Domestic and International Microbrews Face Off in The Beer Club Challenge

By Rocco 'Boss Hog' Loosbrock  

12 bottles. 1 judge. This month, domestic and international microbrews faced off with a little help from Monthly Clubs. Beer fans know, this US v. International beer rivalry has long been brewing.

The Monthly Microbrew Membership actually offers 4 choices in beer clubs (if you only like rare beers, for example). But for January, I sampled the US and International Variety. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to answer the age-old question: which beer is best?

Before the results, let's straighten something out about beer clubs. Regular beer-drinkers, you already spend more on beer in a month than the cost of a membership. And chances are, you get way less quality. The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club offers hard-to-find craft beers along with tasting notes, food pairings, and A+ customer service.

Cut spending, start drinking. It's that easy.

The Beer Club Challenge: Domestic v. International Microbrews

First up, the US Beers
Our first competitor hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and boasts a 7.5% alcohol content. Weighing in at a solid 12-oz, it's the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company Emancipator Doppel Bock! Called "The Emancipator," this malty favorite is ready to party like it's 1938. This celebratory beer marks the 75th anniversary of prohibition being appealed in Ohio. Has it really been that long? Who knows! We've been drinking, not counting.

I tried the beer according to the newsletter's serving suggestion and thoroughly enjoyed the caramel flavor. The Hersbrucker hops and 5 different malts give the beer notes of everything but the kitchen sink . Not like that's a bad thing.

Second, the Baltimore's own Clipper City Brewing Company Heavy Seas Über Pils! This beer makes up for its slightly lower alcohol content with a surprising 48 IBUs. This dry brew's herbal aroma and floral malts marry well with its 6 different type of hops. Overall, this copper brew is a perfect marriage of bock and pilsner styles. So far, it's in first.

Now on to the International Brews:

Two different styles of EKU Brauerei: EKU 28 and EKU Pils. (As an FYI, EKU is a German abbreviation for the First United Kulmbacher Brewery).
The EKU 28 has a whopping (and belly-warming) 11% alcohol content and spends 9 long months lagering. And it's Über-thick, as Bavarian brewers might say. With its concentrated flavor, this secret German recipe has stolen the lead.

Finally, the EKU Pils has some good notes to end on. Unfortunately, this light golden beer's got nothing on it's darker competitors. That being said, I give it last place.

As you can probably tell, the outcome of this Us/International beer tasting was less than conclusive. Guess it all brews down to a matter of taste.

The real winners today? Members of The Microbrewed Beer Club (or in this case, me. Thank you for the samples Monthly Clubs!). If you're unhappy with wishy-washy way I washed down my microbrews, just select your own beer club and stage a rematch.

Now if you'll excuse me, my second monthly box of beers is due to arrive any minute.

Signing off at Pigging out!
Rocco "Boss Hog" Loosbrock

(NewsBlaze readers use coupon code Blaze to get 10% off your next bacon order)

Rocco owns and runs a Bacon of the Month Club called The Bacon Freak Bacon is Meat Candy Club as well as a Wine Club called the Coastal Vineyard Wine Club