What's wetting the whistle?

Newtown Brown ... lovely stuff ..

 

In no particular order: 1 year cold aged Stout Noir, McLaren Vale Export Stout (is it supposed to be this cloudy/murky?) and 1 x each of the IPA is Dead range on tap. Yum Yum.

 

Last minute Sydney tasting.

Cigar city whisky hunaphu, czar jack, Adam from the wood, steel toe dissent dark ale, 03 oude gueze boon, southern hemisphere harvest, la moneuse, amasia, new Belgium tripple

 

Sounds like fun in Sydney. Definitely jealous of the first three listed. That said, the wonderful Brabander took me on a tour of Vleteren today. We headed to Dranker Geers first to get some bottles, then out to Westvleteren for lunch, a blonde and a 12. The cafe was selling six packs of blonde and 8 today which was good. Then across to the abbey to pick up some crates and check out the inside. Finally, back to Oostvleteren to visit De Struise. Urbain opened up specially or us and they now have a full tap set up with 30 taps at the old schoolhouse. A number of specialties from the Copenhagen Beer Celebration were still available, including the Lions Claw collaboration with HOTD, Singlr Black (freaking fantastic by the way, great for an 8%er let alone a beer at 1.8%) and Special Kay. There were some other goodies but I isn't get a chance.

Another great day really.

 

Had the Thornbridge Jaipur the other night. Excellent beer.

Also had Hip Hip IPA (Mountain Goat) on tap. Was good, though could have been hoppier.

 

So, I reach the cheese course at a very good restaurant here in Belgium and the sommelier asks me 'Sir, would you like the Boon Gueuze Marriage Parfait or the Trappist Westvleteren 8 with your cheese'. Having already had the Gueuze as an aperitif the choice was easy but still. Great options to have.

 

I think I speak for all of us when I say 'I hate you'.

 

Last night was Big Eye IPA whilst trying to write a best man (term used in the loosest possibly way, of course) speech for my friends wedding. Upon reading this morning, it seems I do not get funnier as I get drunker. Why have none of you told me this?

Tonight will be Guinness while out and then some Old Rasputin.

P.S Lukie, I think I've found your future wife. She is the girl that will be showing me around Phillidelphia's beer bars. I've provided a link to her cellar list for your enjoyment. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq6fk0X0NXvndEhoV0ZRYmQ0SFQ2WGt5bEZrWDFoMHc

 

In my defense, I thought you were always drunk from reading your posts so I have no basis for comparison. On a positive note, I do think you're funny (though I am also drunk)

Back on topic, how was the Big Eye. Haven't seen it locally yet but hoping it has arrived in good condition.

 

I think it's pretty good. It doesn't seem to have been affected too much by coming half-way across the world. I do make a point of asking the guys at my Dan's when the shipment came in. The last 6er I got came in in July. It does help I live in a wanker part of town so all the hipsters ensure a high turn over of the craft stuff.

From now on I will only re-read my writing when I'm drunk. Thanks Mr Joecast.

Also, on a side topic: I miss Mr Yallop. He hasn't been back since he asked about being craft/home brewers.

 

Having mash tank 8 at the brewery. Quite good....nice yeast character....

 

I swear the next big thing is going to be Gueuze ice cream. Great idea and it works perfectly. The one I'm trying is made with Cuvée de Ranke.

 

Any way you could get a recipe? Would love that idea. Sorbet could even work as well maybe?

 

Eagle Bay Brown Ale. Very nice. A bit more hoppy then I expected, but a pleasant surprise.

3 more days until holidays, 5 more days until Pliny time! Hopefully I can convince the guys to go to Vermont for Heady Topper too. Please cross all of your fingers for me.

 

Im just picturing you arriving at the restaurant, checking your watch, going 'Hmmm, they're going to be Orval (20min to the rest of us) late.' and then casually leaning over and opening up your glove box which happens to be a tiny fridge.

I want your life and I want your car.

 

Growler of Rocks Pale Ale ...

 

it's quite a hike to vermont, but apparently it has been making it to philly/new york recently. i didn't see any while i was there last month, but a friend brought me back a four pack from vermont. it's every bit as amazing as the hype suggests.

did you see this? http://phillytapfinder.com/ very, very useful. a few have been getting hill farmstead beers, which are particularly incredible.

to keep it on topic, i just got back from four days in southwest arkansas drinking mostly coors banquet beers and coors lite. i did have the foresight to throw in a mikkeller black tie and a 2006 jw lees lagavulin cask. both were delicious.

 

Yep, I saw phillytapfinder. I even got an idea for a keg fountain and beer can lanterns in our courtyard at work from there.

I'm also lucky enough to have Thoreaulikeagirl extend the hand of international beer friendship and she is going to show me around a few of the places. I worked it out that it's only 7hrs to Vermont from where we're staying, it shouldn't be too hard to do it. Leave at 3am, HT by 10am, back in Philly by 5pm....what could possibly go wrong?

 

Im so stupid today, all the Philly websties are mixing together...

I got the keg fountain and beer can lantern idea from phillybeerscene.com

The lies have to stop Mordecia.