Smuttynose winter ale

Now that the temperature seems to have dipped this winter, after so many mild months, it seems fitting to talk about winter beers more regularly.

As we begin our winter beer drinking in earnest, do yourself a favor and pick up a sixer of Smuttynose Winter Ale.

A fine brewery from the great state of New Hampshire, Smuttynose produces fine beer all year round, with the winter ale no exception. A trappist-style beer similar to a Belgian abbey dubbel, this brew is certain to keep your senses warm and your taste buds happy during this time of year.

With a maroonish appearance, this beer starts with subtle smells of brown sugar, sweet malts, and crisp fruits such as apples, caramel, and molasses. The finish is dry and sharp, and it's not too heavy compared to other winter beers.

Overall, this is a solid addition to any winter beer drinking session.

One final fall hurrah

Well, friends, fall has come and gone (so quick, so quick) but this fine, arm weather we've been having in the northeast has inspired me to revisit one final fall brew before we delve into winter beers.
I love the "pumpkin ale" style of beer, and one of my favorites in Southern Tier's Pumking. Southern tier is a fine brewery, and this offering is no exception.
It smells like fall harvest, it's full of wonderful spices like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla, nutmeg, and just the right amount of sweetness.
No more can really be said. Go drink a pint, or three, while they are still around.

Oktoberfest Tel Funf

As the grandiose month of October winds down, I wanted to take a look at a different kind of Oktoberfest beer. One that doesn't quite have that crisp, fall taste indicative of so many of the others.
The Bruery(whom regular readers of this blog know I love) has an offering called Autumn Maple. While not technically an Oktoberfest, it is their fall, pumpkin-type brew so I thought I'd take a look at it.

This is a very sweet(not sweet in the colloquial term, but like syrupy-sweet) beer, made with cinnamon, allspice, maple, nutmeg, molasses, and vanilla. And it wieghs in at a whopping 105 abv.
so crack open a few of these(but not too many, enjoy responsibly!) with perhaps a brunch meal of strawberry pancakes.

I am now the Queens craft beer examiner for examiner.com

Just a quick note friends, please follow my beer exploits not only on this blog but but on my new blog for examiner.com. Excelsior!

Oktoberfest Tel Vier

As the fine month of October gets a bit chillier here in the northeastern United States, our Oktoberfest brews that we will sample will have a bit more bite.
I am a big fan of October, as readers of this blog know, the chill, crisp air still comfortable and without the bite of winter months, and images of pumpkins and leaf raking dancing in our heads. It is truly a grand time to be alive.
And truly a grand time for tasting good beer. Up next in our Oktoberfest tour is the offering from Detroit's Atwater Brewery, called Bloktoberfest.
It has a nice, but not overpowering, scent of caramel at the top, and a very even mix of malt and sweet hops upon first taste. It was a very nice, reddish-amber color, reminiscent of lazy autumn days. It has a musty, dry aftertaste that leaves a pleasant reminder in your taste buds that it was there.
I would recommend this with a hearty, warm stew on a crisp, but not freezing, fall day. And why not seek out a six pack and help out the local economy for our friendly acquaintances in Motown.

Oktoberfest Teil drei

It is still slightly warm in the northeast, but the bite of the crisp air is here just enough to make it feel like October.
And crispness is certainly a part of any self-respecting Oktoberfest brew. It has been my endeavor this month, nay my sacred mission, to sample all the fine Oktoberfest's of the wold. I have already shared a few favorites with you, and will continue to do so as the days pour on.
I would like to discuss the Oktoberfest offering by a classic German brewery, Hofbrau. I have seen this particular beer maligned by some reviewers, though praised by many others, and I will admit it is a bit plain.
But it tastes distinctly Germanic, it is obviously brewed with pure, crisp water. It is very light, and was a slight tastes of twig, though the good kind. Overall, it is not very memorable, but tastes like a clear, odorless German fall afternoon. So try one, just to get the palatae going, and move on to others, which are coming shortly.

Oktoberfest Teil zwei

And we are now getting full swing into our Oktoberfest drinking. It is a like a fat, lazy lumbering person waking up from a long sleep; we start off a little slow in the beginning, but once we get up and running nothing can stop us.
Oktoberfest in Germany actually mostly takes place in September, but that it a trivial occurrence. This is America, dammnit, and we will celebrate our Octoberfest's whenever we please; even in April if need be.
And in that spirit, may I recommend a fine American Oktoberfest brew for you? Listen, I know this is a time for German beers to shine, and I gave you a great German 'Toberfest selection last post, and there will be more of that.
But let's give Long Island's Bluepoint Brewing co. a shout out. They have a fine Oktoberfest offering, and a uniquely American one.
It has a rich, copper color, for those who care about those things, and a nice, sweet, malty taste. It kind of tastes like an "Americanized" Oktoberfest, and I don't mean that in a disparaging way. It just feels a tad more citrusy than a Germanic Oktoberfest. But we are Americans, and we like things our way.
Coming shortly: More reviews of German Oktoberfest offerings.

It is Oktoberfest

Ah October, when a young man's fancy turns to beer. Or something like that.
Anyway October is here. Leaves are turning, if you live in northeast, the weather is getting a bit nippier, football is in full swing, and Oktoberfest brews are upon us.
I plan on drinking as many different kind of Oktoberfest offerings as possible this month.
First up, the best, at least according to my beer people. That would be the Oktoberfest from Ayinger, a fine German brewery. And of course one would assume the Germans would make a fine Oktoberfest, having invented the style. I think. Hell it sounds good, so let's say they did.
This is a fine 'Toberfest: Crisp, airy, just the right amount of bitterness, it tastes like a fall day. I can sense fresh grains, toasted malt, clean, Teutonic air. I highly recommend it.

Time of the Season

Ah friends, the calendar turns to the fall months, the temperature dips a few degrees or so, and it is time for crisp fall brews. I shall review many such brews over the following wonderful month known as October, so I shan't take up too much of your time, dear reader, on a Saturday night.
But may I recommend to you a fine golden, crisp, perfectly fall brew by Penn Brewery, a might fine pilsner that can be enjoyed by all.
Sop it up lads, and appreciate the wonder.

A Long Goodbye

Hello, dear readers, greetings and much apologies for the lengthy time between missives. I was in Bavaria for the fall hop season, picking out the finest hops for my soon-to-be-announced brewing endeavor. But that is a story for a time in the not too distant future.
For now, I am back in great America, doing what I do best; drinking during the afternoon. I am sitting in Teneleven lounge on Avenue C in New York, enjoying my return to the eastern time zone. Tis a fine place for drinking, writing, and pondering, with amenable owners whom have good taste in beer and music. I am drinking a Radeberger Royal Pilsner. It's a noble beer for a fall afternoon; light, crisp, golden and goes down smooth.
I would say more but for now, dear reader, ah much planning is being discussed. We shall talk again soon...

Workers of the Nation Unite

Today is Labor Day in America, when the laborers of the country, those who labor hard and not-so-hard, take a day to relax, eat barbecue, and most importantly drink beer.
I, of course, am no different, and am relaxing with a Belgian-style Farmhouse ale, the wonderful Saison Dupont by Brasserie Dupont.
Now at first, I felt a tad guilty drinking a Belgian-made style of ale created in the French countryside. After all, I am no pinko-socialist; no, my blood does not run pure red like so many commie swine, but rather with tinges of blue and white like the True American that I am.
And this country makes many fine brews, some of which I have already reviewed and many more that will be.
But friends, in this humble man's opinion, the Belgians do brew the best beer of all the lands, and Saison's are particularly yummy.
I believe it is a good style of beer to try out for the beginner beer-lover. they are usually low alcohol, well balanced with hints of citrus and a bitter finish that will really give the more unrefined palate an idea of what well made beer should taste like.
Saison Dupont has become particularly famous in recent years, having won several "best beer" type awards from magazines, and I'm glad because it's led to a renewed interest in the Saison style. Brewed on an actual working farm, the Sasion Dupont uses fresh spring water and is stuffed to the brim with spices and fruit; you can almost taste the farm in every sip (and I mean that in a positive way)
So, if you've ever passed by a Saison Dupont, or any Saison, and thought "I don't know if that's the beer for me", do yourself a favor and give it a whirl. I think you shan't be dissapointed.

Time of Harvest

I don't know when fall technically starts, but for me it begins as soon as the calendar turns September. That's when the air starts to feel a little brisk, the tykes go back to school, and football starts anew.
It's also when many fine seasonal fall brews start being released, several of which we will be discussing over the coming weeks. Also, we will begin seeing the ubiquitous pumpkin ales out and about. Some folks have differing opinions on pumpkin ales, but I tend to enjoy them.
But there'll be time for that later. Let's start by recommending a fine fall brew from a fine brewery in a fine fall location.
Most beer folk know the Captain Lawrence Brewery in Pleastanville, a Westchester County suburb of New York City. What you may not know is that Westchester is a wonderful place for a Saturday fall afternoon travel. Stop by the bucolic river towns, walk in quaint downtowns, and stop by the Captian Lawrence Brewery for a craft brew to pair with a brisk fall day.
The Smoke from the Oak, aged in a bourbon barrel, is always one of the finest smoke porters around. For a more traditional offering, why not try the Captain's smoked Porter, which is offered all year round by tastes best in colder climes. The brewery uses imported German smoked malt among its many ingredients, and it all adds up to a full, complex, wonderful tasting beer. Bring a growler or two with you when you go.

Redemption

The great French writer Andrea Maurois once said of Kansas City, ""Who in Europe, or in America, for that matter, knows that Kansas City is one of the loveliest cities on earth?"
It is true, and I was wrong on my initial appraisal of KC. Last night, me and the missus traveled to the Westport nabe to sample some local culture and see one of my personal favorites, Lee "Scratch" Perry. During my formative years, my friends and I would oft smoke "funny cigarettes" and listen to Scratch, his hardcore dub is second to none.
Well, Westport was everything you'd want in a city neighborhoood; walkable, fun, filled with character, and populated by beer bars.
I have already mentioned the fine KC brewery Boulevard. Down in Westport, we stopped at McCoy's public house, a local beeratarium that brews its own fine brew.
Unfortunately, we didn't have too much time to sample all of their many beers, but the commendable Unfiltered Wheat is recommended. It's loaded with raw and malted wheat, and goes great on a crisp fall afternoon with some fried tilapia.
So thanks KC for a fine weekend. I will think fondly about you.
And Scratch was great.

Power & Light

I am an afficionado of cities. Large or small, coastal or inland, I love cities. I am excited at the prospect of visiting new cities and discovering their unique character. I would rather go on vacation to Des Moines or Anchorage than some Caribbean island.
Much like a wine connoisseur, I like to take a deep waft of a city, sip it and swirl it around my mouth and then spit. Usually I am able to do that, but I am having a hard time finding the soul of Kansas City.
The 18th and Vine jazz district was nice, which featured the Negro Leagues baseball museum and the wonderful Mutual Musician's Foundation, but other than that I have not found any real neighborhood vibe here. The streets are empty; walking around downtown and midtown KC Saturday and Sunday with the missus was like walking around Schenectady at 3 a.m. We were the only people walking, and there wasn't even that many cars driving by.
I suspect part of that is due to KC not really being a college town. St. Louis, which is smaller, has a much more lively vibe, I suspect in part due to the many universities in that town.
But whatever the reason, right now I am having a hard time getting hold of Kansas City. A few years ago, the city redeveloped an area near downtown and turned it into a massive shopping, dining, and entertainment district, dubbed the Power and Light District. We dined there yesterday afternoon, and there wasn't much going on. We were told the P&L district is really happening at night.
But that's not for me. I am seeking an experience with more character. Tonight, dear readers, I will be seeing dub legend Lee "Scratch" Perry at an out of the way KC club. Things are looking up.
As far as beer goes, I have still yet to find a local brewery other than the last-blog mentioned Boulevard Brewery. But damn, is it good. I've mentioned the IPA, but also try the Belgian-style Wittbier. They do good work.

I'm going to Kansas City

Greetings friends, I'm blogging from sunny Kansas city, Missouri's largest city and home of world class barbeque, jazz, and -we hope- good local brew.
Sitting on the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers, KC is a proud, midwestern city, with a skyline a mixture of old warehouses mixed in with newer skyscrapers that serve mostly as various corporate headquarters.
My destination later tonight will be the 18th and Vine district, home to legendary jazz and jazz bars. But for now, my first mission was to sample some of the local craft brewed beer.
In a general store of the Hyatt Regency, I began looking for some local flavor. I finally settled on the IPA offering from hometown Boulevard Brewing Co., called "Double Wide IPA"
With the sale of Anheuiser-Busch to Inbev, Boulevard is the largest American-owned brewery in the state of Missoura. And like the few downtown warehouses that still operate amongst the empty husks surrounding them, Boulevard nobly continues its work.
And, at least from the taste of the IPA, they know how to brew. An introductory sniff provides a sweet, citrusy scent. And when you take the first sip; well this is a strong, hoppy real deal IPA. there's a fruit, slightly bitter flavor with hints of caramel. At. 8.5% ABV, this IPA packs a punch. I am kind of reminded of Dale's Pale Ale, except it's a bit more balanced and slightly less hoppy.
Kansas city, you're off to a good start. Let's see where we go from here.

Say You Miss me

Today is a sad day for me, as one of my more treasured pint glasses has met a dubious end, falling on the floor and smashing into bits.
The glass in question is a Rougue Shakespeare Stout glass. You may have seen it, it has a picture of an old-timey looking fellow(ostensibly Shakespeare) with the phrase "You say you want a revolution" on it.
I procured that glass in 2002 from the alchemist and Barrister, a pub in Princeton, N.J. that is one of several that claims to be the oldest continuously operated pubs in the US. It was one of the first pint glasses I obtained in my now-large collection.
I brought it with me at the end of the night as a token; it was a cool looking glass and also the first time I had Shakespeare Stout on tap.
All this reminiscing has got me thinking about the Shakespeare Stout, and rogue in general. It is a fine brewery, and the SS is a standout.
It's a bit too warm for stout weather now, but the SS is a perfect fall brew to enjoy whilst watching the football game of your choice. It pours pitch black, is thick and creamy with a hint of chocolate on first taste and a nice malty taste. As I have explained, this blog is not written by or for high-level beer experts, so I don't generally recommend fancy food pairings for beers I review. Take a medium-well Bison Burger with this brew and enjoy.

O Canada

Do you have one of those beers, that may not be the best tasting one but for some reason strikes a chord deep within your soul? Perhaps it was the first beer you ever truly enjoyed, or the beer you were drinking during your first Metallica concert.
I went to college for a year in the hinterland known as "The North Country", the northenmost part of New York that borders Canada. Being so close to our mild-mannered friends to the north, a large variety of Canadian beers was available to a wide-eyed young pup looking to expand his horizons.
I never liked beer much at that point, having mostly just drank Bud and Milwaukee's Best from kegs. My preferred alcoholic drink of choice was, of all things, blackberry brandy (Ah, the travails of youth)
But much like we owe the Canucks a debt of gratitude for giving us The Tragically Hip, I must also acknowledge their role in my beer awakening. Being so close to Canada, there were a staggering variety of Molson, the iconic brewery of Canada, to choose from; I had only seen the regular, standard issue Molson, and not that often, in New York. But this was like a Molson menagerie.
And there was one in particular that tasted better than any beer I'd had before: Molson Red Jack. The amber color, the crisp, malty finish. In my limited capacity of experience, I had never tasted anything like it before.
Does Molson even make Red Jack anymore? I didn't see a mention of it on their Web site. Would I even like it if I tasted it now? Who knows, it was probably just a run-of-the-mill amber ale.
But I'll always hold a dear place in my heart for Red Jack, for it began opening my eyes to a larger world, and initiated a life long journey.

23 cents and a pocket full of hope

One of the great things about not having a real job is the ability to engage in afternoon drinking on a warm, sunny day. There really are fewer things in this world greater than afternoon drinking. Sitting outside on a beautiful summer day drinking a well-made brew, enjoying life. When Robert Browning wrote the line , "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" he surely was in the midst of afternoon drinking when composing it.
I am sitting in one of New York's great beer bars, Sunswick, in Astoria, Queens. With 25 mostly great beers on tap, there's so much I would like to write about: California-based The Bruery's Orchard White, a great Belgian-style Witbier, seemingly made for afternoon drinking, Avery's Maharaja IPA, a pale ale with a bite.
But there will be time for those later. Friends, some of you know Two Brothers Brewing Co., some may not. They recently did a barnstorming tour through New York, putting on tastings at many of the city's important beer bars, including Sunswick.
May I recommend their fine Domaine DuPage, a French style country ale? Caramel brown in color, this delightful, fruity, cheery brew is 5.9% ABV, sweet up front with a slightly toasted finish. This beer is perfect for summer afternoon drinking, paired, perhaps, with a soup au pistou? Enjoy

I am here, here for beer

In nearly every bar you go into in the good ol' U.S.A. there is almost always a plaque with a quote attributed to Ben Franklin: "Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy."
Now, there is some dispute as to whether Ben actually said this, or some version of this. But the message is clear: beer is life's greatest accessory.
A friend of mine who is a big-time foodie here in my hometown of New York City started a blog where she reviewed a different restaurant each week. She suggested I do the same for beer.
"The year in booze, you can call it," she said gleefully.
Well, the year in beer has a better ring to it, so here I am.
I am a lover and appreciator of craft-brewed beer, wherever in the world it be made, and I'll be reviewing for you great beer as I drink it. However, I posit to do it from a layman's terms; though I do love good beer, I am no super-technical beer snob, there's many other Web sites to go to for a more scientific review of beer.
I'll just tell you about beers I like and why I like them, along with anecdotes from bars here in New York and wherever else I may happen to drink. Thanks for reading.