Pictured from left to right: Fatherspoon, Zane Lamprey and Sickpuppy

Beers: Meantime IPA, Meantime London Porter, Meantime Scotch Ale

Listen Now! Download audio (29MB – mp3 format – run time 62:56)

Show Notes
Zane Lamprey’s Drinking Made Easy tour | Meantime Brewing Company | Meantime IPA | Vintage Estate – Number 1 beer store IN THE WORLD | Interview with Zane Lamprey | Meantime London Porter | Drunk Dial Hotline | Ask SIDT Anything! | Sickpuppy Brews with Erie Brewing Co and YOU pick the beer! | Meantime Scotch Ale | Beer on the Bay 3 details | CONTEST TIME! | BrewErie at Union Station

NEW!!!
All of our Episode pictures have been moved from SIDT to Flickr and will appear there from now on! Check out our new collection at http://www.flickr.com/photos/shouldi/ and add us as a friend!

Join our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/shouldidrinkthat

Easy Clicks
Drinking Made Easy | Zane Lamprey| Three Sheets | Mr. Smalls Theater | Meantime IPA | Vintage Estate | Meantime London Porter | Drunk Dial Hotline | Ask SIDT Anything! | Help sickpuppy Brew | Meantime Scotch Ale |  Beer on the Bay | Erie Brewing Company | CONTEST TIME! | BrewErie at Union Station | Photos from this episode!

VIDEO
Drinking Made Easy post-show video with fans of Zane recapping the show and drunken bliss!

Things we learned:
Zane drinks it so you don’t have to! Steve McKenna and sickpuppy were separated at birth.

Comments are open! Leave some love!

Beers: Gordon Biersch MaiBock, Troegs Hopback, Troegs Nugget Nectar, Founders Black Biscuit, Main Street Brewing River Rat Ale, Indigo Imp Jester, Indigo Imp Gatekeeper – Limited sour edition

Listen Now! Download audio (33.6MB – mp3 format – run time 73:19)

Show Notes
Welcome to the 1st ever Big Tap In!| Beer Wenches | Very generous samples from Chris at Gordon Biersch | Uncle Jim’s Pepper Mustard | Mike Watters from Troegs brings Hopback & Nugget Nectar | Rugged Trail gets retired and big news on Java Head Stout | Story behind Troegs Flying Mouflan | Aging beer and buying back old stock | John Host from Founders Brewing Company | Founders Black Biscuit | Maintaining the quality that is Founders | Upcoming releases for Founders | Virgil from Main Street Brewing | MSB Aphrodite - Belgian Chocolate Maple Oatmeal Imperial Cream Stout Aged on oak chips soaked in cognac | Matt Chappel from Indigo Imp Brewery | Indigo Imp Jester | Indigo Imp Gatekeeper – Limited sour edition | Chris from Bocktown | Jim Hicks from Erie Brewing | Submit your ideas for a beer sickpuppy will brew with Erie Brewing! | Beer on the Bay |  BREAKING NEWS FROM ERIE BREWING!!! | Major upgrades to Erie Brewing Company | Education on malts | Love for East End Brewing | Darron Morris – founder of Bent River Brewing Company | See you in 2011!

NEW!!!
All of our Episode pictures have been moved from SIDT to Flickr and will appear there from now on! Check out our new collection at http://www.flickr.com/photos/shouldi/ and add us as a friend!

We will be closing the SIDT Group page on Facebook and running with the fan page. Join our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/shouldidrinkthat (you must be logged in)

Easy Clicks
Big Tap In | Vintage Estate | Gordon Biersch | Uncle Jim’s Pepper Mustard | Troegs Brewing | Troegs Hopback | Troegs Nugget Nectar | Troegs Flying Mouflan | Founders Brewing Company | Founders Black Biscuit | Main Street Brewing | River Rat Ale | Indigo Imp Brewery | Indigo Imp Jester | Bocktown | Erie Brewing Company | Submit your ideas for a beer sickpuppy will brew with Erie Brewing! | Beer on the Bay | East End Brewing | Photos from this episode!

Things we learned:
Boardman, Ohio knows how to rock the craft beer!

Comments are open! Leave some love!

Last night good friend Uncle Crappy taught Craft Beer School at the Cabaret and joined myself and sickpuppy as alumni teachers for the event. I thought a nice change of pace would be to recap the beers when I attend these events and also give you an idea of what goes on.

Quick recap if you haven’t heard of Beer School before. It’s a 4 class schedule held in the fall and winter/spring at the Cabaret at Theater Square in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Sponsored by Vecenie Distributing Company, it’s $25 a ticket per class and you get 4 beers to sample plus a light fare. For the food, beer and education plus the company it really is a great deal. For more information

Last night we were treated to 4 pilsners that stretched the spectrum so instead of drawing them out over 4 weeks we’ll hit it all up in one shot. Shells Pils, Edelherb Pils, Heavy Seas Small Craft and Baltika 7

• Shells Pils – Smelled like Bud. tasted like Bud. I could barely stomach it. Thank God I was sharing this with Norm. Spoon rating: D
• Edelherb Pils – Very crisp and surprising. Mild bite from the hops. Finished a bit dry. Ideal summer session. Spoon rating: C+
• Heavy Seas Small Craft – This was an imperial pils that lived up to it’s name. To mock the Staples commercial “WOW! Thats a great beer!”. The alcohol was tasted slightly but quickly masked by the muscle punch of flavor of hops and slight sweetness. Incredible experience! Spoon rating: B+
• Baltika 7 – This was my shocker. I’ve had other Baltika’s and hated them but this was actually very pleasant. if you’re looking at a basic pils to get started into the style I would suggest this one. Very clean, crisp and not overwhelming flavor to get your hopes up on all beers in this style. Spoon rating: B-

Here are pics from WPXI’s “See & Be Seen – Covering the hottest people and events in and around Pittsburgh” from last night’s Beer School. I’m in one pic and sickpup is in 3. Good times

Beers: Indigo Imp Jester, Thirsty Dog Double Hopped Hoppus Maximus, Avery Dépuceleuse, Birrificio Montegioco Draco

Listen Now!

or Download audio (25.5MB – mp3 format – run time 55:44)

Show Notes
Welcome to Vintage Estate! Number 1 beer store IN THE WORLD! | Phil Reda | Indigo Imp Jester | Firkin Friday with Thirsty Dog’s Double Hopped Hoppus Maximus | Bob makes the Hop Candy | Avery Dépuceleuse | About VE and how it got started | over 800 beers and 1000 wines available! | Andrea needs a beer | Birrificio Montegioco Draco | The Big Tap In

NEW!!!
All of our Episode pictures have been moved from SIDT to Flickr and will appear there from now on! Check out our new collection at http://www.flickr.com/photos/shouldi/ and add us as a friend!

We will be closing the SIDT Group page on Facebook and running with the fan page. Join our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/shouldidrinkthat (you must be logged in)

Easy Clicks
Vintage Estate | VE Facebook Page | Indigo Imp | Indigo Imp Jester | Video of the Thirsty Dog’s Double Hopped Hoppus Maximus | Avery Dépuceleuse | Birrificio Montegioco Draco | Big Tap In | Photos from this episode!

Things we learned:
“Number 1 beer store in the world” and well deserving of the title!

Comments are open! Leave some love!

Slap me silly Sidney!!

Brasserie de Silly S.A. – Scotch Silly
brewery: Brasserie de Silly S.A. – silly-beer.com
style: Scottish Ale
abv: 8.0%
serving size: 750ml
glass used: snifter
price: $8.99

Overview
It offers a finely wooded nose hinting at hazelnut, and is therefore distinct from traditional British scotches. It has a more rounded taste letting a discreetly full-bodied bitterness come to the fore, and will naturally seduce you.

What I think
The only reason why I bought this beer was due to the name. Sometimes you gotta give in to curiosity. The pour was curious. The head appeared at first like it was sticking around for the long haul but much like the Ottawa Senators defense it vanished fast (haha couldn’t resist. GO PENS!). Unlike most scottish styles I’ve had in the past there was very little malt. Each drink was full of body and slightly bitter but I felt like I was missing something. the finish was too dry for my taste.

Would I buy this again? Eh maybe. Depends on what my other options are. Give it a shot and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Spoon’s rating: C+

Listen Now!

Download audio

(31.7MB – mp3 format – run time 69:18)

Father Spoon sits down with craft beer writer and acclaimed author and winner of the 2008 Michael Jackson Beer Journalism Award winner Lew Bryson to discuss the recent state of craft beer in Philadelphia after 3 establishments were raided, the Johnstown Flood Tax and a solution to this mess the PLCB has created.

We ask all Pennsylvania residents to contact their legislators and urge them to put an end to the archaic laws governing beer in PA!

We close out with giving you a chance to win some great prizes and interview cellerman Hart Johnson for Sharp Edge, the premiere Belgian beer bar of America

Important Links
Registered Malt or Brewed Beverage Brands | Find your Legislator | Why The PLCB Should Be Abolished | Seen Through a Glass | Abolish the PLCB — Rewrite the Code! | Johnstown Flood Tax | LewBryson.com | Sharp Edge

CONTEST TIME!
It wouldn’t be a show if we didn’t give away something and since Pittsburgh Magazine featured us on page 14 we’re feeling extra generous so you can indulge with this one. The prize package consists of:

1. Autographed copy of March 2010 issue of Pittsburgh Magazine by Should I Drink That
2. 1 year subscription to Pittsburgh magazine
3. 1 $50 gift card to Piper’s Pub on the South Side – (Support your local businesses and craft beer at the same time!)

Deadline is April 15th 11:59:59 PM EST – Submit your entry now! One entry per person BUT if you forward us the email you sent to your legislator (Copy/paste it in the contact form) that will count as 5 entries.

Comments are open! Leave some love!

Beers: North Country Firehouse Red, Magners Cider, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout,

Listen Now! Download audio (26.1MB – mp3 format – run time 57:05)

We’ve gone Spinal Tap
We ended up recording in the new Piper’s Pub construction zone next door but for a great reason. We started at the main bar and then the soccer crowds came and jammed the place.

Show Notes
Welcome to Pipers Pub! | About Pipers | Ploughman’s Platter | Ranch the preferred cologne of Western PA | Scotch Eggs | Buy Local! | North Country Firehouse Red (on cask) | Get firkin! | Magnus Cider | Lamb and Chestnut Shepherd’s Pie | Who to save when the apocalypse comes | Dogfish Head Chicory Stout | EXCLUSIVE! First word on the new Piper’s Pub expansion | We’re not a coffee shop but we have free wifi! | If you walk out on a check be ready for bloody knuckles | beige people FTW! | UFC Fighting PPV = Wife beater pollution | We open when the soccer is on | PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE features “Should I Drink That” in March 2010 issue!

Easy Clicks
Piper’s Pub | Piper’s Menu | Piper’s Pub Cask Ale Project | Piper’s Pub on Facebook | Piper’s Pub on Twitter | North Country Firehouse Red | Magners Cider | Dogfish Head Chicory Stout | Pittsburgh Magazine | SIDT PM article online | SIDT Drunk Dial Hotline | Photos from this episode!

Things we learned:
Piper’s Pub should be on every beer tour list. Kickass food, rockin beers and the staff will blow you away with hospitality. Plus the Shepherd’s Pie will give you a foodgasm! This is the home of European greatness!

Comments are open! Leave some love!

This is from the now infamous $400 Beer Run that sickpuppy and I took to Vintage Estate in Boardman, Ohio; the mecca of beer stores. This was bought solely because of the name and label.

Brew Kettle Dark Helmet
brewery: The Brew Kettle Taproom and Smokehouse – thebrewkettle.com
style: Schwarzbier
abv: 9.0%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: pint glass
price: $6.99

Overview
A Ringneck original, Imperial Schwarzbier is a German style black lager, kicked up at least one notch,
maybe two!

What Did Spoon think?
For an impulse buy it wasn’t bad. The pour was very dark and head vanished really quick but did stick around for a photo. Slight aroma of a sweet malt but it was more on the weak end. The body was fairly light and really seemed bland. It had a few moments where a roastedness would spring to life and like a quick sugar rush it crashed hard. Buy it for a novelty and try it out. Above and beyond that save it for a a beer you’d watch while watching the game after dinner.  You don’t have to think while drinking.

Spoon’s rating: C+

Show Notes
CONTEST TIME! | Bière de Miel biologique | Buying beer and Spoon’s issues with Pine Township Giant Eagle | Spawn of the Year | Scaldis Refermentee | There’s an Ewok in my beer | Karaoke night on SIDT and spoon’s love for THE Huey Lewis | Flying Dog on Food Network | we can dance! | Moinette Blonde | November 5, 1955 | sickpuppy on cellaring beer | Md. advocates back increase in liquor tax

DRUNKEN MARIO KART!
Sickpuppy and Father Spoon love to play Drunken Mario Kart when they ‘re not both in Studio A. Here’s your chance to get in on the game by adding our MKID! Father Spoon: 5284-7582-1374 | sickpuppy – TBA

Things we learned:
Belgian beers kick you in the ass, steals your woman and takes your house.

Download EP 59 now at http://www.shouldidrinkthat.com/

Don't forget to call the official SIDT Drunk Dial Hotline when you feel that need to call someone after you've had some beverages!

I know what you’re thinking. Spoon, a gimmick beer? wtf!  I couldn’t resist. If I want to have a justified opinion I need to taste it for myself otherwise I’m just as lame as those cowboy Bud/Coors/Busch drinkers. Yeeehaw!

Think you may know who Donnie Iris is but not 100% sure? Watch this for your flashback.

Yes, THAT Donnie Iris made his own beer.

King Cool Light
brewery: Lion Brewing – lionbrewery.com
beer website: kingcool.com
style: Lite American Lager
abv: N/A
serving size: 12oz
glass used: pint
price: $2.75

Overview 
King Cool Light – A Light American Lager made with the finest two- and six-row barley and a perfect blend of American and European hops. A touch of caramel malt gives it its brilliant amber color and rare flavor.

Brewed in the finest rock ‘n roll tradition of uncompromising quality, this is my signature beer and I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!  ~Donnie Iris

What I think
Here’s your only warning, its a twist cap.

Shocked at the quality of head on the pour. Thumbs up for visual appeal. There is virtually no aroma on this beer but I was able to pick up a faint grain. Now for the real test, the taste.  “It’s Donnie Iris for christ’s sake, it can’t be THAT good. It’s a damn gimmick beer” I’m thinking along with “I’m gonna have to chug this.”

STOP THE PRESSES! This actually isn’t THAT bad for its style.  The beer claims to be an American Lite Lager and while I think it had too much malt for that classification it was light, crisp and refreshing. The malt was seriously dominant and reminded me of a light bodied dopplebock. For awhile there I thought I was getting some banana.

I think this beer will have a mass appeal and the low alcohol level (for a Lite American Lager it can’t be over 4.2% ABV) is also going to make this a popular lawnmower/tailgating beer.

At the end of the day I would take this over Yuengling on most occasions and I give it a higher than “C” rating because I really enjoyed it. *sigh* Donnie what have you done to me!

Spoon’s rating: B -

Beers: Conundrum IPA, Bill’s American Amber, Capt. Lawrence St Vincent’s Dubbel, Capt. Lawrence Xtra Gold – American Style Tripple Ale, Avery Brabant

Show Notes
SIDT on tour | Beers from Bill | Conundrum IPA | The Pear Cares | Tropic Thunder and hate for Ben Stiller | Bill’s American Amber | Penn Brewery returns | King Cool Light talk on Donnie Iris and sickpuppy’s musician beer angst | The Vice Blog | St Vincent’s Dubbel | Voodoo Brewing sells 12oz beers! | Giant Eagle Market District selling beer | Beer Nuts in Blawnox | Capt. Lawrence Xtra Gold – American Style Tripple Ale | SIDT Drunk Dial Hotline | Avery Brabant

On the Drunk Dial Hotline
Mikey Mason, Laynie aka @penstone

Things we learned:
While touring rocks it’s always good to come back home.

Download audio (36.9MB – mp3 format – run time 80:44) from
http://www.shouldidrinkthat.com/

(click on image for 3264 x 2448 - 2.08MB)

To most of you outside of Pennsylvania this may seem like a normal thing but here in the fine SW corner of the commonwealth this is a first. For the first time we are able to buy beer in a grocery store and Giant Eagle's Market District is the place. Nestled in the corner of newly christened Settlers Ridge the mansion of foodie heaven opened its doors this weekend. You're here for beer though, and quite frankly that's why I went.

Layout
There are 2 coolers. The one pictured above and then around the corner from it that is 4x's as long. There was also a display of Christmas beers at the street entrance to the cafe. I would loved to have taken more pictures of the beer layout but there were so many people in there you wouldn't have seen anything. If you're familiar with Wegman's on Upper Peach in Erie the coolers are similar. No rows of bottles though.

Selection
One worker told me they have 250 different beers which, from a bottle shop standard, is on the lower end of the spectrum but I do give them credit for going above and beyond the Bud/Miller/Coors. The cooler pictured above is for single bottles. I was pleased to the gang from Ommegang (avg price $7.99) going top shelf and joined by Brooklyn's Local 1 and 2, Chimay, Orval (for $5! wooo) and a class from Lindemans. Unfortunately this is the only section with freestanding bottles. Everything else is 4 , 6 or 12 packs. Overall display and appeal of setup was pretty high and everything was clearly marked with a price which is great when you're there for a quick pickup.

Price
This is where the knife will be plunged into the heart of most bottle shops who rely on carry out beer sales. I like using Arrogant Bastard as a price gauge. That's pretty much a staple of any craft beer store and if they stick you on that then you're in for an expensive trip. Market District price was $4.50, avg. bottle shop $7, restaurant price $11. Based on prices I've seen recently, Market District offers beverages $1-3 cheaper than most bottle shops on the singles and almost $5 cheaper on the 4 and 6 packs.

Rules

Overall
This is a huge step for craft beer in PA. I don't see a lot of the bottle shops losing too much business since its 2 different levels of service you're getting... for now. Market District is too new for us to know what they're going to do in terms of events or how educated the staff will be. Local bottle shops are usually staffed with beer geeks and have a wider selection meanwhile if you need a beer in a pinch and want convenience odds have it you'll hit the supermarket. Now with Wine and Spirit stores in many Giant Eagles you really can have a one stop shop. Local breweries who are getting their beers into these stores will now have unremarkable visibility and the BMC drinkers will hopefully get a better understanding of the varieties out there. My wish for now is that they get some aisles for single bottles and 6packs that aren't already chilled in the coolers. Here is the beer list for Market District.

cheers!

P.S. Oh yeah my shopping. I picked up 3 Philosophers, Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale and Orval for $19.

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company – lagunitas.com
style: Imperial IPA
abv: 8%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: snifter
price: $11.99

Overview
102 I.B.U. – nuff said

What I think
It’s not as bitter as the 102IBU’s make you think it might be. I actually thought the Sam Adams Imperial Pils was much more bitter.

As you can see from the pour above this beer came out pretty much perfect. The aroma on this is hop punch to the face with mild tones of citrus. The bod was a tad on the thick side but pleasant and the hops. Sweet googly moogly was this a freaking hop DREAM. As my buddy Phil would say “beergasm”!  The hops play around with your palate and a nice malty tent fills the rest of your mouth. The finish was like that moment when you kick back, take a deep breath and say “yeah… life is good”. That’s what this beer is.

Father Spoon’s rating: A+

Beers: Hiding Nocis Passion Fruit, Oatsnbrau Nightmare on Hop Street, Greg’s Hop Shortage Pale Ale, Brunetti Brewing DaleStone IPA, JP’s Great Pumpkin Ale, Lance’s Smoked Wit by God

Show Notes
Brewing Up A Cure | John Ciroli | Mr. Baconpants recaps the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour | Contest winner Erin breaks her beer fest virginity | Shane Terrick | Bill Oates | Nightmare on Hop Street | Greg Brooks | Greg’s Hop Shortage Pale Ale | CONTEST TIME! | Brunetti Brewing | DaleStone IPA | JP McCarty | JP’s Great Pumpkin Ale | Lance Harbison | Lance smoked wit by God | Amanda FINALLY gets her chance to talk on SIDT after years of heckling | Justin from Voodoo Brewing talks about upcoming brews and the Blue Canoe | Thanks to all for coming out and supporting TRUB and CF!

Things we learned... Drinking for a great cause makes you a better person!

Download EP 57 now at http://www.shouldidrinkthat.com/

Don't forget to call the official SIDT Drunk Dial Hotline when you feel that need to call someone after you've had some beverages!

412-223-7438 (SIDT)

Hey yinz! It's time for the 2009 Podcast Awards and this year we're pushing the Pittsburgh party. The city is already home to the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup champs so its time to add to the trophy case!

This year, along with SIDT, we ask that you nominate friends of ours who produce top notch shows out of Pittsburgh. It's easy and only takes like 1 minute. No lies. 1 minute.

Go to http://podcastawards.com/ and enter the following

Entertainment:
Podcast Name: Wrestling Mayhem Show
Podcast URL: http://sorgatronmedia.com/wrestlingmayhemshow/

Food & Drink
Podcast Name: Should I Drink That
Podcast URL: http://www.shouldidrinkthat.com/

GLBT
Podcast Name: The G Spod
Podcast URL: http://www.thegspod.com/

That's it. Fill in whomever else you want or leave the other blank.
Nomination Period closes @ 2359 October, 18th

You get 1 nomination per email address.

Pass along to your friends and spread the love!

cheers!

Join Father Spoon and Tony the Beer Guy for the first ever LIVE Craft Beer School podcast. Recorded 9/15/09 at the Theater Square Cabaret in beautiful downtown Pittsburgh's historical Cultural District.

Beers
Victory Festbier, Dogfish Head Punkin, Brewdog Punk IPA, Troegs Java Head Stout

Show Notes
Welcome to Craft Beer School at the Theater Square Cabaret | Victory Festbier | session beers | SIDT Drunk Dial Hotline | Decoction Mash | Oktoberfest history | Victory Helios news | I am a Craft Brewer video | Dogfish Head Punkin | Pumpkin Chucking | It’s OK to not like every beer | Spoon sells beer | Converting BMC drinkers | It’s Randy! | Momma Spoon drinks up | Head Chef Toni Pais talks about the meal for the night | Brewdog Punk IPA | Tony educates about Brewdog | The Brewdog IPA trip | Gray Kangaroo | Troegs Java Head Stout | Bacon Fest! | CONTEST TIME! | Brewing Up A Cure | Pittsburgh Brufest | Podcamp Pittsburgh 4 | The Losers

Download EP 55 now at http://www.shouldidrinkthat.com/