January In Review

So a little bit of December bled into the beginning of January but it has been a fun month. I just wanted to take a look back and see where I had fun and what I truly enjoyed.I did 27 post this month, not counting this one. That is pretty big. Though, I was all over the place at the start of this blog. I am now finally "settled".



I only brewed twice this month, two 5 gallon batches, but they were both special beers. Ok, so I actually did a Mr Beer Kit as well, but that is for an upcoming post in a few days. I just wanted to get my tasting notes into there as well... I don't image it being pretty but lets talk about some good beers.

Pirates Booty, a Robust Oaked Rum Porter that some of the spent grain ended up being turned into Doggy Biscuits.

Also, my unnamed Flanders Red. This sour hopefully turns out good and last the test of time so that it will grow along with the little one for a number of years.

I will post further updates on those as they progress in the fermentation and aging process. I posted about Santa Berry as well.

This month I also wrote two non-beer reviews. A great Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and a great Shiraz, Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz. One was kind of beer related but, you know. Still not the same.

I got sent a couple of Beers From Home this year, Silver City St Florian IPA & Fremont Interurban IPA. I actually got a bottle of The Dissident from Deschutes as well, but that is for a review I am writing up after April about Conflux No. 1: Collage. I wish I was into beer before I left Washington, but I guess that gives me more to look forward to when I do go back.

I've done my second Side By Side comparison, The Lost Abbey Mo Betta Bretta vs New Belgium Brett Beer, and I am trying to put together quite a few more. Just need to figure out what beers should be a part of it. The first being Allagash White vs Blue Moon.

I got my first taste of Jolly Pumpkin this month, Calabaza Blanca. Even though I was not a fan there are several others I want to find and try. I got some great suggestions so I hope to find those soon.

And to finish things off, in Alphabetical order, my

Top Beers Of The Month:
Epic Fermentation Without Representation
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter.
Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine
New Belgium La Folie
Sierra Nevada Narwhal

This seems to have been a big month. I can only imagine what is ahead of me in my Beer-Ventures.

Cheers!

Calabaza Blanca

For Beermas this year I had got my first Jolly Pumpkin beer ever, Calabaza Blanca. I know, right? Or are they not as popular as I seem to think? Nonetheless, they have amazing label art for most of their beers. This one was no exception. I am glad the sticker peeled off of the bottle easily, because now that is permanently part of my bar.



A few things made me wonder about this beer. The description the brewery gave for it,

Calabaza Blanca, an artisan white ale brewed in Belgian's biere blanche tradition. Spiced with orange peel and coriander, you'll find it refreshingly tart, with a wonderfully dry finish. A year round favorite for sure!

and, well, just curiosity for beers I have not had before.



This white ale is dominated by murky, earthy yeast and oranges in the nose. A little sourness can be smelled too. Oranges in the taste with a little spicy tartness. Tangy in the finish. They say it's barrel aged. I think there is a bit of that in the finish but other than that I cannot detect it... and that is me reaching. Though, I wonder why in this day and age you would barrel age a white ale? This beer finishes really dry and the citrus is left lingering. It isn't that bad when you aren't thinking about it but you want to wash it down when you are.

Overall, I was not a fan. A bit too much that I could not get behind. I guess Jolly Pumpkin is currently 0 for 1 in my book but they have more for me to try. At least I got a cool sticker for my bar!

Cheers!