This time of year is great for trying beer! There seems to be a few new beers available every week during the fall and winter months. Major craft breweries are coming out with their seasonals and collaborations between brewers are just being released. We’re just finishing up the Octoberfests, and seeing a switch from the lighter pales and Hef’s to richer, heavier malted winter warmers and darker brews.

Here are just a few of the unique offerings you will only find at stores that take the time to search them out;

Sierra Nevada Life & Limb – Collaboration beer between Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head using Maple and Birch. Available now in a 25.4 oz. Bottle with a Limited Supply.

Deschutes Stoic – Belgian styled Quad aged in oak wine and Rye Whiskey barrels. Big and brooding with lots of depth. Available in 22 oz. Bottle with 11% A.B.V.

Stone 15^th Anniversary Black Imperial I.P.A. - Join the Black IPA craft revolution with another excellent beer by Stone Brewing. 10.8 % ABV in a 22 oz Bottle.

Every week you should be able to find new offerings to experiment, so come in and see why the Craft Beer Industry is growing so rapidly. We are always happy to make suggestions.

I recently took my first Southern Oregon Brewing tour and had a great time. Justin, my salesman, invited me to come check out the brewery on what ended up being a private tour since they’re normally closed on Mondays (my day off), but he opened it up for me anyway. The first thing I noticed was how clean it was – sparkling clean.

Owner Dr. Tom Hammond, a local anesthesiologist, obviously brought his hospital-clean mentality to his brewery. So I sat at the tasting room bar as Justin proceeded to taste me on the line up, which ended up being beneficial, as a couple of the brews tasted were different than I remembered the first time I tried them.

He also showed me some pictures of what would become (and now is) the new labels. Great move, too. The newest bottled brew is the “Nice Rack IPA,” a great sessionable brew. The porter is now, “Pin-Up Porter” and there’s also the “Gold Digger,” which is the golden ale at Southern Oregon Brewing. There is still the “Woodshed Red” and the Pale, as well.

As I was tasting and talking beer with Justin, the atmosphere was enhanced by two little ones eating at one of the tables nearby, who were joined by their father, Scott, the head brewer. Scott then gave me a tour of the brewery, showed me the ropes, talked me through the brewing process, tasted some raw dark malts and graciously allowed me to ask him 1,001 questions.

A short time later, Tom showed up and hung out for a bit and we had some more brews (I enjoyed another IPA). What a great time. The S.O.B. crew was inviting, friendly and gracious. Exactly what craft brewing should be, eh?

Thanks again Justin, Tom and Scott!

One of the most often asked questions: "What's a good beer?" To which I reply, "What do you like about beer." Or, "What do you usually drink?" Many times the answer is Busch, Coors, Bud and so on. My honest answer: "Then that's good beer." In my opinion, if you enjoy it, it's good. Many craft beer lovers tend to get too snobby (I admit to being guilty of this) and comment on the beers such as, Bud, Pabst, Coors and so on as being horrible beers. Frankly, I actually DO NOT enjoy these beers at all, but that's just me. I have found that macro beer drinkers do, in fact, enjoy craft brews, it's a matter of listening to what they like about beer and guiding them into a broader perspective of what beer can be. ambers, English pales or even some of the U.S. pales tend to be the least offensive. There's also the plethora of pilsners and craft lagers worth trying. If you’re a macro beer “liker,” adventure into the craft world and become a micro brew “lover.”

P.S. "Remember: If you like it, it's good!"

“I don’t like beer.” “I’m not a beer drinker.” “I only drink wine.” These are some of the common phrases I hear on a regular basis during our Friday tastings at MOC. Usually, but not always, it’s women who tell me they don’t like beer. Is it because “beer” is synonymous with Bud, Busch, Coors and the like? Don’t get me wrong, if that’s your taste, great. But there is definitely more to beer.

“WOW, that’s great!” “Is that really beer?” “I guess I do like beer.” These are some of the common phrases I hear after they try some unique-tasting beers. To name just a few: Cantillon Kriek with its sour, complex cherry flavors; Duchesse de Bourgogne with its elegant earthy, cidery, wine qualities; Ommegang’s Chocolate Indulgence, rich with a subtle chocolate finish; Bosteel’s Tripel Karmeliet, fruity, sweet, spicy and smooth; and Dieu du Ciel Rosee D’Hibiscus with it’s beautiful color, soft and floral, subtle perfume – it’s just plain sexy.

There are so many world-class brews out there that span a vast range of flavor and complexity. There’s surely something for everyone, even those who, “don’t like beer.” Be adventurous. Try something new. Be one of those who exclaim, “WOW! Now, that’s a great beer!”

Ask one of our beer pros to guide you to just the right brew for your taste buds. Remember, too, that beer goes with food, just like wine.

Cheers!