Continuing on with the Troy Craft Beer Week posts, an amazing time was had at The Ruck last night. Dave and his crew have really spearheaded Troy Craft Beer Week and have been crushing it with the events. Not only did they have their Firestone Walker tap event last night, but also held their Ales vs. Lagers dinner up on the second floor. When that let out it meant we had folks from both Remarkable Liquids and Craft Beer Guild, reps from Jack’s Abby, Firestone Walker, Allagash and Troegs, Chefs from The Ruck, The City Beer Hall and Creo, staff from The Bier Abbey, World of Beer, and The City Beer Hall all hanging out celebrating the night. Awesome to say the least. Let’s check out the pics: Continue reading →
Now, if any of you know me you know I do not go crazy trying to obtain all of the (extremely overhyped, in my opinion) barrel aged variations of many of the most highly sought after beers on the market. Most times I’m just as satisfied with the base version of the beer and it’s not worth the driving around and giving up some of my favorite New England beer to trade for these, so I generally don’t seek them. That said, barrel aging usually does not detract from the original experience, and there are plenty of beers that are aged in barrels because the style dictates it and they’re presented best when aged in a barrel, like sour/tart farmhouse saisons, lambics, etc. So please, count me in as a fan of barrel aged beer, but understand that comes with its caveats.
Every year myself, Jay and the guys go for a little camping trip we call “Mancamping” down at Wittenberg Sportsmen’s Club in Woodstock, NY. We shoot some clay pigeons, walk the archery range, do a beer review, cook up some steak and potatoes, and finish up the night with a few beers by the fire. This year was no different.
Firestone Walker’s Double DBA was our beer of choice for the review and we also kicked back the Southern Tier IPA Superpack, 21st Amendment’s Back in Black and Founders Porter. Watch the review up top and check out a few pics below: Continue reading →
Prizes awarded to the best Lumberjack or Lumberjenny costume. (please, no real axes or saws etc.)
Union jack
Double Jack
Wookey Jack
Double DBA
Walkers Reserve
Double DBA on tap? Still haven’t had that yet, nor Walker’s Reserve. I’m there. No, I’m not dressing up like a Lumberjack. Maaaybe a “Lumberjenny” though.
When the guys at Hoosick Street Beverage posted they had some Wookey Jack I beelined it there to pick some up. I’m a huge fan of pretty much every beer I’ve had from FW so for them to come out with a new Black IPA you know I had to snag it. I grabbed a Double Jack while I was there since I hadn’t had that yet, either.
Got home, grabbed the cooler, glasses, blankets, the pooch and we were on our way. Stopped at Nino’s for some of their goddamn delicious subs and as we headed to Thacher Park.
We cracked open the Wookey Jack first. I’m trying to get Elise into IPAs and a black IPA is a good start since it has a lot of that maltiness that she’s used to with the stouts and porters. This beer was no different. I’ve had hoppier Black IPAs but this was pretty laid back. Slightly sweet, the malts were more present with hops taking a back seat. Some bitter in the finish but nothing crazy. Some intense lacing on the glass. A very good and extremely well balanced Black IPA.
We kicked the Wookey while eating and playing with Kuma and introducing him to passers-by and eventually broke out the Double Jack. My first time with this beer, but my expectations were set a little low as Jay had told me previously that, while it was good, it wasn’t as good as the Union Jack. I couldn’t disagree more.
The first thing I want to point out on this beer is the color; it’s incredible looking. And that’s huge for me because I could really give two shits about what a beer looks like. I don’t care if it’s cloudy or has floaters or any of that bullshit because honestly, that doesn’t affect how good the beer is for me. So for me to look at this beer and have the color really stand out I was impressed. It looked like liquid gold with a tiny bit of amber. Incredible.
The beer was very reminiscent of Dreadnaught for me. Similar citrus fruit on the nose and taste but without the mango and other tropical flavors. You can tell there’s some alcohol here but it’s not extremely obvious. Much more bitter on the tongue than the nose, with some very slight maltiness/sweetness on the backend. Overall this was a world-class DIPA for me, coming in a just a notch or two below Dreadnaught.
Picked up some more beer tonight to go along with my lonely Sucaba sitting in my beer cellar. They didn’t last long. I killed a Wookey and a Double Jack tonight while having a little picnic in John Boyd Thacher State Park (more on that later), and a Wookey and Parabola both have Merc’s name on them for the next time he’s in town.
If muling beer is getting beer from one place to another for someone, what’s it called when I pick up beers for someone and just sit on them at my house? Squatting? Whatever it is, that’s what I’m doing with these.
West Springfield, MA: Beer Run at Table and Vine [Beer]
Knew I had to hit up Table & Vine on the way home from Worcester today. I’ve heard plenty about it from friends and BAers alike. This place is dangerous for my wallet! Didn’t pick up anything too fancy but they have plenty here I haven’t picked up yet locally or just can’t get here in general. Prices are very reasonable.
Today’s Payload (from left to right):
Dogfish Head – Saison Du Buff
Victory Brewing Company – Saison Du Buff (going to hold on to both of these until I get the Stone and drink all together)
Sierra Nevada – Hoptimum
Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project – Saint Botolph’s Town
Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project – Fluffy White Rabbits
matthew 'fuj' scher 