Some thoughts on beer

DeeDee mentioned to me recently that she thought it was time to hear some more about beer (please note the subtitle of blog). So, DeeDee, this one's for you!

For many years now Greg Foster and I have been holding these guy-only events called Strange Brew. The event goes like this: we share a meal that is cooked on the grill (heavy on the meat, light on the vegetables - we are guys, after all!); then we get a cooler of beers from some place like Central Market, which has a great selection. Then we get 'em good and cold and sit around, smoking cigars and tasting beers. Everyone gets a slug of the beer in their 'high class' red solo cup, and we partake together. Then, everyone gives the beer a rating from 1-5.

A few interesting notes...this is not a highly scientific process, because we all have hugely different tastes. Because of my advanced age, when I bought the beers this last time when I went to Central Market I accidentally bought the same one twice. Intriguingly enough, it was the second beer we rated, and it received a bad rating...1.88. Then once I realized my mistake I held it the extra one to the end, and wouldn't tell them which one it was, and we rated it again. This time...2.5! Just shows the more we have the better it tastes!

I would highly recommend the Orval Trappist Ale. It is from a Cistercian Abbey located in Luxembourg, and we actually have rated it before (in '08 according to this blog). We rated it a 2.64 that night, which was the highest rating we gave a beer that evening. I'll tell ya...the monks know their alcohol.

Those present:

* Greg Foster, Host

* Ryan Gibbons, Cook

* Robert Ortega

* Jonathan Pratt

* Corwin Brown

* Jeremy Williams

* Eric Nelson

* Corey Frey

The Top Beers and Cider we rated:

* Orval Trappist Ale - 3.50

* Woodchuck Summer Cider - 3.50

* Shiner Smokehouse Beer - 3.44

* Augustinian Ale - 3.44

* Ace Joker Hard Cider - 3.44

The Average Ones:

* White Rascal Beer - 2.69

* Undercover Shut Down Ale - 2.50

* Redbridge Gluten Free Beer - 2.25

* Klassik Lager - 2.38

* Hop Wallop IPA Beer - 2.25

The Bad Ones:

* Wailua Limited Release Wheat Beer - 1.88

* Undercover Shut Down Ale - 1.88 (First Time)

* Wernesgruner Pilsner - 1.75

* Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale - 1.69

STRANGE BREW NOTES FROM 07-09-10