Obama homebrews?  The President served up some White House Honey Ale to a recent medal of honor recipient. His term marks the first time that beer has been brewed in the White House.

Autumn is my favorite time of year due to all the amazing seasonal offerings that come out from breweries.  Although pumpkin ales abound, Brooklyn Brewing’s Post Road Pumpkin Ale is one of the best balanced.  Of course roasted pumpkin and the usual spices (cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg) are present but don’t overtake the hops and nice caramel tinged barley.  Lastly, this brew has a nice head that remained through most of the time I spent with it.    

By analyzing ancient pottery, Patrick McGovern, “the beer archaeologist,” is resurrecting the libations that fueled civilization from ancient China & Egypt to medieval Europe.  Article linked above.

Created by Danish designers, Maja Thorning and Niels Astrup, KegBox is a new take on the keg, which looks more at home in a loft than a SigEp party. Its sleek design with built in wheels and a solar-powered sensor to indicate its volume replaces traditional barrel kegs, that are bulky, heavy and impractical. More images and info linked above.

Mythic…just tried Great Divide Brewing Co.’s Hercules Double IPA, fiery amber color with a thick head that barely dissipates into a lacey ring.  Nice grassy, piney hop taste with a caramel back.  Overall a fine brew you should check out if you’re an IPA lover. 

Ahhh, good old Chico, California never disappoints.  I picked up a 6-pack of Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale as part of my sort of advent calendar of beer and it’s tasty, hoppy but not very distinguishable from their usual brew (for full disclosure—MoMA christmas pop-up book was not included with purchase of 6-pack).