Second Gen (2003-2016, 2016- )
[Alan here. Before we get into this post, the third of Paul’s series this week, I just have to point out my gratitude for these contributions as well as all those of all those who get to post here – Knut, Gary, Donavan and the rest. And I have to say that I had a … Continue reading “Paul Goes to Two Cambridge Pubs”
I’ve written about plenty of stouts before but never a collection this big: imperial stouts, imperial extra double stout and just plain stouts, from four US states as well as Quebec, England and Australia. Stout has experienced a great diversification in its sub-styles through the explosion of craft brewing over the last few years. In … Continue reading “Stouts: The Week Of Ten Stouts”
Saisons are one of best kept secrets in the world of beer. In the recent book What to Drink with What You Eat, awaiting my review, Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery names “Saison du Fond” – is that a typo of “Saison Dupont”? Yes it is – as his first beer in his fantasy desert … Continue reading “Belgium: Wallowing In Four Saisons”
The whole concept of TGIF has been laid aside somewhat since the disco era. Something happened around the time the Smashing Pumpkins were being miserable. I think it was then because when the Smiths were miserable at least you could still dance to it even if you had to try a little too hard sometimes. … Continue reading “Never Was A Friday Chat So Richly Deserved”
An imperial pilsner. This is a sort of beer I never imagined I would need to concern myself with. Unlike stouts or pale ales with their history of bigness, surely no one would bother upping the game of brewing the steely king of lagers. No one told Dogfish Head from Delaware, however, and they went … Continue reading “Delaware: Golden Shower, Dogfish Head, Milton”
I am quite pleased to have the only blog with its own Potter Laureate, Gary Rith. [Ed.: click that link for a picture of a tea pot.] Recently there has been some interested talk in knowing more about his work. So Gary sent along this: Alan says I should really have everything together before posting … Continue reading “And Now A Word From Our Potter”
Can these guys make a bad beer? This ale pours a light tan foam and rim over bright cherry-amber ale. You pick up heat from the first whiff. Check the bottle. Yikes 11%. I thought it was a Double IPA – but no…it’s an Imperial IPA. Good thing the Mets and Braves went to 14 … Continue reading “Big Hop Bombs: Un*Earthly, Southern Tier, New York, USA”
Can these guys make a bad beer? This ale pours a light tan foam and rim over bright cherry-amber ale. You pick up heat from the first whiff. Check the bottle. Yikes 11%. I thought it was a Double IPA – but no…it’s an Imperial IPA. Good thing the Mets and Braves went to 14 innings. Another sniff adds rich … Continue reading “Big Hop Bombs: Un*Earthly, Southern Tier, New York, USA”
I picked up this beer while on the road and I was immediately in a fix, dealing with cultural confusion. As a son of Scots I know that Belhaven is a fine and reputable brewer of Scots ales bought last year by Greene King… yet I know IPA is not a Scots style. I have … Continue reading “Is Twisted Thistle An IPA?”
Light tan foam over fairly lively chestnut ale, this Flemish oud bruin has a tangy vinegary sweet aroma. This beer is far less sharp than my previous Flemish experiences of this sort from Rodenbach Grand Cru yet bigger than the other Flem I have known Petrus Oud Bruin. There is a creaminess with all the … Continue reading “Belgium: Goudenband, Brouwerij Liefmans, Oudenaarde”