Top 11 Craft Beers of 2011: Readers' Choice Edition
One week ago, at the end of December, we released the Drink Craft Beer Top 11 Craft Beers of 2011. This was our personal list of the top eleven new beers that really wowed us in the last year. As we mentioned in the article, beer is a particularly regional thing and, due to some seriously impressive growth in the local beer scene in New England, our list ended up being 100% Northeast breweries. This is great news for us and our local readership, as we have tons of new, local beer that we love, but many of our readers who live a bit more far-flung were quick to point out that they felt slightly excluded. Well, as you all know, exclusion is not what we're about here at Drink Craft Beer!
To rectify this error, we turned to some of our favorite craft beer drinkers, all of you: our readers on DrinkCraftBeer.com, our followers on Twitter, people who "like" us on Facebook, people in our circles on Google+, and more! We figured, with readers living across the country and the world, we could put together a great list of new brews from 2011 that are from all over...and boy did we! We polled you all to see what your favorite new beers were and you didn't disappoint. We haven't tried all of these yet (in fact, we've only tried four), but that just gives us some resolutions for 2012. So, with that said, here is the Drink Craft Beer Top 11 Craft Beers of 2011: Readers' Choice Edition!
Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale
Lagunitas Brewing Company, out of Petaluma, CA, brews a much anticipated hoppy brown ale called Brown Shugga' every year...that is until this one. A few big growth years in a row have them pushing the capacity of their brewhouse to the limit and Brown Shugga' is a hugely inefficient beer to make. According to the company, they would have lost the ability to produce three cases of Pils or IPA for every case of Brown Shugga' the made. Obviously that wasn't an option, so they decided to make the best of it and brew a temporary replacement for just this year. In typical Lagunitas fashion, they figured they'd have some fun with it at the same time. And so was born, "Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale," a big, hoppy beer weighing in at 7.85% abv made with barley, wheat, oats and rye. Turns out people loved it, which is good as capacity issues are still plaguing the brewery, so this beer will make a second appearance as "Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Leftovers Ale." We wonder if we'll see it again next year, though?
Stone Brewing Co. 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA
Every anniversary Stone Brewing Company, from Escondido, CA, creates a new and innovative beer to commemorate the occasion. Having seen success with a Black IPA for a prior iteration, they decided to go bigger and darker, bringing us their 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA, a 10.8% dark-as-night-and-hoppy-as-the-dickens monster! The beer is delicious and the bottle includes the expected rant from founder Greg Koch or some other member of his team. This is definitely worth looking for!
Deschutes The Stoic
Deschutes Brewing Company, representing the Pacific Northwest up in Bend, OR, introduced a beer that will make you stop and think this year...or at least slow down while you're drinking it. At 11% abv this is not one to be trifled with. It's a Belgian-style Quad brewed with pomegranate, then 16.5% is aged in oak wine barrels and another 16.5% is aged in oak rye whiskey barrels. To be totally honest, we haven't tried it yet, but after writing this we really want to! Anybody want to send us a bottle?
DC Brau "The Corruption"
D.C. Brau Brewing Company is one of those breweries where you don't even have to ask where they're from (it's Washington, D.C. if you had to ask). This is a brewery that was recently brought to our attention by a good friend who moved from Boston (or Cambridge/Somerville as he'll try to protest) to Washington, D.C., so we're stoked to see this place get named by our readers as well! This is another one that we haven't had a chance to try, but people seem to love it and it's an IPA in a can, so we can't wait to go down and visit D.C. to drink some...errr, to catch up with our friend who moved down there...OK, maybe both!
Maine Beer Co. Lunch IPA
Lunch, the much hyped IPA from Maine Beer Company in Portland, ME, is the only beer to make both our readers' top eleven list and our top eleven list this year. It's amazing, but we've already written a lot about this one, so we won't bore you with more. Check out our original review of Maine Beer Co.'s Lunch IPA to see why it's gotten so much attention at a national level, despite only being available in a few states in New England.
Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
For Downington, Pennsylvania's Victory Brewing Company, 2011 was their 15th year of brewing delicious ales and lagers. To commemorate they didn't just launch an anniversary beer, they launched a new flagship beer! Victory Headwaters Pale Ale was made to commemorate not just Victory, but the local river that supplies their water that is so necessary to brew with. By the end of the summer, though, this crisp, citrusy and hoppy pale ale was posing a whole new set of problems for the crew at Victory: the Citra hops they needed to brew the beer and make it so delicious were running quite short. There was a period towards the end of the summer when this beer was hard to come by but, luckily, they secured a new supply and have been churning it out steadily ever since. The aroma is like few other beers on the market and the flavor is out of this world, so we suggest you pick up a six-pack if you see one.
Boulevard Brewing Collaboration #2 White IPA
Boulevard Brewing Company burst onto the Massachusetts beer scene this year but they're far from a new brewery. Based in Kansas City, MO they've been churning out beer since 1989 and have built up quite a reputation in that time. We only get the limited release and special brews up in our state, but that's fine by us as we got a chance to try this one that you all voted as one of the top of the year! They collaborated with another one of the breweries that made this list, Deschutes, to turn out this Belgian-style IPA brewed with lemongrass and sage. It's a really interesting and not-too-bitter take on the style that we could definitely drink more often.
Baxter Brewing Amber Road
When people tell you that the craft beer market is growing, you know that that's a fact. One of the breweries contributing to that growth isn't one of the biggest, but it is growing at a record setting pace for it's first year. Baxter Brewing from Pamola, ME was founded in January of 2011 and it's been on a rocket ship course since then, canning all three beers that it has released. Amber Road is their latest, and most malt-forward, beer that just snuck into the 2011 voting back in November. We've heard good things, and the IPA is delicious, so we can't wait to check this one out!
Troeg's Perpetual IPA
Standing in contrast to the last brewery we mentioned, Troeg's Brewing Company (now in Hershey, PA) will celebrate their 15th year in business in 2012. This past year they launched a new IPA (not short for India Pale Ale, as is usual, but rather for Imperial Pale Ale) that weighs in at 7.5% abv, 85 IBUs and uses five different types of hops. They add hops at every step of brewing to give it a seriously bold and in-your-face hoppiness. According to their website, it's a seasonal that comes out in August so, if you haven't tried it yet, you'll have to wait until then. We'll be waiting with you.
Cigar City Ligero Black Lager
If you like beer and you like hype, then you love Cigar City Brewing from Tampa, FL! Their line-up of big stouts and IPAs has made them many fans across the country, even while their distribution remains limited, causing enthusiasts from across the country to ship rare beer from their regions to friends in Florida in return for a couple bottles of this Tampa brew. That said, Ligero is not one of those hype beers from Cigar City. It's just a German-style black lager (aka Schwarzbier) with only 5.5% abv. Smooth, toasty malt and herbal hops mean this one doesn't get all the attention it deserves, so we're glad to see it get it's place on the Drink Craft Beer Top 11 Craft Beers of 2011: Readers' Choice Edition list!
Hardywood Singel
It's great seeing new breweries on this list as we always love seeing the industry grow! Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a newcomer from Richmond, VA but founders Eric and Patrick have worked in the industry for years. Their Singel Ale is a take on the Belgian monastery-only beers that are mellow, light and meant for the monks to consume. This one is hazy with the expected yeast esters that Belgian-style brews are known for. It's crisp with some great carbonation. Hardywood Singel would be perfect for a hot summer day, or any time of year with alongside food. This is a style of beer we greatly enjoy when done right, but not many craft brewers are making them. We hope to see this brew up north soon or maybe someone will send us a care package for us to review?
Now that we've told you our favorites of 2011 and the favorites from our readers, do you think anything was overlooked? What was your favorite this year that you haven't seen mentioned? Let us know what you really enjoyed in 2011 on Twitter, on Facebook or in the comments below!
Add a commentWhat Was Your Favorite New Beer Of 2011? [Poll]
A few days ago we released the Drink Craft Beer Top 11 Craft Beers of 2011. These were the beers introduced in 2011 that impressed us the most. As many have pointed out, though, it's an extremely Northeast biased list. One of the great things about craft beer is that each region has it's own breweries; one of the tough things about this, though, is that you usually don't have access to those breweries in other parts of the country. While we'd love to travel around the country all the time and try everything, we simply can't. Luckily, we have all of you craft beer drinkers who can help us out with this!
We put out our Top 11 New Craft Beers of 2011, but we want to know what YOU liked this year! What was your favorite NEW craft beer released in 2011? We'll compile all of the votes and then release a Nationwide Top 11 of 2011 list on Tuesday, January 3rd. Since this is a list of 2011 beers, voting closes at the stroke of Midnight on New Years Eve, so you have to get your vote in while the calendar shows 2011 and not a second later!
As usual, vote below then let us know what you voted for on Twitter, on Facebook or in the comments below the poll.
The current standings are (with 77 votes counted as of 12/30/2011 at 2:34pm ET):
Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale - 7
Deschutes The Stoic - 7
Stone Brewing Co. 15th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA - 6
DC Brau "The Corruption" - 3
Troeg's Perpetual IPA - 2
Cigar City Ligero Black Lager - 2
Epic's Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout - 2
Maine Beer Co. Lunch IPA - 2
Hardywood Gingerbread Stout - 2
Brew Dog Hops Kill Nazis (aka Hops Kill ?) - 2
Backlash Brewing Groundswell - 2
Narragansett Summer Ale - 2
Berkshire Brewing Co. Kelly's 60th Anniversary Dark Red Irish Ale - 2
All with only one vote:
Hardywood Singel
Stone Vertical Epic 11-11-11
New Glarus Laughing Fox
Shipyard Applehead
Midnight Sun Open Container
No Label Black Wit-O
Wachusett Homegrown Hop Ale
Jailhouse Misdemeanor
Lazy Magnolia Ginger Jaque
Boulevard Brewing Collaboration #2 White IPA
Jester King Das Wunderkind
21st Amendment / Ninkasi Allies Win The War!
Notch Session Saison
Austin Beerworks Fire Eagle IPA
Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
Hangar 24 Pugachev's Cobra
Baxter Pamola Amber Ale
Karbach Brewery Sympathy for the Lager
Firestone Walker XV Anniversary Blend
Right Brain Brewery Firestarter Porter
Port City Porter
DC Brau "The Citizen"
DC Brau "The Public"
Coast Old Nuptial Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine
Harpoon Chocolate Stout
Drakes Aroma Coma IPA
Jack's Abby Kiwi Rising Double India Pale Lager
Peak Organic Local Series Massachusetts [Beer Review]
The first time I tried a beer from Peak Organic Brewing Company back in 2006 I went into it thinking, “great, a generic, gimmicky organic beer.” Boy was I ever wrong! In that time, they’ve continued to innovate and put out some truly delicious beers, many of which have become Drink Craft Beer favorites. With all they’ve done, though, I think my favorite idea that they’ve had yet is one they only recently released: The Peak Organic Local Series. For this set of ales, they worked with farmers in four states (Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine - sorry New Hampshire, nobody is willing to grow enough hops in your state, get on that!) to produce grain and hops that will go into a beer for each state made entirely with locally grown ingredients. They brew the same recipe for each state, the only variation is where the ingredients are grown. The effect is surprising and really shows that not all hops or malt are created equal; each state has its own characteristic taste that needs to be tried to be understood. And, with that said, on to our local version, the Massachusetts Ale!
Peak’s Massachusetts Local Series ale cascades into the glass a light and clear amber color that skews just a bit to the orange-ish family. A tight, eggshell colored head settles on top just long enough to take a picture and carry the glass to my seat. This certainly looks like a beer I’d enjoy drinking a bomber of; it’s not too thick in appearance and the color is awfully nice.
The number one thing I pick up when I smell this beer, and this was before I was even trying to smell it, is hops...delicious, grapefruity, citrusy, Massachusetts-grown hops! After you get passed this the rest is fairly clean. The yeast is pretty neutral, which is great as it lets the local ingredients shine. Malt? I’m sure it’s there, but it’s hanging out behind those gorgeous smelling local hops, most likely a result of the generous dose of dry-hops added by the Peak Organic crew! As a Massachusetts hop grower myself (albeit on a very small scale), this is especially neat to me!
While the hops are the star of the show in the aroma department, things are a bit more even once you sample this one. Let’s be clear, though; this is a hop-forward beer, it’s bitter and it’s got some great hop flavor that really shows the difference that comes from growing the same ingredients in different places. That said, it’s still balanced for what it is, meaning it’s not overly bitter. Those who don’t love hoppy ales, I’d say still give it a try as it’s a bit different from many hoppy choices...it’ll be a challenge, but that’s what makes you grow.
The difference is in the malts. Thanks to the Valley Malt Brewer Supported Agriculture (BSA) program I, and Massachusetts residents, have had several chances to sample malt that’s been grown right here in-state. The locale really does make a difference! The local grain lends every beer I’ve tried a minerally quality that is great with hops. It really brings them out and serves to showcase them in a flattering manner. That’s why I say those who are a bit reluctant when it comes to the IBUs should try this one. It’s bright, it’s a little fruity with hop flavor and it’s crisp with very little of that resinous character I’m coming to dislike in over-hopped beers. Well done, Peak!
I picked this bottle up at Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont.
Add a commentWachusett Winter Ale [Beer Review]
Wachusett Brewing Company is one of those breweries that is often overlooked by beer enthusiasts, but the way they're growing tells us that they’ve got to be doing something right! We’ve long appreciated the work that they do over in Westminster, MA and, if you show up on a growler fill Saturday, you’ll see what kind of loyalty they’re breeding. Beer isn’t always about hype, imperial stouts and hops; sometimes it’s about making a delicious product that you can come back to again and again. When we visited the brewery back in 2007, that’s what they were doing. Since then they’ve turned up the volume just a bit, introducing Larry (one of the best Double IPAs in the area in our minds), Ryde (a delicious and drinkable hoppy rye ale), a rotating set of 22oz bombers (including a delicious Milk Stout) and some more limited brews. Today, though, I want to go back to an old mainstay that helped get them to where they are today: Wachusett Winter Ale.
Wachusett’s Winter Ale pours a rich coppery, almost red, crystal clear hue with a tan, thick, creamy head. It looks almost the color and consistency of honey, though I doubt it is nearly as thick.
The smell is such a refreshing change from what I expect now from so many winter ales: over-spiced nutmeg and clove bombs. Instead, this brew’s flavor comes almost entire from the malt. It smells of a deep, whole wheat loaf of bread that just came out of the oven. There is little, if any, hoppiness in the aroma and that’s just fine by me! A “classic scotch ale” (as the label says) by design, this nails it right on the head.
What do I want in a winter ale? Let’s see...I want a malt backbone to keep me warm on a winter night...I want some body to let me know that this is a sippin’ beer to be had by a wood fire...I want flavor and lots of it, I’m not looking for a crisp summer thirst quencher now! Guess what? Wachusett’s Winter Ale has all of this. It’s got a rich maltiness that goes along with the fresh bread smell. The beer isn’t too clean, but rather has a bit of fruitiness from the fermentation that goes very well with base. It’s a bit chewy, even, which is probably related to the sweetness on the finish. All in all, the folks at Wachusett will tell you they didn’t put any spice into this winter ale and that’s because they didn’t need to! One taste and you know that this is a tipple meant for the chilly nights we get in New England.
This bottle was a sample sent to us by Wachusett Brewing Company. Thanks folks!
Add a commentWhat are you drinking with Christmas dinner? [Poll]
As much as we love beer here we also enjoy other beverages. This Christmas I know I'll be having some mulled wine, perhaps a glass of scotch and of course some good craft beer as well. So what do you plan of having this Christmas? Let us know your specific drink of choice in the comments below or on twitter.
Vote below then let us know which way you went on Twitter, on Facebook or in the comments below the poll.
Merry Christmas
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