Ok, I know I said I’d see you next year in my last post, but as this post concerns a holiday gift that I was late in picking up, I’ve got one more before 2012.
Witness: Homebrewed beer.
My lovely employers, Justine and David of WriteByNight, got all their employees a six-pack of homebrewed beer for Xmas (writers + alcohol = FTW, duh!), and since I just picked mine up this afternoon I decided to bust them out to celebrate a) the New Year a bit early and b) the crazy-warm winter weather we’re having today (it’s currently 73; no wonder people get sucked into moving to Austin).
My favorite, by far, was the Russian Imperial Stout. Described on the label as “dark and bold, flavored with cinnamon coffee and vanilla beans,” I would describe this beer as “alcoholic coffee.” I got some of the vanilla, not much of the cinnamon, and a definite taste of the coffee. As my sister’s t-shirt used to say, “Beer: It’s not just for breakfast.”
Also included in the assortment were:
- Blueberry Cider – which, oddly, didn’t taste at all like cider to me (a shame, as I really dig a good hard cider)
- Saison – described as “light, sweet and slightly spicy, brewed with orange peel and coriander” (much enjoyed by Celebrity Intern)
- Oktoberfest – “sweet and malty, classic German style lager”
- Blonde Ale – also enjoyed by Celebrity Intern for being “clean and light, easy to drink, pairs well with many foods”
- Chai Amber – “dark amber beer, rich with chai spice” (it certainly smelled and tasted chai-like, but Celebrity Intern said it bothered his stomach)
Here are some snaps:
The source of these magical homebrews remains shrouded in mystery, so if you want to try a little homebrewing as your New Year’s resolution, check out Austin Homebrew Supply over at 9129 Metric Blvd. They’ve got everything you need to brew your own beer or cork your own wine, plus they offer classes on how to do it up right. Dare I say “It’s the gift that keeps on giving”?
I dare.
