staff meeting

Paul was up visiting his family this weekend before his youngest brother heads off to college. Despite it not being Pint Night, we got together at The Office with our friend Michael for a couple of rounds. I believe Paul had a new one, but I ran into a problem that happens every now and again: I had a beer that I thought was new for me, but it turns out it wasn't. Paul and I both keep pretty extensive databases about the brews we try, but it's impossible to commit 270+ beers to memory, especially when they aren't particularly memorable, which was exactly the case with Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale. I love Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, LOVE it. And I've generally liked the other Sam Smiths I've tried (Imperial Stout, Nut Brown Ale, Lager, Winter Welcome Ale). But the Pale Ale was just really boring and forgettable. Bummer.

I have tried a couple of others recently though:

Troeg's Java Head Stout: Really nice, strong, dark beer. It obviously has a strong coffee flavor to it. This is one of those beers that kind of punches you in the face. If I'm going to get punched in the face by anything, I should hope it's a good beer. This totally fits the bill.

Flying Fish Exit 6 Wallonian Rye: Part of the New Jersey brewer's Exit Series, which celebrates the New Jersey Turnpike (which oddly enough, is one of my least favorite aspects of the state, since that's all most people see and there's a few unpleasant miles up toward the northern end of it that people assume the entire state is like. In the end though, it is an important part of NJ, and so I love it, just like everything else that's part of NJ, including this brewer!). This was a really nice witbier sort of brew, light and refreshing, with a nice rye flavor to it. I like rye. I like wheat beers. I LOVE New Jersey. This was a really wonderful situation.

And so, Paul: 270, Colleen: 273