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From the category archives:

Just Beer

Seasonal Beers: Fall Has A Hint Of Pumpkin

by admin on October 6, 2010

The fall season is upon us. The air begins to feel crisp, the leaves begin to change and the seasonal beers begin to flow out of every brewery.

Everyone has their own little rituals they start to follow. My family and I like to put out all of our Halloween themed items. Candles that smell like nutmeg and vanilla start getting lit. My friend Tom Cruise likes to break out his garden gnome costume. Last year we both dressed up like gnomes and stood in my neighbors yard. They figured me out after the first day. Tom stood there for 3 weeks before they noticed him (they caught him peeing on their rose bushes).

I like the thought of seasonal beers, but unfortunately they rarely live up to expectations. How do you capture the essence of a season and put it in a bottle?  I am determined to find a seasonal beer that is worthy of the term “seasonal”.

After much research and debate I have put 3 beers to the challenge:

Saranac Pumpkin Ale

Shipyard Brewing Co. Pumpkinhead

America’s Original Pumpkin Ale courtesy of Buffalo Bill’s Brewery

All of these beers had very original and distinct flavors. I honestly thought, “They’re all gonna taste like pumpkin!”

I was wrong.

The Shipyard Pumpkinhead had the strongest pumpkin flavor out of all of them. It’s finish was confusing. Full of pumpkinny goodness, but with a very light finish. This is one the  non-beer drinkers will like and still be able to talk “beer” with the  cool kids. Light beer fans should put this on their “must try” list.

Saranac Pumpkin Ale was exactly what I wanted it to be. This isn’t a bad thing! Pumpkin, nutmeg and hints of vanilla. Very smooth, very drinkable and very reminiscent of the season. It’s a little stronger in its finish and damned tasty.

Finally, America’s Original Pumpkin Ale. I didn’t like this beer after my first sip. After a couple of minutes I still had the hint of pumpkin on my tongue. I went back  for a second sip, even more flavor started showing up. This bottle didn’t last long in my house. Don’t make the mistake of chugging this beer. Put a beer mug in the freezer for a couple of hours. Open the beer bottle, then put it back in the fridge for 15 minutes. Pour the beer into the glass and just…enjoy!

I’m not familiar with Buffalo Bill’s Brewery, but they know what they’re doing. This beer is complex, friendly, engaging and damn near perfect. They truly caught the fall season in a bottle and did it justice! After drinking this beer I had a pumpkin smile on my face (Ben Affleck said it best…”Look at the smile on my face. Ear to Ear Baby!!!).

Make sure this fall season you go out a pick up some of these great beers. Maybe one of them will become a staple in your house (If not, I can send over Tom Cruise in the gnome costume!). Remember, it’s never too late to start a holiday tradition.

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Phin and Matt’s Extraordinary Ale: I Wanna Party With These Guys

by admin on September 20, 2010

The Sarasota Beer Fest has come and gone, but I’ve still got some of the beers rolling around in my brain. The 2nd great beer I had was…wait for it… Phin and Matt’s Extraordinary Ale.

This is a product of  the Southern Tier Brewing Company. They use North American Barley, whole hops and crystal filtered artesian water. It’s an American style pale ale that goes down ridiculously smooth. Most beer snobs would probably say that this is just okay, but for us common folk… it’s perfect! Easy to drink, nice amount of flavor and very versatile. Are you watching the big game with the buddies your wife hates, but you still like them because they’re the only people on the planet who still refer to you as…”Boomer”?! Bring it over! Got a boss who says,” I only drink good beer” (i.e. I really prefer sparkling water, but I don’t want to look like a total wuss!) It’s a perfect Birthday present! I took some over to my friend Tom Cruise’s house (his compound is a perfect replica of the smurf village…blue is his color!).

Give it a try…Phin and Matt might become two of your best buddies.

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Come and Rock Me Amadeus!

by admin on September 8, 2010

As promised I’m going to start posting what I felt were the beer highlights at the 1st Annual Sarasota Beer Festival. Can you hear that?! It’s my good friend Tom Cruise giving me a drum roll on his tiny snare drum.The best beer I had at this years Sarasota Beer Fest is… Amadeus!

It’s kind of funny but I seem to have an affection for french beer. I”m also a fan of Kronenbourg 1664 which is also french. Actually come to think of it, I like a lot of french things. French fries, french bread, french dressing and the french foreign exchange student from the 80′s classic “Better Off Dead” (I’m sorry your mom blew up Ricky). Amadeus is indeed imported from France and is an unfiltered wheat beer. I went back for MANY samples of this beer. It is crisp, well balanced and could really be paired with almost any meal or occasion. You can find this tasty beer at your local Total Wine (God’s gift to us all). It is a little pricey, but well worth every penny. Keep an eye out for it R.O.T.R readers and as always you’ll toast me later!

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Miller Lite Home Draft Review

by admin on August 24, 2010

I recently purchased a Miller Lite Home Draft Keg from my local Total Wine (Total Wine is one of the best concepts man has ever created). I have to say I was a little leery of the promise of draft beer taste from what is primarily an over sized plastic beer bottle.

The instructions on the front, although not dummy proof, are fairly easy to follow. You have a carb and a pour spout on the front of a plastic shell that holds 5.7 liters of beer. When you are ready to pour you simply turn the carb to the left until you hear it start to click. Once it clicks, twist it just a few inches more and you should be ready for business.

R.O.T.R. readers , I have to give it to the people at Miller Lite, this is a great product. Not only is it designed to fit comfortably in a fridge, you can lug this bad boy anywhere. Tailgating, trips to the beach. that uncomfortable family get together we all have to attend at least once a year. It retails for about $18.99 and you get a nice amount of beer for your money. The only category where this product comes up a little short, much like my good friend Tom Cruise (Tom Cruise short joke #4…they just keep on coming!) is the claim of 30 days of freshness. I wouldn’t let it sit for 30 days, but that’s just me.

If your looking for a way to light up a gathering or you just have a long day of football ahead of you, pick up some Miller Lite Home Draft. You won’t be disappointed, you might get a healthy buzz, but definitely not disappointed.

I’m too old for keg stands.

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