BrewDog Dogma

This blog appears to be catching up with me. It's about 11pm on November 30th. Rarely do I let a blog post go this late. And at a time of year when there are an abundance of special and seasonal releases, choosing what to drink and review is almost as daunting a task as getting this post done before the clock strikes midnight. While I aspire to randomly select what I drink and when, it's not beyond me to gravitate towards beers that others may not have heard of or tried. I enjoy hunting down rare brews and limited editions. Not only do I get to feel all special and unique amongst the beer-loving community, but I get to sample a product that was more likely a labor of love from the brewer than a labor of...well...labor. And, yet, with all that said, this month I consciously sought out to drink and evaluate something from the Scottish brewery known as BrewDog. Why? Because I'm a part-owner of it! Don't believe me? Read on.

The Beer:
As an owner of an emerging and respected brewery, I had to remind myself to remain partial to my evaluation and review process. In selecting a beer to drink, I looked past BrewDog's flagship beer, Punk IPA and instead delved into one of their slightly more niche offerings, Dogma. Similar to last month's entry, this beer is also classified as a spiced ale. Also similarly, the list of ingredients added to this brew are truly unique: guarana, California poppy, kola nut, & Scottish heather honey are not your average additions to any beer --- even one in the spiced ale category. When reading the label at the store (no, being a part-owner does not get me free beer. I pay just like everyone else does) I immediately thought that there was no way that I'd actually enjoy this one. Sure, it may different than much of what is on the shelf. It would probably be tolerable. It might even be tasty. But in no way did I think that it'd be something I'd buy again and again. And after the first 500mL bottle, I was fairly certain that my initial instincts would hold up. Dogma was a very sweet beer with a large hop aroma but little in bitterness laced in. The spice kick that I was able to note and enjoy in last month's beer was less present here despite equally compelling componenets and a significantly higher concentration. This wasn't a bad beer. Nowhere nearly as off-putting as I had expected it to be. But it wasn't something that I had to put down and take note of. I wasn't surprised in any way. And yet, by the time I was through the second bottle, I came to apprecaite Dogma for what it was - a non-traditional spiced ale with interesting ingredients reigned in to represent a serious take on a rising type of beer. Knowing what I know of BrewDog's brewing philosophy and marketing strategies, it was actually refreshing to see them attempt something more nuanced and subtle. It was also refreshing to know that my money is in a company that knows what it's doing!

The Buzz:
Whereas Dogma teetered around the Mendoza Line in terms of taste, it actually fell onto the right side of the curve when it came to a buzz. The two 500mL bottles packed a 7.8% abv and allowed me to maintain a respectable feel-good vibe. And again, without reffering to the label beforehand, I had preconceived notions of what exactly I was going to encounter in the realm of alcoholic content. You see, BrewDog is perhaps most notorious for pushing the limits of alcohol contained in what is technically considered a beer. They first released Tactical Nuclear Penguin with 32% abv. At the time it was the strongest beer ever produced on record. Shortly thereafter, they followed it up with Sink the Bismark, a 41% abv beer that was created solely to reclaim the title of most potent beer from Shorschbrau Brewery (hence the play on the title, with Bismark referrencing the famed warship from the country of which they were attempting to dethrone). Finally, in one last shot to again reclaim the title of strongest beer ever, BrewDog made a beer called The End of History. A 55% abv freeze-distilled beer that was packaged in the stuffed dead bodies of small animals. That is correct. Bottles of beer packed into the taxidermied corpses of small animals. Only 12 bottles were ever made, but THAT, is the definition of bad ass if you ask me! And yet another reason as to why I put my money into this company.

The Hangover:
After a night of drinking two bottles of a beer that was perfectly average in every regard, I sort of anticipated a hangover that would match. The sort of hangover that starts out a little rough upon first waking. Headache, stomachache, fatigue, dehydration. But one that disappears shortly after a coffee, some breakfast, a good shower, and some fresh air. And wouldn't you know it --- that is exactly what I got. Even though the quantity of beer consumed was on the lower end of my required limit, the combination of nearly 8% abv and what was likely a high sugar concentration in the beer resulted in what was a very average (although tolerable) hangover. While this wasn't my first taste or sample of a BrewDog beer, it was my first occasion of testing their beers on my physiology. Based on the results, I would (and likely will) attempt further experiments with some of their other offerings. Perhaps I should try out the aforementioned Punk IPA since it's readily available and comes in convenient (for this blog's purposes anyway) 4-packs. Whatever I choose, it will most certainly not be one of their extreme brews as both the abv AND price point would kill me. And I've already put enough money into BrewDog as is.

The Verdict:
BrewDog's Dogma was not quite what I had hoped it would be. But then again, I had mixed feelings on what I was expecting to experience in the first place. On the one hand, I wanted this beer to be perfect if only because I so strongly believe in BrewDog's philosphy and strategy in branding their beers. They take risks and don't apologize for their direction. They push limits and embrace collaboration. They're very similar to Stone Brewing here in the US and there is a reason that brewery is still a favorite of mine despite not producing any beers that I'd hold up as personal favorites (yet, that's not to say that I don't enjoy many of them immensely). If nothing else though, one must truly respect BrewDog for their beer-naming prowess. Where else would you find a beer just hovering above non-alcoholic content (1.1% abv) called Nanny State that was brewed in direct response to the criticism they received for the high strength of their beers. Yep, I'm pretty happy to be an investor in BrewDog. Can't you tell?

Bruery/Elysian/Stone La Citrueille Cèleste de Citracado

It's October 31st and all the kids have gone home for the night. Their baskets and bags filled with candy. It is truly one of the greatest holidays growing up from infancy through grade school. Then in high school and on through college, candy takes a back seat and in comes excuses to act a fool and dress (and oftentimes undress) even more absurd. Yep, Halloween pretty much hits on all notes. That is, until you get a little older and it falls on a work night. Then, the only thing to look forward to is sitting down with a great beer and writing about other great beers. At least that's how I perceive this holiday. And this month I try a special limited release of a collaboration brew from Stone Brewery, Elysian Brewery, and The Bruery. They've concocted an absolutely unique seasonal beer that takes a spin on the classic "Pumpkin Ale" with ingredients I've never even heard of much less tasted before.

The Beer:
Well this right here is a delightful beer I must say. Just downright delightful. Which, I suppose with the level of talent associated with this collaboration, should come as no surprise. But yet it did. I am not really a fan of spiced beers. And even less of one for pumpkin beers. Yet, at it's essence, that is what Stone, Elysian, & The Bruery guys made here. A spiced pumpkin beer. Yet they went the gourmet route. Rather than the traditional pumpkin flavors - cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves; This brew contains fenugreek, lemon verbena, and birch bark. Fenugreek for Christ's sake! When was the last time, or rather first time you've even heard the word fenugreek? That's the type of word that you make up when you're trying to impress someone about world knowledge. "'Excuse me sir, do you know the history of this painting?.' 'Oh, why yes I do. That painting is a classic relic from the FenuGreek era of the ancient Palpalonians. By the way, would you like to go get a drink?'" See! You could totally use that line in a museum the next time some attractive young lady asks you a question you haven't the faintest idea of the answer to.
But this beer was all about layers. From aroma to taste to palate, it was hitting on all notes for me. I can't exactly think of a point of reference for the aforementioned fenugreek or lemon verbena for that matter, but I've had my fair share of birch beers in the past. Granted they all fell into the root beer category, but I certainly was able to recall those sensory memories at times while drinking this beer. It was actually a refreshing beer. One that I'd gladly drink again and again, if only this weren't a limited release...

The Buzz:
Shortly after my first sip of La Citrueille, I was slightly concerned that I'd quickly down the three beers and thus give myself a fairly respectable buzz. Even with a low abv (just 5%), the rate of consumption for such a great beer might trigger a slightly drunken state that I'd normally achieve part way through only my 2nd beer. But, once again the excellent flavor profile packed into this beer allowed me to properly savor each sip, thus negating any binge buzz that might otherwise occur. So while any significant buzz never set in over the 90 minutes I took to drink the three beers, this was one of the truly rare and justified instances where I wished that I'd had a 4th beer to drink. Both because the taste was so great and also because any desired level of inebriation had yet to be reached. So while I may have been a beer short this particular night, I am now however determined to go out and buy some more bottles for future consumption and sharing. This is most certainly a beer I'd like others to taste, if only this wasn't a limited release...

The Hangover:
With the first 2/3rds of my monthly experiment done with, I had my fingers crossed that such an awesome beer wouldn't disappoint me in the third (and potentially most important) factor. And despite my lack of buzz and the low level of alcoholic content, I've had similar scenarios prove to be disastrous the following morning. So when I awoke early to find that I felt completely fine, I was at first elated and then quickly concerned that any return to sleep might somehow trigger a physiological response from my body to begin the toxin release via pain and punishment and fire and brimstone via fenugreek explosions out of every pore. Alas, after a couple more hours of rest, I woke for the day still feeling fine. La Citrueille Cèleste de Citracado had passed the test. Three for three. A total success. I'd like to be able to shake the hands of the various brewers who participated in this beer if only to let them know that I appreciate their efforts to step outside of the box and craft a truly unique beer with a distinct flavor set that perfectly balances the light crispness of a session beer with the depth and complexity of a seasonal powerhouse, all while preserving my delicate alcoholic reactions. Oh, if only this wasn't a limited release...

The Verdict:
If it hasn't already been made apparent from the previous three paragraphs, I am a big fan of this beer. Every element of La Citruille (aside from the absurd name) worked for me. It's not often that I'll restock my fridge with multiple beers I've already tried before. Occasionally, I'll pick up an old favorite every now and again or I'll order something I truly love when I see it on tap. But this is one of those instances where I am going to actively seek it out in the stores next time I'm out and buy a few more bottles. Being a seasonal style, it's something that I'd like to have stocked in the fridge to share around the coming holidays but also because when I see it now, it could easily be the last time I come across it because this is unfortunately only a limited release.

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Juniper Black Ale (Camp #16)

Here is the final installment of my Sierra Nevada Beer Camp series. It's a fitting time to finish this series off as summer officially ended just a few days ago. As I prepare to write this last entry for the Beer Camp beers, it dawns on me that the varieties included in this package seem to represent the four seasons. The Double IPA representing spring, the California Common the summertime beer, the Weizenbock obviously a nod to Germany & Oktoberfest, and this Juniper Black Ale a very strong reference for winter's feel and flavors.

The Beer:
I had put off drinking this beer for quite some time. Not because I didn't want it or anything, but I always felt like there were better options in my fridge. Belgian blonde's, imperial porters, coffee stouts. Beers that I hadn't ever had before and ones that I knew I loved all seemed to jump ahead of Black Juniper Ale when it came decision time. But knowing that I had this blog to write and that I was committed to completing this series, I picked a Saturday night when I had little to do and nothing to watch. I opted to take my time with these beers doing my best to deconstruct the aromas, flavors, textures, and palates. I wanted to feel like I really knew what I was doing and understand what went into this beer. I even took notes! Something I swore I'd never do for these experiments as that isn't the type of behavior one would find themselves doing while at a bar or a party. Fortunately, those notes were taken via audio recordings on my phone halfway through the 2nd beer and I was too imbibed to save them properly. So, alas, once again I am to rely only on sensory memory alone to asses this beer.
As far as taste goes, this was an excellent beer. It's a spiced beer, although I found it to be very hoppy for something without the IPA label branded on it. I imagine that came from the junipers in addition to whatever hops were added in this batch. There was also a smokey element to the beer. Not quite in the same ways that smoked porters come across, but more in a smooth malty flavor. Possibly from the dark grains added to give this beer it's black color. All in all, I very much enjoyed the taste of it. Much more so than I had anticipated. It wasn't overly sweet or bitter and despite it's impressive alcoholic content, it was very drinkable. Something I'd definitely have again, especially if I was to ever find it on tap somewhere.

The Buzz:
Where the good time-happy flavors left off, the great time-super buzz kicked in! I was fairly certain that this beer would do its job in getting me tipsy being that it clocked in at a very nice 8.5% abv. Three of these babies in one night while catching up on all sorts of TV was sure to have me ready for silliness as the night went on. Fortunately I was joined by the lovely gang of Paddy's Pub from Philadelphia. And I must say, they are one wacky bunch! By the time I was halfway through my drinking session, I was in the greatest of moods and thoroughly enjoying my couch surfing time. I was also wishing that it was later in the year and cold and rainy out. This beer would make for the perfect cool, winter night by the fire. It was warming without being burning like liquors. I also was wishing that I owned a cabin in the Pacific Northwest overlooking the cliffs of the ocean and listening to waves crash beneath me. And in that cabin I'd have mounds of fresh hardwood that I chopped myself with an axe. My dogs would be curled up on the bearskin rug by the fire as I sat in an old rocking chair stroking my beard of epic proportions. Yes, this would be a glorious life. And my only neighbor would be miles away. And his name would be Ron Swanson. And we would eat bacon together like men do. And I would share with him this beer that I so thoroughly enjoyed!

The Hangover:
Fearing the worst the next morning, I awoke to the dogs begging to be fed as usual. With a headache that seemed to start at the crown of my skull and extend all the way to my liver, it had appeared that my fears were indeed warranted. I did my best to remedy the situation with Advil and a large glass of water. However, with the severity of this headache, I didn't have too high of hopes for later in the day. Miraculously though, I awoke a few hours later feeling much better. Not completely rid of the pain that existed in my cerebral lobes, but considerably better than I was just hours earlier. After a little food and a lot of coffee, the headache had more or less dissipated. As the day went on, I certainly didn't feel 100%, but I was happy to know that the Juniper Black Ale was both excellent to drink and not overly harsh on my body. Again, this great brew came through and has me excited to discover it some time down the road in some random bar.

The Verdict:
Another great beer from Sierra Nevada. This one is as good, if not better, than the California Common that came in the same pack. Where as that one evicted thoughts, emotions, and tastes of summer, the Juniper Black Ale took me to the other side of the calendar. The other two beers in this pack (the Double IPA & Weizenbock) were both middle of the road and fairly forgettable --- not that they were bad per se, just not something I'd really seek out and/or order again. All in all, this summer series of Sierra Nevada's experimental offerings has been excellent. They are a phenominal brewery that simultaneously pushes boundaries while brewing highly recognizable craft beers. In fact, I'm drinking their Estate Homegrown Ale 2011 right now...and its A-MAZING!

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Weizenbock (Camp #37)

In this third installment of my summertime drinking series featuring Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp variety pack, I tackle their international entry of a Weizenbock, better known on this side of the Atlantic as a wheat beer. Generally not being a fan of wheat beers, I did my best to approach this particular beverage with an open mind and eager taste buds.

The Beer:
Immediately upon pouring my first beer for this month's test, I began to think about some food to pair this with. Typically, I don't do this as I like to experience the beer in its purity without the compliments of any other flavors or textures. I am aware that beers, much like wines, are often heightened by the pairing of a good food, be it cheese, nuts, fruit, or even ice cream. There is a logical and sensible reason as to why we eat and drink in tandem of one another. However, despite my cravings, I opted to drink this first beer on its own. And so I sat back and put on some season 3 of "True Blood" and began my observations. What came to mind first and foremost was naturally wheat and malty flavors. Less fruity than most wheat beers I've had in the past, and certainly more malty that those same experiences. But there was also a sweetness to the beer that I couldn't quite get a handle on. This wasn't tart fruit sweetness from something like a lambic. Nor was it a chocolaty sweetness often found in stouts. I was intrigued. I was curious. I was actually trying in earnest to smell and taste every sip to narrow down this flavor. Although I can't particularly say that I was enjoying the taste on its own merits, I was thinking hard enough about the flavor profile of a beer that I completely ignored the fact that Sookie walked in on Eric vampire-banging some stripper in his basement lair. So, either my fondness for genre-kink has dissipated, or my interest in all-thing beer has really skyrocketed since last summer.

The Buzz:
Without being able to figure out just what I was tasting layered within this Weizenbock, I found myself well into the second beer and second episode of my mini "True Blood" marathon. About half way through both (and not particularly enjoying either) two things began to occur to me: 1) at almost 2/3rds of the way into this experiment, I was not even buzzed; and 2) this beer was getting worse over time. Not worse in an undrinkable way, but worse in an undesirable way. It may have simply been the abundance of malt and lingering sweetness with each sip, but I was not exactly charging to the fridge to crack open the third beer. Naturally, in the name of science, I pushed forward and drank that third beer taking a break between #2 & #3 to go to the bathroom, have a small bite to eat and gear up for the third episode of "Crazy ol' Sookie & the Gang". Not long into the third beer, I found myself struggling to stay awake. And although I'm fairly certain it was not from a heavy buzz, maybe it was because the Weizenbock is just the type of beer to lull one into a state of rest. It is carb-heavy, it is dense, and without the punch of bitterness from distinct hops, it does little to keep your palate sharp and your mind fresh (or...uhh...flip that...).

The Hangover:
Unlike most of these monthly drinking sessions, this one was followed up by a day of work. Not a regular nine-to-five (or in my professional eight-to-six) day with a packed office and meetings and headaches (ok, there were headaches), but rather I went in on a Sunday to make up some work. Expecting a little hangover but nothing substantial, I was sure that I'd be alright. I was not. No, I felt like shit most of the time there. Not Lagunitas shit, but uncomfortable and tired shit. And while work on any Sunday would make one feel awful, I'd have to say that having no air conditioning at work and a lack of food options only compounded my misery. It wasn't until almost two-thirds of the way through the day that  I started to feel some relief. And additionally, throughout the entire day, no coffee, no water, no food, no mint could eliminate a lingering aftertaste that was thinly sweet and bready.  For the lack of enjoyment beyond the first beer, the payoff of a mild hangover that lasted the better part of my day was not worth repeating this test any time soon.

The Verdict:
As with all the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp beers, this one was interesting to try. Unlike the California Common however, this isn't one that I'd seek out regularly or really have again under normal circumstances. I'm not a wheat beer fan, so naturally I wouldn't choose their Weizenbock over another option if given the chance. That said, if I found myself at a Bavarian Hefeweizen Festival in the fjords of Sweeden and my only choices were wheat beers & pretzels, then yeah, I'd probably give this one another shot. As it stands though, the Weizenbock has been my least favorite of the three Beer Camp beers I've tried so far. Next month bring me the last variety and a chance to reflect on the entire series as well as the summer as a whole.


Oh yeah...that taste I couldn't figure out...it was banana!

Sierra Nevada Beer California Common (Camp #8)

Welcome to the second in a series of 4 tests trying each of the varieties offered in Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp 12-pack. This month, I give the ubiquitously named California Common a try.

The Beer:
One of the first things that I took notice of regarding this beer was the style. The other three varieties of beer in this pack are easily identifiable (Spiced Beer, Double IPA, & Weizen Bock). They say so on the labels or are easily categorized based on description. California Common, however, presented a bit of a mystery to me. Was this a lager? A Pilsner? A....Common? I was a little perplexed. And, as with all my monthly tests, I do no research beforehand but rather allow the tastes, aromas, flavors, and colors help guide my thoughts on the beer. So upon initially tasting the California Common, it immediately struck me as a lager. Was it brewed with bottom-fermenting yeasts? No clue. But the scents and appearance reminded me of  that of a mass-market BMC (Bud, Miller, Coors) beer. Or even one of the country's "premium" imported beers (funny story, while in a local bar this weekend, a couple from out-of-town came and sat down next to me & my wife and asked the bartender for a beer list. Now, this bar serves exclusively California Craft Brews. No exceptions, no excuses. Clearly, this couple didn't understand how they couldn't even have Bud Light available --- seriously, they said that out loud --- but when they asked if they carried any "premium" beers, the bartender was perplexed. She answered that many of their beers are seasonal releases, but none are labeled as premium. Well...too confused to continue, the couple put down the beer list and said they were going to go somewhere else because this place was weird. I guess that goes to illustrate that despite a growing craft beer culture here in Southern California, there is still a long way to go before it reaches the mainstream). Granted, there was a little more complexity to this particular beer than a Corona or Heineken; And it was certainly more tolerable with a better (neutral?) aftertaste. But as I continued to drink and made my way on to the second beer, the taste actually grew on me a little and lightened up a bit. That may not make much sense, but perhaps my palate was originally expecting something in line with an IPA (this is Sierra Nevada we're talking about here). However, as I drank more, I started to enjoy it more. Not particularly because of it's flavors but rather its texture. It was light and crisp and brought me back to the days of drinking in the summertime out in the yard while playing cards and getting wasted with friends. You know...what does everyone call them??? Oh yeah --- the good ol' days! By the time I was into my third beer, I thought that this was something I enjoyed because it was remarkably refreshing despite not being outstandingly flavorful. This may have been the first time that I appreciated a beer for something other than it's taste, appearance, or palate. What I appreciated most was its nostalgia!

The Buzz:
Being the least potent of the 4 varieties in this pack and coming from the same brewery; I didn't think that there was any feasible way this beer could make me any drunker than last month's Double IPA. In theory, the brewing process, while inherently different because of the difference in style, should be somewhat similar. Same water, same facilities, same equipment. And in all likelihood they were using similar malts & hops (if not the same type, from the same provider and grown in the same fields). So, how could a beer with a lower abv (6.5% in the California Common versus 8.5% in the Double IPA) make me feel drunker? Of course factors such as my diet, rate of consumption, etc. would play a role. But in all honesty, I don't vary the variables all that much. On Saturday nights (when I almost always do these experiments) I often eat the same sort of foods at the same times of the day. And, being that most of these tests take place over the course of 2-4 hours, there isn't a whole lot of room for wildly different pacing in the consumption. Yet, Sierra Nevada's California Common seemed to get me a bit drunker. By the end of the third beer I was craving a fourth (a good sign that a nice deep buzz has set in). And I was hungry (another sign that, at 11pm, the alcohol has done it's job well). Who knows exactly how or why such an aberration occurred. All that mattered to me was that California Common one again proved itself to be a beer that reminded me of good times of days past.

The Hangover:
So with all this nostalgia surrounding this interesting brew, would my hangover follow suit and provide me with the misery of my past? Well, after a decent sleep and waking up to help my wife paint our newly installed picket fence, I was nervous that it would! All the signs of death were there - headache, aches, pains, nausea, and sweats. The only thing that I couldn't confirm was the telltale signs of emitting alcoholic odors via my sweat. Whether that was present or not was masked by being outdoors and surrounded by fumes of paint. For the first hour or so, I was equally upset that a beer I enjoyed would do this to me, but also somewhat excited that perhaps I'd taken a big step in narrowing down a style of beer that I'm allergic to. California Common had all the traits of a Budweiser or Red Stripe or Coors Light. Except...you know...it was good! The other difference between this beer and those other, infinitely less appetizing beers was that unlike the hangover from those beers, this one disappeared rather quickly. After a couple hours of painting, I came in and had my coffee, took my shower and grabbed a quick bite to eat. Shortly after, I felt more or less fine. The intensity of my hangover from just hours earlier was all but gone. So whereas before I was conflictedly upset, now I was conflictedly elated. What was once a sure link between whatever allergy I might have to beer was now just another complication in narrowing down what (if anything) causes my body to react so harshly to certain brews.

The Verdict:
With such a roller coaster ride of thoughts regarding California Common, one might think that this beer was the missing link in my drinking experiences. But having gone through the full spectrum of thoughts on something as trivial as a beer, I can safely say that in the end this beer was really just above average. I'd certainly drink it again should Sierra Nevada ever regularly produce it. But I also wouldn't seek it out while at a bar or restaurant. Instead, it's the type of six-pack that I'd get when stocking up for a trip to tailgate before a baseball game. Or a day at the beach. Or a bar-b-que at a park. Or a pre-concert parking lot party before a Springsteen concert. Ahhhh, yes...the days of our past. Where we can't go back and can only relive them in our minds and senses. So I'll drink California Common again and it'll help me remember my first summer in my first house.

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Double IPA (Camp #29)

Happy America! I've delayed my usual monthly posting by a few days to deliver back-to-back Patriotic Holiday submissions. I'm sitting in the same seat in my backyard, once again drinking a Rogue Brewery Ale (Somer Orange Honey Ale this month) with a rack of ribs on the smoker. It's about 10 degree hotter than it was last month, but equally as relaxing as I celebrate Independence by writing non-nonsensical ramblings about beer.

The Beer:
This month I bring to you the first in a series of four submissions all from Sierra Nevada. They recently released a 12-pack containing 4 varieties of beers brewed in their (somewhat) famous "Beer Camp". I had first heard about this camp over a year ago when I attended the Beers for our Fathers event at Rustic Canyon. Anyone can apply to go, but being chosen is often reserved for those with strong ties to the craft beer community. Whether it be an up and coming homebrewer, a book author about beer and/or brewing, an employee of another brewery, or even just a lowly beer blogger (ahem...you know, just in case someone from Sierra Nevada reads this), people head to Sierra Nevada's brewery in Northern California to develop experimental and unique brews. Some are successful and help spark new ideas at the brewery while others completely fail and embarrass you in front of everyone as they laugh and point and throw things at your head. Some creations, however, are so successful that they find their way into the production and distribution lines at some point. The beers I'll be trying over the next 4 months are some of those special selections.
My first one was a Double IPA, which originated at Beer Camp #29 and has been sold under the moniker "Ghidorah". It was a thick, heavy IPA (as most doubles are) with a significant malty body to it. The usual Sierra Nevada IPA profile was there - grassy, citrusy, resinous. But it was kicked up a notch or two with incredibly strong notes of pine and hops.  I didn't have too much trouble drinking one after another (after another), but I also wouldn't drink this regularly in a bar or a home. It was good, and something that I'd have again for sure, but personally it's not the flavor profile that floors me and propels me to seek it out. But for something created in as an experiment in a beer camp, it's quite impressive.

The Buzz:
Being limited to three 12oz beers for each of these tests (4 varieties in a 12 pack only gives you 3 to drink... mathematics everybody!), I knew right away that I wouldn't be getting knock-down drunk at all. But of the 4 varieties, 3 boast 8.5% abv. This is one of the more potent brews in the pack and there was certainly a distinct alcoholic presence to the beer. As with many of my experiments, I was watching a UFC pay-per-view while drinking. And while I can typically drink a bottle of beer over the course of a 3 round fight (plus intros and replays, etc...), on this particular night each fight was ending in a 1st round knockout or submission. It was uncanny for such a thing to happen so quickly and regularly. It was also fucking with my drinking pace! Instinctively, I started drinking faster once the KO occurred. My brain was trying to finish up so that I could have a new beer for the next fight. While this bizarre Pavlovian trigger assisted in the 1st beer going down quicker than usual, the intense flavors and content of Sierra Nevada's Double IPA helped steer me back to normalcy for beers #2 & #3. Regardless, for such an intense beer with a relatively high abv, they all went down smoothly and swiftly. And that hint of drunkenness was creeping up in full-force by the time the main event started.

The Hangover:
Before going to sleep (and witnessing one of the greatest UFC events in years) I really had no clue what the next morning would bring me. On the one hand, I was pretty well buzzed after the test. On the other hand, I did only consume the minimum amount required for my testing purposes. Then again, it was a beer with a respectable alcoholic content. But it also went down rather quickly. What, oh what, was going to happen to me the next morning?!?! Well, at 7am, I awoke with the answer. A typical (although not necessarily sever) hangover. One that would not let me go back to sleep no matter how hard I tried (which, when you consider the scenario - a Sunday morning of a holiday weekend - makes this a particular bastard of a hangover!) But once I was up and around, the hangover stuck with my like most do - lingering in the background causing mild discomfort, but not really disrupting my day. It is that criteria that allows me to differentiate a normal hangover with that of an allergic one. If I can function normally, within normal parameters doing normal tasks and just feel slightly shitty, then it is what I consider a typical hangover. If, however, I feel awful and smell and look and act as though death is just around the corner...if I can not function on a level that resembles mental and physical competency, then it is in my opinion an allergic hangover. Sierra Nevada's Double IPA was a typical hangover.

The Verdict:
As I wait for my ribs to finish on the smoker, and as I polish of this Rogue Ale, I come to realize that I'm really not allergic to as many beers as I thought. I think that it isn't a matter of being allergic to certain beers or ingredients, but more so being allergic to certain breweries and brewing methods. I know that I'm horribly allergic to the "big three" breweries (that'd be Bud, Miller, & Coors). And I know that I'm allergic to anything Lagunitas Brewery makes. And I believe that after this summer and my series of "Beer Camp" tests, I'll be able to further verify or denounce that claim regarding Sierra Nevada. And then, I might have to consider changing the name of this blog to "Breweries Hate Me"...which just sounds odd.

Brouwerij De Molen 1914 Porter

As I sit out this Memorial Day, drinking a beer (Rogue Double Dead Guy Ale) while watching over my smoker with 6 varieties of sausage and candied bacon in it, it dawned on me that a year and a half of writing this blog hasn't done a damn thing in isolating what ingredients in certain beers affect my body so negatively. Aside from narrowing down certain breweries that I have a particular physiological aversion to (I'm looking at you Lagunitas), all this blog has really done is open my palate to more beer profiles and expand my curiosity into trying new things. It's at the point now where I think about consuming beer daily, not to get drunk, but to taste and experience more flavors, varieties, and processes. It certainly has occurred to me the irony that the name of the blog should no longer be "Beer Hates Me" but rather "I Love Beer". Perhaps there is a certain poetic irony in that.

The Beer:
This month, I had a hankerin' for some porters. I think it was kicked off due to me strong love for Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean. It's easily in my top 3 favorites of all time, but only available via cask from the brewery or select bars. That said, it sent me on a hunt for the next great porter. In both shops & bars, I've had almost a half dozen different kinds this month alone, but for this month's test I decided on one of the rarest and most interesting I've seen - Brouwerij De Molen's 1914 Porter. The bottle alone had me hook, line, and sinker. What more could a guy writing about the intricacies of beer ask for? Every single detail that I want is clearly and cleanly printed right there on the face of the bottle. I knew exactly when this beer was brewed (February 10th, 2009) and when it was bottled (March 13th, 2009). I knew the temperature to drink it at (10 degrees Celcius) and how long it would last if properly stored (5 years). They even provided me with the bottle numbers of this batch (#270 & #271). Personally, this is exactly what I think every small batch brewer should do. Not all labels need to be quite as industrial as these, but that sort of information goes a long way towards the overall experience of a new & unknown beer.

The Buzz:
So what else did this bottle tell me? Like almost every other beer, it included it's abv - a respectable 5.8%. But what it didn't note anywhere (which I have seen others do), is the taste profile. Being a porter, I expected the smokey notes and coffee undertones. What really stuck out for me was the strong aftertaste of toffee. Not necessarily sweet, but nutty and even somewhat ashy. I don't know if I enjoyed it because I was proud of myself for recognizing the flavor, or because I actually enjoyed the taste. Either way, it was very prominent and lingering. And as for the buzz? Well, I was surprised that the label said 5.8%, because despite committing to only drinking 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 bottles (drinking all of both bottles would have 1), put me over my allotted quantity & 2) dampened my palate to the point of no return), I was pleasantly and sufficiently buzzed. It certainly felt like I was drinking something more potently alcoholic and it definitely appeared to be enough to warrant a cap on the night. Unlike last months test that was spread out over more hours and capped with a large glass of water, these beers went down smoother and quicker, thus eliminating any logical possibility of a drive late at night (and by logical I mean, that I was already at home with nowhere to go!)

The Hangover:
Now that I'm 2/3rds of the way done with this bottle of Rogue Dead Guy Ale, it's becoming harder and harder to remember all my notes on Brouwerij De Molen's Porter. Do I take notes? Mental ones my friends, mental ones! I'm particularly good at remembering bullet points about each experiment. As I'm drinking, if something comes across as noteworthy, I make a mental note. Toffee? Yeah, that was a mental note! Being more buzzed than I'd expected off a 5.8% abv beer --- all mental baby! But the hangover didn't really provide me with any significant bullet points to take note of. What I do remember though is that it started out pretty rough. Both digestively & cerebrally, my body was a-hurtin'. But that dissipated over time as a natural hangover would normally do. Granted, we're not talking minutes but within 5 hours of waking up, I was back to normal. Or atleast as normal as I could be after drinking 48oz of rare porter while watching two episodes of the phenomenal "Treme" the night before.

The Verdict:
With so many ups & downs with Brouwerij's 1914 Porter, it really did take me a moment to consider if I was indeed allergic to something within this beer or not. It tasted good, but not amazing. It got me drunk, but wasn't particularly potent. I was hungover, but certainly not destroyed. This rare beer in an awesome bottle provided as many paradoxes as this paragraph; But at the end of the day, my gut & experience tells me that I am not infact allergic to this beer or any of it's components. However, because of the truly amazing labels that this brewery provided, I did pick up 2 other smaller bottles that they put out: an INTENSE barleywine ("Bommen & Granaten") which measured at a crazy 16% abv that I couldn't even finish a single 12oz bottle of, and a highly respected imperial stout ("Hel & Verdoemenis") that I've yet to try. All in all, I will continue to try our Brouwerij De Molen's offerings where I can find them, if for nothing else, the beer geek inside me can't help myself..

Oskar Blues Gordon

For the first time since my inaugural post back in December 2009, I take a crack at a craft brew in a can. Oskar Blues Gordon (which interestingly enough is no longer called Gordon, but rather G'Knight) is my second attempt at analyzing a canned beer for this experiment and there were some similarities, but definitely more differences from the last time I drank out of a can.

The Beer:

There were a lot of things about Gordon that I had trouble with. To begin, this beer has been a part of my collection of beers longer than any other at the time I decided to try it out. I bought it nearly 7 months ago when I heard that Oskar Blues could no longer sell it under the name "Gordon". Some lawsuit (which I believe came from Gordon Biersch, but I could have totally just made that up) forced them to rebrand the beer as "G'Knight". Realizing that the can would become something of a collectors item, I snatched up a 4-pack and stashed it away. But after some time it dawned on me that I'm not really one to collect things like beer cans or bottles. I don't really collect anything at all. Comic books and pop art prints are about all that I have collections of. So I chose to take out this well-respected beer and use it as one of my test subjects. I also chose to bring it with me to my buddy Mark's 31st birthday. Because if you can't share a 7 month old beer with good friends, then who can you share it with?

As far as how the beer tasted, it was a hop driven IPA with strong notes of caramel and fruit. The bitterness from the hops were carefully balanced with a sweet aftertaste. It wasn't the greatest IPA I've ever had but it wasn't the worst. It wasn't the hoppiest or heaviest. But that may just be my own taste and preference. Someone else might tell you that this beer is numero uno and that I'm just a dumbass.

The Buzz:

Regardless of where it stands on my all-time greatest beer list, one thing it certainly excelled at was getting me nicely buzzed. At 8.7% abv, it was deceptively smooth and easy to knock back the entire 4-pack throughout the party. With that level of alcoholic content, Gordon actually qualifies as an Imperial IPA (or double IPA in some circles...some disrespectful circles if you ask me). Whatever you call it though, there's no doubt that I probably shouldn't have driven home. No, I didn't drive drunk...I had several glasses of water and waited a couple hours after my last beer to get behind the wheel. But regardless, it would've been an uncomfortable conversation with a cop had I gotten pulled over. Unless it was one of the cops from "SuperTroopers". Then, it would've been AWESOME!!!

The Hangover:

Apparently there are karmic retributions for making questionable decisions within this experiment. Because after safely navigating my way home from Mark's birthday I had a small bite to eat, another glass of water to drink, and passed out to some Colbert Report on the couch. When I awoke hours later to two hungry dogs, the minions of hell had risen up inside my body and were trying to escape out of my eyeballs. The headache at 6am was like no other. Naturally I took my morning after cocktail for killing whatever demon was festering inside my body and went back to bed. A few hours later and I awoke not feeling all that much better. Fortunately, the hangover was strictly internal. The wife assured me that I did not smell like booze, look like I was hungover, or otherwise display any outwardly symptoms of the impending death I was sure awaited me in the coming hours. But as the day progressed, the hangover regressed. It certainly took its time to go away and it wasn't the worst hangover I've ever had. But it was bad enough to add Gordon to the list of beer I'll be avoiding in the future.

The Verdict:

Oskar Blues Gordon, now Oskar Blues G'Knight, was good. Not great though, just something respectable. I don't know what to say really about this beer because it wasn't the like Lagunitas beers that immediately taste amazing but leave me feeling the next day like every cell inside me has exploded. It also wasn't like Anchor Steam Small Beer, where I hated every aspect of it. I'd have one again. But only one at a time. There was nothing seperating this beer from the ever-growing craft beer collection of IPAs stocking the shelves that warranted the hangover that came with it. That said, I absolutely want to try Oskar Bluess' other offerings, if for no other reason than the company has some killer names for their beers!

Lagunitas SF Fusion: Hop High

It's mystery-month here at Beer Hates Me! I'm tackling an extremely unique brew that, to my best knowledge, is no longer available to the general public. It was brewed for San Fransisco Beer Week 2011 this past February and acquired directly from the brewery from a friend. He was told that it was Lagunitas' SF Fusion: Hop High, and being the die-hard Lagunitas fan that I am, I had to try it out and analyze it for purposes of this blog.

The Beer:
Much like my other experiences with Lagunitas beers, this one tasted amazing. It is considered an Imperial IPA and had the hop quality & quantity to justify that classification. But unlike other IPAs I've explored in recent months, this one lacked the strong pine & herbal qualities that are often associated with double & triple IPA beers. Instead, Hop High brought forth a more fruity and floral sense to it. Even being packaged into a large Mason Jar with hand tightening on the lid, the beer retained the aroma, appearance, and taste of being poured straight from a tap. Whoever was tending the bar where this was poured, obviously has Popeye-level forearms. It took me nearly 15minutes to get that damn lid off!
As for the taste, it wasn't much of a surprise that Lagunitas knocked this one out the park. Every beer of theirs that I've tried has been a favorite of mine and this was no exception. Hop High, despite its name, only hit you with the hops on the initial taste. A few moments in my mouth and the hops stepped back and the malts stepped forward. Perhaps this is where they justified the moniker of "Fusion" for this brew; while at first presenting itself as an IPA, the beer soon transitions in taste to something closer to that of a Barely Wine. The dark amber color of the beer is mirrored by a strong taste or caramel and honey that lasts until the next sip resets your palate with sharp pine & grapefruit. Bitter, sweet, fizzy, & fresh - oh Lagunitas, is there anything you can't do?

The Buzz:
As with the flavor qualities of this beer, the alcoholic qualities were also layered. According to online sources, Hop High was listed with a 9.3% abv. That's quite high for many IPAs, but not unreasonably so for one considered an Imperial IPA bordering on Barely Wine levels of sweetness. For purposes of this blog, I choose to only consume 36-48oz of any beer. Hop High, however, was delivered to me in a 64oz jar. So I figured that if I drank around 2/3 of the jar, I'd hit my mark right in the middle of that required amount. Knowing that there would be no way to preserve the beer though, I decided to share the rest with friends at a party. While I sipped away on glass after glass, a few home-brewing friends took their turns at sampling this once (possibly) in a lifetime beer. They all thought it was great - layered and complex - worthy of the Fusion branding.
It was a good idea to share that remaining 1/3 though, since what I did consume certainly put me in a heavily buzzed state. It came on slow and steady however. Not enough to send me to bed immediately, but enough to know that there was a certain punch to this beer. The bitter sweetness that came with it probably didn't help in slowing down the consumption either. Because the flavors would switch, my palate never got overwhelmed and my brain never said to stop. Thankfully, my dedication to science and to this blog, programmed my brain into quitting once that jar was empty. And thankfully, I was surrounded by other drunks who helped empty it.

The Hangover:
The Lagunitas hangover - my arch-nemesis. It's destroyed me before with Censored Rich Copper Ale & Brown Shugga, utterly ruining both of those beers for me. In fact, Lagunitas has provided me with the worst hangovers of any of the beers I've tried on this blog. But those two varieties were both 6-packs, brewed & bottled in Petaluma, CA then shipped here to southern California and stocked on a grocery shelf. Hop High, though, was brewed and "jarred" up in Petaluma and then personally delivered to me. This beer came straight from a tap at the brewery and was only available for one week in the Bay area. The length of time between creation and consumption could not have been much shorter. Perhaps my hangover issues were a result of some odd bottling process. Or maybe they were so rough because of a weird morphing of ingredients from the time they were added until the time they were consumed. Whatever the reasons were, I was anxiously awaiting the results for this month's test. Thankfully, I did not have to wait long.
As with most morning-afters, I awoke early to dogs looking to eat and pee. And in that time, the headache and dizziness were in full mother-fuckin' effect! So while the pups ate and peed, I popped Advil & drank a glass of water, hoping that this was just a common hangover that would dissipate quickly and quietly while I returned to sleep for a few hours. Alas, that was not to be the case. Waking a couple hours later, the headache and dizziness only intensified. Worse, it was a rare Sunday that I actually had to work. So I struggled through a shower, groggily grabbed a coffee, and prayed for an easy day in the office. Fortunately, it was just me and my work and my hangover in the building and I was allowed to wallow in misery and discomfort all alone. Unfortunately, Lagunitas once again kicked my ass!

The Verdict:
It was a real treat getting to experience this unique and limited beer. SF Fusion: Hop High is exactly what I expected a Lagunitas Fusion beer to be - layered, complex, and incredibly tasty! It really amazes me the depth with which some craft breweries can and will go to simply in the name of creation. They certainly could not have turned a profit on this beer. It was created for one week only in one part of the country. There was no distribution behind it, and yet it managed to be flavorful and complicated in ways other beers never achieve. Although it wasn't the best beer I've ever had, it was certainly one of the better ones, and up there in terms of the most interesting.
Yet, once again, Lagunitas has proven to be my physiological downfall. I simply cannot process their beers in a normal manner. Clearly, after three attempts at three different beers, there is something that Lagunitas does or includes with their selection that my body doesn't agree with. Aside from a chemical breakdown and deeper controlled ingredient test, all I can conclude at this point is that Lagunitas beers will no longer be consumed in greater quantities than the occasional glass (or at most two), unless I am sadistically seeking pain and punishment the following day.

New Belgium Ranger IPA

This month I take a stab at one of the larger craft breweries and their hoppy hoptastic hoppiness - Ranger IPA, a beer I've had before but only here and there, never in a concentrated effort to understand and analyze the tastes, scents, and effects that this beer may have on me.  Due to the fact that this beer was part of New Belgium's "Spring Folly Pack", I was only able to consume the minimum 36oz since there were only 3 bottles of Ranger in the multipack itself. Would 3 be enough? Or would I crave more? Read on astute...uhh...readers.

The Beer:
Ranger IPA is something that I've been familiar with for a little over a year. I first tasted it up in Big Sur at an outdoor wedding under the mighty and majestic Redwoods. There couldn't have been a more perfect setting to notice and acknowledge the superior hops added to this beer. It was bitter but pleasant. It had bite yet was smooth. I got drunk but didn't care. Fast forward to almost a year later and I once again found myself face-to-face with this beer that I had fond memories of. This time however, there wouldn't be shots of whiskey, flutes of champagne, or massive amounts of wedding cake to cloud my thoughts about this brew. Similar to last month's Port Brewing Wipeout IPA, the focus of this beer was the hops. Unlike that beer however, New Belgium limited the variety to three different kinds -  Cascade (citrus), Chinook (floral/citrus), and Simcoe (fruity). Personally, I felt the balance was better than the Wipeout IPA. The bitterness was there for sure, but it wasn't cloyingly so. It defined the beer without overwhelming it. It is exactly the heavy-hop blend that I would give to someone to display the American IPA style without worrying about scaring them off. I suppose that's a huge compliment for New Belgium. That said, however, this isn't the beer that'd I'd choose time and time when I'm in the mood for something hop-heavy. It was good, bordering on great. But not phenomenal.

The Buzz:
There isn't too much to delve into here regarding my buzz. Drinking only three 12oz beers that had an abv of 6.5%, I wasn't expecting to be floored the way Barely Wines or Imperial Stouts might do to me at similar quantities. But I did feel that nice low-level buzz during and after the third beer. It's that perfect buzz that I relate to summertime Sunday's on vacation. The type of buzz that is perfectly acceptable for the middle of the afternoon while starting the grill or smoker and hanging out with your dogs enjoying the warm sun and crisp breeze. It's the buzz that extends for hours on end culminating in an early evening power nap to the sounds of live recordings of Pearl Jam or Springsteen. It's that buzz that perfectly sets up an epic night of partying and/or good times with good friends. How ironic then, that I had this buzz mid-February in 40 degree California rain on the couch alone while I watched a UFC event that featured a man knocking out another man by kicking him square in the face and then thanking Steven Segal for showing him that move (the previous sentence is all entirely true...go research it). So while Ranger IPA provided a good buzz, this was one of those instances where I wish I had had a fourth beer to extend that good-time feeling just a little longer.

The Hangover:
After a few days and even weeks passed, I can say for certainty that I had no hangover whatsoever from Ranger IPA. However, at the time - the immediate day after - it was not as easy to assess. You see, during the day of the test, I had a two-hour Muay Thai Kickboxing class that completely destroyed me. My coach for some reason or another decided to turn it up to 11 and beat us into the ground. Imagine one of those Bootcamp Fitness classes but with boxing gloves and full contact combat. Now imagine that for 120 minutes non-stop, culminating in a one-on-one with the coach himself (a seasoned professional fighter). Well, needless to say, my body was bruised and battered inside and out. And while a night of nursing 3 beers helped soothe those pains, the following morning only highlighted all those ailments the beer was covering the night before. Walking, talking, and interacting with anything outside of a couch were all too taxing for my body. My wife even questioned if I was hungover or not, but the pains were strictly external and certainly equated to the intensity of my exercise and not the severity of my consumption.


The Verdict:
So New Belgium's Ranger IPA seems to harbor all the qualities and complexities of a stereotypical Mendoza brew. Its perfectly acceptable for any time you need a quality hop-heavy beer and would even do well in the summer when you want something heavier than session beer to drink throughout the day. And furthermore, it's a perfect beer for New Belgium to pack inside their new Folly Pack. Alongside their other offerings, it's easy to see why New Belgium is now behind only Sierra Nevada & Sam Adams in terms of craft brewery size. I'd be interested in revisiting Ranger IPA in the future for many different occasions, but I don't know how often I'd choose it over another brew when walking the aisles or picking from tap lists.

Port Brewing Wipeout IPA

It's a brand new year with a brand new look on the blog. To start of 2011, I take a stab at a brew that was given to me as a gift from one of my oldest (and most intense) drinking buddies, the infamous Mark Burton Grez! Between a holiday visit in the pouring rain and a look at my new place with his parents, Mark managed to gift me with two bottles of Port Brewing Wipeout IPA - his number one favorite beer of late.

The Beer:
Holy hop Batman, this beer's got bite! So apparently Mark is a fan of hops. That's no surprise to me though, as the man has started growing his own at his house. It also makes sense considering the well-known fact that the hop plant and the cannabis plant are close cousins (seriously, not only is the hop plant a legal relative of cannabis, but it will get users reasonably stoned. If smoked in the form of a joint, the sweet-sour, flaky fruiting parts of the plant will produce a mild, grass like high accompanied by a feeling of peace and serenity), and Mark has long been a fan of nature's smokes. But enough about drugs, we're here for the beer! Wipeout IPA was a great beer with a thick head and smooth taste. The hoppiness of it definitely provided some intense bitterness, but it was balanced so well with the level of malt and carbonation that I didn't mind it so much as I have in other hoppy beers. According to Port Brewing, this beer mixed in "no less than five hop varieties including Amarillo, Centennial, Cascade, Simcoe and Summit." That's a lot of plant in a beer. But it worked. I wouldn't place this as high as other IPA's I've tried, but it certainly was quite tasty and I can understand why it's Mark's favorite.

The Buzz:
I decided to drink both bottles for this test, reserving a little from the second bottle to ensure that I not exceed my 48oz limit (although the bottles claimed to be 22oz, they were by far the largest 22oz bombers I've ever seen. I swear they were identical in size to Sierra Nevada's Estate bombers which come in at 30oz). After the first beer was finished, I felt completely fine. Measuring in at 7% abv, that didn't really surprise me too much. It's a respectable amount of alcoholic content but definitely not the heaviest or highest I've had in an IPA or even in an IPA for the purposes of this blog. However, by the time I was done with the second bottle - or atleast the amount I chose to drink out of the second bottle - I was rocked. Something hit me hard. And I liked it! The buzz was one of those "good time" feelings where you acknowledge that you're drunk but don't feel sleepy or full or angry or any of the other associated effects of a good buzz. Perhaps this goes back to the level and complexities of the hops and they're relation to weed. The feelings were similar in base, yet different enough in detail.  And again, it occurred to me that this all makes sense in respect to Wipeout IPA being Mark's favorite beer. If there was ever one person on the entire planet who embodied good times and legendary drunkenness, it'd be Mark. I could start a separate blog that'd take me years upon years to fill with accounts of his epic nights of intoxication. Without giving away too much or compromising any good standings, I'll just say that he ALWAYS fell asleep with either a beer in his hand or next to his bed...ALWAYS!

The Hangover:
Hangovers...always finding a way to fuck up a good thing! After finishing off my set amount of Wipeout, I opted for a small bite to eat. Some Whole Foods Kettle Corn in fact, along with a glass of water to wash it down. I put on some Howard Stern and promptly passed out popcorn in hand slumped over on the couch. After a few hours and a sore back, I awoke to realize that I never quite made it to the bedroom. So I finished my water, put the food away, brushed my teeth and popped some Advil before I went down for round 2. Cue the dogs a few hours later and I again woke up to let them out. Apparently at this point, the Advil had no effect on me as I had a headache that felt like I had drank some heavy IPA's and passed out awkwardly listening to some Stern. Once the dogs were done with their stuff, we all headed back to bed where I passed out for round 3 of sleep. One might think that all this up & down would only help my chances of shaking any possible hangover. Well, one would be retarded then. When I finally woke up for the day a few hours later, the headache was still there. It was coupled by the usual hangover nastiness: mild dizziness, fatigue, a little stomach pains, and total annoyance at the sunlight. Although I was feeling like a hideous monster being prodded with pitchforks, apparently my body was not producing any of the other symptoms that typically come with my suspected allergy to certain beers. My wife didn't notice any foul odors emitting from my pores, I was able to successfully drive (and shop) at Home Depot, and I didn't feel like I needed to be within sprinting length of a bathroom at all times. No, I may have been hungover, but I don't think I was allergic!

The Verdict:
And so, my first beer experiment of the new decade has come to a close. And with it, some interesting results. I discovered a hop explosion in a quality beer. I detected similarities and nuances between the iconic ingredient of beers around the world and its infamously controversial horticultural cousin. And just as infamous, is the provider of this months brew, who although hasn't exactly taught me anything about beer, he has taught me much in how one enjoys beer. And for that, I'm eternally grateful!