NaBloPoMo comes to an end

Well, I did it. I posted about beer for 30 straight days. November was National Blog Posting Month and I was stupid enough to sign up for it. Thank God it's over.

I started off like a 21 year old kid at his first beerfest. Pounding down post after post. By the time I hit post 11 or 12, I was drunk, I mean done. That was my wall.

Since I am not a rookie, and more like a special forces trained beer man, I powered through. I wrote post after post with skill and precision. I talked about Beerfests. I reviewed different beers. I talked about beer stores and beer people. Even the Queen stopped by and wrote a post (making my writing skills look bad in the process) about her first ever Beerfest. I even posted drunk!

Honestly, it was fun. I made a few new friends, and picked up a few new followers. But most of all, I hope you all enjoyed it.

-Cheers!

Total Wine doesn't care.

After my encounter at Total Wine last week, absolutely nothing happened. Nothing at all.

Honestly, I'm a little surprised. Total Wine has come by Good Burp and read some of the posts before. They have even left a comment from time to time. And recently, they started following me on Twitter. So after the issue I had with them last week, I thought they might post a comment attempting to explain their side of the story. But it didn't happen.

Honestly, I didn't write the post to get their attention. I wrote the post because I write about my adventures with beer. I'm sure fellow beer fans in my area frequent Total Wine. So I wanted to share my experience.

I'm left with the opinion that Total Wine doesn't care. They don't care how their employees treat the customers. They don't care what their customers think. In fact, it seems like Total Wine just doesn't care about their customers at all.

Then there is BevMo. BevMo goes out of their way to show their customers that they are important. In fact, they go above and beyond. Can anyone out there tell me that a CEO of a major company contacted them over an issue in a store? Anyone? Anyone?

I can. Alan Johnson, CEO of BevMo contacted me. But he wasn't the only one. The store manager and the District manager both called to apologize and attempt to make things right. Believe me when I tell you, they did.

There really is a difference between BevMo and Total Wine.

-Cheers!

Unlike the people at BevMo.

A new keg for Christmas

I ordered my keg from BevMo today. It was a long and strenuous process. But I feel I mad the right decision. The masses will thank me next weekend for having such a beer available. So what is this new tap going to be pouring?

Firestone Walker - DBA. The Double Barrel Ale is exactly what I was looking for. An English style ale is what my kegerator has been missing. Next to a Marzen, a good English Ale is nest on the list.

It should be ready to pick up and tap come Thursday. Lets all cross our fingers it works out according to plan.

-Cheers!

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

The other night I picked up Sierra Nevada's new Celebration Ale for 2009 from the BevMo. I look forward to it every year. And this year, they didn't disappoint.

Each year the good people at Sierra Nevada brew up a new batch of their Celebration Ale for all of us to enjoy. Some years are better than others. I recall last year being a bit heavy on the hops side of the spectrum. For 2009 however, it is a much better balanced ale. It might even lean a little to the malt side, which I have made my camp. No wonder I'm a fan.

It rings in at a jolly 6.8% abv, but I didn't notice to tell you the truth. It had a slight bitter finish, but I would say it was from the hops and not the alcohol. It was a little on the thin side for a winter beer, but I'm not holding it against them.

I like the smell. It has a bit of a fruity and hops aroma, with a hint of Christmas Tree. Honestly, I wish the pine smell was a little more dominant. Then it would qualify as the perfect Holiday beer. However, it does a good job of getting you into that "Christmas Spirit!"

Grade: 3 1/2 Burps.

Black Friday at BevMo

This is going to be a short post. I have to go to bed early because tomorrow is Black Friday. I have to get up really early so I make it to the BevMo first thing in the morning. I'm so excited. I wonder what kind of deals I'm going to find.

I have been looking through the catalog all day. I have an item picked out for each and everyone on my list. I hope there are some great "door buster" deals. I plan on picking up a few special things for myself as well. Not to mention a new keg for the kegerator.

Time to go. I have to make sure I'm first in line.

-Cheers!

The Queen's View of The Big Pour

Well hello lovers. It is I, The Queen. I am here today at the request of the One Who Burps to talk to you about my very first Beerfest experience. Usually he attends these events with his little beer buddies, while I sit at home with the Little Burpers. Okay, so that's a lie. I am usually out shopping with some of the beer wives. But that is neither here nor there. The point is, I attended this one with him (and two of our closest friends) and it was my first.

Now first and foremost, I must tell you a tiny little nothing bit of background info on me. Are you ready? Okay.

Ahem.

I am not a beer lover.

(gasps)

I know. I am sorry. Hey! I know! Stop yelling and throwing things! Let's all just calm down a little. I have slowly been developing a taste for beer over the past few months, and I rarely make that "Oh my god this is so disgusting" face after I take a sip of the Burper's beer. And recently, I have been known to knock back a few whole ones on my own. I know, right? Baby steps people. Baby steps.

So needless to say, I was a little nervous about what this day would bring. But I walked in with an open mind and left with a few faves. Without further ado, here is my review.

Please note: There are many "girly" beers on this list. News flash: I'm a girl. You don't have to try them, but I'm not gonna tell anyone if you do. It's our secret, okay? All righty then, where were we?

1. Lindeman's Framboise: I have had this before, it is divine. Seriously. It tastes like liquefied raspberry jam in a glass. So delish. Grade: a million Burps.

2. Dogfish Head Raison: Yummy. But kind of a yucky after taste. But it's fun to say. "Raison!" You have to kind of start your "r" sound in the back of your throat and then end it with a long "oh" sound and only a hint of the "n", just like the French. Say it with me - "Raison!" Ooh la la, oui oui! Grade: 3 burps (2 1/2 for taste and 1/2 for pronunciation).

3. Coney Island: Okay so obviously I was still concentrating on saying "Raison" and I forgot to write down which Coney Island I tried. But I did note that it was a little "gingery" with a nutty after taste. And just okay. Grade: 2 Burps.

4. Wyders Pear Cider: Gross. So so so gross. Not even Burp Grade material. Instead I give it a gag.

5. Wyders Raspberry Cider: Excellent. Light and refreshing, like a flavored mineral water. Grade: 3 Burps.

6. Redstone Meadery Black Raspberry Nectar: First sip was okay. Second sip not so good. An overwhelming flavor of cheap beer and cough syrup, but slightly fruity. Grade: 1 Burp.

7. Strongbow Cider: Oh. My. God. This is my most favorite thing in the whole world to drink. Just hook me up to an IV and I am happy. I paid so many visits to this booth, by the end of the night I was Facebook friends with the girl pouring. Grade: A million trillion bazillion Burps and four snaps in a Z formation.

8. Mikes Hard Lemonade - Spiced Apple: Delicious! Like Christmas in your mouth. I am pretty sure this is what Mrs. Claus is drinking while Santa is out doing deliveries. Grade: 4 Burps.

9. Full Sail Session Black - I was surprised at how good this was. I actually met the Pour Girl, Celeste, in the ladies room prior to tasting the beer. My girlfriend Lola and I were having a serious conversation about legalizing marijuana and Celeste piped in with her opinions. I liked her right away. She took good care of us the rest of the day. Another fun thing about this beer, there are drinking games in the cap! How cool is that? Fun and functional! And dudes, I am all about multi tasking, know what I mean? Grade: 4 Burps!

10. Session Lager - Not as good as the black, the aftertaste was a little too much for me. But because Celeste knew her stuff, I am still giving it 2 1/2 Burps.

11. Ace Pear Cider - Sweet and Yummy. Grade 3 Burps.

12. Fuller's London Pride - I know The One Who Burps loves this beer. And I feel a little guilty about saying this but BLECH!! Not good. Grade: 1 gag.

13. Stone Smoked Porter - I don't remember this one. My notes say it tasted like "dirt mixed with asshole." That can't be good. Grade: 1 gag.

14. Rogue Dead Guy Ale - Oh. My. God. So disgusting. Lola said this one was like swallowing a fart. Grade: 2 gags.

15. NYPD Pizza is the BOMB. (Obviously this is where I got a little loopy.) And just in case you are wondering, this note has nothing to do with beer.

16. Magner's Irish Cider - My notes say this one tastes like ass sitting in apples. Again, can't be good. Grade: 40 gags and a dry heave.

17. Old World Blonde - A deliciously refreshing and nutty beer. Loved it! Thank God The One Who Burps is friends with these guys. YUM! Grade - 4 Burps.

Well there you have it. All in all, my first Beerfest experience was a good one. I had a great time, learned a lot about beer and got to see my man in his element. It was wonderful and I am looking forward to the next one.

Until then, cheers!

I'm sick, so no beer tonight

I'm sick. So no beer tonight.

It sucks being sick. But it sucks even more not being able to drink on of the new seasonal beers I just picked up. Scratch that. I can drink the beer, but it just doesn't taste the same. It doesn't smell the same either. And that's what I love the most about beer, the smell.

I wish they had beer scented cologne and beer air fresheners. I would douse myself with it every day. Then hop into my car with a Hops shaped air freshener hanging from the review mirror. That is what I wish.

But I don't want to go to jail, or get fired from my job, or have people insinuate that I am an alcoholic. That's what my cousin is for.

So I'm going to go to bed, and be ready to post tomorrow.

Tomorrow, The Queen is going to make her much anticipated guest post about her very first Beerfest!

-Cheers!