Hall of Beers

Eagle Rock Brewery Tour!

Captain Beer — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:41:17 +0000

OK I have to come right out and admit that I have yet to upload the pictures I took of the Eagle Rock Brewery this weekend, so I kind of took or stole or whatever these from their site. Now that the air waves are clear and the Captain can rest easy, here is a shot from atop what will be the taproom down to the floor where the magic is happening:

That’s Steve Raub, who co-owns Eagle Rock Brewery with his son, Jeremy. The gentlemen were kind enough to show Mrs. Beer and myself around for a while on Saturday. (more…)

Things are changing, fellahs

Captain Beer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:10:26 +0000

Well… those Belgians got ‘em. I have mixed to no feelings about the reins of Anheuser-Busch being handed off to ImBev. We’re not talking about Sam Adams or Otter Creek or something. We’re talking about a global consortium that will not change a thing about the beers we (well… mostly not I, but many—Jesus that sounds snobby as hell) drink. Now I care about people’s jobs and hope that the restructuring that will surely come with this takeover, if it indeed goes through, doesn’t leave a lot of hardworking beervolk out of beer work. But I have to admit I think I’d be more nervous on a sheerly beer-level (leaving lay-offs, taxation, etc aside) if AB were angling for a European brewer. I mean… I like Stella more than Bud. Or Milwaukee’s Best. Anyway, here’s some info on the merger and a few links to folks who are not-so-cool-widdit. Judge for yourself, but it seems to me that most of their arguments are based on xenophobia and not a fear of damage to good beer:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/14/anheuser.inbev.ap/index.html

http://savebudweiser.com/

http://saveab.com/

REVIEW: Stockyard Oatmeal Stout

Captain Beer — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:04:03 +0000

OK, first of all… I bought a six pack of this beer having never tried it before. I bought it because, well, the sixer cost $4.99. “Four dollars and ninety-nine cents for a six pack of stout?” I screamed in German. “How can I not!?” And I don’t know what genius/madman chose to price this brau so modestly, but it is worth every penny and then many. It’s an awesome beer, y’all. Mrs. Beer agrees! (more…)

REVIEW: Pete’s Wicked Ale

Captain Beer — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:27:32 +0000

Afternoon, beervolk. Just a simple, straightforward review of a simple, straightforward beer today. None of my usual odd, byzantine ramblings about obscure, wacked-out beers. You may notice that I recently passed ONE HUNDRED POSTS in the venerable Hall of Beers. I’m not going to make a big deal out of it* or anything. I’m a humble, beer-loving servant, beer reader. So I’ll just carry on. But props, yo. Props. (more…)

A new brewery in my own town? YES! (basically… that is)

Captain Beer — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:37:22 +0000

Friends, just a quick note today. The Eagle Rock Brewery is opening in, um, well in Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock is, oh, the next town over from mine. A 5 minute drive. So… good luck, brave micro brewers! (I met the son of the father-son founding team at a tasting at the superlative Red Carpet Liquors a while back as he tried out some IPA on the beer lovers assembled.) Here’s a link, wish ‘em luck, and let’s all stop by for some beer(s) once they open wide.

Eagle Rock Brewery

REVIEW: Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Black Ale - works as advertised!

Sergeant Stout — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:25:19 +0000

So it’s about time the Sarge came back with a good ole stout…in time for summer, no less.

Folks, let’s have a quick word about stouts. We know they’re ales made from roasted barleys, some good noble hops and yeast, but as I’ve indicated before, most microbreweries have compromised their craft to appease a wider audience’s palate. The folk at at Harviestoun come from good stock, hold themselves to a higher standard, and yes, they really do get it: stouts ain’t always sweet.

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man, i got drunk

Commander Cheap — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:00:29 +0000

So the other night I went to an O.A.R concert with Action Jackson. I knew nothing of O.A.R. other than that “crazy game of poker” song, which is just fantastic… which always makes me thinking of a someone starting a fist fight and flipping up the poker table for some reason. Anyway, since I didn’t know the music, we decided to visit the bar. After flirting with a saucy bartender named Jennifer i quickly chose to try a Foster’s oilcan beer mostly due to its incredible size (the can itself is quite girthy).

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It’s a long row to hoe… but damn, beer is worth it.

Captain Beer — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:42:21 +0000

Friends, The Captain admits he’s been up on deck a bit less than usual recently. I’ve been busy but dammit, no excuses… I need to be there more often for you beautiful beervolk or my name is asshat. I do hope my recent absence hasn’t left a bad taste in your mouth:

* But, well, part of it that is… look what number post this is for good ‘ol Captain Beer! I am at the penultimate step before reaching the historic century post mark! DAMN!

I have sampled and slammed many a-delicious beer all in service to the Fleet and to the Greater Beervolk and it’s been a pleasure. It’s all for you, beer readers. And even more than for you, it’s for me. Oh how I love beer! I may well make my historic one-hundredth post a humble yet proud affair… perhaps just a fine young review of a fine young beer. I guess… you’ll see. PROST!

* nice beard, Cap’n! (Is what you’re probably saying…)

REVIEW: Dos Equis Cerveza

General German — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:11:28 +0000

Readers:

Yes, it’s cheap. Yes, it’s from Mexico. Yes, it’s summer in the DC area, and when dining on Tex-Mex, nothing tastes better than a decent Mexican lager like Dos Equis. While my last review was perhaps one of the most full-flavored ales available year-round, it’s time to head back to basics for the wonderfully drinkable beer–if anything else, it is perfectly paired with chips. (more…)

Brewing wheats… double time!

Captain Beer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:49:34 +0000

OK… I forgot to take pictures. Sue me.* So here is a doctored picture of Sgt. Stout and myself (we love our Brigadier Bock, but he was absent from yesterdays brewing**) and uh… so here’s us. To set the mood.

So it was (or we hope it will turn out to have been) an interesting brew session… (more…)