Oct 28 09

Hoppin’ Frog Mean Manalishi Double I.P.A.

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Hoppin’ Frog Mean Manalishi Double IPA is an IPA that is going to kick your ass. It clocks in at 8.2% ABV and is every bit a double IPA as you would expect from an alcoholic frog. Extreme hops and full of flavor, this is sure to please the IPA lovers out there.

Explore the extremes of hops, and experience all of their bitterness, flavor and aroma with this Double I.P.A. An extreme, super-assertive and satisfying amount of American hop character is balanced with a toasty, caramelized, intense malt presence.

Link | ABV: 8.2% | Beer Advocate

Aug 10 09

Brother David’s Triple Abbey Style Ale

Brother David’s Abbey Style Ale

Brother David’s Abbey Style Ale is a Belgian-esque triple made in the US by Anderson Valley Brewing in Boonville, California. It clocks in at 10% ABV and uses European hops for extra authenticity.

The comparatively light body of this beer is achieved by substantial additions of candy sugar in the kettle and medium-high carbonation level. The hopping has been kept low, with the use of classic European hop varieties to give just a hint of spiciness.

Link | ABV: 10% | Beer Advocate

Jun 29 09

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale

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And the name says it all.  More hops than your body can tolerate at any one time, so it must be consumed slowly.  There are unsubstantiated rumors of people trying to smoke this beer, and I urge you fair citizen, don’t.  Do however pick up one of these puppies as quickly as you can, and prepare to induce a hop stooper unlike any you’ve experienced before.  The beer comes in at a paltry 104 million IBU’s (intenational bad-ass units) and pour slowly because one in 3 bottles has a fist in it.  It is truly the Chuck Norris’ Beard of beers.

Link | ABV: 8% | Ratebeer

Jun 29 09

Bell’s Hopslam Ale

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If you like hoppy beers, prepare to be amazed by Bell’s Hopslam ale. I recently described this the epitome of an IPA with extra hops and a hint of blonde flavor. The hops are a bit overpowering at first but smooth throughout the finish. I’m not going to go in to a long description about this but suffice it to say, just pick it up if you can still find it. Here’s what the brewery has to say:

A biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale. With a name like Hopslam, what did you expect?

Link | ABV: 10.0%. | States Available: FL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, OH, PA, VA, WI.

Jun 18 09

Allagash Odyssey

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Allagash Oddysey is an ale aged in oak barrels, similar to whiskey or wine, and parts in stainless steel barrels which are later combined. The different aging processes and wheat combine to form a very unique beer. Recommended food pairings are almond crusted chicken and steak. Odyssey will go well with lighter desserts as well, such as crème brulee or white chocolate.

Odyssey is the second edition in our Barrel Aged series. It is a dark, 10% ABV wheat beer. We age a portion of the beer in New American Medium Toast Oak, and a portion in stainless steel for more than six months. We then blend the two different portions of beer to taste. Finally we bottle condition, adding additional yeast and Candi sugar.

Link | Ratebeer

Jun 18 09

Raytek MT6 MiniTemp Infrared Thermometer

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You can’t properly call yourself a beer geek unless you’re drinking your beer at around 53°. That’s why you want, nay, that’s why you need an infrared thermometer. With a freaking laser pointer. This is a device with many uses. First and foremost, you can accurately get an idea of how cold your beer is. Second, you can do that from 50 feet away if your aim is any good. You can use the laser pointer aspect to mess with your dog or cat. The possibilities are, quite literally, endless.

Link

Jun 18 09

N’ice Chouffe

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Brasserie Achouffe is a little gem of a Belgian brewery. They make only 5 different beers and each of them are top notch. N’ice Chouffe is the darkest of the bunch and the spices and flavors give a beer with this much ABV (10%) a surprisingly smooth finish. Best served in a goblet or oversized wine glass. Description from the brewery:

The N’ICE CHOUFFE is a strong dark beer that will warm you up during the winter months. It is spiced (with thyme and curaçao) and a light hop taste, a well-balanced beer. The N’ICE CHOUFFE is unfiltered, and re-fermented in the bottle as well as in the keg.

Link | Buy

Jun 17 09

Hooker Blonde

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Possibly one of the all time best named breweries, Hooker has recently seen wider distribution. Alright fine, the full name is Thomas Hooker, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Hooker Blonde Ale is a smooth golden blonde ale that isn’t over-powering. This is a very drinkable beer that clocks in at 4.8% ABV.

Thomas Hooker Blonde is our most easily drinkable brew. It’s a brilliant gold, clean cream ale with a smooth flavor. Fermented at cooler temperatures, the flavor is accentuated by a subtle malt sweetness and a delicate crispness from American and Czech hops. Hooker Blonde is our most broadly appealing style – enjoyed equally by the dedicated and the new micro drinker.

Link

Jun 17 09

Brooklyn Summer Ale

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If you’re looking for a light ale to have with a meal this summer, check out Brooklyn Summer Ale. This is an ale that’s going to go equally well with a burger as it will with fish. It has a definite English kick and a citrus/floral aroma. This isn’t the hoppiest of beers coming in at only 4.5% but it’s definitely a crowd pleaser.

Brooklyn Summer Ale is a modern rendition of the “Light Dinner Ales” brewed in England throughought the 1800’s right up until the 1940’s. They were also called “luncheon ales” or even “family ales,” because they were refreshing and flavorful without being too heavy. We brew our Brooklyn Summer Ale from premium English barley malt, which gives this light bodied golden beer a fresh bready flavor. German and American hops lend a light crisp bitterness and a citrus/floral aroma, resulting in a beer with a very sunny disposition.

Link

Jun 17 09

Ultimate Beer by Michael Jackson

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Ultimate Beer by Michael Jackson (no, not that one) is a guide to everything beer. This is a book that walks you through all of the different kinds of beer there is, has high quality pictures, and recommends different pairings. Besides being a great read, it would make a great addition to any coffee table.

With Ultimate Beer, Jackson homes in on the particulars: which beer, when, and why. After a concise overview of brewing ingredients and processes, Jackson explores a myriad of beers from every corner of the brewing world. His suggestions are organized by the situation in which they might best be enjoyed: from summer sippers to winter warmers, aperitifs to nightcaps. Enticing photography of each beer and its packaging accompanies Jackson’s tasting notes, brief technical info, and product-specific tidbits. Then, Jackson indulges further with chapters on matching particular beers to particular dishes, and follows that up with a brief guide to cooking with beer.

Link