Join the Congregation

The other day I joined the Congregation.
Congregation Ale House is a new beer bar in Downtown Long Beach.
They have about 35 taps of beer and 150 (or so) bottles.
The prices are reasonable (most of the American Craft Brews were $5 or $6 a glass and the Belgian imports were around $6 to $8)

I went to one of the soft opening days and currently give Congregation a B with the potential for an A.



In addition to the great beer Congregation has a limited but excellent menu.
Burgers, Sausage, Flat Bread Sandwiches, and Belgian Fries.
I would highly recommend trying the Curry Ketchup and Blue Cheese Dipping Sauces 
My only real gripes with congregation are more German Beers on tap and Mustard for the BELGIAN Fries.

Congregation Ale House
201 E Broadway
Long Beach, CA, 90802
(562) 432-2337

Grade: B (but I am sure it will improve)

More Beer

Chocolate Indulgence by Ommegang: Belgian Style Stout
Served into Pint glass. Bought in store $13. Cellar aged 3 years at brewery. This Belgian Style Chocolate Stout is very Rich. It is brewed with real Belgian Chocolate. I could actually see the chunks of chocolate floating in the beer. This beer was actually very crisp and not heavy in comparison to most stouts.
Grade A-


Diabhal by Rabbits Foot Meadery: Belgian Style Ale with Honey
Served in Tulip Glass. Bought in Store $6. Overall the flavor was excellent, but this beer was too sweet for my taste. I was not even able to finish an entire glass. I would recommend trying it once (maybe split the 1 pint bottle between 4 people)
Grade B


Fraoch Heather Ale by Williams Brothers Brewing Company: Scottish Gruit
Served in Pint Glass. Bought in Store $5. It is a very good Ale with good, but light, malty flavors and a light floral aroma. Gruit is one of the world's oldest beer styles it has been brewed in Scotland since about 2000 BCE. This is the first example of Gruit I have ever had so the grade is in comparison to other Ales rather than style specific, like I try to do. 
Grade B+


Biere De Miele by Rabbits Foot Meadery: Golden Ale with Honey
Served in Tulip Glass. Bought in Store $6. Good Golden Ale with light honey flavor and aroma. Very drinkable but nothing very exciting.
Grade B-


Pilsner by Simpler Times
6 Pack Cans, $3.50 from Trader Joes. Served in Pilsner Glass and straight from can. It is an adequate to good pilsner and it is cheap. great for a summer day or a session.
Grade B- 


Mississippi Mud: Black and Tan (Porter and Pilsner)
32 oz bottle, $3.50 from Trader Joes. Served in Pint Glass. It is good for the price, but I would personally rather make my own Black and Tan. Black and tans are great because you are able to get the flavor of heavy beers without the heft. (just remember for the Irish they are called Half and Halfs, The Black and Tans were a special British Military Group during the Anglo-Irish War that slaughtered a lot of civilians).
Grade C+

2010 is the year for music

Here is some new music I have really been enjoying lately.

the Black Keys-Brothers: A+
This Indie/Blues duo have finally found their own sound and this album is not overproduced letting their sound come through. It is bluesy, rocking, and still maintains a pop sensibility.

the Drums-the Drums: A
This Post-Punk album sounds like it was recorded by a band from England in 1980, but it is a bunch of kids form Brooklyn. The songs get a little repetitive and that is the only reason it doesn't get an A+

BARB-BARB: A+
A New Zealand Indie Rock Super Group, featuring Liam Finn. This great album walks the fine line between avant-garde and pop rock. Superb musicianship, but they are not showing off. It is just great.

Arcade Fire-the Suburbs: B
It is good, don't get me wrong. It just isn't nearly as good as their previous albums. The band was definitely listening to the Cars a lot when they wrote this album.

Beach House-Teen Dream: A+
Wait, what, when did this band get this good? Their previous albums were in the B- to C+ range and this one is awesome. It is beautiful, popy and just hits you right. I cannot stop listening to this album. The CD also comes with a bonus DVD with music videos for every song on the album.

Beach Fossils-Beach Fossils: A
Great surfy, Lo-Fi rock and roll with a pop sensibility. Just buy it and enjoy.

Some other albums I have been enjoying but have not spent enough time with to give a proper grade, but they are all in the A-B range


Darker My Love- Alive As You Are


Dum Dum Girls-I Will Be


Phantogram-Eyelid Movies


the XX-the XX


LCD Soundsystem-This is Happening
It sounds very Bowie-esque

Foals-Total Life Forever


Dum Dum Girls-

What Beers I have enjoyed this week

La Fin Du Monde (the end of the world) by Uni-Broue: Belgian Style Trippel (that means Triple fermented high ABV)
I had this from a 375 mL bottle bought at a store, usually $10 or less. I have poured it into both a Goblet and Small Tulip. Spectacular Belgian copy from Quebec
Grade A+

Supplication by Russian River: American Wild Ale (Sour)
Poured from an Imperial Pint Bottle bought in a store, $13, into a Goblet. I did a little dance when I first sipped this beer.
This is an American Wild Ale with Cherries added that was aged in Pinot Noir Barrels.
Warning this is a sipping beer because it is very sour.
Grade A+


St Bernardus Abt 12: Belgian Quadrupel (fermented 4 times, High ABV)
On tap at Lucky Baldwins Pub in Pasadena, CA. Poured into Goblet, about $8.
Grade A-


Duvel Green (Duvel Draft): Belgian Pale Ale
On tap at Lucky Baldwins Pub in Pasadena, CA. Poured into Goblet, about $8.
Grade B+


St Louis Gueuze: Lambic
 On tap, from cask, at Lucky Baldwins Pub in Pasadena, CA. Poured into Goblet, about $10.
Honestly I believe the Cask pour is what made this beer so good. Bottled or Keg Draft probably would not be nearly as good.
Grade A-


Cali Belgique by Stone: Belgian styled IPA
Poured from 22oz Bomber bought in store, about $7, into Tulip Glass.
Excellent Bitter and over powering hop flavor (like most Stone Beers), but it has an incredibly smooth finish.
Grade A-


IPA by Russian River: IPA
On tap at Lucky Baldwins Pub in Pasadena, CA. Poured into Pint Glass.
Excellent Bitter and strong hop flavor with a very smooth finish.
Grade A-

A Few Grades of Common Beers

Pabst Blue Ribbon: American Lager
       Can: C (C- in flavor but the price gives it a jump to C)
       Bottle: C
       Draft: C+
Blue Moon: Hefeweizen, C+
Guinness: Irish Stout
     Draught Bottle: B
     Draught Can: B+
     Extra Stout Bottle: B+
     Draft (on tap): B+ to C+ depending on who pours it
Smithwicks: Irish Red Lager (this is probably my favorite session beer)
     Bottle: B
     Draft: B+
Sierra Nevada: American Pale Ale, B
Sierra Nevada Summerfest: Lager, B
Chimay Red: Belgian Dubbel, A
Chimay Blue: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, A
Budweiser: American Lager, D+
Miller Genuine Draft: American Lager, D
Coors Banquet Beer: American Lager, C-
Bud Light: Light Lager, D-
Miller Lite: Light Lager, C (a pitcher at bar with friends), all other times D+
Coors Light: Can that even be called Beer?, F

If anybody is curious about my opinion of a particular beer comment and let me know
 

My Beer Grading System

Before I begin the Beer Log I thought I should explain my grading system. I am going to use an A through F, with plus of minus, system.
A+: Sensational Beer (Seek out and find this Beer, and Buy it, even if it is expensive)
A: Excellent Beer (Buy this beer)
B: Good Beer (Buy this beer, especially at a Bar)
C: Adequate Beer (Don't be afraid to spend your money on this Beer, especially if it is inexpensive or at a Bar)
D: Sub Par Beer (Drink it, if it is free. Don't Spend money on it!)
F: Awful (Never ever drink this Beer)

Also i will try to include the Beer Style

Yes I started a Blog

Alrighty everybody, so I started a Blog. My blog is going to be primarily a Beer Log, but I am also going to share the Music, Movies, Books and such that I enjoy or am enjoying at the moment. So I hope Y'all enjoy.