Twitter and Flickr-
The streams for this blog seem to have issues. Hopefully the source of the problem will determined soon.
Community Blog?
As you can see, I am making changes to the blog. My goal is for the site to be a primary reference for the Nashville beer scene. I am thinking along the lines of an "Ale Street News" concept, but with a primary focus on Nashville. In order to do that, I would need the help of other beer enthusiasts in the area. Would anyone be interested in being a guest or staff blogger for site? I can easily set up permissions and log-ins. Entries can be on any of the following:
Smitty
- Craft beer reviews
- Place reviews
- Homebrewing
- Food and Beer pairing (any chefs?)
- Distribution
- Industry news
- Interviews with brewers
Smitty
New Belgium Hoptober- Beer Review
Yes folks, I just posted a review not too long ago. What gives? I wanted to post my thoughts on New Belgium Hoptober before it's off the shelves until next year. This seems to be getting scarce. I should have reviewed and posted earlier. Oh well.
New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale -
New Belgium Brewing Inc.- Fort Collins, CO
Description: Five hops and four malts make Hoptober Golden Ale a veritable cornucopia of earth. Pale and wheat malt are mashed with rye and oats to create a medium-bodied ale with creamy mouth feel. Centennial, Cascade, Sterling, Willamette and Glacier hops form a bonfire of citrus notes, fruity cheers and a bold finale. ABV: 6% 40 IBU Available in 6-packs and on draught ABV- 6%
Smitty's Review: Sampled at about 45 degrees. Pours golden with a white head and webby lacing. Nice aroma of lemon and floral hops. Refreshing mouth feel, with a body that is the lighter side of medium. The malt profile is a nice melding of pale Belgian wheat malts, rye, and biscuit countered by a bold but not overdone citrus and herbal hoppiness. Bitter finish with grassy and grapefruit rind notes. This is a great session beer with lots of depth. A fairly hoppy beer, which seems to be out of character for this brewery (not that there is anything wrong with that). I like the fusion of American rye pale ale with the Belgian golden ale traits. This exceeded my expectations, so much that I tried to buy another six. I came home empty handed after looking at two local Krogers! Is Nashville slowly developing a taste for hoppy beers? Hmmmmm.......
Rating*: 9 out of 10
Recommended Food Pairing: White cheeses (Montery /Pepper Jack, Chihauhua), Grilled Shellfish, Chicken, Tilapia
Value: Average to Good ($8-9 per six)
Beer Audience: Craft beer drinkers (as long as they can tolerate a moderate level of hop bitterness)
Where To Buy: Craft beer stores and grocery stores that carry the New Belgium line.
* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)
New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale -
New Belgium Brewing Inc.- Fort Collins, CO
Description: Five hops and four malts make Hoptober Golden Ale a veritable cornucopia of earth. Pale and wheat malt are mashed with rye and oats to create a medium-bodied ale with creamy mouth feel. Centennial, Cascade, Sterling, Willamette and Glacier hops form a bonfire of citrus notes, fruity cheers and a bold finale. ABV: 6% 40 IBU Available in 6-packs and on draught ABV- 6%
Smitty's Review: Sampled at about 45 degrees. Pours golden with a white head and webby lacing. Nice aroma of lemon and floral hops. Refreshing mouth feel, with a body that is the lighter side of medium. The malt profile is a nice melding of pale Belgian wheat malts, rye, and biscuit countered by a bold but not overdone citrus and herbal hoppiness. Bitter finish with grassy and grapefruit rind notes. This is a great session beer with lots of depth. A fairly hoppy beer, which seems to be out of character for this brewery (not that there is anything wrong with that). I like the fusion of American rye pale ale with the Belgian golden ale traits. This exceeded my expectations, so much that I tried to buy another six. I came home empty handed after looking at two local Krogers! Is Nashville slowly developing a taste for hoppy beers? Hmmmmm.......
Rating*: 9 out of 10
Recommended Food Pairing: White cheeses (Montery /Pepper Jack, Chihauhua), Grilled Shellfish, Chicken, Tilapia
Value: Average to Good ($8-9 per six)
Beer Audience: Craft beer drinkers (as long as they can tolerate a moderate level of hop bitterness)
Where To Buy: Craft beer stores and grocery stores that carry the New Belgium line.
* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)
Blog Updates
I have been on a mission to find a blog template that I like. So far I have not been able to find one. However, I was getting sick of the old scheme, so I have changed the header and made some changes to the fonts/color scheme. I have also added some new "gadgets" so that readers have more reasons to frequent the blog. There is now a photostream, which will feature my beer related photos. I also have the ability to upload photos from my Iphone.
At the recommendation of The Beer Snob, I set up a Twitter account. This way I can send news feeds or "tweets" about what I am drinking, new beers on the shelves, or beer events.
Cheers
Smitty
At the recommendation of The Beer Snob, I set up a Twitter account. This way I can send news feeds or "tweets" about what I am drinking, new beers on the shelves, or beer events.
Cheers
Smitty
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