Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tastings: Raspberry biere, Keizer Karel and Loirette

Floral de mon- Raspberry Biere (3.1)

On-tap into a Pilsner
A: hazy, red fruit color with very heavy lacing and a light pink head 3.0

S: Nothing but fizz and raspberries 3.0

T: She is tart and smooth with light carbonation but doesn't talk back much 3.0

M: No syrup which is a surprise. Light body with no alcohol flavors. 3.5

O: The ladies love it, while the men stare in fear of the lush pink tones and sweet feminine romance of the fruit flavors. 3.0


Keizer Karel- Charles Quint Blond (3.95)

8.5% 33cl bottle into a chalice
"Charles V. born in Ghent, Belgium in 1500 was a devoted beer lover. This top fermented beer has a spicy aroma and a well rounded flavor."

Contains an antioxidant?

A: Robust bright golden yellow, fast bubbles with medium lacing and a thick head with mid range retention, not much unlike my beloved French man, this beer has character. 3.0

S: I smell a man holding corn. Literally there is a hand cream smell that later racked my mind as a mystery scent trying random words like: wool, cologne, musk. Settled accepting it as a spice and floral, "spice of man". 4.5

T: Warms as it slides down the throat, filling all the right places his strong body is biting and then gently honeyed into a malt/corn finish. 4.0

M: Beautifully light in body with the high alcohol content, a soft touch of that cologne stickiness 3.0

O: I had to turn the label around as I finished my notes becuase the man's face was staring right at me, he is pressuring me to say goo things. I compare this to a Delirium Tremens that has been roughed around an axe commericial. He has balls with the high alcohol content, looking to knock a ladies socks off, classy in his approach though, covered in dry malt, spice and packing a delicate hand full of flowers behind his back. Wonderful as all his ways are, his cousin holds much the same appeal without all the grain texture and alcoholic lures but missing the subtle fruit of his family line also makes him a rogue and his charming herby spice is too much to ignore. Handsome beer, ruggedly handsome. 4.0

Loirette (3.28)

Photo by Enn

5.5% on-tap into a chalice
Made in the Loire area near were Nitch lives!

A: Clouded tan, tellow with a thin head and no lacing 2.5

S: With a floral, sugar and grassy smell it brings to mind a riverside in bloom, fresh and sweeping but yeasty like a bakery across the street making morning breads. 4.0

T: She starts with a rush of wicked tang then a mild sweet and sour finish with neglects the wild grassy fruit we were promised while browsing the smells. 3.0

M: Medium body and a slick coating on the mouth 3.0

O: Smells lovely and fresh but the soggy bread, fermented grain sour notes are off putting and stay on the palate. The water is very evident in the smell, body and taste, likely that they use the water from the nearby river as everything about the beer dances with it's name sake. 3.5

Ranking 1-5 with 3 being average

Tastings: Raspberry biere, Keizer Karel and Loirette

Floral de mon- Raspberry Biere (3.1)

On-tap into a Pilsner
A: hazy, red fruit color with very heavy lacing and a light pink head 3.0

S: Nothing but fizz and raspberries 3.0

T: She is tart and smooth with light carbonation but doesn't talk back much 3.0

M: No syrup which is a surprise. Light body with no alcohol flavors. 3.5

O: The ladies love it, while the men stare in fear of the lush pink tones and sweet feminine romance of the fruit flavors. 3.0


Keizer Karel- Charles Quint Blond (3.95)

8.5% 33cl bottle into a chalice
"Charles V. born in Ghent, Belgium in 1500 was a devoted beer lover. This top fermented beer has a spicy aroma and a well rounded flavor."

Contains an antioxidant?

A: Robust bright golden yellow, fast bubbles with medium lacing and a thick head with mid range retention, not much unlike my beloved French man, this beer has character. 3.0

S: I smell a man holding corn. Literally there is a hand cream smell that later racked my mind as a mystery scent trying random words like: wool, cologne, musk. Settled accepting it as a spice and floral, "spice of man". 4.5

T: Warms as it slides down the throat, filling all the right places his strong body is biting and then gently honeyed into a malt/corn finish. 4.0

M: Beautifully light in body with the high alcohol content, a soft touch of that cologne stickiness 3.0

O: I had to turn the label around as I finished my notes becuase the man's face was staring right at me, he is pressuring me to say goo things. I compare this to a Delirium Tremens that has been roughed around an axe commericial. He has balls with the high alcohol content, looking to knock a ladies socks off, classy in his approach though, covered in dry malt, spice and packing a delicate hand full of flowers behind his back. Wonderful as all his ways are, his cousin holds much the same appeal without all the grain texture and alcoholic lures but missing the subtle fruit of his family line also makes him a rogue and his charming herby spice is too much to ignore. Handsome beer, ruggedly handsome. 4.0

Loirette (3.28)

Photo by Enn

5.5% on-tap into a chalice
Made in the Loire area near were Nitch lives!

A: Clouded tan, tellow with a thin head and no lacing 2.5

S: With a floral, sugar and grassy smell it brings to mind a riverside in bloom, fresh and sweeping but yeasty like a bakery across the street making morning breads. 4.0

T: She starts with a rush of wicked tang then a mild sweet and sour finish with neglects the wild grassy fruit we were promised while browsing the smells. 3.0

M: Medium body and a slick coating on the mouth 3.0

O: Smells lovely and fresh but the soggy bread, fermented grain sour notes are off putting and stay on the palate. The water is very evident in the smell, body and taste, likely that they use the water from the nearby river as everything about the beer dances with it's name sake. 3.5

Ranking 1-5 with 3 being average

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Happy Birthday Brother! Beards, Bears and Brews





Happy Birthday Bear!

The adorable creature our family loving calls "Bear" has aged 21 years today, accepting the legal grace of the American government, he begins his road to legitimate social alcoholism, friends by his side, family at his heels and stars in his eyes. 




Without his sister Nitch to expertly guide him through the pitfalls of pubs, I celebrate the occasion by putting together an assortment of Beards, Bears and Brews in his honor


Outstanding art work with Beer & Bears by GogoPedro



I joke with my brother about making a beer called "Bearded Bear"
Looks like the dwarfs beat us to it.






If I could have thrown him a party it would have exactly been this. Not only because of the beards on sticks but because there were signs leading people in every direction.





Cartoon dancing bears and fresh water images, should get you all geared up for a night on the town, grab a Hamms if you see one!









See you soon, Brother!








Happy Birthday Brother! Beards, Bears and Brews





Happy Birthday Bear!

The adorable creature our family loving calls "Bear" has aged 21 years today, accepting the legal grace of the American government, he begins his road to legitimate social alcoholism, friends by his side, family at his heels and stars in his eyes. 




Without his sister Nitch to expertly guide him through the pitfalls of pubs, I celebrate the occasion by putting together an assortment of Beards, Bears and Brews in his honor


Outstanding art work with Beer & Bears by GogoPedro



I joke with my brother about making a beer called "Bearded Bear"
Looks like the dwarfs beat us to it.






If I could have thrown him a party it would have exactly been this. Not only because of the beards on sticks but because there were signs leading people in every direction.





Cartoon dancing bears and fresh water images, should get you all geared up for a night on the town, grab a Hamms if you see one!









See you soon, Brother!








Saturday, July 28, 2012

Beer Cakes and You: Recipes


Beer Cupcake Recipes

If you weren't blessed with the geographical grace of a nearby cupcake shop, then givs your Top Chef yearning a run and whip up some homemake Beer Cupcakes.






Corona Cupcakes with Lauren Conrad



Frankemenmuth Brewery gives it try with a Dunkel



 Wouldn't be a holiday without Pumpkin Ale Cupcakes! By Not Just A Cupcake



 


For the drooling crescendo we have a blessing of complex proportions. As if it wasn't enough to add the decadence of beer to dessert, the powers of creativity graced us with the final ingredient for greatness:















Thank you Sarah Jones from Food, who ever you are, you have done the world a honor


Beer Cakes and You: Recipes


Beer Cupcake Recipes

If you weren't blessed with the geographical grace of a nearby cupcake shop, then givs your Top Chef yearning a run and whip up some homemake Beer Cupcakes.






Corona Cupcakes with Lauren Conrad



Frankemenmuth Brewery gives it try with a Dunkel



 Wouldn't be a holiday without Pumpkin Ale Cupcakes! By Not Just A Cupcake



 


For the drooling crescendo we have a blessing of complex proportions. As if it wasn't enough to add the decadence of beer to dessert, the powers of creativity graced us with the final ingredient for greatness:















Thank you Sarah Jones from Food, who ever you are, you have done the world a honor


Friday, July 27, 2012

Malt-Nutrine and Breast feeding with Beer

Can you hold a baby and a brew?

In 1895 Anheuser-Busch produced Malt-Nutrine, a low alcohol beer that was sold exclusively to pharmacies aimed at helping breastfeeding mothers



Myths:
The century old belief that the process of breast milk production and breastfeeding can be optimized by having lactating woman drink alcohol, contrarily it may off balance hormones lowering production and ejection of milk from the mammary gland as per the Alcohol Research & Health PDF

Helps baby sleep.

Beast feeding mothers should avoid alcohol entirely.









Facts:
Mariah Carey did it.

It is a crime to breast feed drunk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs considers Alcohol compatible with breastfeeding in their drug transfer chart, Ethanol. The entire text on The Transfere of Drugs and Other Chemicals into Human Milk is also an invigorating evening read if you have the spare brain cells.

French advertisement showing the mother on the left WITH beer and on the right having a hard time WITHOUT
 

Nitch VOTE: Plan ahead, don't be a drunk bitch but enjoy a hardy winter chocolate stout or fresh blueberry summer hefe while the kiddie is being passed around the friends and family. Tentatively I toss you a site from the Australian Breastfeeding Association (random associations are freakishly accessible, but leave it to Australians to be pro vote with me), giving sound and learned advice on how to manage your liquid lust with your new little bundle of joy.











Malt-Nutrine and Breast feeding with Beer

Can you hold a baby and a brew?

In 1895 Anheuser-Busch produced Malt-Nutrine, a low alcohol beer that was sold exclusively to pharmacies aimed at helping breastfeeding mothers



Myths:
The century old belief that the process of breast milk production and breastfeeding can be optimized by having lactating woman drink alcohol, contrarily it may off balance hormones lowering production and ejection of milk from the mammary gland as per the Alcohol Research & Health PDF

Helps baby sleep.

Beast feeding mothers should avoid alcohol entirely.









Facts:
Mariah Carey did it.

It is a crime to breast feed drunk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs considers Alcohol compatible with breastfeeding in their drug transfer chart, Ethanol. The entire text on The Transfere of Drugs and Other Chemicals into Human Milk is also an invigorating evening read if you have the spare brain cells.

French advertisement showing the mother on the left WITH beer and on the right having a hard time WITHOUT
 

Nitch VOTE: Plan ahead, don't be a drunk bitch but enjoy a hardy winter chocolate stout or fresh blueberry summer hefe while the kiddie is being passed around the friends and family. Tentatively I toss you a site from the Australian Breastfeeding Association (random associations are freakishly accessible, but leave it to Australians to be pro vote with me), giving sound and learned advice on how to manage your liquid lust with your new little bundle of joy.











Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Bitter Beer Face

What is BITTER BEER FACE?

What is BITTER beer?
First we need to break down the definitions of what a bitter is and why this word belongs in the beerophile's dictionary at all.

Bitter is an English term for pale ale. These beers vary in color from gold to dark amer and in strength from under 3% (or Boys Bitter) to as high as 7% abv. Around the 1830's advertising expressions were using pale ale and bitter synonymously, where breweries used pale ale to donate the style, pub goers refereed to the same beers as a bitter. Using the term mostly to differentiate the hopped pale ales from the milder porters and amber ales. 


Sensory vocabulary: Hop Bitterness
Type: Taste
Discriptors: Bitter, hoppy
Threshold in beer: 5 to 7ppm (5 to 7IBU)
Appropriateness: always to some extent; may be up to 100-plus in some extreme beers
Source: Isomerized hop alpha acids; should be clean, pleasant, without harsh, woody or astringent character

Keystone 


Historically BITTER BEER FACE was a widespread epidemic that moved its way across America through the 90s. Beer drinkers far and wide grew tired of suffering through cans of Natural Ice and Bud Dry that brought them this terrible affliction. Thankfully Keystone Light was there to rescue all with is watered rice and corn flavored brew.





This ad gives us the impression: If beer has too much taste, we might embarrass ourselves by our in ability to handle it. We are so afraid of social oppression that we would rather dull our senses then face the threat of possibly making a fool of ourselves. 


Sour IS one of our main tastes


funny gifs

The dictionary tells us BITTER BEER FACE means two things:


To make a face after drinking beer, often made by people who are unaccustomed to alcohol.
"Kyle made a bitter beer face after taking a sip of Natty Light"


This used to describe a girl who is so ugly the first time you saw her, a pained and disturbed look will cross your face. 
Also a girl who looks like the bitter beer face guy from the old keystone beer ads. 
"Man! Did you see that bitter beer face over by the pool table?"


In general BITTER BEER FACE is now a slang term for things we don't like, like a child sucking on a sour candy our infatuation with the mushy negative face has become displayed by entire photo albums of the cult following.


There are two sides of the fence:


You have the people opposed to bitter beer, digging themselves a hole in the sand because things change and it can be confusing. 


Then there is the insane American march toward total hop domination.
Personally i think that the "Hoppy Beers" Serve a great purpose, nothing Grabs your attn faster than a Massively hopped beer. First and Foremost, craft brewers need to grab peoples attn, that is how you break years of market training to buy "BMC Crap" You make a beer that they cant forget, and "hop bomb beers" do that. At least they do that to people who dont brew, and dont understand the finer points of Craft brew. 
You have to "Wake them up" before you can give them subtly. If you take your run of the mill BMC drinker, and you give him a Malt heavy brown ale with low hops, your not going to "Shock his senses" in most cases, I know, Sadly i used to be a BMC Drinker, i Drank Ice House and Coors Light and Keystone, My "wake up" to craft beer came at the hands of Dechutes Obsidian Stout, it has a Strong flavor that "Shocked my senses" and made me say, "Damn what else is out there that i have been missing", i have not been able to drink a BMC beer since.
But it is all Marketing trends, if people come in and start asking for something "less Hoppy" then the brewers will start offering it, business 101 says the customer is always right, you have to give them what they want or they will take their business elsewhere and you have to cater to the majority, if you have 100 customers that come in and all want a fine IPA and 1 guy that comes in and keeps asking for a low hop pale ale, who are you gonna aim to please? 100 customers at 6 bucks a beer = 600 bucks 1 guy at 6 bucks a beer = 6 bucks, the math says you please the 100 first.
 -Author of Bizarre Brews 101 on RealBeer.com



This Russian man eats is head to make the BITTER BEER FACE, he doesn't drink an IPA

Bitter Beer Face

What is BITTER BEER FACE?

What is BITTER beer?
First we need to break down the definitions of what a bitter is and why this word belongs in the beerophile's dictionary at all.

Bitter is an English term for pale ale. These beers vary in color from gold to dark amer and in strength from under 3% (or Boys Bitter) to as high as 7% abv. Around the 1830's advertising expressions were using pale ale and bitter synonymously, where breweries used pale ale to donate the style, pub goers refereed to the same beers as a bitter. Using the term mostly to differentiate the hopped pale ales from the milder porters and amber ales. 


Sensory vocabulary: Hop Bitterness
Type: Taste
Discriptors: Bitter, hoppy
Threshold in beer: 5 to 7ppm (5 to 7IBU)
Appropriateness: always to some extent; may be up to 100-plus in some extreme beers
Source: Isomerized hop alpha acids; should be clean, pleasant, without harsh, woody or astringent character

Keystone 


Historically BITTER BEER FACE was a widespread epidemic that moved its way across America through the 90s. Beer drinkers far and wide grew tired of suffering through cans of Natural Ice and Bud Dry that brought them this terrible affliction. Thankfully Keystone Light was there to rescue all with is watered rice and corn flavored brew.





This ad gives us the impression: If beer has too much taste, we might embarrass ourselves by our in ability to handle it. We are so afraid of social oppression that we would rather dull our senses then face the threat of possibly making a fool of ourselves. 


Sour IS one of our main tastes


funny gifs

The dictionary tells us BITTER BEER FACE means two things:


To make a face after drinking beer, often made by people who are unaccustomed to alcohol.
"Kyle made a bitter beer face after taking a sip of Natty Light"


This used to describe a girl who is so ugly the first time you saw her, a pained and disturbed look will cross your face. 
Also a girl who looks like the bitter beer face guy from the old keystone beer ads. 
"Man! Did you see that bitter beer face over by the pool table?"


In general BITTER BEER FACE is now a slang term for things we don't like, like a child sucking on a sour candy our infatuation with the mushy negative face has become displayed by entire photo albums of the cult following.


There are two sides of the fence:


You have the people opposed to bitter beer, digging themselves a hole in the sand because things change and it can be confusing. 


Then there is the insane American march toward total hop domination.
Personally i think that the "Hoppy Beers" Serve a great purpose, nothing Grabs your attn faster than a Massively hopped beer. First and Foremost, craft brewers need to grab peoples attn, that is how you break years of market training to buy "BMC Crap" You make a beer that they cant forget, and "hop bomb beers" do that. At least they do that to people who dont brew, and dont understand the finer points of Craft brew. 
You have to "Wake them up" before you can give them subtly. If you take your run of the mill BMC drinker, and you give him a Malt heavy brown ale with low hops, your not going to "Shock his senses" in most cases, I know, Sadly i used to be a BMC Drinker, i Drank Ice House and Coors Light and Keystone, My "wake up" to craft beer came at the hands of Dechutes Obsidian Stout, it has a Strong flavor that "Shocked my senses" and made me say, "Damn what else is out there that i have been missing", i have not been able to drink a BMC beer since.
But it is all Marketing trends, if people come in and start asking for something "less Hoppy" then the brewers will start offering it, business 101 says the customer is always right, you have to give them what they want or they will take their business elsewhere and you have to cater to the majority, if you have 100 customers that come in and all want a fine IPA and 1 guy that comes in and keeps asking for a low hop pale ale, who are you gonna aim to please? 100 customers at 6 bucks a beer = 600 bucks 1 guy at 6 bucks a beer = 6 bucks, the math says you please the 100 first.
 -Author of Bizarre Brews 101 on RealBeer.com



This Russian man eats is head to make the BITTER BEER FACE, he doesn't drink an IPA

Beer and Woman Brigade





Our daughters' daughters will adore us 
and they'll sing in grateful chorus
"Well done, Sister Suffragette!"





Greetings and good day fellow froth loving ladies of Dea Latis!
I would be honored to join your ranks, give me more information as to where I prick my finger and chant the oath, because beer and woman are a natural match. Information about our primal connection to grain transformations MUST be spread!


I am at your service.


-Nitch


"Named after the Celtic goddess of beer and water, Dea Latis is a group of brewers, beer tasters, publicans, writers and marketeers. What unites us is our passion for beer and a belief that it’s far too good to be enjoyed only by men.
Beer was, according to myth, a gift from a goddess to womenkind. Brewing was traditionally women’s work; in the early 18th century, three-quarters of brewers in this country were female. So why, now, is only 13% of beer drunk by women (a far lower figure than in the USA or most of Europe)? Research indicates it’s because of misconceptions about beer as ‘fattening’ (it’s not, in moderation), ‘all tasting the same’ (it doesn’t) or ‘a man’s drink’ (it doesn’t have to be).
Dea Latis aims to challenge women’s ideas about beer and present it to them in a way that encourages them to taste it. We don’t expect change to happen quickly or easily, but that’s no reason not to try.
If you’d like to help us in our mission to bring beer to women, please get in touch"

Beer and Woman Brigade





Our daughters' daughters will adore us 
and they'll sing in grateful chorus
"Well done, Sister Suffragette!"





Greetings and good day fellow froth loving ladies of Dea Latis!
I would be honored to join your ranks, give me more information as to where I prick my finger and chant the oath, because beer and woman are a natural match. Information about our primal connection to grain transformations MUST be spread!


I am at your service.


-Nitch


"Named after the Celtic goddess of beer and water, Dea Latis is a group of brewers, beer tasters, publicans, writers and marketeers. What unites us is our passion for beer and a belief that it’s far too good to be enjoyed only by men.
Beer was, according to myth, a gift from a goddess to womenkind. Brewing was traditionally women’s work; in the early 18th century, three-quarters of brewers in this country were female. So why, now, is only 13% of beer drunk by women (a far lower figure than in the USA or most of Europe)? Research indicates it’s because of misconceptions about beer as ‘fattening’ (it’s not, in moderation), ‘all tasting the same’ (it doesn’t) or ‘a man’s drink’ (it doesn’t have to be).
Dea Latis aims to challenge women’s ideas about beer and present it to them in a way that encourages them to taste it. We don’t expect change to happen quickly or easily, but that’s no reason not to try.
If you’d like to help us in our mission to bring beer to women, please get in touch"

Friday, July 20, 2012

Pubcakes


While living, working and beering in San Diego, CA I had the pleasure to regularly sample (or frequently devour)and distribute Pubcakes!

Pubcake shirt


Pubcakes aren't the only beer toting sugar junkies out there, check out these other blenders of richness:


Sweet Revenge In New York, NYC with Beer/cake pairings and a Beer Cocktail list (this company name is extremely popular with another in Honolulu and one in British Columbia, watch out, not all cupcakes are made equal.)



Even the Vegans are riding this crazy train with Beer and Vegan Mocha Cupcakes from Sweet Desire Bakery in Ashland, Oregon




Sweet & Stout from Spokane, Washington has a saliva inspiring video on Kickstarter looking to raise funds for their up start company with a lot of media coverage.



Online advocates at The Cupcake Brewery from Raleigh, North Carolina

  


Pubcakes


While living, working and beering in San Diego, CA I had the pleasure to regularly sample (or frequently devour)and distribute Pubcakes!

Pubcake shirt


Pubcakes aren't the only beer toting sugar junkies out there, check out these other blenders of richness:


Sweet Revenge In New York, NYC with Beer/cake pairings and a Beer Cocktail list (this company name is extremely popular with another in Honolulu and one in British Columbia, watch out, not all cupcakes are made equal.)



Even the Vegans are riding this crazy train with Beer and Vegan Mocha Cupcakes from Sweet Desire Bakery in Ashland, Oregon




Sweet & Stout from Spokane, Washington has a saliva inspiring video on Kickstarter looking to raise funds for their up start company with a lot of media coverage.



Online advocates at The Cupcake Brewery from Raleigh, North Carolina