I am trying Arrogant Bastard Ale for the first time tonight while I smoke up some meat loaf on the Traeger. An interesting beer, more hoppy than I was expecting from a strong ale.
It is fantastic. It is barrel proof (roughly 109) not the 80 proof. I have been drinking Templeton's Rye recently, but felt like a change. I don't blame you on the 80 proof stuff. I normally drink the WT 101 Rye, but the state run PA liquor stores around me phased it out in favor of the 80 proof crap. If I want the 101 lightened up, I'll drop an ice cube in it.
I haven't tried Templeton. I have been making a lot of Whiskey Sours with Bulliet Rye lately though. That's a bummer about the state stores. I can't figure out why they do stuff like that. What the problem with having both and letting folks choose the one they want?
Bulleit is pretty good. Templetons is pricey, but I found it on sale a few weeks ago and had to grab a bottle. It is delicious. I drank it neat mostly. Every so often I would put a few drops of water in it.
Today it is Lagunitas Lucky 13 ale while smoking some salmon. It's just not right smoking meat (or fish) without a good artisan drink in hand. This stuff is a bit stronger than I was thinking, definitely not a session beer.
Sorry for the late post....Last night it was Early Times and Arizona RX Ice Tea...Believe it or not that makes a really nice " high ball"....
