Book Review: The Little Black Book Of Beer

The Little Black Book Of Beer provides a concise, easy to read, review of all the beer basics.  At approximately four by six inches this truly is a little black book.  Additionally, this was my first beer book.  I found it so useful getting started that I bought one for Bro as her first beer book.  A quick review of the history of beer both internationally and the unique history of the U.S. give readers an appreciation of where beer has come from and where it is going.  The author also takes the reader through the basics of tasting, storage, and even ordering beer.

One to two page reviews of different beer styles makes up the bulk of this book.  In each style review you learn the region of origin, common variations, alcohol by volume, characteristics, beers of each style to try, and food pairings.  The characteristics section has a basic history of the style as well as color, aroma and flavor profile you should expect.  There is a pretty solid glossary in the back.

I would say this book is a must for those getting started in beer.  The style guide provides an excellent background but is not serious enough for a brewer or beer judge.  Beer connoisseurs may find this book a bit beneath them, but I still use it from time to time for a quick fact check.  The compact size has allowed me to take it with me on many of my adventures like Denver for reference on the go.

Sweet Potato Ale by Hamburger Mary's

Sweet Potato Ale from Hamburger Mary's is one of those fruit/ vegetable beers you do not expect to see when walking into a bar. Bro gave me the heads up on this one and she said I really needed to try it.  We headed over recently and ordered a couple bottles.  Bro really liked the beer, I did not.  Then again I think sweet potatoes are icky so it was a long shot.

Like all Mary's Special Reserves it was poured from a bottle resulting in a deep amber color as it filled a globe glass with a thick head.  The beer had a sweet aroma with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet potato.  The sweet potato carried through in the flavor with a bit of brown sugar and caramel.  A fizzy medium bodied beer is not one that could be drank all night,  but could easily be enjoyed by a person who likes sweet potatoes.

I tried to find out what type of base beer it was and the ingredients.  The server politely explained that since he was not the brewer he can not tell me anything about the beer.  I though this was a shame.  If the brewer took the time to write a short spiel on house beer and kept it at the serving station it would enhance the brand.  In reality I tip better when servers know their stuff.  Instead, the beer drinker leaves feeling a bit left short.

In conclusion, if you like sweet potato and you are in the neighborhood this is a beer worth sitting down to, and if your like me and you think it icky they have plenty of others to choose from.

Guinness Stout vs. Lager

Black Lager

In Chicago and possibly a few other markets Guinness did a test run of a black lager under the Guinness name.  Guinness is an iconic brand and one that does not seem to have the negative connotations of Miller, Bud etc. in the craft brew community.  In fact, I think that many of us in a bar without a craft selection, would likely default to Guinness.  Guinness is so iconic you likely think only of the Irish Dry Stout, and probably forget the brewery name is St. James Gate.  I checked beeradvocate's list of beers bearing Guinness and found a Bitter Draft, and an Irish Red.  These are the only other times the Guinness name has been placed on a label that was not a stout.

Given that these are both dark beers and Guinness is on the label I thought it would be fun to compare stout to lager.  I know this is almost like apples and oranges, but they put the name on it.  Special thanks to Bro for helping compare the two.

Stout on Left Lager on Right

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.

#6 of 1001 Stone's Ruination IPA

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

Stone Brewing sets itself apart from other breweries by refusing to use Cascade hops.  Now, let me tell you, Cascade is my favorite hop.  I love its aromas and flavors.  However, at the same time I have not met a Stone beer I did not like.  Stone recently came to Chicago, but before that I would often have a pint or two when travelling.

The label on this beer claims the name "Ruination" derives from this beers ability to instantly make anything else taste horribly bland..  Also an assertion that this beer is 100+ IBUs (Bitterness).  Now is not the time or place to discuss the theory that beer can not be above 100 IBUs.

Tasting Notes:
Split this 22 oz. bottle with Bro into my newly acquired Stone pints.  Even-though the hops are up there, a balance with the malt existed.  A definite bitter aftertaste.  Notes of citrus and pine were also present and the beer left a light lacing on the bottle.

Why have a beer tasting?

So Bro just left from another of out beer tastings.  We did seven beers tonight.  Which means we split seven.  Overall, I am a happy with the outcome.

Why do a tasting?

It's cheap.  Simply put Bro and I contribute a few beers each and we try each others selections.  We have both made some recent journeys, her to Wisconsin and myself to Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky.  We each returned with some not often seen beer.  We brought back some six packs and set aside a bottle to share or share a 22 oz bottle.  This allows us to expand our beer knowledge beyond our personal budgets.  I did not have to shell out for an entire six pack of New Glarus Stone Soup.  This is advantageous because 1) I am not a huge Abbey style fan and 2) I wouldn't have bought a six pack of an abbey anyways. Bro got the benefit of me having too much fun in an Ohio Liquor store and we both go home happy.  Of the eight beers she had 4 and I thought 5 of the 8 were worth trying again for sure.  A sixth I want to try again to be sure about, but thats one of the 6-packs I had anyways.  Check out the pic of the aftermath of a beer tasting.  In the future I will give tips on how to put together a beer tasting.

Having a Beer Buddy

I think everyone needs a beer buddy.  A beer buddy is someone who enjoys similar yet distinctive tastes from your own.  My beer buddy named Bro is less experienced than me although we are working on her.  (Yeah Bro is a girl, but she can beat me so be nice.)

I think our drinking partnership is well balanced.  Although she has always been one for trying new beer she has not had the depth of experience I have.  Its fun I get to expose her to new beer, and I am working on the glassware situation.  One of the best moments is when she returns from the fridge with something I have never seen before and beams with pride at the concept of surprising me with a new tastebud adventure.

I am beginning to study for the Cicerone exam and have told her she can expect to be along for the ride.  I expect her to contribute as we go and she will, and thus both of us will have a richer experience.

Do you have a beer buddy?