TWIB – Homebrews, Hefeweizens and Time Travel

This Week in Beer (TWIB) is a feature where I’ll highlight some craft beers I had during this past week mixed with some related (and unrelated) thoughts. Yes, it’s a play on the name of the show This Week in Baseball which I grew up on and loved.

This week in beer was a homebrew and entertainment filled one. Had a friend’s homebrew, tried my newest homebrew for the first time and went to the ballpark.

Boeser Brau’s American Pilsner Homebrew

Even though I’m a homebrewer (yes, a new homebrewer but regardless) I haven’t had many other people’s homebrews outside of my own. He put mine to shame! I absolutely loved everything about this beer. From the golden, yellow color to the crisp Pilsner taste, keep up the great work, Scott!

21st Amendment Bitter American

There’s a new movie theater by me called the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema where they serve you dinner, beer, popcorn, etc. at your seat (pretty cool, right?). So my wife and I went to check it out on Friday and saw Gatsby. We got their carnivore pizza which I’ll rate a 9 out of 10, their chips with queso dip which I’ll give a 6 out of 10 and their popcorn — usual awesome theater popcorn. I also ordered a 21st Amendment Bitter American. I’ve had this before and it’s one of my go-to beers. It’s light, flavorful, low in alcohol at 4.4% and has some badass artwork like all the 21st Amendment cans. The theater itself serves many local beers — Starr Hill, Lost Rhino, Williamsburg Alewerks, DC Brau and more. It also has a bar inside called Glass Half Full Taproom. We poked out heads in and it looks cozy. Full bar with beer reasonably priced.

One more thing! This is in the new One Loudoun development and it looks like a Bar Louie going in soon. I’ve been to the one downtown and I can’t wait for one to be here.

TWIB – 1 giant duck vs 1,000 ducks

This Week in Beer (TWIB) is a new feature where I’ll highlight some craft beers I had during this past week mixed with some related (and unrelated) thoughts. Yes, it’s a play on the name of the show This Week in Baseball which I grew up on and loved.

This week was a huge one for me professionally. It was the last week at the job I’ve been at for nearly four years. It felt like I was graduating college all over again, but all alone. Needless to say, I was taken out a lot this week to celebrate.

Victory Golden Monkey

I got to enjoy this beer with one of my good friends and now ex-coworker Scott who runs Boeser Brau. I recommended it to him and once I saw him have it I got jealous and ordered one of my own. This 9.5% ABV Belgian-style Tripel packs a flavorful punch but you can still taste the subtleties of the spices used. Awesome beer — try it if you haven’t.

The Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout

Long-story short, this is my absolute favorite beer. It’s not the best milk stout I’ve ever had but I know it’s brewed somewhat nearby in Farmville, NC and I have a rich history with it. It really turned me on to trying new beers, especially darker ones, after the first time I had it. It still is a staple of my beer diet many years later. If you won’t try it because I’m telling you to, will you at least try it because of their badass logo?

I heard this on the Scott Van Pelt Show months back but still think of this question whenever I come across anything to do with a duck. Which would you rather fight — one duck that’s the size of 1,000 ducks or 1,000 regular-size ducks? My answer to the question later.

April Dirty Thirty Day 3 – RJ Rockers Bald Eagle Brown Ale

Day three brings us…

RJ Rockers Bald Eagle Brown

RJ Rockers Bald Eagle Brown Ale

Critical Information:

• 5.6% ABV
• Available Year-round

My Experience:

– POUR

Poured from bottle into snifter (I think — can someone confirm from the picture??). Lots of head on this one. Minimal carbonation. Dark brown color that you can almost see through.

– SMELL

I snort the head into my nostrils and get lots of chocolatey-malt goodness. Then cough. It’s worth it. I can also sense some caramel and earthiness.

– TASTE

It has a soft touch to the palate and the chocolate and maltiness really comes through. After you swallow the flavors dance around for a few seconds before easing away.

– MOUTHFEEL

Despite the dark color and stylistic norms of a brown ale, this one is very light and airy. It’s not crisp like a pilsner but definitely one of the lighter brown ales I’ve had. I wouldn’t chug this beer but big gulps shouldn’t be shied away from.

– FOOD PAIRING

Roasted duck with white rice and soy sauce, one of my wife’s favorites, would go great with this. I think duck tastes great with anything though. I could do a burger with this as well. Side note — if you live near Leesburg and haven’t been to Melt yet, stop reading this, get in the car and go. If it’s in the middle of the night bring a six-pack and tailgate outside until they open. Yeah, it’s that good.