After many years of being the next-door neighbor that would perpetually not share its goods, D.G. Yuengling & Son beer is now available in the great state of Ohio. The beer was so highly coveted, many Ohioans crossed the state line in hopes of stocking up on Yuengling’s flagship brew, the Traditional Lager.
Yuengling is the United States oldest brewery, dating its roots to 1829. Proudly family-owned since its humble beginnings, Yuengling has carved out a niche with beer nerds and hipsters alike. As the “Pride of Pottsville,” the company has expanded production to three different brewery locations in order to meet the demand of thirsty drinkers.
The Traditional Lager pours a clear amber color with a moderate off-white head and high carbonation.
Aromas are of sweet toasted bread and yeast. It has pronounced flavors of caramel, fresh-cut grass and pine. The finish is medium length with just enough flavor and effervescence to keep things interesting and balanced.
Is Yuengling a great beer? In a word, no. But if you are stuck in a rut and want to break ties with run-of-the-mill macro-brewed beers, Yuengling is a great alternative to common watery swill. It is a great match for typical tailgate cuisine such as cheeseburgers and smoked sausage and will keep your thirst at bay on crisp autumn evenings. It retails for $5.89 a six pack and $10.49 for half of a case.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Stone 15th Anniversary Ale
As one of the most respected craft breweries around, Stone Brewing Co. could easily coast on its reputation alone.
Instead, it is constantly creating new beers and expanding drinkers’ palates from coast to coast.
Stone was founded in San Diego by two friends who took a beer-appreciation class together in college. Steve Wagner and Greg Koch finally realized their dream when the brewery’s doors opened in 1996. The rest is craft-brewing history. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Stone has released “Escondidian Imperial Black IPA” to great anticipation and excitement.
Black IPA, also referred to a Cascadian Dark Ale, is a relatively new style of beer. Essentially, it combines the hoppiness of IPAs with the maltiness of porters or stouts. The Stone offering pours a rich black color with a soft tan head. Aromas of coffee, cocoa, caramel and pine intertwine effortlessly on the palate.
The predominant flavors are mocha, toffee, black licorice, citrus and vanilla – quite a combination. The silky, coating mouthfeel and liberal additions of American hops provide for a long, satisfying finish. It is a delicious balance of bitterness, sweetness and creaminess that is absolutely tantalizing.
Clocking in at a jaw-dropping 10.8 percent alcohol by volume, this brew is a seriously potent potable, so proceed with caution. If you wish to pair it with food, try it either with barbecued brisket, chorizo chili or even tiramisu. It is available in 22 ounce bottles and retails for $7.99.
Instead, it is constantly creating new beers and expanding drinkers’ palates from coast to coast.
Stone was founded in San Diego by two friends who took a beer-appreciation class together in college. Steve Wagner and Greg Koch finally realized their dream when the brewery’s doors opened in 1996. The rest is craft-brewing history. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Stone has released “Escondidian Imperial Black IPA” to great anticipation and excitement.
Black IPA, also referred to a Cascadian Dark Ale, is a relatively new style of beer. Essentially, it combines the hoppiness of IPAs with the maltiness of porters or stouts. The Stone offering pours a rich black color with a soft tan head. Aromas of coffee, cocoa, caramel and pine intertwine effortlessly on the palate.
The predominant flavors are mocha, toffee, black licorice, citrus and vanilla – quite a combination. The silky, coating mouthfeel and liberal additions of American hops provide for a long, satisfying finish. It is a delicious balance of bitterness, sweetness and creaminess that is absolutely tantalizing.
Clocking in at a jaw-dropping 10.8 percent alcohol by volume, this brew is a seriously potent potable, so proceed with caution. If you wish to pair it with food, try it either with barbecued brisket, chorizo chili or even tiramisu. It is available in 22 ounce bottles and retails for $7.99.
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Starting out in 1995 as the smallest commercial brewery in the country in sleepy Rehoboth Beach, Del., Dogfish Head is an unlikely success story. Thanks to founder Sam Calagione’s tireless promotion and his dream of creating “off-centered ales for off-centered people,” Dogfish Head now is widely regarded as one of the top craft-breweries in the United States. Calagione has written multiple books on beer, appeared in two documentary films about beer and developed and starred in the “Brew Masters” series on the Discovery Channel. The most-popular Dogfish Head offering is the 90 Minute India Pale Ale.
It pours a clear vermillion in color with a moderate off-white head. Aromas are of ruby-red grapefruit, caramel, spruce and wildflowers. The flavor is a confluence of notes of pineapple, toffee, raisin and blood orange that elegantly marries bitter and sweet. Medium-bodied, 90 Minute is neither cloying nor overpowering on the complex, lengthy finish. Hops are continually added to the beer while it is brewing, which allows for a finished product that is balanced without any harsh bitterness.
Though it drinks with such ease, I offer this piece of advice: This is an extreme beer. Be careful. At 9 percent alcohol by volume, 90 Minute is more of a sipper than a quaffer. To fully appreciate the aromatic notes, it is best enjoyed out of a snifter glass or a wine glass. Dogfish’s 90 Minute is a wonderful match for pulled pork, blue cheese or even a slice of pumpkin pie. It is available in 4-packs that sell for about $11.
It pours a clear vermillion in color with a moderate off-white head. Aromas are of ruby-red grapefruit, caramel, spruce and wildflowers. The flavor is a confluence of notes of pineapple, toffee, raisin and blood orange that elegantly marries bitter and sweet. Medium-bodied, 90 Minute is neither cloying nor overpowering on the complex, lengthy finish. Hops are continually added to the beer while it is brewing, which allows for a finished product that is balanced without any harsh bitterness.
Though it drinks with such ease, I offer this piece of advice: This is an extreme beer. Be careful. At 9 percent alcohol by volume, 90 Minute is more of a sipper than a quaffer. To fully appreciate the aromatic notes, it is best enjoyed out of a snifter glass or a wine glass. Dogfish’s 90 Minute is a wonderful match for pulled pork, blue cheese or even a slice of pumpkin pie. It is available in 4-packs that sell for about $11.
Saison du Pont
The saison-style of Belgian ale dates backs to the middle ages as a refreshing drink. As a thirst-quenching beverage, specifically from the Belgian province of Hainut (inside of Wallonia), it sustained the farm workers through many unseasonably hot days.
Saison du Pont is the perfect beverage for brew enthusiasts to toast up during the winter holidays. It is truly the Champagne of beers. Saison du Pont pours a golden orange color with a rocky, white head. The carbonation is high with aromas of peppercorn, orange peel and sweet malt. The flavor of fresh-baked bread, spice and lemon flows from the glass. Tangy note of citrus and Kent Goldings hops allow for a crisp, long finish that balances out its effervescence. It has a wonderful funk sometimes described as wet horse blanket – a compliment in beer circles.
The brew is a lovely match for spicy sausage, shrimp paella, goat cheese or a Champagne toast. Saison du Pont retails for $9 for a 750ml bottle.
Saison du Pont is the perfect beverage for brew enthusiasts to toast up during the winter holidays. It is truly the Champagne of beers. Saison du Pont pours a golden orange color with a rocky, white head. The carbonation is high with aromas of peppercorn, orange peel and sweet malt. The flavor of fresh-baked bread, spice and lemon flows from the glass. Tangy note of citrus and Kent Goldings hops allow for a crisp, long finish that balances out its effervescence. It has a wonderful funk sometimes described as wet horse blanket – a compliment in beer circles.
The brew is a lovely match for spicy sausage, shrimp paella, goat cheese or a Champagne toast. Saison du Pont retails for $9 for a 750ml bottle.
North Coast Old Rasputin
Dating back to the 18th century, imperial stouts were originally brewed in England as gifts to Catherine the Great and her court. These brews were higher in alcohol than typical stouts and were cherished as the ultimate beer for surviving the long, unrelenting Russian winters. Now that the leaves have fallen and the skies are gray, it is officially imperial stout season.
Hailing from the picturesque coastline of Mendocino County in California is Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from North Coast Brewing Co.
Old Rasputin pours an opaque jet black and has a beige, frothy head. Aromas of dark chocolate, espresso and burnt caramel waft out of the glass. The flavor profile consists of mocha, toffee, roasted malt and campfire. Old Rasputin is thick, rich and creamy on the palate with a long, roasty finish. Liberal additions of hops allow the initial sweetness to be balanced out and help give it a substantial dryness.
Old Rasputin is the perfect accompaniment to a roaring fire on a frosty evening. It clocks in at a robust 9 percent alcohol by volume, so it is certainly not a “session beer” by any means. It would pair well with roasted duck, smoked Gouda or chocolate mousse. Old Rasputin is available in 4-packs and retails for around $9.
Hailing from the picturesque coastline of Mendocino County in California is Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from North Coast Brewing Co.
Old Rasputin pours an opaque jet black and has a beige, frothy head. Aromas of dark chocolate, espresso and burnt caramel waft out of the glass. The flavor profile consists of mocha, toffee, roasted malt and campfire. Old Rasputin is thick, rich and creamy on the palate with a long, roasty finish. Liberal additions of hops allow the initial sweetness to be balanced out and help give it a substantial dryness.
Old Rasputin is the perfect accompaniment to a roaring fire on a frosty evening. It clocks in at a robust 9 percent alcohol by volume, so it is certainly not a “session beer” by any means. It would pair well with roasted duck, smoked Gouda or chocolate mousse. Old Rasputin is available in 4-packs and retails for around $9.
Ithaca Cascazilla
Because of an advantageous microclimate, New York’s Finger Lakes region is well-known for producing world-class wines. However, in the sleepy college town of Ithaca, wine isn’t always the first beverage of choice.Ask people on the street and they’ll tell you that Ithaca Beer Co. is where it’s at. The brewery opened in 1998 and its beer is now available in seven states, and recently was awarded two medals at the Great American Beer Fest. One of its highest rated beers is the hopped-up red ale, appropriately named Cascazilla.
Cascazilla pours a medium ruby color with a moderate white head. Aromas are of tropical fruits, caramel, forest and bread. The predominant flavors are of grapefruit, orange, spruce and fresh-cut grass. Cascazilla finishes both bitter and sweet thanks to herbaceous Cascade hop character and malt sweetness. It’s very versatile as a “food beer,” but it would best match-up with braised short ribs, spicy jambalaya or gorgonzola cheese. It is available in six packs and retails for around $11.
Cascazilla pours a medium ruby color with a moderate white head. Aromas are of tropical fruits, caramel, forest and bread. The predominant flavors are of grapefruit, orange, spruce and fresh-cut grass. Cascazilla finishes both bitter and sweet thanks to herbaceous Cascade hop character and malt sweetness. It’s very versatile as a “food beer,” but it would best match-up with braised short ribs, spicy jambalaya or gorgonzola cheese. It is available in six packs and retails for around $11.
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