Your Next Pint

Blue Moon Belgian White for a hot sunny day?

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A blue moon, or the second coming of a full moon in a given month, can be enjoyed during the day as well as the night. Conversely, Blue Moon Belgian White, tastes and drinks like a lazy Sunday afternoon but not a beer to be had at Sunday dinner.  Financially backed, brewed, and marketed by Molson Coors Brewing Company, this "seasonal craft brew" is an oxymoron of its identity. Even Keith Villa of Coors admits the traditional orange slice it's served with serves more as an "attention getter" in the bar than a flavor enhancement.

If you're a Witbier/Wheat Beer or Hefeweizen fan, then this may be right up your alley. But for this beer drinker, not all beer meets me with hoppyness.

 

The Washdown:

 

- hazy orange color with citrus and spice hints and a sweet finish Blue Moon Belgian White (Blue Moon Brewing Co. in Golden, CO) 5.4% ABV

 

It pours with an ok head that disappears quickly, and has a strong citrus nose. The taste is not as disappointing, as the mouthfeel & finish both have strong flavor notes of Orange & Cumin. The carbonation is steady, but hard to see through the hazy orange color blazing throughout the entire glass.

 

It's not as good as you'd hop for, on a hot sunny day like this.

Dogfish Head Aprihop is the perfect balance of bittersweet

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Dogfish Head Aprihop IPA may be fruity, but it's definitely not light in the hops (or loafers).

This pint just may be your next Sunday afternoon substitute for a Mimosa or Bellini. Don't get me wrong, it still remains tied to its IPA roots, keeping a serious IPA drinker happy and sipping for more. While it's got a lot of carbonation, a distinct aroma of Apricot fruit, and a walloping amount of alcohol at 7% ABV – unlike the favored brunch beverage – Aprihop manages to pique the taste buds without an overwhelmingly sweet or fruity taste.

 

The Washdown:

- dark amber color, true apricot flavor, citrus malty finish Aprihop IPA (Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware) 7% ABV

The subtle fruity nose is a great start that's made even better by the malty and smooth taste. Heavy hop aromas you'd expect from a good dry-hop brew process, plus the added hint of Apricot, all linger in your nose, begging your senses to question what's next?

How about intense carbonation with a heavy two finger thick head? Then a finish that definitely stands out with a bitter, surprisingly welcoming IPA aftertaste, and fruity Apricot accents.

 

This seasonal brew only lasts until late May, so do yourself a spring time favor and pick up a 4 pack.

St. Patty's Day pub crawl at Sheddy's in LA

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It was exactly 1 year ago today, that YourNextBite.com launched and the idea of YourNextPint.com was born. For this Half-Brit, spouting bloody brilliance on an Irish holiday couldn't be more ironic. But instead of thinking too much about it, kick off St. Patrick's Day with a pub crawl at Sheddy's Public Parlour on Fairfax.

Mixing in a 3rd culture – why not at this point, right? – Sheddy's is schlepping it by bus around the Fairfax district to celebrate Purim (a.k.a. Jewish Mardis Gras meets Halloween, so come dressed in costumes).

Starting at 7pm, pub crawlers should meet at Farmers Market to Hop on the bus. The crawl involves The Snake Pit, Kibitz Room, El Carmen, and more. The night will finish back at Sheddy's with a DJ spinning beats.

Tickets are $10. Call 323-651-1442 to reserve.

The Washdown:

- always on tap, citrusy and peppy like a Beermosa, Tangerine Wheat Beer (Lost Coast Brewery in Eureka, CA ) 5% ABV

- rotating taps may include Abita Amber Ale and my all time favorite Unibroue Maudite

- free Shots from 5-6pm and 10-11pm

- $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon

- $3.50 for a Pint and a Shot

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HOP you get lucky on St. Patrick's Day!

The Scoop: Highway 78 Scotch Ale

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Highway 78 is a Scotch Ale collaboration from Green Flash, Pizza Port Carlsbad, and Stone. Unfortunately, too many breweries spoil the "hop".

The Washdown:

- too barley sweet, flat and syrupy Highway 78 Scotch Ale 8.8% ABV

Highway 78 must be a road without street lights because this sweet, malty, heavy mouth feel beer is anything but a bright idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter about it, it's just not as hoppy as I'd hoped for. Because of 78's sweetness, it's really not a drinkable Ale. Instead, this one's for indulging. Since the carbonation is low and the head opens up large, the bottom of this 12oz bottle becomes surprisingly flat.

However, this beer just might have a light at the end of the tunnel. After your pour, try dropping a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream into the glass and enjoy it with a spoon for a sweet adult retreat.

Sierra Nevada Hoptimum is definitely Imperial

As a serious Sierra Nevada fan and heavy IPA drinker, it was hard not to be biased about the new Hoptimum Whole Cone Imperial IPA. From the moment I opened the bottle, the rich hops hit my nose and the first taste hit my lips, I remembered why Sierra Nevada remains one of my favorite breweries to date.

The Washdown:

- smooth, amber colored, mild citrus 'n pine hints Hoptimum (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, CA) 10.4% ABV

Hold on to your hats 'cuz this beer's bittersweet with a great hoppy taste due to the Whole Cone action. It's got a smooth mouth feel and it's not heavy on the carbonation, making this IPA an easy drinker.

Despite the high Alcohol By Volume (ABV), Hoptimum does a great job of masking the bite of the booze while keeping the drinkablity good to the last drop.

It's definitely a strong contender, soon to become one of my new go-to delights. Enjoy!