Fall is in the air....

And that can only mean one thing. Octoberfest!

After a long grueling day at work yesterday, I sped home took the dog for a good walk in the drizzling rain as a Nor'easter blows into Virginia. Wet leaves, chill in the air and it all added up to the first beer that caught my eye when I had to run to the grocery store for some last minute dinner supplies.

I figured, "I've held on to the light effervesence of the summer brews for a while. So long light, citrus. C-ya next year o' delightful opacity of the unfiltered wheat. Bring on the full flavor and belly satisfaction of Octoberfest!"

So to celebrate my first official Octberfest brew of the season, I salute my Northern Virginia neighbor - Old Dominion Octoberfest. Bring it on boys. Football season and beer time. Always a surefire crowd pleaser.

Now, my wife reports that Wegman's has a whole aisle of Octoberfest brews.... sounds like this project needs more research.

My hopes for Bud Ale fade

I hate to admit it... I've been looking forward to trying this new Budweiser American Ale. I've been thinking, "Wow, here's a major brewer that's finally listening to their customers and are saying we can deliver more than just a full and lite version of my swill. Maybe they'll impress me."

My delirium about expectations of a major brewer faded last night. I attended the National's baseball game and Miller Lite was sponsoring a "1/2 way to St. Patty's Day" promo complete with Irish dancers, bag-pipe playing firemen and green Nat's hats with a Miller Lite logo on it. As I sat in the stands during the 3rd inning feeling a bit parched, the Beer Man came through. I thought "what they heck let's get in the spirit and try a Miller Lite" (yes, my wife and kids did look at me like I had suddenly developed leprosy).

WHAT WAS I THINKING???? Ohhhh I felt suckered all right. But then I remembered, that this is the kind of marketing schtick that major beer brands go through. Create a bit of hope, pull you in and sell you some sort of beer flavored water.

Which brings me back to Budweiser American Ale..... Are you guys for real with a flavorful beer that adds to the experience? Or are you resorting to the same thing in a different package (with a higher price point) with the hopes of digging deeper into my pocket.

We'll see.

Sierra Nevada makes me Hoppy :-)

I usually don't fall for the marketing hype of "anniversaries" and "specials" in terms of products. Hey, I do marketing for a living. I know what's going on the mind in that product manager ("oooo, new label and a schtick. I'll convince the distributors and put it on the shelves for a short while and see if I can increase the margin.")

Well, let me say this to the marketing manager at Sierra Nevada..... THANK YOU!!!! I picked up a six pack of the Sierra Nevada Anniversary ale. It's a very nice hoppy IPA that flows great and tastes even better after a stressful day at work. It went even better with the calzone and calamari we had from the local pizza joint.

They describe it much better on their website so feel free to bounce over there and get the description and such. But i'll leave it at this..... it's a limited release, I highly recommend you run out and grab a six pack. You'll be glad you did.

Relaxation Beer

I know, I know!  It's been over a month since I've posted.  You're nagging me like my mother would for not doing my homework.  But hey, just like back in school I've still been drinking beer.

But tonight's subject isn't a review.  It's a comment.  I just got home from attending my homeowner's association meeting.  And you know, it's sad to say that the only thing that makes this evening bearable is the cold beer I put in my hand as soon as I walked in.  And that's the nice thing about a cold beer..... in moderation a good beer can save an otherwise unbearable evening.

Drink up friends.