So I'm in Rochester tonight and went to my usual place, but will not mention it because my favorite supplier said I have talked enough about it. So instead I will talk about the two new beers to me I had tonight. First up Schell's Rauchbier the label explains that the beer was brewed with a blend of beechwood and cherrywood smoked malts to create a twist on our interpretation of a traditional Franconian Rauchbier. This is probably the best beer in their Stag Series, it is a very good classic rauchbier. As it warms it become more and more caramel sweet to off set the smoke characteristic of the beer. If you can find this grab it and drink it.
Second up Two Brother's Resistance IPA. This beer may crack my favorite IPAs list. It has lots of hops but yet has the malt to offset and probably muscle out the hops in this beer. There are lots of piney, citrus hops in this beer. It has a nice white head on top of a light gold beer, it is just a beautiful beer. So again if you find this beer grab it and drink it.
As an aside on Two Brother's they have recently purchased the Roundhouse in Aurora, IL at auction, for a reported $1.1 million dollars. Sad to say no more ABC beers being made only Two Brother beers now, so that means no chocolate blonde, needless to say my wife is far from happy. There is hope that some day Mike will again be brewing the chocolate blonde, so if you are a fan keep an eye out and find it when you can.
QC Beerguy
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Cafe Indigo Davenport, IA
Thursday night my wife, our daughters, her mother, her mother's friend and I went to Cafe Indigo http://qccafeindigo.com/Home_Page.php. For those of you in the Quad Cities you may be wondering where this restaurant is located, well it is located in the same general area as Osaka and Baker St. This is a wonderful place that sometimes seems to be a well kept secret. Which is a plus and a minus, usually you can find a table with little if any wait, but also if enough people do not know of Cafe Indigo it may not be there for long. So please make sure to visit Cafe Indigo, but keep it our secret.
They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a extensive and as they say "American cuisine with a twist", so I believe any one can find food that is to their liking. They have numerous vegetarian items as well as steak and chicken dishes. A fun thing they do is upon coming to your table they bring you some home made potato chips to graze on. The couple of times my wife and I have been there the waitstaff is attentive and tries to meet your every need.
The do have an interesting beer list as well. Everything is in the bottle, they have no tap beer, but it is not your usual mass produced beer. Yes they do have the mass produced beer, but the vast majority is craft and import beer. My first beer was Anchor Porter, a very good porter with some strong chocolate and roast notes. My second was Moritz a Spanish lager, that was a light drinkable beer with some interesting citrus notes. Both are very good beers that I enjoyed very much. My mother in law had the Monty Python Holy Grail Ale. My wife had Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss. Also I remember seeing list Old Thumper and Rochefort as well on the list, needless to say they take their beer seriously! One word of warning, make sure to ask for a none frosted glass, they do have them , but normally do not give them out with the bottled beer.
As well they seem to have an extensive wine list to chose from, but I am not the QC Wineguy so that is all I am saying about wine.
Needless to say please frequent Cafe Indigo, so they can continue to provide some really good food and an efficient but interesting beer list.
QC Beerguy
They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a extensive and as they say "American cuisine with a twist", so I believe any one can find food that is to their liking. They have numerous vegetarian items as well as steak and chicken dishes. A fun thing they do is upon coming to your table they bring you some home made potato chips to graze on. The couple of times my wife and I have been there the waitstaff is attentive and tries to meet your every need.
The do have an interesting beer list as well. Everything is in the bottle, they have no tap beer, but it is not your usual mass produced beer. Yes they do have the mass produced beer, but the vast majority is craft and import beer. My first beer was Anchor Porter, a very good porter with some strong chocolate and roast notes. My second was Moritz a Spanish lager, that was a light drinkable beer with some interesting citrus notes. Both are very good beers that I enjoyed very much. My mother in law had the Monty Python Holy Grail Ale. My wife had Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss. Also I remember seeing list Old Thumper and Rochefort as well on the list, needless to say they take their beer seriously! One word of warning, make sure to ask for a none frosted glass, they do have them , but normally do not give them out with the bottled beer.
As well they seem to have an extensive wine list to chose from, but I am not the QC Wineguy so that is all I am saying about wine.
Needless to say please frequent Cafe Indigo, so they can continue to provide some really good food and an efficient but interesting beer list.
QC Beerguy
Beer Gimmicks
As I was driving home today I was listening to the radio and heard a Coors Light commercial about how you can tell the beer is "Super Cold". Also there are the labels that has the mountains turn blue to show that the beer is cold. As well there is "triple hopped brewed", the "vortex necked bottle", and do not forget this classic the "extra wide mouth" for easier pouring. All this leads me to ask, Do the big beer companies believe that beer drinkers are easily swayed by a marketing campaign? Seems that for the majority of the beer drinkers the answer is yes. Which is a sad statement.
Yes I do remember the great advertising campaigns of Lite beer from Miller, the taste great less filling debate. Also the all to short run of the Swedish Bikini Team, now replaced by the "Miller Lite-guards". Also in my college days it was the heyday of Spuds McKenzie. Lest not I forget the Budweiser Frogs. The big guys always have a very imaginative advertising agency in the wings to promote their beers and millions of dollars to push the campaign on tv, radio and print.
Where the craft and micro brewers do not have the budget nor the advertising agencies at their beckon call. They rely on being different and the strengths of the imaginative people behind the beer. Yes sometimes they do things that are a bit gimmicky but usually it is fun and quirky. A few of the more imaginative craft brewers are Lagunitas, Founder's and Stone Brewing. They let the beer drinker use their mind and wit to understand the true meaning of the beer that they are drinking.
Unfortunately there are more beer drinkers that are pulled in by some "unique" aspect of the mass produced beers, that is one reason they are so big. Even they have begun to realize the allure of the "craft" beer segment, by starting their own "craft" brands, i.e. Plank Road Brewing, Blue Moon and etc. Craft beer is here to stay and it is the quickest growing segment of the beer industry.
Keep drinking and be imaginative!
QC Beerguy
Yes I do remember the great advertising campaigns of Lite beer from Miller, the taste great less filling debate. Also the all to short run of the Swedish Bikini Team, now replaced by the "Miller Lite-guards". Also in my college days it was the heyday of Spuds McKenzie. Lest not I forget the Budweiser Frogs. The big guys always have a very imaginative advertising agency in the wings to promote their beers and millions of dollars to push the campaign on tv, radio and print.
Where the craft and micro brewers do not have the budget nor the advertising agencies at their beckon call. They rely on being different and the strengths of the imaginative people behind the beer. Yes sometimes they do things that are a bit gimmicky but usually it is fun and quirky. A few of the more imaginative craft brewers are Lagunitas, Founder's and Stone Brewing. They let the beer drinker use their mind and wit to understand the true meaning of the beer that they are drinking.
Unfortunately there are more beer drinkers that are pulled in by some "unique" aspect of the mass produced beers, that is one reason they are so big. Even they have begun to realize the allure of the "craft" beer segment, by starting their own "craft" brands, i.e. Plank Road Brewing, Blue Moon and etc. Craft beer is here to stay and it is the quickest growing segment of the beer industry.
Keep drinking and be imaginative!
QC Beerguy
Monday, June 20, 2011
Summer Solstice Beer Lover's Fest and more
So late Saturday morning we made our way to Bayshore Town Center, the site of the 2011 Summer Solstice Beer Lover's Fest http://www.welcometoglendale.com/popup-feature.php. We arrived plenty early so we could scope out our spot to place our chairs. With that done we decided to scope out the area and start planning our day. The festival grounds were on a couple of streets that run through the shopping area and was connected in the middle by a grass commons with a band shell on it. The event was only Wisconsin breweries along with food from various restaurants and vendors. Each of the breweries had one of their beers paired with a special food offering. This made the event unique among the beer fests we have attended.
There were many very good beers at the fest and some were outstanding. Included it that was a wonderful Imperial Stout aged in a bourbon barrel from Delafield Brewhaus. In talking with the brewer we found out he does a beer once a year in bourbon barrels and then has it on tap from Thanksgiving until New Years or when ever it runs out. He has a three beer rotation that he goes through. Also we learned a little more about his Mango Lager, he does truly use 100 % mangoes but it is a clarified juice that he adds to his beer. Also he will not disclose much else because as he said " Brewers have to have some secrets."
We greatly enjoyed our time at the event and would probably consider going back again. What we loved besides the beer and food was that this event was relaxed and except for a hour or so it was not crowded. So please do not tell anyone about this event, because we want the event to stay small.
We went back to the hotel freshened up a bit and then headed to a couple fun places in downtown Milwaukee. First place was the Milwaukee Brat House http://www.milwaukeebrathouse.com/ . Their slogan was what that caught our attention, A Professional Drinking Establishment for Beer Barons, Boot Leggers and Patriots. As advertised they have brats and served them multiple ways. As well they have the usual bar food of burgers and sandwiches. Being in Milwaukee they do have a good selection of beers, but not great. They place is a fun tourist type bar and I would recommend it for the brats. Our waitress did a great job putting up with us and definitely deserved her tip.
Next stop we went only a few feet to our next place the Old German Beer Hall http://www.oldgermanbeerhall.com/. This is a cool place that serves mainly Hofbrau beers in liters and half liters. We sat at the bar and ordered our beers and we all went with half liters as it was a long day of beer. It was enjoyable until I was a witness to a man in lederhosen abuse some of my cards I placed out in the restroom. The funny part is when I told my wife and our friends what happened, the wife of the couple we were with asked for some cards and passed them out to various people and she made sure to give one the the man that abused the cards. So we had the last laugh on him. We finished our beers and then grabbed a taxi back to the hotel. The cabbie was very cool; he played an impromptu game of cash cab with us and that made the ride back more enjoyable.
Once we were back at the hotel we went and used our drink coupons, that we received due to a mess up by the hotel staff as a bit of a make good. While we were there I started talking to three men that turned out to be the brewers at South Shore Brewery http://www.southshorebrewery.com/brewery.html. One was the head brewer Bo, all three were very nice to us and they did not seemed to be bothered by me. It was a cool opportunity to talk with them. So if you are up in Ashland, WI make sure to stop there and enjoy their beer.
It was an awesome day and remeber that this fest is just our little secret, so do not tell any one about the fest.
QC Beerguy.
There were many very good beers at the fest and some were outstanding. Included it that was a wonderful Imperial Stout aged in a bourbon barrel from Delafield Brewhaus. In talking with the brewer we found out he does a beer once a year in bourbon barrels and then has it on tap from Thanksgiving until New Years or when ever it runs out. He has a three beer rotation that he goes through. Also we learned a little more about his Mango Lager, he does truly use 100 % mangoes but it is a clarified juice that he adds to his beer. Also he will not disclose much else because as he said " Brewers have to have some secrets."
We greatly enjoyed our time at the event and would probably consider going back again. What we loved besides the beer and food was that this event was relaxed and except for a hour or so it was not crowded. So please do not tell anyone about this event, because we want the event to stay small.
We went back to the hotel freshened up a bit and then headed to a couple fun places in downtown Milwaukee. First place was the Milwaukee Brat House http://www.milwaukeebrathouse.com/ . Their slogan was what that caught our attention, A Professional Drinking Establishment for Beer Barons, Boot Leggers and Patriots. As advertised they have brats and served them multiple ways. As well they have the usual bar food of burgers and sandwiches. Being in Milwaukee they do have a good selection of beers, but not great. They place is a fun tourist type bar and I would recommend it for the brats. Our waitress did a great job putting up with us and definitely deserved her tip.
Next stop we went only a few feet to our next place the Old German Beer Hall http://www.oldgermanbeerhall.com/. This is a cool place that serves mainly Hofbrau beers in liters and half liters. We sat at the bar and ordered our beers and we all went with half liters as it was a long day of beer. It was enjoyable until I was a witness to a man in lederhosen abuse some of my cards I placed out in the restroom. The funny part is when I told my wife and our friends what happened, the wife of the couple we were with asked for some cards and passed them out to various people and she made sure to give one the the man that abused the cards. So we had the last laugh on him. We finished our beers and then grabbed a taxi back to the hotel. The cabbie was very cool; he played an impromptu game of cash cab with us and that made the ride back more enjoyable.
Once we were back at the hotel we went and used our drink coupons, that we received due to a mess up by the hotel staff as a bit of a make good. While we were there I started talking to three men that turned out to be the brewers at South Shore Brewery http://www.southshorebrewery.com/brewery.html. One was the head brewer Bo, all three were very nice to us and they did not seemed to be bothered by me. It was a cool opportunity to talk with them. So if you are up in Ashland, WI make sure to stop there and enjoy their beer.
It was an awesome day and remeber that this fest is just our little secret, so do not tell any one about the fest.
QC Beerguy.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fun Hunter's, Tyranena, Water St. and Delafield Brew Haus
We started our trek to the Summer Solstice Beer Fest and hit a few breweries on the way to our overnight in Pewaukee.
First stop was Randy's Restaurant and Fun Hunter's Brewery in Whitewater, WI http://www.funhunters.net/pages/history.html. It is located a little ways from the really cool downtown district. The overall feel of this place is a Wisconsin supper club and had the food menu to match. We sat outside on a small patio area which we had to ourselves, so the four of us were able to eat, drink and have a conversation alone.
We both ordered a sampler of their beer, which included 5 beers and then my wife had a barleywine while I had a pint of my favorite from the sampler. The beers are Warhawk Wheat Ale, Kolsch, Amber Larger, Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout. The wheat was my favorite it was light crisp and refreshing, the Kolsch was not overly good, the Amber Lager was cloying, the Pale Ale slightly hoppy and had some malt,a decent beer, and the oatmeal stout was thin harsh, tannic and where is the oatmeal?
The food menu had a good selection but some items were a bit pricey for lunch. We did all settle on food and it was very enjoyable. Needless to say this is a restaurant first and they just happen to make beer. It is worth a visit though, even though Whitewater is not on the beaten path.
Stop two Tyranena Brewing Lake Mills, WI http://www.tyranena.com/. What can I say about Tyranena beer that has not been said before, they just know how to make great beer. The brewery is located in an industrial area in Lake Mills just off of I-94, so it is easy to get to. The building is a purpose built building with over 3/4 of it as the brewery, there is a small office and a good size tasting room. Also they have a nice patio area with piped in music. Also they are dog and kid friendly, just obey the sign "If your dog does not like children do not bring it!" They serve no food but you can bring in your own, and as we were leaving a couple of ladies were setting up what looked like a good amount of food. We all just wanted to stay there and drink, but unfortunately our hotel rooms where aways away.
Again we chose the sampler, on for my wife and I and one for our friends. The sampler had 9 beers for $10 now that is a bargain. First up Three Beaches Honey Blonde; light and sweet lots of honey character. Next Headless Man Amber Alt some Pils malt and good overall, it did not stand out with all of the other beers in the sampler. Fargo Brothers Hefe, only available on tap at the brewery, an OK hefe but not outstanding, besides the cloves and banana I picked up some mint. I know odd but I found it so at least to me it is there. Stone Tepee Pale Ale a very good American Pale Ale a nice citrus hop to it. Bitter Woman IPA was next and no there were not bitter women to be seen, a good IPA that had a slight skunkiness as well as the citrus hops. Scurvy, an IPA with orange, yes it does work a good blend of the orange flavor and the hoppy IPA. Rocky's Revenge Bourbon Barrel Brown Ale, my favorite, malty, strong, good bourbon flavor with some tobacco like notes. Dirty Oldman Imperial Rye Porter, another awesome beer a close second, rye spiciness with chocolate and hints of the oak barrels. Lastly Chief Blackhawk Proter a good porter roasty chocolate and drinkable.
If you are heading to Milwaukee from Madison this is a must stop and yes if you imbibe to much there are hotels in town. Also as we were leaving a band was starting to set up so they have entertainment on the weekend.
Third stop Water Street in Delafield, WI http://www.waterstreetbrewery.com/home.htm. There is also the original location in downtown Milwaukee as well. They bought this location after it failed as a restaurant. It was busy but not overly busy for a Friday night and we found out why. Let me just say this about the beer it is unfortunately bad. Again we ordered a sampler which included nine beers and I thought that only two were drinkable. The beers are as follows: Honey Lager Light, bad, Munich Lager, bad, Bavarian Weiss, bland, Saison, tart spicy drinkable, Oktoberfest, ok, Amber Ale, buttery, Pale Ale, sweet, and Black IPA, roast and some hops drinkable.
We only had a couple of appetizers here so can't really say much about the food. So I would not recommend going here if you are in Delafield, especially since there is a far better choice across the interstate.
Last Stop for the night Delafield Brewhaus http://www.delafield-brewhaus.com/default.html. This is an award winning brewery that also has a very good restaurant in the same building. This is a purpose built building with the brew house located right in the middle of the building, so it is the first thing you see when you enter the building. We quickly were seated even though the parking lot had a number of vehicles. As usual for the day we sat down and ordered the sampler, which included 6 beers and we asked about a couple of other beers listed and our waitress quickly brought those over. So we had 8 beers to try. Dock Light a clean light gold beer with light hops. Sommerzeist a hefe I remember this beer fondly but at least last night it is not the same beer, it was buttery and unpleasant. Delafield Amber, malty mild hops very drinkable. Maibock that was light gold malty sweet restrained pils malt taste. Hops and Glory, APA, citrus hops, clean and malty. Pewaukee Portermedium full body roast chocolate just plain good! The extra two were Mango Lager, smelled and tasted of mangoes and Oats and Barley Stout some oatmeal and roast served on nitro.
The food menu is extensive and good. Everything from wood fired pizzas to fish to pasta to salads to steak and plenty of sandwiches as well. This is a good place for a meal and some really good beers, so if you are on your way to Milwaukee on I-94 after Tyranena stop here for dinner and beer.
Next up the Summer Solstice Beer Fest in Glendale, WI. I cannot wait!
QC Beerguy
First stop was Randy's Restaurant and Fun Hunter's Brewery in Whitewater, WI http://www.funhunters.net/pages/history.html. It is located a little ways from the really cool downtown district. The overall feel of this place is a Wisconsin supper club and had the food menu to match. We sat outside on a small patio area which we had to ourselves, so the four of us were able to eat, drink and have a conversation alone.
We both ordered a sampler of their beer, which included 5 beers and then my wife had a barleywine while I had a pint of my favorite from the sampler. The beers are Warhawk Wheat Ale, Kolsch, Amber Larger, Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout. The wheat was my favorite it was light crisp and refreshing, the Kolsch was not overly good, the Amber Lager was cloying, the Pale Ale slightly hoppy and had some malt,a decent beer, and the oatmeal stout was thin harsh, tannic and where is the oatmeal?
The food menu had a good selection but some items were a bit pricey for lunch. We did all settle on food and it was very enjoyable. Needless to say this is a restaurant first and they just happen to make beer. It is worth a visit though, even though Whitewater is not on the beaten path.
Stop two Tyranena Brewing Lake Mills, WI http://www.tyranena.com/. What can I say about Tyranena beer that has not been said before, they just know how to make great beer. The brewery is located in an industrial area in Lake Mills just off of I-94, so it is easy to get to. The building is a purpose built building with over 3/4 of it as the brewery, there is a small office and a good size tasting room. Also they have a nice patio area with piped in music. Also they are dog and kid friendly, just obey the sign "If your dog does not like children do not bring it!" They serve no food but you can bring in your own, and as we were leaving a couple of ladies were setting up what looked like a good amount of food. We all just wanted to stay there and drink, but unfortunately our hotel rooms where aways away.
Again we chose the sampler, on for my wife and I and one for our friends. The sampler had 9 beers for $10 now that is a bargain. First up Three Beaches Honey Blonde; light and sweet lots of honey character. Next Headless Man Amber Alt some Pils malt and good overall, it did not stand out with all of the other beers in the sampler. Fargo Brothers Hefe, only available on tap at the brewery, an OK hefe but not outstanding, besides the cloves and banana I picked up some mint. I know odd but I found it so at least to me it is there. Stone Tepee Pale Ale a very good American Pale Ale a nice citrus hop to it. Bitter Woman IPA was next and no there were not bitter women to be seen, a good IPA that had a slight skunkiness as well as the citrus hops. Scurvy, an IPA with orange, yes it does work a good blend of the orange flavor and the hoppy IPA. Rocky's Revenge Bourbon Barrel Brown Ale, my favorite, malty, strong, good bourbon flavor with some tobacco like notes. Dirty Oldman Imperial Rye Porter, another awesome beer a close second, rye spiciness with chocolate and hints of the oak barrels. Lastly Chief Blackhawk Proter a good porter roasty chocolate and drinkable.
If you are heading to Milwaukee from Madison this is a must stop and yes if you imbibe to much there are hotels in town. Also as we were leaving a band was starting to set up so they have entertainment on the weekend.
Third stop Water Street in Delafield, WI http://www.waterstreetbrewery.com/home.htm. There is also the original location in downtown Milwaukee as well. They bought this location after it failed as a restaurant. It was busy but not overly busy for a Friday night and we found out why. Let me just say this about the beer it is unfortunately bad. Again we ordered a sampler which included nine beers and I thought that only two were drinkable. The beers are as follows: Honey Lager Light, bad, Munich Lager, bad, Bavarian Weiss, bland, Saison, tart spicy drinkable, Oktoberfest, ok, Amber Ale, buttery, Pale Ale, sweet, and Black IPA, roast and some hops drinkable.
We only had a couple of appetizers here so can't really say much about the food. So I would not recommend going here if you are in Delafield, especially since there is a far better choice across the interstate.
Last Stop for the night Delafield Brewhaus http://www.delafield-brewhaus.com/default.html. This is an award winning brewery that also has a very good restaurant in the same building. This is a purpose built building with the brew house located right in the middle of the building, so it is the first thing you see when you enter the building. We quickly were seated even though the parking lot had a number of vehicles. As usual for the day we sat down and ordered the sampler, which included 6 beers and we asked about a couple of other beers listed and our waitress quickly brought those over. So we had 8 beers to try. Dock Light a clean light gold beer with light hops. Sommerzeist a hefe I remember this beer fondly but at least last night it is not the same beer, it was buttery and unpleasant. Delafield Amber, malty mild hops very drinkable. Maibock that was light gold malty sweet restrained pils malt taste. Hops and Glory, APA, citrus hops, clean and malty. Pewaukee Portermedium full body roast chocolate just plain good! The extra two were Mango Lager, smelled and tasted of mangoes and Oats and Barley Stout some oatmeal and roast served on nitro.
The food menu is extensive and good. Everything from wood fired pizzas to fish to pasta to salads to steak and plenty of sandwiches as well. This is a good place for a meal and some really good beers, so if you are on your way to Milwaukee on I-94 after Tyranena stop here for dinner and beer.
Next up the Summer Solstice Beer Fest in Glendale, WI. I cannot wait!
QC Beerguy
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Few Days Off and a bit more
Well I am taking a few days off from work, we are heading north behind the Cheddar Curtain with another couple. We will leave Friday morning and making a few stops at some brewpubs on the way up to Milwaukee area. Then Saturday we will be attending the 2011 Wisconsin Summer Solstice Beer Festival http://welcometoglendale.com/popup-feature.php and who knows what will follow, hopefully hitting a few brewpubs in Milwaukee. Then we will be coming home Sunday. So needless to say I am looking forward to this weekend and if I am able I will post a blog or two during the weekend.
We are attending this fest instead of AHA National Homebrewers Conference this weekend since it is being held in San Diego, just to far to go. If this report is true http://seattlebeernews.com/?p=4737&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brewin-with-bigfoot-the-34th-annual-aha-national-homebrewers-conference-is-coming-to-puget-sound looks like we will not being going to Seattle next year either. Again very far to travel to and probably to expensive to make it. Oh well hopefully someday the event will come back to the Midwest or East Coast, that may be easier to make it. I know we had a great time last year in Minneapolis so I want to go back really really bad, but have to wait for it to be closer.
Later.
QC Beerguy
We are attending this fest instead of AHA National Homebrewers Conference this weekend since it is being held in San Diego, just to far to go. If this report is true http://seattlebeernews.com/?p=4737&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brewin-with-bigfoot-the-34th-annual-aha-national-homebrewers-conference-is-coming-to-puget-sound looks like we will not being going to Seattle next year either. Again very far to travel to and probably to expensive to make it. Oh well hopefully someday the event will come back to the Midwest or East Coast, that may be easier to make it. I know we had a great time last year in Minneapolis so I want to go back really really bad, but have to wait for it to be closer.
Later.
QC Beerguy
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hessen Haus Des Moines, IA
I am back in Des Moines and felt like trying somewhere new, so I went to the Hessen Haus http://www.hessenhaus.com/the_wall.php. I am very glad I decided to go here this evening. Not that I am really sure that this is a true version of a German beer hall, but it sure blows away the Bier Stubbe in the Quad Cities. They have over 30 taps, almost all German, and well over 100 bottles and the tap beer is fresh not old and stale like some places I have been. They had beers both on tap and in the bottle that I had never heard of. Just some of the new to me beers were Sunner Kolsch, Grieskirchner Joger Weisse and Monchshof Schwarzbier. They have a good food menu that includes many German dishes, but yet it gives the non-German food eater enough to chose from as well.
The building overall is a glorified shed, possibly a train station in a prior life. It is not much wider than 30 feet but it is a long building overall. The inside is covered with wood and has exposed beams. Every where you look there is something to remind you that you are in a German beer hall. There are many Paulaner mini-kegs, many different German advertising tins, ceramic beer mugs and the true showcase German beer mugs. To me it feels homey and German at the same time.
They have posters for upcoming and weekly events. Each Sunday they pour $5 liters of Stella, which would make my wife very happy. Also they had a poster up for the Des Moines Oktoberfest on Sept. 24-25th, which might be fun. Plus they do $3 shots of Jager if a train goes by after 3pm. So they know how to have fun with their customers.
Needless to say if you are in Des Moines and looking for a good selection of German beers this is the place.
In going to Hessen Haus I was exposed to a few people butchering the beer names again and I tried really hard not to judge the people, but I did not succeed. Especially when the boyfriend of one of the waitresses asked for an "Airdinger" hefe, unless I am truly mistaken he was trying to say ER- dinger hefe. Another brewery name butchered was Ayinger, which is pronounced I-inger. I'm sure I will be scolded again because I am being a beer snob, but I do not care. If you can not pronounce the beer do not say it! Do as I do make a joke of it by saying" I am going to butcher this name, but I want...." and say the name while pointing to it on the beer menu. OK that is off my chest.
QC Beerguy
The building overall is a glorified shed, possibly a train station in a prior life. It is not much wider than 30 feet but it is a long building overall. The inside is covered with wood and has exposed beams. Every where you look there is something to remind you that you are in a German beer hall. There are many Paulaner mini-kegs, many different German advertising tins, ceramic beer mugs and the true showcase German beer mugs. To me it feels homey and German at the same time.
They have posters for upcoming and weekly events. Each Sunday they pour $5 liters of Stella, which would make my wife very happy. Also they had a poster up for the Des Moines Oktoberfest on Sept. 24-25th, which might be fun. Plus they do $3 shots of Jager if a train goes by after 3pm. So they know how to have fun with their customers.
Needless to say if you are in Des Moines and looking for a good selection of German beers this is the place.
In going to Hessen Haus I was exposed to a few people butchering the beer names again and I tried really hard not to judge the people, but I did not succeed. Especially when the boyfriend of one of the waitresses asked for an "Airdinger" hefe, unless I am truly mistaken he was trying to say ER- dinger hefe. Another brewery name butchered was Ayinger, which is pronounced I-inger. I'm sure I will be scolded again because I am being a beer snob, but I do not care. If you can not pronounce the beer do not say it! Do as I do make a joke of it by saying" I am going to butcher this name, but I want...." and say the name while pointing to it on the beer menu. OK that is off my chest.
QC Beerguy
Sunday, June 12, 2011
MUGZ Golf Outing
Today was the spring version of the MUGZ Golf Outing and I believe fun was had by all that attended. A big thank you goes out to Tom G. for organizing the event again this year. He pulls it off flawlessly each time. Overall there were about fifteen golfers today golfing eighteen holes. My wife and I had great fun today. Plus there was plenty of home brew being shared during the outing. If you are a MUGZ member and were not able to make it today you missed great fun and I would say plan on attending the next golf outing.
QC Beerguy
QC Beerguy
Lobsterfest Bettendorf, IA
OK so this really is not a beer event or great beer place but it was still a very fun evening. My wife and I had an opportunity to go to the Bettendorf Rotary's Lobsterfest. You may be asking what the heck is Lobsterfest? Well it is a fundraiser for the Bettendorf Rotary. They use the funds to give to worthy organizations in the community to fund different projects.
As you may have figured out they served lobster, to over 300 hungry people. Once we were seated and a few announcements were made the lobsters started coming. The lobsters were accompanied by corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage and mushrooms, just like a lobster boil out east. If you have eaten lobster you know that it is a bit of a workout to crack the shell and get to the meat. Once you get to the meat though it is worth it. This year they had a steak option, where you could have a steak instead of the lobster. My wife chose the option so we had surf and turf. They identified the steak eaters with Burger King crowns, so yes the Queen has another crown to wear.
Besides the meal they had silent auction items and a couple live auction items. Some of the silent auction items included a box at the River Bandits, a kids John Deere tractor and wagon, a nice area rug and a really cool mirror. We wound up with the mirror, so now someone gets to put it up in our upstairs bathroom.
All of this for only $70 per person and it was well worth it. They also had a cash bar supplied with AB InBev products. Thankfully that included Hoegaarden, a Belgian White Ale,so that was my beer for the night. My wife went with Corona Light for the evening, at least it was not Bud Light. A total off the subject point, Corona was my gateway beer unto the world of craft and import beers.
So if you are looking for a lobster dinner next year around this time of year purchase a ticket and go have fun!
QC Beerguy
As you may have figured out they served lobster, to over 300 hungry people. Once we were seated and a few announcements were made the lobsters started coming. The lobsters were accompanied by corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage and mushrooms, just like a lobster boil out east. If you have eaten lobster you know that it is a bit of a workout to crack the shell and get to the meat. Once you get to the meat though it is worth it. This year they had a steak option, where you could have a steak instead of the lobster. My wife chose the option so we had surf and turf. They identified the steak eaters with Burger King crowns, so yes the Queen has another crown to wear.
Besides the meal they had silent auction items and a couple live auction items. Some of the silent auction items included a box at the River Bandits, a kids John Deere tractor and wagon, a nice area rug and a really cool mirror. We wound up with the mirror, so now someone gets to put it up in our upstairs bathroom.
All of this for only $70 per person and it was well worth it. They also had a cash bar supplied with AB InBev products. Thankfully that included Hoegaarden, a Belgian White Ale,so that was my beer for the night. My wife went with Corona Light for the evening, at least it was not Bud Light. A total off the subject point, Corona was my gateway beer unto the world of craft and import beers.
So if you are looking for a lobster dinner next year around this time of year purchase a ticket and go have fun!
QC Beerguy
Friday, June 10, 2011
Bodega Brewpub La Crosse, WI
Per my usual when I am in La Crosse I make my way to Bodega Brewpub, this is a really awesome beer bar that just blows you away when you first enter the place. As I have said before the have around 16 taps and probably 300 + bottles.
So I go in on Wednesday evening and the place is not overly busy so I am able to go right up to the bar and find a seat. I glance around at the selection of tap beers and see Duchesse, Old Curmudgeon, Abita Select, Hopalioucis and other interesting beers. I order my first beer the Duchesse De Bourgogne a wonderful sour beer. I still remeber my first time I had an opportunity to drink this beer. I went shopping with some friends and this was one of the beers we purchased at John's Grocery in Iowa City. I think we left with almost $300 worth of beer. We then went to my friend's house and proceeded to drink the beers we purchased. When the three of us took our first sip of this beer it was awful to us, tasting like blood, so we wound up dumping most of a 750 ml bottle. Thankfully my tastes have changed and I am able to enjoy this beer now.
So as I am drinking my beer and John, the manager at Bodega, sits down next to and we carry on a good conversation. About what beers they have had since I was last there, just around a month ago, and what beers they will be having on tap soon. Let me just say they always are changing beers that are on tap and usually the beers on tap are outstanding. Probably in their main tap area only Guinness and Franziskaner Hefe are the only taps that do not change. From what I remember John telling me they will be some outstanding beer coming on tap in the near future.
Next beer up was Old Curmudgeon a wonderful old ale from Founder's Brewing. This is a sipping beer checking in at 9.8% ABV. It is wonderfully complex and malty. Plus it comes from a favorite brewery of mine.
Also had a taste of the Abita Select, which they say is a double IPA. Well it is an IPA not sure about the double part and not blown away by the beer overall. If you have choices for a double IPA I would say choose something else.
Bodega is just one of those places that you find along your way and can't believe your good fortune. If you are in La Crosse go straight to Bodega do not go to any other bar in town!
QC Beerguy
So I go in on Wednesday evening and the place is not overly busy so I am able to go right up to the bar and find a seat. I glance around at the selection of tap beers and see Duchesse, Old Curmudgeon, Abita Select, Hopalioucis and other interesting beers. I order my first beer the Duchesse De Bourgogne a wonderful sour beer. I still remeber my first time I had an opportunity to drink this beer. I went shopping with some friends and this was one of the beers we purchased at John's Grocery in Iowa City. I think we left with almost $300 worth of beer. We then went to my friend's house and proceeded to drink the beers we purchased. When the three of us took our first sip of this beer it was awful to us, tasting like blood, so we wound up dumping most of a 750 ml bottle. Thankfully my tastes have changed and I am able to enjoy this beer now.
So as I am drinking my beer and John, the manager at Bodega, sits down next to and we carry on a good conversation. About what beers they have had since I was last there, just around a month ago, and what beers they will be having on tap soon. Let me just say they always are changing beers that are on tap and usually the beers on tap are outstanding. Probably in their main tap area only Guinness and Franziskaner Hefe are the only taps that do not change. From what I remember John telling me they will be some outstanding beer coming on tap in the near future.
Next beer up was Old Curmudgeon a wonderful old ale from Founder's Brewing. This is a sipping beer checking in at 9.8% ABV. It is wonderfully complex and malty. Plus it comes from a favorite brewery of mine.
Also had a taste of the Abita Select, which they say is a double IPA. Well it is an IPA not sure about the double part and not blown away by the beer overall. If you have choices for a double IPA I would say choose something else.
Bodega is just one of those places that you find along your way and can't believe your good fortune. If you are in La Crosse go straight to Bodega do not go to any other bar in town!
QC Beerguy
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Whistle Binkies
I'm back in Rochester, MN so that means Whistle Binkies. I go sit at the bar as usual and I am greeted by Jeremy. He quickly tells me that they have a number of "new" beers in and he starts pulling out bottles of the "new" beers. Next thing I know I am face to face with at least 8 bottles of beer. I peruse my choices and decide on an interesting looking beer.
It is Certified Evil by Lucky Bucket Brewing out of La Vista, NE. It pours deep brown with some ruby highlights and an off white head that is thin. Upon further study I find out it checks in at 12.5% ABV, so needless to say this is a sipping beer. The label explains that this ale is brewed with brown sugar, raisin juice, molasses, cardamon and orange peel aged in wine casks. It is called a Belgian Dark Strong Ale, which is easy to understand because this beer is peppery and spicy. Interestingly though it is a very complex beer from a brewery that I am unfamiliar with but this beer is a keeper.
My second beer was Twilight Summer Ale by Deschutes Brewing. This is a 5% ABV blond/golden ale. I must say this is a really good lawnmower beer. First thing I notice are the hops and after reading the bottle I see it is brewed with Amarillo hops. It is a nice slightly malty beer with some hints of citrus. It also has some biscuity notes to it as well. This is a nice easy drinking beer. I would recommend this one as a thirst quencher, so drink up.
QC Beerguy
It is Certified Evil by Lucky Bucket Brewing out of La Vista, NE. It pours deep brown with some ruby highlights and an off white head that is thin. Upon further study I find out it checks in at 12.5% ABV, so needless to say this is a sipping beer. The label explains that this ale is brewed with brown sugar, raisin juice, molasses, cardamon and orange peel aged in wine casks. It is called a Belgian Dark Strong Ale, which is easy to understand because this beer is peppery and spicy. Interestingly though it is a very complex beer from a brewery that I am unfamiliar with but this beer is a keeper.
My second beer was Twilight Summer Ale by Deschutes Brewing. This is a 5% ABV blond/golden ale. I must say this is a really good lawnmower beer. First thing I notice are the hops and after reading the bottle I see it is brewed with Amarillo hops. It is a nice slightly malty beer with some hints of citrus. It also has some biscuity notes to it as well. This is a nice easy drinking beer. I would recommend this one as a thirst quencher, so drink up.
QC Beerguy
The Ladies Beer Update
Sunday evening three of the four ladies that brewed on big brew day came together to keg their beers. As you probably remember they had made a blonde ale and split the batch in half and added blueberries to one half. They quickly and efficiently transferred the two beers into two kegs. Overall I believe they are pleased with their first try into homebrewing together.
They did allow us men to taste a sample of each beer and they made a good clean beer. The straight blonde no longer has any hint of butter, so the yeast did it's job and reabsorbed that off flavor. The blueberry blonde came out a little bit bitter without much blueberry aroma or flavor. Maybe it will brighten up when the beer is carbonated. So now it is just a matter of time while the beer carbonates. Looking forward to trying the end results.
QC Beerguy
They did allow us men to taste a sample of each beer and they made a good clean beer. The straight blonde no longer has any hint of butter, so the yeast did it's job and reabsorbed that off flavor. The blueberry blonde came out a little bit bitter without much blueberry aroma or flavor. Maybe it will brighten up when the beer is carbonated. So now it is just a matter of time while the beer carbonates. Looking forward to trying the end results.
QC Beerguy
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Granite City Davenport, IA
Friday night my wife and I joined some friends at Granite City in Davenport. They were sitting out on the patio when we joined them. Their waiter came over and asked us what we wanted to drink, I ordered the Belgian Wit and my wife the Dunkelweizen. He asked if we were mug club members, I produced my card and he asked my wife if she had hers. We were both taken a back by this since every other time we have been in Granite City my card was more than good enough to get mugs for both of us. When we commented on that he said "We no longer do that, but I will take care of it for you." Strike One!
We received our beers and the Wit was not to style but was tasty anyway. It had a pronounced banana taste very reminiscent of a German Hefeweizen. The Dunkel was just way too cold to get much flavor out of at first. As it warmed there were some malting sweetness, but very little wheat character. We also ordered a pepperoni flat bread pizza, which was very good. We both ordered a second beer, my wife a Northern Light and I went with the Dunkel. My wife took a few minutes to finish her first beer after the second beer was brought. When she went to drink the beer she was quickly repulsed by the smell and taste. I swear they brought out a Heineken it was so skunky. Once we flagged down the waiter she asked if she could switch since the Northern was so skunky. He said sure and so my wife ordered a bock.
After a few minutes one of the managers came over to discuss the concern my wife had with the beer. Good thing my wife, our friends and I all know good beer, because the manager was very confrontational. She was doing everything but accusing my wife of not knowing what she was talking about. My wife said she had a bad beer. The manager recited all the quality checks they do on the beer and I believe expected my wife to back down and apologize for not knowing beer. Which my wife did not and threw down the trump card of her husband, me, being a beer judge and when she said it was a bad beer, it is a bad beer. The manager basically just quit talking and thanked my wife. The manager in no way attempted to comp us for the beer and really even apologize. Strike Two!! Good managers do not confront or belittle the customer if you want to keep the customers business.
So I believe my wife is going to contact Granite City's Corporate office to she if she can receive some satisfaction, which I agree with her totally. Hopefully they will reply to her and not ignore her. Otherwise it will be Strike Three and You're Out!!! Which would be a bit of a shame since Granite City does have really good food.
QC Beerguy
We received our beers and the Wit was not to style but was tasty anyway. It had a pronounced banana taste very reminiscent of a German Hefeweizen. The Dunkel was just way too cold to get much flavor out of at first. As it warmed there were some malting sweetness, but very little wheat character. We also ordered a pepperoni flat bread pizza, which was very good. We both ordered a second beer, my wife a Northern Light and I went with the Dunkel. My wife took a few minutes to finish her first beer after the second beer was brought. When she went to drink the beer she was quickly repulsed by the smell and taste. I swear they brought out a Heineken it was so skunky. Once we flagged down the waiter she asked if she could switch since the Northern was so skunky. He said sure and so my wife ordered a bock.
After a few minutes one of the managers came over to discuss the concern my wife had with the beer. Good thing my wife, our friends and I all know good beer, because the manager was very confrontational. She was doing everything but accusing my wife of not knowing what she was talking about. My wife said she had a bad beer. The manager recited all the quality checks they do on the beer and I believe expected my wife to back down and apologize for not knowing beer. Which my wife did not and threw down the trump card of her husband, me, being a beer judge and when she said it was a bad beer, it is a bad beer. The manager basically just quit talking and thanked my wife. The manager in no way attempted to comp us for the beer and really even apologize. Strike Two!! Good managers do not confront or belittle the customer if you want to keep the customers business.
So I believe my wife is going to contact Granite City's Corporate office to she if she can receive some satisfaction, which I agree with her totally. Hopefully they will reply to her and not ignore her. Otherwise it will be Strike Three and You're Out!!! Which would be a bit of a shame since Granite City does have really good food.
QC Beerguy
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Past couple of days
So here I am in Spencer Iowa while some good friends are down in Galesburg Illinois at a beer themed fundraiser for the American Red Cross. Thank you Jim and the guys from Gonzo! I hope it was a fun evening.
I was able to find a sports bar in Spencer to eat this evening, typical bar food and 10 taps. 3 were AB InBev, 4 were MillerCoors and 3 were independent beers. 2 Sam Adams and 1 from Summit, so I went for the Summit Extra Pale Ale and I believe I must of been the first person in at least a week to drink it. So I struggled through the Summit because it was the most crafty thing they had.
Last night I was at a much better place in Lincoln Nebraska, Lazlo's. If you have been reading my blogs for a while you will remember I was at Lazlo's previously. To me this is the best place in Lincoln as far as food, beer and location. From my research there does not seem to be really an option to it in Lincoln.
Last night I had their Black Pepper Porter, a nice porter that does promote the flavor of the pepper. It becomes much more noticeable as it warms. The second beer I had was their Summerfest a good drinkable light summer beer, it finished off the night well. Also the meat is grilled over a hickory wood fire, which adds a wonderful hickory smoke to the meat.
So thankfully I will be home tomorrow night, Yeah! I am sure there will be some kind of beer adventure this weekend.
QC Beerguy
I was able to find a sports bar in Spencer to eat this evening, typical bar food and 10 taps. 3 were AB InBev, 4 were MillerCoors and 3 were independent beers. 2 Sam Adams and 1 from Summit, so I went for the Summit Extra Pale Ale and I believe I must of been the first person in at least a week to drink it. So I struggled through the Summit because it was the most crafty thing they had.
Last night I was at a much better place in Lincoln Nebraska, Lazlo's. If you have been reading my blogs for a while you will remember I was at Lazlo's previously. To me this is the best place in Lincoln as far as food, beer and location. From my research there does not seem to be really an option to it in Lincoln.
Last night I had their Black Pepper Porter, a nice porter that does promote the flavor of the pepper. It becomes much more noticeable as it warms. The second beer I had was their Summerfest a good drinkable light summer beer, it finished off the night well. Also the meat is grilled over a hickory wood fire, which adds a wonderful hickory smoke to the meat.
So thankfully I will be home tomorrow night, Yeah! I am sure there will be some kind of beer adventure this weekend.
QC Beerguy
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