the butte of jokes

I couldn't resist sharing this article, because it seems like a joke unto itself:

Budweiser May Seem Watery, But It Tests At Full Strength, Lab Says



I've passed 500 beers on my list, which I have been pretty negligent in updating, but it looks like 500 goes to Black Butte Porter, if for no other reason than it was good, no, great enough to remember to add to my database. (In case you're not a geography geek, that's pronounced /byoot/.)

Deschutes Black Butte Porter, from Oregon, graced our refrigerator here in western Arizona, but it looks like the furthest east it's available is Illinois. Bummer. It was rich but wasn't heavy, with a really nice roasted flavor that nicely balanced the sweet and the bitter. This is one of the few beers I've seen on Beer Advocate with a rating of 100 from The Bros. I know the negligence has extended beyond my beer database, and to this blog (for both of us!), but this one was absolutely worth mentioning.

Other beer news: I am extremely disappointed that I was on the other side of the country for the release of FU Sandy, a beer produced by my beloved Flying Fish to raise funds for Sandy relief. Oh, New Jersey. I love you so much, even (especially?) when I'm far away. It was such a limited released that I understand it sold out everywhere within a few hours of tapping. Good news: there are rumors that it will be rereleased in six packs this summer. A girl can dream. I know at least two people who got to try this though-- one liked it, one didn't, but the one who didn't is not into wheat-related beers.

Drink anything good lately, anyone? Craft beer choices are limited in western AZ, although we've found some gems of breweries in our travels, most of which we'll be returning to during Spring Break in March with visitors, and checking out a new one recommended to me in Phoenix during Spring Training.

Gluten free beer?

I would be really sad if I had to quit gluten, 1. because I like good beer, pasta, bread and all the grains and 2. because that would make vegetarianism slightly more complicated (though not impossible, but I strive to be as un-picky as possible, since it's bad enough I don't eat meat. or olives.).

But I read this article from NPR about gluten-free beers, and what one Celiac disease sufferer deems the best picks. I like reading about food and beer almost as much as I like trying it myself.

The only gluten free beer I've tried is Red Bridge, Anheuser-Busch's widely available brew. It made me sad because it seemed to be the only choice out there for friends who can't tolerate gluten for whatever reason, but I guess it wasn't terrible if all you're looking for is a plain old beer. This was a few years ago. It seems there are more choices now.

Has anyone seen this Dogfish Head Tweason'Ale (or any of the others in that article, actually)? I generally like Sam Calagione's creative works. I'd like to try it.

Have you tried any of these beers? Are you living in a gluten-free world? I'm just curious about this stuff. I'm obviously on hiatus from brewing till I move somewhere in a more complete fashion (I really just brought the essentials to Arizona, figuring it'd be stupid to fully move here only to potentially turn around and move somewhere else entirely upon finding employment), but I still like reading and learning about beer.