Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Beer Journal #71: Lac du Bay, Sharpshooter, Inaugural Red, Bare Bottom Madness, Zenith, Commodore Perry & More

Lac du Bay
English Style India Pale Ale
Central Waters Brewing Co.
Amherst, WI

Label narrative:
Here just short of the 45th parallel marking the midway point between the North Pole and equator, we experience the full-on splendor of all four seasons. To each we raise a bottle of our seasonal series and give thanks we didn't build our brewery anyplace else.
Ale, Sun, Earth and Sky

Oatmeal Stout
Gray's Brewing Co.
Janesville, WI

The label speaks:
Big. Black. Bold.
56
In 1856, Joshua Gray established our family beverage business here in Janesville, Wisconsin. For over five generations now, we have been producing the finest handcrafted beers, ales and soft drinks in our quaint brewery and bottling facility. Gray's Brewing Company is proud to be one of America's oldest family owned beverage companies.
Schwarzbier
Germany's Black Lager Beer
Kostritzer Brewery
Bad Kostritz
Germany

From the label in German:
Gebraut Nach Dem Deutschen Reinheitsgebot
Seit 1543

Newcastle British Pale Ale
Collaboration Edition
Caledonian Brewery Company Limited
Edinburgh
United Kingdom

The label says:
ALC. 5.8% BY VOL.
British Brewing Since 1869
Pale Ales date back to the 18th Century in England. They were lighter in colour than other beers of the time and commonly referred to as 'Bitters'. The Caledonian brewery has mastered the art of brewing Bitters since 1869. This brew continues the tradition with a golden amber colour, sweet citric hop aroma, classic British woody spice and rounded herbal bitterness.

Imported by Newcastle Importers, White Plains, NY

Sharpshooter
Session Wheat IPA
An Ale with Orange Peel
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Cleveland, OH

Label stats:
4.8% ALC by VOL.
40 IBU
Inspired by Ohio's "little sure shot" Annie Oakley, our Session Wheat IPA is peppered with rounds of whole orange peel and fully loaded with Jarrylo hops.
For freshest taste, please enjoy by: 11/28/15
 16119BE


Vanilla Porter
Ale brewed with real vanilla beans
Breckenridge Brewery
471 Kalamath St.
Denver, CO

Label info:
ALC. 5% BY VOL.
    Seldom Seen * Never Duplicated
Remarkable * Partakable
Fine Colorado Ales

ESB
Extra Special Bitter Ale
Rotating Seasonal Release
Alaskan Brewing Co.
Juneau, AK

Label info:
B 031514

Beck's
Beer
Brauerei Beck & Co.
St. Louis, MO

Label disclosures:
Product of USA
Originated in Bremen, Germany

Inaugural Red
Lager
Campus Craft Brewery
Wisconsin Brewing Co.
Verona, WI

Label stuff:
ALC 5.0% BY VOL.
WBC   015 

Zenith
Saison
Wisconsin Brewing Co.
Verona, WI

Label facts:
ALC 5.5% BY VOL
Spiced Ale
WBC    007

Optimator
Doppelbock
Spaten-Brau
Munich, Germany

Label facts:
7.6% ALC./VOL.
Since 1397

Apple Ale
New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, WI

The label reports:
"Some people paint, some sing, others write...I brew."-Daniel Carey
Apple Ale sings with the fresh crisp taste of Wisconsin apples. Our Brewmaster begins with a brown ale base employing Wisconsin farmed barley and a blend of apple varieties grown in Door County. Our apple growing friends squeeze them especially for this brew. Expect this ale to pour a beautiful copper color. The fresh bouquet of apple will rise to meet you even before the glass touches your lips. So be sure to sip slowly and enjoy the bruits of a Wisconsin harvest.
Vielen Dank!
Daniel & Deborah Carey

New Glarus Brewing Co.
DRINK INDIGENOUS

Bare Bottom Madness
Pale Ale
Door County Brewing Company
Black River Falls, WI & Bailey's Harbor, WI


Label offerings:
5.2% ALC. BY VOL.
Door County Brewing Company
IT IS BEER!
A Grand Discovery of Liquid Luxury

My input:
I contacted the brewery with my question of why a sheep was on this beer label. This is the response I promptly received:
In the early 1900s there was a sheep farmer in the town of Sevastopol named Mr. Templeton. New to his profession, he often needed the townspeople’s guidance on herding 
his flock. One particular occasion, searching for salt to lure the sheep in, the town stumbled upon what they thought to be three barrels of salt. Templeton pried the barrels open, which to everyone’s surprise, was a liquid. He smelled it.
It smelled like beer. He tasted it. It tasted like beer.
He concluded, “it is beer!” Thrilled at their grand discovery
of liquid luxury, Sevastopol celebrated with haste, forgot the sheep and reached the bottom of the barrels quite quickly.
With barrels dry and sheep amuck the town danced themselves into and unforgettable bare bottom madness. A madness that celebrates the unexpected, our pale ale is brewed with notes of grapefruit, citrus, pine and a touch of caramel malt for sweetness. Bare Bottom Madness rejoices in the flavors of Door County you’re so happy to find, you can’t bare the thought of the bottom."

Gotta love that story!  

Big Swede
Swedish Style Imperial Stout
Valkyrie Brewing Co.
Dallas, WI

Label facts:
Unpasteurized, Keep Cool!

Commodore Perry
India Pale Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Cleveland, OH

Label info:
7.7% ALC by VOL
70 IBU
What's this? A British-style IPA named after the man who defeated His Majesty's Royal Navy in the War of 1812? Consider this a bold, hoppy (and mildly ironic) plunder of war.
For freshest taste, please enjoy by:
07/20/15
15956FE

Cinnful Apple
Hard Cider
Seasonal
Angry Orchard Cider Company, LLC
Cincinnati, OH and Breingsville, PA

Label stuff:
5% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
Naturally gluten free
Ingredients: Hard cider, natural flavors, carbon dioxide, malic acid and sulfites to preserve freshness.
Our Cinnful Apple cider is crisp and refreshing with a spicy twist. The sweet, slightly tart apple flavor is balanced with cinnamon spice, adding a slight heat for a flavor that is truly Cinnful.

Summer
Kolsch-Style Ale
Alaskan Brewing Co.
Juneau, AK

Label info:
B072515

KCCO
Gold Lager
Redhook Ale Brewery
Woodinville, WA * Portsmouth, NH * Portland, OR * Memphis, TN

Label offerings:
5.0% ALC. BY VOL.
IBU 16
Resignation Brewery.
A clean and crisp lager with notes of honey and biscuit. The grain bill adds a beautiful gold hue and full flavor. The Gold Lager proves pilsner style lagers can be full flavored.
Resign from the Routine
www.resignationbrewery.com
10:56 3
FEB 02 15

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Beer Journal #70: Berliner Weisse, Somersault, Blue Paddle, Rock Hard Red, First Press & More

Blackberry Tart Ale
Limited Release
Ale brewed with blackberries and raspberries
Blue Moon Brewing Company
Golden, CO
Label info:
5.8% ALC. BY VOL.
This deep-amber colored ale is crafted with a bounty of blackberries for a hint of tartness balanced with a smooth malt finish.
Questions? Call 1-800-BLE-MOON

Young's Double Chocolate Stout
Sweet Stout
Wells & Youngs, Ltd.
Bedford, UK

Label stats:
Alc by Vol 5.2%
Pure Luxury
Est'd 1831
Ale with natural chocolate flavor added
Chocolate malt & real dark chocolate are combined with Young's award-winning rich dark ale to craft a satisfyingly indulgent, but never overly sweet experience.

D.T.B.
Brown Ale
Pearl Street Brewery
LaCrosse, WI


The label offered no further information.

First Press
Traditional Hard Cider
Ciderboys Cider Company
Stevens Point, WI

Off the label:
5% ALC/VOL
Naturally gluten free
Ingredients: Cider base, apple juice concentrate, natural flavors and citric acid to preserve freshness
Nutrition Facts: Calories 204, Fat Cal 0 Total Fat 0g Cholest. 0mg Sodium 25mg Total Carb. 28g Protein 0g 
Municipal
India Pale Ale
Ale Syndicate Brewers
Breese, IL

From the label:
ALC. 6.2% BY VOL
We love two things: our city, and good beer. Chicago isn't gentle. It's got audacity, grit and grace. At Ale Syndicate Brewers, we make craft beer that's distinctly Chicago. We are dedicated to strong flavors, pure ingredients, and the power of coming together around something that we all love.
Municipal IPA is everything we think a good IPA should be: floral and savory, hoppy, but refreshing. This all-Crystal ale is the second in our single-hopped series of well-balanced, enjoyable IPAs. Feel free to share among your friends--but we'll understand if you don't.
Hey Chicagoans, Please Recycle!
Bottles are good
Glasses are better
Enjoy this beer in a 16 oz. pub glass.
Beer Specs     IBU 50   OG 1.061  15 Plato
Best served at 50 F

Rock Hard Red
Malt beverage with natural flavors added
Gray Brewing Company
Janesville, WI

Label info:
4.4% ALC/VOL
Get Reddy to Rock
Unique Berry Flavor
Serve over ice

Blue Paddle
Pilsener
New Belgium Brewing
Fort Collins, CO

Label disclosures:
ALC 4.8% BY VOL
Employee owners and free time come together with ping-pong and our favorite Pilsener. BLUE PADDLE always wins with a refreshing bitterness, vibrant finish, and an impressive backhand.
New Belgium's Employee Owners would love you to stop by the brewery! 500 Linden, Fort Collins, CO
Enjoy by:
22SEP15

Somersault
Summer Seasonal
Ale brewed with natural flavors
New Belgium Brewing
Fort Collins, CO

Label offerings:
ALC. 5.2% BY VOL.
Somersault Ale is a fun roll around on the tongue and a perfect, summer loungs around ale that is easy to drink. Color is blonde with a suggestion of amber. Somersault tumbles out with citrus aroma from Centennial hops, a tuck of soft apricot fruitiness, completed by a smooth, upright finish with oats that were pitched in a long, slow mash. Somersaults all around!
Savor the flavor
Serve at 45 F
Best before: 30AUG15

Berliner Weisse
New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, WI

Label print:
"Some people paint, some sing, others write...I brew."-Daniel Carey
A few times a year we cut Dan loose to brew whatever he chooses. Always handcrafted, the bottle you hold is brewed for the adventurous soul. This is a very limited edition and we make no promises to ever brew this style again.
Napoleon hailed this tart beer style "the Champagne of the North." A lively and elegant masterpiece, this Berliner Weisse is a kaleidoscope of fresh flavor. Barrel fermentation, Reisling grapes, and Wisconsin White Wheat are bottle fermented with five proprietary yeast strains. A connoisseur's rare jewel both spirited and subtle, enjoy your sparkling toast under summer stars.
Thanks for supporting the arts,
Daniel & Deborah Carey

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Beer Journal #69: Right O Way IPA, Samuel Adams Summer Ale, Curious Traveler Lemon Shandy, Downtime Pilsner, Grapefruit Shandy & More

White IPA
Ale brewed with coriander and orange peel
Blue Moon Brewing Company
Golden, CO

Label talk:
5.9% ALC. BY VOL.
A crisp, refreshing White IPA crafted with four varieties of hops, wheat, coriander, and a hint of orange peel.
For our unfiltered White IPA, we complemented the citrus hop character with wheat and a hint of orange peel. Then we dry-hopped it with Cascade, Citra, and Huell Melon hops for a bright hop aroma that creates a balanced IPA.
Taste Responsibly.
Questions? Call 1-800-BLE-MOON
Samuel Adams
Crystal Pale Ale
The Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA * Cincinnati, OH * Breingsville, PA

Label chat:
5.3% ALC./VOL.
From the neck label: This crisp pale ale is named after U.S. Crystal hops, which give the beer its distinctive American hop character. The classic aroma and citrusy, floral flavor that the Crystal hops provide are balanced by a subtle earthy note from U.K. hops. Cheers! Kim Koch

From the main label: For brewery-fresh taste, enjoy before month notched. Jun
 Grapefruit Shandy
Weiss beer brewed with natural flavor added
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Chippewa Falls, WI  *  Milwaukee, WI

Label info:
Neck label
 To join the Leinie Lodge or to order official wearables call toll-free 1-888-LEINIES. Visit the Leinie Lodge at LEINIE.COM.
Brewed with pride by the Leinenkugel family since 1867.
Main label
 The pride of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin since 1867.

Samuel Adams
Downtime Pilsner
The Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA  *  Cincinnati, OH  *  Breingsville, PA

Label chat:
5.2% ALC./VOL.
Neck label
The wonder of brewing is that it's always building on tradition. We brewed with new hops grown in the old hop gardens of Bavaria to showcase both the floral & spicy Noble hops and the fruity & citrusy character of new varieties in this elegant and surprising golden pilsner. Cheers! Jim Koch
Main label
For brewery-fresh taste, enjoy before month notched. JUL 2015
Curious Traveler Lemon Shandy
Ale brewed with lemon peel with natural flavors added
The Traveler Beer Company
Cincinnati, OH and Breingsville, PA
(In collaboration with The Boston Beer Company)
The Traveler Beer Company
Burlington, VT

Label info:
4.4% Alc. By Vol.
The American Craft Shandy
For the freshest experience, enjoy before the notched date. JUL 2015

Samuel Adams
Summer Ale
Wheat ale brewed with lemon peel & Grains of Paradise
The Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA  *  Cincinnati, OH  *  Breinigsville, PA

Label stuff:
5.3% ALC./VOL.
Neck label
With its hazy golden color, this American wheat ale has the same allure as a bright summer day. The crisp citrus character of Noble hops combines with the wheat, lemon peel and exotic peppery spice, Grains of Paradise, to create a lively, delicious and utterly refreshing brew. Cheers! Jim Koch
Main label
Seasonal Brew
For brewery-fresh taste, enjoy before month notched JUL
Visit us at 30 Germania St., Boston, MA 02130 or call 1-888-661-2337.

Kolsch
German-style Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, CA & Mills River, NC

Label lingo:
ALC. 5.0% BY VOL.
Neck label
Kolsch. Our Left Coast take on a crisp, classic German-style ale is hopped up with zesty American and European hops for a twist on a traditional light-bodied beer.
Back label
PKGD 04/10/15
From Cologne to California, Kolsch-style beers are a favorite around the world, prized for their incredible drinkability while maintaining a depth of flavor. As our stamp on the style, this Kolsch style has a punch of bright, citrusy American whole-cone hops to add West Coast character to this well-traveled ale.
We brew in Chico, CA, and Mills River, NC, to bring you the finest quality beer.
Main label
Purest Ingredients      Finest Quality

Porter
Dark Robust Porter
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY

Label stats:
ALC. 5.8% BY VOL.
Brewed with 2 varieties of hops and 5 types of malts.
Please recycle this bottle & cap.

Right-O-Way-IPA
Session India Pale Ale
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY

Label talk:
ALC. 4.5% BY VOL.
Brewed with 3 varieties of hops and 2 types of malts.
Please recycle this bottle & cap.