Time For Some International Trade

Given the state of the global economy (no thanks to the banks, brokerage houses, short sellers, junkies, winos, caucasians, politicians and everyone else in the world) I have decided to try to spur on international trade on my own. Seems that the good majority of the blogs about beer that I follow are written from the eastern side of the Atlantic, and there is a certain lack of availability of certain American beers on the continent. Conversely, I find myself completely at sea (although very welcome for the eye-opener) when it comes to many of the beers mentioned in the Euro-centric blogs, almost all of which are unavailable here in the states. 

Therefore, I propose something of a beer swap between continents (and I know there's a certain Irishman who's dying for a Goose) to further the expansion of beer education, foster some international trade, and get good and pissed from - I mean learn about - beers which I have no current knowledge of. Send me a list of your wants and possible swap suggestions, and I'll respond likewise.  I think it was Ron Pattinson that I first read mention of de Molen, and now I look for it in every beer store I enter.

Anyhow, that's my proposition. I know of one taker so far, so feel free to shoot me your thoughts.

F(l)at Tire

Well, the Fat tire clone I had done is now in kegs, but it seems at first (and second) glance that either ProMash has some difficulty with their color scale or I am just using the completely wrong malts. While formulating this recipe (from an established recipe, I might add) it seemed I was a bit weak on the color, so I added a WEE bit of debittered black malt. Doesn't really add to the bitterness but is great for adjusting color. Seems now my amber ale is more of a brown ale. Oh well, guess I'll just have to adjust for the next time. I've got 5 gallons carbonating naturally and about a gallon and a half being forced, so we'll leave the side-by-side tastings for another post.

Beer Blogs

So this blogging thing has really opened up my eyes (and brain) to quite an array of opinions and thoughts on beer, not to mention beer I've never even heard of before. Just goes to show how very little I know about the subject. If you want to read a guy who really knows his stuff, try either Tandleman or Ron Pattinson. These guys really know their stuff, and they're pretty entertaining to boot, although they both reside on the other side of the pond. There are plenty more out there as well. Once you start looking, you find more and can't stop.

Good Beer, Good Times

We took the crew down to North Avenue Beach today to watch the Red Bull Flugtag, and afterwards were obviously a bit parched, so we headed over to Uncommon Ground at Clark & Grace, unfortunately in Wrigleyville. Sox/Cubs aside, the food at this joint is always first class, as is their wait staff, and they have some of THE best beers on their menu. I had a great Two Brothers Farmhouse, and the wife had the Left Hand Milk Stout. She's had a thing lately for the milk stouts, and it's obviously the lactose that really does it for her. I wonder if I could add some to the upcoming oatmeal stout brew?

Anyway, last night we settled on some Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald porters, but killed them off, so tonight it's Bell's Porter. I can't tell you how happy I am that Larry Bell is once again distributing in Illinois.