The Brü Revü – Alesmith IPA

The Alesmith IPA is another San Diego beer I had smuggled back from our vacation that I was looking forward to trying.  I have read a lot about the Alesmith brewery and how great all of their beers are, and their IPA lived up to all the hype.  Alesmith’s IPA is bottle conditioned which poured a hazy golden copper with a great fruity aroma.  What a great hoppy beer flavor without being too extreme.  It has some malt in the background to give it a good balance and keeping it easy to drink. The Alesmith IPA gives the Ballast Point a run for its money as my favorite IPA period and I would consider them #1 and 1A.  I hope it makes its way to Texas soon, as I need another one!

Alesmith IPA

 

The Brü Revü – Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest

This is the second Rahr & Sons beer I have tried and now I am really impressed.  The Gravel Road and now their Oktoberfest have been solid and consistent beers that are making me pay more attention to Rahr & Sons.  Their Oktoberfest was part of our Bums Meeting and I remember it being a standout in that group, and it was even better when I returned to it.  The Oktoberfest pours a dark amber with a nice tan head and all the trademark sweet malt aromas of the style.  The taste is a good sweet maltiness with a slight hop and even a bit of Chocolate.  For a darker beer it was light on the palate and very clean and drinkable.  The Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest was an outstanding Texas Oktoberfest that I will eagerly await every fall.

Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest

 

Jester King Sues TABC over Beer and Consumer Freedom

I was going to post another beer review, but thought this was much more interesting.  Jester King is suing the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission!  See the full article here: Jester King Takes on "The Man".

They are suing for a variety of reasons: the ability to tell consumers where your beer is available, inaccurate beer labeling required by the state, the ability to sell beer directly to the public, and licensing of foreign breweries to sell beer in Texas.  These are several issues that greatly restrict the growth of the craft beer industry in Texas as well as keeping some world class beers out of Texas completely.  Most of these restrictions have been lifted for Texas wineries and the breweries and brew pubs are only looking for a fair shake.

If you are interested in this issue be sure to support and follow Open The Taps, a grassroots, non-profit consumer advocacy group representing craft beer enthusiasts in Texas. Their goal is to change laws and regulations surrounding the craft beer industry in our state.

The Brü Revü – De Struise Black Damnation IV – Coffee Club

The preface: My dad was lucky enough on a trip to Belgium to visit the De Struise brewery and get a private tour from the brewer himself as well as a few samples of their great beers.  He brought me back a few of their beers and of course a “proper” glass.  

The Black Damnation series of beers was something my dad couldn’t stop telling me about how great they were.  He brought me the Black Damnation IV – Coffee Club which is an Imperial Stout that has been aged for 6 months in old Rum barrels.  I love rum so I was already sold, and this beer exceeded all my expectations.  It poured a deep opaque black with a strong chocolate and coffee aroma.  The taste was sublime.  It had a very deep and smooth coffee and chocolate flavor with hints of vanilla almost like drinking chocolate syrup.  I was in heaven! The very high alcohol was almost imperceptible as I savored every sip.  The only downside is I may never get to try this one again as you cannot get it in Texas.  Maybe it’s time for a trip to Belgium!

De Struise Black Damnation IV - Coffee Club

Full Disclosure:  this is not my photo as I have somehow lost my photos of this fantastic beer.

Jester King Funk’n Sour Gravity Fest

Saturday, October 29^th, 1 – 6 PM.

More Info here: http://jesterkingbrewery.com/funk-n-sour-fest-at-jester-king

From Jester King: 

On Saturday, October 29th from 1pm to 6pm we’ll close out Austin Beer Week 2011 with our first ever Funk’n Sour Gravity Fest at Jester King.  Advance, online tickets are now available. Due to concerns over parking and having a fun, relaxed, family friendly atmosphere at beautiful Ceres Park Ranch, home of Jester King Craft Brewery, we’re limiting sales to 300 tickets.

Advance tickets for the event are $10, which includes admission to the brewery grounds, parking, a tour of the brewery and a souvenir glass (picture of glass). If the event sells out prior to 10/29, no day of event tickets will be available. If available, day of event tickets are $12 at the door. Kids are allowed in free.

You can purchase advance, online tickets at the following link:
ADVANCE, ONLINE TICKET PURCHASE
Just remember to bring a printed copy of your ticket with you on the 29th along with a valid, photo ID. The name on the ticket must match the name on the ID.