Tasting Wrap Up

Last night's tasting seemed to be a success, all the beer was drank, and everyone seemed happy.

Some beer horizons were expanded, including my own. There were some happy surprises, and some disappointments, but it turned out good. We had about 20 people there, and went through quite a few beers.

The first beer was Ballast Point Calico Amber, which was slightly more bitter than I had expected it to be. I had hoped it to be a maltier, brown-ish, but it was definitely an ESB. It was pretty good for a bitter.

We next had the Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier. This one had some strong banana flavors that were coupled with what some people described as cinnamon, others found some clove in the taste. Some people claimed this was their favorite of the night.

Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot made it's appearance at some point (there was no planned order, we poured based on people reactions to the previous beer). This one became the evening favorite of Shayna, who seemed disappointed when I told her it's not available in Illinois.

The least favorite beer for the evening was Cantillon Kriek. This was definitely not a koolaid beer, like Lindeman's. This was a big boy beer. This beer was a lot tarter than anyone had really thought was possible with beer. One of the ladies who works with Kriddy mentioned that the tartness did dissipate as the beer warmed, but it was still very present. One person claimed it was her favorite beer of the evening (danielle).

I was going to follow that up with Bells Hopslam, but thought that would be too mean, to give a DIPA after the tart, so instead I ordered up some bottles of Westmalle Tripel from the bar. This beer went over very will with everyone in attendance. That it's available at several places around town seemed to please them. That it's $7.50 a bottle at those places wasn't published... (it's cheaper at Friar Tucks)

Bells Hopslam did make it's appearance, and Danielle said it reminded her of Great Divide Hercules, which is an apt comparison. As Bells hasn't made it south of Chicago yet, Hercules would made a good substitution for a DIPA.

Boulder Mojo came around in two pint glasses on draft, to compare the IPA styles. Some liked Mojo better, others liked the Hopslam. The thinner mouthfeel was noted by more than one person.

Not on the schedule was Stone Arrogant Bastard, but I brought a couple bottles anyway, in case we ran low on beer. This one went well.

One of the favorites on the night was the Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout. People were picking up the vanilla smell almost instantly, they also got maple syrup and other flavors. I was not as pleased with it, it was a lot thinner than I expected (I was hoping for a syrup, but instead got soda). It did have good flavor, but the thinness was upsetting. Several thought it their favorite on the night.

The final beer was pulled up from my cellar, and it was Great Lakes Blackout Stout, which was the Day of the Beer, for yesterday. This one was well received as well.

When we finished up, eating, drinking and paying our bills, the other couples went home, and Kriddy and I along with D & D and Bryan went to Bentley's for a beer and some darts.

It was a good night, there was a decent variety of beers and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Dream Job

So dealing with beer, what would your dream job be?

Would you want to be a brewer? Would you want to own a bar? Some sort of combination? Would you want to work for a distributor? Would you like to own a distributor?

Production? Sales? Providing? Or would you want to get paid to be a Cicerone (or a cicerone style job)?

Last night while at Seven Saints, a Realtor guy in Champaign pretty much offered me a job as presenting beers at his open house parties. I guess he needs a hook. Some realtors have wine tastings at their open houses, he seemed interested in having a beer tasting.

Is this something I'd like to do? It's not like I could just give away a box of beer (or would it be an investment?) What would one charge for hosting a beer party for people that you don't know, and don't know if they'd even like the beer.

But then, isn't our goal in this beer thing to spread the joys of craft beer, and shatter peoples notions of what beer (and good beer) is?

When people say "I like dark beers" and then say they love Guinness ... isn't that who we're trying to broaden the horizon of?

How did this start? Well, a guy had asked Andy (manager of 7S) for a beer recommendation since the Dark Horse Black Bier was no longer on tap. Andy went through their list of stouts/porters and darker beers, until finally remember the New Belgium 1554. I mentioned how to me, it seems more like a Schwarzbier and not that stouty... but then, it's just a Belgian black beer. (I'm not a huge fan of Belgian style attempts at black beer). At the time, I was drinking... a belgian style attempt at a stout, Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence (which reminds me a whole lot of Hippie and my Chocolate Stout). So me and that guy were talking about beer, he mentioned he loved Old Rasputin, and who doesn't? Then his buddy comes back and was drinking something... a jack and coke style drink. And he's the realtor, and is hosting an open house party thingy on sunday, and would kriddy and I like to go? Then we start talking about beer, because, I'm mentioning how much I love stouts, and all kinds of beer, and I order an O'fallon Wheach.

So, we're talking about hops and stouts and barley... and I order a fruity flavored wheat beer. He starts to get interested in how kriddy and I are analyzing the beer, it's more apricotty than peachy... and similar stuff so he starts talking more about beer. He says something like "you've probably got a nice collection at home" which is funny because I was earlier talking with paddy about how much beer I have at the house (was I steering the conversation... not on purpose, I was pseudo drunk), and he brings up the idea of me providing beer.

Well, beer ain't cheap. A box of beer, when I go shopping, winds up costing about $100 on average. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's a little less, but it's usually around $100. It stays the same if it's a box of 12 bombers or a box of 24 bottles.

So, I guess the question is... do I want to do this? I've got more than enough beer at home, and can always get more. But ... bah... I should email him and find out more.

I'll keep you informed with results.