After a quick 50 mile trip up to the Captain Lawrence Brewery in Pleasantville NY, with a the threat of an apocalyptic snow storm looming; I was able to snag a couple of the last remaining Golden Delicious 750ml Bottles.  Now, to have my first taste of the Captain Lawrence Golden Delicious.  This beer is labeled an American Style Tripel that has been dry-hopped with Amarillo hops and aged in Apple Brandy Barrels.

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Typically we think of Saisons as a summer / late fall beer with its light, crisp, refreshing, and some times citrusy flavors.   However, KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren’s  ”eindejaar” (New Year) edition is special, with the strength ratcheted up from 6.9% to 9% ABV making it more of a winter warmer then a summer time refresher.

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Beer Brawl™ 30 was the brain child of Kevin Malavarca from the Liquor Outlet in Boonton NJ. Since we are right around the corner from the Super Bowl, what better way to prepare then to figure out what is the best session beer. The Session Beer Challenge, each of us brought our two favorite session beers to the table for a winner take all (bragging rights) challenge.

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Sours are my newest beer love.  I can’t drink enough of them and I really haven’t found any don’t like, but I sure have found some that I love.  My next sour is Russian River’s Consecration Batch 003, that I acquired in a recent beer trade.  While still a very small brewery in Santa Rosa California, they have developed in a premeir leader in Sour and Barrel aged beers in the United States.  So it is only fitting that I try some!

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The Simply Beer Tastings have become a huge success. Our small intimate tastings are extremely fun, entertaining, and educational. We limit the number of guests in order to keep them fun and personal, but also allows us to bring in a couple of surprises to share with you.

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It finally has become cold enough for High Point Brewing to make their annual Eisbock.  Each year High Point’s Greg Zaccardi takes their 9% abv Ramstein Winter Wheat and transforms it into a  velvety silky smooth 11.5% Eisbock.  A couple weeks ago, Butler New Jersey finally had a cold streak of 20° weather and they were able to produce a very limited quantity of their locally famous Eisbock.  As of Wednesday afternoon, the Ramstein Eisbock is on tap for Growler fills at the brewery.

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