Monday, September 04, 2006
I have moved far away from Oklahoma, so there will be no more updates. The beer list and map will remain available.
New Beer for JulyFriday, July 07, 2006
After only seeing one new beer come in over the last few weeks, 5 recent additions to the store shelves were seen recently.
Rogue Brutal Bitter (94/100) A popular favorite from the famous brewery on the coast of Oregon, Brutal Bitter is hopped with Oregon-grown Crystal hops, and uses Pipkin, Cara Vienna and Cara Wheat malt. 6.2% ABV, IBU 59.
June/July Beer UpdateRogue Brutal Bitter (94/100) A popular favorite from the famous brewery on the coast of Oregon, Brutal Bitter is hopped with Oregon-grown Crystal hops, and uses Pipkin, Cara Vienna and Cara Wheat malt. 6.2% ABV, IBU 59.  | The other selections available are included in the new Samuel Adams Brewer Patriot 4-pack. For approximately $9 you can try a bottle each of four new beers from the Boston Beer Company: |
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
There's only one new beer to report for the month of June. Licher Weizen Hefe Hell, a German hefeweizen, was spotted on shelves this week. I picked mine up at the Spirit Shop in Norman, but have not seen it elsewhere. It scores a 46/100 overall, and a 43/100 within the style. Kind of a strange beer to see in Oklahoma, as it only has 10 ratings on RateBeer.com, and the only other place in the US this was found was in Illinois. Regardless, it's worth trying.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
New summer beer available:
Breckenridge SummerBright Ale, the 4th beer available in Oklahoma from Breckenridge, is an American wheat style that's light and sweet, with flavors of mild coriander and a lightly spicy yeast. Brand new in state, get it while it's fresh. Scores a 28/100, but in my opinion is much better.
Boulevard Zon, the summer seasonal from Boulevard, arrived on shelves recently. Always a great summer beer, it is a Belgian White style, with a sweet, soapy coriander and wheat note. Try this one alongside the Breckenridge SummerBright and possibly Hoegaarden. Scores 75/100.
Sierra Nevada Summerfest, a premium lager, has notes of apples, maple, wheat and grass. It's light, refereshing and has a smooth palate. A very good summer afternoon beer when purchased fresh.
March Beer UpdateBreckenridge SummerBright Ale, the 4th beer available in Oklahoma from Breckenridge, is an American wheat style that's light and sweet, with flavors of mild coriander and a lightly spicy yeast. Brand new in state, get it while it's fresh. Scores a 28/100, but in my opinion is much better.Boulevard Zon, the summer seasonal from Boulevard, arrived on shelves recently. Always a great summer beer, it is a Belgian White style, with a sweet, soapy coriander and wheat note. Try this one alongside the Breckenridge SummerBright and possibly Hoegaarden. Scores 75/100.Sierra Nevada Summerfest, a premium lager, has notes of apples, maple, wheat and grass. It's light, refereshing and has a smooth palate. A very good summer afternoon beer when purchased fresh.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
A few new things available this month:
Abita Fleur-de-Lis Restoration Ale - a new beer from Abita brewed to help the Gulf Coast relief effort.
Rogue Kell's Irish Lager - brewed as a tribute to Kell's Irish Pub in Portland, OR.
Boulevard Irish Ale, their spring seasonal, is available in six-packs throughout the area.
Potro, a brown ale from Mexico, is available in 750mL blue glass bottles for about $5.
Samuel Adams Brown Ale, which has been unavailable for a short time, is back on the shelves.
Yanjing 11º Premium. A pale lager from China, its score of 2/100 ranks it as one of the worst beers available in Oklahoma. Approach with caution.
Also the Oklahoma beer list has been updated with a couple of items that have been available locally for a while but were missing from the list.
February Beer UpdateAlso the Oklahoma beer list has been updated with a couple of items that have been available locally for a while but were missing from the list.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
New beer from Abita:
Abita Bock (35)
Abita Golden Lager (18)
Abita Light (11)
While the Light is available in 6-packs, the Amber Lager and Bock can only be found in the Abita mixed 12-pack (for now).
1) Sierra Nevada Bigfoot 2006 is now available all across the state... and there's a lot of it too!
2) St. Bernardus Abt 12 and Tripel are now in Norman ($11 and $13 per 4 pack, respectively, but 750mL bottles are also available)
3) Coach's Old Kelso Irish Ale was tapped on Thursday, February 2. It's good stuff when fresh, so try to make it to a Coach's and give it a try.
Great Divide hits OklahomaWhile the Light is available in 6-packs, the Amber Lager and Bock can only be found in the Abita mixed 12-pack (for now).
1) Sierra Nevada Bigfoot 2006 is now available all across the state... and there's a lot of it too!
2) St. Bernardus Abt 12 and Tripel are now in Norman ($11 and $13 per 4 pack, respectively, but 750mL bottles are also available)
3) Coach's Old Kelso Irish Ale was tapped on Thursday, February 2. It's good stuff when fresh, so try to make it to a Coach's and give it a try.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Four selections from Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver, CO have hit the shelves in Oklahoma. All come from their "Really Big Beer" line.Great Divide Hercules Double IPA: 9.1% ABV, 85 IBU. (99) - Has a very full and sweet citrus nose full of oranges, grapefruit, pine, and a little gum. Bright and sharp flavor initially, then quickly turning to a somewhat caustic texture as the alcohol and hops dominate.
Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine: 10.2% ABV, 90 IBU. (98) - Caustic sweet plums and bubble gum hop flavors over the top of a roasty and nutty sweet molasses malt body. Definitely one of the hoppier barley wines being made.
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout: 9.5% ABV, 75 IBU. (99) - Smoky caramel and scotch in the nose. Very thick, and with a strong amount of burnt malts and a stinging alcohol kick.
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout: 9.5% ABV, 75 IBU. (100) - Bourbon and wood and smoky chocolate in the nose. Creamy, lightly acidic and fairly thick. Has a very robust chocolate and bourbon flavor.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Three new Belgian beers are now available in Oklahoma, and each are of exceptional quality.
St. Bernardus Abt 12 (100) is a Belgian Abt/Quadrupel, 10.5% ABV. Considered by many to be of the same quality as Westvleteren 12 and Rochefort 10 (also available in Oklahoma), it is significantly lower in price than both, and represents one of the finest Belgian beer styles known.
St. Bernardus Tripel (95) now joins Tripel Karmeliet and Westmalle Tripel as the only Belgian tripels available.
Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne (89) becomes the first Flemish Sour Ale available in Oklahoma.
Belgian beer fans, be excited.
New Beer: Sierra Nevada IPASt. Bernardus Abt 12 (100) is a Belgian Abt/Quadrupel, 10.5% ABV. Considered by many to be of the same quality as Westvleteren 12 and Rochefort 10 (also available in Oklahoma), it is significantly lower in price than both, and represents one of the finest Belgian beer styles known.
St. Bernardus Tripel (95) now joins Tripel Karmeliet and Westmalle Tripel as the only Belgian tripels available.
Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne (89) becomes the first Flemish Sour Ale available in Oklahoma.
Belgian beer fans, be excited.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Look for Sierra Nevada IPA to be on the shelves soon. Sierra Nevada has decided to bottle this brew, previously only available on draft, and representatives from the brewery have said it will be distributed everywhere that Sierra Nevada products currently are sent. This news comes at about the same time that we are expecting Bigfoot 2006, which usually shows up in Oklahoma in late January or early February (and sells out quickly).
Thursday, January 19, 2006
I'm not usually one to believe the chatter (although the Rochefort rumors did come true) until I see the results on the shelves, but there is a lot of talk about Great Divide coming into Oklahoma very soon. If we do see them come into Oklahoma, we will most likely get such well-regarded brews as Yeti (Oak Aged and regular), Old Ruffian Barley Wine, and Hercules Double IPA.
This would mark the first time we've had true American-style barley wines and imperial stouts in Oklahoma for a number of years (anyone remember Old Crustacean in the 7oz bottles?), and the first double IPA I've seen since I've lived here. While we can currently find Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout and Anchor Old Foghorn on shelves year-round (as well as Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine in their mixed 12-packs), there is a true lack of American-style, aggressive high gravity beer.
New Beer and New FeaturesThis would mark the first time we've had true American-style barley wines and imperial stouts in Oklahoma for a number of years (anyone remember Old Crustacean in the 7oz bottles?), and the first double IPA I've seen since I've lived here. While we can currently find Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout and Anchor Old Foghorn on shelves year-round (as well as Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine in their mixed 12-packs), there is a true lack of American-style, aggressive high gravity beer.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
I have added a map of beer-worthy places in and around Oklahoma City. This includes breweries, brewpubs, beer bars and bottle shops.
Also I have added a comprehensive list of all of the craft/micro/import beer available in Oklahoma. The list will be updated regularly based on what I find in the stores. If you can't find something listed, you might leave a comment and I'll try to point you to the right store. Similarly, if you know of something that's on the shelves, please let me know.
Finally, this week there were a few new bottles on the shelf: Left Hand Haystack Wheat, Left Hand Polestar Pilsner, Pocono Amber Ale, and Pocono Blonde Ale.
New Winter SeasonalsAlso I have added a comprehensive list of all of the craft/micro/import beer available in Oklahoma. The list will be updated regularly based on what I find in the stores. If you can't find something listed, you might leave a comment and I'll try to point you to the right store. Similarly, if you know of something that's on the shelves, please let me know.
Finally, this week there were a few new bottles on the shelf: Left Hand Haystack Wheat, Left Hand Polestar Pilsner, Pocono Amber Ale, and Pocono Blonde Ale.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Coach's Brewery has had their winter seasonal, Holiday Spice available at all three Coach's pubs as well as The Library in Norman for the past month. It's best described as an amber ale style with notes of nutmeg, coriander, rosemary and ginger.
Winter seasonals currently available in stores include Rogue Santa's Private Reserve (new to OK - 22oz, $5), Full Sail Wassail (look for the new packaging for the 2005 release), Sierra Nevada Celebration 2005, Boulevard Nutcracker, Anchor Our Special Ale 2005, Pyramid Snow Cap, Breckenridge Christmas Ale 2005 and of course Samuel Adams Winter Lager.
Of these winter seasonals available, I rank them accordingly (out of 5):
Boulevard Nutcracker (4.3)
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (4.2)
Full Sail Wassail (4.1)
Rogue Santa's Private Reserve (3.9)
Anchor OSA 2005 (3.8)
Pyramid Snow Cap (3.7)
Samuel Adams Winter Lager (3.3)
Breckinridge Christmas Ale (2.8)
It's best to compare them side-by-side for a comprehensive analysis, so pick up a selection and compare them yourself some time.
As far as winter seasonal news, I can say that I'm hoping that some time soon we will see BridgePort Ebenezer Ale and maybe even BridgePort Old Knucklehead Barley Wine, but don't cross your fingers. While the new distributor in Oklahoma deserves some priase for the recent influx, they don't seem to be comfortable bringing in high gravity beer just yet. Does someone need to point out to the them just how quickly Bigfoot moves off the shelves every February?
Winter seasonals currently available in stores include Rogue Santa's Private Reserve (new to OK - 22oz, $5), Full Sail Wassail (look for the new packaging for the 2005 release), Sierra Nevada Celebration 2005, Boulevard Nutcracker, Anchor Our Special Ale 2005, Pyramid Snow Cap, Breckenridge Christmas Ale 2005 and of course Samuel Adams Winter Lager.
Of these winter seasonals available, I rank them accordingly (out of 5):
It's best to compare them side-by-side for a comprehensive analysis, so pick up a selection and compare them yourself some time.
As far as winter seasonal news, I can say that I'm hoping that some time soon we will see BridgePort Ebenezer Ale and maybe even BridgePort Old Knucklehead Barley Wine, but don't cross your fingers. While the new distributor in Oklahoma deserves some priase for the recent influx, they don't seem to be comfortable bringing in high gravity beer just yet. Does someone need to point out to the them just how quickly Bigfoot moves off the shelves every February?