Monstre Rouge

Sounds like a classy French film eh? It may be, but I am blogging about the latest collaborative beer between Belgian-based De Proef and an American craft brewery.

Here is a snippet of the official press release:

Monstre Rouge (Red Monster) is loosely based on Terrapin's Big Hoppy Monster with a Belgian twist. It is an Imperial Flanders Red Ale of 8.5%, fermented with brettanomyces and aged with toasted American oak. The malt profile includes a range of Crystal malts, Munich and Terrapin's signature Rye. It is hopped to 55 ibu's with a blend of American hops. It is a deep amber-red color capped by rocky off-white foam. It has a complex flavor profile - tart, sweet, sour, hoppy and woody. This limited production beer is available in cases of 6/750ml cork-finished bottles and 30L kegs. Suggested retail price is $15.99 per bottle

"I am very pleased to welcome Terrapin to the collaboration series," noted SBS Founder and President Alan Shapiro. "I believe Spike & Dirk have created something truly unique that will be enjoyed by discerning Belgian beer consumers."

"We consider it a great honor to be invited to partner on this beer," added Terrapin Co-Founder and Brewmaster Spike Buckowski. "It is a truly impressive list of brewers who have come before us and it has been a great experience to work with De Proef and SBS."

Each year SBS invites a noted brewer from different regions to co-design a beer and travel to Belgium to brew at De Proef. Monstre Rouge is the fourth beer in the De Proef Collaboration Series. Previous partners included Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing/Lost Abbey (2007); Jason Perkins of Allagash (2008); and John Mallet of Bell's (2009). The 2011 partner (from the Northwest) will be officially announced in September.

I am a big fan of the Big Hoppy Monster as well as Flanders Red Ales with Brett. So how does this taste? This is my review on BeerAdvocate

Hazy chestnut brown with some deep crimson highlights. Fluffy inch of French vanilla head which is very thick and frothy. Wavy foam looking like a sand dune. Red apple, cherry aroma and overall Brett tart. Immediate taste of Brett with the subtle piney-citrus hops coming next. As with the regular Big Hoppy Monster, there is a noticeable spicy rye malt presence. This is a battle of the wild yeast and the big hops creating a nice treat. Lemon zest in the middle, finishes hoppy and dry. Drinkability is good...I would have another glass in a bar.

Why didn't they call this Monstre Funky?

13 Kegs in 13 Hours

The 13 year anniversary week for Brick Store Pub is already upon us. Unlike last year, 15 gallon kegs will be pouring this time except for the cask ales of course. I'll now hand the mic over to Brick Store Dave:

Allrighty gang, starting next Monday, 13 Kegs in 13 Days and culminating with 13 Kegs in 13 Hours on June 19. Here's the dealio. We will tap each keg at opening and run it until it's kicked. Casks, however, will be tapped at 5:00p.m.

Monday June 7th- Terrapin Double Feature on Cask (gravity pour)
The brand new Georgia theater beer is a Belgian Double made with Rochefort yeast.

Tuesday June 8th- Bell's Batch 9000 + Bell's Rye Stout (Back to Back)
One of the most highly anticipated beers of 2010 followed by a beer rarely seen in GA.

Wednesday June 9th- J.W. Lees Harvest Ale (Calvados Pin Cask)

Thursday June 10th- Schneider Aventinus Eisbock Wooden Cask (gravity pour)

Friday June 11th- 2007 Red Brick Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter Cask (gravity pour)
Aged over two years in Bourbon barrels then transferred to a wooden cask which held 'tSmisje Kerst for one year (look at cask reviews) http://bit.ly/cQ7al4

Saturday June 12th- Mikkeller Drink'in the Sun

Sunday June 13th- Stone 12th Anniversary

Monday June 14th- 2009 Sweetwater Donkey Punch aged in J.W. Lees pin cask
"We took last years J.W. cask, took it to Sweetwater, they filled it with Dank Tank Donkey Punch then we aged it in house for one year!"

Tuesday June 15th- Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Hell Hath No Fury

Wednesday June 16th- 2008 Smuttynose Oak Aged Imperial Stout

Thursday June 17th-Sweetwater BSP Chocolate Quad cask (Gravity Pour)

Friday June 18th- 110K+OT Batch #3 (The Other West Coast IPA)

Saturday June 19th- 13 incredible kegs in 13 hours!
Noon- Ceremonial Cask- Duck Rabbit barrel aged sour cherry Baltic porter cask
1pm- SKA Decadent Imperial IPA
2pm Foothills Seeing Double IPA
3pm- Duck Rabbit '06 Barleywine
4pm '08 Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti
5pm Green Flash Le Freak
6pm Clipper City (Heavy Seas) Letter of Marque 2010 Rye Porter
7pm Olde Hickory Irish Walker (English Style Barleywine)
8pm COAST Brewing HopArt
9pm Great Lakes Blackout Stout
10pm Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
11pm New Holland Dragon's Milk (bourbon aged)
12pm Terrapin/Left Hand Midnight Project Depth Charge Espresso Milk Stout

BeerStash @ Twains this Saturday

BeerStash
Beer & Breweriana Collectors Show
Twain's Billiards and Tap
www.twains.net

June 12th
Trade Show 11-2
Rare Beer Tasting 12-3

Tables are for rent at just $10, but admission is free. Contact beerstash@gmail.com to make reservations

Twain's will be having $2 pints of their house brews

Beer Collectors and Traders are encouraged to come to meet others and arrange trades during the show (no selling is allowed at the show)

Lee from the Brick Store Pub and Ethan from Twain's will both be bringing beer for the mini-HMOG tasting. Bring some beer that you would like to share/trade as well.

Hop City will be there showcasing the canned beers they carry.

Georgia Ale & Lager Sirens (GALS) will be there volunteering and have a table. Come on by and learn more about the women who love beer.

Oskar Blues will have a table and it looks like 21st Amendment my be in the state by then!


The can above is from Atlanta's first brewery- Atlantic Company. I really had no idea that this existed in Atlanta, but remember seeing Atlantic cans at the old Six Feet Under in Grant Park. Also, check out this site for some great information. I wonder if the basement of the Hilton has any ancient relics...

Atlanta Beer Week is Upon Us!

May 16-22 is the first Atlanta Beer Week and all of the events can be found at www.atlantabeerweek.com Lots of good stuff going on at 5 Seasons West and Sweetwater but here are the events hoppening in Decatur:


Sunday May 16th BSP Ceremonial cask tapping and rare beer tasting. * We will welcome industry folks and kick off the week with several rare beers on draft and a very special cask tapping @ 1pm
Marlay House- Can Beer Canned Be Good - You Decide! Butternuts Beer & Ale/ Oskar Blues Tastings

Monday May 17th BSP- Cider flight night * A rare vertical tasting of Etienne Dupont ciders as well as Pommeau. With Cheese and Charcuterie pairings. 5pm
Marlay House- Beer Trivia Night

Tuesday May 18th BSP- Left Hand Brewing Co. Beer Dinner *Come meet Owner/Brewer Eric Wallace. Five rare beers paired with a five course meal prepared by head chef Rian Tittle. 6pm
Marlay House- Irish Music & Irish Beer Tastings

Wednesday May 19th BSP- Hefe & Hotdog Humpday * Join us for a variety of German Hefeweizen beers and housemade hotdogs before heading to the Braves game at 7pm
Marlay House- Beer Dinner TBA

Thursday May 20th BSP- Civil Beer War * An epic battle between beers from the Union states and beers from the confederate states. Featuring a North Vs, South food pairing prepared by Head Chef Rian Tittle (Georgia) and Leons Head Chef Eric Ottensmeyer (Ohio) 5pm
Marlay House- Cask Tapping TBA

Friday May 21st BSP- Vintage Vault Night * Come taste selected vintage beers from our one of a kind beer cellar. 12 people will be randomly selected between 3pm and 5pm to join Beer Manager Lee Dickson for an exclusive "Clean out the Fridge" Party in our cellar from 5pm til 7pm
Marlay House- Meet the Brewer TBA

Saturday May 22nd BSP- Vertical Madness * Vertical tastings of several cellared beers available by the flight. Food pairings by Sous Chef Jeff Wallis. Farewell Cask tapping at 1pm
Marlay House- Beer vs Whiskey Night

St. Patrick's Day in Decatur

Cletus and I hit The Marlay House, formerly The Grange Public House, last year and was an absolute blast. Beautiful weather on the patio and the grassy area. This year, TMH will have Irish music, dancers and pipers in the afternoon with a DJ at night. Food specials with the usual Irish suspects on tap.

TMH will soon feature The Porterhouse Brewing Company's beer from Dublin- a first in the city. Also coming soon will be Stoudt's Pils, Founders Red's Rye, Southampton Biere de Mars, Bells Oberon

Twain's will be smacking their annual cask of Blarney Stout with Jameson oak chips. Last year's was creamy, roasty, with a nice dose of Irish whiskey.


And from the Brick Store Pub's website:

The first great event of the year... And certainly one of the biggest. Live Celtic music (4-7pm and 8-11pm) and traditional Irish Fare featuring Irish Stew, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Shepherd's Pie. Guinness,Victory Donnybrook, and Jameson will be flowing and we will also have some limited edition Rugby shirts available. SEE YOU AT THE PUB!

Back in Atlanta- Sierra Nevada Porter!

After a 4 year hiatus, the Sierra Porter is back in the Atlanta area on draft only. In Decatur, look for this at the Raging Burrito for only $3.60 a pint.

In the mid-1990s, this beer opened my eyes to the porter style of beer at the old Taco Mac in Sandy Springs (now Charlie Mopps). Dark brown in appearance, roasty body, moderately hopped and highly drinkable. You might remember this label as baby blue a few years ago, along with the yellow label for the stout which is missing from Georgia.

Some of my favorite bottled porters available here are made by Bell's & Founders. 5 Seasons Prado make a super creamy, nicely hopped version called Two Pence Porter. And note to Sweetwater- bring back Exodus Porter!

What to have in this Decatur blizzard?

Barrel Aged Yeti from Great Divide Brewing...why not? From the label:

This unique version of our monstrous Yeti Imperial Stout is aged for nine months in Stranahans Colorado Whiskey barrels and then bottle conditioned. The spirited aging process produces a hugely complex but mellowed Yeti, with its signature roasted flavors, hints of vanilla and oak, and a whiskeyed finish. Who says you can't tame a beast?

Soothing aroma of subtle sweet vanilla with a spicy whiskey vapor. Wonderfully carbonated with a lively espresso brown frothy head, that slowly dissolves into the blackness. Rich stouty flavor with all of the essentials- bitter dark chocolate, espresso & tobacco notes. This whiskey is certainly different from the other bourbon barrel aged stouts that I have had. Woody, spicy, herbal, tangy and moonshine hot! Somehow, this all plays together nicely in this beast of a glass.

Thanks to my good buddy JJ Fad for securing me two bottles of the 1104 produced. JJ enjoys Golden Tee, hiking around Denver and the occasional balloon ride.

Happy Belated Birthday LEONs!

Tuesday was LEONs 1st birthday so I wanted to share some pictures from 2008 soon after The Boys bought the building. Photos taken by Josh Vick @ Home Tour America...enjoy!

Firkin Madness/Orval Ambassador/Bruery Dinner

It's back-to-back-to-back Cask Ale tappage going on at the Brick Store Pub. These will be tapped concurrently, in no particular order:

Jurassain Imperial Stout (Cuvee Alex Le Rouge) 10%
RCH- Old Slug porter- 4.5%
Gwatkin- Norman Cider - cider- 7.5%
RCH- Santa Fe- Strong Ale- 7.3%
WinterCoat- Double Hop- Dbl IPA- 8.2%
Gwatkins- Golden Valley blend- cider - 6.0%

$5 for a 16oz pour (Alex Le Rouge will be $6)



BSP is now one of only 4 US pubs to be awarded the Orval Ambassador label! This award is based on presence, service & creativity. For more on this distinguished award, check this out:

http://www.orval.be/an/products/brewery/brewery6.ambassador.html



Lastly, mark your calendar The Bruery beer dinner, featuring owner/brewer Patrick Rue! The Bruery is based out of Orange County, CA and has quite the following amongst the beer geeks. There beers are truly all over the map, not limited to any particular style. Last year, The Bruery brewed a 20% Imperial Stout called Black Tuesday, which is one of the best IS I have ever had. The 20% was hidden so well that I had to limit myself to 4 ounces. I doubt that any BT will make it to the dinner on February 22, but you never know. 5 courses w 5 beers- $60

Correction- Larry Bell @ BSP Today 4pm

Not Tuesday as previously posted. Keg of HopSlam, Cask of Expedition Stout and a super rare keg of the Bell's & De Proef collaboration brew- Van Twee. This is the latest brew in the series of American brewers working with this tiny Belgian brewery. Lost Abbey's Tomme Arthur was the first, making an excellent Belgian-style Pale Ale called Signature Ale.
From what I have read about Van Twee, it is a Belgian-style porter with Michigan cherry juice. See you at 4pm today!

Welcome Founders Brewing!

A big welcome to Founders Brewing from Grand Rapids, Michigan! Founders follows Jolly Pumpkin & Bell's Brewing as the third brewery from this great brewing state. According to an email from Green's, 8 varieties are on the shelves including their super tasty Centennial IPA made with 100% Centennial hops. Cletus brought me back a stash of their Imperial Stout from Bruisin' Ales last month, and it is one of my go-to Imperial Stouts. This one is bitter and hoppy and ages extremely well. Be sure to throw a 4-pack or 3 in your closet and forget about them for a year or 5.

Breakfast Stout is a huge hit among the beer geeks and is A rated on BeerAdvocate with over 1300 reviews. Description from the site-
Brewed with flaked oats, bitter and sweetened imported chocolates, Sumatra and Kona coffee. 60 IBU. Starting in 2006, Breakfast Stout will be released yearly on the first Saturday following Thanksgiving.

A forgotten style among most craft breweries is the Porter and Founders makes one of the better styles. I reviewed this last year and gave it a solid A-

Lastly, be on the lookout for their #1 most sought after beer- Kentucky Breakfast Stout. A different beer from their Breakfast Stout, KBS aged in bourbon barrels for 1 year. I was not a fan at first, but now have developed a love for this huge flavored complex imperial stout. KBS, rated #7 on BeerAdvocate's Top 100, is released annually in February so get it while you can.

I'm sure your better Decatur pubs will have some Founders on tap and will update you later. UPDATE- Brick Store tapped Backwoods Bastard yesterday, A- with 480 reviews. This 10% Wee Heavy is perfect for these frigid temps!

January Hoppenings

Raging Burrito- Sierra Bigfoot 2008, recently tapped, $2.75 for a 10oz pour! Also on the Sierra front is the Belgian Trippel and the new Glissade Bock will be on tap Tuesday. On a recent visit, I spotted New Belgium 2 Below, Bell's Two Hearted, Highland Cold Mountain & Sweetwater Festive/Happy Ending/IPA and the others.

The Grange- Lots going on!
Jan 12- Sierra Nevada/Dogfish collaboration Life & Limb tapping! I am really surprised that there is a keg left of this highly acclaimed beer!

Also there will be an Ommegang beer dinner on Jan 20. 4 beers/4 courses $33

Jan 30- The Pub has been asked by "long-standing agricultural advocacy organization" to change it's name. Over the last few months, suggestions have been sublitted and the winnner will be named on the 30th. From The Grange facebook page- New pub name to be unveiled and winners to share their $500 in Renamed Grange cash. First pub in the City to have Magner’s (aka Bulmer’s for those who have visited Ireland) available for you Irish Cider over ice fans. Portion of proceeds from the night to benefit the Oakhurst Community Garden Project and Georgia Flooded Farms Relief Fund.

Twains has 5 tasty brews for the January cold: Hannibal Red, Stubborn River ESB, Hell for Society Stout, Mad Happy Pale Ale, and Gingerbread Brown Ale.

Brick Store Pub has 2 world-class events this month:
First, Larry Bell, the Bell in Bell's Brewery, will make an appearance bringing some HOPSLAM for the ride on Tuesday 01.19! HopSlam is released each year in January and is snapped up on the shelves by the beer geek. She is a 10% Double IPA with a nasty amount of hops topped off by a kiss of honey. As good as it gets. The Pub will have some tasty snacks in honor of Mr. Bell

On 01.21, meet the brewer of B.F.M. and I'll allow Dave to explain:
Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes, also known by the abbreviation BFM is a small artisanal brewery in Jura, Switzerland whose products, including barrel-aged beers, have drawn international acclaim.Founded in 1997 by Jerome Rebetez, who had formerly been trained as an oenologist, this tiny brewery has rapdibly become known for making beers that stretch traditional beer style guidelines and use unorthodox ingredients. Come on down to the pub and meet owner Jerome Rebetez and taste the rare cask offering He is bringing along! Food pairings as well as some vintage B.F.M. stuff will be available!

Lastly, a new Irish pub opened in the former Saba place on The Square named Mac McGee's. Here some banter from Decatur Metro
The food should be better than average, as Ryan Stewart will be manning the kitchen. Ryan was the former chef at The Glenwood & Eno. I look forward to checking this place out soon.