Beer Pick of the Week
Mermaid's Red Coronado Brewing Co. San Diego, California Style: American Amber Ale Alcohol: 5.7% IBUs: 50 Serving style: Kegs (our sample), 12 and 22-ounce bottles Availability: Year round in California Appearance: “Deep red. Almost red enough to be a brown.” Aroma: "Relatively hoppy, but also a bit syrupy and sweet.” Taste: “A very nice toasty malt flavor. It has a light hop to it. Very dry on the back end, but it sticks around—it's very sticky. Definitely a little toasty aftertaste.” Food Affinity: “Match with fowl or red meat dishes prepared with rich brown sauces or…
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Krusovice Krusovice Brewery Krusovice, Czech Republic Style: Pilsner Alcohol: 5% ABUs: Unknown Serving Style: Keg (our sample), bottles Availability: Limited dist. in world-wide markets Appearance: “Nice clean, golden color. Aroma: “Mostly benign aroma, but it doesn't have the 'skunkiness' of some lagers.” Taste: “Crisp and clean. Goes down really easy. No negative aftertaste. Extra tasty in an already-frosted glass.” Food Affinity: “Would go great with spicy foods. It would cool down the spice. Mexican food would be good, even Thai.” Reviewer Paul Tuomainen is a physical therapist in Sacramento.
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Red Chair Deschutes Brewery Bend, Oregon Style: Northwest Pale Ale Alcohol: 6.2% IBUs: 60 Serving Style: bottles and draft Availability: Seasonal—January through May in the West Appearance: “Seems like low carbonation. Nice caramel color.” Aroma: “Sweet. Almost a candy-like sweetness.” Taste: “Has a wet-hopped feel. Light carbonation and kind of smooth or velvety with a caramely flavor. Easy-to-drink.” Food Affinity: “Maybe something salty. Fish & chips or some other fish dish.” reviewed by Jennifer Kirkendall, Princess by trade
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Carrack Imperial Red Ale Mission Brewery San Diego Style: (Imperial) red ale Alcohol: 10.2% IBUs: 71 Serving Style: Draft and 22-ounce bottles Availability: Distribution in California and parts of the western U.S. Appearance: “Dark chestnut brown. Nearly opaque.” Aroma: “Some, but hard to define.” Taste: “Some carbonation evident, but there's an overall viscosity in the mouth. Tastes like a red ale—a big one, but not overly/unpleasantly so.” Food Affinity: “Chicken curry with chutney. Pepper Pot soup. Dark, moist fruitcake.” Reviewed by Dan Clarke
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Black Butte XXV (25th Anniversary Reserve) Deschutes Brewery Bend, Oregon Style: Imperial Porter Alcohol: 11.3% IBUs: 64 Serving Style: Draft and in 22-oz. bottles Availability: The Black Butte Reserve is brewed one time a year (in June) and is available in limited quantities in Oregon and 22 other states. Appearance: “Lighter than I would have expected. Still dark, but I can see some light through it.” Aroma: “Toffee and a lot of alcohol.” Taste: “Dark fruit, bitter toffee. Not as much coffee as I would have expected. After the beer warms a bit, there is far more…
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Hop Henge Deschutes Brewery Bend, Oregon Style: IPA Alcohol: 9.3% IBUs: 99 Serving Style: 22-oz bottles Availability: January through April in the western U.S. and Canadian Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta Apperarance: “Amber color/maybe hay or straw.” Aroma: “Honey. Sweet aroma, but still a very floral, hoppy nose--maybe like Cascade hops?” Taste: “Alcohol is disguised by the citrussy hoppiness. It's a little like tart grapefruit—a little more tart than most.” Food Affinity: “Cajun Bacon Blue (a burger).” Reviewed by Chris Delgado
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Kona Pipeline Kona Brewing Co. Kona, Hawaii Style: Porter Alcohol: 5.3% Serving Style: 12-oz. bottles IBUs: 23 Availability: Fall and winter in of the U.S. Appearance: “Dark brown with a nice oatmeal-colored head that dissipates fairly quickly.” Aroma: “More subtle than I would have thought. Faintly like coffee—or maybe root beer?” Taste: “Encountered this beer in a half-case sampler of different styles made by the brewery. The label reads (in part) 'Porter with 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee'. A gimmick? Maybe. A hybrid? If so, more likely to work with a porter than a lager. The idea seemed…
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Victory at Sea Ballast Point Brewing Co. San Diego Style: Imperial Porter Alcohol: 10% IBUs: 60 Serving style: 22-oz. Bottles Availability: Limited in California and several other states. Appearance: “Dark as night on a new moon.” Aroma: “A dark or toasty maltiness.” Taste: “Like a deep, dark and rich bite of chocolate brownie . . . and almost as chewable. Dark chocolate pudding. Very smooth and elegant.” Food Affinity: “A dessert on its own. A wonderful taste to be consumed about an hour after dinner when you say 'I'm ready for dessert'—that final touch of the evening.”…
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The Abyss 2013 Reserve Deschutes Brewery Bend, Oregon Style: Imperial Stout Alcohol: 11% IBUs: 70 Serving Style: 22-ounce wax-dipped bottles and draft. Availability: On the West Coast and in many other states in which Deschutes is sold Appearance: “Light carbonation, but nice and dark in color—blacker than night.” Aroma: “Slightly metallic. Chocolate undertones.” Taste: “Medium-to heavy body. I get the caramel right away, with a bitter, dark chocolate later. A little cherry on the finish. Extremely drinkable.” Food Affinity: “A dessert by itself. Good for sipping by the fire.” Reviewer Mr. Moo is a server…
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Session Premium Lager Full Sail Brewing Co. Hood River, Oregon Style: American Lager Alcohol: 5.1% IBUs: 18 Serving Style: 11-ounce “stubby” bottles and in kegs. Availability: Year-round up and down the West Coast and in much of the rest of the U.S. Appearance: “Light golden color, bubbles from substantial carbonation, light & frothy head." Aroma: “Melon and grapefruit." Taste: “Bright entry, vaguely sweetish—but not in a negative way. Clean finish. A happy counterpoint to the sea of West Coast IPAs.” Food Affinity: “A snack of cheese (gouda), salted peanuts and salami made for happy snacking while analyzing…
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Black Blizzard Dust Bowl Brewing Co. Turlock, CA Style: Russian Imperial Stout Alcohol: 9.4% IBUs: 80 Serving style: 22-ounce bottles and draft Availability: Fall and winter in Central Valley of California, S.F. Bay Area and Sierra Foothills Appearance: “As dark as the inside of a cave. Totally opaque.” Aroma: “Sweet malt. Hints of chocolate and coffee.” Flavor: “Chocolate covered coffee beans in liquid state.” Food Affinity: “Would be delightful with mocha chip ice cream. Try it as a float.” Jointly reviewed by Michael and Julie Mallett
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Hop Notch Uinta Brewing Salt Lake City, Utah Style: IPA Alcohol: 7.3% IBUs: 82 Serving style: Kegs and bottles Availability: Year-round in most of the USA Appearance: “Beautiful clear golden color.: Aroma: “Medium-hoppy, with some sweetness.” Taste: “Bright bitter, citrussy hop profile. Well balanced between malt and hops. Good example of a West Coast IPA, but well-balanced." Food Affinity: “Cheeseburger Benedict” (slider patty with bacon and cheddar cheese and Hollandaise sauce). Reviewer Jake Albus is a beer-slinger at The Shack in Sacramento.
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Pale Ale Device Brewing Co. Sacramento, CA Style: Pale Ale Alcohol: 6.5% IBUs: 50 Serving Style: kegs Availability: Greater Sacramento area (to this point) Appearance: “Dark straw – old gold.” Aroma: “A little citrussy. Slightly piney.” Taste: “Really well balanced, Has a strong—but not overly strong—hop bitterness. The finish is nice. A very good pale ale, that's for sure. It's a little higher in alcohol, but not out of the realm for pale ale. It's just a really solid beer from a new brewer and I think they're going to do well.” Food Affinity: A friend deputized…
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Green Bullet Green Flash Brewery San Diego, CA Style: Triple IPA Alcohol: 10.1% IBUs: Over 100 Serving Style: 4-packs, 22-ounce bottle, kegs Availability: Seasonally (Autumn) in national markets. Appearance: “Light copper. Not too much head. Not much lacing because of the high alcohol content.” Aroma: “A little pine, a little raisiny. A note of citrus and a lot of alcohol.” Taste: “A lot of alcohol warmth and a little resiny. I get lots of grapefruit. There is a heavy bitterness that lingers long into the finish. There's also a biscuity, cracker-like quality from the malt profile.” Food…
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Freshie Berryessa Brewing Co. Winters, CA Style: Pale Ale Alcohol: 5% IBUs: 45 Serving Style: kegs Availability: Seasonal. Available in the fall in Sacramento, Davis and parts of the San Francisco Bay Area Appearance: “Dark golden in color or maybe amber.” Aroma: “Slightly fruity, but subtle.” Taste: “This fresh-hopped beer has an underpinning of maltiness. It's crisp, hoppy but not overpowering. It's entirely pleasant.” Food Affinity: “Something equally bright and zingy. Maybe spicy deviled eggs or curried meat balls grilled on a skewer.” Reviewer Dan Clarke sips his beer in Sacramento
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1849 Ale Old Glory Brewery Sacramento, Ca (Editor's note: Business is undergoing name change and is soon to be New Glory Craft Brewery) Style: California Common Alcohol: 5% IBUs: 32 Serving style: kegs Availability: Year-round in the Sacramento area. Appearance: “Dark copper color.” Aroma: “Nice nose, but subtle.” Taste: “Not too heavy, not too sweet. Very drinkable.” Food Affinity: “Tasted good with fresh and salty sweet potato fries. Would be good candidate to pair with barbecue.” Reviewer Colin Aiken is a musician who plays keyboards with Home by Dark
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Maximus Ale Lagunitas Brewing Co. Petaluma, Ca Style: Imperial IPA Alcohol: 8.2% IBUs: 59 Serving Style: 12, 22-ounce bottles, kegs Availability: Year round in California and some national markets. Appearance: “Big initial ivory-colored head over medium to medium-dark copper body.” Aroma: “Very hoppy. Some pine and a little citrus.” Taste: “Big. Fills the mouth with hops, then malt becomes apparent. Thick texture, seems almost syrupy. Finishes somewhat sweet.” Food Affinity: “The sweetness might offset some spicy foods. Maybe jalapeño poppers. Might work with some full-flavored cheeses. Try aged cheddar, smoked gouda, possibly a creamy blue cheese.” Reviewer Dan…
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La Divine, St. Landelin les Brasseurs de Gayant France Style: bière de garde Alcohol: 8% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style: 11.2 ounce bottle, 750 ml bottle Availability: Year round Appearance: “Cloudy-mild. Nice effervescence. Dark gold color.” Aroma: “Very light, not very much at first. As it opens up it's herbal, but fresh and outdoorsy.” Taste: “Tastes like a Biere de Garde. Clean grain. Malty with a pleasant, yeasty aftertaste. It's not like your typical, sweet farmhouse ale. It's earthy and herbaceous. Finishes minty—a very slight wild mint.” Food Affinity: “Try with a mild, softer cheese (but not…
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Citra Solo The Brewing Lair Blairsden, CA Style: Hop Session IPA Alc.: 5% IBUs: 49 Serving Style: Kegs Availability: A seasonal beer, one of a series of single-hopped ales available in much of Northern California. Appearance: “Light straw color.” Aroma: “Very citrussy nose.” Taste: “Hop-forward. A balanced amount of bittering and a nice citrus finishing. Very drinkable. A good session beer—there's nothing overpowering about it.” Food Affinity: “Grilled chicken which has been marinated in a dry white wine, lime zest, ginger and lemon grass.” Reviewer Sean Montgomery is a home brewer in Sacramento.
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Anchor California Lager Anchor Brewing San Francisco Style: American lager Alcohol: 4.9% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style: 12-oz. bottles and keg (our sample from draft) Availability: Year round in select U.S. markets. Appeaance : “Dark straw color.” Aroma : “Smells like beer.” Taste : “Solid, assertive, but not aggressive flavor. Not fruity like some Belgians. Nice finish. Piquant, but not astringent. Some character there, but not in a way that's going to stay there and bother you.” Food Affinity : “Would stand up to a whole lot of possibilities. More character than most American lagers. Would go well…
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Estrella Damm Estrella Damm Brewery Location: Barcelona, Spain Style: Lager Alcohol: 5.2% IBUs: Unknown Serving Style: Bottles and kegs (our sample from draft) Availability: Year round in much of the world Appearance: “Medium-gold. Decent head.” Aroma: “Light, but some presence of hops detected. There's just a touch of 'biscuit' reminiscent of Champagne.” Taste: “Good carbonation and a tangy, yet subtle, bitterness. Fills the mouth with an interplay between the crisp and the creamy. Long finish.” Food Affinity: “First enjoyed this beer in Catalonia and would love to have it with the excellent seafood tapas I enjoyed there.…
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Propaganda Pils Berryessa Brewing Co. Location: Winters, CA Style: American Pilsner Alcohol: 7% IBUs: 60 Serving Style: Kegs Availability: Seasonal in Northern California Appearance: “Lemon/amber color. Somewhat cloudy.” Aroma: “No discernible aroma.” Taste: “A little sharp, somewhat saison-like. However, it fills the mouth in almost creamy style. Finishes cleanly.” Food Affinity: “Lightly beer-battered prawns, deep fried and served with soy sauce and Chinese mustard.” Reviewer Dan Clarke likes beers that pair well with food.
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Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Lagunitas Brewing Company Location: Petaluma, California Style: Wheat IPA Alcohol: 7.5% IBUs: 64 Serving style: 6-packs and kegs Availability: Year-round in California Appearance: “Golden” Aroma: “Citrussy” Taste: “Light with a nice hoppy finish, but not overbearing. It's a sessionable IPA. I think they use 50% wheat, which lightens the body.” Food Affinity: “Carnitas street tacos.” Reviewer Gary Sleppy is the proprietor of The Shack in Sacramento.
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Columbus Solo The Brewing Lair Location: Blairsden, CA Style: American Pale Ale Alcohol: 5% IBUs: unknown Serving Style: kegs Availability: A seasonal beer, one of a series of single-hopped ales available in much of Northern California. Appearance: “Golden color, very light head.” Aroma: “Light. Not too pronounced.” Taste: “A beer you'd want to drink in the summer. Seems like a light lager with a hoppy finish. A thirst quencher.” Food Affinity: “A burger would go with it—that's a given. Fish and Chips would also work well. Reviewer Roman W. is a safety engineer in Sacramento.
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