The Mad Man's Epic Beer Time: Czech'n up on Redhook's Pilsner

Hey there and welcome back to the latest episode of whatever this train wreck happens to be!   This week on Epic Beer Time (which is 100% a name steal from Epic Meal Time and nowhere close to being as good as that epic show)...

I slug down a Pilsner from Redhook.  This bad boy used to be the seasonal formerly known as Rope Swing, but it was so popular they made it a full time brew.  And I give the BBbarfly bottle opener a try.   Are you ready for some beer-fu?   If not... grab one today!

The Beer: Pilsner from Redhook Ale Brewery in Woodinville, Washington.

From the Brewer: Pilsner is brewed in a traditional Czech style and is the first pilsner Redhook Ale Brewery has ever released. It offers a very soft palate and malt flavors that are offset by a medium dose of destinct Czech hops to bring out its authentic flavors.  The refreshing beer finishes with a clean, bright, thirst-quenching quality.  Pilsner pairs nicely with barbecued chicken, bratwurst, spicy food, fresh fish, and green salad.

The Beer Box Score

• Style: Pilsner
• ABV: 5.3%
• IBUs: 25
• Malts: Pale, Carapils, Caramel, Munich
• Hops: Saaz
• Yeast: Strain biologically goes back to Czech Republic
• OG: 12.7
• Extras: Aged at near freezing temps for four to six weeks.
• Distribution:  Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington
• Availability:  Year around
• Beer Advocate: B- from users;  B+ from brothers
• Rate Beer Score: 31% overall, 41% in style
• Beer Tap TV Rapid Classification: Class I (Pure Flatwater)

The Mad Man's Epic Beer Time: Surfing Kona's Waves and Peeking into The Peak

Episode two is in the can! This week Eli "The Haole" takes on Kona Brewing's Koko Brown and tours the soon to open Pikes Peak Brewing Company in Monument, Colorado.

The Beer: Koko Brown from Kona Brewing Company in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.

From the Brewer: Is there anything more iconic of the lush tropics than the coconut? The delicious heart of this island treasure has a nutty, toffee flavor and aroma that sends you straight to the beaches of Paradise. Kick back with a Koko Brown, brewed with real toasted coconut, and savor the mahogany color and smooth, roasty malt taste. Koko Brown pairs well with coconut and caramel flavors, such as Thai curries, BBQ meats and carne asada. Its refrehsing nutty aroma makes for the perfect beer after a day on the water.

The Beer Box Score

• Style: Black IPA
• ABV: 5.5%
• IBUs:28
• Malts: Premium 2-Row, Victory, Carapils, Munich, Chocolate
• Hops: Cascade, Willamette, Warrior, Millennium
• Yeast: Ale
• OG: 13.3° Plato
• Extras: Toasted coconut added to the mash
• Distribution:  Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
• Availability:  From March - April
• Beer Advocate: B from users;  NA from brothers
• Rate Beer Score: 93% overall, 97% in style
• Beer Tap TV Rapid Classification: Class II (Minor Taste Buds Turbulence)

The Mad Man's Epic Beer Time: In the dark with Widmer's Pitch Black IPA

Since the BTTV Crew is on hiatus for the moment I thought I'd keep the vids alive until such time as we all get back behind the camera. We're still getting beers sent to us at a preposterous rate, and who wants that beer to go bad, right?   Until this past weekend I'd never thought of editing video in my life... so bare with me as I learn the trade. 

Enjoy!

The Beer: Pitch Black IPA from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, Portland, Oregon

From the Brewer: Pitch Black IPA is a Pacific Northwest twisted tribute to the standard IPA style of beer. A Gold medal winner at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival and a spinoff of traditional IPAs. Brewed using the emerging style standards of Cascadian Dark. True to IPA style, Pitch Black is brewed with generous amounts of hops and additionally a modest amount of specialty debittered black malt to give it a very dark appearance, without the typical dark malt flavors. Key flavor points: Peppery, resinous, citrusy hop aroma and flavor Significant, but smooth with quick bitterness Medium body built on caramel malt sweetness and lightly toasted malt Slight, soft dark malt flavor.

The Beer Box Score

• Style: Black IPA
• ABV: 6.5%
• IBUs:65
• Malts: Two Row Pale, Caramel 10 L, Special Roast, Carafa Special II
• Hops: Alchemy (Bittering), Alchemy, Cascades (Aroma), Cascade T-45 (Dry hop)
• Yeast: Ale
• OG: 16° Plato
• Extras: NA
• Distribution:  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington
• Availability:  All Year
• Beer Advocate: B+ from users;  NA from brothers
• Rate Beer Score: 93% overall, 71% in style
• Beer Tap TV Rapid Classification: Class II (Minor Taste Buds Turbulence)

Do u Beerdo?

Are you a Twitter Freak? How about a Beer Geek? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions then Beerdo is right up your alley.

Beer-who? No, Beerdo! And what exactly does Beerdo... do? It's a little Twitter "application" that allows you to quickly rate beers on the fly that get posted across the Twitterverse.

It's so easy even a... well, I was going to say child could do it, but that's a bad analogy. Let's just say it's so easy that a drunken monkey could do it. Simply type the name of the beer you want to rate, followed with your rating (1 - 5 exclamation points depending on how good or bad it is) to @beerdo, and ba-blam... a few seconds later your rating is Twitterized.

Here are a few examples:

• @beerdo Widmer Snow Plow !!!!! = 5 stars for Snow Plow
• @beerdo Lost Abbey Witch's Wit !!!! = 4 stars for Witch's Wit
• @beerdo Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat !!! = 3 stars for the Leiny
• @beerdo Sam Adams Light !! = 2 stars for Sam Adams Light
• @beerdo MGD ! = 1 star for MGD

Do the right thing and join the beer review revolution! Check out Beerdo today!