Victory Golden Monkey isn't worth its weight in gold

David, Lindsey and I are ending a whirlwind of house warming and birthday parties with some pints of malty goodness at Beachwood on Washington, which boasts a new menu by Roy Choi, the chef behind the Kogi trucks. Unfortunately I'm too full with cake and mac & cheese (did somebody just call me a fat kid?) to try the new stuff, but I still have room in my beer compartment for a tripel from Pennsylvania brewery Victory.

The yeasty aroma drowns out any other smells pretty well. The body is sweet but still pretty yeasty. I'm not picking up the complexity - spice, fruit, etc - that I was hoping for. The flavors are pretty restrained. I like the idea of magical golden monkeys and I'm enjoying drinking this at 11:45pm, but it's not particularly grabbing my attention. ARMAGEDDON rating.

For an outro, I'm adding an unnecessarily long (30 secs) of Beechwood's calming blue fire to ease your afternoon. Shalom. Hakuna Matata

Bruery Batch 300 is a homebrewer's Independence Day

Batch 300 is the winner of The Bruery's homebrew competition last Spring and David has been singing its praises around the house. Style wise, it's an interesting beer; a Belgian style ale brewed with citra hops and aged in oak cubes, i.e. an Oak Aged hoppy Tripel. Lov'n it. I'm also loving the witty repartee onscreen between Big Willie and Jeff Goldblum in INDEPENDENCE DAY.

It's also my brother Warren's last day in town (and we're eating Papa Johns pizza for breakfast, because that's how New Yorkers roll), and he told us a hilarious college memory. A pledge in his fraternity knew the below speech by heart and would get up at parties during band breaks and recite the entire speech. That would be too much for me, I would probably piss my pants to see that happen in its entirety, but you tell me.

Also, who would you vote for as President - Bill Pullman or President Palmer/Dennis Haysbert from 24?

The Batch 300 clocks in at 8.2% and thanks to a very intense piney hop flavor, it's a very American take on a Belgian tripel. The oak imparts a very vinous flavor as well but also contributes to a very balanced and smooth flavor that is without an overwhelming sweetness. As I continue drinking and the beer warms up a little and that complexity from the oak and hops combination really burns through. This is definitely a gentlemanly sipper, but it's oh so good! A tip of the hat to any homebrewer who makes a beer this complex. THE ROCK rating.

Chimay Cinq Cents tripels my love for Chimay

As I previously conveyed, my opinion of Chimay was relatively low before starting their beers but things were looking up after the dubbel yesterday. And then David poured this charming tripel and my affection knows no bounds now. 

This is an outstanding and unique tripel. It is yeasty, spicy and has a bit of fruit, making it more like a robust blonde than your standard tripel. I'm totally swallowing my past words regarding Chimay. This is a big bodied beer that's perfect for sipping and I would absolutely love to pair this with food. There's nothing else to say other than it's an amazing beer and I can't wait to introduce my friends to Cinq Cents. BAD BOYS rating.

St. Feuillien Tripel is perfect for summer

St. Feuillien has been brewing this 8.5% Tripel since 1873 and it's undergone two fermentations. I'm sure they carry a certain level of respect around the globe but I tried saying their name three times fast and it simply came out "Saint Fraulein"...think I just called those belgian monks "little women" in the language of their WWII conquerors.

Lesson here is, even if you've been around for 150 years it only takes one stupid American to make a mockery of your heritage. On behalf of the Fox News audience, you're welcome.

The Tripel has a great carbonation, making for a crisp profile with a delicious lightness to he body. It's sweet with a bit of that clove-like Belgian Blonde bite as it finishes. This is a really tasty treat and would be perfect on a summer day or paired with food. THE ROCK rating.

The Bruery Trade Winds made with Thai Basil is seasonally amazing

Two years ago David, Nick and I went to the first LA Beerfest at Sony Studios (which has since turned into a shit-show) and amidst a hundred vendors, bumped into these two guys set up next to Fireman's Brew pouring two beers from "The Bruery."

I think the first beer we tried was either a Saison de Lente or a Rugbrod, but their second beer was a summer seasonal made with Thai Basil which was astounding. Our minds were blown and we had just crossed a threshold; in a very unlikely place we'd stumbled upon one of the best breweries in the U.S. 

Since then, neither David or I have tasted Trade Winds - until today. And we have a growler of the stuff! Two years later and we're having a homecoming for our threshold beer to The Bruery.

The Bruery's brewers are Promethean with many if not most of their beers and this one is an excellent example. Who woke up at one day and said, "hmm, I'm going to make beer with basil, thai basil to be exact." Truly Amazeballs.  The beer's base is a belgian golden ale, but instead of using candi sugar, typical for the style, they use rice in the mash to lighten the body and increase the gravity and then spice with Thai Basil. The result is a beer that is subtle and earthy, with a hint of spice from the Thai Basil, which is evident in the first sip. The result is a basic golden ale that's easily drinkable (too much so) and a complex flavor profile. Some might argue that this is like their Mischief, only better. For me, how can you pick between your two kids? Well, for my parents it's obviously me and not my brother Warren, but I made that easy. Here it's much more difficult :). BAD BOYS rating. 

Melissa R, Nick G, Lisa, Jake, Jenny and Tiffany are coming over to eat and watch the 3rd game between Dallas and Miami. I'm using this excuse to do a flight of my homebrews, as everyone except David and myself haven't had all three of my beers.

I love this, because I'm able to stand up and give a spiel about how each brew was made, funny tidbits, and how clever I think the names are (self absorbed much?). To my surprise though, Heisenberg's Honey Wheat, a winner at previous parties, is not the leading man here. My first brew, King Moonracer's Revenge made with clove, probably got the highest all-around rankings. Lisa's favorite was King Moonracer, Jake's the Red Headed Step-Child (because you just can't beat it), and Mel's was the Honey Wheat. The super hoppy Double Dutch Rudder (a belgian IPA, a beer where two different styles rub off on each other) and one of my personal favs, Jake loves but is probably too hoppy for the ladies' tastes.

Overall, everything but the Mavs loss was a great success! This entire weekend was filled with beer and breweries and great friends - another stellar weekend thanks to beer!

The Beginning: Allagash Tripel Reserve

Well, well, well, and so it begins. Not with a whimper, but with a slam dunk. Couldn't have picked a better beer to set sail with (credit to David). A Belgium style brewed in Maine, Allagash Tripel is a golden nectar, smooth and rich. It is a full bodied delight that delivers a head two fingers thick and tastes of banana, butter(scotch) and a dash of spice. And at 9.0% alcohol, taste is not the only benefit received. Allagash Tripel is a gentleman's beverage that one may enjoy at home or paired with an fine meal. It's an all-star. I bestow my highest rating, reserved for the most celestial of beers: BAD BOYS.

"Drink Allagash Tripel you jive-ass motha!" - Black Dynamite

 

I'm incredibly excited to begin this commitment and am certain the next 365 days will be an eye-opening experience. Every day is a different adventure into the world of beer, exploring what began in some monks bathtub (*citation needed) and quickly became the fuel that continues to nourish humanity's soul, making life just that much better (*citation unnecessary).

“Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger