Rude Jester IPA from Rabbit Hole Brewing

Rabbit Hole Rude Jester releases on July 15, 2015

From our friends at Rabbit Hole.

"Rude Jester is an American style IPA with crisp, lingering bitterness and an assertive hop flavor and aroma.  A subtle, yet simple, malt profile supports the hops up front and then steps aside to allow the hops to steal the attention of all those partaking.  Rude Jester combines the strong citrus qualities of the Centennial hop with the tropical notes from the Mosaic hop to create a unique, fruity hop flavor and a pungent, intoxicating hop aroma.  Rude Jester IPA is no jest weighing in at 6.5% ABV and 72 IBU's, but it would just be rude to no have another."

Proper Beer Serving Temperatures

From the American Homebrewers Association

You have heard that Europeans, the English in particular, drink their beer warm.  Not true.  They serve their beers at the proper temperature for the style of beer that you order.  Contrary to popular belief, at least here in the U.S., not all beer should be served so cold that it hurts your teeth.  The fine folks at the AHA have actually done the research so please read and learn. - Bon

Ditch the frosty mugs and listen up!
Drinking beer ice-cold may sound like the perfect thirst quencher, but you are potentially missing out on much of a beer’s nuances that make it so worthy of your palate in the first place. But wait! Don’t warm it up too much or you’ll end up with the unenjoyable task of choking down lukewarm beer.
So what is the perfect beer serving temperature?

Temperature’s Effect on Beer

Before jumping into temperature suggestions, it’s important to understand the effects that incorrect serving temperature can have on beer.
Too Cold
Chilling beer below ideal serving temperatures enhances some qualities of beer, while masking others. Sure, anything ice-cold is going to come across as refreshing on a hot day, but beer is to be enjoyed for its flavor, especially if you spent weeks making and managing homebrew!
The biggest issue with beer served too cold is the way the temperature masks many flavors and aromas. The cold temperature slows the volatilization of aromatic compounds causing them to linger in the beer. When these compounds are not released, it dramatically changes the apparent flavor and aroma of the beer, sometimes to the point where it may come across as thin and tasteless.
The cold also enhances qualities like bitterness, dryness and carbonation, which can enhance the “quench” quality, but if paired with a “thin, tasteless” beer can make for a very unpleasant drinking experience with harsh texture. Overly-chilled beer can also exhibit haziness in a usually-clear brew.
Too Hot
Warm beer, on the other hand, does allow for more of the flavors and aromas to come to the forefront, but as beer approaches room temperature the sensations from hop bitterness and carbonation can decrease, which can lead to an almost flat-tasting experience.
It’s also usually pretty obvious you don’t want to drink too warm of beer (unless you’re making a flip, of course).
Just Right: Suggested Beer Serving Temperatures
So that leads us to the million dollar question: what is the proper serving temperature for beer so that it is refreshing and thirst-quenching while still allowing you to enjoy the bouquet of flavor that makes drinking high quality beer so great!
Unfortunately, there’s not one temperature that is perfect for all beers, but instead it depends on the beer style, brewing process and a little bit of tradition. However, using a few rules basic rules, along with the handy table below, you can make informed decisions on the temperature to serve your next beer. Remember, these are general suggestions and some styles may bend the rules a bit!
For exact serving temperature suggestions for specific styles, visit the CraftBeer.com Style Finder.

Beer	Suggested Temperature
American Mainstream Light Lagers	33° – 40° F
Pale Lagers, Pilsners	38° – 45° F
Cream & Blonde Ales	40° – 45° F
Nitro Stouts	40° – 45° F
Belgian Pale Ales, Abbey Tripels	40° – 45° F
Wheat Beers	40° – 50° F
Lambics	40° – 50° F
Dark Lagers	45° – 50° F
American Pale Ales & IPAs	45° – 50° F
Stouts, Porters	45° – 55° F
Strong Lagers	50° – 55° F
Real & Cask Ales	50° – 55° F
Belgian Dubbels	50° – 55° F

Data from Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher.

General Serving Temperature Rules:

• All beers should be served between 38-55° F.
• Lagers are served colder than ales.
• Stronger beers are served warmer than weaker beers.
• Darker beers are served warmer than lighter beers.
• Macro lagers are served as cold as the Rockies.
• Serve beers a few degrees colder than the target temperature, to accommodate for warming from the glass and the drinker’s hands.

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Tenth Annual BeerFeast 2015 Ticket Info

Tickets on Sale June 17 for Flying Saucer’s 2015 Texas BeerFeasts

Dates announced for locations in Fort Worth, Austin and Sugar Land

DALLAS, June 16, 2015 – Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 17 at 10 a.m. for Flying Saucer Draught Emporium’s 2015 Texas BeerFeasts in Fort Worth, Austin and Sugar Land. Dates for each of the events are as follows:

·       Sugar Land – Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 to 6:30 p.m., 2700 Town Center Blvd. North (on the Plaza in front of City Hall)

·       Fort Worth – Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 to 6:30 p.m., Sundance Square, 111 E. 3^rd St.

·       Austin – Saturday, Oct. 17, 2 to 6:30 p.m., Triangle Park, 4600 Guadalupe St.

One of the South’s premier craft beer events, BeerFeast features some of the country’s best craft beers including 80 selections from more than 50 breweries. Tickets to BeerFeast 2015 are $35 and available to purchase starting June 17 at Flying Saucer or online at www.SaucerBeerFeast.com. If tickets are still available on the day of the event, prices will increase to $45 at the door. Members of Flying Saucer’s U.F.O. Club can purchase tickets at the discounted price of $30 prior to the festival. U.F.O. Club members with M.O.U. status get in free.

Ticket purchase includes admission to the festival; a BeerFeast tasting glass; and a tasting card good for 12 samples of any of the festival beers. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for purchase online only prior to the festival for $65 and will sell out quickly. In addition to the tasting card and a 2015 VIP commemorative taster glass, VIP tickets include admission to the festival one hour prior to the general public; a food voucher; and a BeerFeast 2015 T-shirt. Also, all VIP ticket holders will have access to a VIP-only line for the hourly rare-brew tappings.

 Additional 12-sample taster cards will be available for purchase by all VIP and general admission ticket holders for just $3 on the day of the festival. Designated driver tickets can be purchased for $15 and include admission to the festival and complimentary soft drinks.

BeerFeast 2015 is only for those 21 and older who have purchased a ticket to attend. For more information, email info@SaucerBeerFeast.com or visit www.SaucerBeerFeast.com. 

SAVOR 2015

SAVOR an American Craft Beer & Food Experience 2015

Like the Swallows making their annual flight to Capistrano, we make our annual flight to swallow some great beers in Washington D.C..  This event is one of the most prestigious events that a brewer can be invited to attend.  The 76 brewers are chosen by lottery (yeah, right) and each is allowed to showcase 2 beers (though some may have a special beer hidden belowe for their fans to try) which are pairded with a specific food dish created by a well known chef.

The event is the highlight of the year for us snobs and we always appreciate being a part of the fun.
There were highs and lows of this year's Savor, so let us give you a rundown of our impressions and observations.

- By and large the beers were superb, however, the brewers are no longer stretching their creative wings to inttoduce or showcase new beers.  In years past, many of the brewers would create special or one of a kind brews specifically for Savor, but this year they seemed to be satisfied with presenting their typical brewery releases.  Nothing special.

- The food pairings by Chef Adam Dulye were amazing.  Chef Dulye has been working with well respected brewers and award winning restaurants for many years.  Imagine a brown ale paired with a Roasted Pork Shoulder with a Smoked Pecan & Parsely Vinigarette.  How about a strong American ale paired with a Bacon Wrapped Date with Rosemary & Current Gastrique?  Cardamom and Clove Rice Pudding .... Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake ... Steak Tartar w/ Soubise, Sea Salt, Cocao Nibs & Caper Berries ... these creations would be outstanding dishes at any restaurant.  All perfectly paired with the beer selections and often the better part of the pairings.

- Boy were these beers potent.  Many high gravity offerings that had us staggering like ... well ... like a bunch of drunks.

- Highs and Lows - Impressions of some of the beers:
   - Best Beer Name:  Bat Shit Crazy Coffee Ale from Mob Craft Brewing.  It is too bad that the     beer wasn't as good as the name, nonetheless it was nice seeing a beer named after my wife.
   - Best Brewery That We Have Never Frigging Heard Of:  Kuhnhenn Brewing from Warren, Michigan.
   - Best Brewery Name:  Fat Bottom Brewing from Nashville, Tennessee.  Been to Nashville, the name is appropriate.
   - Most Famous Person Serving Beers:  Sam Castiglione from Dogfish Head Brewing.

   - Most Interesting Brewery Concept:  The aforementioned Mob Craft Brewing allows you to suggest a concept for a beer and then uses popular vote of their patrons to determine what style of beer they will produce.  We said an interesting concept, not good idea, however.
   - Best Food Paring:  Grave Robber Fraud Quad (Belgian style Quadruppel) from Lost Highway Brewing in Denver, Colorado paired with Loin of Venison w/ Fried Parsnips, Pomegranate & Red Eye Gastrique.  Boooiiinnggggg!
   - Biggest Brewery Disappointment:  Funky Buddha Brewing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Fuckers ran out of beer half way through leaving us unable to try their much talked about offerings.
   - Gaaaaaaakkk!:  Maple Chipotle Pineapple Black IPA from St. Lawrence  Brewing Company of Canton, New York - Gaaaaaaaakkkkkk!
   - Biggest Hop Head Challenge:  Blimey That's Bitter TRIPLE IPA by Rueben's Brews from Seattle Washington.
  - Best Dessert Beer:  Choklat Oranj by Southern Tier Brewing Company from Lakewood, New York.
  - Best 'I Am Happy That I Can't Get That Here' beer:  Wulver Wee Heavy Scotch Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels by Thirsty Dog Brewing Company from Akron, Ohio.  'Nuff said.

We hope that you will be able to join us for next year's Savor.  Cheers - Bon

Beer Review - Spencer Trappist Ale

Spencer American Trappist Ale - 6.5% ABV

We are beer snobs.  You probably know that by now.  And what beers do we consider the best beers made?  C'mon, you know, the snobbiest of the snobby beers.  That's right, the Trappist beers, which are produced by the 11 Trappist breweries.  6 in Belgium, 2 in the Netherlands, one in Austria, one in Italy and the last in ..... Spencer, Massechusetts!?!  Who knew their was a Trappist brewery in the frigging U.S.?!?  Knot eye.

The brothers from the St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massechusetts, which just released it's first beer, spent 2 years touring the Trappist breweries in Europe, learning the craft of craft beers from their European brethren.  The last, and longest, stop on their tour was at the Abbey of Sint Sixtus, where the acclaimed Westvleteren ales are produced and if this beer is even close to what Westvleteren produces then we have us a big win.  Our opinion is that there is not a single beer produced by Trappists which is not incredible.  Well, up to now that was our opinion.

Their website says that their recipe was inspired by the traditional refectory ales known as patersbier in Belgium.  These beers are session beers for their dinner table and are typically only available at the monastery.  This one is .... interesting.  The overpowering flavor driver to the beer is the live yeast, whose flavors overpower everything else.  Being unfiltered and unpasteurized the yeast continues to add flavor and aroma even after bottled.

The beer is a cloudy golden/orange with yeasty aroma and a substantial fluffy white head,  The brewers describe the flavor of the beer as full bodied with fruity accents, light hops and dry finish.  We can agree with that to an extent.  All of the panel of tasters describe the flavor as a yeast bomb with the yeast drowning out the accompanying flavors needed to make it a great beer.  It is quite one dimensional.  The fruity accents are much like that of a person born in a foreign land that has lived in the U.S. for most of their life.  You kind of hear an accent in the background when they speak but are not really sure what you are hearing.  Perhaps it is just a speech impediment, and you are afraid to bring it up.  The fruit flavor is their, but hard to identify, or even locate.  It is mildly hoppy and as described, it has a dry finish.  All of the 5 panelist describe the beer as 'something is missing'.

While the beer is pretty good it does not come close to the magnificence that we have come to expect with other Trappist beers.  We will give it this caveat, it is a great first try.

Spencer Trappist Ale is produced by the St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Mass.
http://spencerbrewery.com/

European Beer Tour With the Snobs

European Beer Tour

We have a very exciting offer for all of you snobs. We are partnering with Go Tours to offer you an affordable option to visit all of the places that we love to visit while drinking our way through Europe. 

Belgium?  Of course!  We'll tour the ancient city of Bruges and partake in traditional Belgian beer tastings as well as sampling the delicious Belgian foods.  Because Belgium is such a beer drinkers wonderland with so, so many beers to try, we will have lots of personal time for our own explorations or join in on optional tours of a few Abbeys (Maredsous Abby anyone?).

We'll stumble through the streets of Brussels, pinballing from pub to pub, stuffing Belgian chocolates and frites in our faces as we go.  Heaven.

Let's see ... is there another country where we can partake of wonderful, traditional beers?  Maybe .... Germany?  Hell, yes!  We'll visit Cologne where we will tour the town and then partake in a  Kölsch tasting.  You may stroll around the town for a bit, stretching your legs and exploring pubs then on the bus and off to Wurzburg, for a bit of a change of pace.

While Germany is justly famous for it's beer, the German wines are also quite lovely.  We'll travel down the Rhine valley and stop in the ancient town of Rudesheim am Rhein and partake in a wine sampling then on to Wurzburg, where we will tour the Residents Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site.  Next stop .... Bamberg.

Ah, Bamberg, the German City of Beer.  Ask any Germany which city is best know for beers and they will tell you Bamberg.  There are literally hundreds of breweries in this small city and while we can't visit them all, we can try, can't we?


Last stop on the tour is Munich.  We have spent many a drunken night stumbling around the beer halls of Munich.  As a group we will visit Andechs Brewery and tour the town.  You may have the fortitude to visit the Big 6 Breweries on your own.

We would love to share our love of beer exploration with our beer snob friends.  Please visit http://beersnobs.grouptoursite.com/ for all of the pertinent information and please share this offer with your friends.  That is 12 glorious days with people that you know that share your passion for fine beers and exploration.  There are opportunities to add on side tours or extend your trip to visit Prague as well.

The minimum needed for the tour is 16 brave souls, but we will happily entertain as many as 28.  Please email us with any questions at dallasbeersnobs@gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,
Bon

Join us at the Toronto Festival of Beer

I know what you are thinking ... "where in the hell is Toronto, Texas"?  No, no you silly goose, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Your second question is ... "why in the hell would I want to go to a beer festival in Canada"?  Fair question, let's discuss:  The Toronto Festival of Beer held on July 24, 25 & 26 is the largest beer festival in Canada featuring many, many beers that neither you nor I have tried.  There will be live music by several bands including Naughty by Nature.  There will be Poutine (basically French Fries covered with gravy and cheese. Pure evil and the perfect drunk food).  Lastly, my gut tells me that Toronto in late July will be slightly cooler than Dallas in late July.

Having been to several, many, tons of beer festivals around the U.S. we can tell you that the beers at every festival are virtually the same at every venue.  You see the same brewers hawking the same products at every show.  Not that we don't like American beers, oh no don't get us wrong, we adore American brews, but sometimes, don't you want to try something different?  There are over 60 brewers, many, or even most that we have not heard of before, serving more that 300 different beers we are quite sure that there will be something new.

Flights now at time of publishing are running around $500/ person but are sure to change, though which direction I cannot say.  C'mon, take a trip with us and enjoy the great beers and the nicest people in North America.

Toronto Festival of Beer
July 24, 25 and 26 at Bandshell Park in Toronto
http://beerfestival.ca/