Beer Review #30 — Oskar Blues Death By Coconut

Hoppy New Year all your beer nuts! Last year was a great year in beer, with unprecedented growth in many segments, many new breweries in construction, and even more in planning, this promises to be yet another great year for craft beer. To be forward, I wanted to review this beer last [...]

Beer Review #30 — Oskar Blues Death By Coconut2018-10-18T13:23:12-07:00

Beer Review #29 — Boundary Bay Bourbon Barrel Stout

Today is a special day, for we have before us a super local Barrel Aged beer to sample. As many of you may know, on Friday Boundary Bay offered a unique glimpse into their barrel-aging project: The Bootlegger Barrel Series. Tapping exclusive barrel aged variants of Cedar Dust IPA, Scotch Ale, Cabin Fever, and [...]

Beer Review #29 — Boundary Bay Bourbon Barrel Stout2018-10-18T13:23:24-07:00

Winter warmers and holiday beers of Bellingham and beyond

Last weekend, after recovering from my Thanksgiving Day food coma and then my Black Beer Friday beer session, I woke up to my neighbor hanging Christmas lights. It’s official, I thought, ’tis the season for winter warmers and holiday beers. As the pumpkin beers, fresh hop beers and other seasonal offerings [...]

Winter warmers and holiday beers of Bellingham and beyond2018-10-18T13:23:31-07:00

Beer Review #27 — Crux [BANISHED] Tough Love 2015

Welcome back craft beer connoisseurs, enthusiasts, gourmands, and epicureans. We are nearly fully entrenched in my favorite season for beer. Winter time always brings with it some bitter cold temperatures, and some equally warming and fulfilling beers to warm the heart, mind, and soul. It is no coincidence that Crux has just released Tough Love, their [...]

Beer Review #27 — Crux [BANISHED] Tough Love 20152018-10-18T13:23:56-07:00

Beer Review #26 — Fort George Magnanimous IPA

As the weather continues to cool and nights become longer and darker, I am often leaning towards darker and darker beers to match the season. I have however still had an unrelenting thirst for hops, which is fine, because there are still delicious, fresh, new(ish), IPA's being released left and right. [...]

Beer Review #26 — Fort George Magnanimous IPA2018-10-18T13:24:02-07:00

Thoughts on PicoBrew’s Pico beer brewing appliance

After reading Ariana’s post about the PicoBrew Pico homebrew system, I became intrigued by the machine, and I even considered purchasing one. When PicoBrew released the Zymatic in 2013, I found it interesting, but I didn’t even consider buying one because it was too expensive (roughly $2,000). PicoBrew’s recently released Pico, [...]

Thoughts on PicoBrew’s Pico beer brewing appliance2018-10-18T13:24:10-07:00

Beer Review #25 — 4 Hands / Stone / Bale Breaker “Sorry Not Sorry IPA”

Man do we have some catching up to do. Beer releases this fall and early winter have been fast and furious. Lots of Barrel Aged beers floating around, 'tis the season. But I have been waiting and waiting for this one for a while now. I first got wind about 6-8 [...]

Beer Review #25 — 4 Hands / Stone / Bale Breaker “Sorry Not Sorry IPA”2018-10-18T13:24:11-07:00

Beer Review #24 — Anderson Valley Pinchy Jeek Barl Bourbon Barrel Pumpkin Ale

Fall is nearly my favorite beer season, it is a very close second to the Winter beer season. Fall absolutely has some superior beer selections compared to Summer and Spring. There have already been some heavy hitters released thus far, Sierra Nevada's Celebration & Narwhal, Hopworks Abominable, Fremont Kentucky Dark Star, I could go [...]

Beer Review #24 — Anderson Valley Pinchy Jeek Barl Bourbon Barrel Pumpkin Ale2018-10-18T13:24:16-07:00

Halloween-worthy brews

Most holidays pair wonderfully with certain beer styles. There are spiced beers and winter warmers for Christmas. Pumpkin ales for Thanksgiving. Dry Irish stouts for St. Patrick’s Day. Vienna-style pale lagers for Cinco de Mayo. And aged beers for National Grandparents Day (which is Sept. 13, in case you didn’t know). [...]

Halloween-worthy brews2018-10-18T13:24:23-07:00

Sierra Nevada’s first German-American collaboration Oktoberfest

The last two times I spoke with my mom, she raved about Sierra Nevada’s new, special-release Oktoberfest, and she badgered me to try it. I love a well-made Oktoberfest or Festbier as much as the next beer lover, such as Chuckanut’s delicious Festbier for example, but so many breweries these days [...]

Sierra Nevada’s first German-American collaboration Oktoberfest2018-10-18T13:24:25-07:00

Beer stops to make before or after your mountain adventures

Nothing beats a good beer after an adventurous day of hiking, boating, skiing, biking or whatever you like to do in the mountains. Just remember to bring enough growlers, bottles or cans of beer for your campsite, RV or hotel. Regardless of which route you take into the Cascades, from Mount [...]

Beer stops to make before or after your mountain adventures2018-10-18T13:24:26-07:00

Beer Review #23 — Deschutes Chasin’ Freshies Fresh Hop IPA

Fresh hop season has been upon us for quite some time now, there have been many delicious renditions, and a few duds of suds so far. Everything from "Fresh Hop" to "Wet Hop" and everything in between, it is certainly harvest time for hops, and most definitely time to reap the [...]

Beer Review #23 — Deschutes Chasin’ Freshies Fresh Hop IPA2018-10-18T13:24:28-07:00

Advances in beer yeast

The first home brew shop I walked into in the late ’90s only had two types of generic beer yeast for sale, lager yeast and ale yeast, and both came in the dried form. As if that weren’t bad enough, most packets were out of date (or had no date), so viability [...]

Advances in beer yeast2018-10-18T13:24:31-07:00

Beer Review #22 — 21st Amendment Toaster Pastry Red IPA

Welcome back beer mavens, slingers, drinkers, and connoisseurs, let's jump back on the hop train and dive into a delicious new beer. What we've got for us today comes to us from the fine folks at 21st Amendment Brewery, in San Francisco, "In 2000, Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan founded the 21st [...]

Beer Review #22 — 21st Amendment Toaster Pastry Red IPA2018-10-18T13:24:37-07:00

Don’s Non-Alcoholic beer is Aslan’s Unsung Hero.

Imagine a life without beer Being part of the Tap Trail provides me with a great opportunity to try amazing beers inside and outside of Bellingham, and while having this access to amazing beers has definitely spoiled me and my palette, a recent event in my family made me realize just [...]

Don’s Non-Alcoholic beer is Aslan’s Unsung Hero.2018-10-18T13:24:40-07:00

Beer Style Profile: Imperial Stout

The imperial stout, also known as Russian imperial stout, is the granddaddy of stouts. Typically, these intensely flavored beers are mahogany-brown to inky black (SRM 35+), very strong (7-12+% ABV), heavily hopped (50-100 IBUs), full bodied, and very complex. Common flavors and aromas include dark chocolate/cocoa, caramel/toffee, coffee/espresso, and dark fruits [...]

Beer Style Profile: Imperial Stout2018-10-18T13:24:44-07:00

Beer Review #20 — Paradox Beer Co. – In The Spirit Of Skully Barrel No. 3 Dark Sour

par·a·dox / ˈperəˌdäks / noun / A statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory. Paradox is quite an interesting name to choose for a brewery, but this little known brewery from Divide, CO, nestled off Highway 24 [...]

Beer Review #20 — Paradox Beer Co. – In The Spirit Of Skully Barrel No. 3 Dark Sour2018-10-18T13:24:46-07:00

Beer Review #19 — Avery – Uncle Jacob’s Stout

Welcome to Fall everybody, there has been a noticeable and welcome change in the weather and in the atmosphere of the city. Mornings are crisp and cool, evenings are slowly getting shorter and shorter. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have learned of myself that I tend to be [...]

Beer Review #19 — Avery – Uncle Jacob’s Stout2018-10-18T13:24:49-07:00

Beer Review #18 — Cascade Brewing: Blackcap Raspberry (2015)

Welcome back fellow beer lovers! Firstly, I wanted to have this up earlier in the week, as it was fresh in my mind, but I came down with a bit of a head cold, which may or may not have been directly attributed to numerous beer week shenanigans...the verdict is still out [...]

Beer Review #18 — Cascade Brewing: Blackcap Raspberry (2015)2018-10-18T13:24:57-07:00

Beer Review #17 — Reuben’s Brews Robust Porter

Happy beer week to everyone! It has been a blast thus far, with great events all over town. Chuckanut had a wonderful Oktoberfest on Saturday, and there has been ridiculously great beers flowing all over town. I wanted to share a review from a brewery that will be featured tonight @ Elizabeth [...]

Beer Review #17 — Reuben’s Brews Robust Porter2018-10-18T13:27:30-07:00

Beer Review #16 — Firestone Walker Helldorado

Firestone Walker, in a box, must be good, right? Absolutely. Firestone Walker has been churning out fantastic beers for quite some time now. This iteration is somewhat of a rarity, as it has been draft only for a number of years. This beer was originally brewed simply as a blending agent, [...]

Beer Review #16 — Firestone Walker Helldorado2018-10-18T13:27:33-07:00

Beer Review #14 — Omnipollo Barrel Aged Agamemnon

Hello again beer aficionados, judges, aspirants, brewers, miscreants and lovers. We've got a truly special bottle this week, it has been peeking out on shelves for a couple of weeks now, but it is finally time to give this one a proper review. We have before us a treasure from Omnipollo — [...]

Beer Review #14 — Omnipollo Barrel Aged Agamemnon2018-10-18T13:27:36-07:00

Beer hunting in Idaho

Whenever I travel to a new place, I like to visit as many breweries and beer bars as possible. So when my wife and I recently took a road trip to Idaho to climb some mountains, beer stops were definitely in the plans. We even made hotel reservations based on how [...]

Beer hunting in Idaho2018-10-18T13:27:37-07:00

Beer Review #12 — TRiNiTY Brewing Company — Magical Brettanomyces Tour #2

Welcome back craft beer dabblers, aficionados, advocates, and stewards. Let's get a little crazy this week with some wild yeast! Yes I said wild yeast, those who are uninitiated or skeptical of this, do not fear! Wild yeast is a magical thing and will bring you many new beer horizons. Let's get [...]

Beer Review #12 — TRiNiTY Brewing Company — Magical Brettanomyces Tour #22018-10-18T13:27:40-07:00

Beer Review #11 — Against The Grain Brewery: Citra Ass Down!

Greetings again all craft beer brothers and sisters, advocates and aficionados, I hope you all have been enjoying the bit of cooler weather we have received thus far this week. It's been a great, albeit a bit hot, summer thus far. Prime season for outdoor shenanigans: camping, fishing, sailing, hiking, golfing, [...]

Beer Review #11 — Against The Grain Brewery: Citra Ass Down!2018-10-18T13:27:51-07:00

Beer Review #10 — Black Raven Beaktweaker Citrus IPA

Welcome back all you beer snobs, it's official now, "we're number one!" Let us first take everything with a grain of salt, and take a moment to revel in the local beer scene. With all the options available in Bellingham and the Northwest in general, I would claim we are one [...]

Beer Review #10 — Black Raven Beaktweaker Citrus IPA2018-10-18T13:27:55-07:00

Beer Review #9 — Ecliptic Brewing Ultra Violet Blackberry Sour

Hello again craft beer fanatics! Summer is in full swing here in Bellingham and we've been in the midst of a bit of a heat wave. As such, we're always looking for ways to quench our thirst for craft beer. Whether it be an old standby or a new release, such as [...]

Beer Review #9 — Ecliptic Brewing Ultra Violet Blackberry Sour2018-10-18T13:28:01-07:00

Beer Review #8 — Crooked Stave Nightmare on Brett

Greetings and happy fourth to you all! I trust you are all enjoying some delicious craft beer during this holiday weekend. I always look forward to holidays to break out or conquer at least one special or rare beer. This holiday is no exception and I have been very excited to topple [...]

Beer Review #8 — Crooked Stave Nightmare on Brett2018-10-18T13:28:03-07:00

Beer Review #7 — Lagunitas CitruSinensis

Greetings beer nuts, aficionados, prospectors, advocates, and purveyors. Summer is in full swing and it's somehow nearly July in the Pacific Northwest! This weeks offering comes from an often maligned and certainly polarizing brewery — Lagunitas. Some will be die-hard Lagunitas fans for life, while others will scoff at each new release, [...]

Beer Review #7 — Lagunitas CitruSinensis2018-10-18T13:28:05-07:00

Beer Review #6 — Grand Teton Brewing: Sour Grand Saison

Up for review today, just in time to celebrate these warm temperatures, is a great farmhouse ale from Grand Teton Brewing. Synonymously called a Saison, these beers are hearty, often strong, bright and hazy ales. Classically these were brewed in the Winter months, and meant to condition in the Spring so that [...]

Beer Review #6 — Grand Teton Brewing: Sour Grand Saison2015-06-18T08:23:46-07:00

Beer Review #5 — Stone Enjoy By 07.04.15 IPA

Welcome back hop heads and beer lovers! This week we have a true hop bomb thanks to Stone. This series of beers, affectionately referred to as "Enjoy By" has been Stone's mission to get the freshest, most hoppy beer, into the hands of the consumer as quickly as possible. Simply put, this is [...]

Beer Review #5 — Stone Enjoy By 07.04.15 IPA2018-10-18T13:28:12-07:00

Beer Review #3 — Fremont Endurance Imperial IPA

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Congratulations well to Aeromech for their winning of the Ski to Sea race on Sunday! It was an impressive race, with Aeromech barely beating Boundary Bay Brewing. Whether competing, volunteering, or watching the race, it was an overall beautiful weekend in Bellingham. To celebrate [...]

Beer Review #3 — Fremont Endurance Imperial IPA2018-10-18T13:28:25-07:00
  1. 1
  2. 2

Beer Review #2 – Boundary Bay Ski to Sea ESB

Hey guys, hope you all had an awesome week! With the weather being so great this weekend, I wandered on over to Boundary Bay Brewery in order to try some of their new selections. Just in time for Memorial Day, and Ski to Sea Weekend, I decided to try the Boundary Bay [...]

Beer Review #2 – Boundary Bay Ski to Sea ESB2015-06-06T16:55:55-07:00

Beer Review #1: Crooked Stave St. Bretta Winter

  First up is a new to me Crooked Stave offering – St. Bretta Winter. I've had a few others of theirs, but grabbed this one on a bit of a whim. Having just left Colorado and moved to Washington, Crooked Stave was a brewery that I did not expect to find here. [...]

Beer Review #1: Crooked Stave St. Bretta Winter2018-10-18T13:28:40-07:00

Sierra Nevada’s Hop Hunter IPA unlike any other fresh hop beer

After hops are harvested in the fall, typically from August through September, they generally take one of two paths. Most of them are immediately dried in a kiln, and then the whole cones are compressed into bales or processed into pellets or hop extract. The remaining small amount is immediately sent [...]

Sierra Nevada’s Hop Hunter IPA unlike any other fresh hop beer2018-10-18T13:30:22-07:00
Go to Top