I Really Mean It This Time

One of my New Year's resolutions is to commit to a weekly post. This started out as a monthly endeavor and I don't mean to ignore this blog, I just get so distracted! On that note, consider this the first weekly post. I'm not reviewing beers (maybe when my palate is a little more experienced), I just want to share my beer-related thoughts and adventures. First thing's first: Mikkeller Red/White Christmas.




I picked up a magnum at my local Whole Foods and was so excited to finally open it at a small dinner party on Christmas Eve. I wish I'd had the wherewithal to scribble in my 33 Beers notebook because all I can remember is how hoppy and spicy it smelled. The first sip tasted, basically, like Christmas. I was baking gingerbread cookies (while friends were over, so tacky) and they were a perfect accompaniment to the beer! Next: Flying Dog Raging Bitch.




Gonzo Imperial Porter was one of the first craft beers I ever tried and I couldn't finish the bottle. If you've ever had it, dear reader, maybe you'll take pity on me. I'd been shy about Flying Dog ever since, but at the behest of a friend I tried the Raging Bitch. I expected it to be a sock in the taste buds like its brewery brethren but was so pleasantly surprised at its hoppy-but-not-bitter smoothness. Like music to my mouth. It smells like an IPA but goes down like a Belgian trippel. Numero tres: 21st Amendment Fireside Chat.




My darling boyfriend was up in San Francisco visiting a friend of his and stopped at City Beer Store at my request to pick up the Fireside Chat. Unfortunately it was the last 6 pack they had, so I have to be stingy. It might just be my mind playing tricks, wishing for Monk's Blood, but this beer pours just like it. Heady, dark, and smooth, but with a distinct spicy bite. I was all pumpkin'd out by the end of October and haven't enjoyed spiced ales more than I have this month. Last but not least: Anchor Brewing Merry Christmas Happy New Year 2010.




This beer is always a favorite. I enjoyed the 12oz bottles earlier in the month as I had in years before, but this was the first time I had beer from the magnum. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, the magnums are bottle-conditioned where the 6 packs are not. The 12oz bottles have a sharp taste that I can't pinpoint, and the magnums are smooth and dark, but light in body (not in flavor). I will be getting magnums every year. Also I've never tried aging them, nor would I have the restraint to leave them there, but I guess now is as good a time as any!

November

I started last month with the intent to post at least every week to this blog and I have failed. So this is the first weekly post! I have a few pictures and no notes from November's meeting, and I'm excited to share some beer presents with you. I forgot to take a picture of the beer that was given to me by my good friend Joey, but BeerAdvocate has one! Go look at it. Awesome, right? Also, we gave each other magnums of Anchor's Merry Christmas, Happy New Year beer which is hilaaaaaarious! No? Ok, fine. I've had it out of the 12oz bottle this year but I've never had it out of the magnum before and I'm pretty excited to try it.

Back to business! November SBA was awesome, as SBA continues to be. Especially so this time because a buddy of mine who I don't get to see very often, as she lives over an hour away, was able to join us. She brought a Delirium beer with which she shares a name... I'll let you guess. Here I am with her and my younger sister, Vice President of SBA.



Here was our lineup:



The Maredsous was my contribution to the meeting, the theme of which was Belgians: Dubbels, Tripels, and Quads. Maredsous is a favorite of mine year-round. The 4 who attended made it through all but the last half of the Affligem, which was the most anticipated of the beers but the least appreciated, after the Sam Adams Chocolate Bock stole the show. It tastes just like chocolate ice cream (and apparently is just as delicious warm)! Unfortunately, I've only seen it available in Sam Adams' Winter Seasonal 12-pack. Lucky for me, I got one on sale at BevMo's BevMo Days sale for like $12. Pretty sweet. Anyway, There wasn't a single beer that everybody didn't love, and since the pilseners and summer lagers of our first meeting, suffice it to say we've come a long way.

It looks like the December meeting won't happen until after Christmas, what with 4 birthdays and as many holiday-themed parties on my calendar. Next week I'll try to post something relevant, I've got a lot of new beers in my fridge to try and I wouldn't mind telling you about them!