The 2006 Special Ale makes the picks

November 21st, 2006 by Andy Every year, I eagerly await the arrival of the Anchor Brewing Company’s Christmas Ale and each year I am greeted by a new spice laden, warming brew that’s always a pleasure to drink. This year’s brew is no exception, pouring a deep dark stout-like color with little to no head, […]

Keep the Breckenridge in the fridge

November 24th, 2006 by Andy With immense joy, I ordered a new (to me, that is) winter ale the other night; however, I found myself somewhat disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, this is a good beer– it just doesn’t excite me. It’s a winter ale that tastes like a light brown ale. The Breckenridge Christmas […]

Serve the Reserve

November 27th, 2006 by Andy Ladies and gentleman, you’ve heard it here first– not only does Santa make wonderful toys for children, but Jolly Old Saint Nick also brews an excellent beer to boot! The Rogue Brewery’s Santa’s Private Reserve is a fine belly wash that pours a copper-brownish color with a beautiful head that […]

A killer whale of an ale

December 2nd, 2006 by Andy On a recent trip out west, I had the pleasure of enjoying a few beers from the venerable Alaskan Brewing Company, who beer snobs the world over admire for their celebrated Smoked Porter. On this particular occasion, I had the opportunity to sample the brewery’s Summer Ale and I am […]

What a neat wheat

December 3rd, 2006 by Andy I’m not normally a fan of wheat beers due to a sharpness I find in their taste from time to time. In fact, when I first tasted the Struise Witte from Belgium’s Noordhoek Ostrich Farm (yes, you read that correctly, this brewery is an Ostrich farm) I was a bit […]

Devout to Sierra Nevada Stout

December 24th, 2006 by Kevork Tis Christmas Eve and I am beaming, cherubs singing, bells a-ringing. Nick at Finewine.com did me a solid Found me this stout; apostolic. See, the distributor here in Virginia stopped carrying this beer. Why, I wonder? It’s taste is robust, like nuts a-roasted Smothered in chocolate tones; I boast it. […]

If I had a time machine…

December 31st, 2006 by Kevork I might travel back in time to a truly important event. The bottling of J.W. Lees Harvest Ale 1997. You see then I would be able to tell what it tasted like fresh. I say that because I received a true gift from a friend at Finewine.com. Today, on the […]

Don’t knock the Eisbock

January 13th, 2007 by Andy Ice beer was all the rage a number of years ago– indeed, it was a successful marketing ploy that got a lot of people drinking beastly beer containing a lot of alcohol. First, there was Icehouse, then the venerable Beast Ice, which became the choice of sophisticated frat boys looking […]

A reluctant pick of the Gaelic

January 21st, 2007 by Andy Not long ago, I had the opportunity to venture to beautiful Asheville, NC where I happened upon mixed case of the Highland Brewing company’s beers. Of course, you may remember that in April of 2005, I reviewed the Tasgall Ale and henceforth declared that the Tasgall “is a unique beer […]

The Slaapmustske is one heck of a brewsky

January 25th, 2007 by Andy With a mysterious sobriquet like Slaapmustske, one expects a phenomenal beer with exotic tastes fit for only the most refined among beer snobs (even those living in Tennessee). Being of such esteemed position, I approached the brewsky, obviously not meant for the simple bourgeoisie and found myself unable to disagree. […]