Night Shift Ever Weisse

A few weeks ago, a good friend of ours was in from Boston and brought us a few bombers from one of her favorite Boston breweries, Night Shift Brewing, located in Everett, MA.  While she was with us, we had the pleasure to enjoy two of their brews - JoJo and Viva Habanera.  Both beers were delicious, the JoJo was a gorgeous looking brew and the Viva Habanera definitely satisfied my constant cravings for a hot and spicy beer.  Needless to say I was quite impressed and decided we needed to review the others we received.  I'm a sucker for sours, so we're starting off with the Ever Weisse, a Berliner Weisse style sour with strawberries, kiwis, and hibiscus flowers.  Our particular bottle is hand marked as having been bottled 6-25-14 - I find it quite awesome that they're hand marking their bottling dates!  Night Shift also lists food pairings from Boston-area restaurants on their bottles, fantastic!

Brewery: Night Shift Brewing

Style: Berliner Weisse
ABV: 5.9%

Glass: Mason Jar 

Appearance: Pours a golden with touches of pink and orange, slightly cloudy.  Head is bright white and effervescent with very little retention, disappearing quickly and leaving a small bubbly white ring around the edges of the glass.

Aroma: Carries a definite  yeast sour aroma blended with floral notes and perhaps a hint of hop.

Body & Texture: Light boddied and thickly carbonated, with a mild prickle across the tongue and roof of the mouth.

Taste:  Flavor is very tart with a good pucker on the first taste that fades as you move down the glass.  Strawberry and kiwi flavor are present throughout, with notes of hibiscus more detectable at the very start and later in the finish.  Wheat carries the background and is more detectable with a longer hold.  

Overall: This bold sour is sure to delight both the sour connoisseur and the fruit beer lover.  The powerful tartness and complimentary fruit and floral flavors come together for quite the forward sour beer.  The background wheat flavors were a fantastic base to bring the bigger flavors to the forefront and it allows the drinker to have the opportunity to separate each various added taste within the brew.  Personally, this particular beer gets an A+ and a 5/5 in my book.  If you are a sucker for that powerful pucker fish face then you can't pass up the opportunity to try this pretty beer.  I look forward to my next trip to the Boston area so that I might have the chance to check out this awesome brewery and pick up more of their fantastic beers!

Check out Ever Weiss and the rest of Night Shift's beers at their website - http://www.nightshiftbrewing.com/

Thomas Creek Stillwater Vanilla Cream Ale

While in Asheville last month, we picked up a handful of Thomas Creek Brewing's beers after finding them at several local craft beer sellers.  It's been a toasty Indian summer type fall day here in Ohio, so I went to the fridge seeking something light and refreshing and came back with this brew, Stillwater Vanilla Cream Ale.  I'm back and forth on this, as I'm not always big on the cream ale scene, something I attribute to a scarring experience with Genny Cream Ale back in college.  Shudder.  But we'll give this a go and see if it pairs well with '60's documentaries on the History Channel and takeout Chinese food.  Oh yes, the Cav is a class act today folks!

Brewery: Thomas Creek Brewery

Style: Cream Ale
ABV: 4.5%

Glass: Tulip

Appearance: Clear and brilliant straw color with a loose but well-retaining bright white head that is very bubbly and doesn't leave much in the way of lacing on the glass.  Slight chill haze.

Aroma:  Carries a definite sweetness with a hint of vanilla that becomes stronger as I get into the belly of the tulip.

Body & Texture: Very light bodied with a sharp and very prickly carbonation that leaves a lasting tickle in the mouth.

Taste:  Flavors are quite light, notes of corn and light malt.  Some sulfur is detectable, along with the unique yeasty sweetness of a cream ale.  Not much if any discernible vanilla flavor. 

Overall: This fits the style bill of a cream ale quite well, and it is definitely your classic everyday American beer.  One could sit with this and watch the football game, grill some burgers, mow the lawn, or float in the pool.  I am, however, a little disappointed in the lack of vanilla tones in the flavor.  There is a sweet vanilla detectable in the aroma, but the flavor is purely cream ale - very upfront with corn and some sweet light malts, thin and refreshing.  I was hoping for perhaps a sweet tang of vanilla to come through with the cream sweetness, or even a more bitter note that you might see from vanilla beans in the secondary.  

The Dobie and I have debated several times whether or not more commercialized American styles have any place in the craft beer world, but at is takes a certain finesse to pull off any craft beer I believe that they do.  This beer certainly pulls off the style of the cream ale well without harboring the general, well, grossness of various commercial American cream ales that shall remain nameless.  Hats off to Thomas Creek for achieving this, but you guys still haven't fully changed my mind on the cream ale scheme.  

Stay tuned for more Thomas Creek beers soon!

If you'd like to read more about Thomas Creek and their beers, check out their website at - http://www.thomascreekbeer.com/

Green Man IPA

IPAs are a hot commodity right now, probably because who doesn't love a good IPA, but with all the popularity unfortunately the market is being flooded with half-assed beers and terrible knockoffs that leave you sort of sad and hop-free inside.  The Dobie and I enjoyed several of Green Man's brews while cruising through the beercation beer trail on our Asheville, NC trip, so we brought a few home to share with the readers.  

Brewery: Green Man

Style: English IPA
ABV: 6.0%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: A really lovely dark copper that brings to mind gorgeous earth tones.  Small white head leaves some really nice lacing down the sides of the glass and nice clouds settling on top.

Aroma: This beer carries a very earthy nose with subtle green notes that indicate the presence of hops.

Body & Texture: Body is light with a medium prickly carbonation with just enough hop bite going down.

Taste:  Earthy hop flavor follows the aroma, like tasting nature in a glass.  Noteable hop flavors range from earthy to pine to a bit of citrus and ending with a moderate bitterness that pushes the hops forward but isn't overpowering.

Overall:  This IPA embodies nature and growth, with earthy tones and delicious flavors that just scream green.  I actually ended up walking out on my porch to enjoy the evening air and take in the sights and sounds of the forest while drinking this lovely little brew!  IPAs are all the rage right now, so we're seeing more and more of them produced.  A lot are moving off-style or just falling short, perhaps not enough hops or too much other added flavor, but not so with this IPA.  The rich earth tones inspired by the deep hop flavors are just right for sitting down and contemplating the effects of nature on good beer.

Check out Green Man Brewery and the rest of their beers at their website - http://greenmanbrewery.com/

Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale

That's right folks, we so thoroughly enjoyed the Duck-Rabbit brews we encountered in Asheville that we brought back not one but two for review!  If our next trip to North Carolina takes us farther in to the eastern side of the state, we're definitely going to try and make a trip over to Farmville (yes, that is the actual name, I know) to check out their tasting room and enjoy their dark beers brewery-fresh!

Brewery: Duck-Rabbit

Style: Red Ale
ABV: 5.5%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: Golden dark amber color with a small, off-white head.  Head has a good retention with some thready top-lacing.

Aroma: Aroma is pretty unremarkable, not much to take in but a slight undertone of wet caramel.

Body & Texture: On the heavier side of a light body with a lot of prickly carbonation.

Taste:  My initial reaction to the flavor was that I taste rye, though this could be a flavor mimicked with various hops.  A solid but not unpleasant bitterness from the hops blends nicely with caramel and toffee tones and a little toasted malt to finish it off.

Overall: I can't say I'm ever massively enthused by most red and amber ales, but that's not to say I don't still love them.  Actually some of my first beers were ambers thanks to the somewhat better than your average beer drinker palate my dad has.  Like many good ambers, this would make a great small sessioner.  It's a little heavy to go in on a whole six pack of in one go, but you could sit and watch the game and have at least three of these and be perfectly happy!  In fact, I'd recommend picking up a pack or two of Duck-Rabbit's Amber Ale and having the guys over to watch the game and learn a thing or two about what good beer tastes like!  This beer is mild enough that it will pair well with a variety of tasty football accompaniers, from cheese dip to veggies to hot wings.  If you're not into football, serve this chilled at your summer BBQ or just sit down with one after work and enjoy!

Check out Duck-Rabbit's other beers and read more about them at their website - http://www.duckrabbitbrewery.com/

Duck-Rabbit Duck-Rabbator Doppelbock

Here we are again, moving on through our North Carolina beer adventure!  While in Asheville, the Dobie and I encountered Duck-Rabbit's Milk Stout, a really big, sweet, and absolutely fantastic sweet stout that we adored and immediately wanted more of.  After learning that this brewery with the funny little logo that might be a duck and might be a rabbit specialized in dark beers, we were definitely sold and had to bring a few home for further tasting purposes.

Brewery: Duck-Rabbit

Style: Doppelbock
ABV: 8.5%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: Pours with little to no head to speak of, maybe a light ring of tan bubbling around the edges.  Deep muddy amber-brown in color.

Aroma: Sweet malt aroma, very heavy with notes of brown sugar, molasses, and a bit of breadyness.

Body & Texture: Medium bodied, thicker when it warms to the air a bit, and pretty heavy on the carbonation for a doppelbock, but smooth with a slight alcohol burn at the finish.

Taste:  Brace yourself, this is a big boy!  One sip of this gets you a mouthful of rich sweet malt and some definitely detectable esters.  It finishes with a bang, the malt profile switching from rich and sweet to toasted and savory.  Notes of chocolate, raisins, and molasses are prominent in flavor, bringing in the normal sweetness of your average doppelbock then raising the bar with an extra big malt boom to finish it off.

Overall: This is not a beer for the faint of heart!  As with any doppelbock, don't eyeball the word "lager" and automatically assume you're in for a quiet, light, little bar beer.  Duck-Rabbator is a big beer that comes out swinging with a sweet, delicious, malty aroma and finishes strong with a strong malty punch.  This definitely isn't your classic doppelbock, but who doesn't like to explore a little into style experimentation?  As a homebrewer currently experimenting with just that, I would venture to say that hardly anyone is ever really mad about it!  Duck-Rabbator is definitely a tasty doppelbock, but it may not be for everyone - if big flavor and hefty malt is up your alley then give this strange animal a taste!

The Dobie says - Sweet, well balanced, with a nice roasted and ester flavor at the end.  This might be the new top on my list of favorite doppelbocks!

Check out Duck-Rabbit and the rest of their beers at their website - http://www.duckrabbitbrewery.com/

Catawba Brewing White Zombie

We really enjoyed Catawba's beers while on vacation in Asheville, NC.  I initially tasted White Zombie on tap there and enjoyed the mild flavor profile so much that I brought a can home!  I'm sure the canned beer will be somewhat different than fresh off the tap but I'm certainly excited to give it a try!

Brewery: Catawba 

Style: Witbier
ABV: 4.7%

Glass: Tulip

Appearance: Straw colored with hints of green, this beer pours with a 1-2 inch fluffy white head that drops within a few minutes and leaves little to no lacing on the glass.  Definite flocculants visible with a full pour.

Aroma: Aroma is bready with notes of orange-like citrus.  

Body & Texture: Light medium body with a decent carbonation and a lightly effervescent mouth feel.

Taste:  Flavor comes across mild at first but builds with the glass, incorporating notes of wheat, orange peel, and a light spice and finishing with the hint of a mild bitter hop in the finish to complete a fantastic array of taste.  Farther down the glass the flavor becomes stronger, and 

Overall: While I will say that this was definitely better fresh as the flavor profiles were a little more powerful and easily detected, this is still a really tasty wit!  I enjoyed this particular can with a reuben sandwich and, not to toot my own horn, but that was an excellent decision.  The flocculants might be offputting to more inexperienced drinkers who might be intimidated if they happen to notice the presence of "stuff" in their beer - but don't worry it's perfectly acceptable for it to be there!  This beer has a great flavor that is mild and versatile enough to pair with a variety of foods or drink alone.  I love that it started as a Halloween beer and evolved into a year-round favorite.  Serve this at your Halloween party, a winter mixer, or your summer BBQ, this flexible little brew will go just about anywhere for you just like it seems to have done for its brewers!

Check out more of Catawba's beers at their website - http://catawbabrewing.com/#

Catawba Brewing King Don's Pumpkin Ale

My first experience with Catawba Brewing Company came in Asheville, NC at Barley's Taproom when I knew at first glance that I absolutely had to try their King Coconut Porter.  It was as billed, a candy bar in a glass.  I was sold from sip one.  I tried a few of their other brews while in Asheville and was so impressed I brought a few home!  This is pumpkin beer season, so I figured I'd start with this tasty looking can here!  Yes, I know it's still August, go away.  Football has started, so fall has started, and fall means pumpkin beer!  It's logic, accept it.

Brewery: Catawba 

Style: Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 5.0%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: Gorgeous amber-red color that captures the light and absolutely shines!  Head pours about half an inch, a light to medium tan that is just slightly on the red side. 

Aroma: Very spicy!  Definitely contains notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, maybe some cardamom.  

Body & Texture: Lightly carbonated and medium bodied, however it is difficult to pick up on the lighter carbonation because the spice adds a tingle that mimics the effect of a much more carbonated beer - quite an interesting texture to be sure!

Taste:  Everything a pumpkin beer should be!  Deep, rich pumpkin notes give rise to heavy spices that follow the aroma.  The spices are definitely the king of the King Don's, cinnamon and nutmeg being especially prevalent.  Quite spicy actually, but this is not unpleasant!  

Overall: This is only my, hmm, fourth pumpkin beer of the season, but it is definitely my favorite so far!  I'm a huge fan of spicier beers, because when executed properly, they become an amazingly complex and savory yet refreshing beverage that always leaves you craving more.  This particular pumpkin ale is just all around good!  Not only is it beautiful to look at (please use an appropriate glass to enjoy this work of art), it also goes down easy and provides an amazing array of complex flavors that range from almost sweet pumpkin to savory, tingly spices that tickle the tongue and trick you into believeing that there's more carbonation in your glass than there really is.  This one gets an A+ in my book!

Read about Catawba and the rest of their delicious brews at their website - http://www.catawbavalleybrewingcompany.com/#

Brevard Brewing Company

After hitting Oskar Blues, the Dobie and I headed into the town of Brevard proper for some food and in hopes of seeing some of their famous white squirrels.  No luck with the squirrels, but we did manage to grab a bite and some brews in a great little cafe and check out some shopping at the local stores and galleries.  Along the way, we chanced upon another brewery that we hadn't even planned on - Brevard Brewing Company.

Little did we know, we stumbled upon a true North Carolina gem.  Brevard Brewing opened their doors in 2012, and they carry the distinction of being the only brewery in North Carolina to specialize in lagers!  They do offer both lagers and ales on their small tap system, but it's easy to see that lagers are where their hearts lie.

Located near the end of the main shopping area on Main Street, Brevard Brewing has a striking entrance that you'll notice immediately from the street.  Inside you'll find a cozy atmosphere with all manner of really interesting paintings gracing the walls.  A 5 tap system serves Brevard's beer, and they've also got a small selection of other local brews if you find yourself branching out a bit while you're there.

I had the pleasure of trying two of their prized lagers, the Bohemian Pilsner and the Munich Dunkel.  I also sampled their Single Hop Seasonal pale ale.  The pilsner was very solid and straight to the style.  Crisp and clean with some sulfur notes and a slight hint of corn. My favorite of the three had to have been the Dunkel though.  I adore a dark lager, and theirs was fantastic!  Deep, rich, and sticky with notes of molasses, coffee, and dark toasted malt, I was in dunkel heaven!

Take yourself to a fun and different brewery while you explore your way through Asheville's beer houses.  Lagers sometimes get a bad rap thanks to atrocious mass-produced American-style macro lagers, but head out to Brevard and allow Brevard Brewing Company to change your mind.  You might even get the chance to see one of the town's famous white squirrels!

Check out more about Brevard Brewing Company at their website - www.brevard-brewing.com/

The Tasty Weasel Tap Room at Oskar Blues Brewery (Brevard, NC)

The Dobie would not let me get away with a visit to North Carolina without stopping at one of his favorite breweries, Oskar Blues!  Located just down the road from Asheville in Brevard, NC, Oskar Blues opened their new eastern facility here at the end of 2012.

After a rigorous morning of mountain climbing in the nearby Pisgha National Forest, the Dobie and I headed over to Oskar Blues to "wet our weasels" at their Tasty Weasel Tap Room, located upstairs in their brewing facility.  Walking in to the main brew floor, we were hit with the most amazing smell possible - that rich, sweet, sticky, malty, savory aroma of beer in its youth.  It was like brew day at our house but magnified a thousandfold.  Ahh, beer nirvana.

The Tasty Weasel, named after its twin at the Longmont, CO location, is a cozy haven for fans who love cans but have been dying for a fresh from the brewhouse taste.  Here's the thing, cans are great - they're recyclable, they can be upcycled into all manner of really cool folk art - but you just can't beat the taste of a fresh beer straight from the tap.  If you're looking to experience a whole new side to Oskar Blues, you've got to visit one of their two brewery locations!

The Tasty Weasel offers not only a regular selection of Oskar Blues' year-round beers, but also a rotating selection of brewery-only drafts and special cask beers that you'll never get anywhere else.  Get your tasting apps out kids, because you'll get a full round of seven beers in a flight, and Tuesdays and Fridays the Weasel also offers a special keg made just for the day and different every week!  I'm hard pressed to choose a favorite out of our flight, but if I absolutely had to I think it would come down to Mama's Little Yella Pils or the Old Chub Nitro.  I realize that those are two distinctly different beers, but as any familiar reader will know, I'm not one for sticking to a particular style or taste category.  

I'm back and forth in the world of the pilsner.  Sometimes I'm all for it and other times I look at my glass in disbelief wondering where the beer is and who gave me this ridiculous glass full of water and yellow food coloring.  Mama's Little Yella Pils absolutely kills it.  She's crisp and clean with that mineral sulfur lager-type attitude that really hits the spot on a hot day.  Fresh from the tap it was exactly what I was looking for after a good heavy mountain hike.

Old Chub is probably my favorite of Oskar Blues' brews.  Creamy, rich, malty, it's everything I crave in a beer, and so bursting with flavor that I am never left wanting after a can.  I was a little nervous to try it on nitro - I know everyone loves the nitro taps, but I feel like a lot of beers lose something when put on nitro.  They get watery, or the flavor decreases, or they just loose "something" that normally gives them their signature flavors.  Old Chub, it would appear, is not one of those beers.  The skilled artisans down at Oskar Blues have created a masterpiece that in my eyes is brilliant on and off a nitro tap.  Good one guys!

If you're visiting Asheville, NC, do yourself a favor and go take a nice long hike around Pisgah, then get yourself over to Oskar Blues in Brevard.  Take a scheduled brewery tour, or stop in for one of their special kegs on Tuesday and Friday evenings, or catch a food truck in their outdoor seating area.  If you haven't yet checked out a larger microbrewery, check out Oskar Blues!

If you're interested in Oskar Blues or learning more about their beers, head to their website to learn more! - oskarblues.com/

Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria

Continuing along on our visit to Asheville, I know this isn't a brewey, or a beer, or a place to buy beer to take home with you, or some sort of beer accessory, but the Dobie and I felt like we had to mention Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria on the blog after going back twice for flights and 'za!

If you find yourself visiting Asheville, NC for all that her hops, grain, and water have to offer, you would do well to make your first stop Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria.  Located in the heart of town on Biltmore Ave, this daytime to late night joint is sure to please both your taste buds and your wallet.

The Dobie and I first visited Barley's when we were in need of some quick carbs and of course more of the fantastic local Asheville beer.  We took a risk and boy did it pay off!  Made to order, bubbling hot and fresh New York style pizza is served to please, along with a compliment of other standard pub fare that is just too tasty to miss out on whether you live in Asheville or you're just visiting.

In addition to great food, Barley's features a wide variety of local Asheville beers.  Customers can enjoy a pint or get a flight if they're looking to taste around!  We were happy to take a tour de taste of the local brewing venues while enjoying our pizza, giving us a better idea of what we'd like to check out and what we'd like to take home with us!

Like many places we discovered in Asheville, Barley's features several large centrally placed long tables that give patrons the chance to sit down for pizza and beer with strangers and make new friends over a pint and a pie!  This common feature in Asheville bars and eaterys was one of my favorite things about Beer City, USA and something I wish would catch on with the rest of the country.

If you're visiting Asheville for the first time, or even if you live there and are just now starting to explore the craft beer scene, I highly recommend putting Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria first on your list of places to visit.  There are a lot of breweries in Asheville, but a visit to Barley's will give you at least some idea of how to narrow down your visit and plan your stops.  Good luck in the beer city!!!

Get a peek at their tap list and menu at Barley's website - http://barleystaproom.com/

Wicked Weed Genesis

What kind of a beer blogger would I be if I went to a brewery I loved and didn't bring home at least one of their beers to review?  A terrible one, that's what.  We loved Wicked Weed so much we had to bring home one of their bottled sours when we found it in a local craft brew store in Asheville.  Having been super impressed at their brewery, I'm expecting nothing but the best out of this bottle!  Also note my awesome Wicked Weed glass from their brewpub - I really need a curio cabinet for all of my beer-related glassware.

Beer: Genesis Blonde Sour

Brewery: Wicked Weed Brewing

Style: American Wild Ale
ABV: 6.6%

Glass: Shaker-style Pint (with awesome accompanying Wicked Weed logo)

Appearance:  Straw-colored and just barely hazey, this blonde bombshell has some interesting greenish-tinged highlights when held up to the light.  The fizzy white head looks large and exciting at first but, as it should, disappears before you can get your camera out and snap a pic for your packed to the brim Untappd app.

Aroma: Like a bad beer girl, I stuck my nose in the bottle right when I opened it and got a nosefull of vinegary sourness.  The in-glass aroma is more subdued, light vinegar and some fruity notes, with a definite sour funk.

Body & Texture: Body is light with a welcome effervescent carbonation.  A very mild syrup quality backs it up to round out the texture.  

Taste:  The funk in the taste is definitely not as aggressive as that funky aroma.  Funky sour and fruity notes are given an interesting balance with mineral tones and a distinct white wine quality that gives a slight warming in the finish.

Overall:  A sour aged in white wine barrels, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I did know I wouldn't be disappointed.  While I typically like a good hearty pucker to my sours that this beer doesn't quite deliver, the flavor is very unique and that alone is quite pleasing to my picky sour-loving palate.  There is a definite tartness that is also accompanied by a complex and interesting dry quality that has to come from the barrel aging process.  I won't lie, at first taste I wasn't sure I was all that into this one, but moving down the glass and really tasting into the complexity of different and unique flavors that Genesis has to offer I changed my mind - I'm definitely sold on this one.  If you're still not sure, go out and buy a bottle anyhow and sit down with a tasting plate of grapes, currants, and a nice soft cheese.  Your fancy side will thank you.

Read about our trip to Wicked Weed in our last post, and catch them on their website at - http://www.wickedweedbrewing.com/

Wicked Weed Brewing

We live in the eastern(ish) United States, so where else would you expect a good brewcation to take us but Beer City, USA, a veritable hub of craft brewing - Asheville, North Carolina!  Our first stop was the first brewery we spotted as we rolled into town - Wicked Weed.  Currently  located on Asheville's downtown Biltmore Ave, Wicked Weed offers a wide variety of expertly crafted beers as well as an amazing selection of foods crafted to pair nicely with their delicious brews.

The Dobie and I were eager to bounce around and explore Asheville's brewpub scene a bit, so we ended up ordering just appetizers at Wicked Weed, but we were not disappointed!  We shared a generously portioned plate of calamari over a few beers, and not only did we find our lightly breaded little squid bites to be perfectly cooked, we absolutely loved the bed of sauce the were so artfully laid upon.  Yum!  If you're out in Asheville with a group that could take or leave the beer (for shame!) but is nuts for delectable gourmet treats, then this is the place for you.

Food is one thing, but I'm sure you're sitting there thinking - "Ok, but how was the BEER?!"  In short, even better than the food.  Wicked Weed might not be well known up where we live because of area of distribution, but with selection and artful crafting like these guys have, it won't be long.

We started off our adventure into their delicious brews with their signature beer, Freak of Nature, a "monstrously hopped" double IPA.  WOW!  Already we were impressed - both the Dobie and myself agreed that the only way to get that much hop aroma outside of enjoying a Freak of Nature for yourself would be to stick your face in a barrel full of fresh hops and take a nice big inhale.  The flavor followed with a huge citrusy hop punch to the face.  Consider our minds, and our palates absolutely blown!

I tried a few other of their brews and I must say, you'd be hard pressed to find a tap list that is more creative or expansive across such a wide variety of styles.  This being said, my heart leaped straight from my chest when I saw their World Cup-themed beers.  I'm a huge beer dork, we know this, so of course ever since I saw the episode of Brew Masters where Sam Calagione brewed authentic chicha, I have been dying to try it.  There it was on their tap list, Honduras, a chicha brewed as one of the beers created for a tour of the various World Cup countries.  The aroma was slightly spicy, maybe with a bit of cinnamon and a good amount of herb.  The flavor was biscuity, maybe a bit like a cracker, but with a nice full spice.  This one wasn't really up the Dobie's alley, as he described his experience with a funny face saying, "It tastes like I'm drinking a tortilla," but I was delighted!

Great food and better beer, if you're in Asheville, NC don't miss out on Wicked Weed Brewing!  Like most of Asheville, their brewery includes awesome long tables indoors where you can sit with strangers and meet new friends (I know, cool right?!) as well as a great dog-friendly outdoor patio!  If you are lucky enough to spot Freak of Nature in your local beer store, I highly recommend picking one up.  This hopped freak show will astound your senses and amaze your taste buds!

Wicked Weed can be found on Biltmore Ave in Asheville, NC and online at their website - http://www.wickedweedbrewing.com/

Miner's Daughter Oatmeal Stout

It's been three weeks!  I know!  Football preseason has just finished and let me tell you, I've been too tired to write half a blog or drink a beer let alone even think about blogging about beer.  The beer-free lifestyle has been a hard one, let me tell you.  As promised however, I've been clinging to my many many beers from beercation waiting to review them and finish telling the readers about our awesome beercation!  First up, since my last review came to you from Mountain State Brewing in Thomas, WV, I've brought home one of their flagship beers - Miner's Daughter Oatmeal Stout.  

Beer: Miner's Daughter Oatmeal Stout

Brewery: Mountain State Brewing

Style: Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 5.2%

Glass: Tulip

Appearance:  Pours dark like West Virginia coal, with about an inch of fluffy dark tan head that drops after a few minutes, leaving a decent lacing on the glass just a bit of fluff on top.

Aroma: Very light but with a noticeable malt.  Not a lot in the way of aroma, but I've often found that the oats sometimes take away from that and leave a more clean nose.

Body & Texture: A bit more medium bodied, on the thin side of a stout.  A moderate creaminess in the mouthfeel is nicely complimented by a carbonation that I can only describe by saying yes it's medium, but it's a heavy medium - you know, that wet sort of carbonation that brings across the creaminess you get from the oatmeal without taking away from that buff stout body.

Taste:  Flavor is light and pleasing with malt and of course obvious oatmeal notes.  Just barely sweet with some very light notes of chocolate that could either come from malt or perhaps cocoa nibs.  A slight metallic tinge that reminds me of the water we drink every time we're camping up there.  (This is not bad - this is awesome!)

Overall:  If I had to sum this up in one short sentence, I would say that this is a summer stout.  By that I mean that it is a big enough beer for your average burly man hair on your chest stout drinker, but at the same time it is light and refreshing enough to have a full glass of and enjoy on a warm summer evening.  I've enjoyed this both fresh and aged, this bottle happened to be aged about six months.  Fresh I would have called it slightly watery but still delicious and quite enjoyable.  Once let sit for a bit, this beauty gains a little more body and power.  A nice mild stout either way, I know it's sacrilege, but have a cold one with your barbecue - you will not be at all sad you did.  

Read more about Mountain State in my previous post, or check out their website at http://mountainstatebrewing.com/

Mountain State Brewing Company

The Dobie and I spent the first night of our brewcation in Davis, WV at Blackwater Falls State Park, a favorite camping spot of ours.  It isn't just the beautiful mountains or the cute little towns of Davis and Thomas that bring us out time and time again - it's also the beer!  I first want to give a little shout out to Blackwater Brewing Company, as we always seem to come in on an odd day and miss their open hours - we did meet their awesome brewmaster while we were in town but unfortunately our schedule ended up with us not being able to spend a second day.  No worries, we will be back (we can't seem to go very long without a trip to our favorite camping spot) and we're definitely going to make it out to the local Brew Skies Festival next year at Canaan Valley!

Located just up the road from popular Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley state parks in Thomas, WV, Mountain State Brewing Company is a little taste of West Virginia's almost heaven kind of flavor.  The Dobie and I discovered Mountain State back in May when camping in nearby Davis, WV.  We bought a few singles of their signature bottled brews and we were sold!

Mountain State has an awesome little bar-style tasting room attached to a good sized micro-brewing facility.  Its rustic interiors and local flavor will make you feel at home as soon as you walk in the door.  Make sure you get there early in the evening if you're looking to stay a while, as they do have limited seating in the bar-area.

We were told by one of the locals in nearby Davis that Mountain State started bottling pretty recently, but their brews already seem to be a hit.  They're currently packaging up their Seneca Indian Pale Ale, Miner's Daughter Oatmeal Stout, and Cold Trail Ale (and perhaps a few others we didn't see), all of which can be found in the local grocery store and liquor store.  They don't have a super-far reach just yet but I won't be surprised if I start to see Mountain State's beers start popping up in neighboring states at some specialty stores in the not all too distant future.

My favorite Mountain State brew is without a doubt the Miner's Daughter, but since I brought a few bottles home that I'll be reviewing in more detail, I'm not going to talk about that one quite as much.  While at the brewery, I had the pleasure of tasting their Almost Heaven Amber Ale.  A pretty standard but very well executed amber, this was exactly what I was craving when we rolled into town Thursday evening.  Malt, nut, and caramel tones blend for a well rounded short session beer that would be a good transition brew if you're trying to convince your friends who think that Killians is the pinnacle of brewing creations that there is more to beer than the macrobrewery.

Next time I'm in town, I'll be pretty excited to get a taste of their Dolly Suds Cranberry Wheat or perhaps one of their limited rotating seasonal beers.  Craft beer isn't just for the city folks - get on down to West Virginia and get your camp on while enjoying some awesome local flavors at Mountain State Brewing Company!  I am also quite excited to hit one of their two brewpubs the next time I roll through Morgantown, a bit north of the Thomas brewery; with beer this tasty they've got to have great food!

Check out Mountain State's website and read about their story and their beers here - http://mountainstatebrewing.com/

Trailhead Brewery

The Dobie and I have just returned from an 11 day mini "brewcation" road trip, so here come the reviews!  It would have been a full brewcation, but we had the dog with us and on top of that, the Dobie ended up losing his ID halfway through the trip, making it a little harder to get beer since he looks like he's about 17!  By the way, if any readers in Asheville, NC randomly find a wallet on some mountain trail, it might be his.  Whoops.

Our brewcation started (and ended) close to home, then moved out first to West Virginia and then into North Carolina, where we visited Beer City, USA.  But before we made it all the way down there, we first went where we always go - Trailhead.

Tucked away in Akron, Ohio's scenic Valley district, Trailbead Brewery is a four-tap nanobrewery that offers a frequently rotating selection of craft beers that range from dark and malty to light and hoppy and everything in between.  Trailhead offers a very friendly atmosphere where patrons can grab a beer, relax with a game of darts, and of course meet the Valley locals.  Sit at the bar, or make some new friends at one of the brewery's picnic tables.  Either way, you're sure to enjoy a great beer at a fair price!

One of my personal favorite Trailhead brews is the 15 Feet Wheat.  Each time it comes around on tap, it is something a little different - I've now had it with vanilla, blueberries, and cherries, and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of 15 Feet Wheat with Green Tea and Lavender!  A standard but flavorful wheat beer that seems to be extremely refreshing regardless of what is added to the secondary, the light tartness of the wheat combined with tasty additions of fruits or spices is sure to please and leave the drinker wanting more.

A newer crowd favorite is Trailhead's Stout and Out, a hefty bourbon stout with a big attitude and bigger flavor.  Put your chompers in kids, because you may need to chew this bad boy a little before you put it down.  Stout and Out might be a heavy piece of work, but a smoother bourbon stout you'd be hard pressed to find, at least at our other local breweries.  Rich malt notes combined with subtle oaky tones back up the flavor of the bourbon and balance out the alcohol, giving you all of the rich taste with none of the burn that some harsher bourbon beers often carry.  Watch out though - like many of Trailhead's delicious brews, this one can and will knock you on your ass without a whole lot of effort!

If you're checking out the up and coming northeast Ohio beer scene (why wouldn't you be) and you find yourself wanting something a little different from some of the hoity toity breweries that have been springing up all over the area, get yourself down to the Valley district in Akron, OH and grab a mason jar pint with some friends - you won't regret it!

Check out Trailhead on Facebook to keep up with their frequently rotating taps and see what's coming up soon! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trailhead-Brewery/313608432087809

Bourgogne des Flandres Ambree

I love sours, I love Belgians, and I adore anything that says Flanders on it.  It can't be helped.  After years of thinking that beer was just that watery stuff that you drink from a funnel, something with such a powerful flavor like a sour that just punches you in the face and tells you what it is is refreshing and exciting, and I don't think I'll ever get enough.  I select them somewhat willy-nilly from the sour section at my favorite local beer store, but this method has yet to let me down!

Beer: Bourgogne des Flandres Ambree

Brewery: Timmermans

Style: Flanders Red
ABV: 5.0%

Glass: Stemmed Belgian

Appearance:  Pours very dark but clear, with a beautiful red color when held up to the light.  About an inch of off-white to tan head that recedes quickly.

Aroma:  Definite sour aroma but with noticeable malty notes.  

Body & Texture:  Medium body, slightly syrupy, with a mid-level amount of carbonation.

Taste:  Distinctly Belgian.  Big sticky sweetness with vaguely malty notes, and just enough sour grape skin flavor at the end.  I may also be detecting a faint bitterness in the finish.  The Dobie says the flavor reminds him of Worstishire sauce, which I don't often eat, so I'll just go ahead and assume he's a nut and leave it at that.    Addendum - he made me taste said sauce and I see where he's coming from.  I think it's that malted "brown" flavor.

Overall: This certainly isn't the sour to end all sours, but it has pleasing wine-like fruit aromas and flavors that convey both sweetness and light sourness.  If you're looking for something that will pucker your face, this isn't it.  If you're looking for something you can sip on while eating some cheese, fruit, or even a nice cheesecake, then this is right up your alley.  A more mild Flanders, this is definitely a decent beginner beer if you're taking someone in through the sour route and trying to pair with food.  It has a distinctly Belgian character that, while it may not impress like a more powerful sour, will still leave you toasting the wonderful brewers of Belgium.