Over Christmas time, I drank Samuel Adam’s Coastal Wheat.  I can’t understand why they can’t make a good normal wheat beer.  (By the way, I really like their Imperial White so I know they can make a decent beer using wheat.)  Of course, my criticism is more endemic of American wheats than Sam Adams in [...]

That’s a mouthful.  I imagine when we all drink this beer we will feel the same about its taste.  This a smoked beer, so if you haven’t had one prepare yourself for it.  I’m drinking it alone and with some grilled food.  I say fight smoke with smoke.  At any rate, I think this will [...]

I don’t want to force any of my hobbies or preferences upon them, but when they organically match up between us so that we can enjoy them together, it makes for one awesome bond and plenty of great memories.

In my pursuit of making an authentic British style ESB, I chose this yeast.  It’s known for some diacetyl production, which gives the butterscotch, nutty, or even bready quality to some classic british ales (although some of the malt depth is difficult to achieve).  Also, the strain is tolerant to 10% ABV, which is more [...]

Wee heavy, indeed.  At 10% ABV, this is certainly a Wee Heavy Ale that has a very strong bite.  I love me some Scottish style ales, so I had to pick this one up.  It’s always interesting to compare the American versions to the Scottish ones. The Pour: A deep red-brown body graced my glass [...]

The ubiquitous beer among beer geeks, for a while, was an IPA.  The style is still extremely popular…some people are simply hop heads.  However, many people enjoy several other styles of beer, and there has been a recent resurgence in sour ales.  Classics and new world versions are beginning to abound.  To me, this is [...]

Stagnation and creative atrophy often sets in industries as well as the companies that form them.  In the brewing industry, the greatest example is the post World War II domination of the Macro lager over the beer market.  Post beer reformation, it still occurs.  I am reminded of Autumn and the unyielding commitment by just [...]

I’ve already posted about my enthusiasm for Older Viscosity, which is Port’s/Lost Abbey’s brew, a stout with bourbon aging and more strength.  The label states that this is not your dad’s wimpy 30 weight motor oil.  So, I went into the beer expecting some serious thickness and depth, especially since this is 80% fresh viscosity mixed [...]

“This beer is twister proof”…at least that’s what Boulevard says.  Suddenly, it’s clear to what the Double Wide refers.  So, if you are drinking this beer in your trailer, then rest assured that if your home is sucked up and obliterated by a tornado, ostensibly, your beer will remain intact.  That’s reassuring. Many of you [...]

We’re starting to see more and more brewing companies move to aluminum cans for brewing.  As far as I know, Maui has always had their coconut porter in the can.  I started re-visiting the world of canned beers and am sharing that experience. The Pour: When I poured this coconut porter, it was immediately evident [...]