Fluffy Bunnies and Social Media by Beth

A few weeks ago I found out on Twitter that Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project were coming out with a new beer called Fluffy White Rabbits. I was intrigued, not because of the name, but because I'm a total Pretty Things Fan Girl at this point (PTFG?). I wanted to try it, but couldn't make it to the Green Street launch party for a number of reasons, plus those kinds of things stress out this introvert to some degree.

Anywho, our favorite local bar, the Independent, posted to Facebook and Twitter that they had a keg on Friday. Oh yeah, we were so there. We actually had told them earlier in the week that they should try to get it because we were excited about the beer, so now we felt REALLY COOL that they had it. Anyhow, we went, enjoyed it, had two each, and ate some cheese (love their cheese plates, which is becoming an expensive side habit to this already expensive beer habit).

The beer was very drinkable...I actually didn't know the ABV until today (the website hadn't listed it on Friday and it wasn't on the Indo's beer list)...it's stronger than it tastes, but I didn't feel all that much effect from it. I was well fed though. Anyway, it's very drinkable, with a real hop presence, but not in an assertive IPA/DIPA way, more in a tingly aromatic way. Great, drinkable, tripel flavor...a slight astringency, a touch of funk, lovely balance.

This beer definitely screamed SPRINGTIME, which was welcome on such a beautiful day as Friday was...especially after the Nor'easter that flooded the whole dang state earlier in the week. Really, the beer tasted like that first day when spring starts to emerge, the grass and dampness permeates, and it's time for some sun.

Loved it. Run, find it. Enjoy it. If you can't find it, drink whatever from Pretty Things you can.


Anyway, I also wanted to publicly point out how much I appreciate following my local businesses on twitter/facebook--they post their specials, what's on tap, events I'd be interested in going to...and I show up. It's just really great having the information sent to me. Okay, so my wallet and impending unemployment could do without the constant temptations, but a little beer is necessary during these tough times. So thanks to the Indo, and Emma's Pizza, for always tempting me and reminding me how much I love visiting your establishments.

February Grades and Ranks

This is a great outlet for me. I really like knowing what I have had to drink over the past month. If you are reading this, you can follow me "live" on Twitter. I am adding a few notes this month.

[A+]

#1 Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout. Had about 6-8oz. at the fest. Rich, smooth, strong, dark. You know it's good when your foam is brown. A+ 8:54 PM Feb 21st via web (A+ , A+)

I was lucky to drink as much of this as I did at the EBF. It will be hard to find a better beer.

[A]

#2 Great Divide Hibernation Ale. Old English Style Ale. Malty, robust. Peppery, too. Shared with wifey. Seriously good. A 5:57 PM Feb 10th via web (A, A)

I just got "Great Divide"... you know, the Continental Divide?

#3 Allagash White. Still awesome. So lemony and crisp, makes your mouth water for the next sip. A 6:28 PM Feb 6th via web (A, A)

#4 Allagash Four. i love my sipping beers. sour and strong. dark and delicious. a- 7:44 PM Feb 27th via txt (A-, A)

#5 Sinebrychoff Porter. baltic. no carbination. Wicked tasty for cold nights. A- 6:01 PM Feb 14th via txt (A-, A)

These last two are two wonderful beers that should be sipped. I think that this is my new favorite way to drink.

#6 Pretty Things St Botolph's Town. So dark and smooth. at red bones. waiting for potato salad. sOrry love! A 3:21 PM Feb 10th via txt (A, A-)

[A-]

#7 Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 2009. Belgian ale w/ spices and cocoa. Nice medium body with strong hop appeal. Complex, nice flavor. A- 6:49 PM Feb 4th via web (A-, A-)

#8 Russian River Pliny the Younger. Had 6ozs. Sure, world's best beer, but I don't like 3PAs all that much. But I understand the hype. A- 8:57 PM Feb 21st via web (A-, A-)

Saying this is bad is like saying Christmas is bad. I liked it, but I didn't love it.

#9 Lagunitas Brown Sugar. A lot more hoppy than expected, but with a subtle sweetness and strong nody. And ABV. Enjoyed it a lot. A-. 8:30 PM Feb 18th via web (A-, A-)

[B+]

#10 Southampton Triple Abbey Style Ale. Citrus, coriander, peppery. Apparently I am on a Belgian kick lately Maybe a little "good" sour. B+ 7:51 PM Feb 12th via web (B+, B+)

#11 Great Divide Hades. Belgian Style Ale. Interesting to have this soon after Allagash White. Lemony, but more acidic. More body. B+ 6:35 PM Feb 9th via web (B+, B+)

#12 St. Feuillien Brune. a Fruity Brown. nice balance for now b+ 5:19 PM Feb 14th via txt (B+, B)

#13 Great divide Tripel. nice body for a tart lemon taste. yes i like body. b+ 6:54 PM Feb 27th via txt (B+, B)

#14 Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. Interesting blend of European styles, with a Hefe taste but with a heavier body. Enjoyable and different. B+ 11:51 AM Feb 27th via web (B+, B)

This truly was a different beer.

#15 Anchor Porter. Smoky, but light body. Would have been better if served warmer. Still enjoyable. B 6:50 PM Feb 5th via web (B, B+)

#16 Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA. This really is a mood things between the Smuttynose and DFH. The DFH is so much sharper, but is that better? B+ 8:53 PM Feb 21st via web (B+, B)

#17 Ithaca Cascazilla. A red ale. Super hoppy, but balanced well. Nice body and taste. I thought spicy, but could have been the mustard. B+ 8:33 PM Feb 11th via web (B+, B)

#18 Smuttynose IPA. Solid stand-by. Great example of what an IPA should be. It's fun to be hoppy, but to be a good beer, you need balance. B+ 7:54 PM Feb 17th via web (B+, B)

[B]

#19 Anchor Our Special Ale 2008. Still have some holiday beer left. Really is a better session beer than with food. Like good flat soda. B 7:19 PM Feb 2nd via web (B, B)
Anchor OSA '08. After EBF, it is interesting to have something not aged in a barrel. Still super syrupy, with a little tinny-taste. Good. B+ 8:01 PM Feb 25th via web (B+, B)

Aging is still new to me. While I think that it should be good, there are new tastes that I am not sure whether or not they should be there.

[B-]

#20 Kasteel Rouge. A cherry Belgian ale. Honestly? Cough syrup, but sweet and yummy. I expected something more complex. B- 7:19 PM Feb 3rd via web (B-, C+)

Sad that this ranked as low as it did. It was one of Beth's gateway specialty beers.

#21 Middle Ages Im Paled Ale. Drinkable, yeah, but nothing exciting. It's like, "Hey, hops!" Not balanced, but does not leave a bad taste. B- 8:38 PM Feb 24th via web (B-, C+)