Weekend Brews - Week 55 - Chocolate Beer!

Every now and then you come across a beer that features ingredients that just sound right. Tonight that beer is from Cooperstown, New York. The magic ingredient is Belgian chocolate. The beer is Ommegang's Chocolate Indulgence.

See? I told you. Doesn't that beer just sound amazing? Well, luckily I'm hear to drink it for you, and make sure the beer lives up to it's name.

I pop the cork on the big brown bottle and slowly pour the liquid into a glass. A breathtaking blackness stares me in the eyes, and I marvel at the impressive milk chocolate-like pillow-soft head. The foam has no interest in leaving the scene and waits for me to enjoy the sight for awhile before it sinks back down. This beer looks like someone liquefied a slice of German chocolate cake, it just has to be good!

Aromas of dark bitter chocolate leap forth backed by notes of clove and a hint of banana. Oh man, I'm getting hungry ... I mean thirsty.

The first sip ... lordamercy! The chocolate hits you right in the mouth. It goes down incredibly smooth and leaves a happy little tingle on the tongue. There's a nice bitter balance in there, so don't think you're getting a sweetened Hershey's bar here. There's a friendly warming aftertaste from the alcohol in this 7% ABV beast to let you know of its power.

Well, if you're looking for a dessert wine, stop! Put down the wine list, and find yourself a bottle of the Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence. This beer would be fantastic with some tiramisu or a Belgian waffle covered in fresh strawberries, whipped cream and warm chocolate sauce. Just sayin'.

That's it for now. Give this one a try and let me know what you think.

Cheers!

Overall Score of the Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence: 4.0 out 5.0

Weekend Brews - Week 52 - An Uncommon Celebration

It's the official one year anniversary of the Weekend Brews Report!

This week I wanted to do something special and give a little taste of what I plan on offering on this blog in 2009. One of my goals is to meet the brewers around the world making the wonderful craft beer we love, and share their stories with you here. I'll still be reviewing beers and posting news items and whatnot, but I think it's about time everyone gets to know the brewers we support and put a story behind the beverage.

So, tonight I'd like to offer you my short interview with Alec Stefansky of the Uncommon Brewers microbrewery in Santa Cruz County. The brewery is very new and at the moment, they have two beers on the market, the Golden State Ale and their Siamese Twin Ale, the latter of which I'll review after the interview.

The Uncommon Brewers use Belgian brewing techniques and some truly unique organic ingredients. I think you'll find yourself falling in love with the flavor if you give their brews a try.

Alright folks, time to crack open a cold one, and read below!

So, Alec what exactly is an "uncommon brewer," and what's the background behind you and your brewing partners?

I certainly fall into the category of an uncommon brewer. My educational background is in politics. I was in an International Policy Master's program down at the Monterrey Institute back when I decided to make the move into brewing. It seemed like a better career choice at the time.

Reed, my Assistant Brewer, hails a little closer to a brewing education, with a degree in organic chemistry. We plan to put his training to work in the coming year.

You've got two beers on the market right now, the Siamese Twin Ale and the Golden State Ale, and you're starting to get some buzz in California and the west coast. What are your plans for the future as far as distribution, new beers, brew pub, etc. go?

I have another beer, a Baltic Porter that's brewed with Star Anise and Black Licorice, hitting the market in another week or two. There's a still-unnamed Red Ale brewed with Maple sugar and wild mushrooms in the works, and a half-dozen other recipes fighting for their place in line behind it.

I should be adding a major retail chain in the coming month, making it a lot easier to find cans of the Siamese Twin Ale. A deal is in the works to have smaller runs of can labels printed, allowing us to bring more of our beers to the retail market. I should know more about that in a month or so.

We plan on continuing to self-distribute our products within the Bay Area region. I'm adding two sales reps in the coming weeks, so existing accounts will be seeing better service, and local bars and restaurants can expect to be hearing more from us as well.

There is a brew pub concept, but it's a few years out from being realized. I do have an excellent chef already lined up to handle the kitchen, and a restaurant manager available, but my focus has to first be on getting the beer right.


One of the things that caught my attention when I first heard about your beer was that you are packaging in 16 oz. cans. Awesome. What made you decide to go with cans vs. bottles, and why 16 oz. instead of 12?

If a culture of returning bottles to the brewery existed in this country, as it does in other beer-drinking countries, I would have gone with bottles in a heartbeat. Unfortunately everything we produce here gets melted down in recycling. The energy cost to recycle a can is vastly lower than what's needed for a bottle.

We went with cans for many other reasons, too. Cans are a light and oxygen-proof package, with better product stability. They're also more efficient to ship, and less likely to break. Have you picked up a case of 16 oz. bottles recently? They weigh a ton. I'm in the business of selling beer, not glass. Pound for pound cans deliver more beer to my customers.

The 16 oz sizing came about because we knew that we couldn't compete as an Organic craft product in a six-pack price point. The four-packs give us a different place on the store shelf.

We're also using KeyKegs for many of the same reasons. They're a recyclable keg, one-way.

Uncommon Brewers is their launching customer in the U.S., and I wouldn't expect us to be their last. They're currently expanding like mad in Europe.

I'm sure it took awhile to finally decide on the two beers you were going to package and bring to market as your first offerings. I'm guessing there were quite a few test batches and other ideas before you made a final decision. What were some of the craziest beers you tried to brew before settling on the Siamese Twin and Golden State Ales?

I'm not sure if the early beers were more crazy, or just bad. We actually began by working without hops at all. Then we started using hops again, and making drinkable beer. Well that's not quite true. I have a wonderful gruit recipe, entirely unmarketable, but really tasty in its own way. The strangest experimental batches involved wild medicinal herbs, yarrow, milk thistle, and the like.

I noticed your slogan is "uncommon beer for uncommon people." I have to admit, that sounds a bit like the Dogfish Head slogan, "off-centered ales for off-centered people." Do you guys have plans to be the west coast version of Dogfish Head and take on Sam Calagione and company in producing the most adventurous beers out there?

The funny thing is that I'd never even heard of Sam's amazing beers when I came up with our slogan. Living here on the West Coast, and as a relative hermit while working on our recipes, I first came across Dogfish Head a year or so after coining our motto. It followed naturally from the brewery's name. I don't know that we'll ever be competition for Dogfish Head. We'd be happy enough to be ranked as a co-conspirator.

As I'm sure you've heard, SF Beer Week is coming up in February. Do you guys have any plans to participate, or come up and drink with us in the Bay Area?

We will be participating in SF Beer Week. Thanks for reminding me that I need to post our event. I'll be hosting a dinner at the Red Lounge in Santa Cruz. It's going to be a 5+ course dinner with beer pairings, prepared by Todd Williamson of Nepenthe in Big Sur.

Are you planning on being at any events in the near future you can tell us about, so my avid readers can meet the brewers and sample your wares?

There aren't any special events planned, but your readers are welcome to contact us for a visit if they're in our area. We do open the brewery to visits by appointment.

Finally, where can people get your beer?

The best place to check for availability is our website. I'm working on expanding our distribution outside of the Santa Cruz area. There should be a large spike upwards in the next two months.

Thanks Alec!



As promised, here's my review of the Uncommon Brewers tasty Siamese Twin Ale.

First off, it comes in a 16 ounce can. How cool is that? There's always something special about drinking a great beer from a can.

The Siamese Twin Ale is brewed with organic ingredients featuring Kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and coriander. The brewers recommend enjoying this beer with a hot and spicy curry. Now that sounds like a great idea!

Nice and cold from the fridge, the beer is ready to be poured and enjoyed ...

The beer is a beautiful orange/amber color and crowned with a fizzy head that simmers down, but leaves a little bit of foam lying on top. Aromas of coriander, lemongrass and a touch of brown sugar come forward to the nose. This "Belgian-style Double" is full-bodied and filled with flavors of sweet malt, a sample of citrus and the taste of a breakfast sweet roll. Mmmmmm.

It's an incredibly smooth beer, but you do get the warm tingle from the alcohol right at the end. Very nice. I'm looking forward to trying the Golden State Ale next, as well as the Baltic Porter Alec mentioned.

Right now they have limited distribution, but check the Uncommon Brewers website to find out where you can get yours. Keep an eye out for these guys, they should be making their way to your neighborhood soon.

Cheers!

Overall Score for the Uncommon Brewers Siamese Twin Ale: 4.25 out 5.0

The Belgians I Know

I mentioned earlier about some Belgian beers I had purchased to write about this weekend. Guess what?! Now is the time to discuss.

First up is a top-fermented ale from the Brouwerij De Koninck in Antwerp. This is their namesake beverage that comes in at a light 5.2% ABV, and I'm looking forward to enjoying a little less in the alcohol department.

A medium-bodied amber liquid falls into the glass and produces a thin head that almost instantly falls back into the beer leaving nothing more than a few circles of foam on the side of the vessel.

The beer smells rich with malt flavor ... I'm getting the aroma of a sourdough bread sprinkled with brown sugar and dipped in beef broth (but that's just me). This brew is surprising as it slides down the gullet with the ease of an American macro-brewed lager, but follows with the full flavor of a finely crafted Belgian ale. the De Koninck has a sour finish. I don't think that's necessarily a negative; just a uniqueness. The flavor is appealing, but I would not put this in my list of top Belgian ales.

Don't be discouraged ... this beer is worth trying. If you've read this blog before, you know by now that I'm not a fan of wasting time writing about beers I don't enjoy. I like it, and there's a good chance you will too.

Give it a chance, and as always, please let me know what you think.

Overall score of the De Koninck: 3.0 out of 5.0

Op uw gezondheid!

And finally ... tonight's final selection comes from Brasserie Dubuisson, it is called Scaldis, a.k.a. Bush Ambrée. According to the Wikipedia entry on the brewery, the name translates as, "Bush" (how appropriate!) and is labeled as Scaldis by importers (I wonder if that's because Busch beer is awful, or because the presidential family sucks... hmmmm? Either way, good move).



This brew comes in at a hearty 12% ABV, and will definitely be my last beer of the night. ha ha ha. Based on its appearance, the Scaldis seems a standard ale with a familiar amber hue and quickly disappearing head. With my nose in the glass I can smell a strong scent of alcohol and the fresh smell of hops. I have a feeling this is going to knock me out for the evening.

He drinks ... he scores! Wow. Strangely enough, you can most certainly smell the alcohol, but you cannot taste it. This beer is super smooth with a strong malt character, a dry finish and well ... okay, I admit it ... in the end you can taste the alcohol. Once again, you will have to give me your thoughts on this beer. I've had a few different samples this evening which undoubtedly have had an effect on my judgment. However, I do think this beer proves itself worthy of a taste even if you fear the beers of higher ABV.

Overall Score for the Dubuisson Scaldis: 3.25 out 5.0

Alright, that's it for me. I'm out. It's crazy late for my east coast friends, and I'm preparing for NFL Sunday morning fun tomorrow.

Take it easy everybody. I hope you all have a great weekend of brilliant beers.

Cheers!

Weekend Brews Report - Week 39 - Berkeley and Beyond

Greetings from the left coast and welcome to another installment of the Weekend Brews Report. It's "Week 39" and tonight I'd like to tell you about a local selection from Berkeley, California.

Nestled in the bustling college town lies a talented bunch of brewers that go by the name of the Bison Brewing Company. Using organic ingredients, they produce some mighty fine beers that are fantastic weekend starters.

Straight from the store after a hard day's work, I grabbed a tall 22 oz. bottle of their Belgian Ale.

I pop the top, and pour into the only goblet-like vessel I own ... a wine glass. Sorry, sorry. The beer sports a color combination of gold and orange and a thin foamy head sits proudly at the rim of the glass.

There's a spicy scent from the coriander used in this beer, as well as notes of figs and plums. Weird.

To the taste I say!



The Belgian Ale goes down smooth like a chapter of R. Kelly's, Trapped In the Closet.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

If you enjoy the spiciness of good Belgian beer, this is a nice American version of the style. It's incredibly easy to drink, and an excellent Friday brew. Go to your local beer store and check it out. If they don't have it, ask them to stock it. Bison Brewing Company deserves a little love for their efforts.


Overall Score for the Bison Brewing Company's Belgian Ale: 3.25 out 5.0

Weekend Brews - Week 36 - Goodbye Florida, Hello California!

It's Friday, and it's my last weekend in Florida before the big move to California. Wow.

I'm not exactly sure where I'll be next Friday since our driving route will depend on what this crazy hurricane Gustav does, but check in either way. I may just have something to write about from wherever the hell we are.

So, tonight, we'll start with a lovely east coast beer from Weyerbacher Brewing Company. They call it Blanche. It's a Belgian-style wit beer, perfect for this steamy Florida evening.

Did someone say, "Blanche?"

This unfiltered wheat beer is cloudy and produces a fizzy head that disappears quickly. The aroma of spice and banana fill the glass. The flavor is light and refreshing with a nice hint of citrus. You could definitely drink more than a few of these. Since it's the first weekend of college football, I'd recommend drinking a few sixers of this around your grill. Go on rednecks, change it up and support a craft brewery and put down that Busch Light. ha ha.

Overall Score for the Weyerbacher Blanche: 3.75 out of 5.0


But wait, there's more ...

I decided to crack open another brew from Weyerbacher. What the hell, right? I'm not sure you can get Weyerbacher beers out west, so I'm making sure I get my fill now.

Let us talk about the Merry Monks! It's another Belgian-style brew ... this time a golden ale. It's an Abbey Tripel that says good times with a 9.3% ABV.

The beer is true to it's description as the golden liquid fills the glass. I was hoping for a burst of fluffy foam on top, but the head wasn't much to talk about ... except that I just talked about it. (sorry, sorry.)

Holy spice and fruit blast in the nose! It's like a Christmas spice and fruit cake without that creepy, slimy glaze on the outside. And now to the flavor ...

This beer is fucking delicious! Blanche was pretty good, but hot damn! Get yourself a glass of the Merry Monks and make yourself a magnificent and magical evening. Mmmmm. You can really taste the spice ... the coriander, maybe some cloves, and a super smooth finish to boot.

I'm always impressed with American versions of Belgian beer styles that really hit the mark. This is one of them. If you like the stronger Belgians, and want to support an east coast craft brewery, go on and get yourself a Merry Monk. Weyerbacher, I sure hope you have distro out to the left coast.

Overall Score of the Weyerbacher Merry Monks: 4.5 out 5.0


P.S. Sorry for the lack of photos. My camera isn't working for me tonight. Once I get out west, settled and the paychecks start flowing, I'll get myself a little better camera to improve this blog. Word.

Weekend Brews - Week 35 - It's Raining Beer!

It's Friday, and perhaps it isn't raining beer exactly, but it is raining, and I am drinking beer. There's a connection somewhere.

Yes, that's right folks, it's time for another installment of Weekend Brews. For week 35, I decided to once again take my taste buds on a trip to Belgium. I present to you the delicious beer know as Pauwel Kwak brewed by the Family Brewery Bosteels in Buggenhout, Belgium ... try saying that 10 ten times fast. Wowsers.

Now, from what I've seen online, and on the wikipedia page about this brew, it should be served in a special "hourglass" shaped vessel that is held up by a wooden stand. Right ... well I don't have one, so I'm drinking it out of the fanciest stemware I own, so there ya go.

The beer pours a dark amber color into the glass, the color of dark cherries. A beautiful eggshell white head quickly appears and disappears in a matter of seconds. The aroma is intriguing ... a sugary morning breakfast bread smell with a hint of banana, honey and alcohol.

The flavor is a mixture of sweetness (there's that honey note again) and a little touch of bitterness. I'm not getting much of a malt sweetness though, it really does have an aroma and flavor that would make a big bear smile.

The mouthfeel of this beer is smooth and buttery with some light carbonation as it slides down the gullet. Very nice. It may be a strong ale at 8.0 ABV, but you would never know it at first taste.

The Pauwel Kwak is a very good Belgian beer. On a Friday night while dealing with the power going in and out during a tropical storm it's a great little comfort beverage. If you enjoy the flavors of Belgium (and how could you not?), I recommend picking up a bottle. It's a 750 ml, and you can get it at Dorn's here in Gainesville.



So enjoy the storm my Florida friends, and you might as well have a few to pass the time.

Op uw gezonheid!

Overall score for Pauwel Kwak: 4.25 out 5.0

And now it's time for a slice of this ...

Weekend Brews - Week 33 - Sunday Special

Sometimes when you set up to do something at the same time, week after week, eventually you grow tired of the same old nonsense and take a break. That was Friday. Honestly, I just didn't want to take time away from hanging out with friends and enjoying the evening to write up a post on the blog.

However, turns out Sunday is still consider the weekend and therefore I present to you the Weekend Brews Report today. Hooray!

It's a pleasant 86 degrees outside in the shade, and a perfect time to tell you about another fantastic brew from the Weyerbacher Brewing Company. Today we sample Muse Farmhouse Ale.

The Muse pours perfectly into the glass and creates a gorgeous, cloudy late evening liquid sunset. A delicious-looking creamy head floats gently to the top, and sticks around for awhile as I get my first whiff. This beer has some nice spice aroma to it, and a bit of earthy, grassy smells as well, most likely from those styrian golding hops.

The first sip goes down as smooth as Barry White chorus. It's a light and lip-smacking delight. There's some bitterness to the brew, and a wonderful dry finish. This really is another great summer beer.

If you have yet to indulge in the majestic world of saison, or farmhouse ales, I highly recommend you do. They are great all year round, but especially fantastic during the warm weather months. Check out BeerAdvocate.com for a list of great farmhouse ales to get a sip of this Summer.

Happy Sunday folks. I know we go back to work tomorrow, but it sure is nice to finish the weekend with a tasty brew from me to you.

Prost!

Overall Score for the Weyerbacher Muse Farmhouse Ale: 3.25 out 5.0

Weekend Brews - Week 28 - Thunder!

Yep, it's Friday! And it's time to start feeling good again.

I've just returned from a three-day jaunt over to San Francisco, and I'm happy to be able to sleep in my own bed again. Beds in cheap hotels are the worst! Of course in San Francisco a cheap hotel is anything under $150. Sonsabitches.

Anyway, there's a good storm going here in Gainesville, so sit back, put on your favorite Black Sabbath or Ronnie James Dio tune (personally I'd go with The Wizard from Sabbath), and get ready to enjoy an delicious beer while listening to the thunder roll on in(sorry, I forgot to mention the all too familiar cliche of AC/DC, but you were thinking of it anyway, so I was gonna skip it).

So what should we drink tonight to celebrate the stormy weather? Why don't we try this little saison farmhouse ale I picked up? Today's Weekend Beers Report presents, Le Merle from the North Coast Brewing Company's American Artisan Series.

Le Merle Haggard, maybe.


This beer inspired by the traditions of the Flanders region (okelee dokelee) should be a fine treat on this dark and dreary Friday evening.

The Le Merle pours into the wide-mouthed glass and creates an outstanding orange glow with a light and fluffy head that it wears well, just like an old-timey guy wears his top hat and monocle(Bully!). Go on, stick ya nose in there!

The beer bursts with the aromas of pineapple, orange, passion fruit and a wee touch of banana. I'm always amazed at the way a yeast strain can produce those kinds of smells. I can assure you, there were no fruit additions made during the brewing process.

A nice bit of the brew goes down the hatch...

... and yes, we have a winner! One of my favorite things about a good farmhouse ale is the abundance of natural carbonation. This brew features tons of tiny little bubbles that tickle the throat as this refreshing and flavorful ale makes its way to my tummy. The flavor is slightly fruity... mostly citrus with just a tiny touch of bitterness and a nice dry finish.

Le Merle is an excellent treat for those wanting to sample an excellent American version of a saison. North Coast once again gets the job done.

Go out and get yourself a bottle. Only $7.99 at Ward's in Gainesville.

Cheers.

Overall score of Le Merle: 4.5 out 5.0.

Weekend Brews - Week 27 - Cooperstown Apocalypse

Sorry folks, it's a late entry for this week's Weekend Brews report, but have no fear, I have saved some time to tell you about another fantastic brew that has made its way to Florida. Hooray!

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the award-winning brewery up in Cooperstown, New York. Yes, that's right, the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I had the pleasure of visiting the hall when I was a wee lad growing up in New York. It's an inspiring place to be to say the least... especially for a little kid just getting into baseball. Seeing the plaques of Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Babe Ruth... wow. The Hall is a heavenly place. I can't wait to visit there again as an adult and see my childhood heroes that have been inducted into the Hall. Someday, I will return to that hallowed ground.

Okay, enough of the nostalgia, this blog is about beer. This Weekend Brews report presents to you a beer from the now famous Ommegang Brewery. Ladies and gents, I give you "Ommegeddon."

Described as a, "funkhouse ale with brettanomyces," this beverage is sure to be an exciting adventure for the palette. It's a dry-hopped, blonde ale that has got to be good!

The Ommegeddon flows from the bottle to the glass and creates an incredible tangerine glow. A fluffy head sits atop the glass, and I'm ready to give this beer a try. I bring the glass in close to get a whiff... as prefaced by its orange glow, the beer gives off a beautiful scent of citrus. This beer smells fresh and enticing. And so we drink...

... mmmm, very nice. This beer is clean, crisp and dry. The Ommegeddon is an extremely refreshing ale, and that citrus smell from the hops is adding to the sensory pleasure. For an 8.0% ABV beer, it seems much lighter than I had expected. Well done.

While not a fan of all the Ommegang offerings, this Cooperstown, New York brewery definitely knows their stuff. However, I will admit, the name and labeling leave much to be desired. When I saw the name, "Ommegeddon" I was thinking I'd be tasting something a bit more intense... a beer that blew me away like the mushroom cloud on the front of the bottle. This beer is very good, but I'm a bit disappointed in thinking I'd be experiencing something outstanding and mind-blowing.

Look, don't let my last paragraph discourage you from trying Ommegeddon. This beer is a quality beverage that I believe every beer drinker would enjoy. It's great for a Summer day, and since it's crazy hot in "the Fla.," I'd say go get yourself a bottle.

Happy Friday my friends. Enjoy.

Overall score of the Ommegeddon: 3.75 out 5.0

Weekend Brews - Week 25 - A Belgian Friday

Greetings friends and fellow beer lovers! Another weekend is upon us, the wicked sun is beating us with a miserable 96 degrees here in Gainesville, Florida, and so it is time to cool off with a delicious adult beverage.

This week we're headed across the pond to a little nation you may be familiar with... in fact, I'm pretty sure they're known for their brewing. ha ha ha. It's time for beer from Belgium! Hooray!

It's been awhile since we've explored the beers of Belgium, and I thought this hot and sticky Friday would be a perfect time to reintroduce ourselves to these finely crafted brews.

The Weekend Brews report is proud to present, La Chouffe from the Brasserie d' Achouffe. Brewed by two brothers-in-law, Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts, this artisanal golden ale is made from spring water (from a spring right near the brewery!), malted barley, Styrie and Saaz hops and coriander for a little spice.

La Chouffe has won numerous awards since the brothers-in-law began brewing back in 1982. And you can just tell from their creepy little gnome mascot that this beer is going to be good.

Lets get to it!

The La Chouffe looks brilliant as it fills the glass with a "Florida sunshine" orange glow. A light and foamy head sits neatly atop the orange liquid. Tipping the glass toward my nose I smell the aroma of coriander, Saaz hops, a very light note of citrus and the faint smell of banana.

Another tilt of the glass and down the hatch she goes... mmmmm. Very nice. This beer is light, refreshing and flavorful. The perfectly smooth beverage is highlighted by the effervescent carbonation that does just fine on this brutally hot June evening. There's a slight taste of citrus, although my tongue may be getting fooled by the fact that it looks like there's a big orange in my glass. ha ha. Either way, this beer is damn good!


If you're suffering through the heat, I recommended kicking back with a bottle of La Chouffe. It's 8.0 ABV though, so you'll only need one. This beer would go great with some grilled chicken and a Caesar salad. You don't want to mix this one with any heavy foods as far as I'm concerned.

So give it a shot. Let this bottle take you away from the humidity and over to the dry and comfortable climate of Belgium. I even gave you a photo of the brewery in the wintertime(courtesy of their website) to make you feel a better.

Enjoy my friends, and happy Friday!

Slainte!

Overall score of the La Chouffe: 4.25 out 5.0

P.S. I just checked the temperature and it has dropped to 92 degrees. Woo Hoo!

And here's a little magic from a dixieland band at the brewery's Grande Choufferie celebration!

Weekend Brews - Week 21 - Part Deux

I promised another treat this evening, and here it is... I present to you, Florida's own, Saison Athene from the Saint Somewhere Brewing Company.

This Belgian-style beer is brewed in Tarpon Springs, Florida, a town not exactly known for its brewing expertise. Nonetheless, Saint Somewhere Brewing Company knows what they are doing.

Sold in beautifully labeled 750ml bottles, this lovely beverage flows into the glass with a Florida orange glow and fizzy head. The carbonation streams upward through the cloudy tangerine liquid, and this beer is telling me it's going to be heavenly.

The smell brings forth banana, cloves and citrus... a perfect combination for this warm Florida night. I think I made a solid selection at the beer store earlier when I picked this one out of the bevy of big bottled beauties available.

Lips to the glass and I take a pull... oh man, that's good. This beer is perfectly carbonated as the bubbles tickle the tongue, and you get a blast of citrus without an overwhelming sweetness. It has a slightly dry finish, but not as dry as expected from the high level of carbonation.

In a word; delicious. Two words; fucking great. Seriously, this beer is outstanding!

I have to hand it to Matt Weaver for mentioning the great reviews this brewery had been getting on other beer review sites, and encouraging me to try it. I had seen these beers a few times at my local beer store and thought, "Meh... a Florida brewery? I don't know man, I haven't liked anything from Florida yet." Man, was I wrong.

Saint Somewhere has renewed my faith in Florida brewing, and now I will have to try their other beers, as well as get back out there and track down some other Florida offerings.

If you can get your hands on this Saint Somewhere Saison Athene, do it. You will not regret it.

Enjoy!

Overall Score of the Saint Somewhere Saison Athene: 4.5 out 5.0

Weekend Brews Week 15

Last day of the work week, first day of the beer week. Woo Hoo! I'm not even sure what that means...

This week we go organic. No chemically induced hops or barley in this week's beers, just goodness from the great green earth with no additives. Beauty.

The beer of choice for this Weekend Brews report is Cru D'or Organic Belgian Style Ale from North Coast Brewing Company. North Coast is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. This beel must be very new as there's not even a mention of it on the brewery's website. Sweet! I get a first taste of something special.

The Cru D'or pours a dark amber color into the tall glass and creates a wonderfully aromatic fluffy beige head. The beer has some quality head retention and the glass is now laced with a web of delicious foam. Scents of clove, orange and touch of banana hit my nose as I prepare for the first sip.

Ahhhhh... man that is tasty. The beer is spicy, rich and strong. You can most certainly taste the alcohol. I can even get a smidgen of smokiness from this ale. Weird.

This isn't the type of beverage I'd sit down and drink a 4-pack of, but it is a nice specialty brew to share with friends... which I will do soon. Give it a shot and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear the opinions on this Belgian Style from North Coast. It could be better, but it most certainly could be worse.

Overall Score: 3.0 out of 5.0

Weekend Brews - Week Eight... Happy New Beelz!

One would imagine that having a three day work week would make the first work week of 2008 a bit easier to deal with. The truth is, this week was just as bad as any other.

And now it's Friday and time for beer. Praise you Friday.

I decided to start the new year off with a Belgian selection. A beer I've never had before, but one I am very happy I picked up at the store. It's a beauty, and it's the Tripel from Affligem Brewery, known simply as, "Affligem."

You know when you go to a brewery website and see a Belgian served in a glass goblet that it is worth your time to try. There are even instructions on the side of the bottle on how to pour the beer into a proper glass.

It is an extreme pleasure learning about the Belgian brewing tradition and just how much pride they take in their beer. I love to support the craft brewers of the US as much as possible, but there is something magical about a Belgian ale that every beer drinker needs to experience now and then.

So, on to the brew...

It pours smoothly into the wide-mouthed glass forming a near perfect head that could put up a good fight for the retention gold medal versus even the heaviest of whipped cream. The color is a beautiful gold littered with the elegant upward flow of tiny little bubbles letting me know there's going to be a nice level of carbonation to this beverage.

The aroma is familiar to many other well-crafted Belgian beers, ripe with banana and a touch of orange zest.

This beer slides down the throat with ease. A very smooth mouthfeel with the tiniest dry bite to finish the taste. I actually wouldn't mind a drier finish to this beer, but the smoothness is a treat I suppose.

I prefer a bit more carbonation as well, but again, I should not complain because not all beers are created equal or meant to taste alike.

The Affligem is a welcome starter to the weekend. I had a couple of Sierra Nevada Pale Ales earlier in the evening, so the Belgian was a tasty nightcap in front of the fireplace as we brave this chilly North Florida evening(just kidding, it's only 45 degrees... but the fire is still blazing).

Grab an Affligem Tripel when you get the chance and don't be shy to explore the world of Belgian Abbey ales. There are so many to choose from, I can't wait to try more throughout the new year.

Enjoy my friends.

Overall score: 3.75 out 5.0

Prost!