Beer

I had the great pleasure to sample one of the New Belgium Brewery's finest over my last visit to the Show-Me-State. The 1554 was one of the NBB's that i really thought I would get to try out in Colorado but thanks to the ever expanding sub-culture of beer appreciation I got it in the Brown Derby Liquor Store just south of Springfield MO. I need to take a moment and talk about the amazing establishment of the Brown Derby. Justin, my brother, had told me on several occasions that if I ever had the chance to head out to Missouri I must seize the opportunity to visit this store. Thinking it was nothing more than a simple "beer store" my sister and I walked in. Inside it was full of boxes and empty wine crates piled to the ceiling. Drifting aimlessly we passed bottles of French wine that exceed the middle class America pocketbook, and headed to the back where I could see the blue tint of florescent lights on glass doors- the beer cooler! It was a pretty nice collection: Chimay (red,white & blue), the whole Unibroue collective, tons of Fort Collins Co brews, New Belgium collection, and other west coast known names. Approx 20-30 different types- nice but not orgasmic. A few minutes after debating which one to grab a very nice gentleman approached and asked if we needed help. I rattled off that I was hoping for a little more of selection of Belgium Bottle Fermented beers... to which he quickly and calmly retorted: "Follow me". He took me around the corner and imagine that I had the same feeling that a father has after seeing his newborn child in his wifes arms. HOLY SHIT! Wall to wall beer, Stouts, Porters, Sweet Porters, Lagers, Ales, True Bitters, Pilsners! Everything!!! Over 100 types, colors and varietes!! It was amazing! Well $60 and 4 beers later I reminded my sister that she promised not to let me spend over $30. One of those beers was a 6 pack of 1554. The dark coal colored liquid was smooth pouring and held a wonderful head. The aroma was suttl eand yet well balanced. I wasnt expecting it to taste and to finish so well! If I had to choose a picture to describe the taste it would be: On a porch of cabin in a rocking chain around 7:30pm watching the sun set up in the Rockies. It was awesome. This brewing company deserves all the praise and hype you might expect. They truly love to brew and you can taste it in every sip.

Package: 5.5
Color: 8.0
Taste: 8.9
After Taste: 9.2