Undercover Investigation Shut-Down*

The ingredients of this beer read as follows: "Hops, Malt, Hops, Hops, Yeast, Hops, Water, and Hops."  Yes, I got a good laugh out of this, and I hope you do too. 

Reportedly (according to the label), the beer was made in "honor" of a 20 day shutdown that :Lagunitas under went at some point in time, so they made it extra bitter.  And, lemme tell you, this one is bitter - bitter, malty, thick, sweet, a hint of alcohol bite, and a damn fine beer.  Better yet, it comes in 6 packs for under $10 a six pack.  For those of you that have had Stone's Arrogant Bastard or Double Bastard, this would be right between the two.  This is a good thing, as I think Double Bastard is a bit too to much (but, I will always buy at least one a year; I feel obligated as there is nothing like it - look for DB in the fall) and Arrogant is not enough.  As I drink through the glass and my palate adjusts, I see that it's a little closer the the AB, and could use a bit more, ummmm, oooomph.  Though, it's still a more than worthy pick-up.    

I picked up one Undercover Shutdown to test it out, but I will be picking up a six pack tomorrow to enjoy on Monday during a brew day (Rye Cascadian Dark Ale coming up).  At this ABV, we'll see if I am still awake at the end of the brew (cross your fingers, kids).

Keep your eye out for Lagunitas brews, since they are always good at a good price.  Nothing of their beers that I have had were mind blowing but all have been tasty and well worth the price tag.  I always make sure to pick up any new beer by them on the shelves, and I never regret it.      

*Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Stats: American IIPA (really? I'd call it a Strong Ale), 9.87% ABV, 72.41 IBUs, Seasonal Spring Release 

A Good Man Is Hard to Find

Dear Loyal Reader(s), 

This weekend was spent in San Diego with family, friends, food, and beer.  It was awesome.  The Lonely Beer Nut reunited with some of his old beer buddies (some not so nerdy in the beer scene, but with excellent taste buds, and another that geeks out just as much as I do on beer) and had a wonderful time.  I miss them.  

-The Lonely Beer Nut

Weekend Beer Line-Up (one/split one of most, multiples of others) and Thoughts:

1. Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout* (pre AB-InBev sellout)

2. Karl Strauss Big Barrel IIPA**

3. Ballast Point Big Eye IPA***

4. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale****

5. Stone IPA (forgot how tasty this is)*****

6. Coronado Orange Ave Wit******

7. Two Bear-Panther Brewing Home Brews: Saison and Mexican Chololate w/ Chilies (?) Stout*******

The biggest surprise of the weekend was the Big Barrel IIPA.  Karl Strauss makes a bunch of ho-hum brews, but this one was a damn fine example of a IIPA that I recommend if see it.  The $5 for a 22oz price tag is appealing as well.  Bear-Panther (aka Daniel 1.0 and George) have been cranking out great beers since they started and the two I had were no different.  The Bourbon County Vanilla Stout is beautifully crafted - heavy on the bourbon, thick, sweet, and awesome.  It will most likely be my last GI beer, since they sold their soul to the devil recently (read me).  The others were what you expect, with Stone IPA reminding me that I need to buy more Stone IPA.   The only disappointment of the weekend was the Coronado Orange Wit.  It was real heavy on the Coriander, which is a flavor I am just not fond of, so it is more of a personal taste thing than it being a "bad" beer.   

Stats:

*Imperial Stout, 13% ABV, 60 IBUs, 100% Bourbon Barrel Aged w/ Vanilla Beans Added, Brewed Once (maybe again?  who knows...)

**American IIPA, 9% ABV, 90 IBUs, Limited (not sure what that means) 

***American IPA, 7% ABV, 85 IBUs, Year-Round

****American Pale Ale, 5% ABV, 40 IBUs, Year-Round

*****American IPA, 6.9% ABV, 77 IBUs, Year-Round

******Wit, 5.2% ABV, Very Low IBUs, Year-Round

*******Saison and Stout - One time, super limited, super awesome beers, possibly to never be found again

Edit! Up Next: I've got Hair of the Dog Adam in the fridge (spoiler alert: I love, love, love this beer) and a Lagunitas Undercover Shutdown (a new one for me).  I'll probably open the Undercover Shutdown Thursday, 4/28, if you'd like to join me. 

For Rob (Plus, I Drink a Beer)

My buddy, Rob, gave me a call today.  Unfortunately, I was driving, so I could not answer the call.  Luckily, my trustee and wonderful wife, Sarah, was with me and took the call.  It seems that Rob was at the store and wanted to know what "The Lonely Beer Nut" (that's me) was drinking next so he could pick some up and "have a drink with me."  To say the least, I was pretty happy and glad to know that I wouldn't be drinking a beer alone tonight (awwwwww).  

That beer: Firestone Walker's Union Jack IPA**.  A beer I have had once or twice, but I have never really thought to pick it up again.  I think this is due to the fact that there are tons of fine IPAs available that I know I love.  Turns out, this is a damn fine, easy drinking IPA.  It's not too bitter, and as it warms up it has a real nice grapefruit flavor to it that I really enjoyed.  If I had it again, I might pour it and let it sit for ~10-15 minutes before I dive in, as it was a little boring before that grapefruit came through.  It's low on the piney hop flavor that so many people that don't like IPAs dislike about them, so try one of these if you're looking to give another one a try.      

What did you think, Rob?

**Union Jack IPA stats: American IPA, 7.5% ABV, 70 IBUs

Up Next: A trip to San Diego!  Wahoo!  I'll be having at least one Alpine IPA and Goose Island Vanilla Bourbon County Stout (thanks Daniel 1.0)!

We Drink on the Job at Ruppert Revival

Brew Day!  It's been a while, and I am super excited to go at it again.  The results are usually pretty good, except when I try to make a wild ale - something that even the experts struggle with.  Today, I am brewing a tripel - a Belgian style that is high in alcohol and sweetness and oh so god damn delicious.  This is my second stab at this exact recipe, with the first time being my very first batch.  I think this time will be better and with less barely chunks left in the bottle (sorry to those who tried that first batch).

Why Ruppert Revival?  A long time ago, in a galaxy pretty similar to ours, a fellow named Jacob Ruppert not only owned the Yankees, he owned brewery.  Ruppert Brewery, to be specific.  I am still working on proving that his millions are somehow mine, but I am having a hard time.  In the mean time, I will brew some kick ass beers and insist that we are somehow related.

As a brewer, I have had some big time success (Belgian IIPA), some big time failures (Apple Cinnemon Ale - a mistiake from the start), and a whole lot of "par for the course" beers.  Each batch has taught me something new about how to brew the next one, and I feel lie I know what I am doing now.  Good or bad, there will be a tasting happening in about a month...I will keep you posted.

On to the beer in my glass as I brewed:

Sierra Nevada's Torpedo** is a god send.  A 7.2% IPA for less than $8 a six pack (under $7 if you're lucky) that happens to also be delicious.  Let's be honest, this beer is never going to compete with the elite I/IPA's of the world, but I'll put it up against any 6 pack I/IPA (minus Ballast Point Sculpin IPA 6 packs, the best 6 pack in the world).  It's bitter, sweet, and got piney notes.  My favorite IPA's are less on the pine and bring the citrus flavors, but this one'll do just fine.  I recommend this with no hesitance as your go to regular drinker.

**Torpedo Stats: American IPA, 7.2%, 65 IBUs, uses Citra hops (one that SN helped to create a couple years ago; a wonderful hop)

Up next: picked up a HUB Ace of Spades IIPA today...can't wait.

Next Up and Changes!

Per a suggestion from a good pal of mine, Rob, I will try to post what I will be having a day or two ahead of consumption, so that you, my kick ass reader, can enjoy the beer along side me.  I invite you to comment on the post if you have had the beer, are having the beer, just want to say, "Hello", or something else.

Soooo, I just bought a 6'er of Sierra Nevada's wonderful Torpedo Extra IPA.  I already know that this beer is a great 6 pack and a tasty IPA, but I'll make sure to write something nice for you all (confession: it's mostly for me).

I'll be writing something up tomorrow, as it will also be a brew day and I like to enjoy a beer or 4 while I make something that is, hopefully, tasty.  I see my brew time as a sort of recycling: while I drink some, I make some more.  Basically, I am the world's greenest brew house, ever.  

What's brewing?  A tripel - that's right kids, it's the return of Ruppert Revival's "Tripel Trouble"!  And now that is sort of know what I am doing, I think this batch will be sublime.

Abacus

Firestone Walker makes world class limited beers (not regular, those are pretty sub par, minus Union Jack).  The anniversary series of carefully blended brews and their new Proprietor's Series are just fantastic.  I highly recommend either of them to any of the beer lovers out there.

Tonight, I enjoyed a bottle of Abacus** (truth be told, I am still enjoying the bottle).  This shit is BANANAS, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.  This delight in a bottle spent eleven months in barrels and it shows in the best way possible.  It tastes and smells like toffee, vanilla, tobacco, and the slightest and most wonderful alcohol burn is mixed into the mix.  I definitely recommend letting it warm for a while, as that's when all these flavors really come out.

You like big, awesome beers?  Drink this.  Drink it now.  If you see it on a shelf, buy it (pic).  I know it is pricey, but then remind yourself how awesome it is going to be.  I will warn that this is not a beer for beginners, but you're not a beginner, right?  Better yet - you are not ready for this, but you like me and know how much I love, so send a bottle or three to me.  So delicious.

Having said that, it is bottles of beer like this that make me miss my old beer cronies.  Beer was the excuse we'd all use to get together, but the good times are what we really looked forward to.  This is the type of bottle I would buy to share and save for the right tasting, but is now something I look forward to having on my own on a Thursday night.  Good thing I have you to talk to internet; otherwise, I might lose my mind...

**Abacus Stats: Barrel Aged Barley Wine, 13% ABV, 45 IBUs, Limited (who knows when/if it'll be released again), 100% Bourbon and Wine Barrel Aged (per the box)

Next up: IPA - not sure what, but I just need it (not Ninkasi - that shit tastes like cat pee, with my apologies to cat pee)

Old Ruffian

The last time I enjoyed this beast of a brew, I was with my good friends TJ and Ryan in Redondo Beach, CA.  It was gifted to me by the best beer shop owner ever, Geoi, of the currently closed "South Bay Drugs" (I wonder if the new shop will bare the same name in honor of the old location or have a new name? Only time will tell - move info).  At the time, Great Divide was not available anywhere in CA, so getting the bottle was a pretty awesome.  In addition, sharing with TJ and Ryan was a nice treat, as they are two of my favorite, and I don't see them as often as I would like to.  Plus, it helps that both have pretty great taste in beer (FACT, not opinion).  

TJ and I have been drinking beers together, both good and bad beers, for a long time, and I think our best beers days are ahead of us.  My first trip to Beer Disneyland (Stone Brewery) was with TJ, and that may have been the moment I knew I couldn't drink anything else besides craft brew (unless a game of Beirut - Beer Pong to those who call it by the wrong name - gets started) We'll be sharing a Marron Acidifie by The Bruery and Cigar City (Woo!) in May, which I cannot wait to try.  I may have a few more tricks up my sleeves (the amount of tricks I have won't fit up just one sleeve) for that visit, but I don't want to give away all my secrets

Once upon a time, Ryan and I shared a Cable Car by Lost Abbey (Mmmmm) at Toronado with our friend James.  I went to the bathroom and came back to find the earth shatteringly delicious wild ale Cable Car waiting at our table.  A great bottle of beer for a great visit from two fellow UC Davis alums.  I can still taste it as if it were yesterday.    

On to the beer in my glass:      

That first bottle of Old Ruffian** was pretty damn tasty, so I was excited to open up another bottle today.  A part of me wondered if this beer would live up to the memory I have of it, as I have had many world class barleywines since that time (1, 2, BEST, prior to infection) and a few beers I used to hold near and dear to my heart just haven't stood up to the test of superior products (see: ALL Lost Coast beers, many IPAs, etc.).   

Let me tell you, this beer IS damn good but not world class.  I drank it over the course of an hour an a half or so, and I definitely recommend letting it warm up a bit. The flavor got better and better over the course of that time, peaking around the 45 minute to hour mark (Two things: 1. Yes, I know that sound nerdy 2. I realize the 10.2% alocohol could have been telling me it tasted great at this point)  It tastes of caramel, hops, and the IBU bitterness  shows; it is what you should expect from an American barleywine, and Old Ruffian lived up to its categorization.  However, to be perfectly honest, while it is better than Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot, it is not worth the huge price difference (Old Ruf is ~$8 a 22oz bottle, Bigfoot is ~$11 a 6 pack, aka 72oz).             

**Old Ruffian Stats: American Barleywine, 10.2% ABV, 90 IBUs, Seasonal (Winter)

Next Up: A trip to the store, we'll see what I come home with.  I am thinking Ace of Spaces by HUB.

The Abyss

I started the blog with an easy to recommend standby (when I can find it).  It's official, The Abyss** kicks ass.  I've had all the vintages at this point, minus the '06 (first year and a tiny amount made), and I am all always blown away (the '09 was a slightly down year, even before infection set in - look it up -, but still a wonderful brew).  A bit out of the price range for a "regular" pick-up @ $11-13 a bottle but worth it, easily, here and there.  Damn it, I love me some Abyss.  I will be picking up another bottle or two of this before it runs off the shelves (sorry to my readers from outside of the PNW, as it flies off shelves in the first few days of release elsewhere due to limited quantity).

Sarah humored me as I spoke of the beauty of this beer, even gave it a nice gulp and whiff (she's got a great sense of smell and an open mind).  Alas, this was not the one that converted her to the beauty that is craft beer, but another day, another beer.  To be honest, most of the beers I drink these days are not what I would recommend for someone trying to get into beer, but I gotta do what I gotta do, you know?

**Abyss Stats: Imperial Russian Stout, 11.0% ABV, 65 IBUS, 33% Aged in Bourbon and Oak Barrels, Seasonal (Late Fall)
        
Next Up: Old Ruffian Barleywine by Great Divide

Well...

My wife recommended to me that I start this blog, as we moved away from San Diego (beer heaven) to Eugene (a nice beer place, but no San Diego), and I haven't been able to locate local beer nerds that I can call my own.  We'll see how this goes...

Drinking an Abyss by Deschutes tonight - will let you know how it goes (hint: it will be awesome).