Archive for the ‘Beer’ Category

Jan
23/12

Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 12:36
Written by Quinstar
Monday, January 23rd, 2012

I’ve found that I’m a fickle lover. I never keep my attention on the same thing for too long. This can be said about many areas of my life: books, tv shows, wine, liquor, hobbies, and especially beer. However, I think my latest affair is going to hold my attention for a while. Yes my friends, I’ve fallen for a pumpkin. A Jolly Pumpkin to be precise. We could be lovers…

Jolly Pumpkin was founded in MI by Ron Jefferies in ’04. Their main brewery is located in Dexter, but they have 2 other locations as well. A restaurant/brewery in Traverse City and a cafe/brewery in Ann Arbor. Ron started brewing in ’91 but didn’t take it to the next level until 13 years later. I don’t know what all happened during those 13 years, but the outcome is fantastic. There are a few things that makes this brewery stand out. For one, they use open fermentation on all of their beers. They also age their beers in old wine barrels. Both of these brewing techniques add to the unique and complex flavors that Jolly Pumpkin has been able to bring out in their beers. What does this mean? It means their beers are fantastic!

My love could be because I’ve been on a sour kick as of late, but I don’t think so. Not that their beers are considered sours, but the open fermentation method is the same method used for brewing sours. Many of my beer friends are loving this brewery as well. I’ve only had a handful of their beers since they don’t distribute to good ‘ole Indiana, but I’m planning on taking a trip up to the brewery in the next month or so. I should have some more fun stuff to talk about after that. Until then, if you happen to see a Jolly Pumpkin beer I highly recommend that you pick it up. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Tags: Beer, Jolly Pumpkin, Michigan, pumpkin, quinstar, talkingship | Posted under Beer, Front Page |

3 Comments

Jan
16/12

Foster’s, You’re Fired!

Last Updated on Monday, 16 January 2012 04:55
Written by Cobberwebb
Monday, January 16th, 2012

Since the age of 17, I have abused my liver and taste buds with Foster’s and other concoctions that have been described as beer. No more. Thanks to Talkingship I’ve finally taken the plunge into the world of delicious ales.

An innocent fresh fish hunt at the nearby supermarket turned into a long staring contest where the most amusing named beer would make it into my basket. Four made it in and many, many more will soon follow as I seek out and taste new glorious pastures. I will try and describe the taste, words may be invented by myself to achieve this, I will not however be describing the smell as years of smoking and exposure to my flatmate’s bathroom deposits have left that sense useless. I better get on and show you what I have as the beer is being consumed and my hand, brain co-ordination is quickly deteriorating. (more…)

Tags: Beer, butcombe, Cobberwebb, franziskaner, german, humdinger, piddle, talkingship, weissbier | Posted under Beer, Front Page |

2 Comments

Jan
11/12

Quinstar’s Beer of the Week or Whatever

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 January 2012 01:15
Written by Quinstar
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

I have very diverse preferences when it comes to beer. I have very diverse preferences when it comes to anything in my life actually, but I’m here to talk about beer, not my life. About two years ago some friends of mine were back in the country from their teaching jobs in Oman. They are classed in the group of people that I consider my “beer friends”. The only requirement for being is this category is enjoying good beer, but not only liking, seeking out. Ironically, if you know anything about Oman, you know it’s a dry country, but I digress. Back to the point, which was this was my first encounter with a sour.

Initially I must admit I was not a fan. I found the sensation very similar to eating a Warhead candy. I don’t enjoy eating Warheads. I’m kind of fond of the Strawberry Punch Straws, but that really has nothing to do with this. I divulge all of this simply to say that over the past two years sours have really grown on me. They are definitely in a class all of their own and are probably my current favorite, so I’m sure I’ll be telling you about quite a few of them. I’m sorry in advance for those of you that may not like them and don’t worry, it’s not the only thing that I drink and they are difficult to find so I’m not going to pour them down your throats. You see what I did there?

The latest to enter my house has been Monk’s Café Flemish Sour Ale. Doesn’t that name just make you say, ‘mmmm’? The clerk at my favorite beer store recently informed me that it makes him think of sour phlegm. That’s just kind of nasty and thankfully I don’t think the beer tastes remotely like that at all. It’s brewed by Brouverij Van Steenberge in Belgium. You may recognize the brewery for some of their other beers such as Gulden Draak or Piraat Ale. As the name implies, the beer is sour. When compared to other sours I’ve had though, I’d put it on the milder side. It won’t pucker up your jaw, but you definitely get the sour notes. It’s also not the most flavorful sour I’ve had by any means. It’s subtle in it’s flavors which is nice. I’m terrible at pointing out exactly what flavor profiles something has, so don’t look to me for that. I can parrot at you all you want if you’re really looking for that, but it’ll just be what other’s have pulled out of it that I agree with. When you first pour it the color looks to be a mild brown, but when held up to the light it’s more of a ruby red. It’s pretty carbonated compared to other beers you might drink, but if you’re a fan of Belgium styles in general it won’t seem like a lot to you. This beer is bottle conditioned which is also something to be aware of. Your going to see some yeast and sediment when your pour it. As far as parings go I really enjoy drinking this with any type of anitpasta or charcuterie board.

Over all, if you’ve never had a sour, I think this is a great one to start with. If I have to rate it, I’d say 8/11 ships. That being said, I really love this beer! It’s going to take some really stand out beers to make me rate something an 9 or higher. So go make yourself a charcuterie board, poor yourself some beer, and sit back and enjoy the evening. You’ve earned it after all.

Recap

BEER: Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Ale

BREWERY: Brouverij Van Steenberge

STYLE: Flanders Oud Bruin

ABV 5%

QUINSTAR’S APPROVAL Thumbs up!

Tags: Beer, flemish, monks, quinstar, Review, sour, talkingship | Posted under Beer, Front Page |

3 Comments

Dec
27/11

Three Floyd’s Alpha Klaus Christmas-Porter

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 December 2011 11:06
Written by MsDrunkyTS
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

From Three Floyds

It’s been a long week and it’s time for me to sit down and enjoy a beer. I worked my ass off kicking cops in the nuts, beating hookers down and keeping my pimp hand strong. (A little Grand Theft Auto always brings out my Yule-tide spirit.) With it being the holiday season, I chose a more festive beer than usual. As a nice seasonal beer, Alpha Klaus is a festive cousin to Alpha King which comes from my favorite brew pub, Three Floyds Brewery in Munster, Indiana.

Alpha Klaus Is a porter, a beer I would normally stay away from, but I am feeling adventurous and the Santa hat is hot. The beer pours a nice black with a tan head, giving off the aroma of chocolate and alcohol. Despite it being only 6.0 ABV, it seems to pack a punch. I tend to stay away from hoppy beers, but this one is low on the hops scale which is most likely why I can drink it without throwing up. A nice porter to get started on and work your way up to the heavier stuff.

However this is not my first night with this festive drink. That honor happened a couple weeks ago when I was celebrating my boyfriend, Vindali’s, birthday. I was enjoying a couple other types of beer that night when Vin tells me to try this black shit that made me think he was on crack. He knows I don’t do dark, but he asked me to trust him and I did. I didn’t think it was all that bad and made a note to come back to it on a night I wasn’t already all liquored up.

I found this beer to be a sipper and no more than one per sitting. I wouldn’t get all hot and heavy and want to take my top off for this beer, but I might let it rest it’s hand on my thigh. Over all I would give it a 6/11 ships.

Posted under Beer, Front Page |

4 Comments

Dec
24/11

A Beer for Women

Last Updated on Saturday, 24 December 2011 11:05
Written by MsDrunkyTS
Saturday, December 24th, 2011

Ladies will like!

Trying to get your woman to get in to beer? I have the gateway beer for you. Let her try Kasteel Rouge Belgian Style.

I popped my cherry on this beer at Three Floyds Brewery in Munster, Indiana, where I learned it was brewed with the Godiva cherry juice from their chocolate-covered cherries. It was just a guest beer on tap there, not one of their regulars. My experience with this beer was like that of a good lover: long and hard with lots of foreplay. I would say I had 6 or so that night and was feeling amazing, with every sip going down smooth. I was out with my boyfriend that night when we stumbled upon this gem that will forever live hazily in my memory. I do remember desperately wanting the glass it came in (pictured above). Of course when we went back to get more it was no longer on tap. Luckily we can now buy Kasteel Rouge at Binny’s in Illinois, they even comes in a four pack now. Do be careful when pursuing this beer, though, as it’s going to hurt your wallet.

Kasteel Rouge pours a deep ruby red color and a slight head which is slightly pink with the aroma of cherries. At first sip it’s sweet and simple with a tart aftertaste. The taste will easily grow on you and leave you wanting more. Its alcohol content is at 8.0 so it’s going to give you a buzz.

I’m telling you, take her out for a drink, tell her it’s made from the same stuff as Godiva Chocolate and after she’s had one or two, you might get that blow job on the drive home that you were looking for guys!

Over all I give this beer a 9/11. It’s both delicious and devilish all in one sip, a lady’s perfect combination.

Posted under Beer, Front Page | Comments

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