So, I went to this beer tasting event the other night. It was cool and all, but at the same time, beer tasting events are sort of strange. Cram 100 people into a tight art studio with no tables or chairs and make everyone wait in line so that they can get one oz. worth beer. I guess the important thing to remember is that it is a beer tasting event, not a party. It feels like a party, there’s cheese and crackers, everyone looks ready to party, the music is playing and there’s beer a plenty! But, no you can’t drink it. No, you have to wait in an orderly line with your wine glass and schmooze the server for your sample, then get the hell out of the way, because there’s 20 other people in line.
It’s true that I got to taste some very rare beer, but at the same time I only got to sample the beer. No full glasses, hardly a full swallow, then back to the line. Rinse, repeat if necessary.
So, anyway, despite my complaints, I did enjoy myself and here’s a list of some of the beers I tried:
Deschutes - The Dissident (awesome sour. major step up for the brewery. Best of show IMO)
Stone - 2007 Old Guardian Barleywine (Great barleywine, mellow and sweet)
Stone - Cali-Belgique (perfect blend of cali hops and belgian yeast)
Rogue - Dry-hop Red (fantastic as usual)
Alaskan - Alaskan Barleywine (tasty)
Alaskan - Alaskan IPA (Good nose, medium taste)
Avery - Ellie’s Brown (one of my favorite browns)
Avery - Hog Heaven Barleywine (never realized how hoppy this thing is! wow)
Great Divide - Oak Aged Yeti (still one of the best imperial stouts around)
Oskar Blues - Velvet Elvis (very rare and very tasty mellow roasty stout. mmm)
Stranahan Whiskey (had to cap off the night with a taste)
So you might think I’d be hammered after consuming that list, but, you’d be wrong. I bet I had a beer and a half total.
