Beer Dude: Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale

Beer Dude: Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale: "This morning, while at work sitting in front of my computer thinking about all of the things I'd rather be doing, I noticed a message from ..."

Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale

This morning,  while at work sitting in front of my computer thinking about all of the things I'd rather be doing, I noticed a message from a long time friend (RGP). He asked why his favorite beer was not on my list. After  work I made a stop and found Corsendonk Pale Ale. Not quite the Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale requested as they were out of stock. Not wanting to leave empty handed, I bought the Pale Ale and put it in the fridge when I got home.
The Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale is a Belgian Style Trippel delivered in a 750 ml bottle all the way from Oud-Turnhou, Belgium. It's 7.50% ABV served at 55 degrees in a Tulip glass. The pour produced a lavish head that was retained for quite some time. The clear, golden beer had an initial sugary sweetness on the tongue with notes of citrus and coriander. The mouth feel was smooth and crisp. Definitely a nice Belgian Style Trippel that I will buy in the future. Not something that I would buy and cellar as there is a best before date on the label. I'm looking forward to drinking the Abbey Brown Ale. Cheers!

'Throwing Down The Gauntlet'

Here we have 'The Gauntlet'. An Imperial IPA by Iron Fist Brewing Company that packs a nice 9.5%  ABV in a 750 ml bottle. At $12 a bottle, this beer will deliver the the state of mind, but does it deliver on the flavor?
I poured this beer into a large, clean, tulip glass and served it at 50 degrees. A nice, thick head was retained. The copper color and hop aroma were a prelude to the intense flavor in the first sip.
I enjoyed the entire beer, but I wouldn't go so far as to give it an A rating.  I think Iron Fist Brewing Company does some good work and is off to a great start. There is a great deal of competition here in San Diego and that's good for all of us beer drinkers. I look forward to drinking Iron Fist's beers as they move into the future.

Beer Dude: Lukcy Basartd Ale

Beer Dude: Lukcy Basartd Ale: " The mind games keep coming with this one. I only had to look at the name five times before I actually realized the spelling. Am I ..."

Lukcy Basartd Ale

    

     The mind games keep coming with this one. I only had to look at the name five times before I actually realized the spelling.  Am I really that slow? This ale is reportedly 50% Arrogant Bastard and 50% Double Bastard.

      I poured this blended ale into an English style pint glass and immediately recognized the familiar copper color brew and creamy head. Add a bright, floral hop and I might expect this to be a Double Bastard based on the initial factors.

      Lukcy Basartd was less malty than Double Bastard with nice lacing and a medium mouth feel. It is well balanced without too much of an alcohol bite at an abv 8.5%. Don't miss out on an opportunity to try this beer. Let me know what you think. Cheers.

Beer Dude: San Diego Beer Week Stone Rare Beer Breakfast

Beer Dude: San Diego Beer Week Stone Rare Beer Breakfast: " Congratulations to Stone Brewing Company and their wonderful staff for putting on a fantastic event! The amazing beer selection and gr..."

San Diego Beer Week Stone Rare Beer Breakfast

     Congratulations to Stone Brewing Company and their wonderful staff  for putting on a fantastic event! The amazing beer selection and great food on a perfect Southern California morning converged in the beautiful beer garden of the Stone Bistro. The air was filled with  live Jazz  and talk about all of the wonderful beers available for tasting on this Friday morning. This event rendered the perfect salute to the start of San Diego's Beer Week 2010. I'm not trying to kiss anybody's ass and overdo the superlatives in describing this event, but  really, it was just that good.
     Who would have thought that there would be that many people willing to drink beer at a 9 am breakfast?
I started with Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast to go with my Eben-Hazer Egg omelet complete with fresh shaved  Oregon black truffle and T&H Stone Smoked Porter smoked sausage, a great start for the morning. Then the beers started flowing for me. I'm talking about Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout, Stone Imperial Russian Stout 10th Anniversary Special Blend, Avery Rumpkin.... I punctuated some of the beers with the appetizer station having a braised pork belly with a sweet Clementine marmalade on a biscuit and the in house smoked salmon on a mini bagel with cream cheese both of which tasted fantastic.
      The beer list was simply unbelievable and the abv seemed to hover around 10% or higher. This breakfast was not for the faint of heart. I had a great time and am very confident the others in attendance would request this kind of beer breakfast in the future. Thank you Stone!