Remember what your life was like before beer? Me neither. Probably because of all the brain cells we’ve killed since, but I can assure you it was boring. We probably just sat around peeing ourselves and playing videogames. Now look at us! All grown up, using toilets and going places. Doing things! There is no better time to be alive, and we should celebrate. Let’s grab life by the crotch (with its consent, of course) and whisk it away to places unknown with no agenda. Head to a brewery! Play some bar games! And … I don’t know, that sounds like enough. It’s getting dark so early now. And so cold! Eh, maybe we should just snuggle up and have that beer at home. We’ve earned it. Here are five beers to know when grabbing life by the couch this weekend. Beer news and video game suggestions welcome at [email protected].
Biscayne Brewing’s Brandy Barrel Aged stout is the perfect night cap
Just in time for the holiday season, Biscayne Bay Brewing Co., is releasing the limited edition, Buenas Noches Barrel Aged Stout. This Brandy Barrel Aged Imperial Stout was aged for over two months in grape brandy barrels and developed a pleasant sherry character that complements the dark roasted attributes, chocolate notes and velvety mouthfeel presented by the base stout. Buenas Noches sits at a warming 10.1 percent ABV.
Buenas Noches, or “Good Night,” is a phrase used when ending your evening. This beer is the perfect night cap with its robust flavor profile coming from the chocolate and roasted malts. A three month aging in small batch brandy barrels lends subtle notes of roasted chocolate, brandy and oak that are balanced with the hoppy bitterness, resulting in balanced, full bodied Imperial Stout.
“We are very excited to be rolling out seasonal releases with Total Wine,” said Jose Mallea, president of Biscayne Bay Brewing Co. “They are a wonderful partner and have been a big supporter of our beers. We look forward to partnering for future special releases.”
Elevation Beer Co.’s kettle sour saison is back
The cats at Elevation Beer Co. are stoked to announce the righteous return of Acide, their award-winning kettle sour saison and original variant of the Acide series. Acide is truckin’ for its third year in six-packs of 12-oz cans and on draft across Colorado and Wyoming while supplies last. The French translation of sour, Acide, is the brewery’s trip into the increasingly popular style of kettle soured beers and has since spawned several fruit variants including Peach, Pineapple and Pomegranate Acide. The use of Lactobacillus in this brew lends an approachable level of puckering sourness, pleasant acidity and a tart refreshing finish on your tongue.
“This was the first beer we ever kettle soured,” explained Cofounder Christian Koch. “We fell in love with the idea of a drinkable, low ABV, dry hopped sour. It’s super sessionable and dry hopped exclusively with Amarillo hops, which give it a nice orange/citrus flavor that really complements the tartness.”
Acide is 4 percent ABV with 10 IBU and pours straw colored with brilliant clarity and visuals. Lemony and floral aromas arise from a good dose of Amarillo hops and meld with a subtle graininess making Acide a hit with brewery staff and patrons alike.
Coppertail Brewing adds full slow pour experience to Independent Pilsner on tap
German Pilsners are typically the hoppiest of the German-style beers, and the slow pour method releases some carbonation, softening the bite and giving the beer a silky texture. Seeking that experience, Coppertail Brewing Co. is introducing a program at select bars across the state that features the traditional slow pour method for a perfect pilsner. This also helps create a thick head of foam to lock in the unique aromatics of the German TNT and Fantasia Hops found in Independent Pilsner. When combined with proper glassware, this pour ensures the ideal environment for a German Pilsner’s bright hops, crisp lager finish and smooth carbonation.
It’s a three-step process that starts with a pour straight down the center of the glass, not your typical tilted pour. The beer will foam up to ideally one-third beer, two-thirds foam. Allow the foam to settle a bit and pour right down the center again allowing the foam to crest the lip of the glass. Finally, top the beer off to create a rocky, white, long lasting head. Truly the perfect pour for a traditional German Style Pilsner. The pour itself takes a little longer than a normal draft beer, but the difference makes it worth the wait.
Blue Blaze is Raisin’ Hell in small batches
This Saturday at Blue Blaze Brewing marks the release of B. MacKaye’s Hell Raisin’ Scotch Ale in cans for the first time and on draft in an exclusively small batch. B. MacKaye’s Hell Raisin’ Scotch Ale is named after the father of the A.T., Benton MacKaye and his group, the Hell Raisers. B. MacKaye’s is a dark, malty brew where the burnt caramel character breathes life into a smooth, rich and dominate sweet malt flavor finishing with mossy, peaty hoppiness. Caution: May cause you to do some hell raisin’ of your own. If you hit them up, be sure to ask about the nitro option, too.
Perrin Brewing’s specialty barrel-aged bottles are all we need this December
The perfect couch beers: The limited release Perrin Barrel-Aged bottle specialty pack is back this season featuring Perrin Reserve 2018 and Malted Milk Ball bottles with specialty glassware, Perrin Brewing 2018 Reserve is a triple mashed Russian Imperial Stout aged in Brandy barrels. This beer was made with bourbon barrel aged honey, caramelized lactose sugar, and aged on golden raisins to create a uniquely rich and flavorful celebration beer. Paying homage to one of their favorites treats, Perrin brewers deconstructed the flavor profile of a malted milk ball to create a malt beverage brewed with lactose and spiced with vanilla and cacao nibs and aged for 9 months in Oak Bourbon Barrels. The 2018 Barrel-Aged specialty pack includes one 22oz bottle of Malted Milk Ball, one 22oz bottle of 2018 Perrin Reserve, and 10oz specialty glass. The Barrel-Aged packs are available from the Perrin Pub and select Michigan stores throughout the holiday season while supplies last.
Ryan Bauer says
Jeff Young Paul Young
Ryan Bauer says
Kettle sour saison