CBG - Taste the Revolution

When hubby and I received an invitation to attend a local craft beer tasting it wasn't an invitation I could easily ignore.  An opportunity to sample a numbered and varied selection of craft beers was a mouthwatering prospect.

The invitation came from Craft Brew Guy who is attempting to incite (or inspire)  a revolution.  A craft beer revolution.

We arrived to a room filled and filling with beer lovers.  We were greeted by the Craft Brew Guy himself and he invited us to begin sampling.  Well, you don't have to ask me twice!

There were eight different beers of different styles and alcohol content.  We decided to start with the "lighter" beers and work our way up.  So, here's how it went . . . 

Cricket Hill Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter (6.7% ABV) - If you like bourbon then you'll like this one.   There is a distinct but not overpowering bourbon flavor accompanied by bitter chocolate, coffee and vanilla notes.  One of my favorite selections of the evening.

Pyramid Oktoberfest (6.7% ABV) - Always a fan of Pyramid brews there was little doubt that I'd enjoy their Oktoberfest . . . I like it.   It's a little hoppy, a bit malty and a lot good.  It's clean, smooth and refreshing . . . another favorite.

Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter (4.4% ABV) - I can't say that Otter Creek is one of my favorite breweries.  In my opinion . . . for whatever that's worth . . . they're beer is good but nothing special.  That being said, as the name implies, this porter is a little smokey but a little watery.  It was good but not great.  

Narragansett Oktoberfest (5.5% ABV) - The very mention of Narragansett beer is a turn off to me.  However, they've recently been reinventing themselves and improving upon their reputation as  . . . frankly speaking . . . crap beer.  I must admit this was way better than I expected.  It was malty and with loads of caramel flavor without being overly sweet.  It finishes clean and crisp.  It's worth a try. 

Anchor Porter (5.6% ABV) - The strongest flavors were dark chocolate and caramel but it wasn't sweet.  It was smooth, almost creamy, but surprisingly boozy tasting considering it's relatively low alcohol content.  Overall it was good but not great.

Ipswitch Oatmeal Stout (7.0% ABV) -  My first impression . . . boozy. This is a big beer . . .  smokey, smooth, strong . . . but not quite what I expect in an oatmeal stout.  I liked it though.  A very tasty beer.

Brooklyn Monster Barleywine (10.8% ABV) - I wasn't expecting I'd like this beer much . . . I'm not a fan of the brewery (I think it's the Brooklyn water) and barleywine is not my favorite style.  My first thought was that it's a gorgeous color.  It's definitely strong and intense tasting.  Lots of alcohol burn to accompany the spicy, malty, carameliness.  Meh.

Woodchuck Private Reserve Ginger (6.9% ABV)  - I absolutely love Woodchuck hard ciders but I haven't gotten around to trying this particular variety.  Yum yum yummy!  Lot's of fresh apple taste without being overly sweet.  It's got a nice mild ginger flavor that's not overpowering but just right.  Two big thumbs up!  Another favorite of the night.

Peak Organic Espresso Amber (6.8% ABV) - Wowzers!  An amazing coffee aroma . .  . it smells wonderful.  It tastes as good as it smells.  Lots of coffee and malt.  Smooth and strong.  Quite good!

Peak Organic Oak Aged Mocha Stout (8.4 % ABV) - There is a big chocolate smell but I was surprised that there was not so much in the taste  . . . some bitter chocolate, coffee and malt.  You can definitely taste the oak aging and that makes this beer something special . . . and adds a pleasant smokiness.  Overall very good.

As if the planned selection of beer wasn't enough there were some surprises in store for us.  The Dew Drop Inn from Derby, CT brought in a selection of wings . . .  buffalo, parmesan garlic, and a southern tier 2x IPA BBQ sauce . . . unfortunatley i was too busy drinking to be eating but I finger dipped the sauces from the wingless tins and they were quite tasty.  From what I understand they have a pretty good beer selection.  I think we'll be popping in for a sample of some wings and beer.  Lyndsay from Amity Wine and Spirits busted out a bottle of Sam Adams special beer and the owner and head brewer of Relic Brewing brought a couple growlers of his own beer.  And there were a couple other bombers floating around to be sampled . . . unfortunately I missed out on Pliney the Elder (sad face).

Samuel Adams Merry Mischief (9% ABV) - a Sam Adams seasonal - Gingerbread Stout.  Holy cow!  Amazing.  It's like eating an intoxicating gingerbread man . . . enough said.  Go get one . . . NOW!

Relic Queen Anne's Revenge Porter (7.75% ABV) - This beer has all the things I like in a porter . . . coffee, chocolate, malt.  It's got an intense aroma and a flavor to match.  A very good beer that I was happy to have gotten a chance to sample.

Relic Witching Hour Dunkelweizen (5.40% ABV) - The smell . . . banana.  The taste . . . it's spicy, malty and has notes of bubblegum and banana.  An interesting combination of flavors but it works.  Delicious,  refreshing and smooth . . . very yummy.  

Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti (9.5% ABV) - An excellent imperial stout from a brewery I've never heard of . . . but hope to sample more from.  Dark and rich . . . it tastes of chocolate, molasses, coffee and fruit . . . with a smoky oakiness and a nice hoppy bitterness.  A very complex and flavorful brew . . . very yum!

Craft Brew Guy put together an excellent event that I was exceedingly glad I attended.  A good time, with great people and excellent beer.  A fantastic night!  Thanks Aron!

Check out the Craft Brew Guy on his blog, on Facebook and Twitter.

The Winchester . . . a beer lovers paradise

This post is as much about the location as it is about the beer.  Probably even more so.

Recently, hubby and I went to New England Brewing Company’s Final Friday which is basically an event where they open up the brewery to the public allowing them to check out the facilities and sample their beer.

After we had sampled our three beers and enjoyed the party we decided we hadn’t had our fill . . . a sampling of those yummy beers only served to wet our appetite.

Almost directly across the street from the brewery is the Winchester Restaurant and Bar.  It’s a nice little restaurant with a big beautiful bar and an amazing beer list.  I'm pretty sure they serve food . . . just kidding, they do.  We didn't eat much but the wings were good.  The bartender was pretty rockin', too!

If you're ever in the neighborhood be sure to stop in for a pint or so . . . you won't be disappointed.

There were so many beers to try it was difficult to know where to start.  But we worked it out.  We were sharing so don't freak that there are so many beers on this list.  

Mother's Milk by Keegan Ales.  This was by far one of the finest stouts I've ever had the pleasure to consume . . . that's saying something as I am not a huge fan of stouts. It was smooth and creamy and remarkably delicious.  It could almost be a cookie . . . chocolate and oats . . . a liquid beery cookie.  Remarkable!  Apparently hubby thought so too, I think he drank most of it! (5% ABV)

Friars Quad by New England Brewing.  As the name implies it is a very strong beer (10.2% ABV).  It is a rich, deep red Belgian style ale.  It is very malty with hints of fruit, strong without being boozy and it has a pleasant yeastiness.  Really quite good and tasty.  It disappeared pretty quickly from my glass . . . again I believe hubby to be the culprit.

1687 Brown Ale by Charter Oak Brewing.  Another local-to-me brewing company but this is the first taste I've had of their beer.  This is an American style brown ale.  It was slightly sweet with caramel and chocolate undertones.  Toasty malts prevail with a surprising hoppiness that adds a fine complexity and creates a wonderful flavor. A worthy flagship beer.  (5.5% ABV)

Black IPA by Otter Creek Brewing.  As the name indicates it is a dark beer . . . almost stouty with roasted malt and caramel flavors but most definitely IPAish with a lot of hoppy bitterness.  If you're a fan of stouts and IPAs and are having a hard time deciding which to drink . . . you can have the best of both worlds with this beer.  Awesomeness in a glass!! (6% ABV)

Duvel by Duvel Moortgat.  This an imported Belgian strong pale ale.   It is a bubbly fruity ale . . . not sweet as it is balanced out by the hops.   Don't get me wrong it is not overly bitter but the hoppy floral notes compliment and accentuate the orange, apple(?) and honey flavors.  An interesting beer, very tasty. (8.5% ABV) 

Taddy Porter by Samuel Smith.  A true English beer.  It is dark and frothy, smooth and delicious.  A really good porter with lots of caramel and toffy undertones along with my favorite . . . dark chocolate.  It's smooth and creamy with just the right amount of carbonation.  Again a really good dark beer . . . am I being turned to the dark side?  Maybe.  This was really, really good! (5% ABV)

Naughty Nurse by City Steam Brewery.  City Steam is pretty local to me but this is the first time I've had their beer.  Okay . . . who doesn't like a naughty nurse? Apparently, a lot of people do like Naughty Nurse because it's their best selling beer.  It is an amber ale that is easily drinkable.  It's crisp and refreshing . . . a little hoppy with hints of fruit.  It is a nice light beer that you can kick back and enjoy on a fine summer day.  (5% ABV)

Blonde on Blonde by City Steam Brewery.  It sounds like a porno but it's not.  It's actually a nice, tasty hoppy brew that is much more to my liking (more so than a pile of blonde chicks getting it on).  It's got the strong citrussness (is that a word?) that I love so much in hopped up brews.  It's light and smooth . . . it kind of goes right down (again and again and again).  I've had hoppier but I'm not complaining. This was a damn fine beer!  Delish! (6% ABV)

Scrumtrulescent by New England Brewing.  What's in a name?  Do I read scrumptious in there?  Sort of?  Maybe.  This was yummy!  This is a saison or farmhouse style ale.   It is a nice summer beer . . . a little spicy, slightly fruity . . . overall a light, flavorful and too drinkable brew.   (5.6% ABV) 

If you're at the Winchester be sure to stop by New England Brewing and grab a growler or two!