tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47140393329620755092024-03-12T18:48:30.018-07:00HopsYeastperspective of beer from a local brewery supporter in new jersey. most of the beers listed on the site are from the east/northeast market. enjoyPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-2418482216877765142012-09-17T16:22:00.001-07:002012-09-17T16:22:15.624-07:00Hail to the Pumpkins! Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OwYhJOMqz_VFEFMWJKg0kVjHm3Oe0tiwJ91R-nAOg6zOpeeEsVSj-1Vhu6oBa6t7GplhCjtTWPsRJCMfzrLPCDb17WSXWEpDk03if5PROqZRRmD-AuQILAb1g-_eueHSEgKLHw1yrWNq/s1600/2011-09-23-pumpkin-beers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OwYhJOMqz_VFEFMWJKg0kVjHm3Oe0tiwJ91R-nAOg6zOpeeEsVSj-1Vhu6oBa6t7GplhCjtTWPsRJCMfzrLPCDb17WSXWEpDk03if5PROqZRRmD-AuQILAb1g-_eueHSEgKLHw1yrWNq/s400/2011-09-23-pumpkin-beers.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pumpkin beer. You're either a fan, or can do without it. You all know this is that time of year. Colder temperatures at night make us all yearn for heavier bodied beer without the summer flavors of lemons, and berries. Our palates crave cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and clove along with pumpkin, maple, and even molasses. Thankfully brewers across the country deliver with an explosions of offerings. Harpoon offers an oktoberfest, a pumpkin ale, and even a pumpkin cider so each desire is met. Others like Weyerbacher stick to one style which they've come to master, the imperial pumpkin ale. A beer which will not only sure the cravings for spice, but will also warm you up with a higher alcohol content of most fall offerings.<br />
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This year was no different for me. Sampling numerous fall styles from various breweries I've slowly compiled a list of my favorites. Surprises happened right away along with let downs as well. But instead of trashing the ones I could have done without, here are the favorites. Ten of them in fact! Agree? Disagree? let me know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZEm89HfgkQqWWRxBI4q-MbaQIP9sysPY3Xv0K6j54zrG3gK8FVyGNd2NtqI39my4zNrZGxyUvvAvTqyZISUK0qNNm5nOT_NEfGbGvEXMltk_7mm_cOcEk8aURp0BF7dVYx1H-eak-NZ8/s1600/saranac.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZEm89HfgkQqWWRxBI4q-MbaQIP9sysPY3Xv0K6j54zrG3gK8FVyGNd2NtqI39my4zNrZGxyUvvAvTqyZISUK0qNNm5nOT_NEfGbGvEXMltk_7mm_cOcEk8aURp0BF7dVYx1H-eak-NZ8/s1600/saranac.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/25608" target="_blank">Saranac Pumpkin Ale.</a><br />
If you read the review on Beer Advocate it's apparent most people have the same opinion here. It's average. Not bad or outstanding, but a decent pumpkin ale that drinkable. Had there been a little more spice in it this would have climbed up my rankings a bit. But the pumpkin ale world has become crowded with competition and breweries need to push the envelope to gain the top spots.<br />
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/119/44209" target="_blank">Wolaver's Pumpkin Ale</a><br />
Maybe the way they make this beer has me place it higher on my list than others. It's organic, and the pumpkins are picked from a farm just 15 miles from the brewery. Other breweries have used pumpkins shipped all the way from China. But something about Wolaver's fall seasonal always has me place it higher on my list than better reviewed beers. It has a subtle spice flavor and the body it a bit lighter than others, but like I said, I'm a fan.<br />
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/60420" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Tumbler</a><br />
A fantastic non pumpkin and non oktoberfest fall offering from the usually hop heavy Sierra Nevada Brewery. This beer is easy drinking with rich roasted barley flavor and even hints of coffee at times. The low ABV% makes it a great beer to have if you're sitting by the fire and don't wanna become drunk off two beers. Another great quality of this one is it's ability to compliment many different meals. It's difficult to pair pumpkin ales with many main courses due to its spiciness. But Tumbler can come out at any time. appetizers, main course, or dessert.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDAv0lToQzMZLDRSWutPNO8SDwUAk-mtexc30H6o2IOk_AAx8apBU7OiPnrLmpj6tIW_W3izLz_8k2vYuEIUWj4Pe3IGvTBiXaHJKZN1xoiphUkDqE7zlTcD46orEnprxaVXC-ccFETaq/s1600/Gansett_Fest.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDAv0lToQzMZLDRSWutPNO8SDwUAk-mtexc30H6o2IOk_AAx8apBU7OiPnrLmpj6tIW_W3izLz_8k2vYuEIUWj4Pe3IGvTBiXaHJKZN1xoiphUkDqE7zlTcD46orEnprxaVXC-ccFETaq/s200/Gansett_Fest.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/213/61577" target="_blank">Narragansett Fest</a><br />
First time having this oktoberfest from the brewery in Rhode Island. Smooth, medium body, with a low ABV% makes this another fireside brew like Tumbler. Even though very different in flavor, Fest can be matched up with any course of food as well. This one comes in cans so keep an eye out since it may be hiding among the bottles.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/woodchuck-fall-cider/106708/" target="_blank">Woodchuck Fall Cider</a><br />
Cider is a somewhat love/hate drink. If you have a sweet tooth, you're apt to enjoy it. But if you prefer beer and beer only then cider won't likely be your thing. If it is though Fall Cider by Woodchuck captures the essence of fall perfectly. Apples, cinnamon, nutmeg all wrapped up in 12oz bottles waiting for an outdoor fire when the air is chill and the leaves are turning colors. I easily described this to someone one day saying, "it tastes like the air feels".<br />
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Next, I'll review my top 5 fall beers this year. I'm still waiting to try one or two so don't wanna be premature in declaring a favorite.<br />
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Cheers.<br />
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<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-49721861522995036042012-09-12T08:07:00.002-07:002012-09-12T09:32:20.219-07:00Stouts, Harvest Ales, and Prepare for Limited Edition Beer Releases! Fall is now here. Tomato plants are making that last push in your garden squeezing out every last fruit they can, and those pumpkin ales that came out a month ago now make sense to your palate when drinking them. Fall is an exciting time of year in the beer world. New beers are coming out every week and almost regularly a limited release small batch of beer is arriving in the stores.<br />
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Two years ago I was new into the craft beer scene and missed out on a lot if not all of those special brews. Bitches Brew by Dogfish Head was no where in sights the time I came around looking for it. This was also the year the <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/brew-masters/">show on Discovery Channel</a> caused an explosion in demand for this beer. And even the seasonal brews like winter ales and harvest ales I had a tough time getting a hold of. Not prepping for the release and knowing of the early release dates ended with me going home empty handed more often than not.<br />
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Here's your basic guide so you don't miss the beer your waiting for.<br />
Early to Mid September;<br />
Harvest Ales by many breweries including Weyerbacher, Southern Tier, Founders, and Sierra Nevada.<br />
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Late September mid October;<br />
Stouts, and the beginning of Winter Ales. Look for Founders Breakfast Stout.<br />
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Late October through November;<br />
Winter Ales, some Stouts. Keep an eye out for Anchor Christmas Ale which brew a different recipe every year. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, will give you a nice hop kick with nice body. And be alert for Lagunitas Sucks, which replaced the Brown Shugga' in 2011 but became a huge hit.<br />
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December;<br />
All Winter Ales. Weyerbacher Winter Ale, Smuttynose Winter Ale, Long Trail Hibernator, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout.<br />
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All the while be alert for the limited releases. Supply is usually low and most stores will keep those beers tucked away in the back and limit customers to 1 or 2 each. In this market, most beers come in on Thursday. So make a quick stop at your local store and ask one of the employees what came in. It may sound like trouble but it fully worth it when you drink some of these limited releases;<br />
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Dogfish Head Bitches Brew<br />
Firestone Walker Anniversary Ale (this year will be their 16th year)<br />
Allagash Interlude<br />
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<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-77872413277153360262012-08-27T09:44:00.002-07:002012-08-27T09:45:04.065-07:00Stone Enjoy By 09.21.12 and Pumpkins in July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpk-4cC3xtGKaIBviChcLuLzQOsZSAlx_36xKsnJSmr2dsZ_BNSxOg1GFeIoy94kLKfpqN1GvBNIlwx5ORQTcCRckcbmyIxZOuBsNG6rpxvTdmMs7TDxGXUZqS4-jGCh-9CKqV6JATvt9/s1600/stone-92112-label.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpk-4cC3xtGKaIBviChcLuLzQOsZSAlx_36xKsnJSmr2dsZ_BNSxOg1GFeIoy94kLKfpqN1GvBNIlwx5ORQTcCRckcbmyIxZOuBsNG6rpxvTdmMs7TDxGXUZqS4-jGCh-9CKqV6JATvt9/s400/stone-92112-label.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you're even a moderate craft beer enthusiast you've probably heard and even tried the Stone Enjoy by 09.21.12. If you haven't get on the chase wagon. It's an exceptional IPA that's highly drinkable for hefty alcohol volume it possesses(9.4%). The rage around this beer began before the majority of people even tried it. A beer that's meant to expire? Who would wanna do something like that? Why would you go through all that effort to have it be sent back a month later? These were some of the things I happened to hear leading up to the arrival of it in stores. What was happening was the buzz that Stone had created in a kick ass marketing scheme.<br />
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Indeed word of mouth is one of the ways that buzz is generated in the beer industry now. But add Facebook and Twitter into the mix and you can go from a small buzz to a critical mass in an hour. This is what happened that made people hang out in stores for hours waiting for distribution trucks to arrive. And made me drive a half hour to get some on tap. Cause even though I work in a liquor store, demand was so high my opportunity at getting some was missed. Stone did a great job building this beer up to a fever pitch before it arrived. But the beer had to deliver or it would have been an epic flop.<br />
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Now, Stone has set up a theater for a trend to begin. Who will be next? Will Stone pull a repeat and switch the markets? Or will someone else decide to take the risk? Either way it was a greatly executed plan this time around. Both the beer and marketing were wonderful. Well done Stone and all the distributors who made it possible!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6qmcXSHBj9Hlf5UCLayLS-Uc68cNCi3vw7M4YjadL_aktsrfGYg86Cdy6MPDNGYyUxQMhxbHIvcDE-K_eoRX28_7WDqOR9lsgp8wh3FueTEvdD_-0MgFZ-nqQcCE-sIoiV5yZYiObUQK/s1600/0b33c51e-3315-4ac5-afaf-9d27afbcf508.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6qmcXSHBj9Hlf5UCLayLS-Uc68cNCi3vw7M4YjadL_aktsrfGYg86Cdy6MPDNGYyUxQMhxbHIvcDE-K_eoRX28_7WDqOR9lsgp8wh3FueTEvdD_-0MgFZ-nqQcCE-sIoiV5yZYiObUQK/s400/0b33c51e-3315-4ac5-afaf-9d27afbcf508.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take your pumpkin ales to the shore during a summer vacation!</td></tr>
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Now onto a subject that I'm passionately annoyed with. Why did pumpkin and fall themed beers get released so damn early this year? Was it an economic issue? The breweries weren't hitting target sales so they decided to push up release dates in order to meet their earning predictions? Or has this just been a slow going process and year after year that's caused it to now arrive in July (and even June in some extreme cases). Last year it was mid to late August. Well I'm against this.<br />
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It's nice to see new product roll in but after a bike ride in 95 degree weather I'm not thinking Imperial Pumpkin Ale. There needs to be a Leap Month thrown into the beer release calendar to get these breweries back on schedule with the actual seasons. The biggest problem is if you want to drink this beer "in season", you have to buy it now and sit on it. But some have been bottled way back in early June. Most fall beers aren't intended for aging so you have a declining flavored beer in the fall, or you drink it in the Summer and have your taste buds become confused. Pity. Hey breweries, take a lesson from the Stone 09.21.12. Of course you can't take every beer you brew to that extreme. But fresh is usually best. Release the beer on schedule with the actual season. So when you want a Pumpkin Ale while carving a Jack-O-Lantern, it's fresh.<br />
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Next week I'll get my Christmas decorations down and put them up. This way I'll be ready when all the Christmas Ales and Holiday Beers are released in late September. At least that's what I'm predicting will happen based on this years release schedule.<br />
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I'm done complaining. Go have a beer.<br />
CheersPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-5172182851130453022012-04-02T06:57:00.002-07:002012-04-02T06:57:56.199-07:00The Arrival of Spring and the Craving For Hops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you a HopHead? You know, the kind of beer drinking that loves that bitterness in your beer bought on by a healthy dose of those fresh little pine cones called hops? Fortunately for you (and me) this is the time of year where those winter beers are long gone or tucked into storage and breweries begin to deliver the first round of IPAs and Pale Ales. So breath easy, the down time is over, warm weather is almost here, and Troegs Nugget Nectar has hit the shelves! (along with some other great spring ales)<br />
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Being a HopHead isn't always something you start out being in the beer drinking world. Most people prefer subtle Lagers and steer clear of the lip puckering bitterness hops can bring. But with the right introduction to hops, and the gentle nudges here and there from someone, a Double IPA will begin to be as smooth as a gentle Lager. But be careful, don't blow your palate up right away or you may be wary of this whole hop thing for good.<br />
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Selecting the right beer to introduce yourself or someone else into the hop world takes some knowledge. Which beer will have the right body? Which hop is more subtle than the other? Do you want to take something that is aged a little bit so the hops are smoothed out by the malt? Or just go for the fresh brew to deliver that punch of bitterness some love? My opinion, do a tasting.<br />
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Flights (little 4-6oz samples of beer) are the best way to really pull out every characteristic of different beers. When tasted alone, you may only notice the floral and citrusy flavors of the Cascade Hops in a particular beer. But when tasting one beer featuring Cascade hops next to another with Simcoe hops, you begin to pull out the subtle flavors. The piney floral and citrusy bursts in the Cascade prepares your palate and helps delivery the mellow fruity and peppery flavor in the Simcoe.<br />
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This may all seem a bit snobbish. Images of older couples listening to string quartets and dressed in tuxedos while discussing the flavors in caviar come to mind. The great thing is that it is kinda snobbish! Just in a greatly toned down way. And it can be done while in your favorite bar just hanging out with friends. And not in a tux.<br />
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Next time your in a bar that does flights, here are some great intro beers into the world of hops. Along with some others that are a bit more to extremely pungent in case you immediately fall in love with the mini cone we love.<br />
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<b><u>Subtle to Moderate Hop Flavor</u></b>;<br />
Oscar Blues Brewery - Dale's Pale Ale<br />
Climax Brewing - Nut Brown Ale<br />
Otter Creek - Stovepipe Porter<br />
River Horse - Special Ale<br />
Carton Brewing - Boat Beer<br />
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<b><u>Stronger Hop Flavor</u></b>;<br />
Smuttynose - Finest Kind IPA<br />
Dogfish Head - 60 Minute IPA<br />
Sierra Nevada - Pale Ale<br />
Lagunitas - Maximus<br />
Carton Brewing - 077XX<br />
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<b><u>Strongest Hop Flavor</u></b>;<br />
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA<br />
Troegs Nugget Nectar<br />
Weyerbacher - Double Simcoe IPA<br />
Dogfish Head 120 IPA (strongest by far)<br />
River Horse - Hop A Lot Amus<br />
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<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-18486851084259859042012-02-18T10:45:00.000-08:002012-02-18T10:45:37.745-08:00The Down Time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's early February and for me the beer scene in stores has been slow. The feverish pace at which new releases come out between August and December has been over for some time. And any leftovers of your favorite holiday beer has been bought up. Some early spring releases will start making their way onto shelves but it's still early for me to begin drinking anything with spring in the name. So aside from discovering beers I've never had before, or a possible beer dinner event, this is the time of year I refer to as the dead zone for beer.<br />
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February is just a miserable month. We are all antsy for warm weathers arrival, and if you're like me, are yearning for a new round of seasonal brews. In this time period there are some things you can do to ensure you don't go haywire and plan a trip to Belgium in order to cure your beer craziness. Most of them are easy to accomplish, others take some planning to ensure they keep you fulfilled.<br />
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Right off the bat, brewing your own beer is the obvious hobby that will keep you entertained and also keep new beers rolling in. But if you don't have a kit yet, or are just not a position to do so then I suggest starting a little collection of beers throughout the year and experiment with aging. Even with limited space, aging is easy and will keep your palate entertained. Another task that doesn't require any time like aging is mixing 6 packs at your local liquor store. Don't go in and pick up your regular favorite every time you run to the store. Grab an empty 6 pack container and deliberately pick beers you've never tried before. This is a sure way to spread your interests and discovery a new favorite. Store you go to doesn't sell singles? Find somewhere that does, or suggest to your store that they start.<br />
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One of the best ways to keep your beer-thusiasm at a high level is visit local breweries and or brew pubs. One trip to a new place each month with get the dog days of winter over quickly and you'll soon have a summer ale in your hand and cooking on the grill. Lastly, after a solid year of picking up beer to age, the next task is to deplete your beer cellar! This is a great way to entertain your taste buds and it's also a reason to have a small get together with beer tasting being the theme. Every week or two open a bottle of limited or one time releases and share with friends.<br />
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It's only 6 weeks until April! Spring and Summer aren't as far away as we think.<br />
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<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-14111900711405224682012-01-31T06:56:00.000-08:002012-01-31T17:15:21.577-08:0012 Beers Reviewed From VacationEach year my family has taken a week vacation in the winter up north. Last year was Vermont, this year we chose the neighboring state of New Hampshire. Although Vermont seems to have more of a popular brewery selection, NH still was booming with beer action mostly coming from small brew pubs and less than 100 barrel operations from what I experienced. And even though my interest in visiting Smuttynose placed high on the list of things to do, the smaller operations were what we stuck to.<br />
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In addition to the local brews, I brought along a few bottles to enjoy with the family. In all, we tried about 20 to 30 new beers while in NH. There were thankfully no true flops(or as I call "dumpers"). But some stole the show while other just blended in. In all 12 of the beers stuck out for good reasons and some not so good. Enjoy and try to get your hands on some if you can.<br />
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12-Allagash Hugh Malone IPA<br />
Sadly this was a bit of a let down. Although the flavor was nice and full of hops, the carbonation level was too much for me. Pop rocks infused IPA seems like the right way to describe it. But to credit Allagash, this is their only offering I truly was not wowed by thus far.
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11-Smuttynose Star Island Single<br />
Smutty's newer session beer had all the promise of hit since becoming a fan of the lower abv session ales being offered by breweries now. But the flavor seemed to pair with the alcohol volume by being moderate in character. Although it pains me to say so, this was very reminiscent of a Budweiser.<br />
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10-Brooklyn Black Ops<br />
I wish we picked up two bottles of this when we had a chance. Too much heat was the culprit of this promise barrel aged stout. The flavors promised by the label were there, but the pungent alcohol burn canceled most of them out. Unlike the previous two selections though, I would like to give this one another chance after a year or so of aging.<br />
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9-Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout<br />
Big name and big flavor. At times the flavor bordered on too big but that may be a result of the 3 1/2 years of aging this bottle went through. Strong dark chocolate flavor and unlike the Black Ops a much smaller alcohol warming sensation that went well with the cold weather. This is one I'm very glad to have another bottle of.<br />
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8-Allagash Triple<br />
The base for Allagash's Curieux(which we drank 5 bottles of that week) was delightful to try. You could really pick up the flavors that were much subtle in Curieux before it went through the 8 weeks of barrel aging. Although good, I think the Dubble has a more complex flavor profile. Or I just can't get the idea of this being a young Curieux.<br />
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7-White Birch Nyx<br />
One of the first NH exclusives we tried up there. Nyx is a Black IPA that seemed a little thick and flirted with being mistaken as a stout to an unknowing consumer. Deep roasted malt flavor and a thick body made it a heavy beer but the flavor profile was tremendous. Roasty, malty, hoppy. Upset we didn't grab some to take home.<br />
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6-The Lost Abbey Devotion<br />
My introduction to the insanity that is The Lost Abbey. Tons of hype around this brewery upon its New Jersey distribution in January. Devotion seemed to promise an IPA based on the label but th ops were somewhat subtle. Th flavor otherwise though was enjoyable. Smooth body, high drink ability, and a nice lower abv made it something you can enjoy in quantity without being annihilated by the end of he night. A good intro to this brewery.<br />
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5-Southern Tier Cuvée Series One<br />
Picked this boxed bottle up in the summer and have held it since. Originally made in 2008, Cuvée had lots to promise with its description. Big bourbon flavor, smooth body, and subtle hints of all types of wonderful. Vanilla, caramel, burnt sugar, and many other nuances that made this a favorite of everyone's.<br />
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4-The Flying Goose Isle of Pines Barleywine 2009<br />
Hello local brew pub magic. A three year aged Barleywine that was slightly lower in alcohol(around 9%) but huge on flavor. We also tried the 2011 variation of this beer while at the brewery, but the 2 years aging won everyone over hands down. So much flavor we had to pick up a growler, which was gone with in a day. If we ever go back to the area, The Flying Goose will definitely be one of our stops.<br />
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As previously posted, here are the top 3. Hopefully my memory serves me well.<br />
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3-Smuttynose IPA "Finest Kind"<br />
No wonder this IPA is rated so high on Beeradvocate, a nearly perfect IPA in very sense. Huge hop flavor that hits hard but then nicely fads that includes outstanding deniability, medium abv, and wonderful aroma. I'm partial to IPA's to begin with but this one has to be one of the best I've tried if not ever, then for quite some time. Glad it's a year round offering and not a 1 and done beer.<br />
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2-Squam Brewing Rattlesnake Rye-P.A.<br />
Another NH exclusive beer that comes from a very small production brewery. And I do mean small, with just a 55 barrel capacity. Not being a huge fan of rye beers this one may have turned me. Highly drinkable, smooth carbonation level and a wonderful balanced flavor with all the flavors of the rye and hops jumping out at you but mingling with each other as well. I got smart towards the end of vacation and picked up 2 bottles of this to bring home in addition to their No Wake Wheat, which I've yet to try.<br />
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1-Firestone Walker 15<br />
Without question the number 1 beer we tried. This beer is just sick. A blend of 8 different beers that goes through all types of aging made 15 the overwhelming favorite. I say things like "like nothing I've ever tried before" often when describing beers to others. But this truley is unique. Working with a winery, Firestone seems to have taken the perfect quality from each of their 8 beer and put them into to this one. Every sip revealed something different. One sip gives you bourbon, the next a subtle hop hit, then a cool funky leather type flavor, and finally a lucious coconut flavor.<br />
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Like always, new beers create new experiences and exposure to the great things that craft brewers are doing. This was not a let down in any way.
Cheers!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-82892926225407828982012-01-22T07:18:00.000-08:002012-01-22T07:18:46.803-08:00Very Quick Run Down of Beers Tried On Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My trip to New Hampshire is complete. Although all the thoughts about each beer we tried haven't been collected yet I'm certain about the top 3 we tried up there. We visiting a brew pub, and also got to try 3 beers from NH breweries that aren't available in Jersey. Even though we didn't get to try any offerings from Throwback Brewery, the trip was certainly a success. Here is a quick run down of the top three. A more detailed review of them all will follow. </div>
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#3, Smuttynose IPA. Has a simple name, so I'll just say it was simply delicious. Huge IPA fan and this hit all the marks for me. </div>
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#2, Squam Brewing Rattlesnake Rye-P-A. Another hoppy beer that was excellent. Rattlesnake Rye was one of the 19 New Hampshire available only beers we tried but for me it was heads above the rest as far as flavor and drinkability. </div>
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#1, Firestone Walker 15th Anniversary. To the people who voted in my poll and made this the winner, thank you. What an amazing beer. This was not just mine, but everyone's favorite. So yummy. I can't begin to describe the complexity to this one. </div>
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It may take me a few days but I'll get most of these beers reviewed. Thankfully, there was only one dumper of the whole bunch. All in all, it was a huge success for beer! </div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-33601352093078118152012-01-12T08:15:00.001-08:002012-01-12T13:21:04.004-08:00Lessons Learned by a First Time Homebrewer.After receiving a home brew kit from my wife for Christmas, I got right to work making my first batch. Even though we have a very stocked up kitchen as far as pots, pans, and gadgets are concerned, beer making is a whole new demon when it comes to what equipment is required. Having brewing specific equipment is as important to a brewer as having the right knives and spatula are to a chef. Sure you can wing, as I did on my first attempt, but before the next batch you probably should go to a supply store to pick up some new<br />
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First thing On the list, A grain bag. Similar to what a tea bag does to tea the grain bag essentially takes using a strainer out of the equation. And when you have a small strainer like we do, it's difficult and messy as hell to strain your grains!<br />
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After that, a new thermometer. Although my kit came with one, the clip on variation was much easier to use. Adjusting the height and placement of the thermometer was obtained once and you didn't have to worry about it again with the clip on. Where the long clip less stick type one would float on top, sink to the bottom, or move around too much making it another task to take care of.<br />
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Third, a funnel. This was a must unlike the thermometer which we could have dealt with. The kit we got didn't come with anything to help you easily pour your beer into the fermenter. My first attempt was done using some creativity as we had no funnel on hand, and no stores were open since it was Christmas day. We took a 1 liter plastic bottle of water, poured the water into cups( don't want to be wasteful with our water now) and then cut the bottle in half making a crappy but usable funnel. It actually worked quite well considering what it was. But we picked up an 8 ince diameter one for the next time.<br />
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Another key item we got was a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot allowing us to make a double batch in order to submerge brewing equipment. Our first batch of sanitizer sat in a 1 gallon mixing bowl so any time you moved it, it dripped everywhere making it even messier. The 5 gallon HD bucket was inexpensive and just made it easier as well.<br />
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Those were our first upgrades in equipment. They made making our second batch go much smoother and more enjoyable as well. We weren't as stressed since we were now working with the right tools. And even though we got more tools than the kit came with, we now would like to get even more after our first bottling run, which was another "make it as you go" adventure due to the lack of proper equipment.<br />
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Happy brewing!<br />
Cheers!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-55154087722556532602012-01-08T17:40:00.000-08:002012-01-08T17:40:35.705-08:00I Brew Beer, Does That Make My House a Brewery?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54dFfT0c8AAjM0-6IxpGjL_ucWSj9xkx0PbpUpSU9xEfSaDT7s6XXME5CIcIppV4QzJqkN1KvhOnDOuQFyhump-zH-zDE5dj5J4cVF6NquVB0fUkME-g-BjhWWyrFx1KOgvSNdxnePuV/s1600/IMG_7084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54dFfT0c8AAjM0-6IxpGjL_ucWSj9xkx0PbpUpSU9xEfSaDT7s6XXME5CIcIppV4QzJqkN1KvhOnDOuQFyhump-zH-zDE5dj5J4cVF6NquVB0fUkME-g-BjhWWyrFx1KOgvSNdxnePuV/s400/IMG_7084.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Activating the yeast in our first home brew.</td></tr>
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While bottling my first attempt at home brewing my wife and I took a sip and got a glimpse of what will be in two more weeks. Tastes like we made some pretty good beer on our first attempt. We got another batch going today after stopping by <a href="http://www.love2brew.com/" target="_blank">Love2Brew</a> in North Brunswick, NJ to get supplies Friday. Thanks to the guys there, they were extremely helpful and even let us try some of their own brew! The next beer we made holds much promise based on the aroma it filled the house with. So if a normal guy ends up making a batch or two of really good beer, does that warrant him naming his beer or even throwing a label on it for kicks?<br />
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In no way does my beer hold as much promise as say an Allagash White or Founder's CBS, but should it just be presented to someone as "this is the beer I brewed". Probably not, but there is a sense of going a little over the edge being self pretentious. So here is the solution. If the beer we make ends up being out of this world, we are going to enter it into a small contest in the area. If the beer even gets an honorable mention, then the house will be named a brewery.<br />
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Any name suggestion?Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-52241897068855482752011-12-19T09:19:00.000-08:002011-12-18T10:08:35.271-08:00Closing out the 2011, my top 10 favorite new beers of the year.<br />
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What a great year of beer drinking 2011 has been! Started it off in Vermont where Long Trail, Otter Creek , and Wolaver's are right around the corner. Then went to two beer tasting festivals, four beer and food pairing dinners, and found two local pubs that feature craft beer from all around the local area. one of which has over 60 brews on tap!!! <a href="http://maloneyspubnj.com/">Maloney's in Matawan, NJ</a> and <a href="http://haileysharpandpub.com/">Hailey's Harp & Pub in Metuchen, NJ</a> (smaller tap run, but good irish pub food to compliment the beer).<br />
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Even though my fridge was stocked with many of the normal seasonal I look forward to ever year, my beer exposure was at its best in this year. Easily trying 50-75 new beers this year, it's been hard to keep track of how each one exactly tasted. I tried keeping up to date on my beer advocate account with reviews, and even kept notes on napkins in pubs while sipping on something new. But some fell through the cracks. But, I can recall with certain accuracy which beers made me stop and go "damn, this is amazing!" then taking another sip and saying "holy S**T!, how I have never had this before!".<br />
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So here they are. The top 10. These are the beers that stuck out. The ones I may have tried randomly on a Wednesday in February but can recall exactly how it tasted to this day. Seek these guys out. You will be amazed with their flavor!<br />
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In as close to possible chronological order;<br />
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<a href="http://www.ottercreekbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Ottercreek Black IPA</a>, Middlebury, Vermont.<br />
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Fittingly I had this on tap in Vermont so it was nice and fresh. At the time it was O.C.'s winter seasonal although it's now available all year round. But you're lucky if you can find it on the shelf as it sells out quickly and is carried by a limited number of stores.<br />
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1307/4362" target="_blank">Climax Nut Brown Ale</a>, Roselle Park, New Jersey<br />
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This is as local as I can get. Climax is brewed around 15 minutes from me and although I've had other offering by them, this year was the first time enjoying Nut Brown Ale. Up until this year, Climax was only sold in 64oz. growlers, but now you can find it in 6 packs. Only negavite is the growlers are being fazed out. Grab one if you see it to use at your nearest growler fill location after you drink the beer.<br />
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/877/66427" target="_blank">Riverhorse Farmhouse Saison</a>, Lambertville, New Jersey<br />
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Farmhouse Saison was a very limited release from this NJ brewery. Part of their Brewer's Reserve series, it only came in kegs or their variety pack. We enjoyed both, once at the brewery itself, the other in bottles. It's placing on this list reflects the tap variation. This beer was everything a Saison should be. Look for it next year if they brew it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.allagash.com/beer/year-round/white" target="_blank">Allagash White</a>, Portland, Maine<br />
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And so an obsession begins. White was the first offering I tried from Allagash, a now favorite brewery of both my wife and I. A great summer beer that's brewed all year round this beer became our stand by for the remainder of the summer after all the summer seasonal brews became sold out.<br />
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<a href="http://weyerbacher.com/blog/2010/02/verboten/" target="_blank">Weyerbacher Verboten</a>, Easton, Pennsylvania<br />
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Enjoyed this tasty all year round brew at a beer dinner featuring Weyerbacher. This brewery has been a favorite of mine for some time but aside from a few of their offerings, we never ventured into Verboten land. Mistake. Verboten is an enjoyable beer that can sit in the basement for years to be aged or enjoyed fresh. This offering is bottle conditioned.<br />
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<a href="http://weyerbacher.com/blog/2010/02/double-simcoe-ipa/" target="_blank">Weyerbacher Double Simcoe Ipa</a>, Easton Pennsylvania<br />
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Another one of Weyerbacher's offerings we tried for the first time at the beer dinner we attended. I default to IPAs when there isn't much else to choose from in a bar so this was right up my alley. But The D.S. IPA also did something I never imagined possible, it turned my wife on to IPAs and got her palate more comfortable with hops! A great beer by itself, but even better when enjoyed with food. Take note of how it cleanses your palate after each sip.<br />
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4832/46675" target="_blank">Triumph Brewing Company of New Hope's Oatmeal Cookie Stout</a>, New Hope, Pennsylvania<br />
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I love Triumph. Their beer is always good, always fresh, and always pairs well with their food. This was the first time having this stout and thankfully got to enjoy it on tap (the only other offering by triumph is growler or 750ml bombers). Rich and smooth and perfect for a fall day. Hope I see this on the tap list again one day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.allagash.com/beer/year-round/curieux" target="_blank">Allagash Curioux</a>, Portland Maine<br />
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"It's the best beer I've ever had". My wife has said this numerous times when we talk about Curieux to someone. This beer did so much for me. It turned me on to barrel aged beer. Before trying it I had been semi skeptical, but now it makes sense to spend $20 on a bottle of beer. At first, we thought this offering was a one time only brew, but thankfully it's year round. There's always one on hand in my house for when we have people over.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thebrewworks.com/brews/seasonal-beers/devious-imperial-pumpkin/" target="_blank">Fengleys Brewworks Devious Pumpkin</a>, Allentown, Pennsylvania<br />
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I like pumpkin ales. It's a yearly habit for me to rush around buying 6 packs of all my favorite pumpkin offerings from breweries I support. I also like local products. So how Devious Pumpkin had not been enjoyed by my wife and I to this point baffles me. Rich in flavor, body, and ABV, we loved this beer. Next year we will be buying more than a single bottle though.<br />
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Honorable mention,<br />
<a href="http://cartonbrewing.com/#!/boat-beer" target="_blank">Carton Brewing Company Boat Beer</a>, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey<br />
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So happy to be seeing more breweries opening around this state. Carton is a welcome edition. Their Boat Beer is as perfect as you can get for a session beer. Rich in flavor, but low in ABV you can keep on drinking this one until the game is over and not have to worry about a hangover the next day. The only negative is keg and growler fill only.<br />
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There you have it, 11 beers that highlighted my year. Looking forward to 2012 and another full year of beer discovery. First stop, New Hampshire for a family vacation.<br />
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Happy New Year to all! Cheers!<br />
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<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-90312246739549449332011-12-17T05:07:00.000-08:002011-12-17T13:13:54.251-08:00Maloney's St. Bernardus Beer Dinner Review.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mix great food with outstanding beer and you get a <a href="http://maloneyspubnj.com/" target="_blank">Maloney's</a> Beer Dinner. Every time my wife and I go here we yearn to live closer to it, currently it's about a 30 minute drive for us to get there. Although that's still close, a 30 minute drive wouldn't allow you to leave your car there and walk home like I would've had to do if i was driving tonight! I've mentioned it before, but so you know, they have over 70 taps. Hence our wanting to live closer.<br />
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This dinner featured <a href="http://www.sintbernardus.be/index.htm" target="_blank">St. Bernardus</a>. A belgian brewery that until tonight we never tried more than their Christmas Ale. Being devoted to mostly local breweries, hopping the pond isn't something we normally do. Well that needs to be rethought after trying the run of beer we had tonight. Each beer was fantastic for it's own individual reason. This brewery obviously offers a wide diversity of beer that excites your palate each sip.<br />
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Like the American Ales Dinner, this one also featured four courses paired with four brews. Each course was delicious and showed off the talent of the kitchen staff. The pairings were also well done. Standing alone, both the food and the beer were great. But when paired together, flavors not present in the food before a sip would later pop out at you and the same with the beer.<br />
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Although my memory is pretty good, I sadly didn't keep any notes during the tasting. Add to that the fact that we shared an <a href="http://www.allagash.com/beer/year-round/curieux" target="_blank">Allagash Curieux</a> before hand on an empty stomach, and memory clouds.<br />
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Check out this menu;<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">****Classic Pate de Maison- traditional pork and duck liver pate with Cumberland sauce and crostini, paired with <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/259/39286" target="_blank">Christmas Ale</a> (Belgian Strong Dark Ale, 10%)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">****Meghan’s Holiday Salad- autumn greens tossed with shaved fennel, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and an orange-tarragon vinagrette, topped with a crumbled Feta cheese, paired with <a href="http://www.sintbernardus.be/en/beers.html#witbier" target="_blank">Witbier</a> (Wheat beer, 5.5%)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">****Rack of Lamb with a white cheddar-chive potato cake and thyme-scented fresh baby spinach in a natural lamb jous, paired with <a href="http://www.sintbernardus.be/en/beers.html#abt12" target="_blank">Abt 12</a> (Quad, 10%)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">****Sticky Toffee Cake and vanilla bean ice cream, paired with <a href="http://www.sintbernardus.be/en/beers.html#prior8" target="_blank">Prior 8</a> (Dubbel, 8%)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Wow right? Right off the bat the Christmas Ale hit hard and delivered the mood for the evening. The thicker consistency and dark fruit flavors paired extremely well with the pate. Having already tasted this offering of beer I was really able to focus on the pate, which I've never had before. The pate was rich, and very filling. Just what I needed since there was already a beer and a half in me already! The two sauces on the plate complimented both the pate and the beer so well I could have just eaten that the whole night. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Although a salad for a second course seems very light, this one hit the spot. With the pate being so filling, the salad fit perfectly in there and also gave the Witbier a chance to shine as a wonderful session beer. It's light body and low ABV smoothed out the spike of 10%ABV from the previous Christmas Ale. Witbier is comparable to many white beers. Citrusy, crisp and refreshing. It's a perfect beer for summer, but can also be enjoyed all year. The random cranberry and piece of crumbled feta in the salad bought the flavor of the beer to a whole other level exposing more depth than a normal white ale. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Third course is where the mistake happens. Not by the kitchen or any of the staff, but by me. The lamb looked delicious. Both my wife and I have tried lamb over and over and just can not get past the flavor. But according to my wife, who tried a bite from our friend, it was very good. We subbed in a chicken dish that was served in a type of cream mustard sauce along with the same sides as the lamb. Don't take it the wrong way, the chicken was very good, but the lamb just looked so picturesque. The Abt. 12 was a another great brew. To me Abt. 12 shared many characteristics with the Christmas Ale but with an earthier finish and slightly less dark fruit flavor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">The dessert bought on the Prior 8. Another high ABV beer with great flavor. And the toffee cake went perfectly with it. Both complimented each other so well it amazed us. Although by now, the high alcohol and continual flavor punches had worn away the majority of my palate, I could still tell that flavors were being positively affected by both the beer and the food towards one another other. This dessert far surpassed others we've had during beer dinners here. Everything was balanced out so well and it helped to finish off the dinner wonderfully. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Although the beer was amazing for this dinner it was certainly was not the highlight. The chef and his staff stole the show on this one. The food was a hit right across the board. No course lacked in flavor or stuck out as not pairing well. Each one had depth in flavor and was paired well with the equally flavorful beer. Cheers Maloney's and thank you for a fun night!</span></span></div>
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</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-31599367560926526472011-12-15T17:54:00.000-08:002011-12-15T17:54:38.958-08:002012 Beer Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We all make resolutions every new years. Lose weight, get a new job, meet someone, etc etc. Most of the resolutions wind-up not being kept and you're left felling guilty for not sticking to your own promises. This year however, instead of choosing tough resolutions like losing weight, or getting a new job. I choose to have goals involving beer and encourage you to do the same. So when the other resolutions come crumbling apart, you can enjoy a beer and celebrate!<br />
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In no order,<br />
<b>1. Brew my own beer. </b><br />
I've been meaning to do this for the past year or two but have never gotten a kit. With devotion to being a localvore, and wanting to be more environmentally friendly being at the forefront of my thought, 2012 will be the year. Even if it's a simple brew kit in a box, beer will be brewed.<br />
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<b>2. Get a Kegerator/Build a Kegerator. </b><br />
Both my uncle and cousin have one in their basement but they are filled with Coors Lite so I've never enjoyed any beer from their basement beverage fridge. My wife originally put the idea out there while we were at a bar together. So having her on board with the idea isn't an issue. Only issue would be the funds needed to get the project up and running.<br />
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<b>3. Visit every brewery in the state, including brew pubs. </b><br />
So far, I've been to both NJ Triumphs, J.J. Bittings, Pizzeria Uno, and River Horse. With more and more places making great beer popping up in the state, it drives me to want to meet the people who are making the beer in my local area. Visiting the breweries will give me a chance to try more of their beer than is available in the stores. It also gives me a chance to thank them for providing us with great beer! Which leads me to be to do #4.<br />
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<b>4. Volunteer at a brewery. </b><br />
The brewers and employees bust their asses day in and out. Hauling heavy bags of material around and then carrying the also heavy finished product is a wearing job. These guys really work in order to get the product completed. All the while paying extremely close attention to the beer itself! So why not volunteer. Even it it's doing some menial like sweeping the floors. The extra help will take a little pressure off the people at work so they can focus more on the beer. I really encourage everyone to do this.<br />
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<b>5. The long shot, Get a full time job in the beer industry. </b><br />
My current job isn't the most satisfying I've had in my life. So going along with the "do what you love and you never work a day in your life" motto, I strive to work in beer. Although it is hard work, as previously mentioned, tree work is hard work too. Would it change my perspective for beer having to work with it all day? Probably not.<br />
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So make your own list. Resolve to do something new with your beer enjoyment this coming year. You may find yourself with a new career!<br />
<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-46580978235042275722011-12-10T06:49:00.001-08:002011-12-10T07:55:47.479-08:00How Much Is Too Much?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My interest in craft beer started around 8 years ago upon being lucky enough to live within 20 minutes of <a href="http://www.triumphbrewing.com/new-hope/" target="_blank">Triumph of New Hope</a> and <a href="http://riverhorse.com/" target="_blank">River Horse in Lambertville</a>. Back then, six packs were selling for around $7-$9. And $9 was For the high ABV beers like River Horse's <a href="http://riverhorse.com/html/liquid_details.php?Tripel-Horse---Belgian-Style-Tripel-1" target="_blank">Triple Horse</a>. But with the emergence of interest in craft beer by more people, inflation, and other factors like crop shortages (which we'll be seeing more and more of in the near future) prices seem to be going up and up faster and faster.<br />
<br />
For some of us, beer is like gasoline. It's almost necessary in order to get through a tough week comfortably. Sure, we can all go through the week without a beer or driving our car to work, but do we really want to have to ride our bike to work and then not enjoy a pint when we come home? No. That's why we're all beer heads and married to oil. But when does the cost of a bottle of beer become outrageous? I'm starting to find my limit.<br />
<br />
My weekly trip to the liquor stores along my commute have seen bottles pop up on the shelf asking $11, then $15, then $17, $20, and just this past Friday $49! Seems like quite a jump. Bombers, the attractive 750ml bottles we're all now accustomed to seeing are where the largest price jumps have been taking place in my eyes. Is there really that much of a difference between a $6.99 bottle and a $49.99 bottle? And then how much better can it really get jumping all the way to $200 for <a href="http://www.samueladams.com/enjoy-our-beer/beer-detail.aspx?id=f2f5d102-82aa-4971-ba34-452dc736573c" target="_blank">Sam Adams Utopias</a>? Then there is the switch from standard 6 packs to the equally priced or even more expensive 4 packs. Seems like we are all paying more and more for the same amount or even less beer! What's going on here?<br />
<br />
My opinion, the increase is due to 25% inflation and growing conditions on farms, another 25% prices of transportation and energy required to produce the beer (oil/fossil fuels), 30% supply and demand(see <a href="http://www.dogfish.com/community/blogfish/members/sam/thanks-for-understanding.htm?page=2" target="_blank">Dogfish Head</a>), 15% time spent on aging some of these more expensive beers, and 5% greed. I think brewers and brewery employees are good people but greed is a basic human instinct so we are all capable of it. Can we make it stop? Probably not. But there is a way to possibly control it. Start brewing your own beer.<br />
<br />
So, how much is too much for you? So far for me it's $23.01.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-1270797656160861042011-12-06T16:56:00.001-08:002011-12-06T17:58:27.620-08:00Beer And Food, or Beer In Food?Almost all restaurants that promote craft beer are doing more events with pairing food and beer. Each beer is being carefully selected and then paired with a specific dish to highlight not only the beer, but the food as well. Beer can do wonderful things to the taste of food. Not only as a beverage, but as an ingredient as well.<div>
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More and more my wife and I are cooking main courses, side dishes, and even desserts with beer. Each different style of beer can be used for a different reason. Have a nice ale or lager laying around? Add some to your next marinade for BBQ pork ribs. Don't know what to do with a stout you have had for some time? Put some in the batter for your next batch of brownies. The beer will add another level of complexity, change the mouth fell, and even make a great conversation starter for when people come by for dinner. </div>
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There are 3 recipes in particular that we have tried that have been a success so far. Cast Iron Skillet Stout Braised Short Ribs, Stout Ginger Bread, and then a simple Brown Ale BBQ sauce you can use on anything you're grilling. Try them out sometime whenever you feel adventurous in the kitchen or grill and let me know what beer used, and how it turned out.</div>
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Use my suggestions or sub in your favorite breweries beer that fits the style, </div>
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<i><b>Cast Iron Skillet Stout Braised Short Ribs with <a href="http://www.foundersbrewing.com/the-lineup/breakfast-stout" target="_blank">Founders Breakfast Stout</a>;</b></i></div>
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<div>
1 lb. short ribs. I use beef but try it with pork too.</div>
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salt and pepper to season</div>
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2-3 tbsp. flour. I use whole wheat since it adds a little more body</div>
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olive oil for pan</div>
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1 tbps. butter</div>
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1 onion, sliced</div>
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1 clove garlic, chopped</div>
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1 12oz bottle Founders Breakfast Stout</div>
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1/2 cup beef stock</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
1. season ribs with salt and pepper then dredge in flour shaking any excess off then heat oil and butter in skillet.</div>
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2. using med-high heat, brown the ribs on each side then set aside. add the onion and garlic to the pan for 5-7 minutes or until clear.</div>
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3. pour in beer, bring to boil and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. </div>
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4. place ribs in skillet and add beef stock</div>
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5. cover, and simmer on low heat for aobut 2 hours or until ribs reach cook internal tempature. 150 med-rare, 160 medium, 175 well. (all temps F)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><b>Simple <a href="http://www.smuttynose.com/beers/full_time_beers/old_brown_dog.html" target="_blank">Smuttynose Old Dog Brown Ale</a> BBQ Sauce</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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2 onion diced</div>
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1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce</div>
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1/2 tsp. chili powder</div>
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1 tsp. celery salt</div>
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1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar</div>
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1 cup catsup</div>
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1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (use loosely packed if you prefer sauce not as sweet)</div>
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1 12oz bottle Smuttynose Old Dog Brown Ale</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
1. add all ingredients but beer into a large bowl</div>
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2. slowly add small portions of beer and stir together to reach your desired thickness. </div>
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3. if you didn't add all the beer, drink the rest of bottle and get cooking!</div>
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<br /></div>
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and lastly the big one, </div>
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<b><i>Classic Ginger Bread Cake with <a href="http://www.guinness.com/en-us/thebeer-draught.html" target="_blank">Guinness Stout</a></i></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
3/4 cup Guinness Stout</div>
<div>
1/2 tsp. backing soda</div>
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2/3 cup mild molasses</div>
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3/4 cup light brown sugar</div>
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1/4 cup granulated sugar</div>
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1+1/2 cup all purpose flour</div>
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2 tbsp. ground ginger</div>
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1/2 tsp. baking powder </div>
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1/2 tsp. table salt</div>
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1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon</div>
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1/4 tsp black pepper</div>
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2 large eggs</div>
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1/3 cup vegetable oil</div>
<div>
1 tbsp. fresh ginger(use a <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/microplane-rasp-grater/?pkey=e%7Cmicroplane%2Bzester%7C3%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C3&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-buy%20more%20save%20more%20event%20-%20copy-_-" target="_blank">microplane zester</a> to grate the ginger. trust me, it's worth it)</div>
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<div>
1. preheat oven to 350(F), grease and flour pan. </div>
<div>
2. bring stout to boil in a medium sauce pan over med-high heat stirring occasionally. </div>
<div>
3. remove from heat after boiled and stir in baking soda. when foaming subsides, stir in molasses, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until dissolved. set aside.</div>
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4. whisk flour, ground ginger, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pepper together in a large bowl. set aside. </div>
<div>
5. transfer stout mixture to a large bowl and whisk in eggs, oil, and grated fresh ginger until combined. </div>
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6. whisk wet mixture together with flour mixture in thirds stirring each vigorously until completely smooth after each addition. </div>
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7. transfer batter to prepared pan and gently tap pan against counter 3 or 4 times to dislodge any air bubbles.</div>
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8. bake until top of cake is just firm to the touch and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. about 35 to 45 mins. </div>
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9. cool cake on wire in pan about 1+1/2 hours. serve warm or at warm temperature. </div>
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Try them out and let me know what you think.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-70550506040375039372011-12-03T22:44:00.001-08:002011-12-04T08:23:55.946-08:00Two Tastings, Many Different Opinions. Idiot's Drool, and Bitch's Brew.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEwyIDylQ4oBP8CpcjA1TBTAiJ6-HKgNyZ7HZ3rbHGn4U2Q6VCHNxju6zAa1-FP6e_eJk09eMsbThK0tT-Zw4h2fI9J8qvlomj_6AiZMphhhXO-7lJQoRzZQzfeQUGZbJKxto2ajzfI4g/s1600/Aef-5RMCAAAOFxi.jpg-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEwyIDylQ4oBP8CpcjA1TBTAiJ6-HKgNyZ7HZ3rbHGn4U2Q6VCHNxju6zAa1-FP6e_eJk09eMsbThK0tT-Zw4h2fI9J8qvlomj_6AiZMphhhXO-7lJQoRzZQzfeQUGZbJKxto2ajzfI4g/s400/Aef-5RMCAAAOFxi.jpg-large.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weyerbacher's Idiot's Drool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well tonight was the night. Broke out two beers I have been holding on to waiting for the right moment to open. A friend was celebrating their birthday and enjoyed different beers so why not. But the reservations I had in bringing these particular beers were partially for good reason.<br />
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It was about time the Idiot's Drool got opened. After stewing over when to open one, who to have it with, and whether to sell or trade a bottle or two, I decided just to open one up. But it was the wrong crowd to taste it with. The Bitches Brew on the other hand was a hit with everyone. It hit to everyone's liking(or should I say expectations), and was definitely the overall favorite.<br />
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To being, we drank the Idiot's Drool. Touted by me as such a rare beer that most people will never get a chance to try it. So it had built up quite a reputation before any of us even knew what it tasted like. Even me! Right from the get go it looked nothing like a beer at all and people became skeptic. Then the smell built more doubt. And finally the taste sealed it for most. Worst comment of the night, "this tastes like beef broth". But this was coming from people who don't drink craft beer aside from my wife and I and the person celebrating their birthday. Was it really that bad?<br />
<br />
After sitting with the glass for a long time and smelling it over and over, then taking a sip now and then, the beer began to build on me. Complexity. And depth, that was downright overwhelming. Aside from the flavors that kept changing sip after sip, and the occasional puckering of the lips due to the sourness, I realized there was nothing like this possibly on earth. And that's when it clicked. Idiot's Drool is by no means a beer going by the common definition of beer. It is a brewer's experiment with what can happen with beer if you play jazz with it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2onYKKoDtS-9OpZBdSKY75uhFikRPx4kPtPPSJc3VtLNgaPpOROopDlKaHLVelMcGkgYX9jemkVJcEj3oO1p5zP_fcW7uk0oydyGUMkg75nOH842OjsnuBgSx3nMjiSyINJ1gEWhwLc3l/s1600/dogfishhead-bitches-brew-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2onYKKoDtS-9OpZBdSKY75uhFikRPx4kPtPPSJc3VtLNgaPpOROopDlKaHLVelMcGkgYX9jemkVJcEj3oO1p5zP_fcW7uk0oydyGUMkg75nOH842OjsnuBgSx3nMjiSyINJ1gEWhwLc3l/s320/dogfishhead-bitches-brew-front.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogfish Head's Bitches Brew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Which leads up into the Bitch's Brew. Unlike the Drool, Bitch's Brew was closer to the common definition of a beer. Poured with a nice head, it didn't have a syrup like body, and more of the common taste characteristics of beer were present in it. Needless to say it was a hit with everyone. The gesho used in place of the hops definitely added a complex bitter flavor to it. And I found a very earthy overall body that was enjoyable, complex, and hard to pin point at the same time. There is a characteristic that I found very similar to chewing a coffee bean. But a coffee bean with a thin coating of dark chocolate.<br />
<br />
Bitch's Brew was the fan favorite for the night, Idiot's Drool took a back seat. Not because one beer one better than another. But we have been raised and grown up with a very common perception of what beer is. When people who drink craft beer, or like tonight don't drink craft beer often, try these wacky ones that breweries are offering, we need to get the idea out of our heads that we are drinking beer. We are drinking what a beer can do when given the reins and let loose to do what it wants with itself! This is what the people needed to do tonight and what I need to do in the future as well.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
<br />
Check out my reviews of both the Idiot's Drool and the Bitch's Brew by clicking their link;<br />
<br />
<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/392/73862/?ba=feethanddooth" target="_blank">Weyerbacher's Idiot's Drool</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/59151/?ba=feethanddooth" target="_blank">Dogfish Head's Bitch's Brew</a><br />
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</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-52461097565446562702011-12-03T08:11:00.001-08:002011-12-03T08:19:08.983-08:00Big Tastings Today, Another Beer Dinner, and What's Coming Up...Anyone checking in with me has seen the recent luck I've been having getting some rare limited release beers. Tonight I plan on whipping some of them out. Victory Dark Intrigue, Dogfish Head Bitches Brew, Weyerbacher Idiot's Drool, and Weyerbacher Rapture will come along to a friends house for a get together. Hopefully the chance will arrive to do a review on all of them. But definietley check back as updates will be posted about the Idiot's Drool especially.<br />
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In the meantime, Maloney's Pub in Matawan, NJ is holding their Christmas Dinner on December, 16th and featuring St. Bernardus Brewery as the beer of the evening. I've never gotten a chance to try any of their offerings but picked up their Christmas Ale to check out a glimpse of what's in store for the evening. This has been touted as their best dinner of the year so my wife and I are looking forward to it.<br />
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After that, New Years, and then my beers of 2011 review. Stay tuned as 10 beers will be highlighted as the best discoveries of the year. Some have been around for some time and I just haven't had them, others just came along this year. Either way, these were the beers that blew me away. So stay tuned and start saving some cash so you can pick them up before they're gone!<br />
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Cheers!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-87085544657146065562011-11-28T15:13:00.001-08:002011-11-28T15:55:47.589-08:00Does Aging Really Do Anything To Beer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnIaZlCoE91NdvoTs7jQsUxG99roF0_93gLuTyZ0C4k8a95iJrJJkTrxYQGM0IWtnitE03W7tEpBu3c0g0p-ZArXEO0SJD28U5HVnB8CE74-a2xNf1bzSfPVgPe4IKF5aRzjzqP-4lUvp/s1600/DSCN0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnIaZlCoE91NdvoTs7jQsUxG99roF0_93gLuTyZ0C4k8a95iJrJJkTrxYQGM0IWtnitE03W7tEpBu3c0g0p-ZArXEO0SJD28U5HVnB8CE74-a2xNf1bzSfPVgPe4IKF5aRzjzqP-4lUvp/s400/DSCN0008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I recently wrote about aging beer and threw in some guidelines for you to follow in the event you wanted to try it out, have a look <a href="http://hopsyeast.blogspot.com/2011/10/aging-beer-proper-storage-and-things-to.html" target="_blank">here</a> This is my second year of aging, and although none of the beer in my basement has aged very long, some have shown signs that sitting in the cold dark basement has been worth the wait. Some were purchased with the intention to age for years, others have just been set aside for that special time.<br />
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This summer, River Horse Brewery in Lambertville, NJ put out it's second edition of their pumpkin ale. Hipp-O-Lantern, as they call it, is a beer I wanted to make sure to have on hand for when Thanksgiving rolled around. I managed to hold onto 6 bottles. Quite impressive for me since my biggest challenge aging beer is rule #7 in my post, DON'T DRINK THE BEER FOR AT LEAST A YEAR! Although the Hipp-O-Lantern got pushed aside for a different beer on turkey day, tonight felt like a good night to open one up.<br />
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Here is an example of what just a short time can do to a beer. Reviewing my original review from August 11, I noticed some major flavor characteristics being more defined, and others that were at the fore front, have now taken the back seat. Here is the original review,<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>appearance<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">-pours a reddish copper with no head that has a slightly cloudy body.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left; word-wrap: break-word;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">smell-many different spices you would expect with a pumpkin ale. cinnamon, all spice, vanilla, pumpkin, malt, and a very faint touch of sweet honey</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left; word-wrap: break-word;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">taste-starts with a sweetness like clover honey combined with molasses and malt. then there is notes of earthy pumpkin with cloves and ends with a faint touch of hops and all spice. very nice. </span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left; word-wrap: break-word;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">mouthfeel-smooth with low carbonation. leave a pleasant fizziness on the palate after consumption. </span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left; word-wrap: break-word;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><i>overall-good imp pumpkin ale. doesnt sit heavy on the stomach and can be enjoyed through out the night. like that it features more earthiness of pumpkin rather than the sweet pumpkin pie flavor.</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Now, here is a comparative tasting the same beer today, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Appearance-little different here except with the head. large creamy pale head that quickly fades and leaves a generous amount of lacing on the glass.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Smell-although there are subtle spice aromas, now the hops are booming. It is the dominate smell along with the sweetness, spices, and pumpkin. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Taste-the hops are coming forward as is the malt now. even though the hops are dominate, it's a calm hop flavor. the pumpkin and spice flavors in the middle help to mellow everything out. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mouthfeel-it seems slightly more carbonated now which may have contributed to the large puffy head. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall-big changes going on here. the aromas and flavors from the original review are still evident, but in a different order and with some stronger now than in the past. the beer tastes more complex now as well. you really need to focus in order to pick up every flavor and smell. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> As you can see, BIG changes. Just leaving the beer to sit there and allowing all those bacteria and other goodies in the bottle to do what they want has shown huge changes. And it's only been four months! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So now when someone asks you why you have around a hundred bottles of beer in your basement, you can be sure it's for good cause and try to explain it to them. Trouble is, they will still find you a little mad! </span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-34911587504810705122011-11-27T09:47:00.001-08:002011-11-27T10:01:01.178-08:00Beer Blogging For a Dummie?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83nVFOSQjcMkeX6pGjdlBdG4Uj1WbLd_WsXGjaEyfPj67hflqjSsTp1PdQZhKP6Hx-er8zE49KszQqwzCBTVxf36AGjdXNyXsm5BvRWp3spBBFvgsK_gjjQ2vf97OoGTv7zCKFwHPuvEQ/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83nVFOSQjcMkeX6pGjdlBdG4Uj1WbLd_WsXGjaEyfPj67hflqjSsTp1PdQZhKP6Hx-er8zE49KszQqwzCBTVxf36AGjdXNyXsm5BvRWp3spBBFvgsK_gjjQ2vf97OoGTv7zCKFwHPuvEQ/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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With the start, and seemingly slow growth of interest, of my blog I reached a point of confusion of how to gain more information than I have currently access to. Already there are at least 100 other people like me in this state alone who blog about local breweries and the beer scene in general. So where is one to turn for information that hasn't already been tapped?<br />
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Last night, I went to <a href="http://haileysharpandpub.com/" target="_blank">Hailey's Harp and Pub</a> in Metuchen, NJ. Offering my email and blog address didn't seem to conjure up much interest in the owner/beer guy of Hailey's and right now, the day doesn't offer me enough time to access the scene even in my local area. So, here I am! Left wondering and conjuring up ways to gain more access with the same amount of time, and the same amount of ability to drink beer. I have low tolerance, and high blood pressure! So even though the desire to drink more and more is there, the ability is not! Session drinking is what one like me should turn to.<br />
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So where does one turn for ideas? His readers! Drink some beer and leave a comment. Let me know what your most looking for in blogs like mine.<br />
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<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-16878819551659269452011-11-22T17:21:00.001-08:002011-11-23T03:15:38.326-08:00As the Turkey Sits In Brine....<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1tErMWGW11-vRsx7AmdBkHnDCfGNgqMHtebOigckY5WVNXTNwEUPWOEwLfndXdb7wewRGBSDu7btwSlTMCsHtQFpNh8Uj-ksrHs7E-3PPKolpBXn4BbgIu0cWsk7y_2eISdXgBZeGGhc/s1600/6a00e55503a4a388340147e01c06da970b-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1tErMWGW11-vRsx7AmdBkHnDCfGNgqMHtebOigckY5WVNXTNwEUPWOEwLfndXdb7wewRGBSDu7btwSlTMCsHtQFpNh8Uj-ksrHs7E-3PPKolpBXn4BbgIu0cWsk7y_2eISdXgBZeGGhc/s400/6a00e55503a4a388340147e01c06da970b-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A heritage Red Bourbon Turkey. This is the breed of our bird.</td></tr>
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<br /><br /><br />A meal is not complete without the proper beverage. In my case, the beverage is beer. Right now our turkey, a naturally raised bird from <a href="http://www.griggstownquailfarm.com/about/farm/" target="_blank">Griggstown Farm in Princeton, NJ</a> that lived only 40 minutes away from our house, is sitting in brine. So which are the best beverages to compliment all food which I am fortunate enough to receive? Even though my beginning beverage of choice, <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/392/71953" target="_blank">Weyerbacher's Rapture</a>, there will be other beers enjoyed. So what beers would I recommend to you if you can get your hands on them? Here are 3 beers that will highlight your meal, then 3 more that will help highlight all those deserts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18hdalhRDP2qoHlSVlJXtwBCqZc1l6pH43DxtvqVGE_-QLAqmBHrr6IA6rAZZn5gK27HuUqj13o5OVIQxm4js6TZmS4A5OU8dX-4IjM2wzBj2VJH8WFD0Il474p_D9apw-WR86r8M1DgS/s1600/riverhorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18hdalhRDP2qoHlSVlJXtwBCqZc1l6pH43DxtvqVGE_-QLAqmBHrr6IA6rAZZn5gK27HuUqj13o5OVIQxm4js6TZmS4A5OU8dX-4IjM2wzBj2VJH8WFD0Il474p_D9apw-WR86r8M1DgS/s1600/riverhorse.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAzdK41omKtMUh15pTgywASAwM7cud87iaosq1BQaW6gTOmjcvGLeX6ymIDSL2wAArhJ3w9jOjhJVzF48v63VhL_nwxYDH45Iw6hD1lpSY2TIG9aYELs5xuhcUQwK_PivC2-h73i5GYAH/s1600/Sierra_Nevada_Tumbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAzdK41omKtMUh15pTgywASAwM7cud87iaosq1BQaW6gTOmjcvGLeX6ymIDSL2wAArhJ3w9jOjhJVzF48v63VhL_nwxYDH45Iw6hD1lpSY2TIG9aYELs5xuhcUQwK_PivC2-h73i5GYAH/s320/Sierra_Nevada_Tumbler.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://riverhorse.com/html/liquid_details_seasonal.php?Oatmeal-Milk-Stout-5" target="_blank">River Horse Oatmeal Milk Stout</a>. A yearly offering from the Lambertville, NJ brewery has been a fan favorite since it made it's debut about 3 years ago. This stout is easy drinking, and full of flavors that won't overwhelm your palate so you can still taste all those sides! The ABV is a little high for a beer you will certainly want more of. But at 6.7% it won't kill you to have two or three.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/tumbler.html" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale</a>. Another great seasonal beer. I just tried this for the first time this year and don't know what took me so long. It's easy drinking, has a nice maltiness to it, and the flavors just make you feel the fall season. Tumbler is also lighter on the ABV than the River Horse, coming in at only 5.5%. So this is one you can have a couple of without risking being asleep for dessert!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YMKzdBSpJcFoRuklSej1EOTJqEY7sZNl3dHcDZWywqLgjboKgwytrf9-mm3Rewdr6T5p_j-nSttKVcAYZgripgEEE_kB2dUsDArNfEZeRJfXSP3-7azcHVx3zIjzs2-HPW2lvZ1clEl1/s1600/christmas_ale_2011_bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YMKzdBSpJcFoRuklSej1EOTJqEY7sZNl3dHcDZWywqLgjboKgwytrf9-mm3Rewdr6T5p_j-nSttKVcAYZgripgEEE_kB2dUsDArNfEZeRJfXSP3-7azcHVx3zIjzs2-HPW2lvZ1clEl1/s320/christmas_ale_2011_bottle.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lastly, <a href="http://anchorbrewing.com/beers/christmasale.htm" target="_blank">Anchor Steam Christmas Ale 2011</a>. Since Chritmas decorations pop up before Halloween now, I found it ok to list a Christmas Ale for a beer to drink during Thanksgiving. This beer is a tricky pick though. If you read the description, you find that Anchor has a different recipe every year for this seasonal brew. So last years may not be as fitting, and next year may be more fitting. But this years is on the spot. Check out my review of this beer </div>
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<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28/74323/?ba=feethanddooth" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now on to dessert. So long as you didn't over do it on the food, and the beer, then you will be ready to go for the next round. These next three beers will heighten the flavors in all those classic deserts you're used to. Making the brown sugar stand out in a pie, or the earthiness of pumpkin be more defined.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVqPI9DBfAxaX1vsBwOGXjkRwHGvXuq9tTt8lHtGTWTbbuteH7ezomAxte3g8rsF3CmnWEUDUCv7ZGUuzGyASxHZ7jD3Dl2lDUvWp0AKerDJcxadHt428U44FRgjiVQIZUwFcj6AwZCe_/s1600/curieux-detail.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVqPI9DBfAxaX1vsBwOGXjkRwHGvXuq9tTt8lHtGTWTbbuteH7ezomAxte3g8rsF3CmnWEUDUCv7ZGUuzGyASxHZ7jD3Dl2lDUvWp0AKerDJcxadHt428U44FRgjiVQIZUwFcj6AwZCe_/s320/curieux-detail.png" width="156" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.allagash.com/beer/year-round/curieux" target="_blank">Allagash Curieux</a>. Curieux is aged for 8 weeks in Jim Beam Bourbon barrels. The result is a smooth ale that has sweet hints of vanilla and would compliment any dessert well. If you want to be daring, there are recipes on Allagash's site that you can tackle for a new Thanksgiving dessert! But even without a dessert, Curieux is so complex it can be enjoyed alone. It is a remarkable beer. Be careful though, Curieux is 11% ABV!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cYUmakmiNosl8GtjGs54CrHOmXx5QYeFcVqRAR_kNO2XLUnctUJZ6VO-fCp8a5R-oXHRH-NF8uhWEfmRH9M60ej-440h3Vp2sH3kIAFNGWWAQw4Zq5vWD-SEiFg8pevtW8oWp1z6juNc/s1600/southern-tier-pumpkin-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cYUmakmiNosl8GtjGs54CrHOmXx5QYeFcVqRAR_kNO2XLUnctUJZ6VO-fCp8a5R-oXHRH-NF8uhWEfmRH9M60ej-440h3Vp2sH3kIAFNGWWAQw4Zq5vWD-SEiFg8pevtW8oWp1z6juNc/s320/southern-tier-pumpkin-2.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://southerntierbrewing.com/for%20download%20page/downloads_pumking.html" target="_blank">Souther Tier Pumking</a>. "The most bizarre tasting liquid you will ever consume in your life." Is how I described this beer once to someone. It smells like a pumpkin pie, then tastes like one too! But it's a beer, and a high ABV beer as well at 8.6%. Pumking, like all other fall beers now comes out somewhere in July or August. But it apparently doesn't age well. So if you're lucky to have one around, now is the time to drink it. This is a great beer to feature with a pumpkin pie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK02ZbMTEpucHBgvTx3Y4wCFrC5pbM5JOhViT9rNVBWUEUOONWz_oG-4NJ57cllLElnl_iQ3d3o3jB8xys77nHbKxumS5S4BEvUa7hbq6AKBaf5g7hHWabuC-XuiIE94fJRCOFWcQHl3b/s1600/9373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK02ZbMTEpucHBgvTx3Y4wCFrC5pbM5JOhViT9rNVBWUEUOONWz_oG-4NJ57cllLElnl_iQ3d3o3jB8xys77nHbKxumS5S4BEvUa7hbq6AKBaf5g7hHWabuC-XuiIE94fJRCOFWcQHl3b/s320/9373.jpg" width="86" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ottercreekbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Otter Creek 20th Anniversary Ale</a>. Get it for this years dessert, or don't get it at all. This is a one time only beer that's in limited quantity. It has a bourbon like flavor and the caramel malts with dark fruit flavor will compliment all your dessert from pies, to cookies, to cakes. The ABV is booming at 12% so either choose to share a bottle or get crazy with your own. But either way, you will enjoy this one as this is the only year it's here.</div>
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<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well enjoy! Let me know what you chose, what you thought, and how the turkey turned out. I will be sure to post my review of Rapture.<br /><br /><br />Cheer!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-87244864342431999212011-11-20T08:27:00.001-08:002011-11-20T09:10:44.391-08:00Idiot's Drool, Rare Beers, and Limited Releases. What To Do With Them?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKpiu0azhWr0mxFYz1dFMRQO5jdtQdjEBC3p9Da-hT581oAl-DBzmsM_68S0MqksqrmObiRd9R1QcJIAOw97ESA26eCmxjk4HOhLLhun3kI9V0Xd430TDXzFJPMtDfwHruERc6xkrwAox/s1600/Gold_Vault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKpiu0azhWr0mxFYz1dFMRQO5jdtQdjEBC3p9Da-hT581oAl-DBzmsM_68S0MqksqrmObiRd9R1QcJIAOw97ESA26eCmxjk4HOhLLhun3kI9V0Xd430TDXzFJPMtDfwHruERc6xkrwAox/s400/Gold_Vault.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Over the past week I have lucked out a few times. Obtaining Ottercreek's 20th Anniverasary Ale, Weyerbacher's Rapture, and most notably, Weyerbachers Idiot's Drool. Even though the 20th Anniv. and the Rapture are limited release, the Idiot's Drool is by far the cream of the crop and has me posing question about how to handle them. Should I sell some and make back my money while keeping a few for myself? Should I drink it during holiday meals and other gatherings through out the year? Or should i just sit on it? keeping it around until I feel the urge to move on a bottle?<br />
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The answer same to me last night, at least for the Idiot's Drool. But it is a rule that can be applied to special release beers in general. Although it is meant to be consumed, it should be treated with high regards. Factor in that I only have 6 bottles for the rest of my life and then the discussion take a very interesting turn. This is a bottle that should come out during things so dynamic in one's life that it requires a celebratory drink that is special. First born child, one of your children's weddings, grandchild being born. But then factor in the beer's life itself. How long can it really sit before turning? This is why 6 bottles for life and no opportunity to obtain more is such a peculiar problem.<br />
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The other beers, although being held in high regard, for some reason don't strike the same type of panic that the Drool does. I have 4 bottles each of the other beer. Rapture is 750ml bottles, and Ottercreek's are only 12oz bottles. So the liquid in both bottles, and all for that matter need to be managed well, looked after, and chosen wisely.<br />
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Conclusion,<br />
Sell some? No way.<br />
Yearly family gatherings? Maaaaaaybe.<br />
Cherished like the memory of a child being born? Definitely.<br />
<br />
The sickness in all of this...<br />
I haven't even tried any of these yet!<br />
<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-68685581493889565462011-11-19T07:09:00.001-08:002011-11-19T08:07:53.823-08:00Maloney's Pub 3rd Annual American Ales Dinner ReviewFun past two nights. After the Weyerbacher Idiot's Drool madness, my wife and I headed to <a href="http://www.maloneyspubnj.com/" target="_blank">Maloney's Pub in Matawan</a>, NJ for their 3rd Annual American Ales Dinner. We just discovered Maloney's this summer after attending another dinner there. The place is great. Over 60 beers on tap, constant tap rotations, friendly knowledgeable staff, and a cool place to just hang out. Some craft beer places can be packed with people with their noses in the air, not here. It's a welcoming establishment I wish was closer to home.<br />
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Tonight's line up featured 4 beers paired with 4 dishes. Each beer was meant to compliment the course it came with and the course did the same for each beer. The line up was attractive on paper and more so in person,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #3d3933; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #3d3933; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;">***Harvest Mushrooms- cornbread and sausage stuffed mushrooms paired with Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale (6.5%, American Brown Ale).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">***Roasted Autumn Vegetable Bisque paired with Ommegang 2011 Independence Day Ale (6.5%, Farmhouse Ale).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">***Turkey Pot Pie- tender turkey, pearl onions, baby carrots and peas in a savory gravy, topped with puff pastry and baked to perfection with Allagash Fluxus 2011 (8% Biere de Garde)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">***Pumpkin-Spice Cake topped with crème fraiche and drizzled with a cranberry-orange coulis …..paired with Dogfish Punkin’ Ale (7%, Pumpkin Ale)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Starting off with the <a href="http://www.smuttynose.com/beers/full_time_beers/old_brown_dog.html" target="_blank">Smuttynose Old Dog Brown Ale</a> was a great call. This may of been my favorite pairing of the night. This beer has been awarded different medals in it's history and you could taste why. A very nice mouthfeel, not overwhelming on the malts or hops, and a great beer to hang out with in any situation. The dish it came with did wonderful things to the flavor characteristics of the beer. Take a bite and sip, you pick up more hops. Sip beer and take a bite, you taste a different herb in the dish or the earthiness of the mushroom explodes on your palate. The chef at Maloney's is amazing at doing this judging by the two dinners we've attended. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Second course featured <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42/68881" target="_blank">Ommegang Independence Day Ale</a> with a wonderful earthy bisque that spoke to almost everyone at the table. This was my least favorite beer of the evening. I found it more suited for the summer with a much lighter body and floral and honey characteristics. Although it did compliment the bisque nicely i found myself just concentrating on the bowl of food and ignoring the glass of Ommegang. I let this one sit to the side and eventually it was replaced with an extraordinary brew by <a href="http://allagash.com/" target="_blank">Allagash</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Third and main course was a tasty turkey pot pie paired with <a href="http://www.allagash.com/beer/tribute-series/fluxus-2011" target="_blank">Allagash Fluxus</a>. What a wonderful complex beer! Allagash is starting to become one of my top breweries. Everything I try from there ends up being incredible. From their <a href="http://www.allagash.com/beer/year-round/white" target="_blank">White Ale</a>, to their <a href="http://www.allagash.com/beer/year-round/curieux" target="_blank">Curioux</a>, Allagash knows how to hit the nail on the head with the brewing hammer every time. The gentleman from Maloney's touted this beer as being delivered to us from the only keg existing in the state. Maloney's has pull, you can see by their tap run, and this was another beer I was amazed they were serving. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Although the turkey pot pie was a good course, the beer stole the show on this one. Eating the pie mainly to fill me up a bit to avoid complete intoxication, I was focused on absorbing all the flavors of this beer. The Fluxus had so many different flavor characteristics that naming them all would be hard to do by memory. Balanced, with maltiness, slight hops, and features of grapes with some almost wine like qualities to it. Amazing beer!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">Last course, and hit with everyone on the table, was pumpkin spice cake. This was another achievement by the chef and their staff for being able to deliver the flavors of fall on a plate to you. A perfect pairing with this was any pumpkin ale you could think of. </span><a href="http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/seasonal-brews/punkin-ale.htm" style="line-height: 24px;" target="_blank">Dogfish Head Punkin Ale</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"> was the chosen beverage. Palate burn out could have been the culprit, or possibly the sugar and cinnamon coated rim on the glass, something I wasn't a fan of, but this beer didn't do anything for me. It lacked the body of most pumpkin ales enjoyed throughout the season, and generally lacked any distinct flavor. I had tried a large run of Dogfish Head beers a few years back and none of them really hit it off with me. This gave me another hint that Dogfish head just isn't for me. The Fluxus was still fresh on my mind, so the Punkin was just something to drink next to the delicious pumpkin cake. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">At the end of the meal, my wife and I were given a complimentary pint of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company's Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale while we hung out with the couple sitting next to us who were regulars enjoying the same. This was the perfect end to a wonderful night of great food and great beer. The description of the Winter Solstice on their website describes this beer as well and better than I can. It was enjoyed to the last sip nice and slowly. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Thanks Maloney's for putting on another great dinner. We will be seeing you again soon!</span></span></div>
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<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-78943906167092230052011-11-17T20:27:00.001-08:002011-11-18T03:26:43.239-08:00Weyerbacher Idiot's Drool Release Night. Timing is everything!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRiOgCJsJH3JpmlqZWoGsF6Z1tCFq7pNODoVWDaIr0X7HmJJBuxqyYtEVjDmQkRln6BWcqyqFqybtC0PfsM5sCJ8D_OuvtETTUp8vyKC8p8i3YaZjA42ib2CMe_LuO01hNJDsYaj8Qjrt/s1600/1117111747a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRiOgCJsJH3JpmlqZWoGsF6Z1tCFq7pNODoVWDaIr0X7HmJJBuxqyYtEVjDmQkRln6BWcqyqFqybtC0PfsM5sCJ8D_OuvtETTUp8vyKC8p8i3YaZjA42ib2CMe_LuO01hNJDsYaj8Qjrt/s400/1117111747a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Tonight could easily be described by the t-shirt logo above. After missing out on the release party for<br />
<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/392/71953">Rapture</a>, I left work at 3:30 and drove an hour for the <a href="http://weyerbacher.com/blog/2011/11/idiots-drool-release-event-thursday-november-17th-from-5-to-8pm/">Idiot's Drool</a> release party. Idiot's drool is <a href="http://weyerbacher.com/">Weyerbacher's</a> insanely delicious barley wine style ale <a href="http://weyerbacher.com/blog/2010/02/blithering-idiot/">Blithering Idiot</a> that was then aged in oak barrels for 4 and 1/2 years!!!! I found parking then hesitated for a few seconds in the car, deciding "should get changed out of my dirty work clothes or not", I voted against it due to the large number of cars still pulling up and circling the area. Slipping in line about 30 seconds before the next two guys arrived behind me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb5XmSqTT7JKo5lPM8LVsCTqE36w6JtuhReF7mBQ7hTSb73CZm0Y8HzAjuNlYMiAh0nZXIUFSsLn9KVR3Xtoa1Q3rZabsqgBI-5K3hM590eyLksgjkOZeAgc5SsOVXbYfkAs4lqZIw_m6/s1600/1117111642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb5XmSqTT7JKo5lPM8LVsCTqE36w6JtuhReF7mBQ7hTSb73CZm0Y8HzAjuNlYMiAh0nZXIUFSsLn9KVR3Xtoa1Q3rZabsqgBI-5K3hM590eyLksgjkOZeAgc5SsOVXbYfkAs4lqZIw_m6/s400/1117111642.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is only 50% of the total line</td></tr>
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The wait begins...<br />
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I took to chatting with fellow craft beer enthusiast to try and pass the time as the sun eventually set, the wind picked up and it dropped into the 30's. Thankfully it didn't rain or it could have been a harsh evening for some. The doors eventually opened and the line began to slowly creep forward. The people you were standing with eventually got talked out and we all began to feel concerned. Seeing person after person with an Idiot's Drool case walking out the door and leaving made everyone realize that if you didn't get it, it was gone for good. When we got close enough to see inside, but not see the cases of Idiot's drool, <a href="http://weyerbacher.com/company/staff/">Bill Bragg</a>(scroll to the bottom of the Weyerbacher page for Bill's bio) began walking up and down the line counting heads. Someone asked how much was left. Bill's response, "not much". I nervously ask, "are we going to get some where we stand in line?" Response, "it's gonna be real close, there are only about 40 bottle left." Nervousness begins buidling. A girl starts walking up and down the line, offering people $30 a bottle if you are able to get one for her. People then realized they weren't going to get any.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the chaos inside the brewery. this is the order line, and pay/pick up line mashed together.</td></tr>
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Eventually the order table was in site and I could see the actual cases. At first there was 10 cases upon walking in. Look away for a second, now there was 8. Take a step forward and let someone by, now 7. Needless to say, it was nerve wrecking. Sooner or later, there are 3 people in front of me. Now 1 person in front of me, and only 1 last case. Panic! If he takes all 12 like he said he may, then I'm the first person to come in last! He takes 6! I get the very last 6 bottles available!!!!!! I still feel nervous. Stepping up, handing them my order slip, the guy turns around, then looks at me. In a low voice he says, "You get the last case". Remember how i thought about getting changed in the car? And how the guys who were behind me walked up about 30 seconds after I did? Timing is everything!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from my spot in the pay/pick up line.<br />
the case on the floor all the way to the right is my case.<br />
dangerously close to anyone wanting to make a desperate attempt for beer.</td></tr>
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Needless to say, I'm thrilled. The crazy part, Idiot's Drool was priced at $23 a bottle for a 750ml cage and corked bottle. I bought 6, and haven't even tried it yet!</div>
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This was a fun night. Got to talk to some other beer enthusiasts, chatted with people from the brewery, and picked up some damn good beer. In addition to the Idiot's Drool, Rapture was available so ended up throwing 4 of those in there too with 1 <a href="http://weyerbacher.com/blog/2010/02/merry-monks/">Merry Monks</a>, and 1 <a href="http://weyerbacher.com/blog/2010/02/double-simcoe-ipa/">Double Simcoe IPA</a>. </div>
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What a night!</div>
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<br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-57423630861095523052011-11-11T19:10:00.001-08:002011-11-11T19:46:34.929-08:00A Change for the Better.<br />
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Having given up on the selection of most of the bars in the area i switched to just buying six packs and drinking at home and visiting my local breweries. The bars never had anything good on tap, most of the crowd was just people looking to get hammered, and the prices were way to high for the kind of beer they were pouring. Two experiences this week are giving me hope that it's time to come out of my cave and head out for a pint. First, being stuck at a wholesale club for two hours waiting for new tires to be put on my truck. And second, heading out just tonight to take a chance and see if anything interesting was on tap.<br />
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Well what i found on both occasions was promising. At a Buffalo Wild Wings (a place i never imagined even stepping near) the tap run included, Blue Point, Long Trail, Stone, and some other beers that you don't usually see. After talking with the manager for a while it was apparent that the clients there were controlling the taps. He had bought in other local brews, but all the people wanted was the special that night, which was mostly Coors, Bud, or Miller. So they had to tone it down and reduce the craft beer selection to just a few. But it intrigued me. If Buffalo Wild Wings had Stone, what did other places that weren't as commercial have?<br />
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Tonight was a sign of what may be coming true. Craft beer is mainstream. Being so amazed that B.W.W. had Stone on tap, I picked a random place and popped in. Amazing! Ramstein, Long Trail(2), Sam Adams(2), Flying Dog, Harpoon, Brooklyn, Dogfish Head, Stone, Smuttynose, Ottercreek, and South Hampton Publick House!! They didn't even have the Big 3 on the tap run. They stored it out of site, nearly under the bar. Could it be they didn't want the Coors and Bud taps disrupting the craft beer image they wanted to display?<br />
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Maybe people got fed up being given an option of only 4 beers on tap where ever they went and either demanded more options, or just simply pulled out of the scene and hit the local breweries themselves (my preferred tactic). Either way, there seems to be a wave of change hitting even commercial restaurants. People want good beer!<br />
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Head out to a place you haven't visited in a few years. See what's pouring there. You may be very excited to see the pint glass is no longer full of yellow stuff they refer to as beer, but a complex dark ale with a nice thick head.<br />
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Cheers!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-3014989383028418992011-11-11T09:56:00.001-08:002011-11-16T13:30:51.876-08:00Tastings, Dinners, and other Local Events. Where to go for the beer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the past year I've attended some great beer events. From dinners to tastings, or a festival where beer was one of the main attractions there have been a number of them this year. After researching breweries, going to my local liquor store too often, or just going into a bar for a random pint it's becoming evident that there are hundreds of events every year. Just New York City and Philadelphia can keep you occupied all year. One of the major problems though was knowing where to find the information in advance so you aren't left in the cold.<br />
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Sticking with just my very local area, here are three helpful links to help you narrow your searches, or just find something to do during the week or weekend. Unfortunately I was unable to find a New York State, or Pennsylvania State guide. But these links will give you a plethora of events to pick from.<br />
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<a href="http://newjerseycraftbeer.com/membership-club/">New Jersey</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.nycbeerevents.com/">NYC</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.phillybeerevents.com/">Philadelphia</a><br />
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Pick out an event and head out for the day. Talk with your local brewery represetative and learn something about beer you never knew. Or maybe find a brand new beer you never tried before from your favorite brewery. Events are a great way to gain knowledge of the beer you are drinking. And if nothing else, you can thank your local brewers for making the beer you look forward to drinking at the end of a hard day.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
<br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714039332962075509.post-19238746291268181582011-11-08T05:23:00.000-08:002011-11-08T05:23:24.231-08:00Honest Pint Update.Last post gave a quick description of the project and their goals failing to mention that the site creator was bailing out of the effort. Guess I didn't do enough homework before writing the post!<br />
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Good news though, recently read on <a href="http://beervana.blogspot.com/">Beervana</a>, a very well put together beer blog, that the site will be taken over by a group of people who will be dedicating the resources to it to make it successful!<br />
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Keep hitting the site to check for updates and look for your favorite places to get certified.<br />
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<a href="http://honestpintproject.org/">Honest Pint Project</a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484177499486164463noreply@blogger.com0