The Gym

Why is there always some old naked dude in the locker room at the gym? Doesn't matter what gym or apparently what time, if you walk into the guys locker room, there is always some old guy in there who is either sitting on a bench that you never, ever want to touch again or he is wandering around au naturale carrying a towel that is not being used to it's full potential.

Now I am not one of the 'hide in the back to change' people (which is a bit weird too), I too am nude for a short period of time while changing. But come on now, no one wants to see your fuzzy whatsits for the entire 30 minutes you are in there. And no one wants start up an involved discussion which given a chance, all these guys are willing to do. I swear that some of these disrobed individuals don't even work out. The same ones are in there when I got there as when I am leaving, 'hanging out' and visiting.

Just something that annoyed me.
Jess

Deschutes Hop Trip, Pyramid Outburst Imperial IPA, Rogue Dead Guy

Had to come in again!! Too many beers I haven't tried!!

Deschutes Hop Trip
A fresh hop ale

I always love the fresh hop/harvest beers. Very excited to try this one. Deschutes makes some great beers.

Look - cloudy amber, nice tan head. 22 oz bottle poured into glass
Smell - piney hops very hoppy
Taste/mouthfeel - kinda cold so gonna drink it slow and let it warm up towards the end. Super smooth and clean, fresh taste. Very crisp hoppy flavor that is not over powering. Really nice piney aftertaste.
Drinkability - This beer is frighteningly easy to drink. It is all I can do to let it sit here and warm up. Pretty filling tho, I bet this one is going to fill me up. As it warms, it seems to develop a nice malty warmness that is very pleasant.

Pyramid Outburst Imperial IPA
Imperial IPA (obviously)


Very excited about this one. I expect super, over the top hoppiness.

Look - clear dark amber. Like dark honey.
Smell - hops burning my nose off!! Grapefruity goodness all thru the nose.
Taste/mouthfeel - like silk, it flows right down the throat. It is very hoppy but not as much as the smell would lead you to believe. Slight bitter after taste that dissipates quickly. Not a lot of flavor really. A somewhat strong initial smell but it tastes like nothing going down
Drinkability - easy to drink but a bit disappointing. Would not buy it again.

Rogue Dead Guy
Maibock

Drank it before but can't remember it.

Look - amber honey, thick head
Smell - malty light hops.
Taste - good, nothing amazing. Decent beer
Drinkability - good. This really is a decent beer. Seems a bit heavy, definitely not a sessionable beer.

Beers 2/10

I came to the saucer for Stone's "Lukcy Basartd" but they ran out!! So disappointed!!

I had the Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA. always good, always a favorite. No explanation needed. Not as hoppy as I remember tho, perhaps I have become too accustomed to super hoppy beers. Dunno.

Avery New World Porter

Bottle says "Black IPA"!!! that's awesome!!!

Website info: A traditional black porter, with a surprise twist - it's dry-hopped!! We've expanded the porter category a bit, adding a delightful, dry hop aroma to blend with the sweet caramel and chocolate characteristics of a Robust Porter.

Look - black as the inside of a cave. Almost no head.
Smell - hoppy!!! Somewhat black coffee but hoppy hoppy hoppy
Taste/mouthfeel - hoppiest thing I have drank in months. Very creamy and bitter, lightly dark chocolate and moderately grapefruit.
Drinkability - good!! I think it may be a bit strong but very good. I let it warm up a bit and it kinda mellowed out the hoppiness and the blackness is starting to be more pronounced. I would buy this beer at any time but I don't think I could drink more than a few at a time.

Dogfish Head - Pangea

I am so excited about this one. I plan to run home and check the Brew Masters shows I have on the DVR to see if this beer is being created on one of them. A beer that incorporates something from every continent? Pure greatness.

Website description: Brewed with ingredients from each and every continent, this is slightly spicy ale, with a mouthful of rich flavors. Pangaea is a great food beer.

Our list of worldly ingredients includes:

Crystallized ginger from Australia, Water from Antarctica, Basmati rice from Asia, Muscavado sugar from Africa, South American quinoa, European yeast, and North American maize.

Look - like a big glass of honey. Thin head with some real staying power. It was so pretty that I took a picture of it (which I normally only take pictures of bottles)
Smell - super spiced. We have some Scandinavian mulling wine (Glögg) at the house and it is very similar. Smells like cloves, nutmeg, and something else, ginger?
Taste/mouthfeel - odd, but good. Almost like an herbal tea. Strong cloves and a light fruitiness. Easy drinking with a short aftertaste. Honestly, it doesn't even taste like beer.
Drinkability - it is good but man, lot of flavor. It would be quite good paired with like a roasted chicken and herbed stuffing. And it would make a fantastic sauce for any meat but especially poultry. I believe it would be soooo good as a marinade. Bit much to drink a glass of it tho. There is a sourness that seems to linger, not sure what spice it is that is a bit unpleasant. Good beer but this a one timer. Probably too pricey/rare for a sauce.

Letting it warm.

GINGER!! And more of that good herb gravy kind of flavor.