Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz and Ken’s Stout

Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz and Ken's Stout
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz and Ken's Stout

Over the holidays, I had the chance to have one of Sierra Nevada’s 30th Anniversary collaboration beers, the Fritz and Ken’s Stout, from the mind of Ken Grossman, the founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing and Fritz Maytag.  Fritz is the great-grandson of the founder of the Maytag Corporation, headquartered in Newton, Iowa (which is also the hometown of Madhouse Brewing).  He essentially saved American craft beer in 1965 when he purchased the Steam Beer Brewing Company in San Francisco, now the maker of Anchor Steam.  The brewery was about to close its doors when Fritz bought the company and saved it, along with craft brewing in the process.

This beer was actually purchased about a year ago, but has been in cellar temperatures (around 50 degrees) since then.

I must say that this beer was worth the wait.  It poured very dark, with a tan head.  It smelled like roasted coffee and chocolate.  When I tasted it, I was very impressed.  It was a very nice, thick stout with a bunch of mouthfeel.  I felt it was almost porter-like because it was very thick, smooth, and chocolatey.

It was a great beer, and I am very disappointed that I didn’t save more.

Did you try the Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz and Ken’s Stout?  What was your take?

Brew Dog Rip Tide

Brew Dog Rip Tide
Brew Dog Rip Tide

While at the family’s for the holidays, I had a chance to try quote a few brews, including Rip Tide, by the Scottish brewery Brew Dog.

The beer smelled a lot like coffee with hints of chocolate.  At first taste, it was a smooth, slightly sweet beer with a very roasty component.  There was a very slight amount of carbonation.  It’s a beer that will sneak up on you because it doesn’t taste very strong, but contains 8% ABV.

Coincidentally, while I was at the store, the associate mentioned that if I was interested, they had a bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin from Brew Dog.  At 32% ABV, it’s one of the strongest beers available, but I wasn’t willing to shell out the $100-$150 for a 12 oz bottle.  Maybe one of these days I’ll take him up on that offer.

Have you had Rip Tide?  What was your impression?

Vrienden by New Belgium and Allagash Brewing

Vrienden
Vrienden

While in Tennesse, I had a chance to try a bottle of Vrienden (Flemish for ‘friend’), a collaboration between Belgian beer specialists New Belgium and Allagash Brewing.  It was a Belgian style ale brewed with hibiscus and endive.

It had a bit of a slight ‘funky’ Belgian smell from the Brettanomyces and Lactobacillis.  The flavor started sweet then finished with slight Belgian funkyness.  It was definitely an interesting beer, but unfortunately, not one of my favorites.  To me, it seemed that the sweetness and hibiscus flavors were overpowering.  I have a feeling that the beer may have been better if I would have been able to age it for a period of time.

Have you tried Vrienden?  What did you think?

Abita Andygator

Abita Andygator
Abita Andygator

I was working in Tennessee this past week, and I had a chance to check out a few beers I normally don’t get a chance to try.  One of the selections I had a chance to sample was Abita Andygator.

It was a helles doppelbock, making it stronger than the typical helles.  My overall impression: it was nice and malty, and was a very drinkable beer.  There was a bit of a fruity scent with an initial sweet taste.  It had a nice golden color, and a good malt flavor that carried through to the aftertaste.  There was little to no hop flavor or aroma.

Have you tried Andygator by Abita?  What did you think?

Leinenkugel’s Spring Seasonal – Already

Leinenkugel's Spring Seasonal
Leinenkugel's Spring Seasonal

I was browsing the beer aisle the other day when I noticed something out of the ordinary – Leinenkugel’s was selling the spring seasonal.

The brewery just finished selling the stock of Fireside Nut Brown, and decided (on the last day of November) to start selling the spring seasonal.

The 1888 Bock is nice, but is it time to sell spring beers yet?  Probably not.

Did you see the Leinie’s spring seasonal being sold already?  What do you think?