From: v057p7nk@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Andrew W Korbut)
Newsgroups: alt.beer
Subject: Buffalo Beer Fest 1992
Date: 9 Nov 92 22:50:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

Well, I've finally sobered up from the Buffalo Beer Fest 1992, held at the
Abbott Square Beer Hall/Buffalo Brewing Co.  Here's a little rundown of who
was there, what was good, and what was GREAT.

1. First thing was first.  Anchor.  Although they only came with bottles,
and no Xmas Ale, it was still pretty fresh, well-cared for samples of
Anchor Steam, Anchor Liberty, Anchor Porter.

2. Adjacent to Anchor was Bulmar's from England.  They had Watney's and
Woodpecker, and were making Snakebites of which I sampled about 5.  This was
REALLY good.

3. Working our way around, we tripped on Boston Beer Co, and Samuel Adams +
Samuel Adams Octoberfest on tap.  The Octoberfest was exceptionally mellow
in comparison to the bottled version - the malt was much more pronounced.
This is what I basically expect from their Octoberfest.

4. Discovery of the show:  PILSNER URQUELL ON TAP.  I was so impressed, I
bought the shirt.  Wow.  Finally, unskunked Pilsner.  The freshest Pilsner
Urquell I've gotten in green glass could only hint at the excellence of the
fresh brew.  Mild, sweetish, an almost vanilla finish that rounds up nicely
with Saaz hops.  Yum.

5. Guinness and Harp.  We then had Guinness, Black & Tans (Guinness on top),
and Half & Halfs (Guinness on bottom).

6. Paulaner - on tap.  They had PAULANER HEFE-WEISS.  Yeeeow!  One of my
all-time favorite substances!  Bananas and cloves and bubble-gum 'r' us!
They also had Paulaner dark fest lager, which was very excellent in it's
own right, but there's nothing like a fresh Paulaner Hefe to a Weiss fiend
like myself!  Several of these found me drifing to the next-door tap...

7. Right next door, Sierra Nevada had some Stout and Pale Ale.  Neither
was stupendous on their own, but combined in their "Gene Autry & Dale Evans"
half-n-half, it just about stole the show.  Superb flavor and balance, not
even Guinness & Harp came close.

8. Woodstock Brewing (a real small Kingston NY place) had a lager that
reminded me quite a lot of the Creemore that was at last year's event.  Quite
nice and delicate, not so much so as the Pilsner Urquell, but still very good.

9. Buffalo Brew Pub surprised me with their Oatmeal Stout... I really didn't
expect much from these Extract brewin', Red Star Yeast usin', yuppie
clientelle patronizin' guys.  But it was a good, thick, flavorful brew.

10. Rohrbach Brewing (Rochester).  Really really good.  Some people didn't
like the 'oak' overtones of the beer, but I thought it worked quite nicely.
Not as flavorful as a Sammy Fest, but the finish was on a par.  I must 
visit this place soon.

At this point, we noticed that some of the breweries were in the upstairs
portion of the hall.  These were...

11. Grant's:  They only had bottled Celtic Ale, but what the hell...

12. Catamount:  Again, only bottles, but an excellent selection:  Gold, Amber,
Porter... and ... CHRISTMAS ALE!  Still a notch below the Sierra-Nevada or
Anchor Xmas beers, but still absolutely outstanding, even if I did have to
sing a carol for my Sample.

13. Algonquin Ale:  Probably the fruitiest tasting beer at the show, but not
so much that it detracted from the malt.  Also quite pleasant.

Some of the other breweries on hand that I remember:  Queen City, Buffalo
Brewing Co., Heineken, Newman's, Brooklyn.

Damn, I wish they had these every few weeks, but unfortunately, we must wait
till next year for more.  Oh, BTW, a distributor I was talking to said that
kegs of Pilsner Urquell will be available for general sale within a month!!
Yeeeeaaaaaah!  Now where do I get one of those Hefe-Weiss kegs??

 Dr.D [The Devils Advocate]        "Drinkin' & women & guns don't mix..."
 v057p7nk@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu
 awkorbut@acsu.buffalo.edu                      - Mark Arm