kendall

American Cream Ale

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Cream Ale may be the most unfortunately named beer style. I once offered to pour one for a customer who wanted a “lighter” beer, but when I told him it was a Cream Ale, he said, “I don’t like vanilla.” It’s a common misconception. There’s no vanilla, or anything else creamy, about a cream ale. … Read more

Beer is Art

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Last week’s post looked at a recent comparison of IPAs and some of it’s “surprising” results. In it, I made the point that beer is subjective. When it comes down to it, beer is art. I heard Garrett Oliver speak at a conference and the point that stuck with me is the artful nature of beer. … Read more

Scarcity Is Not Quality

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No style post this week. After 14 straight weeks, I need a break. Check back next week. We have dozens left to cover. Recently, this article about a blind tasting of 116 of America’s best IPAs got my attention. What made me do a double take at the results was that Good People IPA rated … Read more

Steam Beer, AKA California Common

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There is only one Steam Beer. It’s been brewed and bottled since 1971 in San Francisco, CA by Anchor Brewing Company, a modern tribute to the Anchor Steam of the late 1800’s. Anchor trademarked Steam and protects it vigorously. Normally, that wouldn’t sit well with me, but Anchor is a legend, dating back to 1896. … Read more

Belgian Dubbel

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Our last post was about Tripel, one of Belgium’s best known beers. Dubbel is another one.  Like Tripels, Dubbel have their lineage in ancient monastic brewing traditions. Westmalle’s version dates back to the mid-1800s, about five years before the US Civil War, but the inspiration goes back to the Middle Ages. While several Dubbels are … Read more