Busy Weekend/PA Trip!

Wow, what a busy weekend and beer-wise too. So I went to Shangy's and picked up some great beers you can't get in NYC. And because it was PA, they were all cases. What were those cases you ask? that massive haul of 4 cases that nearly made me bankrupt? Well there is one that enlisted me to drive there: Lost Abbey Angel's Share (Brandy). And this was one expensive case. Considering all the stuff I've been reading on BeerAdvocate about carbonation problems, I'm alittle bit scared about this. But the last (and only) Angel's share I had was bourbon barrel and was perhaps one of the most amazing and unique beers I've ever had. The idea of having a ton to age and perhaps trade was quite enticing, so let's hope this one turns out for the best. Also scored was a case of Bell's Hopslam (of course) and Bell's Two Hearted. As well as Bell's Cherry Stout. Great haul, and Shangy's is just the ultimate beer buying experience.
In other news I noticed that The Bruery Melange #3 was on tap at Whole Foods-Bowery. WOW! Some beer, pretty serious. Sweet delicous caramel nectar with layers and layers of different alcohol soaked fruit and nut flavors. Definitely head there and get some ASAP if you are a big fan of huge barrel aged strong ales, it's actually a blend of three ales to be exact. I'm going to try and do more posting for you all.

Anchor Our Barrel Ale @ Pacific Standard & Waterfront Ale House

Just noticed that today at Pacific Standard in Brooklyn and at Waterfront Ale House in the city they will be offering free samples of the new Anchor Our Barrel Ale, and trust me this beer won't be easy to find if at all. It is a blend of Anchor's various brews aged in their old potrero whiskey barrels. If you are a fan of Anchor and their (limited) line of beers, then this one is a must-try. I've been meaning to get down to Pacific Standard for awhile, looks like I finally have my excuse. For those making the trip, or not making a trip, they will also have some of their spirits for free sampling purposes as well. Enjoy!

DFH night at Barcade

Ah Barcade, just can't go wrong. This Thursday they are having at least their second DFH night which will also feature the brilliantly marketed Simul-Cask launch. This my friends marks the appearance of DFH cask-conditioned ale with this dry-hopped and maple-syruped 75 minute IPA cask. Apparently they are simultaneously tapping many of these casks at DFH events in Boston, Philly and NYC and the first 75 people get a free glass! Also look for the Burton Baton and the new rye-porter at this event. Should be a great time as always, hope to see you there.

75 Minute IPA simul-cask

Cask Ale Fest at Chelsea Brewing Co.

Looks like I was a little late on this one, but still hoping to check it out. There is a great collection of cask conditioned ales over at Chelsea Brewing Co on the West Side. I went to this last time they had it and you had to purchase an entire sheet of tickets at once and was thus forced to use them all. No problem for me, but you definitely find all sorts of unfinished sheets on the floor and people handing them out like candy, so it ends up really being a great time. Some notable brews that I'm hoping are still on tap include Voodoo Big Black Voodoo Daddy and Oskar Blues Ten Fidy. Hope to see you there.

Time Warner Cable is the Budweiser of Internet Providers

So I finally have my Internet running again. It's been out since Thursday and I haven't been particularly pleased with Time Warner cable on the matter. But they came today and it is finally fixed, for now... Anyways, this was a weekend marked by the release of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout and the growler of good old regular Breakfast stout from New Beer. I'm still yet to target a particular location for purchase of KBS within driving distance. I also believe that Angel's Share will be released this week in PA, so I'm hoping to take care of both if possible. In other beer news. Blind Tiger has their Anniversary party today which looked interesting, and McNeil's night at barcade is quickly approaching.

VT Beer and Cheese at Blind Tiger Ale House

Speaking of The Alchemist, Blind Tiger is having their two-day Vermont Beer and Cheese event. They will be serving some rare to NYC market VT breweries from McNeil's as well as some select others. This should be a great event and seems to fall conveniently after my trip to The Alchemist, which they will also be serving. And while we are at it, keep your eyes on Thursday Mar 19 when Barcade will be hosting the full array of McNeil's beer. Tomorrow night at Blind Tiger looks particularly enticing...

Split Thy Skull

So I went to Mug's Ale House yesterday for their annual "Split Thy Skull" strong ale fest. Mug's often has some great brews on tap and this was no exception. I sampled the DFH Immort Ale 06, which was well, my main reason for going there. I had never had it on draft before and was really excited for the try. But it had lost a lot of it's great peaty character that I love about it in the bottle and the smokiness was non-detectable. It left me thinking about something I often wonder about: does beer age properly in kegs, or is there some sort of specific procedure? I've never really come across an aged beer on draft that was particularly "more complex" than it's fresher cousin. That is except for that one time at Blind Tiger when they had the North Coast Old Stock 03. That tasted right, and sticks in my mind as a particularly good example. But other than that I can't really think of another striking example. Other than that at Mug's was my first try of the Otter Creek R.I.S. gravity cask which was quite excellent. And new in the Brooklyn Brewmaster's Reserve lot is Intensified Coffee Stout, a style that is really becoming popular and to which I have no problem with that fact. It tastes like the base stout for Black Ops, with coffee added. I wonder what kind of coffee beans they use. Very hot in the brewdar is KBS and Angel's Share. Very hot...

New to NYC: Left Hand and The Bruery

Some interesting new breweries are now available on tap in the NYC area. Left Hand with their incredible milk stout is now on draft and I sampled the oak-aged Imperial Stout on tap at Barcade, quite good. The Bruery is one I have never sampled. They have a line of Belgian ales and the Melange #3 at Rattle'n'Hum looks particular interesting. It's always great to see new beers making their way to NYC, I hope to see more of this trend.
In other news, hot on the brewdar is Founder's Kentuck Breakfast Stout and Lost Abbey Angel's Share (Brandy Barrel). Both should be available in the eastern PA area and I hope to score both if I'm lucky.

The Alchemist

The highlight of the trip beer-wise for me. The Alchemist over delivered in ever possible way. When we got to the place we were told there was a two hour wait for dinner. Happily I told the party of four others "let's wait" and opened a tab at the bar. On cask they had something the bartender called a "Black Holey Moley." A dark version of their incredible Holey Moley Double IPA. Such a good beer, what an intimate experience of being able to sample these brewhouse treats. Other notables included the "Knuckle Dragger" A Belgian-milk-stout of incredible flavor and depth. The Knuckle Dragger was like Allagash Black, but even better, and that is one of my favorite Belgian stouts. Some really great beers on tap and a great selection of styles and flavors. Turns out the two hour wait was more like an hour and plenty of time to drink up before enjoying an excellent dinner. I had the Porter braised Chicken Leg with polenta, bacon and shitake mushrooms. Yum, excellent and some great beers on the side. The prices all so reasonable, especially when you are coming from NYC, can't argue with incredible $4 brew. Can't wait to go back.

VT Trip!

Well it's been awhile, sorry about that. I was in the land of local brew and snowy wonderness. What a great and much needed trip it was, and there were some great beer moments as well. Made my first ever trip to The Alchemist in Waterbury, VT and of course visited the Magic Hat Brewery while I was there as well. The Alchemist was incredible, blew my expectations out of the water as one of the best places for beer in VT. Magic Hat pretty solid as well with the new design and self-guided brewery tour. More coming soon.