I didn't mean to forget about you!

For whatever reason, and I can't really blame this on anyone but myself and sheer laziness, I haven't been posting. Maybe it was because there were all kinds of cask and free glassware nights, maybe it's because I was too busy drinking beer instead of writing about it, but probably because I've spent very little time on the interwebs doing beer related things. Simple nerdery has kept me a bit occupied...but I'll never tell!

So, because the most wonderful time of the year has passed, and to be real, there weren't very many winter ales I tasted this December that totally impressed me, this post will cover the brews that have touched me as of late, or at least, since my last post.



Brown Shugga by Lagunitas in Petaluma, California. According to their website, this beer was originally supposed to be their Olde Gnarly Wine that somehow received too much brown sugar. That said, sugar equals higher alcohol content, and that's very obvious in this brew. Sweet labeling aside, this beer is both hoppy and sweet. Typically I don't care for sweet drinks, booze content or not, but I like how this American strong ale starts off with a nice hoppy tang and ends with a sweeter note. Neither end of the spectrum is too overwhelming with this one.



Old Man Winter Ale by Souther Tier of New York. Nearly 8% ABV but doesn't really feel or taste like a high gravity beer. There's also nothing about this old ale that says Merry Christmas if you ask me, but the hop varietals and barley used def provide the warmth you may be looking for in this very cold winter upon us (yes, guys, it snowed in Florida today). If I wasn't such a lush I would have put some away for next year as Southern Tier suggests, but, where's the fun in that?



Homegrown Ale Estate by Sierra Nevada of Chico, California. An organic American IPA that the hippy within me just had to try. Being a gardener I was totally drawn to this beer that was created with hops and barley grown organically on the brewery's property. Growing your own ingredients means that you can control exactly how you want your beer to taste, and I found this brew very drinkable and an excellent example of what we can do here in the good ol' U.S. of A. A bit citrusy and smooth as well as highly complex as it warms in the glass. The wax seal is a nice touch too. Try this as soon as you can get your hands on it, guys, you won't be disappointed.

Proof events, beer, and other things

So, the cask night on Wednesday was canceled at the last minute, but I made it out there and stayed at the bar anyway...it was Kill The Kegs, and I was more than happy drinking 2 and 3 dollar beers.

But, what IS happening tonight at Proof:

@ 8 pm Bluepoint Brewing launch party and glassware giveaway! Meet both the owner and Brewmaster tonight as the Long Island company makes it's debut in North Florida.

October 29th: @ 8 pm; Victory Hopdevil India Pale Ale cask ale night and glassware giveaway. That's what the title says, but the info states that it's a cask of Hop-Wallop. I guess we'll see just which one it is.

October 30th: @ 8 pm; Proof's second birthday/Tallahassee Brewfest after party/Halloween party. Horror movies on the big screen, killer specials, treats and a costume contest for bar tabs.

And, don't forget Tallahassee Brewfest @ the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum from 5-9 pm. Tickets are $29.99/$99 for VIP.

Now, with all that out of the way, ON TO THE BEER!



IPA by Lagunitas Brewing in Petaluma, California. This India Pale Ale is Lagunitas' flagship beer and brewed with 43 different hops and 65 various malts. Such a mixture leaves you with a very well balanced beer that's slightly more malty than hoppy, but don't you dare expect this to be anything other than an IPA. This is the perfect starter IPA for those who have little experience with more bitter beers or those who generally turn their noses up at hop intensive brews.

It wouldn't take long to convince someone to love this beer.

Had this at Fermentation Lounge.



Torpedo extra or double IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing in Chico, California. You kind of already need a little hair on your chest to drink this. In fact, it's hardcore hoppiness is almost too much for even I to bare, but it's ability to titter on the cusp is why I love it. It's Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale's bad ass older brother. Very heavy, very herbal in flavor due to the whole cone American hops used in the dry hopping process, but very enjoyable. It takes some time to get this one down, but that's ok considering it's over 7%.

Bought this for a day with my old roommate Matt and also had this at Fermentation Lounge.



Two Hearted Ale by Bell's Brewing in Comstock, Michigan. An India Pale Ale and another 7%-er, this brew is made exclusively with American Centennial hops from the Pac Northwest which gives it i nice pine aroma and bitter citrus flavor. But don't worry, there's a ton of malts also to balance it out. It's crisp and bitter yet smooth and quickly reminds me of why i can't live my life with Budlight.

Had this for the first time at Fermentation Lounge