First and foremost. How many spelling errors do you think will be in this post? Second. I got a puppy. Third. (Thirdly?) Stock photo. Have I found my favorite beer? No. Because that’s like picking a favorite kid, you can’t, you love them equally. However, you do go through times/seasons, if you will, where you have a favorite kid, I’m sure. Where he/she just really isn’t being an a$$hole and is generally awesome to hang out with, right? Other times  [ Read More ]

This week is American Craft Beer Week across the country, and many places are holding special events and tastings with various beers. Often rare beers are released around this time; around here Saint Arnold just released Bishop’s Barrel #3 to bars and restaurants, while Karbach released another batch of its Bourbon Barrel Hellfighter. One thing I’ve learned is that craft beer is an adventure, and sometimes a beer you don’t expect much from is outstanding. Other times, you get burned.  [ Read More ]

In 2011, the Goose Island brewery was sold by its owner to AB-InBev for $38.8 million because they couldn’t meet demand for their products. Until recently, Goose Island wasn’t available in Texas at all. However, three of their beers have now been introduced in stores. The three I saw in the store the other day were Honker’s Ale (currently being served at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival), 312 Urban Wheat, and their India Pale Ale. Production for all three beers  [ Read More ]

Dogfish Head Noble Rot is a saison-like beer that was one of Dogfish Head’s experiments. Two types of grape must, the freshly pressed grape juice normally used for wine making, were used in brewing this beer. First, viognier grape must must infected with botrytis, the “noble rot” itself, is sometimes used for dessert wines. The second must came from pinot gris grapes. Both of the grapes used are white wine grapes, which is evident in this beer. It’s a 9.0% ABV  [ Read More ]

Sasquatch is on the loose! One of the beers in Sierra Nevada’s High Altitude series, Bigfoot Barleywine-Style Ale was born the same year I was. Each year in the winter, Bigfoot comes out of hiding and onto store shelves. Each year’s batch is clearly dated and beer fans enjoy collecting each edition and aging them. Vertical tastings often occur around this beer; several years’ bottles in a row are sampled to taste the differences. This is the first year I’ve  [ Read More ]

Here’s another one of Jester King’s unique brews; El Cedro is described by Jester King as a hoppy cedar-aged ale with Brettanomyces. As far as I know, this is the first time Brettanomyces have been specifically mentioned on here so let’s dive in a little bit. Commonly referred to as Brett, Brettanomyces are a genus of yeast. In many beer styles, Brett is considered to be a contaminent as it is a wild yeast that can ruin a batch. However,  [ Read More ]

WTF? Wilco Tango Foxtrot isn’t the proper way to spell WTF in the military alphabet. Well, according to Lagunitas the word “whiskey” isn’t allowed on a beer label; therefore, the name of this beer had to use something other than whiskey. Lag started brewing this one in 2010 and calls it “a malty, robusty jobless recovery ale”. It was named this because in 2010 the economy was supposed to be recovering, but it wasn’t really recovering. Jobs weren’t being created  [ Read More ]

I’ve got a fever…. and the only cure? From the Singlecut Beersmiths, who unfortunately I hadn’t heard of until we went to Ginger Man in NYC. The awesome name of the brew caught my eye first, and the review from the server sold me. I mean..how can you NOT want to try a beer that pays homage to the BEST SNL skit ever. What? You’ve never seen the skit???  Please sit back and enjoy…. From the Singlecut site… “We’ve Got  [ Read More ]

I think you all should come to NC. 1. I’m here. So… and 2. There are a ton of wineries! Now, this is not a wine blog. Believe me, sometimes I wish it were. But that’s okay, maybe one day. Scott? Anyway, the best thing about one of the best Yadkin Valley wineries is that it is a brewery and taproom, too. I know, I know, but you haven’t died and gone to Heaven like I thought I did. You’re  [ Read More ]

Back in July, Saint Arnold’s Divine Reserve #12 came out and I picked up a six pack. Divine Reserve #12 is an old ale David Rogers, a homebrewer, entered into the 16th annual Big Batch Brew Bash and won the contest. Saint Arnold then used the recipe to brew its 12th entry in the Divine Reserve series. This video interviews Aaron, one of the brewers at Saint Arnold, about the beer: When I bought this six pack I took notes  [ Read More ]