What Beer Are You Drinking Now? #3777

1) Great Lakes Blackout Stout (9.9% bottled 2022): A Russian Imperial Stout from Ohio with flavors of dark chocolate, some bittersweet notes and a roasted coffee finish. Leans mildly sweet.
versus
2) Bells’ Expedition Stout (10.5% bottled 2021): A Russian Imperial Stout from Michigan with flavors of smooth and rich dark chocolate, bread pudding, caramel malts. Thick, heavy, rich, and sweet. (Correctly matched the two blind)

Winner:
2) Bells Expedition Stout: Not a better time to face off the two Russian Imperials of the Great Lakes than during this Midwest snowstorm. Blackout Stout is from 2022 and Bells is from 2021 so has aged a bit. Blackout Stout drinks very nicely. A little roasted and dryer. Incredibly drinkable for the 9.9% which seems deceptively lower in ABV, but like a $9.99 price tag, don't be fooled. It's the full 10 bucks. Clean, but still dangerous.
Ultimately Bells Expedition Stout ages extremely well folks. Dark, thick, rich, and heavy describe this one. The age gives it some complex malt flavors such as bread pudding, strudel, and caramel. It's a sipper and it's perfect for hunkering down through this Midwest snowstorm.

 

That sounds tasty! What kinda meat did you use on the meatballs? Been wanting to do homemade meatballs for a while now.

 

I just use 85% fresh ground beef. You could blend that with some ground pork as well, and some folks also use veal in the mix but I don't do veal.

 

Iv noticed some use a mixture I was just curious. I like to use 85% beef on recipes myself. My pops thinks you'd need the leanest shit available I'm like no dude you need some fat.

 

No, you need some fat in the mix or they'll be dry and suck. I make my meatballs and bake them for 15-20 minutes at 400F which renders out a lot of the fat and then I add them to the sauce and let them continue cooking in the sauce. There's a lot of ways to approach it, everyone has a method they swear by.

 

Hey. Should I take a job at a headshop and learn to code while sitting there 12 hours a day? Like I’m pretty sure the jobs mine if I want it.

 

Was about to say meat be dryer than a powder house at them higher percentages. I'll have to give it a go soon. I'd say I'd like to see some of your meatballs but I could see how that could be perceived as a perverted request with our crowd.

 

I posted this last night ..

 

The key to good meatballs is not to overwork the meat or pack it too dense. The less you work it the better they will be.

 

Got a rainy soggy walk in with Emma earlier this afternoon - what a crappy day!
Ah well - Thursday is supposed to be near 70 with crazy winds!


Fatheads Alpha Ambush and Ardbeg Wee Beastie side car....yum!



Miss Emma and the old man....



rare native plant called "pipsissawa"

 

Kinda like a smash burger ball. I gotcha!

 

Cutting Tiles - Mosaic
Trillium Brewing Company

 

Oh hey there BAs! Thanks @Ozzylizard for 3777. Splashing around in the snow here. Tomorrow is a different story. Great times last night drumming and havin some mardi gras fun. One of the newbie bartenders hooked up the wrong keg to a Bell's tap. It was Modist Pale Ale which was good...so I waited for someone else to call 'em on it. Took about 2 hrs. HIGHlarious.
<> 4" of blowing/drifting snow last nite. The drive home was uneventful and very slow at 1am. Spilled a TIPA right into my face while loading in the drums and it knocked me out just like I wanted to! So much for day old. Narragansett Fresh Catch Citra Session Ale is my beacon today with its biscuity lil' thang that I just adore. We're getting a lot more snow in the next 36 hrs. There are some things we must embrace. Cheers!!

 

Having a Bud poolside BA

 

Smoke and Dagger - this beer is pretty damn tasty ..

 

@micada I'm walking with the other half post gym

 

Likely only stop today, The Silver Stamp is celebrating their 2nd Anniversary. First of two cask pours available today, both by Beachwood. Eyeing a De Garde for my third.

Beachwood Hit Replay



Full review in the Cask Appreciation Thread. Long story short, sweeter than the typical “WCIPA”, but as always this modern take by Beachwood is a winner.

 

cheers all and thank you Dave @beergoot this a good one.