Craft Beer – What’s On Tap for 2015

Craft Beer – What’s On Tap for 2015

2014 was a blur of craft beer. It feels as if I was finally awakened to all of life’s infinite malt possibilities, but I know that it’s just the beginning. 2015 promises to be equally exciting and full of new and delicious surprises. The big ABV boys were out at play in the barley fields of the lord. Sierra Nevada, Boston Beer, and New Belgium led the way for the craft beer industry, but limited run ales, as well as multiple hopped IPAs from Lagunitas, Rogue Ales, Brooklyn Brewery, Stone, Dogfish Head, Boulevard, Harpoon, Deschutes sold out regularly throughout the US and the Double IPA saw a large showing as well. Stronger beer seemed to be what was on the menu. But in order to grow beyond the roughly 5% market share they currently possess in the domestic market, smaller craft breweries will have to diversify. It looks like we could be in for a wave of lighter, flavored and session brews running anywhere from a demure 4%- to a slightly less timid 6% ABV. 2015 will be the year of the Wheat Shandy and the Milk Stout. Here’s the rundown of what 2014 tasted like. And cheers to the new year!

Duvel – Belgian Strong Pale Ale | 8.50% ABV – The Blonde Devil

Chimay Blue “Grande Réserve” – Belgian Strong Dark Ale | 9.00% ABV – Bieres de Chimay

Maredsous – Tripel | 10.00% ABV

Delirium Noël – Belgian Strong Dark Ale | 10.00% ABV – Brouwerij Huyghe

Sockeye Red IPA – American IPA | 5.70% ABV – Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Saison-Brett – Saison / Farmhouse Ale | 8.50% ABV – Boulevard Brewing

Love Buzz – Saison / Farmhouse Ale | 8.00% ABV – Anchorage Brewing Company

Stone Cali-Belgique – Belgian IPA | 6.90% ABV – Stone Brewing Co.

Silver Jubilee – 25th Anniversary Ale – Saison / Farmhouse Ale | 7.30% ABV – North Coast Brewing Co.

Alyeska IPA – 6~ABV – Glacier Brewhouse

Pliny The Elder – American Double / Imperial IPA | 8.00% ABV – Russian River Brewing Company

Trappist Achel 8° Blond – Tripel | 8.00% ABV – Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse

Westmalle Trappist Tripel – 9.5ABV – Brouwerij Westmalle

Fairweather IPA – 6.1 ABV – Broken Tooth Brewing

Chimay White “Cinq Cents” – Tripel | 8.00% ABV – Bieres de Chimay

North Coast Brewing Beer Flight

Beavers Milk – Milk / Sweet Stout | 5.30% ABV – Belching Beaver Brewery

Category 52 IPA – American IPA | 7.60% ABV – 10 Barrel Brewing Co.

Saison Houblon – Saison / Farmhouse Ale | 6.50% ABV – Pike Pub & Brewery

Three Philosophers Belgian Style Blend – Quadrupel (Quad) | 9.70% ABV – Brewery Ommegang

Westmalle Trappist Dubbel | 7.00% ABV – Brouwerij Westmalle

Chainbreaker White IPA – Belgian IPA | 5.60% ABV – Deschutes Brewery

Pauwel Kwak – Belgian Strong Pale Ale | 8.40% ABV – Brouwerij Bosteels © Adrian Storey

Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout – Milk / Sweet Stout | 5.00% ABV – Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

Westmalle Trappist Tripel – 9.5ABV – Brouwerij Westmalle

Sunken Island IPA – English India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.80% ABV – Kenai River Brewing Co.

Stone Enjoy By IPA – American Double / Imperial IPA | 9.40% ABV – Stone Brewing Co.

A Little Sumpin’ Wild – Belgian IPA | 8.80% ABV – Lagunitas Brewing Company

Dead Guy Ale – Maibock / Helles Bock | 6.50% ABV – Rogue Ales

La Fin Du Monde – Tripel | 9.00% ABV – Unibroue