Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale is, well, a hit! #craftbeer

According to the bottle, this is the Japanese take on India Pale Ale and it's not half bad.

As you can see, it's a rich burned orange color with a quickly thinning crop of foam. There's a very subtle fruit aroma here (kiwi/under ripe mango? [Coincidentally, I have a cold]; Rachel says grapefruit) that carries no ill will.

It's a very smooth drinker too. A not too sharp bitterness fades away into a strong caramel backbone and very crisp dryness on the sides and back on the tongue. Overall, a very nice beer.

8/10

P.S. the dimple mug (in the photo) I received this Christmas; it was one of my grandfather's mugs. Saludos, mi abuelo!

- Using BlogPress from my mobile

Well, I guess I'm on the nice list #craftbeer

Mere Christmas everybody!

- Using BlogPress from my mobile

What beer pairs with broccoli, fries, nuggets & salad?

I don't know what can stand up against that line up, but I'm glad I had Old Peculier on-hand. This is a lovely ale from England. Fresh brewed coffee brown in color, subtlety hopped, and a very rich malt back, this was a fine beer ripe with chewy caramel and a bready baked zip.

I'm gonna give this a firm 8/10. I like it a lot.

- Using BlogPress from my mobile

@duclawbrewing You have such Divine parties, you know...

Well, it took 4 stores, but I am happy to say that I will be partying down with 167 of my friends as part of the lucky few who scored a bottle of Divine Retribution: a 60/40 blend of Retribution & Colossus!

Merry Christmas to me!

Now who's coming over for a tasting?!?

- Using BlogPress from my mobile

Rodenbach Grand Cru, perfection captured

I am simply amazed by this. I have had a bottle of Rodenbach Grand Cru in the fridge now, for a few months, and tonight with our pork tenderloin turned pork barbecue, this ruby beer embraced the sweet of the sugars, the tang of the vinegar, and the richness of the meat. I could not have selected a better brew to pair.

That exquisite flavor bolsters this beer into my pantheon of the top ten beers I have the honor of drinking. I almost want to cry.

10/10

- Using BlogPress from my mobile

@NewBelgium One of the year's finest!

Don't be fooled, this isn't black, it's mahogany! And, 1554 by New Belgium Brewing us one of the absolute finest beers I have had the pleasure of drinking in 2011! I encourage everyone to seek out this rich chocolatey ale, where the flavors of dried dark fruits- plums, prunes, raisins & cranberry- really shine. The beer has a pleasantly dry malt finish and I believe it's a solid drink for cold nights.

8/10. No less.

- Using BlogPress from my mobile

@DuClawbrewing This is pretty badass!

As it turns out, a selection from our very own DuClaw was targeted by Forbes.com as their Craft Beer of the Day!

Sweet, sweet Devil's Milk for the win!

I'll have at least two more posts tomorrow, promise!

- Using BlogPress from my mobile