Well, our February brew is over and we had a blast!
Big thanks to Sean Courtright who hosted, and let us drink a bunch of his brews on tap. In addition to Sean's hard cider and his American Pale Ale, nearly everyone brought some beer! We had quite a variety of IPA's, some stouts, and a smattering of others. It was apparent that there are some hops lovers in the group!
In what was likely the strangest twist of fate at any of our brew sessions, brand new to brewing members, Matt and James, each separately and without coordination had Mr. Beer kits in their cars. And for the first time we all got to watch the Mr. Beer experience happen live. It was...interesting. It's essentially an extract batch, that doesn't really boil anything. The Mr. Beer folks rename the processes and the ingredients to make it sound all fancy, but what you really do is take a can of extract (with hops already in it), put the can in hot water to get it pourable, mix it together with water, add in yeast and close the plastic container.
I don't think there'll be much more of that at our meetings, because Matt and James were a bit sheepish about brewing it in the midst of full grainers, but it was certainly entertaining... and we'll see how good the beer is at our meeting in February.
Speaking of which, you should come out and brew. Yes, you. I'm speaking directly to you and letting you know that this is a great time and the more the merrier. Bring a friend and brew some beer.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
It's been a looong hard Fall
Sorry to those of you out there who may have been reading our blog. With the economy in the dumps and life's pace picking up, we've been a bit busy with our paying jobs. But that's no excuse! Beer, especially home-brew, isn't for the weak willed, and we should have been updating this more regularly. Reviews, meetings, etc...
Well, we've got a meeting this Sunday at Sean Courtright's pad that'll combine some beer brewing and drinking too. So look for more info coming your way.
The brew must go on!
Well, we've got a meeting this Sunday at Sean Courtright's pad that'll combine some beer brewing and drinking too. So look for more info coming your way.
The brew must go on!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Widmer's Broken Halo IPA
Overall Opinion- Good, solid, beer. One that is best enjoyed on a nice hot Idaho day. As far as IPA's go its not a monster so don't expect a hop-zilla. This is the kind of beer I would use as an introduction into the world of IPA's.
14B. American IPA
Aroma- Citrusy, floral and little piney.Surprisingly low aroma from a west coast IPA. A bit of piney hop bitterness and a little pale malt and not much of either.
Appearance- Pours a crystaline yellow-gold beer with creamy, low, white head with little retention and a bit of lacing.
Flavor- More hop bitterness than the nose perceives. Lightly floral hops, a moderate, dry maltiness and a soft piney hop finish. Well balanced IPA with low malt charater but a nice moderate hop biterness. After taste lingured but was not to harsh.
Mouthfeel- A nice smooth carbonation and a moderate to light body.
Reviewed by SC
14B. American IPA
Aroma- Citrusy, floral and little piney.Surprisingly low aroma from a west coast IPA. A bit of piney hop bitterness and a little pale malt and not much of either.
Appearance- Pours a crystaline yellow-gold beer with creamy, low, white head with little retention and a bit of lacing.
Flavor- More hop bitterness than the nose perceives. Lightly floral hops, a moderate, dry maltiness and a soft piney hop finish. Well balanced IPA with low malt charater but a nice moderate hop biterness. After taste lingured but was not to harsh.
Mouthfeel- A nice smooth carbonation and a moderate to light body.
Reviewed by SC
Another Great Brew Day
I'm a little late in posting this but Idaho Brewing Association had a great brew day last Saturday. We had five guys brewing, five different beers, and lots of spectators. Thanks to all that came out, and a special thanks to the Snake River Club for showing up in force. It was a great day and we can't wait to try all of the beers at the next meeting.
Idaho Brewer
Idaho Brewer
Monday, June 29, 2009
Put in my place by Stone Brewing CEO Greg Koch
Ah, the percieved anonymity of the internet. We've all read the stories. A guy calls in sick, posts some party pics and gets fired. Teenage girls beat up a friend and post the video, only to find out that police too can surf the net. Well, these folks aren't alone. When we started this blog it was intended to be a fun resource for people in our brewing association and a way to discuss beer in general from our common-dude sort of perspective. Little did we know that Greg Koch, CEO and Co-founder of Stone Brewing, also has a common dude mentality, and reads the online reviews of his beers (even at little blogs like ours). Luckily, we've thus far reviewed two of Stone's brews (see those reviews below) and both got very high marks. In fact, one of our founders thinks Stone IPA is about the best damn beer in the world. He's also the best brewer among us, so I don't take that opinion lightly. However, when I drank and reviewed the Arrogant Bastard, I got a little...well...arrogant.
As I was quaffing said brew, and thoroughly enjoying myself (truth be told it wasn't my first time drinking it...and won't be my last) I stared at the bottle in front of me and was impressed with Stone's logo. That gargoyle dude is pretty mean looking, and matches their mean brews perfectly. Even though I recieved my undergraduate degree in English (no, I haven't yet uttered the phrase "would you like fries with that"), I rarely read packaging text or much of anything with a critical eye. It ruins things for me when I do. This time though, I read the bottle for Arrogant Bastard and was a little put off. My friends have called me a spiteful goat for years, and that nickname didn't stick because of my facial hair. So when I read the first three sentences on the bottle, my hackles rose. Here they are for context:
It goes on from there with the same attitude, and takes a shot at the fizzy yellow beer of unnamed budcoorsmiller (they all taste the same to me), and calls out the masses who drink that swill simply because it's cheap and well advertised. Looking back on it, I should've chuckled and agreed. Hell, I DO agree. But after finishing my 22oz Arrogant Bastard, and with my hackles still up, I decided I'd stand up for my taste buds and let Stone know what I thought about them telling me I wouldn't like their beer. Like an angry teenager I planned to fight back in a totally one-sided and anonymous way. I'd show them a thing or two by telling them how much I did/do like it, and wax spiteful on their packaging. The only thing I didn't think about was Stone actually replying! In a comment on that review Greg took me to task for how I reacted. He did so in a very cool way, and wasn't confrontational at all about it. And damnit... he was right. Anyone who knows me also knows that I won't change my opinion simply because someone important tells me to. So when i say he was right, I mean it.
If you want to read the comment he left just scroll down and check it out under the Arrogant Bastard review. The short story is, I'm both honored and certainly humbled by Greg reading our review. If you haven't tried Stone's beer yet. Do it. Now. This second. Whether you like the bottle it comes in or not, you're going to love the beer inside.
As I was quaffing said brew, and thoroughly enjoying myself (truth be told it wasn't my first time drinking it...and won't be my last) I stared at the bottle in front of me and was impressed with Stone's logo. That gargoyle dude is pretty mean looking, and matches their mean brews perfectly. Even though I recieved my undergraduate degree in English (no, I haven't yet uttered the phrase "would you like fries with that"), I rarely read packaging text or much of anything with a critical eye. It ruins things for me when I do. This time though, I read the bottle for Arrogant Bastard and was a little put off. My friends have called me a spiteful goat for years, and that nickname didn't stick because of my facial hair. So when I read the first three sentences on the bottle, my hackles rose. Here they are for context:
This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth.
It goes on from there with the same attitude, and takes a shot at the fizzy yellow beer of unnamed budcoorsmiller (they all taste the same to me), and calls out the masses who drink that swill simply because it's cheap and well advertised. Looking back on it, I should've chuckled and agreed. Hell, I DO agree. But after finishing my 22oz Arrogant Bastard, and with my hackles still up, I decided I'd stand up for my taste buds and let Stone know what I thought about them telling me I wouldn't like their beer. Like an angry teenager I planned to fight back in a totally one-sided and anonymous way. I'd show them a thing or two by telling them how much I did/do like it, and wax spiteful on their packaging. The only thing I didn't think about was Stone actually replying! In a comment on that review Greg took me to task for how I reacted. He did so in a very cool way, and wasn't confrontational at all about it. And damnit... he was right. Anyone who knows me also knows that I won't change my opinion simply because someone important tells me to. So when i say he was right, I mean it.
If you want to read the comment he left just scroll down and check it out under the Arrogant Bastard review. The short story is, I'm both honored and certainly humbled by Greg reading our review. If you haven't tried Stone's beer yet. Do it. Now. This second. Whether you like the bottle it comes in or not, you're going to love the beer inside.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Reviews 2/23/09
Sam Adams Imperial Double Bock
Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda, but it didn’t.... Didn’t impress me or the fellow tasters. I have tried a lot of brews from Sam Adams, and like most, but I think that they dropped the ball on this one. Its potentially wonderful characteristics are covered buy the overpowering sweet, scotchy, overtones... I enjoy beers that challenge my taste buds, but this challenged my desire to finish the glass that I poured. Thanks to those present for helping me push forward and successfully finish this beverage. We all make sacrifices.
Sam Adams Imperial Stout
I love Stouts...But not this one... As I drank it all I could think was "I'm really Disappointed." I'm not sure what I was hoping for from the beloved Sam Adams, but it must have been something better than what I got. Honestly, I will drink anything dark, but this was tough . The stout was way too sweet and scotchy. These flavors overrode the chocolate, coffee, and malty flavors I was so excited to taste. If I were going to chose an Imperial Stout, right now, I would suggest the Rogue Imperial Stout, it is everything an Imperial Stout should be and a little more...
Sam Adam Summer Ale
Fire up the grill and grab a beer.... Not just any beer, crack open a Sam Adams Summer Ale and enjoy, but be careful don’t burn the stuff your grillin'.
This is what I expect out of a summer time beer, it is original, has identity, refreshing and if you a brewer makes you go searching for the recipe (it will soon be posted at idahobrewing.net) This ale has a wonderful crisp, sweet smell of citrus and malts. The taste of the ale is a fresh and slightly malty, citrus and spices, with a great finish that make you want another sip. Great beer for a day doing what ever.... But is perfect for manning the BBQ.
Alaskan IPA
I really enjoyed this beer, it's a mild IPA and would make a great introductory beer for those exploring the joys of IPA's. Give it a try, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Overall, a nice, well balanced IPA, it has subtle citrus notes with some very pleasant caramel undertones . Very drinkable and a great session IPA.
Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda, but it didn’t.... Didn’t impress me or the fellow tasters. I have tried a lot of brews from Sam Adams, and like most, but I think that they dropped the ball on this one. Its potentially wonderful characteristics are covered buy the overpowering sweet, scotchy, overtones... I enjoy beers that challenge my taste buds, but this challenged my desire to finish the glass that I poured. Thanks to those present for helping me push forward and successfully finish this beverage. We all make sacrifices.
Sam Adams Imperial Stout
I love Stouts...But not this one... As I drank it all I could think was "I'm really Disappointed." I'm not sure what I was hoping for from the beloved Sam Adams, but it must have been something better than what I got. Honestly, I will drink anything dark, but this was tough . The stout was way too sweet and scotchy. These flavors overrode the chocolate, coffee, and malty flavors I was so excited to taste. If I were going to chose an Imperial Stout, right now, I would suggest the Rogue Imperial Stout, it is everything an Imperial Stout should be and a little more...
Sam Adam Summer Ale
Fire up the grill and grab a beer.... Not just any beer, crack open a Sam Adams Summer Ale and enjoy, but be careful don’t burn the stuff your grillin'.
This is what I expect out of a summer time beer, it is original, has identity, refreshing and if you a brewer makes you go searching for the recipe (it will soon be posted at idahobrewing.net) This ale has a wonderful crisp, sweet smell of citrus and malts. The taste of the ale is a fresh and slightly malty, citrus and spices, with a great finish that make you want another sip. Great beer for a day doing what ever.... But is perfect for manning the BBQ.
Alaskan IPA
I really enjoyed this beer, it's a mild IPA and would make a great introductory beer for those exploring the joys of IPA's. Give it a try, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Overall, a nice, well balanced IPA, it has subtle citrus notes with some very pleasant caramel undertones . Very drinkable and a great session IPA.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Beer reviews 6-18-09
Anheuser-Busch / Margaritaville's Landshark Lager
This is an "Island Style Lager." What does that mean exactly?? If it's supposed to mean a flavorful party on you palate, then think again! I've had water with more flavor than this beer, and unless I'm drinking Propel, that's never a good thing. I must say though, if I'm on the beach and trying to get wasted on the cheap....this is still not going to do it for me. I'd rather go for Keystone Lite. That's REALLY saying something.
This is an "Island Style Lager." What does that mean exactly?? If it's supposed to mean a flavorful party on you palate, then think again! I've had water with more flavor than this beer, and unless I'm drinking Propel, that's never a good thing. I must say though, if I'm on the beach and trying to get wasted on the cheap....this is still not going to do it for me. I'd rather go for Keystone Lite. That's REALLY saying something.
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