bottled beer

rather than sampling too many beers in one night, tippling at st. augustine's the other night featured a few bottle or pint choices after a single sampler each.

the thought was to try four beers we weren't sure we'd want a whole pint of, or were already in love with.  then follow those with choices we were sure we'd want a whole pint (or bottle) of.  and it turned out to be a sound plan!

alison was the smartest about this method - she got them to let her have a sip of her choices first, then ordered the pints.  she had the r&b red devil ale and the tin whistle killer bee dark honey ale.  she's in love with both of these so much that she went to the beer store last night to buy herself bottles for home!  of the red devil she said:  "nice hop - really not sweet... great depth.  keeps on going."  of the killer bee she said "i'm a killer bee!" (yes, we were a bit tipsy by this point in the evening) and inspired by the mohammed ali documentary on the screen above her head, i replied "float like a nut brown, sting like a honey bee", which sounded far wittier at the time!  seriously though, i found my sips of the killer bee to taste like a nut brown ale with a bit of honey flavour.

r&b's website says:  "R&B’s Red Devil Pale Ale is an English-style pale ale with a coppery red hue. Not to be confused with typical red and amber ales, Red Devil is crafted with the palate and bouquet in mind. A mix of 2-Row and C-75 malts are accentuated by the addition of Crystal, Fuggles, and Whitbread Goldings hops at three different stages in the brewing process. In keeping with English tradition, this little devil has a hoppy floral aroma and malty sweetness, which are followed by a slightly dry and very refreshing finish. The perfect companion to a game of footy down at the local pub. (28 IBU, 5.2% alc/vol) Available in bottles.

Awards
Silver – 2007 Canadian Brewing Awards
Bronze – 1008 Taste of B.C.
Silver – 2009 Taste of B.C."

for her pints bridget had her favourite backhand of god stout by crannog, and then let me talk her into trying a bottle of anderson valley's barney flats oatmeal stout.  i didn't take any notes of her impressions, and i know i tried the barney flats, but can't actually remember what i thought of it!  doh!  in trying to avoid sampling too many beers in one night by switching to bottles, i forgot to take into account that i was going to at least take a sip of everyone else's choices and i can't properly distinguish my memories of all the tasty mouthfuls.  must take better notes! 

after enjoying the anderson valley ipa at a tasting, i decided that my first bottle at st. augustine's was going to be their boont esb.  st. augustine's says:  "6.8% The abundant hopping in this four-time gold medal winner creates arousing aromatics, accompanied by pleasantly bitter bite.  Boont Extra Special Beer is deep gold in colour, with a spicy hop aroma."  yup, i agree.  after a violent pour, it took quite a while for the head to simmer down enough to drink it.  lovely hop nose and bitter finish.  i'd definitely buy this one again.

my next choice was bear republic racer 5 ipa - the one that they sued central city over.  but st. augustine's was out of it, so that will have to remain on my list to try another time.  instead i went with their hop rod rye. st. augustine's says:  "8.0% A high gravity IPA brewed with 18% rye malt, Hop Rod Rye has a floral hop aroma and subtle caramel notes with a slightly earthy and spicy rye character."  yup, true, true.  i enjoyed the play of hops and rye.  i want to try this one again when its the first beer of the day and not the last in a long line.  i think there's a lot there to appreciate.



from the anderson valley website:

"Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout Takes Bronze at World Beer Cup® in Chicago
AVBC’s already award-winning Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout took the Bronze Medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup® in Chicago. Entered in Category Number 63 -Oatmeal Stout, Barney Flats beat 31 other entrants to take home a medal. The beer was taken directly from the packaging line. It’s the same beer that can be found in your 6 pack at home which is not just shy sluggin’ gorms neemer.

For more information on the World Beer Cup® and this year’s winners, visit http://www.worldbeercup.org/"

Boont ESB:  "The abundant hopping in this four-time gold medal winner, creates arousing aromatics, accompanied by a pleasantly bitter bite. Boont Extra Special Beer is deep gold in color, with a spicy hop aroma. Starts with a big, malty backbone and finishes with a refreshingly bitter bite. Boont Extra Special Beer is excellent alone or as an accompaniment to your favorite well-seasoned meals (such as Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Indian, or Thai, cuisine).


Boont ESB was named the Regional Champion in the 2003 US Beer Tasting Championships, in the Bitter/ESB category, has won two Gold Medals at the Great American Beer Festival, and has several other medals, as well.

As with all of our products, Boont ESB is never sterile filtered nor heat pasteurized, and should be stored in refrigeration. However, to fully enjoy its rich and complex flavor, it should be served between 40° and 45°F.  6.8 % Alcohol by Volume.  61 IBU.  “It’s aplenty bahl steinber horn.”"

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