Harpoon’s Winter Warms My Heart!

Brew a beer with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and it’s sure to be a hit with me!  Winter beers should give you the “warm fuzzies” and that’s exactly how I feel about Harpoon’s Winter Warmer.  A malty, delicious, spicy brew – it’s perfect for a cold day.  And while it does make you think of Mom’s Apple Pie, it isn’t overly spiced to the point of annoyance, like some other holiday Winter beers.

Harpoon is an all around great brewery serving up other yummy beers such as their Chocolate Stout and IPA!  My only real complaint as that you can only purchase the Winter Warmer and Chocolate Stout in their Winter Mixed 12-pack… which is only available in, you guessed it, Winter!  So, if anyone still has any of these delicious bottles laying around – invite me over!!

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Dopple ist gut, no?

The Aventinus is a German Wheat Dopple Bock – which is basically a dark wheat with bigger, bolder flavors – and of course, more alcohol (this beer weighs in at 8.2%, to be exact).    If you like beer in a glass (which basically means a thick beer made with lots of wheat) with a malty and raisin type taste, try this beer.

 

Don’t let the word “wheat” fool you though – this isn’t one of those summer wheat beers that bartenders try to ruin by serving with a lemon – oh no, it’s much bolder than that – and much, much darker.  I, personally love Dopple Bocks; they are close to my heart, much like Brown Ales and Tripels.

 

Don’t fear the Dopple – give it a try!

Avery Brewing – Nutty but Sentimental

This cap comes to us from Avery Brewing – an Ellie’s Brown Ale, to be exact.  Reading the brewery’s website, this beer was named after the owner’s late Chocolate Lab, Ellie, as she had lots of character.  Ellie’s Brown Ale has lots of character as well – with hints of chocolate and a bold nuttiness – without being overly spiced or too sweet, it totally meets my approval of what a good brown ale should be!

I have to say, I really love a brewery that has meaning behind the names they give their beers.  Good brewers with sentimentality – sounds like the perfect recipe for a successful brewery!  Cheers Avery!

Victory!!

 

After VCU’s win tonight, which secures a place for them in the final four (woo hoo), I thought it was appropriate to use a Victory Brewing cap!

 

Victory has lots of tasty brews, but there is one that I enjoy oh so much – The Golden Monkey!  This Belgian Style Tripel is very crisp, clean and so yummy.  Don’t let it’s crisp, light mouth feel fool you though – this tasty brew packs a wallop at 9.5% ABV.  Make sure if you have one of these awesome Golden Monkeys, that you get it served in the correct glass, as it certainly deserves to be treated like the fancy beer it is.

Cheers – and congratulations to VCU in Richmond, VA for their win this evening!

No Sleep ‘Till…. Brooklyn!

Brooklyn Brewery makes one of my favorite brown ales (only second to Legend Brewing from Richmond, Va – of course).  The Brooklyn Brown is a little chocolaty without being overly sweet.  It’s a good staple to have in your beer fridge, especially if you’re a fellow brown ale lover!  This particular brewery does make some other beers I like; they have a great Oktoberfest and a yummy Black Chocolate Stout.

I have to say, even though I love Pale Ales, theirs isn’t my favorite.  I think it may be their use of Willamette Hops, which are a little too “grapefruitty” for my taste.

Give Brooklyn Brewery a try though, they have a great variety!

Chocolate Lovers… A Beer for You!

When I first saw the description of the Choklat Stout by Southern Tier Brewery, on a local beer menu, my first thought was “I have got to try this!”.  Brewed with real bittersweet Belgium Chocolate, this Imperial Stout is a chocolate lovers dream in a glass.  As I sipped on my large glass of bliss, I didn’t even need dessert – although, at 11%, I could only allow myself one- darn!  Southern Tier Brewery makes lots of great other beers, but if the Choklat is on the menu, that’s the one I’ll choose every time!

A Beer for the Cul-de-sac

 

As the days get warmer, I find myself chillin’ in the cul-de-sac with one of my favorite brews – Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.  It’s perfect for a warm day – crisp, hoppy and not overly complicated.  Sierra Nevada makes lots of wonderful beers, but this one is available year round.  This pale ale can always be found in our fridge, so if you’re ever near our cul-de-sac, stop by for one!

Anchors Away

 

Yes, that is my weak little arm… but I couldn’t resist making this Anchor cap my fake bicep tattoo!   Cute, eh?  So – this cap is obviously from Anchor Brewing.  I remember having my first Anchor Steam beer back in 1998 at River City Dinner in Downtown Richmond, VA.  Before that beer, I’d only drink Newcastle – but that one little bottle of brew from San Francisco opened my eyes to try new beer.

This particular cap is from a bottle of Anchor’s Old Foghorn Ale, which is a Barleywine Style Ale.  I do love Barleywines but haven’t tasted this one, so I assumed it was a cap of my husband’s.  I asked him “Was the Old Foghorn good?”, and he replied with, “Good?  It was delicious!”.  So there you have it – a delicious Barleywine from Anchor Brewing!

Walking the plank… Argh!

I can’t resist these easily “punned” beers… it’s too much fun!

Heavy Seas makes some pretty good brew!  I had a couple different styles from this brewery over the last couple of months, and there was only one I didn’t really care for, the Gold Ale.  I expected a bolder taste in the Gold Ale, so it could be just personal preference – but I do say, the Pale and Marzen were certainly worth walking the plank for! As I mentioned yesterday, if a Marzen (which is ready around Spring) ages, it becomes an Oktoberfest; they’re so good though, it’s hard to let them sit that long!

Try a mixed pack from Heavy Seas, there’s something for everyone!  Drink up Matey!