-
Why do I drink craft beer?
This is a comment that happens way too often. “Why do you drink that frou-frou stuff? Why can’t you drink normal beer?” Well, because I don’t like the taste of corn in my beer for a start. Historically beer contained 3 ingredients: water, malt, hops. It was very simple, and naturally fermented. Now we add…
-
Brewery tour: Back40 in Gadsden
Where: Back Forty Beer C0, 200 North 6th Street, Gadsden, AL, (256) 467-4912. How to find them: if your GPS gets confused like mine did, head to Blackstone Pub and Eatery on Broad Street, turn right onto 6th St and as you head towards the train tracks you will see Back Forty right in front of…
-
Curry and beer
Although many people find it strange to pair anything other than a traditional lager/pilsner with a curry, there are many different options available to the more adventurous. Just remember: making the wrong choice won’t lead to disaster! (They lead to a subpar pairing, which is just as bad.) If you get the pairing wrong, just…
-
Straight to Ale Intimidator Doppelbock
9% ABV Poured from: bomber Appearance: cloudy brown with deep ruby highlights, thin effervescent head. A very attractive pour. Aroma: A light sweetness underlies a gentle hop aroma. It wouldn’t surprise me if STA used Noble Hops in their recipe, as it has some of the dark, almost earthy/grassy aromatics associated with Noble Hops like…
-
Video review: Beer Engineers Peanut Butter Porter
Video review of BE Peanut Butter Porter Changing things up a bit by doing a thoroughly irreverent video review with my buddy Joseph Baker wherein we touch on a little of the BS that breweries go through to get their beer onto the shelves. In post-review conversation we kicked around food pairings and decided that…
-
Straight To Ale Laika Imperial Stout
Straight To Ale Laika Imperial Stout 9.75% ABV Poured from: bomber Appearance: jet black. Motor oil and used molasses. Thin off-brown head. Occasional sound of photons dying in agony as they hit the surface of the beer. Smell: very complex. Coffee, almonds?, caramel? savory nuts? It smells absolutely divine! Taste: starts with almond/nut? Coffee, sweetness,…
-
Patriot Joe’s Ale
Currently Alabama has only one brewpub. This should change rapidly in coming years, but being the only one at present has put Patriot Joe’s into the spotlight. Introduction Heroes Grill – the restaurant that houses PJ’s – is a rather normal looking roadhouse restaurant. Their menu is well thought-out to meet the needs of their…
-
Breweries making a difference
Avondale Brewing, in Birmingham, has already transformed its neighborhood. First they converted an old firehouse to become their brewery and taproom, and then they offered 6 months of free rent to a local business which would both complement and augment the local area, with the aim of recreating a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. No longer an abandoned,…
-
Beer float
I thoroughly enjoy making people feel confused about beer. There are so many preconceptions about beer caused by the advertising for mass brands that saying two words – “beer float?” – makes people come to a shuddering halt. بيت 365 Their confusion comes from the concept of adding ice cream to a mass lager. That…