Archive for August, 2009

There is just so much great stuff on this list, that I can barely contain myself. The football game tomorrow is going to be fun! Last season, we ordered some Brewdog Paradox online to share with friends. It was the winner of the whole football beer tasting line-up that day. Some in the beer industry refer to Brewdog as the Stone Brewing of Scotland. They brew in the American tradition, much like Denmark’s Mikkeller, and have a wee uncompromising attitude that some hate, but we kind-of enjoy. (Even better, beer spies tell us that they *may* be making an appearance at Brewgrass Festival this year.)

In other fantastic news: Our Lagunitas Hop Stoopid is FINALLY here! (A- rate on BeerAdvocate with 683 reviews!) “So hoppy, it threatens to remove the enamel from one’s teeth.” Ha!

BREWDOG Chaos Theory IPA
BREWDOG Dogma
BREWDOG Hardcore IPA
BREWDOG Paradox Smokehead (RIS aged in Islay Casks)*
BREWDOG Paradox RIS aged is Isle of Arran Casks*
BREWDOG Punk IPA
BREWDOG Rip Tide
KAPPITEL Pater
KAPPITEL Prior
LAGUNITAS Hop Stoopid*
LAGUNITAS Imperial Red*
OTTER BREWING Hoppy Otter English IPA
OTTER BREWING Otter Ale ESB
SAMUEL SMITH’S Yorkshire Stingo
SWEETWATER Motor Boat ESB*
WEYERBACHER “Fourteen” Wheatwine*

September 3: Josh of Carolina Craft will join us to sample some of Ohio’s finest, the small craft brewery of Hoppin’ Frog.

Silk Porter: “Dark, robust and silky-smooth, with many flavors of roasted, toasted and caramel malts. Porter is an old-world beer style, so popular that it helped start the industrial revolution. Taste the history.” [6.2% abv]

Hoppin’ to Heaven IPA: “Raise your glass to the heavens in a toast to HOPS – the spice of beer! This classic American I.P.A. features the finest American hops to add a spicy, assertive, and citrusy character to its full-bodied, rich malt taste.” [6.8% abv]

Mean Manalishi: “Explore the extremes of hops, and experience all of their bitterness, flavor and aroma with this Double I.P.A. An extreme, super-assertive and satisfying amount of American hop character is balanced with a toasty, caramelized, intense malt presence.: [8.2% abv]

B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher: “This Bodacious Oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout will crush you like no other! This is the grand-daddy of all stout styles, with an intensely deep roasted and full bodied flavor. A robust hop character adds a refreshing balance.” [9.4% abv] *GABF Gold Medal Winner 2008*

Mystery Beer: If it makes it in time, you’re in for a treat, but we’re not telling!

Just too awesome for words.

This upcoming Tuesday (yes, last-minute, we know!), Rob Tod, brewmaster of Allagash Brewing Co. will be in Asheville. After trying to churn-out an affordable dinner here in town, we decided instead to do as we did with Sam Calagione’s visit, and host a private tasting at the humble storefront. Only this time, yours truly and the other Bruisin’ half will grace you with our culinary magic, paired with some Belgian-style ales. After all, we are also foodies.

This is tasting is by reservation only with part of the proceeds going to FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tuesday, August 25, 5-7 p.m. $15/pp

Please call Bruisin’ Ales, 828-252-8999 to make your reservation. We will giving away a pair of (the sold-out) Brewgrass Festival tickets to one lucky attendee.

ALLAGASH White: “Our interpretation of a traditional Belgian wheat beer, Allagash White is unique and truly refreshing. Brewed with a generous portion of wheat and our own special blend of spices, this beer is light and slightly cloudy in appearance, with a spicy aroma. Overall, it is a beer that is very drinkable and smooth any time of the year.” [5.0% abv]

Cheese: Goat Chevre | Pairing: Eggplant Lollipops

ALLAGASH Grand Cru: “Allagash Grand Cru is our winter seasonal. We brew this special, deep-golden colored beer each year in limited quantities. It has a full, yet refined malty palate and a gentle fruit and spice aroma.” [7.2% abv]

Cheese: Horseradish Cheddar | Pairing: Spicy Shrimp Wontons

ALLAGASH Hugh Malone: “…we dry hop the beer, which instills a hoppy aroma with notes of pine and grapefruit. This ale has a malty palate and a pronounced bitterness. It has a pleasant dry, hoppy finish.” [8.5% abv]

Cheese: Homemade Pimiento Cheese with Allagash Tripel (from The Admiral) | Pairing: Mushroom Reduction on Crispy Potatoes

ALLAGASH Interlude: “Two yeast strains were used to create this unique Belgian style ale. The first, a Belgian farmhouse yeast, establishes the flavor foundations of a classic Belgian-style ale. The second, a house strain of Brettanomyces yeast, brings it to the next level contributing an intriguing myriad of flavors including pear, apricot, graham cracker, and bread crust. Finally, a portion of the Interlude is aged in French Merlot and Sirah oak barrels, which impart a distinctive vinous plum character and a drying, almost tannic finish.” [9.5% abv]

Cheese: Bleu Cheese | Pairing: Spiced Apple-Pear Tartlets