Decisions, decisions . . .
In order to have a steady stream of content to supplement the beer reviews, a long list of topics has been put to paper. Now I only need to decide what direction to go on what day of the week. Perhaps a dartboard or maybe drawing out of a hat is the best approach? I am open to suggestions.
While I figure all of that out, I bring you two beer related articles that I find pretty fascinating for completely different reasons.
If you have a friend that claims to be able to out drink any one or any thing, you may be able to call in a ringer. This furry guy might have your buddy beat . . . and it may have a slight drinking problem. You can probably file this in the useless trivia part of your brain, but it is pretty amazing.
Pass the peanuts
Would you rather have the metabolism of a shrew or be able to drink a beer brewed with 45 million year old critters? Coming soon to a bottle or tap near you (hopefully) is an ale like no other.
Look familiar?
How do we choose?
So it’s Sunday evening and you know Monday morning is looming. What is the best way to relax? I know that my dogs don’t have that same dilemma.
Junior rests his eyes
Often for me Sunday evening involves a good beer. With so many options — how to choose? Of course I am limited to those in my house, but they are all there for a reason. What reason though?
This all gets me thinking of how we choose what beer for what occasion. Sunday evenings are different than Sunday tailgating. Friday night dinner is much different from Friday night bowling.
I don’t have the answers right now, but I plan to start thinking of of exactly how I choose my beer for a given situation. As I figure out what makes my beer choices for me, I will certainly share it.
How do you choose your brew?
Time to Mellow
This is still my favorite ‘Melo . . .
Carmelo Anthony
. . . but I am now making room for another one that I have a much better chance of hanging out with: the Mellow Mushroom.
I had visited the Winter Park location of Mellow Mushroom previously, but only to enjoy the awesome selection of beer. The list of beers on tap would be good for most any bar and is especially good for a pizza joint. So when my wife and I decided to go there for a Saturday evening meal I knew that at the very least the beer would be a sure thing.
We were able to get a table right away even with the people waiting outside for a spot to open up. That is one of the advantages of being a party of two I suppose. After a short look at the beer list my wife and I each ordered a paddle of beer containing (4) 5 oz. beers.
My paddle consisted of the four beers that held down the four rotating draft positions . . . Locomotive Breath Porter – Lagniappe Brewery, Bolita Brown(?) – Cigar City Brewing, Double Simcoe IPA – Weyerbacher Brewing Co, and Anchor Summer Ale – Anchor Brewing. I will let you know what I though of those after I also let you know what my wife enjoyed. Her paddle lined up with the Double Simcoe IPA, Blue Paw Wheat Ale – Sea Dog Brewing Co, Tangerine Wheat – Lost Coast Brewery, and Bogart Pale Ale – Atlanta Brewing Co.
Line them up . . . Locomotive Breath leading the way.
My paddle order didn’t exactly match the ticket provided, but being the sharp tack that I am, that didn’t affect my consumption. I will say that beer evaluation at dinner is far different from that in the friendly confines of my home. First, its tough to get a real sense of aroma with the smell of great pizza surrounding you. It’s also not that easy to judge beers back to back to back to back and be able to describe the subtleties of each. I have great respect for beer judges. With that said I have my quick reaction to each, but I hope to revisit all of them for a more thorough review someday.
The Anchor Steam was very light, crisp, and clean. It was actually a bit creamy for a beer with such light body. Definitely a good beer for warm weather.
The Weyerbacher had a medium body, and was smooth on the palate with a rather high hop bitterness. I did catch the floral hop aroma even with my pizza inches away (more on that in a bit). There was a slight bit of astringency at the finish, which did linger for a short time.
The Cigar City had a medium body and was quite smooth and creamy. There was a slight bit of dryness at the finish. It had an even, complex roasted flavor with maybe a touch of molasses-like sweetness.
The Lagniappe had a medium-light body with some sharpness from the carbonation. It did have some roasted maltiness with a slight burnt note, but there wasn’t a big overall flavor.
Nothing bad can come from this.
All four of those on my were paddle pretty good, but none of them great. I would say they would all fall in a B- to B+ range . . . at least for me in that environment.
The beer was good as expected and the pizza definitely did not disappoint. I had an awesome white pizza with olive oil, garlic, mozzarella, ham, red onion, tomato, and a few other cheeses. My wife ordered a calzone with spinach, mushroom, tomato, pineapple, and mozzarella. They were both great and that, combined with the beer is more than enough reason to be back again.
Stopping for air.
Another point in Mellow Mushroom’s column . . . There was a mix up with my wife’s order that was dealt with so well that it would have been enough for a repeat visit buy itself. Her calzone was made with the wrong ingredients originally, but it was delivered to our table with the manager explaining the situation and telling us that her correct order would be out soon. So we ended up with a free calzone and enjoyed it as much as the rest of our meal. Fast forward to getting our check and we found out that we were only going to be charged for half a calzone because of the mix up, even though we ended up with two!
Thank you to Star and the rest of the staff, you all made the experience very enjoyable!
Brewery Ommegang – Hennepin
This is one of my favorite breweries. I suppose it is in part that the brewery’s location is close to where I grew up, but it’s mostly because they specialize in really good Belgian-style ales. As it says on my Ommegang glass, it is “Where brewing is an art and partaking is a passion.”
Brewery: Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, NY)
Name: Hennepin
Style: Belgian Ale (Saison)
ABV: 7.7%
Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in my Ommegang glass (almost a tulip)
Aroma: Not a huge aroma overall. Low hop nose with some citrus (orange) and a hint of spice (coriander?). Maybe even a faint floral note?
Appearance: Golden in color with a yellowish-orange tint. Very tall, white head with good retention (slow dissipation) that leaves some trail on the glass. Somewhat cloudy, but rising bubbles are still visible.
Flavor: Crisp citrusy hop flavor with some spice notes (seems to be ginger). Maybe a bit of light maltiness and yeast flavor present? Very slight bit of alcohol in background.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a very enjoyable, smooth finish that doesn’t linger too long. Enough carbonation to feel it on your tongue.
Overall Impressions: There is quite a bit going on here that I cannot quite put into words (this was one of my early reviews). Very refreshing Belgian that is not too heavy. Gets better as it warms a bit. I could and would drink this beer everyday.
Grade: A to A+
Brewery Ommegang - Hennepin
White House Brews
After taking a day to consider the choice of beers consumed at the picnic table on the White House lawn Thursday evening, my opinions have solidified a bit. Don’t worry, this is as close to discussing politics as I will get in this forum and this post is still all about the beer.
So the scene was as expected (see image below). President Obama was at the table with Henry Louis Gates Jr., Sgt. James Crowley, and Vice President Biden. I would have linked a video of the occasion, but watching four guys sit at a table is really not that exciting.
Beers on the White House lawn via www.cnn.com
The beers of choice were . . . Obama drank Bud Light, Gates had Sam Adams Light, Crowley enjoyed a Blue Moon, and Biden consumed a Buckler (non-alcoholic).
Gates’ choice was as it should be since he lives and works in the Boston area. There are many other ways he could have gone with a New England product, but I generally take no issue with his choice. I very much enjoy Boston Beer Co. products and Sam Adams Light is on the top rung of light beers in my book.
I can also not fault Vice President Biden’s choice. He does not drink and it was a good way for him to be at the table for this beer-centered gathering. Also, I won’t lie to you, he is a Syracuse University guy so he could have been drinking water and I would have given him a pass.
On we go to Sgt. Crowley and President Obama. I am not what you would call a beer snob and there are not many beers on my “Do not drink” list. I do, however, give the edge to regional products and craft beers when I have the opportunity to do so.
Sgt. Crowley should have shown some love to New England as Mr. Gates did. I am not bashing Blue Moon as I have reviewed it and have even had it on tap at the Coors brewery in Golden, CO. I am just saying that it would have been nice to show some support to a Harpoon Brewery, a Smuttynose Brewing Co, or the like. Boston and New England in general has a ton of great craft beers. We all know about Coors and I am pretty certain they didn’t need the additional publicity (assuming everyone knows that Blue Moon is a Miller Coors product).
In the same vein, I thought Mr. Obama would perhaps show some support for a Chicago product that he has been missing since coming into office. It could have been a Goose Island or maybe a Rock Bottom? Or he has breweries like Flying Dog and Wild Goose (one and the same now I believe) right in Maryland to choose from. I guess what I am saying is that you are the President, so you should be able to get any beer from anywhere. It seems that the search could have gone farther than the local convenience store.
In the end everyone (including these four gentlemen) should drink what they want and more importantly what they like, but don’t be afraid to try something different and new when given the chance.
Great Divide Brewing Co. – Old Ruffian
This was the first beer that I wrote an evaluation for, so it will now become the first review I post.
Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, CO)
Name: Old Ruffian (Barley Wine Style Ale)
Style: American Barleywine
ABV: 10.2%
Tasting Notes: Stored in wine fridge and served in a snifter
Aroma: Prominent hop nose with a slight hint of caramelly malt. A bit of dark fruit aroma present (prune, raisin, etc). Some noticeable alcohol.
Appearance: Copper to brown in color with a slight hint of red. Solid, off-white head with fairly quick dissipation. Good clarity – bubbles can be seen rising.
Flavor: Fairly strong and lingering bitterness. The alcohol is not quite as strong as aroma implies. Tiny bit of malt (caramel) flavor. Long, but pleasant finish with good hoppy bitterness. The higher alcohol content is well balanced with the hop flavor(s).
Mouthfeel: Smooth and velvety on the palate. Alcohol warmth is present, but not excessive.
Overall Impressions: This is the first barleywine that I can recall having. Really a very enjoyable drinking experience that gets even better as the beer warms towards room temperature. The good hop bitterness is typical of the American Barleywine style (from what I have read). I would certainly (buy and) drink again.
Grade: B+
Email: nighthops@gmail.com
