SPBW Outing
I showed up late to Victoria’s Gastro Pub, so I missed out on the cask-conditioned IPA. Instead, I ordered the other cask — Blackberry Kölsch. Chris, the bartender, had to pick up the cask to fill my glass with the dregs of the barrel.
About half the patrons at the crowded Victoria bar wore the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW) membership tags. I milled around a bit and said hello to a few people I knew. It was a pleasant surprise to see Chris bartending. He was our regular server at Frisco Tap House a few years back.
I really like cask-conditioned ales. The naturally carbonated beverages tend to be served warmer and are more flavorful. That is usually a good thing. Unfortunately, the Blackberry Kölsch tasted like the bottom of the barrel, probably because it was. It had a vague task of blackberry, but more of the grainy/seedy taste than the sweet pulp that I like. Also, this Kölsch beer was quite cloudy, unusual for the style. This beer style of Cologne, Germany is made from the top-fermenting lager yeast, Kölsch. The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) describes it as “A clean, crisp, delicately-balanced beer usually with a very subtle fruit and hop character. Subdued maltiness throughout leads into a pleasantly well-attenuated and refreshing finish.” This sludgy version missed the mark. That’ll teach me to be late for the event.
This Kölsch experience conforms to my other experiences with the style. My two Kölsch homebrew experiments turned out horribly. They were clear and crisp, but I found the grassy off-taste very unpleasant. My store purchases have been slightly better, but I’m still searching for a Kölsch I find delicious.
I sought out some of my SPBW friends in the dining room. Joe shared some of his Poutine. It was my first time tasting Victoria’s famous dish. They cover their duck-fat fries and cheese curds with gravy – decadent and delicious.
We also talked about the current legislation concerning the proposed Guinness brewery in Relay, MD. I have mentioned the issue in another post. Naptown offers their opinion on the proposed legislation as well. I like the idea of having a Guinness brewery nearby, but I’m not sure making a law for just one brewery and excluding the others is a good idea. What do you think?
Cheers!
Warren