Redhook Ale Brewery- Audible Ale

A few weeks ago I got a text message from my brother-in-law, in this message was a picture of Red Hook’s Audible Ale. I immediately wanted to try it, and I got that chance after my beloved Husker basketball team beat Purdue. Let me tell you, this has quickly jumped up my list for a beer I can drink on a consistent basis. Usually when going to a party, I will go with Bud Light or something similar. That, my friends, will change.

This brew is one amazing beer. It has plenty of flavor and a nice aroma but goes down much more smoothly than most craft brews. Of all of the beers I have reviewed, this is by far the smoothest and most refreshing beer I have had. After my first drink, I told my buddy, “This is a beer I could drink a lot of.” This is one of the only beers I have had that really quenches my thirst; with its smoothness and no heavy-hoppy taste, it goes down very easy!

In conclusion, this is one of my favorite American pale ales on the market. If you want to sit down and watch the game, have a few at the bar, or have some while tailgating, this is the beer for you! This is my new go to beer when wanting to have a few. It's easily a five out of five. Go out and give the Red Hook Brewing Company a try; they truly make great brews. Until next time, happy drinking!

Pair with these foods:

-Burgers

-Chicken Strips

-Most bar food

Beer info:

Style of Beer: American Pale Ale

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 4.7%

Color: Golden Brown

Where to buy in the 402:

-N Street Liquor, Lincoln, NE

-Most HyVee liquor stores

Samuel Adams- Cold Snap

Who else is ready for spring? As I decided on which beer I was going to drink during the Super Bowl, I stumbled upon a new Sam Adams beer that was recently released. I am a huge Sam Adams fan, and for those of you who have not tried any Sam Adams beer, you need to. The beer that I decided to buy was the new Cold Snap by Sam Adams. The mixture of winter spices and the orange sweetness of spring make this an amazing beer.

This unfiltered white ale releases an amazingly smooth wheat taste with a snap of spices. The mixture of these spices, along with orange and plum flavors makes this an amazing spring beer. One thing that makes this beer stand out is the Hallertau Mittelfrueh Nobel hops used in the brewing process of Cold Snap; these hops have an ingredient that most other spring beers do not: ground coriander. The spice of coriander seeds work great with the orange peel that is used to brew this beer!

I have tried many different spring beers, and this is at the top of the list. This is one of the better Sam Adams brews I have had,  and it is a must for the wheat beer drinkers. If you are looking for a beer that will give you a kick into spring, this is it! This beer helps us remember that spring is on its way despite the record cold and the snow covered ground. I give this beer a 4 out of 5. It's a great tasting seasonal beer which I encourage all of you to go out and try. Until next week, happy drinking!

Pair with these foods:

-Eggs

-Cheesesteak sandwich

-Quesadilla

Beer info:

Style of Beer: Seasonal White Ale

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.3%

Color: Golden

Where to buy in the 402:

-N Street Liquor, Lincoln, NE

-Most HyVee liquor stores

Photo courtesy of Sam Adams website

Zipline Brewing Co.- Jack's Pale

From the first time I stepped in Jack & June’s Urban Spoon in the Lincoln Railyard and tasted my first meal, I knew it would be one of my favorite eateries, not only because of the food, but also because of the atmosphere. What could make this place better? How about a beer brewed exclusively for this restaurant as well as Bread and Cup. Jack’s Pale Ale is that beer, and if you have not tried it, you need to.

Jack’s Pale is by far one of the best pale ales I have had. It is brewed with local organic oats and a fruitful hop taste makes this one of the smoothest pale ales on the market. I am usually not the biggest fan as pale ales are usually very bitter; however, this one is not. The smooth first taste and the nitrogen head stays with you long after your drink is over. Make sure to take a look at the glass when you're finished drinking, the glass shows lines like a tree trunk shows age. Thick lines follow the glass down, a sign of a very dense but soft head that helps make this beer the best.

I have tried many different beers, from many different places, and Zipline Brewing in Lincoln is becoming my favorite beer around. Not only is it great tasting, but it is local. In the coming weeks, I will continue to review these great beers, and I encourage you to go try Zipline's beers as well as sit down for a few in their awesome taproom.

Jack’s Pale is, in my opinion, the best pale ale on the market. It is not too bitter and not too sweet; it is a combination of the two, which make it so amazing. This beer, just like the Copper Alternative that I reviewed last month is a clear five out of five. It is amazing to have this great brewery in our backyard. Buy a few packs of their beer or a growler from the taproom for your Super Bowl party because this beer will not disappoint.  Until next time, happy drinking!

Pair with these foods:

-Bangers and Mash

-Grilled Cheese Sandwich

-Chicken and Dumplings

Beer info:

Style of Beer: Pale Ale

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.2%

Color: Golden Brown

Where to buy in the 402:

-Jack & June’s Urban Spoon

-Bread & Cup

-Zipline Taproom

Boulevard Brewing Company-80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer

Where are all of my wheat beer drinkers? If you are one of these beer lovers, I have the perfect beer for you. The Boulevard 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer is one of the best wheat beers I have had. Lets rewind a little bit. On Christmas Eve my taste buds had the enjoyable pleasure of tasting this beer for the first time. The not so good part, this beer was in a sampler pack, therefore I only had one. A few days later I was brainstorming on what beers I should write about in the coming months, and the one that kept coming to mind was this 80-Acre brew.

What makes this beer so perfect is the amazing aroma of an IPA and an awesome taste of a wheat beer. As you bring the bottle up to your mouth your nostrils are instantly filled with a fresh citrus smell, followed by a very light and bitter flavor. The light notes in this beer work well with the bitterness of the wheat. The lightness of malt and amazing balance of the hops makes this the best wheat beer I have ever had.

If you want a beer for a weekend on the town or just an every day brew, this is the beer for you. I must confess, my favorite beer type is wheat beer, with this being said, this beer is the best beer I have had. If you have not tried any beers from my reviews, I suggest you go buy this one for sure; it will not disappoint. Until next time, happy drinking!

Pair with these foods:

-Grilled Chicken

-Chili

-Beer Cheese Soup

Beer info:

Style of Beer: Wheat Beer

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.5%

Color: Light gold

Where to buy in the 402:

-N Street Liquor

-Most liquor or grocery stores in the Metro and Lincoln areas

This photo is courtesy of Boulevard Brewing Co. website 

Zipline Brewing Co.- Copper Alt.

Nothing is better than supporting local businesses.  Zip Line Brewing Company is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and if you have time, stop by and hit up the Zip Line taproom where you can try out all of the different beers that they brew. They have three beers that change based on the season, and they are known for their four year-round brews.

Sitting at Gate 25 in the Lincoln Rail-yard, I looked at the different beers they offered; the first one that stuck out to me was the Zip Line Copper Alt brew. Alt, in the beer world, is short for altbier, which is a German beer. It is a happy medium between an ale and a lager. These beers have become very popular due to the fact that they are a very drinkable beer. Knowing that altbier usually has a nutty flavor mixed with chocolate, I thought this would be a great beer to have during the winter months. Boy, was I right!

The Copper Alt has two very distinct tastes: first you are hit with hazelnut, followed by a subtle chocolate, and finally leading into a hoppy aftertaste. I have experimented with many different brewery's altbiers, and this is clearly the best I have had. The mixture of the flavors and the hoppy aftertaste complement each other in an amazing way that has you wanting another sip. This is a great beer to drink casually or to pair with different foods.

In short, with the holiday season spiraling down, this is a must beer for your New Year's parties or just sitting by a nice cozy fire. This beer is clearly a five out of five. Those of you who have not had any beers from the Zip Line Brewery, need to try one! It is a privilege to have such a great brewery in Lincoln, and I would not be surprised if this beer eventually makes its way across the country. Until next week, happy drinking.

Pair with these foods:

-Hot beef sandwich

-Cheeseburger

-Hot apple pie

Beer info:

Style of Beer: Altbier (hybrid of a pilsner and ale)

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.2%

Color: Copper

Where to buy in the 402:

-N Street Liquor

-Most liquor or grocery stores in the Metro and Lincoln areas

-Jack and Junes and Gate 25 restaurants (Located in the Lincoln Rail-Yard)