Your Next Pint

Beers, Brats & Unicorns at the 40th Annual Big Bear Oktoberfest

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With October right around the corner, throw caution to the (hopefully forthcoming cooling) wind and take a weekender trip up to the 40th Annual Big Bear Oktoberfest for log sawing contests, guys in lederhosen, and even unicorn rides.

Grab a $20 book of Burgermeister Bucks to grub on Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Pickled delights, Strudel, even American Fare, and 11 Biers galore. As for admission, you can pre-purchase discounted tickets online or over the phone – Saturday Adult tickets cost $12, Children are $6; and Sunday Adult tix are half price, while children are FREE. If you get too tipsy, you can take the O'Douls Shuttle back to your place of lodging in the Big Bear Valley area, complimentary.

The Washdown:

- smooth, malty and not too hoppy Warsteiner Premium Oktoberfest 5.9% ABV

- i like to drink, drink, drink apples & bananas Konig Ludwig Weiss 5.5% ABV

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Of course I couldn't go to Oktoberfest without trying the sponsored beer. The Warsteiner Oktoberfest has a rich malty flavor, it's definitely not too bitter, and is smooth going down with a final little nip.

The Konig Ludwig Weiss kinda stole my heart, especially after a long day playing at the Hot Dawgz & Hand Railz event. I was pleasantly surprised by the big frothy head, fruity apple & banana nose, a touch of spice, and a sweet finish.

If you fall in love with one beer, you might wanna go with the Mini Keg that holds 8 beers for $48. Other beers include Jack's Pumpkin Spice, Landshark IPA, and Michelob Amber Bock.

The Grubdown:

- spicy, tangy, enough to split Bratwurst Dinner with Sauerkraut, Peppered German Potato Salad & Buttery Roll ($10)

- assorted Pickled foods, Pickle on a Stick, and ginormous Pretzels ($2-3)

- flaky, sticky 'n sweet Apple Strudel ($6)

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Unless you've spent the afternoon sawing logs all day, you might want to consider splitting the Bratwurst Dinner – especially if you plan on tackling the Pickled Vegetables & Strudel. The Brat is thick, steamy 'n spicy. The Sauerkraut is stringy, tangy, vinegary, and so good for you & your digestion. The German Potato Salad is peppery, spiced with Oregano, and you'll like it more than it looks. And I highly recommend breaking open the buttery Roll and stuffing it with all the fixins to make your own sandwich.

As for the Pickled things – Pig's Feet, Eggs, Large Germans (Cucumbers that is) – I wasn't so brave. So I stuck with what I imagine to be Snooki's favorite, Pickle on a Stick (it's pretty much what you expect). The Pretzel was bigger than my torso, so I decided to pass and save room for the Strudel.

The Apple Strudel has the same consistency of Entenmann's (the fat-free dessert that was all the rage in the 90's). However, this one's got loads more Butter & Sugar, and fantastic fat pieces of Cinnamon-spiced tart Apple slices.

After you're fed and bier-ed, dance to the Bavarian Mainfloesser band, buy some wrought-iron Peacocks from the vendors outside, go for a Unicorn pony ride, and take respite on the peaceful patio – the screaming ladies on stage will get to you, trust me.

Prost, Gaudi, and Zicke-Zicka Zicke-Zicka Hoi Hoi Hoi!

Big Bear Lake Convention Center, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. 909-585-3000.

Meet Larry, limited edition IPA from Wachusett Brewery

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Allow me to introduce you to Larry, a limited edition 22oz Imperial IPA originally brewed for an MS benefit back in 2009. Its well-balanced flavors that run the gamut from sour to sweet to bitter are most likely the reason why the brew chose to stick around a bit longer. And once you grab a hold of it, you'll certainly taste why.

The Washdown:

- sweet barley nose, subtle citrus taste with a bold finish Larry Imperial IPA, The Publick House Series (Wachusett Brewing Company in Westminister, MA) 7.5% ABV

As for the final installment of my Rhode Island beers, this one starts sweet yet finishes strong. The nose is sweet, roasted barley. The beginning is smooth, pale, and malty. The middle involves faint citrus and pine. And the finish is where the melange of bold hops – like Amarillo, Chinook, Magnum & Centennial and malts like American Two Row & Munich – come through for a strong, bitter finish. The carbonation is peppy at the front with a thick 2-inch head that slowly tapers down to a 1/4inch.

Definitely a popular choice amongst bars and liquor stores in the New England area. Pair it with a sweet meat to balance the bitter bite.

Your Next Pint:

- CA's #1 Oktoberfest, the 40th Annual Oktoberfest in Big Bear every weekend from now until Oct 30th.

I wish Castle Hill's exclusive Windward Weiss would go public

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Ironically, the best beer I tasted in Rhode Island is not for sale anywhere else, nor online. Like Rachel Zoe would say, "littt-erally I DIE" for the Newport Storm Windward Weiss – sold on tap, not even in a bottle, only at the famed Castle Hill Inn & Resort – 'cuz it's so Clove & "BANANAS."

The Washdown:

- strong banana nose, frothy head, yet delicate with a touch of spice, Newport Storm Castle Hill Windward Weiss (Coastal Extreme Brewing Company in Newport, RI)

You can cancel your subscription to the "99 Bottles of beer on the wall" choir club, 'cuz this Weiss has so much personality it just can't be bottled up.

Without even handing the beer to me yet, I could smell the strong banana nose all the way from the bartender's pour. And as I said before in my Sierra Nevada Kellerweis review, I'm not even a fan of bananas. Smoothies, thick ick! Oatmeal, I guess. Pina Colada, ok fine. But somehow the banana in the beer kicks my tastebuds into gear. Perhaps it's because I know I'm coating my liver with potassium as I poison it – whatever floats your boat.

Or, maybe it's that cozy feeling I got knowing I was sipping beer in the very same hotel frequented by famous novelists like Stephen King, who'd hideaway, writing away watching the waves crash on the cliffs below.

But I digress. Flavors like Nutmeg & spicy Clove come at you while the Banana yellow mellows it down. The frothy head keeps strong and the cloudy sandy blonde color stays long. As Newport Storm states, the Weiss is made up of 3 different hops, "Magnum hops for bittering, Tettenang hops for a mild spice flavor, and Cascade hops for a mild citrus finish." The beer is all-natural, all-grain, 100% un-filtered, and 100% all-good.

Castle Hill owns the rights to beer, and unfortunately there's no word on whether they plan to bottle or sell it to the public anytime soon. Perhaps its their means to hold you captive (or bottled up) in the resort – not like they need it with their amazing ocean views, incredible service, and esteemed reputation.

I'll raise a (pint) glass to that!

A Pirate's Life for You and Brews at Newport Storm Brewery, RI

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Fresh out the bottle Newport Storm beers from Coastal Brewing Co. might be hard to miss on the outside, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on their 4 creative beer styles and Thomas Tew Rum too.

Since their recent soft open in late May for $7 Beer & $9 Rum Tastings, the brewery still lacks signage and is unfinished on the inside, but their flagship Hurricane Amber Ale can be found all over bars and liquor stores in Rhode Island. And in between construction, they've managed to find the time to tweet regularly @NewportStorm and throw events like fundraisers & Beer Dinners too.

The Washdown:

- barley citrus nose, wheaty tangy taste, red amber colored Hurricane Amber Ale, 5.2% ABV

- you can smell the strong blueberry way across the brewery, mildly fruity, golden-orange colored Rhode Island Blueberry Fruit Beer, 4.8% ABV

- citrus honey nose, tangy malty sweet, copper amber colored Regenschauer Oktoberfest, 5% ABV

- super hoppy nose, pine & citrus flavors with strong carbonation, cloudy orange-amber colored Summer IPA, 6.1% ABV

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As a beer blogger vacationing in Rhode Island a few weeks ago, you can imagine my excitement when I found out about the state's own brand new craft brewery.

I'd already tasted the oh-so popular Hurricane Amber Ale at several pubs, including the Brick Alley, before my visit. But when I was there I tasted more of the Ale's touch of caramel and almost burnt bite.

The Rhode Island Blueberry Fruit beer turned out to be one of the best – especially since the berry is my all time favorite. What I liked most is that the beer wasn't sweet, but actually very mild, making it an all-around great beer for the girls AND boys. The blueberries used to flavor the beer come from Sharton Farms in Exeter, then are pressed and pasteurized at Newport Vineyard.

The Oktoberfest had a citrusy caramel nose, a frothy head that quickly dissipated, and tasted malty, slightly bitter and grassy.

Finally the Summer IPA was big and bold with a nose as hoppy as Racer5 and tasted like grapefruit and pine.

Unfortunately, after 4 hefty beer tastings at $7 (you get to keep the glass for free too) I didn't have enough room for the dark Tew Rum. But I did learn that it's slowly made to replicate rums produced in Newport a swashbucklin' long time arrrrgo.

Stay tuned for a Newport Storm Beer Dinner at The Smokhouse, Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 6:30pm for $42pp.

Your Next Pint:

- the best of the bunch that should be bottled and sold, Windward Weiss exclusively on tap at the Castle Hill Inn & Resort

Brick Alley Pub - Best of Rhode Island 2010

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During my week of Eating the Ocean State, visiting family, and touring New England, I worked up quite a thirst. I figured what better place to soak in some suds, than Rhode Island Monthly's Best of 2010, Brick Alley Pub in Newport on thriving Thames St.

The pub won the Readers' Pick for "Best Bar with Cocktail List" statewide, and "Best Burger" in Newport County. While I was already too stuffed from gorging on Baked Stuffed & Boiled Lobsters in Kennebunkport, Maine – blog post coming in 2 weeks on YourNextBite.com – I did get to enjoy a great new beer, and sampled 2 cocktails too.

The Washdown:

- strong honey lemon nose, slightly bitter, amber colored Loose Cannon American Hop3 Ale (Clipper City Brewing Co., Baltimore, Maryland) 7.25% ABV

- gingery, strong dark rum, could've used some lime Gosling's Dark & Stormy

- strong, yet fruity, and reminded me of college "jungle juice" Famous, Oversized, Triple Shot Brick Alley Cosmopolitan

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After a 3-hour, rainy car ride from Kennebunkport–Newport, I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty tired. But as soon as I saw the bright lights and bustling nightlife on Thames St – even on a Tuesday – I was excited to get the night going. And Brick Alley was definitely the perfect spot to start, full to the brim with loud music and lively people.

I started off with what I thought was Newport's own brew, but instead discovered it came from Baltimore. Now stay with me here. Loose Cannon American Hop3 IPA is part of The Pyrate Fleet (there are 3 fleets in total) of Heavy Seas Beers (basically, a beer line with attitude), which are all brewed by Clipper City Brewing Co. What a mouthful. In The Pyrate Fleet, a small amount of live yeast is intentionally left in the bottle to carbonate the beer. The point is to add, "subtlety and complexity." The reason why Loose Cannon is called Hop3 (Hop^3 as in cubed) is because a huge amount of hops, 3 pounds per barrel, are used to brew the beer.  Then "it is hopped 3 ways: in the kettle, in the hop back, and dry hopped." (Kinda sounds dirty ;)

Brick Alley's beer selection is also quite large with about 20+ bottled beers ($3.75-9.50) like Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen and Samuel Smith Celebrated Oatmeal Stout. There are about 15+ beers on draft ($4-5.25), including Newport Storm's line – which I'll be featuring in next week's blog post – and Guinness.

On to the flavor. The nose smelled sweet and citrusy, and had a little something extra I couldn't quite "sniff" out – was it pine or pineapple? For such a "hoppy" beer, I actually thought it was quite smooth, very drinkable, and not actually all that bitter. However, the finish did deliver a sharp bite, so watch out. Follow the Brewery on Twitter @HeavySeasBeer.

Moving on to the Dark & Stormy, the Gosling's Bermuda Black Rum, which I'd never had before, really hits you in the first sip. So really make sure to stir up the rum float on top. What this drink is eagerly missing though is a shot of lime juice, like The Tipsy Pig in San Francisco adds to their own version.

Now the Cosmopolitan. Perhaps the reason why Brick Alley Pub was named "Best Bar with Cocktail List" is not only for their 40+ concoctions, but also their Triple Shot large-&-in-charge Martinis. I actually thought the size was perfect – hey, it feels nice to hold a large martini glass from time to time. The Cosmo itself was strong, citrusy, and fruity. But after a Beer and a Dark & Stormy, the taste somehow reminded me of frat-boy "jungle juice." However, my Cosmo expert who joined us was impressed.

As far as The Grubdown is concerned, the Brick Alley's Food Menu basically has something for everyone, and everything for your arteries desire: Baked Oysters ($10.95), Thin Crust Meatball Pizza ($9.95), Ahi Tuna Sliders ($9.95), Jumbo Crab Cakes ($12.95), Gourmet Mac & Cheeze with Chourico (or as us Westsiders call it, "Chorizo", $16.95), Triple Hot Buffalo Pasta ($16.95), 20 oz. Bone-in Rib Eye ($27.95), and 1 1/4lb. Boiled Lobster (MKT).

Let's not forget about the coveted "Best Burger." There are 7 different kinds: Plain; Cheese; Bacon; Cardiac Double Bacon with Sauteed Onions; Hunstman with Bacon, Blue & Vermont Cheddar Cheeses; Gourmet with Bacon, Portobello, Blue Cheese & Garlic-Horseradish Aioli; Sedona with Bacon, Pepper-Jack, Jalapenos & Bistro Sauce on a Bulkie Roll; and Knife 'n Fork Open-Faced Portobello with Provolone & Sweet Bell Peppers on a Garlic Crostini ($7.95-12.95).

I wish I was hungry then, 'cuz it all sounded and looked so good. But I'll definitely have to try it next time I return.

Your Next Pint:

- Newport Storm Brewery in Newport, RI