Catching up with some recent Big Beers tastings. Captain Lawrence Nor Easter, Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, Weyerbacher Thirteen

Catching up with some recent Big Beer tastings.

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company's Nor' Easter WInter Warmer 2007. From Pleasantville, New York.

This is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale aged in bourbon barrels with elder berries. That's right. This was one unique, interesting, & delicious beer. The barrel aging gives the beer a HUGE bourbon & vanilla aroma. The taste has the same qualities along with a distinct alcohol soaked raisin flavor that is AWESOME. Glad I traded for this gem. One of the best & most unique beers I've ever had. Truly. 11% ABV, but feels like much more.

http://captainlawrencebrewing.com/





Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA. I love hops. This beer has some serious hops. Boiled for a full 2 hours(standard beers are boiled for about an hour) while constantly adding hops for the full time, then dry hopping during fermentation for a month, then aged on full leaf hops for another month makes....well, a hoppy beer. There is also a massive sweetness to make one hell of a beer drinking experience. This clocks in at a mammoth 20% ABV. Yowza. A 12oz bottle can be shared with a couple people. It drinks surprisingly easy for such a huge alcohol content.

Dogfish's tag line is "Off Centered Beers For Off Centered People". They make really different out of the box beers and fast becoming one of my favorites.

http://www.dogfish.com/





Weyerbacher Thirteen from Easton, Pa. Brewed to celebrate their 13th anniversay. An Imperial stout brewed with Belgian yeast. Lots of smooth chocolate like flavors, roasted/toasted maltiness, bitter coffee flavors & lacking the big hop bitterness from typical imperial stouts. A nice big flavorful brew.

http://www.weyerbacher.com/





Another Dogfish Brew. Black and Blue. A Belgian Style Strong Ale brewed with Blackberries & Blueberries. Wacky. I'm typically not a huge fruit beer fan, and I thought this was just okay. Taste was very tart and sweet. Kinda like an effervescent blackberry....drink of some sort. The malty beer character is there, but, just different. Still unique & glad I had the opportunity to sample. Wish I would have saved the 750 ML bottle to share with friends over some food.

More Big Beers upcoming. Portsmouth's Kate The Great, Three Floyd's Darklord, Smuttynose's Barleywine Style Ale & Imperial Stout, and more. Good times ahead.

Tiny

We're sad to report the passing of our wonderful cat, Tiny, on Friday September 26th. Tiny had been with Ronda & I for the 14 or so years we've been together. And with Ronda for 4 years before that. She did enjoy a very full life of 18 years & brought Ronda & I much daily happiness. Needless to say we are very sad to see her go & will miss her very much.

Here's a few pictures to celebrate her life.

Monk's Kettle S.F.

Stopped into the Monk's Kettle prior to seeing Nick Cave on Saturday night. Located in the Mission, right across from the Kilowatt and conveniently located by the 16th st BART station.



The place is pretty small, seating 49. We were lucky enough to grab a table by the bar soon as we got in. Overheard the door guy telling people coming that the wait for a table was 2 hours. Yikes.



25 or so taps of all craft , Belgian, & other rare brews. An impressive bottle list as well. On tap during my visit: Avery Ale To The Chief, Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, Allagah Curieux, Koningshoeven Quad, and lots more. Very nice selection.



The food menu consists of all high quality & house made items. The menu also suggests a couple beer pairings for each selection as well. Nice touch.

We started out with a housemade pretzel that was AWESOME. Served with house made cheddar ale sauce & ground mustard. This isn't my pic.



We had sandwiches for dinner. I had the Salmon sandwich on a baguette that was really good & Ronda had a burger with local arugala & blue cheese sauce. Look forward to going back to try some of their entrees.




The world needs more eateries like this that showcase beer as much as the well made food.

http://www.monkskettle.com/index.html