What was once dated and lowbrow is now new and trendy.

Canned beer has traditionally gotten a bad rap. Childhood memories of tin-wrapped cheap swill still abound in my clouded head. Back in those days (the 70’s and 80’s) the shelves in the Midwest were lined with cans of Miller High Life, ... Read More »

Gluttonous feasts and getting together with family and friends are part of this festive day. Of course, something needs to wash down all that grub, especially with family. Wine is served and is often the fermented beverage of choice, usually a box or three of Franzia Blush could be found at our family ... Read More »

Stouts — dark ales usually brewed with roasted barley — have been hand-crafted since the 18th century in Ireland. Originally billed as “Stout Porters,” these raven-colored elixirs are basically strong, roasted porters. Most beer geeks associate these delicious black brews with the ... Read More »

Cards, candy and flowers are, of course, traditional Valentine’s gifts. Chocolate and berries (usually strawberries) are also commonly given and complement each other, much like those famous pairs.

But beer makes a unique and tasty gift on this romantic holiday. Last Valentine’s Day ... Read More »

We might not have all those fancy New York beers down here in the desert southwest but we like ours just fine. In fact we think they’re just dandy and I’ll bet a handful of silver dollars you will too. You see, when you’re out on the range on a cold evenin’ and settle down for the night, ... Read More »

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 ... Read More »

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. ... Read More »

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 ... Read More »

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- ... Read More »

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 ... Read More »

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 ... Read More »