Craft Beer Compass Podcast

In episode 69, we explore Old Ales by featuring three different versions – all from Michigan, all from different years, and all showcasing different flavors and aromas. Two of the beers are similar in appearance. One will make you chuckle every time you hear its name. From the youngest to the oldest, we feature Arbor Jackhammer (2013), Founders… The post Old Ales | Ep. 69 | Covering the Style’s Spectrum with Three Versions from Michigan appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 68 kicks off the Hop Odyssey series for Green Flash – the first time the San Diego brewery’s series has come to bottles. The first release of 2014 is the brewery’s Black IPA. It’s the definitive example of a West Coast Style Black IPA. But what’s that mean? Listen in: http://traffic.libsyn.com/craftbeercompass/68_-_Green_Flash_Black_IPA.mp3 The post Green Flash Black IPA | Ep. 68 | Kicking Off the West Coast Hop Odyssey of 2014 appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 67 features the latest release from Sixpoint: Hi-Res, an imperial IPA coming in at 11.1% ABV with 111 IBUs. Not only does Hi-Res dial it up a notch on its littler brother, Resin (who makes an appearance on this episode), it also stands a good chance at unhorsing its peers in an already deep… The post Sixpoint Hi-Res | Ep. 67 | Size up the Imperial IPA Competition and Say Hello to His Little Brother, Resin appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 66 is our Q&A episode for the month of February. Hear answers to your questions about cellaring coffee beers, cans vs. bottles, cleansing your palate, cleaning your glassware and differences in bottle caps. Listen in: http://traffic.libsyn.com/craftbeercompass/66_-_Feb_QA.mp3 The post Listener Q&A | Ep. 66 | Cellaring Coffee Beers, Cans vs. Bottles, Cleansing Your Palate and More! appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 65 features Mean Old Tom from Maine Beer Company. It’s a 6.5% ABV stout aged on natural vanilla beans. But its natural essence and authenticity doesn’t end there. Mean Old Tom – and Maine Beer Company – scream care for both the community and the craft in a nonchalant, minimalist nature, from their packaging to… The post Maine Mean Old Tom | Ep. 65 | Screaming Natural Essence, Authenticity and Care in a Minimalist Manner appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 64 takes us behind the packaging, inside the incubator and at the brewmaster’s table at the Horny Goat brewpub for a five-course beer dinner led by brewmaster Dave Reese. Mrs. Craft Beer Compass joins the episode to talk about the beer-food pairings and our newfound appreciation for what’s brewing at the Milwaukee-based brewery. It’s… The post Horny Goat Beer Dinner | Ep. 64 | Beyond the Packaging, Inside the Incubator and at the Brewmaster’s Table appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 63 features Boulevard’s Rye-on-Rye. It’s the first beer with rye featured as the leading lady on the podcast, though there are certainly beers that have included the specialty grain as part of their malt bill before. Know why? Rye lends unique qualities to beer, such as a sweet, spicy texture and boosted head retention.… The post Boulevard Rye-on-Rye | Ep. 63 | Experience What the Specialty Grain Brings to the Party appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 62 features New Glarus Spiced Ale, the first release of 2014 in the Wisconsin brewery’s Thumbprint series. The red foil-topped, oak-aged beer began appearing in Wisconsin bottleshops without much fanfare in early January. But after reading the side of the label, it doesn’t appear to fit the mold of your standard winter spiced beer.… The post New Glarus Spiced Ale | Ep. 62 | What to Expect from the 1st Thumbprint Release of 2014 appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 61 features the latest release in Firestone Walker’s Proprietor’s Reserve Series: the 2014 batch of its barrel-aged barleywine, Sucaba. Not only is this year’s batch the best I’ve ever had, it’s also one of the most standout beer experiences on a decade-long craft beer journey. Here’s why. There’s a certain baseline expectation that comes… The post Firestone Walker §ucaba Barleywine | Ep. 61 | A Game Changer and Mile Marker on Our Craft Beer Journey appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 60 is a double feature on Dark Horse Brewing Co. We begin with some backstory on one of the first Craft Beer Compass beer journeys, stretching back nearly one decade ago. We then connect it to on-location audio of the whole family at the Dark Horse Taproom in Marshall, Mich., just a few minutes… The post Dark Horse Double Feature | Ep. 60 | Family Trip to the Taproom + Tasting of Beer is Dark appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 59 features The Hairy Eyeball Ale from Lagunitas in Petaluma, Calif. (and soon, Chicago, Ill.) It’s one of the seasonal (perihelial? peripheral?) strong ales from the Lagunitas portfolio, coming in at 9.4% ABV and precisely 56.66 IBUs. If you’re looking for an accessible, affordable and straight-forward beer to warm you this winter, this could fit… The post Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball | Ep. 59 | Accessible, Affordable and Straight-Forward appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

This month’s Listener Q&A episode answers your questions on carbonation levels, barleywine styles, distribution wish lists, cellaring imperial pale ales and aging perceptions in wine vs. beer. For the first time ever, we hear listener questions played on-air. Listen in to the first podcast of the new year: http://traffic.libsyn.com/craftbeercompass/58_-_QA_Jan_2014.mp3 The post Listener Q&A | Ep. 58 | Carbonation, Barleywines, Cellaring I2PAs, Distribution and Wine vs. Beer appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 57 features Mephistopheles Stout from Avery Brewing Co. It’s a limited release, demon of a stout, clocking in at 15.4% ABV. We compare tasting notes of the latest Batch 9 with tasting notes of Batch 1 (from March 2006). Listen in to the last podcast of 2013: http://traffic.libsyn.com/craftbeercompass/57_-_Avery_Mephistopheles.mp3 Here are the tasting notes from… The post Avery Mephistopheles Stout | Ep. 57 | From Release 1 to Release 9, This Demonic Ale Struts its Stuff appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

In Episode 56, we take a walk on the wild side of the Belgian-style dubbel, featuring New Belgium’s Wild2 Dubbel. It’s the latest release in the Colorado-based brewery’s Lips of Faith series, using schisandra berries, which are sometimes used medicinally and heralded for possessing all five basic flavors: salty, sweet, sour, spicy and bitter. If… The post New Belgium Wild2 Dubbel | Ep. 56 | Five Flavors from a Berry and Health Benefits in a Bomber appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.

Episode 55 features Lunatic, a new seasonal release from Hinterland out of Green Bay, Wis. It’s an imperial stout clocking in at 9% ABV. It’s impeccably balanced – not only in its flavor profile but also in where it falls on the imperial stout spectrum. It could be the ideal beer to get family on… The post Hinterland Lunatic Imperial Stout | Ep. 55 | Striking a Balance in the Imperial Stout Spectrum appeared first on Craft Beer Compass.