Time to catch up as I have not had the time to keep up with
the blog. There are a number of great
beers out there and I very pleased with the increased volume that is available
from craft brewers, an increasing number of craft brewers, the quality of the
products offered and the brewer’s interpretation and creative license on classic
beers styles.
Sierra Nevada – Ruthless Rye (6.6 ABV and 55 IBU) – American
IPA - this is a seasonal release and rye is part of the malt bill. Highly recommended - excellent beer.
New Belgium – Springboard – (6.2% ABV) – Belgian-style Pale
Ale – gogi berries and Schisandra were added to this beer. It is OK, not bad, but not great.
New Belgium – Rampant (8.5% ABV and 85 IBU) – Imperial IPA –
Unlike any IPA I have tasted before and featuring Mosaic, Calypso, and
Centennial hops. Highly recommended – excellent.
Dry Dock – Paragon Apricot Blonde Ale (5.3% ABV) – Fruit /
Vegetable Beer – I am not a big fan of fruit beers and I think I found an
exception – Paragon is very tasty and the apricots make this beer special.
Dry Dock – Tripel (8.75% ABV) – Belgian-style Tripel – If you
see something from Dry Dock, just buy it – they won “Small Brewery of the Year”
for a reason.
Port Brewing Co. – Santa’s Little Helper (10.5% ABV) –
Russian Imperial Stout – Port is based in SoCal and this one was on tap at
Parry’s Pizzeria in Highlands Ranch.
Santa would be very pleased with this one – in a word – Fantastic.
Brewery Ommegang – BPA - Belgian-Style Pale Ale (6.2% ABV). This was on tap at Parry’s Pizzeria and it
was my first taste from Ommegang that is essentially a Belgian Brewery in
Cooperstown, NY. I look forward to
sampling more from Brewery Ommegang.
Widmer – SXNW: South by Northwest (9.3% ABV and 40 IBU) –
American Strong Ale. A dark beer brewed
with chilies, cinnamon, chocolate, and pecans.
I was not sure what to expect and this was very good – if you see it buy
it, number 7 in the Brother’s Reserve Series.
These were all tasty beers from a wide range of
brewers. Some were just the basic style
and some were very different and interesting variations from the brewer. Bottom line – there are a number of fantastic
selections and there is no need to stick with the macro brewers – get out and
sample some craft brew.
