A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

Actually, it's more like "Coming up this weekend, in a brewery close, close to home..." Anyway, I just wanted to post a little "what I'm looking forward to this weekend" note... and for you CT locals, perhaps this will be a heads up for any of you beer geeks out there that haven't heard.

This weekend I'm planning on taking a little trip to the New England Brewing Company in Woodbridge, CT. (You mean, there's a brewery in Woodbridge??) I know, I asked myself the same thing. Several months ago, I learned of a beer growing in popularity that was just on the brink of breaking into BeerAdvocate's Top 100. And if the name alone, didn't reel you in, the label and taste certainly would. I admit, I bought it because of the name, but also because it came highly recommended. So I used the force and picked up a bottle for New Years Eve and shared it with my friends.



NEB's Imperial Stout Trooper... fantastic. (And currently resides as #94 on BeerAdvocate's Top 100).

Fast-forward to the present... this weekend they are releasing the highly anticipated Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout Trooper. Unfortunately, since it's growth in popularity, George Lucas did not take kindly to his Storm Trooper on the label. Apparently, they can continue to brew the beer, they just can't use the same label. Then there's talk of if NEB will be allowed to keep the name... I don't know. I'll find out more this weekend I'm sure. But for those brave few that are coming to Woodbridge this weekend... here are the details from NEB's site:

Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout Trooper Release: This Saturday- April 24th. 700 bottles (500ml) 2 bottle limit per person @ $15 each. Tickets will be handed out at 9am first come first served. Your ticket will guarantee you 2 bottles to purchase at noon. Any leftover bottles will be for sale after all ticket holders have their bottles.

I don't think I'll be in line at 9am... but maybe around 11am or so. We'll see.

BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE!!!

So after looking into the details of this weekend's release, I start hearing more and more about this Double IPA that will also be available:



My friend Bill over at Southington Wine and Spirits simply cannot keep this on the shelf its going so quickly. So this weekend, I not only hope to pick up a bottle or two of the Stout Trooper.. but also hope to snag a growler of this Gandhi-Bot Double IPA. BA's ratings have people consistently giving this brew an A+. Sounds like something I need to look into...

So whatever you're drinking this weekend... be safe, have fun, enjoy. For all you UConners, enjoy your Spring Weekend, too!!

So you think you know beer?

Brewing Company: Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Black IPA
Size: 22 fl oz.
ABV: 8.7%
IBU: 90


I love beer. I do... and when the time comes, I definitely hope to join the ranks of my fellow homebrewers so I can begin tasting the fruits of my labor. But expenses being what they are, and the space of my apartment being the on smaller side, I can't exactly set up shop yet. So in the meantime... I continue to research and appreciate.

Which brings me to yet another Stone Brew offering... the Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale.

I consider myself somewhat educated when it comes to beer, but I also know that I will never ever stop learning about new creations and infinite brewtastic combinations. Just the other day, I blogged about Stone and BrewDog collaborating on a Golden Stout. Crazy.

BeerAdvocate categorized this beer as a "Strong American Ale". Yes... I agree. But what does that mean really. Strong (High ABV), American (Origin), Ale (Middle of the road beer... not bitter, not hoppy, not light, not dark). BA gives this as their description:

Catch all style category for beers from 7.0 percent alcohol by volume and above. Some may even be as high as 25% abv. Characteristics will greatly vary; some have similarities to Barley-wines and Old Ales. Barrel aging is certainly not out of the question.

With the amount of combinations, you could really create several more categories within the Strong American Ale heading. I'd like to nominate a NEW category, particularly for said offering; Black IPA. When you pour this beer, it appears to be a light black or dark brown with light tan head. From sight alone your taste buds are setting up for a heavy beer - dark associates with porters, stouts, etc... But, all the things you've learned about "dark" beers will turn your mind 180 degrees. The smells from this beer have very little hints of the chocolate, coffee, and caramel. But the domination is clear once you get a noseful of grapefruit/citrus aromas, piney hops (Chinook?), and some floral.

Hellllllllllo IPA.

One of my favorite descriptions on BeerAdvocate is someone referring to the taste of this beer as a "malty fist fight". Awesome. The tastes of this beer follow that of your nose with strong citrus and piney hops. Also apparent are the creamy malts. But what's unique about this beer is that while it starts with the hoppiness that you expect from an IPA, it finishes with just the right delicate chocolate/coffee bitterness. There is also a nice carbonation factor happening here. Overall, it has a nice dryness in the end too.

A beer that pours a dark brown, smells of citrus, tastes of hoppy goodness, and finishes with light chocolate/coffee... Moral of the story, don't judge a beer by its color.

Final Grade: A-

An Itch that CAN be scratched

Flying Dog Old Scratch
Amber Lager, 5.5% ABV
Brewed in Frederick, MD

First off, check out the label above. I know -- we’ve had this discussion I am a sucker for marketing.

Ok, now I have to let you in on what’s written on it:
“Some itches can’t be scratched. Like your fantasy involving latex and flavored lotions. So it’s best to concentrate on the ones you can scratch. Like your itch for this Amber Lager, with a malty, mellow flavor. As for your other fantasies, you’ll probably need to find a chat room for those.” = Hilarious.

The label also boasts a quote from Hunter S. Thompson, “Good people drink good beer” -- cheers to that! You can always judge a person by the beer they drink, OR if they don’t drink beer at all.

This beer is tasty. It’s fizzy, crisp, a little sweet and very drinkable -- definitely hitting the spot on this 50 degree night. This brew is not heavy at all, but it’s warming me up enough to take the chill out of the air.
It reminds me of a Magic Hat #9 without the apricot flavors hitting the back of my tongue.

Flyingdogales.com says that these suds are fermented at medium temperatures to develop both ale and lager characteristics. Old Scratch is also an award-winning ale. It’s a 2008 Silver Medal Winner - World Beer Cup (American-Style Amber Lager Category) AND a 2008 Silver Medal Winner - Great American Beer Festival (Amber Lager Category)

I am also a huge fan eating around your beverage. I like to figure out what I am drinking before I decide “What’s for dinner.” I enjoyed tonight’s Old Scratch with roast beef, and did right by the suggested pairings which are; roasted meats, hearty breads, spicy food and Cajun food.

Check out more ways to eat drink and be merry at BeerDinners.com

What are some of your fav beer/dinner pairings? Do tell.

A Stone & BrewDog Collaboration?? This Ain't No April Fools.

Admittedly so, I appear to be on a bit of a BrewDog kick as of late. (After all of this attention, I better start "researching" this Scottish Export.)

As work took a bit of a slow turn today, I noticed a new "twitt" or "tweet" that grabbed my curiosity. See, lately I've been a big supporter of the Stone Brewery. Beer geeks out West have enjoyed the Stone offerings for years and years (since they are located in San Diego) but most recently, they've finally made their way to the East Coast.

(I must have done something good.)

If you are a beer drinking (and if you are reading this I take it you are), and HAVEN'T tried something from the Stone Brewery, please put that at the top of your list the next time you hit the packy. A little on the expensive side, I recommend going for one of their bombers first (although not many come in 6 pks anyway). Start off with the Arrogant Bastard... and work your way up to their Double Bastard. You can tell, beer drinkers make this beer. Not corporate suits.

And might I add, I love the ideas the Stone continues to come up with. The head brewer over there, Greg is big on collaborations. And this one just seems like another great idea. Introducing the LUCIFERIN GOLDEN IMPERIAL STOUT!!!

(Did he say, Golden... Stout??)

Take a look at the video below... these guys crack me up. Since it is limited, I expect a hefty price tag on it. But sounds like it could be fantastic.

Happy Thursday, everyone!!

Brewdog / Stone Luciferin Golden Imperial Stout from stonebrew on Vimeo.

First Ever Boston Bacon and Beer Festival

Can we cover this event in cheese and call it heaven?

I can’t really describe in words how happy the idea of a Bacon and Beer Fest makes me. I am almost mad that I didn’t think of it myself.

What could possibly go better with beer than salty, succulent bacon? Think of all the smoked hop brews out there and how harmoniously those flavors would dance together in your mouth.

AMAZING – and as we know, I am a huge sucker for fundraising events; all the proceeds go to charity: Community Servings, Share our Strength, South End Youth Baseball and, The Juniper Fund.

$25 gets you in to sample as many brews and bacon dish combos you can stuff in your mouth. Try not to make a pig of yourself.

Check out the lineup:

THE BEER:

Brooklyn Brewery | Blue Hills Brewery | Cape Anne Brewing | Dogfish Head | Cody Brewing Company | Harpoon Brewery | Just Beer | Mayflower Brewing Company | Mercury Brewing Company | Narragansett Beer | Peak Organic Brewery | Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project | Rapscallion | Smuttynose Brewing Company

THE BACON:
33 Restaurant | 51 Lincoln | Atwood's | B.Good | Beacon Hill Bistro | Channel Cafe | Chez Jacky | Franklin Cafe | The Gallows | Garden at the Cellar | Gaslight | Henrietta's Table | Myers and Chang | Petit Robert Bistro | Picco | Rialto | Rocca | Stoddard's | The Fireplace | Toro | Trina's Starlite Lounge | Turner Fisheries | Union | Whole Foods Symphony | Wicked Kickn' Cheesecake


For more info or to RSVP, visit: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10150140931855183

The Rules Don't Apply to BrewDog

So after several conversations, I realized that not many people are familiar with the folks from BrewDog.

Beer411 readers, meet BrewDog. BrewDog... meet Beer411.

(I have to start off by saying I've never had these brews, but they have certainly sparked my interest. So if anyone out there can share their encounters with BrewDog... feel free to share!)

These guys hail from way across the pond in Scotland. The passion that they have in their beer is evident as they became Scotland's largest independent brewery in 2007. One of their claim to fames is brewing the worlds Strongest beer. Now you read previous reviews about ABV at 8% or even 10%. And most likely, Kate and I will warn you to drink with caution, because a 10% beer is pretty high.

Not to these guys.

Several years ago, BrewDog introduced their beer TOKYO to the world. A Russian Imperial Stout which clock in at a whopping 18.2% ABV. At the time, it was considered the Strongest Beer in the World. But like with any records, they are meant to be broken... So BrewDog was dethroned to the likes of Sam Adams Utopias and other small craft brewers.

The ABV of beers got higher and higher... constantly raising the bar on the competition. Then after a German beer (that I can't even pronounce) held the title of World's Strongest Beer at 30.86%, the boys from BrewDog took back their title with a beer they called, Tactical Nuclear Penguin at a ridiculous 32% ABV!!! It falls in the category of a American Double / Imperial Stout. (See the video below on how they went about re-claiming their title.)

Time to sit back and relax, right? Not for these guys.

Needless to say, the German folks over at the beer that I can't pronounce, did not take too kindly getting bumped from the top. So they shot back with their new line, raising the ABV bar to a stupid 39.44%!! No one will EVER beat that!

Remember what I said about records? Yeah... BrewDog wasn't about to let this happen.

So not ONLY did they introduce something bigger and stronger, but the name they picked just tells me that there's something personal about this ABV rivalry. Presenting BrewDog's SINK THE BISMARK; and a ridiculously high %41 ABV. Now a quick history lesson, the Bismark was the name of a German Navy Ship that the Royal Navy attempted to sink during WWII. (tell me that this isn't getting personal). This blend is a Double IPA that is suggested to be enjoyed in several sittings. Or with lots of friends. (See the video below...).

To put this whole ABV talk into perspective... here's a list of ABV of spirits:
Bourbon (51-79 %ABV)
Brandy (40-45 %ABV)
Gin (37.5 %ABV)
Rum (37.5-57 %ABV)
Tequila (40-50 %ABV)
Vodka (35-50 %ABV)
Whisky (40-53.3 %ABV)

So these beers are on the same block as some of the cheaper Gins, Vodkas, Rums, Whiskeys and Tequilas. That's just silly.

If you have a moment... check out how BrewDog went about making their Tactical Nuclear Penguin and their newly crowned Sink the Bismark! Funny, funny guys that I hope to meet someday.

Tactical Nuclear Penguin from BrewDog on Vimeo.

Sink the Bismarck! from BrewDog on Vimeo.

For a full list of BeerAdvocates top 100 Strongest Beers in the World check out the link below:

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Springtime

Brewing Company: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Style: IPA
Size: 12 fl oz.
ABV: 7.00%





I had to break down last night. I just couldn't take it anymore.

After the weather we had last week, I have been in a summertime mood like its going out of style. I've been talking up the softball season with my friends... I've been discussing potential trips to take this summer... and I've been talking to my roommate about getting the grill ready... mmmmm Grillin'. But, since Connecticut likes to remind us New Englanders that it's still March by giving us 20-40 degree weather today... I had to take matters into my own hands.

Per the suggestion of Mr. John Gill, I stopped by the packy a few days ago to sample this year's offering of Dogfish's Aprihop. And needless to say, it did not disappoint.

So there I was last night, dusting off the George Foreman grill in my kitchen. The burger hit the pan and the smells of summertime food were in the air; enter delicious beer stage right. As you can see by the above picture, the Aprihop pours a very nice amber color with a white head which quickly dissipates. Now, you have two very obvious factors at this point. The beer is call APRI-HOP. So you can guess that it's going to have some apricot/peach nodes in there with some extra hops to give it a dry Pale Ale type finish to it.

Bingo.

The smells come across with a citrus nose but has definitely a hint of sweetness & maltiness to it. But what's fantastic about this beer is that it's not too sweet. So for all of your Sam Adams Cherry Wheat fans out there, this one isn't for you. But for those that enjoy actually drinking a beer and not getting a cavity, step up to the bar. The hops are also very present as well. But enough about look and smells... let's taste the damn thing.

The name "Aprihop" in my opinion really lends itself to the type of beer you're about to taste. The citrus/apricot/peachy smells work very well with the hoppy bitterness of this variety. While you get the fruitiness of the beer at first, the hops cut the sweetness, which gives a clean, crisp, dry finish.

Now, my cousin as viciously accused me of being a "hop head". Ok, ok... I admit, I love me some hops which could be why I enjoy this Dogfish offering so much (for the daring/curious SEE Dogfish's 90 min or 120 min IPA). But I really don't think it's too hoppy for your average beer goer. And notice that it's only at about 7.0% ABV so in my opinion, it's a great beer to crack at the end of the day. A little sweet, a little crisp, a little bitter, and quite refreshing. So if you are looking for something a little different for the Easter season or just want to get into that Spring/Summer spirit... you know what to drink.

Final Grade: A-