DBRcast – Ep1 – Vermont IPA Showdown

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

DBRcast Logo 5Straight from the DBR bar, we have our first blind taste test podcast. Why a podcast? Because there are never enough! And I’m too lazy to write up the results and, bonus, I already have the equipment.

We have a good reason too, having just come back from Vermont with some of the top IPAs in the country. Namely, the renown Heady Topper, Sip of Sunshine, and up-and-comer Second Fiddle. With all of these at our disposal, we naturally arrived at the only question that matters. To paraphrase Iron Chef, which one reigns supreme?

As arbitrary as pointing out a “best IPA” really can be, we decided to give it a go by pitting four beer nerd palates against 3 of Vermont’s finest and 5 local mystery IPAs (done more to confuse our palates for the big 3) in a blind showdown.

Warning: This here podcast contains the salty language, so delicate ears need not apply.

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Lititz Craft Beer Fest 2015

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Lititz Craft Beer Fest 2015The 2nd annual Lititz Craft Beer Fest has come and gone like a stein of beer in a German beer garden. The recently named #1 town in Pennsylvania to “Get Away from It All” saw several thousand beer enthusiasts flood its streets, clamoring for the mix of local and national brewers pouring their best for the three hour event. With an overcast sky and mild temperature, the weather gave it’s blessing, providing the perfect conditions to enjoy an IPA’s refreshingly crisp bitterness, the acidic bite of a sour, the earthy yam, spices and malt backbone of a pumpkin beer and the roasty, sweet caramel and molasses warmth of the porters and stouts.

IMG_1880It was a day for all styles and one that surely delighted the thirsty crowds, who gobbled up tickets in record time. Much of the positive outpouring of community support is directly related to the efforts of the volunteers and the organizers, who proved themselves last year with a hugely successful effort. It’s a testament to that success that the 2015 Lititz Beer Fest sold out on July 19th, only 18 days after going on sale and 2 months ahead of the event.

Assuming there is a 3rd annual beer fest, do NOT hesitate to get tickets the first chance you get because blink and they’ll be gone. Purchasing a ticket will also get you the added karmic benefit of contributing to charity. The event organizers, the Lititz AMBUCS, donate the money raised to help the mobility and independence of disabled individuals in our community. Beer appreciation for a cause. What’s not to love about that?

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Avery Brewing Co – Fortuna Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

FortunaAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Avery Brewing Co.
Style: Wild Ale
ABV: 8.1%
My Cost: $16 (12oz)
Glassware: Tulip, Flute
Temp: 45°F
Availability: One Off
Purchased@: Friendly Greek

Quick Take: Fortuna isn’t the best sour I’ve had, but it’s pretty refreshing and rises above the gimmicky inspiration. It has a salivating saltiness that makes you want to go back as your thirst is never quite satisfied. Cost is a concern and I can’t see me getting this over a kriek or standard sour, but great change of pace beer and absolutely worth it where cost is not a concern.

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Toppling Goliath – Pseudosue Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

PseudosueAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Style: Pale Ale
ABV: 5.8%
My Cost: Via Trade
Actual Cost: Not a lot
Glassware: Pint, Tulip
Temp: 45°F
Availability: All the time
Purchased@: Trades-ville

Quick Take: For a malty pale that drinks like an IPA, this is one of the best. It’s more substantial than Zombie Dust but the malt body doesn’t overrun the delicate Citra hopping. A confident celebration of the Citra hop, and an example of what an expert brewer can do with a no frills approach that relies on technique rather than adjuncts and gimmicks.

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Beer is Going Back to Camp!

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

ece73d91-19b0-46bf-92e6-5bbdd073855cSierra Nevada has sent out the first of what should be many updates on the 2016 Beer Camp!  As a beer lover that attended the 2014 tour, I plan on heading out to one of the six stops, assuming a tank of gas will get me there (save the planet and my wallet!). While we still don’t know the exact locations, the tour will hit the same general regions across the country. Based on the prior Beer Camp, I can tell you that even though a brewery is associated with a region, it doesn’t mean it will necessarily be at your camp location. I think it depends on whether the brewery already has distribution in your state, so you may not be getting that taste of Creature Comforts outside of the collaborations if you can’t already get it. I’ll keep you posted as more information slowly pours out.

Beer Camp LineupFor those that don’t care about the event (though you really should), they also released the 2016 collaboration breweries for those one-off brews. PA’s own Stoudts is brewing up something as is Lawson’s, Perennial, Wicked Weed, Half Acre, Trillium (that Trillium, they’re so hot right now!), the aforementioned Creature Comforts  and 23 others to produce 12 beers. While most of the 2014 collabo beers were a disappointment, there were a few gems, such as Ballast Point’s Electric Ray (IPL), that are still being brewed. I’m sure that expectations will be high given this list of contributors, so get your case buying money ready. Check out the full list to the right to see if your favorite brewer made the cut.