Let me know what your favorite discoveries, experiences, or bits of beer news were in 2011?
George Lenker, The Beer NutIt's been a long year for me, personally. I've seen a lot of changes, some good, some bad, but the one area I can always count on being 100 percent fun (as Matthew Sweet might say) is the craft beer world.
So today, as we stand on the precipice of a new year, I thought I'd share my Top Five beer moments of 2011. Now, a word of clarification: Some of these are brews I've discovered this year. That doesn't necessarily mean they are new; it means that I just got around to finding them this past year. Other items include "beer experiences" and/or random bits of news. So without further ado, and in no particular order, here you go:
Blatant Brewing IPA: I just wrote about this a month or so ago, so I won't belabor my points here, but I hope brewer Matthew Steinberg keeps the recipe the same as he had for his first batch. Sometimes brewers tweak their beers in their nascent stages, but Matthew hit this right on the head first time out. A great, grapefruity West Coast-style IPA.
Against the Grain/The Salthouse: These are sister beer bars in Dublin and Galway, Ireland that I found due a tip from my friend John Stephens, who is a true beer aficionado of the first order. Against the Grain is beautiful, classy, and newish beer bar on Wexford Street in Dublin. The Salthouse, in the Salthill section of Galway City, is owned by the same folks. The owners also brew a few of their own beers under the Bay Brewing label. The brewing is done at the company's third venue, Oslo, a popular brewpub and eatery in the Upper Salthill section of the city. I visited all three in May and recommend them all. Bonus: All three have cask brews on almost all the time.
Stone Espresso Nut Brown Stout: Some readers might slightly object to the previous item, thinking, "I'm never going to get to Ireland, so you're just teasing me with something I'll never get to enjoy." I understand that sentiment, but as I said earlier in te column, these are my beer experiences. I welcome everyone to comment with theirs. But if you didn't like the last item on those grounds, you're going to flat-out hate this one. There was only one keg of Stone Espresso Nut Brown Stout made, and it was served at The Sierra Grille, and it was delicious. As far as I know, there are no plans to make more (although could change). It was a stellar stout that paired well with all manner of foods, especially dessert. Here's to hoping the reprise this wonderful concoction.
The Worthy Craft Beer Showcase: OK, didn't actually experience this one (I was busy that day) but it happened and I heard plenty about it. So file this under "news." I am including it here because it was great to heat about a well-run beer festival, with beers presented in a unique manner (each brewery just brought a flagship offering, as well as a specialty brew). It was also nice to see it in Springfield, which Smith's Billiards (and a few others) is making into a craft beer destination. I hope to make next year's fest and you should too.
Sebago Brewing Frye's Leap IPA: I'd be remiss if I named just one beer on this list so let me add a Frye's Leap as the second. A tasty but straightforward blend of puckering hops and three different malts, this beer was a real find. Of course, just my luck: I hear Sebago (out of Maine) will no longer distribute its beers in Massachusetts. Oh, well—road trip!
What were your favorite discoveries, experiences, or bits of beer news from 2011? Post them in the comments section below.