Open mike: Strong beer!

Now that Robin is gone for a while, I shall wreack mayhem on the forum and suggest a novel idea! Let's do an open mike on beer even though this is a wine forum.

I know that many feel that beer is a summer drink, but as with wines there are so many different styles of beer that some should suit the recent drop in temperatures! I would suggest that we try something as vague as strong beer. I mean anything stronger than the basic weak lager that is served everywhere (Bud I think is the most famous in the States?). I don't wan't to suggest any specific percentages of abv.

We recently received some beers from a fantastic Norwegian brewery: Nogne Ø. We already have the India Pale Ale (at 7,5% abv) and will soon get their Porter (at 7%) and their Imperial Stout (at a hefty 9% abv). I hope to try one or all three if they make it in time to the shops. These types of alcoholic, usually slightly sweet and full bodied beers are IMO ideal for these colder days. I hope I get a bit of interest for this, though it isn't wine! But remember all: the best beers are just as nuanced as wines - just steer clear of mass market lager!

-Otto-

Great idea! Here in the states with fall in full swing and winter approaching, US micros are releasing their winter and holiday festival beers, many of those are high gravity beers (original gravity > 1.070) so this would be a great time for a beer open mike. (Makes note to buy Terrapin Brewing's Big Hoppy Monster (8% ABV) and Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout (7.5% ABV))

[Robin Garr]

Hah! I saw that!

Okay, before leaving, I'll play. This isn't much of a TN, but it's drawn directly from a restaurant review I recently published about a new spot in the Indiana suburbs here, Bistro New Albany. The beer is also made by a local microbrewery, and I think it's arguable that the best US beers are coming from such small, local artisans nowadays.

... a glass of amber <b>New Albanian Brewing Co. (NABC) “Croupier” India Pale Ale</b> ($3.50), potent, fruity and hoppy, made in the classic style of the strong beers that the British used to send to India on speedy clipper ships.

Otto, when I was in Poland this past summer I had a number of very fine strong beers - Tatry and Okocim come to mind. The Okocim is probably a large-production beer, since it can be found here in Canada as well, but the quality is good.

Normally I don't buy strong beer at home, but while on holidays, after many a long, long hike visiting historic sites in hot weather, not one but TWO strong beers didn't seem excessive to me at all!

Having said that, the wine scene in Poland is next to nil - with the exception, I'm sure, of good restaurants and dedicated wine fanciers. But in the general population, people are just not wine-attuned. There are many cold-climate varieties, as well as some viniferas, that will grow there - but the tradition simply hasn't set roots yet as such.

Good idea Otto and I will be on board!! I can just see their faces down at the store when I go over to the beer display unit. Termendous choice and beers from everywhere.
Think I will look for something from your part of the world, or the UK.

How fitting.

Though it isn't particulary strong, I am drinking a new beer tonight (new to me at least).

I am sitting right now in the restaurant of a hotel in Wroclaw, Poland drinking the beer Paul previously mentioned called Okocim.

This beer is on tap for $2 per .5l (6 PLN). It is a summer beer by my standards, fresh and light with a good amount of carbonation. It is served with sufficient foam, but this falls rapidly. The nose is rather fruity and not very hoppy, though there is a distinct hops nuance. The finish is crisp and really quite nice.

Carlsberg is also on tap, and would probably be more appropriate for the weather, but I'm not in Denmark!

[James Roscoe]

Do Belgian ales count or is that an entirely different weekend?

Great idea. Northern New England is aswim with wonderful craft brews, including some of the best Oatmeal Stouts one may find anywhere.

On our two or three yearly trips above the border, have not seen much activity in this area. How come guys? Does it have something to do with the law?

Do Belgian ales count or is that an entirely different weekend?

Sure they count: they aren't insipid lager! I hope to see all your notes in the near future. I'll drop by an alko tomorrow to see if the new arrivals are in yet!

And thanks for the note Robin! We see all too few American beers here. I only hear rumours of their excellence and would really love to try some of the better ones.

Nøgne Ø Porter 3,99€ / 0,50 l, 7% abv

Black. The nose is pleasantly roasted and tarry but with a touch of sweetness - it seems a classic Porter to me! The palate is a bit on the sweet side, but perfectly balanced by the charred flavours and noticable use of hops. This is an extremely pleasant beer and typical of the style.

From my limited sample of Nordic beers, I would say that Nøgne Ø is one of the best. Actually, the couple beers from them I've had, are among the best strong beers I've had from anywhere. The labels are IMHO pretty stylish in a modern way, also.

Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout 4,37€ / 500ml; 9% abv

It was probably a bad idea to open this as the Porter was strong enough that I certainly felt its effects, lol!! Oh well, the Porter was delicious enough that I wanted more.

This imperial stout is the Pedro Ximenez of beers. It is big, almost syrupy in texture, sweet and plummy on the nose. But where it differs from the vinous metaphor is that thought there is much sweet maltiness to the palate, it is actually fairly dry! But still, the texture in its thickness is reminiscent.

I'm only two sips into beer yet am tiring already. I'm not tiring of the complexity, as this is arguably the most complex (apart from my darling Cantillon) beer I've had, but of the sheer weight. The alcohol is not noticable in any way (no burn, no spirityness and no clumsiness as there is often with this high abv beers), but I guess the weight can partly be attributed to the very high alcohol.

Very complex, very impressive, very good - but too big. I would love to treat this like PX and forget it in the fridge for a couple days and then take a small glass with a cigar. But beers don't seem to last open very well. A pity. I'd need two other people to help me finish this bottle.

Good start there Otto!! Could not find what I was looking for so will go with something (upscale) American. Is that OK?
Are you posting this idea on Tom`s beer forum?

Carl, any recs that I should look out for? There are some Calif. breweries repped here in Alberta.

Bob, two from New England that I would recommend are Belfast Bay McGoverns Oatmeal Stout which is now made by Shipyard and distributed by Millers; and Harpoon Oatmeal Stout that is also distributed by deep pockets. One that you should be able to pick up at the corner store is Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout from Jolly Ole.

Thanks Carl but out of luck here! Picked up a stout from Oregon`s Rogue brewery.
Question...does it matter which style of beer glass one uses for these big beers?

I love beer, but I'm trying to drop a few pounds, so I don't get it as much as I would like. A few of my favs include: Flying Dog Gonzo porter, Rouge's imperial stout as well as their chocolate stout, Czarina Katrina--a Canadian strong stout, Descutes Black Butte porter and the best IPA IMHO: Bell's Two-Hearted ale (I love the 100% centennial hop profile).

I'm also a home-brewer and will brew 6-8 5gal batches per year, mostly IIPA and strong stouts.

Do Belgian ales count or is that an entirely different weekend?

I would hope they count. With the exception of a couple of Canadian beers, Belgian ales are the only beers that I drink. My favorite is ’05 GOUDEN CAROLUS Grand Cru of the Emperor but since it is 10% I will frequently settle for my favorite trapiste ale, Koningshoeven Dubbel that is only 7%. Will open one of these this weekend.
Walt

I use 50 cl milk glass type but clear mugs from, of all places, Finland!

I use 50 cl milk glass type but clear mugs from, of all places, Finland!

I've always preferred a tulip shaped glass for beer also: beers' aromas are lovely so I don't want them lost. My standard beer glass is the Riedel Overture Magnum which is 500ml so fits one beer just perfectly!

Otto, do beers age?!! I have one here from Quebec, think I should cellar after checking in with the website and consumers comments!!

[James Roscoe]

This beer doesn't qualify as a "strong" beer, but it is tasty. It's a Warststeiner from Germany. I assume it's brewed for the American market. You can really taste the hops and barley. It's a nice brew for a Thursday night in my Dad's study in Philly.

Bob, brews that have live yeasts inserted or reinserted into them such as many Belgian brews and those of that style made on this side of the ocean; age nicely.

Otto, do beers age?!! I have one here from Quebec, think I should cellar after checking in with the website and consumers comments!!

If it says "bottle conditioned", then it's a safe bet that it will age well. Beers like traditional Lambics (Cantillon) reputedly age as well as top Bordeaux (and is much cheaper).

Well, here is my contribution to this weeks OM. It is all down to you Otto!!! I have to admit that I am not a beer drinker, the Innis and Gunn sometimes but never have much beer in stock for myself. The Rogue beers from Oregon have won a ton of awards world-wide so guess you know-alls are up on this winery, plus the style of beers!!

Roque Shakespeare Stout, Oregon

Oats, chocolate and wheat on the nose. The color is kinda ebony with a rich creamy head. Has a light caramel rim, 6% alc. Looks like my beer batter made with Guinness!!.
On the palate there are some big flavors here. Earthy, wheat, chocolate chips. Not at all what I am used to but can sure taste the hops! Cannot imagine drinking a bottle of this in one go!! But the fans will love it, hello Otto!!