Monday Rant: Lager than Life

Sometimes you just don't have that light bulb switch on in your head until you read something about a particular subject somewhere and realize how right it could be. I've even had such an experience where I read something and realized that it's so true, but I've never really figured it out enough in my own head. What I read ended up tying all of the loose ends.

You probably have no idea where I'm going with this, but I'll just make it much less complicated than I already have. If I said to you that lagers were pretty underrated in the beer world, would you agree with me?

The article I linked makes a good point about half way through. The word pilsner has been bastardized. From my point of view, that could possibly be from the numerous American lager commercials (i.e. Miller Coors etc.) claiming that they fall under this style. I know Miller Lite is assumed to be a pilsner. In my opinion, it tastes nothing like a pilsner. Maybe it tastes like the watered down American lager we've become ascertained to since the Great Depression.

A pretty damn good lager.

I also get an irking that many out there frown upon lagers because they're more traditional styles than some of the over-the-top and extremely creative brews we see in craft beer today. People flock to releases of double IPA's and barrel-aged stouts. Some breweries are forced to do away with some lagers because of time it spends taking up space in tanks. That's understandable as well as unfortunate.

I'm more of a traditional guy. I hated to see instant replay in baseball. I'm a staunch traditionalist. Maybe that's why I have a deep affinity for lagers? There's nothing wrong with enjoying some of the very exotic beers out there. Be my guest and partake. That's not hurting anything. Let's just not forget about some of the older and more traditional beer styles.

There are plenty of great and tasty styles in the lager category. A lot of good pilsners and helles lagers are popping out since we are close to summer. Before long we'll be enjoying Oktoberfests. How can I forget about Dunkels? There are a lot of good styles listed in the lager category in the previously mentioned article. Just check it out.

Beer Review: Yuengling Oktoberfest

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 5.4 percent

Appearance: Yuengling Oktoberfest pours a deep amber, which isn't typical of most Oktoberfests I've had the past few years. It reminds me of the amber color that Yuengling Traditional Lager has. It also features the bubbly white head we love with Yuengling's flagship beer. Already, we can see homage paid to one of the great beers of Pennsylvania. The only qualm I have is that you can somewhat see through the beer (If you look closely I have this in a Coors Light pint glass (Apologies, but it was a long day prior to drinking this) I prefer a darker color in this style.

Smell: This beer's aroma consisted of strong roasted grain. This is something I've come to adore in the Traditional Lager as well. Notes of sweet caramel dance in your nostrils too.

Taste: The caramel is sweet and spicy on the front of the tongue. The strong roasted grain helps out with a smooth finish. The grain taste is very similar to the Traditional Lager taste when it's consumed from the bottle. It's very close to a strong roast in a cup of coffee. It's slight, but you notice that it's there. (Yuengling on draft tastes different to me). I didn't get a good amount of hop character on the back of the tongue when drinking this one. The flavor was just a tad weaker than I prefer.

Overall Rating: 

Overall, not a bad beer. I'm happy I have a case of this. I love that Yuengling decided to brew an Oktoberfest. Looked everywhere for it last year in pubs, but couldn't get a drop. I like that this beer is similar to the flagship, but would have preferred it set itself apart. The flavors need to come together a little bit more.

Beer Review: Great Lakes Oktoberfest

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 6.5 percent

Appearance: Great Lakes Oktoberfest is very unlike your typical Oktoberfest in terms of color. It pours a vivid orange with some darker copper highlights. The head is an off-white, almost an ivory in color that leaves plenty of lacing within the glass. The texture of the beer is evident with the fancy little carbonation bubbles that dance up the glass towards the head of the brew.

Smell: I got a ton of sweeter notes from this beer. When it comes to Oktoberfests I've had I've usually noticed stronger hop aromas with the sweeter characteristics taking a backseat. This one has it the other way around. The caramel and toffee notes are dominant in the aroma. Very pleasant.

Taste: Just like the smell, the caramel and toffee have a magnificently sweet flavor. In my opinion, what makes a great Oktoberfest is good use of both sweetness up front and hop bitterness on the finish. This is an Oktoberfest that certainly takes the cake in that department. The hop bitterness is more of a biscuity taste you get from pilsners rather than a hop bitterness. These two flavors combine nicely.

Overall Rating: 

I absolutely enjoyed this beer. I feel that the best Oktoberfest that's reachable in this area is Penn's Oktoberfest. If there was a good one to fall back on, it's this one. Penn's has the hop bitterness more prevalent with the sweeter notes lessened. Great Lakes has it the other way around. Both ways are very delicious. Both go well with bratwurst and pretzels!

Big Pour Pre-Tasting at Blue Dust

Just as I said, I did make it down to Blue Dust on Friday evening to partake in the second night of the bar's Big Pour Pre-Tasting event. Craft breweries that were featured on Friday included Troegs, Victory and Dogfish Head.

The night was lead-off by the tapping of a Flying Mouflan firkin while it was on the bar. That was an exciting way to begin the event, even though I'm not the world's biggest fan of barley wines. It wouldn't have mattered to me what was in that firkin.

I decided to go with the Victory Flight since I have been wanting to try its Golden Monkey for a while now. The flight also included its new Festbier and I'm always up for trying a new Oktoberfest. The third brew that was aside the other two was Hop Wallop.

I was slightly disappointed with what I tried. The Golden Monkey I had seemed watered-down, the Festbier didn't taste anywhere close to an Oktoberfest and if any beer has "hop" in its name the odds are I won't like it.

I was also confused as to the true identities of both the Festbier and Hop Wallop. They both were hoppy as all hell. In my opinion, one thing that can screw up the tasting potential of a decent Oktoberfest is way too much hops. To be frank, I couldn't tell which I was drinking because of the intense hop presence. Look for more details on these brews when I actually get a chance do review them individually.

Monday Rant: Fall Seasonal Beer - Not Too Shabby

A billowing, yet refreshing glass of Southern Tier Pumking.

Everyone knows about my expressed anger about the early release of pumpkin ales in the last few weeks of August. I'm long over that and have stocked up accordingly. I've also let it be known that the summer season is most likely my favorite due to the numerous types of brews that are released during the spring and summer months.

Now, if I didn't have summer to select from in this process I'd definitely be happy settling with the fall seasonal brews. As a matter of fact, it wouldn't be settling at all. I'd take it in a heartbeat if I was forced to. The changing  leaves and nippy Pittsburgh air this past weekend (along with a gorgeous photograph of a Pumking draft I snapped) have led me to believe that fall is pretty much here. There won't be many hot days from here on out.

Fall is one of the most festive times of the year. All of the kids in our local neighborhoods are gearing up for Halloween in just over a month. Thanksgiving is right around the corner as well.

Being festive also includes some awesome beer, which there is a plethora of. The two main ones are pumpkin ales and Oktoberfests as everyone knows. They both signify some of the things we love to do during this time of the year, mainly congregating and consuming brews. Don't worry, I do realize thatOktoberfest originated in the Bavarian part of Germany. We just continue much of that historic tradition over here in America.

These beers are historic in value as well. I've mentioned the Oktoberfest factor already. The pumpkin ales, from what I can find, are kind of like a reincarnate of beers that some of the first settlers in the New England area made. It's still somewhat debated as to how the pumpkin was actually used/substituted, though.

Some of the flavors of these brews reflect the season perfectly. The spices such as vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg used in pumpkin ales are consistently used in certain holiday dishes of the season. The actual pumpkin needs no explanation as many will be carved and set on your porches.

I was down at the beginning of the fall beer season, but I knew it wouldn't last. it's time to enjoy these fabulous concoctions.

That Time of the Year

Yes, I've become frustrated at such an early opportunity to consume the fine adult beverages that are pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers even though it's still August. Now, that I've discovered news from a local Pittsburgh brewery, I'm much happier that it's closer to the actual time of year to enjoy such brews.

Penn Brewery has finally released information pertaining to its annual Oktoberfest celebration. The party takes place on the weekends of September 21-23 and 28-30.

The tap list has also increase from the usual four beers that are sold (Oktoberfest, Dark, Weizen and Gold). Penn is now adding Harvest Rye IPA, Kaiser Pils, Allegheney Pale Ale and Overlook IPA, according to Penn's website.

Penn's Oktoberfest is one of the places where the world of craft beer became a huge part of my life. I try to attend one of the weekends every year. I love the fact that the beers you purchase are sold in milk jugs. There's just something about it.

It's also one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations you can find in Pittsburgh that are close to that of the original in Munich.

Monday Rant: Pumpkin Ales and Oktoberfests - Stock Up

I've already sounded off about the earliness of the fall seasonal beers being on the shelves at this point in the summer. It's pretty much a broken system. Brewers are making the product and distributors can't afford to sit on the supply or simply don't have the space in storage. I get it. I'm over it.

I still love my pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers. So, as I took a stroll through a local distributor towards the end of last week I came across the establishment's entire wall of seasonal brews.

There were plenty of pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers. Enough to last a lifetime. It was at this moment that I decided to make my first purchases of the fall season. After all, it'll most likely all be gone within the next month or so.

I picked up a case of each Saranac's Pumpkin Ale and Great Lakes' Oktoberfest. I really wanted to try the Saranac last fall, but couldn't find any. I've always heard good things about Great Lakes' Oktoberfest. It came down to that and Penn Brewery's Oktoberfest. I figured I'd be having plenty when I'm actually at Penn's Oktoberfest celebration in September.

My dad also pitched in and acquired a case of Yuengling's Oktoberfest (yet another I couldn't find last year) and decided to invest $90 in a case of the infamous Southern Tier Pumking. We've already indulged in the almighty Puca and tucked away the rest of the bottles until it gets a little closer to October.

Since pay day is this week, I'm planning on purchasing yet another case of pumpkin ale before everyone else buys it all up. Maybe some Shipyard Pumpkinhead or Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale? Have to stock up now!

Cooking With Beer: Bratwurst

Boiling bratwurst in my choice of beer is an experiment that's in it's fairly early stages. To me, it was never as simple as just tossing the links on the grill and the entire process was over. I've always tried to incorporate as much beer as possible into the cooking of bratwurst, just not as a drink pairing after the meal was finished.

Image via Wikipedia

Cook em' baby.

The best bratwurst I ever had was while on a family vacation during my high school years. One of my uncles decided to make a pot of the infamous sausage. I noticed that he boiled/simmered them in a pot of beer and onions for approximately half an hour.

When it came time for dinner, I was instantly transported to the quaint bier gardens of Germany. the only thing that was missing was a nice pint of lager. Only I was a bit too young to realize it.

Every other week or so I grill or boil myself some brats. I've always used a 50/50 mix of water and beer in my boiling pot. From time to time I switch up which beer I use for the boiling. Beers I've used include the following:

• Church Brew Works Thunder Hop IPA
• Yuengling Traditional Lager
• Sam Adam's Oktoberfest
• Penn Brewery Oktoberfest

It's always been a tough decision on what beer to use in the boiling process due to being overcome with a feeling of guilt. So, it takes a bit of convincing to tell myself that the beer is being spent for a worthwhile cause.

Always make sure to take a fork and puncture the links a few times prior to boiling. This ensures that the beer soaks its way into the meat deeper than it normally would. I try to add onions to the mixture every chance I get. The onions add a little more kick. I add some sea salt and pepper then boil for about 15 minutes. Toss them on the grill for another 10-15 minutes and you've got one hell of a dinner.

Recommended Beer Pairings: You can't go wrong with any traditional German styles such as Oktoberfests/Marzenbiers and more.

I'm always looking for new ideas to cook with so I'm always open for tips and suggestions. Please let me know what you think!

Beer Review: Home-Brewed Oktoberfest

Serving Type: Home-brewed, bottle

ABV: Approx. 5.2 percent

Appearance: This beer looks like that dark, amber shade that you see in most Oktoberfest beers. The body of the brew almost glows when some light hits it. The head varies from bottle to bottle. In the 12 oz. bottle it fizzes out quickly and in most of the 32 oz. ones it's lively and foamy as in the picture I've provided.

Smell: This Oktoberfest has a very sweet scent. This might be because of the extra sugar that was added during the bottling process to help with fermentation. It's also very malty with a good bit of caramel present.

Taste: It's very sweet and malty, especially once it hits the back of the tongue. This beer makes me want to party like it's September.

Overall Rating:   

Pretty damn good beer for a home-brew. I think I should make a note that I only helped in brewing this as it was mainly my Dad's project. I'm not that knowledgeable about the entire process yet to completely take it on.

Make sure you're following the Beer Snob on Twitter!

The Beer-Snobbing Begins

I'm just a 23-year-old that still lives in the Pittsburgh area. Since I've been of legal age, I haven't been interested in anything more than I have with beer. I know what you're thinking. Yeah, he's just some young, college punk that goes out every Thursday night and indulges on pitcher after pitcher of the cheapest beer he can find.

That's far from the truth. If my my elders taught me anything, it was to have an excellent taste when it comes to the beer I drink. I tend to frown upon others my age when it comes to their taste in the holiest of refreshments. That staunch view is why I decided to name this blog as I did.

I'm a beer snob. Even playing the role of poor college student hasn't hindered this taste of mine. I still have always made a point to still spend the extra buck for a tasty craft brew. It's always worth it in my book.

With this blog, I plan to give my opinions on beers (and foods) I've tried and get a chance to try along the way. I plan to pass on news and other important happenings in the beer world, as well as recapping beer-related events and adventures I embark on. The first of those is already in the works, as I visited Penn Brewery on the North Side this past weekend for their Oktoberfest celebration. To the right is just a taste, no pun intended, of what's to come with that post.

I also intend on writing about interesting brew pubs and microbreweries I come across here in Western Pa. In the future I also plan to make a beer rankings list that I will try to keep up-to-date as much as possible. I obviously haven't tried every beer in the world and I've only been of legal age for just over two years, so I can promise you that your favorite beer might not be on said rankings immediately, but I'm certainly open for suggestions!

The blog is obviously still under construction, so if you do come back and find things to be a little different don't be alarmed.

I do have a Twitter account which can be found in the sidebar right on this blog. Please give me a follow. I obviously talk beer and food and enjoy talking about my local Pittsburgh sports teams as well.

Maybe one day we'll meet in your local drinking tavern! Cheers!