Barley Prose – “I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety.”

The Thanksgiving Beer Post

I like wine well enough, but Thanksgiving should be more of a beer holiday, and I don’t mean downing eight beers with old friends the night before off dirty taps and watching the parade with a hangover. True story, I once went out to a local place with a great selection, had two beers and woke up absolutely miserable on Thanksgiving. It was in the early 2000s, and I blame dirty taps, even if I don’t have any proof.

So now that I’m “grown up” and hosting Thanksgiving and a little more in control of the menu and the beverage selection, what’s the plan? The crowd will still be pandemic-limited, so there won’t be that many drinkers at my house, which is a shame, but that’s not going to stop me.

Alementary Brewing releases a Thanksgiving beer, an English Barleywine called Figgy Pudding. It’s a beer aged on Turkish figs, Turkish apricots, and Medjool dates and then into Jamaican rum barrels. It’s a great rich and malty beer that pairs well with the season.

Another great drink is cider. Apple cider is already a delicious fall/harvest beverage, and it’s even better with booze. I recently purchased a pack of cider from Graft Cidery called Back Country Old Fashioned Cider, Citrus & Bourbon, and it’s quite delicious. It’s almost like a cocktail, because of the bourbon flavor, but the lemony citrus gives it enough acidity to not be overly sweet, and it just seems to go well with everything.

What, you might ask, is Botty McBotface, our resident AI, drinking for Thanksgiving?

“I’ll tell you what,” Botty said, “I’m gonna make a big batch of wine spritzer. I’m really excited about it. It’s gonna be great! I’ll put the wine in the blender, add some soda water, ice, and cranberry juice. That way, everybody can have a glass of wine.”

Sure. You could do wine. Spritzers seem like the way to go, give yourself a little carbonation to go with the big meal. I saw a fun recipe of Limoncello, cranberry juice, and seltzer, which I might give a whirl. Maybe even use prosecco instead of seltzer.

I personally like to drink Oktoberfests on Thanksgiving, because I feel like beyond that I start looking at all the stouts and dark rich Christmasy stuff, and if I have any Oktoberfest left they just linger in my fridge, despite being one of my more loved styles. Drink ‘em while you got ‘em, so to speak.

All in all, the best Thanksgiving drink is the one that’s in your hand, and if it hits the spot and pairs well with whatever you’re eating, all the better. So feel free to share your beer photos with us on Twitter or Instagram, and have a happy Thanksgiving!

Ceetar can be found on Twitter and Untappd where he’s currently making apple pie and drinking an Alementary Random Placement Of Things. You can also email him at beer@ceetar.com.

Mets On Tap Episode 30 The We Almost Have A GM Episode

You can email us questions, comments, and beer recs at podcast@barleyprose.com.

Michael, Jake and Jason yammer on about Noah Syndergaard signing with the Angels, and what we think about that, Billy Eppler, and some roster construction ideas.

We once against ponder why Edgardo Alfonzo is not being considered for manager.

Michael: Sierra Nevada Celebration
Jake: La Cumbre Malpais Stout
Jason: Empire Black Magic Nitro
Botty McBotface: Lighthouse Brewing Company’s Suicidal Bastard dark barley wine

And check out Barley Prose on Instagram for more beer content.

Please rate (5 David Wright ..or Davey Johnson..or Ed Charles.. Stars!) and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, your favorite nail salon, or just scribble the URL on a cocktail napkin at your local brewery.

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BeerSport: Oktoberfest Take 2

The name of the game is BeerSport – two beers enter, one beer leaves. Beersport.

I don’t we’re starting to cross into stout season, but imo Oktoberfests go right up until Thanksgiving, they’re a nice meaty supper beer. Anyway, These are the two _other_ beers from the Saranac Oktoberfest pack dual BeerSport I did.

This time It’s the 1888 Octoberfest facing off against the Black Forest Schwarzbier. The Octoberfest is billed as an ‘authentic German-style lager’, but comes in a little low at 5.4% and the Black Forest is named for the homeland of Saranac’s founder. 5.3%.

Preconceived notions on these is that I thought I’d had the Black Forest before and liked it, but actually that was the Black Forest Cake. I expect the Octoberfest, and apologies if I add a k to that–never trust an Octoberfest, to be pretty typical of the style.

Appearance

Octoberfest is a little darker than I’d like, and maybe has a little too much malt. Only a little bit of head. Looks fine.

Black Forest. It’s black? Just a hint of lighter/cola colors around the edge. Pretty coffee colored head.

Edge: Black Forest

Smell

Octoberfest: A malty smell with hint of some cherry perhaps. Whiff of sulfur. Smells a little sweeter than I expected.

Black Forest is very clean. Aroma is very light. Also get some sweetness, more than I expected. Sort of a dank sweetness, that fades into more of a light coffee note. Not fresh coffee, but just that impression you get when you walk into somewhere where coffee is frequently brewed, but is not actively being brewed.

Edge: Octoberfest

Taste

This is definitely a sweeter Octoberfest. Are all of Saranac’s sweet? This is fine, there’s not quite that sulfury/yeasty richness that usually cuts the Octoberfest malts here. It’s faint, but it needs more. It’s very drinkable though, and it definitely tastes better after you acclimate to the extra sweetness.

Black Forest. The black forest might be more drinkable though. Its got that light coffee note, maybe a hint of cola but it’s that sweetness playing with me perhaps. It’s light though, airy.

Edge:Black Forest

Mouthfeel

The Octoberfest has a little more of a beer feel, it’s a little fuller. The black forest is very airy, tickles your tongue and then moves along. They’re both basically the same 5.4 or 5.3 ABV, which is low for an Octoberfest.

Edge: Octoberfest

Overall

Neither of these are great beers, they’re good, but they’re forgetable. The Octoberfest just missing the mark, and is a little weak. The Schwarzbier is just lacking alittle bit overall in flavor. It just needs a little bit more there.

Winner: Octoberfest takes it home here, barely, with a more beer like experience.

Ceetar can be found on Twitter and Untappd where he’s currently on vacation in Mexico, sipping bad beer or tequila by the pool. You can also email him at beer@ceetar.com.

Adventures in Near Drinking: Athletic Brewing “Run Wild” IPA

Well, it’s been so long since I actually sat down and tried to smith some words about drinking that I had to knock my head against a post just to remember my credentials.

Then it hit me. The password, that is, not the post. Plus also the post.

I’ve had a recent conversion, of sorts. Like that guy, on that road, except maybe less dramatically Biblically so.

It turns out that Covid made me one thirsty, alcohol-spongin son of a gun, and it was affecting my health.

I know what you’re saying, though. This is a beer blog (technically). About beer drank by beer loving beer guys. And these beverages are not technically beer, I am surmising, as the can calls it a “near beer” and an “N/A brew” but not a beer.

But now it’s time to put my own spin on this blog.

I’ve converted to an N/A devotee.

Not full time, mind you. I do still enjoy stopping by all of my favorite local haunts for a real deal beer (specifically Buried Acorn and Freight Yard, but others also).

But in terms of what’s in my fridge, nowadays, I am not exaggerating when I say that while there are a couple of Guinnesses and late season Oktoberfests in there, the primary occupants are thirty individual cans of Athletic Brewing self described “near beer.” I’ve even added a monthly subscription, so that I can get some of their other choices sent to me that are not carried at my local food jobber.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. There are all kinds of metaphors here to be made. Here are a few that have gone through my head.

Drinking an N/A beer is like watching a pornographic film where everyone keeps their underwear on.
Drinking an N/A beer is like eating a vegan hot dog covered in mustard powder.
Drinking an N/A beer is like taking a photo of a painting of a sunrise.

You get the idea. It’s a near experience.

But, ultimately, this is about flavor and drinkability. Being drunk is fantastic, do not get me wrong. There’s a reason I’ve been doing it since 1987. But, as I get older, I find that I really just want to enjoy a cold refreshing beverage, and in this regard, these Athletic Brewing beers hit the spot.

I’m going to start with their flagship brand, the “Run Wild” IPA. This one is found locally at Wegmans and is I believe their most popular product. It is, ITBMCBB*, “the ultimate sessionable IPA for craft beer lovers. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, it has an approachable bitterness to balance the specialty malt body.” Did you get all that?

And it is delicious! It tastes, well, like an IPA. I won’t get all specific with hops and notes and mouthy feels and shit, because that’s not how I do things. But it’s good. I come home from a run and crack open one of these fellers and pour it into a glass and then I’m just another guy having a beer.

And that, my friends, is what it’s about.

Look for future reviews of the Athletic Brewing stout, hazy IPA, copper ale, and raspberry lime radler in upcoming weeks. I told you I’m all about this!

Mets On Tap Episode 29 : The Reincarnated Corpse of Dead Mets For Manager Edition

You can email us questions, comments, and beer recs at podcast@barleyprose.com.

Michael, Chris and Jason yammer on about stuff. Mets managers, maybe Carlos Beltran? Maybe a re-animated corpse? Maybe a Twitter poll? What happened to Edgardo Alfonzo?

Should the Mets branch out and hire an exec that’s committed a different type of crime, you know, for variety? What’s a little arson between baseball teams?

Michael: Barrier Emperor’s Blood Thickerer
Chris: Rising Storm Battle Scars
Jason: Buried Acorn Hop Whip
Botty McBotface:Parallel 49 Brewing Company’s Blackberry Saison

And check out Barley Prose on Instagram for more beer content.

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Mets On Tap Episode 28: Zambrano, Hefner and the Mob

You can email us questions, comments, and beer recs at podcast@barleyprose.com.

Michael, Chris and Jason yammer on about stuff. Jeremy Hefner is staying, are we okay with that? Why aren’t pitcher’s throwing more pitches for the Mets? When did Victor Zambrano get hurt, and why does the mob still control NJ Liquor laws.

Also some good pondering about a MLB franchise between Rochester and Syracuse?

Michael: Long Trail Harvest
Chris: Young Lion Go Low IPA
Jason: Founders All Day IPA
Botty McBotface: Cannery Pow Wow Wheat Ale

And check out Barley Prose on Instagram for more beer content.

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Mets On Tap Episode 27 : Mets In A Holding Pattern, So Hold Your Beer Instead

You can email us questions, comments, and beer recs at podcast@barleyprose.com.

Michael and Jason talk about the playoffs, the stupid Atlanta team, and much ado about nothing with the Mets. Some playoff format discussion, some pondering the Mets, and a lot of beer and glassware.

Michael: Yuengling Hershey Porter
Jason: Great Lakes Oktoberfest
Botty McBotface: 4 pints of Fuller’s London Pride

And check out Barley Prose on Instagram for more beer content.

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BeerSport: Oktoberfest Edition

The name of the game is BeerSport – two beers enter, one beer leaves. Beersport.

I meant to make BeerSport a regular feature here on Barley Prose, reborn from the glory Beergraphs days, but alas, it’s been nearly two years since I last did it. Time flies, and apparently Oktoberfests make me want to drink two.

If you’re not familiar, I drink two beers at the same time, and compare and contrast them in the five tradition categories of Appearance, Smell, Taste, Mouthfeel and Overall, and declare a winner in each. Today’s contestants are two beers out of Saranac’s 12 Beers of Octoberfest Variety pack, the Hoptoberfest IPA and the Festival Pils.

Oktoberfest is a special time for me–I got married in October, and my wife’s family is German, though Northern Germany which is actual quite different. More Prussian versus Holy Roman Empire stuff, but nonetheless, passion for beer. We visited Munich in 2012 for Oktoberfest, and it was absolutely amazing. Delicious roasted macadamia nuts, half-meter bratwurst, and beers as far as the eye could see.

None of these beers are as good as those, but let’s get to it.

Appearance

Both lighter beers, clean looking. The pils is golden, and very pretty. The hoptoberfest is a little more of a bronze, clearly with some slightly darker malts. Head pretty similar. Labels are both pretty neat, the Pils features steins of beer in front of a beer hall, lots of Bavarian blue and white. Hoptoberfest is more of a green and white hop theme, with clinking glasses. Since this is a fall BeerSport, I’m gonna give the slight nod to the more traditional Pils.

Winner: Festival Pils

Smell

The Pils has some malt though. It’s got some sulfury aroma, spicy german hops? Reminds me of biergartens, though not Munich’s.

Hoptoberfest smells like an ‘old school’ east coast IPA. one with plenty of malt backbone. Not surprising for a NE brewery trying to make a “hoppy oktoberfest” light hints of caramel, maybe some pine? Gonna go for the Pils on this one, just a little bit more appealing. I like the sulfur smell more than the taste.

Winner: Pils

Taste

That’s a pilsner. It’s nice. Pilsners aren’t really my favorite, but they’re inherently drinkable regardless. The sulfur taste is there, but muted. Some light sucking candy sweetness, but it’s balanced nicely by some hop bitterness to make it just crisp enough to want another sip.

The Hoptoberfest? Yeah, that’s a East Coast IPA circa like 2002. It’s got some caramel sweetness, probably typical of a Märzen grain bill, but plenty of sticky pine hops to bitter. It’s not cloying or anything, but there’s an ever present sweetness to it that just doesn’t jibe with the hops. We’ve come a long way and learned a lot about IPAs and the malt/hop balance and we’re better for it. This beer is fine, but I didn’t miss it.

Winner: Pils

Mouthfeel

The Pils is crisp on the tongue at first, acid like, and then you get some of the sweetness, that fades into a little bit of like, resiny stickiness, just a hint of it. Coming in at 5.2%, it feels nice.

6% on the Hoptoberfest. It’s got some of that sweetness that lingers, before the pine puckers your mouth a little.

Winner: Pils

Overall

Well, I didn’t expect this one to be such a runaway. The pils is a nice solid easy drinking beer, perfect for a festival or a party or just a night outside by the fire.

The hoptoberfest is..meh. It’s fine, but it didn’t need to be like this. The oktoberfest style is a great beer, and this basically tried to add hops on top of that and it just doesn’t work that well.

Winner: Festival Pils in a landslide!

So there you have it. Stay tuned for round two of the Saranac battle, as I pit the 1888 Octoberfest up against the Black Forest Schwarzbier.

Ceetar can be found on Twitter and Untappd where he’s probably drinking an Oktoberfest. You can also email him at beer@ceetar.com.

Mets On Tap Episode 26

You can email us questions, comments, and beer recs at podcast@barleyprose.com.

Michael, Chris, and Jason talk about the Covid baseball rules, Dave Kingman, and where it all went wrong.

Talk about maybe getting in one more game in person, about what to watch, and where to watch it, in the offseason, and a little about the Mets branding news. Hockey right? We’re all watching the Islanders?

Michael: Bells Oktoberfest
Jason: NA Athletic Run Wild
ChrisRising Storm Key Lime Pie It Was Written
Botty McBotface: Mexican beers

And check out Barley Prose on Instagram for more beer content.

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Mets On Tap Episode 25

You can email us questions, comments, and beer recs at podcast@barleyprose.com.

Michael, Chris, Jason and Jake talk about the weird yellow City Connect jerseys the Red Sox where wearing, about Pedro Feliciano, Fernando Martinez, and Danny Heep.

We talk about cool merchandise from The7Line, including this Pepsi Party Patrol windbreaker.