280. Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works – Bamberg Rauchbier Draft
I wasn’t really planning on having a fourth beer this evening, but it’s my wife’s birthday, and she wanted to have another. So, how could I say no. After the Torrent Black IPA, I thought I’d try another beer from the Brewmaster’s Selections. I really, really enjoyed the Brauerei Heller Bamberg – Hecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen I had during my Oktoberfest Challenge, so I thought I’d give...
226. Flying Dog – Snake Dog IPA India Pale Ale Draft
I stopped at Medici in Normal to grab a beer and get my final punch on my Wednesday Warriors card. On Wednesday, they have $3 pints, and after 10 Wednesday visits you become a warrior. That means you get a t-shirt – although I didn’t get one because they had run out of XLs – your beer is served in a mug, and you get invited to their end of the year party. Besides getting the final punch on my ticket, it’s...
201. Tin Mill Brewing – Dopplebock Draft
As I mentioned in my last couple posts, we were in Hermann, MO for their Oktoberfest celebration. In the midst of all of the wineries, there was Tin Mill Brewing, so my fellow beer-loving friend and I enjoyed a few beers here while our wives headed back over to the winery. I didn’t have a whole lot of faith in Tin Mill’s beers after having their Oktoberfest, however, I thought I’d go ahead and give their dopplebock...
200. Tin Mill Brewing – Oktoberfest Draft
While visiting several wineries at the Oktoberfest celebration in Hermann, MO, we decided to take a break from the wine and have a beer. Fortunately, we knew that the Tin Mill Brewery was located right in downtown Hermann. They had a nice beer garden and band playing out back, so we hung out for a while and had a couple of beers before going back to the wineries. I also saw this as an opportunity to try another Oktoberfest beer...
199. Left Hand Brewing – 400 Pound Monkey English IPA
We’re on our way to the Oktoberfest celebration in Hermann, MO, and I’ve already had a Schlafly Oktoberfest to satisfy my daily requirement as part of my Oktoberfest Challenge. While my intention was to dig into my freshly home brewed pumpkin beer, my friend also had this Left Hand 400lb Monkey in his cooler and offered it to me. Since I haven’t had it before, and I do appreciate ESB’s and English IPA’s I...
195. Bell’s Brewery – Bell’s Oktoberfest Draft
I was at Medici for a work meeting, and stuck around after our off site meeting for a beer – and get a punch on my Wednesday Warriars card (I’m only 3 Wednesdays away). Plus, it was a chance to try yet another Oktoberfest beer, since, as I mentioned in my last post, my supply of Oktoberfests and pumpkin beers in the beer fridge is disapearing. Bell’s usually has some pretty good beers, so of the 3-4 seasonals on...
192. Clipper City Brewing – The Great Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale
This was one of the pumpkin beers I picked up the other day when I went to the liquor store looking for beers for my Oktoberfest Challenge. I figured with it being called an Imperial Pumpkin Ale and at 8% ABV, it could be good. The label said, “The Mutiny Fleet was ‘berthed’ by Heavy Seas brewers who were discovered secretly brewing small batches of big beers to amuse the pallets of their fellow crew. Since most...
191. Shipyard Brewing – Smashed Pumpkin Ale
While I was picking up pumpkin beers at the liquor store, this one stood out because of the 9% ABV. I thought I’d give it a shot after reading the label… “Smashed Pumpkin is a big bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg. The OG and final ABV provide the structure and body. Pale ale, wheat and Munich malts combined with the natural tannin in pumpkin and the delicate...
190. Hoppin’ Frog – Frog’s Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale
After going to the Great American Beer Festival, I looked to see the medal winners from the festival. I saw that Hoppin’ Frog Brewery had won a GABF Gold medal for the “field beer” category for their Frog’s Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale. So, when I saw this one on my recent trip to the liquor store, there was no doubt I should get it. The bottle says, “There’s a place just South they call Frog’s...
189. Buffalo Bill’s Brewery – America’s Original Pumpkin Ale
After a break from pumpkin beers for the last couple of days, I thought I’d get back to it with an original. Even six or 7 years ago when I started brewing pumpkin beers at home, Buffalo Bill’s was available. I’m not quite sure how long it’s been around, but it’s pretty much considered the original pumpkin beer – as you can see that it calls itself, “American’s Original” Pumpkin...
188. Boulevard Brewing – Bob’s 47 Oktoberfest
I went tot he liquor store and picked up a mix-a-six so that I could get a variety of Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers. This was one a friend from Kansas City had recommended, so I thought I’d pick one up and give it a try. The bottle says, “A tribute to our friend Bob Werkowitch, master brewer and graduate of the US Brewers’ Academy, class of 1947.” It was very clear and copper in color. It initially had a...
187. Hofbräu München – Hofbräu Oktoberfest
After four straight days of pumpkin beers, I thought I’d break it up a little bit with an Oktoberfestbier. My picture from my post announcing my Octoberfest Challenge is from a couple years ago when I had dinner at the Hofbrau Haus in Las Vegas and had a huge glass of this beer. Much like the Spaten Oktoberfestbier I had last week, it doesn’t get much more traditional Oktoberfest than this beer. I only felt like I should...
