Sunset in February!

God I love Sunset!!!  Grill and Tap that is...but sunsets are always nice, too! ;-)  http://www.allstonsfinest.com/allstonsfinest/sunsetgrillandtap/sunsetgrill&tap.swf <-- for those of you that are curious.  Sadly the (beer) menu isn't online..it changes constantly..just go in and be in utter disbelief for yourself!  This time around I savored 3 delicious offerings....first up Abita Pecan Harvest!

Thanksgiving Beer!

Yeah, yeah..way late, I know.  I'm just lazy, no excuses here.  Since Sam Adams decided not to include their Cranberry Lambic in the Winter Sampler this year and I had never gotten the chance to try it, when I found Harpoon's cranberry beer..I couldn't resist trying it!

More Pumpkin Beers!!! - Charlie Brown's Addendum

Not gonna lie, it's amazing to walk into packies in December, and even JANUARY (yes, January!) and find pumpkin beers still kicking around!!  So of course, I had to buy them!  (as well as having some leftovers from early fall)  Kind of an addendum to my pumpkin showdown.

BBC Freebies!

Workin at a packie sure has it's perks!  Like say when a rep comes in touting their beer, but we have no desire to carry it..I get the samples!!  YAY FREE BEER!  Dude was from Berkshire Brewing Company..left us with their Steel Rail Pale Ale, Lost Sailor India Pale Ale and Berkshire Ale Traditional Pale Ale.  So..having a beer blog, and a healthy obsession with beer, I had to document the tastings for you guys!  (done a while ago..but I've been lazy in updating)

Steel Rail Pale Ale up first, and damn, it's just a fun beer to say!  C'mon say it with me!  Steel Rail Pale Ale..just rolls off the tounge. Yeah, I know, it's really the Extra Pale Ale..but it's way more fun to say the other way.  5.3%ABV and 20IBUs..nice healthy beer.  Hazy golden pour, solid head on it..sweet malty aroma and a bit of an IPA-hoppy-citrus smell.  On the medium to slightly full-bodied end of taste and mouthfeel.  Nice simple beer overall, bready/caramel-esque malts, slightly hoppy on the finish, a bit creamy throughout.  A change, I think, on how beers are made now..everything is trying to be overly hoppy, unique malts, odd additives.  BBC Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale gives a bit more body and taste than a traditional pale ale, but there's no frills on this one. Pure, simple, tasty beer.

MNF @ The Gaff

Went down to a bar in town to catch Monday Night Football with a friend and catch up...awesome beer bar!  All together they only have maybe 30 beers, but 90% are crafts..with Schlitz, PBR and a few others for them hipsters...  don't even get me started!!  It's called The Gaff..if you're in the greater Boston area, check it out!!

Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin -Beer Showdown-

SOOO late with this.. damn you grad school!  Anywho.... a packie around here had samplers of 6 pumpkin beers premade and allowed me to make my own mixed pack as well...sooooo  PUMPKIN BEER TASTING TIME!!!  10 initially, plus a growler purchased on LI and a late arrival that was still hanging around another packie this past weekend (12.17)...PLUS a leftover Pumpkinhead that I still have..  so 13?  That's a pretty damn good variety for this little taste-off...   anddddd HERE WE GOOOOOOOO

Beer #1 - John Havard's Pumpkin Spice Ale

Dad's Birthday and Sunset Bar&Grill

So about two weeks ago was pop's birthday, horrible day to celebrate though...9/11..  but I believe that those events shouldn't just be remembered and respected on one day..that aside, we had been talking about microbrews for a while and he had been interested in exploring the world beyond Bud heavy, ie the world of GOOD beer!  So I took him to Sunser Bar&Grill in Allston..if you haven't been there and even remotely have an interest in beer.. GO!  It's gotta have like 300 beers if not more.. with an insane amount just on tap!

Fire Pit and the Troegenator!

About a week or so ago my friend had some people over for a fire pit and drinking.. try and find someone that would say no to that!  Decided to try the Troegs Brewing Company's Troegenator Double Bock I saw at work..

WOW

Pre-gaming the Red Sox at Fenway - 8.19.10

Went to the Red Sox game at Fenway last Thursday (8.19.10) with a bunch of people from work and had a little pre-gaming festivities at my place. I thought it'd be a great opportunity to do a little tasting, some old and some new. I had gone to New Hampshire last year and stopped at a little brewery up in Conway..Tuckerman Brewing Company. Not a bad little place. Very small time brewers, but exceptional beers (the ones they let us sample at least). Brought some back and found a Headwall Alt laying around, just waiting to be drank!

4.75% abv..thick, foamy head, similar to a rootbeer float, faded into a nice lace.  slightly malty and hoppy aroma, beautifully dark pour.  Not an overwhelming presence, medium-bodied.  A mild, nutty, mixed bitter/sweet taste fading into a slightly hoppy finish, leaving hints of caramel/toffee.  very smooth and easily drinkable, my first Altbier, or German Brown Ale, definitely a nice beer for a cool evening!

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout!

Already?  I'm on a drunken roll!  Sat down to watch the Pat's pre-season opener and had to enjoy a drink while doing so! Definitely wanted to try one of the Samuel Smith's and have only heard people talk about the Oatmeal Stout...so why not be a follower and just go with the flow!