CS Booze Club.

[Jester]

Vic and I have already admitted we are beer hoarders. It's worse than either of us thought. Or at least, it's worse than I thought--maybe Vic knew it was this bad.

Comparing notes via text the other day, we discussed our beer stashes. My numbers were kinda scary. Between the few in my fridge, the many in my pantry, and the many more stashed under the corner table out of sight, as of Monday, I had 140 beers in my possession. Some in six packs, but mostly as individuals. The breakdown for my stash included 65 standard bottles (12-16 oz), 36 bombers (larger bottles), and 39 cans (much of which are Cigar City Maduro, as I got a good deal on a case of it a little while back). Vic had almost as many. And in my entire stash, not a Corona or Bud to be found.

So, considering how much beer we drink, you'd think our stash would go down, not up. The problem for me is that I'm constantly buying more, especially if it's something that's hard to find or very delicious. And some of the better ones are nice to hold on to for a while, of that special day. But for the moment, I am going to actively work to whittle down The Stash.

[wolfie]

as of Monday, I had 140 beers in my possession. And in my entire stash, not a Corona or Bud to be found.

Just shows that you know a good beer (and a BAD "beer") when you see one.

[Victory Sabre]

The reason this all came up is I got a lot when I was in Iowa, and needed to reoirganize the fridge, so I took everything out, and decided to count everything up.

I haven't broken down how they are packaged, but, as of Monday, I had 121 beers. 2 of them were growlers, and I think 5 were bomber type bottles. 1 of the bomber bottles is a bottle of Berliner Weise ageing in the closet till summer.

As of last night I was down to 117.

EDIT - No Bud/Miller/Coors/Carona in my fridge either.

[Victory Sabre]

I got some bad, but not unexpected news today: I found out a good customer passed away this afternoon from cancer. He was in the gas station most mornings drinking coffee, and BSing with the others drinking coffee. He will be missed. Rest in peace Doug. This one's for you.

To honor his memory I have the, hopefully, perfect addition to this thread

Wake Up Iowa Coffee Stout from Backpocket Brewing and Wake Up Iowa Coffee Co. 6% ABV.

It is black as Gravekeeper's heart after dealing with idiots fro Nunavut. The head is thick, dark, and long lasting. The nose gives you a hint of coffee.

Taste : this is a lot smoother than a lot of coffee stouts. It has hints of chocolate also in it. I am not a big coffee stout fan, but wish when I was there I would have bought more than 1 bottle of it. Not bad at all. 6.5 out of 10.

[Victory Sabre]

Continuing with the coffee theme, here's another beer

Vanilla Java Porter from Atwater Brewing

Fairly black, with a very moderate head that dissipates quickly. Hints of vanilla and coffee in the nose.

Taste : holy vanilla Batman! The vanilla is strong as hell. You can hardly taste the coffee in the beer. Since I am not the biggest coffee drinker, not a bad thing. Not bad at all. If you can find this beer (it's brewed in Detroit) I would highly recommend it.

7 out of 10

Edit. I did have 2 other coffee beers that I've already reviewed: Bent River Uncommon Stout, and American Sky Velvet.

[Jester]

From Evil Twin Brewing in Holland, it's Black Out Imperial Porter (10.2%). Pours like motor oil. Always a good start for me! Black in color with a medium to dark tan head. Seems to have a subtle malty nose, with a hint of coffee. Oh, this is very rich. Very malty. Definite has some coffee characteristics, but more along the lines of mocha, with a strong chocolate element. Delicious and thick, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance the coffee bitterness. 7.0.

The reason this all came up is I got a lot when I was in Iowa, and needed to reoirganize the fridge, so I took everything out, and decided to count everything up.

Of course, when he texted me that, my CDO took over, and I was curious. So I counted everything. I was shocked at the final number, to be honest. Didn't think I was that bad of a beer hoarder.

No Bud/Miller/Coors/Carona in my fridge either.

I won't lie. It will occasionally be in my fridge. Well, Corona, anyway. I sometimes buy a bit of that or Pacifico just to drink, but that shit never gets cellared. It just gets drunk. Goes right in the fridge, and I swill it. Also use it in various cooking applications. Corona isn't the best beer by any stretch, but for cooking, it is actually quite handy.

Last time I had a Coors Light in my fridge, a friend had left one there, and I eventually drank it just to get rid of it. The last time I had Miller in my fridge would have been a six pack of High Life, which is cheap and drinkable, and would have been at eleast a year or two ago. The last time I had Miller Lite, Bud, or Bud Light in my fridge? I couldn't honestly tell you. It's been a long, long time.

[Victory Sabre]

It's, probably been 4 or 5 years since bud or anything like that has been in the fridge.

now to a review tonight. My hip has been bothering me, so a little pain reliever is in order

Lower De Boom Barleywine Style Ale from 21st Amendment Brewi g - 92 IBY & 11.5 ABV

Nice murky brown color, and a bit of head. I get a citrus smell in the nose.

Taste: It honestly tastes a lot like a standard IPA, not that's a bad thing. There is some citrus in the taste, as hinted in the nose. It is quite pleasing to sip on, but it, with it's high alcohol content, something you should savor. 6 out of 10

[wolfie]

The last time I had Miller Lite, Bud, or Bud Light in my fridge? I couldn't honestly tell you. It's been a long, long time.

Ah, the infamous "Sex in a canoe" beers. Why sex in a canoe? Because they're f***ing close to water.

[Victory Sabre]

Ah, the infamous "Sex in a canoe" beers. Why sex in a canoe? Because they're f***ing close to water.

I have a feeling that this beer will not be like sex in a canoe

Rick & Robbie's Sprocket Bier from Stone Brewing. 5.4% ABV

It pours like motor oil and is pitch black, good signs I hope. No nose, and little head.

Taste : damn, this is good. It has a lot of flavor. Not hoppy at all, just good. I very highly recommend this beer. 7.5 out of 10.

[dalesys]

A yurk from Iceland... Whale 'nad Beer!

[Victory Sabre]

Well, I'm not too sure about that one. I do have a friend who is in Iceland, and I can see if she's had this.

[Victory Sabre]

Stone arch 2015 grand cru 2013. it's aged in bourbon barrels. and this one has been aged since 2013. they had ones aged since 2011, but those are out.

It's dark in here at the brewpub. But the beer looks amber colored. No nose to it.

Taste: ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
So smooth going down. hints of the ageing. wow! this is amazing. I wish I would have been able to make it earlier this week to get some of the earlier stuff, and the 2014 is sold out as well. The 2015, which was released this week is on tap. it was so good, and I'm getting a growler of it. I will rate it when I get home sometime. however for the 2013, I will rate it a 8 out of 10. based on the sample of the 2015 I would also rate it an 8, but will do a full review some other time.

[Victory Sabre]

Home at last and after today, and I'll write about my fun day later, time for another beer.

Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad 2014 from Boulevard Brewing. 11.8ABV, yes I do need it.

Dark brown color to it and a nice frothy head. I do detect an awesome nose thzt smells like awesome wooden barrels.


Taste: wow. Strong tasting. Good tasting. I get a definite burbon barrel taste to it. This is so pleasant to drink, there is a hint of sweetness to it, but just the right amount.

Now it's a 8 out of 10, solid. It is strong, but tonight I need strong to give me the hangover I need tomorrow to go to work to reconstuct stolen data thanks to fucking crooks.

edit: I finished off the 750 ml bottle i 20 min and am now on to an IPA that I have reviewers. Yeah, drunk and playing gta 5

edit again. I qm working on another beer already reviewed and i also drunk screwed up my friends GtA online mission. Jester did want me in this state when I was in Key West, now i am. At # 31.

[Jester]

New beer! From Fish Brewing Company in Olympia, Washington--and in association with Warner Bros. & The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug--we have Smaug Stout, which is an imperial stout with chili peppers. Having never had anything from Fish, I am wary, but I have high hopes, as a somewhat spicy stout holds much potential promise! (And it damn well better be good, as it comes in an imposing 22 oz bomber bottle!)

Off to a great start for me, as it pours like motor oil, which I usually love. The color is black with a creamy dark tan head. The nose is very subtle, but there are definite hints of chocolate and mocha. The taste is rich, malty and chocolatey, but not overly so. Kind of subtle. And there's a hint of spice in the background, but only the vaguest of hints. Kind of disappointing in that regard, since it was named after a fire-breathing dragon and all! Also, a bit of an off-putting bitter aftertaste. Passable stout, but no evidence of chili peppers, and nothing to really brag about back in the Shire. Definitely not my Precious.

Score: a Mirkwoodesque 4.0. Wishing I was having a pint of the good stuff at the Prancing Pony.

Note: #50 on the year. Not bad, considering I had two sick days when I wasn't drinking.

Well, I'm not too sure about that one. I do have a friend who is in Iceland, and I can see if she's had this.

Lots of good Icelandic beer to be had. I suggest anything from Einstok, as well as Lava Smoked Imperial Stout.

[Victory Sabre]

Had a productive day reconstructing the closing report, so I'd say I've earned a beer.

New Glarus Snow Slush Stout

Really black in color, with a head that doesn't want to go away. I get a hint of coffee, almost in the nose. Now, the bad part is I'm supposed to serve it at room temperature. Well, it was in my fridge, so I have to wait to drink it.

So, I guess I will hold off drinking it, and move to another.

Tyranena Brewing Painted Ladies Pumpkin Spice Ale

nice amber color, with almost no head. The nose is very pumpkin pie smelling.

Taste : very nice pumpkin flavor. It is good. The spices are very well balanced. It is a pretty good pumpkin beer. 6.5 out of 10.

I will drink this and come back to the Road Slush.