Capt Keith's Beer Blog

Matt does it again in KC. He is bringing you the best the market can offer up in the form of liquid gold. This Monday – January 18th he will tap the bung on a Cask of Hopslam.

Hopslam is a seasonal, high-gravity American Double/Imperial IPA from Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, Mich., and is only available from Jan. 7 through February each year.

The casks will be tapped starting at 7 p.m. Tell your friends, write your momma and bring the kids if you must. Don’t miss this rare chance to taste this “biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale.”

A buddy of mine at Dogfish Head sent me a great little gift package over the holidays. It contained many of their big beers that he had been cellaring. Thanks dude!

Last night, it was bone-chilling cold in Dallas, so I lit a fire and poured myself an ‘05 Oak Aged Immort Ale. This is a strong ale around 11% abv..

Classify this beer as a Strong Ale or Barleywine – doesn’t really matter. Call me crazy, but I am not a huge fan of Oak Aged Beer. Well, I may be now. But, more often than not, its a whiskey barrel and the beer tastes a lot like the whiskey, which strangely enough (being a Food and Beverage director for 15 years) I have never really developed a palate for… Beer is my drink of choice – a regulator – I get full or sleepy before things go south.

This beer pours a deep amber – burnt orange with a nice tan head that fades. The aroma is complex with some peat, vanilla, maple or caramel and just a touch of alcohol. The mouthfeel is velvety smooth and lingers well after the beer goes down. I like it’s smooth texture and range of flavor, plus it warms the belly. A few sips in and I’m relaxed and very pleased with this beer. The toffee and vanilla flavors were most pronounced. This beer was a special ‘05 vintage and I am sure it gets better every year. I just couldn’t wait any longer. Most big beers just drink better after a year or so – 120 IPA comes to mind… I’ll save that one a few years more.

Looking forward to my next beer – will it be Burton Baton or World Wide Stout? It was Burton Baton – more on that later. I gave the World Wide Stout to Marc in Fort Worth. I think he likes the Dogfish.

It is that time of year if you are near Columbia, South Carolina.

Our friends at All About Beer Magazine are hosting the 2nd Annual World Beer Festival at the convention center just around the corner from the Flying Saucer. I attended last year and there were many world class beers available and all of the usual suspects. Belgian ales are plentiful, local craft breweries are eager to give you a taste of their love for the art and many of the major craft players will be on hand to taste you on their special line up.

Smuttynose was a favorite of mine last year – look for Kevin Love when  you hit their booth – he is knowledgeable and passionate about his beers. The Smuttynose IPA was a fantastic example of the style and I recommend it. Look forward to trying a Barleywine this year. Hope they bring one.

Attend one of the beer lectures if you get the chance. Greg Glaser’s presentation is very well done and extremely informative and they pass out beer for you to taste as you go along. There should be several opportunities and I thoroughly enjoyed them last year.

The Flying Saucer will have a booth set up with merchandise and some of the folks from our local chapter. Ted from Austin will be on hand as well as Jeff from Raleigh. The Saucer is hosting a Brewers Dinner with beers on Friday night which could be an opportunity to talk beer with those who make it. Come by the Saucer after your session to warm up and have a killer beer with us. See you there!

3 Amigos Drinking Rogue Ale with Jim