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Christmas Eve at a NYC Hotel Room - Evil Twin Brewery (imperial stout)

12/29/2014

Kudos to Evil Twin Brewing for coming up with what could be the longest beer name in the biz. Yes, “Christmas Eve at a New York City Hotel Room” is the full name of the beer. I tried researching the name origination but with no such luck. All I know is that this is a “holiday” ale that I actually like. No offense to the “Christmas” ales out there, but I’m not really one for throwing spices (or pumpkins for that matter) into my beer. Call me a beer purist, but I only like extra ingredients such as coffee beans, cacao nibs, and marshmallows, added to my favorite beer batches. You know, the simple stuff.

Based out of Brooklyn, NY and founded by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø in 2010, Evil Twin is one of the more famous gypsy brewers on the market. Gypsy meaning that they don’t actually have their own brewery, rather they contract with other breweries to produce their beers. The most famous originator of gypsy brewing is probably Mikkeller, a brewery based out of Copenhagen, Denmark and also the brain child of Jeppe’s twin brother Mikkel Borg Bjergsø. Mikkeller started commercially brewing back in 2006, followed by Evil Twin a few years later. Jeppe and Mikkel are sort of known in the industry as having a feuding/competitive relationship, hence the name Evil Twin. Both brothers save on overhead by not having a brewery of their own. Plus, their beers are more accessible because they are brewed around the world. I find Evil Twin’s labels to be a bit cheesy, yet kind of amazing, especially because they back up the cheesiness with really great beer. It’s like if Urban Outfitters and CB2 birthed a beer, they’d have Evil Twin Brewing. Particularly with beers on their roster such as Hipster Ale, Wet Dream, and of course, Ryan and the Gosling. The overall branding of the brewery is distinct, which is all you can ask for in this saturated market.

Although not a traditional “holiday” ale, Christmas Eve at a NYC Hotel Room is a great beer for the holidays. A wonderfully thick imperial stout full of chocolate and coffee notes, this 10% ABV beer perfectly encompasses the holiday season. After a full day of shopping, sometimes you just need a beer that you can pour and let sit for a bit while you queue up Elf and slowly sip throughout the movie.

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Where’s the Crap Beer Bar? – Firestone Walker’s Union Jack (IPA)

12/15/2014

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As a long-time Warriors fan and an honoree season ticket holder, one would think that it would be easy to find good beer at a Warriors game. Not so much. For years, I’d opt for a pint of Leffe and a slice of cheese pizza before every game because 1) I’m extremely superstitious, and 2) I had to visit Tina, the most-friendly bartender in the stadium. This was a great idea until I could no longer take one more sip of a Leffe, and the Dubs replaced pizza with a frozen yogurt bar. I swear, only in the Bay Area (sigh). Sure, I could probably score some quality beer in one of the courtside club areas, but until I win the lotto, I’m left to fend for my picky palate on my own. But, after watching a recent episode of Warriors Central, I thought my luck may have changed after learning about the new “craft beer bar” in the arena. Yippee!!!

A friend and I arrived at the game early in search of this “craft beer bar.” We asked three different ushers where it was located and no joke, got the same three responses: “CRAP beer bar?” followed by a look of utter confusion. After establishing that we were looking for CRAFT beer not crap beer, we were pointed to the Budweiser bar and also asked if we were in need of a pitcher of beer. This got me thinking that I either need to start annunciating better (are we still talking about CRAP beer?), or there are a ton of people who have never heard of craft beer.* I tried explaining it as local, small breweries, which didn’t really seem to help. And my friend chimed in and said "you know, like Lagunitas?” Eventually we made our way to the “craft beer bar,” and found a pizza place with Firestone Walker’s Pivo and Union Jack, along with Budweiser (or some other big name beer) on tap. The ushers were spot on – we were looking for the “crap beer bar.” But, at least I got a Union Jack to go with my slice of cheese pizza.

At 7.5% ABV, Firestone Walker’s Union Jack is a solid, west coast-style IPA, and probably your best (if not only) IPA option at Oracle Arena unless you're sitting somewhere fancy. This beer is quite tangy, full of pine and citrus hops. You can find it at Slices and Suds at Oracle Arena, or your local grocery store.

*BTW, if you’re interested in how the Brewers Association defines “craft beer,” check out this link: http://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics/craft-brewer-defined/.

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An Oldie but a Goodie - Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA (imperial IPA)

12/8/2014

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Some days, particularly when it’s cold and rainy, I just want to keep it simple and go with what I know. When the weather outside is frightful, I tend to reach for my favorite Lagunitas hoodie, my Sonoma State sweatpants, and a beer that I already know I like such as Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA. That, coupled with some NCAA hoops on the tube, made for a delightful evening the other night after a long day at the office.

I quickly became a fan of Delaware’s first brewery after reading Sam Calagione’s, Dogfish Head founder, book “Brewing Up A Business.” This is a great read for anyone looking to start up a brewery or any small business for that matter. Dogfish Head became one of the nation’s 20 largest breweries based on the mantra that they make “off-centered beer for off-centered people.” Prior to reading the book, I had only tried a handful of their beers and had avoided the 90 Minute IPA. Why? Well, Dogfish Head is expensive. Many of their signature beers are sold in four packs and go for about $12 a pop. Considering you can get a lot of great six-packs, especially IPAs, for less than $10, I have stayed away merely because of price. But, after reading the book, I quickly became obsessed with Sam and the Dogfish Head story. I have since tried a number of their beers and have been wowed by most, particularly the 90 Minute IPA and the Midas Touch.

The 90 Minute IPA has been deemed by Esquire as the best IPA in the country. Well, it’s hard to say what’s the “best,” but it would certainly make my top five IPA list. Living in California, I am used to the extra hoppy west coast IPA, but the 90 Minute IPA is much more malty than hoppy. I’d recommend this beer to anyone who likes a strong beer (9% ABV), but thinks IPAs are too bitter. Yes, there are plenty of hops as noted by the 90 Minute IPA moniker referring to the 90-minute constant hop addition. But, this beer is more malty and sweet than what a Californian IPA drinker might expect. If it’s a representation of its coast, I’m certainly down to check out other east coast IPAs.

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I Am Thankful for Family, Friends, and Brown Shugga’ - Lagunitas’ Brown Shugga’

12/1/2014

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Brown Shugga’ season is FINALLY upon us! As a serial taster, I have a really hard time committing to a six-pack these days except during Brown Shugga’ season. This is the one six-pack I will pick up every time. It’s that good. And, Lagunitas does a brilliant job of creating demand by only producing this beer a few blissful months during the winter. Brown Shugga’ is not only my favorite beer, it’s also a great reminder of my family and friends.

I was first introduced to Brown Shugga’ several years ago by my non-beer drinking friend, Tessa, who wanted to bring some to her folks’ place because it was one of her dad’s favorite beers. This was back during the height of my Shock Top phase (aka I only drink mainstream wheat beer phase), so I was shocked that she would go out of her way to pick up a particular beer for the holidays. Now, it’s part of my family’s Thanksgiving feast (my mom, sister, and I are pictured drinking our first Brown Shugga’ of the season). Sure, turkey and stuffing are great, but Brown Shugga’ is the key side dish. My mom, who lives in Petaluma, home of Lagunitas, always buys a six-pack or two for Thanksgiving. She also manages to hide a few bottles after Brown Shugga’ season is over. Let me tell you, discovering a Brown Shugga’ in the back of my mom’s fridge in the middle of June is a feeling like no other.

Clocking in at a whopping 9.9% ABV, Brown Shugga’ is a must try during the holiday season. Lagunitas describes it as a failed attempt at its 1997 batch of Olde GnarlyWine Ale. I describe it as sweet beer goodness. The high ABV is disguised under its crisp brown sugar flavors, which pairs nicely with dessert or your traditional holiday feast.

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Christmas Eve at a NYC Hotel Room - Evil Twin Brewery (imperial stout)

Where’s the Crap Beer Bar? – Firestone Walker’s Union Jack (IPA)

An Oldie but a Goodie - Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA (imperial IPA)

I Am Thankful for Family, Friends, and Brown Shugga’ - Lagunitas’ Brown Shugga’

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