I really enjoy a great smoked beer every now and then. In fact, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen made last year’s Ultimate Case list. And the pleasure was all mine at Mr. Dunderbak’s this past Sunday, when I had the chance to try two more outstanding smoked brews. Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock (Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla; [...]
Another year, another Best Beers list. I decided to do a new slant on this year’s All-Time Favorites post, and create my dream case. The criteria is as follows: a. Retired beers have been omitted. Ales such as DuClaw Repent, Blue Point No Apologies Imperial IPA, and Thomas Hardy’s Ale were among my favorites, but [...]
Fort Collins Z Lager (Fort Collins Brewing Co.; Fort Collins, CO; Rauchbier; ABV: 5.4) is a lighter version of a traditional rauchbier, but has a smoky presence nonetheless. This lager is quite crisp and refreshing, and its smoky flavor is complimented by light caramel, roasted malt, and grassy hops. Z makes an excellent session beer, [...]
Sarasota a craft beer mecca? Say it ain’t so! I can remember when The Cock & Bull and Shakespeare’s were the only games in town, but what has transpired over the last year or so, in what has traditionally been a wine town, has been amazing. From the revamped Shamrock’s Pub and restaurants like Lan, [...]
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 [...]