20 Comments
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Sacha Cohen's avatar

How fun!

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Jeff Pankin's avatar

Sounds like fun. I prefer to drink it though.

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Sarah J Maker's avatar

What a fun life you’re having Theresa! Thanks for giving us the glimpse into it and the creative ways you’ve found community.

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Theresa Cosgrove's avatar

My husband liked to drink the "smoked" beer, when we lived in Germany.

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Theresa Conroy's avatar

That's my favorite and the style I'll be judging in Essen, Germany in September.

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Steve Cosgrove's avatar

Rauchbier! We lived for our first two years in Germany in northern Bavaria, not far from Bamberg, which is the German capital of "smokebeer." Schlenkerla Brewery has been around since the 15th century and is perhaps the best known. They will surely be at the Essen judging. Theresa Cosgrove is correct - I LOVE Rauchbier. The perfect match for a nice juicy slice of pork roast!

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Theresa Conroy's avatar

I’ve had Rauchbier in Bamberg. It was a dream come true. This will be an amateur competition so I will have to seek out the Schlenkerla.

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Betty Carlson's avatar

What a cool experience! I had never read about serious beer-tasting.

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Nancy's avatar

Another talent of yours of which I had no idea you possessed, Theresa-- I would have thought you'd be handling the wine tastings and judging! Yet, as another poster said, we would not expect less of a Philly girl!

You know I would have relished this activity... I go to bar that has rotating taps some Fridays... I like to do tastings there.

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Theresa Conroy's avatar

I wish I knew as much about wine as I’ve found a few I really like, though

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Nancy's avatar

I know Zilch! But I did go to a very interesting winery last Tuesday for My sister-in-law Sheri's son's 10th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows. The owners have been in the winemaking business for a century and a half--original in Poland. One of them survived the Holocaust and started a winery in Mt. Airy, Maryland where Sheri and her son's family all live now... The granddaughter now runs it. We had a wonderful wine-tasting evning.

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Theresa Conroy's avatar

Wow! That's longevity.

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Nancy's avatar

Yes, it was an amazing story, history--and the wine was really, really good!

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Jen B's avatar

My husband and I will be back in Rennes next month and once I show him this post, I suspect he'll want to go to La Maison.

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Theresa Conroy's avatar

Good idea.

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Jen B's avatar

Want to meet us there or somewhere else?

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Theresa Conroy's avatar

Get in touch when you are here and we'll try to plan something. Best way is to email: Yogitheresaconroy@Gmail.com

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An Scott's avatar

Sounds like something fun to do! I'll bet a true Philly girl fits in quite well! Good for you! Back in the states, I wasn't much of a beer drinker, only enjoying one with a slice or two of pizza. And that was it. Can't imagine having to drink that much beer. I guess you have to like beer more than a little. Here in France, we were introduced to a "red" beer, while wandering in Antibes, one hot summer day, "dying for a cold drink" at a place with no AC. What they brought had it's own glass, a big rounded bowl type glass like you'd typically put red wine in. And Leffe was printed on the side. (I'm a sucker for beers that have their own serving glasses--I used to drink "Stella Artois" in the states and the bar where I drank it, even had a Stella challis set aside for only me) Anyway, the Leffe, a Belgian beer, was red and fruity. It is "Leffe Ruby". Fruity, flowery... I consider it "girly". Now, it's my go to when I find it on a menu, here in the "south". But one glass is my limit.

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Theresa Conroy's avatar

I don’t think I even drank the equivalent of a full beer during the judging. You really don’t drink much. As for that beer on the hot day, my husband — the real beer expert in the family — says the right beer for the right occasion is the best beer.

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Carolyn Smagalski's avatar

Well done! I haven’t judged beer in a few years due to med restrictions, and I miss it. Your descriptors are so very familiar, so thanks for the fun read!

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