Posted on

Where’s My Plane Ticket?

Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
Sour Passionfruit
American Sour Ale
Brewed with passionfruit
6.5% ABV
Charleston, SC
Brewing Director: Cameron Read

Hazy golden light orange with a small white head. Immediately breathing in a mix of passionfruit and bouquet of funky flowers flying all over. Well, tongue say hello to a salty citrus tangy blend, and next the passionfruit puree pops out. Ooh then some pineapple crush. It’s juicy and addictive and doesn’t back down. Bring on the summer heat because this refreshing can will keep you cool.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Love it! Makes everything more zippy and zingy.

Well, well, well…this may have me thinking of booking a ticket in the future to my home state. If this sour ale is anything like the rest of Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.’s brews then I’m all in. Also what a restaurant menu (they have a wood-fired brick oven and a Polish smokehouse)…there’s house cured 2 year speck (I ❤️ speck), homemade hotdogs, pizza (like: Peach & Ricotta with House-made cayenne salami, fresh basil & honey), and two of my favorite things in the world…PIMENTO CHEESE and BOILED PEANUTS! I’m starving right now and would love all of that ASAP. Oh and might as well, throw in a few cans of their Sour Sherbet. Yum!

@eobrewing @BeerBoutiqueNYC @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #sour #sourale #americansourale #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife  #passionfruit #Charleston #SC #eobrewing #fruitedsour

Posted on

Am I In The Back Of A Bakery?

Evil Twin Brewing
Cookies ’N Cream ’N Chocolate ’N Chili ’N Cookies
Imperial Pastry Stout
12% ABV
Queens, New York
Founder, owner, brewer: Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø

Super deep dark brown with tiny caramel head that quickly flees. Oof direct hit to the nose here of massive chocolate cookies and fresh baked brownies, chocolate croissants, brown sugar, and vanilla. This smells so good! Am I in the back of a bakery? First sip and wooooowheee! Full on dark and sweet chocolate, coffee, ice cream sandwich with extra cookies, and a pinch of spicy pepper that grows as you drink, but not too much. Just helps even everything out.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: I thought I would hate it but it’s fine. Brings out more deep chocolatey bursts.

Dang Evil Twin is always so darn good in any style beer they create. I grabbed this Imperial Pastry Stout when it was still blazing outside, but today is the perfect day for it on a lazy rainy weekend. Perfect sipping while I’m relaxing post a crazy week, and it has turned on the radio that lives in my head to a favorite Tom Waits (Ice Cream Man) and the memories that go with it.

@EvilTwinBrewing @BeerBoutiqueInc @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #imperialstout #imoerialpastrystout #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife  #jeppejarnitbjergsø #EvilTwinBrewing #tomwaits

 

 

 

Posted on

Follow That Cat!

Fat Orange Cat
Double Walkabout
Imperial Sour with Passionfruit, Orange, and Guava
8.7% ABV
North Haven, CT

Very thick/hazy orange and guava smoothie pour. Delightful exotic wafts of passion fruit, guava, orange, tiny squeeze of tangerine, and lemon/lime candy. Oh this is absolutely freaking delicious! Passion fruit, Valencia oranges, guava, and that lemon lime squish. This tastes like a perfect beach drink that on the other hand is really healthy and full of vitamin C, but you and I know that this “walkabout” can creep up on you and get you totally tipsy (ok maybe more than a little tipsy). And here’s the thing, I don’t care! I’m on a happy wander through the wild, just following that Fat Orange Cat wherever it leads me.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Pfffft, ack, ack, ack! Noooooo! That was worse than a hairball.

@fatorangecatbrewco @BeerBoutiqueInc @twelvepercentbeerproject @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits  #sour #imperialsour #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife #fatorangecat #hops #cats #catsofinstagram

 

 

 

Posted on

Welcome Confusion

Prairie Artisan Ales
Cocoa Berry Imperial Pastry Sour
Sour Ale with orange, lemon, lime, raspberry, blueberry, grapefruit, cacao nibs, and toasted marshmallow
7.9% ABV
McAlester, Oklahoma

Bright bubbly raspberry pour with a light pink head. Ok this keeps changing each sniff. There’s raspberries, blueberries, strawberries come flying right out and then all of a sudden hit with Cocoa Krispies marshmallow treats from childhood that have been toasted. First sip is lemon-lime-raspberry crush. It now tastes exactly what the label says (orange, lemon, lime, raspberry, blueberry, grapefruit, cacao nibs, and toasted marshmallow) and is really fun but also confusing at the same time but in a good way. It’s like a new unexpected gift with each sip.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Ack please no never ever ugh

This delicious sour ale has made a tune get stuck in my head. At least it’s an oldie but goodie classic (and still timely) or I would go insane. I had forgotten how good this song is! Love and Rockets – Ball Of Confusion.

@BeerBoutiqueinc @prairieales @cheezits #beer #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #worldbyglass #craftbeer #sourale #imperialpastrysour #ale #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #McAlester #Oklahoma #loveandrockets

Posted on

Long Dreamy Drinker

Timber Ales and Casa Agria collaboration
Lost Memories
Imperial Stout aged on coconut and almonds
12% ABV
North Haven, CT
Brewer: Jason Stein

Darkest black coffee with a small caramel head. Smells like several boxes of assorted Girl Scout cookies have been opened, and I want to go wild in them. There’s rich chocolate, toasted coconut, almonds, cinnamon, and shortbread (my fave cookie). Oh this baby is thick and dense. Tastes like all of the scents and tons more coconut. This is a long drinker, and is better than a slice of chocolate cake or shall I go so far as to say a 4 tiered flourless chocolate cake. Heavenly and devilish at the same time.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Ack! Blerg! NOPE!

Lost Memories is a perfect name for this beer, since it stirred all sorts of cookies from the deep depths of my brain. Cheers to Timber Ales and Casa Agria’s working together and blowing my mind on how good an Imperial Stout can be.

@timber_ales @BeerBoutiqueNYC @twelvepercentbeerproject @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #timberales #imperialstout #jasonstein #worldbyglass #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #northhaven #CT

Posted on

Put the Lime in the Coconut

Rare Form Brewing Company
Practically Magic
Coconut Lime Sour Ale
4.7% ABV
Troy, NY
Owners and founders: Kevin and Jen Mullen

Gold/green mix pour with a light white foam that fades to just the rim. Smells exactly like it says on the can, toasted coconuts and a limey squeeze. Taking a swig and that good ol’ song “Put the Lime in the Coconut” comes right to mind. There’s a citrus tingle but that coconut never leaves. Not really sour, in fact a bit sweet,  just darn refreshing and it tastes like I should be drinking this on a beach laying on a towel with the sun beating down. Hey can you pass the sunscreen?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Doesn’t change a thing. Actually pretty darn nice together and easy to bring along a bag to the beach.

As it says on the can, this beer was inspired by “Limonada de Coco” from Colombia. It hits the nail on the head. Reading about the brewery/taproom and love that they are such fans of Joy Division that they named one of their infamous NE IPAs “Troy Division”. Ok, that makes them cool in my book. Who wouldn’t want to sip great craft beer, eat pizza made from locally made sourdough and NY sourced flour, and spin some tunes from one of the best bands in history. This looks like an inviting relaxed place where you want to go because you know you’ll find at least a few of your friends at any time. Also want to give credit to Jen Mullen for all the cool branding and design work from cans, t-shirts, and their classic van. That is one fine ride.

@rareformbrewco @BeerBoutiqueNYC @cheezits #beer #sourale #ale #sour #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife #troy #NY #drinkny

Posted on

Brotherly Love

Nightmare Brewing Company
Sororicide
Imperial Stout with Honey Roasted Peanuts, Peanut Butter, Ecuadorian Cacao & Indian Vanilla
15.5 ABV
Brewed & Canned by Nightmare Brewing
North Haven, CT
Founder and Phantom Brewer: Billy Powell

Deep dark of night thick black coffee with a small brown head that runs away as fast as possible. Chocolate charges out of the can and up your nose during the pour along with coffee, creamy peanut butter, smoky burnt brownie edges, and a wiggle of vanilla. Oh man, first sip and second and then third and damn that’s good! Seriously! It’s like someone smashed chocolate peanut butter cups with brownies coated in espresso and then the vanilla hits you. Also a lick of the honey roasted peanuts. I’m in trouble now that this is 15.5%. Big trouble!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOOOOOOOOOO! I’d rather the Reaper come find me.

My last Nightmare was their “Colombian Necktie” back when they were still in search of new artists and Billy’s sketches were still being used. From this can alone, the open call really worked. Alexandros Pyromallis’s seriously intricate art rocks! Billy and his sister must have a very loving and mischievous camaraderie, for him to have her depicted doing what she loves (broadcasting on B95.5 FM  Albany from Poughkeepsie to Vermont.) and getting impaled by Death’s arm with a blood splattered garden gnome hanging out nearby. Just beautifully twisted. That being said, he did also create Matricide and Patricide brews for his parents. I guess you’ll know you’re truly and dearly loved by Billy if he dedicates beer and art to your potential demise.

@nightmarebrewingco @BeerBoutiqueNYC @inkrituals @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #imperialstout #stout  #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife #northhaven #ct

Posted on

A Graceful Collaboration of All Parts

Public Access (in collaboration with Root + Branch)
Grandeza
Gose style ale w/pineapple + dragonfruit
8% ABV
North Haven, CT
Brewers: Ramón Manrique Hung, Anthony Sorice, and Ryan Mauban

Looks like a watermelon/grapefruit cocktail with a small light pink head. Beautiful scents of pineapple, dragonfruit, grapefruit, and spring flowers. This just smells delightful! Now on to the taste and there’s a salty mix of pineapple, dragonfruit, papaya, mango, and watermelon jolly rancher at the end. This is perfect for a sunny day and would be great for slow cooking pork!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: doesn’t change a thing

Public Access and Root + Branch are currently both nomadic beer projects, but Root + Branch is working on building their own space in Copiague, NY. Public’s Ramón Manrique Hung has a true American Dream story. From Venezuela, he knew he wanted more and made his way to the US, worked his way from the bottom up in the beer/bar world, and is now a US citizen and a Certified Cicerone® (beer sommelier). It is true as cheesy as it sounds, that if you have a dream and determination you can make it happen. As for the guys from Root, Anthony Sorice went from home brewing to full on professional through stints with Three’s Brewing, Coney Island Brewing, and most recently head brewer at Long Island City Beer Project. And to think he went to college for European History…hmmm. Not to forget is his partner Ryan Mauban who is also a Certified Cicerone® who has worked for Michelin Star chefs, and in 2017’s Wine Enthusiast Magazine, he was one of the only beer professionals picked for their Top 40 Tastemakers Under 40. All three of these guys deserve accolades for how far they have come and how fab their creations are. Also have to give a nod Public Access’ graceful label art by Gizem Karatas (you can see more of her designs on their site). I’ve been trying to find a her site/portfolio, so if anyone can point me to it, I would love to view it. If the rest of it is anything like these labels, it’s going to be beautiful.

@BeerBoutiqueNYC @publicaccessliquids @rootandbranchbrewing @gzmkaratas @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits  #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife #northhaven #ct #gose #ale

Posted on

Gifting Part of Your Heart

Marlowe Artisanal Ales
Eager To Share
American Pale Ale
Citra and Mosaic hops
5.4% ABV
New Haven, CT
Brewer: Zac Ross

Hazy yellow/light gold pour with a white head. Crack and bam there’s those hops, citrus, tangerine, orange zest, grapefruit, and good light funk. Sipping all that citrus…tangerine, orange zest, grapefruit, lemon, and then also pineapple/pears which is a nice smooth combo. There’s also something like a slightly over baked croissant, and a little bitter end but that’s what makes it so good. This is an overall graceful pale ale, much like those seagulls haunting the label.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Bleh ick no

Marlowe Artisanal Ales is affectionately named in honor of Zac’s grandfather. I wish I knew more about his family story. From what I’ve found, their logo is his grandfather’s signature from a musical piece he made especially for Zac’s parents’ wedding. What a beautiful intimate present, composing for loved ones, it’s like gifting a part of your heart that will last forever. Also want to point out Kat Manning’s beautiful label. I know a lot of you are not always enamored with seagulls, but these float and dance effortlessly along with bits of citrus. Kat’s hand on this design is so elegant. Love it so much I just picked up one of her shirts. You can also check her out on IG @katmanning Cheers!

@marloweales @BeerBoutiqueInc @zacross @katmanning @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits  #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife #newhaven #ct #Citra #Mosaic #hops #AmericanPaleAle #ale

Posted on

A Beer For Any Hour

Fifth Hammer Brewing Co
Midnight Sauce
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
9% ABV
Long Island City, NY
Their first can conditioned beer (2020)
Co-founders: Chris Cuzme, Mary Izett, and David Scharfstein

Medium amber with a frothy creamy head. Welcoming scents of caramel, brown sugar cookies, hoppy, and toffee. Mmmmm delicious sips of Christmas comfort flavors, again caramel, toffee, dried Turkish figs, and a little black pepper. It’s rich and lively and has me craving shortbread cookies and bacon.

Pairs with Cheez-it’s: Meh, not really a good idea. Stick with the shortbread cookies.

Midnight Sauce is a really special ale that you can drink at any hour. Honestly, I first tasted it before 10am. Don’t look at me like that, it was just staring at me when I opened the fridge. I had a lot of writing ahead of me, and it was the breakfast of champions, and like I said before it goes well with bacon. BTW I noticed on Fifth Hammer’s FB page as of 3/18, those wonderful words so many wish to hear, THEY ARE HIRING! If you’re looking to join their brew and taproom crew, then get that resume ready. Life is opening up again, so drink local! There’s pick up, outdoor seating and now 50% indoor seating too! Oh it feels so good that my solitary glass may be rejoining others again for one big long cheer!

@fifthhammerbrewing @BeerBoutiqueInc @independentbeer @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits  #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife #midnightsauce #drinklocal