Mould's Beer Blog

Session beers are a popular topic in the United States these days.  The exact definition of session beer changes depending on who you are talking to, but everyone can agree that there is a need for lower alcohol beers that have just as much flavor as higher alcohol beers.   The Just Beer Project is looking to provide just that for beer consumers.  Their mission is to "deliver beer drinkers un-complicated world-class craft brews that are delightful in their simplicity."  That's all well and good, but what interests me most about The Just Beer Project is that it is one of the projects of Alchemy and Science. Alchemy and Science is a venture created by Magic Hat Brewing Company co-founder Alan Newman and first Magic Hat employee Stacey Steinmetz.  Unsure of what exactly they wanted to do with Alchemy and Science, a few meetings with Jim Koch (Boston Beer Co.) started a partnership they knew they wanted to be involved in.  Now an "independently ope...

Hey everyone, thanks for coming!  I've recently started building a beer "cellar" collection.  Cellar is in quotes because in truth it is just a corner of my condo right now.  We keep the temperature in the mid 60s for the most part, which I know isn't the most optimal for cellaring beers, but for right now it's all I have.  I may decide to keep the beers in the basement of my parents-in-laws house (if they let me!), which probably has more appropriate cellaring conditions.  Do you cellar your beers?  How big is your stash?  What's the oldest beer you have been cellaring? Otter Creek Brewing Twentieth Anniversary Ale  I'm drinking another beer from Otter Creek Brewing tonight.  It seems like a pretty special beer.  It is their Twentieth Anniversary Ale, and on the bottle is described as a tribute to Copper Ale, Otter Creek's flagship brew.  I'm not sure if they have brewed other anniversary beers.  Let's try it out! ...

Hey there, thanks for coming by!  I hope you're all having a great week so far.  Tonight I decided to try the Russian Imperial Stout from Otter Creek Brewing.  Otter Creek is located in Middlebury, Vermont.  I don't think I've tried a beer from Otter Creek since college, when I used to drink their Copper Ale.  They also brew Wolaver's Certified Organic Ales and The Shed beers.  As of the time of this writing Otter Creek's website is down, but according to their Wikipedia page they were acquired by Long Trail Brewing in 2010.  Let's see what their Russian Imperial Stout is all about! Otter Creek Brewing Russian Imperial Stout Russian Imperial Stout Otter Creek Brewing  10% ABV 65 IBUs 12 oz. bottle poured into Victory tulip glass Otter Creek's Russian Imperial Stout pours jet black with a half finger width dark tan head that diminishes to nil quick.  The aroma is of bitter coffee and chocolate.  The flavors in this impe...

Hey everyone, thanks for coming by these parts.  This whole week the temperature in NJ hasn't been higher than 25F, and at night we are usually in single digits.  Now, this may not be a big deal if you are in Maine or Canada or Alaska, but we haven't seen this kind of weather in awhile.  Not that I'm complaining, I kind of like it, so I'm just making an observation.  I'm going to take advantage of this cold weather tonight and enjoy a winter warmer. Harpoon has been brewing their Winter Warmer since 1988.  It took me awhile for that year to really settle in.  1988.  I was only 7 years old when Harpoon first started brewing this beer.  2 years after the Mets beat the Red Sox in the World Series.  I love thinking of the early days of "craft" brewing, and how it must have been to convince the American public to buy something they didn't know they wanted just yet.  Harpoon has decided to up their ante, and will be opening a brand new 30...

Thanks for coming by!  I know it's already Tuesday, but hopefully you all had a great weekend!  On Saturday I finally brought out my brew kettle, glass carboy and ale pails and made a homebrew.  An American IPA extract recipe from Keystone Homebrew Supply in Montgomeryville, PA jumped out at me, so I picked it up!  Some other items I bought while at the homebrew supply was more StarSan (a great, no rinse sanitizer), a big funnel to easily pour my wort from the brew kettle into my glass carboy, and some 1 step no rinse cleanser to clean all of my equipment.  The brewday went really smooth, and I can't wait to see how it comes out! Tonight I am drinking Midnight Madness Smoked Porter, another beer from Rock Art Brewery in Morrisville, VT.  I haven't had too many smoked porters.  One I can remember having is Stone Smoked Porter, which I definitely enjoyed!  Let's see how this one stacks up! Midnight Madness Smoked Porter Rock Art Brewery ...

Don't worry.  You're not the only one sad this weekend is over.  On the bright side of things, we are closer to the holidays and the new year!  Time for family, food, presents and then yearly resolutions to work off all that extra food!  Tonight I am trying my first beer from Morrisville, Vermont's Rock Art Brewery .  The beer is Ridge Runner, and is Rock Art's "mild" barleywine.  Let's jump right in!   Ridge Runner Barley Wine Ale Rock Art Brewery  ABV not on bottle, BA says 7.50% Bottled on :  Sep 28, and I must assume 2012, but year not specified  From Rock Art's website :  Brewed with pale, dark crystal, Munich, flaked barley, black and chocolate malts.  Hops include Cascade, Crystal, Challenger and Perle.    Ridge Runner pours a dark copper color with a finger width head.  The head diminishes fairly quickly, and doesn't leave much lacing on the glass.  In the aroma, there are smells of...

Hey everyone, I hope you all had a great weekend!  Tonight I am drinking Heart of Darkness, a stout from Magic Hat Brewing Company .  Located in South Burlington, VT, Magic Hat has been part of North American Breweries since 2010.  N.A. Breweries owns such brands/breweries as Genesee, Pyramid, Dundee Ales and Lagers, and Original Honey Brown.  Last month, there was major news when N.A. Breweries was sold to Cerveceria Costa Rica, S.A., which in itself is a subsidiary of Florida Ice and Farm Company, S.A.  So it seems that Magic Hat is now owned by a Costa Rican company, for whatever that matters.  Let's see how this beer tastes!   Heart of Darkness Magic Hat Brewing Company 5.7% ABV Best By:  Unknown     Heart of Darkness pours black with a finger width light tan head.  The head leaves a nice web-like lacing on the glass.  It smells of roasted malt and coffee, tobacco, and even soy sauce.  Upfront, this...