Last year, we ran a weekly beer review column here on GearCrave, prior to the launch of StyleCrave.com. Since GearCrave now focuses purely on gadgets and technology, we moved this and many other categories and columns over to StyleCrave where they have been covered since. Today, thanks to our friends at The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club, we are re-introducing our Beer of the Week column for all to enjoy. So, are ya thirsty? Head over to StyleCrave and check out the new and fully operational Beer of the Week column. Cheers!
Here’s something I need for the house. The Scotsman Trufill Beverage Dispenser can fill up ten pints in ten seconds. Let me repeat that one for you: TEN pints in TEN seconds. The dispenser uses a special cup that fills your beverage from the bottom to reduce spills and increase speed. If you’re drinking something with ice the dispenser puts ice in from the top at the same time its dispensing liquid from the bottom. These are designed to reduce workload for big events (bigger than my house) like sporting events where workers are pouring drinks constantly-doesn’t mean it’s not going right on my gadget wish list this holiday season. [Oh!Gizmo]
This past weekend, I attended the Iowa City Beer Fest, a large, drunken event featuring some of the best domestic microbreweries (and a few international brews) on the market. I drank too much. I enjoyed some of the best beer money can buy, much of it complimentary when mentioning this very column. My favorite beer of the fest was one I had not yet tasted– the Boulevard Sixth Glass Quadrupel.
If you’re new to the quadrupel, it is a Belgian-style ale inspired by the Trappist monk brewers, brewed seasonally with a heavy flavor and alcoholic bite. The Sixth Glass quadrupel, however, is a bit different. It carries the full flavor qualities of a quadrupel, as well as the high alcohol content, but this one is surprisingly drinkable and easy on the tongue. This beer is filled with flavors of chocolate, cherry, a hint of rye, a full flavor sensation from the immediate sip to the final aftertaste. Do yourself a favor– if this beer is distributed in your area, go and get yourself a bottle immediately. Matter of fact, get two. [boulevard brewing company]
Flying Dog brewery, most famous for their partnership with Hunter S. Thompson’s visual counterpart Ralph Steadman, is featured again for GearCrave’s Beer of the Week. We’ve been on an Amber kick lately, so we couldn’t go without trying Flying Dog’s Old Scratch Amber Lager. Old Scratch (nicknamed “Gold Scratch”) pours a dark brown amber and gives off a grainy malt aroma with hints of caramel and nut. The flavor is faithful to its scent, a rich amber with plenty of character. For Ambers, this one is quite drinkable– so split a six with a friend and you’ll be inclined to ask for more. Enjoy it, GearCravers, and as always– tell us what you think!
After our glowing review of Three Philosopher’s Belgian Blend back in July, we were anxious to give another Ommegang Brewery beer a shot. While 3P set the bar pretty high for the brewery, the Ommegang Abbey Ale did not disappoint. While we’ve only had two of their beers thus far, this brewery is quickly becoming a personal favorite. Ommegang’s Abbey Ale is a Belgian-style Abbey Dubbel which poors a dark, coppery brown with plenty of head and thick lace. The taste itself is rich and malty with slight flavors of cherry and raisin with a subtle, sour finish. We can’t imagine drinking any more than two of these in one sitting, due their rich, filling flavor and high alcohol percentage (8.5%). Sip it, enjoy it and tell us what you think!
Buy: $4 / 12 oz. bottle
Octoberfest starts next month, GearCravers. If you can’t make it to Munich, bring Munich to you. Spaten’s Oktoberfest has been a long-time favorite of your humble GearCrave editor, first tasted at my old local watering hole the UnderGround Lounge in Chicago. Pronounced “schpah-tn”, this Octoberfest-style beer has a rich, malty flavor and surprising slammability when drinking from a boot. Hints of caramel and grain warm this beer up a bit, giving it that slightly rich flavor that goes down quite smoothly. Its not difficult to find, especially this time of year. Most liquor stores and supermarkets carry Spaten, so you should begin seeing this one regularly. We’ve got a single bottle of Spaten’s lager waiting in our basement fridge, as well as Spaten’s Optimator, so keep your eyes open for the reviews…
Buy: $7/six
Next time you ask for a Fat Tire, we suggest you try one of these instead. Its not that Fat Tire isn’t a good beer in spite of the hype, its that Duvel is arguably the best pale ale in the world. Brewed by the Duvel Moortgat Brewery since 1871, this Belgian golden ale is on the short list of any self-respecting beer snob. With a name meaning “devil”, this beer gives off a sweet and spicy aroma and a thick layer of head. Its flavor is complex, starting with a fruity introduction, well balanced with spices and a finish of earthy hops. Be warned, Duvel is surprisingly drinkable for a beer with an 8.5% alcohol content that can certainly sneak up on you. For a full taste, we suggest splitting a 4-pack or a liter with a friend during or after a nice meal.
Buy: $10/liter
This marks the third time Bell’s Brewing Company has earned a slot in GearCrave’s Beer of the Week column. Having covered Bell’s Oberon and Third Coast Ale before, we bring to you Bell’s Lager of the Lakes beer in celebration of some good news for Chicagoans. Bell’s Brewing Company will once again be shipping to the great State of Illinois, as well as likely opening up their distribution to other states in the future. The Lager of the Lakes beer is a standard, malty lager with a grainy aroma and a smooth, bittery and spicy taste. If you’re a Chicago area GearCraver, we suggest heading out to Sam’s or Binny’s and picking up a six pack of Bell’s Oberon or this great Lager Beer, shown above. Cheers!
Buy: $8/six
When faced with a veritable wall of international beers, the bottle design of Gulden Draak Ale stands out. Those who grab this stubby white bottle will be glad they did, for what appears as a gimmick is as true and authentic as it gets. Crowned the best beer in the world by the American Tasting Institute in 1998, Gulden Draak lives up to its hype with every bottle. The strong malt flavor right after the sip recedes to a caramel sweetness of apples and brown sugar. The finish is creamy and medium bodied with a nice, spicy release. Serve this one in a tulip glass if you have one on hand, otherwise enjoy it a wide wine glass.
Buy: $4/bottle
