The Saddest Hop news

Last night Terri and I decided that after a full week of hop deprevation we owed it to ourselves to seek out some fermented beverages to quell the pangs of under indulgence. After careful consideration of all the possible destinations in our practical driving range we realized we both have been really missing The Ale House in Auburn and a visit with Brian Ford.
When we got there the place was packed and a seat at the bar, or anywhere aside from the outdoor patio for that matter, was in rather short supply. We hung around the kitchen area talking to Luise the chef and waiting for a spot at the bar to free up when all of a sudden Brian appeared next to me. Just about that time a couple at the stand-up-bar got their reservation call and we quickly assumed their position that happened to be directly across from the glass window to the brewery proper. We'd never sat in this region of the bar nefore but it is a great spot. Brian thoughtfully dashed upstairs to get us some stools and I noticed that right against the otherside of the wall, sitting on the floor, was a wooden barrel with it's bunghole facing skyward.
After Brain returned with the chairs he told us he had placed some of his 'Old Prospector' Barleywine in the Oak Barrel about two months prior. He asked us if we wanted to try it. Well...you know the answer to that question and from the size of his grin I think Brian did too. He went and tweezed us all out a couple ounces through the bunghole (yes, I just love that overused by Bevis and Butthead term) and we had a go at it. The effect of the oak barrell in the aroma was underscored by the uber alcohol aroma that struck me as nearly Cognac in intensity. The smoothness was such that Terri was smitten with it despite her claim of typically not be the biggest of Barleywine fans. This is one huge beer. Brian likened it to sherry and considering the complexity of this beer I think if we sat around and drank anymore of it we'd continue to note any number of favorable attributes. I look forward to my next sample after it spending even more time in the barrel.
The greatness of the Bourbon barrel Barleywine sample gave way to a story from Brian that still makes my stomach ache this morning. A couple mornings ago Brian opened up the front door to discover the building awash with a huge hop aroma. At first he was pleased that the usual kitchen and food smells had been replaced by an even more friendly brewery smell until he soon discovered that the source of the aroma was the fact that he could hear a beer tap running and that the entire floor of the building was a few inches deep in liquid. And I hope you are sitting down for this one.......the liquid in question turned out to be his latest and freshed batch of IPA.
Apparently sometime during the night the overstocked pint glasses dirrectly behind the IPA handle toppled and somehow landed a direct hit opening the beer flow all...night...long.
Brian estimates that he lost more than 75% of the contents of the tank. The fullest tank in the building of course. Not the Plae Ale that was on it's last week, or the Stout that was hooked up to a 15.5 gallon keg...no....it had to be the new batch of IPA.
Fortunately we were able to sample some of the remaining IPA and yes of course Brian has done it again. What a great beer. I'd almost hoped it was an off batch or something just to ease the pain of the loss.
After bidding Brian goodbye we sampled a few more pints, shared a plate of spicy pub house fries for dinner, filled up the growler we brought and bought two more to take home.
Now it's time to go get a ride in before rooting for The Chargers to somehow beat New England.