Tag: February

Orange is the new Tangerine (Space Machine)

My Tangerine Space Machine Tour

Let me begin by first listing a few random, personal disclaimers; I’m no beer connoisseur, I’m generally good at knowing what suits my taste, and more importantly, I clearly identify those beers I will not be trying again.

I wouldn’t specifically call out fruit-flavored or fruit-infused beers, but I haven’t met a citrus beer I’ll turn down, and February 2018’s Beer of the Month goes with that flow – fruity enough to notice, while hoppy enough to differentiate itself from the Blue Moons and Oberons of our great craft brewery booming country.

If you’re still reading this amateur craft beer review, you probably won’t stop until the end. I’m sorry in advance. Buckle up, you’re about to take a virtual trip on the Tangerine Space Machine.

Any other beer, by any other name, would’ve been purposely overlooked, but not this one. The big, bold, orange and blue box caught my eye, and in light of Valentines’ Day, stole my heart.

Tangerine Space Machine (TSM) is a refreshingly fruity blast of hoppy beer goodness. The kicker – the thing that ultimately compelled me to try it – the words on the box, the marketing works! The first thing I read aloud, “Citrus Juicy Hazy,” brought me back to TLC’s CrazySexyCool album, peaking my curiosity.

Then, I found it, in itty bitty capital letters, on one of the end flaps of the 6-pack box:

There once lived a bitter soul

With a fruitful life as his goal

Hopped in his space machine

Went to New England to find his queen Came back…In a haze of tangerine.

Had I known my love of the English language would bring me to feel so fondly toward any beer, much less a beer that my husband also enjoys, this is my destiny. Who knew a tangerine filled space helmet could inspire so much harmony?

After having enjoyed this juicy, holy nectar, I hope this craft beer isn’t a special, seasonal, temporary New Holland treat – I need it all year ’round.

February 2017: Blue Sunday from New Holland

Our February 2017 Beer of the Month is Blue Sunday from New Holland Brewing.

First brewed in 2007, this “unique anniversary libation, heritage-blended from our library of barrel-soured beers, exhibits deeply layered flavors of malt and oak, with a tart finish.”

A 7.0% ABV sour ale that boasts 18 IBUs with blended grains and hops from several beers, Blue Sunday adds yeast of an American Ale and bacteria cultures, and pairs well with wild game, poultry & charcuterie.

Make sure to get your hands on some while it lasts whether at the Pub on 8th Street in Holland or The Knickerbocker here in Beer City, USA.

February Beer of the Month: The Brew from Grand Rapids Brewing and 101.3fm

Happy Valentine’s Day, Beer City! 


IMG_3320BeerCityHoops is proud to finally* announce our February Beer of the Month is The Brew, a collaboration between Grand Rapids Brewing Co. and local radio station, 101.3fm.

GRBC has found the right mix to co-mingle the craft beer scene and the classic rock soundtrack of Beer City, USA. They’re using rye to give this one a spicy grain character and adding organic Michigan hops for a refreshing kick, according to the bottle. The ABV is 7.6% with an IBU rating of 62.


 

*=We parked in front of B-Dubs on Ionia Ave., hazard lights on in the loading zone, at 8:43pm on Valentine’s Saturday. Ran across the street to GRBC to get The Brew in bottles for takeout, knowing that it might be packed and take more than the (daytime) allowable 20 minutes to “load/unload”, but made it out of there before 8:51pm! The GRBC staff rocks!Â