My first post

Strictly speaking, I already have a blog. Having established that I can't routinely keep that up to date, I've decided to try and fail at keeping current with another blog. The difference? I'm using Blogspot, which seems to be what all the kids are doing these days. Mind, that's a fairly minor difference, as I had been using Apple's iWeb, which is a fairly nice content editor. Much like Blogspot, iWeb lets one build content in a fairly tiny little sandbox, but it allows you to get things published quickly. And, me being lazy, this is a good thing.

My intent is to use this space to discuss beer, one of my favorite hobbies. So, without further ado, here's what I'm drinking now. (Not right now, mind, it's the middle of the afternoon and most of my beer consumption happens at a fairly civilized hour. Two pints per night- whether I need them or not- after my daughter goes to sleep for the night.) Yesterday was a good day for beer purchases. We were ought of tea, which meant a trip to the English store, which has some Fullers and Samuel Smith on offer. I picked up two bottles of ESB and two of 1845. A short while later, I took a quick trip across the river (after dumping off the weeks recycling) to Giesingerbraeu (too lazy for the umlaut at the moment). I picked up two of their starkbier- Delirium- and had a brief chat with the brewmaster. Turns out he's from Munich, which is a bit of a surprise, as you'd expect him to be working at any of the giant breweries in the area. Instead, he's set up shop in what looks like an abandoned garage to produce beer that will be a tough sell for the Munich palate. We expressed a shared fondness for Franconian beer and frustration that it was so hard to obtain in Munich.

On the way home, I poked my head into a Getraenkemarkt (still lazy about the umlaut) and bought a couple Aventinus and two other minor label beers, the name of which escapes me.

Had the Delirium and have to admit I was slightly disappointed. It was quite tasty, but for a starkbier, not really consistent with the style. The color was neither copper nor dark. It poured out a sort of straw color, but with some ruby elements. Things coalesced as the bubbles faded to a kind of dingy brown. Not quite what I expect my starkbiers to look like. Taste was alright- quite sweet and caramelly- but with a bit too much wheat. Had I not spoken to the brewer, I would have been curious as to how it got there, but he did say that there was a bit of wheat. Still, I suppose my biggest complaint is that wasn't what I had been expecting. It is tasty, but I'm not sure how to classify it.

What am I drinking tonight? Not sure. After last night's experience with a slightly wheaty starkbier, I think I'll be leaning to the Aventinus. You'll know more tomorrow.