I donno what sparked this revival but it makes me soooo happy. The wife frequently asks what you and Derris are digging. Trying new things has been one of the great joys of the last 2+ years for me.

It was walking into a real store with real choices. We can't get anything bigger than 16oz here. Seeing all those big dogs, and knowing a few names to try that would be in my wheelhouse really set me off. I cracked the #2 for this afternoon meeting. I think I like the #1 better, but this is obviously very good for the style. There's some rich caramel head in there that is really interesting.

If these people keep droning, I will have to get the Abt 12 out. (if )

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/nogne-o-im ... ale/58333/

The fucking highlight of my night was drinking this beer. It might be a bit too boozy for some folks, but it was absolutely delicious for a brown ale.

I can also state that St. Bernardus 12 is on tap at my favorite brew pub.

I forgot to mention that I purchased a six pack of Affligem Blond Belgian Strong Pale Ale.
It isn't quite as good as Duvel, A Little Sumpin or Delerium Tremens, but it is fairly good.

Recents

Chimay - Blue

Brunch / killing time around Lunch with my father in law, and Neuroboy on Saturday. I don't think I've had Chimay blue before, it was good - you know what to expect, it's a trapist amber with like 9%. A strong way to start the day off (at like 11:50), but boys need not apply. A-


Well's - Banana Bread Beer

Maybe it was the Chimay talking, but Neuro and I decided to split one of these. I couldn't see the label when I ordered, but I recognized it when it came out. I've seen these before. It was... ok. Mediocre brit beer with a strongish smell of bananas. Not really recommended. C+


Trapistes Rochefort - 10

WOW. Smooth, smooth, smooth. 11.3% my ass. It tastes like 7 or 8, and then suddenly you're in BuzzTown. This thing bashfully averts its eyes and doesn't wanna hold your hand, and then suddenly you're knocked up. It was very mellow, almost buttery, with some vanilla / caramel in the background. Even my famously strong-beer-not-liking father in law didn't find it too offensive. "I could drink this, but it would take me 2 hours." That's what you're supposed to do, it has over 11% alcohol. "...WHAT?!" This is great, great stuff. I wanna give the 6 and 8 a try next. A+

Harpoon - Dark Munich Style

Another passable style attempt from the boys here in Boston. Not bad, not exciting, something different. Darkish, sweet, dry slightly hoppy finish. Meh. B-


Maine Beer Co. - Peeper Ale

These guys just appeared out of nowhere in several stores near me. POOF. Brewery from Maine. I would've probably punted but I saw the 1% For The Planet logo on their cover, and bought 2 different bottles to show support. And the really fucking good news is, the beer was great. This was a strong pale ale to my taste, though they don't really say. It tasted like a lot of American Pales, but little thicker and smoother. I gotta say, I found it really well made, refreshing, and surprising. I can't wait to try the other style (can't remember what it is)... good beer and a good cause. They ain't braggin', that label barely had 5 words on it, but the beer does the talking. Fingers crossed. A-

Brouwerij Alvinne - The Oak Bolleville


Here's one you don't see everyday. This was a gift from a friend for my birthday. I have no idea where she found it, I've never seen it or heard of the brewery. 10% content, aged in barrels (see below):



I donno what a Mano Negra Ale is, but it tasted like a coppery, tannic belgian tripel. Slightly acidic start, big round sweet finish, and the booze isn't hidden. Then there's the smell... grapes, oak, crazy crazy stuff. At first you don't really taste those things, but they build up over the course of the glass. By the end of the bottle it's a big barrel party. I liked it a lot, it was wonderful and different, and beats a lot of others out. But it's no Rochefort, no Bourbon County Stout, no Sprecher Scotch Style Ale. Excellent stuff for sure, but not quite the top of the pack for me. A

Zoe is their other beer. I think I liked the Peeper a bit more. White Birch should take a hint from these guys.

I bought a few more of those Mikkeller single hop ales the other day but I can't remember which ones they are at the moment.

21st Amendment finally has their Monk's
Blood back out. I need to buy some more soon.

I haven't had the 6, but IMO, 10 > 8.

Check this thing out. I want one printed big.

http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/poster_beer_1300.jpg

Had that Omegang chocolate stout the other day and it was surprisingly drinkable for a 7% ABV brew. Tasty, to be sure. But, of course, "drinkable" can also be used as another word for "there isn't much to it." Sadly, this was the case. I mean, it was enjoyable, but if you are looking for something to get lost in, like a really good Trappist, this is not your beer. And for the price, it's certainly not bringing bang for the buck. Unless it was all just too subtle for me to catch.

It had a very foamy head that did not dissipate... ever, which was nice, but it wasn't as thick as the head on a stout on something like a Guinness. More like a porter. The chocolate was there and so were the malts (very subdued), and just the slightest edge of hops. That's about it. Went down TOO easily. Without even hardly noticing. A little bit disappointed. I'd be curious to hear your take on it, though. See if you get more out of it than I do. Hopefully you'll be able to find some.

Maybe I had just psyched myself up for it too much. Maybe it's a food beer. You know, it could be a really good food beer -- maybe a richer meat like lamb, venison, or even duck might pull out more of the flavor. I didn't hate it, just not rushing out to spend that $14 again. Although, if I knew that I had a meal including any of the above, I might think to get it again.

I'll attempt to play catch up here.



Ommegang Hennepin. Went to a place that was byob for dinner and I brought this along with me. I thought it was pretty good and probably the 2nd best thing I've had by Ommegang (Rare Vos being #1). I don't know. I probably didn't give it it's proper due having it for the first time at a dinner outing. I also have really yet to be knocked out by any of the Saisons I've had. Still, a solid B for me. Proper setting could bump that up though.





Allagash Tripel. Had this before heading out to said restaurant. Was a little more.........bitter than I was expecting. Granted, this might've been my first American Tripel to date and I was expecting the malty taste of the St. Bernardus or Tripel Karmaliet (possibly my favorite). Still, it actually got better as it went down and warmed. A solid effort but there are several i'd go for before this considering the price ($10)




Ayinger - Brau-Weisse. I think I've mentioned this one before. Pretty much my favorite Hefewiezen to date.




Victory - Prima Pils. Drank in a pint glass while watching Georgia beat the UT Garlunteers. This shit was delicious. Light but enough body and taste to keep it interesting. I could've had a half dozen.



Weihenstephaner Original. After much touting by disco "I learned it by watching you" stu I finally picked up a sixer of this stuff last night and had one. Hello new friend. I can't belive this is a lager (or what is supposed to be). Was not expecting the maltiness of it. Color me impressed. I suppose there's a reason these guys have been around for a thousand years. Give me a few of these, some good weather, and a deck and there could be trouble.




Victory Golden Monkey. Also picked up a sixer of this stuff after reading some posts in this thread. I actually liked this more than the Allagash tripel. Surprisingly drinkable considering the ABV and I could see that being pretty sneaky after a couple. Probably the best American tripel I've had yet but it's still not up to the Belgian standards. That said, looks like they keep for a LONG time so I have no problems have a couple of these handy in the back of the fridge.

Also had these:


New Belgium- Mothership Wit

Flying Dog- In Heat Wheat


Both were solid warm weather beers that I'd have no problem drinking several of out of a cooler while sitting on a dock somewhere.

Victory Prima / Golden Monkey... add in the excellent (but very hoppy) Hop Devil and you have the makings of the best sampler 12 pack I can find at the sto'. Especially with GM, there's no way it should be as cheap as a 12er of like Harpoon etc. The Monkey will get up after you.

Seems like a lot of you like the Belgian beers...which reminds me of dinner plans next week...


- Pork roulade with lardons paired with Chimay Rouge

- Cheese plate paired with Orval Trappist Ale

- Braised short rib with charred Brussels sprouts and polenta paired with Saison Dupont

- Apricot bread pudding paired with Rochefort Trappistes 10

Killing a growler of this tonight.

http://inyourguts.blogspot.com/2011/01/ ... knife.html

It gives you Monkey Eyes.

Got a new Victory beer tonight. Headwater pale ale. I'm kinda liking it.

So, someone school me on Mikkeller. I don't know much about them other their "Beer Geek" stuff gets high praise, they only sell them in regular bottles as singles (a couple of exceptions) at my local store, they're pretty pricey, and they're listed as a "phantom Brewery".

Any insight or recommendation with them?

This is the brew I had at the Bookhouse Pub on Saturday night. I thought it was good, but was in no real condition to be critical.

Promethium can tell you a lot about them. Somewhere in this thread, I had a couple, and it was not my thing at all. But I might have just had the wrong ones.

They kind of strike me as a Danish version of Dogfish Head, just doing different things with beers and such. I haven't had a lot of their offerings but what I've had has been very good. I've liked all of the single hop series that I've tried. Maybe Prom could recommend more.

Yeah. I've had 3 or 4 I think, but none that I really thought were amazing. But there are so many to try, that I've kept at it, slowly. I have one in the fridge called "I Beat You" and I have no fucking idea what it is.

I also read on their website that they put out 76 new beers in 2010 alone.

He's essentially a Danish contract micro brewer who gets to work at some of the best breweries in the world. I have had all of his yeast and hop series beers, but didn't get to meet him personally when he made a stop at my favorite brew pub this year for a Yeast series event. I can't really add anything that hasn't been said, he's sort of like the Radiohead of craft beer. His brews are often divisive, surrounded by hype, i.e the 1,000 IBU IPA and he's rather experimental.

I consumed the Abita Mardi Gras Maibock and Rogue Chatoe Dirtoir Black Ale tonight. The Maibock was a bit weak, but still fit the style and had a nice caramel malt, yet fruity finish. The Black Ale clearly tasted liked a Porter that had beer dry hopped at the end of the brewing process. I certainly enjoyed it more than the Maibock, but why is it called a Black Ale, when even Beer Advocate reviewers think it fits in with a Baltic Porter.

Thanks for the responses. Not sure I'm ready for all that yet. I'm still working my way through many of the classics and best representations of styles.

Mikkeller and Dogfish are a little intimidating just because of their experimentation. I'm working on Beer 101 right now. I'll get to the more out there stuff later.


I'm wanting to try these this weekend:

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter
Fuller's ESB

This is a wonderful, wonderful brew, if you like the heavier, dark stuff. One of the best, really.


And I love this.