Beer O'Clock -- Michigan State

Benz is back!!!

Went in tonight after golf and went a little crazy, mostly with a bunch of bombers I've never heard of.

New since the flood, they have a meat and cheese counter. I don't know much about either, but I can't wait to experiment. I picked up some Stonewall Kitchen Spicy Tomato Salsa and some Louisiana Peppa chips and am sweating on my keyboard. I'll try to put out the fire with an Anchor Small.

The selection isn't there yet, but give it time. This is the first day after a 500-year flood.

I went a little crazy, just picking stuff off shelves that I've never heard of. Of course, I picked up some standbys, Guinness Extra Stout and Red Stripe and Anchor Small and some Rogue.

Here are a couple experiments:

Entire Butt English Porter

It's a 4.80 ABV English Porter brewed by Salopian Brewing Company Ltd.

The original English term for porter, “Entire Butt,” means essentially “the whole barrel.” This translates into American English as “everything but the kitchen sink.” It's made with 14 different malts and 3 hop varieties to achieve the effect of a blend of ales. So, hang on tight. 

Salopian is one of England's great new small breweries, with a rapidly growing reputation and a pile of awards garnered in a very short time.

I'll let you know on this one. I'm not cracking it open tonight.

The Alstrom Brothers who run Beeradvocate give it an A+, which is "world class," according to their ratings scale.

Todd writes, "Welcome to the last beer of your life. You could, without a doubt, have this beer on your death bed and feel like you actually lived a full-life."

Sloeber Ale

It's a Belgian Strong Ale with a 7.50 ABV. One 11.2 ounce bottle was $3.29, so it's expensive.

Sloeber is the Flemish name for an epicure, somebody who likes the good things in life in a somewhat naughty way.  With 7.5 ABV, it's good with meals, I read.

The blond ales were the first defense of the Belgian brewers against the emergence of the Pilsner beer in the early 20

^th

century: more flavor, more aroma and higher in alcohol.

Sloeber rates a "B" on 23 reviews at Beeradvocate.

DogFood11 writes, "Notes: Eh . . . I paid a pretty penny for this 11oz offering and I would never pay that again. It runs up against the price per value calculation and loses. Decent beer, but not for the price. Next."

This pick this week is Two Hearted Ale, from Kalamazoo own Bell's Brewery, Inc. This is a Joe Wagner recommendation. I suggested it to my Hawkeye friend and co-worker Greg, who's up in Michigan right now enjoying East Lansing. (We're chartering up in the morning. I'd rather drive, but I'm outranked here.)

Joe said the Two Hearted is brewed only in the fall and winter and after three or four you won't care what the temperature is. (It's got a rocking 7.0 ABV.)

Bell's is a relatively new brewery, sold its first beer in 1985, but it has a growing repuation. I know you could buy a lot of their brands at Benz. Maybe they'll be back.

Bell's has the Eccentric Cafe:

The Eccentric Cafe:

On June 11, 1993, Bell's Brewery, Inc. became the first Michigan brewery to serve beer by the glass to the public. The Eccentric Cafe offers customers a chance to taste many of our well known beers, as well as small batch brews that are not distributed outside of the pub. Visitors enjoy its warm atmosphere and spacious beer garden. The Eccentric also features interesting food, an extensive collection of art and ephemera, and live music Thursday through Saturday. The Eccentric's entertainment schedule is on the web, www.bellsbeer.com, or call 269-382-2332.

Here's what Bell's writes about Two Hearted: "India Pale Ale style well suited for Hemingway-esque trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and incredible floral hop aroma."

It's big on Beeradvocate, rating an "A" even in the face of 1,244 reviews, which is outstanding.

Ruckzuck writes: "Incredible! I now see why my DC friend buys this stuff all the time. Bell's: COME TO GEORGIA! Can't recommend this enough if you're a fan of American IPA's. Delicious, balanced, and completely drinkable. I have 3 left and will be savoring each. This is one of the most standout beers I've had in a while."

I told Greg he should give it a try, but I don't think he strays very far from the macros.