Real Ale: Full Moon Pale Rye Ale

After reading many other posts about this brewery, i decided that I just had to try it! Just so that you know, I am not a big fan of beer made from anything but barley or wheat, but this one was really good! I have to say that I will buy it again.

One remarkable thing is that this beer didn’t taste like an ale, which usually has that ale yeast characteristic, I would hate to think that a brewery with a name like “Real Ale’ could possibly be using lager yeast, and no I am not accusing them of that. What I am saying is that it has a very clean, crisp taste. As far as the rye part goes, it just doesn’t have that bitter twang from rye (I don’t mean bitter from hops!), but it does have a nice hoppiness.

Overall I give this beer a thumbs up, it was different from other rye beers that I have tried, I actually liked it, so go get some of this and tell me what you think about it!

Technorati Tags: Real Ale, Full moon Pale Rye Ale, beer review, hophead

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OpinionHead: My Newest Blog

Just to let everyone know where I have been the last couple of days, I have started another Blog, what else right? Just as I have strong opinions about beer and brewing, I have some doozies when it comes to politics, world news, and of course the war on terror, not to mention several other things that are too numerous to list!

So, while you are out browsing, check out OpinionHead, my newest creation. If you too have strong Opinions, register, post a comment, and if you are interested, I need authors with varying opinions to keep the site content balanced, you’ll find a link on the About page that will send the email to me, just tell me a bit about you and so on, and I might make you an Author!

Remember, as it always is, it is about sharing ideas, that way we can all learn from each other. Should you want to go directly to the first serious post, you can click here

I hope to see you all there, and bring your attitudes! Bring some facts too!

Technorati Tags: new blog, carpetguy, opinionhead, attitude, opinions

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Buffalo Bill’s: Pumpkin Ale

Buffalo Bill’s Brewery: Pumpkin Ale is a beer that is of course a seasonal item, and yes it is January and this review could be considered to be a bit late, but, here it is anyway.

No, I am not a big fruit beer fan, but this stuff is pretty good. I decided to get a second opinion on it before I wrote this because I am a Hophead and I wanted to be fair, so, I gave a bottle to my mom! She is not a beer drinker, although she does like Arrogant Bastard, she just doesn’t drink much of anything. Her first sip of this beer, her eyes lit up! She told me she wants more of this Pumpkin Ale! I was shocked and gave her 3 of the beers in the six pack!

My opinion of this beer is simple, it is good, it is different,and no, it doesn’t taste like pumpkin pie.

Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale has a strong resemblance to a German Hefe Weizen that I used to drink when I lived there, this is a spiciness that I believe comes from not just the cinnamon and spices, but it is also the yeast that gives it a bit of a clove flavor.

I really like this beer, but it doesn’t bother me that I won’t find it again until next year. If anyone sees this in the store, buy it, try it, and see what you think, I feel it is worth drinking  and I will get more next year. I just wonder if I can find any of their other beers?  If so I will try them too.

Check out the Buffalo Bill’s website, it is also pretty unique! They don’t offer much information about their beers but this is a Brew-Pub/ Brewery that sounds like a good place to go and they have a nice website.

If you have tried this beer, any of their other beers, or have been to the restaurant, post a comment and tell us about it!

Technorati Tags: buffalo bills pumpkin ale, pumpkin ale, fruit beer, beer review, brewpub, hophead

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Rogue: Dead Guy Ale

This is an oldie but a goodie to me, this won’t actually be a review, just as much info as I can find and my opinion about this wonderful brew!

It must have been about 6 years ago, I stumbled into my favorite beer store, Joe Blows, which has been bought out by Specs I hear, anyway, I saw this on the shelf and had to try it!

I immediately  fell in  love. No, this is not a “hop monster” as is usually my preference, but it does max out for the style at 40 IBU’s! Hmm, a Maibock hoppier than an IPA (Redhook: Long Hammer IPA), thats ok, they are both good brews!

This is what Rogue says about Dead Guy Ale:

Should you want to brew this yourself, you can either combine those ingredients above, using Beer Smith, until it comes out close, or go to Austin Homebrew Supply, who has a kit ready to go.

You might be able to find this recipe and more in Beer Smith’s Recipe Listing

To sum it all up, Dead Guy Ale is a definite keeper, I buy this one all the time!

Technorati Tags: dead guy ale, rogue brewing, austin homebrew supply, beer smith, hophead, brew recipes

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Homebrew Supply Shops

If you are a home brewer, I know that you are always looking for “The Place” to get your supplies, as I have been, but I have to admit that about 99% of the time, I have ordered from Austin Homebrew Supply. Why you might ask? First off they are close, and my order gets here within a coule of days, even in the summer, my yeast gets here with an icepack that is still cold!

The pricing is much lower than other stores and the service is excellent, if you order on-line visit Austin Homebrew Supply I will be making another order in a day or two myself. If you are lucky enough to live in the Austin area, here is their information.

AUSTIN HOMEBREW SUPPLY, LLC
7951 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757

Phone numbers
If you live in Austin, have unlimited long distance, or if you are at work call:
512-300-2739 (BREW)

Otherwise, call:
1-800-890-2739 (BREW)

Maybe you have a favorite home brewing supply shop in your area, if so, post the info for others in a comment.

Technorati Tags: beer, brewing, homebrew supply, Austin Homebrew Supply, hophead

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Beer and Politics

We’re told the two don’t mix, but the National Beer Wholesalers Association is asking voters the all-important question, “Which of the presidential candidates would you like to have a beer with in 2008?”
Given that ‘08 marks the 75th anniversary of the full repeal of
prohibition, what question could be more appropriate for the election
season? You can cast your ‘vote’ here.
(Read more)

This is from another awesome site I found, Beer Philosopher. It would seem that I am not alone in sharing my “opinions”. Check out the site by clicking here, or look to the left for a feed from that site.

Technorati Tags: Beer Philosopher, beer and politics, hophead, brew blog, beer blog

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Redhook: Long Hammer IPA

Tonight I am doing this just a little different, no sip by sip taste test, I am just going to tell you how it was, in my opinion that is, never forget, I am not opinionated, I am just always right! Anyway, lets talk about the beer.

When I opened this beer, and poured it, it somehow reminded me of a Budbrewski! It was a bit “fizzy”, in other words, not much body and even less of a head, and that went away rather quickly. It was just a bit richer in color, but not much. At this point, I still haven’t smelled any hops, “and this is an IPA?”, I’m thinking. For the price, I’ll take a Budbrewski!

Once in the glass, I started sniffing pretty hard, and yes, it has hops in it, but I can’t smell it. The next step is to taste it, well, somewhat cautiously I take a sip, it didn’t taste bad, in fact, I didn’t taste much at all! So, I took a big gulp, and another. Hmm, it’s not bad as you drink it, not very hoppy, but not bad. Then after a second or two, I notice this sour aftertaste, not sour like lemons or limes, but sour like, well, something went bad, or had vinegar it it! Others, I would guess, call that “Dry”, sorry, dry wine, isn’t soured, this was.

Well, I wasn’t expecting all that, I had read on many other sites like ratebeer.com that this got a 2.9/5.0 average, I would probably say that is close, but I didn’t give it that high of a rating, maybe a 2.0.

The brewery, Red Hook, says it like this “Longhammer IPA is the beer you find yourself reaching for again and again” , I would have to agree, I did the same, all the way through the six pack, I looked for more flavor, for more hops! I had hoped for a little more kick, but it was about like a Bud Light with extra hops, this one doesn’t go on my shopping list.

Now you know how I’ll vote on the poll!

Iknow that some want a less “hoppy” beer, and Red Hook says that this is a 38.5 IBU IPA, honest I guess, but, again according to BeerSmith, an American IPA starts at 40 IBU’s, I guess they got close.

I say this, if you too are a Hophead, this just isn’t the one! I’ll take that Snake Dog over this one! I did find this, maybe that explains it?

Redhook Ale
As part of an equity investment in the Redhook
Ale Brewery in Seattle, Anheuser-Busch wholesalers have distributed
Redhook’s superior microbrewery products since 1994 in select U.S.
markets. Brands include Redhook Extra Special Bitter (ESB) Ale, Ballard
Bitter Ale, Blackhook Porter and Wheathook Ale, among others.

Technorati Tags: beer reviews, red hook IPA, hophead

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Flying Dog: Snake Dog IPA (Part 2)

Here we go with the taste test, I know you want a quick answer, but this could take a minute, hey, I have only finished one so far.

When I first poured this pretty clear beer, the first thing I noticed was that hop aroma jumping up in my face, I started to shake with anticipation!

The way that Flying Dog says it is “the citrus fruit aroma will hypnotize the senses of the most hardcore of craft drinkers”.

To this I must say that I agree, the aroma is really wonderful.

Now finishing the second one, I can tell that the ABV must be correct, because I am actually starting to notice the warmth of the alcohol in my body, hey, it is winter and 37 degrees outside, so that is important!

Back to the appearance of this, oops almost told you how it tastes, “pretty” beer, I would also have to agree with Flying Dog’s scale, it is just almost in the middle between light and dark, but closer to light, in color. Again, not being an expert, and somewhat color blind, I would say that it is a deep golden color,has a very nice white head, sure wish my home brewed beer came out this “pretty”.

Maybe I should tell you, I can be long winded, especially if I am drinking beer, and I have six of them to drink!

I am getting along well with my third one, I am not cold anymore!

There are a few other things about this beer that I want to mention and maybe get some opinions, in a comment. I have been buying beer for years, decades even, I have been buying Craft Brewed, or Microbrewed beer for at least 5, consistantly that is, and I have seen this beer in the stores before, but, I didn’t buy it! Why, you might ask? That is easy, the packaging, it is absolutely ugly, in my opinion! I mean what is this?

This is one reason, I haven’t told you more about how it tastes, I am waiting to see if I get an unreal buzz that allows me to understand that, thing that is, I guess, a Snake Dog, yep, back in my younger days I would have recognized that!

The fourth beer in my hand, I am starting to realize that driving a car would be risky, now, I am not drunk, but a .08 is easy to get, if you know what I mean, so, unless you are a 300lb’er, you will have a “legal” buzz after 3 beers, maybe sooner?

Here comes the fifth beer, and that artwork is starting to look better!

(I need to know, have any of you tried this beer? There are many visitors here, besides the bots, and I need your feed back! Tell me about your favorite beer. In case your wondering if I am chugging these beers, no, I am watching the Houston Rockets play the Boston Celtics, good game reall, if you don’t count the officials. This ended up an exciting game, Boston won 93 – 97)

Now that beer number six is just about gone, I have to give you my final judgment. If you have seen the poll, before this was posted, there is a catagory missing. I am going to add one between “pretty good” , as I am sure you picked up my hints, and the “I love it” categories, that will be, This beer is Damn Good!, and I will buy it again, even if the packaging is ugly, although, after 6, I am really starting to get it! This is why, a simple sip, swish and spit, should never apply to beer! It should be a mandatory 6 pack judging! (Come on, comments!)

How many people buy a six pack of beer, just to sip on one or two? Yes, many will lie about it, but hey, be honest, why does it come six in a package? 24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case, coincidence? I think so, 24 beers at about 7 min per beer, is 2.8 hours! Now you know where you stand, somewhere between 2.8 and 24 hours, where do you stand? (Come on comments!)

Here we are folks, this was a test, I drank, I rambled, heck, I had a great time! I watched my Houston Rockets almost beat a team with a much better record, the Boston Celtics. You guys let me know, post a comment, tell me through the polls, all of them!

See ya, the next beer review is…………………..(depends on yur comments, I may just drink it all, you tell me!)

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Flying Dog: Snake Dog IPA (Part 1)

Ok, this is going to be my first attempt at a Beer Review. I do want to warn you, Arrogant Bastard is not just my favorite, well, one of them anyway, it pretty much defines my attitude toward Beer. I just got home with 6 different six packs of Beer, and each day, give or take, I will write about one particular Beer. The first one up is Flying Dog: Snake Dog India Pale Ale (IPA). (That’s seems to be a lot of dogs for one name). Anyway, not to be too judgemental, at least not yet! I am going to tell you, IPA’s are always a good pick, if you love Hoppy Beer and one can always find a selection of IPA’s just about anywhere, unlike some others that are more difficult. Ok, on with the review!

On Flying Dog’s website, they tell you this is a Colorado-Style IPA (Meaning American IPA), and that it is power hopped, believe me, if it is, I will tell you. Snake Dog’s site goes on to say that “this is the brewery’s hop monsterâ€, mmm, I can’t wait! They have it weighing in at:

Sounds good to me! Let’s see what BeerSmith has to say about American IPA’s:

Looks like it passes the paperwork test! Next comes the sip by sip taste test in Flying Dog: Snake Dog IPA (Part 2), just remember, I am not a BJCP Certified Beer Judge, I am just a guy that drinks beer, has an opinion, too much time, and loves sharing my opinions! No, “I am NOT opinionated, it’s just that I AM ALWAYS RIGHT!â€

(If you have tried this beer, look for the Poll and vote your opinion! This poll will be exclusive for the next 24 hours or so, after that it will be in rotation with the others and will show randomly, just view a few pages, it will show up! Oh, don’t forget to rate these posts too!)

Technorati Tags: beer reviews, flying dog ales, snake dog IPA, hophead, opinions, polls

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Midwinter’s Porter

Midwinter’s Porter

Posted by Brian in December 30th, 2007

Published in Recipes

This is the winter recipe from Mainstreet
Homebrew’s newsletter. They bill it as bigger and bolder than most
west coast porters. It will be interesting to compare it to the west
coast porter I brewed earlier this month.

Midwinter’s Porter
8 lbs Amber Malt Extract
12 oz CaraMunich
4 oz 120l Crystal Malt
14 oz Chocolate Malt
6 oz Melanoidin
6 oz Special Roast
3 oz Carafa Malt
2 oz No. Brewer Hops (1 oz @ 60 min, 1/2 @ 20 min, 1/2 @ 10 min)
1 tsp Irish Moss @ 45 min
1/2 tsp Yeast nutrient @ 5 min
British Ale Yeast (WLP005)
OG 1.065

This sounds like a good recipe!

This comes from a very nice site, HomebrewBlog.net Check them out for more great stuff!

Technorati Tags: homebrew recipes, porter recipes, homebrewblog.net, hophead

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