Weekend Notes
by Beeraroundtown ~ March 29th, 2009. Filed under: New Beers, On Tap.
Maybe it was the intense Seattle trip last weekend, or all the other work I’ve been taking on, but I just haven’t had the time or drive to write much and needed some good cool down time to watch some basketball. That being said I don’t have a whole lot to report, even after a week since the last blog post, but here are few quick notes.
I made it in to Belmont and Baileys on Saturday to pick up a few bottles for the week and try a few new beers on tap. At the Belmont Cafe I had a new Belgian Porter, as they are calling it, from Cascade Brewing. Similar to a few “Belgian Stouts” that are available, this seemed more Porter then Belgian, but with a bit dryer finish and a soft clove estery nose and finish. Having had a few Belgian beers with roasted malts, I’ve still never been all that impressed with it, maybe just not a combo that I care for, or maybe I just need to get used to it. Next up was the Double Mountain Das Boot double alt. Big citrus hopped strong ale, far from any alt I’ve tried, but with a bit more depth to the malts then your typical crystal malt based strong ale. Another great brew from Double Mountain.
Next I made a quick stop at Bailey’s Taproom to get a glass of the Block 15 Pappy’s Dark. This is a 9% bourbon barrel aged strong ale. The beer is still on tap and if you like a lot of bourbon character to your beers then you should get to Bailey’s and try this before it is gone. Lots of bourbon and vanilla character. One of the best Block 15 beers I’ve had so far. Also on tap was the Anchor Bock which is one of my favorite bock/doppelbocks. I’m not sure how they pull this beer off, but it has the most distinct earthy mineral flavor, almost like it is slightly oxidized, but it all works in a good way.
Along with my trip to Belmont and Baileys I picked up the new Doppelbock from Heater Allen and two of the new Imperial Series from Samuel Adams. Hopefully I will get around to posting some notes on those in the next day or so.
Anyone else try some good new beers on tap this weekend?
March 29th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
That Block 15 Pappy’s Dark was amazing. I had it last week and I’m surprised it’s been on tap for this long. Quite a unique brew, very sweet and boozy but not too cloying if I remember right. Otherwise I didn’t do too much this weekend for beer stuff. I went to the Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy show at the Crystal on Friday, they had a new Cream Ale that was moderate, but Cream Ales always seem to hang around moderate range for my taste.
I’ll see you probably Wednesday at Bailey’s.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Ah, the Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy show was fantastic. I’ve been waiting to see him for years now, but my schedule, coupled with his sporatic appearances has prevented that.
My buddy and I went to Bailey’s before the show where I finally got to try the Block 15 (I’ve been too distracted by the Ommegang Grand Cru and other beer excursions). I’ll concede that this is the best Block 15 I’ve had, but with all the buzz I was expecting more, especially with the mouthfeel. It’s a bourbon bomb, that’s for certain, but I was really hoping for a thicker body to support the aggresive flavors.
March 30th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Oh man I loved that Pappy’s Dark. Seemed pretty viscous to me, enough so anyway. I hope Bailey’s has some more daylight hours like Friday. Nice to see you there, Josh.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Grr… keep your grubby paws off my Pappy’s Dark! If there isn’t any left after the Blazer game tomorrow night, I’ll know who to blame.
The Grand Cru Rouge is also spectacular.
-anónimo
March 30th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Yah, I hope they still have some of the Block 15 on Wednesday when I’m there, I could go for another glass of that.
Bo, see you on Wednesday.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Anchor Bock? Really?
Hmmmmm…?
March 31st, 2009 at 6:50 am
Doc,
Not a fan of Anchor Bock? I also really enjoy their Porter.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I can second that Anchor Bock, I had it a couple of months back and I wasn’t expecting much as sometimes Anchor is really good, but a lot of times they are moderate — plus bocks aren’t my favorite of styles — but I remember thinking it was an awesome brew.
-Matthew