Drake's Brewing Company Expedition Red Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Drake's Brewing Company Expedition Red Ale.  In keeping with last night’s theme (all things Drake’s Brewing) I thought I’d write about another one of their exceptional beers. Although this beer is available in October why not get you clamoring for it now, right?

From the Drake’s Brewing website: “This Hoppy Red Ale is loaded with Crystal malts for color and maltiness and balanced by an onslaught of Cascade and Chinook hops. Behold Expedition’s ruby-red color as you savor the wonderful aroma, complex taste, and mildly bitter finish.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a dark reddish amber with a small off white head and nice lacing.

Aroma: Caramel and toasted malts matched with citrus hops and a brown sugar sweetness.  Smells great.

Taste: Sweet caramel malts and toasted malts are matched with assertive citrus and floral hop bitterness. A really tasty Red Ale.

Overall: Exceptionally drinkable, Drake's Brewing Company Expedition Red Ale is very well made.  At 7% ABV you may not have several, but I guess that depends on you.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Drake’s Brewing Kölsch-style Blonde Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Drake’s Brewing Kölsch-style Blonde Ale.  I’m a huge fan of Drake’s Brewing and I’ve said that time and time again so I thought I better go to reviewing some of their other beers (I’m a sucker for their IPAs…all of them).

From the Drake’s Brewing website: “Light in color from brewing with only 2-row malt, but big on flavor from imported Noble Saaz hops and German Spalt hops.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a bright and clear golden straw color with a large soapy white head and minimal lacing.

Aroma: Light and sweet smelling malts – like crackers and shortbread. Very crisp with subtle hop scents and the unmistakable Kölsch yeast aroma.

Taste: Very refreshing - a pilsner-like malt crisp start with citrus hop bitterness following.  Clean finish.

Overall: As is to be expected, Drake’s Brewing Kölsch-style Blonde Ale is another exceptional offering.  Easy to drink and perfect for summer days or fall evenings, at 4.8% ABV this is a sessionable beer and great for those times you’re not seeking one of their heavier or higher ABV ale offerings.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Bear Republic Brewing Company Racer X Double IPA

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Bear Republic Brewing Company Racer X Double IPA. Although this is another seasonal release (October) I felt the need to get this review posted.

I was recently visiting the new Cars Land at California Adventure (Disneyland) and was thrilled to see Bear Republic Brewing Company beers at Flo's V8 Café (Racer 5 and Red Rocket Rocket Ale). Needless to say I had a few pints of Racer 5 while I was there.

From the Bear Republic Brewing Company website:” Racer X™ is an uncommon Double India Pale Ale which puts a California twist on English brewing traditions by adding an assertive hop aroma and bitterness that compliments the firm malt backbone. Like its little brother Racer 5, Racer X™ is balance in a bottle.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a golden copper color with a large off-white head and sticky lacing.

Aroma: Huge hop aroma as is to be expected with a fine DIPA.  Pine, citrus and tropical hop notes.

Taste: Floral hops up front with pine and citrus hops close behind.  Nice malt balance – not overwhelming to allow the hops to take center stage. Incredible balance!

Overall: Since I’m a huge fan of Bear Republic Brewing Company it was no surprise that I enjoyed Racer X Double IPA.  This is everything a DIPA should be.  At 8.3% ABV you may not get to your second 22 oz. bottle, but I guess that depends on you.  Find it when it is out.  It is fantastic!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Anchor Brewing Bock Beer

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Yep, I’m back at it again and in an attempt to clear out reviews that I’ve been sitting on for some time. I’ve photographed and taken notes on dozens of beers so now I have to muddle through notes and pictures to bring the reviews to you. I’m hoping to pull off this feat quickly so I can bring seasonal beer reviews to the blog while they are still available.

Tonight’s featured beer is Anchor Brewing Bock Beer. I’ve long been a fan of Anchor Brewing dating back many decades when I had the chance to meet Fritz Maytag. I tried to avoid talking beer as much as possible since I was at an event celebrating a friend’s engagement. Anyhow, let’s get on with the review.

From the Anchor Brewing website: “A traditional celebration of spring. With a modern kick.

The dark satiny texture of Anchor Bock®, with its rich hints of chocolate, caramel and roasted barley, is our interpretation of the strong German beers that signal the coming of spring.

Anchor Bock® Beer is brewed from a complex blend of malts, and fresh, whole-cone hops. In the ancient bock tradition, the dark-colored brew is released in time for springtime celebrations. Bock beers are believed to have originated in the town of Einbeck, Germany and traditionally feature a goat on their labels. The term, “bock” occurs in several Germanic languages and roughly translates to “billy goat”, but there are some unlikely alternatives. Followers of the zodiac have described it as a beer for Capricorn, the time when, as the days grow longer, brewers brew their bock beers in anticipation of the coming of spring.

Over time, bock has come to mean a beer darker and stronger than a brewery's “regular” brew. One with, you might say, the kick of a goat behind it.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a dark reddish brown with a nice brown head and excellent lacing.

Aroma: Chocolate and caramel malts, dark fruits, with slight coffee, toffee and vanilla tones.

Taste: Delicious chocolate malt and more hops than the nose. Well balanced.

Overall: Anchor Brewing’s Bock Beer is a medium bodied and refreshing offering and at 5.5% ABV is highly drinkable. Available from February – May…grab some next time you see it.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

21st Amendment Brewery Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

I know it has been some time since I last reviewed a beer, but I am hoping that I can get back into the swing of things.  I've not stopped drinking, no.  Just haven't had the time to write much over this busy Summer.

Tonight’s featured beer is 21st Amendment Brewery Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat. I wrote this review prior to this Summer season, but waited until I knew Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat was available in stores. Although the artwork on the cans has changed the taste is still the same.

From the 21st Amendment Brewery website:”Like Lady Liberty, we stand for independence and perseverance. In the pursuit of innovative beer, there is no obstacle too great. No journey too long. No fruit too gigantic. This American wheat beer is brewed with real watermelon, for a flavor that's surprisingly crisp, dry and refreshing—summer in a can.

Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is our summer seasonal beer available from April through September in six pack cans and on draft. We start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a hazy gold with a nice white head and nice lacing.

Aroma: Wheat, grains, watermelon and yeast.

Taste: Crisp and clean – wheat and nice hints of watermelon.  Not too sweet or overpowering.

Overall: Amazingly drinkable and refreshing, 21st Amendment Brewery’s Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat an excellent Summer beer.  At 4.9% ABV this beer is sessionable and nice for a hot day.  Pick some up for your next BBQ or picnic.  Since I live in Northern California it is ALWAYS time for a BBQ or picnic.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey