Tonight @ Proof; 8 pm Victory cask. Tomorrow night's Stone cask night has been canceled due to shipping problems and rescheduled for sometime in early November. Proof's website doesn't have the Victory announcement on it, but I spied it with my peepers on the liquor store chalk board a few nights ago.
Also up coming at Proof:
October 26th @ 8 pm: Bluepoint Brewery Launch Party! Both the owner and Brewmaster will be there, and even though I've never tried their beer, apparently "good things come in small batches". We'll see what this Long Island Brewery has to offer to North Florida.
So will it be the pale ale, IPA, summer or winter ales, or the lager?
October 30th @ 8 pm: Proof's second birthday/Halloween/Brewfest after party. Scary movies on the big screen, costume contest, and specials are afoot.
And don't forget about the Tallahassee Brewfest October 30th @ the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum. Tickets on sale for $29.99/$99 for VIP.
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Southern Tier, round duex
So here are a few more from Souther Tier in Lakewood, New York.
iniquity, “the antithesis of unearthly”. An Imperial India black ale brewed year round and sits at almost 9% ABV. Don't be fooled by the color of this beer, just because it's black as night doesn't mean it's going to be anything like a stout. IBA's, and especially this one, have all the bold flavors you'd expect from a stout, but lacking in the same texture. Big and hoppy like an IPA should be, this brew is very impressively different from anything else I've ever had.
Another great black beer to try is the Brazilian made Xingu.
It some how holds a strangeness about it that can only be described as being half way between beer and South American, real cane sugar, Coca-Cola. It took about half a beer to decide if I liked it or not, to be honest, simply because I felt like my pallet was being accosted. How dare they confuse me.
Anyway, back to Southern Tier.
Pumking, "brewed with pagan spirit". Imperial Pumpkin Ale released in August and made for the fall. It's a strong boy at 8.8%. I feel like I can forgive this the sell out, pumpkin, stereotypical, fall brew...everyone makes a pumpkin ale for October...for sake of the Harvest ESB. On a different note this is one of the few pumpkin brews I've had that takes the whole of the Thanksgiving concept. Aside from the high gravity tang, each sip gives you a little brown sugar, a little graham cracker, and a pumpkin pie feeling without actually, physically tasting too much like a pie. It's worth trying, but I suggest finding a place with this beer on tap, otherwise it only comes in boomer 22 oz. bottles.
Creme Brulee, "a stout of great contention". An Imperial milk stout that rings in at almost 10% ABV and released only for the summer. One would think it'd do better in the fall and winter months because it is a stout at the end of the day, but the added milkiness of it makes it easy to drink in the heat. This easily a dessert beer, as silly as that may sound to some. It's sweetness over rides the hoppiness of this beer, and I can really only handle three ounces or so. It truly tastes like a fine French dessert, and if you're into beer that tastes like food, go for it.
I'm a firm believer that fruit and food flavors have no business in beer, but that's just a personal philosophy.
As for what's next? I'm excited to try:
Krampus, "are you naughty or nice?". Imperial Helles Lager that'll be available next month.
iniquity, “the antithesis of unearthly”. An Imperial India black ale brewed year round and sits at almost 9% ABV. Don't be fooled by the color of this beer, just because it's black as night doesn't mean it's going to be anything like a stout. IBA's, and especially this one, have all the bold flavors you'd expect from a stout, but lacking in the same texture. Big and hoppy like an IPA should be, this brew is very impressively different from anything else I've ever had.
Another great black beer to try is the Brazilian made Xingu.
It some how holds a strangeness about it that can only be described as being half way between beer and South American, real cane sugar, Coca-Cola. It took about half a beer to decide if I liked it or not, to be honest, simply because I felt like my pallet was being accosted. How dare they confuse me.
Anyway, back to Southern Tier.
Pumking, "brewed with pagan spirit". Imperial Pumpkin Ale released in August and made for the fall. It's a strong boy at 8.8%. I feel like I can forgive this the sell out, pumpkin, stereotypical, fall brew...everyone makes a pumpkin ale for October...for sake of the Harvest ESB. On a different note this is one of the few pumpkin brews I've had that takes the whole of the Thanksgiving concept. Aside from the high gravity tang, each sip gives you a little brown sugar, a little graham cracker, and a pumpkin pie feeling without actually, physically tasting too much like a pie. It's worth trying, but I suggest finding a place with this beer on tap, otherwise it only comes in boomer 22 oz. bottles.
Creme Brulee, "a stout of great contention". An Imperial milk stout that rings in at almost 10% ABV and released only for the summer. One would think it'd do better in the fall and winter months because it is a stout at the end of the day, but the added milkiness of it makes it easy to drink in the heat. This easily a dessert beer, as silly as that may sound to some. It's sweetness over rides the hoppiness of this beer, and I can really only handle three ounces or so. It truly tastes like a fine French dessert, and if you're into beer that tastes like food, go for it.
I'm a firm believer that fruit and food flavors have no business in beer, but that's just a personal philosophy.
As for what's next? I'm excited to try:
Krampus, "are you naughty or nice?". Imperial Helles Lager that'll be available next month.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Southern Tier, O! How I love thee
There's no way I could ever say I truly love a single brewery, my heart is far too fickle for such a statement, but I can easily say that I have never been disappointed by a beer from Southern Tier. So, here are a few beers I have found to be incredibly enjoyable from these folks in Lakewood, New York.
Farmer's Tan, "the hallmark of hard work". An imperial pale lager brewed only for the summer; generally released in June. This guy's a heavy hitter, ringing in an alcohol content of 9% and only distributed in boomers (22 oz. bottles) and 1/6th barrels.
Probably the strongest-in flavor and alcohol-I've ever experienced in a lager. Robust, which the paleness in color of this beer would make one think otherwise, smooth, but bitter in after taste. Very malty and sweet almost at first before the hops roundhouse kick you. If only they made this year round.
Unearthly IPA, "an uninhibited infusion of hops". Imperial India Pale Ale available year round from these guys. Be very, very careful with this brew, the 11% ABV on this one is no joke, and neither are the hops. Better on tap (of course) than in a boomer; bitter, oh so bitter on the end but pleasantly so. This beer is raw and almost dirty tasting, like a beer should taste. If herbally brews are not your bag, stay away.
Harvest, "quadrupulus humulus lupulus". An ESB, or, Extra Special Bitters, brewed for the first time this year and released for the fall. First, I'd just like to say how refreshing it is to get a fall seasonal that's not pumpkin beer, God, pumpkin beer season makes me want to shoot myself in the face. Second, the 4 hop varieties in this beer are balanced so well with just 2 malts, it's almost a wonder on how it could be an ESB. Very drinkable, guys, try it while you can.
Just a handful to name a few, more to come from my experiences with Southern Tier in my next post.
Farmer's Tan, "the hallmark of hard work". An imperial pale lager brewed only for the summer; generally released in June. This guy's a heavy hitter, ringing in an alcohol content of 9% and only distributed in boomers (22 oz. bottles) and 1/6th barrels.
Probably the strongest-in flavor and alcohol-I've ever experienced in a lager. Robust, which the paleness in color of this beer would make one think otherwise, smooth, but bitter in after taste. Very malty and sweet almost at first before the hops roundhouse kick you. If only they made this year round.
Unearthly IPA, "an uninhibited infusion of hops". Imperial India Pale Ale available year round from these guys. Be very, very careful with this brew, the 11% ABV on this one is no joke, and neither are the hops. Better on tap (of course) than in a boomer; bitter, oh so bitter on the end but pleasantly so. This beer is raw and almost dirty tasting, like a beer should taste. If herbally brews are not your bag, stay away.
Harvest, "quadrupulus humulus lupulus". An ESB, or, Extra Special Bitters, brewed for the first time this year and released for the fall. First, I'd just like to say how refreshing it is to get a fall seasonal that's not pumpkin beer, God, pumpkin beer season makes me want to shoot myself in the face. Second, the 4 hop varieties in this beer are balanced so well with just 2 malts, it's almost a wonder on how it could be an ESB. Very drinkable, guys, try it while you can.
Just a handful to name a few, more to come from my experiences with Southern Tier in my next post.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Cask Night, Brewfest and other things
Tonight @ 8 pm, Proof; Terrapin Cask Ale and pint glass giveaway.
What's in the cask, you may ask, why, none other than Big Hoppy Monster. This brew is a red ale/American amber/whatever other label you want to give it and Beeradvocate gives it an A-. It's part of their monster beer tour which includes 3 others, so my assumption is that Tallahassee was just bestowed with whatever the brewery chose for the region or something. It's a hefty boy at 8.75%, however, so be careful tonight.
Now, Georgia's come into it's own with a few great breweries around, but I can't really say that I've enjoyed the Terrapin brews that I've had. I'm more than willing to give this guy a try, especially when the bar's in walking distance from the crib. Not to mention it's become near impossible to steal a glass from that joint, so, the glass give away is a major plus.
The week of the 21st (yay, my birthday) will be the same deal but with Stone Brewery with a cask of Ruination IPA.
Also coming up at the end of the month is the 4th annual Tallahassee Brewfest at the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum. October 30th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; tickets are $29.99, VIP $99 (you basically pay triple the price to get in an hour early and 'sample' beers only for VIP members and get a cheesy t-shirt). Tickets include unlimited beer tasting and food is available, but only light weights need that. After party at Proof.
What's in the cask, you may ask, why, none other than Big Hoppy Monster. This brew is a red ale/American amber/whatever other label you want to give it and Beeradvocate gives it an A-. It's part of their monster beer tour which includes 3 others, so my assumption is that Tallahassee was just bestowed with whatever the brewery chose for the region or something. It's a hefty boy at 8.75%, however, so be careful tonight.
Now, Georgia's come into it's own with a few great breweries around, but I can't really say that I've enjoyed the Terrapin brews that I've had. I'm more than willing to give this guy a try, especially when the bar's in walking distance from the crib. Not to mention it's become near impossible to steal a glass from that joint, so, the glass give away is a major plus.
The week of the 21st (yay, my birthday) will be the same deal but with Stone Brewery with a cask of Ruination IPA.
Also coming up at the end of the month is the 4th annual Tallahassee Brewfest at the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum. October 30th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; tickets are $29.99, VIP $99 (you basically pay triple the price to get in an hour early and 'sample' beers only for VIP members and get a cheesy t-shirt). Tickets include unlimited beer tasting and food is available, but only light weights need that. After party at Proof.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Belgian Bonanza Continues
In keeping with my diary entries of the lighter, summery beers about to either be inappropriate to drink and/or off the shelves at some point, here are the rest I meant to talk about...yesterday...and perhaps even more to come, to be honest.
Before I even introduce this beer, I just want to say, there was a point where this was the only brew I'd consume when available, ha ha.
White by Allagash in Portland, Maine. Had this on draft at Proof and later in bottle at Fermentation Lounge.
Smooth, clean, crisp and yeasty at the end. It's an incredible summer beer, especially on a nasty, humid, damp, frizzy hair kind of night. The smell comes off sweet and bready with a hint of citrus and translates into the overall flavor.
An actual Belgian this time:
Duvel a Belgian, bottle conditioned, golden ale from Moortgat Brewery in Puurs Belgium. The head on this beer was so thick I could of floated a fat kid on it. Thick, creamy, and deliciously tangy.
And the last for this evening, a short brew for the summer only:
Satsuma by Abita Brewing in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Like the other fruit flavored beers I've tried from Abita, this one focuses more on the essence of the fruit, rather than cramming it down your throat. It's every bit a wit as one could be, so it's not for those who have held their dicks between their legs and ventured only into Shock Top or Blue Moon. Nice for the summer, and who doesn't love a brewery like Abita who go out of their way to help their community? Restoration, or SOS anyone?
Before I even introduce this beer, I just want to say, there was a point where this was the only brew I'd consume when available, ha ha.
White by Allagash in Portland, Maine. Had this on draft at Proof and later in bottle at Fermentation Lounge.
Smooth, clean, crisp and yeasty at the end. It's an incredible summer beer, especially on a nasty, humid, damp, frizzy hair kind of night. The smell comes off sweet and bready with a hint of citrus and translates into the overall flavor.
An actual Belgian this time:
Duvel a Belgian, bottle conditioned, golden ale from Moortgat Brewery in Puurs Belgium. The head on this beer was so thick I could of floated a fat kid on it. Thick, creamy, and deliciously tangy.
And the last for this evening, a short brew for the summer only:
Satsuma by Abita Brewing in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Like the other fruit flavored beers I've tried from Abita, this one focuses more on the essence of the fruit, rather than cramming it down your throat. It's every bit a wit as one could be, so it's not for those who have held their dicks between their legs and ventured only into Shock Top or Blue Moon. Nice for the summer, and who doesn't love a brewery like Abita who go out of their way to help their community? Restoration, or SOS anyone?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Dog Days of Summer Are Over
Ahhh, the end of summer. For those who live in a world that involves snow, I'm sure the looming idea of shovels and hand warmers is suddenly all too close, but, here in The Sunshine State, the beginning of fall only marks the end of inappropriate heat and humidity. It also marks the time of year where stouts and robust beers dominate the scene.
So, in keeping with my claim that, yes, I will be adding all of the old beers from the physical diary to this virtual one, here are a few of the lighter guys I tried back when it was too hot to sit outside and smoke a cigarette.
Helios by Victory Brewing which sits about 40 minutes outside of Philly. I was in Philly this June, and for some God awful reason, my friend didn't want to take me there (even though they had an amazing kegs and eggs deal going down for the World Cup), though she was kind enough to drive me 3 hours north to Pottsville to visit the original Yuengling Brewery.
A saison/Belgian farmhouse style brew that Beer Advocate gives a B+.
Now...I didn't shit all over myself on how awesome this beer was, not like the old boys on Ba, in fact, according to the diary, I HATED it, which is striking, because I love almost everything that utilizes Belgian Yeast. I know, I have a vagina, which some how discredits my opinion by half, since, what do women know about beer and driving automobiles? But farmhouse does more than just describe the brewing style, this beer tastes like what I'd imagine a live horse would taste like. The diary even notes that I wanted to send it back, which is something I never do.
Had this at Fermentation Lounge here in Tallahassee, Florida.
As for a saison I love:
Hennepin by Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, New York.
This beer puzzles me to no end. It's got this coriander and ginger taste and paired with Belgian yest it comes off as having a very exotic and almost fruity flavor. What's even more puzzling about it, is how it retains a light and highly drinkable weight to it while being higher in gravity then most beers at 7.7%.
Badass, in just about every way.
Had this at Stinky's Fish Camp here in Tallahassee, Fl.
R.I.P. Stinky's...I'll miss being your bartender...this is depressing me...I'll have more to post later.
So, in keeping with my claim that, yes, I will be adding all of the old beers from the physical diary to this virtual one, here are a few of the lighter guys I tried back when it was too hot to sit outside and smoke a cigarette.
Helios by Victory Brewing which sits about 40 minutes outside of Philly. I was in Philly this June, and for some God awful reason, my friend didn't want to take me there (even though they had an amazing kegs and eggs deal going down for the World Cup), though she was kind enough to drive me 3 hours north to Pottsville to visit the original Yuengling Brewery.
A saison/Belgian farmhouse style brew that Beer Advocate gives a B+.
Now...I didn't shit all over myself on how awesome this beer was, not like the old boys on Ba, in fact, according to the diary, I HATED it, which is striking, because I love almost everything that utilizes Belgian Yeast. I know, I have a vagina, which some how discredits my opinion by half, since, what do women know about beer and driving automobiles? But farmhouse does more than just describe the brewing style, this beer tastes like what I'd imagine a live horse would taste like. The diary even notes that I wanted to send it back, which is something I never do.
Had this at Fermentation Lounge here in Tallahassee, Florida.
As for a saison I love:
Hennepin by Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, New York.
This beer puzzles me to no end. It's got this coriander and ginger taste and paired with Belgian yest it comes off as having a very exotic and almost fruity flavor. What's even more puzzling about it, is how it retains a light and highly drinkable weight to it while being higher in gravity then most beers at 7.7%.
Badass, in just about every way.
Had this at Stinky's Fish Camp here in Tallahassee, Fl.
R.I.P. Stinky's...I'll miss being your bartender...this is depressing me...I'll have more to post later.
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