Sandy...Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and...Worry More

Hi folks!

The winds have started to pick up so I figure I'd bang out a post before the lights go down.

Many of my friends and family are without power in NYC and the surrounding area.  The Facebook posts continue; flooding is everywhere; ConEd plant blew up...it's some scary stuff.

So, what to turn to?

BEER!

Tonight, I'm enjoying an old favorite - Hoppin' Frog's "B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher," an oatmeal imperial stout from Ohio.  Sadly, the Frog (as they're known at the warehouse) is not distributed in VT and this bottle was something of a gift, perfect for a night like tonight.

(For those who are Hoppin' Frog fans and want to see them in VT - please contact them directly and let them know!)

Got me thinking - what other big a$$ stouts are out there that I could quaff on a windy night like tonight?

How about...

Southern Tier Oat?  Much richer than the Frog, thick, rich, and licorice-y.

Alesmith Speedway Stout?  Buy two - one to drink and one to age.  A beast of a stout, hot as h-e-doublehockeystix, bitter hoppy and lots of coffee.

Stone Imperial Russian Stout?  (THAT'S RIGHT - WE STILL HAVE SOME!!!)  Just...the best.  Everything you want in a big stout.

North Coast Old Rasputin?  Sadly this has been unavailable from their distributor for weeks but when it's in, it's a must-get.  To me, the best year 'round imperial stout available.

Founders Imperial Stout?  2012 is coming out.  Meh.  We've got 2011 - aged a year to mellow out the alcohol and smooth out the rough edges.

Beer Here Kremlin Crude?  From Denmark, some serious smoke paired with roast and sweet flavors.

De Struise Black Albert?  13% ABV, 100 IBUs?!?!  Yeah...very rare, and now available at the Beverage Warehouse.

There's a few to mull about.  What are your favorite stouts????  Let us know on our Facebook page!

Cheers,
Evan

one beer wednesdays!!!

Hey everybody,

Hope everyone is enjoying the lovely fall weather!

Trying out a new series - One Beer Wednesdays!

...why One Beer Wednesdays?

Well, I closed the store on Wednesday nights so by the time I get home, only have time for...one beer!

And it's a fun way to spotlight something new with (hopefully) regularity!

Today's one beer is...

Fun note - the ABV on this label is for the cask version.  The bottle is 5%.

ADNAMS EXPLORER!

WHO? - Adnams Southwald, imported by the venerable Shelton Bros, is a brewery/distillery/hotel group based in Southwald on the eastern coast of England, about 2.5 hours northeast of London that brews a wide variety of beers with an international influence but squarely based in UK brewing tradition.  Fun factoid - Adnams has won multiple awards from their sustainable business practices! 

WHAT? - Explorer has been described as a blonde and a golden ale.  Personally, I think blondes have a bit more oomph and I'd place Explorer in this category.  Explorer is the result of the travels of the head brewer Fergus Fitzgerald in the United States and the US influence here are the two primary hops, Chinook and Columbus, but the beer still uses Pale and Cara malt for balance. 

YUM? - Yes!  As some of you may know, I'm quite the fan of the English beer and in Explorer, I may have found the perfect balance of English malt and American hop.  The nose is both sweet bready malt and spicy pungent hop flavor with a touch of bitter green herb and pith.  The taste mimics the nose, only more hop forward.  Bitter hop flavor and pith are balanced by a subtle malt sweetness. 

OVERALL - I couldn't be more pleased with this beer.  It retains its English identity while at the same time incorporating new world brewing techniques. 

So, make sure to stop by the Beverage Warehouse to pick up some Adnams Explorer and while you're at it, try their Bitter and Broadside!

Cheers!
e