Numbered List Update, Complete with Pictures!

Okay, really quick update in numbered list form!

1. I have tried the Belgian Cranberry Chocolate beer that I helped brew and dear sweet baby Jesus is it delicious. I first tried it a couple weeks ago and it was delicious. I just had some last night and it was delicious. Since it seems to age well, I'm going post a review for it soon.

2. I just got back from South Carolina, where I had the following beers

Arrogant Bastard Double Bastard Ale, Stone Brewing (You're not worthy!)

The Woods: Winter Woods, Cisco Brewers (ale aged in french oak wine barrels)

Black Betty, Nebraska Brewing Company (ale aged in whiskey barrels)

Infinium Ale, Sam Adams with Germany’s Weihenstephan (world's oldest brewery) (champagne-like, so that was for New Years)

Lips of Faith Series, New Belgium Brewing Company (dark sour ale)

Stone Vertical Epic, 11.11.11, Stone Brewing (brewed with chilies and cinnamon)

Stone Escondian Imperial Black IPA 15th Anniversary, Stone Brewing

Third Voyage IPA, Sam Adams Single Batch Series

There will be reviews on all of these beers, except the Stone Black IPA. What? Don't look at me like that. I did 7 reviews while I was there. SEVEN. I think my boyfriend started to get frustrated with me.

3. Also while in South Carolina, I experienced so much new beer I almost died. A black lager from Brazil, a Trappist Ale (Chimay), a stout float, new local beer, a place called the World of Beer.. it was awesome.

Also, the following exchange took place at a bar:

Me: (looking at the taps) What's the Thirsty Dog like?
Bartender: Ohh, that's really dark, it tastes like a bourbon, it's really strong and intense.
Me: Cool, can I have a taste first?
Bartender: (looks at me like I'm nuts) Are you sure? It's really very intense. It's very strong. Probably the strongest one you'll taste.
Me: Yes.
(I get my taste, sip it, tastes like AWESOME, down the rest)
Me: Yup, I'll have a glass of that.
Bartender: (Extreme disbelief) Really? You like that?
Me: Yeah, it's good. (Bartenders goes off, I turn to my boyfriend.) Does he even know who I am?

And the funny part is while it was a strong beer, I've definitely had stronger, more intense beers. Apparently females drinking intense, manly beers in the south is something of an anomaly?

4. I got a wicked awesome, totally complete with ingredients, beer brewing kit. I literally have EVERYTHING--buckets, tubes, bottler, cleanser, grains, malt, hops, yeast, EVERYTHING. I also got an entire book on beer brewing with recipes AND a beer journal where I can record tasting notes. I'm pretty much set. The first beer is going to be an IPA, and I'll start making it TOMORROW. I think it makes a couple cases, so if anyone would like to try a bottle, write me a one page essay on why you deserve one.