Beer and Football go together don’t they. Budweiser always puts out some great commercials even if they are not on a Craft Beer Fans list of beers to have, Bud is popular. Here are a spot for this years Super Bowl.
BTW,
My fridge has Mill Street, Steam Whistle, Dead Frog, Unibroue, St. Ambroise, Hop City and some Alley Kat. Some fine craft beers from across Canada. I like this Blue commercial though…
Cheers,
I posted the other day that I preferred the Oktoberfest Seasonal by Samuel Adams over their Winter Lager. Today, I’m not so sure. I’m really enjoying the flavour and various spice notes. Could be because I’m drinking this Winter Lager here in snowy Central Alberta versus The Oktoberfest which I picked up while in sunny Orlando Florida.
Winter Lager Samuel Adams is considered by many to be the largest “Craft Brewer” out there. Beer nerds may disagree or agree. I know it goes good with the pot of football chilli I have cooking for Grey Cup. Samuel Adams has a flavour that is evident in every brew of theirs I’ve tried so far.
Go Stamps Go!
Cheers, enjoy the game with a cold one.
Winter ales, lagers and porters are out in full force.
Anchor Brewing has produced their Christmas Ale version 2012. They have been brewing a Christmas Ale since 1975! Every year the batch is different, and bears a commemorative label.
First taste, is one filled with “whoa, what is that pine? juniper?” Whatever they have in there, it has a Christmas season taste to it. It may not be for everyone, but I like it. Unique flavour with a rich dark colour. What’s not to like?
Cheers!
Wallace Brewing has a pretty strong headline “Beer of Historic Proportion” for a brewery that was founded in 2008.
This is another of the three beers that returned with my friend on his vacation this summer. So far this Idaho Select Lager is the winner. More flavourful than the Laughing Dog.
Flavour is reminiscent of a belgian white. Their website tells the storey of beer in Wallace. I’m curious to check out Wallace Idaho after tasting this beer, and reading their website. Sounds like a cool place. I like that they are using local malt “Brewed with Idaho grown Pilsen malt”.
Cheers.
So a buddy of mine did a road trip this summer into Montana, Idaho and Washington. Forunately I requested he bring back some beer and he did. 
Trying Laughing Dog Cream Ale for the first time.
The label says it is best served cold and goes well on a hot summers day and BBQ. Well it’s snowy and cold out today so not exactly summer weather and fitting for a thirst quenching summer style beer. This cream ale is OK. Not bad but nothing to go crazy for on a day like today. I can see how it fits for a hot one. It’s very smooth, not bitter at all. I think it is lacking in the crisp clean finish department.
Pours very clear golden yellow, with a frothy white head. Now to try the other 2.
Cheers,
I haven’t had the blogging inspiration lately so I’m way behind in getting some beers out there. Here’s a few that I’ve had and what I think about them.
Creemore Springs Premium Lager. The only bad thing is the use of the word “Premium”. One the most over used words to describe a beer. However, in this case it probably fits. A more caramel lager than you’d expect pouring a lager, but a flavourful beer that’s very well suited to being your go to every day beer.
Full Moon!
Ein Prosit! Well, I’m not sure I could pronounce this one correctly to order after a few.
Just ask for the Alley Kat viking dude one, and you’ll be set.
Both have distinct Alley Kat flavour and quality. Very tasty beers, the ein Prosit is a seasonal Oktoberfest brew, and good enough to be a year round favourite. One Cheers, or EinProsit.
Ein Prosit is available at many beer and liquor stores in Alberta, but if you go to the source, you can get the right beer swag to complimemt your beer fridge, cabinet or bar.
Stop by Alley Kat in Edmonton. I could have loaded up on a few cases when I was there, but I had to catch a plane to Montreal. Sorry Alley Kay, but I know where I can purchase some in Red Deer
Montreal! I was expecting some high quality brews and a variety to choose from in Montreal. It wasn’t as easy as I would expect. Don’t get me wrong I found some good beer, but Montreal is also home to Labatt Brasserie, and Molson Coors. Both of which are considered “local” because they have a brewery there.
I suppose, Molson has a strong case because:” In 1786, John Molson founded Canada’s oldest beer brewery on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Montreal. He wrote, “My beer has been universally well-liked beyond my most sanguine expectations.” In 1959, Molson Canadian was first brewed and today is one of Canada’s most iconic and best-selling brands.”
However, if you know me, you know I’m in search of micro brews, local “craft brews” not that I don’t partake in the occassional bug brand beer, but I can have a Molson or a Labatt anywhere. So I searched for something unique and I found Les 3 Brasseurs, where I tipped back a few pints of:
Brew pub/micro brewery originally from France. I didn’t want to leave until I sampled them all a few times. An excellent variety no matter what beer is your favourite or style you’re seeking. Quality? Outstanding.
St. Ambroise, a Quebec based Microbrewery:
Delicious. A great tasting beer.
Apparently being the Good Beer Guy, also means I should try weird beer. Well at least thats what others think. I’ve learned to like different beer, tastes, and characters and I’m not afraid to try them. SOme people can’t handle hops, or appreciate them, it’s truly an acquired palate. Not long ago I was celebrating with family and friends for a birthday at Cities Gastro in Red Deer. They have a wide beer menu selection. So I had to sample…
and
I preferred the Banana bread beer over the pizza beer, but neither is worthy of a second glass nor a full pint in my opinion. You can definitely taste the pizza sauce, oregano in the pizza beer. It also had a reddish hue to it. Not a fan of pizza beer. Banana Bread beer smelled way better than it tasted. The first few sips were a bit of a treat “it actually tastes like banana bread”, but halfway in and that was enough for me.
Other notables that I failed to get a photo of:
Granville island Cascadian Dark. Quite enjoyable. An IPA like dark ale.
Deckhand Belgian Saison, I think I’m a Lighthouse Brewing fan. Another outstanding beer from them. Why didn’t I buy more of this?
Cheers.
Picture it, a hot sunny summers day.
Perhaps you’re sitting at the lake enjoying the view after working on the old sunburn floating on the water. Maybe you just finished tackling the yard work and looking at the freshly mown lawn and manicured shrubs and flowers. What would make that better? An ice-cold refreshing beer.
Kelowna is known for some gorgeous scenery and some hot, hot summer days in the Okanagan. I’m pretty sure the creators of the Kelwona Pilsner at Tree Brewing had that in mind when they made this Pilsner, because it fits really well.
I first had one after moving boxes and furntitre all day. Man it sure hit the spot. Was it because I was hot, tired and looking for a refreshing brew? Maybe but what’s wrong with that? It’s not a fancy dark multi malt, speciality super deduper hop with magic ingredients. Nope, it’s a straight up Pilsner style lager. Golden yellow, moderate foamy head, lightly hopped and a crisp finish that is smooth and easy drinking. The kind of beer that just goes good with summer.
Take advantage of the remaining hot sunshine days out there and enjoy a Kelowna Pilsner.
Cheers,
Patrick The Good beer Guy @thegoodbeerguy
Why would they name a beer after memory loss?
The Amnesiac by Phillips Brewing is a Double IPA. It has plenty of hops and strong alcohol content, 8.5% abv and come sin a big 650 ml bottle. So drinking one of these as you would a bottle of Kokanee and you’re going to be buzzed. Have a couple and you’ll probably inducing amnesia I guess. Hence the name?
I don’t know but the this is a big flavourful brew. A tasty golden-yellow with a frothy white foam head. The hop flavour is similar to other Phillips hop inspired beers such as the Hop Circle or Grow Hop. You can certainly taste the citrus tones the hops create as you get into this one. It sure did pack a punch and I would certainly avoid having to drive after on of these as the abv and size is comparable to 4 regular beers. I liked this one more than their “Hoperation”
The Hoperation is good, don’t get me wrong and I like Belgian brews but this is more of a straight up IPA with a great balance of hops and higher alcohol content.
A good looking label as well. I’m sure there is meaning about the elephant?
Cheers,
@thegoodbeerguy
The Lighthouse Brewing company has what the call “Big Flavour Series“. If you’re into Craft beer then you’re probably look for speciality limited edition one releases. Well then check out Lighthouse. Big Bottle beers (650 ml) brewed in small batches. Each brew features label artwork from a local artist.
This Belgian White by Lighthouse is more than a beautifully designed bottle it’s a fine tasty brew.
It didn’t pour a cloudy white as one might expect it was a lot more golden clear, with a snowy white frothy head of foam.
Cheers,
@thegoodbeerguy
The Madcap Belgian White Ale by Tree brewing is delicious.
White Ale (Witbier)? If you’ve been to the US you may have tried a Blue Moon or perhaps you’ve had the popular Hoegarden. Several Belgian White Ales are out there and you can see a list of at The Beer Advocate. A White Ale in Canada you might most be familiar with a Rickard’s White.
Those brews are good, but you have to try a Madcap. A tasty cloudy wheat ale, full of flavour and lightly hopped in a true Belgian White style. Many people enjoy the white beer. It has grown in popularity and availability. Probably in part because of the original style os Witbier was not brewed with hops. Instead the beer is flavoured with a blend of spices such as coriander or citrus (orange) and only a hint of hops. A little to do with aroma and appearance suspended yeast and wheat proteins which cause the beer to look hazy, or white, when cold.
The Madcap by Tree Brewing poured a cloudy golden colour and mine seem to produce a huge frothy white head of foam. Sitting on the deck it felt like a great summer beer, and it tasted like one. Great aroma, and easy on the palette with some solid flavour.
Usually this style of beer is served with an orange slice or a lemon wedge. Do yourself a flavour and avoid the temptation to squeeze some juice in or dunk that slice. Try the Tree Brewing Madcap without adding any extra fruit and enjoy the brews flavour as is.
Cheers.
Patrick the Good beer Guy
@thegoodbeerguy
