As I figured, I'd just get this blog started and find a way not to keep up with regular postings! Well forgive me, I've been a little, and at times, a lot, under the weather! This does not make for good beer tasting, evaluating, and blogging! Not that I could stay away completely, as I had a few minor indulgences this week.
Thursday is generally "Date night" for my wife and I, and we managed to make it to Doyle's before heading off to see "Quantum of Solace", which by the way, is not as great as "Casino Royale", but it has it's moments. Fortunately we hit Doyle's before the nights crowd had come in so it was relatively quiet. Their beer selection has been pretty fair, and I usually end up with the same beers when I go. They were the always consistent and mildly exciting Maredsous 10 Trippel, and Delirium Tremens. Both are solid Belgian Ales, but neither has quite the enjoyment level of a Gouden Carolus or St Bernardus Trippel. And please, Doyle's: at least have One non-Stella, strong Belgian on tap, at all times! Tripel Karmeliet, Delirium, Affligem, or similar! Some people need more than the German, English, and Irish macro beers! Just one adventurous tap full-time would be nice! Thanks! Otherwise it was still a fine experience for a quick meal (Lamb Shepard's Pie) and a couple decent beers. I will say in their defense that The 22's of Ruination and Wipeout are always good options in my book!
On Friday I resumed one of my great "Every Friday Off" traditions by ending up at the beloved Parkway for lunch. Not only was the Turkey and Swiss sub delicious, but I was able to enjoy a very new keg of Full Sail's Wreck the Halls and the hop lover's dream- Pliny the Elder! Not much more needs to be said about Pliny that hasn't been said already, so I won't go over that again. The Wreck, though, is a wonderful Dark Amber,spicy-hopped IPA that continues to impress. Kind of like what that Celebration beer is supposed to be, but with actual flavor! And believe it or not, this 6.5% ale actually ages well! Unfotunately it will be keg only this year, so I don't know if I will be able to have the 2006,2007, 2008 vertical I was hoping for, but one can always hope a growler can be had at just the right moment!
Friday seemed to be my most healthy day of last week so I decided to have my beer tasting pal over for a couple,and to help me move a table to make way for a new one! By the way, Congrats Dan on the new addition to tour family, Issac!! Here's what we had:
Left Hand Twin Sisters Double IPA:
9.5% Amber ale, very good up-front aroma with a smooth balanced malt backbone and a great biiter-hop finish. Hopefully they make this a year round addition to their line-up. 12 oz bottles would be great! Thanks! Anyway, this is quite enjoyable, not up there with the giant killers of Imperial/Double IPA's but a solid quaff indeed!
De Regenboog 't Smisje + India Pale Ale:
10% Belgian Imperial IPA that is a dusty straw color with the head of a Duvel, but much more rewarding! this is probably the closest a Belgian Brewer has come to getting this style to have the hops of a NW or Cali IIPA and the yeast and malt of a strong golden or trippel! One of the best new Belgian varieties I've had in a while. Nice aroma of grassy hops, sweet, slighty citrus yeast/malt combo, with a nice mellow finishing bitterness from the hops. Look for this, hopefully a Tacoma Boys someday, capiche?
2007 Left Hand Imperial Stout:
10.4% Dark as night, smooth as silk, lightly carbonated, surprise of a Stout! Dan had brought this over as an offering a little over a year ago knowing that I would bring it our for sampling at just the right time, and I guess a toast to Issac was just the right time. The flavors of mild chocolate, dark sweet malt, slight coffee, and just a touch of finishing bitterness made this a complete surprise! I hadn't had it when it was fresh, but no matter, it was just fine, and also says something about the quality of Left Hand's bottling, that a standard everyday release bottle is given proper handling to age. Good thing I have another from about the same era for later!
Port/ Urthel Ne Goeien Saison:
5.5% Light Gold, almost champagne like carbonation. This kind of Saison seems to be the best palate cleanser / refresher at the end of a tasting session. It's mild clove and bready yeast, along with the slight hoppiness (for a Saison), make this a very nice sessionable ale.
All in all not a bad week for being sick, but I would have like to enoy myself just a bit further!
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