Either accidentally or knowingly you’ve stumbled on my blog Pat’s Pints. The posts here are written for ordinary folks who enjoy good beer. Some of the information may be practical if you want to learn more about beer, or make good choices when buying or drinking beers. Some of it is likely to be of no use whatsoever, but if you are the kind of person who draws up brackets and seedings for a 16-beer single elimination IPA taste test, you might just enjoy what you read.
I live in Columbus, Ohio and so there will be some content that is specific to the beer scene in Central Ohio. My love of good beer started when I was a graduate student at Oregon State University, so I have a soft spot for beers from the Pacific Northwest as well.
The posts are sorted into nine categories. To access the posts click on one of the menu items below the picture at the top of this page. That will take you to another page with a list of all of the posts in that particularly category (i.e. Beer 101 – Learn More about Beer, Beer Reviews, Beer Flights, …). Have a read and leave some comments. If you actually like what you see consider signing up to follow the blog (use the follow link on the right hand side of this page). If there is a topic you’d like me to address, or a beer you’d like me to review, just drop me a line or leave a request as a comment. If you want to contact me send an e-mail to woodward.55@osu.edu.
Cheers
Pat
Pat's Pints 
Epic Brewing Company out of Salt Lake City became one of my favorites while living there for 20 years. If you are passing through, check them out……and as for Poky, we definitely could use a good brewery….Portneuf Brewing is trying, but they need to do a little more R&D 🙂
Good to hear from you Afshin. You can get epic beers out here. I’ve got a bottle of big bad baptist downstairs. Which epic beers do you recommend?
Last time I was in poky I had some dagger falls ipa from sockeye brewing in Boise. I thought it was very good (if you like hoppy, bitter ipas).
Imperial IPA, captain cromptons and spiral jetty are my favorites….the wife goes for the porters….got a bottle of the smoked porter in fridge; I’ll let u know how it goes. Sockeye is pretty good all around. Red rock brewing out of SLC comes out with griswalds ale every Christmas, and its awesome!
I’m not sure we get those selections from Epic here, but I’ll keep an eye out for them. I see Brainless on Peaches and Big Bad Baptist quite a bit.
Followed your recommendation and picked up the Torpedo Extra IPA, looking for some pine.
Let me know if you want to join in on sampling the Black Rajah,and if so when might be a good time. I’ve not opened the howler (half-growler) and it will stay fresh for a couple of weeks as long as I don’t open it.
Saw the Hopslam at Lucky’s. Same price. No limit.
Enjoying it now. Wow! Really nice with upfront citrus and a sharp clean finish, but then a delayed bitterness. A lot to take in.
I agree the bitterness only really appears at the very end, up to that point it is quite smooth, I think the honey must play some part in that. You don’t notice the 10% abv either. How would you compare the nose and citrus with White Rajah?
Not nearly as big as the White Rajah, which almost seems closer to a Sauvignon Blanc than an IPA. I will be picking up some…at $3/bottle is it cheaper than the $4-6 you pay for everyday beer at a restaurant.
Agreed, compared to many luxuries in life $3 per bottle is a small price to pay. Plus in a couple of weeks (maybe less) it will all be gone.
Grabbed one from Weiland’s today (feeling fortunate for the single-bottle option). They have 1 or 2 from the U.K., and one from Flying Dog. I am going to share it with some Oyster-fans tonight and see what everyone thinks. My hunch is that it’s strength is as a contrasting flavor in combination with other things.
My guess is that the taste of the oysters won’t come through much. You’ll have to let me know.
You are right. The Flying Dog version is an easy drinking stout, relatively low alcohol (5.5%). Reminded some in the crowd of a Guinness. I was looking for a saltiness but didn’t find it. I plan to give the U.K. versions a try some time.
“Oyster stout”… your thoughts? It is a recommended pairing with some cheeses. I took a quick look and noticed a local brewery or two make this. Have you tried it? If so, willingly or on a dare?
I’ve read about, but not tried an Oyster Stout before. I would try it if given the opportunity though. I’ts not a very common style, which ones can you get here in Columbus?
Enjoying an Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. Do you have a short-list of suggested Imperial Stouts that are available around town? If not, I think a tasting is in order.
(If you do have a short list, a tasting is still in order to make sure you are right.)
Old Rasputin is tasty stuff. For Imperial Stouts around Columbus here are some that are worth checking out.
1. Great Lakes Blackout Stout comes out in November/December. It just hit the shelves last week. My tasting notes from last year say that it is similar to Old Rasputin, but less nutty.
2. Founders Breakfast Stout. They add coffee and some dark chocolate when brewing. If you like Imperial Stouts this is a must try. Best to let it warm a little when you drink it.
3. Ballast Point Victory at Sea. Officially this is an Imperial Porter, but at 10% abv it drinks like an imperial stout. Nice blending of chocolate malts, vanilla and coffee.
4. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron. This one is officially an imperial brown ale, but it drinks like a cross between an imperial stout and a barleywine.
There are plenty of others you can get. Stone Russian Imperial Stout is highly regarded but I’ve not tried it. After having 4-Elf at the tasting party I’m interested to try some of the Dark Horse stouts, like Plead the 5th Imperial Stout. A lot of people like Bell’s Expedition Stout, Oscar Blues Ten Fidy, and Hoppin Frog Boris the Crusher, but for my taste these are just a little too strong.
A tasting sometime sounds great. I do have a bottle of Samichlaus (billed as the worlds strongest lager at 14% abv) that is only brewed on Dec. 6. I’ve been saving it for a year and I’m inclined to try it this year on or around Dec. 6. With a beer that strong I could use a partner.
and if it is that good, feel free to smuggle some back to Ohio.
Will do on both counts.
Word is the John Harvard “bow stout” in Cambridge is “the best beer in the world”…you need to give me a review.
My wife just returned from Boston raving about an oatmeal stout from John Harvard Brew House. Are John Harvard beer’s found in Columbus?
Not to my knowledge. However, I am going to Boston next week and I might just have to seek out the John Harvard Brew House. Does your wife have any other suggestions?
For a good oatmeal stout you can buy in Columbus I recommend Shakespeare Stout by Rogue.
Dear Slats, what is your professional opinion on Natural Light?
What can you say about a beer whose goal is taste like water? It serves a purpose, and doesn’t transmit any diseases. What you do after drinking Natural Light does not come with the same guarantee.