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.