A few weeks back one of our regulars, Jeremy, suggested I try this holiday brew. Being a dedicated beer investigator, I grabbed one up while trying not to wince at the $9 pricetag(one bottle). I’m going to preface my review by admitting that I am not a fan of Belgian ales. That being said, I do fiddle with a beer review blog with a friend of mine and am always down to try new brews. It’s become essential that I reserve my opinion, at all times, until after I’ve tried something. Hey, just because I may not like certain beers doesn’t mean that it won’t be right for somebody.

This month we’ll be taking a look at holiday brews. Yup, it’s winter and with it comes an onslaught of holiday concoctions aimed at warming your toes. So let’s take a look at the first of the bunch.

All pink elephants like to ski

SPRL Brasserie Léon Huyghe is the producer of this beer and was named so after Leon Huyghe bought it in 1902 although the brewery has been in existence since 1654. These beautiful copper tanks, although no longer in use, are a part of the brewery hall which serves as a museum these days. In 1997 the brewery reached their peak of fame when their Delirium Tremens was voted best beer in the world. Their “Noel” is one of three of their winter beers.

It’s okay to cry…that’s a beautiful thing

The Noel has a cloudy reddish-brown look to it with a foamy white head. Whoa, slow down there. This brew packs a 10% punch so be ready to get buzzed. It tastes of fruits(as most Belgian ales do) and winter spices. What really threw me for a loop was the potent yeast aftertaste that slaps you silly. This is the trait that is so prevalent in Belgian brews. It ends up almost tasting like a strong yeast flavored vinegar. While delicious for some, this brew just didn’t toot my horn. My wife actually enjoyed it and said it had a really warming aftertaste. And, yes, I was definitely feeling delirious post drink.

A pre tie-caught-in-the-bottling-machine photo

Belgian ale fans will flock to this holiday treat but it just didn’t agree with my likes. But don’t take this as a knock on this brew. In it’s own way, it’s obviously a magnificent beer and has the accolades to back it up. This one will definitely keep you warm on a cold, rainy night. And hey, if you’ve ever seen Dumbo you know that pink elephants know how to party! My guess is that’s the same guy who was rubbing his ass with with the towel. Oh yes, he knows how to get down.

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For those of you who just can’t get enough of all types of beers, feel free to drop by my blog site 1051brewreview. It’s just my friend and I reviewing beers from around the world. Content is limited at the moment but it’s really just a means to include other beer fans and spread the word about quality beer. We don’t get paid, don’t have any sponsors. It’s just a hobby. If you ever have suggestions or would like us to try to find a certain beer you can email us at will. Or if you’ve tried any of the beers that we’ve already reviewed post a comment with your thoughts on the beer. We are also trying to visit as many local breweries and microbreweries as we can and are always looking for the next field trip to take. We’re constantly hitting the bottle to increase our content so feel free to drop by.

Cheers!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Winter isn’t my season. I’m too scrawny and don’t handle well in the cold. Riding the trails is always an extra chore now. Gotta bring those leg/arm warmers right? But, like anything, with the bad comes the good. The winter months are perfect for those strong ales and rich brews that’ll keep you core warm. Our core warmer for the day is Chimay Ale, Peres Trappistes Premier. Though I’m not sure of the pronunciation, my friend insists it’s said as South Park’s Timmy would say it. “Chimay”. You be the judge. Then join me on the tour…and we’re walking.

You were good. Real good.

In the stylings of Friar Tuck, these monks have been brewin’ the good brew since 1862! “An essential point of the Rule of the monks is that they must not only earn their living by their own work, like all mortals, but must also procure through this work the means to assist those poorer than themselves.” On the bottle it actually says that the “majority” of proceeds go to charitable works. The remainder goes to fueling the monks’ trusty fleet of Ferrari Enzos. I made that up…or did I?

Holy Brewing Batman

A growing dilemma I’m having is seeing these expensive beers and wondering what the hell the ruckus is all about. Problem is I’m cheap S.O.B. and find it hard to give up $10 for one bottle of beer. Ya, there’s more expensive beer out there but I want to know if it’s worth it! Luckily beer lived up to it’s price.

An upside to celibacy?

At 7% it’s not as powerful as some stronger ales but still throws a warm little blanket of liquid over your tongue. Initially the foamy white head smells of nothing special. Actually like a Bud Light. The brew itself, however, is fantastic. There are delicious fruit and spice flavors that leave you pondering just how they make it taste that good. The flavor is aged and mature and was a pleasure from start to finish. Sure it’s pricey but this is a full service brew review. Financial planning is free of charge. If you have no kids, no excuses, go get it. If you have one kid and don’t buy that kid Lunchables for just one week…carry the, yup that’s about $10. Grab that box of Saltines and a bottle of water. Instant week’s lunch. Let’s be honest, you and I survived on worse right? So will they. Enjoy your Chimay Ale.

Popularity: 9% [?]

I already had one of Samuel Smith’s Brews on here a while back. Alright, I’m already in the lazy Thanksgiving mode and coming back to the same brewer, sue me. But if there’s any excuse it’s how good this brown ale is. I happened upon this one in Parker’s Lighthouse In Long Beach, Ca.

This is the first Samuel Smith’s beer I’d tasted and hooked me in easily. It’s simple and, yup you guessed it, tastes nutty. What nut? I don’t know exactly but it sure is delicious. Stop thinking what you’re thinking. This one reminds me there’s genius in simplicity. It’s mellow and soothing and just tastes amazing from start to finish.

And for the upcoming holiday this goes perfect with a bowl of mash potatoes and some cranberry sauce. So when you’re making a run for the sparkling cider and pumpking pie and you see the Nut Brown Ale staring you in the eyes, you’ll know what to do. Consider yourself debriefed. Be ready to buy two bottles if need be and good luck my beer drinking companions!

Popularity: 2% [?]

As a follow up to today’s Brews Day I’m posting a bit of useful information that was pointed out by our friend Bryan Thombs of Evomo.

Let’s face it we all need help sometimes or know kind people that do favors for us. While buying gifts can be awkward or sometimes over the top, saying “I owe you a brew man(or woman)” is just right. What better way to show your gratitude than with a bottle of your friend’s favorite beer! Foamee.com is a site designed specifically for tracking beers you owe and/or beers that are owed to you. If you’re a post-it man like me and you need constant reminders as a crutch for your feeble memory than have a looksey. All you need to do is sign up for a free Twitter account and you can track your I.O.U.s in the People section. They’ve even got some cool brew swag and gear if you become a big enough fan.  Gone are the days of dishonorable friends reneging on their beer debts! Thanks again Bryan!

Popularity: 2% [?]

I don’t know what it is about chocolate but it’ll drive people crazy. Put a box of it down at work and it’ll be gone before you turn your head. I’m personally not a chocolate fan and never really have been, but Brews Day is bigger than my likes and dislikes. So today I’m biting the bullet and taking an objective(well relatively objective) look at a beer that I think the majority of people will like, unless your not a chocolate fan. Either way hop on the Brews Day train and let’s go!

Young’s (Luxury)Double Chocolate Stout is brewed in Wandsworth, England and has been since 1533! Yup this brewery has been around since the days of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1831 a fellar with the last name of Young purchased this ancient brewery and it’s been going strong ever since. Perhaps strong is an understatement. The brewery actually owns several hotels in the southern regions of Great Britain! With almost 500 years of brewing, it’s obvious they’ve had success with their techniques so let’s look at the final product.

There’s no mistaking what this stout’s goal is, just look at the name. As soon as you crack this puppy open you can smell the strong doses of chocolate that were used in the fermenting process. The initial taste is of, you guessed it, chocolate. You then catch a roasted malt flavor that pairs nicely with the rich chocolaty base and the drink finishes with a bitter barley aftertaste that’s not too harsh.

This stout is so ”luxurious” they even use it in making a shaving soap!(above). Not sure if I’d want my face smelling like an Easter basket but okay. I’d say drink this with some type of sweet dessert or cookies. If you’re a chocolate lover you’ve come to the right place. Plus this drink is pretty easy to find so if you see it and you’ve got a hankerin’ for some candy…err beer, then pick one up!

Popularity: 2% [?]

With our group doing the race this weekend there was lots of talk about times, placing, etc. Always keeping in synch with the vibe of our crew, I found this wonderful little record setting brew. You heard right. Today’s brew is actually in the Guinness Book of World Records as the strongest beer in the world! I felt like Indiana Jones grabbing the Holy Grail as I placed this in my basket.

See our friend Santa on the label? Thanks Santa!

Any time you find a beer with a one word name…watch out! Samichlaus is actually the word for Santa Claus in the Swiss-German dialect of Zurich(where it’s made).  Switzerland is one of the few countries that separates the actual celebration of Santa Claus and gift giving from the holiday itself. It’s on that day, dubbed Saint Nicholas’ Eve, that this brew is made at Eggenberg Brewery. It’s only made once a year on December 6th and is left to ferment for 10 months. It’s processed by fermenting the beer in cold storage, also known as “lagering”.

A previous year’s brew with….a groundhog? wtf?

The brew itself is massively thick and creamy and drinks like a hearty maple syrup. It has a powerful sweetness that almost makes you want to disregard this beer as a sorry attempt at pancake syrup. But, MAN, is it good! Once you get past that initial taste there are full bodied, complex flavors of fruits and spices that’ll keep your lips glued to your mug.  But that’s not what I came here for right?

Eggenberg Brewery…holy ground

At 14% alcohol(various batches will be closer to 15%, though all are at least 14%) this brew sneaks up on you like an industrial bulldozer. As I sat in my recliner I found myself quickly fading into a good nap. Either this is a fantastic beer, or it’s the after effects of the 14% coercing my mind into believing it is. Hey, whatever works. If you need some extra sleep or are up to the task of taking on the reigning world heavyweight of beer…look no further. Strap on your gloves and get ready for the fight or your life. Just be ready to lose.

Popularity: 2% [?]

One of our loyal readers, Max, pointed us to an article he read that shows beer is great for post workout hydration.

The subjects in the study were asked to run on a treadmill at temperatures of 104F (40C) until they were close to exhaustion. Once they had reached the point of giving up, researchers measured their hydration levels, motor skills, and concentration ability.

Half of the subjects were given two half pints of Spanish lager to drink, and the other half were given just water.

Garzon said that the rehydration effection in those who were given beer was “slightly better” than those who were given only water. He also believes that the carbon dioxide in beer helps quench thirst more quickly, and that beer’s carbohydrates replace calories lost during physical exertion.

Keep Reading.

With that kind of information, Lance’s Brews Day Beer Reviews will help pick out the best choices for your rehydration beverage.

See…we knew that there was value to beer and mountain bikes in one site. Besides, we were looking out for you! Oh by the way…you’re welcome!

Popularity: 2% [?]

A while back our resident Beer Expert, Lance “Lush” Lowry reviewed a stout called Old Rasputin.

Moe gave me a bottle of this stuff to try. As I’m drinking it I’m reading Lance’s review and trying to see if I could taste what he’s talking about…Well I don’t know about the sweet oatmeal taste he’s talking about, but I do know it certainly has put hair on my chest.

The 9% alcohol is doable…But then again I’m not so great at handling spirits…

So this Old Rasputin is pretty gnarly. I like dark beers, but this like drinking alcoholic espresso! Lance was right, this thing is super thick…but its REALLY GOOD! Man, Lance knows what he’s talking about!

Popularity: 6% [?]

Biking is a great metaphor for life’s ins and outs. Take your trails for instance. If you’re riding the same one for weeks on end it can get dull and tiresome. Not that riding is tiresome but often we just need something different to break up the repetition and revive our minds. Today we’ll do just that and venture into the interesting world of sour beers. Quit puckering your mouth, we haven’t even started!

The Duchesse in her humble abode

Today we’ll sneak a peak at Duchesse De Bourgogne(pronounced Doo-shay). It’s a Belgian ale that comes from the Verhaeghe Brewery in Vichte. It’s named after Mary of Burgundy, who died at the early age of 25 when she fell off her horse while hunting with her falcon. Obviously she didn’t read my article on wearing a helmet. Stuuuuuupid! Interestingly, this brew was one of the few hand picked beers to be served at the crown Prince of Denmark’s wedding in 2004. Very ladee dah!

Verhaeghe Brewery

This is billed as a Flemish Red Ale which is appropriate as it is red and…well, an ale. It’s is supposed to be served in a snifter to accentuate the spicy aromas. The brewers used minimal hops and maximum roasted malts, but the roasted flavors are subtle and mature. The ale is brewed in 80-year-old oak barrels to further heighten the flavor, but how do they make it taste sour? Sour beers are brewed without yeast which lends it a balsamic vinegar taste. Very odd but intriguing.

Yum!

Be warned, the smell and the initial taste are ferociously sour. I believe my first impression was “Good Gawd, what the hell?!”. But as you continue to drink you realize what a gem this little eccentricity is. It’s like someone backhanding you across the face and then offering a nice warm blanket. Puzzling yet tasty. It’s actually quite delicious once you get used to the sourness. My wife surprised me by ordering two. It has a rich, aged flavor that is silky smooth. You’ll probably only find this at select breweries and I haven’t even seen it any beverage marts I go to. But if you do see the name somewhere, have a try…new trails are the spice of life!

Popularity: 3% [?]

As the previous Brews Days will show, I’m partial to darker beers. But, as promised, this brews day deal won’t be centralized in one style of brewing. Sure dark beers are great but, let’s be honest, it’s going to be tough sharing a dark stout with your wife/girlfriend/date when it’s thick enough to give you instant chest hair.  Ya, I have an authographed photo of Tom Selleck…so what!?

So today we’ll look at something the ladies can enjoy too. Pete’s Wicked started with a guy who was making wine but got discouraged by the long fermentation wait and decided to brew beer instead. His Strawberry Blonde is one their best. It’s made with wheat malts and has a touch of “natural” strawberry flavor. Though the word natural probably means chemical-based strawberry flavoring, you’ll find the drink quite refreshing. And the label looks pretty cool to boot.

If you can taste the difference between this and real strawberries then you have a more talented tongue than I do. Easy now, don’t let your mind wander! The smell and initial taste are of fresh strawberries. It really does taste like someone dumped a batch of scrumptious, fresh berries right in there. The drink finishes with a light, smooth hop and barley taste. While the finish is like a normal blonde, you’ll find this brew a unique and delicious treat.  My wife absolutely loves this beer so I feel safe recommending it for the females but don’t be shy fellas, you’ll enjoy this one too.

And what about that figure I’ve been riding my bike so hard to keep? One bottle is 160 calories, so skip that yogurt, save a cow’s udder, and have a Strawberry Blonde! It’s only 5.0% alcohol too so it’s okay, go ahead and have another. Cheers!

Popularity: 2% [?]