The 50 States of Beer - South Carolina

South Carolina

Thomas Creek Brewery - Greenville, SC

Best Beer:

Stillwater Vanilla Cream Ale

The vanilla cream ale isn't your typical style of beer. As a matter of fact, this is only the third type of Vanilla Cream Ale I've had. The first, was the Raccoon River Brewery right here in Des Moines, and the second was my home brew "2 Scoops Vanilla Cream Ale". The Thomas Creek isn't as good as Raccoon River's, but it was slightly better then mine.

I spent the weekend in Iowa City with Nick, JJ and the girls and we got beers at this little store that really wanted to be a Walgreens. I grabbed the Thomas Creek because I'd never heard of it before, and when I saw they had the vanilla, I was stoked. We also got a 6 pack of the O'Fallons Hemp Hop Rye which was good. (Fun Fact: my taste for hops is back finally!!)

The Stillwater Vanilla Cream Ale tastes great. I love the idea of the vanilla ales, because it's such a plain beer and they really don't do much to make it stand out. I'd like to know what it tastes like off the tap, so I'll have to find my way to South Carolina again one of these days. I am looking forward to trying other beers from Thomas Creek, and hopefully I can find them here in Des Moines Rock City.

For more information on Thomas Creek Brewery, go here.

Up Next: Ohio

The 50 States of Beer - Kansas

Kansas

Tallgrass Brewing Company - Manhattan, KS
Best Beer:

Buffalo Sweat

The first time I had Buffalo Sweat was this past summer at the Great Nebraska Beer Fest. It was good, but it was also about 90 degrees out, so I didn't much of this dark beer.

In November, I went to a holiday beer fest in Omaha at the Crescent Moon and got a chance to enjoy the stout in a better weather situation. I loved it.

Like Oskar Blues, Tallgrass has taken to canning their beers, which was a turn off for me at first, but after I warmed up, I have found that the appropriately named "Ale" and "IPA" were also good. But, the Buffalo Sweat is the best. If you are looking for a new stout to try out, look no further.

For more information on Tallgrass Brewing Company, go here.

Up Next: South Carolina

The 50 States of Beer - Massachusetts

Massachusetts

Boston Beer Company - Boston, MA
Best Beer:

Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat

This is my favorite time of year for beer. October. Now, you may think it's because of all the wonderful Octoberfest beers that come out around this time. But if you wanna know the truth, I am not the biggest fan of Octoberfest beers.

But, one of my top 5 favorite beers of all time does happen to come out in the fall and it is this Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat. Yum fucking Yum.

The first time I tasted this delicious brew was at (yep, you guessed it) the Old Chicago in Ames. Now, my beer life can be broken up into three categories (so far):

Golden Age / 2003-2007
From when I started to drink beer up until Cassada, Alister and Schenck left Ames.

Silver Age / 2007-2009
From when they left Ames, until Nick told me about homebrewing.

Bronze Age / 2009-Current
From when I started brewing my own beer until now.

Cherry Wheat came into the picture at the dawn of my Silver Age. I had it on the Octoberfest minitour 2007 and fell in love. I can't think of a beer on tap I'd take over Cherry Wheat.

I tried to make my own Cherry Wheat last Christmas, which turned into "St. Patrick's We Wish You A Cherry Christmas". It didn't taste a thing like Sam Adam's Cherry, but it was great and I wish I could recreate it. But it in it's absence, I'll settle for the Boston Brewers version.


For more information on Boston Beer Company, go here.
And visit the official Boston Beer Company website here.

Up Next: Kansas

The 50 States of Beer - Indiana

Indiana

Three Floyds Brewing - Munster, IN
Best Beer:

Robert the Bruce

The first time I had Robert the Bruce was in Chicago a few years ago at a pizzeria. I really like it. I wish they would distribute to Iowa, because it seems like a waste to have such a good brewery so close and yet so far.

In the fall I start to get thirsty for red, scottish ales and nut browns, so hopefully I can find a lesser scottish ale that is comparable.

For more information on Three Floyds Brewing, go here.
And visit the official Three Floyds Brewing website here.

Up Next: Massachusetts

The Best Beer Bar Ever...

This amazing bar, located in Downtown Des Moines, is 2 blocks from my office. We went there by accident. This is what we found:
- 105 beers on tap.
-100 beers in bottles.
-The largest selection of Microbrews in the US.
-It is the only official Rogue Nation bar in the midwest.
-It has an A rating on Beer Advocate.
-Voted one of the Best Bars in America by Esquire magazine and Draft magazine.
-Has delicious chips and salsa.
-Thursdays is home brewer night, where home brewers can showcase there beers.

and did I mention it's 2 blocks from my office? Goodbye productivity.

Go here to the official website and learn more. Also, go to the bar. It's great.

The 50 States of Beer - New Mexico

New Mexico

Santa Fe Brewing Company - Santa Fe, NM
Best Beer:

Chicken Killer Barley Wine

Beertopia in Omaha is great. I really love that place. That's where I got the Chicken Killer earlier this year. It was the first Barely Wine I ever had, and it set the bar pretty high.

It's got a good mix of barley and hops, along with a fruit flavor that mixes well. Plus, the 10% ABV ain't nothing to shy away from.

I want to try more from Sante Fe, it seems like a New Belgium to me, a dependable brewery.

Visit the official Santa Brewing Company website here.

Up Next: Indiana

The 50 States of Beer - Maine

Maine

Shipyard Brewery - Portland, ME
Best Beer:

Shipyard Export

I didn't know Shipyard was from Maine. I had drank Shipyard a lot, especially the Export (a pale ale). It's very good.

I was reading about Shipyard and found out that it was acquired by Miller in 1995, but then Miller sold it back to the originaly owners 2000. How weird is that?

I recommend Shipyard as a great Pale Ale that all hop lovers should down. For your health.

For more information on Shipyard Brewing Company, go here.
And visit the official Shipyard Brewing Company website here.

Up Next: New Mexico

The 50 States of Beer - Louisiana

Louisiana

Abita Brewing Company - Abita Springs, LA
Best Beer:

Abita Beer Amber

When Bag of Donuts was back a few years ago, we went to the Hyvee in Council Bluffs and they had Abita Amber on sale. It was cheap, so we bought it. I didn't think it'd be that good, but it turned out to be pretty great.

For an amber, it was very crisp. I drank it fast, in between some other good beers and we got extremely drunk that night.

I wish I knew more about Abita, I have thought of getting Turbodog a few times, but never do. Oh well, small post for Louisiana. Oh well.

For more information on Abita Brewing Company, go here.
Visit the official Abita Brewing Company website, here.

Up Next: Nevada

The 50 States of Beer - Delaware

Delaware

Dogfish Head - Milton, DE
Best Beer:

Punkin Ale

If you know me, you probably know 3 facts about me. I love beer, hate vegitables and love pumpkin pie. (If you didn't know, know you know).

The first Pumpkin beer I ever had was in Chicago (on the same trip where I first drank the Bell's Brewery beers), and I got a sixer of Michelob Jack's Pumpkin Ale . It wasn't terrible, but I had really wanted more.

Later last fall I found a 4 pack of this wonderful Punkin' ale, at the Hyvee in Ames, and it was what I was looking for. All the cinamon, pumpkin spice that I was hoping mixed in a brown ale. This gave me aspirations to make a Pumpkin Nut Brown Ale, which I think would taste like Thanksgiving.

Dogfish head is a really interesting brewery. Anyone who has seen Beer Wars, knows the story of how Sam Calagione started his brewery before it was legal for him to do so. Calagione has a show coming up on Discovery called "Brewed" that you can read about here, looks like good tv.

For more information on Dogfish Head, go here.
Visit the official Dogfish Head website, here.

Up Next: Louisiana

The 50 States of Beer - Maryland

Maryland

Flying Dog Brewery - Fredrick, MD (although originally Aspen, CO)
Best Beer:

In-Heat Wheat Ale

For me, it's hard to find a Hefe that I don't like. It's also hard to find one that I love. Most fit in that perfect middle ground. This was the first Hefe I ever had, and so it holds a special spot in my heart.

Cassada got a sampler pack of this back in the day, and the first thing we noticed was the wonderful artwork and beer names. Later I found out that none other than Hunter S. Thompson had a hand in the brewery getting started, and Ralph Steadman (artist famous for this) is who draws all of the Flying Dog labels. They also released the Gonzo, in honor of Thompson, which I have yet to find.

The brewery was originally started in Aspen, but relocated to Maryland and serves as it's only state since 2008. This helps me out, cause I really love the In-Heat Wheat Ale and I didn't have another brewery from Maryland. Boom, Beer'd.

For more information on Flying Dog Brewery, go here.
Visit the official Flying Dog Brewery website, here.

Up Next: Delaware

The 50 States of Beer - New York

New York

Saranac - Matt Brewing Company - Utica, NY
Best Beer:

Adirondack Lager

Lager's are not my favorite beer usually. But every once in awhile one really sticks with me, like Iron City, and of course Adirondack Lager.

Saranac was part of that first wave of microbrews that crossed my path. It was easy to find at the Ames HyVee, and I drank a bit of it.

I was sitting in London one time and met an American soldier who was on leave and we talked late into the night about beer. He was from Saranac, Michigan, and I made the comment about how nice it would be to have the brewery in his hometown. He's the one that informed me it was actually a New York brewery. And what a brewery it is. Matt did good.

Just for kicks, I am throwing in a vid-e-ya of Frontier Ruckus performing the song "Adirondack Amish Hollar", just because (if you're on facebook, you gotta view original post to see the video).



For more information on Saranac, go here.
Visit the official Saranac website, here.

Up Next: Maryland

The 50 States of Beer - Missouri

Missouri

O'Fallon Brewery - O'Fallon, MO
Best Beer:

Hemp Hop Rye

I don't like Boulevard. I don't. I think it is a poser. Boulevard wants to be Sam Adams or New Belgium. Sadly, it's not. It's fucking Boulevard.

So, that is why my favorite Missouri brewery is O'Fallon's. The 5 Day IPA impressed me a lot during my IPA phase (RIP IPA phase, March 2010-June 2010). Then I tried the Wheach (a peach flavored Wheat beer, which was pretty good.) And I finally found the Hemp Hop Rye at our new Hyvee down here in Des Moines.

The Hemp Hop Rye intrigued me. How would those flavors mix? Well, it was good. the hoppy rye beer sounds either great or terrible, but this is very good. Plus, the hemp seeds used in the mix gives it an almost nutty taste. Like a light brown.

This is apparently a seasonal beer, so I am going to try to get a case before the Hemp Hop Rye season is over.

Visit the official O'Fallon Brewery website, here.

Up Next: Missour-E

(just kidding)

Up Next: Michigan

The 50 States of Beer - Washington

Washington

Red Hook Ale Brewery - Seattle Washington
Best Beer:

Red Hook ESB

Red Hook ESB was one of the first "good" beers I ever really loved. It was my first ESB (extra special bitter) and still my favorite ESB.

I haven't had any other beers from the Red Hook brewery, but I do want to visit the facility in Seattle. I have heard the brewery is great.

Red Hook is easy to find round these parts, and I suggest picking some up if you like a good bitter beer.

For more reading on Red Hook Ale Brewery, go here.
Visit the official the Red Hook Ale Brewery website, here.

Up Next: Missouri

The 50 States of Beer

10 down, 40 to go.

This has been fun.

The 50 States of Beer - Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company - Chippewa Falls, WI
Best Beer:

Summer Shandy

So, I can see this being a controversial pick. A lot of people don't like Leinenkugel's. I get it, since Miller owns it is hard to look at it objectively. However, they have a few beers that really do it for me.

If I had written this post back in April, I would have called Sunset Wheat my favorite beer. [ed. note, also my favorite beer that tastes like hot dogs] But, now I have tried Summer Shandy, and I totally love it.

"A wheat beer with Lemonade mixed in" is the idea. And that, personally, sounds fucking terrible to me. But, I love it. At my wedding, I spent the entire night going between my own homebrew Tastie Hastie Hefeweizen and Summer Shandy. It's smooth, it's tasty, it puts a smile on my face.

Damn good beer, especially on a hot summer day. I am drinking one right now, and every sip is better then the last. If you have issues with the brewery or the idea of it, put that shit aside and try it. And if you think you have a better Wisconsin beer, let me have one. I'll gladly try it.

For more reading on the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company , go here
And visit the official the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company website, here.

Up Next: Texas

The 50 States of Beer - Montana

Montana

Big Sky Brewing Company - Missoula, MT
Best Beer:

Scape Goat Pale Ale

Moose Drool is a damn good beer, so get off my back. I just think Goat is the best in the Big Sky line.

Browns, to me, can be perfected. Like Empyrean's 3rd Stone, that is top of the line, so to me all other nut browns have to match up to it. Where as with Pale Ales, either they all are on the same level to me (well, all good ones) or I just haven't found my top Pale Ale yet.

With that being said, Scape Goat is a very good beer. I like it a lot better than the Big Sky IPA, which I find a little harsh.

I used to drink a good amount of Big Sky beers, but lately I have been out of the Pale Ale game. But writing this makes me thirsty for a Goat. Also, I was under the impression that Big Sky was a major brewery, but the Wikipedia page has hardly anything on it. What's that all about?

For more reading on Big Sky Brewing Company, go here (actually not that much info. at all)
And visit the official Big Sky Brewing Company website, here.

Up Next: Wisconsin

The 50 States of Beer - Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Iron City Brewing Company - Pittsburgh, PA, home of the Penguins.
Best Beer:

Iron City Beer Premium Lager

I want to be honest with you. I don't drink a whole lot of Pennsylvania beer. I picked this state without having a beer in mind. After reviewing what my options were, I knew that Iron City stood out as my clear favorite.

Pennsylvania has a lot of things I really like. The Penguins, Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company, Boy Meets World, and Paddy's Irish Pub [note, I am watching It's Always Sunny as I write this.]. Add to that list, this beer. Straight outta the tin bottle, Iron City is one of my favorite lagers.

It is a "great white buffalo beer" in my mind. I have only drank it two or three times, but the memory of how good it is stays with me. I get thirsty for it occasionally. Sad thing is, it's hard to find round these parts.

My best memory of it is drinking it at, surprise surprise, the Old Chicago in Ames with Cassada, Schenck and Marc Sellers. Them was the days. That was the beer.

For more reading on Iron City Brewing Company, go here.
And visit the official Iron City Brewing Companywebsite, here.

Up Next: Montana

The 50 States of Beer - Minnesota

Minnesota

Summit Brewing Company - St. Paul, MN
Best Beer:

Summit Extra Pale Ale

So I was at Old Chicago. I don't remember exactly what the occasion was, but there was a bunch of us there. Cassada, Schenck and I (of course), and then Sellars, Artie, Alister and Emilie. We were all having lunch (I think) and I had just finished an Iron City Lager (in the aluminum bottle, fyi) and asked the waitress to surprise me. I got Summit EPA.

Since, I have always used it as a quick go-to beer. It never fails, and is perhaps one of the only beers I can safely say I like just as much out of a bottle as I do on tap.

Summit also makes an India Style Rye Ale, which I think just sounds wonderful. However, it's a seasonal beer, so I am going to have to find my way up to Sweet St. Paul (man, that must be the hardest luck Saint of 'em all) to get one.

I also recommend the Summit Porter, it's pretty damn good. Honorable mention for the land-o-lakes state: Granite City Food and Brewery's Duke of Wellington India Pale Ale is pretty good, but I haven't technically had it. I drank it in Cedar Rapids at a chain.

Also, for good measure, here is a shout out to Midwest Supplies where I get the majority of my Home brewing supplies, located in Minneapolis.

For more reading on Summit Brewing Company, go here.
And visit the official Summit Brewing Company website, here.

Up next, Oregon

The 50 States of Beer - Illinois

Illinois

Goose Island Beer Company - Chicago, IL
Best Beer:

Goose Island's India Pale Ale

Goose Island has long been one of my favorite breweries. Ever since I first had the Honkers Ale at Old Chicago in Ames (where you'll find, I had most of my beers), I was a fan.

Over time, I had tried others that I enjoyed, 312, Nut Brown and the Matilda. But it wasn't until some friends and I went to a concert in Chicago that I got a taste of the IPA. We were at Harry' Caray's, and the first sip I was hooked. It was the hoppiest son of a bitch I've ever drank.

Since, I have had it as often as I could, and when I home brewed my first IPA, it was Goose Island's IPA that I compared it to. I suggest to any hop lover to try it out. Cheers.

For more reading on Goose Island Beer Company, go here.
And visit the official Goose Island Beer Company website, here.

Up next, Minnesota

The 50 States of Beer - Colorado

Colorado

New Belgium Brewery - Fort Collins, CO
Best Beer:

New Belgium's Biere de Mars

While visiting the New Belgium brewery in Fort Collins last March, we took the tour. At one point we stopped for a tasting, and I asked the tour guide if we could try a beer that you couldn't get outside of the brewery at that time.

He poured us a Biere de Mars Ale. It was a great beer. The first thing we did was throw it back, it had a lemon taste that invited drinking.

Then he says "Ok, now taste the beer." Ours were gone. So he poured us another, it was just as good as the first.

He told us a story of how the head brewer at New Belgium, Peter Bouckaert (a belgian) loved how American's were so different than Europeans when it came to beers. If you hand a European a beer... they sniff it, they scrutinize it.

Hand a beer to an American and we drink it. Cause, hey, you might give us another.

For More Reading about New Belgium and Biere De Mars, go here.

Up next, Nebraska