Perfect brew!

For me, the jazz junkie and beer lover- a perfect brew. It also helps that I just can't get enough blueberries!

Beer of the day- Heavy Seas

It's HOT, HOT, HOT here in New Jersey.  I sure would like to be out on a boat somewhere. And most people would not think of drinking a dark beer, (except for me). I stopped at the High Street Grill in Mt. Holly the other day and found something new, Heavy Seas Smoke on the Water.  And of course, as it was new, I had to explore the taste. Not too heavy on the smoke, and very drinkable. After all, that is how the porter style evolved, drinkable. A nice brew from the folks at Clipper City. They have a full range of styles, I'm sure you'll find something that you will like from their brewery.

Home Brew Big Brew day!

There is too much beer and too little time in the day. I have many ideas saved up to share with you, but reality gets in the way ...
However this came along and I thought it important to share. The Whales home brewers club made a great video of their big brew day. And there is a contest to see which video gets the most views, so please take a look! After all, it's about the adventure..
Click here to see the video on youtube!

T'Gaverhopke

Probably the smallest brewery the group has visited, T'Gaverhopke has a tiny brewery and cool brewpub open on the weekends. I'm sure if I lived in the neighborhood, it would be a favorite hangout.  Gudrun is not only attractive and charming, she is one talented brewer.   The newest beer, the singing blond, a 9% triple made a big impression on everyone. Check out the review on this cool Belgian Beer site.  The beers are now being imported to the USA, be sure to look for them at your favorite beer store.

Rodenbach Brewery

Our second stop was at Rodenbach Brewery for lunch.  One aspect of this visits which is fascinating to me is the mix of  old tradition and modern equipment. Much of the old brewery is evident on the out side, yet you find new brewing equipment on the inside.

However, at Rodenbach, the key to the beer is aging in oak barrels, hundreds of them.  Many  of them the oak is more than 300 years old.

The beer is carefully monitored and blended so each bottle has the perfect balance.


Here is an interview with the master brewer, Rudi Ghequire, who was our informative and gracious host.

First stop- Timmermans Brewery

My secret is now out.  I've just returned from a trip to the land of beer- Belgium!  So there will be much to share with you.  Our first stop after a long and sleepless flight, Timmermans Brewery.
Even though Timmermans is owned by the British giant, Anthony Martin, the beers are still made the way they have been for centuries.  They have a great site, so you can read more there if you wish.

My education about lambic beers has been a bit lacking, so they have not been common on my tastings.  They are spontaneously fermented by the wild yeast that inhabit region of the country.  Lambic beers have been brewed in this manner for hundreds of years.

They can be slightly or very sour, depending on the exact methods.  Cherries are added for the kriek beers, and other fruits can be used to make other fruity lambics.  I'm certain many of you  have seen or tasted the lovely raspberry framboise.

It was a very refreshing way to start  our day.

Beer Snob

I'll admit it.  I was a bit disturbed when I visited one of my favorite beer bars in NYC the other day.  Sixty taps, sure there is a great selection... wait a minute!
Bud... ok, I guess they have to have something for the average Joe.

BUT wait Bud lite too????? Don't you think that 1 of these is enough????

Accessories for a Beer Goddess

As a beer goddess, sometimes you need to look the part.

I found this shop with really cool beer cap pendants, Marcie Jane Designs. The Lucky pendant is very special, don't you think?

If you're having a gathering at your home, or need a hostess gift,  a recycled beer bottle tray is just perfect! There are several different ones available from Capital City Craft Studio, but I happen to like the Chouffe one the best!

And for the times you really want to shout BEER GODDESS , be sure to visit Ale Street news and see the great clothing they have , designed just for beautiful you!

People and Places

There are several special beer bars in New York City.  At the Blind Tiger Ale House, you are likely to find brews that you have never seen before! Surely a mecca for any beer adventurer which you will see in more of my posts.
Last week I was lucky enough to have a special cask ale, Busterbrau Catatonic.  Busterbrau ales are loving brewed By Warren Montiero, the Beer Sensei of Ale Street News.  Not only is he a talented and knowledgeable beer writer, he's a darn good brewer too.
The Catatonic was poured from a small cask, fresh hopped, tasty and very drinkable! Complex with 7 malts: maris, briess pale, carafa I, crystal 60, cara amber, munich amber, wheat malt. Water: Burton profile. Hops: cluster, chinook, cascade for bitterness, cascade & goldings for aroma, wet cascade hops from Pittsburgh courtesy of Carl Uhlmann for wet hop finish. So if you are lucky enough to be frequenting the beer hot spots in New York, be on the look out for any Busterbrau... it's the one beer to remember!

Wordless wednesday

Tale of Two Tastes

You can go to just about any bar and have beer.  But not all beer is created equal. Many of the fine microbrews are now sold only in the larger bottles of 750 ml. Now of course, I could drink a bottle that size.  The question is do I want to risk $15 or so on something I might not like.
Today, I was lucky to share two brews at a friend's house which I had passed over buying because I wasn't quite sure I would like them.
The first was from Dogfish Head Brewing in Delaware which is one of the most creative breweries in the East.  The beer- Black and Blue, brewed with berries and was very enjoyable.
The second cam from one of New Jersey's biggest microbreweries, Flying Fish. They started brewing "Exit" beers, based on New Jersey's highway system.  Today I had the Exit 1, oyster stout. I am a big lover of stouts and this one is roasty and delicious.
Both proved worthy of drinking- give them a try if you can!