Category Archives: 365 Beers

Beer 43: emelisse Double IPA

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Another in my Randall’s series … haha.  I’ve never heard of Brouwerij Emelisse from Kamperland.  However, I saw their beers and decided to give them a try.  As I try their DIPA … the jury is still out.  I like it, but it has that slightly sweet taste you get when there are just way too many hops/residual sugars in a beer.  Kind of like the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA … it is just too much for me!  This was a close second to that.  That didn’t stop me from drinking it!  haha.

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The label is simple but effective.  I bought it didn’t I??   Give it a go!

Beer Mentor

p.s. – as I peruse their webpage I am putting their brewery/restaurant on my list of places to visit on my next European beer trip …

 

Beer 42: Royal Porter a la Taza

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On Sunday I stopped by Randall’s to pick up a series of beers to have at the house for my 365 challenge.  I challenged myself by picking 14 beers I hadn’t had before.  The first in this series was a Porter out of a Spanish Brewery: Nomada Brewing Co.

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The Royal Porter a la Taza.  I’m going to admit it … this is a good beer!  I know nothing about this brewery, nor do I understand what the name means.  It translates as “Royal Porter Cup.”  I poured mine in a glass.  This is a classic Baltic Porter.  The flavor was spot on … great aroma.   The artwork is really cool … if you are looking for something new and a little different, pick one of these up if available.  (Did I mention that Randall’s has a great selection!)

Enjoy! Beer Mentor

Beermentor’s Neighborhood: Tripel Brasserie (Beer 41)

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My favorite restaurant/bar in St Louis is Tripel Brasserie.  To understand why, I need to tell a short story.  I will keep it simple:  Before I moved to St Louis in June I thought I was moving to Belgium.  My mind was wrapped around all those Belgian beers (supplemented with some good German ones).   When I found out that, no I’m not going to Belgium, I’m going to St Louis it was quite the letdown.  However, once I got here and saw the thriving Craft Brew scene I was immediately cheered up!  I went to the Heritage Beer Festival in June and it was even better!  As I was making my way back to my apartment from the fest I stumbled across this restaurant (Tripel) that wasn’t open yet … but they invited me in and I was hooked ever since.  Great Belgian/French food paired with Belgian beer (and local Belgian-style beers) matched with great folks?  Who can pass that up?  I make it a point of hanging out there at least once a week (usually Tuesday) … many times I’m there a couple of times.  Here are a few pictures to show how great the place is:

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 Oh look, Jim is coming out to meet me!

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 A little welcome mat …

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Plenty of beers on tap (local and Belgian)! And plenty in the bottle … they have a very nice selection.

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 Matt and Darla hanging behind the bar.

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A great space to have dinner — awesome decor.

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Terry getting ready to put together the day’s special cocktail!

Oh, I guess I should go ahead and list my 41st beer in my quest:  The Petrus Aged Red.  On Tap.  They keep their beers moving in here … this is a new one on tap.  Another nice thing about Tripel — they have the right glass for each beer.  Definitely a plus.  Oh, did I mention it is less than a mile from my place?  An easy “walk” home … 

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Enjoy!  Beer Mentor

 

Beer 40: Schneider-Weisse Tap 7!

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Beer 40 is a German Hefeweizen: The Original.  I have a great fondness for this Brewery (Schneider-Weisse) having visited both the Brewery in Kelheim and the Weisse Brauhaus in Munich (site of the original Brewery).

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I’m a big fan! Why is it called Tap 7? If you go to the Weisses Brauhaus, it is Tap #7.  Go give it a try!  Beer Mentor

The Halo Bar @ The Pageant (Beer 39)

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I went to see All That Remains in concert on Thursday night.  They were fronting for Sevendust and Asking Alexandria, but I really went to see ATR.  It was awesome.

IMG_2071IMG_2079  Here I am with the lead guitarist. lol.

Speaking of awesome — The Halo Bar @ The Pageant is just that.  Check out the sweet music-themed layout here.  The pageant is a great music venue … the Halo Bar complements it.

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Since I have the 4 Hands theme going this week, I just kept it rolling with the Single Speed Session Ale.    This is a good beer … easy drinking ale and fits that purpose.

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Enjoy!  Beer Mentor

 

Specialty Beer Swap @ 4 Hands Brewery (Beer 38)

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Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 4 Hands Brewery hosts a “Specialty Beer Swap” by local homebrewers or beer “aficianados.”  I went to my first one tonight — although lightly attended due to other beer activities going on in the city, I was able to sample several different beers.  Beer 38 for me was one I’ve wanted to sample: The Velvet Merkin.  Whoa.  This is an outstanding beer.   Firestone Walker out did themselves with this Oatmeal Stout.  Although it is 8.5% ABV, it is so smooth.  Many bourbon-barrel aged beers are sometimes overpowered by the residual bourbon in the barrel–not this one!  There was the hint in the background, but you could definitely tell this was all beer!  If you can get your hands on a Merkin, I recommend it! <smile>

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The fantastic thing about this evening is that this was not the only beer I was able to sample.  Next up (none of these are in any particular order) was a Russian River Beer: Temptation.  Wow!  Two world-class beers in a row.  This one is listed as an American Wild Ale.  Here’s the description: “A blonde ale fermented with a special strain of yeast, then aged in French oak chardonnay barrels. Flavors of wine and oak absorb into the brew throughout twelve months of aging. During this aging process, a secondary fermentation occurs using a yeast strain disliked by most brewers and winemakers called Brettanomyces.” [from BeerAdvocate]

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Next up? Short’s Brewery Soft Parade.  This one was a little sweet for my taste … very similar to a Lambic/Kriek but I’m not sure they call it a Lambic.  The bottle says “High Gravity brewed with a bunch of different fruit.”  Still a very good beer.

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Fourth taster?  Port Brewing‘s Santa’s Little Helper.  An Imperial Stout aged in Oak Barrels … wow again!  This beer was fantastic.  So nice and tasty, the aroma was great with a very good finish.  Find it, buy it.  haha.

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The last beer was one I provided.  Premiant Hopburst by Brouwerij de Molen.  It is bottle 104 out of 366.  This bottle was 4 years old.  This is a single-hopped IPA made exclusively with Premiant hops (a Czech variety).  I liked this beer, but a couple of the guys there didn’t.  Maybe they weren’t used to an aged IPA?  I thought it was really good.

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Overall a great beer tasting evening at 4 Hands.  I look forward to the next one!

Beer Mentor

Beer 37: 4 Hands Chocolate Milk Stout

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Curreently, 4 Hands brewing is my favorite brewery in St Louis (followed closely by FOBAB multi-medalist Perennial).  4 Hands’ beers are consistently outstanding.  My only caveat is you have to really like hops, but who doesn’t?  Today’s beer is not hoppy, the Chocolate Milk Stout.

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Some Chocolate Milk Stouts will have a harsh or burnt characteristics because of the blend of cocoa and chocolate malts–not this one!  4 Hands really built a smooth milk stout that is easy drinking.  Great chocolate nose and the finish is smooth.  If you have the opportunity to try some of their beers, I highly recommend it.  If you are taking in a show at The Old Rock House or a Cardinals ballgame (when in season), recommend a stop in before or after the game.

Enjoy!  Beer Mentor

Beer 36: Stillwater Artisanal Sensory Series v.1 Lower Dens

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Today was Veteran’s Day — I’m proud of my dad, both brothers, and my son for serving!  We covered the Marines, Army, and Air Force.   No Navy folks for us … probably because we come from Texas.  haha.

I was out playing disc golf today at a really nice course here in St Louis … great weather and day. Don’t ask me why I had my shirt tucked in … lol.

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Anyway, what was waiting for me after my round?  A Stillwater Artisanal Ale … another of his Sensory Series: v.1 Lower Dens.  You can read about this collaboration effort with the musicians at this link.

I really like all of Stillwater’s beers.  He’s definitely the preeminent gypsy brewer in the US right now.  This beer is no exception … a saison brewed with Hibiscus … the flavor was great.  I made sure to swirl around the sediment in the bottle and capture that in my glass.  I love those European-style Wheat beers (Weizen, Weisse, Saison, Wit, etc).  For some reason they sit better with me than the American-style.

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Another reason I like Stillwater beers is because he doesn’t leave out any details.  All of his labels are works of art — he definitely likes to include all aspects (as evidenced by this series) of the art world.  I’d recommend surfing his page and checking it out!

Oh, and he mentioned in his blog that there is a home for many of his beers — it is a pub in Baltimore call “Of Love & Regret.”  I checked out the draught list and there are definitely a LOT of his beers.  I mentioned the Brewer’s Art as a good location, but I think I would try this other place first!

Enjoy!  Beer Mentor

Beer 34: Stillwater Artisanal Ales “Sensory Series”

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I really like this brewer — as a Gypsy brewer he uses other folk’s facilities to make his beers.  Don’t let that deter you though — he makes really good beers.  This is part of his Sensory Series … this is the v.2 (A Black Saison).

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I liked this beer–I like what this brewer does by pushing the boundaries on styles and expectations.  I also like the art associated with his beers.  His blog is worth the read — If you go to Baltimore, stop by The Brewer’s Art to have some of his beers.  You will enjoy it.

Beer Mentor