Last night good friend Uncle Crappy taught Craft Beer School at the Cabaret and joined myself and sickpuppy as alumni teachers for the event. I thought a nice change of pace would be to recap the beers when I attend these events and also give you an idea of what goes on.

Quick recap if you haven’t heard of Beer School before. It’s a 4 class schedule held in the fall and winter/spring at the Cabaret at Theater Square in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Sponsored by Vecenie Distributing Company, it’s $25 a ticket per class and you get 4 beers to sample plus a light fare. For the food, beer and education plus the company it really is a great deal. For more information

Last night we were treated to 4 pilsners that stretched the spectrum so instead of drawing them out over 4 weeks we’ll hit it all up in one shot. Shells Pils, Edelherb Pils, Heavy Seas Small Craft and Baltika 7

• Shells Pils – Smelled like Bud. tasted like Bud. I could barely stomach it. Thank God I was sharing this with Norm. Spoon rating: D
• Edelherb Pils – Very crisp and surprising. Mild bite from the hops. Finished a bit dry. Ideal summer session. Spoon rating: C+
• Heavy Seas Small Craft – This was an imperial pils that lived up to it’s name. To mock the Staples commercial “WOW! Thats a great beer!”. The alcohol was tasted slightly but quickly masked by the muscle punch of flavor of hops and slight sweetness. Incredible experience! Spoon rating: B+
• Baltika 7 – This was my shocker. I’ve had other Baltika’s and hated them but this was actually very pleasant. if you’re looking at a basic pils to get started into the style I would suggest this one. Very clean, crisp and not overwhelming flavor to get your hopes up on all beers in this style. Spoon rating: B-

Here are pics from WPXI’s “See & Be Seen – Covering the hottest people and events in and around Pittsburgh” from last night’s Beer School. I’m in one pic and sickpup is in 3. Good times

Slap me silly Sidney!!

Brasserie de Silly S.A. – Scotch Silly
brewery: Brasserie de Silly S.A. – silly-beer.com
style: Scottish Ale
abv: 8.0%
serving size: 750ml
glass used: snifter
price: $8.99

Overview
It offers a finely wooded nose hinting at hazelnut, and is therefore distinct from traditional British scotches. It has a more rounded taste letting a discreetly full-bodied bitterness come to the fore, and will naturally seduce you.

What I think
The only reason why I bought this beer was due to the name. Sometimes you gotta give in to curiosity. The pour was curious. The head appeared at first like it was sticking around for the long haul but much like the Ottawa Senators defense it vanished fast (haha couldn’t resist. GO PENS!). Unlike most scottish styles I’ve had in the past there was very little malt. Each drink was full of body and slightly bitter but I felt like I was missing something. the finish was too dry for my taste.

Would I buy this again? Eh maybe. Depends on what my other options are. Give it a shot and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Spoon’s rating: C+

This is from the now infamous $400 Beer Run that sickpuppy and I took to Vintage Estate in Boardman, Ohio; the mecca of beer stores. This was bought solely because of the name and label.

Brew Kettle Dark Helmet
brewery: The Brew Kettle Taproom and Smokehouse – thebrewkettle.com
style: Schwarzbier
abv: 9.0%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: pint glass
price: $6.99

Overview
A Ringneck original, Imperial Schwarzbier is a German style black lager, kicked up at least one notch,
maybe two!

What Did Spoon think?
For an impulse buy it wasn’t bad. The pour was very dark and head vanished really quick but did stick around for a photo. Slight aroma of a sweet malt but it was more on the weak end. The body was fairly light and really seemed bland. It had a few moments where a roastedness would spring to life and like a quick sugar rush it crashed hard. Buy it for a novelty and try it out. Above and beyond that save it for a a beer you’d watch while watching the game after dinner.  You don’t have to think while drinking.

Spoon’s rating: C+

I know what you’re thinking. Spoon, a gimmick beer? wtf!  I couldn’t resist. If I want to have a justified opinion I need to taste it for myself otherwise I’m just as lame as those cowboy Bud/Coors/Busch drinkers. Yeeehaw!

Think you may know who Donnie Iris is but not 100% sure? Watch this for your flashback.

Yes, THAT Donnie Iris made his own beer.

King Cool Light
brewery: Lion Brewing – lionbrewery.com
beer website: kingcool.com
style: Lite American Lager
abv: N/A
serving size: 12oz
glass used: pint
price: $2.75

Overview 
King Cool Light – A Light American Lager made with the finest two- and six-row barley and a perfect blend of American and European hops. A touch of caramel malt gives it its brilliant amber color and rare flavor.

Brewed in the finest rock ‘n roll tradition of uncompromising quality, this is my signature beer and I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!  ~Donnie Iris

What I think
Here’s your only warning, its a twist cap.

Shocked at the quality of head on the pour. Thumbs up for visual appeal. There is virtually no aroma on this beer but I was able to pick up a faint grain. Now for the real test, the taste.  “It’s Donnie Iris for christ’s sake, it can’t be THAT good. It’s a damn gimmick beer” I’m thinking along with “I’m gonna have to chug this.”

STOP THE PRESSES! This actually isn’t THAT bad for its style.  The beer claims to be an American Lite Lager and while I think it had too much malt for that classification it was light, crisp and refreshing. The malt was seriously dominant and reminded me of a light bodied dopplebock. For awhile there I thought I was getting some banana.

I think this beer will have a mass appeal and the low alcohol level (for a Lite American Lager it can’t be over 4.2% ABV) is also going to make this a popular lawnmower/tailgating beer.

At the end of the day I would take this over Yuengling on most occasions and I give it a higher than “C” rating because I really enjoyed it. *sigh* Donnie what have you done to me!

Spoon’s rating: B -

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company – lagunitas.com
style: Imperial IPA
abv: 8%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: snifter
price: $11.99

Overview
102 I.B.U. – nuff said

What I think
It’s not as bitter as the 102IBU’s make you think it might be. I actually thought the Sam Adams Imperial Pils was much more bitter.

As you can see from the pour above this beer came out pretty much perfect. The aroma on this is hop punch to the face with mild tones of citrus. The bod was a tad on the thick side but pleasant and the hops. Sweet googly moogly was this a freaking hop DREAM. As my buddy Phil would say “beergasm”!  The hops play around with your palate and a nice malty tent fills the rest of your mouth. The finish was like that moment when you kick back, take a deep breath and say “yeah… life is good”. That’s what this beer is.

Father Spoon’s rating: A+