Microbreweries

Blue Moon Grand Cru 2009

Yes, I did it. Some buzz today online about the fact that Blue Moon created a Grand Cru – beers typically reserved for aging, special events, etc. These beers are usually extreme examples of their namesake, as is this one. @PourMeAPint mused on Twitter today that they were most likely going for a Double Wit [...]

Boulevard Collaboration No. 1 – Imperial Pilsner (preview)

As mentioned before on BeerGenius, Boulevard just did a collaboration with Jean-Marie Rock of Orval. This is the first collaboration (that I’m aware of) with Boulevard, and a rare occurrence for a Belgian brewer of this caliber. Jean-Marie Rock wanted to brew an Imperial Pilsner, so that’s what was done. Hey, I wouldn’t argue with [...]

Karl Strauss – Red Trolley Ale

Meet Karl Strauss and their Red Trolley Ale. I stumbled across these guys while at the BevMo Holiday Beer Festival in San Francisco a few weeks ago, and pretty much fell in love with their beer. Producing about 40,000 barrels/year at the moment, Karl Strauss is all over the west coast. The Brewery’s namesake, Karl [...]

Wine Enthusiast’s Top 25 BEERS of 2009

Those of you who are wine nerds may have noticed that Wine Enthusiast, one of the leading publications on wine, included something a little different in their latest issue. Out of character, but a natural progression, they put together a Top 25 list of 2009 for – you-would-have-guessed-had-I-not-already-put-it-in-the-title – beer. I’ve got a new personal [...]

Goose Island Oatmeal Stout

Happy Thanksgiving, by the way. I just got done doing dishes (and what a chore that was!) so I decided I needed a beer. Continuing on with my current Goose Island kick, we’re on to something a bit more mild compared to the Bourbon County Stout I last reviewed. However, don’t confuse mild with boring. [...]

Goose Island’s 2009 Bourbon County Stout

First of all, this guy is about as dark as beers can get. And before I get called out, yes, it is in a Goose Island Matilda Glass. The goblet is an appropriate style for this particular beer, so there’s no need to complain . For the record, Goose Island recommends this beer be served [...]

Followup: Session with Orval and Boulevard Brewmasters

I had the pleasure of attending a session last week with famed Brewmaster Jean-Marie Rock of Orval, guest of Steven Pauwels of Boulevard. The session was part of Barley’s Brewhaus’ “Beer School” series of lectures, and a followup to the brewing duo and their primary purpose of coming together: to brew great beer. As mentioned [...]

Free State’s Blue Sky Rye is seriously good.

Free State’s Blue Sky rye is seriously good. Originally uploaded by jamesonhuckaba I am sitting at Freestate Brewery for lunch (yes, I am there right now), waiting on the girlfriend, and realized I had not had their rye in quite some time. To be clear, they make several rye beers, including a pretty unique lemongrass [...]

Boulevard Tank 7 Ale

Ladies and Gentlemen – I am pleased to share with you Boulevard’s new Tank 7 Ale. Look to your right. Just look at it. THAT is a beautiful beer. What you’re seeing is a beautiful example of a classic saison-based Belgian farmhouse ale. Boulevard has taken their Saison from their Smokestack series and dry-hopped it [...]

Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat

Boulevard Brewing Company’s Unfiltered Wheat. The most ubiquitous local microbrew in Kansas City. You’ve definitely seen it if you’re in the surrounding 17 states. If you haven’t, you soon will. The popularity of the hefeweizen-style beers in the past few years has absolutely exploded due to mass-marketed examples such as Blue Moon, New Belgium’s Sunshine [...]