Usually when I go out I've been drinking mostly cocktails but a friend gave me a sip of the new beer called B(E) and it was great. It's my new favorite and it has a little extra zing to it.

Isn't that the one with caffeine? How much did you drink? Did you ever get a hangover from it?

Yes, it has caffeine and also ginseng and guarana. That's what gave it that extra kick. I only had one and felt totally fine the next day.

Hmmmm...I heard people talking about it on the radio the other day they were all saying it was disgusting.

That's what people said about Coca-cola when it first came out. I can see where it may not be for everyone - especially if you are already in love with the hoppy/malty taste of beer...but this isn't FOR people who already are focused beer drinkers. I think it's kinda' cool that the major beer companies are trying to please a broader range of people. I love Belgian Ales, and I would be interested in trying this "B to the E" brew. Especially if it doesn't make me sleepy - think about it: Uninhibited and wide awake! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Do you think more people would not recognize they are drunk, because of the caffeine - and may have more of a tendency to drive when they shouldn't?

Hmmm...I hadn't thought of that. I guess it wouldn't be much different than someone who's had Red Bull and vodka or Rum and Cokes all night. Not sure it will affect drunk driving rates either way.

Yeah, I have to agree with you.

Has curiosity gotten to you yet, Aime? Have you tried it - especially with Jackson4365's rave review?

Another new brew coming out in time for the 2005 summer season is Bacardi Silver Watermelon (one of the "Malternatives") by Anheuser-Busch. A-B says it's sweeter and quenching. Many beer drinkers think "malternatives" are disgusting, but I like to stay open to new developments. Has anyone tried it yet?

Budweiser Select, a low-carb, low calorie beer, was introduced in March 2005. What do you think of the taste, appearance, and mouthfeel? How about drinkability?

Try a brew with the noble herb and see how that sets you back watch how many grams you use though as one of mine is well known as "One is all you need!"

The Bull

Two new brews:

"Tilt" made by Anheuser Busch. Malt beverage made with 2-row malt, grain, yeast and hops, caffeine, guarana, ginsing, and raspberry flavor.

"NicoShot" by German brewer Nautilus GmbH Laboratoriumsbedarf is touted as "the world's first smoking cessation beer." You get a kick of nicotine when you have a beer. The company claims that three beers have the nicotine equivalent of a pack of cigarettes, so if you get the urge for a smoke, you don't have to light up!

Another new brew:

Samuel Adams 2005 Utopias MMIII with 25% ABV at about $100 a bottle. It comes in a look-alike mini-copper brewing kettle.

Guinness World Records confirms that it holds the record for Strongest Commercially Available Beer.

Here's one that is being introduced at the Great American Beer Festival 2005, Sept. 29 to October 1:

Flying Dog Weizenbock! Beer Official Release Date: Mid-November '05!

Label features winning artwork of Project Ink Splash! They call this one "Wild Beer! Wild Art!" Check out contest entries at the contest page at http://www.FlyingDogAles.com

Also on hand at the GABF are Flying Dog's 2 experimental Imperial Porters: Extra Special Gonzo and Graber's Gonzo. For a Tasting Fee of $10, you can get a taste of what is to come! Proceeds go to the Humane Societie's animal rescue efforts in Louisiana.

More new brews from Anheuser Busch - A-B is entering the world of "craft brewing" with Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale, one of the new "seasonals" that will be introduced. "Jack's" will be available until December, with new seasonals to be introduced in January, April and July. Great to see a larger variety coming out of the big guns!

Also new from Anheuser Busch: Michelob Pumpkin Spice, Michelob Marzen and Michelob Pale Ale. These will be in the "Sampler Collection", along with Michelob, Michelob Honey Lager, and Michelob AmberBock.

Cheers!

New Limited Edition from Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas:

Shiner 96, a Marzen/Oktoberfest signature beer. Specially crafted as a commemorative beer to celebrate 96 years of "brewing heritage."

Spoetzl is Texas' oldest independent brewery.

Okay, Beer Lovers, "Do you Dare?" the label taunts. Ritual Dark Ale by ReaperAle in Foothill Ranch, California is deep mahogany black - an American Strong Ale with the soft, mouthy allure of coffee and chocolate. 8.5% ABV Mmmmmm!

Also new to the list is 9th Anniversary Ale, Stone Brewing Company, San Marcos, California. Wheat base with a wine-like character, loaded with hops - crisp and dry, yet honey touched freshness. 7% ABV

Part of the "Monster Beer Tour" from Terrapin Beer in Athens, Georgia:

Big Hoppy Monster - Full of BITE! 75 IBU's and 8.3%ABV

Continuing on the tour each season is the release of Terrapin's most successful seasonals:

Winter 2005 - Wake n' Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout
Spring 2006 - Rye2 (Rye Squared)
Summer 2006 - All American Imperial Pilsner

Leroy from Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery, Lyons, Colorado, USA: American Brown Ale

Murky dark chestnut with creamy off-white head
Aromas of chocolate and dark fruit. Flavors are nutty with a chocolate malt sweetness and grassy hops.

5.2% ABV

Have you tried the New Belgium Biere de Mars? I don't know if it's really new or just new to me, but I liked it <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It's probably not something I would drink year round, because for some reason I tend to go with darker beers during the winter, but it was a nice warm weather choice. Has a bit of a citrusy flavor to it, and it's a very pretty sort of orange-y color (or as near as I could tell it was a bit orange, the lighting wasn't so good!).

New Belgium Biere de Mars - a Biere de Garde that has evolved over the last few years - spicy, citrusy, quenching.

A few more new ones for all you beer seekers out there:

Chambly Noire - Unibroue, Chambly, Quebec, Canada - a Dark Ale that is complex, toasty, chocolate and raisiny, touched with notes of Pumpernickel.

12th Anniversary Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale - Lagunitas, Petaluma, California, USA - American Double IPA - Hoppy, hoppy, hoppy-day for all you hopheads!

Broken Top Bock - Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon, USA - Bock - Biscuity aromas with a mahogany-garnet hue - Malty and complex - nice drinkability.

Some new beers - tasty, enticing, aromatic and evocative - Festive enough to ring in the Holiday season:

Bourbon Imperial Brown Goose - Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, Illinois, USA - Bourbon barrel-aged, with hints of chocolate, coffee, and coconut! A rich, drink-by-the-fireplace beer - while visions of sugar-plums dance in your head...

Triple White Sage - Craftsman Brewing Company, Pasadena, California, USA - Lightly sweet, herbal, boozy, peppery, tropical fruit - velvety smooth, not unlike a Belgian strong pale ale.

Alaskan Winter Ale - Alaskan Brewing Company, Juneau, Alaska, USA - brilliant copper, malty, chewy, with the sweet, flowery scent of spruce tips (think honeysuckle and citrus). Addictive!!!

More good news for Celiacs:
Anheuser-Busch has entered the ring of Gluten-Free Brewers with Redbridge, a beer brewed with sorghum and gluten free ingredients. It is brewed in Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, and will be available nationwide at health food and organic food stores.

In Mid-October 2007, Victory Brewing of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, will release Baltic Thunder. This is a collaboration beer between Ron Barchet & Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing and Tom Baker of the former Heavyweight Brewing Company. This is a Baltic porter, 8.5% ABV, roasted toffee character, and will be released in 25.4 Fl. Oz. bottles. Magical!

Anderson Valley Brewing Company of Boonville, California, will release its award winning Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale on September 4, 2007. Mmmmm...