Summer Beer Reading

Of course we all love drinking beer in the summer, but the season is also a great time to catch up on some reading, so why not combine two favorite summer activities?

The endless array of craft beer available can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to ordering at a bar, so a little knowledge goes a long way. Reading informative beer books will not only teach you more about some of your favorite beers, but you may grow to appreciate them even more when you discover great pairings, how the brewery works, or even if the beer is better with a bit of aging. There are plenty of new beer-related books to expand your mind – and palate – this summer.

“The Great Northeast Brewery Tour” by Ben Keene: If you are looking to go on any beer adventure trips this summer, this is the book to check out first. If you were not planning any beer adventure trips, this book may just change your mind. Within it is great information about the breweries and drool-inducing photos of the beers and food. From Maryland to Maine, this book has you covered with some of the best breweries in those states discussed along with all the info you need, like hours of operation and addresses for the tasting rooms.

“Vintage Beer” by Patrick Dawson: We are all familiar with the notion that aged wine typically tastes better, but did you know that this is also true for a wide range of beers? There are certainly beers that are better enjoyed fresh, but this book gives the reader a fantastic breakdown of what beers are great to age and for how long. Properly storing beer to age is also discussed, as well as tasting notes on some beers that were aged and tasted over time. “Vintage Beer” is a fantastic reference guide for those interested in getting into the hobby of aging beer.

“American Sour Beers” by Michael Tonsmeire: The sour beer style is one that is continuously gaining popularity among craft beer drinkers. It is a style that many either love or hate immediately, but over time, as one adapts to the mouth-puckering qualities, it becomes something of an obsession. While this book leans more towards the technical aspect of the beer, it is full of great information for brewers and drinkers alike. If you are a fan of this style, this is a highly recommended book that will really give you a new appreciation for sour beers.

“Craft Beer for the Homebrewer” by Michael Agnew: This is the must-have book for homebrewers who are looking to recreate their favorite beers at home. This book is packed full of beer recipes straight from the brewmasters themselves. Within this book, you will receive the recipes for Lagunitas’ Hop Stoopid, Allagash’s Black, Rogue’s Hazelnut Brown and Dead Guy ales, and Tröegs’ Nugget Nectar. The recipes are given in both liquid malt extract and all grain recipes so they can be used by brewers of all skill levels. This book alone will occupy a great deal of your summer.

“Cheese & Beer” by Janet Fletcher: Beer and food pairing has become all the rage as of late due to the wide range of flavors at play, but if you take a step back and examine simple beer and cheese pairings, a whole new world will open to you. The cheese world has long been full of wide and exotic varieties, ranging from simple cheddar to the stinkiest of French cheeses. However, this book breaks down all the subtle nuances of the cheeses and beer and examines what makes a great beer and cheese pairing. This is a great book to pick up to plan a lovely evening party at home.

Reading these books will not only give you a greater depth of knowledge about beer, they will also make your experience of eating and drinking even more enjoyable, which is perfectly timed with summer just beginning.

All American Ales

In recent decades, America has gone from a sad beer landscape with only a handful of similar bland-tasting beers to a vibrant and thriving beer scene. The ingenuity and forward thinking of America’s brewers have created a beer scene that the rest of the world now looks upon not with disdain, but with envy.

In this current landscape, nothing truly says “America” more than an American craft beer, and you can also enjoy your apple pie and hot dogs with any number of these great beers! This year, while celebrating the Fourth of July at backyard barbeques, the pool, or amidst firework displays, enjoy some of these fantastic craft beers that are truly American through and through!

Anchor Brewing Company, Anchor Liberty Ale: This is a beer rich with history and also one that many argue changed the American beer landscape. Liberty Ale was first brewed in 1975 to celebrate the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride. As the first modern American IPA brewed after prohibition and the first modern American single-hop ale and dry-hopped ale, Anchor’s Liberty Ale is the original craft brewed ale and the historic beer that started a revolution. It is also a beer that has stood the test of time and is still just as enjoyable today!

Yards Brewing Co., Thomas Jefferson’s Tavern Ale: This is history in a glass and is based upon our founding father and avid homebrewer Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe! This strong golden ale tips the scales at 8 percent ABV as well. Not only is this beer highly drinkable, it also shows the foresight that Jefferson had even in good beer – truly a drink to toast to the past and future of America!

21st Amendment Brewery, Brew Free! Or Die IPA: The artwork alone for this beer will spark a patriotic movement within you; Abraham Lincoln is pictured breaking free from Mount Rushmore! However, the true movement is the delicious and balanced IPA within the can – yes, can – that will leave you inspired to enjoy another one. The fact that that this fantastic IPA comes in a can makes it seem even more American in spirit and should motivate you to bring a few along to any outdoor summer activities!

Avery Brewing Company, Ale to the Chief: This Imperial Pale Ale, or rather Presidential Pale Ale, as Avery calls it, is unique in that it is brewed every four years to commemorate the President’s inauguration. A beer that celebrates our democracy is certainly one worth drinking, and as with all of Avery’s beers, this is no exception – very balanced, but best enjoyed fresh. Thankfully, we don’t have too long to go until the next batch is brewed up!

Cigar City Brewing, Homefront IPA: Another wonderful and balanced beer from a fantastic brewery, or in this case, breweries. This is a collaboration beer between several breweries that is released every Memorial Day, with a large amount of proceeds going to charity. This beer is unique in that it was actually aged with wooden baseball bats – now that is American! Also, in 2014, a minimum of $150,000 from the sale of this beer will be donated to Operation Homefront, an organization providing emergency financial and other assistance to our service members and wounded warriors, making it even more American!

The craft beer movement occurring right now in America is something worth celebrating, and while enjoying craft beers is certainly an American way to celebrate, so is celebrating safely! So grab yourself some great American craft beer and toast to those who have made this country the wonderful place that it is today. Cheers!

The Thrill of the Beer

Beer: Rye of the Tiger

Brewer: Great Lakes Brewing Company

Style: American IPA

ABV: 7.50%

Description: Rye of the Tiger is golden amber in appearance with a frothy and slightly off-white head that sticks around for a while and leaves behind a very hefty lacing on the glass. The aroma has strong hop notes of citrus and pine backed with spice from the rye malt. The taste follows the nose with a few surprises along the way. The citrus hop flavors are up front and are soon followed by a bit of peppery spice from the rye malt, creating a wonderful flavor profile that is soon combined with notes of pine and a touch of honey-like sweetness before a perfectly dry finish. The medium body and moderate carbonation combined with the malt profile create a very creamy mouthfeel that still leaves behind a pronounced dry finish. Rye of the Tiger is another great IPA that showcases the ability of brewers to experiment with the style and still create highly drinkable and enjoyable beers.

Food pairing: American IPAs go well with a wide variety of foods; however, Rye of the Tiger goes extremely well with fried foods. Try pairing Rye of the Tiger with fried chicken, as the rye malt will melt into the crunchy outer layer while the hops will pick up on the chicken and the carbonation will cleanse the palate clean in between bites. Also try pairing with fried shrimp, fried oysters, or the all-American treat – the corn dog! The spicy rye malts will add a layer of complexity to the breaded outer layer, while the hops will enhance some of the citrus flavors locked within some of the dishes, and the heftier mouthfeel and moderate carbonation can handle the heavier foods and still leave behind a clean, dry finish. This is also a beer that has enough sweetness from the malt that it can pair nicely with some desserts, but lean more towards spicier desserts or those which will play nicely off the characteristics in the beer, such as peach cobbler, cinnamon swirl Bundt coffee cake, and especially the popular Indian dessert dish Gajar Ka Halwa.

The final word: Great Lakes is a brewery with a fantastic reputation for brewing some world-class beers – and sometimes breweries can falter under that weight – but Great Lakes always rises to the occasion. Rye of the Tiger is a fantastic example of the IPA style with an extra addition of rye for a kick of spice that is present throughout the beer. It still manages to have all the qualities loved in IPAs as well, notably the strong hop presence in the aroma and taste while also leaving behind a wonderfully dry finish. While drinking a few glasses of Rye of the Tiger may not inspire you to race up a mountain, strap a log to your back and run through the Russian landscape, or challenge Ivan Drago to a fight, it will awaken your senses to the many subtle nuances occurring within this fantastic beer!

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Where can I get it? The availability of this beer will vary greatly with some areas receiving on draft availability while others will have draft and bottle. the best way to find this beer is to use Great Lakes Brewing Beer Finder and search for your area!

What is an American Pale Ale?

Style: American Pale Ale (APA)

Brief History: The APA style is based upon the historical English counterpart, as are most beer styles, but the main differentiation between the two is the hop selection and slightly less caramelized malt flavor. The English Pale Ale primarily uses British hops, such as Fuggles or Kent Goldings, whereas the APA uses a wide selection of American hops, which tend to higher in alpha acids, leading to more aromatic and bittering qualities than the English counterparts. The English Pale Ale version also uses sweeter malts and gives the beer a heavier mouthfeel and more of a semi-dry finish compared to the APA, which is lighter in mouthfeel and leaves a much drier finish. This is a beer style that is based on a long British brewing tradition but has become very Americanized.

Standard characteristics: The overall impression of the APA should be refreshing and hoppy, but with a strong support of malt. The hops are present but do not overwhelm in the way that an IPA can in both the aroma and taste. The beer should be lighter in mouthfeel and leave behind a dry finish and should be both crisp and refreshing on the palate.

Nose: It has a typically moderate to strong hop aroma, leaning towards American hop aromas of citrus, but also notes from the malt should be present and typically would be described as being bready, toasty, or biscuity. The key with this beer is a balance between hops and malt.

Body: The body for this style should range between medium-light to medium, meaning it will be a bit thinner and lighter in mouthfeel with moderate to high carbonation. The beer should still have a smooth mouthfeel.

Taste: The hop presence should be moderate to high, but still below the levels typically attributed to the IPA style. The malts should be present and leave behind a clean taste while keeping the beer in balance. Hops flavors will typically be in line with citrus, pine, or floral but can range a great deal with American hops, and the taste of the malts will be bready, toasty, or biscuity, but again leave behind a clean and dry finish.

Food Pairing: The APA style is fantastic with a wide variety of foods and is a very versatile beer. Food selections should be based upon what you wish to highlight within the beer. If you wish to highlight the hops, choose something a bit spicier, such as Mexican, Thai, or Indian dishes. If you are looking for something to highlight the malt and use the hops as background notes, try pairing with venison, buffalo meat, or any red meats. This is a great style of beer to have on hand all year round due to its versatility.

Recommendations: American Pale Ales are extremely approachable, whether you are new to craft beer or you are a true beer geek. This is a style that is a true showcase for the talents of the brewers, as it is a lighter beer with not as much to hide behind as compared with some other craft beer styles. This is a list of must-try APAs:

• Deschutes Brewery- Mirror Pond Pale Ale

• Oskar Blues- Dale’s Pale Ale

• Sierra Nevada- Pale Ale

• Maine Brewing Company- MO

• Flying Dog- Doggie Style

• 21st Amendment- Bitter American

• Great Lakes Brewing Company- Burning River Pale Ale

• Victory Brewing Company- Headwaters Pale Ale

• Three Floyd's Brewing Co.- Zombie Dust

• Hill Farmstead Brewery- Edward

• Smuttynose Brewing Company- Shoals Pale Ale

• Firestone Walker Brewing Co.- Pale 31

A Cut Above the Rest

Beer: Daisy Cutter

Brewer: Half Acre Beer Company

Style: American Pale Ale (APA)

ABV: 5.20%

Description: Daisy Cutter pours a beautiful hazy golden orange with a frothy white head that dissipates quickly but leaves behind a thick lacing on the glass. The aroma is hop forward, primarily with notes of grassy and citrus hops backed by some sweet honey-like notes from the malt. The taste follows the nose, but the hops do not overwhelm as the aroma may elude one to think. The hops attack up front, but are softer on the palate and lean more towards floral hops first before the sweet caramel malts rush over and then give way to a lovely dry finish with a flash of the citrus hops. The medium body and carbonation are perfect to bring a light and refreshing APA that still can deliver a lot of hops without crossing over the line into the IPA category. This is a perfect beer for those who love hops but do not like to have their palate destroyed by them and is also a perfect beer for the summer. Hunt this one down!

Food pairing: As with IPAs, the APA style goes extremely well with a wide variety of spicy foods that are perfect for the warm summer evenings. Try pairing Daisy Cutter with your next Indian dish. Whether you want to have some of the spicier curries or the lighter and sweet chicken tikka masala, this is a great beer to pair with both, and the hops will make their presence a bit more known when combined with the spicier dish. Also, this is a great beer to have with Mexican dishes. Whether it is the simple taco or burrito or a slightly more involved dish like enchiladas or fajitas, this is a great beer to have on hand! Also, this beer has enough body and is versatile enough to handle those backyard summer barbeques. Whether it’s burgers, steaks, ribs, or brisket, slather on your favorite barbeque sauce (I personally recommend ordering some from the Salt Lick BBQ in Austin, Texas) and enjoy this lovely beer, as it will pick up the caramelized meat with the malts and highlight that lovely kick of spices within the hops. Daisy Cutter is yet another perfect summer beer to always have in the cooler!

The final word: The APA style is similar in vein to the American IPA, but with one huge difference: the hops do not overwhelm the beer and instead play more of a background note. That being said, it is far more difficult for brewers to perfect an APA, as it has less to hide behind than an IPA. However, Half Acre has hit this style dead-on with Daisy Cutter. The hops are certainly present and are there enough to make an appearance, but then they quickly get out of the way in time to leave you feeling refreshed. Also, the brewery releases their beers in the wonderful 16 oz. cans, making it perfect to bring along on camping trips and hikes this summer. Half Acre’s beers are available in the area, but they are still in the growing stages. It may be one that you need to place a special order for, though you will absolutely not be disappointed by this beer!


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Where can I get it? Currently available in 16oz. cans at: J & H Beer- Plains Twp., PA and Cooper’s Seafood House- Scranton, PA, to get a more in depth look at where it is in your area try searching Beer Menus

Tried and Truly Hoppy

Beer: Stone IPA

Brewer: Stone Brewing Co.

Style: American IPA

ABV: 6.90%

Description: Stone IPA pours a light clear golden color with a frothy white head that hangs around, leaving behind a wonderful lacing on the glass. The aroma is everything hopheads dream of smelling in IPAs, with strong notes of citrus, grapefruit, pine, and a very subtle earthy/floral hop background mixed in with light sweet malts. The taste follows the nose and is dominated by hops, with citrus again being the most dominant with grapefruit, mango, orange, and some lemon dancing across the palate along with a bit of pine before the malts wash over and scrub the palate clean for an unbelievably clean and dry finish. The medium body and moderate carbonation give this IPA its signature smooth mouthfeel and is a real testament to just how well Stone Brewing Co. brews a perfect IPA.

Food pairing: While Stone IPA is great to drink year-round, it is truly a refreshing summer beer and goes well with a wide variety of barbecue dishes. It’s a dream when paired with spicier foods. Try pairing it with Mexican dishes such as tostadas, chimichangas, or huevos rancheros; the bitterness will cut through the cheese, quell the heat from the chillies on your palate, and leave behind the hops to play joyfully with the spices before a clean and dry finish. If you are in the mood for something heftier, try pairing with chicken tikka masala, a creamy and spicy Indian dish; the creamier sauce melts into the malt bill to create a heftier feeling beer on the palate, while the hops and spices mingle with one another and, again, the beer keeps any spiciness from getting out of control and still manages to have a clean, dry finish. Since it is summer, try pairing this beer with your favorite burger, hot dog, steak, pork, or any other dish you can cook on a grill and slather in BBQ sauce and spices!

The final word: Stone Brewing Co. first released this world-class IPA in 1997. While most breweries constantly adjust recipes before and after a beer’s release until they feel it is perfect, Stone has used the original recipe since the initial release. Not only does this showcase the great brewing skills possessed by those at Stone, but also the forward-thinking and “try to catch us if you can” attitude that is also prevalent throughout the brewery. IPAs are certainly all the rage right now, and Stone’s IPA is still leading the pack in that department, but the fact that they had this style dialed in 17 years ago is just amazing. Many IPAs have come and gone since the initial release, yet Stone IPA is still standing. If you are an IPA fan, Stone IPA should be a constant go-to for you. If you are new to the style, reach for one of the IPAs that started this trend!

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

Currently available on draft at Exit 190 Beer Deli- Dickson City, PA.


Looking for it in your area?  Check here

Beer Colored Glasses

 

Glassware is a much overlooked subject when it comes to beer, but there have been some fantastic revolutions that are slowly overtaking the craft beer world that help us realize just how important it is to pour beer into the correct vessel.

The Belgians have realized this fact long ago, and in visiting the country it is quite obvious just how serious glassware is to the drinking culture. Whatever beer that is ordered must be poured into the correct brewery’s glassware, and if a glass is unavailable at that time, then one must wait until the proper glass is returned before receiving the beer.

The Belgian glasses have long been seen as different glasses when visiting a favorite bar, whether it be the popular Chimay glass, Duvel tulip glass, or the unique Orval glass. Not only do the glasses have the brewery logo, but they are specifically designed to highlight each beer’s unique quality by capturing the aroma and also through unique etching to help the beer continually circulate carbonation to aid in aroma release.

For far too long, America has been stuck in a sad state of glassware options for beers. The most common glass we see is the standard shaker pint, and the most exciting characteristic is a possible brewery logo attached to the beer that is within the glass. The shaker pint does a huge disservice to the beer within, as it does nothing to aid the drinker in the enjoyment of the beverage inside the glass.

The biggest issue with this glass is the lack of its ability to trap the beer’s aroma. This is very important, as about 90 percent of our tasting ability comes from the smell of the food or drink, so the lack of a strong aroma creates a different flavor experience for the beer.

Fear not, faithful craft beer lover, as there is a renaissance happening with proper beer glassware here in America. This is being led by breweries teaming up with glassware producers to do some research and development on beer styles to find glasses that accentuate specific qualities of these beers.

One brewery that released its own glass a few years ago was Sam Adams. Owner Jim Koch spent a number of years developing the glass with many attributes that not only aid in the drinking experience, but have a very unique look. The shape helps to trap aroma, deliver the malt in a smoother manner, and circulate carbonation.

Breweries Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head collaborated with glassware producer Spiegelau to create the IPA glass. Dogfish Head owner Sam Caligione was not super happy when he first saw the design of the glass, the reason being the odd shape with ridges on bottom and a top that slopes inward with very thin walls. As they tested a wide variety of glasses, it was apparent that this was the one. The glass managed to deliver IPAs in the best manner possible by trapping the aroma and allowing the beer to stay a constant temperature.

Spiegelau also recently collaborated with Rogue Ales and Left Hand Brewing Co. to create a brand new stout glass. Spiegelau certainly knows the right breweries to work with in creating glasses to fit the styles and, again, this is a glass that fits the beer perfectly.

If the investment in a lot of glassware seems a bit much to you, then start small by having wine glasses and brandy snifters in the house; this change alone will start to make you look at beer glassware differently.

While it may seem like a gimmick to some to have such specific glassware, a side-by-side test between the standard shaker pint and proper glassware will make it immediately apparent that it is certainly not a gimmick, and you may just find yourself turning away from the shaker pint all together and demanding proper glassware next time you are out at the bar.