While browsing Compass Box’s online whisky shop, I noticed the sampler set that you see in the above photo. This set includes five of their core expressions, presented in a black lacquered, clamshell box, and also comes with a tasting notes brochure. Although this sampler set was love at first sight, I was unwilling to part with the online price of $60+. But then about about two weeks ago, while shopping for a house warming present at Wine Works in Marlton, NJ, I noticed that they were selling this set for $40. All I can say is, “SOLD!“.

$40 for 250ML may seem expensive, but when you consider the cost of sampling these whiskies at a bar, this is an absolute bargain. Here is what a dram of these whiskies would cost at The Cooperage in Center City Philadelphia:

• Asyla: $14
• Oak Cross: $14
• Peat Monster: $20
• Spice Tree: $20
• Hedonism: $20
• TOTAL COST: $88

Let’s get on with the first review from this sampler set, the Compass Box Asyla.

Here is what Compass Box has to say about their Asyla expression:

The ultimate “everyday,” “before dinner” or “Sunday afternoon” Scotch whisky. With just a splash of chilled water, this blend of soft, sweet grain whiskies and elegant, refined malt whiskies epitomises “deliciousness” in the world of Scotch whisky.

And here are my impressions of this whisky…

• Appearance: Pale golden yellow.
• Aroma: Very light and fragrant. Green apple. Cut grass. Peppermint. Light corn syrup. A hint of menthol. It’s like aromatherapy in a glass with all of those soothing scents going on.
• Taste: Thin and watery mouthfeel. Coats your tongue with soft and somewhat peppery flavors. The black pepper intensifies at mid-palate as it starts to warm your mouth, but it never overwhelms. Somewhat short finish with more of that mild pepperiness, followed immediately by lighter herbal notes. Very clean and refreshing aftertaste.
• ABV: 40%

The Asyla is a much lighter bodied whisky than I normally drink. Although I usually drink my whisky neat and at room temperature, I can completely see myself enjoying this whisky the Compass Box way, i.e. they recommend having this whisky as an “an aperitif served in a white wine or similar glass with chilled water to taste”.  Their Asyla is exceptionally smooth, well balanced, and very easy drinking. This would be a great warm weather dram, and it would be a perfect whisky for the infamous Limpd Whisky Water Libation ™. Overall, a very good whisky!

photo courtesy of www.dailybeerreview.com

A while ago, I went to Roger Wilco and picked up a six of the Great Divide Titan IPA. This is another example of the great craft beer that comes out of Colorado with the likes of Avery, Left Hand, and Oskar Blues.

Here is what Great Divide has to say about their Titan IPA:

Titan IPA is a big, aggressively hopped India Pale Ale brewed for hop disciples. It starts out with piney hop aromas and citrus hop flavors, and finishes with a nice rich, malty sweetness that is balanced with crisp hop bitterness.

I found the Titan IPA to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Amber with good foam and lacing.
• Aroma: Sweet malt and hoppy.
• Taste: A little flat and a little bitter.
• ABV: 7.1%

This IPA pales when compared to the West Coast IPAs, but is still a very good IPA.

I know I usually start these reviews with a little story, but there really isn’t one this time around. I picked up this can of 21st Amendment’s Fireside Chat as part of a recent mixed six pack purchase at The Foodery. I read some positive reviews, so I thought I’d give it a try. That’s all I got.

Here is what 21st Amendment Brewery has to say about this seasonal beer:

Like FDR’s Depression-era radio addresses, which were like a kick in the butt and a hug at the same time, our Fireside Chat is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. We begin with a rich, dark, English-style ale and then we improvise with spices until we know we have a beer worth sharing with the nation.

Fireside Chat is our early winter seasonal brew available from October through December in six pack cans and on draft. Brewed like a classic, warming Strong Ale but with a subtle blend of hand-selected spices for just the right festive flair.

And now for the review…

• Appearance: Ruby red body with a rich, brown tint at the edges when held up to the light. Head tops out at under 1/4 of an inch, and dissipates rapidly, leaving a thin line of tan foam around the rim.
• Aroma: This is one delightfully spiced beer. Think ginger snaps meets snickerdoodle. Also picked up some nutmeg and allspice.
• Taste: Medium carbonation. Quite creamy and lightly fizzy. A bit of that spice comes through in the beginning, i.e. nutmeg and cinnamon.Roasted malts take over midway and lead you to a moderately bitter finish. A bit of alcohol induced warmth comes through at the end. The spices and mild hop bitterness linger for quite awhile.
• ABV: 7.9%

21st Amendment is definitely on a roll!. First I had the thirst quencher that is their Hell or High Watermelon Wheat. Then I had the bold and flavorful Back in Black Black IPA. And now we have the Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale. I found the Fireside Chat to be a very enjoyable winter warmer of a beer. It has a little bit of everything, i.e. a bit of spice, a healthy dose of roasted malts, and just enough hop bitterness to keep things interesting. The Fireside Chat is a very nice beer that I would really like to try on tap.

photo courtesy of beermentor.wordpress.com

A few weeks ago, I went to Roger Wilco in search of Harviestoun and wound up with a mixed six of various Trappistes and Abbey ales. The first bottle that I opened was the Trappistes Rochefort 8. Always a fan of products imported by the folks at Merchant du Vin, I was confident that this beer would be good, but I did not know much about the Abbey or the monks.

A brief history from the Merchant du Vin site:

The Abbey of St-Remy, in the southern part of Belgium, was founded in 1230, and the monks began to brew beer sometime around 1595. The beautiful small brewery in the abbey, Rochefort Trappistes, is one of only seven Trappist breweries in the world and makes full-bodied, deeply flavored dark ales. They are bottle-conditioned and among the world’s most highly-respected beverages. Only beers made in a Trappist Monastery, under the supervision of the monks, can use the Authentic Trappist Product seal.

Here is what Merchant du Vin has to say about the Rochefort 8:

Originally called “Spécial,” Rochefort 8 dates to the mid-1950s. The name comes from the original gravity in “Belgian degrees.”Deep brown color; the flavor is vigorous and complex, with firm body to support the strength. The aroma has elusive notes of fresh fruit, spice, leather, and figs.

I found the Rochefort 8 to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Dark reddish brown with nice foam and lacing.
• Aroma: Sweet malt with a hint of raisins, dates and citrus.
• Taste: Creamy, roasted malt with notes of dried fruit, vanilla and caramel.
• ABV: 9.2%

A review of the various beer sites would suggest that the Rochefort 8 is one of the best beers in the world. All I can say is that this might be the best beer that I have ever had.

photo courtesy of onebeeratatime.wordpress.com

During the summer, I had the good fortune to try the Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, so when I saw the Bitter & Twisted at Roger Wilco, I jumped at the chance to try another Harviestoun product. Here is what Harviestoun has to say about their Bitter & Twisted:

It is a delightfully refreshing blond beer with a finish that is like a twist of lemon. Bitter & Twisted has a very fresh hoppy profile and the judicious use of aromatic Hersbrucker and the spicy Challenger. The distinctive finish comes from late hopping with Stryian Goldings, making Bitter & Twisted very drinkable indeed.

I found the Bitter & Twisted to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Cloudy golden with good foam.
• Aroma: Smells like a beer.
• Taste: Average taste with an interesting finish.
• ABV: 4.2%

While not in a class with the Old Engine Oil, the Bitter & Twisted was a very drinkable beer. I would envision this as a very respectable session beer.

Looking for something different, I picked up a six of the Oskar Blues Old Chub. We have tried their Gordon Ale, Mama’s Little Yellow Pils, and Dale’s Pale Ale (see G-LO’s reviews here and here), so Oskar Blues wasn’t an unknown commodity. And as far as a canned beer goes, Oskar Blues puts out an exceptional run with some of the most interesting can designs out there. Thus, in keeping with my affinity for the bright and shiny packaging, I picked up the Old Chub.

Here is what Oskar Blues has to say about their Old Chub:

This jaw-dropping Scottish strong ale (8% ABV) is brewed with bodacious amounts of malted barley and specialty grains, and a dash of beechwood-smoked malt. Old Chub features a skim-milk mouthfeel, semi-sweet flavors of cocoa and coffee, and a kiss of smoke. A head-turning treat for malt heads and folks who think they don’t dig dark beer.

While Dale’s satisfies our hop addiction, Old Chub takes care of our deep affections for malt. The cola-colored beer (almost black) features a tan head, a creamy, skim-milk mouthfeel, and rich, semi-sweet flavors of caramel and chocolate throughout. The addition of smoked grains gives Old Chub a delicate kiss of smoke on the finish.

Old Chub is the beer equivalent of a lightly smoked single malt scotch, or your favorite dark chocolate. We call it Rocky Mountain Mutha’s Milk. People who tell us defiantly, “I don’t drink dark beer,” often fall deeply in love with Old Chub. We can’t blame them.

I found the Old Chub to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Dark amber with a lot of tan, creamy foam.
• Aroma: A little hoppy and a lot roasted.
• Taste: Tastes like it smells. Mild hoppy flavor with sweet malt, chocolate, and coffee notes, giving it a slightly bitter taste followed by a rich, roasted finish.
• ABV: 8%

This was a very good beer. Thick, creamy, and with a full range of well balanced flavors. Oskar Blues has done it again!

I first tried The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 at the Rare Craft Roadshow event that I attended back in late September. Since I found this whisky to be very different from all of the other Balvenie expressions that I’ve tried over the years, I decided to add it to my Christmas wish list. Thanks to my very generous Mother-In-Law, I now have my very own bottle.

Here is what The Balvenie has to say about this whisky:

The Balvenie Single Barrel is a 15 year old single malt which is drawn from a single traditional oak whisky cask of a single distillation. Whilst each cask is subtly different, The Balvenie Malt Master selects only those casks which have the essential characteristics of The Balvenie Single Barrel, particularly honey, vanilla and oaky notes. Each bottling forms a limited edition of no more than 350 hand-numbered bottles – so each bottle is unique and unrepeatable.

Let’s find out if I enjoyed this whisky as much the second time around…

• Appearance: Golden amber (duh). Lots of thin, fast moving  legs form after giving it a swirl.
• Aroma: Vanilla. Allspice. Maple syrup and dark brown sugar. Cinnamon. A whiff of cigar smoke.
• Taste: Slightly oily mouthfeel. That first sip tingles the tip and sides of my tongue. Lots of cinnamon spiciness from beginning to end. Becomes somewhat astringent at mid-palate. Could this be the effect of 15 years in an oak barrels, i.e. is this what they mean by oaky? A lingering finish that leaves your mouth feeling all warm and tingly with spicy cinnamon and brown sugar infused goodness.
• ABV: 47.8%

I may be way off base here, but I found The Balvenie Single Barrel to have very Bourbon like qualities. The Bourbon that comes to mind is the 2010 Eagle Rare 17 that I purchased in January of 2011. Much like the Eagle Rare 17, this is a very smooth and delicious whisky. It also has a good balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Although I somewhat prefer the 12 year old DoubleWood and the 21 year old PortWood, this is still an excellent Balvenie expression that I look forward to enjoying and sharing throughout the year.

photo courtesy of www.thesumofallbeers.blogspot.com

A long while ago, I picked up a Boont Amber Ale in an effort to redeem Anderson Valley Brewing Company for the Summer Solstice. When we reviewed the Summer Solstice as a part of our summer can contest, we had come to the unfortunate conclusion that it was just awful.

Here is what Anderson Valley has to say about their Boont Amber Ale:

From deep in the Anderson Valley comes the world-famous, award-winning, crowd-pleasing Boont Amber Ale.  The Anderson Valley Brewing Company has been hand crafting this amazing ale for over twenty years, making Boont Amber Ale one of the most respected, enjoyed, and sought-after craft beers of all time.

Boont Amber Ale is an ode to balance, with a deep copper color offset by an off-white head.  The slightly sweet malty backbone is balanced perfectly with a subtle hop bite and aroma, and a wonderfully fruity yeast profile.

I found the Boont Amber Ale to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Orange amber with lots of creamy, tan foam.
• Aroma: Smells like a beer.
• Taste: Lightly carbonated and somewhat unremarkable.
• ABV: 5.8%

This was better than the Summer Solstice but still not a very good beer. Not good, not bad, just meh.

Photo courtesy of http://thesumofallbeers.blogspot.com/

I fished out the last of the Oktoberfests that I had accumulated in the run-up to HalloweinerFest. The last bottle was an Otter Creek Oktoberfest Autumn Ale. The ROK and the Wookie had reviewed the Otter Creek Summer Solstice.

Here is what Otter Creek has to say about their Oktoberfest Autumn Ale:

Oktoberfest Autumn Ale is our version of the perennial favorite Bavarian Autumn beer. Oktoberfest’s deep golden hue matches the fall foliage here in Vermont. Brewed with Hellertauer and Tettnang hops to balance its clean, malty sweetness, it’s the perfect brew for a crisp autumn day.

I found the Oktoberfest Autumn Ale to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Amber with a quickly dissipating foam.
• Aroma: Malt and a little hoppy.
• Taste: A little spicy but a little thin.
• ABV: 4.8%

This was a very drinkable beer. Not as flavorful as some Oktoberfests that I’ve had,  but a decent beer.

Photo courtesy of http://killgorack.com/

A while ago, G-LO and I had split two bombers: the Bear Republic Ricardo’s Red Rocket Ale and the Lagunitas Hop Stoopid. While I had posted the review for the Red Rocket, I appear to have omitted the review of the Hop Stoopid. Lagunitas Brewing Company has quickly become one of our favorites brewers, as we have already reviewed the Lagunitas IPA, A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale and The Hairy Eyeball.

Here is what Lagunitas has to say about their Hop Stoopid Ale:

For those mornings when you have to cut right to the chase, this is the one. Sure to blast through just about anything still lingering from the night before, this mouthful of Hops and huge rich Malt has a guarantee built right into the name.

At an ABV of 8%, the Hop Stoopid is more potent than it is hoppy. Once again, the folks at Lagunitas Brewing have created a very good product.

During the first week of November, the family and I spent a week in Orlando, FL. Let me clarify that. We spent a week at Walt Disney World, which is located on the outskirts of Orlando, FL. I never actually stepped foot in downtown Orlando.

Since we had rented a condo at a timeshare resort just outside of Mouseville, I planned on picking up some of Cigar City Brewing‘s big bottle offerings (the condo had a full sized refrigerator) which I hoped to sample in the evenings after spending our days at the amusement parks.

It turns out that the area immediately surrounding Walt Disney World is a Craft Beer wasteland (I’m sure Orlando proper would offer more options). I went to at least four different liquor stores, and the only Cigar City beers in stock were either the Jai Alai IPA or the Maduro Brown Ale. Please don’t misunderstand me, the Jai Alai IPA and the Maduro Brown Ale are excellent beers, but since I could get them in Philly, I didn’t see the point in buying them. In a nutshell, my dreams of big bottle Cigar City tastings never came true.

Wait… who am I kidding? After 8 to 13 hour days at the amusement parks, I could barely walk, much less pour myself a beer. Perhaps I should view the elusive nature of these beers as a sign that it just wasn’t meant to be.

I feel better now. Let’s get back to business…

While perusing the Craft Beer offerings at The Foodery a couple weeks ago, I noticed that they had the Maduro Brown Ale in stock, so I decided to pick up a bottle for a full review (we have reviewed the Jai Alai IPA on two separate occasions). Here is what Cigar City Brewing has to say about their Maduro Brown Ale:

Maduro is a Northern English-style brown ale with some American affectations. Maduro is higher in alcohol than the common English brown ale and features flaked oats in the malt bill which imparts a silky body and works to mesh the roasted, toasted and chocolate components together in Maduro’s complex malt profile. The end result is a remarkably full-flavored yet approachable and sessionable brown ale that pairs well with mild to medium cigars.

And here is my take on this beer…

• Appearance: Deep brown when you look at it straight on. Ruby red highlights when held up to the light. Quarter inch high, tan head that dissipated rapidly. Lots of fast rising bubbles that pop and fizzle when they reach the surface.
• Aroma: Rich, roasted malt aromas with bittersweet chocolate and medium roast coffee notes. Very faint smell of tobacco in the background.
• Taste: Very well carbonated. Smooth and fizzy mouthfeel. Those bittersweet chocolate and coffee notes carry through to the palate. Rich roasted malt flavors from beginning to end. Some mild, pleasant bitterness in the finish.
• ABV: 5.5%

I have had the Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale on at least five occasions, and it has never disappointed me. This is a seriously session worthy brown ale. Smooth, easy drinking, and thanks to it’s fizzy carbonation, also quite refreshing. I highly recommend this beer. Well done Cigar City!

First up was the Anglers’ Ale. From the Arcadia site:

Our original flagship ale! First brewed in 1996, Angler’s Ale is a strikingly authentic English-style Pale Ale. Medium-bodied and easy-drinking, this clean, crisp ale boasts well-balanced flavors of caramel, toffee, and toasted malt, with just the right amount of bitterness. A delicate herbal hop finish is provided by Goldings whole leaf hops.

Truly a study in balance, Angler’s Ale is clean enough to be a perfect thirst-quencher on a hot day, yet complex enough to pair with a wide array of intensely flavored foods.

I found the Anglers’ Ale to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Deep golden amber. Lots of quickly dissipating foam and lacing.
• Aroma: Muted hints of sweet malt, citrus and floral notes.
• Taste: Crisp, sweet and a little hoppy with a smooth finish.
• ABV: 5.4%

This was not a great beer but not a bad beer either. It was a little thicker than expected, a little flat, a little bitter, just an easy drinking beer.

The second beer was the IPA. From the Arcadia site:

Our IPA is the essence of “beer in balance”. Dry-hopped with Columbus hops in our open fermenters, our IPA boasts a bright floral aroma and flavor reminiscent of pine and lemon peel. The pronounced hop bitterness is balanced by a medium-bodied caramel and biscuity malt character with a nutty finish.

True to the original English version of this style, our India Pale Ale showcases many subtle earthy bitter notes, rather than the resinous citrus-rind bite often featured in many American-style IPAs. This unique, sessionable brew would have surely pleased British troops stationed in faraway lands.

I found the IPA to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Clear orange. Nice foam and average lacing.
• Aroma: Hops and grapefruit.
• Taste: Mild carbonation, a little thin with just a little bitterness.
• ABV: 5.9%

While not on a par with a West Coast IPA, this was a nice one.

The third beer in the pack was the Sky High Rye. From the Arcadia site:

In honor of our adventurous friends at Sky Dive Inc., in Hastings, Michigan, we crafted a truly adventurous brew in SKY HIGH RYE. A West coast style pale ale with rye malt, SKY HIGH RYE boasts a massive floral aroma of resinous hops. The hops contribute flavor notes of lemons, peaches, and pine needles, combined with the sweet, malty flavors of toffee and bread. Rye adds a pleasant peppery, spicy note like a fresh slice of pumpernickel bread. Very well-rounded and very drinkable, SKY HIGH RYE will surely inspire adventure in all who taste it.

I found the Sky High Rye to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Cloudy golden. Good foam and lacing.
• Aroma: Muted with a faint floral scent.
• Taste: Hoppy with a bitter finish.
• ABV: 6%

This was an okay beer.

The final beer in the pack was the Whitsun Ale. From the Arcadia site:

Whitsun is our Spring/Summer Seasonal, a wheat beer brewed with just the right amount of coriander, orange zest and Michigan honey. Wheat gives the beer a slightly viscous texture while offering pleasant bready flavors. Honey provides an earthy sweetness not often found in beers of this style. Coriander and a light hop addition add balance and never allow the sweetness to be cloying.

Brewed in the style of a mid-19th Century English Festival Ale, this unfiltered wheat beer boasts a translucent orange color topped with a creamy, white head. Its full-flavored drinkability makes it the perfect choice for any warm weather events, while the unique flavors pair nicely with many dishes.

I found the Whitsun to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Cloudy copper. Average foam and average lacing.
• Aroma: Wheat, orange zest and coriander.
• Taste: Spicy, wheaty, a little citrus and a little sour.
• ABV: 6.2%

I’m not really a fan of this style, but it was pretty good. It’s a poor man’s wheat ale with the usual flavor and a slightly odd after taste.

Overall, Arcadia makes a wide range of very drinkable products and the sampler pack was a good way to try them.

I have had the Basil Hayden’s 8 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon on numerous occasions over the years, but I never bothered to research this whiskey until it was time to write a review (Shameless Plug Alert! This itty bitty bottle of Bourbon was part of a 50ml four pack of the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon collection that I recently purchased, so stay tuned for more reviews from this collection). After reading a review of this whisky by our friend Ryan of Value Whisky Reviews, I came to learn that the Basil Hayden’s Bourbon is essentially an older, lower ABV version of Old Grand-Dad Bourbon. Although Beam Global doesn’t come right out and state this, the following information from their website backs this up in a roundabout way…

Here is a bit of history about Old Grand-Dad Bourbon from the Beam Global website:

Old Grand-Dad was a distiller named Basil Hayden who made his name by distilling a bourbon whiskey made with a higher percentage of rye. Basil Hayden passed along the art of distilling to his son and then, in turn, to his grandson. It was the third generation distiller, Colonel R.B. Hayden, who honored his grandfather by naming his justly famed whiskey “Old Grand-Dad.”

And here is Beam Global has to say about the Basil Hayden’s 8 Year Old Bourbon on their Small Batch Collection website:

The eponymous Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon dates back to 1796, when Master Distiller Basil Hayden Sr. created a recipe unlike any other. He used a traditional corn base, but mixed in small grains in his mash to capture the spicy flavor of rye and complement the sweet smoothness of corn. More than 200 years later, Basil Hayden’s is a singular bourbon that bridges the flavor of rye whiskies and small batch bourbons together.

Based upon what I read on the Beam Global websites, the Old Grand-Dad and Basil Hayden’s sound awfully similar, and they obviously share a similar ancestry. The big difference is age and price. Per the Pennsylvania Fine Wine and Good Spirits website, a 750ML bottle of 50% ABV Old Grand Dad Bottled In Bond Bourbon retails for $19, while the 40% ABV Basel Hayden’s Bourbon retails for $38.

Although I did not have any Old Grand Dad on hand for a direct comparison, I did have a glass of it in early December. It had been a long time since I sipped the Old Grand-Dad, but after trying it on this particular occasion, I remember finding it to be very smooth and easy drinking. So here’s the question: Are a couple more years in the barrel worth twice the price? Let’s find out…

• Appearance: Deep amber color. Thick, slow moving legs form after giving it a swirl.
• Aroma: Vanilla. Caramelized sugar. Cinnamon. Dried fruit.
• Taste: Thin and watery mouthfeel. Very smooth and soothing, i.e. there is minimal alcohol burn. Tingles the front third of your tongue with cinnamon spiciness. This spiciness is nicely balanced with some brown sugar/maple syrup sweetness. Warm, long lasting, cinnamon infused finish.
• ABV: 40%

I have purchased several bottles of the Basil Hayden’s Bourbon over the years, and have enjoyed it every time. The same goes for this tasting. This is a well rounded, full flavored, and easy drinking Bourbon. Before I did my bit of research, I was very happy with the Basil Hayden’s, and have always considered it to be one of my favorites. It’s a very good Bourbon, but now that I learned a bit about its legacy, I’m not sure if it’s worth paying double the price of a bottle of Old Grand-Dad. This requires further research before I can come to a final conclusion.

Over the last couple of years we have watched the transformation, by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, of the old Echelon Mall into the new Voorhees Town Center.  As the prototypical NJ indoor shopping mall has transitioned into a mixed-use community complex, one of the most anticipated changes was the addition of new dining options. A few days ago, I got a chance to try one of the new spots, Doghouse Gourmet Burgers.

Doghouse Gourmet Burgers is the second location of this gourmet burger brand (the other is in Downington, PA).  They say they are “committed to serving delicious burgers made with fresh, local ingredients”.  Sounds good to me!

Stopping in for a takeout lunch, I grabbed a Doghouse Burger, some Salt-N-Pepper Fries, and a soda.  The Doghouse Burger is a 6oz angus beef patty on a nice buttery roll and topped with lettuce, caramelized onions, american cheese, applewood bacon and a sweet and spicy chipotle aioli. It was juicy, but not greasy, and very tasty.  Paired with the simple and perfectly cooked salt-n-pepper fries, it was a great break in my day and well worth the trip.

From this one visit, here are some quick observations:

• The menu looks promising.  The Doghouse is not trying to do too much just a few things well (burgers, dogs, fries, and sandwiches) with a gourmet twist. (menu)
• The decor is well done and a hipper place than we are used to around here. Outdoor seating will be awesome in the Spring.
• They appear to serve craft beer at this location which beats the nearby Five-Guys. I’ll take a good burger and a beer over a good burger and some peanuts any day.
• They have a kids menu and mix-n-match side orders that will be perfect for an easy meal out with the kids.
• When LimpD finds out that the “Black Lab Burger” has both bacon and a fried egg on it, he may buy the apartment above and never leave.

I was very happy with my stop at the Doghouse, and this trip certainly warrants a return trip with the true burger and dog critics (my kids). My only complaint on this trip was the service. It was a little slow, and the menu boards were a little confusing, but I didn’t expect a new restaurant to be perfect.

If you are in the South Jersey area I suggest you give it a try.  I will definitely be back and also plan to try their sister restaurant next-door, Firecreek Restaurant + Bar, for a less casual dinner with the family.

photo courtesy of http://thebrewclub.com

In my search for a good pumpkin ale, I picked up a bottle of Wolaver’s Organic Pumpkin Ale. This is a relatively new release from the folks at Wolaver’s, a sort of sister brewery to Otter Creek, and both under the banner of Long Trail Brewing Company. Founded in 1997, Wolaver’s is the brewer of the nation’s first certified organic beers. They offer an India Pale Ale, an Oatmeal Stout and a Brown Ale year round and the Wildflower Wheat, a Pumpkin Ale and the Alta Gracia Coffee Porter on a seasonal basis

I found the Pumpkin Ale to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Cloudy amber. Frothy with lots of foam.
• Aroma: Nutmeg and pumpkin pie.
• Taste: Spicy and sweet, but not as full flavored as the aroma would suggest.
• ABV: 5.35%

This was a good beer, though not as flavorful as you would think, and it wasn’t as overly pumpkin flavored as the Post Road. Sadly, I only had a couple of sips and then lost the bottle to my better half.

The once maligned aluminum can has finally been embraced by the Craft Beer world for its portability, practicality, and functional skill at locking in the goodness of crafty brews. We here at “It’s Just the Booze Dancing…” are always on the lookout for crafty cans to enjoy poolside, on the beach, or on the deck.

Last summer, we did a Canned Beer of Summer hunt and have been overwhelmed by sheer Candemonium.  Since then, we have had numerous favorite finds. Here are some of our favorite canned Craft Beers:

• Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale – One of the canned brews by which we measure all others.  This hoppy brew from the canned brew visionaries at Oskar Blues is just “Damn Good Beer” as my fellow blogger described it.
• 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat – The unofficial winner of our 2011 summer canned beer search, this beer is light, slightly sweet, and the perfect beer to enjoy during a hot day at the shore.
• Lancaster Kolsch – Say it! “K-OHHHH-LLLLL-SHHHHHHH!” More than just fun to say, this German Style Kolsch was my “Lawnmower Beer” of choice last summer.
• Sixpoint Righteous Ale – Rye Beer in a can.  What’s not to love?

So what’s your favorite canned craft beer?  Take our beer poll, or let us know your favorites in the comments below. Cheers!

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2011 marked the release of the 37th edition of Anchor Brewing’s Christmas Ale. Although I have only had this beer on one or two occasions, I was well aware that Anchor Brewing modifies the recipe every year. What I didn’t know was that they feature a different tree on the label of every new release. Here is what Anchor Brewing has to say about this year’s tree and the 2011 edition of their Christmas Ale:

Each year since 1975, Anchor Brewing creates a distinctive Christmas Ale, available from early November to mid-January. A rich, dark spiced ale, our secret recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life.

Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew. Our tree for 2011 is the bristlecone pine. Found high atop California’s White Mountains, bristlecones are among the oldest living things on the planet. Some date back nearly 5,000 years, to the dawn of the ancient art of brewing.

Each year our Christmas Ale gets a unique label and a unique recipe. Although our recipes must remain a secret, many save a few bottles from year to year. Properly refrigerated, the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years. Different nuances emerge as the flavor mellows slightly, much like the memories of great holiday seasons past. Celebrate the holidays with Anchor Christmas Ale, an Anchor tradition since 1975.

I love the bottle. I love the label art. Let’s see if I love what’s inside this über-photogenic packaging…

• Appearance: Ruby red color with dark brown highlights. Quarter inch, tan head that dissipates slowly.
• Aroma: Lots of spices. Smells a lot like a mulled wine with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, etc.. Mild, piney hop scent in the background.
• Taste: Light to medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation. Somewhat watery mouthfeel. Starts off with some mild, sweet maltiness. Mild hop bitterness from middle to end. Mildly sour and bitter finish. Where did all those spices go???
• ABV: 5.5%

I REALLY wanted to love the Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale, but sadly, I didn’t. It’s a beautiful pour, it smells really interesting, but the flavors just left me kind of cold. To be completely honest, it might be the style that I have a problem with. I’ve tried other Christmas/Holiday beers (i.e. Tröegs Mad Elf, which is very highly regarded), and they’ve all left a similar impression on me. In a word: meh.

On separate occasions, G-LO and I had the same great thought: buy a bottle of Orval Trappist Ale. This is another great product brought to America by the fine folks at Merchant du Vin. I have reviewed Merchant du Vin’s offerings from Samuel Smith, Westmalle, Ayinger, and Lindeman’s, so when I saw the Orval at Kress Liquors, I jumped at the chance to try it. G-LO on the other hand, is a huge fan of Belgian beers and has been slowly working his way through all of them, so I guess he is now up to breweries that begin with O. In any event, I had my bottle a couple of weeks ago, while G-LO sampled his bottle a day or two prior to New Year’s Eve. This is a combined review based upon our individual experiences.

Here is what Merchant du Vin has to say about this Trappist Ale…

Brewed and bottle-conditioned at Notre Dame d’Orval monastery, founded around 1070 AD in the pastoral Belgian countryside. Three different malts, two types of hops, Belgian candy sugar, complex fermentation with multiple yeasts, dry-hopping and bottle conditioning all contribute to great character and complexity. This vintage-dated and unique beer can be cellared up to five years.

And now for our impressions of this Belgian beer…

At an ABV of 6.9%, the Orval Trappist Ale might be dangerous as a session beer, but given its high drinkability, it could easily be enjoyed like one. Once again, Merchant du Vin has scoured the globe (OK, really just England and select bits of Europe) and found a spectacular beer!

photo courtesy of http://breweryreviewery.com

I reached into the can bin, pulled out the last can of Sly Fox Oktoberfest Lager, and thought that I should review it before it was gone. This was another autumn seasonal that I had purchased with the intent to share at HalloweinerFest. Sadly, I think I had refrigerated it, and then “forgot” to pass it out.

Here is what Sly Fox has to say about their Oktoberfest Lager:

This traditional Oktoberfest beer celebrates the arrival of Fall. It is a medium-bodied, smooth and malty brew made with German Vienna malts and German hops.

I found the Oktoberfest Lager to have the following characteristics…

• Appearance: Light orange with a quickly dissipating foam.
• Aroma: Sweet malt and yeast.
• Taste: Sweet, with a mildewy-yeasty flavor, and a slightly bitter, hoppy finish.
• ABV: 5.8%

I’m not sure what happened here, but the flavors, while not out of balance, were just a little meh. It wasn’t good. It wasn’t bad. It was just meh.

It been a fun year for the Booze Dancers, so here’s a quick look back at some of my favorite posts of the year, a mix of the best and worst.  Sure, doing a review post is a bit like those cheesy sitcom clip shows, but there was some cool stuff this year and it’s fun to take a look back. 

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Best Beer — The Devil’s Tramping Ground — The inaccessibility of this brew adds to the appeal, but it’s deadly drinkablity is not to be ignored.  Here’s hoping 2012 brings this brew to us in bottles instead of having to source growlers all the way from North Carolina (care of my sis and Wisk-E)

Worst Beer – Anderson Valley Brewing Summer Solstice — During our summer canned beer search, we were looking for some great canned summer session beers …. this one didn’t make the cut.  (I was going to list one of the boys Pumpkin Brew reviews, but I refuse to acknowledge that anything with pumpkin in it is technically beer).

Best Event — Philly Beer Week 2011 — We do whisky tastings, hit great restaurants, and hunt for great brews, but what’s not to love about a whole week devoted to Craft Beer.  PBW rocks!!

Best Swag Score — Chambord Cocktail Supplies — Ok, maybe this wasn’t the tastiest stuff, or a neat booze gadget score, but without G-LO landing these “assembly required” Chambord Cocktail kits we would never have had our best review quote of the year from Mrs. G-LO.  She simply summed up the Chambord Dream Angel Martini as “Smells like pineapple, but tastes like ass.“  Classic!

Best Booze Gadget — The Whiskey Vending Machine — After seeing the pic of this amazing throwback gadget, from our friend The Hip Flask, it immediately went to the top of our Christmas wishlists …. unfortunately we were all naughty and Santa didn’t deliver one.

Best Vacation Brew Score — The Peeper from G-LO’s Maine Trip — I don’t know what was better, (a) the delightful effervescence of this brew that G-LO brought back from Maine or (b) that The Alemonger thought it was stalking him.

Best Restaurant Review — The Wishing Well — I could list any of a dozen great restaurants that we enjoyed over the year, but when LimpD gets “quick, friendly service” at any establishment it is a rare occurrence that must be celebrated.  Plus, The Shame Burger … what’s not to love!!

Best Spirit — Nikka Whisky from the Barrel — Mark at the WhiskCast comes through, and sets up G-LO with a sample of Nikka Whisky.  Fortunately, G-LO saved me some and I got a taste of this bottled Japanese whisky precision … yum!

Worst Spirit –  The Knot — Hilarious advertising.  Horrible product (though some of the ladies in LimpD’s family seemed to like it).

So that’s some of my favorites from the year.  Here’s to a great new year that brings us all health, wealth, wisdom, and great booze!!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!