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 #639 Tokyo / Brouwerij Saint Bernardus, Watou, Belgium
Previously from this brewery: Tripel and more Tripel
Today was an unmitigated f'ing disaster. I won't go into it here, but let's say the best thing about today is that it will eventually end, and I probably won't be dead. Beyond that... not a great day.
Beer won't fix it, but I need to write about something on this stupid blog, so here goes. Today's offering is a glass of Tokyo, a St. Bernardus beer that was launched to commemorate them opening a true Belgian beer bar in (wait for it....) Tokyo. The Beercycling tour took us to this brewery on our next to last day, after spending the night before in a gorgeous bed & breakfast right next door. Conveniently, it used to be owned by the brewery owner, who interestingly originally started his business by making cheese, not beer. While there were many great parts, the best part of the B&B was the honor bar stocked with every tasty St. Bernardus beer.
A smile; clearly not a photo from today!!
As part of the tour, we got to sample beers from their tasting room, so I made a beeline for a bottle of this new beer. It poured a hazy gold color with a thin head - a relative rarity in Belgium. There are really nice flavors of bread and grain, along with a spicy quality of coriander and pepper. Good citrus flavors coming through, but definitely not overpowering. In my notes I wrote, "very summery", as it was very light and refreshing, with a great flavor profile. Great find!
I like how the monk donned a more appropriate robe
This might be available in limited quantities in America, but I've never seen it, so kudos to me for finding a rare beer to sample. Yay, me. Also, kudos to Beercycling for being their first tour of the day, at the beer friendly hour of 10am.
Thing to Think About Today:
Going to relax, perhaps with beer, perhaps with bourbon, perhaps with both. Reaching into my collection of quiet music to unwind and remind myself that everything will be fine. I'm going deep into the mix for some Sea Wolf and Middle Distance Runner. It's not really a song about running, but I like it anyway when I want to slow things down.
Today's beer is thanks to a fellow beer geek who very kindly shipped it along with a few other favorites to me from Portland, Oregon. (Note to self: Organize another cross-country beer trade.)
This one is the Fort George Quick Wit--a Belgianesque ale. It looks like an Arnold Palmer...the beloved blend of lemonade and iced tea. It didn't have much of a head. But what's hanging around the edge of the glass is nice and white.
It smells sweet and lemony. Those notes carry over gracefully into the flavor, which also has a good amount of wheat. Go figure. It is a wheat ale. This particular beer is brewed with lemongrass and that gives it a really nice lemon/green pepper flavor. Interestingly it is also brewed with elderflower, which is believed to have supernatural powers to ward off evil. So I have that going for me. And clearly from the photograph, my supernatural powers are working.
Lately I've been very wishy, washy about wheat beers. I swear I'm off of them and then I find a winner like Fort George. I guess it shall be an on-again, off-again relationship.
Interesting note about Fort George Brewing. It's located in Astoria, Oregon, which is where Goonies was shot. The house is still there and there seem to be lots of Goonies-related events every year around the release date of the film (June 7)!
Beer stats
Style: Witbier
ABV: 5.2%
IBUs: Unknown
Rating: Great
Previously reviewed from Fort George
Quick Wit is first out the limo!
Ever have one of those days where packing it all in and finding a job with zero responsibilities sounds like THE BEST THING EVER? Yeah, that's been the last way too many weeks in my world. But what do I do? Soldier on. But for how much longer can I just buck up and deal with it?
Luckily I have this creative outlet and some really good beer on deck. Take for example the Ommegang Witte.
It's billed as a Belgian-style wheat ale, flavorful, soft and hazy. I thought the description referred to the beer, but I guess the folks at Ommegang were psychic about the quality of the photo I was about to take of their beer. Soft and hazy. Or out of focus. Whatevs.
It poured a very light straw color, but it wasn't quite the hazy I anticipated after reading the label. It had a medium, quick-to-dissipate white head. The aroma is wheat and some light orange. The flavor is crisp and citrusy. There's lots of orange and what I'm guessing is coriander. There's also a bit of cracker flavor and it's nicely carbonated. It's a very refreshing beer and perfect for a summer day.
Beer stats
Style: Wheat ale
ABV: 5.2%
IBUs: Unknown
Rating: Very good
Maybe I am getting old. Clearly I cannot work a 14 hour day, get five hours of sleep and get up and do it again. Nope. The body now says, "No dice" and stops functioning.
Two hour naps in the late afternoon/early evening are not a good idea but clearly my body was telling me something. I just slept the sleep of the dead for the past two and a half hours. First thought upon wandering out of my room and seeing the socks and undershirt that Gary wore today, "Oh he melted" a la the Wicked Witch of the West style.
Clowns are scary as all hell. Read Stephen King's It. That is the ultimate in terrifying clown stories. I don't walk on or look down into sewer grates because of it. End of story.
Despite my all-encompassing fear/hate/distrust of clowns, I do tend to like beer from Clown Shoes Beer. The latest selection is the Clementine--a witbier.
From the Clown Shoes' website, it is light-bodied and crisp and has plenty of zest. It's hazy in appearance and healthily carbonated. It uses Chambly yeast to energetically shape its wheat malt base. Incorporated into the brewing process is clementine, sweet orange peel, coriander and Summit hops.
So what did I think? It poured a hazy, deep orange color with a smallish white head. It has the aroma of unpeeled oranges and grain. It has a strong hop profile with a nice amount of citrus flavor. There's something kind of dank about the flavor. I tend to expect a brighter flavor from a witbier but there was definitely something lightly earthy about it.
Beer stats
Style: Witbier or white ale
ABV: 5.9%
IBUs: Unknown
Rating: Good
Day #526 Clementine / Clown Shoes Beer, Ipswich, MA
Previously from this brewery: Vampire Slayer and the awfully named Muffin Top
It's a dull, dreary day outside, and that's not making me motivated to go to work tomorrow. I refuse on principle to talk about work on this website, but I've been struggling lately with the notion that I don't know what I do for a living. Allegedly, I find out on Monday.... maybe that's good. Or, you know, not. We'll see. Apologies for being cryptic, but that's how it goes.
With that bit of news looming on the horizon, let's just shut it down and get into a beer review. Today's offering is a bottle of Clementine from the dubiously named Clown Shoes Beer. In the glass, you see a dull gold color, with a lingering thin head. There is an aroma of fruit and yeast, and when you take a sip, you get plenty of wheat, oranges, and some spice, with very little bitterness. Very good beer for summer, when you want something with a nice citrus or fruit profile. Although, this beer has a way to go to catch up to champion summer fruit beer, the Hell or High Watermelon from 21st Amendment.
Nice!
The last time I drank a beer from Clown Shoes, I ranted about the terrible name of the brewery. This is still true; clowns are the worst.
Thing to Think About Today:
I have no intention of writing about clowns, but I can get behind shoes, I suppose. I mean, I wear them and everything. They keep my feet warm. So, on a quiet, lazy day, I will share with you a fantastic song for quiet, lazy days while we think about shoes. Paul Simon, the afternoon belongs to you and Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.
Day #390 Naked Nun / Adelbert's Brewery, Austin, TX
Previously from this brewery: None, new brewery
It's been a few days since I handed out an award from the 366 challenge, so let's get back into the game and keep the awards show going. Previously, we handed out prizes for Biggest Miss of the Year, Best Brewery Visit, Best Label Art, and Worst Label Art. Today, I'm awarding a very coveted prize, the award for Brewery of the Year. This is a tough category to judge, because we obviously only drank one beer per brewery.... for the most part. With some breweries, I have prior experience drinking their products, or I put down a beer sampler instead of just the required one beer. Like it or not, that advantage helped these candidates float to the top of the list. However, the good news of my tasting more than one beer from these breweries is that I 100% assure you that you can pick up any beer they produce and feel completely confident you're going to be drinking a fantastic beer, regardless of style. And now... what's that now James Van Der Beek? Is it time?
James Van Der Beek says, "It's time."
Why yes, in fact, it is time to look at the nominees:
And the winner is..... Russian River Brewing Company!
What impressed me most is that Russian River has an ability to produce great beers across the entire spectrum, from bitter IPAs to tart sours and everything in between. Their barrel aged beers are some of the best I've ever had, and quite frankly any brewery that offers an 18 beer sampler deserves some sort of trophy (note: we don't give out trophies, but should). To celebrate, we dance!
Celebrate with James Van Der Beek!
To keep the wheels on this blog turning, tonight I'm reviewing Naked Nun from Adelbert's Brewery in Texas. This witbier has a pale straw color and a persistent white head. There's a slightly tart aroma, with some hints of clove. The flavor is very good, with light notes of spice, bread, banana, and orange, with a light dryness. Quite a nice beer, and at 5.8% ABV, this would be great to enjoy on a sunny spring day.
Great glassware, too.
The name Adelbert's is a tribute to the brewer's deceased brother, George Adelbert "Del" Hovey, and the brewery specializes in Belgian ales. Didn't get to visit them when we spun through Texas, but I did get to enjoy this beer, which certainly counts for something.
Thing to Think About Today:
The story behind Naked Nun includes a story about Del being robbed while hiking and saved by nuns. And for every time I type the words 'Naked Nun', I immediately think of the brilliant Naked Gun film series, which starred the hilarious deadpan comedy of Leslie Nielsen. Let's close out tonight's awards post with a laugh, shall we?
Today's beer is the Red White Christmas from Mikkeller,a gypsy brewer based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Red White Christmas was billed as an American strong dark ale at Teresa's Next Door, but further research lists it as an herbed or spiced beer and a hybrid red ale/wit bier. I'm going with the latter as it makes the most sense given the name of the beer.
The Red White pours a hazy chestnut color with a loose cream color head. It smells of citrus hops with a light caramel undertone.
It is hop forward and backward with interesting buttery notes. It has a rich mouth feel. There's a breadlines to it along with savory, not quite pepper spice. Overall quite interesting and very enjoyable.
Mikkeller makes some amazing beer. As a gypsy brewer, he's free to experiment and also to collaborate on a whim and has done so with some great results. The challenge is to find repeats once you like something or simply to get your grubby paws on one. Especially if you live in the very backward state of Pennsylvania.
Beer stats
Style: Hybrid red ale and wit bier
ABV: 8%
IBUs: Unknown
Rating: Great
Previously reviewed from Mikkeller
Mikkeller / Stillwater collaboration, Our Side from Gary
And one from Marci
Mikkeller / de Struisse collaboration, Elliot Brew
Today's beer is the Witte from Brouwerij Martens in Belgium. It poured a hazy lemony yellow color with a full white head. It smells of wheat and lemons. The taste is light and thin, almost like a shandy or radler. I'm not getting orange or any spices. There is a yeasty tartness, which is why I keep thinking shandy and not witte.
I think this one would be great during the summer. Instead I'm drinking it in late November with a threat of a snow shower while wearing seven layers of clothing under my parka. Good times!
Is it strange that every time I walk through the make-up section at CVS, I have an overwhelming urge to steal lipstick or lip balm? I'm 37 years old. I have disposable income. I don't want for anything. And yet I have a very visceral urge to five-finger-discount the latest lip gloss.
Confession time. I stole a lipstick once. It was YEARS ago. I was in high school and snagged a Revlon Colorstay lipstick. I'm pretty sure I wore it once and it screamed, "I'm stolen!" the entire night.
Yeah, I'm a goody-two-shoes dork.
Now onto the less dorky part of my writing. Let's talk about Avery Brewing's White Rascal. It is a Belgian Wheat ale or white ale -- unfiltered with flavors of coriander and Curaçao orange peel producing a refreshingly zesty classic ale per Avery's website. I had this one on draught at TJ's in Paoli.
I thoroughly enjoyed the White Rascal although I tend to really like white ales. It hit all the right tasting notes -- coriander, wheat, citrus zest. There was even a little bit of banana in there. It had a great mouthfeel. It poured an nice, hazy blond with a good head and left just a bit of lacing. I would rate it up there with other favorite white ales, which include Hitachino Nest White Ale, Blanche de Bruxelles, Allagash.
I'm looking forward to day 367 of this adventure so I can start revisiting breweries because there is a long list from Avery that could be among the first. At the head of the pack is Avery's Samaels -- an oak aged ale with an ABV of 15.5%! It's a limited edition release and since that happened back in April...I may be SOL.
Dear Beer Gods,
Please send me a bottle of Samaels. Just one. I won't be greedy.
Beer #221 La Blanche / Brasserie St. Feuillien, Le Roeulx, Belgium
With today's effort, we're now past the 60% mark on this blog! Later this week/weekend, I'll do a rundown on who's in the Top 25 so far, biggest surprises, best new finds, and whatever else pops into my head.
Today's beer is the La Blanche from St. Feuillien, a brewery that I can't ever seem to spell. The beer poured a hazy yellow color in the glass, with a thin white head. The aroma gives off hints of flowers, citrus, and grass, and the taste has a balance of malt and hops, with banana and wheat, with a bit of spice thrown in as well. It finishes with a smooth, clean finish. Another Belgian, another great beer. I somehow deleted my picture of this beer, so instead you get a picture of a sunset from Jenner, CA, where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. It's just like beer, in the sense that it's beautiful.
If you squint, you can see a beer out there.
This brewery has been in business since 1873, and is named for an Irish monk who was martyred and beheaded while preaching in the area. Sucks to be you, pal.
Thing to Think About Today:
I suppose a beer with a citrus aroma brewed by a brewery named for a beheaded saint calls for.... what, I guess the Lemonheads?
Beer #167 White Ale / Williamsburg AleWerks, Williamsburg, VA
And we come to the end of the week, at long last. I'm mildly embarrassed by how little work I did today, but sometimes you need a day like that on the schedule. Good for the soul. I did book the last hotel rooms for our upcoming West Coast beer/oyster/beer/fish tacos/wine/beer vacation. I guess I did some "work" after all!
The beer to kick off the holiday weekend is the White Ale from Williamsburg AleWerks. In the glass, you get a clear pale gold, with a barely there white head. The aroma is very light, but you get a hint of fruit. When you drink it, you get a spicy note, along with wheat and grass. Finishes very dry. While the spice gave it some character, this wasn't the best witbier I've ever come across.
In business since 2006, this brewery claims to be the only craft brewery in Williamsburg. Craft brewery, as opposed to that other guy who brews in Williamsburg. Enough typing and words, as the sun is shining and it's time to unwind. I also just remembered that Teresa's added some outdoor seating. To the bar!
Thing to Think About Today:
It's Friday, and quite frankly I don't need to say much more than that. However, I'll let Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and the Roots (plus some special guests) tell you a bit more about Friday (skip ahead 40 seconds. Just do it):
I got nothing for you today. I seriously need this long weekend to recharge, find my creativity and get back in it. I haven't been feeling it lately. That probably partly due to my impending vacation but I also think I'm a little burnt out. Big things are afoot at work and I've got to pull my shit together.
***
The Williamsburg Alewerks White Ale poured a bright straw color and no head. I couldn't pinpoint anything discernible about its smell. The taste was floral, mineral and wheat...not too much citrus. I'm not wild about it.
Happy long weekend! Here's to good weather and even better beer!
Beer #150 St. Cloud Belgian White / World Brews, Novato, CA
Had a really hectic but really satisfying day at work today. Flipped the switch on a significant project, which is a huge weight off my mind. Today was 'email from the CEO' good, in fact, so I'm definitely riding a high there. My enthusiasm for a great day at work has been tempered by a thorough beating on the hardwood, as my spring league team was unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs. I get that I'm not great at basketball (never was, truthfully), but tonight was a thoroughly awful performance. Ice Cube famously rapped "get me on the court and I'm trouble/messed around and got a triple double," which references the significant basketball accomplishment where one picks up double figure totals in three statistical categories, such as points, rebounds, and assists. Once again, I hit a triple double, but it was for missed shots, turnovers, and defensive lapses. There's always the summer league, I guess.
Sadly, it seems tonight's beer is following the downward end to the day, not the great start to the day. I'm drinking something called the St. Cloud Belgian White, from some place called World Brews. Let's start with the review. This beer is a clear gold with little head in the glass. And that's where the good points stop, as you get aromas of yeast and fruit, and the taste gives you a bready, soapy, sort of... not much. It's like a pilsner in some regards (and not good ones), but definitely falls way, what short of what you expect from a Belgian white. I guess if you really want a beer that lacks flavor or complexity, but you want something more unusual than Miller Lite, this isn't an awful choice. How's that for a backhanded compliment? However, if you want a flavorful beer, please direct your attention elsewhere.
BEWARE.
So what's the story on this beer? Basically World Brews is a contract brewer for people who want a private label beer. They take advantage of excess capacity in established breweries, and produce "craft" beers for retailers such as Walgreens and Costco. In this case, St. Cloud is a private label for Whole Foods. So, good news there - you won't have to worry about seeing this one anywhere else. Whole Foods has a great beer selection, provided as you're not selecting this beer. I award you no points, St. Cloud, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Thing to Think About Today:
Let's combine my good day/bad day into one final wrap up. The good: the greatest game show ever, The Price is Right. I can't tell you how many hours I spent in college watching this show. Most of them? That's probably a safe estimate. Then, to highlight the bad, let's focus on some not-so-great moments from the show. I mean, not so great for the contestants - they're awesome moments for us.
I had a friend ask today if I’m still finding things to write about each day in addition to the beer reviews. I replied that it’s hit or miss and lately more misses because I haven’t been feeling well. So I spent the next thirty minutes in the car trying to think of something clever to write about tonight. And that’s when I officially lost all capacity to think creatively. Like I said…it’s hit or miss.
Instead of creativity tonight, I find myself sitting here trying to solve a mystery. Who brews St. Cloud? The label doesn’t provide much help. The website www.stcloudale.com doesn’t help much either. Who or what is behind World Brews in Rochester, NY?
Turns out that World Brews is a subsidiary of Winery Exchange. Based in Novato (CA), World Brews is a private label beer supplier for premium quality beers in the U.S., Latin America and Holland. They have thirty or so beers under their umbrella. Nothing I’ve ever heard of before. I think the St. Cloud came from the Whole Foods in Devon (PA).
It poured a golden straw color that was surprisingly clear for a Belgian white. The head was white and faded away pretty quickly. The smell was general beer and lots of grain. First sip and all I can think is wow, that sucks.
Let’s review the characteristics of a good Belgian white or witbier: Pale. Cloudy. Always spiced - typically with coriander, orange peel and other herbs. Crispness and slight twang come from the wheat and lively level of carbonation.
Let’s compare that to whatever is sitting in this glass: Pale, yes. Cloudy, not really. Spiced, not in the least. Crisp, nope. Slight twang, well it does have a funny aftertaste.
For a beer in the same category as Allagash White, Hitachino Nest White Ale, hell, even Blue Moon, this is total disappointment. (Prepare yourself for some beer snobbery…) If I drank Heineken or Amstel Light, I think this is what I would expect. Blech. And that’s why I don’t bother drinking Heineken or Amstel Light.
I may need to open something else tonight to wash away this encounter. Cheers.
Secret to my success today? Awesome music and the thought of good beer. A sampling of what I was rocking out to today while trying to get prepared for my biggest event of the year included:
The good beer is up next and will hopefully involve a stop at TJ's in Paoli. I've pre-reviewed their tap list and have four options from among the 26 available. Sometimes A Blog Named Brew makes drinking beer a bit challenging.
***
While I have a moment, I'm cranking out today's beer review, which comes courtesy of Paramour. For a hotel bar, I am impressed with the beer selection here. The tap list changes very regularly and they have a fantastic porch off the bar that is perfect for beer drinking and people watching.
Monk's Wit made it to Wayne (PA) all the way from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert's Abbey Beverage Company in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Go check out the Monastery's website for more information here -- it is quite an interesting little operation.
It poured a slightly hazy straw color with very little head. It was very carbonated, which lent a refreshing characteristic to the Monk's Wit. The scent was strong on oranges. The flavor started off with lots of citrus, orange, and then the hops took over leading to a more lemon dominant flavor. My notes also indicate "very bove" -- seriously I need to start sharing my chicken scratch notes with you. Translating them is half the fun of writing posts!
Started the day with a long walk in Valley Forge Park, spent the
mid-day shopping (Marci will fill you in on that), and spent the late afternoon
enjoying some beers on the front porch at Paramour, watching people meander down
the sidewalk of Lancaster Avenue in Wayne. I highly recommend Paramour - the
beer list is great, the food is very good, and most importantly every beer they
pour comes in a funky imperial pint glass sort of shaped like a nuclear reactor
cooling tower. This is a good thing; the 20oz pour is a huge bargain for the
price, particularly when you're drinking some serious beers, such as Our Side from Stillwater/Mikkeller.
While we did enjoy a tall pour of Our Side, what led us to Paramour
was the chance to drink a beer I've never heard of before. Hooray for having up
to date beer lists on-line! Today's beer is the Monks' Wit, a Belgian Wheat
from Abbey Beverage Company, the brewery operated by Benedictine monks from the
Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Um, who? Sure, the name doesn't roll off the tongue, and while you may be familiar with the Trappist Monks of Belgium, I'm going to
guess the Abbey of Christ in the Desert probably doesn't ring a bell. Well,
consider yourself informed: this beer is really good.
In the glass, this
Wit beer is an effervescent gold, with a thin wispy white head. You get aromas
of of light citrus, orange and lemon, with a subtle spice. When you drink this
one, you get flavors of lemon, yeast, and light malt with a dry finish. Very
even and balanced. It might be hard to find, but if you see it in your local
bar/bottle shop, definitely give it a try.
Thing to Think About
Today:
I'll admit it - what I know about New Mexico could fit in a thimble. You've got... Georgia O'Keefe, Native Americans, Los Alamos.... and sadly I can't help you any more. I've never been, and likely won't get there any time soon (despite our goal to hit all 50 states).
However, I am learning more about New Mexico courtesy of one of the most interesting shows on television, the Emmy winning Breaking Bad. Set in Albuquerque, this show stars Bryan Cranston (the dad from Malcolm in the Middle) as Walter White, a down on his luck high school chemistry teacher. Down on his luck? His son has cerebral palsy, his wife is pregnant, and oh yeah - he was just diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Walter decides that in order to provide for his family, he needs to leave them with enough money for after he's gone. And so, he embarks on an ambitious new career... cooking crystal meth.
Yes, the mild mannered chemistry nerd finds out he has an aptitude for making the best methamphetamine in all of Albuquerque, and sheer insanity ensues.
Is it as good as The Wire? No, because The Wire is the greatest show in the history of television - but it's pretty damn close. Great writing, great characters, and interesting plot turns in every episode. Do yourself a favor and check this out as soon as possible. You won't regret it. And have a beer from New Mexico while you do it!
If you're sticking with me and this blog, then please do yourself a favor and read the following post in a French accent. It's how it sounded as I was typing it. Or, more accurately, read it in your best vampire voice. All my accents end up sounding like a slightly drunken vampire.
Ask Gary. He'll tell you once he stops laughing.
Anyway...you know you’re having a good day when you have the
opportunity to shout one of the following at various points of the work day:
“I double-dog-dare you to make a peanut butter and jelly
sandwich that is superior to an Uncrustable.”
“Stay alive. I will find you.”
The first followed a very heated debate about what makes a quality peanut butter and jelly sandwich and is most definitely going to result in a PB & J throw down, which is awesome. And the latter has
already made more than one of us laugh until we cried today.
***
I'm continuing my good day with a good beer. It is Brasserie Lefebvre's Blanche de Bruxelles -- a white beer brewed in Belgium. It is described on the label as being refreshing and having a soursweet taste. It's brewed with coriander and orange peel. Damn you, coriander! I actually rummaged through the spice rack to find my coriander (because why wouldn't I have coriander?) but I DON'T HAVE ANY. Why can't I experience the singular taste of coriander? Ever???
Anyway I can't attest to the strength of the coriander flavor. I can tell you that it poured a very hazy straw color with a medium head that left nice lacing. It smells strongly of orange with hints of banana and clove and maybe even a bit of cinnamon. First sips reveal that it is indeed refreshing. Score. The orange and banana carried through, as did the spice. It also had a dry, biscuit-like flavor. Delicious. This is an awesome beer.
Curious as to what Gary thought of it? Check it out.
Beer #115 Blanche de Bruxelles / Brasserie Lefebvre, Quenast, Belgium
I'm always in awe of great writing, and Spencer Hall from the college football blog Every Day Should Be Saturday has done it again. Sadly we share a common bond, as he had to put his dog Isis to sleep today. The comments in the thread have become both a makeshift memorial for the furry friends lost and a celebration of those still by our side. Plus lots of pictures of dogs, which I could stare at for hours.
Today I'm drinking a Belgian White, or witbeir, from Brasserie Lefebvre. Feels like I haven't poured a Belgian in ages. In the glass, this beer shows off a cloudy yellow color and thick white foam. The aroma has soft notes of yeast and citrus. A mellow beer at 4.5% ABV, Blanche de Bruxelles has flavors of orange peel, grain, and yeast, and has a light sweetness.
The brewery dates back to 1876, and the sixth generation is now running the daily operations. Definitely worth a try for those looking for a lighter option.
Thing to Think About Today:
For those who have been reading this blog for a while, you know of my current obsession for music performed by artists from other genres. I'm still waiting to form that rap cover acoustic group, but responses from other interested parties (who actually have musical talent) have been slow in arriving. Someone has to be with me on this.
If you need more motivation and want to see YET ANOTHER example of the awesome crossover appeal, please check Young the Giant's take on R. Kelly. Yes, you read that correctly. If we do form a group, we're getting fur coats for when we perform, as I believe that really enhances the feel. The first minute of this video is talking - either sit patiently and listen, or fast forward through the first 60 seconds to a glorious cover. Now let's all think about.... that toot toot... that beep beep:
