Craft Beer Cruise

[docpd]

Just got back last weekend from our second Craft Beer Cruise sponsored by Sam Adams. On the 7 day cruise we had 5 different beer events, including an initial reception, general beer tasting of 7 different styles, a beer and cheese tasting, beer and food pairing luncheon, and a special tasting of their Utopias limited edition. Of course they featured Sam Adams products, but I was amazed at the number of different beers that Sam Adams makes. It was very educational and lots of fun.

The Utopias is a truly unique beer. It is only brewed once a year with a very strong malt backbone, multiple noble hops, a proprietary belgian yeast and maple syrup. This years batch came in at 29% ABV, and tasted like no other beer I have ever had. Normally retails for $200 per 24 oz bottle, but was included in the tour package.

My wife has really started to embrace more complex beers as a result of these two cruises. I have started quizzing her on what she tastes and smells with new beers and she is getting good at it. We have been married for almost 39 years and both started out with Schlitz and Bud as teenagers, so this has been an amazing journey overall. She is liking my beers enough now that she is willing to put up with the hop boil aroma which I love and she says smells like old sweat socks.

[Beer-lord]

Sounds like a fun time. First, it's a cruise then, you have craft beer. Sort of the perfect vacation.

[John Sand]

And a good wife and partner. My wife tastes my beers, she has a better palette than I. But I'm also still learning to define tastes.

[Rebel_B]

Nice! Pictures?

[Brewbirds]

Sounds like fun Doc.

It would be a blast if we all had the money to join up and do a cruise.

[John Sand]

Well, I have a boat. But we'll have to do it ten at a time. (Passengers, not beers)

[Brewbirds]

Well, I have a boat. But we'll have to do it ten at a time. (Passengers, not beers)

That wouldn't be any fun for you as the designated Captain, especially checking for smuggled home brew over limits and having them all stashed on the wrong side for proper ballast.

[John Sand]

Well, the trick is to sail first, then party at the dock. And Wandering Star weighs 16 tons (!) so we can stow beer wherever we please.

[evily]

That sounds like such a fun cruise! And educational too! I have heard about those Utopia beers. Very interesting stuff!

We should definitely organize a Borg beer cruise!

[DaYooper]

Happen to have a link to the cruise? Did a tall ship cruise with Sams and that was a hoot but it was only for a day.