Day 281 - India Pale Ale

The 3rd by this brewer, though it has been a while since the last. I'd also add that while the Hoos did their usual break my heart yesterday (and to Duke no less, is there no right in this world...), at least the Redskins didn't, by way of having a bye this week....


Yep, I changed the subject, which of course means the beer did not wow me. It was decently orange, and had the hops dryness, but lacks real body and depth. That said, this is nector compared to last night's beer...

Specs:

Full name: India Pale Ale (not very original...)
Brewed By: Avery Brewing Co
From: Boulder CO
ABV: 6.5%

To share part of my exciting life, Ellie and I spent most of yesterday working to deflea the house, from vacuuming everywhere, and washing/spraying bedding areas of the dog and 2 cats, and finally, the big finale, washing the dog. Today, we went to the farmers market, where we ordered a ham for Thanksgiving from our pork guy (it is really the best) and have been helping Elizabeth with college applications while working on updating finances. I even made a new business connection with a guy in the UK via skype.

Wow, it amazes me as I write it. I definitely earn my beer every day ;>)

cheers!

Day 280 - Miller Lite

Saturday night, and we were out with the Procs for dinner, and Dave, aka the Fiscal Gourmet, was excited to try the "Two for $20" deal at Chilli's. In keeping with that, we decided to accompany that fine cuisine with $1.99 16oz draft Miller Lites. Crazy, yes, insane, probably, but it does provide good blog fodder...

So, the canary yellow color of imitation banana food coloring, and basically no taste, we were calling them $2 waters. That's all I have to say about that.

After Chilli's we went to American Tap Room at Reston Town Center, where I had a really good beer, which I will save for a later post, and dessert, and we met a couple from NC, but not really, as they had moved there from PA about 5 years ago. We talked beer, kids, and southern living, and the guy had a great story about his mostly babtist coworkers praying for him over his use of profanity and drinking. I applauded his sacrifice and the gift he gave them to be able to do that....

So, as truly is the case, it isn't really about the beer or alcohol, but about good friends and good people. Of course, on nights when I am alone with my beer and blog, it is all about those first things... ;>)

Day 279 - Blonde Ale

Friday night, and the other two from this brewer had been decent, so was looking forward to a good beer.

Ok, this one kind of lives up to the stereotype of its name. It looks good, but lacks real substance...(hey, I din't make that up). A nice golden yellow color, faint sweet aroma, and the taste follows the same path. This beer isn't bad, but is definitely forgettable in my book.

Specs:

Full Name: Mendocino Blonde Ale Seasonal
Brewed By: Mendocino Brewing Co
From: Saratoga Springs NY
ABV: 5%

Ok, the website says this is a summer ale, and I definitely get that you could sit there on a hot day and drink a few of these, and probably not even realize it from a taste perspective. Some might even go so far as calling that refreshing. I just call it yawnsville, and don't plan to include a stop there again.... ;>)

cheers, and have a good weekend!

Day 278 - Organic IPA

Ah, a freshly filled pipeline is like that moment in time just before football season starts, and both UVa and the Redskins are undefeated. So much hope and promise...

Not sure if this is my first organic or not, but hey, I figured it's a palie at least, so minimized the risk a bit. The pour leans towards the orange from yellow, but doesn't quite get to that glow that gets me excited, and the nose catches a hint of the hops to come, but nothing drastic, and the taste gets off on the right foot, but fades. It reminds me of when I try and jump, a lot of effort perhaps, but I still only get an inch off the ground....

Specs:

Full Name: Bison Organic IPA
Brewed By: Bison Brewing
From: Ukiah CA
ABV: 6%

A decent enough beer, and if you buy a case, they'll buy you a carbon offset, so not only if you drink the whole case will you be doing the green thing, but you will be green.....

They don't list the exact hops used, only that they put in 4 types of malt and 3 hops. Personally, I think they could go a bit bolder and add some more hops, but hey, that just me.

Cheers.

Day 277 - Hens Tooth

Mid week, and the last of the pipeline, thus requiring another trip to the beer store tomorrow. Until then, an English ale awaits...

This one is conditioned in the bottle, and indeed there was sediment visable through the clear glass and thus it got poured into a mug (irregular, but hey, I am adaptable...). A fiery, sunset red color, with flowery aroma, my pinky went straight out when I hefted this to my mouth. A rather classic taste, heavy on the malts with a lingering dryness.

Specs:

Full Name: Hen's Tooth
Brewed by: Morland Brewing
From: England
ABV: 6.5%

The thing about this style is that I am still trying to figure out if I like it or not. I mean, the thoughts it conjurs up is of wearing a sheeps-wool cardigan while sitting in front of a fire, and well, I don't wear sweaters. Still, there is something comforting and relaxing about it, even if it isn't an IPA. I suppose if you don't want to be caught wearing your Snuggie in public, drinking a bottle of this will give you the same feeling while still maintaining a semblance of testosterone in your veins....

cheers

Day 276 - Pomegranate Wheat

After a good day at work, I was feeling a bit wild and crazy, so pulled this bad boy out. Actually, it really isn't either...


A pale yellow pour, underpowering aroma, and actually a clean fresh taste. No where is found the typical sicky sweetness of other fruited beers or the spiced wheats, and I think the pomegranate just adds a bit of tartness to the beer. Go figure, a frubee I can actually contemplate drinking more than one of without gagging.

Specs:

Full Name: Saranac Pomegranate Wheat
Brewed By: Matt Brewing Co
From: Utica NY
ABV: 4.7%

So, a tad light on the ABV, but forgivable given it is actually drinkable. I don't think I have had many from this brewer, but will have to track down some more I think.

Cheers!

day 275 - Torpedo

After surviving the seasonals, I looked at the pipeline of 3 beers left, and the choices were this, an English ale and a Frubee. Pffft, not a hard one tonight, but tomorrow will be tougher...

The excitement grew as the pour was my favorite burnt orange and the hops aroma was nice and dry. Then the exquisite citrusy deliciousness was filling my tastebuds and another monday becomes successfully survived.


Specs:

Full name: Torpedo Extra IPA
Brewed By: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co
From: Chico CA
ABV: 7.2%

given I had to look up the ABV on the website, I finally remembered to check the hops as well, the info of which happened to be right there. So, Magnum is the heavy lifter, found in the bittering, finishing and dry hopping processes. Then you have Crystal in the finishing and dry, and lastly Citra in the dry. Thus 3 different hops are used. For comparision (on a roll tonight...), Hazed & Infused uses Nugget, Williamette, Crystal and Centential, and the last two for dry hopping as well. Hoptical Illusion uses a "rare hops exclusively grown on a farm in Oregon", so no match there either. Hum, perhaps there is no real pattern, but perhaps I'll keep looking, or better yet, drinking... ;>)

Cheers.