Ortega On Beer: Soapy Water, Resolutions, & Other Observations.

Happy New Year everyone out there in Beervana. I know it’s been a while since my last post (four months & two days to be exact but who’s counting). Sorry for that, won’t happen again. Now that we’ve gotten caught up, let us get down to what’s going on.

This past week I was invited to a Belgian Beer & Poker Night by one of my friends where one of the respondents to this invite said the following:

“However, Belgian Beer tastes like soapy water to me.”

Now my friend who came up w/this wonderful evening said he would leave it to me to respond to that comment right there, and that’s where we come to one of my resolutions for the new year: To be a better beer advocate.

Previously, if I received an email w/that sentence in it I would have responded w/a most-likely expletive-laden response/tirade where I would compare not liking beer from Belgium to not liking breathing, The Simpsons, pizza, and anything else I could think of before I dismiss said person as someone who is lacking in their mental capacities.

Now, thanks to this handy-dandy resolution, I can respond by saying that Belgium is a country roughly the size of Maryland that has a long, storied brewing tradition. Currently there are about one-hundred forty breweries currently in operation producing thousands of different beers (for those of you who were wondering, Maryland boasts seven breweries). There could also be many reasons for said “soapy water” taste that you had but I assure you that not all Belgian beers have said imperfections & invite you to come to this get together and learn more about what Belgian beer is all about.

So in 2010, I say join me in being a better beer advocate. Educate instead of criticizing those who aren’t in the know. Oh, and if you have a beer blog promoting all things beer, update it more than once every four months.

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In Other News…

Here’s a funny commercial from the folks as Breckenridge Brewing Co. in Denver, CO that pokes fun at their macro-brethren @ Coors…

Also, some beer caves were recently unearthed in The Boogie Down…

Lastly, here are three beers that have wowed me recently that you should try before it's too late…

http://greatbrewers.com/product/sierra-nevada-dogfish-head-life-limb
http://greatbrewers.com/product/two-brothers-northwind
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13014/28165

Drink Better.