Our Tastes-- Samuel Adams White Ale

This could very well be my favorite Sam Adams beer...a wit bier. Unfortunately it is only produced as a seasonal but in a way I guess that makes it more special. When it was first produced it was meant to be a seasonal then interest became so large it was available year round, then suddenly discontinued and brought back in 2002 to stay in the seasonal rotation. I was able to purchase a twelver for only $10 at Mike's (see previous posts) and should have gone ahead and loaded up the car. This beer has a great aroma and flavor profile. You can really get a since of the spice additions in this beer. The only bad part is that one just doesn't seem to "git r dun". This is the "Americanized" answer to Hoegaarden.
Some characteristics: 175cal/12oz bottle, Tettnang Tettnanger Noble hops, only 3 grains Munich 10, malted wheat and 2 row pale, Spices- orange and lemon peel, dried plum, grains of paradise, coriander, anise, hibiscus, rose hips, tamarind, and vanilla all at the end of the kettle boil, 5.4% abv. Pretty simple if you ask me to be so good! Available Jan-April.

FlagShip Brew?

The Port City chapter headed by Junk and apprentice Red (denoted here in pink;) tossed their hats into the brewing world this evening with an Extra Pale Ale. (confirmed via personal email). I've never been a fan of the extra pale ale, too Coors Litey, to each his own and definitely a great starter batch. So from here hence let the splinter cells of the AU chapter of TnDC be known as The Rocket City & Port City chapters respectively. I see a blog/website in their futures, remember you heard it here first. Ah yes, I remember the tender days of brewing with Junk when at first he was afraid to touch anything and was as content as a little piglet in their own poop to just watch and drink all in the fridge... I digress;( But now he has stepped forward into the world of contamination, bad/weak yeast starters, high or low gravity choices, refining his own recipes and mentoring Red (denoted here in pink;) I can only hope that he keeps a couple hidden for the old man on the mountain, as I too wish for a sample of his brew. I also find comfort in the fact that Red (denoted here in pink;) was wrapped in saran wrap as the brewing took place, you can never be too careful. Brew on you happy Pirates of the Gulf!!

Lest We Not Forget

The first Saturday in May is always National Homebrew Day. Pick a recipe and thank Jimmy Carter for allowing us to brew 100gal/peron/household. I've never met that amount but I'll raise my pint to hopes in the future.
"In 1979, the American Homebrewers Association originally claimed National Homebrew Day to be the first Saturday in May. On May 7, 1988, Congress officially recognized National Homebrew Day. Homebrewers around the world use the day to celebrate beer and brewing and attract attention to their hobby"

Pick Your Pony!

I liked BushFire until he was scheduled from the race (for now) to work. Now if one of these big dogs scratches for some reason, I'll take BushFire to at least place. Check out your local NBC affiliate, race starts at 500pm CST tomorrow.

Our Tastes-- Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Well, it's been a while since I've done a taster and I hope to link the to be named chapter/splinter cell of the AU chapter that Junk is heading for later tasters, but for now let's talk about Sam Adams Winter Lager. The first thing about this beer that I fell in lust with is the color, an awesome deep brown that lets my tastebuds begin the "stout mouth" transformation. It has a superb blend of cinnamon, ginger, a slight orange peel and of course the sweetness of malted barley. Now the only problem I have is where the cinnamon comes from...yep, gook cinnamon. Well let me clarify it's from Saigon which is in the south much like AL, but there's something about the whole connotation that makes me want to grab a frag. Besides that this may be my most favorite Sam beer. I was astonished to find that it's a dark wheat!! Yeah, an American dunkel!! These bad boys were initially brewed to be served warm and get you through the Winter. Thank goodness it isn't made year round.
Some characteristics: Calories 200 large/bottle, of course the bottom fermenting lager yeast, Kent Goldings, Hallertauer, Tettnang, more Tettnang, then some Tettnang, 5.8%abv, available Oct-Feb.

There's No Easy Way To Say This..

But the AU chapter will be splintering. I have now founded Montgomery's original chapter, transplanted to the well-organized and extremely productive AU chapter, only to finally become for the remainder of the next 365 1/4 days (the real length of a year) the...drum roll please....Rocket City chapter! Now try not to be too upset about this move because my next news will drive you to drink, which is what we want. Co-founder Junk has unavoidably split as well creating his own chapter further south. When attempts were made tonight to reach Junk on the naming of his chapter via his cell phone he was out of area...stay tuned. From what I understand his brewing lackey will be his brother Red (denoted here in pink;) The good news to report is that I tasted and pH tested the water here and we're in business, there goes the water fees for brewing. There have already been questions about brewing classes at my new apt. with interest from fellow students and one professor if his wife will give him a "pass" (whatever the hell that is), but I told them it would have to wait until at least July because the brewing equipment is at my P's house. I also told them that if they want CE credit out of this that they can jump up my ass.

T-Minus 1 Day to the Green Day

Thought I'd share a few things I found on this crazy thing called the "InterNet".
10 great pubs is a great listing of some of the best Irish Pubs to visit in the states. I have been to Fado's many times in Buckhead (ATL) and it is by far my favorite irish pub. They pre-fab these things all over the US bringing back pubs piece by piece bought on the green isle. This particular one has a cobblestone floor and if you can't understand the micks behind the bar just point and they'll fill you up. My dream is to make it to McMullan's Irish Pub, it too is an actual pub bought and moved from Ireland. I have the t-shirt that says "Some Things Taste Better in the Dark".