Monday, February 27, 2017

DuClaw Neon Gypsy - Beer Review #492

DuClaw Brewing has become one of my preferred breweries it seems and the Neon Gypsy is one of their IPA offerings that I was looking forward to trying. It is described as a golden IPA infused with grapefruit, citrus and notes of pine due to its use of the seven hops that were chosen. Just thinking about it makes me thirsty, time for me to taste and see how it compares. Check out my video to gather my thoughts!

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Dark Horse Boffo Brown Ale - Beer Review #491

The Boffo Brown Ale from Dark Horse Brewing is one that seems to be getting a second life so to speak. This 7% ABV 26 IBU Brown Ale was semi-retired a few years ago so that the brewery could focus on other beers. But now, it has grown once again into full production year round. Highlighted by its soft mouthfeel and flavors of caramel and toffee, it has been reported as a favorite by many at the brewery. Check out the video to see how I think it may compare.


Stone Xocoveza - Beer Review #490

From Stone Brewing comes the Stone Xocoveza, an 8.1% ABV Imperial Milk Stout that comes in with an IBU level of 50. The beer itself was done in collaboration with Cerveceria Insurgente and is noted as a take on Mexican hot chocolate. Crafted with cocoa, coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, this beer screams complexity. Let’s see how it compares and what it has to offer.


This Week In Beer 2/23/17

A look at the beer world for the week of 2/23/17...

Panelists include:

Rod J: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasJ2pPa0BPeGUKuf8PwxSQ

EricALionsFan: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ucenf13Dhrhw9OqpCJMBA

Pourly Reviewed Beer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa3HPnxClgsod_9aWgcK0rA

Beer Whisperer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClznYnacQibDszq8nI326UQ

Kent Beer Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwb7pqYDq3z1EMuLSk2ELmQ

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Stone Coffee Milk Stout - Beer Review #489

The Stone Coffee Milk Stout from Stone Brewing is described as a hybrid between Irish, Sweet and a Milk Stout. Coming in at an ABV of 5% and an IBU of 40, this little gem may be one that can easily be enjoyed and go down easy. Check out my video here to see if that may be the case.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Great Lakes Blackout Stout - Beer Review #488

The Blackout Stout from Great Lakes Brewing is a Russian Imperial Stout that comes in at a 9% ABV and an IBU level of 50. So as you can imagine, this hearty and malty stout comes in with a nice bite that also provides enough bitterness that the hops add to its flavor profile without overpowering it. Check out my review here to gather my thoughts and breakdown of this Ale.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Labeley.com...A Site For Beer Labels

This is a piece shared from the creators of Labely and if you are into beer labels then it may be worth you checking their site...

Beer is one of the world’s most popular drinks. People all over the world simply love beer. However, since the tastes generally differ, most people have their own favourite brand or type of beer; some people like lager while other prefer ale, and so on. Yet, there are so many beer types and styles offered that everyone can find the flavor they prefer.

If you think about it, beer actually plays a significant role in our lives. Whether you're meeting up with friends after work for a drink or two, throwing a party, organizing a family gathering, wedding celebration or any other event, there will be beer. A true beer aficionado will definitely confirm that there is nothing more refreshing than a cold beer at the end of a long and strenuous day.

Although people often prefer to drink a particular beer type, they are generally willing to try other beer styles as well, especially if they get a recommendation from a friend or read a good review or even if they find the beer label appealing. The labels can largely contribute to the way a certain beer brand is perceived and accepted by consumers.

Therefore, brewers think carefully what to put on the label that represents their brand. When designing a label, any help is welcome. For example, it is really handy to know someone with lots of experience in graphic design. However, not many of us know such person or have sufficient funds to hire a label design expert. Here comes Labeley, a free and easy to use beer label creator with a lots of features and options that allow users to create unique and personalized beer labels. The tool offers five different label elements to choose from: label shape, border, background, graphic and text. On top of it, there is a bonus feature that allows you to fully personalize the label by uploading any image from your computer (such as logo or a photo you think perfectly communicates your beer brand) and use it to design a totally unique beer label. Furthermore, every element category includes a wide range of free label shapes, backgrounds, graphics and more.

Besides creating a regular label, Labeley also offers an option to create a beer bottleneck label and make the whole beer package even more appealing.



Even though Labeley is a comprehensive tool, it is actually very easy to use. The first benefit is the fact that you don’t even have to create an account to use the free label designer. The designing process starts with selecting one of the shapes. Then you get access to a wide range of label elements to customize the label to your liking, save the design, download it on your computer, print out and voila! You have the perfect beer label for your brew. You can even use the tool for creating fun labels for parties. Wouldn’t it be jazzy if you had party beer bottles with fun beer messages on  them, such these two: “Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty beer glass” or “Beer prevents kidney stones”? Or, to have wedding beer bottles with a photo and names of the bride and groom?

On the other hand, if you want to save your label design for further modification, you can create a totally free account, save the design and they’ll be available for editing and further enhancement whenever you log back in.

If you’re at least intrigued by these features, check out Labeley, give it a spin and label your brew with the most original design!

Check out the Labeley site by clicking here: http://labeley.com/



Bell's Kalamazoo Stout - Beer Review #487

Bell’s Brewing created the Kalamazoo Stout to honor the place where it all began for them. An American Stout that comes in at an ABV of 6% and is described as smooth, full-bodied with a blend of aromas that are like a blend of dark chocolate, and who doesn’t lie chocolate? I’ve enjoyed this before in the past but it’s been a while, let’s see how it compares.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Cincy Winter Beerfest Wrap Up And Summary

Another great Cincy Beerfest has come and gone, and with 500 plus beers there was no way to try them all and was more limited especially since I was volunteering and pouring beers. But, I did get to experience a good amount of beers which I have noted in this video. I was able to track most, but I know I missed a few. For instance, I know I drank some Founders and I believe Maumee Bay, but since I couldn’t confirm I didn’t list the, here.

But with all that being said, it was another great event and this is kind of my recap to the event and the things that took place. If you have a chance to go to a beer festival then do it, there is no better time to connect with people in the industry and really taste a lot of good beers and gain some good beer knowledge as well.

Cheers!

Sights and Sounds from Cincy Winter BeerFest Feb 2017

Some images and video from the event that took place at the Duke Energy Center...set to the Rise of the Valkyries. It was definitely a good time as I was able to enjoy some various beers, although a good amount of time was spent volunteering and pouring beers for those that attended.

The Week In Beer 2/16/17

It is 2/16/17 and here are some  of the things taking place from around the world of beer. This week's panelists include:

Rod J: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasJ2pPa0BPeGUKuf8PwxSQ

Ronald Theriot: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrW2eoKdOlpFSlKHm98s8UQ

Reviewing Under Influence: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCelJeO1ZZdmJI21rmR-3ASQ

William Kepley

Beer Whisperer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClznYnacQibDszq8nI326UQ

Albino Rhino: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5IBwS_Df_KZqHzy0U98vQ

Tonya Makowski: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgtSHN_ULbZO8792eU9RxQ

EricALionsFan: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ucenf13Dhrhw9OqpCJMBA

Todd Renn

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Stella Artois Cidre - Not Beer But A Cider Review

I am a beer guy and, there is no doubt about that. But once in a while, I like to mix it up and then try some other things; this time it is the Cidre from Stella Artois. Coming in at an ABV of 4.5%, this beer provides a pretty decent appearance and the apple aroma easily climbs out of the glass. Join me on the video to see what other thoughts that I can share about this one.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Sierra Nevada Sidecar Orange Pale Ale - Beer Review #485

The Sidecar Orange Pale Ale is one more of the recent innovations by the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. This 5.3% ABV American Pale Ale comes in at 35 IBU and features Cascade, Equinox, and Mandarina Hops. All are known for their heavy citrus character and on top of these; orange peel is added to try to even illicit more of an orange flavor. Described as a hop forward beer, this one does not disappoint. Catch my overall thoughts on this one by checking out the video.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Dogfish Head Beer For Breakfast - Beer Review #484

Beer For Breakfast is not only an idea and a mighty fine one, but by now you know it is also a beer that was released by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in 2016. This beer is a 7.4% ABV Imperial Stout that is so designed to bring you breakfast in a bottle, that it even included scrapple in its making. If you don’t know what that is then ask one of your friends from around that Tristate area of Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania. If that’s not possible then check Google, of course. There’s also maple syrup that is used along with some other good things that can be expected. See and hear my thoughts by checking out my review here.

Friday, February 10, 2017

The Week In Beer 2/9/17

That time of the week where we take some time to catch up on beer, and mainly craft beer, news that may be taking place around the country and the world.

This week's panelists included:

Rod J BeerVentures: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasJ2pPa0BPeGUKuf8PwxSQ

Albino Rhino: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5IBwS_Df_KZqHzy0U98vQ

ThomasMetal75: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGmtwbq2xiw6q4b9Pf3XZA

Beer Whisperer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClznYnacQibDszq8nI326UQ

Jean H Pierre: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8tRXrqZzhiGsuMuEyx1Y-w

Ronald Theriot: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrW2eoKdOlpFSlKHm98s8UQ

Pourly Reviewed Beer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa3HPnxClgsod_9aWgcK0rA

EricALionsFan: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ucenf13Dhrhw9OqpCJMBA

Tonya Makowski: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgtSHN_ULbZO8792eU9RxQ

Holly Colt: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHhxyxUtUr5x3Rgf7Ws3aKQ

Kent Beer Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwb7pqYDq3z1EMuLSk2ELmQ

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Sierra Nevada Tropical Torpedo - Beer Review #483

The Tropical Torpedo, a Tropical version of the Torpedo from Sierra Nevada Brewing is the subject of this latest beerventure. Coming in at 6.7% ABV and 55 IBU, the bitterness should be in a whirlwind of hoppiness as five hops have been used in its creation: Amarillo, Citra, Comet, El Dorado and Mosaic. Designed to also bring in flavors and aromas of mango, papaya and passion fruit, this one should be interesting. Let’s see how it compares.

Monday, February 6, 2017

Heavy Seas Winter Storm - Beer Review #482

My never ending exploration of beers has now brought me to Heavy Seas Beer out of Baltimore, Maryland and a look at their Winter Storm. This Imperial ESB comes at you with a 7.5% ABV and 50 IBU level, both entrenched within its ruby brilliance. The uses of pale and dark malts were done to enhance and provide a bigger body to the beer, while the hops are a mix from the West Coast and the UK to enhance the bitterness. Baton down the hatches, let’s see how this one compares.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Lagunitas 12th of Never Ale - Beer Review #481

The 12th of Never Ale from Lagunitas Brewing is described as being tropically hoppy, light, yet full bodied and citrusy. It has an ABV of 5.5% and an IBU level of 45. First introduced in 2016, it is now a year round offering, and this my look at this beer. Let’s see how it compares.

Beer and BS Saturday Night Surprise 2/4/17

We just decided to get together and talk beer the night before the Super Bowl. No set criteria was used and we just flowed from topic to topic aimlessly...

* Caution: Explicit Language *


Panelists Included:

Rod J BeerVentures:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasJ2pPa0BPeGUKuf8PwxSQ

Beer Whisperer:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClznYnacQibDszq8nI326UQ

ThomasMetal75:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGmtwbq2xiw6q4b9Pf3XZA

EricALionsFan:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ucenf13Dhrhw9OqpCJMBA

Pourly Reviewed Beer:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa3HPnxClgsod_9aWgcK0rA

Jon Sherron:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZG86_wim15BN6rakOleUaQ

Kent Beer Reviews:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwb7pqYDq3z1EMuLSk2ELmQ

Beer 30:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmLyiiwfckoZyCDLrGAK43g


Friday, February 3, 2017

This Week In Beer 2/2/17 The XXXL Episode

A weekly recap of beer news...and maybe a few other things! This week on 2/2/17 the panel included:

* Caution: Explicit Language *


Rod J BeerVentures: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasJ2pPa0BPeGUKuf8PwxSQ

Beer Whisperer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClznYnacQibDszq8nI326UQ

EricALionsFan: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ucenf13Dhrhw9OqpCJMBA

JeanH Pierre: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8tRXrqZzhiGsuMuEyx1Y-w

Albino Rhino: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5IBwS_Df_KZqHzy0U98vQ

Beer 30: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmLyiiwfckoZyCDLrGAK43g

Krunch Kretschmar: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Kx-smQcMpwIgmtj1YvKhw


Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Lagunitas Brewing TuberFest - Beer Review #480

It’s rare that I am taken back by Marzen beers, but the TuberFest from Lagunitas Brewing is one that did such a thing for me. This sweetened version of their take on the Marzen style provided a nice surprise for me. It comes in at 7.5% ABV which provides a nice kick, but it’s not one that I would do many of at a time but one or two definitely is nice for breaking away to enjoy this style. At 45 IBU, the balance of the hops and malts do work well in my opinion, and check out the video here to see my other thoughts on this one that is part of their OneHitter Series.

Footnote: The OneHitter Series are actually one offs so this one is most likely no longer available, but if you see these series then grab it while you can.

Rod J BeerVentures Swag