Frankenmuth New Year Stout 2012

I was very pleased to score 4 of the 801 bottles of this year's Frankenmuth New Year Stout.
http://frankenmuthbrewery.com/blog/tag/jeff-coon/

One of the really cool things about the bottles is that each one is signed by the brewer Jeff Coon.  I talked with a couple of beer store owners to see if they were going to get any of the very limited production beers and two let me know when they came in.  I hurried over to the stores to make sure a got some.

I bought two at each store, but the last bottle I purchased had an extra surprise--a handwritten message above the brewers signature that said, "Julie Laughs Like She is Wasted."  I can just imagine how much fun the bottle signing party must have been.

Anyone know Julie?

Cheers,
Zymus

Addendum:  I asked the brewer and found out that Julie is his daughter!

United States Beer Labeling: Alcohol Content

For some time now, I have wondered why many US beer labels do not contain alcohol content information, particularly since so many other countries' labels contained this information.  It seems to me that this information is extremely important for the consumer since the alcohol content of beer can vary greatly.  Common mass produced American beers vary from 3%-5%.  Craft beers, however, can be anywhere from 4% to 18%, with some extremely special beers having up to 20% alcohol by volume (ABV).

So I did a little research.  See: http://www.icap.org/table/alcoholbeveragelabeling.
It turns out that a lot of countries, indeed, do require the ABV content of beer be printed on the label.  Here's a list of the countries: Australia (if over 1.15%); Brazil; Canada (if over 1.1%); Chile; China (only if under 10%); Columbia; All European Union Countries; Japan; Mexico; New Zealand; Philippines; Russia; South Korea; Switzerland; Taiwan; and Thailand.  In the US, however,adding the alcohol content to a beer label is optional: http://www.ttb.gov/pdf/brochures/p51903.pdf.  Of course, state laws could require this, but this is not the case in Michigan where I live.  I can think of no valid reason against putting ABV on beer labels.  In a country where drunk driving is an all too common occurrence, people should have the information they need to make good decisions. Furthermore, knowing the ABV helps the consumer purchase beers that fit a particular occasion or taste.  Some breweries put out so many different beers each year, that one should not have to research each new beer's characteristics in order to decide if they want to purchase them.   I appeal to all brewers to put the alcohol content on your labels voluntarily.  It is just common sense.

Cheers,
Zymus.

Samuel Adams Infinium

I very much enjoy when a brewer strives to make something unique and special.  The Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) caught my eye in 1994, when they released their first batch of Tripple Bock. At 17.5% ABV and little to no carbonation, the beer was more like a sherry than a beer. With its blue glass bottle and gold silk screened labeling, it was a beauty for a collector like me. I purchased several, but over the years I have consumed them with various friends who appreciate craft beers.

1994 Samuel Adams Tripple Bock

Over the years, Samuel Adams has periodically produced new specialty beers including: Millennium (1999); Utopias (2002); Imperial Pilsner (2008); and Infinium (2011).  The latter I recently tried.  Infinium is brewed in collaboration with the German Brewery Weihenstephan, who lays claim to being the world's oldest brewery.  According to the brewers, the goal of the Infinium project was to create a completely new beer style, while adhering to the famous German beer purity laws that only allow 4 ingredients in a beer. What they ended up with is a beer that tastes and looks a bit like sparkling wine, except that the beverage maintains a nice head after pouring.

2011 Samuel Adams Infinium

The beer is really very nice and refreshing and would be great for celebrating a special occasion.  Good job Boston Beer Company! I look forward to their next specialty beer.

Cheers,
Zymus

Witch's Hat Brewing Company

I think it is fun when a new brewery opens locally.  Recently I visited the Witch's Hat Brewery located in South Lyon, MI.  The brewery opened the day after Christmas, 2011 and I managed to visit it a few days after it opened.  We arrived in the evening in the middle of the week (vacation time for all of us).

Witch's Hat Brewing Company, South Lyon, MI

The place was packed with patrons standing by the bar.  We were lucky enough to get a table.  While we were there, dozens of people stopped by to fill growlers or to have a pint.  The selection of beers was fairly extensive, ranging from a wheat beer to an IPA to a barleywine (out when we visited).

The Day's Offerings

My party all ordered samplers, where you get to pick 5 of the beers they are pouring.  Among us, of course, we tried all of the beers.  My general impression is that the beer is pretty good, but lacked the heaviness and hoppiness I expected in some of the beers, such as the IPA.

A Sampling of Beers.

Nevertheless, I applaud the new venture and expect that the beers will evolve with time and interest from the patrons.  Once the crowds die down, I think the ambiance of the place will improve (they have a fireplace).  The staff were very friendly, skilled, and knowledgeable about beer.  I also enjoyed learning what the brewery is named after.  Hint: Look at the pictures on the wall.

Cheers,
Zymus.

Dogfish Head Faithfull Ale

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery from Milton, DE continues to put out interesting beer.  One of there latest is a beer called Pearl Jam Twenty Faithfull Ale. Clearly, the brewer is a fan of the band, and good for him/her that they get a chance to tell everyone in such an interesting way.

Front Label

Side Label

I like Pearl Jam enough, but if I were to be giving a tribute to a band my top ten list would be the following based on my IPod/ITunes listening data:

1. Marillion
2. IQ
3. Pallas
4. Satellite
5. Sylvan
6. Arena
7. Pendragon
8. Riverside
9. Phideux
10. Glass Hammer

Maybe I should get back into homebrewing!







Cheers,
Zymus

Sanders Chocolate Stout

I'm not generally a fan of chocolate-flavored beers, but I'm always looking to try new beers.  Yesterday I came across a Sanders Chocolate Stout from the Detroit Beer Company.  I had tried this special beer last year, the first time it was offered.  My recollection was that the beer was only average, but like other seasonal beers, the recipes change from year to year, so I thought I would give it another try.

2010 Edition

2011 Edition

There must be a storied history behind this beer and its makers.  First of all, neither versions of this beer were brewed by the Detroit Brewing Company.  In 2010, the label said the beer was brewed by the Detroit Rivertown Brewing Company.  I could find no record of this brewery in my searches.  The 2011 version was contract-brewed by Liquid Manufacturing in Brighton, Michigan.  An internet search for this company revealed some disturbing facts including  a warning letter from the US Food and Drug Administration.  URL: http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm212282.htm. Not exactly who I would trust with my special holiday beer.  Also interesting is the fact that the "Detroit Brewing Company" does not seem to exist.  Instead, that Internet site directs you to the "Detroit Beer Company."  Which is it folks??  Pick a name.

The Sanders part of the title is a well known candy company in Detroit, who contributed the cocoa that was used in the beer.  The 2011 edition of Sanders Chocolate Stout was pleasant.  The chocolate flavor was subtle and well balanced with other flavors.  The beer was not as heavy or as full-bodied as I expect in a stout--it was more like a porter.  All-in-all, this beer is worth a try.

Cheers,
Zymus.

Odell Brewing Company

Even though I live in Michigan, I have been to many Denver area breweries in the past year.  Lucky me!  On my latest trip we headed to Ft. Collins, which is a nice town that is blessed with superior breweries.  Today I highlight one of those treasures--Odell Brewing Company.

 We we there on a cold November day and the place was packed.  There were about 20 folks waiting to take a brewery tour.  Also, to our delight, the taproom was having their "Dark Days of November" pouring.

We ordered up a "co-pilot" paddle of samplers for each of us.  This particular paddle contained six of their darkest/heaviest beers.  Wow.  The lightest was a double IPA!!  Cheers to dark beer indeed.

The Odell Brewery Hall of Fame.  Notice that most of these have been aged on Oak.

The Odell Brewery Taps. 

A delightful sample of six Odell brews.

Unfortunately, Odell does not sell their beer in Michigan.  I purchased a Bourbon Barrel Stout and a Woodcut #5 and enjoyed them with family and friends on Thanksgiving.  I look forward to coming back sometime.

Cheers,
Zymus