tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20342020043097929462024-03-14T04:02:16.922-04:00A Beer in Hand is Worth Two in the FridgeA Beer Blog following the beer industry, beer bars and beer reviews- and my new found passion of finding beer bars in towns that are not known for beer.Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.comBlogger317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-58253189249606051232019-03-18T15:42:00.003-04:002019-03-18T15:43:15.230-04:002019 Beer Bracket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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2019 Beer Bracket</h2>
Here is the 2019 Beer Bracket. At least I get to do one post a year.<br />
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This year, I've come to realize that there are way too many breweries. I might be happy when the craft beer bubble pops so I can recognize most of them again.<br />
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This bracket contains many old favorites, classics, and some new guys on the block. Please do your thing, pick your favorites, and take this bracket to your work poll.<br />
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Maybe you can buy some beer with your winnings.<br />
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-79057871984960546702018-03-14T11:53:00.000-04:002018-03-14T13:06:49.013-04:002018 Beer Bracket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Make filling out your NCAA basketball bracket easier, and use the beer bracket first, then fill in your NCAA. Easy as that.<br />
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Been a while since I put something up there, so I figured it was time. The Beer Bracket is fun every year. It gives you a reason to care about making a bracket when you have no idea what Stephen F. Austin, South Dakota State, or any other obscure school can do. Choose your beers, move it over to an online bracket and win.</div>
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-12635962408919090242015-08-09T00:29:00.001-04:002015-08-09T00:29:08.821-04:00The Session 102 - The Future Landscape of Beer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Session is a monthly post by many bloggers discussing a question posed by one. This month's session is brought to you by <a href="https://activebrewer.wordpress.com/2015/07/20/the-session-102-announcement-the-landscape-of-beer/">ActiveBrewer</a> and he wonder how we see the Landscape of Beer for the future.<br />
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When I look the the future for craft beer, I see more growth. For years and years, there has been talk of this Craft Bubble bursting. I don't see this happening. Sure some brewers will close up shop, but I think that is due to subpar product/marketing/planning, not due to a bubble burst. People love craft beer and want to drink good beer. </div>
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The question also asked about the larger companies buying up smaller brewers and how there is a blurring of the line for "small and independent". Honestly, I'm all for the big companies buying the successful smaller guys. This can be seen as the payoff for the hard work the owners put into building the brand. Many of these buy ups do not result in inferior beer, rather the beer quality remains the same delicious brews. </div>
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No one knows what the future holds for craft beer. Maybe it gets to the 20% market share goal that the Brewers Association would love for it to get to. I don't know. All I know is that many awesome brewers will be producing awesome beer. And that is what I am excited for.<br />
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-50736251162586377332015-03-16T18:55:00.001-04:002015-03-16T19:40:27.866-04:00Beer Bracket 2015As in the past, the Beer Bracket can help you fill out your NCAA Tournament Bracket. <div><br></div><div>How this applies to me:</div><div>A) I don't look at the teams when placing beers. </div><div>B) I update my bracket according to the actual NCAA games. </div><div>C) The winner (beer) will be the one I make sure to check out, or do my best to check out. </div><div><br></div><div>Usually the Final Four turns out to be pretty good. I have in the past done tastings before the final weekend to develop my own analysis. </div><div><br></div><div>Let the bracket help you!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0MaeRYtzM8x2AJVqumI8L3qwAxhg5OvXb1edvz-Wa347i7rlzBolYgeVBjRWB7KiPqVImViehEFvYO5FCzQnR9Alc1XRwJwE51p-bZZTm2eQX9OkMyE7RMGudi44fNogZZQKx4AWEEtD/s640/blogger-image-2022033373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0MaeRYtzM8x2AJVqumI8L3qwAxhg5OvXb1edvz-Wa347i7rlzBolYgeVBjRWB7KiPqVImViehEFvYO5FCzQnR9Alc1XRwJwE51p-bZZTm2eQX9OkMyE7RMGudi44fNogZZQKx4AWEEtD/s640/blogger-image-2022033373.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Whoops. First mistake found. Peak should be East Coast, but what the hay. Sorry about that. </div><br></div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-39197134041361785972014-12-03T23:02:00.001-05:002014-12-07T17:43:04.591-05:00Jolly Traveler Winter Shandy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavQuJgWGpNqsN2FF86lDeRuxrQzTXTHUV8Gc_ZC0V5bms9ekaOCGFFwjZqHphm1Yo3JgqWvqEtTvv6XowhiD11YFK8XKkp6KZQuEXQPW-hGCi2ntj5SicKRoY5fr431LBbVqE13K0MoMU/s640/blogger-image--541645805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavQuJgWGpNqsN2FF86lDeRuxrQzTXTHUV8Gc_ZC0V5bms9ekaOCGFFwjZqHphm1Yo3JgqWvqEtTvv6XowhiD11YFK8XKkp6KZQuEXQPW-hGCi2ntj5SicKRoY5fr431LBbVqE13K0MoMU/s640/blogger-image--541645805.jpg"></a></div>In comes the cold weather, so does the winter beers. Sometimes you have to get away from the big stouts and Belgian beers to quench your thirst. <div><br></div><div>The Jolly Traveler Shandy is perfect for this time of year, and can be a bit better since it comes in at 4.4%. I definitely could have drank, and enjoyed, more than one of these. </div><div><br></div><div>Pouring a dark amber, the Jolly Traveler released an bouquet aroma of fruit (pomegranate) and a plethora of spices. </div><div><br></div><div>A combination of mild, yet present, carbonation and the inoffensive alcohol content helps this become a bit too easy to drink. </div><div><br></div><div>Give yourself a break from the heavy beers and enjoy a Jolly Taveler. </div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-64663975435451454922014-11-20T14:30:00.001-05:002014-11-20T14:35:00.217-05:00The Mad Elf<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMJWjUlkc4crotp56BPUkLwhYP9zE1RHvnom2-RKBtPe8Wn89mTf9TTb7ZNyyXuhXDq3y8EGf1fO8xuUPNFYyV11yOShwqfrqG-x747mrevDaebSWpss7dUdW-dhziIPwGU2Sf-eIMxMb/s640/blogger-image-744642724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMJWjUlkc4crotp56BPUkLwhYP9zE1RHvnom2-RKBtPe8Wn89mTf9TTb7ZNyyXuhXDq3y8EGf1fO8xuUPNFYyV11yOShwqfrqG-x747mrevDaebSWpss7dUdW-dhziIPwGU2Sf-eIMxMb/s640/blogger-image-744642724.jpg"></a></div>I cannot lie, I do enjoy Troegs Mad Elf. I can't sit around and drink a six pack of it, but to have one every couple days definitely helps to keep warm. <div><br></div><div>The best part of having to buy a case (hopefully these laws change fast so we can get quality bottle shops) is that you have put a six pack in the cellar and save it for next year. Mad Elf is one of the best beers to hang onto. The flavors develop, alcohol settles and it becomes a great beer. </div><div><br></div><div>If you haven't ever had Mad Elf, it is an 11%, Belgian style ale, brewed with cherries. One of my friends doesn't like it because he compares it to cough syrup. I don't see it that way, but to each their own. </div><div><br></div><div>Did you get some Elf yet this year? </div><div><br></div><div>On a Personal Note:</div><div>Hello again. I missed doing fun posts. I need to get back into it. I hope you can forgive my absence. It is a fun time when life gets into the way. </div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-56230689818432330412014-03-19T22:42:00.001-04:002014-03-19T22:42:27.814-04:00Beer Bracket 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh my, I am alive. Amazing.<br />
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Anywho, the NCAA decided to have another tournament this year, so everyone plus the President is filling out a bracket. What happens when you have no idea that Stephen F Austin is in Texas, or that Wichita State are undefeated? Just use the beer bracket to find your winners!<br />
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Here it is, use it at your own risk!<br />
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-51211592609390055742013-04-05T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-05T08:00:09.650-04:00The Session #74- Finding Beer Balance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s1600/session_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s200/session_logo.jpg" width="164" /></a>This month's issue of The Session is brought to you by <a href="http://thisiswhyimdrunk.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/1618/">This is Why I'm Drunk</a>, with the capable at the helm:<strong> </strong></div>
<a href="https://twitter.com/BryanDRoth">@BryanDRoth</a><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><strong>April’s topic is “Finding Beer Balance.”</strong> It’s a
discussion I hope will offer a variety of responses as people consider
their interests outside of finding the perfect pint.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Is beer your vice? Is beer your reward? Does beer really have to be
either? Do you find lifestyle balance through work, hobbies, family or
maybe even <a href="http://www.mrdavidj.co.uk/?p=500">“Dry Days”</a> like David Bascombe? There are a variety of ways to <a href="http://bites.today.com/_news/2013/01/03/16306781-6-ways-for-beer-lovers-to-bust-that-gut-without-going-dry?lite">find balance</a>.</i></span></blockquote>
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Beer and the industry has definitely become somewhat of a hobby to me. Not necessarily finding the perfect pint, the next great beer, but rather the people that are involved in brewing such beer. It all stems from sitting at Max's Taphouse with a friend and chatting with others sitting near. Meeting one person, which leads to another, which leads to another and eventually at some point I met Steve Jones of Oliver Ales, Brian Strumke of Stillwater and others. To see that they love beer, and love what they produce (and it isn't just a job) made me appreciate what was in the glass in front of me. But let me get back to the topic:<br />
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Outside of beer, I feel that I have very typical interests. I have played many sports: soccer/basketball/baseball in high school, soccer in college, and soccer/slowpitch softball/flag football/dodgeball our of college. Not to mention the million times we picked up some random sport to try it out. I still run up and down the basketball court for 1.5 hours every Wednesday. Being active was excuse for grabbing a beer (after I turned 21 of course). It doesn't matter what it is, I'll try it (beer or sport).<br />
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The #1 thing that keeps me active happens to be a 24 lb monster that roams my house every day from 8am -9pm. This 1.5 year old tornado is probably the coolest person on the Earth. Our devoted time has paid off, as she has helped me lose 20 pounds (even though I wasn't looking to lose weight, she made us chase her when she went for the dog food). She has created reasons for us to get out of the house, go for walks, and meet new people. Babies and dogs are the social catalyst that could keep a world running.<br />
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So there it is, sports and a baby. My hobbies and life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg864oADfeRrvPF3j8UpKUfgbh2CIE57wOJ8Wyng34S3qMBPymJ2CfEWASHnIl2RxojgO9eLAjZae76XXDQ9tJ_bdsGpCnvHt01RrjbFdY5DztyQJn3qfoRIWGH1BMwT9l2XqcsfYHaGkIO/s1600/Ava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg864oADfeRrvPF3j8UpKUfgbh2CIE57wOJ8Wyng34S3qMBPymJ2CfEWASHnIl2RxojgO9eLAjZae76XXDQ9tJ_bdsGpCnvHt01RrjbFdY5DztyQJn3qfoRIWGH1BMwT9l2XqcsfYHaGkIO/s320/Ava.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is, the Tornado.</td></tr>
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-33386720431374985812013-03-26T10:35:00.001-04:002013-03-26T10:45:28.163-04:00Beer Bracket 2013- The Sweet 16<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After the first weekend of play, there have been some major upsets and surprises. Below are the beers that made it through, and my thoughts on them.<br />
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#BeerChat<br />
(1)<a href="http://www.boulevard.com/BoulevardBeers/bully-porter"> Boulevard Bully Porter</a>- the dark roasted flavors make this porter no little brother to Tank 7. A beer to keep your taste buds on key.<br />
(12)<a href="http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/anchor_porter"> Anchor Porter</a>- not to be out done by the Boulevard, this beer is often forgotten when placed next to Anchor Steam, but alas, it is a classic example of a perfect porter.<br />
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(3)<a href="http://evolutioncraftbrewing.com/Brewery/Beers.aspx"> Evolution Lot 6</a>- this is a big beer with big hops. New on the scene when compared to Nugget Nectar, HopSlam and others, Lot 6 will soon be on the list as a go to for many people.<br />
(2) <a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/high-altitude/bigfoot-barleywine-style-ale">Sierra Nevada Bigfoot</a>-a standard since 1983 (one year after I was born), this beer is a beast of a brew. Perfect to cap off a night, it is awesome fresh, better after a year in the cellar, and even better after 2. Plus it is at a price point that doesn't kill the wallet. ($55 a case)<br />
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Untappd<br />
(9) <a href="http://www.evilgeniusbeer.com/current.html">Evil Genius Good n Evil</a>- American style Golden beer, comes light and refreshing. Makes me think of warm spring/summer days. Nice balance of malt and hops, not heavy on either.<br />
(13) <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/">Goose Island Sofie</a>- a saison fermented with wild yeast is always close to my heart. The different flavors leave my mouth watering just thinking about the beer.<br />
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(6) <a href="http://weyerbacher.com/">Weyerbacher Winter</a>- this English Brown ale leaves everyone satisfied. Has a touch of hops to even out the strong malt backbone. Very easy to drink.<br />
(2) <a href="http://www.ironhillbrewery.com/">Iron Hill Berliner Weisse</a>- whether you drink it straight or drop some syrup into it, this beer doesn't disappoint. The lemon turns to sour apple, and remains light and refreshing. I prefer a touch of raspberry syrup, but also order it without.<br />
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ABIH<br />
(1)<a href="http://www.troegs.com/our_brews/nugget_nectar.aspx"> Troegs Nugget Nectar</a>- a perennial #1 seed. The explosion of floral hops in your mouth leaves you wanting more. The malt keeps a strong presence, and the 7+% keeps you honest.<br />
(4) <a href="http://www.chimay.com/en/en.html?IDC=27">Chimay</a> White- classic Belgian Trappist triple. Slight bitterness from the hops and the not too sweet malt keeps this balanced beer one to always have on hand.<br />
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(3) <a href="http://www.burleyoak.com/the-brewery.cfm?CFID=11202309&CFTOKEN=38167305">Burley Oak Pale Ryeder</a>- a nice pale ale that has the zing of spiciness from rye. Easy to drink and smooth going down.<br />
(15) <a href="http://www.duvelmoortgatusa.com/">Duvel</a>- another classic Belgian. This Strong Golden Ale is a delight on the palate. Nice sweetness is broken up by a slightly higher carbonation. <br />
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(1) <a href="http://www.oskarblues.com/the-brews/gknight">Oskar Blues G'Night</a>- an Imperial Red that is dangerously drinkable. hoppy 8.7% beer has a huge malt character, while still giving you a mouthful of hops.<br />
(4) <a href="http://greatdivide.com/beer/year-round/hoss-rye-lager6-2/?verified=true">Great Divide Hoss</a>- based on a Marzen, this lager adds rye to give it more character. Another easy drinking beer, this is perfect for spring picnics, summer poolsides, fall ball games, and next to the fire in winter.<br />
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(3) <a href="http://flyingdogales.com/">Flying Dog Raging Bitch</a>- this Belgian IPA combines hops of an American IPA with the yeast of a nice Belgian- giving this beer wicked complexity. Instantly became one of my favorite beers from the first sip.<br />
(2) <a href="http://www.orval.be/en/8/">Orval</a>- the final beer in the bracket, and another sour. This beer should have its own style, as its unique taste lingers on, begging for you to get another bottle. Oh and the beautiful shaped bottle it comes in. I must try for any Belgian beer lover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcQXtne-tx-S7d9xkmY_aEt9vu_2aA2QjGPU1xyFnjZ3YOxAgCowmHUtCDHm7C7pxxLdHhDuFnotZj-HKAGuutIqpurzVu4KA68jPCJMtx0pecCA6cVjHCXiUB8kmB1V3HI8g2XU6keQR/s1600/2013BracketSweet16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcQXtne-tx-S7d9xkmY_aEt9vu_2aA2QjGPU1xyFnjZ3YOxAgCowmHUtCDHm7C7pxxLdHhDuFnotZj-HKAGuutIqpurzVu4KA68jPCJMtx0pecCA6cVjHCXiUB8kmB1V3HI8g2XU6keQR/s320/2013BracketSweet16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beer Bracket Sweet 16</td></tr>
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-3752963176313940872013-03-18T14:36:00.000-04:002013-03-19T15:05:14.137-04:002013 Beer Bracket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here it is. What you have been waiting for and what you will need for the next couple of days. To make filling out a bracket more enjoyable, I have taken the current NCAA bracket, stripped the schools off of it and replaced them with beer. Who wouldn't rather choose the winner because of beer?<br />
<br />
Region one: #BeerChat<br />
These beers were mentioned in the latest rendition of #Beerchat, the Thursday at 9pm EST gathering on Twitter.<br />
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Region two: Untappd<br />
I pulled these from my most recent Untappd checkins.<br />
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Regions three and four are random selected from my memory as delicious beers that I love to drink. I know I do not have every beer on there. And there are some great ones not. Reasons why: A) I have never had it/can't get it (i.e. Russian River, Hill Farmstead, etc.) B) Too rare/elusive (i.e. Westy, Dark Lord, Abstrakt). I have tried to keep it at beers that most can find, drink, and love. C) I'm lazy/forgot about it.<br />
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So here you go. Win your office pool with the help of the Beer Bracket.<br />
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-17816964512625237252013-03-17T21:35:00.001-04:002013-03-17T21:35:50.334-04:00Beer Bracket 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Do you know the difference between Butler, Bucknell, and Belmont? Do you want to do the research to find out who may win. Sure it could be easier to just pick the higher seed, but to make it really fun, you should just use the Beer Bracket to make your choices. <br />
<br />
Coming this week is the Beer Bracket 2013! Your one stop shop for picking your NCAA March Madness Bracket when you have no clue what is going on with the NCAA teams. The four regions this year will be a bit fun as one region will be created by a twitter friend and blogger, another by the beers mentioned on #BeerChat (a weekly twitter get together), and the other two by some creative measure.<br />
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Get ready, get set- it will be here before you know.<br />
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Previous beer Bracket blog posts can be found <a href="http://abeerinhand.blogspot.com/search/label/Beer%20Bracket">here</a>.</div>
Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-46208090340129129262013-03-01T08:00:00.000-05:002013-03-01T08:00:09.880-05:00The Session #73- The Beer Audit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s1600/session_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s200/session_logo.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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Wow, it has been way too long. I have been caught up chasing
a one year old around. Good thing is that I have lost some weight. Bad thing is
I have neglected A Beer in Hand. But I promise to finally get back in the
habit. </div>
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<br /></div>
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This month’s issue of The Session is hosted by <a href="http://pintsandpubs.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/the-session-73-announcement-beer-audit/">Pints andPubs</a> on The Beer Audit:</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: blue;">“Once or twice a year I take a beer audit. I open cupboards
and boxes and just have a good look at what’s there. Some beers get moved
about, some make it from a box into the fridge, others get pushed further to
the back of the cupboard for another day. Often I just stare at the bottles for
a while and think about when I’ll drink them. Apart from the enjoyment of just
looking at a hoard of beer, It tells me something about my drinking habits…</span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i><span style="color: blue;">So, I’m interested to know if you take stock of the beers
you have, what’s in your cellar, and what does it tell you about your drinking
habits. </span></i></div>
</blockquote>
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This is something that I have looked at in the past couple
of weeks. For my birthday, my wife had a bunch of friends surprise me by showing
up at the house. She picked up a couple cases of beer, and a couple friends
bought beer for me as well. This left me with a plethora of leftover beer.
While this is not normally a problem, I just don’t drink if fast enough. I don’t
want beers best fresh (especially IPAs) to sit too long, as that really kills
them. So by having this fresh beer, I abandon my beer boxes.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I try to keep my beer boxes contents updated on the site. I
have some stuff that I should drink, some stuff that can keep aging, and some
stuff I have no inclination to drink (maybe 10 years on it will make it
good-because I hated it the first time).</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsb8XLrca77RVDckzOhy2lPQNuvQwTLMDLx1Hm_bWyw-POhXYLx0tzpSAhQbwTfNXtsVSeBr1FBMLbP-NYeFhBe1NW94dk2oOnlI87rELQn1p0QeDjv8SBpGmOHdFyp2w6Yo_NijcBFFX/s1600/RodenbachGrandCru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsb8XLrca77RVDckzOhy2lPQNuvQwTLMDLx1Hm_bWyw-POhXYLx0tzpSAhQbwTfNXtsVSeBr1FBMLbP-NYeFhBe1NW94dk2oOnlI87rELQn1p0QeDjv8SBpGmOHdFyp2w6Yo_NijcBFFX/s200/RodenbachGrandCru.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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What is all fine and dandy is my favorite beer that I have
been aging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not necessarily on purpose,
but because I never got around to drinking it, and then it got lost in the
shuffle. So for the past 3 years I have had a 750 mL of Rodenbach Grand Cru.
Which I consider with Nugget Nectar, to be my favorite beers. No others come
close. My thoughts on having this around.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A) I have no problem having this beer for this long. It will
still be great.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
B) In this bottle format, it isn’t going to be a weekday
drink.</div>
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C) My friends aren’t fans of sours, so sharing would be very
abnormal to do with them.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do have some other beers that have and will stand the test
of time. The Abstrakt series has been good when I have opened them, since they
are BIG beers, that helps. I had a Stone Vertical Epic 10-10-10 the other day,
and it was still fantastic (I have one left of both the 09 and 10). I also try
to get a couple Sierra Nevada BigFoots every year to hold onto. This and Troegs
Mad Elf are two beers that I prefer to have aged for a year. I think it tones
down the abv to really smooth them out. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really looking at it makes me realize that I definitely don’t
drink the big beers (bottle size and abv) as I thought I would. I keep them
there thinking that I will eventually get to them, yet I don’t. I have started
only buying 12oz to keep my hording to a minimum.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And don’t even get me started on the homebrew I have laying
around…</div>
</div>
Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-27069644447678161332012-12-07T10:29:00.005-05:002012-12-07T10:57:14.866-05:00The Session #70- Beating the Hype<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This month’s edition of The Session is brought to us by thefine makers of <a href="http://www.mrdavidj.co.uk/?p=472">Good Morning…</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TheQuestion at hand deals with Hype that surrounds a beer:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: blue;">How much does hype have an effect? Are we much better off knowing nothing about a beer, or is it better to have the knowledge as to what the best beers are?</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Which beers do you think have been overhyped? How do you feel when a beerdoesn’t live up to its hype.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Is hype a good or bad thing for beer? Tell me what you think. I’m lookingforward to seeing what the general consensus is. </span></i></blockquote>
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This question came to their mind after partaking inWestvleteren 12 (otherwise known as Westy 12, one of the top rated beers in the world- which also is one of the hardest beers to get ahold of).</div>
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When looking back at the beers that I have drank, I feel fortunate to be able to say that I have had some beers that are hard to come by: Westy 8 and 12, Brewdog Abstrakt series, Troegs Splinter series, rare Belgians at Max’sBelgian Fest, etc. Before drinking the beer, I try to eliminate all possible expectations and premonitions. I want to taste the beer for what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I find that hard to do.</div>
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At times, I have been fooled, spent way too much on a beer,and didn’t enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other times, the beer lived up to its billing and made me glad to pay the price. But what I have found was more often than not, the beer would be good, not blow my socks off, but worthy of a drink, but maybe priced slightly higher than I would have thought. (I feel pricing of beer is probably the hardest thing do it,especially since palates and preferences change from person to person. And the vast variety of factors that can increase the price.)</div>
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Hype is a powerful motivating factor. Every year, around February, Troeg’s Nugget Nectar gets hyped up. I feel Nugget Nectar fulfills every need and want for hops in an amber ale, but to each their own. I have no problem shipping some down to Florida (get trade in exchange for some CigarCity), because I know the recipient will not be disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where hype can be a good thing.</div>
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There is a time when I think hype becomes a villain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Dogfish Head was featured on Discovery Channel’s Brew Masters tv show, I felt they were deserving of the recognition. I liked almost all of their beers, and would always recommend their beers to others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People started <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>buying up 60 Minute IPA like crazy, because they saw it on the show (which is normally good). But to the non-IPA drinker, this microbrew was “undrinkable”. And I specifically remember that word being used many times from friends who still bought cases of Miller Lite. They thought that since Miller was triple hopped, they would like DFH too. I urged them to try a different beer later, but they refused due to the last experience. I blame it on my inability to educate them on styles, but in their head , they had one everlasting thought of “expensive stuff”.</div>
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Below is a list of beers that I have let myself hype up, and then be disappointed, followed by a list that was hyped up, and lived up to its billing:</div>
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Over Hyped:</div>
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He’Brew Jewbilation 13 Bar Mitzvah- While not a overhyped beer in the beer community, I thought it was going to be unique, and would be a great beer. My beer guy said he loved it and so I began hyping it up in my head. I was wrong. I felt it was way too overspiced and I struggled to finish it.</div>
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Bell’s Hopslam- I really like this beer. It is delicious,but such a pain to get a bottle of. And when I do, I prefer Nugget Nectar(which is also easy to get- for me). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bars place Hopslam on a pedestal, price it high and it turns into an overpriced good beer.</div>
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Dogfish Head World Wide Stout and 120 Minute IPA- the hypetrain on these exploded with Brew Masters. People saw the ABV and though, this is the best thing ever. Again a beer that was hard to find for a year, but won’t blow your mind. It is good, yes. Am I going to go bonkers when I see it, no. I will take a Brewdog Tokyo if I want a super high ABV stout, or a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot barleywine if I want a big IPA.</div>
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Lived up to its billing:</div>
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Troegs Nugget Nectar- I was beginning to really get intoIPAs <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when this beer showed up on tap. I seemed to always order Troegs, and when it was placed in front of me, I could already smell it. It drew me in and I cannot get enough. It is the best.<br />
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Sierra Nevada Bigfoot- While this beer is a good beer fresh, I was told to hold on to a couple, so I stored them in my basement. It was a year of anticipation, building the hype in my head day after day. Finally, when I popped one open, I could see why I was told to wait. The beer transforms in to one of the most drinkable beers at 9% abv. It is so dangerously drinkable, I make sure to warn my friends.</div>
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Brewdog Tokyo*- I was told this beer was delicious, and that I would want more. I didn’t believe them. It was handed to me, and I was unaware of what it was. I drank the 10 oz<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pour in 10 minutes or so. Not chugging, but definitely faster than I ever drink. This beer tastes like it is 6%. It was not. (It was 18.2%.) Needless to say, I only had one, and then a glass of water or two.</div>
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Westy 8/12- My brother didn’t know of the hype on these beers. He is a huge Belgian fan (of the beers he can actually buy) and was blown away (he liked the 8 more than the 12). I too was taken back. I know St. Bernardus might be “just as good”, but they each have their own nuances that puts Westy over the top. So glad I was able to apprehend some without having to swim the Atlantic.</div>
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I would like to reiterate that lists like this are completely personal preference, as you may hate Nugget Nectar and love HopSlam.That is a great tradeoff, you drink my HS, I’ll drink your NN. </div>
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There are a few breweries that I am setting myself up for disappointment. My early acknowledgement of this may help me enjoy the beers more, or I will succome to disappointment and only drink BMC afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These breweries that I have not been able to drink yet are Russian River, New Glarius, Ninkasi , Jester King, and Hill Farmstead. I look forward to one day drinking their beers, but worry that my anticipation will hype me out of getting a clear read on the beer.</div>
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Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-79124493190676345032012-10-05T09:09:00.001-04:002012-10-05T15:44:07.133-04:00The Session #68<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62kuVbN0S-epBYrxGt11xycSnV2bi7iy-IyTMcDTCxpueFao6-n13qyEebtvE2fD99LCKtFO8-0JK4HxROnnIrNNtTPaOVBD1fYXmlWcaA0p6VnXnYS64vvkwdsy6unl3eyHyIYtu1G7q/s1600/Session.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62kuVbN0S-epBYrxGt11xycSnV2bi7iy-IyTMcDTCxpueFao6-n13qyEebtvE2fD99LCKtFO8-0JK4HxROnnIrNNtTPaOVBD1fYXmlWcaA0p6VnXnYS64vvkwdsy6unl3eyHyIYtu1G7q/s1600/Session.jpg" /></a>This month’s issue of The Session is produced by Tiffany
over at <a href="http://99pours.com/2012/08/novelty-beers-october-2012-the-session/">99 Pours</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her topic of choice is
Novelty Beers:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue;">
<i>With the onslaught of <a href="http://beerpulse.com/2012/06/rogue-ales-to-create-beer-using-yeast-from-brewmasters-beard-follicles/" target="_blank" title="Rogue Ales to create beer using yeast from brewmaster’s beard follicles">even
weirder beards</a>…erm…beers…than before, I can’t help but wonder if novelty
beers are going too far. Or maybe not far enough? LOL! As a merchant of beer, I
can see the place for novelty beers, as I am choosing for some customers who
say, “<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I want the strangest beer you have.</span></b>”</i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The novelty beer can sometimes drive me nuts. I shouldn’t see
10 pumpkin beers on the taplist in July. It just shouldn’t happen. I want to
drink Oktoberfest beers in September and October, not July. A maibock is a
spring beer, I don’t want to see it in January. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck, sometimes the seasonal Summer ales are
called “Summer Ale”, and they show up in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come on people. Anywho…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love looking at a taplist to decide what I am drinking. I
am not afraid to go off kilter and order something that I have never heard of
(actually, I prefer that), something that I am scared of (hot peppers), or
something that is using ingredients to play to the season (pumpkin). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thinking back to the brews that I have sampled, there are
some that people would think were weird: Right Brain Little Italy Honey Basil, DuClaw
HERO (2011- chocolate peanut butter porter), A billion different pumpkin and barrel
aged beers (I don’t even like most of them), etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I had to choose a beer that I enjoyed the most that
included a unique or different ingredient, I might have to go with the DuClaw
HERO (chocolate peanut butter porter). It was an easy beer to order, as I had
heard that it was good, and I was in a dark beer mood at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But my first reaction to the sip will be
memorable. The first taste drew me into the beer. The chocolate and subtle yet
appealing peanut butter tastes weren’t sickly sweet (kind of what I imagined),
but rather they stood balanced with the malt and hops, like a perfect little
triangle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had tasted winners and losers when ordering novelty beers,
but this was one winner that I could drink most days. </div>
</div>
Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-66500479348922271152012-08-21T11:50:00.001-04:002012-08-21T11:50:51.016-04:00Coming into Autumn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the temperature outside starts to dip (in the 50s last
night), it makes me start to think about the great beers that are a coming. I
have <a href="http://abeerinhand.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-time-brews.html">posted before</a> saying that I love a huge hop hit after a summer of light
drinking brews. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0_1zIWQpTnWghuk-qjZZ-ie0twMWKAjZmF-BQRBDH1UyGOo52T3g7P_q0LRzjwU-jyZOV-JkMtMhGFkBVjM3tJhSASeVm2doOx9JbpWg9KcR7gOnoRb4dDWR03_9u06AAu4HYXlTlpGi/s1600/German+pints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0_1zIWQpTnWghuk-qjZZ-ie0twMWKAjZmF-BQRBDH1UyGOo52T3g7P_q0LRzjwU-jyZOV-JkMtMhGFkBVjM3tJhSASeVm2doOx9JbpWg9KcR7gOnoRb4dDWR03_9u06AAu4HYXlTlpGi/s320/German+pints.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One beer that I don’t feel the need to drink is the plethora
of “pumpkin” beers that flood the market, and yes, I too will rant on why the
hell are pumpkin beers showing up in August. I have pumpkin fields less than a
mile from my house, there has not been enough time for a brewery to use the
pumpkin in the beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I have
seen some labels that describe it with pumpkin spices, instead of claiming to
use pumpkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One that I will recommend
is Oliver Ales pumpkin beer (Freddy's Revenge), as he has <a href="http://www.prattstreetalehouse.com/2010/08/hurry-up-and-wait/">documented </a>the roasting of the pumpkins
online, and the flavor is pretty good (even though I am not a huge pumpkin
person myself).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I do love Oktoberfest style beers, whether they are ales
or lagers, they always seem to be easy drinking, balanced beers that work well
for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can add a second dose of
hops to give it something different if you are making a homebrew. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for commercial breweries, everyone should have had Sam
Adams Oktoberfest by now, if not, they released it this year in July, so go out
and grab one. Spaten, Ayinger and Paulander seem to be the default German beers
that people drink, and I fully support those decisions. I like to grab a Flying
Dog Dogtoberfest, one of the reasons being the awesome name and artwork. Victory
does what Victory does and hops up their Festbier. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great Lakes also makes one of the easiest
drinking Oktoberfests, so that is always a recommendations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether you like the dark warming beers that are on the
horizon, the spiced up pumpkin beers that are taking over the shelf or the
balanced Oktoberfest beers, enjoy what you like with friends and always be
responsible.</div>
</div>
Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-14553950532750949062012-08-03T10:08:00.004-04:002012-08-03T10:12:40.293-04:00The Session #66- My Frankenstein Beer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s1600/session_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s320/session_logo.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
For this version of The Session, Craig over at <a href="http://drinkdrank1.blogspot.com/2012/07/announcing-session-66-one-beer-to-rule.html">drinkdrank </a>ponders:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="color: blue;">
We all have our favorite brews—even if you say you don't; deep,deep down
we all do. From IPAs to Pilsners, Steam Beers to Steinbiers, something
out there floats your boat. What if we look that to another level? What
if you were to design the perfect brew—a Tolkien-esque <i>One Beer to Rule Them All</i>. The
perfect beer for you, personally. Would it be hoppy and dark or strong
and light? Is it augmented with exotic ingredients or traditionally
crafted? Would your <i>One Beer</i> be a historic recreation or
something never before dreamt of? The sky is the limit on this one...
</div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<br />
I'd suspect that most of you out there probably have a good
understanding about the brewing process—but if you don't, no sweat, just
wing it. This exercise isn't about making sure you've checked all the
right boxes for the BJCP or some homebrew competition. This Session is
all about imagining the possibilities—no matter how ridiculous! Feel
free to create a recipe, right down to the aplha acid in your hops or
conjure up a review just like you'd do for any other beer. However you
want to come at this, it's your ultimate beer, your <i>One Beer to Rule Them All! </i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
When I start to think about my favorite beers, what I want from a beer, and what characteristics I love most about beers, my mind just about explodes. Anywhere from Troegs Nugget Nectar, Saison Dupont, Orval, Flying Dog Raging Bitch, Victory Prima Pils, Anchor Steam, Great Divide Yeti... the list goes on and on. There are different characteristics in each beer that I love and respect. So to craft my "prefect brew" would and will be hard, but I can do it.<br />
<br />
First off, the number one thing that I love about beer is the aroma. And I am in heaven when it comes to Nugget Nectar. The hops just up from the bottle and smack you in the face. (Sure, some people can put Bell's Hopslam here, but I prefer Nugget Nectar.) Next, when you go to pour the bottle, you need to have a beautiful looking glass, and nothing is more pleasent than the Duvel tulip. While I love the look of crystal clear pilsners (Prima Pils), I would choose the appearance of North Coast Old Rasputin. Jet black means business. No one messes around with that beer. <br />
<br />
When it comes to bitterness, I love a enamel erasing hop bomb, but that would not be ideal. I want something that I can enjoy over and over. So the mildly bitter, yet still there, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale would do. It has too much bitterness for BMC drinkers, yet is balanced enough for hopheads. I would want the malt to give a slightly roasted, yet sweet taste that works well with typical citrus hops. Very similar to a Ithaca Cascazilla mixed with a touch of Yuengling Porter. <br />
<br />
When the beer hits your mouth, I want it to be smooth, with a little body to make sure you know it is there. That is how I feel Anchor Steam is. It doesn't make you chew, rather it is a nice smooth brew. I would choose a session strength (lower than 4.5% in my book) to help round out the drinkability. I want to be able to be responsible, while still enjoying multiple in a setting.<br />
<br />
Finally, what I want most out of the beer, is for it to be able to create memories, and that is the most important. I want it to be enjoyed by my friends, family and anyone else who has one. I want the night to be remembered for the great times and conversation, and for us to remember those times with every sip of the beer. For that I would call my beer:<br />
<br />
Memories Ale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWFYFo4B3SdUFaTtTFlnnhkkW33b22k4LP5gumBXZDQHHvmknlR78_hHXre3yEja3BU5pClJ0fJWjZs8VD4GvM6i-MbFRszI0rS6T_mglGvLm9FiapiNbIu6tGZao_kg1Udu9Yx5i_XeS/s1600/tulip.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWFYFo4B3SdUFaTtTFlnnhkkW33b22k4LP5gumBXZDQHHvmknlR78_hHXre3yEja3BU5pClJ0fJWjZs8VD4GvM6i-MbFRszI0rS6T_mglGvLm9FiapiNbIu6tGZao_kg1Udu9Yx5i_XeS/s320/tulip.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-13979280191825562642012-07-26T11:26:00.000-04:002012-07-26T11:26:05.224-04:00Finding Good Beer in your Travels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmArLRlsmaY0P9xmWn459nKmwkawnfCeMYkS1qtsZelaykHCMFlX-YaKEYZdnuZZ7smamDnj9tZA-6yxxCKvPKAhEZrZsEjH6GY_E8PrR4ByQ6lPUEjKiD72ALq9Wr8pkdpSOfC65a4uyC/s1600/Zenos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmArLRlsmaY0P9xmWn459nKmwkawnfCeMYkS1qtsZelaykHCMFlX-YaKEYZdnuZZ7smamDnj9tZA-6yxxCKvPKAhEZrZsEjH6GY_E8PrR4ByQ6lPUEjKiD72ALq9Wr8pkdpSOfC65a4uyC/s320/Zenos.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeno's in State College</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love going to new and different places. I love finding a
neat little beer bar. Sometimes you get lucky and walk into a place that has 8
awesome taps, other times it is all BMC. For me, I have started preparing
before I get to my destination to know where I might want to go. But for those
times when you show up, what can you do?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Think Local. Is there a local brewery or brewpub? Stop in
and have a drink. Chat up the staff. Most will know the local beer bars and
where their beer is located. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6-b4PYSQ9ui2aDZadWesbUCJSlGDRZrX5Bjc3OkL4_xFoZEU6wSKtbdg_fBgpm9RNkCuex6ou_b4kIhPCm-s-dAzZVAYTKa_N3m8KFFCsJOfyIMzc1FFBaaaz_-BSSvYEfwj2dTuYsnA/s1600/untappd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>2. Stay away from chain restaurants. I always try to stay
local when eating, and I have yet to find a chain that has a good selection of
quality craft brews. The big boys pay for this spot on the taps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. It’s all in the Apps.<span id="goog_317842944"></span><span id="goog_317842945"></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Untappd- If you aren’t a part of it, it is a beer social
network that allows you to log your beers, where you drank them and view what
others are drinking. This becomes useful when you use the “Nearby” feature. You
can see what other users are drinking near you, and many times where (the bar)-
showing what is on tap at the places. </li>
<li>RateBeer Places app- RateBeer is a website that allows users
to rate and review beer. Its app allows for you to search for a
bar/brewery/brewpub using the GPS on your phone. Very convenient, and since it
is a beer ratings app they bars have a star rating.</li>
<li>BeerCloud- BeerCloud is another app that allows for user
input on bars and become “fans” of the bar. I don’t think this is as good of a
resource as Untappd or Ratebeer Places, but it is another that could be useful.</li>
<li>Foursquare- This is good for letting you know that people
are there, but it not being a beer app, there isn’t much of a filter on whether
it is a good or bad beer place.
</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JOGQrXk0vBaOUOanA6t9bfE2plqRXZ7kvG4Mf-sfn5rZ_d3dfb7wPojjJipxVGpxBwBCEFts1PIkMA4WX4NCFGMSAT74Nsy7grIAb6HUDCuSBRmGjJ5E8fmrs5nSEblTekkCGPpepdu2/s1600/logos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JOGQrXk0vBaOUOanA6t9bfE2plqRXZ7kvG4Mf-sfn5rZ_d3dfb7wPojjJipxVGpxBwBCEFts1PIkMA4WX4NCFGMSAT74Nsy7grIAb6HUDCuSBRmGjJ5E8fmrs5nSEblTekkCGPpepdu2/s1600/logos.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Overall, I like to preplan for my trips, but when you are
there, you never know what info you want or need. Hopefully these tips can help
direct you to good beer in the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysWr9EH0R28Hoc-c5ZoqwlQ1MeCS73t5YniYmOk8ObHAEsrXaFT5_g-Kk1zS6eh1AOdG7f6LGXcZS3EYjyQniKM9fEzvs4amCjTPM7hA491zRn9btUK5e92dMox4zI41EMjmYX-xm3EX9/s1600/beercloud2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeCv9j5kYeTJZzpaXK8qomkIHAQQMXWqJdC3mewrKv_B41_XNsBD0SiYGNh4Iynkb3ZzBxo4Xg5ZIH_TDL8DDvkh75jJAXOpu0rsD2KWAkb41oc-XpvUDjPBMe_o0b8MUM5qPqm7-9PRr/s1600/RBplaces2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Cheers.</div>
</div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-61858269726752785802012-07-11T11:45:00.001-04:002012-09-26T20:14:27.540-04:00The Session 65- Go it alone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s1600/session_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s200/session_logo.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>While I was not ready and prepared for The Session #65, I decided to go ahead and post late anyhow.<br />
<br />
The Session was hosted by Nate over at <a href="http://www.boozebeatsbites.com/2012/06/session-65-so-lonely.html">Booze, Beats & Bites</a>. He mused:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: blue;">How do you feel about going to the pub alone? Do you feelit’s necessary to be around friends to spend time in a pub?</div></blockquote>If you have ever talked to me, or read a couple of my older posts from when I lived in Baltimore, you would know that I would have no problem going to the pub alone. Every Thursday, I would head down to McGoverns, but there I knew a bunch of friends lie within.<br />
<br />
For a couple of years, I would meet a friend at Max's Taphouse every Wednesday (take the pint night). After he left the city, I continued to go. I met some others who went most weeks, and they became friends.<br />
<br />
But mostly, I was there alone. And 90% of the time, I loved it. It gave me 1-2 hours of peace after work. Time to drink pints of some of the best beer on earth, time to catch up on the sports that were on TV, and also a bit of time to think about blog posts or how to review different beers.<br />
<br />
The acquisition of an iPhone lead to a whole new function. Directly posting from the pub became fun. Looking up facts on the different beers or breweries became habit (it was before untappd became an app).<br />
<br />
But most of all, I loved meeting new people. The simple question, "So, what's in your glass?", would lead to either a recommendation or a conversation. Both things I would accept. Social interaction and beer, hand in hand.</div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-54054666434167778462012-06-21T22:52:00.000-04:002012-06-21T22:52:05.251-04:00Homebrew in the Neighborhood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have always felt that my brother was as fortunate as he could be when he was in Ann Arbor. He has a group of 4 other guys that would schedule brewdays. Sometimes it would only be one of them brewing, other days it would be all. This same group of families would organize the community picnics and other fun activities as well.<br />
<br />
When I bought a house, and finally got settled, I purchased my homebrew kit. After a bunch of my personal batches, and sharing whenever I could with the neighbors, I finally finished up bottling the batch brewed for a neighbor. He was interested in the hobby as a way to save a little cash on beer, and it turned into a great way for him to drink good beer (his wife is a Miller 64 person).<br />
<br />
Tonight, we bottled his amber/oktoberfest ale. It was a very simple recipe, putting more emphasis being a bit malty at (6%), than having a strong bitterness to it. Bottling has been delayed multiple times since we brewed, but not having a huge hop load to it, plus having the airlock on the entire time with a pretty constant temperature, I have no fear that when this beer is fully conditioned, it will be fantastic. <br />
<br />
We enjoy going over to his house to use his pool, and I cannot wait to enjoy this beer in the near future. Now we just need to get a couple more people involved, get a pig roaster and an inflatable bounce house for the kids, and we will be in business.<br />
<br />
Cheers!</div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-72140167127802132512012-06-03T14:17:00.001-04:002012-06-03T14:18:01.585-04:00The Pale Ale- Session #64<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s1600/session_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s200/session_logo.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
For this issue of The Session #64, <a href="http://www.thebeerbabe.com/2012/05/the-session-64-pale-in-comparison/">The Beer Babe</a> decided it was time to focus on a over-utilized, yet under-appreciated style, the Pale Ale:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: blue;">
<i>What is the one beer style usually makes up the first position in the
sample flight, but yet is usually the one that we never get really
excited about? The Pale Ale. </i></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: blue;">
<i>While this style serves as the foundation to its big-hoppy-brother
the India Pale Ale, lately “Pale Ale” has become a throwaway term. I
hear bartenders and servers using it to describe everything from
Pilsners to unfiltered wheat beers (I wish I was kidding). </i></blockquote>
<br />
While I am not taking her advice to sample and do a comparison review of two pale ales, I will chip in my feelings.<br />
<br />
First, a brewpub needs to have a pale ale. It is a simple base beer, that can be embraced by almost any drinker. I love to promote my idea of Base Beers. These are beers that set that baseline on whether or not another beer is bad, ok, good, or great. For me, when I walk into a brewpub/brewery/bar and order a pale ale, I like to put it up against Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Is it the best? No, but I don't think there is one person on earth that can say that is it bad.<br />
<br />
For our Memorial Day cabin weekend, we always make sure to bring some selection of pale ales. This year, a friend picked up some Sierra Nevada cans (yes, we were in the woods, so cans were very appropriate) to go along with all the other good stuff (including another friend's beer of the month club selections, my Founder's variety case, and multiple homebrews). What is amazing about a quality pale ale is that it can cross the boundaries. One friend who was at the cabin drinks whatever is basically the cheapest. Another enjoys the Shocktop variety, while two more, would rather an enamel stripping IPA. But the common theme was that everyone was enjoying the pale ale.<br />
<br />
Finally, what I think I enjoy the most about the basic pale ale is the drinkability. Many are in the 4-6% abv range. And that is where I like to be. My homebrews are (for the most part) 5.5-6%. I know that in that range, I can have a few and still be fully coherent. Most people would be ok. Sure it is no "pure session" beer (under 4%), but for a group of people not leaving the cabin for the day it is perfect.<br />
<br />
So if I walk into a place that has their own pale ale, I look for them to make a good one. It might not be the absolutely best beer I ever had, but it should be a beer that many people can enjoy.</div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-61010299988366358062012-05-07T14:27:00.001-04:002012-05-07T14:28:42.083-04:00The A-B-Cs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A month or so ago, I saw the Sam Adam's commercial on television that talks about their ABCs of Great Beer. While I do like their ABCs:<br />
<b>A</b>ppearace<br />
<b>B</b>alance<br />
<b>C</b>omplexity<br />
<br />
I just got thinking about what would be the ABCs of my perfect beer. First off, I would have to find out what I liked in beer, next I would have to figure out what words I can use to fulfill the A, B and C.<br />
<br />
So here is my list:<br />
<b>A</b>ttitude<br />
<b>B</b>itterness<br />
<b>C</b>onversation<br />
<br />
Attitude is what the beer say to you. I want a beer that once that sip hits your lips it says HI. It lingers in your thoughts. When you think of it, your mouth waters a little bit. Each beer has an attitude, the great ones develop their own.<br />
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Bitterness is not only for super hopped up beers. Sometimes it is the mild bitterness that can make the biggest difference in a beer. Just because it has 120 IBUs does not make it great. What can make it great is the way the bitterness is used to hide some of the alcohol, break up the sweetness, or give it another layer.<br />
Conversation has nothing to do with the pour, color or head retention. What it is about is how well the beer goes with friends. I love sharing conversation over a pint, starting a conversation with a stranger over what is in their glass, or just having a conversation with myself (yeah, I am kind of crazy) in my head about the beer.<br />
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These three things give me joy when it comes to drinking good craft beer. If I have a beer with attitude, the right bitterness, and hit helps create a conversation, I will consider it a great beer.<br />
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What are your ABCs?</div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-75829058578216678792012-05-04T12:30:00.000-04:002012-05-07T14:03:46.414-04:00The Moment- Session #63<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s1600/session_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s200/session_logo.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
This month's issue of the The Session is brought to you by the <strike>number 63</strike> <a href="http://petebrown.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/session-no63-may-fourth-be-with-you.html">Pete Brown's Beer Blog</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: blue;">
<i>So in that spirit, my choice of topic is this: simply, the Beer Moment.<br /><br />
What is it? </i>
<i><br /><br />
Well, what is it to you? What does that phrase evoke for you? </i>
<i><br /><br />
That's the most important thing here. Switch off and float downstream,
what comes to mind? Don't analyse it - what are the feelings, the
emotions?</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
My beer moment comes way before that first pint is drawn. Before the bottle or can is opened. It comes with a phone call, text or email checking to see if a friend wants to grab a beer. That is the one of the best moments available. <br />
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I travel from my house to my hometown way too often in my eyes (sometimes every other week). It is a short trip, around 2 hours. While we usually have a list of things that we want to do while home, one of the things we try to make time for is a drink with friends. Sometimes it is to grab a quick lunch, other times it is to get to the brewpub 30 minutes before last call (their last call is at midnight). But either way, it usually starts with that call, text or email.<br />
<br />
That moment continues to expand. No matter what the subject of the conversation is (usually beer, baseball, work or our houses), the genuine feeling of camaraderie is what makes us have a pint poured over and over (thank goodness for Session beers).<br />
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So I guess that would have to be my moment. </div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-84857940948626998472012-04-06T09:05:00.044-04:002012-04-06T09:05:00.144-04:00The Session #62- Why Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s1600/session_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8SJcycJ05u2jO5Ken7sZ19l0ciMsWUyy3XgSD1KTA0RhACZM4mVu4Jl0qwvPtnGXqI0_PnPwClXbwCOcPnSIWPt3qgHuKO4OTFj60ramolr-TZsur-m052N0A0Lth68oCv66_d7CT4Uf/s200/session_logo.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>This month's issue of The Session is being held by <a href="http://brewpublic.com/beer-blogs/announcing-the-session-62-what-drives-beer-bloggers/">Brewpublic</a>, and the question is, What Drives Beer Bloggers?<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: blue;"><i>Your mission as a craft beverage blogger reading this post, should you choose to accept it, is to compose a post on the topic of “What Drives Beer Bloggers.” There are no rigid guidelines about how to write about this topic but we’d certainly love to hear about the history behind your blog, your purpose in creating it, its evolution, and/or what your goals in keeping it going.</i></blockquote><br />
Way back on March 5, 2009, I started this thing, and posted <a href="http://abeerinhand.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-this-is.html">"What this is"</a>. It was my first post, explaining that I was going to basically do beer reviews:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>I am going to post about the beer I try. I am not a beer geek, or a beer snob. I know what I like, and hope others can like some of the same beers. Most of the time, I am a IPA, or another super hopped up beer type of person, but I do enjoy most styles (other than the american light beers).If you do read this, please post your own favorite beer.Gracias. </i></blockquote><br />
Let me take a second and deconstruct that first statement to what I feel I have become.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"I am going to post about the beer I try."- Sure I post a lot of reviews, but I also try to mix it up a bit with some newsy type items, homebrewing, or just random thoughts. I try not to have controversial topics, but I do think I have an open mind when it comes to those items.</li>
<li>"I am not a beer geek, or a beer snob."- I think I have become a beer geek, and have one thing about me that could make me a snob (I ask for a glass to pour my bottled beer in, although I will occasionally drink it without one). I am a beer knowledge junkie and want to soak up as much as possible.</li>
<li>"I know what I like, and hope others can like some of the same beers."- I have found that I did not know what I liked, but was willing to try multiple styles and my tastes are starting to develop. I am not an expert taster, or judge, but I can pick out certain flavors. Three years ago, I was just starting to branch out and try crazier beers, now I get excited to drink them.</li>
<li>"Most of the time, I am a IPA, or another super hopped up beer type of person"- I still love IPAs, but I also love sours, saisons, belgian dubbels, porters, pale ales, wheats, etc. I don't have a dominant style that I drink (well, compared to only drinking IPAs).</li>
<li>"but I do enjoy most styles (other than the american light beers)"- I can appreciate almost any style. There are some that I don't like as much as others (darn you Scotch ales), but I can put them into perspective, and I just don't order them often. I still hate American light beers.</li>
<li>"If you do read this, please post your own favorite beer"- I do want to know what others are drinking and enjoying. That was a huge part of me joining Twitter and becoming more involved with social media. I like to know what else is out there.</li>
</ul><br />
Basically that is what this blog is to me. It is a place where I can post my beer reviews, share my thoughts and let everyone know what I like. It also helps me continue my drive of beer geekery, and of course, the Beer Bracket. I have gone from a strict hophead to a lover of all fine crafted ales. I hope you can start your own journey, or continue this journey with me . <br />
<br />
</div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-4425707734409102692012-04-01T21:53:00.000-04:002012-04-01T21:53:29.861-04:00Beer People are Good People- Cigar City for me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvFYbvPtSUAPVCYCDB0EsTfmaRMH8q1pcdCZrIkRTtfWC_NZKa35lsC4oDyv332jMGTVz9NehNJtgzBOB1moJo1L02EnIEOYQGi1P41ZtV9WUHudT-QK3ScZc03d4-LRahWRLKj11M8u7/s1600/photo+1-781081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726604805984153634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvFYbvPtSUAPVCYCDB0EsTfmaRMH8q1pcdCZrIkRTtfWC_NZKa35lsC4oDyv332jMGTVz9NehNJtgzBOB1moJo1L02EnIEOYQGi1P41ZtV9WUHudT-QK3ScZc03d4-LRahWRLKj11M8u7/s320/photo+1-781081.JPG" /> </a></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo">When a beer lover on Twitter (@Skurnie) mentioned that he had never had a taste of Troegs Nugget Nectar, I felt the need to share with him the goodness (I am fortunate enough to have my fair share of draft, bottle and cask Nugget Nectar), as well as a bottle of this past years Mad Elf.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">He replied that he would then send me some good Florida brews- Cigar City. Cigar City is sometimes found around (mostly in the Philly area), but I haven't had the pleasure of trying any. When I opened up the box from him, I was instantly excited. Seven bottles of goodness. </div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbyyj_XIyXyTcoO5CYqugZ3AaIG7U6WaSMqpZ3-V0oR07I_4CcWzybDOJJVgRR9DFRzJhK6kUzdLd5kIs_n66YUjc_TDlXcZuJwmrgFs61_0SQ4EbbY9WJoEzWkdnqLey0ROoVtO4D409/s1600/photo+2-783422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726604812097191010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbyyj_XIyXyTcoO5CYqugZ3AaIG7U6WaSMqpZ3-V0oR07I_4CcWzybDOJJVgRR9DFRzJhK6kUzdLd5kIs_n66YUjc_TDlXcZuJwmrgFs61_0SQ4EbbY9WJoEzWkdnqLey0ROoVtO4D409/s320/photo+2-783422.JPG" /></a>The first that I knew I was going to drink was the Jai Alai. A beer that is probably the most known (maybe second, as Hunahpu has gained a bit of a cult status with their Dark Lord Day style release party.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Jai Alia poured a beautiful golden orange color, while citrusy aromas wafted from the glass. A bit of pineyness came from the head, but only on second sniff. I couldn't resist the beer. The intense grapefruit hops taste is the dominant feature, although the malt does not get lost. A sweetness breaks through, giving it a touch of depth. The bitterness lingers throughout the beer, continually holding on though the moderate carbonation and mouthfeel.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Overall, this is a great IPA. Exactly what I look for in a bitter beer. Delicious.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div></div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034202004309792946.post-20104751660236766842012-03-26T14:21:00.001-04:002012-03-26T14:22:29.307-04:00The Final Four- 2012 Beer Bracket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYI5KmWoqE3_ztT01nEUF-HqOV_gT2GTAwrO-RjzC5ba74fglyO5bTtQGr8OTxgeo0APFeJxx3w9lrhXsG0hv7OThsXhBpXpbcBbjgg0Bbs-vg6-_8bpP-KTQ79k8pa9d9zTamvhyHNexo/s1600/Final4Bracket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYI5KmWoqE3_ztT01nEUF-HqOV_gT2GTAwrO-RjzC5ba74fglyO5bTtQGr8OTxgeo0APFeJxx3w9lrhXsG0hv7OThsXhBpXpbcBbjgg0Bbs-vg6-_8bpP-KTQ79k8pa9d9zTamvhyHNexo/s320/Final4Bracket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It comes down to these four teams. The best of the best from the East (Troeg's Nugget Nectar), West (Green Flash West Coast IPA), World (O'Hara's Stout), and Big Beers (North Coast Old Rasputin). Next weekend we will have our 2012 champion. Fortunately, many people will have the ability to drink the winner, as all four beers are available in many places.<br />
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It will be an IPA vs Stout final (if you consider Nugget Nectar an IPA). There is the possibility of having an All-California final- with both Green Flash (San Diego) and North Coast (Fort Bragg) located in the Golden State. So much excitement.<br />
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And the Full Bracket:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqOmqy9TmQTBjD2vudY9nKV71P0k52fnZxqP6_a-W3vfFE5OkiU5rOJR_VIqrVnoLuQVXzyVd2Q5ZipN9lCCrCa-MqipRnhjjxoIprBcqzg-sLnRDiIhZ956bdWyWkaCQneM17Dh5Mw3V/s1600/BB2012-Final4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqOmqy9TmQTBjD2vudY9nKV71P0k52fnZxqP6_a-W3vfFE5OkiU5rOJR_VIqrVnoLuQVXzyVd2Q5ZipN9lCCrCa-MqipRnhjjxoIprBcqzg-sLnRDiIhZ956bdWyWkaCQneM17Dh5Mw3V/s320/BB2012-Final4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Jay Zeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06420745158411547253noreply@blogger.com2