What Was the Last Beer You Drank?

[DerekRx]

Just another Saturday for BACT X (Beer and Coaster Team Extreme). What started out as a "let's check this place out" quickly transformed into a "hey, this place is on our way back" type of day.

Where I chose to finish my night with some Midnight Wit. Nice and wheaty

Heath was all about the Hedonism Red. Nice and hoppy

And they've got more Legacy on tap than they did last night too!

I was here last night, but not with Heath, so since it was "on the way" from nearby Beer Mart, we stopped by

While Heath went with the Left Hand Snowbound, formerly the XXX-mas

Freshly tapped was the Abita Christmas ale. Kinda mild, but its my 11th beer of Christmas!

For our friends living in Chicago, this is what a bottle of Bell's Hopslam looks like. But we got it on tap

We'd like to think we played a part in this

mmm, Lindeman's Pomme on tap. This place rules!

Since we were Kimless, we needed some nachos to help us stay coherant

Just a tidbit, TDR had 40 kegs of Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale! The 2nd biggest place to have it only topped by Sierra Nevada itsself! And they've still got it, Adam!

So the Bell's Hopslam was definitely the first order of business

Compared to Spring House, this place was our Mecca. Here's our Hopslam and some other newbies just freshly tapped.

Since it was on the way home, we figured we'd conquer both Drafting Rooms in the same afternoon

and I finally could taste hints of juniper in the Juniper Pale Ale from Rogue

As I figured, they didn't have it. But Heath made due with the Thomas Hooker Hop Meadow

Up next, Spring House's Drafting Room for some Bell's Hopslam double IPA

Definitely went nicely with the flame broiled burgers they served us

And in the attached restaurant, they've got some good stuff on tap too, like Russian River Pliny the Elder

Everything from Founders, to Bells, to Alesmith, to Great Lakes, to Victory and more, its all there

Capone's in Norristown was our first stop, as they're supposed to have a really good selection of bottles to go. (and they do!)

[Rugged One]

After being out of drinking commission for a few days last week thanks to a little bit of pnuemonia, Derek got me back on track with our trip yesterday.

 

Let's finally start to finish this thing off with the 11th Beer of Christmas:

The Pere Noel, a rather nicely spiced and mildly hoppy Belgium Christmas Ale.

[PhishyBrewer]

^^Yeah... you guys really need to Kim around to look after you guys.

[DerekRx]

^If Kim had been there, we definitely would have appreciated her most at TDR Exton, with plenty of awesome stuff on tap we'd love to try, as well as some good bottles.

 

So here it is, Christmas Eve, time to finish up the 12 beers of Christmas, and just generally have a good time trying to avoid the family.

Good and piney. Hoppy holidays everyone!

And we'll finish the night with some Sierra Nevada Celebration circa 2005

A much better Christmas beer, nice and holiday-like with its cherries, spices, and pine

In true celebration format, next up was the 2006 Our Special Ale from Anchor

It was a nut brown, nothing too amazing, then again, neither is Christmas really

Next up, the 12th beer of Christmas, the Warm Welcome Nut Brown.

If you don't like pumpkin pie, there's something wrong with you. Plus this one's all alcoholy

First up, the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin. Nothing wrong with some pumpkin pie every now and again

[Rugged One]

Nothing says Christmas like getting up at 9 am, putting Elf on the TV, and breaking out the 12th Beer of Christmas...

 

And all I can say is SANTA'S BUTT TASTES AWESOME!

 

OK, actually it wasn't very good but how often do you get to say that?

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Hoppy Heathfaces everyone!

The 12th and final Beer of Christmas. The Ridgeway Santa's Butt winter porter. Unfortunately, being too watery and lacking much taste, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

[DerekRx]

Tis Christmas night, and here's all the festive beerousness I had today.

Not as good as fresh from the tap, but still a great way to end a 3 day weekend!

Finally, some Stone IPA, since I couldn't actually be out there today for all their awesome stuff

Good stuff, so easy to drink!

For dessert, it was all about Lindeman's Cassis (black current)

Really nice drinkable porter, with some chocolate, sugar, and hops

Went great with Boston Market meatloaf, sure beats cooking, and no clean up either!

For Christmas dinner, it was all about Three Floyd's Alpha Klaus, a porter

[Freefallbestrideever]

My God i wonder what your fridge looks like

[FlyerACE1]

Derek, that exact Boston Market meal is what I had last Friday. Gotta love the meatloaf! As for Christmas, it was all home cookin' at my parents' on Christmas Eve and my sister-in-law's on Christmas. Any way, I know I've been pretty absent from this thread lately but it's mainly because I'm too busy to post. Been to J.J. Bitting recently and drinking a beer every other evening or so. Also bought a bottle of Green Flash Imperial IPA I need to try soon! But, in wishing you all a Merry Christmas, here's something I tried while exchanging presents with Ellen on Christmas Eve...

WOW! A nice surprise. This one had some deep flavor and a nice alcohol bite. Good stuff. Merry Christmas!

Very Bad Elf. I was very disappointed in Bad Elf on tap a couple weeks back so I wasn't sure about this one.

[Rugged One]

Today, I tried something new from Derek's favorite brewery. That's right, Southern Tier!

 

The Jah*Va Imperial Coffee Stout. This was really, really, good. Lot's of coffee up front but then as it warmed, more and more traits of a good imperial stout came out, like sweet chocolate and fruits This helped somewhat balance out it's big 12% abv. Just a really nice imperial stout, with coffee to boot!

The Jah*Va Imperial Coffee Stout. Wow, this was really good. Especially for Southern Tier!

[DerekRx]

Tonight I dubbed "Jingle Bell's Night" to show some love to Bell's up in Michigan (something the poor Chicago crew can't enjoy in their fair city, HAHA).

Emphasizing more on the citrus side and less on the pine, this is nicely grapefruity and pineappley with a smooth pine needle finish

and finally, one really good IPA, the Two Hearted

Smokey, sweet, malty and hoppy all in the same sip. Really good stuff

Up next, the Hell Hath No Fury Ale, a Dark Belgian Strong Ale

Its like a shot of espresso in every sip

But with a Bell's Java Stout, I should be fine in no time!

I wanted to watch the TPR UK DVD that I got today, but I was too tired at first after work

[mcjaco]

^ Why must you keep rubbing the loss of Bell's in my face?

[niiicolaaah]

^At least he's not rubbing anything else of his in your face.

[DerekRx]

Tonight Nicole came into town again (finally!) and since I had to go get her during evil Philadelphia rush hour traffic, I thought we'd unwind a bit before driving home. Nice Iron Hill was in the area, I thought we could stop by there and give the place a second try, since I didn't really care for the beer the last time. Much better this time around.

And then we swung by the Drafting Room on the way home, but it was too crowded. They did have Sierra Nevada Harvest on still, and Lindeman's Peche

Next stop, the Beer Yard. Sadly, no Reaper ales for us

Iron Hill was much better this time, probably from the lack of smoke in the nonsmoking section and really good food

And Nicole went with the fajita southwest chicken salad

As well as Asian Crab and Shitake

For dinner I had the trio of soups, Seafood bisque, apple and butternut squash, and chicken gumbo

Even Nicole got in on the action with a Raspberry Wheat

For me it was the Holiday Ale, a double IPA. This was actually really tasty, sweet like the DFH 90 minute, but not as alcoholic

Back in Media for another attempt at Iron Hill goodness

[Rugged One]

Now, now Derek, there will be no more rubbing of Matt's face in the fact that he can't get Bells in his area. Can't you see that the poor guy has had enough?

 

Anyway, tonight I tried one of the top Imperial Stouts in the world. The Bells Expedition Stout and it definitley delivered. Poured a inky oily black that tasted of chocolate, coffee, I think some cherries, and lots of other fantastic stuff that I couldn't even pinpoint. Lots of really subtle hops as well, that are still tingling in my mouth as I write this. Just a fantastic, fantastic imperial stout.

The Bells Expedition Stout. OK, maybe we can rub it in Matt's face a little more.

[PhishyBrewer]

Is Nicole a furry? It looks like she has a tail!

 

[SharkTums]

Derek!!!

 

You got the SOUP EXPERIENCE!!!!

 

Robb will be so proud!

[mcjaco]

Now, now Derek, there will be no more rubbing of Matt's face in the fact that he can't get Bells in his area. Can't you see that the poor guy has had enough?

 

Anyway, tonight I tried one of the top Imperial Stouts in the world. The Bells Expedition Stout and it definitley delivered. Poured a inky oily black that tasted of chocolate, coffee, I think some cherries, and lots of other fantastic stuff that I couldn't even pinpoint. Lots of really subtle hops as well, that are still tingling in my mouth as I write this. Just a fantastic, fantastic imperial stout.

 

You know, just as I thought Heath was coming to my rescue, he kicks me in nuts....thanks guys!

[DerekRx]

^Yeah, that was pretty awesome of Heath! and BTW, you should have seen all the Bell's stuff at the Beer Yard. If I didn't already have most of it at home and running out of room for more, I would have totally picked up some stuff!

[mcjaco]

Hardy, har, har.

 

I guess I better run out and get some more Fat Tire or, run down to Three Floyds for a tour. Two, or three, can play at this game!

[Meteornotes]

Troeg's Mad Elf for lunch, along with BBQ chicken. Damn tasty!

 

We have also consumed an awesome bottle of red wine that Mary brought back from her last France trip, and I'm sure I'll be getting a margarita with dinner at The Blue Point tonight (amazing restaurant in the Outer Banks).

 

dt

[DerekRx]

Tonight I decided to have some more rare stuff I managed to find around me. And to top it all off, I reached my goal for the year, to have a larger beer count than a coaster count. Easy enough to do...unless your coaster count is pretty darn high!

Kind of watery, but it had a good hoppy finish

And finally, the night ended with some Wild Goose IPA, different beer #645 for me

loaded with cherry flavor

Next, Nicole and I enjoyed a Redbach together

Really good stuff, excellent flavor

First up, Founder's Centennial IPA, from one of the best breweries out there, in Grand Rapids, Michigan

[Rugged One]

^From the look on Nicole's face, I'd say that she's thinking this beer thing might not be so bad afterall. Redbach will do that.

 

Went with the Rogue Morimoto Hazelnut Nut Brown Ale tonight. I initially had some concerns about the age of this bottle (seeing as how the name and bottle for this beer has since changed) but the taste still seemed allright.

The Rogue Morimoto Hazelnut. Nice hazelnut aroma with lots of sweetness upfront that blends nicely into a slightly bitter nuttiness. Decent stuff.

[niiicolaaah]

^From the look on Nicole's face, I'd say that she's thinking this beer thing might not be so bad afterall. Redbach will do that.

 

I was just reacting to Hoppy's flirting with me. Notice in that pic, the hopdevil on Derek's glass is facing me.

[Rugged One]

I guess I better run out and get some more Fat Tire or, run down to Three Floyds for a tour. Two, or three, can play at this game!

 

I know that if you posted a Goose Island Bourban County Stout, I'd be most jealous!

 

Time to get into more from Southern Tier. After the fantastic Jah-Va Stout, would they continue to impress me or is Derek correct in his wariness of the Tier?

The Southern Tier IPA. Unfortunately kind of blah. Sure it's got hops but that's about it for this rather watery and bland IPA.

[DerekRx]

^Heath, you should know better than to doubt my judgement. You've tried the Unearthly IPA and how horrid that thing was! For doubting me, you're on super secret double BACT probation. First round is on you next time!

 

Tonight Nicole and I went out for dinner. While I haven't been to the Works in over a year, I'm glad we went back. The food got much better and a different menu to boot. Of course, that also included the beer menu, which now contains Anchor Liberty Ale and Franziskaner Hefe on draft! I went with the latter.

Very cider like, but still sweet and beerific

Back home, it was all about the Lindeman's Pomme, which is apple for you non Belgians

But her and her furriness is all about the Alabama Slammer

Nicole isn't so much into the wheat beer thing yet apparently, and blows off the Franz

Franziskaner on tap, Ellen would be proud