Last night, in lieu of a typical Monday night at Stuffies with my favorite residents of Edison and Metuchen, the crew headed to Jeremy's house to help along the moving in process of his cool lady, Megan. Before I headed north from home, I stopped to pick up a couple of beers to share. Cheryl called as I arrived at the liquor store, and I asked what she'd like. Her response? Something hoppy. Which surprised me, but I went with it.
I stopped at a store that I'd never been in before in Silverton, and it didn't have a particularly impressive beer selection, but I did see something that I suspect is amazing... I'll tell you about it when I actually get to try it (it's currently held hostage in Cheryl's fridge!). But right next to it was Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, which I totally bought because it was next to the aforementioned potentially amazing beer, and because it had a hilarious name. But this turned out to be awesome. Cheryl and I took a break before unpacking the kitchen and enjoyed this together. It was awesome. I'm not sure if my tastebuds are finally cooperating with IPAs and other bitter beverages, or if this one was just so unbelievable that it could transcend my dislike of that style of brew. The hops were strong but not offensive, and it was very smooth. I would drink this again and recommend it to others.
After the dishes were unpacked, Cheryl and I delved into the beer that had been supplied for the moving crew. We chose Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale, and a good choice it was. Actually, there was nothing particularly remarkable about this beer, but I think that's what made it for me. It's just a really good, pleasant brown ale, totally something you would drink on a crisp fall day while raking leaves or something. It wasn't too sweet, it wasn't too bitter, it was just smooth and pleasant.
And just now, as I wrote this, I tried Williamsburg Alewerks' Pumpkin Ale, the last from the mixed six I made when I visited Paul a few weeks ago. This tastes like pumpkin pie. Don't get me wrong, I totally love pumpkin pie. But I want my beer to still sort of resemble beer. This was just too sweet and spiced for me. I wasn't crazy about it. If your expectations for pumpkin beer include it tasting like pie, then this is the pumpkin brew for you. Otherwise, I don't see the need to do this again.
Colleen: 290
Paul: 270 (though I see he has an entry on standby that has quite a few beers in it!...)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
apologies for neglect
Sorry for neglecting to tell you about some of the good beers I've been trying lately.
Actually, it's funny. This past week has been my week of "detox"-- the first time since early July that I'm off all forms of medication. Detox does not mean "don't drink beer" for me though, in fact, as a result of not being on strong antibiotics, I was able to enjoy my beer much more!
Breckenridge Remarkable Vanilla Porter: This doesn't have a strong vanilla flavor, per se, but is just a good porter that's slightly different. I liked it.
Bell's Kalamazoo Stout: The consistency was great, but something about the flavor was just too intense. Since it says "brewer's licorice" on the label, I'm going to guess that's what it was.
Sam Adams Dunkelweizen: Dunkel weizen means "dark wheat". It was like a heavy wheat beer. I liked it. Very good. Not too crazy, just good.
Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin: This was a good pumpkin because it didn't taste like pie. I know pumpkin pie is the bomb, but I appreciate pumpkin as a vegetable, too. This just tasted like an interesting, meaty beer. Except vegetable, not meat, but you know what I mean? It had something to it.
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Weizen Bam: This was sour tasting, but I didn't dislike it. Definitely a light feel to it. I couldn't quite figure out how else to explain it.
Harpoon Chocolate Stout: THIS WAS GOOD. Got some coffee flavor happening but also a rich, dark chocolate taste that I just adored. So smooth. Very, very good.
Chimay Blue: I did not like this as much as I remember liking the Red, which I can't seem to find in the blog but is definitely in my beer list. This was a little bit sour tasting but not bad.
It's Pumpkin beer and Oktoberfest season and I am very happy about this, although two that I've had so far were already on my list. I am pleased to report my reviews are consistent.
The Shipyard's Pumpkinhead Ale: I was surprised to see beer advocate's review so low. While this is hardly my favorite pumpkin beer, I didn't think it was terrible. The problem is that it's one of those pumpkin beers that leans more toward pumpkin pie than pumpkin as a vegetable, so it's kind of sweet and has a lot of spice to it, and then you have no idea what to drink next because your taste buds are all confused. But on its own, not bad. Maybe this is a better beer to end the evening with, if you're having more than one.
Späten's Oktoberfest Märzen: While a little bit sweeter than some Oktoberfests, this is definitely a good choice if you're going for authenticity. Deutsche Oktoberfest bier. JA WOHL! I always forget how much I like Oktoberfest brews, and then September rolls around (which is when Oktoberfest actually starts). Good stuff here.
And then while writing these things, I had another that gets added into the count:
Left Hand Oktoberfest Märzen: This was really nice. This is a really good example of what Oktoberfest should be. Not too strong, not too sweet, not too bubbly, just a solid, good beer that is perfect for the fall weather to come.
So, until Paul takes a moment to share some beers with you all, I remain ahead.
Paul: 270
Colleen: 287
Actually, it's funny. This past week has been my week of "detox"-- the first time since early July that I'm off all forms of medication. Detox does not mean "don't drink beer" for me though, in fact, as a result of not being on strong antibiotics, I was able to enjoy my beer much more!
Breckenridge Remarkable Vanilla Porter: This doesn't have a strong vanilla flavor, per se, but is just a good porter that's slightly different. I liked it.
Bell's Kalamazoo Stout: The consistency was great, but something about the flavor was just too intense. Since it says "brewer's licorice" on the label, I'm going to guess that's what it was.
Sam Adams Dunkelweizen: Dunkel weizen means "dark wheat". It was like a heavy wheat beer. I liked it. Very good. Not too crazy, just good.
Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin: This was a good pumpkin because it didn't taste like pie. I know pumpkin pie is the bomb, but I appreciate pumpkin as a vegetable, too. This just tasted like an interesting, meaty beer. Except vegetable, not meat, but you know what I mean? It had something to it.
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Weizen Bam: This was sour tasting, but I didn't dislike it. Definitely a light feel to it. I couldn't quite figure out how else to explain it.
Harpoon Chocolate Stout: THIS WAS GOOD. Got some coffee flavor happening but also a rich, dark chocolate taste that I just adored. So smooth. Very, very good.
Chimay Blue: I did not like this as much as I remember liking the Red, which I can't seem to find in the blog but is definitely in my beer list. This was a little bit sour tasting but not bad.
It's Pumpkin beer and Oktoberfest season and I am very happy about this, although two that I've had so far were already on my list. I am pleased to report my reviews are consistent.
The Shipyard's Pumpkinhead Ale: I was surprised to see beer advocate's review so low. While this is hardly my favorite pumpkin beer, I didn't think it was terrible. The problem is that it's one of those pumpkin beers that leans more toward pumpkin pie than pumpkin as a vegetable, so it's kind of sweet and has a lot of spice to it, and then you have no idea what to drink next because your taste buds are all confused. But on its own, not bad. Maybe this is a better beer to end the evening with, if you're having more than one.
Späten's Oktoberfest Märzen: While a little bit sweeter than some Oktoberfests, this is definitely a good choice if you're going for authenticity. Deutsche Oktoberfest bier. JA WOHL! I always forget how much I like Oktoberfest brews, and then September rolls around (which is when Oktoberfest actually starts). Good stuff here.
And then while writing these things, I had another that gets added into the count:
Left Hand Oktoberfest Märzen: This was really nice. This is a really good example of what Oktoberfest should be. Not too strong, not too sweet, not too bubbly, just a solid, good beer that is perfect for the fall weather to come.
So, until Paul takes a moment to share some beers with you all, I remain ahead.
Paul: 270
Colleen: 287
Friday, September 3, 2010
Malawi
While my adventure to Malawi was amazing, the beer wasn't. I mean, it was fine, just nothing out of the ordinary. Lager. Straight up lager. So to spice up this entry, I'll just tell stories about Malawi and include photos!
I almost didn't even have beer in Malawi. Apparently only lowlifes really drink, and since I was staying in the city with a well off Christian family and in the village at a Presbyterian agricultural center... yeah. No beer.
But then I went on safari for 24 hours! And my inner lowlife came out.
After seeing beautiful things as pictured above, we had dinner at the resort in Liwonde National Park. I ordered a Kuche Kuche, which is somehow Chichewa for "you can drink this from night till dawn without getting drunk." Three different Malawians told me this, so I guess that's really what it means. Such a fascinating language. And such a plain beer with low alcohol content that you probably really could drink all night without noticing. This beer is brewed by Carlsberg, whose first brewery outside of Denmark was actually in Malawi near the city of Blantyre. I passed it many times, but didn't take a picture. I didn't want people to think I was a lowlife.
The next day I saw a lot of awesome things.
And then I had lunch and ordered a Carlsberg Extra Special for two reasons:
1. It's technically Malawian
2. I couldn't remember if I'd had the green one or not and didn't want to repeat a beer if I could avoid it!
And it was about the same as the Kuche Kuche except stronger. If given the choice between the two, I'd stick with the Kuche Kuche because it's more Malawian. And it's a third of the alcohol content. I wasn't trying to get messed up here.
And then I did some more amazing things before the long trip home. I mean, there was over 19 hours of flying, plus 3 and a half hours of layover, plus sundry driving to be done to get to and from airports. It was legitimately long. However, it was made longer by this incident in which I didn't get a proper meal for a long, long time (from Blantyre to Johannesburg to Dakar to New York City to home-- I had a lame sandwich at O.R. Tambo International Airport but otherwise survived on crackers and small salads). I get frustrated when I don't get fed. Redeeming moment: the president of the organization I was travelling with bought my mission team beer.
Castle Lager: a South African beer under the Miller family. (The Earp men should be proud?) Not particularly exciting but probably my favorite of the three. I'm not sure if it's because it was actually better, or because it was just nice to kick back with the team during our layover and enjoy a drink together instead of dwelling on my forced hunger strike. It certainly lifted my mood, and the people working on the flight did their best to help me out and give me extra snacks, and I did get home safely after an awesome adventure, so I guess in the end I win.
And I still am winning!
Colleen: 278
Paul: 270
This weekend I'll be attending a wedding in Fredericksburg and will be staying with Paul, so look for a staff meeting update, or at least me trying a few new beers as I catch up with various college friends!
PS: I don't really think I'm a lowlife. I was there doing mission work!
I almost didn't even have beer in Malawi. Apparently only lowlifes really drink, and since I was staying in the city with a well off Christian family and in the village at a Presbyterian agricultural center... yeah. No beer.
But then I went on safari for 24 hours! And my inner lowlife came out.
After seeing beautiful things as pictured above, we had dinner at the resort in Liwonde National Park. I ordered a Kuche Kuche, which is somehow Chichewa for "you can drink this from night till dawn without getting drunk." Three different Malawians told me this, so I guess that's really what it means. Such a fascinating language. And such a plain beer with low alcohol content that you probably really could drink all night without noticing. This beer is brewed by Carlsberg, whose first brewery outside of Denmark was actually in Malawi near the city of Blantyre. I passed it many times, but didn't take a picture. I didn't want people to think I was a lowlife.
The next day I saw a lot of awesome things.
And then I had lunch and ordered a Carlsberg Extra Special for two reasons:
1. It's technically Malawian
2. I couldn't remember if I'd had the green one or not and didn't want to repeat a beer if I could avoid it!
And it was about the same as the Kuche Kuche except stronger. If given the choice between the two, I'd stick with the Kuche Kuche because it's more Malawian. And it's a third of the alcohol content. I wasn't trying to get messed up here.
And then I did some more amazing things before the long trip home. I mean, there was over 19 hours of flying, plus 3 and a half hours of layover, plus sundry driving to be done to get to and from airports. It was legitimately long. However, it was made longer by this incident in which I didn't get a proper meal for a long, long time (from Blantyre to Johannesburg to Dakar to New York City to home-- I had a lame sandwich at O.R. Tambo International Airport but otherwise survived on crackers and small salads). I get frustrated when I don't get fed. Redeeming moment: the president of the organization I was travelling with bought my mission team beer.
Castle Lager: a South African beer under the Miller family. (The Earp men should be proud?) Not particularly exciting but probably my favorite of the three. I'm not sure if it's because it was actually better, or because it was just nice to kick back with the team during our layover and enjoy a drink together instead of dwelling on my forced hunger strike. It certainly lifted my mood, and the people working on the flight did their best to help me out and give me extra snacks, and I did get home safely after an awesome adventure, so I guess in the end I win.
And I still am winning!
Colleen: 278
Paul: 270
This weekend I'll be attending a wedding in Fredericksburg and will be staying with Paul, so look for a staff meeting update, or at least me trying a few new beers as I catch up with various college friends!
PS: I don't really think I'm a lowlife. I was there doing mission work!
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