Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club, Author at Craft Beer Blog from The Beer of the Month Club

Wekken Sour for Sour Beer Day 2015!

September 13, 2015 by Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

On this second Sunday of September in spirit of Sour Beer day we find ourselves enjoying a Brewmaster’s Collaboration. Left Hand Brewing Co. has graced us with their Wekken Sour, a unique blend of their Wake Up Dead Imperial Stout and De Proef’s Zoetzuur.

This 8.9% ABV pours nearly black and coffee-ground like with a rich cream colored foam head that clings to your glass.

On the first whiff, you are immediately hit by the tart flavors which are then followed up with notes of figs, chocholate covered cherries, and a woody, earthy scent.

Unlike the aroma, the flavor is much more nuanced and complex. As it hits your tongue, you get a sudden rush of tang that quickly passes and is overcome by the richness of roasted malts, leading to a smoother flavor reminiscent of cacao nibs as it washes down just in time for the herbal hop notes to come through and tie everything together beautifully with a dry crisp finish.

Although this beer is perhaps not the best choice for the weather at hand, it was a solid beer that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking to venture into the realm of sour beers.

Salud!
David

Decoration Day

May 21, 2015 by Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and there’s plenty to do with family & friends. You could of course do the traditional beach and BBQ thing, but there are just too many great beer festivals going down this weekend to ignore. We’ve picked out a couple of our favorites and just wanted to highlight them in case you’re interested.

In just 2 days you’ll have the opportunity to taste over 200 brews at one of the largest and oldest regional beer festivals in California bringing in over 4,000 attendees every year, The California Festival of Beers. Based in San Luis Obispo, you’ll get to sample brews from over 6 dozen breweries all around the world. Accompanied with cuisines from local chefs, live music & entertainment, you just can’t go wrong here. Be sure to get your tickets soon though because this event draws a big crowd, selling out every year!

For some of us however, 2 days is just not enough to enjoy all the fun. If you happen to be that someone looking to still partake in all the pleasures a beer fest can bring about but still want to take it at your own pace, then the Albuquerque Beer Week is for you. This ten day series of events in Albuquerque, NM will feature breweries from all around the world including some breweries featured in our Club such as Deschutes Brewery, Weihenstephaner, Odell Brewing Co., and much more! For foodies and beer lovers alike, this week long event has just about something for everyone.

For more beer festivals, be sure to check out our Upcoming Beer Festivals page which is updated monthly!

Have fun out there, be safe, and have a wonderful Memorial(Decoration) Day weekend!

Cheers!
Shelton

HAPPY Birthday Michael Jackson!

March 27, 2015 by Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

And no, not that one. I’m talking about the The Beer Hunter and founder our Rare Beer Club! Michael James Jackson (27 March 1942 – 30 August 2007) was a beer journalist and critic, traveled the world discovering different beer cultures and his work was influential in the popularization of the brewing culture in the US. The modern concept of beer style is largely based on his work in the 1977 book The World Guide To Beer in which he categorized beers from around the world into style groups according to local customs and names. He also hosted a television series aptly titled the Beer Hunter in around the 1990’s. His awards and accolades are countless in the beer industry and we are honored to continue his pursuit of beer.

Salud!
David

They Are Women, Hear Them Roar

March 8, 2015 by Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

Equality for women in the work force is stronger than ever, but don’t tell that to the beer industry which has been male dominated for hundreds of years and remains so today. However, things are changing fast and by the hand of the minority. In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8th, the non-profit organization Pink Boots Society will be throwing their second annual International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD) with over 80 participants from 11 different countries. This year’s style to be mastered – Unite Red Ale. Following the event, over 80 versions of the beer will be released so that fans and supporters around the world can not only try the brew, but join in the cause of supporting women in the beer industry.

To that my friends, I say Cheers!
Shelton

Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin

January 26, 2015 by Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

I first ran into this beer at a liquor store in San Diego while visiting my brother for the day. I was instantly filled with excitement and joy, being that I am a huge Sculpin fan already, and love me some grapefruit. I couldn’t wait to get this beer home and give it a try. However, I wondered how Ballast Point could improve on Sculpin’s already unique flavor. I’ve always followed the motto, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” but, in this case, it works. The tart freshness of grapefruit perfectly complements the IPA’s citrusy hop character. It pours a brilliantly clear, golden, honey color with a large layer of perfectly white foam, which quickly fades to a very thin layer with good cling. It draws in a strong aroma of citrusy fruit, mostly grapefruit, go figure, with the apricot, peach, mango & lemon I’ve grown to enjoy with the original Sculpin. There is a light pine scent with floral hints and subtle alcohol. Taste is very fruity and very citrusy. Grapefruit is unmistakable, mostly in the backend, which is surprisingly crisp. This finishes clean, dry-bitter with pine notes and lingering citrus flavor. The balance between pine and citrus has been tilted way to the favor of the citrus, which is not a bad thing in this case. Grapefruit is known as a winter fruit, but this easy-drinking ale tastes like summer. Overall, a great IPA.

Salud!
Jason

Dia de Los Muertos with Los Vivos y Los Muertos

November 2, 2014 by Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

Hello friends! It’s Dia de Los Muertos – Day of the Dead – a holiday in which my family and I celebrate to remember those who have departed. It may sound a bit odd to some but while sorrow definitely accompanies this sad reality of life, today we celebrate the lives of our deceased with activities they enjoyed, such as, parties, food, and of course, drink.

I can’t think of a better brew to pop open than the appropriately named, Los Vivos y Los Muertos from our friends at Jolly Pumpkin. This beauty was especially brewed for us last year and I’ve been saving this bottle just for this occasion. What are you brew are drinking today?

Salud!
David

He That Seeketh, Findeth

October 25, 2014 by Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

I went into this looking for a tasty beer that I haven’t had before and appropriate for the season. As I made my way through the isles perusing for the one… This beauty caught my eye, and if you know me you know I had to stop as soon as I saw the word SOUR. Not only that but it was surrounded by “dry-hopped” and “grapes.” Game. Over.

I bring you, Atomic Kangarue, a collaborative creation from two of my favorite breweries, The Bruery and Smog City Brewing. I must admit it was the name that first drew me in but the description sold me on it. The name must come from the two varietals used to make this wonderfully complex beauty. Semillon from what I gathered, first arrived in Australia in the 19^th century and Viognier originated in the Rhone region of France but can also be found in regions of North and South America as well as Australia and New Zealand. These, along with the Brettanomyces Trois, work together in unison to make this delicious treat.

It pours a hazy rich golden yellow that reminds me of a ripe mango or a golden SoCal sunset, with a white head that fizzes and grows to about 2 inches before dissipating and clinging on to the glass for dear life. The nose is greeted with slight tartness that is definitely present but not prominent. There are also grape skins, fruity esters similar to white wine, hints of tropical fruit like mango from the Brett Trois, and a wild funky earthiness that comes out more as it warms up. How does it taste you ask? Well, there is initial tartness, a sharp acidity and sourness that hit the tongue right away. It’s followed by notes of mango, stone fruit, and green grape, then some funk and tannins come through in the middle. The sourness is there but not over the top. It has a refreshing funky finish that’s well balanced with lingering tropical fruit notes. So much going on here, my novice palate may not capture it all.

Overall this is a delectable and complex beer. Well balanced despite everything that’s going on and deceptively easy to drink coming in at 9.8%. Be easy on this one and respect it.

Salud!
David