What beer are you drinking now? #720

lol bite me who knew knives were sharp I mean really it wasn't on the box

 

The Orioles are in the ALCS and I'm drinking the best beer I've had in a long time. A quality Friday.

 

Managed to land the last 3 bottles of this one at the bottle shop so I figured that was a good way to start the weekend.

 

@The Bruery

 

Little tasting after work. Had hoppin frog imperial pumpkin and a few other brews


One of my most favorite labels

 

Love that fresh Centennial hop flavor. Very floral...

 

Moving right along

Finished up my 20 qts of chili today for the cook-off we have at our local park fundraiser tomorrow. 5th annual "Parktoberfest". Usually about 400 people. We are sloowwly trying to introduce some new beers (Yuengling and Bud Light first 2) since we are out in the sticks. Went with Bell's Best Brown, New Holland Ichabod, Brew Kettle Oktoberfest, and Breakfast Stout as new additions this year. As for my chili, will try to post pics tomorrow. Chillin in the fridge now. This year I went with maple sausage, hickory smoked bacon, real maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Bush's Bourbon and Brown Sugar Baked Beans, and 8 shots of Four Roses Small Batch. I am liking it so far.

 

NO joke! I've already picked up 5 4-packs and may get more. My wife really dug this beer, especially when I told her that it's half the price (per oz.) of Pumking!

 

Pipeworks Simcoe

 

Sucks is back in town!

 

I just worked my first full Friday in years. No telling how many I'll have tonight...

 

Supporting local. This brewery is putting $17 million into a new bar/brewery/pub in a run down part of downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Call me crazy but I am drinking their beer.



Double shot. Cheers LNBA!

 

Back so soon? Well, yeah, the tough part is over but I haven't finished all that beer quite yet. Here's where we stand-

#1- Aroma is slight, with tangerine, light caramel and fir trees, but overall quite airy. Alcohol can be detected deep down in the nose. The palate has a moderate fullness and good balance that starts to lean heavily on the bitterness at the end. Mid-palate is moderately resiny and citrusy, becoming biscuity which leads into a lingering bitterness. Pleasant and easy drinking.

#2- Immediately noticable is a dense creamy head. The aroma is assertively resinous, with contributions from light toffee, woodiness, dried apricots and lemon peel. This all comes across as a singluar element. The palate has a rich mouthfeel, very resiny flavors, and an intense lingering bitterness. Fruit (orange marmalade) comes on mid-palate, and wood comes on late and sticks around with the bitterness. Very cohesive.

At this point I know what is what-


I've previously described Ballantine IPA as lush yet rugged, and can't come up with anything better. It's too unique to stay hidden.

So, what's the bottom line in this tale of two beers? To me the Ballantine has that extra something, a real stately feel to it with seemingly contradictory but ultimately well-integrated qualities. the Clusters Last Stand is a nice beer with a brighter appeal to it. Up against the Ballantine, though, it seems like it is pulling its punches. But try both if you can.

Now it's time to blow off some steam-

 

Well, now. I may have to rethink my "dislike" of black IPAs.



Cheers!