grabbed some of the Polish Okocim at BevMo today. currently chilling (as am I with a nice cigar and a fine bourbon).

i've had some great bourbon in the time I've been absent. Pappy van winkle 20 yr, Weller Centennial 10 yr, and Old Fitzgerald 12 top the list. Soooooooooo good.

Prepare to be very jealous.

These were all on draught. Fantastic. I had the Dick's, Fish, Deschutes, Lagunitas, Stone, Boundary Bay and Full Sail. They were all great.

The 2nd Annual Parkway Barleywine Festival
Saturday, April 21st Noon till Close
313 North I St. Tacoma.

Featuring:
Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws '05
North Coast Old Stock '05
Boundary Bay Old Bounder '03
Rogue Old Crustacean '05
Hale's Rudyard's Rare '05
Stone Old Guardian '06
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot '06
Lagunitas Gnarlywine '04
Avery Hog Heaven '06
Anchor Old Foghorn '06
Deschutes' Mirror Mirror '06
Dick's Barley Wine '06 Cask
Port Townsend Barley Wine '06
Skagit Two-penny '06
Scuttlebutt Old No.1 '06
Bridgeport Old Knucklehead '06
Pike Old Bawdy '06
Full Sail Old Boardhead '06
Diamond Knot Icebreaker '06
Fish Leviathan '06
Alaskan Big Nugget '06

I guess we should all be glad that the folks who named those things did not submit entries into the Axiom "Name the ___" contests ... those are funny! And, more importantly, I'm sure they were tasty. Lucky guy.

My latest find is Kalnapilis 7.30. It is a fantastically big, export lager from Lithuania. It apparently won a World Beer Cup gold medal in the German Style Heller Bock/Maibock category, but I would have had difficulty placing it in that category; the almost complete lack of melanoidins gave me no hint of a decoction mash. It was excellent though - clean and crisp, and doesn't seem at all like 7.3%. The website has some very groovy music.

I've been out Old Guardianed again! Still no luck finding it over here.

Medic8r, does your beer store carry it?

Success! Got two bottles waiting for ya. Thanks for the cool PM. Look forward to seeing you this weekend to do a beer exchange.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?



This sorta reminds me of a certain gathering last October. I'm clearly playing the role of Howling Mad Murdock, and I'll grant Peter the role of Hannibal Smith because he is the king of the post count. Guess that leaves Ken and Tom to duke it out for the roles of B.A. and the Face ...

I've got a bottle of Stone Russian Imperial Stout in my fridge right now. Among other things.

I think we all know who's who on that A-Team deal. By mass, if nothing else.

I had a sublime beer last night from one of my favorite breweries.

Spring Fever from Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company is one of their seasonals in a Grand Cru style. According to Brewer (and cool guy) Rande Reed, it has "Orange hues, rich malt flavors, spicy coriander overtones, almost tropical aromas reminiscent of crushed pineapple and banana, this is one beautiful beer for fans of Belgian styles! Spring Fever is crafted from the finest English Pale Ale, Munich, Carastan and Belgian Aromatic malts, Columbus and Czech Saaz hops, spiced with coriander, and fermented with authentic Belgian ale yeast.

To me, the remarkable thing about the beer was its intricate and distinct progression of flavors. With big Belgian beers, I've become too accustomed to a monolithic, albeit rich, profile. With the Spring Fever, I could very clearly discern the fresh noble hops and the specialty malts apart from the fabulously fruity yeast character. It retained a noticable sweetness and body, which was quite complementary.

The brewery only sells on draught and limited production in 22 oz bottles. Great beer, great people.

I had the Old Guardian on draught. Neener neener.

got 3 bottles of Bud Select chilling right now.







AND a keg of local stout that just won't die, Anchor Xmas ale (clearanced at $2/sixer - I'm a cheap, patient bastard), various German 1/2 liters, etc....

I'll check out Hi-Time for the Kallanapils, Tom. Thanks.

I'm going to Brew at the Zoo in Baltimore this Saturday. Lots of local microbrews, a big mug, and nowhere else to be for hours. Sounds like a winning combination.

I used to brew my own...10 gal all grain batches, 2 stainless fermenters, cornie kegging....even won a silver medal for an imperial IPA in my first competition....but I had to sell all my equipment to finance a new HD TV and receiver after both went out within 2 weeks of each other.

Anywho...here are some of my faves:

Chimay blue
Stone Ruination IPA
Samiclaus

also, Rock Bottom, the restaurant, makes some outstanding beers. A while back, the Arlington Va branch (under Barnaby's reign) made a great Strong ale, Saison and nitrogen Imperial IPA (that IPA is still the BEST beer i've EVER had!).