Howdy Folks!

Haven't been here in awhile, have I? Thing is, I have been blogging elsewhere, and fairly schiziod about that even. But, hopefully I have my junk together and am currently blogging at Fungal Threads. It is not a site where I ponder beer exclusively, but it's presence will be felt commonly there. Please stop by and check the site out - it is mostly an outdoor site, but who knows what's going to show up on it.

I just posted my first review there of Leinenkughel's Creamy Dark Lager, and I'm hoping to talk Foolish Took into adding to the beer conversation. Please stop by and check it out.

Thanks -

Casey

Sam Adams Winter Lager

I had some gas money left over this week and decided that I was going to invest in Sam Adams Winter Lager. This would be a departure for you Bud Light fans.

Albeit not too much, this stuff is brewed with freshly ground cinnamon, orange and ginger. I don't really taste the spices until a couple of seconds after I've swilled the potion. I LIKE that. This beer impressed me 2 years ago, and this years batch is just a tad mellower.

Head : Thin and yellowish. But it leaves some lacing! Hell yeah!
Aroma : I didn't get much.
Color : Medium copper.
Flavor : Like I said earlier - the flavor came a few seconds after. It's a beauty.

Profundity : Ranks very high in my book. Good mouthful.

Overall grade : A. Bet I get drunk a few times this winter and this will be part of the menu!

I have to make a pitch for the new Beer and Campfires Forum! Join up and let's talk some beer. Its' free!!!!

Click the link below our blog header or click the badge on the right hand column of this page. You can do it!!

I Was Beginning To Accumulate A Lot of Beer....Part One

Ever since Owl's post of the want and desire to sample and savor a bevy of Oktoberfest style beers, I have been making trips to my favorite beer store and gathering a plenty. Not all were Oktoberfest style beers (remember, Owl and I like 'em roasted!), but there was a grand selection growing.... much like the number of companies putting out Oktoberfest style beers. Now this makes me laugh, a little. And I will tell you why: What most people don't know is that Oktoberfest started back in the days before refrigeration as a way to get rid of all the excess beer that had survived through the summer, but would not likely subsist through the winter. Had to have the kegs empty for the next batches, you know. As well as being a part of harvest festivals dating back to when pagans ruled the land. What makes me laugh? The fact that now beer companies brew beer specifically to be drank in October! Sometimes these beers have hardly matured! Oh well, I guess Capitalism is what makes this country great.

But why do I only laugh a little? Well let me digress for just a bit...October is the quintessential month of Fall. There is a chill in the air, the earthy smell of leaves decaying, and – I don't know how else to put it – there is actual cheer in the air. People can sit outside and not be hot, folks are helping each other with outdoor projects before Old Man Winter settles in, and not to mention, it is the penultimate time for dark thick Beer, grilled foods, good company and Campfires! (I mean you can do it in November, but due to the temperature in Iowa, it is highly unlikely...) And let's not forget Halloween!

Now for the reason(s) of my sequestered laughter: One, October is my month. I own it, it belongs to me (don't argue with a Took, it gets you no where. It doesn't get him anywhere either, but he doesn't care where he is going...Hobbit Logic!) - and I am a dark beer drinker. That alone sets me off. Who are these captains of industry to market normal hoppy style beer in MY MONTH?! (I know, they are captains of industry, and they are making more money than me, so I should just suck it up...) Second, um, er, well, second is that Fall and Winter are the months that you are supposed to be drinking the calorie filled, life sustaining, malty chocolatey, heavenly bodied, profundity abundant, absolutely yummy, heavy rich dark creamy thick good cheer beers!

But wait there's more! I haven't completed my thought yet! Why am I laughing at all? Because some companies KNOW that October is dark beer weather, and they make their Oktoberfest beers in accordance. Specifically, Sam Adams; their Oktoberfest just always seems to be perfect, even though they change the recipe slightly each year. Ayinger put out an exquisite Oktoberfest beer this year, and new kids on the block Left Hand put out an absolute stunner. But I am getting to the part of the blog where we actually review some beers, and here Owl (who tends to stay a bit more on track) will do the actual writing. I will leave where I started: I was beginning to accumulate a lot of beer, and my nephew, Owl and I decided to put a dent in the stock...

Saranac Octoberfest

This has a medium copper color. The nose is not big and the head was minimal. And it is a tasty beer! But our notes show (and you'll see how expansive they get the further we get along) we gave it an overall grade of B-. It may have been the cost.

Spaten Ur-Marzen Oktoberfest

Smoky copper color and thin head. But what the hell is with the aroma? We are not fans of this type of stink. Is it the green bottle? I get this aroma from St. Pauli Girl and Heineken, also. Is it the type of hops? Enlighten us. But we both agree that the beer tastes OK. The body trumps the aroma. Both of us would still drink this over a Bud Light. Our overall grade was a D.

Sam Adams Octoberfest

We cleaned our palates with a slice of dry colby-jack cheese and poured this beauty. Clean copper color with a thicker, buttery colored head. Took didn't notice much of an aroma, but Owl smelled a touch of earth. It's profundity is wholesome and it turned out to be a guzzler! Took commented that this years' batch is not as sweet. We recommend it. And Owl has purchased more since this event. Yep - this one can go down all night. There is nothing off-kilter with it.

More to come with a special guest appearance by a Balrog...

Oktoberfest-style Recommendations Requested!

My, my, my.... Ahh, the cooler days of autumn are just about here.

Football season starts. The baseball season winds down, but the penant races are in full throttle. The garden needs harvested and cleaned up for next year. Camping season is more comfortable. Good trout fishing gets going again. Friends gather around the warmth of the campfire. And my most favorite - duck season starts!

It's only August, and I'm getting geared up to be drinking me some Oktoberfest - style beers. A most wonderful segue into the seasons of scottish ales, porters, and stouts. But enough about all that.

I have only scratched the surface of Oktoberfest - style beers. And I truly dig them. But Foolish Took and I need any and all recommendations from any and all readers who would be inclined to lend us a hand. What are some of your favorites? What do you look for in this style? We look at RateBeer and BeerAdvocate, but your opinions count, too!

Ya see. I don't like lawnmower beer season. I need to get started on the thicker, foodier potions ASAP!

Millstream's Generations White Ale

I made a trip to the Amana Colonies earlier this year and I had to make a stop at Millstream
Brewing Co. After a few or four of their Oatmeal Stouts, which I highly recommend and hope to include in other posts soon, I decided to do some more supporting of an Iowa brewery by purchasing a mixed 12-pack. In it were 2 Generation White Ales. These were brewed in honor of John's Grocery's 50th anniversary. And before you ask, I haven't been to John's Grocery - yet another thing I hope to include on this blog someday.

Now summer has happened and I figured to give these white ales a try. See how they fit in the scheme of what I consider a summer-type beer to be. Here's what I thought:

Generations White Ale
Millstream Brewing Company

Style : White Ale.

Color : Gold with a moonlight haze in it.

Head : White and thin.

Aroma : Nothing overwhelming, but please excuse my sense of smell. It sucks.

Flavor : Cool but a bit spicy. It's weird, but I swear I taste BBQ sauce. Almost like Kraft Original that has been sitting on chicken hindquarters all day in a crockpot. Seriously. But it doesn't belch that way!!

Profundity : This has a medium body to it. Thicker than an American macro-brew, but not as refreshing. Fairly smooth and not much punch to it. Drinkable, though.

Overall Grade : C. I'm not a real big light ale fan, but if this was offered to me again, I would drink it. But not more than 2 or 3 at a sitting.