Features
A Quebec Sampler
La Reyne Descosse (“The Queen of Scotland”), Bedondaine et Bedons Ronds (Chambly brewpub) A Belgian inspired Scotch ale with 8.5 ABV. It has an enticing ruby body with an eggshell-colored head and a sweet scent of chocolate-caramel, toast, berries and faint smoked peat. In the mouth, amongst the multiple layers of pure velvet, this beer […]
POUTINE
Both the Belgians and Quebecois love French fries. In Belgium it seems there is a frites stand every 500 meters and the Belgians love their sauces. The French Canadians carry this one step further with their favorite comfort food, poutine. The recipe calls for fries, gravy and cheese curds. In choosing the perfect beer to […]
Quebec—Canada’s “Belgian” Province
Walk down the aisles of any well-stocked beer store and you will notice there is a quiet revolution taking place. Caged-corked champagne-style bottles of Belgian-inspired beer are invading the shelves. If you have stopped to wonder who is responsible, blame Canada. Specifically, blame Quebec.
Brewers’ Spirits and Vintners’ Brews
Dogfish Head Brown Honey Rum (Dogfish Head Brewing): This 80 proof rum is made with wildflower honey. It is golden in color and has a sweet and herbal nose. The rum is mellow with a nice lingering sweet finish. Edgefield Distillery American Distilled Gin (McMenamins): This gin comes from an Oregon company that also operates […]
Brewers Who Distill, Vintners Who Brew
There once was a time in America, not that long ago, when we had brewers, winemakers and distillers. It was a simple, orderly era. Each group existed among its own kind, occasionally venturing to sample the wares of another group, but never straying.
Music to My Beers
Song and beer have gone together for thousands of years. Every one of us has surely found our inner “idol” after a few pints of liquid courage. The drinking ballads of the British Isles, the German Schnitzelbank, the jukebox in a local dive or honky tonk, or karaoke bars in Asia—few of these would thrive […]
Life, Liberty and Distillation
Just like some brewpubs and farm wineries had to lobby for legislation in many state for the right to produce and sell alcohol, the new wave of micro distillers are finding they have to navigate through laws and regulations. In Oregon, Rogue and other drinks companies have it fairly easy. “The state of Oregon views […]
Fritz Maytag: The Jim Brown of Beverages
There are a number of alcohol makers who match two sport stars like Bo Jackson (football and baseball) and Dave DeBusschere (basketball and baseball) for their ability to star in two different arenas. Then there is Fritz Maytag. He has not only competed in the three adult beverage categories, he has performed at the highest […]
Montreal
Since most people access Quebec through Montreal, it’s worth a beer visit all its own. It is a great beer city that Stephen Beaumont and Don Tse have covered in this very magazine in recent years. My dream day drinking and eating in Montreal would include a great meal upstairs at L’Amere a Boire, with […]
Beer Lift for the Troops?
A critic of America’s Noble Experiment once inveighed, “The only thing Prohibition has accomplished is that a man who wants a weak drink is compelled to take a strong one, and a man who wants a good drink is compelled to take a bad one.”
Columns
Madam Beer Inspector
I live in the north of England, in Yorkshire. My mum doesn’t drink at all—she’s teetotal—but my dad’s a great beer fan. This sounds a bit strange, but I was actually conceived in Tadcaster, which is a big brewing town in Yorkshire. Whenever I go back to Tadcaster now, I love that smell of beer […]
Celebrating the End of Prohibition
As I write this, I am reminded that it was in April of 1933 that we got beer back from the prohibitionists after thirteen dry years. Prohibition lasted another eight months until December of that year, when newly-elected president Franklin Roosevelt was pretty much responsible for the end of Prohibition itself. But a prohibitionist streak […]
Departments
Central Europe: Beer and Unexpected Memories
We’re long time believers that no matter where you go, you’ll always find a memorable place to have a beer or two. Sometimes the memories come from the venues. Sometimes they come from the beer. And sometimes it’s the unexpected things you find when you visit. With that in mind, join us for a few […]
Belgian Witbier
With summer not-so-gently pounding on the door, it’s time to spotlight the summer quenchers. Few offer the complexity and satisfaction of Belgian witbiers. Beyond the light, soft body and tart, lemony finish, they present enough layered aroma and flavor to rival heartier wintry beers. Witbiers tantalize the senses with evocative reminders of the season. Textured […]
Beer Talk
Brooklyn Local 1
Available: NY, NJ, CT, PA, RI, DC, MD, DE, SC, GA, AL, IN, ME, NH, VT, FL, IL
Harpoon Brown Ale
Available: MA, VT, ME, CT, NH, RI, NY, KY, VA, DE, NJ, GA, TN, NC, SC, MD, WV, DC, IN, MI, FL, OH