The time has come again. It's time to order a new Keg for my kegerator.
It's a bittersweet decision. I get to choose a new beer, but I can't pick them all. It's hard making a decision like this. No matter which keg I ultimately choose, there is that voice in the back of my head saying, "you should have gone with the Flying Dog instead, or the Stone".
Honestly, I would love to go with something from Lost Abbey, Port, Rogue, Firestone, or Breckenridge this time. I'm all about variety and trying a new beer. Besides, it's time for another "Epic" party and I have a beer rep to protect.
I have until Monday to make up my mind. But it seems like every time I finally do, that keg isn't available. But I don't have time to mess around. The party is in 2 weeks!
I'm going to stop by The BevMo tomorrow grab the updated keg list. I'll post my top 5. Look them over, and let me know what you think. I'm open for suggestions.
-Cheers!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Big Pour Beer List
Here we go.
9. Firestone - Oaktoberfest. This was a good beer. I am a sucker for Oktoberfests, and I loved this one. I know I liked it, and I remember it had a more hop style to it that I expect. With that said, I would buy it again. Well, if I could buy it, I would. Grade: 3.5 Burps.
Honestly, I've never been a fan of Firestone. I figured it was the tire company or the guy from The Bachelor making beer out back. The label also gave me the impression it was one of those fake microbrews owned by Anheuser Busch. Boy was I wrong.
I was lucky enough to spend about an 30 minutes talking to Jennifer, "The Goddess of Pale". This is where the beerfest really started for me. I was able to ask her questions about the beer and the brewery. And she was more than willing to share her thoughts and opinions. It was great. I learned so much about Firestone, that I am now a loyal fan. I hope to set up an interview with her soon.
10. Firestone - Aged. I spent so much time talking, and tasting, that I forgot to write down which beer it was. But I will tell you it was awesome. It is aged in their multi barrel system. It was really good. In fact, I am going to give it a good grade. Grade: 4 1/2 Burps
11. Speakeasy - Prohibition Ale. I have had this before, but it is worth trying again. It's a nice beer. Light and clean, with a citrus feel. It's a nice beer to have around for friends and novice beer drinkers. Grade: 3 burps
12. Full Sail - Session Black. It's better than the Lager. I would consider this to be a nice session beer. I would buy it, but I think I would be more interested in something else. I hate to not love this beer. Don't get me wrong, you will like it. Grade: 3 Burps
13. Full Sail - Brewers Reserve, Grandson of Spot IPA? I don't know exactly what it was. This was a table with "hired professionals". She offered us some "Jamaican Pastime", and poured us as much beer as we wanted. But she knew shit about beer. Grade: 3 Burps
14. Avery - IPA. From my notes, "Great Beer. I like it, actually love it". The hops flavor stuck around and didn't fade like a regular IPA. Avery is a great brewery. The IPA is a beer you have to try. Grade: 3 1/2 Burps
15. Bell's - Amber Ale. I have been able to try a few bottles of Bell's before. My friend Seawolf sent me a few bottles. But this was a new one. From my notes, "Very smooth beer. It's on the hops side, but has a clean finish". Grade: 3 1/2 Burps.
This is the point where I wrote down, "Finally Tipsy". It had been a good beerfest to this point. Had some average, good, and great beers. But I was only halfway through the evening.
-Cheers
9. Firestone - Oaktoberfest. This was a good beer. I am a sucker for Oktoberfests, and I loved this one. I know I liked it, and I remember it had a more hop style to it that I expect. With that said, I would buy it again. Well, if I could buy it, I would. Grade: 3.5 Burps.
Honestly, I've never been a fan of Firestone. I figured it was the tire company or the guy from The Bachelor making beer out back. The label also gave me the impression it was one of those fake microbrews owned by Anheuser Busch. Boy was I wrong.
I was lucky enough to spend about an 30 minutes talking to Jennifer, "The Goddess of Pale". This is where the beerfest really started for me. I was able to ask her questions about the beer and the brewery. And she was more than willing to share her thoughts and opinions. It was great. I learned so much about Firestone, that I am now a loyal fan. I hope to set up an interview with her soon.
10. Firestone - Aged. I spent so much time talking, and tasting, that I forgot to write down which beer it was. But I will tell you it was awesome. It is aged in their multi barrel system. It was really good. In fact, I am going to give it a good grade. Grade: 4 1/2 Burps
11. Speakeasy - Prohibition Ale. I have had this before, but it is worth trying again. It's a nice beer. Light and clean, with a citrus feel. It's a nice beer to have around for friends and novice beer drinkers. Grade: 3 burps
12. Full Sail - Session Black. It's better than the Lager. I would consider this to be a nice session beer. I would buy it, but I think I would be more interested in something else. I hate to not love this beer. Don't get me wrong, you will like it. Grade: 3 Burps
13. Full Sail - Brewers Reserve, Grandson of Spot IPA? I don't know exactly what it was. This was a table with "hired professionals". She offered us some "Jamaican Pastime", and poured us as much beer as we wanted. But she knew shit about beer. Grade: 3 Burps
14. Avery - IPA. From my notes, "Great Beer. I like it, actually love it". The hops flavor stuck around and didn't fade like a regular IPA. Avery is a great brewery. The IPA is a beer you have to try. Grade: 3 1/2 Burps
15. Bell's - Amber Ale. I have been able to try a few bottles of Bell's before. My friend Seawolf sent me a few bottles. But this was a new one. From my notes, "Very smooth beer. It's on the hops side, but has a clean finish". Grade: 3 1/2 Burps.
This is the point where I wrote down, "Finally Tipsy". It had been a good beerfest to this point. Had some average, good, and great beers. But I was only halfway through the evening.
-Cheers
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Draft's Big Pour Beer list
Here it is, my list. It is an impressive list. However, much of it I can't read. I was writing so fast, and sharing the LPN with The Queen. I missed a few here and there, but got the bulk of them. So here we go.
1. Ayinger - Oktoberfest. I was beyond excited to try this. I can't get it anywhere. Imagine my excitement when I say that tap handle. Pure joy. Ayinger is one of my favorite German Breweries. Their Oktoberfest Marzen solidified my opinion. Grade: 4 Burps
2. Coney Island - ___________. I don't know what it was. It was one of the tables where nobody seemed to know what was going on. I was excited to try Coney Island though. Grade: 3 Burps
3. Alpine Beer Co. - Captain Stout. It was weak for a Stout. Very thin on the pallet. Had a heavy coffee flavor with a tart finish. Grade: 3 Burps
4. Big Sky Brewing - Bi ere De Noel. This was a treat. A limited edition, bottle conditioned Belgian style Ale brewed for the holidays. It was so smooth. I really liked this one. It was a nicely rounded beer. Grade: 4 Burps
5. Lost Abbey - Devotion Ale. I've had this before. And I try to have it as much as I can. These guys are quickly moving up my favorite brewery list. Devotion Ale is a must beer for anyone who enjoys beer. Grade: 4 Burps
6. Port Brewing - Santa's Little Helper. A great name for a great beer. Port has been turning out some amazing beers lately. This Imperial Winter Stout was good, but not awesome. For a winter style stout, it leaned a little to much on the hops, and a little bitter. I still prefer Avery's Stout over Port's. Grade: 3.5
7. Coronado Brewing Co. - Orange Beer. That's not the name, but it was something Orange. I didn't want to try it, but I felt bad for the woman pouring. She actually works for the Brewery, and was excited about it. Although sh said it wasn't for everyone. Count me in that group. Ugh, I didn't like it. I don't like fruit in my beer. Grade: 2 Burps
8. Coronado Brewing Co. - Islander IPA. This was better. Not my favorite from these guys. I enjoyed their Mermaids Red Ale I tried last week more. But it's a descent beer. Grade: 3 Burps
I'm going to stop here, because this is where the beer "got good"! I actually had the opportunity to talk to who worked for the breweries who were pouring the great beers.
-Cheers
1. Ayinger - Oktoberfest. I was beyond excited to try this. I can't get it anywhere. Imagine my excitement when I say that tap handle. Pure joy. Ayinger is one of my favorite German Breweries. Their Oktoberfest Marzen solidified my opinion. Grade: 4 Burps
2. Coney Island - ___________. I don't know what it was. It was one of the tables where nobody seemed to know what was going on. I was excited to try Coney Island though. Grade: 3 Burps
3. Alpine Beer Co. - Captain Stout. It was weak for a Stout. Very thin on the pallet. Had a heavy coffee flavor with a tart finish. Grade: 3 Burps
4. Big Sky Brewing - Bi ere De Noel. This was a treat. A limited edition, bottle conditioned Belgian style Ale brewed for the holidays. It was so smooth. I really liked this one. It was a nicely rounded beer. Grade: 4 Burps
5. Lost Abbey - Devotion Ale. I've had this before. And I try to have it as much as I can. These guys are quickly moving up my favorite brewery list. Devotion Ale is a must beer for anyone who enjoys beer. Grade: 4 Burps
6. Port Brewing - Santa's Little Helper. A great name for a great beer. Port has been turning out some amazing beers lately. This Imperial Winter Stout was good, but not awesome. For a winter style stout, it leaned a little to much on the hops, and a little bitter. I still prefer Avery's Stout over Port's. Grade: 3.5
7. Coronado Brewing Co. - Orange Beer. That's not the name, but it was something Orange. I didn't want to try it, but I felt bad for the woman pouring. She actually works for the Brewery, and was excited about it. Although sh said it wasn't for everyone. Count me in that group. Ugh, I didn't like it. I don't like fruit in my beer. Grade: 2 Burps
8. Coronado Brewing Co. - Islander IPA. This was better. Not my favorite from these guys. I enjoyed their Mermaids Red Ale I tried last week more. But it's a descent beer. Grade: 3 Burps
I'm going to stop here, because this is where the beer "got good"! I actually had the opportunity to talk to who worked for the breweries who were pouring the great beers.
-Cheers
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Who's pouring the beer?
I was going through my Little Pink Notebook tonight, and I noticed something very bothersome. Many of the beers I tried had little to no information. Now hear me out before you judge. But I want to know who decided it was a good idea to hire models to pour beer at a Beerfest? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind if the model actually works for the brewery or actually knows something about the beer they are pouring. But I'm not there for a live Budweiser commercial.
This weekend at The Big Pour, I was constantly given blank stares when I asked about the brewery which they were pouring for. Most of them didn't know anything about the beer period! It was so annoying and aggravating.
There were so many breweries that I was excite to try. I really wanted to talk to someone who could tell me about the beer they were serving. I was excited to try all the new beers. I wanted to know about the different styles they brewed and what was available in my area. I wanted to ask them about the hops and the malts. I wanted to know how they brewed and aged their beers. But I couldn't.
Instead, I was told "I don't know" or "I don't work for the company". It sucked. So I usually took my sample, made a few notes, and moved on to the next table looking for a little beer conversation. Luckily, I was able to find it.
So a word to you, the distributors and breweries. Do yourself a favor. Use educated people to pour your beer. Most people who are willing to fork over $30 or more to try some quality beer aren't there for a Miller Light. They like beer, and they want to know about it. If they wanted some pretty girl to give them beer, they would head down to the local bar and have the girls sell them buckets of cheap, mass produced beer with hopes of winning a free koosie.
-Cheers
This weekend at The Big Pour, I was constantly given blank stares when I asked about the brewery which they were pouring for. Most of them didn't know anything about the beer period! It was so annoying and aggravating.
There were so many breweries that I was excite to try. I really wanted to talk to someone who could tell me about the beer they were serving. I was excited to try all the new beers. I wanted to know about the different styles they brewed and what was available in my area. I wanted to ask them about the hops and the malts. I wanted to know how they brewed and aged their beers. But I couldn't.
Instead, I was told "I don't know" or "I don't work for the company". It sucked. So I usually took my sample, made a few notes, and moved on to the next table looking for a little beer conversation. Luckily, I was able to find it.
So a word to you, the distributors and breweries. Do yourself a favor. Use educated people to pour your beer. Most people who are willing to fork over $30 or more to try some quality beer aren't there for a Miller Light. They like beer, and they want to know about it. If they wanted some pretty girl to give them beer, they would head down to the local bar and have the girls sell them buckets of cheap, mass produced beer with hopes of winning a free koosie.
-Cheers
Monday, November 16, 2009
I didn't plan to get drunk
I had a post all written out and ready to go. But it fell "off the wagon" if you know what I mean. It was all about the fact that I don't get drunk. Scratch that, I don't get drunk that often.
I can count on 1 hand the amount of times I would consider myself to be "drunk".
My definition of drunk is: "drinking to the point of vomitting, or passing out".
On Saturday night, after a good 25-30 samples of some serious beer, I got drunk. There is a note in my little pink notebook after sample 15 (Fuller's London Pride) which says, "I'm starting to feel a little buzzed, finally". Who would have thought that I was just about at the half way point.
But I finished the night strong, and made it back to the car just fine.
On the ride home, that's when it hit me, I was drunk.
I remember most of the ride home, and getting home and going to bed.
There was no vomitting, and no passing out. I went to bed. However, I am going to count this one. Either way, I am still counting on 1 hand!
-Cheers!
I can count on 1 hand the amount of times I would consider myself to be "drunk".
My definition of drunk is: "drinking to the point of vomitting, or passing out".
On Saturday night, after a good 25-30 samples of some serious beer, I got drunk. There is a note in my little pink notebook after sample 15 (Fuller's London Pride) which says, "I'm starting to feel a little buzzed, finally". Who would have thought that I was just about at the half way point.
But I finished the night strong, and made it back to the car just fine.
On the ride home, that's when it hit me, I was drunk.
I remember most of the ride home, and getting home and going to bed.
There was no vomitting, and no passing out. I went to bed. However, I am going to count this one. Either way, I am still counting on 1 hand!
-Cheers!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Beerfest was better than I remember
Another beerfest, another job well done. Damn, it was a lot of fun.
I'm not sure how many samples I had. The Queen and I were sharing my little pink notebook. I have a list of 22 different samples. But there were so many more that I didn't get to write down. There were some really great beers this year. I think I only tried a few that I didn't like.
The good news is that The Queen kept a list, and even made notes. I am so proud of here. She did so well.
Tomorrow, we will start our reviews.
This should be fun!
-Cheers!
I still owe you guys pictures from the beerfest last week. I'll get them edited and posted this week.
I'm not sure how many samples I had. The Queen and I were sharing my little pink notebook. I have a list of 22 different samples. But there were so many more that I didn't get to write down. There were some really great beers this year. I think I only tried a few that I didn't like.
The good news is that The Queen kept a list, and even made notes. I am so proud of here. She did so well.
Tomorrow, we will start our reviews.
This should be fun!
-Cheers!
I still owe you guys pictures from the beerfest last week. I'll get them edited and posted this week.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
I'm sorry, but I'm drunk
Ok. I made a deal with the devil to post for a month. What the hell is wrong with me?
I just got home from the Draft Magazine Big Pour, and I am so drunk. Honestly, I remember walking in the door to my house, and not much more. I'm not proud, I'm drunk.
This has got to be the longest post ever. It's taken me like 20 minutes to type this shit out.
I feel like an armature. I'm so embarrassed.
I;ll make it up to you tomorrow.
Peace!
I just got home from the Draft Magazine Big Pour, and I am so drunk. Honestly, I remember walking in the door to my house, and not much more. I'm not proud, I'm drunk.
This has got to be the longest post ever. It's taken me like 20 minutes to type this shit out.
I feel like an armature. I'm so embarrassed.
I;ll make it up to you tomorrow.
Peace!
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