Beer Talk by Art of the Table
November 18, 2010
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I just watched the documentary "Beer Wars", and it made me very proud to have the beer in the cooler be the caliber that it is, and satisfied with the attitude we have towards quality beer overall.
Facts:
We don't have merchandisers stock our shelves, we do it ourselves.
We taste what we order, and we really care.
The only "lawn mower" or "hipster" beer we carry is Schlitz. Even then, it's not one of the big 3, and even PBR carries a more well known reputation these days ~ mind you, we are not knocking PBR, or even hipsters for that matter.
We love carrying quality beer, from quality micro brews and great imports you can't find at the grocery store. One of the things that we get uber excited about are specialty and limited release products. Short's in particular is always coming out with something wacky and usually mind bending good. I'm always scared to try what they put out, but I shouldn't be because I love it and it changes the way I feel about beer every time.
Not to single out Short's though. Many amazing breweries are putting out specialty and limited ales. Here are a few of our favorites at the moment. Remember, they don't last long, so hurry and get yours now...well, read the email then go immediately...seriously.
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Hello Goodness
| | Ommegang Cup "O" Kyndnes
A Belgian styled ale with homage to Scotland. Fine heather tips and a touch of smoked malt are added to give off a Highland characteristic to this fine beer. The pour is rich and heavy with a nice, tan lacy head. The aromas start off sour and yeasty, then transform into raisin and fig as the beer warms. The palate is warming with bright hops and light fig, still maintaining the wild yeast quality. I find this to be a harmonious balance between two very different kinds of ale. Well done to the gents over in Cooperstown, NY. Bravo.
Short's Brewing Co. Rye Bock
Yeah, Short's does it again. Although this isn't out of the "norm" for craft beer makers, Short's has figured out how to wow you with a fairly basic beer. This, though, is the opposite of balance, this is genius. Crazy amounts of black cherry flavor with rich and smokey Porter characteristics and hops to boot with this interestingly subtle chocolate flavor. This is good beer my friends.
Founders Harvest Ale
Right here in our own back yard. Grand Rapids isn't lacking for a place for a good beer. Luckily, we don't lack a great local brewery that bottles and distributes as well. The Harvest Ale is a wonderful wet hopped ale. Loads of fresh hops flavor this intensely bitter beer. Bitter, yes. Refreshing? Unbelievably so. Every year I await the arrival of this to the market. One, because I love it. Two, because I can't wait to share it with people who haven't tried it yet.
Shiner Holiday Cheer
***Disclaimer***
We are in no way "plugging" the holidays yet...we are simply informing you that this is in the cooler.
Nat King Cole can wait a while.
***Disclaimer***
Now that we have that out of the way, let us gather around and converse about an interesting ale. Shiner's holiday brew is certainly one of the most interesting cheery beers around. A Dunkelweizen (dark wheat) beer brewed with peaches. Yes, peaches. And, it's good. Really good. Not much else to say about it actually. It's a really satisfying feeling when you don't have to search for the words.
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Holy Cow! We got a few...
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There are three more Dogfish Head Theobroma left in the cooler. This is kind of a big deal. Get it before it's gone. Hurry! {By the way, it's a beer brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs, honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds)}
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The Staff @ Art of the Table
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