American Beer.
We love it. We seek it. And, at times, we even hide it.
Yes, there are 50 listed on my menu at COBBLESTONES!
Beer fanatics abound and creativity knows no bounds.
But as ludicrous as the beer market has become, we CANNOT STOP! Heads up..below!
Flavored Ales have been around for a spell. In Spring and Summer it’s been all about the raspberry wheats of late. And blueberry of course. Pumpkin and spice has been all the rage in Fall and Winter. What we have found with flavored ales is a wide disparity of flavor, and opinion. Not surprisingly, the masses fall in line for the mass marketed options, by brewers like Harpoon and Sam Adams. (We get it. We support those guys too) But, there is some really (really) good, and obscure stuff available out there. Three cheers to the little guy!
Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Southern Tier Brewery, Lakewood NY (22oz, ABV 8.6%)
Pumking is an ode to Púca, a creature of Celtic folklore, who is both feared and respected by those who believe in it. Púca is said to waylay travelers throughout the night, tossing them on its back, and providing them the ride of their lives, from which they return forever changed! Brewed in the spirit of All Hallows Eve, a time of year when spirits can make contact with the physical world and when magic is most potent. Spicy aromas, deep copper color, with flavors of sweet butter, graham cracker, nutmeg, vanilla cookie.
Bewitch your taste buds with pagan spirit! Alcohol content “sneaks up on you”.
STATUS; NOW AVAILABLE.
The Bourbon Barrel Aged craze. Bourbon is delicious. And bourbon barrels, once used, are no longer good for further bourbon production (“against the rules”) Yet the oak barrel wood remains full of tasty. The scotch producers of Scotland know the secrets of infusing bourbon flavoring. As do the wine producers of Spain. And others. Why not beer!? Are you kidding me!
Curieux, Bourbon Barrel Strong Ale, Allagash, Portland ME (750ml, ABV 11%)
The very first in bourbon barrel aged beer, Allagash takes their award winning Tripel Ale and ages it for (8) weeks in Jim Beam barrels, their cold cellars, before re blending it back into batches of the Tripel. The result is dark golden in color, with a sweet nose, no hops, with hints of coconut, vanilla and bourbon. Served in a wine cooler, this is a bottle to be shared with someone else that has your incredible spirit, class and fine palate!
STATUS; This hidden treasure is NOT listed on the menu. You will have to request it special.
YOU are one of the cool people.
100 Barrel series The 100 barrel series was a great concept by Harpoon, whether as a brewing strategy or a marketing strategy, no matter which. Though they now brew more than 100 barrels at a time and I imagine we are no longer part of an “exclusive” group of vendors with the rights to carry this nearly rare brew, we carry it nonetheless, and change with Harpoon as Harpoon changes with the season.
Docesna, Czech Harvest Ale, Harpoon, Boston MA (ABV 6.1%)
The Doèesná hop festival celebrates the harvest of hops grown in the area surrounding the Bohemian city of Zatec. The area has a history as one of the world’s eminent hop regions. This wet hopped ale is chestnut colored with a clean, slightly bitter but smooth finish. Medium body, well balanced , it is something between an American Pale Ale and an Amber with slightly roasted, brown sugar and grassy notes.
STATUS; TAPPED!
Our favorite leftovers and limited releases…
Wilco, Tango, Foxtrot Recovery Ale (WTF), Lagunitas, Petaluma CA (ABV 7.8%)
One answer to joblessness from our favorite freaks at Lagunitas! A big, rich, reddish-brown robust, malty, hoppy, chocolatey and dangerous delight!
STATUS; You need to know someone (Like, maybe, the owner…he knows who has the key…)
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