Hump Day Happiness

I love December 31st every year. The wife and I usually treat ourselves to things we won’t normally have during the year. As you can see above, I’m going to have a good night drinking martinis. I know, there is no craft beer but I have been known to fancy myself a lover of the juniper delight. As my good friend Griff would say, we’re gonna party like rockstars. With Tea Spoon coming to this world in April I need to get it in while I can

Thank you for supporting this site and making it a reality after years of dragging my feet. Without you I wouldn’t have been able to make this site come to life. I appreciate your patience as I continue to toy with a format that I think will be most beneficial to you as a reader and myself as a writer.

prost and have a safe NYE!

I decided to be a nice beer guy and share this with my family last night when we celebrated the holiday at my brother’s house. I come from a family of “if it’s dark, it’s strong” and “why cant you drink normal beer like Bud”. I was on a mission to expand some minds and educate.

Southern Tier Choklat
brewery: Southern Tier - southerntierbrewing.com
style: Imperial Chocolate Stout
abv: 11%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: pint
price: $12

Overview
The Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Maya, unfolds a complex web of mystery around a beverage known as xocoatl (ch-co-atle). At Southern Tier, we’re not surprised that hieroglyphs of the ancient Maya depict chocolate being poured for rulers and gods. Even through the many voyages of Columbus, the mystical bean remained nothing more than a strange currency of the native peoples.

Moving through centuries, the circular journey of cacao has been realized in our brewing house, encompassing the complexity of the darkest, bitter-sweet candy together with the original frothy cold beverage of the ancient Maya to bring to you our Blackwater Series Choklat Stout. We have combined the finest ingredients to tempt your senses & renew the power & interrelation of history in every bottle.

What I think
This is “liquid brownie in a bottle” as I like to call it. The aroma is incredible. Bountiful amount of chocolate, chocolate and oh yeah chocolate. Remember the scratch-n-sniff stickers from the 80’s of the Hot Chocolate or walking through Hershey, PA? See where I’m going with it? Even my family said “Is that chocolate? This can’t be beer!”

My brother was the one who poured so there wasn’t much head (I need to teach him the art). It pours darker than a black hole and will suck you in with it’s medium body and chocolate blanket that blankets your palate. This is heaven in a glass.

I’m not a fan of sweets and very rarely eat anything along the lines of candy but Choklat is fantastic. This is the best chocolate beer you will ever drink. You know that feeling when everything in the world seems perfect at that moment? This will take you there and give a beergasm.

Spoon’s rating: A+

It’s Friday and you’re at work looking to kill some time before the holiday. Why not do it with beer! Once again the shows at Beer Safari have gotten together for a mega beer exchange. As a member of Should I Drink That, I joined sickpuppy in unwrapping a very delicious gift from Big Foamy Head. Video is about an hour long so kickback with a 6 pack and enjoy! We may release the SIDT one as a separate download. We’ll see it motivation moves me this weekend

In order of appearance:

• Big Foamy Head
• The Good Beer Show
• The Beer Report
• Speaking of Beer
• Craft Beer Radio
• My Life as a Foodie
• Should I Drink That?
• Brain Gravy
• Davis on Draft

Don’t forget to check out my craft beer podcasting brothers at Beer Safari and the writings of Beer Porn!

It’s 8 days before Christmas so you deserve something to kick it up over the holiday. We all have whack jobs in our families and craft beer is what you need to drown them out. I wanted to do more Christmas themed beers this year but most I have had before and quite frankly are foul. The picture above is from a night at 3 Sons since the batteries in my camera died at the time of review. Eh, it happens.

Santa’s Private Reserve
brewery: Rogue Brewing - rogue.com
beer website: Santa’s Private Reserve
style: Red Ale
abv: 6%
serving size: 12oz
glass used: pint glass
price: $41/case, $3.75 bottle

Overview
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!

What I think
The issue I have with a lot of winter offerings, as I see in pumpkin beers also, is a spice bomb and for me that is a huge turnoff. I’m more for balance in when it comes to a spice, bitter or sweetness. If this is your concern also, you’ve come to the right beer.

Pours a medium copper/amber with an astonishing head. Yeah, beer porn once again. The taste on this is hoppy like an IPA but with a sweetness of a red which, as I said above, gives balance. Oh sweet Jesus did it balance well and follows with a tad of fruit and spice. If you’re worried about the hops on the finish you can get that thought out of your mind. It has a mild body on it which doesn’t stick around long. This is my go to beer now in the winter season. Rogue you have saved me from a winter of misery when I want a beverage under 10% ABV to chill with.

Spoon’s rating: A

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a fan of the Pilsner style. I’ve had some extremely bad beer in this style and it probably goes back to swill I drank as a lad. Wait, that was Golden Anniversary from my parents basement. If I’m going to review the style I might as well go for the best.

• Details Magazine - One of Ten Best Summer Beers (June/July 2006)
• Men’s Journal - Top Lager Worldwide (July 2005)
• Grand Champion Pilsner: United States Beer Tasting Championships 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Prima Pils
brewery: Victory Brewing - www.victory.com
beer website: Prima Pils
style: Pilsner
abv: 5.3%
serving size: 12oz
glass used: pilsner
price: $32/case, $3.00 bottle

Overview
Heaps of hops give this pale lager a bracing, herbal bite over layers of soft and smooth malt flavor. This refreshing combination of tastes makes Prima a classy quencher in the tradition of the great pilsners of Europe. Dry and delightful, this is an elegant beer.

What I think
If you’re new to craft beer you will see this and think “hey, that looks like my Bud/Coors/Miller”. Unlike those, this has character and doesn’t need to be served ice cold to hide its flavor. Pours a gorgeous golden body with a robust white head. If you’re trying a pilsner for the first time you may think it’s a tad stale tasting. After consulting the world renown beer filmmaker, foodie rockstar and home brewing expert Phil, this is from the character of the German and Czech whole flowers hops. Prima Pils has a medium body and a crips clean finish. New to Pilsners? Start here.

If you’re looking to start out shooting beer porn, this is a must for your list. Very photogenic.

Spoon’s rating: A-

This week we feature a seasonal beer from a brewery back in my hometown of Erie, PA. I know it’s early in the site to repeat a beer already but after reading the original review here I felt it needed a worthy review. Plus I thought I reviewed the older, less ABV version which was retired.

Ol Red Cease and Desist
brewery: Erie Brewing - www.eriebrewingco.com
style: Wee Heavy Scottish Ale
abv: 10.1%
serving size: 12oz
glass used: sniffer
price: $31/case, $3.50 bottle

Overview
Erie Brewing presents the Beer formally known as Red Ryder BIG BEER - A beer dubiously awarded two cease and desist letters for its name. Ol’ Red Cease and Desist brings more to the table than just a big malty flavor and climaxing warming sensation…a legal record! This beer so recognized and loved by many deserves a unique name to match its unique history. What better name than Ol’ Red Cease and Desist – a name inspired by the long arm of the law!

What I think
Every winter I look forward to this beverage. The pour brings a crisp amber hue and a modest head. Lacing vanishes rather fast but that isn’t always a bad thing. You will get a gracious amount of malt on your palate that will do a great job of covering the 10.1% ABV. I purchased a few of these and noticed the body was heavier on one bottle over the other but didn’t result in much flavor variety but very very smooth. You’re going to be able to drink many of these before that ABV kicks you in the head. Treat it like NyQuil, plan a long slumber in Scottish ale bliss after consuming.

Spoon’s rating: B

Two weeks in a row with Southern Tier! I have a hard time justifying a bottle of beer priced at $17 so after some research I decided to pick it up. The results were, well, read on…

Southern Tier Curvee Series One
brewery: Southern Tier - southerntierbrewing.com
style: American Strong Ale
abv: 11%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: sniffer
price: $17

Overview
This is the first part in a limited series from Southern Tier Brewing. Series One was released this month with Two following in February 09 and finally Three in June 09. For more information check out the beers page of the Southern Tier website.

What I think
When I put money into a beer I have a certain level of expectations. In this case it came in a cardboard box with simple yet effective artwork and the bottle itself was impressive. Unfortunately the beer wasn’t. Not a fan of it. It tasted like the brewers were standing in front of the boil and said “Reginald, go open your lunch from mommy and lets see what we can use! Scurry! Scurry!”. It did pour a delightful copper color but had little aroma to be desired. The taste was a bland strong ale and got me to wondering if I had a bad bottle. Slights hops, little malt and quite frankly just a boring beer. Utterly disappointed but willing to revisit down the road. It was still an average strong ale which is why I give it the following grade.

Spoon’s rating: C-

When this arrived at 3 Sons Dogs & Suds I swear that every regular that I talk to told/emailed me that this was a must buy. Gotta love communication like that! I love most Southern Tier products so I was really excited to see something new on the shelf. Wait till you read the story behind the name!

Southern Tier Krampus
brewery: Southern Tier - southerntierbrewing.com
style: Munich Helles Lager
abv: 9%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: sniffer

Overview
Here’s the story from the Southern Tier website
St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, is a magical figure, the bringer of gifts and an icon of holiday spirit. Forgotten by most is his evil side kick and enforcer of ‘the list’. European tradition says while St. Nick is busy delivering presents to good little boys and girls, Krampus hands out punishments to the bad. A fanged, goat-horned bully, the Christmas Devil uses sticks and chains to beat the naughty children.

That has to be one of the best stories ever for inspiring a craft beer. Just wait till I have kids and share this one!

What I think
Before I dove into craft beers I never thought much about glassware. Using a sniffer is key in this one because the nose you’ll get will make a hop head moan. After the initial pour there was an ivory white head resting on top of an amazing copper body. This is pure beer porn and the first drink was just as amazing. The hops are settling on my palate like a mild blanket meanwhile the malts coat the roof of my mouth making me crave for more. If you’re a lacing junkie make sure you take your time to savor the beer before geeking out at the drapes of goodness.

This is a great way to bring in the holiday season on a cold snowy tonight kinda like what I have right now. I’m feeling all warm inside.

Spoon’s rating: A-

Thanks to all who voted for  Should I Drink That?” in the food & drink category! Unfortunately we didn’t win this year and while rumors started to surface of us having a fate like Susan Lucci I can assure you that… aw screw it. Have a craft beer and keep on supporting Should I Drink That?, this site Humpday Happiness and our friends at Beer Safari!

cheers!

So like an idiot I thought I was over the flu and guess what, I wasn’t. No review today because I need to get ready this weekend for the greatest thing to ever grace the shores of Station Square.

The 2008 Pittsburgh Brufest will be Friday, November 14, 2008 at Bar Room & Saddle Ridge in Station Square from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchased here! A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit The PLEA Agency and entertainment will be provided by SeeMusicLive.org

Oh did I forget to mention that yours truly along with sickpuppy from Should I Drink That, Zeke from Y108, Ron Man from B94 and a surprise local celebrity will be the official beer judges.

Stop out, get your drink on and help support a good cause.

cheers!
spoon