Layers of Foam

Ok...time for a bit o blog....

2012-01-04T09:20:00.004-06:00

Well now that the new year is upon us once again....I feel the need to write something beery and to show you a few preliminary glimpses of the beer cellar in the new house. 2011 was a year of travel and a great deal of work stress...what better way to deal with the heavy loads with a fine ale in the cellar. It seemed a monumental task moving all of my beers and wines to the new house, but they have settled in just swell. The wines they sit quietly and dream of a future date, while the beers sit pensively as their demise will arrive much sooner. It was a blast to review all the wines and the beers when I restocked the shelves... It is always interesting to find forgotten bottles that have now come into their own. Ask your self this question... "what beers made you smile from 2011"? Ask yourself, what beers will make you smile in the coming year....More stories to come from my last trip to Japan.

Stay Beery my friends,

Stefan

The cellar has moved to a new resting place....

2011-09-02T09:27:00.003-05:00

Well it has been sometime since I last danced on the keys about beer and spirits. We moved house and now are located in a new abode in which there is potential for a cellar of sorts. My thoughts are now continuous and like a scheming engineer, I am planning my next step. Of course there are the 1000 other projects that my wife would have me tackle first....However one can scheme and dream while repairing dishwashers and toilets non? More to come my friends...be certain of that...

Cheers,

Stefan

The "State" of things...

2011-02-25T12:44:00.005-06:00

Well it has been political malay here in our great capital of Madison... We have been on the front lines and taken a stand for the working man and woman. I am talking about the possible bill that Governor Scott Walker is force feeding through the state assembly and senate. But all political ramblings aside, I am here to talk about beer. When I get my emotions jacked up on certain bourgeoisie affairs, I am often drawn find solice in a nice pint or tulip glass of beer. Beer has been present in revolutions, wars, government overthrows and union strikes. Perhaps there is a pattern to all this... Beer is the social lubricant and cornerstone of modern discussion. We sit over a beer and talk about our problems. If it takes more than one pint to bring about a mediation than so be it...The local tavern or pub is a place where one can discuss the pressures of the workplace, or the political shenanigans that are happening down the street. So in these times of conflict and after a long day, I retreat to my peace and quiet with a pint. Tonight it will be contemplating with a stange of Kölsch, just as Karl Marx would have done in Cologne. So I say to all take up the good fight and remember that beer is here for you when you lay down that sign.

The year of the rabbit...2011

2011-01-12T12:26:00.020-06:00

As we enter the year of the rabbit (as seen by the Chinese Zodiac calendar) I sense a disturbance in the force. There is a sad trend occuring around the globe, especially hard hit is the UK. What I am talking about is the demise of the local watering hole...the Pub. Pubs in the UK are closing at a rate of nearly 52 per week (UK Sunday Times). This does not even seem possible, let alone logical in any sane persons mind. The pub is much more than just a place to quaff ale or drink whisky...its a place where people gather to discuss life. For many it is a daily ritual to speak with local administrators, towns folk and neighbors. Here in the US, pubs or taverns, are seen as places to get a good craft beer and some bar food. However it is my feeling that things are changing somewhat and by that I mean for the better. People are seeking out places for their craft beer or exotic cellars through internet networks such as ratebeer or beeradvocate. There are forums as to what pub/brew-pub/tavern/beer specialty bar are serving. Also pub fare is changing here in the US...no longer is a flat top burger and fries acceptable. The trend now seems to be locally sourced ingredients or food that is prepared in a manner/style with someone who graduated from the CIA (Culinary Arts Institute). We see items such as locally harvested organic grass fed beef from the driftless region of western Wisconsin....that's tough to fit on a menu. However with good food, good beer and spirits are usually close by. People are seeking out and looking for food and beer pairings to challenge their palate these days. It seems the slowfood movement is gaining momentum and bringing in a younger, more educated crowd. Perhaps this movement of quality ingredients and unique craft beers will keep the pubs and taverns alive....I would love to believe this is the case, but my realistic self whispers in my ear a different story. It comes down to economics and what people can afford to spend on entertainment and leisure. Someone once told me..." live everyday as if it were your last, because one day my friend it will be". So to me that translates into...its OK to spend 5 dollars more on a unique craft beer that I may not get to try again or to sample some cheese that was made in a monestary somewhere in the nether regions of Europe. So I say to all sieze the day ! Go out enjoy life and while your at it...do your part to save a local pub or tavern. In addition bring forth dialouge with the landlords of these establishments and tell em what ya fancy!

Go forth and beer well,

Stefan

The beer in review....2010

2010-12-22T19:25:00.011-06:00

It has been an interesting year with a good deal of time spent in the air, in the airports and in beery places round this wonderful planet of ours. So as we near the end of year, I often take time to reflect on some memorable places or beers that I deem special. To me there is something special about enjoying a beer in a place that does not normally favor or keep a style of beer, due to the location/culture. What I am referring to is the ability to enjoy a Belgian Duvel in the night light of Hong Kong's Kowloon Bay. The beer is tasty after a long day of meetings for sure, but it is the fact that we are thousands of miles away from Belgium. To me this means the craft beer culture is thriving, its permeating the hard and fast macro lager culture with the cunning of "007". Take for instance good ole Wisconsin... It used to be you walked into a local "Sconie" tavern and you asked for a beer, the Keep gave you the single tap he had on (likely a Bud, Miller, Coors or if you were lucky Lienie's). Nowadays, people are educated, palates refined and careful about what they bring to their mouth. We are living in a Renaissance of sorts and some of us are blind to the fact. Many of the wandering pub/tavern crowd do not realize how this came to be. It took the hard work and preaching of craft beer lovers, homebrewers and pub owners to realize the change to come. We live in a land and a world where information travels at the speed of the inter-webs... People blog, they rant, they critique....but most importantly they spread information as a collective whole as to what people are drinking. Take time this Christmas season to ask a beer lover, a pub owner or a homebrew buddy as to what they recommend for a craft beer. Try something you have not graced your lips with before. It may allow you to realize what is happening in the great foamy cosmos of the beer knurd's universe. But most importantly it will allow you to take another step on this beery journey of life.

I bid you a Beery Christmas and a Hoppy New Year... Take time to realize the important people in your lives and let them know that they are loved.

Beer Well,

Stefan

Heading to land of Pasta...and beer???

2010-11-19T12:42:00.008-06:00

Well I am off for another business trip to Milan, but while I am there I may let my beery sense take me on walkabout. It is funny to think of Milan being a growing sector for the craft beer movement, but it just may be. Italy has quickly been gaining forward momentum in developing a niche beer market with a fair number of "Gypsie" brewers popping up. Take a look at this article from 2 years ago (via NYtimes) and look closely. This Italian Beer rennaissance has been leaping forward for some time now, with people like Baladin leading the way. The beers are often leaning towards the Belgian side of things and almost always nudged towards pairing with Italian cuisine. What did Emperor Juliane say..." I know Bacchus, the god of wine, for he smells of nectar; but all I know of the god of beer is that he smells of billy goat". Well Italian minds may be changing with regard to the craft beer scene. I will do my best to report back to you on what treasures and stories I find.

Ciao for now,

Stefan

Hoppy Trolls from Indiana....

2010-11-16T20:19:00.012-06:00

Well it starts like any other evening, heading home from work to the family....Then an email hits my iPhone letting me know that the Malt House (my local pub) has a Gouden Carolus Noel on tap. Well this is quite a dillema now....what ever shall I do? Well I listen to reason and make haste to the Malt House, convincing myself that it is theraputic to have a special pint after a days work. As I sit and contemplate the fine beer in front of me, while keeping an ever close eye on my time piece, I savor the ale. I leave after one glass feeling pleased that I was able to enjoy one glass and responsibly head home to my loved ones. Upon my arrival to home, I am greeted by my spouse with a questionable smirk as she informs me that we have an event to attend this evening. I ask cautiously...what event? To which she informs that we have a social meeting for the parents of my sons soccer league....at another pub! Joyous relief as feel I have been granted some form of spousal reprieve. A fine time was had by all parents and children alike. When we finally arrived back home to pack the children away for dream land, I thought of Trolls. This thought was brought about by the evenings libations prior...no I did not imbibe that much. I am referring to that special pint that one saves for the proverbial night cap. I am talking about this wonderful harvest ale from Three Floyds Brewing Company. Its called "Broo Doo" and its a delicious ale akin to an IPA. It has one of those funky toy trolls on the label...y'know the ones that had the tossled crazy hair, except this one has hop cones for hair! At any rate, this fine ale is full of citrus notes and is perfectly balanced with the malt. If you find it...buy it, tell yourself you are supporting the trolls...errr Three Floyds...

Good night my beer trolls.....

Grab a fine beer and take a look....

2010-11-16T10:47:00.009-06:00

So I have been collecting random beer, wine and spirit quotes now for several years as bathroom reading. Please click on the link and take a gander ay my collection of qotes.

PS> I cannot be responsible for the accuracy of all of these quotes, they are purely for my entertainment. I simply wish to share them with you and suggest you read them with a favorite pint or two...

Cheers,

Stefan

When the wind turns cold

2010-11-15T11:52:00.010-06:00

So Fall thus far has been a gloriously warm and sunny event....That is until today. The winds blew in the cold rainy weather that you get from the North Sea. Y'know the infamous "Vente Dur Nord". My beer tastes tend to ebb and flow with the seasons allowing me to sample some forgotten gems. With the coming of fall, my choice tends to fall with the dark and complex notions of an old ale or imperial stout. One of my guilty pleasures in life is to buy a beer worthy of spending time in the cellar and hiding it out of site. Occassionally when I feel the itch of curiosity beckon me...I take up the search. Looking behind boxes or reaching into an old boot to draw forth a dusty bottle. If you have not tried this test of will and patience I encourage you to do so...just make good and sure that the bottle you hide from yourself has the stones to hold up to time. The bottle I sampled last night did so with a sense of style...a graceful and balanced cup-o-midnight. Nine years ago, when I was free from the pressures of fatherhood, I concocted an imperial stout. I can only remember from dusty notes what the beer was like then, but now it had transformed into something that I can only describe as profound. So again, I charge you with finding some beautiful ale to tuck away only to find it in the years to come. Stay warm, stay informed and stay beery.

Back from the belly of the cellar

2010-11-14T14:40:00.007-06:00

Well my friends it has been some time since my last post, due to an error on my part. My password was lost somewhere in the inter-webs and bowels of my PC. Well I am back for now and will make every attempt to chronicle my passion for beer in the written word. I recently made a trip to Paris for some meetings and was pleasantly surprised by what I found in a little market just minutes from the Arc de Triomphe. In a land where wine reigns supreme, a glimmer of beery hope emerged in a tiny marche' on Rue de Prony. Among the tight passages filled with goods, I came across an entire three shelves devoted to French beer and Ciders. I almost did a double take as I navigated towards the next turn. But there on the shelves were examples of Bier de Garde, Artisan black ales made with organic wheat and of course the French style blanc biers reminiscent of Hoegaarden. This was an encouraging site to see, as clearly the market owner valued the fact that France does indeed have an emerging craft beer market. Watch the shelves in your local market or beer store...The French have landed on our shores...

Long time no posty... (I've been in the cellar)

2009-05-14T21:06:00.007-05:00

Well it has been quite sometime since I last posted, but I have a valid excuse. I have been firing up the kettle and getting the yeast roused up. My homebrewing is back in full swing baby with 6 beers on tap and 3 in the chamber waiting for their poppets to be popped. I currently have the following on tap and on deck.

1.) Robust Porter
2.) American IPA
3.) Belgian Triple (Ommegang Hennepin Yeast)
4.) Saison DuPont clone (cultured yeast)
5.) Scottish 70 Shilling ale
6.) Spicy Monkey Root beer

On Deck:

1.) Saison DuPont Voex Temps clone
2.) Orval Clone
3.) English ESB

I have been trying to sample some of the newly arrived here in Wisco, but need to gather my posts. One hoppy bastard of an ale that I tried was the Moylan's Hopsickle Ale from Novato, CA. I have visited the brewery many eons ago and was pleasantly surprised to see it on my beer stores shelves. Its probably one of the hoppiest beers I have every had the pleasure of sipping. This Imperial IPA strips the enamel off yer teeth, spanks yer ass and calls you Sally. I recommend it, but only if you are not afraid of the big bad Hummulus Lupus.....

Good Beer and Good Night !
Stefan...
PS> I am off to Vancouver on Monday... Northwest Hops :)

A beer close to home....

2009-03-15T22:17:00.009-05:00

When visiting Paris last, my good friend Gilles Legant from Lille, provided me with a special gift. He brought along a beer from my home province of Nord (north-eastern France). The gift was a bottle of L'Angelus (Brasserie a Annoeullin). A pale colored beer with a lively carbonation and subtle nuances of spice and malt. It was an interesting beer that was deemed by Gilles as being the best beer in the world. Well I would not take it that far, but it was interesting. Filtered, somewhat sweet, with a single dimension. It would be a nice beer with a creme' brullee' after dinner in lieu of a cognac. Still what a treat to be able to try something new and rare. To me that is the quest of the beer geek...new and never sampled by your own lips.

Give my best to your cellar and friends....

Good night and good beer !

Stefan

The Keizer's Birthday

2009-03-15T22:08:00.004-05:00

Well it has been awhile since I last posted. Children, travel, winter malaise and just an overwhelming amount of work at the office. However on February 24th, I try and celebrate the Keizer's (Charles the 5th) birthday with a special Cuvée van de Keizer Blauw from Het Anker. It is a wonderful light and powerful beer that works well with a hunk of Swiss Gruyere and some toasted walnuts. It also helps to listen to some Tom Waits while you nibble and sip. There was a sighting of this elegant and rare beasty on tap at the Malt House (it was also Bill Roger's birthday). Stay tuned for next year when the bash gets a little more bold and baudy on the 24th. Mark your calendar all you beer knurds for next year (Feb 24th 2009)

Blessings and Good Beer !

Stefan

Father Christmas got stuck in the cellar....

2009-02-08T02:53:00.008-06:00

I love going down to the cellar to see what is hidden or has made itself camoflauged into the bottles and what not over the years. I came across a bottle of Pere Noel from Browerij De Ranke, a favorite of mine. So I decided to free it from its cellar dwelling and it's paper wrapping to meet my tastebuds. Brouwerij De Ranke appeals to me in the fact that they are not afraid of the Humulus Lupus (Hop), pushing the far reaches of bittering units on the Belgian side of things. Pere Noel provides some firm bitterness with a nice yeast flavor that matches well with the malt spectrum in the beer. It has a slight fruityness that really works well with the hop flavor and aroma. Its dangerously drinkable and better to be shared with a friend over a good conversation and frites. Again I hope that your cellar is full and that your new year is going well.

Bon Bier et Bon Nuit (I am posting from Paris...so when in Rome)

Stefan

Little Flemish Fishing boats....

2009-01-31T20:40:00.006-06:00

De Struise Brewers (De Struise Brouwers) always amaze me and their dedication to the art of beer is something that falls upon me like great painters dedication canvas. Carlo and Urbain are two of four that create some of the most amazing beers I have had in a long time. I had the pleasure of sampling a Pannepot (little Flemish fishing boats) from 2007 that was quite unique. It was a lively beer, heavy with fruits and a friendly sourness (gentle) that graced the palate. I have heard a lot about this beer from beer geeks around the globe. When my local beer store (Steve's) had some on the shelf, I could not resist even with this economic rescession... This beer has something that a lot of breweries throught the world strive for but often come up short...that component is depth. It has as many layers as a 5 lbs onion and an aroma that beckons a second sniff. If you see the Pannepot on your shelf or better yet the grand reserve Pannepot, treat yourself to something that only a few can say that they have tried. You deserve it...you are a beer geek...

Good Night and Good Beer !

Asahi beer and Sumo

2009-01-29T19:43:00.006-06:00

Well I appologize for not posting as of late, but I have been on fly traveling to China, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Not too much for beer in these here parts, but it did not stop me from trying. I was able to find Duvel and Delerium Tremens in Taichung, Taiwan and drank my share of Duvel's in neon glow of Hong Kong. But my most memorable experience was grabbing some Japanese Asahi's at Tokyo Narita airport while waiting for my plane back home. I sat with a couple of cold Asahi's and watched Japan's most time honored sport of Sumo wrestling. It was a time of reflection, awe and my thrist was quenched at the same time ! I think the craft beer movement is arriving as Asia is now looking at beer in a different way than before. The pale lagers made with rice have their place, but the Belgian's have just pulled anchor and are on their way. Stay tuned from more travel updates as I am on my way to Paris next week. Hmmm if I could only remember that place on Rue de Montparnesse....

Good Night and Good Beer

Eis Eis Baby Eis Eis-Bock !!

2009-01-10T20:42:00.007-06:00

Well its cold outside again and its time to brew up a German Dopplebock and put it into the deep freeze. Here in the Sconie Nort, the deep freeze is the back porch. Eis-bock is an interesting beast that actually happened by accident and led to a wonderful sipper. As the story goes the young brewing apprentice of a small brewery in Einbeck, Germany, left a barrel outside on a cold night. Well one can guess what happens to water (main ingredient in beer) when you leave it out in the cold....it froze. Well the brewmaster was none to pleased to find out what had happened and ordered the young lad to disassemble the barrel and clean up his mess. Well after picking away at the frozen mess, the young apprentice stumbled onto some sweet rich drippings from the center of the icy mass. Talk about getting to the center of a "Tootsie Pop" ! Well I guess he tasted this sublime liquid and called the brewmaster over and proclaimed gold. This may all be a wonderful yarn spun over the course of history to polish the simple thought of fractional distillation, but I like the story.
I was fortunate enough to sample a bottle of Schneider and Sohn's Aventinus Eis-Bock the other day (a rare treat in these here parts). It pours murky with a huge malt aroma and lacy head. Its thick and viscous like a port and tastes as rich as it looks. Its a sipper and of course it must be served in the proper glass (very important for me). If you find a bottle or even on tap (sometimes it happens) sit down forget your worries for the time being and enjoy what some say was the greatest accident since fire.
Good Night and Good Beer !
(I am off to Asia in search of a Chinese stout)

Dark was the night....

2009-01-02T20:05:00.042-06:00

Brothers are tied in bond by blood and in my case a love of beer. My brother Marcus flew in from the Rockies to join us for Christmas and he brought with him an acceptance of a challenge. The challenge was to take on a massive albeit controlled flight of Imperial Stouts to celebrate a great year. There were a total of ten stouts to take on (1 12oz. bottle split between us) and we were determined men.

The line-up was as follows:

(those that have pictures are the ones we made it through-sans a picture of my stout)

1.) Expedition Stout - Bell's
2.) Stefan's Imperial Stout (1 yo)
3.) Stone Brewing Co. Imperial Stout
4.) Old Raputin Stout- NorthCoast
5.) Black Albert- De Stuise Browerij
6.) Ten Fidy Stout - Oscar Blues
7.) Satin Solstice Sout- Central Waters
8.) Big Eddy Stout - Leinenkugels
9.) Storm King Stout - Victory
10.) Yeti Imperial Stout - Great Divide Brewing

Well needless to say conversation and the impending drift of night, kept us from completion. It was late into the night at we barely made it out alive to fight the next day.

It's frustrating to me and perhaps a bit selfish, of me to think that two beer loving fools can actually sit down and discuss the particular points of a beer. I enjoy talking about beer, studying it, smelling it, and of course drinking. But to me beer is more than just a beverage...its a gateway to discuss about the history behind the style or genre. Maybe I am just a beer nerd lost in the carbonation of the beer world, but I am who I am. I will always love to talk beer with anyone who will listen and share my bottle....

Good Beer and Good Night

Thank god he chose beer instead of Shitake

2008-12-29T20:06:00.009-06:00

Its not really common knowledge, but Fritz Maytag actually investigated the possibility of engaging in growing Shitake mushrooms before he stumbled upon beer. Personally I would rather enjoy a pint of San Francisco's original than stare at a Shitake in my miso..... Anchor Brewing Company always treats me right in the holiday season by blessing us with the now infamous Christmas ale. Its dark, smooth and exhibits a fine spicing that brings out the smiles in me. It pours easy with a light carbonation and dark vinous body ending in a beige head. I have collected these yearly productions for the last 6 years and will plan to do a vertical at some point in time. For now I encourage you to pick up a sixer and save some for a future time. Hoppy Holidays and have a safe new year's eve.
Good Night and Good Beer...

Way up north among the heather and sea.....

2008-12-18T21:06:00.009-06:00

Scotland is not really know for their beers, more the whisky that is set free from the barley and water. However some Scotsman are seeking to find life outside the whisky dram and into the pint glass. The brewers at Orkney (i.e. Sinclair Breweries) have started to make themselves known to the world below. I had the chance to sample their "Dragonhead" stout the other night and took a keen interest in the bottle. The stout pours easy into the glass with color that is dark as midnight on a moonless night. The body is very light and not at all viscous as one would expect. The dark roasted malts really come through, almost too much so. It has a faint ending of charcoal ash and roasted barley. The hops are present, but all too mired in the burnt character of the ale. Still I am excited to see more Scottish breweries popping up and even some of them gracing the barrels of uisge beatha (Gaelic for water of life...i.e. Whisky).
Good Night and Good Beer...

Weizen a la Quebecois !

2008-12-18T11:09:00.011-06:00

Well the new bullet from Unibroue was an interesting find and sipper.

The Unibroue Quatre-Centieme (400) created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Quebec was unique in the fact that it really did not wow me. One would think that if you were celebrating 400 years of creation, you would go all out? This was like a Belgo-Canadian Hefeweisse in a corked bottle. Pretty and all but I was expecting the bar to be much higher based on the reason for brewing. It has a fresh malt flavor with long lasting head that made it appealing to the eye. The yeasty notes were ever apparent, speaking to me in flavors of citrus, clove(phenolics), banana esters and a tart yeast bite at the end. Not a bad beer by any means...but just not what the ole pallet was expecting.

Good Day and Good Beer !

Equinox....The Winter days are long

2008-12-12T19:55:00.015-06:00

Well the folks at Brasserie de la Senne never cease to amaze me... One of their winter creations Equinox does not dissapoint and is a perfect cold winter treat.

The bottle capped and corked unleashes many layers of flavor and aroma as it warms and vents itself to the heavens. It has a strong malt backbone followed up by some hints of coco and anise. The marriage (and balance) of yeast and malt make this beer truly enjoyable. This and others from Brasserie de la Senne (Saison, Zinnebier, Taras Boulba) are truly unique and worthy of search. Word on the street is that Yvan De Baetes (brewer at Brasserie de la Senne) is working on a book with another chap in Brussels that is soon to be released this spring. Those that are keen on the sour beer known as Lambic, will want to keep and eye out for this one.

Good Night and Good Beer !

Back from the slog....

2008-12-11T22:07:00.005-06:00

Well it has been a little while since I found my creative beer writing drive... Since the last post a lot of new beerness has come about. As the Dude would say " The Dude Abides" well my beery fanatics, I have twisted the word, pulled it from the foam and hammered it on the anvil to be reborn as imbibe ! I have yet to sample the works from the smoke stack series Belgian ales, but I did sample their "Double Wide IPA". It was very well balanced and full of fruits, malt and of course packed full with a plethera of hops. It was a nice double IPA, but it lacked that certain west coast power.
Last night I engaged in a tasting so daring, that only the bravest of souls could muster their lips to the glass... Eric Schoville and Mark Garthwaite and I (members of MHTG - Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild) took on the famed Brussels Lambic (and one Flemish Red)

The ammo looked like this...
1.) Cantillon Bio Gueuze (young bottling/sampling-Oct. 2008)
2.) Oude Beersel Kriek (young bottling-2008)
3.) Drie Fontienen Oude Gueze (young bottling-2007)
4.) Lindemans Cuvee Renee vintage 1994-(yes that's 15 years old...)
5.) Ithrecht's Flemish Red (Grand Cru 50/50)
6.) Lambic a la Becasse -Stefan & Eric's single lambic (cultured w/the dregs of Giradin Gueuze

You ask why all the young bottled lambics (why not wait several decades)? Well all the dregs made their way into a starter culture (viable beasties) to one day grace a batch of homebrewed P-Lambic.

Well the bottle is about empty and the cellar's too far a crawl....its off to the sandman's world.

Good night and good beer....

Kansas City aint all BBQ and Beef.....

2008-11-26T19:25:00.008-06:00

Well to my amazement Boulevard Brewing Co. has migrated north to the cheese state (although some of us refer to it as the beer state). I entered my local beer store to peruse the new shelved bottles as I so often do.... when all of sudden out of the corner of my eye ! Low and behold three 750ml bottles with corks and hoods from our friends at Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City ! There in front of me, as proud as peacocks were three bottles from their smokestack series. A Saison, a Triple, and Quadrupel. Boulevard has always been a stopping point for me as the yearly call to Kansas comes in the form of in-laws. Boulevard's captain at the head of the mash tun, Steven Pauwels (A Belgian himself)... is the mastermind behind the smokestack series. I have yet to try these enigmas in waiting...perhaps this weekend when the in-laws ascend upon our lil house on the isthmus... Stay tuned my eager beer nerds !

Tis the end of the day and the begining of my beer experience.....

2008-11-24T20:42:00.011-06:00

It was one of those days were you kind of tilt your head to one side and ask yourself...what the hell just happened? The impending snow made itself known this morn and beckoned the strong ales to arise from their cellar crypt. One of my great pleasures in life is to come home after a stressful day and hang out with my boys and enjoy a glass of the barley juice. Today was no different than any other, with the exception of myself finding a bottle of Dan Carey's (New Glarus) finest Belgian Quad. It had been hiding out of mind and sight for nearly 3 years if my memory serves me right. Dusted with time as it sat in the cellar waiting to be sipped, pondered and enjoyed. Dan creates some rather interesting beverages and pushes the envelope in a somewhat similar fashion to Sam Calligione at Dog Fish Head (albiet slightly more reserved in execution). The color is a deep gold with a surprisingly long lasting head. The aroma of this Belgian quad is not a normal nose...its wrought with complex esters and pushes forth wood from a time long ago. The pursuit of laying down beers for resting in the cellar, has been a calling of mine and a test to ensure that patience is still part of my realm. Patience and will power has served me well over the years...now if I could only remember where I put those Thomas Hardy ales......

Back From Gueuze Central

2008-11-22T20:14:00.007-06:00

Well I made it back once again from Brussels..... Its always hard to leave such a wonderful and mysterious place. The city is sad and dark, but if you happen to know where to look there are glimpses of beautiful diamonds. The city greeted me with rain and 50ºF weather which allowed me to escape indoors with a good book. My place of sleep lies close to the famous A La Mort Subite Cafe, which has been a place of refuge for me over the years. The beer list is acceptable and the atmosphere is sumblime. You can imagine Jacques Brel in there smoking a Gitane and sipping a Westmalle. To me it has a greater meaning, it is part of the Brussels culture and lifestyles. Families gather there to talk and drink over simple brasserie faire. I enjoy their staff with friendly smiles and comments I can count on like " You know the gueuze is room temperature "? I simply smile and say yes...only too happy to be back in Bruxelles !

I have seen the bottom of many glasses...

2008-11-22T19:36:00.002-06:00

I am dedicating this blog to my lifes quest in the pursuit of one of man's greatest accidents....fermented liquids. This blog will cover beer (Ales, Lagers, and Hybrids) in addition to Meads, Sakes, Ciders. I will also try and discuss the fermented beverages that find their way to the distillation column (Whisky, Bourbon, Grappa, and other) I have long been a collector or tastes, smells and experinces with regard to these fine products. I hope to expound upon them for those that wish to take the time to simply read. Sit back and grab a favorite beverage and see if there is something that just might interest you or give cause to comment on my words.

Stefan