Speaking of Beer

Prebeer Preamble: If you frequent a local brewpub, you’re probably familiar with the “growler.” It’s basically a jug that you can have filled with whatever is on tap, and bring back home for later enjoyment. Today’s show consists entirely of beer poured from growlers, fresh from their place of birth. Hopefully we’ll make a good case for investing in a growler or two, if you have the oppportunity. But wait there’s more! Today’s show also spotlights the second SoB homebrew, “Monkey Bastard.” I’m joined throughout by brewing compadre Shawn, and we’ll witness the Monkey’s birth in the Interbeer Interlude. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this half-growler-half-monkey of a show!

Beer #1: Coronado Brewing Company’s Belchin’ Brown. Shawn just returned from a road trip to San Diego, CA, and did NOT return empty handed. From a small brewery on Coronado Island comes this fresh belgianesque brew, which throws sweet and sour flavors around like some kind of Chinese restaurant. How does the freshness factor play in to the tasting?

Interbeer Interlude: The Build-A-Beer Workshop “Monkey Bastard Brew Day” Some beers have personalities that are apparent from the get-go. Monkey Bastard is just such a beer. Most brew days go smoothly..then there’s this brew day…

Beer #2: Stone’s Imperial Russian Stout. Did I mention Shawn was in San Diego? Naturally, a fresh poured black-hole-colored brain torpedo is required here. It’s easy, but there’s no way I’m going to pass up a shot at this beer. Thanks, Shawn-o!

Beer Geek Moment: “The Boil” The quentissential brewing image is that of a boiling pot of brew. But why, exactly, is it necessary to boil beer? Surely this risky, and potentially very, very, messy, step in the process would only be required if it actually brought something to the final beer. Today, we find out exactly what that is.

Postbeer Postscript: A whole new show! In lieu of scores, Shawn and I roll into a taste-off between two porters poured from growlers. Prescott Brewing Company’s Petrified Porter goes up against Coronado’s Point Loma Porter. Whose cuisine reigns supreme? Tune in and find out!

 

 Show 34: An Evening at the Growling Monkey: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2517)

So I feel a little bad about these beers, as I once again trot out things that will range from “difficult” to “virtually impossible” to find. You have my word that show 35 will include at least one beer that’s reasonably easy to find. Promise. But this is Show 34, so scrape up, if you can:

Coronado Brewing Company’s Belchin’ Brown [alternatives: your local brewpub's belgian brown or abbey beer, Leffe Brown, Unibroue's Chambly Noire]

and

Stone’s Imperial Russian Stout [alternatives: your local brewpub's Imperial Stout, Old Rasputin, Avery's The Czar]

Yes, I realize that makes three Stone brews in the past two shows. So it goes.

Oh, and ideally you should try to get these at the breweries, and take them home in a growler. If you’re unclear as to what a growler is and how it can improve YOUR life, well….just tune in next time!

SoB Newshound™ Eric sent me this link. It goes to an article talking about East Coast/West Coast differences vis-à-vis hops, and mentions a couple of Smackdown brews. Enjoy!

Prebeer Preamble: At long last…..LET’S GET READY TO…uh…DRINK BEER! I’ll admit it, I’m not a fan of these “smackdown” things. I mean, when the beer is this good, everybody wins in my book. Still, I’m intrigued by the concept: take four IPAs from two of America’s most successful craft breweries, invite an Imperial crap-ton of people* to drink them in a blind tasting, and force them to pick which they like best. And it would have gone off perfectly, except it involved both a little math and an obscene amount of the Greek alphabet. Still, this is some good stuff: the wheels get a little wobbly, but never come off the wagon entirely…

Round 1: Stone IPA vs. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. The undercard in today’s bout are two “traditional” India Pale Ales. We have tasters in the room from both coasts (and Australia!), as well as folks who just plain don’t like hoppy beer. The discussion is suprisingly civil, but there can be only one winner…

Intermission: Microbrewed. “Old Dominion Brewery.” Phil Rossi and Tee Morris return to the Ashburn, VA brewpub that got the whole “Microbrewed” thing started. With their lovely wives along for the ride, and much to celebrate, Tee and Phil are in fine and festive moods. Tune in and see how much reminiscing occurs between pints! [part 1 of 2]

Round 2: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA vs. Stone Ruination IPA. The main event kicks off with squeals of glee and protruding yuck-tongues in just about equal quantities. These two beers have everything cranked up, and apparently that’s not for everyone. Still, you have to pick a winner, so even the more “sensitive” palates in the crowd ultimately choose a side. What brew emerges victorious?

Beer Geek Moment: “Beer Competitions.” Today’s little excercise is amatuer to say the least (presence of an actual beer judge notwithstanding). Find out about the history and basics of REAL beer contests in this breezy Moment.

Postbeer Postscript: Having picked winners for each round, it is time to do a little math and crown a “Best in Show” beer. Each taster rated each beer, and the scores for each are totaled. Which potent potable walks away with the Grand Prize? Surely one of the winners of Rounds 1 and 2, right? D’OH!!

*Thanks to tasters Mark A., CMAAAAAAAAAR!, Thomas from Flagstaff, Michael R. Mennenga, Yooper, Doug Kress, Enormous from Australia, Kris Mayo, Brian Brown, Tim Adamec, Alec/clichekiller, Rhettro, and Rhettro’s lovely air-guitar goddess of a wife, Theresa. And a double-plus-huge thanks to C.A. Sizemore for running the blind tasting. Remember: It ain’t a party ’til something gets broke!

And a quintuple-plus-über-huge thanks to Jarsto from the Netherlands for ressurecting this show from digital nowhere land. If you enjoy this one, thank Jarsto!

 

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The Top Ten Reasons Beer is Better Than Jesus

Those easily offended be warned: it’s pretty brutal.

OK kids, let’s try this one again….If you didn’t get these the first time around, here’s your chance. Keep in mind that since the last time they were trotted out, Zymurgy magazine readers have voted Stone and Dogfish Head the top two craft breweries in the country…

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

AND

Stone IPA

AND

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

AND

Stone Ruination IPA

Sorry, no alternatives. It just wouldn’t make sense, conceptually (again)…