OK kids, dust off that lederhosen and scare up these two beers:
Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest [alternatives: Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen, Ayinger Oktoberfest Marzen, Paulaner Oktoberfest]
and
Widmer’s OktÃ…? Festival Ale [alternatives: Red Rocket Ale, Bell's Amber Ale, Full Sail Amber]
Warm up the oompah band and start pounding the schnitzel. If I haven’t offended you yet, you’ve probably gotten the theme…
Prebeer Preamble: Apparently SoB offends the sensibilities of my fellow beercasters at The Beer Report and Craft Beer Radio. Reading between the lines of their parody of Show #10’s “little cricket” skit, my show just isn’t “manly” enough for them. In response, I tackle that most metal of brews: fruit beer!
Beer #1: In response to a voicemail from Andrea in Chicago, our quest for a fruity gateway beer begins. First up is Unibroue’s Éphémère (Apple). I’m once again joined by budding beer enthusiast Devona as we sample this apple-infused witbier from Quebec. Is it just apple juice with a buzz, or is there more to this spritzy concoction?
Interbeer Interlude: Beerlosophy Essay . “My Problem with Citrus”. What starts as a rant about squirting fruit juice in beer morphs into an examination of individualism, and ultimately a plea for tolerance and understanding of our fellow human beings. Especially those who make beer.
Beer #2: Devona and I now turn our attention to Lindeman’s Framboise Lambic. It’s a different belgian style underneath all those berries. Is it more newbie-friendly than the Éphémère? Also, Devona plans her Christmas Eve dinner.
Beer Geek Moment: “The Lambic.” When is a beer something more than a beer? When it’s a lambic. The secrets of Belgium’s most mysterious style are laid bare, as we find out “lambic” is most definitely NOT synonymous with “fruit beer.”
Postbeer Postscript: Devona and I report our scores on these fruity brews. It’s pretty clear what the favorite was on this day, but will either do the trick for Andrea and folks like her?
[Note: If you're interested in Michael and Evo's Wingin' It! beer openers, as heard on the show, look here]
Next week’s beers are:
Unibroue’s Éphémère (Apple) [alternatives: New Glarus Apple Ale, ...maybe Lienenkugel's Apple Spice. I suppose in pinch a hard apple cider will do, though you should really look for an apple beer]
and
Lindeman’s Framboise [alternatives: Celis Raspberry, Liefman's Frambozenbier, any "raspberry" or "framboise"]
Guess the theme? (I should hope so…)
Prebeer Preamble: Many beer lovers love their India Pale Ales, and who can blame them? Today’s show spotlights this big, hoppy style, with a little twist: the two beers come from opposite sides of the USA. It’s sort of the Tupac Shakur/Notorious B.I.G. of beercasting. I guess.
Beer #1: I’m joined by my brother-in-law, Dave Cavanaugh, for some Shipyard IPA from Portland, ME. Dave’s an admitted hefeweizen/fruit beer fan. Looks like he picked the wrong day to be on the podcast.
Interbeer Interlude: Eat Your Beer. “Bratwurst in Guinness.” In a new recurring segment, I’m joined by beer cuisine enthusiast (and podcaster) Michael R. Mennenga, and we talk about ways to use beer in cooking beyond Beer-Butt Chicken. Mike applies his years of experimentation with using brews in food prepration in giving tips, general principles, and a kick-ass (and easy!) recipe.
Beer #2: Having been pleasantly surprised by the first beer, Dave reaches eagerly for the next, Lagunitas IPA. On a sunny northern Cali day, we sip the beer and discuss the influence California’s largest cash crop may (or may not) have had on the finished brew. Oh, and I go through the whole “why they’re called IPAs” thing.
Beer Geek Moment: “Hop Varieties”. Like most crops, hops come in a number of different strains. Today we look at the influence of different varieties in crafting a beer’s flavor, aroma, and bitterness. Warning: many variety names may or may not be mispronounced in this Moment. Feedback is welcome.
Postbeer Postscript: Dave and I score the beers, factoring in flavor, mouthfeel, and the potential baked-ness of the brewers. Does this east coast/west coast thing end as tragically as the last one?
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