Santa brought Socks and Real Budweiser

Well Ho Ho Ho!

Guess what I found under the tree, besides the socks?  

It's Budweiser, not Budweiser.  

It's actually the real Budweiser you can buy in the Czech Republic, as well as the rest of the world. Except, because it was imported into the USA, it is called "Czechvar" so as not to infringe on its baby sister.

Wait, what? No, it's not the King of Beers, it's the Beer of Kings. Also, I have not gone to the dark side and joined the BIG beer Imperial. Let me explain. The family has roots in the Czech Republic, formerly known as Czechoslovakia, formerly known as the Austrian Empire. So brother Dave was at the Bohemian Hall the other day and decided to pick up a case of the genuine beverage.

Beer brewing in the city of České Budějovice (German: Böhmisch Budweis), which was then in the Kingdom of Bohemia and is now in the Czech Republic, dates back to the 13th century,[1] when the city was granted brewing rights during the reign of Ottokar II of Bohemia. (from Wikipedia, complete with links).

So, from the Czech city of Budweis sometime between 1268-1273 A.D. this early beer recipe by far out-dates the American version which started brewing in 1873. While  in this case both Budweisers are a Lager, the Czech Republic is also well known for its Pilsner style beers.

As these Budweisers were gifted to me warm, I'm waiting for them to chill before I chill with one. Curious?  Me too.

CR Brewing Company of New Castle, PA

I had the pleasure of trying the maiden brewing of craft beers just out from CR Brewing in New Castle, PA. Yes, the beers are now on tap at the Crane Room Grille, part of the New Englander complex. There are two offerings – a Kolsch and a Double IPA. Rumor has it there are also two new brews a-brewing: a chocolate stout and a Weiss. First off, I was very impressed with the first releases. After all, I would find it so nerve-racking to go from a home system to a large batch brewing. Well done, head brewer Bryan McDowell.

I had to ask specifically for the house beers, so I didn’t see any promotional material offering the typical whimsical names afforded craft beers. Therefore we will just call them out for their style.


The Kolsch:

True to its name, the CR Kolsch is a light tasting, low alcohol (ABV 5, I believe) beer that boarders the flavors of an ale and a lager. The low hoppiness is perfect for craft beer drinkers who enjoy quality but aren’t fans of the IPAs. Extremely pleasant aroma and taste, this Kolsch only deviates from a traditional Kolsch in the fact that it definitely leans more towards the lager flavors by being a little on the sweet side. Overall: Excellent


The Douple IPA:

Jump in feet first on this IPA, because it is true to its name, Double IPA. Most impressive is the visual clarity of this beer. I assume the little brewery does not have pasteurization or cold-filtering, so I find the light amber clear color of this IPA beautiful. It’s everything you would expect from a double with a hops essence which I imagine are the traditional cascade and/or centennial. If there is any blend of the citrusy hop varieties it is quite aloof. As expected, the ABV is 8-ish. Best served cold, a good IPA is one of my personal favorites of the craft scene, and the CR Double IPA meets the mark on all counts. Overall: Very Good


As I also took a little stroll through the new facility and was impressed with the new addition. While there is plenty of room for private parties or a wedding reception, I saw no areas dedicated to a taproom. Unfortunately, if you’re a craft beer explorer like me, you will have to do your tastings in the Crane Room Grille (or a beer festival like Super Brew IX). With an ambiance which is the furthest thing away from the awesomeness of a taproom, this dark, cramped, lounge bar environment will have to do.

CR Brewing overall: WOW! Their first big scale production is amazing. I can’t wait to try any new offerings.

Beers of the Weird: Enough with the Pumpkin Beer!

As we trudge forward towards the holidays with its endless consumerism and cheerful music we often seek solace by visiting our merry little local brewery.  While I understand it is in the spirit of the holidays, but why do they all have to have a pumpkin beer?  Sure it’s an interesting combination that is deserved of a beer flight, or sampler, yet it is now such holiday staple - I for one ask all brewers to become more creative.  Heck, some even have two different types of pumpkin beer. Stop the fermenters!

So after a little thought, I have come up with some ideas to scrooge the pumpkin beer.

• ·         Chocolate Stout with a touch of Peppermint
• ·         Eggnog Malt Beer
• ·         Chestnut IPA Beer
• ·         Nutmeg Bok Beer
• ·         Belgian Fruitcake Beer
• ·         Sugar Cookie Ale

Beer Snobs Visit Brewtus Brewing - 8 out of 10

Beer Snobs Visit Brewtus Brewing

23 Chestnut Ave, Sharon, PA 16146

Brewtus Brewing

Beer Snob's Rating: 8

A great addition to the downtown Sharon, PA renaissance.  Brewtus Brewing is a wonderful old building filled with character, yet has been renovated into a very clean and classy restaurant brew pub.  Plenty of free parking right out back.

Staff is very attentive and pleasant.









The night we were here the Vindys performed, a rock jazz fusion band from Youngstown.  The upstairs area is a great place to see local bands with really good sound quality.

Also, check out the really neat stained glass artwork on the second floor - a great asset.

Atmosphere: 4/5 - Cool bar with a cozy dining area downstairs and expansive stage with plenty of room to dance upstairs.  Great old building right in downtown Sharon, PA

Menu: Great selection and very creative appetizers, sandwiches, wraps and Paninis. Yum!  I want to try them all.



Entertainment: Live music on weekends, nice stage on the second floor.

Other Amenities: Fun little patio outback.  Really nice upstairs stage room and banquet center.

Promotional: None that we noticed.

What kind of other alcohol do they serve? Just the craft beer and and some local wines. (Including many from the excellent Volant Winery)

Creativity of Brew Master: Nothing too crazy

How many of your own beers on tap? There were 8 today and unfortunately two of them were pumpkin spice flavored.  I have been here before and there was a much greater selection.

The Beers We Tried

Swanky T.

Belgian Tripel

10% ABV
33 IBU
Our take: Smooth with a rich malty flavor, a hint of a mild roast.  Drinkable, slightly too sweet, a little cloudy (because of the high malt content), but needed to wash it down with another Artificial Intelligence IPA.

Our rating: 7/10

Artificial Intelligence

American IPA

ABV: 7.6%


IBU: 69


Flavor: Citrus and pine balanced by a strong malt backbone.


Our take: Nice powerful hoppy IPA with a fine balance of malt. Not super citrusy or exotic in the hop selection.  No surprises, just what you would expect for an American style IPA.

Our rating: 8/10

 

Overall suggested beer:

Artificial Intelligence

Will we go back? We give it a 3

1 - been there done that
2 - sure, if someone else is buying
3 - yes, if I'm in the neighborhood
4 - hell yes!






http://www.brewtusbrewing.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/BrewtusBrewers

Beer Snobs Visit Brew 32 - 6 out of 10

Brew 32

Beer Snob's Rating: 6

A newer addition to the local craft beer brewery scene, the Brew 32 has a lot going for it.  Albeit it a little out of the way, nestled in tiny little Pulaski, Pa, finding and visiting the 32 Brew is worth the trip.  The owners have done a wonderful job of converting the upstairs into a really neat baseball oriented craft beer tasting room and the lower level into a fine quaint little winery.  Noticeably, the wine is very popular.  The beer however, will take some time to mature. Over all, the staff is friendly enough, but it is the atmosphere that sells this place.  The brew hall and winery is located on the edge of a glorious lake and abundant lakeside seating is available to accommodate crowds of any size. It's a great place to watch the sunset.



Atmosphere: 4/5 - Perfect for date night, especially if someone likes good wine

Menu: Small selection

Entertainment: Live music on weekends, nice stage in the basement

Other Amenities: Fire place, awesome patio and seating by the lake

Promotional: Mug club

What kind of other alcohol do they serve? Just beer and wine

Creativity of Brew Master: Nothing too crazy

How many of your own beers on tap? Supposed to have 8-10 in house on any given day, but a whole bunch were sold out and what was left was flat and stale.

The Beers We Tried

Almost Arnie - Fruit flavored shandy. Light wheat base with full lemon taste and honey sweetness.
6.3% ABV
10.2 IBU
Our take: Again, kinda flat.Vinegary, unique bitterness! Smells fantastic. Complex, fruit salad.
Our rating: 7/10

Ali's Honey Brown - Medium-bodied brown ale with light hops and smooth malt taste with honey accents
5.4% ABV
16.4 IBU
Our take: Flat, but still tasty. Great aroma! Feels nice on the tongue, good aftertaste. Where's da fizz?
Our rating: 6/10

Mean Green Citrus Machine - Bitter IPA with strong citrus and hop flavors. Notes of sharp grapefruit and lemon.
5.7% ABV
39.5 IBU
Our take: Standard, flat, high IPA. Can smell citrus and taste the hops.
Our rating: 5/10

Darryl Strawberry - Wheat - Smooth, light wheat base with sweet strawberry flavor.
4.6% ABV
24.1 IBU
Our take: Sheesha says, "makes my burps taste good!" Very mild wheat, we like how refreshing it is.
Our rating: 7/10

Overall suggested beer: Darryl Strawberry Wheat

Will we go back? We give it a 3
1 - been there done that
2 - sure, if someone else is buying
3 - yes, if I'm in the neighborhood
4 - hell yes!

Perfect place to watch the sunset!




http://www.brew32craft.com
https://www.facebook.com/Brew32-591710527647292/


Disclaimer: While these are the opinions of two people who may not agree on their beer preferences, occasionally they do. Your opinion may differ. We would love to hear what you think.

Comment rules: no profanity, or mean character assassinations. Please, only constructive contribution. Cheers!

If there's a certain beer you like at a brewery, please tell us what your preference is so that other beer folk with the same taste can enjoy your suggestion!


- Pablo and Sheesha 

Beer Snobs Visit the Brewerie at Union Station, Erie PA - 7 out of 10

The Brewerie at Union Station

Beer Snob's Rating: 7.0

Epic, historical...  I feel like I traveled through time. Truly an old train depot and railroad station. The Grand Concourse and Rotunda were home to the Union News stand, a soda fountain bar, a barber shop and other merchants, which are now multiple bars and seating areas. Climb the labyrinth of stairs to find the loading platform, which is now a beer garden. Don't be fooled, these rails are still very much in use. Speaking of which, we witnessed first hand, up close and personal, the mile-long Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus train come roaring through at 40 mph on its way to Albany, New York!! We cannot stress enough how wonderful of an experience it is to reflect back to olden days and enjoy a cold glass of craft beer.


Atmosphere: 5/5

Menu: Traditional, they pretty much have it all. A bit expensive.

Entertainment: Various events, fundraisers, and entertainment. A few TV's here and there, but not enough to spoil the atmosphere

Other Amenities: Railside Beer Garden

Promotional: 9-11 happy hour

What kind of other alcohol do they serve? Everything

Creativity of Brew Master: Very traditional, nothing too bizarre. A few seasonals.

How many of your own beers on tap? 9 in house on any given day.

The Beers We Tried

Hopness Monster IPA - This West coast style India Pale Ale is graced with a monstrous amount of hops. With a huge bite and a big hop profile, it may become a legend in its own right!
6.7% ABV
No IBU available
Our take: Sheesha likes the name, it made her very hoppy... (: Good aroma, great beer for IPA'ers
Our rating: 7/10

Railway Hefe Weizen - Our take on a German style wheat beer (hefe “yeast” & weizen “wheat”), this ale is light, crisp and refreshing. Unfiltered by tradition, she is a bit cloudy with a hint of citrus.
4.5% ABV
No IBU available
Our take: Fine, smooth blend. Excellent wheat profiles. Overall very weiss bier
Our rating: 7/10

Octoberfest - No brewery description available

5.2% ABV
No IBU available
Our take: Very smooth and tasty, seasonal for sure. Tastes like a Yuengling being that it is smooth and not too sweet.
Our rating: 7.5/10 (Pablo: 7/10, Sheesha: 8/10)

Apparition Amber Ale - In the early 1900’s a young girl named Clara lost her life in a terrible fall down the back stairwell of the station. To this day strange things go on in that area of the building courtesy of Clara. So in honor of our resident ghost we name this traditional American style pub ale.
7.2% ABV
No IBU established
Our take: Very mysterious... assumed it would be a lot like a Yuengling but I was wrong. Complex profile with a little bit.... barley? Malt? Caramel? Coffee? Fine, slightly on the sweet side. Smells fantastic! Smooth. Weird, almost coffee taste which is appealing
Our rating: 7/10



Overall suggested beer: Octoberfest

Will we go back? We give it a 4
1 - been there done that
2 - sure, if someone else is buying
3 - yes, if I'm in the neighborhood
4 - hell yes!

There was better architecture than beer, but well worth the visit!!

http://www.brewerie.com/draft-selection.html
https://www.facebook.com/BREWERIE/?ref=page_internal

Disclaimer: While these are the opinions of two people who may not agree on their beer preferences, occasionally they do. Your opinion may differ. We would love to hear what you think.

Comment rules: no profanity, or mean character assassinations. Please, only constructive contribution. Cheers!

If there's a certain beer you like at a brewery, please tell us what your preference is so that other beer folk with the same taste can enjoy your suggestion!


- Pablo and Sheesha 

Beer Snobs Visit Lavery Brewing Company in Erie, PA - 8.2 out of 10

Lavery Brewing Company 

Beer Snob's Rating: 8.2

The Lavery Brewing Company Tasting Room

Lavery Brewing Company is a small little place nestled in the commercial district of downtown Erie. Kinda hard to find, either walk through the somewhat modern lobby or travel from the patio through the brewing facility into the cool and eclectic tasting room. A fun little bar with a great welcoming staff. The rustic decor is comfortable and clean, a little on the dark side. Lots of board games to entertain you and a jukebox full of alternative and upbeat music. There's a little patio which would be great in the summer, adjoining the ample parking.

Atmosphere: 3/5

Menu: Small menu - but unique and fun.

Entertainment: lots of board games and nightly brain sports. Good jukebox.

Other Amenities: Patio

Promotional: Daily food specials.

What kind of other alcohol do they serve? None

Creativity of Brew Master: Not afraid to go out on a limb. For example, the Rauch Lager Bier Smoked Lager is crazy. Sheesha says, "it's the most baconest beer ever!"

According to their description: This clean lager is light in color with a medium body. Our lager is brewed with pure smoke (rauch) malts. The smoke character is very strong, and can seem almost bacon-like, with woody notes cutting through the smoke. Malts also give this beer a somewhat sweet, toasty, yet dry finish.

How many of your own beers on tap? 6 in house on any given day.

The Beers We Tried

Gold Leopard and Mai Bock

Lace Curtain Belgian Cream Ale - (According to Untappd) A Belgian tripel and American Cream Ale hybrid
9.3% ABV
21 IBU
Our take: Malty and sweet
Our rating: 6/10

Mai Bock - (According to Untappd) Small batch helpless bock released exclusively for the pub in spring 2014
7.4% ABV
No IBU
Our take: Yummy. Not an IPA... Delicious aroma, very subtle hoppy. Not our fave, but could drink multiple.
Our rating: 8/10

Gold Leopard Farmhouse Ale - Gold Leopard Saison is a blend of many brewing traditions. We use German malt, French yeast and American attitude to craft this delicious saison.

Amarillo Apricot IPA and Lace Curtain

5% ABV
20 IBU
Our take: What is that taste? Wheat? Sourish? Barley? Who knows, it was okay.
Our rating: 6.5/10 (Pablo: 6/10, Sheesha: 7/10)

Amarillo Apricot IPA - No brewery description available
Fat Head award winning beer!
7.3% ABV
No IBU established
Our take: Superb flavor! Hops on point! Sweet taste, fruited, smells yummy. We loved it so much we came back and got a growler full.
Our rating: 9/10

Overall suggested beer: Amarillo Apricot IPA

Will we go back? We give it a 4
1 - been there done that
2 - sure, if someone else is buying
3 - yes, if I'm in the neighborhood
4 - hell yes!

http://www.laverybrewing.com
https://www.facebook.com/laverybrewing/

Disclaimer: While these are the opinions of two people who may not agree on their beer preferences, occasionally they do. Your opinion may differ. We would love to hear what you think.

Comment rules: no profanity, or mean character assassinations. Please, only constructive contribution. Cheers!

If there's a certain beer you like at a brewery, please tell us what your preference is so that other beer folk with the same taste can enjoy your suggestion!


- Pablo and Sheesha