A great deal of winners (you will notice if you look) come this year from the northwest region and california. I'm constantly surprised by the beers of this region continuing the tradition of the first microbrews from the area despite the continuing growth of microbrews from around the states. Some of the beers winning awards are new while some (Perseus Porter) are strong standbys that we will never be without. For those of you that have never had the Elysians Perseus Porter, especially if you like darker beers, you need to get your hands on some (preferably on draft at the Elysian).
Sorry I'm so scattered today, I guess I'll just write whatever comes to mind.
I had another night at the Taphouse last weekend. I seem to be hooked on their bbq burger. (Yeah, I go there for the food...). I didn't drink alot, but what I had was what I deem one of the best beers of all time. Rogue Brewery's Shakespear Stout on a nitro tap. So, so good, so, so creamy. It's a sublime experience in beer.
For those of you that don't read the comments, Joey sent in some great, little known beer trivia regarding the history of some of the phrases we use every day.
Sorry I'm so scattered today, I guess I'll just write whatever comes to mind.
I had another night at the Taphouse last weekend. I seem to be hooked on their bbq burger. (Yeah, I go there for the food...). I didn't drink alot, but what I had was what I deem one of the best beers of all time. Rogue Brewery's Shakespear Stout on a nitro tap. So, so good, so, so creamy. It's a sublime experience in beer.
For those of you that don't read the comments, Joey sent in some great, little known beer trivia regarding the history of some of the phrases we use every day.
Did you know that before thermometers were invented, brewers would dip a thumb or finger into the mix to find the right temperature for adding yeast. Too cold, and the yeast wouldn"t grow. Too hot, and the yeast would die. This thumb in the beer is where we get the phrase "rule of thumb". Another peice of beer trivia, in English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them to mind their own pints and quarts and settle down. It"s where we get the phrase "mind your P"s and Q"s". My favorite: In 1740 Admiral Vernon of the British fleet decided to water down the navy"s rum. Needless to say, the sailors weren"t too pleased and called Admiral Vernon, Old Grog, after the stiff wool grogram coats he wore. The term "grog" soon began to mean the watered down drink itself. When you were drunk on this grog, you were "groggy", a word still in use today. And one more, many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim or handle of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle", is the phrase inspired by this practice. Just a little contribution to your fine page. Joey
Thanks Joey!