Destihl Brewery | Here Gose Nothin’ (Wild Sour Series)

ABV: 5%
IBU: 12

Ahh, the Gose (goes). Or is it Gose (go-say)? It’s actually Gose (go-suh), preferably pronounced with a nice German gutteral G. An old style originating from Leipzig, Germany, the gose is named after the river Gose in Lower Saxony. Light, tart and refreshing, this style is the only one brewed with salted water, and traditionally contains coriander. Seeing goses hit the shelves and appear on draft is as much a sign of Spring as budding flowers and bright green leaves on trees. This style also makes for an excellent shower beer. Read More

DC Brau-Oskar Blues Collaboration | Smells Like Freedom

The last Thursday in February came and went in Washington, D.C., just as it did elsewhere across the rest of the United States. But Feb. 26, 2015, was a notable date among the residents of the District for one particular number: 71.

This was the day Initiative 71, which legalized the possession of certain amounts of personal marijuana, was implemented by the city. Whatever regulatory views individuals residents of the District actually hold, this initiative’s implementation furthered support of “home rule,” which is the concept that D.C. residents should govern their own affairs, without full federal interaction. Read More

Uinta Brewing | Bristlecone Brown Ale

ABV 4%
25 IBU

One day, Uinta Brewery (you-INN-tah, to be perfectly clear on pronunciation), nestled between the Salt Lake City metro area and The Great Salt Lake itself, brewed a toasty, warm and earthen brown ale. It was delicious, and they christened it “Bristlecone” after the mighty, ancient alpine tree.

Read More

White Rabbit Brewery | Dark Ale

ABV: 4.9% | IBU: 27

Australia is in many ways a few steps behind the U.S. Weed legalization, even for medicinal purposes, is a foreign concept, clotheslines and sunshine are preferred over dryers, and chunky heeled shoes straight out of Clarissa Explains it All litter the streets. I worried that beer quality would follow suit. I pictured a land where the craft beer movement had not infiltrated, and the macro beers of the 90’s flowed freely, just at much higher prices. I was right about the prices ($11 for a pint?!), but I was wrong about the beer. Although Melbourne sits at the base of some of the most celebrated wine country in the world, amongst the bountiful grapes I have discovered many spunky little craft breweries busy quenching the thirst of Aussie hop heads like myself.

Read More

Red Rock Brewery | Elephino

8% ABV

The evolution of a hophead: You drink pils and lagers until your beer geek friend offers up a Uinta Cutthroat or Squatters Full Suspension (not hoppy by today’s standards). You take the first sip and ….. BOOM! Flashback to Keystone’s Bitter Beer Face campaign from the 90’s. Then you avoid the crazy ‘bitter beers’ for years, maybe even a decade, only to try one when there are no tame options. Read More

Peticolas Brewing Co.| The DUKE

ABV: 12% | IBU: 35

They say Texans are crazy and indeed we are. For one the weather in Texas can be quite temperamental, going from incredible warm sunny days and then dropping to freezing temps on another.

Luckily for us, the weather has been in our favor lately. So good, that it’s allowed for nights on the patio accompanied by great friends, a craft beer in hand and Cards Against Humanity mayhem. Causing for one heck of a hilarious and memorable game night! Read More

Green Bench Brewing Co. | St. Petersburg, Florida

Come have a seat at St. Petersburg, Florida’s Green Bench Brewing Co., where you’ll feel like a local among the large warehouse taproom, friendly bartenders and large outdoor space for playing bocce, listening to music or catching an outdoor movie.

Read More

Squatters Brewery | Wellied Irish Style Stout

ABV: 4%  IBU: 15

Step aside, fiery shots of Irish whiskey; move away, dastardly rounds of Irish car bombs! If you find yourself in search of some easier drinking this St. Patty’s Day, Squatters Wellied Irish Style Stout is the perfect solution, especially if you or some friends want to partake in traditional Irish-style imbibing with a lower risk factor. For a jet-black style, this beer drinks light and easy, and with only 4% alcohol by volume, the decision is probably less likely to backfire on you the next morning.

Read More

Kannah Creek Brewing Co. | Crossed Irons

ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 30

If you’re an experienced fan of craft beer, I bet there are a few seasonal beer releases you look forward to every year. Maybe you’re waiting for a big and burly barrel-aged stout, a strong holiday ale, or perhaps a super-hoppy triple IPA that people wait hours to taste. While I love many of these beers, today I’d like to suggest an understated spring release from Colorado’s Kannah Creek Brewing Company, Crossed Irons. Granted, an Irish Red isn’t the type of brew that usually has people lining up around the block, but how about one that supports a good cause? Read More

Broken Compass Brewing Company | Coconut Porter

ABV: 6.5%  IBU: 27

When thinking of craft beers, coconut usually isn’t the first ingredient that comes to mind. Unless you’re sipping on Broken Compass Brewing Company’s flagship Coconut Porter, then … Read More

Evil Twin/Other Half Brewing | Beat It, Nerd!

ABV: 6.66%

While I was taking on Shredder as Donatello, and then later waiting in line for a chance at the original Pac-Man, I found myself accurately dubbed both gaming AND beer nerd in the dark, cavernous room on 24th street known as Barcade. Although positioned as a provider of hard-to-find arcade treasures, its extensive and ever changing craft beer list also brings in the highly obsessed brewery-type-folk looking to get their local fix.

Read More

Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity | Bell’s Brewing Co.

Bell’s Brewing Co.

Jupiter – The Bringer of Jollity

Imperial Brown Ale

ABV: 8.0%

On February 22, I gladly welcomed the fourth Bell’s Brewing Planet Series, Jupiter, into Cincinnati, … Read More

Portside Distillery and Brewery | 216

ABV: 5.7%

For many readers and imbibers, Cleveland may not be the city that first pops up in a conversation about craft beer. Granted, it is not of Denver’s or Portland’s magnitude when it comes to the industry. Despite that, Cleveland and its surrounding environs have blossomed over the past decade when it comes to the quantity and quality of the beer the region produces. You have Great Lakes Brewing Company in greater Cleveland, Thirsty Dog in Akron, and I have also name-dropped a few other places on this wonderful website. Today, I shall provide you with another more recent addition to the beer scene in this fair city: Portside Distillery and Brewery. Their main beer is aptly labeled 216, after the area code familiar to those living in Cleveland.

Read More

Perennial Artisan Ales | Abraxas

ABV: 10% IBU: 80

Abraxas from Perennial Artisan Ales here in St. Louis is 750 milliliters of cult following. The release day this past year included a parking … Read More

Iron Horse Brewery | Mocha Death

ABV: 7.0%

As I write this showcase, it’s a Sunday night, I’m behind on work, and my flight to a conference leaves in about six hours. Given those realities, it’s not really surprising that I’ve reached for a bomber of Iron Horse Brewery’s Mocha Death to sooth my nerves. The thought of coffee, chocolate, and dark beer wrapped into one promises to calm my frazzled mind and besides, bottles with skulls on them are always more appealing. Read More

Ballast Point | Victory At Sea

Brewery- Ballast Point (San Diego, CA)
Style- Imperial Porter
Availability- Limited Release
ABV- 10%
IBU- 60

It is hard to top the month of March in my book. Birthdays, March Madness, St. Patty’s…and Snow Days. Looking back on my last birthday snow day, I have to go quite a ways back to 5th grade. This birthday ranks among the best albeit for different reasons, namely Super Mario Tennis on the N64. Who could be bothered to go outside when you have characters to unlock, friends to beat and aces to serve!?

Fast forward to today, and while the glory of adolescent gaming has shifted to become a thing of the past, there are battles that have been won on this March 6. Working (a term loosely used today) from home allows such posts to be written leisurely and motivated with a fine beverage at hand. Tapping into my Valentine’s Day Weekend loot of hard to find bottles has brought out today’s first Victory at Sea, an Imperial Porter by Ballast Point. Read More

Magic Hat Brewing Co. | Single Chair Golden Ale

ABV: 5%
IBU: 17

March is here, which means Spring Skiing! After the abysmal weather on the east coast ruined three separate ski attempts, I’m FINALLY getting a chance to get on the slopes in the East Coast. While the East in general has a reputation for tighter runs and icier conditions, they balance that out with community minded hills and a bit more of hellfire spirit (how else do you explain Bode Miller?). Few places embrace that spirit more than Mad River Glen, who provide the namesake to Magic Hat’s Single Chair Golden Ale.

Read More

Epic Brewing | Pfeifferhorn Lager

5.3% ABV

When I stopped at the Utah state-owned liquor store last night after a day on the slopes, the label of Epic Brewing’s Pfeifferhorn Lager stood out, what with its powder-covered peak imagery. Named after the 11,326 foot Pfeifferhorn Peak, a.k.a Little Matterhorn, which overlooks the Salt Lake Valley, this beer’s label proclaims that its namesake’s “craggy summit lures hikers and skiers year round.” Read More

Renegade Brewing Company | Elevation Triple IPA

In honor of 303 Day, we re-visit one of our favorite Denver beers, Renegade’s Elevation Triple IPA

11.2 % ABV, 100+ IBUs

Elevation Triple IPA was the first beer I ever had from Renegade Brewing Company and it can easily be compared to learning to swim by being thrown in the deep end. While it is a big beer in terms of style and ABV, the flavor is surprisingly hospitable and constantly making you want more. Elevation is a beer I love sharing with people getting into craft beer. A couple years ago, my younger brother suspiciously tried a can and now I never make a trip home to Indiana without a 4-pack in my bag for him.

Read More

Jackie O’s | Razz Wheat

Jackie O’s Razz Wheat is certainly not a new beer, but it was just released in cans for the first time a couple weeks ago. Although it’s on tap year-round here in Athens, OH, Razz Wheat reminds me of summertime and sitting on Jackie O’s back patio. And during this brutal winter, I couldn’t be wishing for anything more!

Read More