Prebeer Preamble: Every once in a while comes a beer that knocks my proverbial socks off. It can be some crazy new beast of a brew or a cool riff on an old style, but it gets me jazzed and has me falling prostrate before the goddess Ninkasi in effusive thanks for the mere existence of beer. As luck would have it, I recently ran across not one but two such brews, both from Oskar Blues Brewery, makers of Old Chub and Dale's Pale Ale. The fact that they're only available in cans makes it just that much cooler…
Beer #1: So who best to join me in sharing my new favorite beer? Why my original co-drinker Eric, that's who. After a twenty-show hiatus, the guy who helped me start it all chills with me and enjoys a brew called simply Gordon.
Interbeer Interlude: Beer As Folk.
"Dale Katechis." Dale is the
mind and madness behind Oskar Blues, as well as the namesake for OB's hop-
monster Pale Ale, and it was a real pleasure to sit down and talk with him for
a while. Of course we cover the whole "can question," but conversation spans
more than just that. Tune in to hear about Dale's thoughts on Hanna Montana…
Beer #2: Eric and I now try a Ten Fidy Imperial Stout. Recently, scientists claim to have invented the blackest black, but Dale & Co. beat them to it with this inky, hypnotically dark beer. And while the appearance evokes titters of glee, it's when we bring them up to our mouths that the party really begins.
Beer Geek Moment: Carbonation and
Conditioning. Among the most important, yet least appreciated, parts of any
good beer are the bubbles. Just what do these tiny little wonders of nature do
for the beer and how do they get in there? Listen and learn!
Postbeer Postscript: Eric has had to endure my practically obscene gushing about both beers today, so it's interesting to see how the numbers shake out. Was Eric spending the show in quiet agreement with my enthusiasm, or secretly waiting to take these beers down?