Who Owns You?

     So I'm at a Black Keys concert at Bank One Arena in downtown Cincinnati. My first move as I enter the arena is to get in position at the beer line. Oh no!, "only Coors or Coors Light in this line, sir".  I waste another few minutes of the opening act performance, which I end up missing completely, to get into line again. Very large cans of Hudepohl is what I am after this time!  Never had it before, but everyone around me seemed to be in great anticipation. The can had magnificent lettering as it filled my plastic cup. The server threw the can away before I could obtain any real information about the contents however, so I met up with the gang at our seats and "prepared" ourselves for the show.
    I asked my friend Margo what she thought of the beer and she paused for a moment. Before she could answer I said "It's terrible, isn't it"?!  She full heartily agreed but it was too late for a replacement, The Black Keys were beginning what would be a great show.
     A few weeks later I was invited to a book signing/ beer tasting at Main Street Books and Martini's in Mansfield Ohio. Rick Armon was in town to talk beer and to promote his new book "Ohio Breweries". Along for the ride was Jared, assistant brewer at Mt. Carmel Brewing of Cincinnati. They each had very interesting information about the current state of craft brewing in Ohio. Rick spoke mainly about the four months on the road, visiting the 49 breweries in the state and Jared shared his experiences as a brewer in a popular start up brewery, which still maintains production at a family farm. I then drifted next door to Martini's with a new copy of Armon's book (Thank You Catherine!) and enjoyed some great samples from Thirsty Dog Brewing and Mt. Carmel Brewing.
   "Ohio Breweries" is definitely not a book about the history of craft beer in Ohio. It focuses more on the current active breweries in the state. Even the large breweries which produce millions of barrels of beer each year are described without bias.  I was reading about one these breweries, Boston Beer Company, when I noticed something strange.  Boston Beer Co., which produces Samuel Adams, has been brewing Hudepohl at it's Cincinnati location since 1997, when it bought out Schoenling/Hudepohl Brewing.  I guess you never really know who makes the product that you are consuming. Hudepohl is an iconic name in Cincy and I guess we should commend Boston Beer for keeping it on the store shelves.

Corned Beef and Car Bombs

I didn't realize the number of Holidays we have to celebrate in February. I thought it was just the Hallmark Valentine's Day, but I recently discovered that President's day is celebrated by many, including banks, schools, government offices and trash collectors. Thank goodness the Old Bag of Nails was still open. We began our President's Day celebration prematurely on Sunday evening. When I say celebration, please know, that I mean dinner out so we (I) don't have to do dishes. They have a $5.00 Corned Beef sandwich and fried bologna sandwich special on Sunday that is well worth their price. Combine that with the excellent service we receive at the bar from Donna and the addition of craft beers on their main line (the craft beer line was overcrowded)  it is a very good thing!

I ordered the Founder's Red's Rye. Simply one of the best craft beers on the market. My beer arrived while my wife was still trying to decide on her selection. As she asked  Donna, again, what craft beers were available, I discovered that the Green Flash Hop Head Red was on tap. I convinced my wife to take my Founder's and ordered myself the Green Flash.  The Hop Head Red poured an opaque red amber that laced nicely in the glass. With the aroma, I noticed some piney hop resin with pungent citrus notes.  As I threw back the first gulp, the fresh hop flavor balanced well with malty sweetness. Not at all astringent or harsh.  I love the Founder's Red Rye, but this one might be better.  It paired well with the Corned Beef sandwich. Although it would have been fantastic with the Irish Car Bomb Brownie recipe that Donna described.......

I wish I had two mouths and three livers!

Are you a Bud Man?

     There was a time when a man's choice of beer identified him. Like a kind of class distinction per se.  Joe is a Bud man, Bill drinks Stroh's etc.  Aside from drinking Natty Light in my college days, I have never been the type to simply drink one type of beer. I can not imagine drinking the same beer on every occasion considering the limitless choices we have.  I imagine that if I were a "Bud Light guy", going to the store to pick up my six pack would be quite an inconvenience (like running out of toilet paper or dish soap).  Damn! I'm out of Bud Light!
     Personally, I enjoy shopping for my next beer; deliberately contemplating my purchase.  Sometimes I take in account the seasonal brews available.  Maybe a cool label with some kind of monster on it will catch my eye.  On a recent trip to The World Market in Polaris, I picked up a wide variety of beers.  I tried to get a good variety, and before I knew it, the cart was full.  So, let's see what I randomly grab out of the fridge....Ommegang Rare Vos.
     Rare Vos pours a cloudy, orange amber as it fills my snifter. I anticipate strong carbonation as large bubbles settle into a three finger head. The aroma has the familiar Belgian spiciness with maybe a hint of lemon. With the first taste I get a yeasty spiciness along with strong carbonation that finishes sweet.  I used this beer to saute spicy italian smoked sausage that i picked up at Macks Food Center in Lodi. What a great place for smoked meats, jerky and smokies by the way! Then, I placed the sausage in a toasted bun and topped it with Southern Hot Chow Chow that I picked up at The Pumpkin Seed bulk food store in Mansfield, Ohio. What a way to make a good beer even better.

I hate phony beer snobs..........

I hate phony beer snobs. They can ruin an enjoyable glass of beer with their pompous attitude and psuedo beer knowledge. With the amount of time I spend in the local Old Bag of Nails Pub in Mansfield, Ohio, I am unfortunately bound to run into a few now and then. On one of my more recent trips to enjoy and sample the elusive Bell's Hopslam, the experience was tainted  leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. The atmospere of OBON was warm. The manager Don, was as always, the most generous of hosts, providing food pairings and samples. The Hopslam was flowing. I was content as I sat down at the bar. Before I could even order my first Hopslam, the phony beer snob reared his ugly head and began to speak. Leaning over, he sneered, "Bet your wife won't let you order anything but Coors Light or Bud Light." I responded with a simple "My wife is the one who told me the Hopslam was being tapped today." I could feel her temperature rise sitting next to me. He continued to interject into our conversation about our beer choices, insulted my wifes beer choice of the Left Hand Milk Stout and then went on to correct her about the %ABV of the beer she was drinking. He was wrong, but it didn't really matter because it was clear what we were dealing with. He continued on complaining about the pub and the free food, and insulting the bartenders and Don.

I tried to not let the beer snob ruin my tasting. The 10% Imperial IPA had a smoothness I had not experienced before in any IPA, let alone an Imperial. Normally, an Imperial is harsher and has more of a butterscotch sweetness.  I found myself sampling larger tastings of the beer and found my glass quickly emptied. The balance was amazing. This light amber IPA starts smooth with a spicy citrus aroma and finishes slightly sweet with the alcohol hidden in the background. Do not confuse this with a session beer. This is a beer that one has to be careful with, keeping this in mind I ordered my second and final Hopslam.  Unfortunately, this beer is only available in January, but it makes the experience more worthwhile, doesn't it?

Upon leaving the OBON, my aggitated wife decided to order the snob a beer he wouldn't appreciate, but deserved, the Arrogant Bastard from Stone Brewing.