DRAFT Mailbag: Homebrewing and beer allergies

For the inaugural video of the DRAFT Mailbag, I take a stab at answering two important questions on homebrewing and coping with beer allergies. Think you have a better answer? Tell us about it in the comments.

Quick tip: Two black IPAs

For a great introduction into the style, check out these two black IPAs from Alaskan Brewing and Heavy Seas—both are on shelves now.

Meantime Old Smoked Bock

This offering from the London brewery billows with big, rustic smoke—if you love smoked beers, definitely check out Meantime Old Smoked Bock as we give it a spin.

Quick tip: spruce beers

I absolutely love spruce tips in beer. Like hops, spruce tips offer a range of flavors and aromas, from citrusy and floral notes to rich, woodsy pine. No wonder colonial American brewers, Captain Cook and, now, craft brewers enjoy tossing them into the kettle. Taste along as we pop open two of our favorite spruce beers on the shelves now. After that, swing by over here to learn about some other winter beers that offer interesting fresh flavors.

Quick tip: Holiday dessert in a bottle

Christmas is almost upon us and you’re probably still trying to figure out what dessert to serve after dinner, right? Look no further than these three holiday dessert-themed beers: Pennsylvania Nut Roll Ale, Bison Gingerbread Ale and Karl Strauss Mouette a Trois holiday fruitcake ale.