yeah Racer 5 has temporarily filled the void that Pliny left in my heart. Coincidentally, a buddy leaves tomorrow for a Cali trip and he has promised to return with a case of the goodness!

so i guess the Crooked Line series lends itself well to cellaring, so i'm thinking i will grab some more (especially that Labyrinth) and throw 'em en the pantry with the bottle of Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti i currently have...and see if i can make it until next winter/spring. any advice/experience with cellaring? i guess the only question i have is standing straight up vs. on it's side. beeradvocate makes a nice argument to keep 'em standing. i guess the most important thing is no light + cool temps.

This is all that matters, that I know of. Side storage is an issue with corked bottles, because the cork can dry out and leak. I cannot imagine why you would need to with a capped bottle.

I've drank it the most out of any Oskar Blues brews. My opinion, it's a very drinkable beer without tasting like Bud Light.

True. I think it reminds me too much of the brewery I worked at (and OD'd on) to be really enjoyable but that's not really their fault.

i just saw this in a store. morbidly curious.

My favorite craft beer bar closed abruptly on Monday, two days after we held the CF Benefit there.
I still haven't learned the actual reasoning behind it, but all the tapped kegs are now spoilage.
My friend who organized all the tapping parties and beer shipments from Shelton Brothers will now cellar as many kegs as possible, while trying to set something else up in Lincoln ASAP.
He didn't own the bar or have any money invested in it, so I'm hoping someone else in town with a bit of money comes through and brings him in to handle beer for their bar.
I will now have to rely on various home brewer functions, road trips to Omaha and the occassional random tapping party elsewhere to get my fix in.
It will save me some cash in the short term.

Do tell. As we all know, Newcastle is known for their singular brown ale. When did they start making this?

I got a Sierra Nevada Beer Camp 12 pack tonight. It has the #16 Juniper Black, the #37 Weizenbock, the #29 Double IPA and the #8 California Common

http://sierrabeercamp.com/#/camp-beers

not sure. i didn't wanna commit to a whole 6 pack. i might check out this place that lets you buy singles later in the week and see if they have it there.

Wife just brought home a 6er of Oberon.
I married the right woman.

I tried to convince my wife to let me name the next kid Oberon. she didn't bite.

Jesus, too many good posts to respond to.


Newcastle Summer - Whoa. Not a fan of the regular brown (or as it is also called, "flat Pepsi") but yeah, please do try it Shiv.
Prom's store closing - that fucking sucks. And if I may stereotype your home state for a moment, I assume there are not any other good choices near by?
Sierra nevada Beer Camp - Never heard of this, will click later. Curious as hell.

There's a pizza place next door to the craft beer bar that has a nice bottle selection, but overcharges for draft beer and doesn't really do a good job of rotating their stock. There is a cigar bar with a decent tap selection, which I frequent on occassion, but I don't really enjoy smelling like an ashtray after I leave the bar.
There are a few good restaurants with decent selections, but their food isn't really worth the hassle of making a trip for a good beer.

There are also a few microbreweries with brew pubs, but they don't sell beer from outside of the region at these places.

I have chosen. This is the time. People, I give to you............the kindness of.................the Cap'n.

My reviews of a care package from Obner's own.

These were reviewed over the course of about 2+ weeks so the review method, the mood, the general tones of them will vary, but, I think I was honest and grateful. (I'm also writing this as Levon Helm's "Electric Dirt" is playing so maybe I'm a little more heartfelt than need be.) Still, thank you Cap. These were enjoyed and beer has become a never ending discovery for me. (Also, FYI, the Bourbon County Stout was reviewed in LIVE BLOG FORM)


Without further ado:




Butternuts Beer & Ale- Pork Slap Pale Ale

I’m a little confused on the definition of a Pale Ale because when I think of Pale Ale in the most generic terms I think of something like Sierra Nevada, which is more hoppy dominant. I guess I should’ve known it would be a bit different because it has the little sign on it that says “All Malt”. Then it also says “Farmhouse Ale” on the can as well. A confusing beer. Regardless, it’s got a slightly caramel and sweet taste to it that, in a blind test, I would NEVER peg as a Pale Ale. Still, this was light and delicious. I could quaff several of these no problem (at 4.3% it’s HIGHLY sessionable). Off to a good start. Extra points for the goofy logo and in a can. (perfect while cooking, mood makes a difference , etc) Will be picking up a sixer asap (saw in my store Cap while picking up your stuff).






Bar Harbor Brewing Co. – Cadillac Mtn Stout

A little oily pour, thin, and almost jet black. A little ruby color shows through at the edge of the glass if you hold it up to a light. Very little head. This thing smells ROASTY like a good stout should. A little sweetness seems to kind of mix with a bitter dark chocolate flavor. I was SHOCKED to see it has an ABV of 6.7%. A couple pints worth and my mood was decidedly changed. I think you said you grabbed this because I’d been to Bar Harbor before (specifically Cadillac Mtn) and after seeing the Beer-as-Souvenir label I wasn’t expecting much. This is no joke. It’s a fantastic stout. (wish I’d know about this when there, etc). I want to say this was brewed somewhere else at some point.





Goose Island - Matilda

(*this part added in editing)*It's Saturday night. I've been out all day at TWO parties. A graduation and engagement party. I now think the greatest single of all time might be "Angel" by Aerosmith. At the very least, the greatest harmonic moment in history comes with about 30 seconds left in that song. Fuck you if you feel different. I will fight you and lose..........................but you will REMEMBER.

Also, I had an office function from 4pm-6pm on this particular day and I'd had 3 Terrapins when I'd tried this (the only one where I'd drank beforehand:

(FYI, now moved on to Tesla's "Love Song", so fucking good.)


There is a great fizziness in the mouth with this. Light on the tongue. Strong small and taste of apricots and pears. It really tastes like it smells and the alcohol is so well hidden. This is billed as a Belgian Pale Ale? Seriously maybe the best American take on this style I've ever had. Better than Brooklyn's take on it (which is very good).

The label is all class like their others. Like a good bottle of wine almost.

There is a dominant fruity smell here that is easy is shit to drink. I would keep one of these around at all times. Too good. There is also something spicy going on there that I can't quite place.

Unbelievable beer. Fuh.



Now, here is the unedited GI Bourbon County review. More like a live blog review.

Music Pairing: Miles Davis - In A Silent Way







Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout:

Pours thick. Virtually no head. The smell is one of a high end sweet bourbon on the rocks. STRONG taste of bourbon right off the bat. It’s insanely complex with a silky smooth mouth feel. Roasty and warming, the alcohol shows up immediately. Half way through the first glass I was already warming up. Could this take the place of my pre-game bourbon at UGA games???


-I take that back. This is one to sit at the house around a fire at Christmas time and enjoy.


-This thing is starting to mellow out a bit.. Little less overwhelming. Maybe I’m just getting buzzed.

-Forgot how ultra modern hipster lounge “In A Silent Way “ is. Qual.

-At room temp this starts to smell like rich chocolate. My lips are coated with sweetness. Starting to feel the warmth in my stomach.

-Srsly, this album is even more spacey and ambient on side 2.

-Now playing Steve Miller Band- Children of the Future (first time hearing it). On to drink #2. This is NOT a session beer.

-This can’t be the same band that did “The Joker”. This is some Yardbirds/Cream shit. Wow.

-This is not a bad way to spend an evening. It goes beyond good beer. This shit is a fucking lifestyle drink. I feel like I should be smoking a good cigar.

-This thing is still no joke deep in the proceedings. I’ve only had one Founder’s KBS (wanted to cellar a few) from this year and I just don’t recall it being this boozy. Maybe it was though.

-I just spilled some on the computer desk. A bit splattered on the keys. Drinking fail.

-There is zero sediment here (not that there should be, bottle conditioned?) but this is just an expertly crafted beer. I’m assuming they went straight to the source and got the bourbon barrels from Kentucky.

-I think the South is probably the world’s largest consuming area of bourbon. I don’t have facts to back this up though.

-Last drop down. This is an intense beer. I’m not 100% sold on it being superior to the KBS but it’s damn close. Neck and neck. Both are World Class AMERICAN beers. I’m proud we’ve got people still out there putting their craft to good use. I’m grateful to Cap for sending it and allowing me to try it. Anheuser-Busch or no, hopefully I’ll be able to get it here soon. My education continues….





(The Clash - S/T is playing as I write this now. So. Fucking. Ridiculous. Janie Jones is in love.)

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project – Baby Tree: (couldn’t find year or batch, assuming it’s 2011 since it’s seasonal)

Music pairing: Cat Power - Jukebox

Billed as a quadruple made with a single Belgian yeast strain and “40 pounds of dried plums”. Was surprised that it poured so dark (relatively). I was expecting the lighter color I associate with Quads. It’s a deep amber color. After the Goose Island the night before this was going down MUCH easier but at 9% ABV, the alcohol is still noticeable but not overwhelming by any stretch. There is a bit of bitterness here that is a bit off-putting about half way down the first glass (this is a 22oz). The dark fruit taste starts to really come through as it warms. I’m not sure what I’d pair this with. Maybe a really rich dessert? Was doing some investigating on these folks and it’s apparently their first seasonal. The story about the name is interesting to say the least (they found some tree with baby dolls hanging all over it in Europe. I think). It’s a husband and wife team. Got to love these small breweries that can get out there and do different shit. I love it. Seems like a pretty rootable brewery.

Verdict: Like many of the best Belgian Quadruples, it’s deceptively easy to drink. It’s light but also has some dark fruity elements. A solid effort that is true to the style but funky enough to be it’s own man. Probably couldn’t drink more than 2 because after 3 I’d A) be drunk and B) the dark fruity taste would become too much. Still, good on ‘em. A really boutique brewery that has expertise beyond it's years. These types of breweries are the future of beer in my opinion.



Springer's Final Thought:

I'm overwhelmed by the kindness of the Cap'n to put in the money, time, and effort to provide me this experience. BTW, the beers were COOL when I got them. This guy is a mad scientist.

As stated before, you're a prince Cap. Thanks again.

This is the one beer of there's I don't like. They need to take out the L and add another S in PILS.

Jesus, Derris. I'm not quite sure what to say except that The Captain and Ensign Derris both deserve A Salty Salute.

Good Job.

Also, I just straight went HAM in CBus and bought at least one of every beer they had in bottles bigger than 16oz (we can't get anything bigger than that in Bama by law.

Some of it I've had, and some of it I haven't. And some of it is stuff like Abita Abbey Ale - which I know isn't going to be anything special, but I felt like I had to buy it BECAUSE I COULD.

I'll try to post some Derris style reviews, replete with threats of violence, and obvious drunken ramblings.

Had a Calico Copper Amber Ale by the Ballast Point Brewery out of San Diego on Friday night, the first beer I've had from the brewery. First time I've had even heard about the brewery. Instantly one of my favorite amber ales I've tried, up there with Highland Gaelic and Fat Tire. Really smooth.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/199/691

Here's a shot with the beer and a house-ground sweet italian sausage with a side of mac and cheese.



Photo of the taps from the beer engine at the bar, from where they pour the cask ale on tap (something from local-ish brewery Olde Hickory):

looks fantastic. what bar is that?

American Craft Beer Week starts tomorrow.
I got a mix and match sixer from a grocery store yesterday. I didn't get anything truly spectacular, but the Schmaltz Alt from Schell was surprisingly good. I also had North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsener and Sam Adams Boston Ale for the first time in a few years. They were both a little bit better than I remember them being in the past.
I went to try the Upstream Brewing Co. Imperial Rye Brown Ale on Friday Night. It wasn't bad, but seemed to be a bit to bready for my taste. It would have been a lot better if they had dry hopped it or ran it through a hop randall.

Growler's Pourhouse, which opened up in my neighborhood last August

drank this:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/1013

it wasn't that great

Neuro hipped me to this one back 4 years ago at a then-new asian food joint in his hood, which only stocks 4 or 5 beers, one of them being Pork Slap. It hit me right, and I still pick them up somewhat regularly. Great canned all-day-long beer. As for "all malt" and "pale ale" and such, I think ALL their cans say All Malt and Farmhouse Ale, so I just kinda ignore it.


Good to know, I should pick one up for myself. Glad it wasn't crap, because yeah I was going for the "you've been there before" cheap sentimental aspect with that one. (wipes brow) WHEW.





My favorite of all of these, if you take Bourbon Co out (which I fucking adore but can only drink once every few months). They just hit something so dead-on right with this mix, I kinda want everyone to try it.





Shiv and I opened one of each (BC & KBS) a month or two back, so we could try both and compare, and the KBS is sweeter. There's not much else that's different. Both have about 11% content, but the Goose is a little more Burnt Toast / Crisp / Hoppy, whereas the KBS is all maple syrup and hot choclate. Both incredible. GI: available at the grocery store next to my place. KBS: Available only as one 12oz bottle left under my cabinet (right next to the placenta).




I love these guys. Nothing they make is bad, or even less than "pretty damned good." And hell their saison is available in PITCHERS in the South End at at least one place - Neuro and I split one a few weeks back. Fucking heaven.




Nothing involved here took me away from any of my weekly routines... good beer stores, insulated shippers, frozen gel bricks... welcome to Squirrgle's week. My pleasure.


LOOG - you're next. Whaddya want?

i have one of these in my fridge for after my presentation tomorrow. very much looking forward to it.

i love/hate how this beer lives up to the hype.

I definitely want a Pork Slap. Let me send you a list of stuff I CAN get, and you can go from there.

Went there on Saturday night. Love that place.