I've been pleasantly surprised (e.g. "My, that's not as bad as I was expecting!") by pumpkin beer in the past. Just make sure you have a tried and true standby to cleanse your palate should something go terribly wrong.

I've got another Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout waiting for me in the fridge. I'm debating with myself whether or not to share it with my brother.

I was soo close to trying some pumpkin beer last week. I don't like pumpkin pie, though, so it stilled my desire. However, my love for trying new beer may win out in the end. After all, it soon will be Halloween. Perfect time to buy.

Well, I've had the Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin beer before, and I used to make a similar, spiced brown ale during the holiday season when I was an active homebrewer (before my kids became more important than washing buckets in the garage). I think it's nice to have ONE each fall, but I'd totally agree about having something else handy.

I don't know how I've avoided the pumpkin beers, but I have. Enjoy those, fellas.
Tom, the Wine Spectator ran an article some months ago on alternative cuts of beef that was kinda old news to me, but some of you guys in the north and east may enjoy it.
The Wine Spectator article talks about flap meat, tri-tip, skirt steak and the flat iron steak (which I have not tried).
Some El Salvadorans turned me on to the flap meat for tacos, but I think I'm going to start using it with taters and such, as well. I much prefer it to lean loin steaks.

I am reviving the almighty beer thread! My wife and I went to Goose Island Brewery for lunch today. At the brewery they have a lot of small batch brews for drinking pleasure that they don't seel retail.

Anyway, they had a beer called Sahti, which was described as a traditional Finnish/Estonian beer. This beer was great! It was a creamy yellow color (similar to duvel) had a spicy/hoppy nose, fruity taste, and clean, clean, clean, clean finish. I can honestly say I have never tried a beer quite like it.

I was hoping that someone (Tom T.?) might be familiar with the style and might now of a bottled version that I could find for my drinking enjoyment.

thanks!

Wow, that's a new one to me. I don't recall ever having any beers from Finland - or Norway and Sweden for that matter. Sounds good though.

I've had a vodka-like spirit from Norway called aqvavit(?) a couple of times. Unremarkable, IMO.

I'm "enjoying" a Rogue Double Bastard Ale at the moment. It sucks. 10% alcohol and tastes like caramel covered grapefuit.
Who could possibly like this beer?

Bigwill,

that sounds horrible!! Anyway - I found out why the Sahti tasted so clean - supposedly the oats for the malt are soaked with juniper berries, or mixed with juniper berries somehow before malting.

Good stuff - hopefully Tom Tuttle can chime in with something similar (please please please)

For tonight's glorious win over Noter Dame we had: Stella Artois, Staropramen, Sam A's Light (surprisingly tasty although mostly for the wife and gals), Guinness, Michelob Amber Bock, and "O.K." Beer from the Polish store down the street. All of it went down well with my wife's Chilli and barbecue chicken sandwiches.

And to top off the celebration a tipple of Aberlour's A'bunadh with PLENTY of water.

Good Night!

I pushed on that game - finished my teaser but lost with ND -4.5.
I really thought ND had some magic left.