Author: Professor Good Ales

Profiled by Ken Carman for professorgoodales.net

Laughing Dog Brewery, Idaho.

Here’s the problem: this is everything a Russain Imperial should be, especially one fermented in bourbon barrels, however I think the barrels took over and made it alcohol hot. If I judged it in competition I would have to rate it well, but tell the brewer not to leave it in so long. Instead of adding that extra abv-like push and a hint of bourbon sweet, we got defect-like alcoholic hot. It dominates what’s otherwise obviously a grand RIS.

I don’t get all the fruit that everyone else gets. To my palate what most folks claim is “fruit” is usually malt, or hops or yeast. and the similarity is forced: at best. Plus claiming such does an injustice to beers that actually have fruit, and chocolate and all these interesting additives to them. I think it’s a carryover from wine snobs who review their fav quaffs, a “carry over” we don’t need.

Pours with a nice big head that fades fast. Thank God: there was so much head in my wife’s glass it was hard to get at the beer.

The mouthfeel is full and a bit slick: what one might expect from so much malt and a bourbon barrel sense. The vicosity on this has to be high, making me wonder what the OG, and the FG was on this. There’s a deep, dark, complex malt sense, as one would expect from the more extreme Russians.

Thick, black as hell, nice head. You would think, considering my love of the style, I’d be in heaven. But there’s still that harsh, hot, alcohol sense that ruins it, somewhat. Both in taste and the mouthfeel. Aroma is a little let on the hot and very promising. sadly: doth not live up to that “promise.”

Welcome to the new PGA rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “prefecto.” This beer was rated…

Written by Chalie Papazian for The Examiner

Let me start right in the beginning: I care about who makes the beer I drink. I’m picky because I have the choice to do so, and… so I do. Does it matter to beer drinkers? I asked that question in a 2008 Examiner poll and again in a 2010 Examiner poll. Much has changed in the world of beer since 2008 and even in two short years since 2010.

It’s time to ask the question once again: Does it matter who makes the beer you buy? Go to the poll site and choose which of the following most describes your feelings:

• YES it does matter – I support local by buying local as much as possible
• YES it does matter, mostly– I support local but I will buy imports or national/regionally distributed craft brands. I usually avoid buying brands made by large brewing corporations
• NO it doesn’t matter too much – I will buy and drink beer from breweries of any size. It doesn’t matter who owns the brewery

Vote now.

Share this poll link with friends. Poll will close December 12, 11:59 p.m.

The big picture

The 5 largest brewing companies have grown bigger as they continue to spend their money buying up smaller companies, closing breweries and adding those brands to their main streams of beer production. What’s relevant in the U.S.A.?
Continue reading “Do You Give a Damn About Who Makes Your Beer?”

(Kristin Hartridge/For RedEye) (November 13, 2012)

Written by Tony Peregrin for redeyechicago.com

Having a girl’s pint out in Chicago just got a little easier this fall with the launch of Barley’s Angels–a growing network of chapters around the globe for women seeking a comfortable milieu to learn about craft beer.

But don’t be fooled by the group’s name and logo–a clever wink at the jiggly, hair-model pretty crime fighters of the iconic ’70s TV show–Barley’s Angel’s is not a social beer-drinking club for women, but a serious forum for beer enthusiasts with a thirst for knowledge.
Continue reading “Barley’s Angels Fight for Ladies’ Interests in Beer”

Written by Nick Brennan for chicagonow.com

There is quite a bit of contention out there regarding what is and what isn’t craft beer. Some define it based on tangibles like quality of ingredients, while others define it by looking at intangibles like the brewer’s passion for the art. Personally, I take a stand somewhere in the middle. High quality ingredients are a must and if production can be ramped up while keeping quality in check, that’s great. But there has to be more to it than quality…right?
Continue reading “What is “Craft Beer?””

Written by Brandon Jones for embracethefunk.com

A few weeks ago Mr. Brett-man himself was in Nashville to speak/judge at the 2012 Music City Brewoff. I had the chance to sit down with Chad Yakobson of Crooked Stave to talk about brewing darker wort, hoppy, 100% Brettanomyces beers.

Wild Wild Brett Blue

Continue reading “Hoppy 100% Brett Dark Beers Q&A with Chad Yakobson of Crooked Stave”

Written by Cavan Sieczkowski for The Huffington Post

 

The owner of a hipster-approved beer company may come to the rescue of a beloved classic snack.

When Hostess announced plans to liquidate, fans of the baked-goods company feared the fate of the Twinkie. But lovers of the cream-filled sponge cake, fret not: Twinkies may survive thanks to the owner of Pabst Brewing, Co.

C. Dean Metropoulos and Co., the Connecticut-based private equity firm behind blue-collar-cum-hipster-darling beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon, is considering making an offer to buy Hostess Brands, Inc., according to Bloomberg.
Continue reading “Twinkies May Survive Thanks To Pabst Brewing Co.”

Written by Angela Haupt for usnews.com

Pour another—for your hair. Turns out that pumpkin ale could be exactly what it needs to look healthy and shiny. No joke: Beer hair isn’t just what happens when some drunk guy spills his Guinness on you, or when you accidently dip your locks into your drink. On the contrary, beer shampoo is trendy—intoxicatingly so, some might say—and it’s landing everywhere from high-tier salons to your neighbor’s shower.

“People put beer in lamb, in bread, in pastries,” says Francky L’Official, a celebrity hairstylist who works with clients like Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Mena Suvari, and Vanessa Minnillo. “Why not use it for your hair, too? It gives it body and makes it shiny and bouncy.”

That’s because two of the basic ingredients in beer—malt and hops—are packed with protein, which acts as a nourishing and strengthening agent. Soaking, rinsing, or spritzing your hair with beer will strengthen the cuticles and help repair damage. Alcohol also contains B vitamins and natural sugars, which add a glossy shine. “Beer is great for fine or fragile hair,” says Marta Wohrle, founder of Truth in Aging, a website that reviews beauty products. “The proteins bind to the hair shaft and give it more volume,” boosting the appearance of thickness.
Continue reading “Cheers for Beer … Shampoo, That Is”