Self-serve taps

Interesting concept...

Table Top Beer Taps
Uploaded by neither_Bug_nor_Crank

Time to break the seal

Last night found me with a serious thirst for barleywine. And unfortunately, the closest bottle shop that actually has barleywine in amounts less than a case is 25 minutes away. Not feeling like stepping out and dropping an hour to get a six-pack, I broke into my vintage collection.

Amongst all my gadgets, gear, and ingredients on the shelf in my basement brew room lies a box with a little more than a six-pack's worth of beers I've squirreled away over the past few years. A 2001 bottle of Samiclaus, some Victory Storm King '03, and some Anchor Christmas ale '05 to name a few. The two that made it out were a bottle of barleywine made in 2003 from a fellow FOAM guy for the 2003 FOAM Iron Mash competition, and a wax-sealed one-liter bottle of DuClaw Devil's Milk '06.

First out was the Iron Mash barleywine. I chucked it in the freezer to drop the temperature quickly...unfortunately, in between chasing children and cleaning, it got left in the freezer just a little too long! Luckily I caught it in time and only the top inch or so started to freeze. It still poured into a snifter well, the head being mostly a barleywine slushy. And I'm a huge fan of 7-11 Coke Slurpees, so it was a welcome suprise. It didn't affect the flavor or beer at all and soon warmed by my hand's grip on the glass. The beer was well-done, no oxidation, begging for just a little more hop bite...but what can you expect from a 5 year-old barleywine?

Tonight I'll break out the 2006 Devil's Milk and after tomorrow's Easter dinner, little if any will be left. Do I really want to bottom-up a two year-old bottle of some of the best barleywine I've had, leaving no barleywine left?

You bet your ass I do! Nothing lasts forever and nothing tops off a holiday with family like a good glass of beer. Besides, it makes more room for barleywine to cellar for a few more years.

Wherever you are, Hoppy Easter!

Happy St. Patty's Day!!

It's March 17th. That means the ubiquitous beer, Irish fare, and wearing o' the green! While corned beef and cabbage may be not a true Irish invention, it's still pretty good and an American St. Patty's Day standby. For me, a plate of homemade Shepherd's Pie, Soda Bread, and a pint of my own dry stout will fill the bill nicely tonight.

And if you're interested in Guinness' petition to make St. Patty's Day an "official" holiday, look here and sign up. I just want to know if that means I'll get holiday pay in the future...

Slainte!!

Cast your vote!!

Time for some voting where you can vote for the best of two; not the lesser evil!

The Philadelphia City Paper ran an article on the Philadelphia beer scene and is looking for your feedback. It's a little late in the game, but Round 3 is still open.

While I can't agree with all the results (a fruit beer beats out a dopplebock?!?!?!), taste is very subjective. Most of the flights are very close, near 48%/52% splits. Either way, it looks good for Philly's beer scene!