Pumpkin Ales you should consider...

Check out my latest Jezebel Magazine beer feature.

I did this article in the latest edition of Jezebel Magazine featuring the best Pumpkin Ales on the shelves. Get 'em before they're gone. (Oh, the aged ones sit pretty well too.) This joint is on page 120. Here's the digital version of the magazine. Dig it!
Happy Holidays!
Ale

Plain and simple, I hope you get to try my brew...

Ale Sharpton and Little Cottage Brewery present... 

The Shake Yo' Rumpkin 

Imperial Rum Pumpkin Ale

The Shake Yo' Rumpkin homebrew I crafted with my homey Jon Shari and Little Cottage Brewery (follow him here) is something I dreamed about making and it's all of 8.47 percent ABV plus absolutely gangster! I can't disclose more than that, besides saying this is finally the brew I would go to war with. (We will go over the ingredients when we link up.) I just hope to see you and give you a pour because it is extremely limited. 
Of course, I am having a few bottles chill out for a year to really see how nuts it can be, but even after a week of being bottled, I am already grinning ear to ear on its progress. 
The Shake Yo' Pumpkin on the right is the original version and is nothing to eff with either, but the Rumpkin? Cray-cray.
Cheers!
Ale

I had a blast on Atlanta Eats TV and Radio!

Steak Shapiro and I are choppin' it up at The Porter Beer Bar during his beer episode.

This past Saturday was a classic day for beer!

In case you missed the last episode of the Atlanta Eats television show that came on Saturday morning, November 23, they have it posted on their website. (Here is the link.) Hosted by local celebrity and gourmand Steak Shapiro, this particular show featured some of the main spots of Georgia capital's beer scene, including SweetWater Brewery, the Brick Store, Hop City, and the Porter Beer Bar. I was asked to join Steak at his Porter stop, and I was more than happy to join him. Although I would love for you to check out my segment in the beginning, but the entire show is well done. 

And if that wasn't enough of a great way to start off the day, the Atlanta Eats Radio show booked me for a live interview right after the show aired, so I happily drove over and kicked it with their jovial host Mara Davis. That went super well, especially after I cracked open the liquid surprise I had on deck: Enter the delicious Terrapin Brewing Company/Schmaltz Brewing Company collaboration called the Reunion Ale '13: A Beer For Hope, a brown ale brewed with cocoa nibs, cinnamon, Jittery Joe's coffee and vanilla at 7.5% ABV with proceeds going to the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research. I lost my mother on this exact day two years ago from f*cking cancer (see my post about it here), so it was fitting to present this sipper during my radio appearance.

Mara and the Villains Wicked Heroes posse.

Here is the link to my fun interview with my homey Mara. We start at around the 49:19 minute mark. Highlights include a hilarious beer song intro, some impressive belches, my connection to Reverend Al Sharpton, plus my shout outs and recommendations on places around Atlanta and throughout the nation to indulge in the best beverage on earth. 
After we finished, the Villains Wicked Heroes rolled through with my favorite salad in the city, their Hail Nero made with kale, and some of their crazily inventive sandwiches. 
After that, I was off to Burnt Hickory Brewery to be a guest pourer (see the @DrinkLikaFish video here), then a potluck dinner and debut of the Shake Your Rumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale brewed with my dude and homebrewer extraordinaire Jon Shari, and closed the night watching that bullsh*t Pacquiáo fight at my fellow Brew Tang Clan member Mike's house. 
What a day. Thanks Mom.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Ale

Dogfish Head time warps me to 2014!

Photo courtesy of Dogfish Head.

Namaste comes in sixes, Raison D'Etre gets ‘a little extra,’ and four brews go bye-bye in 2014.

Whaddup Craft Sippers?!

The Delaware-based microbrewing powerhouse Dogfish Head just threw me in a time warp and showed me what’s in store for 2014. Man, my journey was trippy and fun as hell. Here's what I found out...

·         Due to overwhelming response of their Belgian-style white beer Namaste—which is infused with organic orange, pepper, coriander, and lemongrass—it will now be sold in year-round 6-packs! Explaining its forgiving 4.8 percent session strength, Dogfish Head Founder and President Sam Calagione says, "From the day we opened in 1995, the average beer we've brewed has been 9 percent ABV. We love going big, but we also hear the calls for a more sessionable off-centered ale. We hope you'll agree that Namaste is a great year-round quencher and food beer."

·         Then there’s the return of Raison D'Extra, which they call the “O.G.” version of their Belgian-style brown ale Raison D'Etre. It’s basically a more gangster, potent and robust version at an astounding 18 percent ABV! (Damn, Georgia's limit is 14%!)  As for the more reserved Raison D'Etre, it will still be available, but just by draft.

·         And as a belated gift for particularly those who need a gluten-free beer that actually tastes like it deserves a craft designation, Tweason'ale is now a year-round selection!

I dig this artwork!

·         Already loving what they did with Miles Davis (Bitches Brew), Pearl Jam (Faithfull Ale) and Robert Johnson (Hellhound On My Ale), look for more from their jammin’ Music Series! By the way, speaking of music, the Grateful Dead-inspired American Beauty Imperial Pale Ale brewed with toasty, good-for-you granola (minus the almonds) is delicious! Get some while you can. Seriously.

·         And borrowing from one of my favorite sports shows, ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption (PTI), a “Happy Trails” to Immort Ale, Chateau Jiahu, My Antonia or Black & Blue in 2014. There is no timetable for their return (if there is one), but with all the new eccentric brews Dogfish continues to create, I think we’ll maintain next year.

And just to make sure you are officially prepped for everything Dogfish has coming out starting next month, here is their full 2014 release calendar. Cool? Cool.

Happy sippin’!

Ale

Terrapin gets gangster with Frozen Pints and a new Reserve Series!

A White Chocolate Moo-Hoo Milk Stout and Moo-Hoo Mint Craft Beer Ice Cream? Dizzaaamn!

I have always been a fan of stouts—especially the imperial ones—but when it comes to those in the 6 percent ABV range, the Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout by Terrapin Beer Company is one of my favorites. Besides how super smooth it is and the subtle homage to my favorite chocolate drink as a child (Yoo-Hoo), this is one silky smooth, chocolately sipper brewed with cocoa nibs from Olive & Sinclair Choclate Company out of Nashville.

Well now Moo-Hoo is taken to new heights thanks to the brewery’s new Reserve Series, where they are milking a new version of this stout in 22-ounce bottles hand-dipped in wax, along with an ice cream version by local creamery Frozen Pints! Check it:

·         the White Chocolate Moo-Hoo brewed with, you guessed it, white chocolate still maintains a merciful 6.1 percent ABV potency but reigns imperial in flavor. It’s hard as hell to get so grab a bottle quick!

·         And then there's the Moo-Hoo Mint craft beer ice cream hooked up by Frozen Pints fusing Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout with added notes of peppermint at 2.6 percent ABV! Crazy, right? "We were excited and very flattered when Frozen Pints approached us about being their first local brewery to collaborate on an ice cream to be released in stores,” says my girl Julia Weckback, the marketing director for Terrapin. “Moo-Hoo [Chocolate Milk Stout] has a built a devoted fan base since its release in 2010, and fans will be delighted to discover that they can enjoy their favorite beer with both a mint twist and a spoon!" It hits the shelves of various craft beer retailers today, November 20, so scoop some up.

Photo courtesy of Caren West PR.

·         There’s also another Reserve sipper to look for soon using the awesomely coffee-infused Wake-n-Bake Imperial Stout, the Cinnamon Roll'd Wake-n-Bake! Sounds good as hell doesn't it?

I love the Holiday season when it comes to brew! These joints I just posted above are a good freakin' reason why!

Cheers!

Ale

‘Joint Effort’ ale brewed with hemp? Yep!

Two breweries celebrate Washington’s legalization of the sticky icky with ‘Joint Effort’ brew

Whaddup Craft Brew Sippers!

Thanks to two collaborating breweries reppin’ the state of Washington—Redhook and Hilliard's—there’s a new beer cleverly called “Joint Effort” using hemp in their recipe. It was brewed in celebration of last November’s passing of Initiative 502, legalizing moderate use and possession of marijuana. Originally served in draft mode complete with a bong-shaped tap handle, the popularity of this “session ale” (although its 5.6% ABV, 25 IBUs) made it graduate to bottle status—22 ouncers to be exact.

Coming directly from Redhook, Joint’s described as a “session ale brewed with hemp seeds and dry-hopped with Zeus, Cascade, and Summit hops. Joint Effort has a dank, resinous hop aroma balanced by nutty, earthiness from hemp seeds.”

The sad news is Joint Effort’s only available in the “Evergreen State” (this 120-year-old nickname should gain a lot more legs now), there are no records of getting the munchies afterwards, and hearing music in crystal clarity after sipping a glass is yet to be proven. Also note that this is not the only hemp-infused beer; there’s the Homegrown Hemp Ale by C’Est What? out of Ontario, Canada, and Paso Robles, California’s Humboldt Brown (formerly called the Hemp Ale but changed for political reasons) to name a few, but hey, you gotta love the creativity and ballsy move by Redhook and Hilliard's. Like the late reggae great Peter Tosh chanted, “Legalize it!”

I haven't tried it yet, but the Joint Effort would be an awesome brew for conversation during bottle shares to say the least.

Cheers!
Ale

Ponce de Leon Beer Fest was a trip!

Kickin' it with Matt the Beer Sommelier, the Twain's Posse, Scott Hedeen & Co. (Burnt Hickory), Reid Ramsey (Beer Street Journal), Simon (Savannah Distribution), and Matt the sipper at the VIP section of the Ponce de Leon Beer Fest.

Check out these pics from Saturday's ATL beer fest.

Hey Fellow Craft Beer Lovers!

I have been on the road including Miami and New York City, so my apologies with the wait on my update. It's been crazy! Stay tuned with some updates on some great beers I came across, plus photos showing off some slick brew spots and hot rides I saw at the Miami International Auto Show.

Anyway, a nice welcome home present, I went to the Ponce Beer Festival which was truly a different experience since it was at the gorgeous Shriner's Yaarab Temple on Atlanta's always happening Ponce De Leon Avenue and all. The cause was a good one (raising money for the Children's Hospital), some great beer was poured and most importantly, good people attended including some of my favorite personalities in the suds industry. I wanted to share a few of my pics for you. 

And like I said, so much more is in store for this site. Sorry for the wait!

Your homey,

Ale

The always jovial organizer Rebecca Jennings. Whaddup Becca!

Inside the temple.

My boy Brian Purcell with Three Taverns Brewery poured me sip of their new Feest Noel Dark Belgian-Style Ale. This thing is going to rock the beer scene! Deliciously spiced up. 

The new Max Lager's tap handles get their debut!

Beer soap SoapZilla kept things clean during the fest. 

And the writer for the blog Beersouth introduced me to this dude named Sam Van Eeden who was a total trip. He took the coordination of colors to new heights by painting his toenails red to match his shirt and beret! He was big as hell so no one joked with it and respected his individuality. I know I did. Cheers to him!

Victory goes 4-pack with the all new DirtWolf DIPA

The hop wolf on the label is pretty dope!

The DirtWolf will make you howl! 

Hey y’all! 

I am always down to spread news about the new beers that have been hitting our shelves, and the Victory DirtWolf Double IPA is pretty damn good!

This Downingtown, Pennsylvania-based brewery is one of my favorites because they not only make killer brews starting with my go-to selections—Hop Devil, Storm King, and Golden Monkey—but they continue to successfully diversify their portfolio with sippin’ goodness in a wide range of styles and aging methods. Well now they are doing the four-pack thing, which usually means the beers are either in limited quantity, high gravity, seasonal or a mix of all the above! Victory’s first quartet, the DirtWolf, is 8.7% in the potency category, and thanks to the abundance of Citra, Chinook, Simcoe and Mosaic hops, its flavors and aromas make this one a must to pick up.

Here is the official scoop below.

Cheers!

Ale

The scoop:

Victory Brewing Company Rolls Out DirtWolf DIPA

Victory Brewing Company is pleased to announce the first in its series of new arrivals, DirtWolf Double IPA. The newest beer in Victory’s brand lineup is part of the brewery’s initiative to increase beer production to meet customer demand, in addition to offering a greater variety of styles and brands, a practice celebrated by the craft brewing industry and its loyal consumers. 

Hitting shelves and dining establishments beginning this week, the suggested retail price for DirtWolf Double IPA is approximately $9.99, depending on location; this brand marks the brewery’s first foray into the four-pack market. Known for melding traditional styles and unique concepts to produce the highest quality, full flavored beers, Victory’s DirtWolf Double IPA continues the brewery’s standard of innovation and excellence.

Why DirtWolf Double IPA

Wildly assertive, intentionally untamed and dangerously satisfying, DirtWolf Double IPA is the culmination of Victory’s Double IPA series experiment with whole flower, American-grown hops. With two-row German malts and a well-balanced combination of whole flower Citra, Chinook, Simcoe and Mosaic hops, this 8.7% ABV brew blends the powerful citrus aroma and fruity flavors, with the piney, earthy and mildly floral characteristics found in these intriguing hop varieties.

“We’re very proud to bring this delicious new double IPA, DirtWolf to market,”
 said President and Brewmaster, Bill Covaleski.  “As brewers who enjoy experimenting with beer styles and ingredient varieties, we are constantly looking to keep our core audience captivated and interested while creating opportunities to attract and introduce those new to the craft brewing movement. We think, and hope, everyone will be as pleased as we are with the result.” 


DirtWolf Double IPA Availability

DirtWolf Double IPA is available for purchase in most major gourmet grocery stores, bottle shops and beer distributors, as well as many craft beer bars throughout Victory’s national distribution footprint, including most Whole Foods Markets and Wegmans locations along the East Coast. Use Victory’s Beerfinder at www.victorybeer.com/beerfinder to discover a nearby location, or download the free Victory Mobile app for Android or iPhone.

About Victory Brewing Company

Victory Brewing Company is a privately held craft brewery headquartered in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Founded by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, childhood friends who met on a school bus in 1973, the brewery formally began operations in February of 1996. Victory, Pennsylvania's widely acclaimed brewery and restaurant, now serves fans of fully flavored beers in 30 states with innovative beers melding European ingredients and technology with American creativity. To learn more about Victory Brewing Company visit us on the web at www.victorybeer.com.

Check out the new Nike Store at Lenox Square

23,000 square feet of Nike gear, kicks and Atlanta memorabilia

What's up, good people?!

As you know, this site is not solely about beer. I have to make sure anything cool I come across should get some love to so that you will be informed. After all, if you are on this site, you must be a cool hunter as well, right? (Speaking of which, look out for my annual Gift Guide coming soon!)

Anyway, I recently had the chance to check out the new Nike store now open in front of Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta’s hip Buckhead area. It’s a 23,000-square-foot, two-level facility that is pretty damn slick. You are guaranteed to be inspired to stay in shape and do something sports-related after entering this state-of-the-art store with all of the new product Nike has for sale. I was blown away by its mix of Atlanta’s history (Martin Luther King Jr. memorabilia) with today’s most innovative technology (Nike Fuelband). This kind of creates a time machine effect. I took some shots during my visit for ya.

Definitely come check this store out.  

Here is the official info:

Nike Opens Premium Brand Experience Store at Lenox Square

Nike is now open at Lenox Square with a two-story, multi-category Brand Experience store designed to serve all athletes.  The 23,000-square-foot location offers a premium assortment of Nike Running, Training, Basketball, Football, Soccer and Sportswear with footwear, apparel and equipment for men, women and young athletes. Nike uses reclaimed bleachers and wooden gym floors throughout the interior.  Imagery and design elements pay homage to local Atlanta sports teams, destinations and history makers.  A few of the unique features include:

·         A display of the basketball hoop set from the former Butler Street YMCA where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used to play.

·         Nine custom manikins depicting some of Atlanta’s greatest athletes.

·         A full basketball court layout and hoops made of black Swarovski crystals.

Premium services such as gait analysis, women's styling and more will be available at Nike Lenox Square. Consumers can follow @NikeATL for exclusive invitations to launch events, shoe drops and more.