Florida is characterized by beer distributors and wholesalers as ‘a light lager crowd’, or a major-brand-preferring consumer base, much the same as the general beer-drinking populace of North America. Although a ‘light lager’ is just the sort of brew meant to be enjoyed while lazing on the beach or pounding em back at a college party, what are Floridian beer snobs expected to do? There are many reasons for this barren beer landscape: Florida has a heterogenous mixture of transplant residents with no strong preference for any particular variant of tasty brew, it has the general lack of unique local restaurant chains that could be tempted to serve craft brews (Outback steakhouse and Hooter’s both started in the Tampa Bay area), and a dearth of local craft brewers. Luckily for Floridians, that last driver for the formation of a ‘light lager crowd’ is beginning to fall apart. Craft breweries are starting up all across the sunshine state (there’s a list at the bottom!), and some are producing downright sensational products. One in particular, Cigar City Brewing, is stepping up to the Craft Brew microphone and making a lot of noise. +Continue Reading
Time for another Publix dick-riding session! The following five beers are not the craziest, tastiest, or most amazing beers, but they are definitely more cost effective than the last five. These will all set you back about seven to eight bucks a six pack. If you’re not from the south, then you’re probably confused as to what I’m talking about. Publix is a grocery store that specializes in going balls-out for its customers. Its headquarters are in Florida, and the majority of its stores are also located within the penile state. I once read a ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’ column in Reader’s Digest (the best the doctor’s office could afford) that claimed that a little girl mispronounced the pledge of allegiance by instead saying ‘and to the Publix where we buy our stamps.’ As if the world needed more convincing that little kids are stupid. That being said, we begin our list of Publix-available beers. +Continue Reading
On a recent trip to Northern California, on a beautiful cloudless August day, something fortuitous happened. A small pit stop from Highway 101 would turn out to be one of the most glorious moments of my beer-loving career… for what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a modest little sign acknowledging the presence of Lagunitas Brewing Company, in a non-descript industrial park. After a peek around the corner of the building, we soon found out that yes, it was THAT Lagunitas Brewing Company… the men and women responsible for single-handedly crushing any reason to ever drink shitty beer again. The laid back staff opened their arms to my family and I, and showed us around the bar that they were building on their ‘campus’, one that I sorely wished would have opened two weeks sooner. Regardless, on that August day, I got to see the birthplace of some of my favorite beers. +Continue Reading
What would you say if Brasky were to tell you that there exists a beer, made right here in America, that was nearly ten percent alcohol, came in a corked 750 ml glass, was made from 2% cherries, and sold for eight bucks or so at most respectable beer vendors? Well, if you were as epic as you think you are, you would say ‘Dude, I love Three Philosophers!’
Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, New York, continues to bring Belgian beer-geekery stateside. Three Philosophers is an intense brew, dark red in color, and almost indescribable in flavor. At 9.8 percent alcohol, it is not for the weak of heart, or rather for meek beer drinkers. Yet it contains some affable quality that could just win over even the staunchest of swill-lovers… the lingering aroma of cherries and the identifiable sparkle of alcohol make this a crisp, flavorful brew. The official designation is a quadruple-bock, although this beer almost runs over into the ‘unique’ category. +Continue Reading
Celebrator is a reknowned doppelbock, or if you prefer, “double bock” beer. Bocks are German beers that can be traced to farmers and Roman Catholic monks of centuries past, characterized by malty fullness. A doppelbock, as its name suggests, extends these qualities, including a higher alcohol content that ranges from 6% to 9%.
First, let me say that this beer isn’t cheap. A 4-pack of 12-oz bottles set me back $12.99. At over $3 a bottle, I can assure you my palette was in overdrive. My prevailing reaction was being genuinely impressed. Despite a rich brown color and tan head, the flavor was mild in comparison to previous doppelbocks I’ve tried. This is partly explained by emphasis on malt in favor of hops, and also by a modest 6.7% ABV – just right, in my estimation. The flavor is rich and dark, but not bitter. On my first sip I noticed a distinct roasted flavor, but this retreated as a pleasant chocolate/coffee accent seemed to lace each sip. The aroma is particularly inviting, boasting a complexity that would require a bigger bullshitter to properly honor.
Despite the full flavor, the beer finishes clean, leaving the palette ready for anything. This makes the beer a great complement for a meal – I can say this confidently, because I was eating when I poured out the Celebrator. Normally I don’t enjoy beer with meals, but this beer was truly refreshing, a total surprise from a Doppelbock (or any beer that looms so darkly in your glass).
When sampling a beer with a reputation like Celebrator, it’s easy to swoon and make an over-appraisal. But I can say honestly that, if anything, I approached this beer with skepticism and it emerged vindicated. Most everything about this beer is “just right”, a real treat for any beer geek in-the-making.
Florida is characterized by beer distributors and wholesalers as ‘a light lager crowd’, or a major-brand-preferring consumer base, much the same as the general beer-drinking populace of North America. Although a ‘light lager’ is just the sort of brew meant to be enjoyed while lazing on the beach or pounding em back at a college party, what are Floridian beer snobs expected to do? There are many reasons for this barren beer landscape: Florida has a heterogenous mixture of transplant residents with no strong preference for any particular variant of tasty brew, it has the general lack of unique local restaurant chains that could be tempted to serve craft brews (Outback steakhouse and Hooter’s both started in the Tampa Bay area), and a dearth of local craft brewers. Luckily for Floridians, that last driver for the formation of a ‘light lager crowd’ is beginning to fall apart. Craft breweries are starting up all across the sunshine state (there’s a list at the bottom!), and some are producing downright sensational products. One in particular, Cigar City Brewing, is stepping up to the Craft Brew microphone and making a lot of noise.
