Category Archives: Beer

Ripper or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

14 Wednesday Jun 2017

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Salutations™!!

City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Ripper San Diego Pale Ale from Stone Brewing, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.unnamed (6)

So, Stone is one of those breweries that I think is awesome at what they do, I just don’t really care for what they do. What I mean by that is that by not being a huge fan of IPAs and Pales, that’s what their most notable for, therefore I don’t really care much about what they’re doing. Now, I think they’re brilliant brewers, don’t get me wrong. Just not my thing. Because Caitlin is down to her last month (or less than) with us, I’m trying to accommodate her the best I can with the hoppier beers that I know she likes. So, here we have it. This beer is 5.7% ABV.

BeerAdvocate rates this 86 (Very Good) with a Bros score of 84 (Good). Untappd has it at 3.74 caps out of 5. Have you had this beer? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head to City Bev and grab your sixer! Tell them that it’s the beer of the week and get 5% off your order. Tune in later tonight or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Geralyn and I think of it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“While some might think it lingers on an edge far closer to an IPA, with all the dry-hop flavor and aroma, it’s actually right in line with the current-day interpretation of a West Coast pale. Ours just so happens to have an Aussie accent that’s cascading with a juicy amount of grapefruit and passion fruit hoppiness. So veg out or venture out. Either way, rip one open and taste this awesome golden nectar!” – Stone Brewing

 

 

Reviver Red IPA or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

07 Wednesday Jun 2017

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Salutations™!!

City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Reviver Red IPA from Starr Hill Brewery, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.unnamed (3)

The only experience I have with Starr Hill is from a trip Eugene and I took to Virginia to see Brian Attridge (the original co-host of The Less Desirables) in 2014. The brewery is in Charlottesville and I don’t remember what the beer was. We may have had a few of them whilst pre-gaming/tailgating in the FedEx Field parking lot. I think, whatever the beer was, I liked it okay. So, here’s hoping. Spencer said it was good.

It’s 6.2% ABV. BeerAdvocate has it at 89 (Very Good) with a Bros Score of 87 (Very Good). Untappd has it at 3.6 caps out of 5. I found out today that RateBeer has sold a chunk of itself to ABInBev so I don’t know that I want to use that anymore. Plus, they’ve always been a little wonky on the ratings. So, have you had this beer? What did you think? If you haven’t had it or just have a hankering for more, head to City Bev and grab your sixer. Tell Spencer it’s the beer of the week and you’ll get 5% off your order. Listen later tonight or early tomorrow to see what Caitlin, Danielle, WS Shared Kitchen Project and I thought of it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“A ruby-red India Pale Ale brewed with American hops for a refreshing citrus aroma and flavor balanced by a firm maltiness for Springtime.” – Reviver Red IPA carton.

Piggybackin’ or: Dogwood You?

06 Tuesday Jun 2017

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Salutations™!!

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast is up for this week. There’s a cool new bottle shop/whiskey bar that’s opening up downtown and I have the manager and two bartenders in the studio to talk about it. You’ll have to listen to learn more. Listen to that episode HERE.

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©Dogwood Hops & Crops

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Your downtown craft beer & wine bottle shop. Opening Soon!!! CHEERS!”  – Dogwood Hops and Crops

Salute! or: It’s Wine Time

02 Friday Jun 2017

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Salutations™!!

Tomorrow, Downtown Winston-Salem will be getting its wine on. My favorite wine festival is taking over Fourth Street from Marshall to just past Foothills. Everywhere in between? Wine. Wine. Wine. Over 30 wineries and at least six local breweries will be taking up temporary residence to hook up festival goers with the best this state has to offer in way of fermented grape goodness.1045x299_fill_header

Downtown, it’s breezy, shady and you can duck into shops here and there. There’s plenty of seating and great people watching. All that while you imbibe good great wine and beer. Another plus and bonus? You get the NC Food and Wine University.

The NCF&WU is where local culinary geniuses put their skills and knowledge in the open, teaching common folk such as ourselves how to cook delicious food and then each chef’s that food is paired with a different local winery. Therefore, it teaches cooking and what goes well with it.

All the wineries at Salute are from North Carolina. That’s why it’s the NC Wine Celebration. There are other great wine festivals around, but I enjoy this the most. Downtown is my place. It’s where I love to be. It’s where I’m comfortable. I’ve gotten to know several of the wineries and I certainly have gotten to know the breweries and the chefs that will be teaching at the NCF&WU. These are my people in my place. It’s my kind of event. I’d love to see you there, Dear Reader.

You can get your tickets by visiting the Salute website. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 tomorrow. Look for us and say hello. Also, I’m pretty sure the Winston-Salem Jaycees are still looking for volunteers. Check their website for details. Volunteers get in free, so you’d save money. The event is presented by Allegacy Federal Credit Union and Spilman Thomas & Battle, produced by Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership.  Great stuff!!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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” Voted a ‘Top 20 Event in the Southeast’ by the Southeast Tourism Society, this event offers a total experience that highlights the fast growing North Carolina wine industry in a fun and festive setting.” – Salute! NC Wine Celebration

Sidecar Pale Ale or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

31 Wednesday May 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Sidecar Orange Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.

I’ve been digging the orange-flavored stuff that I’ve had lately and other than their regular Pale Ale, which I think lacks any real substance, I like Sierra Nevada’s stuff. So, I’m hoping the orange in this is noticeable. Spencer said it was good stuff, so I’m going to go on that. It’s 5.3%, so it’s just above sessionable.

BeerAdvocate has it at 84 (Good) with no Bros. Score. Untappd has it at 3.5 caps out of 5. RateBeer has it at 74, both Overall and in Style. Have you had it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it, or you just have a hankering for more, head to City Beverage and pick up your sixer. Tell them we sent you and that this is the beer of the week, and you’ll get 5% off your order. Tune in later tonight or early tomorrow and see what Caitlin, Danielle, Bethany and I think of it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Pale Ale has always been our passion, and its legendary citrus-heavy hop flavors inspired us to go down a different path.” – Sidecar Orange Pale Ale carton.

Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

24 Wednesday May 2017

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Salutations™!!

City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables presents The Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale from The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.amberale

I don’t know that I’ve ever had this particular brew from Duck-Rabbit. I’ve had plenty of stuff from them and I like just about every bit of it. They’ve got themselves a darn good thing going. From their signature milk stout to their brown ale to their Imperial porter, they have a lot of great beer. This should be no exception.

BeerAdvocate has it rated at 78 (Okay) with no Bros Score. Untappd has it at 3.41 caps out of 5. RateBeer has it at 42 Overall and 50 in Style. Those numbers aren’t thrilling me, by any means. It’s a 5.5% ABV brew, let’s hope it doesn’t let us all down. Have you had it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head down to City Bev and grab your sixer. Tell them it’s the beer of the week and get 5% off your order. Tune in later tonight or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, David and I think of it. On what you ask? Well, the award winning podcast, The Less Desirables, that’s what! Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Naturally High in Flavonoids” – The Duck Rabbit Amber Ale Carton

 

The Crisp Pilz or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

17 Wednesday May 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Crisp Pilsner from Sixpoint Brewery, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week. unnamed (4)

I know nothing about this brewery. Spencer said this is hard to get here and they had a scuttle with their distributor so it may be a bit before they get any more in. He did say that it was a good drinkable pilsner, though. Pilsners have a tendancy to lack any substance with me, but I liked the packaging and the name. Plus, if it’s “limited edition” around these parts, then I want to get in on that. It’s average on ABV, coming in at 5.4% ABV. Not quite sessionable but not far from it, either.

BeerAdvocate rates this beer an 89 (Very Good) with a Bros Score of 98 (World Class)! Wow! Untappd comes back to earth and has it at 3.47 caps out of 5. RateBeer gives it a 50 Overall but a 91 in Style. RateBeer confuses me. Anywhat! Have you tried it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head to City Bev and grab your sixer. They are in limited supply, so I’d go soon or you may be out of luck.

Tune in later tonight or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Dale, John and I think of the beer.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“While gulping beers from tankards several stories underground in the ancient cellars of a medieval brewery in Czech Republic, the see of Sixpoint Crisp Lagers had taken root.” – Sixpoint Brewry.

Beer to Drink Music to ’17 or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

10 Wednesday May 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Beer to Drink Music to ’17 Tropical Blonde from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.

I don’t think you can really go wrong with Dogfish Head. Even the IPA stuff, the beers I’m not the biggest fan of, they do those well. This is something that changes up every year. Last year their “Beer to Drink Music to” was a tripel, this year it’s a tropical blonde. So, they went lighter and brighter this year. The carton says it’s brewed with kiwi and hibiscus. This should be interesting. It’s 6.8%ABV so not too heavy but still packs a punch.

BeerAdvocate rates this beer at 85 (Very Good). Untappd rates it at 3.69 caps out of 5. RateBeer has it at 75 Overall and 97 in Style. Have you had it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head over to City Beverage and grab your sixer. Tell Spencer that it’s the TLD beer of the week and get 5% off your order. Tune in tonight to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Kerri and I think of it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“A liquid soundtrack for welcoming warmer weather, our blonde ale is a music-inspired tropical mashup brewed with kiwi juice & hibiscus flowers.” – Beer to Drink Music to 17 carton.

Billows Hoppy Kolsch or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

03 Wednesday May 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Billows Hoppy Kolsch from Burial Beer Company, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.

I tried this beer at the Sawtooth School Arts & Craft Beer last week when Burial was serving. It’s not like an IPA -not that kind of hoppy – but aromatic and flavorful. It’s low in ABV, 4.9%, so it’s okay to drink a few at a time, just be responsible.  I am a fan of pretty much everything I’ve had from Burial, even their IPAs.

BeerAdvocate rates this an 88 (Very Good). Untappd has it at 3.75 caps out of 5. RateBeer has it at 78 Overall, 98 in Style. Respectable scores all around. Have you had this beer? What did you think? If you haven’t had it or just have a hankering for more, head to City Beverage and grab your sixer. Tell them it’s the beer of the week and get 5% off your order!

A quick note. It’s a sad day in NC beer. Wicked Weed, our beloved craft brew giant, sold their operations to ABInBev today. I’m torn on this. One, I think ABInBev, as a company, is the great Satan of beer companies. Two, no one goes into business just because. You go in to make money. The guys that started Wicked Weed had money going in, sure, but they grew into a brand that people, at least on this side of the world, knew and loved. So, while I hate that they sold to the too-big-to-care behemoth, I say good for the investors. They’ll sit pretty for a while. And, for the rest of the country, and the world, they will have access to Wicked Weed. Boo, but yay!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“It is our smoke signal to all brewers, our brethren in craft, and all who enjoy a light quaffable ale with hearty aroma: this is your beer.” – Burial via BeerAdvocate

Molding the Craft or: Arts and Craft Beer

28 Friday Apr 2017

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Salutations™!!

Beer. Mmmmm beer. If you’ve ever read one of my blog posts, or listened to any of my podcasts, you know that I love me some beer. I’m a fan. It’s my favorite libation overall and my favorite kinds are vast. I don’t like “big beer” or macro brews (read Buddummer, Muller, Craps, etc.) other than a cold Miller High Life (I won’t make fun of that one). But, what I do like, nay, love is good craft beer; especially when it’s a North Carolina-based craft.16463423_1768827373143144_8885710895074226879_o

So, Sawtooth School for Visual Art will be satiating my want and desire of the craft nectar of the gods by having their annual “Arts & Craft Beer” event this evening from 5:30pm ’til 9pm. What will be laid before me for me to imbibe? Well, I’ll tell you. So far, and this could change because Meghan Parsons is awesome, Foothills Brewing, HOOTS Beer Co., Wicked Weed Brewing, Burial Beer Co., Birdsong Brewing Co., Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Ponysaurus and Four Saints are all going to have their wares in a barley, hops and malt buffet to please any beer drinker’s (well, except those that like frozen pint glasses and Dud Light) palate.

Since the first time that Meghan and I talked about this event, I’ve been excited about it. I wanted in. I wanted my shows to be in. Something I’m this passionate about and helping my pals in spreading the word? I want the world to know. Looking at this lineup of brewed yumminess, who wouldn’t want to come? And, of course, this is Arts-based, so it’s not just a place to go get crunked. There are arts and crafts to do the whole event. And, the proceeds will go toward the Sawtooth School’s Scholarship Fund to ensure that anyone can participate in the arts, regardless of their ability to “afford it.”

Yes, the time is rapidly approaching (5:30 can’t come quick enough, though) but if you buy your tix ahead of time, they’re only $20. If you buy them at the door, they’re $25. But, according to Meghan on The Less Desirables two Wednesdays ago, you can purchase them online, basically up until the “show” starts. How do you purchase these tickets to the beer world? That’s easy. Just visit the Sawtooth website for the event. Easy peasy, George and Weezy. Look for me, come say “hi.” And, slàinte mhath!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Guests will be invited to create their own limited-edition screen-printed tote bag, and to make a pair of earrings from beer bottle caps.” – Sawtooth Website