My friend Laurie worked with me and she'd listen to me talk about beer a lot! One afternoon I was bragging about a barrel aged stout I bought and how great it was. She asked me what a stout was. As I described stout beer I thought "Styles" would be a great topic to blog about. What types of craft beers are there? So in my own way, I will try to explain some over the next several blogs.
Most of us grew up on Bud, Coors, Miller, Pabst Blue Ribbon and other 5% ABV (alcohol by volume) beer products. My parents drank Genesee Cream Ale from New York State. If you are trying to convince someone to try craft beer, it's good to know what they are familiar with to start. A majority of my female friends started out claiming they didn't like beer. Have a little patience. Don't start them or you out with IPA or Pale Ale. Go with low hopped beers. You can purchase beer by the 12 ounce bottle at most good beer stores so buy a six pack assortment. Even ask for help in selecting if you aren't sure what to get. Pour enough in your clear, clean glass for at least 4 good sips. Keep notes. Have fun.
In college, many years ago, I would drink just about any icy cold beer with my friends. But when I was home I really loved a darker beer called Spaten Doppelbock, This lightly hopped, malty. dark lager beer had a plastic goat around the neck. It is believed in ancient times that bock beer was brewed in the winter months under Capricorn, the sign of the goat. As a student, if I could afford to buy a case of it a semester, I would savor each bottle. All lager beers are fermented at cooler temperatures than ales. Lager means to store so the ancient brewer would store it, many times in a deep cellar or cave for months to let the yeast work it's magic. Some companies still do.There are so many different kinds of bock beers. Go to a site like Beeradvocate.com. You can read the reviews from other tasters and see the rankings.
After my college days, I seldom drank beer. But then I went with my husband Tim to Germany for a few weeks about ten years ago. We stayed in Homberg in a beautiful, old hotel across the street from a tavern. This was my first trip abroad and I was excited to see and try everything! We met up with Tim's friends from work and they started ordering food and beer. They brought me a lemony hefeweisen that they brew themselves. I'm not sure there were any other beers on tap because this was all I drank. Served in tall glasses at around 55 or so degrees, it was like nothing I had ever tasted. In the German language, weisen is the word for wheat. So it's a wheat beer with hefe. Hefe means yeast. Usually this beer is unfiltered so it's on the cloudy side. It has a medium body, is lightly hopped and although I'm not sure, this particular beer's lemon flavor may have come from the yeast.
While traveling, we always went to a brewery with a restaurant. This was my introduction to great beer! Although Germany has some amazing beers, you can find great ones all over the world!
Craft breweries are popping up in the USA and offer a vast range of choices and specialties. Support your local breweries by stopping by and trying a flight or a pint!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Low Country Libations Brew Club at Cooper River Brewery/Charleston, SC
This months Low Country Libation Brew Club met at the downtown Cooper River Brewery in Charleston.( See older blog for more info on this brewery) The main purpose of this organization is to teach and to learn how to brew excellent beer. I'm on the learning side most of the time. I know more than some but not as much as others. Our members bring small amounts of their beer to have it critiqued. We bring a tasting glass and we all have a sip of their offerings. Believe me, it's not always good. Sometimes it's flat and sometimes when you pop open the top, the foam flows out of the bottle like a volcano. There are some simple explanations for off flavors a lot of the time or lack of alcohol. Sometimes there are theories about how you may be able to make it better. But a lot of the time, the beer is really good. When you present the beer you brewed, you talk about how you made it. You will say whether it's an all grain recipe or you used an extract or you bought a kit. You describe the details involved in your brewing process and members ask you questions. The first time I talked about my beer, I was a nervous wreck. But they liked it and they were constructive on subsequent offerings. It keeps me coming back month after month. A select member usually gives a talk on a topic related to brewing so you learn a lot. It's also a non profit organization. We raise money for charities through raffles, dues and events so if you are in the area, let me know if you are interested in coming to a meeting as a home brewer. There are different brewing clubs all over the USA so find one and get brewing. It's so rewarding!
I would like to give a shout out to Mark Fesche, the Head Brew Master at Cooper River Brewing. He took us on a quick tour of his fine brewery He has four, fifteen barrel fermenters he keeps bubbling to bring you some really delicious Pale Ales, IPAs, Stouts and more. They broke out a cask while we were there featuring an Inaugural Pale Ale brewed with Simcoe and Citrus hops. Then he dry hopped it with whole leaf Chinook Hops. Stop by and try some!
Getting back to brew club, when I joined, there were no women attending meetings on a regular basis. Then in early 2015, Kristina Stoddard, a retired Naval Commander walked in with her husband Dan. This woman knows a thing or two about brewing. Like most of us, she started brewing with extracts. She made a notable fig beer at Christmastime I'd love to have the recipe for. She has brewed some really delicious and creative beers and she presents a new beer almost every time she attends the meetings. Then my friend Joy Munoz joined. She and I started playing with beer kits together. We love garage sales and we found some brewing equipment and a beer kit. We've come a long way!She recently brewed a really amazing Imperial Red IPA. It is a learning process but when you get it, it's the best feeling!
My newest" Woman Who Loves Beer" friend is a new member of our club, Sydney O'Brien who is a former Americorp volunteer who taught English at Burns Elementary. She recently brewed a saisson from an extract but loves a good hoppy IPA. She and her new husband Billy, a malty stout fan eloped in September and toasted their nuptials by going to Funky Furbinfest at Oakroad Brewery in Summerville, SC. They figured that was a good way to celebrate.She just started brewing because she said she's always liked different beers and got her husband to start trying them. They have also made wine and then decided to try brewing.Welcome to LCL Sydney and Billy!
I would like to give a shout out to Mark Fesche, the Head Brew Master at Cooper River Brewing. He took us on a quick tour of his fine brewery He has four, fifteen barrel fermenters he keeps bubbling to bring you some really delicious Pale Ales, IPAs, Stouts and more. They broke out a cask while we were there featuring an Inaugural Pale Ale brewed with Simcoe and Citrus hops. Then he dry hopped it with whole leaf Chinook Hops. Stop by and try some!
Getting back to brew club, when I joined, there were no women attending meetings on a regular basis. Then in early 2015, Kristina Stoddard, a retired Naval Commander walked in with her husband Dan. This woman knows a thing or two about brewing. Like most of us, she started brewing with extracts. She made a notable fig beer at Christmastime I'd love to have the recipe for. She has brewed some really delicious and creative beers and she presents a new beer almost every time she attends the meetings. Then my friend Joy Munoz joined. She and I started playing with beer kits together. We love garage sales and we found some brewing equipment and a beer kit. We've come a long way!She recently brewed a really amazing Imperial Red IPA. It is a learning process but when you get it, it's the best feeling!
My newest" Woman Who Loves Beer" friend is a new member of our club, Sydney O'Brien who is a former Americorp volunteer who taught English at Burns Elementary. She recently brewed a saisson from an extract but loves a good hoppy IPA. She and her new husband Billy, a malty stout fan eloped in September and toasted their nuptials by going to Funky Furbinfest at Oakroad Brewery in Summerville, SC. They figured that was a good way to celebrate.She just started brewing because she said she's always liked different beers and got her husband to start trying them. They have also made wine and then decided to try brewing.Welcome to LCL Sydney and Billy!
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Let's have a Beer Tasting!
We were at Craft Cafe, 8600 Dorchester Road in North Charleston for Second Friday Beer Club. They have an appetizing selection of 15 or so craft beers on tap. You can buy a sampler of four or eight 5 oz. pours or a pint if you wish. They do growler fills as well. They also have a diverse selection in bottles and cans including ciders. For non beer drinkers, they offer wine as an option. The food is good too. There are tables outside in case you bring your dog but they aren't allowed inside. Children are welcome but be sure to bring something to entertain them.
This blog is about tasting beer. How will you know what you like if you don't sample a few? Maybe you could go to Craft Cafe, The Beer Exchange or Total Wine and select 5 to 8 beers. There is always someone there who can help you make good choices. I love to look at the labels because I enjoy the art work. I have to admit that I will buy a beer just for that reason.
Invite a few friends over. If you have some bulbous wine glasses, use them. They will enhance the aroma and flavor of the beer. Make sure they're clean with no residue. Soap can really kill the foam and make your beer taste bitter. You don't need a special glass for each beer at this time.( I have two cupboards full of different types of glasses as well as some nice steins. It can be a habit forming collection).You can offer a pitcher of water to rinse the glass. You can offer crackers or pretzels for palate cleansing between tastings. Temperature plays a huge part in the flavor of the beer so again, ask your beer guru.
It's fun to print out a beer tasting chart for each guest. You can search the web or go to:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/beer-tasting-sheet-party-printout/
The first time I filled out a tasting chart, I had to look at everybody elses to see what they were writing. I kept hoping I wouldn't be called on to give my opinion. Every taster may have a totally different opinion on the beer. I frequently passed my beer on to somebody who seemed to be enjoying it more than me. Especially the IPAs which I'm now learning to like. So no pressure. Just enjoy!
The web is also a good place to figure out how a type of beer should look or taste. There is a ton of information out there!
When you pour your beer, pour it at an angle down the side of your glass to keep the beer from foaming up too much and then you can gradually straighten your glass so you have some foam (the Head) on top. Don't fill the glass. An inch or so in the glass is enough and no more than half is a perfect fill for your tasting. Some beers don't have much foam so don't worry. Some beers have too much foam so they will need to settle for a bit.
Hold the glass up to the light and notice the color. Is it clear or cloudy? Is it golden or amber or caramel colored? What color should this style of beer be? How carbonated is the beer? If you are drinking a beer that is carbonated in the bottle, you might have some residue in the bottom of the bottle. Try not to pour it in your glass but if you do, it won't hurt you. This has happened with some home brews I've made.
When you've made note of the color, swirl the beer in your glass. This will release the scent of the beer. Take a good sniff. Take several. As with wine tasting, this is called The Nose. Simply put, it's the smell of your drink. Does it smell fruity or spicy? Maybe you can pick up aromas of caramel or chocolate. Biscuits? Hmmm. Don't feel stupid.There is no wrong answer. It is your thoughts on your beer.
Now taste the beer. Let the beer flow around on your tongue. Let a little air into your mouth and really taste it. Is it dry? Is it malty? Can you taste banana, orange, grapefruit, chocolate, coffee...? Is it smooth, rich, creamy, acidic, sour, bitter...? Depending on the kind of beer you are drinking, you will note specific traits for that style. And finally swallow the beer. Is the finish long and lingering on your palate or does it have a short finish and what is the aftertaste? The point of all of this is to really enjoy the beer. I remember doing a tasting with my sister and we laughed at ourselves and each other as we attempted to figure each beer out. And a last note. We all have different tastes. That is why there are so many different beers being brewed. You are not wrong if you dislike a beer that has a lot of hoppy flavor. You are not wrong if you enjoy a wheat beer. One thing I know is by consistently tasting new beer, I have found myself more adventurous in my choices. So try it! You may be surprised.
This blog is about tasting beer. How will you know what you like if you don't sample a few? Maybe you could go to Craft Cafe, The Beer Exchange or Total Wine and select 5 to 8 beers. There is always someone there who can help you make good choices. I love to look at the labels because I enjoy the art work. I have to admit that I will buy a beer just for that reason.
Invite a few friends over. If you have some bulbous wine glasses, use them. They will enhance the aroma and flavor of the beer. Make sure they're clean with no residue. Soap can really kill the foam and make your beer taste bitter. You don't need a special glass for each beer at this time.( I have two cupboards full of different types of glasses as well as some nice steins. It can be a habit forming collection).You can offer a pitcher of water to rinse the glass. You can offer crackers or pretzels for palate cleansing between tastings. Temperature plays a huge part in the flavor of the beer so again, ask your beer guru.
It's fun to print out a beer tasting chart for each guest. You can search the web or go to:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/beer-tasting-sheet-party-printout/
The first time I filled out a tasting chart, I had to look at everybody elses to see what they were writing. I kept hoping I wouldn't be called on to give my opinion. Every taster may have a totally different opinion on the beer. I frequently passed my beer on to somebody who seemed to be enjoying it more than me. Especially the IPAs which I'm now learning to like. So no pressure. Just enjoy!
The web is also a good place to figure out how a type of beer should look or taste. There is a ton of information out there!
When you pour your beer, pour it at an angle down the side of your glass to keep the beer from foaming up too much and then you can gradually straighten your glass so you have some foam (the Head) on top. Don't fill the glass. An inch or so in the glass is enough and no more than half is a perfect fill for your tasting. Some beers don't have much foam so don't worry. Some beers have too much foam so they will need to settle for a bit.
Hold the glass up to the light and notice the color. Is it clear or cloudy? Is it golden or amber or caramel colored? What color should this style of beer be? How carbonated is the beer? If you are drinking a beer that is carbonated in the bottle, you might have some residue in the bottom of the bottle. Try not to pour it in your glass but if you do, it won't hurt you. This has happened with some home brews I've made.
When you've made note of the color, swirl the beer in your glass. This will release the scent of the beer. Take a good sniff. Take several. As with wine tasting, this is called The Nose. Simply put, it's the smell of your drink. Does it smell fruity or spicy? Maybe you can pick up aromas of caramel or chocolate. Biscuits? Hmmm. Don't feel stupid.There is no wrong answer. It is your thoughts on your beer.
Now taste the beer. Let the beer flow around on your tongue. Let a little air into your mouth and really taste it. Is it dry? Is it malty? Can you taste banana, orange, grapefruit, chocolate, coffee...? Is it smooth, rich, creamy, acidic, sour, bitter...? Depending on the kind of beer you are drinking, you will note specific traits for that style. And finally swallow the beer. Is the finish long and lingering on your palate or does it have a short finish and what is the aftertaste? The point of all of this is to really enjoy the beer. I remember doing a tasting with my sister and we laughed at ourselves and each other as we attempted to figure each beer out. And a last note. We all have different tastes. That is why there are so many different beers being brewed. You are not wrong if you dislike a beer that has a lot of hoppy flavor. You are not wrong if you enjoy a wheat beer. One thing I know is by consistently tasting new beer, I have found myself more adventurous in my choices. So try it! You may be surprised.
Monday, February 1, 2016
The 33rd Annual Lowcountry Oysterfest at Boone Hall in Mount Pleasant
Wow, what a great festival! And you don't really have to like Oysters. I love them but I still can't bring myself to swallow 50 oysters from a plastic cup for the Oyster Eating Contest. As soon as I would see someone gag, the contest would be over for me.
We did have some really great alternative offerings from noteworthy local restaurants like my sister April's favorite, Red's Ice House on Shem Creek with their Bacon Wrapped Scallops and Fried Oysters; my nephew Nick's favorite Sticky Fingers, a fantastic local BBQ joint where he can enjoy several sauces on his ribs and pulled pork, the best wings you have ever tasted in his opinion and noteworthy mac and cheese. Bay Street Biergarten, a favorite of mine has multiple table taps as well as a great variety of beers along the walls for sampling. You purchase so much on a beer card and then you can roam the restaurant tasting beer per ounce. Plus, the food is delicious! Win! Win!
One of the sponsors was Blue Point Brewing Company from Long Island. I met two women beer lovers; Grace who loves heffeweizens which are wheat beers and Amanda who enjoys a good West Coast IPA style brew.
We did have some really great alternative offerings from noteworthy local restaurants like my sister April's favorite, Red's Ice House on Shem Creek with their Bacon Wrapped Scallops and Fried Oysters; my nephew Nick's favorite Sticky Fingers, a fantastic local BBQ joint where he can enjoy several sauces on his ribs and pulled pork, the best wings you have ever tasted in his opinion and noteworthy mac and cheese. Bay Street Biergarten, a favorite of mine has multiple table taps as well as a great variety of beers along the walls for sampling. You purchase so much on a beer card and then you can roam the restaurant tasting beer per ounce. Plus, the food is delicious! Win! Win!
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| Anita enjoys a light pilsner. Patty also is more of a pilsner drinker. She does not like IPA's. |
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| Paula and Eileen love the food! |
Most importantly, the Oyster Festival is a huge charity event that has raised over a million dollars for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children, The Art Institute of Charleston and other educational and extremely worthy causes. I bought discount tickets on line so I saved about five bucks each. If you don't buy tickets ahead of time, you're looking at a long wait to get in. We brought oyster knives and towels but you can purchase them there too. Oysters are $12. a bucket for Chesapeake Bay Singles. They also had Local Otter Roasters for $14 bucks a bucket. Bring a chair!
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| Cheers all y'all! |
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| No Natz inventors (a natural bug repellent sold in Ace Hardwares) were enjoying the festival. Kay, raise your glass to no more bugs!!!! www.nonatz.com |
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| Joy loves a good IPA and she just brewed an awesomely delicious Imperial Red IPA which she will enter in the Colonial Cup Competition this spring. Good luck lady! |
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| Serving up Barleywine. Cheers! |
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| Loving life! |
One of the sponsors was Blue Point Brewing Company from Long Island. I met two women beer lovers; Grace who loves heffeweizens which are wheat beers and Amanda who enjoys a good West Coast IPA style brew.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
The Three Amigas at Holy City Brewing in Charleston, SC
I love my dentist but it sure is expensive to go. As I sat there, I found myself daydreaming about where to hang out after my 4 o'clock appointment. Many of the breweries are closed on Monday night and we wanted something to eat so we decided Holy City Brewing was a perfect destination for food and craft beer. An arctic blast was sweeping through Charleston with temperatures of 20 or below expected in the morning and we were happy to see the brewery had their extra propane heaters going.
I enjoy sitting at the bar as it gives me an opportunity to talk with people and I met three animated women sitting next to me.
Women Who Love Beer L to R:
Tine, a gorgeous red head, aspiring DJ and Charleston native recently returned from Chicago where she attended the Art Institute majoring in Art History and Marketing. They recently created the David Bowie Art Exhibit before she moved back to the low country. With 20 beers on tap, Tine is a Double IPA All Day kind of beer drinker. She loves Yeast Wrangler, also referred to as Beast Wrangler. Welcome home!
Carlin, wrapped up in a warm Aztec coat with a hood shows up at Holy City most Mondays with her friends for a craft. " A nitro beer is always my jam! Other than that, any IPA will do. Overly Friendly IPA is a Holy City IPA good for any time of the year." She says she also loves to ride her bike all over. Enjoy the ride. It is all about the journey.
Ashley, dressed in royal blue with the gorgeous long hair brought her best canine friend, a white lab mix with a curled tail named Ringo. And Ringo, beside himself every time another dog walked in was really sweet and well behaved. I love that this brewery welcomes dogs too. Ashley said she loves beer almost as much as Ringo. She was drinking a Pecan Dream. Dogs, a woman's best friend.
Holy City has a Barrel Aged Collision Stout 9.5% ABV on tap that is fantastic. I am partial to Barley wine so I also tried the Julbocken 9% ABV which was smooth and delicious. We bought a growler of All Up in Yo Porter 5.5% a lightly spiced new take on Pluff Mud Porter with jalapeno and a growler of Julbocken. Cheers to a great week friends!
I enjoy sitting at the bar as it gives me an opportunity to talk with people and I met three animated women sitting next to me.
Tine, a gorgeous red head, aspiring DJ and Charleston native recently returned from Chicago where she attended the Art Institute majoring in Art History and Marketing. They recently created the David Bowie Art Exhibit before she moved back to the low country. With 20 beers on tap, Tine is a Double IPA All Day kind of beer drinker. She loves Yeast Wrangler, also referred to as Beast Wrangler. Welcome home!
Carlin, wrapped up in a warm Aztec coat with a hood shows up at Holy City most Mondays with her friends for a craft. " A nitro beer is always my jam! Other than that, any IPA will do. Overly Friendly IPA is a Holy City IPA good for any time of the year." She says she also loves to ride her bike all over. Enjoy the ride. It is all about the journey.
Ashley, dressed in royal blue with the gorgeous long hair brought her best canine friend, a white lab mix with a curled tail named Ringo. And Ringo, beside himself every time another dog walked in was really sweet and well behaved. I love that this brewery welcomes dogs too. Ashley said she loves beer almost as much as Ringo. She was drinking a Pecan Dream. Dogs, a woman's best friend.
Holy City has a Barrel Aged Collision Stout 9.5% ABV on tap that is fantastic. I am partial to Barley wine so I also tried the Julbocken 9% ABV which was smooth and delicious. We bought a growler of All Up in Yo Porter 5.5% a lightly spiced new take on Pluff Mud Porter with jalapeno and a growler of Julbocken. Cheers to a great week friends!
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Charleston Girl's Pint Out Club For Women Who Enjoy a Pint or Two...
I have wanted to attend one of these events for quite a while. I finally met up with The Charleston Girl's Pint Out (Like their Facebook Page for information on their next meeting) at Tradesman Brewing Company in West Ashley. What a beautiful, friendly group. Lots of beer was sampled, friendships made and stories shared. We had a few who were new at drinking beer and asked the bartender or owner for guidance as they were selecting their samplers. Tradesman has a cherry sour and Brewster Series selection "Orange You Glad It's Chocolate" that found their way into the two growlers I brought.
Beautiful new friends! Excellent Beer! Fun evening! Thanks for having me.
Beautiful new friends! Excellent Beer! Fun evening! Thanks for having me.
Top Photo: Megan Harmon, Bethany Tallman, Taryn Gotham, Alex Binker,
Staci Dearing, Caitlyn McCrary, Emily LaPlante,
Second Photo: Monique O'Neill and Brewery Owner Sara Gayle McConnell
Bottom Photo: Bethany Tallman, GPO Leader Taryn Gotham, Alexa Binker and Staci Dearing
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Bold Rock Hard Cider Small time Apple Farmer Finds his Big Dream. Asheville, North Carolina
Bold Rock Hard Cider 72 School House Road Mills River/Asheville, NC 28759
During a recent visit to Raleigh Beer Garden, we had the privilege of meeting John and Robin Washburn from Bold Rock Cider. Small business owners John, an apple farmer and Robin an interior designer have put their minds together to create a beautiful cidery along with business partner Brian, a world renown award winning cider maker from New Zealand. They have earned over 60 awards. Their latest creation is an India Pale Ale Apple Beer.
Robin has designed the interior for the Bold Rock Cider Company. She used a 25' tall rock and a cherry mantel framed on each side by 2 antique apple wood ladders to create a fireplace in the original tasting location. As an animal lover, she recently rescued a parrot named Alfie who entertains guests.
John and Robin support various community organizations including an animal sanctuary, their Natural History Museum's Fundraiser Kite Festival where John announces the duck race like it's a horse race and donates the purse and they support several other local worthwhile causes.
Great couple. Can't wait to visit their new place in Raleigh as well as Asheville.
During a recent visit to Raleigh Beer Garden, we had the privilege of meeting John and Robin Washburn from Bold Rock Cider. Small business owners John, an apple farmer and Robin an interior designer have put their minds together to create a beautiful cidery along with business partner Brian, a world renown award winning cider maker from New Zealand. They have earned over 60 awards. Their latest creation is an India Pale Ale Apple Beer.
Robin has designed the interior for the Bold Rock Cider Company. She used a 25' tall rock and a cherry mantel framed on each side by 2 antique apple wood ladders to create a fireplace in the original tasting location. As an animal lover, she recently rescued a parrot named Alfie who entertains guests.
John and Robin support various community organizations including an animal sanctuary, their Natural History Museum's Fundraiser Kite Festival where John announces the duck race like it's a horse race and donates the purse and they support several other local worthwhile causes.
Great couple. Can't wait to visit their new place in Raleigh as well as Asheville.
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