Beverages and Blades - Traditional of Course

[Rupestris]

Store pick and a tiny Case.

 

[bigfish64]

Really like this picture Taylor, beautiful knives and that beer is pretty tasty also.

 

[btb01]

Day 19 in the German Brewer’s Advent Calendar is an interesting one. Zwönitzer Rauchbier (smoked lager) brewed by Privatbrauerei H. Egerer. I’ve always found this style to be really hit or miss for me. I’ve had a couple that I’ve really enjoyed — although even then I find that one is usually enough — but often I find the smoke flavor to be a bit too much. Unfortunately this one, for me at least, falls into the latter category. The wood-smoke aroma and flavor is overwhelming and somewhat acrid. It’s a shame, too, because underneath there are some nice roasted coffee and toasty caramel malt notes. I’m always up for trying a Rauchbier, but in general, I think I’ll stick to smoked meats and unsmoked beers.

For Day 20, a pleasant surprise. Graminger Kirta Dunkles Weissbier (Dunkelweizen). Beautiful color on this one, and as Dylan pointed out with his dark hefe yesterday, the typical banana-and-clove thing is really subdued here (on this one, I get just a hint of banana, and some nice dark fruit flavors to round things out). There’s also a nice yeasty dark bread flavor, not much hoppiness to speak of, perhaps a bit sweet but overall really enjoyable. I’m sure I’m being influenced by the can here (I really like the can design), but I’d love to have a big soft pretzel with plenty of salt and a good spicy mustard to go with this one right about now. Prost!

 

[Pt-Luso]

 

[Wharn]

 

[5K Qs]

I look forward to this time of year since it's when Leinenkugel's seasonal Snowdrift Vanilla Porter is released. I often first see it right around Thanksgiving and then it's available in local stores until late January or February IIRC. But I haven't seen it so far this year, and finally checked the brewery website only to find out that this year it's only available in a "variety pack" along with other beers in which I have little or no interest. Sad news for me.


- GT

 

[RLB0414]

Just opened a new one tonight, Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey @ 90.4% proof. I poured a neat two fingers in a Glencairn glass, and swirling to aerify it every few minutes I let it sit for about a half hour. I took about a third of it at the first drink, did the "Kentucky Chew" for a few seconds, then swallowed slowly . . . what a dram! Sweet, but not Bourbon sweet, it has a drier taste and feel, quite nutty with a hint of raisins, almost fruit cake like. No age statement, but definitely mature, probably at least 6 years old. ABC had it for $29.99, but I'd pay half again as much when this one runs out, really really good.

Do you like it more than plain Woodford Reserve

 

[Gonzalo]

I'm not sure whether the knife qualifies as traditional. Perceval claims it is based on a 17th century French knife (beautiful Gabon Ebony scales, though). If not, I'll happily remove it.

 

[bigfish64]

I look forward to this time of year since it's when Leinenkugel's seasonal Snowdrift Vanilla Porter is released. I often first see it right around Thanksgiving and then it's available in local stores until late January or February IIRC. But I haven't seen it so far this year, and finally checked the brewery website only to find out that this year it's only available in a "variety pack" along with other beers in which I have little or no interest. Sad news for me.
View attachment 1705389

- GT

That is unfortunate Gary, I like that one also, especially when you can find it on draft.

 

[btb01]

Day 21 in the Costco German Brewer’s Advent Calendar is yet another Helles lager, Wittmann Urhell. To try and keep things interesting (this is, after all, the seventh Helles lager to come from this box), I figured instead of one normal sized glass, I’d try this one in three small-to-very-small glasses.

I will say this was an improvement over the Helles lager I had last night (not because of the tiny glasses, I don’t think; the beer was just better). This one came back to what I really liked about some of the Helles lagers earlier this month: crisp, clean, refreshing German beer. No complaints.

For the 22nd, it was Schloßbräu Rheder Original Pils from Privatbrauerei Egerer. This one wasn’t my favorite. There was an slight unpleasant funk that I wouldn’t quite describe as “skunked” but not far off from it. Think of any big name not-so-great European lager you’ve had (probably in a green bottle), that’s what this one sort of reminds me of.

 

[bigfish64]

Day 21 in the Costco German Brewer’s Advent Calendar is yet another Helles lager, Wittmann Urhell. To try and keep things interesting (this is, after all, the seventh Helles lager to come from this box), I figured instead of one normal sized glass, I’d try this one in three small-to-very-small glasses.

I will say this was an improvement over the Helles lager I had last night (not because of the tiny glasses, I don’t think; the beer was just better). This one came back to what I really liked about some of the Helles lagers earlier this month: crisp, clean, refreshing German beer. No complaints.

For the 22nd, it was Schloßbräu Rheder Original Pils from Privatbrauerei Egerer. This one wasn’t my favorite. There was an slight unpleasant funk that I wouldn’t quite describe as “skunked” but not far off from it. Think of any big name not-so-great European lager you’ve had (probably in a green bottle), that’s what this one sort of reminds me of.

Been really enjoying your posts Barrett. The Schlafly glass caught my eye. Have you been to either the Tap Room or the Bottleworks Here in the STL area?

 

[btb01]

Been really enjoying your posts Barrett. The Schlafly glass caught my eye. Have you been to either the Tap Room or the Bottleworks Here in the STL area?

I’ve been to the Tap Room, although it’s been several years since I was there last. When I lived in NW Arkansas we’d come up for Cardinals games, and the Tap Room was a regular pregame stop. I always thought they made some great beers, but I live outside their distribution area now and can’t get them very often.

 

[black mamba]

Do you like it more than plain Woodford Reserve?

Yes, I definitely do like the Woodford Malt better than the standard Bourbon.

 

[RLB0414]

Yes, I definitely do like the Woodford Malt better than the standard Bourbon.

Thanks. I will have to find a bottle

 

[bigfish64]

I’ve been to the Tap Room, although it’s been several years since I was there last. When I lived in NW Arkansas we’d come up for Cardinals games, and the Tap Room was a regular pregame stop. I always thought they made some great beers, but I live outside their distribution area now and can’t get them very often.

They do make some pretty good beers. We’ve started going to the “Cabin Fever” event in recent years. It’s held in January at the Bottleworks, outside, lots of fires, beer tents, and food, even a band. Lots of fun!

 

[btb01]

They do make some pretty good beers. We’ve started going to the “Cabin Fever” event in recent years. It’s held in January at the Bottleworks, outside, lots of fires, beer tents, and food, even a band. Lots of fun!

I've always thought that sounded like fun. I’ve never been, but that tasting glass I have is actually from one of their Cabin Fever events. (I reached out one year and asked if they ever had any of the glasses left over after the event, and they sent me one free of charge, along with some stickers and other stuff.)

 

[bigfish64]

I've always thought that sounded like fun. I’ve never been, but that tasting glass I have is actually from one of their Cabin Fever events. (I reached out one year and asked if they ever had any of the glasses left over after the event, and they sent me one free of charge, along with some stickers and other stuff.)

That’s a better looking glass then the one we have from the last one we went to.

 

[btb01]

Ok, it’s my final night doing the German Brewer’s Advent Calendar (we’ll be traveling for Christmas starting tomorrow), and I think the calendar has gone out with a bang!

First up, for Day 23, is Fürst Carl Kellerbier from Schlossbrauerei Ellingen. This is the second Kellerbier (German for “cellar beer”) in this calendar, and I enjoyed this one much more than I remember enjoying the first. It’s unfiltered so it’s a bit hazy, and the color is a beautiful burnt orange. The flavor is malt-forward, not much bitterness and perhaps a bit on the sweet side, but there’s also an interesting sourness that I really like.

To finish things off, the advent calendar has served up the sort of thing I've been looking for all month. Day 24 is Kartäuser Doppelbock Dunkel, brewed by Privatbrauerei Egerer. 7.5% ABV, a beautiful dark beer full of caramel malts, interesting fruity flavors (I’m getting raisin and maybe a bit of cherry) and a touch of spicy bitterness from the hops to balance the sweetness. A great way to finish this advent calendar. Prost!

 

[Johnnythefox]

I've always thought that sounded like fun. I’ve never been, but that tasting glass I have is actually from one of their Cabin Fever events. (I reached out one year and asked if they ever had any of the glasses left over after the event, and they sent me one free of charge, along with some stickers and other stuff.)

It was a thing in the Army in Germany collecting glasses and stuff.

It wasn't regarded as purloining more a challenge.

We where in Sontofen on one adventure training exercise everyone was out to get a litre beer glass.
We did all sorts of stuff from training with the Alpen korp to visiting old castles,at night without fail we went out on the beer,first thing in the morning they took us for a run and a dip in the freezing lake.

While my mates where being stopped by the staff from passing glasses out the back of a beer tent I casually walked out the front past the 2 massive bouncers with mine I did it twice,I got a lot of kudos from that.

Stupid thing is if we asked they would have probably given us one,but where is the fun in that?

 

[Johnnythefox]

Mine feels like a poor effort after those excellent German beer reviews.

But I had to stop for a cuppa and a snack last night.

I was half way through Bad Santa 2 and was just laughing so much I needed a break,its so politically incorrect I felt bad myself.

I finished of the last of the Whittard 1886 loose leaf tea based on the original founding blend.


"A rich and malty loose leaf black tea inspired by the blends our founder created back in 1886".

1886 Blend | Black Tea | Whittard of Chelsea

Buy 1886 Blend tea from Whittard of Chelsea, specialists in fine tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Part of our range of luxury Black Tea available online.

www.whittard.co.uk

Yesterday in town I bought 2 packets of the Chelsea breakfast tea which is my favourite.


"Full-bodied and rich, this flavour-packed loose leaf black tea is a stronger alternative to our English Breakfast".