First tasting tonight.

I held my very first official tasting tonight. The kind where you bring in a group of people, beer lovers or not, all in one group, to taste and discuss. Totally unlike what me and my cousin conducted last fall. We were beer nerds trying to self educate. Now, I am the instructor trying to guide my bud/miller lite lovers onto greener pastures. After repeating myself many a times, and trying to depict what "trappist" or "imperial" means to the brewing community, I almost gave up. But at the end of it all, it seemed to click, if only for a bit. And that in itself was worth it.

Beer tasting in order: Ommegang's Hennipen Saison, Westmalle's Trappist Dubbel, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, Boulevards Smokestack series Dark Truth, and a little bonus: Stone Breweries Self-Righteous Black IPA. I tossed the last one in last minute, because lets face it. Go back to your brew education days. Remember your face and the feeling you got when you found out there was such a thing as a black IPA, and then remember drinking it. I couldn't without such a gift. Maybe I added a little too much kick for a first tasting for my friends, but better to impress than to leave them disappointed.

My review will consist of only the new brews for my palate: Lagunitas Hop Stoopid and Westmalle's Dubbel.

I was very unimpressed with the Lagunita's IPA Hop Stoopid. It was very sweet and malty for an IPA, not very aromatic, but still had a nice dry, bitter finish. Poured nice and amber for an IPA, though slightly hazy. Typical IPA slightly frothy head. Nothing impressive about initial smell. Would I purchase again? Probably not. And I wouldn't recommend it either. But it seemed to be a hit with the others. Therefore, a win in my book.

The Trappist Westmalle, Dubbel was fantastic. Very smooth but slightly sticky. Dark roasted, caramel appearance. Hint of apricot and clove. Not too sweet, which is what normally makes me shy away from Belgians. All in all, my favorite new brew of this session.

I did decide to mix brews after the tasting. I mixed one of my absolute favorite stouts, Dark Truth, with the Westmalle. It reminded me a bit of Weyerbacher's Tiny (Imperial Belgian Stout). It's borderline amazing. Roasted, smooth, yet effervescent. Sweet and a hint of fruit with a slighty hopped and roasted finish. Fantastic. I would mix this again and again and again.

I also, on my own, tried Stone's Arrongant Bastard Ale, which is what they are known for. It proved to be nothing more than your traditional ale. Basically, Stone is great, but it doesn't contend with some of my favorite local breweries. It dosn't take my breath away, unless you consider it's black IPA. I'm still glad they have opened the distribution lines to MN, but my life isn't forever altered.

All in all, I have left my friends wanting more. My original goal. New date set for next tasting, in which I will pair food.

Next step: finish a 8-10 mile run with my new established pace. Might be tricky considering lack of sleep and miles logged this week (only 2 runs!).

Then next week: New running shoes and.........(drum roll)............ home brew kit!!! After trying to save for weddings upon weddings that I'll be partaking in, and after my sister insisting she'll buy me one for a christmas present, and then not, I am finally going to purchase my very own brew kit. Very pumped for next few weeks.