In other news, the Czar is going under the knife next Thursday to fix his bum R knee. He thought about getting it amputated Ronny Lott style, but instead I'm opting for a diagnostic arthroscopy. The surgeon says I'll be out for 2-4 weeks and will need some therapy. Seeing as I'll be homebound for the first two weeks, Beer Therapy will be needed and appreciated. Contact the Czar early and often.
11-09-08 Time for another entry! It has been a busy month as TCF hosted the 1st Annual Fall N' Down Fermentation Festival in Appleton. It turned out quite well with 28 entries, six of which advanced to the BOS Round. I ended up winning with my Cabernet Franc Icewine. I really hate to win a competition that I have organized, but it is a really nice wine. I'd highly recommend picking up a kit and trying for yourself.
Competition News: I've been busy here with four new states conquested bringing my total to 24. Oktobersfest in Kentucky: 1st-Darth Maul's Crimson Death, English Barleywine, 2nd-Yellox Sox Buckwheat Mead, Semi-Sweet Mead, 3rd-Stratford Organic Stout, Dry Stout; Southern New England Regional HC in Connecticut: 2nd- Crimson Death, 3rd-Stratford Organic Stout, 3rd-4-LOM's 80/-, Scottish 80/-; New England Regional HC in Maine: 3rd-Yoda's Spruce Pale Ale, SHV Beer-21A,HM-Stratford O Stout; Stoney Creek HABC in Pennsylvania: 1st-Crimson Death, 3rd-Sad Trombone Blueberry Melomel. Nest up is Land of the Muddy Water HC in Quad Cities, IL (part of the MWHBOTY). Finally, last night my English IPA will advance to the AHA Club-Only in Ohio as a proud represenative of the Bay de Noc Brewers.
10-11-08 8:55pm MDT GABF Day #3 Long day today with two sessions. I took it pretty easy, seeing that I'm taking off at 6am tomorrow. After four sessions and dealing with thousands of beer drinkers, you do get a bit fest-ed out. Plus, I treeasure my personal space and get a bit closterphobic in big crowds. Today's highlights: I went to two beer-food pairing talks. The first was a chicken dish with a Hefe and he second was Hebrew Ales and Chocolate. Shmaltz BC, which makes He'brew Ales has a great story and some outstanding Ales. They post their recipes at shmaltz.com. The beer I really enjoyed was their 12th Anniv. Beer with 12 malts, 12 hop varities, and 12% ABV. A simply wonderful beer that I may try and brew. As far as awards go, neither myself or Brian won in the Pro-Am, but both of our beers were wonderful. I think Brian should post with recipe on the Bay de Noc Brewers Forum. I really enjoyed with Belgian Golden Strong Ale. In the good news dept, the Brewer I represented, Central Waters BC, won a Gold medal in the Strong Barrel Aged Beers for their Bourbon Barrell Barleywine. CW does such a wonderful job with their beers. With all the beers available, I kept coming back to their booth. I highly recommend trying one. Also, Dave Oldenberg, a fellow GB Racker, from Titletown Brewery took home a silver fior their Railyard Ale, an excellent German Alt that I have alwayds really enjoyed. Congrats to Paul (from CWBC) and Dave on jobs well done. I also met Garrett Oliver and tried his Brooklyn Brewery Chocolate Stout. Loved it! As I was leaving today, I was thinking about the all ideas generated from the fest, and what I should brew next. I must now try a Rauchbier and start dabbling with Sours once my house is completed and I can use my in-laws home for experimentation without risk of cross-contamination. So many beers so little time, So I must admit I am a bit disappointed that the Old Ale didn't win. But I am really grateful to have had the oppurtunity to be at GABF 2008. Thanks agian CWBC.
10-10-08 9:02pm MDT GABF Day #2 I had a lot of fun tonight. I betcha I had 50 samples. and yet, I'm better organized. Here's the rundown: 21st Amendment-Imperial Smoked Porter B-, Anderson Valley BC- Dubbel A,
Back Street- Sage Saison A- different but enjoyable, Hollister- Orange Blossum Special B, Kona BC-Mac Nut Ale B little maca nut in the beer, Magnolia P&B- Gruit B- not as complex as mine, disappointing, Maui BC- Coconut Porter A one of the best of thhe evening, Mission- Berliner Weisse with Brett B+, wasn't expecting the brett, Port Brewing 7 Lost Abbey- Cuvee de Tommee B+ I think it needed more time to balance out, Russian River, Supplication B+ I need to try more of thir beers tomorrow, Anacortes BH, Maibock B seemed a bit estery, Baron Brewing Seattle- Rauchbier A+ it had this womderful bacon aroma, I really enjoyed this one!!!!!, Cascade Lakes BC- Cuvee du Jongleur, A- Better than Cuvee de Tommee, Flyers R &B-Red Pepper Porter A-, I need to make a peppercorn beer!, Pike BC- XXX Stout A-what a strong American Stout should taste like, Redhook Ales, Maibock A, best Maibock at the fest, Rogue Ales- Hazelnut Brown Nectar A, if you see this on a shelve, buy it...I'm not kidding, Widmer Brothers BC- Belgian Gold A, very nice!, Bru Room, Mild B, just ok, Cambridge BC- Gruit B my was better, very similar to the previous gruit, Heather Ale A-, I ned to try and brew this style, John Harvard's BH-Mild B- too strong to be a mild, Bard's Tale BC- Malted Sorgum B, better than Redbridge but still odd, B ig River- Keller Bock A- nicely done, Gordon Biersch BR-Berliner Weisse F, the only beer I dumped all night. They added Woodruff Syrup and it tasted like apple jacks. Don't fruit the F*(^**^*^^*()(&()&(&()&)_&_+$(*^$*(#$*(#ing beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Bluegrass BC- Baltic Porter, B- just ok, Lazy Magnolia BC, Kiln,MS- Pecan Nut Brown Ale B, didn't get the pecan. Guess how many times smeone asked the brewer about Brett Favre, RJ Rockers, Buckwheat Ale B, Central Waters Satin Solstice RIS, A I really love this beer, Y2K barleywine A, Paul Graham makes darn good beer. Mongers Old Ale A++++++++ once again no bioas here, but it's reallygood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wuld be remise if i didn't mention the Vine Street Pub who paid for my meal and drinks (Thanks Kevin!) I had a great Nitro pushed Java Porter, a wondeful English IPA, and a balanced Double IPA that would match up well with Hopslam.
That's all for now. Tomorrow awards get announced at 1:30 and I'll get to try Brian Richards Biere Bella.
10-10-08 2:24pm MDT GABF Day #2 I was really going to try and keep good track of what I consumed yesterday, but after 25 samples...My Old Ale was on tap at the Pro-Am booth. Very Nice! No bias, but it was the best beer I had all night :-) There was also a good Saison, a disappointing Biere de Garde, and a a good RIS there. Other highlight beers: Brewery Ommegang had a Farmhouse Ale with Brett that was awesome (Ommegeddon), I finally tried Dogfish's Midas Touch which was quite enjoyable. I also got to see Sam Calagione pouring beers and met Andy, one of Dogfish's brewers. Had a couple nice various sour beers, a some decent bourbon barrell beers(though the style of the beer in each example was muted by the bourbon), a nice Trippel from New Belgium. I seen Garrett Oliver,nicely dressed in a suit, from Brooklyn Brewery.
Penny Pickart from Briess toured with me awhile. Overall, I'd say I had about 30 samples total. I had a5am wakeup yesterday and was heading out of the hall by 8:30. But not before I stopped by the bookstore and met Randy Mosher. This was the highlight of my day yesterday. Nice guy. We talked about Gruit and how my son (See the Meet the club page) loves his book. Very cool! Today, I'm more organized with a list of about 40 beers I'd like to try. I'll also be able to try Brian Richard's Biere Bella today. Should be fun!
10-9-08 3:10pm MDT GABF Day #1 Well, I have arrived in my hotel and am beginning to plan my strategy. I will be picking up Central Waters Brewery's packet and then I will begin to plan my drinking. Starting out, the only lagers I will look for will be Bocks. I will look for Baltic Porters, Interesting Stouts, and Anything French or Belgian. It must be something that I cannot get my hands on in Wisconsin. I have yet to decide how many samples I plan to limit myself to. I also will be meeting up with Penny Pickart from Briess Malting. Maybe I can get a tour arranged for the club. More to come later.