Jack’s Abby Kiwi Rising India Pale Lager

Could IPL be the next big craft beer style?  If other breweries start turning out big hoppy, full-flavored lagers like Jack’s Abby of Boston, it may just be a big hit.  This well-reviewed brew is an exciting example of the natural evolution of the craft beer industry and shows what can be accomplished with an imagination and good execution.  If you’re fortunate to live in the Boston area, keep an eye out for Jack’s Abby Kiwi Rising India Pale Lager for a refreshing twist on the most popular style in the craft beer world.

Four Dogfish Head Releases In Stores Soon

If you happen to come across Dogfish Head 90-minute IPA on tap on your next trip to the pub, buy it, drink it and bask in its delicious glory.  It’s a brewery that focuses on making each of their beers something special, so when Dogfish announces 4 new limited release beers, pay attention.  The new brews include the 120-Minute IPA(15-20% ABV, 120 IBUs), Fort raspberry Belgian Ale(15-18% ABV, 49 IBUs), World Wide Stout(15-20% ABV, 70 IBUs), and the Burton Baton(10% ABV, 70 IBUs) – a cross between an English style Old Ale and an Imperial IPA.  Follow the link below to read the amusing descriptions of each of these beers and then use the Fish Finder to see where you can pick up some of your own.

http://www.dogfish.com/community/news/press-releases/four-big-dogfish-beers-coming-your-way.htm

Dogfish Head Fish Finder

A Case for Labeling

The label sets the expectation

It’s a step in brewing process that is often overlooked even though I believe it contributes to the quality of a homebrew just as much as any ingredient in the beer (except hops or malt or any ingredient that actually goes into the beer).  The label is what sets the expectation for the entire drinking experience.  A bottle with an interesting and unique label will be much more remembered than that 2nd IPA you brewed last February without a name in a nondescript brown bottle and handing out a nicely labeled beer is a satisfying, enjoyable gift.  I believe in labeling every beer I make, not only for others, but it helps me remember each specific beer much more vividly.  A great resource I use is a website called BeerLabelizer.com.  It’s a great starting point for a nice looking label plus it’s always fun to add some personal touches as you can see in 2 of my labels above.  So consider this a recommendation to not skip that final step, it’s a great way to increase the quality of your beer.  Prost!

-Travis Neufeld

Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities

A very limited release is coming from Flying Dog

Flying Dog Brewery knows how to make a good beer.  One taste of the Raging Bitch IPA is enough to convince even the most die-hard West Coaster that there are a few brew masters over on the east coast who understand that a heavily hopped beer can and should be well-balanced and full of flavor.  Now the boys from Maryland are releasing a special limited release line in 2012 called the Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities.  A new beer is scheduled to be released on the 1st of every month and each one is the brain child of an individual brewer at Flying Dog.  Unfortunately, the only way to get a hold of one of these specialties is to find it on tap somewhere in the mid-atlantic.  It seems the word rarity is no understatement.