Coolest Beer labels of the USA

Big Writing!

Following on from recent articles on the best US beer and the ones that missed out, I thought it'd be a good idea to lighten up the mood a touch. Those articles were somewhat traumatic to write, let alone to conjure up.....but it was heaps of fun.

In this blog entry I focus on the graphical side: beer labels. It only dawned on my while writing the the two previous blogs that I was viewing some of the coolest beer labels in the world (take that with a grain of salt). Sure, I have no way seen every single beer label ever produced, but that isn't the point. The point is the ones I did see during the 253 different beers I had, some of them were simply damn good.

So, without a long and arduous explanation I hereby present my selection of what I thought were the coolest beer labels of the US. I'll write up some commentary to boot, just so you don't get too bored? And that is on the assumption you're not fast asleep already? :-/ (Those people with insomnia should pay me accordingly.)

Eye Dream of Jeannie?

Magic Hat came up with a pretty cool label with 'Heart of Darkness'. Not sure about you but when I bought this beer my immediate reaction was to think of I Dream of Jeannie. You know when they run the theme at the start of the show and Jeannie gets sucked back into the bottle and all you see is the blinking eyes? Well, that's the image I get.

I am not sure if that's a totally healthy image or whether that is normal, but if you've read enough of my blogs you'll already know that I am not really "normal". Still, 'Heart of Darkness' does portray, in my view, a soul searching beer. I know I did a lot of soul searching when I was in the US.....or was that beer searching?

John Wayne Gacy?

Doesn't this have John Wayne Gacy written all over it? It's a real spooky beer if you ask me, and from memory it tastes pretty spooky as well. Clown Shoes have come up with a design that actually got me scared. Me. Scared. The funny thing about this beer is I recall drinking it in Arkansas with friends, and I can assure you that after a night out drinking I genuinely looked like the clown on the label. Scary stuff, huh? Mind you, I probably drank this almost blind folded, thinking only positive thoughts. I mean, with a label like this you wouldn't really want to make fun of the Mexican folk, would you not?

Devil got your tongue?

Southern Tier Brewing Company laid out this cracker of a design on an OK beer. The only wish I had was that if I could get a tongue as long as that? That would enable me to do numerous things, some of which are best not to mention in this blog. This Imperial Helles Lager is nice, but be careful. The Devil is awaiting to play havoc with your mind....and after drinking a few of these you'll certainly end up in Hell, most likely face up in the furnace of the Devil himself with him licking your face with his long tongue.

Encore!

Another great label from Magic Hat. This time we're shouting Encore! It's a pretty self explanatory beer label, this one. A rock band is playing, the crowd pull out their lighters, hands in the air, flick the lighter and get a flame then sway.

I guess it's such a pity I don't smoke and therefore don't have a lighter. It'd make things a whole lot easier if I did next time I was at a concert. Of course, I do not condone smoking. That is a terrible habit but having a lighter just for the sake of being at a concert and doing that is cool. This label definitely sits in my 'way cool' category because of it's rock 'n' roll theme. Actually, it wasn't a bad beer either.

Monkey see, monkey do

Gorilla's in the Mist? King Kong? Planet of the Apes? These are just some of the thoughts rattling through my mind like an old Volkswagen when I look at this label from Pangaea Beer Company. They've come up with a classic design on Lilja’s Sasquatch Stout.  I have to say that this beer was really, really nice.

I'm pretty sure that if I had a top thirty (30) list it would make it. Still, the artwork on this label is awesome. I love it. This is one of my favourites. Whether you're thinking of apes, chimps or chimps at typewriters copying the works of Shakespeare you have to be a complete monkey not to think that this label cool.

Party animals!

Staples Mill Brewing have designed a classic retro-style label that conjures up thoughts of young American college students drinking Bud Light 'til the wee hours of the morning. It did for me, anyway. The Frat Boy Pilsner wasn't really a beer I enjoyed, I don't think. I remember having it, but it didn't bring any pleasant memories. Still, (oh, you liked how I put the word 'Still' in this? The brewery is in Stillwater, Minnesota. Get it?) the label is a real eye-catcher for me and it kind of sparks a bit of Dick Tracy in my mind, too. A great label. Such a pity it was a poorly brewed beer.  I am just hoping that I got a bad batch of this stuff, rather than it was actually an ordinary beer. Still, life moves on. :-)

A pretty big cock

There is a strong possibility that I actually had chicken the night I had this beer. New Belgium Brewing and Brewery Vivant have locked horns (or should I say chicken lips) to come up with a quirky label. The Lips of Faith beer somehow made me think of farm yard animals, which I relate to farmhouse ales. Maybe I'm daydreaming but there was a concern while drinking this that I wasn't the only cock in the house? I guess I'd be more worried if there was Foghorn Leghorn! But as my attempted humor goes down quicker than dirty water down a sink, I'll just stick to picking another label for you to review. Don't worry, my half-arsed attempted humor will not allow me to give up my day job. (applause and cheers)

Kiss my ass!

Well, I'm saving my favourite label 'til last. Ass Kisser bring out the kid in me with their ultra cool insignia. The beer I had was a Smoked Porter. Wow. This was probably another beer that could have made my top twenty (20) list. It was quite something, both the beer and the label. I guess if there was a competition that allowed me to pick the coolest label combined with the beer then this would actually win.

Luckily for me there is a distribution chain here in Sydney that have this available. It's now just a matter of time before I get my hands on this beer again. Yay for me!


Once I get more photos available I will go through them and see if I can't get more cool labels. Until then, enjoy.

dannbrew@gmail.com

Best Beers of the USA: the unlucky few

Frothy goodness

Following on from my best beers of the USA article, I have managed to compile a list of beers that just missed out on the cut. These could so easily have been part of my top twenty (20) and replaced a lot of the current crop. In fact, you'll probably even think they should've been in the list? I hope you don't scream profanities at me?

I wouldn't blame you if you did, actually. Taking into consideration all the factors that made me decide what beers made my list (and which beers didn't) was harder than even I had anticipated.

So, you can take everything I say with a pinch of salt - or perhaps a bucket of salt? Either way, while you read the list below I'll put on my motorbike helmet and padded vest in readiness for the pandemonium. Can't be too careful, nowadays. :-/

Allagash Brewing Fluxus

Talk about finding a diamond in the rough. Fame Wine & Cigar Lounge is an extremely up-market and classy venue in the middle of Palm Springs, California. Had it not been for the eagle eyes of Dawn and Jenn this venue would have been missed. I'm so glad they spotted this. Inside was luxury personified. Leather seating, ambient lighting, posh atmosphere, classy architecture. It had everything.

Sipping this beast called Allagash Brewing Fluxus made me feel like a millionaire. I even managed to squawk out a few toffy-nosed English phrases, just to pretend how it felt to be obnoxiously rich. The Fluxus has fruity aromas with a touch of spice while the malt profile lends itself to be a dry finish but sweet tasting. An astonishingly good beer.

Elysian Omen Belgian

Crikey! The Collins Pub is one of the best finds in Seattle. Jenn and I had just completed the Underground Tour of Seattle and while we were finishing up our tour guide simply pointed out that he loved his beer and we should "try Collins pub." You didn't have to ask us twice. Even more remarkable that, as it turned out, we had our car parked right in front of Collins Pub without even knowing. I think the Universe was aligned in some magical way that day?

Elysian Brewing turned out to be my favourite brewery while in Seattle. The beer we had at Collins was simply amazing. The Elysian Omen Belgian Raspberry Stout rocked my socks off. A stout with raspberry notes and I'd hazard a guess that the Belgian portion was the yeast, which finished dry.

Samuel Adams Alpine Spring

Outback Steakhouse. It was the first time I'd ever been. It was a great experience, and me being an Aussie was quite funny in an Australian restaurant in the middle of the US. Even more funny was Samuel Adams Alpine Spring Seasonal. I vividly recall why I drank this beer: there was no other decent beer on tap! I guess I should be thankful that they didn't have VB or Carlton Draught? :-/

This beer really did surprise me. I actually had two of these, possibly three. It was so refreshing and tasty. I felt it had a malt flavour that was smooth and a hop taste that was fruity and subtle. All that combined made for a beer that fit the moment, fit the mood. The more I tried it, the more I actually liked it. Very surprising to say the least.

Wookey Jack

I would like to apologise to you all. This beer could have been in my top five (5). So, so easily this could have been. In fact, I'm sure if I were to have this again that I'd revisit my list and include it. Bambino's Pizzeria in Seattle is simply amazing. It is fan-bloody-tastic. I have never seen anything like it, and would love to go again to this place if given half a chance.

The craft beer menu is phenomenal. Pages upon pages of craft beer from around the country. Lots of bottles, lots on tap. It is to die for. For a pizza place, it has to be the best ever. Sadly, when Dawn and I were there we had an extra visitor, another 'friend' with us. Suffice to say that both of us didn't really agree with most of what this person was saying. It really spoiled the mood Dawn and I had. So, instead of the Firestone Walker Wookey Jack being a winner, my focus was trying finish things quickly so I didn't have to listen to our 'friend'. The whole experience of drinking this beer was lost. I know it was a Black IPA, and I know it was good. How good? Don't know. I just wish I could have that day back again.

Bourbon Stout

You don't need a long neck to be a goose. In fact, this is one goose you'd want to have a long neck for. Goose Island has brewed a real knock-about beer. It will actually knock you about, and not in a good way. The Goose Island Bourbon County Stout is just over 14% alcohol by volume. The moment you take a whiff of this your mind is blown. I immediately smelled a whiskey-like (actually, bourbon) aroma. I'm not a drinker of fine whiskey's or bourbon's but this is a beer you must sit down and drink.

Like it did me, it will kick your butt, rip it in two then expect you to come back for more. I did, but I paid a hefty penalty post consumption.

Jolly Pumpkin Weizen Bam

Trying to pronounce this beer after a skinful is probably not the best of options. It is particularly more difficult when you're at The Happy Gnome in Minnesota. The craft beer menu available is remarkable. In fact, so good is this that I can't even think of any more superlatives. I really wish I had spent more time there.

The Jolly Pumpkin Weizen Bam is a tart, somewhat sour wheat beer that is astonishingly good. I'm not a fan of sour beers but this is an experience you're sure to enjoy. The only other sour beer I ever liked was at a local home brew meet-up in Sydney in which I am part of. That was brilliant, and had been agesd for over twelve months. This didn't quite reach those same heady heights, but it was a solid beer nonetheless.

Tricerahops

To think that all this time I thought a Thesaurus was a dinosaur with a good vocabulary. Ninkasi Brewing delighted me with this equally baffling name of Tricerahops. (At this point in time I did not think that Tricerahops was a dinosaur made from hops). I had the pleasure of having this beer over at The Crab Pot in Seattle, which you can read about here.

There was something about that day, something about the need to drink that beer. It was the name, without a doubt. It didn't disappoint. The beer blended so well with the seafood that it was like they were made for each other. This double IPA proved a worthy beast to drink and the food was awesome as well. What a combination. My senses were definitely overloaded that day.

Double Jack

With a head like that, how on Earth didn't this make my list? Well, as I mentioned earlier the trip to Bambino's Pizzeria was more of a distraction than an entertaining night.

Still, Firestone Walker Double Jack is a formidable beer. An Imperial IPA that is simply bold and beautiful. Sadly, my memories of this (as stated) aren't the best. This could also have easily been added to my top list. I'd really love to get my hands on this beer again and give it another whirl. Are there any bottle shops around Australia that have it? I hope so, as I'll be the first to grab a batch of it and see what I missed out on.
                                        

Fade to Black

"Life, it seems, will fade away. Drifting further every day". Know where that lyric is from? If so, well done. If not, pack your bags and head off to Nashville, Tennessee. The moment I picked this beer up there was a sense of expectation. Sounds funny? It is. I just looked at the 'Fade to Black' label and immediately thought of Metallica. I love Metallica, so in some strange type of way was hoping to love this beer. See where the absurdity lies?

Left Hand Brewing showcase this beer very well. Although my expectations were high, the product itself proudly announced its worth with smokey notes, fruit-like flavours and an ever so slight heat attached to the malt that is found in the chilli.

This beauty of a beer cropped up in Seattle. This was the same night we went to iFly, an indoor sky diving place where they spell fun with a capital F. This Belgian beer capped off a beautiful day, and what better way to drink this spectacular beer

The Scaldis Noel sits between a golden ale and a barley wine. At 12.5% alcohol by volume it sure as hell warms you up. It is described on the website as "one giant beer". It sure as hell is. That night I had about ten (10) beers, and this one was the last. All I remember saying after this was "can we go home? I'm very drunk".

Well, there you have it. The supposed "lesser" list has been compiled. What do you think? Again, I don't doubt that these couldn't have been in my top list. I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles, eh?

dannbrew@gmail.com

Best Beers of the USA

Surly Brewing

Autocratic. Personal. Subjective. Debatable. How do you rate a beer? In fact, how do you even rank beers? There is just so much interpretation from what a "good" beer is to what a "bad" beer is that it's not funny. I don't just mean your mega swill brews either. Craft beer is a totally different beast. Various aromas, textures, flavours, bitterness (both in hops and roasted malts), malt profiles, yeast characteristics, styles, spices, fruits, experimental brews. The list goes on and on.

You can get fifty craft beer lovers to rate and rank the same beers and you will get fifty different answers. You can even be anally retentive and follow the BJCP style guidelines to assist you. Even a quick glance at this list shows judging Australia's best craft beer is flawed. Availability and access are just two means in which people judge beers. Still, that's what rating beer is all about; a personal experience that enables one to find what pleasures and sensations you enjoy when drinking a crafty. 

So, back to my original question; how do you rank beers? Well, as much as I don't like telling people what beer is "the best" or "bad" I am here writing this blog entry to showcase my recent ten week craft beer experience in the US. I have listed my top twenty (20) craft beers, but it does hold some caveats. Most notably is the fact that this list has been taken from a larger list of two hundred and fifty three (253) different beers I had during those ten weeks. This list of twenty, I felt, had significant characteristics enough within each beer that made them stand out from the crowd.

But how does a beer stand out from the crowd? Tough question. All I can say is that at any given time I'd write a list of beers I thoroughly enjoyed. I then later found beers that 'blew me away' so those beers went ahead of the previous. And so on it went. That list finally concluded in early February, 2013. It is this top twenty list that has proven themselves to be outstanding beers that showcased my experiences and travels while in the US.

So, here they are.....
 

Box of Chocolates

#1.  CHARLEVILLE BOX OF CHOCOLATES (10% abv)

Simply put: an extraordinarily stunning beer. Ever opened a box of chocolates? Well then you'll know that a deep, rich aroma of chocolate is apparent. This beer's aroma has the same effect. The taste and texture is similar to eating a chocolate with cherry liquor inside. A remarkable and intriguing beer that keeps you wanting more. But not much more. It is, after all, 10% alcohol by volume. I had the pleasure of meeting James Spencer, Steve Wilkes and Andy Sparks at Tanglewood Branch Beer Company in Fayettville, Arkansas. While we all shared stories and drank craft beer, the whole experience made this my number one choice.

Cocoa Porter

#2.  BLACK DIAMOND COCOA PORTER (unknown abv)

Brewed in Colorado, this beer had an unbelievable ability to get you addicted very quickly. The cocoa aroma was 'in your face', right through to the last drop. As luck would have it this beer was available (in limited supply) at my local Old Chicago. Its chocolate texture and profile was ever present, with the added bonus of smoothness around the tongue. Drinking this puppy during the cold Minnesotan winter helped me keep warm inside. I recall drinking this keg (almost) dry, twice. It was that good. Boy, do I miss this beer. Sigh. 

Coconut Chai Stout (third from left)

#3.  COCONUT CHAI STOUT (6.5% abv)

This beer is extraordinarily impressive. It's like watching Manny Pacquiao fight. To think that I had a one-off chance to 'rock up' to Rock Bottom Brewery in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a gift in itself. I am so lucky to have had this beer that it ranks as one of my favourites. It is described as an "artisan Sweet Stout" brewed with "coconut milk". It is then spiced with a "top secret" chai tea consisting of "cardamom, ginger root, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and vanilla." The silky smooth taste added with the chai tea aroma and spices gives this beer an 'out-of-this-world' label. I tip my hat off to the head brewer. It's an unforgettable beer that you'd be proud to drink more of.

Pumpkin Stout (far left)

#4.  DARK O' THE MOON PUMPKIN STOUT (6.5% abv)

"Spookily smooth and chocolatey". That's the grab from this beer brewed by Elysian Brewing in Seattle. I wrote about my trip (and this beer) here. The head brewer at Elysian deserves a damn medal. An array of craft beers at your fingertips allows the most fussiest of beer junkies a plethora of options. I happen to stumble across this pumpkin stout, and oh my word it was gorgeous. It has an extremely interesting grain bill, with an even more interesting brewing schedule; "pumpkin seeds in the mash", "pumpkin in the mash, kettle and fermenter" with "crushed cinnamon" as a late addition. The combination of sweet and spice reminded me of a superb Asian dish once. An astonishingly bold beer that had me gasping for more.

Deschutes Oatmeal Stout

#5.  DESCHUTES OCHOCO OATMEAL STOUT (5% abv)

My first nitro experience in the US. Absolutely breathtaking. Deschutes Brewery in Oregon has simply nailed this beer perfectly. So smooth, so chocolatey, so beautiful. The mouthfeel belies greatness that only seems to come from the Queen of Queens. Add some mild roasty flavour and aroma to it and you have what they call a perfect stout. It wasn't surprising this beer was popular when I had this in Seattle. A rare find nowadays but it made me want to jump with joy and scream from the top of the Space Needle: I love you Deschutes Brewery! Do stouts get any better than this? I doubt it.

Honeymoon Suite Honey Ale

#6.  HONEYMOON SUITE HONEY ALE (unknown abv)

Brewed at Pike Brewing over in Seattle, this beer came across as overly sweet at first sip. Fortunately, two more sips made the difference. Such a shame that this was a 'one-off' beer. Well, for me it was a shame. I recall the bartender telling me about this beer, but in my drunken stupor (yes, Pike do brew some fantastic beers) my notes read like a pigeon dipping its feet in ink and stamping randomly on a blank piece of paper. Dark malts show the colour, as you can see, but not the roasted notes.  It did have a malt profile that equated itself to some dark crystal grain or caramunich-type grain. Still, a very solid beer that you'd love to share with your partner, indeed, on your honeymoon.

Surly Furious

#7.  SURLY FURIOUS* (6.5% abv)

Surly Furious is one of my all-time favourites. The hop schedule on this is insane. Only the bravest of the brave hop-heads like this beer, and I love it. Surly Brewing over Minnesota brew this beast to perfection. It holds its own alongside the infamous Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa, California. I've had many an IPA over the years, but this certainly is in my top five. The balance between malt and hop is uncanny, leaving you with a sensation of pure bliss.  Every time I visit the US I am obliged to drink a few of these. It never ceases to amaze me how great this beer is. In the IPA world, this is certainly one of the best out there. I miss drinking it already. Sigh.

Double Down IPA (second from right)

#8.  DOUBLE DOWN IPA (8.5% abv)

"Double your pleasure. Double your fun" is a great grab from another beer at Rock Bottom Brewery over in Minneapolis. I had two great beers from the tasters I received, thanks to our friendly and knowledgeable bartender. This beer is for those hop-heads that love their IPA beers. In fact, Rock Bottom add "a tone of hops at five different times from beginning of the boil to the hops in the serving vessel right now."  I guess you can't get more hops than that. Oh, wait...you probably can. Nonetheless, this is amazingly good and at 8.5% alcohol by volume it kicks harder than an angry mule during the mating season.

Kilt Lifter

#9. PIKE SCOTCH ALE KILT LIFTER (6.5% abv)

Pike Brewing have done it again with the magnificent Scotch Ale Kilt Lifter.The impression I got from this was malty and smokey. Looking at their recipe suggests I am spot on. This ruby coloured beer delivers quality, and every taste oozes goodness. Yes, my time over at Pike Brewing was fabulous and my association with Pike will be forever engraved in my memory. What made this beer was the Peat malt. It lends itself just a touch so you're aware of its existence. Combine that with the type of malted grains such as Munich and Crystal and it becomes a sensational drop. The only problem is I'm back home in Sydney and not able to get my hands on it to revisit the wonderful experience I had.

Hale's Cream Ale

#10.  HALE'S CREAM ALE -on nitro- (unknown abv)

A beer on nitro is something to behold. Honestly, it's an experience worth having. A beer that I mentioned earlier (Ochoco Oatmeal Stout) was my first "nitro" experience in the US. However, a night on the town in Seattle gave me an opportunity to try Hale's Cream Ale. I freely admit that, on the night, this was by far the sexiest and tastiest beer. It was so silky smooth and creamy it was like eating marshmallows that were made out of beer. I was quite astonished that something so pale could be this good. I would have to say that this was one of the best pale ales I had ever tasted. And that's saying something.

Surly Smoke Lager

#11. SURLY SMOKE LAGER (8.3% abv)

This seasonal beer is from Surly Brewing. Another great addition to their already brilliant lineup. I'll fess up right now; I'm a huge fan of Surly. I have their gear, their coasters, their clothing. I even have their emblem tattooed on my arm. Yep, I'm that big a fan. So it was with excitement that I had the opportunity to try this seasonal. I was gobsmacked. This unbelievable beer has the taste of smoked malt, is oak-aged in a barrel and has "notes of raisins, plums, figs and licorice." It is an extraordinarily smooth beer for its style, yet it pushes the boundaries of what smoke lager is all about. It is a whopper at 8.3% so go easy on it. If you don't, you'll be the one who is 'smoked'.

Moo Joo Oatmeal Stout

#12. BRAU BROTHERS MOO JOO OATMEAL STOUT (5% abv)

You see the head on this baby? Wow! Brau Brothers Brewing have done a tremendous job at kicking ass with this milk stout. This beer seems to melt in your mouth with its smooth milk texture, surrounded by a "chocolate punch". It's creamy, silky and has an abundance of flavour. I'm generally not a fan of "milk stout" beers, but if they brew 'em like this then I'm sold. I am so glad I had this on tap at Old Chicago. It was one of those beers I could easily fall back on if I wasn't in the mood to try different things. It had class, it had style. Like a an E-type Jaguar, this oozes sophistication. If only we had a similar beer on tap here in Australia? If we did, you'd probably see me at the pub where it was being poured.

Surly Abrasive

   
#13. SURLY ABRASIVE (8.8% abv)

So, another beer from Surly that made my list. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Nor am I. I'd safely say that Surly are the best brewery in Minnesota. Sure, a biased opinion but their range and quality is pretty damn good. Go check 'em out for yourself and gather your own opinion if you don't believe me. The Abrasive is yet another seasonal and I was (again) fortunate enough to try this beer. For a Double IPA it really does kick butt. At 8.8% alcohol by volume it is certainly not for the fainthearted.  The punch this beer provides with both Warrior and Citra hops is amazing. I was just so thankful that when I drank this I was sitting down at (my second) home in Minnesota. The floral aroma from the Citra and the bitterness from the Warrior stands out like dogs balls. And to think I actually have one of these cans in my fridge right now at (my first) home in Sydney. I love its kick and bite, but be careful because it's one for the hop-heads.

Espresso Stout

#14. TWO BEERS ESPRESSO STOUT (5.6% abv)

Two Beers Brewing Company has come up with an espresso beer that has got some balls. This beer was drunk at the same location I had the Hale's Cream Ale. I was really spoiled for choice. Its roasty and chocolatey notes with a strong malt backbone makes this beer quite unique. Sure, there are plenty of brews that could be similar and haven't tasted yet. Having said that, there were quite a few I had tried and didn't even come close to this stellar stout. I vividly recall when drinking this beer (pity I can't say the same about what bar it was in Seattle) that it'd make my beer list. It managed to sneak in due to its overall character and flavour. At a fairly modest 5.6% alcohol by volume it is one you can keep coming back to without fear. Certainly a top drop in my books. 

Oatmeal Stout

#15. SUMMIT OATMEAL STOUT* (5.7% abv)

Right about now I've run out of superlatives. What can I say about the Summit Oatmeal Stout by Summit Brewing? Another Minnesotan brewery has made the list. Surprise, surprise. But I guess it's yet another example of a fantastic beer that, when brewed very well, can make your knees buckle with overwhelming joy. In all honesty, trying so many stouts in the US was an absolute delight. Some stood out, others didn't. Like most silky smooth stouts it doesn't surprise me that this still makes me blush every time I think about it. I always wonder some time when people say they don't like "dark beers". Boy, try this one and it will change your mind about dark beer forever.

Single-Wide IPA

#16. SINGLE-WIDE IPA (5.1% abv)

This beer shocked me. It was a shock similar to what you get from a pip-squeak little kid at High school that you wouldn't expect to throw a punch. Although the punch didn't cause an issue, you're still surprised it happened. The Single-Wide IPA is that beer. Direct from Boulevard Brewing Company it did shock me. Why? Well, this beer was bought in the middle of Arkansas, redneck country. I decided to pick this up, despite the fact that I had already tried loads of other IPA's on the market. With "six varieties of hops" in the brew this beer does actually pack a punch, well and truly above its weight. I guess pip-squeak kids can be troublesome? It's very drinkable and easily downed. Such a shame I can't get my hands on it here in Sydney? Mind you, I haven't bothered checking.

Werewolf Blood-Red Ale

#17. NEWCASTLE WEREWOLF BLOOD-RED ALE (unknown abv)

I drank this beer with the faded memory of the movie An American Werewolf in London. A silver bullet, lots of blood and a scary monster was probably my most vivid thoughts, but I really shouldn't have been scared by this beer. Good friends of mine (Kevin and Vickie) in Arkansas gave me this very rare opportunity to drink this special beer. There was something about this beer I just couldn't quite put my finger on. It had low levels of malt but was very smooth, slightly sweet - and by some weird association I could've sworn I tasted blood. It's a very drinkable beer and it seemed like a beer that sat between 4% and 5% alcohol by volume, somewhat of a session beer. Although technically not a 'craft beer' per say, there was this je ne sais quoi quality about it. It was different, it was nice. It just seemed to fit in with all that was happening at the time.

Never Summer Ale

#18. BOULDER BEER NEVER SUMMER ALE (6.5% abv)

"Colorado's first microbrewery." Some statement. Boulder Beer have got some great brews, and on this trip I had the opportunity to try their Never Summer Ale. Truth be told, I don't remember a great deal now about this beer. Old Chicago does that to you when you're there drinking lots of beer. Nonetheless, it did make the list. What I do know though is drinking this puppy kept me warm. Very warm. It had a ruby-like dark malt profile that balanced nicely with the hops. If it warmed up the people of Colorado then it could warm up the people of Minnesota, even if one of them was from a rather warm Sydney, Australia. This is one beer I certainly miss on a cold winter's day.

Snowdrift Vanilla Porter

#19. LEINENKUGEL'S SNOWDRIFT VANILLA PORTER (6% abv)

In the woods of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin the brand of Leinenkugel is legendary. Unfortunately, Leinie's Snowdrift Vanilla Porter has to be one of the strangest craft beer experiences I've had in a while (even though Leinies aren't technically a craft brewery). Why? Well, I actually first tried this beer in a bottle. It sucked. Badly. On tap, however, it rocked. Maybe I got an old batch in the bottle? Who knows? Had I of not had this on tap then it wouldn't have got a mention. Nonetheless, it become a favourite of mine when I couldn't get any other beer that I liked. It became a part of me. Having this beer on tap saved me on many occasions, and with every pint of it I kept on coming back for more. Vanilla notes with chocolate and coffee overtones allowed this beer to sneak in past the post.

Summit Winter Ale

#20. SUMMIT WINTER ALE (6.1% abv)

Yet another seasonal beer, this time from our friends from Summit. This tasted as if the head brewer had a little bit of everything in the spice rack and whacked it all in the brew pot. It's got a lot of spice, enough malt character and caramel/coffee notes to second guess yourself as to what the ingredients are. It made the list due to its subtle yet distinctive flavours and the ability to warm you up fast on a cold Minnesotan day. I guess I should be somewhat thankful as I was in Minnesota during the winter anyway, so lucky me gets to try another seasonal beer that made me smile. What more can you ask for?


So, that's it. My top twenty list from the 2012-2013 trip to the US. There were quite a few beers that made my 'honorable mentions' category, but that list will become available shortly. Do you agree with the list? Maybe you disagree?

I guess that's the point I'm trying to make. There is no right or wrong answer. It's my list, and I'm happy with it. Drinking craft beer is a personal experience, even somewhat of a spiritual journey.....in a craft beer kind of way. The best way to experience craft beer is to be with friends who enjoy doing what you do and drinking what you drink.

....and you should see the next blog. The beers that missed out!

dannbrew@gmail.com


* = Note that I technically cheated here. Both the Surly Furious and Summit Oatmeal Stout were beers I also tried back in 2010. However, they were so good that I had to add them to the list. It's amazing what revisiting a beer does to your senses.....and to your memory.

Like a scene from Dexter.

Beetroot Beer. Wow!

Never had I thought that brewing beer at home would look like a scene from Dexter. That was until I had a bright idea late last year when I drank my very first beetroot beer. Such was the 'wow' factor that the beer made me want to brew my own version. Yep, the humble beetroot with all its natural blessings was going to be bastardised into a beer, a home brewed beer.

But how? Thanks to my mate Google (he's such a pleasant fellow) I let my fingers do the walking. But unlike my terrible attempted gag to relate to a Yellow Pages ad from yesteryear my ambition to brew a beetroot beer wasn't terrible. In fact, it was wonderful. I had fight and determination, just like Dexter himself to get the job done. What I didn't anticipate was the blood-like mess I'd encounter.

Blood spatter look-a-like?

Having this humble beet in my hand seemed very innocuous. Reality was, though, that if I didn't protect myself with rubber gloves and wear an old t-shirt the possibility of ending up like one of Dexter Morgan's victims was very probable. So, as I donned the gloves on and put on a faded t-shirt that even a musician playing in the Devonshire Street tunnel wouldn't wear I knew I was ready to rock.

Well, rock back and forth actually- back and forth, as the beetroot slid across the many edges of the grater. It was at that moment I had genuinely thought that I was in a Colombian hospital where the victims of shooting crimes were being prepped for operations. So messy was this that I had fears that when the Australian Securities and Investment Commission were finished with Eddie Obeid they be after my blood, too.

Dexter would be proud

Thankfully, the only blood they would have seen is the one from the look-a-like blood from the beetroot. My gloves were covered, my cutting board was covered, my granite kitchen top was covered. Everything was covered with beetroot. That has to be one of the worst messes I've seen, and I just saw the Australian batsmen mess up in India!

To think that this was only one beetroot I grated? I had to do another! Fair Dinkum! Back and forth I go like a yo-yo in grating the second. While grating I actually imagined what the beer would be like. Well, the colour anyway. I mean, I knew it was going to be sort of red but really did wonder how deep a colour it would be?

It was some ways away before I'd actually find out, so in the mean time I grabbed a small pot, put some water in it and dumped the grated beetroot in it. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. It sure as hell bubbled alright. I boiled it for about 10 minutes, just enough time for me to finish another of William Shakespeare's works.

I then let it cool down, then strained the liquid into a container to remove the solids. The container was then placed in a cold water bath, something I almost experienced during my recent winter trip to Minnesota. I guess it was one of those things where I wished I had a fire extinguisher, since I know that a blast of that would cool the beetroot liquid just a touch faster.

The Beet is cool

Still, patience is a virtue and so with that I prepped the keg. Cleaning is paramount in brewing and I am very anal when it comes to that. When the beetroot juice was cool enough I simply poured it into the keg, which was followed very soon after with the American Wheat beer I brewed. I then sealed the keg, put it in the fridge, set the C02 tank on and let it carbonate. A few days later out come what could only be described as Dexter Morgan's Blood Beer.
 
Although the whole experience was a complete and utter mess it was certainly something I was looking for. I may have basterdised the beetroot, but in its name I have glamourised it and have made it so, so cool. So cool that Steve McQueen's ghost whispered that he wanted one. It was a home brewed beetroot beer that has made everyone say 'wow'. I like that.

dannbrew@gmail.com

USA 2012-2013: The longest Seattle (Part V)

Seattle ferry terminal

If Seattle could be bottled, you'd label it as the following: Hypnotic. Young. Free. Fun. Rinse. Repeat. If Seattle were an aroma it'd take your breath away in an instant, propelling you on a path of never ending guilt-free joy.  I daydream about cities to live in. Seattle is near the top of my list.

You want to know why Seattle's near the top of my list? Taking a ferry across Puget Sound has to be one of the most relaxing and comfortable feelings you can ever experience. Both Jenny and I were on a mission to experience more of Seattle, and this day was going to be a cracker.

Cheap as chips tickets

Our trip began at Colman Dock in readiness to catch the Seattle to Bremerton ferry. The idea was to catch a ferry, eat and come back. It was a pretty simple idea. So simple, in fact, that we had no other plans. Jenny took the plunge and bought us tickets, which turned out to be cheaper than chips.

Waiting at a ferry terminal isn't exactly what I call exciting, but the anticipation of actually hopping onto a ferry here in Seattle did excite me. Strangely, the fact that I live in Sydney and have hardly ever taken a ferry ride across my own harbour is odd to say the least.

Gorgeous Puget Sound

Still, the opportunity here in Seattle to enjoy the ride with Jenn was something I was looking forward to. The relatively calm waters of Puget Sound, the ever so slight rocking of the ferry and the warmth of light beaming through the windows gave me a sense of happiness. I was somewhat in a zen-like state of ultimate bliss.

My ultimate bliss lasted about sixty minutes as the ferry docked into Bremerton. Jenn and I took in the views, looked around and decided to have a bit of a wander before we ate. Truth be told, we actually knew beforehand where we'd eat; Anthony's. Boy, were we really excited about eating at this place.

Amazing and awesome

I hadn't heard anything about this place, nor Jenn. At least I don't think she told me she knew about this place. Regardless, any lover of seafood on a quick trip across Puget Sound would have to make this their first port of call. I mean, how can you not do this?

As we entered the establishment our server (aka waiter, in Aussie slang) was ready and waiting to show us the table we were going to sit at. The curved windows circling the building, the shaded blinds, the luscious views. Gosh. The restaurant was decked out in superb decor and the staff were immaculately dressed.

Sadly for us, Jenn and I were poorly dressed. We looked like a couple of meth addicts dressed in Old Navy hand-me-downs with a couple of Groupon deals in hand wanting a cheap feed. Dress codes aside, we were both salivating at the mouth and ready to order some food. It wasn't too long before our server gave us a menu and for both Jenn and I to wonder about what great eats we were going to experience next.

Ready to order, Sir?

Of course, before we ate, and as every servers is required to do, we were asked what we'd like to drink. No guessing for what I got. Yes, that's right a lemonade. No you fool! You no listen! You read blog, you not know me already? Me make fun. Fun of you! Hey, I ordered a beer....OK? By the way, that was supposed to be read in an Asian accent.

OK, so I've stopped being condescending to a certain part of our community and am speaking proper Aussie, mate. I ordered a beer, so too Jenn. It was something I had been longing for, apart from the blonde girl that walked by me in those tight, tight.....anyway. I was longing for a hefeweizen. Oh. My. Goodness. Tears fell from my eyes and filled my saucer.

Hefeweizen

It had been a long time (at least a day) since I last tried a hefeweizen. Most interesting, though, was the fact that it was from a brewery I hadn't heard before. Right in front of my eyes was a Silver City Bavarian-style Hefeweizen. Oh Lord. Although only a week or so into my trip to the US this beer was my favourite hefeweizen.

And as I sip my beer, so too does Jenn. She got the Sound Brewery Poundage Porter and was pleased that she did. However, while we were sipping on great beer our eyes were firmly on the food menu. What should we get? So many mouth-watering offerings and tantalising appetisers that it took longer than expected to come to any sort of sane conclusion.

A few more sips later we ordered our meals. Crispy Coconut Prawn Bowl, Clam Chowder, Alaska True Cod 'n Chips and the Alaska Silver Salmon. To. Die. For. Once our meals arrived there was no talking, nothing. You could hear a pin drop. I even forgot to take picture of our meals, apart from the Alaskan Silver Salmon, so in awe I was of the food that arrived on our table. It was a feast fit for a king and queen.

Alaska Silver Salmon

The clam chowder was creamy, chunky, fresh with seafood and melted in your mouth. The salmon was fresh, gorgeous and softly, gently crumbled on my tongue. What a beautiful delight it was. The coconut prawn was to behold. Crunchy, and coated with coconut cream made this final dish the most breath-taking experience.

But could this experience get any better? Yes it could! I had, by this stage, finished my hefeweizen and wanted to try another different beer. The safest bet I could make was to try an IPA. This time it was from Schooner Exact Brewing with a beer called 3-Grid IPA. It is just amazing to know that US breweries really know how to make great IPA's. This was no exception.

3-Grid IPA

The 3-Grid IPA had a golden haze, a citrus aroma and a delicate backbone of malt. It was one of the better IPA beers I had. By this stage both Jenn and I were overwhelmed with happiness in relation to the meal, the service and the drinks on offer. We both agreed that this restaurant got ten out of ten.

Unfortunately, what didn't get ten out of ten was my final beer. I will freely admit that I'm not a fan of Kolsch-style beer, but since I was in the United States of America I had to "grow some" and bite the bullet. I ordered a Hale's Kolsch German Style Ale. My only thought process about this beer was that it was much cleaner than a Pilsner but also lighter and less sweet.

Kolsch

Well, the beer may not have been sweet but our whole experience was certainly that. Sadly for us by the time we had finished our last beers the ferry had arrived back at Bremerton. Our window seat allowed us to time it perfectly so that we could casually walk back to the ferry upon it's arrival.

By the time it arrived it was well and truly becoming darker by the minute. Our trip from Bremerton back to Seattle was approaching dusk, but by the time we hit Seattle it was pitch black. But what a beautiful sight it was. The very first time seeing Seattle at night in the middle of Pugent Sound,

Seattle from Puget Sound at night

 Seriously, had the day of ended right there and then I would have been the happiest man alive. But it didn't end there. Both Jenn and I went back to the hotel where we had Dawn waiting in the wings, after her long day at work. Yes, when the cat was away the mice played!

But Dawn played with us on this next trip, although our decision making wasn't all that great. It was decided a couple of days in advance that we try something new, something different here in Seattle. But what? Looking through the plethora of brochures provided by our hotel both Jenny and Dawn saw something unique.

So unique that I was a little tentative. The decision to go and indoor skydive isn't necessarily my thing to do, but when in Rome you do as the Roman's do. The iFly Seattle indoor skydiving center was something we agreed upon. However, due to Dawn's back problem she was unable to take part in actually flying with us.

Thankfully, being the true team member that she is we all went together to share the experience. There was no way in hell we'd even go if all three of us weren't involved. Sadly, our decision to take a cab ride to Tukwila wasn't the best of ideas. Fifty dollars later, our excitement in attempting to indoor skydive turned sour as the money transferred from our hands to the cab driver's.

Shitting my pants, maybe?

Still, when we entered the building all was pretty much OK. We filled in a few forms, signed our life away (literally) and then prayed to any God listening to three freaks that we were very good people and we don't want to get hurt. Did "God" listen to us? He may of, but he sure as hell made us tremble with fear.

Well, I say fear but it was more anxiousness. Before we could fly we were given a briefing by one of the instructors. It was a simple 10 minute introduction of what he expected, how to line your body up, how to move in the wind tunnel, the hand signals to use and just how to stay safe.

Sage advice, if you ask me. Stay safe. You didn't have to tell me that twice. Funnily enough, putting on all the gear made me feel like a pilot from Top Gun. I had this one-piece suit that gave me freedom in the most important areas. I also had to put in ear plugs, which allowed you to hear absolutely fuck all. Then the helmet, which made me look like a crazed lunatic that had just escaped from the mental institution. Some say I am already that way inclined!

Yours truly flying at iFly, Seattle

Regardless, it was time to fly. Being motioned to step into the wind chamber is like being told to get into the ring with Vitali Klitschko. I was very apprehensive, but I couldn't deny the inevitable. I had to bite the bullet, get in there and have a go.

Approaching the window to the chamber was scary, but remembering the instructions I got from my instructor gave me positive thoughts: trust the wind and simply dive in. That's exactly what I did. Some initial concern aside, it was one of the most coolest things I've ever done.

So cool in fact that our instructor gave us two more opportunities to fly in the wind. Simply amazing. Admittedly, there was one point where I was in such a position (see the photo above) that I couldn't breath through my nose. I'm not sure why, but it ended up that I had to breath through my mouth to actually get oxygen into me. It was the weirdest feeling, but at least I came out of it alive and simply thrilled at having this opportunity.

Jenn and I are 100% certified at iFly

As our three flights completed, we received our iFly certificates, thanked our instructor, took off our Top Gun clothes and went straight to the merchandise shop (not naked, as we did put back on our original clothes!). We couldn't leave without having to purchase a few things, and get directions on how to get back to Seattle without catching a cab.

Strangely, although our day was absolutely fantastic and thrilling that was just the start of it. Our bus ride back to town was a story within itself, but I'll probably tell that to you on another day as that involves another 8 beers that I drank. No wonder Seattle is somewhere I'd love to live. It really is a place near the top of my list.

dannbrew@gmail.com
The Journey continues.....