Saturday, June 15, 2013

Schlitz Lager - The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous


There’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen one of the vintage ads for Schlitz. Great masterpieces of women bringing their husbands a cold brew after a rough day at the office, or a clown enjoying a frosty mug after a tough day of entertaining children. “If you like beer... you’ll love Schlitz”! There was a time when Schlitz was the most popular beer in the world, and it often teeter tottered with Anheuser Busch as America’s favorite brew. Lets face it, we’re spoiled nowadays. Today’s craft brewers look like scientists in comparison to brewing techniques used during this country's beer loving infancy. Today we have whole aisles worth of choices and styles. Beers from around the corner, or across the seas. Yet back in the good old 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, the choices weren’t as vast. So lets take a trip down beer loving Americana lane and rediscover the “The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous”.

Schlitz pours a pale transparent gold with a good old frothy white head. Lots of micro bubbles sparkle and rise to the foam cap. Schlitz smells like your father’s paper bag full of empties that briefly sat on the counter on a Sunday afternoon. This lager tastes like the bottom half of a plastic pitcher found at any random table during the last song of a wedding reception. The put it short, Schlitz tastes like good times. This light and refreshing brew is a backyard quencher, and it's the perfect reward for a fresh cut lawn. It goes great with hamburgers and hot dogs, and pairs well with overly competitive backyard picnic games. It’s best on a hot day, pulled from a cooler full of ice, and with just a sprinkle of salt. It’s the beer America fell in love with, and the one soldiers looked forward to when heading home. In todays pricey brew market, this affordable lager is damn near two for one in comparison. Sure today’s brews shine, but Schlitz undeniable was a paving stone for the success of today’s modern brews. “When you’re out of beer... You’re out of Schlitz.” 



Cheers!!!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Brooklyn Brewing Sorachi Ace


This is a brew I've wanted to try for quite some time. I first heard of it when an old friend of mine used this ale as his drink of choice for his birthday celebration. I didn’t know what to think when opening this session ale. It’s packaged in a champagne bottle, stopped with a cork and wire basket, and it’s bottle conditioned with champagne yeast. I was cautious when opening this brew, anticipating a carbonated pop, but fear not, this ale is not as fizzy as a bottle of bubbly. Sorachi Ace pours a cloudy rust orange with a thick white head that takes a permanent residence on the top of the glass. Lots of visible micro bubbles on the rise. Fresh citrus aroma. Flavors of tangy orange zest and coriander. Full body that coats the pallet with a silky mouthfeel. Long clean refreshing citrus finish, like a sunset in June, lingering with golden citrus hues. This offering from Brooklyn Brewing is named after the rare japanese hops (Sorachi) used to create the vibrant citrus sunshine flavor. Really enjoyable brew, and considering the 750ML bottle, there is plenty enough to share, but I wouldn’t blame you for keeping it all for yourself.  

Sorachi Ace comes in at 7.7% ABV. 

Cheers!!!