http://www.thebeerinme.com/ Discover Beers. Review Beers. Talk about Beers. Learn about Beers. en-gb 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 thebeerinme@nospam.com hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Well today I bought an actual journal to help with the review writing process, so I might as well take advantage of the scrapbook tools here as well.Tonight I started with a Victory Hop Devil Ale which is a very hoppy and fairly high alcohol beer. I enjoyed it quite well. 6.7%ABVI also had a bottle of Kasteel Rouge from Belgium. This is a cherry beer that is really fantastic. A bit higher alcohol, 8%, but you can't taste it at all. In fact all you really can taste is cherry. Wonderful beer. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Tonight I had a bottle of Breckinridge Vanilla Porter and a Moerlein Fifth & Vine Marzen (Oktoberfest). Both really good. I had never had the vanilla porter before and was very pleased with it. It was on the sweeter side and was not overly roasty, which is the way I prefer a porter or a stout. Definitely recommend this for anyone that enjoys a flavored porter.The Moerlein Oktoberfest is a great beer. It's too bad it is not easily available all over as I think it may be the best US brewed O'fest right now. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Last night I had a Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale and then a Moerlein Fifth & Vine. The Anniversary ale was nice and hoppy with a crisp and bitter hoppy finish. Followed by the very malty and caramel flavors of the Moerlein O'fest to restore balance to my palate. The Moerlein went well with dinner. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Way behind on keeping this up to date.. but been damn busy lately Anyway, I have been reaching for Schlitz of late for the easy drinking "I just want a beer I don't have to think about" beer. Case of cans costing $12 helps make the decision and I find it to actually have a pleasant touch of hops in there. I know.. I am one of the very very few people that will reach for a beer brewed by Stone one night to drinking Schlitz the next, but I can't help it. I have also been drinking some of my few Fifth and Vine Oktoberfest from Moerlein and just this week discovered J.W. Dundee's Oktoberfest which is amazingly good at a very wallet friendly price.Other then that, I have had a few Ballantine Ales, and speaking of ales, I got to try that garbage Budweiser is trying to push on us. Yeah, I'm talking about Budweiser American Ale. Horrid stuff and I am very happy to say I didn't have to pay anything to sample it. Hopefully they don't ruin the image of Ale for the neophytes of craft beer.Anyway, I am hoping to get back into a more productive mode here soon. The last time I took the time to fully review a beer was on the 19th of September, almost 2 weeks ago. And I haven't had a chance to even type that up and post it yet. /sigh http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik This weekend was full of beer highlights. Had a Darkhorse Double Crooked Tree IPA which is a 13.6% DIPA. It's pretty tasty but 1 is definitely enough for a session. Finally got to try Sierra Nevada deBOCKel which is an amazing beer. It is a dopplebock that is hugely sweet and malty up front with a potent dosing of hops at the tail end. I can't think of anything else I have ever had that's even close to it. Also had a Loose Cannon Hop 3 Ale which is an overload of orangey citrus hops. Great stuff all weekend long. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Haven't been keeping up here lately, but last night finally got to sample this years Anchor Christmas. This is the 34th year that they have been making their holiday beer, with each recipe being different. This years I found to be particularly good and very drinkable. Some years the spices are a little too dominant and it needs a year of aging to kind of tone down. This years version I think I could drink 3-4 of in a row. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Cracked a bottle of Mendocino Double IPA, their winter seasonal. This bottle was the remnants from the 2007 seasonal. release. Still had a very nice bitter hops presence after a year of cellaring and the aroma was wonderful. Very happy to still have 6 more bottles of this left. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik I discovered that this months edition of The Session was devoted to 'Lager Love'. So I came home and cracked a couple cans of Schlitz and then mixed myself a Manhatten using Buleitt Bourbon. Ending the evening with a bottle of Balantine http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Last night I had a can of Schlitz when I got home and then took my son to eat at a little joint called Sweet Home Chicago. They specialize in Italian beef / hot dogs, etc.. the traditional Chicago style beef joints. Anyway, had a bottle of Old Style to wash down a great Italian Beef sandwich. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Had a ton yesterday and last night. Started with a Southampton Double White ale, then a Mendocino Imperial IPA from 2007. Both fantastic. Couple Balantine Ales and it was time to go out and visit with some friends. I cringe to admit I had a Miller Lite at the bar along with a shot of Old Grand Dad bourbon. Finished the night off by splitting a bottle of Stone Cali-Belgie and Mikkeler Oatgoop. Both great beers. Finally shared a bottle of Kasteel Rouge and called it an evening.Definitely paying the price for all that today. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Tonight was time for a Manhattan with a Ballantine Ale chaser followed up by the last bottle of Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer. Got to get through the remainder of my winter stock before the spring warmth hits full force.Also need need need to get through my homebrewed porter keg to make room for something more seasonally appropriate. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Drank a couple pints of my homebrewed Amarillo Red. It's going on about 5 months in the keg now and it is absolutely phenomenal. Huge pillowy white head on top of a rich coppery red with a hefty amount of carbonation present. A treat to drink., Reminds me that I need to brew again and soon. Maybe this weekend I will get the next batch of Amarillo Red going. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Drank a 6-pack of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale with some friends over the weekend. I always forget how good that beer really is. Need to keep it around much more frequently. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Had a 2007 Mendocino Double IPA last night with dinner. Beer has aged remarkably well with a nice hop bite that is not too bitter but has enough oomph to let you know it is there. The malt backbone balances the beer very well. Last winter, this beer was bit too hoppy and it has really come into it's own now. Ashame that I only have 2 or 3 bottles remaining. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Poured myself a couple Manhattans last night, one using Bulleit Bourbon and the other using Elijah Craig 12 year old Bourbon. Chased them down with a few bottles of Ballantine Ale, a trusty sidekick for sure. And got to put my new Ballantine glass to work. Need to find at least one more of those on eBay. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Let's catch up shall we? This past weekend my dad came in to town to celebrate my birthday a bit early. So Friday we drank a couple Manhattans along with some Ballantine Ale. Threw in a few other odds and ends, such as Wabash Valley Gangster Pale Ale and some Southampton Double White Ale. But the real star was the bottle of Ballantine Burton Ale my dad purchased on Ebay.For those that have never heard of it, Ballantine Burton Ale was a special beer brewed and then aged for years in oak casks before being bottled and then personally given to friends and associates of the Ballantine Brewery. So the bottle my dad bought was labeled as being brewed in 1946 and bottled in 1960 for a Mrs. Carol Bogadaccio. You read that right.. we drank a beer brewed 63 years ago. How was it? Amazing sums it up nicely. Very very oaky, which I would guess 14 years sitting in an oak cask will do. And overall a fairly light bodied but dry finish. I will get some pics up soon of the bottle and beer.Saturday we went out on the town and started at the Broad Ripple Brewpub sampling their Pale Bock which was excellent. Moved on the Brugge Brasserie and had a Black and a Tripple de Ripple. Both fairly good but the stop was a disappointment. From there we went on to Chumley's where I had a Stone Arrogant Bastard and followed that up with a Boddington's (all on draught). Next stop, the Alley Cat for some can PBRs and the unexpected fortune of winning $200 for a pull-tab lotto ticket. So from there to celebrate, we crossed over to the Union Jack Pub and had some Johnny Walker Blue label at $17 a shot which was great to try, but to expensive to ever repeat. Had a beer there too but as one may guess, my memory at this point starts getting hazy. Left there and went to Connor's Pub for some more lagers, PBR if I remember. And finally wound up at the Red Key Tavern for a couple final PBR long necks. A long day of bar hopping and a bit of over doing it for sure, but fun nonetheless. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Got to try a couple new beers last night. Upland Brewing's The Ard Ri, which is an imperial red ale that they brew seasonally around St. Patrick's day. Very good brew with a huge head on it and very mellow carbonation with a substantial presence in terms of mouthfeel. Flavor was somewhat sweet and malty with just enough hops to give it balance. Probably the best beer I have had from Upland.The other beer was Founder's Cerise. They usually brew a raspberry ale called Rubaeous (or something like that) but went with cherries this year due to the price of raspberries in Michigan. I haven't had either but saw the Cerise and picked it up. I definitely enjoyed it as it was not an in your face cherry flavor. You definitely know the flavor is there, but it isn't like a soda. This isn't something I would want *all* the time, but it was a great change of pace and was somewhat light and refreshing with a ruby reddish color. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Tonight was more of a Manhattan night, one made with Elijah Craig 12yo and the other with Buleitt Bourbon. To go with them was a bottle of Ballantine Ale, a remnant bottle of Grolsch and a can of PBR.The Ballantine tasted a bit stale tonight and I noticed the date code was from November of 2008. End of an era I guess. The Grolsch was better then expected but nothing that would truly stand out. And of course the PBR, holding a special place in my hear, stood up and was good. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Another Manhattan night. One made with Buleitt Bourbon, the other with the Elijah Craig 12 year old. Followed by a Ballantine Ale and a handful of canned PBRs. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Drinking a Stone Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout that I got in a trade with Hayduke. A big, rich stout with a silky mouthfeel and a lot of flavor. The chocolate used in this beer is unsweetened and definitely adds a bitter aftertaste. At 9.2% ABV, this one will warm you up on a cold night, or any night for that matter. I think this 22oz bottle would best be shared with someone as it may be just a bit too much for one person. All in all, a great beer. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Just got back from a long weekend in Michigan with stops at Founder's Brewing, Bell's Brewing and finally Dark Horse Brewing. Tried a number of fantastic brews such as Founder's barrel aged Red Rye and their Mountain Maple Brown. At Bell's I had an experimental rye brewed with wild yeast that was tasty. Wound up at Dark Horse and tried most of the beers they had on offer. Of particular interest was a blend of their Special Black Bier with their Raspberry Ale which resulted in a wonderful final product. Almost like a raspberry torte, dark chocolate notes with the raspberry still coming through strong enough to be identifiable. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Made a Manhattan with W.L. Weller 12 year old bourbon followed with a couple of Moerlein OTRs. The OTRs are a wonderful pale ale that goes with a liberal dosing of malt and a distinct hop profile. I find it hard to put my finger on what makes this beer so different then most other pales. Regardless, it's a great beer and easily sessionable. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Another night with a Manhattan and some beer. This Manhattan was made with Rebel Reserve bourbon and has a bit of a bite. Still very nice. To compliment it, a bottle of Sierra Nevada's 2009 Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale. I find this to be a great beer. The aroma has a good deal of hops present but it isn't totally hitting you over the head. The color on the other hand is just gorgeous. A deep amber that's crystal clear with a thick cap of creamy head. Everything about this beer is just a win in my book. The flavor is definitely swayed by the hops that are used, but they are well rounded and aren't overly bitter. What is pretty interesting is how strong the malt backbone of this beer is. Be a fresh hop ale, you would expect the hops to to extremely dominant, but in this case I think the maltiness almost outshines the hops. I may be turning that corner though where I just appreciate a beer that is brewed with an eye towards balance instead of just adding more hops. The malt backbone gives this beer a silky, almost creamy mouthfeel that is finished up with just enough hops to give you a clean finish. Sierra Nevada has once again brewed a masterpiece.Sorry for the crappy pic.. I was too interested in drinking these beverages then spending 10 minutes reducing glare etc... http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Went out last night to a place called Scotty's Brewhouse. It's a small chain of restaraunts that have a respecatable beer list. Had a great burger there that was washed down with a 23oz pour of Stone Arrogant Bastard. 23oz pour for only $6.50. Considering a liquor store around here would charge anwhere from $4.99-5.99 for a bomber of the stuff, I was pretty pleased. I left there to hang out with a buddy of mine and picked up a sixer of the new Schlitz, warm unfortunately. So had to throw it in the ice box at my friends house and drank a Warsteiner while the Schlitz got sufficiently chilled. 2 bottles of Schlitz ended the evening for me. http://www.thebeerinme.com/tbimplugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2117 2013-05-25T20:51:38-07:00 Generik Last night we made some home made fajitas on the grill and I had some Negra Modela to wash it down alongside a couple margaritas. A nice evening.Tonight I am sampling a Russian River Blind Pig sent to me by Hayduke. Wonderful IPA. Brilliant burnt gold color with a bright white head. Awesome hoppy aroma that mates perfectly with the flavor. Hops are fairly fruity to go along a healthy malt presence. Strong flavors of caramel reside in the background as well. One of the better IPAs I have had.