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Throwback Thursday: Brooklyn Brewery Sorachi Ace

Posted on by Evan

In in the past of I have written that I don’t really like the Brooklyn Brewery, but yet here I am writing another post about one of they’re beers. But this here, a classic Saison ale (Farmhouse Ale) is quite good, not the best but good. Sorachi Ace is not something that is a full production brew, it is sort of limited, and only comes in a 1 pint 9.4 fluid ounce bottle. Sorachi Ace is brewed with their special Belgian ale strain, and Sorachi Ace hops. They also bottle re-ferment this with Champagne. This brew is 7.6% ABV but doesn’t taste nearly that strong, but close. Now this one is not as easy to find as other Brooklyn beers, but I would not say that it’s hard to find. Sorachi pours a cloudy gold color with a nice thick white head. It looks good. Now there are nice scents of hops and a small amount of grain and zesty lemon. notes to it. But this here doesn’t have really have strong hop scents like an IPA. Just more than some. There really isn’t much scent or smells to write about. But that’s not a bad thing. The taste is hoppy, but not overly hopped. There is a nice hint of Champagne like taste there, that is nice. But to much Champagne taste and it’s starting to become not as good. A beer should be a beer, not something else. There is a nice lemon zest to this that makes it a fine hint of sourness but in a good way that is tasty. Sorachi Ace has nice white wine finish that is has a tiny sweetness to it. This brew here goes very nicely with cheese and crackers, very good. Now, this is not heavy it is light somewhat drinkable, but not entirely due to it’s higher abv percent. Too much of this and you’ll be drunk faster than some other beers would. Remember that! This is good but it more of a special thing, something you have for a certain time or a special time, like a celebration or something or that nature. This wouldn’t be your everyday beer. But this is good really good for what it is, Saison, and not a lot of people know what that is, so there isn’t a lot of them being brewed but more than you’d think. This is good for a special day and makes it better. Cheers! Please Drink Responsibly!

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

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

  • Wednesday, December 26th. Twas the Day After Christmas. Blue Blaze Brewing. 2 pm -9 pm. Twas’ the Day after Christmas & Santa’s Elves needed beer … they pulled on their stockings & headed out with cheer!

    They knew where to go – for they were Blue Blaze bound … with $10.00 pitchers they could each buy a round!

    The Elves enjoyed s’mores by the fire & live music inside …. sampling some of the best beers they’ve ever tried!

    At the end of the night, the Elves parted ways … with ‘hoppy holidays to all, & to all a great day’!
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    From 2:30 – 5:30, enjoy live music by the talented violinist, Sandy Herrault. Enjoy authentic European style dishes from Strudelteig Food Truck. Wine, local craft cider, and non-alcoholic options are available.

    Your favorite Blue Blaze New England style hazy, SoBo Orangerine Hazy IPA, is back and in only a couple of sixtels! All naturally made from only water, yeast, malt, hops, and oranges. If our employee Christmas party is any judge, it won’t last long 😋
    We’ll also be offering beermosas in flutes or tulips made with this beer, only on the 22nd and 26th during our events those days.

    Our second annual, “Don’t Hate It, Donate It” drive starts today! If you’ve found yourself with unwanted gifts or items you’d like to donate, bring them to Blue Blaze! We are collecting everything from new to gently used apparel, outdoor gear, recreational items, toys, kitchen appliances, and more! All donated items will go to The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. The drive will run from December 26th – January 13th.

    If you have large items you’d like to donate but are unable to transport, schedule a pickup by visiting: https://satruck.org/Donate/choose.

 

  • Thursday, December 27th. Hop Wallop Release Party. Brewers at 4001 Yancey. 6 pm-8 pm. The legendary Hop Wallop is BACK!

    Join us for the release party, with a tapping at 6 p.m. and we have a great event planned with music, samplings, giveaways and more!

 

  • Saturday, December 29th. Apple Pie Barleywine Release. Catawba Brewing Company. 12 pm-11 am. On December 29th we will unveil the biggest beer yet to emerge from our Barrel Program – BA #4 Apple Pie Barleywine. This delicious beer is an Apple Pie lovers dream come true! Aged for 32 months in bourbon barrels, it features additions of Carolina apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar and weighs a hefty 12% ABV.

    AVAILABLE IN TASTING ROOMS ONLY.

 

  • Sunday, December 30th. Brunch and Brews. Legion Brewing. 12 pm-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

 

  • Monday, December 31st. Sycamore Brewing. 4 pm-12:15 pm. Join us for a Super-Casual New Year’s Eve at Sycamore! Ring in 2019 with Special Beer Releases, Live Music and absolutely no dress code!

 

  • Monday, December 31st. Lenny Boy New Years Eve Party. 3 pm-2 am. Let’s ring in another New Year with a kickass party at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. 💃 🍻 🎸

    We will be open from 3pm – 2am with New Beer and New Kombucha releases to enjoy all day 🍻

    – Live music with Crystal Fountains from 5 – 8pm
    – Live music with Aarodynamics from 10pm – 2am [get ready to DANCE]
    – Champagne Bar 9pm – 2am
    – Huge balloon drop at Midnight 🎈
    – Photo booth 📸
    – Beer Pitcher and Champagne specials
    – The Hunter’s Wife from 5 – 10pm
    – Wild Dog Hot Dogs from 10pm – 2am

    NO COVER and NO DRESS CODE – grab your friends and come ring in the New Year… Lenny Boy style 🎉

 

  • Tuesday, January 1st. New Year’s Day Brunch! Sycamore Brewing. 11 am-2 pm. Come hang out with us on New Year’s Day. We open at 11am with brunch by Bun Appetit and some hair of the dog (just in case that’s what you need). Besides, don’t New Year’s Resolutions usually start on the 2nd anyway?!

 

  • Tuesday, January 1st. New Year’s Day Party & Glowed Up Brut IPA Release! 10 am-8 pm. Join us for our 4th annual New Year’s DAY Party!! The party starts at 10am and lasts until your hangover is officially cured! We’re also excited to release our brand new Brut IPA, Glowed Up!

    We’ll stock the bagel bar with fresh bagels and an assortment of cream cheeses from Owen’s Bagel and Deli and we’ll be providing locally roasted coffee from Central Coffee Co.! The coffee and bagels will be on us (for as long as they last) and we’ll be accepting donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina if you feel so inclined! We will also be donating a portion of bar sales to this awesome, local community organization!

    We’re spicing it up w/ Jalapeño Pale Ale Bloody Beers, Fun Beer-Mosas, and of course, our new Brut IPA called Glowed Up! Draft and 4 packs of cans of Glowed Up will go on sale at 10a! Hope you can join! 

 

 

 

 

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!