The night before found me at Clark’s Ale House and its neighbour the Blue Tusk. I didn’t take notes or photos taking the time to just enjoy these two great bars and introducing them to pals. Both institutions handle the beers fantastically, coaxing hidden flavours out with their cleanliness and care. I had my first taste of Lake Placid’s keg only brown ale last night at Clark’s – very pleasant nut brown with what I thought was an interesting subtle spiciness in either the hop or yeast selection. At the Blue Tusk I settled into an extended relationship with Dogfish Head 60 Minute Ale, the intermediary between their Shelter Pale Ale and 90 Minute IPA which sits in what I now think of as my happy place. There are snugs at the Blue Tusk, those little rooms off rooms that give you a quieter spot, time to talk and listen. The one farthest from the bar sits eight in benches like slightly reclined pews.
[Original comments…]
Baba – October 16, 2005 11:00 PM
http://www.beerrag.com
Your stash always makes mine look sad, damn gotta work on that stash son
Alan – October 16, 2005 11:07 PM
It was looking a bit thin until this restocking. I only get maybe 5 trips a year to restock the thing from US sources so I have make it last. Today I spent about 79 bucks US worth and paid 32 bucks CND at the border for the pleasure of doing so.
Todd – October 17, 2005 11:08 AM
http://www.relyeaproject.org
Unless I know of something at the Blue Tusk that I really want to try, I usually stick with Clark’s. They always have their cask conditioned, hand pumped Armory Ale on (a Middle Ages product), and for $2.75 a pint, you can’t beat it with a stick. Prices at the Blue Tusk have risen over the years, to the point where a round with tip can now set you back $20.
Alan – October 17, 2005 11:31 AM
I appreciate that Todd but up here there is no Middle Ages, no Dogfish, no Stone or Lake Placid or anything like that – I have never even seen a lambic on tap. We are starved for good beer bars up here. Consider that the Kingston Brew Pub and St.Veronus are two hours drive apart and it would be about as far to the east to facilities in Ottawa if you can find a good spot like the Manx. which I have yet to feature. There are other good bars but none of even these have anything anywhere near the selection of the two in Syracuse. I think both Clark’s and the Tusk are great counterparts and it is nothing sort of amazing that they are two blocks from each other. I did have that pulled pint of Armoury Ale, by the way, and it was dandy.
Todd – October 18, 2005 10:54 AM
http://www.relyeaproject.org
Alan,
Living in Central New York we’ve become very used to the idea that pubs selling good beer are easy to find and easy to get to. The next time I raise a pint, I’ll say a short prayer for those who suffer your plight.
Alan – October 18, 2005 11:02 AM
You shed a wee tear for we the others, Todd. You think I buy my ale in Ithaca and Syracuse because I like to pay duties and taxes at the border?
But seriously, I think that central NYS is one of the best served beer regions I have come across. And we in Ontario do very well for Canada. Just be glad that you don’t live in PEI in eastern Canada where there are 17 types of beer in the store and they all taste the same. They even have a ban on canned beverages so that rare find Guinness in a can is barred. That is why I became an obsessive homebrewer when I lived there.
Knut Albert Solem – October 19, 2005 8:25 AM
http://beerblog.motime.com
My stash has grown to epic dimensions recently with trips to Denmark (lots of micros), Italy, Bavaria (some very interesting beers from Weihenstephan, which claims to be the oldest brewery in the world) and Slovakia (which most of you would be hard pressed to find on a map). I will report on my findings here and on my own blog.
Alan – October 20, 2005 8:10 AM
Here is a link to the stash of Knut of Norway.
Knut Albert – October 20, 2005 4:01 PM
http://beerblog.motime.com
Which Young’s beers do you have?
Alan – October 20, 2005 6:40 PM
Special Ale and Oatmeal Stout.
Oskar – October 25, 2005 3:47 PM
http://oskarsthoughts.blogspot.com/
Ommegang is a fine example of Belgian styles. Have you sampled any of Unibroues offererings? The Fin du Monde and
Maudite are very light but flavourful beers.
LP Brewing is a nice little brewery, I recommend stopping by their pub and brewery if up in the Adirondacks. The UBU ale gets all the publicity but I find the weakest of their offerings.
Alan – October 25, 2005 4:23 PM
It’s “down in the Adirondacks” from here Oskar! I do like their stuff and would benefit greatly from a trip to the NE end of the North Country if I could just figure out the family angle. That is why the Science Centre in Ithaca is so important in my life.
Oskar – October 27, 2005 12:30 AM
http://oskarsthoughts.blogspot.com/
Down in the Adirondacks?
Wow! Not much room farther up.
Hope to make it back up to LP soon (grew up there) now in Seacoast NH, which unfortunatly has weird “import” laws governing the number of non-NH beers are available.
If you are ever in Wells, ME there is a great packy called “Tully’s” has a wide selection of UK beers and microbrews from NE and the rest of the US.
To bad its such a hike or I’d have a nice stash too.
Tully’s Beer & Wine
RR 1
Wells, Maine 04090-5810
Phone: (207)641-8622
Oskar – October 27, 2005 12:33 AM
http://oskarsthoughts.blogspot.com/
pardon my idiotic comment, didn’t realize the ONT location.
Alan – October 27, 2005 10:11 AM
I realize I am a global presence so you are forgiven.
Alan – November 25, 2005 12:35 PM
Is there anything sadder than a sad stash? Maybe a man who has a sad stash and who takes a photo of it and posts it on the internet. Off to America to renew the stash for winter.
Brian – November 25, 2005 5:40 PM
http://brianbeer.blogspot.com/
Wow, that was a nice stash. My only problem with having a stash is I either-
A) drink it too fast or share it around too much (I gotta be more selfish), or
B) I want to keep it for a “special occasion” which of course never comes and the beer just gets old (which is fine for some… but not all)
Knut – November 26, 2005 12:31 PM
http://beerblog.motime.com
Off to London in the morning to renew my stash – and to blog.
Alan – November 27, 2005 7:23 PM
Ahh, that’s better. And best of all…48 hours plus 3 meant only 8 bucks in duty at the border.
Alan – December 10, 2005 3:17 PM
Even better on 10 December waiting for the onslaught of guests. Click.
Knut – December 11, 2005 2:57 PM
http://beerblog.motime.com
I try to strech out my English ales by drinking Norwegian Cristmas beers. Not a ad substitute!