The Evolution of German Brewing and Beer Culture

Germany’s beer culture is renowned worldwide. Grounded in centuries of tradition, it has significantly impacted how beer is perceived, produced, and enjoyed globally. From medieval monks mastering brewing methods to the contemporary surge of independent craft brewers, German beer culture has adapted while maintaining its authenticity. Its brewing heritage profoundly influences the global craft beer scene, motivating brewers from the U.S. to Japan to recreate styles such as Dunkel and Hefeweizen.

A standout feature of German beer culture is its strong ties to community, festivals, and tradition. The vibrant ambiance found in the finest beer gardens and the cherished Festzelt Tradition during Oktoberfest demonstrate how Germany continues to exemplify beer appreciation.

Medieval Origins: The Monks and the Reinheitsgebot

German brewing has roots that stretch back over a millennium, with monasteries playing a pivotal role in refining beer production. Monks brewed beer not only for sustenance but also as a source of income. This era witnessed the rise of early beer styles, including the darker, malt- centric Dunkel. The combination of local ingredients and controlled fermentation techniques established the unique character of German beer.

In 1516, the Bavarian Duke Wilhelm IV enacted the Reinheitsgebot, or Beer Purity Law, which restricted beer ingredients to water, barley, and hops (yeast was added later once its role in fermentation was clarified). This legislation guaranteed quality and set a benchmark for clean, carefully crafted beers that continue to represent German brewing standards.

The Rise of Beer Gardens and Community Drinking

Beer gardens are an integral part of German culture. Originating in the 19th century, they were initially created in Bavaria, where breweries stored beer in underground cellars to keep it cool. Trees were planted above these cellars for shade, and soon tables and benches transformed these areas into communal spaces.

Today, the best beer gardens offer much more than just excellent beer—they create an experience. Families and friends share time in these open-air venues, relishing traditional foods like pretzels and bratwurst alongside classic German brews. The convivial atmosphere fosters camaraderie, a fundamental aspect of German beer culture that has inspired craft breweries around the world. Many contemporary craft beer taprooms aim to capture this welcoming, communal spirit.

Oktoberfest and the Festzelt Tradition

Any examination of German beer culture would be incomplete without acknowledging Oktoberfest. This iconic festival, which commenced in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, has evolved into a worldwide celebration. Central to Oktoberfest is the Festzelt Tradition, where enormous tents, or “Festzelte,” welcome throngs of beer enthusiasts. Each tent offers a distinct ambiance, ranging from energetic party atmospheres to traditional Bavarian settings filled with folk music and hearty meals.

German breweries craft special Oktoberfest beers—often Märzen or Festbier styles—that boast a richer, maltier profile compared to standard lagers. These unique brews have prompted numerous craft breweries worldwide to develop their own Oktoberfest offerings, preserving the festival’s spirit well beyond Munich.

The Global Influence of German Beer Styles

As the craft beer movement has grown, brewers globally have taken cues from German beer styles. Some of the most notable include:

• Dunkel – This dark, malty lager, featuring caramel and toasty notes, has inspired a fresh wave of brewers to explore malt-forward styles.
• Pilsner – Initially crafted in the Czech Republic but perfected by German brewers, this crisp, golden lager has surged to global popularity.
• Weissbier (Hefeweizen) – Recognized for its hazy look and banana-clove aroma, this wheat beer has impacted American wheat ales and hazy IPAs.
• Bock and Doppelbock – Known for their strength, smoothness, and rich malt profile, these beers set a high standard for winter warmers and high-ABV lagers.

Craft brewers in the United States, in particular, have embraced these styles, adding their unique twist. Many American breweries showcase their interpretations of German classics, all while honoring the brewing principles that make these beers exceptional.

Lederhosen and the Cultural Experience of German Beer

In Germany, beer transcends being just a beverage—it’s a celebration of heritage and identity. Traditional attire such as Lederhosen plays a vital role in beer festivals and gatherings, particularly in Bavaria. Wearing Lederhosen at Oktoberfest or a local beer celebration reflects respect for tradition and immerses individuals in the experience.

Those wishing to embrace a genuine Bavarian style find high-quality Lederhosen indispensable. Whether attending Oktoberfest in Munich or a German beer festival abroad, dressing appropriately enhances the cultural connection.

The Future of German Beer Culture in Craft Brewing

The traditions of German beer continue to shape the modern craft brewing landscape, as brewers globally respect and innovate on classic styles. From exciting beer gardens emerging in cities around the world to small-batch Dunkel lagers crafted by independent breweries, the essence of German brewing is flourishing in new and intriguing ways.

While some craft brewers are testing bold flavors and modern techniques, many still turn to the Reinheitsgebot as a foundation for quality brewing. The dedication to craftsmanship, tradition, and community remains at the core of both German beer culture and the worldwide craft beer movement.

Guest Post

(This was a guest post submitted by Arslan Saleem. He reached out to us wanting to have this published on the site. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this article, and we have kept it as written, with just minor editing for grammatical and formatting purposes.)

Oktoberfest and German Beer Related Articles

• How to Pour a Bavarian Beer the Oktoberfest Way
• Bavaria’s Major Breweries Serving Beer At Oktoberfest Grand Celebration
• Oktoberfest: Beer Expertise Unleashed
• Oktoberfest Beer Season Has Arrived
• Oktoberfest for the Rest
• Tröegs Oktoberfest Returns To Celebrate the German Beer Festival Season
• Troegs Brewing is Releasing Oktoberfest on August 5th
• Human Robot: The First Milk Tube Race in the World: USA vs. The World – Oktoberfest Invitational Beer Fest

Thinking about Oktoberfest? Massive amounts of beer first come to mind—and for good reason! This world-famous festival is all about tradition, celebration, and, of course, raising a Maß (liter-sized mug) of specially brewed drink. But Oktoberfest beer isn’t just any lager you can grab at your local store. It follows strict brewing rules, has a unique taste, and comes in two main styles: the classic Märzen and the lighter Festbier. Only six Munich breweries have the honor of producing this special brewery and calling their beer “ Oktoberfest official” served at the festival.

Revelers drinking at Oktoberfest in Munich

Do You Know? 6.7 million attendees visited and consumed 7 million liters of beer during Oktoberfest 2024. 

Each sip of German-style beer captures a distinct taste. Whether you take at the vibrant festivities or enjoy it at home, what makes Oktoberfest beer so special is its key ingredients and definitive features.

Oktoberfest Beer History – How a Maltier Brew Became an Iconic Tradition

Oktoberfest beer traces back to the early 19th century to celebrate Prince Ludwig’s and Princess Therese’s wedding. Their celebrations lasted for days and resulted in the popularity of a lot from the Bavarian culture, such as the traditional lederhosen and dirndl dress, along with plenty of beer.

The Oktoberfest, which is now called the world’s largest beer festivity, didn’t always feature the brews you associate it with today.  The wedding celebration was such a success that it was repeated the following year and eventually became an annual tradition of what we now know as Oktoberfest, and with it came a beer style that remains iconic.

Initially, the drink served was a darker, maltier brew known as Märzen. It was named after the month of March, when it was traditionally brewed and stored in cool caves over the summer. Märzen remained the official beer for Oktoberfest in Germany for around 100 years due to its amber color and toasty malt profile. But as the celebration grew into an international sensation, festival-goers wanted something even more palatable. Munich’s breweries responded with malt-forward lager with a beautiful light golden to copper color (Festbier). This modern Oktoberfest beer style with a clean finish is served at the festival today.

A woman models German attire for Oktoberfest

American vs. German Styles — What’s the Difference

Same name, Different Beer! If you have picked up an Oktoberfest beer outside of Munich, you might have noticed something different—it won’t taste the same. Many people think Oktoberfest brew is just one style, but it’s not. You may find American and German approaches to this special beer tradition. U.S. breweries took the inspiration from the original Märzen, while in Germany, you taste the modern Festbier. Both styles, however, share a malt-forward character.

• Märzen – The Original Oktoberfest Beer

American Oktoberfest Beers are often Märzen-style. It features an amber color and a slightly sweet taste with notes of toffee, biscuit, and bread. They typically have a medium body and a light toasted malt character. Märzen contains 5.8–6.3% alcohol by volume and is slightly heavier than a German Festbier.

• Festbier – More Refreshing Lager

When you think of Oktoberfest beer in Germany, you’re talking about Festbier—the golden, crisp lager that fills massive mugs in Munich’s beer tents. It tends to be paler and more similar to a Dortmunder-style brewer with a balanced flavor profile. Festbier has a clean fermentation character and provides a toasty-doughy aromatic with an impression of sweetness. This makes it easier to drink in liters at festivities. The color varies, but you will find German versions mostly in golden, like a strong Pils-dominated Helles.

When buying any of the above beer styles, read the label. Märzen is always mentioned in the bottle, but if it displays Oktoberfest, you are drinking Festbier.

What Defines the Oktoberfest Beer— A Representative of Bavarian Heritage

Not just any beer can call itself an Oktoberfest beer. It has a unique character and brewing process that sets it apart from your everyday lagers. The drink served at festivities reflects German centuries-old brewing traditions and makes it a symbol of true celebrations.

It Must Be Brewed in Munich

Only six breweries—Augustiner, Paulaner, Spaten, Hofbräu, Hacker-Pschorr, and Löwenbräu—are allowed to serve “official” Oktoberfest beer at the celebration. Other than these are strictly forbidden at the festivities. These breweries operate large and small beer tents at the Theresienwiese to serve millions of people during the festival. Also, the beer must be brewed within the city limits of Munich to ensure authenticity.

It Follows the Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law)

The beer must meet specific criteria of Bavarian law to be officially recognized as an Oktoberfest brew. This means it only contains

• Water
• Malted barley
• Hops
• Yeast

No additives or shortcuts!

It Has a Balanced, Malty Flavor

Oktoberfest beer is known for its smooth maltiness. Whether it’s the traditional Märzen or the modern Festbier, the flavor profile is malty, smooth, and highly drinkable, with a good balance of sweetness and hop bitterness.

It Has a Higher Alcohol Content

To give it a strong kick, Oktoberfest beers generally have a higher alcohol content compared to typical lagers. The permitted ABV typically ranges from 5.8% to 6.3%, which can vary by brewery. Hofbräuzelt beer is the strongest, with 6.3% alcohol. This gives it a bit more body and warmth, making it perfect for cool autumn celebrations.

It’s a Lager, Not an Ale

Oktoberfest beer is a bottom-fermented lager. This means it ferments at cooler temperatures for a longer time. The lagering results in a refreshing, smooth taste with fewer fruity or spicy flavors compared to ales. It also adds a crisp and clean finish to Oktoberfest beers.

It’s Made for Drinking by the Liter

One of the key features of Oktoberfest beer is its high drinkability. As you don’t just sip it— you celebrate it every few minutes. The beer is brewed to be enjoyed by the liter (Maßkrug) without feeling too heavy. That’s why modern Festbier is lighter than Märzen—so festival-goers can keep drinking all day long!l

Pairs Perfectly with Traditional Bavarian Cuisine to Enhance the Taste 

Drinking Oktoberfest beer is only half the experience—the other half is savoring it with the perfect Bavarian feast. Whether you’re in a lively beer tent in Munich or hosting your Oktoberfest celebration at home, the right food pairing elevates the flavors of your brew. It makes each sip and bite more satisfying.

If you have Märzen-style, try its malty sweetness and yeasty flavor with

• Roasted Meats—A browned, crisp skin of roast chicken or sausage
• Hearty Dishes— The heat of hearty chili, stews, or schweinshaxe (roast ham hock or pork knuckle with gravy).
• Pretzels — Soft, salty, and chewy baked pretzels dip in Obatzda.
• Desserts — Waffles with syrup, pancakes with jam, or cookies and cake.
• Cheese: Gruyere and Emmental or flavor notes found in accompaniments like jam, nuts, toasted bread, or crackers.

If you have Festbier in Munich, complement its light and crips finish with

• Schnitzel — Veal, pork, or chicken when served with lemon or red berry jam.
• Richer Dishes — Creamier recipies like cheesy noodles (käsespätzle), currywurst, or German potato salad.
• Weisswurst — White sausage presented with sweet mustard and a pretzel.
• Traditional Pairings — Roast chicken or pork, sauerkraut, and potato pancakes.

These pairings complement perfectly with the beers’ flavors and add to the overall enjoyment. The caramelized malt in Märzen doubles the taste of savory, slow-roasted meats. Similarly, the sharper and hoppier notes of Oktoberfestbier cut through the richness of creamy and saucy meals.

Wrapping Up

The rich and unique flavor, traditional roots, and the main brewery crafting procedure make Oktoberfest beer special. It is served in two main forms at different geographical locations. If you are in Munich and purchase a beer, it is most likely a light and smooth-textured Festbier. While outside Germany, breweries love to sell the traditional Märzen. The specific rules regulated to serve beer at Oktoberfest make it a unique experience for millions of visitors and set it apart from regular alcoholic drinks.

German Dancers at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest and German Beer Related Articles

• How to Pour a Bavarian Beer the Oktoberfest Way
• Bavaria’s Major Breweries Serving Beer At Oktoberfest Grand Celebration
• Oktoberfest: Beer Expertise Unleashed
• Oktoberfest Beer Season Has Arrived
• Oktoberfest for the Rest
• Tröegs Oktoberfest Returns To Celebrate the German Beer Festival Season
• Troegs Brewing is Releasing Oktoberfest on August 5th
• Human Robot: The First Milk Tube Race in the World: USA vs. The World – Oktoberfest Invitational Beer Fest
• The Evolution of German Beer Culture and Its Influence on Craft Brewing

Note

(Editor note: This was an unpaid guest post by Sophia Tyler.)

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Lagers versus Bocks – Whats the difference?

Unraveling the Brews: The Distinctive Worlds of Lager and Bock

In the ever-expanding universe of craft beer, the distinctions between beer styles can sometimes blur, leaving enthusiasts both intrigued and perplexed. Among the myriad styles, “lager” and “bock” are terms often encountered, each representing not just different beer types but also embodying unique histories, brewing techniques, and flavor profiles. Let’s dive into the effervescent journey of understanding what sets lagers apart from bocks, and why each holds a special place in the hearts of beer lovers.

Lager: The Cool, Crisp Connoisseur’s Choice

A delicious frothy Lager.

At its core, the term “lager” refers to a broad category of beers that share a common fermentation and conditioning process. Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast strains, which, true to their name, sink to the bottom of the fermenter. This yeast thrives in cooler fermentation temperatures, ranging from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, a method that imparts lagers with their hallmark clean, crisp taste. Lagering, the process from which this beer style gets its name, involves storing the beer at cold temperatures for several weeks to months, allowing it to mature, clarify, and develop a smooth finish.

The world of lagers is rich and diverse, spanning the light and refreshing pilsners, the amber-hued Vienna lagers, and the dark, malty dunkels. Each style showcases the versatility of lagers, capable of offering a spectrum of flavors from subtle and delicate to robust and complex. Despite their differences, lagers generally share a common thread of crispness, making them immensely drinkable and universally appealing.

Bock: A Malty Marvel with a Kick

A delicious Bock beer.

Bock, on the other hand, is a specific style within the larger lager family, distinguished by its strong, malty backbone and higher alcohol content. Originating from the German town of Einbeck in the 14th century, bock was traditionally brewed for special occasions, earning its reputation as a beer of celebration. The style has evolved over the centuries, giving rise to several variants, including the lighter maibock or helles bock for spring, the stronger and darker doppelbock, and the celebratory, seasonally brewed Oktoberfestbier.

Characterized by its rich malt flavors, bock beers can range from light amber to deep brown hues, offering notes of caramel, nuts, bread, and dark fruits. Despite their malt dominance, bocks maintain a lager’s characteristic smoothness and clean finish, thanks to the cold fermentation and lagering processes. The higher alcohol content, typically ranging from 6% to 7.5% ABV, provides a warming sensation, making bocks especially popular in the colder months.

Celebrating Diversity in Every Sip

Understanding the differences between lager and bock enriches the craft beer experience, highlighting the importance of brewing traditions and the creativity of brewers in shaping the flavors we love. While lagers offer a refreshing gateway into the world of beer, bocks invite enthusiasts to explore deeper, more intense flavors. Both styles, with their distinct characteristics, contribute to the vibrant tapestry of craft beer, offering something for every palate and occasion.

As the craft beer movement continues to evolve, the exploration of lager and bock beers remains a testament to the rich heritage and innovative spirit of brewing. Whether you’re reaching for a light, effervescent lager on a hot summer day or savoring the malty richness of a bock by a crackling fire, the journey through the world of beer is endlessly rewarding, one sip at a time.

Contrasting Bocks and Lagers

Bocks and lagers represent intriguing chapters in the vast anthology of beer styles, each distinct in its characteristics and brewing traditions. Lagers, as a foundational category, are celebrated for their crisp, clean taste derived from cold fermentation processes using bottom-fermenting yeast. This broad category encompasses a diverse range of beers, from the pale and refreshing pilsners to the dark and malty dunkels, all unified by their smooth finish and refined clarity. The versatility of lagers is a testament to the adaptability of the lagering process, allowing for a spectrum of flavors within the same foundational brewing technique.

Bocks, on the other hand, are a specialized offshoot within the larger lager family, distinguished primarily by their stronger malt profile and higher alcohol content. Originating from Germany, bocks are traditionally richer and more robust, offering a hearty spectrum of flavors such as caramel, chocolate, and dark fruits. These beers are typically brewed for seasonal or celebratory purposes, with variations including the lighter maibock in spring, the dark and rich doppelbock, and the festive Oktoberfest varieties. Despite their diversity, all bocks share a common lineage with lagers, benefiting from the smooth, clean finish that is characteristic of cold fermentation and extended aging processes.

The key differences between bocks and lagers lie in their flavor profiles and brewing intentions. While lagers are often appreciated for their refreshing and approachable nature, bocks invite a deeper exploration into the complexities of malt and the warming embrace of higher alcohol volumes. This distinction not only highlights the broad spectrum of beer styles available to enthusiasts but also underscores the rich traditions and innovative approaches that define the craft of brewing. Whether one prefers the crisp simplicity of a lager or the bold, malty depths of a bock, both styles offer unique pathways to appreciating the art and science of beer.

Fan Favorite Bock Beers

Bock beers, with their rich malt flavors and warming alcohol content, have earned a revered spot among beer aficionados worldwide. Here are some popular Bock beers that showcase the range and depth of this traditional style:

1. Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock: Hailing from Germany, this doppelbock is often considered a benchmark for the style. With its deep mahogany color, it offers a complex array of flavors, including dark fruits, chocolate, and a hint of caramel. Its creamy texture and balanced sweetness make it a perennial favorite.
2. Weihenstephaner Korbinian: Another exemplary German doppelbock, the Weihenstephaner Korbinian boasts a rich, full-bodied experience with notes of dark bread, chocolate, and dried fruits. Brewed by the world’s oldest brewery, it’s a testament to centuries of brewing excellence.
3. Troegenator Double Bock: Brewed by Tröegs Independent Brewing in Pennsylvania, USA, this American take on the traditional doppelbock style delivers a powerful malt character with hints of caramel and dried fruits. Its robust profile and smooth finish have garnered a loyal following.
4. Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock: This beer has a storied history as the original doppelbock, which has inspired countless other brewers. It presents a rich tapestry of malt flavors, including caramel, toasted bread, and a slight hint of hops for balance. It’s a classic example of the style, deeply rooted in Bavarian brewing tradition.
5. Spaten Optimator: A staple among doppelbock enthusiasts, Spaten Optimator delivers deep, malty flavors with notes of chocolate and dark fruits. It’s a well-rounded beer that captures the essence of the bock tradition, offering a hearty and satisfying experience.
6. Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel: Einbecker Brewery claims a historical connection to the origin of the bock style, and their Ur-Bock Dunkel is a tribute to this legacy. It’s a darker, malt-forward beer with a smooth finish, showcasing the traditional flavors that have made bocks beloved by beer lovers.
7. Shiner Bock: Brewed in Texas by the Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner Bock offers a more accessible and lighter take on the bock style. Its popularity has made it a gateway for many into the world of bocks, featuring a gentle malt sweetness and a clean finish.

These bocks represent just a sampling of the rich variety available within this beer style. Each brewery brings its own unique interpretation to the table, offering beer enthusiasts a wide range of flavors and experiences to explore.

Fan Favorite Lagers

Lager beers are celebrated for their crisp, refreshing qualities and are among the most widely consumed types of beer globally. Here’s a list of some popular Lager beers that span a range of styles within the Lager category:

1. Pilsner Urquell: Brewed in the Czech Republic, Pilsner Urquell is the original Pilsner beer, offering a clear, golden color and a balance of hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness. Its crisp finish and floral hop aroma set the standard for the Pilsner style.
2. Budweiser: Known as “The King of Beers,” Budweiser is an American Lager that has become a global brand. It’s known for its light, clean taste and is brewed using a mix of American and European hop varieties.
3. Yuengling Traditional Lager: As America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling produces this iconic Amber Lager. It boasts a rich amber color and a medium-bodied flavor with a balance of malt and hops.
4. Heineken: This Dutch Lager is one of the most internationally recognized beer brands. It offers a mildly bitter taste and a clear, golden color, making it a staple Lager in many parts of the world.
5. Beck’s: Originating from Germany, Beck’s is a classic German Pilsner known for its green bottle and distinctive hop-forward flavor. It’s a crisp, refreshing beer with a slightly bitter finish.
6. Corona Extra: A top-selling Mexican Lager, Corona Extra is famous for its light, crisp taste and is often served with a lime wedge to add citrus flavor. It’s a popular choice for casual drinking occasions.
7. Samuel Adams Boston Lager: This Vienna-style Lager from the Boston Beer Company has helped pioneer the American craft beer movement. It features a complex balance of caramel malt sweetness and spicy hop flavors.
8. Modelo Especial: Another well-loved Mexican Lager, Modelo Especial is a rich, full-flavored pilsner-style beer that offers a crisp and refreshing taste with a hint of orange blossom and honey.
9. Stella Artois: A Belgian Pilsner with a heritage dating back to 1366, Stella Artois is known for its floral hop aroma, well-balanced malt sweetness, and a soft dry finish.
10. Asahi Super Dry: From Japan, Asahi Super Dry is brewed using a unique yeast that produces a clean, crisp taste with a quick finish. It’s a rice Lager that has gained international popularity for its refreshing flavor.

These Lagers represent a broad spectrum of the Lager family, from traditional Pilsners and American Lagers to international favorites. Each offers a unique taste experience, reflecting the diversity and global appeal of Lager beers.

Milko Pours

Craft beer milk pours represent a unique and visually captivating method of serving beer, particularly embraced within the craft beer community for styles that benefit from a rich, creamy texture. This technique involves pouring the beer in such a way that the glass initially fills with a dense, foamy head, resembling milk in its smoothness and consistency. The spectacle of the foam settling into the liquid beer not only offers an appealing presentation but also enhances the drinking experience by emphasizing the beer’s aroma and mouthfeel. Milk pours are especially popular with nitro beers and creamy stouts, including milk stouts, where the nitrogenation or the addition of lactose adds to the silky, luxurious body of the beer, making each sip a decadent experience.

The art of the milk pour in craft beer goes beyond mere aesthetics; it is a testament to the brewer’s skill in creating a beer that can maintain such a texture and to the server’s prowess in executing the pour perfectly. This method accentuates the sensory attributes of the beer, from its visual appeal to its tactile sensation and taste, creating a more engaging and enjoyable beer-drinking experience. As craft beer enthusiasts continue to seek out new and unique beer experiences, the milk pour stands out as a distinctive practice that highlights the creativity and innovation inherent in the craft beer culture, making it a cherished ritual for both brewers and beer lovers alike.

Related Articles

• What is Bock Beer? Exploring the Bock Beer Style: A Journey from Einbeck to Munich
• What is Lager Beer? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Beer Style
• What is the Difference Between Bock and Lager Beer? Unraveling the Brews: The Distinctive Worlds of Lager and Bock

See Also

• Information on Milko Pours
• The Rise of Craft Lagers in Pennsylvania Brewing

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

 

A delicious Bock beer.

Exploring the Bock Beer Style: A Journey from Einbeck to Munich

The tapestry of beer styles is rich and diverse, with certain brews evoking the essence of their birthplaces. Just as Munich is synonymous with Marzën, the Bock style of beer is indelibly linked to its origin city, Einbeck.

Discovering Einbeck’s Brewing Legacy

For many, the name Einbeck might not ring a bell, yet this German city, nestled south of Hannover, played a pivotal role in the annals of brewing history during the 14th century. Einbeck’s significance in the beer world arose from a confluence of serendipitous factors. Firstly, its membership in the Hanseatic League—a medieval commercial network connecting various European cities—afforded it significant leverage in exporting goods, including beer. Secondly, the region’s suitability for hop cultivation coincided with the growing recognition of hops as an essential beer ingredient.

Historically, brewers used a concoction of herbs and spices called gruit to preserve and flavor their beer. However, the variability of gruit compositions often led to inconsistent tastes or, worse, contamination. The discovery of hops’ preservative qualities revolutionized brewing, a revelation possibly first documented by a German nun. With its strategic commercial position and access to hops, Einbeck quickly established itself as a brewing authority, laying the groundwork for the creation of Bock beers.

The Evolution of Bock Beer

Originally, the Bock beers of Einbeck bore little resemblance to the varieties we know today. Brewed with pale malts and often incorporating wheat, these early Bocks were a departure from the cloudy, dark beers typical of the era, offering a novel, clearer, and paler alternative.

However, Einbeck’s brewing dominance began to wane in the early 17th century, marred by the devastations of the Thirty Years’ War, a catastrophic fire, and declining exports. The popularity of the Bock style among Germans prompted governmental intervention to ensure its continued production and sale. In a pivotal move in 1612, a brewmaster from Einbeck was commissioned to travel to Bavaria to impart the knowledge of Bock beer brewing to Munich’s brewers, known for their dark Munich Dunkel beers.

Adapting the Einbeck recipe, Munich brewers introduced darker malts and employed new lagering techniques. The resulting beer, though darker and stronger, was fermented at the bottom of vats and aged for months, yielding a smoother, lighter brew with rich malt complexity. Thus, the Bock beer evolved from a blonde beer in Einbeck to a darker, more robust version in Munich.

Diverse Expressions of Bock Beer

Today, the Bock beer category encompasses two primary variants:

• The pale Helles-Bock,
• And the darker Dunkels-Bock, considered the traditional Bock style.

There are obviously many more variants of Bocks and different ways to brew them, but these are the two biggest “sub-categories” of Bock beers.

Both variants are celebrated for their malty character and rich bakery-like flavors, though they differ in color and subtle aroma and flavor nuances due to the malts used in their production. Traditional Bocks are known for their darker hue, malt-rich flavor, and subdued bitterness compared to Helles Bocks. They offer a less alcoholic warmth and more pronounced maltiness than Doppelbocks but carry more intense malt flavors and alcohol content than Märzens.

In contrast, Helles Bocks feature prominent bready notes and a slight toastiness, lacking the deeper malt complexity found in Doppelbocks or traditional Dunkels Bocks.

This exploration of Bock beer not only highlights the rich heritage of brewing but also showcases the evolution and diversity within the style, from its origins in Einbeck to its refinement in Munich.

In Conclusion

Bock beer stands as a testament to the rich and evolving tradition of brewing, deeply rooted in the historical tapestry of Germany. From its origins in the small town of Einbeck, which played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of hop-based brewing, to its refinement and variation in Munich, the journey of Bock beer through history is a fascinating story of adaptation, innovation, and survival. The Bock style’s enduring popularity underscores not only the skill and knowledge of its brewers but also the changing tastes and preferences of beer drinkers over centuries. Its deep malty flavors, diverse variants, and rich cultural heritage make it a beloved choice among connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.

The evolution of Bock beer from a pale, wheat-based brew to its darker, maltier Munich variations reflects broader trends in brewing technology and consumer preferences. The transition to hop-based preservation and the development of lagering techniques represent significant milestones in brewing history, with Bock beer at the heart of these innovations. Today, the Bock style encompasses a range of flavors and strengths, from the lighter Helles-Bock to the robust Dunkels-Bock and the potent Doppelbock, offering something for every palate.

Bock beer’s journey from Einbeck to Munich and beyond is a compelling chapter in the world’s brewing history, illustrating the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation. As brewers continue to experiment and reinterpret this classic style, Bock beer remains a beloved link to the past, even as it evolves to meet the tastes of modern beer enthusiasts. Its rich flavor profile, historical significance, and adaptability ensure that Bock beer will continue to be celebrated and enjoyed for generations to come, standing as a proud emblem of brewing excellence and heritage.

Related Articles

• What is Bock Beer? Exploring the Bock Beer Style: A Journey from Einbeck to Munich
• What is Lager Beer?
• What is the Difference Between Bock and Lager Beer?

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Which we all know means we need to eat plenty of turkey, mash potatoes, stuffing, cranberry, and of course – drink lots of beer. So we would be amiss if we didn’t share a fantastic Turkey Day recipe for you all!

We suggest using Troegenator by Troegs Independent Brewing; but you can use any beer you want – we would just suggest a darker beer to impart more flavor.

Why Use Beer

There’s just something to roasting with beer; it just gives the turkey skin that perfect crispy skin and makes the meat so juicy and tender. Falling off the bones tender.

Beer is a fantastic marinade, and can be used for burgers, chicken, turkey, chili, you name it. Honestly, the options are endless. At work people have talked about Mad Elf Cookies, Grand Cacao Chocolate Cake, etc. Fourscore Beer Company in Gettysburg turns some of their most popular beers into frozen yogurt / ice creams. Perfection in the summer!

Take the time to allow the turkey to soak overnight in a drunken mix of Troegenator (or your favorite beer of choice), smashed garlic cloves, and any herbs you like. Remember to pull it out of the fridge and let it unchill for about an hour or so.

Roasting

Personally, I prefer to let my turkey roast under foil, for about 90 minutes. This gives it that right amount of time to let the meat to get juicy and tender, and to let the beer really soak in. This should properly let it cook through. Now remove the foil (make sure you remove the foil) before putting it in your oven grill.

Here it becomes a bit less science and more “fly by your pants”. Let it in until the skin gets a nice golden, crispy, delicious looking brown. This is your call and your preference. So you decide when to remove it – but I suggest making sure its a golden brown. This insures that the skin is at its crispiest.

I suggest buying the case of 19.2 oz Troegenators at your local beverage distributor. They make for the perfect size for cooking the turkey. Not just for use in the recipe – but also for drinking while cooking – and the remainder can be served at the dinner!

Ingredients

(Serving size of six people.)

• 6 Turkey cutlets (drumsticks and thighs), washed and patted dry with paper towel
• 2 x 19.2 oz cans of Troegenator by Troegs Independent Brewing **
• 8 whole garlic cloves , crushed (Smash them with the flat side of a knife and the heel of your hand. DO NOT mince them.)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable stock powder
• Salt to taste (about 1 tablespoon)
• 2 sprigs of thyme , finely chopped
• 1 sprig of rosemary , finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• Extra herbs to garnish

(** = Option is up to you on this; what beer you use and the amount you use. I recommend two 19.2 oz cans, but you can use more or less, and you can use a different beer than Troegenator. I would suggest darker beers – bocks, double bocks, schwarzbiers, non – adjunct heavy stouts, porters, nut brown ales, barleywines, etc.)

Instructions

Place the turkey into a large baking dish. Pierce 1-inch slits through the turkey skin into the meat (about ½-inch deep). Pour in the beer; add the crushed garlic, stock powder and salt; turn the turkey skin side down; cover with foil and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight for a deeper flavour. (Rotate the turkey once while soaking in the brine to ensure an even flavour when baking.) You can use a large conatiner for proper brining if you wish, but I find this method works and fits in our refrigerator!

When ready to roast; preheat oven to 200 °C | 390°F. Drain half of the beer marinade, leaving the remaining liquid in the pan. Cover with foil and make sure the sides of the pan are completely sealed. Place into the oven and roast for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through. Remove from oven, uncover and rotate each portion. Change oven setting to grill (or broil) on medium-high heat and continue to roast until the skin is golden and crisp. Rotate to crisp the underside. Allow to rest 10-15 minutes to redistribute the juices.

Serving

Its Thanksgiving, so of course you are going to be providing mash potatoes, yam, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and all the other Thanksgiving foods. Whole potatoes go great with the Crispy Roasted Turkey recipe here.

And of course we suggest serving with your left over 19.2 oz Troegenators as well as Mad Elf for a desert beer. What a perfect Thanksgiving turkey meal and drink! Maybe the Bourbon Barrel Aged Impending Descent to cap off the night as the final touch down is scored? Or…. maybe some vintage Bourbon Barrel Aged Mad Elf? (Did we mention, that on Black Friday – Troegs Independent Brewing is releasing 2023’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Mad Elf?)

Either way, enjoy your Thanksgiving and Cheers Everyone!

More Troegs Independent Craft Brewing Related Articles

Looking for more Troegs in your diet? Here’s some other Troegs Independent Craft Brewing related articles we’ve written:

• Troegs Brewing and Wigle Whiskey Team Up to Bring Peach Whiskey Back
• Troegs Independent Craft Brewing Adds 1,628 Solar Panels To Their Brewery
• Beer Review: Double Blizzard (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• The Mad Elf Gets a Face Lift – Troegs Independent Craft Brewing Changes The Mad Elf’s Look
• Troegs Brewing Releasing Cordial Elf
• Beer Review: Double Nugget Nectar (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Beer Review: Grand Cacao (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Beer Review: Scratch 417 (Orange Lemon Peel) (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Beer Review: Haze Charmer (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Beer Review: Scratch 400 (Pre – Prohibition Lager) (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Multiple Beer Review: Scratch 394, Scratch 395, Scratch 396, and Mad Elf (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Two Beer Review: Fresh Fest and Trail Day Pale Ale (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Multiple Beer Reviews: Fest Lager, Scratch 385 – Krausened Dunkel Lager, and Scratch 386 – Tangerine Passionfruit Guava Tart Ale (Troegs Independent Craft Brewery)
• Beer Review: Fuzzy Nudge (Troegs Independent Craft Brewing)
• Multiple Beer Reviews: Scratch 382 – Blackberry Lime Tart Ale, Scratch 383 – Hazy IPA (Citra, Galaxy & Simcoe), Dear Peter, and Naked Elf (Troegs Brewing Company)
• Multiple Beer Review – Brewery Flight (Troegs) – Beers – Scratch #379 – Krausened Keller Pilsner, Scratch #378 – DIPA, Scratch #377 – Oat IPA, and Scratch #376 – Passionfruit & Guava Tart Ale
• Beer Review: Scratch 375: Coco-Nator (Troegs Independent Brewing Company)
• From Philly to Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania’s Top Craft Breweries You Must Visit
• Hershey Bears Celebrate Calder Cup Championship at Troegs Brewery
• Troegs Brewing Company Adds Hopora IPA to Their Seasonal Hop Cycle Series
• Beer Review: Tropical Stout (Troegs Independent Brewing and Windy Bridges Brewing LLC)
• Oktoberfest Lager Returns to Troegs Independent Brewing (Troegs Independent Brewing’s Oktoberfest Lager Has Returned)
• Tröegs Hop Cyclone Releases Today
• Master of Pumpkins Returns for 2023 with Over 3,000 Pounds of Fresh Local Pumpkins
• The Naked Elf Returns for 2023
• Troegs Announces Gingerbread Cookie Stout
• Bourbon Barrel Aged Triple Nator Releasing at Troegs Brewery
• Enchilada Stuffed Peppers and Sunshine Pilsner
• Troegs Brewing Releasing Cyclops Teardrops This Thursday
• Hops and Vines for Hunger Kick-Off Event at Troegs Brewery
• Mad Elf Set to Release on October 9th
• Troegs Independent Brewing is Releasing Scratch 500 and Scratch 501 – Double Perpetual IPA and Triple Perpetual IPA
• Tröegs Independent Brewing Mad Elf Grand Cru Returns In Limited Cork and Cage Bottles
• Tröegs Brewing Releasing the Most Wonderful Beer of the Year Sampler on Monday

For More Information on Troegs Independent Craft Brewing

According to Untappd, Troegs Independent Craft Brewing is a regional brewery with 148 unique beers listed (despite their being over 500 Scratches). They have 2.3 Million ratings and as of 11.22.23 have a global average rating of 3.79. Their Untappd bio reads:

“Founded in Pennsylvania in 1997 by brothers John and Chris Trogner, Tröegs Independent Brewing is driven by a sense of adventure and curiosity. Our brewery has been built by family, friends and kindred spirits who share a love of great beer. Together, we all make Tröegs. You might know our Perpetual IPA, the best-selling IPA in Pennsylvania. Or the dark, malty and crisp Troegenator. You may have come across such iconic beers as Nugget Nectar or Mad Elf in your beer travels. Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to try one or two of the hundreds of experimental Scratch Series beers we’ve brewed over the years. Whether you’re already a member of our extended family or you’re just getting to know our brewery, there’s always something new to discover with Tröegs.“

You can find them at the following social media pages:

• Troegs.com (Official Website)
• Troegs Independent Craft Brewing (Facebook)
• Troegs Independent Craft Brewing (Instagram)
• Troegs Independent Craft Brewing @ Twitter
• Troegs Independent Craft Brewing (Untappd)

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

Craft beer is a broad term that encompasses a wide variety of different beer styles. From light and refreshing pale ales to dark and rich stouts, there is a craft beer style to suit every taste.

Styles of Craft Beer

If you’re new to craft beer or looking to learn more about different craft beer styles, here is a guide to some of the most popular craft beer styles:

• Pale ales: Pale ales are light and refreshing beers with a moderate hop flavor. Popular pale ale styles include American pale ales, English pale ales, and India pale ales (IPAs).
• IPAs: IPAs are a type of pale ale that is known for its strong hop flavor and aroma. IPAs can range in bitterness from moderate to extreme. Popular IPA styles include American IPAs, West Coast IPAs, and New England IPAs.
• Stouts: Stouts are dark and full-bodied beers with a roasted malt flavor. Popular stout styles include American stouts, English stouts, and Irish stouts.
• Porters: Porters are dark and flavorful beers that fall somewhere between stouts and brown ales. Popular porter styles include American porters, English porters, and brown porters.
• Wheat beers: Wheat beers are light and refreshing beers that are made with a significant amount of wheat malt. Popular wheat beer styles include American wheat beers, Belgian witbiers, and German hefeweizens.
• Sour beers: Sour beers are beers that have been fermented with wild yeast or bacteria, which gives them a sour flavor. Popular sour beer styles include American sours, Belgian lambics, and German gose.

Explore!

These are just a few of the many different craft beer styles that are available. With so many different styles to choose from, there is sure to be a craft beer style out there that everyone will enjoy. Cheers!

Some Good Articles to Read

• How to Find the Best Craft Beer Near You
• Guinness Baltimore Blonde Beer Production Moving to New York
• The Beerded Goat Brewing Company Taking over the old NewFangled Brewery
• Unleashing the History of Flying Dog Brewery: From Fearless Beginnings to Craft Beer Excellence

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

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(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

Creature Comforts & Burial Beer Co. Culture Keepers Maibock Photo: Let Us Drink Beer Blog

Are you a season drinker? Many beer enthusiasts who enjoy a variety of styles tend to make their selections based on particular times of year or events. Summer is great for lighter, refreshing styles like Koslch, Pilsner or Saison. Fall is time for Oktoberfest beers. The Holiday Season begs for spiced Christmas beers. Winter calls for hearty Stouts or Baltic Porter. What about Spring? I dare say most beer drinkers do not associate a particular beer with Spring, but I submit to you Maibock. It’s not apparent why, maybe pale Mexican lager overshadows it because of Cinco de Mayo, but Maibock is overlooked by most breweries and beer enthusiasts as the essential Spring seasonal beer.

Before getting into what Maibock is, we should touch on a little background. Bock style beers are strong (Starkbier) beers that originated in Germany. In his seminal guide to the world of beers The Beer Bible, Jeff Alworth describes Bocks as “Germany’s sipping beers”. They encompass Helles/Dunkles Bock, Dopplebock and Eisbock (a distilled beer). Many beer drinkers are familiar with world class Doppelbock offerings like Ayinger Celebrator and Paulaner Salvator. These rich, full bodied lagers were originally brewed by Franciscan monks for sustenance during fasting. If you are really lucky, you may have a local brewery that will make a Doppelbock from time to time. Then there is standard Bock. When looking for standard Bock, you’ll find them in either a lighter colored Helles Bock or darker Dunkles Bock. Where does Maibock fit into all this? Maibock (Mai is German for May, Bock means buck or goat – that’s another blog post!) is a Helles Bock brewed to be drunk – you guessed it – in the Spring.

Maibock is lager (bottom fermented) beer brewed using mostly Pilsner and Vienna malts with caramel or Munich malt added for color. Hops are Noble varieties, typically Saazer. The results are a malty beer with a grainy, light toast backbone supporting a spicy or, sometimes floral, hop aroma and flavor. It will be medium bodied with a distinctly clean lager finish. ABV’s land between 6% and 7.5%. Think of it as a fuller bodied, more rich and stronger version of Helles or Amber lager.

Creature Comforts & Burial Beer Co. Culture Keepers Maibock Photo: Let Us Drink Beer Blog

In the United States, Maibock can be a bit of a challenge to find. Not many breweries pay attention to it with the popularity of pale lagers and IPA. If you are interested in trying this style out, and I highly recommend you do, start looking for them in late March into April. Hofbrau Maibock is one that is fairly readily available if you have a bottle shop that is well stocked with imports. Even better, if you have a lager focused brewery near you, that’s a great place to try on fresh on tap. Some excellent examples can be found at Dovetail Brewing (IL), KC Bier Co. (MO), Rosenstadt Brewery (OR), and East Brothers(CA). My personal favorite is a wonderful collaboration between Creature Comforts Brewing (GA) and Burial Beer Co. (NC) named Culture Keepers. You’ll find my review of it here.

It’s pretty hard to compete with Cinco de Mayo, especially in North America, but I’d love to see Maibock make a bit of a comeback as a more available seasonal beer in Spring. If you have a favorite or you local brewery makes one annual, be sure to give them a shout out in the comments.

Thanks for reading and until next time…

Let Us Drink Beer!

Remember, always drink responsibly!

Let Us Drink Beer

Thanks for reading, until next time…Let Us Drink Beer!

Remember, always drink responsibly!

Other Let Us Drink Beer Reviews:

• Beer Review: Galactic Space Circus (Creature Comforts Brewing Co.)
• Beer Review: Fast Fjord Norwegian IPA (Gate City Brewing)
• Variant Brewing Company – Roswell, GA
• Beer Review: ETA IPA (Wild Leap Brew Co.)
• Beer Review: Koko Buni (Creature Comforts)
• Beer Review: Heady Topper (The Alchemist)
• Seasonal Drinking – Maibock

Thank You For Reading

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• MAPS OF BREWERIES

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The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

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If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

Its now been a week since I’ve returned from my trip (my last day of my vacation and trip was last Saturday – November 14th, 2020; and today is now November 22nd, 2020). Each night I posted a quick recap of each day, and you’ll be able to find the links to that at the end of this article, as well as the links to the full articles as well.

I was debating how I wanted to do this, if I wanted to do them daily, with a new article for each day, or if I wanted to break it up into two or three day chunks (like day one through day three being one article), or just one giant article with all seven days in one. I’m not sure whats best, but I last second decision, I’m doing them as daily articles, and might do one long combined one as well (just copy and paste of the seven articles into one with some added post-scripts) for ease of readers who prefer one larger article.

I can’t easily break into geographically, because I go from Pennsylvania through West Virginia into Ohio, to Indianapolis, back to Ohio, jumping into Kentucky, to West Virginia, back to Pennsylvania – with days in between each state, so doing it geographically wouldn’t work; so I was left with just doing this chronologically.

For those of you used to my beer reviews and other articles, these travelogues are more rambling, more stream of consciousness remembrances of my trips and how they transpired. I keep things chronological, and I remember and recall them in order of how they happened, but I’m more prone to digressions, discussions of what happened, and I do a little less editing, so some of this might seem like rambling, or like George R.R. Martin writing a feast. But hopefully, you find it entertaining, and at least enjoy the read.

Firstly, an overview of my trip. I was given six days off – Monday through Saturday (with my natural days off work being Thursday and Friday; so I was really given Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday – four days off). I called off Sunday (day one of this trip) to give myself a full seven days off. Ironically, due to having to ‘quarantine’ when returning, I got myself an extra ten days and it turned into a seventeen day vacation. But I’ll get to that later, probably at the end of the whole series.

Work has been hectic with vacation days due to how COVID-19 and the shutdown / lockdown and quarantine earlier in the year screwed up pretty much everyone’s vacation days. Once coming back we weren’t allowed vacation days or even PTO / requested days, and once they posted when vacation days were allowed, everyone jumped on them before I could even get to it. Despite being top twenty seniority, I was low man on the totem pole due to not signing up right away.

So, I was only given four days off rather than the standard week (whatever your week is, since we have different weekend off days). My plan was to drive out to Indianapolis, to be at the Vonnegut Museum and Library, on November 11th, Veteran’s Day, Armistice Day, Kurt Vonnegut’s birthday. And then drive back home. I wanted to stop out and do some hiking trails on the way out and back. And hit up a lot of breweries too of course. Planned hiking trails were Hocking Hills in Ohio, 1000 Steps Trail in Pennsylvania, and Ohiopyl in Pennsylvania.

I am not much of a driver, not a huge fan of it. Not really a big fan of driving for an hour just to get somewhere, and I think its one of the main reasons I’ve never been a huge traveler or even brewery jumper; I mean, I’ve hit every brewery near by, but unlike these guys in some of the beer groups and beer trading groups and such on Facebook / Twitter / etc, I’ve never been the most willing to drive an hour and a half to a brewery just to pick up a four pack (or a ton of four packs and mule them back) and then turn around and drive an hour and a half back home. The breweries I’ve visited were usually a result of being in the area for some form of vacation, trip, etc, especially when I was married and with my daughters. Go to the beach, hit a brewery in the area. Go to the Crayola Factory, hit a brewery in the area. Etc.

But, now that I am single (…hey ladies….) and divorced, and by myself, I have found I’ve been driving a bit more. Could be the single-ness and being by myself, could be COVID and having a lot more free time this year, but I’ve found myself driving an hour to go find a hiking trail and walking a hiking trail, like going to Pinnacle Overlook and Pulpit Rock in Hamburg, and then stopping at 1787 Brewing (check out my Hamburg Travelogue for more on that).

Last year, I had taken my daughters, just me and them, out north and west in Pennsylvania. Going up to Elk Country, to Kinzua Bridge, to Pittsburgh, to Bushy Run, and Johnstown, and back home. Was a way to escape and get away from the divorce that was beginning and happening, and the separation that wasn’t separating (hard to really call it a separation when she asks for the divorce and still stays in the house and lives in the same house for a while), and we had a wonderful time. You can check out those stories in the travelogue section as well. So this trip was going to follow a similar pattern, but instead of having with, it was just me. Not even my faithful canine companion Leela. Just me. On a six – now seven – day trip out to Indianapolis and back.

I did very little mapping for this, and did a lot more of the ‘winging’ it variety. Looking up some places in the morning / night before at hotels, and figuring out what I wanted, where I wanted to go, what I wanted to see and what I wanted to do. Typically I tried to break up my driving so I never drove more than an hour and a half at a time, and I would hit a small walk path or hiking trail or a brewery, just something to break up the monotony of driving, especially once you get into Ohio where its just all flat land.

Realizing that just Monday and Tuesday would probably not give me enough time to get to Indianapolis and hit some hiking trails, and do some drinking at breweries, I called off work Sunday, and started my trip a day early. I had to go to the Hershey Library and drop off some books, and so my trip started pretty much where it will end. Rubber Soul Brewing for a quick snack breakfast and wake up, then Hershey Library, and then on the road. Rubber Soul is right in town (Hummelstown) and will be the beginning and end to this trip, to give you some indication of my trip.

The above map shows you my first day’s trip and travel. Rubber Soul to Hershey Library, to Thousand Steps, to Juniata Brewing Company, to Ghost Town Trail, to Levity Brewing, and then right next to Levity (right across the street) was the hotel I spent the night in.

I typically tried to find a hotel / motel right (a block or two, or three at most) from the brewery I was last visiting, for many reasons, time, travel, safety, etc. Figured it was the best idea and limited issues that could pop up.

So, after dropping off books I had to drop off at the Hershey Library, I was on the road, about an hour or so to get to the Thousand Steps trail.

The parking lot / area for this hike path, is right along the highway. You pull off into a parking area and pull into parking spaces, and then walk about forty to fifty feet to the trailhead right alongside the highway. It was a gorgeous day, and I must say, I got extremely lucky for my entire trip. The first several days were the hottest, warmest, sunniest days of November that I can ever recall in my thirty five years of existence in Pennsylvania. The place was packed, so while everyone immediately went up the stairs, I turned left and took the Standing Stone Trail (North), which connects with the Thousand Steps trail.

This was a relatively simple trail, just at high altitude, and was off the beaten path of the Thousand Steps trail (which is primarily what everyone comes for). Didn’t pass a single soul on this two – three mile trail (a back and forth trail). Once back to the crossing with the Thousand Trails, I then went up the stairs.

I thought I was in shape. Really, not…. well, not “in shape” in shape. But at least not, dying any second, morbidly obese, shape either. Thirty five, I walk my dog a lot, I hike, I lift weights, but…. a thousand stairs / steps up, is pretty damn brutal, I won’t lie. I felt it. I think I gained one of those “booties” everyone is always talking about getting, just from walking up all the stairs.

My favorite quote, was, around the ledge, at I believe it was just over the 400 step mark, a rather rotund younger boy (probably 10 – 12) huffing, and puffing, leans against a tree, and says: “Thank god…. I’m never gonna do this again!” To which his dad then proudly points out that they are kind of at the halfway point. The look of pure dread and despair that crossed that poor boy’s face…. oh my.

These were all the pictures I took on the Standing Stone Trail, the Thousand Steps Trail, the various overlooks at the top, and the Dinky Shed at the top. (Its a large gallery, so you can either space your way through it or skip it.) (Yes, let this be your warning, that these travelogue posts will be including lots of pictures, and thankfully none of me, but lots of nature, waterfalls, lakes, parks, and of course… beer.)

While at the top, my internet kicked back in my phone, and as all the notifications and texts and everything pinged and pinged and came in, it was while sitting there at the top, that I got the notice that Alex Trebek passed away. I obviously never met him, and he never knew me or heard of me, but, I did grow up watching Jeopardy with my father, with my grandmother, and he always seemed like a person and a spirit that made the world better for having him in it. This is an unfortunate loss, to many, but he did fight, and he put up a good hard fight in the battle against Cancer. Hopefully some day we will defeat it, but in the meantime, its a fight that a lot will take on, and its not an easy one.

All told, my hiking was about 6 miles, and by the time I made it back to my car (where I nearly got hit by a dude flying on the highway, because I had to walk around a large SUV that didn’t want to fully pull up into their parking space) my legs were pretty tired. Nearby was Juniata Brewing Company, so that was my first brewery stop of the trip (outside of counting Rubber Soul at home).

This was a very nice location. Small, with a nice outdoor seating area. They had their own hops growing by the picnic area where you sat. And they did flights (which is my preferred method when traveling and trying new breweries for the first time). I got a flight of five.

My flight consisted of:

• Standing Stone Stout
• Rowdy Viking
• GAPA IPA
• Oktoberfest
• Raspberry Wheat

Beer: Standing Stone Stout
Brewery: Juniata Brewing Company
Style: Stout – Other
ABV: (None Listed)
IBU: (None Listed)
Untappd Description: A delicious stout brewed with Huntingdon’s own Standing Stone Coffee.
My Untappd Rating: 3.75
Global Untappd Rating: 3.98 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Raspberry Wheat
Brewery: Juniata Brewing Company
Style: Wheat Beer – Other
ABV: 5.4%
IBU: 15
Untappd Description: Lightly tart, slightly sweet. A good springtime companion!
My Untappd Rating: 3.75
Global Untappd Rating: 3.78 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Oktoberfest
Brewery: Juniata Brewing Company
Style: Marzen
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: 25
Untappd Description: A classic marzen with light toasted and roasted flavors and a slight bitterness. Dark amber in color.
My Untappd Rating: 3.75
Global Untappd Rating: 3.96 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: GAPA IPA
Brewery: Juniata Brewing Company
Style: IPA – Black / Cascadian Dark Ale
ABV: 5.4%
IBU: 40
Untappd Description: This Black IPA balances caramel notes and a slight rye spice with the resinous aroma of Chinook hops and a pleasing bitter finish. Collaboration brew with Our Culture Brewing out of Atlanta GA.
My Untappd Rating: 3.50
Global Untappd Rating: 3.98 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Rowdy Viking
Brewery: Juniata Brewing Company
Style: Brown Ale – American
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: 20
Untappd Description: A honey brown ale: malty, roasty, with a dry finish. Notes of honey and floral hops.
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.94 (as of 11.22.20)

On Untappd, Juniata Brewing Company is listed as a Micro Brewery from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. They have 22 unique beers, 1,100 ratings, and an average rating of 3.89. They have no description on the site.

After leaving Juniata Brewing Company, I drove to the Ghost Town Trails at the Hoodlebug connection. Apparently, this is much more of a bike path and trail than it is a walking path, especially at this conjuncture – if you want to see anything. It was also starting to get a bit darker (one of the problems about this trip being in November, was that by 4:00PM it was becoming dusk, by 4:30PM it was near dark, and at 5:00PM it was completely dark). There is a lot to see on the Ghost Town Trail, old abandoned buildings and such, but not where I walked. I walked the path for about 2-3 miles, and did the loop of the playground, and went back to my car.

After this, I drove up the fifteen or so minutes to Indiana and visited what was a wonderful brewery. Top three breweries of my entire trip, and in all of my travels, probably a top ten brewery I’ve visited (total, out of all the countless breweries I’ve visited) (thus far).

I absolutely loved my time here, had two wonderful flights, got to talk to Eric, who was a fantastic bartender, and as it turned out, was a co-owner, who even sent me on my way with some free beer. (Without even knowing about my blog, after my flights, and when I was leaving, he was asking me what my favorite beer from the flights were, and I told him, and he gave me a can of it to go.)

Eric was top notch, talking to me, coming by to check on me, asking about my trip, the book I was reading, etc. I cannot recommend this brewery enough.

Firstly, I’m not a foodie, I’ve mentioned this several times here on the blog, food is an afterthought to me. Much to the chagrin of many of my fellow brewery travelers, who go to visit breweries just as much for the food as they do the beers. (Deuene being a prime example.) But, these Yolo Dogs from Levity, are absolutely phenomenal, and if you are ever at the brewery, they are a must buy. Two hot dogs, covered in bacon, beer cheese, scallions, onions, and a ton of potato chips, go perfectly with two flights of amazing beers. You can’t go wrong with that.

I had gotten two flights, watched the Dallas – Steelers game, which being near Pittsburgh country, I was inundated with Steeler fans (ugh…. as a Cincinnati Bengals fan, coming out to Pittsburgh and through the area is always rough, especially football season), read my book about the President’s office (The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency by John Dickerson), and enjoyed amazing food and drinks.

My flights included:

• ICFC Straight Red
• Hoodlebug Brown Ale
• Headlamp Stout
• Knock and Howl (2019)
• Debacle Doppelbock
• Haze Frehley
• End of Haze
• Punky Bruiser

Levity Brewing Company (according to Untappd) is a brew pub in Indiana, Pennsylvania. It has 65 unique beers, with 34, 226 ratings and a global average rating of 3.76. The Untappd description for the brewery reads: “Levity Brewing Company is a small brewery and pub in Indiana, PA-about an hour east of Pittsburgh. We aim to brew clean, crisp, and dry examples of style and bring a diversity of beers to our community. At any time we offer a variety of IPAs, kettle-soured fruit beers, oak-aged wild beers, etc, etc, etc..”

Beer: ICFC Straight Red
Brewery: Levity Brewing Company
Style: Red Ale – American Amber / Red Ale
ABV: 4.9%
IBU: 18
Untappd Description: This soccer club amber ale – initially developed for the Indiana County Football Club – is an easy drinking but flavorful pick me up after the big game. Lovely amber, bready, nutty, crisp. Toss one back with your team, the competition, maybe even the referee.
My Untappd Rating: 4.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.64 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Hoodlebug Brown Ale
Style: Brown Ale – American
ABV: 6.8%
IBU: 34
Untappd Description: This easy-to-love beer is loaded with caramel malts and is gently hopped. Well-rounded, great with your dinner, not too filling. This beer has hit a sweet spot with our customers making it one of our best sellers. Named after the Hoodlebug Trail – a popular rails-to-trails path right next to the brewery. And a portion of sales are donated to trail maintenance!
My Untappd Rating: 4.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.76 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Headlamp Stout
Brewery: Levity Brewing Company
Style: Stout – Imperial / Double
ABV: 8.9%
IBU: 53
Untappd Description: Just like the coal mines under us in Western PA, this beer is deep, dark, and complex. Cherry cordial sweetness shines through the dark roast and chocolate creating a fascinatingly rich, desert-like beer
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.83 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Knock and Howl (2019)
Brewery: Levity Brewing Company
Style: American Wilde Ale
ABV: 7.3%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: Our wild brown ale aged in well used bourbon barrels. Roasted oak and cherry pie on the nose. Sour cherry and caramel candy flavors with a Concord red wine finish
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.83 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Debacle Doppelbock
Brewery: Levity Brewing Company
Style: Bock – Doppelbock
ABV: 7%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (Blank)
My Untapped Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.52 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Haze Frehley
Brewery: Levity Brewing Company
Style: IPA – New England
ABV: 6.7%
IBU: 42
Untappd Description: Hazy, juicy, grapefruit flavors out of this world. If you like IPA’s you are sure to enjoy this one. Bravo, Citra, & Mosaic, hops. You can smell the big tropical grapefruit aroma a mile away.
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.79 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: End of Haze
Brewery: Levity Brewing Company
Style: IPA – New England
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: Sabro and Moutere hops are our secret weapon to defeat the powers of darkness invading our world. Combined, they hyper-blast out a fruity, tropical, citrus beam of pure energy.
My Untappd Rating: 4.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.65 (as of 11.22.20)

Beer: Punky Bruiser
Brewery: Levity Brewing Company
Style: Porter – Baltic
ABV: 7%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: Baltic Porter is a lager that’s smooth, clean, and delicate from a long cool fermentation. Plum floats perfectly with the dark chocolate, and toffee flavors, but never overpowers.
My Untappd Rating: 4.5
Global Untappd Rating: 3.66 (as of 11.22.20)

Overall, both Levity and Juniata Brewing were great breweries. Levity Brewing gets my nod for being my favorite of the two, and Punky Bruiser gets my gold star for favorite beer of the day. Out of my hiking for the day, I really enjoyed the Thousand Steps trail. Was a beautiful trail, hard, but not impossible, with amazing, gorgeous views at the top.

I almost forgot to mention, that, I ran into a group of hikers all in various brewery / hop logo attire (shirts / hoodie), and I was wearing my Boneshire Mug Club shirt, and we were talking about Boneshire Brew Works, and the one was saying he had a roommate who worked there, and the woman was saying how she kept going back to their tent at the Gettysburg Brew Fest they went to. I had ran into the brother-in-law of Matt Trevan, a bartender at Boneshire Brew Works, when I went to Hawk Rock (you can read about that in the travelogues section).

After leaving Levity, and talking to some bikers (cyclists), and Eric, and Nathan the other bartender, I made my way over to the Wyndham across the street, got my room for the night, and promptly crashed. I believed I started watching some of the Sunday Night Football game, and I can’t even recall who it was, if it was the horrible Tampa Bay / Saints game or if that was the Monday night game, I don’t even remember, because I was soon fast asleep.

The next update on this series, will take me into Pittsburgh and to Washington, and then day three begins my trip into Ohio.

I hope you enjoyed this. You can read more about the individual days in quick recap form below, and you can read and see the many other travelogues I’ve done. You can also check around the site for beer reviews, brewery reviews, brewery news, brewer interviews, and what have you. Please comment, follow, and subscribe, I always love hearing from you guys.

Thanks for reading, and please stay safe out there everyone, as we get near the Thanksgiving season, this has certainly been a trying and difficult year, hopefully everyone stays safe for the holidays, and we all make it to 2021 safe and sound.

Cheers!

-B. Kline

The Trip to Indianapolis – Full Articles:

• Day One: Thousand Steps Trail, Juniata Brewing Company, Ghost Town Trail, Levity Brewing
• Day Two:
• Day Three:
• Day Four:
• Day Five:
• Day Six:
• Day Seven:

The Trip to Indianapolis – Recap Articles:

• The Trip to Indy
• The Trip to Indy – Day One Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Two Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Three Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Four Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Five Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Six Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Seven Recap
• Recap and Stats

August (2019) Road Trip Series:

• Going on the Road
• The Trip: Day 1 Recap
• The Trip: Day 2 Recap
• The Trip: Day 3 Recap

Rickett’s Glen (2020) Road Trip Series:

• A Road Trip to Rickett’s Glen
• The Trip to Rickett’s Glen

Monocacy Battlefield Road Trip:

• Impromptu Two-Day Trip to Frederick Maryland
• Road Trip to Monocacy Battlefield (June 19th – June 20th, 2020)

Visiting Reading Pennsylvania:

• A Visit to Reading
• The Birthday Trip to Reading Pennsylvania – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

A Road Trip to The PA Grand Canyon:

• Visiting Wellsboro PA and the Grand Canyon

Hiking Hawk Rock

• Hiking Hawk Rock and Visiting Liquid Noise Brewery

Hiking Pinnacle Trail and Pulpit Rock

• Hiking to Pinnacle Overlook, Pulpit Rock, Visiting 1787 Brewing and Schaylor Brewing

Hiking Around Ephrata Pennsylvania:

• Hiking Around Ephrata Pennsylvania – Pour Man’s Brewing, Black Forest Brewery

Hiking Sunset Rocks and Checking Out Maxie’s Brewhouse:

• Hiking Sunset Rocks and Checking Out Maxie’s Brewhouse in Shippensburg Pennsylvania

Other Brewery Hopping Articles:

• Brewery Touring York and Hanover PA
• Brewery Hopping – 12.27.19
• Breweries Around the Outskirts of Harrisburg – 9.6.19

My Article for Breweries in PA:

• Touring Breweries Around Harrisburg

My Podcast About Breweries in Central PA:

• Beers with Strangers – A Beer Thriller in Hershey

Some other brewery tour and road trip articles:

• A Sneak Peak at the New Rubber Soul Brewery in Hummelstown
• A Brewery Tour of Mellow Mink
• Brewery Review: Battlefield Brew Works
• Brewery Review: Cushwa Brewing
• A Trip to Gettysburg and Beer Review: This is Nut the Fluff You’re Looking For (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: Road Trip Snacks (Panther Island Brewing)

Also, be sure to check out some of our other beer reviews in recent history:

• Beer Review: Dreams of Orgonon (Human Robot)
• Beer Review: Unicorns Stomping on Lanternflies (Saucony Creek Brewing Co)
• Beer Review: Griddle (Funk Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Blue Milk (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Up the Creek Extreme Ale (Thomas Creek Brewery)
• Beer Review: Hershey’s Chocolate Porter (Yuengling Brewery)
• Beer Review: Dropout (Rubber Soul Brewing)
• Beer Review: Pigtoberfest (Boneshire Brew Works)
• Beer Review: I Voted Today (Tired Hands)
• Beer Review: Super Villain (Urban Village Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Wookie Monster (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: Shallow Grave (Nitro) (Heretic Brewing)
• Beer Review: The Growfather (Stickman Brews)
• Beer Review: The Pandalorian (Tattered Flag)

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Matt contacted us through the blog about visiting him at Mellow Mink and spending some time seeing the behind the scenes, the blending program, and just generally hanging out. Myself (Ben) and Josh immediately jumped at this idea. And to show just how hard it can be at times for just three humans to be able to meet, we started discussing when to visit mid-November and only got to actually meet January 2nd. A host of reasons attest to that; the least of all being a brewer, business operator, pharmacist, and all around busy man for Matt, for myself having only having two weekday days off rather than a weekend (whereas Josh has the weekend off), and myself having three daughters as well as another side-hustle (the podcasts). But we got to make it work, and it was a beautiful, and wonderful kick off to the new year and the new decade. Hopefully we’ll get to do more fun visits like this at other breweries. 

Here’s how this article is going to break down for everyone reading. I (B. Kline) am going to start off, giving my side of the events of the evening, and talk through what led up to us finally getting to meet, how the evening went, and then I’m going to pass the baton off to J. Doncevic who will give his side of everything.We’ll meet back up at the end giving reviews of the beers we had – specifically the absolutely fantastic bottle we all got to share; we’ll then go back and forth with a few closing comments, and I’ll wrap it up with post-brewery visit nonsense, general blog news and future events and things like that, last second plugs, etc, and that’ll be that. Hopefully this will do the visit, the tour, Matt, and the brewery – Mellow Mink – justice. I think this format will be the best and make the most sense for the readers, and give a more overall perspective of our time there and the visit and things we got to discuss with Matt. I know personally I can’t say enough wonderful things about Matt, about the beers, about the place, about everything, and just how appreciative we were that Matt reached out to us and invited us basically into his home away from home.

Ben:

As head of the blog I’m the one ‘saddled’ with having to do the behind the scenes upkeep of the blog, checking comments, media things, feedback through our contact page, generally all of the administrative and boring details. And to be honest, at a blog of our size, that’s really not much work, and I don’t mind one bit of it. Especially when I come across a notice like the one I received from Matt Miller. I immediately contacted Josh, my (main) co-writer here at the blog (one of a few now with the addition of Default Brewing joining in) and he was completely ecstatic right out of the gate just like I was. So I contacted Matt back and we stayed in touch via e-mail and messenger until we could finally hammer down a date – January 2nd.

My day was a bit hectic. Morning consisted of getting girls to school (driving my oldest two to two different schools, then walking my youngest), running errands, enjoying a nice lunch, and ultimately being late to my buddy D. Scott’s place. We were doing our podcast for The Rise of Skywalker and The Mandalorian. The night before I was at his place to do the LOST Podcast (Seasons 1 and 2) with Esteban. So for the Star Wars podcast I got to Drew’s just shy of 3PM when I was supposed to be there at 2:30/2:45PM. We ended up finishing the podcast at about 5:35PM and I all but ran and flew driving to get from Grantville to Mechanicsburg to meet Matt and Josh. I was supposed to be there at 6PM, and my GPS said I’d arrive there at 5:58, but I ended up walking in the doors at 6:02PM. I hate being late and try not to make it a common occurrence. Josh is already there sipping on Super Fruit 6. He informs me Matt is taking a business call.

I order my first – the Janet Weisse – and hang out talking with Josh about the evening and what to expect and how we might do the blog article. As per usual with me, nothing set in stone and nothing definitive, I tend to do much of everything on a ‘let’s just wing it’ kind of approach and let the chips fall and land where they do. In no time at all Matt comes out, introduces himself to Josh and I begin thanking him for letting us come out.

We stood by the bar drinking our first beer, the three of us chatting about how its taken so long for us to get to meet up finally, how we were supposed to the last week of December, why I was a bit running behind (because of the podcast, traffic, etc.), and just general life things. We then transitioned into the brewery, how long its been opened, small details about Mellow Mink in general. 

Immediately Josh and I can tell just the wealth of knowledge Matt has. Certainly no one could ever doubt that this man knows beer. In one night’s sleep he probably forgets more about beer and brewing and sours and blending then I’ll ever learn / know in my entire life. You can tell up front and right away that this is a passion for him. That he’s knowledgeable, smart, and loves the business, the making of beer, the blending of sours, the people, the atmosphere, the craftsmanship behind brewing a damn good beer. 

We ordered our second beers, Josh got the Cloud Cove IPA, since his Peaches and Cream IPA was out, I got the Super 6, and Matt got the Mechanicsbock. Absolutely loved the Super 6, and Josh enjoyed his Cloud Cove. We then began to talk actual shop. Discussing the beers he likes, breweries he likes, some of his inspirations, aspirations, and all around influences and influencers. He discussed going to Monk’s Cafe and trying out Cantillion on Zwanze Day and falling in love with lambics and the Belgian brewing style. Talked about how he discovered the sours and lambics and the various blendings and how its so similar to creating a good wine. We started discussing the different brewing styles and methods of lambics and the Belgian and German and European ways of brewing. It was like storytime with a historian and a scholar. The information that came out of him was too much to even comprehend most times, phenols, blending styles, aeration, different barrels, temperatures, mashing temperatures, kettle styles, stainless steel, different yeast strains, different sour methods, different cultures, bact, lacto, etc. etc, etc, etc.

Even with a notebook, heck, even with a recorder, I wouldn’t be able to write everything down and get it correct. Like I said, he knows far more than I’ll ever even possibly learn. We then ordered our next – myself getting the Mechanicsbock, Josh ordering the Janet Weisse, and we then followed Matt into the back to take a look at the full facility.

I will be honest here, and Matt will back me up on this, the facility is a glorified home brew set up. But its a DAMN GOOD glorified home brew set up. Matt even called it a “enlarged home brewing environment” while we were there. But please, this takes nothing away from the meticulousness, the procedure, the quality, or the skill that Matt uses. If anything it shows you how much better of a brewer Matt is to produce the quality he produces on such a small size and scale. 

One of the first things that caught Josh’s eye was the grates in the floor. All breweries have them, their for flushing and letting out the water, and spills, etc, just like the backhouse of most restaurants, and even warehouses. But this was the first that either of us have seen where the grates had the logo of the brewery in them acting as some of the holes. The Mellow Mink logo distinctive in the grates was a super cool touch.

He walked us around showing his kettles, the mash tun, his various fermenters and equipment, showed us the cooler with the kegs that run up into the brewery and to the bar, every last nook and cranny of the backstage facility. It was glorious to get to walk around and listen to an expert explain what this piece was for, why he had it set up this way, what the water was like in Mechanicsburg, what he added/detracted from the water, why his setup was this way, where he did his souring, all of this so educating and elucidating, was just a marvel to see it all. I don’t believe our pictures can do it all justice, but hopefully it gives you at least an idea. 

While chatting behind scenes, Matt told us how he’s actually a Doctor and works at a pharmacy by day, highlighting his science knowledge and showing why he’s so knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the molecular side of things in brewing. He told us about his prior writing before opening Mellow Mink – his blog – called The Sour Blog or Sour Blog where he was known as Dr. Lambic. Now it’s all clicking into place. We then chatted about his blog, our blog, and the intricacies of writing and blogs. 

We then came back out to the barrels and he pulled the pin from a barrel to give us a pour from one, replaced the pin, and then did the same with another. We then took a seat at the bar again, and sampled the untouched and un-added-to beers from the barrels. A white and a red. Both like fine wines, tasting absolutely phenomenal. Dry. Tasty. So fantastic. Dr. Lambic, err, Dr. Matt, err, Matt – never call him Doctor – then got one of their latest bottle offerings, the Scarlet Sunrise – Blackberry and Blueberry. Now, I know this is early in the year, but this is a clear cut front runner for best beer of the year. Absolutely fantastic.

I’ll go into the beers we had and do beer reviews later in this article. So make sure you check that out. Might also do an individual posting for a beer review on just the Scarlet Sunrise. 

But to wrap up my portion of the night, after we sampled the Scarlet Sunrise, talked very in depth about barrels, aging, blending, sours, etc, we then began to wrap things up. Cole got a group selfie of the four of us (he is the artistic and creative one as far as that sort of thing goes after all), and we chatted a little bit more, and gave our farewells.

After leaving, me and Josh stood outside chatting for a bit and then made our ways home. So I’ll hand this article off to Josh and let him talk about his evening at Mellow Mink:

JOSH:

Imagine my surprise when Ben messages me over Facebook that there was a brewery that had invited the two of us to come in and chat. The first thought that crossed my mind was “which one?” and immediately afterwards, the second thought was “you’re pulling my leg, aren’t you?” Ben cleared out the doubt when he told me it was Mellow Mink. Located just off the Carlisle Pike, in the Hampden Centre shopping plaza, right next to Pho 7 Spice, you’ll find an unassuming storefront. Step inside and you’re welcomed by friendly staff and a pleasant, upscale atmosphere that just feels right. If you’re looking for sours or farmhouse ales, you’ve stepped into the right place.

When Ben mentioned the sheer amount of time it took to set what would eventually become a January 2nd meeting, he wasn’t kidding. The offer for us to spend some time with Matt, drink his beer, chat, and view the inner workings of his passion took just under two months. Two months! Yes, various factors are to be taken into consideration, and on one occasion Ben & I were both available, but Matt had just received new brewery equipment that was coming in right around the time frame we’d have been there. Plus, like any brewer, Matt said he’d have new beer on tap that we would most likely be interested in. You don’t have to tell me twice. In retrospect, the day we were actually able to make our schedules work was probably the best as it was the start of a new year. Best time to hang out with a brewer and pick his brain, see what makes his brewery tick and try new things? YES! Before this sounds like some emphatic lovefest and a little too much fanboy fawning, allow me to place a little personal disclaimer: things like this usually do not happen to me. At least not on a regular basis. At any rate, I arrived a little early and checked my messages. Ben said he was running late, so I headed in and decided to, at the very least, let Matt know his 6 o’clock had arrived and was enjoying Super Fruit 6. Just a few minutes later Mr. Miller swings the backdoor open and greets me with a warm smile and hearty handshake. You can always tell when someone is about to talk about their passion. Their eyes are bright, their face is glowing, their smile is inhumanly wide and expressive. There’s this easy happiness that exudes from Matt as we share  a brief moment conversing about what now occupies our glasses before my colleague crashes the party. Just kidding! It was fully my intent to kill some time while Ben was en route to Mellow Mink. To be fair to Ben, he wasn’t that late, and once things got started, time was never the issue.

So where do you start when you’ve got the night and (mostly) the run of his establishment? The beginning of course! Not wanting to waste time, we asked Matt a slew of questions ranging from his favorite style to where he got the idea of opening a brewery in the first place. Then the second beer hit, well, it was ordered and while entertaining their respective contents, the information Ben and I were being given was something that we quickly realized we might have wanted a recorder of some sort. Let’s touch on the highlights though. 

Would you believe that Mellow Mink is not Matt’s only job? Hard to believe since the liquid luxury that pours from the taps is quite good. No, Matt has another job that pays the bills outside of being a brewer. He’s a pharmacist. Aha! At this point Ben and I realized the parallel that had been drawn between his profession and his passion project. Mr. Miller had moved us from the bar area to where he makes the magic happen. Sure there’s a lot of shiny metal tanks, fermenters, and even a HUGE refrigerator. None of this caught my immediate attention. No, what really got me excited was the fact that the drain grates incorporated the Mink from the logo. Matt was quick to add the company that made the grates offered to add the Mink for free so he jumped at the chance. I mean, wouldn’t you? Like a kid in a candy store, Ben and I are shown around and given a glimpse into what it means to be Matt Miller and what a typical month’s worth of brewing amounts to. In showing us what Mellow Mink really is, Matt also let’s us see that he’s not afraid to be resourceful and inventive. He shows us a bottle filling station with six separate spouts. Apparently when it was purchased it didn’t allow the proper amount of air to escape, so Matt set to work making it function the way he needed it. Way to go! Ben and I are having a great time, but now we’ve got an issue; our glasses are empty. Fortunately this is an easy problem to fix. However, we don’t want to fill our glasses just yet as Matt has something special for us. He gleefully shows us the barrels on sliding racks that occupy the back right corner and explains that the beer contained within is aged separately for at least 6 months and then blended together. Okay, brewers and distillers do this, but Matt uses beer aged in white wine and red wine barrels and marries them into one seamless, sultry mixture. He could have stopped there by telling us this process, but Matt believes in showing us this process. We are first given a sour that was aging in the red wine barrel. Although not finished aging, it comes across as mellow, smooth, and deep. We are then handed a sample of the sour from the white wine barrel. It is a stark contrast, in nose and experience. Where the red was mellow, the white is peaky, vibrant, upfront, and contains a lot more acidic bite. As the finale, Matt brings out a bottle of Scarlet Sunrise. This then is the end result of Matt’s incredible attention to detail as he deftly blends white and red into a sour with a luscious bouquet and more drinkability than anything this side of wine has a right to. This. This is what Matt does. Scarlet Sunrise represents what happens when someone has a passion for the craft and with every sip, that fact becomes more and more apparent. For me, Scarlet Sunrise puts the “Mellow” in “Mellow Mink” as it never feels the need to be the center of attention, nor does it completely fade into the background. Between the three of us we polish off the bottle, pay our tabs, grab a selfie with Matt and his partner Cole (the artistic side of the brewery), say our goodbyes then exit into the cold January evening. It was an incredible evening that Ben and I will not soon forget and one we might just need to have again. 

BEN:

Just to wrap things back up here, this was certainly a blast. I know I can speak for myself and Josh and say that we had an absolutely fantastic time at Mellow Mink. For anyone familiar with their beers, you’ll understand how great this was, and anyone unfamiliar with their beers will definitely want to check them out.

Matt is a genius brilliant brewer who certainly knows his trade. Getting to pick his mind on everything from sours, to brewing, to Untappd, to creativity things like naming and making recipes, to running a business, to being married and having another job and running a business, and just talking about his craft, his enthusiasm for what he does, his down-to-earth nature, and his pleasantness and niceness as a human being all shone through.

We visited on January 2nd, and we’re now posting this 20 days later on January 22nd. We’ve been a bit quiet on the blog homefront mainly because we’ve been working on this. Our last beer blog post was the duo 2019 recap blog posts: End of the Year – 2019 and The Best of 2019. I’ve also been busy doing podcasts.

We would like to take this time to thank Matt Miller extensively for allowing us into his brewery (basically his home) and showing us around and drinking with us and chatting with us. It was a blast!

For those reading, I have decided to move the beer reviews of what we had that night to a new article. I think this article is long enough and the beer reviews wouldn’t be necessary at this point. I will say we had some fantastic brews and none of them were below a 4 star review on Untappd. I will be doing the Scarlet Sunrise as its own review, and the others as a multi-beer review. I think thats the fairest way to do all of them. I believe Josh might also be doing a beer review article on the Scarlet Sunrise.

We are also considering doing a Q&A / interview series here on the blog. I know Matt has told us he’d welcome the idea of it and would gladly do one with us. If you are a brewer or brewery worker reading this and would like to do one, you can reach out to us here on the blog either through the comments or the contact page, and we would gladly do one!

Also, if you are a brewery (owner or brewmaster) and would like to invite us out to your brewery, we are super more than willing! We love hanging out at breweries, drinking, chatting, and will gladly do a review / write-up of your brewery. So once again, contact us, and we’ll work something out. We have covered a few brewery opening articles which you can find here: MidWest Coast Brewery Opening and Rotunda Brew Pub Opening.

I will also take this time to point out our various social media accounts for those of you unfamiliar with us, we have Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (though sadly we don’t use Instagram as much, but looking to in the future), and Pinterest.

We have a ton of different articles here on the site for you to check out, from brewery reviews, like our review of Battlefield Brew Works and Cushwa Brewery, to beer reviews like Fuzzy Nudge, The Hog, Dillston, Should Have Put Him Into Custardy, etc.

I am also finishing up my series on the Tree House beers soon after this gets published. I’ve done Sap, Autumn, and Haze, and soon will do the review for Julius and Doppelganger.

You can also check out the podcasts I do with friends over at our Podcast page – So a Mexican and a Scot Walk Into a Bar…. (The podcast is popculture themed, we discuss movies, shows, and drink beers and discuss the beers we are drinking while discussing the other esoteric stuff.) (The podcasts typically run from 1 Hour and 20 Minutes to 1 Hour and 45 Minutes.)

For a few months now we’ve been listed on FeedSpot’s Top 100 Beer Blogs; we’ve recently moved up from #11 on the charts to #9. And thats thanks to all of you checking us out, reading our entries, and clicking Follow and Like and Subscribe. We appreciate it so much! (We originally debuted at #137, then after a week we moved to #11 where we stalled for about a month or so, but now we’ve finally moved up again, to #9. Interestingly #2 and #3 is the same blog, so I guess in a way…. technically…. we’re #8…. but I don’t know. Just happy to be in the Top 10. There is some great blogs on this list.)

This was our first joint blog post (me and Josh), and I think it turned out pretty well. If you want to read more of our individual articles, you can find them here:
* B. Kline
* J. Doncevic

Click on the name and it’ll take you to a list of that author’s articles.

I will now close out with some pictures we took of the brewery:

(This was my first time using the gallery feature on the blog, so hopefully it comes out ok).

Thank you all for taking the time to read this blog post, article, whatever you want to call it. Brewery review… beer review… brewery tour….. However you want to label it, it was a blast, and we want to thank Matt and Cole for having us and for you guys for reading this! Please be sure to follow us, subscribe to our Facebook and Twitter pages, and check out our past and future articles here on The Beer Thrillers!

Cheers from Josh and Ben!

Cheers everyone!

-B. Kline

Thursday night I took the time to travel up 283 for 20 or so minutes to get to Mt. Joy to visit my friend Ming to help him with some post-interview writing he had to do for a potential future job, and of course I can’t help myself but stop in at a brewery that is fifteen from his house.

So upon arrival, me, Ming, and Don head over and I grab myself a flight, and over the course of a good forty minutes we drank, they ate (and drank), and we chatted. What’s better than that?

I’ve been to Twisted Bine once before, soon after they had opened (again when visiting Ming) and this was my second time. I’ve only had their beers from visits (don’t know if they’ve done any brewfests, I know their not canning/bottling and distributing). Both times I’ve come away enjoying the beers I’ve had and the brewery itself is a lovely bar room and a fun inviting place.

As the name implies…. this was sweet. Very much so sweet. Like milk stout sweet (which coincidentally is the next beer, Mr. Radar).

Beer: Sweet Tooth (Barrel Aged)
Brewery: Twisted Bine Beer Co.
Style: Stout – Double/Imperial
ABV: 9.5%
IBU: N/A
Untappd Write-Up: Imperial Stout – Just as the name suggests, we sweetened up this bold full bodied imperial stout and then stashed it in a whiskey barrel. We should have called this one Smooth Tooth!

It certainly is smooth and a great sipper or easy gulper, whatever your preference. The look is pure jet engine oil black and you could take a UV light or a regular light or a five thousand power watt lightbulb to it and probably not see through it. Aroma is very malty, with a bit of the whiskey peeking out.

The taste is very sweet, smooth, but with very little whiskey bite or flavor. Its not cloying and the mouthfeel is very heavy and thick, pretty much everything you’d want in an Imperial Stout. Was hoping for some more of the whiskey flavor though which sadly goes too unnoticed.

My Untappd Rating: ****.25
Global Untappd Rating: 4.21 (as of 8.10.19)

I had to do a double-check on these, Sweet Tooth tasted more of the milk stout than this did, and this actually has a bit of the bite to it. But its not a whiskey bite, and its a bit thinner, just odd that the “Milk Stout” is less smooth, less sugary, and less sweet than the Imperial Stout aged in whiskey, but after drinking it more you can definitely tell the difference between the two.

Thats not really to take anything away from this. Its still a fine beer, just the lesser of the two in most aspects.

Beer: Mr Radar
Brewery: Twisted Bine Beer Co
Style: Stout – Milk / Sweet
ABV: 5%
IBU: 22
Untappd Write-Up: Velvety smooth with a touch of sweetness, this milk stout brewed with lactose sugar gives nutty hugs and chocolatey kisses.

I don’t think this is nearly as velvety smooth as the Sweet Tooth, nor is this as sweet either. Also a bit surprised to find an IBU listing for this, would be curious which hops they used.

Again, none of this is to say its bad. Just expected a bit more sweetness, smoothness, but its still a good beer.

Appearance, its dark, but not quite as dark as the Sweet Tooth. Aroma has notes of chocolate but subtle behind a malted grain bill.

Taste is roasted malt, biscuity even, with some chocolate notes, and a bit smoother and sweeter the more you drink it. I think a full draft would showcase the sweetness and smoothness better than a taster can do. As this definitely seems made for sipping and enjoying rather than ‘breezing through’.

My Untappd Rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 3.75 (as of 8.10.19)

I’m a sucker for bocks, of all types, if I see one on a tap list, you best be betting that I’m trying it. And this certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Beer: Mai Concerto
Brewery: Twisted Bine Beer Co.
Style: Bock – Hell / Maibock / Lentebock
ABV: 6.8%
IBU: N/A
Untappd Write-Up: Maibock- Pale, medium to full bodied lager whose bready, sweet malty palate and subtle hop character comes in around 6.8%.

This was a nice change-up from the previous two stouts. Lighter but with great flavor and a whole different vibe than that of the stouts.

This has a nice bready, biscuity, light earthy aroma to it. As if opening the door to a bakery that might not have made a brand new fresh loaf but has made one recently (within the past hour) and the air still has the smell of it on it.

The coloring is a nice light brown clear hue that looks like most well made lagers (glares menacingly at Bud Light, Budweiser, and Coors).

Taste is on point. Bready, malty, with a sweetness, and then kicks off with a bit of a bittering from the hops. Its not so much blended but the tastes kind of come in waves, first bready and with some malt, then a sweetness, and then a slight bitterness. A nice pleasant aftertaste that sits on your tongue as well.

My Untappd Rating: ***.75
Global Untappd Rating: 3.52 (as of 8.10.19)

As you could see in the previous picture, this came with an orange slice, which, on the whole is ‘meh’ to me, but I can see the appeal to the “Blue Moon” crowd, and the likes. Plus if you want to eat an orange slice, there ya go….

Belgian Wits and Witbiers in general are once again another style that I will seek out when seen on the draft board (over say an IPA or Pale Ale), so over the two IPAs on their taplist that I haven’t had yet I chose this to close my night here.

Beer: Song About Rainbows
Brewery: Twisted Bine Beer Co.
Style: Witbier
ABV: 5.3%
IBU: N/A
Untappd Write-Up: This traditional Belgian style beer has a mild spice and a hint of sweetness from the clementine peels used in the boil. Sunshine and rainbows in a glass, great on a hot summer day!

This was a well done, crisp, clear, dry, Witbier, done in the Belgian style, so typically a bit dryer than some Witbiers, which I tend to prefer.

The coloring is light, clear, and has a nice ring of head to the top, just appropriate.

The aroma is very heavy orange/clementine. And thats even after pulling the orange slice out, it still resonates. Which is a bit of a reason why I wish the orange slice wasn’t given, as it kind of clouds this, but its nothing to really agitate me over or anything.

Taste hits all the style points and markers. Its dry, its crisp, its smooth, it has that Belgian spice medley that plays on your tongue and leaves a wonderful aftertaste, and it has the notes of clementine and orange. You pick up the coriander that is the staple spice and it all plays well together. Mouthfeel isn’t thick or cloying, and its not too thin of a beer either, so all is done well there as well.

My Untappd Rating: ***.75
Global Untappd Rating: 3.65 (as of 8.10.19)

And that wraps up another brewery visit and stop. I would definitely recommend Twisted Bine if you are in the area. Great location, nice spot, my friends rave about the food (the fries are good, from what I’ve had), and the beer is all done very well. Always a must stop for me whenever visiting Ming.

In blog news, expect to see the Moo-Funk Home Brew event blog post either tonight or early tomorrow (I know, I know, finally! Its only nearly 1 month after the event…. )


Until then, see you next time and keep drinking people. Don’t want to put your liver out of a job!

-B. Kline