Another Thought

by Jeff Sullivan on Jul 20, 2009 10:02 PM PDT in Miscellaneous

On a day full of sours, it takes something extraordinary to stand out, but God damn - hello there, Deschutes Little Buddha. It's like there's a party in your mouth, and everyone's invited, and they spend the whole time kicking you in the cheeks and the teeth. I won't go so far as to say that it was the best sour of the festival, but it was the most powerful encapsulation of the genre of the nigh 100 beers available, and that scores major points.

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Figures that they'd have it at the So Cal sour fest and NOT at the Oregon Brewer's festival.

Awesome.

by marc w on Jul 20, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions

I could actually feel my salivary glands working on that one.

I think my biggest surprise of the day was the Drake’s George Brett Triple. Aside from the clever naming, it had a nice start complimented by a standard Triple malty sweet finish.
All of the Lost Abbey offerings were fantastic, especially the Red Poppy Ale and the Cuvee de Tomme.
The Bruery’s Weisse was absolutely foul (a wee bit of sour followed by a 50/50 Coors Light/Water mixture finish) and Cuvee Jeune was disappointing.

by abender20 on Jul 20, 2009 10:18 PM PDT reply actions

New Belgium Love Barrel #3

And Aron, love your flag.

by Matthew on Jul 20, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions

As if very many 5+ ratings were handed out.

by abender20 on Jul 20, 2009 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I am a firm believer in the evils of grade inflation.

by Matthew on Jul 20, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Love Barrel #3 sounds like it would be disgusting

by Robert on Jul 20, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Lost Abbey is quickly becoming my overall favorite brewery

and I’m so glad Stone still had bottles of 12th Anniversary left (and at a reasonable price, too!)

by seattlebruin on Jul 21, 2009 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Stone's 13th Anniversary is tasty also.

by Jed MC on Jul 21, 2009 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Too hoppy

by seattlebruin on Jul 21, 2009 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions

It is a hoppy ale, but still enjoyable.

I’ve been going for the German beers recently – Optimator has been my choice for the last couple of weeks.

by Jed MC on Jul 21, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm on a Celebrator kick.

by Teej on Jul 21, 2009 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree.

by Kirsten Schlewitz on Jul 21, 2009 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Three's a party. ac would clearly love it, though.

by abender20 on Jul 21, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions

It's hoppy as hell, but I think it drinks just fine.

I like it a lot more than I thought I would upon smelling it.

by Teej on Jul 21, 2009 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I was disappointed by the flavor after smelling it.

It’s damned good, but not as good as last year’s.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 21, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I love the aroma and the taste was not overpoweringly bitter, just not balanced well.

by Matthew on Jul 21, 2009 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions

It's probably the weakest Stone I've had aside from the IPA.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 21, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't understand this concept.

by Garces on Jul 21, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Me either. I'll take hoppy over malty any day.

by Sec 108 on Jul 21, 2009 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Buh?

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 21, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions

On a very slightly related note

Rock Bottom Bellevue, home of the current GABF Gold Medal for American style strong pale (Hop Bomb IPA), is currently rocking a monthly seasonal called American Dream IPA that I like even better than the Hop Bomb. It sits in the 7-8% range, and is a majestic explosion of hoppy delight in your mouth. It’ll be gone in a few short weeks, so if you have a chance to drop by and try it out, I strongly encourage it.

IF I WAS MANAGER I'D HAVE A FIST FIGHT WITH YUNI RIGHT NOW AND KNOCK HIS FUCKING MONKEY HEAD CLEAN OFF (~EM)

by seattlecougar on Jul 20, 2009 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

That is good to know.

Though I would say that GABF medals should be taken with a big grain of some sort of beer-related salt.

by Matthew on Jul 20, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Pretzel salt?

by Robert on Jul 20, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions

On a vaguely related note Granville Island Brewery is an excellent little place

by Nick S on Jul 21, 2009 12:29 AM PDT reply actions

Indeed.

I miss Granville Island.

by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 21, 2009 6:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Granville Island Brewery would be perfect if they just sold the most basic of bar grub.

by Robert on Jul 21, 2009 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions

On another note of some relation

there’s an article in the latest issue of Wired about the founder of Ambergene — the guy who started culturing prehistoric microorganisms from insects preserved in amber — and his latest project: he’s taken the 45 million year old brewer’s yeast he discovered and hooked up with a Bay Area brewer to make beer. From the comments cited in the article, it sounds like a pretty remarkable yeast that’s enabled them to make some really good beer with some unusual qualities. They’re going to be selling it, starting in California, under the label Fossil Fuels.

by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 21, 2009 6:57 AM PDT reply actions