Beer Examiner

A Joint Adventure: New Belgium Brewing and Elysian come together

News was released today announcing that the New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado) and the Elysian Brewing Company (Seattle, Washington) will work together to brew their distinctive beers at each other’s breweries. They report, “By coming together, New Belgium and Elysian have the ability to increase efficiency, encourage creative experimentation, and take a bold collaborative step into the future of American craft brewing. Described as an artisanal collaboration, New Belgium and Elysian have agreed to let their brewing teams use each others brewhouses while remaining independent enterprises. 

A few words about the beers of Elysian: Mainstays: The Immortal IPA, The Wise ESB, Dragonstooth Stout and Avatar Jasmine IPA. A few small-batch specialty beers from Elysian’s three breweries: Arboreal Chestnut Brown Ale, Saison Poivre, and Yuzu’s Golden Ale, as well as the ever-changing array of pumpkin beers for its annual Great Pumpkin Festival.

Seven year-round beers from New Belgium:  Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases.

Topics: Beer Business , craft brewers

Mutant hop cone head gives birth to Asian mouse chili pepper. Seasonal beer implant recipient.

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Topics: Homebrewing , Ingredients

Beer Style: Pale Ale. Now an American beer classic.

Of the hundreds of craft brewed beer styles available in the United States, pale ale is certainly the most ubiquitous.   The style has its roots in the ale houses of old England.  At a time when malt was inconsistently hand kilned over... Read More
Topics: Beer styles

Surviving beer festivals. Responsible enjoyment and seizing the moment.

There is a long history of autumnal beer fests and September and October are known as the beer festival season.   It’s a time for celebrating the harvest, the new fortified beers for the coming winter and having those final outdoor flings... Read More
Topics: Events

MillerCoors getting crafty?

My hat is off to the brewers who are making beer at the MillerCoors microbrewery in Golden, Colorado called AC Golden Brewing Company.   The Rocky Mountain News recently wrote about their endeavor "The art of crafting fine beer:  Tiny... Read More
Topics: Beer Business , Breweries

What beer might John McCain drink during the RNC?

John McCain and beer?  What will he be drinking, if beer at all?  The answer is a no brainer.  Budweiser of course.  His wife owns one of the biggest Budweiser distributorships in the country.   It makes business sense... Read More
Topics: craft beer , craft brewers , RNC

Last minute updates on local beers for the RNC in the Twin City area.

It’s worth taking note that the word “Republican” has the word “publican” embedded in it.  There’s no excuse for slacking off beer enjoyment during the Republican National Convention – there’s plenty... Read More
Topics: craft beer , craft brewers , RNC

Where’s the beer? New York Times can’t find a good party during DNC Denver.

I couldn’t help notice the headline on yesterday’s New York Times Thursday’s Styles front page E1, “At 5,280 Feet, the Party Atmosphere Is Thin.”  In the story it speculates reasons why people aren’t partying... Read More
Topics: Events

How to evaluate beer. Tasting beer with a purpose.

I’ve lived my life evaluating beer and often work late.  There are lots of reasons why I assess beer’s personality when having a beer.  pay attention when I’m taste beer with a purpose.  I want to share with you a few... Read More
Topics: Evaluation , Culture

Cape Cod escapade. Beer in the USA.

Visiting with the Cape Cod Lager and Ale Makers (CCLAMS) Homebrewers Club at the Cape Cod Brewery this past weekend, uncovered a few beer gems.          I’ve always respected any brewery that is able to make a... Read More
Topics: Homebrewing , craft beer , craft brewers , Events