Life On Tap

Dan received this island treat, Piton Beer, care of a friend of the show. This pilsner is named after two famous mountains on St. Lucia.

Heineken St. Lucia Piton Beer

STYLE: PilsnerINGREDIENTS: Pilsner malt, maizeABV: 5.0%AVAILABILITY: 275 ml bottles and 250 ml cans (Year-Round)Stats above taken from the brewery’s bottle and website.

Appearance

Medium yellow in color with small-bubble carbonation.

Aroma

Earthy and grainy, reminiscent of German Pilsner.

Taste

Refreshing, clean taste with a gentle kiss of earthy hop note in the middle, with a bit of sweetness on the finish.

Mouthfeel

Fairly light on the palate with a pleasant level of carbonation.

Overall

Easy drinking for beach, mountain, or picnic scenery. Food-wise, I wanted a Cajun chicken salad to pair.

Thank you so much to Gemma/Azi, and Leela for sharing this from St. Lucia.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan received this delicious sample of Cerebral Brewing Rare Trait from friends Jeff earlier during the pandemic.

Cerebral Brewing Rare Trait

STYLE: New England-style IPAINGREDIENTS: Citra, El Dorado, and Mosaic hopsABV: 6.4%AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can, Draft (Year-Round)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Deep orange in color, with a plump, frothy head.

Aroma

Apricot, peach, and tropical fruit including passion fruit…intoxicating.

Taste

Tropical and stone fruit notes continue with citrus hitting hard after.

Mouthfeel

Wheat and oats contribute to a round and velvety mouthfeel with zippy carbonation.

Overall

Delicious and drinks like a session beer, though on the higher side. Food-wise, I was feeling tagine at the time thinking the fruit and spice notes would provide a harmonious blend on the palate.

Thank you so much to Jeff and Chris for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan finally samples another Chicago staple: Dovetail Hefeweizen care of friend Dave earlier during the pandemic.

Dovetail Brewery Hefeweizen

STYLE: German HefeweizenINGREDIENTS: WheatABV: 4.8%IBU: 22 (was 16)AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can, Draft (Year-Round)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Deep orange in color, with an effervescent, white, fluffy head.

Aroma

Orange leads off with banana and clove notes following up.

Taste

Fruit continues with a hint of spice and nice hint of acidity. Banana comes in on the finish.

Mouthfeel

Smooth mouthfeel with a soft carbonation multiplying the effect.

Overall

I do not usually go for hefeweizens, but I truly loved this beer. This is definitely one that would be amazing during summer, but could/should be drank year-round. Pairing-wise, go lighter but for some reason, I wanted a Good Humor Toasted Almond with it.

Thank you so much to Dave aka @DaveR for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan tastes a Citra-focused Double IPA from Wiley Roots, Citradonkulous, care of friends Jeff and Chris earlier during the pandemic.

Wiley Roots Brewing Company Citradonkulous

STYLE: American Double IPAINGREDIENTS: Citra hopsABV: 8.5%IBU: 60AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can, Draft (Year-Round)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Super hazy, straw yellow in color, with a white, tight-bubbled head.

Aroma

All parts of the orange here: mostly fruit, hint of juice, and almost an orange candy note on the end.

Taste

Orange continues on the flavor with different parts of the fruit singing at different points on the palate, with a gentle bitterness on the fairly dry finish.

Mouthfeel

Smooth, silky mouthfeel runs across the tongue and the carbonation adds to it.

Overall

This is deceptive…you definitely cannot taste the ABV. If you love Citra, you should seek out this beer if you can get it. Pairing-wise, I would go with fowl/poultry or lighter fare, but a mozzarella/tomato/basil sandwich was hitting my mind at the time. That being said, split a 4-pack (or more) responsibly with some friends or family and enjoy.

Thank you so much to Jeff and Chris for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan tastes a refreshing seasonal wheat, Beaver Island Tangerine, via friends Rick and Paige earlier during the pandemic.

Beaver Island Brewing Company Tangerine

STYLE: American WheatINGREDIENTS: Pilsner, White Wheat, and Oats, hopped with Hallertau Magnum & Mandarina BavariaABV: 4.5%IBU: 22SRM: 3.2OG: 1.046AVAILABILITY: 12-Ounce Can, Draft (Seasonal, February – July)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Hazy, light/straw yellow.

Aroma

Muddled tangerine nose and a grainy wheat note.

Taste

Tangerine is well-pronounced on the palate all through the finish, which is fairly dry. Crisp and refreshing.

Mouthfeel

Dry finish and appropriate carbonation make this feel light on the mouthfeel.

Overall

This is a summer beverage for sure, which is in line with the seasonal-based release. The 12-ounce format is great for the lake, beach, pool, picnic, etc. Fish and seafood would definitely be a hit with this, no matter the preparation.

Thank you so much to Paige and Rick for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan tastes an American IPA from some old family history, Devil Anse, care of GVBC via friend Charles earlier during the pandemic.

Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company Devil Anse IPA

STYLE: American IPAINGREDIENTS: Medium Crystal and American 2-Row malts; Columbus, Simcoe, Citra, Amarillo, and Mosaic hopsABV: 6.9%IBU: 71AVAILABILITY: 12-Ounce Can, Draft (Year-Round)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Light golden in color with a nice white, fluffy head.

Aroma

Citrus, with grapefruit and lemon/lime leading and a hint of pine on the back.

Taste

Balance. It’s almost as if the malt and hops were the Hatfields and McCoys respectively. Grainy sweetness with some hop assertiveness continuing from the aroma.

Mouthfeel

Fairly dry with a good body and pleasant carbonation.

Overall

Artwork and story from this is on point! The taste is really nostalgic in some ways, as it takes a page from the classic American IPA with its recipe/approach. Pair this whatever you feel like, but I was feeling wings at the time.

Thank you so much to Charles for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan samples Fair State Pils, a German-style pilsner, care of friends Paige and Rick earlier during the pandemic.

Fair State Brewing Cooperative Pils

STYLE: German-Style PilsnerINGREDIENTS: Bohemian Pilsner malt, Hallertau Mittelfruh hopsABV: 4.9%IBU: 40AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can (Year-Round)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Middle yellow/golden with a nice white, fluffy head.

Aroma

Graininess plus grassiness with a hint of earthy/floral notes from the hops.

Taste

Grassiness continues with hints of bitterness cleaning up.

Mouthfeel

Crisp, super dry with a refreshing mouthfeel and level of carbonation.

Overall

Crispyboi! If you were expecting a German food pairing, you nailed it. This is incredibly sessionable for whatever occasion though, and I can see why it is a favorite amongst the brewers and their clientele.

Thank you so much to Paige and Rick for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan tastes Pulp Fission Double IPA from 3 Disciples Brewing, care of @thecraftbeerconcierge earlier during the pandemic.

3 Disciples Brewing Pulp Fission

STYLE: American Hazy Double IPAINGREDIENTS: Citra, Mandarina Bavaria hopsABV: 8.0%IBU: 50AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can (Year-Round)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Opaque, burnt orange in color with a fluffy, off-white head.

Aroma

Huge, beautiful blend of Mandarin, Navel, and other oranges with a hint of tangerine.

Taste

Straight up juice with some sweetness initially peaking with a hint of pith coming later.

Mouthfeel

Soft, mouth-coating, and supple on the palate with an off-dry finish and moderate level of carbonation.

Overall

I was totally craving a Royale with Cheese when I saw this label. In all seriousness, this beer would kill with various different cheddars. The fruity orange notes might be refreshing with fish or seafood dishes or perhaps even some lighter fowl/poultry preparations like Orange Chicken that will not overpower the beer.

Thank you so much to Allo aka The Craft Beer Concierge for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan samples Snaggletooth Bandana IPA from Chicago staple Solemn Oath Brewery, care of @DaveR earlier during the pandemic.

Solemn Oath Brewery Snaggletooth Bandana

STYLE: American IPAABV: 6.5%IBU: 81AVAILABILITY: 12-Ounce Can (Limited)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Light orange, clear, with a fluffy white head.

Aroma

Citrus-focused with ruby red grapefruit with a hint of pineapple and other tropical fruit.

Taste

Great balance for me, with just the right amount of citrus/resin hop bitterness accentuated by the malt.

Mouthfeel

Dry but fairly light on the palate with a pleasant level of carbonation.

Overall

I was feeling burgers 100% at the time. It would be fun to use this to brine some roast beef for sure. This hit a nice spot for me on the palate, and drinking this in 12-ounce pours makes it fairly sessionable.

Thank you so much to Dave aka @DaveR for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan samples a Helles from Garden Grove Brewing and Urban Winery, Give Em Helles, care of @RVABeerMeister earlier during the pandemic.

Garden Grove Brewing and Urban Winery Give Em Helles

STYLE: HellesINGREDIENTS: German malt and Hallertau hopsABV: 5.5% (now 5.2%)IBU: 19 (now 20)AVAILABILITY: 12-Ounce Can (Limited)Stats above taken from the brewery’s can and website.

Appearance

Dark gold, crystal clear, and a nice, white head.

Aroma

Floral, orange, and honey notes.

Taste

Balance is great with a slight malt edge. Biscuity and bready elements are full in as well.

Mouthfeel

Dry, balanced mouthfeel, with carbonation not too heavy or light.

Overall

All German ingredients do make a difference. I would love to know their water profile/treatment for this. Easy, sessionable, and would love to have this at any outdoor-based event. German bar food…spaetzle, brats, the whole nine for sure.

Thank you so much to Sterling aka @RVABeerMeister for sharing this during the pandy.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers