July 31, 2007
So, last Saturday, my Music Man and the kids and I were invited to attend this big outdoor party sponsored by a German Club near Ann Arbor where they served, among other things, buckets of beer.
Since my Music Man 1) is German, 2) loves German food, and 3) really loves German beer, we were all over that. (Admittedly, I fall into the same categories, so we were in communion with the idea. That doesn't always happen.)
I didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't at all what I expected. When we pulled into the parking lot, it reminded me of the Renaissance Faires we've attended–cars everywhere. Everywhere.
A long line to get in.
And once we got in, people, people, everywhere…lines everywhere (there was an entrance fee, then you had to stand in line to buy tickets–which are the currency for food and beer, and then you had to stand in another really really long line for spatzen, bratwurst, knockwurst, strudel, sauerkraut, etc.).
There was a band playing German music (polka, anyone?) along with old favorites like The Chicken Dance and the Hokey Pokey (my kids were in heaven).
I told Music Man later that it reminded me of a big frat party for adults and families.
Anyway, we had a lot of fun and ate great food.
But I must confess my ignorance here, for when they said "bucket of beer," I had this image of a bucket (plastic, I suppose, although my image wasn't that detailed) with five or six longnecks sitting in it.
Uh, no. They meant a bucket of beer. Literally. A bucket filled with beer.
So, yeah. But the beer was good. They had several options on tap, and since MM and I love weissbeer (ie, a wheat beer), we were delighted to find that it was one of the options.
I've really grown to like beer in the past nearly two decades (eek!) of hanging out with Music Man. But, no Bud Light or Miller or even Heineken for me.
I like Blue Moon or Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat (my fave when it's on tap) or Hacker Pshorr weissbeer. I stridently dislike heavy or dark beers, however, so just keep the Guiness away from me. (I'm sorry to say; my Irish grandfather's probably rolling over in his grave!)
So what about you? Do you like beer? If so, what are your favorite brews?
July 31st, 2007 at 9:15 am
Just the other day I was trying to remember which beer you recommended to me at RWA. It was the Cherry Wheat. Still need to try it. I loooove Blue Moon. Heffeweissens are a personal fave, especially in the summer.
Mr. Jaye is in the process of his own personal beer odyssey. He used to only drink Bud Light, but now he’s on some holy quest to try as many different types as he can find. He’ll be in heaven come Oktoberfest.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:44 am
I’m not a big beer person, prefering wine and scotch. But I do like some of our local microbrewed stuff. Very tasty.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:51 am
I’m a new beer convert, although my fella tells me not a “real” one, since really, I like Miller Lite. Which he says doesn’t even qualify as beer.
Oh well. I like it. And beer is fattening. If I’m going to spend calories, I’d rather do it on a chocolate éclair.
But an ice cold Miller Lite with fajitas makes me happy.
I’m not a sophisticated girl. LOL!
July 31st, 2007 at 11:07 am
I think our tastes are pretty similar–I also like Blue Moon and Sam Adams Cherry Wheat.
One of my all-time favorites is Lindemann’s Kriek. It’s ale fermented with cherries and has a much stronger cherry taste than the Sam Adams. Rodenbach’s RedBach is very similar as well. Both are worth tasting, but they are pretty strong.
I really love summer beers because they’re lighter. Leinenkugel’s has a delicious Summer Shandy that’s a light beer with lemon flavoring. My husband (who is a dark beer fanatic) was surprised by how good it is.
If you like wheat beer, see if you can get O’Fallon Unfiltered Wheat in your area. It’s a small brewery out of the St. Louis area and they’ve got some great stuff. Their midsummer beer is called Wheach and it’s a wheat-peach. Most excellent.
We do homebrewing and we made a great honey-wheat beer with orange essence. Yum.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:39 am
Glad to help, Jaye! Let me know what you think after you try it.
Christine, I like local stuff too, especially when the microbrewery offers samples.
MaryKate–beer and Mexican just go together, don’t they? Hmmm….I feel a craving for enchiladas coming on….
ND, those sound yummy! I will most definitely check them out. I had a Leinenkugel this summer too, I don’t know what it was called, but I think it might be the same one. I really liked it too.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:32 pm
lately i’ve been digging the craft beers like chimay. it’s expensive, but a great treat.
now that harry potter is done, i can start on rises the night.
oh, and did you see me wave to you on my way back home last thursday?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:29 pm
do I like beer and german food?? Did I mention I make a killer sauerbraten?? So yes, that would be an affirmative.
Beer wise, I am a big fan of Magic Hat, especially #9 and Widmer, any flavor since its hard to find out here. Blue Moon works, as does the Oktoberfest by Sam Adams. MMMmmm
July 31st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
OH, I need your recipe for sauerbraten, then, Sparky. I love it and so does my Music Man.
I’ve had Widmer before and like that too, and there’s another wheat beer I really enjoyed but can’t think of now–my local pub used to have it and got rid of it.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:47 pm
wow. a real bucket of beer. I have never seen one of those.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:38 pm
A Newcastle on tap always makes me happy and is a time-tested favorite
I’m also a fan of Belhaven and Dog Fish Head which are two great dark beers. And I agree that Blue Moon is always a great beer when I’m looking for something refreshing…I like Blue Moon in the summer.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:22 pm
As I have yet to make it to the age of 21 (3 months), and I do not partake in illegal activities, I have no beer preference yet. I will say, my 21st Birthday celebration will happen at Arbor Brewing Co. here in ann arbor. they have like 94257489578234723948723 beers on tap and all of them are made in house. According to my friend and roommate who is trying to become a beer expert, A.B.C. has some of the best beer in Ann Arbor
August 1st, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I love Guinness, I’ll drink yours for you, Colleen!
I also love Sam Adams Summer Lager, Yuengling Lager, Newcastle, Boddington’s, Sea Dog Bluepaw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale, Saranac Pumpkin Ale…um…I’ll stop now! Yummy beer!
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
An actualy bucket of beer…that is hilarious.
I don’t like any of the more common stuff..Bud, Bud Light, etc.
I prefer going to a bar or restaurant and getting a Black and Tan with Guiness and Bass Ale. We have a local Kansas City brewery called Boulevard and they make the best Pale Ale and Wheat Beers. Both are fantastic. I also like Samuel Adams Octoberfest, Pale Ale, and Boston Lager. All delicious! You’ve got me thirsty now!!!