Memory Lane: Making Friends

After my run in with Garrett Oliver (see here) I delved into craft beer with no end in sight.  I used to scrape together enough change to go to Goose Island for a beer.  After I got to know the bartenders they would occasionally let a free one would slide my way.  I do not think Beer Bitch knew how often I went and I am scared to tell her.  I was pretty broke, but I found a place I could call home.  Goose became a place I could sit and talk and not worry.

As my finances improved I started to go to their beer academies.  I made regular pilgrimages there for years until Wil left.  After he left it was never the same.  Prices went up, pours were smaller, and quality began to suffer.  However, for the years I went I made a number of friends.  I can not tell you how ingrained the craft beer circle has become in my life.  I frequently get together with people I met at Goose and will always fondly look upon my time there fondly.

How has craft beer made an impact in your life?

Memory Lane: Garret Oliver Made Me Feel Awesome

A few months after that Wheatmiser I discussed last week I was broke and out of work.  I saw an advertisement in the free newspaper about a beer and cheese pairing at Binny's Beverage, a local liquor store.  The featured speaker was Garrett Oliver.  I cannot honestly remember if the event was $5 or $10, but I was so broke I discussed the expense of going with Beer Bitch and really debating the value of it. I took the train and walked the last mile to avoid the cost of a bus transfer.

If you have ever seen Mr. Oliver he always shows up in the blazer with a Brooklyn Brewery logo and I thought great I spent my life savings to hear a pretentious SOB hear himself talk.  Then he opened his mouth, and well, he is anything but my first thought.  What followed was a great speech and explanation of five beer and cheese pairings.  He explained everything to us in a building block format to make sure we comprehended the concept from beginning to end.  Without that lecture I might never of become the beer blogger I am today.  People asked questions and he never turned one down.  I asked him what basic concepts I should know as someone who is just starting to pair beer and food.

At the end of the event Beer Bitch came to pick me up.  I begged her to let me buy a six pack or two of Brooklyn to take home.  As I was deciding what to buy, the brewery rep came and got me.  She said "Mr. Oliver would like to talk to you."  Seriously I was dumbfounded this highly accomplished brewer wants to talk to scrawny poor little me?  I went over and he asked me my name, told me to keep asking the right questions, and gave me an autographed copy of his book, The Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food.  This was a rough time in my life and the validation he gave me can not be put into words.  By this point in my life I had backpacked through mountains, earned multiple diplomas many with honors accolades, amongst a host of accomplishments my mother could rattle off, but I felt so unsuccessful back then this one act brightened my world.

I have spoken to Garrett Oliver a few times since then.  He does not rember me from that day, and I do not expect him to.  I do remember him and what he did for me.  In repayment to him could you do me a favor and buy his book? 

Post Road Pumpkin Ale by Brooklyn Brewery

Although not prevalent from the marketing, Post Road Pumpkin Ale is a product of Brooklyn Brewery.  I have often wondered why such a fine beer does not proudly proclaim the Brooklyn name.  The rumor is that Post Road was the name of the brewery bought by Brooklyn that owned this recipe.  However, I still do not understand the lack of updated packaging.

Post Road is a beer I must buy each fall.  I only have a couple beers each season that I insist on having and this one makes the cut.  When poured from a bottle into a pint glass you should see a medium white head that will dissipate.  The beer has an orange tinge to the normal amber color and has solid pumpkin pie aroma. When drinking Post Road, you taste a distinct maltiness coupled with bitterness and a light body.  The beer finishes crisp and dry.

With a 5% ABV this is a beer you can sit around and drink all night.  I recommend serving Post Road between dinner and dessert if your the host separates the two.  Either way, Post Road Pumpkin Ale is a must have for the fall season.

Beer Review: Brooklyn Brewery's Oktoberfest

Brooklyn is one of those breweries that consistently delivers quality beer, and the Oktoberfest exception.  Brewed in the traditional Oktoberfest style this beer is full of flavor.  The head disappeared rather quickly.  Brooklyn uses a specialty made malt from Bamberg, which I find impressive.  As expected the nose is all malt and some more malt.  As you sip you pick up on a toasted nuttiness with more hops than I expected for the style.  A solid mouthfeel with medium carbonation.

This was one of the beers I served at my Oktoberfest party and many guests as well as myself enjoyed it.  I know this got posted a bit late in the season for it, but maybe your reading this next year.

#3 of 1001 Brooklyn's Black Chocolate Stout

Black Chocolate Stout By Brooklyn Brewery

This is a beer I been babying for a while.  Its been sitting in the back of my cabinet since the Winter 07-08,  Also the point where I started my own business.  I felt this beer would be appropriate as today my business finally wiped its hands of start up debt, and I cross into a realm of full profitability.  Not such a small accomplishment in the face of a recession and given the fact that no one was sure I had that great of an idea.  Now I just need to keep it afloat.

Anyways, your not here to listen to me brag, you wanna know about beer.  Brooklyn is on my personal list of well regarded breweries.  I like Mr. Oliver in fact I have met him a few times.  I really should write a series on brewers I like.  Given the inclusion of chocolate in the name one may be surprised to learn it has chocolate malt, but zero actual cacao. It is brewed like a Russian Imperial Stout and is contract brewed at a larger facility.  It is also noted that this beer put Oliver on the map.

Tasting Notes:
Winter 07-08 Vintage 12 oz bottle poured into a tulip glass just below cellar temp.
Poured like motor oil.  Hit with notes of simultaneous chocolate and hops.  It has bitterness but not the type you expect from hops more like satisfying dark chocolate bitter.  About a third of the way in start to feel the alcohol.  Strong warm smell of roasty goodness hits the nose.  Some may suggest this to be paired with smoked meats, although given the chocolate taste I recommend for after dinner, possibly paired with some dark chocolate. (Side Note: I attempt to cellar, but do lack proper temp controls which may reflect my personal experience.)