Your Next Pint

New Years Resolution #1 - More Chocolate

Chocolate Bock from Sam Adams is a great introduction Bock style beer for those who made some bad beer choices in the past, and need a new start for the New Year.

If the the holiday season has stressed you out, then find the answers to all your frustrations in this delicious dessert (remember "stressed" just equals "desserts" spelled backwards) bottle of beer.

The Washdown:

- dark and malty look with a small head that smells and mildly tastes of choclate (The Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA) 5.8% ABV

Have a great NYE and be safe.

Anchor Christmas Ale - Christmas Tree in a Bottle

 

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Inspired by new growth and rebirth, like a tree sprout after a long winter, Anchor Brewing’s “Our Special Ale” (a.k.a. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Ale) hits all the notes and spices of a new year's baby Christmas Tree.  And like every season's new growth, Our Special Ale has been uniquely different every year for the past 37 years.

The Washdown:

- dark in color with a thick small head that smells and tastes of pine and spice 2011 Anchor Christmas Ale (Anchor Brewing in San Francisco, CA) ABV 5.5% 

This Ale tastes like it would pair perfectly with any fun-filled holiday plan - like building a snowman, decorating a Christmas tree, or cuddling up on the couch to watch Chevy Chase's hilarious "Christmas Vacation".

It has all the characteristics of Christmas found in a bottle, so grab one and get into the Christmas spirit.

Cheers!

 

 

Soak in Frankincense, Myrrh, and Gold Medals with Marin Brewing Co. IPA

 

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The holidays are upon us and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious, seasonal pint. Marin Brewing Co. delivers all kinds of holiday inspired beers, but their most award-winning sud is the IPA – sounds like Christmas music to my ears.

The Washdown:

- dark, almost Double IPA looking with a single finger head that smells 'n tastes more malty than traditional West Coast hoppy IPAs, Marin Brewing Co. IPA (Larkspur, California) ABV 7%

Marin Brewing Co. has a thing for letting you know exaclty how many awards their beer has won. In YNP's opinion, a label that boasts haughty images of all the awards won is just as tacky as an ugly Christmas sweater – respected, but amateur.

Don't get me wrong, it still beats Egg Nog any time.

Cheers.

 

The Hunt for Hoppy Citra

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Congratulations to me. I have found the best beer I've ever tasted, thanks to my generous friend and his mother in law. Kern River Brewing Citra Double IPA nails it on nearly every aspect, but what else should I expect from the Kern River? YourNextPint has blogged  about a couple other of their brews, and they never seem to disappoint (Just Outstanding IPA or Pumpkin Ale).

The Washdown:

- unique fruity smell that comes organically from the dry hopped process, tastes like it smells and drinks effortlessly despite its double IPA bitterness (Kern River Brewing Co. in Kernville, CA) ABV 8%

I happend to be a lucky recipient of a bottle from a dear YNP friend who generoulsy shared his stash after waiting in line at the brewery itself, located in the middle of nowhere. If it wasn't for his mother in law, who was asked only to come to double up on the "1 case per person" policy, I wouldn't be sharing this with you today.

To my suprrise, Citra as a DIPA drinks very easily despite its heavy hop brewing process and blend of malt. If you can get your hands on one, it'll be an experience to forever remember.

@KernRiverBrewin

This Weekend: Craft Beer Garden at Ski Dazzle

Photo courtesy of SkiDazzle.com

Nothing compliments a day on the slopes like a crisp, hydrating, B vitamin packed Beer to quench your thirst. And Ski Dazzle – the largest Ski & Snowboard Show in the United States – gets it. That's why this year, in conjunction with the Taste of Winter, they're adding the first ever Beer Garden. For $20, you'll get to taste ten 3oz servings of 15+ Craft Beers to choose from.

Then afterwards, peruse the aisles of super deals & entertainment like 70% off boards & gear at the Ski Swap, as well as major mountain resort packages, giveaways at the pro rider Vert Ramp Show, specialties like the new Sakkus Sweet Sleeve (a lightweight snowboard bag protector), complimentary ski lessons, a Tire Chain Installation Contest – even a FREE Bear Mountain lift ticket with your price of admission.

The Washdown:

- Anderson Valley Poleeko, Pale Ale

- Anderson Valley Winter, Solstice Seasonal Ale

- Ballast Point Pale Ale, German Kolsch

- Firemans Brew Brunette, German Double Bock

- Firestone DBA, Double Barrel Ale

- Firestone Pale Ale

- Firestone Union Jack, American IPA

- Firestone Velvet Merlin, Seasonal Oatmeal Stout

- Hofbrau Dunkel, Munich Bavarian

- Lagunitas IPA

- Mammoth Mountain Brewing Co. Epic, IPA

- Mammoth Mountain Brewing Co. Paranoid, Pale Ale

- Mammoth Mountain Brewing Co. Real McCoy, Amber Ale

- Weihenstephaner Original, Lager

Los Angeles Convention Center SOUTH HALL, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015. 213-741-1151.

@Ski_Dazzle