Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat
Here's another selection from the Samuel Adams Brewmaster's Collection. The Cherry Wheat is definitely easy to find and yet another great summertime brew for a hot day. One of the greatest characteristics of this beer is the cherry aroma that arises from the use of Michigan cherries in the brewing process. The cherry flavor is nicely subdued, but definitely present in the beer without being overpowering. The combination of Michigan cherries and wheat malt create a crisp, refreshing, and very smooth flavor. In my opinion, this beer is an excellent choice for a hot summer day after working in the yard or playing hard.
I know you are familiar with my love of the Rogue Ales. I don't think they make a bad beer, or at least I haven't tasted one yet that I could complain about. Samuel Adams beers fall into that same category in general. I haven't had a Samuel Adams brew yet that I really didn't like. I don't thing that the offerings from the Boston Beer Company are quite on the same playing field as the Rogues, but they are just solid and consistent in their quality and taste. The advantage you have with Sam Adams is availability. You will find Sam Adams brews in a lot more grocery and convenient store coolers. The Rogues come at a slightly higher premium.
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Here's a sampling that came as a tip from my friend Iron Chef David Shirley a few months ago. I'm no stranger to the goodness of Rogue, but after hearing David say:
Shakespeare, mm: highly unlikely that you will be disappointed. maybe my favorite beer ever.....ok, tie with Sammy's Oatmeal.
...I just had to get it on my tasting regimen. The beer had a fantastic aroma that was noticeable as soon as I heard the pshhhhhsssss when I popped the cap. Shakespeare Stout also exhibits a beautiful creamy head that stays intact for the duration of the experience. As with all stouts, this one has a very rich body arising from Rogue's choices of crystal and chocolate malts as well as rolled oats and roasted barley. A healthy addition of cascade hops kicks the IBU on this brew up to 69 for a very nice hoppiness to accompany the chocolaty finish.
I guess we can chalk this up as another huge winner from Rogue Ales. I'm almost to the point in my tasting experience where I want to just go get a sample of everything they have and finish working my way down their list. I still haven't been able to get my grubby little fingers on the XS Imperial Stout yet, but I'm working on it. I think Rogue should send me a sampling case since I'm becoming one of their biggest (literally ;) cheerleaders!
As I'm about half way through this bomber, I'm going to have to agree with David. I haven't tasted the Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout yet, but I can't imagine it topping this beer. Shakespeare Stout is going to become an ingredient in my next batch of home made chili...
Small Craft Warning
It's 90 degrees outside, so I came back in and retired to the old blogging desk with a cold beer. Today's sampling is from Clipper City Brewing Company in Baltimore, Maryland. The Small Craft Warning Uber Pils is a very interesting brew. It has an excellent malt substance while still maintaining a pronounced hop punch. From the bottle:
Unofficially - the original American Uber Pils! American Uber Pils Small Craft Warning is a rich, golden bock lager with a big malt flavor and bountiful hop character. 7.0% Alc./Vol.
This beer maintained a nice lacing head throughout the consumption process. I'm very impressed with this beer overall. It may not be the greatest choice for a crisp thirst-quencher on a hot day because of its heavier body, but it's definitely a keeper.
Homebrewing Update:
I'm finally ready to try my first all-grain home brew. I finished building my mash tun, I bought my grain mill, and I ordered grains, hops, and yeast for my next brew. I'm planning to have a drop-in home brewing party in the very near future, probably on Saturday, June 27 between 1pm and 6pm. It will be an all-afternoon event for the brewing process, but you can drop by and stay as long or short as you want. I'll have my January Marzen, Orange Blossom Special, and CiderBock on hand for tasting as well as some snacks and munchies of various sorts. If you are interested in dropping by, let me know and I'll make sure to get you the details when I have them finalized, or hook up with me (John Setzler) on Facebook and I'll set up an event page for it there. If you are a brewer and would like to brew with me on this day, I'd love to have your company. I plan to host brew day drop-ins from now on in hopes of getting some of my local friends interested in home brewing.
Red MacGregor
I paid another visit to Gail's Hops and Grapes this afternoon to pick up a few new beers for my sampling regimen. It's hot outside here today and Gail's had the AC pumping and the beer coolers full. It's always a huge event for me to find something to buy at Gail's because of their selection. I think I spent about 30 minutes picking out three bottles of beer to bring home with me. Maybe one of these days I'll have tasted everything they have and it won't be such an ordeal :) Be sure to check out Gail's on FaceBook at Gail's HopsGrapes.
My first sample from today's shopping spree is Red MacGregor from The Orkney Brewery in Quoyloo, Scotland. Red MacGregor is my second sampling from this brewery. My first was their Dark Island which was really good also. Red MacGregor is a beautiful Ruby Ale with an excellent hop punch. It also has a nice medium body with fruity characteristics that are highlighted with hints of toasted malts. It's definitely an easy beer to drink, and although not as high in alcohol as a lot of brews, it definitely deserves a try.
Sierra Nevada Porter
Here we are once again with another excellent beer that is readily available in most places. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Porter has a nice medium body with a very smooth finish and the traditional malty flavor of roasted barley. The Goldings and Willamette hops keep the IBU of this brew at about 40 for an excellent balance of bitterness.
One of the very first things I decided I didn't like about this beer before I even opened the bottle was the color of the label. I know it has nothing to do with what's inside and I was planning to comment about this in my post here. Luckily, I stopped by the Sierra Nevada website before writing this post where I got a chance to see that they have changed the label to a darker brown that seems to fit well with the porter theme. Oh well... there goes my rant ;) I have been buying mixed six packs of beers I want to try from a place called The World Market. One of my unfortunate discoveries about this certain convenience is that some of the beers they have available as individuals are near or out of date. I have been trying to pay attention to that when I'm shopping there, but some beers don't have expiration dates on their bottles.
I might make a trip to Gail's Hops and Grapes tomorrow afternoon and pick up a couple more samples of some top shelf beers. My current inventory of assorted stuff is starting to run low...
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