Anderson Valley Brewing Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout

ABV: 6.9%

IBU: 14

I grew up on a farm in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Every day to and from school, we would pass one of Anderson County’s two distilleries. The smell of mash in the morning still brings back a flood of childhood memories. So when I heard that Anderson Valley produced a beer aged in an Anderson County batch of Bourbon barrels, I was naturally rather intrigued. I am a serious Bourbon drinker and, quite honestly, know more about Bourbon than I do beer. You grow up with it, you tend to learn a few things.

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Bells Brewery Hopslam

Bell’s Brewery- Hopslam

ABV: 10%

IBU: 90

When considering the progress India Pale Ales have made in the American beer drinking culture while also crediting the rise … Read More

Ultimate 6er | Summer Movie Beer Pairings

As we inch into the sunny days of May, the impending summer vacation for teachers beams like a beacon of hope, eclipsing the flickering fluorescent lights and mounting stacks of ungraded papers. As teachers, my wife (Sarah) and I use the summer months as we did as children – as a time for relaxation and recreation (albeit with supplemental jobs and some mandatory professional development trainings scattered about). But we travel, stay up a little later, work in our garden, and try to cram everything into that brief span when students aren’t around. Read More

Dry Dock Brewery Hop Abomination

Hop Abomination

Dry Dock Brewery

ABV: 6.5%

IBU: 70

Typically, when it comes to drinking beer, my rule is the more IBU’s the better. IBUs represent bitterness. Bitterness represents hops. … Read More

Chicago Gears Up For Inaugural American Beer Classic

Chicago’s Soldier Field has hosted a lot of events since it opened in 1924. Besides the Bears, it has hosted college football, ice hockey, World Cup soccer and even the Rolling Stones. But May 11^th will be a first for the stadium when the inaugural American Beer Classic takes center stage.

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Iron Throne Blonde Ale – Ommegang Brewery

ABV: 6.5%
IBU: N/A

I’m conflicted; after months of anticipation and searching high & low to find it, I paid the iron price for what was almost assuredly going to be one of my new favorite drinks. But after tracking for Ommegang’s Game of Thrones partnership Iron Throne Blonde Ale, I felt a little let down.

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Cult Beers Part 2

A few months ago we brought you part one of cult beers.  In today’s installment we touch on Dogfish Head, Yuengling, and a couple sours that’ll make you beer drool while packing a pucker.

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New Belgium Brewing Company – Blue Paddle

Blue Paddle – New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO

ABV: 4.6%

IBU: 33

Available: WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, AZ, CO, NM, TX, KS, NE, SD, ND, … Read More

What to Wear to the Kentucky Derby

Dressing for the Kentucky Derby is arguably one of the trickiest fashion endeavors of the year. For ladies on Halloween, if the packaging said ‘sexy’ and it was totally inappropriate … Read More

Aviator Brewing Company – Hogwild India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.7%

IBU: a lot (per their website)

Last weekend I went home and, because my parents were in Denver (jealous!), the fridge was pretty empty food wise. Lucky for me there was plenty of beer though! There was the usual Yuengling, some Great Lakes, and then I saw it: Aviator Brewing Company’s Devils Tramping Ground Tripel. Unfortunately, that’s not what I’m reviewing tonight. However, I am showcasing another Aviator beer, their Hogwild India Pale Ale. Read More

Hombrewing – Green Bullet Saison Part 2

As the weather has gotten warmer I have been craving a light tart saison. Currently I have brewed three of them that are aging away. Recently, I bottled one that was exclusively hopped with Green Bullet hops. I wanted to sit down and post a tasting of this beer.

This beer was brewed back in early January. Here you can see my recipe and brew day notes. The beer is a straightforward take on saison with a base of pilsner malt and some Vienna and wheat to add a bit of complexity. I chose the Green Bullet hops as they are a dual purpose hop that provide ample bittering and aroma. This beer was the first beer that I have gotten a chance to use my new floor corker. Overall I was impressed with the look and the feel of the caged and corked bottles. I do think I added a little too much sugar at bottling as the bottle gushed a bit as I opened it.

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Great American Beer Festival Ticket Sales Announced

The 2013-2014 year is going to be HUGE for craft beer in the state of Colorado.  This year Denver will play host to the Craft Brewer’s Conference, the World Beer … Read More

Highland Brewing Company Kashmir IPA

Highland Brewing Company Kashmir IPA

(6.0% ABV, 60 IBU)

Ashveille, North Carolina has been put on the national craft beer map as of late with the expansion of large western brewing operations to the east coast. Asheville (and the surrounding area) now calls itself home to New Belgium, Oskar Blues, and Sierra Nevada. However, it is Asheville’s own Highland Brewing Company, who have been brewing in this area since the first craft beer boom in the mid-90s, that gets the spotlight in today’s review with their Kashmir IPA.

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Boulevard Brewing Co – Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company – Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale

ABV: 8.5%

IBU: 38

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Lore Brewing Company | Derby Brown Ale

ABV: 5% | IBU: 40

WARNING: Cheesy horse racing references and puns abound in this review. There are also two allusions to How Stella Got Her Groove Back. I apologize in advance.

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Backlash Beer Co’s Salute Epitomizes Boston Spirit

Although this may not be obvious all the time, the reason why I started writing here is not because I love the Boston beer scene and think it is special and you should be aware of it, though I do. It is because I think Boston, the city, is special, and I humbly hoped I could transmit a little bit of that emotion through my beer writing.

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Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout 2013 Odd Year Release

Getting a Woody – Fifty Fifty Brewing Eclipse

Fifty Fifty Brewing Eclipse Elijah Craig 12 Year Imperial Stout

Style: Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

ABV: 9.5%

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Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

North Coast Brewing  – Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

ABV: 9%

IBU: 75

I consider this to be THE Russian Imperial Stout. The Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout brand image is a drawing of Rasputin, the infamous Mad Monk, with a phrase in Russian encircling it – A sincere friend is not born instantly. I beg to differ with this sentiment as I found a quick liquid ‘friend’ in this dark, dry stout from just a few gulps. I’m telling you, on these Colorado cold evenings, this brew can hypnotize you with its healing powers of warmth.  Much like Rasputin and his mysteries of healing magic, many are unsure how this ale makes you feel different after just a few pulls, but it really does evoke a sense of liquid sorcery in every sip.

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Ultimate 6er – Mad Men

In honor of its return to the airwaves, and sticking with my television theme, I opted to focus today’s article on the main characters of AMC’s hit period drama Mad Men. All I can say is, I hope this 6er is better than their previews this season.

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