Happy Birthday America – Brew Free or Die Review

I’m a sucker for gadgets and catchy bottles (this will be highlighted in a future series), so 21st Amendments – Brew Free or Die IPA  would have had me at word go….regardless of how the beer tastes.

With Abe Lincoln coming out of Mt Rushmore, looking like he is about to kick your ass – I can almost hear him saying “Brew Free or Die B*****!”.  What's not to love?

21st Amendment Brewery is a San Francisco Brewery established in 2000.

They have several beers in their folio – with a quite a few being “Independence Oriented”.  In particular, I can’t wait to track down Back in Black (Inspired by Paul Reveres Ride) and Sneak Attack (Washington crossing the Delaware).  Those two alone, combined iwth Brew Free or Die, would make an excellent shelf over any bar…they look that good.  And if my wife is reading this (and getting Christmas ideas) – they also have your Barleywine in a can (Lower DeBoom).

So, I know what everyone is saying – Presentation looks great…but how is the beer?

Brew Free or Die Review

 

• Source – Can
• Alcohol Content – 7% with an IBU score of 78 
• Appearance-  Great Carbonation -Very heady, with tight latticing bubbles and a continued effervescence throughout consumption.  Very clear with a color of orangish gold.
• Nose -  Malt and Carmel lurk behind the moderate citrus and floral nose.  In particular, this was brought out as I drank and agitated the beer somewhat. 
• Taste – Smooth mouthfeel and the aforementioned carbonation, combine with up front piney bitterness and citrus (with hints of malt) to provide a really refreshing taste combination.

Overall – Just when I talk with Alby, wondering if the IPA market has tapped out and jumped the shark – along comes 21st Amendment to bring me back into the fold.

An above average (verging on Excellent) beer that doesn’t try to overwhelm you with “How much hops can packed into a bottle (or can)?”.  In fact, this appears to be one that focuses on Quality over Quantity – and in plays out well. 

Not only is this beer satisfying, but very drinkable, even for non-Hop Heads in the crowd.  The Hops doesn't burn you out after 2 or 3, and I could see myself working through an entire 6-pack rather effortlessly.

I guess, a true testament of my opinion of this beer is not the 4.5 out of 5 stars that I give it – but to the fact that I now have stocked a shelf in my beer fridge with it…hopefully soon to be visited by their other brother beers from 21st Amendment.

Great job guys……and to everyone else, Happy 4th of July.

Cheers-

Ok, now THIS made me laugh: The Tampon Flask

Ok, over the last few hours, this has gone viral- I share it with you, and let you consume it (pun intended) without comment.  You, however, can read my research after the jump-

 

Ok – now that we have had our laugh, I totally get why this is needed.  So many times we are shaken down by the TSA or Rent-A-Cops at the various security checkpoints throughout America.   This is ingenous and I had to know….is it just a “Gag Gift”

Well, as it turns out….They are REAL, and the fine folks at SmuggleYourBooze.com not only have these, but two other products – the Sun Shot Bottle and the Boobie Bag.

There is so much AWSOME there – you just have to check it out. 

Great Job Guys and I wish you TONS of luck

http://smuggleyourbooze.com/

Trader Joe’s 2012 Vintage Ale

I know, many of you are looking at this and wondering “What is Trader Joe’s?”.  Others are saying “Trader Joe’s?  It must be crap!”.  Well hopefully this will be an education for many of you out there.

Before I start, let me preface by saying that I have drank a lot of beer in my life, from all over the world.  While this doesn’t make me an expert….for some, they at least know that I will be honest about what I like, don’t like and what I find to be utter crap.  If I think something is horrid, I don’t sugar coat it (I have a review coming up that really exemplifies that statement).   I understand, respect and appreciate the various types of beer – and the craftsmanship that goes into those styles….even if they do not work for me.

With the above paragraph in play, I am going to go on record and say I enjoyed the Trader Joe’s 2012 Vintage Ale quite a bit.

Trader Joe’s started in 1958, and is named for it’s founder Joe Coulombe.  Trader Joe’s is a grocery store that stocks considerably fewer items (4K compared to 50K of typical grocery stores), with 80% under their name brand.  On the Booze front, while they do stock a large selection of California and "New World Wines", Trader Joe’s is probably most famous for the exclusive sales of Charles Shaw wines – commonly known as “Two Buck Chuck” due to its low cost (and some say quality).

Based on that reputation, I was somewhat skeptical when I saw they had a “Vintage Ale” for approximately $4.99, but (being who I am) I decided someone needed to throw themselves on the sword and try it……purely for scientific purposes mind you.

 

Trader Joe’s 2012 Vintage Ale

• Source – Corked 750ml Bottle
• Alcohol Content – 9%
• Appearance- Very Heady, with asymmetrical bubbles.  Color is a dark brown, almost “Stout-ish” – begging me to dive in.
• Nose -  Caramelized (almost burnt) Brown Sugar, Cloves and with a hint of honey.
• Taste – Sweet and fruity – I thought of fruitcake on Christmas.  Just like biting into the cake, all the flavors are there – Cherries, nuts, plums  and a bit of breadyness (is that even a word)…this is surprisingly complex. 

Overall – This beer is an unique anomaly -  Listed on the bottle as a “Dark Ale, Brewed with Spices and Natural Flavors”, I would categorize this Vintage Ale as a Belgium…even though it is brewed in Chambly, Canada by Unibroue.   Being a Belgium Style, I thought I wouldn’t like this one – because, as I stated before, some beer  styles just are not in my wheelhouse.  However, I really really did enjoy this one.  In fact, so much so – I plan on sending my buddy Dave a bottle to add to his collection (Trader Joe’s is not in MidMO).

Given the vast history with Unibroue, and the great things they put out, this is truely a hidden Gem.  For me, I would give this a solid Three out of Five as a beer – Five out of Five for Price.  I plan on stocking a 6’er under the bar if someone enjoys Belgium Beer – and as Dave has taught me….I would love to see how this ages.

I know, its a shocker folks – but at $5 a bottle….how can you go wrong?

Cheers-

Fr. William Corby – A Real Irish American Hero

Father William Corby is not a name you hear mentioned every day.  In fact, unless you live in South Bend or a Civil War buff– you probably never heard of him.

Let me fix that for you -

Father Corby was priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Union Army Chaplain at the battle of Gettysburg and twice the President of the University of Notre Dame.

Before Rockne put the “Fighting Irish” on the map (bit of trivia – they were originally called the Ramblers) – Father Corby was breaking out the Irish Heritage by being the priest of the “Irish Brigade”

It was on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2nd 1863, that Father Corby stood upon a boulder and gave absolution to the Union Soldiers (both Catholic and Protestants) before they headed into the battle commonly known as “The Wheatfield”. 

His blessings inspired the already decimated unit (who had already been reduced from 3000 soldiers to 500) and they helped lead an attack to shore up the crumbling Union left flank.  If not for this counter, some doubt the Union army could have regrouped – and the Battle of Gettysburg could have turned out much different.  It was deemed relevant enough to actually be included in the movie Gettysburg -

 

Fr. Corby followed his men out onto the battlefield, fearlessly giving comfort to the wounded and absolution to the dying.  For his bravery, the men of the Irish Brigade nominated him for the Congressional Medal of Honor – stating: "no spot was too dangerous or too much exposed to the fire of the enemy." – It was through this level of courage at several battles throughout the Civil War, that Fr. Corby earned the moniker – The Fighting Chaplain.

Of the ragtag Brigade that took the field that day – 198 of the 500 did not live to see the next.  Fr. Corby did, and he returned to Notre Dame, where he served his two terms as President and helped rebuild the University after the fire in . 

Fr. Corby died in 1897, and his funeral took an unusual turn – as his pallbearers were not priests or members of the Holy Cross Community, but instead Civil War Veterans.  I am sure this is one of the few times a Priest was buried at Notre Dame with a flag draped coffin and 21 Gun Salute.

Of course, this wouldn’t be Smokes and Booze without some sort of “Reference”….and for this, I point you to “Corby’s Irish Pub”.  A long time staple in South Bend, Corby’s is a mid level pub that is more “Sports Bar” than Irish….but it is very Notre Dame themed, and good luck if you want to get in there on a Game Day Weekend.  The pub even made an appearance in Rudy (although I can’t find a clip of it).  A must stop for any Irish Fan.

So – as we enter this 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, take a moment to not only think of the brave men from both sides of the battlefield – but also remember that Irish American Priest from a small University in nowhere Indiana.  Remember, that – without ever picking up a rifle, he exemplified bravery and dedication to his craft, risking his own life just as surely as those aforementioned soldiers.  He did this as his duty – and for that, he should be remembered.

If anyone who reads this is on Campus – please light a candle for me at the Grotto, in honor of Fr. William Corby-  A Real Irish American Hero.

Devils Backbone Vienna Lager

The other day, my lovely wife and son took me to the Melting Pot in RVa for one of my Birthday Dinners.  As always, Fondue was “Fundo” and we had a great time.

While there, I had a great opportunity to try another Virginia Beer, this time a Devils Backbone Brewing Company’s Vienna Lager.

Established in 2008 and based out of Roseland, VA – Devils Backbone has been making some noise in the Craft Brewing Arena – including Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year 2012 at the Great American Beer Festival.   How funny is it, that I leave CoMO (with Flat Branch a multi-medalist) to find another right in my backyard (so to speak).  This moving is turning out more and more positive.

For those unfamiliar with the style, you might be surprised that – while you might not recognize the name, you probably have drank a Vienna style lager in the past .  Vienna or amber lager was developed by brewer Anton Dreher in Vienna in 1841. Austrian brewers who emigrated to Mexico in the late 19th century took the style with them. Vienna lager is a reddish-brown or copper-colored beer with medium body and slight malt sweetness. Vienna lager is brewed using a three step decoction boiling process. Munich, Pilsner, Vienna toasted and dextrin malts are used, as well wheat in some cases. Subtle hops, crisp, with residual sweetness. The malt aroma and flavor may have a toasted character. Despite their name, Vienna lagers are generally uncommon in Europe today but can be found frequently in North America, where it is often called pre-Prohibition style amber lager (often shortened to "pre-Prohibition lager"), as the style was popular in pre-1919 America.

Dos Equis and Negra Modelo are notables from Mexico, meanwhile here in the US Yuengling (which I will be reviewing shortly) and Samuel Adams are the most famous in this type of beer.

Vienna Lager

• Source – Bottle
• Alcohol Content – 4.9%
• Appearance- A dark gold/amber (almost Bronze) hue, clear in with moderate carbonation.  Asymmetrical bubbly light head, could have been due how cold the beer was served.  I let it breathe a little before I drank (thus the lack of head in the picture).
• Nose -  A toasty aroma, with a hint of caramelized brown sugar.  I honestly thought of a bakery when I smelled it.
• Taste – Bready, toasted grains and nuts- with mid-mouth caramel taste.  Well balanced (not overly hoppy) with a leaning towards malty.  Very Creamy mouthfeel with a crisp finish that brings out the citrus/hops.

Sadly, I was unable to try the beer “On Tap” and had to settle for a bottle – but I hope to rectify that soon, either with a Brewery Visit or at the Virginia Craft Brewers Fest.

Overall- After spending time drinking high end Hop-Bombs, this was an interesting change…heading back into the lagers and maltier beers.  Again, this is something that seems prevalent in Virginia (East Coast) breweries.  Not complaining by a long shot, just a change from what I am used to in the Mid-West. 

I rather enjoyed the sweet and malty taste – finding the beer very refreshing and a good accompaniment to our dinner.  The flavors were not overbearing and this is definitely a great beer to pair with delicate foods such as fish or lobster.  Just sitting typing, I wish I had a 6-pack and a bucket of mussels to enjoy on the porch – this beer stuck in my head that much.

Great beer that I WILL be buying to have in the beer fridge, and if Dave from 44 Stone is reading….you should run a keg if you can get it in MidMO.  This would compliment some of your more extreme offerings.

I give this beer a Solid 4 out of 5.  Well done.

How did I ever miss this song?

My buddy Glenn and I listened to some great punk music back in the day – although it seemed at one time the genre was centered on the Violent Femmes, Dead Milkmen and Surf Punks.  Ahhh, the good old days.

Anyway – how did I miss a band named Splodgenessabounds? How did I miss a band with a frontman named Max Splodge?  And FFS, how did I miss a song called "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please"?

Ahhhh well, I guess this is why the internet was invented….so we could find all the crazy stuff we missed when we were in Drunken Stupors.

Cheers- and Enjoy

Crazy ways to open a Beer -Video Compilation