California Beer Reviews
The birthplace of craft brewing and people who love hoppy beer.
by Tom Smillie | Anchor Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, California, Mug, Pint Glass, Porter, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States, Winter Ale / Warmer |
Tree: Torreya californica (California Torreya or Nutmeg) The start of a new decade. I wonder what they added to the brew to make this beer that much more special. In any case, it poured very similar to the year prior with a deep brown color. One could argue that...
by Tom Smillie | Anchor Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, California, Mug, Pint Glass, Porter, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States, Winter Ale / Warmer |
Brewed since 1975 this seasonal Christmas ale (aka Our Special Ale) has become a tradition in and of itself. The more I’ve learned about this beer, the more I want to add it to my holiday traditions. There are a few interesting facts surrounding this beer that...
by Tom Smillie | American Strong Ale, Beer Reviews, Belgian Golden Strong Ale, California, Mug, North Coast Brewing Company, Pint Glass, Snifter, Spirit-Aged Beers, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass |
A Grand Cru to end all. This beer is huge across the board. The ABV is pushing 13%, Agave Nectar is incorporated into the brew, and it is aged in Bourbon barrels to maturation. Or should I say perfection? I sincerely thought I was in for a dark maroon colored ale...
by Tom Smillie | Beer Reviews, California, North Coast Brewing Company, Old Ale, Pint Glass, Snifter, United States, Wine Glass |
To be quite honest, I have not sat down to a NCBC beer in a long time. I have a few Barrel Aged Old Raspy’s chillin’ in my basement and I’ve been meaning to pick up the 2009 aged Old Stock Ale, but have not pulled the trigger. Found this bottle...
by Tom Smillie | Beer Reviews, California, Pint Glass, Port Brewing Company, Russian Imperial Stout, Snifter, United States |
With the Fall months almost behind us I thought it was time to bust out a fairly aged bottle of Santa’s Little Helper in preparation for Winter. Last weekend I cut the lawn for the last time this year and started putting up plastic over the windows to seal help...
by Tom Smillie | Beer Reviews, California, Pint Glass, Port Brewing Company, Russian Imperial Stout, Snifter, Spirit-Aged Beers, United States |
A base Port Brewing Imperial Stout + Bourbon barrel = deliciousness. Seriously! It is good stuff. Some time back I had the pleasure of brewing for the day with Tim Marshall (former Senior brewer at Rock Bottom-Lombard). Before we started brewing he let me sample...