Bayou Beer for the Holidays

Tuesday, January 24th, 2006 The Abita Brewing Company’s Christmas Ale is a spicy Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale-ish taste from the bayou. By far the best beer offered by Abita, especially if you’ve only tasted this and Purple Haze. By the way, if you haven’t ever tasted Sierra’s Celebration go buy a case of it. If […]

Mendocino Brewing Company – Winter Ale 2005-2006

Thursday, January 26th, 2006 Alcohol content 9%. This is everything that I want out of a winter ale (and no I don’t mean the high alcohol, although it doesn’t hurt when you’re on the East Coast). I really like all the offerings from Mendocino because of their zealous attention to quality ingredients. Their beers rely […]

Victory – Weizen Bock

Thursday, January 26th, 2006 Bananna nut bread. That’s what I think of when I try to descibe this unfiltered wheat beer. The label mentions, “wild, fruity flavors and deep, spicy aromas.” It’s a dark bock beer, with a lot more character than most wheat beers, which is complex, but easy to drink. This ‘Autumnal elixir,’ has […]

Warmth is Good in Winter

Saturday, January 28th, 2006 Harpoon’s Winter Warmer is a spicy beer with a phenomenal cinnamon & nutmeg taste that leaves you wondering why you have to wait for winter to enjoy it. This ale has a medium to dark color and smells good enough to be the scent of an air freshener. This is a […]

Lancaster Brewing Company – Winter Warmer

February 14th, 2006 by Kevork Sweet, ever so slightly sour, very dark brown. In the place of traditional winter ales nutmeg or other spices, is a mellow and pleasant bitterness. Minimal carbonation from this tastey seasonal ale. Nothing jumps out at you other than the presense of higher alcohol content. Enjoyable, but not memorable. This […]

Saint Goontz Doesn’t Have a Prayer

February 27th, 2006 by Kevork Magic Hat Brewery turns out some of the funkiest brews on the East Coast. If you doubt this in the least, please visit the Magic Hat site. Their Saint Goontz is a dark wheat ale and if you love the crust on a sandwich (ok, who loves the crust on […]

The Celebration lasts all year

July 26th, 2006 by Andy A few years ago, around the Holidays, I picked up a case of Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale. I enjoyed that year’s brew throughout most of the year. Then I picked up another case the following year. And then again and again, until it became a yearly tradition or as I […]

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 […]