Beer Pick of the Week
The Abyss 2014 Reserve Deschutes Brewery Bend, Oregon Style: Imperial Stout Alcohol: 11.1% IBUs: 70 Serving style: 22-ounce bottles Availability: Seasonal beginning in November and found in much of the western U.S. Appearance: “Dark, very dark. Oatmeal head. Not a lot of lacing.” Aroma: “Sample had been refrigerated and took about 20-minutes at room temperature to open up. At that point it definitely began to smell like a Bourbon barrel.” Taste: “You'd never guess it was 70 IBUs. It's really nicely balanced. Molasses and vanilla (from the barrel) are apparent in the mid-palate, where you can taste more…
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Celebration Ale Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Chico, California Style: American IPA Alcohol: 6.8% IBUs: 65 Serving Style: 12-ounce bottles and kegs (our sample from draft) Availability: Seasonal through December. Appearance: “A very light amber color.” Aroma: “Light malt. Not a very fragrant beer.” Taste: “Medium-bodied, but smooth. Nice malty profile, but a little bit of hop in the backbone. Slight bitterness.” Food Affinity: “Fried fish—fish and chips.” Reviewer Chris Moo is a food service professional in Sacramento . . . and a serious Florida Gator fan.
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Dark Seas Mission Brewing Co. San Diego, California Style: Russian Imperial Stout Alcohol: 9.8% IBUs: 75 Serving Style: 12, and 22-ounce bottles, kegs (our sample from draft) Availability: Widely distributed in California Appearance: “Very dark. Not too much head, but what's there is a nice brown color.” Aroma: “Little of the expected alcohol meets the nose.” Taste: “Creamy viscosity leading to a caramel aftertaste. Food Affinity: “Hearty fare. Possibly a lamb stew or braised lamb shank. Or for after dinner with a slice of pecan pie.” Reviewed by Christopher Fairman
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“Enjoy By 12/26/14” Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA Style: Double IPA (D.I.P.A.) Alcohol: 9.5% IBUs: 88 Serving Style: Kegs, 12-ounce bottles (our sample from draft) Availability: Widely distributed in California, limited in other states Appearance: “Golden.” Aroma: “Not much I can identify, but floral.” Taste: “Amazing. Smooth. Can't notice the alcohol.” Food Affinity: “Probably a burger.” Chris Williams is this week's guest reviewer
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New Belgium 1554 New Belgium Brewing Co Ft. Collins, Colorado Style: Black Ale Alcohol: 5.6% IBUs: 21 Serving Style: 12-ounce bottles Availability: Nationwide Appearance: “I like the color. There's a little light to it. It's not black, but it's down there. No a big head like Guinness some beers of similar color.” Aroma: “It has a light nose than I would have expected. Enticing, 'smooth' smell lets you know it will be a little softer.” Taste: “Very flavorful, but not slap-you-in-the-head. A bit of chocolate in the finish.” Food Affinity: “Would be at home with sandwich fare—a French…
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Freshie Berryessa Brewing Co. Winters, California Style: American IPA Alcohol: 5% IBUs: 45 Serving Style: Kegs Availability: Seasonal at the time of fresh hop harvest. Good distribution in Winters/Davis/Sacramento area and some in San Francisco Bay Area Appearance: “Light hay color. Thick off-white head.” Aroma: “Citrus and spice.” Taste: “A somewhat bitter pink grapefruit quality that is balanced with some gorgeous hops—they complement each other.” Food Affinity: “Fish, especially fish & chips. The wet hop component would be a good interplay with the battered fish.” Reviewed by Chris Delgado
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Lucky Basartd Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA Style: American strong ale Alcohol: 8.5% IBUs: Serving Style: 22-ounce bottles and draft Availability: Selected markets in the western U.S. Appearance: “Color is the rich, dark tones of autumn.” Aroma: “Sweet mix of malts with a smokey undertone.” Taste: “Full-bodied. Malty.” Food Affinity: “Would challenge the spiciest food you can put before it." Reviewed by Michael Mallett
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Fryed Boulder Beer Company Boulder, Colorado Style: Fresh hopped rye ale Alcohol: 6% IBUs: 40 Serving style: Kegs Availability: Seasonally distributed in Colorado and much of the West Appearance: “Amber to copper color. Maybe a light reddish-brown. Nice head.” Aroma: “Some of the rye perceived and a bit of the hops. Slightly toasty.” Taste: “Good balance of rye malt and the hops. Lush mouthfeel. Slightly nutty.” Food Affinity: “Seems like a good fit for some fall dishes. Maybe a pozole rojo or osso buco served over polenta.” Reviewer Dan Clarke enjoys the brews and foods of autumn
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California Lager Anchor Brewing San Francisco, CA Style: Lager Alcohol: 4.9% IBUs: Unknown Serving style: 12-oz bottles and cans Availability: Year round in many US Markets Appearance: “Kind of like a Boddington's color. Not really amber, I'd say it's medium-gold.” Aroma: “Not much.” Taste: “It has a lively flavor. A little hoppy, but not too much.” Food Affinity: “Enjoyed with calamari as served during happy hour at Clark's Corner in Sacramento.” Reviewer Ray Thompson is a retired attorney
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Oktoberfest Wiesn Paulaner Brauerei München (Munich), Germany Style: Mãrzen Alcohol: 5.8% IBUs: Unknown Serving style: bottles and kegs (our sample from draft) Availability: Formerly seasonally, now year round in world-wide markets Appearance: “Very light. Lager-esque.” Aroma: “Sweet. A lot of malt. You can smell a little of the wheat.” Taste: “Very 'wheat-y'. You still get that nice Märzen sweetness or mouthfeel. It's very robust, for a light-appearing beer.” Food Affinity: “A boar sausage with a hefty amount of sauerkraut. The salty interplay of the sauerkraut with the gaminess of the sausage would be great.” Reviewer Justin Wenz's…
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Oktoberfest Hacker-Pschorr Munich, Germany Style: Mãrzen Alcohol: 5.8% IBUs: 28 Serving style: Bottles and kegs (our sample from draft) Availability: Seasonally in Germany and the U.S. Appearance: “Old gold. Light amber. Not much head.” Aroma: “Malty, but only slightly so.” Taste: “Good carbonation—more than the bubbles would suggest. Malty, almost a caramel-like presence in the mid-palate, Nice balance. Good length.” Food Affinity: “Well, several possibilities come to mind: Big Bavarian pretzels mit senf. Pig knuckles, also with mustard. Or maybe something maybe more familiar—how about a Reuben sandwich?” Reviewer Dan Clarke to inspired to remind all that…
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Dead Canary Ol' Republic Brewery Nevada City, California Style: Dortmunder Export Alcohol: 4.5% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style: Kegs Availability: Year around in Nevada City/Grass Valley area and in much of Northern Californa Appearance: “Extremely clear. Golden.” Aroma: “Nice sweet aroma.” Taste: “Amazing and refreshing. Very well balanced. One of my favorite beers that I've had this year. Food Affinity: “White fish—maybe bass. Mediterranean dishes. Thai food. Sushi.” Reviewer Christopher Fairman is sure no canaries were harmed in the production of this beer
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Sapporo Sapporo Breweries, Japan Style: Japanese rice lager Alcohol: 5% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style: 22-oz.cans, 12, 16 and 23-ounce bottles, 12-ounce bottles and keg (our sample from draft) Availability: Worldwide, year around. Appearance: “Exactly what I want in a beer.” Aroma: “There's a distinctive aroma. I can tell it's Sapporo.” Taste: “I like all the Asian beers—Kirin, Asahi, Singha . . . they're all superior to domestic lagers, but I like Sapporo the best." Food Affinity: “I don't really put (the concept) together. Beer goes with almost anything, but I think it's a totally separate deal.” Reviewer…
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1881 California Red Ale Ruhstaller Sacramento, California Style: American red ale Alcohol: 5.6% IBUs: 35 Serving Style: Cans, bottles, keg (our sample from draft) Availability: Year-around in much of California and a few other states. Appearance: “Dark coppery shade. Almost mahogany colored. Ivory head.” Aroma: “Sweet and malty. Somewhat floral.” Taste: “Hops are there, but malt predominates. Heavy caramel and toffee presence. There's a fullness, a richness that seems to make this a better choice for fall drinking than as a summer quaff.” Food Affinity: “We enjoyed this beer at Roxy in Sacramento with a beef rib appetizer…
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Icelandic Pale Ale Einstök Olgerd Akureyri, Iceland Style: Pale Ale Alcohol: 5.6% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style: 330ml bottle (11.2 oz) Availability: Limited distribution in national markets Appearance: “Dark golden. Amber” Aroma: “Malty. Somewhat fruity. Taste: “Like the flavor. Not especially hoppy. Nice roundness and malt-hop balance. It's mild, but has good character. It makes its point” Food Affinity: “Lamb chops. Summer sausage. Munster and Gouda cheeses. Reviewer Ray Thompson is a retired attorney in Sacramento
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Black Butte XXVI Reserve Deschutes Brewery Bend, Oregon Style: Imperial, barrel-aged, Porter Alcohol: 10.8% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style:22-ounce bottles Availabilty: Limited quantities in national markets Appearance: “Not quite black. Coffee-colored.” Aroma: “Vanilla from bourbon barrels and a little bit of fruitiness from the cranberry. You can tell it's higher in alcohol.” Taste: “Chococate and rasperry (perhaps from the pomegranate). A sweet beer, better suited as an after-dinner or dessert beer.” Food Affinity: “Vanilla ice cream. Canolli.” Reviewed by Chris Moo, a food service professional
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Red IPA Dust Bowl Brewing Co. Turlock, CA Style: Red IPA Alcohol: 6.8% IBUs: 70 Serving Style: Kegs Availability: Produced intermittently throughout the year. Good distribution in Northern California. Appearance: “An amber or reddish shade. Appealing and really a seductive color.” Aroma: “Definitely draws your attention. Not like a conventional, mass-produced ale. A unique aroma that draws you in.” Taste: “Delicious. Like a good steak. A beer that stays with you, but doesn't overwhelm the tasting experience.” Food Affinity: “Would work with a wide range of foods—from tacos to a good American hamburger.” Reviewer Phil Pantages,…
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Mission IPA Mission Brewery San Diego, California Style: India Pale Ale Alcohol: 6.8% IBUs: 66 Serving style: Bottles and kegs (our sample from draft) Availability: Good distribution throughout California Appearance: “Beautiful golden color.” Aroma: “Not a lot of hop aroma.” Taste: “Really easy to drink. Perfect carbonation and very, very balanced.” Food Affinity: “I think this beer would go well with a homemade egg roll and a spicy sauce.” Reviewer Christopher Fairman really is a Renaissance Man
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Helles Lager ol' Republic Brewery Nevada City, California Style: German lager Alcohol: 5.3% IBUs: 22 Serving style: Kegs, growlers at the brewery Availability: Year-round in much of Northern California Appearance: “Clear and golden.” Aroma: “Some malt.” Taste: “Bright (helles), crisp with some malt showing, yet not overpowering. Nice finish. Refreshing as a beer should be on a warm summer day, but enough different so you know that you're not just re-hydrating.” Food Affinity: “Grilled fare—chicken thighs, large shrimp marinated in rosemary vinaigrette, lighter fresh sausages such as Bockwurst. Reviewer Dan Clarke says this beer reminded…
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Sam Adams Summer Ale Boston Beer Company Boston, Mass Style: American Wheat Ale Alcohol: 5.3% IBUs: 7 Serving Style: 12 oz. bottles, kegs (our sample from draft) Availability: Nationally through the summer Appearance: “Golden color. A little cloudy.” Aroma: “Fresh, with a little citrus in the nose (there's lemon zest added)” Taste: “Not like typical wheat beers, but a lot of personality. Very bright flavors. Here's a bit of esoterica: Brewery says recipe includes something called Grains of Paradise, a rare African pepper first used to spice beers in the 13th Century. Whether it's this or the lemon…
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Lev Lion Lager Mëtansky Pivovar Havlickuv Brod AS (Czech Republic) Style: Pilsner style Lager Alcohol: 4.7% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style: 500ml bottles Availability: Widely distributed in western US Appearance: “Dark golden. Good head that dissipates fairly quickly.” Aroma: “Malty.” Taste: “Bright flavors that make it seem likes there's more carbonation than what's visible. Malt predominates, but is nicely balanced with a little bitter in the background. Long, lingering finish.” Food Affinity: “Smoked pork chops. Rye bread and Gouda cheese. Potato pancakes with smoked salmon and sour cream.” Reviewer Dan Clarke enjoys trying whatever the locals…
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Foot Path Pale Ale Berryessa Brewing Co. Winters, California Alcohol: 4.8 % Style: American Pale Ale IBUs: 35 Serving Style: Kegs Availability: No. California--mostly SF Bay Area east through Sacramento Appearance: “Golden-amber color. A little cloudy, rather than crystal clear.” Aroma: “No discernible aroma” Taste: “Mildly hoppy. Surprisingly understated and delicious. Very nice lingering finish. I think it would be pretty easy to drink a lot of these before you realized you shouldn't have.” Food Affinity: “Grilled chicken, corn. Would be good with a barbecued picnic lunch.” Reviewer Johnnie Beer is a Northern California guitar player.
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Foray Deschutes Brewery Bend, Oregon Style: Belgian-style IPA Alcohol: 6.5% IBUs: 60 Serving style: 22-ounce bottles and on draft at the brewery's pub Availability: Limited distribution in many national markets Appearance: “Light straw color. White head with small bubbles. Medium carbonation. Crystal clear.” Aroma: “Apple, pear aroma. Belgian yeast comes through. Maybe a little 'Bretty.' Maybe some citrus.” Taste: “Apple/pear. Typical grassy/peppery flavors of Belgian yeast. A little doughy. Grapefruit.” Food Affinity: “Poultry, soft white cheeses. Reviewer Charles McClain is a restoration ecologist
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MOESaic Session IPA Black Diamond Brewing Concord, California Style: American IPA Alcohol: 4.6% IBUs: 40 Serving Style: Draft and 12-ounce bottles Availability: Seasonal—summer distribution in selected national markets. Appearance: “A nice rich amber. It's clear.” Aroma: “Fruity. A light hoppiness.” Taste: “I like that it is light and clear. It's hop forward. The malt is not overpowering. It has a nice, slightly bitter finish with maybe a little bit of citrus.” Food Affinity: “Pair with your standard fare (for beer). Would go well with Rick's special pizza at One Speed (pancetta, potatoes, olives, carmelized onions, goat cheese, salsa…
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