Day 274 - Freaktoberfest

Last day of October, and the T&Ters have slowed down for the night. I was hoping that one one was worth keeping until last, but....

It pours the color of grenadine, but alas tastes like a bad lager flavored with cherry syrup as well. Oh well, the label/name were the best part.

Specs:

Full Name: Coney Island Freaktober Fest
Brewed By: Smaltz Brewing Co
From: Sarasota Springs NY
ABV: 6.66%

Hum, sometimes you just have to cut losses, and this is it....

HH!

Day 273 - Hex Outoberfest

Seasonal day 7, and I was hoping that the beer matched the fancy label. Alas, this isn't the first time the label outclasses the beer.

A pleasant burnt orange color, but the taste is rather plain. A base of malt with some dry hops, yawn-o. Don't get me wrong, this is still better than most mass-brew's, but then, that isn't saying much.

Specs:

Full Name: Hex Ourtoberfest

Brewed By: Magic Hat

From: Burlington VT

ABV: 5.4%

Good news is, there were no funky pumpkin spices involved, so there is that to be thankful for. Also, like friday night, saturday night means I can follow up my blog beer with something tasty, especially since I started early because we are having a late dinner (started the pork on the smoker late...) Let's see, a palie, or a palie, or a palie...

Cheers!

Day 272 - Pumpkinhead

Day 6 of seasonals, and back to the pumkin flavored. This is the last of these luckily...

A very surprising yellow color, and the taste is more lageresque than ale beneath a light-handed spiciness. Take away the "natural flavor" added, and this would be a beer most beer drinkers would drink, I think.....

Specs:

Full Name: Pumpkin Ale
Brewed By: Shipyard Brewing Co
From: Portland ME
ABV: 5.1%

The good thing about timing it so that the last of the pumkins is on a friday night, is that I can, without much guilt, cleanse the taste away with a decent palie when this one, and the blog, are both finished. That would be now.....

cheers!

Day 271 - Never Summer Ale

Day 5 of the seasonals, and ok, this one might be a stretch, but it has two things going for it. It has the word "summer" in the name, and summer is a season, and it is brewed by the Boulder Beer Co, which is fast becoming one of, if not the tops of, my favorite brewers list.



Strong red/orange color, and like the copper ale, a solid malt foundation supports a fine hops flavor. It has been too long since I had the copper ale, but they could be twins. I might be inclined to revist the two for a side-by-side. Yeah, I could suffer that...


Specs:


Full Name: Never Summer Ale
Brewed By: Boulder Beer Company
From: Boulder CO
ABV: 5.94%


Not that this beer needs anything in the background to improve it, but discerning viewers might notice the blonde in the skimpy nurse's costume in the background. Sigh, this is what my daughter Liz is wearing for Halloween. At least it makes a good backdrop...


The Boulder Beer Co is making a strong push to make me want to move there. Perhaps once the kids are out of college and my business actually generates income, I just will. Until then, it is at least easy to live vibeeriously...

Cheers!

Day 270 - Pumpkin Ale

Day 4 of les seasonales, and another one that lists pumpkin puree and spices as ingredients. There are no risks to great to take for my blog...

A deep orange-hinted yellow, with the clear aroma of pumpkin spice warning the nose. It was not without trepidation that I took the first gulp. Ok, the spice taste is there, but underneath and discernable is a very tasty ale, with good hoppy dryness. Clearly, the best of this breed so far.

Specs:

Full name: Pumpkin Ale
Brewed By: Smuttynose Brewing Co
From: Utica NY
ABV: 5.6%


Please note the black and yellow striped object behind the bottle in the pic. Yep, that is Anya's halloween costume, a bee, complete with antennas for the head... I may make her wear it every night though, as at least I might be able to see her in the dark. Needless to say, the motivation behind it was Liz, who seriously should go work for Obama, as her ability to find ways to spend money outdo even his.... ;>)

Day 269 - Dogtoberfest

Day 3 of the seasonals, and alternating the spiced ales with others. Sometimes, I just amaze myself with my wisdom and intelligence...

So, nice burnt orange color, flows into a nice, dry beer. The malt is only a backdrop to the hops, though it lacks the citrusy yumminess of a palie. All in all, a very drinkable brew, worthy of space in the fridge.

Specs:

Full Name: Dogtoberfest
Brewed By: Flying Dog Brewery
From: Frederick MD
ABV: 5.4%

You know, this brewer has quite a few varieties and I have been negligent in trying more. Perhaps next week...

Cheers!

Day 268 - Punkin Ale

Day 2 of the seasonals, and I had mixed expectations regarding this one. They brew an excellent palie (2 actually) but then, any beer that lists allspice, cinamon and nutmeg in the ingredients list is plain scary.

The orange-brown color of pumpkin pie, and alas, the taste matches the pie as well. How could it not, with all those spices.

Specs:

Full name: Punkin Ale
Brewed By: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
From: DE
ABV: 7%

They say the base is a brown ale, but clearly not the indian brown I had sampled way back in March, as that was quite dark and this is lighter. If one really were inclined to stretch, this is kind of a dessert, and thus allowed the flavor. I reckon after the next week, I'll be Gumby with all the stretching I'll be doing...

Cheers!

Day 267 - Oktoberfest

So, this starts the week of all Octoberfest/Seasonal beers, and interestingly, this is probably the best I've had from this brewer. No pic though, as I went stream fishing in western vA today with my dad and Uncle Henry, and all remaining energy is focused on raising the bottle up to drink...

Good, autumn gold color, and easy to drink. Ok, it leans to the sweet side, and hops is a 4 letter word, but when you are just looking to chill, and want a scarecrow on your label, this one works.

Specs:

Full Name: Dundee Oktoberfest
Brewed By: Dundee Brewing Co
From: Rochester NY
ABV: 4.5%

That's it, all energy is depleted, and bottle is empty.

Cheers!

Day 266

Day 265 - Seasonal & Pilsner

As mentioned before, sometimes it is about the beer and sometimes it is about the people you drink with. This is definitely the latter.

GB Seasonal Lager was orange in color, and mild of taste, boring except it came in a litter mug. The pilsner was yellow in color, and in theory, their hoppiest beer, but like a typical pilsner, was more on the bitter side than true citrusy hops. Sigh.

Specs:

Full Name: see above
Brewed By: Bordon Biersch
From: Local, supposedly
ABV: unknown

So, an old fraternity brother and good friend was in town for the weekend (Tom Wulf), and thus the occasion to meet over a few cold ones. Tom grew up in McLean VA and went to Langley HS, and thus attracted a few old friends from that era (Jeff Hahne aka Ski, and Dave Settle). Tony and Jane A also appeared. Overall a very good evening and somewhat better than average beer. Somehow, we are all old now (I didn't realize this until tonight...) but I guess that is just the way life goes.

Still, tonight is another beer, so life is still pretty good!

Cheers.

Day 264 - Alhambra

Staying overseas tonight, but shifted south and to the dark side. Hey, it's Thursday, and ok to be a bit W&C...

So, another black lager. and well, it's black. It's a lager, so that means the hops is m.i.a. What's left is dry malty sweetness. This one reminds me of a politician, all sweet with no substance...

Specs:

Full Name: Alhambra Negra
Brewed by: Grupo Cervezas Alhambra
From: Spain
ABV: 5.4%

All in all, the bottle is still empty and I'm feeling it wasn't bad. It was pointed out that imported beers must be pasteurized, so that impacts the flavor. Going to be tough to make that comparison, but perhaps the opportunity will present itself.

Cheers.

Day 263 - Weihenstephaner Festbier

Ah well, the image loader is down tonight, so no pic at the moment. I'll try and remember to come back and add it later. Another attempt at a German beer, from what is said to be the oldest brewery in Germany. Of course, it does have the word Premium on the label, so one guess what I think of it.

The color of pale moonlight, this one has a unique, and ok, quite unpalatable, taste, in that there is an underlying sweetness that leaves my taste buds feel like they are sucking back into my tongue.

Specs:

Full Name: Weihenstephaner Festbier
Brewed By: (and even longer unpronounceable name - see below in Labels)
From: Germany
ABV: 5.8%

I am sure there are many out there that would disagree with my assessment of this beer, but then, they aren't reading this anyway. I also know that some people who actually like this style of beer, and to that I say, drink up, you can have my share as well....

I used to think that Germany was a beer capital of the world, but I'm still waiting for the reason to put it on a must visit list. Does anyone who might actually read this have any recomendations?

Day 262 - Porkslap

I couldn't resist this one, just for the can and name. I mean, two pigs doing the belly bump....

That mental image aside, this one pours almost the same color as the can, and has a pleasant if not superior taste. It leans towards the dry hops side, so that is good, but is missing something, which yes, I need to figure out one of these days.

Specs:

Full Name: Pigslap Pale Ale
Brewed By: Butternuts Beer and Ale
From: Garrattsville NY
ABV: 4.3%

I think next week will be Octoberfest week, as there certainly are enough to fill the supply. Until then, well, you'll just have to wait and see...

Cheers!

Day 261 - Lucky U

Ok, the pipeline is refilled for the next 8 days, and the dust is off the camera again. What better way to celebrate than with a new palie.

Golden orange color, citrus aroma, and then....darn, just ok, nothing special. I thought I was feeling lucky, but I guess just not enough.

Specs:

Full Name: Lucky U IPA

Brewed By: Breckenridge Brewery

From: Denver CO

ABV: 6.2%

So added a few Octoberfests, and another try at a German beer, plus a few others to mix it up, including a new canned beer. Should be an interesting week.

Cheers!

Day 260 - Oktoberfest

A picture perfect drive up through VA this afternoon, though the colors aren't at peak yet. Back home tonight, and the last beer left in the pipeline (until I go out tomorrow that is...)

This beer is the color of oak leaves in the fall, an earthy brown. A lager style beer, so relatively light and easy to drink, but with a sweet malt undertone that elevates it into the decent category, at least in the "hopless-ah" vertical.

Specs:

Full Name: Oktoberfest
Brewed By: Sprecher Brewing Co
From: Glendale WI
ABV: 6%

Ok, no more to say, Skins are on TV and the bottle is empty....

Day 259 - Sweetwater IPA

Running a bit late tonight, as we had a very good neighbor/friend and his wife of my dad's over for dinner, and between my dad's stories and his as an ex-secret service guy, we were well entertained... :>)

So, this is as sweet an IPA as I've had. I was really excited to see the burnt orange color in the glass, and could smell the hops way before that first mouthful. My favorite palies have that grapefruity taste, but this one seems to bring a spoonful of sugar on top.

Specs:

Full Name: Sweetwater IPA
Brewed By: Sweetwater Brewing Co
From: Atlanta GA
ABV: Unknown, not on bottle or website.

So, a decent way to finish an evening, after starting with a good brown ale and a drop of Glenmorangie after dinner. Truth be told, perhaps a bit on the girly side to topple any of my top 3, but extremely easy to drink, and no shortage of hops. Perhaps best drunk watching one of those touchy-feely movies (like Ellie got me to watch Brokeback Mountain by telling me it was about fishing...).

Cheers (pinky up!)

Day 258 - Hoptober

Ah, friday, and the 3rd by this brewer, and definitely the best, though only because you can taste the hops.

Early sunset yellow, and a pleasant, dry hop flavor, and disappearing finish. Just kind of a comfortable beer, like watching an old episode of Cheers or Seinfield.

Specs:

Full Name: Hoptober Golden Ale
Brewed By: New Belgium Brewing
From: Fort Collins CO
ABV: 6%

So, not a bad way to end the week, though no real wow either. Of course, I'm waiting to finish this blog until I have some butter pecan ice cream with my dad and Ellie, so perhaps I didn't want more excitement to compete with that... ;>)

cheers, and happy weekend!

Day 257 - Fischer

So, it's day 257, and I'm sitting here drinking a new beer, and well, how was your day....

This one peaks early with a nice golden yellow color, then kind of becomes quickly forgetable once you actually start drinking it. The bottle is kind of different, and fits the hand well.

Specs:

Full Name: Fischer Amber Ale
Brewed By: Brasserie Fischer
From: D'Alsace, France
ABV: 6%

Ah well, another imported beer for those that don't care if the beer tastes good. It lacks that classic "premium" dry bitterness, which is another good thing I suppose, and it was different so the streak continues, which is all one can hope for on some days.

Cheers

Day 256 - Hofbrau Bock

Ellie and I came down to Pinehurst to help dad organize a few things, and we ate a late dinner at a local sports bar. I went for a draft, hoping to blog about it. Alas, I had already done so in bottle form, and only a few weeks back...

So, a quick shift to Plan B, requiring a 2nd beer tonight. Alas, this was what was available. I like Trader Joe's in general, but beer is not their forte. To be blunt, this one tastes like it has been sitting a few days in an old shoe...

Specs:

Full Name: Hofbrau Bock
Brewed By: Trader Joes Brewing Co
From: San Jose CA
ABV: 7%

So now I have to figure out how to get the taste of old shoe out of my mouth, which is different than the taste of old foot, which I find is often in that position... ;>)

Hope springs eternal, or in my case, 24 hours give or take until the next beer.

Cheers!

Day 255 - Dark Chocolate Stout

There's dark beer, and then there is the stuff that requires a knife and fork to consume. This one is in the machette / pitchfork category.

Black as a moonless night, thick as karo syrup, and a taste like a mouthful of dry coffee grounds. If that sounds appealing to you, go for it, but I'm going to be full for the next month...

Specs:

Full Name: Dark Chocolate Stout
Brewed By: Brooklyn Brewery
From: Utica NY
ABV: 10%

Ok, now I think I will take a break from dark beers for as long as possible...

Cheers

Day 254 - Tona

Sometimes this blog is just about the beer, and sometimes about people, but I am sitting here alone while Ellie and Liz watch their usual Monday night scary TV (Gossip Girls...), and the beer didn't show up either...

The palest of yellows, and a taste any serious beer chugger would appreciate. That is, there is no distraction going down, just cool liquid with modest carbonation.

Specs:

Full Name: Tona Lager Especial
Brewed By: Compania Cervecera de Nicaragua
From: Nicaragua
ABV: 4.6%

Hum, say something nice.... Ok, a great beer for those who want to look cool drinking an imported beer from Nicaragua, but don't care about taste, and heck, it even is a screw off so you don't have to risk that dental work. This one was actually gone before I was even half way done writing this, and I'm already forgetting it.

Oh well, tomorrow is just a beer away.....

Day 253 - Toasted Lager

A crazy weekend for football, but the Skins won an ugly one, and I got the grass cut, so my world is at peace tonight.

Didn't have any expectations, and had no clue what a "toasted lager" might be. It turns out it is a rather pleasant french-fry colored beer, mild malt, unassuming hops, and fresh finish. Suitable for sitting here watching SNF and not being distracted by my beer. Of course, Cullen is home for Fall Break and drinking my good stuff....

Specs:

Full Name: Toasted Lager
Brewed By: Blue Point Brewing Co
From: Long Island NY
ABV: 5.3%

Hum, typing is too distracting, football on TV.

Later..

Day 252 - Late Harvest Autumn Ale

This one was brought to the pipeline via the Red Hook brewery in NH by my dad, who stopped there for lunch earlier today on his way back down from Maine. He flew from Boston to here this afternoon, then is driving down to NC.

So, definitely the color of a clear fall sunset, this one stays pretty mellow, with the malt taking a slight edge of the hops. Nothing wow about it, but easy to drink, so I'm enjoying it after a good thai dinner (ok, I did have a Singha at the restaurant while waiting for the order to be cooked.

specs:

Full Name: Late Harvest Autumn Ale
Brewed By: RedHook Ale Brewery
From: Portsmouth NH
ABV: 5.9%

A beautiful fall day, spent dutifully helping Ellie clean the 3 inches of cat sheddings that have piled up in all the corners of the house over the last month. I'm thinking that my next trip to Maine will require a somewhat extented stop-over in the NH vacinity.

Ok, a couple of random thoughts strung together there, but that is not too abnormal for me...

Cheers.

Day 251 - Legend Brown Ale

Feeling a little less dark tonight, I went with a brown ale. Alas, this has a corresponding drop in taste as well a depth of color.

It is indeed a brown ale, and it runs along the malty side with little noticable hops. The label is kind of colorful....

Specs:

Full Name: Legend Brown Ale
Brewed By: Legend Brewing Co
From: Richmond VA
ABV: 6%

Per their website, this is their most popular beer, which means I will be most reluctant to add more to the pipeline. At least it isn't called Legendary, and leans towards forgetable, and thus won't become a true Legend in this blog. This is a bit sad, as this brewery is fairly close, and if it had been really good, would have been an easy pilgrimage. Ah well, maybe tommorow nights beer.

Cheers to a good and long weekend!

Day 250 - Double Cream Stout

Furthering a trek down the dark path, here's a 4th by this brewer, and second stout.

The deep brown of rain water than has steeped all Fall in a rotted oak stump, I must admit I was expecting the taste to be comparable. Yes, it is heavy, and yes it does have that strong roasted malt taste, but it lacks any kind of sweetness that turns me off, and finishes clean enough. By golly, I might actually like this one...

Specs:

Full Name: Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
Brewed By: Bell's Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 6.1%

I'm not sure what exactly "double cream" means in this context, and while "special" is almost as bad as "premium", I'll let them slide on this one. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't replace any of my favs, but if you're looking for a mouthful of flavor and you're out on stouts, you might try this one. I'm guessing I find it acceptable because the roasting imparts a somewhat dry taste, and while it doesn't come close to the bitterness of good hops, it beats anything sweet.

Now more than two thirds through this beerfest, with fewer in front than behind (not to mention it getting harder to find untried ones), this should start to get interesting. Sadly, this also means I'm that much closer to being 50. Good news is, started prelim discussons with dad and brothers about the concept of "whisky of the week" for next year... ;>)

cheers.

Day 249 - Hacker-Pschorr Weisse

It has been a long time since I tempted a wheat beer, and unfortunately, they haven't gotten better in the interim....

So, tiny-bubbled, clear yellow color. Classic, though not overpowering or overspiced, wheat flavor. All in all, drinkable, and probably acceptable to a wheatnik, but there is something just girly about this genre that leaves me cringing with every sip.

Specs:

Full Name: Hacker-Pschorr Weisse
Brewed By: Hacker-Pschorr
From: Munich Germany
ABV: 5.5%


all else being equal, this might be the best of the German beers that I have had, which really only speaks to how low the other ones have been, rather than how good this one is. Still, the alternatives are sitting here drinking this or watching America's Next Top Model with Ellie and Liz, so again, I settle for the lesser evil and type away.....

Picked up some kind of outer limit beers for the pipeline tonight, so will be walking a dark path far from sunshine and palies for the next week. I saw at least 7 different pumpkin ales, so may have to do a week of them at the end of the month. Yep, I'm just that crazy...

Cheers.

Day 248 - Pilsner 100

This one is brewed by the same company as that 32oz bad boy I blogged about back on day 20. Alas, it is only in a 12oz bottle.

Alas part deux, it pours a very, very pale yellow, and the taste is as bold as 5/$1 mac & cheese. Even sadder, I really couldn't just pour ketchup into this to add taste like I do the m&c.... It is very easy to drink at least.

Specs:

Full Name: Pilsner 100
Brewed By: Cerveceria La Constancia SA
From: San Salvador
ABV: 4.5%


So, if you are wanting a beer with little taste and relatively low alcohol but is not found in most people's frig, this might be a good choice. Or perhaps, if you are going to spend the whole day lying on a beach in 90 degree heat and don't feel like being seen drinking fruited water, this would be a good alternative.

Hum, a wheatie and an o'fest left in the pipeline, not going to make it to the weekend...

Day 247 - Black Boss Porter

I had been thinking that I owed dad a dedication, for no other reason than he just flat out deserves it for many reasons. So looking at the pipeline, this one just was appropriate, since I have called dad "boss" for many, many years. It also certainly has a unique personality, just like dad.... ;>)

A deep, clear brown and a very strong sweet aroma. Uh Oh... Fears realized, it drinks liked heavily roasted & malted sugar syrup with carbonation. I'm halfway through and my taste buds have rolled over and given up crying for uncle and now stoically accept their 22.9 oz fate.

Specs:

Full Name: Black Boss Porter
Brewed By: Browar Witnica SA
From: Poland
ABV: 9.4%

IMHO, this is another great beer for pot roasting, or for those that like their beer sweet with a kick. Actually, dad has pretty much given up drinking beer, and scratches that itch with the occasional G&T or good whisky. While he doesn't win the Florence Nightingale award for bedside manner (it's true boss... ;>) ), his dedication, support and positive attitude was a bulwark for mom to hold onto for many months. Now, he has the tougher road to follow for a while, but he will get there, and if I know him, there will be a fishing rod involved.

Cheers dad!

Day 246 - West Coast IPA

Seriously, anyone got any contacts in San Diego. I'm going to have to Forrest Gump the country for this beer....

The second by this brewer, and another winner. Bright, harvest-gold color, but of course, it is the excellent hops flavor that makes my eyes close and a sense of peace settle around me. Good thing I don't have a six-pack, otherwise I might even get to a place where I could watch one of those touchy-feely movies. Well, that might be a bit extreme.....

Specs:

Full Name: West Coast IPA
Brewed By: Green Flash Brewing Co
From: San Diego CA
ABV: 7.3%


Good beer, sometimes, that is a good as it gets, and sometimes that is a good as it needs to be.

Cheers.

Day 244 - Un-Earthly

A friday night, and sitting here trying to write down some thoughts to share at mom's service tomorrow. Almost 50 years spent raising her, and so proud how she had come so far......

So, stopped at the beer store for one a bit special for this occasion. Keeping to the theme of new beer, I went with a 22 oz one, and the deciding factor between this and another in roughly the same range was 11% vs 6% ABV - no brainer there... :>)

Poured this one into a glass mug, instead of a taste into a shot glass. The color of dark gold marigolds, which were a fav of mom's, and mild hops aroma. Then the explosion in the mouth. I don't know the chemistry, but it seems that higher ABV beers have a higher body as well. This one is as full-bodied as Dolly Parton. My lips tingle after each sip from the bitterness of the hops, which last long after it is swallowed.

Specs:

Full Name: Un-Earthly
Brewed By: Southern Tier Brewing Company
From: Lakewood NY
ABV: 11%

In a perfect world, I would be drinking this one sitting on the deck of a cabin in the woods on a cool night listening to a stream and looking up at the stars. I have to settle for sitting in my desk chair in my living room with the window open listening to my wife and daughter watching TV.... You know, that ain't so bad either.

cheers!