Flavored beer? Why yes, I will have one!

Last weekend I picked up a 12 pack Brewmaster’s sampler of Sam Adams, which included Sam Adams Light, Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, and Blackberry Witbier. Mr. Lush’s beers of choice are Guinness and Shalafly Pale Ale (local brewing company) but he also likes Sam Adams, so I thought he might like to try the Pale Ale and I was moderately curious about the Blackberry Witbier, although I’ve never liked fruity beers and find the fruit overpowering, I figured Sam Adams might make one I liked.

Well, it was a good choice… the blackberry is barely there. Now, a Witbier / Weissbier (which is my preferred beer style of choice - typically brewed in Belgium) is a bit more fruity than bitter anyway, with hints of orange, clove, coriander, and sometimes just a whisper of banana. (I wouldn't call Witbier a fruit beer…its not just bitter…) But the blackberry gives this beer just a smidge of fruit, just enough to keep it tasting like beer because of the full body of the beer, but not overpower it. I have now found the only flavored beer I like. (true, I can’t drink more than 1 or 2 without being fruit-beer’d out, but those 1 or 2 are really good)

The Hefe is also good, although not quite “witbier”. (note for Pale Ale lovers – Mr. Lush liked the Pale Ale, but still prefers the Shalafly….sorry Jim Koch)

Irish beer humor

One of our stops in Ireland was a pub/brewery called The Porterhouse Brewing Company. They brew beers and serve other beers, but theirs is the only Irish beer they serve (aka NO GUINNESS). They have a very elaborate (and humorous) beer menu. I've included some snapshots. (funny part is at the end, but bear with me)

Cover page:

A few of their beers:

Here's some shots of their descriptions of other countries and other beers:

Very nice and informative, right??
Well, here's the description of the USA beers:


This Irish are funny ones, I tell ya. But really, in a country where everyone drinks Guinness like water (literally) can we blame them for making fun of American beer???

Chouffe cheers

Recently we went to Growlers, a local pub. We don’t often go to Growlers, so I took full advantage of their many (100+) beer selections and had a couple Belgium beers I hadn’t tried. As you know, I am an equal opportunity drinker, although I will admit I don’t drink beer that much anymore. I’m sorta mad at AB for selling to InBev, so I’m unofficially boycotting all AB products. They aren’t on sale anymore anyway, so I’d rather support a smaller brewery that puts their stuff on sale, or drink beer that actually has a good flavor, like Belgium beer.

But I digress- at Growlers I had the La Chouffe and the Mc Chouffe, two Belgium beers owned by the same company.The La Chouffe is a blonde beer, with some spicy and a bit fruity. (note, fruity Belgium style isn’t fruity like a Cherry beer would be fruity, its more understated fruity) The Mc Chouffe is similar, although darker, less spicy and a bit more hoppy. Both were really good, although I probably prefer the La Chouffe, because in general I don't like much hop in my beer.

If you like hefeweizen or unfiltered beers, give these a try. They were $11.50 each, but it was for a 750ml bottle, so its enough to share. Take note of the 8% alc content though.....