Posts Tagged ‘CO’
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Avery Brewing Co.'s India Pale Ale
The Brewski Report Reviews Avery’s India Pale Ale
File Date: 4.20.2011
File Name: Same ‘o, Same ‘o thing.
The Beer: India Pale Ale
Type: American IPA
Serving: Bottle
Stats: 6.5% ABV
Brewer: Avery Brewing Co.
Web Site: www.averybrewing.com
Country/State of Origin: CO, USA
Brewer Info: Since 1993 our brewery has been committed to producing eccentric ales and lagers that defy styles or categories. Our products are thoroughly American at heart: blending Old World tradition and expertise with ingenuity, creativity and boldness. We are dedicated to making beer from the inside out: we brew what we like to drink - with utter disregard for what the market demands - and search out fans with equally eccentric palates (We learned long ago that expressing your true self is much more fulfilling that giving in to outside pressures. Don’t you agree?) If you think your taste buds can keep up with our brews, we invite you to check out our entire lineup of more than twenty different beers. Peace to all and follow your dreams! The Avery Brewing Crew.
Brewer Brand Hype: In the 1700s one crafty brewer discovered that a healthy dose of hops and an increase alcohol content preserved his ales during the long voyage to India (as depicted in our label) to quench the thirst of British troops. Today, we tip our hat to that historic innovation by brewing Colorado’s hoppiest pale ale. Avery IPA demands to be poured into your favorite glass to truly appreciate the citrusy, floral bouquet and the rich, malty finish.
Label: Our IPA demands to be poured into your favorite glass to truly appreciate the citrusy, floral bouquet and the rich, malty, yet dry finish.
The Brewski Review: Super hoppy IPA worth a try if your into this sort of thing. I don’t really care for the bitterness so I may tend to down-rate my review based upon my negative preference for mucho bitterness. That isn’t to say this isn’t a good beer. I’m sure there may be quite a following for this brand. I’m just not one of them.
Drinkability: Probably not.
Appearance: Deeper golden color.
The Buds: Whoa! Hop city.
TBR Cap Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Tags: 3.5 out of 5., 6.5% ABV, American IPA, Avery Brewing Co., Bottle, CO, Domestic, Hoppy Bitterness, India Pale Ale, IPA, Same 'o
Posted in Avery Brewing Co. | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
The Rich Goodness of Hibernation Ale
The Brewski Report Reviews Great Divide’s Hibernation Ale
File Date: 2.2.2011
File Name: Blizzard of ‘11 Is A Yawner
The Beer: Hibernation Ale
Type: Old Ale
Serving: Bottle
Stats: 8.7% ABV
Brewer: Great Divide Brewing Co.
Web Site: www.greatdivide.com
State/Country of Origin: CO, USA
Brewer Info: In 1994, Colorado’s craft beer scene scarcely existed, but Brian Dunn recognized Denver’s potential to be a great beer city. Combining his business background with his passion for beer, which was developed through his international travels and his experience as a homebrewer, he decided to start a brewery. He set up shop in an abandoned dairy-processing plant at the edge of downtown Denver and began brewing the beers that would eventually carry Great Divide Brewing Company to its status as one of America’s most decorated microbreweries and would help transform Denver into an international destination for beer lovers.
Brewer Brand Hype: Hibernation Ale has been our celebrated winter tradition since 1995. This robust, dry-hopped ale has a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character. 8.7% ABV. October thru January.
Label: Same as above with: Suggested Food Pairings: Aged, hard Dutch cows milk cheese, roasted chicken, grilled vegetables.
The Brewski Review: The ‘old’ in Old Ale refers to beers that in times past, could have been left to age in wood containers of varying types for periods up to a year. Due to this the beer can pick up slight acid flavors. I didn’t detect that here, just plenty of roasted malt favors and a little on the bitter side for me. Overall, very good. With the high ABV content I drank it before dinner in the hopes that I could lay on the couch and pass out with a full stomach. But, I don’t think I needed the beer to fall asleep fast. We had a winter storm blow through last night that stretched across the nation. 100 million people were supposed to be affected by this. We didn’t get it as bad as they forecasted but they still shut down our plant giving me the day off (we’ll have to work Saturday to make up the lost production). Isn’t winter great? So many resources are consumed by pushing frozen water around. Time, money and physical energy, which, buy the way, is why I’m so wiped out. I even have a mondo-size snowblower to help move the snow around. If I ever build a new house I’d love to install heated sidewalks and a driveway. Then, I wouldn’t have any more excuses to not sit in front of the TV and drink beer.
The frozen liquid winter wonderland in my little slice of heaven.
Drinkability: Good. But not a fan.
Appearance: Rich ruby brown in color.
The Buds: Hearty indeed. Very hoppy/malty.
TBR Cap Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Tags: 4.0 Rating, 8.7% ABV, Aged Beer, Barrels, Blizzard, Bottle, Build A New House, CO, Colorado, Couch, Dinner, Great Divide Brewery, Heated Sidewalks, Hibernation Ale, Nap, Old Ale, Resources, Shovel, Snowblower, TV, Winter Chores, Winter Storm, Wood Containers
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Saturday, December 18th, 2010
What A Great, Dark Rich Color.
The Brewski Report Reviews Breckenridge’s Christmas Ale
File Date: 12.18.10
File Name: Great shelf appeal.
The Beer: Christmas Ale
Type: Winter Warmer
Serving: Bottle
Stats: 7.4% ABV
Brewer: Breckenridge BBQ & Brew
Web Site: www.breckbrew.com
Country of Origin: CO, USA
Brewer Info: Back in the 1980s our founder, Richard Squire, had a dream – to ski all day and drink great beer every night. Since he lived in the snow-kissed Rocky Mountains, fulfilling the skiing portion of his dream was easy. But the great beer part – at a time when a “microbrew” was a rarity – that was another story. So Richard started brewing his own, more flavorful beers for himself and his thrill-seeking ski pals. His homebrewed creations were a hit, and soon Richard was spending more time brewing than skiing. So he chased after another dream – making exceptional beer for a living. In February, 1990 that dream became reality when Richard opened the original Breckenridge Brewery & Pub in the town of Breckenridge, Colorado. Richard’s ski bum days were over, and so were the days of bland beer for the folks in Colorado’s ski country.
Brewer Brand Hype: The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and warming characteristics. Here it is. Breck Brew’s Christmas Ale. At over 7% alcohol, with a sturdy texture and rich flavors of caramel and chocolate, our holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire. The ultimate winter warmer.
Label: Plenty of good cheer. Good friends ever near.
The Brewski Review: As for the beer, I wouldn’t recommend this one. It looked good in the glass: Brown to ruby brown in with a nice foamy, muddy colored head. The head dissipated quickly. The taste though, wasn’t very pleasant to me. It had a very strong aftertaste. I drank about 3/4 of the bottle and had to pour the rest down the drain. I didn’t get sick, but it was not an enjoyable beverage for me to drink. I really wanted it to taste good just because I loved the retro holiday label which looked so cool. Can’t judge a book by it’s cover.
Drinkability: Most likely not.
Appearance: Brown to ruby brown in color
The Buds: Big aftertaste. Malty and Bitter.
TBR Cap Rating: 2.75 out of 5.
Tags: 2.75 Rating, 7.4% ABV, Aftertaste, Beer Label, Breckenridge Brewery, Christmas Ale, CO, Domestic, Graphics, Green, Holidays, Muddy Head, Retro, Seasonal, Winter Warmer
Posted in Breckenridge Brewery | No Comments »
Thursday, November 25th, 2010
Fill up the little red wagon full of Retro Red please.
The Brewski Report Reviews Fort Collins’ Retro Red Ale
File Date: 11.25.2010
File Name: Hun, Would You Please Pull The Tree Out Of The Closet?
The Beer: Retro Red
Type: American Amber/Red Ale
Serving: Bottle
Stats: 5.2% ABV
Brewer: Fort Collins Brewery
Web Site: www.fortcollinsbrewery.com
State/Country of Origin: CO, USA
Brewer Info: No relevant information about the brewery is noted.
Brewer Brand Hype: This banchee of a red ale is a looker and a taster. English crystal malts create a toasty, nutty flavor and medium body as Tettnang hops produce an assertive yet balanced hop presence. Retro Red is a treat for you taste-buds as well as your eyes.
Label: A Classic Red Ale. This banchee of a red ale is a looker and a taster. Take time to enjoy the confident hop character, rich malt profile and glowing ruby color. This red ale is a treat for your taste-buds as well as your eyes.
The Brewski Review: Hearty beverage. Dark ruby brown in color. Not much head at the pour. Nice malt flavor. Popped one open while pulling out the X-Mas tree on Thanksgiving day. Which, by the way, is not as much fun for me as it is for others I’m sure. I once saw a home showcased on a home improvement TV series that had a double door closet reserved just for the owners Christmas Tree. What at great idea I thought - if you have the room to spare. Decorate the tree once then just move it in and out of the closet once a year. Where’s the fun in that? Just think of all the extra beers you could be drinking if your spouse wasn’t nagging you about setting up the holiday decorations. Sure, you’d have a few outdoor lights to hang but there’s beer for that as well. I’m all about saving time and energy. Someday maybe I’ll have that double door Christmas Tree closet. A man can dream can’t he?
Drinkability: Sure. Would drink again.
Appearance: Dark ruby brown color.
The Buds: Nice hearty malt flavor.
TBR Cap Rating: 4.25 out of 5 caps.
Tags: 4.25 Rating, 5.2% ABV, American Amber, Christmas Tree, Christmas Tree Closet, CO, Decorating, Domestic, Double Door Closet, Fort Collins Brewery, Holiday Decorating, Home Improvement, Not A Fan, Red Ale, Thanksgiving Day, TV Series
Posted in Fort Collins Brewery, Holidays | No Comments »
Monday, October 4th, 2010
Blue Moon's Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale Seasonal Beer.
The Brewski Report Reviews Blue Moon’s Harvest Moon and
File Date: 10.4.2010
File Name: My Time Of Year
The Beer: Harvest Moon
Type: Pumpkin Ale
Serving: Bottle
Stats: 5.7% ABV
Brewer: Blue Moon Brewery/Coors Brewing Co.
Web Site: www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com
Country/State of Origin: CO, USA
Brewer Info: We started Blue Moon and began brewing our first beers back in 1995 at the Sandlot in Denver, Colorado. The goal was to create uniquely-flavored, highly-drinkable, handcrafted beers. (And, of course, have a little fun along the way.) Well, it didn’t take long to strike gold. One of our first creations, Belgian White, made an immediate splash at the World Beer Championships 3 years in a row. More than a decade later, word has started getting around. But otherwise, not much has changed. Still just a bunch of friends having making great beer. What’s not to love about that?
Brewer Brand Hype: Amber colored ale brewed with a bounty of fall flavors like vine-ripened pumpkin, allspice, cloves and nutmeg. Together with a touch of wheat Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale has a smooth, slightly spiced finish.
Label: This amber-colored, naturally flavored ale is brewed for the autumn & combines the flavor of vine-ripened pumpkin & spices with traditional crystal malt. With its clove, nutmeg and allspice flavors, this amber-colored ale is perfect for fall’s crisp, clear days. Serve this hearty brew with all of your autumn meals.
The Brewski Review: I’m blown away by how fast the year is moving. It’s been a tough year on my family and me. With all the sojourns I’ve been going on (which, by the way, are starting to thin out these last month or so) there is much catching up to do. Since it’s fall I’ve turned my immediate focus on the yard and getting the house ready for an ‘Ice Station Zebra’ type winter. Again I find myself wrapping a select group of trees with deer netting, building a larger wood crib and filling it up, raking leaves, covering my A/C condenser and putting the kids’ toys away. These are just a few of the tasks on my list. Believe me, there are several more. Perhaps one of my most favorite autumn pastimes though is building a fire and drinking some nice, tasty seasonal beer. Blue Moons Pumpkin Ale was a good beer but there didn’t seem to be as much spice as I’d like in my Pumpkin Ale. It definitely has it’s place on the shelf but I’d have to say that I’ll by trying other Pumpkin Ales before I crack open one of these again.
Drinkability: Definitely drinkable. Will try others before having this again.
Appearance: Amber colored with large head.
The Buds: Spicy and crisp. Low bitterness.
TBR Cap Rating: 3.75 out of 5.
Fall Harvest Moon Up Close And Personal.
Tags: 3.75 Rating, 5.7% ABV, Autumn, Blue Moon, Catching Up, CO, Coors Brewing Co., Deer, Domestic, Fall, Harvest Moon, Ice Station Zebra, Kids Toys, Outdoor Fire, Outdoor Tasks, Pumpkin Ale, Raking Leaves, Seasonal, Traveling, Winter, Winter Prep, Wood Crib, Yard Work
Posted in Beer Labels, Blue Moon, Coors Brewing Co. | No Comments »
Saturday, August 21st, 2010
The condensation on the bottle looks more flavorful than the contents.
The Brewski Report Reviews Coors Brewing’s Light Lager.
File Date: 8.21.10
File Name: Wife Discriminates: Makes Husband Do The Heavy Lifting.
The Beer: Coors Light
Type: Light Lager
Serving: Bottle
Stats: 4.2% ABV
Brewer: Coors Brewing Co. / MillerCoors
Web Site: www.coorslight.com
Country of Origin: CO, USA
Brewer Info: Adolph Coors Company was founded in 1873. Our principal subsidiary is Coors Brewing Company, the nation’s third-largest brewer. Throughout our history, Coors has provided consumers with high-quality malt-beverage products using the finest ingredients available. Coors Light is the the largest selling beer in the country. Coors maintains a long-standing commitment to equal opportunity in employment, promotion and purchasing. The company’s policy is to “recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, covered-veterans status, sexual orientation or national origin.” The Coors Golden brewery is the world’s larges on a single site. Free brewery tours are offered daily, except Sundays and holidays.
Inside this room, all of my dreams become realities, and some of my realities become dreams. - Willy Wonka (I'm sure for some that is.)
Brewer Brand Hype: Coors Light, the World’s Most Refreshing Beer, is the fourth best-selling beer in the U.S. Introduced in 1978, Coors Light has been a favorite in delivering the ultimate in cold refreshment for more than 25 years. Coors Light’s unique frost-brewing process locks in a taste as cold as the Rockies. The simple, silver-toned can caught people’s attention and the brew was nicknamed the “Silver Bullet” as sales climbed. Recent Coors Light innovations include the Cold Activated Bottle, Super Cold Draft, the Vented Wide Mouth Can with Frost Brew Liner and a Cold Activated Can.
Label: Nothing worth noting.
The Brewski Review: I was moving junk from my basement to the garage attic today in an effort to make more room in the basement for more junk. Circular isn’t it? We’re not big consumers which is a good thing. My wife and I don’t think we have much stuff but we tend not to throw much away. While performing this mundane task several times from our air conditioned house to a garage attic that was well over 100 degrees, I thought it was high time I pull open the fridge and treat myself to a cold beverage. Juice boxes. No. Water. No. Coors Light. Okay, I’ll try one. And, might I say, what a dissapointment it was. There wasn’t much ‘beer’ flavor but if you wanted to drink a lot of beer, this choice may rank up at the top. Very watery. Very blah. I can only think that Coors Brewery has been distracted lately and their attention has been turned away from brewing beer. Take a look at the ‘Brewer Info’ above: why would a company integrate their equal opportunity employment policy into their marketing strategy? PR issues? Do they have a discrimination lawsuits on the docket or what? Hopefully this was just a poor pick of venues to eagerly promote their HR policy. My feeling is that Coors should remove the wording. I wouldn’t think this is advancing Coors Light’s marketshare. But, I could be all wrong on this one. Perhaps Coors drinkers are very litigious individuals.
Drinkability: A guest left some at my house. It was free. Wouldn’t buy any myself.
Appearance: Pale golden color.
The Buds: Minimal taste. Watery. Session beer.
TBR Cap Rating: 2.5 caps out of 5.
Perhaps Atticus Finch is on the case.....
Tags: 100 Degrees, 4.2% ABV, Adolph Coors, Atticus Finch, Basement, CO, Consumers, Coors, Coors Brewing Co., Coors Light, Domestic, Employment Policy, Fridge, Garage, Garage Attic, Hot, Junk, Lawyer, Legal, Light Lager, Litigious, MillerCoors, Moving, Public Relations, To Kill A Mockingbird, Wife
Posted in Coors Brewing Co. | No Comments »
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
The Big Red One.
The Brewski Report Reviews Killians Irish Red
File Date: 7.29.2010
File Name: Sports Mans Bar Is The Ticket
The Beer: Killians Irish Red
Type: American Amber/Red Lager
Serving: Draft
Stats: 4.9% ABV
Brewer: Coors Brewery/MillerCoors
Web Site: www.georgekillians.com
Country of Origin: CO, USA
Brewer Info: [Lett's Brewery] was a Franciscan abbey, and then an iron works - which is where it got the Mill Park name. Then my great-grandfather took it over and established the Lett family brewery in 1864. “Let’s Drink Lett’s” was a well-known advertising slogan of its day. When Mill Park Brewery finally closed in 1956, it was the last remaining independent brewery in Ireland. Why the horse on the George Killian’s label? My family has always raised horses. Before automobiles, my family used horse and dray to deliver beer. My grandfather would drive his team around the county to slake the thirst of the stout men who worked the famed barley fields of Wexford. He said horses were better than cars, because a horse could always find it’s way back from the pubs to the brewery even if its driver no longer could. George Killian’s Irish Red is very much like the popular Ruby Ale originally brewed by my great-grandfather. Unlike Ruby Ale, George Killian’s Irish Red is brewed with lager yeast, which gives it a more crisp, clean finish. (Lett’s Brewery closed in 1956 and the name George Killian was purchased by the Pelforth Brewery in France. In 1989, Coors purchased the rights to the name ‘Killians Irish Red’ from the French brewery.)
Brewer Brand Hype: There’s an art to roasting barley: the darker the roast, the darker the beer. George Killian’s Irish Red owes it’s rich red color and flavor to the extra time and expertise it takes to make perfectly slow-roasted carmalized malt. Unlike some, we use nothing artificial to color our beer. Its exquisite ruby red hue is the true color of the malt. Surprisingly smooth. Distinctively malty. Clean. A little creamy. Flavorful, but not at all heavy. This is how drinkers characterize George Killians Irish Red.
Label: Got nothin’.
The Brewski Review: I was drinking this draft the other night in a ’sports’ bar. If I’ve never mentioned it before I’ll tell you that I’ve always wanted to own my own bar. But mine would be different. I’m not a sports fanatic so I started to think that it would be great to open a ’sportsmans’ or outdoorsmans bar. I’m talking about fly and ice fishing, black powder, bow and long rifle hunting, boating, trapping, big game, guided hunts, camping, hiking, traveling to exotic locations and the people who tamed them. I picture a low light atmosphere, old b&w photos on the walls, an exotic game menu, a bartender with a tie and jacket behind the bar and a few hottie waitresses who know what a .308 is and how to field dress a deer. I’d make the bar look like it’s been part of that location for 125 years. That would be different, cool and classy. Anyway, that’s what’ I would do. Like the idea? If you do it send me picture of your joint and I’ll post them. I could see serving a tasty beer like Killians in my place. I was actually expecting something a little heavier but it was surprised. Since Coors only purchased the rights to use the name Killians, I wonder how different Coors version is to the original Lett family recipe?
Drinkability: Surprisinly good.
Appearance: Reddish amber color.
The Buds: Not as heavy as I expected.
TBR Cap Rating: 4.0 caps out of 5.
Tags: 4.9% ABV, American Amber, B&W Photos, Beer Joint, Big Game, Black Powder, Boating, Bow Hunting, Camping, Classy, CO, Coors Brewery, Domestic, Draft, Exotic Game, Fanatic, Fly Fishing, George Killian, Hiking, Ice Fishing, Killians Irish Red, Long Rifle, Outdoorsmans, Red Lager, Sports Bar, Sportsman, Trapping
Posted in Coors Brewing Co. | No Comments »