Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. Barbarossa Double Dark Lager

Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. (Cincinnati, OH)

With the spring season upon us, unfortunately the time has come to set your barrel aged beers, stouts and porters back in the cellar until next winter. On the bright side, lighter beers are flowing to accompany you on your porch, next to the grill, or simply beside you at the pool. So lets crack a few good spring time beers and convince the sun to stick around.

Personally, I’m not usually a fan of lagers. The flavors tend to seem fairly uneventful and simple to me. I like a little boldness to my beer. So today, I decided on one of my favorite types of lager. The Bavarian style double dark lager!

 

Immediately upon pouring my glass, I am able to smell the roasty Munich malts that the beer is brewed with. Pour this beautiful, caramel colored beer heavily so that you can get a nice quarter inch head to sit atop your beer.

The head is creamy, yet settles by the time your done taking in the aromas and are ready for a sip. During the first sip, you will notice that this is not your typical lager. The taste is rich, smooth and slightly roasty. The perfect beer to ease yourself off of the heavy winter beers and prepare for the warmer weather. Checking in at a respectable 5% ABV, I am going to go tend to some burgers on the grill with a few more of these delicious beers. Cheers, and as always, drink craft!

www.christianmoerlein.com

https://www.facebook.com/moerleinlagerhouse

Bolero Snort Brewery – Blackhorn

 

Bolero Snort Brewery (Ridgefield Park, NJ)

I would like to think that over the last couple of years, as my craft beer “interest” has piqued into a full-blown “obsession”, while drinking more than 500 unique brews (thank you, Untappd) that I would have shed prejudice, and would no longer allow a beer’s name, logo, label, brewer, location, or even style to prevent me from trying something new.  However, there are always involuntary preconceptions at work… even when shopping for beer.

Unfortunately, I allowed this sumptuous black beauty of a beer to sit on many a liquor store shelf for months before giving it a fair shake. It was most likely the “black lager” style that threw me off course. I’ve had other black lagers in the past, and I will admit they are far from my first choice when reaching for a cold one.

But I have never had a black lager like Blackhorn by Bolero Snort Brewery.

 

 

Blackhorn pours thick and dark, almost like some of my favorite imperial stouts. The nose is floral and pungent with aromas of citrus and pine like some of my favorite IPAs. Its finish is roasted, sweet, and bitter at the same time, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.

Style be damned, this black lager stands up to some of the best black IPAs I have ever drank. And as the head of this thick, hoppy monster of a beer clung to my glass with every sip, all I could do was curse myself for not buying an entire case.

Bolero Snort Brewery just celebrated their first anniversary and, after having the pleasure of experiencing Blackhorn, I am looking forward to many more successful years of them brewing great beer in New Jersey. Be sure to check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Untappd to stay up to date on events and new releases.

Also, don’t forget to like Craft Beer Explorer on Facebook! Cheers!

 

Bolero Snort Brewery Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Anderson Valley Brewing’s El Steinber Dark Lager

ANDERSON VALLEY BREWING (Boonville, CA.)

Hi, my name is Brodie and I am a self-admitted “Beer Snob” (and quite proud I may add). I judge beers like it’s going out of style and I’m not afraid to admit it. One could say I’m passionate, even downright angry at times, about beer. I’m not afraid to tell someone what they’re drinking is pure, unadulterated crap! I despise the giant Macro brewers and their slew of “feux craft” or “crafty beers” some have dubbed, which they use to spoon-feed the unsuspecting public into thinking their getting a handcrafted ale or lager from a tiny brewery in the middle of nowhere, when in all reality, it’s produced by robots using cheap adjuncts and filler products. So when it comes to lagers, I’m even more discerning about the beer than I am with most ales.

I’ve only had one beer from Anderson Valley in the past, their Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale, and it was simply amazing. So when I saw this dark lager, I figured “Hey! Why not? I need to try more lagers anyway.”. Just based off the high quality and great flavor from Fall Hornin’ and their company slogan, “Bahl Hornin‘ “, which translates “Easy Drinkin’ “, I was able to easily put El Steinber in my basket.

El Steinber isn’t the typical dark lager. Brewed with Midnight Wheat for deep brown color and Indio-Hispano Blue Corn for a unique, toasty character. I’ll admit, I was a tad hesitant seeing that they used corn in the recipe as we know how the Macro brewers over-utilize corn in their recipes to dull the flavor of their beer. This is not the case at all with El Steinber. Rounding out the base malts with Pilsner malts gives it a smooth, crisp flavor. Capped off with a rocky tan head, musty wheat and toasted corn aromas arise. This beer has a beautiful cascade to it as the head recesses and the color of deep, rich mahogany is beyond inviting. Now, for the sip… and it is incredible! Never had I dreamt that a beer brewed with corn could be this awesome! I immediately take another sip and let it take a it’s time, mingling with my tastebuds. The mouthfeel is smooth, creamy and NOT over carbonated as most lagers tend to be. I can’t even put into words how smooth and delicious this lager is. It’s so easy drinking but not at all boring. A nice addition of Saaz hops give it a mild, earthy hop bitterness that really lets the malt profile shine through. Finishing off at 5.5% alc. this lager is something that can be enjoyed all day long without the hazardous repercussions of a higher gravity beer.

Anderson Valley Brewing recommends Jalapeno cornbread, pork carnitas, barbecued ribs, pomegranate tart and Meunster and Cotija cheeses for food pairings. As I become close friends with El Steinber, I invited it to lunch with my wife’s homemade pork and green chili tamales topped with monterey jack cheese and a side of spicy jalapeno black beans. It is a match made in craft beer heaven. Anderson Valley’s El Steinber has restored my faith in lagers and I give a big “CHEERS!” to the brewers for knocking this one out of the ball park. Anderson Valley Brewing doesn’t mess around! “BAHL HORNIN’! “

http://youtu./aat47xE3AzEbe

www.avbc.com

https://www.facebook.com/AndersonValleyBrewingCompany

Craft Beer Explorer’s Ultimate Thanksgiving Pairing Guide

As you plan your Thanksgiving this year, don’t overlook the most important part… no, not turkey… Great craft beer!

Here are Craft Beer Explorer’s suggestions to complete your perfect Thanksgiving meal.

Aperitif –  Saison Dupont (Brasserie Dupont, Belgium)

Think champagne! This saison has just a touch of the classic Belgian funk, but is full of bright fruity flavors that open your taste buds.  It has a creamy banana mouth feel, with a dry cider like finish.  It is a little more on the bitter side, unlike most of the American made Belgian style ales that seem to be mildly sweet.  Saison Dupont would be a perfect light start to your long day of eating.

Alternatives: 

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace, The Lost Abbey Carnevale, Goose Island Sofie

Turkey Dinner – Oktoberfest (Lakefront Brewery, Wisconsin)

This beer is a great authentic American tribute to the traditional German Oktoberfest Lager.  This amber lager has a slightly nutty quality which makes it stand out from others of the style.  Most Oktoberfests will compliment turkey or honey glazed ham well, and pair nicely with semi spicy sausage stuffing.  The crispness of the lagers is a nice compliment to traditional Thanksgiving fare, but amber ales will work great as well.

Alternatives:  

New Belgium Fat Tire, Santa Fe Oktoberfest, Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Thirsty Dog Barktoberfest, Avery The Kaiser

Dessert – Pumking (Southern Tier, New York)

Pumpkin pie in a bottle.  Southern Tier has perfected the art pumpkin beer with Pumking, and this year it seems more readily available than ever before.  Pair this beer with your Pumpkin, Apple, Sweet Potato or Pecan pies for a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.  If you have not tasted “the king”, you have not truly experienced pumpkin beer.

Alternatives: 

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, Clown Shoes Genghis Pecan, Left Hand Milk Stout, Carton Pumpkin Cream Ale

Digestif – Imperial Russian Stout (Stone Brewing, California)

What better way to finish your day than a big and boozy slow sipper?  Stone Imperial Russian Stout evokes flavors such as dark roasted coffee and dark chocolate.  The high ABV will help move that turkey right on down and leave you feeling relaxed and warm, just as you would while sipping a fine scotch to finish your holiday.  Don’t forget to use a snifter to properly release all of the complexities of these beers.

Alternatives: Sierra Nevada Narwhal, Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout, Marin Brewing Old Dipsea Barleywine

All of us at Craft Beer Explorer wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving.  Cheers!

Santa Fe Brewing Co.’s Oktoberfest Lager

Santa Fe Brewing Co. (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Here we have yet another American tribute to a German beer, the mighty Oktoberfest Lager! I always get excited every August as I see these beers appear on the shelves. I’m not a huge lager fan but Oktoberfest style lagers really hit the spot. This one is no exception.

Brewed with 100% natural spring water, this Oktoberfest pours a beautiful and clear medium amber color with a rocky head that is creamy and aromatic. A semi-sweet crispness accompanied by smooth and silky mouth feel make this beer easily chuggable. Subtle hop spice come from Hersbrucker and Tettnanger hops backed by Pilsen and Munich malts which give it a healthy backbone.

At 6% ABV. this one could catch up to you in no time after imbibing one too many large steins worth. Santa Fe Brewing’s version is just as good as any true German Oktoberfest that I’ve had the pleasure of drinking and I would gladly pick it up again, with or without my Lederhosen on. The only thing that would make this better would be some German Sausage, a warm Bavarian Pretzel and spicy mustard on the side.

Santa Fe Brewing Co. boasts many awards in a variety of categories. They operate using eco-friendly alternatives such as solar panels and monetary credits to locals upon return of their plastic six pack holders and 12 pack cases.  The brewery also has an awesome program called “Small Batch Saturdays”, where they encourage local home brewers to come down and brew their recipes on the big brewing rig. They then tap the beers for all to come down and enjoy. What an awesome way to give home brewers some recognition.

I highly suggest you pick Santa Fe’s Oktoberfest Lager up before it’s gone for the season. You won’t be disappointed.

AWARDS:

2012 Best of the Rockies/Southwest Region, Vienna/Marzen Lager Category: US Beer Tasting Championship
2010 Silver Medal: Lager Category, Reno International Canned Beer Festival
2008 Bronze Medal, NM State Fair

Santa Fe Brewing Co.

35 Fire Place, Santa Fe, NM  87508

505.424.3333

www.santafebrewing.com

info@santafebrewing.com

www.facebook.com/SantaFeBrewing