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Chupacabras Pale Ale

March 15th, 2010

BEER REVIEW: Chupacabras by Cucapa Brewing Company

The legend of the Chupacabras speaks of a small mammal that sucks the blood of Goats & Livestock through out Mexico and the southern parts of the United States.  Chupacabras Pale Ale speaks of a beer from one of the first microbreweries in Mexico: Cucapa Brewing Company.  Both types of Chupacabras have bite!  Of course, I rather have the pleasant bite that is from the hops found in the Pale Ale known as Chupacabras then the unpleasant bite of a “real” Chupacabras.

Mexico is not known for its microbreweries.  The 2 big beer corporations, Grupo Modelo and FEMSA, basically have a strong hold on the market and the supplies needed to produce beer in Mexico.  Not that there is anything wrong with a Corona or a Dos Equis Green, but a little variety never hurt anyone.  Knowing that Mexico does not produce a lot of microbrews, I was shocked when I came across Chupacabras Pale Ale at Simone’s in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.  Hopefully more Chicago area bars take notice and start importing microbrews from Mexico.

Chupacabras Pale Ale has a deep amber color with a nice foamy head.  If this Pale Ale had more hops and a bit more alcohol, it would be part of my favorite style of beer, the IPA family.  That is not a negative.  Chupacabras is very enjoyable to drink.  My hope is that I find it on draft locally.  If not, the cool can version will have to do until I make an excursion to the area of Baja California in Mexico where the Cucapa Brewing Company resides.

Chupacabras Pale Ale is Recommended by Gonzalo


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Burger Classic

March 8th, 2010

BEER REVIEW: Burger Classic by Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co.

Behold a Beer named Burger Classic.  Traditionally, when you see the name Burger Classic you imagine looking at a fast-food menu.  Well friends, prepare to alter your perception because this great Lager is not found on the fast-food menu (yet).  It is barely found at bars around Chicago.  In fact, the only bar I have come across that serves the quality beer in a can known as Burger Classic is Boni’s Sports Bar in the neighborhood of Logan Square.  This small, family owned bar that regularly has their TV’s tuned to Baseball games from all over North, Central & South America declares to be one of the few bars outside of Ohio where you can drink Burger Classic.  It makes perfect sense when you think about it: Burger Classic is a beer that goes great with baseball.  Goes great whether you are watching Baseball or playing Baseball.  Burger Classic is a light beer in the style of a PBR or Old Style.  These beers are light, refreshing and very drinkable.

Burger Classic has been around since the year 1880.  It was first brewed in Cincinnati, Ohio, by The Burger Brewing Company and then purchased by the Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co..  That is as much history as I will give you on this notable Lager.  One of the reasons I enjoyed drinking Burger Classic so much was because this beer has been around since 1880!  Obviously the beer recipe is a proven winner because this beer is old and reliable.  I will not say that Burger Classic is the best beer you will ever drink, but I will say that it is an enjoyable beer that reminds you of a forgotten era.  An era where people lived simple lives and drank simple beer.

Burger Classic is Recommended by Gonzalo


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Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

February 25th, 2010

BEER REVIEW: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island Brewing Co.

It was during my quest to find Dragon’s Milk that I was introduced to Goose Island Bourbon County Stout.  They told me that Bourbon County is on the same level of a Dragon’s Milk: a beer that awakes you.  Awake me it did.

After my initial pour into the snifter, the immediate reaction came from my nose.  The powerful aroma of Bourbon fills your nostrils.  This is no mistake.  Goose Island Bourbon County Stout is an Imperial Stout that has been aged in Bourbon barrels.  That means the geniuses at Goose Island found a use for those tapped out barrels of Bourbon.  My second reaction after inhaling a sniff of the Bourbon in Bourbon County was the taste.  Like most Imperial Stouts, you get a rich assortment of chocolate, caramel, smoke and vanilla.  It sounds like I am describing some sort of dessert, but trust me; only Adults over 21 should partake in this 13% Alcohol By Volume beer.  In addition to the dessert-like ingredients, the Bourbon aspect of this Imperial Stout endures in the taste and together they make every one of your senses become conscious.

The best part of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout is the drinkability.  You can enjoy it with a meal or pound it down till you can longer stand.  For a beer with such complex flavors and aroma, it is incredibly smooth.

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout is Very Recommended by Gonzalo


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Storm King Stout

January 15th, 2010

BEER REVIEW: Storm King Stout by Victory Brewing Company

One of the best ways to warm up during the winter is by ordering a pint of Victory Storm King Stout.  Brewed by the Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, this fine brew was no doubt made to keep you warm during a king-size storm.  This imperial stout comes loaded with the essential ingredients to keep your body warm (or numb): a high alcohol by volume and an easy-to-drink taste.  Most stouts are heavy and you get filled up quickly, Storm King Stout will keep you drinking all through the night.

When you take your first drink, you will smell and taste some coffee and chocolate notes.  What follows will be a pleasant mixture of coffee, chocolate and hops.  Before Storm King Stout, I would limit my stout intake to one pint a night.  Now thanks to this satisfying stout, I can drink till the storm clears!

So far I have only come across Victory Storm King Stout at one bar: DMK Burger Bar.  It is my hope that on my 2010 Winter Expedition of Bars, more taps across Chicago gets familiar with this extraordinary imperial stout.  Not only does Storm King Stout pair well with your typical bar food such as Cheeseburgers and Fish & Chips, but it is also the perfect “lone wolf” beer.  Meaning that you can enjoy it while you sit at the bar watching your favorite sporting event.

Victory Storm King Stout is Very Recommended by Gonzalo

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Goose Island Christmas Ale

December 24th, 2009

BEER REVIEW: Goose Island Christmas Ale by Goose Island Brewing Co

The Christmas Season officially arrives with a fresh batch of Goose Island Christmas Ale.  Available only during the months of November and December, Goose Island Christmas Ale is a Brown Ale that changes every year.  Simply meaning that the recipe of Goose Island Christmas Ale is altered just a bit each Christmas Season by the Brew Masters at the Goose Island Brewing Company.  The amount of Hops and the amount of Bitterness are the main ingredients that fluctuate.  When I first started drinking Goose Island Christmas Ale, it was known as a Scotch Ale.

As for the 2009 version of Goose Island Christmas Ale, you can expect the familiar mild spice aroma and brownish-red shade when you pour.  The best part of any version of the Goose Island Christmas Ale is the taste.  It is well paired with any Holiday Feast and goes down great on a snowy winter night as you relax while watching your favorite Christmas movie.

One of the bigger changes that occurred with the 2009 version of Goose Island Christmas Ale is how you can purchase it at stores.  No longer can you buy the usual beer bottle size of Goose Island Christmas Ale, it now comes in the larger, Pint Size bottle.  There is nothing wrong with a bigger bottle, but now it makes it harder to show up to a Christmas Party when you only have 2 Pint Size bottles versus a 6-pack.  Other than that, Goose Island Christmas Ale never disappoints.

Goose Island Christmas Ale is Very Recommended by Gonzalo

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Anchor Steam

December 2nd, 2009

BEER REVIEW: Anchor Steam by Anchor Brewing Company

The real San Francisco treat is Anchor Steam Beer. Here is a beer that is pure Californian.  Not only is it brewed in California, but it also uses an old style of brewing that is representative of 19th Century California.  This old style of brewing produced what came to be known as “steam beer.”  Now a days, the Anchor Brewing Company has trademarked the term “steam beer” and advertises it as “California Common.”  Steam beer sounds cooler though.

On my recent trip to San Francisco, I happily drank Anchor Steam at every drinking occasion presented to me: at the San Francisco Giants baseball game, lobby bar of the Ritz, San Francisco Airport, in the park out of a brown bag, etc.  Speaking of the San Francisco Airport, they actually have the awesome Anchor Brewery Company Restaurant in Terminal 3.  Not only do they have fresh kegs of all the great Anchor Brewing Company brews, but they also have first-class food.  The Crab Melt was outstanding.  It tastes even better when you pair the Crab Melt with a fine brew from Anchor Brewing.  The Anchor Steam Beer is a logical choice, but if you are looking for a little more “zest”, I recommend the Anchor Porter.  The rich, smoky, malt flavors of the porter give the Crab Melt a little more of a rustic backyard taste.  Either way, you won’t go wrong.

The great news is Anchor Steam Beer and the many Anchor Brewing Company products are not just found in California, but also throughout the world!  In Chicago, you can find Anchor Steam at a decent amount of bars throughout Chicagoland, but the enthusiast in me says to go drink Anchor Steam at Twin Anchors Restaurant.

Anchor Steam Beer is Very Recommended by Gonzalo

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Crispin Hard Apple Cider

November 26th, 2009

BEER REVIEW: Crispin Hard Apple Cider by Crispin Cider Company

Alcoholic beverages served over ice tend to be bourbons, whiskeys or scotches.  Well get ready to add Crispin Hard Apple Cider to the list!  The Ciders produced by the Crispin Cider Company are best served over ice.  Trust me, once you enjoy a crisp, refreshing, pint of Crispin Hard Apple Cider over ice you will want to add ice to all your alcoholic beverages…well, Ciders at least.

Ciders are a bit of a mystery to Bar Patrons in the United States.  Personally, I never considered Ciders as a source of alcoholic goodness until my travels to England. There I was introduced to Strongbow Cider, probably the most popular cider in the United Kingdom.  At the time, a pint of cider was not for me.  It was not until this past summer, when I was first introduced to the concept of serving cider over ice that my open-mindedness towards Ciders developed.  From that point on, Crispin Hard Apple Cider found its way to my personal list of “Go To” Beers.  Which is funny, because a Cider is not a Beer, but the alcohol by volume (ABV) tells another story.

Crispin Hard Apple Cider is known as the “Original” Cider produced by the Crispin Cider Company.  They do have three other cider products, but currently, the “Original” is the one cider most bars would have available.  If you come across the Crispin Cider Light, make sure you order a round.  It has the same refreshing taste of the Original, but with fewer calories!

The Crispin Cider Company is looking to enhance your pub experience by giving you an extra drinking option when you step up to the bar.  No longer will the British be the only ones to enjoy ciders at bars.  From now on, not only will the Americans have better teeth, but we will also have a better cider!

Crispin Hard Apple Cider is Very Recommended by Gonzalo

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Three Floyds Alpha King

July 8th, 2009

BEER REVIEW: Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale by Three Floyds Brewing Company

The flagship beer of the Three Floyds Brewing Company, Three Floyds Alpha King is worthy of gaining a cult following. After all, the Alpha is the dominant individual and the King rules over all. When you name a beer on two dominating types, your beer better be good. Fortunately this Pale Ale does that.

Three Floyds Alpha King has a good hop flavor, but it does not overpower your senses like an IPA Beer would. The deep orange color enhances the citrus aroma and the 6% Alcohol by Volume (ABV) enhances your buzz. To put in perspective, Miller Lite is 4.2% ABV, Smithwicks is 5% ABV and Goose Island IPA is 5.9% ABV.

Some bars around Chicago carry Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale on tap, while many are missing out on the Alpha King. One of the newer bars in the Downtown area that have Three Floyds Alpha King on tap is Theory Sports Bar & Grill. For a listing of where to drink Three Floyds Alpha King, click here.

Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale is Very Recommended by Gonzalo

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Smithwicks

May 26th, 2009

BEER REVIEW: Smithwicks by St. Francis Abbey Brewery

My relationship with the Irish Red Ale known as Smithwicks is like that of a friend I do not get to hang out often with: We know we are there, but for some reason or another, the scheduling does not work. Smithwicks is found on tap at many bars across Chicago. I recognize the tap handle and even gaze at it from time to time, but yet, I find myself drinking something else. I should really get in the habit of ordering a pint of Smithwicks more often (just as I should really get in the habit of hanging out with that friend).

Smithwicks is a smooth red ale from the land of Guinness: Ireland. Actually, Smithwicks is “Ireland’s oldest ale” and was first brewed in 1710. You know the beer has to be good when it has been around for close to 300 years. Smithwicks is poured with a bit of creamy head, but not as thick as a Guinness head or as a Boddingtons head. The red Irish ale has a bit of a caramel taste to it, but it is such a faint taste. What you will notice about Smithwicks more than anything else is the dark red hue of the beer.

Overall, Smithwicks is a very drinkable beer. None of the ingredients in the beer overpower your senses. They all come together nicely and produce a beer that helps you enjoy your night even more. Like that friend I do not get to hang out with often, Smithwicks becomes a barrel of fun as the night goes on.

Smithwicks is Recommended by Gonzalo

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Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

March 18th, 2009

BEER REVIEW: Bell’s Two Hearted Ale by Bell’s Brewery Inc

I enjoyed a nice pint of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale at the great The Local Optionbar in the Lincoln Park. The friendly Bar Tender, Noah, recommended it as the best beer they currently have on Tap. With the blessing of the bartender, I ordered the pint.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is a wonderful IPA. The more I drank it, the smoother it got. Two Hearted Ale has the standard characteristics of an IPA: citrus aroma and nice hops. Overall, this ale is a refreshing beer that can be enjoyed anytime of the year and for any occasion. Bell’s Brewery Inc is one of the greater Breweries in the United States, and it is a joy to savor any one of their fine brews. Two Hearted Ale is definitely one of my favorites.

Thanks for the recommendations Noah!

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is Very Recommended by Gonzalo

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