What Kind of Beer Drinker Are You?

I came across this graphic the other day on College Humor and thought it was worth sharing with our readers. If you’re like us you probably fall into more than one category. Personally, I struggled with my decision. I feel that I’m some sort of “snob/explorer hybrid” (explob? snoxplorer? – I don’t know, you come up with a name). I am always looking to try new and different beers because I feel like that’s one of the best parts of being a beer lover. On the other hand, just because I love beer does not mean that I’m going to settle for some swill just because it’s the only beer available, I’m not in college anymore (well I am, but that’s beside the point). That may seem snobbish but when you live in a place like Seattle with all of the fantastic beer options we have I find it a difficult idea, let alone drink, to swallow. So that’s me, a beer explorer with a slightly snobby side.

I know my ECB&B cohort MT found himself in the same conundrum except that he’ll always be up for a brew no matter the options. MT, like me, loves to try whatever weird/interesting concoction that people are brewing up. But he’s also not against a standard domestic option. He keeps his refrigerator stocked with microbrews and Miller Lite. I tend to blame this on the fact that he went to college in Milwaukee. So that’s our friend MT, an exploring egalitarian always ready for a pint no matter what it is. 

Now it’s time for you to tell us what kind of beer drinker you are. Follow the very simple (so you can do it after a few drinks) flow chart below and then let us know in the poll what the result is.

Whatever you are, we’re just glad you love beer!

What Kind of Beer Drinker Are You

Creativity Anyone?

It seems that because of bacteria in the water in Montreal, some people have reverted to beer instead of the normal beverage for hipsters at the coffee shop doing work drink – coffee. This made Mikael Cho curious about which one makes you more creative. While the analysis turns out to be inconclusive, he does discuss the benefits of each.

I can say that from personal experience, beer is definitely something that has helped me study and become more productive in the past. This is saying a lot, and I hope to don’t upset those in the coffee camp, as I am equal lover of this this brew as well.

Pick your poison, and go after things. Either are a great choice!

Full article here: https://medium.com/what-i-learned-today/f7fcb3b786b1

 

Vote For Your Favorite Seattle Beer Week Event

Now that the hangover has probably subsided we want to know what your favorite event was of this year’s Seattle Beer Week. Was it the AC/DC fueled Back in Black Stout Fest at Brouwer’s? How about one of those awesome events held at Beveridge Place Pub like the Cask-O-Rama!! or Bodacious Beverages Brewfest? Did you have a lip puckering-ly good time at the Sour Fest? Did you enter a car at the Pine Box Can Derby, or did you watch from the stands while people raced it out?

Vote below for your favorite event and don’t forget to leave a comment telling us why, and really rub it in people’s faces who didn’t make it to your favorite event! And if you think we missed something from our list let us know. With so many great events to choose from this year it was hard to make them all, so let us know what you thought!

 

Is This Really Clean? – Beer Shampoo

Tired of drinking, or don’t feel like having a beer in the shower? What if your shampoo was made out of beer. That is right. You did read that last sentence correctly. Apparently Duffy’s is selling shampoo that is made with beer. Seems a little bit different to me, but to each their own. The best part is for all you local Seattle readers, this shampoo is available with beer from Elysian Brewing. One other thing noted is that it is 100% veagan, so there’s always that, too. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&asin=&isAmazonFulfilled=1&isCBA=&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&orderID=&seller=A1PXZJNX65TOQW

Check it out, and let us know if you decided to buy and try it out.  

Can I Take This Course?

A wise professor has decided to create a new course combining something a little dull (for most people) Economics with something fun (again for most people – especially college age) Beer. That is right, this course is an economics course that is centered around beer. Sounds like something that is going to have a nice long waiting list to get into.

Read more at: http://www.freakonomics.com/2013/05/22/dont-you-wish-you-thought-of-this-econ-professor-focuses-on-beer/?utm_source=feedly

An Alternative Meat Burger

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If you’re looking to try something different from your run of the mill burger here in Seattle then head on over to The Burgundian in Tangletown. Awaiting you is one of the best burgers I have ever had the opportunity to enjoy regardless of its foundation. This delectable Oregon grassfed lamb patty is served with spicy Merguez seasonings, red peppers, fresh pearl mozzarella, and a chipotle mayo that all come together to make one of the juiciest and tastiest burgers in the city.

The Burgundian is part of the Brouwer’s and Bottleworks family. This means you can always count on finding something cold and delicious with which to wash your food down. As a point of interest you can also get this burger at Brouwer’s but if you want it during peak meal hours you’ll have better luck finding a seat at The Burgundian.

Summer Seasonal Special – Hell or High Watermelon

Hell or High Watermelon can

Hell or High Watermelon can and my (@templon) hand

If you’re savvy in the beer world and what this blog is really about, you’ve caught me already. Technically 21st Amendment Brewery isn’t located in the lovely state of Washington, but I felt it was OK to make and exception. It’s summertime, and this was my first real taste of summer this year, not to mention how unique it is.

It is described on 21st Amendment’s site as such:

Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is our summer seasonal beer available from April through September in six pack cans and on draft. We start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor.

Like I previously said, this beer is unique. You can most definitely taste the watermelon juice, and the infusion of flavors. That being said, it is a light beer that leaves a wonderful aftertaste that can be appreciated long after each sip.

I’m a sucker for wheat beers, and a even more sucker for beers with a fruit twist to them. That being said, the combination of the sun (which it has been here in Seattle for the past 3 days) and the smell of summer in the air, this beer is a great pairing for hanging out and grilling, or just relaxing.

I would rate this beer a stunning 4.5/5.

Beer 4.5 Stars

If you happen to see the case (pictured below) in a store, I would suggest picking on up and trying it. This is definitely my new go-to summer beer.

Let us know if you do try it, and what your thoughts are. Always curious on the opinions of our readers.

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Hell or High Watermelon case

Skagit River Brewing

Skagit Flower field by Templon. Copyright 2013

Skagit Flower field by Templon. Copyright 2013

Over the month of April in the Skagit Valley (about 1.5 hours north of Seattle) is the Tulip Festival. Of coure there is more than just tulips in the area, and one thing that caught my eye (and my lovely girlfriend’s) was the Skagit River Brewery. After we enjoyed the beautiful flowers we decided to take in a brew or two.

We got two beers and split them. I know, this may seem lame, but we needed to drive back down to Seattle as it was Sunday. The two we decided to go with were the “Cold Beer Lager” and the “Farm to Market Ale”.

The Cold Beer Lager tasted  like a Coors Light that had been made by a micro-brewery. It was light and refreshing with a little bit more of an aftertaste than your traditional light beer. That being said, it was nice way to cool off after being out in the sun.

Would rate this beer a 3/5

Beer 3 Star

Cold Beer Lager

Cold Beer Lager

The second beer that we decided to go with was the Farm to Market Ale. A beer that was darker in color, and little more hoppy. It had a bit of a bitter after taste, but still went down very smooth.

Would rate this beer a 2.5/5

Beer 2.5 Star

 

 

Beer 2

Farm to Market Ale

Check out the brewery if you go up for the festival, or are passing through the area. Definitely worth stopping by!

Address: 404 S 3rd St  Mt Vernon, WA 98273
Phone: (360) 336-2884

 

Skagit Sign

 

-MT (@templon)

Big Bertha – Not a challenge; at least for me

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One of the specials at Blue Moon Burgers is currently named the “Big Bertha”. This monster comes with 3 patties, 3 slices of bacon, 3 slices of Beecher’s cheese, and the normal fixings for a burger from Blue Moon (lettuce, tomato, onion and Blue Moon sauce). After some convincing from my cowriter and the counter worker I decided to give it a whirl.

Like all the burgers at Blue Moon this was delicious. Cooked to perfection and just a wonderful synergy of flavors throughout the entire eating experience (because that is really what you get from Blue Moon). Because of all of this, once it got in front of me, it lasted about 2 minutes.

The other benefit of finishing the burger? The wristband you get.

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Would definitely recommend this burger for those with a big appetite.

Rating of 4/5. Delicious!

Burger 4 Star

-Matt

Jalapeño Fest – Build Your Own at Blue Moon Burgers

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Went over to Blue Moon Burgers tonight and ordered up two patties with pepper jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, Blue Moon sauce, pickles, and to top it off fresh jalapeños AND jalapeño  bottlecaps. Received my delicious burger that the good folks at Blue Moon in Fremont decided to dub the “Jalapeño Fest.” Absolutely delicious, just what I’d expect from these fine burger craftsman.