I think I’m going to begin loving Thursday nights.

It may very well become my favorite night of the week, especially if the Clayton Greyhounds continue to have baseball practice on Thursday night at some ballfields not too far from one of my favorite bottle shops, Craft Beer Cellar | Clayton.

Thinking I’d get some work done while the boy worked out with his team on the field, I brought my computer with me.  But the recent return of winter did not make working outside a very pleasant option, so after a bit of thought I found my car driving itself over to CBC, where I have parked myself at a table in front of the tasting bar, where I will hold court.

So, if all goes as planned, I will turn this 90 minutes into an exploration of new beers and perhaps if Brandon and Ryan get hip to this, perhaps they’ll join me one evening for a Facebook Live conversation about whatever the hell we want to talk about.

Tonight’s Beer Journey

From the look at tonight’s draught list, it’s going to be a sour night although there is on stout I really want to try before spring.

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales | Cucurbitophobia

APV: 6.10% | IBU: — —

Wow!  I have just recently begun learning how to appreciate sours, and what I’m finding is that I don’t just appreciate them, I really like them.  I’ve been a Jolly Pumpkin fan for about a year and am not surprised at how nice this sour is.

It’s light, like a lager, but drinks fruity.  The sour is not tart or overpowering.  I’d liken it to a starter sour for those out there who want to get into sours don’t know where to begin.  I don’t mean to diminish the beer by saying it’s a sour starter, but rather it’s representative of the genre that many more people will find pleasurable off the bat.

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project | Burgundy Sour

ABV: 6.5% | IBU: — —

This, to me, is a more complex sour and probably one I will need time to fully appreciate.  Pours dark and tastes “woody” (if that can be a description) and I think that’s what is putting me off with this one.  I’m getting the burgundy on the tongue and that is working for me, but that is about it.   Looking at the price for a full pour at $13.00 I’m betting this is probably considered a fantastic sour, but the woody flavor isn’t doing it for me, but I will be willing to try again.  Perhaps following the Jolly Pumpkin, my palate isn’t giving it a fair shot.

Ballast Point Brewing | Sea Monster

ABV: 10% | IBU: 65

Time for something new and the clock is ticking to the end of practice.  I’ve seen this beer pop up a lot on Untappd, so someone must be doing something right so let’s give it go.

The aroma was noticeable well before I got this one to my table, and I liked it. It’s a thick and heavy beer but chewable if you get my drift.  Taste was somewhere near a dark chocolate, with some oatmeal mixed in there.  Love this beer and I’m adding it to next winter’s must have list.