December 24 - Trader Joe's 2012 Vintage Ale

As we conclude our 24 Days of Beer 2.0 tasting adventure, I want to thank all of you that participated and blogged this year.  I hope we were able to provide a good selection of beers and everyone enjoyed the experience.  Hopefully everyone was able to find a couple of beers to add to their regular rotation of beers.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all of you.  Tony & Mark 

Why we picked it:   Need a big ass beer for Christmas Eve...check.  Need something we've never had...check.  Need something affordable...check.  Need high ABV...check plus!

About Trader Joe's 2012 Vintage Ale:  Unique and limited edition, this Belgian style ale is crafted once a year as a special treat for those of you who appreciate flavorful bottle conditioned ales with character.

Our Vintage Ale is a rich, dark and full-bodied ale with a fine and generous coffee-colored, beige foam.  It's ready to enjoy right away and you may also wish to cellar a few bottles.  It will evolve interestingly well, developing more complex flavors as the years go by.  Keep the bottle upright in storage.

Brewed with delicate balance of noble hops, roasted malts and spices, this is a remarkably smooth ale with a wonderfully complex finish.  It is best served slightly chilled, around 53 degrees Fahrenheit and pairs exceptionally well with grilled salmon steaks, curried lamb, beef or tuna au poivre.  Crafted and bottled exclusively for Trader Joe's.  Brewed by Unibroue.

ABV:  9.0%

Case cost:  $120 ($5 a bottle)

December 23 - Goose Island's Christmas Ale

 

We we picked it:  We like Goose Island and wanted to try there seasonal beer.

About Goose Island's Christmas Ale:  Every year to celebrate the holiday season, we brew up our Christmas Ale, and with each year we change the recipe slightly so that you have something special to look forward to.

Style: Brown Ale
 
Alcohol by Volume: 7.3%

International Bitterness Units:  Change year to year
 
Color:  Chocolate
 
Hops:  Change year to year

Malt:  Pale, Munich, Caramel

Preferred Glass:  Nonic

Food Pairings:  Ham, Turkey, Lamb
 
Cheese Pairings:  Aged Gouda, Dry Jack
 
Cellaring Notes:  180 days

Case Cost:  $45

*website:  http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/christmas_ale/24.php

December 22 - Abita's Christmas Ale

Why we picked it:  Another seasonal beer from one of our favorite breweries.

About Abita's Christmas Ale:  Abita Christmas Ale (November - December) rounds out our calendar. Each year at the Abita Brewery we craft a special dark ale for the holiday season. The recipe changes each year so that Abita Christmas Ale is always the perfect gift. Its spicy character is excellent with traditional holiday foods such as gingerbread or spiced nuts. Try some blue cheese or a creamy Camembert with a Christmas Ale.

ABV:  5.5%

Suggested temperature: 44°

Suggested glassware: pint, stein, goblet or stange.  For info on glassware, Abita has provided this information Click Here

Case Cost:  $32


*website:  http://abita.com/brews/our_brews/christmas-ale

December 21 - Heavy Seas' Winter Storm Category 5 Ale

Why we picked it:  Because it's a seasonal/Christmas beer and we have tried Heavy Seas' in the past and liked their summer offering.

About Heavy Seas' Winter Storm Category 5 Ale:  Winter Storm may be Hugh’s favorite beer in the Heavy Seas catalogue. Our winter ale draws on hops from the West Coast and the UK for its pronounced bitterness. A mix of pale and darker malts give it its tawny color and its bigger body. True to the style, Winter Storm’s aroma is nutty malts and earthy hops. This is a perfect fall beer, especially because of its warming qualities.

Style: Imperial Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
 

ABV: 7.5%
 

IBUs: 50
 

Availability: October-December
 

Hops: Warrior, UK Goldings, UK Fuggles, Cascade, Centennial
 

Malts: 2-row, Crystal, Caramalt, Chocolate Malt

 

Food Pairings: Brie or Havarti cheese, pan-seared steak, barbecued pork 

 

Glassware: Imperial Pint, Snifter

 

Case Cost:  $35

 

*website: http://www.hsbeer.com/beer/winter-storm/

 

December 20 - Avery's Old Jubilation Ale

Why we picked it:  We have sampled Avery's beers in past tastings and wanted to try their Christmas Ale

About Avery's Old Jubilation Ale:  Our winter strong ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts. 

Food pairing: Old Jubilation Ale–most fittingly–is comfortable being sipped and quaffed alongside many large cuts of meat you typically find around the holidays. Roast duck, crown roast, rack of lamb, prime rib, herb- and honey-crusted chicken and all manner of gamebirds are great choices, as are seasonal soups made with spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.

Beer Style: English Old Ale
 
Hop Variety: Bullion
 
Malt Variety: Two-row barley, Special roast, Black, Chocolate, Victory
 
ABV: 8.3%  

IBUs: 45  

Color: Mahogany

Case Cost:  $35

*website:  http://averybrewing.com/our-ales/old-jubilation-ale/

December 19 - Schlafly's Christmas Ale

We we picked it:  Because it was a Christmas beer we had not tried before.

About Schlafly's Christmas Ale:  Our Christmas Ale is a warming winter ale that blends the spices of the season with sweet caramel malt. Orange peel, juniper berries, ginger root, cardamom and cloves are added for spiciness. We use honey in the fermentation process, which raises the ABV without producing too much heat from the alcohol content.

Many breweries produce richer, higher alcohol beers for the winter holiday season, bolder than their year-round offerings. The inspiration for this beer came from spiced holiday beverages such as wassail and mulled wines. Around the holidays, the sweet and spicy aromas, not to mention the booze, in such libations tend to smooth the rougher edges of enjoying each other’s company and spreading goodwill.

Appearance: Deep copper, bright

Process: Spiced with orange peel, juniper berries, ginger root, cardamom and cloves

Hops: Hallertau (DE)

Malts: 2-row and caramel malted barley, Munich malt, chocolate malt, honey

Yeast: American Ale

IBU: 30

ABV:  8.0%

Case Cost:  $46

*website: http://schlafly.com/beers/styles/christmas-ale/

December 18 - Southern Tier's Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale

Why we picked it:  Rated a 93 at Total Wine. 

About  Southern Tier's Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale:  To label a beer as extraordinary is to trust its ingredients from the start.  Crystal clean filtered water, whole hops, and the choicest malted barley create this American-style pale ale we are please to call Phin & Matts Extraordinary Ale.  The character of an American Pale Ale varies from region to region and is dependent upon the ingredients used.  In ours, you can expect harmony between malt and hops without dominating tastes of sweet or bitter.  A classic tribute to the ingredients of our nation, for a pale ale we are proud to call our own.

Style: American Pale Ale
 
Brewed since: 2004
 
ABV: 5.7%
 
Fermentation:  Ale yeast, three varieties of hops, three varieties of malts
 
Color: Pale amber
 
Effervescence: Generous carbonation. Bubbles rise soft and slow
 
Nose: Biscuity, a hint of malt, earthy
 
Flavor: Grassy and floral, light and refined sweetness, straw
 
Bitterness: Medium
 
Body: Medium-light
 
Serving Temperature: 40-45°F
 
Glass: Pint glass, mug

Cellaring: 35-40°F

Case Cost:  $30

*website: https://www.stbcbeer.com/works-2-cols/phin-matts/

December 17 - Schloss Eggenberg's Hopfenkönig

Why we picked it:  Norm recommended it.

About Schloss Eggenberg's Hopfenkönig:  An excellent pils, brewed with the world-famous Saazer hops.  Hopfenkönig has a crisp, clean dry, hoppy nose and aromatic flavors.  It is a perfect aperitif beer.

ABV:  5.1%

Case cost:  $32

*website:  http://www.schloss-eggenberg.at/en/index.html

December 16 - Bell's Winter White Ale

Why we picked it:   We love Bell's beers.  This is Katy's favorite.  We can blame her if it sucks, but if it's good, remember to thank her.

About Bell's Winter White Ale:  Taking its cues from Belgian-style white ales, Bell's Winter White Ale offers a lighter yet abundantly flavorful alternative to the traditional heavy winter warmers. Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast, this blend of barley & wheat malts yields a mixture of clove and fruity aromas, all without the use of any spices. Deliberately brewed to retain a cloudy appearance, Bell's Winter White Ale is a beer for embracing winter.

Alcohol by Volume:  5.0%
 

Original Gravity:  1.052
 

Shelf Life:  6 months
 

Dates Available:  Winter Seasonal
 

Available Packages:  Bottle, draft

Case cost:  $33

*website: http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/10-Winter%20White%20Ale%20

December 15 - Founder's Dry Hopped Pale Ale

Why we picked it: No real reason.

About Founder's Pale Ale:  A testament to Cascade hops in a bottle, this medium-bodied pale ale has a refreshing citrus flavor and a distinctive floral hop aroma due to the aggressive addition of hops during fermentation. You’ll notice a slight malty sweetness with a balanced hop finish. Perfect to enjoy anytime, anywhere.

 

ABV: 5.4%

 

IBUs: 35

 

Case cost:  $35

 

*website:  http://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/pale-ale

December 14 - Schlafly's Winter ESB

Why we picked it:   Wanted a few ESB beer types in the group and this one caught our eye.

About Schlafly's Winter ESB:  Our Winter ESB (Extra Special Bitter) may have the word “bitter” in its name, but the key to this style is balance. While having more alcohol and English hop character than its Pale Ale cousin, the addition of extra crystal and biscuit malts give the beer a toasty, fruity flavor. Our ESB is dry hopped with a US grown hop varietal called Williamette, which has a pronounced spicy, lemon flavor.

In the early 1970’s, brewers in London and the south of England expanded the range of beers available in pubs, reacting to the wave of European lagers moving into the British pub scene. In addition to the ordinary bitters and pale ales, brewers developed recipes for stronger premium ales like ESB, special bitter and special pale ale. These beers contributed to the English traditional ale revival of the 1980’s, making their way into the beer portfolios of many American craft breweries.

Appearance: Copper-colored, bright

Process: Dry hopped

Hops: Willamette (US), Pilgrim (UK)

Malts: 2-row and caramel malted barley, Munich malt, rye malt

Yeast: London Ale

IBU:  30

ABV: 5.8%

Case cost:  $32

*website: http://schlafly.com/beers/styles/winter-esb/

December 13 - Great Lakes' Edmund Fitzgerald

Why we picked it:  Rated a 94 at Total Wine.  It's brewed in Cleveland and I'm from Cleveland.

Name Origin: Sure, Gordon Lightfoot hasn’t penned an ode to it (yet), but this porter is song-worthy—much like its legendary namesake ship that frequently docked in Cleveland and tragically sunk in Lake Superior in 1975 with many Northeast Ohioans on board.

Style Origin: Originated in Great Britain and named after the porters who hauled goods from wagons to the stands at the open air markets common to England at that time.

Flavor: Bittersweet chocolate-coffee taste and bold hop presence

Ingredients:

Malts:

Harrington 2-Row Base Malt:  Allows color and flavor from other specialty malts to come through; makes for very clean beer

Crystal 77:  Contributes to color and adds sweeter aroma and flavor

Chocolate:  Provides deep, rich color and coffee-like flavor and aroma

Roasted Barley:  Adds color and roasted flavor

Hops:

Northern Brewer:  Traditional bittering hop for English-style ales; provides strong bitterness to complement strong/assertive flavors of this porter

Fuggle:  Traditional English hop for flavor in English ales; contributes milder earthy and woody aromas and flavors; adds complexity

Cascade:  U.S. hop with citrus characteristics for aroma to balance roasted malts and add American element to this English style

Pairs With:  Barbecued ribs, steaks, oysters

ABV: 5.8% 

IBU: 37

Gravity: 15°P

Case cost:  $35

*website: http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/beer/an-exceptional-family-of-beers/year-round/edmund-fitzgerald-porter

December 12 - Breckenridge's Vanilla Porter Ale

About Breckenridge's Vanilla Porter Ale:  Deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea and Madagascar grows the perfect ingredient for an extraordinary Porter brewed in Colorado. Breckenridge Brewery’s Vanilla Porter. An ale that has all the chocolate and roasted nut flavor of a classic Porter, with an enigmatic surprise thrown in for good measure.

Beer Style:	Herb and spice beer
Flavor:	Smooth Roasted Chocolate with a Creamy Vanilla Finish
Yeast:	Top Fermenting Ale Yeast
Malts:	Two Row Pale, Caramel, Bonlander, Black, Roasted Barley
Vanilla Beans:	From Paupau New Guinea and Madagascar
Hops:	Chinook, Palisade, Perle, Goulding
Color:	Deep Brown
Bitterness Units:	16
Alcohol By Volume:	4.7%

 Case Cost:  $35

December 11 - Allagash Black

 
Happy Birthday Mark Bolter and Dave Johnson! 

Why we chose it:  Was rated a 93 by Total Wine.  We liked the Allagash White last year, so thought we would try the Allagash Black.

About Allagash Black:  Allagash Black is a Belgian style stout brewed with 2 Row barley, torrified wheat, oats, both roasted and chocolate malt and a generous portion of dark caramelized candi sugar. The silky mouth feel is a great balance to the roasted character, coffee and dark chocolate notes expressed throughout this beer. 

Description: Belgian Style Stout 

ABV: 7.5%  

Profile: Dark, Roasted, Chocolate 

Serving Temperature: 40°-50°F  

Availability: Year Round  

Food Pairings:  Lamb Burger, Bleu Cheese, Shepherd's Pie, Sweet Cream Ice Cream, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Case Price:  $60

*website: http://www.allagash.com/beer/year-round/black

December 10 - Lagunitas' Brown Shugga' Ale

Why we picked it:  Purely a selfish reason.  I wanted lil' brown sugga' and a beer with a high alcohol content on my birthday.  Happy Birthday to Me!

About Brown Shugga':  Brown Sugga'...How Come you Taste So Good?? Boatloads of Pure Brown Sugar in Each Batch, That’s How! The Rich, Roasty and Mysteriously Drinkable Ale might best be described as... Irresponsible. It Leaves a Lot of Stories in it’s Wake. 

Brown Shugga was originally a failed attempt to make our Olde GnarlyWine Ale way back in 1997. Boatloads of Brown Sugar were added to the boil in an attempt to rescue the batch. The result was quite different from the Olde GnarlyWine we were looking for, but the Accidental Release of Brown Shugga that year was the beginning of an annual rampage caused by a beer that follows no style guidelines and can best be described as.... Irresponsible.  Cheers! 

Say "LAH-GOO-KNEE-TUSS"

IBU:  51.1

ABV:  9.9%

Case cost: $35

*web site: http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/brownshugga.html

December 9 - Köstritzer Schwarzbier

About Köstritzer Schwarzbier:  Sparkling character similar strength to light beers.  Varied taste ranges from smooth to sweet through to light and fresh.  Distinctive fine malty flavour from refined barley malt

Schwarzbier means "black beer" in German. It is a medium-bodied, malt-accented dark brew, very opaque and deep-sepia in color, with a chewy texture and a firm, creamy, long-lasting head. In spite of its dark color, it comes across as a soft and elegant brew that is rich, mild, and surprisingly balanced. It never tastes harsh, toasty or acrid. The beer is often referred to as a Schwarzpils, a "black Pils," but, unlike a blond Pils, which can be assertively bitter, the hop bitterness in Schwarzbier is always gentle and subdued.

In a glass, Schwarzbier looks much like a British dark ale, but looks can be deceiving. Schwarzbier, unlike a British ale, has a clean lager taste that leaves next to no perception of fruitiness on the palate. Instead, Schwarzbier produces very mild, almost bittersweet, notes of chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. Like most traditional German lagers, Schwarzbier has a malty middle, but the sweetness is never cloying or overpowering. The beer is moderately to well attenuated and the finish tends to be dry. Its alcohol level by volume is in the range of 4.5 to 5%, rarely higher. To accentuate the Schwarzbier's dark elegance and appealing head, always serve it in a tall, fluted or tulip-shaped glass.  

IBU: 22

Beer Color (SRM): 28

Recommended Glass: Handled Glass Stein

ABV:  4.8%

Case cost: $32

*website:  www.koestritzer.de/en/products/

December 8 - Rogue's Santa's Private Reserve

Why we picked it:  Come on, there's a drunk Santa on the front! What other reason do we need?

About Santa's Private Reserve:  Rogue’s annual holiday offering, Santa’s Private Reserve, is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops--including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John “more hops” Maier! 

Style: Red Ale      

Food Pairing: Pork, Beef
 
Tasting Notes:  A double-hopped Red, reddish in color, with a roasty, malty flavor and a hoppy spruce finish.

9 Ingredients:  Carastan 30-37 & 13-17, Crystal 70-80 & Great Western 2-Row Malts; Amarillo & Perle Hops; Free Range Coastal Water and Pacman Yeast.   Specs:  13º PLATO; 65 IBU; 73.1 AA; 26.75º L ABV:  6.0% Case cost: $45 *website: http://rogue.com/beers/santas-private-reserve.php

December 7th - Victory's Prima Pils

Why we picked it:  We wanted a pilsner in the group. Total wine rated it a 93.

About Prima Pils:  Heaps of hops give this pale lager a bracing, herbal bite over layers of soft and smooth malt flavor. This refreshing combination of tastes makes Prima a classy quencher in the tradition of the great pilsners of Europe.

Malts:  2 row German pilsner malt

Hops:  German and Czech whole flowers

ABV:  5.3%

Case Cost:  $35

*website: http://victorybeer.com/beers/prima-pils/

December 6th - Anchor's Christmas Ale

Why we picked it: Because it is a seasonal Christmas beer.

About Anchor's Christmas Ale:  Each year since 1975, Anchor Brewing creates a distinctive Christmas Ale, available from early November to mid-January. A rich, dark spiced ale, our secret recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life.

Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew. Our tree for 2012 is the Norfolk Island pine. Captain Cook discovered this South Seas isle and its native tree in 1774. These tropical-looking conifers, which thrive in sandy soil and coastal climes, were first planted in California in the 1850s. The Norfolk Island pine on this year’s label, hand drawn from life, resides in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Each year our Christmas Ale gets a unique label and a unique recipe. Although our recipes must remain a secret, many save a few bottles from year to year. Properly refrigerated, the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years. Different nuances emerge as the flavor mellows slightly, much like the memories of great holiday seasons past. Celebrate the holidays with Anchor Christmas Ale, an Anchor tradition since 1975.

ABV:  5.5%

Case Cost: $44

*website: http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale

December 5 - Nectar Ale's Red Nectar

Why we picked it:  Rated a 93 at Total Wine.

About Red Nectar:  Boasting a ruby hue and an exquisite floral aroma, Red Nectar is a robust yet elegant brew with distinctive accents of toasted malt, caramel, spice and residual sweetness.

The beer that started it all… Red Nectar was considered a strange bird when it was first released in 1987. After all, where did a robust, handcrafted all-natural amber ale fit into the massive flock of American industrial lagers? Answer: it didn’t. So it blazed its own trail, helping set the pace for the craft brew revolution.

Enjoy Red Nectar for its dazzling reddish copper hue, original flavors and caramel spice accents. 

Style:  American Amber Ale

ABV:  5.4%

Color: 22.0L (Red)

IBU: 35.0 (Medium)

Fermentation:  Fermented in 100% stainless steel with Humboldt Brewing’s original house yeast strain

Malts:  Premium Two Row, Wheat Malt, Crystal 75

Hops:  Bittering - Chinook, Late Kettle - Mt. Hood, Cascade

Case Cost:  $39



*website: http://www.nectarales.com/?page=red-nectar

December 4 – Avery’s Ellie’s Brown Ale

 

Why we picked it:  We're dog people.  There's a dog on the can.  'nuff said.

About Ellie's Brown Ale:  This beautiful, deep russet brew has the sweet and somewhat nutty character of Adam Avery’s late (1992-2002) Chocolate Lab, for which it is named. Chocolate malt gives this beer a brown sugar maltiness with hints of vanilla and nuts, while subtle hopping gives it an overall drinkability that’s second to none–just like Ellie!

Beer Style: American Brown Ale

Hop Variety: Bullion, Sterling

Malt Variety: Two-row barley, Chocolate, Munich, Honey malt, Caramel 120

IBUs: 28

Color: Deep Russet

Food pairing: Roasted meats prepared with spicy and/or smoky flavors are natural pairings for
Ellie’s Brown Ale. Try ancho chili pork or beef tacos with chipotle mole.

ABV: 5.5%

Case cost:  $35

*website: http://averybrewing.com/our-ales/ellies-brown-ale/

December 3 - Goose Island's Mild Winter

Why we picked it: Goose Island’s Summertime was one of our picks for the 24 Beers of Summer and it got high ratings from the group.

About Goose Island’s Mild Winter:  Toffee brown, medium-bodied, with a creamy head and an aroma of raisins and freshly baked dark bread. Mild Winter’s rich caramel malt and spicy rye flavors are sure to take the bite out of whatever Old Man Winter brews up for you this year.

Style: American Mild Ale

Alcohol by Volume: 5.6%

International Bitterness Units: 28

Color: Toffee

Hops: Willamette, Tettnang

Malts: 2-Row, Carapils, Dark Chocolate, Roast Barley, Rye Flake

Case Cost: $35

* website: http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/mild_winter/21.php

December 2 - James Boag's Premium Lager

Why we picked it: We needed to mix in a lager for all those ale haters out there and it was one of the few beers that Norm had 36 of the day we went to get the beer.

About James Boag's Premium Lager: James Boag's Premium Lager is an internationally recognized, multi-award winning premium beer with a rich Tasmanian heritage.

Acclaimed both at home and overseas, James Boag's Premium was honored with the 2007 Crystal Prestige Award for winning 10 consecutive gold medals at le Monde Selection in Brussels.

James Boag's Premium's sophisticated style is a perfect match for the smooth, subtle and perfectly balanced characteristics of this world-class lager.

Appearance: Bright pale straw in color, finely beaded bubbles, and lacing on glass

Aroma:  Fresh fruity aroma, malty notes, and discernible hop aroma

Taste:  Perfect balance between hops and malt, a fruity front palate followed by light malt finish, pleasant bitterness that is not overpowering, smooth dry finish, and crisp fresh aftertaste that doesn't linger on the palate.

ABV:  5.0%

Case Cost: $42

* website: http://www.boags.com.au/

December 1 - Blue Mountain's Full Nelson Pale Ale

Why we picked it:  It's a beer made in Virginia and Katy is a huge wrestling fan.  Katy's favorite move is the full nelson.  If you don't blog each day, she may put you in a full nelson.

About Full Nelson:  Bursting with local hop flavor, our flagship Virginia Pale Ale features our own farm-grown Cascade variety hops as one of the key ingredients. A strong malt backbone gives this ale a rich taste and vibrant copper color, while the generous addition of hops contribute a pronounced bitterness and floral, citrus aroma.

IBUs:  60

Plato:  15°

ABV:  5.9%

Case Cost: $39

*The International Bitterness Unit (IBU) is a system indicating the hop bitterness in finished beer. An IBU is one part per million of isohumulone, an acid derived from hops. A typical light American lager may have around 10-15 IBU's, an English brown ale around 20, an India Pale Ale 40-60, and some barley wines reaching up towards the 100 mark.

*The Plato (P°) scale as referred to in our beer statistics listings is a measure of the sugar levels in the wort (the sweet liquid that comes from mashing grains) prior to fermentation. Due to the process of fermentation the sugars are then converted to alcohol.  

*Alcohol By Volume (ABV). Most massed produced American beers weigh in between 4-5% alcohol by volume. Our beers contain an alcohol content appropriate to the style, heritage and history of each particular beer. We have beers as low as 4% ABV and as high as 12% ABV.

*From the Blue Mountain Brewery Website (http://www.bluemountainbrewery.com/)