A couple of weeks ago I finally got to the Six Pack Shop. It’s a beer store that sells all there beer in six packs, or even single bottles. And they have an amazing selection. For those of you living in Pennsylvania, you know how rare and wonderful that is, in a state that mostly only allows beer sales by the case.
One nice thing about this place is that they have about five selves of beers that you can mix and match a six pack for a special price, no matter what the cost per bottle is. So I tried five new ones and had one that I haven’t had in a couple of years (Bethlehem Brew Works’ Rude Elf Reserve).
Erie Brewing Company’s Railbender Ale
A very malty ale. Very surprising. Very nice. I could drink this day-in day-out without too many problems at all. Not that is was something mind-blowing, mind you. But it played very well to my tastes.
Yards Brewing’s Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale
This is based off of our third President’s original recipe that his wife used to brew his beer. Since it is classified as a tavern ale, I wasn’t expecting a lot from it, just a good ale. And that is exactly what it is. As my brother-in-law David would say, it is probably a good “session” beer.
Anchor Steam’s 2007 Holiday Ale
I have had one of Anchor Steam’s previous Holiday ales. They brew it every year, however change the recipe every year, too. This one had the heaviness and creaminess of a stout. A hint if holiday brew-like spices. Not enough in my opinion. Still a solid brew.
New Holland Brewing’s Sundog Amber Ale
As they say, never judge a beer by it’s label. I liked the name and the label had a really cool font on it. Given that it was an amber, I decided to give it a try. Nothing exciting at all. A decent brew, and that was it. The only advantage it had for me was that the slight hop taste was up front and quickly disappeared so that the after taste was not bitter at all.
Legacy Brewing’s Midnight Wit
A Belgian styled white ale. It has a nice spice flavor to it, though not overpowering. One disappointment was it looked filtered. On their web site the picture looks to be very unfiltered, like a Hoegaarden. But what I poured into my glass wasn’t. Still a very good summer with some very good flavor.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I found a couple of bottles of the Anchor Steam’s 2007 Holiday Ale on the bargain rack for 99 cents last month. Its not one of my favorites but I’ve heard that they age well so I put two of them away to compare them with the 2008 edition. Remind me and I’ll bring one up to Michigan this year.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Thanks!
I remember liking the 2005, but still wasn’t the best holiday brew I have had. I will get you a bottle of the B’hem Brew Works Rude Elf Reserve. Those do in fact age well.