Beerbrotha Sports Review: UFC and the 'Stros

Well I'm sitting here probably a good 3 pounds heavier after Memorial Day weekend watching Dragonball Z Kai with the surround sound on. And what a nice weekend. Started it out with a trip to the Saucer before hitting up Champps for UFC 114.

Beer Log: May 29, 2010

State: At the Flying Saucer , hungry, mouth dry.

Independence Oatmeal Stout

Indy is really starting to insert themselves into the Houston beer scene, and what I used to think was the most pedestrian of the Texas micros has really taken off with their flavors. So I passed on the new Oskar Blues and Rogue. Black and cloudy wiht thick tan head. This puppy is thick and smooth, with chocolate and hops. I just love the mouthfeel, kinda poofy. Not quite as thick as other oatmeal stouts, but that's just fine for me with this summer heat already coming down on us. High 3 Stars.

After some quesadillas...

Oskar Blues Gubna

At 10% ABV, this thing better be good. Two of these and I wouldn't even remember who won the fight. Clear amber with piney grapefruit nose. The taste is just FANTASTIC! Great malt and hop taste. Just a stronger version of Gordon's, about the only beer I ever by every time I go to Specs. Earthy caramel malt balances it out just right, no hint of the alcohol. High 4 Stars. Looks like I have two beers I'll be buying everytime I hit the liquor store.

Well I made a conscious decision during the UFC that I have officially switched my standard session beer from New Belgium Fat Tire to Saint Arnold Amber. And Champps had it in 16 ounces.

UFC 114 was okay, lot's of fights went to decision. The fans were so fired up for a brawl that they booed everytime the fighters walked to each other. Just crazy stuff. Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson were talking so much smack, that it was just a shame we didn't see someone get concussed. But in all reality, I think all real fans know Rashad would fight smart rather than walking in there like Tank Abbott.

Unfortunately the Dynamo lost in the last minute of stoppage time that same night against Philadelphia, damn shame. Fricken expansion team. Anyway, I'm ready to rock and roll for the World Cup and will likely hit up Richmond Arms with one or two of the guys when we play against England. If we can beat England, it will be pretty sweet to rub it in those British dudes faces while at the Arms. Although I'm not a fanatic, the 'Stros are so sad-sack this year that we lost to the Natinals 14-4. Oswalt managed to get kicked out of the game in like the 3rd inning. But at least I had about 3 Saint Arnold's Ambers to keep things interesting.

Two New 5 Star Beers...

I rarely give the distinction of a 5 Star beer. I define a 5 Star beer as a beer the defines why we are doing this whole beer thing at all. Defines why we are doing what we are doing.

I was sitting at Watson's on the westside of Houston waiting forever for my Guinness. I was the only son of a b8tch that wore green today, but at least Watson's had a ton of St. Patrick's day themed stuff, like Guinness beads, 4 leaf clover beads, some live band, green decor, and the waitresses has green gear on and were smoking hot. I felt like Tiger Wood's out there.

So I got the Guinness and found it just way too dry for the weather. I downed it and I took my wife's advice and got a Sam Adams Nobel Pils. The way the various hops cut through that Guinness and the carbonation hit my tongue just right, it made me think, is this one of the best beers I've ever had? It was so good that I am highly considering getting a keg of it to put in my kegerator. I NEVER do that with any beer, and I want to do it now. This beer is so awesome that I have to change it from a 4 star to a 5 star beer. The Sam Adams boys just nailed it, BIG TIME. And it's so ironic that of all the far out styles Boston Beer is hitting us with, that a simple strong Pilsner is their best beer in the world of the Beerbrotha. Just. Awesome.

And since we're adding beers to the 5 Star list, I cannot forget the cocaine-like character of a very hoppy and very malty with a pinch of chocolate: Oskar Blue's Gordon Ale. The ONLY beer I make it a point to pick up whenever I'm at Specs. I can't get enough of it. I've walked by so many Allagashes, Avery's, and Dogfish to get this OBGA. The Oskar boys are showing their naked ass with this beer. Unbelievable.

Alright, I guess I need to do my bracket. Holla.

Live Blogging: Gordon Ale, Just what the doctor ordered

I'm sitting here watching FAMU on ESPN360 getting DRUGGED by South Carolina State. It's 35-13 at the half. Our conference is absolutley terrible, so we'll only get ONE (1) teeam inte playoffs. (Division 1 FCS football has playoffs baby). We lose this game, we are OUT! Black college football at it's most pitiful.

I just bought the entire set of Tequila Cazadores, but I'm holding off and sticking with the Oskar Blue's Gordon Ale. A high 4 star beer, with fantastic maltiness and balanced piney hops, straight out of the damn can. At 8.7% ABV, it will help me get through maybe some part of the third quarter. We keep losing like this game, and we're going.

And what's worse, we just finished doing our best chicken and watermelon routine while getting blasted by the Miami Hurricanes last week. Please let Georgia Tech whoop up on V-Tech. The DTSA can't handle many more losses.

I can't go too far b/c we have a beer dinner tonight at what the Houston Press feels is the best steakhouse in the city, Pappas Steakhouse. Lacing in with my Oktoberfest posts, we just stumbled upon a great coffeehouse with about 30 different craft beers on bottle. And they're big on having beer related events. NICE. Posts coming soon. Just as soon as I get my act together.

Santa Fe and Oskar Blues

Beer Log: Right Now
State: A little drained dealing with the baby all day. Ready to eat some steak.

Santa Fe State Pen Porter
Pours very smooth with a big poofy head. Nose is smokey, with some sweetness like cherries. Deep brown and cloudy if I can tell. Tan head. Tastes like the color black. Roasty and smokey flavor with a moderate bitterness (probably like bitter chocolate). Another couple slugs reveals a thick maltiness, kinda fruity. I'm enjoying it more and more as I drink it and it warms up a tad. Getting more malt and more cherry flavor. We had it at 42 deg F in the kegerator and I imagine it's at 55 deg F now. It goes splendidly with the wife's porter steak. High 3 stars. One time for Santa Fe coming strong.

I'm back on the weight watchers now that I've manage to gain about 8 lbs from my low a few months ago. Though I think this last measurement was too high because I didn't work out all week and we just ate out the whole time, but the scale doesn't lie. So I took it easy on the food today, went to town on some crystal light, and now have enough points for two more beers. Problem is, the wife is going to stay out all night (probably with her boyfriend), so I can't let 'er rip on the imperial beers anyway, baby and all.

...and much later on

Mama's Little Yella Pils
A can of this Oskar Blues beer should work out well to round out the night. Very clear straw with a decent head. Looks pretty fizzy though. Has a basic "beer" smell, just a little stronger. In other words, kinda funky bitter, kinda sweet, kinda veggie: basically what the swill drinkers would call "beer smell". On the flavor, I get a stronger than expected malt, with some toastiness, followed by a nice dose of bitter hops, maybe German Noble hops. (Damn, Lynette's pregnant... watching Desperate Housewives finale on DVR). Carbo is not too strong, but there is some level of ickiness bitterness in the aftertaste. Basically take your basic pilsner and dial everything a few notches. But not quite in a good way like an Imperial Pilsner. I do like that toastiness in there, it's almost a little nutty. And the body is not too thin. (Come on Susan get the hell outta there! That Tin Man is a bad MFer). I'll give this beer a solid 3 Star as the aftertaste eases up the more you drink it. Even in my tall pilsner glass. I can't see myself getting another sixer of this one but it does remind me of this little number. Dammit Latifah, did you have to get that reduction? We loved you the way you were.

Beering in San Antonio: Flying Saucer

Ah, the Sauce, but this time in San Antonio. My favorite bar, even if the chain is based in Dallas. To the beer we go.

Beer Log: January 1, 2009

State: Enjoying the New Year

The first beer I had of the New Year was Shiner Bock. Fitting as I am neck deep in Texas Beer.

But the Sauce was having Mystery Beer night, so I figured I would let whatever beer they gave me start me off on the style of beer.

Spaten Premium

I am surprised I never had this one. Straw color, with a strong white head. It has a soda/veggie/malt smell going on. Medium body mouthfeel with a light malty bread thing going on. It's a little gritty on my tongue and light on the hops in the aftertaste. There is a little icky hop flavor the more I drink it. 2-3 Stars. As we sit around and chat it up, I grab it again as it warmed. Lo and behold I'm getting pestachio nut smell and flavor, which put it firmly in 2 star for me. That was about the LAST thing I expected, and it only got more pestachio-like the warmer it go. I started thinking about a thriller book I read where they tried to kill the hero by getting him to eat rotted almonds, which are poisoness. The girl who put that in his food ended up eating it and dying on the spot. The fact that I was still alive at least meant there was not a price on my head.

I looked through the pale lager section of the menu, and decided to dump the whole pale lager style tonight. I'll keep to my word on the next mystery beer night.

Kostrietzer Schwarzbier

You ever type those German words and you feel like you are going to break your fingers, this is one of those times. Deep opaque brown with a low tan head. Not much of a nose. Lots of smoke on the flavor and a bready aftertaste. Medium carbonation and medium-full body. I get a slight chocolate as it warms. Low 3 Star for me. I must be going to hard on thesee choco beers, as they are not tasting as good to me.

I'm a little tipsy at this point, so why not bring it on home with the 10.5 ABV Oskar Blues Ten Fidy.

Opaque and black with a mahogany thin head. There is a strong to medium malt and chocolate nose. The taste is lowbitternesss with a strong malt. Second draught: The body is somewhat full with a strong malt (coffee/toffee) aftertaste. Although the body is not all that thick, it is very mouth fillingg, if that makes sense. It is very balance with the hops but not over the top. The more I drink it and the more I think about it, I'm getting something akin to red wine going on in my mouth after I drink it. Low 4 Stars baby.

Pale Ale-ing in Houston

Back at the Sauce to meet up with an old college buddy. He is not a beer drinker but the waitress eventually got him to drink a Pear Cider (sad). In the meantime, I am a beer drinker and decided to finally get something off cask for the first time.

Beer Log: 11/21/2008
State: Chillin, not very hungry

Avery IPA on Cask
If I was ever diligent enough to add it up, Avery probably has what I figure are the most 4-5 star beers in their portfolio. I don't brag on them too much b/c I'm a homer and would love for a Texas brewer to pick up that mantle. Although we just aren't a "Big Beer" state.
Straw color with a very thick and strong lacy head. It smells like a lovely bouquet of flowers and rather sweet. The taste is an excellent strong caramel malt with a strong hop presence right after it. There is a hint of both alcohol and some cascade (or other hop) bite in the aftertaste. 1-2-3-4 stars man. It's incredibly smooth and very drinkable. Methinks this is a double IPA, a style which I love.

I must have been feeling the alcohol b/c instead of going to more IPAs, I went down to Pale Ales.

Oskar Blues Dale Pale Ale
You got to love that Gordons that they make. Solid 4 stars. The Dales was also in a can poured into a glass. Orange and cloudy with a white lacy head. It tastes bready and hoppy, kinda like an amber. Actually, kinda like an the Budweiser American Ale. It leaves a gritty feeling in my mouth. The hop smell is coming in more as it warms and it seems a little musty. It is smooth with medium carbonation. No ranking this time. The IPA just ran roughshod over this one. I'll switch it up next time.

The handwriting in my beer notebook is getting really crappy now as I read it a week later. But we weren't going anywhere for a while, so what the hell.

Bear Republic XP
I'm feeling tipsy now. All I managed to write was flowery smell coming off a low head. It's also orange and cloudy. And like the last one, musty and bready. It's pretty hoppy but with no bite. I wrote 3 stars but I'm not counting that one either.

After we drank up we just strolled through downtown telling war stories about FAMU and our current experiences in trying to become Oil Men. A couple cigars and a lot of water and we're sobered up enough to not get tasered by Houston PD. Great experience overall.