Frosty Goodness » Alaskan Brewing

Alaskan IPA – J’You Know they make IPA in Juneau?

Another Pint Please! — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:03:40 +0000

It’s been awhile since I had a beer that really surprised me, so when I did I decided it was time to reenter the blogosphere and let people know. Last weekend I encountered a six pack of “Alaskan IPA” sitting unloved (definately untested) under a table in a friends back yard. There’s something about the name Alaska that doesn’t exactly shout Great Beer…Drink Me!!! But my friend was obviously flashing back to an old Life cereal commercial and had a “let Mikey drink it..Mikey drinks everything” moment. He offered me a six pack to take home and try it out. With some trepidation I dusted off two bottles and took them home. I should have taken them all.

I’m a late comer to the IPA bandwagon, and while I can appreciate a good kick in the cheeks now and then, after two bottles of Stone IPA in a single sitting I’m done for awhile. Enter Alaskan IPA. This stuff is good. Simple, refreshing, not too bitter, no after taste, and with a nice cascade hop aroma that isn’t over powering. That probably makes it a failure to an IPA purest, but it’s a great entry level IPA for those of us that still aren’t worthy of “Arrogant Bastard”.

I don’t think I’d travel to Alaska to pick up another six pack but I’m anxious to find out where he got it. Hope it’s nearby.

Alaskan Winter Ale – Ow my tastebuds!

Frosty — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:29:38 +0000

This beer made me so sad. Up to this point, Alaska Brewing had been batting 100, scoring with the Amber, Stout, and Summer. Endlessly long winters however, seem to have taken their toll on the brewmasters. This beer advertises itself as being brewed with spruce tips..which should be your first warning. When I think of good beer flavor, somehow trees just don’t come to mind. But I was feeling adventurous.

How this beer really tastes is indescribable, since it assaults you with so many flavors you can’t really decide what it tastes like. Except for gross. On the upside, the overly powerful taste worked great for a marinade. Saved from a 1 by the mighty spruce.

Alaskan Summer Ale

SwillJockey — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:40:07 +0000

Alaskan Brewing just brews cool stuff. One of my favorite types of lighter ales, Kolsch is always easy to drink and this copy of it works well. This stuff, according to Alaskan’s website , is based upon a Kolsch style.

OK, enough beer geek talk. This stuff ain’t too hoppy or heavy and is just nice to drink when the weather warms up. I buy this stuff in 24 packs at Costco and it doesn’t last too long. The wife doesn’t like it, but that isn’t always a bad thing. It just means more for me.

I’d rate it higher than a 4, but I’m still testing out the rating’s scale here. When I can find it, and room for it in the beer fridge, it’s an easy pick at the store.

-Cheers

Alaskan Amber Ale

Admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:10:47 +0000

Another fine entry into the pantheon of Easy Drinkin’ glory. This tasty beer is one of those that you buy when you’ve spent $30 in six packs and have nothing above a “2″ to show for it. More than once I’ve been a little gun-shy, and in those moments, Alaskan Amber is always a hit. I have to credit Big E for text messaging the recommendation for this one. Sure, he may drink Bud Light, but this almost redeems him. Almost…

Alaskan Oatmeal Stout

Admin — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 20:24:42 +0000

I love stouts, but I often hesitate at the oatmeal stouts, as unlike the previous entry, they tend to have that “kick you in the cheek” aftertaste that I dislike. As far as oatmeal stouts go, though, Alaskan’s offering is the best. It has the least amount of violence in every sip. It makes for a good drink to BBQ meat to, but requires that you are pretty thirsty to enjoy slowly. Despite being the best of the bunch, it is still an oatmeal stout, so get the cheeks ready.