Beer Reviews and Sierra Nevada Sampler with friends

My beer reviews are amazing! You should read them and take them as fact! Live your life according to them! 

Watching the Royals and drinking some Sierra Nevada

You may have noticed that I have not done a lot of beer reviews recently. I felt like I was using the same few words to describe beer regardless of how far apart they were in style and taste. I felt like I wasn't giving a value added review and really just telling you about beers I liked and where I had tasted them. However I really do like observing others and their reactions to tasting beers for the first time or hearing how they describe the beer they are drinking. If you don't know me very well, you might not know that I am a people person and I love interacting people whether I know them or not. This is why beer tastings and patios are my favorite events and places to be.

In honor of IPA Day yesterday, I recently had a few of my friends try some India Pale Ales. What's the big deal about this? The three people tasting really don't like IPAs. Most of the time they would scrunch up their face when sipping a hoppy brew. They would normally order something sweet or light. I find great pleasure in helping friends find beers they enjoy that aren't the four major beers. To remedy this hop aversion, I bought a sampler twelve pack from Sierra Nevada of just IPAs. The sampler included Nooner Session IPA, Snow Wit White IPA, Torpedo Extra IPA, and Blindfold Black IPA. How does this solve the problem with people not liking the bitterness of these beers? Just a few years ago, an IPA was an IPA. There wasn’t a lot of variety. Now this could have been my perception towards the craft beer market or actually reality. I felt that the only growing trend was each brewer shaving ever increasing pounds of hops into beer. These brewers called their beers Imperial IPAs. While I thoroughly enjoyed these beers, as I really like IPAs, there was another trend countering the imperialization of hoppy beers. That movement required innovation of what an IPA is. Challenging that idea of an IPA really helped develop different IPAs, white, black, fruit, and session just to name a few styles. I wanted to help broaden my friend’s palates for beer. Though I really had no idea to expect from these and how my friends would react to this selection of IPAs.

Nooner Session IPA

The consensus was that the light flavor of the Nooner Session IPA was refreshing and good for a hot sunny day on a boat, or working in the yard. There wasn’t a lot of hoppiness to the beer, though that’s the point of a session beer. A person should be able to drink a few session IPAs and not have your taste buds shot or to be drunk. We felt that we could drink it, but we might prefer other beers over it.

Snow Wit White IPA

The Snow Wit White IPA had a really good flavor that took on a banana flavor from the Belgian yeast and 7 kinds of hops put into the beer. If you didn’t get the reference I will spell it out for you. Snow wit and the 7 hops? You know like a certain child’s fairy tale. If you still don’t get, I will pat you on the head as I explain it to you over a beer. C really liked this beer and said this was her favorite beer.

Torpedo Extra IPA

Torpedo Extra IPA was a maverick for me. With the word Extra in front of IPA, I fully expected something like an Imperial IPA, however I was surprised there wasn’t a lot of bitterness that those big IPAs have. I had to look up the IBUs and it was only a 65 when the high end IPAs are at 60 and IIPAs get closer to 100. My friends were surprised as well by the drinkability and flavor that wasn’t too bitter. They enjoyed these and were curious about other IPAs like it. I have a few suggestions for them, for future IPAs to try.

Blindfold Black IPA

The last IPA was Blindfold, a black IPA. This one was very malty with only a little of the fragrant notes of hops. My friend Nicky really liked this one. He has found that he likes the darker, maltier beers like browns, porters, and dunkels. This beer fit his mold and his eyes widen with his first sip! He actually asked me, “Are we drinking IPAs?! Are you pulling my leg? Cause these are good!”

After we made it all the way through the lineup, we went back through trying beers back to back to see how the flavors were affected by the previous beer. For example the Nooner was even less flavorful after having the Torpedo or the Snow Wit had a big mouth feel but less sweet after having a sip of the Blindfold.

Overall this was a very good time showing people these beers they wouldn’t normally get. I would suggest you all do the same and keep an eye for sampler packs that might help you find a new favorite beer.

Bus To Mothers 2014

One day during the flurry of emails and productivity at work, I afforded myself the opportunity to look at my phone. I had a message from Central States Beverage.

"You have been selected to join us on the Bus to Mothers!"

There is Kyle! He is pretty much a celebrity!

I was ecstatic and I immediately started making plans with work and family so that I could be gone for the day on Friday June 20th, 2014. I had heard so much about the Bus to Mothers over that past few months. Each time learning a little bit more about what it was all about and why people wanted to get on it. People were doing more and more crazy things to get a seat on that bus. 

So what is Bus to Mothers?

Think of the most awesome day trip you most likely have ever had. Give yourself a designated driver, a bus full of some really cool people... Oh and a very large cooler full of Mother's brewing beers, including Raspberry Imperial Three Blind Mice! One of my favorite beers overall. (Don't tell anyone but I may have been selfish and had the entire bomber to myself. IN MY DEFENSE, I did offer some to others around me)

To start from the beginning of the day, I was told to show up at 9 am on Friday morning. I pulled in and was handed a cup and told to pour myself a beer off the taps while I waited. I started off with a Boulevard Ginger-Lemon Radler, nice and light for early morning. Then we have a pre-bus ride photo opportunity. I am there behind the guy in the plaid shorts. For some reason they put a tall goofy guy in the front and middle. That really wasn't thought out...

Traveling circus heading to @MothersBrewing #BusToMothers14 pic.twitter.com/ftw47Gkeyv
— Central States (@csbev) June 20, 2014

Hey David, Macy, and Adam

Now that I have the full picture (pun intended) of what the Bus to Mother's is, I consider myself blessed to have gotten a seat.

Cheers to my friend Andrew!

While we tasted the good brews of Mother's Brewing on this charter bus, we played a fun trivia game and had a lot of laughs. As we pulled into Springfield, I was shocked that the brewery was a straight shot into town and very easily accessible. If you have a chance to even just drive through Springfield, MO, go to Mother's Brewing Company. Very nice people and a get a beer(or twelve) from their great set of taps. I challenge you to taste all of their beers. I bet you can't do it, I am just saying!

The brewers there gave us a very nice tour. They showed us the normal tour kind of stuff, but then they also showed processes and equipment as we walked by and answered all of our questions, which were a lot even considering how many beer geeks were on the bus. Speaking of being a geek, a walk in cooler there had a door sized sticker of Han Solo frozen in carbonite! That was really cool! If you don't know what that is, one WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING?!?! Obviously, under a rock! Two, its okay that you have been deprived, so let's fix this. Go watch the Star Wars movies. All of them. Start with A New Hope through Return of the Jedi. Then Episode I through III. The way they were made and intended... Wow! I have digressed.

On the actual Mother's Tour! Those are actual barrels!

Anyway, after the tour Central States catered some pretty awesome Mexican food. I wish I had caught the name of the place that made the food, but I am sure that someone will let me know who did that. Either way the food was great.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

The main reason we came down to Mother's was to have a great time. One of the main contributing factors to us having a great time was the Beerlympics that were held in the green space beside Mother's Brewing. A Beerlympics for those novices in the group, is a set of events or games that may or may not have something to do with beer. Each participant will get points for each event and the individual with the highest score wins. There were a few events that were held to determine the Grand Champion of Bus to Mothers 2014.

We competed in four events:

1. Keg toss
2. Bocce ball
3. Potato sack race
4. Beer Pong toss

Had to get a souvenir growler!

There may have been other events but I was beaten so bad in the Keg toss and Bocce Ball toss that I gracefully bowed out and found a beer. The reason I was beaten so bad in these events may have had something  to do with that I am not very graceful and slipped on the grass as I tried to throw each item.

The winner of the competition, my friend Andrew, got a year supply of Mother's! Plus a four pack of MILF on the spot! I am so jealous and I hope to go next year! I will be training for it, now that I know what to expect. Andrew, I am coming for your crown sir! Watch out!

As an added bonus, we stopped at Osceola Cheese Factory on the way home. I got to get some cheese and my favorite soda as a kid at Boy Scout Camp, Peach Nehi. Yes, I participated in Boy Scouts as a kid. Get over it.

I had a blast on this trip hanging out with friends and meeting new people! I cannot wait to get on the Bus to Mother's 2015! Are you going to join me?

Dozer Unleashed: Porters, Pizza, Philanthropy, and Puppies

If you haven't been in Martin City recently, there is a lot of construction tearing up the streets, however this was the biggest damper on a night to honor a friend lost before his time. Patrick Mullin had a dear friend Jordan Fields that he lost before the world got to know him. Patrick wanted to do something to not only remember him but to honor him and do something positive for the community. Patrick partnered with Martin City Brewery to organize an event and even brew a beer to pay homage to his friend.

The beer, a barrel aged coconut porter named Dozer after the dog that Jordan adopted brewed and tapped for the first time at Martin City Brewing Company in the brewery side of the restaurant. With the way Patrick spoke of his friend you knew Jordan was a good man who had many passions. One of these passions was helping animals. What's a good way to help a lot of animals? How about donating 100% of the proceeds from sales of Dozer to Unleashed Pet Rescue and Adoption? I would say this is an amazing way to contribute to an organization that Jordan and his family have been and continue to be involved with. It's also a great way to name your event: Dozer Unleashed.

While the beer was a big draw for a lot of the craft beer scene, there was live music from Steve Jaklevic on amazing patio between the restaurant and brew house. There were some awesome raffle bundles with all proceeds from raffle tickets also going to Unleashed. I was hoping for a golf package with a round of free golf for four at some good courses or some bar signs, but there were a lot of people that donated for the raffle and some generous people walked away with prizes including swag from donor such as 96.5 The Buzz, Alamo Drafthouse, Bier Station, Central States Beverage, Dark Horse Distillery, The Kansas City Chiefs, Martin City Brewing Company, North Kansas City Beverage, Odell Brewing Co, RAYGUN shirts, Sock 101, Tallgrass Brewing Company, and Unleashed Pet Rescue & Adoption. Here is a peak at the set up.

Setup at @martincitybrew is underway. It's going to be a great time tonight! #DozerUnleashed pic.twitter.com/Ivw9MQtCOC
— Notorious P.A.T. (@PatsHoppedUp) July 10, 2014

There were amazing people at Martin City Brewery. Generous people who dug into their pocket books. Jovial people who wanted to have fun while supporting a great cause. And like Vanessa and her date, there were a lot of people who a lot of both.

#DozerUnleashed pic.twitter.com/zMLD0AhltH
— Vanessa Smith (@Viotch) July 11, 2014

Let's say you wanted more of a reason to go to Dozer Unleashed. Dark Horse Distillery brought some of their tasty whiskeys and vodka for people to get some tastings of the liquor that was aged in the barrels prior to Dozer maturing in the same wood. Dozer was really good and really smooth. I might have to go visit Dark Horse.

Whatever you do don't say awww for this next reason. There was a puppy kissing booth. WAIT, WHAT?! Yeah a puppy kissing booth. This was a very cute touch that brought a lot of people over and allowed Unleashed to spread the word about not only adoptions but also fostering. I had a great conversation with a woman who fostered a lot dogs and she was so passionate that she kept up with most of the dogs that she fostered even after they found loving households. This is a good picture of the cutest puppy there with a friend of mine, Alana.

.@alanaaanoel at the puppy kissing booth. #DozerUnleashed pic.twitter.com/NRSp3yFZDc
— Johnny Topgun (@EvolBrew) July 11, 2014

If you didn't make it out to Dozer Unleashed, then you missed out on a very entertaining while heartwarming and touching evening. If you did make it out to Martin City to support Dozer Unleashed, then I believe Patrick has a message for you:

On cloud 9 today. Thanks to all who helped make #DozerUnleashed a success. About $4,000 raised for @UnleashedRescue. pic.twitter.com/A7KEge8peT
— Notorious P.A.T. (@PatsHoppedUp) July 11, 2014

WHO GIVES A CRAFT?!?!

Awhile back, I was perusing Twitter and saw Central States post another one of their many contests giving away seats at something called Brewers Unleashed 2014. I didn't know what it was but I like winning things just like everyone else. So I retweeted and I was lucky enough to get a spot... even though I still didn't know what I had won.

Central States put together a beer dinner with a brewery that you may know of. They brought some of their lesser known beers and paired them with a local restaurant, Happy Gillis. The food was amazing but the best part food wise was dessert, an Imperial Stout cake that made a lot of people embarrass themselves with involuntary moans. Again the food was amazing.

The first beer of the night was one made by Crispin. A nice light pear cider call Lion Belge. This light and crisp cider really made me want to get brunch soon and have a mimosa. Next we were served Big Eddy's Russian Imperial Stout that was nice, smooth and malty, then a few test beers from Tenth and Blake.

During the whole presentation, it started to dawn on me that these beers were made by the MillerCoors brewery for craft and import beers. I had been enjoying beers that were considered CRAFTY!! I was getting a pit in my stomach... I didn't know how to feel. This was the enemy! This is what I had learned to sneer and turn my nose up towards. MillerCoors was yellow fuzzy beer! The source of derision towards my friends that were so ingrained in their beer of choice that it scared them try anything else.

I WAS ENJOYING THIS BEER!! I WAS IN A FULL EXISTENTIAL CRISIS!!! WHO AM I?! 

I finished my food and my drink with a facade of a jovial spirit, all the while struggling with this idea of a good beer made by Big Beer. 

Central States had a tour organized and I got to see a good portion of their operation in the warehouse. Everything from the printers that make the sign, walking through a women's restroom, and pallet upon pallet of beer. This was an awesome tour for two reasons. One it awe inspiring to see mountains of Boulevard, Stone, and Lagunitas. Each of these alters of ale taller than the previous and some even reaching to the ceiling of a three story tall warehouse.

The second reason the tour was awesome was because of Potweet and Aaron. These two gentlemen are the ones who run Central States' twitter feed, some would say that's all they do... I didn't say it! I am just saying
"some people." Potweet to me is a mesh of an awesome down to earth man that just happens to be one of top dogs at Central States and a guy who is going to say "Here, hold my beer and watch this!".  Aaron, despite being a St Louis Cardinal fan, is a fun loving funny guy who has the patience of a saint. Ask him about my trying out yeast at a beer fest and how well that went for me. However, I digress...

While Potweet was giving this tour of the warehouse, the question of craft vs crafty was tangible around the group. Between the physical beer staring us in the face, the presence of the brewers who came to Kansas City with their claim of good craft beer. Potweet quickly addressed this issue by saying, "Why fight between beer drinkers?! Why bash someone because they don't drink the same beer as you?" He is just astounded that people take the time to get so angry over beer.

Bear with me as I get on my soap box...

Potweet is correct, but I don't know if he went far enough. A really cool guy that knows a thing or two about beer and goats, Jeremy Danner is of the opinion that if you are going to turn your nose up to beer because who it is made by then good. Have fun with that. That just means more Bourbon County Stout for us, because its from Goose Island and they are owned by AB/InBev. Go ahead and pass on both Ommegang and Boulevard because they are owned by Duvel Moortgat. If you pass on that beer, that means there is more for me and I am happy.

What is the flip side of this? I have been listening to a few Under My Host podcasts. Very cool, funny, and entertaining people especially Cori. Between laughs jokes and beer talk, Cori will tell you that she thinks that every beer should have transparency about their origins if you will. If you have nothing to hide about who makes and owns you then why not say that you are an AB or MillerCoors product? This line of reasoning lends itself to the philosophy of supporting local and small brewers. It is also about drinking something that doesn't take a person only pressing a button to make.

However one of the MillerCoors guys really made me think. He said that it takes a lot of talent and beer knowledge to keep a very consistent beer on the scale that the big brewers do. He honestly felt that one of his biggest sellers was a quality beer as he put his heart and passion in to the brewing process. He also said that people who drink beer are easier to show other beers and expand their palate.

What do I think post existential crisis? What conclusions did my internal dialouge lead me to?

After reading a lot of opinions and seeing numerous people get beyond upset attempting to vanguard the definition of the word "craft" and villanizing the word "crafty", I feel that this mundane and pointless debate has run its course. I say that we get rid of these galvanizing words of craft and crafty. I say instead of categorizing breweries based on size and ownership, we force them to prove their passion with a good beer. A small brewer who makes ale that makes your cringe should not be given a honorific title, while a larger brewer that is consistent and talented at make beer that makes you swoon shouldn't be demonized. Make individual brewers do it better than the next guy! Make beer snobs and excuse my language but beer assholes get off their high horse. Get rid of the word craft! Drink good beer and chill. Good beer is all around and there is nothing to get mad about.

Happy 4th of July! Be safe! Have fun! Drink one for me! But what will it be?

Happy 4th of of July!! 

It is only your patriotic duty to have one or more beers on Independence Day!

Why you ask? Many of the Founding Fathers were brewers themselves! Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and of course Samuel Adams were all brewers that also were brave and courageous enough to stand up for their beliefs and convictions. Now was it liquid courage? We will never know but toast your forebears and tip one (or a few) back in their honor! Take another moment the reason we are free on Independence day. The leaders had a dream but American soldiers, sailors, and marines have shed sweat, tears, and too much blood to ensure we have days like today to celebrate!

Uncle Sam wants you to drink a beer! How about an America IPA from Schlafly?!

I am at Boulevardia! Where are you?

I am at Boulevardia in the West Bottoms in Kansas City! 

If you haven't heard of this festival and you live in this area, you might live under a rock!

For my birthday C got us tickets to Taps and Taste. A beer fest within the Boulevardia festival. They brought in brewers from all around the country that you can't get around here. And if you can get them, they brought beers you probably haven't had. Special beers made just for this fest. I am excited!! Below is a list of beers that I am going to try to get to... We will see how well I do and how much I remember. This list is not even close to all of the beers that will be there, just the ones I am targeting. Oh and thankfully there will be food at Taps and Taste both because it will be awesome food but I will be able to eat and drink, which is great for everyone involved. If you are out there come and find me!

• Boulevard Celebration Sour
• Anchor OBA
• Mother's Port Barrel Aged MILF
• Mother's Love Factory
• Santa Fe Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Java Stout
• Stone's Tiger Cub Aged in White Wine Barrels
• 4 Hands City of Dreams - Imperial IPA
• Allagash Midnight Brett - Sour/Wild
• Allagash Curieux - Belgian Strong Ale
• Boulevard Love Child No. 4 - Sour
• Cambridge Brewing SGT. Pepper - Saison
• Cambridge Brewing Brett Grisette - Saison
• Cinder Block Sour Summer - Berliner Weisse
• Crooked Stave St Bretta - Sour/Wild
• Crooked Stave Vieilla - Sour/Wild
• Crooked Stave Surette - Sour/Wild
• Deschutes The Abyss 2012 - Imperial Stout
• Firestone Walker Lil Opal - Saison
• Funkwerks Saison
• Jolly Pumpkin La Roja - Sour/Wild
• Jolly Pumpkin Saison Y - Sour/Wild
• Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere - Sour/Wild
• Off-Color Brewing Troublesome - Sour/Wild
• Off-Color Brewing Screw You, Jeremy Danner - Fruit/Cider
• Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
• Perennial Funky Wit - Sour/Wild
• Pretty Things Jack D'or - Saison
• Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbits - Belgian Strong Ale
• Rahr & Sons Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer
• Russian River Pliny the Elder - Imperial IPA
• Russian River Row 2/Hill 56 - Imperial IPA
• Russian River Suplication - Sour/Wild
• Side Project Saison De Rouge - Sour/Wild
• Side Project Le Saisonnier - Sour/Wild
• Side Project Pulling Nails - Sour/Wild
• Upstream Brewing Ransom Gin Barrel Aged Saison

I always enjoy paying my debts craft beer style!

I, like the Lannisters of Casterly Rock in Game of Thrones, always pay my debts. When I say that I will do something for you, I will come through.

About 3 months ago I posted a contest to increase awareness for Scouting the Taps, but more importantly I wanted to buy some beer for some friends. So after making more friends like I love to do, I picked two winners to buy beer for.

My start to a Mother's Pyramid at Rock & Run

David Schumacher is a great and funny guy. He won the Twitter portion of the contest. David lives in the north land and works for Cerner. I had the pleasure of hanging out with him during a Mothers tap take over at Rock and Run Brewery put on by Central States Beverage. David and I talked and got to know each other. We laughed and joked. We drank really good beer. We talked about home brewing, beer blogs, #PriusToMothers14 . While we were talking, David counted how many batches of beer he has currently in one state or another of the brewing/drinking process. He has 16 BATCHES!! Some in fermenters. Some in untapped kegs. Some tapped and ready to be drank. David has some great friends that are also really into beer. Some of them even work at Cinder Block Brewery! I look forward to sharing more beers with David in the near future, especially at KC Nanobrew Fest.

Seth Bishop is an amazing friend who has been supportive of me from the start. He won the Facebook portion of the contest. Seth and I met while I worked at H&R Block in Downtown KC. Seth lives in the Eastern Jackson County area, so we went to Saint's and Twin Peaks. His call, not mine. I am not complaining because they have at least a couple great beer options. Anywhere that has Boulevard's Tank 7 on tap is a good place. We caught up on old times, listened to some terrible live music. Terrible because it was too loud and because they didn't do a good job covering the songs they were singing. I look forward to getting Seth out and about soon!

What I have learned from this whole thing is twofold. I have learned that giving is so much fun and opens people up for a good time. I am going to do another contest soon and we will see how much fun we can have! Maybe you have an idea for a good contest! Message me or tweet me to let me know!

The other thing I learned from this contest is that I am very blessed with an amazing support structure of family and friends. C, my sister, my parents, and all of my friends have been supportive and encouraging of my passion to show others the joys of the craft beer world. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have the courage to get past the nay-sayers. Thank you so much!

To bring this all back to Game of Thrones, I am of the House Tagaryen. But how did it know I am blond and good looking?