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2018 Holiday Gift Guide

 

‘Tis the season … to start freaking out about what to buy for family and friends this holiday season. Black Friday and the ridiculous mobs of people, usually only those born without any sense of manners or decorum, descend on WalMart, Target, and basically anything else that isn’t tied down in order to find THE ‘it’ gift of the season. Eschewing sleep in the hopes of saving 2% on the latest techno-gadget … that will be forgotten by February.

We buy gifts to show we care. For those of us with beer-lovers in our lives, it can become increasingly difficult to find something that they will not only appreciate but that they will actually use and enjoy. So, here we are again with a list of the top beer-themed gifts for the holiday season. If there are 12 days of Christmas, why not list the top 12 gift ideas?

1. Beer of the Month Club (price varies)

With apologies to Cousin Eddie, THIS is truly the gift that keeps giving the whole year. There are several options out there, but we prefer the folks at Belgian Style Ales. For the bargain price of just $516, the recipient will enjoy a monthly shipment of Belgium’s finest for a full year (shorter subscriptions available as well). Hint: I really want this. If you want to support your local beer blogger – this is an awesome way!

2. Shower Beer Holder ($12.97)

Shower time … relaxation time. What could make it better than having some delicious beer with you to further the relaxation? The problem comes when finding a place to rest the beer while you’re in there. The folks at Shakoolie have you covered, with lots of styles and sayings.

3. State Map Bottle Cap Holder ($25-75)

You’ve got an endless sea of bottle caps that you’d like to display with pride. Rather than putting them in a box, why not use them as decoration for the mancave or home bar? Sizes, materials, etc can vary.

4. Fizzics ($90/ $150)

Yes, please. These guys went on Shary Tank and wowed everyone there. This system turns a can/ bottle/ crowler/ growler into beer more like it’s straight from the tap. I’m not going to get all science-y but they use sound waves to ‘inject’ the beer with bubbles that they say bring out the true flavor of the beer, mimicking what you’d taste straight from the wall at the brewery. And yes, there are brewers out there giving it a thumbs up. Me want.

5. Underground Beer Storage ($100)

Imagine if you will that we’re nearing the end of the Zombie Apocalypse. And now that you’re safe from becoming dinner for the undead, you’d like to pop open a vold one. Luckily, you had stored some of your favorites underground and now have easy access to delicious beer that has remained aat a nice cellar-ish temperature because it’s been protected by Mother Earth. Thank you, Biersafe.

6. Beer Soap ($5.00)

Continuing the theme of beer-in-shower … Because, who doesn’t want to have that IPA smell on them all day? Our friends at Dogfish Head have created a soap using their 60-Minute IPA.

7. Printable Beer Labels ($15)

A company called Neato has produced a template for you to print your beer labels at home. Homebrewing and need labels? Check. Or maybe you want to fool your friends who only drink Ultra and slap an Ultra label on a bottle of Russian Imperial Stout. (If you do this, please video the hilarity and post it on the BGB Facebook page.)

8. Plinko Bottle Cap Opener ($76.50)

Bob Barker says the Price is Right for this one. There are a lot of varieties of this concept out there. We particularly like this one from BlankCanvasByBrandon because of the chalkboard at the bottom … you can get very creative with what happens in each slot.

9. Sofa Drink Holder (25.00)

I’m sitting on the couch, with a cold beer. There isn’t a table or ledge nearby. What on earth am I to do on the off times I need to set my beer down? Enter CouchCoaster. It’s a very simplistic yet engenius little device that turns any armrest into a drink holder. Well played, CouchCoaster.

10. Goodnight Brew book ($13.42)

Because why not get the kiddos involved, right? Karla Oceanak penned this parody of Goodnight Moon, and it is certain to send you off to sleep with pleasant thoughts of porters and dubbels and IPAs.

11. Pico Brew ($399.00)

This thing is for real. Brew your own beer at home with a very modern and user-friendly process. This countertop system allows you to purchase ‘PicoPaks’ – pods of ingredients – in order to be able to create certain beers or styles. It’s clean, it’s simple, and it creates some pretty fantastic beer without all of the mess and hassle. It’s not foolproof, but it’s absolutely the simplest way to brew at home.

12. BabyGotBeer Beertasting Party (and Swag!) ($25/person)

Reserve your BGB tasting party today and score some sweet car/fridge swag! (Or I can sell you one of these bad boys for the bargain price of $4.)

 

Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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Categories Tuesday Brewsday

Tuesday Brewsday, Week 10

I have to admit something to you. I set this past weekend up on purpose. My beautiful bride is an alumnus of Mercer University in Macon (Go Bears!) I chose the Mercer-ETSU game for this week’s post in a very thinly veiled attempt to have the opportunity to highlight the breweries and beer in Macon. And then the Buccaneers tore off and ruined my plans by winning a close one 21-18. And so I will keep my promises and highlight the beer scene in Johnson City, Tennessee … right after I give Macon a little love first.

Macon – 90x more cherry trees than DC!

The reason I was so excited to highlight Macon is because there are three breweries right in the heart of downtown, and not too far from each other. I’ve personally been to all three of them and can vouch for the quality of beer from each. The Ocmulgee Brewpub is known every bit as much for their food as they are for their beer … and that’s a compliment to both sides of the house. Do yourself a favor and get the Float Daze Amber and Oxbow Stout. And then bring me some too.  Piedmont Brewery has a pretty solid vibe going on (upstairs and down) and, just like Ocmulgee, has a stellar food menu. What’s really noteworthy about their beer is the wide variety they have. They usually have about a dozen beers on tap, and across a very wide spectrum of flavors. I would happily drive way out of my way to get back and have their Nocturne Oatmeal Stout! Delish …

Greatest name for a sports franchise. Ever

And finally, a visit to Macon isn’t complete without hitting the Macon Beer Company. Nintendo 64 + cornhole tournaments + live music + fantastic beer = yes, please. With a name like Macon, the naming conventions are virtually endless:

  • Macon Money. Super hoppy IPA
  • Macon Progress. their flagship pale ale
  • Macon Out. A blonde that’s very crisp and light
  • Macon History. Coffee + chocolate + yum
  • Macon Love. An homage to the city’s awesome Cherry Blossom Festival (way better than the one in DC), it’s a light and sweet rye that’s brewed with, you guessed it, cherries.
But now, we head to Johnson City, TN! Congrats to the Buccaneers, and I am thrilled to research the town and find SIX breweries (including one coming soon.) In other words, Johnson City has three more breweries than Macon; and ETSU had three more points than Mercer on Saturday.  Hmmmmm …
JRH Brewing is less than a mile from the ETSU campus and certainly HAS to be a student favorite. The story behind the brewery and the ‘big red wall’ is ideal for that student who is working so hard to achieve dreams and persevere to a brighter future. This is one of those stories that you hope leads to major success for the brewery down the road. You WANT this place to be a hit. And so, Buccaneers fans … make sure you visit John and try some of these winners …
  • Edgework Irish Red. SO glad to see breweries bringing this style back. It’s one of my favorites
  • Henri’s Stout. Also available in nitro form, which is a giant yes for me. Silky and smooth!
  • Tannery Knobs IPA. Because everyone has to have an IPA these days, right?
For next week, we’ll travel to the ACC to find out what happens when a swarm of yellow jackets takes on a weather phenomenon. Georgia Tech hosts the Miami Hurricanes in a battle of two great beer towns. This should be a good one no matter who wins!
Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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Categories Beer Travel (Beercations) Brewery Reviews The Vibe

Why go to a brewery?

The Dingle Peninsula. Not a draught beer anywhere

The brewery. Why go and visit a brewery? Why did beer enthusiasts in Georgia work tirelessly to pass legislation allowing us to buy beer from a brewery last year? (Other than the fact that prohibition ended a century ago … it was time to be slightly less archaic.) I love having a beer at home – while grilling, watching the game, hanging with friends, enjoying breakfast – there is absolutely plenty of reason to visit your local package store and stock up the beer fridge at home. But what is it that creates that moth-to-the-flame attraction of visiting the local brewery? I’ll attempt to paint the picture for you …

The brewery is the US equivalent of the pub atmosphere in the UK.

Packed house at Gate City

My mom and I disagree. Now, I’ll admit that neither of us is wrong, but we disagree. Several years ago, we took a family trip to Ireland and Scotland. For a beer nerd, that’s the trip of a lifetime … sitting in the local pub, getting to know your new best friend at the seat next to you. That’s what I envision as the highlight of the trip. My mom prefers to get away from people and noise and enjoy the admittedly stunning scenery. These are two very different vacations. (And was actually able to enjoy both sides of it while there.)

But, sitting in a warm, packed pub, listening to local musicians, sipping on a pint, hearing stories from the locals … drinking in the local culture. To me, that’s the allure. But here is the point of this post … The brewery is the US equivalent of the pub atmosphere in the UK.

But why? What is it that draws us in?

Flights at Variant

  • The Vibe. We’ve talked about that in several posts (and more to follow.) It’s the warm, vibrant atmosphere that creates such a positive energy for everyone there. Hard to describe, it’s just something you feel. I think it was Martin Mull who first said, “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” I would say that writing about that feeling in a brewery is like dancing about architecture.
  • You never know who you’ll sit next to. It could be someone who wants a place to read. Or maybe you sit next to a guy who works for another brewery and wants to share some of his beer with you. Or what about that time when I’m enjoying a flight at Variant with my bros and bump into a pack of guys who work at Wild Leap? (Bonus when it’s their CEO and he recognizes the blog logo on my shirt and compliments my review of their newest release!!)
  • Learning from the brewers. I love saddling up at the counter and speaking with the staff about their beer. Almost without exception, people working at breweries enjoy talking about beer. This must be the nerd in me, but I love those conversations!
    • Next level awesome vibe at Appalachian Mountain
  • And maybe the most important part … the variety of beer. Yes, you can stroll into a brewery and taste the same beer that’s in cans in your local package store. And it’s even better because it’s fresh and from the tap. That’s all well and good, but I absolutely love trying the other stuff. The one-offs, seasonals, special releases, etc. A brewery may package or distribute 3-4 flavors of beer. But they may have 15-20 on the wall at any one time. It’s a great opportunity to explore new flavors.
So, what does it for you? Why do YOU love going to a brewery?
Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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Categories Tuesday Brewsday

Tuesday Brewsday, Week 9 (Go Dawgs)

by Russ Webb

 Gooooo Dawgs! Wait, I probably shouldn’t show bias on the post.

(Take two) This week’s Tuesday Brewsday post featured the biggest SEC matchup of the weekend – The University of Georgia Bulldogs versus the University of Florida Gators. This annual matchup takes place as what is billed as “the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party” in the somewhat neutral site of Jacksonville, Florida. This year’s game had both teams in the top 10 and entering with 6-1 records, and was a nail-biter at the half with UGA up 13-7. Florida briefly took the lead in the third quarter, but UGA then took control and cruised to a 36-17 victory. So, we head off to Athens, Georgia to explore the brewery scene!

Athens has been long known as a music town, with acts such as the B-52s and REM getting their start in this college town about  75 miles northwest of Atlanta. The music scene is still very much alive, but the brewery bug has bitten Athens in a big way and today we are going to feature FOUR breweries located there.

Terrapin – The first brewery to emerge from Athens and probably the most widely known is Terrapin. Their first beer appeared in April 2002 in Athens and not long after they won their first medal at the GABF. Their Hopsecutioner IPA has been a favorite of many for a long time and their Atlanta Braves version of it (Chopsecutioner) debuted at the new Terrapin Tap House at SunTrust Park. Their beer selection is varied from their solid Recreation Ale to the hard to find (but much loved) Liquid Bliss, a peanut butter porter. Terrapin now is part of the Miller-Coors family and has increased distribution to much of the Eastern half of the USA.

Creature Comforts – When the craft beer buzz in Georgia started to reach fever pitch, a lot of that hype was created by the good people of CC. Founded by folks with a passion for homebrewing and craft beer, Creature Comforts is more than just a brewery…they have created a brand. Their original location was opened in an old 1940’s era tire store and the transformation to a brewery and tap room is nothing short of incredible. People love the vibe of the place, but the beer is what has kept their popularity on the rise. Everyone likes to talk about Tropicalia, their traditional IPA, but their other year-round beers include Bibo (pilsner), Reclaimed Rye (rye amber) and Athena (berliner weisse). While all of these beers are phenomenal, where CC has made its mark is on their limited releases…and there are many. People line up for hours to get their hands on limited numbers of fourpacks, and then proudly post online about their acquisition. If you are in Athens, visiting them is an absolute must.

The Southern Brewing Company – Opening in 2015, SBC launched during the craft beer revolution in Georgia and has brewed more than 50 unique beers over that time. Truly one of the most welcoming breweries you could ever visit, a trip to SBC feels like you are visiting friends who happen to brew beer. What makes SBC unique is their passion for crafting wild beers from yeast that they cultivate themselves. Wild Azalea, their saison, is a delicious year-round offering and Midnight Train, their porter, is rich and delicious. Their Southern Woodpile program is amazing and the resulting beers are unlike anything else I’ve ever had. Look for a review here soon of one of them.

Akademia Brewing – The newest player in the Athens beer scene is Akademia, whose motto of AVT BIBAS AVT ABEAS! literally translates as “Either Drink or Go Away”. They are a full-service brewpub launched in 2017 to rave reviews, and their beer is sold in more than just their location. From a traditional German Kolsch to a Pumpkin Sour Stout, Akademia’s brews have something for everyone’s palate. If you go, make sure to try the Same Thing We Always Do, a nitro English mild that is made with vanilla beans and hazelnuts and simply delicious.

I think we have given you a lot of reasons to visit Athens, Georgia now…and who knows, you may just bump into me at one of these places.

For week 10, we take our second trip to the Southern Conference. This week, two teams that are very evenly matched will lock horns at Five Star Stadium in Macon, GA. The ETSU Buccaneers, fresh off their wild OT win over Western Carolina, travel to central Georgia (home to some great breweries) to take on the 4-4 Bears. We’ll see you next Tuesday!

Russ Webb by Russ Webb
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Categories Tuesday Brewsday

Tuesday Brewsday, Week 8

Not big fans of each other, apparently

Well, it’s a good thing that rivalries aren’t dead. It started with some not-so-good-natured pushing and shoving, followed by a nice logo stomp at midfield … really not much more than some “mine is bigger than yours” testosterone-induced garbage. And then Michigan State decided that positive yardage was WAY overrated. Michigan only allowed 94 total yards on the day, and cruised to a relatively simple 21-7 win. Off to Ann Arbor we go!

Michigan has a stupid good beer scene. Seriously. Michigan currently boasts nearly 500 breweries across the mitten, good for 4th most in the nation. With unbelievable places like Bell’s and Founders, Michigan is absolutely a great place for planning your next beer-cation. With that many breweries, it’s no surprise that many of them are located in a city with a huge university. You can read a lot about the Ann Arbor beer scene in this post from The Full Pint. Here’s an excerpt …

“Ann Arbor’s downtown is about as charming as it gets. But perhaps the best thing about this little craft beer hub, is that just about everything is within walking distance. Stumble out of one brewery, and you’ll pretty much land at the doorstep of the next.”

Today, we’ll focus on a lesser-known stop on that stumble trip through downtown: Pileated Brewing Company. Pronounced EITHER Pie-lee-ate-ed or Pill-ee-ate-ed, the brewery just asks you to not say ‘pleated,’ noting that they “are not pants.” 👖

I will admit that I chose this brewery because of a striking similarity that I have with their leadership. Pileated, if you don’t already know, means red-capped. The About Us section of this website states that the two owners “are both former redheads. We say former because time and genetics have not been kind to our once pileated heads.” Ummmm, I won’t hashtag it, but I will say Me, too! This place was meant for me! But enough about that … on to the beer!

With almost any brewery these days, they offer some standard fare: NE IPAs, IPAs, pale, stout, saison, etc. But what I think sets them apart from so many places are the details that go into making these three:

  • Belgian Tripel – they import the Hallertau Mittelfruh hops directly from Germany; and the yeast strain is from the Achouffe region in Belgium. They’re using the legit ingredients to make this one the real deal.
  • Kettle-Soured Red Bearded Father (Belgian Single) – Again using the Achouffe region yeast, Pileated makes this oft-overlooked style (that really was the original Abbey-style beer.) Also known as an Enkel, or Patersbier, this style is known as the lawnmower beer of the monk world. Delicious and very light.
  • Octoberfest Steam Pilsner – the concept of a steam beer first gained popularity in the US in the mid-1800s. Without getting too technical, it’s basically a lager that is brewed like an ale. What results is a very light beer that is super fresh and effervescent. Pileated again brings in the German hops to give it a pilsner-y feel and taste.
This place looks and seems like a must on your next trip to the Mitten. For next week, we’re going to give the Dawgs another shot. The game formerly known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party takes place Saturday at 3:30. With all apologies to Kentucky, these two top 10 teams meet in what is essentially the SEC East Championship game. Gainesville or Athens … where will be next week? Comment below with your score prediction. Closest to the correct final score wins a prize of my choosing.
It’s Georgia vs. Florida week!!
Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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Categories Brew Reviews Brewery Reviews

Review: Bhramari Brewing All the Boys, Vol. 3

I’m smarter than I look. I know … it’s not a difficult task, but it’s true nonetheless. How do I know that I am? Let me tell you a story. I recently was planning a trip out of town for a work conference. It would be about a 5-6 hour drive to get there, and I had to be there at 10:30 in the morning. Naturally, I decided to go up the night before to maintain some level of sanity and to avoid dozing off on the windy mountain roads. In checking my trusty map (aka, Google) I saw that the most direct route from home to conference would send me through, wait for it, Asheville, NC. I’m going to allow you to put 2 and 2 together to find the happy conclusion on this little story.

My planning, plotting, and scheming led to a relatively impromptu and far-too-brief visit to Asheville … basically the Beer Mecca of the Southeast. I knew I wanted to visit the Sierra Nevada facility (fantastic visit) and then 2-3 other breweries downtown. In some of my Facebook beer snob groups, I have heard many people praising certain breweries in the downtown area., and I have a few of my own as well.  In the interest of time, I narrowed it down to two: Burial and Green Man.  I was about halfway to Green Man, when I spotted the logo of another highly recommended brewery on my way! It was an image of a bee buzzing around a hop … representing Bhramari Brewing Company. Super pumped, I stopped in, and I could not be any happier about making that decision!

Rock on, rock star

The dude at the bar was super fun … equal parts laid-back and very excited to talk about their beer. It’s EXACTLY what everyone should be when working at a brewery. He chatted when it was time to chat, talked beer when he could tell I wanted to, left people alone when they just wanted a quiet pint. Dude was on point. Also, he’s pretty awesome with a photobomb  —–>
I ordered a flight, and generally liked everything, especially two of them. ONE of those two is the subject of this review. All the Boys is a series of Milkshake IPAs from Bhramari. The first was released in August 2017 and was brewed with Mango and Lychee. The second one came out in February of this year, featuring guava and graham crackers. 😳 This THIRD version had only been available for a few days when I got there: All the Boys Volume 3 is brewed with passionfruit and dragonfruit. This beer is PINK. And I don’t mean, it looks like a standard, regular beer with some light pink undertones. It’s straight Kool-aid pink. But do NOT let that throw you off. This is a legit IPA, weighing in at 7% abv.

Did I mention that it was PINK?

Milkshake IPAs, if you’re not familiar with the concept, are IPAs brewed with lactose. That lactose brings a very smooth texture, reduces a bunch of the bitterness, and gives the beer a slightly thicker mouthfeel. Describing a beer using the word ‘milkshake’ can be disconcerting for some, but I implore you to give it a whirl – it’s worth it. All the Boys 3 has a nice sweet nose, with slight hints of hoppiness – definitely fruit-forward. The taste is almost surreal. Yes, the fruit comes through immediately; but it’s married so nicely with the bitterness from the hops. Some beers have flavors that come in different stages. But this one had such a great consistent flavor throughout the sip. Sweet, balanced with slight bitterness (IBU is only at 30) and consistency throughout … all finishing with a slightly dry taste. This beer is dangerous.

The vibe in this place was awesome. The food looked outstanding. The staff was exactly what I wanted. The beer was all VERY good and in many cases, different from what you’ll find elsewhere. This place is a must if you’re in Asheville. Yes … I still love Sierra and Green Man and Burial and Wedge. But Bhramari has moved to the top of my “must-see” list for anyone going to Asheville.

Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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Categories Tuesday Brewsday

Tuesday Brewsday, Week 7

Louisiana State University – Tin Roof Brewing Company, Baton Rouge, LA
by Russ Webb

Okay, I’m not gonna lie…this one is painful to write. As a Georgia fan, it hurts to feature a brewery after my beloved Bulldogs took a beating from LSU, but Mike needs a week off for sure…so here we go!

… rusted

This game wasn’t even close as the LSU Tigers manhandled UGA from the initial kickoff controlling both lines of scrimmage. Since the gentlemen in red & black couldn’t muster a comeback, off we head to the banks of the Mississippi River to highlight a brewery in the Louisiana state capital for this week’s  #TuesdayBrewsday.

I consulted a buddy of mine (and rabid Tiger fan) about which brewery to feature and he answered “Tin Roof” before I could even finish the question. He said it’s the only brewery in town with a “Louisiana feel” (insert your own punchline here), and their beer was consistently good across the seasons.

The Gold Medal winner!

Tin Roof is Baton Rouge’s largest craft brewery and has been brewing for consumer consumption since 2010. Founded by a lawyer and a banker (again, insert joke here), Tin Roof has created quite a following and their Gold Medal from GABF shows that they must know what they are doing. (Side note, this is the only beer in Louisiana history to win a Gold at GABF.) They proudly state that the tap room is “not just for drinking our beer” and they host regular events ranging from yoga to trivia. Their space is also a popular rental for events as it has a great outdoor patio, a private meeting room or you can rent the entire place.

The beer? It’s a pretty great selection from that aforementioned Gold Medal winner, Voodoo – an American Pale Ale, to Manchado, a Mexican Coffee Stout with cinnamon, orange peel, chocolate and kilned coffee malt. (I need that beer in my life)

Some of the other brews they currently are featuring:

  • ÜBER FROOT – A blackberry Berliner Weisse
  • JUKE JOINT IPA – Medium hoppy American IPA
  • EVEN MORE FOMO – Wheatwine/IPA – At 11%, this one drinks like an Imperial IPA
  • BRANDY BARREL-AGED OLD ALE – A 10% Old Ale with notes of caramel & vanilla

They have more on offer and their selection seems to rotate with the seasons and single batch special brews, so it sounds like multiple trips are in order.

Beer yoga is a thing

For next week, we have decided to hit the road towards the middle of the only state shaped like an oven mitt for the match that will settle who takes home the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Spartans of Michigan State will take on the Wolverines of Michigan and the winner gets that trophy…AND gets to be featured on Tuesday Brewsday! 

Russ Webb by Russ Webb
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Categories Brew Reviews

Review: Wild Leap Alpha Abstraction Vol. 3

One of my favorite songs from my favorite band (U2) is called “Every Breaking Wave.” I’m sure that there are numerous interpretations as to the true meaning of the lyrics, but I take it to mean that people should stop running to the next big thing/ next big idea as soon as it surfaces. It seems as though each day brings a new “best idea ever” and minions run to it as quickly as they can. As the song states, each breaking wave means that there will be more.

I give that preamble to say that I’m not usually prone to run after every breaking beer wave. The greatest beer in the history of mankind is being released every single day. And people scurry like crazy to wait in line for hours because they HAVE to have it. One on hand, I get it. The FOMO mentality drives people to do crazy things in order to experience that beer. And I have felt those pangs of remorse as I know I missing a special barrel-aged release of one of my favorites. But I also can understand the general public’s perception that we’re all lunatics. Someone finds the new ‘it’ beer, and legions of people crash every local package store to find any hidden morsel.

And today, I’m writing a review on one of those beers. 😳

Wild Leap is a relatively new brewery in LaGrange, GA.  Just 13 months old, they are already creating some breaking wave beers! In June of this year, they released a limited run of a Double IPA called Alpha Abstraction. Reviews were off the charts and people began chasing the wave to find AA wherever they could. Brewed with a combination of Loral and Citra hops, it tiptoed the line between bitter and citrus-y sweet; and for many, it found a great balance. Fast-forward to August, and Wild Leap released Alpha Abstraction Vol. 2 … with an altered hop profile (Galaxy replaced Loral). Again, the juicy/hazy IPA-loving public went nuts.

And now, it’s time for … you guessed it … Volume 3. For this go-round, Wild Leap features Mosaic hops, which bring different aromas and flavors into play. This one has much more of a tropical feel … think mangos and grapefruit. It’s a beautiful beer, and it has very, very powerful and pronounced notes on the nose. It’s a fantastic attack on the senses, and then it leads into … bliss. The mouthfeel is tremendous: it’s somehow smooth and somewhat tingly at the same time. Tingly may not be a word, but you get what I mean. You can taste those Mosaic hops, but not in an “I just drank a pine tree” bitter sort of way. (That’s what dry-hopping does kids; it brings the aroma and flavor out of the hops without introducing too much bitterness.) The tropical fruit sweetness, mixed with slight bitterness from the hops … it’s exceptionally well done. As my Untappd review says, this may be the best IPA I’ve ever had.

I’m warning you. This beer is dangerous. All of the Alpha Abstraction beers have weighed in at 8% alcohol but only 35 IBUs, insanely low for a Double IPA. Maybe I need to start chasing more of those breaking waves!

Bonus points. The quote on the side of the can could NOT be more perfect for this blog!

Comment below with the beers you want us to review next!

Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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Categories Tuesday Brewsday

Tuesday Brewsday, Week 6

Well, that was exhilarating! The ‘Horns jumped out to a massive lead, OU brought it a bit closer, but still found themselves in a 21-point hole in the 4th quarter. A furious comeback left the game tied with almost no time left. Texas hurried down the field, setting the stage for a freshman kicker named Dicker (can’t make this stuff up) to step in and drill a 40-yard field goal to win the game. This was an awesome game … and now means that we turn our attention to Austin, Texas for the #TuesdayBresday feature of the week.

In the first #TuesdayBrewsday feature, we hinted that we could feature a ‘beer, brewery, or pub’ near the campus of each week’s victorious team. So far, we have featured nothing but breweries. That streak ends today. I’ve had the great pleasure to travel to Austin on several occasions. Literally every single trip has included a trip to one of my favorite beer bars … The Ginger Man. ***Note: I’m glad I’m not there anytime soon. Due to lots of changes in Austin, they’re moving to a new location that won’t be ready until 2019.  So sad!

Actual image of me walking through Austin

The Austin location is the 3rd location in the franchise (after Houston and Dallas) but is certainly my favorite. Combine equal parts next-level beer selection with the “Keep Austin Weird” vibe to create a vibrant and intoxicating (see what I did there?) atmosphere that draws me in like cheap metal to the world’s strongest magnet.

Here are some highlights from the menu in the Bee Cave location, just about 20 minutes from Austin (Oh, Bee Cave … said in your best Austin Powers voice):

Draught

  • Kasteel Cuvee du Chateau
  • Chimay White
  • Maredsous #8 Brune
  • Gulden Draak 9000
  • And tons of rotators … so there’s always something new.
Yeah … they have swag, too

Bottle

  • Einbecker Lager
  • Ayinger Celebrator
  • Kostritzer Schwarzbier
  • Deschutes Obsidian Stout
  • Julius Echter Hefe
  • Bavik Petrus
  • Piraat
  • Rochefort 10
  • Westmalle Dubble
  • … you got the picture
It’s kinda hard to describe, but this place has a very special feel to it. Anyone out there been? Help me out and describe what it’s like in the comments below. And I’ll see you there on my next trip to Austin (or anywhere else in Texas … or even in New York City!) Pro tip … Ginger Man Austin is a great place to go either before or after you go see the Spazmatics at the Cedar Street Courtyard. If you were alive in the 80s, this is an absolute must!!
Tune in again next Tuesday to see what we feature from either Baton Rouge, LA or Athens, GA. That’s right #13 LSU hosts the #2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Thanks for reading … and make sure to share this with your UT friends!
Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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Categories Tuesday Brewsday

Tuesday Brewsday, Week 5

Ohio State – Four String Brewing Company. (About a dozen breweries just south of campus.)

Penn State jumped out to a huge lead. And then OSU fought back to take a lead. And then Penn State surged to another big lead. And then OSU came back again. This was a phenomenal matchup between two heavyweights, and the Buckeyes eventually came out on top. And that means that we’re heading to Columbus, Ohio to highlight a brewery for this week’s #TuesdayBrewsday.

Now, to be fair, I can only highlight one place. And it’s easier to find one highlight in some cities than it is in Columbus. There are about a dozen breweries just south of the OSU campus. (Insert joke here about needing to drink to survive living near Cleveland.) Out of all the choices, we’ve decided to focus on a place that advertises a rock ‘n’ roll vibe. World, I introduce you to Four String Brewing Company.

Some places may advertise that they have a certain vibe or feel, but they don’t deliver on what they espouse. And then there’s Four String … and there is so much to this name. Pop quiz: how many strings are on a bass guitar? If you said four, gold star for you. Pop quiz, part 2: how many ingredients are the bass of every beer? Again, gold stars if you said four (water, hops, barley, yeast.) The owner/founder has been a bass guitarist for several Columbus-area bands. Bass guitarist … four ingredients … four strings on a bass … Four Strings Brewing Company. I love it!

And oh yeah, they have beer too. A pilsner, a few versions of IPAs, a wheat, a vanilla porter (yes sweet taproom, and yeah – their tap handles look like the neck of a bass guitar. This place has coolness oozing out of every corner. Kudos to you, Four String. (And they do contract brewing too. Is it time to create a BabyGot-Beer???)
please). Variety, quality, rock-star mentality, close to campus,

For next week, we’re kinda required to go to the Red River Rivalry, right? #19 Texas visits #7 Oklahoma Saturday at noon on Fox. We’ll be back next week in either Austin or Norman! Let us know which game we should highlight for week 7.

Mike Pennington by Mike Pennington
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