Your Next Pint

Enjoy Pure Hoppiness Double IPA

In my (Brew Mission's) last week of guest beer blogging (just for a bit), I thought I'd go out with a bang with Pure Hoppiness Double IPA.

The Washdown:

- heavy pine aroma with light bitterness for an IPA, delicate carbonation, huge head, very drinkable Pure Hoppiness Double IPA (Alpine Brewing Company in Alpine, CA) 9% ABV

This beer is pure hop heaven. Hoppy fans unite and drink this beer (or go to bed). Hops have been added in nearly every stage of the brewing process, which truly makes the aroma, taste, finish, and drinkability a hop fan's Nirvana. With a big head and golden color, this beer looks just as delicious as it tastes.

Hoppy Dreams!

Top Secret Brew: Pliny the Elder

Despite Your Next Pint's January carb-sugar-yeast-free detox, the flow most go on. So I've invited back guest blogger Brew Mission to share with you one of his new favorite and Top Secret brews, Pliny the Elder:

    "Many people don't like beer and for good reason. Lots of beers are over carbonated, watered     down, and have poor or even no taste. And, unfortunately, the bad ones are sold everywhere.

    Thank hops for brewers like Russian River, who passionately pursue beer with quality ingredients,     rich flavors, and exclusive distribution rights."

The Washdown:

- heavy hops nose, smooth middle, mid-rich bitter finish, light fruit 'n pine hints, very drinkable Pliny the Elder Imperial IPA (Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa, CA) 8% ABV

    "Despite the awards and elusive availability, this beer lives up to the anticipation you may develop     before getting your hands on one. Ask your local beer supplier to 'check the back room' as these     labels tend to hide in less than obvious locations.

    This beer drinks easily without compromising flavor. The look, aroma, taste, and carbonation all     come together effortlessly to make even the stubbornest beer hater interested in ordering a pint.

    Drink up!"

The Ale Sale of the Season!

While Your Next Pint is on a mini month-long Raw Detox – sadly no hoppy, yeasty beer for me – I had to share my favorite sale for you to enjoy, signifying the end of the holiday season.

You just can't beat a box of Samuel Smith Ales from $9.99 to $6.99 at Cost Plus World Market. The box includes THREE 550ml bottles of beer – India Ale, Nutty Brown, Oatmeal Stout – plus TWO coasters, and ONE old-fashioned English style pint glass ALL for just $6.99.

Get it while supplies last at your local Cost Plus World Market, or before I do!

Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu is the Cristal of Beers

Photo courtesy of dogfish.com

With New Years still on the mind, I thought I'd treat you to Your Next FAVORITE Pint, Chateau Jiahu from Dogfish Head Brewery. It really embodies the flavors of champagne, like a dry sparkling riesling with exotic ingredients that are backed up by a yeasty brew.

Just like poppin' bottles of Cristal, this beer goes down best with a group of friends. I was lucky enough to try it for the first time over the holidays at my favorite neighborhood SideDoor Pub in OC. I enjoyed it so much, I couldn't be bothered with snapping pics, so apologies for none of the pour.

After returning back to reality from my holiday vacation and cleaning out the DVR, lo and behold, I found a Dogfish Head Brew Masters episode of said beer. Naturally, I felt compelled to continue spreading the good word, so here you go!

The Washdown:

- sake-to-me, muscat grapes 'n honey, champagne meets beer Chateau Jiahu (Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware) 10% ABV

Chateau Jiahu's recipe stems from an ancient northern Chinese recipe over 9,000 years ago. It's about time it resurfaced because this one's going down in history as one of my favorite specialty beers EVER. It's limited in availability, so consider yourself lucky when you stumble across it.

The nose is Green Grape. The taste is Sake, Melon, and Wildflower Honey. Mystery ingredients include Chrysanthemum Flowers and Hyacinth – who knew they could be so tasty! And the Rice & Barley Malts delicately balance out the sweetness, making it one refreshing concoction.

Follow @dogfishbeer for their next shipment of this immaculate creation.

P.S. I was more than delighted to see Whole Foods Market carrying it the other day. Go get 'em Chinese Tiger!