Again with the Oktoberfests

Last night we had a few more Saint Arnold’s Oktoberfests. While I still like it as a beer, I would not go to it again as an Oktoberfest beer. It has this Fat Tire Amber flavor which I do not want in an Oktoberfest beer. My favorite Oktoberfest has gottta be Ayinger’s and I judge all others against it. Some of my favorites are Sam Adams, Brooklyn and Stoudts. I don’t know how many Oktoberfest beers are going to be available here. Surely we will get all the major German ones, but I am really excited about what domestics we will get here in Austin.

Thirsty Thursday #8

Note: This is a series of blog posts from another one of my blogs. I thought I would put them up here from now on as well.

Wow. Lord forgive me for slacking - beer wise. It has been 14 long months since my last Thirsty Thursday. But let me tell you my dear readers, it is back and it is back to stay - no seriously.

Blackjack Ale (Bourbon Barrel Aged)
by North by Northwest - Austin, TX
Style: Belgian Dark Ale
ABV: a good amount (?)

Today we delve into the world of bourbon barrel aging. Sorry folks, this one is only available in Austin. You will have to visit to taste. One snob's review:

Just got this after arriving and finding the Kodiak IPA is no longer available. This ended up being a nice surprise though in the end. Appearance wise, not too impressive, no head, black color. Can pull much of an aroma off this one, too many food smells wafting around the joint. Bourbon right away in the flavor, nice warming. Wet and smooth drinker. Very enjoyable. Went well with my burger.

I wonder if there are any beer flavored bourbons?

Budweiser American Ale

Schocktoberfest

I had my first Oktoberfest beer of the year tonight—Saint Arnold's. It was a good one to start with. Märzen/Oktoberfest beers are by far my favorite style of beer. I can not get enough of them. I know some are available year round, but I do my best only to have them within their season (fall). It is a little early, but I got antsy and when I saw that Gingerman had Saint Arnold's Oktoberfest on tap I jumped at the chance to try it for the first time.

In the past my favorites have been Stoudts, Brooklyn, Ayinger and Hacker-Pschorr. I am looking forward to trying more southwestern versions of the style this year.

picture: by blipfish

It's old news by now, but if you have not heard—Boulevard is in town. I have been meaning to try some and today I jumped at the opportunity to pick up a mixed twelve pack at Central Market. I love when breweries do this. Now I just need to decide what I want to drink with dinner tonight (chicken pesto w/ pasta).

#1

*burp*
http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/07/alcohol-drinking-cities-forbeslife-drink08-cx_de_avb_0807hard.html

(512) Grand Opening

The wife and I made it out to (512) Brewery's grand opening. Unfortunately I oafishly left the camera at home. The crowd was pretty thick when we first showed up and hella busy on our way out. I enjoyed the IPA - it was hazy and a had a soggy hop flavor. My opinion is that is better than Live Oak's IPA, which I also had recently.

Some links for more coverage:

My Fox Austin
http://sarahsmile.wordpress.com/2008/08/10/new-brews/
http://nottheknowingone.wordpress.com/2008/08/09/512-brewing/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/breakfastmargarita/tags/512/

The Session #19 Anounced

The Session is a concept thought up by Stan Hieronymus at Appellation Beer. I have been planning on participating in The Session for the last two months. I have a bad memory, sorry.

The latest session topic as been announced for September. Craft Austin will be there...well that is if I don't forget and considering I have my cousin's bachelor party the weekend before, that is likely to happen.

ChiTown

Daniela, my cousin, hooked me up again. About a month ago she brought me back some Deschutes from Portland. Recently she visited Chicago with her sister Ale and they brought back a few bottles of Goose Island for my enjoyment. Daniela is lately becoming my beer mule. You guys rock.



First up: Pere Jacques. A solid dubble. I rated it a B+ on beeradvocate.com, but off the top of head I would say it is about a B-. A good American representation of the style.



Then Summertime. Kolcshstyle, not my favorite. Passable. I guess it would go well in the blistering sun, but I have had much better Kolsch beers.

Florida Beers

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was recently in Orlando, FL for my grandfather's funeral. While this was an obviously sad occasion, it was also an opportunity to grab some beers I can not get in Austin. My plan was to fit in a visit to Orlando Brewing or at least pick up some of their beers. Alas, time was tight and I could not swing it. But I was able to stop by Knightly Spirits, a terrific store five minutes from my parents house.



This is what I bought and brought home to Austin. A couple Hopfen Weisse, a Grand Cru, and a sixer of Brooklyn Lager (a beer close to my heart, after living in Brooklyn for four years). I also had a sixer of Two Hearted Ale, but this was finished in Orlando.






I'll be back in Orlando soon and then again for Christmas. I plan on bringing much more back before 2009.