Good news, my liver is OK

I had to go to the Doctor on Friday. Don't worry, I'm fine. Just a routine check up for some of the meds I take. No big deal.

The cool thing about my Doc, he likes beer. We usually spend a good 5 or 10 minutes talking about beer. What we have tried, where the best places in town to go drink beer, and about my blog. This Doc is so cool because his uncle is one of the Widmer Brothers.

Anyways, he was asking me about my typical week of "beer testing". I tried to explain to him that I was currently on a fast (which I broke tonight) due to a stupid bet I made with my friend. I told him that I usually only have 1 or 2 on the weekends since January. I was trying to cut back. Hey, we all hold back when we talk to our doctors, unless it means we are getting better meds if the pain is worse.

He asked me this zinger, "How many times have you been drunk in the past year?"

Hmmmm, I had to stop and think about that one. His definition of "drunk" and my definition of "drunk" are probably quite different. Besides, I have been training for a long time, and it takes me quite a while to get to a condition where I would consider myself drunk.

So I counted. The last time was after the 30 something samples at the last beer fest. That makes 1. This summer, when every one threw up in my front yard, I was hurting pretty good that night as well. Lets say that is 2. What was Friday, and when would the cut off be? I don't know, the pressure was getting to me. So I blurted out 3.

You know what his response was? "Three, that is close to pushing it." Really? Only 3 times a year is pushing it? Who knew. Then in a nearly passing manner, he asked me about my liver. I said it was fine. Then he told me to lay down, and said "No, I want to check your liver."

What? Really? I'm not even 40 yet, and I consider myself to be in descent shape. I lost 5 pounds last week. Do you really need to check my liver? "Yes."

He proceeded to push really hard around the area for a minute or so. What was he checking for? I have no idea. But I do know this, my liver is A.O.K! Awesome!

Then he asked my where I was planning on going for vacation this year. I told him Amsterdam, Belgium, Germany, and Copenhagen. "Are you going to Oktoberfest" he asked excitedly. I told him no, not this year. "It starts on the 18th right?" Honestly, I didn't know for sure, but my Doctor did. Isn't that awesome!

I left the office with a bag full of goodies, and a smile on my face. My liver was good. So what is today, February 15th? I guess I can only get drunk 2 more times this year because I celebrated Friday night!

-Cheers!

Beercation in SoCal

I apologize for the extreme delay in posts as of late. But I'm back, and I'm on another Beercation.

I arrived in SoCal (Southern California) today. I'm going to be here fthrough Wednesday, and plan to see some characters, and drink plenty of beer.

My original plan was to hit Bootlegger's Brewery today, but I didn't make it. Instead, I made it down to TJ Schmid's Restaurant and Brewery for dinner and some beer.

TJ Schmid's had 6 different beers on tap for me to try tonight. I'm going to tell you right now, I was not impressed. Honestly, I was disappointed. Very disappointed. The beer just wasn't good. I think there was a problem with their Co2, because everything seemed flat, weak, and lifeless. None of the samples had any head at all. I don't know exactly what it was, but something just wasn't right.

So here is the list.

1. JT Light. "Weak flavor. It's like a Bud Light". I didn't like this beer. It was flat without much texture. It was a subpar beer. Grade - 1 1/2 Burps

2. IPA. "Missing that Hops hit I want, or would expect from an IPA. Again, it seems weak, and flat". I was noticing a theme with the beers after the first two. Grade - 2 Burps

3. Hefe. "Ew, I don't like this. I'm not a fan of Hefes and I'm not a fan of this particular beer either. The big slice of lemon doesn't help the flavor by any means. It is more sour than sweet." I can't recommend it. Actually, I didn't even finish it. Grade - 1 Burp

-Note- Our good friends, the Schalmpes are here with us just like all our other vacations (or Beercations). Mr. Schlampe is a Hefe kind of guy. I have taught him the way, and he didn't like it either. He said the one he had at Gordon Beirsch last night was 100 times better.

4. Amber. "A slight caramel flavor at the start, but quickly fades. Weak flavor again." This one was slightly better than the previous three. But there really wasn't anyplace to go but up. Grade - 2 Burps

5. Stout. "Again, weak and a lack of carbonation". It was very thin for a Stout. There wasn't that amazing smell or taste of roasted malt or coffee that I love. It was the best beer of the night, but it wouldn't be something I would buy. Grade - 2 1/2 Burps

6. Seasonal. I was so bummed out by the time I tried this last sample. Just like all the other samples, it was weak and flat. But you know what my first opinion of it was, "Water". This beer was so weak and flavorless, it was like a watered down Corona Light. It was not good, at all. I didn't even finish it. Grade - 1/2 Burp

There you have it. A very unpleasant beer tasting. So much that I didn't even buy a T-shirt. this isn't how I wanted to start off my Beercation. They do have an impressive brew system on display at the back of the restaurant. I didn't get a picture, but I think there were 5 fermentation vessels. It looks cool. But the beer coming from them isn't.

I'm curious what other beer people think of the beer flowing from the taps at TJ Schmid's. Because I can't imagine a brewery like this being able to succeed with beer like this. There has got to be some quality beer flowing at some time.

Beercation - part 3

Jamaica started off a little rough. First, we were about 30 minutes late getting to our bus. Then we had to wait another hour while Louie, our tour guide and driver, waited for Vagina. (Imagine my laughter when he told us that) I guess "Virginia" had a group of 20 people for another tour bus, but she was late. Louie asked if I would go back to the boat and page Vagina....but I thought it was better if I didn't.

Eventually, at the stroke of 9:30, we were off. Louie drove us around the different areas of town so we could experience the good, and the bad. He wanted to show us how the different groups of people lived. I'm really glad he did. I have a different perspective of Jamaica because of it. Eventually, we stopped off at a little shop to do buy some Jamaican crap. I had to try some more rum, get a beer, and buy a Bob Marley t-shirt.

Beer 30-31 - Kingston Pilsner. From my notes. "It's better than Red Stripe. It was a typical lager style beer. I wasn't expecting much, but it's worth the $3.00". Grade - 3 burps

Beer 32 - Red Strip. I had to have one. I was in Jamaica. All I was missing was a big joint, and I would have fit right in. It would have been easy. I was offered "Smoke" 9 times throughout the day. Grade - 2 1/2 burps

Beer 33-35 - Guinness Foreign Extra. Dom, dis is good beir mon. I am a fan of Guinness, but I had no idea this Guinness existed. It is hot in Jamaica, and I never really understood why they wanted to drink a stout in that kind of heat. Now I know, because it is so awesome! Foreign Extra isn't like the Guinness we get here in the states. It is so much better. I absolutely loved it. There I was, sitting on the beach, drinking a Guinness and eating Jerk chicken (which also kicked ass). The think that sucks about Guinness Foreign Extra, it isn't available here. Grade - 4 burps

Beer 36 - Twisted Lager. I found out there was a brewery in Ocho Rios, with WiFi. So I had to hit it. It's called the Twisted Kilt. No, not the Tilted Kilt, but the Twisted Kilt. Anyways, how can I say this without being mean? From my notes. "No Internet, no t-shirts, no quality beer, welcome to the Twisted Kilt, Jamaica". Yes, there was no WiFi, and they had no t-shirts for sale, and the Twisted Lager wasn't that good. From my notes. "It is really weak and without any flavor. I really wanted to enjoy it, but it is just a weak beer. Honestly, I would avoid it".
Grade - 2 burps

Beer 37 - Twisted Stout. From my notes. "It's good. Guinness like". They only thing they had available was the Twisted Lager. Once we got talking, and they realized I really wanted to try all their beers, they actually tapped a new keg for me. It seemed like they were excited about me being there and wanting to try their stout. They even talked my out of trying their Carib Lager in favor of the newly tapped Stout.

From my notes. "Definitely better than the Twisted Lager. Very smooth, but a light mouth feel. It does have a nice color though. But I think the the cold might have masked some of the flavor". Grade - 3 1/5 burps

It was getting late, and it was time to head back to the ship. I tried one last time to get Ishenne, the waitress, to hook me up with a T-shirt. Again, my charm worked. Ishenne promised to ship a shirt to me if I left her my name and address. It has been 3 weeks now, and still no shirt. Time will tell if she keeps her word.

- Cheers

Beercation - part 2

So, where was I? O, back on the boat. Key West was awesome! I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. It is packed with bars, and some descent beers. But I couldn't stay there and hope they picked me up on the way home. So I had to get back on the boat. At least I did it with a great buzz

Beer 21-25 - Samuel Adams. I enjoy drinking with my friend. And Sam has never done me wrong. In fact, I am picking up a keg of his Oktoberfest tomorrow. Sam was there for me when I needed him. And thanks to Renata, I was never without.

Beer 26 - Cay Brew. The Sharkbite Brewery is located in Grand Cayman. This is the place I wanted to go. And I'm happy I did. It's a cool place, right on the beach. They brew a few different beers, and a nice Rum which the bartender was nice to give me, on the house. So I started with the only beer they had on tap, Cay Brew. From my notes. "Typical Lager". "Great session beer while on a beach, so I love it". It is brewed on the island, and brought to the bar. However, their facility is only big enough to brew beer, or distill rum. But not both at the same time. The cool thing about their rum is that "it is aged in Jack Daniels barrels under the ocean". It is their thought that the constant subtle movement of the barrels under the water enhance the flavor of their rum. I'm not sure if it does or not, but I enjoyed it. Grade: 3 1/2 burps.

Beer 27 - Cay Light. Ok, before you judge me for drinking a "Light Beer", hear me out. I was on a "Beercation". Attempting to try as many beers as possible. Cay Light was all they had on Tap. The only other beer they had available was their Cay Light, in a bottle. So I tried it. From my notes. "Actually a good light beer". I don't drink light beer, so I am far from a qualified judge on it. But for a lighter style beer, it was ok. Grade: 3 burps

Beer 28 - Cay Brew. I enjoyed it the first time, and I wanted to enjoy it again.

From Hammerhead's, I headed back towards the dock. It was getting late. But I had time for at least 1 more beer. So I stopped at one of the tourist type bars, Senior Frogs. The only thing I could find on their beer list that I had yet to try was beer 29.

Beer 29 - Presidente Light. From my notes. "I don't enjoy it". "It is a super light lager made by Miller Brewing Co.". "If I knew that, ,"I wouldn't have ordered it". "Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference between Presidente Light, and a Dos Equis. Grade - 2 burps

The day was running out, and it was time to get back on the boat. I was feeling good, really good. Did I mention that I took a tour of the Tortuga Rum factory. I didn't? How could I forget? It must have been all the rums, because they give you free shots! Sure, they are smaller than a regular shot, but if you get 2, or 9 like I had, it is as good as 4 or 5. Damn it is good rum. I bought 7 bottles. Yes, 7. Some smaller than others. But flavored rums like Banana, Vanilla, Coffee, Orange, Spiced 12 year old Gold, Liqueur, and Coconut are worth the $9 a bottle. Isn't that nuts, $9 for a big bottle of rum? Who cares, it was worth double that!

Back on the boat, we went to dinner and called it an early night. I was done drinking. But tomorrow was another day it was going to be a day in Jamaica!

-Cheers!

Beercation - part 1

I have been back from my beercation for two weeks now. I got a little sidetracked with Oktoberfest. Who hasn't? So I have yet to write about my beer adventures in the Caribbean. I'm sure the suspense has been killing you. Since I am such a nice guy, and care so much about you, my beer swilling friends, I give you my list.

Beer 1 - Zeigen Bock. I had a 2 hour layover in he Houston airport. So I killed the time in a Buffalo Wild Wings drinking some beer. I asked the bartender for something local, a beer made in Texas. She turned around and looked at all the taps. She replied with "Well, I think Sam Adams is made here in Texas". Uhmmm, she was blond. So I said to her, "You mean Boston Lager is made here in Texas"? She had a look on her face like I asked her to perform a math question. I could tell I was loosing brain cells talking to her, so I asked her for the Zeigen Bock. Big Mistake!

It wasn't good, at all. I made notes right away. This is exactly what I wrote. "Weak, watered down taste, like a homebrew gone bad". "Has a slight chemical taste that I just can't figure out".

So I asked the other bartender about this Zeigen Bock. I asked if it was made in Texas. He told me it was, and that it was made by Shiner. I was really disappointed when he told me that. I think they make much better beers than this.

I later found out, from an informative reader, that it is a beer made by the evil empire. I had been duped! Yes, Anhueser Busch had tricked me. Those bastards!

Beer 2 - Heineken. It sucked! I talked about it a few posts back. It's in the past, and I don't want to think about it ever again.

Beer 3 - Yuengling. Loved it! I talked about it in the same post. It's in the past, and I think about it all the time. I really wish I could get it here.

Beer 4 - Pilsner Urquel. It was the first beer on the boat. It was the safe choice. I needed a beer in the worst way. I shotgunned it once I realized it cost me $4.75 plus a $1.35 gratuity. This was going to be an expensive vacation.

Beer 5-9 - Boston Lager. Yes, from Texas. I spent the first night at sea drinking with my old friend Samuel Adams. It helped drown out the sticker shock from the first one. No need to grade, we all enjoy a beer from the Boston Beer Company.

First city of port, Key West Florida. First stop, Irish Kevin's. This is where the fun began.

Beer 10 - Tucher Belgium Ale. On tap. This was my first time having a Tucher. I enjoyed it. I didn't make any notes about it. I tried to pull out my netbook and blog about it, but as I would realize much later, WiFi is a hard thing to come by. Grade - 3 1/2 Burps

Beer 11 - Murphy's Red. I have seen it before, but never had the chance to enjoy it on tap. Honestly, it was OK. It was just another beer on the list. Grade - 3 Burps


Beer 12 - Banks Caribbean Lager. From my notes, "Actually a good beer, nothing like I expected". "Has a nice malty flavor". Grade - 3 1/2 Burps

As much as I wanted to stay, and drink with our new friends "Team Ship Faced", It was time to leave Irish Kevin's. There was a brewery on the island someplace, and I had to find it.

Next stop, Kelly's Caribbean Bar, Grill, and Brewery. How cool is it to visit "The Country's southern most brewery". I know I was. And I was even more excited to try all their different beers. Imagine my reaction when my new friend Jenny, told me that all they had available was their Wheat. Of course it was. My least favorite style of beer. But I was on vacation, and dammit, I was there to drink, and write about it. So that is what I did. Jenny poured me a pint.

Beer 13 - Southern Clipper Wheat. From my notes, "Hops taste, which blends well with the sweetness of the Heffe style". "A slight sour taste". Grade - 3.5 burps

Jenny, an aspiring brewmaster informed my that they were currently without a brewmaster. She had been asking to help, and learn the skills to no avail. But she was cool enough to take me into a small building around the back. This was their brewery. She pointed out the tanks, the filters, and where they kept their grains. She said I could stay as long as I wanted and take pictures. So I did.


Jenny was cool. And I hope she gets the chance to brew someday.

It was time to move on. After a quick stop at a Bong Store to ask for directions to some bar that supposedly had 10 plus different beers on tap, we found ourselves at Sloppy Joe's. Yani. my new friend from the Czech Republic brought me beer number 14.


Beer 14 - Key West Sunset Ale. From my notes. "A slightly above average ale". "Leans to the hops side". "I could drink it as a session beer". Grade - 3 burps

Yani was awesome. She told me how to say Cheers in Czech. Not sure how to spell it, but I will tell you it is "Naa-Straa-Vee". I spent the rest of the trip saying this. I'm still waiting for my facebook friend request from her.

It was about time to head back to the boat. But I had to stop by Irish Kevin's to get a t-shirt. Imagine my surprise when we run into out old friends, "Team Shipfaced". Yep, they were still there drinking 4 hours later. And they were all wasted when we got there the first time. I want to party with them!

That concludes the island of Key West. What a blast it was. I was actually had a good time, and had plenty of beer. All of which I had never had.

Back on the boat, I proceeded to drink more beer.
.
Beer 15-20 - Boston Lager. It was the staple of my diet on the boat. My old friend Sam kept me happy. I learned that it was cheaper to buy them in a bucket, 4 at a time. So I would buy my bucket and carry it around with me on the boat. I'm sure I looked like an absolute alcoholic carrying around my bucket of beer. But believe me when I tell you, there was so much more horrifying things to look at. I'll show you later.

The trip continues tomorrow. Until then, Naa-Straa-Vee!

I'm back!

I am back from vacation. My much needed, and much enjoyed "Beercation". Aside from not going to work for a week, the best part of a vacation (or beercation), is trying all the new beers. And I tried a lot!

I kept a notebook from the time I left, to the time I got home. It looks like I made 3 pages of notes just about beer. In addition, I took pictures of most of the beers I drank.

Note: People tend to give you funny looks when you take pictures of yourself holding a beer.
Note 2: People give you judgemental looks when you take a picture of a beer.

I hate to leave this post without all the info, but it just isn't ready yet. I am still downloading, and editing the photos. And I am trying to decipher all my notes. I think I will be able to blog just about every night about my beer adventures.

Sorry to tease, but these are my rules.

-Cheers!

Day one, not so bad

Day one of my "beercation" is in the books. I don't know exactly what I was expecting. I think a little more excitement. The last couple times I made the trek across the country, it was nothing more than a pit stop on the way to London, or Munich, or some other beer filled European destination.

My first stop was in Houston. Let me start with this, Texas has some good beer. However, I didn't get to try it.

Shiner brews some good beer. I have tried some of them. I wouldn't say they are my favorite, but some are good. I had a 2 hour layover in Houston, on the way to get here (Florida). So I spent that time in a Buffalo Wild wings drinking the only local brew they had on tap. No, "Samuel Adams Boston Lager" is not from Texas, as the young bartender just told me. Yes, she actually said that.

Anyways, I ended up with a brew made by Shiner called Ziegen Bock. Now how can I say this nicely? It was less than good? Honestly, I didn't like it. It was just weak. There wasn't much of a hops, or a malt flavor. The first thing that came to mind was, it is a dirty glass. Then I could taste a slight, almost chemical flavor. It reminded me of a homebrew that didn't go quite right. I was very disappointed.

Shiner - Ziegen Bock Grade: 1 burp

When I got back on the plane, I could help but think about that beer. I wanted to buy a bottle of Shiner Bock and drink it on the plane. But my wife didn't think that would be a good idea. So instead, I busted out a free drink coupon, and bought a round of the best beer the airline had to offer, Heineken. What a mistake!

I should have known better. But I'm on a Beercation, and I need to keep the beers flowing. I'm going to put it out there right now, I am never going to drink another Heineken again. It made me feel a little ill. I forced myself to drink as much as I could, but I couldn't finish it. Good thing, or I think everyone in my row would have been sick after I vomited all over them.

Heineken Grade: BAD!

I hate having the last beer be a bad beer. Just one of my things I guess. But last night ended on a good night. I was finally able to have a good beer. I have had one before, but it was a long, long time ago. So I never had the opportunity to really appreciate it.

Yuengling. Damn it was good. I really liked it. I only wish I knew which one it was. I believe it was their Lager. The sweetness from the caramel malt is what I enjoyed the most. It was a nice, balanced flavor that finished with a slight honey taste. It reminded me of my sweet, sweet, Tennent's (which I don't drink anymore because it is owned by Bud). I only wish I could get Yuengling on the west coast.

Yuengling - Lager Grade: 4 Burps

That was day one. It wasn't what I wanted it to be. But today is another day. And I plan on drinking many, many, many more beers.

-Cheers!