Category Archives: Beerman

Blog entries that pertain to the journey from Apprentice to Master Beerman.

Beer 52: Perennial Artisan / 4Hands Marathon

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Today Mike and I hit two local breweries making excellent beers!

First on the list was Perennial Artisan Ales.  This place (as I’ve mentioned before) is awesome!  You never know what will show up on tap!  So, we ordered a sample of all 8 (two samplers actually).  The beers on tap this night were: 1) Coffee Abraxas, 2) Abraxas (Mexican Chocolate Stout), 3) Seventeen (Mint Chocolate Stout), 4) Fantastic Voyage (Coconut Milk Stout) [Beer 52], 5) Fete de Noel (Belgian Strong w/ Rosemary, Orange Peel, and Raisins), 6) Hereafter (Witbier (I think) with Sage and Pear), 7 Aria (Belgian Pale Ale with Brett Yeast), and 7) the Saison de Lis.   Wow!  These beers were awesome and they kicked our butts!  Oh, one of the owners/brewers was there and gave us a quick tour.  Score!  The beer was so good we forgot to pay our tab.  lol.  Gave me an excuse to go back and drink some more …

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WP_20131127_023 Here was a look at their current stock and beers.  Small volume through the brewery but they are expanding.  They have good demand.

WP_20131127_022 This set of barrels are from the Side Project work … you gotta get your hands on some of these beers.  Most Excellent.

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From Perennial we went to 4Hands for their twice monthly (on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays) “Beer Swap meet.”

I really enjoy everything about 4 Hands.  Of course, we got the complete sampler here too … The folks are awesome, beers are good, and you can sample so many different beers … all so good!  Come on over and enjoy with them.

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Beer Mentor

Beer 49: Yin AND Yang (Not Together)

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Shared today’s beer with my friend Mike.  He’s probably more of a beer geek than me if you can picture that!  We reached deep into my beer fridge (well … the one on the right … haha) and pulled out an Evil Twin set of beers:  the Yin and the Yang.

The Yin is an Imperial Stout.  The Yang is a Double IPA.

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Both of these beers are very good.  Apparently, they are intended to be mixed like a black and tan.  You can buy the mixed version at the store.  We, on the other hand, decided to drink them separately.  Yummy.  They were quite good.  I drank the stout first and then the IPA.  Definitely worth picking up at your local specialty beer outlet!

Beer Mentor

 

Beer 46: 5 Lizard (Latin-style Witbier)

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I went over to some beer geek friend’s house today (yes, you Tom and Greg!).  lol.  We were drinking what was left in their keg, but they also brought out the two bottles shown in this picture:

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These are latin-style beers brewed by 5 Rabbit Cerveceria.  I thought they were very good.  My beer for tonight is the 5 Lizard … a witbier brewed with Passion Fruit.  I will continue to look for these Illinois beers … and am glad I’ve got new beer geek friends to share with!

Enjoy! Beer Mentor

Beer 45: En el Bosque

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I went to Randalls and picked out a bunch of new beers for me.  I thought, since I’m trying 365, I ought to have completely new ones.  I already had one of these Nomada beers (the Royal Porter a couple of days ago).  This one is called: En el Bosque. 

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This was an excellent beer–I believe it is an Amber Ale.  En el Bosque means “In the Forest.”  This was a collaboration beer between Nomada (Spanish Gypsy Brewers) and Omnipollo (Swedish Gypsy Brewers).

I’m enjoying the different gypsy beers I’ve sampled.  Gotta keep ’em coming!

Beer Mentor

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