Juggler Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 At long last I've completed my first full mash brew and to say the results where better than expected is an understatement. First time out and I was just hoping to make something that didn't taste like Yak Urine and was vaguely alcoholic. What I got was a perfectly quaffable light ale weighing in at about 4.2% and it's a vast improvement on the kits I've been using so far. Straight forward Crystal Malt with two hops (Fuggles and Goldings) has prduced an ale I'd be happy to purchase in a pub and I'd probably demolish several pints of the stuff. So even though it's not fully cleared yet a small tastter has proved I can brew from scratch. Once Nodders gets up here in a couple of weeks time for Blackpool and Camelot I'll be able to get a considered opinion. BlueBuzzards "Thirst" Ale. (Oh and my new puddy is there too!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba83 Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 ^ Congratulations Juggler. I wish I could try some! It will be interesting to hear what Nodders thinks though, since it is usually hard to judge your own labors without being a little biased. I know whenever I cook a meal it tastes better than my mom's cooking to me, but I am pretty certain I am not a better cook, I just appreciate the food more because I cooked it. Last night I went over to my Uncles and tried some more beers he bought from our last BevMo run. You can tell by smelling it that this is going to taste a bit different. And by god, it tastes VERY different than any stout I've had to date. I would have to say the predominant flavor is black licorice, which is cool with me. As it warms, it gets a little less bitey/sour/intense, which works to its benefit. Overall quite nice after the skepticism I had. My Uncle asked me about this one in the store, to which I replied, NO IDEA. The Organic Devout Stout from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. 5.4% ABV. Uhhh, quite simply delicious. Smells hoppy, and tastes hoppy, you definitely get some juicy grapefruit flavor in there. The hoppiest amber I've tried, and also the best, because after the hop kick, it's nice and sweet. Anderson Valley Brewing Company's Boont Amber Ale. 5.8% ABV. I like me their Oatmeal Stout and Hop Ottin IPA, let's give this a whirl! As for my Uncle, he liked it a lot. Especially once it warmed up a bit. I guess doppelbock loving is just in our blood. Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock. Weighing in at 7.9% It's just a good old Doppelbock that tastes, like a doppelbock, go figure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugged One Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 ^ Aren't beer nights the best? On Friday, Derek and I had our first one in awhile. And maybe the last one with him as a solo visitor? Let's see what we got into. Just tons of vanilla in the nose. Lots more vanilla and huge sweet caramel notes in the taste. Derek likened it to a dessert beer. The bourbon oakiness (and balance in general) really came through as it warmed up. Just a great way to end the night! Finally, the best for last. From New Holland Brewing in Holland, MI, the Dragon's Milk. An American Strong Ale barrel aged in oak. Wow, just a lot going on with this one. Belgian yeastiness, raisens, licorice, cocoa, coffee. The kitchen sink. A nicely done brew. I really liked the disclaimer on their "Extreme" sereis of beers. Something new from my recent trip up to Vermont. The Rock Art Infusco. A Belgian Strong Ale. Of course, we're going to have to bust out the Nor Cal Bubba Faces for this one! Ah, more Lagunitas. The Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. A Double Amber/IPA that was big on hops but even bigger on malty sweetness. Which means, yes, it's old. But old Gumballhead is still better than a lot of other Wheat Beers out there. Still plenty bitter but lacked the juicy, hoppiness of a fresh batch. Next up, probably our last time to drink Gumballhead out of a bomber. It was recently released this year in 6-packs. Not bad. Plenty of fruity and spicy notes but lacked the sweetness that we've found with most Saisons. First up, a new offering from Weyerbacher. Their Muse Farmhouse Ale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Well I've still been drinking but haven't had the camera ready much.. so tonight I made sure to take a few pics. Last night was fun, went to Taco Mac and had a Paulaner Hefe and a St. Bernadus Abt 12 on tap, and then Rogue American Amber and Avery IPA (BOOO!) in the bottle. Needless to say I sure as hell wasn't driving last night! I wanted to give Derek a shout-out but their HopDevil keg was empty =( Anyways, onto tonight, where I kept it local It's just so yummy! At least I have my computer working ok again so hopefully I'll be able to do more beer thread updates in the future! Next up, my beloved Terrapin Rye Pale Ale. This is the beer I could drink all day, and I show my love by licking it. Even headless penguin wanted in on the Terrapin evening Without the overpowering hops, this one goes down smooth and doesn't stick on the tongue forever. ah, now there is an IPA I can appreciate First up: Terrapin's Big Hoppy Monster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugged One Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Some more pics. This time from Saturday evening. I finish up with the latest seasonal, the Kipona Fest, which just went on tap the night before. This is a German Marzen style that's named for the annual Kipona celebration that takes place over Labor Day in Harrisburg. A little early for a Marzen allready? Nah! Soon I'll have one hanging up there. Seriously, unlike a certain other chain of establishments northeast of here, this one's mug club neither cost's an arm and a leg to join nor requires you to spend a third of your annual salary at the place in order to earn the privelage of renewing each year. In other words, they actually respect the Mugger here! So I decided to bite the bullet and apply for a mug during this year's open enrollment. I figure since I work just down the street, I'll have plenty of opportunites to stop by. Not too be outdone, the Gettysburg location has recently contributed a potent concoction of their own. The Triplocity Belgian Triple. Very nice! Kim shows off the new Framboise Lambic that was just brewed over at the Camp Hill location. Wow, it even look's like they are going to be starting up a Brewmaster's Lambic Series. Sweet! This one was very good. Definitely on the sour side. Wow, check that list out! I think that this is definitely the most I've seen on at one time from these guys. 6 staple beers. 4 seasonals. An oak aged. One on the hand pump. And guest brews from the other 2 brewpubs. Just another reason why I've been really supporting these guys lately. Nothing but improvements! Back at the Harrisburg ABC. Gee it must be summer. Check out all the bug splatters on the sign! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 After leaving Heath's on Saturday morning, it was off to Norristown to pick up some very important beers, but I figured I'd take someone along for the ride. I really enjoy this one. Though it's very tart and sour, it has a really nice lemon taste with just the right amount of peaches thrown in to the mix and when I got home later that evening, enjoying some Dogfish Head Festina Peche Sunday it was back down to the bar for more Phoenix and to end the night, figured I'd get the credit while it's free, Miller Chill, a limey lager. Actually it wasn't half bad, better than the Mexican beers that you need to add lime to, or the others like Tequiza. Good flavor, low in abv, and nice for summer sessioning More Phoenix for me! Tom and Jake were pretty impressed with it. Used to nothing but Miller Lite, a sip literally blew Nick's shirt off! Though I would partake in some Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout I just stuck with Phoenix for the rest of the night though, for the most part Tom kept trying stuff I brought for him, like the Bell's Java Stout, which he liked better than the Founders! Phoenix!!! So what was our keg purchase? Why Sly Fox's Phoenix Pale Ale of course, gotta support local! Why yes it could be, and it is! Sadly, there ain't no chance of getting sixtels of this yet around here. One of the top 5 beers in the world, and darn good stuff! Nope, not Heresy, they were out of it. But could this possibly be Founder's Kentucky Breakfast Stout?? It's really dark, bourbon aged, and Tom digs it. Possibly Heresy? With the Sunshine Pils gone, we quickly ran down to Tanzo's to pick up another sixtel of beer, but what did we get? Followed that up with some Hoegaarden White Ale, also on tap. Tom's got great stuff on tap always! Back at Tom's house, I managed to get the last of the Troeg's Sunshine Pils before it kicked. Score! On the way back to Allentown, we stopped off at Shangy's, but decided we spent enough money on beer for one day. Plus there you have to buy everything in cases, stupid PA! Tom may look drunk, but he's really just enjoying the Atwater Vanilla Java Porter on tap, all the way from Detroit while still daydreaming about the 6pack shop in the back and their wonderful assortment. Lots of vanilla character in the porter, he even grabbed a bottle to take home. I went with East End's Kvass Ale, a beer brewed with the help of Tom Baker of Heavyweight fame. This beer was kinda sour and very bready. I'll save the pickups as a mystery, but while down here, we couldn't pass up some awesome burgers and brews on tap But this time I brought a Capone's virgin with me, Tom, still alive and kickin! Back to Capone's to hit up the 6pack shop for some really awesome stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba83 Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Haha, nice one. I liked the Undercover Investigation Ale too. The story behind it is funny as well. Also, I've never seen that Cappucino Stout by Lagunitas. Pretty cool though. I just kept it nice and light last night with a Pilsener. This was a good Pils. It wasn't knocking my socks off, but I didn't expect it to. It's very clean and effervescent with some nice dry bite. Farmhouse Brewing's Hayloft Pils, from Gilroy, California, the garlic capital of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 with my internet now working right and a trip to one of my local beer stores today, I HAD to do a beer thread update. So enjoy my first Saison with me... However, no matter how many of these Belgians I have, and even at a relatively "weak" 7.7%, 750mils of this stuff tends to make me a little sleepy! Thanks for reading, and man, that last sip was something else... When held near the light, the light color comes out a bit better in the pictures. The beer had a great aroma with a very dynamic (and good!!) taste Though not quite a Duvel head, that is one very pretty beer This beer screams HI NICOLE! Named after Father Hennepin, the Belgian dude who discovered Niagara Falls, this brew from Cooperstown's Ommegang was my first Saison, and my first from the American arm of Duvel YES! A box o' fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugged One Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Back to one of my favorite summer brews tonight. Perfect for sipping on a sultry summer night. Mmmmm. Bell's Oberon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Here was the selection from the Beer garden @ the OC Fair. I had a Wailua Wheat from Kona and a Drop Top Amber Ale from Widmer. The beer selection @ the OC Fair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Oh man, do I miss Oberon.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Last night I decided to try a beer I kept passing on before, but it's fairly close to the Top 100 list, just falling short now, Hair of the Dog's Fred, a barleywine. Very impressive at 10% and very complex in taste, figs, pineapple, citrus, pine, cherry, raisins, caramel, maple syrup, and spices make it extremely satisfying for a barleywine All the way from Portland, Oregon comes Fred, Hair of the Dog's barleywine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba83 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 ^^^ Oberon looks pretty awesome, and I really like that serving glass! I had another Lagunitas Sonoma Farmhouse series last night, I guess I was hoping it would be as good as the first Sonoma Farmhouse I had, the Hop Stoopid Ale. I could smell this beer all day long. It smells amazing. The actual taste is just an extension of the smell. Hello again old buddy! I can't thank Derek and Heath enough for telling me which IPAs to try. I simply love Racer 5. Okay, so, basically all the flavors of a nice Saison are there, but they just aren't bold enough. Also, feels a little watery towards the end. I still enjoyed it, just wasn't a great Saison. But to be honest, what could really beat Hop Stoopid? Well, here it is... Lagunitas Sasion Style Ale. ABV 6.0% Appearance was nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Another something new tonight that I picked up at Capone's (nope, not one of the reasons why I went there, those are saved for the next episode of "Drinking With Heath and Derek"). I know the other brewery in the town brews some pretty good stuff, hopefully the other one does as well. That said, let's try something from Fort Collins Brewing all the way from Colorado. And let's also hope that by this stuff showing up here, New Belgium's goods won't be too far behind in distributing to me; then Matt will have NOTHING on me! another excellent beer from Troegs. Looking forward to their next in the Scratch series, available soon hopefully! Time to follow it up with some Troeg's Scratch #2, a hoppy porter Not as hoppy as I was expecting, but still pretty good. Lots of burnt toffee, caramel, and earthy flavors with some pine Retro Red, a red ale from Fort Collins. What's up with the town of Fort Collins and using old child transportation on their beer labels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugged One Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Being the last day of July, I figured that this was my last chance to drink anything in celebration of Christmas in July at the house. So I decided to drink what I had originally planned last Wednesday. I can't believe something from Pizza Port stuck around in the beer fridge this long... Holy cherries! That coupled with a pretty hot alcohol finish, made for something that tasted kind of similar to Robitussin. I hate Robitussin. I lived thogh. The Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper. An Imperial Stout they brew once a year in celebration of the holidays. BTW, this has to be one of my favorite bottle labels of all time. Interesting. Definitely a tale of two beers. When first poured, it's a lot like other typical Imperial Stouts. Chocolate, tons of coffee in the finish. Maybe even a little licorice taste. After warming up for awhile though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba83 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Last nights beer of choice was another amber, and my second offering from Ballast Point down in San Diego. This stuff knocks my socks off everytime. It's quite rich and strong. Another bottle of North Coast Brewing's Old Stock Ale. It starts out with a really nice full body of malty goodness, and slowly fades into a leafy cascade hop flavor. The last two ambers I've had have been magnificent! Ballast Point's Calico Amber Ale. 5.0% ABV. I like all the different kinds of fish on their labels. Mmm, drank this while eating a baked potato! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 ... aw, who am I kidding? It was great! It started out as a good beer and the lingering taste has made it a great one. I am very satisfied and I can't wait to try the well-loved quadrupel from these guys! but... the face tells everything. I just didn't like it. Sorry. time to taste it.. oh this one was just as complex as the rest. Went down smooth with a good dosage of malts, a little alcohol, and even what seems to be a teeny tiny bit of coffee (but not enough to offend my taste buds). Here is my attempt at a "Bubba face", is this acceptable? well it definitely looks good! Tonight's brew once again comes from Belgium, the Trappistes Rochefort 8, a strong dark ale from the company better known for their "10" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Wow, I just downloaded pics from my camera. I have a week or two worth of beer pics! Eeek. First up, was Sieben's. According to the beer buyer for the local establishment, it's the only true pilsner made in the US. I can see why. It sucked. Oh how I love you! Back to one of my favorite summer brews. Berghoff's Soltice. Meh. Nothing in this gets me excited. A Poopy Pilsner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugged One Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 ^Remember Matt. It's OK to love your beer. Just don't "love" your beer. Know what I'm saying...? Medium to light body with a strongly sweet and fruity taste and some light hoppiness thrown in the mix for good measure. Pretty quaffable stuff! The Brooklyn Summer Ale. An English Pale Ale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Just drinking some old favorites tonight. Definitely my favorite of the Dortmunders out there The very tastey and drinkable Dortmunder Gold Yeah, definitely still a favorite, tried and true Starting out with the HopDevil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Zingo- Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Being someone who likes to try different brews, I figured it was time I posted in here. I'm a big fan of Hefe-Weisen's myself but after trying my 1st IPA tonight, I'm looking forward to trying more. As a side note, I learned that being short and fat can make self photos difficult. It's the 1st IPA I've tried so I have nothing to judge it against. Having said that I really liked it and will definately be trying more. Next up - an Avery IPA While the label says both Hefe-Weisen and Wheat Ale, it's definately a wheat ale in my book. I thought it was great and at $6.99 a six-pack I'll definately being having more of these. First up tonight - Flying Dog's In-Heat Wheat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 ^Nice choices, welcome to the thread. Today was another scorcher of a day, so I started off with something nice and refreshing before trying something I'm pretty certain I had before, way back when I first started going to brewpubs but never documented it at the time. Pretty average oatmeal stout. Good flavors of roasted malts and coffee, but the taste died pretty quickly and the beer was fairly thin. Worth a try though Next up, the Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout, something I'm pretty sure I tried out at Breckenridge's Denver brewpub in 2003 Ahhhh! That really hits the spot, an excellent mixture of citrus and pine hops and quite easy to drink, although it is 6%abv Starting off on this hot summer day with some 60 Minute IPA from good old Dogfish Head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrock23 Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 This is an older picture, but I thought I'd throw it in anyway. I'm about to enjoy a Sam Adams summer ale at the hotel here on the first night of the midwest trip, but that photo will have to wait a day. Dead Guy Ale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
65skylark Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Store was out of Drop Top so I had to settle with Fat Tire. Hey Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugged One Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Mmmm. Founders. Guess what? It's still fantastic! Pours pitch black with just tons of burnt chocolate/coffee rye taste and a nice hoppiness. Kind of like an Imperial Stout mixed with an IPA. These guys just don't dissapoint! The Founders Black Rye. I had this on tap in Boston back in February and absolutely loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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