Fireman's Brew Brewnette

Winter has finally arrived in Southern California and as the temperatures drop, I find myself seeking a heartier brew to take the chill off my bones. Ironically, I discovered the Fireman's Brew Brewnette over the summer at the Septemberfest Beer Festival held at Paramount Studios. I'll be honest, what originally caught my eye was not the creative nomenclature, but rather the shirtless guys wearing firefighter helmets and suspenders passing out free samples. Bingo!

David Johnson (pictured above) was exceptionally knowledgeable and excited about the Fireman's Brew, and explained that the company was started by two Los Angeles firefighters looking for something tasty to quench their thirst after battling extreme heat all day. The Fireman's Brewing Company offers three different types of "off-duty" drinks--a Blonde, a Brewnette, and a Redhead. I tasted and enjoyed all three, but the Brewnette's smooth taste yet surprisingly high alcohol percentage made it a standout favorite.

Fireman's Brew: Brewnette

The Fireman's Brew Brewnette is a German-style Dopplebock, a style of lager known for being dark and malty with a generally high percentage of alcohol.

Appearance: Rich, dark espresso color that pours clear and crisp with a decent amount of khaki-colored head that dissipated after a minute, but left a little lacing on the glass

Aroma: Inviting hints of cocoa, coffee and toasted malt

Taste: Smooth and nicely carbonated with a nutty flavor at the beginning, suggestion of caramel in the middle and a light, coffee finish

Alcohol: 10.8%

When I first tried the Brewnette, I couldn't believe it was nearly 11% alcohol. In fact, the taste is so sweet and smooth that you wouldn't know the alcohol percentage is so high without looking at the bottle. It is a bit dangerous in the sense that it is delicious enough to be a session beer, but proceed with caution. While the Brewnette could easily be enjoyed by itself, its strong flavor profile would pair nicely with BBQ or other hearty foods.

The Fireman's Brewing Company boasts big flavor along with a big heart. In addition to brewing tasty beers, they also like to give back. Every year, the Fireman's Brewing Company donates 5% of their profits to the National Firefighters Foundation, which provides economic relief to the families of fallen firefighters. So now you can feel good about quaffing down any Fireman's brew--and that's something to celebrate!

For more information check out their website at http://www.firemansbrew.com

Tenaya Creek Brewery Experience

For the Beer Babe, no trip to another city would be complete without getting a taste of the local brews, so when I went to Las Vegas last week I was determined to tour a local microbrewery. Lucky for me the Tenaya Creek Brewery was just a few miles outside of "the strip" and featured 10 original beers crafted by a family born and raised in Las Vegas. The Tenaya Creek Brewery, founded by Tim Etter (pictured above) in 1999, is the only one of its kind and has been family owned and operated for over a decade. Although the Tenaya Creek Brewery itself is a smaller operation, their kegs are on tap at many popular Vegas hotels such as the Bellagio and the Wynn. The goal of the brewery is to offer a wide selection of unique beers to the myriad tastes of the Las Vegas market, offering four core beers and five seasonal beers. Anthony Gibson, longtime friend of Tim Etter and Head Brewmaster at Tenaya Creek for 10 years said, "We aim to change people's perception of what beer is and what it can be." Gibson (pictured below) personally gave me an informative and interactive tour of the entire Tenaya Creek Brewery--from where the malt and barley are kept to the boiling kettles to the keg room where the finished brews are chilled. I even got to taste their hefeweizen straight from the 620 gallon fermentation tank itself! Gibson taught me a lot about the intricacies of the brewing process from the importance of sanitation to "sparging"--a term that refers to the addition of water to extract fermentable sugars from the grain. I also learned a lot more about the hop flower--one of the four key ingredients integral to brewing beer. There are nearly 50 varieties of hops, with certain species being used for flavor and others being used for aroma. Even though I am a wheat beer afficionado, Gibson was so descriptive and enthusiastic about their hops that I was inspired to try the Tenaya Creek Brewery's hoppiest beer of all.

Tenaya Creek Brewery's Monsoon Double IPA

Appearance: A clear, deep golden hue with moderate bubbly white head that left light lacing on the glass

Aroma: Great floral hop nose with hints of pine and grapefruit

Taste: Very approachable for a double IPA, well balanced start with a malty beginning, decent carbonation and a dry, citrus bite of hops at the finish

Alcohol: 7.6%

I decided to explore outside of my palate's preferred realm of white ales and go for a big IPA after hearing that the owner himself had grown the Mt. Hood and Cascade hops used in brewing the Monsoon Double IPA. I was able to sample the majority of the Tenaya Creek brews, but I chose to write my review on the Monsoon Double IPA because I felt it exemplified the TCB team's dedication, expertise and passion for beer during all stages of the brewing process. It is a tasty beer that has the complexity and balance of a double IPA with the approachability of a traditional IPA. I recommend pairing the Monsoon Double IPA with spicy foods like curry or Creole cuisine because the hops are strong enough to stand up to the fiery flavor. The Monsoon Double IPA is a well balanced brew and straddles the fine line between giving hop heads what the flavor they crave without overdoing it.

Even though the Tenaya Creek Brewery brought home a gold medal from the 2002 Great American Beer Festival, both Etter and Gibson were incredibly humble and complimentary of other breweries and stated, "We're not better, we're equal." Among a strong appreciation for quality ingredients and the brewing craft itself, the Tenaya Creek Brewery prides themselves on their passion for all things beer. Gibson says, "The fun part is the creativity. We are extremely dedicated to our craft and the reward is being able to see people enjoying what we've been working on." Both Tim Etter and Anthony Gibson were extremely gracious and erudite, so the next time you are in the Las Vegas area, I highly recommend stopping by the Tenaya Creek Brewery for some delicious beers and a tour, straight from the experts. For more information check out their website http://www.tenayacreekbrewery.com

Weihenstephaner Vitus

On Saturday, November 7th, I was lucky enough to attend the much anticipated Big 100 Gourmet Beer Tasting in downtown Burbank. There were only 100 people in attendance--all of them beer enthusiasts, all of them thirsty. The impressive roster boasted over 100 breweries from all over the world. Countries as far as Belgium, Germany and Japan were represented, along with a few local breweries right here in California. When I ask people which countries are known for brewing high quality beer, most tend to answer with Belgium or Germany. I personally am obsessed with Belgian beers, so I would say Belgium before the question was over. I knew Germany is another huge name in beer--with their Oktoberfest and the German Beer Purity Law--but I had never experienced a German beer that delighted my palate in the same way select Belgian brews had. That is, until Weihenstephaner's Vitus.

Weihenstephaner Vitus

Weihenstephaner is the oldest brewery in the world and was founded in 1040. That means the brewers have had nearly 900 years to hone and perfect their beer making process. I have tried five of the Weihenstephaner brews, and all of them are amazing. The Vitus embodies the apex of their talents and is truly a spectacular example of the pride Germans take in their brews.

Tim Lynch, the witty and knowledgeable representative for the brewery, aptly described the Vitus as a "hefeweizen on steroids." It has all the characteristics of a classic hefeweizen, except everything has been amped up--more flavor and higher alcohol percentage.

Appearance: Similar to a classic hefeweizen, it is honey colored, cloudy and unfiltered with healthy amounts of thick, white head

Aroma: Strong banana nose with spices like cloves and just a hint of yeast and biscuits

Taste: True to the nose with a fantastic banana flavor at the start, a citrus/lemon bite in the middle and a very mellow finish. It has decent carbonation and is smooth and sweet.

Alcohol: 7.7%

I highly recommend this beer to anyone who wants to taste the type of beer that put Germany at the center of the beer brewing universe. It is a phenomenal brew from a well respected brewery whose legacy spans over nine centuries, yet it's very affordable. A pint costs only $3 and can be found at most liquor stores with a decent beer selection. I think it would pair well with light fare like a salad, but it could easily be enjoyed by itself. Cheers to you Germany, or should I say, Anfeuerungen, for introducing me to this delicious Hercules of hefeweizens.

...Because Every Beer Has a Story: The Elusive Allagash Fluxus 2008

I dedicate this entry to Nate Nelson, for inspiring me to chase down the fluxus in the first place.

It all started when Nate (who I consider a true master of all things beer) told me about a delicious limited release beer called the Allagash Fluxus that they had on tap at Father's Office. Unfortunately, I did not make it down there before all the other appreciators of tasty brews did, and missed it. I then went on a quest, searching at all BevMo's and grocery stores in the area--even the Allagash website--and couldn't get ahold of it. I had almost come to terms with the idea that the universe just did not want me to experience this fluxus when out of nowhere, life gave me a green light. I was getting my car fixed and had to kill an hour (ugh), so I wandered around and found a liquor store (*The anonymity of the store must be maintained for now, due to the fact that it is an awesome hidden mecca of limited quantities of amazing rare beers*) Not only was this not your average liquor store, I was delighted to discover that they had an inventory of hundreds of beers from all over the world. I was scouring the shelves for names I recognized, and lo and behold, picturesque in slow motion and glimmering spotlight, was the Allagash Fluxus 2008.

Allagash Fluxus 2008

Appearance: Honey colored and unfiltered, with visible sediment and glorious white bubbly head that lightly laced the glass

Aroma: Very inviting spicy aroma with hints of nutmeg, coriander and if you inhale deeply, you can smell hints of white pepper

Taste: Incredible flavors of coriander and even grapefruit at the beginning, with hints of banana and fig rounding out the middle and a smooth, clove/spicy finish, with excellent carbonation

Alcohol: 8.6%

I feel as though I am taunting the audience by putting up a flattering review for a beer that is basically extinct, but it was so well done that I had to immortalize it here. What makes this beer so unique and desirable for me is the limited quantity the Allagash Brewery produces and the fact that the fluxus recipe changes, or fluctuates every year. The Allagash Fluxus is on the pricier end of the spectrum, with a 750 mL bottle costing about $17.00, but it was so delicious I would pay it again in a millisecond, given the chance. The Allagash Fluxus 2008 will always hold a special spot on my palate because it became more than just a beer, it became an experience. It gave me a taste of what it is like to dream about a brew, chase it down and then revel in the adventure.

Buffalo Bill's Brewery Pumpkin Ale

October is a great month for beer drinkers--not only because of the release of all the delicious Oktoberfest brews, but also because it is the debut month of the pumpkin ales. Since we don't really have seasons or leaves changing color in either Florida or Southern California, seeing pumpkin ales on the shelves lets me know that autumn is officially here. My friend Melissa is an expert on all things pumpkin and put together a fabulous mini beer tasting showcasing five fall brews. With her love of pumpkin flavor and my beer expertise, we considered ourselves petite authorities on pumpkin ales. We decided we would try all five selections and then we would write a review based on our favorite pick, which was easily Buffalo Bill's Brewery's Pumpkin Ale. The first candidate was Kennebunkport's Pumpkin Ale which had a nice cinnamon flavor but was bit too light in feel for an autumnal brew in my opinion. Next was Samuel Adam's Oktoberfest, which is a great beer with nice notes of caramel and hops but I still prefer Karl Strauss' Oktoberfest. The fourth candidate was Indian Wells Brewing Company's Spicy Pumpkin Ale which had great clove and pumpkin flavor, and probably would have been our favorite had the Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale not been so wonderful. Rounding out the tasting the final brew was Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, which was tasty and had elements of cinnamon and pumpkin, but was not as remarkable as some of the other beers from the same brewery. It seemed as though the third time was a charm and Buffalo Bill's Brewery was the creator of the perfect pumpkin ale.

Buffalo Bill's Brewery Pumpkin Ale

Appearance: Carmelized amber color with an orange-ish glow and moderate amounts of white head

Aroma: Strong pumpkin nose with hints of nutmeg, hops and cinnamon

Taste: As their website states, it truly is "like pumpkin pie in a bottle". It had wonderful pumpkin flavor, great carbonation with a medium bodied mouthfeel and a sweet nutmeg finish.

Alcohol: 5.2%

I would absolutely recommend this beer to anyone who would like to experience a pumpkin ale and enjoys a seasonal twist to traditional ales. This ale is very affordable and available both by the single 12oz bottle and in 6packs at most liquor stores and even at some of the larger Ralph's and Trader Joe's. I think Buffalo Bill's Brewery did an excellent job of capturing the sweetness of pumpkin pie while providing a nice balance with clove spices and hints of hops. This ale is perfect for Halloween parties and a great way to get into the spirit of autumn without all the candy. You could pair this beer with gingerbread cookies or graham crackers or do as I do and skip the pumpkin pie and go for a liquid dessert (;

To Yuengling With Love

Growing up in Florida, drinking Yuengling was a common, frequent and delicious practice for everyone I knew between the ages of let's say 16 and 80. (Or 21 and 80 if you want to be that way about it.) It was just as much a part of my college experience as textbooks and football games. When you weren't sure what to drink, Yuengling was a tasty and affordable option for college students--a six pack ran you the same price as Subway's $5 footlong and it was always a crowd pleaser. I took its availability for granted though, and when I moved to California I found there was no Yuengling and no substitute. Thus, when it came time to visit my hometown of Tampa, I made a to-do list. Immediately after seeing my family, number 2 on the list was drink Yuengling.

Yuengling Traditional Lager

Appearance: Amber with a copper hue, clear and carbonated with a little cream colored head

Aroma: Slightly sweet with just a hint of hops

Taste: Delicious with a biscuity taste at the start, a suggestion of caramel in the middle and a slight hoppy bite at the end

Alcohol: 4.4%

I knew that Yuengling has been brewing delicious beers out of Pottsville, Pennsylvania since 1829 and was America's oldest brewery. However I was surprised and delighted to learn that they also had a brewery location in Tampa producing an impressive 10,000 kegs every week since 1999. They also had FREE tours--if it's free it's for me, so my family and I drove over to check it out. We had a delightful British tour guide named Elizabeth who gave us a humorous and informative tour of everything from the brew kettles, to the bottling facility to the hospitality room, where we were able to try any and all of Yuengling's brews, including the not-yet-released IPA. I learned a great deal more about the Yuengling brewery and the brewing process itself from the tour--did you know that the closest relative to the hop flower is cannabis? Would you ever guess that Yuengling uses seaweed to help pull all the sediment to the bottom during the wort separation part of the brewing process? It was like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory for adults, except instead of chocolate and a sugar rush we got terrific beers and a nice buzz. I highly recommend Yuengling Traditional Lager as a delicious session beer that pairs well with nearly any food, and is an ideal and affordable beer for any social event. If you live near Tampa, Florida or Pottsville, Pennsylvania I strongly urge you to take a tour. They're fun, informative and the best part is they're free! For more information check out http://www.yuengling.com or ask for Elizabeth at the Tampa location--she's wonderful!

Telegraph Brewing Company White Ale

The Telegraph Brewing Company is an amazing microbrewery based out of Santa Barbara, California that I would never have heard of had the Hoegaarden keg not kicked. I was at 7 Grand in downtown Los Angeles when my familiar and beloved Hoegaarden suddenly tapped out. Luckily the very astute and knowledgeable bartender recommended Telegraph White Ale--another favorite beer was born and another night out was saved!

Telegraph White Ale

Appearance: pale gold, unfiltered and hazy with a healthy amount of foamy white head

Aroma: inviting and spicy with hints of orange and apple

Taste: fantastically carbonated with a strong presence of orange and coriander flavor. It had a bit more zest and apple essence to it than traditional white ales

Alcohol: 4.5%

I became an instant fan of the Telegraph Brewing Company, mainly because I thought they put a unique but tasty spin on the traditional white ale style. I was also excited to support a local microbrewery that gives back to their community. According to Brian Thompson, head of Telegraph Brewing Company, "We handcraft unique American ales that embrace the heritage of California's early brewing pioneers, using as many locally grown ingredients as we can. We think that our beers embody our philosophy that a local brewery should reflect the traditions of its region."

I recommend Telegraph's White Ale to anyone who enjoys white ales or hefeweizens and wants to support a California microbrewery that has just as much taste for community as it does for their brews. You can find Telegraph White Ale for about $7 for a pint and a half sized bottle at most California liquor stores or ask for it on draft--and not just when the Hoegaarden is out. (;

Karlfest 2009

October 3, 2009 marked the 2nd annual Karlfest, an homage to Germany's Oktoberfest, at the Karl Strauss Brewery in Costa Mesa, California. It was an awesome celebration of beer that boasted over 35 different brews on tap with nearly one-third of them produced on location from Karl Strauss--they even had four specialty casks that were tapped every hour throughout the festival. I even got the first commercial pour from the cask of "Red Tide" ale-- a tasty first for me.

Karlfest stayed true to its tagline-- "Local Beer and Local Music"--with three local bands jamming out and nine other microbreweries from Southern California participating, with the proceeds donated to the Surfrider Foundation.

I was already familiar with Karl Strauss since their Endless Summer Light, Amber Lager, Red Trolley Ale and Windansea Hefeweizen are on tap at the Lab, but Karlfest was an excellent and fun introduction to their brewery and what their passion for beer is really all about. It was a fun and open environment for beer enthusiasts and brewers alike. Volunteers like Desmond and Amanda were very knowledgeable and friendly in explaining the beers they were pouring, and I even learned about the SRM scale with respect to beer. (SRM stands for Standard Reference Method, and refers to a beer's color. The higher the SRM, the darker the beer's color.) A very special thank you goes out to Steve and Matt (pictured above) for all of their help and enthusiasm in making Karlfest 2009 a delicious success.

The standout highlight of Karlfest 2009 for me was definitely the Karl Strauss Oktoberfest, which displaced the Red Trolley Ale as my favorite Karl Strauss beer.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company's Oktoberfest

I consider myself very lucky to be able to try this legendary seasonal brew just yards away from the vats it was brewed in. Oktoberfest lagers are beers steeped in centuries of tradition, so I was more than excited to try an interpretation from one of my favorite local microbreweries' backyards.

Appearance: rich, clear amber color with a slightly reddish hue and a nice thick head

Aroma: malty and inviting with hints of caramel

Taste: very approachable toasted malt flavor with hints of smokiness and sweet caramel

Alcohol: 5%

This beer was a clear favorite for me out of nearly 30 that I tasted at Karlfest. It is a smooth and rich lager that goes down easy and would pair well with hearty meats, especially bratwurst and other German sausages. I think the Karl Strauss Brewery stayed true to the tradition and ceremony of Oktoberfest and did its German ancestry proud with their Oktoberfest brew. I recommend Karl Strauss' Oktoberfest to anyone who enjoys smoky sweet lagers--but act quickly as it is only available September through October. I highly recommend Karlfest to anyone who enjoys beer festivals or wants to support an amazing local microbrewery in Southern California. I can't wait til Karlfest 2010!

For more information check out the Karl Strauss website at www.karlstrauss.com

Neumarkter Lammsbrau Organic Dunkel

To be honest, how I stumbled upon this brew was not at all glamorous. I was walking up and down the aisles of an awesome local liquor store when Mike helpfully pointed out the beer specials...and there it was--a four pack for $5? Lammsbrau for the win. Little did I know that I was in for a distinctive and tasty surprise.

Lammsbrau Organic Dunkel

This beer is a premium Bavarian dark lager imported from Germany and according to the bottle's label, is 100% USDA organic --the brewery is solar powered and all of their packaging is made from recycled materials. The brewery originated in Neumarkt, Bavaria in 1628 and has used entirely organic materials since 1986, making it the world's largest certified organic craft brewery. Lammsbrau also brews in accordance with the Beer Purity Law of 1516 and their only ingredients are mineral water, yeast, organic barley malt and organic hops. With such a fine background in brewing and eco-conservation, I knew the beer itself had to be superb.

Appearance: a dark rich toffee color with nice carbonation and a full cream colored head

Aroma: sweet, dark malt with hints of caramel

Taste: mild and malty start with hints of vanilla and carmelized light hoppy finish

Alcohol: 4.9%

This beer really impressed me, not only because of their environment friendly brewing technique but also because even though the 4 pack was on sale, I could still taste the quality of their ingredients. I think this was an excellent introduction to German "dunkel braus" (German for dark brews) and a shining alternative for someone who enjoys dark beers but doesn't want the accompanying heaviness that is sometimes associated with them. Extra props goes out to the Lammsbrau brewery for using all organic ingredients with a delicious result!

Septemberfest 2009 at Paramount Studios

Hello everyone! This entry is dedicated to all the delicious breweries that participated in the 2009 Septemberfest at Paramount Studios on September 19th. I have not yet been lucky enough to attend Octoberfest in Germany, but if it is anything close to Los Angeles' Septemberfest I can't wait to repeat the experience! Overall there were about 75 breweries represented, and at least 30 of them were local Southern California microbreweries. I want to thank everyone for sharing their passion, knowledge and talent for all things beer, but a special thanks goes out to Matt at the Karl Strauss Brewery, David with Fireman's Brew, Scott at Stone Brewery, Jean-Yves at Unibroue and Matt at Ballast Point--You gentleman are stellar representatives for your breweries and really helped me expand my knowledge and love of beer. Thank you.

Now without further ado let me share some of the reviews of the tasty brews I tried at Septemberfest.

Ballast Point's Wahoo Wheat Beer

I was very excited to try this hefeweizen, not only because I am a huge fan of wheat beer, but also because I recently became familiar with this San Diego brewery through work in our quest to find more microbrews for our menu. Matt was very helpful and informative and suggested that I try the Wahoo Wheat Beer--tasty indeed!

Appearance: had the look of a traditional hefeweizen in that it was hay colored, cloudy and unfiltered with a nice white foamy head.

Aroma: floral nose with hints of mild cloves and banana

Taste: very light and smooth, moderate carbonation with a malty oat finish

Alcohol: 4.0%

This beer is a perfect brew for the summer--it is light and the hint of citrus makes it refreshing on those scorching California summer days. I thought Ballast Point did a good job of adhering to the traditional style of hefeweizen, and enjoyed that Wahoo Wheat Beer had hints of banana and orange without going over the top or becoming too sweet. There was great wheat and oat flavor that lasted from start to finish. (I wasn't the only one who thought so either--this brew won the L.A. County Fair gold medal in 2002.)

I would recommend this beer to anyone who enjoys wheat beers specifically or anyone who is looking for a light and invigorating brew for the summer.

For more information about the Ballast Point Brewery and their delicious beers, check out their website at www.ballastpoint.com/beer

Anderson Valley Brewing Company Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

No Sunday beer tasting is complete without a wide selection that represents the myriad spectrum of brewing styles and flavors the beer world has to offer. Picking out the white ales was easy, but we needed a dark beer like a porter or stout to provide balance for our palettes. I really enjoyed Maui Brewing Company's Coconut Porter (see review from July 12), but BevMo was out and we wanted something new, so we decided to give the Anderson Valley Brewing Company's Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout a try.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

The Anderson Valley Brewing Company hails from Boonville, California in Mendocino County and is known for their award winning Boonville Beers. In fact, the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout won the brewery's first gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival--the only medal awarded in the stout category.

Appearance: Rich, deep and dark espresso color with a moderate amount of khaki colored head

Aroma: Burnt hops with mocha and cocoa overtones

Taste: Deliciously thick with a sweet oatmeal and cocoa start and a subtle burnt hoppy finish, subtle notes of caramel and malted barley

Alcohol: 5.7%

This beer was definitely a jump from the styles I normally gravitate towards, but at $4 for 1 pint 6oz it was worth the risk. It was a very delicious stout that was nice and thick, but not overwhelming. I would recommend this for people who enjoy dark, malty beers or anyone with an adventurous palette.

Lindeman's Peche Lambic

As you are probably figuring out, I simply love Belgian beers--they're phenomenal. I am obsessed with Belgian white ales, but Belgium is also credited with creating a unique style of ale--the lambic. Lambics are a rare and sweet style of beer that is only brewed in Brussels and the Pajottenland region of Belgium. They are unique not only because of the limited locales that produce them, but also because they are brewed using spontaneous fermentation. Lambics are made with unmalted wheat, wild yeast from the Senne valley and barley. After spontaneous fermentation from the addition of the live yeast, pieces of fruit are added, creating a secondary fermentation. (Information taken from Lindeman's bottle label)

Lindeman's Peche Lambic

Appearance: Golden, deep honey color with minute white head

Aroma: incredibly sweet peach aroma, strong peach candy scent with light hints of yeast

Taste: syrupy, very sweet peach flavor with mild carbonation and a dry finish

Alcohol: between 3.0 and 4.0%

If I had to write a review of this lambic in one word it would be-- "Sweet!" and I mean that in the traditional interpretation of the word. My friend Bonnie and I decided to branch out a bit and try something out of the normal range of our tastebuds, so this was a fun experiment. In my opinion, lambics are great for a tasting, but finishing more than a sip was tough for me, because it was almost like drinking a peach soda--a little too sweet. I would definitely recommend the lambics to people who like fruity beers or don't like hop flavor whatsoever. I can appreciate the lambics for what they are to the Belgian beer world, but I will stick with my Belgian whites, thank you.

Unibroue Blanche de Chambly

Sundays are for impromptu beer tastings!

While my friend Bonnie and I were perusing the aisles at BevMo, we stumbled upon Unibroue's Blanche de Chambly and decided that for $6, we simply had to try it. I was familiar with the Unibroue brewery because I had tried and loved their Fin Du Monde (review on that beer to follow in the near future) so I was excited to see what else they had to offer in the way of delicious brews.

Unibroue Blanche de Chambly

The Unibroue brewery is located in Canada and specializes in Belgian strong ales. The Blanche de Chambly is actually an unfiltered "white ale on lees". After the brewing process, the fresh yeast in the bottle leads to a secondary refermentation, and those deposits are referred to as "lees". (information taken from www.wikipedia.com) (And who said drinking wasn't educational?)

Appearance: pale gold in color, unfiltered and cloudy with a moderately thick white head

Aroma: very light hops, floral elements and a tiny hint of orange peel

Taste: lightly carbonated, yeasty start with a floral hop finish, hints of citrus and vanilla

Alcohol: 5.0%

This beer was a tasty Canadian interpretation of a Belgian white ale. It was very affordable at $6 for a 750 mL bottle and was a very light and refreshing brew. I would recommend this to any white ale lover or someone who enjoys Belgian ales, but does not want to be overwhelmed with flavor. I must say that while I appreciate and respect the Unibroue brewery, I definitely prefer La Fin Du Monde over the Blanche de Chambly, and still think Hoegaarden has set the standard for amazing Belgian white ales.

Ommegang Hennepin

My friend and fellow beer connoisseur Nate first introduced me to this delicious saison/farmhouse ale at Father's Office. I had never heard of the saison style but had an open mind and open palette and gave it a shot.

Saison/Farmhouse ales are named after the style in which they are brewed. Saison is the french word for "season"--alluding to the fact that the ale was traditionally brewed in farmhouses in the winter to be enjoyed by farmers during the summer harvest. (Information taken from Michael Jackson's The Beer Hunter - Beer Styles: Saison)

Ommegang Hennepin

This brewery follows the traditional Belgian style of brewing, but actually hails from Cooperstown, New York. Upon reading the bottle, I learned that Ommegang named this particular brew after Father Hennepin, a famous monk from Belgium.

Appearance: Honey colored, cloudy and unfiltered, continues to bubble after the pour creating a thick white foamy head, leaving white lace on the sides of the glass

Aroma: Yeasty and citrus notes, cloves with hints of nutmeg and straw

Taste: delicious and refreshing, malty beginning with nutmeg and coriander subtleties, with strong carbonation and a very sweet and smooth finish

Alcohol: 7.7% (although it doesn't taste as strong as it is)

I love Belgian beers so the Ommegang Hennepin, although American, was a great introduction to the farmhouse/saison style of ales. Much of the information about this beer suggests that it is a seasonal/summer beer, but I think it is delicious year round! I have seen it on draft at a few bars with a fantastic beer selection, averaging about $7 or so for a pint. It is also available in a 1 pint 9 oz bottle for $8. I would suggest this beer for people who enjoy Belgian beers or people who want to get introduced to an amazing and refreshing saison style ale.

Abita Abbey Ale

Greetings! I was at BevMo the other day and decided to try a new beer from Abita--a Louisiana brewery I knew from drinking their popular Purple Haze (review on that to follow in the near future).

I am quite fond of the abbey style beers, so I thought I would give the Abbey Ale a shot.

Abita Abbey Ale

The Abita Abbey Ale is a double ale--meaning it is fermented twice, giving it more flavor and a higher alcohol percentage.

Appearance: dark, chocolatey colored, with a caramel and moderately foamy head

Aroma: slightly hoppy, with hints of fig, clove and other spices

Taste: decent, with little carbonation, mild hop flavor and a figgy finish

Alcohol: 8.0%

Overall I would say it was a decent abbey ale and a great bargain beer--1 pint 6 oz is a mere $5, and I think it would pair nicely with a mild cheese like provolone.

Fun Fact: Abita uses spring water to brew their beers and also gives a 25 cent donation to St. Joseph's Abbey with every bottle purchase.

I would recommend this beer to anyone who enjoys abbey ales, only wants to spend a few dollars to try something different, or any fan of the Abita Brewery. Cheers!

Allagash White

Hey everyone! This heat has left me with no motivation to do anything except lounge by a pool and drink beer, so I'm going to do an "easy" review of one of my favorites.

I first discovered Allagash White at the Yardhouse when I wanted to order a delicious beer that would take me outside of my Hoegaarden safety zone. (The Yardhouse is actually a great place to experiment with new beers because they have their selection organized by type. I knew I liked white ales, so I just picked one under that category to try.)

I tried Allagash White and instantly fell in love. It's a wonderful American interpretation of a Belgian white ale that is available year round, and I've been able to find it on tap at the Yardhouse and in bottles at BevMo. I joke that Allagash White is "one of the only good things to come out of Maine!" (=

Allagash White

Appearance: golden straw colored, cloudy and unfiltered appearance with lots of foamy white head

Aroma: inviting, spicy freshness with hints of citrus

Taste: refreshing, malty/wheaty beer with a clean finish {very similar to Hoegaarden}

Alcohol: 5.0%

Fun Fact: I was exploring the Allagash website in search of the elusive Fluxus 2009 --> a seasonal beer that the Allagash brewery changes every year, and I found out that the owners of Allagash are Bob and Rob Tod! The same names (add an extra "d") as my dad and grandpa, so something in the cosmos just pointed me towards this beer.

I would definitely recommend Allagash White to people who want to experiment with American microbreweries and enjoy the taste of traditional white ales. Cheers!

San Diego International Beer Festival

On June 27th, 2009, I attended the 3rd annual San Diego International Beer Festival held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It was my second official beer festival experience out in California (my first was at Sony Studios in April 09) and I have a few things to report back to you, so here goes...

There were about 300 different breweries from over 60 different countries around the world that had representation at the beer fest. I say representation because much to my chagrin, the majority of the breweries there had volunteers pouring their beers. I came to the fairgrounds hoping to taste some of my favorites (ok, a ton of my favorites) and hopefully expand my knowledge and my palette. While the volunteers were nice, they knew little to nothing about the beers they were pouring, which was a bit of a disappointment.  I would recommend that for the 4th annual San Diego International Beer Fest, either have the volunteers read up on the basic facts about the beers they're pouring OR better yet, have the actual beer reps there to answer questions and promote their tasty beverages.

That being said, I still discovered some new favorites, the first being the *Maui Brewing Company* out of Hawaii.

They initially caught my eye out of the hundreds of other vendors because they were pouring their beers out of *gasp!* cans!

It caught me off guard at first because seemingly all of the other breweries brought bottles and in the "beer snob" world, most if not all canned beers are frowned upon.

Garrett Marrero, founder of the Maui Brewing Company, was there and able to inform me about their beers and what their company is passionate about.

The main reason they use cans is that it is better all around--for the environment and for the beer itself. Bottles are prohibited on most beaches due to the broken glass, etc. so cans make it easier for people to enjoy good beer in the great outdoors.  Also--the can provides an added insulation and darkness, meaning that the beer's taste won't be compromised after shipping out from Hawaii. Another interesting thought Melanie from the Maui Brewing Co. said--"I don't get why people frown on cans...I think most people would agree beer tastes best on draft, and when you think about it, a keg is really just a big can!"

My favorite from the Maui Brewing Company hands down was their coconut porter. [Porters are a style of beer that's usually malty and known for darkness and strength, sharing similar characteristics as stouts.]

Maui Brewing Company Coconut Porter

Appearance: deep mahogany colored, with a khaki colored thick head.

Aroma: could immediately smell the toasted coconut and hints of coffee

Taste: incredibly smooth and sweet--almost like eating a Mounds candy bar, nice chocolately coffee taste with a delicious lingering coconut finish.

Alcohol: 5.7%

This beer was a wonderful surprise and was very light in feel for a porter. I would suggest it as a sweeter alternative for people who enjoy Guinness or as a dessert beer--I recommend it with shortbread cookies. I have yet to encounter this hidden jewel on tap, but I've seen four packs of cans at Bevmo and other stores for around $8, making it a perfect and different twist for a beer on the beach.

Hoegaarden--love at first sip

For my first official beer review it is only fitting that I discuss the beer that started my love of Belgian white ales, Hoegaarden. 

It all began a few summers ago at FSU when my friend and I went in search of a six pack that would quench our thirst and distract us from the 104 degree Tallahassee heat. We wanted something we could drink in our bikinis (light) but we were tired of the typical college brew (see: Bud light, Miller Lite, and God forbid, Natural light). We wandered the very limited beer isle at the grocery store and finally found Hoegaarden.

At the time, I knew very little about Belgian beers but decided to give it a chance, and now, years later, it is still one of my favorite beers.

Belgian style white ales are unfiltered beers known for being smooth and refreshing, with hints of orange peel and coriander.  Hoegaarden is a classic example of a Belgian witbier, which literally means "white beer".  The "white" in this case does not refer to the beer's appearance, but rather to the wheat used in its fermentation.

I was amused that Hoegaarden has very specific pictorial instructions on the bottle for how it is to be served. It is meant to be poured into a Hoegaarden glass, (either a goblet shaped glass or a hexagonal glass tumbler) with a moderate amount of head, leaving a few sips in the bottle. The bottle is then to be stirred up a bit to get the natural sediment, then poured into the glass.

The result--deliciously divine. 

Appearance: straw-colored, cloudy with a moderately thick white head.

Aroma: approachable, sweet with a mix of citrus fruits and honey

Taste: mildly carbonated, refreshing, malty-sweet beer with subtle hints of orange and coriander spice.  

Alcohol: 4.9%

{*Interesting fact* --> coriander seeds are also used in gins and some vinegars; and the Curacao oranges used in Hoegaarden are named after the Island of Curacao, formerly a colony in the Netherlands. [During colonial times, Belgium and the Netherlands were considered one country] (Taken from Jackson's Ultimate Beer p. 78) Just one more reason to love the Netherlands! (; }

Hoegaarden is one of the most commercial and well recognized Belgian witbiers, but that does not detract from its taste or appeal. To me, it just means you are more likely to find it in grocery stores and on tap at decent bars. A six pack of this fantastic brew will run you around $8 to $9.

I highly recommend this beer to anyone who enjoys white ales or would like an introduction to the delicious world of Belgian beers.

Basic Beer Terminology

In order to begin to understand and appreciate beer, you've got to get acquainted with some basic beer terms. I'll refer these terms in my reviews and it's a great way to start learning about beer and the characteristics of its different styles. Beer is just as complex and diverse as wine, so start studying!

Beers are made from four fundamental ingredients:   *malted grains  *water  *hops  *yeast

Even though all beers are created using similar components, variations of these elements during the brewing process can lead to a myriad spectrum of beers with distinctive tastes.

Beers are categorized by shared attributes like color, flavor, strength, the process used to brew it, ingredients used, and country of origin.

Beers can be grouped into two basic types--ales and lagers, with numerous sub-types that fall under these two categories. 

To put it in simple terms, a beer's taste can be described as falling somewhere between the spectrum of malty and hoppy. Malty beers like ales tend to be sweeter, where hoppy beers like lagers tend to be more bitter. (Again, this is a very generalized introductory description--in later posts I will go into greater detail.)

Intro

Hey guys! I'm new to this whole blogging thing but basically I want to use this as a way to share my love and knowledge of beer with my fans. I've been drinking beer since I was 17 (oops, I mean um only since I've been 21 *wink*) and have tried hundreds of delicious beers from all over the world--I've even been lucky enough to experience some of them in their country of origin. 

After finding out about all these exquisite brews, I decided I HAD to get the population out of their American-light-beer-coma and show them there is more to taste than beers you find at 7-11.  I've made it a personal mission to get out of my comfort zone and experience as many different beers as possible, review them here and hopefully encourage my fans to expand their palettes and learn all about beer in the process. Cheers!