This bubbly barley beverage is a collaboration between famed microbrew Sam Adams and the planet’s oldest brewery, Germany’s revered Weihenstephan. Their goal was to create not just an innovative brew, but an entirely new style of beer. Sam Adams suds guru Jim Koch claims (in many videos) that it took over two years of ambitious tasty development to achieve this challenging objective. Read more: Sam Adams Infinium: A Champagne-like brew for New Year’s Eve celebration 
As the mercury drops and the cold nights get longer, beer drinkers across the land reach for rich and hearty brews to warm the soul. Breweries everywhere, of course, realize this and release their cold-weather winter offerings, usually called Winter Warmers, Christmas Ales, or Winter Ales/Lagers. These seasonal suds can be of any style but generally utilize roasted and crystal malts to achieve a darker, richer flavor profile. Some of these malt-forward, substantial beers are spiced and most are well above 6 % ABV (Alcohol by Volume). Speaking from experience, many do indeed elicit a warming feeling. Last year, eight winter seasonal beers were reviewed and many made the grade. This year, in the 2nd annual Winter Beer Challenge (see the 1st annual tasting), a new crop of eight solstice suds step up to the plate vying for some holiday attention. Read more: The 2nd annual winter brew challenge: Eight solstice suds tested 
When most people think of Thanksgiving, they think of gastronomical overload starring turkey, a plethora of side dishes, and a glass of wine or six. Beer is an appropriate drink on this food forward holiday though. In fact, legend has it that the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, in large part, because they ran out of ale. Thanksgiving flavors are bountiful, diverse, and at most tables-on the delicate side. Turkey, stuffing, and potatoes just can’t compete with a tongue bruising Double IPA or a dark and roast-y Imperial Stout. Brews like these would dominate the meal and take away from the holiday experience. But here are four delicious brews that pair well with Thanksgiving dinner. Read more: Four Thanksgiving friendly beers: Leinenkugel, Great Divide, Shipyard, Tommyknocker 
The autumn air was crisp and cool as we pulled the Oldsmobile up to the cabin that night. Eerie clouds passed below the brilliant full moon while a mist began to fill the surrounding forest. A deep howl broke the dark air and sent chills down our spine. Inside, the cabin was bright and cheery- a wooden Polynesian fellow greeted us as we walked in. Tiki was the theme, which seemed strange since we were up in the mountains. The beer began to flow, and all five of us began to imbibe in the Halloween spirits. Read more: Chillingly good Halloween and autumn beers 
Autumn is the favorite time of year for many beer aficionados. The light, watery summer brews disappear from the shelves and are replaced by darker, more robust fall seasonal beers, including the acclaimed Oktoberfest. The first five in the beer challenge test delivered one rock star, a few really good American Okto’s and one to avoid. How will the last six stack up? And more importantly which of these all-American brewskis will be crowned Mr. Oktober? 
Autumn is the favorite time of year for many beer aficionados. The light, watery summer brews disappear from the shelves and are replaced by darker, more robust fall seasonal beers, including the acclaimed Oktoberfest. The German brewers are known to be masters in this style but many of their American counterparts have been releasing solid versions for years. We decided to put 11 popular American Oktoberfest beers to the test in a blind tasting. We are on the doorstep of the opening of one of the world’s greatest annual events. No, we’re not talking about the semi-annual Lindsay Lohan court appearance; we’re talking about Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is an event worthy of your attendance and one that you would likely feel the urge to return (as opposed to Mardi Gras, Carnival in Brazil and your last family reunion). The event takes place 15 days before the first Sunday in October and the festival lasts for two weeks. The very first Oktoberfest was commenced to commemorate the marriage of then Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen (say that three times fast) in 1810. Oktoberfest is prized for it jovial atmosphere, live music, magnificent food, and the great Oktoberfest beers. Read more: Oktoberfest beer: No airfare required
The Michelada is a wildly popular drink in Latin America. If you have ever enjoyed a cool beverage in a local bar in Mexico (a bar filled with tourists sipping frozen cocktails while wearing socks with sandals doesn’t count), you have likely seen this drink up close. It is named for the bartender that is said to have invented the drink, Michel Ésper of the Club Deportivo Potosino in San Luis Potosi. You will notice that our classic recipe, just like the original, does not include tomato juice. If it sounds disgusting it’s just because you’ve never tried it. Trust me, if you enjoy a good Bloody Mary from time to time (and our Bloody Mary recipe is smashing), you will enjoy a fresh Michelada. Being in a generous mood, we are offering two variations of this thirst quenching cocktail. The classic version is presented here and our Turbo version can be found by following this link. Read more » 
The state side hefes faired admirably in Part I: The Underdog Americans, with Sierra Nevada’s Kellerweis leading the pack. The Bavarian brewmasters, however, have history and tradition on their side. Can the Americans hold off the German advancement? Read more: Hefeweizen beer challenge part II: The mighty Germans Cooking out before the game isn’t about fancy desserts or healthy vegetables. It’s about meat and lots of it. After all, this isn’t tennis or some dinner party. We chose two mouth-watering parking lot staples: Sausages and wings with trios of sauces. For this momentous occasion, we picked a craft beer to complement each course. Tailgating is all about knocking back some brews, not sipping some high-end hoity-toity, imported specialty ale. The beer selections are crowd friendly, good ole’ American brewskis. Read more: Brew n ‘Cue: Tailgate barbecue recipes and beers for game day |
|
|
|
|
You talk back