May
22
2010

Channel Crossing

Crossing the channel
I’m a little overwhelmed
By all the flavor

Written by Captain Hops.

References: Brian of Stillwater Artisanal Ales teamed up with Stephen of Oliver Breweries to create the collaborative Channel Crossing Ale. Described alternatively as an Extra Special Belgian or a Belgian Bitter, this English/Belgian hybrid was debuted at the Pratt Street Ale House on Thursday May 20, 2010 in a variety of serving styles and flavors. I tasted the draft version and the cask version served from a firkin with French oak. They also had three pins, each with the ale dry hopped with a different variety of hops. One was dry hopped with Kent Goldings, one Bramling Cross, and last Czech Saaz. It was a fun night.

Thing of the day: Michael Jackson’s Great Beers of Belgium, 6th Edition

May
19
2010

Lure

I try to resist
The lure of the Siren Noire
For half a second

Written by Captain Hops.

References: Siren Noire is another from Heavy Seas Mutiny Fleet of big beers. It is an Imperial Chocolate Stout. Yum.

Thing of the day: Tasting Beer: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Greatest Drink

February
7
2010

Peg Leg Imperial Stout

Imperial Stout:
Roasted coffee and cocoa
With a little heat

Written by Captain Hops.

References: Passing the time trapped indoors with a Peg Leg Imperial Stout.

Thing of the day: HANDLING STORMS AT SEA: The 5 Secrets of Heavy Weather Sailing

January
20
2010

Max’s Belgian Beer Festival

Rounding up the friends,
For a weekend in Heaven.
Bring on the Belgians!

Written by Captain Hops.

References: Max’s 6th annual Belgian Beer Fest is scheduled for February 12-14, 2010. Lock in your baby sitter and designated driver now and plan on being in Baltimore, Maryland! Max’s Taphouse is open from 11AM-2AM each day. There is no entrance fee. Beers can be purchased in sample or single serving sizes. Following is a the draft list. The list is always subject to change and many of these will certainly run out through the course of the weekend.

2010 BELGIAN FEST DRAFTS : FOR FRIDAY AT 11AM:
Achilles Celtic Angel
Achouffe Houblon Chouffe
Achouffe La Chouffe
Achouffe Mc Chouffe
Achouffe N’ Ice Chouffe
Alvinne Bathazaar
Alvinne Caper Fumitas
Alvinne Extra
Alvinne Gaspar
Alvinne Melchior
Alvinne Oak Aged Bathazaar
Alvinne Oak Aged Podge
Alvinne Podge
Barbar Winterbok
Blaugies La Moneuse Special Winter
Blaugies Saison D Epeautre
Bockor Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge
Brugse Zot Dubbel
Cantillon Gueuze
Cantillon Iris
Cantillon Rose De Grambrinus
Cazeau Tournay
Cazeau Tournay Black
Cazeau Tournay De Noel
Contreras Valier Blonde
Contreras Valier Extra
Contreras Valier Divers
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Embrasse
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Noblesse
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Courage
De Glazen Toren Jan De Lichte
De Glazen Toren Angeligue
De Glazen Toren Ondineke
De Glazen Toren Saison D Epre Mere Special Endejaar
De Glazen Toren Saison De Epre Mere
De Proef Van Twee
De Ranke Noir De Dottignies
De Regenboog T’ Smisje Triple
De Regenboog Catherine The Great
De Regenboog Guido
De Regenboog Kerst
De Regenboog Sleedorn Extra
De Regenboog T’ Smisje Dubbel
De Regenboog T’ Smisje Plus
De Regenboog T’ Smisje Speciale
Delirium Tremens
Duvel Green
Ellezelloise Hercule Stout
Ellezelloise Quintine Blonde
Geants Gouyasse
Geants Urchon
Gulden Draak Vintage
Het Alternatief Eerwaarde Pater
Het Alternatief Piet Agoras
La Rulles Triple
la Trappe Isidor
Lefebvre Floreffe Dubbel
Lefebvre Floreffe Triple
Mardesous 6
Mardesous 8
Mardesous 10
Sint Canarus Pere Canard
Sint Canarus Triple
Slaapmutske Dry Hopped Lager
Slaapmutske Kerstmutske
St Bernards Christmas
St Feuillien Blanche
St Feuillien Saison
Struise Tsjeeses
Timmermans Bourgogne Des Flandres
Van Honsebrouck Bacchus
Van Honsebrouck Gueuze Fond Tradtion
Brewers Art Green Peppercorn Triple w/ real Peppercorns(Cask)
De Regenboog BBBourgondier Gravity(cask)
De Regenboog Calva Reserve Gravity (Cask)
De Regenboog T’ Smisje Kerst Gravity (cask)
De Regenboog T’ Smisje Great Reserva in a JW Lees Wooden (Cask)
The Bruery Two Turtle Doves (Cask)

OTHER DRAFTS FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY:
Allagash Fluxus
Allagash Hugh Malone
Allagash Interlude
Alllgash Odyssey
Barbar
Chimay Cinq Cents
De Dolle Dulle Teve
De Dolle Stille Nacht
De Koninck Winter
De Ranke Pere Noel
De Ranke Guldenberg
Delirium Noel
Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux
Dupont Foret
Dupont Saison
Echt Kriekenbier
Gouden Carolus Cuvee Blauw
Gouden Carolus Noel
Klokke Roeland
La Rulles Estivale
Ommegang Abbey
Ommegang Rare Vos
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
Ommegang Hennepin
Ommegang Pale Ale
Ommegang Rouge
Ommegang Witte
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Petrus Winter
Scaldis
Scaldis Noel
Van Bossche Buffalo Stout
Van Eecke Kapittel Abt
Van Eecke Kapittel Blonde
Van Eecke Kapittel Pater
Van Eecke Kapittel Prior
Van Eecke Poppering Hommelbier
Strubbe Ichtegems Grand Cru
Sint Canarus Potteloereke
Silly Double Enghien Blonde
Silly Enghien Noel
Silly Pink Killer
Silly Saison De Silly
Silly Super 64
Silly Pils
Silly Titje
Kerkom Bink Blosem
Kerkom Bink Blonde
Kerkom Bink Bruin
Kerkom Bink Triple
Het Alternatief Hik Blonde
De Regenboog Vuuve
De Regenboog Wostyntje
St Bernardus Wit
La Divine Dark Triple
Allagash Cask TBA
Brewers Art Seven Beauties (Cask)

Thing of the day: Good Beer Guide Belgium

January
16
2010

Go Ravens!

Eating and drinking
And talking up a shit storm
Just before the game

Written by Captain Hops.

Thing of the day: Baltimore Ravens NFL Beer Glass & Coaster Set

January
9
2010

Defying Gravity

Hanging at The Falls
Defying gravity with
Stone Levitation

Written by Captain Hops.

References: A new neighborhood cafe called The Falls opened up in Mount Washington a couple weeks ago. When I went there last night, there weren’t many people there, but that should change soon. They advertised a nice wine selection but I found they didn’t neglect the beer. On tap they had Stone Brewing’s Levitation Ale as well as several other fine quality brews. They haven’t started filling out their bottled beer inventory yet, but they promised that Belgians would be well represented when they did. By the way, there are no televisions in the place which makes it perfect for having good conversations with friends. Cheers!

Thing of the day:
Levitation: Physics And Psychology In The Service Of Deception