NEW BEER

Everyone that is into good beer is most likely well aware of Sierra Nevada. Each year, I look forward to the release of Celebration (In my opinion, it is the best Hop profile for the price). Torpedo was a welcome addition to their portfolio and now they have added a new Fall seasonal called Tumbler. It is described on the bottle as an "Autumn Brown Ale". I know it is August and still hot and humid but since it is hitting shelves now, I picked up a six pack to be able to try it at it's freshest. Tumbler comes in at 5.5% abv so it is a perfect session beer. It is a very solid brown ale with a malty, bready flavor and a hint of bitterness in the finish. Very Drinkable!

It's early August and...

...the fall beers are hitting the shelves. Oktoberfests, Autumn ales, Pumpkin Ales...I have seen many on the shelves already! Sierra Neveda's newest beer-Tumbler (An Autumn Brown Ale) is out, Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin is out, Long Trail Harvest Ale is out. I am sure there are more and of course a lot more still to come! One of the best Oktoberfest beers made in the US is Victory Fest beer. Bottled seasonally Sept-Oct but I recently learned if you are a big fan of this beer it is on draft year round and it is PJ Welihan's house beer year round-known as PJW Copper Lager.

Pet Peeve!

http://http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/domestic

Domestic Drafts: I can't stand when a bar advertises a special such as "$2-Any Domestic Drafts" and so I order a locally crafted beer from Victory, Flying Fish, Dogfish Head or any other beer made within 60 miles or so of the bar and I am told the special is for Domestic drafts only. Domestic means "produced within this country" so all of the above beers should be included or the bar should use different terminology. In fact, what they are really offering is $2 drafts on American beers bought out by foreign countries-Bud, Miller and Coors are almost always considered domestic drafts even though they are owned by Foreign companies!

Random Beer Photo

New to the East Coast

Some BEERS are remembered more for the memory or the company you enjoyed them with than the flavors or the complexity of the ale. That is the case with The Pike Brewing CO beers for me. I recently walked into a local beer store and saw a huge display of Bombers from The Pike. I knew immediately that I would be purchasing some. Not because I remembered how great they tasted (Although I have since had a couple and they are quite good especially at $3.99 per Bomber) but because of the memory it stirs. I first had beers from The Pike while on my honeymoon in Seattle and the Cascade Mountains and then again 5 years later upon our return to Seattle. So while these Beers are good beers (I especially like the Extra Stout), it is more a nostalgic beer for me at this point. Yet another reason BEER can be so enjoyable-the social aspect of it and the people you are with.

New Beer

I tried the Bear Republic Racer X tonight @ The Blue Monkey Tavern. Below is the description from their website:
Racer X™
Double IPA
ABV: 8.3% IBU: 100+ Color: Copper
With assertive American hop bitterness and aroma supported by a firm malt backbone,
Racer X is an uncommon Double IPA – a bold ale that follows English traditions with a California twist.

2009 California State Fair – BRONZE
2009 San Diego International Beer Competition – 2nd
2009 West Coast Beer Fest - GOLD

New labels for Left Hand's Imperial Stouts. Looks really Cool! Can't wait to try the barell aged one!

Pliny the Elder

I finally got to try PtE a few months back. Very Good Beer. Enjoyed it immensely and know I need to try Pliny the Younger.

Philly Beer Scene Magazine

For anyone in the Philly area, you have probably seen this magazine at your favorite local bar or beer retailer. If you haven't start looking for it, It is a great magazine concetrating on the local scene and has some good information. Very well done magazine. Check out their website where you can read past issues, look for events and purchase items such as this awesome 2010 Philadelphia Beer Scene Poster.

Are you looking for FREE BEER?

Or do you just want to sample a few beers before you buy? Stop in to Bell Beverage in Philadelphia PA Fridays 4-6pm or Saturdays 11am-5pm and sample beers from a featured brewery each week. Here is a link to the event page for Bell.

http://www.bellbeverage.com/events