Booze...in 200 Words or Less: Victory Brewing Company Saison du BUFF

Victory Saison Du BUFF
Was at Whole Foods - near childrens' play area of all places - when I spied cases of this collaborative beer with Stone and Dogfish Head being stored. Asked personnel if they new when it would be available. They didn't. Checked website two days later. There it was, not only in bottles, but also ON DRAFT! Grabbing my growler, I headed out for a fill-up! The growler guy was a real winner. Here, I thought there was just one version of the beer, but it turns out that the esteemed breweries collaborated on the recipe, and then all three were able to go off and use the ingredients in the way they saw fit. After tasting this, I would be very excited to taste the Stone and Dogfish Head versions - Stone being a brewer that I would see as superior to Victory and Dogfish Head being one that I would probably describe as inferior by a slim margin. Victory's features some seriously dry, piney notes; a rustic, wheaty, almost flowery scent; and a picture-perfect golden color. Drinks like a light (yet complex), smooth specimen, but packs a fairly serious punch.
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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Growler Wars: Sly Fox vs. Uinta

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.

Sly Fox Royal Weisse
This beer, which is available in cans (which kind of rules), features a cloudy golden color and a head that dissipates alarmingly quickly, which makes you fear that the beer could be a little flat. But don't be alarmed! Unless you are buying from a rather shady distributor, it should be fine. It's got a fragrant, spicy scent and all the earmarks of a classic Belgian. There's also a hint of orange. Smooth without being overly light.

Uinta Hop Notch IPA
Pours a persistent head and features a subtle hoppy scent. The color lands somewhere between a golden and an amber. The hops are perhaps a bit understated and the finish isn't as clean as would be desired. Can taste notes of grapefruit underneath, but overall the effect is a bit murky. While it isn't watered down, it's missing something that would make it pop.

The Winner
When I do these things, the IPA is always going to have a leg up. I am simply an IPA man. However, the Sly Fox offering was clearly the better beer in this case. With the brewery's goat race event coming up quick, it's a good reminder of how effective their product can be. I will certainly make it a priority to taste one on May 6.
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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Flying Fish Grand Cru Winter Reserve

Flying Fish Grand Cru Winter Reserve
When you consider that I spent many years as a resident of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, it's probably a bit surprising that I have never visited Cherry Hill's Flying Fish Brewery. Gotta get it on the itinerary. It's a classic Belgian with citrusy notes. Lighter than legends Chimay or Ommegang.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Terrapin Beer Company Rye Pale Ale

Terrapin Beer Company Rye Pale Ale
When I tasted this Georgia-based product, I didn't tilt the growler and send the contents on its merry way down the drain's abyss. No. I finished it with smile on face. And yet, it was missing something. A distinctive flavor. A memorable aspect. It was an average beer. Period.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Doctoberfest

Brewed as an homage to the best sports "bolg" of all time, this second #ZWRBEER is an easy drinking pumpkinesque beer from brewing mastermind, Vince of Iron Hill Brewery in North Wales, PA. Pleasing amber color with definite notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Definitely growler worthy.
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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Southern Tier Harvest Ale

Southern Tier Harvest Ale
Found this to be short on flavor. There's a bit of a hoppy, flowery feel, yet it seemed to be a bit flat. Despite the fact that there was not much to tickle the tastebuds, it did manage to generate somewhat of a lingering, funky aftertaste. Feel free to skip.

How much does your toddler really understand?

Now that the nibble is 20 months old, the hubby and I are beginning to realize that we have to censor ourselves a bit more. And not just in the obvious we-don't-want-him-repeating-the-f-word sort of way either.

What I wouldn't give to find out exactly how much of our daily conversations he actually understands. He's extremely social and has always attempted to participate in our discussions - laughing when we laugh, making the same facial expressions and hand gestures, and chiming in with a few strings of babble. I remember when the hubby left the house headed over to Chap's at 8 a.m. for his free growlers on April Fool's Day (yes, that was a joke) and I couldn't stop laughing from the second he locked the door until he called me realizing it was a joke. The nibble couldn't have possibly known what was going on, but he laughed the entire time too. And that just made me laugh harder.

Growler Wars: Sixpoint vs. Weyerbacher

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.

Sixpoint Bengali Tiger IPA
A very hoppy IPA with a floral - almost citrusy - scent. A crystal-clear, golden appearance leads to an easy finish with no hint of an aftertaste. The rare beer that would be just as suitable either with the leaves falling or the sun shining brightly. Simply a sterling selection by the "other brewery" from Brooklyn.

Growler Wars: Dogfish Head vs. Manayunk Brewing Company

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.


Dogfish Head Raison D'etre
Very strong taste upon first sip. Has a bit of a Belgian feel to it, but not exactly as clear as a Chimay or an Ommegang. Has a little bit of a stale scent to it. Doesn't go down as easy as I would like. Almost seems a bit bitter. All in all, not my favorite Dogfish Head beer.

Props Out: Mark, the Chap's Bartender

What makes a good bartender?

To answer this, let me relay a scenario that I experienced when I recently visited our local beer go-to, Chap's Taproom:

I needed some beer for a family get-together. So I grabbed a growler and headed to Chap's. I figured I'd grab one of the $10 specials that they run on a regular basis. Upon perusing the list, I saw that Sly Fox Pikeland Pils was on the menu so I decided to settle upon that sure-fire winner. The bar was a little crowded for a Sunday, so it was taking the gal behind the bar a minute to get to me. A guy asked me how much beer one of the growler holds. I said "64 ounces, about five beers." And then I got scared because I don't like to get into conversations with strangers at bars. I immediately envision them trying to get close to me so they can jack me flash-mob style in the parking lot. It was right at that moment that I heard a voice from behind me: It was Mark, the Chap's bartender. He was evidently working the front desk on this day, but he took the time to greet me and save me from the random who was all in my business. Seeing that the bartendress was busy, he took the initiative to ask me what I was having and then he went ahead and began the lengthy pour. While the growler was filling, he pointed me to an interesting promotion. They are calling it the Battle of the Imperial IPAs, and the standoff is between Dogfish Head 90 Minute and Bear Republic Apex. Seeing that they were selling them for $2 per flight glass, I said that they should run something where they sell you both flights for three bucks so you can drink and compare simultaneously. He said that sounded like a lovely idea and that he was going to run it by the management. I felt very proud of this suggestion. Then I noticed that they were selling a Lagunitas beverage on draft. Being a major fan of Lagunitas right now (Little Sumpin Sumpin is epic), I asked him how this beer - Lucky 13, was its name - tasted. Wouldn't you know he let me come behind the bar and put my head under the tap for some quick consumption? Just kidding! That would be stealing, but it makes for a funny image, doesn't it? In any event, during our pleasant conversation, the growler concluded its fill-up. Get this: He checks it out, sees that it isn't quite up to the top, and makes sure that I get a completely filled container. After this, he gives me my check, I give him a very decent tip for his efforts, we said our goodbyes, and we both went about the rest of our day.

Top Ten Thoughts I Had While Sitting in the Bar by Myself for Ten Minutes

1) "Ok, where should I sit? Alright, that looks like a good spot. No. It's totally wrong. There needs to be at least three seats open so I can sit in the middle. I don't want to encourage anyone to talk to me. That would be completely idiotic."

2) "Is it wrong to be this excited about getting myself a growler of Troegs Mad Elf? Seriously! I feel like a kid about to open his Christmas gifts or something! But does it make me an alkie?"

3) "OK, so getting the Mad Elf growler doesn't make me an alkie! It's just a really good beer! Hoping it's a slow pour so I can finsih a pint of Ballast Point Big Eye IPA while I wait? Maybe."

4) "I wonder if these people think I am a psycho or something because I'm sitting here by myself? Well, I'm a 34-year-old man wearing a shirt with the Nestle Quik rabbit on it. Of course they do!"

5) "Maybe I should just talk to someone about the weather or the Phillies or something. How about these people to my left? Oh wait, they are both women. I am married and contractually not allowed to talk to human beings with breasts. How about this guy to my right? No, I can't talk to him! He might think I am hitting on him, or, more importantly, that I am someone who is actually interested in his drunken ramblings. Let me just stare at this beer menu instead and maybe they won't think I'm waiting for a hooker to show up."

6) "How long can you stare at a beer menu before you look like a total booze fiend? At this point, I have picked it up and put it down something like 15 times. I've memorized the alcohol by volume of Budweiser, MGD, and Coors Light. Someone take this thing away from me!"

7) "Maybe I will just look at my cell phone for a minute. It's a handy tool. Makes it look like you are just waiting for someone to come and join you. Would it be odd if I had, maybe, a fake conversation on it? I guess that's a little crazy? Oh wait, it's actually ringing now. It's the wife wondering where I'm at! Better put that away. I told her I was getting dog food."

8) "I guess I will just stare at the Phillies game on the TV. NO! I can't do that!!! People will wonder why I didn't just stay home and watch it. 'Oh, he had to come out here because there is beer here! He couldn't just drink Dr. Pepper or something!! WHAT AN ALKIE!!!' Plus, there is the fact that they are totally being humiliated by Tim Lincecum."

9) "The jukebox is an option. It's like ten minutes, right? I could play five Ramones songs in that amount of time. Plus, I always look cool and intense while looking at a jukebox. 'Wow, look at how long it is taking him to decide! He must really like interesting, obscure, inaccessible music! I want his CD collection!' No one would ever think that I was an beer-guzzling psycho with an affinity for shooting up local pubs and shirts with cocoa-loving, lactose-tolerant cartoon characters on them!"

10) "Sh*t! Here's the bartender with my growler! Do I have time for one more beer? I can go to the car and get a book to pretend to read."

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale
Rough weekend for dieting. Yesterday, it was a Chap's burger followed by a late-night Domino's Pizza (sorry! they stay up late!). Today, we had Chinese for dinner. Tasty, with review to come! And, oh yeah, this beverage straight out the Chap's growler. Refreshing enough. Not transcendent. Still hits the spot.