Brian Allen’s Place

I hauled beer back from Colorado Springs to server up at the Free The Hops Beer Tasting which is just around the corner.

As you may or may not know, Alabama does not allow a beer to have more than 6% alcohol by volume and the beer bottle can not be larger than 16 ounces. Free The Hops is working to change these laws. Presently, we are seeking a state representative to sponsor the bill. We are planning on making a presentation to the Madison County Caucus of representative which meets the first Monday in February at the City of Huntsville building.

Our tastings require our members to bring a beer that can not be purchased in Alabama. I selected Mojo Indian Pale Ale from the Boulder Beer Company. Mojo IPA has a 6.8% alcohol by volume. Boulder Beer has a number of great beers and you will enjoy their web site which features a Lego bartender serving beer.

Karen and I went to our first tasting in Birmingham before the holidays and it was a blast. We met a lot of new people and saw a hugh selection of beer from all around the country.

Finally, we are having beer tasting in Huntsville. About every other month, the Free The Hops organization has a beer tasting for its members.

The idea is to bring a friend to find out about the organization and bring a beer that you can't get in Alabama due to the laws.

The first beer, to be tasted, was the High Red Tide Bock which turned out to be flat! Bummer. I have my CO2 on it now forcing in the carbonation. I have the CO2 set to 35 pounds of pressure and in a few days it should be good to go.

Next, I tried the Vincent's Wee Heavy. Well, it was over carbonated. I expected this given how strong the fermentation went. I had to bleed off some of the pressure. This beer has some kick! Given the overpressure, I had to pour to beer into a pitcher to let the foam settle out. This beer is on the sweet side as beers go.

[Update: I given to shaking the High Red Tide Bock keg to speed up the carbonation.]