Stone Brewing | Stone IPA

ABV: 6.9% | IBU: 77

I have become something of a fresh IPA  snob. With so many amazing hoppy ales to choose from these days, once you’ve tasted a super fresh IPA, it becomes difficult to stomach a dust-covered bottle that says India Pale Ale, but doesn’t include a bottled on date. Have you had a Stone Ruination bottled the same month you bought it? WOW. The difference is palpable.

Under normal circumstances, i.e.: Living in America, this is typically a non-issue – as many of the best beers have date codes. But moving to Switzerland, which is outrageous, and not living in a major city means access to true American-style IPAs have become limited. Cue the violin and tears.

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Ultimate 6er | Summer Sixer Southern California

Some folks of cider make a rout
And cider’s well enough no doubt
When better liquors fail;
But wine, that’s richer, better still,
Ev’n wine itself (deny’t who will)
Must yield to nappy ale.

-John Gay (1685-1732), “Ballad on Ale” from Songs and Ballads

I couldn’t let Northern California have all the fun. Check out my California Summer Sixer list with the best of what Southern California breweries have to offer this summer season. All beers listed are currently available with an ABV of 5.5% or lower. The average ABV for this sixer is also 4.7% – perfect planning, if we say so ourselves.

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Ultimate 6er | Refreshing Summer Sippers

There’s a lot going on this week friends. Of course, it’s Shark Week! Olympic trials in swimming, track and field and gymnastics have started. And my favorite holiday is less than a week away. That’s right, Independence Day is my favorite holiday! I look forward to it each and every year. To me, the Fourth of July signifies everything that makes summer amazing. Yes, it’s a day to celebrate our Independence and the birth of Democracy. But it’s also a day to soak up those special moments spent with friends and family into the wee hours of the evening, enjoying cold brew after cold brew as you kick back, relax and take in all that is summertime. (The Fourth of July also kicks off what I call my “birthday week” which culminates on 7-11. Gifts of craft beer are always appreciated! ) Read More

Weekly Growler Fill | National Beer News Roundup

Stone Brewing says goodbye to their brewmaster, AB InBev gets caught in a monopoly, and U.S. Bank Stadium is starting a craft beer program. Don’t get left behind in conversation when you can impress your friends with infinite craft beer knowledge. Keep reading to catch all of the details in this edition of the Weekly Growler Fill.

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Weekly Growler Fill | National Beer News Roundup

There were big wins at the World Beer Cup, Green Flash is launching cans nationally, and Greg Koch announces a new craft beer investment company. For once, there’s no news of an AB-InBev buyout, which is reason to celebrate. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a cold one while you read all of the details in this edition of the Weekly Growler Fill.

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Ultimate 6er | Wes Anderson Films

Ah, Wes Anderson. One of today’s most sought after millennial cult following movie directors out there. With so many great classics, sadly this 6er does not include every movie of his with a pairing, but if you’re going to have a movie marathon make sure to also check out Grand Budapest Hotel and Fantastic Mr. Fox! Read More

Ultimate 6er | Best Beers For Spring

Spring. Robins return to your lawn. Daffodils and tulips bloom. The air turns warm, the days get longer, the outdoor day drinking turns to outdoor night drinking, and your car goes from midnight black to pollen yellow. OK – so maybe not all things about spring are fantastic. But think about letting your beer follow in your paint job’s footsteps and go from dark to light as well. Spring is the perfect time to wind down the stouts, porters, and winter warmers, and increase the hops, the sour funk, and the fruit. Read More

Weekly Growler Fill | National Beer News Roundup

It’s a big week for expanded distribution and Julia Herz. Bell’s, Oskar Blues, and Short’s all made announcements about the newest states in their scope. Julia sent craft beer to Peyton Manning and refuted claims made on the show Bar Rescue. Basically, she’s a badass. Keep reading for all of the details in this edition of the Weekly Growler Fill.

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Stone Brewing Co. | 19th Anniversary Thunderstruck IPA

ABV: 8.70% | IBUs: 95

I thought to myself “the only way to drink this beer, is blasting AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’  while drinking from a glass with the god … Read More

Ultimate 6er | Harry Potter

In case you muggles missed it, September 1 was a very eventful day.

While you all were going about your typical Tuesdays – going to work, catching the bus, buying your groceries, whathaveyou, James Sirius Potter was starting his first day at Hogwarts.

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Cooking with Beer | The Great American Beer Burger

Since the Great American Beer Festival is approaching, I decided to post the ultimate Cooking with Beer recipe: the Great American Beer Burger. To properly honor the most epic festival of all time, I knew I had to come up a downright mind-blowing creation and I knew it had to be loaded with beer. I figured nothing is more American than a good ol’ fashioned burger topped with about 1000 calories of ingredients – so I made this dream a reality. A whopping total of six different beers are used to create this monster of a meal plus whatever brews you decide to drink. If you make this thing, you’ll be so impressed with yourself for actually putting it all together, even if you don’t manage to fit it all in your belly. Hell, I’ll be impressed that you actually had to balls to try. If you’re on the fence and can’t decide, just think of this: Why settle for just one recipe with beer when you can combine them all?

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Cooking with Beer | Stone Cold IPA Pickles

When was the last time you went to a farmer’s market or a flea market and didn’t see a jar of IPA Pickles selling for some ridiculous price? Along with the boom in craft beer production has also come a boom in craft beer related items – one of them being beer pickles. Instead of giving in and paying top dollar for one of these jars, I decided to go off and make pickles on my own.

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Stochasticity Project | Grapefruit Slam IPA

ABV: 8.2%

IBU: 95

I was recently asked someone in passing what their favorite citrus fruit was. Is that an odd question? I guess that’s the kind of question you ask and can expect an honest-to-god answer. Why would anyone taradiddle on tangerines? I think you can tell a lot about a person by their taste in citrus fruit – I’d venture that a majority of replies will be “ummm, oranges?”. That’s fine, oranges are good, but in all honesty, they’re the Bud Light of the citrus world. I don’t have anything against oranges or the good people who grow them (I have a glass of OJ every morning when I wake up) but this answer is all too milquetoast. There are so many varieties of citrus fruit; it’s damn hard to get anything but excited about them. The lowly citron, the mandarin orange, the lemon, the Kumquat!, the possibilities are endless. Read More

Stone Brewing Punishment

ABV: 12%

IBU: 82

Stone Brewing Punishment is the 2013 Double Bastard Ale brewed with freshly harvested peppers and aged in bourbon barrels. So, when you add those spicy chilies to a big beer what do you get? The result is a chili beer with a tremendous depth of flavor, as well as a legitimate heat.

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Stone Brewing Southern Charred

Stone Brewing Company- Southern Charred

IBU: 95

ABV: 12.5%

Stone Brewing Southern Charred reminds me of my childhood for a number of peculiar reasons. First, it should be noted that I originally hail from the great state of Kentucky. As a result, I’ve developed a natural affinity toward all beers Bourbon-barreled, and Southern Charred just so happens to fall into that category.

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