Shopping for Beer

Last Christmas, the Sammys gave us gift certificates from Halftime Beverage.  And now that we have our beer fridge back, we decided to go shopping.

We wanted to get beers that we hadn't had (although we did sneak in a couple that we tasted at last year's GABF) or that were really different or maybe even scarce.

Here's what we bought:

JW Lees Harvest Ale - Calvados Aged 2011 - Calvados is Apple Brandy...this should be really tasty.

Bruton Stoner  - An Italian beer.  We had the Bruton di Bruton Belgian Ale while sitting at an outdoor cafe in Tuscany.  We thought about getting the Belgian again, but decided to try something new.

Weyerbacher Blasphemy - We had their Blithering Idiot (barley wine) at the GABF.  If this quad is half as good...

Allagash Fluxus - Since Allagash pulled out of so many markets, I jump on the chance to get my hands on some.  I can't wait to get my taste buds on this one.

Allagash Black - See above note.

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald - Although I think the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the most boring songs ever, I have high hopes for this porter.

Keegan's Joe Mama's Milk - While sucking down a taster of this imperial stout at the GABF, I commented that I thought it was a bit creepy that I liked "Joe's Mama's Milk"...eww...even now.  But I guess I didn't feel creepy enough not to buy a 4-pack of it.

Southern Tier Oak Aged UnEarthly - Joe's hopheadedness was feeling a bit left out, so we shifted gears.

21st Amendment Hop Crisis - He should be happy now.

Dogfish Head Hellhound - So happy.

And our beer fridge will be happy.  Soooo happy!

William Aytoun’s Lament

An "elegy" by the Scottish lawyer and poet, William Aytoun:

Ah, liberty! How like thou art To this large bottle lying here, Which yesterday from foreign mart, Came filled with potent English beer!

A touch of steel—a hand—a gush—A pop that sounded far and near—A wild emotion—liquid rush—And I had drunk that English beer!

And what remains?—An empty shell! A lifeless form both sad and queer,
A temple where no god doth dwell—The simple memory of beer!

From Humble Beginnings, Mighty Beer Knurds Grow

As an early birthday present, the Sammy's presented me with this auspicious gift.  It is an old empty can of Buckhorn beer with an attached saying, "From humble beginnings, mighty beer knurds grow"

Back in the late 1970's in Amarillo, Texas, I often drank Buckhorn beer.  A beer which my father noted that a picture of the brewery was on the can.  Why would I drink such a beer?  Because it was cheap!  Back then it was cheaper to buy a six-pack of Buckhorn than it was to buy a six-pack of Coke.  In fact, it was just 99 cents! If you put the beer in the freezer so that it slushed up when opened, it was just fine.

It wasn't an exemplar of a good beer, but it was one that fit my pocket book.

I wouldn't mind trying one again though ... just for old times sake.

After all, from such humble beginnings, mighty beer knurds grow :)

All American Badge

If you follow the blog with any regularity, you know I am on Untappd.  I have become a total badge junkie now.  One of the badges is called the "All American" badge.  To earn it you must drink: Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors, Budweiser, Miller High Life and one of the Bud Platinum beers.  On Saturday night, I had a Miller Lite which earned me the light badge and put me "in sight" of the All American badge.  So, I went to my local bar called "A Step Up Lounge" and finished off the badge.

Interestingly, the order of beers I drank turned out to be interesting.  It was: Coors, Budweiser and Miller High Life. Each beer had more of a hops flavor as I went along.  I am not saying that Miller High Life is a hop monster ... or even rates on the craft beer hop continuum.  But, there is slightly more hops in each beer.

So, if you are stuck drinking American commercial beers, try a Miller High Life.  You won't be impressed, but it is the "better" bad choice :)

Beer & Biodiversity

So, this post/video isn't totally about beer.  But, it does use craft beer in an analogy about biodiversity.  So, grab a beer and watch this short entertaining and educational video.

Beer & Biodiversity

Hmmm, entertaining and education ... that would be edutainment!!

Stout Flouts with Cocoa Syrup

This was yesterday's entry on our Beer Calendar.  Sounds like something I can't wait to have!

What you'll need:

Chocolate syrup
1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons Kahlua
Chocolate ice cream
Three 12-oz bottle of chilled stout
Six 10-oz. glasses

Using an electric mixer, beat cream and vanilla until peaks form.  Pour 1 tablespoon of Kahlua and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup into each 10-oz glass, then put 1 scoop of ice cream on top.  Add stout, pouring gently to avoid too much head.  Spoon a dollop of whipped cream into each glass, drizzle with chocolate syrup and serve immediately.

Um.  Okay.

Mac n’ Dreams Come True: Craft Beer Mac n’ Cheese

At one of the beer dinners at the Addison Flying Saucer, Kevin made a mouthwatering Cotswold Mac 'n Cheese.  Luckily, they have made it a couple of times since for special occasions.

So, you may be asking yourself, what if breweries/brew pubs made Mac 'n Cheese and where are the best ones?  I have the answer in the link below ... plus a recipe you can make at home :)

Mac n’ Dreams Come True: Craft Beer Mac n’ Cheese

Thank you Kristen Kuchar for your article at CraftBeer.com!