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Post by keystonejenks on Nov 23, 2009 12:21:21 GMT -5
It's that time of year when craft breweries are hitting us with their seasonal nut browns and winter ales. So, recommend one of your favorite winter craft beers, it can be regional or local.
One of my favorites this time of year is by Leinenkugel's. I find a lot of their beers to be more on the sweet side; however 2 of their winter brews I highly recommend don't suffer from this issue.
The first is their 1888 Bock. It won't be out for another few weeks. I heard they tinkered with the formula slight so I hope they haven't compromised the taste.
The second is out now and I LOVE this beer. In fact, it will go perfect with Thanksgiving dinner. It's their Fireside Nut Brown. It is very smooth and has a nice hazelut and carmel flavor.
So what are your favorites/recommendations? I love trying new beers. Okay, I guess I should pimp a local brew. It's not a "seasonal" brew but it is perfect for these cool nights. That would be Troeg's Dreamweaver Wheat Ale.
It has a nice spicey/pepermint taste. If you PNWers can get Troeg's there it goes great with seafood (I like to have it while eating sushi).
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Post by rocky4948 on Nov 23, 2009 12:25:00 GMT -5
Great Lakes Brewery has their Christmas Ale out. It's pretty damn good.
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Post by arozanski on Nov 23, 2009 13:01:42 GMT -5
Dunno about 'craft' status, but Sam Adams Fezziwig Ale is good, and their Holiday Porter.
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Post by keystonejenks on Nov 23, 2009 13:20:50 GMT -5
Dunno about 'craft' status, but Sam Adams Fezziwig Ale is good, and their Holiday Porter. Sam Adams is a craft beer so you're good. Have to say I've never had that one. I'll have to check it out.
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Post by fathawk on Nov 23, 2009 19:38:33 GMT -5
Troegs is a Penn beer isn't it? I like a lot of beers, a lot. As before I'll post a link to my reviews. beeradvocate.com/user/beer_reviews?ba=wheatyweissI'm diggin on the New Glarus Snowshoe Ale right at this moment. But my favorite for this time of year has to be Sierra Nevada Clebration Ale, every year.
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Post by will on Nov 23, 2009 22:03:03 GMT -5
I'm not a big fan of the usual heavy winter ale. I used to like malty beer, but over time IPA tastes better and better. The same thing happened with whiskey. Bourbon is way too sweet now, and scotch tastes much better. It used to be the other way around.
A Sam Adams rep figured in one of the more surreal work days I have experienced. The company I was working for was going to bid a project in Oregon, the owner was in Anaheim and couldn't make it to the site for a prebid meeting. The meeting was mandatory for all bidders, and the owner scheduled it in his Anaheim office.
It was in February, so I got on an airplane in Seattle in the drizzle and flew to Orange County, where the sun was out and it was beautiful. The meeting was about an hour, so I poked around for a while before the meeting, then had about six hours before my flight back to Seattle. I figured the beach was the place to be, so I wandered around until I found one. I think it was Hermosa Beach, but I don't really know.
The town was built right to the edge of the sand. I wandered around, being amused at the sight of slightly corpulent young women in string bikinis with cell phones clipped to the string. What happens when it rings? I never found out.
After a while, I decided to stop into a dive bar which was also a beachfront bar. It was a complete dive, with NASCAR and NFL banners, big Coors signs, a pool table, and patrons who fit right into a dive bar. I was probably a little overdressed, since my shirt had a collar, but it was perfect, since it was on the beach, I could have a beer, get something to eat, and grok at the weirdness of the day.
I ordered a Seattle beer, since I figured I had to show some regional loyalty. About then, a couple of very well dressed young women came in and started talking to the bartender. They didn't fit the atmosphere at all, but they were cute, so I certainly didn't mind. My beer was empty, and I ordered another to drink while I ate. One of the women asked me why I had ordered what I did. So, I told her I was from Seattle, it was a Seattle beer, and I like it. As it turned out, she was a rep for Sam Adams and sat down to tell me all kinds of stories about how Sam Adams was having a really tough time selling anything in the Northwest. It made for a very pleasant hour or two while I waited for the airplane. Perhaps there was something more useful I could have been doing, but it wouldn't have been as much of a non-sequitor or near as much fun.
Then, I took the rental car back, got on an airplane in the sunshine, and flew back to cold and drizzle. We didn't get the project, but it got me a very unusual day.
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Post by fathawk on Nov 25, 2009 22:59:16 GMT -5
Tonight it's Capital Brewery's Autumnal Fire Dopplebock.
Holy giant poop ball, it's like the tears of jesus, in a bottle!
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Post by fathawk on Nov 28, 2009 18:08:56 GMT -5
So, up on the agenda this evening. Point Brewing Amber Classic. Nutty , malty and very good for a border-line macro.
Point hit a homer with this one, little hop and it would be a grand slam.
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Post by fathawk on Nov 28, 2009 18:09:29 GMT -5
Oh, I'm a geek. That is all.
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Post by keystonejenks on Dec 1, 2009 19:50:23 GMT -5
Oh, I'm a geek. That is all. We would get along really well. hahaha I stopped by the distributor close to work to help a buddy pick out a good brew for his Thanksgiving weekend. While I was there I noticed they had an Australian craft beer (Barons) on special. It was their summer mix pack and the beer was marked $18 for a case. Hell they had an ESB and a Wattle Seed Ale. I figured I've wasted $20 less so I picked up a case. Wow, I was really surprised. The ESB was delicious and the Wattle Seed Ale a pleasant surprise. I went back this Monday and picked up the other 2 remaining cases. ;D
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Post by keystonejenks on Dec 1, 2009 20:06:59 GMT -5
I'm not a big fan of the usual heavy winter ale. I used to like malty beer, but over time IPA tastes better and better. The same thing happened with whiskey. Bourbon is way too sweet now, and scotch tastes much better. It used to be the other way around. I'd recommend 2 beers to you: 1. Saranac IPA 2. Green Flash West Coast IPA
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Post by bizarro on Dec 2, 2009 11:01:25 GMT -5
Some Winter ales aren't bad, but I generally stick to Guinness, even though what we get in the states is crap compared to the real deal, once it gets cold. I generally like my beer bitter.
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Post by rocky4948 on Dec 2, 2009 11:27:51 GMT -5
Some Winter ales aren't bad, but I generally stick to Guinness, even though what we get in the states is crap compared to the real deal, once it gets cold. I generally like my beer bitter. Guinness never really did anything for me, seemed flat and tasteless. Now some Samuel Smiths Nut Brown Ale or the Oatmeal Stout, WOW.
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Post by will on Dec 2, 2009 12:10:44 GMT -5
I'm not a big fan of the usual heavy winter ale. I used to like malty beer, but over time IPA tastes better and better. The same thing happened with whiskey. Bourbon is way too sweet now, and scotch tastes much better. It used to be the other way around. I'd recommend 2 beers to you: 1. Saranac IPA 2. Green Flash West Coast IPA Mmmmm... IPA! I'll take a look for those.
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Post by fathawk on Dec 4, 2009 19:49:00 GMT -5
Just picked up a six of the 2009 Sierra Nevada Celebration.
It does not disappoint, Hopheads will like it.
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