Red Ales...

Red ales this week Mobsters. Great Lakes does a really nice imperial red ale called Nosferatu. It's bold, rich, relatively high ABV, and a bit hoppy. It may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy red ales or if looking for a good seasonal it’s worth a shot... and I can't resist is the obligatory pun, it's got some bite! If you remember, I was out north of San Francisco a few weeks ago and hit up several brewpubs. One that I simply had to visit was Bear Republic. I'm big on everything they do and especially their highly praised "Red Rocket Ale." Drink one for Cincy's own Red Rocket on Sunday hopefully you won't need many more to make it through the game...

Two Brews

Picked up a Nosferatu by Great Lakes Brewing Co. This Imperial Red Ale is bold, rich, relatively high ABV, and a bit hoppy. It may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy red ales or if you're looking to broaden your horizons it’s worth a shot and I can't resist is the obligatory pun: it's got some bite!

If you are "price sensitive" beer consumer, then I have beer for you! For $1.27 pick up a 24 oz can of 12% ABV EARTHQUAKE at the local carry out. EQ works well in a brown paper bag and is gauranteed to taste like nothing you've ever tried before! Furthermore, this brew helped propel our coed softball team to a 2-8 record and a Consolation Round 2nd place trophy. Check out the stellar reviews on BA: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/782/51067

Great Brown Ales!

Now (like most other times of the year…) is a great time to imbibe. Here are two brown ales that exemplify that point: Dogfish Head, Punkin (technically a brown ale) and Avery’s, Ellie’s Brown Ale.
I try to get my hands on everything DFH brews. “Punkin,” is spiced with nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar and it’s not crazy over-the-top pumpkin-y. At 7% ABV it’s worth the $10 for a 4 pack. It’s hard to find but try my favorite spot in Kenwood, the Root Cellar.
If you’re looking for a more traditional brown ale that’s a bit easier on the wallet check out Avery’s (it’s the one with the black labrador on the label). It has a nice roasty quality with hints of chocolate, nuts, and caramel. It doesn’t get any better than relaxing with one of these on a nice cool evening.

Oktober Madness in September

So much going on this week, Brewsters.

First, BIG NEWS: Yeungling to the Nati by November! Hopefully such accessability won't kill the allure of their brand.

Are you going to Oktoberfest this weekend? If you don't have a problem with large (drunk) crowds then you know it's a good time. I wonder if Joe Morgan will be flapping both arms and not just his left one during the chicken dance...

On another note, I may boycott the whole damn thing because they excluded the best brewery in town; the folks at Mt Carmel were told there was not a slot available for them this year. Anyone else want to start a petition?

Finally, a suggestion for those of you scowering the shelves for a new Oktoberfest brew. Try Brooklyn's O-fest it's the best I've had this year.

TML Edition Bay Side Brews

We’ll kick off in foggy San Fran where BoB has been sampling —maybe too many—fine beers by the bay. Two suggestions for the Mobsters: Anchor Steam and Lagunitas’ IPA. The former is a safe bet for all (refreshing, flavorful, just a solid brew) and the Lagunitas stacks up nicely to just about any other IPA out there. As a side note, if you’re ever in Jonny Gomes’ hometown of Petaluma, aka Wine Country, check out Lagunitas’ brew pub and tour their facility. Both breweries offer a plethora of other styles so check ‘em out. See you next week.

Anchor link http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beers/pdfs/Flyer_AnchorSteam.pdf
Lagunitas link http://www.lagunitas.com/home.html

BoB 3 - Bay Area Brews

I was in Nor-Cal this past week I got to sample beers from several of their breweries (will discuss this more next week). My first suggestion to anyone looking to take that first step out into the beautiful world of craft brews--perhaps for those looking for a "gateway brew"-- Anchor Steam Beer is a really excellent choice. It's not a huge leap from the mainstream lite beers but it's much more flavorful. Didn't get to tour the brewery but the way they brew this beer sounds really interesting. It shouldn't be too difficult to find a 6er (approx $8). I've enjoyed several of their other styles of beer so if you see their logo odds are it's going to be a good buy.


Another beer that is BIG TIME out in San Fran and surrounding area's is Lagunita's IPA. I visited their brewery in Petaluma (Heard of that place before? It's Jonny Gomes' hometown--actually met a guy whose best friend's son is best friends with Jonny's brother... or something like that). If you have a chance to go out there you should definitely swing by to take a tour and hang out at their brewpub next door with live music and about 13 different Lagunita beers to enjoy. Get your hands on the IPA, good stuff.

One last tip. If you're looking to spend $30 on 2 weak rum and cokes visit the Grand Hyatt hotel restaurant in San Francisco and they will be glad to hook you up, double you tee eff?

*From time to time I may refer to some brews as "gateway beers." These are beer suggestions that may get you to take that first step outside the world of "lite" to the world of, say, double IPA's. Among my first gateway beers included various Leinenkugels, Sam Adams, Mount Carmel Amber (you may remember when they sold these in the growlers...), and an Anchor Steam ale, etc. In other words, they are safe plays that make you reevaluate your future beer selections.