Category: Beer

On Colonial Spirits of Acton’s beer blog page, you will find posts from our team of beer experts. Topics range from trends in the beer industry, appreciation for and personal recollections of craft beer, and debates on the right amount of hops needed to make the perfect brew. Good beer blogs cannot exist without the participation of our friends and customers, so we invite you to get in on the discussion and post your reactions to our entries. You can also jump over to our liquor blog if spirits are your preferred beverage. And if wine is the type of alcohol you love, check out our wine blog for thoughts and opinions on all things wine. Whatever topic in the wine, liquor, and beer industry interests you, Colonial Spirits wants you to join the conversation. Post here or contact us with questions, suggestions, and comments. Or feel free to come in to meet us at one or our weekly alcohol tasting events. Leave the computer behind and talk to us face to face about your favorite beer, while sampling beer that breweries and distributors are bringing in for our customers to try.

Tax Attack! Look out beer consumers…

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Tim Bush — 3 Comments

The birthday of our great nation has passed and the celebration of independence from tyranny and taxation without representation is 233 years old. Taxes are a necessity that we all share distaste for and when they get out of control we are driven to protest and dumping chests of tea into the harbor. I would never suggest that we pour the nectar that is our beer anywhere other than into a glass, but the feelings of revolt must be alive in many of us at this point. The lovely state of Massachusetts has raised sales tax 25% to 6.25% and has lifted the exemption for alcoholic beverages. Get ready to see that sales tax at the register every time you pick up your favorite brew anywhere in MA after August 1st. It is important to note that tax on alcohol already exists in MA. Alcohol has always been taxed in MA, in the form of excise tax. This tax is largely overlooked as it is embedded in the prices, which are generally high relative to other states, and not otherwise seen by consumers. We are soon to be double taxed on alcohol! I propose revolt in the form of buying. Okay, I certainly would prefer if that buying happened at Colonial Spirits, but no matter where you go get ready to stock up on your favorite beers and make it happen before August 1st. Towards the end of July Colonial Spirits will have plenty of sales to help you beat the tax man and help you stock up on what you want. Great new stuff is here like Dogfish Theobroma and Stone 13th Anniversary and Smuttynose Baltic Porter. Get these, and more, while it’s 6.25 % cheaper!

The variety of variety packs.

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Tim Bush — Leave a comment

Variety 12 Packs seem to be increasing in popularity these days and I often wonder how breweries decide what to include. My favorite variety packs come from Ipswich, Victory and Brooklyn. These are all great breweries, but really, it is the particular styles included that draw me to these packages. I tend to think that the inclusion of a Hefe or wheat brew in a variety pack is the kiss of death. I say that not to be negative about Hefe/Wheat/Weiss brew but in observation of that fact that many of us who enjoy pale ales or IPAs do not tend towards the Weiss world. Is it the contrast of styles that makes a package less tempting? Troegs makes excellent stuff all around and we move through the 6-packs with regularity. Their variety pack includes favorites like Hop Back Amber and a Pale ale that makes for a great food beer or a great session, so it should be flying off of the shelf. I suspect that the disparity between heavy hops and wheat leaves many folks not wanting to buy the mix, even though the 12 are cheaper than 2 6’s. I mentioned Victory as one of my favorites. That package includes Pilsner, Hop Devil and Golden Monkey Tripel. That is certainly a range of flavors. I am just enamored with all of their stuff, as many are, so flavor contrast is less of an issue in this case. Ipswich and Brooklyn, however, have really hit the mark with their variety packs. I think that what makes these two great is the 4 brew combo representing different brews indeed, but none of which truly contrast with each other. I know that Brooklyn includes their Lager which is an entirely different brew from ale, but Brooklyn Lager is a sturdy representation of the style with almost as much body as a pale ale. Try out any of the many variety packs at Colonial Spirits the next time you need a few different flavors at a favorable price.

Good beer comes in Cans

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Tim Bush — 2 Comments

An increasing number of legitimate brews are becoming available in cans. The newest addition to Colonial Spirits is Brooklyn lager in a 16oz can (6-packs $11.69+dep). Also recently added is Butternuts with canned Hefe, Pale and IPA. Admittedly there isn’t a huge can selection but I commend the effort and love the thought of canned beer. That may sound a bit crazy to some but it really is an excellent vessel for beer. It may not be the best to drink from but that is why breweries make really cool glasses and give them out at tastings. I’ll guess that most of you would advocate for draught brew. A glass from a keg is the best right? I generally think so. Note that a keg is simply a giant can. Cans offer complete protection from light, ale and beer’s worst enemy, as well as convenience. Portability can be critical at times – I am thinking about hiking, the beach the movie theater. It mostly boils down to quality though. Cans travel well and store better. Cans are easy to keep cool and don’t shatter when the log you are splitting falls on them. The abovementioned Brooklyn cans are great for yard work as the extra 4oz yields valuable extra minutes before you have to go inside for another. Check out Oskar Blues as well. From this CO brewery you can get a nice pale ale, a strong scotch ale, a pilsner and even some pricey offerings that will surprise you (Imperial Stout and Imperial IPA). Hopefully we will see more on the shelves soon.

Lagunitas makes good stuff!

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Tim Bush — Leave a comment

Ever since I was encouraged by a fellow beer enthusiast to hurry up and try Lagunitas Hop Stoopid this brewery has been on my mind (and in my fridge). I have always been a casual advocate of their brews, but now I feel compelled to turn as many people onto them as possible. That said, this is certainly a hop driven brewery so those less addicted than I may not be as into the selection. I’ll first mention the Czech Style Pils – perfect for the heat, crisp and very clean. The newest addition to their lineup is a Pale Ale. It is hoppy, but not over the top. There is more, much more, but rather than write about each brew I would rather say why it is that I am enthralled with the brewery as of late. Basically I think that Lagunitas is a fine representation of American Ale. Admittedly I can articulate it as such after reading the label on the 2009 Correction Ale. Consider where they excel, however; IPA, Pale and Stout brews, which are all quite American at this point. American brewing grew from the bastardization of traditional styles from England, Germany, Belgium and other places. Now American brewing is its own beast bringing intensity, creativity and quality to any and all styles. So, Lagunitas is a great American brewery focused on rich, hoppy brews that fill your glass with flavor and showcase some of what we do best in brewing. They also have an entire series dedicated to Frank Zappa, so they got that going for them… which is nice.

There is often something new from Lagunitas so you can stay entertained with this brewery for a while.

Spring IPA’s

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Tim Bush — 3 Comments

I like barley based drinks. Ale and Beer are undoubtedly my favorite, but I do enjoy my whiskeys. So what’s up with beer? All kinds of things, really, but I am thinking about drinking it right now. The sun is high in the sky, it is past noon and I am thirsty. More so, it is the flavor that I seek. Hops are on my mind and, with any luck, will soon be on my palate.

I am basically prepared to drink almost any ale or beer at almost any time. My preferences change with the weather, though. Ask me what I am into right now… IPA. IPAs are good all throughout the year however the spring green and warm days usually get me particularly driven towards the piney fresh scent and rich bitterness of a fine IPA. Sierra Nevada’s Southern Hemisphere Harvest ale in the 24oz bottle just arrived and, if you are lucky, the Torpedo is sometimes available. FYI, Sierra Torpedo was dramatically oversold by the brewery. A strong marketing effort left demand high and supply low. Naturally I think that it all should have been sent to Colonial Spirits and we could be enjoying it in abundance right now. Other classic favorites I am currently enjoying are Victory Hop Devil and Smuttynose IPA. Newer treats are Green Flash West Coast IPA and Lagunitas Hop Stoopid.

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