AB - messaging in outdoor piece

We see thousands of branding messages a week - how do these few spots grow roots through our saturated consumer minds?

Bud Light is slicking us through subliminal advertising through their new outdoor ad to keep drinking Anheuser-Busch (AB). There is a unique, but whiney message in that piece - you’ll notice there is a bottle in place of the first ‘i’ in drinkabilty which allows the first seven letters to showcase a message, ‘DRINKAB’

It’s bit unsettling for me that AB sold out to InBev because it quickly untied a thread of our American culture. By the way, Anheuser-Busch InBev just cut 1400 jobs, 6% of their total workforce just week after their $53 billion takeover - an insight of what’s to come.

Drinkability is simply gauged by a simple question, 'Could I drink another one of these?' No thanks AB-IB! I truly believe America has the best beer in the world - drink American craft beer and support your local breweries. Craft beer is a beverage that costs about the same as something like Bud Light and it provides less 'risky' opportunities to try than say a craft wine. Consume something that has creative stature and simply tastes better.

Foam For The Holidays

Peeking up from a Christmas dinner prayer, I glance around the long table where family and friends have their heads intently bowed, eyes closed - each accompanied by a bounty of food and drink.

Muted colors of informally portioned food: Candied pecan yams, squash soup, peppered cranberry turkey, cinnamon spiral ham, cornbread dressing, and fresh snap green beans, all pop with color when placed on the white China. Resting at both ends of the table are two carafes of wine that play only a small part in the beverage vehicles that await each guest. Yet, with five to seven other drink offerings... no beer. How did this happen? Where did beer get lost in the mix of forgetful gifts that many perceive as unseeingly gracious and unflattering as fruitcake?

Reflecting, ‘I will not let this happen next year,’ I conjure how one could impress and wow a dinner table with new conversation, but without the pretentious perception of expensive wine. Bring beer!

Beer also has its ostentatious crusaders. I meet too many self-proclaimed, ‘beer snobs.’ This moniker alone is averse to spreading the goodwill of good beer. Do not be a beer snob, as it will only intimidate potential brew advocates and not allow them the open-mindedness to simply have fun. That being said, beer deserves respect at the dinner table. During the holidays, people expect to try an abundance of items that in turn gives you a great opportunity to show your peers how to move beyond the wine list. Connect food with beer and create memories your guests may never forget.

When guests arrive, open up conversation without a palate overkill with lighter brews like Victory Prima Pils or Sam Adams Boston Lager. Next, pair up salads and cheeses with pale ales like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Saint Arnold Elissa India Pale Ale, or Dogfish Head 60 minute.

Moving to dinner, think of beer as being the best thing to drink because wine in many cases is too acidic. Think of brew having 3 C’s - It cuts fat and starches with it’s carbonation which literally scrubs your tongue and opens up the next bite. Beer also compliments many flavors like sweet, citrus sour, smoky, and then can contrast like bitter, salty, and sweet. With dinner try substituting wine for brew...or at least have it available. Replace a bright chardonnay or white with a Farmhouse Saison like Dupont or my favorite, Ommegang Hennepin which yields great carbonation and an earthy, citrus flavor profile to go well with turkey and cranberries or candied yams. Other Belgian style beers like strong dark ales, dubbles, and quadruples like Chimay Red and Blue or the reviewed St. Bernardus Abt 12 can help lift foods like roasted pork loin, spiral ham, and stuffing.

So what for dessert? Brownies, truffles, chocolate, and ice cream can all go well with brews like Lindemans Framboise or Kriek (raspberry or cherry beer) or especially darker stouts like Young’s Double Chocolate Stout or Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout.

Finally, don’t forget about seasonal beer. Try Shiner Holiday Cheer, that is brewed with pecans and Stonewall Peaches or my winter favorite, Anchor Our Special Christmas Ale.

In addition to the fantastic pairings of beer and food, all the brews suggested are crafted suitably outside as well as inside to offer attractive table appearance, some of which are corked and caged like a Champagne bottle.

Be the considerate gourmand at your next holiday dinner or party in which beer can be your way to revitalize the bountifulness this season.

I am available to guide beer pairing parties, be it with cheese, hors d’oeuvres/tapas, BBQ, chocolate, or even a full 5-7 course dinner. BrandonEast@gmail.com

Cheers and Happy Holidays!


St. Bernardus Abt 12
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Watou, Belgium
SintBernardus.be

St. Bernardus Abt 12 is a Quadruple that reigns from Belgium and is brewed by Trappist monks in the small region of Flanders. Much of the proceeds from the beer are collected to sustain their livelihood and local charities.

Color is dark pomegranate and brown hues with unbleached linen color foam that dissipates rather swiftly but leaves a wonderful ring. Caramel malt, apple, plum, and sugary molasses dance in the aroma. Sipping the brew brings a lace of candi (rock) sugar to the lips while pear, caramel, dark fruit, cinnamon, and a slight bitterness to the palate.

Some prefer to have Abt 12 after a meal or with a cigar but I think with such a developed and complex flavor profile and carbonation this would also be perfect for those hearty and savory dishes we have come to love this holiday season. Instead of Champagne at New Years Eve, bring St. Bernardus Abt 12. Seriously, $10 is remarkable for one of the world’s best brews - do yourself a favor, buy it now.

Appearance: 4
Smell: 4.5
Taste: 5
Mouthfeel: 5
Drinkability: 5
Overall = 4.7

Style: Quadrupel (Quad)
Alcohol By Volume : 10.50%
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 750ml brown bottle
Pairings: Cheese: Brie, Gouda
Cuisine: Smoked ham, roasted pork loin with apples
Glassware: Oversized red wine glass, snifter, goblet
Price: $9.99 each


Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, California
SierraNevada.com

I have a soft spot for Sierra Nevada Pale Ale as it was the first real beer experience that opened my senses to something completely new. What I remember was that it lasted like grass and piney bitterness, yet sweet and...I wanted more.

Pours golden amber with a tight beige head that falls to a nice lace. Nose is pine with biscuty malt then follows to a slight citrus. Hops are spicy, fruity, and floral while the Cascade bitterness lasts throughout the tasting to the back of the throat with easy carbonation. So many flavors in this brew and is so drinkable.

Local bars and restaurants listen up - get this in your beer portfolio now and replace one of those seven macro lagers with this instant classic! Why is this only available at two local bars/restaurants?

Appearance: 4
Smell: 4
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 5
Overall = 4.3

Style: American Pale Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 5.60%
Availability: Year Round
Sample Size: 12 oz. brown bottle
Pairings: Cheese: Cheddar, Fontina, Parmesan
Cuisine: salad, grilled steak or chicken
Glassware: pint glass
Price: $7.99 six pack

Tailgating at Ole Miss

Walking into the campus of the University of Mississippi with a cooler in tow awaits a tailgating experience of renowned acclaim - the Grove. Sitting in the middle of campus is a 10-acre oak forest that is the canvas for the nation’s crown jewel of tailgating.

Here in the vast landscape of tents and toddies, initiates autumn’s unmistakable crisp air and College Football season. Fried chicken, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, and deviled eggs are Southern staples that must be accompanied by libations as Bloody Marys, mimosas, bourbon, and definitely some mixed brew.

So what brew to drink? Typically, before visiting a town that I’ll be staying in for a few days I will search online for unique restaurants (dine.com) and local breweries or brewpubs (beeradvocate.com/beerfly). I planed ahead and bought a few mixed 6-packs at Miller’s Liquor and some seasonal brew at Spec’s. This allowed those who wanted beer at the game to sample something different but enjoyable - leaving room for local beer if any could be found.

The void in the cooler was filled with a local brewery, Lazy Magnolia that makes an amazing ‘Southern Pecan’ Brown Ale. Also, in the mix was a darker seasonal brew, ‘Autumn Ale’ created by Breckenridge Brewing Company. Darker ales are perfect companions to the brisk fall days that have changed from the blonde ales of summer to heartier and deeper brews like porters and brown ales.

My top picks for local brew to add to your next tailgate cooler:
Austin - Real Ale, Live Oak (growlers), Independence
Baton Rouge- Abita
College Station - Southern Star
Dallas/Ft.Worth - Rahr & Sons
Houston - Saint Arnold’s
Lubbock - Triple J Chophouse (growlers)
Beaumont - Gulf Coast Brewing Co. (soon!)

In addition to local brews try these fall picks: Abita’s ‘Pecan Harvest’, Paulaner Oktoberfest—Märzen’, Dogfish Head ‘Punkin', Rogue Chocolate Stout

Beaumont was represented well at the Grove and many stayed to watch the Ole Miss & University of South Carolina game on pay-per-view and listen to the live band that was playing at the tent. Although Ole Miss lost the football game - the party still continued till the evening. Christy & Mike Persia III conduct impeccable entertaining, helping to remind all that the Grove is first-and-foremost a haven to let loose and enjoy the camaraderie of friends and family. Cheers!



Southern Pecan
Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company
Kiln, Mississippi
LazyMagnolia.com

Pours medium to pale caramel color with garnet highlights and displays a tan crown that dissipates quickly. Pleasantly sweet aroma of roasted nuttiness and a soft fruitiness. Rustic bread crust, roasted pecans, maple syrup, and light caramel along with balanced hop bitterness help round out the flavor profile. Not much carbonation and a medium bodied mouthfeel. An outstanding ale that is amazingly drinkable. When in Oxford, Mississippi, head to Murff’s and get a pint of this brew with a Muff Burger and fried egg.

Appearance: 3
Smell: 4
Taste: 4
Mouthfeel: 3.5
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 3.8

Style: English/American Style Brown Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 4.02%
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 12oz. brown bottle

Pairings: Cheese: Camebert, Fontina
Cuisine: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Glassware: Pint glass
Price: $7.99 six-pack


Autumn Ale
Breckenridge Brewing & BBQ
Denver, Colorado
Breckbrew.com

Deep dark brown that is translucent to opaque with ruby highlights that holds a tan ecru head then sticks around with sticky lacing. Nose is molasses and chocolate malt with a subtle nuttiness. Taste is a bit complex of toasted almonds and dark fruits like sugar plums and raisins which yields an alcohol warmth and low carbonation perfect for cozy, crisp evenings. I suggest this brew as a digestif - don’t let this beer be the only one for the evening as it is not sessional, leaving lackluster and wanting to quaff something less heavy.

Appearance: 3.5
Smell: 3.5
Taste: 4
Mouthfeel: 3.5
Drinkability: 2.5
Overall = 3.6

Style: Old Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 6.70%
Availability : Fall Seasonal
Sample Size: 12 oz. brown bottle

Pairings: Cheese: Gouda, Havarti
Cuisine: Digestif
Glassware: Pint Glass or Snifter
Price: $7.99 six pack

Hoppy Ending / October Brew Review

Is any beer hoppy enough? Hops are the brilliant flowering cones and a cousin of the cannabis plant (sorry, no THC in these crops) that lend much of the beer’s aroma, flavor, and bittering properties which derive from the hop’s resin and oil. Hops are the age-old seasoning of the beer, the natural warriors who fight spoilage from wild bacteria, act as a preservative, and bring balance to the sweetness from malt. They also help create head/foam retention that pleases the palate by imparting its unique characters and flavors. Basically, hops put the ‘bite’ in beer.

American brewers are creating many ‘extreme’ brews to celebrate the intoxicating character of hops and playing a game of ‘one up’ to challenge beer perception and ultimately redefining consumers tastes. As a brew advocate and self proclaimed ‘hophead,’ I like finding the harmony in chaos. Any brewer can pitch in loads of hops into their beer, but how does it play with the other ingredients?

Our tongue and brain are imbedded initially not to like or appreciate bitter flavors – in a plant’s defense, bitterness is nature’s way of saying ‘don’t eat me.’ The International Bitterness Unit (IBU) scale is roughly used to gauge bitterness – a typical American Light Lager has around 10 IBUs, and below you will see an American Double India Pale Ale at 101 IBUs!

Early autumn in America brings a new hop harvest, typically picked from the Northwest regions like Oregon and Washington. Unfortunately, we have a crisis on our hands; American and European hop supplies are dwindling and craft beer demand is skyrocketing. A warehouse fire that held 4% of the year’s US crop, energy prices, and ruinous weather in Europe furthered the hop shortage. Many small, craft brewers are scrambling to find the hops for their recipes, while much larger producers, like Anheuser-Busch/ InBev & MillerCoors, aren’t as affected because they have long-term contracts with hop growers.

To this, drink what you like and remember that beer is still one of the best affordable luxuries. You can go to the store with $10 and come out with a six-pack of a world-class beer – try doing that with a world-class wine.



HopDevil Ale
Victory Brewing Co.
Downingtown, PA
victorybeer.com

The Devil pours reddish with persimmon highlights and displays rocky foam crowning the lip. The aroma of fresh hops sits to the back while more grain and malt are mostly present - the fresher the brew the more revealing hop aroma. This brown bottle has an ‘Enjoy By’ date of October 22, 2008 that could explain the underwhelming aroma. The taste is absolutely perfect – caramel malt and piney/grapefruit hops whisk together then slide to a trailing bitterness that devilishly taunts repetition. This ale is silky, somewhat dry, and completely exquisite.


Appearance: 4.5
Smell: 3.5
Taste: 5
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 5
Overall = 4.5


Style: American IPA (India Pale Ale)
Alcohol By Volume : 6.70%
International Bitterness Units: about 55
Availability: Year Round
Sample Size: 12oz. brown bottle

Pairings
Cheese: Gorgonzola, Limburger
Cuisine: Thai, Spicy Indian
Glassware: Pint glass
Price: $7.99 six-pack


Green Flash Imperial India Pale Ale
Green Flash Brewing Co.
San Diego, California
greenflashbrew.com

The golden ale kissed with garnet highlights releases a complex and masterful aroma of spruce, pineapple, cannabis, green grapes, and onions. The hop flavor on this beer is magnificent and somewhat unbalanced – in that the flavor lends intensity to the bitterness with a malt background screaming for attention. Pure freshness and masterful complexity where it counts. Crisp edges and medium carbonation gives a dry yet smooth mouthfeel. At 101 IBUs, I was expecting a bit more flavor bitterness throughout the finish but the aroma flags abrupt caution.

Appearance: 4
Smell: 5
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 3.5
Drinkability: 4
Overall = 4.35

Style: American Double IPA (India Pale Ale)
Alcohol By Volume: 9%
International Bitterness Units: 101
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 22 oz. brown bomber

Pairings:
Cheese: Pungent blue, razor sharp cheddar
Cuisine: Grilled Meat
Glassware: Pint Glass
Price: $6.15 bottle

Ski. Bike. Drink.

As a state internationally recognized for natural beauty, rich history, and extensive cultural attractions, Colorado can now boast as the Nation’s leading state in beer production. Today, Colorado claims one of the largest concentrations of microbeweries in America and many referring to the region as the ‘Napa Valley of Beer.’ As a nod to the state’s impressive brew presence, the Great American Beer Festival, the largest domestic beer festival in the United States, is held annually in Denver — which draws more than 46,000 beer enthusiasts and 400+ breweries for three days of pure frothy goodness.

Denver has pristine mountain water at its fingertips, 74 breweries in 100 miles of downtown, and is home to the country’s first CBO (Chief Beer Officer) with Four Points Sheraton. Colorado brewers respect their resources and many are developing homegrown alternatives in brewing for environmental sustainability. Breweries like New Belgium, are devoting great resources towards the development of energy and water conservation techniques, reusing byproducts and waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, establishing comprehensive recycling programs, and supporting environmental organizations around the country.

In addition to Breckenridge and Great Divide, a few of my other top of Colorado favorites include: Avery, Flying Dog, Left Hand, New Belgium, and Oskar Blues.



Hercules Double IPA
Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver. Colorado
Greatdivide.com

Hercules pours deep orange with golden highlights and displays a massively stacked two-finger ecru head, leaving a spider web of lacing. Aroma is highly piney oiled hops, toasted nuts, and pineapple. Taste is sweet and quite earthy with strong grapefruit at the beginning then gooey hops lingering through each sip. The malt and hop flavors impeccably balance and last long enough to be complex and ultimately inviting. Mouthfeel has a medium to full body with a smooth carbonation while resinous hop oils flow across the palate. It's the quintessential balanced DIPA in that it compliments its malt side as much as its hop side. Thank you to Tony Tortorice Jr. for this superb recommendation – amazing brew!


Appearance: 4.5
Smell: 4.5
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 4.5
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 4.5

Style: American Double IPA
Alcohol By Volume : 9.10%
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 22oz. bomber / brown bottle
Pairings:
Cheese: Sharp Blue, Strong Cheddar, PepperJack
Cuisine: Grilled Portabella mushroom caps (see blog for brew baste), chips & guacamole
Glassware: Pint glass
Price: $6.79 each



Avalanche Ale
Breckenridge Brewing & BBQ
Denver, Colorado
Breckbrew.com

Avalanche pours deep amber with golden tones that leaves quickly dissipating foam. Smell is light of sweet malt with a hint of fruity notes and little hops. Taste is subdued with nice toasted grain, quite smooth and somewhat light with a slight hop tinge. Nice mouthfeel with a sticky sweet coat and is medium bodied. At right around 5% Alcohol By Volume, Avalanche makes a great session beer. A session beer is typically deemed as being around 5% ABV, featuring a balance of both the hops and grain with a clean finish to allow the drinker to enjoy more brews in a reasonable amount of time. Session beers don’t have to lack flavor – Avalanche is recommended.

Appearance: 4.5
Smell: 3
Taste: 4
Mouthfeel: 3.5
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 3.9

Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 5.41%
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 12 oz. brown bottle

Pairings:
Cheese: Aged Gouda, strong Cheddar
Cuisine: Sweet Barbeque, Mexican
Glassware: Pint Glass
Price: $7.99 six pack



Recipe: Grilled Double IPA Portabella Mushrooms

Ingredients:
Serves 4
¾ cup of Great Divide Hercules Double IPA
3 Tbs. light teriyaki sauce or soy sauce
4 large Portobello mushroom caps, brushed clean (do not rinse)
4 minced garlic cloves
2 Tbs minced ginger
1 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary
½ cup. olive oil
1/2-tsp. ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Pour the Great Divide Hercules into bowl and whisk in everything else except the mushrooms.
2. Place mushrooms in a non-reactive pan, preferably glass or ceramic (DO NOT use plastic ziplock bags to marinade - it will release toxins in your food)
3. Cover the pan and refrigerate for 1-2 hours
4. Fire up your grill to medium. Have a brew.
5. Once the fire is ready, debag the mushrooms and the grill them grill-side up for 5-8 minutes, pouring on half of the marinade, until the bottoms are brown.
6. Turn, then cook for about 5 minutes more, basting with the remaining marinade, until the centers are tender when poked.

August / Not just a state of wine

California is top of mind for consumers when one thinks of wine produced in the United States. California’s winemakers have taken reign to even trademark Napa Valley, comparatively to the Champagne region in France. One ingredient, fermented grape juice has entirely transformed the beverage industry and until recently many winemakers have created new blends and profuse accessories too attract the common man and woman. When pairing food and wine, many believed that wine went with finer cuisine, typically French, and beer went with… well, hot dogs.

As I see many of my friends and family take to wine with respect and ultimately, beverage separatism, I see that they are potentially the same advocates who should approach beer with the same excitement. Beer will challenge your senses and help to peel away the notion of beer as simply a product for quick consumption. What other beverage can enhance the range of life’s simple pleasures from fishing with buddies to having dinner at a fine restaurant, other than a great brew?

Some of my A-list breweries from California include: AleSmith, Anchor, Anderson Valley, Firestone Walker, Lost Abbey, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, and Stone. Beer trumps wine in two distinct ways – carbonation and at least four hearty ingredients: water, hops, yeast, and barley. I recommend that the next time you want to have grilled steak and are at the liquor store, peek in their beer section and grab an Pale Ale (like a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) along with your Cabernet Sauvignon.




Red Rocket Ale
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Healdsburg, California
bearrepublic.com

Red Rocket takes off into the glass with explosive carbonation and portrays a garnet color and tan cushiony foam leaving plenty lacing. Aroma initially opens with sweet hops then settles down with some fruit, burnt sugars, and roasted malt. Wonderful flavors of balanced hops, brown sugar, and roasted malt. No other red ale exemplifies the style so well while incorporating hops into every interaction in the brew to the bitter end - love it. Another amazing beer from Bear Republic – also try their Hop Rod Rye.

Appearance: 4.5
Smell: 4.5
Taste: 5
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 4.65

Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 6.80%
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 22oz. bomber / brown bottle
Pairings:
Cheese: Sharp Blue, Cheddar
Cuisine: Grilled steak, spicy black bean hummus & pita bread
Glassware: Pint glass
Price: $4.89 each



PranQster
North Coast Brewing Co.
Fort Bragg, California
northcoastbrewing.com

Pours hazed apricot hue with a light sheet of lace that hugs the stemless pinot noir glass. Feeble aroma but picking up sweet vanilla, little spice, and a surprising whiff of oaky chardonnay. Amazingly, the flavor makes up for everything the nose lets down. Pranqster lives up to its name by unveiling a world-class taste. Each sip brings candi sugar that laces the lips with notes of spicy hops, pale malt and that quintessential Belgian yeast flavor. This brew is full of flavor and brings a strong mouthful with an expected powerful carbonation. This beer has high drinkability, but consume with moderation, for PranQster will fool you with it’s high alcohol content.

Appearance: 4
Smell: 2.5
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 4.5
Drinkability: 5
Overall = 4.05

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 7.60%
Availability : Spring & Summer Release
Sample Size: 12 oz. brown bottle

Pairings:
Cheese: Aged Gouda, strong Cheddar
Cuisine: Apéritif, Shrimp Salad, mussels, Digestif,
Glassware: Over-sized wine glass, snifter
Price: $7.94 four pack

July Brew Review / Texas Pale Ales

Texas Pale Ales

This month we stay local and explore two brews crafted right around Southeast Texas. First we visit the new and out of the chute, Southern Star Brewing Company from Conroe to taste their craft-canned Pine Belt American Pale Ale. Next, we’ll sample an American IPA (India Pale Ale) from the well established and Texas favorite, Saint Arnold Brewing Company of Houston.


Pine Belt Pale Ale
Southern Star Brewing Company
Conroe, Texas
southernstarbrewing.com

Slightly hazy-copper color with a light beige meringue head that has good staying power. Syrupy grapefruit and fresh, floral pine oil control the nose along with some slight toasted malt. The body is medium with a fine carbonation, giving a zesty mouthfeel that becomes creamy as it warms. Fresh cut grass and the oily Columbus hop character quickly take over the palate to provide a clean bite of citric, grapefruit character and with juicy fruit gum, which yields a crisp fresh taste. Malty undertones of crust and caramel help to balance Pine Belt’s flavor while the hop bitterness progressively increases and loiters on the tongue after each sip. I found this local gem at Spec’s in Houston and I look forward to when this beer is available in Beaumont.

Appearance: 4.5
Smell: 4
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 5
Overall = 4.4

Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol By Volume : ?
Availability: Year Round

Sample Size: 16oz. can
Pairings:
Cheese: Camembert, Fontina,
Cuisine: grilled lemongrass chicken & vermicelli / see below for marinade.
Glassware: pint glass
Price: $6.49 / four-pack



Elissa IPA
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Houston, Texas
saintarnold.com

Pours transparent copper-orange with a nominal, light ecru head that dissipates quickly and leaves a faint collar. Cascade hops dominate the aroma’s foreground with some caramel to the back. The taste surprisingly balances with sweet malt caramel and biscuity flavors then finishes with a middling hop presence that is citrus and pine that fades quickly leaving a lingering bitterness. The malt is not sticky or overly sweet; it is simply the dominant flavor. Smooth bodied with medium carbonation lend a dry finish.

Appearance: 3.5
Smell: 4
Taste: 3.5
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 4
Overall = 3.7

Style: American IPA (India Pale Ale)
Alcohol By Volume : 6.60%

Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 12oz. bottle
Pairings:
Cheese: Limburger
Cuisine: vegetarian Indian dishes, spicy chicken Pad Thai,
Glassware: pint glass
Price: $7.99 / six-pack

_______________________________

The difference between an American Pale Ale an a American IPA (India Pale Ale) is that when IPAs were transported from Britain to the British colony of India, these brews would require more hops to be used as a preservative to make it through a four-month sea journey. In turn these IPAs acquired a deeper color and a more bitterness from the hops. American brewers who brew IPAs try to replicate the British IPA using American ingredients. Saint Arnold Brewing Company donates a percentage of the proceeds of from Elissa IPA to the Galveston Historical District for the preservation of the brew’s namesake; a tall moored ship similar to those commerce vessels that transported India Pale Ales from Britain to India.

American Pale Ales like Southern Star’s Pine Belt are quite popular and are an adaptation of English pale ales to reflect local ingredients native to America, often without heavy hopping and a less caramel flavor than their English counterparts. Southern Star’s Co-founders Dave Fougeron and Brian Hutchins began production of their first signature brew in March of this year from their 10,000 foot warehouse in Conroe. Southern Star Brewing Company is the one of the only microbreweries in the state of Texas to package their craft beer in a can.

_______________________________

Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast/thigh, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons cooking oil
2 fresh lemongrass stalks, tender inner white bulbs only, minced
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
3 chilies, seeded and minced
1 scallion for garnishing

Method:

In a bowl, combine the fish sauce, garlic, curry powder, salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the sugar. Add the chicken meat to coat.

In a small skillet, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 tablespoon of the water and cook over high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Cook without stirring until a deep amber caramel forms. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of water. Transfer to a bowl.

Heat a wok over high heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the lemongrass, shallot, and chilies and stir-fry until fragrant. Add the chicken and caramel and stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is slightly thickened. Transfer to a bowl and top with the scallion. Serve with steamed white rice.

June Brew Review / Tasty Sojourn

Weihenstephaner HefeWeissbier
Brauerei Weihenstephan
Freising, Germany
brauerei-weihenstephan.de

The dark mustard hazy color hefe displays capacious pillowy foam. Aroma of banana, lemon, vanilla, and spice along with light malts and a little whiff of hops. Flavor hits with a very solid creamy wheat taste – banana and lemon again, clove, cracker, delicate hops and extremely slight bubblegum. Nicely carbonated mouthfeel with a fine pepper tinge. Please refrain from garnishing with a lemon or orange, as it will mask some of the greatness actually in this beer.

Appearance: 4
Smell: 4.5
Taste: 4
Mouthfeel: 4.5
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 4.2

Style: Hefeweizen
Alcohol By Volume : 5.40%
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 12oz. bottle
Pairings:
Cheese: Edam, Feta
Cuisine: Weisswurst (white sausage), Sushi
Glassware: Weizen glass
Price: $7.99 six pack


Skinny Dip
New Belgium Brewing Inc.
Fort Collins, Colorado
newbelgium.com

Skinny Dip is a replacement and retuned recipe of New Belgium’s retired brew, Loft. Pours a clear light copper color with an ample head. Aroma is biscuity cookie and very malty with a minute hop presence. Flavor notes of kaffir lime and cascade hops sit to the back while the malt dominates. The mouthfeel is similar in fashion to Fat Tire as it begins with sweetness and is then topped with light to moderate carbonation.
Skinny Dip is a exceptional session brew that is not only refreshing, but is perfect for those looking for the ‘figure-friendly’ alternative to those light or ultra beers this summer. If anyone cares, Skinny Dip is only 114 calories per 12oz serving.

Appearance: 3.5
Smell: 4
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 3.5
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 4.1

Style: American Blonde Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 4.20%
Availability : Spring & Summer Release
Sample Size: 12 oz. brown bottle
Pairings:
Cheese: Monterey Pepper Jack, Havarti
Cuisine: Salad, Seafood, Quiche
Glassware: Pint glass
Price: $7.99 six pack


Weihenstephan, founded 1040 AD is the oldest established brewery and have created an amazing benchmark of the Hefeweizen style. To break it down, Hefe- yeast and Weizen- wheat, typically referes to an unfiltered wheat ale that has yeast added for natural, bottle-conditioning. If you enjoyed the Weihenstephaner please try the “Holy Grail” for Hefeweizen from Austin’s Live Oak brewery. They do not bottle but you can find the beer on tap at a few different bars in Houston, Austin, and around Texas (not yet Beaumont).

May Brew Review

Cusquena Premium Peruvian Beer
Compania Cervecera Del Sur Del Peru S.A. / Cusco, Peru / cusquena.co.uk

Cusquena streams into the pint glass from the unique brown bottle and displays a frothy two-finger head and a transparent golden straw color. Aroma of malt, caramel, and a slight Saaz floral hop character. The taste parallels the aroma and is very balanced and carbonated with a light body. This is a surprising beer and is a great transition from the true mass-marketed American Macro Lagers. Cusquena is refreshing and a fantastic buy for these hot Texas summers.

Appearance: 3 

Smell: 3 

Taste: 4 

Mouthfeel: 3.5 

Drinkability:4.5

Overall = 3.6

Style: American Macro Lager 

Alcohol By Volume : 5.00%

Availability : Year Round

Sample Size: 11.2 oz. brown bottle

Pairings:
Cheese: Monterey Jack
Cuisine: Ceviche (see my easy recipe below), Braised Pork Tacos, Chicken Tikka Masala
Glassware: Pint glass

Price: $7.50 six pack

 ApriHop

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery / Milton, Delaware / dogfish.com

Brown bottle reads, “A serious India Pale Ale brewed with real apricots.” Pours an orange-amber color, with an approaching crown of dense, fluffy, and creamy suds.  Apricot, slight pineapple, and pine oiled hops notes fills the nose. Middling apricot taste with dashed tartness and a hoppy bitterness that settles in the middle then balances with subtle malt character. Finishes with a medium mouthfeel that is crisp, quite dry, and a good bite expected for an India Pale Ale. ApriHop is an amazing beer that is not artificial or overpoweringly sweet; just a harmonious marriage of real fruit and real beer. 

Appearance: 4
Smell: 4
Taste: 4
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 4.05
 
Style: Fruit Beer (India Pale Ale)
Alcohol By Volume : 7.00%
Availability : Spring Release
Sample Size: 12 oz. brown bottle

Pairings:
Cheese: Manchego
Cuisine: Hummus, Cuban Pork Tamales, Salad

Glassware: Pint glass
Price: $9 four pack


Style Profile:
Cusqueña (pronounced CUS-KEN-YA) is produced near the lost city of Machu Picchu-center of the Incas civilization in the Peruvian Andes. It is made with pure glacial mountain water from a source at 18,000 feet in the Andes and is the only Latin beer brewed to the German purity laws of 1516.

Within the style of Fruit Beer, components such as hops and malt may be intentionally subdued to allow the fruit character to dominate. The fruit should simply add an extra complexity and should be supportive to the beer while not artificial, but not be so prominent as to unbalance the final result. Remember that adding fruit should generally add flavor not sweetness to fruit beers. Kudos to Sam Calagione and his extreme style at Dogfish Head Brewery for creating his off-centered ales; always a treat.

Peruvian Ceviche Recipe

1 pound sea bass, chopped finely
1 cup lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced red onion
3 scallions, finely chopped
4 serrano chiles, seeds and ribs removed, diced
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 avocado, peeled, seed removed, sliced
Tortilla chips, for serving

In a non-reactive dish, such as a glass bowl, toss together the sea bass, lime juice, salt and garlic. Marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Drain the fish; it will have made a milky liquid. Add the scallions, chile and cilantro and stir gently together with the fish. Garnish each serving with slices of avocado and cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips and a bucket of Cusquena.

April Brew Review

Shiner 99 / Munich Helles Lager

Spoetzl Brewery / Shiner, Texas / shiner.com

Pours a bright, clear, straw color with ample suds. Smells of grain malts and a very faint sweetness/honey and spice coming through from the Hallertau hops. Taste of forward leaning malt with hops that lean to the back. Light-medium mouthfeel with calm carbonation and average drinkability for a Munich lager. A common representation of the style that pays tribute to Shiner's rich German tradition and heritage. Bring some to your next crawfish boil (see picture below.)

appearance: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 3.5 | drinkability: 4
3.75 overall

Style: Munich Helles Lager
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 5.0%
Availability: limited release
Sample Size: 12oz brown bottle

Pairings:
cheese: Havarti, Brie
cuisine: spicy crawfish, fried oyster po-boy

glassware: flute or Pilsner glass
price: $6.99 6/pack

Allagash Tripel Reserve

Allagash Brewing Company / Portland, Maine / allagash.com

Bottle is corked and caged with a #68 batch stamp. Brew streams into the goblet translucent golden-orange with a frothy dense head. Extremely convoluted aroma of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, with hints of banana. Taste brings rich flavors of candi sugar, caramel, banana, clove, and a tad bit of citrus tartness with light pepper. Carbonation pops in the mouth and levels out with some alcohol warmth. Fruity sweet and dry finish that is quite drinkable. One of the best, if not the best Tripel brewed in the United States. Try drinking Allagash Tripel as an aperitif with the suggested parings, with a dessert, or especially excellent on its own as a digestif.

appearance: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 4
4.55 overall

Style: Tripel
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 9.0%
Availability: year-round
Sample Size: 750ml corked and caged bottle

Pairings:
cheese: Stilton, Roquefort, Feta
cuisine: Greek salad, asparagus, lemon squares

glassware: goblet, snifter
price : $9.25 bottle

Style Profile:

In 2005, five years from their Centennial Anniversary, Shiner began brewing an annual series of limited edition, commemorative brews, tipping a hat to their rich German roots. Shiner kicked things off with their 96 Märzen-Style Ale followed by 97 Black Lager (Schwarzbier), then 98 Bavarian-Style Amber and now Shiner's 99 Munich-Style Helles Lager. Click here for more info on Shiner's Anniversary Brews.

Tripel is a strong blonde/pale ale originally created and popularized in 1934 by the Belgian Trappist monastery at Westmalle. Allagash stands out as one of the best breweries in America with an anchored portfolio of Beligian inspired style beers such as White and Dubbel, while some brews are barrel-aged in bourbon soaked oak. All Allagash beers are always bottle-conditioned, meaning that they are not pasteuized and they contain live yeast to being a new process of fermentation.

Below is a video from Allagash brewing company. They are in process of creating one of America's first spontaneous fermented beers, which are also called Lambics and are made from wild yeast and aged hops. After fermentation the Lambic will age in French oak and possibly be added with fruit and should be ready in 2009.

http://allagash.com/news_cool_ship.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD_49kfVJeE

March Brew Review

Storm King Imperial Stout

Victory Brewing Company / Downingtown, Pennsylvania / victorybeer.com

Pours opaque black with amazing head retention. Aroma of plums, mocha coffee, and faint anise with an alcohol nose comparable to barleywine. The taste brings intricate flavors of biscotti, toasted almond, bread crust, dried red fruit and bittersweet chocolate. Alcohol moderately warms the mouth, then finishes quite bitter, yet pleasantly with a creamy and full mouthfeel. Storm King is an impressive and complex dessert stout that stores and cellars for up to five years.

appearance: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 4.5
4.60 overall

Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 9.10%
Availability: Year round
Sample Size: 12oz glass bottle

Pairings:
cheese: razor sharp cheddar
cuisine: chocolate mousse

glassware: snifter
price: $10.99 6/pack

Guinness Draught & Smithwick’s Ale (All Irish Black & Tan)
Dublin, Ireland / Guinness, LTD

The first brew pour is Smithwick’s with an amber color and intentionally no head. The nose has subtle roasted malts and faint hops. Next, Irish stout from the Guinness Draught slowly pours over the Brütül turtle that trickles on top the Smithwick’s. The famous Guinness surge appears and the creamy tan head assembles at the top of the glass. Nose is dominant of light malts and coffee. Taste mellows and is not overly exciting for a stout, but is pleasant. The roasted malt is most noticeable with a lightly creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Guinness’ body is thin to medium. As the brew knocks back, the Smithwick’s arrives with a suitable amount of nimble caramel and toffee up front with a malt backbone. Mouthfeel is light bodied that rummages for more hop character. Finishes clean with smooth drinkability.

appearance: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | mouthfeel: 2.5 | drinkability: 4
3.25 overall

Styles: Dry Stout & Irish Red Ale
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): Avg 4.35%
Availability: Year round
Sample size: (G) nitro-can & (S) glass bottle

Parings:
cheese: paragon, provolone
cusine: smoked salmon, hearty Irish stew

glassware: pint glass / mug
price: (G) $7.49 4/pack (S) $7.49 6/pack

Style Profile:

To prepare an All-Irish Black & Tan, first fill a glass halfway with Smithwick’s (pronounced Smit-icks), then add the Guinness Draught from their nitro-can with the widget rocket. The top layer is best poured slowly over an upside-down tablespoon or a Brütül turtle (purchase at Brutul.com or Spec’s) placed over the glass to trickle over the ale to avoid splashing and mixing the layers.

Russian Imperial stout is a strong, high alcohol, complex stout originally brewed back in the 1800s in London to impress the Tsar of the Russian Imperial Court.