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

Victory Cask

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.

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.