12 Beers of Christmas | Day 1: Breckenridge Christmas Ale

ABV: 7.4%

Once upon a time, a time one day ago in fact, a single man braved the single worst element, wind, and walked the entire one block down to his favorite watering hole. Once he found a single seat at the bar, he knew it was time to make the #1 most important decision of his night: What will my first beer be? After scanning the droughts for one minute, his eyes finally came upon a single tap placed by its lonesome at the end of the bar, the tap for Breckenridge Christmas Ale. This was to be his first beer of the night. There was one thing amiss about the drought tap, however, atop it sat a single piece of paper. Taped to the back of the tap with one measly piece of Scotch tape, the single piece of paper simply read: “Christmas Ale : $1.” Read More

Ultimate 6er | Mayan Apocalypse

Beware ye, the end is Nye!

We have officially reached the end of our time on earth. Or so say the ancient Mayans, at least.

Friday, December 21, 2012 is the day we either rejoice for our lives or shudder with fear as we greet our demise. As for me, I’m down for a celebration. My last day on Mother Earth is going to be the biggest f’ing party I’ve ever seen! Why not go out with a bang, ya dig? Let’s all die with smiles on our faces.

So here ye, I propose this Ultimate 6er with all the appropriate themes of death.

In this order you shall enjoy these lovely brews before you revel in the face of the apocalypse. Read More

#9 | Magic Hat Brewing Co.

OMGeeeeeee! After a long awaited arrival, Magic Hat #9 is finally here! The first time I saw it sitting quietly in a liquor store cooler, I shrieked like a 10-year old school girl. Those of you from the East Coast have been able to get your hands on it for a while, and have tortured us less fortunate Coloradans with your tales of taste and complexity. But no more!

Read More

Winter Beers Poll

I can tell by my heat blanket, the frost on my windshield, and the seasonal obsession with soups that winter is undeniably upon us.  As such a host of winter beers have emerged once again.  Whether they are winter warmers, variant IPAs, spiced delights or holiday themed treats, there’s something special about what winter beers bring to the table.  We want to know your favorites so vote below in our Bitch Beer inspired poll!

Read More

Winter Warmer – Columbus Brewing Co.

Highland Brewing Co. | Black Mocha Stout

ABV: 5%

IBU: 25

I was lucky enough to come across Highland Brewing Company‘s Black Mocha Stout on a recent trip through Asheville. Sadly, I didn’t spend much time in the city, but I did manage to get through the giant Biltmore Estate, sample a few wines, and grab some dinner. Read More

Equinox Brewing – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Stout

ABV: 5.5%
IBU: 28

I don’t know about you, but I like delicious things. I also like beer. So, when I heard that Equinox Brewing was taking their already tasty Mr. Delicious Oatmeal Stout and turning it into a limited edition 10 gallon batch to create a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Stout, I freaked, and for good reason. I made it down to the brewery just in time (by the time I finished my one and only pint, it was gone).

Read More

Denver Bicycle Cafe- Beer and Bikes

Writer’s block.

I’m supposed to put together an article and my mind races for something to write about. A beer I’ve tried recently? Rantings from a brewery taproom? Perhaps a well put-together article about beer laws around the country and how the affect the beer-culture in those states. None of the above really gets me going and I continue to search for a topic until I realize what I really feel like writing about: beer and bikes.

Read More

Mississippi Brewing Co. – Mississippi Mud

For this week’s beer showcase, I present a twofer. That’s right, two beers in one. A Black and Tan (porter and pilsner) from Mississippi Brewing Company in Utica, NY called Mississippi Mud. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Breakfast Edition

If you’re drinking during breakfast, it’s probably either because you had a bad night or a great morning. Or maybe you just ran out of OJ. But whatever the reason may be, here are the six beers you need to start off your day.
Read More

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse- Weihnachts Bier

ABV 8.5% IBU 23 SRM 30

Chances are unless you have been to Germany you might not have had a traditional Weihnachts Bier. Pronounce veye-nuchts-beer, the name comes from the German word for Christmas, Weihnachten. This beer is traditionally seen during the advent, or 4 weeks before Christmas in Germany and is gaining popularity in the US. The huge malt bill creates a high ABV, great for warming up on those cold winter nights. Read More

Parade of Darks Recap

Every time we are fortunate enough to be invited to a beer event I am reminded of just how innovative, impressive, communal and delicious our beer community can be. Wynkoop’s Parade of Darks was no exception. With over 70 beers on tap ranging from amber to opaque colors, the benefit for MetroCareRing was the perfect way to usher in some fantastic winter warmers.

Read More

New Belgium Brewing- Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout

Lost in the shuffle in the more recent trends of sours, black IPAs, saisons, and old world recipes has been the foregone marriage of chocolate and coffee. Sure a few classic coffee beers are still hanging around shelves, or pop up infrequently from start up microbreweries, such as Renegade’s Sunday Morning.  But it seems like those coffee flavored brews have lost some of the hype.  New Belgium’s Imperial Coffee Stout definitely restores that swag.

Read More

Jester King- Noble King Steals the Jam

Some buddies and I have started a weekly jam session dubbed “Jam and Bomb”. We get together, drink bombers, and noodle around on our instruments. Usually the beer takes a back seat to the rock but this week the beer offered some pleasant surprises.

Read More

14th Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival

Two months ago, back when it was still 70 degrees and absolutely gorgeous outside, I went back to good ol’ Athens, Ohio, home of Ohio Brew Week, to check out the beers on tap at the 14^th Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival. For those of you who don’t know, the pawpaw is North America’s largest native tree fruit, and Southern Ohio is home to some of the largest and best tasting on the planet. I picked up my parents ’95 Jaguar and my good friend Bruce, and we headed out to Lake Snowden in Albany. Bruce was the optimal choice for a companion, as he was voted Athens 2^nd Best Bartender by The Athens News. Despite my parents having lived in Athens for the last 13 years, I had actually never been to the Pawpaw Festival before, and I was surprised by how many people were there. Read More

Stone Brewing’s- Lukcy Basartd

Pump the breaks on that spell checker, Stone’s Lukcy Basartd needs no correction.  After initially noticing the devious yet iconic demonic image on the front, beer purveyors need flip the bomber over to notice a hefty description about Lukcy Basartd’s origins. Oh and it should be noted that the entire description is also written in that same disjointed misspelled jargon.

Read More

Goose Island: In Memoriam

Goose Island was the first true craft beer I ever tried. It was a well-respected and widely available brand throughout the Chicago area, so it only made sense. 312 (named after the area code in which it was originally brewed) quickly became one of the first beers I would recommend to folks who aren’t traditionally fans of beer, or are looking to expand beyond the typical Bud or Miller products. Similar to most wheat beers, 312 is easy to drink and lacks the hoppy or malty impact of heavier beers. It’s not a great beer – it’s a great beginner’s beer.

Read More

Bridal Veil Rye Pale Ale – Telluride Brewing Co.

Image provided by Lauren Hoff of Napa of Beer

ABV: 5.5% IBUs: 65

Telluride Brewing Company took me by surprise. While visiting that oh-so-gorgeous mountain town, my friend and I stopped for dinner at Brown Dog Pizza after a long day of driving and hiking. Naturally, we decided a few beers were in order. We dove into their draft selection from Telluride Brewing Co. and never looked back. The Bridal Veil Rye Pale Ale is your link to the mountains we all dream of living in. Read More

Arcadia Ales – Cocoa Loco

IBUs: 39

ABV: 7.0%

When I saw my next beer showcase was due the day after Thanksgiving, and I found out we were going to Battle Creek, Michigan for the holiday, I knew I had to do a review on a beverage from Arcadia Ales. I could’ve chosen Dark Horse or Bells, but I’ve been going to Arcadia since before I could legally drink because in addition to their great beers, they also have some awesome brick oven pizza. So, on our way out of town today, we stopped. I had the Loch Down Scotch Ale, and my brother had their IPA. We also ordered two pepperoni pies. But what I was looking most forward to was one of the beers I brought home, their Cocoa Loco. Read More

Wynkoop’s Parade of Darks Welcomes Winter Dec 1st

Every year after the departure of Halloween is right around the time that I begin my own transition from IPAs, Saisons, and Pilsners toward the darker, heartier stouts, holiday beers, and the occasional porter.  Wynkoop Brewing looks to help usher in that same transition this weekend with their Parade of Darks beer holiday fundraiser.

Read More