What Was the Last Beer You Drank?

Mr Pete · February 15, 2007

Well, Myself and Nodders are the first arrive at Sheffield Control. To start with we go for Nodder's own Brew "Old Conkerwood"

Forget it, i'll just go for the barrel.

Very nice......

Old Conkerwood, a very dark beer.........

The main barrels to demolish over the weekend.

Mr Pete · February 16, 2007

The Juggler has now arrived!

Tasty (The beer that is LOL)

The first glass out the barrel

DerekRx · February 16, 2007

Today I couldn't decide if I wanted to try a new beer, or enjoy another black and tan. So I did both! (I'm never going to lose weight at this rate)

And another thirsty Thursday is under wraps. What will tomorrow bring, more beer!

But wait, there's more. Always a good plan with a black and tan, 2 for the price of, um, 2

Another Black and Tan I can be proud of

Nectar of Guinness. Brilliant!

Next up, black and tans starring Nugget Nectar

Not a bad IPA. Kinda weak on the hops, but it had a good flavor and was smooth

First up, the Opa Opa IPA, otherwise known as the Buckwheat IPA, from Opa Opa Steakhouse and Brewery in Massachusetts

Rugged One · February 16, 2007

^ I should have told you to save some of that Guiness for some Dirty Turtles tomorrow night.

Tonight Kim helped me try out a couple of bottles from the new Sam Adams LongShot series, where homebrewers got the chance to have their creations brewed for a national audience.

I really enjoyed this one. Very sweet with lots of dark fruit notes and slightly alcoholic. Very rum like.

Next up, the Old Ale.

Definitely heavy on the berries plus it was light enough so that Kim really enjoyed it as well.

First up, the Boysenberry Wheat.

mcjaco · February 16, 2007

Keeping to the Sam Adams:

Yum!

Ah, the Brown Ale. A favorite.

Mmm, Boston Ale

DerekRx · February 16, 2007

It's Friday. Time to celebrate BACT style. First off, a can of IPA. A can?? Yup, a canned IPA from Oskar Blues Brewing in Lyons, Colorado.

Wow, the Gordon is actually a really good brew! Who'd a thunk. What's next on the agenda, who knows!

To balance the force I'll place the canned beer in a nice glass

A canned microbrewed IPA. I'm a little unsure about this one...

Either this is saved for Gordon, or the beer is named Gordon. I'm thinking the latter

DerekRx · February 17, 2007

Holy crap! Somehow I teleported to Heath's place almost like Hiro-style (except I drove). Here's our evening's festivities:

D'Extra point was GOOOOOD! And the crowd goes wild!!

and to complete the night, some Dogfish Head Raison D'Extra that we picked up last week

Check out that logo, it's like the dude is filling the glasses from his oil pan

Just one more reason why San Diego is the place we shall retire (in like 40 years)

Next up to bat on a Friday night, Pizza Port's Old Viscosity

Meanwhile, Kim is sitting on the sofa kicking back a bottle of Hopocalypse from Clay Pipe. Yup, definitely the end of the world...or a really weak IPA

Oh boy! Both a double IPA AND some random bursts of peppermint somehow. Those deceptors at Alesmith know their shtuff!

Next in line, our retirement double IPA, the Yulesmith from Alesmith in San Diego

Different from most doubles, it's more malty than most, but still hoptastic

First call to arms, Hop Juice Double IPA by Two Brothers

DerekRx · February 18, 2007

Just another day at home, on a Saturday (actually a very rare occurance!)

Wow, this is fantastic! Hoppy and sweet. Elissa needs to check this out when she can drink again

Oh yeah, and a Founders Red's Rye

mmmm, sweet Moroccan Spices. Yum!

Ozark Chicken Seasoning reminds me of Silver Dollar City

For dinner, chicken tenders in various seasonings, like Anchor Bar Wing sauce. The original!

Leaves me with a beerstache

Its head somewhat resembles my haircut :\

For dinner, the headiest beer in a long time, Snake Dog IPA from Flying Dog

Wow, great coffee flavor with a touch of chocolate

First up, North Coast's Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Juggler · February 18, 2007

Well the Buzzards have departed Sheffield control after another successful demolition job at the Oakwood Real Ale Festival. I've not done the final count up yet but it would seem that between the ten of us we cleared 113 different beverages (there were a few wines and a couple of ciders amongst all the ale) and after removing the double ups we tasted 103 different alcoholic drinks. We also drank our way through 1 barrel of "Smoke On, GO!" and 1 barrel of "S.O.S (617) Ale."

So a brief TR with just a few pictures (as I don't want to flood the forum with pics) but if anyone wants to have look through all the photos then this link will do BEER.

Mr Pete, Nodders and myself arrived at our hosts humble abode on the Thursday afternoon/evening with the rest of the group due to touch down at some point on Friday. Once the car was unloaded I made straight for a half pint glass and a drop of Nodder's home brew "Old Conkerwood" a very dark ale with a slight hint of fortified wine in the aftertaste. The nice gentlemen had decided to leave the barrels alone until I arrived so after the first half had gone I refilled with some "S.O.S" which was brewed from a Toohey's Dark Ale kit. A rather nice little number with just a subtle malty twang to it which made it a good session ale. Now the barrels had been cracked we all tucked in and I was soon onto my first half of the often brewed Yukon Smoked Ale or as we call it "Smoke On, GO!" A very smooth beer with a mouthful of smoky flavours that just slide down and bring you back for more.

Friday ran pretty much the same with the rest of the arrivals parking car, unloading car, grabbing glass, filling glass, drinking from glass. The last two points were repeated frequently.

Saturday was the big day and the minibus turned up just after 11.15 to whisk us off to the venue. We arrived in good time (just before opening) and flashed out CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) cards which gave us all reduced price entry and also purchased some drinking tokens. Now without going into too much detail as that would take ages we did our best to co-ordinate efforts and taste as many different ales as possible. In 6 1/2 hours of drinking time we pillaged the various bars scattered around the College with a great deal of success. I even got to try one of my favourite bottled beers (Theakstons Old Peculiar) from the cask and it was gorgeous.

We departed at about 7.30pm and made our way back to base where we tucked into a few more halves from the barrels as well as watching Mr. Pete's DVD of the Camping & Coasters 2006 trip. (Excellent work there I must say and I believe the Intro will be put forward for the TPR competition.) We finished the evening watching Jim Davidsons "Sin-derella", a rather Adult pantomine, which left several of the people gathered in convulsions as they laughed so hard they literally DID end up on the floor.

Sunday was a sad day as everyone slowly trundled off back to their respective homes. Fortunately for me I had the least distance of all so stayed long enough to watch the football (GET IN THERE TOTENHAM!) and sample some more of our hosts delicious food before making my own way home. So here I am typing this out with a nice glass of Woppa by my side and nice warm glow from spending a great weekend with some great friends.

Ah yes, GROUP PHOTO. Although the question that everyone is asking is "What on earth is Mr. Pete doing!?"

The large Marquee bar for the smokers to congregate in.

Who brought Nodders along? At least he'll know how to find his beer...

From the first bar comes the first half. Acorn Brewery's "Moonshine"

Saturday afternoon and here's the first bar.

The first beer on arrival

Juggler · February 18, 2007

and to finish off here's the Woppa I promised you!!!

Woppa going, going, going......

Nothing like a Woppa to get the taste buds tingling. A slightly caramel taste to this lovely golden ale makes for gorgeous pint.

Nodders · February 18, 2007

^

Cheers Jugg's ..... it WAS a great weekend (AGAIN!) Just to point out the Old Conkerwood was re-named "Night Raid" after we'd supped a few ('cos it's Sooooooo dark!) I'll be up-loading some of my pics to the Buzzard gallery sometime tomorrow, but for now here's me & a beer!

First drink of the day!

DerekRx · February 19, 2007

Today was hoppy Sunday for me. Started out with a new brew, then moved on to the old faves, and actually accomplished some work around the house too!

ah, still so wonderful

and finally, back home for some HopDevil

very grapefruity, also not very carbonated

Off to dinner with mom and I picked up a Rogue Dead Guy

Ah, yummy and well carbonated

Beer 2, Troeg's Nugget Nectar

Tasted pretty good, but was seriously lacking in carbonation

But that won't stop the drinking! First up, Heavy Handed IPA by Two Brothers.

Today I woke up late because the sun never shined in my window. Here's why, lots of ice and snow starting to fall off the roof

mr_teisco_delrey · February 19, 2007

Derek - I hope you broke the ice and snow off the gutters. They looked like they had enough.

In the beer department(no pic), Michelob Amber Bock for me this weekend.

Mr Pete · February 19, 2007

Yes, another top weekend. Only another couple of pics from me. The rest can be found here.

The ugly trio.

This one will be the "Chocolate Frog" coming in at 8%abv

Rugged One · February 20, 2007

Some random beer drinking business from this past weekend.

After Friday night's little bout of impromptu drinking with Derek was concluded, Kim and I went down to Maryland to visit with our friends Dee & Chad down in Maryland. Lucky for us, they dont' live too far from the only (for now) Dogfish Head Ale House in Gaithersburg, MD. Kim and I had been here before back in 05, only a month or so after it had opened, so we were anxious to see if the establishment had "broken in" yet, or not.

I figured since the High Desert was so good and we drove all the way down to VA to get it, a growler purchase was in order. I guess I know what I'll be drinking the next couple of nights.

Kim being the good DD that she is goes for her old standby. The house rootbeer.

...because the High Desert Russian Imperial Stout was on draft! Just tapped the day before. And it was tasty as hell! Lots of coffee and chocolate up front with a nice hoppy and slighty alcholic finish. Very good!

According to the board it's not but luckily the board was wrong...

These are a chain of three Western themed brew restaurants in the Northern VA area. We had heard something tasty was supposed to be on tap.

Our final stop was down the road a little bit to the Falls Church location of the Sweetwater Tavern.

...I went home with a few things.

....Bell's! Yes, this is where the Bell's product that used to go to Illinois is now being sent. Sorry Matt. Your lose is my gain, because as you can see...

They had a rather nice selection (especially for a grocery store) including stuff that I can't even get singles and six-packs of in Maryland, like Stone, Lagunitas, Left Hand and...

Uh yeah, it did. Yet another reason for me to hate the stupid beer laws here in PA.

On Sunday morning, after leaving our friends, we headed a little further south down to Falls Church, VA (rather coincidentally the site of the new Dogfish Head Alehouse) but we had other business here. For starters, we heard that this Whole Foods Market h

I finished up with a Chicory Stout, a rather tasty chicory and coffee laced Oatmeal Stout.

Also known as the 75 min IPA, it's an equal mix of Dogfish Head 60 and 90 min IPA. It was fantastic even with with my side order of Chad's head.

Chad also has a Shelter Pale Ale while I go for the Alehouse exclusive Alehouse 75 but what is that?

The ladies start out with some light stuff. Dee with a Lawnmower Light and Kim with a Shelter Pale Ale.

But heh, it's still got lots of tasty Dogfish Head adult beverages on tap. These alehouses are supposed to be some of the few places you can get their limited edition stuff on tap but unfortunately this weekend, there was none to be found.

After having over a year to break in, we think that the place for the most part hadn't changed. Oh well, I guess it's just a product of the area it's in.

Back to the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg MD. The last time we were here, Kim and I thought the whole place was a little too sterile and uppity, at least compared to the brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

DerekRx · February 20, 2007

Tonight I decided to go with a gift from Heath/Greg, the Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout from Terrapin Brewing. Made with Jittery Joe's coffee, this is one of Terrapin's most sought after beers on the Monster Beer Tour, and this baby did not disappoint. I wish I had more, I'd start drinking them in the morning for breakfast energy for the day!

Definitely an eye opener of a coffee stout. yummy!

Stupid Georgia state law that Wake-n-Bake cannot be the bold area of the label

Rugged One · February 20, 2007

Well, like I said I allready knew on Sunday what I'd be drinking tonight and Tuesday. More of the delectable High Desert.

Still fresh and tasty. I only wish this would keep longer than a couple of days.

Jew · February 20, 2007

So I had the fabled Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale on tap at Magnolia on lake (http://www.magnoliaonlake.com/) in Pasadena. I don't like dark beers at all, but that was good stuff. I had some Paulaner Heff too. Also good.

mcjaco · February 20, 2007

Man, oh, man. Again with the Bell's.

I note you missed some other fine brews, especially the the Holiday Lager from Lake Front. Tsk, tsk, tsk!

niiicolaaah · February 20, 2007

^Funny, I was going to do the same to Heath's other picture, only circling the Purple Haze and Lindemans.

Rugged One · February 20, 2007

I note you missed some other fine brews, especially the the Holiday Lager from Lake Front. Tsk, tsk, tsk!

I did see the Lake Front stuff (this was the brewery you were just at, right?) and I did pick something up from them. Just not the Holiday Lager though. Is that pretty good?

mcjaco · February 20, 2007

^ That would be the one. Stay away from the Fuel Cafe and the New Grist (rice beer). Holiday Lager is got some great orange and spice taste, and packs a punch a around 11%!!!

DerekRx · February 21, 2007

Today is Fat Tuesday, the official start to Marti Gras. Instead of going to the shady New Orleans, I decided to bring Marti Gras to me (at least that's what the bottle said!) with Penn Brewings Marzen. It's an Oktoberfest style, but apparently it's supposed to be for Marti Gras, I guess.

Wonderful citrus, pine, and carbonation. Just the tip of a good West Coast IPA though

Couldn't stop at just one, so up next was some Two Hearted, just because I love Matt so

It wasn't too bad. Very fruity, no hops, a nice caramel backbone. Pretty festive, made me feel like I was at Marti Gras, only without all the boobs

With a chick with beads on, it's very Marti Gras-ish

Erik Johnson · February 21, 2007

Well since I do sell wine for a living, I should probably go ahead and post in this thread. Several times a year I am forced to do wine tastings at these expensive, snooty fundraisers for our local PBS station. While I do not get paid in money, I always come away from these events with quite a few bottles of wine. So I will give a Port a try. If you did not know, people drink ports after they eat dinner. Well, I ate my dinner so it was time to drink.

Qunita Noval Porto Special Reserve. Its around $17-$20 for a 500ml bottle.