Hop Talk
This blog is about beer and life.
Flying robot drone will steal your beer!
Sep 2nd
Is this what is going to happen when SkyNet becomes self-aware?
http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=609
(via Boing Boing (via Bruce Sterling))
Goose Island Summertime Ale
Sep 1st
It’s hot. I like this.
Dan points out I have the wrong style identified and he is right! (see comments) But, it doesn’t change the fact that I still like it! Alt’s are a bit darker, a bit maltier, and a bit hoppy’er. I added the true definitions below. They both are traditional German-Style beers. Googe Island suggest serving in an Altbier style glass.
Alt’s German-Style Kölsch’s are becoming a favorite of mine as just a nice, simple, beer that hits the spot anytime. I remember visiting Brewer’s Alley with Al and the gang at Octoberfest and they had the “Wedding Alt” on tap and that was the day that I remember saying to myself that I had better give these more attention when I see them. Since then, I’ve had the CTRL-ALT-DEL at Davidson Brother’s Brewery in Glens Falls, NY and now Goose Island has made a wonderful Summertine ale that is distributed to many. Try one! (Please comment on your favorite German-Style Kölsch’s OR Alt’s!)
German-Style Kölsch/Köln-Style Kölsch
Kölsch is warm fermented and aged at cold temperatures (German ale or alt-style beer). Kölsch is characterized by a golden to straw color and a slightly dry, subtly sweet softness on the palate, yet crisp. Good, dense head retention is desirable. A light fruitiness may be apparent, but is not necessary for this style. Caramel character should not be evident. The body is light to medium-light. This beer has low hop flavor and aroma with medium bitterness. Wheat can be used in brewing this beer. Ale yeast is used for fermentation, though lager yeast is sometimes used in the bottle or final cold conditioning process. Fruity esters should be minimally perceived, if at all. Chill haze should be absent.
German-Style Brown Ale/Düsseldorf-Style Altbier
Copper to brown in color, this German ale may be highly hopped and intensely bitter (although the 25 to 35 IBU range is more normal for the majority of Altbiers from Düsseldorf) and has a medium body and malty flavor. A variety of malts, including wheat, may be used. Hop character may be medium to high in the flavor and aroma. The overall impression is clean, crisp, and flavorful often with a dry finish. Fruity esters can be low to medium-low. No diacetyl or chill haze should be perceived.
Call to action: Find Mackeson Stout
Aug 23rd
The other day, we received a message in our inbox:
Dear Hop Talk,
Do you know how I can order Mackeson Stout? Apparently it is sold only on the East Coast, but is there a way I can get a few cases shipped to me?
Graham D
Well, Graham. That’s really going to depend on where you live. I live in Maryland and I’m out of luck.
Have you asked your friendly local retailer? In my experience, they’re generally happy to help you find a beer from one of their distributors and even do special orders.
How about it Hop Talk readers? Do you have any suggestions for Graham?
Freshest Octoberfest
Aug 18th
It doesn’t get much fresher than this… I grabbed some of the first Saranac Octoberfest beer from the brewery today. She even had to fetch them from the back. I think I need to get one in an ice water bath so I can have it tonight.
Also note the cool ADK pint glass. My sister-in-law picked this one up for her friend; they had many other frosted glasses with things like: DAD, OMG, WTF, BEER, and many others. (ADK is for Adirondacks)
Best beer names
Aug 18th
The best beer names according to the Aleheads, anyway.
Beer people have some wonderful senses humor, and I’ve bought plenty of beer because the label made me laugh.
A sample of some of the beer from their list that I’ve actually had:
- Old Horizontal
- Old Leghumper
- Mama’s Little Yella Pils
- Dad’s Little Helper Malt Liquor
- Blithering Idiot
While I’ve never had a Polygamy Porter, I do have a t-shirt. (“Bring some home to the wives.”)
Some of these are a riot and I can’t wait to try them (if I can find them).
What’s your favorite beer name? (Did it make the list?)
(via Definitive Ale)
Save the Wave
Aug 18th
Just when Google Wave was getting the features it needed to be really cool they pulled the plug on it. I think it was because they limited access to it out of the gate and when the hype died down, that’s when they opened it up to everyone. It was also not in-your-face like Buzz was attached to GMail.
But you can help Save the Wave! (I don’t have high hopes, but we can try)
Google described Wave as “what email should have been”, but really it is a great place to organize and store topics and then allow multiple people to edit. It is OneNote on the Web. The Wave folks should take (steal) the interface from OneNote to make it a little more accessible to everyone. (which by the way I am loving OneNote 2010, which is also getting more and more Web friendly)
Check out Wave in the Google Labs.
Beer linked to psoriasis in women
Aug 17th
Well, I suppose it can’t all be good news.
According to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology, women who drink beer are more than two times as likely to develop psoriasis than non-drinkers. Other types of alcohol, including light beer (snicker), wine and spirits don’t seem to have the same effect. The culprit appears to be gluten from the barley, as the psoriasis sufferers were more sensitive. No word if bread or pasta had a similar effect.
(via U.S. News and World Report)
