United States Beer Reviews
Although beer existed in the United States from its birth (and before), it wasn’t until Prohibition that the state of beer in America was truly united. Today, the United States is arguably the world’s most important beer market, where brewers enjoy the most freedom to practice and advance their craft. The market is a true melting pot of brewing styles and traditions, and the beer community is as vibrant as it is diverse. While things really got started during and as a result of the Prohibition Era (1919-1933), fermented drinks pre-date the country’s founding in 1776. Hailed as a land of opportunity, huge macrobrewing enterprises like AB InBev and MillerCoors co-exist alongside a growing number of small craft beer companies. A country built by immigrants, America has heavy European brewing influences. The number of influential breweries are too great to number, and the list continues to evolve as independent brewers push innovation in the craft and give the world more and more interesting lagers and ales to explore.
Finnegan’s Irish Amber
There is a quaint little restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis called Duplex. It’s called Duplex because it’s an actual duplex that’s been retrofitted to a fantastic gem of a restaurant. It’s one of those “beer and wine only” restaurants. While some...
Stone Smoked Porter
Last Friday when I sampled and reviewed this beer, the week seemed to drag on longer than it needed to. After a night of dinner and bowling with some friends, I came home and simply wanted to unwind. In keeping with a tradition I started 2 years ago of having a...
Goose Island Honker’s Ale
If any beer has to be dubbed Goose Island’s “flagship” brew, Honker’s Ale takes the cake in my opinion. Perhaps it’s not quite as widely respected as their India Pale Ale…but then again, just about every American craft brewery makes an IPA of some sort; not many are...
Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS)
Michael: “Is good for everything a stout ought to be good for.” With that lofty acclaimed scrawled across the label of my KBS, I undoubtedly had high expectations. Also, the fact that after I had poured this motor-oil-black brew into my glass, I saw it selling on eBay...