"Andygator", a Helles Doppelbock

This offering from Abita is now on my list of new favorite beers. Andygator is a Helles Doppelbock, weighing at a hefty 8.0% ABV , 25 IBU's and only available in the 650ML bottle. Golden Straw in color, brewed with pale malt, German lager yeast, and German Perle hops, Andygator is not your traditional Doppel. Munich brewers started brewing "Helles" in the 1890s in response to the rising popularity of the Pilsner style beers of the time. They also feared that they would loose sales to the pale beers being brewed in other countries. Helles beers are not hoppy in nature. This is because of the high levels of carbonates found in the water from Munich. Carbonates will cause a hoppy beer to taste excessively harsh and bitter. Unlike reviews I have read elsewhere, Andygator does have a distinct sweet malt taste, in additon to a subtle fruit aroma and a dry finish. Don't let the term Dopplebock throw you off, other then the malt characture and high ABV this beer should probably be catagorized as a Hellesbock, or "light bock". Andygator is a light sessionable beer, great for the summer time. If you can't find it in your area always ask you local retailer to bring it in if at all possible.

Arrogant Event in Lake Mary, Florida

Arrogant Bastard comes to Jax 5th Ave. Deli & Ale House. July the 16th and 30th from 4 pm until 8pm, Jax will host a beer event not to be missed. On both days they will offer the "Arrogant Survival Kit". For $20 you'll get a pint of the Bastard, a Commemorative Pint Glass and T-Shirt. Jax is located at 951 Greenwood Blvd Lake Mary, FL. A haven for us beer geeks, Jax has 60 draft handles and a bottle beer list that is second to none. Their food ranges from exotic ‎deli sandwiches to gourmet personal pizzas. The burgers are hearty and if ya' want wings, they've got those too. While you're there try the newest draft beer to go on line Blanche De Bruxelles a great unfiltered Witbier brewed with the natural spice aromas of coriander and bitter orange peels. So if you are in the Lake Mary, Florida area plan to come out for this great event!

Great book, Lousy picture

"Brewing Up A Business"
by Sam Calagione.
Find it. Buy it. Read it!

Summer's Here.....

...... and so are the beers! Be it early or late this is the time of year when craft brewery's start rolling out their version of a beer best paired with the HEAT. Now is the time when we trade in our 3 malt blends, high octane and hop on steroids beers for something more peaceful and simple. Hefe's, Light Lager's and Pilsner's. Refreshing and Crisp, that's our sure cure for the "dog days of summer". Everybody's got one, Sam Adams Summer Ale, Sierra Nevada Summerfest, Brooklyn Summer Ale, and Leinenkugle's Summer Shandy just to name a few. Lemon's, lime's, orange's, peach's and apricot's are the key ingredients in our quest to find something goes better with "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" than Land Shark. Sorry Jimmy! So today's selection is from our good friends at Harpoon Brewery. Okay so Boston, MA. might not be your first choice for a summer destination but their "Summer Beer"should be on your list of "must try's" if you are still looking for that elusive island of "Margaritaville". Harpoon "Summer Beer" is a Kolsch style ale. Kolsch style ales have the appearance and flavor that many people associate with lager beers. Kolsch beers are brewed with an ale yeast, but like other northern German light ales, they are straw gold in color and light bodied. The flavor is mild and the hopping levels are light. They provide a crisp, dry finish that make this beer particularly refreshing. So dig out that old hammock, dust off your vinyl copy of "A1A" and enjoy the beginning of summer with a Harpoon Summer Beer.

Nice Can's Baby!

Regardless of whether or not you have jumped on the "Retro-Beer Rebellion" bandwagon, nothing for nothing PBR is just a damn good beer! And this just goes to show that "Vanilla" can actually be tasty.

Take Pride In Your Vanilla Beer......

I was listening to a local talk radio show tonight and a caller was asked "What's your favorite beer?". With great pride the caller responded "Budweiser, Red Label". That got me to thinking (which is always dangerous), why would someone take pride in admitting that his favorite beer is one of the most common, unimaginative, mass-marketed products known to man? In addition he tried to add credibility to his statement by differentiating Bud from Bud Light by adding the "Red Label" part. Everyone knows there is only one "Red Label" and it's not made by Auggie Busch, its made by Johnnie Walker. But the real point I want to make here is that in a world filled with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey, Chubby Hubby, Dublin Mudslide, New York Super Fudge Chunk and Coffee Heath Bar Crunch this guy picked.... "Vanilla"... and not just "Vanilla", but "Vanilla" with pride. So it just goes to show that if you mass-market a product to "sheep" you can get the general public to believe that their favorite beer is... "Vanilla".

Grolsch, "At least it's good for something.."

Grolsch has finally come up with ad campaign the literally stops you in your tracks. "Excellence in brewing since 1615" is their motto, but it's the delivery part they need to work on.