TORPEDO- EXTRA IPA ALE

335 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 31, 2012 (Tuesday)

TORPEDO- EXTRA IPA ALE

12 fluid ounces, 7.2% BY VOL.

Brewed and Bottle by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico, CA

www.sierranevada.com

+++1/2

FROM THE BOTTLE: "Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA is a big American IPA, perfectly balanced yet full of flavor and aromas highlighting the complex citrus, pine and herbal character of whole-cone American hops."

FROM THE MOUTH: Yes, yes, yes, this is a nice mouthful of beer and I can now say I could taste pine before I read the label- woohoo, my buds are barking. And ...I did smell the beer first to see what that was all about...yup, you can definitely define the hops through everything else- starts a bit citrus but moves immediately into a full hop flavor.

FROM THE GRILL:" Po' Boy Sandwiches. A New Orleans favorite, this submarine style sandwich is typically made with fish or seafood like catfish, crawfish, shrimp, or oysters. The fish or seafood is fried and placed on a submarine or hoagie style bun often dressed with mayonnaise, tomatoes, and lettuce."

FROM THE STORE: Albertson's

He who allows oppression shares the crime. Desiderius Erasmus

drink yer beer

ei

LTD- FULL SAIL SERIES

336 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 30, 2012 (Monday)
LTD- FULL SAIL SERIES
12 fluid ounces, 7% BY VOL (nice)
Brewed and Bottled by Full Sail Brewery, Hood River, OR
www.fullsailbrewery.com
++

FROM THE LABEL: "What do you get when you brew an elegant Limited Edition Lager

with one select barley? The single malt of suds. Recipe number 4."

FROM THE MOUTH: Very nice smooth malty lager with just the right amount of hops sliding in at the end. Refreshing and full of flavor- sneaks up on you; nice way to end a Monday- thanks Full Sail.

FROM THE STORE: Trader Joe's

FROM THE GRILL: Toasted Ham and Cheese on Rye

Concealed talent brings no reputation. Desiderius Erasmus

Kathy Schultheis pointed out that there are 366 days this year- Oh goody..another beer-thanks Kathy!

drink yer beer

ei

HOFBRAU

337 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 29, 2012 (Sunday)

HOFBRAU BOCK

12 fluid ounces, 7% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME

Brewed and Bottled by Josephsbrau Brewing Co., San Jose, CA

++1/2

FROM THE LABEL: " 'Hofbrau' in German means "the brew of royalty." Josephsbrau Hofbrau Bock is a fine example of the regal brewing tradition still found in Germany today. This outstanding bock is golden in color, very rich and moderately hopped. Beer stats: 7 % ALCOHOL BY VOLUME, 22 international bitterness units. Brewed with three types of imported malts, Hallertau aroma hops and lager yeast."

FROM THE MOUTH: Nice pour and look at that beautiful amber color. When it first hits your tongue you are thinking.....hmmm malty ( sweet) but then it mellows out into a nice soft hop flavor in the end. VERY NICE transition. A very nice example of a Bock beer. Reminder to self: smell the beer first?!

Food choice: ROAST PORK TENDERLOIN

2 pork tenderloins, about 2 pounds total

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

"No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar."Abraham Lincoln

drink yer beer

ei

TRADITIONAL BOCK

Tradional Bock beer is a hearty bottom- fermented beer with a generously malty character and chocolatey dark- grain flavors. It has a creamy mouthfeel and the finish is lengthy and malty sweet. Hop bitterness is subdued- just enough to cut the cloying character of the malt. The color can run the spectrum from a deep burnt orange to mahogany. The alcohol content is usually considerable: a true German Bock beer must have a minimum alcohol content of 6.5 percent to a be called a Bock beer.
For your reading enjoyment...This is from Homebrewing for Dummies, in preparation for our beer we will be having this evening!!!!

THE DISSIDENT

338 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 28, 2012 (Saturday)

THE DISSIDENT- 2010 RESERVE

1 pint 6 fluid ounces, 10.5% ALC. by VOL

Brewed and Bottled by Deschutes Brewery, Bend Oregon

www.deschutesbrewery.com

?

"A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution."

FROM THE LABEL: "Every once in awhile you just have to go against the grain. Not to mention the yeast. Introducing our wildest brew yet, The Dissident- a distinctive Belgian- style brown ale. Fermented with wild yeast, we have to isolate this brew so as not to influence the others. Otherwise, we just might have an anarchy on our hands. So are you ready to break convention?"

"the dissident: sour brown ale brewed with cherries."

FROM THE MOUTH: Shocking at first and definitely NOT LIKE ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER TASTED BEFORE IN A BEER. It is more like an cherry cider- a hard cherry cider- wild and crazy cherry cider....NO..... BIG ASS cherry cider. Different and daring ............ bravely done! Probably would not drink this myself again but would keep it in my refrigerator for the brave ones!

Beautiful bottle- I had to take a picture of the whole bottle first - with the wax top and all- lovely, and then under the bottle cap it reads " bravely done", fantastic fun. The simplicity of the label disguises a complex and daring beer: you can even smell dark cherries as you bring it up to your mouth - your brain is thinking...wine....cider....what- this is beer?

Food- I am too confused....

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

Abraham Lincoln

drink yer beer

ei

SCULLER'S INDIA PALE ALE

339 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 27, 2012 (Friday)

SKULLER'S INDIA PALE ALE

One pint six fluid oz., no alcohol content listed

Brewed and Bottled by Skagit River Brewery, Mt Vernon, Washington

www.skagitbrew.com

++++ 1/2

FROM THE LABEL: " Refrigerate your beer or you will die"

FROM THE MOUTH: Warning and note to self....do not drink yer beer before you post or you may possibly ramble and very probably just want to sit in front of the TV and drool. Drink a glass of water to maintain clarity and press on, here we go. Beautiful looking golden amber beer with an almost perfect pour out of the bottle. First swig I can taste a bit of citrus then.. is that the 'piney' that Michael Jackson from Great Beer Guide mentions? Then, there is the lasting impression - hops and more hops. You know when you chew a piece of gum then spit it out and you still can taste the gum for awhile.......that is what you get here- a long lasting hopping going on in yer mouth.

Thanks to Peggy Kennedy Norquist for supplying Stevenscreekswigs with the beer this evening.

Food- are you kidding............

I want freedom for the
full expression of my personality.

drink yer beer

ei

MONGOOSE IPA

340 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 26, 2012 (Thursday)

MONGOOSE IPA

12 fluid ounces, no alcohol content on label

Brewed and Bottled by Hale's Ales LTD. Seattle Washington

++++

FROM THE LABEL: "Dry hopped India Pale Ale."

FROM THE MOUTH: Bam.... this starts out with a bang and ends with a punch. Very zesty and dancing like crazy with the bitter band. Lots of character (not even certain if that is a beer term, but it is now) and I can see why that Mongoose is in the fighting position with a 'don't mess with me look in his eyes.' Full flavor from beginning till the end. Is that 'cedary" I taste...hmmmm

*"Whatever you do will
be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."

Gandhi

*He knew someday Eileen would do a beer blog!!!

drink yer beer

ei

AMERICA'S 100 BEST BEER BARS- THANKS GEORGE

http:///draftmag.com/features/americas-100-best-beer-bars-2012

This is fantastic. I know where I am going when I go to Chicago, Muncie, Seattle, Huntsville, Boston, New Orleans and New York. Can anyone say....road trip!!!

FULL SAIL PALE ALE

341 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 25, 2012 (Wednesday)
FULL SAIL PALE ALE
12 fl. oz of ridiculously tasty American Pale Ale concocted by our massive brew force of 47 ( these guys are having fun; I should email them and invite them to join our gathering! )
5.4% BY VOL. ALE
Brewed and bottled by Full Sail Brewing company, Hood River , Oregon
www.fullsailbrewing.com

FROM THE LABEL: "Specialist in the liquid refreshment arts since 1987." Cute!

Nice pouring beer- although I missed out getting a good foam..... I wonder now about foam? Does it make a better beer taste if it has a good head of foam. Another thing for me to look into, unless someone has an idea they want to share. I am really enjoying the first pour each evening; since the bottles are dark I do not know what beautiful color beer is going to pour out. Michael Jackson of The Great Beer Guide has tips for tasting beer. He reminds us that " the pleasures of all food and drink are experienced with the eyes as well as the nose and palate." Appetizingly attractive is one way he describes 'The Look' of the beer. I like that and so far that seems to be what I am experiencing each evening when I take that new beer out of the fridge and pour it into the glass- attraction.

Lets get to the beer....a distinct flavor, quite hoppy and crisp. Has a nice ending...... Check out their web page for more description and all their beers!

Food Choice- chicken and rice curry.

Tonights beer was found at Trader Joes

The weak can never
forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

drink yer beer

ei

HOMEBREWING FOR DUMMIES

January 25, 2012 (Wednesday)

You knew it was going to lead to this!!! How can one really know about beer unless one partakes in the actual making of said beer! You all know what you will be getting for Christmas this year...Brewed and Bottled by StevensCreekswigs, label designed by moi. WOOHOO, let's get this partee started.

MIRROR POND PALE ALE

342 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 24, 2012 (Tuesday)
MIRROR POND- PALE ALE
12 fluid ounces, 5% ALC. BY VOL.
Brewed by Deschutes Brewery, Bend Oregon
www.deschutesbrewery.com
++++

FROM THE LABEL:"Welcome to Base Camp, where any craft brew exploration rightly begins. A distinct hop nose and deft balance makes Pale Ale's one essential quaff. It's aromatically complex, multi-layered and unmistakably honest. Courageously crafted since 1988 for fellow explorers everywhere."

FROM THE NECK: "If you could listen to *one album forever, what would it be? Relax at least there's Mirror Pond when it comes to Pale Ales."

As you can see from the pour ....I was suprised to see a distinct orange amber beer come flowing out...a beautiful looking beer with a perfect one finger foam on the pour. I would agree with the label as it does have a distinct hop flavor, more hop than malt and it is laaastttiiiinnngggg.

Food choice: MOUSSAKA (MEAT AND POTATO DISH)

How did this beer find it's way into this blog----Trader Joe's

Freedom is not worth
having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

Mahatma Gandhi

drink yer beer

ei

*one album... Pontiac by Lyle Lovett

SPATEN OPTIMATOR

343 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 23, 2012 (Monday)
SPATEN OPTIMATOR
12 fluid ounces, 7.6% ALC. BY VOL.
Brewed and bottled by Spaten-Brau, Munich, Germany since 1937

www.Spatenusa.com
++

YUMMY..... That is what it should say on the label, but alas.....they have kept it simple. I do love when the company tells a story about the beer all over the label. They do say it is a Doppelbock so you are somewhat prepared for the dark caramel color but you are not prepared for how well they have blended the hops and malt - nice strong presence with a smooth ending. This could be one of my favorites in the Bock family. I will definitely have this beer again...and again. (Husband just yelled down from upstairs, " this is a pretty good beer!" well, there you have it, Max likes it.

Where can you get this beer: I bought mine at Trader Joe's

Bock is a strong lager of German origin. Several substyles exist, including maibock or helles bock, a paler, more hopped version generally made for consumption at spring festivals; doppelbock, a stronger and maltier version; and eisbock, a much stronger version made by partially freezing the beer and removing the water ice that forms.

I know I usually mention a food choice but this is so good I wouldn't mess it up with food!

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.Mahatma Gandhi

drink yer beer

ei

AWESOME PUB IN DC- THANKS GEORGE!

http://www.bierbarondc.com/newmenu.htm

RED STRIPE

344 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 22, 2012 (Sunday)
RED STRIPE- Jamaican Lager
Happy Birthday Peggy Kennedy- Norquist- I love you
Happy Birthday Gabriel Evers (grandson) love you too- although he is only 5 so he won't be reading this, but his Mom better be!
11.2 fluid ounces, no alcohol content available
Brewed and bottled by Desnoes and Geddes Limited Kingston, Jamaica
www.redstripebeer.com

+

FROM THE BACK LABEL: "For over 80 years Red Stripe Lager has embodied the spirit, rhythm and pulse of Jamaica and its people."

Wikipedia says this about lagers: "The average lager in worldwide production is a pale lager in the Export or Pilsner styles. The flavor of these lighter lagers is usually mild, and the producers often recommend that the beers be served refrigerated. However, the examples of lager beers produced worldwide vary greatly in flavor, color, and composition."

As you can see by the pour this is light pale colored lager on the lean side. Is that a touch of citrus? A soft mild beer that went down way too smoothly. Usually by this point in the blog I am still sipping but this beer is gone.

Where can you get this beer: I got this at Trader joe's

Food choice: You will need plenty of Red Stripe on hand!

Jerk - The most popular dish in Jamaica is jerk. The main ingredient – pork, chicken or fish – is marinated with a fiery mixture of spices, including Scotch bonnet, a pepper that makes a jalapeño taste like a marshmallow, pimento or allspice, nutmeg and thyme. It’s all served up with even more hot sauce, rice and peas, and the wonderful festival bread (see above). Jerk is one of the ultimate Jamaican dishes, dating back to the island’s earliest days. The practice of cooking the meat over the flame was started by the Arawak Indians and then later seasoned up by the

Maroons.

quote tonight is from Henry Lawson "Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer." go Henry!

ei

JUBELALE

345 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 21, 2012 (Saturday)

Irish beat Sycracuse

JUBELALE

12 fluid ounces, 6.7% ALC. BY VOL.

Deschutes Brewery, Bend Oregon

www.deschutesbrewery.com

+++

FROM THE LABEL: "A festive winter Ale" and "Cara + Louie" Not much information about the beer but what a fun label. It is a close up of a man dressed for winter ( scarf), one gloved hand holding a beer and the other hand is tossing a snowball. And who are Cara and Louie?

On to the beer. The Great Beer Guide offers a page titled " Lexicon of Flavors and Aromas." so I am now better equiped to describe this beer. He describes Hoppy thusly: "Herbal, zesty, earthy, cedary, piney, appetizingly bitter." So I am going with earthy with some coffee undertones, it definitely has a punch ( good bitterness) on the tongue. Actually, it tastes a bit like a Smithwicks on draft.

notice the 'one finger' foam! That is what Michael Jackson- The Great Beer Guide - said to aim for in a good pour....excellent.

Where can you get this beer: purchased at Trader Joe's

Food: a thick cheese bread

If you fail to prepare,then prepare to fail

ei

can you see this better Peg?

WINTER SOLSTICE SEASONAL ALE

346 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 20, 2012 (Friday)

Happy Birthday Ayelet Barkai

WINTER SOLSTICE SEASONAL ALE

1 pt. 6 fluid ounces, 6.9% ALC. BY VOL.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Boonville Mendocino County, CA
www.avbc.com

++

FROM THE FRONT LABEL: Brewed from only the finest malted barley, yeast, hops, seasonal spicing , and pristine Boonville mineral water." Check out the bear on the label- it has antlers!

FROM THE BACK LABEL: " Each year, as people are unpacking their winter clothes and replenishing their firewood, we make seasonal preparations of a different kind. As the cold arrives, we release a unique beverage created to add warmth to even the coldest and darkest of winter days. Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale begins with a very high original gravity to create a hearty and spicy brew with a deep amber hue and a smooth finish. Anderson Valley Brewing Company wishes you the very best for the holiday season and the New Year." 'Never heat pasteurized or Sterile filtered.'

GOLD MEDAL WINNER

SOLAR POWERED BREWERY

I like the solar powered brewery addition they add to the cap! Not sure where the award came from but after tasting this deep amber ale I would agree. Damn if it doesnt have a sweet whiskey draw to it...how do they do that? Very clever...first sip you say to yourself, "oh this is smooth but wait, what is thaaattttt flaaavoooor onnn mmyyyy tonnnggguuueeee." SO, you take another sip and another sip....... whatever it is , perhaps after I finish the bottle I will know, it is so lovely and sweet and 'seasonal' you will wish it was winter all year round. Honestly, drinking this beer brings images of all that is wonderful about the Holiday Season..how do they do that! OK finished the bottle and it is sort of an Amaretto flavor- Very yummy!

This beer was supplied by Peggy Norquist in support of Stevens Creek Swigs-thanks Peggy!

When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.

ei

JUMPING COW AMBER ALE

347 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 19, 2011 (Thursday)

JUMPING COW AMBER ALE

12 fluid ounces, 5.4% ALC/VOL

Brewed and Bottled by Steinhaus Brewery Company, Robles CA

++

FROM THE LABEL: "Brewed from the finest malted barley, hops, yeast and water"

A Very smooth mix of malt and hops, have to read about yeast ( geez, who'd of thought so much went into the making of a good beer). I can recognize the hops now and the malt but how does yeast come into it. More later about yeast in beer after some research. Anyway, another great sipping beer- goes down well and doesn't argue with you. A bit less hoppy and malty than last nights beer- the quiet sister perhaps!

beer is healthy!!!! check it out:

http://www.livestrong.com/video/2461-healthy-food-choices-beer-/

food choice: Maria's Italian meatballs Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs 1/3 cup water (more or less)1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 medium onion garlic salt pepper .

Your imagination is your
preview of life's coming attractions.

drink up

ei

WINTERFEST

348 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 18, 2012

Happy Birthday Uncle John Coyle ( 81)

WINTERFEST- Dark Double Bock Lager

12 fluid ounces, 7.5% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME

Brewed and bottled by: JosephsBrau Brewing Company, San Jose, CA

+++

FROM THE BACK LABEL: JosephsBrau Brewing Conpany's Winterfest is a rish, dark, bock, inspired by the beer Bavarian monks brewed to lift their spirits during the long fasts of Lent.Dark roasted Munich and caramel malts worked wonders for hungry monks. Our Winterfest is sure to the same for you. 28 bitterness units." gotta love this story...helped the Monks survive Lent!!!!

I love the color- rich and dark amber. I think I poured it wrong because their is little foam. I will learn how to pour with my new book! " too much creaminess will rob the beer of it's appetizingly bitter character. the hops oils will migrate from the beer itself and hide in the head." Looks like one should begin pouring with a gentle tilt down the side of the glass then sharpen the angle and pour more directly to avoid the beer becoming too flat. Aim for "one finger of foam."

Bock is a strong lager of German origin.

For the first time I can taste the smooth caramel malt and it is LOVELY. The perfect balance of the sweet malt with the bitter hop must have kept the Monks smiling all the way through the long days of Lent!

where can you get this beer: head down to Trader Joe's

storms make oaks take roots.

ei

LOOK WHAT I GOT TODAY!!!!!

HAHAHA!!! oh my gosh...we are talking some FUN times now. 509 different beers! Teaches how to pour an Ale, a Stout, a Pilsner and a Wheat beer. How to judge beers and how to 'taste' a beer. I will do some reading and let you know what I discover!

NEW CASTLE BROWN ALE

349 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 17, 2012 ( Tuesday)
NEW CASTLE BROWN ALE
12 fluid ounces, no alcohol content listed
Newcastle Federation Breweries LTD., Dunston, England
+

FROM THE BACK LABEL: " It is well known that Newcastle Brown Ale is full of flavor and remarkably smooth, what's less known is that starting in 1925 it took three long years for Colonel J.Porter to create the brands distinctive recipe. When first exhibited , Newcastle Brown Ale swept
the board at the prestigious 1928 International Brewery Awards. Proud of the achievement we still feature the gold medals on our labels to this day."

WOW- the label has four awards! Nice pour, beautiful amber color and a definite winner in my book. It has a mild hoppy taste but it is blended so nicely with the malt that you are not sure if that really is what you just tasted. Man this is SMOOTH......................

I will definitely be drinking this beer again.

Food choice- Bangers and Mash (mashed potatoes and sausages). (since our beer is imported from England) And by the way...... Bangers are sausages in England. (The reason sausages were nicknamed bangers is that during wartime rationing they were so filled with water they often exploded when they were fried.)

When life gives you lemons......you probably just found lemons.

ei

SPATEN

350 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 16, 2012
Happy Birthday Brendan Thomas ( 14)
SPATEN
12 fluid ounces, 5.2% ALC./VOL
Brewed and bottled by Spaten-Brau, Munich Germany since 1387
www.spatenusa.com

FROM THE LABEL: "Premium lager"

As you can see by the pour this is a nice light yellow lager, very mild indeed with a nice bit of sweet malt at the end- suprisingly refreshing taste.

Food choice- a good hearty- Habanaro Chili

"Facts are stubborn things". John Adams

ei

SMITHWICK'S

351 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL
January 15, 2012 (Sunday)
Happy Birthday Grandma Coyle 1905-2007
Smithwick's - Imported Irish Ale
12 fluid ounces, 4.5% ALCOHOL (surprised me)
Brewed by Guiness & Co, Dublin Ireland
+++

ON THE FRONT LABEL: E Smithwick's and Sons LTP. Superior Ale brewed and natural by tradional methods.

BACK LABEL: The brewery at St Francis Abbey in Kilkenny, Ireland has been in operation since 1710. Smithwick's is Irelands oldest ale, inspired by John Smithwicks original recipe. This ale delivers a distinctive amber color, full bodied taste and ultra smooth finish."

Something that has been around since 1710 deserves respect and this beer delivers the goods. Having been to Ireland twice and I can almost taste the land when I close my eyes. A sound solid beer with the heart of Ireland at its core. Brillant.

I wouldn't mess with food- just drink yer beer.

ei

YELLOW WOLF IMPERIAL IPA

352 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 14, 2012 (Saturday)

Alameda Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA

1 pt, 6 fluid ounces, ALC. 8.2% BY VOL.

Alameda Brewing Company

503-460-9025

http://www.alamedabrewhouse.com/

Cool label but no story :-( Much like the Session beer we had earlier this week they let the beer speak for itself.....and speak it does! Not much foam on the pour but the color is rich and golden looking and the hops are a hoppin. First impression and the first words out of my husbands mouth, "a bit bitter but I like it." So, of all the beers so far I would say this one is the most bitter but that does not mean bitter bad, it means strong and lasting flavor with a bite of hops. It goes down very smooth tonight...so I must pace myself for the long evening ahead.

Perfect food choice--antipasto- the spicy and the bitter...sounds like a soap opera!

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."

Elbert Hubbard

hope you are all having a great day-THANKS FOR THE BEER PEG!!!

ei

CZECHVAR

353 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 13, 2012 (Friday the 13th!)

Czechvar- premium Czech Lager

1pt, 9 fluid ounces, AL 5% VOL

Brewed and bottled by the The Brewing B.B.N.P. in C'ESKE' BUDEJOVICE

http://www.czechvar.com/

ON THE LABEL: " Czechvar is the special name of the world famous beer produced by the renowned brewery in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. Benefiting from over 700 years of brewing experience of the south Bohemian region, Czechvar is the golden original, acknowledged by many connoisseurs as one of the best lagers in the world."

so I was wondering what Lager meant:
Lager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lager (German: storage) is a type of beer that is fermented and conditioned at low temperatures.

Pale lager is a very pale to golden-coloured lager with a well attenuated body and noble hop bitterness. The brewing process for this beer developed in the mid 19th century when Gabriel Sedlmayr took pale ale brewing techniques back to the Spaten Brewery in Germany and applied it to existing lagering brewing methods. This approach was picked up by other brewers, most notably Josef Groll who produced Pilsner Urquell. The resulting pale coloured, lean and stable beers were very successful and gradually spread around the globe to become the most common form of beer consumed in the world today.

So this was a nice golden mellow beer, could sip it all day sitting in a pub in The Bohemian Region eating ....what else but Tresci jatra ( cod liver) Or ...if you are stuck in Spokane Washington a good meal of fish and chips would meet well with a Czechvar lager.

Ecclesiastes: "Let thy words be few"

ei

SAMUEL ADAMS- OLD FEZZIWIG ALE

354 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 12, 2012 ( Thursday)

Samuel Adams- Old Fezziwig Ale

12 fluid ounces, 5.9% ALC BY VOL

The Boston Beer Company

ON THE LABEL: " Old Fezziwig Ale is in the tradition of special seasonal beers for the winter Holidays, and takes its name from the festive character in Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol." This is a hearty, rich brownish - red ale that gets its character from large amounts of specialty malts. These roasted caramel and chocolate malts give it a very full body and smooth taste that spiced with a touch of cinnamon, ginger and orange. Happy Holidays!"

What a surprisingly nice hearty ( but not too hearty) full tasting beer. Very smooth. Not Hoppy tasting but holds a rich malty flavor on your tongue. Dont let the mention of cinnamon, ginger and orange scare you away- or chocolate and caramel for that matter. Whatever they did in the blending process it all worked out in the end. Beautiful looking beer and a great beer to have around, too bad it is just around for the holidays. Get your fill while you can!

This went really well with my Chesapeake bay crab cakes!!!

EVERY ARTIST WAS FIRST AN AMATEUR

EI

SAMUEL ADAMS - BLACK AND BREW

355 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 11, 2012 ( Wednesday)

Samual Adams Black and Brew - Coffee Stout

12 fluid, 5.8% ALC./VOL.

Brewed by The Boston Beer Company, Boston MA

+++

OFF THE LABEL: "Our Coffee Stout is a full-bodied, rich stout that supports the espresso character of the coffee. We use 1.5 pounds of Sumatran coffee per barrel. Rich and toasty, the flavor leads with coffee and follows with underlying notes of chocolate, caramel and dark fruit. Cheers!" Jim Koch

As you can see by the pour this is a rich dark beer. I thought it would be heavy and thick but it is smooth and silky. From first sip to the last you will not be disappointed (if you like coffee) because each sip holds it flavor and character. A bold full beer with a delightful fun taste. I caught a bit of chocolate, but mostly coffee, a very nice smooth blend of punching flavors.

I would suggest some beef with this brew!!

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail-

Ei

SESSION- RED

356 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL

January 10, 2012 ( Tuesday)

Session - Red

11 ounces, 5.1 % alcohol

Full Sail Brewing Company, Hood River, Oregon

Pretty plain label and they do not describe their beer or give us a history of their brewing- they just leave it up to you to give it a go.....and I did and I found the beer to be a nice smooth mildly blended beer with no after taste. This is a beer with out much personality ....you can sit with it and not get agitated and want to sit with some other beer! It is a good sipping beer if you are going to be hanging out at the bar awhile and don't want to fall out of your chair at the end of the evening- one must have priorities when drinking. I have to mention the surrounding and restaurant where this beer was consumed. Please visit the Rusted Porch in Steamboat Springs for a great atmosphere and a surprising menu. Try the carrot soup and Grapefruit salad with your Session beer and sit back and watch the snow fall - floor to ceiling windows on three sides give you a nice view of winter wonderland.

"Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last River has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that Money Cannot be eaten." Cree Indian Prophecy.

ei