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JOSH SMITH

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A six-pack to go

A half-dozen bottles of happiness
A year and a half ago, I started writing this column by trying to assemble the ultimate mix-a-six pack.

By: JOSH SMITH | July 19, 2011

Off the beaten tap

Chili peppers, watermelon, and other oddities
Once upon a time beer was made with just four ingredients: malts, hops, yeast, and water.

By: JOSH SMITH | June 21, 2011

Beers worth waiting for

Patience, rewarded
Most people agree that fresh is better. The same is true in the world of craft beer. Except when it isn't.

By: JOSH SMITH | June 07, 2011

Beer Geek Nirvana

Deconstructing Latitude 48 + Best of Beer Camp
While it's been said you can't teach an old dog new tricks, two pioneers of the craft beer movement have just released new and exciting mix packs.

By: JOSH SMITH | May 25, 2011

Hefeweizens: The ultimate warm-weather beer

Summer sippers
Too often, summertime beers mean watery, flavorless brews. But there is one style native to southern Germany, which guarantees you don't have to sacrifice flavor for drinkability — Hefeweizens, the ultimate summer beer.

By: JOSH SMITH | May 12, 2011

Suds worth the splurge

Indulge!
While it will cost you, these four splurge beers are worth every penny.

By: JOSH SMITH | April 27, 2011

Merry olde beer

A new look at some English styles
In the increasingly specialized craft beer marketplace, fresh and edgy tends to trump tradition.

By: JOSH SMITH | April 13, 2011

Health 'n' hops

Is beer good for you?
Thomas Jefferson once asserted that beer, when drank in moderation, "promotes health." Trappist monks in Belgium and the Netherlands referred to it as "liquid bread."

By: JOSH SMITH | March 29, 2011

The Cascades come East

Diving into the "Black IPA's"
According to the latest Beer Style Guidelines released by the Brewers Associations, there are 73 styles of ales and 64 lagers in existence. That's 137 different styles of beer! Despite this plethora of options, the world's newest style of beer has created quite a stir.

By: JOSH SMITH | March 16, 2011

Bring on the Bock (and more)

Springing forward
For New Englanders, the four seasons are an inescapable reality. The good news is that each season brings its own beer with it. Light, sessionable brews for summer, Oktoberfest beers in the fall, winter warmers, and in the spring . . . . Wait, what exactly is the style for spring seasonals?

By: JOSH SMITH | March 02, 2011

Beer by the sea

Sipping at Newport Storm
Ever since Narragansett closed its Cranston brewery 30 years ago, Rhode Island's brewing history has been sporadic at best. Contract brewers Hope Brewing and the Great Providence Brewing Company never successfully built a brewery, while Emerald Isle Brew Works' keg-only facility lasted just a few years.

By: JOSH SMITH | February 16, 2011

Beer and cheese unite!

A super pairing for the big game
As disappointed Patriots fans, we're definitely going to need some quality beer and snacks to get through the Super Bowl this year. While chicken wings, pizza, or chips and dip will be served at most houses come kickoff, I'm opting for what I consider to be the ultimate Super Bowl snack: beer and cheese.

By: JOSH SMITH | February 02, 2011

On tap for 2011

The New Year in beer
Unquestionably, 2010 was another banner year for craft beer. Personal highlights include the release of barrel-aged and specialty beers such as Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Series, and the recognition of Cascadian Dark Ales (or Black IPAs) as a style. Here are seven other trends we can expect to see in 2011.

By: JOSH SMITH | December 29, 2010

Ho-ho-hops!

We wish you a beery Christmas
Beer is the world's most popular alcoholic drink. Living during this current renaissance of craft beer has allowed a wide spectrum of styles and flavors to become available, making the beverage even more accessible than ever.

By: JOSH SMITH | December 15, 2010

Beer: It's what's for breakfast

Good morning!
Breakfast beers aren't for everyone. People will think you have a problem. But we aren't talking about a hair-of-the-dog here — we're drinking beer because it goes great with breakfast!

By: JOSH SMITH | December 01, 2010

Time for thanks

Giving beer a place at the table
The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock nearly 400 years ago, shortly after running out of beer. Certainly beer was consumed the following year at the first Thanksgiving. So surely beer belongs at your own table this Thanksgiving!

By: JOSH SMITH | November 17, 2010

Excellent exbeeriments: The wonderful world of beer blends

Black and Tan and you
It is possible go into virtually any bar and order a Black and Tan. And if recent growth continues, soon it may not be the only blended beer available.

By: JOSH SMITH | November 03, 2010

The best of Oktoberfest beers

Falling for an old style
The Oktoberfest style of beer actually predates the first Oktoberfest celebration of 200 years ago. The other name by which this ancient style is known gives us a hint of its true roots: Märzen.

By: JOSH SMITH | October 13, 2010

Get ready for Providence Craft Beer Week

Cheers!
With the weather cooling down and the Oktoberfest 200th anniversary celebration in full swing in Munich, October just feels like beer drinking season. So it's only fitting that the first annual Providence Craft Beer Week will take place October 1-8.

By: JOSH SMITH | September 29, 2010

Go global!

Become a worldly beer drinker
Talk of international beer typically conjures up images of German beer gardens, Belgian monasteries, and pints of Guinness. But where is the rest of the world in this Eurocentric fantasy?

By: JOSH SMITH | September 07, 2010

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