Category Archives: The Traveler (Global Beer Culture)

My thoughts and ideas about places I’ve been and the beer experience I’ve had at those places …

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

Beer 33: Spoetzl Wild Hare

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Just chugging along on this quest for 365 beers in 365 days.

Here’s a quick hitter … the Spoetzl Brewery’s Wild Hare.  A good beer … but not stellar.  I guess I broke my trend of world class beers … oh well.  This really is a good Pale Ale.

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I find it funny that they call it “Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale.”  It’s made by the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas.  However, since nobody really pays attention to Spoetzl and they all know Shiner Bock, they needed to market it appropriately … hence “Shiner Wild Hare.”  Oh well.  Again–a good Pale Ale.  Thanks “Shiner.”  haha.

Beer Mentor

Beer 32: Cathedral Abbey Ale

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Another one of the new craft beer breweries to open in St Louis is Cathedral Square Brewery.  They are so new they don’t really have a place of their own, but they are making beers and they are available so I had one– the Abbey Ale.

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As you can see, I had this on tap at PW Pizza (Yes, featured in Beermentor’s Neighborhood).  I found it to be a nice Belgian-style ale (you definitely tell it uses the Trappist Yeast from the flavor).  I would definitely buy this to have in the fridge.  I need to give a few more of their beers a chance–hopefully they will get a place soon so I can stop in and try special stuff too.

Enjoy!

Beer Mentor

 

Beer 30/Day 30 – Another Hommel Bier!

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beer30 - Poperinge Hommel Bier

I thought it only appropriate to close out the first 30 days of this 365 day challenge the way I started it!  With a Hommel Bier.  My first was a Perennial Hommel Ale.  Today’s beer is the original one: Poperinge Hommel Bier.  I love this beer and I love the city.  I thought the right thing to do was to enjoy it with a traditional Belgian dish … so I added the Mussels.

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This city is the center of hop growing in Belgium.  Eurohop is here (owned by Eric Lagache) — worth a stop for sure!  I’ve been here twice and it smells wonderful every time.  Mr. Lagache is very nice.  

Westvleteren is 15 minutes from the city center.  If you are on a beer trip to Belgium you should add this place as one of your stops.  Highly recommend Hotel de la Paix.  Right in the city center and owned by a wonderful couple.  This hotel is where I had my first Hommel.  The word Hommel means “Hops” in the local dialect and it is a decidedly hoppy beer.  The flavor is wonderful and this bottle-conditioned will always offer up a surprise.  

Where did I enjoy this beer and meal?  Why at Tripel Brasserie of course!

Enjoy!  Beer Mentor

 

Beermentor’s Neighborhood: 4Hands Brewing (Beer 28/Day 28)

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Welcome Back to Beer Mentor’s Neighborhood!  We are visiting a brewery 1.4 miles from my place but in another world because of the beers they are making!  This place is awesome. 4Hands Brewing.

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I usually like to mix it up when I visit but today I stuck with the Resurrection IPA (28th beer in 28 days … keeping the train going!).  This beer is fantastic!  Maybe it is the Mosaic hops they are using … I don’t know.  But the Aroma and Flavor in this IPA is really satisfying.  I thought the flavor was Simcoe at first … but I guess Mosaic is derived from Simcoe and Nugget.  What a great kiddo.  haha.  Quick note: I’d go get some if you haven’t yet … it may be coming off the menu for a while.

They have a tasting option too and it is well presented.  Here’s a couple of pics of the Resurrection and the tasting flight.

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This is really a nice place.

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They have food available as well–however, it is a separate service so you will pay for the food separate from your beer.  

They have a great variety of beers and they have an extensive barrel-aging effort.  I didn’t try it this time but they have a beer called “Smoked Pigasus” — a smoked rye porter.  Can’t wait to try that one!

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They have great events going on here and all over the city.  These folks are very involved in the Craft Beer industry and support local homebrewers.  Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday they have a bottle-swap event … worth checking out.  A few more photos for those who enjoy a nice brewery! Oh, I should tell you — you can buy growlers or take home some bottles too.  

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Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Beer Mentor

Beer 27/Day 27 – Rochefort 10

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Well, I said I was going to drink only fantastic beers for the next two weeks–this is an awesome start!  Many beer-aficionados say that Rochefort 10 is one of the best beers in the world.  Ranks in the top 20 on beeradvocate and in the top 10 on ratebeer.  Of course, these websites are heavily skewed by Americans.  So the rankings on these sites are like calling the American Major League Baseball Championship the “World Series.”  Regardless, this Rochefort 10 is an amazing Quadrupel (Belgian Strong Ale).

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Of course I am of the opinion that, if you can get them, it is appropriate to drink a beer out of the glass designed for that beer.  I bought this glass at Achel Brewery (they had an amazing beer glass selection too!)

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Actually I bought this case of Rochefort at Achel too–I was living in Germany at the time.  I drank all of that beer.  Fortunately, not 5 minutes from my house is Randalls.  Awesome store.  Their beer selection is amazing.

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Currently I have some nice homebrew in this case ready for consumption!

I visited this brewery in 2009 and I have to say it wasn’t very inviting.  It is kind of outside of a small town and there’s no real signs to guide you to any “visitor’s center.”

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Both Achel, Westmalle, and Westvleteren are similar, except they each have focused visitor locations.  The beer store at Achel is amazing.

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The Cafes at both Westvleteren and Westmalle are exceptional.  The two most inviting Trappist breweries are Chimay and Orval.  Many times there is a Monk answering questions at Chimay and you can enter some of the grounds.  Orval has a nice tourist setup and  you can also schedule tours of the brewery.  Well worth a visit.

Enjoy!  Beer Mentor

Beermentor’s Neighborhood: Urban Chestnut Brewery!

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On Wednesday I was supposed to begin my Mandolin Class at the Folk School in St Louis.  Unfortunately the class didn’t make — I didn’t find out until I went for the class.  Needless to say, I was not very happy!  However, I was cheered up immediately when I realized Urban Chestnut was right there near the school–and only 2.5 miles from my place!

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A short 10-minute drive lands me right in the middle of “an unconventional-minded yet tradition-oriented brewer of craft beer.”  They like to call their unique brewing philosophy Beer Divergency—a ‘new world meets old world’ brewing approach wherein UCBC contributes to the ‘revolution’ of craft beer with artisanal creations of modern American beers, and pays ‘reverence’ to the heritage of beer with classically-crafted offerings of timeless European beer styles.” (from the Urban Chestnut Webpage).

I have to agree with them wholeheartedly — their efforts are really impressive.  I had their sampler of four beers: 1) Hopfen, 2) Urban Blacktop, 3) STLIPA, and 4) (not Wolpertinger … they were out) Stammtisch.

As beer 24 on day 24, STLIPA is a double (or Imperial) IPA.  Really nice beer, but as with most of their beers, don’t expect it to adhere to any style — they make their beers the way they want to and I’m all for that.  I do like the mix of strange concoctions and classic beers — I will be frequenting this place a little more often!

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Oh, here are a couple of more pictures of the brewery.  They’ve got a very nice beer garden — inviting, large — you can definitely celebrate a big party at this place!

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See you in my Neighborhood soon!

(Oh, and check out their little growlers … pretty neat)

Beer Mentor

Beermentor’s Neighborhood: PW Pizza (Beer 22/Day 22)

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Beermentor’s Neighborhood is like Mr. Roger’s neighborhood … only with more beer.  I’m going to share my neighborhood stops with you.  This first group is all within walking distance.  The second group will be within 4 miles [15 minute drive or less (by cab) lol].

For instance, within 4 miles of me are: Anheuser Busch Brewing (yes…the big one).  Civil Life, Urban Chestnut, Schlafly,  Four Hands, Sixth Shift, and Alpha Brewing.  But I digress.  Let’s start with PW Pizza.

Easy walk from my place to great Pizza!  PW Pizza is located in the Centennial Malt House, once part of a large brewing/entertainment complex.  A great building worth a visit!

PW Pizza, which gets its name from its creators, Paul and Wendy, focuses on fresh seasonal ingredients prepared and served in a unique creative atmosp here.  The menu consists of pizzas, calzones, appetizers, salads, soups and desserts with a bar focusing on craft beer and wine.

While the beer list is not extensive, it is exceptional (8 on tap and about 40 in bottles).  I had (for my 22nd beer in a row if you are keeping track!) Schafly’s Tazmanian IPA or TIPA.  So smooth and nice–on tap.  The flavor and aroma of these three hops (Simcoe, Amarillo, and Centennial) really set this beer apart.  Great job by Schlafly.

Beer23 - Tazmania IPA Beer23a - PW Pizza

I also enjoyed this Ethos IPA … brewed by Tallgrass Brewing.  Definitely a West Coast IPA … easy drinker.  Haha.

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This first entry in Beermentor’s Neighborhood is also kid-friendly (see Mr. Roger’s?) .  For those who must drive, easy parking too.  Come for a visit and we’ll have some pizza!

Enjoy, Beer Mentor

Beer 3/Day 3: Schlafly’s Tripel! Woo Hoo!

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Stopped in at my local neighborhood Belgian Beer Bar … Tripel Brasserie.   This is basically my watering hole.  Let me know if you want to meet and have a brew there!

The beer selection is excellent, the staff is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful.  Oh … the food is excellent too.

But on to the Beer!  Today I had a nice Schlafly … This local (regional) brewery is making very good beer — as a matter of fact, their Pumpkin Beer is near the top of the list for best Pumpkin Beers in 2013! (Great to see Selin’s Grove and Southern Tier in the top 10 … those guys are awesome!)

Since I was at a Belgian-style restaurant I had the Tripel from Schlafly.

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A nice touch at Tripel … as far as I know there are only a couple of places you can get the Tripel on tap and they have it.  This is a very good beer … right in style, goes down smooth … love the crisp hoppy flavor in this one.  The right spicy yeast too … very nice!

Recommend a trip to Tripel … you won’t be disappointed!

Beer Mentor