If the Four Horsemen Arrive, Offer Beer

http://www.peakprosperity.com/podcast/80011/john-michael-greer

Caledonian Newcastle Winter IPA

I paired my Pho Sate w Newcastle Winter IPA tonight. It is easy to drink and pleasant. As advertised it is an English IPA, with mild hops.

I am giving the beer a rating of 3 glasses.

Edit. I just finished the six pack. The more I drank, the less I liked. Downgraded to 2 glasses and thought about 1.

Smuttynose Winter Ale

I succumbed to a stack of Smuttynose Winter Ale on a visit w Lisa to Kroger's today and bought a 6-pack. I thought it was a wittier. I tired one tonight because I thought it would be a a nice aperiti. Well, surprise!  The ale is actually a winter warmer reminiscent of a Belgian style dubbel. Beeradvocate classifies it as a dubbel. I think that I will group it w winter warmers. The brewer states that the beer contains no spices.

The beer reminds me of Great Divide Hibernation Ale and Anchor Old Jubilation.  It is nice and malty with some caramel and spicy sweetness. Pleasant and Christmassy.

I give it 4 glasses. Upon further examination I may move the score to 5.

Business Week

Here is a good article on the effects on the beer industry of the InBev's acquisition of Anheuser-Busch to form AB InBev. The article does a nice job describing some of the real or potential tradeoffs between cost efficiencies and quality.