St. Patrick’s Day was a bit subdued for me this year, as I was getting over a cold, but I still found the time to try a stout with a little something extra. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (Guinness Ltd.; Dublin, Ireland; Foreign Stout; ABV: 7.5) is now available in the USA. A higher octane version [...]
There’s an old saying that to win at roulette, you should always bet on black. And there were several dark beers that I tried over the past week that are winners in their own right. Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale (Stone Brewing Co.; Escondido, CA; Belgian Strong Dark Ale; ABV: 8.6) is an absolutely outstanding [...]
It was a magical weekend in Baltimore this weekend, whether one was catching up with old friends, attending a wedding, or taking in a magic show. The city was hopping as the weather held up until late in the day on Saturday, and even after the rain fell, people were out and about. There were [...]
In the mix ‘n match world of beer, there’s the Black & Tan (Guinness Stout + Bass Ale), Black Velvet (Guinness Stout + cider, e.g. Strongbow), & Shandy (Harp Lager + Sprite), among others. But have you ever had a Flash Gordon? The brainchild of beer aficionado John “Flash” Gordon and Shamrock Pub bartender Jackie, [...]
While some beers taste great out of the bottle, e.g. Ola Dubh Special 16 Reserve from Harviestoun and St. Bernardus Abt 12 come to mind, the majority of beers taste fresher on tap. A good tap line can really determine the taste as well. A good beer like Guinness 250th Anniversary Stout can truly stand [...]
Here is a list of my Favorite Beers. I have listed them in alphabetical order, along with the brewery, location, style, ABV content, and some comments for your reference. A – J Anchor Steam Beer; Anchor Brewing Co.; San Francisco, CA; Steam Beer; ABV: 4.9. An absolute classic. Crisp & dry with a light hoppy [...]
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 [...]