House Bourbon Challenge: Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit

This is actually a rematch from my pre-blog life.  I had a pre-blog life?  Bulleit used to be my house bourbon of choice.  At some point, I decided that Buffalo Trace was worth the extra nickel.  Let's see how they stand up to one another side by side.

Bulleit is just harsh.  It's all tannin and corn.  The harshness does contrast well with vermouth in a Manhattan.  As always, the Trace is still great for the price.

Bulleit Bourbon

Cost: $20.10

Grade: C

Cost Adjusted Grade: C+

Manhattan Grade: B

Great Lakes Elliot Ness

The Great Lakes Tour de Beer continues!

TYPE/STYLE: Amber Lager: Created by Anton Dreher of Vienna, Austria, during the mid-19th century.

FOOD COMPLEMENTS: Spicy dishes, pork, pasta and sausage.

BRAND NAME: Named after one of Cleveland's most respected safety directors who frequented the Brewpub's bar during his tenure from 1935-1941 and, according to popular legend, was responsible for the bullet holes in the bar still evident today. Margaret Conway, the mother of owners Patrick and Daniel Conway, worked with Ness as his stenographer.

How does it taste?  It's mostly bitter, with a slight bit of sweetness at the finish.  Nothing floral about these put-hair-on-your-chest hops.

Cost Adjusted Grade: Mix & Match 6 pack

Grade: B-

Great Divide Brewing Co Samurai Unfiltered Rice Ale

Web Stuff:  Samurai is an easy drinking, unfiltered ale that changes the status quo for unfiltered beers. The addition of rice gives Samurai a slightly fruity, crisp, refreshing and clean taste. This is definitely not your everyday unfiltered beer. 5.1% ABV

How does it really taste?  It is slightly fruity, crisp, refeshing, and clean.  But what does that really mean?  This is a tough one to describe.  It's like someone took Budweiser, and made it good.  The homebrewer in me likes that it's nice and cloudy.  It goes down nice and easy.  A great session beer.

Cost: Mix & Match 6 pack
Grade: B+

Harp Premium Lager

Label Stuff:  The smooth, crisp taste of Harp is the proud result of a traditional Irish recipe using only the finest all-natural ingredients.  It's authentic spirit and award-winning flavor have made it a favorite of those who appreciate good beer and good times in equal measure.

How does it taste?  Move along.  Nothing to see here.

Cost: Mix & Match 6 pack
Grade: C

Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

I feel weird drinking a baseball themed beer in December.

Web stuff:  Available all year round.  As Brooklynites, we revere the memory of the 1955 World Champion Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team, so we had to name a beer in their honor.  The Dodgers revered it so much that they moved to Los Angeles in 1958.

Brooklyn Pennant Ale is a honey-colored pale ale with a brisk malt palate and finely balanced hop character.  Pennant is a traditional English-style pale ale.  The pale ale style developed in the early 19th century, and was calle "pale" because it appeared so in comparison to the darker ale styles of the day (East India Pale Ale was a stronger, paler, more bitter version of the style).  Brooklyn Pennant Ale is brewed from Scottish Maris Otter Malt, which is justly prized for it's toasty, biscuity flavor and round smoothness it imparts to beer.

How does it taste?  The hops are not real strong, but they are flavorful.  The malt is neither toasty, nor biscuity.  The beer itself is somewhat thin for this time of the year.  I do like it though.  It would make for a nice session beer in the summer.

Cost: Mix and Match 6 pack
Grade: B

Two Parts Wry Observations: The Steelers Should Replace James Farrior with James Harrison's 62 year old Mother

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09345/1020421-100.stm

Apparently Akron has the dumbest cops on the planet.

Police in Ohio say the mother of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been charged with assault following a brawl at a game-watching party in a community hall.

Akron police say 62-year-old Mildred Harrison was one of three people cited after the fight at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post Thursday.

Police say it's not clear why the party turned violent about 10 p.m., during Cleveland's 13-6 upset of division foe Pittsburgh.

Victims have told police they were pushed, punched and struck with beer bottles.

I'll solve this one for you deputy dog.

• Steelers and Browns fans hate one another.  Especially in that area.  I grew up there. + Beer
• Her son plays for the Steelers. + Beer
• She's cheering for the Steelers in a city that is 40 minutes from Cleveland. + Beer
• Beer

Keep kicking ass Mildred!

Magic Hat Roxy Rolles Autumn Seasonal

Technically, winter does not start until Dec 21.  After slip-sliding my way home from the Allegheny mountains this morning.  I have to disagree.

Web Stuff: As the leaves line the trees with colors bright,
the Autumnal Amber Ramble comes into sight!
Roxy Rolles pours in her wake foliage fallen
and a perfect pairing of malt and hops.

I think that my Tiger Woods poem is better.

How does it taste?  It's very hoppy.  If you like hops, it's good.  $6MMm is a fan.

Cost:  Mix & Match 6 pack
Grade:  B

Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold

Since were singing the praises of the Great Lakes Brewing Co.  Let's talk about Dortmunder Gold.

Web stuff:

Dortmunder: During the mid-19th century, seven breweries within the city of Dortmund, Germany, began brewing beers in the same manner, resulting in what has come to be known as the "Dortmunder" style.

FOOD COMPLEMENTS:

Because neither malt nor hops dominate this beer, it complements most foods, especially salads, fish and chicken.

How does it taste?  It is well balanced and pairs well with food.  I think that it is slightly salty on it's own.

Cost: $7.99 a six pack
Grade: B
Cost Adjusted Grade: B

Two Parts Wry Observations: At least I had Christmas Ale

It usually does not take me this long to get a post up after a Steelers game.  But I figure, if the Steelers don't care about the season, why should I?  The salvation of the evening was that Bob's still has Great Lakes Christmas Ale on tap.  This is BHC's favorite beer.  The poor fellow was at a different bar for the game, and they were out.  He was double sad.  The $6MMm loves it too.  Pittsburgh and Cincinatti fans can come together and enjoy a beer from Cleveland.  Weird.

Web stuff: Christmas Ale

A holiday ale brewed with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon.
ABV: 7.5% ABW: 6.0% IBU: 40

How does it taste?  I think that it tastes like nutmeg and ginger.  It's not too overpowering, but it is  a drink to savor.  Don't worry, you will finish it faster than Big Ben reads pass coverage.  BHC says "Tastes like Christmas!"  If you're looking for any last minute gift ideas for BHC....
 
Grade: A-

Special thanks to A beer in Hand is worth Two in the Fridge for finding this "holy shit, that's funny" video.

Barons Black Wattle Superior

It's an Australian beer made with the mysterious wattle seed.

Label Stuff:  Crafted for those who demand the finest of beers, Wattle Seed Ale's character is born from the select blend of roasted barley and wheat, with subtle hopping and the unique infusion of Australian wattle seed.  The resulting beer offers a superb balance of flavour and complexity, richness in colour with a lasting creamy head.  A truly robust yeat provocative ale.

How does it really taste?  Like caramel.  Which would be great if I was eating candy.  I'm drinkng beer.  It's too sweet for me, but I can see how folks would like it.


Cost: $8.99 six pack
Grade: B
Cost Adjusted Grade: B

Two Parts Wry Observations Tiger, Tiger

Tiger, Tiger not so bright
Wrecked his escalade in the night
Why were you out at 2 AM?
You got your ass whipped by Elin

She grabbed a club and yelled fore!
Tiger ran out the door
Hit a hydrant and a tree
Damn you caller ID

If privacy is your wish
No scars forming the Nike swish
You let girlfriend call your home
Think with your brain, not your dome

Not one or two or seven
By last count it’s eleven!
Fame is your real appeal.
They’ll get 6 figure book deals.

Your wife is hot. Swedish born
Some of those girls did porn
She moved out, tired of your shit
Why do you prefer plastic tits?

Tiger, Tiger not so bright
Wrecked his escalade in the night
Why were you out at 2 AM?
You got your ass whipped by Elin!

Session #35 to be hosted by the beer chicks

Christina and Hallie from Beer for Chicks will be hosting January's session.  They are giving us an opportunity to look back at the best and worst in beer for '09, and to give our beer year's resolutions for '10.  This session will be on January 1. 

My first resolution is to have this post done before January 1st.  Clicking the publish button will be the most complicated task that I will be able to handle as I try to shake off New Year's Eve by getting drunk for the Rose Bowl.

Chutes & Ladders Golden Ale

Label stuff: The Chutes and Ladders Golden ale is a crisp, clean American ale.  Perfect for extinguishing your fiery thirst or when you crave an ice cold beer.

In other words.  Overpriced Budweiser.  Actually, it's more like overpriced Miller.

Cost: $7.99 six pack
Grade: C+
Cost Adjusted Grade: C

Gregory Graham 2006 Sauvignon Blanc

I think that his red wines are quite impressive.  Lets take one of his white's for a spin.

Label Stuff:  The rocky, red volcanic soil and clear, crisp mountain air at out Crimson Hill Vineyard provides the optimum conditions for the production of premium wines.  Quality is paramount in every detail from pruning to bottling. 

How does it taste?  It's a nice mellow example of the grape.  Crisp, somewhat sour, with a hint of pine.  When I jam my nose deep in the glass, I get a nice grapefruit aroma.  It's good, but not quite $20 good. 

Cost: $20
Grade: B
Cost Adjusted Grade: C+

Drafts From the Cultural Hub of the Midwest: Avery DuganA IPA

Web stuff: Beer Style: Double India Pale Ale

Hop Variety: Chinook, Centennial and Columbus
Malt Variety: Two-row barley, dark aromatic, caramel malt
OG: 1.076 ABV: 8.5% IBUs: 93
Color: Deep Gold
Availability: Limited release. Inaugural batch was released in early October '09. Brewed whenever we have a little extra tank space and a desire for dank hops!

Lupulin Rapture Incarnate! Apparently, lupulin is extracted from hops and it makes you sleepy.  I'm sure that the 8.5% abv has nothing to do with it.  As fervent devotees of hops, we found ourselves on a quest to create a transcendental IPA capable of quenching our voracious lupulin desires. Our mantra became "unity of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma." Enlightened, duganA IPA was born: A brutally bitter, dank, piney and resinous ale designed for those seeking a divine hop experience.
 
How does it really taste?  It's a decent double IPA.  Nice floral, pine, and citrus aroma from the hops.  It's a tad too bitter.  Thanks to the high alcohol content, when you get half-way through your mug, you won't care.
 
Grade: B

The session #34: Stumbling Home Roundup

Thanks to everyone who contributed.  I feel that Friday is a state of mind and I will accept late entries if anyone else wishes to contribute.

K dub at theferm.org gives us quite a treatise on the art of stumbling home. 

Family life has hindered Jay at Brookston Beer Bulletin's bar life.  He gives a history of his favorite bars from various points in his life.

The Beer Nut tout's Dublin Ireland's best bar for craft beer, The Bull & Castle.  Part of the fun of this subject is that I'm finding good bars from all around the globe.

A post from Pac-10 country.  Mario from Brewed For Thought took the transportation aspect of the session to heart.  He bussed to the "Toad in the Hole" in Santa Rosa, CA.  They serve cask conditioned ales that sound quite tasty.

Erik from Top Femented recognizes that stumbling home is not that great of an idea.  He gives us a tale from his Boston  where he drank many yards of cider and only made it home with the support of the many lampposts along the route.

Devoid from Beer Taster tells a couple of tales, one from the past when small town canadian law enforcement was a bit more understanding.  Fast forward to modern times, drinking and walking can be a challenge as well.

Baltimore Man from A beer in hand is worth two in the fridge tells about Mike McGovern's Irish pub which sounds like a great family/neighborhood establishment.

Jimmy from Hop Wild takes the transportation angle as a challenge.  Sadly, he finds that all the establishments within walking distance of home in North Carolina don't cut the mustard.  Somebody please build this man a decent pub.

Jon from the Brew Site does not have a place that he calls his regular watering hole.  He usually drinks from home or at nearby friends homes.  However, there was that one time...  Be sure to check out the comments section to see what his wife has to say about that one time.

Peter at Better Beer Blog tends to skip stumbling and go straight to crawling.  Atta-boy.  He lives in SF now, but tells us of a bar from his younger days in San Jose.

Alan from a Good Beer Blog was not too impressed with the topic as it has nothing to do with craft beer.  He has posted for every session and shares a series of poems about a passed out friend who was saved by a savory snack.  I disagree with the lack of connection to craft beer.  To prove my point I have crafted two bad haiku's on the subject.

Mrs Rye says you

are drunk.  How many beers did

You have? I say threve.

Craft beer is full of

alcohol.  Makes me crash bike.

Too many ouchies.

Daniel of Endosymbiosis has access to many great bars and microbreweries Kalamazoo.  He instead sings the praises of bars that don't cater to the craft beer drinking, but serve good beer anyway.

I would have never had found this one if it wasn't for google analytics.  Thinking brew talks about some activity in Raleigh

Finally,  Derrick, OSU alum and current Bay Area Beer Runner tells us about a restaurant/brew pub that he visits with his kids.  I can't do this one justice, so please hit the link and read on.

Geistbeer tells us of a place in flagstaff that is like home.

Thanks again everyone.  Who's got #35?

Two Parts Wry Observations: NFL Week 13 Groundhog Day

As I watched the Steelers blow a 4th quarter lead 3 times in the same game, I couldn't help but wonder "why am I surprised?  It's the exact same game every week.

The Session #34: Stumbling Home

This month's session is being hosted by me!  The subject is your favorite local watering hole.

If you have been following this blog on a regular basis, it will come as no surprise that I will be talking about the “Cultural Hub of the Midwest”, Bob’s Bar.

What makes Bob’s so special? The beer folks, the beer. It’s a bit of a hole in the wall, located in a small strip mall on a busy road. What I like to tell people is that they have 30 beers on tap, and their crappy beer is Guinness. It’s only a mile from my house which makes it well within stumbling distance.  Once upon a time, Mrs. Rye's cousin was in town for a visit and I told him that there's a place down the road that has Chimay on tap.  His response was typical.  "Can we go there now?"

The drinking buddies: World-Wide-Kev and the 6 Million Dollar Man. At the end of the '08 church softball season, we decided to do their “world tour” at Bob's  (130 beers are on the tour.  Why, oh why didn't I start the blog last year?). $6MMm and I finished the tour early this year. WWK is pacing himself. He’ll probably finish in 2012, just in time for the Aztec Armageddon.  We call him World-Wide-Kev because he'll say things like" "I can't come next week, I'll be in the Ukraine." or Paris or New York or Seattle...  The 6 Million Dollar Man has had a lot of parts replaced for a 40 year old and I suspect that some of them came from Area 51.  I've been coaching 3rd base and when he swings the bat he breaks the sound barrier.  The ball goes whizzing by, and two seconds later you hear the ping of the bat.  He hits it foul.  But it's still impressive.

Low on decor.  High on beer.

The curse of the big mug: When you finish the tour, you get a 25 oz mug, engraved with a phrase of your choice. You can fill your mug for the price of a pint. It’s a good deal. During happy hour, it’s cheaper to drink there than at home. The downside is that 25 oz of a 10% abv beer will knock you on your butt. Hence, the name of the session and the caveat of no cars allowed.

What did you have engraved on your mug? “STOP CALLING IT A SMALL GROUP!”

Huh? At about the same time we started to go to Bob’s, there was a push in our church for people to form small groups that they could meet with regularly and discuss spiritual matters and what-not. Admittedly, a beer tour was probably not what the pastor had in mind and we are not officially church sanctioned.

Jim:  Honey, I'm off to Bob's to meet my small group.
Mrs. Rye:  “STOP CALLING IT A SMALL GROUP!”

The draft line-up as of 12/1/09

Magic Hat #9
Delirium Tremens
Chimay White
Founder’s Backwoods Bastard Bourbon Ale
Loose Cannon Heavy Seas
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
Stone Ruination
Leiny’s Fireside Nut Brown
Hazed & Infused
Lagunitus IPA
Stone Pale Ale
Dogfish Head Theobroma
Guinness
Bass
Dragon’s Milk
Elevator Brewing Co. Procrastination Doppelbock
Brooklyn Lager
Dogfish Head 60 min IPA
Barley’s Brewing Company IPA
Founder’s Breakfast Stout
CBC Pale Ale
Great Lakes Elliot Ness
Great Lakes Edmond Fitzgerald
Strongbow Hard Cider
Stella Artois
Lindeman’s Framboise Lambic

What in the world is...Tuaca

What in the world is Tuaca?  It's a sugary orange liqueur that in a naive, younger time of my life, I was tricked into buying by sexy radio commercials.  I've had this bottle for over 10 years.  Tonight we kill the last shot.

Web stuff:  Tuaca is a brandy based liqueur inspired by the Renaissance period of the 16th century.  According to legend, it was created for Lorenzo the magnificent, ruler of Florence, Italy.  Lorenzo was a well-known patron of the arts, supporting Michael Angelo, Da Vinci, and Bottecelli.

From left to Right.  Da Vinci, Lorenzo the Magnificent, and Bottecelli.

I'll leave it to your imagination to decide how he supports Michael Angelo.

Hint, it's in his pants.

In 1838, brothers-in-law Gaetano Tuoni and Giorgio Canepa took inspiration from the Renaissance-era recipe and crafted their version of the liqueur.  Gaetono and Giorgio drived the brand name from their own surnames and called it 'Tuoca', which evolved over time.  Tuaca was first exported to America in the 1950's after American servicemen were introduced to the brand in Livorno, Italy where it is still made today.

Cost: $26.70
Grade: B  (It's sweet triple sec)
Cost Adjusted Grade: C

Negra Modelo

My case of "big beer fatigue" continues.  The only known cure is to drink simpler, balanced beers.  Eventually, in time, you will again crave a big beer.  Pray for me.

Negra Modelo is a Munich Dunkel Lager.  Click here to find out just what the hell that is.

Label Stuff:  Dark Beer  That's the kind of non-bs description that we like at Two Parts Rye.  Kind of difficult to  mock though. 

How does it taste?  Initially there is malty sweetness, balanced by nice bitterness on the finish.

Cost: $7.99 six/pack
Grade: B
Cost Adjusted Grade: B