Malt Liquor Monday: Natty Daddy

A recent hangout with my buddy Eric from EricALionsFan talking Natty Daddy and some other beer oriented topics. Yeah we may have chosen a brown bag beer for this one, but we had a blast and covered other topics affecting the craft beer market. Check out the video here!

Beer Review: Flying Dog Bee Beer 7% ABV

What’s the buzz all about? Well in this case it is about the Bee Beer from Flying Dog Brewery. This beer was a part of the Brewhouse Rarities series, and was designed to bring a voice to the bees and the how their collapse poses a threat to our ecosystem. This Golden Ale comes in at a nice 7% AVBV and 35 IBU, and is brewed with honey and bee pollen. Check out my video here to see my thoughts and if this one leaves a nice sting. Unfortunately though as a rarity, it is no longer in production.

Brewer Notes:

Our Brewhouse Rarities series gives everyone in the brewery a voice. Our Flying Dog University Professor, Justin, wanted his to be heard not just for a new beer concept, but the critical threat bee colony collapse poses to our ecosystem. At least one Brewhouse Rarities release every year is an agricultural collaboration, and his pitch to craft a bee beer brewed with local bee pollen and honey immediately appealed to our powers that bee.


The beer incorporates Dutch Gold Buckwheat Honey and local bee pollen from Lord Byron’s Honey Apiary into an American Saison base. The golden color shows off the honey sweetness, which is present yet balanced. Justin chose buckwheat honey for its strong flavor. Strength is important because a lot of honey character ferments out during the process. The choice to use bee pollen was easy once he learned about its health benefits. (It’s high in protein and can be metabolized quickly.) A lot of breweries brew with honey, but few use bee pollen, as well, and Justin found that it adds a unique floral sweetness. Elevate your experience by drinking it alongside fresh chèvre with dried apricot and honey. (If you don’t understand what half of that meant, try pairing it with a non-factory cheesecake.)

Beer Review: Redhook Long Hammer IPA 6.2% ABV

The Long Hammer IPA from Red Hook Brewery is an offering that comes in at 6.2% ABV and 44 IBU, so there will be some of that bitterness in play so one should expect it. However, it is not an exceeding amount of bitterness and during my drinking of it; I found the beer to be well balanced against the malts used. Now yes, by definition it is not a craft beer due to the ownership level but the beer itself delivered good flavor, so I will just slide it into that “crafty” area. But check out my video here to gather my other thoughts on this ale, and other impressions.

Brewer Notes:

Redhook Long Hammer IPA is a West Coast classic. The generous addition of hops during the brewing and fermentation process gives our India Pale Ale its characteristic bitterness and piney citrus aroma and flavor. Tracing its heritage from another Redhook classic beer, Ballard Bitter, Long Hammer IPA is one of America’s favorite IPAs and Seattle’s #1 local IPA.

FLAVOR PROFILE
AROMA: Tangerine, Grapefruit, and Pine
FLAVOR: Mild Bitterness, Citrus and Pine Character
FINISH: Clean Finish and Slight Citrus Linger

INGREDIENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
MALT: Pale, Crystal
HOPS: Cascade
ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 13.7º
FINISHING GRAVITY: 2.1º
ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 44

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Per 12oz serving
CALORIES: 188
CARBS: 14.9g
PROTEIN: 2.1g
FAT: 0g

Beer Review: Providential Belgian-Style Golden Ale 7.5% ABV

A visit to Trader Joe’s had me come across the little offering. Well, not so little I guess considering the size of the bottle but nonetheless, the Providential Belgian-Style Golden Ale crafted exclusively by Unibroue for Trader Joe’s is one pleasant surprise. It’s almost amazing the value that you can find on some of the beers at Trader Joe’s, and how well some can stand up versus other craft beers without the additional costs.

This Golden Ale comes in at 7.5% ABV and petty much has everything that you would expect for this style of beer from the aroma through the taste and finish. And if you are not familiar with Unibroue then may I suggest you check them out because you should be. As for this beer here, check out my video to hear and see my thoughts.

Brewer Notes:

Crafted exclusively for Trader Joe’s this delicious beer is made in Quebec, Canada, and brewed according to the time honored traditions of classic Belgian Ales. It strikes the perfect balance between spices, hop, and malt profiles. With champagne-like effervescence and aromatic notes of citrus peel and ginger, this beer is malty, mildly sweet and hoppy with a subtle, spicy finish. It is sure to please the most finicky beer drinkers.

It's Back And It's Ready For Your Summer Love - Time For Victory

Press Release:

VICTORY’S SUMMER LOVE, a summer staple, is back in stock and looking to make its way to your shelves and draft lines. This easy to drink summer beer is always a crowd favorite.

The recipe for this golden ale is something of a treasure of ours, perfectly exemplifying our focus on German tradition and American ingenuity.  German two-row malt makes up the majority of the grain-bill while a blend of German noble and American aroma hops balance the graham cracker-y base with pleasing bitterness and loads of citrusy aromas. American Ale yeast blends everything together, finishing the drink with an effortlessly refreshing crispness that begs for a second sip. 

Beer Review: Victory 21st Birthday IPA 6.1% ABV

Victory Brewing Company and their 21st IPA, an American IPA that comes in at a nice 6.1% ABV and an IBU level of 80. This one does well with offering the dry and crisp finish often expected from an IPA and as far as the hoppiness and bitterness that is often sought, there is no lack of that here. Oh, it’s your birthday with this one, check out my video here to see my other thoughts and if is indeed a celebration.

Brewer Notes:

We were so impressed with this year’s harvest in Yakima we decided to brew 2017’s anniversary brew with our favorite hops from the trip: Roy Farms Chinook, Roy Farms Centennial, and Black Star Ranch Mosaic.

Composition

Malt: Pilsner, Carapils

Hops: Chinook, Centennial, Mosaic - all 2016 fresh harvested

ABV: 6.10%

Flavor: Aggressive kettle and dry-hopping will showcase notes of pine, resinous hop character, and tropical fruit. Slight haze.

Look Here Columbus, Ohio, Six One Festival Gets Your Beer On

Press Release

Six One Pour Festival Caps Off Columbus Craft Beer Week

Third annual event to feature 60 Ohio craft breweries

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Six One Pour: The Ohio Craft Beer Fest returns to Huntington Park in the Columbus Arena District on Saturday, May 20^th from 5-9 p.m. The festival serves as the culminating event of the 2017 Columbus Craft Beer Week celebration and will count 60 Ohio craft breweries as participants.

Craft beer enthusiasts can look forward to two highly anticipated collaboration beers among the approximately 150 brews offered at the event. DysfunctionAle, a hoppy pale ale collaboration among 20 Central Ohio breweries, was brewed specifically for Columbus Craft Beer Week and Six One Pour. General Sherman, a rye pale ale from Fat Head’s Brewery and MadTree Brewing, will also get its Central Ohio release in conjunction with Columbus Craft Beer Week.

General admission tickets are available in advance for $50, which includes a souvenir glass and tasting tickets for 20 four-ounce samples. VIP tickets are also available for $75 and include early admission at 4 p.m. and access to a private section with complimentary food and beer (while supplies last). Designated driver admission is available for $15 and includes a food voucher and complimentary non-alcoholic beverage. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.beerfesttickets.com/sixonepour2017

Six One Pour: The Ohio Craft Beer Fest is a fundraiser for the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. 
 
This year’s participating breweries include:
Barley’s Brewing Company
Black Cloister Brewing Company
The Brew Brothers at Scioto Downs
The Brew Kettle
Buckeye Lake Brewery
Christian Moerlein Brewing Company
Columbus Brewing Company
Commonhouse Ales
Crooked Handle Brewing Company
Elevator Brewing Company
Fat Head’s Brewery
Fifth Street Brewpub
Four String Brewing Company
Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
Granville Brewing Company
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Grove City Brewing Company
Homestead Beer Company
Ill Mannered Brewing Company
Jackie O’s Brewery
Kindred Beer
Land-Grant Brewing Company
Lineage Brewing
Little Fish Brewing Company
MadTree Brewing
Maize Valley Brewery
Millersburg Brewing Company
Mt. Carmel Brewing Company
North High Brewing
Ohio Brewing Company
Paladin Brewing
The Phoenix Brewing Company
Pigskin Brewing Company
Portsmouth Brewing Company
Railroad Brewing Company
The Ram Restaurant & Brewery
Rhinegeist
Rockmill Brewery
Royal Docks Brewing Company
Samuel Adams
Seventh Son Brewing
Sideswipe Brewing
Smokehouse Brewing Company
Thirsty Dog Brewing Company
Urban Artifact
Warped Wing Brewing Company
Willoughby Brewing Company
Yellow Springs Brewery
Zauber Brewing Company
 

The event will also feature live music by The Lovebenders, Terry Davidson & Blues Boy Mike, as well as an appearance by the CD102.5 Scene Team. Select concession stands inside Huntington Park will be serving food throughout the event. All tickets include a Reserved Seat voucher for a Columbus Clippers baseball game that will be honored May 23rd through May 29th.

Schedule for Six One Pour: The Ohio Craft Beer Fest

• 4:00 p.m. – VIP and Enthusiast Member early entry and beer sampling begins
• 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Live music by Terry Davidson & Blues Boy Mike (VIP stage)
• 5:00 p.m. – General Admission entry
• 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Live music by The Lovebenders
• 9:00 p.m. – Six One Pour ends

Six One Pour is sponsored by (614) Columbus, Boelter Beverage, Brewers Professional Alliance, CD102.5, COTA, Drink Up Columbus, Frantz Ward, Reminger Attorneys at Law, The Team and these Ohio Craft Brewers Association member breweries: The Brew Brothers at Scioto Downs, MadTree Brewing Company, Royal Docks Brewing Company, Barley’s Brewing Company, The Brew Kettle, Columbus Brewing Company, The Phoenix Brewing Company, Rhinegeist, Seventh Son Brewing, Yellow Springs Brewery, Zauber Brewing Company, Christian Moerlein Brewing Company, Crooked Handle Brewing Co., Elevator Brewing Company, Fat Head’s Brewery, Four String Brewing Company, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Grove City Brewing Company, Homestead Beer Company, Jackie O’s Brewery, Maize Valley Brewery, Pigskin Brewing Company, Railroad Brewing Company, The Ram Restaurant & Brewery, and Warped Wing Brewing Company

Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote and preserve Ohio’s unified craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers.

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For more information, please contact:
Justin Hemminger, Communications Manager
Ohio Craft Brewers Association
justin@ohiocraftbeer.org
614-560-1948

Beer Review: Stone Ripper 5.7% ABV

The Stone Ripper from Stone Brewing is an American Pale Ale that on the can is described as a San Diego Pale Ale. The ABV comes in at 5.7% and the IBU at a level of 40 making this beer a tasty little treat with a nice kick of bitterness. Check out my video here to see my thoughts on this Stone brewing addition.

Brewer Notes:

When it came to creating Ripper, we drew inspiration from the coastal surf cultures of SoCal and Oz. Sourcing classic Cascade from the Pacific Northwest and Australian Galaxy hops from…yes…Australia, we made a beer both lovers of frothy peaks and hoppy green buds will be stoked about. At the same time, we stayed true to our San Diego roots by pushing the hop boundaries of this style. While some might think it lingers on an edge far closer to an IPA, with all the dry-hop flavor and aroma, it’s actually right in line with the current-day interpretation of a West Coast pale. Ours just so happens to have an Aussie accent that’s cascading with a juicy amount of grapefruit and passion fruit hoppiness. So veg out or venture out. Either way, rip one open and taste this awesome golden nectar!

RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2016

STYLE: Pale Ale

ALC/VOL: 5.7%

AVAILABLE IN: 12oz Cans in Six-Packs & Draft

FLAVOR PROFILE: Floral, tropical, juicy

WHEN TO ENJOY: Drink fresh

IBUs: 40

FEATURED HOPS: Cascade & Australian Galaxy

Beer Review: Christian Moerlein Shiver Chai Porter 5.6% ABV

The Shiver Chai Spiced Porter from Christian Moerlein Brewing here in Cincinnati is definitely a different type of beer. The beer comes in at an ABV of 5.6% and IBU level of 15, so hoppiness is not a concern on this malt forward beer. Obviously, the use of chai brings a spice component to the beer which a somewhat uniqueness. A good thing about living in Cincinnati is the beer experimenting that takes place; check out my video here to see my thoughts on this beer.

Brewer Notes:

N/A from the website

Beer Review: Sixpoint The Crisp 5.4% ABV

From the Sixpoint Brewery out of Brooklyn, New York, comes the Crisp, a German Pilsner that comes in at an ABV of 5.4% and an IBU level of 44. Talk about a beer that brings a pleasant and refreshing mouthfeel, this one definitely delivers that and leaves well a….crisp feeling. Check out my video here to see my other thoughts on this beer.

Brewer Notes:

...When the Mad Scientists emerged from underground, the quest for a new formulation went from obsession to reality.
What do you get when you fuse old world craftsmanship with new, clean, & bold flavors from right raw materials? The Crisp. It's Mad Science.

• ABV - 5.4%
• IBU - 44
• SRM - 5.9

Beer Me: New Belgium Voodoo Ranger 8 Hop Pale Ale 5.5% ABV

The Voodoo Ranger 8 Hop Pale Ale is yet one more offering from New Belgium Brewing out of Fort Collins, Colorado. This American Pale Ale comes in with an ABV of 5.5% and as it says on the label, eight hops. The 35 IBU makes it nice for providing the hop flavor to be highlighted, while at the same time not become too bittering. This is definitely one for those that maybe looking to transition into hoppier beers. For more on this beer, check out my video to see my other thoughts.

Brewer Notes:

Brilliantly balanced for easy drinking, this pale ale is packed with citrus and tropical fruit flavors from eight different hop varieties.

TASTING NOTES

VISUAL: Bright golden color with white foam and moderate lacing.

AROMA: Mostly pine with citrus and tropical fruits (oranges, lemons, guava), stone fruit (plum and apricot), herbal hop notes and a slight caramel backbone.

FLAVOR: Balanced. Starts sweet and moves to mild bitterness with a very subtle sourness.

MOUTHFEEL: Clean with a very slight bitter linger.

BODY: Medium-light body.

BEER FACTS

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: 35

YEAST: Ale

HOPS: Nugget, Centennial, Cascade, Nelson Sauvin, Amarillo, Mosaic, Simcoe, Citra

MALTS: Pale, Caramel 80