Messages

346

Beer Travel / Re: Trip to Belgium in February

« on: August 17, 2010, 12:37:16 PM »

Yep, read through the forum a bit. There's another good thread here:
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=3166.0

347

All Things Food / Re: Poppers

« on: August 17, 2010, 11:18:22 AM »

Hmm... uthirsty... I'm trying to send you a PM but it says you're blocking it.

348

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Your Homebrew Name

« on: August 15, 2010, 08:56:31 AM »

Elderberry Street Brewery

349

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Corn Syrup?

« on: August 15, 2010, 05:06:21 AM »

I just checked the ingredients: Glucose, glucose-fructose, water, refiners' syrup, salt. Hm, could be fun to try, could be a mistake.

350

General Homebrew Discussion / Corn Syrup?

« on: August 14, 2010, 03:02:16 AM »

Has anybody ever used corn syrup in a beer? I have some laying around that I don't intend to use for anything else, so I thought I might use it in a tripel-ish recipe. Any reason why I shouldn't?

351

The Pub / Re: What is the worst beer you have ever tasted?

« on: August 13, 2010, 06:41:09 AM »

A couple "award winning" homebrews from a relative. That made me realize I'm not too bad of a brewer.

As for pumpkin beer - try it as a chaser with Jamesons. Not too bad.

352

Beer Travel / Re: I'm in the Boulder CO area till 9/3, what breweries do I need to visit???

« on: August 13, 2010, 06:00:34 AM »

Southern Sun on Table Mesa and Broadway (and/or Mountain Sun on Pearl, a couple blocks east of the Mall), Draft House on 13th or 14th, just off the Pearl Street Mall (used to be Redfish - only been there once since they changed, but was very impressed with the beers I tried), Wynkoop in Denver. That's what first comes to mind. I've been away for 3 years and my memory is shot. Oh, and Avery. Yeah, you've been there. Go back. Ooh! Oskar Blues in Lyons. That should keep you busy for a day or two. I suppose there's always BJ's on Pearl if you get bored. Yummy stout and decent others. Walnut on Walnut could be worth a trip.

353

The Pub / Re: "The Denny Level"

« on: August 12, 2010, 11:32:01 AM »

I just look at it as a silly, fun little thing.  No real usefulness, but what does it hurt?

Exactly. My point with the "does it matter" comment was a reaction to people taking it perhaps a bit too seriously.

In my house, I'm all levels (deep, huh?). Especially cellarman. My wife won't go down there.

354

The Pub / Re: Used to be good...

« on: August 12, 2010, 04:36:07 AM »

Me...

Bummer. I'm still awesome.

355

The Pub / Re: "The Denny Level"

« on: August 12, 2010, 04:34:48 AM »

Does it really matter?

356

Beer Travel / Re: One Week in Belgium

« on: August 12, 2010, 12:15:55 AM »

A couple more tips on Brussels.

If you can't make it to the Dupont brewery tap (or even if you can), check out Nuetnigenough (25 rue du Lombard). It's a nice bar with decent food and all the Dupont beers on tap. Last time I was there, they still had the awesome dry-hopped Saison.

Absolutely visit Cantillon. It's a cool visit even if you're not into beer.

Just down the road from Nuetnigenough is the new-ish Moeder Lambic Fontainas. It's arguably the best bar in Belgium, at least as far as taps go. It was technically designed to deliver the best quality beer to the glass from the 40-some taps. All the staff is knowledgable and there is only "craft" beer (no InBev, etc.). When I go to Brussels for a beer, I usually go there. They were even going to look into giving AHA discounts.

Not beer related, but check out the area near the North Station. You're suddenly transported to another continent. Head up the hill to Chaussee de Haecht (I think), just behind the St. Maria church. There's a row of Turkish pizza restaurants and bakeries. If you've never had Turkish pizza, go treat yourself. It's dirt cheap and darn good. Our favorite is Kocak. You can get a low-end beer there, too. There's another good one across the street with just as good pizza and it's more traditionally decorated, but it's dry.

I like the Halve Maan brewery tour in Brugge. It's a bit long, but entertaining and you get treated to a nice view of the city from the roof.

357

Beer Travel / Re: One Week in Belgium

« on: August 11, 2010, 07:37:29 AM »

Definitely some good tips here, except the one about not spending time in Brussels. If you take some time to get to know the city, you could be pleasantly surprised. I've said this before - for Brussels, get "Around Brussels in 80 Beers". As for other books, "The Good Beer Guide to Belgium" is a must. I live in Belgium and I carry the book with me anytime I go anywhere. Make sure you get the 6th edition.

A note on the Trappists. Westvleteren is in a beautiful location. People rave about the Westvleteren 12 beer, but I think their 6 (blond) is fantastic and underrecognized. 

358

The Pub / Re: Music Surprises

« on: August 08, 2010, 06:42:42 AM »

I had that happen a few years ago when I listened to Pearl Jam's Ten for the first time in years. Not only did the memories come back, but it occurred to me that I never realized how good of an album that is.

359

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: What's with all the negativity against the Standard American Lagers?

« on: August 07, 2010, 12:08:56 PM »

It's all a matter of taste, I guess. To most of us, the standard American lagers just don't have much of it.

As for the roots of these beers, I think the use of corn, rice, etc. is interesting. From what I understand, these grains were never used to make the beer cheaper, but were used in the brewers' attempts to mimic the flavors of the early European lagers, before there was such an understanding of water chemistry in brewing.

A couple years ago I had a rice beer brewed by a brewpub for a nearby sushi restaurant. I thought it was pretty darn good.

360

The Pub / Re: "The Denny Level"

« on: August 05, 2010, 12:14:34 PM »

Ah, I see. I'm a little slow at times.