Sunday Sips: Rye Pale Ale

Beer Name:  Rye Pale Ale

Brewed By / In:  Terrapin Beer Company / Athens, GA

Beer Style:  American Pale Ale (New category I am adding tonight!)

Best Served In:  Stein, Pint glasses

ABV:  5.5%

Characteristics:  Pours a hazy orange/golden color.  Smells of malts and fruits of pear or banana.  Starts with zips of hops pairs with the bubbly effervescence but as it crosses the palate the flavor sweetens.  Light mouthfeel with a fresh finish allows for another sip and even another mugful!

Food-pairing:  Chilies or other spicy foods

Overall:  8.8 - I was nervous to see "Rye" in the name with the banjo-playing turtle on the label.  For some reason I had premonitions that this beer would taste like intensely flavored grain alcohols of the South.  To my delight, this year-round brew's fruity afterthoughts allow this to be a great session beer.  The rye adds a sweeter character to the flavor profile.  I imagine there being great nights of conversation spent over this liquid Terp.

The Brewer's Plate - March 11, 2012

The most recent edition of Philly Weekly featured one the spring's first big beer events - The Brewer's Plate.  I am enamored by the concept of The Brewer's Plate.  They look to pair local gourmet foods and craft brewing.  The Brewer's Plate will take place at the National Constitution Center on March 11, 2012 from 5pm-9pm.  Tickets range from $65-125.  The general admission of a party smaller than 10 is $75.  Seems steep but still grants you access to Betty's Speakeasy, Philadelphia Distilling, and Cookie Confidential..  Pay for the VIP access and experience cooking with beer demonstrations, cooking with Philadelphia restaurateur and chef Jose Garces, and other vendor specials.   Some of my personal favorites on the list include:  Victory Brewing Company, Dogfish Head, and White Dog Cafe.  Victory will even be featuring an "ultra exclusive" tasting with VIP admission.  Read the full list of participants HERE, I am sure that one of your Philly favorites will be featured.  Still interested?  See more information and buy your tickets HERE.  Buy soon, they sell out quickly!

2012 marks The Brewer's Plate eighth year and this year is sponsored by the National Constitutional Center, Victory Brewing Company, Philadelphia Weekly, and Philly Beer Scene.  The Brewer's Plate is hosted by the 501(c)3 non-profit Fair Food Philly who promotes local, humane, sustainable agribusiness in the Philadelphia area.

Sunday Sips: Anchor Steam

Beer Name:  Anchor Steam

Brewed By / In:  Anchor Brewing Company / San Francisco, CA

Best Served In:  Stein, Pilsner, Pint glasses

ABV:  4.9%

Characteristics:  Pours a deep amber with faint bready aroma exuding from the glass.  Poor head yet playfully effervescent (a result of true steam brewing).  Although bubbly, the flavor underwhelms the palate.  A little bitterness but nothing really complex to appreciate, finishes a little flat.

Food-pairing:  Coconut-breaded shrimp

Overall:  7.0 - the forefront of flavor is short-lived but allows to be sessioned; I finished before I realized it.  Although I appreciate the story of steam beers and Anchor's ability to brew the "California Common," I was not a huge fan of the overall flavor.  I will say, anyone who is beginning their quest into craft beer drinking, this is a fantastic segue from the mass-produced brews.  Slainte!

(Photos by Author)

Book Review: Artisan Beer

Gary Monterosso is an award-winning beer writer.  In his first book, the 148 page Artisan Beer, he provides guidance, tips and tricks for beer novices to beer aficionados.  As the cover reads, it is the "complete guide to savoring the world's finest beers."  As I travel this journey to learn more about craft beer, its history, its current place, and its future, I found this book to be a great "101" introduction.

Monterosso provides a thorough overview of ale and lager types.  Needless to say, my head was spinning with the amount of information but my tastebuds were awaiting all of the flavors he discussed.  Since starting this book, I hope my Sunday Sips entries paint a clearer picture, as I focus on feeling and tasting all that he describes.  One of my favorite readings of this book discusses beer and food pairings.  Monterosso charts food and its complementary beer.  As a man searching for the perfect pairings (well, even suitable pairings), I am better equipped to make those decisions.  I especially love his view in that beer can be a more affordable option than wine when making pairings (and I love a good deal).  He even includes a large section of "How do I..."-type questions.  There are beautiful glossy photos of hops, glassware, and Monterosso's "dream team" case of beer.  What I particularly love about this read is that the information can be reviewed and pulled in segments for my particular needs or questions.

Monterosso's book is informative and approachable with a clear enthusiasm for the art of craft brewing.  Coming from an education background, he assures the reader that he offers only one perspective and that there is more to discover.  I am sure that my appreciation of beer and breweries has only heightened after reading Artisan Beer.  Interested?  Buy it HERE.  Learn more about Gary Monterosso by visiting his website.  Thank you to my better half for such a great read!



(Image provided by Google Images)

Sunday Sips: Chicory Stout

Beer Name:  Chicory Stout

Brewed By / In:  Dogfish Head Craft Brewery / Milton, DE

Best Served In:  Stein

ABV:  5.2%

Characteristics:  Opaque, black stream from the bottle to the glass - I was in awe.  Roasted and robust flavors - the chicory, coffee, and oatmeal flavors fill the mouth but are smooth and even slightly sweet.  Zero head and lacing, zero carbonation.  The aromas leave much to be desired - one malty tone.  The velvety mouthfeel more than makes up for the lack of an olfactory experience.  Although my palate is overwhelmed (in the good way) with flavor, I am not feeling bloated.

Food-pairing:  Mint Chocolate Chip Frozen Yogurt (I am currently eating this while drinking the beer and I can feel the chocolate and mint zing on my palate.  I am thoroughly enjoying what is happening over here.)

Overall:  9.0 - Without the dessert at its side, I am not sure if I could have as easily enjoyed this stout but it paired fantastically!  Having a dessert like mint and chocolate at its side kept my tastebuds wanting more.  Sadly, this is a winter creation of one of my favorite breweries so there is a limited time to enjoy this libation, but very much so worth the wait until next year in case you miss it.  I would gladly order this with a bright or cool dessert at the end of a hearty meal.

Here's to being a day late but not a dollar short.  Slainte!