Thunderhead Brewing Company – Cropduster

ABV: 6.5%

IBU: 65

Remember when I told you that for Christmas my mom bought my dad a craft beer subscription, and that every 3 months he gets a 12 pack with four different beers? Well it turns out it was kind of a gift for me too, because this is the 2nd one I’ve had the chance to review. Thunderhead Brewing Company Cropduster is a Mid-American IPA out of Kearney, Nebraska. While the name may not be the most flattering, it certainly makes sense coming from the heart of the U.S. agriculture sector. Read More

Avery Brewing Summer’s Day IPA

Avery Brewing Summer’s Day IPA

6.5% ABV

There used to be something magical about those childhood summers spent playing outside all day with neighborhood friends and returning home to a cold refreshing juice box. Avery Brewing’s Summer’s Day IPA is the adult version of quenching your thirst with one of those nostalgic Hi-C Ecto Coolers.

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Epic Brewing – Escape to Colorado IPA

Epic Brewing – Escape to Colorado IPA

ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 55

Epic Brewing out of Salt Lake City, UT will open it’s second location in Denver in a little over a month.  We’ll have more on that soon, but in honor of their arrival to the Mile High City, they released four Colorado inspired brews last month.

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Deschutes – Fresh Squeezed IPA

Nearly every weekend I enjoy hitting the local shops in search of the latest brews from around the country. An unabashed IPA fanatic and admittedly obnoxious beer freshness advocate, I’m … Read More

Flying Fish Brewing Co. – Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA

ABV: 8.2%

IBU: 62

When it comes to choosing beers, I am generally a stylistic creature of habit. Hoppy? Sold. But on occasion, I am drawn to a brew because … Read More

Sixpoint Brewery – Resin IPA

I’m going to start this review with a short story that actually happened a couple months back. As I sat down on an empty bar stool at the newest bar in Oxford, OH, O’Pub, the bartender asked me what I wanted to drink. “Well, what’s your best beer?” I asked. Read More

Finch’s Beer Co.: threadless India Pale Ale

ABV: 6%

IBU: 90

On Friday afternoon, I popped into my neighborhood Whole Foods to pick up something new to drink for the weekend. DC summers are a swampy mess … Read More

Lagunitas IPA – Lagunitas Brewing Company

ABV: 6.2%

The first time I ordered a Lagunitas IPA, I was in a bar in downtown Chicago, having just run a 5K (a bizarre feat that is entirely uncommon in my life and will probably never happen again.) Anyhow, I couldn’t see the whole tap, but I could see the “Lagun” of the “Lagunitas” label. Naturally, I told the bartender I wanted the Laguna Beach beer, which, for the record, I still find to be hilarious. Try it out the next time you order it; just know your audience first.

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The Alchemist Brewery – Heady Topper

I still remember vividly my first can of Heady Topper. I was out celebrating my birthday with my girlfriend, a burger, some oysters, and beers. Inexplicably, The Alchemist’s Heady Topper … Read More

Green Flash Brewing Co. | Palate Wrecker

While I must admit that I am not the type to usually fall for big names that make large boasts, especially when it comes to hops and bitterness, breweries like Green Flash are the exception. Hailing from southern California in San Diego, hop heads all over recognize the great quality and diversity of IPA in their regular rotation. For today’s showcase, I hoppily introduce Palate Wrecker….and it is no misnomer. Read More

Flying Dog – Single Hop Series: Citra

Flying Dog – Single Hop Series: Citra

ABV: 10%

IBU: 70

One of the best places to enjoy fun new brews in Washington, DC is Pizzeria Paradiso. This week, I … Read More

Stoudt’s Brewing – American Pale Ale

It’s getting close to that time of year: Independence Day.  Last year, we posted a few suggestions for your most patriotic beers, and as that time of year rolls around again, here’s a nicely balanced, classic American Pale Ale to swig down under the fireworks.

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Golden Road Brewing | Point the Way IPA

ABV: 5.9% | IBU: 60

I have seen the light on IPA, thanks to Golden Road’s Point the Way IPA. “That stuff is [expletive] incredible,” someone told me recently. Quite a recommendation. As positive as that review is, I feared I might not feel the same way—I usually prefer mellow ambers to hoppy IPAs; I was wrong. I visited the Golden Road Brewery location here in Glendale, CA recently, and I loved their Point the Way IPA. To borrow a phrase, it’s [expletive] incredible. Read More

Great Lakes Brewing – Lake Erie Monster

As long as there have been people living around bodies of water, there have been stories about what lives in the deep recesses of each murky abyss. From Krakens of Greek mythology to the river monsters of the Amazon, to the Crocosaurus of the Sci Fi Channel to the infamous Nessie of Scotland’s Loch Ness, the lore surrounding mythical sea monsters swirls in all corners of the globe and throughout time. The northern Midwest is not excluded from this pantheon of time and geography as Lake Erie’s Bessie (sometimes known as “South Bay Bessie”) has graced this fourth largest of the Great Lakes since its first recorded sighting in 1817. Great Lakes Brewing’s summer seasonal Lake Erie Monster pays homage to the beast with a double IPA that (at 9.1% ABV) will have you telling tales in no time. Read More

Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. – Kentucky IPA

Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. – Kentucky IPA

ABV: 6.5%

IBU: 70 (I couldn’t actually find a reliable source for this, so I ball parked.)

Alltech is responsible for quite a bit of growth in Central Kentucky, not to mention the first contributor to the advent of the Lexington, Kentucky craft beer spring. For years, there were very few local craft brews available in Central Kentucky. Alltech seized this opportunity and in 1999 released what is now a staple across the state: Kentucky Ale. Soon the brewery released yet another delicious creation: Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. This beer combined the signature Kentucky Ale with the flavor of Kentucky Bourbon (by aging for 6 weeks in bourbon barrels), yielding a delicious, slightly sweet, and highly potent brew (about 9% abv).

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Hoppin’ Frog Brewery: Hoppin’ to Heaven IPA

Once upon a time the city of Akron, Oh was a flourishing place full of promises and opportunities.  Yes, looking at the grey, desolate, nearly abandoned ghost town that remains today, it is quite hard to believe.  However, not so many years ago, Akron was crowned the “Rubber Capitol” of the world.  Companies like Good Year and Firestone called this place their home and exported more tires than any other place in the universe, and in turn, provided the city with plentiful employment.  But, unfortunately those years have passed, and it seems Akron is more famous for what has left it behind than for what is still there (yeah, that’s a Lebron reference and yeah, I’m still bitter). Read More

Ultimate 6er | Beer + Beer = Mixed Beer!

Have you ever found yourself agonizing over choosing between two beers? In some cases, the best solution is do get both and mix them. Perhaps you have heard of a Black and Tan ( Stout & Pale Ale), a Snake Bite (Stout or Lager with Hard Cider), or a Black and Blue (Stout & Wheat (Blue Moon)).  Most people associate these mixed beer drinks with Guinness + ____ , but there are some other great mixed beer variations out there. I propose to you this ultimate mixed beer 6er! Read More

Mikkeller Green Easter IPA

ABV: 7% | IBU: 100+

These Gypsy brewers are true ‘phantoms’ of the craft. For those unfamiliar with Mikkeller, these folks from across the pond in Denmark have made over 600 beers in a myriad of styles that are very aggressive and push the envelope of styles new and old. They venture the globe, partnering with others to craft sudsy treats for you and I. This time, with Mikkeller Green Easter IPA, they take on the West Coast IPA. And they do it better?!? Read More

Smuttynose “Finestkind” IPA

Smuttynose “Finestkind” IPA – 6.9% ABV, 75 IBU

At home this weekend taking care of a sick wife, I did not get to partake in the normal St. Paddy’s Day melee to which I have become accustomed, and am thus not feeling the residual effects of day-long Guiness-swilling and inadvertent ingestion of gallons of green food dye. Instead, I opted for the not-so-festive confines of my dining room and the company of an American craft beer, today’s companion “Finestkind” IPA from Smuttynose Brewing.

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Homebrew: Developing Your Recipe

While following clone recipes and recipes produced by others is a great way to get started and master your specific equipment, developing your own recipes is where the beauty of brewing really begins. The process of creating  a beautiful masterpiece and sharing something that is solely your own with friends and family is incredibly exciting. Other than ‘saving money’ which, lets be honest is not true at all, we want to make something that we’re proud to call our own. That is the joy of homebrewing. This weekend I will be brewing an IPA and want to share my methodology in hopes that it will help in developing your recipe. Read More