I've received some great emails and comments from LIME users since I started the One Beer at a Time [0]. Several people have inquired about and pointed me toward the news that Anheuser-Busch and Coors are developing organic [0] beers and at this point AB is already releasing some of these brands in test markets. These beers, Wild Hop and Stone Mill Pale Ale, will not look like anything related to AB based on their packaging.
Corporate giants stepping into the organic market is nothing new. Even some of the world's largest retailers have recently announced organic product lines. The thought of more widely available organic and eco-products should be a good thing, but unfortunately when large companies like these do enter the market sometimes it seems much more like they're riding the "green wave" of popularity and pouncing on the profitability of a niche market. It makes the whole grass roots, local farms, earth friendly-movement seem kind of dirty, but nevertheless it IS, by and large, a good thing for the environment.
I'll search some NYC spots for signs of the newbies Wild Hop [1] and Stone Mill Pale [2]. I don't know if AB was trying to launch these "lowkey," but their high-budget Flashy websites speak volumes about who is backing them. When I get my hands on some I'll delve more into the subject. I just hope these brands taste vibrant and colorful, unlike some brews that are so mass produced they end up tasting lifeless and vapid.
In the meantime Josh [2] and I downed a couple of beers from the most widely distributed organic in the market, Wolaver's [3].
Name: Wolaver's Brown Ale, India Pale Ale, and Pale Ale
The Background: A company who is recently celebrating 10 years of brewing great organic beers, Wolaver's certified organic ales are made with pure water, certified organic malts and hops, and special house yeast. The three beers we tried are all available year. They also offer seasonal varieties; an Oatmeal Stout and a Wit Beer.
What they say:
BROWN ALE is mild and creamy, deep amber in color, with a smooth and luscious taste. A soft beer, slightly malty and well balanced with hints of cherry and black currant. Perfect with light foods. OG: 1056, 21 IBU
PALE ALE is a classic pale ale. Perfectly balanced; creamy and full bodied, with a rich malty flavor and a distinctive, crisp hoppy finish. Delicious with all foods, a great beer for all tastes. OG: 1064, 34 IBU
INDIA PALE ALE is made with a generous amount of hops to produce the classic IPA. Crisp and clean, with delicious hop spiciness and subtle malt balance. A strong beer, great with spicy foods and for those who enjoy a good, full-flavored, well hopped beer OG: 1064, 55 IBU
What I say:
The India Pale is not holding back on any hoppinness. It may even be a little too much. I like Pale Ales, but India Pale Ales use more time to add to the complexity and flavor of the beer—I feel this version in particular is a little much for me. The Pale Ale was way more balanced and suited to my palate. While the India overpowered me a bit, the Pale was more tame and better suited for different food. I feel the India would get in the way of most meals. You can tell the difference in the two beers with the IBU (International Bitterness Units scale) [4]. That near 20 point rise for the India really comes out in the taste. Both were very flavorful beers.
The brown ale was smooth and delicious with a slight fruity aftertaste. None of the subtle flavors got in the way of this beer. It wasn't anything too complicated. It was very simple, but delicious. I would definitely like to get a 6 pack of the Pale ASAP and I really want to try their seasonals.
Until next time... I'm off to find the next organic