Winter is Coming (or Possibly Already Here)

Every now and again, as in right now as I am writing this blog post, the family and I are privileged to be able to visit my wife’s family in western New York, or as I prefer calling it, the Great White North. Now, don’t be confused – we are not in Canada – we are still in the States, but honestly, we are as close to Canada as one can be while still being in the States. Usually, we come up here in the summer, when the weather is perfect and all of the tourist stuff is fully operational (like Niagara Falls for example). This time, however, we elected to visit for Christmas and New Year’s Day, placing us right in the midst of the winter wonderland you always see on the weather channel.

The Wall, which separates the Seven Kingdoms from the north (aka Canada)

But why am I telling you all of this, and what does it have to do with beer? Quite simply, as those of you who have been following my exploits for some time already know, whenever I go somewhere different, I always take full advantage of the local beer scene, and try as much craft-brewed excellence as I can get my hands on.

A map of the area

On this vacation, I have been focused on local breweries in Niagara and Erie Counties, which encompasses Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the surrounding areas. I have also been buying as much New York craft beer from the local specialty beer stores as I can find, and have had some wonderful offerings from Lake Placid, Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, Ellicottville, and beyond. Not surprisingly, they have some pretty good craft beer out here in western New York, and it is my privilege to drink it, and to share my thoughts with all of you.

Buffalo Brewpub, Amherst, New York

The Buffalo Brewpub is a quiet brew pub located in a commercial area in the suburbs of Buffalo. The beer menu consists of four beers they make onsite, as well as lots of other craft beers made by other breweries, most of which are local. The food is really excellent, and the beer is very good too. The four beers they had on the flight when we were there were…

1) Buffalo Brewpub’s Pale Ale

2) Buffalo Brewpub’s Buffalo Lager

3) Buffalo Brewpub’s Amber Ale

4) Buffalo Brewpub’s Kringle Christmas Ale/Winter Warmer

These beers were all good. The lager and amber ale were both spot on to their styles. The Kringle was the most interesting and the star of the show.

I also got into a pint of Ithaca Beer Company’s winter seasonal offering, Cold Front Belgian Strong Dark Ale while at the Buffalo Brewpub.

The flight of four, at the Buffalo Brewpub in Amherst, NY

Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company, Wilson, New York

Another great brewpub located in the heart of Niagara Country, in a town that is quite possibly the last place you would ever look for a brewpub, Woodcock Brothers is a relatively new operation in a converted cold storage warehouse. The food is mostly higher end pizza and burgers and it is delicious. They have six delicious beers on their flight, which are…

1) Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company’s Stiff Mittens Winter Ale

2) Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company’s Niagara County IPA (made with hops that were grown in Niagara County, NY)

3) Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company’s Hoppycock IPA

4) Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company’s Harvest Wheat Ale

5) Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company’s Porter

6) Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company’s Amber Ale

The two IPAs were my favorites, especially the one made with local hops. The Porter and Wheat Ale were also very tasty. The Winter Ale was very spicy and interesting. All of the beers at Woodcock Brothers were excellent.

Dueling flights of six, at Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company in Wilson, NY

Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, Buffalo, New York

Located in downtown Buffalo, Pearl Street is a great brewpub with great food and amazing beers. This is my second time drinking at this brewery, and it was just as good the second time. In addition to the really good food, Pearl Street offers 14 beers to select from (though they only had 13 this time) which consists of 10 regulars and four seasonals, which were…

1) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Lighthouse Blonde Ale

2) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Wild Ox Wheat American Wheat Ale

3) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Trainwreck Altbier

4) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Lake Effect American Pale Ale

5) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Street Brawler Stout Oatmeal Stout

6) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Sabre’s Edge Double IPA

7) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Blue-eyed Blonde Blueberry Blonde Ale

8) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Don Cherry (Cherry Wheat) Ale

9) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Raspberry Fields Raspberry Stout

10) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Billy Bonka Chocolate Stout

11) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Lord Stanley Scotch Ale

12) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Powderkeg ESB

13) Pearl Street Grill & Brewery’s Winter Warmer

It’s pretty impressive when a brewery has 14 (13) beers on their menu to choose from, and of course, I have to try them all. What’s cool about this place is they have their staples, and then they start experimenting with them, adding different fruits to their blonde, wheat and stout to create new beers. Also, Pearl Street has embraced their position at the top of the world by offering three different stouts, as well as other dark beers such as their scotch and winter warmer. The Sabre’s Edge is an amazing Double IPA that is just as good as I remember it from the last time I was here.

A flight of 14, at Pearl Street Grill and Brewery in Buffalo, NY

Other New York Beers I've Gotten My Hands On

1) Flying Bison Brewing’s Christmas Ale (Buffalo, NY)

2) Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Krampus Imperial Helles Lager (Lakewood, NY)

3) Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Compass American Strong Ale (Lakewood, NY)

4) Brewery Ommegang’s Game Of Thrones - Take the Black Stout (Cooperstown, NY)

5) Lake Placid Pub & Brewery’s India Pale Ale (IPA) (Lake Placid, NY)

6) CB Craft Brewers’ Caged Alpha Monkey IPA (Honeoye Falls, NY)

7) Captain Lawrence Brewing Company’s Frost Monster Russian Imperial Stout (Elmsford, NY)

8) Middle Ages Brewing’s Wizard’s Winter Ale (Syracuse, NY)

9) Captain Lawrence Brewing Company’s Pumpkin Ale (Elmsford, NY)

10) Middle Ages Brewing’s Im Paled Ale (Syracuse, NY)

11) Ithaca Beer Company’s Cascazilla American Amber/Red Ale (Ithaca, NY)

12) Middle Ages Brewing’s Grail Ale American Amber/Red Ale (Syracuse, NY)

13) Ithaca Beer Company’s Flower Power American IPA (Ithaca, NY)

14) Middle Ages Brewing’s Swallow Wit Witbier (Syracuse, NY)

15) Matt Brewing Company’s Saranac High Peaks Imperial IPA (Utica, NY)

16) CB Craft Brewers’ Joe Latte Vanilla Coffee Stout (Honeoye Falls, NY)

17) Ellicottville Brewing Company’s E’VIL Hoppy Winter Ale (Ellicottville, NY)

18) Lake Placid Pub & Brewery’s Ubu Ale English Strong Ale (Lake Placid, NY)

19) Captain Lawrence Brewing Company’s Freshchester Pale Ale (Elmsford, NY)

20) Ringside Brewing Company's Ringside American Lager (Saratoga Springs, NY)

And the best part is, my time in western New York is not over. I've still got a few more days with which to add to this list. I am planning to go down to Buffalo (or as the locals say, “up to Buffalo) again over the weekend to visit the Flying Bison Brewery and Community Beer Works, and may even roll over to Rochester to see what’s going on over there. Plus, there are still plenty of local craft beers on the shelves at the specialty beer stores to try. Endless possibilities. As of this point, I have added 44 unique check-ins and three new locations to my Untappd account… not too shabby. If you want to get updates on my western New York beer adventures, or any of my other beer adventures for that matter, follow me on twitter @SousBrewer.

Happy New Year!!!

And since this is the final post of 2013, I want to sign off by wishing you all a happy and safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. May they be filled with delicious craft beer and a designated driver! Looking back on the past year, we did a lot less brewing, but a lot more visiting – adventures galore! Who knows what 2014 holds in store? Continue following my adventures, and find out. Until next year…

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

The Eleventh Hour

Four days left

Ordinarily, I am not one to incite panic. Especially during a time of year that is supposed to be peaceful. That being said, it is December 21st, so if you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet…

IT IS TIME TO PANIC!!!

There is good news, however, if you have any craft beer people on your list, because craft beer people are quite literally the easiest people to shop for. This is due to the proven fact that craft beer people want craft beer for Christmas. Shopping done. See how easy that was?

Now I will show my work.

The easiest possible way to give a craft beer person craft beer for Christmas is to march your happy butt down to your local grocery store, package store, specialty beer store, or whatever, and buy craft beer to give that special someone on Christmas morning. It really is no different than what you ordinarily do when purchasing craft beer, except that once you get it home, you’re going to wrap it (or put it in a gift bag) and give it to the person on Christmas morning. I know it sounds too easy, and may therefore be disregarded as “not trying hard enough,” but if it’s what they want (and I assure you it is), than what’s the problem?

Merry Christmas to me!

If you want to try a little harder, because allegedly it’s the “thought that counts” (whatever that  means), go to your local brewery and fill a growler of fresh, right off the tap, craft-brewed deliciousness and deliver it to your craft beer person on Christmas morning. This will definitely be appreciated, and you will be placed upon the Christmas gift giver pantheon of greatness. I must warn you, if you are going this route, please, please, PLEASE… wait until at least December 23rd to fill the growler and place it immediately into the fridge when you get it home, until Christmas morning. If you want to take it out that morning and move it to beneath the tree, that’s fine. If you leave it sitting out multiple days, or buy it too far in advance of drinking it, it will go flat – thus rendering it not as appreciated as it otherwise would've been.

All shapes and sizes

Another way to ensure legendary Christmas gift giving is to give them craft beer in their stocking. This is one of my personal favorites. Essentially, buy them craft beer and put it in their stocking on Christmas Eve, instead of under the tree. It might not sound like much, but remember back to when you were a kid, and how stocking presents were for some reason, more enjoyable than the rest. It’s not an exact science, and perhaps it’s better that way, but trust me, finding beer in your stocking brings a smile to your face. Note – please don’t put beer in children’s stockings. It won’t end the way you think it will.

You can also give your craft beer people something other than beer, such as craft beer swag (shirts, hats glassware, etc). Craft beer people are more often than not fans of the beer they drink, so much so, that they want to wear it proudly in the form of on clothing. Or, drink it from a glass emblazoned with the logo of their favorite or local brewery. This route toward Christmas gift giving excellence is full of options, and is literally a can’t fail scenario. The best places to look for this stuff is online or at your local brewery.

The merch area at the Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, VA

Speaking of your local brewery, did you know that most (if not all) of them offer tours? What better way to say Merry Christmas to your craft beer person than by taking him/her to your local brewery and going on a tour? Tours usually are free, and usually include samples, or at least the opportunity to purchase a flight of tasters holding the very craft beer you just saw the brewers making. You’ll be able to fill another growler, buy some more swag from the gift shop area of the brewery, meet fun people and share in their holiday merriment, etc. It might be the best Christmas ever.

A real live brewery tour at the Highland Brewery in Asheville, NC

However you choose to reward that special craft beer person in your life this Christmas, I hope you have a truly great and wonderful holiday. Take a load off, kick your feet up, and enjoy some craft-brewed excellence (or two) with your family and friends (and maybe some people you've never met before). From all of us in the Mash Tun to all you out there in computer or mobile device land…

Merry Christmas!

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

The 12 Craft Beers of Christmas

It wouldn't be the Christmas season if I didn't take a moment to write the obligatory post about Christmas beer recommendations. It seems that I, and many bloggers like me, write this post every year. Last year, I went full-on grizzly bear and recommended 25 beers for the Christmas season. This year I will cop out and only do 12. Why 12? Because if I do 12, I can co-opt the “12 days of Christmas” song and make it into a gimmick for my beer recommendation blog. Too easy.

And to make this list extra awesome, all of these are brewed in the good-ole U. S. of A. ‘Murica!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

One Winter Warmer, by Harpoon Brewery (Boston, MA) – Winter Warmer - Dark, copper colored, sweet and malty with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla – Not overly hoppy – 5.5% ABV – Quite nice

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Two Our Special Ales, by Anchor Brewing Company (San Francisco, CA) – Winter Warmer - Dark, deep brown colored, sweet spicy complex flavor and aroma, notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, berries, juniper, cloves, molasses, pine? – 5.5% ABV – Delicious

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Three Winter Ales, by Weyerbacher Brewing Company (Easton, PA) – Winter Warmer - Dark, rich brown color, almost amber in color, molasses and nut notes, easy to drink, 5.6% ABV – Very good

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Four Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ales, by Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA) – Winter Warmer - Mahogany color – cinnamon, ginger and orange peel notes – one of my personal favorites – 5.9% ABV – Delicious

Blogger’s note: Sam Adams needs to sell this as a stand alone six pack, instead of just one of the six beers available in their winter seasonal variety pack.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Five Samuel Adams Holiday Porters, by Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA) – Porter - Dark brown – caramel and molasses notes – slightly bitter – also part of the Sam Adams winter seasonal variety pack – 5.9% ABV – Very satisfying

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Six Santa’s Private Reserve Ales, by Rogue Ales (Ashland, OR) – Amber Ale - Amber color – hoppy with grapefruit notes – very well balanced – 6% ABV – Delicious

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Seven Celebration Ales, by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (Chico, CA) – American IPA - Dark amber color – robust hoppy and bitter flavor – pine and grapefruit in the nose – seasonal IPA? Yes, please. – 6.8% ABV – Wonderful

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Eight Prelude Special Ales, by Shipyard Brewing Company (Portland, ME) – Winter Warmer - Maple syrup color – maple syrup flavor, along with nutmeg and caramel – bold and malty – 6.8% ABV – A treat

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Nine Old Jubilation Ales, by Avery Brewing Company (Boulder, CO) – Winter Warmer - Deep mahogany color, boozy spiced brown ale with five different malts in the mash, hazelnut and butterscotch notes on the nose and taste – 8% ABV – Great brew

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Ten Frosted Frog Christmas Ales, by Hoppin’ Frog Brewery (Akron, OH) – Winter Warmer - Dark color – very sweet and very aromatic – cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg notes like liquid ginger bread – full-bodied – more of a desert than a beer – 8.6% ABV – Fantastic

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Eleven Santa’s Little Helpers, by Port Brewing Company (San Diego, CA) – Imperial Stout - Pitch black color – burnt coffee and black licorice in the nose – roasted barley and very bitter hop flavor – 10% ABV – Seriously Intense

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Twelve The Mad Elfs, by Tröegs Brewing Company (Hershey, PA) – Belgian strong dark ale - Red-brown color – Belgian yeast and cherries in the nose – complex, sweet, boozy, Belgian taste – 11% ABV – Sublime

… and then I passed out for the rest of the holiday season.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

What If Santa Is A Craft Beer Drinker?

Jolly Old Saint Nick

I know the premise seems a bit silly, but in the spirit of creative writing and holiday cheer, let’s role with it. Let’s presuppose for a moment that, in spite of the evidence to the contrary, Santa Claus does currently exist as the hallmark cards and Coca Cola commercials depict him – an obese elderly gentlemen with a long white beard, a bright red suit (complete with hat), nine magical reindeer who pull a flying sleigh, elves to make toys for the kids, and that he delivers Christmas gifts to the good children of the world on Christmas Eve. You know – the whole shebang.

Now, let’s picture Chris Kringle up there at the North Pole. Maybe he’s in his living room with a roaring fire going, reading over his list of good children, checking it twice as it were. Mrs. Claus is sitting across from him reading Hunger Games, just to see what all the fuss was about. They’ve recently finished dinner and are settling in for the night. There is a blizzard raging outside, but the fire is making the living room quite warm and welcoming. Now, look at the coffee table between Santa and Mrs. Claus – what do you see? I’ll tell you what I see – an English-style pint glass of oatmeal stout in front of Santa, and a tulip glass of saison in front of Mrs. Claus. Both beers were made by the craft-beer loving brewer elves who work down the street from Santa’s house and workshop at North Pole Alewerks.

An army of brewer elves, who may have had too much to drink

Here’s how I know the Claus’s are craft beer people.

1) Santa, as all the evidence would suggest, is a person of discerning tastes. He wears the finest furs and he lives in a spacious home with all the top whistles and bells. Clearly, if he’s drinking an alcoholic beverage, it will be something of some stature, taste-wise.

Reindeer aint cheap, and I got nine of 'em

2) Santa has means. Aligning with the first point, the Claus’s live a posh manor in North Pole Towne, the largest home in the village. The rest of the residents of the town either work for him directly, or are employed as a result of the existence of his operation. He wants for nothing, as is evidenced by his rotund stature, and has unfettered access to whatever he wants or needs, including delicious craft beer. As I alluded to earlier, there is a craft brewery in North Pole Towne – because we are taking over the earth. Who do thing funded the establishment of that brewery?

3) Look at Santa Claus. A man that large and in charge, living in a place as freezing as the North Pole obviously is – do you really think he is drinking some light, yellow, fizzy, industrial, mass-produced swill beer? He needs something with the bollucks to it. He needs a beer that will warm you up and keep you there. Obviously, his beer needs to be made from proper ingredients, and a fair bit of them too. He’s most likely a stout hound, preferring dark beers like porters and black lagers.

4) Mrs. Claus is obviously running the show. Santa is undeniably the face of the franchise, but his lovely bride is clearly the brains of the operation. She is the consummate tactician, always thinking four steps ahead, and she is savvy enough to know that what her husband does reflects upon her entire enterprise. She is not about to let centuries of hard work and reputation-building be undone by her husband drinking bad beer. She will ensure that he drinks only the best.

You thought he was driving this thing?

5) Rudolf, the red-nosed reindeer. Rudolf is one of the greatest cover-ups in the history of the world. The song indicates that it was Rudolf’s glowing red nose allowing him to navigate through the wintery storm that brought him to the reindeer team and saved Christmas that year. The reality is, there’s always a storm on Christmas Eve – if Rudolf’s navigation was needed due to bad weather, it would've been needed long before that one incident. The truth is, Rudolf’s navigation was needed because Santa was too drunk to drive. He brought in Rudolf so he wouldn't need to drive, and he could drink delicious craft beer all night long to stay warm and pass the time. Rudolf drives, the other reindeer propel the sleigh, and Santa sits back and drinks. Too easy.

Clearly, based on the “evidence” listed above, Santa drinks craft beer. He loves it. So please remember that this Christmas Eve and you’re leaving out some goodies for him – he really doesn't want your milk and cookies – if you want to ensure optimal gifting from the fat man, leave out beer and cheesecake. Good beer too, something dark like a barleywine, stout porter, schwartzbier, etc. You’ll be pleased with the results.

Barleywine and cheesecake never fail

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!