Category Archives: Anchorage Brewing Co.

Today, I’m going to be trying a beer from the Anchorage Brewing Company situated in Anchorage, Alaska.  This one is called the Love Buzz.

Anchorage is easily one of my top 5 favorite brewers and I have yet to try a brew from them that has been disappointing.

From the website, anchoragebrewingcompany.com, we find this delightful description of the Love Buzz.

A feeling overcomes, deriving of a most curious perplexity. A rich desire awakens to explore the contents of such delicate loveliness. Upon a deep connection with rounded lips, a bitter sweet complexity enters the soul…and so begins an amorous affair.

Heightened awareness envelopes the senses as the grandeur of such bold character develops. Caramel beauty exhibits itself, sprawling its full body widely upward, bubbling with excitement. Tantalizing effects of peppery bitterness grasps the tongue. Enchantment takes hold as a blanket of citrus slowly unfolds. As in any noteworthy love story, a subtle fruity sweetness of a rose emerges to the finish. A warm contentment grazes over, signifying a united marriage of balance and pleasure.

Fortitude has revealed itself to those who have encountered such an enriching experience. An experience so delectable, so defining, so unequivocal. An experience that is Love’s Buzz.

Ok.  Let’s drink.

For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying a beer from one of my favorite brewers.  It’s the Bitter Monk produced by the Anchorage Brewing Company situated in Anchorage, Alaska.

I’ve only been introduced to their products in the last 9 or 10 months, but I’ve absolutely loved all that I’ve tried.

The website, anchoragebrewingcompany.com, has this bit of information regarding the Bitter Monk.

Deep within the tortured aberrations of a monk’s mind there lay a concept of a Holy Grail of beer — a beer oft imagined but never tasted, strived for but never achieved. It’s Belgian heritage manifested in its yeasty complexity, softened and rounded in its cooperage Français and made to sparkle like the stars first seen by his distant predecessor Dom Pérignon.

Bitter Monk Belgian Double IPA is such a beer. Redolent of citrusy hop bittering and massive malt infusion, this is a beer to ponder, to sip, and, even for a monk, to dream. Why then is the monk so bitter? What provokes that sly smile? What is he wearing under that flowing robe? A triple-fermented beer gives him three times the mystery. Remember, anything worth doing is worth over doing. Nothing exceeds like excess. Even for the cloistered.

And what rough monk, his hour come round at last, slinks slowly toward Brussels to be reborn.

That sounds awesome.  I can’t wait any longer.

This brew came in a 25.4 oz. bottle and it had an ABV of 9.0%.

It poured a hazy orange color with a white, soapy, rocky head.  The size was excellent and the retention time was more than worthwhile.  As is settled it left behind some awesome lacing on the sides of the snifter.  Just a beautiful looking beer in my opinion.

The nose discharged some sweet, juicy fruits of grapefruit, lemon and pineapple.  They were intermingled with a funky yeast and freshly cut grass.  A light breadiness was discovered as well as a prominent peppery spice note.  It also released some floral compounds with a slight extract of earthy hops.  The woodiness seemed very light in the bouquet and was really only noticed after it was allowed to breathe for a minute or two.  Super well balanced, complex and outstanding to say the least.

The taste began with the barnyard funk and Belgian yeast.  The bittering fruits and hops came in slow, however they really started to become more congruent and agreeable as it warmed.  Throughout the entire flavor profile I found hints of peppery spice, lemon grass and touches of white bread.  It was funky, but somehow fresh at the same time.  Just a smidgen of the wood was noticed at the very back end.  Man!!! A flat out gorgeous taste.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  A touch sharp, very dry, crisp, refreshing and dang near thirst quenching.  The carbonation was lively, yet not stingy.  A little bit of warmth was felt from both the pepper and the alcohol.  More than enough flavor was left behind for me to enjoy between sips.

I’ve got to say that this is one of the best beers that I’ve ever had.  It’s probably the best I’ve had in all of 2012.  The drinkability was remarkable.  I made my way through the bottle with great ease.  I could drink this year round.  I would highly recommend this beer to anyone wanting a near religious experience with Brettanomyces.  I don’t think I could say enough good things about this brew or this brewery.  Up to this point they can do no wrong in my book.  Anchorage Brewing Company may very well be my favorite brewery right now.  I’ve yet to have a bad beer from them and I tend to pick up a bottle or two every time I go to the bottle shop.  I want to thank them for churning out such breathtaking products.  I’m a huge fan to say the least.  With that being said, if you guys happen across the Bitter Monk, don’t hesitate to pick it up and give it a test drive.  I doubt that you will be disappointed.  Have you guys had anything from Anchorage?  What’s your opinion of them?  Feel free to share your experience with me.

Thanks for reading and commenting everyone.  I really appreciate it.  

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  4.85 out of 5
Grade:  A+

For today’s tasting pleasure I’m going to be trying the Whiteout Wit produced by the Anchorage Brewing Company located in Anchorage, Alaska.  This bottle is from Batch #2 brewed in March of 2012.

I absolutely loved the other two brews that I tried from Anchorage (The Tide And Its Takers and the Galaxy White IPA), therefore I’m really excited about trying this one.

Let’s see what kind of info we can find on the website, anchoragebrewingcompany.com, about the Whiteout Wit.

Unique to the north and feared by man and beast, the WHITEOUT comes without warning.

With quiet ferocity, how quickly this force erases the sensations and reduces any creature to its most basic elements. When enveloped in one, sight, sound and even tactile sensation are ripped away, as snowflakes in motion swallow all sense of being, leaving one to cower, hunker down and wait it out, hoping that it passes quickly or that the end is merciful. Of variable and unknown duration minutes seem like eternity in a whiteout.

But when it eases, and those final snowflakes drift in the blue sky, any survivor is changed. Suddenly, life is fuller and more robust. The thirst for this new life can be slaked in many ways. Whiteout Wit compliments the experience in both intensity and a rewarding calm. The quiet delicacy of the light malts are like those vanishing flakes. Sorachi Ace hops contribute the lemony aroma and flavor, imparting additional life to the brew, reminding you of how good it is to be alive. Lemon peel, Indian coriander and black peppercorns add the same invigorating zest whiteout survivors feel when stepping from the world of white. Triple fermentation, the long slumber in French Chardonnay barrels and a shot of brettanomyces provide an explosion of flavor when combined with the other swirling, enticing elements. It’s okay. Stand up, shake it off and feel alive; that’s what Whiteout Wit is all about.

Nice!!!!  Let’s drink it.  

It came in a 25.4 oz. bottle and it had an ABV of 6.5%. 

The pour produced a hazy, straw yellow to light golden color.  The crown was white, very fluffy, soapy and rocky.  It was sized very nicely and the retention time was very good.  The lacing was rather solid too.  When held towards a light source it kind of looked like pineapple juice.  Very attractive and seductive.

The nose released a rock solid dose of barnyard funk along with spices of pepper and coriander.  Hints of lemon citrus and meager white grapes.  It smelled of grassy hops, light hay, yeast and bread also.  A very delicate hint of wood was stumbled upon as it warmed and opened up a touch.  Overall, this bouquet was outstanding.  Very complex, harmonious and pleasing.

The taste hits you with a jolt of that barnyard funk with the first few sips.  A touch of sourness and tarty goodness arises from the lemon citrus.  A wonderful spicy bite takes hold on the back end from both the peppercorns and coriander, while a subtle “woodiness” contributes some roundness.  The yeasty morsels really kick in after a few moments as well.  A bit of well complimented grassy hops add some bitterness to the tongue and really help complete the flavor profile.  Not much by way of the grapes though.  I actually didn’t taste them at all.  No matter however, because it still tasted wonderful I thought. 

The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  Dry, smooth, crisp, refreshing and quite thirst quenching.  The carbonation was lively and vigorous.  An awesome dose of flavor was left behind long after each sip.

Man.  I tell ya.  This particular brew only makes the third different beer that I’ve had from the Anchorage Brewing Company, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that they are now one of my favorite brewers.  I’m infatuated with them.  The amount of “funk” and complexity that they provide with each individual style is perfect in my humble opinion.  The ease of drinkability with each one is amazing as well.  I dread coming to the end of each bottle.  The Whiteout Wit may be more suitable for the warmer months, but I could drink it year round with no problem.  Have you guys had the opportunity to try anything from the Anchorage Brewing Company yet?  What are your thoughts about their products?  If you haven’t partaken in anything from them yet, I would recommend you do so.  I don’t think that you will be disappointed.  I’m definitely going to have to seek out a few more in the near future.  I can’t get enough of ’em.

Thanks for reading and commenting everyone.  I really appreciate it.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  4.55 out of 5
Grade:  A+