The Beer Friends

I was in a craft beer bar recently when someone brought up the fact that this year we are already seeing summer brews hit the taps even though it has just turned the corner into spring.  What happened to all those quirky interpretations of the different versions of what a spring beer should be?  The light copper ales, floral IPA’s and crisp browns?  Just because it’s been a mild winter we’re all of sudden dismissing a whole season?  I’m all for the milder temperatures, however I’m not sure I’m ready to ditch a style that has just so recently begun diversifying itself.  Maybe this week’s beer events will contain some solutions…

Tuesday, March 27 – Shmatlz: Coney Island Slideshow Night @ Rattle n’ Hum, Manhattan: (more…)

The Final Bracket of the first round kicks off this Monday morning. Russian River Brewing Company a heavy presence in this bracket again with Pliny the Elder, Consecration, and Beatification.  There are plenty of other beer in this bracket to keep Russian River from claiming the spot in the Final Four.  We have the original version of Founders Breakfast Stout as well as Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter, and the first beer from Boston Beer Company in Samuel Adams Utopias.

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The voting starts for the third installment of the first round today.  Today the Red Bracket opens and we find a couple repeat customers in this group of 16.  First we find another Three Floyds Dark Lord in this bracket.  This time it’s Vanilla Bean Aged and it’s the top seeded brew in this bracket. It finds itself up against another repeat beer with Cigar City’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Hunhapu’s Imperial Stout.

This bracket isn’t all repeat brews.  There are plenty of other strong contenders from this bracket come from other familiar breweries from this tournament with Hill Farmstead, Goose Island, and Russian River.

Great beers coming at us from this bracket.  Vote early and vote often!

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The first bracket has the #1 seeded Pliny the Younger as well as other strong contenders. Beers like Founders KBS, Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Cigar City Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout, and a couple entries from Hill Farmstead will prove to be formidable opponents. This bracket promises to send a strong contender to the Final 4.

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If you are anything like us here at The Beer Friends, you are caught up in the madness of March. Also, if you are like us your brackets are probably busted. However, since you are so much like us, you also love beer. So for those of you who don’t want to pay attention to the men’s tournament today we will kick off the 3rd Annual Beer Friends Final 4!

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This is a week of doubles apparently.  Two of NYC’s best beer bars are doubling up their event lineups this week with some big time brews.  Check em’ out!

Tuesday, March 20 – Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout Debut @ Bierkraft, Brooklyn: (more…)