It's actually been a weekend of really good brews. Since Friday I have had a beer with dinner, brewed beer, got a recommendation for a beer, had an unknown beer, and tried a second attempt of a new beer style. It was pretty awesome. Oh yea, and I drank beer while watching a lot of football.... kind of like I am doing right now.
First up was the Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard. Had this one at a Atlanta landmark, famously known as "The Vortex." Legendary for their off-the-wall-amazing burgers, they offer up a great selection of craft beers. I had to pick a brew that would be able to stand up to the 'Elvis Burger' that I got, and the Oaked Arrogant Bastard did just that. It was aggressive, but still smooth. Very hoppy in the beginning but the sweetness really helped to mellow it out. Full of flavor. And it really needed to be in order to combat a burger with peanut butter, fried bananas, and bacon....Stone Brewing Co.
Oaked Arrogant Bastard
American Strong Ale
7.2% abv
Saturday was [obviously] a day of football. Had a few people over later to sample some of the homebrews we've got, as well as some other random craft brews. One of which I had picked up earlier at the LHBS. It came in a ceramic bottle with a grolsch style top... just like an old school milk bottle. Which is fitting because it was a brew from Rogue that commemorated 75 years of the Rouge Creamery. [They make cheese.] As best I can tell the cheesemongers are separate from the brewers, but share the name. This brew was a cream/milk stout and was incredibly smooth. Definitive chocolate flavors, and subtle smokiness. It poured with almost no head and everyone really really enjoyed it. Even those who aren't big fans of dark beers. Pretty sure I remember someone saying they "could tell this is a good beer." Good meaning 'quality'.Rogue
Rogue Creamery
Milk Stout
7.6% abv
(ratebeer.com listed this as an American Strong Ale, but I call BS)
Sunday finally showed up, and was nothing more than an R&R day. Weather finally started to feel like the Fall and I accompanied it with a a beer specifically for the season. Attempt #2 for the pumpkin beers went to the Terrapin Pumpkinfest. It was much more subdued than the double-pumpkin brew I had a little while back, and I very much appreciated it. I love pumpkin. Especially pumpkin pie. Terrapin's version was mild enough, yet very definitive in the taste of the season. After tasting this one I will for sure be venturing deeper into the world of pumpkin brews over the next few months. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a pumpkin beer? Sounds like heaven to me.Terrapin Beer Company
Pumpkinfest
Spice/Vegetable Ale
6.1% abv
Finally we end up with the actual beer du jour. Last week I had this beer from a Danish(?) brewer [from Denmark]. It was a collab from ToOl and Mikkeller. The beer for today is again a collaboration from Mikkeller, and this time it is with Brew Dog, from Scotland. It is called I Beat yoU, an obvious play on the term 'IBU' -- or International Bitterness Units. It's basically a measure for beer and how much bitterness it has. The bitter flavor comes from the acids in the hops during the boil. Different hops have different acids [alpha and beta acids] and depending on which type they have, and how long they're boiled for, will greatly effect the bitterness and aroma in your beer. With my second taste of a beer that Mikkeller had their hands on I am yet again impressed. Smooth, citrusy, crisp and balanced. The I Beat yoU is an Imperial IPA that comes out at a whopping 9.75% abv. Normally you can really taste the alcohol the higher level brews, but this one isn't overpowering. I could have like 3 of these and be toasted, and satisfied.
Mikkeller
I Beat yoU
Imperial IPA
9.75% abv
Overall I'm very happy with the brews I got to have over the past few days. And now that I've somewhat recharged I will hopefully be able to get back into the groove of daily posts. Need to reset my daily rhythm and I'll be good to go.
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