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!