May 12, 2010

Do I look like my favorite beer?

*Thanks to the Cesar dog food company for that bit of brilliance.
Ever see those ads where the owners look like their dogs? No? Here's an example:




Well, this caused a moment of beverage contemplation. "Do we resemble our favorite drinks?" I asked myself "Do the effervescence, depth, gravity, color, aroma, origin, and/or history mirror our own?"

I put this idea to the test, and provide you with the following case studies, focusing specifically on those lovely libations of summer. You , my friend, can decide for yourself:


Case study 1: Darth & Black IPA

"Don't underestimate the Force...of the Black IPA"


Autumn: What is your favorite summer beer?
Darth: Black IPA...which, by the way, I prefer to think of as the Black 'IMPERIAL' Pale Ale.

A: What makes this your favorite summer time beer?

D: I find it relaxes me and allows me to be more uninhibited to use the force while talking to pretty girls. And it's black like the Emperor's eyes, we in the Empire love black.

A: Any good stories about Black IPA?
D: Ironically I had been working on a sixer of Northern Brewer's IPA kit that my Brew Droid had made. I was a little tipsy. I cut off Luke's hand. I really didn't want to do that since he's my son, but the kid just wasn't hearing his old man. Maybe I should have cut off his ears instead. Is that too dark? Ha, who am I kidding?

A: What kits would you recommend?

D: Black India Pale Ale (IPA)

A: What commercial beers would you recommend?
D: Southern Tier Inequity Imperial Black Ale

A: What are your 'runner up' summer drinks?
D: I would have to say grapefruit infused sparkling water, or perhaps a Shirley Temple.

A: Did you steal that hat from Captain Stubing?
D: If he could be turned, he would be a powerful ally.




Case study 2: Bart & Lefse Blonde


"I don't need this or this. Just this bottle. And this glass of Lefse Blonde.
The bottle and the glass of Lefse Blonde and that's all I need.
And this Norwegian flag."

Autumn: What is your favorite summer beer?
Bart: Lefse Blonde, eh.

A:
What makes this your favorite summer time beer?
B: It's, uh, refreshing, ya know? After a long hard day mowing the lawn and napping there's nothing that helps ya take a load off more than 3 or 4 session strength Belgian style ales.


A: Any good stories about Lefse Blonde?
B: Ya betcha: fishing. It was a perfect day out on da lake, da bass were hitting da top poppers like crazy, and Lefse was there ta see me through.

A: What kits would you recommend?
B: Da Lefse Blonde, da Dubbel
. Oh, an'da Tripel

A: What commercial beers would you recommend?
B: Leffe Blonde, La Trappe Blond, Westmalle Dubbel


A: What are your 'runner up' summer drinks?
B: Hefeweizen, but da REAL stuff.


Case study 3: Autumn & American Wheat


"Get your own!"

Autumn: What is your favorite summer beer?
Self: American Wheat. I call it Hefeweizen, and if you have a problem with that...whatever man. Its all good.

A:
What makes this your favorite summer time beer?
Self: American Wheat is the perfect summer beer. Fast to ferment, light, perfect with a wedge of lemon, and a lawn chair. And a sundress, if that's your thing. Fruit salad, sun warmed picnic blankets, sunburned shoulders, and American Wheat.

A: Any good stories about American Wheat?
Self: Well, self, I fell in love with this beer while living in Oregon. Widmer Hefeweizen is still one of my favorite beers, although I swear it tastes better sitting on a patio in Portland. My girl Sonja lived out there at the same time, and it is now an impossibility to go out for a beer with her and not order it if its on tap. With a wedge of lemon, of course. Have I mentioned the wedge of lemon?


A: How do you usually brew up American Wheat? All-grain? Extract?
Self: We usually brew this one extract as a staple beer, often kegging it directly from primary.

A: What kits would you recommend?
Self: American Wheat (extract), American Wheat (all-grain), T-Can & Bearcat's Wheaten Beatdown


A: What commercial beers would you recommend?
Self: Widmer Hefeweizen, Bell's Oberon, Lagunitas Little Sumpin'


A: What are your 'runner up' summer drinks?
Self: Where to start - summer cocktails. Yum. 1. Margarita (Milagro Silver, fresh lime juice, chunks of lime, Cointreau, over ice with a touch of water and salt). 2. Raspberry lemonade (Muddled mint leaves and fresh raspberries, Absolut Raspberry, fresh lemon juice, chunks of lemon, over ice with a touch of water). 3. Hendricks Gin and tonic with cucumber or lime. 4. Raspberry Horse's Neck (muddled raspberries, ginger ale, bitters, and Cognac, over ice)


Case study 4: Dawson & Saison

The Saison Turbinator


Autumn: What is your favorite summer beer?
Dawson: Saison.


A: What makes this your favorite summer time beer?
D: 1. Totally engrossing by itself; totally simpatico with bbq. 2. Tolerant of high fermentation temps. 3. Ages well - brew it in the summer, drink it all year.

A: Any good stories about Saison?
D: I brewed a strong Saison while my wife was pregnant to celebrate our daughter's impending birth; we've still got a couple bottles left, and it's aged very, very well - lean, dry, pungently aromatic but no spices ... the beer/child are both going on 2.

A: How do you usually brew up your beer? All-grain? Extract?
D: Either/or/both. Yeast and fermentation temp are key.

A:
What kits would you recommend?
D: Petite Saison d'Ete, Saison, Biere de Garde (but swap the yeast for WLP565)


A: What commercial beers would you recommend?
D: Saison Dupont, Saison de Pipaix, Fantome

A: What are your 'runner up' summer drinks?

D: Toss up between Bavarian Hefeweizen and your basic American Pale Ale.


Case Study 5: Jesse & Perry


"Hello my summery pear friend."

Autumn: What is your favorite summer beer?
Jesse: Not a beer. Perry.

A:
What makes this your favorite summer time beer...Um, I mean Perry?
J: No hops. Not just another cider.

A: What kits would you recommend?
J: Vinoka Pear Cider (currently unavailable)

A: What commercial beers would you recommend?
J: Williams Sir Perry

A: What is your 'runner up' summer drink?
J: American Whiskey

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