Memory Lane: My First Craft Beer

I do not know if it was the holidays or the fact that I am getting older, but I decided to write a series of posts about memorable moments in my craft beer life.  Some of these moments where sad, others happy.  The posts are not meant to be a sob story, but rather a reflection on how craft beer and the community that exists formed me into a psychotic beer snob with a blog.

My first brush with craft beer was at a now defunct Thirsty Dog brewpub.  I cannot remember why we went out, but I was with my older cousin.  I ordered a Raspberry Leghumper.  I can understand if your laughing at my 21-year-old self right now.  I was not a fan of strong beers and figured the raspberry would take the edge off, and leghumper sounded funny.  I remember liking the beer, but thought a place like Thirsty Dog was a rarity.  I had no clue microbreweries existed all over the place.  I went back to drinking Coors Light and then Bud Light, although I mocked people at college parties who served Natty Light.

A few years went by and Beer Bitch and I parted ways for graduate school.  Knowing I wasn't happy about being in a long distance relationship she tried to find fun stuff to do when I visited her in Chicago.  So she took me to Goose Island.  She told me she heard about this sampler thing where I could try a whole bunch of beer in little glasses.  We had a waitress whose name escapes me, but I know she worked as their trainer serving and was very knowledgeable.  She made a few suggestions and it was love at first sip.  For a couple years after that I would keep Honkers Ale on hand and split time between it and Bud Light.  I wanted more craft beer, but just did not have the money.  Goose became this inexplicable force in my life and provided  the backdrop for the most pivotal moments in my life.

Everybody has a first craft beer.  When was your first?

Why I Am not Buying Rare Bourbon County Stout

The other day I was given a heads-up by a store on getting myself a bottle of Rare Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island.  I discussed whether to purchase Rare with Beer Bitch.  This discussion should send up a big red flag.  I never discuss beer purchases prior to purchase, much like she never asks what I think of her shoes.  Either way, purchases show up and the other person goes "Oh, what is that?"  I thought very, very hard on this and actually have a list of reasons why I am not buying it.

For your consideration:

1. I tried an early batch of Rare in the Spring at a Goose Island event.  While I know it was not the finished product, and Bourbon County Stout (BCS) usually takes a year to age once in the bottle.  At the time I was not impressed.
2. The name.  I could fire up a homebrew kit make a limited number of bottles, and call it rare.  Just because I call it rare does not mean it is a good beer.
3. We do not know if this is good beer.  This is a new recipe.  How do we know it is really worth it?  It might be indistinguishable from the regular BCS recipe.
4. Goose Island has had quality control issues.  We can all remember a recall of Matilda their flagship beer, and reports of contaminated taps at their brewpub.
5. Cost.  At $45 a bottle it may or may not be worth it.  Not that I am opposed to spending that amount for a bottle of beer, but I want to know it is worth it.  I have a sneaky suspicion this beer might only be worth a few dollars more than regular BCS.

Now I know in a few weeks many of you will likely point out positive Beer Advocate reviews or your own good experiences with this beer.  I think you should keep in mind a psychology theory known as confirmation bias. It is the idea that a person has a belief and will look for any evidence to confirm that they made a correct decision.  I hope if you bought a bottle you do not regret it.  If you did not buy a bottle and regret it please use my list to console yourself.  Hopefully you will end up believing it.

#8 of 1001 Dale's Pale Ale

Another in the Series based off of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die (1001 (Universe))

Oskar Blues Makes Canned Goodness

Dale's Pale Ale by Oskar Blues is quite possibly one of my most favorite beers.  When Beer Bitch took me to Colorado, she had me guess where we were going.  My answer- "Let's go see Dale and drink his Pale Ale."  Oskar Blues is a true pioneer in craft brewing.  Why? They CAN, stupid, and they were the first to can craft beer.  Oskar Blues was the pioneer in the can movement and backs that up with a superb line of beer.  Dale's Pale Ale won the World Beer Cup 2010 Gold along with a host of other awards.  I only regret they do not distribute here in Illinois.  (Hey Mr. Katechis Chicago is a big juicy sales market.)  However, a six pack made it back in my suitcase. I now only open a can with the greatest reverence as I do not want to let one go.




Tasting Notes:  Copper in color with a foam head, and very decent lacing.  You can definitely smell the citrus and bready notes.  The beer tastes like nectar of the gods.  Ok, Ok, maybe I have a man crush on this beer.  Seriously it is almost fruit juice in quality, with a bitterness you feel in your cheeks.  A dryer finish that leaves you craving more.


If this beer is available in your market go buy it.

Throwing a Party: Part 1

A Few Selections For This Year

Well since fall has some of my most favorite beers I am throwing my annual Oktoberfest Party.  How does one throw a beer party?

Step 1: Theme
Pick a theme you like and can work with.  Oktoberfest is pretty easy, but not your only option.  I have also done Ploughman Platter,  Christmas, and locavore parties.  Use your imagination.  A theme allows you to connect all the dots.

Step Two: Buy the Beer

Beer Pile

At my Oktoberfest party I buy in three categories Oktoberfest, Pumpkin, and Fall Seasonal. I usually figure about a six pack per person although for some crowds you may need a bit more.  For the Ploughman party the beers were all English stout/ porter/ ESB.  For locavore hit up your local brewpub for growlers.  I like to buy a wide assortment and a lot.  Get mostly six packs and buy only one of each.  Save your budget by getting a few 12 packs of less expensive beer.  For example at this years party I have Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest, New Belgium Hoptober, Sierra Nevada Tumble and Goose Island's Harvest Ale as the "cheap" beer.   I said less expensive not crappy.   Also buying one big bottle of something special adds a central event.  This year I will pour a bottle of Pumking from Southern Tier into my new tasters. (Thanks BB!)  This allows a central  event and provides an icebreaker if you have guests who do not know each other well.

Step 3: Menu
I try to make my food match my beer.  For this party the menu includes pumpkin, apple and off course German food. If your a person who likes to cook here is your chance to show off.  This year my guests will get snack sandwiches on homemade pretzel rolls, and Nelly is bringing some cake that she has be going on and on about along with my homemade pickles and pumpkin bread.

Step 4: Other People
I find it a nice touch to consider all guests.  For one Beer Bitch of course dislikes beer.  I occasionally have a theme cocktail, but at minimum have some spirits a few mixers and a bottle of wine.  A friend of ours has dietary restrictions so I set a turkey sandwich off to the side for her in place of the ham.  Doing this simple gesture really makes a guest feel welcome and you can see the appreciation immediately.

Step 5: The Sort
How do you serve over 24 varieties of beer in three style groups effectively?  YOU SORT!  This year Bro helped me because it can be time consuming and she enjoys being paid in beer.  First pile all the six packs from one style on the table.  Get an empty box.  Pull one bottle from each sixer and put it in the empty box.  Here is the dirty little secret of party throwing: that box that holds one of each beer is mine, and I mean all mine it is put away and not touched until after the party.  This is a great way to make sure you get to try everything you want. Now take the remaining six packs and mix them up.  This will ensure a constant variety throughout the night and forces guests into trying new beers.  Most people think this fails.  I have never had a guest who was not impressed.  All walk away trying something they have never had and a new appreciation for tastebuds.

Part 2 will feature the execution of the party.  Look for that next week.

Denver The Initial Report

So I went to Denver over the weekend.  Here are my initial thoughts: SWEET.  Yeah that sums it up.  We started at a place called Cooper Smith's, New Belgium, and Odell's on day one.  And yes all were awesome.  Day two we took it easy apparently, I am one of those people prone to altitude sickness.  Although sick I still made it out to Tommyknocker on day two.  Day three I rallied and we visited Breckenridge's Ballpark location for lunch, followed by some of the best canned beer ever at Oskar Blues, and finished up with Great Divide before heading to the airport.  Oh and the airport led to more drinking.  Once there we stopped into Boulder Brewing for a drink and the Chophouse for supper and a sampler.

I hinted that I thought Denver made some genuine mistakes in beer.  One is the prevalence of taprooms versus brewpubs.  It caught me off guard that places like Odell's, Great Divide and some others don't feel the need to have a restaurant style environment.  I really think this hurts the business.  There is a movement to show beer belongs on the table just like wine.  A brewpub is the place to show that.  Secondly, the crowd was very young at these places.  Occasionally you would see a couple with kids, but not often.  The inability to create an environment that is truly kid friendly limits the people who will come and sit and sample your beers.  Finally, out of towners (like myself) need a place to sit and relax.  I felt without food I had to drink less.  Now I do understand adding a restaurant takes things like space and management and capital and blah blah blah.  Regardless, I think if some of these establishments truly want to achieve long term bliss it is a critical way to reach your market.  At least to me I felt many of these places where way out in the middle of nowhere.

The other problem?  GABF.  Yes I think GABF being in Denver is a problem.  Not really for Denverites (is that what they are called?), but for the rest of the country.  This obviously requires a much longer and dedicated post.

I plan on writing reviews of each brewery I visited along with tasting notes on a number of beers.  So stay tuned and of course my thoughts on GABF will come before this years event.

EPIC 2010 LOOMS

Ok, so for those of you who do not know Beer Bitch has planned some sort of Epic BeerCation.  I am calling it Epic 2010.  She claims to have produced a book of 140 pages in length to serve as a guide.  I am notorious about researching breweries prior to my arrival.  When I went to Kona last spring I knew off the top of my head which beer to order, to pair with which dish to eat and which souvenir glass to buy.

So first off, follow my trip: https://twitter.com/verysmallbeer

On this trip I know nothing.  She has not divulged very many details.
Here is what we know:

1. Everyone knows but me.  
2. The trip will be 3 days
3. 140 pages of material
4. Several beers in the 1001 series
5. Beer Bitch just bought a luggage scale.
6. Cans
7. Sustainability

Originally, I thought it was Madison.  However, she bought a luggage scale.  We do not travel by air often so that implied to me checked bags.  The next airfare I have is November and she just doesn't think that far ahead.  She kept saying it was gonna blow my mind.  So my prediction is I will be a short driving distance to the two largest brewers in the US, but only one of the ten biggest craft brewers.  Where do you think I am going?

Hint

Note: Regardless of where we end up I promise to be grateful.

Why Everyman Needs A Beer Bitch

So my girlfriend is my Beer Bitch.  Yes my Masters degree, Top 25 school, uber-professional girlfriend decided one day she wanted to be called Beer Bitch.  This is why thats awesome.

How did she get the name?  She offered to be called Beer Bitch and fetch beer on a trip with my parents.

Why does she deserve the name?  Actually I think this might of been the perfect name for her at birth. She knows as much about beer as I do. Miraculously, she doesn't drink it.  She can pair beer and food, tell you what aromas and flavors to expect.  Yeah thats right she knows it all, but never touches my beer. She allows me to have a beer cabinet, she has bought about half my glass collection for me.  Goes on business trips and brings back beer.  She knows which beers I have not had and which I have (the number I have had is in the several hundreds).

Even better she DDs like no one else.  She makes sure I get on a couple serious bar crawls in each yeah.  In fact next week she is taking me on a three day unspecified journey that she describes as "Epic."  Why is this Epic?  Honestly I do not know.  However, she has leaked the fact that she has prepared a 50 page guidebook to breweries and their beers to be covered throughout the tour, and that at least 20 beers I have never seen before will be on it.  She also claims I will have some serious material to write about when we get back.

So yes she wears the name Beer Bitch with pride, and yes she is my Beer Bitch.  She has made a point to learn about a hobby that is important to me, and make it something we share.  I thank her for her support of my beer adventures and for shamelessly promoting the crap out of this blog to everyone she knows.  I hope you too find yourself a Beer Bitch.