Jewbelation 16 (Schmaltz Brewing Company)

    I am dead set on trying everything that catches my eye this winter. I saw this beer on a shelf at the wine shop and felt compelled to get it due to all the press I feel I have been exposed to over the past two years. The price was in line with all of the other 22oz beers in the specialty section so whatever. I went to check in with this beer on untapped and was shocked by the reported 16% ABV. I was sure this wasn't right and upon further investigation my eyes were opened to how crazy this beer is. It is the 16th anniversary ale crafted by Schmaltz Brewing Company, made with 16 hops and 16 malts. So if you do the math Schmaltz brewing has been around since 1996 brewing the Hebrew brands of beers, and in 2007 the began the Coney Island line of freaky ales.

   This beer was very strong in flavor. When I get a beer that is this complex I like spread out my tastings, and I needed the help finishing this bomb. The flavor was sweet, fruity, and semi boozy. I would recommend picking up two of these if it is in the budget and lagering one until next year. So how far can this idea of the big beer go? In my travels, people are always concerned with the body of beer, and the ability to have more than one. Beers of this weight should be poured in smaller servings, maybe 6 or 8 ounce pours in a glass that allows it to breath. Slow do and enjoy the big ones, they are hard to get and probably better served closer to room temperature. I get a kick out of the journey of nursing a big beer over an hour sometimes.

   The brewers at Schmaltz have a great sense of adventure and provide beers for like minded people. Their website isn't flashy and they have very little merchandise. In the market their beers jump out at you with their sense of whimsy and humor. I have to warn you that the actual beer may punch you in the stomach. So pick one up, and head on over to www.shmaltzbrewing.com.

After nearly a year, it still taste like burning!

Beer abroad (Las Vegas)

    I would have thought a place with such a reputation for hospitality would have about whatever you're hearts desire. I left Vegas hoping to do my own drinking made easy episode. I was looking for the beer centric bars and breweries. I found two great beer bars, and one fun "brewery".
    First I landed at Aces & Ales, a beer bar featured on drinking made easy. It is a dark beer bar off the strip, a vision of some old rocker. They had affordable flights. You got six 4oz servings of beer with a pretty awesome jalepeno Mac and cheese for 19$. I tried to reach out to an employee who seemed to be the bar manager who insisted this was as good as it got. Hmmmm moving on.
    Then I discovered Sin City Brewing, which has 3 bars on the strip. It was like a beer bar at the mall. Some people just get a pint then keep moving. The bartender was bubbly and knew a little about beer. It turns out this brewery uses the Gordon Biersh brewery to make it's beer. Turns out the owner worked for Gordon Biersh for 20 years. Sin City make session beers that are pretty easy drinking.
    Finally, I cried enough to gimp our way to Todd English P.U.B. This upscale pub would put capital ale house out of business. They had 4 draft tables and 24 taps of local and regional favorites. The bartenders were cool and the beer was pricy. They had a before and after dinner happy hou, half price drafts. I loved this place and yes most of the beers I had came in the goblet.