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

Hmm,,, just wondering as I munch a Lyon's Custard Cream with my second . Like the mention of Garrison, might it not be an idea to throw in just a few other beers for the sake of perspective(or to give some idea of availability). Say perhaps Unibrue's Trois Pistoles, as one example. I mention it because like the Old(e) Deuteronomy it also has 'Extra Strong Ale' on the label. Or(looking ahead somewhat), one of the readily available British products such as Newcastle Brown as a contrast/comparison to Brewsters Bow Valley Brown.

I was thinking of Newcastle as I tried an Alley Kat Amber again last night (this one was flat as well). I like the idea of having 'standard type' versions to which things can be compared. I'm just not sure how much agreement there is in the Beer World about standards.

The other reason I brought up the Newcastle Brown is to have something that the U.K. readership can identify with. Actually-unfortunately I can't recall a local equivalent-I'd kind of like to add R&B Brewing's Raven Cream as I found it exceptional. One of the brewers has U.K. experience(Whitbread & Bass). Oh & the marginally innovative bit I like about them, they're using/repurposing old dairy equipment. Reduce, reuse, recycle eh!

http://vueweekly.com/dish/story/british_columbia_invasion

I remember hearing about a little company that started up in P.E.I. making vodka from local potatoes. They repurposed used dairy tanks as fermentation vessels.

If Anyplace(other than Idaho) has potatoes!*mind recalls Bud The Spud*

Tasting notes, March 6th - Alley Kat (Guatemalan) Porter(a winter/seasonal release)

The Pour

Rich darker-than-most-colas colour(bit of reddish translusence, when held to the light), nice two and a half finger head. Wonderful/rather abundant lacing.

Aroma

Rather earthy , leading me to identify it as Antigua, roasty notes as well as a bit of malt.

Taste

Full-bodied , making me rethink the initial Antigua identification. Possibly a Huehuetenango, they're fuller-bodied(or a blend). And a slight maltiness rolling over the tongue. Very smooth clean finish(leaving my taste buds wondering where it went-it was just here...another sip please!) I'm having it with a pork loin cutlet in a spicy mango curry sauce, nice earthy aftertaste-mixture of the pork & earthy characteristics of the ...ooh, & an unexpected little burst of mango fruitiness!

As I finish the last few bites-the beer having reached room temperature, the extra chiles (little birds eye-type)are really making themselves irrefutably apparent. With my heat tolerance though, Justright!

I have a bottle of the coffee porter waiting to be tasted.

I've just arrived home from a most of the day outing which included a stop at Brewsters' Oliver Square location. I said to the bartender 'I'd like to buy something from the cooler.'

'What would you like?' he asked.

'I'll have one of each'

I have an even dozen here beside me.


I'll have to list them later.


I'll add your notes on the coffee porter later this evening, I expect.

I've just been trying Brewsters' Czech Pilsner and it is a hit! Very, very nice.

Your coffee porter notes and my pilsner notes are now in.

I better do some chores around this place.

A friend of mine quite enjoyed the Czech Pilsner, I'll have to try that. I like the Lanigan's Irish, the Hammerhead Red & Bow Valley Brown. Not to mention their Blue Monk(barleywine)& Shaughnessy . And as I mentioned, their wheat s are really quite decent too! Glad you like the Pilsner.

I know what you mean about the chores. I got laundry done yesterday, along with a bit of cleaning & took some-2 loads of-recycleables out to the bin. As well as a bit more tidying up today.

All the labels you mention are in the twelve pack I got today. I'm working on the Rig Pig pale ale right now (notes already added). Brewsters are 100% with me so far.

Another one of their beers I really enjoyed with fish & chips was their Farmer's Tan, a Belgian-style White . The orange was a nice compliment to the bit of lemon I'd drizzled on the .

I've got a Farmer's Tan, as well! (well, I don't have a farmer's tan right now, it being winter and all)

I've also got some nice bits of fish and some potatoes and I've got home-made malt vinegar! I'll have to remember to save the Farmer's Tan for a fish and chip night.

Yes, the malt vinegar should be a very nice substitute for lemon, in fact probably an improvement on!

I'm just finishing up haddock and chips and Farmer's Tan. Very nice!

I'm starting to realize this is a bigger project than I realized when I started.

There aren't a lot of micro-breweries in the city, but they sure produce a wide variety of beer!


I'm starting to feel relieved that Yellowhead only has the one.

True though, by this time they should-I feel-be bringing out a second variety/style. When I dropped off the gloves, scarves, etc in early Dec., I was told that an oatmeal had been under consideration. Obviously nothing came of that, but it seems Alley Kat somehow picked up the ball & ran with it.

I'd heard a rumour that Yellowhead's ultimate business plan is for draught only.

I think that's shooting yourself in the foot.