December 13 - Victory Harvest Ale

Harvesting of hops is much like Christmas for the brewer/brewery, or so I hear.  It's Christmas-time here and there's beer to be consumed.  I think it works together in blog tonight.  A small percentage of those fresh harvested hops are set aside for those brewers that create a seasonal Wet Hopped or Harvest Ale.  There's some science behind it that you can read more about here if you have the time, but basically the oils from the hop cone aren't dried out and put into pellets and contribute a ton of different flavors to the beer.

I'm not a scholar on hops, but I do enjoy my hoppy beers!  I just brewed my first IPA in 3 years and have some education to catch up on myself in hop additions, combinations, etc.  However, I did read through the cliff notes version above myself and got a new found education on the fresh/wet hop.  Full disclosure, I did read the article after tasting this beer tonight and it made more sense to me what I was actually tasting.  I'll give you my notes pre-education.  

So what beer are we talking about here?  Another local-ish brewer, Victory out of Downingtown, PA.  Since they're easier to get around these parts, I've enjoyed what they offer in their lineup, at least from what I've had so far.  If you're interested, towards the end of last year, I reviewed their Vital IPA, Tonight we're trying the 2016 version of their Harvest Ale.  Coming in at 6.5%, I expect this beer to pack a solid, yet quiet punch.  They're calling in their personal tasting notes for some "juicy fruit and tea."  We'll see about that.  

I assume it won't be this...

The pour was a definite clear amber/brown with a 1-finger head at the top.  The aroma was quite odd (remember, I know why NOW).  At first there was some pine, followed by bitter orange.  Then, there was grass and wet hay.  I even got a dank (wet/musty) and tobacco aromas here too.  There was a lot going on in the aroma, which at first, wasn't too pleasant. 

The beer tasted much better than it smelled.  There were also lots of flavors exploding on the palate, but this time in a good way.  There was an immediate caramel sweetness that took you to a citrusy-orange and tropical fruit flavor on the backside.  I assume it was the citra hops that were the only hops used in this wet-hopped brew.  Grapefruit and a slight peppery taste became more evident as I continued down to the bottom of my IPA glass.  The lingering bitterness was just enough to make me want some more.  Too bad I only purchased one bottle of this.  

Even before reading up on the wet hop/harvest ale styles, I did enjoy this beer for what it was.  After having a new found appreciation for what Victory did here, I stand by my rating for this evening!  Cheers!

A welcome surprise tonight! 4 out of 5!

December 12 - Weyerbacher Brewing Easton Brown and Down

We're hitting the almost-halfway point tonight, blogging day 12 out of 25.  Nothing too striking in the fridge tonight, but one particular beer called me for some strange reason.  Looking at the bottle label, I immediately I had a theme and knew how I would break out of the staleness that becomes this blog each year about this time.  So, with an attempt to get my swagger back and entertaining, you the reader...

Listen, if you've not seen the show, Eastbound and Down, you probably don't know who that was. It invoves some baseball and the aspirations of a former (fictional) MLB player, Kenny Powers, to get back to the show.  It's pretty lewd and crude, which is why you'll see just blank photos for the most part. While I do want to entertain, I don't want to offend.  Here's a general synopsis of what you missed in the HBO series (or not...) that lasted 4 seasons, ending in 2013:

Hope for a 5th season?  Don't hold your breath...

The best part is that shoe company K-Swiss actually took a chance on the fictional character in a marketing campaign back in 2011 and it paid off for them big time.  Not that you wear anything K-Swiss, but the idea was a pretty neat one, mainly because no real superstar would do any marketing for K-Swiss and they didn't have a ton of money to hire one.  So, they got Kenny instead.

This was as PG rated as it came.  If you aren't easily offended, check this link out.  It may turn you on to the show...or off completely.  Note - Not Safe For Work - Watch at your own risk! :)

So where was I?  Ah yes, beer.  Tonight is another repeat for a brewing company in Weyerbacher.  I tried their Sunday Mole Stout a few days ago and wasn't impressed, even though I've had some quality stuff from them before.  Tonight the inspiration came from Kenny and the beer is named Easton Brown and Down.  I didn't find anything online regarding the similarity of the name and logo to the HBO show, but if it's a concidence, it's a rather glaring one that I wouldn't believe for a second...you know, because Weyerbacher is located in Easton, PA.

I see what you did there...

.
The beer poured a reddish brown with a khaki colored head at the top.  The aroma was a roasted malt with slight chocolate notes along with a hint of nuttiness.  There were also some smaller hints of licorice, toffee, and vanilla as it warmed up gradually.

Warmer weather and a jet-ski...fitting!

This brown ale had a slight bitterness and smooth drinkability to it.  There are some nice roasted and malty chocolate flavors here too.  All in all, the beer finishes pretty dry instead of bitter or sweet.

The real reason I think this called me was because of our Elf on the Shelf.  This is his second appearance in the 25 Beers of Christmas blog.  This time, I SWEAR TO GOD I did not script this photo.  Well, I did put the beer and bottle in front of it, but Benny (the elf) set himself up with the lady on the back.  My daughter, by way of handwritten letter asked him to pick his favorite Barbie doll from her collection and he chose this one and found a jet-ski.  Alright, it's a snowmobile...work with me here!

Proof of the letter...since you didn't believe me

A drinkable brown ale and a solid 3.5 out of 5 tonight

Day 11 - Hijinx Brewing Company Barista's Choice

After checking my Blogger dashboard and seeing over 100 views on last night's post along, I have come to the following conclusion.  Last night, I feel that from a blogging standpoint, I feel I have peaked.  You know what that means...

I guess time will tell...stay tuned! 

Tonight, I decided against my crowler from Pizza Boy in lieu of a lighter stout that I didn't need to drink nearly 3 of to finish off after opening.  I have a feeling it'll stay fresh another few days.  

We're looking at beer #2 from Hijinx Brewing Company in Allentown tonight, a "richly flavored brown porter made with Honduran coffee."  I reviewed one of their IPAs a few days ago and was pleased with what I got.  I'm hoping the same tonight!

This beer poured a deep, nearly opaque brown color with some decent head on the top.  The aroma was sweet and malty, with roasted coffee and espresso with definite chocolate notes to boot.  Lots of flavor to be expected here. 

I wasn't let down.  There was a big, robust coffee flavor with this beer that was strong up front, but mellowed out towards the end, while still sticking around and lingering for a while.  I would be curious to see what would happen if a brewer (even these guys) took a coffee porter and heavily hopped it for that bitter coffee flavor the entire way through.  Maybe that would be too much?  

maybe...nevermind that last idea

Sorry for the quick review, but I have to rest up for the long week ahead of me.  Lots of quality reviews to come, based on the stockpile in the fridge and in the basement.  I may make some game time decisions coming up in the next few days!

3.5 out of 5 snowflakes - first significant snowfall of '16?

December 10 - Pizza Boy Spandex, Glitter and Egos IPA

Why did I open with this...Spandex, Glitter and Ego?  Richard Simmons came to mind first of course!!

Listen, it's been a long day.  My wife and I finished up some Christmas shopping in Hershey, followed up by a trip to Toys 'R Us in Mechanicsburg.  Where else would I want to have a beer, I mean lunch, than Al's of Hampden/Pizza Boy?  If you're in the area, heading South on I-81, make the stop here and try some beers on tap that you just can't get anywhere.  There aren't samplers available, but a lot of their beers you can get 8 ounce glasses of instead of a draft.  Be warned, the full draft is only a buck or so more.  Take a friend and share a glass (or 5) instead!

What other beer place have you been to that has their taplist on 42" screens and makes you order by number instead of name?  

I was hankering for some lunch while we were here so I got a good ol' turkey and cheese sub with 2 of their 8 ounce beer selections.  I decided to grab 2 IPAs since's that's my thing.  

It's kinda my thing, you know?

I got a #38 and a #67.  #38 was called LegenDairy - Peaches.  It is an IPA that was dubbed a milk sugar IPA.  I'm assuming that some lactose was added in here to sweeten things up a bit.  A new style to me.  There was an awesome peach aroma to the beer along some with fruity hop bitterness.  #67 was also had, and also put into a crowler.  

#67 on the left and #38 on the right.  Any, my turkey sub on the far right.  Nevermind Daryl Dixon and his jacket in the background here.  Look at that taplist!!!!!

I've mentioned crowler's before, but think, canned growler.  If that still doesn't make sense, get educated on the crowler here, by the folks at Oskar Blues.  The folks at Al's are one of the only local place I'm aware of that will can the draft beer for you.  Troegs in Hershey is the only other one I'm aware of, locally.  Good thing too because I forgot my good friend's advice on keeping an emergency growler in the car at all times.  Otherwise, I'd have no beer to speak of tonight.

Yeah, you're right...definitely exaggerated that statement.  There's plenty of beer in this house.

Anyway, I decided to scoop up a to-go can of #67 and another Pizza Boy staple, Sunny Side Up (#47 today).  I'll be enjoying that tomorrow with the impending winter storm.  Maybe I'll even write about it.  

1-3 inches...more like a dusting of nothingness...but we need milk anyway

I just realized that I never even told you the name of this beer, #67.  Well, you won't believe me, so I took a screenshot of their webpage.  It's called Spandex, Glitter, and Egos.

see...true story...

A Pennsylvania IPA (not sure what that is honestly...), this beer is a 6% juicy and fruity piece of hop holiness.  It poured a hazy golden color with a thick head that left some amazing lacing the entire way down the glass 2 and a half times over.  Remember, 32 ounces is more than 2 beers, but less than 3.  

The aroma was that of a can of tropical fruit.  There was some peach, cherry and banana that I got along with some slightly earthy and pine notes.  The beer itself was like drinking some pineapple juice that left a mild, yet lingering bitterness.  The beer wrapped up with a citrus tang that balanced things out perfectly.  I didn't need a label to pick a beer tonight.  The name did that for me.  Oh, Al, if you read this, can you please comment below on how the hell you came up with this name?  I'd love to hear the story! 

I'm going 4.5 out of 5 tonight for this juicy PA IPA!  Cheers!

I know..."you stay til' the job's done." Don't worry Mickey, I finished the crowler off...
Never watched the movie Snatch?  You need to! Take my word for it!

December 9 - Dogfish Head Higher Math

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Today my wife and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, so what better way to celebrate than to open a bottle that both of us wanted to try last year!  

...this was a survivor from last year.  My cellaring doesn't usually last too long, let alone a year.

Tonight from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, is their special release from 2015, called Higher Math.  This was a release to celebrate their 20th year in business (I guess it's 21 now).  Coming in at a hefty 17% ABV, this is something I needed to share and sip at the same time after dinner tonight.

Some of my friends who had this last year, fresh off the bottling line, mentioned that it tasted like chocolate and cherry flavored cough syrup.  Needless to say, I was OK with letting it age for a while.  I'm hoping that a year will be enough time to let things like that die down for a little bit.  Straight from the DFH site, their tasting notes appear simple enough:

The color and pour are spot on along with a lack of a head on this beer.  The aroma was that of a boozy cherry and sweet, thick caramel.  The aroma is very heavy, almost syrup-like.  I'm not sure how that's possible, but take my word for it.  A lot about this beer resembles their Raison D'Etre, which is made with raisins.  I get a lot of qualities from that beer here as well.  You could convince me there are some plum aromas here as well.  Those fruity esters got it all!

well...maybe just the pineapple...definitely not a pen...

The flavor and mouthfeel are spot on from above as well.  I really have nothing to add to their notes for that.  This is a chocolate-cherry cordial type of beverage, just at a lighter ABV (relative to a normal cordial).  The warming qualities are just right for this cold, winter night.  

His and hers glasses tonight!  A solid 3.5/5 for this special night!

December 8 - Breckenridge Nitro Vanilla Porter

Look at that beautiful yeast in the background...and the Christmas cup I tried to dress the photo up with!

Tonight was my first experience attempting to harvest yeast from a batch of homebrew.  I'm hoping to save some cash (even just a little) and use a pretty kickin' yeast strain again in the future for free.  I'm getting it after transferring my homebrewed IPA to my secondary carboy to condition and clarify.  

The YouTube how-to video I watched recommended to have a beer while I waited for things to settle out before capping the 2 mason jars of sludgy goodness.  Well, if you say so!

Tonight we are trying for the first time on nitrogen Breckridge Brewery's Nitrogen Vanilla Porter.  The regular version of this beer is a pretty decent choice for this time of year if you've never had it.  I first had it a few years back in their 12-pack sampler along with some other staples from this brewery.  Last year, around this time, these guys were bought out by Anheuser-Busch InBev, who has made a push in recent months to acquire a few craft beer companies.  Some folks shy away from anything the beer conglomerate owns, but I say, if they made good beer before, hopefully they'll do the same afterwards.  I'll keep drinking them until the QC goes downhill.

You can do the science on your own, but with a few canned beers like Guinness, for example, there is a widget added to release some nitrogen which makes for a creamier and smoother beer experience. 

Pretty quick synopsis here before I get back to yeast harvesting...ahem...

The beer poured a light, mahogany brown color with lots of clarity and a creamy head on the top.  The aroma was full of roasted malt, vanilla, and some hints of coffee while the flavor was pretty much the same.  The nitrogen made this for a really smooth, enjoyable beer tonight.  Having the original version before, I knew that this would definitely be a safe choice and a middle of the road choice for tonight since I have other stuff to focus on.  

A solid 3 out of 5 tonight!

Sometime the nitrogen messes with the flavor of the original beer, but not here tonight!  This went down pretty quick tonight at 5.4% ABV.  I may need another!

Cheers!!! :)

December 7th - Abita Christmas Ale

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for your first of 3 installments of Winter Warmer Wednesday!  Each year I've made it a point to reserve a Wednesday blog review for a Winter themed beer.  Sometimes they're the winter warmer style, sometimes they're just Christmas beers.  Tonight, it's the latter.

Each installment in the last 3 years has either been a hit or a miss.  Lancaster Brewing's Winter Warmer Ale was probably my most memorable and enjoyable.  Unfortunately I haven't seen it since.  

If you see this, let me know!

From Abita Brewing Company in Louisiana we have their Christmas Ale.  According to label and other information I've found, they change the recipe each year for this seasonal beer.  Not sure what to expect here, so let's get down to business!

The pour was a cross between a caramel and mahogany color with a decently thick tannish head.  I, for no good reason, decided to put this in my Troegs splinter glass.  Definitely not proper glassware for the style, but I'm sure it doesn't make much of a difference!

The aroma was a burnt malty caramel, which was actually pleasant and not off-putting.  There were also some citrus and pine notes from what I assume were the aroma hops.  This beer was definitely more hoppy than it was sweet and malty.  Don't get me wrong, there was a sweet malty caramel on the front side of the taste, but it followed up pretty quickly with a bitter pine and spruce on the back side of the beer.

If you like hoppy beers that is...

I guess they were thinking about drinking a Christmas tree or something along those lines here, because the aroma didn't really match up with the taste of this beer.  All things considered, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't really good either.  With most Christmas holiday seasonal beers having some spices mixed with some level of sweet malt, this particular brew didn't stay true to style.  However, if they were going for drinking a Christmas tree with sweet sap and pine needles, it was spot on! 

Now that's more like it!

3 out of 5 for this hopped up Christmas beer tonight!