This is long overdue. I believe this came when I was in Washington, which was like 6 weeks ago. But, I have actually been drinking these one at a time - not popping the top off one when I'm 4 beers in. Cap'n took the time to gather these, ship them (illegally) and even curate them to my specific request of "It's so fucking hot down here, send me something refreshing." I can say he knocked it out of the park. I am not through with the entire shipment, but everything I have had has been on the good to very good scale - and the one that I might not want another one of, or wouldn't be my immediate request to put in a future shipment, was still very good, and had such an interesting flavor that I am glad I got the chance to drink it.

Here they are lined up:



Obviously we have a good array of the flavor and packaging spectrum. For a guy who buys wine by the label, packaging is not to be misunderstimated.

In order of preference:


Dogfish Head My Antonia

I'm not sure if it's because I have in the past thought that Dogfish was overrated, that I didn't think a Pilsner could really knock me out like this one, or if it was just really hot that day and the crispness of this, with almost no sweetness and not being very hoppy at all just hit the spot or what, but this guy is special. I could drink two of these after a shift at the Widget Factory and be pretty happy with my station in life.



Whale's Tail Pale Ale

Now here's a canned beer doing it right. It's also a Pale Ale, but much lighter while retaining the Hop Sting, than other Pale's I've had - and I've had TONS. This is what Barry ought to be sipping on while he languishes in the heat of his Martha's Vineyard summer vacation at the massive mansion of one of his liberal elitist friends. I'd say it would go great with a side of Toil and Taxes of The Common Man.



Goose Island Sofie

This was very good. It's almost the opposite end of the spectrum of the Whale's Tail. It's very light and crisp, with a lot of sweetness. It's a Saison - and it is a little on the bubblier end than the best in the business - Saison Dupont, IMO - but it does not take away from this being a really fucking good beer. I also had one of these on tap when I was in KC earlier this month. DANGER WILL ROBINSON. The type of beer you could have 6 of and you're slobbering without even knowing what hit you.

I guess my entire write up is too long, so here's Pt. 2:



Famille Rue The Brewery Richard White Belgian Style Ale (this one was so obscure I couldn't find it on google images)

I actually took some notes on this one but lost them. This is also in the very good range - I was a little worried when I saw the "Brewed with Spices Oats and Wheat" on the label, but it wasn't overly spicy, or wheaty. Just a damn solid offering. Again, perfect for a summer day when we haven't had a high below 92 since May.



Goose Island Matilda

This is the only one that isn't in the A range. Obviously it is well crafted, and it is a solid offering, but more interesting to me than "Bring one every seven minutes until someone passes out, then bring one every ten minutes." With American Breweries, I almost feel like they think anything that has a Belgian origin they should just slap "Belgian" on and do no more explication. Well, with 786,767,901 Breweries in Belgium, there's a little range contained in that word. OK, rant over. This was maltier and less hoppy and crisp than it's cousin Sofie. If Sofie and Mathilda were two girls you were pursuing, their ex boyfriends would say:

"Man, Sofie is solid. That chick is an 8, she's down for almost anything, but you're going to have to lead her or convince her it's the right thing to do. But she's solid. Dependable. You'll never get tired of her in the sack...ifyaknowwhatImean?" And then shoot you the wink and the gun.

but Matilda's ex would say, while smoking a Gitaine, and zipping his leather jacket: "I'm a pretty hip fella. I've been places and tried things - but Matilda, she's insatiable. She wants it all, and she's not afraid to ask for it. And by ask for it, I mean DEMAND it. She'll punch you in the face if it's not good, and then come out with some position you've never heard of and whipsaw you until she gets her fill."

In short - Matilda is the freak you spend a fun filled weekend with and remember it forever, but Sofie is the girl you marry, bring home to mom, and never give an inkling of how easy she makes your life, or how much she still cranks your motor 10 years on.

I'll get to the rest as soon as I find enough time to sip them with the right amount of time and contemplation they deserve.

Eeeeexcellent. And I wish I had sent you the Antonia, but I didn't. Would've been a great choice, it sounds like, but I haven't even tried it yet m'self. Also I totally knew you were going to like the Whale's Tail. Something you said once about pales, and what they do right and wrong, and the next time I had one of these a light bulb went on.. "Dave." I couldn't send just one... that's not what those beers are for, you don't have just one, ever.

But my pick for what your favorite would be hasn't been reviewed yet. (rubs hands together)

Haven't had the Sophie but man I loved the Matilda. Big fan of the Orchard White too (as is FemDerris).

Good job Gar.

That Blanche De Namur has me curious. May have to make a pit stop on the way home at Hop City to check inventory.

bingobango. I could be wrong but that's the one I thought would be a lock, after the Cisco cans.

Damn - I must have grabbed that Antonia from one of my trips to CBus. Just pretend you sent it, and I'll give you the credit. That thing is fucking goood.

Fem Derris' genuine concern at the proximity of Hop City to your work and crib amused the fuck out of me.

This is pretty cool. It shows how much thought and consideration Kyle puts behind these.

Also, because we never really talked about it, I texted him and asked if I needed to write him a check (I know these things aren't cheap, even with the company picking up the tab for shipping). He replied "Oh God No! You don't owe me anything except solid reviews and enjoyment of the brews."



That's a fucking man right there ladies and gentlemen!

Hey I paid for the shipping dammit! You trying to get me squirrgled?


(they paid for the box)

it's because you misspelled it.

The Bruery Orchard White
http://goo.gl/Zzavw

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/22/30 ... stack.html

The Boulevard Smokestack series is officially invading the Boston area.

If you're a regular to the CBus area, definitely get a sixer of Columbus IPA next time. Only $8 and it is awesome!

I think he means Columbus, Georgia, Odds.

i didn't really like it all that much. tasted too much like black licorice, if i recall correctly.

Oh balls. Regular trips to Columbus, OH would have been peculiar. Anywaaaaay... Columbus IPA slays.

After Cap'n's inspiring post I cracked this open tonight finally. The first beer I've had that I had to use a wine opener to open. I can see why though. It's all class.

My immediate reaction is one of smelling and tasting of tart fruit, like sour apple. Not a fruity beer though. Billed as a Saison or Farmhouse Ale, this is pretty damn complex. It's still got that faint Belgian yeast funk to it but man is it smooth. Total dry finish. The tartness doesn't linger.

The alcohol is damn near non-existent (8%) and is easy drinking. I don't know the story here. I think you can find it year round but I"m not sure. I've heard that no 2 batches are alike and they mix up the spices for every one.

I think I like this more than the Saison Dupont. Try it if you can find it.

I'm going to try to attend a tapping party for the Brasserie Abbaye des Rocs Triple Imperiale on Friday. It gets incredibly high marks from Rate Beer.

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/abbaye-des ... ale/40722/

I found two small local breweries in Amsterdam... De Prael and t'Ij. De Prael is the shit... Started in 2002, decent selection on tap, sadly I only had one but they bottle so there is hope. T'ij ("the egg") was good but not amazing. I got their sampler platter, with 5 selections, and managed to finish them all. That was a fucked up bike ride home. Their beers were good but honestly not as varied / well made as Goose Island et al. Good tho. And it was built in an old windmill!

Pics upon return in a week or two.

I've got a bunch of new ones (new to me) to post and I'm happy to report that Bell's Octoberfest is in stores if that's your sorta thing.

I went to local tapping parties for Modern Monks and Empyrean, but the bottles/cans were the highlight. I had the The Bruery Saison Rue, and Oskar Blues Ten Fidy. Both were outstanding for free beer, and I would rate them high for traditionally priced beer in this region.

I went to a tapping for Oppigards Stark Porter tonight. I suggest that any fan of Porters seek out this beer. It is being imported by Shelton Brothers and it is completely intense. Lots of burnt toffee, coffee, a hint of chocolate and pure deliciousness.
I also got to sit down with a beer rep and try various hard ciders from Crispin and Fox Barrel. They weren't really my thing, but some of them were clearly worth distributing in this region. They have a few that provide a much better tasting gluten free alternative to various craft beer styles.

I consumed most of a mix and match six pack and an extra bottle during the Husker game tonight.
Goose Island Fleur was the extra bottle, and the highlight of the night. I need to buy a few more bottles of that one.

The rest were subpar to mediocre, but nice session beers.
Here's the list:
Thomas Creek River Falls Red Ale
Schell Oktoberfest
Crow Peak 11th Hour IPA
Pyramid Juggernaut Red Ale

Life & Limb - Collab between Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head. American Strong Ale with a ABV of 10.2%. Very dark and malty. Not the best beer to drink before I walked a half mile to dinner, but still a very solid beer.

New Georgia brewery open for business: Red Hare Brewing

They're up in Marietta, not really near where I work, but close enough to 75 that I might swing by on the way home one day.