January 7, 2009

First Beerhunter meeting (where it all began)

Meeting convened 1/4/09, 5:00 PM CST

Chicago, IL

Present: Dan, Tom, Ben

Absent: Andrew (unexcused)

Curator: Tom

Secretary: Dan

Music on the night: Dexter Gordon (Our Man in Paris), John Coltrane (Stellar Regions, My Favorite Things), Deerhunter (Microcastle), Theolonious Monk (Monk’s Classic Recordings), Tristeza (A Colores), GZA (Liquid Swords)

TV: Eagles/Vikings wildcard playoff game (on mute)

“Minutes” (not actual minutes, just a vague timeline)

  • Beers were discussed (at length) in first round, but taste notes were not recorded. In the future members will write their own taste notes

Round 1: 6 beers, purchased at Binny’s, approx. $20 worth

  1. Hirter Privat Pils, Austrian Pilsner
  2. Weihenstephaner, Korbinian Doppelbock
  3. Okocim, Polish Porter
  4. Piraat Ale, Belgian
  5. Delerium Tremens, Belgian style ale
  6. Dogfishhead Midas Touch, “Handcrafted Ancient Ale”

Round 1 over approx. 7 PM; Round 2 reconvened 7:46 PM

Round 2: 2 beers, purchased at Kimbark Liquors, approx. $20 worth

7. Brother Thelonious, Belgian style Abbey Ale

  • Tom: Darker than other Belgian Ales; can’t pinpoint flavors; Question: “What would account for darker coloration? Roasted malt?”
  • Tom: “I didn’t get any head, but he (Ben) did.”

B&B pizza king ordered, consumed

8. Delerium Nocturnum, Belgian Strong Dark Ale

  •             Tom guesses this beer is a “dubbel”; Dan does not know what this means
  •             All decide this is darker, superior to Theolnious
  •             “metallic” taste
  •             Ben: “First sip always the best”

Watching cicadas on Planet Earth, Tom: “I can’t imagine life without consciousness.” Dan decides Tom has had enough to drink.

Meeting adjourned approx. 10:30 PM

Favorites on the night:

  •        Dan: Midas, Delerium Tremens tie
  •        Ben: DT
  •        Tom: DT

Best bottle art: Weihenstephaner

* Big argument of the night: Tom says Midas is more complex, but thinks DT is better. Says Delerium has most unique flavor. Ben agrees, Dan says they are both deserving of equal praise – Midas “sufficiently flavorful, more subdued/subtle”. Not necessarily a bad thing, and not lacking in flavor *

Rebuys: 3, 4, 5, 6

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