January 9, 2012
The Brü Revü – Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale is one of the few Christmas/Holiday beers that I look forward to each year. It is an IPA that is a “Fresh Hop Ale” which means it is brewed with the first, fresh hops of the growing season. It pours a deep amber color with a good sized head and loads of floral hop aroma. The taste is big hops with a slight malty backbone, but mainly the big piney hops. While it leaves a lingering bitter pine finish, and I lean towards the more citrusy hops, I found this Celebration Ale nicely balanced and very drinkable. It’s a shame I will have to wait until next year to get more!
January 6, 2012
Beer Bums Meeting – January 2012 – Favorite Beers of 2011
For this meeting we brought our favorite beers from 2011. Maybe a beer we tried for the first time and really loved, or one we just couldn’t stop drinking, etc. It was a great collection for the month and a wide variety. It was hard to pick a favorite, but the Trois Pistoles and Leviathan were really tasty!
Next Month, February – Uncle Billy’s BBQ Tour and Tasting?
Next Month, February – Uncle Billy’s BBQ Tour and Tasting?
January 5, 2012
The Brü Revü – BJ’s Brewhouse Grand Cru
I was in Clear Lake (one of many Suburbs of Houston) over the Holidays and on a brief respite from all the chaos my wife and I made an escape to BJ’s. BJ’s Brewhouse is a chain brew pub that makes decent beer and has several good beers on draught besides their own house brews. I also knew that over the Holidays they have their seasonal Grand Cru which is one of their best beers. Their Grand Cru is a Belgian style that reminds me fondly of the old Austin, Celis Brewery Grand Cru from back in the day. The beer came to me looking a little over carbonated but a nice golden color with plenty of the fruity Belgian esters. It was a very nice smooth and slightly sweet brew with enough bitterness on the end to keep it highly satisfying. It hides its high alcohol content very well and with one down I easily wanted another. Alas, it was back to the chaos! I recommend you make it to your local BJs while the Grand Cru is still in season, you will not be dissapointed.
January 3, 2012
Pint Glass Nights - January
Misc. pint glass nights around Austin for January. Buy the beer, keep the glass.
Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM
Jan. 02 New Belgium Snow Day
Jan. 09 St. Arnold Santo
Jan. 16 Rahr Winter Warmer
Jan. 23 Oskar Blues
Jan. 30 Avery
Draft Pick – Tuesdays, at 6:30 PM
Check their calendar for glass updates
The Tavern – Tuesdays
Check their facebook page for glass updates
Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM
Jan. 04 Sierra Nevada Celebration
Jan. 11 Oskar Blues Brewing
Jan. 18 St. Arnold Winter Stout
Jan. 25 Duvel
Flying Saucer - Wednesdays, at 7 PM
Jan. 04 Houblon Chouffe
Jan. 11 Kostritzer Schwarzbier
Jan. 18 Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
Jan. 25 Breckenridge 471 IPA
Draught House – Wednesdays
Check their twitter page for glass updates
January 1, 2012
The Brü Revü – Alesmith Speedway Stout
The Alesmith Speedway Stout is an Imperial Stout brewed with coffee beans and is in the top 10 best beers in the world in many "best beer" rankings. That is some good company and speaks to the high level of quality that Alesmith consistently delivers. I made sure to bring a Speedway Stout back with me from San Diego and it had been "aging" in my fridge for about 6 months. I figured Christmas Day was a good enough reason to pop open the Speedway Stout and give it a try. The beer poured a pitch black with practically zero head. The aroma was of coffee (of course), dark chocolate, and vanilla. The first taste was stronger coffee and chocolate which mellowed and became much smoother and decadent as it warmed. The Speedway Stout clocks in at a 12% ABV so by the time I finished my first glass I though this was easily the best beer on the planet! In retrospect I would put it up there with some of the best beers in the world, but to call it the best is more a matter of taste and mood. This was a truly great beer that I was happy to get the opportunity to try. It's a shame we cannot get it in Texas as I would love to drink more of this world class beer.
Alesmith Speedway Stout
Alesmith Speedway Stout
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)