Giusto Gusto

This morning myself and 16 other rascals are flying into the storm that is Mardi Gras in NOLA, so consider this the calm recollection of thought before the carnage, taking some time to describe the subtle complexity of a craft beer before I destroy all credibility in a celebration devoid of principals or boundaries.

Winter is not my bag, but it does foster some creative brewing by America’s micro-brewery population and Anchor Steam’s Liberty Ale is a time-tested champion. Let’s get into it man, like a steam machine:

Anchor Steam Liberty Ale

Product Details: 5.9% Alcohol Ale brewed in San Francisco, CA.

Appearance: Clear, golden and bright streaming with tiny bubbles formed by natural yeast fermentation.

Aroma: Floral sounds girly for a beer, but the use of Cascade Hops and a top-fermented, dry hop process creates an incredibly aromatic brew. Sweet and round like a healthy caboose.

Taste: The Liberty Ale is as light as a crinkly IPA but without any of the crinkle, meaning it has almost no bitter tinge at all. It’s smooth, balanced, and exciting thanks to the pale malted barley. Imagine something between an IPA and a Lager but with more character and complexity.

Food Pairings: Matching the Liberty Ale with wings, ribs, sandwiches, or just a bag full of peanuts would be pretty on point. I enjoyed mine with some sicilian-style pizza, highly recommended.

Price: A 6-pack will run you between $8-$10, not bad considering the quality and righteous old-school packaging.

Overall: Winter, if you can call what we had winter, is almost over here in Raleigh and I’m excited to get back to light, refreshing beers. My taste buds are sapped thanks to months of Porters, Stouts and Duppels. If you’re looking for a sweet, refreshing brew to wake your taste buds up and remind you spring’s near, Liberty Ale’s your gal. She’s curvacious, blonde, and most importantly very tasty.

And with that I bid you all farewell, just in case I don’t make it back from what’s sure to be an adventure kept secret for many years to come. God Speed…