Okay, sure, some people will argue against the statement that beer is humanity’s favorite beverage. Maybe there are more wine drinkers throughout history, but who truly knows? Maybe somebody, and even though I’m not that guy, I can firmly claim that beer is among the finest creations man has ever had a part in. Do you feel like I do about that tastiest of brews? Do you ever travel to try new beers? I sure have...
Some years ago one of my driving interests, when I used to travel non-stop, was hopping from place to place, trying the famed and underground breweries. Brewery tours were the best as they often welcomed me with open arms since they knew I would write about their establishment, and they often included a free beer to enjoy while on the tour. Brewery tours are fantastic because they give you insight on the personalities and goals of each beer creator, and knowing the how, where, when, what, and why are among half the fun of a brewery tour. Obviously, the other half (and many would argue that it’s much more than 50%) of the fun is tasting the fresh beer. But what I love (almost as much as drinking the beer) is being able to enjoy the brewing process. There’s just something magical about the way the wort smells; as it’s a lovely, toasty scent, often somewhere between roasted barley and yeast.
When I spent nine months roaming across Europe, the UK, northern Africa and Iceland, I sampled a crap ton of beer, many of which has slid from my memory. But two particular experiences have stuck out for me, which is trying the many lovely beers in Belgium and Germany, each with their own flavors of brew, yeast, and malt, and each carving a permanent spot in my heart. I also distinctively remember a lot of the pubs in Ireland, Scotland and England, and though I’m lesser a fan of their traditional beer styles than I am of Belgian and German (my absolute favorites!), I still appreciate their unique taste profiles. I used to love keeping track of my favorite beers, all across the world, with the Pintley app (which, sadly, seems to have since disappeared), where I’d rate each beer from 1-to-5, helping me to remember my favorites that I must try again.
Since then, I’ve settled into a more regional travel style over the past year, and do not frequent as many pubs, bars and breweries as I once did. The reason being is that once you’ve drank well over 1,000 different beers in who-knows-how-many bars, you sort of tire of the original thrill. Now, I still like to try the occasional new beer a few times a month, which is why I frequent a few diverse shops that specialize in new and exciting beers, as well as try out the monthly beer clubs, like that of the Original Craft Beer Club.
The Original Craft Beer Club is, as the name suggests, a monthly beer club that seeks out popular and lesser-known craft and micro breweries. For my first month, the club sent me the Hop Trapp and Lakewood Lager by Lakewood Brewing Company, based in Texas, as well as the Tiller Brown Ale and the Responders Ale from 16 Mile Brewery, based in Delaware. The club sends out three beers of four different styles, along with an information sheet filling you in on the brewery and each individual beer; which also includes a recipe that pairs well with your included beers.
Lakewood Brewing Company’s Lakewood Lager is a Vienna-Style Lager, at 4.6% ABV, with 25 IBU’s, which is a light, fresh beer with the faint taste of caramel joined with a light malty sweetness. Their Hop Trapp is a Belgian-Style IPA, at 6.4% ABV, with 54 IBU’s, which means it is distinctively hoppy but doesn’t go overboard, tasting of floral hoppyness and a Belgian finish.
The Responders Ale by 16 Mile Brewery might be my favorite of the bunch as I do love a good blonde ale. The Responders Ale is an American (Blonde) Session Ale, at 4.1% ABV, with 12 IBU’s (keeping it smooth and refreshing), which tastes of barley, wheat and yeast. The Tiller Brown Ale is an English Brown Ale, at 6.1% ABV, with 13 IBU’s, which is a deeper beer than the others, demonstrating robust flavors of chocolate and coffee, with hints of roasted nuts and toffee.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience of having new and exciting beers delivered to my doorstep, through the monthly beer club. It’s a pretty cool experience, quite convenient, and delicious. If you would like to learn more about Craft Beer Club, click here.
When I spent nine months roaming across Europe, the UK, northern Africa and Iceland, I sampled a crap ton of beer, many of which has slid from my memory. But two particular experiences have stuck out for me, which is trying the many lovely beers in Belgium and Germany, each with their own flavors of brew, yeast, and malt, and each carving a permanent spot in my heart. I also distinctively remember a lot of the pubs in Ireland, Scotland and England, and though I’m lesser a fan of their traditional beer styles than I am of Belgian and German (my absolute favorites!), I still appreciate their unique taste profiles. I used to love keeping track of my favorite beers, all across the world, with the Pintley app (which, sadly, seems to have since disappeared), where I’d rate each beer from 1-to-5, helping me to remember my favorites that I must try again.
Since then, I’ve settled into a more regional travel style over the past year, and do not frequent as many pubs, bars and breweries as I once did. The reason being is that once you’ve drank well over 1,000 different beers in who-knows-how-many bars, you sort of tire of the original thrill. Now, I still like to try the occasional new beer a few times a month, which is why I frequent a few diverse shops that specialize in new and exciting beers, as well as try out the monthly beer clubs, like that of the Original Craft Beer Club.
The Original Craft Beer Club is, as the name suggests, a monthly beer club that seeks out popular and lesser-known craft and micro breweries. For my first month, the club sent me the Hop Trapp and Lakewood Lager by Lakewood Brewing Company, based in Texas, as well as the Tiller Brown Ale and the Responders Ale from 16 Mile Brewery, based in Delaware. The club sends out three beers of four different styles, along with an information sheet filling you in on the brewery and each individual beer; which also includes a recipe that pairs well with your included beers.
Lakewood Brewing Company’s Lakewood Lager is a Vienna-Style Lager, at 4.6% ABV, with 25 IBU’s, which is a light, fresh beer with the faint taste of caramel joined with a light malty sweetness. Their Hop Trapp is a Belgian-Style IPA, at 6.4% ABV, with 54 IBU’s, which means it is distinctively hoppy but doesn’t go overboard, tasting of floral hoppyness and a Belgian finish.
The Responders Ale by 16 Mile Brewery might be my favorite of the bunch as I do love a good blonde ale. The Responders Ale is an American (Blonde) Session Ale, at 4.1% ABV, with 12 IBU’s (keeping it smooth and refreshing), which tastes of barley, wheat and yeast. The Tiller Brown Ale is an English Brown Ale, at 6.1% ABV, with 13 IBU’s, which is a deeper beer than the others, demonstrating robust flavors of chocolate and coffee, with hints of roasted nuts and toffee.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience of having new and exciting beers delivered to my doorstep, through the monthly beer club. It’s a pretty cool experience, quite convenient, and delicious. If you would like to learn more about Craft Beer Club, click here.
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