No, I don't brew my own (yet), I have too many hobbies already and I *thought* I had some space around here but "I don't think so" anymore. And I *know* a lot of other people are a lot better at it than I would ever be. So...
I do a little reading...
and I do a little sampling (actually, I prefer bottles to cans)...
In a few cases I'll quote the brewer (or should I say the advertising agency)
for these examples and I may have a few comments of my own. I'll reference the
types or "styles" from the above mentioned guides. I'm finding this all very
interesting and hope you do too.
Of course, all company and product names and logos and graphics are the property of their registered owners.
One of those "stand a spoon up in it" drinks, though
for the life of me I don't know why anyone would want to put a spoon IN it, standing
or otherwise. This is a classic Dark Ale and is "stout". It is a rich and filling
drink. I think it is best consumed "warm" (which is really only room temperature, not
actually warm). Don't bother drinking this WITH something (except perhaps a wee taste of poteen)
because it's full bodied taste will overpower most foods and it really should be enjoyed
without confusion.
YES, it does take some getting used to; it's an aquired taste... aquire it!
(And yes, there are other equally good "stout" beers AND yes, I've heard the "American"
Guinness isn't the same as the Irish Guinness.)
Visit the Guinness Brewery web site in Ireland?
Portland Brewing,
Oregon Honey Beer, gold, light bodied with a crisp finish.
A "Pale" Ale, sharp and "bitter".
... a highly hopped ale originally brewed for thirsty British soldiers in India".
Both "Honey" and "Red"... Oregon has a growing "micro-brewery"
population building upon an already popular large brewery reputation.
Oregon Ale and Beer Company is located in Portland Oregon.
A "Malty American Brown Ale".
A "Red" Ale, though not actually as red as you might
expect (many aren't the least bit red).
The lemon added gives this a snap; nice in the warm
weather of summer, if you're lucky enough to have warm summers.
Both "Honey" and a "Wheat" beer.
A "Lager", this one is expected to be chilled.
Pete's Wicked Strawberry Blond is a really cute name with
a wonderful advertising scheme to accompany it. But I have to say
that while I enjoy many beers with a light additional flavor (lemon
or some of the berries) this one overdoes it. Strawberry is a great
flavor but NOT in beer. It's too strong. I'd rather taste Pete's beer;
it's usually high enough quality to stand on it's own.
Pete's Wicked Winter Brew is one of Pete's GOOD flavored
beers, in limited release for the winter holiday season. It's
flavored with nutmeg and (lightly) raspberry. This berry does not
hide the other flavors.
Pete's Wicked Mardi Gras is another "flavored" beer with
ginger added.
Pete's Wicked Bohemian Pilsner. The name says most of it.
A hoppy, golden pilsner.
A "Wheat" ale, also unfiltered, leaving
yeast from the brewing. This makes the ale opaque. Read up on the concept
of "real ales", where yeast is left in or returned to the ale and it is
left to continue fermenting in it's "serving" container. This gives the
beer a natural effervescence from the gas produced rather than injected
during the dispensing. Redhook Ale Brewerey
in Seattle and Woodinville, WA.
An ale with Rye instead of wheat added.
As with the RedHook tradition, this is also an unfiltered Ale.
Blackhook from Redhook Brewery, a hearty, dark porter.
"Hefeweizen: Wheat-brewed ale with yeast"
Pyramid from Hart Brewing, Inc. of Seattle and Kalama, WA. Hey, did you know some
brewers have something printed on the bottom of their sixpacks? (No, not "Open other end"!)
But back on that yeast thing... if the ale is left with yeast in it when it's
bottled and there's any sugar left or added, for the yeast to act on and fermentation
continues, the beer has a shorter "shelf life" and should be consumed sooner. The
refrigeration which would extend the life also kills off the yeast. I guess this
is one of the factors encouraging the increase in home-brewing.
Pyramid Pale Ale is an "ESB", a hearty English style bitter
with a clean dry finish produced by Hart Brewing, Inc. of Kalama
and Seattle Washington and recently, Berkeley California.
A Scotch Ale with a blend of seven varieties of barley
including some Scottish "peated" malt; burgundy colored and
full bodied.
Pyramid Snow Cap Ale is a seasonal brew, particularly
for the cold winter season. It is full-bodied with roasted
barley malts and aromatic hops giving it deep rich flavors and
textures. "Best when enjoyed next to your favorite hearth
after battling the rages of the season."
Thomas Kemper Lagers Hart Brewing of Seattle
Washington and Berkeley California. This Mai (May) Bock is a deep golden
color and smooth and flavorful. It's a seasonal brew celebrating the
coming of Spring.
Another Thomas Kemper Lager, Weizenberry is a wheat beer with
slight snap of rasberry flavoring.
The ESB from Bridgeport Brewing Company,
Portland Oregon. A traditional bitter ale.
Bridgeport's Black Strap Stout.
Ales from Full Sail Brewing Co., Hood River Oregon.
Full Sail Amber Ale, full bodied, a subtle sweetness almost butterscotch
with a bit of spice from the hops.
Full Sail Nut Brown Ale, medium bodied, smooth and chocolatey dark beer.
Full Sail Golden Ale, medium bodied, crisp and aromatic, mildly sweet and
dry finished.
A strong full bodied dark ale "in the tradiotional British 'Winter Warmer'
style." A limited release seasonal brewing for winter.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico California; 1996 Celebration
Ale, a limited production celebrating and honoring the "old world"
tradition of special winter season ales.
Anchor Steam Beer, a well known San Francisco tradition.
Deep amber color and a thick head. " Anchor Steam brand beer derives it's unusual name
from the 19th century when "steam" seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the
West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. The word "steam" may have
refered to the pressure of natural carbonation developing in the beers. Today the
brewing methods of those days are a mystery, and for many decades Anchor alone has
used the quaint name "steam" for it's unique beer."
Anchor Brewing Co. San Francisco Liberty Ale.
"San Francisco's fanous Liberty Ale was first brewed on the 18th of April, 1975 to
celebrate the 200th anniversary of Paul Revere's historic ride."