Sam’s Beer
Sam’s Beer is the capital of beer in Lexington, with the widest selection of traditional, import, and Craft Beers in the marketplace.
Sam’s Beer Guy is on Twitter
Please consider following Sam’s Beer Guy – Fred on twitter(link). His posts, as well as continious Growler updates, are free of charge! Here is some recent news about “The Beer Side.”
April 2012 Updates
April 20th Beer Update from the Growler Station:
Brooklyn Blast! A 9% Double IPA with 1/2 American, and 1/2 English hops. Less than 7 fills left!
Highland Little Hump Spring Ale- Still fresh and tasty, but less than 9 fills remaining…
Westbrook Covert Hops- Watch your nose Jake! (See last week’s newsletter)
Grand Teton Brewing’s Howling Wolf Hefeweissen- Still not as great as the Blues Legend, but most assuredly still tastier than the T-shirt. As with last week, come in wearing a shirt with either the musician or a holwing wolf on it and get a 10% discount on the fill!
Next Up
RJ Rockers Impeachment- Back for a second term, this bigger version of Son of a Peach is sure to get voted out in a hurry this time!
Great Divide 18th anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA! Aka- This year’s edition of what was Fred’s favorite beer of 2010 and 2011! This one is a small keg, so it will go FAST!
April 13th Beer Update:
Just a short one this week, so let’s get to it!
New Arrivals
Angry Orchard ciders. Haven’t tried these yet, but I hear good things.
Grey Lady Ale from Cisco Brewers. A very drinkable lighter brew with notes of jasmine and honey.
Current Growler Selections
Brooklyn Blast! A 9% Double IPA with 1/2 American, and 1/2 English hops. Less than 7 fills left!
Highland Little Hump Spring Ale- Still fresh and tasty, but less than 9 fills remaining…
Westbrook Covert Hops- Watch your nose Jake! (See last week’s newsletter)
Grand Teton Brewing’s Howling Wolf Hefeweissen- Still not as great as the Blues Legend, but most assuredly still tastier than the T-shirt. As with last week, come in wearing a shirt with either the musician or a holwing wolf on it and get a 10% discount on the fill!
Next Up
RJ Rockers Impeachment- Back for a second term, this bigger version of Son of a Peach is sure to get voted out in a hurry this time!
Great Divide 18th anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA! Aka- This year’s edition of what was my favorite beer of 2010 and 2011! This one is a small keg, so it will go FAST! Watch twitter for the exact day/time it gets tapped!
April 6th Update:
Hey beer folks!
It’s exclamtion time!
Easter! The Masters! No more Marching!
NEW BEER NEWS!
New Belgium is building a brewery in Asheville!!!
There’s SO many new items right now! Sierra Nevada News- 2012 Hoptimum! 16oz Torpedo Cans! Pale ale 12-pack Cans! Now in stock!!
Stone/Fat Head’s/Bear Republic Collaboration beer! TBA (Texas Black Ale)!
Caldera Ashland Amber!
Gread Divide! TWO new beers! Nomad and Hoss!!!
APRIL BEER CLUB IS READY!
On the growler station right now!
Brooklyn Blast! At 9%, this IPA is nothing to take lightly! The FIVE POUNDS of hops per barrel are 1/2 American and 1/2 English that make for got a complex balance of flavors! This brew shows how two approaches to the style can work together if done right!
Highland Little Hump Spring Ale! A super-fresh pale ale with piney/grassy hops and a clean finish! One of the most sessionable pales I’ve ever had!
Westbrook Covert Hops! This one has many similarities to one of my favorite movies of all time, Chinatown! They’re both dark, feature the use of water, have a bit of bitterness, and are in new packages! One’s on Bluray, the other is in 22oz bottles! Unless you like expensive, shiny coasters, you can figure which is which! We only got 1 case of the bottles, but we have plenty of fills left on the station, so be sure to bring your growler to be sure!
Howling Wolf Hefeweissen! Not as great as the Blues Legend, but most assuredly tastier than the T-shirt! Come in wearing a shirt with either the musician or a holwing wolf on it and get a 10% discount on the fill!
Next up!
Great Divide 18th anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA! Aka- This year’s edition of what was my favorite beer of 2010 and 2011! This one is a small keg, so it will go FAST! Watch twitter for the exact day/time it gets tapped!
March 2012 Updates
March 30th Growler Update:
Highland Little Hump Spring Ale- A super-fresh pale ale with grassy hops and a clean finish. One of the best things out of this brewery that isn’t Cold Mountain or Gaelic ale!
Allagash White- Almost gone. Always wonderful.
Sweetwater 15th anniversary- Part of the Dank Tank series and based on their original ESB recipe, this monster clocks in at 10% but doesn’t overwhelm. The 7 malt and 5 hop varieties make this one a balanced and oh so tasty celebration of 15 years of tasty brew! Only a couple fills left!
Westbrook Covert Hops- Another beer from our pals in Mt. Pleasant! This one is a tasty hoppy black ale that doesn’t overwhelm with either bitterness or alcohol. VERY yummy and sessionable.
Next up-
When the Allagash goes, we’ll be tapping a keg of Grand Teton Howling Wolf, a superb Hefeweizen!
When the Sweetwater goes, we will be tapping Brooklyn Brewing’s Blast. It’s a highly rated 8% double IPA that I hear great things about from people I trust.
March 23rd Week Update!!!
| RJ Rockers Son of a Peach now in stock! |
 This unfiltered wheat ale is a cloudy peachy color with a white head. Aromas of peach and more peach, wheat, and sweet citrus fruits. Peaches up front in the taste, with non-cloying fruit sweetness and wheat grains balancing nicely. Light to medium bodied. Refreshing! Get it while you can, this guy has a tendency to sell out! |
ST PATRICK’s RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAMS LIQUOR AND BEER!!!
Great Irish Brands to help celebrate St. Pats-
Jameson Irish Whiskey- My personal favorite!Perfect balance of spicy, nutty and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry and exceptional smoothness. Try it with Ginger Ale or on the rocks.Bushmills Irish Honey- A blend of triple distilled Irish whiskey, real Irish honey, and other natural flavors. Drink chilled.Boru Vodka- Named for the legendary king Brian Boru, who united Ireland in 1014. Its crisp, even taste makes it a fresh alternative to enjoy neat, as a martini or the foundation of a cocktail.Guinness Draught- The milkshake of beers, this “meal in a bottle” has that roasted malt flavor and hint of chocolate we’ve come to expect from most full-bodied beers. A rich and creamy Irish favorite!Smithwick’s - Smithwick’s is Ireland’s oldest operating brewery, and the major ale producer in Ireland. This is a red ale characterized by caramel maltiness and a hint of hops.March 16th Week – Growler Update – on the station this week…
Allagash White – delicately balances full flavor with a crisp, refreshing taste and subtle hints of spice. Naturally cloudy, bottled with yeast.
RJ Rockers Impeachment- The imperial version of Son of a Peach released by RJ Rockers. More alcohol and more peaches!
New Belgium Cocoa Mole -Say Hola to a spiced up ale full of cocoa and ancho, guajillo, chipotle peppers. But don’t fear the heat, because plenty of caramel and chocolate malts bring a smooth, complex flavor to our Cocoa Molé. Scents of cinnamon when poured will have you saying, “¡Olé for molé!”
Stone Arrogant Bastard – 99pt American Strong Ale, if you haven’t tried it yet you are missing out!
March 9th Week – Growler Update – on the station this week…
New Belgium Dig- Sorachi Ace hops provides a fresh Spring zing with incredible lemon aroma. Nelson Sauvin is next in line with bursts of passion fruit, mango and peach.Cascade and Centennial round out this crisp, clean Pale Ale.
RJ Rockers Impeachment- The imperial version of Son of a Peach released by RJ Rockers. More alcohol and more peaches!
New Belgium Cocoa Mole -Say Hola to a spiced up ale full of cocoa and ancho, guajillo, chipotle peppers. But don’t fear the heat, because plenty of caramel and chocolate malts bring a smooth, complex flavor to our Cocoa Molé. Scents of cinnamon when poured will have you saying, “¡Olé for molé!”
Stone Arrogant Bastard – 99pt American Strong Ale, if you haven’t tried it yet you are missing out!
March 2nd Week – Growler Update – on the station this week…
RJ Rockers Impeachment- The imperial version of Son of a Peach released by RJ Rockers. More alcohol and more peaches!
New Belgium Cocoa Mole -Say Hola to a spiced up ale full of cocoa and ancho, guajillo, chipotle peppers. But don’t fear the heat, because plenty of caramel and chocolate malts bring a smooth, complex flavor to our Cocoa Molé. Scents of cinnamon when poured will have you saying, “¡Olé for molé!”
February 2012 Updates
February 17th Week – Growler Update – on the station this week…
February 3rd Week – Growler Update – on the station this week…
February 3rd Beer Update – New Brew…
A BELGIAN LOVE AFFAIR
Ommegang Seduction is lovingly brewed with six dark malts. Chocolatier Callebut
provides the chocolate, while Liefmans brings the cherries. This international romance is
consumated with a full body, alluring aromas and flavors of Belgian chocolate, and tart
cherries. Seduction is an ale to be lovingly embraced.
Beautiful, rich and smooth, roasty and malty throughout, Seduction offers balanced
chocolate-cherry notes, a bit of caramel sweetness, and a long, slow finish. Seduction is
welcoming and warm-hearted, gently hopped and harbors no bitterness, leaving only
a lingering glow.
January 2012 Updates
January 30th Week – Growler Update
Per our note below, we have replaced the upcoming Steelhead IPA (which will now be here at the end of February) with New Belgium Dig coming in this week:
New Belgium Dig – Sorachi Ace hops provides a fresh Spring zing with incredible lemon aroma. Nelson Sauvin is next in line with bursts of passion fruit, mango and peach. Cascade and Centennial round out this crisp, clean Pale Ale.
January 23rd Week – On the Growler Station…
Victory Helios Ale – an earthy, aromatic hop start and shifts into aspects of lemon peel and black pepper.
Left Hand Stranger American Pale Ale -Stranger has plenty of hops – citrus and pine, but the malty sweetness evens everything out perfectly. A long but mild piney aftertaste makes sure you haven’t forgot that this is a pale ale.
Thomas Creek Dopplebock – A full-bodied German style dark lager with a rich creamy flavor, roasted nut tones and an easy finish with notes of coffee and chocolate.
Lagunitas Sucks -this is a ‘Cereal Medley’ of Barley, Rye, Wheat, and Oats. Full of complexishness from the 4 grains, and weighing in at 7.85% abv, it is then joyously dry-hopped for that big aroma and resinous hop flavor.
Up Next!
****UPDATE – STEELHEAD MOVED TO END OF FEBRUARY***** Steelhead Double IPA -Maltier, hoppier and more robust in flavor than regular IPAs, Double IPA is dry hopped with Amarillo hops for a fresh citrus flavor and aroma. Goes great with red meats and life in general.
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January Featured Beers from Fred
Great Divide Fresh Hop Ale
Made with whole-cone “wet” hops, this citrusy delight is one of the reasons we look forward to the each years harvest season!
Westbrook White Thai/IPA
Barely a year in operation, this Mt. Pleasant brewery consinues to improve and impress. Try their flagship brews poured fresh from the can. The Thai is a variation on the popular White style of beer made with lemongrass and ginger. The IPA is full of the bright grapefruity notes that hop-head revel in.
Allagash Curieux
Aging beer in bourbon barrels has been a growing trend in beer for the last few years. Allagash ages their Tripel in Jim Beam barrels to create what is one of our staff favorites. It’s pricy, but WELL worth the expense.
December 2011 Updates
Growler Station Christmas Week Edition
Victory Helios Ale – an earthy, aromatic hop start and shifts into aspects of lemon peel and black pepper.
Left Hand Stranger American Pale Ale -Stranger has plenty of hops – citrus and pine, but the malty sweetness evens everything out perfectly. A long but mild piney aftertaste makes sure you haven’t forgot that this is a pale ale.
New Belgium Fresh Hop IPA – This bitter IPA pours deeply golden with the slight haze of a really hoppy beer. The fresh hops poke you right in the nose and the liquid hits your tongue with a sharp blast, finishing light and dry. This is the hop harvest, in a glass, just for you.
Thomas Creek Deep Water Dopplebock- A dark, chocolaty concoction from our friends up in Greenville.
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Westbrook Dark Helmet Schwarzbier Now in Stock!
Dark Helmet is a German style black lager brewed with 10% malted rye. Chocalate and Carafa malts give the beer its dark color and ludicrously smooth, roasty. May the Schwartz be with you!
Only $6.99 +tax for 22oz bottle!
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November Updates
Hey there Beer Fans!
So it’s that time of year again… As I write this, I’m very aware that it’s time to be scared if you’re a turkey, or work in retail. At least if you’re a turkey, it’s probably all over and done with by the time you’re reading this. Wait, if you’re a turkey and reading this, then you’re pretty amazing and you probably talked your way out of being Dinner this week! For those of us in retail, the fun is just about to begin. This year, Black Friday brings our usual super-fun sales bur this is our first year having the growler station going as well. I was able to arrange quite a tasty line-up, so be sure to reserve a little bit of fridge space, or grab a cooler! Then the next day there’s some tiny little game being played downtown, so your plan might be the same as mine. I’m going to take a growler home for either celebration or sorrow-drowning depending on the outcome, but what to have? Here come the choices…
Currently on the station
Right now there’s still a little bit left of the Allagash and the Brooklyn and around a dozen fills of the RJ Rockers.
Allagash White $8.99
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout $7.99
RJ Rockers Gruntled Pumpkin $7.99
Of all the beer seasons, I have to say that Winter is my favorite. There’s just something special about the rich, full bodied selections that breweries tend to make for the cold (or in our case, slightly less hot) time of year. I’ve said before that Great Divide is probably my favorite brewery, so it stands to reason that their Old Hibernation is near the top of my list for Winter beers. Growler station? Yes please.
Great Divide Old Hibernation $9.99
Coming soon!
(Which keg goes on the station next depends on two things- which keg empties and what customers in the store are interested in…)
The big brother of our stations’ most repeated brew, Arrogant Bastard. It clocks in at 11.2% but doesn’t really taste boozy. It’s just hoppy and malty and nummy. (Yes. That’s a word.)
2011 Stone Double Bastard $12.99
From the good folks at Sweetwater in Atlanta, we’ve got another Dank Tank edition. This time it’s a Fresh Dry Hopped Double Red Ale. Here’s hoping the beer is much a mouthful as the description.
Sweet Water Fresh Sticky Nugs $9.99
Each season seems to have a powerhouse beer that does amazingly well. There’s RJ Rocker’s Son of a Peach, Sam Adams Octoberfest to name just a couple. Around here, Winter’s powerhouse is the Cold Mountain from Highland Brewery up in Asheville. I was thrilled to find out it was available in kegs this year, so here it is!
Highland Cold Mountain $8.99
Ed Westbrook has done a schwartzbier and is undoubtedly a Spaceballs fan. Can’t wait to try it.
Westbrook Dark Helmet $8.99
The BIG Sale!
We’re going to do things earlier this year. Starting a WHOLE HOUR before the crack of noon!
Yes, we’ll have our (in)famous bargain buggies, but we’ll also be doing a couple of other neat things. Most seasonals will be 10% off and we’ll be closing out all wind and willows products at just $2 each! Don’t miss your chance to load up on some tasty brews and dip mixes for the OTHER big eating and drinking extravaganzas we’ve got coming up!
So Join us at 11am this Friday the 25th. We’ll be at your pleasure for post-shopping post-holiday postal-prevention product procurement-palooza! (Phew!)