Friday, December 29, 2006

Pint Night 12/27/06 Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Description from www.sierranevada.com:
The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home.

“…best beer ever made in America.”
– Stan Sessor, San Francisco Chronicle

GOLD MEDAL WINNER
United States Beer Tasting Championship (IPA: 1994)

FIRST PLACE
Chicago Beer Society — 1996 Fall Beer Tasting

SILVER MEDAL WINNER
California State Fair (IPA: 1999)
Great American Beer Festival (IPA: 2002)

Pint Night 12/20/06 Franziskaner Weissbier

Description from www.franziskaner.com:
Franziskaner Weissbier is a top-fermentation beer brewed in strict accordance with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. Only choice high-quality raw materials (wheat malt, barley malt, hops, top-fermenting yeast and pristine brewing water) are used in the production of this premium-quality weiss beer.

By employing
- an especially large proportion of wheat malt
- our own special purebred strain of top fermenting yeast, maintained and regularly inspected in our own culture, and
- constant quality controls throughout the production process

we ensure that Franziskaner Weissbier has
- a constant level of carbonation
- an optimum distribution of yeast and
- a constantly superior taste

Monday, December 18, 2006

Pint Night 12/13/06 Rogue Santa's Private Reserve


Description from www.rogue.com:
Rogue's annual holiday offering, Santa's Private Reserve, is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops--including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John "more hops" Maier!This holiday elixir is brewed with two-row Harrington, Klages and Munich malts, along with Hugh Baird 30-37, Carastan 13-17, and Crystal 70-80 malts, plus free range coastal water and John's proprietary top-fermenting Pacman yeast. Available in both 22-ounce bottles, 12oz Loose packs for Winter 2005, and 12oz six packs for 2006.

Measurements: 13 degrees Plato, IBU 44, Apparent attenuation 73, Lovibond 26
No Chemicals, Additives, or Preservatives

Pint Night 12/6/06 Bass


Official Website: www.bass.com

Monday, December 04, 2006

Pint Night 11/22/06 Delirium Noël

Description from www.delirium.be:
DELIRIUM DE NOËL
VOL.ALC: 10%
Née pour l'année 2000, elle est cependant brassée uniquement pour les fêtes de Noël et de Nouvel An et complète la trilogie des "Delirium". Son approche est chaleureuse déjà par une superbe robe cuivrée au rouge rappelant la "Nocturnum", sauf sur son goût. De prime abord, elle cache sa subtilité par un palier de saveurs. Elle s'aborde en toute confiance, avec une nuance typiquement Noël, saucé d'une petite touche sucrée, couverte ensuite par un ton plus amer sans allongement et ensuite une curieuse sensation de fraîcheur sur la langue. Finalement, elle se libère totalement en fond de palais comme un poivré sur une salade de saison. Elle s'apprécie à la première gorgée, et se fidélise à la seconde. Toutefois son haut " volume d'alcool exige une consommation responsable.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Pint Night 11/15/06 Guinness Draught


Description from www.guinness.com:
Adored since 1959, it’s the powerful surge and settle that gives GUINNESS® Draught beer its uniqueness. Lovingly poured around the world, GUINNESS® Draught is one of best-selling imported beers in the USA.
A unique mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide helps create GUINNESS® Draught’s liquid swirl that tumbles, surges and gradually separates into a black body and smooth creamy head.
The rise and fall of our bubbles has perplexed PhD physicists. But all you need to focus on is the taste. With an initial malt and caramel flavour, GUINNESS® Draught finishes with a dry roasted bitterness. Enjoy.

Six Degrees of Preparation

GUINNESS® Draught is best served at 6°C (that’s 42.8°F), with the legendary two-part pour. First, tilt the glass to 45 degrees and carefully pour until three quarters full. Then place the glass on the bar counter and leave to settle. Once the surge has settled, fill the glass to the brim. It takes about 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint. But don’t fret. It’s worth the wait.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Pint Night 11/08/06 Spaten Optimator


Description from www.spatenusa.com:
Spaten Optimator
The classic German dark beer, bottom fermented 'Doppel Bock'.

Flavor profile: Full bodied with a deep dark color and rich roasted malt flavor.
Original gravity: 18, 2 %
Alcohol content: 7,2 %

Available as 12 oz. 12-pack, 12 oz. 6-pack, 16.9 oz. single bottle and 30 liter keg.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Pint Night 11/01/06 Trois Pistoles

Description from www.unibroue.com:
La Trois Pistoles

Since 1997
Type Strong Dark Ale, refemented in the bottle
Alcohol 9 % alc./vol.
Color Dusky black
Taste Wild fruit with an aftertaste of port
Aroma Ripe fruit and chocolate
Shelf Life 8 years or more
Serving Suggestions Pasta, game and wild fowl, desserts

Trois Pistoles was launched in June of 1997. It contains 9% alcohol and is brewed with roasted malt. Its rich, smooth texture, and the presence of yeast used for in-bottle refermentation give it a very distinctive flavour.
This dark beer and has an aroma of ripe fruit and a pleasant aftertaste that lingers like old port wine.
Trois Pistoles can be enjoyed before a meal or after, and is excellent with pasta as well as game meat and wild fowl.
It also enhances the flavour of desserts like chocolate mousse and fruit salad, and can even replace coffee as an after dinner drink

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Bonus Pint Night 10/31/06 Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Description from www.rogue.com:
Dead Guy Ale
Gratefully dedicated to the Rogue in each of us. In the early 1990s Dead Guy Ale was created as a private tap sticker to celebrate the Mayan Day of the Dead (November 1st, All Souls Day) for Casa U Betcha in Portland, Oregon. The Dead Guy design proved popular and was incorporated into a bottled product a few years later with Maierbock as the elixir. Strangely, the association with the Grateful Dead is pure coincidence.

Dead Guy is a German-style Maibock made with Rogue's proprietary "PacMan" ale yeast. It is deep honey in color with a malty aroma, rich hearty flavor and a well balanced finish. Dead Guy is created from Northwest Harrington, Klages, Maier Munich and Carastan malts, along with Perle and Saaz Hops. Dead Guy Ale is available in 22-ounce bottles, 12-ounce 6-pack, and on draft.

Measurements: 16 degrees Plato, IBU 40, Apparent Attenuation 78, Lovibond 16
No Chemicals, Additives, or Preservatives

Monday, October 30, 2006

Beer Safari: Italian 10/26/06 Peroni Nastro Azzurro


Beer Safari: Italian, October 26, 2006 Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Description from: www.birraperoni.co.uk:
This premium beer, with 5.1% ABV, is brewed using the finest spring-planted barley, malts and hops. The taste is refreshing and dry, with a delicate aroma, which comes from the use of an exclusive variety of hops, make a crisp lager for the knowledgeable and demanding consumers.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Pint Night 10/25/06 Hoegaarden


Pint Night, October 25 2006, Hoegaarden
Description from www.inbev.com:
Hoegaarden is totally different - by nature. It is different from virtually any other beer or beverage experience in the world - different in the kind of beverage that it is, and in the naturally refreshing taste experience.

Hoegaarden is the authentic Belgian wheat or white beer. It has a unique and extremely complex brewing process whereby the brand is first top fermented and then is refermented within the bottle - ending up in a unique cloudy-white appearance. The brand's unique appearance is mirrored by its one-of-a-kind taste - sweet and sour beer with a little bitterness, slightly spicy, with a strong touch of coriander and a hint of orange, perfect for warm summer days, instead of other refreshing beverages. Refreshing, a little quirky, and decidedly different - naturally.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Brew Crew 10/20/06 Harpoon Oktoberfest



Brew Crew, October 20 2006, Harpoon Oktoberfest
Description from: www.harpoonbrewery.com

The character and complexity of Harpoon Octoberfest comes from the malt and hops. When looking at a freshly poured Harpoon Octoberfest, you will notice the garnet-red color with a firm, creamy head. The beer’s color is from a blend of Munich , chocolate, and pale malt. The thick head results in part from wheat malt added to the grist. The hop aroma of this beer is not overpowering but it is present. Tettnang hops add a subtle spice nose that blends with the malt character. This beer is full-bodied, smooth, and malty. Willamette hops are used to provide a gentle bitterness and to balance any residual sweetness present from the malt. The finish is soft and malty with a mild bitterness.

The overall character is a rich, full-bodied, maltiness whose sweetness is balanced by generous use of hops.

Beer Specifications:

Style:

Marzen/Octoberfest


Original Gravity:

14.5 P


Color:

Garnet Red 45 EBC


Alcohol by Volume: (ABV)

5.5%

IBU’S:

30

Friday, October 20, 2006

Pint Night 10/18/06 Smithwick's

Pint Night, October 18 2006, Smithwick's Irish Ale
Description from www.diageo.ie/brands/smithwicks
Smithwick's an Irish original
Smithwick’s is Ireland’s number one ale. Its exceptional taste, distinctive colour and purity of ingredients make it unique. Its rich, satisfying taste has earned it five gold medals in the famous Monde Selection Beer Tasting Competition.
Smithwick’s is produced using the finest hops and special roasted, malted barley. In 1998 a new enhanced draught product with improved head retention was launched along with redesigned glassware.
Due to popular demand, Smithwick’s is now available in the USA and is available on draught in bars across the country.

History

Smithwick’s was originally brewed in St. Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny, situated on the site of a Franciscan abbey where monks had brewed ale since the 14th century. It is Ireland’s oldest operating brewery, founded by John Smithwicks on land owned by the Duke of Ormonde.
Smithwick’s has been the largest selling ale brand in Ireland since the 1920s, a position it holds to this day. Smithwick’s is now brewed in Dundalk as well as in Kilkenny.

Promotion
Diageo supports the unique position and potential of Smithwick’s with a mix of TV, radio, outdoor and press advertising. There are also regional sponsorship activities in Kilkenny to reinforce the importance of its original home, including the Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Festival.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Brew Crew 10/13/06 Summit Oktoberfest


Brew Crew, October 13 2006, Summit Oktoberfest
Description from: www.summitbrewing.com
Created to honor the populat European fall celebrations. Summit Oktoberfest is brewed in the Marzen style for a reddish-bronze color, smooth finish, and, of cours, polka.

Alcohol by Volume
7.7%

Malts Utilized
2-Row Harrington, Caramel, Munich

Hops Utilized
Northern Brewer, Tettenanger, Saaz

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Pint Night 10/11/06 Unibroue Maudite

Pint Night, October 11 2006 Unibroue Maudite
Description from www.unibroue.com:
Since
1992 La Maudite
Type Strong Red Ale, refermented in the bottle
Alcohol 8 % alc./vol.
Color Mahogany
Taste Subtle coriande, light spices and a hint of hops
Aroma Spicy
Shelf Life 5 years or more
Serving Suggestions Pasta, red meat, stews and spicy dishes

In November 1992 Maudite (the damned one), was the first strong beer to be distributed in Quebec grocery stores. It contains 8 % alcohol and is also the first beer brewed in America that improves with age. When served young, it is very smooth, but when served after several years of storage, its flavour is reminiscent of port. Maudite is a mahogany-colored, rich-tasting premium beer that has a distinctive, complex taste. Because of the warmth it releases, this strong character beer must be served cool but not cold. Perfect with pasta, red meats, stews and spicy dishes, it also makes a good aperitif and after-dinner drink.

Maudite has a typically Quebecois name that is reminiscent of the legend of the Chasse-Galerie (the legend of the Flying Canoe). Legend has it that a group of lumberjacks struck a deal with the devil to fly home in their canoes, guided by Satan himself, to make it home in time for Christmas.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Brew Crew 10/06/06 Hofbrau Oktoberfest


Brew Crew, October 06 2006, Hofbrau Oktoberfest
Description from: www.hofbrauhausnewport.com:
Hofbräu Seasonal: “Oktoberfest” (6.0 % Alc. by Volume)
…. Specialty in October
A flavorful lager with a slightly spicy hint of hops in flavor and finish. A little fuller than our Hofbräu Lager. This beer was originally made to celebrate the wedding of Prince Ludwig and changed to this more blond style.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Home Brew 10/05/06 Level 1


Home Brew - October 5, 2006 - Level 1
Brewing Kit - Brewers Best - American Cream Ale
Brew Masters: Darren Carrico, Asian Steev

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Pint Night 10/04/06 Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen

Pint Night, October 04 2006, Spatan Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen
Official Website: www.spatenusa.com
Amber in color. This medium bodied beer has achieved its impeccable taste by balancing the roasted malt flavor with the perfect amount of hops. Having a rich textured palate with an underlying sweetness true to tradition.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Brew Crew 09/29/06 Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen


Brew Crew, September 29 2006, Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen
Official Website: www.spatenusa.com
Amber in color. This medium bodied beer has achieved its impeccable taste by balancing the roasted malt flavor with the perfect amount of hops. Having a rich textured palate with an underlying sweetness true to tradition.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Pint Night 9/27/06 Erdinger Oktoberfest


Pint Night, September 27 2006, Erdinger Oktoberfest
Official Website: www.erdinger.com

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Brew Crew 09/22/06 Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen


Brew Crew, September 22, 2006 Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen
Official Website: www.ayinger-bier.de
Description from Brew Crew:
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen is a great brew made by Ayinger Brewery, which is located in the country just outside of Munich. Ayinger is considered by many to be the best brewery in Bavaria and is consistently rated each year as one of the best breweries in the world. This brew is a full bodied, flavorful Marzen brew with a rich, golden color. It has a slightly sweet character with an approximately malty nose. This brew's long maturation period provides a soft dryness with an alcohol level at 5.8% ABC.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Pint Night 9/20/06 Kona Longboard Lager


Pint Night, September 20, 2006 Kona Longboard Lager
Description from www.konabrewingco.com:
A crisp and moderately hopped pale lager, Longboard Lager is aged for five weeks at very cold temperatures to yield its exceptionally smooth flavor.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Brew Crew 09/15/06 BBC Hell for Certain



Brew Crew, September 15 2006 Bluegrass Brewing Company Hell for Certain
Official Website: www.bbcbrew.com
Description from Brew Crew:
BBC Hell for Certain is brewed locally in Louisville, Kentucky by Bluegrass Brewing Company. Listed on the label as a Belgian Style Ale, the beer seems also to have some stylistic leanings toward English style Old Ale and Barleywine. Pours a reddish-amber with a fairly short lived tan head. Although the sweet toasted caramel malt aroma is extremely bold and assertive, the body and flavor are more restrained than the aroma would suggest resulting in a surprisingly drinkable beer. The beer is medium bodies. The flavor is of semi0sweet toasted caramel malt with a subtle hop bitterness in the finish.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Pint Night 09/13/06 Stella Artois

Pint Night, September 13 2006, Stella Artois
Official Website: www.stellaartois.com
Description from www.wikipedia.com:
Stella Artois is a 5.2% ABV global lager first brewed in Leuven, Belgium in 1926 as a Christmas brew, and named Stella after the Latin for "star". Colloquially known as Stella or "wifebeater", "brain damage", or "fella" in some northern English towns. It is the best selling premium lager in the UK beer market, and is promoted as an international brand by InBev. In its home market of Belgium, however, it is marketed, priced and sold as a regular lager. It is brewed in Belgium and the United Kingdom, as well as other countries including New Zealand.

Stella's advertising slogan in the United Kingdom is "Reassuringly Expensive". The UK television advertising campaigns have become known for their distinctive style of imitating European cinema and their leitmotiv inspired by Giuseppe Verdi's La forza del destino. The campaigns began with a series of adverts based on Jean de Florette, moving on to other genres including war movies, silent comedy and even surrealism (for which the slogan was changed to "Reassuringly Elephants"). They have used notable movie directors such as Jonathan Glazer. The aim is to portray a sophisticated European culture somewhat belied by the popular conception of the beer.

In Belgium, Stella is promoted as Mijn huis is waar mijn Stella staat and Chez moi, c'est près de ma Stella (My home is where my Stella is).

Stella is also brewed in Abbotsford, Melbourne by Carlton & United Beverages for the Australian market on behalf of InBev.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Brew Crew 09/08/06 Unibroue Maudite


Brew Crew, September 08 2006 Unibroue Maudite
Description from www.unibroue.com:
Since
1992 La Maudite
Type Strong Red Ale, refermented in the bottle
Alcohol 8 % alc./vol.
Color Mahogany
Taste Subtle coriande, light spices and a hint of hops
Aroma Spicy
Shelf Life 5 years or more
Serving Suggestions Pasta, red meat, stews and spicy dishes

In November 1992 Maudite (the damned one), was the first strong beer to be distributed in Quebec grocery stores. It contains 8 % alcohol and is also the first beer brewed in America that improves with age. When served young, it is very smooth, but when served after several years of storage, its flavour is reminiscent of port. Maudite is a mahogany-colored, rich-tasting premium beer that has a distinctive, complex taste. Because of the warmth it releases, this strong character beer must be served cool but not cold. Perfect with pasta, red meats, stews and spicy dishes, it also makes a good aperitif and after-dinner drink.

Maudite has a typically Quebecois name that is reminiscent of the legend of the Chasse-Galerie (the legend of the Flying Canoe). Legend has it that a group of lumberjacks struck a deal with the devil to fly home in their canoes, guided by Satan himself, to make it home in time for Christmas.


Thursday, September 07, 2006

Beer Safari: Thai 09/07/06 Singha Lager

Beer Safari: Thai, September 07, 2006 Singha Lager
Description from www.boonrawd.co.th:
A premium lager beer brewed from the finest ingredients, "Singha" is a full-bodied 100% barley malt beer that is distinctively rich in taste with strong hop characters.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Pint Night 09/06/06 Newcastle Brown Ale


Pint Night, September 06, 2006 Newcastle Brown Ale
Newcastle Brown Ale is an authentic English ale with a unique taste. Full of flavour, yet easy to drink, it's been drunk and enjoyed since 1927. And it's becoming more popular in more countries each year.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Brew Crew 09/01/06 Duvel

Brew Crew, September 01 2006 Duvel
Description from www.duvelusa.com:
Overview
Before Duvel, there was no Strong Golden Ale. Duvel, with its fair appearance, smooth complex taste and 8.5% alcohol by volume brooding beneath, spawned the category. These seemingly opposing characteristics result from Duvel's three fermentations, the use of premium Pilsner malts, and time. From brewing to shelf takes about three months. This allows a good deal of maturation, particularly in the bottle where the third fermentation takes place. Michael Jackson, The Beer Hunter, described Duvel as "having astonishing sophisticated character" and as being "one of the world's most distinctive and individualistic beers".

History
The history of Duvel is closely linked to the Duvel Moortgat family brewery founded in 1871 by Jan-Leonard Moortgat in Puurs, Belgium.

After World War I, Jan-Leonard's son Albert decided to brew an English-style ale and went off to Scotland in search of a sample of the local yeast. Even today, yeast from that original source is always used. The beer was going to be called "Victory," in honor of the British troops who had just liberated Belgium; however, after sampling the first batches, the brewers described it as "nen echten duvel" or "a real devil". And the name stuck. From 1923 onward, the beer was known as "Duvel," which is local Flemish slang for Devil.

Pronouncing it
Pronounce it "DOO-vle," with the accent on the first syllable, if you want to sound Flemish, or Doo-VEL, with the accent on the second syllable, if you favor the French-sounding version. Both are used in Belgium, so feel free to pick your own.

The Brewery
Duvel is brewed at Duvel Moortgat Brewery, established in 1871, in Puurs, Belgium, between Antwerp and Brussels. Today, in addition to Duvel, the company brews and bottles the following: Maredsous, the great line of abbey-style beers, also available in the USA; Bel Pils, a premium lager; Passendale, a unique amber beer; Vedett, a luxury beer of low fermentation; and, Steendonk, a wheat beer. Duvel Moortgat also owns 50 percent of Brewery Bernard, based in Humpolec, Czech Republic. The Humpolec brewery has been in operation since 1597 and produces the Czech Republic's most premium line of beers, including rare dark, bottle-fermented lagers. Finally, Duvel Moortgat also produces and bottles a line of high-quality fruit juices under the Freya brand name.

The making of the world's most beguiling beer

Taste
Duvel has the complexity and depth of an ale, with the ease and refreshing nature of a Pilsner. Behind Duvel's enticing taste are brewing standards and techniques that have operated since early in the last century. Each of Duvel's three fermentations adds a layer of complexity and depth that no other process could achieve. We use only natural ingredients, and brew Duvel only at our Puurs brewery, near Antwerp.

Belgian Lace
That distinctive and luxurious head is created by Duvel's champagne-like carbonation intermingling with proteins formed during the malting process. It's the proteins that keep the head there until you finish your glass, and leave behind a residue known as Belgian Lace. Belgian Lace is the signature of a high quality beer back home, the sign of something different over here.

Bottle Conditioning
Bottle conditioning, as with any fermentation, creates carbon dioxide. When fermentation is contained within the bottle it creates great pressure. So as with champagne, we take the precaution of containing Duvel in heavy glass. This glass is also brown to prevent UV light from affecting the taste of the beer.

Duvel's Tulip Glass
Every Belgian beer has its own glass based on its particular style. Inspired by a Burgundy glass, the unique tulip shape helps to release Duvel's abundant aromas and beguiling flavors, and allows the beer to slip under its distinctive head and onto your taste buds.

The Pour
Like fine wine or single malt, it's good to enjoy Duvel at the right temperature (40÷ to 50÷F), and in its appropriate glass. Pouring it correctly helps to bring out its characteristic aromas and intriguing flavors. The pouring ritual is simple and easy to master, and one of those things everyone should know.

Etched inside the bottom of every Duvel glass is a small letter "D". This small engraving in the otherwise smooth surface of the glass bowl causes a column of Duvel's champagne-like bubbles to rise up to the top of the glass. If you drink fewer bubbles you feel less full. Attractive and practical.

Different for a reason
Duvel is fermented three times - twice at the brewery and the final time in the bottle. Why ferment a third time? This bottle conditioning adds nuances and subtleties that round and balance Duvel's flavor and gives it a dry and satisfying finish. It also adds to the life of the beer. This means Duvel is actually getting better and better in the bottle, which can't be said of every beer.

While Duvel's three fermentations add layers of complexity and flavor, they also result in a rather respectable 8.5% alcohol by volume. In Belgium during the 1920's there was a prohibition on liquor. Gin, the most popular spirit was suddenly outlawed. Belgians' response was "let"s make our beer stronger, and "hey let's enhance the flavor and complexity while we're there". We've never looked back.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Pint Night 08/30/06 Kronenbourg 1664

Pint Night, August 30, 2006 Kronenbourg 1664
Description from www.k1664.com
The premium beer of Brasseries Kronenbourg brewers since 1664.
Kronenbourg 1664 is brewed with a unique hop blend including aromatic hops from Alsace.
Froth
Dense and creamy froth with adherence and good stability / Small bubbles / White colour
Colour
Golden yellow colour / Brightness
Odour
Medium intensity / Dominant odour of flowery hops / Citrus fruits and malt odour / Touch of yeast, fruits (banana, Mirabelle plum) and pepper
Aroma
Medium intensity / Dominant odour of hops and grapefruit / Cereal - malt aroma / Spicy and flowery honey touch
Taste
Fine bitter taste / Light acid taste
Mouthfeel
Light density / Light sparkling
Aftertaste
Fine lasting taste of bitterness with a flowery hop aroma and a touch of malt light tannins

Friday, August 25, 2006

Brew Crew 08/25/06 Leffe Blonde



Brew Crew, August 25 2006 Leffe Blonde
Description from www.inbev.com:
A dry, fruity, lightly spiced beer, full and creamy - a perfect balance of strength and subtlety. The brand has a delicate and light, malty aroma and a subtle, sweet finish. Leffe Blonde is a perfect accompaniment to light, everyday meals.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Pint Night 08/24/06 Hobgoblin


Pint night, August 24 2006 Hobgoblin Strong Dark Ale
Description from www.wychwood.co.uk:
"a deliciously dark, full-bodied and rich 'chocolate' malted brew"
The Legendary Hobgoblin Strong Dark Ale

Hobgoblin – Tasting Note
5.2% ABV 500ml bottle and can, 5.0% ABV in cask

Hobgoblin is a powerful full-bodied copper red, well-balanced brew. Strong in roasted malt with a moderate hoppy bitterness and slight fruity character that lasts through to the end.

Head Brewer, Jeremy Moss, has produced a full chocolate malt flavour beer by the addition of a small proportion of crystal malt and the use of Fuggles hops blended with Styrian Goldings hops. The ruby red coloured Hobgoblin is full-bodied and has a delicious chocolate toffee malt flavour balanced with a rounded moderate bitterness and an overall fruity character.

The Hogoblin legend
It was in a shadowy corner of the old maltings in Witney that the first gurgle was heard: a delicious, dark, rich ale pouring from the cask.

A local landlord had commissioned a special brew to celebrate his daughter's wedding. Our founder, the late Chris Moss, God rest his soul, created the ale of his life - a dark, rich, and mysterious brew. What to call it though? Too much was brewed for the wedding, so a firkin of our still nameless beer was sold to a local grog shop. It went down so well, more was called for the very next day.

Chris dutifully delivered another firkin, and was stopped aghast in his tracks. What sight beheld him? A drawing of a Hobgoblin and the name had magically appeared on the beer. Was it the wanderer of the night? Was mischief afoot? Perhaps, under his gaze, a lay artist serving at the counter was so charmed with the ale, he'd been compelled to depict the character of the brew in a drawing.

From that day hence, customers would ask for The "Hobgoblin" beer, and the legendary ale was born.

Beware The Hobgoblin . . . He may work his magic on you . . .
"What's The Matter Lagerboy, afraid you might taste something?"

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Pint Night 08/23/06 Blue Moon


Pint night, August 23 2006 Blue Moon
Description from www.coors.com:
Blue Moon Belgian White, Belgian-style wheat ale, is a refreshing, medium-bodied, unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale spiced with fresh coriander and orange peel for a uniquely complex taste and an uncommonly smooth finish.

The name "Belgian White" is a reference to the cloudy white, opaque appearance of the beer. "Belgian White" also refers to the style of beer, which has been brewed in Belgium for about 300 years. This type of ale is brewed with malt, wheat and oats. It is unfiltered, which allows protein and yeast to remain suspended in the beer and creates the cloudy appearance. This also adds to the smoothness and full body of the beer.

Putting a new twist on the lime ritual, Blue Moon is traditionally served with a slice of orange. Blue Moon was launched in 1995.

Blue Moon is available in bottles and kegs. The brew has 171 calories per 12-ounce serving and 5.4 percent alcohol by volume.

Awards
  • 1996 World Beer Championship silver medalist, White Beer category
  • 1997 World Beer Championship silver medalist, White Beer category
  • 1995 World Beer Championship gold medalist, White Beer category

Friday, August 18, 2006

Pint Night 08/17/06 Goose Island - IPA


Pint night, August 17 2006 Goose Island - India Pale Ale
Description from www.gooseisland.com:
Our hop-lover's classic ale
Our IPA recalls a time when ales shipped from England to India were highly hopped to preserve their distinct taste during the long journey. The result, quite simply a hop lover's dream. And this classic ale adds a fruity aroma, set off by a dry malt middle, to ensure that the long hop finish is one you'll remember.