Triumph Visits the Great American Beer Festival

This video is hilarious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcRHUOTNobE

25 beers to drink this fall

I am always a fan of lists like this, especially when they point me to new and exciting craft beers.  Of course the downside is usually only a handful are available in Calgary.  So far I have had the Ayinger and the Anchor.  Better get hunting!  The winter beers will be here soon enough.

Thanks to Raj Smith for the find.

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/falls-best-beers

Beer number 1500

Well, I recently drank beer number 1500.  (It didn't seem that long ago I was in České Budějovice knocking back beer number 1000).

The place: The Flying Saucer pub in Kansas City, Missouri
The beer: Boulevard Brewing Pop-Up Session IPA
The event: Annual boys football trip

The beer is a slightly hoppy IPA, with a slight, saison-style sourness (although the brewery describes a fruity taste).  The relatively low (for and IPA) bitterness does make this a potential session beer.

See you at beer 2000!

The new must-have glass!

And speaking of IPAs, it appears that Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada have helped design the "prefect" IPA glass from Spiegelau.  Looking forward to receiving (hint hint) and test driving one of these babies!   Too bad you can't get Dogfish Head in Alberta anymore.  Boo!

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/chris-schryer/ipa-glass-comes-to-canada_b_4036908.html

Tool Shed part 2 - Star Cheek IPA

Another solid beer from Calgary's newest brewery (unless that honour goes to Vagabond?)  This time I tried their IPA.  It is a very hoppy beer, but not as hoppy as West coast IPAs.  It has a deep amber colour and slightly more malt flavour than most IPAs.  I really enjoy this beer.  You should try it!

Tool Shed Brewing Co.

Huzzah!  Finally, a new craft brewery has opened in Calgary.  I finally got to taste the work of Tool Shed Brewing Co.  Specifically, I bought a six pack of their Red Rage.  Unlike Village Brewery, this beer is not boring.  Red Rage has a nice, bold mix of malt and hops.  Definite notes of coffee, and a slightly smoky taste.  Fairly strong in alcohol (5.6%) and so has a dry finish.  If you are in Cowtown and you see their beer be sure to check it out.  I am looking forward to trying their other brews.

Mapping the rise of (US) craft beer

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/06/idea-of-the-week-mapping-the-rise-of-craft-beer.html