At Bill’s Tavern in Cannon Beach, Oregon (isn’t everyone)? Drink the Foggy Notion Weissbeer. Its kinda Hefe-like. Crisper than a Widmer, but light and tasty for a beach lunch of fish n’ chips. I realize the lemon is gratuitous, but there is something fun about slices of fruit on a beer glass.
Seeing the Irish beer setups for St. Patrick’s day at the supermarket (during a trip to buy Cadbury eggs, if you must ask) reminded me of Smithwick’s Ale, a beer that’s apparently the true day-to-day beer of choice of the Irish. Most people here in America know Guinness, a few know Harp’s and Murphy’s, but those in the know call Smithwick’s the real best beer in Ireland. By “folks in the know”, I mean our fellow American folks who are just a smidge annoying about how much they know and love Ireland. Thinking of this reminded me that I am a seriously obnoxious Ireland-loving Celtic groupie, and I haven’t inflicted my annoying Irish knowledge on all of you yet. So to correct that deficit, and in honor of upcoming St. Paddy’s day, here’s one of my favorite pictures from my trip to Ireland a few years ago. The view is from a bell tower in Kilkenny, the town where Smithwick’s is brewed, looking into the back storage lots behind a brewery. Those gray things you see stacked in rows behind the houses, the things that look like big gray storage sheds or tractor trailers, are KEGS — hundreds of them, stacked up five or six high, and hundreds deep. Yes, the stereotypes are true — the Irish are not messing around when it comes to drinking. There must have been a good 10 thousand of them here, and this is just the domestic output of one brewery in one relatively small town. Now that’s sightseeing.
And the beer? Well, I like my Smithwick’s as much as anyone else, but the beer in the kegs in the above photo is the actual best beer in Ireland: Guinness. Slainte!
Maharaja’s Premium Indian Pilsner is a pretty straightforward and tasty imported brew with a somewhat-uncomfortably on-the-nose-stereotype picture of 19th-century Indian royalty on the front. I’d place it in the realm of Beers That Are Really Ethnic Stereotype Jokes From The Simpsons (or, BTARESJFTS’s), almost as though the creators were 1950’s ad men trying to paint their product’s marketing image in very broad strokes for the rubes in Ohio who couldn’t identify India on a map. Also included in this category is Skullsplitter (with the prototype viking on the front), Moretti’s (with the middle-aged handlebar-mustachioed Italian man recursively drinking Moretti’s) and Punchy McCatholic’s (the Irish beer that I just made up, because I can make fun of my own ethnicity, right?).
Naturally, I had to pick up a bottle — just weird enough for me to drink. After popping off the cap, a dense wad of beer foam oozed up to say hello, at roughly the pace and shape of one of those black snake firecrackers that never fail to disappoint on the 4th of July. “That’s odd”, I thought, making a mental note not to make a “happy to see me?” joke about it in my beer review, since that would be unoriginal and lame. Nearly as unoriginal and lame as naming an Indian beer “maharaja”…
At first, it seemed strikingly sour, but it turned out this was because I had just consumed the World’s Sweetest Drink In The World (in case you’re interested, the “creamsicle”: amaretto, triple sec, OJ, sour mix, tonic, and some dental fillings, because you’re going to need them), without adequately rebooting my palate. After a sip or two, it turned out to be surprisingly good. I was almost shocked — I saw a beer imported from India, picked it up expecting (even looking forward to) some serious skunkiness, but it tasted as fresh as an MGD. Compared to some of the skunky disappointments I’ve gotten from other parts of the world (like half the stuff from Ireland), this was a definite pleasant surprise. I guess there must be a lot more demand for Indian beers than Irish beers in my neighborhood. Which I can live with. Because this Irish dude is multiculturally sensitive, hyper-aware of the un-PC leanings of beer labels, but most importantly, much happier to live in a neighborhood with Indian food (“mmm, buttery garlic nan”) than Irish food (“huh — did they have to boil everything, even the check?”).
I will go on record as saying my mind is open to fruity beer. On that day I had the first Stumptown Tart, a whole new world of fruit brewed beer opened up to me. I was amazed and ready to experience beer life anew in this new world of taste. And then it all came crashing down as I tried horrible attempt after horrible attempt at getting anything even drinkable. Hey guys, juice poured into beer tastes like … juice poured into beer.
So it was with some trepidation that I sat down with my on again off again lover, New Belgium, to try their latest fruit beer concoction. The first thing I noticed was the audaciousness of it. This wasn’t your standard “gonna try it but not commit” 22 oz, but rather a full on 6 pack of bottles. Buying a six pack of something like this is a real commitment of trust between the brewer and the buyer. As in, this better be good, or there will be 5 unused bottled flying through the air toward Fort Collins.
Thankfully, due to a sale at the beer swiller, I took that leap of faith, and brought home a 6 pack. Now, home, I popped one open and braced myself. I was ready for tang, I was ready for yuck, but what I wasn’t ready for was….what the hey, this is good! It was a nice mellow brown ale, with a raspberry flavor that complimented it, without punching your tastebuds with a “HEY IM RASPBERRY, TASTE ME!”. In the summer time, sipping a beer in the shade by the grill, this Ale would be a perfect easy drinker; an ideal fruity escape from the cheap boxed wine your neighbor brings to the 4th of July party.
It is a bit sweet, so one a day certainly was enough (still not quite sure about the 6 pack thing), but I must tip my hat to old NB for making something that did the fruit beer world proud.
Nick and I pondering the universe... of BEER!
This year’s Holiday Ale Fest was special in many ways. Beer and friends all under one big tent. However, the most special thing of all the special things about this years Ale Fest was that I just happen to work 50 feet and 8 stories away from it. It was hard to say, “Eh, maybe next year.” when I had to navigate the line just to get to my bus every night.
So this year I made it down for a couple nights of beer and well, more beer. I was glad to see most of my favorites, there were only a couple breweries I didn’t recognize and a little disappointed not to see some that were new to me. I was also glad to have my trusty 33 Beers Journal with me. This handy dandy little booklet makes reviewing anywhere easy as a pils no matter how many you’ve had. The flavor wheel™ both enlightened my reviewing skills and helped me remember the sort of sensations rolling through my mouth, even in the middle of a crowd of fellow beer lovers.
Beer Reviews Made Easy
Over two nights I used my $20 worth of tickets (10 to be exact) wisely. I was able to purchase two mugs and about 3 tasters. Here’s the secret: bring friends. In addition to my own beer, I tasted several friend’s beers. I mean, I know it’s swine flu season and all, but I think it’s worth it. After all, it’s alcohol right? Kills swine flu dead. With a little help from my friends, I turned 10 tickets into about 20. I think I made a couple new friends too.
In all I was able to sample 6 beers. I think I had more than that but I only wrote down 6 so that is what I will write about. I’ve got 27 more pages to fill up in my journal but that will have to wait until next time.
Here is the roundup:
Hair of the Dog – Jim 2009 (4 stars/5 mugs)
I heard there was a 2007 tapped earlier in the fest but I couldn’t care less. Smooth, full-bodied, with hoppy, malty undertones and something salty and yeasty in the finish.
Hopworks – Kronan the Barbarian (3 stars/4 mugs)
Although I enjoyed the hoppy, spice-laden body I didn’t feel this brew was anywhere near barbaric. I love Hopworks but this one only made me wish I had a Crosstown Pale or organic IPA in my glass (er… plastic mug).
Upright Brewing – Holy Herb (0 stars/-0 mugs)
Holy Hell!
Holy Herbs Batman! I usually steer clear of flavored brews because of results like this. Someone says to themselves, “I’m going to make a [insert flavor here] beer!” Then they set about concocting their flavor and getting it just right and somewhere along the line they stop making [blank] flavored beer and start making beer flavored [blank].
Of course, Holy Herb sits on a level all on it’s own for being incredibly blech-face inducing, as you can see in the photo. The flavor wheel for this one had a bias toward bitter, astringent , and sour. Words like gnarly, tainted, and Xtreme were jotted hastily between gasps.
Luckily, this was a friend’s beer so I didn’t have to endure much of it.
Alameda Brewing – Papa Noel (2 stars/1 mugs)
Love Alameda brews. However, I can’t say much for this one. It seemed totally dead. It was like it didn’t show up.
15th Street Brewing (I think) – Oak St. Nick (2 stars/1 mug)
Fruity and sweet with a floral texture. I can’t say I loved this one but it did well with what it had. It wasn’t my kind of beer but I can see someone, somewhere, liking it.
Deschutes Brewery – Lost Barrels of Mirror Mirror (5 stars/6 mugs )
This one from my one of my favorite breweries, was my first beer at the fest and my favorite. I went back at the end of the second night and had another. That is saying a lot considering I hadn’t even hit the Ninkasi (another fave). Oaky and bourbony, it was full-bodied and full of spicy textures. It was like someone took “woo hoo!” and put it in a keg. It was strong but smooth, a joy from the first sip to the last.
I am constantly reminded of how lucky we are to live in a city with this much brewing talent. At this year’s Holiday Ale Fest, it definitely showed up. My only regret is that I didn’t get to try more! Next time I’m going to get more tasters and reserve the full mugs for my favorites.
you can avoid kidney stones by drinking lots of liquid.:.-
I’ve never liked how quickly after Halloween the Christmas stuff starts showing up. Poor Thanksgiving always seems to get the shaft.
This week however I have no complaints, as Mr.Q was kind enough to bring over a fine bottle of Alameda Papa Noel’s Olde Ale. Unlike some nasty winter themed beer, this tasty ale was the epitome of ‘holiday easy drinking.’ In color and flavor, it was like a light red ale. Tasty, without any of the bitterness reds tend to have.
If you can find some … (here comes the santa pun) … I ho-ho-ho-hope you pick some up.
As this is the last day I will let myself drink something with October in the title, I figured this was an appropriate time to review the latest entry in the Sam Adams seasonal lineup. I’ve always been a little wary of Sam and his “micro” brew. I figure that any brewery with a distribution that large has to tame down the flavor to make it appeal to a mass audience. Which is true, but I think in this case it may actually be to Sammie’s benefit. Often, “Octoberfest” labeled beer has a funny tang to it that’s just hard to get into. But this time around, Sam Adams has tamed the flavor down enough to make it great easy drinking beer. As long as you don’t mind only drinking it 2 months out of the year.
Oh, and apparently in Texas, this is “Ale”, not “Lager” … cause Texas is weird.
I wasn’t sure if this brew was review worthy, as it’s mega brewery swill. Albeit, somewhat tasty swill, mega-swill nonetheless.
Yes, a can. This weekend I had the pleasure of golfing (for free) at the Indian Creek Golf course in Hood River. While I didn’t make it down to the Full Sail brewery, I did get a chance to play a couple holes under the influence of Caldera IPA in a can. I mean, it’s not called Caldera IPA in a can but I would say that was the defining characteristic of this beer. Well, that isn’t being entirely fair. It was the best beer I have ever had from a can. It was also up there as one of the best IPAs I have had. It held it’s own.
I still prefer my beer in a bottle, but I guess I won’t turn my nose up at canned beer if it is from Caldera.
A can???? Really???? A can???? Skylark how could you…
Yes. A can. Let’s just say that Caldera IPA in a can is not the same as MGD or Fat Tire in a can. The difference is that MGD and Fat Tire aren’t good in a bottle either (although I do enjoy the High Life).
So, perhaps I shouldn’t attempt reviewing that new malt liquor that comes in a plastic bag?
Freddy's Point Two Selection... or so I thought.
This weekend I stopped by my local Fred Meyer’s and was once again blown away by the beer selection added with the new remodel. The selection is vast and varied and this day I discovered an entirely new section (to me at least).
I selected an Alameda Brewing Klickitat Pale Ale and satisfied with my choice wandered down the isle toward the checkout counter. I glanced over at what I thought was the imported section. I’m not really an import kind of guy, although I do have a fondness for Trapist Monk-brewed Tripels. I think Heineken and Amstel soured me at an early age.
However, upon closer inspection I discovered that the section was entirely devoted to organic beers! Actually, I’m not really an Organic beer fan either but only because of a couple bad apples in the bunch. This isn’t one or two organic beers. About a hundred beers from about 40 different breweries both domestic and imported make up this section. I ran my Alameda Pale back down to the other section, pledged to come back and try it someday and made my way back to the organic section.
There were many choices but I decided to stay away from the mainstream. I’ve never had good luck with organic brews. Deschute’s Green Lakes, Mothership Wit from New Belgium (tastes the same as all their other beers… surprise!), and even a Fish Tail Organic Cask Conditioned IPA always seem to under deliver. It is almost as if the focus on removing all things non-organic leaves you with a beer that is missing something. Maybe a little fertilizer in my beer adds to the finish.
A friend had mentioned Hopworks the other night and the design of the bottle (I am a sucker for well-designed packaging) caught my eye. The interesting thing I noted is that all of Hopworks’ beers are organic. Maybe they would deliver where others failed because they were totally devoted to being organic.
I chose the Crosstown Pale Ale and headed home a little nervous about my choice. I hope I would not regret putting the Alameda back. Crosstown did not disappoint. This wasn’t some candy-assed, watered down hippie beer. It was BEER. It just happened to be organic. Between Deschutes and Full Sail make up the majority of the beer I consume and every once and a while something special comes along and lets me know what I am missing. Crosstown didn’t mess around. Balanced, complex, and full of the hoppy goodness I expect from a Pale.
In the end, I didn’t feel like I had done something good for the earth, but I did feel like I had enjoyed something special. I might have to make this a series on Hopworks and I will definitely make it down to the brew pub.
If you find yourself sitting there, and you just absolutely have to have a stout…fly to San Diego and have a Black Seal from Rock Bottom. Barring that, you could also hop in the lear jet and get a fresh poured Guinness from the top floor of their Dublin brewery.
What? You don’t have any personal aircraft you say? Well, although I can’t really identify, I guess the next best thing you could do to satisfy that stout urge would be to head down to the local beer pusher and pick up a bottle of tasty Dick’s Cream Stout.
For me, stouts generally fall into two categories. Good. or Bad. So it was with much trepidation that I took a semi-aged bottle of Dick’s Cream Stout and gave it a pour. Much to my delight, I can say that this is now officially the “The Third Best Stout I’ve Ever Had”. It was smooth, it was tasty, and it finished with a real smooth aftertaste that didn’t have any hint of the charcoal tang or stale coffee “flavor” that plagues bad stout.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to fire up the helicopter for a quick dash to Oktoberfest.
(Incidently, this was posted from my cell phone. Technology!)
Sigh, not even a nod to the benevolent Swill Jockey who suggested you try this stuff. =P
Doh! Update: Not only was it SwillJockey’s suggestion, but it was actually his bottle I drank. 
I love friends with beer.
Frosty 8:33 am on March 2, 2010 Permalink
Everyone knows Mickey’s is the official Irish beer. House of Pain said so. And it comes in a green bottle! That makes it Irish right?
Randy 7:23 pm on March 2, 2010 Permalink
THE IRISH TRILOGY – PART 2 – SMITHWICK’S
‘Tis sure I’ll be wearing the green,
When the calendar says March seventeen,
To help me to think,
It Smithwick’s I drink,
Just try some, you’ll know what I mean.