One of the nice things about nice people, is that they will share. I was able to stop into Max's on Wednesday night, and while enjoying a couple of beers, Bob opened up a bottle of Sierra Nevada Estate Homegrown Wet Hop Ale. This is the beer that has ingredients they grew on their property.
First off, when a brewery waxes the top of the bottle to completely seal it, it looks awesome. I have no clue whether or not there are any advantages to it, but it looks awesome. It also gives it a superiority feeling to the bottle; maybe the bottle looks at the other bottles and laughs, who knows?
Bob then offered to give me and the couple next to me a taste. Of course I accepted, and this is what I got from my small sample. I cannot say what drinking a pint of this would feel like, but my sample definitely showed huge, fresh hops (which it was supposed to have) and a sweet malt (caramelly- I don't think that is a word, but I used it). The hops were the big flavor, coming hard with the piney taste and a bit of grapfruity flavors. I could see this being a very good beer, and something that I will go and try to pick up.
In regards to trying samples from other people's beers, I have found that 95% of beer geeks offer up a sample when you are talking to them. I have no problem sharing at any time, and I love sharing a bottle. It is another part of the beer community that needs to be recognized and applauded. Go to most Buy-as-you-go beer events, and you can see the community sharing between each other. It puts a smile on my face, just knowing I joined the fun.
Posts
I agree. Why is it that we easily share other alcohol (bottles of wine or liquor) but tend not to share beer? I guess it has to do with the single sized packaging. Perhaps more bars should stock larger bottles so people can share between friends.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried any of the Chatoe Rogue series? All of those are GYO (Grow Your Own) beers. I tried the OREgasmic Ale (I apparently have the sense of humor of a 12 year old), and I thought it was pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteMy friends and I always try to get new and different beers when we head out, and we always pass our glasses around. Sharing beer, especially when out of the same glass, could be a bit more intimate than pouring a drop for a stranger.
@Jay
ReplyDeleteAs for that particular beer, I've never had anything bad from Sierra Nevada and furthermore, their Harvest series is incredible. If you get a chance to try their Wet Hope Ales....good lord their incredible.
As for sharing, oh hell yes I support it and I feel that it's one of the most awesome things about the industry and the people behind it all. We share, and we love to share with others and bring others into the experience. Unless you're a beer douche...THEN you don't share at all and smirk at anyway that doesn't drink that ultra rare cask conditioned Porter from the times of King Louis. ;) hehe
Ilya
@Ilya, I have had their Wet Hops ales, and they are exactly as you say- incredible. I do enjoy that ultra rare cask conditioned Porter, but I like sharing it with a good friend just as much.
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