Catawba Brewing Co. Deep State Baltic Porter

Posted on by Evan

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I’ve not had much from Catawba Brewing Co, but I’ve heard good things about them. This Catawba Brewing Co. Deep State Baltic Porter, 7.2% ABV which came via Brewpublik is one of a very few I’ve had. Deep State Baltic Porter pours a deep mahogany brown with light edges and a two finger beige head that falls quickly into itself and then into a little beige halo that wafts sweet roasted malts with a lightness of molasses notes to you with flavors of sweet rich roasted malts with a lightness and slight molasses raisin, toffee and a faint fig note that finishes smoothly with a slight bitter molasses like note and with an aftertaste of a roasted and a semi-sweet bitter note, and a light almost medium mouthfeel. I wasn’t expecting Deep State Baltic Porter to be as light as it was which is good, it’s an easier to drink Baltic Porter, it along the lines of a black lager. But some of the initial flavors feel a bit flat but as a whole, this beer is not bad, I say a B here. I would’ve like to have more roast and sweetness but not too much. But that is my only complaint towards Catawba Brewing Co. Deep State Baltic Porter and I would recommend this and would have this again. Cheers Please enjoy responsibly!     

Throwback Thursday: Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout

Posted on by Evan

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I thought I would review this because I was digging through my blog and saw a lot of lighter beer recently and somewhat overall. So I though why not do a stout and I will review more stouts, browns and porters later on. But I am starting with a prime example of a true Imperial Stout. An Imperial Stout or Russian stout is one that was originally brewed and shipped to Imperial Russia and was a favorite of Russian Nobility. Today there are a number of different imperial beer out there, like imperial pilsner, imperial IPA, imperial lager and so on. That just mean that is double the alcohol volume, and has a stronger taste. But this here is a true original imperial stout from England, at 7.0%ABV. This Sam’s Smith is fermented in stone Yorkshire squares, which is basically a large square tub or vat made of local stone. This Samuel pours a dark brown/black dark roast coffee color, with a big light brown to tan thick two finger bubbly rocky head. I saw the head and I thought of nice brownish hearty bread. Nice appearance on the imperial stout. Now the taste on this is common to stereotypical to this style. This has a nice roasted coffee, that dark robust coffee, The kind I like. This has a dark fruity scent of raisins and figs. I got bit of the alcohol there as well. The way this looks and smells really intrigues me to drink this. Drinking this Sam’l Smith you first get that rich dark coffee taste, followed by a raisin and fig note that is semi-sweet. I also found a nice chocolate note there, but wasn’t a real sweet chocolate taste, but the dark fruits, raisin and figs help make that chocolate a bit sweet. This imperial stout has a big mouth feel that has a very little warming feel to it as you go though it  It was more of a good bakers chocolate, and I didn’t get much of the 7.0% alcohol. This bee here is a bit on the heavy side but just enough, it’s not overly heavy like some stouts can be. The aftertastes really stick in your mouth with this. The finish is nice with a faintly sweet  coffee finish. This imperial stout in not a very bitter but has some bitterness, the IBU (international bitterness unit) of this is 35. Samuel Smith’s India Ale is 46 IBU, some beers can be as higher. Overall this is a great old world example of a great Imperial Stout. Samuel Smiths brewery has some of the best examples of English beers and the are all organic. I would recommend this and all of Samuel Smith’s beer to anyone looking to get into the world of beer. So over all I would give this beer an A+. Just a very good example of a nice nice imperial stout. I was really enjoyed this as I do most Samuel Smith’s beer. A great representation of an English Imperial Stout. Please go out and get this and all of Samuel Smiths beer, I highly recommend you do! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!  

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this weeks news and events happing in and around the Charlotte, NC area.

  • Thursday, December 14th 2 pm-11 pm Legion Brewing Path to the Dark Side Nitro Release. Looking forward to the newest Star Wars movie? So are we! In celebration, we are breaking our new Nitro Tap just for our seasonal oatmeal stout, “Path To The Dark Side”! This rich and creamy oatmeal stout is aged on American oak that offers roasted coffee flavors and dark chocolate notes along with a balancing hop presence. Our friends at Queen City Pretzel Factory have created a special “Path To The Dark Side” pretzel, available in the tap room while supplies last! Come out in costume before heading out to the movie premiere and receive a special treat!
  • Friday, December 15th 5 pm-10 pm Sycamore Brewing & Vintage Charlotte 2017 Christmas Market. Sycamore Brewing and Vintage Charlotte will be teaming up to host a Christmas Market this December! Over 30 vendors, live Christmas music by The Clydes, food trucks, special beer, and hot cider releases, and Santa will be here! We will also be hosting the 2nd Annual ’12 Brews of Christmas’ Toy Drive during the market, benefitting Levine Children’s Hospital and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte.
    Here’s how to participate on the day of the market:
    – Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child of any age
    – Donate cash money
  • Saturday, December 16th 10 am-11 pm Legion Brewing. A Second Year of Beer and Friends. Thanks to our wonderful friends and family, we will be celebrating our 2nd Birthday on December 16th- and you are invited to join us! We will be hosting a Brunch With Santa from 10-1PM: Bring your little ones and snap a family photo! We will be serving $4 Carolina Sparkle Party Beermosas alongside a made-to-order brunch menu.
    Pick up a commemorative Legion Brewing birthday glass while you are here!
    We are hosting a Toy and Treat Drive from 1-3PM, benefitting North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue! The following donations are always appreciated:
    – Nylabones & other hard bones
    – Training Treats
    – Medium & Large Kongs
    – Stuffed Toys (all sizes)
    – Squeeze Peanut Butter (xylitol-free) & Cheese
    – No Rawhides Please
    Expect limited beer releases throughout the day, live music from Adrian and Meredith, The Grassabillies and Coddle Creek, birthday cake from Drip Cake Bar and a balloon drop at 6PM, and more! 
    Keep an eye out for social media contests the week leading up to the big day- you deserve a birthday gift, too!      
  • Sunday, December 17th 11 am-8 pm The Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing Company. Barrel Aged Up All Night Release. We are opening up The Barrel Room at Triple C for this release for all the extra taps! Things get started with at 11am with an hour-long Release Day Bottle Share in the taproom at Triple C Brewing Company. At 12pm, we will release 2017 Bourbon Barrel Aged Up All Night Breakfast Porter on draft and in bombers in the Barrel Room! Stick around for the Panthers/Packers game at 1pm on our two 120″ projection screens! Don’t forget we now serve cider and wine, and will even have some mimosas for this event!
    More details coming soon including info on:
    1) Brunch food truck
    2) Up All Night Verticals
    3) Special Draft List
    4) Surprise Bottled Barrel Aged Up All Night Variant! (small case run – brewery only) 
  • Tuesday, December 19th Duckworths Taphouse, and Grill Uptown. New Belgium Oscar tapping! New Belgium Oscar tapping! A delicious dark sour ale aged in blackberry-flavored whiskey barrels. We’ll also be giving away LOTS of swag! Reps will be here as well to giveaway beer samples.
  • Wednesday, December 20th 4 pm-9 pm Triple C Brewing Company. Pilot Batch Release Bière De Garde. Bière de Garde pilot release! Bleu Barn Bistro has dinner covered!

Founders Brewing Azacca India Pale Ale

Posted on by Evan

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Founders Brewing Azacca India Pale Ale, 7.0% ABV with 70 IBUS (Founders Brewing is located in Grand Rapids Michigan) which came via a Brewpublik delivery, is named after the Haitian god of Agriculture and is brewed with Azacca hop which has an intense tropical aroma. Azacca India Pale Ale is also brewed with Caramel Malts and pours a burnt orange color with a three finger semi-off white head that slow to fade into some decent rings of lacing throughout the glass giving of fresh tropical fruit aromas like citrus and some mango with faint sweet malts that lead you to the taste of tropical mango and citrus up front with a Caramel Malt sweetness on the back and finishes with a sweet tropical fruitiness giving you a tropical fruit juice aftertaste with a nice touch of sweetness all with a light mouthfeel. Azacca India Pale Ale is amazingly tasty and well deserving of an A+ with nothing worth reporting negatively on. I highly recommend Founders Brewing Azacca India Pale Ale, it’s a must-have beer, and one that is worth having again. Azacca India Pale Ale is very well balanced between the tropical fruity hops and the sweet Caramel Malt backbone, which makes this a very well brewed beer. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!    

Hi-Wire Brewing Twice as Nice Doppelbock

Posted on by Evan

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Asheville North Carolina is big on craft beer with a lot of different craft breweries, one, in particular, is Hi-Wire Brewing which brews this Twice as Nice Doppelbock, 10.0% ABV which is a black lager in the German doppelbock style. Twice as Nice pours a black color with light brown edges and one finger quickly fading head giving off aromas of licorice, roasted malts with a slightly sweet note that has a tiny hint of bitterness and draws you into a taste of molasses with black licorice, roasted notes, sweetness with a little bitterness on the back of the mouth with a bittersweet licorice finish and a light bitter aftertaste that lingers and turns to a molasses flavor as fades somewhat quickly with a medium mouthfeel. Hi-Wire Brewing  Twice as Nice Doppelbock does really stand up to Ayinger Celebrator, which I think is one of the best Doppelbocks. Twice as Nice Doppelbock is a C, it’s not bad nor is it really good. It was finishable and at no point, during drink it did, I think to pour it out and have something else. It had sweetness but was not enough and the bitterness was slightly too much. Would I recommend Twice as Nice Doppelbock? well, it’s a beer that you have just to say you tried it. I did! Cheers Please enjoy responsibly! 

Foothills Brewing Craft Happiness IPA Project Susutance IPA

Posted on by Evan

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Here is another Craft Happiness IPA Project from Foothills Brewing, this is Sustenance IPA, 7.0% ABV and 75 IBUs. Sustenance helps the 80% of North Carolina households that need food/meal assistance. Sustenance IPA pours an orange color with three finger white head that fades into nice lacing with grapefruit, orange and citrus aromas with earth notes that lead you to a taste of nice citrus grapefruit, orange and slight earthy pine bitter hop notes with a nice citrus fruit salad finish and an aftertaste that is slightly bitter with hints of faint earthy pine notes with a medium mouthfeel. This is again another great Foothills Brewing Craft Happiness IPA project beer, it’s definitely an A+ and a beer that is worth having. Sustenance IPA is an easy drinking IPA that has a flavor that doesn’t overwhelm your tastebuds. You should find this and take it home for a drink, I highly recommend you do. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!  

Throwback Thursday: Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout.

Posted on by Evan

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It’s always good when you have a beer from Samuel Smith’s. The best English brewer/brewery in my opinion. This beer is new to the Samuel Smith line of brews. This is the Organic Chocolate Stout at 5.0% ABV. This is a sweet or milk stout. Milk stout doesn’t mean that milk is used when brewing this, no it just the lactose sugar from the milk is used. But in this Samuel Smith Theobroma cocoa is used as a more main ingredient. This Stout pours a deep black color with a big four to four and a half finger of dark khaki/brownish beige pillowy head. The head really sticks around on this one, with no light or carbonation in the glass. There is tons of great lacing left around the glass. This is just a great beautiful looking stout. The aroma is a big hunk of good bakers chocolate with a touch milk chocolate and faint roasted malt. But the aroma reminded me of a chocolate drink.  The scents and aromas really give you a wow factor. The taste of this Samuel Smith’s is a big chocolate taste, just really sweet chocolate note hitting your taste buds. There is a faint roasted malt/coffee taste there but it’s really muted from the big chocolate notes up front. The mouthfeel is full and rich, with a silky texture. This chocolate stout finishes nicely leave a great aftertaste of cocoa, chocolate that sticks around with a quick hint of roasted notes. Wow, this is a great beer and I am giving this A+. This is a really great beer to have.  This is a great chocolate stout from start to finish.  Yet again Samuel Smith’s has brewed a beer that should be the best for a long time as they all their beers are. I highly recommend you get this and try this right now. This is an amazing beer. Please tell all your friends and/or share this with them. I think everyone should drink this once. I loved it! Cheers! Happy Thanksgiving! Please enjoy responsibly!

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week new and happenings in and around the Charlotte, NC Area.

  • December 1st – December 16th Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Weihnachtsmarkt. OMB is the place to gather with friends, drink fresh beer, shop for gifts and celebrate the holiday season! December 1st 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 6th year, Weihnachtsmarkt is a Charlotte holiday tradition full of joy and community. This year, we’ll have over 40 vendors – 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 Nuremburg, 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. More information will be posted as the event approaches, including our full list of vendors. 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! Dec 8th 4 pm-9 pm, Dec 9th 2 pm-9pm, Dec 15th 4 pm-9 pm, Dec 16th 2 pm-9pm
  • Saturday, December 9th 12 pm-10 pm Birdsong Brewing Co. 6 Year Anniversary. According to Ancient Greeks, 6 is a perfect number and we’re cool with that because this year we’re turning 6! Join us on December 9th as we kick off another year of #UnfilteredJoy with live music, food trucks, exclusive birthday brews, and more! We couldn’t have made it this far without all of you, so we hope you can come celebrate! We expect no shortage of awesome people and good vibes but here are some other cool things you can expect at our 6 year anniversary:
    ‌• Live music & food trucks ALL day!
    ‌• A limited release 6 year anniversary IPA on draft & in cans only available here in the tap room & the kickoff for a brand new IPA series that we’re rolling out for 2018!
    ‌• A special, one-time design, anniversary glass! First 100 guests to arrive will receive their anniversary glass for FREE!
    ‌• Special “barrel bar” for barrel aged specialty brews!
    ‌• A killer tap list with Birdsong flagships & super limited anniversary release beers! 
  • Saturday, December 9th 12 pm-3 pm Resident Culture Brewing Company. Our Very 1st Can Release at Resident Culture Brewing Company. CAN RELEASE this SATURDAY, DEC. 9, 2017! We will be releasing our first two cans, ever! Details below.
    Vicky Virago – Double IPA // 8.0% ABV // Triple Dry-Hopped with generous amounts of Galaxy, Citra, and El Dorado // Beautiful aromas of tropical fruit and citrus with a nice balance of dank pine on the back end. Aroma carries over into the flavor and has a big round finish. Very drinkable. We are really excited about this beer… one of our favorite beers we have brewed thus far!
    Aiming for 110-130 cases, LIMIT one case (six 4-packs) per person. $18.99 + tax per 4-pack
    Tropical Ponche – Fruited Berliner Weisse brewed in collaboration with Salud Cerveceria // 4.3% ABV // Berliner-style weisse ale fruited with over 700 lbs of tropical fruit puree // A tart, tropical fruit punch, bursting with aromas of passion fruit, mango, and orange. Super refreshing, dry, and drinkable.
    Aiming for only 20-25 cases, LIMIT two 4-packs per person. $16.99 + tax per 4-pack
    UPDATE: Our line will begin outside of our Tap Room and we’ll pass numbers out starting at 10AM. Tap Room doors open at 12PM, and we’ll begin calling up groups of 25 at a time to purchase cans. Both beers will be available on draught starting at Noon!
    **LIMITS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING DEMAND and YIELD ON CANNING DAY**
    **WE WILL HOLD BACK A VERY LIMITED AMOUNT FOR TAPROOM POURS**
    **CROWLER FILLS NOT AVAILABLE FOR EITHER BEER**
    Cheers, and Stay Funky!
  • Saturday, December 9th 12 pm-11 pm Cavendish Brewing Company (207 N Chester St, Gastonia, North Carolina 28052). Brew Wars: The Thirst Awakens. 
    Calling all Jedis, Sith Lords, Bounty Hunters and aliens of all planets in the Republic…
    Join us at Cavendish Brewing for our Star Wars themed party in celebration of the release of The Last Jedi. Special beers will be released, and fresh Bantha Milk will be in full supply for all Padawans in attendance. Activities include an intergalactic vendor market, costume contest, and lightsaber craft session! These ARE the beers you’re looking for!     
  • Saturday, December 9th at 11 am, to December 10th at 2 am Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse Uptown Charlotte. Anderson Valley Brewing Company 30th Anniversary Party. Anderson Valley has been Bahl Hornin’ since 1987! Let’s celebrate by sipping on some of their best creations (36 drafts and counting…) and with raffles & swag giveaways! More details to come, but you can look forward to these Anderson Valley beers on tap:
    1. Boont Amber
    2. Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
    3. Hop Ottin’ IPA
    4. Poleeko Pale
    5. Ee Tah! IPA
    6. Brother David’s Triple
    7. Barkley’s Belgian Ale
    8. Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout NITRO
    9. Winter Solstice NITRO
    10. Cerveza Crema NITRO
    11. Barney Flats NITRO
    12. Boont White Ale
    13. Briney Melon Gose
    14. G&T Gose
    15. Holy Gose
    16. Blood Orange Gose
    17. Framboise Rose Gose
    18. Barrel Aged G&T Gose
    19. Huge Arker Imp Stout ‘15
    20. Huge Arker Imp Stout ‘16
    21. Featherleggy Bulrusher Sour Stout
    22. Thribble Currant
    23. Peachy Barl
    25. Horse Tongue Wheat
    26. Rye Barrel Stout
    27. Hobneelch’n Saison
    28. Pinchy Jeek
    29. Heelch’ O Hops
    30. Salted Caramel Porter
    31. Winter Solstice
    32. Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout
    33. Boont Bruijn Flanders
    34. Hop Hyzer
    35. Mushroom Saison
    36. Thribble Peche
  • Wednesday, December 16th 5 pm-8 pm Wooden Robot Brewery. Fill the Kids First Toy Van. The Wooden Robot Brewery is partnering with Kids First of the Carolinas to help kids in need this season. Enjoy some good drinks, bring unwrapped new toys and start the countdown to the holiday season!
  • Wednesday, December 13th 6 pm-9 pm Birdsong Brewing Co. Type 1 is for the birds. Come hang out and have a holiday drink at FFT1’s last social gathering of the year. BONUS-Birdsong Brewing Co. is generously donating $1 from the purchase of each one of their delicious drafts from 6pm-8pm to FFT1, Charlotte’s local-only T1D nonprofit. Come celebrate the holidays with us and contribute to charity at the same time. It’s literally WIN-WIN!

Birrifficio Le Baladin Isaac

Posted on by Evan

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In New York City while I was visiting I went Downtown to the World Trade Center and to Eataly, where I had lunch with this Italian beer, Birra Baladin Isaac, 5.0% ABV, which is a Witbier. Birra Baladin is imported from Piozzo Italy. Isaac pours a medium orange color with a one finger white bubbly head that fades quickly into itself giving off a spicy yet sweet aroma of clove, orange, and orange peels that lead down to a sweet but somewhat spicy flavor of orange, orange peel, clover, slight coriander with a nice slightly more spicy finish than it starts out with a nice sweet aftertaste that lingers untill a nice orange note comes and it fades all with a light  mouthfeel. Birra Baladin Isaac is easy drinking refreshing beer that pairs well with food or all on its own. I give it an A+. If you ever come across Birra Baladin Isaac do try it I highly recommend that you do. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!  

Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve Dark Belgian Ale with Cherries and Raspberries

Posted on by Evan

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Thanksgiving is over so everything is going into Christmas/holiday mode. Same is true for beer. I saw this Christmas beer, Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve 2017, 7.8% ABV on the shelve at my local Harris Teeter grocery store and thought I’ll give a try. Santa’s Private Reserve is a Dark Belgian Ale with Cherries and Raspberries brewed with Premium 2 Row, Munich, Weyermann Carabelge, Weyermann Caramunich III, Weyermann Special W & Midnight Wheat Malts; Willamette Hops; Belgian Candi Sugar, Red Raspberries, Cherries, Imperial Gnome Yeast, and Free Range Coastal Water. Santa’s Private Reserve pours a deep brown color with caramel edges with a two finger beige head that fades into a little tight halo giving off aromas of sweet dark fruits (cherries and raspberries) and a sweet flavor of nice ripe cherries and fresh raspberries with a little bit of a strong alcoholic note that finishes nice and sweet with touch of a bittersweet strong note with dark fruity aftertaste and a fuller mouthfeel that is somewhat chewy. Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 is an interesting take on a dark Belgian Ale, a beer that is an A- with good drinkability and a nice sweetness that does not overpower your taste buds nor is too strong. This isn’t as full flavor as say a Chimay Blue, but it’s close to it and that is why I recommend Santa’s Private Reserve and will be having this again. Happy Holidays! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!