winter/festive ales

[studentofbeer]

well its about that time of the year-- the winter/festive/xmas ales are starting to pop up on the shelves and i thought we could start doing a rundown of whats out there and whats good.

So far the only things i've tasted are the sierra nevada celebration, which i didnt notice much variation on from last year (not at all a bad thing, i love the extreme hoppyness coupled with the minty, piney flavors), and the sam smith's winter welcome ale, which i had never had before (it was interesting, very much a pale ale and different from some of the more spiced micros). those are just some first thoughts from a brief tasting.

i also have the following six packs at home waiting to be tasted (its been a busy last week :-/ )

Pyramid Snow Cap
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Breckenridge Christmas Ale
Anchor Christmas 2003 (i also saw this in magnums-- is this beer bottle conditioned? if so might be a fun thing to get and lay down for a couple seasons).

have at it!

[JohnBarleycorn]

Me and a couple of comrades sessioned several six-packs of Sierra Nevada Celebration last weekend over much food and football.
The general impression was pretty good , though not as smooth as previous years. I personaly though it was very bitter and almost compleatly lacking any malt flavor for being overwhelmed by a strong grape-fruit flavor and aroma.
Usaually one of my all time favorites, I was a bit disapointed, but will try it again under different conditions, perhaps on draft.

[newportstorm]

Will pick up a case of Sierra Nevada Celebration this week. Also looking forwad to:

-Delirium Noel
-Affligem Noel
-Allagash Grand Cru
-Anderson Valley Winter Solstice (a tad sweet, but a good dessert)
-Cisco Celebration Libation
-Rogue Santa's Private Reserve

Many, many others. Great beer season!

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by studentofbeer
Anchor Christmas 2003 (i also saw this in magnums-- is this beer bottle conditioned? if so might be a fun thing to get and lay down for a couple seasons).


Not sure if it's bottle conditioned but it'll keep for years. I got shut out of OSA last year. Not this year, dammit!! ;)

http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beers/christmasale.htm

[threecb]

I tried the River Horse Belgian Frostbite and was very dissappointed. Thin, a hint of spice and not much else.

I wanna get
the Allagash Grand Cru (I had my hands on that and went with the local, knowing better)
Flying Fish Grand Cru (an annual favorite)
Troeg's Mad Elf (I saw some locally and have to get back after payday)
Delirium Noel (I second that)
Harpoon WW (for the missus)
and of course SNCA.

[Beaver]

New Belgium's Frambozen is a fave of mine. I also like Odell's Isolation Ale. Some of the brewpubs around town have some yummy holiday beers as well.

[hops99]

With all of the creative brews that Dogfish Head bottles, I don't know if I've ever seen a Christmas beer from them, at least in my state. I would imagine that they'd have a killer version. Anyone know?

[jlttb]

I'm looking forward to trying the new Anchor Steam, Sierra Celebration, and Sammy Old Fezziwig. The Harpoon Winter Warmer has elicited some chuckles on this board, but I enjoy it.
Along these lines, don't miss Realbeer's
Holiday Beer List (http://www.realbeer.com/edu/2003holidays/beers.php) and Celebrator Beer News Tasting notes (http://www.realbeer.com/edu/2003holidays/beer_celebrator.php) on holiday beers.

[steveh]

Originally posted by JohnBarleycorn
I personaly though it was very bitter and almost compleatly lacking any malt flavor for being overwhelmed by a strong grape-fruit flavor and aroma.


I agree, the Celebration seems to be off-balance a little to the hop side this year. The Cascades in the dry-hopping (and throughout the brewing, I imagine) give you that citrus, grapefruit flavor.

The malts are there (it's big enough to let you know too), let it warm some and you'll find the sweet flavor. All in all, it's still a great brew, and I bet it'll cellar well with all the hops.

S.

[chazwicke]

I had the SN Celebration on my camping trip and thought the hops were pretty bold. I had it after several other types of beer and just plain enjoyed it although I did not spend time analyzing it yet. (I have more!) I also bought a sixer of Troegs Mad Elf and a bomber of the Rogue Santa's both to sample later. I'll try Anchors Xmas at a local establishment that usually gets it on draught. I am looking forward to some big beers when the weather gets really cold.

[ratman03]

I like the Rogue Santa's Private Reserve, apparently it is their red
ale with double the hops. It is hoppy alright, and they use chinook hops I believe, which impart a serious bitterness you can taste. I wouldn't call it a session beer, though.

By the way, while I'm on the subject of Rogue: Does anyone drink their Younger's Special Bitter? It became my favorite beer recently but I've relocated from Denver to Boston and I can't find it anywhere. If anyone knows where to get it in New England I'd appreciate it.

[jlttb]

Originally posted by studentofbeer
the sam smith's winter welcome ale, which i had never had before (it was interesting, very much a pale ale and different from some of the more spiced micros).
Umm, trying the Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome now... you gotta love the bottle.
Very clear, almost tawny colored, with a beautiful cascade of bubbles and clean, white head. Strong, good-bodied taste. The four-pack says it's "fermented in stone" -- I'm not familiar with that process! You won't find an explanation on their otherwise nice web page (http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith_winter_welcome.html) either!

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by jlttb
Umm, trying the Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome now... you gotta love the bottle.
Very clear, almost tawny colored, with a beautiful cascade of bubbles and clean, white head. Strong, good-bodied taste. The four-pack says it's "fermented in stone" -- I'm not familiar with that process! You won't find an explanation on their otherwise nice web page (http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith_winter_welcome.html) either!

Sam Smith's fermenters are made of slate, if I remember correctly. So they are "fermented in stone".

[Dan]

Looking forward to these favs this season:

1. Anchor Very Special Ale

2. Bristol Brewing Winter Warlock

3. Twisted Pine Imperial Porter

4. New Belgium Frambozen

5. Goose Island Christmas Ale

6. Pyramid Snow Cap

7. O'Dell's Isolation Ale

8. Great Divide Hibernation

9. Avery Old Jubilation

10. (Yes, even) Coors Winterfest :)

[Beerarkus]

The Troegs Mad Elf Holiday Ale from Troegs Brewing out of Harrisburg, PA is a fantastic beer. Made using honey and cherries as adjuncts. The beer is light bodied for an AC content of 11% by volume and the cherries are not overpowering, yet noticeable. The hops round the beer off to a heart warming beautiful balance. As good a holiday ale as I have ever put my lips to! :)

[davesarman]

This is absolutely my favorite time of year, beerwise! I love sampling as many different winter/x-mas beers as I can. My traditional faves are:
Sam Smith Winter Welcome (not so spicey like Anchor's)
Schell's Blizzard Ale (varies every year, last year a wee heavy)
Summit Winter Ale (good English style Old Ale)
SN Celebration (usually cellar for a couple years)
Anchor OSA (yes, even tho a little overspiced for my taste, I like trying to find the differences between each year)
Many, many others. Last year, I got together with 2 friends of mine and I went and bought six packs of about ten varieties of winter beers. We split the beers and the costs, so that way we got a bigger variety without having to spend as much money.

[steveh]

My local beer bar just tapped Lakefront Christmas, Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Capitol Winter Skal - alongside already tapped Great Lakes' holiday beer.

And I won't be able to get to the joint for a few days! Waaaaah!

S.

[b3s]

geez, wish i could find a local pub like that! (meaning someplace within 15 minutes that isn't a restaurant and i don't have to pay for parking).

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by Dan
Looking forward to these favs this season:


5. Goose Island Christmas Ale



My local stocks this...what can you tell me about it?

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
My local beer bar just tapped Lakefront Christmas, Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Capitol Winter Skal - alongside already tapped Great Lakes' holiday beer.

And I won't be able to get to the joint for a few days! Waaaaah!

S.

...so how about a review of said brews; I believe I have access to all of them.

I've had the SN already (in bottles); seems especially hoppy this year, like a stronger version of the PA.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
My local stocks this...what can you tell me about it?

In the past, it's been a very roasty, hoppy brown ale. I haven't tried it this year.

AFA reviews on the beers at the Firkin, whenever I get there - I'll take notes!

I've already tried the Celebration and Capital Winter Skal in bottles - both good brews again this year.

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Beerarkus
The Troegs Mad Elf Holiday Ale from Troegs Brewing out of Harrisburg, PA is a fantastic beer. Made using honey and cherries as adjuncts. The beer is light bodied for an AC content of 11% by volume and the cherries are not overpowering, yet noticeable. The hops round the beer off to a heart warming beautiful balance. As good a holiday ale as I have ever put my lips to! :)

Welcome to the board Beerarkus. I have a sixer of this in the fridge. I was kinda saving it but because of your discription I am going to sample one this very afternoon!

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
In the past, it's been a very roasty, hoppy brown ale. I haven't tried it this year.

AFA reviews on the beers at the Firkin, whenever I get there - I'll take notes!

I've already tried the Celebration and Capital Winter Skal in bottles - both good brews again this year.

S.

Looking forward to the reviews...

BTW - since I don't remember which thread it was:

Beer at Lambeau Field -

Sprecher Amber
Guiness
NewCastle
Bass or Harp, I forget which
Foster's

memory a bit fuzzy, but perhaps Becks, Heinie...?
and the usual selection of macros...

Nothing real exciting., but not bad for a sports stadium...and the concession stand is right outside our tunnel, and across from the restrooms!

I drank Newcastle most of the night, after tailgating with SN Celebration Ale and Dogfish Head 60min IPA's.



Life is good...too bad the game outcome wasn't more favorable. :mad:

[Beaver]

Originally posted by Dan

3. Twisted Pine Imperial Porter


So how is this? I've had some of their stuff before and enjoyed it. I'll have to keep a look out for this one.

I tried some Breckenridge Chirstmas Ale this weekend. It was decent, but not as good as I was expecting.

[b3s]

the breckenridge is not that great....get the odell's isolation ale :) now that's some good holiday ale from CO!

[Beaver]

Originally posted by b3s
the breckenridge is not that great....get the odell's isolation ale :) now that's some good holiday ale from CO!

My fave is New Belgium's Frambozen, but Isolation is good from what I remember. I haven't had either this year yet.

[studentofbeer]

i went ahead and bought a sixer of SNCA and i agree, very very hoppy. maybe my taste buds were burnt out by other brews when i sampled it the first time at a tasting.

And id echo beaver on the breckenridge, good but not real exciting. it seems a lot of these winter/christmas ales are after similar tastes-- the Anchor OSA, breckenridge xmas and great lakes xmas all had pretty similar flavor profiles, tho i preferred the spice and balance of the anchor the most.

[chazwicke]

I was at a tasting several years ago with a representative of Anchor. He said that every year they add more to the recipe but never take anything out. I'm not certain that this is still true. I always look forward to at least one glass on draught at a local restraunt that usually carries it. Some years have been better than others but, I for one, have always enjoyed it.


The SNCA is always an eagerly anticipated brew as well. I agree that this year it is VERY hoppy. I have sampled it a few times already but always following other beers and not with a totally clean palat.

[denver brewhoo]

Has anybody mentioned BridgePort's Ebenezer? My local just put this one on tap last night and I enjoyed it very very much. Prefer to the SNCA this year I think. None of the overt spiciness I associate w/ mediocre Christmas beers, just a basic english strong ale IMHO...good balance between the malts and hops, I mean they do brew this in Oregon, but the hops don't overwhelm...There's not the same level of complexity as in a Fuller's 1845 , but I taste some similarities.

[chazwicke]

Well if it is only half as good as the 1845, I would call it a good beer. I'll look for it.

[denver brewhoo]

let me be very clear---I'm not making even that claim (half as good) for it...just a little of that cherry/plum/port wine thing happening...I just made my own strong ale and I'm hopeful I'll get some of that flavor in there...

I would be curious as to your thoughts on the Ebenezer, though.

[b3s]

i saw it at the paint store on union street and was tempted, but didn't get any. i might get some tomorrow night on the way home.

so where in denver are you located where bridgeport is on tap? i need to find a better class of pub, that's for sure!

[denver brewhoo]

B3s--I drink at the Old Chicago at Louisiana & Colorado Boulevard, few blocks north of I-25. I should point out that the beer is served way too cold there for discerning palates such as the one memorialized on the home page of the ratebeer site--with the meat thermometer reading 55.3 degrees sitting in the beer glass. Me, I just shrug my shoulders and wait for it to warm up a bit....

[b3s]

i think i was in there once when i first moved to town. bit of a haul for me...of course, most decent pubs are :(

[Dan]

Originally posted by Dan
Looking forward to these favs this season:


5. Goose Island Christmas Ale


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



My local stocks this...what can you tell me about it?



GREAT spiced ale. Just got a selection shipped to me in Colorado from Sam's in Chicago and it's as great as I remember it!

[Dan]

Originally posted by Dan

3. Twisted Pine Imperial Porter

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



So how is this? I've had some of their stuff before and enjoyed it. I'll have to keep a look out for this one.


Haven't tried it yet this year but it's always been my fav of theirs when they do it. I've been told that my watering hole (Old Chicago Westy) will have it on tap for their holiday mini tour...WHOO HOO!!!!!!

[steveh]

Originally posted by Dan
Originally posted by Dan

5. Goose Island Christmas Ale


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GREAT spiced ale. Just got a selection shipped to me in Colorado from Sam's in Chicago and it's as great as I remember it!

It's spiced this year? Hmm, still need to try this one this year. I finally got my hands on some of the Anchor Holiday brew...review to come soon.

S.

[Dan]

It's spiced this year? Hmm, still need to try this one this year. I finally got my hands on some of the Anchor Holiday brew...review to come soon.


The Anchor is great again this year (as always). Just got some Tuesday. Gonna compare it side by side with the 2001 and 2002 release this weekend (still have one of each!!)
The Goose Island is not overly spiced at all; a real treat, even though the cost of shipping is more than the twelver!!!

[b3s]

ARG! as of this past monday, i still can't get anchor's holiday ale at the local paint store! on backorder :(

[Dan]

Sounds like you're in the Denver area since you mentioned Old Chi on Colorado. If you're in that neck of the woods, Apple Jacks in Wheatridge had PLENTY of Anchor Holiday and I'm sure that Argonaut on Colfax would probably have it, and I'm pretty sure that places like Davidson Liquor, Total Beverage (Thornton), and some other places would have it. Worth scoping out for!!!

[b3s]

yeah, one of these days i should really figure out how to get to places other than the grocery store, union street liquors, and work...i just figured out where the post office last week!

[steveh]

Originally posted by Dan
The Goose Island is not overly spiced at all; a real treat, even though the cost of shipping is more than the twelver!!!

Oh, okay - my mistake. I thought you meant the GI was spiced.

I've got a collection of the Anchor Holiday that goes back about 10 years...wonder what the statute of limitations is on tasting those...

S.

[jlttb]

With all this talk of winter beers, I surfed over to Sam Adams to make sure the Old Fezziwig (In the Winter Classics 12-pack) would be out again. Couldn't find any mention of the 12-pack and Fezziwig wasn't listed on the beers page.
After a few moments of depression, I did track down this press release (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-12-2003/0002056396&EDATE=) on the release of the Winter Classics again this year. Whew.
But by the way, why oh why do I get stuck with two Crannberry Lambics for every two Old Fezzigs I buy?!? Anybody want em?

[BluesHarp]

...just picked up some Anchor X-Mas today. A very interesting beer; lots of banana in the aroma, especially when swirled a bit in the glass. Definite spice, some sweetness with roasted coffee undertones. Finishes with a real bitter bite: I think this would be terrific cellared, which I plan to do with a couple bottles.


I admit to being somewhat unfamiliar with "holiday" beers, but thanks to the good people on this board, I now have to buy even more beer!

PS - Today's bounty:

1 750ml bottle Dogfish Head Olde School Barley wine, 15%
1 12oz bottle Dogfish Head World Wide Stout (2002), 23%
1 sixer Dogfish Head 60 min IPA, 6%
1 sixer Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, 6.8%
1 sixer Anchor Christmas Ale
1 sixer Bell's Oberon Wheat beer

[davesarman]

Originally posted by jlttb
...to make sure the Old Fezziwig (In the Winter Classics 12-pack) would be out again...But by the way, why oh why do I get stuck with two Crannberry Lambics for every two Old Fezzigs I buy?!? Anybody want em?

I hear ya...and my question is why they only put Old Fezziwig in the sampler packs! It's been a few years since I"ve had it, but I remember it being a remarkable winter beer and would love to pick up a six or two of it. Instead I'm forced to buy10 other beers I don't really want just to get 2 of the Old Fezziwig? I say no thanks. There are plenty of other splendid holiday beers out there for me to spend my money on!

[freddiefreelanc]

It's not listed as a holiday beer on the beer list, but I'd count it as a winter warmer. Of course if Stone brewed a summer session beer it would probably have 5% ABV & 50 IBU...

I picked up the 3 liter the other weekend and was completely useless for 2 days. Sitting around with a glass & a goofy grin... It's a Gynormous beer: 100+ IBUs, 10% ABV, and enough malt to balance all that... if you can call that balance!

[chazwicke]

It is, indeed, a delectable beer. You drank one of the 3 litre magnums? Wow! That should be your hop fix for a year!

[freddiefreelanc]

Originally posted by chazwicke
It is, indeed, a delectable beer. You drank one of the 3 litre magnums? Wow! That should be your hop fix for a year!

Well, a week.;)

[denver brewhoo]

Hey B3s...I don't know where exactly you are but there is an Old Chicago in Lakewood south of Hampden around Wadsworth, I believe...bringing this up because my local on Colorado Blvd (and I think, the whole chain) is running a Holiday Beer Promo featuring:
1. SN Celebration (draft)
2. Great Divide Hibernation (draft)
3. ODells Isolation (draft)
4. New Belgium Frambozen (draft)
5. Coors Winterfest (bottle)
6. Red Hook Winterhook (bottle)
7. Bridgeport Ebenezer (draft)
8. Samuel Smith Winter Welcome (bottle)
9. Bristol Winter Warlock (bottle)
10. Anderson Valley Winter Solstice (bottle)
11. Young's Old Nick (bottle)
12. Pyramid Sno-Cap (bottle)

Drink all these, you get a "free" (ha!) T-shirt.

The Sam Smith's is the leader of the pack, and at $6.75 it should be. The surprise, to me, is the Great Divide, a local beer you can get at that Union St paint store to which you refer. Man, is this stuff good. Oh, and as much as I wanted to dislike it, the Coors does not suck...it may be in over its head here but it proves that these people could be making drinkable beer if they wanted to. I'm about 2/3 through this...haven't had the Anderson Valley yet, saving it for last.

[freddiefreelanc]

Originally posted by jlttb
With all this talk of winter beers, I surfed over to Sam Adams to make sure the Old Fezziwig (In the Winter Classics 12-pack) would be out again. Couldn't find any mention of the 12-pack and Fezziwig wasn't listed on the beers page.
After a few moments of depression, I did track down this press release (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-12-2003/0002056396&EDATE=) on the release of the Winter Classics again this year. Whew.
But by the way, why oh why do I get stuck with two Crannberry Lambics for every two Old Fezzigs I buy?!? Anybody want em?

My wife likes'em, she'll buy'em by the six pack. I like'em with a turkey & dressing sandwich, though.

[Beaver]

I was just at the Old Chicago's in Fort Collins. They didn't have the mini tour advertised, but I got new credits for the rotating beers I tried.

I had drafts of the Winter Warlock, the Frambozen and a Boulder Randy Red.

[freddiefreelanc]

Originally posted by jlttb
With all this talk of winter beers, I surfed over to Sam Adams to make sure the Old Fezziwig (In the Winter Classics 12-pack) would be out again. Couldn't find any mention of the 12-pack and Fezziwig wasn't listed on the beers page.
After a few moments of depression, I did track down this press release on the release of the Winter Classics again this year. Whew.
But by the way, why oh why do I get stuck with two Crannberry Lambics for every two Old Fezzigs I buy?!? Anybody want em?

I'm still waiting for Cranberry Lambics in the mail. Anyone want the Sam Adams Lights?

[Beaver]

I did some more of the Old Chicago's holdiay mini-tour. I had Winterhook, Odell's Isolation Ale and Coor's Winterfest.

The Winterhook was pretty good. I like the Isolation - it was better than I remembered. And the Winterfest was pretty suprising for Coors.

[Beaver]

Went to the "paint" store and splurged on some holiday beers. I got Sierra Nevada Celebration, Anchor's Special Ale, and Bridgeport's Ebeneezer Ale. I will be cracking open a Celebration shortly. I love this time of year! :)

[Beaver]

Well, since I'm in here talking to myself, I may as well continue. :)

I was a little disappointed by the Celebration Ale:

The Celebration poured a copper-amber color with a nice thick, creamy head with fine bubbles that retained to the bitter end. Very nice smelling with a nice hop and spiciness balance with some floral tones. Interesting taste - medium to full bodied with a spicy, slightly sweet, initial taste with some subtle malt and fruitiness. Then come the hops! A very hoppy finish, a little too bitter for me. Overall, the Celebration is a very interesting beer. The hoppy, bitter finish and aftertaste is a little too overwhelming for me and detracts from the taste and drinkability of the beer.

[b3s]

well, this years celebration ale was a bit disappointing...a little to hoppy for me (and i do like my hops, but i love a nice malt profile behind it).

you might do better with anderson valley's winter solstice or odell's isolation if you didn't like SN's celebration.

[Richard English]

I was in Jersey last week (that's Jersey CI, not New Jersey) and had a few pints of Horny Toad (from the Tipsy Toad brewery, the only brewres of decent beer in the Channel Islands).

At only £1.68 for an Imperial pint in the brewhouse it was a bargain for a 4.3% Old Ale and well worth seeking out - though I suspect you'll need to go to Jersey to find it!

Good and hoppy for a stongish beer and not so cloying as some strong ales can be. Recomended

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
At only £1.68 for an Imperial pint in the brewhouse it was a bargain for a 4.3% Old Ale and well worth seeking out

Richard - does the UK have a new and/or different method of measuring alcohol? Or do the English have a different definition for Old Ales than we have learned? Home brewers in the U.S. categorize Old Ales and Strong Ales together.

The only reason I ask is that, first, 4.3 (if it's ABV) isn't terribly strong - A/B-Bud is stronger. And it doesn't meet with some style specifications for Strong/Old Ales that are being used in beer judging. That is; OG: 1.060-1.090+, ABV: 6-9+%

Commercial Examples: Theakston Old Peculier, Young's Winter Warmer, Marston Owd Roger. The Fuller's Vintage I just sampled is also considered a Strong/Old ale and weighs in at around 8%. I certainly would think twice before having a "few pints," even though it's delicious brew!

S.

[Richard English]

The UK uses abv and I agree, the alcohol level is not all that high (although I made a typo - it was 4.8, not 4.3). I know that A-B is said to be 5% but I sometimes wonder whether they use a different kind of alcohol! In the days when there was nothing else to drink in the USA I usually drank A-B and found I couldn't drink it fast enough to get any intoxicating effect whatsoever.

The alcoholic content of a beer is not the only determinate of a beer style here. For example, although mild is typically around 3%, there are some milds of over 7%. Similarly Old Ales will be heavy in malt and thus body and are usually quite strong. They don't have to be, though.

Strong Ales and Old Ales are not necessarily the same thing, although many brewers do not differentiate.

However, to give just one example, Goose Island IPA is a strong beer but could never be called an Old Ale.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
The alcoholic content of a beer is not the only determinate of a beer style here.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that alcohol was the only factor in determining a style here either - I'm just conditioned (so to speak) to seeing bigger ABVs with Old Ales/Strong Ales. http://www.mv.com/ipusers/slack/bjcp/styleguide11.html

And while GI IPA may be high in alcohol, it is not considered a "Strong Ale," as defined by beer judging here. It, of course, falls under the India Pale Ale category - 5.9% ABV being within style for an IPA.

Milds fall under the "Brown Ale" category and can be "medium to dark brown or mahogany color. A few light brown examples exist." And the ABV standards fall between 2.5 and 4.0%.

I guess it just goes to show that definitions have certainly transformed over time and mileage.

AFA A/B-Bud - it is a different kind of alcohol, fermented from rice - not barley. Whether this has any bearing on a buzz factor, I don't know - but it definitely has a "thump" factor on my head when I drink as little as a sip!

S.

[Richard English]

English milds can be any colour from pale straw to black. They can be any strength although typically are weak. Sarah Hughes Dark RubyMild is around 6%, though. The expression "mild" refers to the level of hoppiness, milds typically being less bitter than - bitters!

Brown ales are quite differenct and the term refers here to a bottled beer.

I will be drinking a few pints of Harvey's excellent dark mild tonight - at just 3% it is an excellent session beer.

[Beaver]

Originally posted by b3s
well, this years celebration ale was a bit disappointing...a little to hoppy for me (and i do like my hops, but i love a nice malt profile behind it).

you might do better with anderson valley's winter solstice or odell's isolation if you didn't like SN's celebration.

I did like the Celebration, it was a bit too much though. I like Isolation, and I'll keep an eye out for AV Winter Solstice...thanks for the rec, b3s!

[Brownbeard]

I am pretty sure the 5% you are referring to on the A-B is ABW not ABV.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Brownbeard
I am pretty sure the 5% you are referring to on the A-B is ABW not ABV.

Nope. http://www.realbeer.com/edu/health/calories.php

And 5% ABW would be near 6% ABV.

S.

[Brownbeard]

I would have never guessed Budweiser to be that high. That explains why I get so stinking drunk every time I sit in the Budweiser suite at the hockey game.

[Herb Ninja]

Its 5% ABV, not 6% ABV. The alcohol percentages there are listed by volume not weight. Peace, HN- :)

[Richard English]

All beers sold in the UK must, by law, have the abv shown on the bottles. A-B Budweiser is definitely 5%abv over here - the same as the real Budweiser from the Czech Republic.

Don't ask me why the former makes you sick and hungover whereas the latter just makes you pleasantly pickled.

[Tweek]

Im suprised at the amount of people who are saying that the SN celebration is too hoppy. I always thought that my palate was much more hop shy than most peoples on this board and I think that it has a perfect amount of hops in it. Definately less than most IPAs or just about anything that Stone brews :)

As far as aging it goes, has anyone done this in the past? if so have you tried it lately? was it worth buying and laying down?

[hopjack13]

i have not tried this years celebration, but hoppy sounds GOOD to me!!!! maybe i'll give it a go..

[b3s]

Originally posted by Tweek
Im suprised at the amount of people who are saying that the SN celebration is too hoppy. I always thought that my palate was much more hop shy than most peoples on this board and I think that it has a perfect amount of hops in it. Definately less than most IPAs or just about anything that Stone brews :)


ok, maybe too hoppy is a wrong description...perhaps i just don't like the particular hops? cuz dogfish 90/120 minute is good and that's hoppy as hell.

[b3s]

Originally posted by Beaver
I did like the Celebration, it was a bit too much though. I like Isolation, and I'll keep an eye out for AV Winter Solstice...thanks for the rec, b3s!

you're welcome. the AV beer is damn good...although it's definitely a session starter, not a session ender ;)

[chazwicke]

I like this years Celebration. I have yet to try this years Anchor Christmas though.

[Beaver]

I just tried Anchor's Christmas beer...and it rocks!

The Our Special Ale (2003) poured a dark brown wih some dark red highlights. It had a nice creamy, light brown head that had good retention that laced the glass on the way down. The aroma was pretty strong and very pleasing - it had some nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove and maybe ginger. It's taste was a little milder than I expected. A little bitter up front with some nice maltiness, and a long finish full of spiciness. Overall, an excellent holiday brew! Already one of my faves after a first try.

[denver brewhoo]

Hey Beaver---did you ever have that Ebenezer? Believe you said you picked it up when you got the Sierra Nevada and the Isolation. I have a very high opinion of that Ebenezer, and I shared to a lesser extent your feelings about the Celebration, although I'll say the second one is better than the first and the third one tastes pretty damned good indeed--also they're better as they warm up a little and the hops recede a touch and the malts assert themselves a little more.

The Isolation, I think, would be a pretty good year round ale somewhere between a pale ale and a strong ale but it doesn't taste very "wintry" to me. But I get these as pints at my local on tap rather than in the bottle, so your mileage may vary....

[Beaver]

Originally posted by denver brewhoo
Hey Beaver---did you ever have that Ebenezer?

That's the plan for tonight. I'll make sure I post my thoughts here afterwards. :)

[Tweek]

I just got some of that ebenezer as well. Its on the roster for this evening.

[Tweek]

maybe I missed it but I havent seen any mention of fullers old winter ale? I also havent seen this in the stores. ANyone tried this yet?

[Beaver]

I tried the Ebeneezer tonight. It was pretty good - not up to the Anchor level. It reminded me somewhat of the Breckenridge Christmas Ale.

The Ebeneezer Ale poured a dark mahogany with a good light tan head made up of medium sized bubbles that quickly went down to a thin layer. It has a nice, complex aroma of malts, spices with some fruitiness and alcohol. The initial taste is malts with some sweet, yet tart, fruitiness. It has a nice hop finish with a kind of mediciney aftertaste. The tastes mellowed out and balanced better as I drank more and it warmed up.

[Beaver]

I tried the Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale tonight as an early b-day gift to myself. I went to a crappy liquor store that didn't have much so that's what I decided on. I wasn't too impressed. Not a lot there flavor wise and I think it was a little skunky. Oh well. Maybe I'll crack open another Anchor Xmas to make up for it! :)

Tweek - Did you ever try the Ebeneezer? What'd you think?

[Tweek]

yeah I did try it. For some reason I thought it was a 10% beer. I poured it into my glass and it had a great malty spicy nose. Then when I took a drink I couldnt get over how light it was. Two drinks later had me going back to the kitchen and checking the bottle, where I learned that it was not 10% lol. After that I was able to appreciate it for what it was. Overall it was pretty good. Not one of my favorites but I will visiti it again.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Beaver
I tried the Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale tonight as an early b-day gift to myself. I went to a crappy liquor store that didn't have much so that's what I decided on. I wasn't too impressed. Not a lot there flavor wise and I think it was a little skunky. Oh well. Maybe I'll crack open another Anchor Xmas to make up for it!

Tweek - Did you ever try the Ebeneezer? What'd you think?

Did you go to the one on College near the 7-11? Just a guess...:cool:

[Beaver]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Did you go to the one on College near the 7-11? Just a guess...:cool:

No, I went to a new one that's close to me. Uptown Liquors at Timberline and Harmony. They've got all the usual Colorado beers, but not too much that's out of the ordinary.

[Tweek]

my update. I still have a few on que but here is what i have tried so far.

Pyramid Snow cap

Pours dark reddish brown with a decent tan head that doesnt last long. Fruit spice and malt on the nose. The taste has a little roast malt a bit of spice with some banana -hmm seems Im the only one tasting this. was there through the entire 6 pack. It finishes sweet with a tiny bit of warming down the front. Decent beer overall. Not something that is in the front of my que, but not something that I will avoid.

Bridgeport Ebenezer

Pours dark reddish with a feeble fleeting head. I thought this was a 10% beer so as I was tasting it I was tripping on how light it was. After a few sips I checked the bottle and figured out it was only a little over 6%. It was a good drinker. Had a little spice and some decent malt. the malt lingered a bit too much for my liking on this one. Decent beer. Again not a favorite but not something I would avoid.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

hoppy yummyness. Poured nice amber color with a decent white head. Citrus and spice on the nose. good citrus hoppiness on the palate with a goodly amount of malt keeping it in check. This has been a favorite of the year.

Rogue Santa's private reserve

What can I say. Hands down my favorite beer of the season. Another champion beer from the beer gods. Poured nice amber color with a decent head. Hops abound in this one. Nice hoppy aroma as well as some malty caramel on the nose. The palate is a burst of hop spice but the malt keeps it from running the show. It finishes with a touch of spice and sweet and a nice warming sensation down the front. I would spend all my money on this beer- wait I already have.

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice

pours rich amber with tan head. this is one for the malt heads. it is all about the malt on this one. hops are there but not a highlight. some subtle spicing perhaps allspice? nice bittersweet finish. I liked last years offering better but this one was worth getting.

New belgium Frambozen

Heh, well I must admit I avoided this thing for a while. Everytime I went to the store I thought no way. I dont like fruit beers. This one was pretty friggin tasty. poured nice red color. Rasberry all over the nose. Great rasberry on the palate along with some good malty notes. As it warmed it became a little sweet for my taste and I attempted to have 2 in a row that was also too much for me. Though one nice and cold at the end of the night is a real treat.

Lost Coast Winterbraun

Another one for the malt heads me thinks. This pours dark brown with very little head. Little bit of spice and very little hops. This one seemed to be all malt to me. interesting chocolate and coffee notes. MAlt lingered a bit too long on the palate.

North Coast Wintertime Ale

Little disappointed on this one. I expected a bit bigger of a beer, they dont list the ABV on this one. It tasted of a run of the mill brown ale. slight hops, chocolate, rasins and smoke. mouthfeel was pretty thin. has good drinkablility but was not what I was looking for in a winter brew.

deschutes jubelale

My first one was infected. After revisiting this, I would say this is my least favorite of the year. tastes like a non impressive red to me. has a bit of bittersweet maltiness and some slight spice. left me wishing it was fermented drier. The malt clung to my tounge for way too long after the beer had been put down. I looked over at BA and it would seem I am in the minority on this one. diferent strokes for diferent folks :)

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by Tweek
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice

pours rich amber with tan head. this is one for the malt heads. it is all about the malt on this one. hops are there but not a highlight. some subtle spicing perhaps allspice? nice bittersweet finish. I liked last years offering better but this one was worth getting.



I detected vanilla...not a bad brew, quite smooth, definitely not overhopped.

[hopjack13]

i had a dilirium noel 2001 saturday night on tap at lucky baldwins.
and aside from the yulesmith have not tried much x-mas/winter ales. i get nervous when trying out new beers....i think to myself 'do i try this? or go for a sure thing and get something i really really like?' it's hard , a lot of it has to do with the brewery too, if it said stone,alesmith,victory,dogfish head or three floyds i don't think i would have trouble trying something new, but if im not fimiliar with the brewery or the brewery i feel has somehow let me down in the past i usually have a hard time trying something new from them. oh well maybe it's just me , but i got some serious catching up to do here fellas! ;)

[Tweek]

seriously you need to get over that. Trying new beers is the only way you will find that perfect beer. I have tried a lot of crap beer, but the way I see it I am now just that much closer to finding the perfect one. I have also come across new favorites that I would never even of thought of in the past. Be brave try new things!

[S.F.B.]

Sitting and sipping an Alaskan Winter Ale. Never tried them before. Nice malty character. Light on the hops with a hint of pine. Rumor has it that it is brewed withspruce tips. Their is just a hint and it is no longer detectable after the first half of the beer.

I think I like this one.:p

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Tweek
Trying new beers is the only way you will find that perfect beer. Be brave try new things!
well , lately i've been looking up beers i wana try at rate beer and if they score in the neighborhood of 4 stars i give them a go.

still a little bit chicken i guess but.....DAMN IT i hate buying beer i don't like!

[Tweek]

Yeah, I understand the fund part. That is always hard. I have spent way more money than I should have one seasonals this year. I would also be careful of whos recomendations you take. Make sure the reviewer(s) you are reading agree with what you think about the beers you like and dislike. Everyones taste is a little diferent.

[steveh]

Originally posted by hopjack13
...i get nervous when trying out new beers....i think to myself 'do i try this? or go for a sure thing and get something i really really like?'...

My local beer-bar offers samples and 1/2 pints that I use for multiple sampling or to "test drive" to see if I want a full pint. You might ask the bar-tender for that option. Most of the beer-bars in the Chicago area at least offer samples - it's a good way to see if you can stomach the brew.

S.

[Richard English]

Most decent English pubs will let you have a taste of a brew before you buy. Obviously that's a draught beer - they won't open a bottle for you.

[mike.reece]

hi folks.
do you have real ale on draught on your side of the pond.
i tried two good winter warmers in my local yesterday 17/12/03
they were rosey nosey 4.9% exmoor xmas 5%.

[Richard English]

That being the US side, I assume! And the answer is, very rarely. Good US bottled beers are now common but proper cask-conditioned beer is still hard to find.

I had a session on Exmoor at Wetherspoons in Victoria last Tuesday; a very nice pint and, being Wetherspoons, under £2.00.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
Most decent English pubs will let you have a taste of a brew before you buy. Obviously that's a draught beer - they won't open a bottle for you.

Indeed - I should have specified that the samples I get are drafts.

And Richard, to Mike, we've discussed this before - there are quite a few places in the Chicago area that serve cask ales (on draught), 2 of them mere minutes from my home and across the street from each other. The one establishment is a brew-pub - which is where you can most often find cask ales in the U.S., but the other is a fine beer-bar that will have a mix of U.S. micro and English cask ales on the hand pump - that usually sell out fast!

There are also 2 or 3 taverns in the city of Chicago, proper, that carry English cask ales. I believe the Map Room had Conniston's Blue Bird on draught over the Summer, but I haven't been back in a while to see what's fresh.

Not to mention that Chicago is home to the biggest annual cask ale fest in the world, outside of the Real Ale Festival in London.

S.

[Richard English]

Indeed, things are surely getting better. However, I think my comment "...proper cask-conditioned beer is still hard to find..." is still largely true.

Chicago is, I know, a relatively good area for cask beer but it is rather the exception. And even Chicago, with maybe what - a dozen cask beer outlets? - is still not "well-served" by the standards of most UK cities.


But keep it up; things can only get better.

[steveh]

Originally posted by mike.reece
i tried two good winter warmers in my local yesterday 17/12/03
they were rosey nosey 4.9% exmoor xmas 5%.

I sampled a Young's Winter Warmer from the bottle last night (gave it a sip at the tavern on Tuesday) - 5.0 ABV, right? Followed by a Samichlaus Doppelbock from the new brewer, Brewery Castle Eggenberg. At 14% ABV, I sipped this brew as I would a fine port - whew! Oh, and yum!

S.

P.S. - welcome aboard Mike.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
Indeed, things are surely getting better. However, I think my comment "...proper cask-conditioned beer is still hard to find..." is still largely true.

Chicago is, I know, a relatively good area for cask beer but it is rather the exception. And even Chicago, with maybe what - a dozen cask beer outlets? - is still not "well-served" by the standards of most UK cities.

But keep it up; things can only get better.

I think you would consider the cask ales served in the brew-pubs to be "proper," aside from not being brewed in Englannd, that is. The brewmasters at the pubs can watch over the ales until they're ready to tap, as a good publican will.

As for the micros that are conditioned, they are done so at the breweries and shipped ASAP to be served. Yes, this can sometimes be disasterous, but since there are a few great micros in the Chicago area cask conditioning their beers, arrives quite fresh more often than not - and the "publicans" are sure to take good care of the beer from then on (i.e. letting it settle before tapping, knowing when it's run its course).

I can't speak for how the import/export English cask beers are handled to be sent over, but I've heard of some troubles keeping them fresh for the Chi Real Ale Fest.

As far as "well served" with cask ales in Chicago, we don't live by them alone here and there is much good beer to be found.

S.

[Richard English]

Apologies if I didn't make this clear. By "well-served" I was speaking not of the quality of the beers, just the number of outlets and thus the availability of cask beer. Maybe the expression doesn't translate properly into US English

I have no problems with brewpubs; we have a few in the UK, although not all that many simply because there are so many good brewers around.

London (a larger city than Chicago, I accept) has over 5,000 pubs and bars, the vast majority of which will sell at least one cask ale. The better ones will sell half a dozen or even more.

I know that even the Map Room (a legendary establishment, I understand) can often not have a cask-conditioned beer available. It is almost unheard of for a pub in London to have sold out of all of its cask-conditioned ales.

What this means to the Real Ale enthusiast is simply that, no matter where you might be in London, it will be but a few minutes walk to a pub that sells good, cask-conditioned ale.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
Apologies if I didn't make this clear. By "well-served" I was speaking not of the quality of the beers, just the number of outlets and thus the availability of cask beer. Maybe the expression doesn't translate properly into US English


Completely understood, no apologies needed. I was just commenting that Chicago is not a city of cask-ale-only drinkers, so a cask ale on every corner isn't necessarily missed.

I have no problems with brewpubs; we have a few in the UK, although not all that many simply because there are so many good brewers around.

Therein lies our own trouble, the brew-pubs and micros in the U.S. fill the space left empty by our mega-brewers - they are the counterparts to the fine brewers in England, and the rest of the world for that matter.

London (a larger city than Chicago, I accept) has over 5,000 pubs and bars, the vast majority of which will sell at least one cask ale. The better ones will sell half a dozen or even more.

London is, indeed, larger than Chicago proper.

I know that even the Map Room (a legendary establishment, I understand) can often not have a cask-conditioned beer available. It is almost unheard of for a pub in London to have sold out of all of its cask-conditioned ales.

Yes, the bars that serve the ales can run out, but the good ones usually have another waiting to be tapped - and the brew-pubs definitely do. In fact, they will most often have 2 or 3 on tap simultaneously.

What this means to the Real Ale enthusiast is simply that, no matter where you might be in London, it will be but a few minutes walk to a pub that sells good, cask-conditioned ale.

And no matter where you may be in Munich, you can find a Helles or Dunkel. A Pils in Pilsen, a Stout in Dublin or Belfast. Other than possibly San Francisco, there are no "home style" beers in the U.S. (no, I'm not gonna count swilsners - no matter what the AHA adds to their categories), so we adopt them all. The variety intrigues me more than a choice of cask ales. It's wonderful to be able to chase a cask conditioned Bell's Two Hearted Ale with a Capital Winter Skal dark lager.

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by mike.reece
hi folks.
do you have real ale on draught on your side of the pond.
i tried two good winter warmers in my local yesterday 17/12/03
they were rosey nosey 4.9% exmoor xmas 5%.

What did you think of the Rosey Nosey. I got a bottle of this from a couple of nice guys that I met at GBBF. I am waiting to drink it.

[chazwicke]

http://www.fabfest.com/

There will be at least 64 cask ales at this festival. I attended last year and it was awesome. They had the likes of Harvestoun Bitter and Twisted and other champion beers. There is also a multitude of Belgian and Micro beers. I highly recommend this Festival. Garret Oliver will be there I know. I have made my flight and hotel reservations already.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Richard English
Most decent English pubs will let you have a taste of a brew before you buy. Obviously that's a draught beer - they won't open a bottle for you.

I actually had a publican offer me a sample of a cask ale I had ordered before she poured it. She pointed out that it was "warm". I think she must have had Americans come in before and order a pint and it not being ice cold and somewhat less fizzy probably had them send the beer back. This was my suspicion and I was actually impressed by the way she handled it. Needless to say, I told her I was there expressly for the Real Ales and I knew what I was getting into. Once she realized this I got even better service.

[Tweek]

without getting into a discussion about religion here, I think it is important to point out that cask ales is not necessarily better just because its served in a cask. I have had a ton of beers amny cask and many not. My all time favorites are not the cask ones.

[Tweek]

So yesterday I went to celebrate the first day of my vacation at a local bar and they were doing a seasonal theme so I got to try a few more. Many pints were had so ill keep the descriptions short

Delirium Noel
fruity and spicy with caramel flavors. At first I wasnt sure if I liked it. then after a few sips it really made a nice showing. good beer.

MArin Hoppy Holidaze
This one is a new favorite of teh season. HAd good spice character but didnt overwhelm the beer. Good amber color.

Alaskan Smoked Porter
This was interesting. Made me thing of alaska. had smokey almost smoked salmon like character. That may sound gross but it was actaully pretty good.

Full SAil Wreck the halls
This was another favorite of the day. Good malt backbone with good spice and hop character. nice balance.

Moonlight Santas Tipple
This was a cask ale. was ok not my favorite. had good malt structure and some smoke. little mild in the hop department for the malt structure I think but drinkable.

MAgnolia WInter WArmer
this was a thick dark rich beer. I actually didnt finish my pint. It had way to much of a sherry and soy sauce thing going on for me.

Full SAil WAssail
was decent. sorta unremarkable. was an ok beer.


Ross Valley spicy santa
this one was a keeper. had good spice and hop character and good malt structure to balance it out.

speakeasy millenium
nice hoppy beer. If you like hops give this one a whirl was quite tasty.

Anchor Aos
what can I say that hasnt been said already a good beer. not my favorite but I would drink it again anytime.

[fretlessman71]

TEN PINTS! Just how long were you there? ;)

[Tweek]

about 6 hours. was a good time :)

[Richard English]

Quote "...I think it is important to point out that cask ales is not necessarily better just because its served in a cask..."

There may be a language difficulty here - assuming that this is waht you meant to write. A cask-conditioned ale can only be served from a cask. There is no other way of doing it.

As to whether is a better drink than a brewery-conditioned ales, that's another argument. I (and CAMRA) happen to think that, providing it is kept and served properly, it is but there are those who disagree.

Just to clarify what we, in the UK, mean by these terms:
A cask is an unpressurised vessel in which beer is stored in bulk and from which it is served without the addition of extraneous carbon dioxide. Casks are always "barrel-shaped" and, indeed, are often referred to as barrels although strictly that's just one particular size of cask. Caska can be used to dispense brewery-conditioned beer, providing it is not kept too long, or cask-condtioned beer, where the beer continues to ferment in the cask.

A keg is a pressuried vessel in which breweryconditioned beer is kept. Since it is unvented the beer therein must be quite sterile and this is usually achieved by pasteurisation. Keg beers are served by gas pressure - usually carnon dioxide, although nitrogen can be used. Kegs can easily be distinguished from casks as they are cylindrical, not barrel-shaped.

[Tweek]

Im fully aware of what a cask is and what a cask conditioned ale is. My point is that just because it is a cask conditioned ale doesnt make it better than one that is not. If your taste dictates that it is then that is great. Not everyones taste will line up, thats the beauty of it. Like I said before I like a lot of the cask conditioned ales that I have had, I also have not like a lot of them. Same with non cask conditioned beers. I like many others on this board let my decisions about what a good beer is be driven by my taste buds, not whether or not it is served in a cask.

[chazwicke]

I, for one, prefer cask ales in general. There of course are exceptions. But given the choice of any type I will almost always head for the cask. There are good and bad cask beers and as Richard has stated, much depends on proper handling. ( I also agree with Richard that the next best thing would be a bottle conditioned beer.)
Tweek you are correct that taste is a very subjective thing and to each his own.

[fretlessman71]

You know, looking at the last several posts in this thread, I am reminded of something that the great trumpeter Louis Armstrong once said about his craft, and I believe that the same can be said about ours:

There are really only two types of music: Good and bad.

[chazwicke]

You and Louis said it right!

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
You know, looking at the last several posts in this thread, I am reminded of something that the great trumpeter Louis Armstrong once said about his craft, and I believe that the same can be said about ours:

There are really only two types of music: Good and bad.

Ain't that the truth.

S.

[Tweek]

enjoying a bottle of odells isolation right now. Thanks B3s!

Nice beer. good amber orange color. pours a nice tan head which quickly dissapates, leaving patchy lacework. malty and citrus on the nose and palate with a little nuttyness to it as well. good beer. thanks again!

[chazwicke]

I received my package from B3s this afternoon at the office. Then a friend dropped in. Well needless to say the Odell's Isolations and the 90 shillings are all gone. :( Never even made it home. I enjoyed both but the 90 Shilling is some damn good beer. Thanks again B3s!

[fretlessman71]

HOORAY!!!! Another Odell's convert! Honestly, Odell's ought to hire me as their personal ambassador... they could pay me in 90 shilling!

[chazwicke]

Yep the 90 shilling is really a good beer.

[b3s]

glad y'all liked the odell's :) chaz, the 90 schilling is by far my favorite standby beer right now...and all i can say about the isolation ale is WOW!

[b3s]

oh, and i received both tweek's and chaz's packages...tried the old dominion on wednesday and the victory storm king tonight...very tasty beers!

[davesarman]

Am drinking the Odell's Isolation as I type this. I got this in a trade from b3s (Thanks again!) This is a very nice winter beer. Not extreme in spicyness anything like that, but definitely a good beer to have on a cold winters eve!

[b3s]

heh, and i was drinking some of the winter storm i got from davesarman when i typed my reply ;) thanks davesarman!

[Beaver]

I went microbrewery hopping today with my Dad. We stopped by Odells. I love going there! They always have 3 or so pilot beers on tap that you can only get there. We got a growler of the Harvest Hemp Lager. It was yummy...probably the darkest lager I've ever seen.

We also hit Fort Collins Brewery. I wanted to try some of their Z smoked lager. We couldn't buy any because they are all sold out. They did still have a little on tap so we sampled it. Very good. I can't wait until this is available in bottles next month.

[chazwicke]

Let me know if you get the smoked lager in bottles. I would like to trade for some.

[Beaver]

I plan on getting some when it comes out. I think they said early to mid January. Remind me in case I forget. :)

[b3s]

hey, beaver, don't forget to get some smoked lager for a trade with chaz in january...

sorry, couldn't resist that high floater ;)

[Beaver]

Thanks for your help b3s! :p

[chazwicke]

LOL

[fretlessman71]

Hey Beaver... what else does Fort Collins Brewery make? I'm having a hard time remembering their stuff. I can only think of Odell's and NB, and of course Bighorn by CBPotts (is their stuff any good? I had always had my doubts...). What else is in town these days?

[Beaver]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Hey Beaver... what else does Fort Collins Brewery make? I'm having a hard time remembering their stuff. I can only think of Odell's and NB, and of course Bighorn by CBPotts (is their stuff any good? I had always had my doubts...). What else is in town these days?

Fort Collins Brewery (http://www.fortcollinsbrewery.com) is a new brewery. It opened up where HC Berger's was - did you know that they went out of business? FCB specializes in lagers. They started with 2 beers, Doktor Lager and Egar Lager. Z smoked lager was supposed to be a limited time beer, but it did so well - sold out already - that it will be their third regular beer. They also plan on having a rotating pilot tap every month.

Big Horn has some pretty decent beers, some that are pretty bad. I like their porter, and their red is not bad. They make some interesting rotating beers as well. I want to go try their Santa's Beer Sled holiday beer soon.

I'm sure you know of Coopersmith's (http://www.coopersmithspub.com)...they're one of my faves. They have their Jingle Ale and Black Powder Barleywine now, as well as a really good hand-drawn Existential porter. Does hand-drawn always equal cask? I think it is a cask ale, not positive though.

Linden's is closed right now (may re-open in the future), so that is all I can recall right now for Fort Collins beer. Oh yeah, there is that A-B brewery, but they don't make real beer! :)

There's a new small brewery in Loveland, Opie's Brewing (http://opiesbrewing.com). I've liked what I've had of them as well.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Beaver
We got a growler of the Harvest Hemp Lager. It was yummy...probably the darkest lager I've ever seen.


what is with the hemp beers, isn't the hop related to or a part of the hemp family, couldn't any beer be called a hemp beer?

[Jeff]

I have seen a food program where they mentioned hops as being part of the canabis family. I think it would take a biologist to explain what that means and where hemp falls in line with all this.

[hopjack13]

i thought so, the hop is called cannabinaceae. i read somewheres. i don't know shite about plants but i thought that hops were in the hemp family?

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Beaver
Fort Collins Brewery (http://www.fortcollinsbrewery.com) is a new brewery. It opened up where HC Berger's was - did you know that they went out of business? FCB specializes in lagers. They started with 2 beers, Doktor Lager and Egar Lager. Z smoked lager was supposed to be a limited time beer, but it did so well - sold out already - that it will be their third regular beer. They also plan on having a rotating pilot tap every month.

Big Horn has some pretty decent beers, some that are pretty bad. I like their porter, and their red is not bad. They make some interesting rotating beers as well. I want to go try their Santa's Beer Sled holiday beer soon.

I'm sure you know of Coopersmith's (http://www.coopersmithspub.com)...they're one of my faves. They have their Jingle Ale and Black Powder Barleywine now, as well as a really good hand-drawn Existential porter. Does hand-drawn always equal cask? I think it is a cask ale, not positive though.

Linden's is closed right now (may re-open in the future), so that is all I can recall right now for Fort Collins beer. Oh yeah, there is that A-B brewery, but they don't make real beer! :)

There's a new small brewery in Loveland, Opie's Brewing (http://opiesbrewing.com). I've liked what I've had of them as well.

Yeah, I was still there when HC Berger went out of business. Hope the FC brew is as good!

[Herb Ninja]

Originally posted by hopjack13
i thought so, the hop is called cannabinaceae. i read somewheres. i don't know shite about plants but i thought that hops were in the hemp family?

I think they may be in the cannabis family, but I can't imagine that that because it looks so different from hemp or marijuana. It doesn't contain any hallucinogenic substances. It must be a distant relative.

Heres a picture of your hop, cannabinaceae found after a quick search. Peace, HN-

[hopjack13]

so what is a hemp ale?......does it have dank in it or what?

[Beaver]

I drank the harvest hemp lager from Odell's. I didn't really ask much about it at the brewery, they were pretty busy, so I don't know what the "hemp" deal is. I remember the description said it was originally going to be an Octoberfest, but it was kind of late and they used darker malts. It looked and tasted a lot like a porter to me. It was good.

[Herb Ninja]

Originally posted by hopjack13
so what is a hemp ale?......does it have dank in it or what?

Hemp ale is ale with some amount of hemp used, probably hemp seeds. Its considered similar to hops.

Hemp is the marijuana plant without the "dank." It has an insignifcant amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, and won't get you high. Peace, HN-

"Industrial hemp contains less than 1% of THC the psychoactive component of marijuana. Trying to get high on industrial hemp is akin to trying to get drunk on non alcohol beer.

Hemp is the world's strongest natural fiber. It has been used to make cloth and rope for over 10,000 years. Hemp was the first crop ever cultivated for textile production.
Hemp cloth is stronger, longer lasting, more resistant to mildew, and cheaper to produce than cloth made of cotton."

Source (http://shirtmagic.com/whyhemp.html)

[hopjack13]

wow...thnx herb

[chazwicke]

I always thought that the Hempen Ale from Frederick and the others were sort of a "gimmick". I have heard that George Washington grew hemp at Mt. Vernon.

[Beaver]

I just got a 6'er of the Z smoked lager and one of Great Divide's Hibernation Ale tonight after a night of drinking good brews at Coopersmiths.