Ducks Love Beer Blog

Spring Fever - Saw Tooth Ale

2013-05-17T04:00:43Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

What a wonderful night. Duck and I were sitting on our front porch, rocking in the rocking chair and lamenting our landscaping plans. Ok, Duck was rocking and I was standing because we only have one chair so far...minor detail. While chatting, Duck was viciously attacked by a June Bug. Well in the end the June Bug lost so maybe vicious is a bit much.

This wild attack began the flood of summer memories of this place I call home. Before I begin the June Bug story, you should really grab a beer. I personally am enjoying a Left Hand Brewing Saw Tooth Ale. The flavor fed into my nostalgic summer mood. The nose isn't overwhelming and the flavor is a nice balance of hops and malt. Now that you have your beer we can start the story.

Many moons ago, in the summer of nineteen eighty blah blah, I had already taken my bath for the night and had the urge for just one more bike ride before bed. I had to make it quick before my mother realized I was out on the road (a rural blacktop road) after the lone street light had come on. My dash down to Schnare's driveway was a success although I was quickly realizing it was hard to gracefully ride my Huffy bike in underwear and an oversized t-shirt. As I turned around to head back home I passed under that lone street lamp. The only light within 100 yards and quite the draw for the local June Bug population. In my excitement to get home before Mother realized my absence, I opened my mouth obviously to help me peddle faster and what do you know...into my mouth and down my throat went a June Bug before I could say 'knee high to a grasshopper'. I stopped as quickly as I could and tried to cough the bug up but no luck, that thing was already headed down to my tummy. Boy could I have used a Saw Tooth Ale that night. Honestly after that I can't remember if I made it back home without notice but I have never forgotten the feel of that crunchy bug going down the back of my throat.

Either that little tale made you laugh or gag, I hope laugh. The June bug season is almost upon us and I hope to not relearn my lesson of long ago. In the meantime enjoy your Spring and Summer ales, I know I am.

Also, one of our regular Brewpubs updated their landscaping with an adorable keg fountain. I'm sharing the picture. I told Duck if he could build it he could put it in our backyard...we shall see if pigs really do fly.

Until next time, Cheers!!!

www.lefthandbrewing.com

www.gcfb.net

Coffee Ale - Boulevard Limited Release Smokestack Series

2013-03-24T23:03:28Z

-Contributed by Ms Duck

Sunday evening is upon us and sadly all I can think about is waking up Monday morning. Are you like me? Do you make your way to the coffee pot first thing of a morning? Longing for that hot cup of steaming caffeine...the aroma alone can perk your eyelids and bring on the first smile of the day.

Now, what if I told you that you can have that same wonderful aroma and rich coffee flavor in none other than a beautiful ale? Oh, I see I have your attention. This is the first year that I have been able to enjoy Boulevard’s Limited Release Smokestack Series Coffee Ale. I have to admit I was amazed. I have had some wonderful coffee porters and coffee stouts but never something as light as an ale.

You can’t ignore the nose of this brew, the coffee aroma is intoxicating (HA! I just called it intoxicating and its a beer...HA!) Sorry, back to the ale. On some coffee brews the aroma is overwhelming and just too much but they have pulled this off beautifully. Next, I was surprised by the light amber color since I’d only enjoyed the coffee flavors in porters and stouts. The first sip takes you from the start with a rich flavor of the air-roasted coffee and it finished with a subtle sweetness with a hint of chocolate. It was elegant and amazing.

Don’t be fooled by this brew though, coming in at 9.3% ABV I do not recommend switching it out for your morning joe unless you have the day off. If you have the day off then I have nothing against day drinking. Duck and I are blessed that our new drinking hole, The Rusty Horse Tavern has received a large amount of kegs of this fabulous brew. Feel free to come enjoy a pint or two with us soon.

Until next time, Cheers!!

http://www.boulevard.com/BoulevardBeers/coffee-ale/

http://www.rustyhorsetavern.com/

Irish Ale - Boulevard

2013-03-24T22:35:55Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

I must admit I’m a little embarrassed it has taken me so long to pontificate on the loveliness that is the Boulevard Irish Ale. Recently the midwest has been hit with a few major winter storms and when this happens all I want to do is cuddle on the couch with a beer (or hot tea) and avoid all responsibilities. Surprisingly I am sitting here at the computer, looking out the window to a white landscape with the sound of duckling feet overhead...hang on, now they are fighting...can we say ‘cabin fever’?

Where was I? Oh, right, beer...I could use one. Duck was very excited a few weeks ago to tap his first keg since our move. We were excited to get a keg of the Boulevard Irish Ale, which I have become very fond. The style is your typical Irish Red with a lovely copperish, amber color. Yep, making up words now. Out of the keg, there is a medium head that makes me think of dreamy beer clouds. The nose and flavor remind me of other Irish Reds and some Scotch Ales that I have enjoyed. It isn’t complex, but a mellow flavorful brew that lends itself to having a few pints at the Ol’ Pub. Sorry, I’ve been watching some BBC period pieces and I seem to be going for an Irish or British accent as I write this...blame PBS. This will also help explain the tea, I do enjoy a lovely spot of tea with a biscuit.

Back to the Irish Ale, Boulevard has done a lovely job with this seasonal. It warms your belly and starts you dreaming of bagpipes, penny whistles and bodhrans. I hope soon you may enjoy a pint after a long hard day, as you sit on your porch steps and look out across the green hills (or white hills).

Until next time, Cheers!

http://www.boulevard.com/BoulevardBeers/irish-ale/

Imperial Stout - Founder's

2013-02-02T02:53:31Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

Let’s start with a flashback to the beginning of the evening that has led to tonight’s beer choice...

Willingly escorting two crazy ducklings first to CVS to randomly buy candy (I needed to get cash for the next adventure) and then off to the school PTA Roller Skating night. It all begins innocently, a cross section of America’s youth enjoying clean, family fun with the purpose of raising money for the PTA. This time I refused to rent skates for myself which at least kept me off the floor with all the little balls of energy. However, as the night goes on those mediocre skaters get more nerve and begin to accelerate through all the ‘safe zones’. I’m amazed there aren’t more head injuries attributed to skating. Then after the PTA group finishes up, the rink is opened to all the tweens and teens. I have to admit I consider this group of the American population to be the most frightening after the Baby Boomers. I’m pretty sure I was afraid of teens when I was a teen. Hormone driven with no regard for anyone else...AAAHHHH!!!

That’s enough, I’m ready to move on, which brings me to my beer choice. Honestly, I simply needed a beer and didn’t pay much attention to what I grabbed. Thanks to Duck, it’s hard to grab a crappy beer in our house. I needed something intense, up for the challenge of driving away the frightening images of tween and teens (yes I realize I’m only a couple years away from having one of these in my own home...let me live in denial). I think I picked just the right brew to do the trick.

My choice - Founder’s Imperial Stout. Founder’s is a brewery out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Now that we live in Missouri we are in Founder’s Region...WOO HOO!! The Imperial Stout is one of their speciality brews coming in with an ABV of 10.5%. I’m pretty sure this will help me not only forget about the crazy teens but possibly my name for a while. As I’ve been typing all of this my glass has been sitting next me, warming a bit and I’m about to take a sip...OH MY WORD! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! No, really shut the front door - it’s like 18 degrees outside.

This is an amazing stout! My opinion is backed up by Beer Advocate which gave it a 97%. My first impression is the rich, creaminess that rolls across the tongue. It is unbelievably smooth. As it goes down you feel your chest warming and it begins to put me in my happy place. I haven’t been drinking many brews since we moved because most the time its been friggin’ cold outside, but this is the kind of beer that you long to enjoy while putting up your feet by the fire...and that’s exactly what I’m doing. It will be more enjoyable if I put down this laptop so I will finish up.

I have just one more piece to humorous lore. Note the glass I’ve used in the picture. It’s an adorable glass we got at the Strong Beer Fest for American Craft Beer Week. It’s a great little glass for my pics so it tends to stay in the kitchen versus down on the bar. Well, the other day I was pouring a glass of milk and I love using an actual glass for cold milk so I picked this glass. Duck lost it...I think originally he thought one of the ducklings used it for milk but I was in such trouble for pouring milk in a ‘beer glass’...as if I wouldn’t wash it in between uses. I had to share my personal shame in my mistake of using this adorable beer glass for some plain, white milk.

Ok, that’s enough, I really want to put my feet up and just drink this awesome Imperial Stout. Hope you are enjoying a brew this evening...until the next one!

Cheers!

http://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/imperial-stout/

Christmas Ale - Schlafly

2013-01-29T02:12:48Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! Ms Duck is finally writing a post.

Since last we posted so many things have been happening...we finished packing up our Arizona house (it didn’t all fit so we had to rent an extra U Haul trailer last minute), we caravanned half way across country through freezing temperatures (must give a shout out to Ms Duck’s brothers for helping with the drive), unloaded the truck in snow and ice (ok the moving guys unloaded but still), unpacked 95% of the boxes (must give a shout out to Ms Duck’s sister for helping unpack the kitchen) and get the Ducklings all settled before school started back up.

Considering how much this recap makes me want a beer I have to admit I have been having beers, just haven’t been blogging. Keep in mind this isn’t really my blog, I am just a random contributor so I really have no guilt or responsibility. Now time for a beer.

For the few people that don’t know where we moved, we are now proud citizens of Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up near KC and most all the family is now within 2 hours of me. Hehe, the experiment is whether or not this increases my beer consumption. This change in region opens a whole new world of craft brew. Duck and I are looking forward to our first KC Beer Fest coming up February 9th - The Big Chill at 75th Street Brewery. The fest consists of Beer and Chili which could be interesting. It is also held in an outdoor Beer Garden in Missouri in February...hmmmm. Good thing I kept my long underwear from college. I believe one of the breweries representing at the Big Chill is Schlafly from St. Louis and as a wonderful segway...I’m enjoying a Schlafly brew tonight.

Tonight’s beverage is Schlafly’s Christmas Ale. In case you hadn’t already picked this up, this is the Schlafly’s seasonal Christmas Brew. It is a beautiful deep copper ale with hints of caramel and spices. It gives you that warm sentimental feeling of a cold winter’s day without overwhelming the palate so it is still tasty in late January. My normal fashion would be to paint you a picture with words of a crackling fire and a cold Christmas Ale as you watch the snow fall out your window. However, I managed to sit down with this beer on a freakishly warm January day that topped out at a record breaking 75 degrees. Sorry...next time.

The point to be made here is that regardless of the temp outside the Schlafly Christmas Ale goes down smooth and subtle. If you still happen to find some of this in the store, I recommend grabbing it before it is gone like Charlie the Christmas Elf on the Shelf...gone until next holiday season.

Cheers!

http://schlafly.com/beers/styles/christmas-ale/

http://75thstreet.com/

Red Rover Irish Red

2012-12-09T08:07:18Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

I realize it seems like forever since I’ve gotten around to posting. Life as a single Duck has been rather overwhelming and sadly didn’t involve as many beers as one might think.

In less than two weeks the Duck clan will be reunited in our new home in Kansas City. Although I am very excited to return to my home state and to family and old friends, the overall experience is bittersweet. Tonight as I enjoyed my Sleepy Dog Red Rover I was celebrating my final concert with the local choir I have been performing with for almost two years. This was the first of many goodbyes to come. The performance was wonderful and it was so much fun to relax with the group after...but as I drove home (the crazy long drive home from North Scottsdale to my home in the SE Valley) I had lots of time to contemplate.

First I was thinking of the lovely flavor and smooth drinkability of the Red Rover that I had enjoyed. I am known in the group for my knowledge of brews and my rich Mezzo Soprano voice. It was my responsibility at our table to help with the beer selections.

The second thought that hit me hard was the sacrifices we make throughout our lives. If I had never left Missouri, it is highly unlikely I’d have ever met Duck. If we’d never left New Mexico, we might have never (or much later) began enjoying craft beers such as Red Oak out of Greensboro, NC. If we’d never left New Mexico the second time, Duck might have never met his Canadian beer drinking buddies and started duckslovebeer.com. And if he’d never met the Canadian’s I’d probably never have started singing with the Carolyn Eynon Singers.

But with these rich rewards of friendships and experiences come the sacrifice of saying ‘until next time’. Without taking the chance, the prize can never be realized. And I guess long story short, the heartache of goodbye is so worth the relationships we have gathered. So as I sit and ponder I’d like to raise my glass to all of you who have touched our lives during these last 9 ½ years in the Valley of the Sun. We may be leaving the Valley but you will never leave our hearts and minds.

http://sleepydogbrewing.com/

http://carolyneynonsingers.com/

http://www.redoakbrewery.com/home.php

Smashed Pumpkin Ale

2012-10-02T03:31:36Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

It’s Monday evening. It has been a day of work, some house packing (filled with more dust than I’d like to admit in my ‘clean’ house) and weekly music lessons. As you can imagine, after all of that it was time for a brew.

Before I enlighten you on the drink of choice, I have to catch you up. A couple weekends ago, Duck and I attended Papago Brewing’s Hopageddon. As you can imagine this is a day filled with the delight of Hops, primarily IPA style brews. Now, if you are an avid reader of this blog and you actually pay attention to what type I like you know that IPA’s are not my thing. However, my flavors are maturing (it has nothing to do with my aging) and I enjoy some IPA’s from time to time. Sadly, right at this moment I cannot remember a single name...hehe. Perhaps, my fellow Hopageddon attendees will add their favorites to the comments. It was a wonderful night and the beers and company were exceptional.

As for tonight, I’ve had a certain pumpkin brew stashed in my fridge just waiting for the right evening. It’s a full 22oz.so I was actually waiting for someone to share with but my sanity couldn’t wait any longer. Joining us this evening is the Smashed Pumpkin from Shipyard Brewing Co. This ale weighs in at 9.0% ABV so luckily I’m going straight to bed after I finish this. And what a way to close out the evening.

Ok, I have to interrupt this literary masterpiece by mentioning that littlest duckling is laying in the chair behind me crying ‘kill, kill, kill’ as she plays a game on my iPhone. She is very distracting and I feel the need to watch my back. I will try to concentrate.

As for the Smashed Pumpkin...I think the name is pretty apt. I’m half way into my first glass and my troubles are oozing from my mind. The color is a very clear amber, almost a light copper. I didn’t seem to get much head off my pour but not sure if I had the bottle too cold. Smashed Pumpkin is very effervescent with a crisp, citrus flavor over the pumpkin notes. It is one of the lightest pumpkins I’ve had this season. I almost get the feel like I’m having a glass of pumpkin champagne without quite so many bubbles. Actually it isn’t very bubbly, maybe the citrus tones give it the feel on your tongue.

The back of the bottle has a wonderful description of the beer as well as suggestions for food pairings and beer mixing. I may have to give it a try. This really is a wonderful pumpkin brew that is a bit out of the ordinary. If you have access to the Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin of their Pugsley’s Signature Series I recommend it. Shipyard is out of Portland, Maine so if I can get it in Arizona I’m thinking it is widely available.

Now it is time to finish my episode of Grimm...filmed in Portland, Oregon...six degrees of separation. I would have finished the episode first but I figured if I drank the whole bottle I would never get this written and considering we all know I really carry this blog I felt obligated to post. Heehee...until next time - Cheers!

http://www.shipyard.com/taste/

Beer Geeks of the World Rise Up!

2012-09-30T02:23:31Z

So it was an awesome day here in the mid-west the temperature was an amazing, I had some great beers and met some awesome beer geeks. I went to a couple of my new favorite places first Barley’s Brewhaus in Shawnee Ks. They have 99 beers on tap and a great atmosphere. I had a Schafly’s Pumpkin, have I told you recently how this is the best time of year for beer. First we have great pumpkin beers, Oktoberfest beers and then if that wasn’t enough we have Christmas beers after that. Schafly’s Pumpkin is like drinking a pumpkin pie. I would consider it a medium weight beer, some of the pumpkin beers can be lighter especially some of the mass produced ones, and it is not as dark as the pumpkin porter from Four Peaks that will be tapped soon in Tempe.

I found out about some up-coming beer events this week, which tie back into my whole point of this being the best time of year for beer. Barley’s is going to have some cool Oktoberfest events this next week. http://shawnee.barleysbrewhaus.com/eventsentertainment/ and then I am excited for the last Friday of the month so I can go to Firkin Friday. I did get to see behind the curtain so to speak of what makes Barley’s exceed expectations, a double level of kegs, makes me wish I could build a cooler that big in my basement. On the way home, I went by and filled up my growlers at 75^th St. Brewery, on Saturday it’s buy one get one free, so I got an oatmeal stout and a summit IPA. How can you go wrong?

I know I haven’t spoken much about the beers I had today but you can see the beers by following me (duck) on twitter @duckslovebeer or keep an eye on the DucksLoveBeer facebook page.

Cheers and drink craft beer!

Dunk in my Punk

2012-09-17T01:03:54Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

Did you know you had a Woset in your Closet? Or a Wasket in your Basket? Or a Geer in your Beer? I was inspired by baby duckling's comical rendition of 'Woset in your Closet' by Dr. Suess. As I enjoyed a not terribly hot Sunday evening in my front yard, my 6 year old came up and demonstrated her comic timing. I may have found this particularly funny because I was on my second pumpkin beer. Extensive childcare apparently drives me to drink by Sunday evening. At least is wasn't as many beers as last Sunday, but we'll just forget about that one. Anywho, back to the subject...geer in my beer.

Fall beers have arrived, even though Fall for Phoenix is probably two months away, at least the Pumpkin beers have gotten here. This evening I am enjoying a lovely Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, also known as Punk. Not exactly sure why the folks at Dogfish Head are unable to spell Pumpkin correctly, but maybe they had sampled a few when they decided to name this fantastic brew.

As you pour the Punkin Ale you'll immediately appreciate it's rich amber color that signals the long awaited sign of a fall brew. The head was minimal but I was pouring a warm beer into a cold glass and I'm not exactly sure how that might affect the head. Now it is time for a taste...here it comes...rising to my mouth as I await those notes of pumpkin and spice...almost there...AHHHHHH! YUMMY! As stated on the front of the bottle, this is a full-bodied brown ale with notes of pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Honestly you can taste them all. I'm thinking it's the allspice and cinnamon that give it a hint of smokiness. It goes down so smooth that your mind is brought to a place where leaves turn to colors of gold, brown, copper and rust. A place where you feel a nip in the air and a hint of wood smoke on the wind. A place where as you walk down the cobblestone street your cheeks turn pink and you warm your hands in your pockets. A place where Fall has begun and all the wonderful things that Fall brings with it.

If you have read my posts before you may wonder, does she really visualize these crazy things as she drinks a beer? Why yes I do Polly Prissy Pants, and that is what inspires me to post. If a beer helps transport me to a new, or sometimes old, world I feel I must share it with my beer loving friends.

Here's to Fall and all the wonderful beers that are in our midst. If you have a chance to try a Punkin Ale, please do. I hope it brings you to the land of Fall as well.

Until next time, Cheers!

http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/seasonal-brews/punkin-ale.htm

Solstice d'Hiver

2012-09-08T05:19:31Z

- Contributed by Ms Duck

Tonight I better have won some serious 'Best Mom' points. Instead of going to a dueling piano bar with several friends, I attended the school Family Fun Night with the ducklings. It was a movie night with 'The Lorax'. Thankfully I really like that movie. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Big surprise - as soon as I got home I was ready for a beer. I took a look in the beer frig, which is getting a little behind in Duck's absence, and I opted for one I shared with an old neighbor last weekend. As they say, go big or go home, so I went big. I pulled out the Solstice d'Hiver by Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel!

First off, please note this is a Barley Wine weighing in at 9.8% ABV and I finished it prior to starting this post. Why not post while I'm sampling the Solstice you ask? Well mostly because it was so lovely I couldn't pull myself away and partly because I was watching Jon Stewart. I love me some Jon Stewart.

As for the Solstice, it was so smooth and dark and rich and wonderful. It had so much flavor, sadly I don't remember what those were specifically but I remember they were there. The bottle helps with details of brown in color with flaming red highlights...kinda like my hair. Now keep in mind this was last winters brew and so the bitterness may have mellowed because I didn't notice any bitterness. This brew does get aged 4 to 5 months and is only brewed once a year.

It is about time for winter brews to be on the shelves so keep an eye out for the Solstice d'Hiver. I highly recommend giving it a try. Now it is time to put the ducklings to bed and I'm already on beer number deuce. Did I spell that right?

Until next time...cheers!!