Entries from May 2007 ↓

The name and the artwork on the bottle are what sold me on choosing this from the shelf on my last beer store trip. Just look at this (stolen from their site, not my poor photo skilz):

The commerical description from ratebeer.com is:

Duchesee de Bourgogne is the traditional top fermented reddish-brown ale from the West-Flanders region of Belgium. This refined ale also known as "The Burgundies of Belgium" is a blend of 8 and 18 months old ales following careful maturation in oak casks. 100% natural and unpasteurized.

OK, but what does it taste like? Well, like a belgian ale but a bit sweet and a sourness that most describe as being like balsamic vinegar. While this may not sound good, it makes for a very interesting and complex flavor that gets better with every sip.

If you see this, be sure to try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. 

Hail the Ale! beer links for May 27th:

• Review: Beeradvocate Magazine, May 2007 | A Good Beer Blog - A subscription would make a great gift
• Get The Organic Buzz - The Daily Green - Organic beer info.
• Appellation Beer: Beer From a Good Home » Blog Archive » Other historic beers on my wish list - Beer history is fun history

BridePort shipped me twelve of these bad boys a few weeks ago with their press release to announce their new Haymaker Extra Pale Ale. This is an american pale ale which uses four types of malt and three varieties of american hops.

I had some help drinking these since a friend stopped by for happy hour with my wife and I the same day these arrived. My favorite beers are typically stouts, porters, and highly-hopped beers. My drinking companions were of the fairer sex (actually they still are) and they usually go for lighter ales and lagers.

All three of us liked the Haymaker. The hops gave this beer a hint of fruity flavor that was a bit bitter like grapefruit and the crisp finish was as BridgePort says, "sunshine in a bottle".

For me, this is a great beer that I think would satisfy a wide range of beer drinkers. It would be perfect for a cookout, beach day, or happy hour. I'd recommend checking this out if you find it in your area.

Here’s some sites that I’ve found from our incoming links and thought you may be interested in. I’m leaving out the description so you can have your own fun checking these out (and I’m lazy).

• the cocktail circuit 
• Ontario Brewer
• Kegerators Blog
• Shooters Arms Pub
• A Beer Sort of Blog
• Mississippi Brew

Hail the Ale! beer links for May 22nd:

• Lyke 2 Drink: Esquire’s Best Bars in America 2007 - I’ve been to none of these.
• JS Online: Brewers keeping beer in clubhouse - Treating adults like adults is something you don’t see often in professional sports.
• Barley Vine: Sad News for Texas Beer Lovers - Yet another odd state beer law.
• “Brew” Blog - Beer Industry Market Analysis, News and Commentary: Can Sapporo Break Out of Sushi Bars? - Sapp’izzle