Struise-Mikkeller Elliot Brew

The Struise-Mikkeller Elliot Brew is a RateBeer special release--part of their Worldwide Masters Series. This is a Double IPA at 9.0 ABV and 130 IBUs. It is brewed with all the usual suspects and Belgian candi sugar and spices.

Poured into a chalice it appears a copper/orange color with a nice creamy white head that falls just short of a meringue. It has a slight haze to it. Leaves excellent lacing on my glass.

The aroma is really similar to Orval. First thought: "This is going to be super dry". Nice hop aroma with very mild Apricot. It really does hint at dryness. (Good topic for discussion: Can aroma give away how dry a beer will be. I think really dry beers have that smell that resembles a surface that has just been wiped down with an alcohol wipe.)


The flavor is great. It is very dry but somehow still leaves a touch of lingering candi sweetness. Big hop bite up front and as it washes over my palate it gives way to a very subtle spiciness that I can't really put my finger on. A very refreshing finish. Aftertaste makes me think of grains of paradise with floral hop notes.

The mouthfeel is pretty light bodied with moderate carbonation. Leaves a resiny coating of hoppiness to enjoy for later.

This is a very drinkable beer for 9.0 ABV. I wish I would have picked up more than one of these while I was in Chicago. Definitely pick this one up if you see it. Pretty much anything that De Struise Brouwers or Mikkeller had their hands in is bound to be pretty good.

Three Floyds Brewery--Munster, IN

Last Saturday after a stop at the Maproom and Sams Wine in Chicago I went to Three Floyds Brewery and took the brewery tour and drank a lot of great beer. Unfortunately there was no Dark Lord to be had since it is only available on Dark Lord day. Don't worry, all the other beers they are serving up have pleanty to offer. I finally got to try the Gumballhead--a beer made with red wheat and a ton of Amarillo hops. The Alpha King and Dreadnaught are two amazingly hoppy beers and I thought the Rabbid Rabbit (Saison)was pretty damn good too. The place has a really cool vibe about it that you can pick up on even in the parking lot before you go in. You are surrounded by clever sculptures, pictures, & taphandles. Hanging on the walls are giant pictures of all of the colorful characters that make up the beer labels but the patrons in the bar were just as colorful. I met some interesting people and had a blast here. I can't wait to go back.

Flossmoor Station Brew Day

Here are some pics of my brew day at Flossmoor Station Brewery. I had a lot of fun hanging out with Matt and brewing my Biere Bella recipe. Matt is a cool guy who knows how to brew awesome beer. Everybeer that I tried down there was great! I also got a chance to meet Michael Pelter, president of the B.O.S.S. Homebrew Club as well as a few other members. Everyone was great and it made the experience that much better having people to talk beer with.

Whats Coming Up

Well this Memorial Day weekend I'll be heading down to Munster, IN to Three Floyds Brewery to take the brewery tour and to imbibe in everything, and I really mean everything that they are serving up down there. I will also be heading across the border into Flossmoor, IL where I will be visiting Flossmoor Station Brewery. I will be spending the day with Head Brewer Matt Van Wyk while we brew a scaled up version of my Biere Bella recipe, a Belgian Golden Strong Ale inspired by the infamous Duvel which I'm sure if you are into Belgian Beer you know all about. I'll post pics and whatever video I can once I am home and I'll let you know how it went. Should be a fun weekend. If you know of any other breweries or good beer bars in that area, drop me a line because I will be on the prowl for good beer Saturday night while I'm down there.

Cheers!

Brian

Neat Little Package

I found a way to help myself keep my hands off of beers that I want to cellar for a while instead of drinking them up. I figure if I put a little extra effort into the packaging like bottle wax or even doing up some labels I will be less likely to blow through them before they are aged properly. I guess I have a harder time popping open a neat little package for my own consumption over my more sessionable beers that will not be stored in a "neat lil package". Worth a shot anyway. I have severe lacking in the will powerdept.

Drinking With Satan!

Drinking with Satan from Jeffrey Meyer on Vimeo.

Bottling Extravaganza!

I know now that i really MUST love Belgian beer. I am staring 35 gallons of beer in the eye and I know that I would hate myself for kegging this up and tearing through it in no time instead of bottling it and letting it bottle condition the way I like. I just can't bring myself to keg up a Belgian style beer--something about opening that bottle i guess. Well I just bottled the Saison that I did as well as the recipe that Sean Paxton and Urbain from De Struisse put together. They have only been in bottles for about 4 days now but impatient as i am, i had to pop one open of each beer. I am so stoked about both of these. So young and so good. I can't wait until they are in their prime.

(EDIT)

HERE IS A SILENT BEER REVIEW OF MY SAISON. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING.



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