Press Release: Pike Brewing Kicks Off Their 20th Anniversary Year

The Pike Brewing Company kicks off their 20th Anniversary Year with the release of Old Bawdy Barley Wine 2008 and a Vertical Tasting of Archived Vintages Old Bawdy Barley Wine is Pike’s most extreme beer. With a high, starting gravity of 1.096 Old Bawdy has 10% alcohol by volume. The … Continue reading

Press Release: Karl Strauss Brewing Celebrates 20 Years

1989 was a good year—Harry met Sally, a wall fell, the Simpson’s invaded, and two college friends decided it was time to bring better beer to San Diego. Chris and Matt, along with help from world renowned Master Brewer Karl Strauss, realized their dream and opened San Diego’s first craft … Continue reading

10 Barrel Brewing (formerly Wildfire)

I blogged last August about the dilemma that Bend, Oregon-based Wildfire Brewing was under to change their name. They were soliciting names from the public and I submitted a few myself which (if I do say so) were pretty good—and I’m sure others people entered were good, too. The Brewery … Continue reading

Zwickelmania

I mentioned the other night how Rogue is brewing Oregon’s sesquicentennial beer for the 150th birthday of our state coming up on February 14th. In fact, that’s not the only "beer and Oregon’s birthday" thing going on next month—there’s also Zwickelmania. This President’s Day weekend, dozens of Oregon breweries and … Continue reading

DRAFT’s best 25 beers of 2008

There’s lots to like with DRAFT Magazine’s Top 25 Beer of 2008, which is perhaps the best "Best Of" list that I’ve seen in a while. It has the usual suspects—The Abyss from Deschutes (yay), Dark Lord by Three Floyds, The Angel’s Share by Lost Abbey—but it balances the list … Continue reading

Rogue for Oregon’s 150th

I was preoccupied when this news first came out, but Rogue is brewing the semi-official beer for Oregon’s 150th birthday coming up next month. Oregon’s sesquicentennial is on February 14th—Valentine’s Day—and Rogue was selected to brew a special commemorative ale for the state’s 150th birthday. Sesquicentennial Ale will be available … Continue reading

American Macro Week 2: Milwaukee’s Best Ice

American Macro Week 2: Milwaukee’s Best Ice

Milwaukee’s Best is (anecdotally) a decent beer in the American Macro style, better than many of the others. Unfortunately I didn’t get a hold of any to review this week; it’s only sold (at minimum) by the half-case and I was only buying singles. On the other hand, Milwaukee’s Best … Continue reading

American Macro Week 2: Corona Extra

American Macro Week 2: Corona Extra

The inclusion of Corona (a Mexican beer) might seem strange for a week about American Macro Lagers, but I contend (or at least suspect) that more Corona is actually sold/drank in the United States than in Mexico. Indeed, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s targeted for the U.S. market directly; … Continue reading

American Macro Week 2: Bud Light Lime

American Macro Week 2: Bud Light Lime

Bud Light Lime is Anheuser-Busch‘s answer to Miller Chill. Unlike Miller, who claims their Chill is brewed with limes and salt, Bud Light Lime is only stated to have "natural lime flavor." It’s 4.2% alcohol by volume, and (to ruin the surprise) rates higher than Miller Chill on the rating … Continue reading

American Macro Week 2: Miller Chill

American Macro Week 2: Miller Chill

A revisitation of the American Macro genre wouldn’t be complete without checking out the so-called "chelada" beers being offered. Miller Chill was one of the first in this category, and is brewed with lime and salt. Or it’s at least blended with lime and salt; I’m not entirely sure how … Continue reading