Brooklyn Brewing

SEASONAL RETURN: Brooklyn Winter

Winter brings darker beer styles. Porters, stouts, winter warmers.  Brooklyn’s Winter Ale is actually neither of the 3.   It’s a Scottish Ale.  You’ll see this style broken down into light, heavy & export.  The breakdown dates back to 19th Continue Reading →

NOW TAPPING: Brooklyn Detonation @ The Fred

First sighting I know of in Atlanta. Taps 5 pm at The Fred Bar . Detonation follows Dark Matter and more recently, Buzz Bomb Ale.

Beer Rundown:
Style: American Imperial IPA
Hops: Willamette, Amarillo, Palisade, Sorachi Ace, Simcoe, Cascade, East Kent Golding
Malts: British floor malted maris otter, German pilsner malt, British crystal malt
Sugars: First Pressing Demerara sugar, Mauritius

Availability: Draft only offerings, for 6-8 weeks.
9.2% ABV

Read on for the full story on Detonation Ale…

Oktoberfest Mega Post!

So many hit at once, I thought I would just combine them into a post. Fall seasonals are hitting the stores almost daily. Over the past week a some of the more well known Oktoberfests have arrived.

Oktoberfest is also known as Marzen. Beer and refrigeration actually have an intimate history. Brewing of beer, and preserving of beer has greatly improved since refrigeration. Prior to the ability to refrigerate, brewing had to be suspended during the warmer months, because the beer would spoil in the heat. ( Cold inhibits bacterial growth.) More often than not, March was the last feasible month to brew (Marzen=March.) They were stored underground or in some form of cold storage until fall — Sept/October. Also, these versions had a higher alcohol content to keep over time. Fest beers are typically darker, malty, not as hoppy as IPA’s and some pales.

Here’s a rundown of the new releases

SEASONAL RETURN: Post Road Pumpkin

You wouldn’t know it immediately by the label, but Post Road Pumpkin is brewed by Brooklyn Brewing Company (Brooklyn, New York).  Post Road Pumpkin is the latest in pumpkin beers to hit shelves for the season.

Commerical Description:

Early American Colonialists, seeking Continue Reading →

Brooklyn Detonation Ale

Next up from Garrett Oliver and Brooklyn Brewing is another offering from the Brewmaster’s Reserve Series – Detonation Ale.  Detonation follows Dark Matter and more recently, Buzz Bomb Ale.  This edition starts shipping from the New York based brewery this Continue Reading →

NOW TAPPING: Brooklyn Buzz Bomb

It actually tapped on Wednesday, but you will still find this beer flowing from the tap at Octane Coffee now.  This is a rare keg, one of 3 shipped to the state total.

Buzz Bomb Ale is a draft only offering Continue Reading →

Posted in Brooklyn Brewing, Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Brooklyn Winter

Winter brings darker beer styles. Porters, stouts, winter warmers.  Brooklyn’s Winter Ale is actually neither of the 3.   It’s a Scottish Ale.  You’ll see this style broken down into light, heavy & export.  The breakdown dates back to 19th century Scotland, where the style was taxed based on abv.  Scottish ales are malt forward, with a nice malt sweetness.

Commercial Description:
Based on the satisfying malty ales of blustery Scotland, Brooklyn Winter Ale will have you looking on the bright side of things.  Rich Scottish malts bring deep bready flavors to a beer with a full copper color, a round, smooth palate, and brisk hopping that pulls the sweet malts into balance.  See – things are looking up already!

Style: Scottish Ale
Hops: Willamette
Malts: Scottish floor malted Marris Otter, English crystal malts, Belgian aromatic malt, American roasted malts, American oats.
Taste Expectations: Robust. Strong malt base, caramel. Soft oat mouthfeel. Sweet, warming.

Food Pairings: Stews, Steaks, Lamb, BBQ, Pork

Availability: 12oz/6pks.  Draft.

6% ABV

Winter Ale was first released 4/9/2009

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brooklyn Brewing, Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

A fall/winter favorite for sure.   Brooklyn’s Black Chocolate Stout is roasty, dark and chocolatey – and if you ask me – is reincarnated in some of Brooklyn’s big bottle offerings.

Commerical Description:
We use three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a lucious deep dark chocolate flavor through a blend of specially roasted malts.  We brew it every year for the winter season.  It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years.

Beer Rundown:
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Hops: Willamette, American Fuggle
Malts: American Two-Row

Taste Expectations: Chocolate – Bittersweet & cocoa.  Touch of molasses or brown sugar.  Underlying hops compliment this beer leaving a nice bit of flavor complexity that doesn’t stick around too long on your palate.

Availability: 12oz/4 pks.  Seasonal offering October-March.

Cellar? Yes.

10% ABV


by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brooklyn Brewing, Now Tapping

NOW TAPPING: Brooklyn Detonation @ The Fred

First sighting I know of in Atlanta. Taps 5 pm at The Fred Bar . Detonation follows Dark Matter and more recently, Buzz Bomb Ale.

Garrett Oliver writes in his blog about this release –
“For about eight years now, we’ve brewed a Brooklyn-style hop monster called BLAST! It’s a robust IPA using both British and Pacific Northwest hops. We haven’t had enough space to brew much of it, but we hear that people really enjoy BLAST! when it shows up. And it’s one of our favorite beers here at the brewery. Well, now we’d like more of you to see our hoppier side. Meet BLAST!’s big brother, Brooklyn Detonation Ale.

It’s a copper-colored pale ale with British malt character, American hop ebullience, Brooklyn attitude and disturbing drinkability. British caramel malts lend richness and depth, while a blend of American hops give the beer a minerally backbone and explosive aromatics (with a special guest appearance by our pal East Kent Golding as ‘The English Aristocrat’).

Brooklyn Detonation Ale is mighty tasty. It probably even gives you fresher breath And whiter teeth, but we can’t prove that part. Nor can we support the claim that it concentrates the mind on life’s better aspects. However, we can guarantee that it’s terrific with pork tacos, Thai food, Indian dishes, burgers, and sharp cheeses. So have yourself some Brooklyn Detonation Ale — after all, isn’t it about time you blew up?”

Beer Rundown:
Style: American Imperial IPA
Hops: Willamette, Amarillo, Palisade, Sorachi Ace, Simcoe, Cascade, East Kent Golding
Malts: British floor malted maris otter, German pilsner malt, British crystal malt
Sugars: First Pressing Demerara sugar, Mauritius

Availability: Draft only offerings, for 6-8 weeks.
9.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing, Boston Beer Company, Brooklyn Brewing, Left Hand Brewing, Leinenkugel's Brewing, New Releases, Red Brick, Sam Adams, Spoetzl Brewery, Weihenstephaner

Oktoberfest Mega Post!

So many hit at once, I thought I would just combine them into a post.    Fall seasonals are hitting the stores almost daily.  Over the past week a some of the more well known Oktoberfests have arrived. Oktoberfest is also known as Marzen. Beer and refrigeration actually have an intimate history. Brewing of beer, and preserving of beer has greatly improved since refrigeration. Prior to the ability to refrigerate, brewing had to be suspended during the warmer months, because the beer would spoil in the heat. ( Cold inhibits bacterial growth.) More often than not, March was the last feasible month to brew (Marzen=March.) They were stored underground or in some form of cold storage until fall — Sept/October. Also, these versions had a higher alcohol content to keep over time. Fest beers are typically darker, malty, not as hoppy as IPA’s and some pales.

Here’s a rundown of the new releases:

Red Brick – Octbeerfest.  5.7% ABV.  2010 marks first bottling run of this beer.  Here’s my writeup on it. –> Red Brick Octobeerfest
Weihenstephaner – Festbier.  5.8% ABV,  Bready, and sweet. Malty and light bodied.  Very drinkable.  Freising, Germany
Shiner – Oktoberfest.  2nd time this has been released by Spoetzl Brewing. First time under the label Shiner  Oktoberfest.  Here’s my earlier article on this beer.  Shiner – Octoberfest
Ayinger – October Fest-Marzen. 5.8% ABV.  Bready, malty German lager. Aying, Germany
Brooklyn – Octoberfest. 5.5% ABV.  Slightly hoppy, slightly fruit. Coppery and malty.  Brooklyn, NY
Bell’s Octoberfest – 5.5% ABV.  Very clean, and light bodied.  Caramel and light malts. Slightly sweet.  Kalamazoo, MI
Left Hand – Oktoberfest. 6% ABV. Toffee, sweet malt. Hints of coffee and roasted malt.  Longmont, CO
Leinenkugel’s – Oktoberfest. 5.1% ABV.  Caramel & toffee.  Hint of lemony hops.  Chippewa Falls, WI
Sam Adams – Octoberfest. 5.4% ABV.  Sweet and malty.  Hint of caramel.  Tastes like a maltier version of their lager.  Boston, MA


by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brooklyn Brewing, Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Post Road Pumpkin

You wouldn’t know it immediately by the label, but Post Road Pumpkin is brewed by Brooklyn Brewing Company (Brooklyn, New York).  Post Road Pumpkin is the latest in pumpkin beers to hit shelves for the season.

Commerical Description:

Early American Colonialists, seeking natural ingredients for brewing ale, turned to pumpkins, which were plentiful, flavorful, and nutritious.  Blended with barley malt, pumpkins became a commonly used beer ingredient.  Post Road Pumpkin Ale brings back this tasty tradition.  Hundreds of pounds of pumpkins are blended into the mash of each batch, creating a beer with an orange amber color, warm pumpkin aroma, biscuity malt center, and crisp finish.

Beer Rundown:

Style: Pumpkin Ale
Hops: Willamette and American Fuggle
Malts: American 2 Row Malt, British Crystal Malt, Belgian Biscuit and aromatic malts
Availability: Late August – November.  Seasonally. 12oz/6 pks

5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brooklyn Brewing, Coming Soon

Brooklyn Detonation Ale

Next up from Garrett Oliver and Brooklyn Brewing is another offering from the Brewmaster’s Reserve Series – Detonation Ale.  Detonation follows Dark Matter and more recently, Buzz Bomb Ale.  This edition starts shipping from the New York based brewery this week for a draft only appearance.

Garrett Oliver writes in his blog about this release –

“For about eight years now, we’ve brewed a Brooklyn-style hop monster called BLAST! It’s a robust IPA using both British and Pacific Northwest hops. We haven’t had enough space to brew much of it, but we hear that people really enjoy BLAST! when it shows up. And it’s one of our favorite beers here at the brewery. Well, now we’d like more of you to see our hoppier side. Meet BLAST!’s big brother, Brooklyn Detonation Ale.

It’s a copper-colored pale ale with British malt character, American hop ebullience, Brooklyn attitude and disturbing drinkability. British caramel malts lend richness and depth, while a blend of American hops give the beer a minerally backbone and explosive aromatics (with a special guest appearance by our pal East Kent Golding as ‘The English Aristocrat’).

Brooklyn Detonation Ale is mighty tasty. It probably even gives you fresher breath And whiter teeth, but we can’t prove that part. Nor can we support the claim that it concentrates the mind on life’s better aspects. However, we can guarantee that it’s terrific with pork tacos, Thai food, Indian dishes, burgers, and sharp cheeses. So have yourself some Brooklyn Detonation Ale — after all, isn’t it about time you blew up?”

Beer Rundown:

Style: American Imperial IPA

Hops: Willamette, Amarillo, Palisade, Sorachi Ace, Simcoe, Cascade, East Kent Golding

Malts: British floor malted maris otter, German pilsner malt, British crystal malt

Sugars: First Pressing Demerara sugar, Mauritius

Availability: Draft only offerings, for 6-8 weeks.

9.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brooklyn Brewing, Now Tapping, Rare Opportunity

NOW TAPPING: Brooklyn Buzz Bomb

It actually tapped on Wednesday, but you will still find this beer flowing from the tap at Octane Coffee now.  This is a rare keg, one of 3 shipped to the state total.

Buzz Bomb Ale is a draft only offering from Brooklyn’s Brewmaster’s Reserve series.  Buzz bomb is a braggot, a very old drink dating back to the 1300’s.  You will even find mention of it in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.”  From Brooklyn Brewing’s description of Buzz Bomb –

“In medieval Europe, ale graced the tables of everyone from paupers to kings, but honey wine, called mead, was largely reserved for the rich. In the days before table sugar came from the tropical parts of the world, honey was the only intensely sweet thing that many people had access to. Honey was expensive — after all, a man can only keep so many bees. Meads were also expensive, but people often brought ale and mead together in a popular drink called “braggott”. Sometimes these braggotts were simply blends, but the best of them had the grain and honey extracts fermented together, bringing both sets of flavors into a unified whole. To tell the truth, our brewmaster hadn’t spent much time thinking about braggott until last summer, when he ran into Nathaniel and Thatcher Martin at the New Amsterdam Market in New York City. The Martin brothers were pouring small samples of their mead, called Brooklyn Buzz. It was pretty delicious, and they all got talking about honey. It turned out that the Martins source their raw wildflower honey from the same place that Brooklyn Brewery does — Tremblay Farms in upstate New York.

And now, as summer smiles upon us once more, we bring you the result of last summer’s stroll through the market — Brooklyn Buzz Bomb Ale. We’ve used Alan Tremblay’s wildflower honey in a few of our beers, most notably Brooklyn Local 2. In Brooklyn Buzz Bomb, the honey takes center stage, making up a full 25% of the fermentable sugar. We added the honey to the kettle along with a gentle hopping and a lilt of orange peel. Is the beer sweet? Actually, not at all — honey is quite fermentable and our Belgian ale yeast is very hungry. Brooklyn Buzz Bomb has a bright gold color and a spicy floral aroma showing distinctive honey notes. The palate is light, crisp, and very dry, showing a zing of acidity and a quick burst of fruit. Complex floral, honey and spice flavors linger in the bone-dry finish. Brooklyn Buzz Bomb is a perfect match for summer foods — salads, barbecue, shrimp dishes, hummus, grilled salmon, brunch dishes and fresh goat cheese. It’s also very pleasant all by itself, as you smell the flowers, feel the sun dapple through the trees, listen to the birds sing and wonder what it was you really liked about snow anyway.”

8% ABV

Tapping now at Octane Coffee
1009-b Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA
(404) 815-9886

by Reid Ramsay