I got into craft beer about three years ago, tasting
multiple Sam Adams and Dogfish products and ever since these initial tastings,
I have wanted to converse and discuss craft beer on a regular basis with my
father, Chuck. However, these discussions require overcoming two substantial
obstacles: an 11 hour drive and an international border. My parents live on the
rustic, picturesque province of Prince Edward Island, part of the east-coast of
Canada. Here, my father doesn’t have the opportunity to imbibe Canadian craft
beer, let only, American craft beer because there is virtually no distribution to Prince
Edward Island. The province has many positives: wonderful people, amazing
beaches, historical landmarks however the beer culture (and food culture for
the matter) are leaps and bounds behind every Canadian province (except, maybe,
Newfoundland) and without a doubt, every American state, yes, even Mississippi
and Alabama. Due to these restrictions, I have gradually introduced my old man
domestic and foreign craft brewers and the following blog entries are
day-by-day tasting “sessions” during a recent visit home.
Enjoy!
Chuck’s Libations – Day 1
After driving 11 hours, much of it by myself (wife fell
asleep), I received a much-needed hug from my mother. Once we had exchanged
pleasantries and settled in our room, we all ventured out to the deck to relax
and converse about our past week. I decided to open a beer and since it was
beautiful and I was feeling great, I decided on Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier.
Little did I know that with all the beer we would taste over the week, Chuck
would like this beer the most. Immediately following his first sip, he
enthusiastically exclaimed, “NOW, that’s delicious. I think I could drink this
everyday”. As we delved deeper into the beer, he began to pick up on the traditional
taste profile of weissbier: banana and bubble gum, “I am getting this
taste/sensation that reminds me of bubblicious”. Our conversation lasted for
some time, which allowed the beer time to open up. After Chuck’s last sip, he emphatically
stated, “That beer is so smooth, it is the perfect summer beer”, I couldn’t
agree more. 
The beer we opened was Union Jack IPA from Firestone Walker.
I bought this home because it is my favorite west-coast IPA and I wanted my old
man to experience a very hop forward IPA. As I watched him take his first sip,
I had this overwhelming feeling: Please
Like It. Without saying a single word, I knew what he was thinking, WHOA!!
Our entire conversation revolved around a pine forest, but we talked grapefruit,
dryness, astringency, and crispness. Overall, Chuck’s palate didn’t jive with
this west–coast IPA, but he appreciated what the people of Firestone Walker are
striving to accomplished with this beer. He said that he was open to trying other
west-coast interpretation of the IPA style. Right On!
We decided to finish the night with Left Hand’s Milk Stout.
Since my old man is an avid coffee drinker, he instantly tasted coffee notes
along with bitter chocolate. I explained to him that, to the best of my
knowledge, the beer is brewed without these additional flavor adjuncts, which
surprised him greatly. My favorite quality this stout has, and Chuck’s as well,
the insanely creamy mouthfeel. We discussed the effect of nitrogen versus carbon
dioxide on the mouthfeel, which transitioned somewhat quickly into the significant differences
between the three styles of beer: taste profile, color, and brewing country, a great way to end our first tasting
“session”.
Cheers,
PandaMack
