Beer Review - Stoertebeker Bock

Stralsunder Brauerei Stoertebeker Swartzbier - 5% ABV


I don't know about you, but when I travel I tend to try to avoid any beer that I
have tried before, for I know that somewhere out there is the perfect beer and god willing, i will find it. While in Germany I used my pidgin deutsche to ask for 'lokal' and 'schwartz bier' or 'weissbier' to further my search.



This lovely little find was a ordered from a small cafe in Stade, Germany. I was assured by the server that the bier was a bock, but knowing that bock beers are fall beers and that no German restaurant would serve a fall beer in late winter/ early spring, I am taking the leap and calling this their Swartzbier.

The color was a very dark reddish brown and poured with a creamy off-white head that left nice lacing. The flavor was quite interesting, kind of like the aforementioned bock mixed with a stout. Really earthy, a bit sweet, a bit of anise, cocoa, roasted malts and bread. A nice accompaniment to our dinner. I would absolutely drink this again.

Brauerei Stralsunder
Greifswalder Chaussee 84-85
Stralsund, Germany
Http://Stoertebeker.com

Beer Review - Augustiner Maibock

Brauerie Augustiner Munchen Maibock - 7% ABV




Those of you who have visited Munich have surely spent an afternoon sitting under the Chestnut trees in the Augustine beer garden. If you have not then you are probably not a beer lover, so why are you wasting your time reading this? Don't you have some shopping to do?



Augustiner Brau has been brewed in Munich since the year 1294. I'll let you think
about that for a minute. So for you history geeks, 818 years have passed since the Augustine Monks began their brewing, which was 818 years after the fall of the western Roman Empire. You may take the leap and guess that over the years they have perfected their brewing process. Bravo to you, you are correct. Spring in Germany means Maibock (also called Heller Bock) and it is flowing out of the taps in quantity.

The beer is quite light in color, like a lager with a bit of caramel coloring. So now take that lager and add some sweetness, some malt, take out much do the carbonation and you have a light, strong, delicious spring treat. Enjoy.

While you are there, be sure to try the traditional German foods which match up superbly with their beers.

Augustiner Beer Garden
Arnulfstrasse 52
80335 Munchen
www.augustiner-Braeu.de

Beer Review - Schneider Mein Grunes

Schneider Weiss Mein Grunes - 6.2%ABV





Schneider is one of the oldest breweries in the world and are credited for inventing the modern wheat beer. Wheat beer is all that they do, and they do it well. They are also on my top 5 list of favorite breweries, so when we stumbled across this cafe in Munich we felt inclined....nay, obligated to stop.




This spring wheat beer by Schneider was amazingly fresh. Yeah, I know, wheat beers are fresh, but this one is über fresh. The beer has the normal depth of the Schneider beers, but then with added malts, sweetness and spices. Hops? Oh yes, hops are there. More than you usually find in a Schneider brew, but not so much that you still retain the bitterness long after the swallow. It tastes ... Green. Think of a Garden of a new, bright green herbs and vegetables, then rip them out of the ground and shove them in your beer. Fantastich!

Road Trip!

This weekend we begin a three week road trip in Germany, Belgium and Northern France.  If I am sober enough to write I will be posting periodic reviews from the road of our beer and food finds. 

We will begin the trip in Munich and end in Paris and our goal is to try every beer that we have never tried, raid a brewery here and there and eat everything that gets is our way ..... get your mind out of the gutter, we're talking cuisine here.

Event Review - Big Texas Beer Fest 2012

I so wanted to go, but previous commitments kept me away, so some of the other Snobs made the trip.  Thus as a treat, we have a guest event review penned by Saint Bernardus.  Enjoy.

This past weekend the crew and I attended the First Annual Big Texas Beer Fest at Fair Park. Being the first of its kind (around here anyway) I was skeptical as to how successful this might be (having heard less than flattering reviews of the Brew at the Zoo event this past fall, AND from our very own Bon Vivant no less!). With that, it took a little prodding to get me to go along, but I figured at the very least being in the company of good friends would make it all worth while, so I agreed. Viewing the brewery list from the event website also greased the wheels for me and my skepticism began to fade.

Upon arriving at the Fair Park Automobile Building we were disappointed to find a rather long line made up of a dejected looking bunch, in queue waiting to get in. What we didn’t know, but would very soon learn is that line would extend well BEYOND the main gates of the park! Amazingly, in spite of the large number of people, the incredible length of the line, the threat of rain (a drop or two hit me), AND only one damn door open with which to get in, the line moved rather quickly! Once in you’re given a ticket, which only a few feet away you exchange for a commemorative Big Texas Beer Fest taster cup (2 oz.) and a “sample card” made up of 12 spaces to check off as you taste beer. The ticket to sample card exchange seemed a little redundant, but oh well.

On to the beers…the breweries represented and their selections were not bad. There were probably not as many seasonal or rare tappings available as I would like to have seen, but just the same we were able to try a few new beers (new to us anyway) like Ballast Point Sculpin IPA and Alaskan Amber Ale. We couldn’t pass up on a few old favorites either like Abbeye de Leffe Blonde and Orval Trappist Ale. Other than beer there were craft soft drinks available like Denton’s Armadillo Ale Works Ginger Ale and even a cheese table, which I’m sorry to say I didn’t sample. It was encouraging to see several of the new local breweries were on hand like Peticolas and Deep Ellum to name a few.

Generally, the lines inside were not terribly long, moved quickly, and if you happen to be a fan of Pabst Blue Ribbon or Lone Star, well, there was virtually no wait at all, a sight I found particularly comical! Oh, and shame on the two food trucks that skipped out!! It was an hour and half wait in those lines. You would’ve made a killing!!

Overall, I would say it was a success. Sure, there were a few misteps here and there, but nothing that would warrant not returning next year.

Berny
http://www.bigtexasbeerfest.com/

Which is the best beer store in Dallas?

Hmmm .... World Beer Company?  World of Beer in Arlington?  Central Market?  I must say that there really is not a store in the Dallas area with a great selection.  I had hopes when Spec's came to town but their selection is a great disappointment.  So in that vein, we were asked to pass this information along to you and having visited there before, I have a glimmer of hope. 
Cheers,
Bon

Good afternoon, Ending weeks of speculation, Total Wine & More is making an official announcement today that the popular retail chain will open its first superstore in Texas, at 9350 North Central Expressway in Dallas, in early summer.  Once open, Total Wine will offer the largest selection of wine, spirits and beer in the Dallas area, and residents will be treated to a shopping experience unlike any other.  The store itself will be a new generation concept for the company, unlike any other Total Wine location in the country.  And for beer- and wine-loving clubs and organizations, Total Wine will be an popular destination for its regular tastings, knowledgeable staff, and meeting space for private tastings and educational classes.  We thought you would like to be among the first to know of this exciting news.                      
Best,
Christy On behalf of Total Wine

Beer Dinner @ the Social House in Addison

We were asked to pass this information on to whomever's liver is strong enough to survive this dinner along with the beer festivals coming this month and in May.  Good luck me hearties.

Cool Down With Brooklyn Brews

The Social House will host their first beer dinner featuring seasonal favorites and new beers from Brooklyn Brewery April 24 at 7 p.m. For $45, guests will enjoy four beers paired with four dishes as Brooklyn Brewery’s Texas Brand Manager, Nadine Jones, shares about the beer and answers questions. 

For more information or to make reservations, call 972-392-4300. Please see full menu below.
What:   Brooklyn Brewery Beer Dinner
Who:    Nadine Jones           
Where: The Social House                     
            5100 Belt Line Road #410                       
            Addison, TX 75254              
When:  Tuesday, April 24, 7 p.m.
Cost:    $45 per person plus tax and gratuity 

Brooklyn Beer Dinner Menu 

Starter:  Cheese, Fruit, and Meat plate
             Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
Salad:    Mixed Greens Salas with Apples, Bacon & Blue Cheese
             Brooklyn Local 1
Entrée:  6 oz Center Cut Filet with Asparagus & Mashed Potatoes
            Brooklyn Brown Ale
Dessert: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Float with Double Chocolate Stout
              Brooklyn Mary's Maple Porter

Located at 5100 Beltline Road Suite 410 in Addison, The Social House is a restaurant and bar offering contemporary American cuisine in a sleek, casual atmosphere. Perfect for watching your favorite sports team, happy hours, group parties, dinner and more, The Social House is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. For more information call 972-392-4300 or visit www.socialhouseaddison.com

Beer Review - Russian Imperial Stout

Stone Imperial Russian Stout - 10.5% ABV

I stopped by the Saucer on the way home from work last week and only had time for a single beer.  "Do you have anything new with big flavor"?  I asked.  "Have you tried the new Stone"?  "Nope", I replied, "Pour me up a quick one".  You know, when you order a beer by Stone Brewing you can pretty much take it for granted that you are going to get a face full of flavor.  What do you know about Russian Imperial Stouts?  Well, you know that they are strongly flavored, intense stouts.  So when I ordered this one I kind of got a shiver up my spine knowing that an intense beer style from a company known for intense beers was going to give me a hell of a ride.  And I was right, but I had underestimated quite a bit what I was in for. 

The very dark brown brew poured thickly into the glass and had a creamy, small head that dissipated rapidly, leaving a bit of lace.  The smell is of roasted coffee beans, cocoa, molasses and ..... licorice?  The flavor is massive....huge...monstrous.  Coffee, chocolate, figs, hops, molasses, anise (that's right kids, they used anise, the flavor of licorice, to intensify the flavor) and sherry are just some of what you will discern.  Thick, full bodied and very creamy texture. Huge, huge beer, but no one flavor was over the top, and it was surprisingly balanced.  Unique and delicious and a slow drink with plenty of kick.  I would not recommend that you order one if you are in a hurry because it probably will take you some time to finish and your wife could possibly chew your ass for missing your dinner reservation.  It could happen.

Stone Brewing Company
1999 Citracado Parkway
Escondido, CA 92029
http://www.stonebrew.com/home.asp

Beer Review - 72 Imperial Stout

Breckenridge 72 Imperial Chocolate Cream Stout - 7.2% ABV

The last days of the winter beers are upon us and while I love these beers most of all, it is time for something lighter and brighter.  And much like you finish a fine meal with a delicious desert, this beer is the desert for the winter beer line. 

One of my favorite winter beers is the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter which, by the way, makes a dandy ice cream float.  It is easy to tell that these beers  are siblings, and no, not like the drain bamaged brother that your parents keep under the stairs that no one talks about, but more like the brother that when you are seen together everyone says "Boy, you can sure tell that you are brothers". 

The color is as black as beers get, with very little light passing through and a minimal head that dissapates, leaving a tiny bit of lacing.  Stick your nose down there and breathe deep.  Mmmmm, roasted malts.....chocolate.....dark fruits....sugar....and a bit of alcohol ethers.  Nice.  The flavor is nicely sweet with the sweet chocolate and bittersweet chocolate walking across your tongue hand in hand.  Malts, roasted coffee beans and a bit of vanilla are there as well.  It is a frigging liquified chocolate cake with a creamy, smooth texture.  Now where is my vanilla ice cream?

Breckenridge Brewing Company
471 Kalamath Street
Denver, CO 80204
http://www.breckbrew.com/