Ommegang Aphrodite

 

Brewed by Brewery Ommegang (Moortgat)
Style: Fruit Beer
Cooperstown, New York USA

In Greek mythology, Aphrodite rises from the foam of the waves of the sea, enchanting all who see her, and inciting thoughts of love and lust where ever she goes. We could hardly say it more eloquently. Our Limited Edition Aphrodite Ale is ethereal, intriguing and mysterious – as the Goddess Aphrodite must have been. Aphrodite has champagne-like carbonation, much as the foam of the waves of the sea. Plus enchanting flavors with whispers of raspberry and pear, and hints of funk and tartness created by the Brett yeast. The refreshing dryness comes from the unusual combination of Ommegang and Brett yeasts, and incites feelings of love and thirst, though we don’t know about lust. Grains of paradise are infused into the nectar, and when poured Aphrodite is crowned with a luxuriously shimmering rose-pink head.

Tasting Notes:
Pours nice reddish pink with a nice fluffy white head that lasts. Great looking beer, carbed perfectly. Aroma is a bit subdued, but has notes of some pear, apricot, apple, some slight floral, funky brett notes, touch of earth, grape notes in there as well. Taste is rich, tart and delicious, the fruit complimenting very well. Creamy mouthfeel is pretty spot on. Tastes include tropical fruit, pear, dried apricot, apple, tart funky notes as well in there some barnyard and musty earth, complimenting with some nice floral hibiscus notes as well. Tasty, tasty brew, no sign of the alcohol at all. Refreshing, easy to drink.

Liefmans Goudenband

Brewed by Liefmans (Moortgat)
Style: Sour Ale/Wild Ale
Oudenaarde, Belgium

This top fermented brown ale is being brewed with the best malts and the finest selection of hop. This is a provision beer which can be kept in a good cave for several years.Liefmans Goudenband is an unsurpassed old brown ale with the richness and complexity of a vintage wine.

The first written reference to the brewery goes back to the year 1679. Consequently we know for sure that the brewery is over 300 years old. Around 1770 a certain Jacobus Liefmans establishes himself as a brewer in Oudenaarde.

In 1905, due to trouble finding a successor, the brewery was sold to the businessman Pierre van Geluwe. In those days the brewery was situated near the Krekelput. In the deed of sale it was expressly stated that the name Liefmans should be preserved at all times in view of the ancient tradition in Oudenaarde.

When the brewery had to be expanded once again in 1923 and problems arose with respect to water collection, premises were purchased on the banks of the Schelde, notably near the Aalststraat.Around 1930 they moved into the new premises and for the very first time the largely renovated brewing equipment was used to brew.

After the sudden and unanticipated death of Paul van Geluwe de Berlaere in 1972, succession became once again a problem. In 1974 the family finally came across the major English Vaux conglomerate which showed interest as it was looking for channels to introduce its beers on the Belgian market.

The English have no doubt left a clear mark on the corporate identity of the Liefmans brewery.In 1985 the brewery became the property of a Belgian-Zairian bank and the malt-house De Wolf from Aalst.In the late 1980's the new owners decided to resell the brewery. The takeover in 1990 by breweries Riva from Dentergem secured the future of this historic brewery and gave it a new aura.The brewing premises and equipment have been upgraded and the brewery, with its rich industrial archeology, will from now on be open to the public.

The beer fanatics can come down here to witness how industrial archeology and state of the art technology go hand in hand. In taking this initiative, the management intends to contribute to the preservation of Belgium's beer patrimony.Brewery Liefmans makes Goudenband a complex beer with lots of character.

Tasting Notes:
Dark brown pour with ruby edges and a small tan head that fades fast. Sweet and sour aroma with vinegar and sweet cherries - which reminds me of balsamic vinegar, which always a turn off for me. The flavor is a bit tart with oak and malty bitterness but it’s also a bit watery. Decent flavors, but a bit one dimensional and watered down.

Southern Tier Flights or Pints!!! Southern Tier Appreciation at Aroma Thyme !

What: Southern Tier Flights or Pints!!! Southern Tier Appreciation at Aroma Thyme
When: August 15th to August 25th
Where: Aroma Thyme Bistro
165 Canal St Ellenville NY 12428
www.aromathyembistro.com
845 647 3000

 On tap:
IPA
Harvest
Mookah
Porter
Plus in bottles:
Back Burner
UnEarthly

All tap beer available in flights or pints!!!

In operation since late 2002, Southern Tier Brewing Company of Lakewood, New York, has grown to produce over 30,000 barrels of beer annually. The hand crafted ales are now available in more than half of the United States, as well as parts of Australia, Denmark, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Ontario, British Columbia, and the United Kingdom.
Founders Phineas DeMink and Allen "Skip" Yahn started the brewery with the vision of reviving the practice of small batch brewing to a region rich in brewing tradition. In 2002, with equipment gained from the purchase of the Old Saddleback Brewing Co. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the Southern Tier Brewing Company began production in the Stoneman Business Park just outside of Lakewood, New York. By 2003, select varieties of small batch ales were locally distributed, and by 2005, sales covered the majority of New York State and Pennsylvania. Before launching a successful roster of seasonal beers, the brewery produced Pilsner, Mild Ale, and an India Pale Ale.

Southern Tier immediately garnered regional attention and demand for the product was quickly outgrowing their modest facility. In 2009, a new 20,000 square foot building was built for the purpose of brewing innovative, high-quality beer to accommodate an expanding customer base. In this new facility, the small brewery was able to grow and offer the product both nationally and internationally, while still satisfying its loyal hometown fans.

Steadily growing, throughout 2010 it became clear that more beer needed to be produced to satisfy a growing customer base. 800 barrels of fermentation vessels has been added to the production area and a 7500 square foot addition has been added for use as a conditioning room. The constantly running brewhaus has also been expanded and updated. In early 2011 the company replaced its bottling line with the most high-tech, state of the art bottling line of its size in North America. It fills, caps and labels an impressive 8,000 bottles per hour, with the ability to package 12,000 per hour at full speed.
Awards & Press

As it expanded, Southern Tier began to bolster more national recognition. BeerAdvocate magazine listed the brewery in their top 50 American breweries in their June '07 issue. One of the small brewery's very big beers, 'Unearthly' Imperial India Pale Ale boasts awards for "Best Beer in NY State" by the 2007 Tap New York Beer Festival, and the 81st "Best Beer in the World" by BeerAdvocate in their May '07 issue. The October '07 issue of Bon Appetit magazine featured a beer pairing article complementing "Hoppe" Imperial Extra Pale Ale. With 12 beers given an 'A' score by BeerAdvocate, it's easy to understand this small brewery's big success.

More recently, Southern Tier's classic India Pale Ale ranks amongst the seven top beers of 2010 as declared by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. In an article describing the 2010 American Craft Beer Festival, the Massachusetts Daily Collegian declared Southern Tier's Oak Aged 'Unearthly' Imperial IPA to be their favorite brew at the event. October hails the seasonal Pumking ale, with Beverage Underground saluting it, and the Chicagoist naming it "Beer of the Week" for its robust pumpkin flavor.
Internationally, Phin and Matt's Extraordinary Ale won a silver award amongst other Pale Ales at Singapore's Beerfest Asia 2010.

Oktoberfest 2011 September 17th to October 3rd

 What: Oktoberfest 2011
When: September 17th to October 3rd
Where: Aroma Thyme Bistro
165 Canal St Ellenville NY 12428
www.aromathyembistro.com
845 647 3000

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Aroma Thyme!
 

On tap for Oktoberfest

Ayinger Oktoberfest
Hofbrau Weiss
Celebrator
Victory Fiest Beer
Plus we have Paulaner HefeWeiss and Weihenstephaner Dunkel (My favorite) in bottles
 

Some of the food specials for Oktoberfest
 Bratwurst
Pork Schnitzel & Blue Cheese Spatzle
SauerBraten

History of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a 16–18 day festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the Munich event.

The Munich Oktoberfest originally took place during the sixteen days up to and including the first Sunday in October. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival would go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. In 2010, the festival lasted until the first Monday in October, to mark the 200-year anniversary of the event. The festival is held in an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called Wiesn for short, located near Munich's center.

Only beer which is brewed within the city limits of Munich with a minimum of 13.5% Master Spice is allowed to be served in this festival. Upon passing this criteria, a beer is designated Oktoberfest Beer. Oktoberfest Beer is a registered Trademark by the Club of Munich Brewers. Those Breweries are members of this exclusive Club. In alphabetical Order -Augustinerbräu -Hacker-Pschorr Bräu -Hofbräu -Löwenbräu -Paulanerbräu -Spatenbräu

Large quantities of German beer are consumed, with almost 7 million liters served during the 16 day festival in 2007. Visitors may also enjoy a wide variety of traditional fare such as Hendl (chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstl (sausages) along with Brezn (Pretzel), Knödel (potato or bread dumplings), Kasspatzn (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), Sauerkraut or Blaukraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a spiced cheese-butter spread) and Weisswurst (a white sausage).

The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 12, 1810.

The Oktoberfest is known as the Largest Volksfest (People's Fair) in the World.In 1999 there were six and a half million visitors to the 42 hectare Theresienwiese. 72% of the people are from Bavaria.15% of visitors come from foreign countries like the surrounding EU-countries and other non-European countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and the Far East.