Black Albert

My favorite stout from Belgium. Blacker than black and a 13% flavor steamroller that will as they say...tattoo you from the inside. No light can penetrate this Cthulhu like liquid, no palate can escape the oozing fog like flavors of chocolate, carmel and coffee AND no memory will forget this amazing beer. 

*Black Albert is also 1/4 part of the Voltron "Baller Stout" made for Three Floyd's 15th Anniversary. 

www.struise.com

Gimme 5 with Three Floyd's Chris Boggess

Welcome to the first Gimme 5. Gimme 5, like the rest of the beer related things on this blog, is for fun. 

A little fun fact look, without going full nerd. Ladies and Gents...Three Floyd's head brewer and hair metal flag flyer, Chris Boggess.

BT: Who or what is your earliest brewing influence?

CB: 2 answers - 1. My friends Lee Robberson and Laura Batchelor home brewed in college (mostly Laura, she was a domestic powerhouse, she could do anything by scratch and usually kick it's ass). I used to bum around at their house all the time and drank as much of their beer as possible. 2. My brother Tim bought me a Mr Beer homebrew kit when I was living in Houston. I made some really bad beer with it but realized making beer was cool. I was soon brewing professionally a year or so later. 

BT: What beer changed the game for you?

CB: Anchor's Liberty Ale 

BT: The one place you'd love to see your beer on tap?

CB: I'd like to see our beer(Space Station Middle Finger) on tap in the International Space Station.

BT: IN THE BEGINNING (Motley Crüe ref) What was the biggest hurdle to jump from home brewing to commercial brewing?

CB: The biggest hurdle was getting the job! The differences are so huge it's tough to compare them. 

BT: Preferred band to brew to and do you think it has an influence on the beer?

CB: I used to listen to a lot of Slayer brewing beer in the early days. The speed and intensity works perfectly with doing manual labor. It helps me focus therefore helping me make better beer!

Now it's not just one band or type of music anymore because we have lots of people working in the brewery. 

MEKONG

I can't believe I haven't written about this Richmond, VA jewel already. Mekong has won best craft beer bar in the nation two years straight (www.craftbeer.com) and the vote is coming up again. I'm hoping for a Threepeat 'cause this place is so special. The sickest beer selection, great staff, great food and amazing patrons. An amazing spot to learn about new beer styles and meet new people who are very enthusiastic about beer without any type of attitude. 

An Bui, the Chief Beer Officer is one of the greatest hosts of all time, as his knowledge and passion for beer is conveyed through generosity, finding those gateway beers for countless people.  A truly one of a kind experience/must visit destination. 

Monday Night all 50 taps are only $5...even Abbaye De Saint Bon Chien, which is on tap all year long!

Here, Beer is truly The Answer and be sure the try the Mekong Chicken Wings ;)

www.mekongisforbeerlovers.com

Brick Kiln

I consider Barleywine the Haymaker of beer in a sense. They're usually for the colder months and have a Big Ben like ABV, huge and you'll be on your way in no time. Jackie O's has a great track record with big beers and this is no exception. Remember Bambi meets Godillza? Sub out Bambi with The Raisinettes and you got Brick Killn.

www.jackieos.com

Grätzer Ale

The Grief/Dystopia split 7" record came with a razor blade and grim suggestion. This beer collab between 3 Floyd's and New Belgium looks the part, adorned with blood red ink and Zombies gaining speed to ghost ride the bicycles they've just stolen, but this dark pouring, smokey & lightly sour ale, drinks like a fresh breeze on a spring day. Light and crushable at 4.5%. Would be sick with cherries and chocolate. 

www.3floyds.com

www.newbelgium.com

Tired Hands Brewing

This small batch brewery in Ardmore, PA specializes in awesome. With a focus on farmhouse style, Saisons, Sours and a love for hops (think IPA Wrestlemania), all the beers here scream excellence. I have not had a bad beer from them. Tired Hands stands in a class of their own with all their beer having its own character among a sea of breweries who have similar idea. The pub itself has an ever changing beer and food menu to keep anyone coming back. TH is in my opinion, also a gateway for change, as I've seen many non beer folk converted within its halls. There is truly something here for everyone and if you haven't been already, pack your bags now. Cheers to TH for creating something simple, special and initiating change for beer drinkers. 

**A Tsunami of people flooded the pub upon the opening of their two year release party this past weekend, reaching capacity in just four minutes. 

www.tiredhands.com

Bohemian Pils

I want it to rain this beer and then I want to float down a river of it with a giant stein. So crisp, so clean and ever so refreshing. Low ABV, high flavor, endless guzzling. The only US pilsner that has made me feel like I'm in Prague drinking the freshest Czech pilsners from a Tank Bar. Possibly the best US style Czech pils. Benchmark beer. 

www.hardywood.com