Sunday’s class involved some nastiness. As part of our training, Les doctored a number of Miller Lites with various chemicals and extracts that we then had to taste in order to become familiar with the specific flavors, odors, and mouthfeels associated with them. Les specifically said that this week’s tainted beers were significantly jacked up, mainly so we could become familiar with the flavors, aromas/odors, and moutfeels associated with them. We also tasted some flawed homebrews presented by MALT member Jeff Heneks, and my fellow Wootowner, Dave Bradley.
FOAM member Bill Heverly presented our tasters.
Of course we started with “Guess that beer,” and tried Kona’s Longboard Lager. I guessed lager but didn’t quite get the style. We also tried Wee Beast, which was a Scottish Ale. (more…)
Today is May the 5th, and I am posting specifically to complain about the fact that as it is celebrated in the U.S. Cinco De Mayo is nothing more than a marketing tool for beer importers. One can make the same argument about St. Patrick’s Day. Most Mexican beer is either basically macrobrew like Miller, Bud etc, or it has deep Germanic roots, and was brought into being by Teutonic immigrants of the late 19th Century. So it’s not particularly Mexican either.
I got to brew my favorite beer with 
This past Sunday saw me at my third BJCP course. The technical topic — water — was something I had a broad understanding of, but no real depth of knowledge. Light lagers are something most of us are familiar with — some people experience that familiarity with less enthusiasm than others, and the class was largely unified in its disdain prior to the tastings. More on that later…
Yeah yeah yeah, St. Patrick’s Day swiftly approaches. Break out the Pogues’ records, be sure to put in your order for a big brisket of corned beef, make some soda bread, get some green clothing to avoid being pinched, etc.