Unibroue Blanche De Chambly * * * *

I love unibroue brewing company. Amie initially introduced me to
Unibroue. This is a new Unibroue for me. We bought this in a 4 pack
sampler. It is a White Beer 5% alc./vol. According to the diagram on
the back of the bottle this is the incorrect glass to serve the beer
in. It should be in more of a flute shaped or champagne shaped glass.
Taste good regardless.

Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier * *

2 out of 5 stars. The kristall meaning clear because it is filtered.
It tastes to manufactured. I did not like it but I wouldn't turn it
down if it was free, but I would not buy it again.

Moose Drool Brown Ale * * *

Brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company Missoula, Montana. Alcohol 5.1% by
volume. My friend Tom provided this beer for me to try. He said it is not available in our area. He actually bought this beer from Chicago IL. From Goose Island restaurant/bar. My review and enjoyment of this beer determined that this is a good beer. It is smooth and lightly carbonated. It does have a strong distinct taste but it does not linger on the tongue. This is in the same category of Newcastle Brown Ale which is also a good beer I enjoy, however there is a stronger taste with the Moose Drool. It holds true to the entertaining name "Moose Drool" and artwork which is a moose standing in a lake with water or Moose Drool dripping from his mouth. I rate this a 3 out of 5 stars, which means it is average beer I would drink again and again. Thank you Tom!

Chimay Ale Blue * * * * *

Grand Reserve. Chimay Blue comes in 3 bottle sizes the Magnum 150 cl (51 fl.oz.) bottle or the bottle I typically enjoy the 75 cl, (25.4 fl.oz.) or the smallest bottle which I have enjoyed as part of a gift set 3 pack 33 cl (11.2 fl.oz.) they are all 9% alc. vol.

Per the http://chimay.com website "Named Grande Réserve in 75 cl (25.4 fl.oz.) bottles, it is principally distinguished by its character of a strong beer. This is a beer whose fragrance of fresh yeast with a light, flowery rosy touch is especially pleasant.

Its flavor, noticed when tasting it, only accentuates the pleasant sensations perceived in the aroma , while revealing a light but pleasant touch of roasted malt. This top fermented Trappist beer , refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized."

Bigcrazybeer Golden Ale * *

This is my first attempt at brewing beer with a Mr. Beer kit.
Amie and I tried a bottle on Dec 5th about 3 weeks ago and it did not
taste good it was not tolerable it was a 0 or a 1 out of 5. It is
now tolerable and has progressed to a 2 out of 5 rating. I am proud
of this beer and very excited to drink it even though it is not as
good as my favorites. I think my excitement and enjoyment of the beer
is due to the fact I made it myself. It is similar to a good meal you
fix it always tastes better to you because you made it. If you enjoy
drinking beer I would highly suggest making your own beer. Start with
an easy to use Mr. Beer kit. I heard someone say "the Mr. Beer kit is
the easy bake oven for beer making". It is not that easy but it is fun.

Weihenstphaner Hefeissbier * * *

Dunkel. From the "Worlds Oldest Brewery" Dark wheat beer very tasty.
3 out of 5 stars.

Long Strange Tripel * * * *

By Boulevard Brewing Company. Kansas City MO. Smokestack series this
is 9 % alcohol by volume. This is a great beer I have had many times.

Per the bottle "Lately it occurs to us that if, back in 1989, you
planned on starting a brewery in the back of your capentry shop, you'd
have been wise to seek out someone like Harold "Trip" Hogue. A
collector of ancient Volvos, Trip was well qualified for the make-do
engineering required to coax recalcitrant equipment out of retirement
and into making the first Boulevard beers. Today, he is our longest-
tenured employee. We offer this rich, golden Tripel in grateful
tribute to dedication everywhere. More about Trip at http://smokestack.boulevard.com
"

Also check out one of the Brewer's You tube Video:  

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBJXmG58Fn0

Schlafly Hefeweizen * * * *

Unfiltered wheat another good beer to have on stock. I really like
the Schafly brewing company. Local here to St. Louis MO.

AB's American Ale * *

This is Anhueser Busch's attempt at a new Ale probably trying to
compete with microbrews and other popular Ale's. Yes that is 2 out of
5 stars meaning I wouldn't order it, but if it is free I will drink
it. It did have a good odor and refreshing taste and surprisingly
light considering it's color. I did not like the after taste it left
maybe it was my palate at the time. We just arrived to Frankie G's
which is a favorite St. Louis bar and restaurant. I will have to give
Frankie G's a review at another time. I do want to give this
American Ale another try because I do think I would enjoy it more than
other AB products like bud light or budweiser. Plus I want to validate
it is really a 2 out of 5 stars. I will just have to figure out how
to get it without paying for it. Considering the saturation that AB
has in St. Louis it might end up being my only choice on the menu.

Boulevard Wheat * * * *

Good! 4 out of 5 stars. Amie and I have enjoyed this beer many
times. It is good for casual drinking good beer to have on stock.

Per their website: http://smokestack.boulevard.com/unfilteredwheat.htm

STYLE: American-style Wheat Beer

AVAILABILITY: Year-round; bottles and draught

INGREDIENTS: Pale malt, unmalted soft red winter wheat. Magnum & Simcoe hops.

STARTING GRAVITY: 11.3 degrees Plato

ALCOHOL: 3.5% by weight, 4.4% by volume

BITTERNESS UNITS: 13 IBUs

AVERAGE EBC COLOR: 7.5

Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Beer is a lively, refreshing ale with a naturally citrusy flavor and distinctive cloudy appearance. This easy-drinking American-style wheat beer has become our most popular offering, and the best-selling craft beer in the Midwest.

SENSORY DESCRIPTION: Subtle flavor profile with hints of wheat and grain works well as a compliment to lighter dishes. Mild sweetness compliments fruity dishes. Flavor hooks: subtle fruit

PAIRINGS: Very light foods including salads, sushi, vegetable dishes or fruity desserts. Grilled chicken and boiled, steamed or broiled seafood, breads and pizza. Feta, Gouda or Gruyere cheeses also pair well

Kasteel Bier * * * *

I enjoyed this beer. It has a distinct taste. I like that it is 11%
alcohol content. It appeared very thick and dark brown which concerned
me till i enjoyed it. It has good fruity taste. Amie did not like it
in fact it gave her the heebie jebies spelling? She thought it tasted
like Samuel Smiths. Also thought it tastes like a barley wine. The
top of the bottle was corked and sealed like a champagne bottle. Very
good I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Broadway Brewhouse - Nashville TN * * * *

Amie and I went to Nashville TN. and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park back in October for my birthday. The Broadway Brewhouse and Mojo was a bar we randomly picked from the hundred bars that are on Broadway in Nashville. If you haven't been to Nashville they have a strip of bars and restaurants that is very busy and also historic. A lot of country music stars got their first gigs in those bars. If you like country music and bar hopping this is your heaven. The neon sign I included with this post is the sign outside their bar you can see from the street.

I am writing about the Brewhouse for two reasons. One because they have 72 beers on tap which is incredible to find especially randomly. Two because it was a cool bar we enjoyed. We found out they had 72 beers on tap only after appreciating a couple Blue moon, which was one of the few beers we saw they had at the second bar which is actually the closest bar to the door and seemed most inviting. The couple next to us educated us on the large selection they had available. This is why you should always ask what they have on tap not just assume. It was a site to see to bad the pictures did not take well. It was basically a very long wall full of taps. One of the pictures I included on this post is from our seats looking out from the bar to the street. It was an open air front and we got to see all kinds of action. From the interesting selection of people, to the multiple bachelor and bachelorette parties. To the police interviewing a man that looked like he had been in a fight. They had this what I would believe to be very unique wall painting of a Blue Mood bottle which I included in the post as well.

We enjoyed a lot of good beer and met some new people. The couple that sat to our left the man wore a Jack Daniels hat and t-shirt he was a fan of Jack Daniels, Beer, and Colorado if I recall that is where they were from. The guy to our right was with his 7 other buddies that were part of a Bachelor party. The guy that sat next to me was a up beat but the rest of the party was the most depressing looking bachelor party I have ever seen. Looked more like a wake not a bachelor party. I think part of the reason the guy to my right took them "accidently" to a gay bar before they went to the Brewhouse. The bachelor was pissed because his buddy wasn't doing a very good job organizing the party.

The bar tender was good about having the drinks flowing but that was about it. I enjoy when bar tenders inform us interesting little tidbits like we have 72 beers on tap. I know we are also to blame for not asking or investigating but 72 beers is something to brag about. There was little to no conversation no fun, just serve drinks and take our food order. I like interactive bar tenders, that serve beer and are entertaining. They are a rare breed, a master of their craft and they earn every penny of their tips. Overall it was 4 out of 5 stars for the bar. Not 5 stars because of the bartender.

BOO! Bad AB/InBev! cuts 1,400 jobs

I say boo! bad! because it is poor timing with Christmas and it will effect 1000 jobs in St. Louis. I read somewhere that this is to make of for the money that it cost to buy AB. However, this is typical with what I have seen when companies buy other companies they downsize because there is a lot of duplication between the two companies. They want to "synergize their synergy's" as the "Bob's" from Office Space would probably say.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/08/news/companies/anheuser_job_cuts/index.htm

Sweet Water Blue * * * * *

By Sweetwater Brewing Company. Per the bottle "Sweetwater Blue is a
unique light bodies Ale enhanced with fresh blueberries and all
natural flavors. This euphoric experience begins with an appealing
blueberry aroma and finishes as a surprisingly thirst-quenching ale."

We feel the description above is accurate. The flavor is light and
slightly sweet. It has a hint of fresh blueberry taste and smell. On
a scale of fruit beer it is a 5 out of 5 stars. So in the fruit beer category we will give it a 5 out of 5 stars. It is not equal to traditional beers like Trappist ales and German or Belgium wheat beers. We feel it warrants the highest rating even though it is in a category of its own. Comparing it to other fruit beers it is far superior. The beer looks and tastes like beer it pours a clear golden color. The golden color is unlike AB's / Inbev Wild Blue's poor attempt at a blueberry beer which is more like a thick blue cough syrup than beer.

The only bad thing is Sweetwater is not available in Illinois,
Missouri, or Kentucky. My girlfriend travels to Tennesee and Georgia
where she replenishes our stock. Sweetwater Brewing Company is based
out of Atlanta Georgia.
"Don't float the mainstream"

Check out their website at : http://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/

Old Leghumper Robust Porter * * * *

Made by Thirsty Dog Brewing Company. We descibe as good aroma,
moderate bodied. Not as thick as a Guiness. Smooth tasty beer with a
hint of chocolate. It gets an extra rating for it having entertaining
package.

Dunkel Weisse AB's Dark Wheat Ale * * *

I enjoyed it but I would have to rate it a 3 out 5 stars. I would
drink it again but it would be last on my list of wheat beers.

Local St. Louis Liquor Stores

Amie and I have been to Kaya's http://kayasimport.com/ they are close and they have more wine and a small beer selection in the back a few small shelves and some in the fridge. They have wine tastings every Friday (never attended) but I have friends that have and enjoy it.

We have also been a few times to the Clayton location (they have 4 locations) they have a nice beer selection in the back. http://www.wineandcheeseplace.com/

http://www.friartuckonline.com this is the store my friend Joe told me about in Crestwood on Watson Rd. 9053 Watson Rd.

http://lukasliquor.com 15921 Manchester Rd. Ellisville MO. my friend Tom told me about this store. He said its the largest Beer selection in St. Louis. that he has seen.
I like their blog. http://lukasstl.blogspot.com/

If you have any favorite stores please share. I would like to visit them and share with others.

Mini kegerators?

I am very interested in getting one of these mini kegerators. I like this rather than the full kegerator because I don't forsee Amie and I drinking that much beer in 30 days. I think a keg is only good / fresh in one of those for 30 days from what I have read online. Just looking into what is involved with mini. REALLY interested and curios what beer you can get in the 5 Liter keg since that is what they hold. I have seen Heineken kegs with a Krups version of this even saw a TV commercial for it. I am not a big fan although haven't tried it in a few years my tastes have changed greatly. On a positive note we did see a Warsteiner 5L keg at the Grocery store that was interesting to Amie and I.

To bad these are so expensive $237.45.
http://www.kegerator.com/MBD5L-Avanti-Beer-Dispenser-Kegerator-Mini-Pub/MBD5L,default,pd.html

Healthy Bio Beer

Eight biology students from Rice University have developed a brew that could extend human life, according to a report on discovery.com as of Nov. 10, 2008. They call their invention ‘Bio-Beer.’

"BioBeer, as it’s called, has three genes spliced into special brewer’s yeast that produce resveratrol, the chemical in red wine that is thought to protect against diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other age-related conditions."

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/11/10/beer-cancer-health.html

Sweet Water 420 Extra Pale Ale * * *

Joe and I were apprectiating the 420 beer. We both agree we enjoy the
hoppiness. It's a good beer but we
Have to rate it 3.5. Amie does not like it is to hoppy it is not her
style of beer. I have enjoyed them enough to have three now. It is
described on the bottle as: "A crisp pale ale accentuated by a
stimulating hop character. Handcrafted with selected Malta and
pacific northwest hops. This kind beer compliments and occasions."

New Belgium Trippel * * * *

Belgian Style Ale I am enjoying right now with Joe. Very tasty 4 out of 5 stars. I keep buying so they must be good. Joe says it's good.

The Samuel Adams® Patriot Homebrew Contest

I am totally going to have to try out for this :-)
Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew

I Miss Oktoberfest its 5 stars for me* * * * *

Especially Sam Adams Oktoberfest. This is one I enjoyed on my birthday. at The Ship a pub in Gatlinburg TN. http://www.shippub.com/ They had awesome pizza. Sam Adam's Oktoberfest is 5 out of 5 stars for me.

Westmalle Trappist Ale - Triple ****

It was good 4 out of 5 stars.