The Bar Towel

Enjoying a sixer of DFH 60 min

ive had 3 KBL Pale Ales and now im onto my homebrewed Orval clone

Just finished off an AleSmith IPA, picked up on a recent trip to Arizona. Sadly, it had that taste of old hops. No freshness date anywhere on the bottle - argh. It's supposed to be a world class drink, but this wasn't.

I think I am going to start becoming fresh-obsessed on my IPAs. It seems to make a world of difference to my palate. I've had some amazing, incredible Stone IPAs - along with some that are barely meh. I'm guessing it all comes down to freshness.

Can't beat fresh hops!

Having a Rogue Hazelnut.....

sstackho wrote:Just finished off an AleSmith IPA, picked up on a recent trip to Arizona. Sadly, it had that taste of old hops. No freshness date anywhere on the bottle - argh. It's supposed to be a world class drink, but this wasn't.

I think I am going to start becoming fresh-obsessed on my IPAs. It seems to make a world of difference to my palate. I've had some amazing, incredible Stone IPAs - along with some that are barely meh. I'm guessing it all comes down to freshness.

Fresh Alesmith IPA is stunning - makes Stone IPA cry like a whiny little bitch. Keep trying for some, you'll be happy.

Garthicus wrote:Can't beat fresh hops!

Having a Rogue Hazelnut.....

I had that too! Does anyone know why it has small pictures of a bull and a pig on the side? Does it taste so good because it contains bacon?

Bobsy wrote:I had that too! Does anyone know why it has small pictures of a bull and a pig on the side? Does it taste so good because it contains bacon?

I think (and could be wildly wrong) that all the Rogue beers have some kind of animal on the label, whether pig, cow, chicken or fish, and this indicates the sort of meat dish with which that particular beer pairs well.

Somewhat enjoying some Holsten Pils right now. The bottom of the can says '10 2008', which I was hoping was the born on date, but alas, it seems to be the best before date. Seems to be OK, but it definitely leaves a lot to be desired, granted, it is Holsten after all.

I noticed six-packs of Czechvar though, which was a pretty encouraging site. The BS never used to sell Czechvar, and the additional new format almost makes me think it sells well enough. I'm kind of wishing I'd gone for the sixer of my beloved Budvar, but I thought something new would be in order.

Jesse, little brother we must educate you on the ways of Holsten beers - they are only good two months BEFORE they are made. I have no idea what you were expecting buying a Holsten product when almost any other German product (such as Gerolsteiner Sprudel, or an Audi) would certainly taste more like beer.

I will pause this brow-beating (for now) to say I have today enjoyed Orval '04, Southern Tier IPA, new Fullers 1845 and am now reaching for a Great Lakes Pumpkin Ale (It makes me feel very Michael Meyers but in a non-slasher kind of way.)

My continuing, stupidly hopeful research in Aussie reds (Lucky Country 2006 Shiraz) has only convinced me that Australian products are for clueless fruit-bomb freaks who enjoy drinking the wine equivalent of a melted popsicle. And I'm being kindly generous in my assessment. I hope the Margaret River Ringbolt Cabernet has more of a reason to exist... will report back!!

Belgian wrote:Jesse, little brother we must educate you on the ways of Holsten beers - they are only good two months BEFORE they are made. I have no idea what you were expecting buying a Holsten product when almost any other German product (such as Gerolsteiner Sprudel, or an Audi) would certainly taste more like beer.

Well I'd never had it before and I do like to try most beers at least once. I can't be a ratings whore right now though, what with RB being down. Double whammy. Meh, at least the can looks kind of cool, I guess. If the BS actually carried either of the products you mentioned I wouldn't think twice about picking them over something I know is a macro, albeit a German macro.

On a completely unrelated note, I saw Passchendaele tonight. I'd recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the First World War, or Canadian history. It's got a love story and maybe just one or two mildly hokey parts, but it's still pretty solid. Very intense and well done, moving in the end too. I'm a history nerd so I'm obligated to see these kinds of movies .

Belgian wrote:My continuing, stupidly hopeful research in Aussie reds (Lucky Country 2006 Shiraz) has only convinced me that Australian products are for clueless fruit-bomb freaks who enjoy drinking the wine equivalent of a melted popsicle. And I'm being kindly generous in my assessment. I hope the Margaret River Ringbolt Cabernet has more of a reason to exist... will report back!!

Let's not get too hasty here ... The same can be said for people who enjoy Nero D'avola, Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso, and even straight Corvina, Rondilella, or perhaps a bountiful Sangiovese. These wines all have potential to pack an ass kicking of fruity goodness.

Belgian wrote:My continuing, stupidly hopeful research in Aussie reds (Lucky Country 2006 Shiraz) has only convinced me that Australian products are for clueless fruit-bomb freaks who enjoy drinking the wine equivalent of a melted popsicle. And I'm being kindly generous in my assessment. I hope the Margaret River Ringbolt Cabernet has more of a reason to exist... will report back!!

Then stop buying cheap sugar rich Ozzie reds then. Spend some decent wads of cash and get a decent red from Down Under. Your analogy is like buying Keith's and expecting a world class IPA because that is what the marketing describes. Don't be so cheap

Had an 07 magnum of Chimay Blue last night...to go along with the Leafs thrashing of the Habs.

st unearthly. makes for a good after dinner beer

LondonBeer wrote:st unearthly. makes for a good after dinner beer

Just one?

Wimp.