My mystery dark beer reviewer has this to say about another Japanese beer…
“Nice dark chocolate almost black color. Pretty hefty alcohol smell. 7% abv. Nice rich taste. Fairly full mouth feel. First after taste was pretty bitter but as I drank more the flavors melded nicely. Nice lacing on the glass as well. Drank after an green enchilada dinner while airing out my ole filled house. There’s little doubt that my taste buds have been influenced by my surroundings.
Even though I have only had 2 Japanese beers, they both seem somehow lighter and brighter than the us and Brit beers I’ve had.”
German Beer hall
from the L.A. Times…
Schnitzel, pretzels and beer!
German restaurant Schmidt’s Brauhaus is scheduled to open downtown this fall, serving regional favorites, including sausages, schnitzels and pretzels in a 7,000-square-foot space at Olympic Boulevard near Olive Street. There will be a biergarten separate from the dining area. Also, a new supper club called First & Hope is scheduled to open in the fall — at 1st and Hope streets — with “modern American comfort food,” according to a release. Schmidt’s Brauhaus, 330 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles; (213) 514-5354; www.schmidtsbrauhaus.com.
Woodruff + Berliner Weiss =
…one of the weirdest beer tastes that I have ever had and I have had a few. The Bruery in Orange County has their Hottenroth Berliner Weiss on tap and they offer a traditional style serving with Woodruff syrup.
I asked the bartender what he thought of it and he said “Lucky Charms”. I was unbelieving. That is not a beer flavor to me but he was spot on. It tasted like freeze dried cereal marshmallows.
I am still on the fence about how to review it. It was a light absinthe green. The aroma was faint but that Lucky Charm taste was pronounced without completely overpowering the beer. The tartness of the Berliner Weiss was very muted.
I may have to get it again to really come to a sound decision either for or against.
New Glarus Crack'd Wheat
A combo of hefe and pale ale that is dry hopped and bottle conditioned. Count me in.
Southern Oregon Brewing – Porter
Here is my down and dirty review of a porter from Southern Oregon Brewing…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvmXsbpqnDs]
Ommegeddon
Follow that link and you will find a review of a beer that I had at my first beer tasting event for the Beer Search Party. This beer sharply divided my guests and is not one of my favorites either.
I also just received my very cool Beer America TV shirt. Thanks guys!
Beer distribution
If you haven’t picked up the September issue of All About Beer, do it now. There is a great article about trying to figure out the Byzantine world of getting beer to the people. There is also a section on crazy beer laws which is hillarious.
if it's Thursday, there must be….
…a new column by yours truly on FoodGPS. This week I talk about what to read when you want even more beer information to cram into your brain.
another beer book for the bookcase
A memoir and a history of beer from the Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Guild of Beer Writers in 2004. I will be ordering this from Amazon soon.
Bar Mitzvah beer
You knew this was coming. Schmaltz Brewing has made 12 Chosen beers. Next up is 13 so it will be Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah. Made with 13 malts, 13 hops and an abv of….13. It should be hitting stores this month.
I, personally, skipped the fig beer they made but this one I will try.