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Winter Beers Equal Holiday Cheers!

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Even though the streets of Kalamazoo are flooding due to the severe weather the entire Midwest has been subjected to in the past 24 hours, I can't help but continue to think about the magical blanket of thick and fluffy white snow that will soon cover the mitten state.


And let's be honest, every year I feel the same way about it.


I'm sorry, I adore Michigan. And not having snow on Christmas is sacrilege, but thinking about scraping off my car every morning and night, shoveling my driveway, turning up the heat, having to buy new boots because every year I choose price over quality and every year I end up with wet socks. 

Also, snow pants. I have come full circle and now appreciate them. There was a time in the middle where it was embarrassing, from about age 10 through relatively recently. But now I would rather go to the bar looking like a marshmallow then be cold. Sorry everyone that has to witness that.

But speaking of the bar, let's talk about the one great part about cold weather, and that's the type of beer you're about to see flood menus across Michigan.

BRING ON THE WINTER BEER. Because winter beer equals holiday cheer.

In no particular order, I present to you my list of the Top 10 Winter Beers I am most excited to drink this holiday season, and you should be excited too. 






10. Santa's Private Reserve Ale - Rogue (6% ABV)



Thank goodness Santa's not holding out on us anymore. You should probably treat yourself to this at some point, regardless as to whether you have been naughty or nice. You've got your basic hoppy red ale with additional notes of orange peel and holiday spices. A sweet and bitter treat.

9. 2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company (8% ABV)



Taking in the aroma of this beer is like smelling a gingerbread/sugar cookie hybrid. This beer is full of figs, orange peel, and holiday baking spices, everything you need for a truly solid Christmas ale. Southern Tier always brews delicious, people pleasing beers, and this is certainly no exception.




8.  Bourbon Barrel Soaked Sustenance Black Beer - Short's Brewing Co. (6.5% ABV)



Ok, so this one doesn't directly reference the holidays in the title. But trust me, when the snow comes down and your socks are wet and you're too poor to turn the heat up, this is the beer you want. The old label actually used to have a turkey sitting on a barrel, which is pretty Thanksgiving-y if you ask me, but the new one isn't bad either. Kind of looks like my tiny family around the Thanksgiving table.

Feel free to point out that this beer is released in early spring. But trust me, there is nothing, nothing I tell you, that feels like sitting in front of a toasty fire in your favorite flannel pajamas than this beer. Probably because, as Short's so aptly describes it, this beer is bourbon barrel soaked. You've got a great oaky char in there, and certainly prominent vanilla notes which to me, allude to baking on Christmas eve, but the star player is the bourbon.


6. Ursus - Greenbush (8.9% ABV)



Greenbush actually has three winter beer options this year, including Mammoth (weizenbock) and Jadis (winter white). But I'm mot excited to try Ursus, an old winter ale. It boasts roasty chocolate malts and notes of dark fruit, along with a surprise addition of maple sap. I'm really looking forward to grabbing a glass this season. Label not pictured here, but it's got a very menacing looking bear on it. I'm a fan.


5. Plow Horse - Brewery Vivant (9.5% ABV)

                            

Winter is stout season, and this Belgian Imperial stout absolutely blew me away the first time I tried it. Its official release month is November, so now is the time people! This beer is just huge and robust, everything a great stout should be. Wonderfully balanced, delightfully complex, it's a Christmas miracle! But it's actually not, because I think we've all come to expect nothing less from Brewery Vivant.


9. Christmas Ale - Great Lakes (7.5% ABV)


Great Lakes Brewing Company has just celebrated their 25th Anniversary this year, and with options like this, it's no wonder they've been brewing strong for so long! This seasonal ale is a glorious offering to anyone looking to experience some serious holiday cheer in a pint. It's brewed with honey, ginger, and cinnamon, which gives this beer a great savory to sweet balance. Definitely don't wait until Christmas day to open up a bottle of this stuff.


4. Christmas Ale - Goose Island (7.5% ABV)



I look forward to this truly spectacular Christmas ale every single year. Distinctly sweet, like plums, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. I know first hand that this stuff ages well, so if you grab yourself a six pack, consider cellaring a bottle or two to appease the you of Christmas future.

3. Noel de Calabaza - Jolly Pumpkin (9% ABV)



All I want for Christmas is a Jolly Pumpkin in Kalamazoo. I have an obsession. Some days, only a Jolly Pumpkin brew will do, and for those days that also happen to be around the holidays, there is Noel de Calabaza for your drinking pleasure. Its flavor is equally full of dark fruit and nuts as it is chocolate rum truffles. The only thing that keeps me from confidently stating that this is my favorite winter beer is that it's not nearly as readily available as I would like. So when you see it, snatch it up because Jolly Pumpkin beers have a habit of flying off the shelf like Santa's reindeer.

2. Three Philosophers - Brewery Ommegang (9.8% ABV)



This Belgian quad is one of the most outstanding beers I have ever had. It's fitting that it was created around the description of someone's dream beer in a contest. I will actually direct you to my review of this beer from a few months ago. But as far as why this gets ranked into a winter beer list, the sweet rum raisin, dark cherries and cloves you pull from this beer would pair perfectly with any holiday meal. Or it can certainly stand alone on a cold winter's night.



1. Breakfast Stout - Founder's Brewing (8.3% ABV)



Winter is stout season. Breakfast Stout is the perfect stout. It's basic math. There is truly nothing even mediocre about this beer. Beautiful layers of Kona and Sumatra coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and oats make up the foundational flavors of this cornerstone beer from one of Michigan's best breweries. Bonus! If you're reading this out of state, this beer is distributed nationally, so make sure to keep an eye out for it wherever you normally shop for your favorite craft beer.






MLive's Michigan's Best Brewery List SLASH Beauty and the Brew's Best MI Brewery List

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At the end of September, Mlive.com, Michigan's primary news source, released a list of Michigan's Best Breweries. The list is ranked based on overall experience, including the feel of the brewery, the knowledge of the staff, and of course, the beer.

They visited breweries based on Michigander votes over the course of nine short days with the assistance of Amy Sherman from The Great American Brew Trail television show. This was the list they compiled.

1. Short's Brewing Company

2. Greenbush Brewing Co.

3. Dark Horse Brewing Co.

4. Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.

5. Founders Brewing Co.

6. Bell's Brewery, Inc.

7. Arbor Brewing Company

8. Arcadia Brewing Company

9. Right Brain Brewery

10. Cranker's Brewery

More information about why they chose the breweries can be found here.

But (and isn't there always a "but), I politely and respectfully disagree, and will submit my own list in protest, which will mostly be based on the beer.

So here are Beauty and The Brew's Top 10 Michigan Breweries.

1. Short's Brewing Company
They got this one right. They really did, and Short's has earned this title. Short's has worked their way up from a humble start to becoming the craft beer powerhouse that it is today. Only distributing in Michigan has given Short's the opportunity to expand their beer selection enormously and they frequently venture into the realm of flat out bizarre (but somehow delicious) territory with some of their more experimental beers, such as their Key Lime Pie, Bloody Beer (inspired by Bloody Mary flavors), and their OMGWTFBBQ. Short's is located in Bellaire, MI, a sleepy lake town up north that provides all the charm that you'd expect to suit a local brewery. There's great beer to choose from, a staff that clearly loves their jobs, and a deli menu to die for thanks to Joe Short's wife Leah. This brewpub really has it all.



2. Brewery Vivant
I'll try not to go on and on about this one, even though I easily could. Brewery Vivant was actually the brewpub I vouched for when I sent my email to Mlive, mostly knowing that Short's wouldn't need any help getting to number one. But Brewery Vivant is certainly newer, and a little more elusive as it's located in a building tucked back on Cherry Street in Grand Rapids, MI. Honestly, nothing that has come out of that brewery has been anything less than world-class. Everything from their standards to their specialty options have floored me. I am obsessed with their packaging (as a graphic designer), it has the look of medieval woodblock prints from religious texts, and you can always tell a Brewery Vivant can from the consistency and the fact that they choose a single color to represent each beer. Not to mention that fact that it is a can is fantastic for the environment, and I appreciate their commitment to that.

The brewpub itself is a renovated historic building in the East Hills neighborhood in Grand Rapids. The building looks like an old Abbey, complete with exposed beams and stained glass behind the bar. Most seating is community style, so you get a great chance to talk to the people around you about the food and beer. The whole building in LEED certified.

And now we get to talk about the food. They have taken bar food to a whole new level with some serious treats. From artisanal cheese plates to upscale bar favorites like oysters and belgium fries (complete with truffle oil on request), they've got all your main faire covered, as well as some really unique twists on some old favorites. Like their bar nachos are made with duck and brie. Their chicken and waffles are made with cornish hen and a cheddar bacon cornbread waffle.

Again, I could go on and on. But I won't. Just go there yourself, it's worth it.




3. Greenbush Brewing Co.
Who would have thought that Sawyer, MI was the perfect location to sustain a craft brewery. Situated closely to Chicago but not too far for most Michigan cities, Greenbush has been an attractive destination for many in their very short lifespan. They are expanding so quickly, it's hard for anyone, even their employees, to keep up, but that is simply the price of serving up great beer. Their staples, Anger, Closure, Brother Benjamin, and Distorter, all get high marks from me in their respective styles. Their food sources great local ingredients, and all people can do is rave about their brisket (for good reason). Looking at the outside of this tiny brewpub, you'd never guess how bustling it is inside! It's a beer lover's haven.



4. Jolly Pumpkin
Approaching a very dark and historic looking line shop in a college town with a Nightmare Before Christmas style logo and awning has never been so appealing. In Ann Arbor, MI, they have a very discerning clientele of professors and students attending the prestigious University of Michigan, so you know if they've managed to keep their supreme location then they are doing something right. Jolly Pumpkin has some world-class beers, consistently scoring 90 or above on Ratebeer.com regardless of style, though they excel at sours.  




5. Founders Brewing Co.
Founders is one of those breweries that needs no introduction, even among a national audience. Their beer has made it across the country, from north to south, purely running on awesome. I have been there many times, and despite enormous crowds have always thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, especially after their recent renovation where they have expanded immensely and increased outdoor space including outdoor fire pits for heating because, let's face it folks, Michigan gets really damn cold. They also have a pretty neat little gift shop in there, so kudos for that addition. Founders is constantly outdoing itself, especially with their Backstage Series beers, which are always interesting as well as incredibly delicious and limited in supply. Founders makes nationally appealing not because they are some sort of toned down version of Michigan beer, but it's because they are a superb example of what makes our state's craft beer so great and people are starting to take notice. 
The renovations are so new, I can't find pictures of the new building anywhere!


7. Arcadia Brewing Company
Arcadia, my love, what can I say about you that hasn't already been said in any of my other blog posts. They make it on this list not simply because their brewpub in Battle Creek is just a lovely experience all together and their food alone is worth the trip, but their Kalamazoo location sounds like it will top my list for next year. So far the feel of the building seems very similar to Founders with the open loft feel and the large garage doors to open to the outside, where they will put a pet friendly beer garden with river access. But THE MENU. Can I just take a second and drool over the menu? They are drawing inspiration from South American barbeque, Turkish inspired spice rubs, house cured meats and fresh fish! Those are a few of my favorite things! And to top it all of, Arcadia is serving up some of my favorite beers, from their Loch Ness to Cocoa Loco, and they will be able produce 60,000 barrels annually in this new facility.
Arcadia (Battle Creek)
Arcadia West (Kalamazoo)


8. New Holland Brewery
Fact: New Holland actually came out publicly during the search for Michigan's Best Brewery and stated that they really don't believe the competition is what the craft beer industry is about. I found that to be incredibly admirable, honestly. I was disappointed to see that New Holland wasn't even an addition to the list that Mlive put out, likely due to their statement, but they have so much public support because their beers are fantastic and they do a wealth of good for the Holland community. As an independent blogger I can only say that all lists, such as my own, have a bias towards personal taste. Your favorite brewery may not be mine, and who really cares? Much like New Holland, I'm sure a lot of these breweries know better than to take the competition to heart and know that everyone has a preference, but in the end it doesn't matter because it all is for the good of the industry as a whole. So here is my "hats off" to the creators of Mad Hatter, New Holland, my hometown brewery. I remember when they opened in 1997, and I couldn't drink then, but I remember that awesome pizza. I remember thinking it was a great restaurant. And now that I'm older, I know that was just a sign that it was also going to be a good brewpub. It has the kind of atmosphere that allows anyone to walk in and feel comfortable and happy. They also distill their own artisan spirits, which, to be frank, kick ass. Their Knickerbocker gin not only is a staple for my personal bar, but it also makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside thinking back to when I used to see shows at The Knickerbocker Theater, the gin's namesake. Don't even get me started on their Beer Barrel Bourbon. 




9. Bell's Brewery
You can't even do this thing without talking about Bell's. The big daddy of Michigan craft brewing has so many diverse spaces in their brewpub, from the Eccentric Cafe to the brewery store, from the outside beer garden and music venue to the inside bar and music venue. You can see people from all over the United States in a single night at Bell's, it's just that much of a destination for beer-lovers. Everything from the food to the staff to the music follows the same standard as their famous beers; world-class.




10. Dark Horse Brewing Co.
Dark Horse is almost too eclectic to summarize. On the outside, this Marshall establishment looks remarkably biker bar-esque, as the exterior is a blend siding painting army green and wood shingles. The ceiling is so lined with mugs that some of them have started to spill onto the walls for lack of space. Dark Horse also boasts an expansive beer garden that is definitely.... different than others. The entire complex is something you will have to see to believe. Dark Horse brews are unapologetically flavorful and hugely diverse in style. The brewers are literally fearless and it shows in everything they put out. They've got relatively standard fare as far as food is concerned, but it hits the spot. 



So that's it. There is my list and I'm sticking to it. Questions, concerns, complaints. Leave me a comment and argue it up, I thrive on disagreement.


15. Founders - Cerise (2012)

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I wasn't going to review this.

I was going to skip over it, because I was disappointed. Moreso disappointed in myself for expecting more, knowing all too well that after over a year in the warehouse, the cherry in this beer would have almost completely disappeared from the overall flavor.

But I've changed my mind, and I'm doing it for the novelty. I'm doing it because.... well, as good as Rubaeus was this year, I missed it. I thought after the bad cherry crop last year, we'd be done suffering, but of course a year later you realize last year no beer was made, and thus this year there is none to be had.

This is a quick peak at how last year's Founders' Cerise held up (6.5% abv).

It didn't. Not really, in my mind.



Don't let that fluffy white head in the photo deceive you.

You can see a little bit of sediment sticking to the side of that bottle from how long it's been sitting.

I got this at free beer Friday at my job. I figured, it's free, let's give it a try.

The color had browned a bit from what I remembered in 2012. I remember a bright, ruby red with some haze. This guy still has a gorgeous color to it, but it's darkened I think.

This fluffy head from the picture died instantly to a sad, sorry layer of nothing.

Aroma had little cherry anymore. My boyfriend actually hit the nail on the head when he took a whiff and said "huh, smells more like wine." It did, it smelled a little floral, a little musty, and definitely like a huge handful of red grapes. Kind of red zin...ish.

Anyway, a biscuity malt quality has kind of taken over this brew and dilluted the pure, concentrated cherry tartness from its fresher days. It still has a lingering tartness, but once again is more reminiscent of grapes and tannins than cherries. It hasn't held much of its initial carbonation, but it hasn't thickened or become syrupy. It's still light and airy.

Overall, it's not bad. It really isn't, but it's definitely beyond its peak. And I was sad. So tonight, I will review something magnificent... or maybe just ok. I won't know until I try it.


Five Best Beers of the Summer

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Looking out the giant windows of my office on my lunch break is what inspired me to write this post.

Last year, if you remember, summer was ungodly scorching hot. Not only in Michigan, but everywhere. And I'll be honest, I love it that way. I study Latin American art for a reason, I love the heat. I love the moist tropical heat of Nicaragua and the dry, arid heat of the Andes in the warmer months. I am just a person that likes to be warm.

This summer hasn't been nearly as hot, especially in the past few weeks, I might actually consider this a "cool/normal Michigan summer." But today is different. Today boasts skies so blue and clear, it looks like they would ripple if you somehow could touch them. No wind, no humidity. Just nice, dry, solid warmth (we're not quite up to heat yet). This definitely gives me hope for days to come.

So, to celebrate to forecast showing clear skies for five straight days in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I want to talk about my top five beers from this year that I want to grab when the weather is so beautiful that it should be spent on your porch and not in an office.



5. Sunspot - Greenbush (6% abv)



This is probably my go-to Michigan Hefe. If you're looking for something a little less experimental for summer, definitely go for a Sunspot. This particular style definitely serves well ice cold, and carries nice biscuity aromas and traditional banana wheat flavors with some baking spice. It's crisp and surprisingly complex. Just picture yourself holding a pint of this in a wicker chair on a hot summer day, feeling the cold glass perspire between your fingers. Drink and say "aaaaahhhh." Repeat.
4. Mango Magnifico - Founders Brewing Company (10% abv)


Just reviewed this, so you can read the long discussion here, but just to reiterate, this beer is a perfect option for summer. Just perfect.
3. Duchesse De Bourgogne - Brouwerij Verhaeghe (6% abv)



This flemish red ale isn't super easy to come by, nor will it be easy on the pocketbook, but boy do I crave it when I'm sitting on the porch at dusk watching fireflies. This beer is heavily laden with fruity tannins with flavors of tart raspberry, cherry jam and passionfruit. Served chilled, this highly carbonated beer is super refreshing and drinks like a really good sour. I have dreams about this beer.
2. St. Lupulin - Odell Brewing Company (6.5% abv)



This hoppy masterpiece is enough to make me want to pack my bags and drive out to Colorado tomorrow. It's the perfect blend of citrusy hops and herbal flavors that make this beer scream summer. It's got just enough bitterness and piney resin to balance perfectly with the touches of honey throughout. A great American Pale Ale.


 1. Anniversary Ale - Short's Brewing Company (10% abv)


This limited release American Wheatwine is one of my favorites from Short's Brewing Company out of what I have tried so far considering their portofolio is ENORMOUS. It's brewed with multicolor peppercorns, corriander, orange peel, blood orange zest and 225 lbs of blood oranges, which makes it incredibly refreshing for summer with a nice kick in the pants from the peppercorns. I love Nicie Spicie because it has the citrus and peppercorns, which both come through beautifully, but this beer takes it to the next level in flavor and in abv considering it's a wheatwine. The richness and tartness of blood orange versus valencia oranges really brings this beer up a notch in comparison. It even looks like summer in the glass, as it pours a beautiful copper orange creamsicle.

 Most photos taken respectfully from the internet as I haven't personally photographed the beers recently. Click the image to see its original source.




08. Founder's - Mango Magnifico

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Ok. Here it is. Finally.

THE REVIEW.

I figured if I was going to take such an extreme hiatus to get better, I might as well choose something good and interesting.

So I ended up choosing Mango Magnifico con Calor from Founders Brewing. This is the 7th installment from Founders' Backstage Series, so it was a very limited release in a 750ml bottle. They describe it as a "high-gravity fruit beer brewed with mango and Michigan-grown habaneros," which is right up my alley. I think I've said before that I love a beer with nice, balanced heat, so I have been anxious to try it since Founders announced its release.

 I have heard mixed reviews from a lot of people, but I was really a fan of this one.



Mango Magnifico was a gorgeous, jewel-toned amber. It was really carbonated in the glass, as you can see from the photo. Nice powder-white head initially, but almost no retention whatsoever. The head dissipated and the beer quickly resembled more of an orange colored cider. Really subtle aroma, with soda biscuit scents and some tropical sweetness way down in there. There's a little bite, more like black peppercorn than habanero.

On the tip of the tongue, there's a lot of overripe mango that comes through. The mouthfeel is as soft as a mango is naturally and then the heavy carbonation plays in with the heat. It starts to fizz right as the habanero hits the palate, and when it comes, it really hits hard. It doesn't stay on the tip of your tongue, as not to overwhelm the soft mango flavor, but in the back of your throat it really burns, and it leaves the same warmth on your lips as a nice plate of spicy Mexican food.

Fortunately, your palate adjusts to the heat and it doesn't burn as vigorously as the first few sips once you get further down the glass. The heat lingers and it acts as an excellent counterpart to the sweetness.



Honestly, it's like drinking mango chutney. And these are the things I don't complain about. I don't mind when a beer reminds me of a food very specifically, I don't think it messes with my senses at all, but rather it gives me a new and interesting textural platform to enjoy these flavors from.

This bottle is definitely meant to share, because these flavors are robust and distinct, and 350ml is quite a lot to handle, especially at 10% abv. But while you can grab this brew, I would absolutely recommend snatching up a bottle at your local fine beer distributor, and if you're not much of a mango person or even much of a spicy beer person, grab a sample on tap. It's different, it's interesting, and it's worth the experience. I promise.

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