Sunday, March 29, 2009

Unibroue Trois Pistoles * * * *

This is really good beer from Unibroue. 4 out of 5 stars 9% alc.
Bottle fermentation. Per the bottle: "Trois-Pistoles is a remarkably
mellow dark ale. To complement has a plesant aftertaste old port
wine.". The bottle says best before 09-03-11. Here I was thinking we
had to drink this before it got skunky. I guess since it is bottle
fermented it can last a long time which is cool.

Boulevard Brewing Co. Pale Ale * * *

I have drank almost all the Boulevard Brewing Company's line of beers
they are all very good. I can not say that for all Brewerys. I am
rating this a 3 it could easily be a 4.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Boulevard Brewing Co. Lunar Ale * * *

At least a 3 almost a 4. This is dark beer it is smooth lighter than
some of the other beers I have had.

Boulevard Brewing Long Strange Tripel * * * * *

As you can see I bought a new Boulevard Brewing Smokestack series
glass. I thought I would use the glass for my favorite of the
series. This glass had a lot of sediment this is normal and good, it
is a little sweet. This is a bottle Conditioned Ale 9.0% alc. Batch#
T8123

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Boulevard Brewing Co. Saison * * * *

Yummy! I bought 3 Boulevard smokestack beers. This is the first of
three. Saison Bottle Conditioned Ale.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Boulevard Brewing Co. Bully Poter * * * *

This is good beer 4 out of 5 stars. Check out my new Boulevard hat and Bully Porter T-shirt. I am not big on Porters but this was good. Pours very dark Amie didn't get a chance to try it I think she would of really enjoyed it. Best By Date 08/13/09. I purchased this and a few other Boulevard beers by doing the Mix a Six Pack at Friar Tucks on St Patrick's day. Big foamy head which you can see in one of my pics. Extremely dark brown looks black in color. It is always deceiving to me I see beers like Guinness and this Porter that are so dark and think it is going to be this thick soupy beer and it is quite the opposite. I liked the hoppiness (which Amie might not like that aspect) and reminded me of coffee too (I think Joe should try this beer). It is always interesting to drink a beer then look at some of the reviews and be like oh I didn't even pick up on that. I am a novice so it is still something new for me to articulate into words what I am tasting.

Beer Advocate gives it an A- with 319 reviews. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/423/1262

Rate Beer gives it a 92 http://ratebeer.com/beer/boulevard-bully-porter/115/88493/

Per the bottle: "In the tradition of great ales we've added a small
amount of yeast to the beer just before packaging to produce a
secondary fermentation in the bottle. The yeast, which settles
naturally to the bottom of the bottle, encourages further maturation
and contributes to the beer's complex flavor.

See more info at http://blvdbeer.com/bullyporter.htm

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Brasserie D'Achouffee La Chouffe * * * * *

Yes sorry the glass is empty because I drank this last night during the Series Finale of Battlestar Gallatica. Amie might be embarrassed to be a BSG fan since it is a major Sci Fi show, but I love the show and I am very sad to see it end. Amie and I had some friends over to celebrate. The beer was gold in color and had a very big head.

This is a very good beer I have had this in the fridge for awhile salivating and waiting to drink it. It is not a solid 5 but it stands at that now. Beer Advocate gives it a A- so that made me feel more comfortable with my 5 rating. I have drank the beer before and was really surprised. I first had this wonderful beer at Growlers Pub in Sunset Hills with Amie probably early 2008. I got it thinking it would be a small bottle and not noticing the size. I almost always enjoy Belgian beers and this is a good example of one.

I went to La Chouffe's website http://www.achouffe.be/en curious what their glass's or mugs looked like since it says drink it from a "wide mouthed La Chouffe glass." I thought the red nosed gnome was kind of creepy but after visiting their site I think they are just trying to have him be a fun playful character.

Per the back of the Bottle.
"La Chouffee is brewed by the Atisans of the 21st Centuray at la brasserie d'Achouffe deep in the heart of Belgium's Ardennes mountains. The legend of gnomes (chouffes) who once brewed in this mysterious region provides the inspiration for this eccentric bottle conditioned, double fermented ale."

"This Belguim micro brewery crafts La Chouffe with local Ardennes' spring water top fermenting yeast, Pilsner malts and English Golding & Saaz hop and coriander for spice. Double fermentation produces naturual carbonation and a small yest deposti (lees) on the bottom of the bottle."

"Enjoy the golden color, dense white head and sweet-spicy flavor of La Chouffe. Server cool between 50 & 55 F and pour carefully into a wide mouthed La Chouffe glass to enjoy the full flavors and aromas of this ale from Belguims most eccentric brewery."

"Come and visit us at Brasserie D'Achooffee in the Ardennes mountains."

"In 2006 the Choffe gnomes discovered they have baseball-playing family at the Brewery Ommegang farmstead in Cooperstown, NY. Check them out at
http://www.ommegang.com


I am also a fan of the Ommegang Brewery and I am not understanding La Chouffe's goal with this statement on the back of their bottle. Well I did a little research and found out that the brothers who created La Chouffe were bought out by Duvel Moortgat in 2006. Duvel also owns the Ommegang beer line.

From the picture below you can see Brewtus (black and white cat) did not seem to be interested in La Chouffe he was more interested in bothering Calvin.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Obolon Premium * * *

Produced in the Ukraine it was good it reminded me of a pilsner like
Budweiser.

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale * * * *

Ok this is my last Christmas Beer for a long time. Good to end the winter season on such a good note we are only a couple days (Friday the 20th). Then I can begin tasting some spring beers. This was a very tasty and alcohol filled beer. 10% alcohol by volume. I am a sucker for high alcohol beer especially when it has such a complex taste like this beer does. As you can see Brewtus liked the beer too (at least the bottle). I was concerned about this beer being in the fridge since December. Amie and I bought way too much beer from Friar Tucks during Christmas Vacation. Apparently since it is a 'living ale' it can be aged for up to 15 years. I could of drank this next Christmas. Oh well I am trying to clear out the fridge of all the December Beer. It is a tough job. :-)


Per the back of the bottle: "Brewery St. Bernardus was founded in 1946 in Watou, Province of West Flanders in Belgium. These exceptional quality ales are brewed by using only the finest malts, local grown hops, yeast and artesian water pumped from a depth of 500 feet. After the brewing process these traditional ales are matured in tanks for three months before being bottle conditioned. The results is a naturally carbonated 'living ale' which can be aged for up to 15 years and will satisfy the taste of even the most discriminating connoisseurs."

"Bringing heavenly nectar within reach"
"St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is the youngest descendant in the illustrious family of delicious Abbey Ales brewed by brewery St. Bernardus since 1946. This specialty ale of 10% alc./vol. is characterized by its deep dark color with a creamy thick head, and a full almost velvety mouthful with a fruity nose. It's a seasonal ale, brewed annually for the Holiday Season. The long winter nights are perfect moments to savor this ale, with family and friends, and to enjoy its unique complex taste. "

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Growlers Pub * * * * *

Amie and I went to Growlers last night for a St. Patricks Eve Dinner and drinks.
I love Growlers food and the 132 beers they have to drink 33 of which are on tap.

Carlow Brewing Curim Gold * * *

Happy St. Patricks Day! I picked some appropriate beers for yesterday
and today. This beer is an import from Ireland. Per the bottle:
"Celtic Wheat Beer, Fruity, aromatic, and refreshingly crisp.". This
was a good beer I would drink it again.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Irish "Holy Trinity"

From left to right Harp, Guiness, and Smithwicks.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Sam Adams Boston Lager * * * *

I may have rated this before and may have rated it a 3 out five
stars. However if I am to buy a keg of Sam Adams I think that
deserves a rating of 4 out 5 stars. Mmmm good. At one time I was not
a fan of Sam Adams because it was a bityer hoppy beer. Which I have
grown to like. My friend Joe has always been a fan. It is Joes
birthday this month so we got a keg of Sam Adams for his birthday party.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Samuel Adams Holiday Porter * * *

Yes I know it is a little late for a "Holiday" beer, but I have a few
left. Spring is not here yet. It is tasty beer I am rating it a 3
out of 5. Per the bottle, "Samuel Adams Holiday Porter is a full-
bodied brew with a big toasty flavor that is both fulfilling and
refreshing. A special blend of malts balance the English hops to
deliver a smooth and delicious winter brew. Samuel Adams Holiday
Porter is a full-flavored porter inspired by the famous drink of
London's Victoria era luggage porters. Brewed with generous portions
of Caramel, Munich and Chocolate malt, this hearty porter finishes
with traditional English Fuggles and East Kent Goldings. Cheers! Jim
Koch"

I want to thank Joe for this fine beverage he shared with me.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Achel Trappist * * * *

Authentic Trappist - Bruin Bier - Biere Brune. Imported from
Belgium. Now this us a beer! I love Trappist Ales. This is good.
This beer was very foamy when I poured it. It still has a head.
Mmmmmm good.

Tucher Kristall Weizen * *

Well this is the second "Kristall" type beer it is ok but has a weird
metallic taste. It is very light, no body. I am going to rate it a 2
out of 5 stars. I would not buy it again. This is a I am drunk and I
am not worried about taste kind of beer.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

AB/Inbev - Amberbock * * *

Beers at Frankie G's Friday night. Amberbock is our favorite draft at
Frankie's.