Beer Bums Meeting – May 2013 – Austin Beerworks Brewery Tour

For our May Beer Bums meeting we decided to branch out a bit and attend Austin Beerworks’ Friday Happy Hour and Brewery tour which they have almost every Friday from 5-8. This was a perfect opportunity for our group to visit a local Austin brewery and sample several of their beers in one sitting.  It’s difficult to get one of their tour tickets, which are free, as once they announce when the tickets go “on sale”, they disappear in a matter of minutes.  This is a testament to the popularity and quality of Austin Beerworks beers.  So, if you intend on attending on a particular Friday you will need to plan ahead.  

Their setup is typical for most of the Austin Breweries: For $10 you can purchase a glass and get 3 full pour samples, or you can opt for the free version and get 3 smaller sample pours.  We all opted for the glass purchase and full pour options, of course.  While most of their beers are available around town in cans and on draft, they had a few that I had yet to see. 

My first sample was their Soul Glo, which was a barrel aged sour ale and one I have never seen available from them.  It was superb, with just the right amount of sourness without overwhelming your palate.  It was quite refreshing and very appealing considering our growing summer heat.  

Their seasonal was the Heavy Machinery Black IPA that I have seen in limited amounts on draft and supposedly will be available in 16 oz cans very soon as well.  The Heavy Machinery Black IPA was exceptional.  Very roasty and deep with a good hop profile that stood on its own over it’s deep dark body.  

My final sample was the Mr. Falcon which was a mix of the Black Thunder Schwarzbier and the Fire Eagle IPA.  A nice mix of the two beers, although I may prefer each brew on their own.  All in all, Austin Beerworks brews are all top notch and high quality. It was a unique experience to get a peek behind the curtain of their production.  

They also have some strange fascination with Unicorns, or maybe its that Unicorn magic that makes their beers so good!  Cheers to Austin Beerworks, and SCREEEEEEEEEE!

The Brü Revü – Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale

Can Dale’s Pale Ale be the best craft brewed beer in a can?  I haven’t tried them all, and I know Oskar Blues has several other canned options that look great, but Dale’s Pale Ale is one of the best beers I have had in a can and rivals some of the best bottled Pale Ales.  There are lots of hops in this one that pushes it on the verge of IPA territory.  Dale’s Pale Ale maintains a nice hop presence while staying fresh and highly satisfying.  Definitely a pale ale for a hop head, and maybe too much hops for someone looking for a milder pale ale.  I really enjoyed this one and canned beer or no canned beer; this is a fantastic pale ale!

Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale

Beer Bums Meeting - July 2011 - Canned Beer

The July meeting of the Bums, Canned Beer.  Oskar Blues was well represented along with the Fire Eagle IPA from the new Austin Beerworks.  There is definitely a good selection of craft beers in a can with the Old Chub being a favorite of this meeting.

The beers:

Austin Beerworks Fire Eagle IPA

Oskar Blues Old Chub

Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale

Oskar Blues Mamas Little Yella Pils

Maui Brewing Mana Wheat

Big Sky Montana Trout Slayer Ale

 

For next month, August - Beers of the Gulf Coast.