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
Day #665 White Monkey / Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA
Previously from this brewery: Plenty, they're close by my house
Up early today, but I guess that's okay because today is my Mom's birthday! Best wishes for a good day, Mom :)
So you get a quick beer review, because that's the way it goes. I have a bunch of old beer reviews lying around, so today you get a beer I drank way back in the early part of summer, White Monkey from nearby Victory Brewing Company. This is their popular Golden Monkey aged for three months in white wine barrels from California. When you take a sip of this Tripel you definitely notice the oak from the wine barrels coming through. In fact, the oak definitely dominates some of the usual fruit flavors you enjoy in the Golden Monkey, and this one tastes more boozy than it's original version. Complex and delicious, if they produce this again you should grab one.
Ah, early summer.
I have a friend who is banned by his wife from drinking Golden Monkey, as he underestimates the booze contained in this tasty beer. Brad, I'm thinking you're also banned from this one.
Thing to Think About Today:
To celebrate all things monkey, I leave you with Proudest Monkey. Enjoy some Dave Matthews Band for your Saturday.
Day #636 Ypres / De Struise Brouwers, Oostvleteren, Belgium
Previously from this brewery: Elliot Brew
Day before the PSU home opener. Not sure if it's the fact that the season is already underway or what, but just not yet in the groove for a home opener. Hope that changes a little between now and noon tomorrow.
Back to the recaps. One of the best meals of Belgium came from 't Hommelhof in the town of Watou. The group was treated to a special dinner, where the chef paired unique beers with each course. One of the beers was a bottle of Ypres, from De Struise Brouwers. This oud bruin was paired with a gazpacho served with a piece of fried mullet. The gazpacho was simple yet delicious, which is probably how I could describe the entire meal. I will say that with a few tiny exceptions the food on the trip was outstanding. However, almost every menu I saw had the same items on; croque sandwiches, lasagna, goat cheese & bacon salads, frites, etc. Nothing wrong with that, but 't Hommelhof was the first inventive and unique - and therefore most memorable - restaurant of the trip.
And the beer? It poured a dark brown hue, and gave off aromas of tart fruit with earthy notes. The taste is a heavenly mix of tart cherries, sour apple, and an earthy, oaky taste that grounds some of the tart and sour flavors. This beer was aged in two different barrels - Bourgogne wine and Wild Turkey whiskey. This was a bottle from 2009, and the internet seems to suggest it was only brewed once. Shame, as it was magnificent. Speaking of the bottle, the artwork was very cool - it depicted a scene from World War I. Another beer from De Struise that people tried was Black Albert, which was widely regarded as one of the best beers of the trip. I only had a sip, but I would agree. We technically "visited" this brewery, which means we drove our bikes by and looked in the windows. They were closed... perhaps it was a Sunday? De Struise wasn't on my radar before this trip, but after having this beer and trying the Black Albert, I'm a committed fan.
Ypres, Ieper, Wipers. Just call this beer 'delicious'
Two items you may find interesting. As with most everywhere in Belgium, there is the Flanders spelling/pronunciation and the French spelling/pronunciation. In French, the town is known as Ypres, and in Flemish, Ieper. British forces stationed there during World War I apparently couldn't pronounce either, and instead referred to the town as "Wipers." The second odd fact for you is that this brewery was started by owners of an ostrich farm. I kid you not - an ostrich is still featured on their logo.
Thing to Think About Today:
A beer brewed to honor those who fought and died in the First World War means we close things out with Edwin Starr and his protest song, War.
I feel the need to check back in exactly one year after writing my closing thoughts on 2011. If you need a refresher, you can find it here. It's salty and sad with just a bit of hopefulness. It is amazing what 365 days can do for the soul. Putting another year behind me doesn't make me feel older--it makes me feel free and happy and powerful. There's a sense of being able to do anything in my soul and it is a good feeling. And that's what I wish for you all. Take the crap, the stress, the whatever and turn it into hope and happiness. It takes a lot of faith and belief in yourself. But I promise you, that little alchemy project is possible.
Widmer Brothers Brewing has their own alchemy project. It started back in 2010 and is a series of vintage dated beers that can be enjoyed immediately or cellared for years. I got my hands on the Barrel Aged Brrrbon '11, which means it was cellaring somewhere for the past year. Yay for me!
It poured a rich oak color (opaque) with a thin tan head. The smell is woody, roasted and full of butterscotch. The flavor is caramel, vanilla, pepper and is also very rich. It finishes with an almost rauchbier-like smoked
character. It definitely has that warming alcohol burn.
The Barrel Aged Brrrbon is aged in bourbon barrels. It doesn't have that "wow this tastes like bourbon" thing going on like other barrel aged beers. Instead it reminds me of the characteristics of bourbon. Does that make sense?
