Bottles and cans and just clap your hands
By LOU PAPINEAU | January 11, 2012
 |
In 2011 we welcomed great brews from Firestone Walker, Sixpoint, Breckenridge, and White Birch to the state. This year the folks at Elevated Spirits are bringing in GOOSE ISLAND, the acclaimed craft line from Chicago (which was bought by Anheuser-Busch, Inc. last year). Draught offerings (two solid session beers, the tasty 312 Urban Wheat Ale and Honkers Ale, a top-notch English Style Bitter) should hit taps next week; bottles will arrive in March. Other beers on the radar: SIERRA NEVADA’S RUTHLESS RYE IPA arrives this week; it’s received rapturous reviews at RateBeer and Beer Advocate and will be a welcome addition to the growing ranks of superb rye-based beers (Bear Republic’s Hop Rod Rye, Sixpoint’s Righteous Ale, Founders‚ Red’s Rye PA). SIXPOINT just announced RESIN, a double IPA, which will be out in slimmed-down 12-ounce tallboy cans in February. NARRAGANSETT’S NEW CREAM ALE, which bested Rye Ale in their recent online beer-off, will debut in March (or maybe earlier, if it follows Bock’s lead; see below). And OSKAR BLUES will kick it up a notch when they go wide with DEVIANT DALE'S IPA, a double/imperial 8% ABV hop assault, in 16-ounce cans in March (it was previously only available at their Grill & Brew in Lyons, Colorado). Yum.Speaking of Sixpoint, I was glad to finally grab a four-pack of DIESEL, the latest winning creation from the Brooklyn brewery. They've worked their magic with yet another style (having aced the American IPA with Bengali Tiger, Cream Ale with Sweet Action, and the aforementioned Righteous Ale,), unleashing a hopped-up version of an American Stout, with a 6.3% ABV. The 16-ounce can pours "sooty black," as they term it, and is a wonderful mix of coffee and chocolate and vanilla and other notes wrapping around the zesty hops. Beyond tasty. Only 70 cases made it to the state, so pick up a box or three before they disappear.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG
We're getting used to the seasonal beers showing up long before the seasons they're associated with. So it's no surprise, in the midst of this wonderfully mild winter (hope I didn't jinx it), that NARRAGANSETT'S BOCK has already made it to the stores — two months earlier than last year's batch! The 16-ounce green tallboys (6.5% ABV) boast a great combo of sweet malts, prominent hops, and layers of creamy goodness. Why wait?
FIRST FEST OF '12
If you're suffering the post-holiday blahs — or, even better, just ready for a great beer festival — here's a reason to be cheerful: the BEER SUMMIT WINTER JUBILEE is at the Park Plaza Castle in Boston on January 20 (5:30-9 pm) and 21st (12:30-4 pm and 5:30-9). There will be offerings from more than 66 brewers (most of New England's finest; national powerhouses such as Heavy Seas, Lagunitas, Oskar Blues; international heavy hitters like Affligem, Corsendonk, and Weihenstephan) and 200-plus beers. I went to the Harvest Fest in November and can't wait to get back in that funky old room and sample more world-class beers. Tix are $42.50, get 'em at beersummit.com, and check their Facebook page for details on who's serving what (I recommend lining up for Watch City's Lunarshine Burleywhine and Hoponius Union from Jack's Abby).
Related:
Something to honk about: Goose Island delivers the Belgians, Beer on a budget, On tap for 2011, More 
- Something to honk about: Goose Island delivers the Belgians
Two weeks ago we huzzahed the arrival of Founders.
- Beer on a budget
The beer industry is generally considered recession-proof, since people are still going to drink beer when times get tough. But has the same been true for more expensive craft beer in the recent recession?
- On tap for 2011
Unquestionably, 2010 was another banner year for craft beer. Personal highlights include the release of barrel-aged and specialty beers such as Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Series, and the recognition of Cascadian Dark Ales (or Black IPAs) as a style. Here are seven other trends we can expect to see in 2011.
- The Cascades come East
According to the latest Beer Style Guidelines released by the Brewers Associations, there are 73 styles of ales and 64 lagers in existence. That's 137 different styles of beer! Despite this plethora of options, the world's newest style of beer has created quite a stir.
- Suds worth the splurge
While it will cost you, these four splurge beers are worth every penny.
- Beer Geek Nirvana
While it's been said you can't teach an old dog new tricks, two pioneers of the craft beer movement have just released new and exciting mix packs.
- A five-pack of beer notes
As mentioned a few weeks ago, the great products from Bear Republic Brewing Co. have arrived in the Ocean State.
- Talking beer with brewmaster Sean Larkin
Hey, summer's almost gone! We caught up with Larkin to fill us in on his latest endeavors.
- A bevy of huzzahs!
Reflecting on the Year In Beer, it's the singular moments that stand out.
- Hoppy hybrids: Samuel Adams’ IPA crash course
One of 2011's best beer geek treats was Samuel Adams' Latitude 48 Deconstructed box, which offered five IPAs highlighting the hops that are used in the variety pack's namesake beer and provided a savory contrast-and-compare lesson on the qualities of the distinct flavor buds.
- Savor the flavor
Whether you only occasionally hoist a craft beer or carry a notepad to rate beer everywhere you go, we can all become better beer drinkers by following a few simple guidelines.
- Less
Topics:
Beer
, Beer, Sierra Nevada, IPA, More
, Beer, Sierra Nevada, IPA, Goose Island, resin, Less
