Pliny the Younger. Photo by David Jensen.
On August 4, 2011, beer enthusiasts around the world gathered to celebrate the first International IPA Day. What’s so special about this particular beer style that it warrants its own worldwide celebration?
The answer to that question is bound to be as varied as IPA’s many devotees, but most would surely agree there’s something about the balance of intense hop bitterness with malt sweetness coupled with the floral, piney, citrus aromas that attracts so many craft beer drinkers to IPA. After all, many beer enthusiasts are self-proclaimed “hop heads,” or lovers of hoppy beer, and (usually) nothing is hoppier than an IPA. (more…)
Photo by David Jensen
The biggest challenge in compiling this list of 15 beers to try before you die: narrowing the selection to a mere 15 beers. The list is by no means complete and it is entirely subjective, but these are the beers that left a lasting impression. In writing this list, I adhered to three simple guidelines. First and foremost, each beer on the list is available at least once a year. You might have to travel to a particular region to get it, but you should be able to find it. This criterion eliminates all anniversary and most collaboration beers. Second, the list reflects a variety of beer styles from various regions, a necessity on any “beers to try before you die” list. Finally, I tried each of these beers prior to writing this article.
In no particular order, here are 15 beers to try before you die. (more…)
Photo by David Jensen
Whether you’re new to craft beer or are a hardcore beer geek, there’s no disputing that pale ale is a staple of the craft beer movement. Nearly every craft brewery makes a pale ale.
What is it that makes pale ale so popular among beer drinkers as well as breweries? For starters, it’s accessible, drinkable and a good gateway to the world of craft beer. Pale ales can be interpreted in many ways by the brewer but still remain within the expectations of the beer drinker, regardless of the drinker’s level of experience. Novice craft beer drinkers might think that all pale ales taste the same, but an experienced craft beer drinker will enjoy the nuances in the various interpretations of the style. (more…)
Brews on the Bay Beer Festival. Photo by David Jensen.
Although craft beer festivals are a year-round activity, the majority take place during spring, summer and fall. With the variety of breweries and beer styles present at most festivals, these events provide the perfect venue to further your beer education. I hope that this guide will encourage to you attend a few beer festivals and that the tips I share below will help you get the most out of each one you attend.
David Jensen of Beer 47
David Jensen is the blogger behind Beer 47, one of the funnest, freshest blogs about (you guessed it!) craft beer that we’ve come across in our virtual beer travels. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome David to our expert team.
So pull up a stool, open up a cold one (hey, it’s five o’clock somewhere) and get to know our newest expert with this beer-flavored Q & A. Got your own question for David? Don’t be shy! After all, even drinking buddies have to start somewhere. Pipe in below the post.
“The craft beer glass is half full.” In other words, I’m optimistic about the rising tide of craft beer in America and the world. I’ve served my time when I was younger and college age, drinking the flavorless, yellow fizzy stuff and now you will rarely, if ever, find me drinking anything but craft beer. And why not? It has never been a better time to drink craft beer in America. Craft brewers are making high quality beer, both by making traditional styles as well as by pushing the limits to create experimental and ultimately new styles of beer. Styles such as Double IPA or India Black Ale (aka Black IPA) have only been around for a few years and I’m willing to try any and all of these styles of beer. (more…)
