Cask Offering at Jacob Wirth

While browsing the BeerAdvocate forums, I saw a post about Jacob Wirth now offering cask conditioned beer (forum discussion here). It was posted back on March 20th, but someone had replied today and I caught it for the first time.

This is one of the bars in Boston which I haven't had a chance to check out, but would really like to. The menu looks great with German influences, and beer selection also seems promising...especially now with a cask offering.

Oakham Ales Bishops Farewell

Being a fan of English bitter ales and in particular Oakham Ales Jeffrey Hudson bitter, I had a feeling I was going to love this ESB. Just like the Jeffrey Hudson, the Bishops Farewell was served on cask at Deep Ellum. I am confident in saying that is one of the reasons this beer tastes so damn amazing. The Bishops Farewell, although a similar type of bitter, tastes and looks quite a bit different than the Jeffrey Hudson. It pours a lighter golden color and has a fruity, "flowery" taste. I wouldn't have guessed it from the taste, but being an ESB the Bishops Farewell is a little stronger than the Jeffrey Hudson.

With the thoughts of both Oakham Ales, I wondered if it would be possible to visit the brewery soon. I am heading over to my parents house near Cambridge, UK in May, and it turns out the brewery is only about an hour away!


Don't worry, there will be plenty of photos after that trip...

Cheers!

Boston Beer Works

Looking for a place that brews their own beer and serves up some good bar food? Look no further than Boston Beer Works, with conveniently placed locations by North Station and Fenway. My roommate and I were walking randomly around Boston, trying to find some good places to get some drinks. The first place we came across was the Elephant and Castle; the second was Boston Beer Works by North Station.


This was the first time either of us had been here and it was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, so I can't say what this place is like at night. It seemed like a cool place to go before games at the Garden (people were already there boozin' for the 7 o'clock Bruins game). We took a seat at the bar and ordered up some large glasses of the Bullfinch Bitter...you get two sizes to choose from for beers - a classic 16oz. pint or a 22oz. glass. The Bullfinch Bitter wasn't the greatest, but it was pretty good; it seemed to lack a bit of flavor. They had about 15 other microbrews, so I'm sure they had some good ones other there.

We got an order of the spinach and artichoke dip, which was pretty damn good. But for some reason they decide to give you about half a pound of dip, which would surely result in a heart attack if one tried to consume the whole portion. In all, I would make a trip back to Boston Beer Works to try some more of the beer and food menu...and I would check out the Fenway location just because it is more convenient.

Cheers!

Beer Review: Harpoon Munich Dark Ale

Being from Boston, Harpoon is a popular beer in a lot of the bars in the area. We've been to the Harpoon brewery for some festivals and I get the IPA at bars from time to time, but never get the stuff on cask. Leave it to Deep Ellum to have this delicious brew available as their cask.

Now I hadn't had this beer before, even out of a bottle or regular draught, so I can't compare the bottle to cask in this beer review. The beer is medium bodied, very dark in color, and has a smooth taste. The head on the beer seemed to stay intact the whole time, always a nice treat. It wasn't a beer that I would order time and time again, however it was definately one of the better beers that I have had from the Deep Ellum cask. The Munich Dark Ale is great for the cold winter nights we get up here in Boston...which is probably why I went down two days later it was already gone :(. Damn New England weather.

Cheers!

Deep Ellum - Allston, MA

BBB Rating - 5/5

Texas...the land of rootin' tootin' cowboys (well, besides T.O.), big steaks, weak politicians and a little place called Deep Ellum. I visit Deep Ellum a few times a week, just a short walk down the street. Except I live in Allston, have never seen a true cowboy, and the restaurant next door serves a selection of pizza, chinese food, and BBQ.

So what on earth could I be speaking of? Why the greatest bar in Allston for sure. Located on Cambridge St., right by the corner of Cambridge and Brighton Ave. sits the smallest, tastiest bar you will find in this neck of the woods. From the outside it looks like nothing but a small dive that has nothing going for it besides some windows and dark inside. But as soon as you step foot inside Deep Ellum, you know you've found something special. My roommate and I sat down at the bar and immediately claimed we had found heaven in a 20' x 100' brick building. Let's break it down:

• The draught beer - about 20, constantly being changed for the seasons and keeping some popular ones. Favorites include the selection of Brookylns, Ommegangs, and Dogfish Heads.
• Cask Beer!! - Enough said...these are few and far between in the U.S.
• Bottled beer - selection does not change as much as the draught, but you ask for something special they might be able to pull it out of a hat
• Food - tasty tasty tasty. May I recommend a nice beer, and a pretzel with the beer cheese. If you are really hungry, the Grubbins plate is a beauty
• Liquor - these guys do not mess around, they are all very skilled with the booze. Ask Max (the man in charge of the sauce) to put something together with whatever you can throw at him

If you havent yet experienced Deep Ellum, it is worth the trip. I am lucky, for I am only a few blocks down the street so this heavenly spot is available to me in a jiffy. Check out the newly designed Deep Ellum Website and see what it's all about.