Who doesn’t like chocolate? I know I do, and the fact that
it is an integral part of any beer is that much better. And that’s what seems
to be the case with the Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale from Atwater Brewery out of
Detroit, Michigan. This beer is a 5% ABV Dark Ale that is highlighted by the
use of three different chocolates. Let’s see how it compares.
Commercial Description:
Holding
true to the Northern English tradition, the Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale at its
foundation has a nutty profile with a round mouth feel. Added is a Chocolate
Extract consisting of three blended chocolates of varied depth.
One of my beer runs brought me across this one from Samuel Adams. The Winter Lager comes in at a 5.6% ABV and 22 IBU, so it can be expected to be more of a malty pleasantry. It’s noted to have a nice mix of flavors, so let’s see how it compares.
What better beer to enjoy on Christmas Day than Merry
Christmas & Happy New Year from Anchor Brewing? This is their special ale
that they create only once a year and each year it is changed in some way, this
happens with the beer and even the label that is used. They have done it 42
times thus far and the 2016 edition comes in at 5.5% ABV as a Winter Warmer.
Let’s see how this one compares.
Commercial Description:
A deliciously smooth winter warmer with notes of seasonal spices and a malty
backbone, our 2016 Christmas Ale marks the 42nd annual release of this
celebrated Anchor tradition.
It is sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale's recipe is different
every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent with which we offer it
remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient
times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its
seasons, appears born anew. With a heavily guarded, secret recipe, Christmas
Ale is a highly anticipated seasonal delight, complex and full in flavor with a
velvety texture and alluring, yet subtle, spiced aroma.
Our tree for 2016 is the “1,000 Mile Tree” or the lone pine found during westbound
construction of the transcontinental railroad. Discovered in 1869, it was a
lone pine amidst a vast and desolate landscape. The tree on this year’s label
was hand-drawn by Bay Area artist James Stitt, who has been creating Anchor’s
Christmas Ale labels since 1975. His charming illustration of the 1,000 Mile
Tree includes a person at the top of the tree with a mug of beer, honoring an
old legend that railway passengers sometimes attempted to climb the tree.
The 2016 Christmas Ale is a deep mahogany brown with a creamy, tan head and boasts
aromas of fruitcake, molasses, and fresh cut wood. The beer tastes of roasted
caramel malt, with notes of spiced chocolate and nuts. And it has a rich,
smooth, and velvety mouthfeel. Every year the Anchor brewers look forward to
formulating a new Christmas Ale recipe and tasting the fruits of their labors.
We are always excited to please beer fans with its ever-changing recipe and
label. Cheers from the Anchor brewers!
THIRD ANNUAL OHIO CRAFT BREWERS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
Keynote speech to address economic impact of Ohio’s booming craft beer industry
CINCINNATI – The third annual Ohio Craft Brewers Conference presented by The Cincinnati Insurance Companies will take place Feb. 8-9, 2017 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati. Dr. Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewers Association, will deliver the keynote address on Feb. 8, discussing the economic impact of the growing Ohio craft beer industry. The two day conference will feature over 25 presentations and panel discussions on a broad range of industry topics. 50 Ohio Craft Brewers Association Allied member businesses will also hold a trade show at the convention center during the conference.
Member registrations for the two day event are available for $200 per person. Non-member registrations are also available for $250 per person. Registration includes breakfast and lunch on both days of the conference, a flash drive featuring all conference presentations, admission to the trade show and post-conference events at OCBA member breweries in Cincinnati. Registration available online at www.beerfesttickets.com/OCBConference2017
The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati adjacent to the Duke Energy Convention Center is the official hotel of the Ohio Craft Brewers Conference. Reservations can be made online at https://aws.passkey.com/event/16225600/owner/2603/home
9:00 – 10:00 AM Main room: Welcome address with Mary MacDonald, OCBA Executive Director and Chris Alltmont, Fat Head’s Brewery, OCBA Board President Keynote speaker: Dr. Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewers Association
10:00 – 10:45 AM Main room: Franchise Law and the Impact of Recent Case Decisions with James Niehaus and Colleen Murnane of Frantz Ward Fundamentals room: What’s the deal with commercial leases? With Adam Armstrong and Kevin Connell of Ohio Beer Counsel Special topics room: R&D tax credits with Stephen Smith of Graydon Head and Kevin Begley of MCM CPA
11:00 – 11:45 AM Main room: Panel Discussion: Building a Relationship with your Retailers with John Lane of Winking Lizard, Jason Milburn of Kroger and Todd Wiggs of Jungle Jim’s. Moderated by Adam Lane of MadTree Brewing. Fundamentals room: Trademark Overview with Calder Mellino of The Mellino Law Firm Special topics room: Brewing Strategically for a Small Brewpub with Chris Davison of Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
12:00 – 1:00 PM TRADE SHOW TIME Main room: Recruiting and Motivating Sales Reps for Independently Distributed Breweries with Nick Bowman of Warped Wing Brewing Company and Justin Carson of Platform Beer Co.
3:00 – 3:45 PM Main room: Panel Discussion: What do Distributors want from Their Brewery Partners. Moderated by Jacob Evans of the Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio. Participants include Dale Cox of Premium Beverage Supply, Jason Edwards of Superior Beverage Group and Austin Philips of Southeast Beverage Company Fundamentals room: Site Selection and Economic Incentives Available with Gary Horsfall of RSM US LLP Special topics room: Conservation Goals and Energy Usage in Your Brewery with Kevin Ely of Wooly Pig Brew Farm (formerly with Uinta Brewing)
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Main room: Souring Organisms and Yeast with JT Rea of Moody Tongue Brewing Company Fundamentals room: Demystifying Digital Advertising with Matt Moore of Great Lakes Publishing and Stephanie Cooper and Jackie Meddles of Scripps Digital Special topics room: High Gravity Brewing Tips and Tricks with Tim Hawn of BrewDog USA
5:00 – 6:30 PM Join us for Happy Hour in the Trade Show Room at Duke Energy sponsored by Graydon
8:00 – 11:00 PM North Row Brewery and Distillery tours and tasting in the former Christian Moerlein ice house (108 Henry Street, 45202)
8:00 – 12:00 AM Ohio Rare at Taft’s Ale House featuring 9 rare beers by 9 Ohio breweries including The Brew Kettle, Fat Head’s, Great Lakes, Jackie O’s, Little Fish, Taft’s Ale House, Triple Digit, Willoughby Brewing Company and Yellow Springs Brewery. Sponsored by Festivals Unlimited and Madison Chemical.
8:30 – 10:30 PM Rhinegeist FREE specialty food and beer pairing with Head Brewer/Quality Control Jim Matt and local chef and restauranteur Jimmy Cornwell including some rare and never released offerings from our sour, barrel and unique beer creationists including 2014 GABF silver medal winning Sherry Ink paired with meat and cheese mall plates at 8:45, 9:15 and 9:45. VIP tours on the ½ hour. Rhinegeist employees around for sharing.
3:00 – 3:45 PM Main room: Production Planning for Small and Medium Sized Breweries with John Haggerty of Warped Wing Brewing Company and Matt Rowe of MadTree Brewing Fundamentals room: Sanitation 101: Basic Plant and Environmental Sanitation with Gary Graf of Ecolab and Rudy Othmer of Enerco Corporation Special topics room: Wastewater Solutions for Small to Medium Breweries with Mitch Long of Quasar Energy Group
For more information, please contact: Justin Hemminger, Communications Manager Ohio Craft Brewers Association justin@ohiocraftbeer.org 614-560-1948
Akron is home to Thirsty Dog Brewing Company and once a year, they release their 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale. This Winter Ale comes in at 8.3% ABV and 21 IBU and for many it signifies the Christmas Season. Let’s see how it compares.
Commercial Description:
This beer’s name sums up the ideas of bringing the best together to celebrate. It is filled with seasonal flavors from generous amounts of toasted and caramel malts, mixed with equally generous amounts of honey, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. We feel it is the perfect libation, filled with flavors of the season.
