BJ's New Seasonal

I'm sitting here drinking a Magic Hat Howl (kinda dry, chalky, a nice choco, pretty thin though, low 3 star) fantasizing about the girls from the Slate DoubleX Podcast and footdragging on my NCAA Bracket. Turns out Oasis is a new seasonal amber from BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.

Beer Log: this past Saturday
State: A little full and chilling out, chomping on their Pulled pork BBQ sandwich

Oasis Amber
Nice to see the black man is coming in with some new beer. Their Grand Cru was so awesome. Amber color and clear, no head. Toasty malt nose, which is what I like in my ambers. The beer tastes alright. Has an english muffin and light hops thng. I'm getting some lemon flavor as I keep drinking it. Moderate carbonation and smooth. High 2 Star.

The wife says this beer is meant for the masses, smart move. It will keep the lights on, but will not win you many points with the beer community.

Happy New Year from the Don

Good to be back in Houston, hanging out with the wife and child, drinking some good beer we got over the holidays. I don't know if I'll ever try all these Christmas beers. I imagine this particular category will keep going. But before I regale you with tales of San Antonio for New Years, we made our way to BJ's Brewhouse a couple days after Christmas.

Beer Log: December 27, 2008

State: Chillin, eating a cheese pizza.

Got to love the Cheese Pizza, pizza the way the good Lord intended. We have not had all the beers at BJ's yet, but I was hoping they would have a Winter Seasonal by now. But what they did have was their fall seasonal.

BJs Oktoberfest

Had this one in a 5 oz taster. Bready oktoberfest and rather malty. As with most tasters, I don't get much of a head and thus scent. Low carbonation and low hops. It's almost syrupy on the flavor but not quite, 3 Star.

Tatonka Stout

This was a full portion of this one. Black with a creamy nitro all offwhite head. For those that are not aware, they put nitrous mixed with the carbon dioxide for a lot of stout and porters on tap. It makes the head very creamy and long lasting, and it looks cool as all get out when you pour it in a glass. The head kind of folds on top of itself like that Guinness commercial. Smells like caramel, roasted malts, and coffee. The first draught reveals a smoothness with a strong malt of the Imperial style. Rich flavors of coffee and toffee. Low hops and uber drinkable. It's not very bitter but there is a hint of citrus on the aftertaste. The head coast the inside of the glass. Very full bodied. 4 Stars.

Beering in Houston: BJ's part 1

Well I finally decided to do some brewpubbing in my own durn city. We have a few beer bars with The Sauce having the best selection, but as gas prices are still kinda high, I can't pick up and drive 20 miles in town just for some brown ale. There is a national chain brewpub that is on the Northwest suburban side of town, not too far from the house.

I had not been pushing to get to this brewpub with the thought that it's a national chain which should mean it sucks right? I mean, the most publicized beers are not all that good, so a successful chain brewpub would mean that it's beer are tempered down to have some sort of mass appeal? WRONG! I will be making a trip to BJ's probably every time I go up that way for a littel golf. What's this, I have a tee time tomorrow on that side of town? Another round at BJ's after the tournament? Oh yeah.

Anyway, we got there on a Sunday afternoon and the place was packed. The wife decided to chill so I went to the bar for my first beer. Seeing as how it is so god-awful hot outside, I needed something cool and light to get things started...

Harvest Hefeweizen (draft)
Orangish-yellow, low white head with a little lace. Banana and fruit smell going on. The taste kind of reminds me of banana and bread, lightly though. It's a little sweet as well. Medium carbonation that is a little choppy, if that makes sense. But it's very refreshing. The drinkability is only moderate, so it's a little tough to get down. The mouthfeel is okay, but I like my hefs to have a touch more thickness. But it works for the heat. Great start. Didn't write a star rating in my book, so I'll try it again later.

Brewhouse Blonde (a kolsch)
got to the table and decided to stay on the cooler side of things, so I copped the kolsch. Light gold color but very clear with only a little bit of head. Very bready taste with a medium-full body. Cool and very smooth. Low-medium carbonation, but has a good nonharsh fizziness. (Eating Garlic cheese breadsticks). The food is a good compliment. You'll get more of the bitterness as it warms up slightly. This one would be great for tailgating. Probably one of the better kolsches I've ever had. 3 Stars.

PM Porter
(BBQ Chicken Pizza)
I'm trying to remember to incorporate beer and food, so I take the menu's advice and order the porter with bbq chicken. The beer is opaque and dark brown with a low tan head. Maybe slight maltiness on the nose. The beer is smooth and full bodied with low carbonation, and kind of chocolaty. This is a NICE compliment with the BBQ sauce they used for the pizza. Low hops on the aftertaste. A nice 3 star beer. As it warms, I'm getting more smoke and more bitterness. Nice.

All in all a great experience. Nice family restaurant, which is good b/c the baby was making some noise. Nice ambiance and settings. They have several more beers on tap that I'll have to try next time. I don't think they brew on site, but I'll take it.