It’s been too long since I’ve had a beer with a fish on the cap, so tonight I’ve cracked open a 750 ml bottle of Dogfish Head’s rarity, Sah’Tea.
The label is beautifully decorated with the exotic image of a woman riding a reindeer. She’s holding a cup in one hand and a steaming pot of tea in the other — and if any of this reminds you of a dream you’ve had recently, please seek professional help.
The “Sah’Tea” name is a bit of a pun, since this beer is in the traditional style called “Sahti” — except Sam Calagione and his team at Dogfish Head have included a decidedly non-traditional ingredient: black chai tea.
What do you think? Should this be the BeerADay.net theme song?
It starts out so promising… let that be a lesson to us all, never start a relationship with a Corona!
Wondering where the latest updates are at? You’re not alone. It seems life can get in the way — but not in the way of drinking beer. I owe all of you several posts about the great beer I’ve been drinking, and I expect to catch up with some quality posts this weekend.
(Once I get through July 4th weekend, my posting schedule should right itself.)
In the meantime, keep watching BeerADay.net and the BeerADay Twitter account for updates. I almost always post a brief note about the beer I’m drinking on Twitter. If you are on Twitter, please give me a follow. And if you AREN’T using Twitter, my most recent updates are always available in the side panel of BeerADay.net.
Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
My love of IPA-style beers has intensified during this yearlong “one-a-day” challenge. But after making my way through many of the Trappist ales in late March, I discovered an enthusiasm for the Belgian style called a Tripel.
A good Belgian Tripel is refreshing and crisp, boldly alcoholic, and full of flavor — spicy, sugary, yeasty, and often tartly bitter. You can drink a Tripel and its carbonated, fresh taste makes you feel energized and renewed even as the relaxing effects of the alcohol wash over you.
Many Tripels pack a surprising amount of bitterness for such a light-colored and often fruity beer. The hops in a Tripel are often designed as a check on the fruit and candy sugar sweetness, acting to balance the brew, tame the alcohol, and clear the palate for a crisp finish. But the IPA style reverses this emphasis, often showcasing hops and emphasizing bitterness while layering in sweet and pale malt for balance.
For regular readers, Avery Brewing Company needs no further introduction. They brew a wide variety of ales and lagers that focus quite effectively on quality and craft — and I’ve become a big fan of this Colorado brewery.
Avery’s Out of Bounds Stout seemed like a good palate cleanser after a week of Belgian style ales. This Irish Dry Stout is a regular feature of the Avery lineup and boasts a rich, roasted taste.
“Philosophy Begins in Wonder.”
– Plato (from the Three Philosophers label)
This week’s journey through the year-round Ommegang brews has been quite a treat. Without intentionally doing so, I staged the beers in order of increasing strength — the simple, wheaty, Witte had an easy 5.1% ABV; fragrant Rare Vos clocked in at 6.5% ABV; spicy Hennepin at 7.5% ABV; and the richly complex Ommegang Abbey Ale tipped the scales at 8.5% ABV.
But while tonight’s Three Philosophers (a Quadrupel style) flexes quite a strong muscle at 9.8% ABV, it competes first and foremost on merit and taste.
Three Philosphers is a Belgian-style ale blended with Lindeman’s Kriek, a Lambic fermented with cherry syrup. Though Kriek constitutes a mere 2% of this beer, its impact on the flavor and aroma is impressive.
My wife and I usually select a Christmas Tree during the weekend after Thanksgiving, and we were thrilled to discover the farm down the road from us is selling trees this year. She and I stopped by the farm while walking our Boston Terrier, Caesar, who helped us sniff out a good one. After my wife and I dithered over the best tree for several minutes, Caesar weighed in with his selection by lifting his leg on a plump Fraser Fir.
I hope that means he liked it.
The tree went up on my shoulder, I carried it home (drawing chuckles from several people driving by), and our Christmas season officially began. We’ve been listening to Christmas music, drinking hot chocolate, and generally sickening all humbugs spying through our windows.
So it should come as no surprise that I’ve selected the “Hoppy Christmas Ale” from Belgium’s Brewery De Ranke. The beer — Père Noël (imported by Shelton Brothers) — intimates the reason for Father Christmas’ jolly cheeks and rosy nose; the label depicts Santa embracing the frothy, 7% ABV Strong Pale Ale.
It’s been too long since I’ve had a beer with a fish on the cap, so tonight I’ve cracked open a 750 ml bottle of Dogfish Head’s rarity, Sah’Tea. 
My love of IPA-style beers has intensified during this yearlong “one-a-day” challenge. But after making my way through many of the Trappist ales in late March, I discovered an enthusiasm for the Belgian style called a Tripel. 
For regular readers, Avery Brewing Company needs no further introduction. They brew a wide variety of ales and lagers that focus quite effectively on quality and craft — and I’ve become a big fan of this Colorado brewery.
“Philosophy Begins in Wonder.”
My wife and I usually select a Christmas Tree during the weekend after Thanksgiving, and we were thrilled to discover the farm down the road from us is selling trees this year. She and I stopped by the farm while walking our Boston Terrier, Caesar, who helped us sniff out a good one. After my wife and I dithered over the best tree for several minutes, Caesar weighed in with his selection by lifting his leg on a plump Fraser Fir.
