just another day in austin

Uncle Billy's Hop Summit IPA

Today is absolutely beautiful here in Austin. The day has been filled with great friends, dog parks, and of course craft beer. We visited Uncle Billy's first and enjoyed their patio and great beer (and their weekend special of chicken and waffles).

After arriving home, I needed something more to quench my thirst. Being that it's in the 60's, I wanted something crisp and refreshing. I looked in my fridge and picked out Goose Island's Fleur. I definitely made a good choice with this one. Described as: 'A refreshingly tart and fruity Belgian style ale, resulting from a secondary fermentation with hibiscus flowers and wild yeasts.'

This beer pours a deep golden color, with a beautiful white head that does not go away. The lacing around the glass is also a pretty sight. The aromas are dominated by sour cherries and floral notes. The resulting flavor is tart and sweet, just like a Belgian ale should be. I'm enjoying the beer as we speak, and I don't want it to end. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Since we can't get Goose Island down in Texas, and if you're feeling like something similarly refreshing, I'd suggest trying the Boulevard's Long Strange Tripel or Tank 7. I promise both are very yummy.

Read More

thirsty planet updates

Thirsty Planet Brewing

Those bucket heads over at Thirsty Planet are really going at it right now. According to their Facebook page, they have their new beta porter on tap (which supposedly was well liked), a Ginger peal carbonating (curious), and a Double IPA in the works. Yes, you heard right, a Double IPA (Double Bucket Head). If the Double is anywhere close to the quality of the regular, they will surely have a hit on their hands. I think a visit to the brewery this weekend is in order. 

Read More

a winter warmer for any budget

Have you tried this beer yet? At $6.99 for a six pack, it's one hell of a bargain. I thoroughly enjoy big dark winter warmers, but they usually come in the 22 oz or 750 ml bottles and can get a little pricey. This however, will warm the soul at a reasonable price. 

The Widmer Brother's W'11 KGB Russian Imperial Stout may not rank up there with Stone or Deschutes, but it holds its own ground. It pours a fairly dark black with a nice tan head. Roasted, toasted caramel aromas dominate with a hint raisin. The texture is creamy, and the flavor is nicely balanced between malty and hoppy. I was surprised at the lingering bitterness at the end, which was actually quite nice.

If you see this at a store, I highly recommend picking up a six pack or two. It's hard to come by a strong and flavorful beer for only $6.99 nowadays.

I think I might have to have a little showdown among the Russian Imperial Stouts soon!

Read More

black metal label art

Check out Jester King's Black Metal Imperial Stout bottle label art! I'm seriously excited to try this beer bottle conditioned.

Read More

trends of 2010 - black ipa

If you're like me, you couldn't care less about the fashion trends of each year (Meggie tells me the way I dress is 'I'm too cool to care'). However, I do care about beer trends each year, and 2010 was a great year for trends. One of these trends was the Black IPA, aka the American Black Ale, aka the Cascadian Dark Ale. Hey, with this many names for one style, what's not to like?

What exactly is a Black IPA? Well, it's just like it sounds. It's a dark India Pale Ale. It's like a black lager and an IPA had a baby together (and in this case, it's delicious).

Also referred to as a Black IPA (India Pale Ale) or Cascadian Dark Ale, ales of this style range from dark brown to pitch black and showcase malty and roasty notes and are often quite hoppy.

Here is a great article on Black IPAs in Draft Magazine: http://draftmag.com/features/black-ipa-cascadian-dark/.

If you like to experiment with new beers, go out and try this style. I recommend either the Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale or the Deschutes Hop in the Dark.

Read More