Commentist Beer Barrel: Scotchy Scotch Scotch

makeitsnowondem - October 21, 2016

The worst thing about this time of year, to me—at least in non-election years, Jesus Christ am I sick of that shit—is waiting for Sierra Nevada Brewing Company to release its famous winter fresh hop IPA, Celebration. The ongoing seasonal creep in beer releases means now's about the time the winter

Commentist Beer Barrel: One Mint Julep

Commentist Beer Barrel

makeitsnowondem - October 19, 2016

I was a little sick last week, so both the Beer Barrel and my actual drinking were somewhat abbreviated, and this review is going up very, very late. But better late than never, right? Right? If you'd prefer never, please don't tell me. Let's talk about beer instead. Avery Brewing in Boulder,

Commentist Beer Barrel: Märzens and Milestones

make it snow - October 7, 2016October 7, 2016

Disclosure: A couple of weeks ago I was invited to, and attended, a bottle share hosted by Goose Island employees. I got to try some pretty sweet out-of-market beers and got a free glass (pictured), T-shirt, and bottle opener out of the bargain. I'm committed to transparency in the Beer Barrel

Commentist Beer Barrel: Alternatives

makeitsnowondem - September 30, 2016September 30, 2016

This year's Oktoberfest opened in Bavaria just about two weeks ago. Most of Oktoberfest every year takes place in September, just like you'd expect, and it coincides nicely with the start of fall in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere that aren't the burning hellscape of Central Texas. Here, daily highs

Commentist Beer Barrel: On the Value of Changing Your Mind

DFOing Good

makeitsnowondem - September 5, 2016September 5, 2016

"We'll be last brewery in the US to use aluminum cans," Lagunitas founder Tony Maguire tweeted in 2012. Maguire was shocked by the excesses of the aluminum industry, an earth-destroying enterprise preying on developing economies and potentially displacing good, sustainable, silica-based manufacturing of glass beer vessels. Or that's what it

Commentist Beer Barrel: Nora Brought Out The Brandy

makeitsnowondem - August 28, 2016August 28, 2016

To me, the best consequence of the saturation of the craft beer market over the last seven or so years with beers aged in whiskey barrels has been the saturation of the craft beer market with beers aged in whiskey barrels. Whiskey barrels—specifically American bourbon barrels—are, in my opinion, the best

Commentist Beer Barrel: Skål!

makeitsnowondem - August 21, 2016

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Denmark got a big Olympic win today, overcoming France for the gold medal in handball. I thought about burying the lede on this, in case any Commentists log onto the site while desperately avoiding Olympic handball spoilers, but... look, I just didn't think that was very likely, y'know? I'll apologize

Commentist Beer Barrel: It’s A Trappist!

makeitsnowondem - August 20, 2016

On spring break, in 2007, in a hidden-away bar in Brussels, there was a college junior, sitting with a group of new friends, listening attentively to the server's descriptions of the classic Belgian beers on offer. He didn't especially understand the descriptions, so he did what any college junior with no

Commentist Beer Barrel: Cocktail Hour

makeitsnowondem - August 1, 2016August 1, 2016

If there's any one trend in beer that I've been especially hesitant to adopt, it's the beer cocktail. When I want a beer, I just want a beer, not two or more beers mixed together. I want to drink the thing that a brewery carefully crafted, put its heart ans soul

Commentist Beer Barrel: Coffeebeernerdness Reloaded

makeitsnowondem - July 24, 2016July 24, 2016

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It's another hot one. We're slated for a high of 102 here in Austin, and as longtime readers of the Beer Barrel will know, when the weather gets hot, I switch to lighter, crisper beers. Sorry, that's wrong. That's the exact opposite of what happens. You'll have to excuse me. I've

Commentist Beer Barrel and Open Thread: Singled Out

makeitsnowondem - July 17, 2016

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Two of my favorite beers of all time are Lone Pint Yellow Rose, and Independence Gold Deluxe, and they have one thing in common: They were each brewed with just one hop variety, and one malt variety, part of a trend known as Single Malt and Single Hop (or SMaSH)

Commentist Beer Barrel: Who’s For Curry?

makeitsnowondem - July 9, 2016

So, let's just get this out of the way: I promised you all a bonus Beer Barrel on the Fourth, and I didn't deliver. I had something already picked out, had started writing the post, and then I found out I had a job interview to prepare for and promptly