A Berrylicious Beer Review: Leinenkugel’s Explorer 12-Pack

Posted by Andy Gradel | In The Fridge | Thursday, 20 March 2008

Leinenkugel ExplorerJust over a year ago, my neighbor Tony introduced me to Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat and I instantly added it to my wheat beer rotation of Blue Moon and Hoegaarden. Great beer - Very smooth brew that is a tad sweeter than Blue Moon and works as a perfect summer beer.

So, when I saw the Leinenkugel “explorer” 12-pack at a local shop for $14, I snagged it without a second thought. Featuring Sunset Wheat, Honey Weiss, Berry Weiss and Summer Shandy, it’s a nice way to sample a couple of Leinie’s brews without breaking the bank.

I already knew I’d like Sunset Wheat going in, but how did the other beers fare?

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Beer Madness: The Sweet Sixteen

Posted by Andy Gradel | News & Notes | Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Beer MadnessWashingtonPost.com’s “Beer Madness” has entered its second week as the original 32 brews have been whittled down to the sweet 16. The second round features some interesting matchups:

Brooklyn Lager vs. Flying Dog Old Scratch
Penn Pilsner vs. Raven Lager
Stone Pale Ale vs. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Harpoon IPA vs. Troegs HopBack Amber Ale
Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat vs. Ommegan Hennepin
Oxford Rasberry Wheat vs. Rogue Juniper Pale Ale
Abita Turbodog vs. Sam Adams Honey Porter
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale vs. Hook & Ladder Backdraft Brown

Voting ends March 23rd, so be sure to make your voice heard. My money’s still on Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat. It’s too good to lose out this early and, with the currently popularity of wheat beer, it has to be the odds-on favorite. 

Stevens Point Brewery Introduces Point Einbock and Horizon Wheat

Posted by Andy Gradel | New Brews | Thursday, 13 March 2008

Point EinbockI’ve been writing a lot lately about how Philly’s a great beer town, but the state of Wisconsin more than holds it’s own. I just tried a tasty “explorer” 12-pack of Leinenkugel that I’ll be writing about shortly, but first it’s some news for our friends in the midwest from one of the oldest breweries in the United States: Stevens Point.

They’re rolling out a new, seasonal maibock-style bock beer called Point Einbock which will be available through May in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles and kegs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Einbock is hand-crafted using Munich and Vienna specialty malts and a blend of Bavarian Hallertauer hops. Acccording to Stevens Point Brewmaster John Zappa, maibock beers were originally brewed in Germany for May Day celebrations.

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