American Strong Ales

Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Returns

Lagunitas Brewing (Petaluma, CA) first brewed Brown Shugga’ in 1997 by accident.  It was an attempt at brewing Olde Gnarlywine.  The brewers dumped brown sugar into the batch to try to save it.  The result you know today as Brown Continue Reading →

COMING SOON: Stone Lukcy Basartd Ale

No grammar peeps.  That’s not misspelled.  That’s the name.  It makes perfect sense if you know Stone Brewing (Escondido, CA)  and their labels.  It’s been a while since we’ve seen a truly new Stone beer.  I’m not saying that like Continue Reading →

Hair Of The Dog Matt

Hair Of The Dog Matt.

Matt was inspired by Matt VandenBerghe and Matt Bonney (Bottleworks and Brouwers in Seattle), who personify the spirit and dedication that has helped craft beer become the vibrant industry it is today. This Beer was originally Brewed Continue Reading →

Bell’s 25 Anniversary Arrives!

It’s here! Bell’s Brewing’s 25th Anniversary Ale, celebrating 25 tasty years of craft beer brewing!!

Commercial Description:
Celebrating 25 years of brewing, this strong amber ale carries on our tradition of flavorful, balanced beers. Brewed with 100% Michigan-grown barley, 25th Anniversary Continue Reading →

Posted in New Releases, Sierra Nevada

NEW RELEASE: Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Vol 4

The 4th and final edition of the Sierra Nevada Anniversary series has arrived.  The series elebrates 30 years of  craft brewing.  To fully commemorate this occasion, the Chico, California brewery is releasing 4 very special releases.  Three have been released thus far – Jack & Kens Ale, Fritz & Ken’s Ale, and Charlie, Fred & Ken’s Ale.  The forth and final edition is here – “Our Brewer’s Reserve- Oak Aged Ale”. (Formerly called, “Grand Cru”.)

Commerical Description:
Brewers Reserve is a special ale highlighting our pioneering history and the innovative spirit that has carried us through all these years. It is a marriage of our three most acclaimed ales: Oak-aged Bigfoot, Celebration Ale, and fresh Pale Ale blended together and generously dry-hopped. Come join us in celebrating thirty years with this most special brew. Drink it now, or save it for a future anniversary of your own.”

Style: American Strong Ale (oak aged)

Taste Expectations: Oak, and spicy hop notes. Caramel in nose & flavor.  Definitely woody.  Reminiscent of Bigfoot. Touch of vanilla.  A complex beer.

Availability: 750 ML Corked & Caged Bottles. Draft.  One time commemorative release.

9.2% ABV

Looking for this? In stock – Green’s, Hop City, Tower, Mac’s

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Lagunitas, Seasonal Return

Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Returns

Lagunitas Brewing (Petaluma, CA) first brewed Brown Shugga’ in 1997 by accident.  It was an attempt at brewing Olde Gnarlywine.  The brewers dumped brown sugar into the batch to try to save it.  The result you know today as Brown Shugga’.  That’s why Lagunitas calls this beer “irresponsible”.

Commercial Description:
How Come you Taste So Good?? Boatloads of Pure Brown Sugar in Each Batch, That’s How! The Rich, Roasty and Mysteriously Drinkable Ale might best be described as… Irresponsible. It Leaves a Lot of Stories in it’s Wake.

Style: American Strong Ale

Taste Expectations: Prominent caramel malt flavor, mixed with caramelized brown sugar.  Also sweet dark fruits & toffee. Booze is hidden.

Availability: 12oz/6pks.  Draft.  Fall Seasonal. Oct/November each year.

9.99% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Stone Brewing Co.

COMING SOON: Stone Lukcy Basartd Ale

No grammar peeps.  That’s not misspelled.  That’s the name.  It makes perfect sense if you know Stone Brewing (Escondido, CA)  and their labels.  It’s been a while since we’ve seen a truly new Stone beer.  I’m not saying that like a bad thing, there is very little (if anything) from the brewery that I didn’t like.  2010 marks the 13th year of Stone’s “Arrogant Bastard” an American strong ale.  You should have seen Oaked Arrogant Bastard and Double Bastard by now too. (If not, store. NOW. You have homework to do.)

To mark the occasion, Stone is releasing “Lukcy Basartd Ale” to celebrate 13 years of arrogance. All the “bastards” will come together in in what the brewery grammatically butchers as a “cuvee de Bastard.”  Lukcy Basartd will blend Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, and Double Bastard into one bold beer.  I can only imagine this will be Stone’s boldest most arrogant Bastard yet.

Style: American Strong Ale (blended)

Availability: 22oz Bombers. Draft.  All markets where Stone is sold.

Arrival: November 2010

8.5% ABV

Stone created a website for this beer.  http://arrogantbastard.com/13th/


by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Hair Of The Dog Brewing

Hair Of The Dog Matt

Hair Of The Dog MattHair Of The Dog Matt.

Matt was inspired by Matt VandenBerghe and Matt Bonney (Bottleworks and Brouwers in Seattle), who personify the spirit and dedication that has helped craft beer become the vibrant industry it is today. This Beer was originally Brewed to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Bottleworks, and will be released every few years from the Brewery. Matt is made with two Munich malts, two Smoked malts and two types of Belgian candy sugar. It is aged in Kentucky Bourbon and Apple Eau de Vie barrels from Clear Creek distilling. Matt is deep and lush with notes of apple, chocolate and smoke.

Style: American Strong Ale (Barrel Aged)
Availability: 12oz bottles

12.5%

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing, New Releases

Bell’s 25 Anniversary Arrives!

It’s here! Bell’s Brewing’s 25th Anniversary Ale, celebrating 25 tasty years of craft beer brewing!!

Commercial Description:
Celebrating 25 years of brewing, this strong amber ale carries on our tradition of flavorful, balanced beers. Brewed with 100% Michigan-grown barley, 25th Anniversary Ale starts with caramel & light toffee flavors. These are paired with generous kettle & dry-hop additions, yielding a crisp, assertive bitterness and hop flavors ranging from citrus, floral, and piney notes.

Style: American Strong Ale

Taste Expecations: Piney hops. Followed by a big malt profile – caramel, toasty malts. Some alcohol warming in finish.

Availability: 12/6 pks. Draft.  1 time anniversary release.

Cellerability: Bell’s recommends 6 months from release date.

8.5% ABV

Looking for this? 9/21 – Green’s on Ponce. Buford location to receive 9/22.   Your store have it?  Leave a comment!

by Reid Ramsay