Gravity Head '09 The Liver Olympics

[barturtle]

I'm not sure how many of you know about this, but New Albanian Brewing Company, also known as Rich O's Public House, in New Albany, IN puts on an annual beer festival called Gravity Head. Some of the homebrewers amoung us might know the term "gravity" and already know what I'm about to say, but for the rest of you, gravity means specific gravity, the capability of the wort to produce alcohol. Gravity Head is a celebration of high gravity beers, typically 8% ABV or more. At any one time during this festival NABC has 17 different gravity beers on tap and the fest tends to run for better than a month.

Gravity Head '09 started today at 7am.

I arrived 20 minutes ago.

I'm currently enjoying FOunder's Breakfast Stout. Brewed on 10-01-07 in Grand Rapids, MI this brew hits a mere 8.3% ABV.

I'll be trying to remember to keep this thread active as I enjoy the remainder of the festival...:cool:

[barturtle]

I just realized, I should put up the links ot the festival itself as well as the starting line up of 17 beers

Festival Program

Starting line-up

[DeanSheen]

Breakfast Stout is excellent especially out of the tap.

Founders and Rouge are 2 of the best breweries in the US.

It's just too damn bad Founders has no plans to revive their Black Rye. That was excellent beer, like having a shot of whiskey and a beer in the same sip.

[barturtle]

Currently in the glass

Struise Black Albert Belgium Royal Stout

De Struise Brouwers, De Panne (Nordhoek) Belgium

ABV 13% :bigeyes:

[barturtle]

Next up:

Bell's Hopslam

Kalamazoo, MI

10%

HIghly hopped, floral, lovely. Very full bodied

They've got 3 kegs of this beer alone for Gravity Head:grin:

[barturtle]

Gonna close the evening so I can still drive, but before I go:

Allagash Curieux

Portland, ME

JIm Beam Bourbon Barrel Aged

Belgian Stye Triple

11% ABV

[reggie]

Looks like you had fun!

I'll be at the Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festival tomorrow. There will be plenty of "big" beers on tap. Founders will be there, Bell's not so much. They've become too cool to hang out with the little guys anymore.

Big line up of beers. http://www.mbgmash.org/

I'm happy to say that we will be walking (stumbling) back to our hotel.

[craigthom]

I went to the Sierra Nevada tasting at Keg yesterday and then to the New Albanian for the "preview". I did not drink all that much. I stuck with the Sierra Nevada and had

samples:

Torpedo

ESB

'07 Big Foot

'08 Big Foot

Full* pours

Double DeBOCKel Dopple Bock

Chico IPA

'08 Big Foot

I got a growler of the Hop Slam from Liquor Barn last year. Much better than the bottles, and not quite like chewing on fresh hops.

[reggie]

...and not quite like chewing on fresh hops.

My uncle grows his own hops, we'll pick one and stuff it into a can of cheap macro brew.

[barturtle]

Looks like you had fun!

OH, YES! And I'll be back tommorrow and Wed, at least...

[barturtle]

Gravity Head Day 2

JW Lees Lagavulin Barrel Aged 2007 11.5%

Left Hand Smoke Juniper Smoked Imperial Porter 9.2%

Rogue XS Old Crustacean 03 11%

NABC Solidarity 10%

NABC Malcoms Old Setter Ale 2007 10.5%

[barturtle]

Tonight was my fourth trip to NABC for Gravity Head-sorry didn't report on the 3rd...

This evenings selection:

Founder's Backwoods Bastard

Mad River John Barleycorn

Dogfish Head Olde School

Bell's Expedition Stout 2006

[barturtle]

NO new trip out just yet, but the list of dead is rising. Here's what you've missed so far:

Orange are the ones I managed to get before they were gone.

Allagash Curieux

BBC (Shelbyville Road) Knob Creek Russian Imperial Porter

Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition/Double Cream Blend

Bell’s HopSlam (three kegs)

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Founders Breakfast Stout (2007)

Het Anker (Gouden Carolus) Cuvee Van de Keizer

Hofstetten Granit Bock (Stein Bier)

J. W. Lees Vintage Harvest Ale Lagavulin barrel-aged (2007)

Koningshoeven La Trappe Quadrupel

Left Hand Smoke Jumper Smoked Imperial Porter

Moylan’s Double Kilt Lifter (Batch 1,000)

NABC Malcolm’s Old Setter’s Ale (2007)

NABC Thunderfoot (2008)

New Holland Dragon’s Milk

Stone XI - 11th Anniversary Ale

Stone Twelfth Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

Struise Black Albert Belgian Royal Stout

[barturtle]

Might as well list what's on now:

Again, Orange are one's I've already scored:

Avery Ale to the Chief!

Avery “The Czarâ€

Bell's Expedition Stout (2006)

Browning’s Quadrupel

Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine

Founders Backwoods Bastard

Founders Double Trouble IPA

Harviestoun Ola Dubh – Old Engine Oil Special Reserve 40 Yr (firkin)

Left Hand Imperial Stout

Mad River JBC (John Barleycorn)

NABC Solidarity

Regenboog 't Smisje Calva Reserva

New Holland Pilgrim’s Dole Wheat Wine

Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine (2003)

Samichlaus Bier Helles

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine (2008)

Sierra Nevada Double Debockel

Strubbe Keyte Dobbelen Tripel