The Bar Towel

Lubiere wrote:

Ghost542 wrote:D'oh! forgot the second part of the query. I have to dig a bit to figure out the Fuller's, it isn't listed in the books as part of the fall release? I saw the brand in the system and thought it was part of the Christmas/Winter release..

The Fuller is coming out in late Oct/ early Nov. from talking to the LCBO.

Also, the other Sept. releases are in Ottawa, sitting at the Bank St. warehouse.....gathering dust.

Everything's in the warehouses, just waiting for the products to go "live". The first products released were the previously listed ones. I'll look for the warehouse quantities for Fullers and wil try to order as soon as I see it comming in. I like to trt to supply as much as possible, especially if the product goes fast.

Ghost542 wrote:

Lubiere wrote:

Ghost542 wrote:D'oh! forgot the second part of the query. I have to dig a bit to figure out the Fuller's, it isn't listed in the books as part of the fall release? I saw the brand in the system and thought it was part of the Christmas/Winter release..

The Fuller is coming out in late Oct/ early Nov. from talking to the LCBO.

Also, the other Sept. releases are in Ottawa, sitting at the Bank St. warehouse.....gathering dust.

Everything's in the warehouses, just waiting for the products to go "live". The first products released were the previously listed ones. I'll look for the warehouse quantities for Fullers and wil try to order as soon as I see it comming in. I like to trt to supply as much as possible, especially if the product goes fast.

Georgetown LCBO informed me that they can see the Fullers in the warehouse on their computer, but did not have a release date for it yet, they didn't know how much or when they would be getting it.

I drank one bottle of Rogue Dead Guy Ale and got hopelessly addicted. Went back and purchased a case, much to the dismay of my wallet.

Of the new releases I've only seen (in the mid-town LCBOs I patronise) Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale and Dead Guy Ale. The Sam Smith is good, not very different from its profile of the last 30 years. The Black Sheep Holy Grail Ale (first released or re-released last year about this time) was available at Summerhill. A fine beer it is with a big English hop character. It has a subtle tartness to it which may be an effect of top-fermentation or maybe even a by-product of the complex hop spec. Anyway, an excellent, natural tasting English bitter beer.

Gary

emjay wrote:I drank one bottle of Rogue Dead Guy Ale and got hopelessly addicted. Went back and purchased a case, much to the dismay of my wallet.

Yes - the Rogue Dead Guy (FKA the "Maierbock') I drank on Saturday was to my memory even better than last year's.

A beer I could be happy with every day, so a few cases won't hurt.

So that, plus 2x24 of the dubbel so far... I'd really like to stop but the O'Hara 's Celtic Stout is quite appealing. You never know when you have to tide yourself over some bogus future releases.

[quote="Belgian"

As far as the beer being the perfect so-and-so, Westmalle Dubbel strikes me as being a little bit like Rochefort 6/8 in flavor but less funky and more clean overall. I really like it - more sessionable than Rochefort.[/quote]

I thought of it as a cross between Rochefort 6 and Chimay Red...but as you say so sessionable. I pound these back quicker than any beer I can think of (lagers included). And being a "fall release" you have to admit it's perfect for the season.

Im having trouble with fact that I've already drank 3/4 of a case of the westmalle!


Better slow down!

Jan Primus wrote:I pound these back quicker than any beer I can think of (lagers included).

Me Too.

SteelbackGuy wrote:Im having trouble with fact that I've already drank 3/4 of a case of the westmalle!

Better slow down!

Or buy 10 cases......

Jan Primus wrote:

Belgian wrote:
As far as the beer being the perfect so-and-so, Westmalle Dubbel strikes me as being a little bit like Rochefort 6/8 in flavor but less funky and more clean overall. I really like it - more sessionable than Rochefort.

I thought of it as a cross between Rochefort 6 and Chimay Red...but as you say so sessionable. I pound these back quicker than any beer I can think of (lagers included). And being a "fall release" you have to admit it's perfect for the season.

This is probably heresy, but I'm disappointed with the Westmalle Dubbel. It's a little too "clean" or closed for my taste – its flavours are too muted, and if refrigerated they are practically killed off – so I’ve been drinking it straight from the cellar, which is what I do with high gravity beers in winter anyway.

I much prefer Rochefort 8 and Westmalle Tripel.

I picked up Westmalle Dubbel from Queen's Quay plus the Strong Ale of St. Peter's and a Dead Guy Ale (I overcame my distaste for the name). The Burton Bridge Porter is also available there but I forgot to pick that up somehow. I tried the Strong Ale (only a little over 5%, but strong in traditional English terms). It is superb, very full in body with that inimitable English Maris Otter flavour. The malt is underpinned with solid English hops although I see now that sometimes fresh English hops can approach in flavour even the C hops of the U.S..

Gents, be advised: the carbonation level of the St. Peter's is low, chilling this beer will make it seem even less. Drink it at room temperature or very lightly chilled and you will have a fine experience.

In fact all the beers currently being discussed benefit from being consumed at nothing higher than room or cool room temperature, they are literally twice as good that way as when well-chilled.

Gary

I'd have to agree Gary.


ANy it's a nice change too.

I'm sorta still in summer mode, when I come home, it's hot out, and I want to have a chilled pilsner. But now I find myself wanting room temp beer to ward off the already cold evenings. It's wonderful.

old faithful wrote:In fact all the beers currently being discussed benefit from being consumed at nothing higher than room or cool room temperature, they are literally twice as good that way as when well-chilled.

Gary

At last!!!!! People have finally seen the light and realised that not all beer is drunk cold That's the beauty of drinking English beers, a bit of 'warmth' really helps the taste. It's actually pretty darned obvious that they shouldn't be drunk chilled due to the nature of the beers. Who'd have thought it, eh? Looks like we could finally be moving away with this fixation of 'having' to have a cold beer just because it's hot outside. It's a big step people........ And Gary, I'm surprised at you! Given the amount of history you know about beer, you seem surprised that an English beer tastes good at room/cellar temperature.

Torontoblue wrote:At last!!!!! People have finally seen the light and realised that not all beer is drunk cold

I'd say you're preaching to the choir here. Every BarToweller I know has been well aware of this fact for quite some time. Nothing bugs me more than being served a good quality beer ice cold, especially in a place that should know better (no naming names, but it has happened more than once at a couple of Toronto's well-known beer establishments...).

Agree on the temperature issue. That's why cellars are good things. I might throw a beverage into the fridge for a bit of time to get it under room temperature. I find the better flavours come out...but I think that's what separates the ales from lagers...and the lower quality beers definitely suffer from such treatment. THey present all sorts of awful flavours.

Additionally, I'm the jerk who cleaned out the Dundurn LCBO of its Rogue on the shelf. I figured it'd been a week.

Now, where are the rest of these releases? Belhaven?

Funny, because Dundurn used to be beer haven when I lived in Hamilton. I used to bus from Upper Sherman and Limeridge just for their beer selection. I have since been back to the store in recent visits to Hamilton, and the selection there seems to be at about half staff, and usually there is a minimum amount of release beers. Too bad. I remember buying six packs of Storm King there often.