American Craft Beer Week - Day 2 & 1 green eyed lady

American Craft Beer Week

May 17th, 2011

Day 2

Celebratory antics included a visit to MSM (Magical Sandwich Makers in Tacoma, WA for those of you who just don't know) for Dogfish Head Aprihop. They didn't disappoint, but they never do, so no surprise there. Drank a bottle (okay, two...) while watching The NeverEnding Story. I don't know what my movie selections have to do with American Craft Beer Week but it sets the tone, mkay?

Happy to report that the bottled (2011) variety of Aprihop is much tastier then the two times I had it on tap recently.

Cue photographic transition from ACBW info to the Green Eyed reference

Me, drinking my Aprihop in bed. For those of you unenlightened folks, Aprihop is made by Dogfish Head. Which just happens to be where MGD went today... with. out. me.

In all fairness, it's not like I had the option or capacity to join him. He was in Virginia, visiting the Falls Church DFHead Brewpub. I would have been equally saddened if he didn't stop by DFHead, but that is truly irrelevant.


He's on a road trip driving across the country and beer related stops are mandatory. In a couple of weeks I'll be meeting him in Chicago and we'll have even more beer related adventures to write about when we're back. He gave me permission (hahaha, funny right?!) to pre-blog his action so here's what he was up to today.

Hellhound On My Ale

Blend of the Black&Blue, Red&White and Palo Santo Marron. MGD declared that it would take an hour to rate this beer it is so complex...

Naturally, a trip to the bathroom came next before hitting the road.

Lovely, Lovely Taps.

Total rudeness. Sent to me w/ a message saying: Muah. Hahaha!

Next stop Brooklyn, if he can survive the nightmarish traffic. Or what some of us like to call karma.

I'm stoked (secretly) that one of our unit got to make an appearance at Dogfish Head but naturally had to do my typical thang out of jealousy. This equals...

• Receive onslaught of TM pictures from MGD, manage to not throw my phone.
• Reply with a smiling picture of me labeled 'before I got your TMs'
• Send 2nd reply with a sad picture of me (eye drops may have been used to simulate tears) labeled 'after I got your TMs'
• Laff ass off with coworker and submit that I haven't felt this jealous over anything in a long time. MGD & I have never had people based jealousy problems in our relationship, just beer based jealousy.
• Replied with final TM, a picture of me holding a sign stating 'I will do dirty, unspeakable things to you in Chicago in 2 weeks in exchange for DFHead souvenirs'.

it's still American Craft Beer Week but I'm currently on a TWO week(ish) countdown,

the pissed liBEERian

Super sneaky watch photo...

Magical Beer Providers - MBP

I feel like a kid in a candy store. A kid in a candy store who forgot her Aderall and who is in possession of a credit card with no limit. I'm better now. Calm even. A big glass of red wine will do that pretty effectively. I have happened upon a local oasis of some highly sought after ales this evening.

Background-
Ever since Seattle International Beerfest this summer (2010) I have been on a small (but elaborate) mission to acquire DogFish Head bottled ales. Specifically their 120 Minute IPA and World Wide Stout. @ SIB they hosted a special pour of each of these ales in addition to a black and tan mix of the two. This whole event was deemed magical by my cohort and I. We were 1st in line an hour prior to pouring. Made a run to the car for more tasting glasses so we could take advantage of our numero uno position and get as much ale as possible. Looked behind us to find about 100+ people eagerly waiting the pour to begin. And it was worth it my friends. Worth it. Sigh...



Right. Anyways. In an effort to duplicate this magical concoction I have been on a hunt. 120' IPA is a big fat negatory everywhere, but the 90min IPA does the trick just fine. Found a bit of WWS @ Whole Foods in Seattle and Bellevue but that supply dried out and all the local beer stores don't carry it no mo neither. Supply EXHAUSTED! Lame.

Looked on the DogFish Head distributor map today for fun and saw a local deli on the list. MSM Deli on 6th Ave, Tacoma. The place looks like a dive on the outside. Think broken down gas station that doesn't supply any gas. Best deli subs in the 253 are created within. There is a reason they are named the Magical Sandwich Makers. Visit my friends, and soon. If not for the sandwiches, for the beer selection (which you can enjoy there w/ your sammy).

At this point all I can say about me as a person is that I get disappointed very easily, especially when I get excited about something. Probably because I plan out everything I do & how I want things to work out; to the nth degree. Not to mention, I get single minded over things I want or desire. With life being what it is, many things get in the way of my best laid plans. Constantly. However, one would think I would have learned my lesson at the ripe age of 28 that the most surprising fun and unexpected perfection is born out of random spontaneity & unlikely circumstances.

Cue my reaction @ the refrigerated section at MSM. Sweet Lima Bean! They carry a TON of DogFish Head ales. Some I've never seen and a plethora of my much sought after World Wide Stout. I did that thing where I'm in such a state of happy shock I don't even know how to process or proceed. Total brain overload. So I play with all the bottles, check prices, take pictures and TM them to Cole (co-DFH lover), and in general do a spastic internal dance of ALElation.



Other than the stockpile I am purchasing to hoard and to share, I am stoked to try the following 2 ales:

Fort - Belgian Ale brewed w/ pureed raspberries 18% ABV 49 IBU

http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occassional-rarities/fort.htm
&
Saison du BUFF - Saison brewed w/ sage, parsley, thyme & rosemary. 6% ABV
This beer is a collaboration between DFH, Stone Brewing Co. & Victory Brewing Co. Same recipe brewed 3 times, once at each brewery. Muy interesante.

http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/collaborations/Saison-du-BUFF.htm

This pished liBEERian is @ this very moment in time, quite content. Knowing what I desire is accessible and waiting for me. I love getting what I want when I want it when I didn't even know that I could have it so easily. :) Eagerly awaiting private beer fest #3 to sample all of these tasty libations I've been collecting. Goodness knows I can't handle all this ale alone.

Cheers & happy Hump Day!