Well despite my promises to get this up last week the Arachnid frame came into my life, as bike lovers and riders I am sure we can all relate; When a new steed enters the stable it gets priority for a few days.

The tastings have become very much like the beer themselves: sometimes they are mild, sometimes they are very out there, they more often than not have multiple stages to them. Often times they lead to crazy times, others they lead to quick and calm nights when we just want to sleep. Well this particular week we had quite a good showing overall not all sampled but many talked with us and at least sipped from our cups. Sean had left at this point and we are down to about six guys when Huck shows up with a case of natty lite. Lucky for him he had several others tucked away inside the box that were of a high caliber. I don’t care how much of the “everyday beer drinker” I am or portray myself to be Natty lite and I do not get along well.

First off interstingly engough Bart made a Rogue Shakesphere Stout appear from the silver and blue box. This one for some reason tasted much cleaner than the previous speciemen.

About this time Josh decides to strip down and ride home, I was marveling at the amazing thickness of his legs. Don’t worry this will make you want to drink more:

Black Bear Stout was next on the list. Bart opened this one up with his pimp cup, afterall a real man always has a beer opener on him: be it his teeth, a park bench, a knife, or in fact an opener in its own right. Well to be honest Bart is one of the last guys I would expect to have a pimp cup in his truck…

The beer,  presumably is a California beer with all the California-esque insignia. If you presumed as I did you would in fact be correct. This imperial stout is wonderful. If you didn’t get a chance to sample Sean’s IPS this is the closest thing in production I have ever had it is sweet but sweet in a very short way, then it hits the malts and smooth full body. Everything about this beer is so right (provided you enjoy a stout or darker beer).

I was speaking of high AC beers when Bart made the devil himself appear at 18% which is far beyond what I normally consume. I consider an 11% to be way up there. I hate to admit it but nearly two weeks later and I have forgotten the name of this particular brew perhaps someone can chime in and help alleviate my shame. At this point I was thinking “I really need to leave, I should walk away” but my glass was given a small sample, it was cold and delicious. As the night went on no one seemed to be gutsy enough to touch it much. I kept pouring shot sized samples and sipping on it. It got to the bottom and Cody had finally finished what must have been beer two over  the span of the night and I tried to pawn it off on him. One sip and he was done, to be fair though it was warm and tough to take at this point. It had that kick that we have seemed to universally dub “like taking whiskey shots.” Moral of the story Beer is better cold.

However the flavor of this well I can’t say I remember a whole lot of that , I do remember enjoying it. It was certainly a knock you on your ass one bottle and your out for the night type of ordeal.

At this point in the night we are down to double fisting Rob, Two pint cody,     Cat dancing lover Justin, his kiddo, and myself (unnecessarily arroganant young buck). The talk turned serious and we all got into some deep talk about life, love, religion, family, and the logic or beliefs behind it all.

So its not just about the buzz, the brew, or the shop. Sometimes we dance (and by we I mean Rob), sometimes we talk philosphy, sometimes we drink and go home early. There is an occasion to suit all types so I encourage you once again to join us even if it is just for a short bit.