Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 52 of 52 Sam Adams Octoberfest

So I am going with an old standby on this list the beer that started it all. The beer that got me away from the boring no taste light lagers out there the classic .Sam Adams Octoberfest

Trying a bunch of new beers this year I have had new an amazing beers, but this post is sentimental since it was a venture into the craft beer side of things for me (along with Sam Adams Boston Lager and Sam Light) There is not much to say that has not already been said about this beer over the past year in this blog, it may have gotten bumped as my "GO TO Beer" if I were to use an all time favorite these days I really love Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA, but the cost is a bit too much for a regular treat at about 20 bucks a 4 pack, but this will always be the standard I look back on and the beer I look forward to opening come the fall season. They say no matter what in life you never forget your first love, I don't know about that, but I do know that I will never forget my first craft beer love....So I am topping this one out at  a 6 Pack rating.

It's very own Six pack........ 

To view what all the ratings mean go to the 52 Beers to try Before You die Bucket list page

Disclaimer I am a beer drinker and a beginner home brewer the above is only my taste buds telling me what I enjoy, it is not the law or rule of the land, these would be the beers that I am grateful to have tried before the day comes when I pass on and meet my maker.

.Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 51 of 52 Urban Chestnut Count Orlock

I am pulling from the fall season for this one, I first tried it because 1. I have enjoyed many a beers from locally owned St Louis Urban Chestnut Brewing Company and B...Look at the label, how cool is this?

From their Revolution Series Count Orlok is a Black pumpkin wheat Ale that at the tale end of trying this years Pumpkin Ales and I was about done this one was the cream of the crop.

Like any seasonal I enjoy the first few and after maybe a few different brands I am good till the next year. This one was a four pack (granted a four pack of pints) that my wife and I kept buying until we reached the Winter beer season. So much flavor and it is very refreshing. I don't know how far out from St Louis you can get this, but if you are in town try it.

An absolute 6 pack in my book

To view what all the ratings mean go to the 52 Beers to try Before You die Bucket list page

Disclaimer I am a beer drinker and a beginner home brewer the above is only my taste buds telling me what I enjoy, it is not the law or rule of the land, these would be the beers that I am grateful to have tried before the day comes when I pass on and meet my maker.

.Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 50 of 52 Schlafly Kolcsh

Another beer I had never had before this year was a Kolsch. We decided to make a big batch of it during our Memorial day Brew 

and I decided if I am making a beer I should partake in some already made by others. 

My favorite during these trials (yeah really hard for me to try a beer) was brewed right here in St Louis, one of the older breweries here in the city. No Not that one.

This one...

Picture from the Schlafly Website

 Schlafly Brewery and Restaurant.  It is Schlafly's own Kolcsh 

Now for those who do not know what a Kolsch is, it is a Ale version of a lager, similar tastes but more flavor (the big breweries could have more flavor to anything they just choose to have watered down beer, and hey if you like it you like it) But a Kolsch may be your gateway beer to craft, it is similar and light like your light lagers but is a step up (way up) in flavor. So that is why I must include this beer in this list. No it is not a Hop filled bonanza, or a heavy beer, or even some type of crazy hybrid, but it is something I think if your average AB, Miller Coors fan stopped being stubborn and tried they would like it. I love it. 

With that I am giving the Kolsch a 4 beer salute, 

in the summer I may rate it higher as high as a 5 beer with a shot but overall it is just a damn good beer.

To view what all the ratings mean go to the 52 Beers to try Before You die Bucket list page

Disclaimer I am a beer drinker and a beginner home brewer the above is only my taste buds telling me what I enjoy, it is not the law or rule of the land, these would be the beers that I am grateful to have tried before the day comes when I pass on and meet my maker.

Yearender on the beer side!!!

So I was really holding out for a beer or two that would absolutely knock my socks off for the last three on my 52 Beers You should try before you die bucket list.

We had some great beers like as of this moment my new all time favorite Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA  

and Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA 

We had really good brews like Dragon's Milk Stout from New Holland Brewing  and Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter  the list goes on and on from Kirkwood Station Brewing Co Midnight Train  to  Lagunitas Sucks  to Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout IPAs ran a muck this year more than I have ever tried some of the top ones include  Rouge Brutal IPA, Sam Adams Rebel Rouser Double IPA , Boulevard Brewing Co. Calling IPA, and Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA among others. 

I only had one that was absolutly awful to my taste (as well as my wife and sister in law who try beers with me often) Biere De Mars French Style Stock Ale was the lone Skunky beer face beer this year I guess I am not a fan of sour beers because sour (or Puke flavored with an touch of citrus is what I tasted) 
                             

So as I post the final few know I tried well over a Hundred new beers along with retrying beers from a new perspective this year. I honestly have a couple in the fridge right now I have yet to try. I would have to look at the exact numbers, but the this little experiment was a success in many way. Before this year I was not a huge IPA fan, but I became one. I tried IPAs I may have skipped in the past. I became a bigger fan of Scotch Ale. I ventured past my standard Octoberfests, stouts, porters lagers and became a huge fan of Kolsch 

Even making a five gallon version ( Our Memorial Day Veterans Kolsch ) which turned out to be one of the best brews of 2015.

 So I may post some old standbys fro the final few, but know that this coming year I will continue to try some new ones, But perhaps have a beer of the month. Still rated on a 1 beer to 6 pack scale, but with in a months time I will find the best (not one in the 52 when possible but you never know) and throw it out there. We all have diferent tastes but just like I read about the newest and greatest beers and want to try them based on others reviews I hope these help you guys to try and expand your taste buds...Cheers and Beers From Dirt in My Beer Watch for the final three posted later today....For a full list of the Beers to try before you die or the 52 beer bucket list follow link

Biking Babes!!!

Fall Beer Favorites 2015 Oktoberfest and Pumpkin beers

The craft beer thing started with a taste of Sam Adams Boston Lager, but the real kick came with a Sam Adams Octoberfest. This fall beer showed me there was so much more taste out there than the light lagers. 

It also showed me that if you bend with the seasons there are new tastes as the leaves and flowers bloom, die and the snow covers the ground to the thaw as it starts all over again.  So as we approach the winter season of beers...I am going to go back and show you my favorites from this fall season.

Also when I started this journey to try and expand my beer pallet Sam's Octoberfest was my GO To Beer. To some extent it still is (as in when the fall season hits and I see it on the shelf for the first time that year (always buy a case of this) But as I also learned a few years ago seasonal beers are wonderful because like a damn Disney Movie they go back into the vault at a certain point till the next year. And when you hoard so much that you are still drinking it a few months before it comes back, it is not as special. Yep! I did this with Sams Octoberfest a few years back.

Anyway This fall I tried to hit most of what I could as far as Octoberfests, Pumpkin and overall Fall type brews. Here were some of my favorites. All of these could be on my Beers to try before you die, but figured I would seperate them to save room for other beers. So I will not rate these but know if it is on here it is at least a 3 beer rating. If it is exceptional I will tell you it is a 6 pack

I started the season out with Boulevards Bob's 47 Oktoberfest from Kansas City.

Staying in the state Of Missouri I went to one of my favorites from just across town in Schlafly's Oktoberfest. As far as This style beer goes I would say this is 1B when it comes to my favorites a definite 6 beer rating, so if you are in St Louis and it is October try it.

Another tasty beer I tried early on in the season was From Left hand Brewing their Oktoberfest was very good and as you can see by the blurry picture I was enjoying them that night.

The next one up was a tricky find this year for some reason my usual places were sold out or just did not stock it (shame on them) Sierra Nevada almost never disappoints me (not a fan of their crisp lager but that is about where it ends everything else I have had rules) And their version of Oktoberfest is awesome, now there are the couple I like better but I would give this one maybe not a 6 pack but a 5 beer and a shot shout out. Excellent beer. 

Of course the 1A of Oktoberfest is Sam Adams Octoberfest to me the original and still one of the best tasting out there. it is still a "Go To" fall beer.

I always grab at least a few 12 packs and now usually drink a few into the winter season but no further than that. An absolute 6 pack rating on this bad boy..Love it

And now Beers that I rarely drank in the years past Pumpkin ales. I have had sips here and there but never really tried them so I made a point to try a few this year. 

The first was from New Belgium Brewing another brewery that can always be relied on when you buy a six pack of beer. And New Belgium's Pumpkick was really good 

One of two pumpkin beers I had tried before this year (both local to St Louis) was O'Fallon Brewery Pumpkin Beer  A very good consistant brew. If you like pumpkin beers this is a good one. I highly recommend it

Another great Local Pumpkin Beer is From and the other I had tried last year is from  Kirkwood Station Brewing Co A great little brewery right in the town I live in. Solid taste 

Now since Sam Adams make one of my favorite fall concoctions I saw this, Pumpkin Batch on the shelf and had to give it a try. I can say a good solid beer but after some others I was a little disappointed (as far as pumpkin goes) Don't get me wrong if you are starting out and trying some of these next year start here it is a great Pumpkin beer just not tops compared to these others. Again though a great place to start

Now for the two best this season. First from New Holland (who also makes one of my favorite Bourbon aged beers Dragon's milk) Comes not only a very cool label but an excellent tasting Pumpkin beer Ichabod has flavor like you would not believe an absolute 6 pack if I ever drank one. 

And finally the best label and pumpkin beer of this fall season a dark concoction Black ale with all the pumkin flavor and wickedness to match their label. Again sorry those outside the area but Urban Chestnuts Count Orlock  Black Pumpkin Ale is tops this season. 

It only comes in a four pack but each bottle is a pint and not very expensive my wife and I have only a couple left in the fridge and those may be gone this evening. high praise for this yummy 6 pack beer rated beer

Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 49 of 52 Bourbon Barrel Aged Arrogant Bastard

If you thought you were not worthy when it came to the Original Arrogant Bastard, then you can just bow now to that great flavor aged in Bourbon barrels. What a Flavor

Bourbon Barrel aged Arrogant Bastard   

and Hell I can say the same for  Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPA (which I can not believe was discontinued...Bastards!!!)

  It is a toss up between this one, RuinTen Triple IPA or Self Righteous Bastard Black IPA

as far as which is my Favorite Stone Brewing concoction. So this is going to be a two for one (since RuinTen has it's own post already, and I know I know this would technically make this 53 beers when it is done but I don't care it's my blog I can do what I want. And the fact that the  Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPA  is really no longer available but I was too damn lazy to post earlier...Well you get it)

First let's go over the Bourbon Barrel Aged Arrogant Bastard, What can I say that I have not above. it is all the goodness of an Arrogant Bastard that has been aged in those wonderful Bourbon Barrels. 

And If you can by chance get your hands on a Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPA  

it is so good. 

A sweet rich stout like taste but with all the goodness that come from Stone in their Bastard series of beers.

Both these beers are tops in my eyes as I throw out a 6 pack for each one. 

You may not be able to find  Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPA  anymore but grab some Bourbon Barrel aged Arrogant Bastard   You will be happy.

To view what all the ratings mean go to the 52 Beers to try Before You die Bucket list page

Disclaimer I am a beer drinker and a beginner home brewer the above is only my taste buds telling me what I enjoy, it is not the law or rule of the land, these would be the beers that I am grateful to have tried before the day comes when I pass on and meet my maker.

Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 48 of 52 Urban Chestnut Fantasyland Midwest coast IPA

As I round up the rest of my IPAs from over the summer months I have to mention Urban Chestnuts Fantasyland Midwest coast IPA. 

Yes you read that right Midwest coast. Where is that? Well it is in St Louis and as far as it saying midwest coast, it also says Fantasyland..so you get it. It is technically a "West Coast Style" IPA, but When I think Urban Chestnut I think St Louis so I will call it a St Louis Style (or MidWest Coast Style) IPA a great summer drink not too heavy but full of flavor.

As You can see I was enjoying a bottle while I watched some MMA a perfect beer for doing just that. Relaxing with some friends and watching sports.

I am going to give this bad boy a good 5 beer rating. 

I have had IPAs I enjoyed more, but this one I enjoyed a lot at that time.

To view what all the ratings mean go to the 52 Beers to try Before You die Bucket list page

Disclaimer I am a beer drinker and a beginner home brewer the above is only my taste buds telling me what I enjoy, it is not the law or rule of the land, these would be the beers that I am grateful to have tried before the day comes when I pass on and meet my maker.

Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 47 of 52 Arrogant Bastard from Stone Brewing

You're not worthy...You really are not. Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing is an old stand by beer whenever you can't find something that tickles your fancy. An excellent Ale, that will not disappoint.

Although Stone makes some Brews that are even better this is the base beer as far as I am concerned and as I stated above it is go to when you can't decide on something else or you are just not being as adventurous with your drinking time this weekend as you were last week. 

So I am going to go ahead and give this good old boy a 5 beer rating, 

just enough wiggle room for something like Bourbon Barrel aged Arrogant Bastard  (can you guess the next Beer you should try?) 

Or their super special RuinTen Triple IPA

I can without a doubt recommend all three of the above beers

To view what all the ratings mean go to the 52 Beers to try Before You die Bucket list page

Disclaimer I am a beer drinker and a beginner home brewer the above is only my taste buds telling me what I enjoy, it is not the law or rule of the land, these would be the beers that I am grateful to have tried before the day comes when I pass on and meet my maker.

How do I Connect One of My Favorite Cars and Beer in a Post? Glad you asked!

Okay I am a fan of old cars. I am not just a Ford, Chevy, or dodge Guy I like them all I am a fan of Cool cars. But I do have favorites and one of those is The Shelby Mustang 

I will take mine in Blue please...Oh Thank you!!!

So what do cars have to do with beer? and more specifically one of my favorites? I am glad you asked...

Carroll Shelby Licensing has partnered with Wicked Eye Products and is brewing three beers. The High Octane IPA, 

The 427 Big Block Stout 

and the Venom Lager.

 Now they are not yet available in my area so I am very sad about this, but As soon as my beer hunting ass can find them I will give you all a grand review.........

New Shelby Craft Beer

www.shelby.com.

Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 46 of 52 Stone Ruinten Triple IPA

Okay it has been far and in between on my Bucket list posts, but since I was running out of room and had over 5 months left in the year I was starting to get a bit more picky as to what made the list for the year. SO I was making sure I tasted a bunch and had to choose some that may not make it (does not mean they were not good just put aside for now) As well as splitting some of the seasonal beers for their own post. Anyway, this is a beer I had a little while ago. And as usual Stone never disappoints Just like their Double IPA Ruination it is excellent. Being a Triple of course you would want to say as a Hop Head it is better, (and if I had to pick yes I would go with the triple, but not because it is better just different, hell I could always drink Ruination) 

RuinTen Triple IPA is magnificent. It is a special release from Stone Brewing and I already can't wait for it to come around again. An excellent beer for IPA lovers and a great all around strong beer for anyone who wants to give it a try.

I am going to go ahead and give this beer a big old 6 pack rating,

 it is one of the better beers of the year so far. I highly recommend it.

To view what all the ratings mean go to the 52 Beers to try Before You die Bucket list page

Disclaimer I am a beer drinker and a beginner home brewer the above is only my taste buds telling me what I enjoy, it is not the law or rule of the land, these would be the beers that I am grateful to have tried before the day comes when I pass on and meet my maker.