Tag: Drew’s Brews Reviews

Firestone Walker – Velvet Merkin Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Velvet MerkinAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Firestone Walker
Style: Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 8.5%
Cost: $4 (5oz)
Glassware: Snifter
Temp: 50°F
Availability: September
Purchased@: Capone’s Restaurant (Philly Beer Week)

Quick Take: What this lacks in complexity, and it is definitely lacking, it makes up for in lightness and drinkability. This is a well-blended beer that integrates the bourbon to enhance the base beer without overrunning it. Just temper your expectations, especially if your reference point for dark and delicious Firestone beers is the rich, boozy and complex Parabola.

→Full Review

Uinta Brewing – Detour Double IPA Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Uinta DetourAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Uinta Brewing
Style: DIPA
ABV: 9.5%
Cost: $3.82 (12oz)
Glassware: Tulip
Serving Temp: 50°F
Availability: Year Round
Purchased@: Shenandoah Hops

Quick Take: The enjoyment of this beer will really depend on your tongue’s relationship with hops and malt. I can appreciate this for being a bit different, but the sweet malt ends up being crushed by the dry, floral bitter finish, making for a beer at odds with itself. For my money, I think this is an affordable IPA that doesn’t play it safe but ends up providing a confused taste.

→Full Review

Anchorage Brewing – Bitter Monk Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Anchorage Bitter MonkAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Anchorage Brewing
Style: Belgian DIPA
ABV: 9%
Cost: $18 (22oz)
Glassware: Tulip
Temp: 50°F
Availability: Year Round? (not sure)
Purchased@: Teresa’s Next Door Bar

Quick Take: Anchorage has created a chardonnay-barreled, Belgian IPA with brett that is both unique AND well-crafted. The vinous qualities and brett really take this beyond the humble roots of the style. If drank too cold or fast, I could see missing the subtle elements and not thinking much of it. Take some time with this beer and you’ll find a surprisingly refined, complex beer that is a highlight of the Belgian IPA style.

→Full Review

Episode 12 – Spencer Brewery – Spencer Trappist Ale

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Episode 12 of Drew’s Brews Reviews is here! The beer review show you never knew you wanted and no one needs. The IPA train derails and I mix it up with an ale from Spencer brewery, the only official Trappist beer brewed in the US. Special thanks to a friend of a friend who picked this up for me on her travels through New England. This review is fact-tastic, so be prepared to learn “a little bit” about Trapp-ism and these new to brew monks.

Ep 13 — Southern Tier’s Fusebox (Available Soonish)

Continue reading “Episode 12 – Spencer Brewery – Spencer Trappist Ale” →

Lavery – Imperial French Ale (Tequila Barrel-Aged)

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Lavery - TequilaAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Lavery Brewing
Style: Saison/Farmhouse
ABV: 11.5%
Cost: $14 (22oz)
Glassware: Tulip/Wine
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Limited
Purchased@: Hunger n Thirst

Quick Take: The lack of sweet or bitter elements to balance out the spicy alcohol makes this an easy pass for me. If you want tequila but for some reason don’t want to drink the real thing or want it with a more manageable ABV, this is for you. If you want a Saison with just a touch of booze and tequila spice, this may very well flatten you. I have an intense dislike of this version of Lavery’s Imperial French Ale and plan on never letting it near my mouth, nose or any other orifice again.

→Full Review