When Widmer sent me the two bottles of their new Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout, there was an additional detail that was a nice touch: a “note tag” that you could write your tasting notes on when you drink the first bottle, and then tie that tag to the second bottle so when you drink that one—a year or so later, per their suggestion—you’d be able to compare notes on the fresh vs. the aged beer. … Continue reading →
The Shock Top division of Anheuser-Busch (one of their “craft” beer arms, very similar to Coors’ Blue Moon arm) has been on a roll lately, cranking out new Shock Top variations beyond their original Belgian-style White variety: earlier this year they introduced “Wheat IPA” which is solidly in the Belgian Wit/American IPA category, and for spring they’ve introduced Shock Top Lemon Shandy, of which I received several bottles at the beginning of the month. A ”shandy” … Continue reading →
When I received the cans of Kona Brewing‘s Longboard Lager near the end of last month, I thought it would make for a more interesting review to taste and compare the bottled version alongside the canned version. I’ve had Longboard before of course, and it’s a solid, drinkable lager (interestingly, though, not brewed on the Big Island of Hawaii where the brewery itself is located—at least, the packaged versions of Kona that we get on … Continue reading →
Yesterday (Sunday the 11th) was the Pliny the Younger Day at the Brew Shop / Platypus Pub here in Bend, the second year in a row that a 5-gallon keg of this highly-coveted beer has made it to Bend (though the venue changed from last year). Naturally I attended (along with my wife and one of the kids, and we all got lunch—yes the Platypus Pub is family-friendly) and took some pictures; here’s the rundown. … Continue reading →
Last Friday I received three bottles of Deschutes Brewery’s newest year-round beer, Chainbreaker White IPA, direct from the Brewery, possibly fresh off the bottling line, and enjoyed them this past week. Monday is the official release of Chainbreaker, so it’s a good time to get my review posted. Chainbreaker has been available for awhile now, of course: it’s been on draft at the Deschutes pubs while they’ve tinkered with and perfected the recipe, and it’s … Continue reading →
Follow The Traveling Growler