The ol' switch-a-roo

Hey kids!

I pulled a stick-n-move and moved over to wordpress.com.  No hard feelings against the lovely people of blogspot, but I get WAAAAAAAAAY more action over there. So anyway... Continue to follow the madness at http://beerlaughlove.wordpress.com/. See you there!

Cheers!
K.W.

We in da NOLA BABY!!!!

I took a trip to The NO with my KY Snows, Jen and Katie for Katie’s Med School residence interviews.  The trip was filled with fun times and awesome food.  I also found a baby cockroach in my Hurricane, which officially started my revolt against the mixed drink. Team Beer Only!

The Place: New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood, New Orleans, LA
The Peeps: Jen R., Dr. Katie A.
The Beer: Nola Blonde (ABV 4.90%)

The Nola Blonde is the typical blonde and it paired well with my shrimp boy. Jen had the Nola Brown and gave it the ok side thumb.  Katie had to skip out on the first night beverages, because her interview was the next morning.  New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood is cool little restaurant chain in New Orleans and a couple of surrounding cities.  The food was good and I loved that the menu gives suggestions for beers and meal pairing.  I will not speak on the restaurant service is a story for another blog.

The Place: Crescent City Brewhouse; French Quarter, NOLA
The Peeps: KY Snows
The Beer: Red Stallion (ABV 5.80%)
                                                             
Pretty good! Red Stallion was hoppy, medium body, full flavor. Thumbs up!  Crescent city was cool little bar in the French Quarter.  It was decorated with cool signs and had a laid back vibe.  All brewing is completed here and no chemicals are used in the process.  The only down side to this place is that they wouldn’t let Katie bring in her other beverage.  I guess they got to draw the line somewhere. Anyway… Good Job Crescent City!

The Place: International House of Beer, Bourbon Street, NOLA
The Peeps: KY Snows
The Beers: #65 Abita Ale Andygator (ABV 8%),
                  #66 Abita Amber (ABV 4.5%) 
                 # 67 Abita Strawberry (ABV 4.2%)

I think a tear came to my eye when I spotted this place. There are two locations on Bourbon Street and who cares about the other locations.  The bar was the typical Bourbon Street hole-in-the- wall with great prices.  Ladies get a free beer if they take off their bras.  We planned to buy some el chepo bras from the Wal-Green to bring in for a freebie, but we forgot.   If you’re ever on Bourbon Street I highly recommended it!

                                                                                                                                                                                               

65# Abita Ale Andygator (ABV 8.0%)

Since I was in Louisiana it was only right to get as many Abita’s as possible.  Per Bartender, the Andygator had the highest abv of all the beers on tap. He told me it’s 11%, but I found out later that it’s really 8%.  Since I had a double serving I forgive him for lying.  It was a good beer! Nice flavor, kind of sweet.  Good beer for Bourbon Street cruising.

#66 Abita Ale Amber (ABV 4.5%)

The first beer offered by Abita Brewery and the leading seller.  Nice color with a smooth flavor. Yes, flavor can be smooth.  Not much to say about this one, except it is an all around good beer.  Good Job, Abita!  Thumbs up!

#67 Abita Strawberry Ale (ABV 4.2%)

Abita’s strawberry flavored ale (duh).  It’s a wheat ale made with real strawberries.   I liked it, but I didn’t love it.  Jen was enjoying it until she found some mystery cigarette ash in her cup.  I recommend this to the people that want to drink beer, but can get past the taste.  Thumbs up!

Got a couple of shout outs!

1.   To Katie for being super smart and letting me tag along with her and Jen for the adventure.  I’m a little sad you’re not moving to New Orleans, but I’ll get over it.  Get your gun license before you hit M-Town! 

2.   To the crazy man on Bourbon Street who jumped out of nowhere and did the Stanky Leg Sunday morning before we left. You are one classy guy!

3.   Commanders Palace for the amazing lunch, but they get a serious back hand for those 25 cent cocktails.  I can make kool-aid at home. 

On a serious note; Please continue to pray for all families that were affected by the tornado in April.  Seeing the damage of my sweet little T-Town brought a tear to my eye.  Volunteers and donations are needed.  Get off yo butt and help somebody!  ;0)

Sweetwater: Round 2... BREAK!

The Places: Sweetwater Brewer and Fellini's Pizza, Atlanta, GA

The Peep: Phons J.

The Beers: #61 Sweetwater Happy Ending

                   #62 Shiner Bock

Phonso was super jealous that I took my first trip to Sweetwater with my Snows (shout to Jen and Christina), so I took him on his first brewery tasting adventure.  To my surprise he really liked it!  He fit in just fine and we even made some friends while we were there. Side Note: The Snows out there have some harsh opinions about Nikki Minaj, but I’ll save that for another day.  Anyway… I was a tad disappointed that Phonso would not venture out past the lighter beers, but oh well.  Sweetwater was just as good the second time around.  A little bit more enjoyable since we were able to go outside and enjoy the sunshine.  If you haven’t been to Sweetwater you need to go now! Yeah… Like right now…

#61 Sweetwater Happy Ending (ABV 9.0%)

When I go to Sweetwater, I usually start with the favorite and get the special brew at last call.  Not much to say about Happy Ending.  I didn’t really like it.  It's an Imperial Stout.  It had flavors of chocolate and coffee and had a small hint of hops.  I really want to like stouts, but I don’t know if I have it in me.   I think I'm trying them at the wrong time.  Maybe I should coordinate a designated time to try stouts and call it “Stout Time”.  Nice name, right?  It wasn’t awful and possibly might get another try.  I gave it a side thumb/bad face for now.  The bad face is to add drama to the side thumb.

#62 Shiner Bock (ABV 4.40%)

This was a post Sweetwater pick.  I don’t know why I tried or what I was thinking at the time.  (From what I remember) Shiner Bock was ok.  One of my work Snows mentioned that she liked it, so I owe this pick to her.  I’m pretty sure I was trying to hide from the camera, but it didn’t work out well.  I gave it a thumb up, because I was in a “good place” at the moment. 

High Five to Fellini’s Pizza on

Northside Drive

for having the most delicious pizza on deck after my adventures!  Oh… I got a twitter for the cause!  Follow the adventures on @BeerLaughLove… If I remember to tweet.  Remember to breastfeed your kids! Cheers!

I don't have a title... Sue me

The Place: Marlow’s Tavern- Chastain Rd, Kennesaw, GA
The Peep:  Alphonso J.

The Beers: #60 Ommengang Hennepin (ABV 7.70%), #61 Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen (ABV 5.20%)

                                                                       

Let me start off by saying, I love Marlow’s Tavern!  I have always had amazing food and service every time I go.  There are several locations across Metro Atlanta.  Definitely (I’ve been using that word a lot lately) a good pick for dinner and drinks for a reasonable price. I was a little sad that we had to sit in the drafty covered patio area, but we were to fat and hungry to wait for a seat inside.  Epic fail to the dude playing cover songs during dinner!  I don't know his name, but he murdered some hits that night.

#60 Ommengang Hennepin (ABV 7.70%)

The waiter (shout out to you blond hair waiter, even though I can’t remember your name) suggested Ommengang Hennepin.  Excellent choice!  So far, my best beer 2011 and officially on my all time favorites list.  It’s perfect!  It has a mix of gingersnap and citrus hops.  On the Ommengang Website someone wrote “I actually believe it was touched by the hand of God.”  I don’t know if I would go that far, but  it gets a big thumbs up from me.  I recommend to EVERYONE… even your grandmother!

#61 Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen (ABV 5.20%)

Another Marlowe’s Tavern pick.  Very similar to Blue Moon.  It’s a wheat ale with citrus flavor and golden color.  It would be perfect for hanging outside. It was nowhere near as good as the Hennepin, but it was nice.  “Slight” thumbs up.  It get’s the “slight” because I like Blue Moon a little bit better.

HIGH FIVE to me for pumping out three posts in less than 24 hours.  I have a lot catch up on, so I’m going to try to keep cranking out the hits.  I have been keeping track of my unwritten adventures in the memo pad on my phone (its a mess) and there are beers that I completely forgot about!  Keep reading and I’ll keep typing! Cheers!

Gump Town Adventure

The Place: Alley Bar, Montgomery, AL
The Peep(s): Alphonso J. Special appearance by Team Purple Burger

The Beer:  #59 UFO White

Ok… So… I took a random trip to Montgomery, AL (Da, Gump, Da Land, or whatever you chose to call it) with Phons and special ride along guests Team Purple Bag (don’t ask).  Anywho… after a long day of being frightened by the natives and  playing with my 7 month old bff Ethan it was time to see what SAFE nightlife “Da Gump” had to offer.  Alley Bar was NOT a place that I would expect to see in Montgomery.  It has a cool atmosphere, good variety of beers and chill mixed crowd. Oh… and a SHOT ROOM!  There was live music by Raygun Administration.  HIGH FIVE to them for playing a darn good cover of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy”.  I started the night off with some repeat offenders, Purple Haze, Dos Equis, and Corona Extra Dry (Shout out the my UA kids!).   At the end of the night I tried my luck with UFO White.  Bad move.  It was a cross between orange Mop and Glow and Blue Moon.  The beer was very crisp and tangy.  It was kind of weird and just wasn’t my cup of tea.  Side thumb for the effort and not being terrible, but I doubt I will give it a second chance.  Sorry kids! No pic for this one. My apologies...

Shout out to Team Purple Bag and their mission to spread the word about brown liquor to age groups 18-24.  I also applaud their efforts to make functional drunkenness cool.  I wish them all nothing, but the best!  Oh… and a HIGH FIVE to Montgomery for always reminding me that Chatt isn’t that bad.

Where you been, son?

Man… Has it been a long time or what? I know it is super late, but I hope everyone is having a excellent start to the new year! Between studying for the GRE and writing grad school essays I hardly had anytime to blog. Ok… I’m gonna lie…I just didn’t feel like blogging after all that mess, so I took a small hiatus. Now I’m so far behind on sharing my adventures I’m going to be typing like a mad woman!  Even though I haven’t posted anything in a while, I definitely kept the tour going.  So without further delay I present to you... (dun dun dun) the beers of 2011!

#55 Delirium Tremens (ABV 8.5%?)

I have heard nothing but good things about this beer, so I was excited to try it.  First off… Super scared of the bottle. I have no idea why, but it made me feel dirty.  Like I was doing something wrong.  Once I got passed the feeling dirty part, it was all good. It's golden, kind of frothy.  I’m pretty sure there was some kind of funk coming from the bottle, but I chose to ignore it. Also, there were chunks of stuff at the bottom. I’m no beer expert so I don’t know what that was about.  In all, I give a thumbs up.  I didn’t go crazy like some people claim to do, but it would have made for a nice adventure.

#56 Reunion 08 (ABV 6.50%)

I chose this beer because it was organic and the profits go to Multiple Myeloma and bone cancer research.  I was having a “do-gooder” moment and felt like I was doing my part to help someone.  As I mentioned before, the beer is organic (my 1^st organic beer, btw).  It is made from caraway seeds (never heard of it).  I’m not gonna lie, When I started pouring it I was scared to death!  It was thick and reminded me of old soda for some reason.  It wasn’t awful, but it certainly was NOT amazing. Can’t really describe the taste, but it’s not one I could get use to.  I give it a side thumb for the cause.  Sorry about the pic... I couldn't turn to pic around.

#57 Sierra Nevada Hoptimum (ABV 10.4%)

Let’s start from the beginning with this one… I go to my local place for my new beer adventure and to pick up some stuff for a girls night with friends.  The clerk is going crazy about these limited release beers and how it is soooooo amazing.  I resisted the urge to buy some, but I by the time I got to the car I already changed my mind.  So I made a u-turn back into the store and the clerk is giving a history listen to a customer about the fabulous beers.  I was in and out off listening because, I was much more interested in which beer had the coolest bottle.  At the end of it all, I spent over $20 on two beers.  If you know me for real, you know that I’m will probably think about that $20 until the year is over.  Anyway- Sierra Nevada Hoptimum was one of my picks.  CRAZY HOPS! Almost out of control (in a good way).  Crisp, slightly bitter.  Very good beer for the more experienced beer drinker.  Would not promote this for the beginners.  Thumbs ups!!!! Especially for the ABV.  I made myself finish the bottle, because I didn’t want to go to waste.  I recommend sharing it with a friend (or a stranger).  Shout out to Sherlock’s clerk guy for the selection.

#58 The Lost Abbey Judgment Day (ABV 10.5%)

The slogan for The Lost Abbey is Inspired Beer for Saints and Sinnners Alike (fancy and scary). This was another limited release pick.  The clerk made it seem like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy, so I went for it.  It’s a Dark Quad (Google it) Belgium Ale brewed with raisins.  I had to use a wine opener thingy to get the cork out of the beer (wish I had a video of that).  I was semi afraid to drink it… It’s not every day you drink a beer with a picture of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse on it.  Despite the fear of Jesus coming back at that very moment, it was pretty good.  I could really taste the raisins (still not sure how I feel about that).  I give it a thumbs up.

High Five to everyone and their dream/ goals for 2011! I have feeling that this going to be a year of major changes.  The only person that promotes my recklessness is getting married (tear), the kid’s dad is (finally) finishing school, and I’m on a downward spiral to 30.  It's geting real out there!  Hopefully, I can provide you with a lot of laughs this year.  I promise to do a better job with cranking out the posts. Cheers!