Beer 29 - Oktoberfest, Left Hand Brewing Company

It seems, at least so far, that you never stop learning about those even closest to you. Sometimes I ask my daughter probing questions with the intent of knowing her better.

"If you could live anywhere where would you live?" She said that she wanted to live at her grandmother's house. I was, at first, a little taken back by her answer. I wondered why she didn't like living with us. Through a few more questions I find that her purpose is space. She likes to play in a large front yard. She also loves animals, specifically horses. As soon as I heard her hearts request my mind began thinking of how I could make it happen.

Scene Setting: Enjoying a nice fire as I watch "Sense and Sensibility" with my wife. The estates with the rolling hills caused me to remember my daughters request, as I drink my oktoberfest beer wondering what change might occur by next October.

Verdict: Very sweet aroma and flavor, although not overwhelming. Malty with a dry finish. There is a lot going on with the flavors and aromas but all positive.

Beer 28 - Full Moon Rye, Real Ale Brewery

Our men's soccer team had an 11:00 game tonight and I'm beat! Nothing to cure exhaustion like a few beers at the Firehouse (our team sponsor).

Tonight James suggested the Full Moon Rye from Real Ale in Blanco, TX. I like Texas natives. Road trip coming soon, anyone for Blanco?

Scene Setting: At the Firehouse Grill and Brewery with team after another victory. New server tonight, Raquel doing it right. All around great staff at the Firehouse.

Verdict: Its nice to find a bar with a good atmosphere, but it's even better when you couple that with a great beer selection. I like the effort James puts into his grill and brewery. I'm definitely looking forward to Blanco. This rye was exceptional. Crisp, excellent use of hops, and you know I like hops. I like it. You should stop by the Firehouse and try it. I just found out they have a Sunday brunch I'd like to try too. Sent from my iPhone

Beer 27 - Hop Hound, Michelob Brewing Co.

You just know it's gonna be a good night when your friends call and ask if they can bring you beer. There's only one answer to that question. It only made it better that when Brian came to drop it off he got to stay a while and catch up. We are both so busy with work and coaching our kids teams that we don't get to hang out much.

Like I said in my profile, beer generates community. Finally a little time to talk some philosophy, politics, religion, and sports.

Scene Setting: Hangin in my living room with Brian. We covered everything from Obama to How to coach a 7 yr old boys basketball team proper defense. A discussion that could at any moment (and may have for all we know) take just the right turn and change the world forever.

Verdict: I have to be honest. Tonight was the first time I can remember typing LOL to anyone. I just don't do that. But Amber texted me from the beer isle and asked if I wanted Mike's Hard Lemonade. I actually laughed out loud, so I thought it only fair to let her know. I'm still not sure if that was a joke or not, but it sure was funny. What she ended up sending with Brian was much more appropriate (he snobbishly said). I think she might have picked that one because it had her name in it. This is a good beer to have around. I enjoyed the citrus hints and the malty finish. Not only that, my wife liked it which is rare.

Beer 26 - Noble Pils, Samuel Adams

Some days just call for sitting at a bar and having one on tap. I have to admit I get out a lot less than I'd like. Although, the wife and three kids have something to do with that, I'm more than happy to make that trade. I thought I'd stroll down Cooper St. and see what the first bar had to offer. It happened to be TGIFridays. Sam Adams has a seasonal pilsner that looked to be my prime candidate. Everything else was pretty much the norm (and that's not how I roll). The bar tender Chantry hooked me up with this sweet Sam Adams glass!!

Scene Setting: Sitting at the bar of the local TGIFridays. A scene so familiar but what seems like so long ago. I'm an insurance adjuster for catastrophies like hurricanes, tornadoes, and major hail storms. The work usually takes me far from home and at long time intervals (at least months at a time). The only thing to do when you get off at 11:00pm is go eat and drink at whatever bar is near your hotel.

Verdict: Crisp and hoppy. I got the sense of a little floral aftertaste too. I may not choose it if I was at the beer store with hundreds of options, but in the same situation knowing what I know now I would order it again.

Beer 25 - Winter Welcome Ale, Samuel Smith

This beer is supposed to welcome the winter. "Brewed for the short days and long nights of winter," the story goes. You know, I think they're on to something. This sounds like an opportunity to catch up on some sleep. Give credit to Thomas Edison for being smart and generous with his knowledge, but we abuse his gift. With the simple flip of a switch we can now push our bodies well past their limits.

Wouldn't it be nice to see the sun setting and know that rest was forthcoming. So in the spirit of sleep with the help of old Samuel Smith, I Welcome Winter too.

Scene Setting: Sitting in my home office, pushing my body well past its limit. Reminiscing about Jos, Nigeria where I actually got a taste of the lifestyle I spoke of above. A three week taste that I will never forget!

Verdict: I think any Ale that advocates more rest and has an endorsement from Shakespeare on the label has to get a thumbs up from me. Fantastic winter brew with solid malt feel.

Beer 24 - Andygator, Abita Brewing Company

I was talking to a friend today who said something about a temporary job with a company in New Orleans, which made me think about when I was in New Orleans, which reminded me of all the Turbo Dog I drank when I was there, which made me think of Abita Brewing, which reminded me of a beer I heard of but never had. Andygator.

Well, come to find out Andygator only comes in 1 pint 6oz bottles. That coupled with the 8%ABV makes for a serious endeavor.

Scene Setting: Watching the rest of the Black Donnellys series on DVD with my brother and a couple Andygators.

Verdict: I like the beer but with its mild aroma and sweet flavor it's a little deceiving. I get now why the suggestion was to sip and not gulp. Gators look like floating logs until they come flying out of the river and drag you back in with them.

Beer 23 - Summerbright Ale, Breckenridge Brewery

My favorite movie of all time is Lonesome Dove. I have nearly all six hours memorized. My beautiful bride decided to get the book for me as a Christmas gift, which has proved to be very useful. Practical and simple are good for me. Like the new coffee pot she also got me. I use it every day.

The draw for me is not necessarily the small town in south Texas on the Rio Grande, although it has its appeal too(the heat a dryness of the S. Texas desert is probably what convinced me to drink a summer beer today). What pulls me in is the discontentment we share, me and the Captain. Now don't get me wrong, I am definitely content with all the Lord has blessed me with, which is everything I have. The discontentment I speak of is with the everyday. The world in my head tells me that there's something to be done. One more project or mission that I should undertake to keep me from dying of boredom. I need an adventure.

Scene Setting: I hope this is not TMI. Stretched out in my tub with my Summerbright Ale and chapter 13 of Lonesome Dove. They just got back from "reclaiming" horses from Mexico and are preparing for the drive to Montana.

Verdict: My first thought was that it was honest and solid in construction. Just kidding, that was printed on the bottle. Although when I drank it first I did think "that's a good beer from the aroma to the aftertaste," and I guess that's another way of saying solid. Anyhow, I enjoyed it and it left me with a light feel that would be welcome in the heat of the summer.

Beer 22 - Old Jubilation, Avery Brewing Company

Jubilation has been far from our thoughts the past week. I am mostly well, but everyone else is still in the thick of it.

Although I did find something. My son has been catching on to the idea of obedience. It's like a light has turned on. It makes me want to dance a jig when I say something and hear a "yes sir," and actually see some action behind the words, over and over again for the majority of the day.

Scene Setting: After tucking all in, and dishing out the medicine I recline for a while to unwind for the day.

Verdict: Old Jubilation also gave me something to jubilate!! It was very strong. I enjoyed what reminded me of a good brown. No spice, and minimal noticeable hops. A great malty beer that will not only warm you through the winter, but cause spontaneous dancing.

Beer 21 - Monster Ale, Brooklyn Brewery

First, I've decided to change the format of my titles from Day 21 to Beer 21. It only makes sense now after being very sick and missing a day or two. It may not be day 21, but it is definitely beer 21. And it's really all about the beer anyway, not the day.

Ambiance is important to me, for some weird reason. I feel like if I'm drinking a barley wine I should be reading something like Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, some Sherlock Holmes, or the Bible. Which happened to play a role in my beer selection this fine evening.

Scene Setting: The very broken in "comfy couch" in our front sitting room I guess you'd call it, since that appears all you could do in this room. Well you can read too, that's what I'm doing. I just got my new ESV Study Bible and I cracked it open to Genesis. It's gigantic. It is full of extra material on the author of genesis, arrangement, themes, History of Salvation, Genesis and History, Genesis and Science, Reading Genesis in the 21st Century, Maps, Outlines, Genealogies. Ohhh yeah. You know that feeling when an author can just take hold of you and before you know it your in another world. Every time I read the Word of God the words and stories move deep into me and echo the same thing. I am assured that even though I'm undeserving God himself desires to know me, and save me not only from a life of brokenness, but from an eternity without His presence.

Verdict: Although I have had a barleywine that I didn't like, I am certain that if done properly this style of beer is near the top of my preference list. The 10% ABV does add to the beauty. I very much enjoyed the Monster Ale tonight.

Day 20 - Cocoa Porter, Tommyknocker Brewery and Pub

Finally, a few of us are getting over our sickness. Maybe another day of symptoms and we'll be over it completely.

We all decided to hang tonight because we were all getting cabin fever.

Scene Setting: Just after having some of my homemade buffalo wings we all (Me, Kareah, Tim, and Lauren) sat down to a few episodes of Community we had recorded. Tim and I have yet to decide what movie will complete the night.

Verdict: Great winter beer. It's a strong porter specimen, with a little chocolate. For those of you that have been reading you know I'm not a desert guy but I could easily see myself enjoying a few of these at a Christmas party or beside the fireplace with a captivating book.

Day 20 - Coming Soon

I have been very sick for a few days. All of the medicines I'm taking say not to take with alcohol. I will make up the posts that I miss soon. The good thing is that I didn't set up any hard and fast rules on having to drink a beer every day. That is the intent, but there is room for flex in the event of emergency or extenuating circumstances.

Day 19 - Hefeweizen, Spoetzle Brewery

Everyone I know is sick. Including me. I woke up with a major sore throat. Not a good prospect when your job is to talk/teach all day long. It even hurts my throat to type. I took so much medicine to get through the day I felt numb. My class probably thought there was something wrong with me.

Scene Setting: My wife and I sitting on the couch wondering who is more pittiful. My brother stopped by earlier so I could shave his head. We can throw him into the mix too, he looked pretty miserable.

Verdict: Not my favorite hefeweizen. To be fair though, my taste buds may not be working correctly. It seemed a little sour or tangy. Not to brag, but mine is better. Although I did use a recipe book. Shiner probably invented theirs.

Day 18 - 2010 Annual Grand Cru, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Kareah and I just left the pediatrician with Ezra and were both famished. She wanted pizza and I wanted beer (out of necessity) so what better place in the area than BJs in Arlington. Their pizza is increadible and they brew their own beer. Quality dinning right here in Arlington. The atmosphere is enjoyable too with many TVs showing the current goings on. Unfortunately I was facing the replays from the Cowboy's loss to the Vikings.

Scene Setting: Sitting in BJs spacious booth with Kareah and my youngest Ezra. Enjoying everything but the Cowboys replay. Sister Hazel playing "All for you" in the background.

Verdict: First, great alcohol content (10% ABV). Great maltiness and use of fruit & spice. It took silver for Belgian-style Strong Specialty Ale at the Great American Beer Festival in 2002, and World Beer Cup in 2000.

Day 17 - Old Plowshare Organic Stout, North Coast Brewing Company

The picture on the front of this stout from North Coast Brewing Company reminded me of something my friend and pastor quoted this morning. "If you sow sparingly you will reap sparingly and if you sow bountifully you will reap bountifully." It reminds me that there is a certain amount of work that must be done. In all things. My marriage, kids, family, friends, job, and anything else worth doing all take work. Some more than others but all at some point are painful work. But the truth is where you sow you will reap, and the amount you reap is directly related to the amount you sow.

This is something I have learned my whole life watching my dad. I never saw the man do anything half way. The powerful part about it is that I'm reaping what he sowed. I can't think of a decision I have to make as a man now that "what would Dad do?" doesn't affect the outcome. So I drink this stout in honor of a man that has never put down the plow as long as I can remember. Thanks for the life lesson Dad, and you didn't even have to say a word.

Scene Setting: An empty house. The kids are with Pamaw and Dan Dan. The silence overtakes me as I think back over a life with my dad and thank God for the man I got to watch demonstrate devotion, kindness, endurance, faithfulness, and integrity.

Verdict: I'm not sure if it was the organic ingredients or the memories but this beer was a great experience. Excellent flavor, strong without being overpowering, kind of like my dad.

Day 16 - Dogtoberfest, Flying Dog

Several years ago my journey towards better beer began. One that made the top of my list early on, and remains one of my go-to beers when hanging out with friends is the pale that Flying Dog brews. So far I haven't had a bad beer from them.

I did a little research too and they won the 2009 "Mid-size Brewery of the Year" at the Great American Beer Festival.

Scene Setting: Post season football and marzen beer. Saints laying down the law as I read the brief history of how Dogtoberfest got started.

Verdict: Danke, to all the Germans for marzen beer. Subtle hops, delicious malty beer, great finish. No wonder it has won several awards.

Side-note** Justin you should give this one a shot. And thanks for all the comments, it's good to hear from you.

Day 15 - Scottish Ale, Belhaven

I just about froze to death today. I went hunting with my dad and my brother. The temperature started off fairly comfortable but as the day turned into evening and the rain steadily grew thicker I began to wonder if I would be able to pull my bow back if I did see a deer.

After a day of sitting in the freezing rain I couldn't wait to warm up, starting with the inside.

Scene Setting: Kicked back on the couch with my bride and my daughter watching Anne of Green Gables. Sometimes it's very hard to watch my daughter grow up, but sometimes it really brings joy to my heart.

Verdict: It definitely did the trick for warming but overall I would only drink it on occasion. I can taste the quality without a doubt but my preference leans away from sweet and creamy. It reminded me a bit like apple and cream soda.

Day 14 - Magic Hat #9, Magic Hat Brewery

I'm always looking for a great new beer. I think I found one tonight. Our soccer team is now sponsored by Firehouse Grill and Brewery in Mansfield, TX. The owner James puts a lot of effort into bringing good beer to Mansfield. Anyone looking for a great place to get a quality beer selection on tap try this place. They also have a cigar room. So come on down

Back to the point. James suggested Magic Hat #9 from the Magic Hat Brewery in Vermont. It's a Pale Ale. Pales are on the top of my list, so I went with it.

Scene Setting: Firehouse Grill and Brewery with the team enjoying some beer and appetizers. Katy (our regular) serving up the beer like a champ. The sweet sounds of "You sexy thing" playing on the karaoke machine.

Verdict: Thanks James I'll never doubt you!! This is a great pale. Not as hopped as I'm used to pales being. I usually prefer strong hops, but the uniqueness of this one was fantastic. I enjoyed the light citrus flavor it yielded. I will revisit this beer soon.

Day 13 - Double Chocolate Stout, Young's

The bar has been raised. One of my students who found out about my blog brought me a beer today. I'm not sure where the days of bringing the teacher an apple have gone, but I'm sure I'm not that disappointed.

Now all the rest of you have something to live up to. So if you have a beer suggestion that you would like to make, please feel free to send one over. I will definitely put it into the line-up.

Comment with any suggestions. I look forward to hearing from whoever is reading. It's always good to see a new follower too.

Scene Setting: Girl's night just started and every bit of estrogen has left the house or had a bed time of 7:30. It's just me, James Bond, and my Double Chocolate Stout. The World is Not Enough.

Verdict: I really enjoy a stout, and I've had a few that boasted chocolate goodness. None, however were so convincing than Young's. I usually skip dessert. I know, I'm weird. I think this chocolate stout would satisfy a dessert craving if I ever had one.

Day 12 - Satsuma Harvest Wit, Abita Brewing Company

Every now and then the History Channel has something that can hold your attention. Tonight it was Life After People, "Wrath of God." It's fairly interesting to see to what extent and how fast the enormous places of worship, sacred sights, and cathedrals breakdown and crumble.

What really caught my attention was how anything we create as humans will eventually return to dust. Not only that, God's creation begins to take over and consume every structure. What a great reminder. There is no amount of striving that can rival Gods creative brilliance.

Considering that all man's creations will eventually fade, I thought I should go ahead and drink the Abita summer beer before it deteriorates.

Scene Setting: Slumped deep into my couch watching the world fall apart on the History Channel.

Verdict: Light and refreshing. I enjoyed the citrus and hint of spice. This is a great option for a day out in the sun. Anyone for disc golf?

Day 11 - Autumn Ale, Breckenridge Brewery

Today was a very exhausting day. I honestly don't feel like I have much to say.

Sometimes I get home from work and feel like silence is the best option. That probably is caused by the previous 9 hours of talking. About insurance.

My re-entry into the home and desire for peace and quiet was rocked by what we call "dinner time."

It wasn't until the little ones were in bed that I could actually sit and enjoy the peace.

Scene Setting: My couch, my wife, my beer.

Verdict: Autumn Ale, an Old style ale was a great choice. This is my first beer from the Breckenridge Brewery, and it won't be my last. Great malty feel and flavor with a crisp earthy finish. This reminded me of a few of my favorite brown ales. A good companion for the turning of the leaves.

Day 10 - 2009 Summerfest Lager, Sierra Navada Brewing Company

I went to Dr. Jeckylle's a couple days ago to pick up 12 days worth of beer to write about, and I noticed that a Sierra Nevada 2009 Summerfest Lager was still hanging around. I figured I better grab it before it was gone for good. One of the helpful things about this particular beer store is the knowledge base you have at your fingertips when you walk into the door. Both Pat the owner, and Scott the right hand man are full of great information. Pat helped me build a few 6-packs as I asked every question I could think of about each one. Yeah, that's another thing. You can buy singles or create your own 6-pack. A nice feature I think, for the connoisseur.

Staring at the summer beer in my fridge while it was cold outside just felt weird. Fortunately today it warmed up a bit. I was cleaning my carboys outside today for our latest batch and I had to take my sweatshirt off because it was too hot. Clearly a day for the Summerfest Lager.

Scene Setting: The end of a long day of hard work brewing my first Porter. What better than a little refreshment as I watch my beautiful bride organize her coupons for the next week of savings.

Verdict: Crisp and refreshing. The taste actually made me forget that it has been very cold for weeks now. I imagined myself sitting next to the water, sun reflecting off of my aviators while I kept close watch on the tip of my fishing pole in anticipation of the next bite.

Day 9 - Relentless Hefe, Brewery Name TBD

Victorious!! A night of victory. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Eagles and are going on to the next round of the playoffs. Not only were the "Boys" big winners tonight, but the "Wakeland Boys" were big winners too.

It all began on November 29th when we brewed our first batch of beer. We have anticipated the unveiling since then, and tonight was the big night. We each opened a bottle and turned it up.

Scene Setting: The living room at my parents house. The crowd on the tv cheering for us. Well, maybe they were cheering for the Boys but it felt like they were cheering for the unveiling of Relentless Hefe.

Verdict: I'm not sure that could have gone any better. The surprised look on my brothers face after the first drink worried me a little until I realized that his shock came from the taste of near perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed drinking a beer that I brewed myself.

Day 8 - Merry Christmas Happy New Year 2009, Anchor Brewing Company

It's funny how your kids take on traits from both parents. The grin and side glance you throw to your spouse when you see a new one begin to emerge. There's nothing better (or more terrifying sometimes)! For example, my 4 year old Corban. Mostly, now especially, he is all boy and you don't have to look too far to recognize a resemblance in yours truly. Today, however, it was my wife's turn. He walked into the room as she and I were taking the ornaments off of the Christmas tree. A deeply saddened boy began to whimper and then crawled into his mother's arms for comfort. "I don't want Christmas to be over" he said. That was where the glance took place. Both she and I knew about her "Christmas Blues" that come as early as the week before Christmas every year. The boy loves Christmas like his mother does. It was written all over his face.

And that is where today's beer choice comes in. I stopped by my beer store (and if you live within two hours of Arlington, TX it should be yours too!!) Dr. Jeckyll's Beer Lab for a few bottles of inspiration. Pat, the owner, loaded me up with 12 recommendations. One of which is Anchor's 2009 Christmas Beer. I thought that one would be fitting since we were singing the Christmas Blues all day.

Scene Setting: Amidst a pile of boxes awaiting me to carry them up the stairs and into the attic. Tree still lit giving the room a warm glow that will be gone soon, only to be roused by the smell of turkey and dressing next November.

Verdict: Sometimes things just click. I poured some in a glass and as I brought the glass to my mouth (before I could drink any) I was taken back to my childhood. Every year when it gets cold outside my mom brews her special spiced tea. The aroma of the beer took me back to one of the spices I would smell while sitting in the bar stool watching her masterpiece come together. I finished the beer while I unplugged the lights on the tree for the last time this year. Who knows, maybe I will be drinking Anchor's 2010 Christmas beer when I plug them in again.

Day 7 - Shiner Black Lager, Spoetzl

Tonight hasn't started so well. First, UT lost the National Championship. Second, our soccer team lost our game. Both were hard fought but there's only so much you can do a man down.

I needed a little pick me up but I wasn't sure what was going to do the trick.

I remembered that I borrowed The Black Donnellys from my brother, and I think now would be a good time to watch it. Now, what goes well with an Irish Mob? A dark beer, I think. It just so happens that the dark beer I have is Shiner Black Lager. So were gonna have a little Black and Black.

Scene Setting: An Irish mob community in New York where four brothers display how important family is.

Verdict: Black and Black, good combo. Shiner Black Lager is a good dark beer. I'm proud it's brewed in Texas.

Day 6 - Frost, Spoetzl Brewery

What a day. Sometimes things just don't go how you plan them. All day long I looked forward to a certain beer that's been in my fridge waiting for me. After getting home, and doing several chores I felt like I would have been wasting that beer. It was late and the mood was gone. Great! Now I had to go to the store for beer because that was the only beer I had, and it couldn't be wasted. I still needed a beer for day 6.

Good thing I went. I found this seasonal ale from Shiner that I haven't seen yet this year. There was only one six pack of it left, and the name seemed fitting since we're expecting a little winter weather here soon.

Scene Setting: My couch (again) watching the weather channel, and the weather on demand with Accuweather.com genius Jim Kosek. I'm so tired all I can do is flip between weather stations and wonder what book I'm going to read tomorrow when the windchill is 3 degrees outside.

Verdict: There was some good flavor to this beer. I enjoyed the story of the origin, and the coal miners that wanted a beer when the whistle blew ending the workday. I must be a coal miner. It was crisp and refreshing but I have to be honest I had trouble tasting much after that boiling cheese in my taco scarred my tongue at dinner tonight. But you can be sure that the remaining bottles will be revisited tomorrow while I read next to the fireplace. Hopefully that combo will be enough to deal with the windchill of 3 degrees!!

Day 5 - India Ale, Samuel Smith

Ever since my wife and I returned from our anniversary trip to London a few years ago I have been very fond of Sherlock Homes. Even though it seems like I overextend myself with reading what seems like 20 books at a time I always gravitate back to the next Sherlock Holmes mystery quickly.

Damp nights, only the street lamps yielding a muted glow. A carriage in the distance echoing the sounds of the wheels and the horses hooves on the cobblestones. There' s only one thing that makes the story better. Indulging in an authentic English beer as I am taken deep into the mind of a genius.

Scene Setting: London (my dining room table) a century removed (Tuesday night), and my chemistry set (dishwasher) gently rumbling in the background. One hand on the book and the other on Samuel Smith's India Ale.

Verdict: I really like British hops. I'm certain that Holmes drank Samuel Smith's India Ale. He regularly made time for beer and steak, just before he pulled off some miraculous, genius move. Authentic, I was in England tonight.

Day 4 - Don De Dieu, Unibroue

Oh man, what a day. It was my first day back to work in 17 days. I teach insurance classes for 9 hours a day, so at the end of the day I am beat. All day I was looking forward to my beer this evening. No more talking, just give me the beer. I picked the Don De Dieu the other day because the bottle aroused my curiosity. This triple wheat boasting of citrus and mild spice should hit the spot.

Scene Setting: You guessed it, my couch. Watching the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Cheering for the local TCU Horned Frogs. Watching my fantastic wife feed my 7 month old rice cereal.

Verdict: I hope the Frogs come through like Don De Dieu. I like the light fresh flavors, and the heavy/creamy finish. To this point I can't recall a wheat beer that was so strong to the finish line.

Day 3 - Hefe-Weissbier, Franziskaner

Recently, my brother and I brewed our first batch of beer at home. We decided to start with a hefeweizen recipe. Although we hadn't had too many hefeweizen beers, we decided to take the advice of the local authority and start there. We've conducted a few samplings throughout the process and I must admit that it's not half bad.

Today I have chosen a hefeweizen that has been around for a while. Perfected in Germany and imported to us.

Scene Setting: Watching a DVR recording (thanks to modern technology) of the Sing Off championship round we missed over a week ago. Congrats Nota, we were rooting for you all the way. My lovely bride and her cousin sitting on one end of the couch and me on the other end trying to focus on my hefe.

Verdict: I hope ours turns out this good, but then again they do have the advantage of a couple hundred years more experience than us. An age old recipe, seasoned brewmasters, and a friar all in one 12oz bottle. And I could taste every bit of it.

Day 2 - Coffee Porter, Real Ale Brewing Company

Ok, I have to be honest. I had to backdate this entry. Now let me explain.

I was on a date with my wife last night. Watching Avatar in 3-D (fantastic movie by the way). The plan was to find a local bar to visit on the way home, pick a beer and drink it for day two.

The problem was that I got very sick at the end of the movie. Some sort of flu or virus or something. I walked directly to the men's room and lost it. Then I made it all the way to the parking lot before losing it again. It continued in this frequency until I drug myself to bed and fell asleep.

So, you must forgive my missing yesterday's beer post.

As you can see in the photo I made up for it during the Cowboys victory over the Eagles today. Very fitting, a Texas beer and a Cowboys Division Championship. What a day!!

Scene Setting: A short trip from my parents' house to my little brother's fridge to see what he had lingering from a six pack. And voila - "Coffee Porter" from Blanco, TX. A jaunt back to my parents' for the Cowboy game and day two is underway.

Verdict: Thanks Tim, you always come through and I love Texas. I enjoy a good porter, and coffee is one of my staples. Put the two together and you've got a winning combo in my book. I think I'll be taking a trip to Blanco sometime soon. There's nothing better than a road trip with a purpose. Beer tasting!

Day 1 - India Pale Ale, Avery Brewing Company

I must admit I began this challenge with no premeditation. I had to begin with what was in my refrigerator because the whole idea was very spur of the moment. I am happy to say I was able to start with a beer that I have never had before.

Once upon a time I tried an India Pale Ale and didn't particularly like it. It occurred to me that that was kind of wierd because I really enjoy pale ales. I asked the local beer expert at Dr. Jeckylls (where I buy my brewing supplies and beer) what the difference was, and learned that I.P.A.s shouldn't be all that different from Pales. Curiosity got the better of me and I bought a few different I.P.As to try. As I looked into my refrigerator in anticipation of my first beer of the 2010 challenge the I.P.A from Avery Brewing Co. located in Boulder, CO caught my eye. We will begin there.

Scene Setting: My kitchen, the evening of Jan. 1st. Wondering where to begin, and how this challenge will play out over the next 365 days.

Verdict - I'm glad I gave I.P.A another chance, and well done Avery. Thank you for another beer I can add to my "go-to list". Avery I.P.A. was full of flavor from start to finish. I definitely got the hopps and citrus which were fantastic and the finish was very impressive. I was left with that wonderful "Mmmm that is a solid beer" feeling.