Christmas Ale - Schlafly

- Contributed by Ms Duck

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!  Ms Duck is finally writing a post.

Since last we posted so many things have been happening...we finished packing up our Arizona house (it didn’t all fit so we had to rent an extra U Haul trailer last minute), we caravanned half way across country through freezing temperatures (must give a shout out to Ms Duck’s brothers for helping with the drive), unloaded the truck in snow and ice (ok the moving guys unloaded but still), unpacked 95% of the boxes (must give a shout out to Ms Duck’s sister for helping unpack the kitchen) and get the Ducklings all settled before school started back up.

Considering how much this recap makes me want a beer I have to admit I have been having beers, just haven’t been blogging.  Keep in mind this isn’t really my blog, I am just a random contributor so I really have no guilt or responsibility.  Now time for a beer.

For the few people that don’t know where we moved, we are now proud citizens of Kansas City, Missouri.  I grew up near KC and most all the family is now within 2 hours of me.  Hehe, the experiment is whether or not this increases my beer consumption.  This change in region opens a whole new world of craft brew.  Duck and I are looking forward to our first KC Beer Fest coming up February 9th - The Big Chill at 75th Street Brewery.  The fest consists of Beer and Chili which could be interesting.  It is also held in an outdoor Beer Garden in Missouri in February...hmmmm.  Good thing I kept my long underwear from college.  I believe one of the breweries representing at the Big Chill is Schlafly from St. Louis and as a wonderful segway...I’m enjoying a Schlafly brew tonight.

Tonight’s beverage is Schlafly’s Christmas Ale.  In case you hadn’t already picked this up, this is the Schlafly’s seasonal Christmas Brew.  It is a beautiful deep copper ale with hints of caramel and spices.  It gives you that warm sentimental feeling of a cold winter’s day without overwhelming the palate so it is still tasty in late January.  My normal fashion would be to paint you a picture with words of a crackling fire and a cold Christmas Ale as you watch the snow fall out your window.  However, I managed to sit down with this beer on a freakishly warm January day that topped out at a record breaking 75 degrees.  Sorry...next time.

The point to be made here is that regardless of the temp outside the Schlafly Christmas Ale goes down smooth and subtle.  If you still happen to find some of this in the store, I recommend grabbing it before it is gone like Charlie the Christmas Elf on the Shelf...gone until next holiday season.

Cheers!

http://schlafly.com/beers/styles/christmas-ale/

http://75thstreet.com/

Mermaid's Red

- Contributed by Ms Duck

Let me start with a happy hump day!  I actually took a short run today so I get to have a beer.  I have to admit, a beer really does hit the spot after a run.  You don’t have to pop it open right after a run but sometime in the evening is lovely.  Actually I might recommend a shower and then having the beer.  That’s better for everyone around you and you don’t want to be smelling yourself when you are trying to enjoy the gentle aromas from your brew.  Maybe I should just move on to the beer...Coronado Brewing’s Mermaid’s Red.

Out of the bottle the color is a gorgeous deep amber.  Maybe you could even call it a reddish bronze.  There was a minimal head and lacing.  The nose has a lovely subtle aroma that is a bit malty.  The description on the side of the bottle had me intrigued as I took my first sip.  Its mention of hops made me a little nervous being that I’m not a hop lover.  But from the first sip I was a happy camper. You get a hit of malt and spice in the middle of the tongue.  Although there is a noticeable taste of hops it didn’t overpower all the other flavors.  I think this might be one of those beers that will keep the Hop Mammas (shout out to the Hop Mamma - Aimee) happy along with the Stout Sisters.  It also has a nice level of spice that appeals to my fall brew appetite but is light enough to work in the spring.

I recommend this tasty brew from Coronado Brewing out of Coronado, California.  It was a pleasant finisher of my Wednesday...is finisher really a word?  It was a pleasant way to end my Wednesday...that sounds better.  Cheers until we meet again!

Bob's '47 Oktoberfest - Boulevard Brewing

It’s a Monday night and I just felt the need for a beer.  Ever felt that way?  Of course you have.  Sadly I once again didn’t run but am having a beer anyway.  

My choice represents my recent feelings of homesickness.  In case you didn’t know, I am a Missourian born and bred.  I grew up in the rural countryside about an hour and a half NE of Kansas City.  If you are new to our site, this is the explanation for our previous Missouri beer trips as well as the upcoming one this summer.

But as the Missouri Tigers celebrate winning the Big 12 Championship and head into the NCAA tournament, I felt I must honor my Show-Me roots.  Tonight I am enjoying a Boulevard Brewing Bob’s 47 Oktoberfest.  Boulevard is based out of Kansas City and has become a staple in bars across the state.  Even in my itty-bitty hometown you can find a craft beer thanks to Boulevard.  Surprisingly, Duck and I have never toured the Boulevard Brewery though.  Maybe we’ll get to this summer.  In case Boulevard is new to you, here’s the link to the Bob’s 47 info:

http://www.boulevard.com/BoulevardBeers/bobs-47-oktoberfest/

Bob’s 47 is an Oktoberfest beer.  I feel I must mention that due to the involved process it takes to get these beers to my house in Arizona (it isn’t distributed here), I am drinking this well after the ‘Best By’ date.  Bob’s 47 has a lovely caramel color out of the bottle.  At this time the head is very little, which may have something to do with the age.  The nose has a lovely spice sensation.  Now time for a taste...the flavor is still very smooth and full.  It has your typical Oktoberfest flavors...caramel, nutmeg, a little pumpkin (or makes you think of pumpkins) and then the yummy maltiness of a fall beer.  Very enjoyable without knocking you over.  I’m wishing I had a nice hot pretzel and cheese to eat with this.  I look forward to the day I get a chance to try one of these before the ‘Best By’ date has passed.

So I feel I must elaborate in how I get these Missouri beers to my home in Arizona.  We only travel back to Missouri twice a year (Christmas-flying and Summer-driving).  At Christmas, Duck begins collecting what Fall and Holiday beers he can still find.  Then he stores these at my parents, in their cellar.  For any who know my parents this is funny because they don’t drink...at all...and have never allowed alcohol on their property.  But Duck is the husband to their baby girl, so maybe that has something to do with it...plus we don’t drink it there.  So, these beers from Christmas hang out in the cellar until the summertime when we drive back.  Then Duck once again collects what interesting beers he can find.  Not just from Missouri and Kansas but from other areas that don’t distribute as far SW as Arizona.  Then we load them all up and bring them back with us.  I felt like a distributor last summer the load was so large.  It takes lots of effort and patience but in the end it has been SOOOOO worth it!  Lots of yummy brews from KC and St. Louis to enjoy.

For those who can enjoy Boulevard on a regular basis - pthhh! (That’s me sticking my tongue out at you)  For those who can’t I hope you some day get the chance.  Bob’s 47 Oktoberfest is a wonderful brew that you should add to your fall lineup in six months...or give it a try now like I did.

Until next time...CHEERS!
-Ms Duck

Sam Adams Double Pumpkin

Look at how dark that beer is, not you regular pumpkin beer. It is not near as darks as our fav Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter, but it is close. Very nice big pumpkin spice beer!

The Bruery Autumn Maple

Now this is a pumpkin spice beer, probably my favorite this season. Spice, a bit sweet and a dark rich brown color. Not a real thick beer but tasty.

http://www.thebruery.com/beers/seasonalcollection.html