New Beer Sunday (week 465)

Whew, that was intense. Watched the game at my favourite local spot, and holy mackerel what a game. Glad the scoreboard said what it did at the end (both games, actually). That Richard Sherman is one excited man right now. Most of the evening was retreads: Schlafly's Coffee Stout, 2 Hearted, Obsidian on nitro (mmmmm....), with the one new beer (and hence my presence among you my favourite virtual village) being 2nd Shift's Cat Spit Stout. I've only had a couple of offerings from 2nd Shift, and enjoyed most of them, but this one was a big miss for me. It was kind of lighter and sweet in a cherry cough syrup way. The aroma hinted at exciting stout-y things, but I couldn't escape that sweet sticky almost artificial cherry aspect. Reminds me of my gummi vitamins. Decent in a gummi, not what I want from a beer, especially if I'm looking for a big stout.

Luckily last night more than made up for it (preemptively). I attended the 6th anniversary party for a local beer blog, and there were some 30 or so taps, ranging from classics like Lolita and Sculpin to newer stuff from some breweries I know well, to some stuff I'd never even heard of before. I think my biggest pleasant surprise was the Cocoa Orange Crush from Heavy Riff, a new brewery here in St Louis. It was liquidy velvety chocolate with a hint of orange and roasty goodness... I was duly impressed. Apparently got to try the last ever keg of Pale Ryeder as well, so that was kind of exciting, though I think my favourite of the IPAs was Heyoka by Half Acre. Juicy goodness all around. The most unique to my taste might have been the Wolpertinger from Urban Chestnut and the Cuvee Ange from 4 Hands. The Wolpertinger smelled Belgian and almost like it was going to be a sour of some sort, but then the taste was almost pure liquid walnuts. The Cuvee on the other hand was less viscous sap from a Doug Fir. Intriguing and evokes positive connotations, but not a flavour that I'd seek out too often. Plus, the event was held at Perennial, so I finally walked out with a bottle of Abraxas to top it all off!

Cheers all, and enjoy your day tomorrow dedicated to a great man.

In honour of this past week. Was very glad my fam and friends were safe...

 

New Beer Year Sunday (2013 Version). I grab Mother of All Storms every year...ever disappointed. This barleywine is simply stunning. The heat is so subtle, but commands respect. The sweetness in the profile gives kisses of bourbon, toffee, molasses, and so many other good things. Gotta love a barleywine that, year after year, never lets you down.

 

Yeah, this one was a beautiful surprise for me too. Sooooo sessionable.