New Years Eve 2011 - Siberian Night

I decided to dust off the beer blog as a remembrance to brother Ned, who provided much encouragement during the year I did it, and going back and reading his comments was bitter sweet, kind of like the dark beers he favored.

So I found a stout that I hadn't tried before, though from a brewer that makes a tasty palie. This has that classic "roasted malt battles dark molasses and destroys Tokyo" taste. Yep, it is heavy, sweet and thrashes around the tastes buds, and yet somehow comfortable like a warm fleece blanket. No, it isn't enough to turn me from my favorite IPAs, but on a cool night and for a change of pace, I would drink it again. Hum, it probably would even make a good black and tan for those that go that route.

On this last day of 2011, I raise a bottle in honor of my little brother, and with fond memories, try and look forward.

Day 365 - Fraoch

So how do you chose the last beer? Well, odds are pretty darn good this won't actually be the last beer I drink, but blogwise, this is it. I had a couple of choices, but it seemed fitting to go with one that claims tha the style has been brewed since 2000bc.

The color of a wheat field ready for harvesting, and a floral aroma (guess cause it steeps in heather for an hour before fermenting...), and no surprise, a kind of slightly sweet, spice-infused taste akin to a wheat beer.

Specs:

Full Name: Fraoch Heather Ale
Brewed by: Williams Bros Brewing Co
From: Scotland
ABV: 5%

Alas, this was not my favorite, but does get credit for it's uniqueness, which at the end of the day, was what this past year was supposed to be about. All in all, I came pretty darn close to my goal of a different beer every day, and not only gained weight, but wisdom as well. Now to lose the former, and while I will need to cut back on the beer a day, will continue my search for the best beer available. I had purchased a six pack of Hazed and Infused for our get together last night, and did end my night on that one. Ah, that is one good beer.

Thanks to everyone that read this, commented on occasion, and generally provided support through the year, and I encourage everyone to take this pilgrimage if they can. It is worth it.

Cheers!

Day 364 - GAR Pale Ale

Ok, for one day short of 365, we had a gathering of good friends, and the drinks flowed freely. In this case, the beer was a micro-beer pale ale from a local restaurant, and it was both good and long gone....

Also in the mix was a very dark beer from Tony and Jane (New Holland "dragon brew"), and some VA white Lighting Corn Whiskey from Uncle B/Aunt C, and finally, a Hazed and Infused.

But back to the original, as long as I can type and remember.. It was quite good, decent color and aroma, and smooth flavor. It was popular amongst the attendees. At $8 for slightly less than a 6-pack, the price isn't horrible.

The specs will have to wait...

Day 363 - Imperial Iniquity

Yea, friday night....

So a bit of change, but staying on the good beer track firmly. Dark as Dr Pepper, malty aroma, and just a darn drinkable malted beverage. A very good beer for a change of pace on a cold night, and in a big bottle, so easy to relax and not worry about finishing too quickly or before the blog is over.

Specs:

Full name: Imperial Iniquity Black Ale
Brewed By: Southern tier Brewing Co
From: Lakewood NY
ABV: 9%

Ok, so this one didn't quite make the 10% club, but it is close enough. What makes this beer so good is that you get the roasted malt flavor, with a dry finish, not sweet. That is quality baby....

Only a couple more nights left...sniff, sniff

Cheers!

Day 362 - Double IPA

So Ellie got home at 2 am, making it a 10 hour commute, and I got to spend quality time with Liz having a Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon while waiting....

For some reason, I thought I had drunk this one before, but no dice, so here goes. A comforting burnt orange color and citrus aroma set things up for a total hops explosion. This is a half court shot with nothing but net. Being a bit picky, it might be a tad on the dry side and linger overly long, but I'd drink this over the vast majority of others beers that have passed down this throat.

Specs:

Full name: Double IPA
Brewed By: Stoudts Brewing Co
From: Adamstown PA
ABV: 10%

Like the streak of high ABVs that I'm on, and.... I lost steam last night on the WoW as I was too tired and whisky should be consumed whilst relaxed, not unable to move from shoveling snow, so now can go do that.....

cheers!

Day 361 - Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A.

Given the fact that after shoveling 8 inches of wet snow I can't move, and poor Ellie is stuck in gridlock over in Fairfax trying to get home for the last 6 hours, I really needed a good beer. This one works.

A deep russet brown color, and that tantalizing hoppy aroma gets you ready for the full on flavor this one has. My only critique is that it is a bit much on the malt, though the hops are not to be ignored. I'm thinking that the rye in this imparts an extra sweetness it doesn't really need, but hey, that is just me.

Specs:

full Name: Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA
Bewed By: Smaltz Brewing Co
From: Sarasota Springs NY
ABV: 10%

So if you like your hops, and don't mind a bit of maltiness, this a worthy choice.

Now I have to go do my whisky of the week comments. Another sacrifice...;>)

Day 360 - 90 Minute IPA

A glorious sunset color, clear and sparkling orange, yet it pales next to the taste that you experience when you drink this. This beer was worth waiting 360 days to drink, and I can guarantee that it won't be another 360 days before I have my 2nd of these...


The specs don't matter, nothing else matters, this is a great beer, but should only be drunk if you truly like high hops palies. Ok, a teaser, the ABV is 9%. I'm celebrating (if that is really the right word for it...) my 50th in a few days, and perhaps should have on hand a selection of my favorites. This one will be there, and it could be interesting to compare my top picks head to head, so to speak.

Not sure if any of the rest I got today will be this good, but many thanks to Dean Baker for reminding me I needed to get this in!

Day 359 - Honey Raspberry Ale

Ok, one last attempt to find a decent fruited beer, and as probably could have been predicted, what part of "honey raspberry" didn't I get...

So, this one has a very nice red color, and clean aroma, and honestly, the first sip is the worst for sweetness and after that it becomes drinkable. Would I lie about that...

Specs:

Full name: Honey Raspberry Ale
Brewed By: Spanish Peaks Brewing Co
From: various (Polson MT, Denver CO)
ABV: 5.1%

The real reason of course why this one made it in the blog (besides me being crazy enough to buy it...) is that I didn't get out to the store for my final pipeline trip and this was the only thing I had left. Ah well, now I am down to my last 6 pack, I will find a way to make it all palies, starting with the 90 minute IPA from Dogfish Head, which I have been putting off for too long.

Cheers!

Day 358 - 16 Mile Amber Sun Ale

Big aluminum bottles are kind of cool, but this one masks a very nice colored beer (deep reddish orange), and in my opinion, inparts just a hint of metalic to the taste when you drink out of it. I'm not sure of the economics of glass vs solid aluminum, but probably easier to ship and less breakage with the metal.

From a glass, this is a very pleasing beer, balancing both malt and hops into a tasty brew. You can appreciate it, without being to distracted by it. The analogy being walking down the street with your sig other, and seeing something eye-catching, but not so much you get an elbow in the ribs or feel too bad....

Specs:

Full name: 16 Mile Amber Sun Ale
Brewed By: 16 Mile Brewing Co
From: Georgetown DE
ABV: unknown, but guessing 5ish

So very cool bottle plus good beer plus less than 2 hours away makes for potential visit. They have a couple of other ales out, so will have to try them.

Down to the last week, going to be strange when the year is over, but at least I have my W.o.W. to keep me going. (no, not World of Warcraft, Whisky of Week...)

Cheers!

Day 357 - Full Circle

you know, sometmes life is just not fair, and the same is true in the beer world. I mean, how does a kolsh style follow a tasty palie. The answer, not very well...

The color is a pleasant deep yellow, but the taste is just too plain to compare. It's drinkable, just not memorable.

Specs:

Full Name: Full Circle
Brewed By: New Holland Brewing Co
From: same as the rest (don't have my glasses so cant read it on the label...)
ABV: 4%

So, the yin/yang caught up with this one, and the full circle means you get nowhere fun drinking this. Actually, not a bad beer to have around for those who typically drink the mass produced swill, just make sure you have something tastier for yourself...

Have a good weekend!

cheers.

Day 356 - Imperial IPA

The good thing about this blog is, I can do whatever the heck I want. So we went out to dinner with our friends Steve and Monique Conway last night, so got back a bit late and tired to do my blog (plus only had relatively boring beer with dinner - Yuengling draft).

Thusly, I brought 2 into the house, as I thought I had drunk one previously, but it turned out I had not, so then picked this IPA as the throw back to yesterday. Sometimes I am just that good....

So, burnt orange color, citrusy aroma, and then just plain deliciousness. Nothing but hops to tingle those taste buds.

Specs:

Full Name: Imperial IPA

Brewed By: Mendocino Brewing Co

From: Saratoga Springs NY

ABV: 8%

Either I was thirsty, or this beer is really good as it is already just a memory. Probably a combo of the two.

Oh well. On to the other, which hopefully will not be too much of a let down.

Day 355 - Bourbon Barrel Stout

Thursday night, and it has been a long day, and for some crazy reason, I pick up the heavy stout instead of something simplier and lighter. So my already overutilized brain must work for a few minutes longer.

So dark, it is almost like a black hole with no light getting out, a rather pleasant if malty aroma, and then a full frontal assault on the tastebuds. This is a beer that makes you stop and take notice, and one worth forming an opinion of slowly as it's complexity requires patience. I still don't know if I really like it for itself, or just for it's cool name.

Specs:

Full name: Bourbon Barrel Stout

Brewed By: Bluegrass Brewing Co

From: Louisville KY

ABV: unknown

So a 2nd good one from this brewer, but not quite where I'm ready to move to KY. They have some other tasty sounding beers, so will see if I can find another in the next 10 days.

So much beer, so little time....

cheers!

Day 354 - Old Foghorn

Late in the game here, and a new style comes into play. Fact is, it's getting really tough to find beers I haven't had yet that aren't $5 a bottle.

A bright, fall-leaf colored brew, but the fun stops there. The taste is akin to those same leaves steeped in water for a few months, then a few cupfuls of sugar added. As this is the first of this ilk I've had, I don't have anything to compare it to. May just have to get one other before year-end just to see.

Specs:

Full name: Old Foghorn Barleywine Style Ale
Brewed By: Anchor Brewing Co
From: San Francisco CA
ABV: 8.1%

So, the website claims it is fully-hopped, but that taste is burried deep under the sweetness. Hum, actually, this is like a dessert beer of sorts, so if you're into that kind of thing, give this a try.

Off now to watch American Idol with new judges and switch to the whisky of the week blog. Life is tough... ;>)

Day 353 - Chelada

Ah, sometimes my willingness to go way out there is even too much for me. I happened to see that beer that Tom Wulf sent me the pic of, and of course got it.

The color is beer, with a reddish tint. The taste is pure awful. What else would you expect. Given this is a 24oz can, it is taking me a long time to get through it, and it is questionable if that will even happen.

No sense putting the specs down for this one. If you want to know, why?

Day 352 - The Gift

Yea, back on the beerwagon. Boo, the beer is no good.... You know, it takes guts to call your beer "The Gift" when it is the equivalent then of getting a lump of coal.

The volor is a decent orange, but might as well stop there. The taste is more like stale keg beer, that is warm....

Specs:

Full Name: The Gift

Brewed By: Starr Hill Brewery

From: Crozet VA

ABV: 6.5%

Funny thing, my friend Tom Wulf had sent me a text earlier this evening from his Kroger out in Cinci where he spotted a Bud Light/Tomato juice combo, and we were joking about how anything could be worse than that. Sadly, I found it...

Oh well, down to the last few weeks, and need to find a way to make it count. I still have the big bottle that I didn't want to pull out yet, but should have I suppose. One more trip to replenish the supply tomorrow.

Cheers!

Dayt 351 - hopefully last miss

Was hoping to get in a beer tonight, but not quite there yet. I guess this is early practice for when my year is up... ;>(

Day 350 - still out

Still can't drink a beer...

Day 349 - Down a tooth...

Had a wisdom tooth removed today, and managed to get one beer down at Proc's 50th b-day (a rerun...) but that was it.

Day 348 - Wild Blue

Well, when you only have yourself to blame, it is hard to complain, but seriously, why would I chose to do this to myself? If you must, go ahead and serve these to people, but don't pour it into a clear glass. There is just no way to be seen drinking a beer this color (see additional pic below...)

So, color aside, this one tastes more like a wine cooler than a beer. Very sweet, and rather light. Of course, it also claims to be a premium lager, so that is a big swing and a whiff.

Specs:

Full Name: Wild Blue
Brewed By: Blue Dawg Brewing
From: Baldwinsville NY
ABV: 8% (only real redeeming thing about this)


The only consolation is that I can honestly say I gave frubees a fair shot, and I am none the better for it...

Go forth and drink good beer, and if you can't, there are plenty

of these out there. My daughter Liz, in her constant pursuit of turning my hair grey, informed me at dinner tonight that I inspired her with this blog, and that she is considering her own - a different boyfriend every day for a year...sigh...

Cheers!

The new blog is up - whiskyofweek.blogspot.com.

Day 347 - Brew Free or Die

So, joined in the Whisky of the Week tonight (www.whiskyofweek.blogspot.com) and got caught up on this week and last. That left me in a quandry. I mean, after decent scotch, what beer do you drink? Choices were: this, a frubee or a big bottle black ale. No way I was going to desecrate the memory of scotch with a frubee, and the big black ale has a lot of potential, so this was a good compromise. Good news is, I nailed it.

A good orange-tinged yellow, and plenty of hoppiness makes this the canned beer fav by far. It finishes just a bit rough to break my top favs, but for a day out on the boat and saving the weight of glass, this is the beer.

Specs:

Full Name: Brew Free or Die IPA
Brewed By: 21st Amendment Brewery
From: Cold Springs NH
ABV: 7%

Less than 20 days and counting, and still finding a few gems out there. If you like your beer mostly hops with a little malt added, this is it. Of course, if you are in a chugging contest, this would not be the one to pick, as it definitely grabs some tonsil on the way past.

cheers!

Day 346 - BB Burgerbrau

In 2 days, the high and low can be achieved... Of course, what could I expect from an imported green bottle?

Ok, decent yellow color, but then it all goes downhill. Dry, bitter taste so classic of these beers. Seriously, they must all be brewed in the same place and then all the different lables are attached.

Specs:

Full Name: BB Burgerbrau

Brewed By: Budejovicky Mestansky Pivovar

From: Czech Republic

ABV: 4.7%

Ok, maybe a beer to drink with it's name sake, burgers... Not much else worth saying about this one, and a big botle and frubee is all that's left in the current piepline. With Cullen home tomorrow, guessing the big bottle will come out.

Cheers!

Day 345 - Abita Ale

A late addition to the Christmas ale collection, and truly worth the wait...

The color of glowing embers late at night, fresh hoppy aroma, and crisp ale flavor with a dry finish. No fruitiness or spiciness, just good beer. Sigh, this is what this year is all about.

Specs:

Full name: Abita Ale
Brewed By: Abita Brewing Co
From: Abita Springs LA
ABV: 5.5%

You know, all brewers should follow this simle precept - brew good beer. That doesn't seem that hard, but I guess those that don't exist so that we may appreciate those that do more. Down to 20 days, and while they all won't be as good as today (for sure, I have another frubie and green-bottled export in the pipeline...), the line is redrawn.

cheers!

Day 344 - Old Stock Ale

Back on the beer-wagon tonight, and went way extreme on the ABV to make up for all those sub-5s from last week. That's the highlight...

So, the color of molasses, and for the most part, the taste as well. This one is very heavy, very sweet and very unlikely to be drunk by me again...

Specs:

Full Name: Old Stock Ale
Brewed By: North Coast Brewing Co
From: Ft Bragg, CA
ABV: 11.7%

So, really struggling to get through this one, as it is just plain too heavy for my palate. The humorist in me would point out that it would be better named if you removed the "t" from Stock, as that is more akin to what it tastes like....

It's really getting hard to find ones I both haven't had and am willing to try, though I am now down to 3 weeks, yikes.

Cheers.

Day 343 - beerless-uh

The Procs came over for dinner, and somehow I had a no-blog beer for dinner, then Dave and I switched to bourbon and ginger ales, thus the lack of a blog tonight.

Day 342 - Estrella Damm

Friday night, and I didn't get a chance to make it to the beer store today, so had to go with the last available. It was another attempt to find a decent European import, but alas...

The color of straw, no discernable aroma, and a flat taste. At least it doesn't have the nothing bitterness of its green-bottled brethren, but otheer than that, not much good to say about it.

Specs:

Full Name: Estrella Damm
Brewed by: SA Damm
From: Barcelona Spain
ABV: 5.2%

So, at least I broke back above the 5% ABV floor, and well, had a beer from a well-known Barcelona brewery. Hum, maybe they give this to those bulls that then go crazy and run around the town.....

Cheers!

Day 341 - Smadny Mnich

The 3rd in the Gumby Austrian collection, and a return to my beer blog after two days of being a bowl of pained jello. The pipeline is also getting thin, so will make one of my last trips to the beer store to replenish tomorrow.

Ah right, the beer... So, very pale yellow, like a winter sunrise, fresh aroma, and a subtle step up from your basic lager taste. Drink this one, and you might pause while chugging it in some beer drinking game to notice it, but then by the 2nd or 3rd, your taste buds will just shrug as it passes by.

Specs:

Full Name: Smadny Mnich
Brewed By: Unknown (another written in Austrian label)
From: see above...
ABV: 4.3% ( a logical assumption given that is on the label)

Ok, I don't break the streak of sub 5%'s with this one, but actually, as my first beer back on a tired stomach, probably not a bad choice. Actually, it shows that there is decent beer in Europe, but that they keep it for themselves and ship us their "premium" stuff...

In the end, this is a classic beer that belongs in a can, as a bottle would be too much. It easily surpasses expectations, as long as you don't have any. I try and keep an open mind and mouth, which has led to a very interesting journey.

Hum, last thing, but since I am nearing my last here, I'm open to any recommendations on which should be my last?

cheers!

Day 340 - flu wins - day 2

Finally starting to feel better after having to change shirts 4 times today because of sweating. Hum, perhaps that was TMI, but the end result is no beer again tonight. I did realize though that this is the only times in the last year I missed due to illness, which is pretty good all in all.

On the Whiskey of the Week, which was supposed to start today, my dad and brothers actually broke out the first one monday night (after I started to feel bad...) and are now waiting on me to put the wiki up (trying a new format) and to try on my side. For those curious, it is an 18 yr old Glenlivet. Hopefully will be up for that tomorrow.

Day 339 - no beer - flu bug

So, Ellie came home not feeling well yesterday, and it hit me right after I finished my blog that night, so given I could barely move, no beer blog last night.

Day 338 - Stovepipe Porter

Totally changed it up tonight, with a glass of the dark stuff. Given the name gives it away, no need to point out the obvious.

So yes, the color of good dark maple syrup, and that roasted malt smell that loudly announces what will come. Actually, just a very full-flavored beer, as comforting as the old sweatshirt and sweatpants you wear around the house on weekends that your wife hates..... ;>)

Specs:

Full Name: Stovepipe Porter

Brewed By: Otter Creek Brewery

From: Middlebury VT

ABV: 4.4%

Ok, I don't recall this blog being about finding the lowest ABV beers available, but it seems that way lately. Tomorrow, I end it, even if I have to drink that Bud in the fridge. Well, maybe I won't go that far......

Cheers!

Day 337 - Quilmes

Figured that I needed a beer to suffer through the REdskins game, and of course was right. Even with my Skins Tshirt, santa hat and ice-chilled beer mug, the Skins lost to the hated Giants (again...).

So the beer. This one is another chugging contest caliber beer. It's light, easy to drink, and doesn't distract or grab the tonsils. It's drinkable enough, but has no real character.

Specs:

Full Name: Quilmes
Brewed by: Cervecería y maltería Quilmes
From: Quilmes Argentina
ABV: 4.9%

So, two nights in a row of sub 5% ABV beers to start the year. Hum, only way it can go is up. Until then,

Cheers.

Day 336 - Kozel

Heading over to the Procs for the evening, so will write the blog tomorrow.

Tomorrow...

So, another from the Gumbi collection, and shared with Dave. Good news is, Dave liked it. Bad news is, Dave likes his beer fairly tasteless, though in all fairness, in quantity at least.....

A very pale yellow, and taste to match makes this one an excellent choice for drinking games. Of course, you'd have to go to Austria to play, but that wouldn't be so bad I think.

Specs:

Full Name: Kozel
Brewed By: Some brewer in Austria
From: Austria....
ABV: 4%

So, maybe the best thing about this is the pic of a goat drinking on the can. Of course, it would take a mug the size of the one shown to feel this one... Still, I appreciate the beer and the source, and we had a good time at the Procs (even if Mary won the game both times we played....)

cheers!