Follow me:

    Consecration

    November 10, 2010
    / Beer Review /
    Leave a comment

    Name – Consecration
    Country – United States
    Type – American Wild Ale

    You deserve to treat yourself to something nice every once and a while.  And last night I did exactly that.

    With work taking it’s toll on me lately I felt I needed to reach into my mini beer fridge and pull out something special.  So I reached for something that we don’t get in South Florida and is widely considered a treat to most beer geeks out there.  I grabbed my bottle of Russian River Consecration Batch 003.

    Never one to lie to my fans, I’ve had this beer before in a small sample and absolutely loved it.  I got this bottle in a trade and was comping at the bit to pop the cork off of it.  I’m surprised by my actual patience that I have had this for a number of months now and have not opened it until now.  But again I felt I deserved it.

    I carefully opened the cage and popped the cork in the sink just in case this one decided to do it’s best Old Faithful impersonation.  Luckily there was no gushing so I poured it into my Bruery tulip glass.  The color is a very clear, deep ruby red.  There is a thin tan head but it is gone before I can even take a picture.  My dad mentioned it fizzed away like soda.

    I didn’t get a whole lot in the nose to be honest.  The main things I picked up were vinegar and alcohol.

    Now the taste was much more bold.  Sour cherries are the primary taste in there.  I get a rather acidic feeling in the taste as well.  Slight oxidation but not bad at all.  The taste got even better as it warmed up.

    This beer is one of those that you just wish you could save and have anytime you want but you know if you only have one bottle you can’t do that.  I don’t regret opening this one and savoring it.  It is a magnificent brew.

    If you find yourself in California or Philadelphia (the places Russian River distributes to) and you see a bottle of this and you like sour beers then get it.  Trust me you will not be disappointed.

    Grade – A

    Share
    Leave a comment

    Gordon

    November 9, 2010
    / Beer Review /
    Leave a comment

    Name – Gordon
    Country – United States
    Type – American Red Ale

    Fear the can.  But not in a bad way of course.  Too many people look at beer in cans and think it’s going to be crap.  You can blame the big macros for that way of thought but in reality it is something really good for the beer.

    Cans let absolutely no light or air in to get to the beer.  While bottles will always let at least some of those in.  Plus these are the not the tin cans your dad or grandpa are use to.  There is no metal taste in the beer from the cans.

    So what have we learned today?  Cans are good for beer and not to be truly feared.  You can fear how awesome they are, and for Oskar Blues, how awesome the beer inside it is.  So that brings us to today’s beer, Gordon.

    I cracked open the green and silver can that reminded me of old school Philadelphia Eagles colors and poured it into my pint glass.  It is a clear red color with a slightly off white head.  It does leave some lacing along the glass.

    The aroma is very nicely balanced between citrus hops and good malt backing.  I have a feeling already this is a good red ale.

    Ah and the taste too is very balanced.  Your malt presence has a caramel and bready taste to it.  This is equaled out with some big bold citrusy hops.

    So Gordon comes through packing a nice hoppy punch with a good malt backing all around in it.  Once again Oskar Blues cans up another winner in my book.

    Once again folks do not be afraid of the can.  Go out and buy craft beer that is in a can.  You will be surprised with how good they can be.

    Grade – A-

    Share
    Leave a comment

    Learn to Home Brew Day on Saturday

    November 5, 2010
    / Beer Events, Home Brewing /
    Leave a comment

    Have you ever wanted to learn the whole process of home brewing.  I know I did and now I have done a couple batches of beer of my own.  This Saturday is your chance to really learn how it all goes down.

    BX Beer Depot in Lake Worth will be presenting an all grain brewing class in the morning at 9 am followed by a group brewing session out back at their tiki area.

    If you are  a brewer in South Florida, show up at noon with your brew pots and your friends and join in on a group brewing session.  At sites across the country and the world they will be celebrating the hobby of home brewing.

    If you are not yet a homebrewer but have been wanting to learn what it is all about, just show up and learn from others who have already found out how fun and easy home brewing can be.

    BX Beer Depot
    2964 Second Avenue North
    Lake Worth, FL 33461
    Phone: 561-965-9494

    Share
    Leave a comment