Mama's 'n' Me
Summer time! Yes! Sunshine, BBQs, swimmin’ holes, scantily clad hippie gals, HOT! What goes well with all of these?! Cold BEER! You already knew that of course. Because as you know, beer goes with damn near everything. Personally, I prefer ales to lagers. However, some beers are better suited for certain times. In my opinion, brown ales don’t go down so well when it’s 100 degrees in the shade. They’ll taste good going down, but after about three double IPAs you’re likely to dehydrate yourself pretty quick. Better to stick with the lighter ales, and lagers, and save those heartier brews for cooler times, January 15 to February 28. Nothing will warm you better than a stout Barley Wine. I might be a bit late in getting around to summer beers, but as we have about two months of summer left, there’s still plenty of time for summer beer drinking.
Sunshine…..ever wondered what sunshine might look like in a can? The folks at Oskar Blues have managed to take the best virtues of sunshine, golden yellow, wholesome, refreshing, awesome, and cram them all into a 12oz can of “Damn Good!” They call this can of wonderful, Mama’s Lil Yella Pils. For me, the best summer brews are crisp, clean, light to medium in body, with subtle hoppy character, and cold. Mama’s Lil Yella Pils embodies all the qualities of a great pilsner. Oskar Blues is known for brewing rich, tasty beers that pack a lot of flavor, and a wallop of alcohol. The average alcohol content of their other four brews, is about 8.5% ABV. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a HUGE fan of all of Oskar’s brews. I’m particularly fond of Dale’s Pale Ale, Gordon, and Ten Fidy. Allow me to digress a moment to deliver a warning: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER drink more than three Gordons in a single drinking session. You’ll end up going to places you were never meant to go, and doing things you weren’t meant to do. You’ll have a good time doing them, but you’ll be ashamed of yourself the next morning. To boot, you’ll be as dry as an Austin summer with a hangover unlike any you’ve ever known. Beware the Gordon. It’s TASTY, but dangerous. Mama’s is safer, and more subtle. She clocks in at only 5.3% ABV, and is lightly hopped at 35 IBUs (International Bittering Units). Made with 100% malted barley (because FUCK rice and corn!), German specialty malts, and Saaz hops, Mama’s is what an American Pilsner should be. Common in some pilsners, there isn’t a hint of skunk in Mama’s. Her aroma, and taste are both clean. So long as you drink her while she’s cold. This mama’s a bitter crone if she gets left in the heat. Might wanna bring along your beer koozie if you plan to drink ’round the barbecue or pool. Mama’s only downfall is not really her fault, she’s pricey. As much as $9.49 a six-pack at Central Market, and as high as $9.99 at Live Oak Market, and Whip In. She’s well worth the cost though. If you can find her for less than $9 let us all know.
Light on the alcohol, but rich in flavor, and character, Mama’s Lil Yella Pils is the ideal summer session beer. If you haven’t had one yet, finish this post, which is nearly done, and treat yourself to a sixer. While you’re on your way home, your sixer of Mama’s riding shotgun, give me a call. ‘Cause it’s probably been too long since we drank a pint.
Please drop a quick comment and let us all know what you’ve been drinking this summer.
Cheers! To your Mama and mine!
My two beers of choice this summer have been Blue Moon and Mothership Wit. I know drinking Blue Moon lines the pockets of the folks at Coors – and I do feel bad about that – but it’s just so damn tasty. A nice smooth Belgian White that is suddenly available everywhere. Plus, cheap! I guess that’s the Coors influence. But hey, at least they’re not trying to fool me with bottles that change colors or sing songs or anything.
Mothership is my summer beer of choice. The very definition of a light refreshing summer beer, this brew almost tastes like lemon-flavored iced tea. Plus, organic! (if that sort of thing appeals to you.) The only problem is price. If you go to Central Market, you can usually get a six-pack in the 7-8 dollar range, but many other shops will try to gouge you for the suddenly (and sadly) standard 9.99.
I just realized that my usual summer standard – Bohemia – has not made even one appearance in my fridge this year. I shall have to remedy that situation posthaste!
I dug that Bombshell Blond stuff you had at one of the post-show impromptu gatherings in the Off Center parking lot. Good shit!
That, my friend, is my beer of choice for this summer. I have been raving about it all summer and hope to get a post on it up soon.
Hey, there needs to be pints soon! Pints!
Ok… sunshine in a can… I’d rather have it in a bottle… this would be tantamount to putting liquor in plastic containers vs. glass bottles… what have I been drinking this summer… not enough ! To think in my early year – Coors was all the rage… one had to transport it from Colorado and other states because it was not sold in Texas… watching a case of two of Coors appear in baggage claim… no matter who you were… you were admired and sometimes followed… trails of drool could be found trailing those who followed the Coors… now Coors takes its rightful place with Bud, Bud Lite and other almost pale yellow bubbly liquids…