Dave has posted the roundup for Session #24.
He gives extra credit to those who shared their tripel (oops, I sort of flunked that one – we shared, but it wasn’t part of my post).
the session
Session #25 announced: Lager Love
The Beer Nut has posted the topic for Session #25: Lager Love.
So for this Session, let’s get back to basics. I’m sure I’m not the only one whose early drinking career featured pale lager in abundance, so consider this a return to our roots as beer drinkers. Don’t even think about cheating the system: leave your doppelbocks and schwarzbiers out of this one: I want pilsners, light lagers, helleses and those ones that just say “beer” because, well, what else would it be?
A lively discussion has already broken out in comments about the announcement, causing me to seek a bit of clarification. I have no urge to return to my roots if we’re talking the insipid lagers available when I first met “quarter pitcher night.”
Or even, for instance, Warsteiner. (I used a wonderful quote from Josef Schneider of the Josef Schneider brewery in Essing, Germany, about Warsteiner in a story I wrote for All About Beer magazine. I will pass it along once the article is in print.)
So I asked about Czech pale lagers (you might call them pilsners, but the Czechs don’t unless they are from Pilsen) and received approval, for a simple reason, because they are “taken-for-granted, this-is-what-beer-means-here.”
I don’t even know if I’ll be able to post for the March 6 Session (I think we’ll be in Virginia; almost close enough to Philadelphia to consider checking out what looks like an insane Philly Beer Week ) and I certainly don’t know what I’ll be writing about. But when that roundup is posted I’m sure I will be clicking on every single link.
Session #24: A tripel to Twitter for
This is my contribution to The Session, today celebrating two years of beer bloggers (and now Twitter users) writing about the same topic on the first Friday of the month. Visit Musings Over a Pint for the roundup. To follow it “live” on Twitter head to that site and search for #thesession.
Today the theme for Session #24 is “A Tripel for Two.” Host Dave Turley asks that we pick a Belgian-style tripel to review, and to tell “us why it’s your pick to share with that special someone.” After all, Valentine’s Day is only eight days out, although I don’t expect it to be a beery day. We have reservations at Cochon in New Orleans and I’ll be surprised if their beer menu equals their wine list.
But a good tripel, or what I’d call a good tripel, matches such a range of dishes it works well at almost any table. Of course I like my tripels sneaky bold, without the obvious alcohol or lingering sweetness that some prefer, with spicy yeast character usually accented by noble hops. Earthy and dry at the finish.
Captain Lawrence Xtra Gold, for example even though it blatantly breaks the noble hop rule. I don’t have a glass of it in front of me, so my drinking notes are from the fall of 2007, when I wrote about the beer for All About Beer magazine’s Beer Talk.
Here’s some of what I wrote for AABM:
Were there orange or mango groves in the flatlands east of Antwerp you sense this is the beer the monks of Westmalle might have come up with. Appropriately sub-titled an “American Tripel.” Citrus aromas and flavors from Northwest hops blend seamlessly with juicy orchard fruits and a bit of candy sweetness. Bready and yeasty on the palate, standing nicely against substantial alcohol. Hop flavor throughout, though in no sense bitter, tart and dry at the finish.
That’s more than 140 characters, so I guess I have to work on the Twitter version.
The Session #24 Friday – Twittering optional
Don’t forget The Session #24: A Tripel for Two on Friday. With a little prodding from Alan it would appear we are ready add a little Twitter this month.
Twittering is strictly optionally for bloggers, but this form of “micro-blogging” means beer drinkers who don’t have blog can participate.
Back to your assigment, from host David Turley:
“Beer is best when it’s shared, and a strong beer is just right for sharing. Belgian Tripels are big beers with a flavor profile that is enjoyed by both experienced and new beer fans. Be it an intimate evening, or watching a ball game on TV, a Tripel is made for sipping and sharing. For Session #24 the theme is ‘A Tripel for Two.’ What Tripel would you pick to share with that good friend, family member, or lover?”
And I’m choosing . . .
Session #23 roundup and #24 announcement
Beerme (Mike) at Beer and Firkins has posted the roundup for The Session #23, a round of looking back and forward.
And February host David Turley has picked what some of us would consider a romantic theme for #24: “A Tripel for Two.”
If you have a beer or beer-related blog, it’s easy to participate in The Session. Pick a Belgian-style Tripel to review. Tell us why it’s your pick to share with that special someone. Be sure to include a review of the beer so that others might be inspired to choose that beer for a special moment. Bonus points if the person with whom you are sharing the beer includes their review as well.
The date is Feb. 6.
Now the shameless plug. If you want to learn more about tripels you’ve got time to order and read “Brew Like a Monk.” My wife, daughter and 16 customers think it is pretty good.