Age your Saint Arnold Seasonals!!

Saint Arnold has 5 seasonals that are released through out the year that get better with age. The Christmas Ale, Winter Stout, Oktoberfest, Summer Pilsner and the Spring Bock are the fab five. All of them are outstanding and all of them age very well.

I normally age my beer in a closet where it is cool and dark. Micro brews are pretty sensitive, yet have more flavor than your typical six pack. Some micro brews tend to go bad within a year or so, so it is better to store them in a drawer in your refrigerator. I don't know exactly the dates are on Saint Arnold's brews, so it is safer to leave them in the fridge if you are going to keep them for a long period of time.

I have a few Christmas Ales with a date to hold until Christmas 2010, while my Spring Bock should be nice and robust in time for Thanksgiving. The Spring Bock loses some of it's sweetness, but gains a longer and stronger finish that is unlike any other Saint Arnold. The Christmas Ale has more of the spice at the end without any surprises. Very solid.

I have been holding a six pack of all of them, and have noticed more flavor and smooth finishes from all of them. The more they breathe after being opened for 10-20 minutes, the more full and rich they get.

I have not tried the normal line yet, (Brown, Amber etc.) but being a craft brew, it should be pretty interesting in doing so.

So far all of my bottles have done very well in cold storage, so I'm not going to try to store them in the closet and take a chance losing them. I hear the Divine ages extremely well, and I'm not surprised a bit. My only problem with aging a Divine Reserve, is that I always end up drinking them before I get a chance to put one back. ;)

I will blog each one of them starting this fall as they mature.

My next blog will be a Winter/Summer (Black and Tan with a Winter Stout and Summer Pilsner).

Saint Arnold Brown Ale....

MMmmmm.....I could drink this stuff for breakfast. Why do I even try other beers when this baby is on the shelves all year.

This is similar to the Spring Bock, but not as sweet on the finish. It has has the same smoothness as the most coveted Christmas Ale, But without that spicy hint at the end (which I love). The well rounded flavor is good after a hot and productive day, or at dinner with a medium rare ribeye or a cut fillet.

I loved the yellowish foamy reward after I poured it into a frosty, thick mug. It has an awesome malty ride on the initial touch of your tongue. The over all balance has a nutty character with a long memory without any bitterness. In other words, it is full of flavor without any weird kick or unexpected finish.

Most beers this smooth lack body, but this one, well it's my favorite. It is truly the smoothest Ale money can buy.

Shiner 101

This one was excellent. I'd rather have it with some grilled burgers or even a plate full of nachos.

Surprisingly decent for a Czech style brew. I had to try this one twice. Once in a frozen mug and the other in a Pilsner glass that warmed it up fairly quickly. The frozen mug diluted most of the Czech twang, so I'll describe the Pilsner glass experience.

I loved the aroma that hit me as I stared down in the glass. Extremely light in color. It had a smooth traditional Pilsner flavor at first, than moved toward a slightly harsh hops kick. Not bad, yet better than I expected. The over all flavor stayed present through out the entire drink and swallow. The finish made me want to take another gulp immediately. The ending was solid with plent of flavor and carbonation.

This was very similar to the Shiner Frost, but with a little more character. I liked it and will try one straight out of the bottle next time.

Saint Arnold Summer Pilsner

Mmmm mmm good. This is much lighter than any of the Saint Arnold seasonal's. I love the rich, flavorful brew that they release periodically. This is one of the few that you can have more than three or four in one sitting.

It is as light as a Coors Light, but has more flavor, obviously. The aroma is very malty, unlike the typical description that it normally receives. It goes down smooth with a light kick that fades into an expected, yet not that present, bitterness. Instead of a true bitter hit, it rolls into a hoppy finish. It's very pleasing and somewhat light in nature. It has the alcohol level of a regular beer, so don't be fooled by it's color and fading finish.

I got this the morning that it was released as Silver Eagle delivered it to a Spec's in the Midtown area, so it is as fresh as it gets. I will be partaking in quite a few of these bad boys. The next seasonal is the Oktoberfest that is released in August. I can't wait!!!

Shiner Frost!!!

It's time to get back on the wagon. Shiner has released a seasonal, "Dortmunder style" beer, and I actually like it.

It looks like a Miller light, and almost tastes like one too. Though, it is a little sweeter than the mass produced lager. I guess you could say it had a hoppy character with rich malty undertones. Shiner claims to use some special blah, blah, blah malts and barley. I believe them, it is pretty smooth. There is not a single trace of bitterness, nor are there any surprises to the finish. I could see myself drinking more than one during an evening, unlike some of my favorite, rich Saint Arnold brews.

The flavors came out so much quicker when a foamy head is not present when I poured it. Some people think they look cool, but it keeps the beer from breathing and relaxing it's flavors. When a foamy head is visible, you really don't get the true richness until the second half of the brew. Very similar to wine. Just a tip from your Uncle Josh. Buy some, you'll like it.

Saint Arnold Spring Bock

Can you see a trend? I got this today from the downtown spec's. They got it in this morning, and the beer nerds bought it today. :)

This is a true "Bock," according to Brock at Saint Arnold's. This is one of the smoothest and most flavorful beers sold in a store. Saint Arnold's holds to a rich "microbrew" taste in everything they brew. I love it!

My first swallow was outstanding. It hit my mouth with a rich malty rush and ended sweeter than I expected. That simple. I pray that they start selling this all year. It had zero bitterness and 100% satisfactioin to every drink. I could drink it for breakfast.

Fortunatly it is a 3 month seasonal, not a 2 monther. ( Is monther a word?) hmmm.. Anyway, I drank a few with my best friend and gave him the rest since New Braunfel's won't get them in for a month or so. I will get more tomorrow.

Saint Arnold's has the fizziest and most flavorful beer on the shelves. WOW!!!