365 different beers from 365 different breweries in 365 days with random musings on beer, food, music, sports, dogs and anything else interesting along the way
Today's beer is the Low Ryeder IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company -- a rye IPA. Per SweetWater's description, it is: "A flame throwin’ Rye IPA ignited by a 25% shot of rye malt and capped by a booty hoppin’ blast of Mt Hood and Centennial hops that makes this IPA bounce!"
It poured a deep golden color ale with a slight haze and a medium white head. There was a bit of sticky lacing left behind. It has an orange and hop aroma and the flavor falls in line with that. Lots of citrus (orange) hops. It's a bit bready. And there's a little sweetness hanging around.
Day #533 LowRYEder IPA / SweetWater Brewing Company, Atlanta, GA
Previously from this brewery: I sampled the Festive Aleand made Sweetchuck references
Happy Sunday and middle day of the three day holiday weekend to you all! Went out and got some exercise in, now spending this glorious, sunny afternoon inside staring at the screen of my laptop. Curiously, no one has invited me to a Memorial Day cookout yet. Is that because no one is having a cookout this weekend, because my friends all suck, or because.... I didn't get invited to a cookout this weekend? Has to be one of the first two, right? Couldn't be the third, not that I'd want to even go to your stupid BBQ anyway. Jerks.
Well, I'll have my own party, and start it off with a LowRYEder IPA from SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta. SweetWater hasn't managed to make it's way to Pennsylvania yet, but I have a friend with family down south who shared a bottle as a gift. When you pour this one, you see a light copper color and a barely there head. There are aromas of orange and pine, and when you take a sip you find notes of earthy pine, citrus, and a very prominent rye spiciness and warmth. Some good bitterness on the finish, and at 6.25% ABV this is eminently drinkable. You know, like maybe at a cookout at your house this weekend, or something.
All... my... friends, drink the LowRYEder
This brewery just hit their 16th anniversary. Let me go ahead and take a moment to wish a very happy anniversary!!
Thing to Think About Today:
Sometimes the jokes write themselves. I mean, there's no way I can use anything but this song here, right?
Day #469 Hopsecutioner / Terrapin Beer Company, Athens, GA
Previously from this brewery: my look at the Rye Pale Ale
Getting right down to business again today, people. I was up late watching the NCAA tournament last night, and now I have a busy Saturday on deck - four hours in the car round trip, six year old nephew's birthday party. I wonder if there will be pony rides at the party? If there's a clown, I'm punching him in the face, because everyone knows that clowns are creepy. I'll keep you posted.
Tonight's beer is the Hopsecutioner from Terrapin Beer. This one was on draft at TJ's this week, where I stopped by for a beer post-shopping for a gift for the previously mentioned birthday party (hint: dinosaur toys!). In the glass, this beer is a clear copper color with a thin, wispy white head. The aroma is relatively mild, but you certainly find citrus and pine. When you take a sip, there's more malt in there than I would expect for a beer named "Hopsecutioner." Despite that, you do find a dry beer throughout, with a bitter finish and the expected citrus and pine flavors. This beer was decent, but not great. When I order an IPA, I expect a bit more oomph. However, I would definitely try other offerings from this brewery in the future.
Not good picture? Sure, why not?
Terrapin offers you a fun turtle logo, and in this crazy craft beer world, you do need to stand out in a crowd on the shelves.
Things to Think About Today:
Road trip today + fascination with yacht rock lately X nothing else more memorable or relevant coming to mind here at the moment = Billy Ocean and Get Out of My Dreams, Get Into My Car. Regardless, I do hope you're having a good Saturday, and don't get in cars with strangers. Unless they're Billy Ocean, in which case it's totally cool.
Beer #165 Festive Ale / SweetWater Brewing Company, Atlanta, GA
One of the luxuries we treat ourselves to is a cleaning service. Oddly, our cleaning ladies rearrange everything in our house when they work. The furniture tends to stay where it was, but everything else (picture frames, dog beds, decorations, candles, kitchen items) are always in a new spot when we get home. Do they do it to prove they cleaned and picked things up to do it, or do they do it because our feng shui is crazy out of whack?
Next up in the series of beers and breweries is the Festive Ale from SweetWater Brewing out of Atlanta. Festive ale, as in winter and Christmas? Yeah, that festive ale. SweetWater only distributes to limited cities in the southeast, and we acquired this through a gift from someone who got it from someone in North Carolina. I think that's the chain of custody; I didn't ask many questions. However, December in Georgia is probably about the same temperature as May in Pennsylvania, so it works. It pours a black color in the glass, with a thin off white head. Your nose picks up malt and dark fruit aromas, and the taste gives you roasted malt, spices (cinnamon?), and some coffee bitterness. Those who know me I'm not wild about beers that verge into coffee/burnt/roasted flavors, but this one is okay in my book. Probably better enjoyed in actual winter, but we'll worry about that come next December.
It's a picture of a fish on the label. My phone SUCKS.
This brewery has a fun story behind it - two roommates at the University of Colorado fall in love with craft beer, start working jobs in the industry to get experience, and after a few years end up opening up shop in the ATL. Doors open in 1997, and they've managed to carve out a niche for themselves ever since.
Thing to Think About Today:
As much as I wanted to play on the brewery name and make a Sweetchuck joke - Sweetchuck was the hilariously nerdy cop in the Police Academy series - it didn't seem to fit. So, on to some music about Georgia. Oddly, the state of Georgia finds itself into the titles of way more songs than it probably warrants. Let's go with one of the best, and let Gladys Knight and the Pips bring us home on the Midnight Train to Georgia:
Beer #134 Rye Pale Ale / Terrapin Beer Company, Athens, Georgia
This weekend was a lot of fun, but exhausting. The weather cooperated, and I got to spend some quality time with both old friends and new friends. I'm running on fumes right now, so I'll keep this brief and conserve what energy I have left.
Tonight's beer is the Rye Pale Ale from Terrapin, which I had on draft at Paramour. It pours a dark gold with a white head that lingers and gives off a citrus and floral aroma. The taste has flavors of mild hop bitterness and grain, but it doesn't overpower you. There's a grapefruit note in there as well. This beer is mellow, and quite enjoyable. If you see this one in your travels, drink it.
Shiny, happy beers
Thing to Think About Today:
If we're thinking of Athens, Georgia, we're thinking about some of the music that's come out of that town. Most notably, R.E.M. One of the most important bands in the late 80's and early 90's, they recently broke up. Which sucks, because they're a great band. We caught them live during their last tour, and had a blast. Just a great show. R.E.M. made an appearance in this space earlier (Pop Song 89 for our 89th beer), but nothing says we can't break out another example. Take it away.....
There is entirely too much work to be done at work. I suppose it's a good thing that I have a steady gig, but I AM EXHAUSTED. Does anyone have some cheese to go with my whine?
Tonight's beer is Terrapin Beer Company's Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout -- advertised as Wake & Bake at TJ's in Paoli (PA). It was served in a small snifter and was black as night. It had a medium tan head that hung around. It was breakfast and beer all in one sitting! It smelled strongly of coffee and caramel. It drank with light carbonation and felt viscous. It drank quite the opposite of the milk stouts that I'm fond of this time of year. It tasted of roasted caramel malt and coffee. It also had a hint of cola.
This imperial stout has an ABV of 8.1% and it definitely provided an alcohol warmth. I can't imagine drinking more than one of these in a sitting. It is a heavy beer. But sitting and sipping on one is a delightful way to spend the evening.
Cheers!
p.s. I forgot to snap a photo of this one, but check out their logo.
