It finally happened

I paid $10 for a pint!  Actually, it wasn't a pint, it was an 8 ounce pour of St. Bernardus Abt 12 in a matching chalice.  The beer was awesome, taking me back to a time when all beer was new and each sip an adventure.  I am still on that adventure, but a bit more seasoned now, and perhaps a bit cynical.  I digress.  My rant has turned in to a walk down memory lane, which is not the direction I am traveling in at the moment.  As I was saying, the beer was awesome.  The price was less awesome.  You may recall my rant here, where I mentioned that a pint of beer in San Diego was nearing the $10 mark.  Imagine my surprise when I got my bill at Slater's 50/50 and saw $10 next to the St. Bernardus entry!  Mind you, this beer retails for around $5 for an 11 ounce bottle, and I had just paid $10 for an 8 ounce pour!  Did I mention that I paid $10?  I know there will be a mark-up when a beer is served in a restaurant or bar, especially when it is on tap, but that's quite a mark-up.  I paid $7 a while back at Hamiltons for a decent pour of The Bruery's Coton, a much more expensive beer.  How did Abt 12 ring up at $10?  How did I miss this hefty price tag when I ordered?  Perhaps the prices aren't listed on Slater's extensive beer menu.  I would like to say that they are not and then proceed to complain about it, but I honestly didn't look at the menu with an eye to price, just palate.  Was I so blinded by the killer selection that I completely missed the high dollar figure next to each beer on the list?  That debate won't be concluded until my next visit to Slater's.  I will let you know what I find.  Slater's 50/50 is awesome.  The manager personally visited our table a couple of times, and even gave us a coupon for a free dessert on out next visit.  Their food is superb.  Their beer list, 111 strong, speaks for itself.  However, the beer prices deserve a second look.  Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I feel much better.  I've also made myself hungry and thirsty!

Frosted Glassware Is Not Cool

This is a nice article about proper beer storage and serving temperatures.  Be sure to download the cheat sheet and take it to your favorite offending establishment.  Let's educate bars and restaurants about the do's and don'ts of craft beer.

What a waste!

Wet Reckless?

I recently heard this term, but was unaware of its meaning.  A Wet Reckless is a plea used to reduce the charge of drunk driving when the amount of blood alcohol was borderline illegal, there was no accident, and there is no prior record for the driver of the motor vehicle.  The result of this plea is a lesser fine, no minimum jail time, and no record of a drunk driving conviction.  I had no idea this plea existed.  While interesting, I'm sure you will never need to use this plea because you're smart enough to not drink and drive in the first place!

Barrels o' fun!

Homebrewers, have you tried barrel aging your beer yet?  I haven't, but have been wanting to.  This may be the time to start.  The following is a Facebook post from Port Brewing / The Lost abbey.

"Want a used Bourbon barrel?  We have 30.  $25 each, you pick it up.  But you need to contact Ruby in Cust Svc. quick!  http://ht.ly/8HSyz"

I don't know if they have any left, but it seems like a good deal to me.  Get on it!

Beer, wine, and rot

Dogfish Head has always been synonymous with experimental beers, and Noble Rot will be no exception.  Read all about the new beer here, and be sure to watch the short video as well.  Touted as "the most ambitious hybrid of beer and wine in thousands of years", I can't wait to get my hands on it.  Could this be the brew to finally unite beer and wine drinkers once and for all?

Word