I received a couple of sample bottles from Newcastle of an ale that’s part of their Limited Edition series. As I’d enjoyed their Newcastle Winter IPA from a previous sampling, I was looking forward to trying this latest offering. Newcastle Founders’ Ale (Caledonian Brewery; Edinburgh, Scotland (UK); English Pale Ale; ABV: 4.8) is a fine [...]
I received several samples this past week of an IPA that is part of Newcastle’s Limited Edition Series. Having enjoyed several of the Scottish brewery’s offerings in the past, including New Castle Brown Ale and especially their John Courage Amber Ale when it was available in the U.S., I was more than curious to give [...]
For the past several years, Great Divide has brewed an anniversary ale based on their award winning Great Divide Denver Pale Ale (Great Divide Brewing Co.; Denver, Co; English Pale Ale; ABV: 5.4). And this year’s batch was one for the ages. Great Divide 17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA (Great Divide Brewing Co.; Denver, [...]
Organically brewed beers have become more and more common in recent years. And I had the chance to try two outstanding offerings recently. Eel River Raven’s Eye Imperial Stout; Eel River Brewing Co.; Fortuna, CA; Russian Imperial Stout; ABV: 9.5. I shared a bottle with the gang at Mr. Beery’s this past Monday night, and [...]
Being a huge baseball fan, I’m excited at this time of year. The ALCS & NLCS are upon us, and this season is special in that the 4 best teams in 2009 are still playing. Will the Yankees end their recent drought and play for their 27th World Series title? Or will the Angels, the [...]
Anne & I arrived in Seattle yesterday, and after settling in, decided to do a little exploring. One of my goals is to try as many new beers as possible, especially those not readily available back East. The last beer with an Eastern slant that I had was the Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier (Boston Beer [...]
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 [...]