Seasonally Deschutes and Ninkasi

   Tis the season, for mildly disappointing beer...

   I'm sorry, that probably doesn't want to make you want to read on, but for me, we I see those awkward seasonal puns, yet lovely illustrations along the beer aisle I just become slightly deflated, because they tend to involve many of the same things... many which I, personally, do not appreciate.

   It's all about the spices.  Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, coriander, ginger, cloves; all the lovely things you might find in a homemade pumpkin pie... unfortunately -and, granted, I have heard the exact opposite about the same beers- they do not go well, or at least should be used with great caution in beer.  It's just preference, but I, in my current beer-state (beer-state: the opinion of beer currently held, although it consistently grows and shifts between preferences) do not think that these spices in beer should be the forefront of the beer itself.  Just like in any other food, spices are there to enhance food, not over-shadow it completely.  So, this season, I generally try old classics or hang on old favorites, although I might sample a seasonal or two...

I borrowed these images

   Deschutes Brewery, Jubelale
Difficult to pronounce, enjoyed by many.  My comentary when trying this seasonal from one of my favorite breweries was: cloves, light orange citrus,.. what's in eggnog?
   I don't know if this is helpful, but its all I can offer during these dark days and heavy beers.

Moving on!

from the Google

   Ninkasi, Sleigh'r
Ninkasi, known for their attraction by hop-heads abouning.  I'm sorry, but again, I can't hardly help.  It has the hops, but then it has the season.  If thats what you want, an over-whelming array of spice on your hop-sentric palate, then by all means, enjoy... the end.

I am generally not a SAD Nancy, evening in the dreary Northwest.  I actually love the grey and rain that saturates Portland, luckily, but I am not for these overwhelmingly gritty and spiceful beers.  Some people live then though.  I have met several people who believe this is the best season of beer.  I'm a lemony summer kind of fit generally.  If I want something heavy I go for a classic porter or stout, of which there are many great ones available all year round.  So, what can you do.  Its just opinion vs opinion, palate vs palate.

So... nothing to recommend but maybe trying the seasonal stock for yourself.  Let me know what you think in the comments below!  I'm intrigued by what other's taste ^_^

Blogging Hibearnation

Hello friends,

   It's been awhile, I know.  But, if you can sympathize with a 12hr a day work schedule, then you can see why it has been some time since I've been able to tickle your imaginations with wondrous and strange sugar-plumed beers from the great northwest and beyond.  But now, side-saddling this lounge chair with Nobbit purring dutifully by my side I gaze at my computer screen, gripped by that odd mixture of apprehension and opportunity doing cartwheels in my ribcage, I must decide between the tale of the beer which was my old friend from closer-to-home, or which was a bit of home from afar...
   We'll start with what was the norm, from the supermarket to my hotel room.

Shock Top Belgian Wheat from Fort Collins, CO

   It was a hot day in September, 2012.  I had been thrown into a culture that I thought only existed in politically-incorrect 80's sitcoms and I desired beer to assist my mental juices as I contemplated my new environment.  Gazing at the beer wall of the local supermarket I was barraged by dozens of new names and images, some cute, some creepy, some mildly intriguing, but none enough so to get me to pay for a 6 pack I may passionately dis-like, so I stayed safe.  "It" beer Shock Top Belgian Wheat came to my aid and hand-in-hand we left the store.

Widmer on tap, TO THE EXTREME! XD

   Other than Widmer, which is right from my backyard, Shock Top was the only beer available that came fairly close to home (or at least wasn't bible-belt brewed).  The thing about Widmer is that, it's just sooo much better on tap.  With the comparison in the back of my head, it's almost difficult to enjoy it from a bottle, so, as a result, no Widmer passed these lips while I was away.  This sudden realization almost makes me feel like a traitor... But maybe this will help.  I encourage all folks who have a Widmer tap easily available to go now and enjoy their refreshing array of ales.  Now, back to Shock Top.

It even does windows

   It felt like a teensy bit of home as I endured oppressive humidity and startling stereotypes played out before mine eyes.  The Shock Top Belgian Ale plays its role perfectly whether its a victory drink at the top of South Sister (it was there with me and my fellow bears as we managed that "moderate" mountain-climbing adventure), or quenching the thirst of an over-heating bear on a patio overlooking North Carolina.  Shock Top Belgian Ale is crisp with light fruity tones, notes of clove, and a clean finish.  Great for someone who wants something better than the usual bottom-barrel brands, but don't want something as intense or hoppy as Ninkasi or Rouge.

   So, when your on an adventure or just generally wanting something more enticing than a Pabst, Shock Top is a safe base beer for your beery repertoire.

This just happens to be awesome and I would totally drive this car everywhere

Besides Bears

Besides being bears, we are lovers and friends.  That's how the song goes right?  So, as such, we decided to act like complete strangers at a local dive, Calamity Jae's.

The onion ring aroma drew me in but the incredibly cute guy at the bar, cheesy jukebox music, and bad flirting that got me to stay.  I then enjoyed a Total Domination IPA by Ninkasi and flirted with an unappealing persona put on by an unusually attractive bear.  Unable to slight my interest, I continued to chat with said bear as I drank my delicious IPA.  Total Domination always surprises me in how clean and refreshing it is, but then satisfies with an intense bitter edge.  Its beautiful golden-amber color and light fizzy mouth-feel make this Indian Pale Ale one of my most acceptable and accessible beer choices generally available at the local watering hole.

male bear at bar: "all guys who like IPA's are sexy beasts"
female bear: "I heard that" ^_^

*****

this is not beer...

The first attempt, unable to be taken seriously by bears and bartenders alike, was a flop.  So we moved on to another bar in hopes of finding those heavenly smelling onion rings and our inner flirts.  Across the parking lot we found the 108 bar, and inside, something curious.  I am a big fan of Widmer's Hefeweizen on draft, but what I saw was something new by Widmer, the Pitch Black IPA.  I felt like a kid again, when I used to be obsessed Mountain Dew, but then they came out with Code Red!  Yeah, the nostalgia and excitement hit hard and I bought a pint.

Darker than my sexy outer coat, this IPA is the least IPA looking IPA I've ever encountered (PA, pale ale; this, not pale).  It was also one of the hoppiest.  Slightly less hoppy than one other beer I had had - a beer that I don't remember what or where but was pretty much hop tincture in a glass - it was still incredibly hoppy but also fantastic.  Creamy, hop-centric, and possessing the consistent IPA bitter edge.  It was like the milkshake cousin of other soda-pop IPA's.

The flirting again flopped...
for obvious reasons ^_^