Mug Warrior

Taste and the good old-fashioned ability to get you drunk are among the top ways to finding a good beer, but what attracts you to trying a new one? Aesthetics, whether you consciously know it or not, play a big part when you’re selecting an unfamiliar beer to take for a test drink. Checking out the shape of the tap, looking at the graphics on the case in your distributor, or eyeing up the Beer Face (the bottle’s label) all can play a strong role in legitimizing a potential buy. A weak Face makes a beer look like it doesn’t have it’s act together. Lets take a look at the Beer Face of Hofbräu Oktoberfest and see how effective they are in conveying the sense of its storied heritage.

Being based in Munich, the royal Hofbräuhaus brewery was a key beer supplier to the first Oktoberfest of 1810. Two years later, in an attempt to offer King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria a top-notch brew with some extra alcohol (man, because being a King back then was ROUGH, damn drafty castles), the “Oktoberfestbier” from Hofbräu München was born.

The modern Oktoberfest’s bottle has 3 labels: a rhombus-shaped one on the neck bearing their logo, a rectangular informational one on the back, and the ovular supposed show-stopper on the front. This is the Face, the one that is supposed to envoke “How YOU doin’?” from strangers. The color palette of consists of a royal blue, a warm yellow, gold and white. Set against a green bottle, I’m thinking of skipping through a summer field in Sweden, not a brisk fall night of drunken chanting with my buds. These colors are very strong, but aren’t working. So what’s left?

At the center of the ovular label, is a quant illustration of the Hofbräu tent at Oktoberfest, and a surrounding festival atmosphere incorporating horses and a ferris-wheel. This is their shot at conveying the real “feel” of the Oktoberfest experience through a Bob Ross miniature. Not getting that feeling much it across the bar, and not seeing much more with my magnifying glass.

Comparing this to their regular label for the original brew, let’s see what they did different for the crown jewel of Munich’s great gift to the world, Oktoberfest. Not much except an updated doodle better suited for the napkin your bottle sits on. Inappropriate colors and a lack of realign effort for the label of such a seemingly important authentic German brew. Man, all that drinking around Oktoberfest makes Germans lazy!

Take a look at the Beer Face in your hand. What’s looking good and successfully telling you it’s that time of year to throw some bratwurst on the grill?

I read an article at msnbc yesterday about how the big brewers (Coors, Anheuser, Miller) have started creating small batch, micro style brews as seasonals. I think that’s pretty cool, and as a man who has been known to indulge his trashier side with a Bud (and who has also used Bud in lieu of water to clean glasses while tasting), I would be willing to give the Micro Macro’s a shot. It seems like they are only marketed to the midwestern market right now, but if anyone knows anyways I can get my hands on some it would be much appreciated.

Also I didn’t know Coors made Blue Moon, I suppose you learn something you really should have already known, everyday.

As a man of moderate girth, I rarely find anything at American Eagle Outfitters that doesn’t make me feel like on quick movement will leave me naked in the subway. However, I have long sworn by their underwear. Fits nice, last a long time, and at the end of each season they put all the leftovers on sale for a third of the price.

Recently, I noticed that some of the styles they are selling are not only clever, but also beer related. The “Brew Crew” undies above is a pair that I just picked up the other day. I also have a couple of other pairs that include one with some nice frothy mugs on them. Right now there’s also a great pair called “Kegs and Eggs” that I have my eye on. If you are a boxer man, take a trip over and pick up a couple of pairs. It’s about that time that they put their leftovers on sale. Plus the ladies go crazy for a man in clean underwear.

Dan has inspired this next post, and it takes participation. I would like you to pair a beer with corned beef…and not in the boring bravo tv taste complements kinda way. I want creativity…if it is a can of bush light then tell me its because Bush Light is so damn watery that is allows you to inhale more corned beef, if it is a Heineken Keg can then tell its because the effing can does not sweat all over the table. Just reply, I am looking forward to reading them, and so are the other two people who look at this site…or is it three now?

There has been mention made of the award winning Russian Imperial Stout from Iron Hill. Luckily, while eating lunch at the Iron Hill in Media, this Bronze medal winner was available for purchase in a 25 oz. corked bottle.  I bought it.  Let me just say that it is a beer with more characters than a science fiction convention.  Sweet, chocolaty, bold nutty finish etc. etc. etc.  To be honest, I would have a hard time finding a complementary food to accompany this beer.  This beer maybe be best served as its own meal.  If you have had a chance to try this beer, please comment below.  Did I like it?…Yes.  Would I recommend it?…Yes.  Is it a type of beer that should only be imbibed once a year?…Yes, because of its loud nature.  Hmmmm…not too dissimilar to Tim.

Being a geek, while also loving beer, makes me admire geeky beer things. Behold the #include <beer.h> glasses offered over at Think Geek. Whether you are a programmer or not, these mugs will make a perfect addition to your geek bar in the basement. Ok, maybe it’s just me with the geek bar in the basement.

I had the pleasure of living mere blocks from Iron Hill Brewery in Media. Trish loves their Shrimp and Crab Cakes and the Pan Seared Shrimp and Sea Scallops is pretty amazing itself. As is important for any good brewpub, they’ve got some really good beers. The Rasberry Wheat (though I prefer my wheats unfiltered) is light and delicious. It goes great with the seafood dishes at Iron Hill. Top off the meal with a Pig Iron Porter and a Double Chocolate Hill cake. I’m getting fatter just thinking about it.

2006 has been a big years for Iron Hill. It’s their 10th anniversary. To celebrate they are releasing an anniversary beer, a Belgian-style Trappist Ale at 10+% ABV. Not only does this beer sound delicious, but its gonna be bottled and sold for your carry out pleasure. They recently opened their sixth location in Pheonixville and they won two awards at The Great American Beer Fest. One for the Russian Imperial Stout in Media and Bourbon Ivan in West Chester. They also recieved Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Brewpub 2006 this year.

I’m a big fan and you will be too. Go, eat, and join the Mug Club - then you too will drink from a 24oz beer mug.