Drafting

After disappointing showings on the last 3 trips, I got back up on that horse. I was eager to turn things around this afternoon when we met up at the bar (not at a table - finally putting our lessons into action). I ordered a Weihenstephaner and actually got it this time. On draft!

Beer: Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
ABV: 5.40%
Home: Freising, Germany
Slogan: "The world's oldest brewery"

When the bartender gave me this beer on draft, I was so thankful! I've been missing draft beers! Apparently if they have one of the mug club beers on tap, they'll pour you the draft version. At least that was the case with this bartender! Sitting at the bar is already paying off. This beer pours a cloudy golden with a substantial head that gives off a banana aroma. I was also able to taste the banana flavors throughout along with a light sweetness. Great for a hot day.

Beer: Smuttynose IPA
ABV: 6.90%
Home: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA
Slogan: "Make mine a Smutty!"

I got this one because I saw it on draft and figured I could pull off the same trick twice. Rightly so. According to their website, when beer drinkers started asking why they don't make a really hoppy beer, this IPA was Smuttynose's answer. Pours golden with a head that reeks of hops. Super bitter, super aggressive. I couldn't taste anything in this beer except the bitter hops. Won't order again.

Beer: Grolsch Lager
ABV: 5.00%
Home: Enschede, Netherlands
Slogan: "Beer is fit to be seen again"

Uh oh, green bottle. The slogan above was introduced when Grolsch became the first major Dutch brewery to make the switch from brown to green bottles. After what we've learned, there's no positive side to it other than cost savings for the brewery. Let's do this anyway. The Grolsch is an average light lager that pours like soda with huge bubbles on the sides. It wasn't very interesting and I'd put it in the same category as the Warsteiner. Not for me.

While we were on this round, the guy next to me at the bar asked about our lists. I explained that we were working on earning a mug in the name of beer research. Within about 10 minutes, he had signed himself up for the mug club challenge. Oh, the peer pressure!