What is a Black IPA?

Style: Black IPA or Cascadian Dark Ale

Brief history: The history is somewhat disputed, but it can be directly tied to legendary and sadly missed brewer Greg Noonan from the Vermont Pub & Brewery. Back in 1994, Greg began brewing a new beer called Blackwatch IPA, though he named the style of the beer Cascadian Dark Ale. The popularity was immense and the beer gained a cult following. In 2006, Stone Brewing Co. head brewer Mitch Steele tried Blackwatch IPA and was blown away, and he openly admits that the beer was the inspiration for Stone’s Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, the beer that is considered a frontrunner and flagship beer for the style. The biggest dispute with this beer style is the name, with purists calling it Cascadian Dark Ale and many others simply calling it a Black IPA. Regardless of the debate, the style has continued to grow in popularity with many breweries now offering a take on the style.

Standard characteristics: The Black IPA has the appearance of a robust porter in both beer color and tan frothy head, along with a medium-to-full body. The aroma is dominated by hops up front, which can run the gamut of any variety of hop bouquets. The background notes are of roasted malts, giving the beer a smooth characteristic in body and mouthfeel, imparting a creamy hop characteristic on the palate. The key to this style is a perfect balance between malt and hop. The ABV for this style has a huge range, going from five percent to 10 percent ABV. This is a relatively new style and is very open to interpretation and experimentation.

Nose: The aroma is dominated by hops, which can lead to a wide spectrum of detectable aromas. With Black IPAs, brewers tend to lean away from aggressively citrusy hops and opt more for pine, floral, resiny hops, although the style is open to interpretation. The notes of roasted malts, which can emanate aromas of bitter chocolate and dark roasted coffee, act as background notes.

Body: The body is similar to porters, leaning more towards the medium-to-full range with a moderate amount of carbonation, but a wide variation is acceptable. This combination gives the beer a smoother character than traditional IPAs mainly due to the malt choices.

Taste: The taste is where this style truly shines and separates itself from other beers. The hop bite is present throughout and generally hits the palate first. The malt profile soothes the hop bite and cleanses the palate with rich roasted malts, giving subtle hints of coffee and bitter chocolate, both enhancing and subduing the hops. The beer should have a dry finish, as with all IPAs.

Food pairing: The combination of aggressive hops and roasted malts make this the perfect beer to have with all red meats. Try pairing with a porterhouse steak, venison, and elk steaks. The malt profile enhances the mineral quality of the meat and highlights the flavor, while the hops will immediately cut through and leave a pleasant aftertaste on the palate. Some in this style can be paired with desserts, but experiment a bit with this pairing.

Recommendations: Black IPAs are an acquired taste for some, but if you are familiar with and love IPAs and darker beers, than this is a style that must be tried. Some of the best currently available are:

• Black Diamond IPA- Breaker Brewing Company

• Black Racer- Bear Republic

• Back in Black- 21st Amendment

• Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale- Stone Brewing Co.

• DevESTATEtion Black IPA- Sierra Nevada

• Black Hatter- New Holland

• Mountain Standard Double Black IPA- Odell Brewing

• Firestone Walker- Wookey Jack

• Durty- Smuttynose

• New World Porter- Avery Brewing Company

Outta Sight

Beer: Back in Black

Brewer: 21st Amendment Brewery

Style: Black IPA

ABV: 6.80%

Description: 21st Amendment’s Back in Black pours a lovely russet brown/black with a rocky khaki-colored head that sticks around for a long time and leaves a significant amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma is a perfect blend between piney, earthy hops and roasted toffee, caramel, and coffee from the malts, but I do recommend letting it warm up a little bit to truly unleash the aroma. The taste is dominated by roasted malts up front with flavors of toasted caramel, bitter chocolate, and roasted grains quickly followed by piney, earthy, and resiny hops that grab onto to the taste buds with a vengeance before a long, semi-dry finish takes over. The medium body and moderate carbonation give a very smooth impression on the beer and an almost porter-like mouthfeel, but with more carbonation. Back in Black is a great balance between hops and malt with the 6.8 percent ABV being very well hidden.

Food pairing: The semi-aggressive hops and roasted malt profile make this beer a great addition to many dishes to provide an added layer of complexity. However, red meat dishes are perfect with this beer, as the malts will highlight the mineral and iron flavors of the meat, while the hops will cut through and impart an earthy/spicy taste to the dish. Try pairing Back in Black with BBQ ribs; the malts will enhance the caramelization in the meat and sauce while the hops will cleanse the palate nicely in between bites. This is also a great beer to have with your next burger, and any spicy toppings will only enhance the hop bite from it. A great pairing with this beer that will warm you up on these cold winter nights is with a shepherd’s pie; the hops create a wonderful added layer of complexity to this straightforward dish.

The final word: The Black IPA style, or Cascadian Dark Ale as some call it, is relatively new for the general public, as larger craft brewers only started brewing it around 10 years ago, but the style has gained a cult following in that short time frame, and it is starting to creep over into being a more mainstream style. 21st Amendment’s Back in Black is a fantastic Black IPA to try if you are interested in this style of beer. The hops are certainly present, but not overpowering, and the malts are perfectly balanced against the hops for a true showcase of this style. It is also a great style of beer to have in these cold months, and if you are a fan of IPAs, it gives you the best of both worlds: the great dark beer look and taste that many of us crave in the darker months, balanced against a great hop presence for the overall impression of an IPA.

Rating:

 
Where can I get it? Available in 12 oz. cans at the following locations: Exit 190 Beer Deli- Dickson City, PA; Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer- Wilkes-Barre, PA; Backyard Ale House- Scranton, PA; Joe’s Six Packs to Go- Dunmore, PA

Beer Geek Festival

This morning live on the Beer Geeks Radio Hour (heard live every Saturday morning on 102.3 FM and streaming on SportsHub102.com at 10 AM EST) the official announcement was made in regards to the Inaugural Beer Geek Festival happening in the Slocum Hollow Lodge at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA on April 12, 2014!

This festival is going to be HUGE! In the week since the organization first began a lot of great breweries have already signed on such as:

Stone Brewing Co.

Dogfish Head

Founders

Boulder

Troegs

Unibroue

Brewery Ommegang

Orval

Samuel Smith

Chimay

Deschutes

3 Guys & a Beer'd

Breaker Brewing Company

Susquehanna Brewing Company

Duvel

Along with many more not listed and even more that are still ironing out the details!

Many breweries are also brewing special one off batches that will be available only at the festival!

To follow along with the fest as details get released add the Beer Geeks on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/beergeeksradiohour

Or follow on twitter @BeerGeeksRadio

If you live anywhere near the Scranton, PA area this is a MUST attend beer festival, tell all your family an friends that are craft beer fans neat the area about it! More details to come!!

What is an Imperial Stout?

Style: Russian Imperial Stout or American Double/Imperial Stout

Brief history: The Russian Imperial Stout style dates back to Catherine the Great from Russia, during the 1700s when she made a trip to England and fell in love with the flavor of stout. However, when she requested some be sent to her, it had spoiled by the time it reached her due to the lengthy travel. Catherine the Great was one who got what she wanted, so brewers quickly got to work, and the finished stout tipped the scales at a whopping 10.5 percent, strong enough to make the trip. Russians all loved it and a new style was born – Russian Imperial Stout, named so due to the markings placed on the bottles for shipment. The American version is a take on the Russian, but tends to be higher in ABV and a bit sweeter.

Standard characteristics: The style is intensely flavored, with all flavors making their presence known in the beer. Bitterness also plays a part in the flavor, but not hop bitterness; instead, it’s more from the roasted malts and chocolate. The ABV for the style ranges a great deal, with many American versions leaning towards the higher end of between seven and 12 percent. This style can also age for a number of years, and the age of the beer will greatly affect common characteristics.

Nose: The aroma is very rich and complex with detectable aromas typically being roasted malts, coffee, dark fruit, bitter chocolate, hops, and alcohol. Many versions tend to be barrel-aged, which brings out other dimensions in the beer depending on what type of barrel was used for aging.

Body: The body is very full and can feel almost chewy with a velvety, smooth, and luscious texture. Carbonation tends to be low to help create the smooth texture of the beer, but will vary upon age.

Taste: The flavors are very deep, intense, and complex with roasted malts/grains, fruity esters, hop bitterness, chocolate, and coffee being the most detectable. Alcohol heat is also a common taste many experience with this style due to the higher ABV. Imperial Stouts also have a surprisingly dry finish, but do leave behind a warming characteristic.

Food pairing: This is an absolutely perfect dessert beer and goes well with a wide range of treats. Try pairing it with your favorite cakes, pastries, ice cream, or any other rich and decadent desserts. The biggest thing to watch for with this style is to be careful not to pair it with a dessert that is easily overpowered, as this beer loves to throw its hefty weight around.

Recommendations: The Imperial Stout style can be overwhelming for some not used to the stout style, but many of these beers are extremely approachable with a huge flavor profile present, and all of these are absolute must-haves for the style:

• Samuel Smith - Imperial Stout

• AleSmith - Speedway Stout

• Founders - Founders Breakfast Stout

• Flying Dog - Kujo Imperial Coffee Stout

• Goose Island - Bourbon County Brand Stout

• Avery - The Czar

• Dogfish Head - World Wide Stout

• North Coast - Old Rasputin

• Stone Brewing Co. - Imperial Russian Stout

Dark Chocolate Beer, 'Nuff Said!

Beer: Black Chocolate Stout

Brewer: Brooklyn Brewery

Style: Russian Imperial Stout

ABV: 10.00%

Description: Brooklyn’s Black Chocolate Stout pours thick and is oil colored, with a rocky brown head that quickly disappears but leaves behind a wispy ring. The aroma is overpowered by bitter dark chocolate, with background notes of fresh roasted coffee and slight hints of rich red fruit. The taste is surprisingly bitter up front, accentuated by the roasted malt. However, its bitterness is from the chocolate, not hop bitterness, although the hops are certainly present. The bitterness does not last long and is quickly followed up by intense chocolate and coffee, soon joined by rich red fruit and black licorice flavoring before the beer heads to a very dry, almost wine-like finish. The 10 percent ABV is extremely well hidden, which means you should be careful with this one! The full body and mild carbonation create a very smooth and surprisingly easy drinking stout that is absolutely perfect for the winter months. Allow this one to warm up a bit, though, to fully appreciate all the flavors and aromas locked within.

Food pairing: Black Chocolate Stout is an absolutely stellar dessert beer, which should be a no-brainer given the name! It is also hefty enough to be its own dessert, but for a real treat, there are plenty of great partners out there. Try having it with a fresh fruit tart, ice cream, or crème brûlée: the creamier, the better. For a truly amazing experience, try pairing this with a fresh vanilla bean cupcake with buttercream icing. Another great treat with this beer is to use it in a beer float. Grab yourself a pint of your favorite ice cream (I recommend vanilla bean flavor, but you can try whatever you like) and put a nice healthy scoop into a pint.

The final word: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout has developed quite the cult following over the years. The reason is not only because it’s absolutely textbook for the style and extremely enjoyable, but also because of the ability this beer has to age. Black Chocolate Stout has the capability to age for several years, which makes for a great beer to buy in bulk every year and stash a few away for future usage. Many parties have been set around this beer being involved in vertical tastings, which is a side-by-side tastings of varying years of the beer. This makes for a very interesting and eye-opening experience to show how far beers have come, and to gain respect and understanding of the complexities they possess. It is also great to do in order to test your taste buds, as over the years certain flavors grow more pronounced, while others disappear altogether. For added convenience, the release date is prominently displayed on the label every year. Certainly get yourself some Black Chocolate Stout to enjoy now, but don’t forget to store some away!

Rating:

Where can I get it? Currently available in 12-ounce bottles at Exit 190 Beer Deli- Dickson City, PA; Backyard Ale House- Scranton, PA; Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer- Wilkes-Barre, PA; and Wegmans- both Dickson City, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA.

A Very Special Brew

 

Beer: Our Special Ale (2013)

Brewer: Anchor Brewing Company

Style: Winter Warmer

ABV: 5.50%

What’s so special about it? Anchor Brewing Company is widely considered an influential craft brewery and has long been at the forefront for a variety of beer styles, including this rich holiday classic. The first Our Special Ale bottles were released in 1975, the first true Christmas beer since Prohibition, and have been released yearly since. What makes them so special is that every year features a new label and recipe; not only is it unique, but it’s very collectible as well. The recipe is a closely guarded secret with no part of it being discussed openly by anyone at the brewery.

Description: Our Special Ale pours a deep russet brown with a creamy light coffee-colored head that leaves a thick lacing on the glass. The aroma hints at notes of caramel, roasted malts, molasses, cinnamon, and piney hops. The taste is a nice balance between roasted caramel malts and sweet holiday spicing, with just a touch of hops in the background for a secondary touch of spice: not overly complicated but extremely enjoyable. The medium body and moderate carbonation allow this beer to have a surprisingly dry finish despite the heavy appearance of the spicing. Every year this beer is different, but every year is absolutely fantastic. The 2013 recipe is no different – this beer creates a great amount of holiday cheer all by itself!

Food pairing: Our Special Ale is right at home with virtually any beef dish, whether it’s grilled, stewed, or roasted. Braised short ribs are breathtaking and always a nice match. However, with the cold winter now enveloping us, try pairing this with a hearty beef stew. The heartier the better; the subtle spicing and sweet malt bill will pair very well with it and combine to create an almost entirely new dish once all the flavors fuse together and wash over the palate. This is also a wonderful beer to have with your holiday desserts, whether they are decadent Christmas cakes, cookies, or a simple bowl of ice cream.

The final word: Anchor’s Our Special Ale has a rich tradition within the craft beer world, and for many, it has become the go-to holiday beer, and with good reason; it is absolutely fantastic. The fact that the recipe changes yearly also creates quite the buzz. It’s a highly collectible beer and a great one to age. Many people have kept bottles going back nearly 20 years and will have huge parties when cracking them all open to do side-by-side tastings and comparisons. All of this celebration around one beer makes it a great pick to have around during the holidays to enjoy with your friends and family.

Rating:

Where can I get it? Our Special Ale is released every year in several ways: 12-ounce bottles, draft, and 1.5 liter Magnum bottles. Magnum bottles are typically available at any retailer selling 12-ounce bottles, but there is a limited quantity available. Our Special Ale is currently available in 12-ounce bottles at: Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer- Wilkes-Barre, PA; Jack’s Draft House- Scranton, PA; J & H Beer- Wilkes-Barre, PA; and Exit 190 Beer Deli- Dickson City, PA.

Available on draft at: Arena Bar and Grill- Wilkes-Barre, PA and Hops & Barleys- Luzerne. PA.

Beer for the Year

 

With all the 2013 retrospection's done and over with, it is now time to look forward. 2014 will bring us plenty of new and exciting beers, as well as the releases of our favorite seasonals, so it is the perfect time to take a look ahead to all that 2014 has to offer us!

January: Start the year off right by grabbing some of everyone’s favorite DIPA, Bell’s Hopslam. This over abundantly hoppy IPA has attracted a cult following and hits the shelves in January and quickly disappears until next year’s release, so be on the lookout! Sam Adams also releases its newest addition to the family, Rebel IPA. This is a fantastically well-balanced IPA and is the perfect IPA to pick up for friends who are looking to get into the style.

February: It is time to get romantic, folks, and what says, “I love you,” more than beer? Founders Imperial Stout is in season this month and is the perfect beer to go with that box of chocolate you picked up for your loved one. However, if you are truly in love, then Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA is an obligation to get this time, as it hits the market in February. This 18 percent ABV behemoth IPA is definitely a sipper and perfect to enjoy together during the depths of winter.

March: This month, Brewery Ommegang releases its third beer in the “Game of Thrones” series. This time, the brewery releases a red ale entitled Fire & Blood and is made with pilsner, spelt, and rye malts. It’s hopped with spicy noble hops and spiced with ancho chilies for additional complexity, certainly something to help aid in the early winter thaw. Also be on the lookout for everyone’s favorite hopped-up Red Ale, Tröegs Nugget Nectar!

April: Founders is back again, and this time they unleash the massively popular KBS (Kentucky Bourbon Stout) back to the masses. Every year, this beer is hunted down and snatched up by its loyal followers, and with good reason – it is a fantastic stout and a must-have!

May: This is the best time to go for a Maibock. After all, Mai is German for May! The two best Maibocks that are readily available are Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale and Hofbräuhaus Maibock. The Maibock style is lighter and hoppier than the traditional bock style and is the perfect beer to enjoy during May.

June: Let’s just call this IPA month. Hunt down your favorite IPA’s, such as Stone IPA and Ruination IPA, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, or Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA. There are endless amounts of IPA’s on the market, with new ones coming all the time, so just grab your favorite and beat the summer heat!

July/August: As the dog days of summer really kick in, it’s time for some great lawnmower beers. Treat yourself with some lighter refreshing beers like Anchor Steam Beer, 3 Guys and a Beer’d Shaving Cream Ale, and Reissdorf Kölsch to cool off!

September/October: We now enter into Oktoberfest and pumpkin beer season. The must-try Oktoberfests are Ayinger, Great Lakes, and Spaten. While the pumpkin beer market has exploded in recent years, there are some great go-to pumpkin beers, such as Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin and Long Trail Imperial Pumpkin, along with the new He Said Pumpkin Baltic Porter that was released by 21st Amendment in 2013.

November: Turkey time! There are endless amounts of great Belgian styles to have on the table this time of year. Try some bottles of Belgian Tripels (especially Unibroue La Fin Du Monde) or Bière de Garde (Southampton Biere De Mars is a great choice) – they are both great style choices. For a different flavor combination, try a Scottish Ale with your turkey – 90 Shilling from Odell is the premium choice if you can find it!

December: Time once again for that fat man to squeeze down your chimney! Crack open a cold one for the jolly old elf. Maybe you can drink some for him, just to make sure it’s fresh, of course! I hear the bearded one is partial to Delirium Noël, Tröegs Mad Elf, and St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. Santa definitely has good taste!

Best New Beers of 2013

 

Beer is always in demand, and brewers are always making different beers. The beer market is far from over-saturated with new beers being released seemingly every day with a wanting and waiting audience. However, not all new beers are great, but here is a list of seven of the best that were born in 2013.

1. Founders Brewing Company – Doom: Many of us love Founders’ wonderful DIPA Double Trouble, but Founders wanted to try and make a great beer even better, so they decided to age Double Trouble in bourbon barrels for four months, and the results were absolutely stunning! The wonderfully hoppy Double Trouble gets an added bourbon kick, which mellows out the hop bite and instead becomes an amazing bourbon assault with a smooth finish that will leave you craving more!

2. Stone Brewing Co. – Dayman Coffee IPA: This Stone collaboration beer managed to create something that sounds nearly impossible – a coffee IPA. Not only did they manage to blend the flavors with amazing results, but the IPA also maintained its signature clarity. The coffee added a smooth layer of bitterness to compliment the hop bite, and the combination of malt flavors with coffee makes Dayman Coffee IPA one of the best beers created in 2013.

3. Samuel Adams – Double Agent IPL: In 2013, Sam Adams proved yet again that they are a brewery that is still producing new and innovative brews, and they did so in spades with Double Agent IPL. The IPA has exploded in popularity, with nearly all breweries producing one, and Sam Adams is no exception, but the brewery decided to go a step further and create a whole new style by blending two seemingly unmixable styles – the IPA and the lager – for the wonderfully smooth, hoppy, and highly drinkable Double Agent IPL.

4. Stone Brewing Co. – Southern Charred: Stone makes the list twice, and with a beer like Southern Charred, it is no wonder why! When Stone brewed their 2012 batch of Double Bastard, they took some of it and aged it in three different oak barrels for over a year, and the fruit of their labor is Southern Charred. It’s a wonderfully smooth and bourbon-filled version of Double Bastard; if you are a fan of the Bastard series from Stone Brewing Co., then Southern Charred is an absolute must-have, but it’s a rare one, so be on the lookout!

5. Dogfish Head – Piercing Pils: Dogfish managed to sneak this fantastic beer in right before the year ended. While many breweries opt for darker winter seasonals, Dogfish decided to go to the lighter beer route with this magnificent Czech Pilsener beer. The addition of pear juice and pear tea combined with the spicy hops create a smooth, crisp, and clean beer that is great to brighten up the dark winter months!

6. Brewery Ommegang – Take the Black Stout: The second addition to the “Game of Thrones” series takes a much darker route. Take the Black Stout is a deliciously heavy Belgian stout that is heavy in the chocolate and black licorice aroma and flavor but is still very smooth and hides the 10 percent ABV very well – a must-try for fans of stouts.

7. Anchor Brewing Company – Anchor California Lager: While Anchor may be the patriarch of the craft brewing world, they by no means rest on these laurels and instead continue to put out new and tasty beers. Anchor California Lager is one of the best lagers available today. Its smooth mouthfeel, crisp hop character, and refreshingly clean finish make you remember just how good lagers could and should be!


Story originally published:
http://theweekender.com/news/WK_Food/1088038/The-best-new-beers-of-2013

A Smoky Treat

 

Beer: Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean

Brewer: Stone Brewing Co.

Style: American porter

ABV: 5.90%

Description: Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean pours a deep brown with a thick beige head that lingers long and leaves a very nice lacing on the glass. The aroma is dominated by vanilla bean and notes of smoke sneaking through and combining with the rich roasted malts emanating the smell of chocolate and coffee, all blending together to create a breathtaking bouquet. The vanilla hits the palate up front and is soon followed by rich cocoa, coffee, and a slight biscuit note before the vanilla returns and then leaves a wonderfully clean and smooth finish. The medium body and moderate carbonation make this one incredibly smooth porter. The smoke flavor is certainly present, but it does not dominate the flavor profile, as is typical with most smoked beers, and instead imparts a subtle sweetness to the beer. Overall, Stone absolutely nailed this one and has given the masses yet another wonderful and aggressively flavored beer to enjoy in large quantities!

Food pairing: Smoked beers can be a bit overwhelming when pairing with foods but tend to go very well with meats, especially those of the BBQ variety. However, the copious amount of vanilla in this beer tends to make this smoked porter more of a dessert beer, which certainly makes for very interesting flavor combinations. During the holiday season, we are inundated with baked goods, and Stone Smoked Porter can be paired with just about all of them, whether they be chocolate chips, sugar cookies, Russian tea cakes, or Hershey’s Kisses cookies; this beer will highlight and add chocolate flavorings as well as a deep vanilla characteristic, all while highlighting the sweetness in the cookie and the beer. If you are feeling rather adventurous, then head over to Stone Brewing Co.’s website and check out the recipe they uploaded for Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean Beer Nog: an absolutely fantastic way to ring in the New Year!

The final word: Stone Smoked Porter has been available for some time, and many of us have tried it in the past. While a smoked beer of any kind may be too much for the casual beer drinker, Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean really takes the edge off the smoke with the abundant vanilla flavor. It must also be noted that the vanilla flavor is in fact from vanilla bean and not from vanilla extract; this commitment to using fresh ingredients is what makes Stone Brewing Co. the great brewery that they are today. Porters are of course great beers to enjoy on these cold winter evenings, the heartier the better, and Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean is definitely hearty and an absolute must-try if you are a fan of porters or smoked beers. So get it while you can or you will be left out in the cold!

Rating:

Where can I get it? Currently available in 22 oz. bottles at: Exit 190 Beer Deli- Dickson City, PA; Backyard Ale House- Scranton, PA; Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer- Wilkes-Barre, PA

Make Some Merry

 

Beer: Merry Maker (also known as Merry Mischief)

Brewer: Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams)

Style: Milk/Sweet Stout

ABV: 9.00%

What’s with the names? Merry Maker is in its second year of production, but last year the beer was produced using the name Merry Mischief. The name has changed, but the recipe has remained the same. The bottle I reviewed was from last year’s batch and I can attest that if you find bottles of Merry Mischief around, they are still just as enjoyable.

Description: Merry Maker pours a deep midnight black with a light, coffee-colored head that explodes into a huge froth, but quickly rescinds and leaves a spotty lacing the glass. The aroma is dominated by the spices with cinnamon coming through up front followed by nutmeg, clove, and ginger; the roasted malt serves as subtle background notes. The taste follows the nose exactly with the aforementioned spices, attacking the palate long and hard while the roasted malts wash over the palate to cut through the spices; it’s very reminiscent of a gingerbread cookie in a glass. The body is medium-to-full with very light carbonation that creates a smooth and easy-drinking beer. It’s the perfect sipper to have when you want to relax and recover from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Food pairing: While stouts can certainly hold their own with many dinner dishes – and I have no doubt that Merry Maker could as well – I cannot imagine this beer not being served with desserts, of which there are a plethora this time of year. The sweetness in the beer mixed with the malts and spice make Merry Maker perfect to pair with rich desserts like carrot cake, or something creamy and decadent such as cheesecake and cannoli. However, after having one sip of Merry Maker, it is painfully obvious that this is a beer that is a match made in heaven with ice cream, so be sure to make yourself one more holiday treat in the form of a beer float with Merry Maker and your favorite ice cream.

The final word: Despite the sheer size of Sam Adams and the dominance it has within the craft beer world, it is still a true craft brewery that loves to experiment, with delicious results. Sam Adams already produces a holiday staple in Old Fezziwig, but you now need to also make room this holiday season and every one here after for another holiday staple with Merry Maker. While it’s true winter is stout season, which is reason enough alone to crack a bottle of this open, Merry Maker truly is the holiday season in a glass and belongs under every craft beer lover’s tree.

Rating:

Where can I get it? Currently available in bottles at: Exit 190 Beer Deli- Dickson City, PA; Wegmans- Dickson City, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA; and Goldstein’s Deli- Kingston, PA

Currently available on tap at: Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer- Wilkes-Barre, PA and Backyard Ale House- Scranton, PA