7 Texas Flying Saucers - One Day! December 10th, 2011

I had been planning a trip to all the Flying Saucers in Texas for a while. When I first started planning the trip, there were only 6 Flying Saucers in Texas. Sadly, another group did my trip in the meantime. Then, they opened a new Flying Saucer in Sugar Land, just outside of Houston. I updated the trip to include Sugar Land and we are the first group EVER to visit all 7 Flying Saucers in Texas. WOO HOO!!

There were 3 of us on this trip: Tracy, Judy and myself, Jonathan.

The basic rules were, only 30 minutes in each Saucer and drink one beer. We met with the manager on duty in each one. I was pleasantly surprised how excited each of the managers were to meet us. I had printed a list of beers unique to each location so we (or at least I), could enjoy something not available at home. Something none of us had even considered, but Brandon offered us an inactive UFO card for his Saucer - as most have fun unique cards. So, we added to our list of things to do: ask for an inactive card for a souvenir. Judy and I also picked up a "Fly Paper" (beer menu) at each location as well and one for her friend, Claud.

Our first Saucer was the newest in Sugar Land. We were excited to see this location since it was new, AND we know the manager Brandon Doss (that's him on the right in the picture). We met Brandon while he trained in our home Saucer in Addison. The Sugar Land location didn't disappoint. Brandon was very proud of his store ... as he should have been. He took us on a tour and introduced us around. Luckily, we were early to the store, so we had an extra 10 minutes to dedicate to this location. Beers: Jonathan - Clown Shoes Brown Angel, Tracy - Independence Bootlegger Brown, Judy - Karbach Rodeo Clown.

The 2nd location was Houston, which is located downtown. We met with manager, Brad, who also was excited to see us and wanted to share his many beers. Since we didn't have time and only wanted to drink one beer, he brought out mini-tasters for us. Good thing too, because they do have a great selection of beer from breweries we don't have in our home Saucer. We met our friend, Mary Ann Wacker there too. Beers: Jonathan - Karbach Hell Fighter Imperial Porter, Tracy - Karbach Sympathy For The Lager, Judy - Karbach Hopadillo IPA.

The 3rd location was San Antonio. It was a long drive from Houston to San Antonio and sadly, it rained on the way in and at the store. The store is known for the great outdoor seating, which we didn't have the opportunity to enjoy. We met Katie and Trent, the managers on duty. They were fun as they called our next stop to let them know we were on the way. Beers: Jonathan - Ranger Creek UNO, Tracy - Harpoon Winter Warmer, Judy - Shiner Holiday Cheer.

The 4th location was Austin. Traffic was bad as you might expect and by now it was prime time on a Saturday night. Needless to say, the place was packed. Luckily, we snagged a seat outside. They had some outdoor heaters, so it was pleasant. The manager was Sam Wynne, a certified Cicerone. We met my friend Patricia Thomas and her boyfriend, "The Engineer." Beers: We all had the same beer - Ranger Creek Saison Oscura.

The 5th location was Fort Worth, also a downtown location. Traffic downtown was a mad house, but we found parking and got to the store. The place was WALL TO WALL...pretty much standing room only! So we stood up the entire time, but found the manager, Landon. Fun guy, and he could have talked with us longer than we had time alloted. Beers: Jonathan - Maui Smoked Hemp (how fun is that name? Beer? OK), Tracy - Dechuttes Black Butte Porter, Judy - Maui Smoked Hemp.

The 6th location was our home Saucer, Addison. We called ahead to Bo Peyton, the manager and asked to save us some place to sit. As much fun as it was to visit some new Saucers and revisit other Saucers, there is something about coming home to where you know everybody. Beers: Jonathan - New Belgium Snow Day, Tracy - Xingu, Judy - Anchor Steam.

The 7th and final location was "The Lake" which is on Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland. I walked in and held up my hands indicating the number seven and walked up to Ryan, the manager. He looked at me quizzically and I said this was 7 of the 7 Saucers in one day. He reached out, shook my hand, asked my name and came back with Jonathan Marsh? Then it clicked who we were! Claud met us there late and shared a celebratory beer with us. Beers: Jonathan - Troubador Imperial Stout, Tracy - 512 Pecan Porter, Judy - Rogue Double Chocolate Stout.

What a long day, about 585 miles and the total round trip was about 833 miles. But, an amazing day with really good beers and good friends!

The Triple Threat

Here are some party pics from our recent plate party at the Flying Saucer (where we imbibed on Bitch Please...see previous post).  Thanks to MOU Judy for the pictures!

Good picture.  Remember this is the Rev's THIRD plate, just Joe's and my SECOND...the bitch lapped us!  But everybody's happy (even the back of Muffin's head) we had $300 to spend.

Another good picture...

And, finally, it's official...beer makes me happy!

I'm just sayin'.



BrewDog - Bitch Please

Tracy, Joe and I had our combined plate party last Saturday. They each have finished plate 2 and I have finished plate 3. Since we had so much money to spend, we decided to order some of the more expensive beers. One of those beers was BrewDog Bitch Please. It was a 12 oz bottle and cost $22 each! We ordered 2 of the beers to split. That was a GREAT idea! Why? Because it was one of the weirdest beers I have ever had. Joe and I drank most of the two bottles. I think Joe liked it the best. I kept trying it again and again. Perhaps thinking it change as it warmed up. Everything on paper looked like a beer I would love. Practical application proved differently. Some of the reviews I have read said there was too much going on. I think that is apt.

Perhaps the text on the side of the beer tells it best:
I am a collaborative brew. I am a messed up, idiosyncratic, schizophrenic son of a bitch. I would blame my parents. With the wolves of 3 Floyds and pirates from BrewDog involved, the writing was on the wall for me. Right from the start ... An inherently Scottish spin on a barley wine style brewed with peated malts from Islay and eclectic hops.After fermentation the beer was aged in old single malt whiskey barrels for 8 months.

Not a beer I would buy again, but definitely happy I had the chance to give this one a shot!

Beer Cookies

Recipe links for beer cookies Judy made for Claud’s 4^th plate party at the Addison Flying Saucer What’s better than beer and cookies? Beer and cookies made with beer! Double YUM!

Belgian White Beer Cookies with Orange Icing (Avery White Rascal)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ultimate-recipe-showdown/white-beer-cookies-recipe/index.html

Dressmaker’s Double Chocolate Stout Cookies (Young’s Double Chocolate Stout)

http://measuringspoons.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/dressmakers-double-stout-cookies/

Carrot Cranberry Oatmeal Stout Breakfast Cookies (Boulevard Dark Truth Stout)

http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/86171/carrot-cranberry-oatmeal-stout-breakfast-cookies/

Deschutes Black Butte Porter XXIII

I went to The Lake Flying Saucer just to try this beer. It comes in a wax dipped 22 ounce bottle and is 10.8% ABV. The label reads: "Black Butte XXIII: Porter brewed with cocoa nibs, orange and natural flavor added with 25% aged in Bourbon Barrels." This is one rich beer! The dark roast flavor is up front and then you get the orange. They claim to have chiles in here and if you know me, I don't get essences of or hints of. So, sadly, I didn't get that, but I was LOVING me some of this beer.

On the side of the bottle it says, "Best After: 6/15/12". This beer can get better? WOW!

The only downside was the $22 price tag at the Flying Saucer, but I don't regret the purchase one bit.

And There Was Much Rejoicing!!!

Spec’s liquor and food chain heading to Dallas




Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods, a Houston-based family-run business since 1962, confirmed Thursday that it’s planning to enter the Dallas market.

The chain of 93 stores has a goal of being statewide by the end of this year, “and the only way to do that is to include Dallas,” said Lisa Rydman Key, vice president of marketing. “We’ve been asked for years by our customers who moved to Dallas to open a store there.”

North Texas voters eliminated beer and wine boundaries in last year’s election, which made coming into the market “more doable,” she said.

Several grocery stores and convenience stores in previously dry areas of Dallas have added beer and wine since the law changed, including Kroger and 7-Eleven. Several liquor stores operate in the Dallas market, including the area’s largest chain, Centennial Fine Wine and Spirits. California-based specialty food store Trader Joe’s is looking in the Dallas area but also hasn’t announced its first location.

Initially, Spec’s plans two to three Dallas-area stores, Key said. “We’re in the midst of lease negotiations and hope to have a store open by the end of the year.”

Store sizes vary, with Spec’s smaller stores occupying about 8,000 square feet. Its flagship Houston store is its biggest at 80,000 square feet. The size depends on the products stocked at each location, said Key, a third-generation family member and an alumnus of Dallas’ Southern Methodist University.

“We have 35,000 products and 15,000 to 16,000 are just wine, but we’re also known for our huge food selection,” she said. “There’s plenty of room in Dallas for another liquor company, and what we offer is
different.”

Spec’s has been expanding rapidly. “Three weeks ago, we opened in El Paso , next week Killeen and late August in Georgetown. We’re looking for a second San Antonio store,” Key said.

Life is AWESOME!!!  (ooo Trader Joe's too!!)

Allagash Brewery

So, this brewery WASN'T a bust, but I didn't get the love :(

We found the brewery and there were signs indicating retail and tours. There were people moving inside the retail store. When I went in and asked about a tour, I was told tours were at 11, 1 & 3 and sadly, it was about 5:15. I explained that I had come all the way from Texas through Labrador, Canada and I still got no loving.

But, the retail space was open and the young woman told me about the new beer they had just bottled called Curieux. It is their trippel that has been aged in a oak bourbon barrel. It comes in at 11% ABV. It is what you might expect. It is a trippel for Christ sake and would be a fine beer on it's own. But for some reason, aging them in oak bourbon barrels just adds a special something to them.

Because I am in a hotel room, I am enjoying this fine beer from a plastic cup and yet, it is still a fine beer.

If I was in a car, I would have loaded up on Allagash beers, but given I am on the motorcycle, you guys get no loving either ... sorry :(

Brewery #2 - BUST

I thought Storm Brewing (formerly known as Fresh Water Brewing) was in Carbonear, Newfoundland. We rode through town and saw nothing. I asked a guy on the street and he had never heard of it. Our waiter at the diner in town suggested I look in Fresh Water, Newfoundland. Finally, we met another local (a firefighter) who knew it was gone.

I went back to the website and found it has since moved to Mount Pearl and they don't do tours.

Unibroue - BUST, Storm Brewing - BUST.

All I have left now is Allagash in Portland, Maine.

Ontario Beer

We stopped for dinner at a place called Smitty's. By the door when we entered was a sign, ask about Seelman beers and malts. So, I did :)

Had a Seelman Dark. Not too bad. Nice color and a bit of hops flavor. It is very balanced. I just liked I had a local Canadian brew!

Seelman Dark

So Close ... And Yet So Very Far Away

On my trip, I went past the cities for 4 Flying Saucers and didn't stop at even one. It was a sad day :(

Beer-B-Que Beers Redux

Last Sunday they had a Beer-B-Que celebration at the Flying Saucer in Addison. One of the managers, Josh, grilled up a some pork loins, chicken and andoui sausage. On top of that they tapped 12 great beers, two every hour. If you are an avid reader, you may have heard that you have to drink 200 different beers to earn a plate at the Flying Saucer. But, they limit you to 3 per day. So, I don't drink more than 3. I had to plan the beers I wanted most along with the period of time I wanted to hang out. I enjoyed Brooklyn Main Engine Start, Avery 18 and Saint Arnold Bourbon Barrel Stout.

I noticed today that they still had most of the beers that were tapped. So, I had to go and enjoy a few that I missed. Today I enjoyed Lagunitas Fusion VI, New Belgium Grand Cru and finally, Avery Samael. The Samael comes in at at 16.45% ABV, so it is served in a small snifter. It is expensive, but OH SO TASTY!

OK, so it was less of a redux and more of an extension of the Beer-B-Que because I enjoyed different beers, but what the hell, it was a good time AND you can't beat a beer buzz from GREAT beer :)

UFO Second Plate Party

After taking just over two years to get my first plate at Flying Saucer, it took only 6 months to get my second. I had to laugh when I showed up for my party and they had the totally wrong name on the reserved sign. Our server, Shaina, quickly took the sign away and brought out my plate. I asked her to please bring back the wrong sign, because we wanted to have some fun. There were many "Joe Marh is a son-of-a-bitch" toasts involved.

Oh yeah, if you don't know about the beerknurd program at the Flying Saucer, you have to drink 200 different beers to get a plate on the wall. Once you do, you get a $100 tab for a party with your friends. Each plate has a different color inside to denote how many plates you have earned. Thus the yellow for plate two.

Road Trip - Austin BEER!!!!

Austin Beer Week Oct 22- 30, 2011

http://austinbeerweek.com/

Sin City Brewing Company

So I'm in Las Vegas on business, and I just happen to be staying at the Flamingo Hotel.  And from an episode of Drinking Made Easy, I remember Sin City Brewing Company has a bar here!  OMG!  Imagine!  A drinking opportunity in Las Vegas!

The Stout?  To die for...right up Sammy's alley.  I totally got 512 Pecan Porter (Cask) out of it.   Yep, Sammy...I had two (2) in your honor.

The Amber?  Nutty, malty, roasty deliciousness in a cup!

The Weisse?  Refreshing!  A lot like Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat.  Had just a taste because I had to have another Stout.

Didn't bother with the Blonde...I just ran out of time, but they had a seasonal Pils on tap that was tasty, too.

The only thing that I really, REALLY couldn't believe was there were people sitting there, at the brewing company bar, drinking Coors Light (among other lites).  For realz?  Are you fucking kidding me?  Get the fuck out!  Go on!  Go over there to the casino bar and drink that stuff.  Don't, for the love of god, sit here and gulp the swill.  Shooo. 

Maybe next time, I'll go to the actual brewing company, rather than to one of their "satellite" stores.

Surprised It's Not Specs

Yes, my favorite beer store, Specs, should be in this pic, but you get the idea...

I've Been Held Hostage in Denver

Thanks for not sending help!


I'm sure some would argue about where good beer is made. Hell, I'm sure some would argue about what beer is really good. But let me tell you...when the beer gods got together and thought about where they'd prefer to make and drink awesome beer, I'll be Colorado won, hands down.

Oh my goodness there are some mighty good beers up here. I had a beer that made my backbone slip a notch...like I'd sat down in one of those papago chairs (round, usually set on bamboo, looks like a bra cup) that was covered in warm silky caramel. I had a beer that had so much delicious coffee flavor in it, it woke me up next week. I had a beer infused with jalapeno and habanero peppers...I needed a guacamole chaser. I had a beer that tasted like that spot of sunshine that you curl up in with your cat on a Sunday afternoon. I had a beer that could have been sold out of the ice cream man's truck on a summer's day from my childhood (that would, of course, been illegal, but...you get my drift).

Then there's the food. BBQ with a sauce made from the same Oatmeal Stout I was drinking with it. A jalapeno cream cheese burger. Chicken Marsala with a sauce so rich and thick it would hold on to an upside down spoon. A chocolate brownie like mom used to make...with frosting!! Damn.

Stay thirsty my friends!

Karma

The Sammies (and by proxy, Frau Beer Knurd) tried Avery Karma this weekend.  Karma's a tasty little redhead ready to hang out with you at the pool this summer.  Billed as a 'bright and estery' (estery?) Belgian-style pale ale in limited release.  We give it two Sammies.  Try it before it's all gone bye-bye.  You know that's the Sammy super-power, right?  Making beers disappear? :D

Michigan Beers

I am in Michigan again and of course had to have a few brews. The first beer is a New Holland Brewery product called The Poet. I stopped and checked out this beer strictly for it's label. I noticed it was an oatmeal stout and seriously, I have never met a stout I didn't like. I can't say that this is an exemplary beer, but it is a classic example of it's style. You won't be disappointed.

Also did a stop by the local Grand Haven brewer, "Odd Side Ales." I made an entry back in January about this brewer. I did another sampler and absolutely loved the "Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Coffee Stout. You can taste the chocolate, cherry and coffee in the beer.

My sister and brother-in-law have an event center. At the bar, there are 3 taps. Currently, they have Bell's Oberon, a seasonal wheat ale that is very popular. Blue Moon and Founder's Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale. My favorite was the Dirty Bastard. But since Oberon is seasonal and it just came out, it is selling better now. Oh well, their loss!

For all you mothers

MoM.  A nice, breezy Hefeweizen from our friends at Rogue Ales.  To quote the bottle: "Ale brewed with coriander and ginger and coastal free range water (huh?).  5.2% ABV.  Dedicated to the mother in all of us."   To quote Mank: "It's a mutha."  Beer guy tells Sammy that DAD should be along soon.  Meet us at the pool, Daddio.

Widmer Brothers' Reserve Barrel Aged Brrrbon

This last weekend, Tracy & I went to visit Sammy, Sammy, Sammy Jr. and Mank. We went to a grocery store in their town where the guy who runs the beer and wine department does a bang up job. While perusing the vast array of craft beers, I found a box that said Barrel Aged Brrrbon. It is a seasonal beer called Brrr that has been aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels.

I have to admit, based solely on the price and the box, I had high expectations ... and I wasn't disappointed. There was NO doubt this beer had been aged in bourbon barrels. I loved this, but one of the Sammy's wasn't impressed. If you ever find this, give it a try!

StumbleUpon Delivered This To Me

A funny infograph from Eating the Road.  While it's not quite what I would suggest (not enough craft or micro-brews), it's still a pretty good chart.

Flying Saucer (at The Lake) Saint Arnold Beer Dinner

Joe, The Rev and I went to the FS at the Lake last night for a beer tasting/dinner...much like the one we went to in Addison before Christmas.

Saint Arnold’s Brewery was the host, and we tried seven different beers. Here’s what we had:

We started off with the Elissa IPA – ordinarily I’m not a huge fan of IPAs (they’re too hoppy for me and therefore rate high on my Ack-o-Meter), but this one, even though it was full of Cascade Hops, was nicely balanced. Paired with it was a platter of chipotle hummus, pita bread, cucumbers, tomatoes and feta. The chipotle notes and the smooth hummus took any hoppy edge off the IPA and really brought out the citrus notes in the beer.

Next we had the Texas Wheat paired with cream of jalapeno soup. While totally drinkable, the Wheat seemed a little “meh” to me. It has a lot of citrus right up front, and I got just a hit of mint on the finish, but there’s no real oomph to it. This is an American Pale Wheat, not a Hefeweissen, so there wasn’t the usual clove, banana or bubble gum flavors that jump out of that German style. The soup, we all agreed, was a little lame. There was some spice to it, but no real FLAVOR. That lameness, combined with the meh-ness of the beer left me ready for the next course.

Ah! The Brown Ale. One of my favorites. It pours almost red, and you can smell the vanilla, the malts and sugars. The taste blasts nuttiness – probably pecans – a just a hint of chocolate (although I didn’t get the chocolate until I gulped the last in the glass). This was paired with a ham sandwich jazzed up with sautéed apples and gruyere cheese. A great paring. So much so, we recommended they put the sandwich on their regular menu. Here’s hoping they do!

Up next was their Lawnmower brew – a stab at the Kolsch style so popular in Koln, Germany. I think they fall way, way short. Both Joe and The Rev liked it, though. It’s very floral, almost peat-y. There’s a sharpness to it that just isn’t present in the Kolsch brewed in Germany...it has a bit of sweetness that plays wonderfully against the florals instead of fighting with them. The food presented was a bacon-wrapped, cream cheese-stuffed chicken mcnugget and some asparagus. A nice pairing, even with the undesired sharpness.

Time for the Amber Ale. Also one of my favorites. This amber has a great balance between hops and malt, but the roasted malts win out in the form of lots of raisin, caramel and molasses flavors. The mouthfeel is almost sticky and totally delicious. I was not happy with the food pairing for this great beer: cod and cilantro fish cakes with sweet chipotle sauce. Ick. So...I just drank the beer.

The highlight of the evening was this next course: Divine #9, released a couple of years ago. It’s an American Double Imperial Stout weighing in at 11% abv. It’s a chocolate pumpkin cheesecake in a beer bottle. Loads of flavors: nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin, dunked in dark chocolate. Truly divine. They served this little slice of heaven with a dark chocolate mousse garnished with whipped cream and graham cracker cookies. OMG! I can only hope that I see this on a shelf somewhere...I’m sooo buying it!

Finally, as if we needed another course after the fabulousness, was a Root Beer, paired with pecan pie. Let me just say this, I hate root beer. Always have. But, again, Joe and The Rev thought it was great. I even gave up my pecan pie to them. Two reasons: I wanted to end on the high note of the mousse, and I was totally full.

All in all, a good dinner/tasting. I understand they’re having another one in April, featuring Stone brewery. Yeah, we’ll be going to that one.

De Block Satan Red

Because I am ordained, I tend to enjoy drinking beers like Avery Reverend and Salvation. But, because I am not a good reverend, I also like beers such as Avery Samaels and The Beast. So, when I saw that there was a beer called De Block Satan Red, I HAD to try it! Really, this was a part of the description: A Belgian ale that has nice deep red flames straight from hell! It was a surprisingly good beer. It poured very red with a lot of effervescence ... perhaps that is where the red flames were. The style is a belgian strong ale. Lots of fun, if for no other reason than the label on the bottle!

Boulevard Chocolate Ale - Great Googlie-Mooglie

So Joe, the Reverend and I decided to celebrate our finally warmer weather with a trip to the Fort Worth Flying Saucer.  The Rev waved his magic wand and ran a list for us that showed unique beers availalble in Fort Worth that are not found either in Addison or at the Lake.

One beer, Boulevard Chocolate Ale (on tap), stood out on the list.  It's description?  Full of surprises, beginning with a glowing amber hue. The aroma is given over to earthy, fruity cocoa, with just a hint of hops. Smooth layers of dark chocolate intertwine with threads of caramel, vanilla, and nutty malt as the flavor warms and rounds to a bittersweet finish. 9.1% abv.  I'm in!

It arrived at the table in a smallish snifter. The color was rusty. Totally clear, almost glowing (as advertised). Very little carbonation and zero head. But I could tell by a quick sniff that this was no ordinary beer. It's aroma was totally chocolate. Dark chocolate. Like a candy bar. I took a sip and just about dropped the glass. Holy Crap! I closed my eyes and sipped again. Aha!!! It's a beer that tastes like a dark chocolate Milky Way. I'm NOT kidding.

This wonderful creation satisfied my need for sweet, for beer, for vanilla, for, well, just about everything.  The alcohol was barely present...at least until I was about half way through it.  This is a truly special and spectacular beer.
 
Of course my favorite part was when the Rev ordered the Blvd. next, but they brought it to him in an even smaller snifter.  Turns out...they'd poured mine in the wrong-sized glass.  Even better?  When the bill came, this lovely bit of deliciousness was only $5.  Bonus. 
 
If you find it, snag it.  We have GOT to have this beer again!

Real Ale Devil's Share

This beer is part of the Real Ale's "Mysterium Vernum" (real mystery) series of beers. These are experimental beers. This particular one is Real Ale's Devil's Backbone that has been aged in an oak barrel. Devil's Backbone is a belgian tripel. It is a potent beer at 8.5% ABV. At the Flying Saucer, it is not served in the normal snifter, but something I hadn't seen before ... an even SMALLER snifter. It pours a nice deep cloudy orange color with very little head.

The first flavor that hits you is the oak. If you like an oaky beer or Chardonnay, you will like this beer. It is sweet, lightly fruity, OAKY, with a mild and dry hop finish.

New Belgium 1554

I had no idea what I was getting the first time I ordered New Belgium 1554. It was one of the rotating kegs and was listed on the board. I overheard another customer talking about it, so I gave it as try. Now, they have it in a bottle and I really looked forward to it this time.

New Belgium 1554 is a Belgian Dark Ale. It is dark and sweet. The write up on the Flying Saucer site says: Other than being dark in color, 1554 has little in common with Porters or Stouts. The beer is fermented at relatively high temperatures using a European lager yeast that imparts a refreshing, zesty acidity. Chocolate and coffee tones in the nose give way to a surprisingly clean finish.

It is an excellent beer, so give it a try.

Allagash Four - Revisited...AND

Although we still have an Allagash Four in our beer fridge - just waiting for the proper occasion, Allagash Four is still elusive.  The good news is it's definitely back on the menu on their website.  But what I noticed is the beer that's listed just after Four:

Oh my holy God!!  I immediately sent an e-mail to the beer goddess at the Flying Saucer and pleaded for the love of all that is good and delicious, please, please put this on the Saucer's menu.  About 30 minutes later, I got a reply:  "I called my Distributor about the Allagash Black and it is not available right now in Texas. I will keep on them to see if it comes in and make sure we get some."  I love the beer goddess (and John Rovnak, GM at the Addison Saucer).  Stay tuned!

Brewer - Odd Side Ales

Odd Side Ales is a local brewer to Grand Haven, Michigan. In fact, they are so local, that they are located in downtown Grand Haven at the old piano factory. They have 13 taps and all their own brews. My brother-in-law was salivating for a brown ale, but sadly for him, they had none. I had their sampler. You choose 6 of their brews and each little glass is about 3 or so ounces. It was a stout night for me since there were 4 stouts on the menu today. Even though the site isn't current, here is a link with the brews and a picture of the back wall: Odd Side Ales Brews On Tap

We did get a chance to taste a brown ale right out of the barrel. It was a bourbon brown ale and I wish I could be there to taste it chilled and carbonated. There was a definite bourbon flavor in the brew, and I assume it was from the barrel.

Bell's Porter

Another beer find while in Michigan was Bell's Porter. This is a prototypical porter style beer. Pours dark brown with a nice head. Malty with caramel, chocolate and a touch of prune. If you are a porter/stout beer fan, give this one a try ... if you can find it.

This same brewery makes another seasonal favorite of mine, Oberon.

Dragon's Milk

I am visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Michigan. My brother-in-law told me about a beer he enjoyed called "Dragon's Milk" by New Holland Brewing Company. When I saw it at the grocery store, I had to pick up a bottle. As I was standing in line to pick up the bottle, the guy behind me in line said he had heard good things about the beer. I said it had to be good for you since it was "milk". The old woman who was ringing up my bottle, looked at me, shook her head and said that wasn't right. I said, welcome to my world. Any who, I opened the bottle today and found it was dark, but practically no head and definitely no lacing. It had some nice vanilla, oak and bourbon. The ABV was 10%. Fun to get beers I can't get at home!
Information At Beer Advocate

Aloha! From Hawaii

Joe and I are vacationing in HI this holiday season, and so far, the best present besides the weather, the scenery and the fact that we're nowhere near our respective offices is the discovery that they're selling Hinano beer here.

It's our favorite from Tahiti.  It's a very light lager that's sort of sweet and grassy.  Totally drinkable and delicious. 

Of course, we're also checking out all the Maui Brewing Company offerings (Bikini Blonde, Coconut Porter, Mana Wheat and Big Swell IPA), as well as the Kona Brewing choices (Pipeline Porter, Longboard Lager, Big Wave Golden Ale, Firerock Pale Ale and Wailua Wheat).

Primo is Hawaii's local beer (see here for the 411), and we've also enjoyed the specialty brew at the Hula Grill, Barefoot Brew.

No lack of choices here, that's for sure!