Live Evaluation:
Beer Log: February 16, 2008
State: Slight Hunger and dehydration, eating pizza.
We are coming to you LIVE. I’m not writing this in my notepad, it’s coming to you straight onto the computer like a porno site. The Beer of Distinction is St. Arnold Spring Bock. This Spring Seasonal is already out of production. I believe their website said they drank it all. We managed to grab it at Kroger. Reddish copper color. Light hops and spice on scent. White haed is fleeting and slips around the mug. Almost like a fall beer. Medium body and light noticeable hops. Medium carbo. Kind of a sugar sweetness. It just flies down the tongue for a quick finish. It’s not really dry. I can it has some more than average ABV. I’m having thoughts of a light bodied less sweet Grand Marnier. The wife has a sweet tooth, and it doesn’t taste sweet to her. Overall a good beer, though I’m a bit more partial to Shiner Bock. I could have sworn the spring beers were supposed to be a little lighter. I’d rather drink this one when it’s nice and frigid outside. This may even be better as a Winter Beer as I think about it. But it’s tastes great regardless.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Wife's Stuff
Beer Log: February 10, 2008
State: Full, eating cooked apples
The wife is big on Stout, the more chocolaty, the better. So I’m drinking more of this stuff than I ever thought.
BridgePort Black Strap Stout
You gotta love that “BLACK STRAP” name. Sounds like something out of a blacksplotation film played by Samuel L. Jackson. I’m Black Strap Motherf*cker! But it’s actually form Black Strap Molasses. It’s opaque and black (big surprise), with a light tan head. Got a sweet and coffee smell to it. Roasted Malt taste first with a coffee finish. Low carbonation, yet it’s very fine. Head has a slight lace to it. Medium Bodied. It’s aiight.
State: Full, eating cooked apples
The wife is big on Stout, the more chocolaty, the better. So I’m drinking more of this stuff than I ever thought.
BridgePort Black Strap Stout
You gotta love that “BLACK STRAP” name. Sounds like something out of a blacksplotation film played by Samuel L. Jackson. I’m Black Strap Motherf*cker! But it’s actually form Black Strap Molasses. It’s opaque and black (big surprise), with a light tan head. Got a sweet and coffee smell to it. Roasted Malt taste first with a coffee finish. Low carbonation, yet it’s very fine. Head has a slight lace to it. Medium Bodied. It’s aiight.
China and the Alcohol Invasion
Beer Log: February 9, 2008
State: Hungry, and slight heartburn from Anti-inflammatories.
Damn this ibuprofen. I’m trying to heal up my ankle to run a marathon in April, and sure enough the Doc gives me this stomach burning stuff. So what better cure than a healthy dose of fried rice and some Tsingtao? I’ve never had Tsingtao before, just the Japanese stuff in some Sake Bombs in my younger days of last year.
Tsingtao Beer (Lager)
The man brought it out in a green bottle and a glass that was a shorter version of a stange. I’m always wary of green and clear glasses, as I believe that light does a beer damage. Try Heineken in the bottle, and try it in one of the little baby kegs. Anyway I’m not too optimistic about these Asian lagers. It had that classic vegetal scent, and was a clear old gold color. The white head was fleeting, no surprise there. Let’s drank this one. Medium body and low carbonation (yes). Light malt in there, okay. Drinkable and it tasted best when cold. Very low hops and kinda sweet as it warms, as well as some moderate dryness and vegetal flavor. Pretty good though.
After the Chinese, we went to the Sauce, as I always do when downtown. They have this chalkboard with all these beers not on the menu, like seasonals. Shit, they have some St. Arnold’s Spring Bock, which has already run out at the brewery. But I’ll take my chance and go for some high alcohol stuff.
Northcoast Old Stock
Oh yeah, something like 11.7% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) in one snifter. I thought it was an Old Ale, and someone told me it was a barley wine. Of course the website proves I'm right. Getting good at this. It was dark brown with a light tan head. We were sitting outside, so it was bronze in direct sunlight. And it smells of caramel and ALCOHOL. Oh dear Lord what have you wrought on me. First taste that hits me is alcohol, then caramel sweetness. I notice that is very smooth and fullbodied, yet it goes down quick. It has a light bitterness as well, but reminds me of a thick version of Amaretto. Another connoisseur was there, and he agreed with the Amaretto distinction. It’s probably more complex than what I could pick out, so I look forward to grabbing this one down the line.
The Australian just came by and let us know that they may still have some Dogfish Head 120 Min IPA over there on bottle. Damned if I thought you couldn’t even sell the shit with that much alcohol in Houston. It cost me $12 a bottle. Damn. But The 60 Minute version is one of my favorite beers of all time, and the 90 minute was great.
Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
We are talking 21% ABV. One bottle is like 4 Miller Lites worth of alcohol. It has a flower fruity aroma as it sits in the snifter. Cloudy reddish orange color, a mother of pearl colored head that is lacy. And here we go. It’s malty and full bodied. I was told it’s not as hoppy due to the fermentation and alcohol, and sure enough it’s nowhere near a hop bomb like the 60 and 90 Minuters. This is sweet, like liquor in style. It’s thick, and I’m not too proud to say that it made me shiver. I don’t even shiver anymore from straight vodka shots. It has low carbonation, and surprisingly easy to drink. It’s not a fruit beer (thank goodness), but it has some fruitiness in the flavor.
State: Hungry, and slight heartburn from Anti-inflammatories.
Damn this ibuprofen. I’m trying to heal up my ankle to run a marathon in April, and sure enough the Doc gives me this stomach burning stuff. So what better cure than a healthy dose of fried rice and some Tsingtao? I’ve never had Tsingtao before, just the Japanese stuff in some Sake Bombs in my younger days of last year.
Tsingtao Beer (Lager)
The man brought it out in a green bottle and a glass that was a shorter version of a stange. I’m always wary of green and clear glasses, as I believe that light does a beer damage. Try Heineken in the bottle, and try it in one of the little baby kegs. Anyway I’m not too optimistic about these Asian lagers. It had that classic vegetal scent, and was a clear old gold color. The white head was fleeting, no surprise there. Let’s drank this one. Medium body and low carbonation (yes). Light malt in there, okay. Drinkable and it tasted best when cold. Very low hops and kinda sweet as it warms, as well as some moderate dryness and vegetal flavor. Pretty good though.
After the Chinese, we went to the Sauce, as I always do when downtown. They have this chalkboard with all these beers not on the menu, like seasonals. Shit, they have some St. Arnold’s Spring Bock, which has already run out at the brewery. But I’ll take my chance and go for some high alcohol stuff.
Northcoast Old Stock
Oh yeah, something like 11.7% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) in one snifter. I thought it was an Old Ale, and someone told me it was a barley wine. Of course the website proves I'm right. Getting good at this. It was dark brown with a light tan head. We were sitting outside, so it was bronze in direct sunlight. And it smells of caramel and ALCOHOL. Oh dear Lord what have you wrought on me. First taste that hits me is alcohol, then caramel sweetness. I notice that is very smooth and fullbodied, yet it goes down quick. It has a light bitterness as well, but reminds me of a thick version of Amaretto. Another connoisseur was there, and he agreed with the Amaretto distinction. It’s probably more complex than what I could pick out, so I look forward to grabbing this one down the line.
The Australian just came by and let us know that they may still have some Dogfish Head 120 Min IPA over there on bottle. Damned if I thought you couldn’t even sell the shit with that much alcohol in Houston. It cost me $12 a bottle. Damn. But The 60 Minute version is one of my favorite beers of all time, and the 90 minute was great.
Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
We are talking 21% ABV. One bottle is like 4 Miller Lites worth of alcohol. It has a flower fruity aroma as it sits in the snifter. Cloudy reddish orange color, a mother of pearl colored head that is lacy. And here we go. It’s malty and full bodied. I was told it’s not as hoppy due to the fermentation and alcohol, and sure enough it’s nowhere near a hop bomb like the 60 and 90 Minuters. This is sweet, like liquor in style. It’s thick, and I’m not too proud to say that it made me shiver. I don’t even shiver anymore from straight vodka shots. It has low carbonation, and surprisingly easy to drink. It’s not a fruit beer (thank goodness), but it has some fruitiness in the flavor.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Blasian Fusion
Beer Log: February 7, 2008, yeah yeah I know
State: chillin hard, wondering if anyone thinks it's ghetto to bring your baby and wife to a company happy hour
Hanging at one of Houston's many Asian fusion restaurants/bars, we had one of those African-American employees outings. We open it to all employees, but we make sure we put the words "Black History" somewhere in the invite. It's a sure fire way to make your event all Black and still cover yourself politically. I've learned that most American white folks refuse to be the minority in a room, even if it's for 2 hours. Kinda funny, as we deal with it everyday, everywhere, everytime, except at home and the occassional booty bar. And I'm only a moderately angry black man. Anyway, I left my notepad at home, so I looked a chump reviewing the Kirin on the back of a business card.
Kirin Ichiban
A lager... fanstatic. Actually, I'm no snob, so I'll go for it. It's got a vegetal lager smell and no head, just great. Suprisingly good taste, which is probably because it was served bone chilling cold. It has a vegetal lager type taste, and is pretty light all around on the hops and malt. Not bad. Very drinkable with low carbo, which is important to me. I actually liked this Premium Lager, though I can see that this was made for Mass Consumption. Nothing to harsh one way or another, and a great thirst quencher with sushi. How we didn't have fried rice on tap is beyond me.
Shine on Me
Beer Log: February 8, 2008
State: Hungry, eating spaghetti
Back with the Shiner. They brought the 96 back out and are selling it as Shiner Dunkelweizen. Never tried anything with the word "Dunkel" in it, but I understand they roast some of the malt here.
Shiner Dunkelweizen
Dark red color with a fleating white head. Malt, citrus and spice in the scent. Tast has some light roasted malt, slight cinnamon. Low carbonation and hops, very dinkable and goes down quick. Light bady. The beer tastes sweeter and just better when it's warmer, kinda reminds me of a stout. Another great one from Shiner, though I know we have a lot of hater out there.
State: Hungry, eating spaghetti
Back with the Shiner. They brought the 96 back out and are selling it as Shiner Dunkelweizen. Never tried anything with the word "Dunkel" in it, but I understand they roast some of the malt here.
Shiner Dunkelweizen
Dark red color with a fleating white head. Malt, citrus and spice in the scent. Tast has some light roasted malt, slight cinnamon. Low carbonation and hops, very dinkable and goes down quick. Light bady. The beer tastes sweeter and just better when it's warmer, kinda reminds me of a stout. Another great one from Shiner, though I know we have a lot of hater out there.
The Superbowl
Beer Log: February 3, 2006
State: A bit hungry and anxious
Well, I gotta give it up to New York Giants. I'm so glad they beat those cheating bastards, the New England Patriots. Oh it's real. So we went to a Superbowl party complete with a DJ. Nothing puts me in the mood for football like a loud arse version of Souljah Boy. We did go nuts when Burress got that touchdown. But the wife and I picked up some Spring Seasonal of Blue, and some Blueberry beer. I figured the womenfolk would feel the fruit beer, but no one touched it. Nothing like a beer to mix with that haterade.
Rising Moon (Spring Ale)
Yes. The Blue Moon boys have yet to dissappoint. Coors blows, but Blue Moon is probably keeping all of Coors from going Chapter 11. It pours smooth, with a wheat scent, straw color, and a white frothy head that is sustaining. Upon tasting, it's got medium body and a taste of wheat bread. It warms up to a slight toast flavor and lime (nice surprise). Excellent as usual for sessioning. Looking forward to the next beer.
Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss
They sell this Wisconsin stuff at the local grocer in Houston. Nice. This was has a STRONG berry smell, with alight body and carbo. The color was a little red, but nothing like the frambozen and whatnot. It has an overpowering rasberry and blueberry taste, and very tart. This actually made me a little sick to my stomach. Luckily they had some ice cold Heineken to get me back to center. I think it's time to say I don't eff with cherry and rasberry beers. Period.
State: A bit hungry and anxious
Well, I gotta give it up to New York Giants. I'm so glad they beat those cheating bastards, the New England Patriots. Oh it's real. So we went to a Superbowl party complete with a DJ. Nothing puts me in the mood for football like a loud arse version of Souljah Boy. We did go nuts when Burress got that touchdown. But the wife and I picked up some Spring Seasonal of Blue, and some Blueberry beer. I figured the womenfolk would feel the fruit beer, but no one touched it. Nothing like a beer to mix with that haterade.
Rising Moon (Spring Ale)
Yes. The Blue Moon boys have yet to dissappoint. Coors blows, but Blue Moon is probably keeping all of Coors from going Chapter 11. It pours smooth, with a wheat scent, straw color, and a white frothy head that is sustaining. Upon tasting, it's got medium body and a taste of wheat bread. It warms up to a slight toast flavor and lime (nice surprise). Excellent as usual for sessioning. Looking forward to the next beer.
Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss
They sell this Wisconsin stuff at the local grocer in Houston. Nice. This was has a STRONG berry smell, with alight body and carbo. The color was a little red, but nothing like the frambozen and whatnot. It has an overpowering rasberry and blueberry taste, and very tart. This actually made me a little sick to my stomach. Luckily they had some ice cold Heineken to get me back to center. I think it's time to say I don't eff with cherry and rasberry beers. Period.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Ahh, the Conversion
Beer Log: January 19, 2008
State: Hungry, at the SPRC
So we are at a convention of black engineers in Downtown Houston, and we are at a loss of where to go for dinner. I keep pushing that we got to the Sauce so we can try some new beers. Everyone is skeptical at first but we bring in about 12 folks. I love converting folks who claim they don't like beer.
Most folks have only tasted Bud or Miller, and they claim it tastes like urine. Problem is, they probably got it at a crappy hip hop bar that hadn't changed out the kegs in months, and it may have been warm. So we get everyone on the frambozen, the rasberry beer. They bring it out in this champange flute and everyone is drinking it like water. I didn't touch it myself, anything that bright red scares me.
Others even got themselves some chocolate stout and we're suprised that there are beers that taste like a Snickers bar. It works every time. It's easier to convert women b/c they like the ciders, fruity beers, and whathaveyou. Brothas are a little tougher, as they tend to drink overpriced tequila and Hen-Doggy Dog. Maybe I should offer the brothas some barley wine next time. Oh it's real.
Spaten Franiskaner Hefe
Nothing like a hefeweizen to get 'er started. This was cloudy and had a white head. I first noticed the high carbonation (not my cup of tea), and the head got flat fast. I noticed something like apples (probably from the lactic acid), and a slight banana thing going on. Medium bodied. Not bad.
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
Well this is my first pure fruit beer, and it smells of harsh cherry. ILt was amber and translucent with a white weak head. It was cherry sweet with a long finsh. Got medium carbo, no hops bitternes, and a light slippery body. It was also acidic. It kind of made me think of a regular light beer with someone slapping in some cherry at the end. Nothing to write home about.
The chicken tenders have shown up at this point.
Full Sail IPA
Have to go to something harsh after all this fruitiness. Deeper amber color, white strong head that sticks to the side of glass (lace). I can smell the hops on this one. Very smooth and very hoppy, though not thunderbird hoppy. I got a slight cinnamon spiciness with a 60 second finsih. Good way to wrap up the night.
State: Hungry, at the SPRC
So we are at a convention of black engineers in Downtown Houston, and we are at a loss of where to go for dinner. I keep pushing that we got to the Sauce so we can try some new beers. Everyone is skeptical at first but we bring in about 12 folks. I love converting folks who claim they don't like beer.
Most folks have only tasted Bud or Miller, and they claim it tastes like urine. Problem is, they probably got it at a crappy hip hop bar that hadn't changed out the kegs in months, and it may have been warm. So we get everyone on the frambozen, the rasberry beer. They bring it out in this champange flute and everyone is drinking it like water. I didn't touch it myself, anything that bright red scares me.
Others even got themselves some chocolate stout and we're suprised that there are beers that taste like a Snickers bar. It works every time. It's easier to convert women b/c they like the ciders, fruity beers, and whathaveyou. Brothas are a little tougher, as they tend to drink overpriced tequila and Hen-Doggy Dog. Maybe I should offer the brothas some barley wine next time. Oh it's real.
Spaten Franiskaner Hefe
Nothing like a hefeweizen to get 'er started. This was cloudy and had a white head. I first noticed the high carbonation (not my cup of tea), and the head got flat fast. I noticed something like apples (probably from the lactic acid), and a slight banana thing going on. Medium bodied. Not bad.
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
Well this is my first pure fruit beer, and it smells of harsh cherry. ILt was amber and translucent with a white weak head. It was cherry sweet with a long finsh. Got medium carbo, no hops bitternes, and a light slippery body. It was also acidic. It kind of made me think of a regular light beer with someone slapping in some cherry at the end. Nothing to write home about.
The chicken tenders have shown up at this point.
Full Sail IPA
Have to go to something harsh after all this fruitiness. Deeper amber color, white strong head that sticks to the side of glass (lace). I can smell the hops on this one. Very smooth and very hoppy, though not thunderbird hoppy. I got a slight cinnamon spiciness with a 60 second finsih. Good way to wrap up the night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
