Beer: Ayinger Celebrator
Brewed at: Ayinger Brewery, Upper Bavaria, Germany
Style: Dopplebock (Double Bock)
ABV: 7.2%
Brewed since: 1516

You cannot miss this beer at the local fine liquors and imports store. It's colorful, attractive label also has a small plastic horned-goat hanging around the bottleneck. Dopplebock beers have dark color, much like Stouts and Porters. However, and extra-strong Lager beer has an aroma all it's own. Such beers were originally brewed by Monk's in this area near Munchen, and referred to as "liquid bread". The Monk's consumed this heavier style beer before lent. The nutrients sustained them thru this period. I really love this beer. It has a somewhat hoppy aroma, followed by an almost oily, raisin or fig taste. It finishes malty, with a hint of coffee, yet remains traditional dry at the end. This beer has rated as high as 99 on a 100 scale by the beer ratings folks, and I concur. Personally, I would drink this beer in the middle of the Summer, but the Bavarian's tend to prefer it as an early-Spring "warming" beer. Although the Ayinger brewery is on the outskirts of Munich, and has to compete with the giants called Paulaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, and others, he holds his own in Munchen cafe & stores. Lucky for me, as I travel to Munchen a couple of times per year, I can easily get Ayinger Celebrator and other Ayinger beers on almost any street corner.
 

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Beer: Hacker-Pschorr Dunkel Weisse
Brewed at: Hacker-Pschorr Brewery, Munich, Germany (owned by Paulaner)
Style: Dark Wheat
ABV: 5.3%
Brewed since: 1417

Munich's original dark wheat beer, first brewed by Georg Pschorr, stands above most dunkels. Surprisingly, although I have been to Munich many times, and tried most of the Munchener brews, I had not tasted this great beer until 2005. Typically, I spend a few hours in the afternoon, enjoying Munich's great Marzen and Oktoberfest beers in several of the Oktoberfest tents each September. This has been the norm for the past 12 years for me. I am a lucky man. In the evening, we tend to walk around the beautiful Bavarian city, enjoying some fine local cuisine. Of course, we do not stop drinking beer because we have left the Theresienweise grounds. This would be an injustice in the Bavarian capital. I started drinking this wonderful dark wheat a couple of years ago, and I will never stop. It's very clean, robust, malty aroma draws you to it instantly. That is just the beginning, as it is one of the most drinkable wheat beers I have had the pleasure of trying. There is a slight smoky flavor, and this beer is really a cross between the traditional wheat & Marzen style brews. After drinking a few Mas (liters) each afternoon at the Oktoberfest this year, I enjoyed several half liters of this very refreshing beer each evening while in the city. It's one of the tastiest, easy to drink, thirst-quenching brews I have tried. Made with 60% dark-colored, malted wheat, and 40% light-colored barley, this beer has a wonderful color. It's dark, yet you can easily see thru your Mas or half liter glass. Trust me on this one, and go have one at the Hacker-sponsored Italian caf? - located just across Bayer strasse from the hauptbahnhof(main train station) when you get the chance. A truly wonderful way to sit and watch the people walk thru the city streets, either on a sunny day, or in the evening.

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Beer:  Brother Thelonious
Style:  Belgian Abbey Ale
Brewed at:  North Coast Brewing Co.  -  Fort Bragg, CA
ABV:   9.4%

Interesting name, interesting bottle design, and interesting aroma.  The Brewmaster at this Fort Bragg, CA brewery has some good products on the market today.  I only recently (2006) tried this Belgian Abbey Ale style brew.  It ages very well, and the first scent hints of chocolate, coffee, plenty of hops, figs, and a slight spiciness.   Like most Abbey Ales, originally brewed in Belgium hundreds of years ago, this one has a bite to it.  Whiles its relatively high ABV (9.4%) does stand-out, this particular brew is not too overpowering. It has a nice, dark brown, with a tinge of red color.  There is no hiding the hops or malt, as no brewer should attempt to do.  Please take a hint, mass-produced American top-sellers.  This is a man's beer through and through.  I would recommend this hearty ale with a nice evening meal, perhaps consisting of steak, fish, potatoes, and a good gravy.  I am not very familiar with the complete family of Fort Bragg, CA born beers, but plan to change that.  They definitely have my interest piqued at this point.  I have tried this nice Abbey Ale, and one or two others, but will have some work to do.  If you enjoy a hearty, real ale, this one is for you.

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Beer:  Pinkus Alt
Brewed at:  Pinkus-Muller Brewery in Muenster, Germany
Style:  Organic Alt Beer
ABV:  5.4%Brewed since:  1816

I was first introduced to the Pinkus family of beers in 2006 at a local watering hole.  Although I had lived in Deutschland for a few years, I had not yet tried these wonderful organic brews.  The Pinkus-Muller Brewery makes only three beers, but they craft them to perfection.  The Alt beer is certified organic, unfiltered, golden pale in color, with a nice herby aroma.  It is important to take-in a beer this good by using all the senses: Smell, feel, look, & taste.  The Pinkus Alt is one of the smoothest beers I have tried in recent memory.  If you do something well, no need to change or expand perfection.  The Pinkus brewers get that, and this fine beer is one of nature's best.  Pinkus Alt has won high praise at several World Beer competitions since 2002.  I would recommend this beer served in almost any setting.

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Beer:  Pinkus Pils
Brewed at:  Pinkus-Muller Brewery in Muenster, Germany
Style:  Organic Ur Pils
ABV:  5.2%

Like his two brothers in the Pinkus family, this fine beer is made the right way.  A fantastic pale-golden color, wonderful aromatic smell, and attractive bottle are just the beginning of the experience.  One word can describe this brew adequately, and one word only in my opinion:  Drinkable. This is perhaps the smoothest pils I have ever had the pleasure of trying, and I have tried them all over the globe.  To say a Pils is at the top of the German or Czech brewing charts amongst it's own peers is really saying something.  I would put this Pils up against any beer in almost any class based on sheer drink ability.  The gold medal winner in the Organic Beer category at the 2003 World Beer Championships has not been challenged since in my view.  I will try my best to find a smoother, more enjoyable beer, but may not succeed in my quest.  This particular beer is so smooth, I have recommended it to several folks who are not regular beer drinkers.  Each of them claimed it was surprisingly refreshing, easy to drink, and not bitter at all.  That is high praise from people who normally enjoy wine or spirits. This beer goes good with any food group, but I would recommend just sitting there, looking at it, and enjoying every sip with nothing else to distract your palate.

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Beer: Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
Style: Coffee Stout
Brewed at: Lagunitas Brewing Co. Lyons, CO (USA)
ABV: 9.78%

While recently enjoying a another fine Lagunitas Brewing product at my favorite pub, the bartender (Andy) inquired as to whether or not I had tried their Cappuccino Stout. I was aware of it, and had seen the bottle behind the bar. However, something about the name did not really intrigue me. I have only tried a couple of coffee-flavored stouts in my day. This one was liked by Andy, and recommended by a few of the other guys working at the pub, so I tried it. The label describes this as a “Columbian Coffee Stout”, but does not really mention anything about creams, or flavored cappuccino, etc. So, the name is somewhat of a mystery to me, as I cannot detect anything other than very noticeable, strong Columbian coffee flavor in this stout. At almost 10% ABV - she has a bite as well. Still, it’s not over-powering in any way. I truly enjoyed it, and could see myself enjoying several pints of this I the very near future. The very easily recognizable coffee flavors and aroma make this brew very desirable if you like stout & coffee. Well, I certainly like both, so I give this particular beer high marks. It will also make a wonderful marinade. Any ideas for dinner? Starbucks can keep their $4.50 flavored coffee. I’ll take this “cappuccino” any day.

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Beer: Rogue Juniper Ale
Brewed by: Rogue Brewery Newport, OR
Style: India Pale Ale
ABV: 8.3%

Like many of the outstanding ales in Rogue family, this particular one is a pleasure to drink. Many of the folks I have spoken with put this one at the top of their person favorites list of Rogue ales. Personally, I find that very hard to do. Not because this isn’t an absolutely wonderful ale, but more because Herr Maier makes no less than 30 great beers. This in mind; the task of limiting ones self to a “Top 5” list does not do the man justice. Almost everything he brews is very good. I have not tried everything Rogue has out there yet, but the 16 to 18 I have had the pleasure of trying are each outstanding, unique, flavorful, hoppy, and drinkable. That being said, I can certainly see why a person would call this ale his or her favorite. The bottle is attractive, like most Rogue ales. This ale pours very nicely, has a smooth, carmel-safron like color, and has a distinctly floral aroma. The juniper berry is very much present, but not overpowering in any way. I am not a personal fan of brews with a heavy floral scent. Although the Juniper Ale label describes this floral scent, it’s there in a very subtle way by Master Maier, as usual. This fine ale is made with Northwest Harrington, Crystal, Triumph, Maier Munich & C-15 malts; Styrian Golding & Amarillo Hops, & Juiper berries. I will not waste time at listing the numerous medals this beer has taken at the World Championships, as that would take quite some time. However, I know enough to say these were well-deserved awards. This is another Rogue Ale that makes even the part-time beer drinker step back and say “Wow, I could get used to that!” Just to name a couple, this was the highest rated pale ale in the world in both 2004 & 2005. I am not at all surprised by that fact. I love this product in the 22oz bottle. Pour me another!  Best craft beers in America?  yes..