Best Beach Christmas Ever Part 1 - Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

So Christmas has come and gone. That meant and always means some long drives to visit Margaret's family. She has family around the country and even outside the country now. The closest of said family lives 6 hours away by car utilizing my lead foot. Since I have made it farthest from the nest, only 2 hours from my place of origin (that sounds pretty census-like), we typically make it back to the New Orleans area frequently enough to save the holidays for Margaret's family. We head to Florida or Virginia for each Christmas alternating between Margaret's (or Peggy as she was referred to during this trip) Aunt Carla (Florida) or Aunt Bonnie (Virginia). This year's destination was Florida, specifically the gulf coast.

One of Margaret's cousins, Philip (or Phil as he was referred to on this trip) has the ever optimistic habit ("tradition") of claiming everything we do on any trip, is the best ever. This trip was frequently called the "Best Beach Christmas ever, pt.1." No lack of superlatives and he continually assumes that there will of course be a part 2 next time we meet.

One of the other traditions that are employed for our group Christmas gatherings is the drawing of names for buying presents. This relieves the pressure to find something for everyone there and with the statutory $ limits, it is not going to break the bank. The last time we had a beach Christmas, two years ago, I had the good fortune to have Margaret's cousin Meredith (or Leroy as she was referred to on this trip) draw my name. She is the only other beer lover among the crowd and she did not disappoint.

She put together 2 six packs of assorted beers from a New Orleans beer and wine store. However she did not stop there, she did some research and put together some index cards with facts about the specific breweries and beers. Not only was it a cool present, it may have been the most thoughtful one I have ever received for Christmas. I would say it had some part in my decision to pursue my interest in craft beer and ultimately starting this blog.

As my good fortune would have it, this year my name again was drawn by Meredith and she did not disappoint. Now that she lives in New York, her beer choices have increased tremendously. She gifted me with a fine selection of beers to sample, including the one I will review below, the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout.

Goose Island is a Chicago area craft brewery that I am not completely unfamiliar with. I had one of their beers several years ago while visiting the Windy City. However I do not remember what specific beer it was, but I know it was not this one.

The Bourbon County Stout is a Bourbon Barrel aged Imperial Stout. Beer Advocate has it rated as a 98, which is world class on their scale. Due to its high ABV (15%) I shared the bottle with Meredith.

Appearance: Beer poured a pitch black with no noticeable head or lacing. The beer was practically still as no carbonation was present. Upon pouring I noticed just how viscous this beer is. This is a no joke beer.

Smell: As one would expect, I picked up a strong alcohol smell up front. Molasses aroma was present as well as some woody notes.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Heavy mouthfeel with no carbonation present. Like the nose, some molasses flavor was present at the outset. The other noticeable flavor was raisin, like I have found with some Belgian beers. For the first time I have ever noticed with a beer, it had a real warming quality on my chest with each sip, like with some wine or liquor.

Overall: This was one of the most unique beers I have ever had. From the appearance to the mouthfeel and flavor, it was not exactly like any beer I have ever had. I enjoyed it a lot and am glad I had someone to share it with. This one would have put me on my rear if I had to do it myself. For more info on this beer, please see Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

No beach trip would be complete without some beach shots. Below are two sunsets. The first of which is not done justice by the photo.

For those who are wondering, the line up from left is as follows: Philip (Phil), Meredith (Leroy), Margaret (Peggy) and Myself (Cobra or Matthew Cobretti as I was called this week).

The Cobra nickname is a carryover from the Best Christmas Every pt.1 from Virginia 3 years ago. Much like myself,  these guys figure if something is funny once, it would be even funnier 50 times. No dead horse left unbeaten.

On a serious note, we had a great time this Christmas thanks to the hospitality of Aunt Carla and Uncle Dick. Thanks for hosting the Best Beach Christmas ever part 1.

Cheers!

Cheers to Christmas

With Christmas tomorrow, the good folks at Food and Wine magazine have put together a brief list of some worthy Christmas beers.

Christmas beers

Of these, the only one I have tried is the Sierra Nevada Celebration ale. It was a little too much like a spice cake for me. I have also had the St. Arnold Christmas ale although it tasted more like an Oktoberfest than a winter ale. Abita brewery also has a Christmas ale that they change every year. It's year's version is the best one yet. The hops are not overpowering and it does not taste too much like a dessert.

Merry Christmas and Cheers!

It's the end of the world... What to drink?

So it is December 21, 2012, the end of the Mayan calendar and the day that many believe will be the end of the world. So it begs the question, what to drink? what to drink? Luckily for me, someone has already scoured the beer landscape and found the best beers to commemorate the end of the world.

Click here for a nice list: Doomsday Beers

As for this guy, if I really believed that the world was ending today, I would be pretty disappointed. My last 2 beers were Sapporo Lights while at a Hibachi dinner last night with family and friends. The only natural disaster or sign of the Apocalypse I saw last night was this colossal onion volcano.

Although it is impressive, I don't think it would be a world ender.

As you make your way through what some believe could be the last, take the time to enjoy some good beers. As REM sang in the 80's, "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine."

I am sure we will be chatting again soon.

Cheers!

More North Carolina Beers

Even though my trip to the Tar Heel state was a few weeks ago, I am still making my way through the remaining inventory of new untried beers from their local brewers. I have two such beers to review, the Oatmeal Porter from Asheville's Highland Brewing and the Sweet Josie Brown Ale from Lonerider Brewing in Raleigh.

Highland Brewing Oatmeal Porter

Appearance: Cola color with a thin tan head that does not last long. Light carbonation was noted and patchy lacing was present.

Smell: Lots of roasted malt aroma as I have come to expect from a porter.

Taste/Mouthfeel: This beer had a noticeably heavier mouthfeel. The word viscous comes to mind with this one. As fas as flavor, I picked up on the malt and some dark chocolate notes. Lots of lingering bitterness up front on the finish that mellows as it warms.

Overall: This porter was a little on the bitter side for me. I did not get the smooth drinkable quality from this one as I have had with say the Sierra Nevada version. In the end, the bitterness was too much for me.

Lonerider Brewing Sweet Josie Brown Ale

Appearance: Beer poured a dark brown. Unlike the previous one, the appearance was somewhat clear and showed off prominent carbonation, which I found unusual for the dark beers I typically drink. Again a thin tan head that dissipates rapidly and left some patchy lacing.

Smell: Mostly a roasted malt aroms with this one.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Almost in complete contrast to the Highland beer, the mouthfeel on the Sweet Josie was thin and watery. The flavor was very mild with no bitterness and a faint chocolate flavor. This one was smooth and highly drinkable.

Overall: This beer seemed to just miss the mark. Although it was smooth and drinkable, it lacked a robust character and flavor. However, I would rate this one higher than the Nola Brown Ale that I have previously reviewed.

Although the beers reviewed are similar in appearance with dark tones and tan head, they are very contrasting with flavors. The Highland beer had too much bitterness for my liking and the Lonerider lacked some flavor. I guess the Mick Jagger was right when he sang, "you can't always get what you want." My quest continues, in the meantime, I will get what I need.

Cheers!

Beer Drinkers Fear No Fiscal Cliff

Lots of talk these days about the fiscal cliff. Unless swift action is taken (swift being a relative term when dealing with Congress), the US financial world will come to an end on December 31. That is what people want you to think. If you are a Mayan, this may not be an issue as the world will end a cool 10 days before we all fall off the fiscal cliff.

Will all the concern for the near term future of the financial world, one would think that the more economical beers that were mainstays of my lower income youth would be increasing in popularity. Not so fast my friend shouts Lee Corso. Based on recent beer sales numbers, the cheap and watery suds that I would put back readily are among the worst performing beers in America.

Here is an article showing 9 beers that Americans no longer drink. Beers we are not drinking

Say it ain't so, Milwaukee's Best. I guess the cowboys on the 80's commercial were not correct when they said it doesn't get any better than this.

I guess financial times are not as tough as popular media would want you to believe. Or America has more Mayans than I would have ever imagined; partying like it is 2012.

As we prepare to fall off the fiscal cliff, bring along some of "the Beast" to brace your fall.

Cheers!

North Carolina Craft Brewing Part 2 - Various Breweries

To round out the North Carolina trip beer adventure, I have three beers from three different NC breweries to review. They are the Milk Stout from the Duck Rabbit Craft Brewery in Farmville, NC, the Wee-heavy-er Scotch Ale from the French Broad brewery in Asheville, NC and Natty Greene's Buckshot Amber Ale from Greensboro, NC.


Duck Rabbit Milk Stout

Appearance: Dark black color with a finger of khaki colored head. Nice lacing present with this beer.

Smell: Typical stout aroma. Chocolate noted.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Like the nose, some chocolate flavor. Similar to Guinness, but more flavor than the flat taste that I pick up with the iconic Irish Stout. Smoother finish with this beer also.

Overall: A solid stout. The lactose added (hence the Milk Stout style) seemed to make this one sweeter and smoother than a regular stout. I also like the optical illusion with the label. For more info on this beer, please see Duck Rabbit


French Broad Wee-Heavy-Er Scotch Ale

Beer Advocate describes the style as follows:

Scotch Ales traditionally go through a long boil in the kettle for a caramelization of the wort. This produces a deep copper to brown in colored brew. Compared to Scottish Ales, they'll be sweeter and fuller-bodied, and of course higher in alcohol, with a much more pronounced malty caramel and roasted malt flavor. A low tea-like bitterness can be found in many examples. 

Appearance: Beer poured a cola color with more than a finger of creamy khaki colored head. Very nice lacing was present. 

Smell: I picked up a piney aroma on this one. 

Taste/Mouthfeel: This one had a quite unusual flavor for me. Initially I described it as not unlike the flavor of pork skins and eventually turned into more of a burnt or smokey flavor. 

Overall: I had this one on the afternoon of Thanksgiving day on the patio looking at the sun setting over the mountains. Not a bad scene. As mentioned above the flavor of this one was unusual. Not completely unpleasant, but unusual. The setting helped this beer. For more info on this beer, please see French Broad

Natty Greene's Buckshot Amber Ale

Appearance: As you can tell, I brought this one home with me. Copper and amber color beer with one finger of off white head. Good carbonation and decent lacing was present.

Smell: Fruity aromas noted. Not citrusy ones, but more like darker fruits.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Unlike the nose, this beer had some malty flavors, but like the nose, the dark fruits were present also. The mouthfeel was bubbly and the carbonation was a little too much. However, the beer still seemed to have a flat finish.

Overall: This beer was ok, but not remarkable. While in NC, I did have their Southern Pale and enjoyed it more than the Amber. For more info on this brewery, please see Natty Greene's

As I conclude my trip through North Carolina beers, I again am impressed to see so many craft breweries putting out good beers that are readily available in a local supermarket. These Tar Heels have the right idea.

Cheers!

North Carolina Craft Brewing Part 1 - Highlands Brewing Company

As I mentioned last time, I was particularly impressed with the craft brewing scene in western North Carolina. I had the good fortune of visiting one of the breweries while I was there, however I was able to canvas the region through just going to the local Walmart. In the mixer six packs that we made included 6 beers from the Highland Brewing Company located in Asheville.

With trying to be a good houseguest in mind, I did not go complete beer dork on all of these. Therefore I only have some limited notes about a couple of these beers.

Black Mocha Stout - Chocolate aroma, smokey finish, khaki colored head with little carbonation. I did enjoy how smooth and drinkable it was for a stout. 

Gaelic Ale - another smooth and drinkable one. A citrus finish and a dark copper color.

Kashimr IPA - typical IPA flavors. Not the most intense one, but not my cup of tea just because of the style.

St. Teresa's Pale Ale - creamy white head and much milder flavor than the IPA.

Thunderstruck Coffee Porter - these guys don't mess around with the naming. Most coffee tasting beer I have ever had. Nice lacing and head.

Oatmeal Porter - still sitting in my fridge. Review to come later.

Overall, I was impressed with the Highland beers. Very consistently drinkable and smooth tasting beers. I like how they are heavy on the porters and stouts, which makes sense based on the name. The Highland area of Scotland would likely require some hearty beers to stay warm. For more info on the Highland Brewing Company please see Highland Brewing Company

Note the frozen mason jar mugs used for the tastings, courtesy of our travel companions Tom and Kathleen. I need to get some of those.

Cheers!