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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2014 12:29:23 GMT -5
Went to a beer class once that had a quick, interesting digression about how one region or country's "fancy" beer is another country's trash beer. One example the instructor gave was Stella Artois, which is marketed as an upscale, refined alternative to major labels here in the U.S., but it is in fact the Pabst Blue Ribbon of Belgium. That's how he put it anyway. Not just Belgium but much of Europe - the nickname for Stella in the UK is "wife beater," which gives you an indication of the type of drinker it's generally associated with. |
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Post by ganews on Dec 17, 2014 12:41:46 GMT -5
A year and a half ago I went to a conference in Minneapolis. Walking around town I saw the old Grain Belt Beer billboard, and oh hey they're serving it at the convention center. I really liked it, even moreso when I saw how cheap it was at the liquor store when stocking up for the after-party.
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repulsionist
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Post by repulsionist on Dec 18, 2014 16:47:36 GMT -5
Finally, the gawdz of Whole Foods have heard my silent cries to infuse the supermarkets with diverse adjunct lagers. To be clear, I am not being facetious. I introduce to you, and those that wish to seek it at their Whole Foods: MONTUCKY COLD SNACKS. That's right. A beer. From Bozeman, MT. That has. Been brewed. With LIGHT Beer drinkers in mind! Their brand has a philanthropic philosophy. I like the cut of their jibe.  |
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Post by ganews on Dec 18, 2014 17:08:03 GMT -5
Finally, the gawdz of Whole Foods have heard my silent cries to infuse the supermarkets with diverse adjunct lagers. To be clear, I am not being facetious. I introduce to you, and those that wish to seek it at their Whole Foods: MONTUCKY COLD SNACKS. That's right. A beer. From Bozeman, MT. That has. Been brewed. With LIGHT Beer drinkers in mind! Their brand has a philanthropic philosophy. I like the cut of their jibe. I'd try it just for the name. Actually, I make about half of my beer trials on that basis. Like NCAA bracket picks! |
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repulsionist
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Post by repulsionist on Dec 19, 2014 15:22:07 GMT -5
Question--I bought a bottle of Laika Russian Imperial Stout, should I stick it in the refrigerator or drink it room-temperature? When I choose to drink a Sheaf Stout (read: very rarely), which from reading beer advocate and rate beer appears similar in taste/body/head, I start the bottle from the refrigerator then warm to the stout as it does; I do pour it and don't drink from the bottle. I enjoy a colder Guinness pint, but the stronger the stout the warmer I like it. I'd submit, refrigerator and take it out for 30-45 minutes, then pour. LazBro would have a better bearing on this. |
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Dec 21, 2014 2:14:54 GMT -5
Question--I bought a bottle of Laika Russian Imperial Stout, should I stick it in the refrigerator or drink it room-temperature? I think repulsionist is dead on. You don't want it quite refrigerator cold, but definitely not room temp. Most stouts deliver best between 45-60 degrees and can change dramatically even within that range. I agree with the recommendation to pull it, set it, pour it and then drink it. Although I will admit that I rarely have the patience and will simply pull the stout from the fridge, pour into a glass and start drinking. I tend to drink them more slowly than I would a pale anyway, so I still take advantage of noticing how the beer changes as it warms in the glass. I think the glass is most important. I'm not super-uppity about glassware, but I just can't recommend drinking a good stout from the bottle. For one thing, what's the fun of drinking a beer you can't see? |
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Post by Pastafarian on Dec 28, 2014 8:36:41 GMT -5
Question--I bought a bottle of Laika Russian Imperial Stout, should I stick it in the refrigerator or drink it room-temperature? I think repulsionist is dead on. You don't want it quite refrigerator cold, but definitely not room temp. Most stouts deliver best between 45-60 degrees and can change dramatically even within that range. I agree with the recommendation to pull it, set it, pour it and then drink it. Although I will admit that I rarely have the patience and will simply pull the stout from the fridge, pour into a glass and start drinking. I tend to drink them more slowly than I would a pale anyway, so I still take advantage of noticing how the beer changes as it warms in the glass. I think the glass is most important. I'm not super-uppity about glassware, but I just can't recommend drinking a good stout from the bottle. For one thing, what's the fun of drinking a beer you can't see? If I may, the other way to go about it is to place it in the fridge at room temp, then pull it out 10 - 12 minutes later to enjoy. This is the trick I use to drink red wine which shouldn't be chilled, but shouldn't be served room temp either (so many restaurants get this wrong). anyway works pretty well, cool but not cold - cellar temp. And 100 percent agree on the glass, though I'd go a little further and say to try and go for a tulip shaped glass if you have access to one, if not a red wine glass would work ok, better than just a water glass or a regular pint glass. |
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Post by Pedantic Editor Type on Dec 30, 2014 11:33:12 GMT -5
Wilford informs me that our bottle of Vlad the Second (Order of the Dragon) - a bourbon barrel aged Russian imperial stout with vanilla - is coming home with him today.
It is bottle 933 of 1344. I am excite.
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Dec 30, 2014 14:03:02 GMT -5
Wilford informs me that our bottle of Vlad the Second (Order of the Dragon) - a bourbon barrel aged Russian imperial stout with vanilla - is coming home with him today. It is bottle 933 of 1344. I am excite. Lots of jealous. |
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BEER
Dec 31, 2014 2:40:27 GMT -5
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Post by Great Unwashed on Dec 31, 2014 2:40:27 GMT -5
Some stuff enjoyed over Christmas
More Coopers Pale Ale, some Guinness, which is always nice, and some of the Harringtons Rogue Hop pilsner and Wobbly Boot porter, although maybe less than I would have preferred, as while the Rogue Hop is officially sold in 12 packs in supermarkets, actually finding it in stock so that you may then purchase it so that you may then consume it is proving somewhat of a challenge, so it's just been the 1.25 litre riggers for the time being.
Also, tried the Moa sessionable IPA, which is another does what is says on the box deal, so a mild IPA which is perfectly fine and "sessionable", but not really anything else to add.
There were a couple of Boundary Road varieties I tried. Research somewhat confirmed what I suspected upon seeing the address on the box, which is that it is a slightly boutique-y label of a major brewery, although it turns out it's the upstart third-party major brewery, and this is their "craft" label (although I think a label like "mid-market" would really be more appropriate, as regardless of ownership, their stuff really isn't competing against more expensive and harder to find craft stuff anyway). I've found their stuff not even that great as mid-market stuff before, but gave a few six-packs a try as they were on special. Despite their not being much to write about the Moa sessionable IPA, the Boundary Road IPA was still a bit noticeable weaker and veered a little too far into "sessionable", but it wasn't awful or anything. I also had their Chocolate Moose Porter, which was a little nicer, although I preferred the Harrington's Pig Whistle mild dark ale I had a few weeks previous.
Just now having some of the Coopers Stout, which isn't too bad at all, a decent stout with a bit of body.
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Post by Pedantic Editor Type on Dec 31, 2014 9:54:44 GMT -5
My brother in law gave me a 12 pack of Boulevard, a brewer in KC. Half of it is probably too hoppy for me, but I appreciate the sentiment and the tasting room oatmeal stout a lot. And guests can drink the other.
Drank Seven Swans a Swimming, our homebrew saison, and Greenbush's Mr Hyde over the actual holiday.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2015 9:17:56 GMT -5
That's all I wanted to say, really. Wobbly Boot. Wobbly Boot. |
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Jan 2, 2015 10:09:37 GMT -5
Went to a NYE party with some of the Mrs. comedy friends, my first actual "everyone bring their kids party," so that was madness. Hosts provided Bud Light and a couple others brought Blue Moon (blech!). Of course I brought some of my stuff. Both the Apricot-Ginger Strong Ale and the Coffee Porter were liked by those who tried them.
We cut out early, around 11:00, so we could be home in time to get lady into bed and then share a beer as the year turned. She had the Angry Orchard Green Apple, which is a little tart for her but I like it a lot. I had the Southern Tier 2XMAS, a sickly sweet ale brewed with figs, orange peel and spices. I'm typically a big Southern Tier fan, but this wasn't my favorite.
Random note: we played charades at the party, because we're cool adults, and I failed to successfully pantomime Carl Sagan. Mrs. Snape later admitted that she put that one in the bowl and was sorry I drew it.
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Post by Pedantic Editor Type on Jan 13, 2015 8:08:52 GMT -5
I posted some of this in the Cheap Booze thread; on NYE I had one really awesome beer and one totally weird one.
The delightful one was Hailstorm's Vlad the Second barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with vanilla. SO good.
The weird one was Ska's Mole Stout ... there's cumin in it, and it kind of smelled like refried beans or enchilada sauce. I described it as "the floor of a Mexican restaurant."
I made up for the weird mole stout by drinking New Holland's El Mole Ocho last weekend, which is sweet with a hint of spice, and much better. I also had the most adorable little goblet of Revolution's barrel aged Bean Gene (Eugene porter with coffee).
Clearly I am a sucker for stouts and barrel aged beers.
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Jan 15, 2015 21:29:17 GMT -5
This Saturday is my birthday. The Mrs. and I and going out to dinner at a certifiably excellent restaurant, having a couple beers, and then after we pick up baby from grandma's and get her into bed, we'll have this waiting for us. Brew Dog Tokio 18.2% Oak Aged Stout with Cranberries and Jasmine Stopped by the Total Wine yesterday to kill some time before meeting my folks for dinner, and I nearly plotzed when I saw this on the shelf. Shhhh. Mrs. Snape doesn't know yet.  |
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monodrone
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Post by monodrone on Jan 16, 2015 8:20:24 GMT -5
That beer is a darn good beer. This weekend is the last time I'm going to do any boozing until I become a dad (due in 3 weeks time) so I've been thinking about picking up something fancy to go out on - I might see if I can track down one of those or equivalent. |
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Jan 16, 2015 8:50:51 GMT -5
That beer is a darn good beer. This weekend is the last time I'm going to do any boozing until I become a dad (due in 3 weeks time) so I've been thinking about picking up something fancy to go out on - I might see if I can track down one of those or equivalent. Congrats on the pending arrival! Never seen that Black Tokyo Horizon over here, but I can't imagine it's anything less than stellar. It's prohibitively expensive, but I really want to go back and pick up another 6 or so bottles of the Tokio for aging. Just gotta convince the Mrs. it's a good use of $100. |
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Post by disqusf3dme on Jan 17, 2015 1:43:52 GMT -5
Right now I'm drinking Head Stock, which is an IPA from Nickel Brook Brewery. I'm not an IPA fan, and this one even has an IBU of 80, but it is seriously delicious. It smells so fruity, like pineapples, and the flavour is this mix of tropical fruits and hops and a bit of citrus, with some bitterness, naturally, but not enough to turn me off.
I feel like being in Canada means I have different beer than a lot of you, although I know some of our stuff makes it across the border, like Unibroue seems pretty popular.
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Post by Pedantic Editor Type on Jan 23, 2015 9:38:16 GMT -5
We've got a lot of bombers piling up in our pantry ... gonna have to start drinking some of them soon. North Coast Brother Thelonious - this isn't overly special, but a solid Belgian Abbey Ale. New Belgium Lips of Faith La Folie - this is TWBE's favorite beer and I bought it for him for our anniversary; it's a Belgian sour. Flesk Anniversary Ale 2014 - Barrel Aged Belgian Strong Ale brewed by a very local nanobrewery. Hand numbered and everything. We've met the brothers who run the place a couple of times, they do good stuff. Two Brothers Bare Tree 2013 - They had the 2013 and the 2014 version at the store, I couldn't resist buying the older one. Listed as a barleywine style "weiss" or "wheat wine". Also a local brewery although with a much bigger presence. Firestone Walker Sucaba 2015 - one of my favorites, I've bought this the last two years and drunk it on my birthday (end of March). I don't have the patience to cellar it for a year or more. A barrel aged barleywine. This is on top of the "every day" random beers we have in the fridge  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2015 1:15:17 GMT -5
Firestone Walker Sucaba 2015 - one of my favorites, I've bought this the last two years and drunk it on my birthday (end of March). I don't have the patience to cellar it for a year or more. A barrel aged barleywine. I've aged quite a few FW barrel aged beers and while it's interesting to see how they develop, I feel like nobody in the country is more proficient than Firestone at releasing barreled beers exactly when they're at the perfect time to be enjoyed. With the lineage and expertise from central California coast winemakers, they have an uncanny knack for knowing just how much time a beer needs in the barrel and what percentage to blend back in so that it's just right at time of release. (lone exception IMO is Double DBA, which benefits with an 1-2 year following release). In beer news/beer jealousy on my part, I am desperately wishing I was in Chicago this weekend for Uppers & Downers, the inaugural showcase event for unusual small batch coffee beer creations. We're not officially participating, but my partner is headed up with some growlers of things we've produced at my brewery (we have two coffee beers in our lineup so far). |
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Post by Pedantic Editor Type on Jan 24, 2015 10:24:46 GMT -5
Firestone Walker Sucaba 2015 - one of my favorites, I've bought this the last two years and drunk it on my birthday (end of March). I don't have the patience to cellar it for a year or more. A barrel aged barleywine. I've aged quite a few FW barrel aged beers and while it's interesting to see how they develop, I feel like nobody in the country is more proficient than Firestone at releasing barreled beers exactly when they're at the perfect time to be enjoyed. With the lineage and expertise from central California coast winemakers, they have an uncanny knack for knowing just how much time a beer needs in the barrel and what percentage to blend back in so that it's just right at time of release. (lone exception IMO is Double DBA, which benefits with an 1-2 year following release). In beer news/beer jealousy on my part, I am desperately wishing I was in Chicago this weekend for Uppers & Downers, the inaugural showcase event for unusual small batch coffee beer creations. We're not officially participating, but my partner is headed up with some growlers of things we've produced at my brewery (we have two coffee beers in our lineup so far). Good to know I think if I could buy two at a time I might age one, but since it's one only and a hassle to find another store ... That event sounds cool, I didn't even know it was happening! |
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Feb 4, 2015 9:28:58 GMT -5
So Budweiser can eat all the dicks.
That is all.
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BEER
Feb 14, 2015 1:46:25 GMT -5
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Post by Great Unwashed on Feb 14, 2015 1:46:25 GMT -5
A Monteith's Double Hopped IPA
Don't have a lot to compare it to in terms of the double hopped, but it seems to work, to these tastebuds it seems decently balanced (if that's even what other people are after in their hoppy beers), the hoppiness and strength (7.5%) complement each other, goes down easy, which I find not all IPAs do. I've got another Double Hopped IPA and stronger IPA as well to test against to see if this particular to this bottle or a varietal trait.
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Invisible Goat
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BEER
Feb 14, 2015 18:16:34 GMT -5
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Post by Invisible Goat on Feb 14, 2015 18:16:34 GMT -5
So Budweiser can eat all the dicks. That is all. Especially rich since they just bought Elysian, an excellent craft brewery that made its name with their amazing pumpkin beers. Fucking assholes. |
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Mar 25, 2015 16:22:19 GMT -5
If you get Saint Arnold in your neck of the woods, the Saint Arnold Elissa is a mighty fine IPA. Fruity and refreshing, with a pronounced hop bitterness and very little pine. Not too strong at around 6% so you don't feel bad having a couple.
The Kroger I shop at has this beer in its BYO 6-Pack selection, and I can't seem to stop myself grabbing a bottle or two every time I get beer. Which is often.
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Post by Pedantic Editor Type on Mar 26, 2015 8:20:11 GMT -5
Drinking my Sucaba this weekend!
Last weekend I tried Boulevard Brewing's Harvest Dance wheat wine, which was pretty yummy and a good price for a wheat wine bomber ($8.99).
And my husband was trying to get his hands on some Vlad the Conquistador from local Hailstorm Brewing, a Russian imperial stout with chiles, cocoa, cinnamon and agave. (Vlad the Impaler is their standard stout; Vlad the Second was their barrel-aged with vanilla variant from around Christmas.)
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Mar 30, 2015 11:51:44 GMT -5
I've been positively obsessed with IPAs in the past couple months. My taste has shifted away from the ultra-complex, barrel-aged imperial stout thing - not that I don't still love them - to the land of hops, hops, hops! I think when I'm drinking is playing a big part. I like to have a beer while I make dinner, working up a bit of a sweat sometimes, so it's nice to have something a little colder, lighter and more refreshing. Big stouts I tend to sip and savor, which is a great experience, but not what my life wants right now.
I've been blowing a lot of dough on IPAs lately, so I'm hoping my homebrewed attempt will scratch that itch and save my budget (if not my liver). It smelled divine during bottling last night.
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Post by Great Unwashed on Apr 2, 2015 3:19:04 GMT -5
Trying a Monteith's Imperial Pilsner (7.0% alcohol/volume). I think higher alcohol lagers or lighter-colour beers in general can be a bit dicey, and this isn't completely free of that someone dumped a shot in my beer taste, but it's actually alright - I don't think the Pilsner style here blends as well with the strength of the beer as I found the bitterness of their double hopped IPA dud, but it's still a nice drop to try.
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Apr 13, 2015 8:35:34 GMT -5
I'm a couple weeks late to posting this. Esquire Network's cool craft beer show Brew Dogs is back for a 3rd season. In this show, the two founders of BrewDog Brewery in Scotland travel to different cities in America to learn about the local craft beer culture, run down their top breweries and craft beer bars, and brew a beer inspired by the scene. It's light, funny entertainment in which you may actually learn a thing or two about beer, and since they actually brew a batch every episode, I think it may particularly appeal to the homebrewers in the crowd. We're two episodes deep into the 3rd season (of like 6 episodes), and so far they've visited their hometown in Scotland for a special homecoming episode (lots of whiskey porn, too) and then Brooklyn. DirectTV saw fit to give us Esquire Network in secret, not sure when, so we actually get to watch DVR'ed episodes this time around. I had to torrent season 2. tv.esquire.com/shows/brew-dogs |
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Apr 13, 2015 8:53:53 GMT -5
And in actual beer drinking news, Mrs. Snape made a late night beer run Saturday (while I was brewing, in fact) and came home with the Destihl Brewery Wild Sour Series: Here Gose Nothin'. I'm a bit embarrassed as a craft beer fan, and particularly a sour beer fan, to have never heard of this series or the people who brew it.
This Leipzig-style gose is a sour wheat ale that packs a more assertive punch than I expected, having found most Goze/Gueze beers on the tamer end of the sour spectrum. Here Gose Nothin' is puckeringly tart and dry, with only a lingering maltiness to provide respite from the acidic burn of fresh squeezed lemon and grapefruit. Virtually devoid of sweetness or those warmer wheat notes, this beer is a hammer. And I love it.
Also tried the Rebel Rouser IPA, Sam Adams new double-IPA cousin to their oh-so-late-to-the-game Rebel IPA. It's about what I expected. A decent splash of bitter and floral hops at first taste gives way to that trademark emptiness that characterizes all Sam Adams beers. Not bad, but I'm glad I only bought the one bottle.
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