TATTOOD BREW

I like me some Sour Ales. There are not that many to choose from really. I went to Bruise N Ales in Asheville and Julie told me about this sour Ale I had never had. It is more sour than any I’ve tried with a nice oak after taste.

Pours light brown and a little cloudy,  The nose is sour for sure. This was a vintage 2008 and bottled march of 08. Pretty amazing what a wild yeast will do to a beer. With an ABV of 8.5% I give this a solid A for sour beers.

I had this stout last year for the first time during Baltimore Beer Week. My friend @beerinbaltimore met me over a Max’s in Fell’s Point and said a must experience beer is the Ten Fidy. I agreed totally with him. Still agree with him.

I will have to say this is the first beer I have opened from a can in over 10 years easily. So my review of this yummy nectar of the Gods is this…

When I pour it there was now much head, although it does keep some head through out the ride. The nose is very malty with chocolate hints you can get a since of the alcohol as well. This is a very well balanced imperial stout. Probably the smoothest I’ve ever experienced. It’s very drinkable and has very little alcohol burn and the finish is minimal. With an ABV of 9.5% I give this Imperial Stout an A+.

Had a great time in Asheville this last weekend April 24, 2010. This is a sample of the bout and all the excitement. There were lots more for sure. May 8th, 2010 will be the next Double header Bout

in Gray , TN. Hope to see you there!

I know this has nothing to do with Beer and Brewing, but there was beer at the bout and a lot of the girls had tattoos, so this does apply because Derby ROCKS!!!!

This is my first North Coast experience. The nose is filled with toffee, caramel, and spices. the pour is a cloudy brown with a tan head. Malty flavor with raisins and caramel with a slight alcohol burn. The finish has a bit of a chocolate feel. With a ABV of 9.4% I give this abbey ale a solid B+

This is a commemorative Belgian style double ale is celebrating Quebec City’s 400th anniversary. This double ale pours a cloudy golden color and has a nose of cloves and fruit, tasting the coriander as well. very Saison-like.

With an ABV of 7.5% I give this Unibroue a Solid B (for Belgian) Very drinkable and I do like the silk screened label on the bottle.

Brent Dingus and I have managed to get the Belgian Ale we brewed a month ago into Belgian Bottles and a couple for competition as well. In all we bottled 40 .75 Belgian bottles with corks and wire cages to set for about 9 months.

We had a great time doing it and with the help of Donna Dingus as the “Inspector” All things were nice and sanitized!  Here is a peek!

This years Hickory Hops was exceptional! Had a great time. want to let everyone at my local Brew Club it was really good to see them at the event as well. Thanks for the great brews after the festival at  Bruisin Ales as well.

There were a lot of good beers at the event. Some of the notable ones were the Belgian Tripel by Mother Earth Brewing, Foothills brewing had an excellent hand drawn Imperial Stout and the Beer of the Festival to which I thought had the most involved love of all was Natty Greene’s Brewing Company with their Grand Cru Sour Beer, Aged for two years and they make 5 barrels a year and mostly bring it to Festivals.

Here is the video. Enjoy!

This evening I’m trying a Brew Dog – Tokio

Nose seems fruity and of figs and liquorice, Pours very dark brown, almost black, Very Malty with hints of liquorice and alcohol, a bit of a warming feeling from the alcohol. Sweet after taste is long and bitter. With an ABV of 18.2% I give this a B-

**Note – Apparently this is the Second batch of this beer to which is stronger than the first.

It wouldn’t be brewing if there weren’t a few problems with a new Brew Rig that’s for sure. One good thing is having more than one person to help and knowledge on your side is what teamwork is all about. This go around was no different. In the end Brent and I are going to have a great brew that is very similar to the Stone Epic 09 recipe. We are going to Bottle this brew in Belgian .750 with corks and cages. and put it up for at least 9 months Plus.

Here is a video for you to check out. Brent gave a great review of the Flying Dog – Raging Bitch, Belgian style IPA. Our friend Ben Collins was there to to enjoy as well.

There is NOTHING better than having a Stout on St. Patty’s Day! I’ve been to Ireland so far 4 times for Patty’s Day and there is nothing like it. Only draw back is that it’s a National Holiday. Not everything is open during that time. Some businesses are closed for a few days. Also it is during OFF season and your not getting any cheap plane tickets during that time either. Other than that it’s a great time. SO… this Patty’s Day I am having a Stout of course. The Stout of choice is the Allagash BLACK – Begian Style Stout. The nose is of coffee and chocolate. It’s not a real dark stout as you can still see some light to it. This is a medium bodied ale, It has a roasted flavor and earthy Belgian yeast  taste with licorice overtones. Overall a mild bitterness and a bit dry as it finishes. Very smooth and drinkable stout. With a ABV of 7.5% I give this a solid A.