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.