Saison’s Delight

This Saison style ale has been a seasonal for Clipper City Brewing from Baltimore since before they repackaged all their beers as  Heavy Seas. And it’s still good. Brewed with Belgian yeast and candi sugar, it’s  on the big and complex end of Saison style ales - a great “first time” if you’re new to the style. (Check out the Heavy Seas website for their “Red Sky Mussels” recipe!)

On Sale for$7.96 through 08/21/11

Regularly $9.99

Walk on the Wild Side

Lagunitas Brewing Co. in Petaluma, CA scored a big hit with its “A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale” The hoppy wheat continues to be a well-received treat. Not willing to rest on their laurels, Lagunitas gives the same idea a wild twist - Belgian yeast. The different yeast delivers a little more body and slight esters making a great beer even better.

On Sale for $8.96 HELD OVER through 08/14/11

Regularly $10.49

Darker Shade of IPA

By now the Black IPA has got to be the official craft beer style of the year. Starting just this past winter, Otter Creek Brewing Co. of Middlebury, VT jumped on the bandwagaon with this version. The base ale here is a dark amber using 2-Row, Caramel 60L, and Carafa III malts. It’s lighter-bodied than other porter or stout based black IPAs. A slight roast plays with Apollo, Centennial, and Citra hops.

On Sale for $6.96 through 07/25/11

Regularly $8.99

Saranac Black

When the summer sun shines bright, many beer drinkers can become afraid of the dark. But fear not this schwarzbier. Matt Brewing Co.’s Saranac Black Forest is a dark lager - creamy and malty but without the heavy body of an ale. Following the Bavarian style it features 2-row and caramel malts, bittered by Mt. Hood and Hallertauer hops. Medium bodied and smooth, this is the perfect beer for when you’re grilling out.

On Sale $6.96 through 07/11/11

Regularly $7.99

The New VA IPA

Port City Brewing Co. just opened last year with an eye on returning to a time that Prohibition killed - namely when Alexandria, VA had the largest brewery in the South. The name, “Monumental” suggests an agressive attack of hops, but what you get is a quaffable blend of floral and citrus hops. Like other VA IPAs, it’s tasty and civilized. If this is the VA IPA, bring it on!

Heavy Seas Dubbel Cannon 6P - Regularly $9.99

This beer from Clipper City Brewery is the Baltimore, MD brewer’s second variation on its award winning Loose Cannon. This time the Loose Cannon - a generously hopped citrusy, floral IPA - is brewed with the yeast you usually use for Belgian abbey ales. Dubbel yeast with Pale malt and with Simcoe, Centennial, Palisade, and Warrior hops offers a complex mix of carmelized malt and citrus spice. Get some on the dubbel!

Duke of Weiss

Once upon a time in Bavaria, you could only brew Weissbier with permission of the duke. Guess who scored exclusive rights to make this pale, refreshing, wheat and barley brew? Hofbräuhas -- for 200 years! So, they’ve had a little practice. Crisp but smooth, malty with phenols and a slight hop tang -- if anyone denies this beer’s greatness, duke it out with them!

On Sale $7.96 through 05/30/11

Regularly $9.99

Heavy Seas Ahead!

Warning: To all brewsters who sail big brewery watery, tasteless light lagers, avoid this small craft brewery Uber-Pilsner. You will likely be subjected to gale force tastes. Carapils and German malts coming in from the east meet with a complex front of noble hops: Amarillo, Hersbrucker, Saaz, and Tettnang. This beer storm has been rated a 2007 World Beer Silver Medal Champion. Weaker palates may founder and capsize.

On Sale for $7.96 through 05/16/11

Regularly $9.49

Such Sweet Sorrow

Sad news ... Hofbräuhaus is cutting back on their U.S. business. So enjoy this Maibock,for soon we must part with their tasty brews. Bocks are sweet, rich, strong German lagers with the Maibock the most delicate -- medium bodied with a slight hop taste. By tradition Hofbräuhaus taps their first barrel the last week of April for a delicate play of nutty/bready malt and hops all through May (Mai).

On Sale for $7.96 through 05/02/11

Regularly $9.99

Bitter American

If you'd been rocketed into space against your will, you might be a little bitter too. Bitter American is our long-overdue tribute to unsung, unwitting heroes everywhere. This American session ale packs a lot of hop and malt flavor into a refreshingly lower-alcohol brew, making it the perfect beer to have on hand when you have a little history to make. Bitter American is our late winter seasonal beer available from January through March in six pack cans and on draft. This extra pale session ale has lower alcohol but all the flavor and hop aroma you expect from a much bigger beer. Give one, or three, a try. - The brewery

On sale for $7.96 through 4/18/11

Regularly $9.99