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