Tasting Notes: Basketcase American Helles from Starr Hill

Posted on by mashingin

starr-hill-basketcaseThis edition of Tasting Notes has me seeking out a new lager experience by pouring up a Basketcase American Helles from Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia).

Before we pry off any bottle caps, let’s cover the background information on Basketcase American Helles.  This beer is the latest installment in Starr Hill’s Heavy Rotation Series, a limited line of non-IPA brews that has their brewers exploring new styles and/or ingredients.  This offering is a Munich Helles-style lager sporting an American twist of Cascade hops.  2-row, Munich and Carafoam round this 5.4% ABV beer off with a balancing malt presence. Basketcase is available now as a limited offering in Alabama and throughout Starr Hill’s distribution area.  Look for this one at craft beer friendly establishments in the Fall Variety Pack mixed 12-pack, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.

**Like all Heavy Rotation brews, Basketcase is meant to be enjoyed while listening to a carefully selected playlist of complementing tunes. Simply click here to check that out.**

My duty of supplying you with the facts is now fulfilled, so let’s get to sipping and opining with some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Basketcase American Helles from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance: Basketcase American Helles hits the glass with a rich golden body.  Held to direct light, the gold lightens to become a gleaming shade of yellow.  A speedy and plentiful carbonation presence races throughout the crystal clear body.  That carbonation is feeding the two fingers of bright white foam that was built off the pour.  Retention is decent with the head eventually dropping to a loose, bubbly ring that is present for the majority of the experience.

Aroma: This beer casually fills the air with aromas distinct to a German Helles.  The grain presence is clean and clear, leading the way with a light sweetness and breadiness.  Spicy and floral hop notes then open things up and invite you to inhale deeply.  The aroma closes out with a light citrus presence of grapefruit.  It may sound a bit on the simple side, but these notes all mesh to produce a billowing and beautiful aroma.

Taste:  Once again, I am more than a little surprised that this American take on a Munich Helles is nearly spot on.  The hops come forth first to charm the palate with a very fresh floral and light citrus quality.  These notes are further supported by an earthy, spicy character that has strength but is not at all aggressive in flexing those muscles.  A sweet, bready malt presence lends balance by stifling almost all of the bite these hops could muster while still avoiding any possibility of being too pronounced or cloying.  Lager yeast then sets in at the finish with a clean and unmistakable quality that brings it all together.

Mouthfeel: Basketcase is medium in body with a zippy carbonation level.  This combination supplies a beer that is crisp, dry and clean to maximize drinkability while remaining a lager that still has some size to it on the palate.  The 5.4% ABV is completely hidden and this makes the beer even more easy drinking.  The aftertaste is just a touch of earthy, floral hop tones.

Final Thoughts: I was a little more than excited when I opened the Fall Variety Pack to find that Starr Hill Brewery had taken on a Helles Lager.  I am even more delighted to report that the brewers absolutely nailed this beer.  The use of Cascade hops had me a little worried that the beer may go too far in the direction of a beer that is dominated by citrus.  That worry was quickly swept away as I found a level of craftsmanship that coaxed out the more European spicy and floral notes residing within this hop.  That said, there is still a kiss of citrus left to linger and declare, “I’m made in America.”  The attention to detail given to Basketcase American Helles supplies this offering with plenty of flavor while allowing it to keep a clean lager presentation that steers clear of overloading the palate with an unneeded level of challenging complexity.  This Helles is all about being easy drinking with just the right amount of dynamics and personality.  Fantastic and finely crafted.  I finish with the inclination to thank Starr Hill for joining a select few other American craft breweries that are dedicated to restoring the good name of the lager.  Prost!

Bell’s Brewery releases Roundhouse India Red Ale as newest specialty beer

Posted on by mashingin

roundhouse12ozcanBell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan) announced that Roundhouse India Red Ale recently made its way through their canning line and is officially hitting distribution this month.

First brewed in 2009 at the original brewery in Kalamazoo, Roundhouse India Red Ale is getting a bit of a promotion this month in being named the latest Bell’s Brewery specialty offering to see full distribution.  Thanks to a hefty dose of hops added late in the kettle and again in the dry-hopping stage, ” fruity aromas of pineapple, peach and citrus” that “continue into a crisply bitter hop presence across the tongue” headline the Roundhouse experience.  To achieve its red hue and provide the balance needed to keep these intense hop notes in check, caramel and toasted specialty malts were carefully selected and employed to create this beer’s backbone.  Locally sourced Michigan honey was then added to level everything out and give the brew a smooth finish.

Roundhouse India Red Ale was officially released this week and will hit the full Bell’s Brewery distribution area “in waves, so availability will vary.”  This limited release offering will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft during the months of September and October.   Roundhouse is sure to disappear from shelves and taps with a quickness, so get yourself a taste of this brew whenever you happen upon it.  Prost!

Vital Information on Roundhouse India Red Ale from Bell’s Brewery

Availability – Specialty release, September through October
ABV – 7.5%
Shelf Life – 6 months
Packaging – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft
Distribution – Full brewery distribution area

Victory Brewing Festbier returns for its 20th Season

Posted on by mashingin

fb_12ozbottle_webtransVictory Brewing Company (Downingtown, Pennsylvania) announced this week that Festbier Oktoberfest Amber Lager is officially ready to make its seasonal return to shelves and taps.

The origin of Festbier dates back to 1996 when it was the first beer ever brewed by Victory Brewing Company.  Twenty years later, this Oktoberfest Amber Lager continues to celebrate the brewery’s rich tradition of German-style offerings.  Festbier starts with Two-Row Vienna and Munich German malts that undergo a decoction brewing process, “a traditional technique in central European brewing which produces the deliciously malty flavors for which German beers are best known.”  This treatment gives the beer an impressive, full body and “subtly sweet” malt character.  Whole flower German hops provide the level of balance needed for such a full-flavored, smooth brew.

“Festbier has a special place in my heart, as it expresses the purpose of beer, as a source of comfort and conviviality, so well,” said Founder and Brewmaster, Bill Covaleski. “It was the very first beer we ever brewed at Victory. We knew we wanted to create a true Oktoberfest lager and the pride I have in that first beer still powers me, and all our brewers, to continue to create good, thoughtfully crafted beers that will not only quench the thirst of our fans, but make every dinner, party or chat with a friend over a pint that much more enjoyable.”

Festbier is a seasonal release that is available now and will be hanging around through the autumn months.  You can find this offering on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles for the suggested retail price of $9.99 (price may vary upon location).  Pick up your sixer at craft beer retailers in Alabama, Florida and throughout Victory Brewing’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Festbier Oktoberfest Amber Lager from Victory Brewing Company

Availability – Seasonal, late summer through autumn
ABV – 5.6%
Malts – Imported 2 row Vienna & Munich German malts
Hops – Whole flower German hops
Packaging – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft

J. Wakefield Brewing prepares for Miami Madness Day 2016

Posted on by mashingin

jwakefieldBeginning on Saturday, September 10 at noon, J. Wakefield Brewing (120 NW 24th Street, Miami, Florida) will host Miami Madness Day to celebrate the bottle release of their Miami Madness Florida Weisse.

Rated the #1 Berliner Weisse in the World on Beer Advocate and the #2 Berliner Weisse in the World on RateBeer, Miami Madness is a limited release “Florida Weisse” brewed with mango, guava and passion fruit.  Inspired by the “zombie attack” on the MacArthur Causeway back in 2012, Miami Madness is an offering “so sour it’ll give you something to live for.”

This very limited and special release will be available for purchase during this event for $20 per 750 ml bottle (cash only, there will be an ATM on-site).  There is a two bottle limit per customer.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase limited Miami Madness 18.25 oz. stemmed glassware for $15 each.

In addition to bottles of Miami Madness, the following special release cans will also be available for purchase at this event:

  • Who’s on First Northeast Style Double IPA brewed w/Local Honey: 4-packs of 16 oz. cans for $19 (cash only). Limit of four 4-packs per customer.
  • Rainbow Road Imperial Guava Saison Collaboration with Smog City Brewing: 4-packs of 16 oz. cans for $16 (cash only). Limit of four 4-packs per person.

Since Miami Madness Day is an all-day, throw-down kind of affair, those who attend will also be able to enjoy the following food and entertainment options:

  • Food will be available for purchase from Babe Froman Fine Sausages from 8 a.m.to 1 p.m. (Breakfast options) and Purple People Eatery from 2 p.m. to close.
  • Special guest appearance by Jeff Dekal, comic book industry cover artist with works featured by Marvel, Creature Entertainment, Valiant, and Dark Horse.  He also created the label artwork for Miami Madness and DFPF (Dragon Fruit Passion Fruit Berliner).
  • Live performance by DJ Volksmusik from 6 p.m. to midnight
  • The brewery will be showing UFC 203 with no cover charge. Main card starts at 10 p.m.

I do believe that about covers all the information you could possibly need to know about this event.  If you are 21 or over, in the Miami area and free on Saturday, be sure to swing by J. Wakefield Brewing to take part in what is sure to be a great event.  Prost!

Cigar City Brewing releases Oktoberfest Lager

Posted on by mashingin

CCBOfestCigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida) recently announced that their Oktoberfest German-style Festbier has officially made its seasonal return to shelves and taps.

The traditional breweries of Munich may be largely focused on creating Märzens that are “lighter in color and lower in body” for Oktoberfest celebrations these days, but Cigar City Brewing has decided to approach their Festbier in a way that “nods firmly toward the style’s history with its amber color.”  Oktoberfest German-style Festbier is brewed with a sizable amount of Munich malt and five other German varieties to give the beer a bready quality with light notes of caramel and toffee.  Hallertauer Mittlefruh hops provide herbaceous, grassy and floral characteristics. Fermentation is achieved with Bavarian lager yeast and results in “a clean, dry and complex lager that’s at once intriguing and drinkable.”  Weighing in at 5.7% ABV, this special release is the perfect beer to “compliment the onset of autumn.”

Oktoberfest German-style Festbier is available now as a limited release in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft.  Look for this offering at craft beer friendly establishments in Florida and wherever you normally find specialty releases within Cigar City Brewing’s distribution footprint.  Get your Fest on and enjoy, folks!  Prost!

Vital Information on Oktoberfest German-style Festbier from Cigar City Brewing

Availability – Special Release
ABV – 5.7%
IBUs – 20
Ingredients – German-malted barley, German-grown hops, German lager yeast
Packaging – draft and 6-packs of 12 oz. cans

Straight to Ale partners with Whole Foods Market on Rumble Seat Beer Project

Posted on by mashingin

StAhops_editedStraight to Ale (Huntsville, Alabama) recently announced that they have joined forces with the Whole Foods Market South Region to produce an exclusive line of beers dubbed the Rumble Seat Beer Project.

The Rumble Seat Beer Project is a “new line of experimental brews” created by Straight to Ale that will be available only at Whole Foods locations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  This new series will officially launch with three craft beer offerings: Citrus Witte, Imperial Red and India Pale Ale.  For all the details on these new beers, here are the full descriptions from Straight to Ale:

  • Citrus Witte – a traditional Belgian style Witte with the addition of sweet orange peel. Finishes smooth and lightly sweet. 4.7% ABV. Available in cans.
  • Imperial Red – a hoppy Red Ale, full of hops and a rich malt backbone. The flavor profile of an imperial red in a low ABV beer. 6% ABV. Available on draft only.
  • India Pale Ale – floral and citrus nose with medium bitterness and a balanced malt finish. 6% ABV. Available in cans.

“Whole Foods is a brand champion for Straight To Ale and has played a large part in our growth and success. It was a natural fit for us to approach them once we added the new facility as they had the desire, insight, and reach within craft beer to help us establish this new line. After meeting with Patty and her team back in early March, the potential for what this could evolve into emerged, and it has now become a wonderful reality,” says Steve Mills, Sales Manager of Straight to Ale Brewing.

Look for all three beers in the Rumble Seat Beer Project to turn up at Southeast locations of Whole Foods beginning Labor Day weekend.  This is an amazing opportunity for Straight to Ale to expand their reach within the craft beer community with the help of Whole Foods Market, and I look forward to watching this collaborative effort grow as it moves forward.  Be sure to try these initial three offerings when they land, and keep an eye out for future releases from the Rumble Seat Beer Project.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Hoppelbock from Heavy Seas Beer & Tröegs Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

Heavy-Seas-Partnerships-HoppelbockTasting Notes doubles down this week by taking a look at the Partner Ships Hoppelbock collaboration from Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) and Tröegs Independent Brewing (Hershey, Pennsylvania).

Hoppelbock was created by brewers from both Heavy Seas and Tröegs Brewing as part of the Partner Ships Series, a lineup of limited releases from Heavy Seas that is “produced in collaboration with other regionally and nationally recognized brewers in the spirit of friendship, creativity, and adventure.” This 8% ABV twist on the Doppelbock style gets its malty foundation thanks to a “large percentage of locally sourced malt from Deer Creek Malthouse in Pennsylvania” and a hoppy counterbalance by way of five German hop varieties (Hallertau Mittlefrue, Opal, Perle, Magnum and Herkules hops).  A limited amount of Hoppelbock was officially released in May, but 22 oz. bottles may still be hanging around out there at craft beer-friendly establishments within the Heavy Seas distribution area.  Now that we covered the background on this beer, let’s pour this bomber and get familiar with Hoppelbock in some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Partner Ships Hoppelbock from Heavy Seas Beer & Tröegs Independent Brewing

Appearance: Hoppelbock pours up a burnt orange to rich caramel brown in appearance.  Held to direct light, lighter brown, shimmering orange and deep garnet hues push through.  This glowing body is crystal clear and shows off a lazy carbonation level meandering within.  The pour got me two fingers of bubbly, off-white to light tan colored foam.  Head retention is decent, eventually falling to a much tighter and chunkier half finger that has some real lasting ability.  Lacing is minimal, as most wisps of foam glide quickly back down the glass to rest once again in that top cap.  The look of this beer is both beautiful and imposing.

Aroma: The malty goodness you want from a Doppelbock absolutely billows from the glass. A biscuity and caramel sweetness leads the grains to have some serious size in the aromatic profile, but an assertive hop presence resides within.  Spicy hops and a light dark fruit character complements the malt nuances with ease, and a floral note stands tall to declare the “Hoppel” portion of this Bock.

Taste: The balance is on point with this beer.  There is a delightful dance of push and pull between the malty backbone and the hoppy accents.  Like in the aroma, the malts lay down a wonderfully sweet foundation of caramel and bready qualities.  The hops then come forth with some black pepper spice that shifts into graceful floral and nondescript fruity notes.  Although it may sound simple to some, this harmonious flavor profile is a lot to take in and a joy to explore.

Mouthfeel:  This is a medium to full bodied lager that bears a nice weight to it.  On the palate, it has a velvety, silken texture that is a touch creamy as well.  At 8% ABV, the alcohol has a bit of heat to it but it is more than reasonable.  The carbonation level falls in the middle of the road, keeping the beer somewhat easy drinking while still allowing it to have some heft.  Aftertaste is full of those wonderful malt tones and some lingering floral notes.

Final Thoughts: Just as the name suggests, Hoppelbock is a wonderfully duplicitous brew by providing its drinker with the best of both worlds: It has all the malts you expect and crave from a German Doppelbock, and the assertiveness you want from American-made hoppy brews.  This beer is a constant give and take that takes its time to show each and every malty and hoppy note within.  Some may want or expect a bit more in-your-face dynamics from this beer, and to them I would suggest that they slow down and truly allow the senses to drink in all aspects of this offering.  In doing so, the craftsmanship employed to create this brew’s fine level of balance will not go unnoticed.  Sip, savor and revel in this wonderful, American take on the Doppelbock style by two great breweries.  Prost!

Cahaba Brewing adds two beers to lineup of canned offerings

Posted on by mashingin

cahaba logoCahaba Brewing Co. (Birmingham, Alabama) recently announced that they will release Oka Uba IPA and Oktoberfest Ale in cans beginning on Monday, September 5.

The folks at Cahaba Brewing first entered the market of canned craft beers back in 2015 with the release of American Blonde Ale.  Although this offering has seen great success since, a brewery relocation/expansion and a bit of a shortage among suppliers of aluminum cans delayed Cahaba from growing their line of packaged offerings.  These issues have all been worked out and now Oka Uba IPA and Oktoberfest Ale are nearly ready for shelves.  If you are unfamiliar with these offerings, here are their full descriptions from the brewery:

Cahaba-Oka-Uba-IPA_OdieAndPartners-280x410Oka Uba IPA – “Oka Uba IPA was designed how we believe an IPA should taste. Experience our passion for craft beer with this hoppy IPA highlighted by citrus and floral notes as well as a crisp hop finish without being overly bitter. Generous late hops additions and a subtle malt character make Oka Uba IPA one of the most drinkable IPAs you’ll find.” ABV: 7.5%

Cahaba-Oktoberfest-o2ideas-280x410Oktoberfest Ale – “Our Fall seasonal is our take on an Oktoberfest style beer. Brewed with continental malts, a generous amount of noble hops, and a unique twist on the fermenting yeast, Oktoberfest is one of our favorite beers. It’s malty, full body, and well balanced hop character make it a perfect fall beer to enjoy with your friends.” ABV: 7.5%

Both of these offerings will become officially available in cans on September 5.  Although Oka Uba IPA will be available year-round in cans, Oktoberfest is a Seasonal release that will only be available in cans and on draft for the next two months.  Look for these brews wherever you normally find Cahaba Brewing offerings.  Prost!

Smokey and the Brett next up in Dank Tank from SweetWater Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

unnamed (6)SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) recently announced that Smokey and the Brett India Pale Ale with Brett will be the next release in the Dank Tank Series.

Back in June, thieves brazenly rolled up to SweetWater Brewing Company and took two flat-bed trailers packed with 3,272 cases of freshly packaged craft beer.  Just as they thought they had committed the perfect heist, the beers were quickly located because the not so bright desperados failed to realize the trailers were rockin’ some serious GPS recovery capabilities (click here to read more about this story).

When news of this situation broke, my first thought was that this whole ordeal had “future Dank Tank release” written all over it.  Sure enough, this caper provided the proper inspiration and Smokey and the Brett was created.  Since Dank Tank offerings challenge SweetWater brewers to explore their creativity by dabbling with new ingredients and/or brewing practices, this 7.3% ABV India Pale Ale received a slow fermentation with Brettanomyces wild yeast to lend the beer a pop of “acidity and tartness” to interact with the style’s expected hoppy bitterness.  The signature funkiness of the Brett mingles with aromatic and flavor notes of grapefruit and apricot. For a bit more information about the inspiration behind this brew, here is the full story from the bottle’s label:

Hard up and flat broke, El Danko couldn’t stop the shakes from SweetWater withdrawals, jonesing for the brews he most wanted.

Down but not out, El Danko doubled down and went big to solve his problem once and for all.  In the wee hours, El Danko and trusted accomplice El Putzo jacked two beer trailers from the brewery packed with over 69,000 bottles of SweetWater brew! (True story, check it at swb.beer/newsreel)

Danko and Putzo hightailed it to their batwingcave, ready to throw down and fade out.  Not the sharpest duo, they missed the GPS trackers on the trailers and were nabbed by Ol’ Smokey and Detective Dick Farachi before they could suck down their first six pack.

WE ADMIRE THE BALLS, BUT NOT THE BRAINS!

Smokey and the Brett officially releases at the brewery on Wednesday, August 31.  If you cannot make it to the brewery for the launch party, look for this brew to turn up in 22 oz. bottles in Alabama, Florida and wherever you normally find Dank Tank releases within SweetWater’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

 

Orpheus Brewing expands distribution into Alabama

Posted on by mashingin

To the delight of craft beer fans in the Heart of Dixie, Orpheus Brewing (Atlanta, Georgia) very quietly expanded distribution into Alabama this week.

Orpheus Brewing is an artisanal brewery with a mission to produce “beers unique to the Southeast.”  With a lineup focused on Saisons, Sour Ales, hoppy styles and barrel-aged offerings, this brewery has quickly become one of the most popular breweries in Georgia. This level of popularity has apparently been good for business because Orpheus Brewing has signed with International Wines and Craft Beer to bring their offerings to craft beer shelves in Alabama.

atalanta-color-310x287It appears that Orpheus has launched in Alabama with one offering this week: Atalanta Tart Plum Saison.  For the rundown on this brew, here is the full brewery description for Atalanta:

“In the heroine Atalanta, we see the traits of what we aim for in all of our beers: piquant, deceptively robust, and a bit wild. A tart plum saison, Atalanta tastes of plums intermingling with spicy yeast, and a refreshing tartness that makes Atalanta as good for pairing with food as by itself.”

Atalanta is available on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans.  This offering has been confirmed to be available at Piggly Wiggly Homewood, Hop City Birmingham and at other select craft beer retailers in Birmingham.  Get your sixer today to get a proper introduction to Orpheus Brewing, and keep an eye out for future releases from the brewery to hit Alabama shelves soon. Prost!

Vital Information on Atalanta Tart Plum Saison from Orpheus Brewing

Release – Year-round
Style – Saison
ABV – 5.25%
Hops – Newport
Grain – Two Row Barley, White Wheat & Flaked Wheat
Fermentation – House Lactobacillus Mother & French Saison Yeast
Other Ingredients – Plums, cold pressed by Arden’s Garden