Where have I been?

Well if you haven’t noticed the Cream Ale Drinker has been on a sabbatical of sorts since 2011. Where have I been? Life has changed A LOT for me since 2011. The company I’m working for has had a lot of successful growth that has kept me very busy. I also enjoy spending a lot of my time with my kids, including attending or coaching their sports. Another thing is that there has been so many great new spots opening in Rochester that I haven’t been able to be on the forefront of their discovery with my busy work schedule.  Among all the great new places the Genesee Brewhouse and Swiftwater are two of my favorites! I do miss the blog and have been playing with some ideas of bringing it back. I’m still very involved in the local 12 Horse chapter of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America (BCCA) and our yearly Brewery Collectibles show that has been getting bigger and better every year. I’ve also been working on my design/marketing business and making t-shirts. Check them out if you have a minute. http://mckeeandson.com/
Cheers!

Genesee 12 Horse Ale Trots Back to Consumers

The first cases of the Genesee Heritage Collection variety pack are delivered to a few select bars in Downtown Rochester NY by Horse and Carriage.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard that Genesee was bring back the iconic 12 Horse Ale, not to mention that they marked the occasion by delivering it by horse drawn carriage to a few select bars in downtown Rochester, NY. The beer was originally introduced in 1933 and was last on store shelves in 2003 when it was pulled due to lack of sales. It was delivered to Salinger’s Bar around lunch time today in the new Genesee Heritage Variety Packs. The pack features Genesee Lager, Cream Ale and of course 12 Horse Ale all in vintage style stubby glass bottles.  As a collector of NY breweriana 12 Horse has always been one my favorite brands so I was thrilled to get to try it and see it being produced once again. Here’s to hoping it catches on and sticks around for while. The Heritage Variety Pack are a limited release and should be hitting store sometime very soon. Try some while you can or better yet share some with your friends and family and see what stories or memories they have of this iconic brand. Cheers!

The new 12 Horse Stubby bottle and a 1930's era 12 Horse Tray from my personal collection.

Three Heads Brewing’s First Annual Music Festival

Hogan’s Hideaway is hosting the first annual Three Heads Brewing Music Festival during the Park Ave. Fest on August 6th and 7th. There will be five beers on tap, two from TJ Sheehans and all three of Three Heads IPA’s. This is a free event and I can’t think of better way enjoy one of Rochester’s best Summer Festivals. There will be a tent for some relief from the sun and bathroom facilities. You can also check out Hogan’s Hideways new remodeled bar. Hogan’s Hideway is located at 197 Park Avenue near Goodman Street. Check out the great lineup of bands scheduled for both days!

Saturday:

12:00pm – 1:00pm
441
http://www.reverbnation.co m/441theband

1:00pm – 3:00pm
Friday in America
http://www.reverbnation.co m/fridayinamerica

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Extended Family
http://ex-fam.com/default. aspx

5:00 – 7:00
Moho Collective
http://themohocollective.c om/

Sunday:

12:00pm – 2:00pm
The Filthy McNastys
http://thefilthymcnastys.c om/

2:00pm – 4:00pm
Audio Influx
http://audioinflux.net/

4:00pm – 6:00pm
Roots Collider
http://RootsColliderMusic. com/

3rd Annual Spring Brewery Collectible Show

poster by Daron McKee

Check out the 3rd Annual 12 Horse Chapter – Spring Brewery Collectible Show coming up on Saturday April 30th. Need a new beer item to decorate your home bar?- or just come to browse all the neat stuff and talk about collecting. Admission is free. There will be a plethora of brewery collectibles to check out and there’s always a bargain to be found. A fun time for a new or seasoned collector. Hope to see you there!

Naked Dove Brewing Company

It was great to get a taste of new beers from New York’s newest craft brewery Naked Dove. I sampled the Amber, IPA and Porter. All the beers were delicious but the Porter was the real standout for me. Pleasant hop flavor upfront that transitions into a nice roasted chocolate flavor, wonderfully balanced. I’m already craving some more. Dave Schlosser is the Brewmaster and owner along with 2 other partners. Dave is an alumni of every Brewery in town (Rohrbach, Custom Brewcafters, and High Falls Brewing Co.) so it’s great to see him break out and do things on his own. He also mentioned they will be coming out with a Black Rasberry beer which wasn’t ready in time for the tasting. Naked Dove IPA and Porter are currently on tap at Monty’s Corner and the IPA is on at the Tap and Mallet. So give it a try. The Naked Dove Brewery is located at  4048 Route 5 and 20, Canandaigua, NY, 14424. The tasting room is open and available for growler fills Thurs – Fri: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sat: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Sun: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. You can reach them at 1-585-396-ALES with any questions. Check them out on facebook or on their website http://www.nakeddovebrewing.com/

 Update: Berry Naked Black Raspberry is now available at select locations as of 4-17-2011.

Victory Total Tap Takeover at the Tap & Mallet

OK so I had a little fun with the logos.

 

Victory Brewing Company is taking over every tap at the Tap & Mallet, there will also be guest speakers from the brewery throughout the day along with Victory Beer specials til 6pm. To top it off the Tap & Mallet will also be roasting a whole pig to serve at dinner. It’s sure to be a Victory beer lovers dream! Being a big fan of Victory myself it will be a great opportunity try some of their less common beers. It takes place on November 6th starting at 11:30 am. For more info see the Tap and Mallet’s website. Highlights include: Uncle Teddy’s Bitter (On Cask), Saison du Buff (Dogfish/Stone collaboration), Summer Love , Abbey 5, Pursuit Pale Ale series  and Braumeister Pils.

Here’s a preview list I was sent from Victory.*

1. ½ Hop Devil
2. ½ Golden Monkey
3. ½ Prima Pilsner
4. ½ Victory Lager
5. ½ Storm King
6. ½ Whirlwind Wit
7. ½ Festbier
8. ½ Hop Wallop
9. ½ Old Horizontal
10. ½ Mad King Weiss
11. ½ Donnybrook stout *NITRO
12. ½ Helios
13. V-12
14. Baltic thunder
15. Scarlett Sunset
16. Harvest Pils
17. Harvest Ale
18. Moonglow
19. Wild Devil
20. Zeltbier
21. Yakima Glory
22. Pursuit Simcoe/Citra
23. Vista Farms Harvest Ale
24. Irish Pub Lager
25. Summer Love Ale
26. Scarlett Fire
27. Gassy Jack Bitter
CASK
1. Pursuit Citra/Simco Firkin
*(actual beer list may be subject to change)

Finger Lakes Fireball

I was intrigued when I heard the news of the release of Finger Lakes Distilling’s first batch of bourbon, McKenzie Bourbon Whiskey. So when a friend offered to pick me up a bottle from the distillery (thanks Neil B.) located on the east side of Seneca Lake I jumped at the opportunity. I was excited to taste their first batch of bourbon crafted from local products right here in Upstate NY. Finger Lakes Distilling bourbon is made with 70% corn, 20% rye and 10% malted barley. The corn is not a hybrid and it is local and organic. Once I got the bottle I actually considered not opening it for a second, it being their first batch, but I was excited because I wanted to try the bourbon and I buy whiskey for drinking not saving – collecting. So I cracked it… I poured a splash into one of my Glencairn nosing glasses – Wow did this stuff pack a flavorful and heartwarming fiery punch, lots of spiciness with some heat, cinnamon, hints clove and nice underlying sweetness. This whiskey is really something, and I will definitely be savoring it! I’m also looking forward trying more of their spirits and future bourbon releases. Now I have to get my hand on bottle of their Rye. So give Finger Lakes Distilling a try or better yet go try it while your on a visit to the distillery! -Batch 1 sold out quickly and batch two of the bourbon will be released sometime in the next 6 months. http://www.fingerlakesdistilling.com/

While I’ve been a scotch drinker for a few years this was my first experience with a craft bourbon and has really peaked my interest in exploring more varieties.

Dundee Summer Wheat, Kolsch and Stout

It was pleasure to taste the latest additions to Dundee’s product line in a virtual tasting format along with brewer Jim McDermott and a few other writers and bloggers. The new beers are the Summer Wheat, Kolsch-style Ale and Stout . The Kolsch and Stout being found in the very popular Dundee variety pack and the American Wheat being available in 6 packs etc.. I really enjoyed these beers and think that the Dundee line of beers just keeps on getting stronger. The Summer Wheat is an excellent example of an American Wheat, unfiltered  with 40% wheat in the grain bill, a nice touch of rye malt and Chinook, Centennial and Cascade hops. It’s light in flavor and has nice citrusy aroma and a crisp finish. American Wheat beers usually leave me a bit disappointed, but this one definitely does not and will definitely be gracing my fridge’s shelf this summer, move over Cream Ale! Next we tasted the Kolsch-style Ale featuring German Hallertau hops, this is a nice full bodied beer a wee bit heavier than your typical Kolsch style yet still refreshing and oh so drinkable, in fact I found myself grabbing the sucking down all Kolsch’s first at my Memorial Day barbecue. This beer will pair with just about anything you throw on the grill this summer. Last we sampled the Stout, which is one of the summer seasonals in the variety pack. I know what you saying – a Summer stout? Yep that’s right! This beer was the biggest surprise of the bunch for me. This stout falls somewhere in the middle of the flavor profile between a Sweet Stout and and Dry Irish style stout and does possess a nice balanced sweetness with flavors of chocolate, coffee and a subtle bitterness/finish from the Galena hops, I also noticed a nice roasted aroma from that I attribute to the roasted barley malts added to the mash. Brewer Jim McDermott recommended trying this with with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream as a “Stout Float” what a great idea and I look forward to trying that myself.
I also asked about any of the seasonals being available on their own (six packs etc.) and was told there wasn’t any plan for that at the time, but they always listen to their fans feedback and would consider it in the future based on feedback. So Dundee fans don’t hesitate to give them a shout out on twitter @dundeebeer and let them know what you think.

Buckbean Beer

I’d like to start this post by thanking the nice people at Buckbean Brewing Company for sending me some of their beers for me to sample. Buckbean Brewing Company is located in Reno Nevada, founded by Douglas Booth and Brewmaster Daniel Kahn. I wasn’t familiar with their beers before getting this chance to try them. I loved that they can all their beer in 16 ounce cans, which I think should be the mandatory can size for all craft breweries.

The first beer I tried was their Tule Duck Red Ale 6.25%abv. This ruby colored, rich and robust red ale has hints of candied fruit and a smooth and restrained hop finish. I was a surprised right from the start, this isn’t your typical red ale and it almost wanders into Belgian ale flavor profiles. As a lover of red ales I find that not very many stand out in my memory, but this one is surely one I’ll remember. The next beer I tried was their Black Noddy Schwarzbier 5.2%abv. This black German style lager had a lovely mild roastiness and sweetness with tingly carbonation on the tounge and a smooth hop finish. A lovely schwarzbier! In fact halfway through my pint I had to rip into some Swans Market sausage which paired with this perfectly – Prost!. The next beer I sampled was the Very Noddy Lager 10.5%abv, an Imperial Schwarzbier! This beer has twice malt and hops of the Black Noddy Lager and is opaque black in color with lovely caramel head on it, very rich and a lot roasted nuttiness make this beer something to savor. I really didn’t notice the high alcohol because this beer was so smooth and well balanced. The last beer I sampled was the Orange Blossom Ale 5.8%abv, Right from the start I picked up the sweet scent of orange blossoms and this ale is smooth and creamy with just a hint of orange essence which comes from the orange blossom water they use as an ingredient. It had nice restrained mild tartness flavor and smooth hop finish . This would be a nice beer to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Overall I was impressed by Buckbeans originality and have to say all their beers were very well balance and smooth across the board. The Black Noddy and Very Noddy were definitely my favorites and I look forward to trying them again sometime. One thing I found amusing when reading up on Buckbean Brewing Co. was that the founders goal was to “Create a new type of microbrew appealing to both male and female drinkers.” which I thought was kind of funny!- but I do have to say that Mrs. Cream Ale Drinker who likes beer but isn’t an enthusiast like myself really loved the schwarzbier, to the point she said she could drink it more often – that was a first, she also really liked the Orange Blossom Ale. As far as I know Buckbean’s beers are only available in Nevada area but I did hear of tastings coming up in the the New York City area so perhaps they exploring distribution options. I hope so!

Fresh Hops

There is an interesting article on “Fresh Hops” over at the NY Times.
Check it out here.