Wednesday Pint Night

I did the normal Wednesday night pint night down at Max's.  I have been fortunate this week to have a great beer week with the Siren Noire (Heavy Seas) beer social and then a good Wednesday pint night.  The beer tonight was Moosehead, which was not the highlight.  The highlight was the rest of the list.  Max's still has some great Belgians left on tap and I was pleased to partake of a few (even though they have the Siren Noire still on cask, which is great, I went with others on tap).

After the Moosehead, my friend convinced me (ok, she just mentioned it) to have a La Trappe Isid'or (Trappist Ale).  Such a good beer.  This is the type of beer that makes me extremely happy to love beer. 

After the La Trappe, I gave the Haanbryggerier IPA (Norwegian IPA) a whirl.  I must say that it was a disappointment.  I like big, bold IPAs.  This just wasn't it.  The best I can describe the beer is tangy.  The beer was just not was I was expecting (I must admit that I was looking hop bomb).  It just didn't do it for me.  I will give this beer another chance when I have an open mind.

After the Haanbryggerier, I needed something that I knew I would like.  I went with the Beer of the Year, Flying Dog's Raging Bitch.  This beer soothed my south, and allowed me to get back on track.  Thank you, Flying Dog.

I was looking to leave, but after striking up a conversation with an out-of-towner, I decided to grab another.  The beer that I chose was a De Regenboog Vuuve (Belgian Wit).  I was thinking about going with the Lagunitas Dogtown Pale on cask, but changed my mind (I have already had that).  I was thrilled that I changed my mind.

The Vuuve was a delicious, refreshing beer that allowed me to finish off a nice night (that included the queso dip, courtesy of my friend who joined me). 

What are you drinking tonight? What should I get out there and try?

Belgian Beer Fest 2010

Max's Taphouse hosts the Belgian Beer Festival every year (second weekend of February).  As most of the city is paralized by the snowstorm, Max's was roaring with people, and the beer was flowing.  I was able to walk down, a perk of living in the city.

I was able to meet up with other beer fans, bloggers (http://www.beerinbaltimore.com/) and twitterites (@beerinbaltimore, @cdoubleIPA, @beersfordinner, @siana506).  Thanks go out to them for the great day.

Below is the list of beers that I was able to enjoy, hopefully you can get out (or have already been out) to enjoy the beer.  Most of the beer I had were in the smaller sample size.  The only full beer that I had was the Stillwater Stateside Saison, a great beer made by a local guy just breaking into the brewing business.  I am glad to be able to get his stuff from the beginning, because he is going to be big.

The Bruery Two Turtle Doves (cask)- Belgian Dark Ale

Stillwater Ales Stateside Saison (cask)
Silly Saison de Silly- Saison
Geants Urchon- Brown Ale
Sint Carnas Pere Canard- Winter Strong Ale
Sint Carnas Triple
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Emblasse- Strong Dark Ale
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Courage- Dark Wheat
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Noblesse -Pale Ale
Cantillion Iris- Fresh Hop Lambic
Cantillion Gueuze
Cantillion Rose de Grambrinus- Raspberry Lambic
Cazeau Tournay- Blonde
Cazeau Tournay Black- Stout
Cazeau Tournay de Noel- Dark Saison
St. Bernardus Wit
Kerkom Bink Triple

Going Vertical

Max's description of Stones Vertical Epic 09/09/09 was just "Dark Belgian Ale". I wasn't too sure what to think before it came to me. But I was not thinking Porter. And then I saw it. Dark as night, creamy tan head. Porter overcame my mind. Chocolate came through on the nose, with not much else. Then the taste. Definitely some chocolate, vanilla and little spice. Could use more spice to break up the chocolate. I would expect a little more hoppy bitterness from Stone (but not too much to over power everything, just enough to pull everything together). The beer was not too heavy or too light.

I would not call it a Belgian. Maybe when sitting in a cellar it will round out better, but for now it is a Porter. With that note, I normally do not like porters. Usually a porter has the burnt taste to it. The VE090909 did not. It was sweet and delicious. Although, one was enough. Not something to have a night of. (Especially at 8.5%.) I think I will try to go and grab a couple of bottles, this is a beer that should be really good on a cold night in the winter. I am thinking Christmas time.

Rodenbach Grand Cru

Either you like it or you hate it. The comparison of UNC and Rodenbach Grand Cru can go pretty deep. Ask a fan of any other ACC team, and you can hear the dislike. I have heard the same while tasting the Grand Cru. The sourness, the cherries, whatever it is, there are many people out there that would take a sip and hate it. On the other hand, there are people out there that charish every sip.

I fell into this beer at the first Belgian Beer Fest that I went to at Max's. I didn't know what to think of a Flemish Red Ale. First sip, I didn't know about it. Second sip, I could taste it. Third sip, I was in love. Now it is something I look forward to. When other brews are supposed to be similar to it, the comparison always is bad for the other beer.

What is your opinion on these sour beers?