Beer Club

Last night instead of going to prayer group I went with hubby to Beer Club.  It was an experience.  Beer Club was held at East Street Ale House in North Attleboro, MA, so we ate dinner, first.  Afterward, little cups were given to us to try the different beers. The demonstrator, Bryan White was very knowledgeable and entertaining.

I learned that New England IPA's are famous around the world.  They're the rage in Europe.  New England IPA isn't bitter, so it's more palatable.  BTW, IPA stands for India Pale Ale.  And the history of IPA is arguable. 

 This is what I was told. Back around the 1800's England was trading with its colonies and everyone drank beer.  The water wasn't to be trusted.  Everyone drank beer.  Even Plymouth and Jamestown had their own breweries.  Anyway, the voyage from England to India was long.  BTW, the transporters were the East India Company traders (Yes.  the same East India company that Bostonians threw their tea into Boston Harbor.)  The beer to England often went bad.  So the recipe was adjusted producing a paler ale.  Hence a pale ale was developed for India.

However, beer connoisseurs say that most of the beer didn't spoil going to India. But rather the fact that the breweries which shipped to India made pale ale and eventually that's what the market demanded.

As I was saying, we tasted various beers.  The first beers were citrusy.  They smelled like grapefruit and were mild tasting.  Then we had a couple of sour-tasting beers.  The worst one was one made from oysters and coriander.  First off, no one could drink it if they had an allergy to shellfish.  Only one of us did.  It smelled like low tide!  Nevermind the sour taste!

 

The sweetest one was the one in the top picture.  It tasted of marshmallows and graham crackers. My favorites were the stouts.  After a couple of hours of tastings and eatting, it was over.

The entire night was interesting.  I met many nice people.  I learned a lot and enjoyed some new beer.  I had much to thank God for.

God is good.