Beer of 2010?

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2010 was quite a good beer year. With it came some exceptional stuff like the brews from Element Brewing Company in Central MA and White Birch in Southern NH. Of course there were numerous special releases like the Life and Limb and Bitches’ Brew. I am going to really put myself out there right now and remark on an exceptional beer. I may go so far as to say that this is the beer of 2010. Building up to it like this, I am sure that some names are coming to mind right now and that those names likely include some of the more limited releases. Like I said, I am going to put myself out there and I am going to say that Sierra Nevada Celebration ale is indeed the beer of 2010. There are many reasons why I am willing to go so far as to make such a statement. I’ll even concede to some personal bias but, obviously, the main reason has to do with the quality of the brew. Celebration Ale is always good, but it seemed like this year’s batch was unusually good. Perhaps the hops enjoyed a better growing season? I found this year’s batch quite hoppy (as usual) but unusually fresh tasting. I also just happen to have a particular affinity for the style. I know that there are a lot of hop heads out there and this beer is good enough to satisfy those who love hops without being so over bearing that someone other than a hop enthusiast couldn’t enjoy it. The addition of more malt to bring it to an amber color and give it more body than a typical IPA also lends itself to the creation of a bold beer that remains somewhat approachable. In short, it just doesn’t let you down. Continue reading Beer of 2010?

Annual Winter Red Tasting

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Date:  Sat, 12/11/2010 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Practice makes perfect and there is no way around that. This is the second year, in a row, that our store will be hosting our Winter Red Tasting. We will be tasting all forms of red wines: dry, sweet, light, dense, etc… Everything from the massive California Cabs to the ever so delicate but pure Burgundian Pinots. This will truly be an event not to be missed. Because we are always looking for ways to raise the bar and give our customers the best we can, this year’s Winter Red Tasting will be even bigger than last year’s. Bring family and friends and a palate of steel because with the amount of wines we are tasting along with how rich some wines will be, you will need all the help you can get. Wine, Food, and Friends… What more could you want?

Beers we can’t get.

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It seems to me that the average beer consumer is decidedly more experienced than other consumers of alcoholic beverages.  I’d like to think that beer enthusiasts possess a sense of adventure that drives them to try as many new beers as possible.  Logic tells me that this level of experience is also supported by the simple fact that beer lends itself, due to accessibility, variety, ease of consumption and price, to easy experimentation.  One does not really consider drinking a quick bottle of wine at the bar on the way home from work.  The liver stamina required to support the exploration of multiple wines or liquors isn’t available to many of us, not to mention that it is likely to be prohibitively expensive.  Certainly there are ways to explore and enjoy wine, such as visiting a beautiful wine region like Sonoma County.  I am mainly referring to more of the daily approach to consuming – purchasing from your favorite purveyor of libations.  Beer, in its glorious variety, is readily available at stores and bars and there is little to stand in the way of simply having a beer.  This means that enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike can quite easily discover the world of beer.  From that, I have interesting conversations about beer with people almost every day. Continue reading Beers we can’t get.

Grand Scotch Tasting

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Date:  Sat, 11/06/2010 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Colonial Spirits announces its first ever grand scotch tasting.  Don’t miss this showcasing of over thirty of the finest Scotch Whiskeys.  From recognized favorites to some prodigious and rare offerings you are sure to find your new favorite.  Five dollars cash at the door, with all money benefiting the Acton 9/11 Memorial Fund, gets you a take home tasting glass and an all access pass to the finest whiskeys Scotland has to offer!