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 - Michigan

Michigan

Bell's Brewery Inc. - Kalamazoo, MI
Best Beer:

Two Hearted Ale

Last year I went to Chicago with Nick, JJ and some other friends and we decided to go out to some bars. Nick had been talking about this Bell's brewery for a few months, and so he was elated to find that they had Two Hearted Ale at the perticular bar we were at.

This was back before my obsession with IPA's and subsequent rejection of them.

Two Hearted Ale is a delicious IPA. When I made my own Nag Nag Nag Pale Ale, I was hoping to get a taste similar to the Bell's version. It's hoppy but not in an obnoxious way (which my IPA turned out to be, not that there is anything wrong with that) and it has a slight orange-y flavor, which I love. Or at least, I did love before the dark times began where I cannot drink IPA's anymore. Someday, someday the flavors will come back to me.

I am excited that Bell's beers are showing up more and more in Iowa. I am looking forward to the Oberon and Third Coast Ale.

For more information on Bells Brewery Inc., go here.
Visit the official Bells Brewery Inc. website, here.

Up Next: New York

Iowa Beers to Live For

So, I'm gonna set my "50 States of Beer" aside for the time being, and showcase my favorite beers from the state nearest (And dearest) to my ticker:


Now, I am not gonna pick my absoulte favorite Iowa beer until later on in my series, but for right now I'd like to highlight some of my favorite beers from the Cyclone State. (See what I did there?)

So ya, here are some Iowa beers I like. I can't wait to try more.

In No Particular Order:


Yum. First Iowa beer I ever tried. One of my favorites for any beer, not just home state.


The most recent Iowa beer to tickle my tastebuds. I have a growler half full in the fridge, and I look forward to finishing it, and re-filling it soon.


Stacie went over to Millstream one day and brought back a growler full of this oatmeal stout. It was a perfect surprise for me. Can't wait till I can get over there and do the tour. Maybe at Iowa Beer Fest.


I had heard so-so reviews over Peace Tree Brewery, but I tried the red and really like it. And I don't usually like reds. Hell of a rambler.


Raccoon River Brewing Company downtown DSM has a Vanilla Cream Ale that is one of my current favorite beers. It is the best beer I've ever had with a Vanilla flavor. So crisp. I HAD a growler full of this... (Had meaning I don't anymore).

and of course, from:


we got...

Nick's first home brew and the first home brew I ever drank. This is very high on my list of "best beers I've ever had".


Schenck's Copper Ale (which HE calls something else, but I call "Rocko and Copper Ale" is even higher on my list of "Best beers I've ever had."


I love my hefe. I drank the shit out of it at my wedding.

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