Throwback Thursday: Samuel Smith Brewery Organic Oatmeal Stout

Posted on by Evan

One of my top favorite breweries is, here again, it’s Samuel Smith and this is their celebrated Oatmeal Stout, 5.0% ABV. I’ve loved every beer I’ve had from Samuel Smith. This style of beer doesn’t really use actual oatmeal in the brewing process, but oats are used in the mash.  They give smoothness and a touch of sweetness to the beer. This Samuel Smith pours an opaque black color with a big three finger tan rocky head. The head stays for a while that leads into very wonderful lacing. This beer looks so great just sitting there. I did find a little amount of light coming through the pint glass with a small pack of carbonation bubbles. The aroma on Oatmeal Stout is sweet with the scent of oats and bittersweet chocolate. There is a nice roasted aroma too. The aroma reminds me of fresh and sweet homemade oatmeal. The taste is nice and you first get the lightly sweet oats hitting your tongue, followed by light chocolate that has a bit of a roasted noted around it. The taste on this makes every sip you want another. The mouthfeel is medium and a bit on the rich side. Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout finishes nicely with oats and a hint of sweetness that makes for a nice semi-dry and sweet aftertaste. I have to find a Samuel Smiths beer is bad, their beer is never lower than a C+, and there is only one, their cider. But this, their Oatmeal Stout is getting A+ from me. I would have this over and over again. This is a very tasty beer, and does not go overboard with the oats or other ingredients; it’s all balanced well into a great beer. I highly recommend this beer! Please go out and try this and see just how great Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout really is, you might just love it! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly! 

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Happy Holidays, The Beer News will return after the Holidays with lots of news and events for you to enjoy. Thank you and once again have a responsible and happy holidays. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!

Moody Tongue Brewing Applewood Gold

Posted on by Evan

This Moody Tongue Brewing Applewood Gold, 5.0% ABV is only the second beer I’ve had from Moody Tongue, this is a lager brewed with applewood in Chicago Illinois. Applewood Gold pours a golden color with a quickly fading two finger white head giving off a faint smokey biscuit aroma that leads into a biscuit flavors on the front of the tongue with a little faint fruit note on n the middle and a bit of smoke on the back that really builds in the finish with a big lingering aftertaste of smokey bacon with a light mouthfeel. This Applewood Gold is like drinking an Applewood bacon sandwich on a biscuit, but the flavors don’t seem to go together well, but individually they are good but this Moody Tongue Brewing Applewood Gold is a D+. On paper a lager brewed with applewood sound good but doesn’t hit the mark as a beer, it’s a lager then a smoke beer but it’s not both. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week’s beer news and events happening in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

  • Thursday, December 13th. New Beer Thursday: Winter Warmer Release. Catawba Brewing Company. 3 pm- 10 pm. Just as this name implies, this beer will warm you up with one sip!

 

  • Friday, December 14th. Weihnachtsmarkt. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. 4 pm-9 pm. OMB is the place to gather with friends, drink fresh beer, shop for gifts and celebrate the holiday season!

    Friday, November 30th is going to be one festive day at OMB with the release of Yule Bock, a visit from Santa Claus and the launch of Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market). Weihnachtsmarkt will then continue for the first three Friday/Saturdays in December. Now in its 7th year, Weihnachtsmarkt is a Charlotte holiday tradition full of joy and community.

    This year, we’ll have over 45 vendors each weekend – our largest market ever! Some vendors will be in traditional wooden huts, but all will be decorated to the max and full of local crafts and baked goods. Like the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg, Germany, OMB’s Weihnachtsmarkt will also have fresh beer on tap (including our winter seasonal brews Dunkel & Yule Bock) and Gluhwein (pron. “Gloo-vine”), a mulled red wine served hot and fresh.

    Look for our full list of vendors in the Discussion tab. See our other event pages for more details on Yule Bock & Santa. Under 21 is welcome at OMB. Pets are welcome outside in our Biergarten. Thanks & Prost!

 

  • Friday. December 14th, Cheese & Cider Paring. Red Clay Cider Works. 7 pm-8:30 pm. Tickets at eventbrite.com. Red Clay Ciderworks and Orrman’s Cheese Shop are joining forces to bring you a sensational night of cheese and cider pairings!

    Cider maker Jay Bradish and cheese expert Rachel Klebaur will be on hand to walk you through four different pairings, each with their own delectable panache.

    Seating for this event is limited, so don’t wait to purchase your ticket!

    Ticket holders please check in at the bar upon arrival.

 

  • Saturday. December 15th. Weihnachtsmarkt. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. 2 pm- 9 pm. 

 

  • Saturday, December 15th, Double Fudge Brownie Imperial Stout Release. 12 pm-11 pm. Sycamore Brewing. Rich chocolate fudge! We loaded this massive stout with hundreds of pounds of decadent Belgian Chocolate!

 

  • Saturday, December 15th. Monstro Bottle Release. 11 am-10 pm. NoDa Brewing Company. Neptune said to the sea there should be a terrible Monstro, born from its deepest depths. It should be stout with the strength of a whale. This is that beer… of toasted barley mass, rounded out by vanillas, molasses, and oak of bourbon barrel aging. Enjoy the deep.

    Join us as we release a VERY LIMITED amount of this gigantic beer in its original bottle form. Because it will be so limited, be sure to get here early and then hang out for grub from TIN Kitchen and a free tour at 4 pm! 

 

  • Tuesday, December 18th. NoDable Release: Kwagalana African Lager. 4 pm-9 pm. NoDa Brewing Company. Every single week, we release a brand new “NoDable” beer on Tuesday. This week’s brew is our Unfiltered Lager inspired by popular beer trends in southern Africa. It’s a clean and refreshing lager base with flaked corn to increase a clean mouthfeel. Spiced with wildflower honey and ginger, this beer will have you feeling so fresh and so clean!

    Plus, $1 of every beer will be donated to the Henry Kalungi Foundation! Kwagalana means “love one another,” and by buying this beer you’ll be doing just that in support of this amazing charity.

    While you’re here, be sure to try a few of our 25+ brews and some TIN Kitchen for dinner. And, don’t forget you can take this week’s NoDable and many of our other beers to-go in a crowler!  

 

Hi-Wire Brewing MountainTrue Apricot Blonde

Posted on by Evan

Hi-Wire Brewing MountainTrue Apricot Blonde, 4.6% is a beer that gives a portion of its proceeds to help protect the mountain wildernesses that was released in August. Apricot Blonde pours a yellow orange juice color with a one and a half finger white head that slowly fades into itself leave good lacing behind giving off a slight faint tart fruity aroma that dives you into a light, faint tart fruity notes with a sour note coming through on the back to your tongue with a tart light sour finish and light tart fruit aftertaste with a light mouthfeel. This isn’t a sour style beer it is more in tune with a blonde ale and isn’t bad but it does wow your taste buds, It’s a B-. You don’t get large apricot flavors on this that more of a subtle flavor that goes as you get close to the bottom of Apricot Blonde. It’s also not overly tart nor sour so it easier to drink in that respect which makes Hi-Wire Brewing MountainTrue Apricot Blonde sessionable, and one that I would recommend. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!

Throwback Thursday: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Yule Bock Christmas Bock Beer

Posted on by Evan

Originally posted December 19th, 2011

Hello and Merry Christmas, I have here a local beer from OMB, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery here in Charlotte. This is an authentic German-Style Bockbier. But a Christmas or yule bock. This brewery does not make regular 12oz six packs, they’re beers come in pints, bombers, and growlers. I don’t know why they do this but they do. This bock is 1 pint 6 of oz (650 ml), and is 7.0% ABV. That slightly stronger then and average beer. This OMB bock pours a deep amber color with a crimson red and a very handsome off white thick head. It has a nice banana bread scent with a slight faint hop scent as well. This is a great bock. It has a malty sweetish taste with a spice after note, and its after taste is of a carmel and yeast but faint spice, that warms you and makes you glad it’s holiday time. This is a smooth bock with great flavor. I really enjoyed this one. and shared it with my father whom liked it too. Yes there is enough in this bottle for two. How nice of OBM. I would surly have this again. I love a good bock beer and this is great. You should try this too, and share with someone for a merry christmas. Cheers! Please drink responisbly! 

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week’s New and events happening in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

  • Wednesday, December 5th. Red Clay Rosé Can Release. Red Clay Cider Works. 4 pm-10 pm. Come and get your Red Clay Rosé all day… every day! We’re happy to announce that our Rosé will now be available in cans year-round!

  •  Wednesday, December 5th. Lagunitas Takes Over BJs NoDa. Billy Jacks Shack NoDa. 5 pm-10 pm. Come and join us as Lagunitas takes over BJs!

  • Thursday, December 6th. New Brew Thursday Mole Porter. Catawba Brewing Company. 3 pm-10 pm. Mmmhmmm. Yes, you read correctly! Mole + Porter = Spicy Deliciousness.

  • Thursday, December 6th. International Spotlight. Carolina Beer Temple. 12:30 pm-11:30 pm. Tickets at eventbrite.com. The USA is a wonderful country, filled with incredible beer. However, every IPA, Pilsner, Gose, or Imperial Stout made in the good ol’ USA was built on the foundation of the incredible beers of Belgium, Germany, England, and many other countries, all with their own rich brewing traditions. In a sense, these international brews were really the first true “Craft Beers,” and in that spirit, we will be showcasing some of our favorite beers from across the world!
    TAP LIST
    FROM SCOTLAND: Orkney Brewing Skullsplitter FROM THE NETHERLANDS: La Trappe Dubbel FROM GERMANY: Hofstetten Granit Bock FROM NEW ZEALAND: Moa Breakfast Ale Plus all of our usual fantastic Belgian and American beers on draft!

  • Friday, December 7th. Weihnachtsmark. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. 4 pm-9 pm. OMB is the place to gather with friends, drink fresh beer, shop for gifts and celebrate the holiday season!

  • Friday, November 30th is going to be one festive day at OMB with the release of Yule Bock, a visit from Santa Claus and the launch of Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market). Weihnachtsmarkt will then continue for the first three Friday/Saturdays in December. Now in its 7th year, Weihnachtsmarkt is a Charlotte holiday tradition full of joy and community. This year, we’ll have over 45 vendors each weekend – our largest market ever! Some vendors will be in traditional wooden huts, but all will be decorated to the max and full of local crafts and baked goods. Like the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg, Germany, OMB’s Weihnachtsmarkt will also have fresh beer on tap (including our winter seasonal brews Dunkel & Yule Bock) and Gluhwein (pron. “Gloo-vine”), a mulled red wine served hot and fresh. Look for our full list of vendors in the Discussion tab. See our other event pages for more details on Yule Bock & Santa. Under 21 is welcome at OMB. Pets are welcome outside in our Biergarten. Thanks & Prost!

  • Saturday, December 8th. Bourbon Up All Night Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 12 pm-10 pm. Bourbon Barrel Aged Up All Night Breakfast Porter returns on draft and in 22 oz bombers! Most of this batch of 10% Breakfast Porter was aged in Heaven Hills Bourbon Barrels. We also have a couple Apple Brandy Barrels filled and will have draft and bottles of both! We also have one Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel that will be on tap and available in crowlers ($25 limit 1) while supplies last! Bourbon Barrel Aged Up All Night bombers are $14 each with a case (12-ounce bottle) Limit. Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Up All Night bombers are $16 each with a 4 bottle limit per person. We suggest getting an Up All Night Flight! New Wrap Order Food Truck on site. Taylor Winchester will be jamming in the taproom from 5-8.

  • Saturday, December 8th. Weihnachtsmark. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. 2 pm -9 pm. 

  • Sunday, December 9th. Brunch and Brews Legion Brewing. 10 am-2 pm. Join us every Sunday morning for a Farmers First Coffee Company cold brew or a Carolina Sparkle Party Beermosa during Brunch and Brews! Southwest Breakfast Burrito
    Chorizo, egg, cheddar, homemade salsa, jalapeno, and avocado. Enjoy it in a spinach wrap OR on a bed of smoked cheddar grits! Lox and Loaded*
    Smoked salmon, cucumber, onion, fresh dill and cream cheese on a Nova*s bagel. Breakfast Sliders (3)
    Bacon, egg, cheddar, tomato and black pepper aioli on soft slider buns. Mixed Berry Parfait
    Greek yogurt, mixed berries, homemade honey almond granola. Seasonal Belgian Waffle
    Flavors change with our seasonal beer line up- check our social media for updates! Side Of Smoked Cheese Grits.

  • Tuesday, December 11th. NoDable Release: Winter Warmer. NoDa Brewing Company. 4 pm-9 pm. Every single week, we release a brand new “NoDable” beer on Tuesday. This week’s brew is our Winter Warmer, a malty American Red Ale brewed with holiday spice and everything nice. You’ll taste notes of Ginger, Cinnamon sticks, Nutmeg and Vanilla. It’s sure to keep you warm at home or in the tap room. While you’re here, be sure to try a few of our 25+ brews and some TIN Kitchen for dinner. And, don’t forget you can take this week’s NoDable and many of our other beers to-go in a crowler!

NoDa Brewing Company Hoppy Holidays India Pale Ale

Posted on by Evan

Local Charlotte, North Carolina NoDa Brewing Company, Hoppy Holidays, 6.5% ABV which was purchased from the local Harris Teeter grocery. Hoppy Holidays which is a holiday seasonal beer is brewed to give you the flavor of a pine or Christmas tree, and pours a light copper color with a three finger slightly off white slow head giving off huge piney aromas with orange/grapefruit bitterness that leads you to a flavors big piney notes with a slight sweetness with some bitter grapefruit citrus with a nice pine finish and a citrus piney aftertaste with a medium mouthfeel. This ways surprising how NoDa got Hoppy Holidays to taste like a Christmas tree and that is good, I think it is an A. But one pint is enough because if another is had the big piney flavor overwhelms the mouth and all you’d taste after would be this otherwise fabulous beer, and one that I highly recommend trying! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!

Triple C Brewing Co. White Blaze Winter Ale With Spices Added

Posted on by Evan

Triple C Brewing Co. White Blaze Winter Ale With Spiced Added, 6.0% ABV, a winter warmer, brewed right here in Charlotte, North Carolina that was picked up at my local grocery store is a winter seasonal beer. White Blaze pours a deep amber almost brown color with a light beige one and a half finger head that slowly dissipates into little bits of lacing that give off sweet almost cinnamon spice aromas with a very light boozy note that pulls you into a sweet flavor at first followed by a cinnamon spice note that is reminiscent of a cookie that does get a bit strong but otherwise enjoyable with a nice sweetly spiced finish and a sweet spiced boozy aftertaste with a more full mouthfeel. Triple C Brewing Co. White Blaze Winter Ale With Spiced Added which I think is cinnamon is definitely a winter beer and isn’t overwhelming on your taste bud but think that two pints of White Blaze beer is enough for your taste buds, but it’s a B+ beer and has the right amount of spice, some have to much wintery spices and it just doesn’t go well. But this Triple C Brewing Co. White Blaze Winter Ale With Spiced Added is great and I do recommend it! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly

Westbrook Brewing Co. IPA

Posted on by Evan

Coming out of Mt. Pleasant South Carolina Westbrook Brewing Co. IPA, 6.8% ABV which I picked up from the local grocery store is brewed with a base of pale, Munich, and Caraplis malts and blended with different American hop varieties and added four times in the kettle and again in the fermentor. Westbrook Brewing Co. IPA pours a slightly darker yellow color with an almost two finger slow white head with fruity sweet and slightly bitter juiciness aromas wafting in to your nose that then take you to a semi-sweet fruit juice flavor with a nice pungent hoppy bitterness that lingers into a bitter finish with a light juicy fruit and a hoppy fruited aftertaste with a lighter mouthfeel that is a bit refreshing. Westbrook Brewing Co. IPA is a well balanced IPA and gets an A-, the hoppy bitter flavors start to get to be slightly too much at the very end, but that just barely holds an otherwise good India Pale Ale, one that I recommend that you try! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly