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Beer |OT|
- Thread starter Snuggles
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Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
I prefer the elongated tulip glasses that hold a full pint - they're much nicer for beers like IPA where you want aroma in your nose, but you don't want a tiny little glass.
Beer should not be served at room temperature; cellar temperature is not room temperature. In fact, its generally a good 15-20 degrees lower than room temperature. Consult Randy Mosher's "Tasting Beer" if you need to know the correct serving temperature for a given style.
Beer should not be served at room temperature; cellar temperature is not room temperature. In fact, its generally a good 15-20 degrees lower than room temperature. Consult Randy Mosher's "Tasting Beer" if you need to know the correct serving temperature for a given style.
youngwerther
Banned
I drink everything out of the mug, that's all I've got.
I'd really like a huge chalice where I could pour the entire bottle into there and not worry about it.
I'd really like a huge chalice where I could pour the entire bottle into there and not worry about it.
Got 2 6 packs of Westvleteren 12. My roommate got 2 as well.
Got there at 8:30 and the store was opening at 10. There were 100 people by 9. The store didn't hand out numbers...they just let the line get bigger and bigger...ended with about 150-200 people. They only had 45 6 packs. I didn't think it would be this exclusive.
Got there at 8:30 and the store was opening at 10. There were 100 people by 9. The store didn't hand out numbers...they just let the line get bigger and bigger...ended with about 150-200 people. They only had 45 6 packs. I didn't think it would be this exclusive.
Partial Gamification
Banned
get a horn:
A big horn, note that "touristy" horns are really just or show and not for drinking.
Horn mugs "as seen on game of thrones":
distantmantra
Member
I've got tulips for high gravity beers, saisons and wild ales, and then straight pint glasses for everything else.
Link
The Autumn Wind
I'm surprised they didn't limit it to 1-per-customer.
They did. A gaffer came along with me and my roomate has his girlfriend with him.
youngwerther
Banned
I disagree utterly and don't particularly care.
You drink your beer at room temperature?
So is the plan to enjoy them or profit from them?
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
I'm pretty certain he's just trolling. I thought maybe he was one of those guys who thought British bitters should be served at room temp (as opposed to cellar temp, which a lot of people think are the same thing), but he's going on about drinking out of mugs and other inanities.
Enjoy them. I'm selling a few to some beer loving friends at cost.
Anyways, trying my first now. It's good, but the flavor and smell is far more subtle than I expected. I don't want to say I'm disappointed because this is what I expected off a fresh bottle. I want to say that I also feel the carbonation is a bit too heavy at the moment and it masks the flavor more than it should. Very nice though, and amazingly smooth for a 10% beer. I'm very curious to see how this changes over time.
Also, I'm definitely drinking it near room temp next time. I probably have been drinking it at about 12C or so (just guessing), but the flavor is getting more and more prominent (especially in the nose) as it warms up. I might just stick it in the fridge for 15 minutes next time to give it a very slight chill.
I completely agree with what some people have said in reviews: this definitely smells like raisin bread. I couldn't smell it when I poured it at first, but 15 minutes later it's totally there. I'm going to drink this slowly over the next 30 minutes while it warms up to see how much it changes.
Good man.
This beer is getting better and better.
One thing really strikes me about this beer. It's so incredibly well balanced. Nothing is overwhelming. There's a lot of complexity to it though so I feel sipping it is really rewarding.
When I first poured it it was definitely too cold...I couldn't smell a thing. Now the smell is intoxicating. I just keep smelling it it smells so good.
It's a good thing this beer isn't cheap. I have yet to drink a 10% beer this smooth. The alcohol really sneaks up on you.
One thing really strikes me about this beer. It's so incredibly well balanced. Nothing is overwhelming. There's a lot of complexity to it though so I feel sipping it is really rewarding.
When I first poured it it was definitely too cold...I couldn't smell a thing. Now the smell is intoxicating. I just keep smelling it it smells so good.
It's a good thing this beer isn't cheap. I have yet to drink a 10% beer this smooth. The alcohol really sneaks up on you.
So jelly
Monks brew the best beer and Nuns make the best mistresses.
After I finished the glass, I just kept smelling the empty glass. The smell changed considerably just sitting there for a few minutes. I guess this might give me an idea of what to expect as it ages.
Now to wait 6 months until the next one.
Oh, and just to stress: do not drink this beer at fridge temperature. You really won't taste much if you do. It'll be smooth and balanced, but you won't be getting any of the complex aromas at all if you do. This one really shines as it warms a bit (or maybe letting it breathe for a bit helps?).
Now to wait 6 months until the next one.
Oh, and just to stress: do not drink this beer at fridge temperature. You really won't taste much if you do. It'll be smooth and balanced, but you won't be getting any of the complex aromas at all if you do. This one really shines as it warms a bit (or maybe letting it breathe for a bit helps?).
Cydonian__Knight
Member
Picked up a 4-pack of Old Rasputin and a bottle of Stone's Vertical Epic Ale to celebrate finishing finals.
Thanks. I've used it for reviews but haven't paid too much attention to the other parts of the site.
distantmantra
Member
The forums are great for regional info. I'm active in the Northwest forum.
youngwerther
Banned
Absolutely.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
After I finished the glass, I just kept smelling the empty glass. The smell changed considerably just sitting there for a few minutes. I guess this might give me an idea of what to expect as it ages.
Now to wait 6 months until the next one.
Oh, and just to stress: do not drink this beer at fridge temperature. You really won't taste much if you do. It'll be smooth and balanced, but you won't be getting any of the complex aromas at all if you do. This one really shines as it warms a bit (or maybe letting it breathe for a bit helps?).
If you have a cellar or other consistently 54° room, I would suggest keeping it there and serving at that temperature.
Something that might be fun (which is what I'm doing, although its kind of pricey), is to buy 6 bottles of St. Bernardus Abt. 12 (which is literally the same recipe as Westvleteren 12, but brewed by non-monks and using the "original" Westvleteren yeast strain), and possibly 6 bottles of Rochefort 10 (another exquisite Trappist Belgian Dark Strong) and age them alongside the Westvleteren so you can do a nice vertical at the predetermined aging periods.
distantmantra
Member
Ryu ga Gotoku 5 and some Kiuchi? Fuck yeah.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
Sadly I have nothing resembling a cellar here. They'll be stored closer to 70F.
The refrigerator is a better option than 70° because a place that is 70° likely fluctuates daily by a good 10-15 degrees.
distantmantra
Member
I have a fridge in the garage that I keep between 50 and 55 for my beer. I've also got lots of boxes that I store bottles in. The garage stays below 60 year round so it's a great cellaring space.
Can't keep it in the fridge. Not enough room.
I could always get a styrofoam cooler like some recommend, to prevent fluctuations.
It's a shame, my grandmother has a legitimate cellar, but she's pretty anti-alcohol so I don't think I should broach on the subject of storing beer.
Sold two at cost to beer lovers at work today. I think I'll gift one to another friend who will definitely appreciate it.
That will leave me 8 for myself.
My only regret is that I'm giving away unaged bottles and the people I'm giving them to definitely won't be aging them beforehand.
Still really curious to see what it'll be like once its aged. Besides maturing, I think a reduction in carbonation is very much needed for this beer. The carbonation is definitely too heavy in a fresh bottle and I think it masks some of the subtleties of the beer.
That will leave me 8 for myself.
My only regret is that I'm giving away unaged bottles and the people I'm giving them to definitely won't be aging them beforehand.
Still really curious to see what it'll be like once its aged. Besides maturing, I think a reduction in carbonation is very much needed for this beer. The carbonation is definitely too heavy in a fresh bottle and I think it masks some of the subtleties of the beer.
You don't have to age this stuff.
Aging changes beer. Whether or not it makes it better is subjective opinion. Don't buy into this bullshit about mandatory aging.
eudaemonic
Member
Sure it's not mandatory but you'd be hard pressed to argue that some styles don't scream "age me". I wouldn't suggest it for any IPAs though. *chuckles* Though I have had a couple this went missing and when I found them again, they tasted like an old ale. I was kinda impressed.
distantmantra
Member
The only difference I noticed between fresh and aged Westy 12 was that aged is slightly smoother and not as boozy. Otherwise, they were similar.
chrisisawesome
Member
I usually dont drink beer because I tend to like spirits (scotch, rum, vodka) more. Maybe I just havent tried awesome beers. I'm just looking for some quick recommendations that are available in Montreal.
Here are some I tend to stick with:
- alexander keith IPA
- rickards white
- sapporo
I'm down for any type of beer!
Here are some I tend to stick with:
- alexander keith IPA
- rickards white
- sapporo
I'm down for any type of beer!
DimmuBurgerKing
Member
Ryu ga Gotoku 5 and some Kiuchi? Fuck yeah.
How is it? I shared a bottle of Kiuchi's ginger brew with the gf last night. We both really enjoyed it, but it's the only Kiuchi product any of our local places carry.
distantmantra
Member
It's good. Traditional English IPA that's been aged in cedar sake casks, so you get a bit of that in there as well.
Weekend pickups. Was totally shocked to see the Baird Imperial Stout in Seattle since they don't distribute to the state.
HBO has contracted with Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY to make Game of Thrones themed beers:
http://www.brewbound.com/news/brewery-ommegang-collaborates-with-hbos-game-of-thrones
Fucking awesome! I love Ommegang and Game of Thrones! It's cool that they picked a small specialty craft brewer to do it too.
http://www.brewbound.com/news/brewery-ommegang-collaborates-with-hbos-game-of-thrones
Fucking awesome! I love Ommegang and Game of Thrones! It's cool that they picked a small specialty craft brewer to do it too.
KingHenrik30
Member
Just saw this, I'm pumped.
Wow, I hope that makes its way to Ontario.
I'll go ahead and recommend Unibroue beers that should be readily available in your area. I recommend trying Blanche de Chambly and Ephemere. If you're up to more of a challenge, go for La Fin Du Monde or Trois Pistoles.
Yeah just from drinking one, I definitely get a sense of where the Westvleteren can go when properly aged. As I've said, I felt the carbonation was too overpowering in the fresh ale so aging will at least tame that a bit. As it breathed in my glass, it really developed more interesting flavors/smells (especially when the glass was empty), so I'm expecting similar qualities from the aged ale. We'll see. I'll probably try my next bottle around my birthday in August, so I'll make a note then as to how it's evolved.
St. Bernadus Christmas Ale is very good if you're into Belgian types.
Sierra Nevada Celebration is solid as well.
KingHenrik30
Member
Harpoon Winter Warmer
I'm enjoying Avery's Old Jubilation Ale & SN Celebration is solid as always.
nicoga3000
Saint Nic
I think I'm finally going to crack one of my bottles of Dark Lord 2012 over Christmas. Hopefully it's not as sweet as it was on Dark Lord Day.
I can also recommend Sam Adams' Old Fezziwig Ale.
Delicious, but where I live you have to buy the special winter 12-pack just to get two 12 oz. bottles.
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