I wish I could have a beer at lunch... Going to a tasting later tonight though. My contribution to said tasting: Deschutes Black Butte XXI http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63/50846



"Similar recipe and strength (11% ABV) to Black Butte XX (2008), enhanced by adding some Theo's Chocolate cocoa nibs from Seattle, dry-hopping it with 100 pounds of Bellatazza's locally roasted coffee, and then aging a portion (20%) of it in Stranahan's Colorado whiskey barrels."

 

I went to Friday's a few days ago and tried Magic Hat #9. It's definitely different but I really liked it, probably one of my favorite beers. Its got a very fruity flavor, so figured you guys would like it too.

 

Magic Hat had a winter brew that was pretty good. It was called Winter Growl, I think. Reminded me of a Black and Tan that was made with a Dark Lager.

 

Was it Howl by chance??? http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/96/52704

 

That's the stuff!

 

Yeah, I had it awhile back... Not too bad. Not my favorite style...

 

3 months 1 day and counting until I head out of this hell hole for a couple weeks and can have a beer or two...or 70

 

I just downloaded a beer app on my iphone called "Pintley". It lets me track and rate beers, etc. It's a free app, so anyone interested should check it out.

 

I do that as well... But mine is online. Only take notes on my phone...

 

Just bought a case of Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot. I had it on tap at a local bar, but I never bought it in a case. It was like $37.99 for a case of 12 22oz bottles. I did have a Lagunitas "undercover investigation shut down ale" on draught with my lunch today. I felt it was very overpowering for a Lagunitas poduct, but it was ok.
I also bought a case of Young's Double Chocolate Stout. 24 11.5oz bottles was like $47.99. Absolutely delicious.

 

Avery Collaboration for me today.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30/34877

 

Avery maharajah, I think that's how it's spelled. I had that at a hop fest, it was real good.

 

Bought some 'La Fin Du Monde' made by Unibroue, in bottles, while on a business trip in Wisconsin last week. It is an outstanding tripel. In fact I think it is my favorite tripel now. It is a good choice when one wants something 'lighter' than Trois Pistoles or La Terrible, but still with a lot of character and kick. Highly recommended, and it takes the edge off of those disappointing track days that have been cancelled due to fire.



This beer is one of the few exceptions to my usual dislike of hoppy ales. It has plenty of good maltiness and complex flavors that balance out the beer, like Avery Salvation does for example. Much more depth IMO than something like Arrogant Bastard.

 

I've had excellent success with all of the unibroue beers. Those canadians know what's up.

Tonight I had Anderson Valley Boont in a can and an Appalachian "Hoppy Trails" IPA. both great. the IPA washed down some hot salsa and the Boont washed down a bison burger.

 

After an outstanding dinner at one of the local restauraunts, my wife and I decided to stop off at the Yardhouse (brew pub) on the way home. After having my usual Trois Pistoles I saw that they had five other taps all next to the Trois Pistoles tap with a sign reading 'six pack' or something like that. So I ask the bartender what the deal was and he said those six beers were in a Belgian sampler tray they were offering. I read the list of beers in the six pack and was intrigued so for the hell of it I ordered it.

It was the best of beers and the worst of beers...


The short version:
Leffe Blond: Good lighter beer, has an interesting creamy taste to it.
Karmeliet: A good tripel, very nice taste. Good complexity. I would definitely get a full glass of this one again.
Trois Pistoles: Awesome (I already knew this, but the bartender would not let me make a substitution with something else, which was lame)
Kwak: FAIL - syrupy, bitter, no redeeming qualities whatsoever IMO
Maredsous 8: FAIL - Somewhat gimmicky smoky flavor, bitter (overly hoppy), thin (not much complexity), no finish. Not nearly as good as the Trois Pistoles. I do not care what beeradvocate says on this one. Maybe it was an old tap? Though the Yardhouse keeps all of their tap beer under purge from what I have seen.
Lindemans Framboise: MEGAFAIL - WTF! Syrupy, sour, blackberry flavored crap in a glass. I am not sure if this is trying to be a malted liqueur (not malt liquor) or what. But I do not see how anyone could finish a full glass of this. I did not even make much of a dent in the sampler. Every sip was just, well, citric-acid-tart awfulness. My wife thought if we added a lot of sugar to it that it might improve LOL.

My wife is not an avid beer aficionado so her tasting opinions are useful and interesting as a fresh look. She agreed that the Karmeliet and the Trois Pistoles were the best of the bunch, and that the bad ones were really, really bad.

 

I've been known to accept Tripel Karmeliet into my gastro-Valhalla. I will try the 3 Pistols.

ZX-TX would not been seen alive at "Hop Fest". Now "Barley Party" is another story.

 

Werd. Back in the dark ages before the Great American Beer Enlightenment the Canadians also supplied us with some decent alternatives to the usual American lagers (Miller, Bud, etc).

 

ZX, have you never had a Lambic before?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambic

They come in peach, cherry, raspberry and some other randoms.

They are reknown for being "that beer that you give to people who dont like beer" haha.

 

Yes but still that stuff was really unpalatable imo.

 

Some lambics do take some getting used to... Personally I love lambics, krieks, and guezes. Just something about the fruit, sour, tart, and funky flavors all blended together that keep me coming back.