47 Bottles of the Best Beer I Tasted in 2011 & 2012

2 years of beers... In March 2011, I started using an app called Untappd to record the beers that I tried and to rate them. Since then I've consumed 452 different beers. 

My palate has changed a lot since I first started. At first I loooooved Belgians and today, I'd still enjoy one, don't get me wrong, but IPAs excite me most. It's amazing how they seem so bitter to a novice and yet so fruity, citrusy, and floral to a hop head. I'm definitely a convert, and I want to convert you too. If you aren't ready for "bitter" beers yet, try some of those listed under 2011 and work your way up. You'll get there.

Our French Quarter Beer Cabinet

These are the 47 that I gave 5 caps to, which is the highest rating (listed in no particular order).

2012

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Oskar Blues Brewery Deviant Dale’s

Brouwerji Contreras Valeir Extra

Great Divide Brewing Company Belgian Style Yeti

Allagash Brewing Company Four

Fentiman’s Traditional Ginger Beer

Alpine Beer Company Duet

Alpine Beer Company Pure Hoppiness

Alpine Beer Company Willy

Boulevard Brewing Co. Terra Incognita – Savor 2012 Ale

Boulevard Brewing Co. Peach Porch Lounger

New Belgium Brewing Company Super India Pale Ale

Jacob Leinenkugel Company Summer Shandy

Avery Mephistopheles’ Stout (2011)

Avery Collaboration not Litigation Ale

Lightning Brewery Old Tempestuous Ale

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Midas Touch

Brouwerji Dilewyns Vicaris Tripel-Gueuze

Moylan’s Brewery Hopsickle

New Belgium Brewing Company Abbey Grand Cru

Saint Somewhere Brewing Company Lectio Divina

2011

Brewery Ommegang Gnomegang

Bieres de Chimay Chimay Blanche  (Cinq Cents)

Hennepin Farmhouse Saison

Allagash Brewing Company Black

Allagash Brewing Company White

Brouwerji St. Bernardus Tripel

Avery Brewing Company White Rascal

Avery Brewing Company Salvation

Victory Brewing Company Storm King

Brouwerji Het Anker Cuvee van de Keizer – Blauw

Bayou Teche Brewing LA 31 Grenade

Brasserie Lefebvre Blanche de Bruxelles (gateway drug)

Laguintas Brewing Company Wilco Tango Foxtrot (WTF)

Laguintas Brewing Company A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale

Laguintas Brewing Company A Little Sumpin’ Wild Ale

Laguintas Brewing Company Hop Stoopid

Laguintas Brewing Company Hairy Eyeball Ale

Laguintas Brewing Company Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale

Brouwerji van Hoegaarden (ABinBEV) Hoegaarden

Brouwerji Lindemans Kriek

Brouwerji Lindemans Framboise

Terrapin Beer Company Rye Squared

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Chateau Jiahu

Brouwerji Van Steenberge Augustijn Blond

Southern Tier Brewing Company 2xIPA

Brouwerji Karmeliet Tripel Karmeliet

Life and Limb Collaboration Dogfishead/Sierra Nevada

 

 There is a non-alcoholic one in here. Can you find it?

Timeline of My Life to Music 2012

Another year, another set of lyrics that find their way into my life playing like a soundtrack. It's been action packed for sure, going through pregnancy, birth, and finishing the remodel on my Katrina home renovation. Blood, sweat and tears this year. My goals are set high for 2013 so it shouldn't be a cake walk either.



 
January 2012
Besides Daniel "Learn How to Fight"

  

February 2012

Priscilla Ahn "The Boobs Song"

 
March 2012

Bright Eyes "No Lies Just Love"

April 2012

Frank Sinatra "That's Life"

May 2012

Jill Barber "Never Quit Loving You"

June 2012

OK GO "Needing/Getting"

July 2012

Beatles "Obladi Oblada"

August 2012

Phil Collins "You'll Be Here in My Heart"

September 2012

 Neutral Milk Hotel "Love You More Than Life"

October 2012

Feist "Bittersweet Melodies"

November 2012

Walyon Jennings "Good Hearted Woman"

December 2012

The Flying Lizards "Money"

Back to Work Lady

After taking my 12 week leave to become a mom, I'm back to work. 

It would have been a full week but I had food poisoning or some sort of stomach virus on Monday. I guess my body really wanted to stay home. Once I returned, it felt like the first week of school. I didn't even know what season it was as a tried to find parking that first day. I left during the summer and still expected the kids to be out. But alas, the weather has changed and so has a another stage in my life.

This is a good reminder to me 

to not let my looks slip while I take care of Jules, 

to not let my smile fade because I'm doing too much, 

and to just rock what I've got because it's a lot.

Mom Gang

Two months ago I was jumped in to the mom gang. The initiation lasted four weeks, and amounted to a grueling hazing that takes over all of your body and most of your mind. When it's over, you wake up a new person and are welcomed into the posse with respect.

 Moms for Life.

 

Shock - Acceptance - Excitement

My wedding baby is due in one week. ONE WEEK. My body has passed the pregnancy test with flying colors thus far. When the birth day finally arrives, I will remind myself of this,

"Giving birth is an innately instinctive act, hardwired into our brains and bodies through millions of years of mammalian evolution, and designed to ensure the best possible outcomes for mothers and babies." ~Sarah J. Buckley, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering.

I have love and support all around, but ultimately 

this moment calls on the abilities of my body and mind.
(photo by saucy_pan) 

Unless I have a two-headed boy. Then, I am screwed.

Home Sweet Home - Update #2

WE MOVED IN!

 hanging art

 stocking shelves

finding a perfect fit

 

lining the library

There are little things here and there that need tweaking, but it’s great to be in! Having my own washer/dryer, dish washer and ice-dispensing fridge is delightful. My favorite part is all the specialty lighting and the white walls. It looks like an art gallery. We are currently displaying a friend’s collection, and it looks amazing. I’ve been making so many trips to department stores for…

Soap

Hoses

Hardware

Picture hooks and wire

Light bulbs

Trash bags

Ziplocs

Detergent

Shelves

Sheets

Etc.

The to-do list continues but so does the warmth in my heart while I nest.

Lyrics for Baby Unborn

I am 37 weeks today...


I hope that womb's not too warm
Cause it's cold out here
And it'll be quite a shock
To breathe this air
To discover loss
So I'd like to make some changes
Before you arrive
So when your new eyes meet mine
They won't see no lies
Just love.
Just love.
 
excerpt from No Lies, Just Love by Bright Eyes