698. Cigar City Brewing – Black Whole A Multi-Dimensional Ale
May22

698. Cigar City Brewing – Black Whole A Multi-Dimensional Ale

Its been a bit crazy lately with the two houses and stuff going on at work. After school today, my wife had to take the kids to a doctor appointment. So, when I got home, I had the house all to myself. So I sat down and pulled the first beer I could find out of the fridge. I don’t remember if I picked up this beer during our vacation to Florida last year, or if it was one my sister gave me after her trip to Asheville in the...

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559. Finch’s Beer Co. – Fascist Pig
Mar22

559. Finch’s Beer Co. – Fascist Pig

Well, it’s been an interesting day with several good things happening. Today, I found out I got a promotion, and then got a phone call from Mayo Clinic. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it, but I need heart surgery for a mitral valve repair. My surgery date was supposed to be May 16, but today I got a call asking if I could come in next Friday (yes, in one week). To celebrate both of these, my family and I went out for...

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515. SanTan Brewing Co – Rail Slide Imperial Spiced Ale
Jan03

515. SanTan Brewing Co – Rail Slide Imperial Spiced Ale

This beer was sent to me a month or so ago by SanTan Brewing, along with some stickers and other swag. I always appreciate being sent beers to review. This one seems to be a seasonal offering – a winter warmer. The can says, “Rail Slide is brewed with Winter spices that add an edge to this smooth seasonal ale. SanTan celebrates the pioneering punk spirit of the American craft brewer with this delicious brew.”...

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487. Bells Brewery – This One Goes to 11 Ale
Oct08

487. Bells Brewery – This One Goes to 11 Ale

I spend last week in Seattle, Washington – mostly for a work conference – but I didn’t let that stop me from seeing the city’s craft beer scene.  I was able to hit 12 microbreweries and try over 20 local craft beers during my trip.  Today, I’m back home at Fat Jack’s in Bloomington, IL for our monthly homebrew club meeting.  Before the meeting I grabbed this beer… mostly because I liked the...

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442. Piece Brewery & Pizzeria – Dysfunctionale
Jul26

442. Piece Brewery & Pizzeria – Dysfunctionale

Several weeks ago, I was in Chicago to watch my sister play football (she plays for the St. Louis Slam professional women’s football team). While there, we stopped at Piece Brewery & Pizzeria for a late lunch before the game. I had a couple of beers (as did my wife, although I had much of hers). Since I’d never been here before, I wanted a growler, and I couldn’t leave with it empty, so I took this beer to go....

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380. Sierra Nevada / Dogfish Head Collaboration – Life and Limb 2
Nov30

380. Sierra Nevada / Dogfish Head Collaboration – Life and Limb 2

I’m back at Fat Jack’s in Bloomington, IL again for my monthly ABNormal Brewers steering club meeting.  They had this collaboration beer from a couple of great breweries on tap, and I knew I had to try it. According to the breweries… LIFE-This beer is naturally carbonated to enhance complexity  refinement, and shelf-life; the family of yeast cells in every bottle working in vibrant unison. LIMB-The two syrups used in...

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294. Stone Brewing – Sublimely Self Righteous Ale Draft
Apr06

294. Stone Brewing – Sublimely Self Righteous Ale Draft

As I mentioned in my last post, Stone Brewing found a distributor here in Central Illinois, and they were partnering with a local bar for the launch.  I was looking through the list of 12 different Stone beers on tap, and there were certainly some great sounding beers to try.  I had a few samples of beers that weren’t too great (I guess I built up Stone’s reputation a bit too much in my mind).  However, when I sampled this...

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96. Lagunitas Brewing – Limited Release Wilco Tango Foxtrot Ale (WTF)
Jul17

96. Lagunitas Brewing – Limited Release Wilco Tango Foxtrot Ale (WTF)

Well tomorrow I leave to go on my Cuisinternship, and I only wish I could spend more of today preparing for my trip. Instead, I’m trying to get some last minute work done for my job. I’m having some difficulties, and so, since I’ve found myself saying WTF all day long, I decided to break open a Lagunitas Limited Release named Wilco Tango Foxtrot Ale, or WTF. The 22oz bottle says that it is “A Malty, Robust,...

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77. Stone Brewing – Arrogant Bastard Ale
Jun25

77. Stone Brewing – Arrogant Bastard Ale

It’s been an incredibly crazy couple of weeks and there’s not much sign of things letting up. I’ve been trying to catch up on my reviews, but I figure there’s no better time to break into the Stone brewing beers my friend from San Diego sent me than a nice Friday evening. The kids are having a slumber party with their cousins and I’m ready to finally try the Arrogant Bastard I’ve heard so much...

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