Stouts

Getting ready to keg my first ever batch of breakfast stout--hopefully it tastes as good as it smells. I used chocolate malt, coffee, and something else as per the dude's recipe at Paradise Brewing Supply store down on Beachmont Ave. I was really excited to try my beer until I heard about Founders Canadian Imperial Breakfast Stout... apparently they age this stuff in barrels once used for maple syrup and then again used for bourbon... that is insane. Not making this up... 750 ml bottles are going for $60 on eBay. So it goes without saying that I'll never try this beer.

Outliers...

Do you consider yourself to be a beer connoiseur? In the book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell claims that to be a true expert in anything you need 10,000 hours of experience... so lets say that on average (and for convenience sake) it takes an hour to drink a beer. If we assume that the average American drinks 200 beers a year that means it would take 50 years to become an expert. Gotta say that it wont do me much good to become an expert when I'm 71. So because my goal is to become an expert by 30, I'm going to drink a whole helluva lot of Stone craft beers because, well, that aint a bad place to start.

Deals Deals Deals!

Jungle Jim's is where it's at... but you'd better hurry. At last check there were ~60 twelve packs of Saranac's Summer Ale sampler going to $7. These are just really good, classic, beers (get over the idea that they are summer beers) there are two of each: heiffeweissen, kolsch, pale ale, IPA, Belgian white, and a terrific summer ale. You'd better go on your lunch break because I don't think they will last much longer. If you miss that deal they also have marked down twelve packs of Warsteiner's "Dunkel" and "Premium" for $11, that aint half bad folks.

Red Ales...

Red ales this week Mobsters. Great Lakes does a really nice imperial red ale called Nosferatu. It's bold, rich, relatively high ABV, and a bit hoppy. It may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy red ales or if looking for a good seasonal it’s worth a shot... and I can't resist is the obligatory pun, it's got some bite! If you remember, I was out north of San Francisco a few weeks ago and hit up several brewpubs. One that I simply had to visit was Bear Republic. I'm big on everything they do and especially their highly praised "Red Rocket Ale." Drink one for Cincy's own Red Rocket on Sunday hopefully you won't need many more to make it through the game...

Two Brews

Picked up a Nosferatu by Great Lakes Brewing Co. This Imperial Red Ale is bold, rich, relatively high ABV, and a bit hoppy. It may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy red ales or if you're looking to broaden your horizons it’s worth a shot and I can't resist is the obligatory pun: it's got some bite!

If you are "price sensitive" beer consumer, then I have beer for you! For $1.27 pick up a 24 oz can of 12% ABV EARTHQUAKE at the local carry out. EQ works well in a brown paper bag and is gauranteed to taste like nothing you've ever tried before! Furthermore, this brew helped propel our coed softball team to a 2-8 record and a Consolation Round 2nd place trophy. Check out the stellar reviews on BA: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/782/51067

Great Brown Ales!

Now (like most other times of the year…) is a great time to imbibe. Here are two brown ales that exemplify that point: Dogfish Head, Punkin (technically a brown ale) and Avery’s, Ellie’s Brown Ale.
I try to get my hands on everything DFH brews. “Punkin,” is spiced with nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar and it’s not crazy over-the-top pumpkin-y. At 7% ABV it’s worth the $10 for a 4 pack. It’s hard to find but try my favorite spot in Kenwood, the Root Cellar.
If you’re looking for a more traditional brown ale that’s a bit easier on the wallet check out Avery’s (it’s the one with the black labrador on the label). It has a nice roasty quality with hints of chocolate, nuts, and caramel. It doesn’t get any better than relaxing with one of these on a nice cool evening.

Oktober Madness in September

So much going on this week, Brewsters.

First, BIG NEWS: Yeungling to the Nati by November! Hopefully such accessability won't kill the allure of their brand.

Are you going to Oktoberfest this weekend? If you don't have a problem with large (drunk) crowds then you know it's a good time. I wonder if Joe Morgan will be flapping both arms and not just his left one during the chicken dance...

On another note, I may boycott the whole damn thing because they excluded the best brewery in town; the folks at Mt Carmel were told there was not a slot available for them this year. Anyone else want to start a petition?

Finally, a suggestion for those of you scowering the shelves for a new Oktoberfest brew. Try Brooklyn's O-fest it's the best I've had this year.