Xenomorph from Omaha
Beers…
Kona Pipeline Porter/ I was excited to try this beer from Hawaii. It tasted like a carbonated iced coffee. I like stouts and porters with coffee flavors, but I don’t want it to be the only flavor. The carbonation was a little harsh too, but I feel like that could be the bar’s fault.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Emperor’s I Am the Black Wizards (surf rock cover).
—-
Franzianer Hefe-Weisse / German lesson! Weisse=white. Weizen=wheat. It used to be illegal in Germany to make beae with wheat. Unlike here in America, it is considered poor taste in Germany to add citrus slices to your wheat beer. This classic German wheat beer is pretty distinct with it’s almost creamy feel and strong banana flavors. I wonder if you could make a beer smoothie with it. The sweetness surprising leaves with swallowing and instead yields a crisp yeastiness.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Helloween’s Future World.
—-
Smuttynose Winter Ale / Smuttynose may be my favorite brewer. This winter warmer is perfect. Ideal with hearty meat and potato meals, but it satisfying enough to be a meal on its own. Dried fruit and smooth malt flavors. I’m increasingly becoming a loner and beers like this makes that transition fairly easy. Ideal day, laying in bed listening reading about murders/politics with a Smuttynose winter warmer and some droning chaos on the hi-fi.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Celtic Frost’s Circle of the Tyrants.
Ommegang Abbey Ale / After being mildly dissapointed with Three Philosphers (though I should try it again) I saw this bottle for cheap at Trader Joe’s. For a Belgian style from New York it is impressively close to the real thing. Dense flavors, strong.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Ulcerate’s The Earth at It’s Knees.
—-
Weihenstephaner Korbinian / The Weihenstephan Brewery can trace its roots at the abbey to the year 768, as a document from that year refers to a hop garden in the area paying a tithe to the monastery. A brewery was actually licensed by the City of Freising in 1040, and that is the founding date claimed by today’s modern brewery. The brewery thus has a credible claim to being the oldest working brewery in the world. They are famous for their hefenweizen, but the Korbian is much different animal. Dark, fairly high ABV, and MASSIVELY malty. When the bartender first handed me the draught it smelled like he opened a bag of dog food. That sounds bad, and at first I didn’t like it, but that is how the double bock style works. It grew on me. To be revisited.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Candlemass’s Demons Gate.
Kenneth Anger has “Lucifer” tattooed across his chest. I’ve been watching his films over and over this week. One in particular, Rabbit’s Moon, is among his earliest. It’s soundtrack is exceptional. After watching the film I immediately researched the song. Someone before me put a lot of work into digging out the truth.
Beers…
Chimay Tripel / As are most things related to monks, this beer is pretty rad. Lighter of the three Chimay brews, though I’ve only had Chimay Blue before. This blonde was very drinkable. Had a sweet sticky head. I’m still not sure if you are supposed to drink the fermentation.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Enslaved’s Havenless.
—-
Delirium Tremens / Named after a withdrawal syndrome of alcoholism sometimes known as “the horrors,” (which is pretty bad ass in its un-political correctness) this beer is a delicious pale ale. I went into this beer previously only trying the brewer’s Delirium Nocturnum, which is a fairly intense dark ale. Tremens has a more accessible honey sweet yet crisp taste.
In 1998 it won the “Best Beer in the World” award at the World Beer Olympics and was was given the #1 spot in Stuart Kallen’s book The 50 Greatest Beers in the World. So it has some street cred. You will easily recognize the beer for its ceramic looking painted bottle and cool elephant/crocodile label. Actually, the Belgium brewer, Huyghe Family Brewery, really outshines the competition in aesthetic. I’m a big fan of the La Sexy Lager label series.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Cathedral’s Midnight Mountain.
—-
Hoppin Frog B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout / This beer will become a Christmas Eve standard, if not an any-given-Sunday standard. The blackest beer. Even the foam head was a muddy brown. Rich oatmeal, chocolate, berry flavor. Absolutely fulfilling. Every sip gives me the pride of a newly elected pope trying on his first customized mitre. My new favorite stout.
If this beer was a metal song it would be Satanic Warmaster’s True Blackness.
Rock music is more susceptible to being shitty and annoying then any other music. It takes brave hearts, Beefhearts, to bring breath back. I won’t pretend to be the biggest Beefheart fan, but his death reopens the challenge for me to elevate my own cool to his standards.
