Deschutes Brewery releasing Backporch Imperial Porter

This is probably less relevant to anyone not in Oregon but I thought it was a good story with a nice local interest angle to it: Deschutes Brewery teams up with Backporch Coffee (reported on my other blog). Deschutes is brewing a coffee-infused Imperial Porter with coffee provided by a … Continue reading

Raison d’Etre

Raison d’Etre

The French phrase "raison d’etre" means "reason for being," and for the Dogfish Head beer of the same name, there’s a double meaning (I think): "Raison" is a bit of a pun on "raisin," which is what this beer is brewed with. Well, not only raisins: green raisins and beet … Continue reading

Tsingtao at retail

In my review of Tsingtao, I mentioned that I didn’t think it was available at any retails outlets, only at Chinese restaurants. Not so; Lauren, the PR person who sent me the publicity package, assures me that Tsingtao certainly is available at retail in most major markets nationwide, though I’d … Continue reading

Tsingtao Lager

Tsingtao Lager

As promised, here’s my review of the Tsingtao Lager I received as part of a promotional package. As I’d mentioned, Tsingtao is available in some 95% of Chinese restaurants, and those are the only places I know to buy it; I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it retailed anywhere. The … Continue reading

Tsingtao, the Year of the Boar, and PR

Tsingtao, the Year of the Boar, and PR

I love getting PR packages. The latest one that I received within this past week is for Tsingtao, the lager from China—their number one beer, and in fact is the “Number 1 branded consumer product exporter from China.” That’s according to the press materials. More on those in a moment. … Continue reading

Young’s Special London Ale

Young’s Special London Ale

If I do another "50 beers before you die" series, Young’s Special London Ale will definitely be on it. This beer is bottled conditioned, which Young’s claims gives a "fuller, fresher flavour." It works. This beer is nearly perfect. Appearance: Looks like what a beer should look like. The color … Continue reading

60 Minute IPA

60 Minute IPA

Of their 60 Minute IPA, Dogfish Head says: Our flagship beer. A session India Pale Ale brewed with Warrior, Amarillo & ‘Mystery Hop X.’ A powerful East Coast I.P.A. with a lot of citrusy hop character. THE session beer for beer geeks like us! At 6% alcohol by volume, I’d … Continue reading

Talking about beer labels on a podcast

As I chronicled on my other blog, I was the guest on a local podcast earlier in the week, wherein we talked about beer labels. My friend Brian, who produces the ‘cast, basically asked the question, "Does beer label art make a difference?" You can listen to it (short, just … Continue reading

Active ferment

Over the weekend I brewed beer, a Poor Richard’s Ale (a variation on my extract recipe here). Five gallons. I’ve been putting the beers in the 6½ (nearly 7) gallon carboy for the primary fermentation, under the (entirely reasonable) assumption that there’s plenty of headspace in the bigger carboy and … Continue reading

Indian Brown Ale

Indian Brown Ale

I don’t have access to many of Dogfish Head‘s beers here locally, so when I do find them I make sure to get a bottle to try. I’m liking their beers quite a bit. One of the latest is Indian Brown Ale. Ordinarily, brown ales are a session beer, not … Continue reading