Enjoying Winter Seasonals in Winter Conditions

Houston was hit with a snow storm last Friday which was the earliest its ever snowed here. After growing up in far northern Canada, I'm certainly no stranger to snow, but even I was caught up in the novelty of watching big fluffy flakes cover my yard. It was also the first time our office was ever closed early due to snow. I took advantage of the early afternoon dismissal by enjoying a few winter seasonal brews in actual winter season conditions. This is the way these beers are meant to be enjoyed.

Inaugural Issue of Beer Connoisseur Magazine

I already subscribe to multiple beer magazines (All About Beer, Brew Your Own, Zymurgy and Southwest Brewing News), so yet another was not necessarily a welcome addition to the coffee table (at least, not by my wife). I was also a little leery about a new beer magazine after being disappointed by Beer Advocate when it was released a few years ago. I received the inaugural issue of Beer Connoisseur and although I've only had time to give it a quick thumb through, I like it so far. Its big (11 7/8 x 9 1/8), glossy and didn't resort to using scantily clad women or sports figures. It starts with an article about Fritz Maytag (almost a requirement when starting a new website, magazine or book dealing with craft brewing in the U.S.) and then moves on to other features on beer touring in Belgium, food & travel, beer reviews and other news and events. Its only published quarterly, but the website is updated more frequently with information and new articles which subscribers to the magazine have full access to. Time will tell if they are able differentiate themselves from the other monthly beer magazines already on the market and gain enough subscribers.

For anyone living in Atlanta, GA, Beer Connoisseur is having a launch party tomorrow at the west side location of 5 Seasons Brewing.

Holiday Beer Tasting at Ginger Man

The Ginger Man in Houston will be hosting a tasting of various Christmas Beers on Saturday, December 19th starting at 5pm. Cost is $35 per person and includes food pairings. Contact the Ginger Man for reservations.

Disappointed by the Grim Reaper

I never heard of Reaper Ale until I ran across a couple of their beers on the shelf at my local Spec's. I checked their website and they have the whole fun death theme running across all their beers and marketing in general. Seems like something that would get kind of old fast, but every brewery needs something that makes them unique and stand out, particularly in California. I guess it works, I noticed them.

As the nights get longer and the weather turns cooler, my preferences turn to darker and stronger beers and this one looked and sounded pretty dark. Their website describes Mortality Stout as a full-flavored complex brew, but I didn't find it all the flavourful or complex. Poured black as night in the glass with a creamy tan head that dissipated quickly. Mouthfeel was way too thin and almost watery. Aroma was very subdued with very light flavours of roasted malts, coffee and bitter chocolate. Finish was almost a little tart. With that name and label, I guess I was expecting something strong, heavy and menacing. Definitely disappointed.

Beer Wars Beer Dinner and No Label Brewing

The Alamo Drafthouse location in Katy is having a special encore presentation of Beer Wars which includes a multi-course meal paired with beer from breweries featured in the film. Tickets are $45 each and it begins at 7:30pm. The menu includes:

Deconstructed BLT. White corn meal toast with sunflower greens and prosciutto ~ New Belgium 2 Below

Pommes Frittes. Hand cut waffle fries seasoned with truffle salt and sage butter ~ Dogfish Indian Brown Ale

Veal Foreshank Pot Pie. Slow cooked bone in veal shank surrounded by fall vegetables in a puff pastry crust ~ Stone Smoked Porter

Winter Berries Sabayon. Winter berries with ginger bread and hazelnut sabayon ~ Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier

And, following the screening of the movie, the founders of No Label Brewing, a new microbrewery opening in Katy, will be guest speakers. No Label Brewery recently acquired space for their brewery in the old rice lofts in Katy and are in the process of renovating.




*** UPDATE ***

Apparently the Beer Wars Dinner and No Label Brewing Q&A has been canceled.