Chris.Derecola

Editor’s Note: I miss writing, I really do. Well, I have been writing plenty as of late, but I miss writing for the sake of writing and  not because a professor wants me to do a research paper on enterprise architecture. The truth is I’m just plain worn out these days. I have several half written posts and another list of things that I’ve been meaning to write about, but I haven’t been able to focus on the things I like much. School is over for good in 9 days; lets hope the writing bug comes back after a bit of r&r.

In lieu of actually writing something that requires thought, I wanted to jot down some notes about the beers I’ve had over the last few months. I’ve been keeping tabs in my phone, mostly so I can compile my beer list at some point. This ain’t gonna be pretty, but it’ll serve its purpose.

• Ayinger Brau Weisse – a great, crisp wheat that is very drinkable
• Brasserie DuPont Biere de Miel – my first saison ale and I liked it, I’m a sucker for honey
• Dogfish Head Black & Blue – fairly fruity, but not in a bad way, not great but I dig the blueberry thing
• Dogfish Head Festina Peche – absolutely disgusting, smells like vomit
• Dogfish Head Fort – pretty wicked, 18% ABV is extremely noticeable ’cause it’s like drinking liquor, good once but I can’t say I’d buy again
• Dogfish Head Midas Touch – very complex, definitely has a honey and saffron tinge to it, good every once in awhile
• Dogfish Head Pangaea – this beer seems more like a gimmick than anything, it’s not bad but pours very flat and the ginger is very obvious
• Dogfish Head Punkin – a solid pumpkin ale, but I tend to think the category is a bit overrated
• Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer – all I really remember is raisin because I had a buzz when I drank it (3 months ago)
• Leffe Blonde – Belgians are good, but they still can’t make me drink pale ales, hops and I do not get along
• Southampton Double White – a pretty typical witbier, but it’s too dry for my taste, much better to be had
• Tripel Karmeliet – floral, slightly spicy and plain fantastic

My backlog of beers to write about has grown to somewhat significant proportions. The number of beers and the realization that people who read this blog probably don’t care about tasting notes has me considering slimming down what I say. I tend to use these entries as a record of what I like and don’t like, so I think I’ll go in that direction. If you’re really curious about what these beers taste like, check out Beer Advocate.

A year and a half ago, I first had Schneider Aventinus at a local restaurant. I’ve spent that time looking for it, when I remember, and finally found it at Wegmans thanks to a tip. I wrote previously about it being a great brew and my opinion hasn’t changed. The beer is darker than I usually like but being a wheat doppelbock gives it that banana, caramel, chocolate thing that I seem to fall for. It drinks remarkably well for its 8.2% ABV so it’ll sneak up on you if you aren’t paying attention. I’d prefer 750ml over the 500ml bottles I’ve found, so I guess I have some searching to do. This beer is going to get a spot in my top three all time, which should say something about what I think of it. (Hemme, this is the part where you say you know your beer.)

While I was buying the Aventinus, I saw his little brother Weisse sitting next to him begging to be taken home. It turns out this is the original beer produced by Schneider Weisse (hence the name [also call Original]) but I’d never heard of it or them before trying the other beer. This is much lighter, fresher and dryer than the other, but I’m not as crazy about it as I am about Aventinus. It’s definitely better than a lot of other wheat beers floating around, but I’d rather get Hoegaarden and save a bit of dough. I think it’s a good beer, but if I’m buying Schneider I’m buying their doppelbock.

I think I’m going to have to add this brewery to my To Do list when we go to Germany. I really have no idea when that’s going to be, but considering the growing list of things I want to do in the country, it’s gotta be within the next 5 years.