Better Late Than Never

Fourth of July was a good day. Went to some festival in Greensburg with Tom and the family, then came home for fire and brews. We picked up a case of Troegs Nut Brown Ale. It made for a pretty good evening. There was a kid hopped up on vicodin that had brain surgery earlier in the week. We had some wicked steak hoagies from a place called Sharon's in Blairsville. Total dive, but goddamn, that food was excellent.



Overall this was a pretty good session beer. The overall flavor was pretty mild, and typical of a nut brown. Good malt finish with a slightly bitter taste left in your mouth. It was good cold out of the fridge and warmed up at the bottom of the bottle.

Tonight I had one bottle leftover from that evening and poured it out for a refreshing after work beverage. It poured a deep brown with a light brown head. I wish I had more than one left. It didn't really have any stand out flavors, but all in all it was a solid beer. Tasty and refreshing. If you like the flavor of a nut brown, then you'd probably enjoy this beer.

Beer, beer and more beer.

I'm new to this beer game. Not new to alcohol or beer itself, just the act of tasting beer rather than just drinking it. There is a difference, and any fool who says that Natty Light is their favorite beer isn't aware of it. Then, at the opposite spectrum, you have to watch out for the beer snobs who won't even look sideways at a Pabst Blue Ribbon or any other macro. It's really all about your surroundings. Sometimes I want an imperial stout so thick it's like syrup in my mouth, and others I just want to pound some brews and get drunk with my boys.

The beer game is all about balancing things out. There is a time and a place for everything. At times I feel myself drifting toward the snobbish realm, but then I'll have an I.C. Light with my pops and come back to my senses.

I'm still green and developing my palate. A year ago I tried an imperial stout only to find it undrinkable. I just could not handle it. Going online to see what others thought was a rude awakening. On Beer Advocate it received an A rating. It was then I knew how much I had to learn.

I love beer. I love trying new beers, and I love drinking old favorites. I always love trying new ones. There are so many to choose from that I'll often stand for five or ten minutes in front of the coolers figuring out what adventure I am planning on taking this time. With so many choices, I can only grow as a beer drinker. My palate is still developing. I can enjoy a more hoppy beer without cringing. I can weigh the hop and malt notes. I still can't distinguish plenty of flavors and more subtle tastes. Hopefully it'll all come with time. And if it doesn't, I'll still enjoy drinking as many beers as I can get my hands on. This is a lifelong game, and I intend to win.