Archive for category Beers
Gary Vaynerchuk with Brooklyn Brewery’s Brewmaster Garrett Oliver
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers, Online Resources on February 13th, 2010
Gary Vaynerchuk pumps out another AWESOME episode of Wine Library TV where he goes to Brooklyn, NY to talk to Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster Garrett Oliver. The interview runs almost 40 minutes long.
In the episode, they try Brooklyn’s Local 1, Local 2, and Black Ops, none of which I’ve tried. (I do know a DC store that carries Local 1 and Local 2. I’ll go pick them up. Ha.)
They also talk a lot about Garrett’s background and his passion for beer and pushing the boundaries of beer making. Sounds like Garrett has done some really fascinating collaborations with outside groups to make beers that you wouldn’t normally be able to get. From the interview, you get the impression that Garrett is a really dynamic guy and that he’d be fun to talk to.
One thing that stood out for me was how, on Friday nights, they transform the brewery into a town gathering place where everyone (young and old) gathers to celebrate the week. He said it was very much alike to the notion of a beer garden in Germany.
Here’s the episode. It’s so good. As I was watching it on the subway today, I missed my stop because I was so engrossed in it…
The Old Toad, My Favorite Bar From College, Gets Featured in Slashfood
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers, Restaurants on February 11th, 2010
I went to college at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. When I became of legal drinking age, one of my first discoveries was the Rochester bar/English pub The Old Toad. It’s the perfect place for long conversations with friends over great beers. I have so many great memories there.
It was fun to see The Old Toad featured in the popular food blog Slashfood. Check it out…
For the past 20 years, the Old Toad has been a mainstay in the Rochester area and even has a regional claim to fame as the first bar in the eastern U.S. to serve cask ale. “We’re a British-inspired pub,” says bar manager Kevin Roman, explaining the reason for selling beer the way they do across the pond. “The Rochester community has taken to it. We see a lot of demand for cask.”
Leinenkugel’s 1888 Bock is a Great Winter Beer
Posted by Jonathan Tilley in Beers on February 10th, 2010
The Washington area is sitting under what remains of two record-breaking snowstorms. School, not to mention the Federal Government, is closed. Children are making snowmen. D.C.’s young professionals are engaging in snowball fights. Family’s are huddled inside around the fire. Justin is making a daily trek to Peregrine to keep his winter sanity.
You know what that means? Yes, exactly. The spring beers are here!
Some marketing study must have convinced U.S. brewers that Americans prefer to anticipate seasons rather than live in the present. That’s why we can drink winter beers while passing out Halloween candy, drink Oktoberfest bier before the NFL preseason even starts and, of course, buy a six-pack of spring seasonals while stocking up on frozen pizza and toilet paper to wait out the winter storms.
Indeed, while I was elbowing my way through the crowds at Harris Teeter the other day, I noticed the spring beers had arrived and were on sale. Justin already mentioned Sam Adam’s Noble Pilsner is here, but I needed a beer that says, in effect, “come in from the cold, sit down by the fire, drink a pint in the warm glow of the embers.” Leinenkugel’s 1888 Bock fits the bill.
Yes, I am well aware that the Wisconsin brewery’s winter beer, Fireside Nut Brown, is supposed to fill that niche. Maybe it does. Maybe they also stopped selling it before Thanksgiving. But forget the 1888 Bock packaging, which features green grass, a pleasant river and a rowboat – this beer tastes like winter to me.
Spring beer should be well-lit and refreshing, something to enjoy on the front porch the moment it’s warm enough to wear flip flops outside. But, and beer brewers please take note, we ain’t there yet. Fortunately, 1888 Bock is dark, flavorful and goes great with rich, heavy comfort food. It left me with the sort of warm, happy feeling in my chest that good bocks leave behind, kind of like the feeling you get when a good friend gives you a bear hug.
Spring seasonal? Ok, if they say so. But if you ask me, this is a great beer for a snowy day.
Samuel Adams Noble Pils is Now Available in Stores
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers on February 5th, 2010
This afternoon, on the way home from work, I ducked into the local liquor store in my neighborhood and we pleasantly surprised to find a new Samuel Adams beer that I had never seen before. It’s the Samuel Adams Noble Pils. It’s obviously a pilsner.
Samuel Adams Noble Pils is the Boston Brewing Company’s brand new spring seasonal. It replaced the Samuel Adams White Ale. The Noble Pils is made with the 5 noble hop varieties.
It’s a light, easy drinking, and really delicious beer. If you can find it, I’d recommend giving it a try.
(Photo by H Dickins)
Boston’s Beer Culture
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers, Travel on February 5th, 2010
When I was in Boston a couple of weeks ago, I definitely stopped by my share of neighborhood pubs, bars, and restaurants. It seemed like each one had a pretty decent baseline choice of beer on tap or in bottles.
At the very least, every bar has Sam Adams or Harpoon (the locals) on tap.
When I talked to Boston folks, I was really impressed with the level that beer is a part of the culinary culture of Boston. It’s just everywhere.
It’s very different than DC. You could go into DC bars that just have Coors Light and only in bottle. It was funny telling this to Bostonians. They responded like I was coming from a third world country.
So… yeah. Boston is great for beer.
(Photo by xJasonRogersx)
Beer Wars Movie Now Available For Purchase Or Download
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers on February 1st, 2010
I’m kind of excited. The previously mentioned movie Beer Wars, which chronicles the interplay between the big and micro-breweries, is now available for purchase, download, or streaming. The indie film got a distribution deal through Warner Bros., which is AWESOME. I can’t wait to get my copy. Will write a review as soon as I see it.
Have you seen it yet? If not, here’s the trailer.
Magic Hat Brewery’s Spring Seasonal – Vinyl Lager
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers, New Things on January 31st, 2010
Was at the beer store this weekend and little bit surprised to see that Magic Hat Brewery had already introduced their 2010 Spring Seasonal, Vinyl Lager, considering I had to trapse through snow to get to the store.
Now that I have it back at home and have drank a couple, I have to say that I really like this easy drinking amber lager. It’s quite delicious.
Go to your local liquor store, pick up a 6 pack, and let me know what you think.
Here’s a little promotional video that Magic Hat did for the Vinyl release:
Washington DC’s Bell Wine Shop Holds Bell’s Brewery Tasting Tomorrow
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers on January 14th, 2010
Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery is probably one of my favorite breweries. Excited that there’s going to be a tasting of Bell’s Brewery at Bell Wine Shop (1821 M Street, NW) here in Washington, DC from 5-8pm. Will I see you there?
The Manmosa – The Manly Version of Everyone’s Favorite Brunch Beverage
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers on January 2nd, 2010
Every year, the guys from my church get together to watch the Rose Bowl and have brunch. A few years ago, a few of us were huddled in the hosts kitchen cooking steak and eggs and someone had a light bulb go off. “What if we could update the mimosa?”
It was a breakfast meal so there was orange juice. There was also lots of beer. Someone spotted Miller High Life, which is known as the champagne of beers. Seconds later, the two were mixed together and the Manmosa was born.
I know. I know. It sounds gross but it’s actually pretty good. The orange juice and the Miller High Life mix pretty well together. You get the best of both tastes.
Before you knock it, you should really try to make this at home. You probably have orange juice in your fridge and Miller High Life isn’t that expensive. Just mix one part OJ for one part Miller High Life and you’ll be good to go.
Founders Brewing Co. – Great Craft Beer Coming from Michigan
Posted by Justin Thorp in Beers on December 24th, 2009
I’m back home with the family in Michigan this weekend for the Christmas holiday. Whenever I travel anywhere, one of my favorite things is to try the local food and drink from that area.
Last night, when we were at the grocery store, I picked up a six pack of Red Rye IPA from Founders Brewing Co from Grand Rapids, MI, which I’ve had quite a few times and it’s always really tasty.
Oh and I’m not alone in my liking of this beer. I read a lot of different beer and food blogs. Founders Brewing Co is consistently coming up as one of the top craft brewers in the country which is great. And… Founders isn’t a lone in Michigan. Not that far down the high way is Bell’s Beer Inc in Kalamazoo, MI.
When you go home to visit family, is there a well known local food that you like to eat or beer/wine that you like to drink?
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