It has been over a year since I posted anything on my beloved web site. This is because I had health problems that resulted in the amputation of the toes on my right foot. So call me half foot as I stumble around, walking with cane assistance.
Despite difficulties, I was able to navigate through this pandemic year with the love and assistance of my surgeon, nurses, physical therapists and friends. For their countless help I am eternally grateful.
My role as Beer Doctor has changed. With the advent of alcoholic seltzer water, the mythology of craft brewing has been exposed as a marketing ploy. It is hard to imagine those crafty concerns over bottles or cans have any more meaning now that flavoured water with abv has become a best seller. As a consultant, no one needs to know the Beer Doctor’s opinion on which sparkling water has the most sparkles.
Because of health concerns I rarely consume beer these days. I can live with this. But what I do miss is the poetic passion of perusal.
This the 32nd edition of Deschutes festive winter ale. Much of the online world does not understand this ale. Again, the expression wassail and non-wassail have been forgotten so you have so-called beer experts claiming this is a spice/vegetable brew when it is not. Jubelale is a glorious example of what malts and hops combined can do. It is brewery recipe magic.
As Charles Olson once said: “An American is a complex of occasions” and this can readily be seen in the mercantile concerns of the consumer who depends upon experts to form their own opinion as to what actually tastes good.
On an 18 pack of cans it states:” Cey Adams reputation as a visionary artist first took hold in New York City’s downtown graffiti movement, became legend in the early hip hop scene and evolves to this day, as his art tackles themes of race and gender relations, culture and community, and pop culture.
NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE has undergone quite a few changes over the years, partially due to changes of brand name ownership, which eventually landed Newcastle in the Heineken Group.
will yield nuanced subtle notes through the passing years. What they do not tell you that those aged Special Ales will have lost their carbonation and the lively flavors witnessed fresh, will be obliterated. In other words, it is a bloody waste of time.
A golden pilsner that is a gentle refreshing beer, that is hop forward without being bitter, using saaz and hallertau hops. Direct but quite refined.
is a gentle easy drinking golden ale, designed to accommodate the hop forward sensibilities of a younger generation. Sierra Nevada BFD is presented in an unpretentious 19.2 ounce, Ball aluminum can.
is a collaboration tribute to Tim Gossack, their former head brewer, who now works at Bell’s in Michigan.
Jubelale, now in its 31th year. This ale employs 5 malts and 5 hops for celebratory strength (6.7%} that travels all the way from Bend, Oregon. A tried and true outstanding recipe.
Budweiser Copper Lager, aged on Jim Beam barrel staves, has a somewhat boozy nose. But that is a minor detail in a lager of flavorful complexity. Malt forward with a slight bourbon note, there is also vanilla and nut like notes that conclude in a very comfortable dry finish.
A coconut infused ale that is a pleasant change of pace to all the golden coloured summer ales found on the shelf these days. The Culeberra Cut refers to the section of water created by the building of the Panama Canal, keeping this beer loosely, in Big Bill Taft context. My only complaint about this beer is the sub par aluminum container. Or to put it more precisely, when it comes to an aluminum can, there is Ball, and then there is everybody else. Nevertheless, this is an outstanding recipe.
A substantial pilsner offering that is most likely one of the best made pilsners in the United States. True to its Bohemian origins, it is an absolute pleasure to drink. My only complaint about this one is I wish it was not $10 for 2 quarts, $8 would be much more to the point.
is a rare example. A collaboration between the world’s oldest brewery and Sierra Nevada, this reinheitsgebot German creation extends the flavor of traditional wheat beer by using North American hops in an expertly refined way. What results is a beer of outstanding complexity that is a pleasure to experience.
A golden pour with a hop spice nose. The PBR version of a hop-forward American pale ale, that uses all American hops, including Liberty and Cascade. A somewhat boring presentation, but there is at least enough malt support to keep the finish from becoming excessively dry and bitter.
a production inspired by a George Washington recipe. Putting aside all the militaristic marketing with folds of honor charity, this is a drinkable beer but is not anywhere near the perfection of the Budweiser Reserve 1933 Repeal Lager of last year. But this is a beer worth checking out, with plenty of semi-sweet caramel malt and an agreeable quick finish. combined with the fact that this was made by US veteran brewers, just in time for Memorial day.
the annual season return of this classic seems much more appropriate than those 4 packs, which gave this tremendous ale an unnecessary precious pretension. The great American original version of a barleywine-style ale. The late great writer Michael Jackson described it best:
is somewhat a surprise from a brewery famous for modern interpretations of classic styles. Bel Air Sour Ale is a tart generous offering where a carbonated grapefruit palate develops over the initial shock to the palate, which proves to be quite refreshing. The fruit-like complexity of this beer is achieved through the ester magic combination of American 2-row, Pale Wheat, and Carafoam malts, combined with Amarillo and Simcoe hops, and their proprietary strain of Lctobacillus. No fruit juice here. This is a very well made beer.
After last year’s disastrous pilsner, I was not sure about sampling their Solid Gold Premium Lager. Brewed with corn, this low in alcohol lager is lower in price than other so-called craft offerings. But to be honest, I would rather have a Pabst Blue Ribbon or Hamm’s than this beer.
It’s not that it is bad. It is simply a style approach I do not care for. 40 IBU for an American wheat ale? No thank you.
Christian Moerlein’s Orginal Lager predates the infamous craft beer revolution. It was the first American beer to be certified reinheitsgebot back when Germany was known as West Germany. A delicious Vienna lager, this beer is worth drinking today. The only thing that leaves a bad taste in my mouth is learning that Christian Moerlein is an official beer for FC Cincinnati. I understand the reason for this, a sales rep told me about the sales volume during a FC Cincinnati home game. So that serves Christian Moelein’s bottom line, but it does not erase the fact that the ultra-wealthy Carl Lindner III and associated minions. are seeking public funds to fortify their neoliberal dream of making Cincinnati a major league soccer town. Considering all the other critical needs for this city, I find this concern selfish and repulsive. For that reason, I will cease to purchase anymore Christian Moerlein products. I live here and I pay property taxes and know when I’m being run over.
Offers up to the consumer a consummate a neoliberal product where patriotism is offered up in all of its free market glory with Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. But there is only one problem with all of this, and that is, this is a terrible recipe beer. It is not refreshing, it is not revolutionary, but simply a boring , slightly hoppy beer that is not worth the $10 a six pack bother.