I should of listened to you Sean, when you reviewed and panned a certain amber ale in Creative Loafing last week. But whether it was for the experience, or the fact that it was crafted by one of my favorite breweries, you knew I just had to give it a try. I ordered a Magic [...]
I have been a huge fan of West Coast IPAs for some time now, and had the chance recently to savor two of the world’s best. I reacquainted myself with the first one, while trying the second ale for the first time. Suffice to say, it was a very rewarding experience. Russian River Pliny The [...]
In 2008, Unibroue brewed a beer to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Quebec City, the first fortified city in North America. Through the past four centuries, this city has grown to become one of the most culturally diverse on the continent. Joie de vivre (Joy of Living) has long been the motto of Quebec, and [...]
While the official start of Fall is two weeks away, it’s nice to see that breweries around the country have gotten an early jump on distributing their pumpkin ales. I’m a big fan of this style of beer, and it was nice to try a couple of old favorites, in addition to a new one, [...]
I went to check out Datz in South Tampa with Anne and Blanche today. I’d heard from reliable sources that it’s a deli reminiscent of the classic New York style venues I’d grown up with. Add to the fact that they have a new lounge and loft bar, which carries an extensive list of wine [...]
When Anne and I were in Asheville recently, one of our stops was The Thirsty Monk. This brewpub has been noted for its extensive selection of craft beers, particularly from Belgium. We ordered some pub fare, along with a couple of outstanding Flemish ales. Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne (Brouwerij Verhaeghe; Vichte, Belgium; Flanders Red Ale; [...]
Marzens tend to be traditional Fall beers, but I had the chance to try a different take on this beer style at Crum’s Bar and Grill recently. Cigar City Marzen Spring Lager (Cigar City Brewing; Tampa, FL; Marzen; ABV: 5.5) is also known as Cigar City Oktoberfest Marzen when it’s released during the autumn months. [...]
You can add Crum’s Bar and Grill to a growing list of exceptional brewpubs in the Tampa Bay area. Located in downtown St. Petersburg, and owned by Chris Crum and Lanette Miller, Crum’s Bar and Grill offers craft beer, food, and live music in a hip casual setting. Speaking of which, there’s 52 selections of [...]
The last time I was at the Cigar City Brewing Tasting Room in Tampa, I learned something new. Did you know that bats pollinate blue agave plants, which provide the ingredient found in tequila? So it’s fitting that I tried a double cream ale, named for the bat, that’s aged in tequila barrels. Cigar City [...]