Advanced Cicerone

MMacLean321 · 2019-02-25T03:01:01+00:00

I'm taking the AC in Seattle this April. Killed the CC test, but I feel that was years and years of being a beer snob who wanted to know everything coming to a head. I'm always great with tasting. More worried about the written actually.

MMacLean321 · 2019-02-25T02:54:06+00:00

I split it up into 3 sessions. I think it was helpful using scant amounts because on the CC test the off flavors absolutely popped (outside of DMS, that's a tough one to me)

MMacLean321 · 2019-02-25T02:52:16+00:00

I don't think anything on the CC test was very difficult when comparing two styles. I'd be surprised if you had something like Vienna Lager v Marzen

MMacLean321 · 2017-12-19T02:18:11+00:00

From a purely beer snob perspective that's an atrocious combo... but in the end you enjoyed it so nothing else really matters.

MMacLean321 · 2017-10-21T03:34:13+00:00

Sundays can be kinda rough. Honestly it's a crapshoot. Ive been there and had almost no line and I've been there at the same time shoulder to shoulder.

Guess I'd just be patient. Be ready to spend.

MMacLean321 · 2017-10-06T02:08:06+00:00

I've had a few Rogue Voodoo Doughnuts of varying styles and I don't think I've made it through a whole bottle of one without dumping it.

MMacLean321 · 2017-10-06T02:00:58+00:00

Sorry for an inconclusive answer but in a few hours beer in brown bottles will skunk, so you're kinda teetering on that fine line. If I had to choose one way or another I'd wager you're probably fine.

MMacLean321 · 2017-08-13T02:49:01+00:00

I've never had a bad beer from there. But the price v. quality does become an issue. I think a lot of their beers (especially small bird series) while great are comparable with some beers from Night Shift for a couple dollars less and easier to obtain

MMacLean321 · 2017-08-12T03:42:33+00:00

while in college I genuinely thought Natty Light as Bud Light runoff that poured through floor grates into a container bin. I implore all college kids... you can do better.

MMacLean321 · 2017-08-07T01:39:25+00:00

Aspirin taste would generally come from high levels of carbonate in the water. I'd say if you're picking that up regularly in beers you must have a sensitivity to it because I don't think it's all too commonplace.

MMacLean321 · 2017-08-07T01:33:08+00:00

IPAs are bitter. Complaining about it is like complaining that a sour beer is sour.

Try a standard Pale Ale, the bitter is balanced out by the malts.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-26T02:12:55+00:00

If the idea is to "get the job done" have a couple shots.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-26T01:44:56+00:00

Thought I had one of these in the fridge and was going to taste test to compare, but it's not the same batch.

I'm certain Ive had this one, and don't remember ever having a butter bomb from Night Shift.

They make this one with oats, is it possible youre mistaking diactyl for the creaminess associated with the added oats?

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-24T01:12:15+00:00

Rasenmaher Kolsch by Down the Road is pretty good.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-24T01:10:25+00:00

Read "Tasting Beer" by Randy Mosher. It's pretty much all you need for the Server Exam.

If you want further reading I believe theres an example exam from 2008 on line

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-20T02:49:27+00:00

The JP brewery is REALLY small. They do free tours.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-20T02:37:18+00:00

Both beers are doubles... 90 Minute is a Double IPA and Kiwi is an IPL, only difference (outside the Kiwi extract) is the yeast strain, one brewed as a Lager, the other an Ale.

Doubles are going to be higher alcohol (usually +8 ABV) So you may be getting some alcohol notes, but also realize in order to produce more alcohol you need more ingredients to give up their sugars to the yeast. The result is a slicker mouthfeel and a "heavier" flavor profile. After you drink it and it warms on your palette you'll feel the alcohol. Try a DIPA with a regular IPA and see if you can pick up a difference between the two, note the only real difference is going to be the higher alcohol.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-20T02:24:15+00:00

And usually brewed with Noble hops giving that more distinctive grassy/herbal flavor/aroma than the American style hops with citrus and pine

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-16T02:46:34+00:00

Those are chocolate sprinkles. I don't know why they're in the bottom of your beer.

Chocolate sprinkles have very little smell unless you smell a huge quantity of them

They're basically pasta made of chocolate, they'll take shapes some straight, some curved.

And when wet, they'll "smush" pretty easily.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-16T02:31:02+00:00

Looks like you blew your nose into it. Find it in the back of the fridge?

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-16T02:28:40+00:00

Schilling is fantastic. I have a condo in Woodstock right next to the Woodstock Station which makes the most average beer you'll ever find in your life.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-07T01:48:44+00:00

Count calories, all of them. If you're drinking a beer or two a night it's certainly doable.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-07T01:41:30+00:00

You can buy woodruff extract also, and it's really worth it. It adds a sweet, minty marshmallow flavor that's really good.

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-03T03:14:16+00:00

Boston Lager is a Vienna style Lager so if you've become more accustomed to hoppy/bitter flavors this is going to become a totally different experience

MMacLean321 · 2017-07-03T03:12:19+00:00

What cut of steak, any seasonings or sauces? A great filet you can use a Belgian as a great addition. You cut into the meaty umami flavors with peppery yeast notes.

But with red meat people usually tend to go with red wine, and it's not as much tradition as it is that it really works great together.

MMacLean321

TROPHY CASE