Keeping track of beers I've had.

One of my biggest shortcomings is record keeping. I don't keep decent records of the beers I make, nor do I keep track of the beers I've drank. Sometimes it is by choice. Writing a review while drinking a new beer can take away from the experience of actually drinking it, especially when trying to follow the semi-standardized format of Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel and Overall Impression as I am actually trying to enjoy the beer.

The biggest hindrance in my opinion is not having a place to keep all of my notes. The back of envelopes, bills, and LHBS receipts are not the best locations to write tasting notes. I saw this product in the newest issue of Zymurgy, and it looks like it could potentially be a solution, but then I asked myself, what happens when I run out of room?

I'm thinking a simple notebook would be the best solution for me, the biggest problem is being consistent in using it.

Worshipping the Sacred Cow

As part of a recent brew swap, I received a bottle of Sacred Cow IPA from Arbor Brewing, in Ann Arbor MI.

Opens with a pronounced his and pours with an excessively thick, creamy white head. A bit overcarbonated. Citrus grapefruit and pine aroma. Flavor is strong with bitter grapefruit, and light pine. I personally like it a lot, but it might be bitter for some IPA lovers. The grapefruit forces it's way through the carbonation, not much in the way of malt.

Overall I'd rate this beer slightly above average. The flavor was pleasing to me, but the over-carbonation took away from what could be a far better beer.

Naked City Brewing

If you check out the links on the right side you'll see a link for the Naked City Taphouse in North Seattle as well a list of thier current beers on tap.

Naked City Taphouse is a joint venture between two great guys, Don Webb and Don Averill of Seattle. I met Don Webb online a couple years back when I first joined Homebrewtalk. Once I moved back to Western Washington from Hawaii I had the opportunity to meet both Don's and have followed the foundation of Naked City from the beginning when it was just an idea and then moved into reality.

Currently, due to licensing, they are currently a taphouse serving 25 beers on tap as well as a food selection, but will eventually brew beers onsite as well. They do brew a small amount of their beer offsite at this time and rotate it into the line-up. Read about the building of the taphouse and see some great build pics here.

I haven't had the opportuntiy to make it over there yet, but recommend anyone living in or visiting the Seattle area drop in for a pint or two. If either of the Don's are in, let them know McKBrew from HBT told you to drop by.

Iron Horse Brewery Black IPA

Great Beer Reviewed Here.

Keeping up with the Beer sites.

I am discovering more and more beer sites lately, and having a heck of a time checking them all out, let alone keepinging up with them all.

Seems like I'm finding more and more on Twitter (actually they are finding me). I chose one homebrew forum, even though there were several and now I just need to decide what beer sites are the best and which ones aren't worth my time.

I tried my hand in the beer site game and had lofty ambitions of brewer interviews, commercial brewery tours, etc... (www.brewcompass.com), but realized that I don't have the time or financial resources to do it right and more importantly, I'd just be doing something that was already done. I have a hard enough time keeping up on my own blogs.

For those of you with up and coming beer sites, best of luck to you and I wish you success.