May 7--Youngs Special London Ale

[studentofbeer]

those of us at the the bigfoot tasting settled on Youngs Special London Ale for May, likely followed by a hefeweizen (Schneider Weisse?) for June.

Just wanted to put this out there so people had time to buy bottles for May, but if people have problems with Youngs we can do something else.

Info: May 7, 4:30 eastern, 1:30 pacific. we'll be using BrewMonkey's chat program again (http://opforsoldier.com/Chat.html).

I'm still open to ideas about other chat programs. This one is awesome because it is easy for everyone to use, but I think it's too bad there is no way to save the transcript.

from Young's: Young's Special London Ale, 6.4% abv. A golden brown strong ale. Vinous hoppy nose. Powerful flavour full of hops and fruit. Lasting bitter finish giving way to toffee notes.

Maris Otter pale ale malt, phenomenal amounts of Fuggles and Goldings hops. Goldings hops are added during cold storage. Yeast is added during bottling to continue the maturation as a live ale.

[chazwicke]

I hope to be in on this one but my neice graduates from college that day. It may be the first tasting that I'll have to miss. :(
Of course If I bring my laptop......

[PFDarkside]

I didn't realize I picked one of these up last week. I am enjoying it for the first time tonight. This is a great beer...

[YamahaXS]

how do these work? everyone buys a selected beer, and responds on-line with reaction?

[fretlessman71]

Yeah - there's a chosen beer for the month, and everyone goes out and gets one or two or three, and meets online at the preferred time - 4:30 EDT on the first Saturday of the month - and pops them open and talks about what they're tasting. Pretty cool, eh? :)

[studentofbeer]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
how do these work? everyone buys a selected beer, and responds on-line with reaction?

it's a live chat not just on the message boards, so it's lots of fun because you are reacting immediately, chatting it up and learning things about the beer as you go.

[chazwicke]

Again, It is really a fun and eductional time. I recommend it.

[YamahaXS]

i'll try to make it, but don't wait up. 4 yr old and an infant usually require nurishment at about that time.

edit: yes, it does sound like fun.

[YamahaXS]

oops i just realized that 3:30 my time. I should be able to do that. :)

[zoom6zoom]

Of course If I bring my laptop......

...and a brown paper bag...

[Lamprey]

I hope to catch at least the beginning of this one...

[kevin]

tried to find one of these Youngs at the lhbs and all they had was the Oatmeal and double chocolate no ESB..

[zoom6zoom]

Wasn't able to get any either but plan to stop in anyway.

[studentofbeer]

bummer you couldn't find it. it looks like the beer in this picture (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/152/724/) . Young's only bottle conditioned ale i think.

[YamahaXS]

I may not participate today so don't wait on me. I am currently in the middle of chapters 5 and 6 of the dissertation. :confused: and unfortunately, my topic is NOT beer.

[Stodbrew]

I'll be there with a bottle I bought in 1999 when I was in England. Should be interesting.

[studentofbeer]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
I may not participate today so don't wait on me. I am currently in the middle of chapters 5 and 6 of the dissertation. :confused: and unfortunately, my topic is NOT beer.

oh c'mon it'll help... that's what im telling myself. i have a lot of outlining to do before im even halfway ready for my final tuesday.

[chazwicke]

Sorry I missed it! I did not get home from the Graduation trip until late and I was tired from the 3 hour drive each way and being in the sun all day. Got slightly burned. This is the first one I have missed. I hope it went well!

[studentofbeer]

we missed ya chaz, but yeah it went pretty well. pretty universal thumbs up for this beer. a few people had bottles passed the best by date, but stod had one he bought in london like 6 years ago and reported it still was tasting good. some with older bottles found a more vinous character, while mine, with a best by of May 05 seemed a bit brighter with hints of lime and green apple, though also some nice earthy and even salty flavors.

everyone was a little curious about the "phenomenal amount of hops" phrase--it's a hoppy beer but not HOPPY like we tend to think of it. But given the age of some of the beers, plus the British ingredients and typical British restraint, it was hoppy for a British beer.

thanks to everyone who attended!

[PFDarkside]

I agree, Student. In a traditional sense, it is hoppy, but compared to even a standard APA, let alone some of the American IPAs out there, it's pretty mild. I think it's a great example of a well balanced beer.

I have yet to have an 1845, how does it compare?

[studentofbeer]

1845 is much darker, as well as somewhat roasty and earthier. in my mind it's closer maybe to an old ale or a stepped up ESB, whereas SLA seems like a pumped up best bitter. 1845 is a heartier beer in my mind, great for stews and meats, whereas I think SLA is a bit brighter and sweeter. it probably depends on your mood, but i think i prefer SLA to 1845, and in general i'm a fullers guy. both are very tasty.

[zoom6zoom]

After being at the chat in observer mode (as I wasn't able to get any Young's) the descriptions from the other participants definitely leave me wanting to try it.

Not to be totally dry or at least in the right mode, I enjoyed a Fuller's London Pride while attending.

[chazwicke]

I really like the 1845 and I think it is the best beer that we have tasted during the online sessions. But I'm also a Fuller's guy. I generally prefer Fullers pubs but there are some excellent Youngs pubs too. Buckingham Arms comes to mind. Right Richard?

Who all attended the tasting?

[studentofbeer]

i'm having another SLA as i finish up studying for my last final, and man is it good. this one is different from my first for some reason-- really big bubbles in the head that disappeared to nothing. seems a lot like a cask-conditioned beer, lots of amazingly bready malt and not as much hoppiness. good stuff tho.

[zoom6zoom]

Who all attended the tasting?

If I recall correctly it was Stod, Studentofbeer, myself, and I'm sorry, I can't recall the fourth. Sure wish we could archive these chats. Fret also dropped in for too short a visit.

BTW, have we decided on the choice for June 4th?

[GooseIslandFan]

I was the fourth person at the tasting. That was a fantastic beer. I guess we should check the poll results to see what the choice is for next months tasting.

PS. For those at the tasting, I just had GI 17 year ESB on Cask this evening and it was amazing.

[steveh]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
BTW, have we decided on the choice for June 4th?

Chicago members should be forewarned that the weekend of June 4th is the Lincoln Square Maifest...

http://www.mayfestchicago.com/

S.

[threecb]

Originally posted by steveh
Chicago members should be forewarned that the weekend of June 4th is the Lincoln Square Maifest...

http://www.mayfestchicago.com/

S.

The Mayfest is in June? :confused:

[steveh]

I think they got tired of unpredictable weather a couple years ago. Dunno.

S.

[chazwicke]

What is the choice for June? I was sorry to have missed the last one. I'll be there for June though.