Wk18: Delirium Tremens

Delirium Tremens [Wikipedia] is a Belgian strong pale ale brewed by Huyghe Brewery in Germany.  This beer was recommended to my at Yard House by the server as his favorite and I see why.  DT is smooth with a spicy flavor that complements the ale.  I also liked the higher ABV as it felt like I was drinking a real beer.  A bold, refreshing taste ensure that I will drink this beer again. 

Wk17: Beer

I missed it.  I couldn't get a new brew in time.  I have shamed myself. 

Wk16: Smoked Porter

This smoked porter from Tied House Cafe and Brewery was a disappointment.  I wanted something with a bit of bite on a colder, cloudy day.  It wasn't smokey enough and the porter was watered down.  The beer was refreshing and I could use it for beer brats, but I have had much better smoked porters.  Not undrinkable, but not a re-buy. 

Wk15: Poleeko Gold Pale Ale

A real good pale ale from Anderson Valley Brewing Company.  I would definitely buy the Poleeko Gold Pale Ale again.  It was smooth while being just robust enough to remind what a good beer tastes like. 

Wk8: Flemish Style Sour Ale

After searching the internet for an origin, the only thing I've found is that it is made by Hermitage Brewery in California and that it may have been a one-time deal.  I was intrigued by the option of a sour beer that doesn't have citrus added to it.  I don't fruit my beer, but I like new flavors so I am open to new things.  The ale is well balanced and maintains its flavor throughout the pallet.  There is a hint of sourness that works well with the overall taste.  I found it refreshing for an ale.  I could definitely enjoy a few of these throughout a Saturday, but I wouldn't chug them.  It hit the unique-flavor mark and I'd buy it again.

Wk7: Noche Buena

I didn't know it at the time, but Noche Buena is brought to market by the same people that make Do Equis and Sol.  So it isn't a Mexican micro brew like I had hoped.  Think Negro Modelo or Bohemia, but milder.  If you ant a strong bock or dark ale, this is not for you.  I liked it, but it was not better than the competition.  Give it a try if it comes in a variety pack, but don't go looking for it. 

Wk6: Hanger 24 Pale Ale

Hanger 24 Craft Brewery makes a pretty good pale ale.  I liked how it had the strong hops flavor, but it was mellow throughout the entire glass.  It tasted good without overpowering my pallet.  I'd like to try their other brews now. 

Wk5: Out of Bounds Stout

Avery Brewing Co. is a microbrewery from  Boulder, Colorado and when I was in the mood for a dark beer, their Out of Bounds Stout met the challenge.  At 6.3% ABV, this black beast packs a punch while staying refreshing and true to its stout name.  I liked the bold flavor that was not overpowering and I think it would  be great after a day on the slopes.  I'd hide one of these in the snow by my car for putting my board away. 

Wk4: Cable Car Amber Ale

Cable Car Brewing Amber Ale was pretty good.  It has the "amber" flavor most people would think of with this kind of beer, but it is more subtle.  I liked how it wasn't overpowering and stayed refreshing.  I could easily polish off the six pack and I'd grab it again when I'm in the mood for an amber ale.

Wk3: Henery Weinhard's

So, I was in Oregon and I was looking for a Oregon-y beer that wasn't Full Sail.  I grabbed this one and I figured it could lead my in the right direction.  I liked how it was bold enough to stop you from shooting yourself because it was raining, but smooth enough to knock back a few during the Seahawks game.  Now, I thought I had a local winner, but the internet can verify anything. In truth, Henry Wienhard's [Wikipedia] is owned by SABMiller and brewed by Full Sail.  Ah, I failed both on my attempt to drink a craft beer, and have a beer not made by Full Sail.  At least it was a microbrew, brewed in Oregon by a microbrewer. 

Either way, I never had this brand before and I will say that I liked it. 

Wk2: Infinium

The Boston Beer Company has created an interesting beer called Infinium.  They say, "A groundbreaking brew, made with only the four traditional ingredients: malted barley, hops, water and yeast, Infinium™ is a crisp champagne-like beer with fine bubbles and a fruity, spicy aroma." 

Yes, a sparkling beer!  Not the chanpagne of beers, but a bubbly, comes-in-a-wine-bottle, beer.  Before I say if it was any good I do think I can recreate the taste at a fraction of the price.  Combine an IPA, cheap sparkling wine, and a wheat beer.  It was kind of odd drinking a beer like that; your mind says champagne, but you taste buds say watery IPA.  I think the best way to drink it is to hold it in you mouth for a second so you can taste all the flavors.  It is definitley a sipping drink.  It feels like champagne, but the flavor is distinctly beer.  I wouldn't drink it during the big game or on NYE.  The cashier at BevMo said that some people can taste banana bread and I would say it is just as refreshing.  While it wasn't bad, I'll drink sparkling wine when I want champagne and I'll drink a hefe when I want a beer. 

Wk1: Main Street Brewery

The first bar on the list is a Corona, CA first.  Maint Street Brewery (scroll to the bottom) isn't too large, but it makes some good pints.  I tried the Hop Daddy IPA, which was what I expected from an craft IPA, hoppy and strong.  I'm not a huge hops fan, but the bartender suggested it as his favorite and I was abliged to take his work.  I'm surprised at how many brews they have on tap considering the bars size, but I guess it is a labor of love.  I read on their website that the brewing tanks were custom made.  I also found it odd that they also served mass-market domestic beers as well, but I guess they have to cater to everyone.  The craft beers aren't overpriced compared to other craft beers, just know that you can get three pitchers of a domestic for the price of two microbrews. 

Brews

This is simple: try a new beer.  It can be domestic or foreign, but it must be new-to-me.  I prefer house beers that are locally produced, but I mainly want something different.  This will not be about if a ale is better than a lager.  This is finding a new brewery to see what else is out there.  It could be a brew house that only serves from the brewery or it could be something that has a distribution network.  I just want a refreshing beer.

Week:

1. Hop Daddy IPA
2. Infinium 
3. Henery Weinhard's 
4. Cable Car 
5. Out of Bounds Stout 
6. Hanger 24 Pale Ale 
7. Noche Buena 
8. Flemish Style Sour Ale 
9. -
10. -
11. -
12. -
13. -
14. -
15. Poleeko Gold Pale Ale
16. Coastal Fog Smoked Porter 
17. *Beer 
18. Delirium Tremens 

The Resolution: The Challenge

I want to make a difference in 2011 and no single resolution will suffice.  Rather than make one iffy, generic resolution that will either be too hard to complete or too easy to be considered worthwhile, I'm going to set multiple weekly goals over the whole year.  I want to do the following once a week, every week:
- Read a new book
- Patron a new-to-me, local restaurant
- Brave a new bar
- Try a new beer
- Try a new wine
- Make a new recipe
- Send a postcard to my mom
- Donate to a charity

In the end, I will have done each 52 times over the 52 weeks in a year.  Most are just interesting things that I've been trying to do for a while; like I can't even count of how many local restaurants I pass everyday as I go to the same-old places again.  A few will be real challenges; for example I have started to read more frequently, but my book wish-list keeps getting longer.  I really look forward to the ones that will help others; such as finding more than several charities that could benefit from a new donor.  I really just want to set a good goal and finish it next year.

The general rules:
I have from 12:00 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday to complete each task for the week.  These times will be based on whichever time zone I happen to be in on those days.  2011 makes it easy to follow this schedule as I will have 52 full weeks, with only January 1, as a by-day.  This blog will be used as a way to keep my accountable and then document my progress.  Finally, the most important rule is that I want these to be new things.