favorite breweries — Urban Chestnut, I may have teared up a bit. Really. A tear was shed.
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Rivertown Brewing | Raspberry Flicker

April 27, 2018 |

The first time I tasted Rivertown Brewing’s Raspberry Flicker in their airy Monroe, Ohio, taproom on a sunny day in late January, it reminded me of childhood. I realize that’s an odd thing to say about an alcoholic beverage, but stay with me. No, my childhood did not involve me throwing back refreshing lagers. But it did involve raspberries.

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Red Rock Brewing | Le Quatre Saison

April 26, 2018 |

How do you define style these days? When we think of a head brewer with style, we think of Kevin Templin. He has been crafting some of our state’s most iconic brews before we even knew what good beer really was. You see, Templin led Salt Lake City’s Red Rock Brewing team as Head Brew Master for just about the past two decades. When we finally woke up and peered into the world of craft beer, Templin was one of the first professional brewers we met. We once wandered a beer fest with this guy and people simply gravitated to him. Silly enough, it was an honor to see him work the room (or should we say “tents”). He didn’t think of himself as a celebrity, but we were certainly in a bit of awe hanging out with him. Admittedly, the intimidation of his beer knowledge captivated us. Yet it turns out; this suds veteran effortlessly balances connections within all levels of experience in the trade. Read More

Altamont Beer Works | Green Collar Pale Ale

April 25, 2018 |

As I write this, the Oakland Athletics are celebrating their 50th year in Oakland. Sadly I wasn’t able to make it to the game, but luckily I snagged a few cans of Green Collar. While the players were at Spring Training, an all-star team was brewing. Serious A’s fans, Altamont Beer Works and Mraz Brewing teamed up to create this home run of a pale ale. Read More

Heist Brewery | Blurred Is The Word IPA

April 24, 2018 |

There comes a time where the lines between “I’ll take another one of those” and “wow, what was the ABV on this again?” become blurred. We’ve all been there and I’d have to say it is a rare feat that is ultimately welcomed. Of course, when browsing a draft list or tap menu, you may take a glance but it’s rare you care to remember the ABV once you order and take a sip or two. Heist Brewery has successfully delivered this experience time and time again with their periodic staple, Blurred Is The Word. Read More

Five Boroughs Brewing Co. | Dry-Hopped Gose

April 20, 2018 |

Recently, I packed up my downtown life and moved to Brooklyn. One of the biggest benefits by far is the easy access I have to craft breweries in the boroughs. A quick ride down Third Ave. leads me to my newest discovery of the barely-one-year-old, but definitely bad-ass, Five Boroughs Brewing Co. and their Dry Hopped Gose.

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Platform Beer Co. | Haze Jude

April 19, 2018 |

The New England IPA (NEIPA) was once only available via bottle trades or to those willing to wait in long lines. But that has slowly started to change because larger breweries are making this style and distributing them in much larger volumes. That’s good news to those that previously couldn’t get their hands on these beers. However, it is worth asking if the large scale production can mimic what made this style so unique and special. Cleveland’s Platform Beer Haze Jude helped answer that question.

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Banded Oak Brewing | Cabernet Barrel Aged Belgian Dark Strong Ale

April 18, 2018 |

I like to consider myself an equal opportunity imbiber. My preference is beer, sure, but there’s no denying the fun that comes along with whiskey or a bottle of wine. The sweet spot, then, is barrel-aged beers: after all, what better way to improve upon a brew than to stuff another form of alcohol into it? Barrel-aged beers are like Turduckens, except your resulting sleepiness is due to a high ABV instead of tryptophan.

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Bottle Logic Brewing | Roll For Initiative

April 17, 2018 |

It is important to first realize that Bottle Logic Brewing was founded only five years ago in 2013 and they have been doing big things ever since. Their tasting room opened its doors just a year later, and in 2015 they were ranked up on BeerAdvocate’s ‘Best New Beer’ list. It’s no surprise that their initiative and passion has led them to plans for a tasting room expansion later this year to accommodate the beer heads that come from all over to try their stuff.

Bottle Logic has never been afraid to rewrite the rules and live on the edge with their beers. Their mantra is “Process and Science Reduced to Art and Magic,” and they have lived up to it without a doubt. Easily their most popular and most sought after series is the Stasis Project. Focusing on barrel-aged masterpieces, Stasis has released some of the most incredibly complex and sought after stouts in the secondary market. It may only be less than a week until Space Trace releases, but people are still reeling over the last and newest addition to the Stasis lineup, Roll for Initiative. I did not miss this release, and I knew before it touched my lips that this would be my next beer showcase. Here’s why…
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Cleophus Quealy Beer Company | Framboos (2017)

April 16, 2018 |

Before I was a #LadyWhoDrinksCraftBeer, I was really into wine. Wine was so important that I contemplated studying to be a sommelier. One day, I discovered Flanders red ales and the rest is history! Over the years, I’ve discovered different types of brews that tickle my fancy and many that I could do without. I have an appreciation for tart, funky beers and Cleophus Quealy Beer Company’s Framboos hits the spot every single time!
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Holy Mountain Brewing | Afterswarm

April 13, 2018 |

If you’re a beer drinker in Seattle, you’re a Holy Mountain Brewing drinker in Seattle. It’s as simple as that. Even in a city renowned for its thriving and creative craft beer scene, Holy Mountain effortlessly stands out thanks to a niche it has filled in the heavily-hopped Pacific Northwest market: Holy Mountain is your go-to for great Belgian styles, or any beer that has been flirting with mixed fermentations or barrel-aged ingredients. One of Holy Mountain’s latest releases, Afterswarm, is an ideal case-in-point.

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BadWolf Brewing Company | Clara’s Vanilla Porter

April 12, 2018 |

Spring is here but that doesn’t mean porters should disappear from your lineup, notably something that’s light, slightly sweet and beloved in your hometown. Personally, I was shocked when I saw that I hadn’t profiled this Clara’s Vanilla Porter from BadWolf Brewing Company, located steps from my home in Manassas, Virginia.

I’ve been enjoying this beer during Friday night date nights with my husband for months now, thrilled with its low ABV and full body.

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Dry Dock Brewing Co. | Coffee Stout

April 11, 2018 |

Being the type of guy who thoroughly loves learning, I recently decided to pursue my Master’s degree. I often second guess my reasoning for adding this onto my already hectic schedule. Even though I know that it will open future options and career endeavors I think subconsciously I enjoy being a life-long college student. My weeks have been transitioning to early morning wake-ups and late night study sessions. A couple months ago, I found myself at my local Starbucks, head in a book, and stressing over a late assignment and my favorite Americano was motivating me as much as I expect. I packed up my bag and headed to my local Aurora brewery for a beer to take my mind away from my never ending studying.

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Soulcraft Brewing | Coconut Milk Stout

April 10, 2018 |

The idea came to him in a dream. Soulcraft Brewing’s head brewmaster Mike LaCroix was so focused on brainstorming different kinds of beers to open the brewery with in November 2016 that it continued as he slept. He woke up and thought, let’s do a really great Coconut Milk Stout. And he did. Read More

Amundsen Bryggeri | Apocalyptic Thunder Juice

April 9, 2018 |

I’m nominating Apocalyptic Thunder Juice, the latest delight from Norway’s Amundsen Bryggeri, as the Official Juice of the ThunderCats. If this beer was available 30 years ago, that band of ninja felines would surely have partaken in a few after battling Mumm-Ra. And just look at the can artwork. It is safe to say that the ancients responsible for such totems could have been inspired by bipedal cats from outer space.

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Bonn Place Brewing Company | Intergalacto Cooler

April 6, 2018 |

I’m not going to lie to you. When it comes to Bonn Place Brewing Company, I’m about as biased as it gets. The beer is beautifully crafted, the taproom is cozy and the owners, Sam and Gina Masotto, are some of the warmest, friendliest people you’ll ever want to meet. If I lived a little closer, they would never get me to leave! When I heard that Bonn Place tapped Intergalacto Cooler this week, I headed to Bethlehem, PA for a visit.
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HenHouse Brewing Co. | Oyster Stout

April 5, 2018 |

I usually save stouts and porters for winter; you know, when it’s freezing and all you want to do is sip on something that’s full of chocolate, coffee and all things right in the world. But you’re going to want to drink this HenHouse Brewing Oyster Stout all year round.

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Walking Tree Brewery | Le Frog Aged in Red Wine Barrels

April 4, 2018 |

Depending where you are, spring has us shivering or sun bathing. Either way, it is time for the season to bring us new beers to enjoy! A French-style saison from Walking Tree Brewery with a unique twist caught my interest and they delivered a saison that automatically makes your pinky rise while drinking it. It is that fancy. Read More

Zipline Brewing Co. | Copper Alt

April 3, 2018 |

It is paradoxical that a long and happy life means you get to watch your parents age and die. It should be said that death is—hopefully—still years off for my parents, but it now lingers under every conversation like a guest who has long worn out their welcome. February brought for me an unplanned and unscheduled trip to my home state of Nebraska to look after my ailing parents. In a strange coincidence, all of this took place during the church season liturgical Christians observe called Lent, during which, among other things, we embrace the reality of our own mortality.

Countless others before me have had to navigate the vast, barren seascapes of the wintry Midwest in order to be delivered the gut-punch of their parents’ transience. But when it comes to commiseration in a glass, what is a craft beer lover to do? Thanks to the craft beer explosion, even in the more sparse stretches of America’s breadbasket, one is rarely more than 30 minutes away from solid craft beer. Enter Zipline Brewing Company’s Copper Alt. Read More

Tree House Brewing Company | Lights On

April 2, 2018 |

“Shipping up to Boston!” is a phrase that was uttered more times than I dared to count during my most recent trip — an overnight stay in the famed New England coastal city. It was St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and I snagged two tickets to see Dropkick Murphys perform the first night of their hometown holiday show at the House of Blues in Boston. The idea of expanding our trip to include lobster rolls, “chowdah” and amazing beer was too sweet to pass up, and drinking Lights On from Tree House helped put this trip over the top.
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