July 15th, 2011
It’s so damn hot… milk was a poor choice! But beer, my friends… beer is never a poor choice! What better way to fend off the dog days than with a cold refreshing pint? And with the weather, our favorite breweries are releasing all their summer brews for our liking. These beers are typically lighter bodied, drier and easier drinking. After all, a thick, sweet stout doesn’t really sound like it hits the spot when sitting on the patio in the Texas heat.
So while you’re out looking for a summer libation, here’s a few for you to check out:
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— Jeff
June 17th, 2011
Greetings beer geeks! I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful spring weather we’re having. Get out there and enjoy it now… the first day of summer is June 21st (that’s right folks… it’s not even summer yet…). Of course, the plus side to warm weather is that it’s quite conducive to drinking. But let’s not dwell on the impending dog days. Spring is still upon us and in the seasonal spirit of rebirth and growth, the Houston beer scene has been blooming.
Here are a few updates on new local breweries.
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— Jeff
May 17th, 2011
Greetings my fellow beer loving brethren and a very happy American Craft Beer Week to you for the second year in a row! May your pint never run dry of hand crafted American microbrew this week! In honor of the week, here are a few updates from the local beer scene:
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— Jeff
April 26th, 2011
Few things in this world can make me squeal with the giddy delight of a 6 year old girl about to be gifted a miniature pony. One of those few things… a beer fest! A few years ago I travelled to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. As a beer geek, it was quite simply one of the greatest experiences of my life. Being a Houstonite, I had never really experienced a beer festival. Other cities that are rich in craft beer selection host a variety of festivals throughout the season, but Houston has never been so lucky. Until now…
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— Jeff
April 12th, 2011
I hope most of you had a chance to find your self some Saint Arnold Divine Reserve 11 recently. I was talking with a friend about the beer, and the Divine series, and I had mentioned to him how I had a few earlier Divine Reserves aging in my beer fridge. He was a bit confused as the concept of aging beer was foreign to him. Come to think of it, in my early craft beer delving days, the idea was foreign to me as well. As such, I figured I’d use this rendition of The First Sip to introduce you to why, when and how to age beer.
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— Jeff
March 8th, 2011
Usually I focus on beer-centric articles, but for this edition of The First Sip I thought something a little different might be a nice change of pace. When you think of drinking in the UK or Ireland, what beverage naturally comes to mind? Bitters, English ales, stouts, Irish red ales? All undeniably true, but one of the often overlooked treasures of the drinking scene across the pond is the crisp, refreshing apple cider.
For the uninitiated, hard apple cider can come with the unnecessary stigma of being a “woman’s drink”. Whereas I’m certain that apple cider is well liked amongst the female gender, I know of many men (myself included) who would gladly bypass a pint of beer for a pint of cider. It’s one of those drinks you come to love, no matter who you are or what your tastes. In fact, cider is the fastest growing alcoholic beverage in the U.S.
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— Jeff
February 22nd, 2011
Greetings beer geeks! I’m back with yet another update from the craft beer world! A few days late, sure… but in the immortal words of Douglas Adams, “I love deadlines. I love the wooshing sound they make as they fly by.”
There’s been a lot of news in the craft beer world lately, so rather than take the time to talk about a single beer or beer topic, I figured I’d give you some quick updates on everything (that I know of).
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— Jeff
January 18th, 2011
Today’s foray in my “You Gotta Try This” series is a beer that I’m going to assume many of you haven’t had – and if you have had it and didn’t know what to expect, you probably didn’t like it. I find it a shame that people can get turned off of craft beer all because a beer doesn’t meet an expected result. Trying new craft beer is great, but having an idea of what you are trying really helps you appreciate it that much more.
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— Jeff
December 15th, 2010
Good tidings to you, fellow beer geeks! Allow me to give my obligatory proclamation of season’s greetings with a heartfelt Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! No matter what your choice of religious leanings allows you to celebrate this season, one thing we can all agree on is Holiday Christmas Ales!
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— Jeff
November 16th, 2010
Greetings again, faithful craft beer enthusiasts! First of all, I give my apologies for a late second rendition of what was intended to be a semi-regular article. The wife gave birth to our first child last week and with all the nervousness, excitement, stress and sleep deprivation… The First Sip just kept getting put on the back-burner. Sad as it is, the sleep deprivation was the inspiration for this edition of TFS! Everyone, say “Hello!” to one of my favorite beers, Real Ale Brewing Company’s Shade Grown Coffee Porter out of Blanco, Texas. This beer is the ultimate merger of artisan coffee and craft beer (hipsters rejoice). It is Real Ale’s Fall seasonal beer, so expect to see it on the shelves right now.
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— Jeff
