Raleigh World Beer Festival 2008

That was a good bit of beer some buds and I were able to partake of on Saturday.
Here is a link to the official program, if you're interested...

We were given a 6oz pilsner glass as we came in through the gate and it was on to the tents for sampling. There were six large tents with 18-20 vendors per tent.

Anheuser-Busch had the very first table, so they were the first on our sample list. We had beers from Brazil, Holland, Belgium, Germany & Japan, as well as domestic beers from VT, ME, MA, VA, and others. Of course there was a lot of North Carolina breweries on hand. Big Boss was one of my faves from NC. We even made a special visit to the lone Wisconsin brewery, J.T. Whitney's Pub and Eatery. I had their IPA which was better than other IPAs I've had, but not the best. I had to laugh though... Most of the vendors looks very professional with banners and flags, menu boards and t-shirts and other swag... J.T.s was as Mom-and-Pop as it got there. It was just an old dude with his wife (looking like they came straight from the family farm) tapping their beers out of a cooler! CLASSIC :) They had a good line though. I think a lot of people were drawn to their no bull-crap just beer philosophy. Good one Wisconsin!

Here's a short-list of others I recall stopping at: Redhook, Old Dominion Brewing Co.,
Foothills Brewing, Big Boss Brewing Co., Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Carolina Beer & Beverage Co., Duvel Moortgat Brouwerij, California Cider Co., J.T. Whitney’s Brewpub & Eatery, Asahi Beer, Whitbread Brewing Co., Magic Hat Brewing Co., Newcastle Breweries, Pete’s Brewing Co., Jacob Leinenkugal Brewing Company, Miller Brewing Co., New Holland Brewing Co., Rogue Ales, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, Avery Brewing Co., Chimay Trappist Brewery, Ska Brewing Co., Triangle Brewing Co., Left Hand Brewing Co. & Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery

There were others, I just couldn't remember their names, and alcohol-related memory impairment has nothing to do with it! I had a brat for lunch and paced myself well considering we had 4 hours of beer tasting.

In addition to hundreds of amazing beers, there was also food vendors in the tents for sampling. There was a killer hot sauce I scored called Blue's Habanero Reserve from Blue's BBQ, Inc. I had to bring home a bottle of that stuff and it's nearly half-gone already! Cabot cheese was also there from Vermont. Now I'm from Wisconsin, and even though I may not know everything about cheese, I know good cheese... this stuff was the best I've ever had. They had cheddar, sharp cheddar, habanero and horseraddish cheeses out to sample and they were all amazing. The habanero lit me up and the horseraddish was about as hot with a bit more bite!

The festival as a whole was a ton of fun; the live music was great, the food selections were excellent (everything from pizza to Indian food!), even the people were polite and fun.

Anyway, at the end of the day, I felt more educated in my knowledge of beer... who am I kidding, I still don't know the difference between a milk-stout and a regular stout.

The Maharaja (021)

Yep, one beer on my last visit, but this one was a hefty 22 ounces and a 10.32% ABV to boot.

The bottle itself looked more like a wine bottle than a beer bottle, and with the help of a hearty chili bread bowl I drained it. It had a nice sweet taste. Josh, the bartender, said it was 'hoppy'... I'm still trying to figure out exactly what that means.

The other night we went to Old Chicago with James & Michelle (excellent pizza by the way) and I had another IPA (India Pale Ale), this one was a Highland Kashmire IPA. Not so good. The funny thing about Old Chicago is that they have a very similar beer tally club to the Flying Saucer called the World Beer Tour. Old Chicago's Tour has probably been around longer than the Flying Saucer's, who knows, I really don't feel like looking it up. I know I won't be doing both though... One beer drinking club at a time people... one beer drinking club at a time.

Speaking of that, the Wold Beer Fest is this Saturday!

Anyway, here's the stats:

Avery Maharaja (BTL)

Container: Bottled

Style: India Pale Ale

Brewer: Avery Brewing Co.

City: Boulder,CO.

Country: United States

Description: Double IPA: This IPA has such a smooth taste, although very hoppy the fruit taste balances it out to a creamy goodness. As far as the fruits, it had a nice peach taste to it. Not only is it smooth and creamy, but it has a dry crisp finish. This one is a sipper. It is a good tasty, well balanced and very drinkable double IPA.

Fort Collins and a Magic Hat (19 & 20)

Two new beers to tell you about...

The first is a beer from the Fort Collins Brewery called Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat. Now, I'm still no connoisseur about beer, let alone still any good at writing reviews about them, so all I can say is, "YUM". Send that one to the presses! This was a great beer with some kick. I've had pomegranate in tea, but never thought I'd see it in a beer. Give it a go one time. I'd get it again if I saw it on the grocery store shelves.

The second was an old favorite. Magic Hat #9. Magic Hat beers rule, I don't care who you are.

Here's the stats:

Fort Collins Pomegranate Wheat
Container: Drought
Style: Wheat (Weizen)
Brewer: Fort Collins Brewery
City: Fort Collins, CO
Country: United States
Description: A nice, slightly sweet-tart Wheat Beer brewed with pomegranates. Nice amber color,with a small white head. Taste of slightly sweet fruit. Clean wheat finish.
ABV: 4.8





Magic Hat #9
Container: Drought
Style: Pale Ale
Brewer: Magic Hat Brewing Company
City: South Burlington, VT
Country: United States
Description: This fruit ale pours a golden color with a light, off white head. The aroma of apricots is distinct although not overpowering which follows through to the taste. The light body adds to the hint of sweetness which turns slightly hoppy towards the finish. Great refreshing fruit ale!
ABV: 4.6

World Beer Festival Raleigh

I just scored tickets for the World Beer Festival here in Raleigh at the end of April.

At first I wasn't going to go, but Amy encouraged me to go, so how could I say no!

We'll be at the First Session from noon till 4pm. After that, we're rolling to the Flying Saucer and then onward for a cookout. Should be a blast!

Can't wait to post my experiences from that day.

North Coast & Blue Moon (017 & 018)

Beers 17 & 18 came a week or so ago, but never got around to logging them in.

The first was from the North Coast Brewing Company called Red Seal. It was recommended by the bartender who said it was his favorite. By the way, Boston Mike (the bartender I referenced) has been at The Flying Saucer for years. I just recently found out that this was his last week as he's moving to Rhode Island... not that you cared, but if you knew this guy, you would shed a tear. BUT, I digress, the Red Seal was as good as advertised.

The second was a Blue Moon Full Moon Winter Ale (by Coors). This was a good one, too. Too bad it won't be around again till November.

Here's the stats:

North Coast Red Seal
Container: Draught
Style: Pale Ale
Brewer: North Coast Brewing Co.
City: Fort Bragg, Ca
Country: United States

ABV: 5.5%
Description: American style pale ale from Mark Ruderich's gang at North Coast. This fine beer is bronze-red in color with the tremendous hop taste and floral undertones of cascade hops. A beer to satisfy the hop head, but mellow enough to be a good session ale too. One of the Captain's favorite draught!

Blue Moon Full Moon Winter Ale

Container: Bottle

Style: Abbey Dubbel

Brewer: Molson Coors Brewing Co.

City: Golden, Co

Country: United States

ABV: 5.6%

Description: This full bodied abbey ale is brewed with roasted malts and a hint of Dark Belgian sugar for a perfectly balanced taste.