Twas the night after Thanksgiving and all through the bar
The patrons were drinking from near and from far
The handles were hung by the beer taps with care
In hopes that good tippers soon would be there
The reg’lars were nestled all snug on their stools
While cursing the college kids who all were such tools
I wore no kerchief but I wore a cap
And had just settled down for a beer from the tap
When down toward the taps there arose such a clatter
I asked the barback to see what was the matter
A draft had just kicked and he ran in a dash
To change out a keg, which he did in a flash
The dim light shone barely but I saw from the glow
That the barback emerged with a tap from below
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But Anchor Christmas ‘09 - their seasonal beer!
With barely a pause, I ordered so quick
A pint of that bad boy - my annual pick
I took my first whiff and a sip without shame
And from those impressions my beer review came:
On raisins! On dark malts! On chocolate on the nose!
On deep tones of licorice on the tongue as it flows!
This top-notch ale gave my senses a ball!
Now drink away, drink away, drink away all!
Grade: A-
2 notes
Originally Posted By fatmanatee
I didn’t forget about the third beer I got. I ended up falling asleep and forgetting to post it. Woof.
That can happen after drinking an imperial stout.
NYC bar fined for selling "illegal" craft beer
While the law is clear and the bar clearly broke it by transporting out-of-state beer in for a special event, the law is absolutely ridiculous. New York’s State Liquor Authority is treating this as though it was beer that didn’t meet the state’s standards - some rogue beer made from illegal ingredients. It’s the same beer sold in other states, and taxes are collected on the beer just the same as from any other beer.
So why was the bar fined? Because the beer isn’t licensed to be sold in New York State. Why? Because Spotted Cow would have to fork out registration fees of $150 per beer style, wholesaler fees of $1,500 per year, and put up $10,000 in bond just to sell their beer in New York. The big boys of craft brewing - your Magic Hats, Victories, Harpoons - can pony up this money easily. But this fee structure puts small breweries from out-of-state at a distinct disadvantage. That’s why this bar went out of its way to provide a small, well-crafted beer to its patrons - to show support and loyalty to a small brewer while giving its patrons a small taste of home.
Meet one of my favorite new breweries
Pretty Things, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Creative brews, clever names, funky labels, and a great story to boot.
You can find them in Boston, New York, Syracuse, and Philly right now. Get on this stuff.
The Habitat in Brooklyn, NY has a solid beer selection and a great atmosphere.
Originally Posted By thisiswhyyourefat
Butterbeer
Ale boiled with butter, sugar, an egg yolk and topped with a whipped cream and nutmeg.
Blasphemy. But bravo to TIWYF’s first-ever beer post!
Things that seem unnecessary: ads on pint glasses. But hey, if it keeps more great bars open, I’m all for it.
Stop #2 on the Philly trip is Nodding Head Brewery, where I’m taking their IPA, the Bill Payer Ale for a spin. A pleasantly floral, sweet aroma, and an equally pleasant hoppy taste with citrus notes and a clean but slightly watery finish. Nothing offensive in this simple, but very well done beer from this quirky joint in Center City Philadelphia that’s chock full of bobblehead dolls.
Grade: A-
Nothing like a big beer like Smuttynose’s Big “A” IPA to get the weekend started. Light golden pour, pale head with heavy lacing. Sweet, citrusy but not overpoweringly hoppy aroma. Crisp at first, but then buttery with a big hop finish. I would almost call this beer “tangy.”
Grade: B+
