I finally made it to the brewery for a visit. I had a burger along with 2 beers. First up was a Bitter American. A pleasantly hopped, low ABV IPA that was very good. Next was a collaboration between Stone Brewing, Firestone Walker, and 21st Amendment called El Camino (un)Real. This black ale is insanely good. I wish I could have taken some home. Definitely worth a taste if you like full bodied, thick, roasty flavors.
Blue Moon Seasonal Collection – Full Moon Winter Ale. I bought a 6er of this after getting completely moded by BevMo. What’s up with being closed on Thanksgiving? WTF? I was planning on getting some Chimay to go with the turkey. Crud. Anyhow, I ended up at Von’s and the beer aisle looked liked a 7-11 after a friday night beer run. The shelf was destroyed. Note to self: buy beer well before the tools attack the beer aisle. The only chance I had was Chimay Grand Reserve @ $12.95. Not wanting to get any more grief than I have gotten lately from the missus for my bank account abuse I went for a large Arrogant Bastard and a 6er of Full Moon Winter Ale. Allegedly the Winter Ale is an “abbey ale brewed with a hint of dark belgian sugar.” Says so right on the label. While Coors is a fine company I think this brew is a step in the right direction, just not quite a full step. I’m a beginning beer snob, don’t be fooled. I am getting hip to the savory goodness that is Belgian beer. In fact, I sometimes ride a carbon Belgian designed bike made in Taiwan. What do bikes have to do with beer? Everything. Moving on, beer is good and this Full Moon Winter Ale is very ok. Drinkable and slightly on the sweet side. I would buy it again for a taste test against a true dubbel from the homeland. Don’t fear the Coors attempt. I would recommend this if it was on sale anyday. Just remember that the Belgians know what’s up and Golden, CO is trying to compete which is not a bad thing.
Long live the beer!
I cooked up my first batch of beer at my friend Steve’s house today. It all went well, no wipeouts or calamity. In a couple weeks I’ll be bottling porter!
This tasty beer comes all the way from Russia. Has a woody flavor with a toffee note. Medium creamy body and a dark rich color. Add this to your list of Gotta Try Beers. I scored this one at BevMo.