Rick Cook

Christmas in July is big fun. It's always nice to read of other pubs doing it. Stuffed Sandwich in San Gabriel, CA has celebrated it for years. Here's their current line-up of beers on tap: 2001 Anchor Our Special Ale 2002 Anchor Our Special Ale 2004 Anchor Our Special Ale 2003 Marin Hoppy Holidaze 2004 AleSmith YuleSmith 2004 Gouden Carolus Noel 2004 Delirium Noel 2004 Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux Rick

Old Rasputin is a great beer fresh, and even better with some age on it. Following are some tasting notes on a '97 I drank a few months ago: If you like stouts and haven't yet tried North Coast's Old #38, you might pick that one up as well. Rick

Tasting notes, eh? I just reviewed 1996 Alaskan Smoked Porter for Christmas in July. Very dark brown, almost black, with mahogany glints around the edges...firm, dark tan head...nose rich with smoke, and surprisingly, powdery malt...not a drop of sediment in the bottle...fine body – round and buoyant, with sprightly carbonation...flavors of roast and dark chocolate abound, with the sherry flavors from the oxidized malt adding a winy character...the smoke is still very pronounced, intertwined throughout the flavors and adding a beautifully long, dry finish, in addition to a lingering smoke aftertaste. Alaskan Smoked Porter has tremendous aging potential. Two more bottlings and I'll have a 10-year vertical. A smoke probably would have gone nicely with the ASP. I currently have Romeo y Julieta Churchill tubos and the Robustos Montecristo did for the 2000 Habanos series, but the '96 ASP warranted individual attention. Rick

I've heard bits and pieces of the story. I'd love to hear an informed account. I was fortunate to meet Pierre once, not long enough for more than a picture, but he was a very genial guy. Rick

Hi Mayhaw, The Celis label was revived by Michigan Brewing Company and Celis White medaled at GABF last year. I still haven't tried the "new" Celis, though. Rick

I've been drinking Andygator on tap at Stuffed Sandwich (San Gabriel, CA) for the past few weeks. Sam's always good for putting on the odd something that can't be had anywhere else locally. Rick

slkinsey: Any thoughts on the following: Kalamazoo/Bell's - Expedition North Coast - Old Rasputin Harvey and Son - A. Le Coq Rick

Grab a bottle of Victory Storm King Stout, and then tell me what you think. Another comparison that serves no purpose. Different styles. Rick

Southern man better keep your head Don’t forget what your good book said Hiya, Lew. Really enjoyed your article on wood (heh, heh. wood.) and bourbon in the latest Malt Advocate. Rick

Hiya, Rust! Rusty achieved a Days of Barleywine and Roses first last year by posting a tasting note on Stone's Arrogant Bastard. The ale had been reviewed in prior tastings, certainly, but never had a reviewer done it solo with a 3 liter bottle. Rick

Never Mind The Sex Pistols, Here's The Bollocks

Rick

Wilson, If you're referring to Capital Brewery in Middleton, I've been there. I stopped in on my way to Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison a few years ago. Nice biergarten, very good lagers. Rick

Hey babyluck, First of all, thanks very much for the Boyle recommendation. He's a little dark, and the book I read was some of his older stuff, but I really like his writing and will be picking up some more of his work. Great reading. While beer goes back seemingly forever, canning certainly doesn't. Boyle's story strikes a nerve nonetheless with the way he captures the geekiness of the collector. Anyone who has become obsessed with trying every beer, every wine, every whatever, can relate to the enthusiasm/obsession of seeking out that prize find. Rick

Jim's suggestions of Cantillon, Boon and Hanssen's pretty much covered what is available to me. Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus and Fou Foune are favorites, as are Boon's Marriage Parfaits and Hanssen's Oudbeitje. Overall, I'm a big fan of Hanssen's. Not lambics, but you might also try Liefmann's Frambozen and New Belgium's Frambozen, both raspberry brown ales. While you're at it, try Liefmann's Goudenband. Finally, have you tried Fantome? Rick