While all the hype for the Great Taste of the Midwest was mounting, and I knew I had no ticket, I turned lemons into lemonade or into Scram Cat Pale Ale.
Yes, I FINALLY got to use that damn beer kit that I got months ago. Officially I could bottle today, but I am going to wait another week.
Sampling can/will begin sometime in late September or early October.
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Rare Vos
Just a quick shout out! Rare Vos!!! I am at a local coffee house and decided to buy a beer... Yes, at 1:45pm I opted for a beer. I couldn't resist!
The beer is called "Rare Vos" and means "sly fox" in Flemish. The name has an even deeper meaning for some as it is named for a famous cafe in Brussels. This beer is not brewed in Belgium. In fact, "Brewery Ommegang is 3,264 miles from Brussels, but its heart is right in Belgium," accoriding to its label.
For the past two weeks at school, I have been teaching the kiddos about "la Francophonie," and it just so happens that Belgium speaks not only Flemish, but also French. As students researched, they were sure to point out that Belgium is known for its grain production and thus its beer. (In my head, I was like, obvi! I know!)
Moreover, the brewery, Ommegang, is a new favorite of mine. I haven't been on the tour yet, but you best be sure that the next time that I am in Cooperstown, NY, I will visit not only the baseball Hall of Fame, but also Brewery Ommegang.
So what about the beer, you ask...
It is a beautiful, cloudy amber. Its smell is citrus fruity, but not really sweet. Having high expectations for this beer (since I really enjoy its sister, Hennepin), I am in danger of being disappointed. The initial taste is crisp, but not light. There is a slight yeasty odor and taste as you sip. It finishes well without dragging the taste out. It leaves you wanting more. There is a tickle of spice, but not enough to conflict with the crispness. In fact, throughout the entire sipping process, the beer holds up extraordinarily well. There is really nothing I can find wrong with this beer! It is quite refreshing, whether in the chill of an automn evening or under the heat of the summer sun!
Other info on the bottle:
- Cellared at the brewery
- 6.5% ABV
- it is to be poured slowly to not disturb the yeast sediment
- part of the Duvel family
- created out of devotion to a country where brewing is and art and partaking is a passion
Info on the website:
- 2008 Great American Beer Fest Award Winner
- Orange Blossom Aroma
- caramel malt
- hoppy finish
I really enjoyed this beer! I highly recommend it.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Mr. Beer
I suck at blogging these days. There are a few reasons why. Number one: I took from January 1st to February 1st off of drinking... just a personal thing. I usually do this "fast" once a year. Number two: I guess two jobs and graduate school are large time commitment... Number three: After completing an average of 4 writing assignments a week (three of which are online), the last thing I want to do is hop online again to write yet ANOTHER thing.
Sorry!
Oh well, at least there is still beer to be drunk!
My big day back in the drinking thing, February 1st, was also special because it was my birthday! Hooray for being 26! This year I got a re-gifted gift... lame? NO! AWESOME!!!
For Christmas, my father's employees got him something they were sure he would love... he is, after all, a beer lover. Their big mistake: He only loves MGD light. Indeed, he drinks beer nearly everyday, but he is as loyal as they come to his brew of choice. That said, I am the proud owner of my very own Mr. Beer Home Brewing Kit!
Now I know what you are thinking... those cheapo beer kits are heaps of crap. And they probably are. However, as a first-time, just-getting-into-it home brewer, I am very grateful for the simplicity of this thing. As the box says "We've taken the science out of brewing a great tasting beer at home." In case you didn't know, I'm a linguist... not a scientist. I hope that this may be my gateway to bigger and better home brewing technologies...
Anyway, I am excited, (about as excited as the dude in the picture on the box above!) I haven't started my first batch yet... I hope to begin a week from Friday when I have a day off of work (which never happens.) I'll be sure to keep y'all posted on the results!
Sorry!
Oh well, at least there is still beer to be drunk!
My big day back in the drinking thing, February 1st, was also special because it was my birthday! Hooray for being 26! This year I got a re-gifted gift... lame? NO! AWESOME!!!
For Christmas, my father's employees got him something they were sure he would love... he is, after all, a beer lover. Their big mistake: He only loves MGD light. Indeed, he drinks beer nearly everyday, but he is as loyal as they come to his brew of choice. That said, I am the proud owner of my very own Mr. Beer Home Brewing Kit!
Now I know what you are thinking... those cheapo beer kits are heaps of crap. And they probably are. However, as a first-time, just-getting-into-it home brewer, I am very grateful for the simplicity of this thing. As the box says "We've taken the science out of brewing a great tasting beer at home." In case you didn't know, I'm a linguist... not a scientist. I hope that this may be my gateway to bigger and better home brewing technologies...
Anyway, I am excited, (about as excited as the dude in the picture on the box above!) I haven't started my first batch yet... I hope to begin a week from Friday when I have a day off of work (which never happens.) I'll be sure to keep y'all posted on the results!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Cooper's Tavern
Howdy everyone! Sorry it's been a while. While I do not have a lot of "drinking" to report, I do have much great news!
Cooper's Tavern is open at last!!!
The long awaited capitol square gastropub's doors have finally opened, and I am proud to announce that I will be working there Friday and Saturday evenings. Please stop in!
Cooper's is inspired by the history of alcohol and its storage... thus nodding our heads to the folks who made storage in barrels possible - coopers!
The menu is delicious (thanks to our inspired executive chef), the wine is plentiful (nearly 30 varieties by the glass), the draft beers are thirst quenching (28 handles) and the bottled beers are head spinning (100 brews!) It would be next to impossible to share every exciting thing about this establishment, and that is why I ask you to stop in...
I had dinner at Cooper's on its opening night last Tuesday. My meal was amazing and everyone else in my party was equally impressed. For the moment, I refuse to do my review on Cooper's, as I feel that I am quite partial... so I await your opinions once you have stopped in for a brew or a snack. Eventually I will throw my opinion into the mix (with a behind the scenes perspective!)
Check Coopers out on facebook.
Cooper's Tavern is open at last!!!
The long awaited capitol square gastropub's doors have finally opened, and I am proud to announce that I will be working there Friday and Saturday evenings. Please stop in!
Cooper's is inspired by the history of alcohol and its storage... thus nodding our heads to the folks who made storage in barrels possible - coopers!
The menu is delicious (thanks to our inspired executive chef), the wine is plentiful (nearly 30 varieties by the glass), the draft beers are thirst quenching (28 handles) and the bottled beers are head spinning (100 brews!) It would be next to impossible to share every exciting thing about this establishment, and that is why I ask you to stop in...
I had dinner at Cooper's on its opening night last Tuesday. My meal was amazing and everyone else in my party was equally impressed. For the moment, I refuse to do my review on Cooper's, as I feel that I am quite partial... so I await your opinions once you have stopped in for a brew or a snack. Eventually I will throw my opinion into the mix (with a behind the scenes perspective!)
Check Coopers out on facebook.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Wisconsin's Best Breweries and Brewpubs
As you know, I love to find new and exciting beers. Wisconsin's rich beer culture sets the foundation for this interest perfectly. I've recently been reading and referencing a great book that helps me do just that: Wisconsin's Best Breweries and Brewpubs: Searching For the Perfect Pint by Robin Shepard. This book was written by a beer enthusiast Wisconsinite. It includes ratings on over 600 Wisconsin beers from over 60 breweries and brewpubs.
This book has been particularly helpful to me for finding small microbreweries that are off the beaten path. Unfortunately this book is a bit dated and there have been some changes in the local beer scene. However, most of the information is fantastic! Basically, I want to research and write this book.
If you don't mind used copies you can scoop them up for $3 on Amazon. Cheers!
This book has been particularly helpful to me for finding small microbreweries that are off the beaten path. Unfortunately this book is a bit dated and there have been some changes in the local beer scene. However, most of the information is fantastic! Basically, I want to research and write this book.
If you don't mind used copies you can scoop them up for $3 on Amazon. Cheers!
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