6 Bars of Christmas

A friend of ours organized a holiday bar crawl at an outdoor mall in our neck of the woods, San Tan Village.  The crawl was dubbed "The 6 Bars of Christmas."   

The night kicked off at Brio Tuscan Grille with a Peroni in a frosty glass.  Our next stop was Cantina Laredo where we had a Dos Equis Amber. Our 3rd stop was Blue Wasabi Sushi Bar where I enjoyed a Pom Pom (pomegranate martini-ish) and husband had a Gin and Tonic.

At this point, we probably should have realized that the night was headed for a crash landing.

On to bar 4: The Keg.  I had a Blue Moon and husband had a Winter Blue Moon (I think).  We took some pictures with strangers and then headed on to Bar 5, Famous Dave's Barbeque.  I sampled their house brew, the Hog Brew.  I recall that it was OK but that I was more obsessed with trying to get some barbeque despite the restaurant doing their best to close.  I didn't finish it, but only because I was hungry for food and not beer.

Bar 6 was Kona Grill where I believe we all had Saki Bombers.  Bar 7, and our final destination was Gordon Biersch.  We all had their WinterBock, which I have already blogged about so I will not re-hash my feelings about this beer.

All in all, a very fun event.  Next time though, more food.

Just your average Scuttlebutt

Nothing much to report about the Scuttlebutt Amber Ale (5.1% ABV) from Scuttlebutt Brewing Company in Everett, Washington.  It was a very average amber ale.  Nothing unique about it.  If I lived in Washington, I'd drink this on tap often.  Not worth the trip to the fancy beer store for though.

Lumberyard flop

Tuesday night with the Lumberyard!!  We both had a few work items to finish at home, so we setup our computers at the kitchen table, grabbed a bowl of peanuts (non-salted and in the shell) and cracked open a bottle of the Red Ale (5.8% ABV) from Lumberyard Brewing Company in Flagstaff, Arizona.

I think we saved this one a little too long as it was flat when we opened it.  The flavor was good but without the bubbles, it was disappointing.  We will find another one and not wait so long to drink it.

King of Beers? Who knew.

Like most beers, I chose this one because of the name and label art. I saw it on the shelf and recalled that I have liked other beers from the Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon.  Then I thought to myself "oh, I like to ski" and I smiled because the person on the label was rocking a turtleneck. So it won a space in my cart at Total Wine.  Once again, my very strict and highly scientific selection criteria did not let me down.

According to the Brewery's website, the Mogul Madness Ale (6.6% ABV) is "the king of winter ales since 1991."  It was awarded the Silver in the 2011 World Beer Championship and the Gold in the 2010 World Beer Championship.

Like I said, I did not know this when I purchased it. 

During our tasting (paired with leftover pulled pork stuffed into a quesadilla), I heard husband say at least five times "now that is a good beer."  For once, I totally agreed.  It gets better as it warms to room temperature but in this case, by the time that happened, my glass was nearly empty and we were both left wanting another.

This beer gets high marks from both of us.  We will be sure to purchase again.

At least they admit it...

Lagunitas Brewing Company screwed up.  But at least they admit it.  They even named tonight's beer of choice in honor of their big mistake.  The Laugunitas Sucks Holiday Ale (7.85% ABV) from the Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California.

According to the brewery's website, "This sad holiday season we didn’t have the brewing capacity to make our favorite seasonal brew, the widely feard BrownShugga’ Ale. So this substitute beer is a ‘Cereal Medley’ of Barley, Rye, Wheat, and Oats… Full of complexishness from the 4 grains, and weighing in at 7.6% abv, Then joyously dry-hopped for that big aroma and resinous hop flavor."


I was not a fan as it was just a bit too hoppy for my taste without any redeeming side tastes.  I poured all of mine into husband's glass and he gladly drank it all and seemed to enjoy it.  He even opened the second bottle and drank that too. 

But hey ... at least now we're both really curious to try the BrownShugga' Ale.  Hopefully next year they'll suck less and make it work.

McCoy, er, Mesquite Smoked

Friday afternoon I came home from work and there was a present on our doorstep: a package from our friends in Texas.  Saturday morning rolls around and one of these delicious beers is chilling in the fridge when said friend began randomly talking smack about my college football team.  Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? 

After slinging a few insults (in jest) in his direction, I realized that we couldn't get the came on tv and would instead have to watch it on our computer which is nice, but is just not the same. Sitting in front of the TV on a chilly rainy winter day, drinking beer and wasting the day watching football away feels completely legit and perfectly awesome.  Sitting in front of a computer screen, drinking beer and wasting the very same day away watching football feels lonely, depressing and just plain wrong.  

So I decided to open one of the delicious beers from my smack talking friend, sit on the couch, kick up my feet and and enjoy watching Texas lose to Baylor.  The same Baylor who hasn't had a 9 win season since 1986...when I was in preschool.

Anyway, the beer of choice was the Mesquite Smoked Porter (6.4% ABV) from Ranger Creek Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas. The smoke smell hits you a little hard at first but after your first sip, it calms down.  The beer is smooth and rich, but also delicate.  We both commented on the campfire feel of the beer - which is a compliment.  If we lived in Texas, we'd get this again for sure.

Cheers to Puga!  Keep up the smack talk, it makes your beer taste better.