tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800991234296953352024-03-14T01:31:50.853-04:00Blues and BBQ (and some beer)First there was the Blues. Then the quest for the perfect BBQ. Now the search is for tasty craft beers to pair with the Blues and BBQ. Such is my life. Smoky, spicy, bluesy, gratifying. Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-24702813128091946462020-12-21T02:41:00.004-05:002021-10-27T22:11:31.999-04:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9Nbghi-BFI/X9bosamDGJI/AAAAAAAAHsc/87prYUciRtYTaKbsoPD9eGcRjNQqG0GtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2578/2020TwelveBeers3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9Nbghi-BFI/X9bosamDGJI/AAAAAAAAHsc/87prYUciRtYTaKbsoPD9eGcRjNQqG0GtQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h302/2020TwelveBeers3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If ever there was a year to drink Twelve Beers of Christmas it would be 2020. With everything going on in our world it would be easy to drown sorrows instead of celebrating all that is the holiday season. Being the eternal optimist I choose celebration rather than damnation. Family, friends, faith, and relationships have all been strengthened rather than diminished during this COVID-19 pandemic. I am grateful for good health, a supportive family, stronger faith, new friends and acquaintances, a somewhat steady income, renewed vigor, and I am especially thankful for these Twelve Beers of Christmas 2020 edition. So starting on Christmas Day, with one new beer every day for twelve days, being a beer I have not drank before mind you, I give to you my Twelve Beers of Christmas 2020. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Follow ole @bluesandbarbq through <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluesandbarbq/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Untappd</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for each daily installment and drink along with me, celebrating your own Twelve Beers of Christmas. Start a new tradition! Cheers y'all, enjoy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>1. Russian River Sanctification</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 28px;">sanc·ti·fi·ca·tion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><div class="WI9k4c" style="color: #202124; display: table; word-break: break-word;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="K6GhFd" data-is-bilingual="false" jsaction="BtuVOb:V46pce" jscontroller="AImii" style="max-height: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s, opacity 0.3s ease 0s;"><div class="b8aKlc" style="padding: 8px 0px 6px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C2CHBF_enUS847US880&sxsrf=ALeKk00n-jOlLWrngGt-mca62uOCpsuuBA:1608522069219&q=how+to+pronounce+sanctification&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOMIfcTowC3w8sc9YSnzSWtOXmM05OINKMrPK81LzkwsyczPE5LiYglJLcoVEpIS4OIrTsxLLslMy0wGy1mxKDGl5vEsYpXPyC9XKMlXKADqzAdqTVVAVQgAZyAUPGcAAAA&pron_lang=en&pron_country=us&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjLhbLUk97tAhVCvlkKHbS8CQwQ3eEDMAB6BAgGEAg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #660099; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="-1"><div class="S5TwIf" style="border-radius: 6px; box-shadow: rgb(218, 220, 224) 0px 0px 0px 1px inset; display: inline-block; overflow: hidden; padding-right: 12px; vertical-align: top;"><g-img class="FamOtd" style="display: inline-block; height: 32px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="rISBZc M4dUYb" data-atf="1" height="32" id="dimg_20" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIiB3aWR0aD0iMzIiIGhlaWdodD0iMzIiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMiAzMiI+CiAgPGRlZnM+CiAgICA8cG9seWdvbiBpZD0ic21hbGwtdmlzZW1lLXYzLWEiIHBvaW50cz0iMCAwIDMyIDAgMzIgMzIgMCAzMiIvPgogIDwvZGVmcz4KICA8ZyBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiPgogICAgPG1hc2sgaWQ9InNtYWxsLXZpc2VtZS12My1iIiBmaWxsPSIjZmZmIj4KICAgICAgPHVzZSB4bGluazpocmVmPSIjc21hbGwtdmlzZW1lLXYzLWEiLz4KICAgIDwvbWFzaz4KICAgIDx1c2UgZmlsbD0iIzQyODVGNCIgeGxpbms6aHJlZj0iI3NtYWxsLXZpc2VtZS12My1hIi8+CiAgICA8cGF0aCBmaWxsPSIjRDJFM0ZDIiBkPSJNMCwxNS4yMzk3OTYzIEMyLjU0Mzg1NzE0LDE4Ljg3MDUyMDMgNS42NTIsMjIuMDgyMTk0NiA5LjIwMjI4NTcxLDI0Ljc0NDg3NjkgQzEzLjIxMTU3MTQsMjcuNzUxNzA3NyAxOC43ODg0Mjg2LDI3Ljc1MTcwNzcgMjIuNzk3NzE0MywyNC43NDQ4NzY5IEMyNi4zNDgsMjIuMDgyMTk0NiAyOS40NTYxNDI5LDE4Ljg3MDUyMDMgMzIsMTUuMjM5Nzk2MyBMMzIsLTcgTDAsLTcgTDAsMTUuMjM5Nzk2MyBaIiBtYXNrPSJ1cmwoI3NtYWxsLXZpc2VtZS12My1iKSIvPgogICAgPHBhdGggZmlsbD0iIzQyODVGNCIgZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5PSIuNiIgZD0iTTE2LDIxLjIzMDY0OTIgQzE2LjkyNjA5OTEsMjEuMjMwNjQ5MiAxNy43OTEyNDY3LDIxLjQ5NDMxNTcgMTguNTI3MjEzNSwyMS45NTE1MDE5IEMxOC44MTA0NDEsMjIuMTI3MzMwOSAxOS4xMzYyNzM4LDIxLjc4ODc0ODUgMTguOTQwMzc5OSwyMS41MTY0Njc0IEMxOC4yNzg1NTU2LDIwLjU5NzMyNjMgMTcuMjA4MTEzNiwyMCAxNiwyMCBDMTQuNzkxODg2NCwyMCAxMy43MjE0NDQ0LDIwLjU5NzMyNjMgMTMuMDU5NjIwMSwyMS41MTY0Njc0IEMxMi44NjM3MjYyLDIxLjc4ODc0ODUgMTMuMTg5NTU5LDIyLjEyNzMzMDkgMTMuNDcyNzg2NSwyMS45NTE1MDE5IEMxNC4yMDg3NTMzLDIxLjQ5NDMxNTcgMTUuMDczOTAwOSwyMS4yMzA2NDkyIDE2LDIxLjIzMDY0OTIiIG1hc2s9InVybCgjc21hbGwtdmlzZW1lLXYzLWIpIi8+CiAgICA8cGF0aCBzdHJva2U9IiM0Mjg1RjQiIHN0cm9rZS1saW5lY2FwPSJzcXVhcmUiIGQ9Ik0yNSwxMyBDMjMsMTUuMzMzMzMzMyAyMCwxNi41IDE2LDE2LjUgQzEyLDE2LjUgOSwxNS4zMzMzMzMzIDcsMTMgTDEzLDEwLjUgTDE5LDEwLjUgTDI1LDEzIFoiIG1hc2s9InVybCgjc21hbGwtdmlzZW1lLXYzLWIpIi8+CiAgICA8cG9seWdvbiBmaWxsPSIjNDI4NUY0IiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9Im5vbnplcm8iIHBvaW50cz0iOCAxNCA3IDEzIDI1IDEzIDI0IDE0IiBtYXNrPSJ1cmwoI3NtYWxsLXZpc2VtZS12My1iKSIvPgogICAgPHBhdGggc3Ryb2tlPSIjNDI4NUY0IiBzdHJva2UtbGluZWNhcD0icm91bmQiIGQ9Ik0yMCwzIEwxNy43Njc4NzUsNS4yNTg5MjYyMiBDMTYuNzkxNSw2LjI0NzAyNDU5IDE1LjIwODUsNi4yNDcwMjQ1OSAxNC4yMzIxMjUsNS4yNTg5MjYyMiBMMTIsMyIgbWFzaz0idXJsKCNzbWFsbC12aXNlbWUtdjMtYikiLz4KICA8L2c+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=" style="border: 0px; display: block; position: relative;" width="32" /></g-img><span class="fe69if" style="color: #3c4043; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-left: 10px; vertical-align: middle;">Learn to pronounce</span></div></a></div></div></div><div class="ABgcGb vmod" jsname="p0q1Sd" style="color: #202124;"></div><div class="vmod"><div class="vmod" data-topic="" jsname="r5Nvmf"><div class="lW8rQd" style="color: #202124; display: flex;"><div class="vpx4Fd"><div class="pgRvse vdBwhd" style="min-height: 20px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>noun</i></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" jsname="jUIvqc" style="color: #878787; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><b></b><b></b></div></div></div><ol class="eQJLDd" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;"><li jsname="gskXhf" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="vmod"><div class="thODed Uekwlc" style="padding-top: 10px;"><div data-topic="" jsname="cJAsRb" style="color: #202124; font-weight: lighter;"><div style="margin-left: 20px;"><div class="QIclbb" style="margin-left: -20px;"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">the action of making or declaring something holy.</div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left: 20px;"><div style="margin-left: -32px;"><ul style="color: #202124; font-weight: lighter; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="vmod" data-topic="" jsname="z0mti" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="csWlI" style="display: list-item; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;"><div class="QIclbb"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">the action or process of being freed from sin or purified.</div></div></div></li><li class="vmod" data-topic="" jsname="z0mti" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="csWlI" style="display: list-item; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;"><div class="QIclbb"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">the action of causing something to be or seem morally right or acceptable.</div></div></div></li><li class="vmod" data-topic="" jsname="z0mti" style="font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="QIclbb"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;"><br /></div></div></li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This one has eluded me for several years. It has been on my wish list for a long time. Finally picked a bottle up in early March at <a href="https://freedomliquorco.com/" target="_blank">Freedom Liquor</a> in Colorado Springs, CO just as Corona was unleashed upon us. Brett ales are among my favorite styles due to their complexity and chameleon tendencies. This will be a great selection to kick off this year's selections and to celebrate Christmas Day.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></li></ol></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoBqpBcuyZM/X9bnt2kPzuI/AAAAAAAAHrM/t2KDHOzF3FgJafGTC8lmHA9oxOdENr8ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020RussianRiver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoBqpBcuyZM/X9bnt2kPzuI/AAAAAAAAHrM/t2KDHOzF3FgJafGTC8lmHA9oxOdENr8ywCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020RussianRiver.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://russianriverbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Russian River</a> brewers' notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Technically, this is neither an ale nor a lager. The base recipe is for a Golden Ale, but we do the primary fermentation with 100% brettanomyces. The brett gives it some sour notes but not as much as if it had been aged with lacto and pedio.</i></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b>2. Great Divide Mexican Chocolate Yeti</b></span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Is there a south of the border cousin to our North American Sasquatch?</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://themazatlanpost.com/2019/09/02/the-mysterious-mexican-bigfoot/" target="_blank">The truth is out there.</a></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">These Great Divide Yeti variants are all delicious. A spicy chocolate coffee Imperial Stout? Yes, please. This one is a big boy that will be shared. Dessert beer.</span></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3POceJch20/X9bnzBJpAWI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/puH4aywMI_YUucvQs4AVLUqvVtteX051ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020Yeti.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3POceJch20/X9bnzBJpAWI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/puH4aywMI_YUucvQs4AVLUqvVtteX051ACLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020Yeti.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://greatdivide.com/beers/" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Great Divide</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"> brewer's notes:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>A very special, and very limited, entry in our venerable Yeti Series, Mexican Chocolate Yeti is a sensory delight. We’ve added a variety of spices, vanilla and coffee to Yeti Imperial Stout to create our version of a traditional champurrado drink. Spiced chocolate drinks have been part of Aztec and Mayan cuisine and culture for centuries, but they have yet to be paired with a Yeti!</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>3. Central Waters Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Style Quad</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The name of this beer is longer than a Welsh town name; a lot of descriptors. This 2016 vintage offering is by way of Beer Santa, my good friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pfoxyjohn/" target="_blank">PfoxyJohn</a>, President Emeritus of The Wisconsin Beer Mafia. The man has impeccable taste in beer, and friends. Cheers Mister Pfister. Mmm, Bourbon barreled beer...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUQk9s5Dy0I/X9bn2iWsNjI/AAAAAAAAHrU/03lvxM2Vd4gZZ5u5drcHHaHdZ1og5aOHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020CentralWaters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUQk9s5Dy0I/X9bn2iWsNjI/AAAAAAAAHrU/03lvxM2Vd4gZZ5u5drcHHaHdZ1og5aOHQCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020CentralWaters.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://centralwaters.com/beer/brewers-reserve-bourbon-barrel-belgian-style-quad/" target="_blank">Central Waters</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Barrel aged Quad is brewed in the spirit of collaboration. We combine traditional techniques and ingredients like Belgian candi sugar with American innovation and experimentation by the use of bourbon barrels. Our Quad is amazingly balanced and smooth while maintaining the dark fruit notes that are the trademark of the style.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>4. Une Annee Peche</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="line-height: 1.9em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Anyone who's bitten into a fully ripe, just-picked peach--hot from the summer's sun and ripe enough to be what the Masumotos call a 'gusher'--knows that the feeling is completely, thoroughly arresting. - </span>David Mas Masumoto</p></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Anyone who knows me well also acknowledges my extreme love and obsession for all things peach. It is a passion, <i>a weakness</i>, some would say a fetish. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I also have a fondness for sour beers. This beer combines two of my great loves.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After visiting Une Annee Brewery near Chicago in December 2019, with the previously mentioned PfoxyJohn, Mister Pfister obtained this much sought after peach delicacy and sent one to me, knowing how I covet thy magical juicy pitted fruit. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I will not share this one, it is <i>my precious</i>.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeeXAORVrVg/X9bn6aXvqbI/AAAAAAAAHrY/1A77v6WUCQETm0WuWk4URKD0gMlqRlVowCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020UneAneePeche.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeeXAORVrVg/X9bn6aXvqbI/AAAAAAAAHrY/1A77v6WUCQETm0WuWk4URKD0gMlqRlVowCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020UneAneePeche.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.uneannee.com/" target="_blank">Une Annee</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i>American Wild Ale - 6.5% ABV. American Wild Ale brewed with <b>fresh peaches</b> for a tart effervescent sour ale that's packed with fruity goodness.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><b>5. Blackberry Farm / Trillium Farm & Fury</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i>Another peach ale? </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">You're damn skippy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i>Lou, why do you love peaches so much?</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Because, peaches. What's not to love?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Thank you <a href="https://untappd.com/user/nationalgamedepot" target="_blank">Jason</a>, my young Tennessee beer brother, for gifting me this knowing we share a love for all things peach.</span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwb2idgpOO0/X9boANqGMGI/AAAAAAAAHrg/kFg8WhpO5pMkZ9-6k08PnABSs23iz-8WACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020BBFPeach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwb2idgpOO0/X9boANqGMGI/AAAAAAAAHrg/kFg8WhpO5pMkZ9-6k08PnABSs23iz-8WACLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020BBFPeach.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://blackberryfarmbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Blackberry Farm</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Brewed with Boston’s <a href="https://www.trilliumbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Trillium Brewing Co</a>. This wild ale utilizes locally malted grains, as well as Massachusetts raw wheat, aged hops, and Trillium’s wild yeast culture co-fermented with our house yeast. The beer was then aged on locally harvested whole <b>Flaming Fury peaches</b> from Mountain Meadows Farm.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>6. AleSmith Port Barrel Aged Wee Heavy (2016)</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqETBGlPDF0/X-BKENC5j0I/AAAAAAAAHtE/e5JeoLchuDYji63FtxjAEae3tPVPBz_nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1919/Screenshot%2B%25282%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1919" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqETBGlPDF0/X-BKENC5j0I/AAAAAAAAHtE/e5JeoLchuDYji63FtxjAEae3tPVPBz_nwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h272/Screenshot%2B%25282%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Recent updates to my DNA origins suggest I am of 25% Scottish ancestry with previous indicators a much lower percentage. Given my affinities for the bagpipes and Scottish Ales, especially the "Wee Heavy" style, I can confirm it must be factual. My kids still do not want me to wear a kilt though, at least publicly. Aye.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Thank you to local beer friend <a href="https://twitter.com/zmachine85" target="_blank">Todd</a> for this ale which has been cellared for some years now, waiting for it's place on the Twelve Beers of Christmas list.</span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jYgXAgp1WA/X9boF5lBF-I/AAAAAAAAHro/JLIjNpzRzbshyNe5EG3OsV41daspd5YwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020Alesmith.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jYgXAgp1WA/X9boF5lBF-I/AAAAAAAAHro/JLIjNpzRzbshyNe5EG3OsV41daspd5YwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020Alesmith.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://alesmith.com/" target="_blank">AleSmith</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>This aged version of our traditional Scotch-style ale is matured in <b>Port wine barrels</b> to impart added layers of complexity to its already rich, malty flavor profile. Notes of sherry, dried fruit, vanilla and red wine tannins from the wine-soaked oak combine with the beer’s caramel and toffee character to create a truly unique and splendorous offering. Savor it now or age for years to come.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>7. Yazoo Funk Fest 2020</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sadly there was no Funk Fest in 2020 in Nashville. COVID saw to that. Still able to get my hands on few bottles of the beer that was brewed specifically for that event. Yazoo Brewing's <a href="https://www.instagram.com/embracethefunk/" target="_blank">Embrace the Funk</a> Brewmaster, <a href="https://embracethefunk.com/" target="_blank">Brandon Jones</a>, is a wild ale funkmaster genius. His elixirs and concoctions are widely sought-after and highly regarded. Brandon is also a pizza enthusiast and barbeque connoisseur, which extends his genius to Jedi levels. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This one will be my New Year's Eve celebration choice. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>This is the way. </i></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeU93-tyzQ0/X9boJ8CIs9I/AAAAAAAAHrs/Uu3RwR7e0O862NBqbl5aMJloXTgjjX0cACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020YazooFunkfest2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1151" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeU93-tyzQ0/X9boJ8CIs9I/AAAAAAAAHrs/Uu3RwR7e0O862NBqbl5aMJloXTgjjX0cACLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020YazooFunkfest2020.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://etf.yazoobrew.com/" target="_blank">Yazoo Brewing</a> brewer Brandon Jones' brewing notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Our yearly creation to celebrate Funk Fest! <b>Imperial Saison</b> that underwent maturation for 18 months in red wine puncheon style oak casks with our house mixed culture. Re-fermented on Passion Fruit and dry hopped with Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>8. Yazoo Never Say Never Again</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Since 2020 was such a stinker, this aptly named brew will grace my New Year's Day festivities. Another gem from Brandon Jones and Yazoo, this barrel-aged selection comes from Nashville Food Blogger/ Beer pairing guru <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bakerandthebeerd/" target="_blank">@bakerandthebeerd</a> (Joe), who is a must-follow on Instagram.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yeah, I love Yazoo Embrace the Funks brews, that is why they have been included on so many of my Twelve Beers of Christmas lists. Check out the past year's posts at the bottom of this page to see just how many.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzFxlrp4dlg/X9boNu0si6I/AAAAAAAAHr0/Hlp_FxC7LSk2lpv5qHeqpXssaFN0hpYfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020YazooNever.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzFxlrp4dlg/X9boNu0si6I/AAAAAAAAHr0/Hlp_FxC7LSk2lpv5qHeqpXssaFN0hpYfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020YazooNever.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yazoo Embrace the Funk brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>A sour Belgian Dark Strong ale aged in <b>Sherry casks</b> before a double barrel extended rest in <b>Port, Bourbon, Merlot and TN Whiskey barrels.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>9. Westbrook Fruit/Wood/Time Raspberry</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a;">Raspberry</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, </span><a class="md-crosslink" href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/bramble" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">bramble</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> fruit of the genus </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a;">Rubus</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> (family Rosaceae). Raspberries are an economically significant crop throughout much of northern Europe, as well as in the </span><a class="md-crosslink autoxref" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">United States</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> and </span><a class="md-crosslink autoxref" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">Canada</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, and are thought to have evolved in eastern Asia. Raspberry fruits contain </span><a class="md-crosslink" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/iron-chemical-element" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">iron</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, </span><a class="md-crosslink" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/vitamin-C" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">vitamin C</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, and </span><a class="md-crosslink" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/antioxidant" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">antioxidants</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> and are usually eaten fresh, often with cream or </span><a class="md-crosslink" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/ice-cream" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">ice cream</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, as a dessert fruit. Jams and jellies are also popular, and the fruit is commonly used as a pastry filling and as a flavoring for certain </span><a class="md-crosslink" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/liqueur" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #14599d; text-decoration-line: none;">liqueurs</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">.</span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">And beers.</span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yes indeed, another sour fruited ale, from another stellar brewery.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Picked up this jewel while working in Spartanburg, SC. Should be fantastic.</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MB1aWZR0rlg/X9boV5DJquI/AAAAAAAAHr8/2VQshk5algEef5zCpO9qlRtMwch2EMg-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020Westbrook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1151" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MB1aWZR0rlg/X9boV5DJquI/AAAAAAAAHr8/2VQshk5algEef5zCpO9qlRtMwch2EMg-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020Westbrook.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://westbrookbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Westbrook</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>A blend of 33% dry sherry cask matured mixed fermentation <b>saison</b> and 67% oak foudre aged sour beer. It was blended and refermented with black raspberries for three months in second use 500 liter marsala puncheons.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>10. Calfkiller Tree City Whiskey Barrel Brown</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Calfkiller Brewing is located near Sparta, TN on the Calfkiller River, thus the unusual name. Owned and operated by the very cool and friendly Sergio brothers, this small brewery produces some fantastic brews. It is a great day trip and a scenic drive along the Cumberland Plateau in Middle Tennessee. This barrel aged brown ale came to me by way of young Jason, again. That guy. He's always got the good beers. And he's to big too argue with so I let him give me this beer. True story.</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBabTrH5Gd8/X9boZBHSabI/AAAAAAAAHsA/HSGciGPpV8gdlsrtNmKBXHzlgUGrCzligCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020Calfkiller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1151" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBabTrH5Gd8/X9boZBHSabI/AAAAAAAAHsA/HSGciGPpV8gdlsrtNmKBXHzlgUGrCzligCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020Calfkiller.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.calfkillerbeer.com/" target="_blank">Calfkiller</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Our new barrel aged beer “Tree City Whiskey Barrel Brown” is finally out! It is a fantastic brown ale aged in a <a href="https://www.georgedickel.com/" target="_blank"><b>George Dickel</b></a> whiskey barrel for 6 months before it was bottled. YUM!!!!</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>11. New Glarus R&D Vintage 2017</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thanks to PfoxyJohn I have tried most of New Glarus' beers. They are considered one of the top breweries in the United States. Quality unsurpassed, every New Glarus offering I have tried has been delicious. I consider them one of my top five favorite breweries. I am already looking forward to this. Thank you very much John.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If you know you know. </span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnZs3b1iv6g/X9boc35WLiI/AAAAAAAAHsI/iBMqtuttvlsCaxhDilX_c6SyPKveWT-3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020NGa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1138" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnZs3b1iv6g/X9boc35WLiI/AAAAAAAAHsI/iBMqtuttvlsCaxhDilX_c6SyPKveWT-3ACLcBGAsYHQ/w223-h400/2020NGa.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newglarusbrewing.com/" target="_blank">New Glarus</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="text-align: left;">Naturally occurring spontaneous fermentation creates this American <b>Gueuze</b>. Coolship brewed and Wild cave aged. Dan's masterwork blend of three years brewing is sour, citrusy, horsey and </span><span style="text-align: left;">vintage</span><span style="text-align: left;"> worthy.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>12. Epic Big Bad Baptista</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">This Utah brew is the second Mexican themed beer in this year's Twelve Beers of Christmas. Another haul from Freedom Liquor in Colorado Springs. Coffee and cinnamon additions to this ale are most intriguing. This brute will finish my dozen for 2020 and may just finish me if not shared. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uCSVoCSj50/X9bohk_w2TI/AAAAAAAAHsM/Q81iizvdwMkVtNR7yWnSgE3vLz6cMkt5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020BigBadBaptist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uCSVoCSj50/X9bohk_w2TI/AAAAAAAAHsM/Q81iizvdwMkVtNR7yWnSgE3vLz6cMkt5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/2020BigBadBaptist.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.epicbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Epic</a> brewer's notes:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Big Bad Baptista is inspired by traditional Mexican coffee, Café de Olla, which is served with cinnamon and piloncillo, an unrefined sugar. The Cinnamon adds another layer of complexity and accentuates the earthy character of Mexican Coffee, but more importantly, it captures the essence of a place and its culture.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I present the Twelve Beers of Christmas 2020. Sour and fruited ales, barrel aged brews, big bold beers, offerings from friends, my work travels and my favorite breweries. Hope you enjoy these as much as I will. Try your own Twelve Beers of Christmas. It is a fun way to celebrate the holidays, try new beers, and maybe you will find a new love. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays to all y'all. Cheers!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr5YJgSN4zY/X9bomnCLBpI/AAAAAAAAHsU/pVebcfDuny8bWZpFlOXq54d3u0b5v4nwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2578/2020TwelveBeers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr5YJgSN4zY/X9bomnCLBpI/AAAAAAAAHsU/pVebcfDuny8bWZpFlOXq54d3u0b5v4nwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h302/2020TwelveBeers.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i>The Ghosts of Christmas Beers Past...</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin: 0px;"><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008</u></b><br />1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)<br />2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<br />3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel<br />4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale<br />5. Bison Winter Warmer<br />6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock<br />7. Delirium Tremens<br />8. New Glarus Apple Ale<br />9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)<br />10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)<br />11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout<br />12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)<br /><b><u><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009</u></b><br />1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale<br />2. Goose Island Christmas Ale<br />3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter<br />4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale<br />5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf<br />6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout<br />7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter<br />8. Rochefort Trappistes 6<br />9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale<br />10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<br />11. Cantillon Iris<br />12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead<br /><br /><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010</u></b><br />1. Spaten Optimator<br />2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine<br />3. Ass Kisser Double IPA<br />4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA<br />5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout<br />6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter<br />7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer<br />8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna<br />9. Maredsous 10<br />10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock<br />11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale<br />12. Victory Old Horizontal<br /><u><b><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011</b></u><br />1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter<br />2. Brew Kettle White Rajah<br />3. Brooklyn Black Ops<br />4. Capital Eternal Flame<br />5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew<br />6. Founders Backwoods Bastard<br />7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout<br />8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale<br />9. Odell Mountain Standard '09<br />10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale<br />11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang<br />12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span><br /><br /><u><b>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012</b></u><br />1. De Ranke Pere Noel<br />2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale<br />3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale<br />4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings<br />5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA<br />6. N'Ice Chouffe<br />7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt<br />8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome<br />9. Pelican Bad Santa<br />10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper<br />11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout<br />12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="spnMessageText" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2013.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013</a></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><br /><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2014.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014</a></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><br /><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2015.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015</a><span id="goog_837754429"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_837754430"></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2016</a></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2017.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2017</a></span><br /><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2018.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2018</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2019_22.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2019</a></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-33406103687063768162019-12-22T02:10:00.000-05:002019-12-22T14:11:18.108-05:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”</i><br>― <span class="authorOrTitle" style="font-weight: bold;">Abraham Lincoln</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's that time again, time for the annual festive celebration of barley, hops, water, and yeast, and a few adjuncts here and there. This is the Twelfth <b>Twelve Beers of Christmas</b> I have celebrated, a dozen dozens, how fun is that? Let's start on Christmas Day and follow the traditional twelve days of Christmas shall we? Follow along at home with <b><i>@bluesandbarbq</i></b> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluesandbarbq/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Untappd</a> as we enjoy these special elixirs.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVBQU8f1sIo/Xf2XoKIvsJI/AAAAAAAAHeg/uFAQoEzywn0dCD_iXqdd4nrpy2sizYLoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191209_114400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVBQU8f1sIo/Xf2XoKIvsJI/AAAAAAAAHeg/uFAQoEzywn0dCD_iXqdd4nrpy2sizYLoQCEwYBhgL/s640/20191209_114400.jpg" width="640"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">1. Mikkeller Berserker 2</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Berserkers</b> were a special group of elite Viking warriors who went into battle without traditional armor. Instead, they wore animal pelts, typically from bears or wolves. The word "<b>berserker</b>" derives from the Old Norse "serkr," meaning "coat" or "shirt," and "ber," the Norse word for "bear."</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mikkeller Berserker 2</b> is a Flanders Red Ale with Balaton cherries aged in Port barrels weighing in at 7% abv (alcohol by volume). What's not to like about this? Thank you to my West Coast SoCal beer buddy <a href="https://untappd.com/user/loszilla" target="_blank">Carlos</a> for sending me this fantastic offering. Can't wait for Christmas Day so I can drink this one.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ONxlWIXGAqc/Xf2XoPP4hSI/AAAAAAAAHdk/PHAlusxrglQOy_K6y7RJ1fY5Wej1y0ZpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191209_113309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="758" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ONxlWIXGAqc/Xf2XoPP4hSI/AAAAAAAAHdk/PHAlusxrglQOy_K6y7RJ1fY5Wej1y0ZpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/20191209_113309.jpg" width="188"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">2. Bearded Iris V. Latte W/ Yukro Coffee Roasted by Crema</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMjdK1QbioY/Xf7tqJdbDgI/AAAAAAAAHfM/3B7R10GPdU8jP5yzFP6YeNrAtk5QB1aoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20160430_120050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMjdK1QbioY/Xf7tqJdbDgI/AAAAAAAAHfM/3B7R10GPdU8jP5yzFP6YeNrAtk5QB1aoACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/20160430_120050.jpg" width="225"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">A bearded iris from our front yard in Tennessee</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An Imperial Oatmeal Stout with vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, lactose, and roasted Yukro coffee beans that is 9% abv. From a great brewery in Nashville, this beer was gifted to me by my younger local beer brother <a href="https://untappd.com/user/nationalgamedepot" target="_blank">Jason</a>, Keeper of Many Cellared Beers, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmallBreedRescue/" target="_blank">Foster Parent to little dogs</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wake up and smell the coffee dammit! This will probably be my wife's favorite...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KBtn-ijo1o0/Xf7uE4k7s4I/AAAAAAAAHfU/hfTF8ErZdw4-SuCKS8x1F7fiFnxuYkKBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/v.-latte-yurko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KBtn-ijo1o0/Xf7uE4k7s4I/AAAAAAAAHfU/hfTF8ErZdw4-SuCKS8x1F7fiFnxuYkKBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/v.-latte-yurko.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">3. New Belgium La Folie Grand Reserve: PX</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">A <span style="font-weight: bold;">la folie</span> literally means to (the) madness, in French. It generally translates to English as like crazy, and is used primarily to intensify the expression of love. ... To tell somebody in French that you love them to death would usually be Je t'aime a <span style="font-weight: bold;">la folie</span>, or literally I love you to madness.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pedro Ximenez Sherry barrel-aged sour brown ale with Tahitian vanilla beans. Bottled on nitro. Bought this gem on my spring visit to the Asheville, NC New Belgium facility. It was very tempting to drink it right away but this was purchased for the sole purpose of gracing this year's Twelve Beers of Christmas. High expectations indeed. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0Db8XKOXHc/Xf2XoRgWD7I/AAAAAAAAHes/YntXHidEBqwTpTU8QoWDy50RhR9v-9SsQCEwYBhgL/s1600/554550627.la_.folie_.px_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1162" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0Db8XKOXHc/Xf2XoRgWD7I/AAAAAAAAHes/YntXHidEBqwTpTU8QoWDy50RhR9v-9SsQCEwYBhgL/s400/554550627.la_.folie_.px_.jpg" width="290"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">4. Funky Buddha Last Buffalo In The Park</b></span><br>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEESoxDg2Fw/Xf2Xl6OZpcI/AAAAAAAAHec/1D53MV_nJJ0L6ZV39gvNDSCCJ6US95XZACEwYBhgL/s1600/1200px-Albert_Bierstadt_-_The_Last_of_the_Buffalo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1200" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEESoxDg2Fw/Xf2Xl6OZpcI/AAAAAAAAHec/1D53MV_nJJ0L6ZV39gvNDSCCJ6US95XZACEwYBhgL/s400/1200px-Albert_Bierstadt_-_The_Last_of_the_Buffalo.jpg" width="400"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>The Last of the Buffalo</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Painting by Albert Bierstadt</i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Last Buffalo in the Park is a Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Porter. Pitch black and viscous according to the brewer, made with coconut and fresh roasted coffee, aged in Bourbon barrels for months to accentuate the vanilla and coconut notes. This one was purchased at the brewery in Oakland Park in South Florida. Could not pass up a Bourbon barrel-aged coconut Imperial Porter.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKc68abLmr4/Xf2XpmqbZAI/AAAAAAAAHek/nGQqi3NdOKEaGQ-wrnDa76ocSFYft8edwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Last-Buffalo-in-the-Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="960" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKc68abLmr4/Xf2XpmqbZAI/AAAAAAAAHek/nGQqi3NdOKEaGQ-wrnDa76ocSFYft8edwCEwYBhgL/s400/Last-Buffalo-in-the-Park.jpg" width="400"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">5. Avery Raspberry Truffale</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She wore a</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Raspberry beret</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">The kind you find in a second hand store</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">
</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"></span></span></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Raspberry beret</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">
</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">
And if it was warm she wouldn't wear much more</div>
</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">
Raspberry beret</div>
</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">
I think I love her</div></span></span></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>"Raspberry Beret"</b> by Prince</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Avery Raspberry Truffale is a 14% abv Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout with chocolate and raspberries. This was obtained while working in Reno, NV in October 2019. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Another barrel aged beer in the dozen because I like big barrel-aged beers in the winter. Keeps me warm.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siWMay3WeGU/Xf2Xng5uFmI/AAAAAAAAHek/pUgHfRVj-Jokw-RqD0Ir5_sOPzmtFOl5QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191209_113218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="758" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siWMay3WeGU/Xf2Xng5uFmI/AAAAAAAAHek/pUgHfRVj-Jokw-RqD0Ir5_sOPzmtFOl5QCEwYBhgL/s400/20191209_113218.jpg" width="187"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">6. Yazoo Funk Fest 2019</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caEqZzBjA3c/Xf7wyVY46JI/AAAAAAAAHfg/9rx96iDVY94E9s-V7ka1h1r-7xwpWz9_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/brandonjones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caEqZzBjA3c/Xf7wyVY46JI/AAAAAAAAHfg/9rx96iDVY94E9s-V7ka1h1r-7xwpWz9_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/brandonjones.jpg" width="300"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b><a href="https://twitter.com/EmbraceTheFunk" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Brandon Jones</a></b></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">Wrangler of Funk, beer blender, barrel fixer upper at <a href="https://yazoobrew.com/" target="_blank">Yazoo Brewing</a> in Nashville (Madison), Sour, wild and funky website <a href="https://embracethefunk.com/" target="_blank">Embrace the Funk</a></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From <a href="https://etf.yazoobrew.com/" target="_blank">Yazoo's Embrace the Funk</a> brewer and wild ale genius Brandon Jones:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This Belgian style Tripel base was fermented with our tropical brettanomyces & yeast blend then aged in peach brandy & vanilla bean bourbon barrels for one year. Thoughtfully blended to celebrate our annual festival of all things funky, sour and wild. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My God, this one is aged in Bourbon AND peach brandy barrels. A great beer to help close out 2019; I'm already drooling.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVv9bFwSDs0/Xf2XnKch8SI/AAAAAAAAHek/kdph4AAT86otF2lyNRdhg1UtRU6YUBzzQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191209_113207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="758" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVv9bFwSDs0/Xf2XnKch8SI/AAAAAAAAHek/kdph4AAT86otF2lyNRdhg1UtRU6YUBzzQCEwYBhgL/s400/20191209_113207.jpg" width="187"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">7. New Heights Navel Gazer Aged in Chattanooga Whiskey 1816 Barrels</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>In a literal sense, <span style="font-weight: bold;">navel</span>-<span style="font-weight: bold;">gazing</span> is the practice of mediating by intently staring at one's own navel. The term is rarely used in this fashion. The expression <span style="font-weight: bold;">navel</span>-<span style="font-weight: bold;">gazing</span> is used as an idiom to mean being absorbed in one's own thoughts, feelings and concerns, to the exclusion of all others.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4PT5fp-QBg/Xf2Xl9abOtI/AAAAAAAAHec/3gR-wHLojTEL2hQrRVrCWv57dTRaT0QcgCEwYBhgL/s1600/1280px-Satyres_en_Atlante_Rome_Louvre_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4PT5fp-QBg/Xf2Xl9abOtI/AAAAAAAAHec/3gR-wHLojTEL2hQrRVrCWv57dTRaT0QcgCEwYBhgL/s320/1280px-Satyres_en_Atlante_Rome_Louvre_2.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This Navel Gazer Imperial Stout has been aged in <a href="https://chattanoogawhiskey.com/1816-series/" target="_blank">Chattanooga Whiskey 1816</a> Bourbon barrels for 24 months and is 10.1% abv. I won this beer through an Instagram #giveaway from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tncraftbeermag/" target="_blank">@tncraftbeermag</a> <a href="https://tncraftbeermag.com/" target="_blank">Tennessee Craft Beer Magazine</a> in late 2018. It has purposely been saved for my Twelve Beers of Christmas 2019. Some full on Tennessee love right here.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HzC5Fv396M/Xf76tTIoMvI/AAAAAAAAHfs/3Vt7y4OYYmoBj-kn3VUsVtSV-iY3Z7nPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191221_230829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="987" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HzC5Fv396M/Xf76tTIoMvI/AAAAAAAAHfs/3Vt7y4OYYmoBj-kn3VUsVtSV-iY3Z7nPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/20191221_230829.jpg" width="298"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ3ucmfbWmg/Xf2XmiIlPKI/AAAAAAAAHeU/Nbhdlege8bY5vpwVehRJ-vDkhFCmZ7vlQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191209_113154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>8. Tyranena Anniversary Series TWENTY </b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i style="background-color: white;"><br></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">The legend of Tyranena began long ago, in a time before history was written. Legend tells of a foreign tribe that built a series of stone structures and effigy <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">mounds on the edge of the lake called Tyranena.<br><br>Today, these structures lie preserved deep under the waters of Rock Lake. No one knows for sure who built them, the purpose they served, how and why they are now submerged, or even the meaning of the word Tyranena.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br></span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TWENTY is a 13.9% abv Double Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout... more specifically, the fine Imperial stout base was aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for about 6 months, then transferred again, with roughly 80% aged in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels and 20% aged in Madeira fortified-wine barrels, for another 6 months or so.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you to my good friend and Wisconsin Beer Guru, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pfoxyjohn/" target="_blank">PfoxyJohn</a>, Beer Santa, for this lovely beverage, to be enjoyed on the first day of the new year 2020. TWENTY on 2020.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cOzlSjVbBA/Xf2XoiwOgHI/AAAAAAAAHec/Nd5ORhchBUkfTgJJs3Tti_YU1aB9iukPACEwYBhgL/s1600/75474177_10157118008453541_6434816308918878208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cOzlSjVbBA/Xf2XoiwOgHI/AAAAAAAAHec/Nd5ORhchBUkfTgJJs3Tti_YU1aB9iukPACEwYBhgL/s400/75474177_10157118008453541_6434816308918878208_n.jpg" width="300"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>9. Bottle Logic Fundamental Observation 2018</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gearpatrol.com/2019/11/28/history-of-bourbon-barrel-aged-stouts/" target="_blank">"How Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stouts Came to Dominate the Craft Beer World"</a></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>- <b>Gear Patrol</b></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another fantastic, highly coveted beer from my good friend Big G, Carlos.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Vanilla Stout: Our chart-topping ''liquid brownie batter'' was aged in a medley of Buffalo Trace, WL Weller, Heaven Hill, and Four Roses bourbon barrels with multiple additions of Madagascar vanilla beans. 13.2% abv</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oth7Z45EZQE/Xf2Xl2nAwnI/AAAAAAAAHeY/P0_784m7Q0oJ42J1cxBNKL015jSzHE9pwCEwYBhgL/s1600/2018-Bottle-Logic-Fundamental-Observation-1-Vanilla-Bba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oth7Z45EZQE/Xf2Xl2nAwnI/AAAAAAAAHeY/P0_784m7Q0oJ42J1cxBNKL015jSzHE9pwCEwYBhgL/s320/2018-Bottle-Logic-Fundamental-Observation-1-Vanilla-Bba.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GndVVOS-4g/Xf2XqNc01NI/AAAAAAAAHeg/pLlgCMI0husBZWQV1sPUuPAY7kmmcfAkgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Online-Sale-of-Bottle-Logics-Fundamental-Observation-Slated-For-July-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>10. The Rare Barrel Soliloquy</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="WI9k4c" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: table; word-break: break-word;">
<div class="GgmXif jY7QFf" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; min-height: 36px;">
<div class="DgZBFd" style="line-height: 36px; vertical-align: top;">
<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>so·lil·o·quy</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="S23sjd" style="color: #70757a; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">
<span class="XpoqFe"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>/səˈliləkwē/</i></span></span></div>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="K6GhFd" data-is-bilingual="false" jsaction="BtuVOb:V46pce" jscontroller="AImii" style="font-size: small; max-height: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s, opacity 0.3s ease 0s;">
<div class="b8aKlc" style="padding: 8px 0px 6px;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C2CHBF_enUS847US880&sxsrf=ACYBGNSljBZTgNNBCUWLFkoTJmP-QWefSQ:1576992892909&q=how+to+pronounce+soliloquy&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOMIfcRozS3w8sc9YSmjSWtOXmPU4eINKMrPK81LzkwsyczPExLlYglJLcoV4pXi5uIszs_JzMkvLK20YlFiSs3jWcQqlZFfrlCSr1AA1JQP1JWqAFcDALXJpL5dAAAA&pron_lang=en&pron_country=us&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjTs8epxMjmAhXCB50JHaTdCpgQ3eEDMAB6BAgBEAg" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><br>
<div class="S5TwIf" style="border-radius: 6px; box-shadow: rgb(223, 225, 229) 0px 0px 0px 1px inset; display: inline-block; overflow: hidden; padding-right: 12px; vertical-align: top;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C2CHBF_enUS847US880&sxsrf=ACYBGNSljBZTgNNBCUWLFkoTJmP-QWefSQ:1576992892909&q=how+to+pronounce+soliloquy&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOMIfcRozS3w8sc9YSmjSWtOXmPU4eINKMrPK81LzkwsyczPExLlYglJLcoV4pXi5uIszs_JzMkvLK20YlFiSs3jWcQqlZFfrlCSr1AA1JQP1JWqAFcDALXJpL5dAAAA&pron_lang=en&pron_country=us&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjTs8epxMjmAhXCB50JHaTdCpgQ3eEDMAB6BAgBEAg" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><g-img class="FamOtd" style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="rISBZc M4dUYb" data-atf="1" height="32" id="dimg_8" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" style="border: 0px; display: block; position: relative;" width="32"></g-img><span class="fe69if" style="color: #3c4043; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-left: 10px; vertical-align: middle;">Learn to pronounce</span></i></span></a></div>
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C2CHBF_enUS847US880&sxsrf=ACYBGNSljBZTgNNBCUWLFkoTJmP-QWefSQ:1576992892909&q=how+to+pronounce+soliloquy&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOMIfcRozS3w8sc9YSmjSWtOXmPU4eINKMrPK81LzkwsyczPExLlYglJLcoV4pXi5uIszs_JzMkvLK20YlFiSs3jWcQqlZFfrlCSr1AA1JQP1JWqAFcDALXJpL5dAAAA&pron_lang=en&pron_country=us&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjTs8epxMjmAhXCB50JHaTdCpgQ3eEDMAB6BAgBEAg" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">
</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vmod" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div class="vmod" data-topic="" jsname="r5Nvmf">
<div class="lW8rQd" style="display: flex; font-size: small;">
<div class="vpx4Fd" style="font-size: 14px;">
<div class="pgRvse vdBwhd" style="min-height: 20px; padding-top: 10px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">noun</span></i></div>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b></b><b></b></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<ol class="eQJLDd" style="border: 0px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li jsname="gskXhf" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="vmod">
<div class="thODed Uekwlc XpoqFe" style="font-weight: lighter !important; padding-top: 10px;">
<div data-topic="" jsname="cJAsRb">
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="QIclbb XpoqFe" style="margin-left: -20px;">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.</i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From guess who? Yep, Carlos. Damn that guy can get some great beers. Thank you so much Big G.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soliloquy is a golden sour beer aged in oak barrels with rose hips and orange peel. Fermented with Brettanomyces and Saccharomyces yeast and soured with<wbr> Lactobacillus and Pediococcus bacteria, this sour beer features aromas of citronella and jasmine with flavors of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon zest. Right in my strike zone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYPecTo7Xqo/Xf2Xr6ldiQI/AAAAAAAAHes/CIfTu8vhYO0NTpokkmtL1SnSkYmgY_N-ACEwYBhgL/s1600/soliloquy2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYPecTo7Xqo/Xf2Xr6ldiQI/AAAAAAAAHes/CIfTu8vhYO0NTpokkmtL1SnSkYmgY_N-ACEwYBhgL/s400/soliloquy2016.jpg" width="400"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>11. Prairie Artisan Ales Bible Belt</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJXBPcBLgUQ/Xf2Xqmz6iQI/AAAAAAAAHes/eaSN53G71XMrOAtxsf9J8nHtXQttNDs5QCEwYBhgL/s1600/main-qimg-cdba206d214cec1d238fd375abb68cee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="602" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJXBPcBLgUQ/Xf2Xqmz6iQI/AAAAAAAAHes/eaSN53G71XMrOAtxsf9J8nHtXQttNDs5QCEwYBhgL/s320/main-qimg-cdba206d214cec1d238fd375abb68cee.png" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Picked this one up while working in Oklahoma City on a visit to Prairie Artisan Ales OKC. Great brewery in the heart of America. Been on my wish list for a long time; an </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Imperial Stout aged on coffee, vanilla beans, chilies, and cacao nibs with and abv of 13%</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFsp99TmDDI/Xf2XrRlUuJI/AAAAAAAAHes/Of9yLJOMbxQDnRW1smbnzwJC8MgKmJ5yQCEwYBhgL/s1600/prairie-bible-belt-12oz-bottle_720x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFsp99TmDDI/Xf2XrRlUuJI/AAAAAAAAHes/Of9yLJOMbxQDnRW1smbnzwJC8MgKmJ5yQCEwYBhgL/s320/prairie-bible-belt-12oz-bottle_720x.jpg" width="320"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>12. New Glarus R&D 2019 Sour Blackberry Ale</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 'Marion' cultivar or Marion blackberry, marketed as marionberry, is a blackberry developed by the USDA ARS breeding program in cooperation with Oregon State University. It is a cross between the 'Chehalem' and 'Olallie' blackberries.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From New Glarus:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dan's 2019 Sour Blackberry Ale is spontaneously fermented in the Lambic tradition using our coolship and oak tank aged. Oregon Marion berries dominate this sour ale fermented in the bottle you hold.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another beer from PfoxyJohn, this one being from my favorite brewery thus saved for the last one. Fruit beers from this brewery are unequaled. This shall be a magnificent treat from a dear friend. Many thanks John.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xICFlWW6T-A/Xf2XmUV-B1I/AAAAAAAAHec/M-cdEMuCoJ04CkdypvHLk3JTYmkEnKLBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191209_113041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="758" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xICFlWW6T-A/Xf2XmUV-B1I/AAAAAAAAHec/M-cdEMuCoJ04CkdypvHLk3JTYmkEnKLBQCEwYBhgL/s640/20191209_113041.jpg" width="300"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There they are; the <b>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2019</b>. So many from great friends and my extensive travels this past year, heavy on barrel-aged stouts, fruited, and sour ales because they are my favorites. I encourage you to start your own tradition of <b>Twelve Beers of Christmas</b>, Holiday Beers, or whatever motivates you to save and drink great beers with friends and family celebrating all that is wonderful in life. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays! Cheers y'all with much love from Tennessee.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ErBRgmfcwY/Xf8P3kNarNI/AAAAAAAAHf8/ecS7-Evr_cInCboboSWqU2JnPgEo9JppgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Christmas-Morning-Beers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ErBRgmfcwY/Xf8P3kNarNI/AAAAAAAAHf8/ecS7-Evr_cInCboboSWqU2JnPgEo9JppgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Christmas-Morning-Beers1.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkwSlzIXaUk/Xf8P3y9brxI/AAAAAAAAHf4/cM6zS7aMRrw1uaG-wbkh0p-XpFGSLNwWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/decoding-stout-beers-horizontal-crdt-emma-janzen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1050" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkwSlzIXaUk/Xf8P3y9brxI/AAAAAAAAHf4/cM6zS7aMRrw1uaG-wbkh0p-XpFGSLNwWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/decoding-stout-beers-horizontal-crdt-emma-janzen.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">The Ghosts of Christmas Beers Past...</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008</u></b><br>1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)<br>2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<br>3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel<br>4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale<br>5. Bison Winter Warmer<br>6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock<br>7. Delirium Tremens<br>8. New Glarus Apple Ale<br>9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)<br>10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)<br>11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout<br>12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)<br><b><u><br>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009</u></b><br>1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale<br>2. Goose Island Christmas Ale<br>3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter<br>4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale<br>5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf<br>6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout<br>7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter<br>8. Rochefort Trappistes 6<br>9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale<br>10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<br>11. Cantillon Iris<br>12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead<br><br><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010</u></b><br>1. Spaten Optimator<br>2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine<br>3. Ass Kisser Double IPA<br>4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA<br>5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout<br>6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter<br>7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer<br>8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna<br>9. Maredsous 10<br>10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock<br>11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale<br>12. Victory Old Horizontal<br><u><b><br>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011</b></u><br>1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter<br>2. Brew Kettle White Rajah<br>3. Brooklyn Black Ops<br>4. Capital Eternal Flame<br>5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew<br>6. Founders Backwoods Bastard<br>7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout<br>8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale<br>9. Odell Mountain Standard '09<br>10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale<br>11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang<br>12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span><br><br><u><b>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012</b></u><br>1. De Ranke Pere Noel<br>2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale<br>3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale<br>4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings<br>5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA<br>6. N'Ice Chouffe<br>7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt<br>8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome<br>9. Pelican Bad Santa<br>10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper<br>11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout<br>12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="spnMessageText" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2013.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013</a></span></span><br>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2014.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014</a></span></span><br>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2015.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015</a><span id="goog_837754429"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_837754430"></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" target="_blank"><br></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2016</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2017.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2017</a></span><br>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2018.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2018</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-55765884719230984062018-12-11T00:46:00.000-05:002018-12-26T14:08:25.768-05:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2018<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is that most wonderful time of year when the leaves have fallen, the days are shorter and the temperature turns much colder, the turkeys have had their day, and our attention turns to festive winter holiday gatherings. Early winter is a harbinger for the annual tradition of <b>The Twelve Beers of Christmas</b>. This is my eleventh observation of this much anticipated list.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stipulations for inclusion: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it must be a beer not enjoyed before, either gifted, muled, hauled from travels, rare and coveted. The drinking of the dozen begins</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on Christmas Day and follows the Twelve Days of Christmas. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Follow along every day beginning on Christmas Day on </span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluesandbarbq/" style="background-color: white; color: #245b0d; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" style="background-color: white; color: #245b0d; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Untappd</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/bluesandbarbq" style="background-color: white; color: #245b0d; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh3SCqpwuqc/XA9KryGG21I/AAAAAAAAHLk/dNArUERCpdMWyYN0UyTNRwmqSFKIxLXZwCLcBGAs/s1600/20181204_130150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh3SCqpwuqc/XA9KryGG21I/AAAAAAAAHLk/dNArUERCpdMWyYN0UyTNRwmqSFKIxLXZwCLcBGAs/s640/20181204_130150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rLl4DEfEck/XA9Krk3Tm9I/AAAAAAAAHLc/DFdPlo7WawAzRWXI6a5jGvjyihyrn6tegCLcBGAs/s1600/Holiday-Beers-1-of-1-759x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="759" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rLl4DEfEck/XA9Krk3Tm9I/AAAAAAAAHLc/DFdPlo7WawAzRWXI6a5jGvjyihyrn6tegCLcBGAs/s400/Holiday-Beers-1-of-1-759x500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">1. Yazoo Brewing / Blackberry Farm Brewery Across The Plateau </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Cumberland<b> Plateau</b> is the southern part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Plateau" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Appalachian Plateau">Appalachian Plateau</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Mountains" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Appalachian Mountains">Appalachian Mountains</a>. It includes much of eastern <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Kentucky">Kentucky</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Tennessee">Tennessee</a>, and portions of northern <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Alabama">Alabama</a> and northwest <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_(U.S._state)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Georgia (U.S. state)">Georgia</a>.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Beer:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.blackberryfarm.com/brewery/">Blackberry Farms</a> Collaboration with <a href="https://yazoobrew.com/">Yazoo Brewing</a>. A complex beer brewed with European malts and hops, and fermented with a classic abbey yeast. It is layered with locally roasted coffee from <a href="https://threebearscoffee.com/">Three Bears Coffee</a> in Knoxville, which was smoked at <a href="https://bentonscountryhams2.com/">Benton’s Country Hams</a> of Madisonville, TN which yields a drinkable, dark, strong ale. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mO9txGV-KPY/XAhLtpS3WCI/AAAAAAAAHIg/uLamn4h73JczOM7su4e-rWswejMZxLOdACLcBGAs/s1600/YazooAcrossThePlateau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mO9txGV-KPY/XAhLtpS3WCI/AAAAAAAAHIg/uLamn4h73JczOM7su4e-rWswejMZxLOdACLcBGAs/s400/YazooAcrossThePlateau.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
<br /><b>2. Firestone Walker Parabola Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (2017)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>In mathematics, a <b>parabola</b> is a plane curve which is mirror-symmetrical and is approximately U-shaped. It fits any of several superficially different mathematical descriptions, which can all be proved to define exactly the same curves. One description of a parabola involves a point and a line.</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The Beer:</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Parabola is a beer of darkness and immensity, a barrel-aged beast that is routinely ranked as one of the top beers in the world. This Russian Imperial oatmeal stout is aged for a full year in Heaven Hill barrels, developing flavors of rich, chewy roasted malts, charred oak and bourbony vanilla. Parabola bares its teeth with its impenetrable black hue and soaring alcohol, yet its bite remains refined with a silky, balanced finish.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This beer was obtained on one of my first working trips to Southern California when my friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carlos.granillo.359">Carlos</a> took me to several bottle shops and breweries. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3h8_-8lkIao/XAhNxVgU0cI/AAAAAAAAHIs/quNsVA_K2RAcb95Auy0uZrss8O8LVew-ACLcBGAs/s1600/fwp2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3h8_-8lkIao/XAhNxVgU0cI/AAAAAAAAHIs/quNsVA_K2RAcb95Auy0uZrss8O8LVew-ACLcBGAs/s400/fwp2017.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Hunahpu's Imperial Stout (2017)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>In Mayan mythology, Hun Hunahpu was the father of the Mayan hero twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque. Hun Hunahpu, along with his brother Vucub Hunahpu, was tricked by the Dark Lords of the underworld and slain. Hun <b>Hunahpu’s</b> corpse morphed into a cacao tree, his head becoming a cacao pod, which in typically awesome mythology fashion, spit upon the hand of a young maiden named Xiquic who promptly became pregnant with the hero twins. The twins would ultimately grow up to avenge their father and uncle and defeat the Dark Lords and ascend the heavens to become the moon and sun. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The Beer:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://cigarcitybrewing.com/">Cigar City</a> brews Hunahpu’s<span data-userway-font-size="12" style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">®</span> Imperial Stout, aged on cacao nibs, Madagascar vanilla beans, ancho chilis, pasilla chilis and cinnamon, once a year and release it only at the brewery on the second Saturday in March.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This beer was a birthday/Hootenanny gift from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalGameDepot">Big Jason</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_fw7QguNik/XAhQ5qTy4AI/AAAAAAAAHI4/IhNS7xJG0nIOYBYHZ7V5ucF7DkW0rhCSwCLcBGAs/s1600/hunahpu2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="453" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_fw7QguNik/XAhQ5qTy4AI/AAAAAAAAHI4/IhNS7xJG0nIOYBYHZ7V5ucF7DkW0rhCSwCLcBGAs/s400/hunahpu2017.jpg" width="228" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">4. New Belgium Paonia Peach Dark Sour Ale: Blender Project 007</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"An apple is an excellent thing -- until you have tried a peach." </i></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>George du Maurier</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The Beer:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.newbelgium.com/brewery/asheville/">New Belgium</a> wanted to experiment with refermenting fruit inside a foeder using their house mixed culture, which happens to be the oldest, continuous living sour culture in the United States. For this first experiment, they used peaches from Colorado’s famed growing region on the Western Slope produced on a farm near Paonia, Colorado.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My daughter <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashlynkittrell/">Ashlyn</a> picked this peachy wonderfulness up during a recent visit to Asheville.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53cHwK54Qxk/XAhSS4I-xfI/AAAAAAAAHJE/SvEzYwAqVLgYrqiv2YYtD79KOHe_wCGjgCLcBGAs/s1600/NBPaoniaPeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1200" height="303" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53cHwK54Qxk/XAhSS4I-xfI/AAAAAAAAHJE/SvEzYwAqVLgYrqiv2YYtD79KOHe_wCGjgCLcBGAs/s400/NBPaoniaPeach.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">5. Avery Tweak Bourbon Barrel-Aged Coffee Stout (2017)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="dDoNo gsrt" style="font-weight: lighter !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-dobid="hdw">tweak </span>/twēk/</i></span></div>
<div class="vmod">
<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph">
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: lighter;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph">
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: lighter;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>improve by making fine adjustments to it.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph">
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: lighter;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Beer:</span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tweak is <a href="https://www.averybrewing.com/beers/mephistopheles">Avery Mephistopheles Imperial Stout</a>, with a chunk of coffee thrown in. If you haven’t geeked out enough, the brewery aged it four months in bourbon barrels.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Picked this one up during one of my work trips out West.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMJLZ20yy8E/XAhUtHaHTWI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/vdU4Gmw2Uw0ZjUnTW_F3p-NzaXuC1pkUQCLcBGAs/s1600/AVery-Brewing-Tweak.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1168" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMJLZ20yy8E/XAhUtHaHTWI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/vdU4Gmw2Uw0ZjUnTW_F3p-NzaXuC1pkUQCLcBGAs/s400/AVery-Brewing-Tweak.png" width="391" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">6. Olde Rabbit's Foot Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (2017)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>In some cultures, the foot of a rabbit is carried as an amulet believed to bring good luck. This belief is held by individuals in a great number of places around the world, including Europe, China, Africa, and North and South America. This belief likely has existed in Europe since 600 BC among Celtic people.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The Beer:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First brewed in 2009, Olde Rabbit’s Foot is North Carolina’s original collaboration craft beer, and embodies the spirit of cooperation that permeates the state’s craft beer culture.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The brainchild of brewmasters from <a href="http://www.oldehickorybrewery.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Olde Hickory Brewery</a>, <a href="http://www.duckrabbitbrewery.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery</a> and <a href="http://www.foothillsbrewing.com/">Foothills Brewing</a>, Olde Rabbit's Foot is a blend of Imperial stouts from each brewery, aged in <a href="http://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/whiskey/family-reserve-23-year/">23-year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon</a> barrels with honey and cocoa nibs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another selection from beer guru Jason. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 24px; max-height: 1e+06px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOjapm9j-Yk/XArIKMHF5GI/AAAAAAAAHKw/8i2nugBdJFUdTNtq7Ntwy1fpOx5S8PpcgCLcBGAs/s1600/3743D64F-A7E8-49BE-877F-C328DE836D4F-500x500-crop.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOjapm9j-Yk/XArIKMHF5GI/AAAAAAAAHKw/8i2nugBdJFUdTNtq7Ntwy1fpOx5S8PpcgCLcBGAs/s400/3743D64F-A7E8-49BE-877F-C328DE836D4F-500x500-crop.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Tyranena The Kissers' Monday Night Special Oatmeal Double Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><i><a href="https://www.thekissers.com/">The Kissers</a> bring a fresh, original kick to Celtic music. Forged during legendary Monday nights at Madison's O’Cayz Corral, and honed through 1000 nights on the road, their sound blends sharp musicianship, black humor and the lilt and lyricism of the ancient melodies. Rock musicians who learned Irish music, The Kissers explore the roots of that tradition while retaining their own unique essence.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><b>`</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><b>The Beer:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">A Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double Oatmeal Stout named to honor "The Kissers", <a href="http://tyranena.com/" target="_blank">Tyranena Brewing's</a> Monday night house band.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">One in a long line of great Wisconsin beers from my good friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/john.pfister.9">John Pfister</a> aka Beer Santa. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 24px; max-height: 1e+06px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rC0MzM8ZzQ/XAhaFzk05qI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/vrSvLP51j_AM3oylseuwYDwLX3pV4qfhgCLcBGAs/s1600/CdIYhNTWAAEf4L-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rC0MzM8ZzQ/XAhaFzk05qI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/vrSvLP51j_AM3oylseuwYDwLX3pV4qfhgCLcBGAs/s400/CdIYhNTWAAEf4L-.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Yazoo Embrace The Funk </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cuvée</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Funk Fest '18</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Cuvée (pronounced koo-vay´) is a wine and beer term, derived from the French word 'cuve' meaning barrel or tank. Mostly the name is used for a blend of the best base beers for a second fermentation.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Beer:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A blended wild French ale aged in select red and white wine barrels with pink guava, passion fruit, oranges and pineapples. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everything <a href="https://embracethefunk.com/">Embrace The Funk</a> brew master concocts is genius; Brandon is a genius.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WK0aSST9K_Y/XAhchHav_uI/AAAAAAAAHKA/d8XRoQRiUoAxnFDle-XCcpHFl1Le-BSWwCLcBGAs/s1600/32529d3187f5c3ea69ff3db115e8f2f7_640x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WK0aSST9K_Y/XAhchHav_uI/AAAAAAAAHKA/d8XRoQRiUoAxnFDle-XCcpHFl1Le-BSWwCLcBGAs/s400/32529d3187f5c3ea69ff3db115e8f2f7_640x640.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 24px; max-height: 1e+06px;">
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></b>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">9. Prairie Artisan Ales Double Dunk Imperial Stout with Oreo</b></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Oreo Cookie Blues</b> by Lonnie Mack with Stevie Ray Vaughan</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Cs6Mpq_iufA/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cs6Mpq_iufA?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Beer:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An Imperial Stout with Oreo cookies. You read correctly; <a href="https://www.oreo.com/">Oreo</a> cookies.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWC9p-M8VvM/XAhfTdceqcI/AAAAAAAAHKM/JvTvQJEr_S8m9twN5eknC4mBWIwduq3ngCLcBGAs/s1600/32205903_1716573535117410_7920867039055446016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="826" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWC9p-M8VvM/XAhfTdceqcI/AAAAAAAAHKM/JvTvQJEr_S8m9twN5eknC4mBWIwduq3ngCLcBGAs/s400/32205903_1716573535117410_7920867039055446016_n.jpg" width="343" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>10. Hangar 24 Barrel Poll First Crush Sour Red Ale (2016)</b></span><br />
<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sour (Flanders) Red Ale</i><br />
<div id="ba-content" style="margin: 10px auto; padding: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 2px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>A sour, fruity, red wine-like Belgian-style ale with supportive malt flavors and fruit complexity with a dry finish and tannin characteristics. Typically light-bodied with reddish-brown colors, they are known for their distinct sharp, fruity, sour, and tart flavors which are created by special yeast strains. Very complex beers, they are produced under the age-old tradition of long-term cask aging in oak, and the blending of young and old beers.</i></span></div>
</div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Beer:</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Winemakers often refer to their harvest as "The Crush," a reference to their process of literally crushing the juice from freshly harvested grapes. <a href="https://hangar24brewing.com/">Hangar 24</a> borrowed this term for "<b>First Crush</b>," the very first beer they ever blended from their stock of Syrah wine barrels filled with sour red ale. A mix of 18 month old barrels build complex base flavors of funk and oak, and the addition of Syrah grape juice after primary fermentation adds vinous, tannic notes of red wine, ripe fruit and leather. First Crush is ready to enjoy now, but will continue to evolve in your cellar for many years.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This one came from BBQ and craft beer aficionado Carlos, alias <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loszilla_big_gs_bbq/">Big G</a>. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Msdw5NaX0B8/XArENgZVAaI/AAAAAAAAHKY/bqHJBafm62Iwd6Lvq53YVOYwPGjr_VVpgCLcBGAs/s1600/First-Crush-Smaller-400x270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="400" height="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Msdw5NaX0B8/XArENgZVAaI/AAAAAAAAHKY/bqHJBafm62Iwd6Lvq53YVOYwPGjr_VVpgCLcBGAs/s400/First-Crush-Smaller-400x270.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>11. The Commons Brewery Bourbon Little Brother (2016)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/goog_1785681578"><br /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.wweek.com/bars/beer/2017/09/01/the-commons-is-closing-giving-its-space-to-california-brewery/">News of The Commons Brewery, Portland, OR, closure, a sad day indeed.</a> </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><b>The Beer:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">Little Brother is a rich and malty ale. A bit of roastiness, toffee, candy and chocolate come through as it warms. A smaller batch of Little Brother was aged in a <a href="https://www.heavenhill.com/">Heaven Hill Bourbon</a> barrel and blended back in for a touch of Bourbon. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">Bourbon Little Brother is a pleasant and satisfying cold weather warmer.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/revolucionfuego/">Travis</a> for this wonderful beer, sadly the last of my Commons ales. Cheers my young Brother.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFM_sk9kGLg/XArsb7i6DOI/AAAAAAAAHLE/0eCHZrQyxz0bgkE2CHrUfJQCyIZUxTglwCLcBGAs/s1600/aviary-image-1534484638346%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="527" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFM_sk9kGLg/XArsb7i6DOI/AAAAAAAAHLE/0eCHZrQyxz0bgkE2CHrUfJQCyIZUxTglwCLcBGAs/s400/aviary-image-1534484638346%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O97D54FSpII/XArGBTf0Q7I/AAAAAAAAHKo/qrzK_1do8Iw7mPamSlclTbWRTNprkrXowCEwYBhgL/s1600/custom_resized_ec527a52-1ce7-4352-8d11-c21a8afd9121.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="480" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O97D54FSpII/XArGBTf0Q7I/AAAAAAAAHKo/qrzK_1do8Iw7mPamSlclTbWRTNprkrXowCEwYBhgL/s320/custom_resized_ec527a52-1ce7-4352-8d11-c21a8afd9121.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>12. J.W. Lees Harvest Matured In Lagavulin Whisky Casks (2010)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>JW Lees is a family brewery company, founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees. They are based in Middleton, England in the North West of Manchester. Lees is a sixth-generation family business.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><b>The Beer:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">An English Barleywine matured in wooden casks of <a href="https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/lagavulin?type=redirect">Lagavulin Malt Whiskey</a>, one of the most distinctive malt whisky from the island of Islay, characterized by the strong peaty notes which should blend with the Harvest Ale to give an explosion of flavors. This fully fermented ale has been brewed by JW Lees as a celebration of the brewers’ art. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a fine wine for enjoyment to come.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">I have held on to this gem since 2010. Time to enjoy this one.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ciziv3Ulaw/XArrpu9W5UI/AAAAAAAAHK8/H-c2kiCfGCYFWjEsrhFvVXl5rVTPqfIzgCLcBGAs/s1600/8133ca03b5db27ccfc6398f303b72cd0_320x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ciziv3Ulaw/XArrpu9W5UI/AAAAAAAAHK8/H-c2kiCfGCYFWjEsrhFvVXl5rVTPqfIzgCLcBGAs/s400/8133ca03b5db27ccfc6398f303b72cd0_320x320.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "sans serif"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are the Twelve Beers of Christmas 2018, a variety of goodness from near and far, to be enjoyed and savored. Here is to hoping you too may enjoy your own Twelve Beers of Christmas. Cheers to all - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a very Happy New Beer.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcrE5RHVnPU/XA9Kq2pywVI/AAAAAAAAHLs/sbfiUEHctj4xy528diK0DVAlsEogXqxgwCEwYBhgL/s1600/GettyImages-858730146-759x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="759" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcrE5RHVnPU/XA9Kq2pywVI/AAAAAAAAHLs/sbfiUEHctj4xy528diK0DVAlsEogXqxgwCEwYBhgL/s400/GettyImages-858730146-759x500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGcXk9tl6iE/XA9KryUix4I/AAAAAAAAHL0/ZF6Z8crX2Oo5DGQFafSKbmpp8YH6iidlwCEwYBhgL/s1600/holiday-beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="608" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGcXk9tl6iE/XA9KryUix4I/AAAAAAAAHL0/ZF6Z8crX2Oo5DGQFafSKbmpp8YH6iidlwCEwYBhgL/s400/holiday-beer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Twelve Beers of Christmas Past:</b></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: xx-small;"><u><br /></u></b><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008</u></b><br />1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)<br />2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<br />3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel<br />4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale<br />5. Bison Winter Warmer<br />6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock<br />7. Delirium Tremens<br />8. New Glarus Apple Ale<br />9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)<br />10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)<br />11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout<br />12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)<br /><b><u><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009</u></b><br />1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale<br />2. Goose Island Christmas Ale<br />3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter<br />4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale<br />5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf<br />6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout<br />7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter<br />8. Rochefort Trappistes 6<br />9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale<br />10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<br />11. Cantillon Iris<br />12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead<br /><br /><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010</u></b><br />1. Spaten Optimator<br />2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine<br />3. Ass Kisser Double IPA<br />4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA<br />5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout<br />6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter<br />7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer<br />8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna<br />9. Maredsous 10<br />10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock<br />11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale<br />12. Victory Old Horizontal<br /><u><b><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011</b></u><br />1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter<br />2. Brew Kettle White Rajah<br />3. Brooklyn Black Ops<br />4. Capital Eternal Flame<br />5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew<br />6. Founders Backwoods Bastard<br />7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout<br />8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale<br />9. Odell Mountain Standard '09<br />10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale<br />11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang<br />12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span><br /><br /><u><b>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012</b></u><br />1. De Ranke Pere Noel<br />2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale<br />3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale<br />4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings<br />5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA<br />6. N'Ice Chouffe<br />7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt<br />8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome<br />9. Pelican Bad Santa<br />10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper<br />11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout<br />12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2013.html" style="color: #245b0d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2014.html" style="color: #245b0d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2015.html" style="color: #245b0d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015</a><span id="goog_837754429"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" style="color: #245b0d; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><span id="goog_837754430"></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" style="color: #245b0d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #245b0d; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" style="color: #245b0d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2016</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2017.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2017</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-59280089513134077952017-12-11T14:48:00.001-05:002017-12-12T08:22:42.977-05:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2017<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is a festive time of year. What better way to celebrate than with the annual Twelve Beers of Christmas? This year marks the tenth anniversary of this revelry. That is a great deal of stellar beers and plenty of celebrating. To be included in the Twelve Beers of Christmas, it must be a beer not enjoyed before, either gifted, muled, hauled from travels, rare and coveted. The drinking of the dozen begins<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">on Christmas day and follows the Twelve Days of Christmas. </span>Follow along with the celebration on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluesandbarbq/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Untappd</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDG0MiSdPyM/WilrVeY0vnI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/hVFNUujxuhg_yv76Qf1YeCHjOv9KgmHnQCLcBGAs/s1600/20171204_165648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDG0MiSdPyM/WilrVeY0vnI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/hVFNUujxuhg_yv76Qf1YeCHjOv9KgmHnQCLcBGAs/s320/20171204_165648.jpg" width="320"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></span></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daYqCIue-II/Wi7a7RhCz-I/AAAAAAAAHBY/CPjLadW0AdQQ__tSW5PNORUU567nWHoLQCLcBGAs/s1600/christmas-beer-pairing-984x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="984" height="162" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daYqCIue-II/Wi7a7RhCz-I/AAAAAAAAHBY/CPjLadW0AdQQ__tSW5PNORUU567nWHoLQCLcBGAs/s320/christmas-beer-pairing-984x500.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. <a href="https://vintagebrewingcompany.com/madison/" target="_blank">Vintage Brewing</a> Bock's O-Chocolates</b></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<b style="background-color: white;"><i>Style: Chocolate Doppelbock</i></b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life is like a box of chocolates. Christmas Day and chocolate goes together like peanut butter and jelly. I might drink this one pretty early, like when the kids are opening presents early. Chocolate beer for dessert (breakfast) indeed. Thank you <a href="https://untappd.com/user/pfoxyjohn" target="_blank">PfoxyJohn</a> for this bottle of candy.</span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"This rich and decadent true lager is brewed with generous additions of chocolate malt and organic cocoa powder then aged on fresh-toasted cacao nibs and Mexican vanilla beans. </i></span></span><i>Bock's O-Chocolates has a rich malty sweetness and a serious chocolate flavor with a thick chewy body."</i></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2erWhmBupg/Wi7R0JUI4hI/AAAAAAAAHAs/qFgrAaAAmeA1k1GPTatr8HdQx_JC5uSewCLcBGAs/s1600/BocksChoc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="344" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2erWhmBupg/Wi7R0JUI4hI/AAAAAAAAHAs/qFgrAaAAmeA1k1GPTatr8HdQx_JC5uSewCLcBGAs/s320/BocksChoc.jpg" width="226"></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><br></b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>2. <a href="http://blog.mikkeller.dk/" target="_blank">Mikkeller</a> Beer Geek Breakfast </b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><br></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><i>Style: Oatmeal Stout (with coffee addition)</i></b></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A breakfast beer? Yes. Oatmeal, coffee, dark chocolates all sound appealing for <a href="https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/boxingday.shtml" target="_blank">Boxing Day</a> breakfast. Thank you Candace for this long time wish list beer. </span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"An oatmeal stout with 25.0% oat-based ingredients and a nice touch of gourmet coffee. A beer that goes extremely well with breakfast! </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Good hints of coffee and smoke as well as dark chocolate and roasted malts. </span></i></span><i style="background-color: white;">Ask any beer geek . . . a hearty, complex stout is the tastiest way to begin the day. This unique mix of an oat and coffee stout creates an intense, full-bodied beer that is surprisingly balanced and full of new taste adventures with every sip."</i></span></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgcJNAo4sug/WiluMPH_Z2I/AAAAAAAAG-w/AyQKpJPTozskKZnE3aK2dJnTqqSJ9-UswCLcBGAs/s1600/mikkeller-beer-geek-breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="979" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgcJNAo4sug/WiluMPH_Z2I/AAAAAAAAG-w/AyQKpJPTozskKZnE3aK2dJnTqqSJ9-UswCLcBGAs/s320/mikkeller-beer-geek-breakfast.jpg" width="195"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br></b>
<b style="background-color: white;">3. <a href="http://www.alewerks.com/" target="_blank">Alewerks</a> Lover's Greed</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Style: American Wild Ale</i></b></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sour and wild ales, especially barrel aged variants, are at the top of the beer pyramid. Complex flavors, usually tart and exhibiting characteristics from the barrels, are extremely appealing to my taste buds. This one was acquired in Virginia during work travels.</span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"You hold a piece of the second iteration of Lover's Greed American Wild Ale. This batch waited 36 months in French Oak red Wine barrels before it was deemed worthy of release. This beer has moved beyond an exercise in the forgotten virtue of patience; it is a demonstration of an inclination for torment due to fascination with an elegant ale."</i> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
</span></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFZPo0LkYZ0/WilwQ6a6O8I/AAAAAAAAG-8/kgSmFXbVkGYS4athdI5F8Y0tjAVCjd1IQCLcBGAs/s1600/Alewerks%2Blovers%2Bgreed%2Bbottles_Visit%2BWilliamsburg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFZPo0LkYZ0/WilwQ6a6O8I/AAAAAAAAG-8/kgSmFXbVkGYS4athdI5F8Y0tjAVCjd1IQCLcBGAs/s320/Alewerks%2Blovers%2Bgreed%2Bbottles_Visit%2BWilliamsburg1.jpg" width="320"></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. <a href="https://sierranevada.com/blog/north-carolina-brewery" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada</a> Trip In The Woods Barrel-Aged Cocoa Coconut Narwhal</b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Style: Barrel-aged Imperial Stout (with toasted coconut and cocoa nibs)</i></b></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love coconut, and chocolate, and barrel-aged beers. This monster has it all. Seems like a very good nightcap on a cold December evening. Might better share this one with the better half...</span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"This very special version of our Narwhal Imperial Stout was brewed with toasted coconut and then left to mature in Kentucky Bourbon barrels for nearly a year. To the barrels, we added additional coconut and cocoa nibs to create a uniquely rich and decadent stout."</i></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg30sHkx_x8/WilxU2eDjAI/AAAAAAAAG_I/LIrdvL9WUH0lKvBt7F8iqydZUbKoiFgtQCLcBGAs/s1600/10b5781c6d94164c8d89a1ea0ceeb6d8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="586" height="234" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg30sHkx_x8/WilxU2eDjAI/AAAAAAAAG_I/LIrdvL9WUH0lKvBt7F8iqydZUbKoiFgtQCLcBGAs/s320/10b5781c6d94164c8d89a1ea0ceeb6d8.jpg" width="320"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. <a href="http://www.proefbrouwerij.com/index.aspx?lng=en" target="_blank">De Proef</a>/<a href="https://newglarusbrewing.com/" target="_blank">New Glarus</a> Abtsolution Dark Belgian Ale</b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale</i></b></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Belgium's De Proef Brouwerij and Wisconsin's New Glarus Brewing are two of the world's top breweries. This collaboration marries these stalwarts yielding a rich, dark Belgian classic with a Wisconsin twist. Abtsolution should pair nicely with a rich holiday meal. Thank you for another gem Mr. Pfister. </span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"We have created a beer based on the classic Belgian Abt style, with unique Wisconsin contributions including Santiam and Chinook hops. To further highlight the Dairy State we've added lactose for extra mouthfeel and richness. The result is a dark ale with fruity esters, a velvety smooth palate and balancing wood notes from our use of French and American oak along with spicy hop notes. This ale is designed to drink now, but we believe will evolve beautifully over the next 1-2 years. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Enjoy Abtsolution with roasted meats, rich cheese and of course, friends. Cheers!"</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfg1BNPnYV8/Wi7SHom8W8I/AAAAAAAAHAw/afGnVvOh47kL5fjfJ7JdfVgOmxA0RSt0QCLcBGAs/s1600/DPNGAbt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfg1BNPnYV8/Wi7SHom8W8I/AAAAAAAAHAw/afGnVvOh47kL5fjfJ7JdfVgOmxA0RSt0QCLcBGAs/s320/DPNGAbt.jpg" width="180"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>6. <a href="http://www.stbcbeer.com/" target="_blank">Southern Tier</a> Thick Mint</b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Style: Imperial Stout (with chocolate and mint)</i></b></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone loves Girl Scout cookies, especially <a href="http://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/all-about-cookies/Meet-the-Cookies.html" target="_blank">Thin Mints</a>. This beer is a take on those delicious cookies in stout form - an Imperial Stout brewed with chocolate and mint. Another dessert ale for my Twelve Beers of Christmas; life is good.</span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Inspired by the legendary cookie, Thick Mint joins our world-class rated Blackwater Series of dessert beers alongside Crème Brûlée & <a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2012/07/words-in-pint-glass.html" target="_blank">Choklat</a> in 2017. This imperial stout is a mouthful of perfectly balanced mint & chocolate. Roasty malts coalesce with notes of Belgian dark chocolate, sweet mint & just a touch of sweet caramel. So decadently delicious, you’ll wish you’d bought another box… er, bottle."</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3G6lzRHL34/Wil0yrTHRWI/AAAAAAAAG_U/6N4sBK3ACiY9sbKceZ9b4eLVKnK1ZBaLACLcBGAs/s1600/Southern-Tier-Thick-Mint-bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3G6lzRHL34/Wil0yrTHRWI/AAAAAAAAG_U/6N4sBK3ACiY9sbKceZ9b4eLVKnK1ZBaLACLcBGAs/s320/Southern-Tier-Thick-Mint-bottle.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>7. Sierra Nevada Alpha Hop Society Barrel-Aged Cherry Vanilla Stout</strong>
</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>Style: Barrel-aged Imperial Stout (with cherries and vanilla)</strong></span><br>
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another Imperial Stout, this one bourbon barrel aged with cherries and vanilla added. Just call me a fat elf. Yes this list is heavy on Imperial Stouts, dessert beers, because it is my list and these are the beers I enjoy during the holidays. Thank you </span></span><a href="https://untappd.com/user/wmrogers11" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e50d0d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matt R</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for letting this go out of your cellar. </span></span></span><br>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"An Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels with cherries and vanilla added."</span></i></span></div>
<div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32ZTdtZWBT0/Wi7qLgUHOjI/AAAAAAAAHBo/MKJ_fmXGxEYS8rMZCOAft0xyQ8fw1IqZgCLcBGAs/s1600/AHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32ZTdtZWBT0/Wi7qLgUHOjI/AAAAAAAAHBo/MKJ_fmXGxEYS8rMZCOAft0xyQ8fw1IqZgCLcBGAs/s320/AHS.jpg" width="180"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>8. Yazoo Embrace the Funk Table Red</b></span><br>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Style: Flanders Red Ale</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year to me! <a href="https://twitter.com/EmbraceTheFunk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e50d0d;">Brandon Jones</span></a>, Wranger of Funk at Yazoo Brewing Company in Nashville, pilots the Embrace The Funk program, blending barrel aged beers with a wild and funky side. He is a genius. He is also humble and nice. Kudos to ETF and The Wrangler of Funk. I always thoroughly enjoy his concoctions. The Table Red is an uber rare small batch release that I picked up on one of my visits to The Music City in 2017.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"A light bodied Table Red ale aged for 16 months in French Oak barrels with our house souring and brettanomyces cultures. This delicious ale pairs well with plein air dinners and conversations between good friends."</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUHNHv_xoRw/Wil4HYyWkSI/AAAAAAAAG_g/37WZW4xqw7IAd5Vt_xg_xqWJEoXRJPLVQCLcBGAs/s1600/TableRed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUHNHv_xoRw/Wil4HYyWkSI/AAAAAAAAG_g/37WZW4xqw7IAd5Vt_xg_xqWJEoXRJPLVQCLcBGAs/s320/TableRed.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>9. <a href="http://yazoobrew.com/" target="_blank">Yazoo</a> Embrace The Funk Funk Fest '17</b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Style: Flanders Oud Bruin (with boysenberries, raspberries and cherries)</i></b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another blended ale from Brandon and Embrace the Funk, this one has a lot to offer. Richness, complexity, tartness, fruits while employing <a href="https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/what-is-brettanomyces-and-what-is-it-doing-in-my-beer/" target="_blank">Brettanomyces</a> and souring bacterias should make this one an enjoyable addition to the Twelve Beers of Christmas. </span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"A blend of Brown and Dark sour ales aged in Rye Bourbon, Sherry and Port barrels with Boysenberries, Raspberries and Cherries."</i></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></span>
</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kBrXiiCoMs/Wi7SeMb1pbI/AAAAAAAAHA8/6dRSw5iYWws2lY2p5FXURY6-d5ppkK-qwCLcBGAs/s1600/FunkFest17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kBrXiiCoMs/Wi7SeMb1pbI/AAAAAAAAHA8/6dRSw5iYWws2lY2p5FXURY6-d5ppkK-qwCLcBGAs/s320/FunkFest17.jpg" width="180"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>10. <a href="http://thomascreekbeer.com/" target="_blank">Thomas Creek</a> Driftwood Series Boys-en The Hood</b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Style: American Sour Ale (with boysenberries) </i></b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Petite Sour Ale with Boysenberry" - a</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">nother sour/wild ale. Tingle my taste buds, please my palate; the love for these tart temptations continues. Picked this one up at the brewery in Greenville, SC.</span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Mixed Culture Sour ale fermented in rum barrels with boysenberry added to the barrels for secondary fermentation."</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4pf2zv6npE/Wi7GpdH5FGI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/WBVleDDyxfIR-qT1Bxaur3K5KY6HsouMACLcBGAs/s1600/TCDSBoys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4pf2zv6npE/Wi7GpdH5FGI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/WBVleDDyxfIR-qT1Bxaur3K5KY6HsouMACLcBGAs/s320/TCDSBoys.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. Hardywood </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Cuvée Peach</span></b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></b>
<b><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Style: Belgian-style Tripel (with peaches)</i></span></b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></b>
<span style="background-color: white;">Peaches are my favorite fruit. (Cherries are my second favorite.) Thus the Twelve Beers of Christmas include beers with these fruit additions. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://hardywood.com/" target="_blank">Hardywood</a> is a highly regarded brewery in Richmond, VA. A white wine barrel aged peach <a href="https://www.craftbeer.com/styles/belgian-style-tripel" target="_blank">Tripel</a> ale should be amazingly delicious. This peachy Tripel comes to me via recent Appalachian Trail Hiker (all of it!), <a href="https://hikewithgravity.com/" target="_blank">Jim aka Gravity</a>, who knows how much I love peaches, and beer. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Hardywood Cuvée Peach is artfully blended by our barrel master from small batches of Peach Tripel aged in white wine barrels, at varying levels of maturation , from three months to more than a year. The resulting beer is beautifully complex with yeast-derived stone fruit esters that harmonize with juicy peach undertones. This sparkling refresher offers a pleasantly dry finish with the slightest hint of vanilla from the toasted French Oak barrels."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xzNaC_JXPQ/Wil6tgb1g-I/AAAAAAAAG_s/re6vqiUmRJ0IDCjdmUc9lzzgNM0pN1iLwCLcBGAs/s1600/cuvee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xzNaC_JXPQ/Wil6tgb1g-I/AAAAAAAAG_s/re6vqiUmRJ0IDCjdmUc9lzzgNM0pN1iLwCLcBGAs/s320/cuvee.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>12. <a href="http://www.idyllhoundsbrewingcompany.com/" target="_blank">Idyll Hounds </a>Capt'n Ferdinand </b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Style: Barrel-aged Imperial Stout (with vanilla)</i></b></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another Imperial stout, this one aged in sherry barrels with a vanilla bean addition. This should be quite the sipper, full of flavor, to be paired with rich desserts. Thank you <a href="https://untappd.com/user/nationalgamedepot" target="_blank">Jason</a> for this big boy. </span></span></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm2C1OODB04/Wi7SuH_4AnI/AAAAAAAAHBE/d0Oyq5kE6yQ678QCVFnICKdlPA-irTjUACLcBGAs/s1600/CaptnFerd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm2C1OODB04/Wi7SuH_4AnI/AAAAAAAAHBE/d0Oyq5kE6yQ678QCVFnICKdlPA-irTjUACLcBGAs/s320/CaptnFerd2.jpg" width="180"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The Twelve Beers of Christmas for 2017. Cheers to good friends, great beers, and enjoying family during the holiday season. I hope you enjoy your own Twelve Beers of Christmas and share with your family and friends. </span></span><br style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays!</span></span></span></span><br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYz2p5FL-Jc/Wi7am2IJ6dI/AAAAAAAAHBU/kEX2Fg96hroeMEjZBVJNIi4L4rBT4HUiQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas_Beer_tasting_2_Dmitry_Naumov_tczhbt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1080" height="220" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYz2p5FL-Jc/Wi7am2IJ6dI/AAAAAAAAHBU/kEX2Fg96hroeMEjZBVJNIi4L4rBT4HUiQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas_Beer_tasting_2_Dmitry_Naumov_tczhbt.jpg" width="320"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<i style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twelve Beers of Christmas Past:</span></b></i></span><br>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><u><br></u></b><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008</u></b><br>1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)<br>2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<br>3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel<br>4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale<br>5. Bison Winter Warmer<br>6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock<br>7. Delirium Tremens<br>8. New Glarus Apple Ale<br>9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)<br>10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)<br>11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout<br>12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)<br><b><u><br>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009</u></b><br>1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale<br>2. Goose Island Christmas Ale<br>3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter<br>4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale<br>5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf<br>6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout<br>7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter<br>8. Rochefort Trappistes 6<br>9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale<br>10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<br>11. Cantillon Iris<br>12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead<br><br><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010</u></b><br>1. Spaten Optimator<br>2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine<br>3. Ass Kisser Double IPA<br>4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA<br>5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout<br>6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter<br>7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer<br>8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna<br>9. Maredsous 10<br>10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock<br>11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale<br>12. Victory Old Horizontal<br><u><b><br>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011</b></u><br>1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter<br>2. Brew Kettle White Rajah<br>3. Brooklyn Black Ops<br>4. Capital Eternal Flame<br>5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew<br>6. Founders Backwoods Bastard<br>7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout<br>8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale<br>9. Odell Mountain Standard '09<br>10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale<br>11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang<br>12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><u><b>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012</b></u></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">1. De Ranke Pere Noel<br>2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale<br>4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings<br>5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA<br>6. N'Ice Chouffe<br>7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt<br>8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome<br>9. Pelican Bad Santa<br>10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper<br>11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout<br>12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="spnMessageText" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2013.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013</a></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2014.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014</a></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2015.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015</a><span id="goog_837754429"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_837754430"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" target="_blank"><br></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2016.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2016</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br></span>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-25345395486793339762017-08-15T19:07:00.000-04:002017-08-19T16:31:08.035-04:00A Heavenly Playlist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2azT9Ng_f7E/WZN5kUX3bWI/AAAAAAAAG3I/BybQ2kRVK8UGNdpi9NrJ6yvvxmBdJS9lwCLcBGAs/s1600/annular-solar-eclipse-promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="620" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2azT9Ng_f7E/WZN5kUX3bWI/AAAAAAAAG3I/BybQ2kRVK8UGNdpi9NrJ6yvvxmBdJS9lwCLcBGAs/s320/annular-solar-eclipse-promo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
What does it take to get me out of my blogging hibernation? A celestial event of epic proportion will do the trick. Living in the Solar Eclipse 2017 Path of Totality is motivation enough. The Event on August 21, 2017 is on the minds of everyone. What would be a proper playlist for this event? Yep, that is how my mind works sometimes.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, the Top Ten Solar Eclipse Songs, then the Best of the Rest, and finally some dishonorable mentions.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>10. Darkness - Tab Benoit </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favorite artist is required to be on the list plus it is an appropriately great song.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> 9. Hear Comes the Sun - The Beatles</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You would think this would be higher ranked but it is not.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>8. Moondance - Van Morrison</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love Van Morrison. Very worthy of the Top 10. Maybe a little pagan of of me but...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>7. Blinded By The Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band</b> (via Bruce Springsteen)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Only use NASA approved ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>6. Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Should this song by higher ranked? Probably. I've just heard it a million times though.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Invisible Sun - The Police</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Great song by a great band. Yes the sun will be invisible for 2:31 in Tennessee.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seems to fit perfectly. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - Robert Cray</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A very underrated tune, this song once touted the virtues of dark beer. Worthy.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know, I know, I know, I know... </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Eclipse - Pink Floyd</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The entire <b>Dark Side of the Moon</b> album could be Number One. <b>Eclipse</b> is the song of the event.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Best of the Rest</b>, in no particular order:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rise To The Sun - Alabama Shakes</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheap Sunglasses - ZZ Top</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holidays In The Sun - Sex Pistols</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moon River - Andy Williams</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spirit In The Sky - Norman Greenbaum</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Ghost) Riders In The Sky - Johnny Cash</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Night Moves - Bob Seger</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dark Was the Night - Blind Willie Johnson</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blue Moon - Elvis Presley</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunshine Superman - Donovan</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fishin' In The Dark - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Walking On The Moon - The Police</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Third Stone From the Sun - Jimi Hendrix</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Give Me The Night - George Benson</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moon Shadow - Cat Stevens</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shine A Light - The Rolling Stones</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You Are My Sunshine - Gene Autry</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wheel In The Sky - Journey</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Strange Magic - ELO</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soul Sacrifice - Santana</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soak Up The Sun - Sheryl Crow</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Boom, Boom (Out Go The Lights) - Pat Travers Band</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On The Dark Side - John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shine - Collective Soul</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lights Out - UFO</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bark At The Moon - Ozzy Osbourne</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunshine Of Your Love - Cream</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One Of These Nights - Eagles</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I Saw The Light - Hank Williams</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Burnin' Sky - Bad Company</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dishonorable Mentions because these are just bad songs:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunshine On My Shoulder - John Denver</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby (this is arguably a decent song. Nah.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Children Of The Sun - Billy Thorpe </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and the Number One Worst Eclipse Song of All Time:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Total Eclipse Of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There it is. I know I missed some both good and bad. What would you add to this list?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Put your eclipse glasses on and enjoy your two minutes of totality and hours of eclipseness.</span></div>
</div>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-6672036315853549272016-12-17T10:13:00.002-05:002016-12-26T08:49:00.325-05:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">The holiday season is upon us. It is a joyous time of year for family, friends, food, festivities... and beer. Winter calls for big, warming brews and for the annual Twelve Beers of Christmas. For the ninth consecutive year the best offerings from friends, special releases, beer trips and all means of procurement are included in this annual ritual. To be included in the Twelve Beers of Christmas all beers in the twelve must be new to me, having not enjoyed them before. Starting </span><span style="background-color: white;">on Christmas day and following the Twelve Days of Christmas, these selected dozen will be savored, enjoyed, and cherished. Fill you favorite drinking glass and enjoy the Twelve Beers of Christmas for 2016 and f</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">ollow the progression on </span><a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Untappd</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="https://twitter.com/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluesandbarbq/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6S272D16sYU/WGEftStMSoI/AAAAAAAAGvA/O6AnIa3m_s81h0f2hrVktKUeQ77agJAfQCLcB/s1600/12boc2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6S272D16sYU/WGEftStMSoI/AAAAAAAAGvA/O6AnIa3m_s81h0f2hrVktKUeQ77agJAfQCLcB/s400/12boc2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZrFnpLvSSQ/WFgZltmZQ4I/AAAAAAAAGtM/yQTwIibwzs4i3JjKhlSMDntCpgLgKNOCgCLcB/s1600/12boc2016Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZrFnpLvSSQ/WFgZltmZQ4I/AAAAAAAAGtM/yQTwIibwzs4i3JjKhlSMDntCpgLgKNOCgCLcB/s400/12boc2016Pic.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Allagash Odyssey 2010</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">This <a href="https://untappd.com/b/allagash-brewing-company-odyssey-2010/73828" target="_blank">Odyssey</a> will accompany Christmas dinner with my family. Ale Aged in Oak Barrels - yes, please.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2g4rdOV3FLg/WFVU1TtxXjI/AAAAAAAAGqs/SWmgrmiuevASeNJ4avnBH3C2LtPxJvKAQCLcB/s1600/12boc2016J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2g4rdOV3FLg/WFVU1TtxXjI/AAAAAAAAGqs/SWmgrmiuevASeNJ4avnBH3C2LtPxJvKAQCLcB/s400/12boc2016J.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the brewer:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"Allagash Odyssey is a dark wheat beer aged for four months, a portion in oak barrels and the remainder in stainless tanks. The grain bill includes 2-row barley, malted wheat and a generous amount of roasted barley. This deep brown beer boasts an aroma of black treacle and raisin. Candi sugar, a traditional ingredient in some Belgian beer, is added during the boil. The flavor hints at dates, with a mildly roasted finish imparted by aging in both medium and heavy toasted American oak barrels. The finish is dry, punctuated by vanilla.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Food Pairings:</span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Almond Crusted Chicken, Ribeye, Toffee Pudding, Crème Brulée, White Chocolate"</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>2. Tyranena Tapping the Sugarbush</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is a gift from the <a href="https://untappd.com/user/pfoxyjohn" target="_blank">PfoxyJohn</a> AKA Beer Santa. Very much looking forward to every aspect of this beer: maple, Bourbon barrel-aged, vanilla, caramel, chocolate. My favorite beer name of the dozen. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TxrYALhjo0Q/WFVVn83WCzI/AAAAAAAAGq8/vLvtoiUxYZEYhyRxZbPO43Od5VYAZMg5gCLcB/s1600/12boc2016K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TxrYALhjo0Q/WFVVn83WCzI/AAAAAAAAGq8/vLvtoiUxYZEYhyRxZbPO43Od5VYAZMg5gCLcB/s400/12boc2016K.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Notes from <a href="http://tyranena.com/" target="_blank">Tyranena</a>:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"Tapping The Sugarbush is an Imperial Maple Porter aged in Bourbon Barrels. The sweetness of maple syrup is masterfully blended with the richness of chocolate and caramel malts. Notes of vanilla and oak from barrel-aging further heighten this north wood's pleasure."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Lakefront Beer Line Barleywine</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another Wisconsin offering from PfoxyJohn, another big beer. Cold winter evenings call for barleywines. This will be a slow sipper.</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCWfKj0hgTs/WFVU1C3O7BI/AAAAAAAAGq0/ZiMeKynWik09Hhh1zcyupDcJ2dzi-JrewCEw/s1600/12boc2016H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCWfKj0hgTs/WFVU1C3O7BI/AAAAAAAAGq0/ZiMeKynWik09Hhh1zcyupDcJ2dzi-JrewCEw/s400/12boc2016H.jpg" width="373" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Lakefront</a> says:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"Beer Line is an off-the-rail barley wine style ale: rich, malty, multi-layered, and copper-amber. The off-white head liberates aromas of strawberry, dried-fruit, grapefruit, and papaya. The smooth, malt-forward flavor is equally complex, with undertones of caramel and toffee. Not overly sweet by any means, organic Bravo hops balance the malt syrup sweetness, finishing slightly spicy with a pleasurable alcohol warmth."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>4. Blackberry Farm Blackberry Rye</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.blackberryfarm.com/brewery/home" target="_blank">Blackberry Farm Brewery</a> is turning out some fantastic Farmhouse-style ales and they are in my back yard. Nice to have another very good local option especially one focusing on Belgian-style ales. Blackberry Rye is from my daughter <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashlynkittrell/?hl=en" target="_blank">Ashlyn</a> who knows I coveted it greatly.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PY7W6VMVmh4/WFfhM1IkOgI/AAAAAAAAGrM/iGL-_vp293oHKrHhNhIEqZXwWe3SB2PVQCLcB/s1600/12boc2016bfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PY7W6VMVmh4/WFfhM1IkOgI/AAAAAAAAGrM/iGL-_vp293oHKrHhNhIEqZXwWe3SB2PVQCLcB/s400/12boc2016bfb.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.blackberryfarm.com/wine-food/" target="_blank">Blackberry Farm</a> states:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"This offering in our Native Series was brewed with select heritage barley and rye malts and fermented with a wild strain of native yeast harvested from honeysuckle blossoms found on Blackberry Farm’s 9,200 acre estate. A secondary fermentation with blackberries followed by additional aging in Tennessee whiskey barrels lends notes of dark fruit and oak to this medium bodied ale’s malt profile, accentuated by a mild tartness and earthy complexity from the wild native yeast."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="background-color: white;">5. Sierra Nevada Cherry Chocolate Stout</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love cherries. I love chocolate. I love stouts. My wife may steal this one though. Picked up this offering on a recent trip to <a href="https://twitter.com/SierraNevada" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada</a> in Mills River, NC just outside Asheville. If you have not visited this beer Mecca you are missing out on possibly the most impressive brewery in the Southern and Eastern United States. This beer also happens to be Sierra Nevada's 36th Anniversary special beer. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36z6MKU4XbI/WFfktWa_aCI/AAAAAAAAGrY/oKEyPh8XhK4zHjg43_eekKeWFw_oEqMPgCLcB/s1600/12boc2016D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36z6MKU4XbI/WFfktWa_aCI/AAAAAAAAGrY/oKEyPh8XhK4zHjg43_eekKeWFw_oEqMPgCLcB/s400/12boc2016D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="_3x-2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div data-ft="{"tn":"H"}">
<div class="mtm" style="margin-top: 10px;">
<div class="_5cq3" data-ft="{"tn":"E"}" style="position: relative;">
<a ajaxify="/sierranevadabeer/photos/a.10150096086127516.324137.12994977515/10155552958622516/?type=3&size=2048%2C1496&fbid=10155552958622516&player_origin=pages" class="_4-eo _2t9n" data-render-location="homepage_stream" data-testid="theater_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/sierranevadabeer/photos/a.10150096086127516.324137.12994977515/10155552958622516/?type=3" id="u_0_3k" rel="theater" style="box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0470588) 0px 1px 1px; cursor: pointer; display: block; position: relative; text-decoration: none; width: 476px;"></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From Sierra Nevada:</span><br />
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="display: inline; margin: 0px;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's our 36th anniversary! We're celebrating with our new Cherry Chocolate Stout! Cherries and chocolate are a classic combination and perfectly match this rich imperial stout. We brewed this beer with Bing cherries and cherry juice, then aged it on cocoa nibs, to bring out notes of dark chocolate and a hint of sweet cherry. Cheers!"</span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="display: inline; margin: 0px;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="display: inline; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. </span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sierra Nevada Trip in the Woods Barrel Aged Narwhal</span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"We aged this rich, chocolatey Imperial Stout in bourbon barrels with a mix of both red currants and black currants for a pop of sweet and tart flavor. The deep, rich notes of the stout blend well with the berries in barrels to create complex flavors of coca and coconut with a mellow fruit undertone."</i></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0muUFtX-5I/WFfouS027MI/AAAAAAAAGrk/j2XGx6ztX0E3hq5aZQKO4-VuW5EtbvJ4QCLcB/s1600/12boc2016E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0muUFtX-5I/WFfouS027MI/AAAAAAAAGrk/j2XGx6ztX0E3hq5aZQKO4-VuW5EtbvJ4QCLcB/s400/12boc2016E.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sierranevadabeer/" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada</a> on the list. Yes they are one of my favorite breweries. Narwhal and Barrel-aged Narwhal have passed my lips before with great love. Now a barrel-aged Narwhal with red and black currant additions? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Game on.</span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Jackie O's Dark Apparition</span></b></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A fitting end to 2016 with a Dark Apparition. To many <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38369698" target="_blank">2016 was a very dark year</a>. This beer is the perfect way to stomp out the life from 2016 and welcome a new year, killing the ghosts of beers past. This one is highly recommended. </span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7L-b7qr5lY/WFfrQiRQRbI/AAAAAAAAGrw/E3pWhkcE9ZQK4y7oGIAKcO-9XuqONpUtgCLcB/s1600/12boc2016I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7L-b7qr5lY/WFfrQiRQRbI/AAAAAAAAGrw/E3pWhkcE9ZQK4y7oGIAKcO-9XuqONpUtgCLcB/s400/12boc2016I.jpg" width="376" /></span></a></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Notes from <a href="http://jackieos.com/" target="_blank">Jackie O's</a>:</span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Russian Imperial Stouts are one of brewmaster Brad Clark’s favorite styles of beer and Dark Apparition is without a doubt his favorite beer to brew. We stuff 2200 pounds of malt into our 20bbl mash tun and by the end of the mash, dark malts are spilling onto the brew house floor! Brad includes great flavors he admires in his favorite Russian Imperial Stouts like chocolate, coffee, roast, dark fruit, caramel, and some nice earthy/spicy hop character. With a midnight black color and chewy, dextrinous body, Dark Apparition is a huge beer with tons of character."</span></i></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">8. Oskar Blues Bourbon Barrel-Aged Java Ten Fidy</b></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What? First there is <a href="https://www.oskarblues.com/beer/tenfidy" target="_blank">Ten Fidy</a>, one of the best Imperial Stouts. Then there is Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy which takes this fantastic beer to a new level. Now there is Barrel-Aged JAVA Ten Fidy: BBA Ten Fidy with <a href="http://hotboxroasters.com/" target="_blank">Hotbox Coffee</a> addition. Happy freaking New Year to me. This should jump start my New Year's Day; will probably need that java...</span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKXEpsGObEI/WFfzbA1tabI/AAAAAAAAGsA/TK-xz2OsypgmdU2DlJ-3f8d_VdldUaUGgCLcB/s1600/12boc2016C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKXEpsGObEI/WFfzbA1tabI/AAAAAAAAGsA/TK-xz2OsypgmdU2DlJ-3f8d_VdldUaUGgCLcB/s400/12boc2016C.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">9. Boulevard Smokestack Series: Imperial Stout X - Tart Cherry 2015</b></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More cherries.Yes! Picked this one up during vacation at Pawley's Island, SC. It got past the <a href="https://twitter.com/HootenannyTN" target="_blank">Hootenanny</a> and now finds a spot on the Twelve Beers of Christmas. Another one to share with my wife.</span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpHTbD-2fEM/WFgDzhXpLRI/AAAAAAAAGsQ/sVVCJMy0hpkx3xGrx0Gb4_PdVPOuT6D8wCLcB/s1600/12boc2016G.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpHTbD-2fEM/WFgDzhXpLRI/AAAAAAAAGsQ/sVVCJMy0hpkx3xGrx0Gb4_PdVPOuT6D8wCLcB/s400/12boc2016G.png" width="245" /></span></a></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://boulevard.com/beers/about-our-beers/" target="_blank">Boulevard</a> says:</span></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_23" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Our special treat for lovers of big, complex stouts, the Imperial Stout "X" series offers a year-long roster of limited releases, each with a significant variation. This time out we spotlight the addition of tart cherries to fermentation as well as a lactic souring on the brewhouse. The result is a perfect marriage of robust, smoky maltiness and bracing tartness."</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>10. The Commons Unconquerable Sun </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Our 4th Anniversary Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels with apple brandy soaked hazelnuts."</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Big love for every Commons ale I have tried. This one was sent to me from my good friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMrxAi3A8eq/?taken-by=commonsbrewery&hl=en" target="_blank">El Travieso</a> who happens to work for</span><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www.commonsbrewery.com/" target="_blank">The Commons Brewery</a></span><span style="color: #444444;"> in Portland, OR. The Unconquerable Sun has been saved specifically for this occasion. Read the description again: <i>"aged in Bourbon barrels with apple brandy soaked hazelnuts." </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Giddy.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58GDbAv1_yY/WFgGfjMTJeI/AAAAAAAAGsc/RtPI4WSU3MIR96XPGG9v3ypY0CYNpvfUQCLcB/s1600/12boc2016B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58GDbAv1_yY/WFgGfjMTJeI/AAAAAAAAGsc/RtPI4WSU3MIR96XPGG9v3ypY0CYNpvfUQCLcB/s400/12boc2016B.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b>11. Wicked Weed Dark Art Rum Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with Brett</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://wickedweedbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Wicked Weed</a> has become one of the best breweries in the South, nay, the nation. Sours, experimental fruit beers, barrel aged monsters, IPA's, farmhouse ales, all delicious. Another great beer friend and local craft beer stalwart, <a href="https://untappd.com/user/nationalgamedepot" target="_blank">Jason</a>, brought this </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Brettanomyces fermented imperial stout aged in rum barrels</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> back for me after 2016's release. It was destined to be on this list. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ed0DwbCP80k/WFkvme7mAkI/AAAAAAAAGts/o-YsGTQ2AlABBr1ZsJjpXb6mWMJyOWWfwCLcB/s1600/12boc2016ww2016.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ed0DwbCP80k/WFkvme7mAkI/AAAAAAAAGts/o-YsGTQ2AlABBr1ZsJjpXb6mWMJyOWWfwCLcB/s400/12boc2016ww2016.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>12. Sierra Nevada Alpha Hops Society Islay Black Ale Aged in Single-Malt Scotch Whisky Barrels</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"<a href="http://www.islayinfo.com/" target="_blank">The island of Islay </a>(pronounced “EYE-lah”) is the southernmost part of
the Inner Hebrides archipelago off of Scotland’s west coast. It has
become a major center for the production of single-malt Scotch whisky,
and especially famous for the ultra-smoky, seafaring qualities of
several of the brands produced there.<br />
We got ahold of some (extremely wet) barrels formerly used to age one of
the island’s most popular whiskies, and aged a rich, inky, imperial
stout in them for about 8 months.<br />
Boy-oh-boy, if you like the peaty, smoky, saline Scotch whiskies, this is the beer for you.<br />
It has notes of wood smoke up-front that back-off into notes of rich
baker’s cocoa and espresso from the base beer, blended with the flavors
of earthy peat and some additional smoke on the finish. The richness and
sweetness of the beer make a great backbone for the spirit flavors to
carry through the palate. This would be the perfect match for a windy,
rainy night and a nice cigar (if you’re into that sort of thing.) This
is the beer that Brontë’s Heathcliff would drink (if he were not a
fictional character.)<br />
Sláinte."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqeaCX5oZVs/WFgQv79cfFI/AAAAAAAAGs8/vZJjWrDduFkSCdd7muSq0VYMaRKNfOQrwCLcB/s1600/12boc2016SN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqeaCX5oZVs/WFgQv79cfFI/AAAAAAAAGs8/vZJjWrDduFkSCdd7muSq0VYMaRKNfOQrwCLcB/s400/12boc2016SN.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bottle number 083/575, a</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">nd there were really only around 350 bottles according to Sierra Nevada. This one is not for the faint of heart: peat, Scotch, smoke, wood. Should be a fantastic companion to smoked meats. Yes, I believe it will be. Alpha indeed. A great way to finish the Twelve Beers of Christmas for 2016. </span>Sláinte<i>.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVj6zITdrFo/WFgaUd5YWaI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/NCZDual7rs8gvPqgeBwAPGgGFQmFvPDugCLcB/s1600/BeerChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVj6zITdrFo/WFgaUd5YWaI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/NCZDual7rs8gvPqgeBwAPGgGFQmFvPDugCLcB/s400/BeerChristmas.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twelve Beers of Christmas Past:</span></b></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u></u></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u><br /></u></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008</u></b><br />1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)<br />2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<br />3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel<br />4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale<br />5. Bison Winter Warmer<br />6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock<br />7. Delirium Tremens<br />8. New Glarus Apple Ale<br />9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)<br />10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)<br />11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout<br />12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)<br /><b><u><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009</u></b><br />1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale<br />2. Goose Island Christmas Ale<br />3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter<br />4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale<br />5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf<br />6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout<br />7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter<br />8. Rochefort Trappistes 6<br />9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale<br />10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<br />11. Cantillon Iris<br />12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead<br /><br /><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010</u></b><br />1. Spaten Optimator<br />2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine<br />3. Ass Kisser Double IPA<br />4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA<br />5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout<br />6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter<br />7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer<br />8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna<br />9. Maredsous 10<br />10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock<br />11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale<br />12. Victory Old Horizontal<br /><u><b><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011</b></u><br />1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter<br />2. Brew Kettle White Rajah<br />3. Brooklyn Black Ops<br />4. Capital Eternal Flame<br />5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew<br />6. Founders Backwoods Bastard<br />7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout<br />8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale<br />9. Odell Mountain Standard '09<br />10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale<br />11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang<br />12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012</span></span></b></u></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">1. De Ranke Pere Noel<br />2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale<br />4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings<br />5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA<br />6. N'Ice Chouffe<br />7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt<br />8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome<br />9. Pelican Bad Santa<br />10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper<br />11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout<br />12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2013.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2014.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2015.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015</a></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9eqEgjLONY/WFgerMR74aI/AAAAAAAAGtc/2tWYZKuaLjcMf_yrKcHlYMgksqlL4PsgACLcB/s1600/beersanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9eqEgjLONY/WFgerMR74aI/AAAAAAAAGtc/2tWYZKuaLjcMf_yrKcHlYMgksqlL4PsgACLcB/s400/beersanta.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-53388797243412676552015-12-19T16:05:00.000-05:002015-12-29T10:17:18.033-05:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The holiday season is upon us meaning that it is time for my annual Twelve Beers of Christmas for 2015. Every year since 2008 great beers have been carefully selected to be elevated to this very select list. Obtained through trades, gifts from friends, purchased when traveling, by whatever means necessary to make certain that by Christmas there are great brews I have not yet tasted, saved for this exclusive anticipated event. This year's selections are a mixture of barrel-aged, sour, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/dining/brettanomyces-a-funky-yeast-makes-flavorful-beers.html" target="_blank">Brettanomyces yeast</a></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">, and rare beers, highly coveted, saved for this occasion, including a couple of highly regarded Tennessee goodies to help give this dozen a local flavor.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here are my Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSfvGCxW1tQ/VoFJf-e5ihI/AAAAAAAAGjk/zmWkxITVFpY/s1600/12BEERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSfvGCxW1tQ/VoFJf-e5ihI/AAAAAAAAGjk/zmWkxITVFpY/s320/12BEERS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. St. Bernardus Abt 12 </span>Oak Aged</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">St. Bernardus Abbey <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ales are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">world class. For the past several years <a href="http://www.sintbernardus.be/stbernarduschristmasale.php?l=en" target="_blank">St. Bernardus Christmas Ale</a> has been paired with our family Christmas dinner, always stellar, always pleasing. W<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hen this oak aged <a href="http://www.brewerydb.com/style/60" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Belgian Quadrupel</span></a> was purchased, it immediately moved to the top of the Christmas dozen.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb5_y2F-Fxo/VoFLZQasSdI/AAAAAAAAGj4/DeIt5q85hic/s1600/StBERNARDUSOak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb5_y2F-Fxo/VoFLZQasSdI/AAAAAAAAGj4/DeIt5q85hic/s320/StBERNARDUSOak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the brewer:</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>"St.Bernardus Abt 12 Oak Aged is brewed with that same original recipe and then matured for 6 months in Oak Calvados barrels before it is bottle conditioned. This maturation on oak barrels gives the beer a deeper and richer taste." </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<b>2. Modern Times Universal Friend</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every beer I <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have</span> tried from San Diego's <a href="http://moderntimesbeer.com/beer/release-calendar" target="_blank">Modern Times</a> has been very good. This <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">grape<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-based sai<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">son</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was a birthday/<a href="https://twitter.com/HootenannyTN" target="_blank">Hootenanny</a> gift from Jason<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. I know it will not disappoint. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1C_2RlJtnYI/VnV45H9GUiI/AAAAAAAAGgk/C-rFXIQoKbQ/s1600/Modern-Times-Universal-Friend-Ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1C_2RlJtnYI/VnV45H9GUiI/AAAAAAAAGgk/C-rFXIQoKbQ/s320/Modern-Times-Universal-Friend-Ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brewer's description:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Universal Friend is a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sa<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ison ma<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">de with Pinot G<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rigio grape must. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This light and crisp ale imparts aromas of clove, grape, citrus, and a little sweetness that all carry into the flavor."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #504037; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Unknown Brewing 1.5ish</span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">"A<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>B</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">elgian Style Red Rye A</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">le aged and soured in French Oak Cabernet </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">barrels with strawberries and vanilla beans</span>.<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">" </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UruBSNdzS8/VnV44l4rf-I/AAAAAAAAGgU/AuRkdndtEjU/s1600/The-Unknown-Brewing-1.5-Anniversary-Beer-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UruBSNdzS8/VnV44l4rf-I/AAAAAAAAGgU/AuRkdndtEjU/s320/The-Unknown-Brewing-1.5-Anniversary-Beer-600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, please. This <a href="http://www.unknownbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Unknown Br</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.unknownbrewing.com/" target="_blank">ewing</a> ale is another <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">birthday</span>/<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hootenann<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y gift, this one from good friend <a href="https://untappd.com/user/pfoxyjohn" target="_blank">Pfoxy John</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> aka Beer Santa</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Looks like a lot going on with th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is beer<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">barrel-aged sour with straw<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">berries and vanil<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">la beans...<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Sounds like dessert.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica"; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Central Waters Kosmyk Charlie's Y2K Catastrophe Ale 2012</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There has to be <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ome </span></span>barleyw<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ines in the twelve. This one is another beer present from Pfoxy John, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Godfather of the Wisconsin Beer Mafia</span>. Guaranteed to warm one up on a cold winter's night. The only catastr<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ophe will be if<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> it accidentally spills.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMvoOyv_PN0/VnV43zGvUvI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/2XFXSPcK6Ww/s1600/1358651670-pict4142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMvoOyv_PN0/VnV43zGvUvI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/2XFXSPcK6Ww/s320/1358651670-pict4142.jpg" width="215" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://centralwaters.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Central</span> Waters</a> says:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"T</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>his Catastrophe is aged one year in our cellars, delightfully fr</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>uity and smooth enough to help you slide over the worst Y2K glitch.</i>" </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. AleSmith Barrel Aged Olde Ale 2014</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://alesmith.com/" target="_blank">A<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">l</span>eSmith Brewery</a> produces some of the best ales in America. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he Barrel-aged Olde Ale</span> makes the fifth di<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fferent offering f<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rom th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is fine brewery</span> that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">has been</span> in<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cluding <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the </span>annual </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">twelve. It is aged in bourbon <i>and</i> brandy barrels. Thank you Todd for another rare barrel-aged AleSmith.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wJTCNtqlzU/VnV5EcawceI/AAAAAAAAGg0/2RqjoTZE2Yg/s1600/20151212_140142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wJTCNtqlzU/VnV5EcawceI/AAAAAAAAGg0/2RqjoTZE2Yg/s320/20151212_140142.jpg" width="191" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"AleSmith Barrel Aged Olde Ale is m<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a</span>tured in both premium bourbon barrels and brandy barrels to add v</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>inaceous complexity to its rich, malty profile. Notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon comp</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>liment the beer's dried fruit and burnt toffee character to make thi</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>s limited release wo</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>rth the wait</i>."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcff; color: #141414; font-family: "tahoma" , "geneva" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 15.24px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. SweetWater The Pit & The Pendulum</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ha</span>ve said it many times before<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> -</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love peaches<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a</span>m a sucker for peach be<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ers. <a href="http://sweetwaterbrew.com/" target="_blank">SweetWater</a> be<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ers are usually <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on point. Southern, peaches, Brett, Belgian yeast,<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I am all for that. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTAuwS5ev8/VnV45rQR8iI/AAAAAAAAGgo/toMOgfxdy7o/s1600/sweetwater%2Bpendulum%2Blead%2B%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTAuwS5ev8/VnV45rQR8iI/AAAAAAAAGgo/toMOgfxdy7o/s320/sweetwater%2Bpendulum%2Blead%2B%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"The perfect balance of three distinct divergences. Allowed to initially flower with Belgian ale yeast, The Pit & The Pendulum was then incarcerated with Brett and freshly puréed peaches to intensify the trifecta of its persona."</span></i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Sierra Nevada Into The Woods Barrel-Aged Old Ale</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T</span>his <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">barrel-aged good<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y</span> was obtained during a recent trip to <a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/north-carolina/brewery-tour" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sierra</span> Nevada's immaculate M<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i</span>lls River, NC faci</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/north-carolina/brewery-tour" target="_blank">lity</a>.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As one of the top breweries in the United States, Sierra Nevada <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">brews some <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fantastic</span> beers. This one should be no exception. It should be big, boozy, strong and delicious. Definitely a sipper.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAL_WSTtLSU/VnVmcrFuHrI/AAAAAAAAGfI/1vDoR95wCAE/s1600/20151016_155256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAL_WSTtLSU/VnVmcrFuHrI/AAAAAAAAGfI/1vDoR95wCAE/s400/20151016_155256.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HxA13f7vkc/VnV5Zjw3gLI/AAAAAAAAGhM/WSX8qdTvigk/s1600/SNBAOA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HxA13f7vkc/VnV5Zjw3gLI/AAAAAAAAGhM/WSX8qdTvigk/s320/SNBAOA.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Yazoo Embrace The Funk Deux Rouges Cassis (Purple Wax)</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My-4FI0VRYo/VnW0jH1lsOI/AAAAAAAAGiA/jPCpFJxP6IM/s1600/IMG_20150913_170930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My-4FI0VRYo/VnW0jH1lsOI/AAAAAAAAGiA/jPCpFJxP6IM/s320/IMG_20150913_170930.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Embrace The Funk's Brandon Jones (l) an<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d myself at ETF Release.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/EmbraceTheFunk" target="_blank">Brandon Jones</a> is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">con</span>c<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">octing<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> some </span>amazing aw<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ard<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-</span>winn<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing elixirs at <a href="http://yazoobrew.com/beer/embrace-the-funk/" target="_blank">Yazoo Brewing</a> in Nashville. I am honored to have received several of these<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> outstanding brews from the Wrangler of Funk himself. Th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deux <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rouges Cassis was purchased at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an Embrace The Funk special release th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is past <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">September.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, there was <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hot chicken at the ev<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ent. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gB-3FijJ3GQ/VnV43wf336I/AAAAAAAAGgI/xHjN3pFCN-A/s1600/ETFDeuxRouges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gB-3FijJ3GQ/VnV43wf336I/AAAAAAAAGgI/xHjN3pFCN-A/s320/ETFDeuxRouges.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvw5_aVzLtY/VnW1180MU_I/AAAAAAAAGiM/eHHZgX1WV54/s1600/20150913_141416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvw5_aVzLtY/VnW1180MU_I/AAAAAAAAGiM/eHHZgX1WV54/s320/20150913_141416.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. Black Abbey Barrel-Aged Potus 3 (Batch B69 MCS JC)</span></b></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Potus 3 is a </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>C</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>olonial Farmhouse Ale from a recipe brewed at Monticello during Thomas Jefferson's time. </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The base saison conveys lots of pepper and spice with the barrel</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>ing imparting </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>a Sauvignon Blanc</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>-type grap</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>ey-ness wi</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>th some tart and a hint of salt."</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdzS2ATYR74/VnV4zax5uaI/AAAAAAAAGfg/YLP5daoM_4I/s1600/20151212_140213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdzS2ATYR74/VnV4zax5uaI/AAAAAAAAGfg/YLP5daoM_4I/s320/20151212_140213.jpg" width="219" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another standout Tennessee brew<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ery. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Drinking local means drinking fresh and putting tax dollars back <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">into</span> your area. That is good business. #Drink<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Local</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackAbbeyCarl" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Carl</span> Meier</a> at <a href="http://blackabbeybrewing.com/" target="_blank">The <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Black</span> Abbey</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://blackabbeybrewing.com/" target="_blank"> Brewing Company</a>, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span></span>he bat<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ch code is<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">B</span>69</b> is for <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">barrel t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">racking<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>MCS</b> is where the barrel came from, in this case <a href="https://twitter.com/McScrooges" target="_blank">McScrooge's i</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/McScrooges" target="_blank">n </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/McScrooges" target="_blank">Knoxville</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>JC</b> is for the type of barrel<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with the code indicat<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing "<b>J</b>" for Jefferson, "<b>C</b>" for Cabernet<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, with the barrel being a Cabernet barrel th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at</span> also held <a href="http://jeffersonsbourbon.com/" target="_blank">Jefferson's Reserve <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">B<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ourbon</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">thu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s keeping with the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/thomasjefferson" target="_blank"><b>Potus 3</b></a> theme.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. The Bruery Tart of Darkness 2013</span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">west coast offering f<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rom another stellar brew<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ery. Sour<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">porters and stouts are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">among</span> my favorite styles. <a href="http://www.thebruery.com/" target="_blank">The Bruery</a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">has mastered sour and funky ales. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2013 cellared <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">selection </span>should be outstanding<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">; <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">been holding to this one <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">since it was released.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBJltbwBKeY/VnV430JoQ_I/AAAAAAAAGgE/1-Xi2kfwPVw/s1600/Bruery-Tart-of-Darkness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBJltbwBKeY/VnV430JoQ_I/AAAAAAAAGgE/1-Xi2kfwPVw/s320/Bruery-Tart-of-Darkness.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We brewed a stout but we then decided to throw it into oak barrels...and added our special blend of souring bacterias and yeasts. The result is a perfectly tart yet awesomely dark and roasty sour stout. Not a style you see too often - and in our opinion, not a style you see often enough."</span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. Dominion Millennium Oak Aged Barley-Wine</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">B</span>arleywine<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> number <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">two</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on</span> the list. This <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/dominion-millennium/7874/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dominion</span> </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/dominion-millennium/7874/" target="_blank">ale</a> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">w</span>as gifted <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by</span><a href="https://untappd.com/user/FoamFan" target="_blank"> DC Dave aka Foam Fan</a>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Barleywines are usually better if aged for at least a year before enjoy<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing them. That usually mellows the beast <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a b<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. This one is a couple o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f y<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ears old. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WSooaY-nqTk/VnWE3E1vWRI/AAAAAAAAGho/BLm9dfPdLMM/s1600/20151212_140226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WSooaY-nqTk/VnWE3E1vWRI/AAAAAAAAGho/BLm9dfPdLMM/s320/20151212_140226.jpg" width="218" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"We have just solved a brewery mystery (and it is delicious). We wondered what would happen if we put Dominion Millennium in oak barrels that had bourbon in them for five years. Three months later we had Oak Barrel Millennium. Something special, we think. Ruby-red color with a wide range of complex flavors. Malt and sherry predominate."</span></span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12. Wicked Weed Dark Arts Tequila Barrel-Aged Imperial Stou<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span> w/Brett and Espresso</span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://wickedweedbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Wicked We</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://wickedweedbrewing.com/" target="_blank">ed</a> in Ashev<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ille, N<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">C is one of the stars of the brewing South. Fantastic funky beers, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a sourheads paradise, and a great <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">place to eat<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, it is a must-visit on any proper trip to Asheville. Good friend <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://untappd.com/user/nationalgamedepot" target="_blank">Jason</a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">procured</span> this bea<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">uty <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for me. Love the brewery, love the label artwork, love the beers.This one should be huge. Thanks Jason!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hIGXOOg1O4U/VnWFAOrD2TI/AAAAAAAAGhw/ljcBZUlHaUg/s1600/wicked-weed-dark-arts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hIGXOOg1O4U/VnWFAOrD2TI/AAAAAAAAGhw/ljcBZUlHaUg/s320/wicked-weed-dark-arts.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"</span>This beer was brewed with brown sugar, agave, and honey., fermented using our house Brettanomyces culture. Dark Arts is ever the fulfillment of a goal we set for ourselves in the beginning: to not only strive for the cap, but to also craft a culmination beer, reflective of our love of all beer styles. Cheers to another year of reveling in the Darkness."</span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_JajdbI_aE/VnW_yQrt64I/AAAAAAAAGio/uOhUELwIGZ8/s1600/xmasbeer-large_trans%252B%252Beo_i_u9APj8RuoebjoAHt0k9u7HhRJvuo-ZLenGRumA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_JajdbI_aE/VnW_yQrt64I/AAAAAAAAGio/uOhUELwIGZ8/s320/xmasbeer-large_trans%252B%252Beo_i_u9APj8RuoebjoAHt0k9u7HhRJvuo-ZLenGRumA.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is to good <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">friends, great beers, and<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> enjoying family during the holiday season<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>. </i>Thank you to everyone <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">who</span> helped me <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">compile this <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">list</span>.</span><i> </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy your own Twelve Beers of Christmas.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Merry Christmas and Happy <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holidays</span>!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8V44S7nxIM/VoFJ8sBpOJI/AAAAAAAAGjs/L3Xs45W5csc/s1600/shutterstock_167716049_Xmas-beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8V44S7nxIM/VoFJ8sBpOJI/AAAAAAAAGjs/L3Xs45W5csc/s320/shutterstock_167716049_Xmas-beer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRFoO_0fT_M/VnW_z77XmKI/AAAAAAAAGis/HIO473aRmH8/s1600/beer-bottle-sweaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRFoO_0fT_M/VnW_z77XmKI/AAAAAAAAGis/HIO473aRmH8/s320/beer-bottle-sweaters.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twelve Beers of Christmas Past:</span></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u><br /></u></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008</u></b><br />1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)<br />2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<br />3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel<br />4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale<br />5. Bison Winter Warmer<br />6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock<br />7. Delirium Tremens<br />8. New Glarus Apple Ale<br />9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)<br />10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)<br />11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout<br />12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)<br /><b><u><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009</u></b><br />1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale<br />2. Goose Island Christmas Ale<br />3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter<br />4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale<br />5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf<br />6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout<br />7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter<br />8. Rochefort Trappistes 6<br />9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale<br />10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<br />11. Cantillon Iris<br />12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead<br /><br /><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010</u></b><br />1. Spaten Optimator<br />2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine<br />3. Ass Kisser Double IPA<br />4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA<br />5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout<br />6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter<br />7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer<br />8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna<br />9. Maredsous 10<br />10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock<br />11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale<br />12. Victory Old Horizontal<br /><u><b><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011</b></u><br />1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter<br />2. Brew Kettle White Rajah<br />3. Brooklyn Black Ops<br />4. Capital Eternal Flame<br />5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew<br />6. Founders Backwoods Bastard<br />7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout<br />8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale<br />9. Odell Mountain Standard '09<br />10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale<br />11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang<br />12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012</span></span></b></u></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">1. De Ranke Pere Noel<br />2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale <br />4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings <br />5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA <br />6. N'Ice Chouffe<br />7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt <br />8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome<br />9. Pelican Bad Santa<br />10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper <br />11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout <br />12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2013.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013</span></span></span></span></b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2014.html" target="_blank">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014</a> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
</div>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-46032600012536887862015-02-10T17:24:00.001-05:002021-10-27T21:57:06.720-04:00A Dozen Delectable Valentine's Beers<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Ever the romantic and passionate craft beer lover, Valentine's Day is the perfect platform to theme seductive elixirs with affectionate intentions. Paired with a romantic dinner, or as an a</span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st">péritif</span> or digestif, or just with a sexy dessert, these dozen delicious offerings can entice your partner with luscious and tempting bouquets and flavors. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3tPeRAY1aQ/VNqB4Ic8CAI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/IZngON0qRxY/s1600/Roses-in-beer-bootles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3tPeRAY1aQ/VNqB4Ic8CAI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/IZngON0qRxY/s1600/Roses-in-beer-bootles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>St. Bernardus Abt 12</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="bqQuoteLink">How
did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that
birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn
whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the
hill? A kiss, and all was said.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="bqQuoteLink">- Victor Hugo </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Dark with a full, ivory-colored head. Aromas of bananas, dates, raisins, sweet malts, brown sugar and
alcohol. Taste is extremely smooth with a sweet base of ripe fruits -
bananas, dates - and candi sugar with malts and a complex fruitiness and
finish. Very smooth and very good. Regarded as one of the best beers in the world. Even the monk is smiling.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z_e8O-rzzI/VNpkWtT858I/AAAAAAAAGWU/gD-JChwWDdc/s1600/abt12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z_e8O-rzzI/VNpkWtT858I/AAAAAAAAGWU/gD-JChwWDdc/s1600/abt12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dieu du Ciel Aphrodisiaque </span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st"><i>J'aurais toujours faim de toi.</i></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st"><i>- The Police </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="desbeer">This black ale imparts aromas and flavors of vanilla,
dark chocolate, bourbon and roasted malt. The vanilla and cocoa marry
nicely, without out-competing each other, to produce a surprisingly well
balanced beer. Aphrodisiac? Absolutely. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxY-sV3vNAY/VNpkReNKZ_I/AAAAAAAAGV0/h508LdFHD38/s1600/Aphrodisiaque-Dieu-du-Ciel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxY-sV3vNAY/VNpkReNKZ_I/AAAAAAAAGV0/h508LdFHD38/s1600/Aphrodisiaque-Dieu-du-Ciel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Bruery Tart of Darkness</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.</span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">- Mae West </span></i><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Tart of Darkness is a stout aged in used oak barrels with a blend of souring bacterias and wild yeasts. The result is a perfectly tart yet
awesomely dark and roasty sour stout. This unique
stout has notes of tart plums, roasted coffee, vanilla and oak and pairs perfectly with dark chocolates. Pucker up, baby.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcPn9pyqDPM/VNpkSrXWsZI/AAAAAAAAGWE/K3_7i-8ukVA/s1600/Bruery-Tart-of-Darkness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcPn9pyqDPM/VNpkSrXWsZI/AAAAAAAAGWE/K3_7i-8ukVA/s1600/Bruery-Tart-of-Darkness.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Yazoo SUE</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">My name is SUE, how do you do?</span></span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">- Johnny Cash </span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">The South is famous for smoking everything – so why not beer? </span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Sweet and slightly smoked malts, smoked cherry wood, a bit of burnt
brown sugar, toffee, bittersweet chocolate and java in the aromas. The flavors offer a nice initial sweet-slightly
smokiness, hint of smoked cherry, then a bit of cocoa and java followed
by a decent hops presence. Get your smoking hot date a brew to match.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4ttqe4NOtw/VNpkUSph0jI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/kPw4MPSoIgM/s1600/YazooSUE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4ttqe4NOtw/VNpkUSph0jI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/kPw4MPSoIgM/s1600/YazooSUE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Burnside Sweet Heat</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The raging fire which urged us on was scorching us; it would have burned us had we tried to restrain it. </span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">- Giacomo Casanova</span></i><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Light golden amber color, with apricots and
Scotch Bonnet pepper aromas, nice sweet fruits, more peppers, little noticeable
hops. Palate of light heat and apricots and baked peaches,
then the heat is more intense as it lingers creating a nice slow
Jamaican Jerk burn. Fantastic beer if you like a bit of heat. Would
pair nicely with Jamaican or Thai foods. Mmm spicy...</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miTmI6E7ZVw/VNpklEx7UTI/AAAAAAAAGWc/4PmBvrc6neI/s1600/burnside2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miTmI6E7ZVw/VNpklEx7UTI/AAAAAAAAGWc/4PmBvrc6neI/s1600/burnside2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>AleSmith My Bloody Valentine</b></span><br />
<br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The sweetest joy, the wildest woe is love.</span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">- Pearl Bailey </span></i><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate">Released
shortly before Valentine’s Day, My Bloody Valentine is a caramel-sweet malt red ale which is delicately balanced with floral American hop varieties for a truly
unique drinking sensation. A deep mahogany red color and a big, aromatic
hop profile are the signatures of this seasonal ale. Big and Red and dangerous.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4cC3tgtVx6w/VNpkPzdo_HI/AAAAAAAAGVo/0n2mB24KpJs/s1600/AleSmithMyBloodyValentine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4cC3tgtVx6w/VNpkPzdo_HI/AAAAAAAAGVo/0n2mB24KpJs/s1600/AleSmithMyBloodyValentine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Bell's Hopslam</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">She found me roots of relish sweet, And honey wild, and
manna dew; </span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And sure in
language strange she said, 'I love thee true.' </span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">- John Keats </span></i><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopslam pours a beautiful light honey amber color with a thin white head and big drapes
of lacing. HUGE hops aromas of peaches, mangoes, grapefruits, then a
though of pine, followed by more candied fruit and malts, sweet
floral - honeysuckle and slight honey. Taste is intensely hoppy
albeit sweet with the ultra aforementioned mango/grapefruit/peach flavor
rolling across your taste buds with a wonderful zing and zestfulness,
almost tingling and jolting the senses. Bitter then offset by the
fruity and sweet maltiness. Honey indeed! - only to tame the massive hops presence.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENo2eOMxiqs/VNpkS55uldI/AAAAAAAAGWI/1kh42-_nIWs/s1600/Hopslam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENo2eOMxiqs/VNpkS55uldI/AAAAAAAAGWI/1kh42-_nIWs/s1600/Hopslam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Southern Tier Choklat</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="bqQuoteLink">All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. </span></span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="bqQuoteLink">- </span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="bqQuoteLink">Charles M. Schulz</span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="bqQuoteLink"><br /></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Choklat pours heavy black with an extremely tight near perfect tan head, massive
lacing left on your glass after every sip. Chocolate aroma. Chocolate aroma. Chocolate aroma. Taste and
aroma are of Dark chocolates, Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, Belgian
chocolate, Godiva chocolate liqueur, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs,
semi-sweet chocolate, Lindt chocolate, Mayan chocolate. Maybe a little
java, but definitely chocolate... and roasted malts. Then there is a bit
of chocolate in the end. Choklat. Yes it is. Willie Wonka
had something to do with this beer I'm certain. I never thought I'd hear anyone say, "That's almost too much chocolate!" </span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">But it's not. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsNT7X0h1X0/VNpkR3X0qII/AAAAAAAAGVw/ycnzTHAbij0/s1600/2eat2drinl-choklat-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsNT7X0h1X0/VNpkR3X0qII/AAAAAAAAGVw/ycnzTHAbij0/s1600/2eat2drinl-choklat-p.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Dogfish Head Theobroma</b></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Love is like swallowing hot dark chocolate. At first it takes you by surprise, but keeps you warm for a long time.</span></i></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>- Anonymous</i> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate">This
beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in
Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink
used by early civilization to toast special occasions. the discovery of
this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human
consumption more than 500 years to 1200 BC. As per the analysis,
Dogfish head’s Theobroma (food of the gods) is brewed with Aztec cocoa
powder and cocoa nibs, honey, chilies, and annatto. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">There it is again - honey. This time with chocolate. It's gotta work.</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWEgzfq9XOo/VNpmaELVz6I/AAAAAAAAGW4/4kNogCAbPH8/s1600/theobroma.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWEgzfq9XOo/VNpmaELVz6I/AAAAAAAAGW4/4kNogCAbPH8/s1600/theobroma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Theobroma is a celebration of chocolate, the food of the gods.</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">This <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.dogfish.com/ancientales" target="_self">Ancient Ale</a>
is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras
that revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early
civilizations to toast special occasions.</span></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa
for human consumption more than 500 years to 1,200 B.C. As per the
analysis, Dogfish Head's Theobroma (translated into "food of the gods")
is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.askinosie.com/" target="_blank">Askinosie Chocolate</a>), honey, chilies and annatto (fragrant tree seeds).</span></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">It's light in color, not what you expect from your typical chocolate
beer (not that you'd be surprised that we'd do something unexpected with
this beer!).</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"> - See more at: http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occassional-rarities/theobroma.htm#sthash.kUxmWvja.dpuf</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New Glarus Raspberry Tart</b></span></span><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">My voice is raspy like raspberries. Can you taste what I’m saying?</span></span></i><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>- Jarod Kintz </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Treat yourself to a rare delight. The voluminous raspberry bouquet will
greet you long before your lips touch your glass. Serve this Wisconsin
framboise very cold in a champagne flute. Then hold your glass to a
light and enjoy the jewel-like sparkle of a very special ale. </span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Dessert before or after? </span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2bjy89vr9o/VNpklU3kTdI/AAAAAAAAGWk/f-r2JusPHbQ/s1600/newglaruslambics080312n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2bjy89vr9o/VNpklU3kTdI/AAAAAAAAGWk/f-r2JusPHbQ/s1600/newglaruslambics080312n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></i>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Foothills Sexual Chocolate</b></span><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">After eating chocolate you feel godlike, as though you can conquer enemies, lead armies, entice lovers.</span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">- Emily Luchetti</span></i><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">A cocoa infused Imperial Stout. Opaque black in color with a dark brown
head. Big chocolate aroma with notes of espresso, blackstrap molasses,
dark sweet toffee and dark fruit. Smooth dark chocolate backbone with
complex notes of coffee, dark toffee and dark fruit. The name says it all.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpEnncbgDRY/VNpklZoIezI/AAAAAAAAGWs/36CLzWeXP-Q/s1600/1329795917_1317c497c4_m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpEnncbgDRY/VNpklZoIezI/AAAAAAAAGWs/36CLzWeXP-Q/s1600/1329795917_1317c497c4_m.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st"><br /></span></span></i>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st" face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>SweetWater Happy Ending</b></span></span><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st">If you want a <i>happy ending</i>, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span class="st">- Orson Welles</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">SweetWater's
Happy Ending is an award-winning Imperial Stout that offers a robust blanket
of roast, chocolate, coffee, plums and raisins that will sink into your
taste buds. An explosive burst of citrus hops complement the warm rich
flavors and will send you over the top, because we all want a Happy Ending, don't we?</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwz3cgx-ULc/VNpm-F4pbqI/AAAAAAAAGXA/YZR-0ctjTc4/s1600/sweetwater-happy-ending.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwz3cgx-ULc/VNpm-F4pbqI/AAAAAAAAGXA/YZR-0ctjTc4/s1600/sweetwater-happy-ending.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope these help the cause. Did I miss any? What are your favorites? </span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Valentine's Day y'all. </span></span></i><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmcRUi-Iotc/VNqDlvgl1AI/AAAAAAAAGXc/MKz-8Uw3Iqs/s1600/ambrosius1.msc.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmcRUi-Iotc/VNqDlvgl1AI/AAAAAAAAGXc/MKz-8Uw3Iqs/s1600/ambrosius1.msc.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-53981635374627185552014-12-22T17:36:00.003-05:002015-12-15T09:12:57.182-05:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"></span></span></span></span></div>
<h1 class="entry-title">
</h1>
<div class="entry-title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My "<b>Twelve Beers of Christmas</b>" started in 2008 and has become an annual holiday tradition. Throughout each year, many beers are acquired and after deliberation and culling, the final worthy dozen are chosen. The main requirements to be on the list are to be: 1) a beer that I have not tried before; 2) a highly coveted or rare beer, and; 3) a beer style that I enjoy. The<a href="http://www.cresourcei.org/cy12days.html"> traditional Twelve Days of Christmas</a> are followed, with the first beer being tasted on Christmas day, the second on December 26, and one every day through January 5th up to the Epiphany. Now, in order of appearance, let me introduce my twelve Beers of Christmas 2014:</span></span></span></div>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <b>1. Affligem Noël Christmas Ale</b></span></b> </span></span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate">I love Belgian Abbey Ales. I plan on </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">thoroughly</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"> enjoying this one; it is pairing with our Christmas dinner. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">From the brewer: </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"For
the season we offer you our best wishes and especially delicious Ale.
Rich and dark like our Dubbel. Sumptuous and smooth like our Tripel.
Enjoy." </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"><br /><i> </i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJIPS9AbABk/VJgpKPOYKyI/AAAAAAAAGT4/BpHTPvgqPAM/s1600/1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJIPS9AbABk/VJgpKPOYKyI/AAAAAAAAGT4/BpHTPvgqPAM/s1600/1b.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. The Commons Fleur De Blanc</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Commons Brewery Fleur de Blanc is a <i>"seasonal
farmhouse ale finished with elderflowers, rose hips and rose petals."</i> Well-crafted saisons are such a pleasure to drink. <a href="http://www.commonsbrewery.com/" target="_blank">The Commons Brewery</a> is producing some phenomenal Belgian style ales. This one should be no exception.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MM_3tZINZiQ/VJgkyg0KhjI/AAAAAAAAGSs/GQO_erFLoDQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MM_3tZINZiQ/VJgkyg0KhjI/AAAAAAAAGSs/GQO_erFLoDQ/s1600/2.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Westbrook Dark Helmet</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://westbrookbrewing.com/beer/" target="_blank">Westbrook Brewing</a> is making some really tasty beers in some very interesting styles. Dark Helmet is a <i>"German-style black lager (or Schwarzbier) brewed with
10% malted rye, chocolate and Carafa malts."</i> <i> </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"May the Schwarz be with you!" </i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFHWQlEiyPI/VJgk42oQnmI/AAAAAAAAGS8/BCIQ-8U7QEg/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFHWQlEiyPI/VJgk42oQnmI/AAAAAAAAGS8/BCIQ-8U7QEg/s1600/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Base Camp S'more Stout</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had the pleasure of visiting Base Camp Brewing on <a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/02/beer-love-pdx-style.html" target="_blank">my beer trip to Portland</a>. I did not try the S'more Stout on that trip and have regretted it since. From <a href="http://basecampbrewingco.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Base Camp</a>: <i> </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The S’more Stout is an absolute all-star: Aromas of chocolate, coffee,
fig, and smoke invite you in to a gigantic maltiness that is distinct in
its smooth and refined character, with flavors of chocolate and hints
of smoke mingling with rich caramel, fruit, and warming alcohol. Top
with a roasted marshmallow and you have the ultimate S’more experience!"</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm definitely adding a marshmallow to mine. My wife may steal this beer. I'll share though. Dessert anyone?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfhmKysNrMs/VJgk2DdnXXI/AAAAAAAAGS0/UD5_7wa3BrU/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfhmKysNrMs/VJgk2DdnXXI/AAAAAAAAGS0/UD5_7wa3BrU/s1600/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Highland 20th Anniversary Scotch Ale</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scotch ales are a favorite style of mine and Highland is one of my most-liked breweries. This Scotch ale will be a delicious way to celebrate the holidays while honoring my Scots-Irish ancestry and Oscar Wong's <a href="http://www.highlandbrewing.com/about-us" target="_blank">Highland Brewing Company</a>. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Their offerings were some of the first craft beers that I tried on my craft beer journey. Cheers to twenty years! </span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Rich caramel and roasted notes blend with a subtle hop nose to create
an ale suited for the finest occasions. Medium-bodied, it has a
brown-red hue from a Caramel malt and roasted barley. It is brewed with
the finest traditional Scottish malts and English Fuggle hops. A late
addition of Sterling hops imparts a slightly spicy nose, ever so subtle."</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0TBJb6erlyc/VJgk-mgwOAI/AAAAAAAAGTI/URRVKZ8h2uQ/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0TBJb6erlyc/VJgk-mgwOAI/AAAAAAAAGTI/URRVKZ8h2uQ/s1600/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Goose Island The Muddy Imperial Stout</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This had to be on the list: a Blues-inspired Imperial Stout? Are you kidding me? This is right up my alley - a tribute to the greatest Bluesman ever. I will be listening to my <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-chess-box-19900125" target="_blank">Muddy Waters</a> box set when I enjoy this one. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/d3atlanta" target="_blank">Seamus</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Brewed with molasses, brewer’s licorice, and Belgian dark rock candi
sugar, The Muddy is an imperial stout with amplified sweetness for a
taste as distinctive as the Chicago blues that inspired its creation."</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkIMy8Y6z70/VJgk_Txru5I/AAAAAAAAGTU/vinjmiiGSTI/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkIMy8Y6z70/VJgk_Txru5I/AAAAAAAAGTU/vinjmiiGSTI/s1600/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Logsdon Seizoen Bretta</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another sasion to appreciate, this one from <a href="http://www.farmhousebeer.com/our-beers.html" target="_blank">Logsdon Farmhouse Ales</a> in Oregon, and it brought </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brettanomyces with it. It's going to be a New Years' Eve party on my tastebuds!<i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This unfiltered sasion is <i>"naturally refermented and carbonated with
select yeast strains, producing fruity and spicy flavors that are
balanced by hops and soft malt character. Special Brettanomyces yeast
provides added dryness and crisp complexity to the Seizoen Bretta.
Bottle conditioned with pear juice for a natural carbonation."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNmKN_9OLhg/VJglAO9T2KI/AAAAAAAAGTc/LZPCR1AO2x8/s1600/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNmKN_9OLhg/VJglAO9T2KI/AAAAAAAAGTc/LZPCR1AO2x8/s1600/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Harviestoun Ola Dubh 16</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(pronounced ‘ola-doo’ and Gaelic for ‘black oil’)</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq/checkin/72763954" target="_blank">"Tasty tasty motor oil.</a>"</i> That's how I've described the <a href="http://harviestoun.com/our-beers/ola-dubh-12" target="_blank">Ola Dubh</a> ales from Harviestoun Brewery in Scotland. It is an Old Ale aged in oak casks formerly used to mature Highland Park 16 Year Old
Single Malt Whisky. This one has been on my wish list for some time. </span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Ola Dubh 16 takes on distinct whisky
notes, perfectly complementing its roasty, toasty bitterness. There’s plenty to enjoy on the nose which is a classy blend of whisky,
sweet roasted malts, earthy woodland and vanilla. The flavour is rich;
loaded with sweet-roasted dark malts and coffee. And just at the finish
there’s nice, smoky peat hints." </span></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50AuJDh-gLk/VJglAZGGMhI/AAAAAAAAGTg/HjC0VY6pi18/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50AuJDh-gLk/VJglAZGGMhI/AAAAAAAAGTg/HjC0VY6pi18/s1600/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="desbeer"><b>9. Dieu du Ciel Rigor Mortis Abt</b> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="desbeer"> <a href="http://micro.dieuduciel.com/en/beers.php" target="_blank">Dieu du Ciel</a> in Montreal brews some fantastic world-class beers. If you find anything from this brewery, buy it and savor it. The brewery describes this Belgian-style Quadruple ale as a<i> "strong brown ale inspired by the beer brewed by
Belgian Trappist monks. Very little bitterness, this beer has intense
malty and sweet flavours, mixed with the taste of chocolate and caramel.
It presents complex red fruit and spice flavours due to the type of
yeast that is used during the brewing process. This beer is at its best
only after it has aged for six months."</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUqkXHVaVH4/VJglSDzt6RI/AAAAAAAAGTs/_CPoD808Rcw/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUqkXHVaVH4/VJglSDzt6RI/AAAAAAAAGTs/_CPoD808Rcw/s1600/9.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">10. North Coast Old Stock Ale 2011</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This one came to me in a beer trade in 2011 from a California <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/" target="_blank">BeerPal</a>, <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/members/memberinfo.asp?UID=4531" target="_blank">jlozier</a>. Yes, 2011. It had a note attached. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShiwghjpOq0/VJibhET9oNI/AAAAAAAAGU4/JBhlAYf_A5w/s1600/oldstock2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShiwghjpOq0/VJibhET9oNI/AAAAAAAAGU4/JBhlAYf_A5w/s1600/oldstock2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Like a fine port, Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an
original gravity of over 1.100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock
Ale is well-designed to round out and mellow with age. It's brewed with
classic Maris Otter malt and Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops, all imported from England."</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">11. Wicked Weed Dark Arts Bourbon-Barrel Aged Wild Imperial Stout</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.wickedweedbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Wicked Weed</a> is wicked hot right now. The newer kid on the block is also the Einstein of Asheville - genius! This very hard-to-get beer came into my hands from my good friend <a href="https://untappd.com/user/nationalgamedepot" target="_blank">Jason</a>. Dark Arts is an </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">American wild, bourbon barrel aged, imperial stout. It is brewed right up to the North Carolina alcohol cap of 15% abv. Head of Wicked Weed Brewing Operations, <a href="https://twitter.com/Wicked_Walt" target="_blank">Walt Dickinson</a>, uses Brettanomyces yeast to reduce sweetness and dry
out the beer. Dark Arts was brewed in October 2013, and racked to bourbon barrels for almost a year. What's not to like?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esVWLct8_CE/VJgknZgg9UI/AAAAAAAAGSU/dvgF1MBVlEU/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esVWLct8_CE/VJgknZgg9UI/AAAAAAAAGSU/dvgF1MBVlEU/s1600/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">12. AleSmith Barrel-Aged Old Numbskull </span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Barrel-Aged version of </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://alesmith.com/beers/barrel-aged-old-numbskull/" target="_blank">Old Numbskull</a>, </span>an</span> American Barleywine Ale, is "<i>matured in
premium bourbon barrels for up to one year to develop its rich and
intense flavor profile. The result is an amazingly complex beer that
balances the caramel and toasted malt character of the with notes of vanilla, oak, and bourbon from the barrel aged process." </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It has been on my wish list for a very long time. It will be sipped ever-so-slowly to fully enjoy its wonderfulness. I better share this one... </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UXxyz44EYJk/VJhBtrLefqI/AAAAAAAAGUI/hSNbBNsmaVA/s1600/Alesmith-BA-Old-Numbskull.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UXxyz44EYJk/VJhBtrLefqI/AAAAAAAAGUI/hSNbBNsmaVA/s1600/Alesmith-BA-Old-Numbskull.png" width="306" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There it is, my Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014. I will also so check in to each of these beers on <a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Untappd</a>. I hope you enjoy your holiday beers. Be sure to share yours with friends and family. I could not enjoy these beers without the help from very good friends and the patience and understanding of my beautiful wife. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays! </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="st"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="st">Sláinte!</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdwJqzT3rEg/VJraLtArI-I/AAAAAAAAGVI/fuNbhIFGmpk/s1600/IMG_7587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdwJqzT3rEg/VJraLtArI-I/AAAAAAAAGVI/fuNbhIFGmpk/s1600/IMG_7587.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtSIcd-tHtY/VJh6El6p3VI/AAAAAAAAGUc/xfceweYbiek/s1600/Christmas-beer-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtSIcd-tHtY/VJh6El6p3VI/AAAAAAAAGUc/xfceweYbiek/s1600/Christmas-beer-007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twelve Beers of Christmas Past:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><br /></u></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008</u></b><br />1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)<br />2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<br />3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel<br />4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale<br />5. Bison Winter Warmer<br />6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock<br />7. Delirium Tremens<br />8. New Glarus Apple Ale<br />9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)<br />10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)<br />11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout<br />12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)<br /><b><u><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009</u></b><br />1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale<br />2. Goose Island Christmas Ale<br />3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter<br />4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale<br />5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf<br />6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout<br />7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter<br />8. Rochefort Trappistes 6<br />9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale<br />10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<br />11. Cantillon Iris<br />12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead<br /><br /><b><u>Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010</u></b><br />1. Spaten Optimator<br />2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine<br />3. Ass Kisser Double IPA<br />4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA<br />5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout<br />6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter<br />7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer<br />8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna<br />9. Maredsous 10<br />10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock<br />11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale<br />12. Victory Old Horizontal<br /><u><b><br />Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011</b></u><br />1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter<br />2. Brew Kettle White Rajah<br />3. Brooklyn Black Ops<br />4. Capital Eternal Flame<br />5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew<br />6. Founders Backwoods Bastard<br />7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout<br />8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale<br />9. Odell Mountain Standard '09<br />10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale<br />11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang<br />12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012</span></span></span></b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">1. De Ranke Pere Noel<br />2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale <br />4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings <br />5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA <br />6. N'Ice Chouffe<br />7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt <br />8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome<br />9. Pelican Bad Santa<br />10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper <br />11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout <br />12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><a href="http://bluesandbarbq.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-beers-of-christmas-2013.html" target="_blank">The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013 </a></span></span></span></span></span></span>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-43158542723852173352014-11-26T12:15:00.001-05:002017-11-21T17:39:10.115-05:00A Thanksgiving Six-pack<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>(Note: updated November 2017)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thanksgiving</b> comes with tasty roasted turkeys, savory smoked hams, earthy and spicy side dishes, and all of those scrumptious desserts. Family and friends, good conversations, lively debates, giving thanks for the all that we have: these are the things we all look forward to every year at this time. The meal though, that is the centerpiece of the celebration. Our family Thanksgiving meal usually leans toward traditional dishes. Besides some standard wines, what <b>craft beers</b> would pair with each course of the meal? Here are my favorite styles and suggestions for each part of your Thanksgiving dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjlLL7DosLY/VHX7US1MKiI/AAAAAAAAGRo/6eqlUmBveUo/s1600/thanksgiving-beer-and-wine-pairing-guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjlLL7DosLY/VHX7US1MKiI/AAAAAAAAGRo/6eqlUmBveUo/s1600/thanksgiving-beer-and-wine-pairing-guide.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Try a <b>Saison</b> with hors d'oeurvres, salad and the poultry. This beer style pairs with almost anything so it's hard to go wrong with any good saison. A very good choice is <a href="http://thetriangle.org/entertainment/ommegangs-hennepin-saison-is-spicy-complex/" target="_blank">Ommegang Hennepin</a> or <a href="https://untappd.com/b/blackberry-farm-brewery-classic-saison/387221" target="_blank">Blackberry Farm's Classic Saison</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RO7W4ZfijoE/VHX6nbH-WYI/AAAAAAAAGQY/A9_34X4l7Pk/s1600/hennepin-glass_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RO7W4ZfijoE/VHX6nbH-WYI/AAAAAAAAGQY/A9_34X4l7Pk/s1600/hennepin-glass_1280.png" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/ourbeers/beer/cran-bic" target="_blank">New Glarus Cran-Bic</a></b> will be served during our meal specifically to pair with turkey, any cheeses, and the cranberry sauce. Perfect pairing indeed. A good <b>lambic</b> always complements a big meal; acidic and tart play well with Thanksgiving foods. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daZmaeGSplc/VHX7S7XQ6WI/AAAAAAAAGRs/BE47eYN4wEE/s1600/New-Glarus-Brewing-Company-Cran-bic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daZmaeGSplc/VHX7S7XQ6WI/AAAAAAAAGRs/BE47eYN4wEE/s1600/New-Glarus-Brewing-Company-Cran-bic.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Orval</b> also pairs superbly with poultry and ham. This Belgian <a href="http://www.orval.be/en/117/How-to-serve-Orval" target="_blank">Trappist Ale</a> lends a spicy and strong palette to offset and complement the smoky ham and the herb-brined poultry. It also happens to be one of the best beers on the world. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Locally a great substitute for Orval is </span><a href="https://untappd.com/b/alliance-brewing-company-belgo-3-0/1885579" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Alliance Brewing Company's Belgo 3.0.</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NB2CzqxjP3A/VHX7TD4bg2I/AAAAAAAAGRI/yASftpyezH8/s1600/orval-trappist-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NB2CzqxjP3A/VHX7TD4bg2I/AAAAAAAAGRI/yASftpyezH8/s1600/orval-trappist-family.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If your guests prefer something just a bit more hoppy or your bird or ham is smoky and spicy, then try <a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/celebration-ale" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Celebration</a> to complement the big flavors. This <b>IPA</b> will compliment any spicy dish with it's spicy pine hop profile and nice bitter linger. Bold enough for any Thanksgiving meal. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJGkQPFzTfU/VHX7Sim0AtI/AAAAAAAAGQ4/dgurCpFM2BM/s1600/cele-bottle-pint.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJGkQPFzTfU/VHX7Sim0AtI/AAAAAAAAGQ4/dgurCpFM2BM/s1600/cele-bottle-pint.png" width="271" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we're ready for <b>dessert</b>. What better beer to serve with pumpkin pie than <a href="http://schlafly.com/beers/styles/pumpkin-ale/" target="_blank">Schlafly Pumpkin Ale</a>? Same flavor profiles as the pie, rich and delicious. It is pumpkin pie in a bottle. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Feq6144ZM/VHYC6Vi-KUI/AAAAAAAAGSA/AAmdKoW8gLs/s1600/SchlaflyPumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Feq6144ZM/VHYC6Vi-KUI/AAAAAAAAGSA/AAmdKoW8gLs/s1600/SchlaflyPumpkin.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not into pumpkin beers, pumpkin pie, or pumpkin pie spices? Want to impress the in-laws? Then try <a href="http://www.stbcbeer.com/black-water/creme-brulee-beer-page/" target="_blank">Southern Tier Creme Brulee</a> - an Imperial Stout brewed with vanilla beans. Big, sweet, rich, definitely a beer you will want to share. Dessert in a glass. Might blow their minds while you're at it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7dn27P_kQw/VHX7Tg3mj5I/AAAAAAAAGRM/qQa3oBuSOMU/s1600/southern-tier-creme-brulee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7dn27P_kQw/VHX7Tg3mj5I/AAAAAAAAGRM/qQa3oBuSOMU/s1600/southern-tier-creme-brulee.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After dinner and dessert usually calls for coffee at our Thanksgiving dinners. Why not a coffee brew? Why not an Imperial stout aged on coffee, chocolate, vanilla beans, and ancho chili peppers? <a href="http://prairieales.com/bomb/" target="_blank">Prairie Artisan Ales Bomb!</a></span> is perfect for that craving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rF1IuYcFg5s/VHX7T0uSpNI/AAAAAAAAGRY/svuevlf8fJk/s1600/terrapin_wake_bake_oatmeal_stout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiIB-h7Rhfc/WgngezKSzyI/AAAAAAAAG84/F0FGuZLxwc0rkESnJUzjfr6zVBRMULGXwCLcBGAs/s1600/prairie-artisan-ales-prairie-bomb-pairie-artisan-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1024" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiIB-h7Rhfc/WgngezKSzyI/AAAAAAAAG84/F0FGuZLxwc0rkESnJUzjfr6zVBRMULGXwCLcBGAs/s320/prairie-artisan-ales-prairie-bomb-pairie-artisan-a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5999984741211px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5999984741211px; text-align: justify;">Okay, maybe I listed more than six beers, but who's counting? There are always great craft beer choices to pair with every meal, especially the Thanksgiving meal. </span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;">Enjoy your Thanksgiving meals and beer pairings. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5999984741211px; text-align: justify;">Enjoy your family and friends. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5999984741211px; text-align: justify;">Give thanks to all that you are grateful for and all for which you are blessed. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5999984741211px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5999984741211px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYOxQ44ltD8/VHX7UW8uWnI/AAAAAAAAGRg/3hVVf7Pb87I/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYOxQ44ltD8/VHX7UW8uWnI/AAAAAAAAGRg/3hVVf7Pb87I/s1600/turkey.jpg" width="222" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-11278672243097467172014-10-17T11:18:00.001-04:002023-09-12T09:30:36.005-04:00The Bucket List: 50 Years in the MakingToday I celebrate my 50th birthday. Where did that come from? 50. Really? Time really does fly when you're having fun. I remember 50 being "old" when I was a kid, so now I guess I'm old. I don't feel old. I don't act old. I don't even look old. Maybe I'm not old, I'm just 50.<br>
<br>
So, as this day approached, I felt it necessary to compile my Bucket List. It is what you do when you are old you know. Things that I have not yet done, things that I want to do before I can't do them anymore, before they are gone forever, things to do while I am able. In no particular order, my Bucket List:<br>
<br>
<br>
<ol>
<li>Beer tour Belgium</li>
<li>Climb Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains</li>
<li>Visit Ireland</li>
<li>Visit Scotland and the UK</li>
<li>Go deep sea fishing</li>
<li>Learn to fly fish</li>
<li>Work the soup lines at the shelter on Thanksgiving or Christmas </li>
<li>See, from the ground, the Grand Canyon ✅</li>
<li>Visit and tour Jerusalem, pilgrimage </li>
<li>Experience New Orleans✅</li>
<li>Explore Alaska✅</li>
<li>Attend the Kentucky Derby</li>
<li><strike>Eat hot chicken in Nashville✅</strike></li>
<li>See Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee</li>
<li>Attend the Chicago Blues Festival</li>
<li>Go to a Tennessee VOLS football game via the VOL Navy</li>
<li>Attend a Daytona 500</li>
<li>Attend an Indianapolis 500</li>
<li>Visit and explore Australia and New Zealand</li>
<li>Eat some real Kansas City BBQ✅</li>
<li>Experience a proper Mardi Gras</li>
<li>See Niagara Falls </li>
<li>Attend a Super Bowl</li>
<li><strike>Do a Southern BBQ tour✅</strike></li>
<li>Do the Kentucky Bourbon Trail</li>
<li>Buy and drink a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle </li>
<li>Visit New England during fall✅</li>
<li>Safari in Africa</li>
<li>See Egypt</li>
<li>All of Italy</li>
<li>Visit Greece</li>
<li>Eat a true bowl of Pho, in Asia</li>
<li>Visit Canada✅</li>
<li>Attend Memphis in May</li>
<li>Learn to smoke great beef brisket✅</li>
<li>Enjoy Jamaica</li>
<li>Drink wine and tour Napa Valley</li>
<li>See Yosemite</li>
<li>See Yellowstone✅</li>
<li>Hike parts of the Appalachian Trail, eventually all of it</li>
<li>Attend a World Series Game</li>
<li>at Wrigley Field</li>
<li>or Fenway Park</li>
<li>See Colorado - the Rockies, Denver, et al✅</li>
<li>Attend Oktoberfest in Munich</li>
<li><strike>Eat true deep dish pizza in Chicago </strike> ✅</li>
<li>Eat and drink at Schlenkerla in Bamberg, Germany</li>
<li>Visit and tour Prague and the Czech Republic</li>
<li><strike>Tour the Jack Daniels distillery ✅</strike></li>
<li>Visit Weihenstephan Brewery, the oldest in the world</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
It is what it is. I like sports, music, good food, great drinks, beautiful sites, my ancestral history, getting in touch with my spirituality. This list covers that. Lots of different influences on my list from many sources. I thank them all. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Now on to the adventure that is life. </div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-5482512282672804962014-07-28T15:10:00.002-04:002014-12-23T14:37:06.985-05:00Beachy Keen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ahhhh, vacation.<br />
<br />
For the first time in several years the beach was vacation destination; Panama City Beach, Florida to be more precise. Beautiful beaches, fun for the kids, fabulous seafood, a little R & R, were the main goals for the time off, and of course - try some new beers, eat tons of shrimp and find some good BBQ. <br />
<br />
First pit stop: lunch in Montgomery, AL at <a href="https://foursquare.com/bluesandbarbq/checkin/53c2b79c498e5ae2f5916897" target="_blank">Jim & Nick's BBQ</a>. Very good pulled pork, very good sauces including a habanero hot sauce with just enough kick to it. Everyone enjoyed lunch. Back on the road.<br />
<br />
Arrived at destination around 5:00 CDT. Thrilled to find out that our room has been upgraded to a two-bedroom unit, top floor corner, beach view. Win! Great balcony, nice clean room: this vacation is starting out quite nicely.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LbA4NNGmXY/U9O27Is3o3I/AAAAAAAAGEg/A68eSFLBZWU/s1600/IMG_6939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LbA4NNGmXY/U9O27Is3o3I/AAAAAAAAGEg/A68eSFLBZWU/s1600/IMG_6939.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">View from the balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tnNTDiV9YVc/U9O3iwZobYI/AAAAAAAAGEo/lN748nGq1gc/s1600/IMG_6938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tnNTDiV9YVc/U9O3iwZobYI/AAAAAAAAGEo/lN748nGq1gc/s1600/IMG_6938.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you build it, they will come...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8jt7_lDn3I/U9ac89_QntI/AAAAAAAAGHE/IUgB_Th012U/s1600/toesinsand.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8jt7_lDn3I/U9ac89_QntI/AAAAAAAAGHE/IUgB_Th012U/s1600/toesinsand.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big ass big toes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T0HmdWRk1U/U9ac4FhkZhI/AAAAAAAAGG8/ektkaNaFS8c/s1600/JaiAlai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T0HmdWRk1U/U9ac4FhkZhI/AAAAAAAAGG8/ektkaNaFS8c/s1600/JaiAlai.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jM6RHASww0/U9ac4acUpGI/AAAAAAAAGG4/VH7vT-NmPgA/s1600/floridacracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jM6RHASww0/U9ac4acUpGI/AAAAAAAAGG4/VH7vT-NmPgA/s1600/floridacracker.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Plenty of white sand at the beach, tons of good restaurants, now to find some good beers. Mission accomplished on a trip to <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/kwiker-liquor/4d7bb9b5f260a09349bd2cba" target="_blank">Kwiker Liquor</a> where Cantillon, Prairie Artisan, <span class="st">Fantôme</span>, Crooked Stave, Cigar City and other great craft beers are acquired; some for the beach, most for sharing back home. Dinners at Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House, Margaritaville, <a href="http://theredbar.com/" target="_blank">The Red Bar</a> in Grayton Beach, <span class="st">Hofbräu Beer Garden, and Hana Japan are all family pleasers. Quickie trip to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/graytonbeer" target="_blank">Grayton Beer Company</a> for an impromptu tour before our dinner at The Red Bar is a nice pit stop. Nice people, good beers. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qovWjQ5p6os/U9O4jwEQBCI/AAAAAAAAGE4/o32qe7g2CNM/s1600/IMG_6992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qovWjQ5p6os/U9O4jwEQBCI/AAAAAAAAGE4/o32qe7g2CNM/s1600/IMG_6992.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnJf44zo6vs/U9O4jjQjBaI/AAAAAAAAGE0/UELBnXV_UwQ/s1600/IMG_6998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnJf44zo6vs/U9O4jjQjBaI/AAAAAAAAGE0/UELBnXV_UwQ/s1600/IMG_6998.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is a budding model</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2pT6rubFFk/U9O5Sm4yy9I/AAAAAAAAGFM/WdD3mKZjwPQ/s1600/IMG_7007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2pT6rubFFk/U9O5Sm4yy9I/AAAAAAAAGFM/WdD3mKZjwPQ/s1600/IMG_7007.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Origins Beach Resort, our residence for the week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaTrk5BeRd0/U9O5V3lL1CI/AAAAAAAAGFU/T_CWQKLDT5E/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaTrk5BeRd0/U9O5V3lL1CI/AAAAAAAAGFU/T_CWQKLDT5E/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one stormy day<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="st">Most of the vacation is for family and fun though. My
eleven year old daughter took several of these pictures and is also featured
in some. She is wise beyond her years and very artistic like her
older sister, <a href="http://www.triple-thread.net/" target="_blank">Ashlyn</a>. Tons of fun in the sand at the beach. Lots of just enjoying the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhKamSXxvO0/U9O5mUfvjlI/AAAAAAAAGFc/3JevTIm-2xs/s1600/IMG_7021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhKamSXxvO0/U9O5mUfvjlI/AAAAAAAAGFc/3JevTIm-2xs/s1600/IMG_7021.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGSrY7dDW4U/U9O6IB5NkEI/AAAAAAAAGFo/eJyrfoi8NeA/s1600/IMG_7038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGSrY7dDW4U/U9O6IB5NkEI/AAAAAAAAGFo/eJyrfoi8NeA/s1600/IMG_7038.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VC53GcoVCOI/U9O6IS-GQ2I/AAAAAAAAGFs/1jsNjmwXGmg/s1600/IMG_7056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VC53GcoVCOI/U9O6IS-GQ2I/AAAAAAAAGFs/1jsNjmwXGmg/s1600/IMG_7056.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOyZpi160s0/U9O6i-9hw0I/AAAAAAAAGF4/c5BcBkjcNLo/s1600/IMG_7075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOyZpi160s0/U9O6i-9hw0I/AAAAAAAAGF4/c5BcBkjcNLo/s1600/IMG_7075.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the pier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwYtgBM7NU4/U9O60-uL4-I/AAAAAAAAGGA/f4mWayAZKCg/s1600/IMG_7084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwYtgBM7NU4/U9O60-uL4-I/AAAAAAAAGGA/f4mWayAZKCg/s1600/IMG_7084.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur7cwBE0akU/U9ashGhQhLI/AAAAAAAAGHg/5RZW-brUPls/s1600/KimLouBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur7cwBE0akU/U9ashGhQhLI/AAAAAAAAGHg/5RZW-brUPls/s1600/KimLouBeach.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WX_vyVU0nc/U9O7S2qVZ_I/AAAAAAAAGGY/xFiAZCphiNA/s1600/PCBLou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WX_vyVU0nc/U9O7S2qVZ_I/AAAAAAAAGGY/xFiAZCphiNA/s1600/PCBLou.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After further consideration, there will be many more return trips to the
Panama City Beach area in Florida. Best vacation in a long time.
Remember to try new foods and new beers, seek out the local BBQ joints during your jaunt, enjoy your vacation. You never know what you might find. Surprise yourself, you might like it.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-41397989250126382392013-12-30T12:41:00.002-05:002014-08-08T14:35:39.119-04:00Blue Lou's Top 10 in Music 2013Music is my comfort and joy. It is my medicine. I have enjoyed many genres of music since I was very young. It is the soundtrack to life. These are my favorite releases of 2013. Of course it is blues heavy but not all blues. You may be surprised at my favorites of the year. Listen with me now to the best of 2013. Enjoy the musical journey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>10. Buddy Guy -<i> " Rhythm & Blues"</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.buddyguy.net/" target="_blank">Buddy Guy</a> is the torchbearer for incendiary blues. He is the Godfather of it. Buddy Guy is what Jimi Hendrix would be if he had lived longer. <i>"Rhythm & Blues"</i> shows that Guy's blazing chops are still in fine form. The Chicago Blues are alive and well, thank you very much, thanks to Buddy Guy and his wonderfully young seventy-seven year old soul. Lots of good ones here and some very interesting guest appearances: Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Beth Hart, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford from Aerosmith, and <a href="http://www.garyclarkjr.com/" target="_blank">Gary Clark Jr</a>. Buddy's still got it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1vNW0oeRltg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>9. Tinsley Ellis - <i>"Get It!"</i></b><br />
<br />
Atlanta bluesman <a href="http://www.tinsleyellis.com/biography.html" target="_blank">Tinsley Ellis</a>' instrumental release "Get It!" is old school. Blues, surf, chicken pickin', Southern rock all on a fun and at times intense release that showcases Ellis' guitar brilliance and his various influences. This one shines. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/O_ZAyn7fhug/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/O_ZAyn7fhug&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/O_ZAyn7fhug&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
8. <b>Moreland & Arbuckle - <i>"7 Cities"</i></b><br />
<br />
I swear <a href="http://www.morelandarbuckle.com/7_cities/" target="_blank">Moreland & Arbuckle</a> are straight out of North Mississippi. Turns out they're from Kansas. How does this hot Hill Country Blues-Roots-Rock trio not come from the Delta? Blues is universal. So is very good music. Aaron Moreland on cigar box guitar absolutely kills it on <i>"Tall Boogie"</i>. Check them out for yourself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/K4J0NS5HJe8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
And maybe the most interesting cover for 2013 for <i>"7 Cities"</i> is Moreland & Arbuckle covering <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST86JM1RPl0" target="_blank">Tears For Fears'</a> <i>"Everybody Wants To Rule The World"</i>, seen and heard here:<i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6nbe-h-FxJc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>7.</b> <b>Tedeschi Trucks Band - <i>"Made Up Mind"</i></b><br />
<br />
Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks' super group maintains excellence with <i>"Made Up Mind"</i>. Beautiful vocals from soulful Tedeschi, brilliant slide guitar from Trucks, a big horn and percussion section, funky, bluesy, rock and soul all mesh to form a near perfect CD. Check out one of the <a href="http://www.tedeschitrucksband.com/bio" target="_blank">Tedeschi Trucks Band</a> shows if you get a chance - brilliant! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2M-6hkXe7T4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>6. The Avett Brothers - <i>"Magpie and the Dandelion"</i></b><br />
<br />
A lot has been written about <a href="http://www.theavettbrothers.com/" target="_blank">The Avett Brothers</a> in the last couple of years. Audiences have found their live shows riveting and lively. They have an extremely loyal following. And no wonder! Superb song writing, beautiful harmonizing, masterful musicianship, great chemistry all abound in this North Carolina band. Roots, folk, bluegrass, rock, country all rolled into one to create a great American sound. This release harkens to some of their earlier efforts and has a very earthy feel to it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7EwoxVZTuMM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>5. Shawn Holt and The Teardrops - <i>"Daddy Told Me"</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shawnholtandtheteardrops.com/" target="_blank">Shawn Holt</a> is the son of the late, great Magic Slim (Morris Holt). Magic Slim's band, The Teardrops, back Shawn on this debut effort, and man does it sizzle and pop. Gut wrenching blues with tight and heavy guitar licks, big on the Chicago gut bucket sound. Thick and swirling with his legendary father's influences, Shawn Holt hits a home run with this one, featuring some blues standards and some great originals. (Favorite lyrics, from <i>"Hold You Again"</i>, "My tears are my only friend...") <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XmevdGmohiY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>4. The Civil Wars - <i> "The Civil Wars"</i></b><br />
<br />
Simply the best duo in any music genre today. Haunting harmonies, virtuoso musicianship, deep soulful and heart-wrenching songs... and they are not speaking to each other? Joy Williams and John Paul White comprise <a href="http://thecivilwars.com/" target="_blank">The Civil Wars</a> and yet they have been uncivil to each other since Williams took a "maternity leave" from touring late in 2012. Yet they still managed to record a deep, melancholy and reflective self-titled CD. Even the artwork for the cover is bleak. This release features a fantastic cover of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5PIO8X458U" target="_blank">Smashing Pumpkins' <i>"Disarm"</i></a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kigL2VMr-vM/UsGcD1kWkyI/AAAAAAAAF-8/NvleltBMaOg/s1600/CivilWars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kigL2VMr-vM/UsGcD1kWkyI/AAAAAAAAF-8/NvleltBMaOg/s320/CivilWars.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Their future is not bleak though. We can only hope that they work out their differences. They are simply phenomenal. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QUWvtrypGGI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3. JJ Grey & Mofro - <i>"This River"</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.jjgrey.com/about" target="_blank">JJ Grey & Mofro</a> hail from Jacksonville and their sound is decidedly Southern. Rock/blues/soul/funk and a little jam band thrown in for good measure. Sprinkles of the Muscle Shoals sound and Stax Records are heard. Grey's voice is gritty and honest. His lyrics reflect a great wit with a slower pace, then he gets funky and you must boogie. One of my favorite songs of the year is the title cut <i>"This River"</i>. I love this release; was played constantly over the summer when I was down on Watts Bar Lake on the Tennessee River.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/vk2mek0J_zU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/vk2mek0J_zU&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/vk2mek0J_zU&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mNk4Rj-d8JA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>2. Southern Hospitality - <i>"Easy Livin'" </i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.southernhospitalityband.com/bio/" target="_blank">Southern Hospitality</a>. That says it all. This Southern Super Band is made up of regional stars of Southern music. On this debut release they blend blues, soul, funk, swamp, Southern rock, gospel and reggae all into a giant tasteful biscuit of Southern Love. Shades of Little Feat, Dr. John, and CCR all echo in their gritty Southern soulful sound, yet it is still fresh and tasteful. You feel Memphis and New Orleans all over this release. Get me some sweet tea and butter my biscuit 'cause this is one the best releases of any genre in 2013. Bonus: this release was produced by <a href="http://www.tabbenoit.com/" target="_blank">Tab Benoit</a>. Win.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LNsG16ITYYc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HEUKQkLeKlU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>1. The Wood Brothers - <i>"The Muse"</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thewoodbros.com/" target="_blank">The Wood Brothers</a> are Oliver (guitars) and Chris (upright bass) along with percussionist- instrumentalist Jano Rix. The brothers grew up listening to blues and roots music, which is the base of their sound now, forming a Folk-Blues-Roots trio that conveys the Americana musical form to perfection. Solid, witty and thoughtful songwriting paired with extraordinary musicianship provided for my favorite release of the year. Reflective ballads, country blues-based boogies, strong stories reflect in their songs. Fantastic chemistry and professionalism are conveyed in their recording and live shows. Oliver carries the weight with an earthy vocal style that harkens to a simpler time while remaining contemporary. His style eases the soul and captivates the mind. The Wood Brothers are simply one of the best Amercian bands recording and performing today. If you haven't had the pleasure of listening to them or enjoying one of their live shows, do yourself a huge favor and indulge. You will find your muse.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MQmhYAXRLCs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/k-OygNjbC5A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-4403818006344641422013-12-23T12:06:00.000-05:002016-12-20T08:50:29.320-05:00The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">The holidays are a great time to select your best beers from your cellar or fridge to share with your family, friends, or savor by yourself by the fireplace. For the past few years I have enjoyed assembling a <i>"Twelve Beers of Christmas"</i> to enhance my holiday beer experiences all while giving me another good reason to acquire rare and highly rated beers during the year to save for this event. The 2013 lineup is no exception. These beers are all offerings that I have not yet tried giving me yet another reason to enjoy the season. The tastings start on Christmas day, one of these exquisite beers per day, and goes twelve days, following the Twelve Days of Christmas festive tradition. I give you my Twelve Beers of Christmas for 2013: </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">1. <u>The Bruery Oude Tart</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PekYW_zEkY/WFkzrpYjBOI/AAAAAAAAGt4/ODzRDdLAU-QsfLATAgUZZ51DoGZOYvAyQCLcB/s1600/12boc2016OudeTart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PekYW_zEkY/WFkzrpYjBOI/AAAAAAAAGt4/ODzRDdLAU-QsfLATAgUZZ51DoGZOYvAyQCLcB/s400/12boc2016OudeTart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"O<span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">ude Tart is a
Flemish-Style Red Ale aged in red wine barrels for 18 months. Pleasantly
sour with hints of leather, dark fruit and toasty oak."</span></span></i></span></span><br />
<div align="left" class="verdy">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="verdy">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm very fond of this style and this is a great brewery so I know this will be epic. Thank you <a href="https://untappd.com/user/wmrogers11" target="_blank">Matt R</a> for acquiring this one for me.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="verdy">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">2. <u>Engelszell Gregorius Trappistenbier</u> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Px3VZQuefbg/UrhNntj2BII/AAAAAAAAF84/F8Kk9q9J96Q/s1600/0_a8cbc_c0712d67_XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Px3VZQuefbg/UrhNntj2BII/AAAAAAAAF84/F8Kk9q9J96Q/s320/0_a8cbc_c0712d67_XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><i>"The Trappist monastery of Stift Engelszell is located in Engelhartszell,
in the northern part of Upper Austria, on the Danube, in a valley with
wooded hills. This monastery has been a member of the International Trappist Association (ITA) since 2008. In 2009 the ITA granted Stift Engelszell the right to use the 'Authentic Trappist Product' label on its Trappist liqueurs. The Trappist community have launched a dark Trappist beer, the
'Gregorius' (9.7% ABV). This name refers to Dom Gregorius Eisvogel who
was the abbot of Stift Engelszell Abbey for 25 years (1925-1950)."</i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">This is the only "Authentic Trappist" brewery from which I have not tried at least one of their ales. One of my beer goals for 2013 was to track down one ale from the remaining Trappist Monasteries that I have not tasted. Mission accomplished. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br />3. <u>Williamsburg AleWerks Brewmasters Reserve Café Royale</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><a href="http://alewerks.com/beer_details.php?beerID=14" target="_blank">AleWerks Brewmasters Reserve Café Royale</a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> <i>"We age a stronger version of our CoffeeHouse Stout in Virginia
Gentlemen Bourbon Barrels for 3 months. This aging adds layers of
complexity including notes of vanilla and Bourbon to this big coffee
beer." </i></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">This beer is from a beer trade with <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/" target="_blank">BeerPal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/melaniewiscount" target="_blank">Melanie Wiscount</a> who attended my annual Hootenanny in 2013 by riding down on her Harley-Davidson from Washington, D.C. with <a href="http://philosfx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">FoamDome</a>. Aged in Bourbon barrels; what's not to like?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">4. <u>AleSmith Decadence 2012</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8RPM64GlEs/UrhUE6b4p9I/AAAAAAAAF9E/xtQTLn6kiTc/s1600/de_1726_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8RPM64GlEs/UrhUE6b4p9I/AAAAAAAAF9E/xtQTLn6kiTc/s320/de_1726_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Decadence is the ongoing anniversary ale from the amazing AleSmith,
unquestionably one of America's top five breweries, and this 2012 is a
real show-stopper: a Belgian-style Quad that serves up a completely
hedonistic richness and velvet-like creaminess that just tastes special;
a beer obviously brewed with consummate skill and obsessive care. The
lush fruits and boozy notes present themselves powerfully and the brawny
12% ABV is absolutely undetectable. This is a masterful ale from a
world-class brewery and a perfectly delicious treat!
</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
Raisins, milk chocolate, burnt sugar, molasses, treacle, yeast-driven
spices, and rum fruitcake notes make this a titanic, memorable limited
ale!"</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Really looking forward to this one. This will be my first in the annual Decadence series. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">5. <u>3 Fonteinen Intense Red Oude Kriek</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><i><span class="description">"Intense Red is an artisanal, unsweetened,
unfiltered old kriek. It contains a higher amount of cherries, making it
slightly less sour than a traditional 3 Fonteinen kriek. The new beer
is the result of a collaboration between 3 Fonteinen’s Armand DeBelder
and Manu De Cort of PuPil, a creative marketing company in Halle."</span></i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.holidaywinecellar.com/p-19940-drie-fonteinen-intense-red-oude-kriek.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">3 Fonteinen Intense Red Oude Kriek</span></span></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">I simply love most kriek ales I've tried, especially the higher quality Belgian offerings. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br />6. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Scaldis Noël</u></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"It is the custom in Belgium custom to brew a beer a bit bolder and
stronger as a holiday gift to loyal patrons. At 12.5% ABV, the little
Scaldis Noël bottle contains one giant beer. It has a burnished
ruby-copper color and a spicy aroma with notes of caramel and marzipan
and peach. The taste is round, with hints of anise leading to a long
warming finish. If it is snowing and you have a Yule-tide log—fire it up
and sip a Scaldis Noël—Pieter Breughel couldn’t paint a more Belgian
scene!"</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cPZUoSAmXI/UrhmAiJPUQI/AAAAAAAAF9o/blNigYSkzF8/s1600/6456438671_9375474530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cPZUoSAmXI/UrhmAiJPUQI/AAAAAAAAF9o/blNigYSkzF8/s320/6456438671_9375474530.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Merry Christmas to me!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br />7. <u>Central Waters Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Barleywine (2011)</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">"A barleywine ale aged for a full year on used bourbon barrels,
this beer has flavors of dark fruits and wood, winner of the Gold Medal
at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival."</span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> </span><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> </span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><a href="http://www.beerpal.com/members/memberinfo.asp?UID=5862" target="_blank">PfoxyJohn</a>, aka Beer Santa, gifted me this beer in 2011. It is time to enjoy this puppy<i>. </i>Thank you Mr. Pfister. You are indeed Beer Santa. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">8. <u>Bells Third Coast Ale (2012)</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><i><i>"Third Coast Old Ale</i> focuses on malt, offering
notes of burnt caramel & other earthy malt flavors. Designed with
vintage aging in mind, the malt aspect is matched to a heavy complement
of hops. Sharply bitter at first, this will fold into the malt character
over time and balance out the maltiness."</i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Another top rated beer acquired in a beer trade, this one with BeerPal <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/members/memberinfo.asp?UID=3323" target="_blank">kinger</a>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br />9. <u>The Abyss (2012)</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"A deep, dark Imperial Stout, The Abyss has almost immeasurable depth
and complexity. Hints of molasses, licorice and other alluring flavors
make it something not just to quaff, but contemplate. As for the great "drink it now or let it age" debate, we stand
clearly on the fence. Distinct and delicious on release, the flavors
meld and fuse into an entirely different pleasure a year on."</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJIu0xr5l-Q" target="_blank">The Abyss Interview video</a> </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Another gift from PfoxyJohn. Huge thank you. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">10. <u>Struise Pannepot</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"In the early 1900s, the village of De Panne, close to the French
border, was famous for two things — the ‘Pannepot,’or fishing boats,
that could be seen along the coast, and the unique dark ale enjoyed by
the local fishermen. Our Old Fisherman’s Ale is a tribute to these hardy
sailors and their rich, flavorful brew.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Pannepot is an unfiltered, unpasteurized, bottle-conditioned dark ale
with an intense, complex chocolate malt aroma, roasted accents, and
subtle hints of spice."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzH5X-XyzPY/WFk3FnCT5iI/AAAAAAAAGuE/2Pum-lgoXzQ_Cz77-jXzQecTwiDehHHeQCLcB/s1600/struise-pannepot-reserva-10-13l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzH5X-XyzPY/WFk3FnCT5iI/AAAAAAAAGuE/2Pum-lgoXzQ_Cz77-jXzQecTwiDehHHeQCLcB/s320/struise-pannepot-reserva-10-13l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">One of the top beers in the world. Surprise find. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">11. <u>Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout</u></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><i>"Big Bear is a big, black, stout you can really sink your teeth into. The
bold, roasty, caramel malt flavor is balanced by Centennial and Cascade
hops."</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZyJfWTJN4Y/UrhgqSRdnGI/AAAAAAAAF9U/tL1SkSwqVyg/s1600/de_1439_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZyJfWTJN4Y/UrhgqSRdnGI/AAAAAAAAF9U/tL1SkSwqVyg/s320/de_1439_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><i> </i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">One of the best stouts in America. On my wish list for quite a while. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br />12. <u>Dieu du Ciel Péché Mortel</u> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><i>"<span class="desbeer">Péché
Mortel (French for "Mortal Sin") is an intensely black and dense beer
with very pronounced roasted flavors. Fair trade coffee is infused
during the brewing process, intensifying the bitterness of the beer and
giving it a powerful coffee taste. Péché Mortel is brewed to be savored;
we invite you to drink it in moderation."</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4WIHYecbQuo/UrhnjFOmiqI/AAAAAAAAF90/Fwx99PTwI9k/s1600/pechemortel_label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4WIHYecbQuo/UrhnjFOmiqI/AAAAAAAAF90/Fwx99PTwI9k/s320/pechemortel_label.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Canadian beer has also been on my wish list for quite a long time. Purchased at <a href="http://www.schwartzbeer.com/" target="_blank">Belmont Party Supply</a> in Dayton, OH. Ending my Twelve Beers of Christmas with this one because it has evaded me longer than any of the others.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These magnificent dozen are certain to greatly enhance my Christmas spirit. No "Bah, humbug" from me. I'm going to be like that Jolly Old Elf by the time my Twelve Beers of Christmas have been enjoyed. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year to you all. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-72781553954994498502013-04-11T16:54:00.002-04:002013-04-11T17:25:38.753-04:00I'll play the Blues for youOn occasion, I get to guest host a blues radio program, <a href="http://www.wdvx.com/programs/programs/johnny-macks-friday-night-blues-attack/" target="_blank">Johnny Mack's Friday Night Blues Attack</a>, which airs every Friday from 9:00 pm - 3:00 am on <a href="http://www.wdvx.com/" target="_blank">WDVX-FM</a> in Clinton/Knoxville, TN and online live through webcast. It is a passion and hobby for me and great fun. On Friday night, April 5, was one of these occasions. Johnny Mack brings me some newer blues releases and ole <i>Blue Lou</i> supplies the rest of the nights tunes from my personal collection.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wV2lripkNho/UWchkrWowMI/AAAAAAAAD54/zcKmU9qdpE8/s1600/fb28ab3c9df911e2afff22000aa80361_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wV2lripkNho/UWchkrWowMI/AAAAAAAAD54/zcKmU9qdpE8/s320/fb28ab3c9df911e2afff22000aa80361_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A couple of highlights of this past show was my daughter Ashlyn dropping by the WDVX downtown studio to check out the show and a phone call request from Billy Bob in New South Wales, Australia - great to hear that Aussie accent. He requested to hear some Sonny Terry and (Knoxville's own) Brownie McGhee.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmulpUBtp6o/UWcT_DZgyrI/AAAAAAAAD5o/hnKCpH-bV_o/s1600/5c4231229e5e11e2854522000a1f9e45_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmulpUBtp6o/UWcT_DZgyrI/AAAAAAAAD5o/hnKCpH-bV_o/s320/5c4231229e5e11e2854522000a1f9e45_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Lou in the WDVX studio (courtesy Ashlyn Kittrell)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I heard from lots of friends and listeners through emails, texts and phone calls. Since the show, several folks have requested a playlist of the songs that aired during the broadcast. I'm always glad to oblige. It's a long list; I was on for six hours!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Play list from Friday Night Blues Attack, April 5, 2013:</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(artist)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(song)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(album/CD) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Muddy Waters</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I Can't Be Satisfied</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Chess Box</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blind Lemon Jefferson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Match Box Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Story of the Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jimmy Reed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bright Lights, Big City</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live at Carnegie Hall</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Slim Harpo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a King Bee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Best of Slim Harpo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taj Mahal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fishin' Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big Blues: Blues Music For Kids</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Muddy Waters</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good Morning School Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Folk Singer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bring It On Home To Me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sonny & Brownie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Albert King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll Play The Blues For You, Pts. I & II</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll Play The Blues For You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guy Davis</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shaky Pudding</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Skunkmello</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
John Lee Hooker</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boom Boom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Essential Blues 2</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Louis Jordan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday Night Fish Fry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Barbecue Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B. B. King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three O'Clock Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
King of the Blues Box Set</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Son House</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Preachin' Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Original Delta Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Albert Collins & His Rhythm Rockers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Freeze</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Texas Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buddy Guy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When My Left Eye Jumps</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Very Best of Buddy Guy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tab Benoit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunrise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Medicine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Magic Slim & The Teardrops </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bad Boy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bad Boy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jimmie Vaughan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dengue Woman Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From Dusk Till Dawn Soundtrack</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Michael "Iron Man" Burks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Show of Strength</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take A Chance On Me, Baby</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Susan Tedeschi</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It Hurt So Bad</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live From Austin, TX </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B. B. King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To Know You Is To Love You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Greatest Hits</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Moreland & Arbuckle</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Legend of John Henry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flood</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tedeschi Trucks Band</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bound For Glory</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Revelator</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Out of Body, Out of Mind</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have Blues, Will Travel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sonny's Thing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sonny & Brownie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Joe Bonamassa</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stones In My Passway</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Deanna Bogart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blues at 11</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pianoland</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pinetop Perkins/Hubert Sumlin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hoochie Coochie Man</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Legends</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Larry McCray</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Same Old Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Born To Play The Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paul Oscher</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
32-20 Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Down In The Delta</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Garry Moore with Albert Collins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Too Tired</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still Got The Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can't Hold Out Much Longer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big Bill Morganfield</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That Same Thing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rising Son</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tab Benoit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Standing On The Bank</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best of the Bayou Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tinsley Ellis</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Freddy's Midnight Dream</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Get It!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Albert Collins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I Ain't Drunk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Deluxe Edition</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Fabulous Thunderbirds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's Tough</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Different Tacos!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jimmy Thackery</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rocks Off</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Exile On Blues St.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bo Diddley</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey Bo Diddley</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His Best</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Duane Allman/The Allman Joys</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spoonful</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Allman Brothers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Statesboro Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At Fillmore East</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
R. L. Burnside</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rollin' & Tumblin'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Burnside on Burnside</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big Jack Johnson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Breakdown Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We Got To Stop This Killin'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Willie King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jukin' At Bettie's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jukin' at Bettie's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walter Trout/Jeff Healey</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Workin' Overtime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full Circle</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tab Benoit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Medicine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Medicine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bonnie Raitt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Angel From Montgomery</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Streetlights </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Otis Taylor (with Mato Nanji)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My World Is Gone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My World Is Gone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Albert King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Born Under A Bad Sign</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Born Under A Bad Sign</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
John Lee Hooker</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm In The Mood</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Healer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Robert Cray</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I Shiver</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shame + A Sin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Clarence Gatemouth Brown</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Caledonia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gate Swings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Muddy Waters</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mannish Boy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live - Legacy Edition</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Albert Collins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lights Are On (But Nobody's Home)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live at Montreaux 1992</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B. B. King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How Blue Can You Get</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live at the Regal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Otis Rush</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I Can't Quit You Baby</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Essential Blues 2</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bobby Blue Bland</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turn On Your Love Light</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Essential Blues 2</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jimmy Thackery and Tab Benoit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These Arms of Mine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whiskey Store Live</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big Joe Turner</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shake, Rattle, And Roll</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jump Blues Classics</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sean Costello</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have You No Shame</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We Can Get Together</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sean Costello</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rub A Dub</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cuttin' In</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big Jack Johnson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Too Many Rats</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Roots Stew</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Johnny WInter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mojo Boogie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Third Degree</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
R. L. Burnside</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let My Baby Ride</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Come On In</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
North Mississippi AllStars</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shake 'Em On Down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shake Hands With Shorty </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check My Baby's Oil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full Tilt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ronnie Baker Brooks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bald-headed Woman</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Golddigger</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tab Benoit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I Smell A Rat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live at New Orleans Jazzfest 2005</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Steve Earle</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Old Friend The Blues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ain't Ever Satisfied</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Carlos Del Junco</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazing Grace</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Steady Movin'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Joe Louis Walker</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where Jesus Leads</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In The Morning</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's always a blast to guest host the show. Hope to do it again as soon as Johnny Mack calls or emails. When I do host again, I'll play the blues for you. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-6618280754534961952013-02-16T11:19:00.001-05:002014-12-23T14:14:49.248-05:00Beer Love, PDX styleMy buddy Travis, a great friend and beer brother, recently moved to Portland, OR.<br />
<br />
"Lou," he says, "you <i>have</i> to come out and visit me! I'm working at <a href="http://www.commonsbrewery.com/" target="_blank">The Commons Brewery</a> in Portland and could provide a place to stay and weekend beer tour..." <br />
No brainer. So I plan, with our mutual friend, Wisconsin beer guru John, to meet in <a href="http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=portlandor" target="_blank">Portland</a> Feb. 1-4 for suds and fellowship. Travis promises many brewery visits, great food, a cool vibe and a generally fun beer and food centric long weekend.<br />
<br />
Arrived @ <a href="http://www.portofportland.com/POP_Home.aspx" target="_blank">PDX</a> around 3:30 pm PST Friday, Feb.1 to sunshine and mid 50s, and Travis ready to go to The Commons for his work shift that Friday evening with me in tow. I'm game. Friday afternoon/evening at a brewery? Yes, please.<br />
<br />
Met lots of very nice locals while Travis poured pints, lots of good conversations. That and <a href="http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/" target="_blank">GABF</a> <a href="http://brewpublic.com/beer-events/oregons-2012-great-american-beer-festival-winners/" target="_blank">Award winning beer</a>: The Commons <a href="http://www.commonsbrewery.com/beers/" target="_blank">Flemish Kiss</a>. Another Win for me. I sampled ALL of The Commons fine brews Friday evening without over-indulging. We waited for John to arrive, then off to some breweries and dinner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKg6lnmrxTM/UR6dGwMOV_I/AAAAAAAAD1E/YWnRINXk93w/s1600/2013-02-01_16-37-06_996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKg6lnmrxTM/UR6dGwMOV_I/AAAAAAAAD1E/YWnRINXk93w/s320/2013-02-01_16-37-06_996.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r: The Commons owner/brewer Mike Wright, brewer Sean Burke, and my host Travis Sandoval</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whxCy8n6byk/UR6ghNph6-I/AAAAAAAAD1k/3NG0raLKI2o/s1600/CommonsBeerSelection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whxCy8n6byk/UR6ghNph6-I/AAAAAAAAD1k/3NG0raLKI2o/s320/CommonsBeerSelection.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Commons Board of Selections</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFEHsAYyBH0/UR6dPKARmgI/AAAAAAAAD1M/lNUQ_00BZrE/s1600/2013-02-01_17-27-17_29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFEHsAYyBH0/UR6dPKARmgI/AAAAAAAAD1M/lNUQ_00BZrE/s320/2013-02-01_17-27-17_29.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v77LxgljUlk/UR6dS6YEGMI/AAAAAAAAD1U/sSUGj-PY-B4/s1600/2013-02-01_21-12-26_258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v77LxgljUlk/UR6dS6YEGMI/AAAAAAAAD1U/sSUGj-PY-B4/s320/2013-02-01_21-12-26_258.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little medals don't just fall out of the sky!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZWBuowOBus/UR6dUKqZzwI/AAAAAAAAD1c/XgnDFVhewIA/s1600/2013-02-01_18-58-15_609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZWBuowOBus/UR6dUKqZzwI/AAAAAAAAD1c/XgnDFVhewIA/s320/2013-02-01_18-58-15_609.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More local guests outside the tasting room, waiting on the pretzel truck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
First dinner at <a href="http://lardopdx.com/menu.html" target="_blank">Lardo</a>; Pork Heaven. I had the Cubano sandwich, Dirty Fries (with fried pork belly bits!) and a Heater Allen Schwartz bier. Boom! The Dirty Fries were a huge hit with all of us. Too much. I'm full. More places to visit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9u7hVdm6j4/UR-klm-uRvI/AAAAAAAAD3k/5xgbwitr2PM/s1600/dirty_fries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9u7hVdm6j4/UR-klm-uRvI/AAAAAAAAD3k/5xgbwitr2PM/s320/dirty_fries.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lardo Dirty Fries with fried pork belly bits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Next up, <a href="http://basecampbrewingco.com/" target="_blank">Base Camp Brewing</a>, a very cool newer brewery with great branding. Owner <a href="http://basecampbrewingco.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Justin Fay</a> gave a late night impromptu tour of the entire facility. Big, clean, vision. I love their direction and branding. They even have a S'more Stout with which they top with a roasted marshmallow to create ultimate S'more experience! After Base Camp, we headed back to Travis' place to try just a couple of more bottles: Russian River's Redemption and Pliny The Elder. Now to rest up for the full Saturday ahead.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKBWe0_XCUU/UR6hS-BJWKI/AAAAAAAAD1s/NYvqffcIXdo/s1600/IMG954496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKBWe0_XCUU/UR6hS-BJWKI/AAAAAAAAD1s/NYvqffcIXdo/s320/IMG954496.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base Camp owner/brewmaster fashioned this one-of-a-kind "Growler" - quite awesome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Saturday we were up decently early to depart first to <a href="http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/locations/portland" target="_blank">Deschutes Brewery & Public House</a> in Downtown Portland. Great place. Sampled most everything on tap, ate a good lunch, then got a private tour of the brewing facility from Jason Barbee, which included a couple of experimental batches not available in the brewpub.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B45us7lO1rE/UR6h4RwBEZI/AAAAAAAAD10/bw2S7Oc0j5s/s1600/2013-02-02_12-06-30_336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B45us7lO1rE/UR6h4RwBEZI/AAAAAAAAD10/bw2S7Oc0j5s/s320/2013-02-02_12-06-30_336.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r: Travis, Wisconsin Beer Guru and good friend John "PfoxyJohn" Pfister, Deschutes brewer Jason Barbee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6SSrpPX9D8/UR6h4ugdVrI/AAAAAAAAD14/1B9c9htTE1g/s1600/2013-02-02_12-09-58_757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6SSrpPX9D8/UR6h4ugdVrI/AAAAAAAAD14/1B9c9htTE1g/s320/2013-02-02_12-09-58_757.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another GABF medal, this one just hanging around in the Deschutes brew house.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feeling great after Deschutes tour and many samples, off to <a href="http://www.occidentalbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Occidental Brewing</a> for some decidedly German selections. Straight up styling with seasonal offerings: a nice change of pace from all of the in-your-face, West Coast styles of many of Portland's breweries. Scenic drive to arrive, which was an added bonus. We sampled ALL of their beers then headed over to <a href="http://www.uprightbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Upright Brewing</a>, in the basement, down the elevator, on the corner. Really. Would have never found it if Travis wasn't driving. John and I tried the <a href="https://untappd.com/beer/261624" target="_blank">BushWhacker Blend</a>: a pear cider/saison blend aged in gin barrels. Exquisite to say the least. Loved their offerings and their styling. Vinyl LPs spinning in the taproom; I spied Stevie Ray Vaughan's album<a href="http://fanart.tv/fanart/music/e3c8b0c8-3fa0-464b-b1f5-119cb52d3817/albumcover/couldnt-stand-the-weather-4fcf8f192d949.jpg"> "Couldn't Stand The Weather"</a> and it gets played loud and proud so I got my Blues fix during my visit. More samples here then off to <a href="http://www.cascadebrewingbarrelhouse.com/" target="_blank">Cascade Brewing Barrel House</a>, renown for their sour ales. Very impressive lineup here. Many more samples tasted. Wow, just wow. Great place with fantastic beers. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p3WN25QMHN8/UR6pnEi6RXI/AAAAAAAAD2M/6Jfvg1lT7us/s1600/cascade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p3WN25QMHN8/UR6pnEi6RXI/AAAAAAAAD2M/6Jfvg1lT7us/s320/cascade.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the taps at Cascade.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Dinner time means another brewpub; this time we headed over to <a href="http://www.burnsidebrewco.com/" target="_blank">Burnside Brewing</a> for dinner and just a few more samples. More GABF award winning brews here too. Ate dinner, tried some samples and picked up a bottle of Sweet Heat "a wheat ale with an addition
of 200 pounds of Apricot puree, then dry hopped with imported Jamaican
Scotch Bonnet peppers. Reminiscent of a Caribbean chutney, Sweet Heat
has a subtle tartness from the fruit with a slight spiciness from the
peppers which also adds a fruitiness to the aroma," also a 2012 GABF Gold Medal winner in the Herb and Spice Beer category. Booyah!<br />
<br />
Time for re-hydration and sleep. Back to Travis and Brittany's for some shut eye then up Sunday for a much anticipated visit to <a href="http://www.hairofthedog.com/" target="_blank">Hair of the Dog Brewing</a> and their selection of big beers, and met up with Brian Bailey, founder of <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/">BeerPal.com</a>. BeerPal is how Travis, John and I all met so we owe a debt of gratitude to Brian for that happening. Hair of the Dog: we got there as the doors opened for business on Super Bowl Sunday. Nice and spacious tasting room with plenty of tap and bottle offerings. These were big beers, as in high alcohol content so caution was needed. I tried several vintages of Cherry Adam From The Wood (2009 and 2011) and dang near everything else they had to offer, but only shared samples as not to overwhelm my palette (nor pass out). Bottles and swag purchased. Good to go to next place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZsKg-REnJQ/UR6t3PWeteI/AAAAAAAAD2o/r3J9e9xgmpU/s1600/2013-02-03_12-10-48_74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZsKg-REnJQ/UR6t3PWeteI/AAAAAAAAD2o/r3J9e9xgmpU/s320/2013-02-03_12-10-48_74.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6b7i8UxxSI/UR6t31OvVLI/AAAAAAAAD2w/qrxdK2qHxe0/s1600/2013-02-03_11-31-11_993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6b7i8UxxSI/UR6t31OvVLI/AAAAAAAAD2w/qrxdK2qHxe0/s320/2013-02-03_11-31-11_993.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MOPZGfaUm8/UR6wPjwvwEI/AAAAAAAAD24/9TAJVwZ9XfM/s1600/1359920360257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MOPZGfaUm8/UR6wPjwvwEI/AAAAAAAAD24/9TAJVwZ9XfM/s320/1359920360257.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasting glasses at Hair of the Dog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wc8xbyxIjw/UR6wP4VqtVI/AAAAAAAAD3A/jo7-9cqVD0g/s1600/1359922929951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wc8xbyxIjw/UR6wP4VqtVI/AAAAAAAAD3A/jo7-9cqVD0g/s320/1359922929951.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
After Hair of the Dog, we traveled to <a href="http://www.giganticbrewing.com/home.html">Gigantic Brewing</a>. In an industrial district, Gigantic had plenty to offer, including a taco truck parked outside to serve hungry patrons. I got the Kiss The Goat Black Bock first; very nice. Then Ume Umai Black Rice and Plum Beer, a different but tasty treat. Now we were ready for late lunch, we piled into Travis' little car and head back out for more adventures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cWCaKdAlfw/UR6wQCfy98I/AAAAAAAAD3M/7FgoSkHuMKY/s1600/1359929488536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cWCaKdAlfw/UR6wQCfy98I/AAAAAAAAD3M/7FgoSkHuMKY/s320/1359929488536.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gigantic Kiss The Goat Black Bock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Quick trip to <a href="http://www.belmont-station.com/">Belmont Station</a>, one of Portland's finer bottle and tap shops, where I had an <a href="http://alesmith.com/beers/speedway-stout/">AleSmith Speedway Stout</a> on tap and purchased a couple of bottles. Then we walked down the block to the famous <a href="http://www.horsebrass.com/">Horse Brass Pub</a> for our lunch and some Super Bowl viewing. Fish and Chips along with a <a href="http://russianriverbrewing.com/brews/pliny-the-elder/">Russian River Pliny The Elder</a> draught for me. Yes, Pliny The Elder on tap; a first for me as I've only had it from the bottle before. Super Bowl and the <a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/972437/thumbs/o-BEYONCE-HALFTIME-DRESS-570.jpg?15">Beyonce</a> halftime show and we headed back to the Casa de Locos Revolucion Fuego for rest and recovery. <br />
<br />
<br />
Last call and I'm spent. Great trip. Travis and Brittany are the most gracious of hosts. Meeting up with John is always a pleasure. Any craft beer lover should take a trip to Portland. It is beautiful, quirky, and full of excellent breweries and restaurants. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and accommodating. Travis has the best job in the world: he pours pints and helps out at a top notch nano brewery for great owners, and he's an even better friend and Beer Pal. I will return to Portland sometime but for now I leave great memories and tired taste buds behind.<br />
<br />
Until the next beer trip...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6SoedSiWGMI/UR-uDoWz9yI/AAAAAAAAD34/U99Lrn3QcNU/s1600/portland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6SoedSiWGMI/UR-uDoWz9yI/AAAAAAAAD34/U99Lrn3QcNU/s320/portland.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Interested to see all the of different beers that I tried in Portland? Check out bluesandbarbq's <a href="https://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Untappd list</a>.</i> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-75180746114162740012013-01-03T11:26:00.000-05:002013-01-03T11:35:37.366-05:00A Baker's Dozen For 2012<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Reflection. </span><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">It is what we do at the end of each year/beginning of a new year. 2012 was another great year for trying new beers, meeting new friends, discovering new music, tasting new foods. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Of the nearly 400 new beers tried in 2012, these were the best</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">.</span></span></span></span><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg" style="font-size: small;"> Some had been on my Wish List for quite some time. Others were total surprises or newly released brews. Each left a lasting impression. </span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Russian River Supplication</span><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> Southern Tier Imperial Choklat Stout</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">New Glarus Serendipity</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Foothills Barrel Aged Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Fat Heads Head Hunter IPA</span></span></span><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Duchesse De Bourgogne</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Firestone Walker Parabola</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Sixpoint Resin</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Hardywood Gingerbread Stout</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br /></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Southern Tier Imperial Crème Brûlée Stout</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Deschutes The Dissident</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Thomas Creek Banana Split Chocolate Stout</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Van Twee</span></span></span><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"> </span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Quite a few different styles are on the list. These beers came from different sources: friends that shared them at tastings, beer festivals, </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">beer trades, </span></span>out of state beer runs, gifts. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">I have discovered that I am a Sour Head too. I love those good sour beers; they are not for everyone but once you try the better ones you are hooked. If you are hesitant to try a new style, find one of the more highly rated beers of the category that you want to try then give it a shot. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Cheers!... And remember - good friends, good music and good food all make the beers taste better!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-K06x1I_oo/UOWwNkVf8nI/AAAAAAAADyM/pw-LWG-4-8M/s1600/IMG_20110831_183158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-K06x1I_oo/UOWwNkVf8nI/AAAAAAAADyM/pw-LWG-4-8M/s320/IMG_20110831_183158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-17322100161149555472012-10-05T14:44:00.000-04:002012-10-08T10:14:15.308-04:00No rotten tomatoes here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ0pE_Qh8is/UG8ijwp4jzI/AAAAAAAADvM/xKTA8OVymjA/s1600/session-logo-246x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ0pE_Qh8is/UG8ijwp4jzI/AAAAAAAADvM/xKTA8OVymjA/s1600/session-logo-246x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
During October, <a href="http://99pours.com/" target="_blank">99 Pours</a> wants to know about some of the weirdest beers out there. Lord knows I've tried a lot of funky beers. Tons of fruit beers, beers with bacon, beers made with smoked cherry woods, beers with wild yeasts, even a beer made with the ever-popular Acai berry. Yet the most unique brew to cross my lips so far has been <a href="http://www.epicbeer.com/beer.html#epic-portamarillo" target="_blank">Epic Brewing's</a> Portamarillo, a Tamarillo and Pohutukawa wood Smoked Porter collaboration with Dogfish Head and the world's first tree tomato
beer using New Zealand grown Tamarillos, which
were smoked using wood chips from the Pohutukawa tree, the New Zealand Christmas tree.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivO5A-s3yGk/UG8jV-Vxg6I/AAAAAAAADvU/V9xrKFAUvjM/s1600/portamarillo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivO5A-s3yGk/UG8jV-Vxg6I/AAAAAAAADvU/V9xrKFAUvjM/s320/portamarillo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
First of all, I consider myself tomato-neutral; can live with or without them, but I'm a sucker for these weird beers. The Portamarillo poured a dark leather
brown/near-black with a nice beige head and big drapes of lacing
throughout my session. Sweet and light smoked roasted malt aroma, some chocolate as well,
and a near-citrus and slight Port nose, nicely inviting. Porter flavor at
first, but wait... what is that? Lightly smoked, yes. Pleasant light
flavors of dark chocolate, yes. Something else... The Tamarillos! Like a
hint of a sweet, rich Bloody Mary teasingly lingering in the taste,
just a pinch, but it's there, smoky, sweet, rich and very tasty. This beer
was a treat. I didn't know what to expect with this one but it all worked
very well together.<br />
<br />
Acknowledgements to my beer-trading buddy in Reno, NV, Chris (slowrunner77), for sending this treat. If it weren't for numerous trades there would be no way to try some of these weird and strange elixirs from all over the world. So a shout out to all of my trading friends. Do yourself a favor if you want to try something different - Beer Trade! You might get a Epic Brewing Portamarillo... or a <a href="http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/ourbeers/beer/wisconsin-belgian-red" target="_blank">New Glarus Belgian Red </a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmqKKllpVcw/UG8m9flmuSI/AAAAAAAADvo/ir2d-xzJicU/s1600/NGBelgianRed2012-03-17_10-53-07_704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmqKKllpVcw/UG8m9flmuSI/AAAAAAAADvo/ir2d-xzJicU/s320/NGBelgianRed2012-03-17_10-53-07_704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
... or something totally unexpected, the weirder the better. Sometimes different can be good.<br />
<br />Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-83573865899311100952012-09-06T15:36:00.004-04:002015-09-08T21:11:08.454-04:00Fall FWD: Top 10 Reasons to Love AutumnThere is a hint of cooler weather in the air. Tolerable nights, bluer skies, leaves hinting at turning colors, can mean one thing: autumn is near. It is the most desirable season in East Tennessee; I always look forward to fall. Post-Labor Day means that many loved things will begin in earnest.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>The Top Ten great things to love about autumn (from a Southerner's perspective):</u><b><u> </u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
10. <b>The World Series</b>, The Fall Classic. Baseball in cool crisp fall weather is near-perfect. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
9. The annual craft beer releases of <b>Oktoberfest <span class="st">Märzen</span></b> <b>and Pumpkin beers</b> mean that <b>Oktoberfests</b> are near - think German food, beers and Oompah music.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8kwvy7XC88/UEjztNuLyoI/AAAAAAAADug/pmwQoBj9SgA/s1600/oktoberfest_girls_2009_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8kwvy7XC88/UEjztNuLyoI/AAAAAAAADug/pmwQoBj9SgA/s320/oktoberfest_girls_2009_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fuYaXe6E0lI/Ve-GXP56hDI/AAAAAAAAGcY/0pWFBxbxsSM/s1600/oktoberfest_girls_2009_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fuYaXe6E0lI/Ve-GXP56hDI/AAAAAAAAGcY/0pWFBxbxsSM/s320/oktoberfest_girls_2009_08.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
8. <b>Apples.</b> Our annual seasonal pilgrimage to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rowells-Orchards/123599537698393" target="_blank"><b>Rowell's Orchard</b></a> in Crossville, TN means apple pies, apple cider, apple cakes, apple fritters, apple butter... apple anything is good with me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
7. The annual <b>Blues, Brews and BBQ Hootenanny</b>: great food, beers, and music. <a href="https://twitter.com/HootenannyTN" target="_blank">@HootenannyTN</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2rj148jJ0w/Ve-DR-6uOUI/AAAAAAAAGcE/dDsoRjGcXko/s1600/10691641_668993406550617_514452436_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2rj148jJ0w/Ve-DR-6uOUI/AAAAAAAAGcE/dDsoRjGcXko/s320/10691641_668993406550617_514452436_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFbVDGJNvM0/Ve-FlKFrlXI/AAAAAAAAGcQ/AFz9b1iwtN4/s1600/1378740_10202038187733505_1684711260_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFbVDGJNvM0/Ve-FlKFrlXI/AAAAAAAAGcQ/AFz9b1iwtN4/s320/1378740_10202038187733505_1684711260_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
6. <b>Cooler weather</b>, which leads to the fall colors, more fire pit usage and even more cookouts and BBQs. Autumn turns East Tennessee into the most beautiful peaceful place on earth.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx5O74vYCQA/UEj0vY9AUkI/AAAAAAAADuo/PNascrcMaEw/s1600/Misty_Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx5O74vYCQA/UEj0vY9AUkI/AAAAAAAADuo/PNascrcMaEw/s320/Misty_Colors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3G0QcdtjLk/Ve-Gn518EPI/AAAAAAAAGcg/qZKTa1Oe06g/s1600/CadesCoveFall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3G0QcdtjLk/Ve-Gn518EPI/AAAAAAAAGcg/qZKTa1Oe06g/s320/CadesCoveFall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5. <b>Pumpkins.</b> They're usually orange, tasty, big and just plain fun. Pick your own at the pumpkin patches (which, locally, is right next to the corn maze.) Like apples, you get pumpkin pies, pumpkin butter, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin spice lattes, even pumpkin beers. Also used for Jack-o-lanterns during...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4b5Z34KEVK4/UEjzEEviKXI/AAAAAAAADuY/OMIbAPvrLfA/s1600/ATT00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4b5Z34KEVK4/UEjzEEviKXI/AAAAAAAADuY/OMIbAPvrLfA/s320/ATT00001.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4. <b>Halloween.</b> Many children's favorite day; candy and sugar overdose day. What other day do kids AND adults get to go out in costume? All Hallows' Eve.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. <b>Fewer mosquitoes.</b> Mosquitoes love me. Late summer means I must slather myself in DEET-fortified insect repellent just to walk the dog. Fewer bugs in general is a good thing. Don't underestimate my hatred of mosquitoes; they are the bane of my summer existence. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. The annual feast of epic proportion that is <b>Thanksgiving.</b> There is not one negative thing that can be said about this Holiday. We all learned how it started. We all need to give thanks. We all need a nap after eating. Then we watch...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKcrrL_5mKM/UEj1T8lwTGI/AAAAAAAADuw/o8PUdayQ2rk/s1600/0724neyland2_t300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKcrrL_5mKM/UEj1T8lwTGI/AAAAAAAADuw/o8PUdayQ2rk/s320/0724neyland2_t300.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. <b>FOOTBALL.</b> It is said that in the South there are three seasons: football season, recruiting season and spring practice. High school, college, NFL - football is king. In the South, SEC football absolutely rules. Tailgating. Massive stadiums. Rivalries. Tradition. Championships. Football brings families together, or tears them apart. Please do not schedule a wedding on a football Saturday in the South. Football is 24/7/365 around here. And that's the way we like it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzOY36rAveM/Ve-G4kbY2yI/AAAAAAAAGco/0r9v2Hepy-w/s1600/smokey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzOY36rAveM/Ve-G4kbY2yI/AAAAAAAAGco/0r9v2Hepy-w/s320/smokey.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Did I miss any? What are your Top Ten things about autumn? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Enjoy the fall weather, get out to a local festival or two, get some apples and pumpkins, but most of all, enjoy your favorite football team - tailgate, cheer for your favorite team and Just Win, Baby!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-61125495768346673472012-07-26T16:59:00.001-04:002017-12-11T11:54:12.763-05:00Words in a pint glass...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to talk. Because of that gift of gab I tend to also embellish what I write. For the past few years, since really discovering craft beers, I have sampled lots of different brews and posted my beer reviews on <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/" target="_blank">BeerPal.com</a> as user <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/members/memberinfo.asp?UID=6217" target="_blank">bluesandbarbq.</a> These elixirs moved me enough to respond with these words. These are my favorites.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buckeye Hippie IPA </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8/13/2010</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Groovy, man. This dude pours a wicked amber with a pillowy cream head
that maintains its cool self like a long slow stoner bender leaving some
wicked lacing. Man, it smells like a dank pot of grapefruit hemp then
some cool dude added some pine and a little peach then a little bit of
sweetness. Wow man, the flavor is most outstanding, right on, with a
bit of that grapefruity hempness bittering this spliff to a wicked stage
of grooviness. Most righteous and heavy, man, heavy, but in the cool
far out kinda way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6199/6035374752_a778d7900a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6199/6035374752_a778d7900a_z.jpg" width="307" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Epic Portamarillo</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/29/2012 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a sucker for these weird beers: this
one pours a dark leather brown/near-black with a nice beige head and big
drapes of lacing throughout. Sweetly and light smoked roasted malt
aroma, some chocolate, a near-citrus almost-port nose, nicely inviting.
Porter flavor at first, but wait... what is that? Lightly smoked,
yes. Pleasant light flavors of dark chocolate, yes. Something else...
The Tamarillos! Like a hint of a sweet, rich Bloody Mary teasingly
lingering in the taste, just a pinch, but it's there, smoky, sweet, rich
and very tasty. This was a treat. I didn't know what to expect with
this one but it works very well. Glad I got to try one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_03_27/4e118dd2db1b5fe6d22ba71921aee9c6_320x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_03_27/4e118dd2db1b5fe6d22ba71921aee9c6_320x320.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smoky Mountain Kilt-Tilter Scottish Ale </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/27/2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very surprised to get this rarely-brewed local on tap @ Knoxville
BrewFest! Nice deep brown amber pour with a tight creamy head that
reduces to a constant ring, leaving copious amounts of lacing. Big
malty aroma, sweet, doughy, nice presence of smoke and peat, with a big
dose of caramel, hint of orange, cut by very earthy hops. Taste is
malt-forward, caramelly, big and earthy, almost heavy, light smoke and
peat, cut only slightly by earthy hops and alcohol. Pretty big Scottish
ale, not sure of the ABV - should've asked. Nice effort. Very happy to
finally try it as I thought it was a <b><i>Sasquatch beer</i></b> - seldom seen, only
to be a legend, non-existent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>Highland Jack Daniel Barrel Aged Gaelic Ale</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7/9/2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On tap @ Knoxville BrewFest 2012. Holy Shit this is good - amber pour,
white head with lacing. Nice and fairly strong Jack Daniel aroma,
whiskey and malty and hint of smoke and charcoal and.. then hops, more
malts. Taste is a beautiful blend of Highland's Gaelic Ale and Angel's
share of Jack Daniel shining through, creating drool, whiskey, malts,
whiskey, malts, hops, whiskey and malts and hops and caramel and... Holy
Shit this is good. Wow. Just WOW. Wish y'all coulda tried it too!
(I'm gonna steal a keg of it for the Hootenanny!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foothills Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2/22/2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My White Whale. The Holy Grail. Atlantis in a Bottle. It is rare that
I will pay this much for ANY beer. But I did. It has been on my
wishlist since I created a wishlist. Finally.
2011 version.
Near thick mahogany black pour with a very tight tall tan head and
massive lacing. Rich chocolatey and roasted malts aroma, all kinds of
chocolates: Dark Cocoa Nibs, Hersheys Chocolate Syrup, Lindt Milk
Chocolte Truffles... Bam - a lot of chocolate in the nose, then a touch
of anise or licorce, slight but it's there, and a hint of brine - can't
place it but it's like sea salt air, and a hint of smoke. Flavor is
hugely Chocolate forward too, which one would expect from a beer with
this name, all of the same flavors which the nose eminates, Rich,
creamy, some semi-sweet, slight bitter, silky sweet - really a chocolate
explosion that is most welcome, then again a very slight anise and
brine which deminishes the taste only slightly in my opinion. Overall, a
great beer, maybe the best brewed in the South. It is definitely one
of the most hyped and for what it's worth, it lives up to the hype, not
surpassing, not falling short, just right. It is Sexual Chocolate and
now it is off of my wish list and I have sipped it from the <b>Chalice of
the Nectar of the Gods</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72toHZOVr7s/V5dhv394fWI/AAAAAAAAGno/BUY7BRpsaQEWK-zLRC-QahQg5ywiV2PpQCLcB/s1600/foothills-sexual-chocolate-stout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72toHZOVr7s/V5dhv394fWI/AAAAAAAAGno/BUY7BRpsaQEWK-zLRC-QahQg5ywiV2PpQCLcB/s320/foothills-sexual-chocolate-stout.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12/21/2011 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upon the <b>Winter Solstice</b> I summon the Dark Lord (2011)... handed over to
me in secrecy, cloak and dagger stuff indeed, by Code Name: kinger.
From my Wish List too: I couldn't
resist the pagan-ness of drinking this one on this day. Rich thick
mahogany black pour, very tight tan head, spotty little devilish lacing.
Scents of very ripe rich fruits - plums, molasses, dark decedent
chocolates, inviting hint of black coffee and some leather, a touch of
smoke and evil black licorice, a little mystical vanilla. Taste is
equally evil and hedonistic: BIG rich roasted malts, dark chocolate,
ripe plums and other sweet ripe fruits, sweet cherries, black licorice, a
hint of smoke, vanilla and molasses; big sweet heavy stuff this one is.
Super Worthy. Oh Cory the King, I give my thanks unto thee for this
spiritual elixir. I submit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffx6_bWVx90/V5dh1waHP3I/AAAAAAAAGns/6tPSfDav0WkWlEsu0C9IkIqiuzRB0eDdACLcB/s1600/dark-lord-taste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffx6_bWVx90/V5dh1waHP3I/AAAAAAAAGns/6tPSfDav0WkWlEsu0C9IkIqiuzRB0eDdACLcB/s320/dark-lord-taste.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12/19/2011 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cool Daddio Big PfoxyJohn brought
this Wish List groovy load of goodness to my bad self. Way
dark-as-an-African night pour with a smooth tall head, man, and some
tight lacing. Most excellent and righteous aromas of the sweetness of
Tupelo Honey, like far out, and some back bass of toasted malt goodness,
all serving the better good of pleasing my nose; makes me want to do a
Pharaoh's Dance. Then this bad ass brew hit my tongue: yeah man, it is
right on! good dose of honey sweet like a sweet Gibson guitar jazz lick,
then those beautiful roasted malts and molasses with a bitter Miles
himself would be proud of. This is one righteous ass brew. Smooth as
early Miles Davis' albums, different as the ground the man broke in
jazz, all of this whilst fully enjoying Miles Davis Bitches Brew (Legacy
Edition) - Miles Runs The Voodoo Down.. and it is in this bottle and
now my glass. Yes. I dig this; it is Sanctuary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hw58_csqg-4/V5diCQd1fLI/AAAAAAAAGnw/Vwb4bcQ5SH806l9Ds_vKd0nC8xZwjQXrACLcB/s1600/miles-davis-bitches-brew-beer-review-dogfish-head.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hw58_csqg-4/V5diCQd1fLI/AAAAAAAAGnw/Vwb4bcQ5SH806l9Ds_vKd0nC8xZwjQXrACLcB/s320/miles-davis-bitches-brew-beer-review-dogfish-head.preview.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.stbcbeer.com/stbc/our-beers/black-water/choklat/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Southern Tier Imperial Choklat Stout</span></b></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/3/2012
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bottle brought to me by local beer buddy Sam.I.Am. - WISH LIST item!
Heavy black pour with an extremely tight near perfect tan head, massive
lacing. Chocolate aroma. Chocolate aroma. Chocolate aroma. Taste and
aroma are of Dark chocolates, Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, Belgian
chocolate, Godiva chocolate liqueur, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs,
semi-sweet chocolate, Lindt chocolate, Mayan chocolate. Maybe a little
java, but definitely chocolate... and roasted malts. Then there is a bit
of chocolate in the end. Imperial Choklat. Yes it is. Willie Wonka
had something to do with this beer I'm certain. I never thought I'd hear
my wife say, "<i>That's almost too much chocolate!</i>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it's not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jutOWBa_lfo/V5diMJuPSiI/AAAAAAAAGn0/3leOrIa_dpMx_Mf0OfI09PcNA_wupzKVgCLcB/s1600/southern-tier-choklat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jutOWBa_lfo/V5diMJuPSiI/AAAAAAAAGn0/3leOrIa_dpMx_Mf0OfI09PcNA_wupzKVgCLcB/s320/southern-tier-choklat.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occasional-rarities/hellhound-on-my-ale.htm" target="_blank">Dogfish Head Hellhound On My Ale</a> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/23/2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Hellhound Blues Ale is courtesy of kinger, who sent me this knowing
I coveted it. Not the first Blues inspired beer ever brewed but
certainly the most ballyhooed. When I first read about DFH and Sony
honoring Robert Johnson, I knew that this beer was a "must have" item
for me.
The Beer:
Clear bright amber pour with a very tight white head and lazy lacing
throughout. Decent carbonation present. Citrus hops and light lemon
zest aroma with a clean almost floral scent, offset by some earthy malts
and a near heavy mouthfeel. The lemon zest becomes more prevalent as
it warms but still not overwhelming and nicely refreshing. Taste is
citrus and lemon hops upfront, hugely so, great bitter linger only cut a
bit by the malts.
Hellhound did not disappoint. It was as I expected; nothing more,
nothing less. Fairly simple like the earthy Delta Blues that Robert
Johnson purveys. Music hauntingly playing in my background: Cross Road
Blues and Hellhound On My Trail - Robert Johnson - hell, I'm listening
to the entire box set of King of the Delta Blues right now! Letting this
beer take me to another place and time... a dusty highway crossroads in
the middle of the Mississippi Delta, just outside Clarksdale. It's
near midnight and a lonely figure in the distance is walking the road
carrying a guitar case, silhouetted by what little moon is present.
Lighting crashes in the distance. The smell of rain and the heavy
humidity is all around me lingering in the Southern night air. Dogs
barking near me, chasing the soul carrying that guitar case...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AADuS7RfHrs/V5diRcEZddI/AAAAAAAAGn4/NI5wpRWpTDEdJzjXaPDpP81GVeOZuIqDQCLcB/s1600/Hellhound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AADuS7RfHrs/V5diRcEZddI/AAAAAAAAGn4/NI5wpRWpTDEdJzjXaPDpP81GVeOZuIqDQCLcB/s320/Hellhound.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.goodpeoplebrewing.com/snakehandler" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good People Snake Handler Double IPA </span></b></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7/24/2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">East Tennessee and northeastern Alabama have a history of fundamentalist
Christian churches with a penchant for practicing Snake Handling. This
venomous Southern Bastard comes directly from the fargingbastige
himself, hand-delivered like Mason jars of Moonshine, in Dixie Growlers -
Two 1/2 gallon plastic milk jugs. Curtis, I am proud of you for
keeping this Southern Tradition of Clandestine yet gentlemanly
observation of an age-old Tradition. This sinful elixir pours a gentle
almost clear light brown from said jugs, with an ample and frothy almost
white head and copious amounts of delicate lacing. Decadent aromas of
ample pine and grapefruit hops - big - with a good malt presence to calm
the serpent. Taste is wickedly beautiful with a huge hops presence
upfront like Fire and Brimstone - cuttingly bitter at first -
grapefruit, pine and Damnation, offset nicely by the calming Angel of
malt sweetness. This slithering serpent is only to be handled by the
most experienced Deacons and Purveyors of The Good Word. Yay and verily
I say unto you, go forth and turn the water into Imperial IPAs. And it
was so. Amen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAzkKKHof7M/V5diZfyJZMI/AAAAAAAAGn8/z3TCpQKtiVEkDDsoPCFyYDhTaxzlTukdwCLcB/s1600/snakehandler1BIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAzkKKHof7M/V5diZfyJZMI/AAAAAAAAGn8/z3TCpQKtiVEkDDsoPCFyYDhTaxzlTukdwCLcB/s320/snakehandler1BIG.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">_____</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most craft beer drinkers are great folks. Many of these beers were gifts or ones received in trades; from PfoxyJohn, kinger, slowrunner77, fargingbastige, Sam.I.Am. - all of them beer buddies from across the country. It is always good to share with your friends. Enjoy and next time... write it down if so moved.</span>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-1462155732439963652012-06-25T20:26:00.001-04:002016-06-26T13:07:20.698-04:00Staycation Justification<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I'm a Homer - I love my home state, The Great State of Tennessee. I love the lakes and rivers. I love the all of the great music and great BBQ and foods. I really love Memphis. I love Music City and Moccasin Bend. And I especially love the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm" target="_blank">Smoky Mountains</a> and beautiful East Tennessee with its rich history and heritage. This is a great state if you are going to do a <a href="http://www.tnvacation.com/east/" target="_blank">Staycation</a>. Our family did just that this year.<br />
<br />
It started with a weekend away for just the wife and me. <a href="http://www.gatlinburg.com/" target="_blank">Gatlinburg</a>. Even with its tourist traps and cheesy souvenirs, Gatlinburg's beauty and quaintness still draws me in like a moth to a flame. There are lots of hidden gems and great little restaurants. The surrounding scenery is unsurpassed. Our mini-tour through the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains started Saturday evening in Sevierville at <a href="http://www.applebarnwines.com/" target="_blank">Apple Barn Winery</a> for a nice little wine tasting. Most of the wines are apple infused from their on-site orchard and most were outstanding. Our favorites were the Orchard White and Apple-Raspberry. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GUJi5E58m8/V3AKK9ZGIfI/AAAAAAAAGmA/iVN7rLc5GqEWwNgnyb3cThb0STObwvQggCLcB/s1600/Apple-Barn-Pigeon-Forge-Apple-Barn-Winery-Pigeon-Forge-Attraction-47-of-94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GUJi5E58m8/V3AKK9ZGIfI/AAAAAAAAGmA/iVN7rLc5GqEWwNgnyb3cThb0STObwvQggCLcB/s320/Apple-Barn-Pigeon-Forge-Apple-Barn-Winery-Pigeon-Forge-Attraction-47-of-94.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After checking in to our lodging, we were off to dinner but first a stop at <a href="http://www.olesmokymoonshine.com/" target="_blank">Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Distillery</a> for another sampling. Tiny samples, one once each, but there are now twelve different flavors of their elixirs. Twelve samples. One dozen. Blueberry, Grape, Hunch Punch, Lemon Drop, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry, Blackberry, Peach, Apple Pie, Moonshine Cherries, White Lightning and Original Moonshine all available for sampling. Yep, I tried them all, saving the strongest, the straight up Ole Smoky Original Moonshine for last.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAxLpgmEjc4/V3AKNvTpUCI/AAAAAAAAGmI/TRPEFOCLICwpNyNCNqztGvsoIJtA1xbbQCKgB/s1600/OleSmoky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAxLpgmEjc4/V3AKNvTpUCI/AAAAAAAAGmI/TRPEFOCLICwpNyNCNqztGvsoIJtA1xbbQCKgB/s320/OleSmoky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now we have to walk to dinner. Feeling it a bit. On to the <a href="http://parkgrillgatlinburg.com/" target="_blank">Park Grill Steakhouse</a> for some fine grub. Always a good meal here and great view of the Smoky Mountains. After dinner, I talk my wife into getting a beer at the original <a href="http://www.coppercellar.com/Restaurant-SmokyMountainBrewery.html" target="_blank">Smoky Mountain Brewery</a> which is located about a block down from the restaurant. We both tried their <a href="http://untappd.com/beer/174866" target="_blank">Raspberry Wheat</a>, which is lightly tart and sweet, very refreshing. It is crowded. Too crowded for us. We retreat to safer ground and began our meandering descent from upper Gatlinburg down the sidewalks and byways toward our getaway lodging. In just a few hours, we have visited a winery, a distillery and a brewery; no meaderies or we'd have hit the Spirits Grand Slam. Still a fun day with my beautiful better half.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_06_17/cb83317b4321388b9ebe361e6b7c29a4_320x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_06_17/cb83317b4321388b9ebe361e6b7c29a4_320x320.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Mountain Brewery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next day is Father's Day and the official start of our family Tennessee Staycation. That means a fairly early breakfast. The <a href="http://www.pancakepantry.com/" target="_blank">Pancake Pantry</a> beckons. Been going there since childhood. Fond memories of this place. My Father's Day breakfast of champions is the special: Strawberry-Banana Delight. And a delight it was! I'm now calorie loaded for the day. Now back home to gather up the kids, load up the vehicles and make our way to the <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/the-lake-house/4f6f7bcce4b08610787f7643" target="_blank">lake house</a> which will be our headquarters and departure point for all of our Staycation day trips.<br />
<br />
My wife's sister, her husband and son are staying with us the first half of the week. Now it's really a family fun Staycation! And they bring us these great Ohio craft beer and wine selections from <a href="http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/home" target="_blank">Great Lakes</a>, <a href="http://rockmillbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Rockmill</a>, <a href="http://www.hoppinfrog.com/" target="_blank">Hoppin' Frog</a> and <a href="http://elevatorbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Elevator</a> breweries and <a href="http://www.valleyvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Valley Vineyards</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
It's going to be a really fun week! Sunday evening - rest... and sample more adult beverages. Then Monday it's sun and fun on the dock and in <a href="http://tnvacation.com/vendors/watts_bar_lake/" target="_blank">Watts Bar Lake</a>. Late afternoon, off to <a href="http://sweetwatervalley.com/index.html" target="_blank">Sweetwater Valley Farm</a> to buy some local cheeses and cheese curds! We all bought some of their gourmet cheeses, some of them to be used in my Cheese-stuffed Mojo Burgers that were grilled that evening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Tuesday morning, it's off to <a href="http://www.chattanoogafun.com/" target="_blank">Chattanooga</a>. Fun city. Lots to do there since the downtown revitalization. Our first stop is the <a href="http://www.ridetheincline.com/" target="_blank">Incline Railway</a>. Since childhood, I've always wanted to ride the Incline to the top of Lookout Mountain. Until now, I have not done that. Cross it off the list of things to do. Breathtaking scenic views from the top; that claim is not exaggerated... and it's 10 degrees cooler up on top. Bonus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrvS8YJ-veU/T-ii5WUXsPI/AAAAAAAADrQ/TF555FqX1uU/s1600/IMG_20120619_133525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrvS8YJ-veU/T-ii5WUXsPI/AAAAAAAADrQ/TF555FqX1uU/s320/IMG_20120619_133525.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incline Railway looking down at Chattanooga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwVxlLBq2aU/T-ikQQY2m4I/AAAAAAAADrc/1OxXO1eiBkk/s1600/2012-06-19_13-43-38_768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwVxlLBq2aU/T-ikQQY2m4I/AAAAAAAADrc/1OxXO1eiBkk/s320/2012-06-19_13-43-38_768.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Clan at Lookout Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From the Incline Railway to the <a href="http://terminalbrewhouse.com/" target="_blank">Terminal Brewhouse</a> for lunch and beers. One of my favorite Chattanooga spots, this brewpub is located next door to the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Terminal Brewhouse offers above average pub grub and excellent micro brews. Tried the <a href="http://untappd.com/beer/106933" target="_blank">Dead Sexy Scottish Ale</a> and the <a href="http://untappd.com/beer/183089" target="_blank">Brain Candy Belgian IPA</a>, both excellent representations of those styles. Then off to see the <a href="http://www.choochoo.com/" target="_blank">Choo Choo</a> and take some more pics.<br />
<br />
Now it's almost 90 degrees out and time to cool off. What to do... My youngest suggests the <a href="http://www.tnaqua.org/OurAnimals/OurAnimals.aspx" target="_blank">Tennessee Aquarium</a>. But of course. Excellent choice. We start our aquarium experience later in the afternoon so we almost have the cavernous building to ourselves. Leisurely strolls through the aqua world elicit lots of eewws and aahhs. Great place to beat the heat and get an aquatic education.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cPIvpSAZbc/T-ivQR8Uh-I/AAAAAAAADsM/TAWDInu35rk/s1600/2012-06-19_16-48-51_507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cPIvpSAZbc/T-ivQR8Uh-I/AAAAAAAADsM/TAWDInu35rk/s320/2012-06-19_16-48-51_507.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with penguins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmHbooaj34I/T-ivVqQjJ7I/AAAAAAAADsU/H80l4BFzSHQ/s1600/2012-06-19_17-02-45_777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmHbooaj34I/T-ivVqQjJ7I/AAAAAAAADsU/H80l4BFzSHQ/s320/2012-06-19_17-02-45_777.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hold your breath and grab a giant crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpbwMr35tmM/T-ivamH19CI/AAAAAAAADsc/aw-ZnGmOIe0/s1600/2012-06-19_17-04-33_28-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpbwMr35tmM/T-ivamH19CI/AAAAAAAADsc/aw-ZnGmOIe0/s320/2012-06-19_17-04-33_28-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm out here but it still scares me a little..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Load back up in the in-laws van (very nice way to travel by the way) and head back north one hour to Ten Mile, TN and to dinner at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uncle-Guss-Mountain-Pit-Bar-B-que/126638094052621" target="_blank">Uncle Gus' Mountain Pit Bar-B-Q</a>. Really good ribs, brisket, pulled pork and wings all smoked over pecan wood and a wide variety of sides and appetizers including fried green beans, fantastic onion rings, potato poppers, sweet potato fries and fried dill pickle spears. Being only a few miles from the lake house it has become one of our favorite dine out spots.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5zNDLqkQKI/V3AKUexi8sI/AAAAAAAAGmk/VA6G4lwJMocJUmbNKdr9bSF3zfJQ6I5uACKgB/s1600/uncle-gus-s-mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5zNDLqkQKI/V3AKUexi8sI/AAAAAAAAGmk/VA6G4lwJMocJUmbNKdr9bSF3zfJQ6I5uACKgB/s320/uncle-gus-s-mountain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="cushycms" id="Seasonal-Flavors"><tbody>
<tr><td class="flavoricon" height="100">Wednesday morning our guests from Ohio left for their own Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain adventure. With them goes some fine Sweetwater Valley Farm cheeses, <a href="http://www.smkw.com/large/knife/GP31986.jpg" target="_blank">Tennessee Chow-Chow Relish</a>, <a href="http://www.smkw.com/large/knife/GP003.jpg" target="_blank">Tennessee's Best Bread and Butter Pickles</a>, great pictures, a few sunburns and some fine Tennessee craft beers including <a href="http://www.facebook.com/blackstonebrewpub" target="_blank">Blackstone Brewing'</a>s Picnic English-style Summer Ale and <a href="http://www.yazoobrew.com/home.php" target="_blank">Yazoo Brewing</a> - Yazoo Hefeweizen, Yazoo Dos Perros and Gerst Amber, which was their favorite. As a Tennessee Ambassador I felt it was my duty to make certain their Volunteer State bounty was plentiful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_06_03/a12c07fe18e395fbf944aa86e2811c70_640x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_06_03/a12c07fe18e395fbf944aa86e2811c70_640x640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackstone Picnic Summer Ale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_06_18/022a8d3b1383b6ceed86db342f661f9f_320x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2012_06_18/022a8d3b1383b6ceed86db342f661f9f_320x320.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerst Amber Ale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Wednesday afternoon it's off to Athens, TN to <a href="http://www.mayfielddairy.com/" target="_blank">Mayfield Dairy Farms Visitors Center</a> with the youngest daughter for some of their fantastic ice cream. Again it's blistering hot outside but the promise of their creamy sweet frozen treats have us ready to cool down. My daughter gets a cone of Peanut Butter Fudge while I settle for a cup of Blackberry Cheesecake. So fresh, so good. They also have ten or so flavors that are not sold in stores so make it down to Mayfield if you want the best and the freshest.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://irs2.4sqi.net/img/general/original/1zgMBvGHSxQ4-6l23R5-1Yl4J_7nUYFZ9tDM0cqxsd0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://irs2.4sqi.net/img/general/original/1zgMBvGHSxQ4-6l23R5-1Yl4J_7nUYFZ9tDM0cqxsd0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut Butter Fudge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7mY5ZlBX2k/T-jrnPZhn1I/AAAAAAAADs0/qGuRMR-7OoI/s1600/IMG_20120620_163128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7mY5ZlBX2k/T-jrnPZhn1I/AAAAAAAADs0/qGuRMR-7OoI/s320/IMG_20120620_163128.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie, Mayfield's giant mascot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We stop for bait, worms, on the way back to the lake house for an evening of fishing with the kids. Always fun when they catch the bluegills and little pan fish. Usually I cast for bass while they fish for the little ones. This time was no exception. But, this time the results were different. While semi-seriously casting for bass, a massive hit on my line engulfed my bait, an <a href="http://zoombait.com/wp-content/gallery/8-inch-magnum-lizard/8-magnum-lizard-033-177-junebug-red.jpg" target="_blank">8" Junebug plastic lizard</a>. "Huge fish!", was my first thought, then, "must be a catfish", then no, "dang it, I've caught a freaking tree or branch", and it's big. Then, my line starts heading down water, South, and I know it's a huge fish, probably a catfish since it hasn't jumped out of the water and tried to the spit the bait out. After about ten minutes the monster appears - a Flathead Catfish. And it's huge - biggest fish I've ever caught. Netted, we get the behemoth onto the dock. Approximately 40 inches long and nearly 50 pounds. This thing would eat our pets. Pictures taken, bragging commenced, jitters shaken out, I release the Ole Fella to fight on and live to be a bit older. What a catch; so much fun.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UZjSa9vFLU/T-jr35cVjPI/AAAAAAAADs8/VSHzVSMfieI/s1600/2012-06-20_19-34-37_461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UZjSa9vFLU/T-jr35cVjPI/AAAAAAAADs8/VSHzVSMfieI/s320/2012-06-20_19-34-37_461.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Tennessee River/Watts Bar Lake Flathead catfish on the dock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kai0u-d9mSY/T-jssWYa6jI/AAAAAAAADtg/ngaURNQIeQU/s1600/2012-06-20_19-36-16_927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kai0u-d9mSY/T-jssWYa6jI/AAAAAAAADtg/ngaURNQIeQU/s320/2012-06-20_19-36-16_927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy fisherman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The last couple of days at the Watts Bar lake house are spent swimming, fishing, hanging out in the hammock, then cleaning up our week's mess. What a great week for family and psyche. The last afternoon of our Staycation are spent at our friends' pool, relaxing and staying cool. Overall it was a great week. We might could have stuffed more little trips into our days but then again, why? It was nearly perfect for all of us. As the sun sets on our Staycation, I again realize how much I love Tennessee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAhpXIVYAW4/V3AKPqhwYXI/AAAAAAAAGmk/O9D-upqiuHQX2MmBdXLHG52q06B82n9sACKgB/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAhpXIVYAW4/V3AKPqhwYXI/AAAAAAAAGmk/O9D-upqiuHQX2MmBdXLHG52q06B82n9sACKgB/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br />
<br />
<br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavor"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon"><br /></td><td class="flavor"><br /></td>
<td class="flavoricon"><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="flavoricon" height="100">Used during the Staycation: <a href="http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.android" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="http://untappd.com/user/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Untappd</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://foursquare.com/bluesandbarbq" target="_blank">Foursquare</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/louis.kittrell" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon" height="100"><br /></td><td class="flavor"><br /></td><td class="flavoricon"><br /></td><td class="flavor"><br /></td>
<td class="flavoricon"><br /></td>
<td class="flavor"><br /></td><td class="flavor"><br /></td><td class="flavor"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-5599189391618690452012-05-16T09:58:00.002-04:002016-12-27T17:44:07.926-05:00Hey bartender, there's some music in my beer!<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Beer and music. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Drinking beer and music seem to go together</span><span style="font-size: small;"> like peanut butter and jelly. Music and beer always </span><span style="font-size: small;">accompanies</span><span style="font-size: small;"> my grilling or barbequing. When out to have a few pints, there is always some tunes. Most breweries I've visited have music playing. In the brew house, in the tap room, on a mini-stage: somewhere there is music. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I've always noticed some music-themed beers in the marketplace. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> These beers are my favorite as far as honoring music; here are the<b> Top 20 music-themed beer names. </b><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>20. </b><b>Stoudt's Smooth Hoperator</b> - This Doppelbock was brewed as <a href="http://www.stoudtsbeer.com/brewery.html" target="_blank">Stoudt's</a>
20th Anniversary beer. It is also number 20 on this list. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TYv2PhG89A" target="_blank">Sade <i>Smooth Operator</i></a> was definitely an smooth jazz inspiration. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvYeuYcnInM/WGLsXzSdZpI/AAAAAAAAGvY/WYjyP7R2fQMNsZbbLO0xio1MaV6vibVyQCLcB/s1600/Sade%2B-%2BSmooth%2BOperator%2BInstrumental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvYeuYcnInM/WGLsXzSdZpI/AAAAAAAAGvY/WYjyP7R2fQMNsZbbLO0xio1MaV6vibVyQCLcB/s320/Sade%2B-%2BSmooth%2BOperator%2BInstrumental.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>19. Asheville Brewing Moog Filtered Ale</b> - <a href="http://www.ashevillebrewing.com/" target="_blank">Asheville Brewing</a> and the <a href="http://www.moogfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Bob Moog Foundation</a> launched the limited edition <a href="http://beerpulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/asheville-moog-filtered.png" target="_blank">Moog Filtered Ale</a>, an American Pale Ale, named in honor of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog in 2010. What's neat about this ale is that all profits
from the sale of the beer were donated to the Bob Moog Foundation to
benefit their projects. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ94Bgbiv-c/WGLueD5eVmI/AAAAAAAAGwU/xLq3asQeK_UaMxq5jJ7Kp2EnPdRnPF67ACLcB/s1600/moog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ94Bgbiv-c/WGLueD5eVmI/AAAAAAAAGwU/xLq3asQeK_UaMxq5jJ7Kp2EnPdRnPF67ACLcB/s320/moog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>18. Angel City Brewery Lester Young Porkpie Hat Dark Lager</b> - Lester Young, "Prez" was nicknamed by Billie Holiday because
he was "President of the Saxophone". Lester’s airy and light tenor
saxophone tone, his lyrical lines, combined with behind the beat
phrasing and unerring ability to swing, led Prez to become the father of
the "Cool" school of Jazz. 'Nuff said.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w9pWzUJVakY/TWmSNoos8aI/AAAAAAAACD8/JzZBWc4_mqw/s1600/LesterYoung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w9pWzUJVakY/TWmSNoos8aI/AAAAAAAACD8/JzZBWc4_mqw/s320/LesterYoung.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>17. Spire Whiter Shade of Pale</b> - A British Pale Ale from <a href="http://www.spirebrewery.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">Spire Brewery</a> in England, the name is from the 1967 Procol Harum song, <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3iPP-tHdA" target="_blank">A Whiter Shade of Pale</a></i>.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">" <span class="st">We skipped the light fandango turned cartwheels 'cross the floor. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st">I was feeling kinda seasick but the crowd called out for more."</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><br /></span></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gda9iEaEko0/WGLsfIgNwoI/AAAAAAAAGvc/0oZGBeLEGikaKLV78kSZrWLbbi5pISnmwCLcB/s1600/phcomp46-scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gda9iEaEko0/WGLsfIgNwoI/AAAAAAAAGvc/0oZGBeLEGikaKLV78kSZrWLbbi5pISnmwCLcB/s320/phcomp46-scan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>16. Purple Moose Brewery Dark Side of the Moose</b> - </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Brewed in Wales, this Porter from <a href="http://www.purplemoose.co.uk/" target="_blank">Purple Moose</a> is a play on one of the most popular albums of all time, Pink Floyd's 1973 release <i><a href="http://www.ilovewaterloo.com/images/stamp_giant/dar_neg_.jpg" target="_blank">Dark Side of the Moon</a></i>. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDxUTzwgqX8/WGLsp2lrRiI/AAAAAAAAGvg/M9IBXhwXI_MF0gKWNvxWrN5iY9eUpmnAQCLcB/s1600/pinkfloyd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDxUTzwgqX8/WGLsp2lrRiI/AAAAAAAAGvg/M9IBXhwXI_MF0gKWNvxWrN5iY9eUpmnAQCLcB/s320/pinkfloyd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://canarias7.es/perinque/fotos/497-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>15. Strange Paint It Black Honey Coffee Stout</b> - </span>What has six pounds of Western Slope Ambrosia Honey, three
pounds of cold-brewed Sumatra coffee, over four pounds of Cascade
hops, and is named after a Rolling Stones hit song? <a href="http://www.strangebrewingco.com/strangepaint.html" target="_blank">Paint It Black Honey Coffee Stout. </a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<i>"I See A Red Door And I Want To Paint It Black..."</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwOTlHHmDnc/Tud2RUBBfFI/AAAAAAAABdI/4xh0jLGCfT0/s1600/paintitblack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwOTlHHmDnc/Tud2RUBBfFI/AAAAAAAABdI/4xh0jLGCfT0/s320/paintitblack.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> 14. Heavy Seas Smoke on the Water Porter</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> - </span>Baltimore's <a href="http://www.hsbeer.com/" target="_blank">Heavy Seas</a> created a rich dark Smoked Imperial Porter with a killer label and one of the most famous guitar riffs in history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/s1sAkZF7SCQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>13. Flat Earth Cygnus X-1 Porter</b> - </span>Named after a black hole and a RUSH song, <a href="http://flatearthbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Flat Earth</a> used an old English porter recipe, added some rye malt, and a Porter
was born, paired with a great RUSH tune.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/cJzV0_SaV-k/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/cJzV0_SaV-k&fs=1&source=uds">
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/cJzV0_SaV-k&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>12. 21st Amendment Brewery <a href="http://21st-amendment.com/beer/back-in-black" target="_blank">Back in Black IPA</a></b> - </span><a href="http://21st-amendment.com/company" target="_blank">21st Amendment Brewery</a> embraced the more aggressive American version of the British IPA and then
recast it in bold, brave, defiant Black IPA. Most think of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cqU2GjYw8M" target="_blank">AC/DC's phoenix album and song</a>, <i>Back in Black</i> when this beer comes to mind. (Hands in the air!)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ekX7hLdLdA/WGLswlDk5CI/AAAAAAAAGvk/RisUr1-_1bMB4keuITFlVSPxe20Q1XFtwCLcB/s1600/acdc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ekX7hLdLdA/WGLswlDk5CI/AAAAAAAAGvk/RisUr1-_1bMB4keuITFlVSPxe20Q1XFtwCLcB/s320/acdc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>11. Voodoo Brewery Wynona’s Big Brown Ale</b> - </span>named after a hilarious and risque <span class="st"><i></i></span><span class="st"><i></i></span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYDfwUJzYQg" target="_blank">Primus song</a>. They Voodooed out a boring Brown Ale
and added more - that's what <a href="http://www.voodoobrewery.com/beers.php" target="_blank">Voodoo</a> says. The name of the song alone gets onto the list.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbiUUFpTw-w/WGLs2ZRLvcI/AAAAAAAAGvo/lqi3s8e6HcMy3-zmJMgDp6o5BRmHZeI1gCLcB/s1600/Wynona%2527s_Big_Brown_Beaver_%2528Primus_single_-_cover_art%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbiUUFpTw-w/WGLs2ZRLvcI/AAAAAAAAGvo/lqi3s8e6HcMy3-zmJMgDp6o5BRmHZeI1gCLcB/s1600/Wynona%2527s_Big_Brown_Beaver_%2528Primus_single_-_cover_art%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">10. Revolutions Brewing Co.</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> - </span><span style="font-size: small;">Based in West Yorkshire, England, <a href="http://www.revolutionsbrewing.co.uk/#" target="_blank">Revolutions</a> motto is "love music: love beer" - nothing wrong with that school of thought! So they named their beers after great bands and songs. Very cool stuff here...</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> Kraftwerk Braun</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql3aCt8XJu0/WGLs8HW3ApI/AAAAAAAAGvs/e8dDYzv5xQEH_Irpii4qoBC4a3MQJhb9ACLcB/s1600/kraftwerk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql3aCt8XJu0/WGLs8HW3ApI/AAAAAAAAGvs/e8dDYzv5xQEH_Irpii4qoBC4a3MQJhb9ACLcB/s1600/kraftwerk.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Revolutions Devolution Amber Ale</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCT-9_9U7eY/WGLtCK3JLEI/AAAAAAAAGvw/a2xWMEYaJzIrIy7adINWQfaOUxquHRj8gCLcB/s1600/devolution_by_scarfino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCT-9_9U7eY/WGLtCK3JLEI/AAAAAAAAGvw/a2xWMEYaJzIrIy7adINWQfaOUxquHRj8gCLcB/s320/devolution_by_scarfino.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Revolutions Clash London Porter</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8y5sRYiU5y8/WGLulhx3EFI/AAAAAAAAGwY/-oxdjTPgHUIn8JdDmSXHZL9rEbEAd6l8gCLcB/s1600/clash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8y5sRYiU5y8/WGLulhx3EFI/AAAAAAAAGwY/-oxdjTPgHUIn8JdDmSXHZL9rEbEAd6l8gCLcB/s320/clash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">9. Smoky Mountain Brewery Rocky Top ESB </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">- an English style Extra Special Bitter, this <a href="http://www.coppercellar.com/Restaurant-SmokyMountainBrewery.html" target="_blank">Smoky Mountain Brewery</a> beer is named for the famed bluegrass standard written by <a href="http://songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C121" target="_blank">Felice and Boudleaux Bryant</a>. The<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n9prNixjbg" target="_blank"> Osborne Brothers</a> made the song famous, it is an Official State Song of Tennessee and The Pride of the Southland Marching Band of the University of Tennessee plays<i> <a href="http://www.utk.edu/athletics/tn_songs.shtml" target="_blank">Rocky Top</a></i> as a Volunteers fight song. It is also a very good ESB.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRQmhp0-wBk/WGLtIEp_0xI/AAAAAAAAGv0/w9Azw_QjZq8dwVRMkLU35ie_Zw7fVRuUwCLcB/s1600/rockytoplogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRQmhp0-wBk/WGLtIEp_0xI/AAAAAAAAGv0/w9Azw_QjZq8dwVRMkLU35ie_Zw7fVRuUwCLcB/s320/rockytoplogo.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">8. Abita Purple Haze </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">- obviously a reference to the great Jimi Hendrix tune. <a href="http://www.abita.com/brews/purple-haze.php" target="_blank">Abita</a> concocted a light raspberry wheat beer that is popular in the South especially during the warm months. Great song, great beer name.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P78hdX6hCPU/WGLtMtpuKcI/AAAAAAAAGv4/4dwrE1CRuJEPuaa5ugKuAPQdiF8h3fhFQCLcB/s1600/hendrixpurplehaze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P78hdX6hCPU/WGLtMtpuKcI/AAAAAAAAGv4/4dwrE1CRuJEPuaa5ugKuAPQdiF8h3fhFQCLcB/s320/hendrixpurplehaze.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>7. Left Hand Fade to Black</b> - The highly regarded </span><a href="http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/verify-age" target="_blank">Fade to Black</a>, Volume 1, is a Foreign Stout with licorice, espresso bean, molasses, and black cardamom notes
that give way to a feeling of self loathing, burnt opportunities and
smoked relationships, not unlike the Metallica song of the same name:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Life it seems will fade away</i><br />
<i>Drifting further every day</i><br />
<i>Getting lost within myself</i><br />
<i>Nothing matters, no one else"</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mI6Fq2byDXM/WGLurM1SNBI/AAAAAAAAGwc/uX6blcKbhEwKPhW6Y_UmbOcTKtlE5qN1QCLcB/s1600/metallica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mI6Fq2byDXM/WGLurM1SNBI/AAAAAAAAGwc/uX6blcKbhEwKPhW6Y_UmbOcTKtlE5qN1QCLcB/s320/metallica.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">6. O'so Night Train</span></b> - This Oatmeal Porter is big, black and like a freight train. Tab Benoit's <i>Night Train</i> is a locomotive of a song, driving and intense like the beer of the same name. While <a href="http://osobrewing.com/ourbeer.php" target="_blank">O'so Brewing</a> didn't name this beer after Tab's song, they are worthy of one another.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kk0OhcH261s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>5. Three Floyds Pride and Joy</b> - <a href="http://www.3floyds.com/" target="_blank">Three Floyds</a> calls this beer an American Mild Ale. <i>Nothing</i> Three Floyds brews is <i>mild</i>; a hopped Amber Ale is more like it. Anyway, the song that comes to mind is Stevie Ray Vaughan's <i>Pride and Joy</i>. They didn't name the beer after this song because the song is not metal. Three Floyds is metal... and a damn good brewery. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NU0MF8pwktg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>4. North Coast Brother Thelonious</b> - A Belgian Strong Ale that is smooth like namesake Thelonious Monk. Proceeds from this beer go to </span><a class="navC" href="http://www.monkinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz</a>.
For every case of Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale sold,
<a href="http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-brotherThelonious.htm" target="_blank">North Coast Brewing</a> makes a contribution to the Institute in support of
Jazz Education. $330,000 has been donated as of October 2011. Super beer, super cause.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-de7BU0o--L8/WGLtSiDT9yI/AAAAAAAAGwA/gtSJihsHY8oe_x9uRf9SrgGBklw63X0gwCLcB/s1600/thelonious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-de7BU0o--L8/WGLtSiDT9yI/AAAAAAAAGwA/gtSJihsHY8oe_x9uRf9SrgGBklw63X0gwCLcB/s320/thelonious.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>3. Lagunitas Zappa line</b> (</span>Freak Out, Absolutely Free (Kill Ugly Radio), Lumpy Gravy, We’re Only In
It For The Money, and Cruising with Ruben and the Jets)<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lagunitas.com/home.html" target="_blank">Lagunitas</a> gets it. Great beers, great styles, great names. Anything honoring Frank Zappa and the <a href="http://www.zappa.com/flash/lumpymoney/index.html" target="_blank">Zappa Family Trust</a> is worthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LZVpOg8qHL0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>2. Yazoo SUE </b>- of course this list is biased to my likes, but this awesome Smoked Imperial Porter from Nashville's <a href="http://www.yazoobrew.com/our-beers/sue.php" target="_blank">Yazoo Brewing Company</a> would make many great beer list. It is a Beer Named SUE, you know... <i>A Boy Named Sue</i> by Johnny Cash? Nashville? Cash? Ok ok... It's a fantastic beer and a fantastic song by a great American artist.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-1BJfDvSITY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Dogfish Head Music Series: Bitches Brew, Hellhound On My Ale & Faithfull Ale </b>-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In probably the most ballyhooed releases of any music themed beers, SONY Music commissioned Dogfish Head to make these commemorative ales. <b><a href="http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occassional-rarities/bitches-brew.htm" target="_blank">Bitches Brew</a></b>, an Imperial Stout, was brewed to</span> honor of the 40th anniversary of the original release of Miles Davis' jazz masterpiece <i>Bitches
Brew</i> .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96o43xZgkKI/WGLtYNaxc9I/AAAAAAAAGwE/3evbF1TsIR8UOC6F2uZYSzOxR1VU2qwjACLcB/s1600/bitchesbrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96o43xZgkKI/WGLtYNaxc9I/AAAAAAAAGwE/3evbF1TsIR8UOC6F2uZYSzOxR1VU2qwjACLcB/s320/bitchesbrew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In 2011, <b><a href="http://www.robertjohnsonhellhoundale.com/" target="_blank">Hellhound On My Ale</a></b> was released to mark the anniversary of iconic bluesman Robert Johnson's 100th birthday, taking the beer name from one of Johnson's songs, <i>Hellhound On My Trail</i>. The Imperial IPA weighed in at 100 IBUs, 10.0% ABV, 10.0 SRM in color, and was dry-hopped
with 100% centennial hops at a rate of 100 kilos per 100 barrel
brew-length.<br />
"I'll take Blues for 100, Alex." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/sqgcM_CmhdA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/sqgcM_CmhdA&fs=1&source=uds">
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/sqgcM_CmhdA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Faithfull Ale</b> was brewed to celebrate Pearl Jam's 20th anniversary as a band and its landmark debut album, <i>Ten</i>. The beer take it's name from the Pearl Jam song <a href="http://www.pearljam.com/song/faithful" target="_blank"><i>Faithfull</i></a>. This Belgian-style Golden Ale is hopped to 20 IBUs and benefits from the addition of black currants. See what Sam says about it...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FBL5iN-gm2w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All of these beers offer something extra for music lovers. It's always intriguing to see what inspiration brewers have when crafting their elixirs. Music marries well with beer and always will. <span style="font-size: small;">What are your favorites? Which ones did I miss? Let me know. Always interested in musical beers.</span> Next time you drink your favorite beer, or a new one, what song will you have in mind? </div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-32209989848269365102012-04-26T17:53:00.001-04:002018-09-19T09:11:12.248-04:00Pulling Out All The Stops: A Pulled Pork PrimerPulled pork BBQ. I love it but I've never cooked any... until now. Time to get busy.<br>
<br>
Got a couple of small bone-in Boston butt pork shoulders at my <a href="http://jmbutchershop.com/" target="_blank">local butcher shop</a> with one goal in mind: smoked pulled pork BBQ. I've researched the methods, studied cooking times, stocked my wood piles, checked my schedule... I'm ready. Gonna smoke some Boston butt on my day off from work.<br>
<br>
Smoking day; time to prep.<br>
First step: set out my 5+ lb chunk of pork to apply seasonings and rub. I used regular <a href="http://www.frenchs.com/products/mustard/yellow-mustard" target="_blank">yellow mustard</a> to slather all over the pork first, then applied a commercial spice rub, <a href="http://www.buttrub.com/index.html" target="_blank">Bad Byron's Butt Rub</a>, which is very similar to my own homemade rub with a bit more black pepper. This is then covered with <a href="http://www.reynoldskitchens.com/product.asp?cat_id=1337&prod_id=4025" target="_blank">aluminum foil</a> and can be refrigerated overnight if possible. I was a bit pressed for time so I put my rub on the Boston butt then started to get my smoker ready.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgO3pYxouWI/T5mVI7fjbtI/AAAAAAAADmY/6iVeWjg15zI/s1600/2012-04-25_11-31-53_109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgO3pYxouWI/T5mVI7fjbtI/AAAAAAAADmY/6iVeWjg15zI/s320/2012-04-25_11-31-53_109.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first mustard, then spice rub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Second step: Lit my charcoal chimney using <a href="http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/bag94s.jpg" target="_blank">hardwood chunks</a> instead of briquettes for a quicker better fire start, apple and hickory woods used for smoking the meat after fire gets going.<br>
<br>
Third step: Once the cooking area of the smoker is up to around 225°F degrees, I start smoking the Boston butt pork shoulder roast. At proper temperature, the pork should take 1 1/2 hours per pound to fully cook.<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIo1WO5gSZM/T5mVCyf4WFI/AAAAAAAADmQ/Z8nYiGwrBbI/s1600/2012-04-25_11-19-39_122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIo1WO5gSZM/T5mVCyf4WFI/AAAAAAAADmQ/Z8nYiGwrBbI/s320/2012-04-25_11-19-39_122.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">starting charcoal as pork rub sets on Boston butt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCJ9f119c0Q/T5mVOVjhoaI/AAAAAAAADmg/xV0O0_VrGkQ/s1600/2012-04-25_11-37-11_371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCJ9f119c0Q/T5mVOVjhoaI/AAAAAAAADmg/xV0O0_VrGkQ/s320/2012-04-25_11-37-11_371.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lump hardwood charcoal in the firebox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipt-mqqy-XM/T5mVYVRbfHI/AAAAAAAADmo/86S6c4eVHmQ/s1600/2012-04-25_11-38-29_608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipt-mqqy-XM/T5mVYVRbfHI/AAAAAAAADmo/86S6c4eVHmQ/s320/2012-04-25_11-38-29_608.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">split hickory wood and whole short cut apple wood chunks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-St_s3HFS8ys/T5mVx9IJJ9I/AAAAAAAADnA/oGGwpt-0L2E/s1600/2012-04-25_11-53-09_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-St_s3HFS8ys/T5mVx9IJJ9I/AAAAAAAADnA/oGGwpt-0L2E/s320/2012-04-25_11-53-09_25.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5+ lb Boston butt pork shoulder</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqga5hEcWVU/T5mWCHaQeqI/AAAAAAAADnQ/lon53QvxJA8/s1600/2012-04-25_12-43-29_302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqga5hEcWVU/T5mWCHaQeqI/AAAAAAAADnQ/lon53QvxJA8/s320/2012-04-25_12-43-29_302.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<br>
Steady steps: Now I've got the smoker temperature steady at 225°F, adding
wood every hour or so while also turning the meat quarter turns every
hour. The scent of the mostly apple wood smoke is tantalizingly welcome
- I want to bathe in it! Wow - it is sweet and inviting. Always great
to use fruit woods in the smoker. I know the neighbors like it.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0QtftSWa2E/T5mWMyuVvCI/AAAAAAAADnY/3Zn4q5QjF20/s1600/2012-04-25_14-54-38_128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0QtftSWa2E/T5mWMyuVvCI/AAAAAAAADnY/3Zn4q5QjF20/s320/2012-04-25_14-54-38_128.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple and hickory wood smoke - succulent and sassy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Extra step: Added a special guest to my BBQ, say hello to Chubby Bologna. Smoked bologna is quite a treat and very easy to add to your smoke deck if you have the room. Just get a loaf of your favorite brand, open it, put it on the back end of the smoker and turn it every 45 minutes. A 1 lb loaf will cook in about 3-4 hours. Easy, delicious, different.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zm4SI9n3ATI/T5mVqAdIJII/AAAAAAAADm4/b7xzj40i7jg/s1600/2012-04-25_11-47-26_853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zm4SI9n3ATI/T5mVqAdIJII/AAAAAAAADm4/b7xzj40i7jg/s320/2012-04-25_11-47-26_853.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAHPThAZU9A/T5mWUf8buYI/AAAAAAAADng/eb_vEw26qHY/s1600/2012-04-25_15-43-45_319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAHPThAZU9A/T5mWUf8buYI/AAAAAAAADng/eb_vEw26qHY/s320/2012-04-25_15-43-45_319.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bologna and Boston butt on the smoke deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
Important step: After smoking the Boston butt for around 7 hours and the bologna for about 3 hours, I check the internal temperature of the pork to make certain that it has fully cooked. Using a <a href="http://www.motorcycleforums.net/forum/attachments/marauder-m50-secret-hideaway/20004d1250773924-oil-cap-thermometer-292n30761_meat_thermometer.jpg" target="_blank">meat thermometer</a>, I insert it into the meat and the internal temp should be 204°F. When the desired temperature was reached, I removed the pork to a large tray and covered in foil. I let it sit for about an hour to cool off so I could pull the pork and remove the bone. I have already removed the bologna about an hour earlier and wrapped it in foil also. I check on it and it is still hot!<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkbHuJpEwjI/T5mWZP4Wz9I/AAAAAAAADno/uh1cgt92OPc/s1600/2012-04-25_18-21-27_580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkbHuJpEwjI/T5mWZP4Wz9I/AAAAAAAADno/uh1cgt92OPc/s320/2012-04-25_18-21-27_580.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still hot; beautiful pink smoke ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
Final step: The pork falls apart easily using first some forks then just my hands. It is still a bit hot but the aroma and the beautiful smoke ring have me motivated and so does my hungry family. Anticipation gives way to taste tests. Light on the seasoning, heavy on the smoke, which is just right. Side of smoked bologna, a couple of bottles of my favorite commercial BBQ sauces. I'm ready to eat. So is the clan. Succulent, juicy, perfect. I have to say it was the most tender pulled pork I have ever tasted. And I smoked it! Another method marked off the list. I'm ready to tackle beef brisket. But that is for another time... for this one, I pulled out all the stops - and made damn near perfect pulled pork BBQ.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Bonus step: beer pairings. There are several really good beers to pair with smoked pulled pork. The best ones I've tried are:<br>
<ol>
<li> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_644348375"><span class="Stil1"></span><span class="Stil1"></span><span class="Stil1"></span></a><span class="Stil1"><a href="http://www.schlenkerla.de/rauchbier/sorten/sortene.html" target="_blank">Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen</a> - a German smoked beer that pairs perfectly with any smoked meat.</span></li>
<li><span class="Stil1"><a href="http://www.yazoobrew.com/our-beers/pale-ale.php" target="_blank">Yazoo Pale Ale</a> - locally brewed pale ale that also pairs well with many dishes.</span></li>
<li><span class="Stil1"><a href="http://www.downtownbrewery.com/The_Beer.html" target="_blank">Downtown Grill and Brewery Alt</a> - nice German-style beer that lends itself nicely to hearty meats and roasted dishes.</span></li>
<li><span class="Stil1"><a href="http://www.beerpal.com/Sprecher-Black-Bavarian-Beer/3460/" target="_blank">Sprecher Black Bavarian</a> - a black lager, tasty, light enough for many foods, dark enough to have some flavor. </span></li>
</ol>
<br>
Musical step: I always have my iPod on when I'm on my deck attending my grills and smoker, listening to an eclectic mix of tunes. During this smoking the music that moved me was:<br>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.alabamashakes.com/" target="_blank">Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.johnnywinter.net/johnny-winter-roots-out-now/" target="_blank">Johnny Winter - Roots</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.tabbenoit.com/" target="_blank">Tab Benoit - Medicine </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.theblackkeys.com/" target="_blank">The Black Keys - El Camino</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.seancostellofund.org/" target="_blank">Sean Costello - Sean's Blues</a></li>
</ol>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-7284267098901883892012-03-08T14:32:00.000-05:002012-03-08T14:32:43.988-05:00Try it, you'll like it.I've found that wherever I go, I look for good local BBQ and beers. I'm willing to try the sublime and ridiculous especially with my 'Que. I've had watermelon-based sauces, coffee-enhanced rubs, HOT chilies in both rubs and sauces, apricots, peaches, most any Southern fruit... just about any flavor in or on my BBQ. Seek the off-the-beaten-path BBQ joints and look for the long line out the door and you've found a good place.<br />
<br />
Local beers are also fun to seek and almost always worth trying. Some bigger cities are lacking with their choices of either brews or 'Ques. Take Memphis. Memphis has possibly the best selection of BBQ of any city but only two local brewers, Ghost River and Bosco's, which is a brewpub. You can find Ghost River all over Beale Street and other areas of the city and in most BBQ joints. Most cities have decent local breweries so Seek and Ye Shall Find.<br />
<br />
Remember: Buy Local and Try Local. You'll usually find some hidden gem and have a memorable experience. Be bold, be brave and try something new - you'll be glad you did.Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480099123429695335.post-58951820514980831272012-01-09T10:31:00.005-05:002012-01-12T08:44:58.139-05:00Universal Elixir<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<i>He was a wise man who invented beer.</i>"<br />
-Plato</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Man probably didn't invent beer rather he discovered it. Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt made beer and worshiped the libation. The laborers that built the great pyramids were paid with beer. 6000 years ago, ancient Chinese civilizations were brewing it. Early European Christian monks mastered the craft of brewing and built breweries as part of their crusade to provide food, shelter and drink to travelers and pilgrims. The Mayflower bringing Pilgrims to the New World settled for Massachusetts instead of Virginia because the crew was running out beer. An entry in the diary of Mayflower passenger William Bradford explains the unplanned landing at Plymouth Rock: "We could not now take time for further search...our victuals being much spent, especially our beer..." The Industrial Revolution brought further advances in brewing many of which are still employed today. Beer, is some form or another, has been around as long as civilization itself.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpBU6dim43I/TwdtCH-mWUI/AAAAAAAADfo/r4iXqcmFXNM/s1600/plymouthrockbeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpBU6dim43I/TwdtCH-mWUI/AAAAAAAADfo/r4iXqcmFXNM/s320/plymouthrockbeer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
My beer journey started in college. Hitting the clubs and bars, drinking swill (cheap beer), developing a taste for the suds. Usually it was Miller Lite or Budweiser or the cheaper stuff. For about twenty years or so after my early college days, I continued to drink the Bud/Miller/Coors (BMC) macro brews oblivious to the growing trend of craft beers. Then something happened around 2005; someone had a Blue Moon and I tried that beer - Loved it! Something different, something with <i>flavor</i>. I'd always been slightly adventurous when dining out, trying a Samuel Adams Boston Lager and their seasonal Octoberfest beer. I knew any true beer drinker needed to be able to drink a Guinness Stout draft. So, I tried some stouts. Gotta train that palette! It took awhile to develop a taste for the darker ales. Then I read about IPAs. <i>What is an IPA? </i>I pondered, researched, then found and tried one.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>IPA is an Indian Pale Ale, originated in England when the British would ship ales to the soldiers and colonists in India. To keep the ales from spoiling the brewers added extra hops - the flower pods that add the bittering agent - to the barrels of ale. The results were a bigger, stronger and more bitter beer that stood up to the long sea journeys to India.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Wow! Big taste, big hops and big bitter; I wasn't ready for that puppy yet. Now I wanted to try more. Smoky Mountain Brewery was a perfect vehicle for the craft beer newbie. Sampled their offerings; loved them. Then on to Highland Brewery from Asheville, NC: all of theirs were even better than the local ones! That lead to more discoveries and soon I had become a craft beer <i>lover</i>, even learning to drink and appreciate porters and stouts and IPAs. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_KK4Fstgac/Twr727NN6sI/AAAAAAAADgk/4i027RcKMBA/s1600/2010-03-17+12.49.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_KK4Fstgac/Twr727NN6sI/AAAAAAAADgk/4i027RcKMBA/s320/2010-03-17+12.49.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Charles Porter from Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery in Nashville</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since adopting my beer hobby in earnest, the Internet has become very helpful. Beer ratings sites such as <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/" target="_blank">RateBeer</a> or my personal favorite beer community - <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/" target="_blank">BeerPal</a> - have helped me learn about different styles. These sites allow one to read beer reviews, ask questions in forums, research breweries and beer styles and trade beers with fellow beer lovers from all over the world. I have made several good friends with beer trades and "meet-ups"; friends from Wisconsin, Ohio, Alabama, California, D.C., Texas - there are craft beer lovers all over the United States and the world. Now in the East Tennessee area, there are new beer stores, like the quaint <a href="http://beardenbeermarket.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Bearden Beer Market</a>, and craft beer-friendly bars and restaurants opening and maintaining a steady and growing clientele, catering to beer lovers, and there are thriving breweries in the area. Smoky Mountain Brewery has several locations. Downtown Grill & Brewery is a popular nightspot in downtown Knoxville. <a href="http://marblecitybeer.com/" target="_blank">Marble City Brewing</a> opened their doors to the public in the fall of 2011 after much anticipation. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8gIfIU03m0c/TwsEaR3JECI/AAAAAAAADgs/loA-w_RCd1o/s1600/Moon+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8gIfIU03m0c/TwsEaR3JECI/AAAAAAAADgs/loA-w_RCd1o/s320/Moon+River.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
Beer is more popular than it has ever been and craft beer is gaining market share and notoriety. Chefs on network television programs are pairing beer with their foods. Restaurants are carrying alternatives such as seasonal craft beers and local offerings. Twitter and Facebook have exploded with brewery sites, beer reviewers and brew lovers. More breweries are popping up all over America and craft beer is gaining popularity all over the globe. Now is a great time to try something different, something with flavor, something hand-craft and artisan. Try something new next time you drink beer. Because beer is the univeral elixir.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<i>They who drink beer will think beer.</i>"<br />
-Washington Irving<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Read my beer reviews at <a href="http://www.beerpal.com/members/memberinfo.asp?UID=6217" target="_blank">BeerPal: bluesandbarbq</a></span> </span></div>Lou Kittrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166401767230355576noreply@blogger.com2