The Ale Runner

The Crescent City has but one commercial brewery, and that is the New Orleans Lager & Ale Brewing Company – NOLA for short. It was founded in 2008, and in a short period of time has become one of the top names in Louisiana for local hand-crafted beer.

NOLA’s Brown ale was one of its original flagship brews, and it still proves to be popular today. While technically it is an English dark mild ale, NOLA Brown is a light-bodied, but full-flavored ale. It pours a deep brown with hints of ruby when held up to the light. The nose is a faint caramel and roasted chocolate with some molasses notes. The taste is a bit roastier than the aroma, yet it is an easy-to-drink beer with a light mouthfeel and virtually no hop presence.

One of the best features of NOLA Brown is that it weighs in at only 3.9 percent ABV, which is even less than your typical domestic light beer. That means you can drink several in a sitting, making this one a great introduction to craft beer, especially if you’re looking to drink a locally brewed ale.

You can find six pack cans of NOLA Brown in any supermarket around town for about $9, as well as on draft at many local restaurants.

Read more about the craft beer scene in Louisiana at www.TheAleRunner.com and on Twitter @TheAleRunner.

While most people dread the letters “IRS,” there are beer lovers that look forward to seeing it every year. Stone Brewing’s Imperial Russian Stout (IRS) is, fittingly, released on April 15 each year. Stone also brews a variant of its IRS in odd numbered years, which means 2013 sees the release of the Espresso IRS.

This beer pours jet black with a tan head that fades rather quickly. Dark chocolate, caramel, dried fruits and coffee aromas meld together well, enticing you to take that first sip. Roasty chocolate bitterness and a hint of vanilla are present upon first taste, followed by a big espresso flavor with the finish. There is a hint of alcohol burn, which quickly fades, leaving you wanting for more.

Stone uses several hundred pounds of Ryan Bros. coffee espresso beans in each batch, and the coffee flavors really accentuate what is already a world-class imperial stout. This is a limited edition beer, so don’t put off grabbing one, or you may be left out.

Find both variations of Stone’s Imperial Russian Stout in 22 ounce bottles at Calandro’s Supermarket for $7.

Read more about the craft beer scene in Louisiana at www.TheAleRunner.com and on Twitter @TheAleRunner.

 

Monday May 13th - The Cove – Part 1 of English Yeast Project – “Parliament Pale Ale” — Voodoo Bengal fermented with 1099 Witbread — Mild malty, slight fruity flavor, good flocculation, less tart and dry than normal British ale yeast.

 

Tuesday May 14th – The Chimes Covington - Part 2 of English Yeast Project – “Blonde- James Blonde” — Tin Roof Blonde fermented with 1099 Witbread.

 

Wednesday May 15th - The Bulldog - Parade Ground Coffee Porter aged on bourbon soaked oak chips for 6 months. 

 

Thursday May 16th - The Pelican House - Double Dry Hopped Juke Joint IPA — Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Columbus — A hop head’s dream. 

 

Friday May 17th – Food Truck Friday Benefiting Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge at the Brewery — Working on a cask conditioned Voodoo Bengal with the hopes of serving this night at the brewery. 

 

Friday May 17th – “Manchester Brewnited” – Perfect Tin fermented with 1099 Witbread at Barley Oak.

 

Also Chili Pepper Blonde will be served sometime during ACBW but haven’t got the final details.