Summer Madness!

School's out. Traffic is (slightly) better. I'm not nagging my kids over homework each night, and the NBA playoffs were on. What's this mean? It's SUMMER! This also translates to basically showing up to work each day, making sure children are fed, and doing whatever I want in between! Lucky guess, beer is involved. Here are a few recent dabbles, into my craft beer world:

Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale

This is one of my top ten favorites. It's a brown ale coming in at 5.5%, with hints of toffee, tobacco and caramel. It comes in cans, at my local Publix. Not sure which is more exciting: checking the dates on the bottom of the can, or tasting "that batch" to see if the tobacco is more prominent, or if the toffee is stealing the spotlight. It seems to vary, and each variation is delicious to me. This is one of my favorite local brews by far. 



I would not have left early, my Heat



Oskar Blues Deviant Dales IPA
16 ounce tallboy can. Pine, hops, citrus and a beautiful copper hue. This is a fabulous, big-bodied IPA. I've never had an Oskar Blues I didn't like: Old Chub Scotch Ale, Ten Fidy Stout, Pale Ale; I love them all! They're one of my favorite breweries. I savored this while watching the Heat playoffs. That's all I've got to say about that. 

Bison Brewing Organic Chocolate Stout

Pure chocolate, shining through roasted freshness. Organic to boot. This is one of my regular bottles, that make it into the "Make your own 6-pack" at Total Wine. Anyone that loves chocolate, and stout, should try this one. 

 

 

Stone Enjoy By 07.04.14 Double IPA

I love bold beers. Whether it's a red, brown, stout, pale ale or IPA, if it's bold, I'll probably enjoy it. That is exactly what I did with Stone's Enjoy By 07.04.14. First of all, it was the last one Total Wine had. Actually, it was the display bottle. I was so happy I got it. Even the cashier said "Oooo... you're lucky". She's smart. This brew is so fresh, as if it was just made yesterday. With 11 types of hops, and 9.4% ABV, as all Stone beers: it's not for wussies. Just saying. I didn't even want to finish drinking it. It's that good. Stone is my favorite brewery, and has never disappointed me. 

 
Due South Brewing UXO

This American Imperial Red Ale, was created as a tribute to (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) EOD technicians that have served in the military. Mike Halker, Founder and Head Brewer at Due South (Boynton Beach), is a former EOD tech. I'm a military brat, so I have a special place in my heart for anything military. It's what I grew up with. This brew has a 8% ABV, a malty foundation, citrus tones, and a barleywine-esque feel, and it got even better as it warms. A portion of the proceeds get donated to the EOD Warrior Foundation, a group that helps active duty and veteran wounded, injured, or ill EOD Techs and their families, as well as offers assistance to families of wounded and fallen EOD soldiers. Even better. 

 
Until next time, cheers, and happy summer!

Peace out summer. Football is back!!

I am so happy football season is back. There’s nothing like Sundays with friends, family, football, food and good beer. Factor in that I’m taking people’s money in my Fantasy league this year, and you’ve got one excited beer nerd. My draft party compares to none other. We have flat screens that display our picks, music, and profile photos. It is quite the production. It was held at Duffy’s in Deerfield Beach. Lucky for me they had Harpoon IPA bottles, and lucky for me that Duffy’s is 2-for-1! I’m expecting big things from my QBs Kaepernick and Eli Manning, RB Arian Foster and WR Pierre Garcon this year. Special little reminder for you losers in my league that read my blog: I’m taking money this year.

 

Nothing beats breakfast for dinner. One random night, I was in the mood for some bacon and eggs, so I paired it with a Collaboration Not Litigation Ale from January 2012 (Avery and Russian River). I thought the story behind it was great. Both breweries had beers named “Salvation”. Neither one was trying to give up their brew, so they joined forces and created this fabulous dark Belgian style, maple syrupy deliciousness. Good thing!

 

On my most recent haul, I picked up a few noteworthy bottles: Pyramid Black IPA, Erdinger Oktoberfest, Anderson Valley Brewing Fall Hornin’, Claymore Scotch Ale, Founders Porter, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Terrapin Dos Cocoa, and Goose Island Matilda. Let me express just how EXCITED I was to see Matilda at my Total Wine. Totally made my day. I have such a weakness for a fine Belgian, or Belgian style beer. A good Belgian beer feels so indulgent; am I wrong? Porters are another weakness of mine. One of the best I’ve ever had, was Edmund Fitzgerald’s Porter from Great Lakes Brewing in Cleveland. I’m really looking forward to trying the Founders Porter (Michigan), to make the whole “Midwest” brew comparison. I gave my Anderson Valley away to a guest, so I’m going to have to scoop up another one of those to try.

With getting back into the school routine, I was super excited (like everyone else) for the much needed Labor Day weekend! It was one of the best weekends I’ve ever had, and it’s not because of the beer selections. Just saying. I would love to elaborate, but this is a beer blog, so you’re only getting beer talk. My Lagunitas IPA on draft at Burger and Beer Joint, in Pembroke Pines was refreshing and crisp. I’m thrilled to have Lagunitas on tap near me! My Holy Mackeral Panic Attack at the Melting Pot, (yes, I said craft beer at the Melting Pot) paired perfectly with the massive amounts of meat, vegetables, and chocolate we consumed.  For the boat, gotta roll with the cans. I checked the beer fridge to see what I had in stock. Harpoon White UFO, and Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red Ale got to come with us to Hillsboro Inlet. 

Harpoon White UFO is like a grown up Blue Moon. The mouth feel is lighter, and I can taste the difference in quality. Oskar Blues, well, I love everything they do. They are on my list of top breweries. 

Other breweries that come to mind on that personal list of favorites are: 

Stone

The Bruery

Great Divide

Southern Tier 

Bells

Green Flash

Cigar City

It's too much pressure to name any others! There are just too many great beers and brewers out there, to name them all. 

Stay tuned for my next post, dedicated to fall and pumpkin beers! Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, so it's fitting that the blog gets an entire entry about them. Cheers!