Something must be “brewing” right when the NBC networks decide to give some TV love to the craft beer movement.

The Today Show ran a special on Dog Fish Head, one of the pioneers and leading breweries in the United States. NBC’s Willie Geist visited the brewery and was given a tour by founder/brewer/rockstar Sam Calagione who apparently will star in a show called “BREWED” on the Discovery Channel.  Awesome stuff.

Cheers to the guys at NBC!

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate it than with a proper pumpkin ale.

Seasonal beers are brewed during the holidays and at the start of each season. Pumpkin Ales in particular, are fall seasonal beers. They are brewed with different spices such as; cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and pumpkin as the main ingredient. Typically, they are light and refreshing with a good balance of hops and malts.

I picked up this particular beer at Total Wine & Spirits last week – Saranac Pumpkin Ale, and it turned out to be a real gem.

Appearance: Poured a hazelnut color with a thin ring of foam that sat nicely on top of the glass. A sticky lacing that held on all the way through and a visible carbonation.

Smell: Like a freshly baked pumpkin pie. Predominant smell of cinnamon and other spices along with the obvious pumpkin aromas. A doughy character mixed within light malts and hops.

Taste: Extremely refreshing, I was surprised at how flavorful this beer was without being sweet at all. Hints of cinnamon and spices were the first thing to hit the palate, followed by a dose of pumpkin and bready flavors throughout. A light dose of malts and hops worked secretly in the background providing the finishing touches.

This is a really good tasting Pumpkin Ale and I could have easily drank a whole six pack without a problem. It’s full bodied, crisp, and refreshing. Great stuff from Saranac, definitely a brewery to keep an eye on.

Be sure to take a six pack of these to your Halloween party this Saturday. I wonder how many jackasses will dress as Antoine Dobson - aka. Bed Intruder – this year?

-Cheers.

In shocking news, it looks like Starbucks is flirting with the idea of not only serving coffee to its customers, but soon – cold ones as well!

According to an article I read from Florida Today, it seems like the big honchos at Starbucks are really considering this potential move.

“A very different kind of Starbucks is on tap. It serves regional wine and beer. It offers an expansive plate of locally made cheeses — served on china. The barista bar is rebuilt to seat customers up close to the coffee.”

The Starbucks company is just shy of 40 years in the business. With a move as intrepid as this one, it sounds more like midlife crisis to me. Although this means that beer will be more accessible, I wonder if Starbucks – already a multi-billion dollar company – will actually carry local micro brews or simply just rub shoulders with the “Big 3” as part of a campaign to elevate the stagnant sales of their mass produced swill.

If this idea does come into fruition, I really hope they stick to their guns and actually carry real beer. A move like this will help transcend casual drinkers into craft beer, as well as help all of the micro breweries get their products across. Obviously that’s only in a perfect world.

In the meantime, fans of Starbucks coffee can continue enjoying their $6 Frappuccinos.

To read the full article, please visit Florida Today.

The Seminole Hard Rock and Casino hosted their second annual Rock ‘N’ Brew, presented by 93Rock FM this past Saturday. With Over 100 beers to choose from, live music, and free food for all who attended – it was the perfect day for all South Floridians and beer enthusiasts to hang out and enjoy a great variety of domestic and imported craft products.

I got my camera ready and headed out to the Hard Rock with my brother in law. The event was held out in the parking lot of the Hard Rock with a typical tent set-up, and a big center stage where the band Pandia would perform. Our first stop was at the Budweiser tent, which was conveniently set up as soon as you walked inside. They were offering their American Ale, which is not that bad in my opinion. We chugged the first sample and got out of there quickly.

After that guilty pleasure, we stopped by the Harpoon Brewery tent and we had samples of their Oktoberfest, IPA, and UFO Hefeweizen, and things started looking much better. Afterwards, we paid a visit to the always faithful Sierra Nevada tent. We drank their Pale Ale, Tumbler – which is a tasty brown ale, and finally their Torpedo Extra IPA, which to my surprise wasn’t as hoppy as I once thought. I guess my hop resistance has been gradually getting stronger as time goes by.

At this time we had a nice buzz going, so we took a break to get something to eat. We stopped at a tent that was serving wings and burgers and caught some of the cover songs the band Pandia was playing.  Pretty much the same old set list of songs 93Rock plays on a daily basis. Who really needs to hear a cover song of Nickelback for crying out loud? Anyhow, the band sounded pretty good specially the girl playing guitar, she was rippin’ some sick solos that would put any man to shame.

Once we got a little sober we continued on to the Fresh Beer tent who was serving some local brews on tap like; Monk In The Trunk and Holy Mackerel. I had a sample of an IPA called Hoptical Illusion from Blue Point Brewing Co. which was pretty good. Nice and hoppy with a peach bite to it. We moved on to the Shipyard Brewery tent and sampled their Export Ale as well as their IPA. Solid stuff from a solid brewery.

Afterwards, we hit the Samuel Adams tent and I discovered their Latitude 48 IPA which really blew me away. I have to say it was the best beer I had all day, it was so good I had about 5 samples of that thing. I will definitely pick up a six pack this weekend if I find it.

A lot of people kept talking about a vanilla porter that was supposedly stealing the show. We went over to the tent that was sampling it, a brewery from Colorado named Breckenridge. The masses weren’t wrong about this one, definitely a one of a kind porter to keep an eye on. Very smooth and balanced, it almost tasted like a vanilla latte to me. I can really see this porter being a favorite amongst the ladies.

One of our last stops was the Brooklyn Brewery tent. Here we had their BK Lager and Brown Ale. They were also sampling their Local #1 and #2 as well as their Black Chocolate Stout. Really good stuff from Brooklyn, as their products never seem to disappoint.

It was close to five o clock and the event was coming off to an end. Everyone that came to drink some quality beer at the Rock ‘N’ Brew left home happy. We had a blast and we will definitely come back again next year. My brother in law ended up taking Sam Adams with us, and he turned out to be our designated driver.

-Cheers

From the murky waters of the Florida Everglades, a new beast has risen to create havoc on all Florida craft beer drinkers. Behold, the Swamp Ape IPA – the latest creation of Florida Beer Company. but let me warn you…this beast is not easily tamed. With its massive 10% alcohol by volume, five different kinds of hops, and a malty full bodied taste, this IPA is sure to get people’s attention, even if they don’t believe in monsters.

The Beer In Focus crew were eye witnesses of the Swamp Ape appearance last night, at one of South Miami’s newest craft beer bars – Cervezas. It was here where the Swamp Ape was introduced for the first time to the large crowd of beer lovers that attended this special tasting.

As the beer kept pouring throughout the evening, everyone loved the Swamp Ape, so much that the keg went out pretty quickly. This wild animal had marked its territory as one of the new IPA’s worthy of contention with any other similar beer in its class.

As a craft beer lover, there is nothing better than to see our local craft breweries grow and continue creating excellent products like the Swamp Ape IPA. Thumbs up to the guys at Florida Beer Co. for brewing this monster IPA. We can’t wait to see this brew hit our local stores.

We want to thank Cory Brysman from Florida Beer Company and Phil Reis from Gold Coast Beverage for providing their great products, as well as Cervezas owner Carlos Duran, for hosting the event and for letting us be part of it.

The craft beer movement is alive and well, as more people are taking notice of the great products our local micro breweries have to offer; such as the Swamp Ape.

Cheers to a sucessful tasting and to all the people who made it possible.

I was craving for an IPA last week, but not just any kind of IPA – I wanted a big and hoppy, ass kicking IPA, something new that I hadn’t tried before.

After some research online I came across a brewery from Portsmouth New Hampshire called Smuttynose, which had rave reviews from the brothers up in Boston.

One of their beers really caught my attention, it was called “FinestKind” – an unfiltered, extra hoppy  IPA with an ass whoppin’ 65 IBU’s (International Bittering Units), and an interesting label of two old timers enjoying a nice cold one in front of a trailer home. How freaking cool is that?

With my mind set, I drove over to Total Wine after work and picked up a six pack of this bad boy. Once I got home I put them in my fridge for an hour to chill but the anticipation was killing me, I couldn’t wait to see what the fuss was all about.

Finally, I cracked one open and poured it into my brand spanking new 16 oz pint glass I had just received from Pub Glasses – which by the way, they got excellent products. The rich copper color brought a grin to my face as it poured nicely on the glass, I knew I was in for a treat.

Appearance: Poured a rich copper color with a hazy appearance, not as cloudy as a Hefewizen but very close. Sediments floated harmoniously around the glass like a beautiful imperfection. A frothy foamy head stuck nicely to the glass, never wanting to let go.

Smell: Big and powerful aroma of pine hops and a citrus smell coming from grapefruits. Mildly strong alcohol aroma lurking in the background.

Taste: Punchy and bold due to the insanely citric taste from the grapefruits. Oily and extremely hoppy, almost to the point of one being masochistic for drinking it. This is one strong IPA! The alcohol is initially masked by its complex citric flavor but is felt as the beer warms up. Despite its strong and hoppy nature, this IPA is crisp with a refreshing dry finish. Smuttynose have sacrificed a clean cut appearance in order to maximize the flavor of this IPA. The floating sediments that come from the unfiltered brewing process give it a nice texture, and makes this beer look and taste real.

FinestKind is a one of a kind IPA and every hop heads dream. This beer is hands down one of the best IPA’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to drink. You can tell these guys are really passionate about beer, I can’t wait to try more of their products. I highly recommend you try them as well.

-Cheers.

So, you’ve been thinking about crossing over to the world of Craft Beer – great! But…you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start – no problem, we are here to guide and inform you about some of the most wonderful tasting products micro breweries have to offer.

First, you need to know that here is a lot of different beer styles to choose from. From Lagers, Ales, IPA’s, Porters and Stouts, the list goes on and on. If you are just a casual beer drinker, perhaps you are only familiar with typical lagers such as; Budweiser, Miller, Coors, Heineken and Corona, just to name a few. Don’t get discouraged, I was also stuck in a rut for a long time until I discovered there are other options out there.

Luckily for all of us, there are thousands of different craft breweries in the United States that offer much better beer products. After all, if you are spending your hard earned money to drink, why not drink something good right?

This is why I’ve compiled a modest list of five different beers that every beginner or casual drinker should try. Not to mention, these brews are easily accessible in pretty much any supermarket, liquor store, or gas station. I was able to pick up these five different beers from my local Publix Supermarket out here in South Florida.

My first choice would have to be Samuel Adams Boston Lager. This was the beer that changed it all for me after drinking it with a good friend back in 2003. Samuel Adamsis the largest and most popular craft brewery in the United States and they offer many great products. For someone who is just familiar with lagers, this is the perfect break-thru beer. The Boston Lager is more flavorful than your average lager, and If you’ve never tried it before you’ll be amazed at how good it is.

Second beer I recommend after trying a few different lagers would have to be Sierra Nevada’s Kellerweis, their take on the hefeweizen German style. Sierra Nevada is the second best selling craft brewery in the United States after Samuel Adams. They are located in the West Coast and their products are simply superb, not to mention easily accessible as well. The Kellerweisis a sweeter and more citrusy beer with a complex flavor of banana and spices. Sierra’s Kellerweis is a refreshing and easy to drink beer. Make sure to try it!

Next, is another Sierra Nevada, and a favorite of mine – their Pale Ale. Personally, I think this beer is the perfect step up into the full bodied and hoppier beer territory. Copper in color with a bold, yet very balanced taste. Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale is the blueprint of the perfect American Pale Ale.

Once you are exposed to the bitterness of hops, my next recommendation would have to be Boston’s Harpoon IPA. Indian Pale Ales are usually hoppier and contain a higher alcohol volume than your typical pale ale. However, this particular IPA is a lot more subtle than others in its class, and can help mold the palate of someone getting familiarized with that kind of bitterness. Harpoon’s IPAis a well rounded, aromatic, flavorful, and hoppy beer for anyone to enjoy. A favorite amongst the Beer In Focus crew, and a beer that brings back great memories of our trip to St. Augustine two years ago.

Finally, I recommend another Sierra Nevada, and one of my favorite porters. This beer style has a much darker color due to the black malts and dark chocolate used in its brewing process. Sierra’s Porter is particularly smooth and very easy to drink. This beer is sweet and malty but never over the top, which is one of the things I love about Sierra Nevada. Their products are always balanced and retain that classic taste. The Porter is the perfect beer to drink when the weather gets cold or when having a nice dessert.

I hope this small beer guide helps you transcend into the vast world of craft beers. To help you understand some of the different styles available so that you can develop your palate. Once you discover it, then the real fun begins.

Good luck in your journey and cheers to the future!

So I was taking a break from work (aka. slacking off) watching “the YouTube“, and I came across some very well produced and informative videos made by the guys at Craft Beer , and the Brewers Association.

They got some very interesting videos that range from homebrewing tips, interviews, and stories about different breweries.

For anyone who is interested in learning more about craft beer, take some time and check them out.

-Cheers.

Why Craft Beer?

 

The Right Glass For Your Draft Beer

 

 Craft Beer Tasting At Home

 

Let me start off by saying that I am not particularly fond of Doppelbock style beers.

Personally, there is only so much sweetness I can tolerate, and when I drink a beer… I want to be refreshed, not get the feeling of going into a Diabetic comma.

With that said, here’s a little history about Doppelbocks.

Doppelbocks emerged in the late eighteenth century, and were brewed as a lager variant by the good ol’ drunken Paulaner monks. They traditionally brewed this kind of beer as “liquid food” to sustain themselves during Lenten season which lasted up to 46 days.

Commonly, Doppelbocks contain medium to high amount of alcohol by volume, which range between 7-13%. They are brewed with a lot of malts, sweets, breads, and very little hops. I guess the monks figured if they had to starve to death for over a month why not get drunk doing so? clever bunch of fellas.

Beer In Focus was fortunate to receive a sample of Birra Moretti’s La Rossa, their take on the aforementioned Doppelbock style.

Honestly I didn’t know what to expect from this particular brew, only being familiar with Moretti’s flagship Birra, I was excited to try it but at the same time concerned that it was a doppelbock style beer.

I held myself together, and I was brave enough to dwell once more into the syrupy concoction, something I had previously bowed not to do again since my last run-in with a Doppelbock.

Here is my take on La Rossa.

Appearance: Poured a beautiful crimson red as its Italian name suggests, with less than an inch foamy head and a quick dissipation.

Smell: Powerful and lingering aroma of malts with a noticeable smokey and roasted trace. Sweet and fruity, probably coming from prunes or some sort of berries.

Taste: Just as I thought, very strong and sweet, a rich and nutty body almost like a liqueur, Danny called out Disaronno which I have to agree with. Syrupy and thick, the smokiness that was felt on the first whiff definitely carried onto the flavour as I felt a slight burning sensation on my chest, not necessarily what I look for when drinking a beer. Almost non existent hops, just present enough to not make this beer taste like a brandy.

Moretti has crafted a faithful recreation of a Doppelbock using quality ingredients as they do with their Birra.

Unfortunately, as well as other Doppelbocks I’ve tried in the past, the amount of malt and sugar is too much for me to handle. I can’t fault Moretti for this since it’s what the recipe might call for, but I just wish I could find a variant Doppel that I can truly enjoy.

People who crave that strong and sweet malt flavor should look no further and try La Rossa, I doubt you’ll be disappointed if Doppelbocks are really your style.

As for me, I’d much rather drink their Birra on tap instead.

-Salute

Last week Phil from Gold Coast Beverage Distributors invited Beer In Focus to take part in a private monthly tasting at the Doral branch of  Gold Coast.  There were two breweries represented in the tasting - Bell’s Brewery and  Florida Beer Company.

First up was Corey for Florida Beer Company out of Melbourne, Florida. Corey brought three brews to sample. The Key West Sunset Ale, Key West Southernmost Wheat and Florida Beer’s latest creation, the yet to be released, Swamp Ape IPA- expected to be available early December.

The Sunset Ale is an American style amber ale with a nice amber color. A malty brew with a bright aroma and softly sweet flavor anyone can enjoy.

The Southernmost Wheat is a Belgian style witbier brewed with key lime. It has got the classic cloudy pale blond color associated with witbiers. The smell is dominantly coriander with a nice dose of citrus in the background. It tastes pretty much like it smells, with a kiss of lime in the mix.

Finally, we have the monster double IPA, the Florida Beer Swamp Ape.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Appearance: Pours a beautiful copper color with amber hues. The head is a light cream color,  less than an inch thick and dissipates into thin cream colored sticky lacing.

Smell: This brew has big aromas with hops being predominant. Floral hops, as well as a touch of citrus and some raw hop aromas. There is a faint scent of ripe fruit in the background. Past the hops there is a  sweet butterscotch smell from the roasted malts and a pronounced smell of alcohol.

Taste: The taste is as big as the smell. The hops are first to hit the palate. Floral and citrusy hops, as well as a dry hop flavor. The hops are strong but not overly bitter. The alcohol flavor is present throughout and intensifies as it warms. The flavor is immediately taken over by the malts. This brew has a heavy malt character which gives it its sweetness and body. Fruity esters, a soft biscuit flavor, and a hint of bubblegum come through, I assume mostly from the yeast. The malts almost steal the show but there is a slight bitterness to the finish from the hops, keeping it from being overly sweet.

The Swamp Ape is a bold, full bodied, continually hopped IPA with 10% ABV. It has a creamy mouthfeel. Heavy on both the hops and the malts. Maltier and less bitter than might be expected from a double IPA, but then again, it’s hard to predict a wild animal.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Up next was Cindi for Bell’s Brewery out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Cindi brought two brews to sample. The Oberon Ale and the Two Hearted Ale.

The Oberon Ale- named after a character in Shakespear’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is an American style wheat beer. It has a hazy gold color with orange hues,  a citrus smell with faint spice. A smooth, refreshing and easy drinking wheat beer.

Next was the Two Hearted Ale, an American style IPA which got its name from Hemingway’s Big Two-Hearted River.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Appearance: Pours a light golden copper color with a foamy cream colored head which becomes a nice lacing that sticks to the sides of the glass.

Smell: The first sniff reveals a beautiful hoppy aroma, floral upfront with strong citrus and a gentle earthyness in the background. Underneath the hops there is a light bready scent and a faint sweetness from the malts which becomes more detectable as it warms.

Taste: Crisp and oh so clean. The character of this brew is carried by the citric hops. There is a bready, sourdough flavor from the yeast with a kiss of sweetness form the malts. It finishes slightly dry with a bitter grapefruit bite.

The Two Hearted Ale is a clean, refined IPA. In keeping with its name, it is smooth and easy to drink, yet with a strong character, bitterness, and depth of flavor to please the most discerning palates. I could drink this brew all day long. In fact it has instantly become one of my favorite IPA’s.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Thanks to Corey and Cindi for sharing their quality brews with us, and of course a big thanks to Phil for inviting Beer In Focus to be a part of the Gold Coast tasting.

Cheers!