May 14, 2012

Recently, I headed over to the Holy Grale to meet my buddy, Hipster Steve, for their Bell’s Black Note Stout tasting.  With the event starting around 4 p.m., I figured by the time I got there at 5 p.m., the place would be packed with people.  Per usual, I was wrong; I mean it was a Tuesday.  We grabbed a table and ordered the special offering of the...

May 14, 2012

I get asked all the time why I rack up so many miles and make running a big part of my life.  Running has been good to me.  It keeps me in shape.  It’s how I met my wife.  And of utmost importance, it goes great with beer.  I run so I can drink whatever I want (to a certain degree) and most hot summer runs are followed by a crisp IPA to help replenish...

Apr 30, 2012

The body was a rich golden with an antique white head. The lace coated the inside of the glass and stayed throughout the drink. The smell was of intense tropical fruit! Also pine needles and a bit floral. There was a nice combination of sweet fruits and flowery freshness. The taste was reflective of the aroma. The big pineapple sweetness was tamed by the...

Apr 26, 2012

Although it’s up for debate, coffee and alcohol can be very addictive substances. Addictive in the sense, that we crave one prior and one after a long day of work or a stressful workweek. I guess work can be a correlate of our addictions, but alas, causation cannot be directly determined. When taken in the appropriate amounts though, they provide bountiful...

Apr 25, 2012

This beer gushed like I’ve never seen a beer erupt before! It had been gently resting in the refrigerator before discharging a dark foamy mess on the counter when opened.  After capturing the remaining beer in a flute it retained its modest head. The body was a cloudy golden color. The smell was acidic, strawberry, and vinegary, very promising.  Wood, but...

Apr 10, 2012

Whenever I foresee a big beer tasting approaching, I start to pre-plan my days in ahead to prepare myself for the event.  I limit my beer intake the week prior (granted I was coming off a Final Four trip to New Orleans which involved all sorts of booze-induced revelry) and make sure I know what I am getting myself into beer-wise to be mentally...

Apr 5, 2012

LouisvilleBeer.com acquired some of Nashville’s finest, Yazoo’s Sue – an Imperial Smoked Porter. I kinda fell in love…all over again.

Mar 29, 2012

This 750 mL bottle was from the late 2008 or early 2009 bottling.  It was corked and capped; now Upland lambics are corked and caged like a champagne bottle. The first pour was beautiful – crystal clear and the color of honey with ruby highlights. No lacing in the glass but lots of bubbles rose from the bottom of the flute. The subsequent pours were cloudier...

Mar 18, 2012

I am staying home and not braving the crowds of drunken bros drinking green swill this St Patrick’s Day. I wanted something dark and stormy to go with the weather tonight. I remembered the Bluegrass Brewing Company Bourbon Barrel Stout I had in the fridge. Perfect. It’s one of the standard issues that BBC puts out, and it’s a standard in my...

Mar 14, 2012

When I think of the word ‘vertical’, two things come to mind.  The first and most obvious is Michael Jordan.  The second, and most awkward is Olivia Newton John.  Now I don’t have an 80′s spandex workout gear crush on Olivia (I actually despise the movie Grease and cringe when that song comes on at weddings), but her song...