Another Beerfest, Brewfest review

I did it. I managed to make it through another beerfest for you, my fans. This was the first of what I hope to be more Southwest Brewfests. Overall, it was worth it. Not the best beerfest by any means, but I still enjoyed myself.

I was on a slow pace this time. There wasn't as many beers to choose from. I wasn't going to stand in line, nor attempt to try Negra Modelo, Coors, or Killian's Irish Red. That is not my style. I was looking for the beers that I have yet to try. Overall, I think it was a job well done.

So without further fodder, here is the list.

1. Grimbergen - Abbey Ale. This was an awesome beer. It was different and so good. I loved it. What a way to start off a beerfest. The guy pouring it said it was a Double Bock. But this is the guy who was setting up the Co2 tanks at the last beerfest. So I'm not taking his word for it. It was on line with a Belgium style ale. It was sweet, but no to the point where it bothered me. Overall it's a flavorful beer. Grade - 4 burps

2. Alaskan - Baltic Porter. I was hit with a strong, almost overpowering coffee taste. It also has a very nutty taste. However, it is still a nice beer. But I still don't think I will be picking up a sixer of it any time soon. Grade - 3 burps

3. Cucapa - I missed the name, and it isn't on their website. But I will tell you, hey poured it from a can! It had a picture of a man, or a monster on the bottle. But honestly, it doesn't matter, because I didn't like it. It was very dry. Not something I was expecting. I think they labeled it a Pilsner style. It had a slight malty flavor with a bit of nutty hops aroma. Overall, it was a weak beer that I didn't enjoy. Grade - 2 burps

4. Lost Abbey - Devotion Ale. Damn I love this brewery. Just about everything they make is a beer of art. And Devotion Ale is not different. Again, I am not a fan of the Belgium style ales, but these guys are converting me. This is a great beer, especially for a fan of this style. Grade - 3 1/2 Burps

5. Lost Abbey - Red Barn Ale. Again, this is a Belgium style ale without that over sweet flavor. Had a nice, clean finish with any aftertaste. I like it for the style. You just gotta love a beer that has a cork. Grade - 3.5 Burps

6. The Bruery - Black Orchard. This is my first time ever trying this brewery. Based in Orange County, this brewery is doing something right. So why haven't I tried them before? The Black Orchard was a good beer. I was beginning to see trend here. It was a Belgium style ale, but not a sweet as I was expecting. Good thing. Good beer. Grade - 3.5 Burps

7. The Burery - Trade Winds. Can you guess the style? Yep, a Belgium ale. However, this was a little different for a Triple. It was sweet, but not like candy. And not to the point where I hated it. It was actually enjoyable. I think I still enjoyed the Black Orchard a little more. Grade - 3 Burps

8. Coronado - Mermaids Red. This was another first. It was a typical red, nothing special. The guy pouring it was all excited, trying to tell me it was "an awesome beer". No, it wasn't. I guess that is why he was pouring instead of drinking. I can't tell you that I hated it, but I can't tell you that I liked it. It's just, o.k. Grade - 2.5 burps

9. Speakeasy - Untouchable Pale Ale. This is a good beer. I really liked it. It was had a nice flower hops aroma. Not like an IPA, but fits the Pale Ale style very well. I guess it might lean toward the hops side of the scale for some. Grade - 3 Burps

This brings us to the halfway point of the day. I'll finish up tomorrow, with some pictures. Until then, have a good night.

- Prosit!

Beerfest Tomorrow

Again, going down to the line with my post. But don't worry, I made with 3 hours to spare. Good thing too, because I have to go to bed soon. I have a big day tomorrow.

What could be so important as to make me go to bed sober on a Friday night at 9:30?

BEERFEST!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow is the Southwest Brewfest! Yes, I am a little excited about it. I always get excited about a beerfest. I love beerfests. Beerfests are my friends.

This is the first Southwest Brewfest, so I really don't know what to expect. It has received a lot of press, and I am expecting a big crowd. But the crowd I am expecting is not the typical beerfan.

I think tomorrow is going to be a shitload of college students looking to get lit before the football game. It is being held at an outdoor mall, 1 mile from ASU, who is playing USC.

Not to mention that the largest brewery in attendance is going to be Anheuser Busch. That is disappointing. As much as I would love to tease, and laugh, and make fun of the people standing in line to get a "sample" of Budweiser, Bud Light, or the newest creation Bud Light Golden Wheat, I am all for it. It's simple actually, the won't be drinking any of the good beers. That means more for me and the beer snobs.

Again, I will be toting my camera and notepad. I will be taking plenty of pictures. Beer, Babes, and boobs.....and drunk people. I'm also going to do y best to keep a list and attempt to critique each and every beer I sample. I will be making notes of things overheard while standing in "the beer line".

This is going to be fun!

-Cheers!

Stuck at work, with no beer.

It's almost 11:00, and I am stuck at work. That means I wasn't able to drink any beer tonight. It also means that I just made it for the NaBloPoMo.

So this is short and sweet. I'll make up for it tomorrow. It's Friday night!

-Cheers

Here's to Number 27

It's over. The New York Yankees just beat the Phillies to become the World Series Champions. What else can I say but "Congratulations"! Good for you New York. That makes 27 total for the storied franchise.

I grew up a die hard Yankee fan. And I wasn't one of those band wagon fans either. When I was 6, my first T-Ball team was the Yankees. If you doubt me, I have the pictures to prove it, so there!

I want to send my condolences to all you Philly beer guys. It has to be rough. But you got yours last year.

So I hold up my Pint, and congratulate those New York Yankees. See you next year.

-Cheers

Photo Courtesy of: The New York Times

"I think I'm starting to like beer"

Queen: "Do you have any beer?"
Me: "Are you serious?" "Of course I have beer, I'm me."
Queen: "Do you have one that I might like"
Me: "Really?"
Queen: "I think I'm starting to like beer."

I have been known to help others switch teams. I enjoy educating anyone willing to listen, about beer. So far, I have had a very high success rate. Everyone from my Miller Lite swilling cousin, to the Queen's Wine drinking father.

But this was the last person I thought I would ever be able to show the way. Beer has never been her drink of choice. She has tried it plenty of times, but she still didn't like it.

Recently, she has been asking for a beer every now and then. Because I am so awesome at what I do, I gave her a Dogfish Head Punkin Ale. Guess what, she liked it. She liked it, a lot.

I guess it is time to make a trip to the BevMo to pick out a few different beers I think she might like. I'm so excited.

Can I tell you that I don't think I have ever loved my wife more than this very moment.

-Cheers!

The never ending Keg

I don't know what is going on. But I think I have the next best thing since the fountain of youth in my Man Room. I have, the never ending keg. As luck would have it, it's Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. I know, God loves me.

There are what, about 50 pints of sweet golden nectar in a 5 gallon keg, give or take. I'm sure I went through half of them the first night I tapped it. That left about 25 more pints for me to enjoy.

Over the past 4 months, I estimate that I pour myself at least 1 pint every other day when I get home. That is like another 60 pints. But yet, the beer just keeps on flowing.

Let's do some math here. Even if I am overestimating a little, or more than a little, I'm sure I've gone through 50 pints. It just doesn't add up. It isn't possible. Even if there was only a single pint poured that night I originally tapped it, I am still defying the laws of physics.

Can I explain this 8th wonder of the world? No, I can't. Am I complaining? No, I'm not. In fact I am thanking the All Mighty Beer God and Sam Calagione for this magic keg. Because I'm sure they both got together to make this keg of "Godfish Head" just for me.

-Cheers!

Trick or Treat, give me some beer to drink

It was another fun Halloween in the Good Burp neighborhood. Drank some great beer. Made a few new friends, and scored a huge stash of candy. I must say, a job well done.

The doorbell was ringing before I opened my first beer. Sorry, but the kids had to wait until I was ready. How many times are they allowed to ring the doorbell by the way? Seriously, let me pop the cap off first. Thank you.

I asked for some of your favorite Halloween beers last week. I received 1 recommendation. That's it, just 1. At least is was from the Beer Budha. He knows what he is talking about. However, even with his helpful information, I still ended up with the beers I thought I would.

The first beer of the night was Dead Guy Ale from Rogue Brewery. I knew I was going to drink it on Halloween night the day I bought it. And I'm happy I did.

As I walked around the neighborhood, it became quite the conversation starter. The fellas were sure interested in the "Man" sized bottle of beer I was carrying around. It sure made those little bottles of Miller Lite and Heineken seem "girly". And it helped open the door for a few beer conversations.

As much as I enjoyed drinking the Dead Guy Ale, I think it served a higher purpose. It was a means of spreading the amazing, and sometimes a little bit scary, word of beer. Thanks to my beer, and my big mouth, it looks like I have become one of the most popular guys in the neighborhood. Once the word "kegerator" was mentioned, the next words were something like, "which house is yours again" and "how often are you brewing beer" and my favorite, "when can I come over"?

-Happy Halloween.