567137 Fri Oct 24 08:46:10 -0700 2008 63 35 Beer 0 4126299 My favorite month of the year is almost up. I really enjoyed the Paulaner Octoberfest. I could drink it all winter long but I just went to total wine and got the last three bottles on the shelf. Spatan Octoberfest was also very good. Sam's was lighter. Didn't care for Brooklyn's Post Road but liked their traditional Octoberfest brew. Did not like Leinenkugel's although the Sunset Wheat is my summer beer along with a few buckets of Sol. Sadly, I cannot get anymore of the october style Marzen's. I enjoy Trogges Troggenator Doublebock but am a little burned out of it. I don't mind Dunde's Honey something that I picked a 12-pack up of last week. It's an easy beer with a simple finish. I consistently try different beers based on suggestions of this board so I am interested to hear what's new or should be in the fridge when sitting around the chiminaya this winter. What should be avoided? Fri Oct 24 08:46:10 -0700 2008 21388 juice 1 4126996 I generally can't wait for winter so i can get my hands on 12packs of Harpoon Winter Warmers. I've seen them recently and am planning on picking some up ASAP. I like to make a black and tan with the winterwarmers and float Guiness on top. Makes a sort of Gingerbread type of drink. I drink this regularly around the holidays so not it kind of remids me of them. Also, Winter is good for Scotch Ales- McCewens (sp?)- and got to love a 4 pack of Youngs Double Chocolate Stout in the winter and stouts in general. Guiness, Murphy's, and Beamish. Fri Oct 24 13:55:53 -0700 2008 4126299 217582 cannedmilkandfruitypebbles 1 4128101 Had my first 2008 Sierra Nevada Celebration ale last night, I was highly excited to see it on the shelf this early. It was better than I remembered it or I just haven't had a good ipa in a while. Usually don't see it in the stores until november. Sat Oct 25 07:11:28 -0700 2008 4126299 21716 mkel34 1 4128343 Looking forward as always to the Sierra Celebration...beautfully bitter and luscious. I distinctly remember it once being somewhat fuller bodied than in recent years, but it's still great. Definitely in agreement also on the Scotch Ales, it's a favorite style of mine and a direct opposite (bitterness-wise) from the IPAs and Sierra Celebration. Traquair House is, to me, the definition of a Scotch Ale...It has an amazing richness and complexity ...I wish it were'nt so expensive though. As far as commercially brewed winter warmers, there are a few I enjoy. I always liked Geary's and enjoy Samuel Smith's very much. I tend not to like the ones that have spices added to them...I would rather have a well aged, high gravity ale with a good amount of malty richness. I also managed to get three batches of home-made Winter Warmer brewed up back in April and May and look forward to tapping those in the coming months as well. I got a late start on them, but they should be pretty fine by the end of November. Sat Oct 25 09:53:52 -0700 2008 4126299 116047 The Professor 1 4128643 I start drinking really strong beers in the winter. Two of my favorites are Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine. Both are 10% ABV monsters that you can buy in 6 packs for very reasonable prices (around $11 this year). They're the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold winter day. Sat Oct 25 13:49:09 -0700 2008 4126299 12854 afty698 2 4128746 BBCS is available now. Bigfoot arrives in Feb. Sat Oct 25 15:09:32 -0700 2008 4128643 10998 Jim Dorsch 3 4133462 I know! It made my day when I saw the Black Chocolate Stout in my local liquor store the other day. Mon Oct 27 21:22:06 -0700 2008 4128746 12854 afty698 3 4278319 I have a few Bigfeet - :) - that I have had in the cellar for about 8 months. Just cracked one open and it tastes pretty much the same as it did 8 months ago. I think I'll let it go another year. Little. T www.adamsbeerblog.com Sun Dec 28 16:01:56 -0800 2008 4128746 12412 Little T. 4 4278779 I recall hearing that the folks at the brewery like Bigfoot fresh, when the hop oils still coat the lips. have a hard time arguing with that viewpoint! Sun Dec 28 19:49:19 -0800 2008 4278319 10998 Jim Dorsch 1 4129425 Hacker Pshorr Octoberfest and Southern Tier Pumpkin so far have been my favs this month. Leines summer reminded me of fruity pebbles cereal. I am looking forward to the winter beers: the stouts made by Youngs, Rogue, and North Coast, the revitalization of all the trappist beers, and the Scaldis Noel is one of my fav. all time seasonals. Hope I can find it somewhere around town. Sun Oct 26 02:16:54 -0700 2008 4126299 186153 hawaiigrl2003 1 4131342 Paulaner Oktoberfest is made year round, so you should be able to find it (or at least request it) at the better beer stores near you. Mon Oct 27 07:01:12 -0700 2008 4126299 12014 LStaff 2 4146998 Did a little research on this. If it is made year round, it's in Germany. You can't get it in the states until next Fall. Just picked up what was left of the BBCS at my local distributor Mon Nov 03 13:43:35 -0800 2008 4131342 21388 juice 1 4140425 2008 Sierran Nevada Celebration just came out. Not quite as hoppy as last year, but a nice balanced drinkable beer that is still better than that first batch in 2006. I'll be drinking a few cases of this up until the holidays. Fri Oct 31 07:13:48 -0700 2008 4126299 12014 LStaff 2 4202432 Celebration just got to Iowa (of course). Bottled on 10-28, so a little less than a month old. Picked up a case, all I could find, and I find it at least as hoppy as lasy year. It may just be a memory issue, cause there aren't many hoppy beers available here. It's getting better, but Celebration is still as good as it gets. Outstanding Beer. Tue Nov 25 19:43:46 -0800 2008 4140425 10737 Bobfrmia 3 4281252 that is a nice brew, if you get a chance, check out Anchor's Old Foghorn Mon Dec 29 16:23:06 -0800 2008 4202432 74192 chuckl 1 4142132 Well, my favorite watering hole has Blue Point Octoberfest on tap.....and IMO its pretty good! Fri Oct 31 23:00:51 -0700 2008 4126299 184990 tasaday 1 4142916 I have some Weyerbacher Winter Ale that my lovely girlfriend brought over. It's a nice but fairly light ale, not too hoppy (which isn't entirely a good thing). I think the Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA is a superb beer, so it's possible I was expecting too much. It's quite tasty though. The last sixer she brought over was Heavy Seas Winter Storm, which was delightful. I think Clipper City Brewing makes some of the finest beer around, and I'm not saying that (entirely) because I'm a Baltimore boy. Their triple hopped Loose Cannon is still my favorite beer for everyday drinking. I'd definitely buy the Winter Storm again. Sat Nov 01 13:37:26 -0700 2008 4126299 11273 JonParker 2 4145726 I'll have too be on the lookout for the Weyerbacher Winter...sounds good to me, and a "not too hoppy" ale is not a bad thing at all. Don't get me wrong...I have always enjoyed very hoppy beers (70 IBUs and more), but I fear my palate has become somewhat jaded. Seems now that every new American beer from the micro sector is focused on high hop rates as if that is what makes a quality beer, and it has become boring. Always nice to discover a micro that can deliver a crisp, sharply hoppy ale on the one hand, but can also show their _real_ skill with another brew that is more malt accented and not hiding a lack of skill or a multitude of sins by masking it all under high hopping rates. Mon Nov 03 06:10:29 -0800 2008 4142916 116047 The Professor 3 4146736 Have you tried the Weyerbacher Double Simcoe? That's a very hoppy beer that's nevertheless smooth and drinkable. Probably too drinkable for its high ABV -- it can sneak up fast. The Loose Cannon is a very hoppy beer, but it's hops done right. It's a delicious beer. Mon Nov 03 12:18:38 -0800 2008 4145726 11273 JonParker 4 4147054 The Double Simcoe falls right into the profs. category of, "hiding a lack of skill or a multitude of sins by masking it all under high hopping rates." Mon Nov 03 14:00:58 -0800 2008 4146736 217582 cannedmilkandfruitypebbles 2 4195127 I really like Clipper City brews too, and I can't understand why I don't see more of them sold in the DC area. Sat Nov 22 20:03:12 -0800 2008 4142916 205227 Doh 3 4196416 Clipper City beers have been showing up here in the the Metro Detroit region and I think they are very well done. Loose Cannon is one of my favorites, giving the local Two Hearted Ale by Bell's a run for it's money. Sun Nov 23 15:28:03 -0800 2008 4195127 220717 GrueLurks 1 4142924 I had some Great Lakes Nosferatu, very tasty. Penn Oktoberfest is pretty good this year as well as the Victory Moonglow. I would recommend all three if you can get them. Sat Nov 01 13:43:20 -0700 2008 4126299 205011 Mr Siegal 2 4151788 We just had our first batch of Bell's Winter White last night. There ARE one or two benefits to living in Kalamazoo, deep in the heart of the rust belt!~ The Winter White is a nice Belgian-style mmmmmmmm. Wed Nov 05 13:57:34 -0800 2008 4142924 156941 dingey 3 4152341 You can get Winter White in VA. Wed Nov 05 18:12:33 -0800 2008 4151788 10998 Jim Dorsch 1 4152457 I just picked up a six-pack of Great Divide's winter seasonal, Hibernation Ale. It's big, rich and excellent. Wed Nov 05 19:12:23 -0800 2008 4126299 184376 FlaHopper 1 4157660 Scaldis Noel, N'ice Chouffe, St. Bernardus Christmas Sat Nov 08 01:26:48 -0800 2008 4126299 186153 hawaiigrl2003 1 4179822 Well, after a tour of Troegs Brewery in Harrisburg, my new sipping beer for the winter will be Mad Elf. While the name sounds silly, the beer is the real deal. 11% ABV with a nice red color, smooth finish with a mild hoppyness and somewhat unique spice, but without the heavy maltiness traditionally stronger beers have. A very cool beer that will sneak up on you and put you on your a$$. Unfortunately, Troegs is small and their distribution is limited to the NE US, PA and maybe Ohio. Mon Nov 17 08:25:09 -0800 2008 4126299 21388 juice 2 4252605 I just tried the Mad Elf last night. I was a little skeptical because of the cherries and honey (and red color of the beer), but it was excellent. The fruit and spices accentuated the flavor of the beer rather than overwhelm it. Great stuff. Tue Dec 16 19:24:26 -0800 2008 4179822 184376 FlaHopper 1 4190037 Anchor's Holiday beer is always a good choice, it does well as an aging beer too, and I second the Scaldis Noel Thu Nov 20 14:17:17 -0800 2008 4126299 153214 chimay5 1 4190514 Myself, I am partial to the Black Chocolate Stout, and also enjoying some Backwoods Bastard from Founders this week. Had the Great Lakes Nosferatu for the first time recently as well, great stuff! I will be picking up some more of that for the cellar. Thu Nov 20 17:59:46 -0800 2008 4126299 220717 GrueLurks 2 4202583 Just had the Anchor holiday beer-boy was it tasty! You just need to let it warm up a little after you take it out of the refrigerator. I bought a bottle of the Mad Elf (2.99 for a 12oz bottle) I plan on having it with a roaring fire going in the backround, oh yeah, I have a gas fireplace, let me flip the switch and fire that baby up! Tue Nov 25 20:57:08 -0800 2008 4190514 102195 imhungryletseat 1 4206056 Harpoon Winter Warmer, definitely. Geary's Winter Ale is usually good, although I haven't had any this season yet (been stuck in a Michelob Craft Pack rut--a very nice one, too.) Whatever Otter Creek is making for this winter should be good. Second the Young's chocolate stout. Geary's Hampshire Ale (now brewed year-round but always a winter thing to me); Red Hook Winterhook, which I haven't seen this year yet either; and Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic, which I don't believe is actually lambic, but I get a taste for it every winter. I saw Sam's Winter Lager at the supermarket this week, and I've always enjoyed that, though it doesn't really keep me warm. Thu Nov 27 18:50:52 -0800 2008 4126299 160926 Kinnexa 2 4225141 I can't believe no one mentioned Deschutes Jubel. In better economic times, I've mailed ordered 1-2 cases and split them with a pal. I do love Celebration and can live w/just some Sierra this winter. Sat Dec 06 08:47:23 -0800 2008 4206056 10491 MOREKASHA 1 4225154 Love the Allagash Grand Cru..and of course the Noche Buena with my Christmas tamales. Sat Dec 06 08:57:19 -0800 2008 4126299 97452 Beach Chick 2 4225270 I have not seen Noche Buena in many years in the east. I used to enjoy it. Sat Dec 06 09:58:49 -0800 2008 4225154 10998 Jim Dorsch 1 4226481 Moylan's White Christmas is once again very impressive. Last year it was a wit spiced with mace, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, orange peel, and this year it's a lager spiced the same way. Really tasty stuff, definitely worth trying. Sat Dec 06 22:16:26 -0800 2008 4126299 10809 Josh 2 4227892 While not an X mas beer, (Bell's) Third Coast Old Ale is great when the weather sucks. Sun Dec 07 17:04:27 -0800 2008 4226481 10491 MOREKASHA 1 4230916 I just opened a case of Victory Hop Wallop. Really good this year. It was either the Victory or the Mad Elf but I decided to save some cash and potentially my liver. The Hop Wallop clocks in at 8.5%, while the Mad Elf is delicious all the same but 11 %. Be careful with both during this holiday season! Mon Dec 08 18:03:43 -0800 2008 4126299 205011 Mr Siegal 1 4251232 We are drinking Alaskan and SIerra Nevada, and Anchor winter seasonals. I just lugged back in my suitcase a large Pannopot Grand Reserver and a Youngs Christmas Pudding Ale from my trip to Europe. Tue Dec 16 11:42:25 -0800 2008 4126299 19543 gatun 2 4253489 If anyone is in the Philly area, I recommend checking out Philadelphia Brewing Co.'s Philly'z Navidad. It's a black lager - smooth with a nice toffee/caramel flavor. Wed Dec 17 07:40:40 -0800 2008 4251232 87282 lawgirl3278 1 4254251 I just picked up a six of Anchor Steam's Celebration last night. Would love to try some Ridgway Santas Butt Porter or Lump of Coal Stout but alas they don't distribute in Landshark land. Wed Dec 17 11:45:32 -0800 2008 4126299 51743 crewsweeper 2 4254375 Better check the label on that beer (altho', with the way some folks are mixing beers these days...)- "Anchor" is the name of a brewery, "Steam" is the name of one of their beers but "Celebration" is brewed by Sierra Nevada. The Anchor holiday seasonal is labeled "Our Special Ale" (often "OSA" among the beer geekery) but Anchor themselves will refer to it as "Christmas Ale" - http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beers/christmasale.htm As for the Ridgeway beers, the importer, Shelton Bros. lists 4 Florida distributors (tho' they don't necessarily carry all the SB beers) - http://www.sheltonbrothers.com/distribution/default.asp Wed Dec 17 12:23:58 -0800 2008 4254251 11059 JessKidden 3 4255732 The Anchor thing is kind of a pet peeve of mine. I can't count the number of times I've heard people make that mistake. Wed Dec 17 21:47:26 -0800 2008 4254375 10809 Josh 4 4255999 <g> Ya know, as I was typing that up,I thought, " Hey, this is starting to sound familiar--I think someone's said this before." I suppose it's an inevitable part of internet forums. I know over on Beer Advocate, I find myself "correcting" beer myths all the time. In fact, currently over there there's a thread about an internet "Beer Myth Exposed" article- and THAT article begins with the fake B. Franklyn quote about God and beer. (I didn't have to read further.) Both the BA thread and the article's comments go on to state a bunch of other myths as fact (did you know that all beer in America must be pasteurized? I read it on the internet.). Kinda amusing. Anyway, re: "Anchor Steam"- Ever since you wrote that here, I've noted in my readings that there was, apparently, an era when the brewery did go by, or at least was called by others by, some form of that name. The ATF called it "Steam Brewing Co." in the 1976 publication "Breweries Authorized to Operate" and the FTC called it "Steam Beer Brewing Co." in a 1978 report. Even beer writers M. Jackson and W. Anderson were calling the company "Anchor Steam" in the 1970-early 80's. Another brewery reference book notes the "Anchor Steam" name for the period of 1961-77. So, I wonder if it's just sloppy work on all their parts or did the brewery officially call itself "Steam" in the pre-Maytag days, and Fritz *gradually* dropped it from everything save the beer itself (perhaps related to his registering the term?) Either way, I doubt that people who currently use the term are doing it based on those 3 decade old usages. Thu Dec 18 03:41:38 -0800 2008 4255732 11059 JessKidden 5 4270146 As near as I can tell, it's always been either Anchor Brewery or Anchor Brewing Company in full form. It's usually abbreviated in conversation as simply "Anchor" and much of their early bar signage used a picture of an anchor combined with the words "steam beer." http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/ourhistory.htm Tue Dec 23 17:51:51 -0800 2008 4255999 17221 SteveG 6 4270746 That's it? One source- a brief history of the company on its website? <g> Along with the 5 sources I listed above (including two US gov't agencies) I've also noted (thanks to the weather in NJ, lots of time to kill indoors) that two other 1970's era US beer books call it "Steam Beer Brewery/Brewing Co." (ALL ABOUT BEER by John Porter 1975 and Weiner's TASTERS GUIDE TO BEER 1977). THE REGISTER OF US BREWERIES 1976 says that the company went by "Anchor Steam Beer Brewing Co." from 1959-on, etc. Since the Anchor company of the 1960-70's did very little advertising or other promotions and didn't bottle until 1971 or so (thus, no labels) one would have to search their files I suppose for letterhead or such. The only photographic proof I have is a 1977 article in the NEW WEST magazine- "Tops of the Hops: The First New West Beer Test". Anchor Steam Beer won that taste test and the article features a slightly larger than life size reproduction of the Anchor Steam Beer bottle, circa 1977, (price listed at 67¢) the label of which clearly reads "Brewed and Bottled by Steam Beer Brewing Co., San Francisco...". Unfortunately, my scanner's down, but I intend to do a page for Anchor on my website in the near future. Wed Dec 24 04:21:48 -0800 2008 4270146 11059 JessKidden 7 4271351 Ahh, you're right: in chapter 6 of their online history, http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/ourhistory6.htm they have an animated gif of what appears to be the progression of their label over time, which says along the top edge, "Brewed and Bottled by Steam Beer Brewing Co., San Francisco..." Wish this conversation had come up earlier, I might have actually gone to the Anchor Christmas party and asked them directly. Wed Dec 24 09:48:21 -0800 2008 4270746 17221 SteveG 4 4257207 Mea culpa!!! Wasn't exactly holding the bottle in my hand when I wrote this. Sheesshhh!! Thu Dec 18 11:32:30 -0800 2008 4255732 51743 crewsweeper 1 4257244 The Bruery Partridge in a Pear Tree Alesmith Yulesmith Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi Alpine Boris Sierra Nevada Celebration Thu Dec 18 11:40:33 -0800 2008 4126299 72231 DougOLis 2 4260779 I second Gift of the Magi. Fri Dec 19 16:27:50 -0800 2008 4257244 163246 tofuburrito 1 4260106 Is there a better season for good beer? I think not. Some great ones listed but one's that just are now mainstays in my fridge (and speaking literally- currently in my hand): SN Celebration Old Fezziwig (gotta get the variety pack for that) Mad Elf Anchor Christmas Goose Island Christmas Dogfish Pangaea Hair of the Dog Fred Smuttynose Wheatwine Cheers! Fri Dec 19 12:21:54 -0800 2008 4126299 101707 yankeefan 2 4260378 Sadly, Mad Elf is done for the season. Total Wine sold 200 cases and cannot get anymore. I asked my buddy who owns a restaurant to ask his distributor to find me a case but they are out as well. If you see it on the shelf, grab it. I found an errant case in a small package store in NE PA for $60. Ouch! The pain goes away after the first few sips. Fri Dec 19 13:56:18 -0800 2008 4260106 21388 juice 3 4260920 Just picked up a case of Sierra Nevada Celebration for $28.99 at a Price Club on LI. Tasty as usual! I have one more Mad Elf left and I will have it tonight by the fire. I think I paid 11.99 a six for it. Fri Dec 19 17:36:08 -0800 2008 4260378 102195 imhungryletseat 1 4261265 Great Lakes Christmas Ale, Sam Adams Winter Lager, Thirsty Dog's Twelve Dogs of Christmas Ale, and Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown have all been in and out of my refrigerator this season. I look forward to the GL Christmas Ale every year. Fri Dec 19 21:04:04 -0800 2008 4126299 249987 Cheez62 1 4265798 Had a couple of bottles of Full Sail's Wassail Winter Ale over the weekend. Mon Dec 22 08:13:09 -0800 2008 4126299 51743 crewsweeper 2 4265913 Had a Bourbon County Stout from Goose Island yesterday. Talk about extreme, what an experience! $19.99 for a four pack at a So. Ca. Bevmo. It's worth it. Mon Dec 22 08:53:04 -0800 2008 4265798 163246 tofuburrito 1 4274621 Jess, Now that I signed up I have forgotten what I was going to say -- probably some shallow, poorly organized comment about draft beer. What I really want to know is why all the beers I find in minikegs are either a light (color and taste such as Paulender Pils) beer or a beer that would have more character is it was not unnecessarily bitter? Can a person get a minikeg of something like Gulden Draak, Ayinger Celebrator, EKU28, Dundee Honey Brown, Snake River Vienna Styla Lager (if you haven't had this you should try it) , or Baltika 9 Extra Lager to name a few. I like your posts and think you might be able to help me. I live in Louisville, KY but I am a Midhigan football fan -- yes, this was a tough year. John Hodgin Fri Dec 26 15:25:13 -0800 2008 4126299 251585 john hodgin 1 4276737 I keep going back to Shipyard's "Prelude". I first had it up in Maine - they are based in Portland with master brewer Alan Pugsley heading things up. But now I've found this year I can get it here in Florida at Total Wine. Good news! A rich amber ale that will keep you warm at 6.8%. Sat Dec 27 18:26:56 -0800 2008 4126299 85951 CFByrne 1 4278330 Has anyone seen the Spanish Peaks Winter Cheer this year? I tried to last year and it was great. Perfect balance of malts and hops. Very smooth. More on the hoppy side (which I like). Little T. www.adamsbeerblog.com Sun Dec 28 16:06:07 -0800 2008 4126299 12412 Little T. 1 4284035 I always anticipate Sam Adams Winter Lager. Another good one is Harveys Christmas Ale. Both of those on draft rather than bottles. Tommyknocker Butt Head is also good. A personal favorite is Snake River Vienna Style Lager - my stepdaughter imports a 12-pak of this for me every year. We live in Indiana. She is great! Tue Dec 30 15:38:02 -0800 2008 4126299 251585 john hodgin 2 4359007 Ramstein Winter Wheat Double Bock from High Point Brewery in New Jersey is delicious. 10% Alcohol. There is also an Ice Bock that checks in at around 13%. Double Platinum, which is a souped up version of their usual Blonde is also around 10% and just as tasty. Mon Jan 26 11:44:28 -0800 2009 4284035 229968 DrewEck 1 4361122 Troeg's Nugget Nectar!! I look forward to this beer all year and it came out last week. you all better hurry if you hope to get some. it goes quick. 7.5 % and oh so deliciously hoppy and floral. it truly is marvelous and only about $35 a case Tue Jan 27 03:13:43 -0800 2009 4126299 205011 Mr Siegal 1 4390378 Winter calls for anything from Québec delights Maudite, Fin du Monde or Saint Ambroise's Oatmeal Stout.. it's Canada, they should know something about winter drinking. If it's spice I'm after or it's a special occasion, Taieri George (Emerson's Brewery, Dunedin , NZ) is a wonderful winter warmer (brewed once a year for release in March, but sadly, only in NZ and select Aussie shops) and I'd drink Mr. Emerson's Old 95 all winter long if it were readily available. Waiting for the Northern Lights to appear and maybe I'll open the last one.. Thu Feb 05 11:11:46 -0800 2009 4126299 185693 gallileo