Let's talk Beer (2 Viewers)

[Lew Crippen]

"Central Market(the one I went to was off Lovers Lane).

Thanks Shane—that is my normal grocery store. I live between Lovers and Mockingbird, a bit west of Central.

 

[Zen Butler]

Unibroue, Tres Pistoles.

Shane, Trois Pistoles is wonderful. I too would grab quite a few bottles as it will store nicely and its' fate questionable since Unibroe has been bought. A great mock Belgian Strong.

 

[Seungsoo Hwang]

Quick questions:

Had a Alaskan Smoked Porter last night (2003). Heard about people actually aging this one for a bit longer. How long do they keep, or is it for as long as you can hold out?

Also, and honey brews/ale suggestions? Had some last summer in various BC resteraunts and such and found them to be great in the summer.

 

[Zen Butler]

Had a Alaskan Smoked Porter last night (2003). Heard about people actually aging this one for a bit longer. How long do they keep, or is it for as long as you can hold out?

Seungsoo, first off, this is a wonderful brew. I'm stumped as far as this brew is concerned. I'm assuming an early-mid 03 bottle is about perfect. I still have some 2001 Chimay Grande Reserve Bleu(the best), but they have just about seen their day.
As far as a porter or stout I'm at a loss. Hopefully Mark Romero could answer this. This Alaskan Smoked Porter I can never find, and when I do, don't know if I could sit on it for any period of time.
Welcome!

 

[Shane Martin]

I tried a new one last night from the "New Glarus Brewing Co of Wisconsin "
This was the Uff-da Bock. Highly recommended.
Supposedly according to my friend they have another one called Wisconsin Belgian Red which is brewed with Cherries. I think we are going to try that next when my friends' dad makes another trip down from Wisconsin.

 

[Shane Martin]

I got 14 Liter bottles of Trois Pistoles on the way. I can not wait!!!

My friend is going to Dallas to buy a ton of it($600 worth) as he is thinking and a bit worried that the Unibroue deal might be bad...I hope not.

 

[Lew Crippen]

My friend is going to Dallas to buy a ton of it($600 worth) as he is thinking and a bit worried that the Unibroue deal might be bad...I hope not.

Shane I picked up some Trois Pistoles at Central Market after your last post. As always, it was very good.

And a bottle of Terrible from the same brewery. (It cost another dollar and was black as the ace of spades—had to be worth a try, no?)

What a disappointment. Way too high in alcohol, really very simple, straightforward flavors and very little carbonation—and mind you, I’m not a person who demands a high fizz content.

Anybody else have a view on this brew?

 

[Zen Butler]

I'm sorry you had this experience with Unibroue's Terrible. Yes a bit high in alcohol, even for a Belgian strong, but my I found it hardly simple.
I love Unibroue's mock Belgian styles. I found Terrible actually a bit thin for what its' looks promote. This brew is an easter basket of flavors; cocoa, date and mollasses(sp?) How they come together? A bit of a cacophony but still interesting. Not as good as the near perfect Trois Pistoles. I would like to hear Mark's thoughts on this one.
SIDE NOTE: Had a few bottles of 05/2003
Chimay Grande Reserve Bleu
Guys, she's ripe and stellar. For those unaware, peek at the cork on the outside upper area near the metal clasp for month and year.

 

[Lew Crippen]

I found Terrible actually a bit thin for what its' looks promote.

I agree with that Zen.

I think that characteristic plus the low carbonation and high alcohol led me to also dismiss any positive feature that it had.

 

[Zen Butler]

I think Terrible straddles the fence a bit, wanting to appeal to the extreme and be a classy Belgian. In this, I think it shows its' youthfulness. Think a Stone Brewery take on a Belgian We saw what they did with the classic IPA. Although many, including myself, fell in love with the result.

 

[Shane Martin]

Try Maudite next time. Another stellar brew from Unibroue

 

[Mark Romero]

As far as a porter or stout I'm at a loss. Hopefully Mark Romero could answer this. This Alaskan Smoked Porter I can never find, and when I do, don't know if I could sit on it for any period of time.

Welcome!

I thought I answered this one already but if not, here are my thoughts. I had a 2002 Alaskan Smoked Porter about a year ago and it was fine although I don't really care for smoked porters. I still have a 2003 aging. It will be fine although I don't think I would let it go more than 2-3 years. And the rule of thumb usually is the higher ABV the better suited for long term storage. There are exceptions of course.

 

[Mark Romero]

BTW, the 2004 version of Stone Russian Imperial Stout has hit the market here in New Mexico. At 10.8% ABV, it is a little stronger than last year's. I have a couple of bottles and will get more shortly for long term aging.

 

[Zen Butler]

My local just called me yesterday. It is in here also.

 

[Jacob McCraw]

Can anyone recommend an online retailer with reasonable shipping rates and a good selection?

 

[Jacob McCraw]

Can anyone recommend an online retailer with reasonable shipping rates and a good selection?

 

[Markus Lidstrom]

Any recommendations for a good BC beer?
I'm loving Shaftberry's 420 Ale, and Okanagon Spring's Pale Ale, Sleemans' Honey Brown, and Big Rock's Grasshoper (with a lemon wedge).
Any other good brews I should try?

 

[Zen Butler]

Summer Brew Suggestion List:
Cooper's Sparkling Ale: [Lew Crippen] "a good summer beer, but not necessarily the best choice with TexMex (or CalMex, for that matter) food. It stands very well on its own--or with a barby."
Wychwood Breweries: Fiddler's Elbow [Ron-P] Ron: "A decent lighter ale with a citrus and hoppy body. A nice clean hoppy finish as well. Nice summer brew."
Rogue Brews: Dead Guy Ale [Ron-P] Ron: "A smooth brew, light on the hops, a bit fruity with a tad bit of a bitter finish. Nice smooth mouth feel which is great if your not after a demanding brew."
Bohemia-[Shane Martin, Lew Crippen}- Lew: "It is light and crisp enough to not clash with some moderate spices, yet has enough body and flavor to stand well on its own.
Think sitting outside with a fish taco, laced with some cilantro and some pico de gallo on the side."
Duvel {Zen Butler} -Zen: "very strong pale(blond, white) ale, 8.5%! (careful), crispy, refreshing, went very well with grilled portabella open face sandwich, squash and roasted corn. Very nice with many vegetarian dishes."
Stella Artois (Lew Crippen, Jack Briggs): Lew:"I think that Jack and his mate had the right approach—a few pitchers outdoors on a sunny afternoon while watching the world go by."
Cascade Lakes Rooster Tail Ale-
Duvel (The Devil)

 

[Lew Crippen]

Zen, my first experience with Duvel was when I was visiting my wife in Antwerp. We were sitting outside and I just picked Duvel off the extensive beer list if not by accident

I had one and liked it so much that I had another. I really thought that it was extraordinarily smooth, thought still full of flavor. Well balanced—so much so that I did not pick up on the alcohol content until I stood up after finishing off the second.

In short, a favorite beer of mine, and one that I often have on hand.

 

[Zen Butler]

Lew, thank you. It appears you remember your first Duvel. Certain settings and scenery really do play a part in the experience of drinking a fine brew. I think I would have enjoyed a King Cobra-Malt Liquor "sitting outside in Antwerp."