So last night was my very first initiation with the Barley Engineers. I have to say it was a blast! Everyone was very friendly they all came up to us and introduced themselves plus we got to taste so many brews . . . I took my sister with me so I would not feel out of place and although there were some of the wives of the engineers we still were outnumbered. So this whole new adventure started with Dean inviting me a while back and of course me with my exploring and adventurous mind frame said, Why Not? So I have never brewed myself but have always wondered about it. Have a couple friends that have been making their own brew and once in a while they will send me a sample of their creations.
Last Night I have to say I had four favorites. One was the Tripel Karmeliet which happens to be a Belgian Abbey Style Triple Ale. Seems I tend to like the Belgian Beers .. . It has a robust very smooth and fruity taste as soon as it touches your tongue you can taste hints of vanilla and some bitterness that makes a perfect balance. It is also topped with a huge white bubbly head of carbonation. Yummy loved the sweet carbonation! Causes excitement and joy to my mouth . . . .Very refreshing. It has 3 grains- oats, barley and wheat. I think that gives it character. So I was told by a fellow brewer last night that this beer receives its final fermentation in the bottle. Wow that is totally amazing 
History has it that is was brewed after the Carmelite Monks tradition dating back as far as 1678. Totally impressed! Craving one right about now . . . .
Second one I really enjoyed was Dean’s sweet Cactus Pear Brew. Guess it’s technically not considered beer?? Not a beer said Dean but a mead. Well I got my education on Mead’s. From what I remember from last night is that Mead is made with honey instead of grain. It was very tasty and made me capture good memories that were floating in my head. It was bubbly and sweet- great balance. By this time I was kinda floating already and feeling very happy and warm inside. Keep in mind we had been tasting different beers for the past hour or two.
My third ch0ice was Ken’s special brew Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter Brew.
I actually got to meet him last night at the meeting. Very funny man came over to say Hello and see how we liked his brew. It was delicious! My sister could not believe how beer could be so good . . she is more of a wine girl but I think all has changed since last night-
And last but not least we come back to Mr. Dean . . . who would of known? Well yes indeed we liked his brews. The last little bottle he brought out of his cooler was an icy cold Blueberry Beer. This blueberry ale had a medium amber color and created a fizzy head which I liked. Not much smell of the Blueberries themselves but it had a bit of blueberry scent once we we drank it. But nothing over the top which is a good thing I think. Mixed in with the blueberry aroma I could pick up perhaps something sweet like caramel, but just faintly. Overall we loved it . . . Increible Magnifico . . . I mean Incredible! That definitely took us by surprise. I mean I had never even heard of a Blueberry beer but my goodness was this good. Thank you Dean! : ) And thanks to all the members of The Society of Barley Engineers, you guys really made us feel at home! And by the way we should inform Tom that we found the book by Papazian on Amazon! We officially have our own little beer “bible” now . . . Thanks Tom!
Although we are still wondering why the other members came up to our table asking Dean if we were his wives and if Dean was now Mormon? . . . Hmm must be beer humor- J/k we had a blast! We will definitely be there next meeting!
September 21, 2009
loppuu
