Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong. — W.R. Purche
Our October meeting was at the Huxfords’ house. The October meeting always is. Cathy Huxford loves Halloween and so their Halloween decorations are always over the top. And that’s what we usually talk about when we talk about a meeting at the Huxfords’.
But Halloween decorations are not the only notable thing at their house. They also have the Best Dogs Ever, two English Labs who love people and carrots and scratches and the occasional beer.
I know what you are saying. How can these be the Best Dogs Ever when your dogs are the Best Dogs Ever? I refer you to the quote above and assert its fundamental truth. And then I tell you that the Huxfords’ dogs have absolutely no concept of personal space, which is the very best kind of dog, and that a meeting at their house involves a lot of intimate dog contact and perhaps a bit of slobber, which is the very best kind of meeting.
Oh yes, there was beer, too. And a charcuterie spread to die for. And Phil was a bit late but the consummate cicerone once he got home. And Cathy and Phil insisted that they haven’t been in a brewing groove lately but somehow pulled excellent homebrews from their cellar.
And the Best Dogs Ever fell asleep on our feet, as all the best dogs do.
Tasting notes:
- Steam Beer, Andy T: Caramel. A little clove and banana. Faint herbal hops. Bitter, dry finish. Could use a bit more hop presence. Northern Brewer and Cascade, Mangrove Jack Cali Lager yeast. 8/3/15/5/8 = 39
- Festbier, Pierre: A pure Pils malt showcase. Doughy and grainy, with just a hint of floral hops. Carbonation explodes on the tongue. Intensely malty with a dry finish. Double decoction; Styrian and Saaz. 10/3/16/4/8 = 42
- English Pale Ale, Paul B-S: Hints of black tea. Slightly earthy. A little fruit. A bit too sweet; sweetness lingers. A bit thin, but Andy T would drink a lot of it. A Maris Otter/Fuggle SMASH beer. 9/2/13/4/7 = 35
- English IPA, Andy T: Wet wool and peppery spice. Fruity. Hint of citrus. Aggressively phenolic. Boldly malty with a bitter lingering finish. First English IPA Andy has made that he likes. High temp mash and Bobek hops. 10/3/17/5/9 = 44
- American IPA, Cathy and Phil: Lemon Pledge. Very hoppy. Very clean. A bit thin and soapy in flavor. Well over a year old. Sabro hops. 10/3/11/2/5 = 31
- Hazy IPA, Andy T: Very hazy. Huffable. Lovely hop aroma w/o malt. Finish is a little too bitter. 20 IBUs Columbus FWH for bittering. 11/3/15/4/7 = 40
- American Porter w/Coffee, Cathy and Phil: Tons of coffee. Some dark chocolate. Hint of solvent. Vinous, with a hint of olive. English brown porter with lots of coffee malt – no actual coffee. 7/3/15/4/7 = 36
- Semi-sweet Mead, Cathy and Phil: Lots of honey aroma. A bit boozy. A hint of apple and solvent. Finishes hot. Needs tannin. Wildflower and orange blossom honey, apple cider yeast. Needs to age more. 7/5/17/6 = 35
We forgot to take pictures. But they’d probably just be pictures of the dogs.