Author Archives: The Growler

Grand Cru

ABV: 6.0% | IBU: –

Grand Cru Rodenbach Ale is delicious to drink any time of the year, but is especially refreshing in the summer months. With a deep brown color and persistent off-white head, complexity is already obvious at first glance. The aroma of musty cherries, green apple, and damp wood are striking. As you take a sip, you will notice a balsamic tartness that balances nearly perfectly with caramel and vanilla notes. Grand Cru Rodenbach has a substantial mouth feel that finishes dry, leaving you wanting more.

Pair with bacon wrapped pork tenderloin for an impressive sensory experience.

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Goose Island Brewing Company

ABV: 6.5% | IBU: 25

Aged in wine barrels and on orange peel, you instantly pick up the smell of citrus and vanilla on the nose which continues through with the first sip delivering a tart, yet dry, mouthfeel. Add to that a wild yeast fermentation imparting a subtle pepper spiciness with a soft, champagne-like carbonation bringing you to a creamy vanilla finish and you have a complex ale we are lucky to have available year-round.

Pairs well with most shellfish, especially Shrimp Scampi and lobster.

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Deschutes Brewery

ABV: 5.6% | IBU: 55

A fluffy white head, Belgian ester aroma and typical wheat ale cloudiness are your first clues that this beer is first and foremost a witbier. But at 55 IBU’s, fruity hops like Citra and Cascade compliment additions of sweet orange and coriander for a flavor profile perfect on a warm summer day. Deschutes’ brews are all about balance and they do a great job here of not going overboard with spices and Belgian phenol character, using a deft hand that allows each component it’s place in providing layers of depth without dominating. The genesis of this hot new style began last summer with a Deschutes/Boulevard collaboration, but I doubt it’s evolution will see one better crafted than this excellent year-round addition to their lineup.

Although this White IPA pairs well with grilled fish tacos, it would compliment almost any food choice and could become your go-to brew with just about any meal.

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Lagunitas Brewing Company

ABV: 9.75% | IBU: 74

Breaking down the barriers of traditional beer styles, the birthname of this beer came from an investigation by the California Alcohol Control Board of the weekly parties that were taking place at the brewery. ACB deemed Lagunitas was running a “Disorderly House,” potentially allowing the state to seize the brewery, but instead, Lagunitas received a 20-day shutdown of operations. This beer does not come off as big and bold as the ABV would lead you to believe, pouring amber red with a nice off-white head, the aroma of pine and citrus compliment a fresh and crisp mouth feel with a refreshing Grapefruit finish.

Would pair well with Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or other sharp pungent cheeses.

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Epic Brewing

ABV: 4.8% | IBU: –

Epic Hop Syndrome is the latest brew in the Exponential Series. It’s an American Pale lager made with all German pilsner malt and lager yeast. Poured into a pint glass, this beer is a hazy light yellow, with a pitted thin white head with great head retention, and a nice long lacing down the side of the glass. Aromas of bright lemons and real noticeable citrus as well as a pleasant grassy aroma. The taste is a clean, crisp pilsner malt with slight spice undertones, and a mild hop bitterness, it’s not going to knock you over like a big IPA, but definitely more bitter than the average lager.

Enjoy with a great cut of steak, twice baked potato with the fixings, and sweet corn. It’s a session beer, so it will leave you with a bit more room for food.

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Victory Brewing

ABV: 5.2% | IBU: –

Summer Love is a golden ale brewed by Victory brewing out of Downington, PA. It boasts a light body from the German Pilsner Malt used in the mash bill; this beer does not skimp on taste however. Whole flower American and German hops are used to give the beer a nice citrus aroma while keeping the IBUs in balance.

This beer craves a Philly cheese steak or a brat piled high with fried onions and peppers. Clocking in at 5.2% ABV it’s a beer that you can enjoy all day long.

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Eric Bordelet

ABV: 4% | IBU: –

Although it’s not a beer, this cider cannot be left out. It is a stunner! The nose has a wonderful floral quality that is presented beautifully by its champagne-like effervescence. Its light straw color brings the pear fruit to mind. Unlike the fruit, the flavor is not as sweet as you would think. Instead, it is almost dry, but with an astonishing amount of complexity. I’m not usually one for ciders, but this a trip worth taking. Pair this with hard salty cheeses and crusty breads to really make this cider a stand-out.

At 4%ABV, a 750ml won’t be too much of a good thing either.

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Left Hand Brewing Co.

ABV: 5.3% | IBU: –

Left Hand’s Sawtooth ale is an English-style ESB. Dark copper in color with a large malt profile and has just enough hops for balance. A thin white head and light carbonation suit this beer wonderfully. Although the B in ESB stands for bitter, I find Sawtooth Ale quite smooth, not bitter and not too sweet just like it’s British cousins. 5.3%ABV continues its similarities to the British versions. This being Left Hand’s flagship beer, it is definitely worthy. This beer will go well with just about anything you drink it with.

From burgers to fois gras, this beer is made to suit.

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Capital Brewing

ABV: 5.2% | IBU: –

Supper Club is a light bodied lager from Capital Brewing out of Middleton Wisconsin. Pouring a pale straw color with a light creamy head, this brew is 5% ABV and has a minimal hop profile. The taste is redolent of honey with floral and fruity notes. One might consider drinking a couple while grilling out on a hot summer day. Overall, this beer is easy drinking and tasty. The perfect post-lawn mowing beer!

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Bells Brewery

ABV: 4.8% | IBU: –

Bell’s Third Coast beer is an American blonde ale. You don’t see too many of these around and it’s a shame. It pours a beautiful golden color and crystal clear. It’s a medium bodied beer with good head retention. Although it isn’t a huge robust beer, it has a solid toasted cereal base and is lightly hopped to give it a nice crisp citrus finish. As an added bonus, this bottle-conditioned ale is only 4.8%ABV which makes for a good summertime session beer.

Sweet BBQ ribs beckon this beer.

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Central Waters Brewing Co.

ABV: 8.5% | IBU: –

This Belgian beauty pours a bold straw color with a slight haze to it. Carbonation is light, but persistent but produces a thin, offwhite head that settles quickly. The aroma is one that has distinct fruity esters and hints of honey and clove. The taste is comprised of bright citrus and heavy biscuit-like notes while masking the 8.5% ABV rather well.

Easy to drink and enjoy while sitting out on your porch and would pair well with schnitzel and bratwurst.

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Stone Brewing Co.

ABV: 10% | IBU: 110

Stone Ruination: 10 years of palate wrecking has prompted Stone to concoct this remarkable liquid tribute to the glory of the hop. 10 pours a clean amber with a light body and medium carbonation that results in an off-white, creamy head, settling quickly, leaving minimal lacing. The aroma is one of massive dank, citrus and resinous hops with a slight astringency from the high ABV. Palate immediately gets showered in huge flavors of grapefruit with some piney notes up front while the massive resinous finish results in a long, dry finish. Pungent and delicious.

Would pair well with most spicy dishes.

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Great Divide Brewing Co.

ABV: 10% | IBU: 

To celebrate their 18 years of outstanding brewing, Great Divide released this tasty little bottle of oak-aged DIPA. The pour produces a dark mahogany body with lazy carbonation that builds a frothy eggshell head that settles quickly, leaving thin patches of lacing. The aroma is one that contains sweet caramel malt notes with hints of dark fruit and a certain spiciness. The taste is malt-forward with touches of dark toffee and appearances of plum, masking the 10% ABV very well. A touch of vanilla adds sweetness while resinous hops add balance.

This beer would pair brilliantly with burgers and ribs, as well as a cigar.

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Weyerbacher Brewing Company

ABV: 5.2% | IBU: –

A golden girl in name and color, Blanche pours a pale, hazy, straw yellow. Little carbonation leads to a head that resembles an offwhite wafer that dissipates quickly. Aromas of banana upfront with a soft, sweet twang from the Belgian yeast. The taste is one composed of ripe banana with a sweetness that lasts long through the finish.

Perfect for days that are super hot when you want something light to sip on and would pair nicely with sushi and grilled chicken or salmon.

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