G.A.F

On draft for today???? The 44th Annual German American Festival. Although, I do not claim to be German American, I do claim to like to drink beer and eat brats, sauerkraut balls, french fries, landjäger and other fine, fried, festival foods.

As in years past, there will be no shortage of running in to friends and laughing and having a good time. This is the best festival that is thrown in the Toledo area. According to their website, The purpose of the German-American Festival is to promote and enhance the German and Swiss cultures as well as generate revenue to support the German and Swiss cultural center in Oregon and a wide variety of scholarship, athletic and other philanthropic programs in the Toledo area......Can't wait to support that.

So what is on tap there?
Labatt Blue Light and from Germany: Hofbräu Dunkel plus Warsteiner, Warsteiner Dunkel, Warsteiner Oktoberfest, König Ludwig Weisse, Spaten Lager, Spaten Dunkel, Spaten Oktoberfest, Spaten Optimator, Franziskaner Weissbier, Franziskaner Dunkel, Paulaner Oktoberfest, Paulaner Hefe Weisse, Paulaner Salvator, Hofbräu Original, Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier, Bitburger, Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock, Ayinger Oktoberfest, Hacker-Pschorr Sternweisse, Hacker-Pschorr Weisse, Erdinger Hefe, Köstritzer Schwarzbier and Köstritzer Oktoberfest.

I will be washing das boot, hopping on the shuttle and having a great time.

Happy 250th Anniversary.........

......To us, the loyal Guinness Beer Drinkers.

To mark its 250th Anniversary, the fine people at Guinness have done it again. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better than it already was, it did. It has been created to celebrate the signing of the lease for St. James Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, where Arthur Guinness himself began the greatness.

This version of the famous black nectar is carbonated, as opposed to "nitrogenated" (not to be confused with being flat). This gives it a completely different mouth feel but takes away that signature look as it settles in the glass. But looks and chemistry aside, it is worth it once you take that first smooth sip.

I found it to be a little maltier than the norm (draught, can, or bottle), but a great roasted aftertaste came through and all I wanted to do was take another sip.

It is a little on the expensive side, at about $10 for a sixer. But you won't have a chance to loose your house or child's college fund to it because it is only supposed to be available for a limited time (about 6 months I hear). Plus it is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money!

So raise your glasses for a toast to the Man himself. Enjoy! Sláinte!