Just When I Think They Can't Top Themselves...

I try this little number.


Released last November, the amazing people at
Deschutes Brewery decided to re-release their exceptional Stout.




The Abyss
American Double Stout
11% ABV

Bend, Oregon
Deschutes Brewery

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With notes of licorice, molasses, and chocolate this beer is intensely full-bodied. The texture is smooth and thick, leaving your mouth coated with flavor.
A distinct aroma is due to that fact that 33% is aged in oak bourbon barrels that add to the complexity.
I usually like to enjoy these types of beers
at around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, not quite room temperature.
This beer is perfect considering its only going to get colder here in Seattle, and theres nothing I like better than relaxing at home with a glass when its too chilly outside to play.

Brisk Sunday & A Pint

I decided to make a trip on over to Beveridge Place Pub just this past Sunday in West Seattle.

I was still a little worn out from my weekend at work, so I asked April what she had tried recently that might bring my spirits up.

She suggested this Wheat Dopplebock Ale from Germany.



Aventinus
Germany's Original Wheat Dopplebock Ale
8.2% ABV

Kelheim, Germany
G. Schneider & Sohn
Brewed According to the Reinheitsgebot

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Perfect for those chilly Autumn nights.
Has a very distinct taste that never seems to fade from the palate.
The banana, clove, vanilla, & chocolate notes I picked up on compliment each other perfectly, and the aroma is very spicy to the point where it almost clears your sinuses.

A Brief Introduction To Rogue Ales

I found this cool video on youtube about Rogue, one of my favorite breweries ever. 

Pretty much goes into the basics of their brewing operation and gives a quick history on how they got started.

Is it just me or does that guy seem like he might have had a little more off the line than he was supposed to?

ROGUE

Seattle International Beer Festival

So this was my first year attending the Seattle International Beer Festival.


There were 153 beers from over 15 different countries.

Out of which these were my favorites.


*Trade Route Brewery
Dragon King 2007, Helles Lager from Washington
4.5% ABV

Asian Style Lager with a very clean taste and smooth texture.

*Rouge Brewery
Double Dead Guy 1988, American Strong Ale from Oregon
9.5% ABV

I actually really liked this one. Rogue is one of my favorite breweries.
The Double Dead Guy is a full bodied ale that has a distinct, but not
overwhelming chocolate finish.

*Shelton Brothers
Amager Hr. Frederiksen 2003, Imperial Stout from Denmark
10.5% ABV

This is definitely a once in a while beer. Something for winter time. A very heavy drink.


Oppigards Well-hopped Lager 2003, Baltic Pils from Sweden
5.3% ABV

This is a well balanced Pilsner. Highly recommended.




*Manneken-Brussel Imports
Chimay Cinq Cents 1862, Trappist Triple Cap Amber from Belgium
8% ABV

Delicious, enough said.




*Morandell Imports
Weltenburger Asam Bock 1050, Dopplebock from Germany
6.9% ABV

A cloudy texture with a very sweet finish.

*Browar Polska
Tusker Kenyan Lager 1975, Export Lager from Kenya
4.5% ABV

Unique, that is pretty much all I can say.

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I wish I had more pictures of all the beers I tried.

But it was hard enough to juggle my camera and tasting glass without spilling.

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Checking out the program.

Planning our next move.

QUESADILLA!

A few too many perhaps?

Finishing off with a fine/ free cigar.

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A few souvenirs.

Rekindled Appreciation

So I just finished I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, for the second time.

I had forgotten just how much I respect his style of writing.

The kind that makes you cringe while reading, yet you can't help but wonder how the events play out.

Matheson does an amazing job of putting you into Robert Neville's mindset.

The overwhelming feelings of dread, isolation, and will to survive make it that much harder not to care about what happens to him.

If you haven't read this book I strongly recommend it.



Just to state the obvious its nothing like the movie.



Along with I Am Legend, Matheson has a collection of short stories that follow the same theme of dark anticipation.

Buried Talents, The Near Departed, Prey, and Witch War, just to name a few, are all very engaging.

Each one has you guessing until the very last sentence.

Birthday Wish

The one thing I desperately want for my birthday.

I would be so happy with just that bike.

Settled In

So I finally got my room set up at my house.

Its been long over due.

-My bed

-My dresser

-My chair

-My lamp

-My nightstand

I'm so glad that all my stuff is in one place again.

Now I only have to decorate.

As you can see I have very plain walls at the moment.