Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Brew Review - Avery Salvation


A bold SAT analogy:

“Avery Brewing Company is to craft beer as Michael Jordan was to the NBA”

Before you accuse me of failing the SAT’s, hear me out…Just like Michael Jordan didn’t “save” the NBA (Bird and Magic did because Bill Simmons told me so), Avery hasn’t “saved” the craft beer market. What MJ23 did do, besides burn our retinas with “Space Jam”, was revolutionize the NBA and make it the global brand we see today (he also jacked up salaries, gambled a ton, and made Mario Mendoza look like Ted Williams, but those are stories for a different day). In the same breath, Avery, by consistently putting out delicious brews, is helping lead the movement of the moderately-sized craft breweries to legitimize the craft beer industry and push innovation and overall quality in the American beer we know and love. Competition breeds excellence after all.

Salvation pours a slightly cloudy, golden orange with about a half inch of white head and smells delicious. Not overpowering, but slight hops, citrus, and sugar…AKA right in my “wheel house”. The taste followed the smell closely and I was presented with an overall good Belgian that I would drink without hesitation in the future. I don’t know why I act shocked the more Avery I expose myself to, but I walked away with yet another excellent Boulder, CO birthed beer.

Surfer Blood = the future. My knowledge of Surfer Blood occurred only because they opened for the British band Art Brut (“Ready, Art Brut!!!”) at Lincoln Hall in Chicago last October. I can confidently say that pounding Guinness, listening to two wildly different Indie bands changed my musical life – SB’s Astrocoast album has been in my and Beautiful’s rotations ever since. These young West Palm Beachians make mellow, smart, nostalgic Indie music that seems above their years and at the same time makes me feel bad about myself due to my realized lack of talent in anything musical (with the exception of the Recorder). Take a listen to “Twin Peaks” immediately.


ENJOY!

Serving Type: Bottle
Glassware: Boulevard Smokestack Series Goblet
Color (hue and head): Golden orange, with a small white head
Clarity: slightly cloudy
Aroma: gentle citrus notes and sugary notes
Taste: citrus, slight sugar notes, very slight hop finish...good Belgian overall
Grade: 89 (B+)
Musical pairing: Soft and lazy melodies yet great music overall…Surfer Blood – “Twin Peaks"
Surroundings: “Rocking” with Beautiful and enjoying the Jamaican Jerk pizza from Ingredient

Brew Review - Rogue Chocolate Stout


A “wise” man once said, “We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams”. That semi-creepy man also happened to be a great purveyor of chocolate and the possessor of both a Wonkenator and a farty bubble machine. There are no additional jokes in me saying that my first thought upon initial sip of the Rogue Chocolate Stout was seriously of poor Augustus Gloop, who met his end as he attempted to further his downward spiral into Diabetes.

I’ve always had a fond place in my heart for Rogue, but this beer kind of shocked me – possibly because I’m a relative new comer to the Stout genre. The smell was so hardcore chocolate that I literally thought it might be too “dessert-y”…mix in a bit of caramel and coffee and this was one step away from a brownie. The taste was a good balance of roasted malts, morning coffee, and chocolate aftertaste. As is important with stouts, the tongue coating was great and long lasting meaning I enjoyed the aftertaste for awhile between gulps. Rogue = awesomeness.

Is it weird that both Willy Wonka and Johnny Cash were the first two things that popped into my head when drinking the Chocolate Stout? Is it coincidence that Rogue, W Squared, and JC are all icons in their own right? I think not, I’ll thank you for asking. My first thoughts were of the darker material that peppered Cash’s later works, during which he was in bad health and mourning the death of June Carter Cash. “Ain’t no Grave” from American VI was the final material that he recorded with Rick Rubin (coolest white dude...ever) before his death. Much like the beer itself, Cash’s voice, tone, and sound all point to something infinitely dark and oppressive, yet the lyrics themselves are light and spiritual. This beer, based on color, smell, and consistency represents something dark...a true stout - Yet, the aftertaste points to something much less ominous and much more pure. The end result of many of Johnny Cash’s masterpieces.

Prost!

Serving Type: Bottle
Glassware: Boulevard Smokestack Series Goblet
Color (hue and head): Black as night with a tan 1 inch head
Clarity: Ink
Aroma: hardcore chocolate with caramel tones, thick, all in the nose (even my nose)
Taste: roasted malts, coffee with a thick chocolately aftertaste…good tongue coating
Grade: 91 (A-)
Musical pairing: All that needs to be said: Johnny Cash – “Ain’t no Grave”
Surroundings: Your ma’s house

Brew News - March 30, 2010

Boycott UPS for Refusing to Ship Beer
http://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/boycott-ups-for-refusing-to-ship-beer/

The anger rises from deep within thee. This is why I never truly understand decisions that come from ‘the top’ of certain organizations. First, you’re eliminating a whole source of revenue and second, you risk pissing off a
relatively well networked group of people who do a ton of business via shipping – seems like a smart decision Mr. D. Scott Davis. Be sure to think of us when you’re sipping your Michelob Ultra.

Let Troops Get Their Drink On
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/03/let-troops-get-their-drink-on-senator-says/

General Order No. 1 just screams prudish America (notice how European troops are allowed to drink). Thankfully, someone has come to their senses and ignored less important topics such as the economy, healthcare reform, and performance enhancing drugs. Kudos to you Senator Jim Webb! It turns out Virginia is for more than just “lovers”.

On the Side Beer Raid Backfires on Liquor Agents

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/20100311_On_the_Side__Beer_Raid_backfires_on_liquor_agents.html


The result of one state’s Draconian beer-related laws lends credence to the term, “Karma is a bitch”. In all seriousness, I cannot fathom this happening in Chicago or Kansas City. Nice use of the people’s tax dollars, Philly! Where’s the “crackdown” on murders and drug use? I’m sure this wouldn’t happen at Paddy’s Pub - Flip, flip, Flip-a-delphia!

New York Bar to Set Menu Prices Like Stocks
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wirestory?id=10190154&page=1

This is definitely an interesting concept worth checking out. The only thing that bothers me here is the fact that 1) this bar already exists in Stockholm (and no credit was given to that bar) and 2) this bar already exists in my head. I feel robbed, even though I made no attempt to make my idea into a reality. Do you think you could get Three Philosopher’s for $1 since I’m guessing the clientele in that area will be all about Chocolate Martinis and Cosmo’s? BTW, Samantha, I’ll be the one to say it…you’re a skank.

Brit Brewer Brews the Bitterest Beer Ever
http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2010/March/20/Brit-brewer-brews-bitterest-6570.asp

Try saying that five times fast. As someone who continues to find ways to mainline DIPA’s, I can’t understand the point of this. Is this beer even drinkable? I get the feeling that for the British, this is their “man on the moon”. Bitter beer face anyone?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Brew Review – Avery Mephistopheles Stout

How does one screw a chance at an eternity of bliss? Mephistopheles was the second angel to fall, banished from heaven to the depths for rebelling against God. I’m not sure about you, but I have done some rebellious things myself…especially after a few brews. My thoughts: Angels, Mephistopheles and Lucifer, tied one on by enjoying some of their 16% home brew. With the brain to mouth filter lost, sarcastic remarks and prankish humor ensued. The next morning, they woke up in a mysterious, dark place with a wicked headache. My close friend, Shame, and I have awakened in similar places, and for similar reasons, but my wife always seems to forgive me…after a couple of days…and some chores.

Serving Type: Bottle (12 oz) (bottled 11/2008, batch 4)
Glassware: Tulip
Color (hue and head): Sell your soul to the devil black; So deep you almost see purple. Head dissipates immediately into the depths.
Aroma: Raisin, brown sugar, alcohol
Taste: Plum and chocolate, brown sugar. Sinfully strong, seductively sweet. Warm on the belly (alcohol) but relatively easy on the palate considering 15.92% ABV. Quickly dizzies the mind making it tough to fully enjoy a follow up brew.
Grade: 89/100 (B+)
Musical pairing: Modest Mouse - Polar Opposites, immediately followed by Modest Mouse - Shit Luck
Surroundings: Playing indoor fetch with the dog, watching HGTV.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Brew News - Yay Beer Sales!

Two glorious stories have just hit the Telex (actually we're a few days behind on both):

http://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/craft-beer-numbers-up-again-for-2009/

http://www.ksawtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12081449

Here's what to take away from both of those:
  1. mainstream beer reported largest negative sales period since the 1950's
  2. craft beer in 2009 was up 7.2% by volume and 10.3% by dollars, compared to 2008
  3. InBev (Voldemort) is an evil corporation hell bent on destroying America's tastebuds
We're just kidding about the last one. AB InBev is the employer of many fine Americans (despite being foreign owned) and the training wheels for most/all beer drinkers. Their growth due to expansion into China and other regions of the world is fine - we'll simply continue our guerilla approach to taking Americaland circa 1775-1783.

Go open a fine tasting craft beer and celebrate!

Brew Review - NB Lips of Faith La Folie

Vinegar, spoiled yogurt, bitter and sour…not exactly adjectives that elicit a positive response when describing a beer’s smell and taste. In fact, in almost every case those are the exact adjectives that beer brewers try to avoid at all costs. But just as music evolved and expanded from its symphonic beginnings, so too has beer and its many brewers chosen to expand their horizons and push the envelopes of what is “cool” and even drinkable – Hipster/Indie music please meet Sour Ales.

Saying that Sour Ales have been invented in the last few years would be inaccurate and disingenuous as Flemish Red and Brown ales have existed for years in Belgium. However, the American beer drinker’s desire to willingly consume these beers has increased dramatically as of late, and New Belgium’s Lips of Faith La Folie offering is a direct result of that desire.

Sour Ales are brewed using bacteria strains called Lactobacillus and Pediococcus and the Brettanomyces yeast strain. These strains cause acidic and sour flavors to be present in the beer and give it its barely tolerable smell and taste. To put this beer style in perspective, the very smells and tastes that brewers of most other beer styles try to avoid are the same that lead purveyors of this style to surrender $7-8 dollas to drink willingly.

Suggesting that I enjoyed this beer at first smell and taste would net me the “Wayne Campbell shaaa, right” award (if such an awesome award existed) - It was bitter, extremely sour and smelled like a cross between bad yogurt and something else where the “good” bacteria had crossed over to the dark side. If I’m not exactly talking up this beer it’s for a reason. The smell and taste were so horrifyingly shocking that it led to the following exchange with my fiancĂ©:

Me: “This smells like baby diapers and bad yogurt.”
Beautiful: “Really? Sounds delicious…drink up beer blog man.”
Me: “I really don’t think I can drink it – I’m not even kidding. Maybe if I let it fester for awhile longer I’ll decide I REALLY want it.”

Beautiful: “Man up.”

Done and done. After taking her advice and a beating to my always fragile manhood, I continued to sip and became surprised as I watched its rating go slowly up and up (see post-freshman year college GPA). Eventually, it gained “lemon” status as something that you never quite love to eat/drink, but you can tolerate and maybe even crave occasionally.

I originally had zero idea where to go with this one musically – Aqua – "Barbie Girl” because I hated it so much? As I hated the beer less and less, a trio of songs popped into my head that all had a commonality to them – they were all definitely not mainstream and all took a few listens to fully appreciate:

Of Montreal – “Gronlandic Edit”
Neon Indian (who you might see show up in another review) – “Deadbeat Summer”
Gorillaz – “Stylo”

Known for their penchant of inventing new genres of music, Gorillaz and its first single from its new “Plastic Beach” album became the pairing of choice. The song’s repetitive synthesizer-driven beat, Damon Albarn’s original voice and lyrics, and the randomness of Bobby Womack and Mos Def, all supported a beer that was random, risky and “new”, originally grating, and eventually even enjoyable (the song more than the beer).

Serving Type: 22 oz bottle
Glassware: Smokestack Series goblet
Color (hue and head): light brown, no head
Clarity: opaque
Aroma: heavy heavy citrus notes, "clean" smell, herbal
Taste: very sour and bitter, bad lemon
Grade: 82 (B-)
Musical pairing: Not mainstream, different, risky music that takes a few listens to get used to…Gorillaz – "Stylo”
Surroundings: At home, about to watch an overpriced movie on Time Warner On Demand

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Brew Review - Avery Maharaja

Every now and then you “stumble” across a beer that surprises and completely changes the beer-drinking game for you when you least expect it. A relatively low key, random Thursday wasn’t really the backdrop I had in mind for putting a new brewery on my map, but in the same breath the twenty fourth of May, 1976 in Paris began much the same way (the “Judgement of Paris”, FYI – go Google it).

The setting for this beer really couldn’t have been more perfect – my virgin happy hour at the new Blanc Burger + Bottles on the Plaza with nice, late February weather (which in the winter of 2010 in KC means “not shitty”), a certain uncertainty in my brain with the Avery Brewing Company having only sipped one or two of their delicious brews to date, and a new hipster hoodie, western style shirt, and pair of checkered Van’s slip-ons creating an especially dashing ensemble.

Upon the first pour, being an IPA/DIPA junkie, the brew’s color and initial foam consistency was as expected and comparable to a few of my favorite hoppy beers. Maharaja poured a nice, golden color with a slight orange hue and a well formed ¾” white head. That’s where comparisons to “every other” IPA stopped. The smell was an overpowering one of heavy citrus fruits, floral notes, and a slight grassy, clean finish. The hops were so prevalent that I thought it might rip my tongue off (which in this case, is a delightful thing) and at 10.3% ABV it is a beer that can be sipped instead of bonged.

Most importantly, the atmosphere directly contributed to how much I enjoyed this beer. The music at Blanc wasn’t being narrated by Spider Harrison and the weekly top 40, Bryan at Blanc stopped to explain some of his favorite beers and talk about how well their new location was doing and why, and liquidsunshine and I were busy making new, slightly not sober friends.

Musically, only one genre could ever fit such an intense, energetic, and chaotic beer like this one – punk. As I kept drinking this beer all of the greats flashed by in succession – The Stooges to the Ramones and Clash to the Misfits and onto a newer generation led by Titus Andronicus. From New Jersey, their self titled track “Titus Andronicus” is on their debut full length album called “The Airing of Grievances” and is an ode to a past musical age that channeled heavy distortion, raw energy, and disregard for the well being of society. This is what flashed in my head:





Serving Type: 22 oz bottle
Glassware: tulip glass
Color (hue and head): golden with a slight orange hue
Clarity: slightly cloudy
Aroma: heavy heavy citrus notes, "clean" smell, herbal
Taste: hops galore, citrus, slightly bitter after taste
Grade: 93 (A-)
Musical pairing: Intense, unbridled energy..."Titus Andronicus - Titus Andronicus"
Surroundings: Blanc on a Thursday during Happy Hour

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Brew Review - Boulevard Dark Truth Stout

My parents taught me complaining will get you nowhere. Deal with it and move forward. Yesterday, I found that complaining can get you everywhere if expressed properly. Boulevard was releasing their latest Smokestack offering so I stopped by the local liquor store to grab two bottles. Arriving, I saw the delivery driver loading Smokestack cases back onto the truck. Weird. I went inside and saw no new Boulevard brews, cases or displays in the usual section. Disappointed, I grabbed a bottle of Unearthly IPA I’ve been meaning to try for some time. 


I have made a steady stream of purchases lately and the manager was well aware of it. He and the delivery driver were at the register. I asked about not getting the Dark Truth in today. He said it wasn’t on the order invoice and was delivered by accident. Annoyed, I hit him with, “Oh, I thought you guys were usually first in line with the new ones.” Turning to the delivery driver, I asked, “Who DID order it today so I can go there?” The manager quickly interrupted, called his boss, and asked the delivery driver to grab the "accidental" cases. The driver handed me two bottles with a smirk on his face. I’m not patting myself on the back or anything, but I am definitely going to consider complaining more often. If you happen to shop at the same location, you're welcome. Cheers!

Serving Type: Bottle (750 ml)
Glassware: Pinot Noir Glass
Color (hue and head): Deep and dark with dirty, frothy head. Slowly settles to consistent, thin tan lace across the top.
Clarity: abyssal
Aroma: sweet and smoky
Taste: Bakers chocolate, cinnamon spices, rich malt. Hints rye and roasted coffee. Warm and lingering finish.
Grade: 91/100 (A-)
Musical pairing: Dark, sensual and loving, yet brooding, deliberate and powerful - Portishead – Glory Box
Surroundings: Couching it, working, wife out of town, Band of Brothers on the tube.