Author Archives: Ron

About Ron

I have many passions, beer is just one. Cheers! You can reach me at ron [at] hop-talk.com.

Taps and a Love Story

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I’ve been living half my life in Rochester NY since I started at a new company a couple of months ago. (and I will use that as an excuse for the lack of podcasts… Al can say the same) While out there I’ve been looking for a pub with some good taps and I have found many. This is a photo of the taps at MacGregor’s in Henrietta. Just check out their beer list.

Especially attractive is their selection of vintage and seasonal specialties like the 2009 Southern Tier Krampus and the 2011 Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA (being cellared for consumption at a later date…).

Equally attractive were these two 20-something year old girls that grabbed a pub shelf nearby. Both tall and dressed well, one was a red head and the other a brunette. No one ran over to serve them (which just confused me) but after a bit they went to the bar and returned with a couple of tall 24oz coppered colored ales each with a thick head of foam on them. Then, the red head took out her phone and took a photo of her beer… that’s when I feel in love ;)

Cheers everyone and enjoy the holidays!

Seattle Fishmongers and Henry Weinhard’s

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Seeing this offer to catch some fish at Pike’s caught my eye and made me miss Seattle. If you’re out there, I dare you to give it a try and say those guys at Hop-Talk made me do it!

From November 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012, Henry’s fans from across the Pacific Northwest will have the ability to enter for a chance to catch fish at Pike Place, by texting the word “CATCH” to 90464 or entering through the Henry Weinhard’s Facebook page.  Ten finalists will be announced in March, 2012 and will have a chance to catch fish alongside real life fishmongers at Pike Place Fish Market in May.  In addition to a trip to Pike Place Fish Market, “Today’s Catch” finalists who complete a “six-pack” of catches will win a year’s supply of Henry Weinhard’s, awarded in the form of a prepaid card.  For complete rules, visit the Henry Weinhard’s page on Facebook.

I’d love to try Henry Weinhard’s new IPA but I have not seen it on the east coast. (not sure if it has enough IBU’s anyway). If you’re out in Seattle, go visit all the great pubs out there and let me know your favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magic Hat Hex – Ourtoberfest

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I drink more oktoberfest style beer at our annual Oktoberfest weekend than all year long. I was amazed by how the taste of this style brought back all of those memories. It is like just like when you smell something out of the ordinary from your childhood, like the smell of your grandparents bungalow at the beach, that you remember and can picture so many details that were otherwise stored in the back of your head.

This beer from Magic Hat was not bad at all. I know that is not high praise, but this just isn’t my favorite style. The color is just right, medium amber. It is lighter than most oktoberfest in the sweetness category and the bitterness is minimal which I would then call it a classic German octoberfest (as opposed to your American variety), but they use an Alt Ale yeast…? Maybe that is why they call it “Ourtoberfest”. They also used some smoked malt in it, but apparently very little as I didn’t detect it all. Maybe I should have another.

Best part of it is that it didn’t have any of that perfume like notes that some Magic Hat beers have that I don’t like. Magic Hat continues to put out new products and are willing to try new things (although not as extreme as say Dogfish Head). Anyway, I think these guys get better every year.

Magic Hat Demo

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I have never been a big fan of Magic Hat because every one of their beers have always tended to have a perfume aroma that bothers me to no end. However, this dark IPA was actually better than most. I think the dark roasted malts plus extra hops helped cover up that flowery note but it was still present. Consider this a kicked up brown ale with a dry finish.

Not something I’d go out of my way for, but if you are already a Magic Hat fan (which apparently many people are) then it is worth a try. Demo is 6.0% ABV and is brewed in Burlington VT.

Moving to Bohemia

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Bohemia is a Mexican beer that shares characteristics of a German Pilsner lager beer. I tried this beer and it definitely tastes like every other pilsner import out there. That is, it is bland with no body, over carbonated and has a distinct trace of hops hidden by the strong flavor of water.

Bohemia is made in a Mexican micro-brewery, with hops imported from the Czech Republic which doesn’t mean a whole lot.

Named after the famed Czech region, Bohemia reminds me of a good, fairly unknown, song by Geddy Lee, “Moving to Bohemia”.

Bohemia is a most decorated Mexican beer having received gold medals at LeMont Selection in Paris, Rome and Madrid. Whatever LeMont Selection is, it doesn’t say much for the quality of selections they give awards to.

As proof of my recommendation, I gave the remainder of the six pack to my sister-in-law whose favorite beer is Labatt’s and she loved it.

Davidson Brothers – Business must be Good

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Bill Dowd reported that Davidson Brothers brewpub headed for a fixup. This tells me that business must be good, which is a great thing for them, the city of Glens Falls, and us. Davidson’s has always been a favorite of mine for the beer and atmosphere. The city has put a good deal of effort into beautifying the streets and last fall I enjoyed a great evening meal out on their street side dining. As great as it was, I did note that while the streets have been improved, little has been done to the restaurant itself over the years.

Co-owner Rick Davidson says the project is ready to begin, with a $450,000 budget, once approvals are received for the exterior and interior spruce-up of the 15-year-old business. The plans call for replacing the wood facade on the front and side of the building with brick, repairing and painting existing brickwork, new windows and signage. Inside, new heating/air-conditioning and basement prep kitchen, and various touchups.

I hope it works out and I can’t wait to see the improvements. (perhaps I’ll bring the entire Hop-Talk crew at Oktoberfest!)

Henry Weinhard’s IPA

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Henry Weinhard’s IPA, available April 1, 2011, is going to be a year-round beer added to their family of brews. It pours a copper penny in color with an abundant creamy head. Pleasantly hopped, lightly sweet with a mild body behind it makes this IPA go down easy.

The beer is a session IPA. At 6% ABV, it borders on “session” status, but from an IBU (43 to be exact) and drinkability standpoint, this a great session IPA. The hop bitterness is pleasant and won’t leave you waking up the next morning questioning that “I’ll have just one more” decision you made.

It is brewed with a blend of two-row and Caramel malts along with a blend of three different hops – Galena, Cascade and Citra, all from the Pacific Northwest.

Henry Weinhard’s IPA out of Hood River, Oregon, is in a limited distribution, available in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.