The Brü Revü – Theakston Old Peculier

I am not sure how I ended up with this beer, but it has been in my beer fridge for a while taunting me.  The Theakston Old Peculier is not a Barleywine like I initially thought due to it’s name, but rather it’s an English Old Ale.  It poured a deep mahogany with a full tan head and an aroma of dark fruits and sweet malts and caramel.  For whatever reason I wasn’t expecting much, but the first taste was a pleasant surprise.  It was definitely a malt forward brew that highlighted a deeper roasted malt and nuttiness with a hint of bitterness to keep the sweetness in check.  It was medium bodied and soft on the palate that accentuated the drinking experience.  I went in with little expectations and came away very happy.  The Old Peculier is a great malty English brew that was a pleasure to drink.

Theakston Old Peculier

The Brü Revü – Deschutes Inversion IPA

The Deschutes Inversion IPA has been one of those beers that is always around but for some reason I have never tried.  I have been happy with the other Deschutes offerings I have had like the Hop Henge and Hop in the Dark, so it was about time I gave it a try.  It poured with a nice amber body and full fluffy head.  The aroma held tropical fruits and citrus hops that held into the initial taste.  With the tropical fruits and citrus on the front and a palette coating pine bitterness on the back with a heavier malt profile that added a hint of sweetness.  In the end the Inversion IPA was a refreshing and solid IPA that helped me beat the rising heat of the season.

Deschutes Inversion IPA

The Brü Revü – Southern Star Buried Hatchet Stout

The Buried Hatchet Stout is a solid drinking stout from Southern Star Brewing in Conroe, TX just outside of Houston. It is always nice to have a quality stout or porter from a Texas brewery even though our temperatures call for lighter brews most of the year.  The Buried Hatchet poured an opaque dark brown with a solid tan head that left great lacing.  The aroma held roasted malt and dark chocolate notes that foretold the the flavors to come.  The first taste was full of a toasted nuttiness with a deep dark chocolate bitterness and dark roasted malt on the finish.  The bitterness eroded to a sweetness as it warmed and left a pleasing nuttiness on the palate.  The mouthfeel and body was thinner than expected but it was still a smooth drinking brew.  The Buried Hatchet was a solid stout from Southern Star.

Southern Star Buried Hatchet Stout

Beer Bums Meeting – August 2013 – Sour Beers

It was Steve O’s birthday so he chose sours as the theme.  We brought mainly single large bottles as it is near impossible to find a 6-pack of sour beers.  Quite a variety of excellent beers and most I have never had before.  The Petrus Aged Pale was excellent as was the Monk’s Cafe.  Great theme.

Dogfish Head Festina Peche

Petrus Aged Pale

Petrus Oud Bruin

Monks Café Flemish Sour Red Ale

Jester King Salt Lick (Censored)

BridgePort Stumptown Tart

Next Month, September – Imperials

Pint Glass Nights - August 2013

Misc. pint glass nights around Austin for August.  Buy the beer, keep the glass.

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM

Aug 05          Rahr Gravel Road

Aug 12         Shiner Oktoberfest

Aug 19          Bridgeport Hop Czar

Aug 26         New Belgium

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM

Aug 07          Sunner Kolsch

Aug 14         Cabotella Pale Ale

Aug 21          Founders Brewing All Day IPA

Aug 28         Chimay

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM

Aug 07          Boulevard Goblet

Aug 08          Real Ale & The Sword’s Iron Swan Ale

Aug 14         Flying Saucer Elvis Glass

Aug 21          Ballast Point Pilsner

Aug 28         Founders Brewery

Draught House – Wednesdays

Check their twitter page for glass updates

Red's Porch – Thursdays, at 5 PM, Check their events page for glass updates

Aug 08         Full Sail IPA

Aug 15         Founders All-Day IPA
Aug 22         Branchline

The Brü Revü – Austin Beerworks Heavy Machinery Half IPA

Austin Beerworks Half IPA is their second Heavy Machinery series to show up in cans.  The previous Double IPA was excellent so they have huge shoes to fill with this one, although they are beers at opposite end of the IPA spectrum.  You go from a big and bold Double IPA to a smaller more sessionable Half IPA.  It’s quite a contrast, but I think Austin Beerworks hit it out of the park again.  This beer isn’t trying to melt your face or destroy your palate.  It’s a more quaff-able IPA with an assertive hop flavor and full hop aroma.  The Half IPA poured a crystal clear golden yellow with a substantial white head which made it appear very crisp and vibrant. The aroma was of dank and fruity hops that were strong and thick.  The hop flavors are all upfront with some dank flavors a hint of citrus and tropical fruits that quickly fade and leave a light impression on our palate.  For a Half IPA it takes you on a surprisingly deep hop ride from the aroma to the taste but stayed light on the palate hence a Half IPA.  Its definitely a big step in the opposite direction from the previous Heavy Machinery Double IPA but give it a chance and I think you will learn to love it just a much.

Austin Beerworks Heavy Machinery Half IPA