Laundry?  Why am I doing laundry.  Oh, I need to.  Ok, well at least I can enjoy a nice beer while I’m at it and today’s beer is a Zischke — actually a beer from the Koenigsbacher brewery.  Not only is this a Kellerbier … which means unfiltered … but it is a Dunkel too — yes!  The “Original” doesn’t get a very good rating, but I think the “Dunkel” would do better … Nothing like this kind of beer to take my mind off my socks in the dryer! LOL

I was so hoping we wouldn’t have six more weeks of winter, but I ruined that by seeing the shadow of my beer today.  Dang.  Oh well, I will have to drown my winter blues with this really nice brew …the Kloster Ettaler Dunkel. My friend and I passed through here in the middle of January and picked up a six pack of assorted brews.

It was impressive on the outside AND on the inside.  This church was in the Baroque Roccoco architecture style.  Oh, and they’ve only been brewing beer here since the 1500s.  I guess they may know what they are doing. Ha ha.
Not only is it Groundhog Day today, but this is also my 90th beer.  Sweet.  Too bad about my shadow.

Nice.  This dunkel is a good beer.

Beer Mentor

Ok, I know I’m being somewhat optimistic, but I am ready for the winter months to be over.  Two things I’m tired of: Cold and Darkness … hmmmm, something very common in winter.  I’m definitely planning my retirement home somewhere below the frost line … that may be way south, but that’s ok!  As long as I have some nice brews … maybe some like today’s beer … ha ha — the Zwiefalter Festbier … their winter fest bier.  ha ha.  I can think of winter while I’m sitting in my hot tub/swimming pool … yes!

I bet you’re glad I didn’t have a picture of me sitting in the hot tub, right?

Beer Mentor

Today was just a relaxed day. I went for a 5 mile run and then took care of a couple of minor things … I had another Zwiefalter bier — their Hefeweizen Dunkel … it is good, but I find myself liking the wild yeast in the darker beers … a la, Orval or some of the other Trappist dark beers … but for a Hefe, this one was nice…

Beer Mentor

Today I took a little trip to a small town named Tiefenbronn.  The distinguishing characteristic of this town is a church built in the 1300s … with an “Altar” made from wood and built in the early 1400s.  Wow … here’s a couple of pictures of this Altar.  It celebrates Mary Magdalene — and the legend of how she went to France.  Don’t ask me why — it was a cool experience.  There were several other “altars” in this church … and the stained glass windows were made in the 1300s …

When I went to this town I thought I might have to eat at a “fast food” place — called an Imbiss usually.  However, there was a wonderful restaurant right downtown and I had a wild game plate with red cabbage and homemade noodles.  Yummy!

The restaurant didn’t have any beers I haven’t had soooo … I drove through a little snow and …

…when I got back to the room, I capped off my trip with a nice brew.  I realized I hadn’t had the Westmalle Dubbel yet, so it was an excellent treat.  A nice beer to cap a great day.

Beer Mentor

This weekend kicks off the real celebration for German Fasching (think Mardi Gras).  One of the local breweries I’ve mentioned before (schoenbuch brau) is even making a special beer just for the occasion, and they’ve named it the “local dialect” name for Fasching: Fasnet.

You guessed it — I had one.  Woo Hoo!  It was nice … let’s get this Fasching thing started!

Beer Mentor

First I have to say — happy 18th Birthday Adrienne!  My youngest daughter is now 18 … wow.  I must be getting older … but life keeps going … so you just have to “live life to the brim!”

Today I finished my last Koningshoeven — the Tripel.  I was looking at their site yesterday and realized I haven’t had their bock bier.  They make the only Trappist bock … sounds like I will have to make another trip to Belgium/Netherlands! hahaha!

Beer Mentor

I have to correct myself.  I stated in previous posts that I was stuck on a Belgian Bier theme … but, actually, I was on a “Trappist Bier” theme … because the Koningshoeven Bier I’ve been drinking was actually made in the Netherlands …

I stand corrected and as punishment, I will continue drinking Trappist Bier — today’s was a very nice Koningshoeven Witte … the only Trappist light wheat beer … yes, it was nice … (for you purists, yes I’m using the wrong glass — but it didn’t affect the taste. LOL)

Beer Mentor

The last 4 nights have been Belgian celebrations!  Woo Hoo!  I’m keeping up that trend.  Tonight I had the last Chimay I hadn’t ‘tasted:’ The blue One – the Grand Reserve.  Yes, I really enjoyed this beer … of course, maybe it took me back to the Abbey itself and my discussion with Brother Edward.  Wow.  Have I said that I love Europe?

Beer Mentor

I went to see the Stuttgarter Philharmonic Orchestra tonight … so, to get it kicked off, I had a special beer: The Koningshoeven Isid’or.

“La Trappe Isid’or has been specially created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Brewery de Koningshoeven. This ceremonial beer was named after Brother Isidorus, the first brewer of La Trappe.”

Just as the concert was a celebration of the Vienna Child Prodigy composers, so was the beer a celebration — it was only appropriate that I drink it tonight! LOL

Enjoy it if you can get it!

Beer Mentor