h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Adding my , I must admit that I was a bit disappointed with the Charlie Flint's myself(primarily due to the fact that it's a lager - not ordinarily one of my favourite styles). I found it though fairly decent representation of the style-quite unspectacular though-neither storm sewers or iron were at all noticeable. Perhaps it was at least partially the effect of the sunny afternoon on which I tried it - storm sewers being the furthest thing from my mind.

*cough, cough*Which brings me to my next point, I think some context needs to be established in regard to the Aprikat. It was introduced as a 'cooler', as in cool beverage to provide some relief from the summer heat. And although we're not prone to equatorial heat waves in this part of the world, I think it suits the warmer weather when we Do get it. The Aprikat was certainly imho a decent Kristallweizen(filtered wheat ), certainly one of the better ones I've had. True the aroma was noticeably artificial as well as more peach than apricot. However I detected a hint of strawberry as well, and um, I have no fruit biases. Peaches and strawberries are appropriate summer fruit/berry in my opinion. So yes on that sunny afternoon in Churchill Square, it was also quite reasonable as a cooler...quite an adequate patio beer. Or perhaps something to sip on the deck at the lake as the sun begins its slow descent. No evocative or even vaguely scatological imagery here, I'll leave the final words(s)on Aprikat-and Alley Kat pn general-to co-owner/brewmaster Neil Herbst.

http://www.edmontonstories.ca/story/edmonton-aprikat-beer-story

I would actually like this entry to be in the end a bit of a dialogue. I would far prefer that there be two opinions of each item. Would you mind if I put your above comments into the entry? Or would you prefer to write things out specifically for inclusion? Or do you just not want to have anything to do with it?

Oh & as I was finishing the typing of that, I poured myself an Alley Kat Three Bears Oatmeal . I think that as a locally brewed Oatmeal , it can be seen as somewhat of a feather in Alley Kat's cap!

The pour

Distinctly -like, no mistaking it for anything else. Two finger beige head.

Aroma

Subtle-at least I found it so-but when you inhale deeply it's a bit like you've opened a bag of Quaker rolled oats. Definite hints of , a slight bit of and an undertone(barely perceptible)of malt.

Taste

A rather unnasuming malty smoothness blankets the tongue. An underlying doughiness which would be the oatmeal. The and are there, but quite subtle. However I find a lingering unsweetened cocoa powder aftertaste. Wonderful example of an Oatmeal imho , Neil really Must consider bbrewing this year-round!

I've got one of those next up for tasting downstairs!

But not tonight.

So, do you you want me to start putting you're notes in as well? I'd love to do it, and I'd add you to the researcher's list, of course.

But I probably won't do it tonight. I'm getting tired.

Sure you can put mine in, I think I'll open an Old Deuteronomy tonight.

Make notes!


I might work on some cutting and pasting later on.

Despite a great many homely distractions, I've managed to do a bit on Unity Brew. I've also added you to the 'written by' list (I'm the editor for the moment, but I'll be changed to 'written by' if it ever gets into the Approved Guide. I'm not sure what happens in the Post.)

I've also put in your notes on Aprikat and included the link to Neil's video and I've put in your notes on the Oatmeal Stout.

And, I've put the appropriate signatures at the close of each set of notes.


How's it look?

Alleyn Kat Old Deuteronomy (Barleywine, 11.4% ABV )

The pour

Pours-into tulip glass-a lovely clear lighter burgundy, moderate carbonation & not quite a pinky of head(a decent/good-sized 'ring')

Aroma

Dark fruits(raisins, plums, figs), just a hint of toffee imho, a bit of maltiness & a slight whiff of alcohol.

Taste

Strangely not so much dark fruit. I got a very papaya-ish/tropical fruit taste. Then as that fades, a toffee and malt combination comes out. The malt however seems to dissipate almost immediately, leaving the toffee to stretch out with(I thought)an almost cream soda liquidity...quite nice! However as it warms a bit-I started with it very close to room temperature-that lingering toffee effect vanishes. Very clean/smooth fruity finish. I'm only feeling the 11.4% alcohol content after repteated sips. Oh alright if I Must 'fess up, and a(5%)Garrison Nut Brown ...Garrison Brewing from Halifax Nova Scotia started sending a few of their products west early in the new year. In fact my Mixed 6 pack(Hopyard-dry hopped-Pale . Tall Ship Amber , Irish Red Ale, Raspberry Wheat Ale, Nut Brown & -the most impressive imho-Martello )is stamped 'packed Jan. 18 2011'.

'old on!*s to check*

I'll try to add those notes in a little bit.

Should I leave out the bit about your Garrison sixpack?

Personally, I think it should stay.

I've just cracked the last bottle of the He'brew Jewbelation gift pack I bought a while ago. This one is a blend of the seven recipes for Jewbelation over the years, aged in a rye whiskey barrel.

I enjoy the kitschy gimmickry of the brewery's products, but I think it would be much more impressive kitschy gimmickry if the beers were actually something a little less gimmicky. Making a fourteenth anniversary beer with fourteen malts and fourteen hops will not necessarily make a good beer. And doing a mash-up of seven beer recipes and then sticking the result into an old whiskey barrel will also not necessarily make a good beer.

'Vertical Jewbelation' is, I think, a syrupy mess.

It looks ...yes leave the bit about Garrison, it shows that we do have access to brews from elsewhere in the country(& in the case of the contents, gives a bit of an idea of the variety available).

I should be able to get to that tonight.


I'm really glad you're willing to do this -- Your tastes serve as a very useful counterbalance to my antipathies(I will try Aprikat again some time.)

And to the arrangement I bring . . .


GuideML abilities?

I've promised myself-And told Chris at Keg'n'Cork-that 80% or more of my purchases next time I'm in are going to be Belgian. There are a few Trappist brews that I haven't tried & I really should remedy that asap!

*intertwines fingers & cracks knuckles, saying in decidedly ominous voice* The 'arrangement'?

Something I've been thinking about is that this has all been bottled beers. There are a lot of Edmonton beers that are only on tap (everything from Brewsters, for example). Are we going to include those? I have a certain degree of trouble getting out of an evening to try things on tap (although the main impediment will be turning 18 in November). Once Amber's get's there draft system repaired, I should be able to wangle tastes there.


Or, bottle/draft could be the dividing line for two entries.

the Arrangement, the Work, the Operation, the Scheme, the Secret Combination . . .

Hmm, could be(the two entries idea). Brewsters Does have 'off(premises)sales' of their beers, except for their limited time/seasonals. This month those are both a Brown & a Doppelbock. Their Espresso Porter last month was really very good, or so I thought. The Jamaican Blue Mtn. s subtle earthiness meshed seamlessly with the malt notes of the beer. And it was a great accompaniement to their steak sandwich special the day I was in...really great with the HP Sauce!

I must go by Brewsters sometime.


Old Deuteronomy is in. I must remember to put in a link to Garrison.

I accidentally opened a bottle of Anniversary Ginger Beer. Notes have been added. And the link to Garrison's webpage.