Annnnd, They're Off!!

[steveh]

Everyone voting? Everyone who has open and varied interests other than the selfish promotion and marketing of their beer, that is! ;)

S.

[Bruno_78]

Is there anyway of seeing the results without voting?

[steveh]

Don't know. It's difficult looking at the results even after you've voted.

Stan?

S.

[fretlessman71]

After you've voted, click the "vote now" link and you can see the results. Dunno about BEFORE you vote... not sure why you wouldn't want to vote either. If you can see the results before you vote, it might skew your vote - kind of the same reason they don't post presidential election results until the polls have closed in that time zone, or something like that....

[Bruno_78]

Oh, I've already voted, I was just interested in following it throughout the day. I have nothing else to do.

[steveh]

Wait...did you take over Chaz' job?!

S.

;)

[Bruno_78]

We're a partnership, right buddy?

Hey, Just noticed that the Arrogant Bastard is winning against the Bell's Two Hearted. Just a thought here. If Bell's wins the whole thing, we might be able to get some benefits from the brewery when we do our Kalamazoo convention.

[fretlessman71]

I'm gonna tip my hand - I've had both of these, and I always thought that Bell's was the superior beer. Arrogant Bastard is sort of a SN Bigfoot Lite to me.

[Bruno_78]

I agree, I think that the AB is a fine beer, but I find the two hearted to be a little more well rounded, more drinkable.

[fretlessman71]

Absolutely. I think I was a little thrown off by the hype surrounding ABB, but still I wasn't all that impressed.

[Bruno_78]

you HAVE tried the two hearted though? I didn't realize you could get that stuff out there.

[fretlessman71]

I can't. But I got to play in Minneapolis Nov. '03, and I made certain to pick up a few brews for the trip home. 2heart was unbelievable, Moose Drool did almost nothing for me and Summit Oktoberfest was pretty good, but I wasn't really acclimated with lagers yet so I think I was a poor judge.

[Bruno_78]

Well, so much for that. Looks like the two hearted is going to be ousted!

[fretlessman71]

Darn shame if you ask me. Wonder why they'd put those two in the first round? It's like having the Williams sisters playing each other right off the bat!

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
Wait...did you take over Chaz' job?!



:eek:

[fretlessman71]

Shouldn't "job" be in quotes in the earlier posts? :D

[chazwicke]

Hey! I'm only "Semi" retired.:D

[tarapin]

I just voted and if you click on vote now after you have already voted it will show you the results again. Sorry Bell's was still down and I did vote for them.

[TrojanAnteater]

Now, in this tournament, are the pairings organized such that the beer that is regarded as one of the best, will face a beer that is not, or is relatively unknown in the first round. Kind of like the good beer is given a #1 seed, where they face the #16 seed in the first round- just like the NCAA basketball tournament. This way, there isn't a chance of 2 really good beers meeting eachother very early and having one of them eliminated. Is that how this is set up, or at least attempted?

[Bruno_78]

I dont' think it's quite that technical

March 3
Huber Bock vs. Capital Autumnal Fire
Moose Drool Brown Ale vs. Magic Hat No. 9


Geez oh Pete! CAF would be a no brainer for me, seeing as though I didn't get to try it at the only place that I've ever seen it!

But the MD vs MH#9 is going to be tough. I've been wanting to try the MD after hearing all the hype, but I really enjoy the MH#9.

They're not making this very easy on us.

Do you guys think that this competition is affected by distribution? I mean, most of us can locate a DFH 90 minute, but I can't get MD or MH#9 in my area. I wonder, if these beers were distributed a little more widely, would they have a better chance against others like the DFH?

[BluesHarp]

Two-hearted vs Arrogant Bastard...that was not cool for the opening round...

[fretlessman71]

I wanna know how Huber Bock made it in, and Gumballhead and 90 Shilling were left off.... :rolleyes:

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
March 3
Huber Bock vs. Capital Autumnal Fire

Geez oh Pete! CAF would be a no brainer for me, seeing as though I didn't get to try it at the only place that I've ever seen it!

Damn 'O' rings!! ;)

S.

P.S. Bruno - the Huber Bock is a pretty pale and thin pretender to the style.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I wanna know how Huber Bock made it in, and Gumballhead and 90 Shilling were left off....

Yeah! Me too! :mad:

[Bruno_78]

I just can't do it!

The whole premise of this thing is to vote for whichever beer you would order in a pub, right?

Well, if it came down to moose drool, and Magic Hat #9, I would order both! And If I couldn't have both, I wouldn't get either of them. So there it is. I'm not casting a vote between these two beers tomorrow. I just can't do it!

[sallad]

for me, its an interesting balance between beers i absolutely love and beers i've never had.

in the case of magic hat vs moose drool.. i can get magic hat any time, andi think the #9 is pretty good. but, i've never had moose drool, so i'd go with that.

DFH 90min vs diamond knot ... never had diamond knot, but i almost always go for DFH no matter what else my choices are.

i dunno... who said this is scientific, right?

[fretlessman71]

That's right. It's a glorified popularity contest. But that's okay, too. :)

[Bruno_78]

Originally posted by steveh

P.S. Bruno - the Huber Bock is a pretty pale and thin pretender to the style.

Sorry Steve, the Huber is leading CAF 68 to 32 percent as of 9:30 est.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
Sorry Steve, the Huber is leading CAF 68 to 32 percent as of 9:30 est.

It's all rank sentimentality!! If anyone - anyone - ever drank the two side-by-side, they'd become enlightened...and I haven't voted yet... Harp?

S.

[steveh]

Anyone actually look at the RateBeer links provided for these 2 beers? 94 to 47? I mean, c'mon!

S.

[fretlessman71]

Hey, it's just a glorified popularity contest. But that's okay too. :D

[ADR]

Wow, it is a little hard to see Autumnal Fire that far down...

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Hey, it's just a glorified popularity contest. But that's okay too. :D

And didn't I send you an AF? See if you receive any more trades from me - turncoat!

S.

[fretlessman71]

I was waiting for you to see that!

And no, you didn't - I got a winter skal instead... your OTHER favorite.
(Which was unbelievable, BTW.)

FWIW(nm), I voted for Capital.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
And no, you didn't - I got a winter skal instead...

Yeah? Well see if I do send you an AF!

S.

Probably never even seen a Huber, let alone taste it...

[steveh]

;)

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh

Probably never even seen a Huber, let alone taste it... Actually, I'm very well versed in Huber and Huber Bock - used to be available right here in Ft. Collins when I was growing up. The Bock was cheaper than anything else, and it was decent for just a drinking beer that you didn't feel like you had to pay much attention to. It was pretty darn good, really - especially for an 18 year old who had had more than his fair share of swill at that point in time. The case boxes were terrific - I still have a few of them for storage purposes. Sturdy, easy to carry, and with a flip-top lid that closed and opened very neatly. You just couldn't bring yourself to throw that box away!

Having said that, I'm sure CAF is a far superior brew - if only because I'm that familiar with the Huber Bock.

[chazwicke]

I was stunned that Huber was even in the running. Stunned!

[fretlessman71]

And who'd they buy off to get in?

Can you imagine the uproar if they beat CAF? They'll put it all over their labelling. like DFH 90 does. :rolleyes:

I'm beginning to see what happened here.... these two are pretty close to each other, right? So there's got to be some friendly/not so friendly competition between them. Someone at the Huber Brewery found out about the pairing, and emailed EVERYONE he knew about it, and that's causing the lopsided voting. Steveh, you have about 8.6 hours to do a little e-politicking of your own (I'd help, but as we all know, I have no friends to email save you guys)...

[chazwicke]

It would be a travesty if huber were to win.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I'm beginning to see what happened here.... these two are pretty close to each other, right? So there's got to be some friendly/not so friendly competition between them. Someone at the Huber Brewery found out about the pairing, and emailed EVERYONE he knew about it, and that's causing the lopsided voting.

Capital is right outside Madison (right down the road from Janna's store), and Huber is about 40 miles south and west in Monroe - not necessarily neighbors, but certainly running in the same vicinity. But they're in completely different leagues, AFA beers go. Had it been New Glarus Ufda and AF, it would have been a different match-up.

And AF is an '04 GABF Gold Medal Winner - fer cry!

Steveh, you have about 8.6 hours to do a little e-politicking of your own

I have been - and I promised myself not to ballot-stuff this year...

S.

[Bruno_78]

Can anyone check the standings on the moose drool and MH#9? I'm not going to vote on those, so I can't see the results.

[chazwicke]

!2:13 PM Moose drool 57.1, Magic Hat 42.9

[danno]

Autumnal Fire is in the lead, 54.5%.

I'm looking at some of these beers, and some of their distribution areas don't even intersect. no wonder Two Hearted lost, i bet 98% of the people voting haven't had both of them...

[chazwicke]

Yeah it seems sort of unfair.

[fretlessman71]

Yes, but understand the nature of the BoB - there's no way they could reasonably compare apples to apples every single time. So they gave you this voting criteria: If you were at a bar and both of the following beers were on tap, which would you pick? This means even if one is a local and you've loved it for years and the other is one that you'd heard good things about but never tried, you might pick the new one over your old favorite. And that's ok. It's really the best they can do.

...but HUBER BOCK???!?!!?!?? :mad:

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
It's all rank sentimentality!! If anyone - anyone - ever drank the two side-by-side, they'd become enlightened...and I haven't voted yet... Harp?

S.

I did and will continue to!!

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
...but HUBER BOCK???!?!!?!?? :mad:

It's a good thing that saner (and more tasteful) heads prevailed.

S.

[chazwicke]

I'm not certain Huber products even belong in the craft beer catagory. Isn't it a regional that survived?

[steveh]

Pretty much - by way of contract brewing.

S.

[Beaver]

A pretty unimpressive list today.

[chazwicke]

Agreed! Shiner Bock and Yuengling Black and tan?

[fretlessman71]

I picked the B&T only because I didn't care for the Shiner Bock, and I'm always into trying something new. But SABL and Anchor Steam ought to be interesting - two very important brews in the micro revolution! (And similar, but not so similar that it's hard to discern a preference.)

[chazwicke]

I chose Anchor. You?

[fretlessman71]

Can't remember now... but I prolly chose Anchor since I hadn't had it in so long, and I have an SABL in my "cellar" if I really want one. I'm really trying to abide by the spirit of this year's BoB in thinking, "If these were the only two available, which would I order?" And I'm really not worried about which one might be BETTER - I'm focusing on any and all reasons to order a beer ("Oh! I haven't had one of those in a long time", or "I've heard so many good things about that", or "You know, that just sounds yummier today"). There's absolutely no scientific method with this stuff, so I figure I'll call 'em as I see 'em and no one can shoot me down for it. :)

[steveh]

Anyone ever had the Sprecher Black Bavarian? Pretty good shtuff.

I agree with you about choosing by which one you'd grab first Fret, but I'm also not voting if there's one I've never had (Troegs vs. St. Arnold).

S.

[chazwicke]

Oh so you are admitting you chose SA. Neither are stellar but both have a large role in good beerdom as you have stated.

[tarapin]

I was feeling pretty stupid on this vote due to the fact I have only heard of three of these contenders.
Anchor- I know and love
Samuel Adams- A mainstay
Yuengling- I know of and do not care for, but have never had one of their B&T's
All of the others I am in the dark about, anyone else or a am more of a newbie than I care to admit? :D

[steveh]

Originally posted by tarapin
All of the others I am in the dark about, anyone else or a am more of a newbie than I care to admit? :D

It's kind of a regional vote today, though Gordon Biersch is pretty nationwide - Sprecher isn't. As I said, there are only 2 of the group I've never had at one time or another (and that could be failing brain cells!).

S.

[fretlessman71]

Nothing wrong with being a newbie- the journey is FAR more interesting than the destination! Sometimes I feel like I've run out of new beers to try around here... when I get done with the porter marathon, I think I'll stick to old standbys for awhile - you know, the ones where you see it in the store and say, "Yeah, I already know that stuff is terrific - what else is there?". Yeah, I think it will be time for a little fermented familiarity. :D

[tarapin]

And would that be a Odell's 90 Shilling?:D

[fretlessman71]

Yep - that and FCB Edgar, NB 1554 Brussels Black Ale, Tabernash Dunkel Weiss, Avery New World Porter, FCB Chocolate Stout, Odell's Levity Ale, Flying Dog In Heat Wheat, Boulder Singletrack Copper Ale, Left Hand Milk Stout and Sawtooth Ale, and I could go on and on..... :D

[chazwicke]

So just one or two old familiar brews eh?

[steveh]

Jeez - he hasn't even gotten into his home-brew - lush!

S.

[Bruno_78]

Fret brews! I guess I didn't realize that!

[chazwicke]

He has too many beers on his plate right now to brew.

[fretlessman71]

I'm almost out of HB - just a few bottles each of the IPA and Porterstoutwhateveritis. I sent away another bottle of the IPA, but I uncapped it and let it foam up for a good long time, and took a new sanitized cap and recapped it. Dunno how this will work, but it will undoubtedly get to its new destination in no worse shape than the one I sent to steveh.... :(

[fretlessman71]

Something's wrong - when I go back to check on the status of each voting competition, it's trying to let me vote again! I don't want to be a ballot stuffer... but most of these face offs are landslides today, so it really doesn't matter, BUT......

[TrojanAnteater]

maybe you can appear to vote again but maybe it doesn't register the vote. I've seen this happen on a lot of polls on ESPN etc. Seems most of them nowdays don't even let it look like you can vote again, but the way it use to be was it'd just recognize that you already voted and wouldn't log the next vote. Hope that is the case otherwise 1 person could sit there and change the whole outcome of the tournament in a half hour.

[chazwicke]

I hope that is not happening again. It is an honor thing. Post only once. Let the chips fall where they may.

[fretlessman71]

It's hard when you want to see the results so far, and it asks you to vote all over again. So, to be safe, I'd vote for the opposite brew each time I wanted to look, and try to do it an odd number of times so that I had voted one more time for the brew I wanted to win. That way it would come out the same as if I had only voted once.

[chazwicke]

So far I'm pulling for the Dreadnaught out of all the beers last week.

[fretlessman71]

Same here.

[chazwicke]

How about everyone else? I'll bet a lot are pulling for DFH.

[fretlessman71]

I dunno... I like dynasties as much as anyone else (Ming was my favorite - didn't General Tso's Chicken come into existence then? MMMMMM....) but I'd like to see a new king take the throne this time around... and Dreadnaught is as likely as anyone to do just that.

[chazwicke]

I pulled for Dreadnaught last year. FFF you know.:D

I felt almost disloyal because DFH is local for me.

[chazwicke]

And I like General Tso's too.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
And I like General Tso's too. I miss it terribly... but I get to enjoy it vicariously through my wife. :)

[chazwicke]

Actually I'm burned out on Chinese. I like Tai and Viet Namese.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Actually I'm burned out on Chinese. I like Tai and Viet Namese. There's a great Thai restaurant here in town - hey chaz... just how hot do you like your Thai? I've had it so hot at this place that my eyeballs start sweating...

So what in the world is a Cuvée? We're voting on two of them today....

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
So what in the world is a Cuvée? We're voting on two of them today....

Cuvée means blend and is usually applied to Flanders Red (Rodenbach) or Brown type beers because they blend old and new batches to create their product. Although, I've seen the term applied to Belgian Strong Dark ales too.

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
There's a great Thai restaurant here in town - hey chaz... just how hot do you like your Thai? I've had it so hot at this place that my eyeballs start sweating...

So what in the world is a Cuvée? We're voting on two of them today....

I like some spice but I'm not a fan of any food that is too hot to eat or is so hot that you can't taste anything but heat. I prefer the flavor of the food.

[Bruno_78]

we have a thai place around that I'd like to try. I'm also curious about Indian cuisine.

[danno]

very close on the New Glarus/Victory race (51.2/48.8). pretty amazing since New Glarus only distributes in Wisconsin, but it's a pretty amazing beer...

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
we have a thai place around that I'd like to try. I'm also curious about Indian cuisine.

Indian is my very favorite ethnic food. Some of the dishes are almost like a fine beer. very complex and subtle.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by danno
very close on the New Glarus/Victory race (51.2/48.8). pretty amazing since New Glarus only distributes in Wisconsin, but it's a pretty amazing beer...

I voted for New Glarus. I have had both of these beers. I think I last had New Glarus as a guest beer at Titletown in Green Bay.

[fretlessman71]

I went with Victory - I just prefer trippels to Flanders Reds right now.

[chazwicke]

You crazy guy ya! Ever drink aRodenbach Grand Cru? Have you had either of the two beers before?

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I voted for New Glarus. I have had both of these beers. I think I last had New Glarus as a guest beer at Titletown in Green Bay.

When were you at Titletown?!

Fret - the New Glarus isn't a Flanders Red, more of a Kriek than anything - cherries added as an ingredient. The fruitiness in a Flanders is all from yeast and fermentation.

S.

[fretlessman71]

STILL sounds like I'd like the trippel. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now...

Never had a Rodenbach Grand Cru. Pretty sure I can't get it here.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
When were you at Titletown?!

Fret - the New Glarus isn't a Flanders Red, more of a Kriek than anything - cherries added as an ingredient. The fruitiness in a Flanders is all from yeast and fermentation.

S.

A few years ago. My neice and family live in GB. I've got a sixer of "Chuck's Ale" from a small brewery up that way too. And a metal sixpack holder. I visited about 5 on that trip.

[chazwicke]

Actually, Since Germany has been postponed until June and my son is off school for the week of 3/25 - 4/2 I am trying to decide where to travel for that time frame. Might go to Maine and Boston. Might go to Texas. and Might do a road trip to Chi town crossing PA, Ohio, and Indiana along the way. (Road Trip is my first choice) Depends on my wife and son. They may prefer to fly to Chicago Get a car there and visit GB during the week.

[TOBP_Steve]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Ever drink aRodenbach Grand Cru? Have you had either of the two beers before?

I've had Rodenbach Grand Cru, several years ago. First and last time I had a beer like that, but surprisingly it's readily available here in the Atlanta area, even before they raised the ABV limit to 14 last year.

Any clue as to a good food pairing with Rodenbach? Or is it the kind of beer you relax with after dinner, in a tulip glass? It was interesting, I really need to give it another try.

[TOBP_Steve]

Originally posted by chazwicke
A few years ago. My neice and family live in GB. I've got a sixer of "Chuck's Ale" from a small brewery up that way too. And a metal sixpack holder. I visited about 5 on that trip.

My in-laws live about 2 hours west of GB.....every year I hit the Hereford & Hops in Wausau. Wonderful steaks and a good selection of high-quality beers brewed on-site. Although, from Green Bay it'd be quicker to head north and hit the H&H location in Escanaba MI.

I also recommend Minocqua Brewing Co, a brewpub in Minocqua WI. Way the hell north, a few hours from GB, but it's in a summer lake resort town. The beer is decent, nothing that'll knock your socks off, but their food is good, and the restaurant is right on the lake, so the combination of the whole environment helps. They have a very good porter, which would be perfect right after ice fishing.

[chazwicke]

I've been to the H & H location in Escanaba. (Relatives near there too.) As I'm thinking about this maybe we should fly into Chicago and do a drive up to Madison and then to GB.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I've been to the H & H location in Escanaba. (Relatives near there too.)

Me too - great lagers. I still need to check out the Wausau pub.

As I'm thinking about this maybe we should fly into Chicago and do a drive up to Madison and then to GB.

If you drive to GB via Madison, it won't take you past Libertyville and the Firkin and Mickey Finns! Of course, there is the ride back... ;)

What 5 places around GB did you hit? I can only think of a few (and a couple I wouldn't really recommend at that).

S.

[chazwicke]

I dont recall the names. Titletown and H & H (Escanaba). Around GB one was a brewery in an old dairy I think and the other was a brewpub. I will have to see if my brother remembers. I was out there in 97 for Christmas. I'm certain I have pictures but I can't recall. I wish I could remember the place that had Chuck's beer. I'll take a look at the sixer tonight.

I saw this on Lew Brysons Site today with Regard to H & H.

1/31/05: Michigan brewpub chain comes to PA. I heard from Hereford & Hops brewer Kevin Eichelberger recently. Kevin e-mailed me to let me know that H&H, a brewpub outfit from Michigan and Wisconsin, is beginning construction on a brewpub in Cranberry Township, north of Pittsburgh. It's at 1740 Rte. 228 Cranberry TWP, PA 16066, north of the Interstate 79 exit off the PA Turnpike. They're hoping for a Fall 2005 opening. More as it develops, like...why the hell is H&H coming to PA? Can't wait to hear the answer on that one.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Around GB one was a brewery in an old dairy I think and the other was a brewpub. I will have to see if my brother remembers. I was out there in 97 for Christmas. I'm certain I have pictures but I can't recall. I wish I could remember the place that had Chuck's beer. I'll take a look at the sixer tonight.

The brewery that used to be in a dairy was probably Hinterland in Denmark, WI - just south of GB (on Steve's Cheese Rd.! Har!). That's now in GB proper and now a Brew-Pub with a fancy menu - it's right across the street from Titletown. There's a new micro in Denmark making some respectable stuff (I've reviewed a couple), but they aren't in Hinterland's old location.

There are places in Appleton and over in Door County - plus one on the way to Escanaba in Marinette that had great food but pretty sub-par beer. There's also a new micro brewing around GB (have to look it up) that's batting around .500 with their beers.

If you head up to GB I can recommend a great paint store with a good selection of regionals. Interested in the Chuck's, though.

S.

[steveh]

D'oh - Egan's (http://www.beerme.com/breweries/us/wi/1603.shtml) in De Pere - never knew they were even there. Looks like they must have been tiny.

Slab City (http://beerme.com/breweries/us/wi/3870.shtml) is the new one near GB that I couldn't remember - batting the .500 with their brews.

S.

[chazwicke]

I'm pretty sure Hinterland was it. I have also been to Steves Cheese on more than one occasion. I like Ron's cheese a little better. My neice's husband was driving us to the places he was familiar with around Green Bay. I've only been to GB 4 or 5 times over the years.

[chazwicke]

Yep Egans! They had some neat metal bottle holders that said Chucks Ales on the side. I think they were meant to be returned.:D

[chazwicke]

Also, I think the bottles were painted label So I think I have six of those too.

[TOBP_Steve]

Steveh, sorry if this is a threadjack (but we are discussing Wisconsin breweries right now), but is Autumnal Fire your favorite from Capital Brewing? That's one of the couple that I haven't had yet. I was able to try most of them when I picked up a sampler pack, but it didn't have the AF.

My favorite style of beer is Hefeweizen, and I found that most American breweries don't even come close to the German ones. Not sure why. However, I found that the ones that come the closest are Brooklyner Weisse, Sprecher, and the Capital Kloster Weizen. Shiner actually had a pretty decent one too, but I've been very pleased with Capital's consistency across the board. And there aren't too many micros that specialize in German styles.

[fretlessman71]

You need to check out Tabernash Brewing in Longmont, CO. They do a Maibock, an Okto, a Weiss, a Dunkel Weiss, a Pilsner and maybe something else I've forgotten about. Good stuff! http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/index.aspx

[chazwicke]

I think there are a fair number of Lager brewers out there that make some precision German styles.

[TOBP_Steve]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
You need to check out Tabernash Brewing in Longmont, CO. They do a Maibock, an Okto, a Weiss, a Dunkel Weiss, a Pilsner

Arrrggghhh!!! They distribute to TN, NC, and FL, but not GA. Once again, we just miss out. GA's beer laws are so restrictive, not too many companies want to do business here. Yuengling is the same way, they distribute to every state around GA, but not to GA (and they have a brewery in FL).

[fretlessman71]

Hey - you're only 3 hours away from Gnashville.... road trip! :)

[chazwicke]

Maybe he should go "All the Way to Memphis" and he could visit "Graceland."

Mott the Hoople and Paul Simon.

[steveh]

Originally posted by TOBP_Steve
...is Autumnal Fire your favorite from Capital Brewing?

Hmm, if I were to really think about it, the Fest (Cap's Summer lager) might be my favorite - but the Doppelbocks, Weizenbock, and the AF are right up there - they're just dangerous!

Sprecher, and the Capital Kloster Weizen.

I once told Capital Brewmaster, Kirby Nelson, that I thought his weizen and Randy Sprecher's were just about my favorite American-made, German-style Weizens - and that I found them very close in profile. He looked at me wryly then told me how he and Randy developed their recipe together - and that they are nearly the exact same beer! Little trivia. Also, Capital filters their Weizen because the board that owns/runs the brewery didn't want to market a hazy beer - no matter what the tradition. I've had the great opportunity to sample the Capital Weizen on the far side of the filter at the brewery - yummy.

S.

PS - TOBP - check for a thread talking about Ramstein beers from NJ, they're supposed to be pretty good in the German-style.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Maybe he should go "All the Way to Memphis" and he could visit "Graceland."

How about "Memphis Thing?" By Rob Jungless (SP?) - there's a one-hit-wonder no one will remember!!

S.

[TOBP_Steve]

Originally posted by steveh
PS - TOBP - check for a thread talking about Ramstein beers from NJ, they're supposed to be pretty good in the German-style.

I'm originally from NJ, and I have a friend in that part of the state. I just checked out their website, I certainly like what I see, and I have a call in to the friend to see if he can hook me up. They're served in the Hofbrauhaus in Atlantic Highlands NJ, a moderately authentic German-style restaurant overlooking NY Harbor, so that hopefully says something about the quality and how close they are to the German weizens.

Thanks for the heads-up.

--Steve

[Bruno_78]

Originally posted by steveh
I've had the great opportunity to sample the Capital Weizen on the far side of the filter at the brewery - yummy.



You are one wild and crazy guy!!

(yes, those old episodes of SNL are older than I am)

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
(yes, those old episodes of SNL are older than I am)

Maybe that's why you don't recognize that line as a Steve Martin bit before SNL! ;)

S.

[steveh]

Aaaarrrgghh! That's just not fair!! Again!

Which beer would you most like to drink? Umm, both? Please? :(

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
Maybe that's why you don't recognize that line as a Steve Martin bit before SNL! ;)

S.

Martin was great back then the bent arrow through the head was classic. And also the "You can be a millionaire and not pay taxes skit"

[steveh]

I forgot. :D

S.

I recently replaced the old vinyl with a new CD!

[chazwicke]

It's easy.......First...Get a million dollars.....

[chazwicke]

He used to tour with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

[newportstorm]

Another example of how name recognition and distribution area can affect voting. Shipyard Bluefin Stout way out ahead of Alesmith Speedway Stout. Few states outside of CA get Alesmith, while Shipyard is available in over half the country.

Still early though, Alesmith has plenty of time to play catch up. Go Speed Racer!

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

I voted for Alesmith. Thanks again, Hopjack, for the Alesmith beers in my stash.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh
Aaaarrrgghh! That's just not fair!! Again!

Which beer would you most like to drink? Umm, both? Please? :(

S. Not fair HELL... this is the point! You must choose, grasshopper.....

[steveh]

I DID! I want both! :)

Fair enough choice, don'cha think?

S.

[fretlessman71]

Hmph.... "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Presidents of the United States... George W. Bush and John Kerry!" :rolleyes:

Actually, I wanted neither of them - I did a write in for Lew Bryson...

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
[B]Hmph.... "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Presidents of the United States... George W. Bush and John Kerry!"

Mmm, sorry - not the same sort of choice. If I wanna have EF and GN side-by-side, two-fisted, I'll have 'em! I didn't even want to see GWB and JK together in the debates. :/

S.

[fretlessman71]

these are some CLOSE races, man... less than a percentage point difference at 11:00 MST!

Very sad to see FFF Dread bow out yesterday - I'd like to see them get the recognition they so richly deserve...

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by TOBP_Steve
Arrrggghhh!!! They distribute to TN, NC, and FL, but not GA. Once again, we just miss out. GA's beer laws are so restrictive, not too many companies want to do business here. Yuengling is the same way, they distribute to every state around GA, but not to GA (and they have a brewery in FL). You know, the only time I ever had Yuengling Porter was when I found it in a liquor store in S. GA coming back from visiting the in-laws. And this was just a year or two ago...

[chazwicke]

Yuengling Porter was a staple for us in the late 70s.

[chazwicke]

Sucks that Dreadnaught did not win.:mad: It is a far superior beer. I did not vote last week due to being on and off the net while traveling.

[fretlessman71]

I agree, chaz - would have voted for it today.

Very curious - this is a very fun voting system, but it's interesting that DFH has gone for the 3peat. I enjoyed the one that I had, but I gotta know - does everyone here really, truly, consider 90minIPA to be the best brew in the country?

[chazwicke]

While I do like it and it is local to me, I would not put it in my top 10.

[chazwicke]

Bell's Two Hearted is rapidly moving up my list though. I'm having one now. It is a wonderful, wonderful beer.

[Bruno_78]

I'm glad you're enjoying the 2 hearted, Chaz. I keep dreaming of the CC version. It was sublime.

I just picked up a sixer of the Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock. It's only distributed for a couple weeks in february, so I snatched it up.



I think that there are several that are equal to the 90 minute, if not better.

[threecb]

I find it amusing that the 2 finalists were the only two beers that I got "reminder" emails from telling me to vote for them. That being said, 90Min is a far superior beer, IMHO.

[steveh]

Originally posted by threecb
I find it amusing that the 2 finalists were the only two beers that I got "reminder" emails from telling me to vote for them.

I can get you on the Capital e-mail list! :D

S.

[threecb]

Originally posted by steveh
I can get you on the Capital e-mail list! :D


Ya mean you have an "in"!?!

Seriously, I need to set up an email account just for beer related info!

[steveh]

Originally posted by threecb
Ya mean you have an "in"!?!

Yeah, go to web site - sign up for more SPAM! ;)

S.

[chazwicke]

I think Dreadnaught is superior to 90.

[newportstorm]

I propose that DFH 90 Minute IPA be retired from competition and put in the BoB Hall of Fame. Seriously. Newport, RI hosts a chili cook-off every year - one restaurant can only win 3 (?) times before it is retired from competition and placed in the Hall of Fame.

New blood is good for competition - keeps things fresh. Dynasties are so passe......'cept when it comes to the Patriots! :D

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

LOL! But I agree that is a good idea. I think three times is enough. Retire and admit as first B0B Hall of Fame.

[fretlessman71]

Hey - has anyone else noticed that DFH 90 isn't bottle conditioned anymore? The one I received many moons ago in a trade had yeast at the bottom. This one I'm drinking now, while very tasty and smooth, is clean at the bottom - and there was almost no head to it! I remember having to halt the pour the first time because it was so ready to jump out and get me... what gives?

[steveh]

Newer bottle Fret (less fermentation within)? New strain of yeast? Contact the DFH folks?

S.

[fretlessman71]

Picked it up just the other day. The head wasn't that huge rocky "root beer float"-type, either; it looked force carbonated, very smooth and - well, AVERAGE. Hardly the sort of beer deserving of a "threepeat", wouldn't you say? Now the one I had 2 years ago? Yeah, I could have seen that... but hmmm.....

[steveh]

But I've seen bottle-conditioned beers, of the same brand and style, with different heads - from the smooth, fine-bubbled look you talk about, to near gusher - bath-bubble style. The "very smooth" you describe sounds a lot like Young SLAs I've had.

BTW - it's often been said that force-carbonation heads will have uneven, multiple sized bubbles, and also won't hold up terribly long.

S.

[chazwicke]

I found it a bit distressing that Medicino beers from CA are bottle conditioned but those from NY are not.:eek: This can make for an entirely different beer under the same name.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh
But I've seen bottle-conditioned beers, of the same brand and style, with different heads - from the smooth, fine-bubbled look you talk about, to near gusher - bath-bubble style. The "very smooth" you describe sounds a lot like Young SLAs I've had.

BTW - it's often been said that force-carbonation heads will have uneven, multiple sized bubbles, and also won't hold up terribly long.

S. I suppose I've made yet another assumption, then. But something was very different from that bottle 2 years ago to this one, and I have to say.... give me a Dreadnaught any day of the week... *sigh*

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
But something was very different from that bottle 2 years ago to this one,

And I'd still gather, from your description of the head "jumping from the bottle," that the bottle you had 2 years ago may have been older than fresh-from-the-brewery. You know? Little more in-bottle fermentation than this last bottle.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Possibly, but the bottom of the bottle I had last night was totally clean... even SNPA has a little sludge on the bottom when they're fresh!

[steveh]

Was the body of the beer hazy? My last home-brew has been surprisingly sediment free, and becoming better and better carbonated. Maybe it's a yeast strain?

S.

[fretlessman71]

The beer from 2 years ago was somewhat hazy and had what I swore was not-quite-dissolved hopjuice floating in it... it made me think of fluidic space! This one was crystal clear and a lot less interesting to look at. Hmmm....