Matt likes using power tools

Posted at 9:45 pm by Patrick under Beer Travel

In preparation for tomorrow’s 20-gallon brewday at the Black Barn Brewery, we decided to get a jump on milling the grist. 40 pounds of grain is no easy task to do by hand, so we employed some power tools.

And for some reason, Matt can’t help from being a bit of a ham…luckily we didn’t need any of his apparent beefiness and let Mr. DeWalt do the hard work.

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Matt gets the party started

Posted at 5:36 pm by Patrick under Beer Travel

I’m in Michigan with the gents at Michigan State bar called Crunchy’s, having our first beer. Since Matt ordered a lighter beer style (Bell’s Brewing Company’s Oberon Ale, a summer ale with spicy goodness in it), I asked the bartender to adorn his mug with an umbrella or somehow else sissify his beer.

I think she did a good job.

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Airport Beer: Bluegrass Brewing Company @ CVG

Posted at 12:25 pm by Patrick under Beer Travel

I’m on my way to Michigan this weekend for a reunion with some of my college roommates (you might remember them from my trip to St. Louis some time ago). Since I’m taking a somewhat leisurely route to get there (ATL > IAD > CVG > LAN, for those of you playing along at home), I’m able to enjoy various airport lounges and amenities along the way.

Today’s stop: Bluegrass Brewing Company at CVG C Concourse.

It’s tucked in a corner of the commuter plane terminal at Cincinnati’s airport, and gives a decent respite from the rows and rows (and rows!) of bus terminal-arranged seating. My choice today, the seasonal brew, Dark Star Porter.

First impression: it’s dry. Very dry. There’s a hint of maltiness up front that is quickly ushered off the palate by a sweeping dryness that leaves you looking for some water. It’s either a very well attenuated brew, or has a few too many dark grains in it that are too acrid for the recipe. Either way, it was quite drinkable, if a bit of a dry surprise. My other surprise during my lunch/snack at the BBC — my full-figured, unnaturally redheaded server bounded over to the strains of 60s/70s lite rock and introduced herself as "Catfish". (And yes, her nametag confirmed as much.)

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