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Re: beer thread
Ken.C #281871 12/09/09 06:34 PM
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I assembled the selection. We had six adults (me, Mrs. Tuttle, her parents, her sister and husband). We tasted 1-13, 15, 16, 18, 21 and 25. So, we didn't get to most of the heavy/strong beers.

Special thanks again to our friend a401classic for the (last bottle of) Pecan Ale. It is a great, clean and subtle beer. Even enlightened beer drinkers sometimes have difficulty appreciating special ingredients, but for me, it was full of Pecany goodness.

I was amused by Victory (of PA) brewing a beer with "Yakima" in the name. Good stuff. They make terrific beer.

We could not come to consensus about the Oktoberfests. The local version was good, but very clearly a different animal than the decoction-mashed ones from Munich. Personally, I kind of enjoy the paler versions (the Hofbrau and Warsteiner) rather than the more common amber ones. They seem to allow the malt, yeast and process a bit more space for expression. I had the (also pale) Lowenbrau fest beer a few years ago in a 5L minikeg, and it was wonderful.

Port Brewing doesn't make any bad beers. They also brew Belgians under the "Lost Abbey" label. Their High Tide was our winner in a recent test of fresh hop ales, and continues to delight. The Saison was a limited-edition collaboration with a brewer from Belgium (I can't remember her name or the brewery, sorry), and it was terrific. I really like that style, especially with turkey dinner.

We drink the Lambic for breakfast.

Star of the show was the 2008 vintage Full Sail bourbon barrel imperial porter. It was smooth, eloquent and perfectly balanced. It was my last bottle of a rare and memorable beverage.

I can also now report on the Ninkasi Sleighr and the Lagunitas. Both were very good. I really enjoy all the Ninkasi beers (the Oatis, which I've previously enjoyed, is a truly great oatmeal stout). Their Tricerahops and Total Domination IPA's are some of the best. The Sleighr comes off as similar to other Northwest winter warmers, except not as aggressively hopped as Snow Cap, Jubelale, Winterhook, et al. The Lagunitas continues their penchant for making delicious beers that are very fresh-tasting and slightly sweet. Recommend all.

We're saving the rest for Christmas.

Wish you guys had been there. Cheers!


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: beer thread
tomtuttle #282015 12/10/09 07:51 PM
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 Originally Posted By: tomtuttle

We drink the Lambic for breakfast.


In our early university years, one would be teased as being an alcoholic for drinking before 10am.
There were two exceptions:
if the day was a celebration day (e.g. St Patty's day, a birthday, finished final exams)
or if you weren't drinking alone.

Incidentally, 10am was set simply because that's when the local beer and liquor stores could open.

Of course, these were also just general guidelines, not a rule.



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Re: beer thread
medic8r #282081 12/11/09 04:12 AM
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I think Guiness is underrated myself. I should buy it more often. OTOH, the alcohol content is pretty low so I drink more of them..., costs more money, got all those bottles to recycle.

Lot of beers on Tom's list that I've not had. Mississippi? How'd you get that one, Tominator? ;\)

Re: beer thread
bigwill2 #282082 12/11/09 04:13 AM
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haha, nevermind. shoulda read the last page.

Re: beer thread
bigwill2 #282085 12/11/09 04:18 AM
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I was very pleasantly surprised by the Warsteiner Oktoberfest. The std Warsteiner is not on my list of go-to beers.

Tom, I didn't love the lone Lost Abbey beer I tried. I forget the style. I think I picked the most conservative, by the btl description - judging by the btl, they make some wacky beers.

Re: beer thread
bigwill2 #282107 12/11/09 01:35 PM
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 Originally Posted By: bigwill2
I think Guiness is underrated myself. I should buy it more often. OTOH, the alcohol content is pretty low so I drink more of them..., costs more money, got all those bottles to recycle.


Try the canned Guinness. Compared to the bottled, it is much, much closer to than the real thing right out of the keg. Probably indistinguishable for my non-expert palette. I'm not sure exactly what the little widget ball thingie in the cans does, (last second carbonation I assume) but it's definitely a great invention for Guinness lovers.

Also, you get a lot more in the bigger cans so it fixes your alcohol to quantity, ratio problem. ;\)
As long as cans are recyclable in your area too. I don't want my advice contributing to a landfill somewhere. heh heh.


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Re: beer thread
Murph #282192 12/12/09 04:06 AM
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little thingee releases nitrogen. smaller bubbles; smoother, creamier mouthfeel, I think.

Re: beer thread
bigwill2 #282195 12/12/09 04:36 AM
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Bigwill2 is correct. The “widget” is designed to simulate draught Guinness being pushed through a stout faucet by beer gas (a mixture of CO2 and N2). The stout faucet removes some CO2 pushed through it helping the resulting pour have a creamier less bubbly mouth feel. The N2 also helps this by forming smaller bubbles than CO2 when the beer is agitated (drawn or poured). Stout faucets require higher pressure necessitating the use of N2 which doesn’t dissolve as easily in water as CO2 which would both over carbonate the beer and prevent the stout faucet from working properly.

Most recyclers will accept the Guinness cans if you cut them open and remove the widget.


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Re: beer thread
tomtuttle #282404 12/14/09 10:53 PM
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This weekend was good in beer. \:\)

I bough a six-pack of Alexander Valley Winter Solstice. It's as tasty as I remembered it from about 6 years ago. A hint of sweetness Lovely malt roundness, and a bit of spice. Perfect winter brew. (Quite frankly, I don't know what some of those reviewers were smoking when they rated it so low.)

I also returned to my local Dogfish Head Alehouse and tried their Olde School Barleywine. It's the most port-like beer I've ever had. The alcohol was evident up front, but balanced by the subtle fruit (plum-raisin?) flavors. I've never seen this available in stores, but I'd buy it if I could find it.

Other purchased but not yet tried bottles:

22oz Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale
22oz Coney Island Sword Swallower
750ml Victory Wild Devil
750ml Trader Joe's (Unibroue) Vintage 2009

The occasion for all the beer buying? I re-arrange our living room, which involved moving the home theater equipment, tv, and speakers to a different wall. I took the time to do a small amount of cable management, too -- though not nearly as much as Eric did...

Re: beer thread
pmbuko #282415 12/14/09 11:36 PM
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Thanks for reminding me about the TJ's beer, Peter. Let me know how you like the Great Divide.


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