Day three was game day so we hopped onto the free bus shuttle in front of our hotel and traveled over to Lambeau Field. Once we arrived we headed over to the Tundra Zone a permanent tent that houses a stage and bar for pre game tailgating. Beer wise nothing overly special, Leinekugel's was about as good as it was in the tent, as well they had mixed drinks and food items. After a bit of time we decided to try and find a friend of a sister of one of our group.
We made it to the tailgating area and we were presented with some Sam Adams Beer, which the friend bought specifically for us since she knew we liked craft beer. We all felt touched that she did that for us. After a beer we decide to head into the stadium, since the warning was to get into the stadium early. They "wand" everyone that enters the stadium, making sure no one has any weapons. We all made it through with no problem.
We made it to our seats and once we settled in it was time for a beer. Surprisingly the beer selection is decent and not too awfully priced. Beer selection includes Leinekugel's, Point, and many imports including Guinness, Stella and Fosters. They also had 16 ounce glasses of Lite and Genuine Draft for $7 and from what I saw that the most expensive beer. The craft and imports were between $5 and $6 for 12 ounce and Guinness was $6.50 for a 14.9 ounce bottle. So compared to other venues they are reasonable on beer prices.
The game was fun and pretty much over by half time. In the second half the Packers did not score, but we still had a great time. The jet flyover was breath taking. All of a sudden we saw the jets but did not hear them until they were over and past us. Then it was a loud roar of the jets. Very Cool! I did enjoy myself at the game and being a Bears fan I cannot say enough about the experience. I wish Soldier Field had the same ambiance.
After the game we walked over to a sports bar called Stadium View with a few hundred of our friends from the game. Again beer was a bit limited, but we were able to find Leinekugel's as well as PBR. You may say I am crazy, but PBR is a very good American Lager with noticeable taste and aroma. After a watching some of the late game and meeting another of our group’s family members, we headed over to the shuttle stop for the ride back to the hotel.
Once back at the hotel we walked to Titletown for dinner and some beers. This is the brewpub to go to in Green Bay, great beer, great food and great service. A couple of beers that I had that night were Hopasaurus Rex and Expect the Wurst. Hopasaurus Rex is a well balanced IPA, enough hops for the hop head in me, balanced by a strong malt backbone. A really good beer, I would recommend this beer to anyone that loves hops. Expect the Wurst, is a gimmick beer, it is an amber ale spiced like a brat. Yeah it is intriguing but not a beer for most beer lovers. So if you feel adventuresome give it a try.
As we were following the hostess to our table a couple of friends from the QC area walked in the door and they wound up sitting at the table next to us. Yes it is a small world. We finished our dinner and walked back to the hotel. We sat around and enjoyed a night cap and discussed our weekend and of course watched The BEARS!! All agreed it was a great weekend. On Monday we drove back to the QC, so we could go back to work on Tuesday, bummer.
QC Beerguy
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Green Bay Day Two
On day two my wife and I got ready and walked down to the Farmer's Market in Downtown Green Bay. Since we really did not know where we were going we wound up taking a less than direct route. Once we did make it to the Market it was a cool little one, it only took about a half hour to walk the whole thing. Then we went and made our purchases. We checked in with our friends and they were checking into our hotel so we walked over and checked in.
After checking in we decided were to have lunch and we decided upon Curly's Pub at Lambeau Field. http://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/curlys-pub.html After a bit of a wait for a table we were seated in a banquet room that is normally not used unless the restaurant is busy. Actually it was great for us since we wound up having a decent sized group, including a baby that is in the process of learning how to walk so he had plenty of room to explore. The food sounded really good, but actually was a bit disappointing. They did have a couple decent beers on tap. The first was Curly's Ale, brewed by Leinekugel's specifically for the pub. This is a decent pale ale that probably was the best regular beer they had. Also they had Leinekugel's Oktoberfest, which is again a decent beer, some malty notes and low hop notes. After lunch we headed back to our hotel, since the rest of the night we would be walking. As an aside for all of you Packers Fans – some of our group met Bart Starr while at Lambeau Field that day. It made their whole weekend!
I had previously checked the Hinterland Brewery website, http://www.hinterlandbeer.com/ to make sure of the hours of operation, on Saturday it stated they opened at 4PM. So we left the hotel about ten till 4 so we would be there right at opening. We walked in the door and were rather indignantly told by what we later figured out to be the General Manager that on Packer weekends they do not open until 4:30 PM and that the upstairs lounge is not open at all, only the dining room. My wife and I as well as our friends were determined to actually make it inside and sample their beers, since none of us had ever been it the place. This was my wife and I’s third attempt. So we had to go kill a half hour and found a local bar named Kegger's.
This is a typical northern Wisconsin bar. Small, wood filled and just a place where the locals hang out. We walked in and there was a bartender and one customer besides the six of us. They had a typical beer selection, Bud, Miller and Coors, but also had a couple craft beers. We all had one beer each and felt welcomed to be in Kegger's, the bartender was a nice lady and understood our frustrations with Hinterland.
We finished up and headed back to Hinterland and this time we were able to get in. We sat at the downstairs bar and ordered a beer a piece. All of us felt our presence was less than welcome from the time we walked back into Hinterland. The waitstaff was still in chaos and they had more important things on their mind than six people stopping in for some beers, I over heard the bartender complaining that there were people at the bar, Also for some reason we did not understand the upstairs lounge area was actually open for customers. Needless to say we only stayed for one beer each and will not go back to Hinterland. I am sorry that we tried so hard to make it to Hinterland. Also from talking to more locals over the weekend our experience was more of a common happening. So please avoid Hinterland when in Green Bay!
The beer we had was average at best! Amongst our group we had the Pale Ale, thin and watery, the IPA, again thin and watery, the Oktoberfest, a slightly above average version and the best beer we had was the Bourbon Barrel Stout. It was a nice balance between roast, chocolate and the bourbon, but could use more body. Overall a very good beer, but it cannot make up for the quality of the other beers and the lack of courtesy from the employees. Again do yourself a favor and do not go to Hinterland.
We left Hinterland and walked across the street to Titletown Brewing Company http://www.titletownbrewing.com/ and into a different world. Good beer, good food and a staff that seemed to be happy to have customers. We had a 45 minute wait for a table so we went upstairs for a beer or two while we waited. They had at least 10 beers on tap so there are lots of choices. My first beer was the Wild Train Rye'd a really good ryePA that checks in at 7.5% ABV. It had a good spicy rye malt backbone complimented by American hop aroma and flavors. Also I had a Nuptuale, which they describe as a marriage between an American and European amber ale. I did not find to be a great beer but did enjoy it nonetheless.
Our table was ready early into my second beer, so went to the table with the beer. The food menu is extensive and we had no problem finding our meals. They have burgers, wraps, pizzas and other entree meals, so there is something for everyone. When we finished up with our meals we headed back to our hotel. Thus ended day two and up next the game and Titletown revisted.
QC Beerguy
After checking in we decided were to have lunch and we decided upon Curly's Pub at Lambeau Field. http://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/curlys-pub.html After a bit of a wait for a table we were seated in a banquet room that is normally not used unless the restaurant is busy. Actually it was great for us since we wound up having a decent sized group, including a baby that is in the process of learning how to walk so he had plenty of room to explore. The food sounded really good, but actually was a bit disappointing. They did have a couple decent beers on tap. The first was Curly's Ale, brewed by Leinekugel's specifically for the pub. This is a decent pale ale that probably was the best regular beer they had. Also they had Leinekugel's Oktoberfest, which is again a decent beer, some malty notes and low hop notes. After lunch we headed back to our hotel, since the rest of the night we would be walking. As an aside for all of you Packers Fans – some of our group met Bart Starr while at Lambeau Field that day. It made their whole weekend!
I had previously checked the Hinterland Brewery website, http://www.hinterlandbeer.com/ to make sure of the hours of operation, on Saturday it stated they opened at 4PM. So we left the hotel about ten till 4 so we would be there right at opening. We walked in the door and were rather indignantly told by what we later figured out to be the General Manager that on Packer weekends they do not open until 4:30 PM and that the upstairs lounge is not open at all, only the dining room. My wife and I as well as our friends were determined to actually make it inside and sample their beers, since none of us had ever been it the place. This was my wife and I’s third attempt. So we had to go kill a half hour and found a local bar named Kegger's.
This is a typical northern Wisconsin bar. Small, wood filled and just a place where the locals hang out. We walked in and there was a bartender and one customer besides the six of us. They had a typical beer selection, Bud, Miller and Coors, but also had a couple craft beers. We all had one beer each and felt welcomed to be in Kegger's, the bartender was a nice lady and understood our frustrations with Hinterland.
We finished up and headed back to Hinterland and this time we were able to get in. We sat at the downstairs bar and ordered a beer a piece. All of us felt our presence was less than welcome from the time we walked back into Hinterland. The waitstaff was still in chaos and they had more important things on their mind than six people stopping in for some beers, I over heard the bartender complaining that there were people at the bar, Also for some reason we did not understand the upstairs lounge area was actually open for customers. Needless to say we only stayed for one beer each and will not go back to Hinterland. I am sorry that we tried so hard to make it to Hinterland. Also from talking to more locals over the weekend our experience was more of a common happening. So please avoid Hinterland when in Green Bay!
The beer we had was average at best! Amongst our group we had the Pale Ale, thin and watery, the IPA, again thin and watery, the Oktoberfest, a slightly above average version and the best beer we had was the Bourbon Barrel Stout. It was a nice balance between roast, chocolate and the bourbon, but could use more body. Overall a very good beer, but it cannot make up for the quality of the other beers and the lack of courtesy from the employees. Again do yourself a favor and do not go to Hinterland.
We left Hinterland and walked across the street to Titletown Brewing Company http://www.titletownbrewing.com/ and into a different world. Good beer, good food and a staff that seemed to be happy to have customers. We had a 45 minute wait for a table so we went upstairs for a beer or two while we waited. They had at least 10 beers on tap so there are lots of choices. My first beer was the Wild Train Rye'd a really good ryePA that checks in at 7.5% ABV. It had a good spicy rye malt backbone complimented by American hop aroma and flavors. Also I had a Nuptuale, which they describe as a marriage between an American and European amber ale. I did not find to be a great beer but did enjoy it nonetheless.
Our table was ready early into my second beer, so went to the table with the beer. The food menu is extensive and we had no problem finding our meals. They have burgers, wraps, pizzas and other entree meals, so there is something for everyone. When we finished up with our meals we headed back to our hotel. Thus ended day two and up next the game and Titletown revisted.
QC Beerguy
A Pilgramage to and from Green Bay Day One
My wife and I headed up Friday to a great weekend in Green Bay, WI, and that is hard for a die hard Bears fan to say. We headed out Friday morning with another couple on the way to our ultimate goal of Green Bay, but made a couple of stops along the way. First Stop was Vintage Brewing in Madison, WI http://vintagebrewingcompany.com/. This is a brewery that resurrected the former building that housed JT Whitney's Brewery. Thankfully Vintage is much better with their beer as well as their food! Per our usual, my wife and I ordered a sampler, but they only serve samplers in the amount of 5 and they had 10 beers on tap. Needless to say we ordered 5 different beers. The ones that stood out to me were Sister Golden Kolsch, Pumpkin Disorderly, Dedication and Better Off Red.
The Kolsch was clean, clear and delicious, not much else can be said other than this was a great drinkable beer. The Pumpkin Disorderly was a new idea to me for a pumpkin beer; it was an Abbey Ale brewed with pumpkin and pumpkin spices. It was a nice Belgian abbey beer with a noticeable hint of pumpkin pie. It’s a new idea for me because I have never considered an abbey ale as the backbone for a pumpkin beer, but I will try it in the future. Dedication is a dubbel ale and was very tasty! It was malty, spicy and everything you would expect from a Dubbel. The Better Off Red is a hoppy American Red Ale, which is my favorite beer that they produce. It has the hop charge of an American IPA, but has a noticeable malt that offsets the hops of the beer. I guess the reason I love this beer is that it is basically an IPA, but with the amber malt profile. When you are in Madison go to Vintage as well as Great Dane and Ale Asylum. These are my favorite breweries in Mad Town.
Next stop was Stone Cellar Brewpub in Appleton, WI http://stonecellarbrewpub.com/; cool location with some good beers. My wife and I ordered the usual sampler, which were nine beers on tap with a root beer. The root beer was noticeable because it was a golden root beer, so it did not look like root beer but tasted like one. Interesting give it a try. The beers that stood out were as follows: Marquette Pilsner, English Six Grain Ale, Stone Cellar Stout and Vanishing Vanilla Stout. The Pilsner was clean, crisp and thirst quenching. The English Six grain ale, as it name states had six grains used in it the grist for the beer and it makes a very drinkable beer. Both Stouts are very easy to drink and are nearly the same in character, the only difference is that the Vanilla has pure vanilla added to it. So if you are in Appleton stop by for a beer or two.
We finally made it to Green Bay and went with our friends to eat at St Brendan's Inn http://www.saintbrendansinn.com/. The first floor is a restaurant and bar with the second and third floors as guest rooms. Luckily our friend's sister and husband had made reservations so we were able to go almost instantly to our table. A couple things I noticed right away were that the tables were spaced a ways apart, leading to long wait times for the tables and that the room was very noisy, due to the wood ceiling. We ordered our drinks and food; they had a decent variety of beers imports, craft and domestics. Unfortunately the one I chose had been replaced but the beer list had not been updated. They did have a good alternative. Upon talking with our friends afterwards they had the same concerns about the place as well they were not overly excited about the food quality.
Thus ended day one of the Green Bay trip. More to come.
QC Beerguy
The Kolsch was clean, clear and delicious, not much else can be said other than this was a great drinkable beer. The Pumpkin Disorderly was a new idea to me for a pumpkin beer; it was an Abbey Ale brewed with pumpkin and pumpkin spices. It was a nice Belgian abbey beer with a noticeable hint of pumpkin pie. It’s a new idea for me because I have never considered an abbey ale as the backbone for a pumpkin beer, but I will try it in the future. Dedication is a dubbel ale and was very tasty! It was malty, spicy and everything you would expect from a Dubbel. The Better Off Red is a hoppy American Red Ale, which is my favorite beer that they produce. It has the hop charge of an American IPA, but has a noticeable malt that offsets the hops of the beer. I guess the reason I love this beer is that it is basically an IPA, but with the amber malt profile. When you are in Madison go to Vintage as well as Great Dane and Ale Asylum. These are my favorite breweries in Mad Town.
Next stop was Stone Cellar Brewpub in Appleton, WI http://stonecellarbrewpub.com/; cool location with some good beers. My wife and I ordered the usual sampler, which were nine beers on tap with a root beer. The root beer was noticeable because it was a golden root beer, so it did not look like root beer but tasted like one. Interesting give it a try. The beers that stood out were as follows: Marquette Pilsner, English Six Grain Ale, Stone Cellar Stout and Vanishing Vanilla Stout. The Pilsner was clean, crisp and thirst quenching. The English Six grain ale, as it name states had six grains used in it the grist for the beer and it makes a very drinkable beer. Both Stouts are very easy to drink and are nearly the same in character, the only difference is that the Vanilla has pure vanilla added to it. So if you are in Appleton stop by for a beer or two.
We finally made it to Green Bay and went with our friends to eat at St Brendan's Inn http://www.saintbrendansinn.com/. The first floor is a restaurant and bar with the second and third floors as guest rooms. Luckily our friend's sister and husband had made reservations so we were able to go almost instantly to our table. A couple things I noticed right away were that the tables were spaced a ways apart, leading to long wait times for the tables and that the room was very noisy, due to the wood ceiling. We ordered our drinks and food; they had a decent variety of beers imports, craft and domestics. Unfortunately the one I chose had been replaced but the beer list had not been updated. They did have a good alternative. Upon talking with our friends afterwards they had the same concerns about the place as well they were not overly excited about the food quality.
Thus ended day one of the Green Bay trip. More to come.
QC Beerguy
Sunday, October 9, 2011
First Friday in Le Claire, IA
Friday evening my wife and I went First Friday at the Mississippi River Distillery (MRD) http://www.mrdistilling.com/ in Le Claire, IA and had a great evening. First Friday is the brainstorm of the Burchett Brothers: Ryan and Garrett, the owners/distillers at MRD. They have and open house from 5:30-8pm every first Friday of the month, featuring their Spirits and food made with their spirits. This month since it was Apple Fest in Le Claire everything served involved apples in some way. The food recipes are done by "Spirited Chef" Stephanie Godke and are delicious, but also usually not overly difficult to make.
This month also some other Le Claire businesses provided some featured food as well. Kernel Cody's Popcorn Shoppe http://kernelcodyspopcorn.com/ provided samples of Carmel Apple Popcorn and Ocean's Escape Women's Center http://kernelcodyspopcorn.com/ provided samples of Apple Lemon Lavender Muffins. Both were very good.
Besides the featured food samples MRD has featured mixed drinks made with their spirits. The first one was an Apple Martini featuring their latest vodka River Pilot Vodka, a more traditional vodka than their original River Baron Vodka. The second drink was Autumn Embrace featuring River Rose Gin. I enjoyed trying both of the drinks, but preferred the Apple Martini. When you walk in the door you receive a card entitling you to two sample drinks. If you and the person or people you are with plan well enough you can try a sip of the featured drinks as well as the straight Spirits.
My wife and I did plan well so we were able to compare the River Baron side by side with the River Pilot. Both are very good vodkas but equally different from each other. The River Baron is more flavorful spirit with hints of spicy, pepper and a light nuttiness from wheat, besides the sweet, smoothness of corn. The River Pilot is more neutral in taste, so it would be a good vodka for mixed drinks. Both do stand up well by themselves as well, so do not hesitate to purchase either one.
MRD currently has in their stable River Baron Vodka, River Pilot Vodka, River Rose Gin and Wide River Wheat, a seasonal spirit. The key with the Wide River Wheat is that it is a seasonal spirit; so that means once it is gone it is all gone. We picked up a bottle for us last night, with under 300 bottles left it will not last long. As well they have more spirits coming down the pipe, including seasonal #2 Iowa Coffee Company Liqueur and what my wife and I are looking forward to Cody Road Bourbon. The Coffee Liqueur will be featured at the November First Friday and the Bourbon will be featured at the December First Friday. We are looking forward to the next couple of First Fridays.
MRD is ever expanding and they are soon to be in Missouri and looking to expanding further North and South. They also are receiving national attention in the press and national vodka events. A bottle of River Baron Vodka was in the room at the Blackhawk Hotel waiting when The President of the United States stayed overnight this summer. Hopefully the bottle found a good home at the White House!
The First Friday Event is a fun evening to see the distillery, try some special food as well as the special locally produced spirits. So remember that the next First Friday will be on November 4th, I'm sure the folks at MRD will go out of their way to make you feel welcomed. Come on out, it is a fun time!
QC Beerguy
This month also some other Le Claire businesses provided some featured food as well. Kernel Cody's Popcorn Shoppe http://kernelcodyspopcorn.com/ provided samples of Carmel Apple Popcorn and Ocean's Escape Women's Center http://kernelcodyspopcorn.com/ provided samples of Apple Lemon Lavender Muffins. Both were very good.
Besides the featured food samples MRD has featured mixed drinks made with their spirits. The first one was an Apple Martini featuring their latest vodka River Pilot Vodka, a more traditional vodka than their original River Baron Vodka. The second drink was Autumn Embrace featuring River Rose Gin. I enjoyed trying both of the drinks, but preferred the Apple Martini. When you walk in the door you receive a card entitling you to two sample drinks. If you and the person or people you are with plan well enough you can try a sip of the featured drinks as well as the straight Spirits.
My wife and I did plan well so we were able to compare the River Baron side by side with the River Pilot. Both are very good vodkas but equally different from each other. The River Baron is more flavorful spirit with hints of spicy, pepper and a light nuttiness from wheat, besides the sweet, smoothness of corn. The River Pilot is more neutral in taste, so it would be a good vodka for mixed drinks. Both do stand up well by themselves as well, so do not hesitate to purchase either one.
MRD currently has in their stable River Baron Vodka, River Pilot Vodka, River Rose Gin and Wide River Wheat, a seasonal spirit. The key with the Wide River Wheat is that it is a seasonal spirit; so that means once it is gone it is all gone. We picked up a bottle for us last night, with under 300 bottles left it will not last long. As well they have more spirits coming down the pipe, including seasonal #2 Iowa Coffee Company Liqueur and what my wife and I are looking forward to Cody Road Bourbon. The Coffee Liqueur will be featured at the November First Friday and the Bourbon will be featured at the December First Friday. We are looking forward to the next couple of First Fridays.
MRD is ever expanding and they are soon to be in Missouri and looking to expanding further North and South. They also are receiving national attention in the press and national vodka events. A bottle of River Baron Vodka was in the room at the Blackhawk Hotel waiting when The President of the United States stayed overnight this summer. Hopefully the bottle found a good home at the White House!
The First Friday Event is a fun evening to see the distillery, try some special food as well as the special locally produced spirits. So remember that the next First Friday will be on November 4th, I'm sure the folks at MRD will go out of their way to make you feel welcomed. Come on out, it is a fun time!
QC Beerguy
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Enjoy the Head, beer head that is.
I know I was one of those people that were never properly educated about the positive benefits of having the proper amount of head on the beer I was drinking. I used to feel cheated even if there was the slightest amount of head on the beer. I thought the bartender was trying to rip me off. Then as my knowledge of beer grew I began to understand that the head was actually beneficial to my enjoyment of the beer I was drinking.
Beer head is actually formed by CO2 bubbles being released from the beer itself, mostly being formed during pouring of the beer into the glass. When the beer is poured with care, the proper amount of beer head will usually form, if the beer is properly carbonated. Depending on the beer the proper amount varies from a finger width to an inch and a half. Also beer head can be affected by various other variables including: alcohol content, ingredients, adjuncts and the cleanliness of the glass.
Usually the higher the alcohol the less head retention there is, because alcohol has a detrimental effect on beer head. Certain malts are known to help in head retention, one especially known is wheat malt, and because of its higher protein it helps the structure of the head. Adjuncts are in most cases detrimental or at least neutral since they are usually a sugar or starch with little to no protein. Lastly if a glass has any soil or soap residue head retention will suffer, because these are organic compounds that attack beer head.
As I had said earlier beer head helps the beer drinker enjoy the beer. As the CO2 is released from the beer it forms the head and does a couple of other things at the same time. First the CO2 carries with it aromas and flavors that may not otherwise escape the beer. Secondly the CO2 helps with the mouth feel and complexity of the beer.
Within the last ten years several English beers have begun using Nitrogen widgets in their cans. The widget releases the Nitrogen gas when the can is opened and as the beer is poured into the glass it mimics the beer as if it would have been poured on nitrogen gas. Guinness was more than likely the originator of this method and used it to give the impression of a beer that was actually poured from the tap. Nitrogen adds a distinctive creaminess to the beer, as well giving the impression that the beer is flatter than a CO2 poured beer.
So next time you are at your local watering hole observe how your bartender and wait-staff serve the beer. A properly trained bar staff will know how to pour a beer and serve it with the proper amount of head. If you have questions on the proper amount of head on your beer, do not be afraid to ask your server. Also if you feel you are being shorted on your beer speak up; a reputable establishment will not mind being kept honest.
Just remember beer head is important to your enjoyment. Think of it this way a beer without a head is like a human without a head, dead and lifeless!
QC Beerguy
Usually the higher the alcohol the less head retention there is, because alcohol has a detrimental effect on beer head. Certain malts are known to help in head retention, one especially known is wheat malt, and because of its higher protein it helps the structure of the head. Adjuncts are in most cases detrimental or at least neutral since they are usually a sugar or starch with little to no protein. Lastly if a glass has any soil or soap residue head retention will suffer, because these are organic compounds that attack beer head.
As I had said earlier beer head helps the beer drinker enjoy the beer. As the CO2 is released from the beer it forms the head and does a couple of other things at the same time. First the CO2 carries with it aromas and flavors that may not otherwise escape the beer. Secondly the CO2 helps with the mouth feel and complexity of the beer.
Within the last ten years several English beers have begun using Nitrogen widgets in their cans. The widget releases the Nitrogen gas when the can is opened and as the beer is poured into the glass it mimics the beer as if it would have been poured on nitrogen gas. Guinness was more than likely the originator of this method and used it to give the impression of a beer that was actually poured from the tap. Nitrogen adds a distinctive creaminess to the beer, as well giving the impression that the beer is flatter than a CO2 poured beer.
So next time you are at your local watering hole observe how your bartender and wait-staff serve the beer. A properly trained bar staff will know how to pour a beer and serve it with the proper amount of head. If you have questions on the proper amount of head on your beer, do not be afraid to ask your server. Also if you feel you are being shorted on your beer speak up; a reputable establishment will not mind being kept honest.
Just remember beer head is important to your enjoyment. Think of it this way a beer without a head is like a human without a head, dead and lifeless!
QC Beerguy
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Oktoberfest Amana IA Sept. 30th and October 1
My wife and I along with some friends made a trip out to Amana, IA this past Friday and Saturday to immerse ourselves in their annual Oktoberfest. Needless to say we had a great time. Some of you maybe wondering what is there to do at an Oktoberfest besides sit and drink beer. I can gladly say that there are many other activities to do.
My wife and I arrived in Amana a little after 1pm and our friends had all ready established base camp on the yard of Millstream Brewing. We have a fold up shelter that we set our chairs in, this year the weather was decent except for the wind on Friday. Shortly after we completed home base it was time for the first event of Oktoberfest.
At 1:45pm Friday the first keg is loaded, blessed and leaves Millstream for the Festhalle Barn. As we walked behind the wagon we were lead in song by the Burgermeister. The keg arrives and is ceremoniously taken into the Festhalle and then tapped. The first keg is a free keg, so needless to say the tap is never shut off and surprisingly everyone that wanted a beer was able to have one. It was only a matter of minutes until the keg ran dry. We stayed at the Festhalle and enjoyed some of the entertainment.
The first band we saw was Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen. I cannot say if the they were Dutch men, but Becky was definitely barefoot. After the set was done we were able to get a picture with Becky.
We headed back to home base to sit back and enjoy some beer, coming from our own 1/6 barrel purchased from Millstream. Yes of course it was a keg of Oktoberfest and we all agreed it was a very good year for the beer. The beer was nicely malty and sweet. It also had just enough hop bitterness to offset the malty sweetness. The beer was very easy to drink. While we at home base we were able to commune with many of the people around us at the Millstream biergarten. After a bit of time we decided to head back to the Festhalle.
At the Festhalle we saw a very fun Polka party band from Minnesota, Alpensterne. Yes I did say a Polka party band; there is such a thing and they fit it to a "t". It is a 3 piece band: a singer/ horn player, an accordion player and a drummer. After a while we decided to head back to the hotel and call it a night. But before a night was called we made a stop at the hotel bar and surprising to us they had $1 draft beer specials, including Amana's Schild Brau.
Day 2 we made it up to Amana a short time before the parade was finished, so we had to wait a few minutes before we could head to our home base. We were able to basically follow right behind the parade and almost become part of it. Thankfully we were watching the numerous pedestrians in the streets, because they were not watching us. Eventually we parked, set up our chairs in the shelter and then watch one of the couples race in the Brat race. It was a relay race that had to be run in a brat suit. Entertaining, but our friends did not make it out of their heat. We walked around town for a short time and we wound back up at the Festhalle, enjoying the music from new our friends in Alpensterne.
During the set there was a gentleman signing up people for a bratwurst eating contest. Two of our friends entered and one of them even placed in the top three. He wound up eating almost three feet of bratwurst and the buns. We then headed back to base camp for some socializing and then we had an emergency; the keg ran dry. Luckily Millstream was willing to sell us another 1/6 barrel. So as the keg was being secured, most of us went over to the keg toss and log sawing.
Eventually with our group all in attendance several began to participate. In our group we had the Men's and Women's two-man log sawing champions and the second place finisher in the Women's keg toss. So we have some athletes in our group. No that does not include me.
Back to home base for a while then off to the Festhalle to see this awe inspiring German Brass Band, Die Freistadt Alte Kameraden, out of Wisconsin. The highlight of this band is when the Brass section wanders through the Festhalle while playing, it just brings goosebumps to me hearing it. They finish then it was Alpensterne again playing.
All through our time at Oktoberfest we keep running into the Burgermeister and his wife. They are a very nice couple and became very friendly with our group. So every time we saw them we always had time for a discussion of how things were going. So it was no surprise that he came over and stood and talked with us for awhile during a break in the music.
Also I even surprised my wife with my abilities at the Festhalle. One of friends is a good Polka dancer and had danced with her a couple of times. But when he was dancing with his girlfriend she decided she wanted to dance a polka, so we went out to the dance floor. She was surprised that I could hold my own when it comes to the Polka, because otherwise I am far from a good dancer. So we wound up dancing to several Polkas.
Overall I know we all had a wonderful time at Oktoberfest. If you are able to make it to Amana or someplace else I strongly suggest you go and enjoy. I know my wife and I still have plans to go to the original Oktoberfest in Munich in the future, but that will have to wait for awhile.
QC Beerguy
My wife and I arrived in Amana a little after 1pm and our friends had all ready established base camp on the yard of Millstream Brewing. We have a fold up shelter that we set our chairs in, this year the weather was decent except for the wind on Friday. Shortly after we completed home base it was time for the first event of Oktoberfest.
At 1:45pm Friday the first keg is loaded, blessed and leaves Millstream for the Festhalle Barn. As we walked behind the wagon we were lead in song by the Burgermeister. The keg arrives and is ceremoniously taken into the Festhalle and then tapped. The first keg is a free keg, so needless to say the tap is never shut off and surprisingly everyone that wanted a beer was able to have one. It was only a matter of minutes until the keg ran dry. We stayed at the Festhalle and enjoyed some of the entertainment.
The first band we saw was Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen. I cannot say if the they were Dutch men, but Becky was definitely barefoot. After the set was done we were able to get a picture with Becky.
We headed back to home base to sit back and enjoy some beer, coming from our own 1/6 barrel purchased from Millstream. Yes of course it was a keg of Oktoberfest and we all agreed it was a very good year for the beer. The beer was nicely malty and sweet. It also had just enough hop bitterness to offset the malty sweetness. The beer was very easy to drink. While we at home base we were able to commune with many of the people around us at the Millstream biergarten. After a bit of time we decided to head back to the Festhalle.
At the Festhalle we saw a very fun Polka party band from Minnesota, Alpensterne. Yes I did say a Polka party band; there is such a thing and they fit it to a "t". It is a 3 piece band: a singer/ horn player, an accordion player and a drummer. After a while we decided to head back to the hotel and call it a night. But before a night was called we made a stop at the hotel bar and surprising to us they had $1 draft beer specials, including Amana's Schild Brau.
Day 2 we made it up to Amana a short time before the parade was finished, so we had to wait a few minutes before we could head to our home base. We were able to basically follow right behind the parade and almost become part of it. Thankfully we were watching the numerous pedestrians in the streets, because they were not watching us. Eventually we parked, set up our chairs in the shelter and then watch one of the couples race in the Brat race. It was a relay race that had to be run in a brat suit. Entertaining, but our friends did not make it out of their heat. We walked around town for a short time and we wound back up at the Festhalle, enjoying the music from new our friends in Alpensterne.
During the set there was a gentleman signing up people for a bratwurst eating contest. Two of our friends entered and one of them even placed in the top three. He wound up eating almost three feet of bratwurst and the buns. We then headed back to base camp for some socializing and then we had an emergency; the keg ran dry. Luckily Millstream was willing to sell us another 1/6 barrel. So as the keg was being secured, most of us went over to the keg toss and log sawing.
Eventually with our group all in attendance several began to participate. In our group we had the Men's and Women's two-man log sawing champions and the second place finisher in the Women's keg toss. So we have some athletes in our group. No that does not include me.
Back to home base for a while then off to the Festhalle to see this awe inspiring German Brass Band, Die Freistadt Alte Kameraden, out of Wisconsin. The highlight of this band is when the Brass section wanders through the Festhalle while playing, it just brings goosebumps to me hearing it. They finish then it was Alpensterne again playing.
All through our time at Oktoberfest we keep running into the Burgermeister and his wife. They are a very nice couple and became very friendly with our group. So every time we saw them we always had time for a discussion of how things were going. So it was no surprise that he came over and stood and talked with us for awhile during a break in the music.
Also I even surprised my wife with my abilities at the Festhalle. One of friends is a good Polka dancer and had danced with her a couple of times. But when he was dancing with his girlfriend she decided she wanted to dance a polka, so we went out to the dance floor. She was surprised that I could hold my own when it comes to the Polka, because otherwise I am far from a good dancer. So we wound up dancing to several Polkas.
Overall I know we all had a wonderful time at Oktoberfest. If you are able to make it to Amana or someplace else I strongly suggest you go and enjoy. I know my wife and I still have plans to go to the original Oktoberfest in Munich in the future, but that will have to wait for awhile.
QC Beerguy
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Millstream hits GABF Gold
A quick hit. Millstream hits a gold medal for their Oatmeal Stout. Way to go!
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