Review: Samuel Adams/Weihenstephan's Infinium

New Year's Eve is tomorrow so I wanted to quickly write down my thoughts on Infinium. After my last post I talked to a few of you and there have been some mixed reviews. Obviously, I was excited to try this beer and the fact that a limited beer had made it into public discussion intrigued be further. Perhaps we can blame a little bit on all the hype but my taste buds aren't easily fooled - it was pretty underwhelming. Right away when looking at the bottle I noticed it didn't have quite the bubbles I expected from a beer described for its effervescence and the mouth feel confirmed it. It is darker than other champagne beers that I've had and has a great smell. The beer taste was closer to a Triple with more dark fruit and roasted malts than other beers of this type. It does, however, have the doughy aspect that's typical in champagne beers. Don't get me wrong, overall it was not a bad beer. It's tasty so you should try a bottle while it's available, however, if you're looking for celebratory beer I would recommend some others instead. Go for Deus or if you can find it and can afford it, Scaldis Prestige. Deus can be found at Total Wine.

Samuel Adams Infinium

While watching the Today Show this morning, Hoda and Kathie Lee showcased Samuel Adams' Infinium Ale as a suggested replacement to champagne for beer lovers. This beer has many of the characteristics of champagne. It has a pale golden color, sparkling fine bubbles, and from the look of the bottle you'll notice its champagne-like shape and the foil around the bottles' cork. I've been meaning to try it and now with this reminder, I will do so this weekend to send you guys a quick review before your Christmas and New Years celebrations. In the meantime, here's where you can find it now -

All Whole Food stores should have it by now. One of our readers confirmed via twitter that it is most definitely available in their South Beach store. We've also spotted it at the Stop n Shop on 5885 Ponce de Leon and at Total Wine. It should run you $20.

It's available on limited holiday release 2010 so make sure to get it in time. I've heard great things about this beer already and it's no surprise considering it was made with such love. The Boston Beer Company worked for two years with the world's oldest continuously running brewery, Germany's Weihenstephan, to create this unique new beer style. I'll leave you with some stats, review coming soon -

Original Gravity: 20.5° Plato
Alcohol by Vol/Wt: 10.3%ABV - 8.1%ABW
Calories/12 oz.: 257
Malt Varieties: Custom blend of two-row malted barley, malted spring white wheat, and malted oats
Hop Varieties: Hallertau Mittlefrueh, Spalt Spalter, Tettnang Tettnanger and Hersbrucker Noble Hops
Yeast Strain: Samuel Adams ale yeast, Belgian yeast
First Brewed: 2010


For those of you that have tried it please share your comments here.  We'd love to hear what you think about this great alternative to bubbly. I know that my wife cannot wait. 

Stone Brewing Week

Starting tonight is the first of week long events centered around the fine beers of Stone Brewing.  I'm being lazy on this one and just copying the events from the Fresh Beer newsletter.  There are some great events going on and some rare beers.  I would urge you to at least make one of these events.

December 10th
Pint Night at Abraxas (407 Meridian Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139). Stop by for a pint of Stone's Vertical Epic 10.10.10. on draft... plus specials on all other Stone bottled beer. Not to mention that you get to keep the glass when you buy your first pint, from 8pm until close. Bethany "My next tat is a gargoyle" Sherwin will be there to share a beer with you and graciously answer any questions you may have.

December 11th
Everyone Must Get Stone(ed) at BX Beer Depot (2964 2nd ave N. Lake worth, FL 33461) from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Join Bethany from Stone Brewing as she leads us in a class on the great Beers of Stone. Brewing process, ingredient selection, and many more interesting facts about the beers of Stone will be shared by this great brewery that caters to homebrewers and beer lovers alike.

Included in this event is a Commemorative Stone Brewing Snifter, and a tasting of the following beers:

Vertical Epic 10-10-10
Ruination IPA
Smoked Porter
Lucky Bastartd Ale
Imperial Russian Stout
Depending on turnout, the Bx may break out a surprise beer!After the class, a 20% discount on all Stone Brewing Draft Pours will be available to guest as well. Guest will be welcome to stick around at our Beerhaven Tiki for music and great beer afterward!

Cost is $25.00 in advance and $30.00 on the day of the event.
Please call (561)965-9494 to make your reservation today!

December 13th
Bastard Night at World of Beer (4401 Lyons Road Coconut Creek, FL 33073) from 7-9pm. Stop by where Bethany will be handing out arrogance as they will have a keg of Lucky Bastard, Double Bastard, Oaked Bastard and Arrogant Bastard all on draft...plus some other stone beers available on draft and a bunch in the bottles. Your not worthy.

December 14th
Bethany from Stone Brewing will be stopping by Gratify Gastro Pub (125 Datura St West Palm Beach, FL 33401) to host a Stone beer dinner on December 14th starting at 7pm. Call 561 833-5300 to make reservations. For $50 dollars the delicious lineup will include:

Course 1:
Roasted Beet Salad with Candied Walnuts, Goat Cheese and Pear
Paired with Stone Pale Ale

Course 2:
Curry Mussels
Paired with Stone IPA

Course 3:
BBQ Porter Braised Short Rib with Buttermilk Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Paired with Stone Smoked Porter

Course 4:
Pine nut Salmon with Spinach and a Warm Bacon Glaze
Paired with Arrogant Bastard Ale

Dessert
Flourless Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Stout Whipped Cream
Paired with Stone Imperial Russian Stout

December 15th
Stone Pint Night at Coffee District (325 NE 2nd Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444) They will have Sublimely Self-Righteous, Vertical Epic 10.10.10. and some other Stone brews on draft. Bethany will be in attendance to answer any questions you may have about this West Coast brewery. Buy your first pint of Stone and keep the pint glass as a memento.

December 16th
In honor of Stone Week, Lauren "Go ahead and try and spell my last name without looking" Cifizzari will be serving up some samples of Arrogant Bastard Ale and Stone Smoked Porter (plus some others) at Milam's (2969 McDonald Street FL 33133) from 6-8pm.

Ethiopian Beer Night At The D.R.B.

Today, December 8th, The D.R.B. will be starting a new around the world program to focus on a different country every month or so(details are still being confirmed).  The are trying to turn people on to beers from countries other then the usual beers people know from Germany, Belgium, UK and the US.  They will be starting the trek in Ethiopia where they will have specials on beers from there (Bedele and St. George).  You will also find some native Ethiopian food items you can pair with the beers as well.  The trek would not be complete without some music from the country being played as well.  Stop by and check out what is sure to be a new experience for some.


Wednesday, December 8th
The D.R.B.
255 NE 14th St.
Miami, FL

Brooklyn Blast! Now On Tap At The Abbey

This week in Miami is Art Basel.  It is one of the biggest art fairs in the world. With all of the works of art heading to Miami The Abbey decided to bring their own work of art in for a special treat.  The Abbey has two of the only kegs of Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster's Reserve Blast! Double IPA in Florida.  This beer is usually only served at Brooklyn's own taproom.  The first keg was tapped last night and is sure not to last long.  Here is some more info on the beer. 

"Here in Brooklyn, we're half-way between the hop country of
Yakima Valley, Washington and the hop country of Kent in
England. So we use the bright citrusy American hops to bring
the noise and the earthy English hops to build the foundation of
a hop monster brandishing five pounds of hops per barrel with
considerable finesse. The varieties are half American, half English:
Ahtanum, Simcoe, Willamette, Centennial, Palisade, East
Kent Golding, Northdown, Challenger, and Fuggle. Maris Otter
and German Pilsner malts bring solidity, balance and beautiful
flavors to a golden beer that's ludicrously hoppy, strangely quaffable
and oddly compelling. You won't even know what hit you."

The Abbey
1115 16th St
Miami Beach, FL 33139