I wanted to do an update on this beer because this bottle is so much different from the one I reviewed about a month ago. Even though it came from the same six pack, and went into the same glass...
This one poured the way it should. It didn't foam, and didn't have large floaties in it. Medium amount of reddishness, it looks like a straight amber, but has a good tan head that gets pillowy and fades slowly with good carbonation.
Smells like a solid, hoppy amber. Slight malt to it, but a crisp bitterness that comes from the hops. More of a raw grain smell than bread in the malt.
Good bitterness up front, slightly less body than an amber which is what I have come to see as the characteristic that sets reds apart from ambers. Yes, I know they're different colors too, but I'm talking about substantive issues. Part of having a little less body means having a little less follow through in the taste. The malt doesn't help it stick around for long, and it fades quickly to a zippy, slightly bitter aftertaste.
I like you Rahr and Sons Brewery, but so help me God if your consistency doesn't pick up I will quit you.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Brock Wagner on PBS
I know nobody reads this, but in case you do and they recycle today's episode of Profile With Greg Scheinman, you should give it a look.
If you try to DRV it, it's episode 8 and is incorrectly listed as featuring Patrick Henry.
If you try to DRV it, it's episode 8 and is incorrectly listed as featuring Patrick Henry.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Dundee Brewing Company's Porter
Alright, porter is a simple style that shouldn't bee too hard to make. Please be a good beer. Please.
Looks light as it pours, but in the glass is opaque enough. Nice tan head, but it gets a little fizzy for a porter as it dissipates.
Roasted grain smell, with a hint of vinous tannins that is right for the style, even if it is a little light.
Probably the best Dundee beer I've had, it tastes stronger than I expected after searching for the smells that should be there. Good and malty, with fairly strong roasted flavor and a nice tannin taste that should be there. It's not the most robust porter, but it's fairly solid and a nice surprise after the series of beers that were in this mixed twelve pack.
Looks light as it pours, but in the glass is opaque enough. Nice tan head, but it gets a little fizzy for a porter as it dissipates.
Roasted grain smell, with a hint of vinous tannins that is right for the style, even if it is a little light.
Probably the best Dundee beer I've had, it tastes stronger than I expected after searching for the smells that should be there. Good and malty, with fairly strong roasted flavor and a nice tannin taste that should be there. It's not the most robust porter, but it's fairly solid and a nice surprise after the series of beers that were in this mixed twelve pack.
Dundee Brewing Company's India Pale Ale
One of the last from my Dundee variety pack, and I'm hoping this one redeems the rest.
Pours a good amber color with a decent light tan head. Despite good carbonation, the head is gone pretty quickly, but stays at a sheet.
Smells very good. Solid sweet malt and grassy hops are fairly equal.
The bitterness hits you right up front, but then... nothing. It's very hollow in the taste, and the body is weaker than the malty smell would indicate. It fades quickly to taste like a more bitter Budweiser--and I mean that literally. It doesn't fade to a macro in general, this one tastes like a hoppy Bud.
I like Budweiser, but an IPA that finishes like one is just too weak.
Pours a good amber color with a decent light tan head. Despite good carbonation, the head is gone pretty quickly, but stays at a sheet.
Smells very good. Solid sweet malt and grassy hops are fairly equal.
The bitterness hits you right up front, but then... nothing. It's very hollow in the taste, and the body is weaker than the malty smell would indicate. It fades quickly to taste like a more bitter Budweiser--and I mean that literally. It doesn't fade to a macro in general, this one tastes like a hoppy Bud.
I like Budweiser, but an IPA that finishes like one is just too weak.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Great Divide Brewing Company's Saint Bridget's Porter
One of my favorite breweries. Not one of my favorite porters.
Pours fairly light. Opaque once in the glass, it pours almost like a schwarzbier or a doppel bock. A little too transparent for a porter, if you ask me. Reddish highlights straight through the glass, instead of at the edges. Decent tan head for a porter, it stays a little longer than most.
Grainy, slightly vinous smell.
Roasted grain taste, with more grain and more tannins. Tastes very good, but it has a lackluster body that a porter shouldn't have an is unbelievably weak out of this brewery.
With a bigger grain bill this could be a much better beer. Great taste, but dragged down by the feel.
Pours fairly light. Opaque once in the glass, it pours almost like a schwarzbier or a doppel bock. A little too transparent for a porter, if you ask me. Reddish highlights straight through the glass, instead of at the edges. Decent tan head for a porter, it stays a little longer than most.
Grainy, slightly vinous smell.
Roasted grain taste, with more grain and more tannins. Tastes very good, but it has a lackluster body that a porter shouldn't have an is unbelievably weak out of this brewery.
With a bigger grain bill this could be a much better beer. Great taste, but dragged down by the feel.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Diamond Bear Brewing Company's Paradise Porter
Alright, here goes with the fourth beer in what is probably the most disappointing BOTM club shipment since the one with three wits in it. It's a porter, so I'm hoping for the best. I don't get the baby blue and yellow label though. It's a porter, not bottled water. Well, I hope not, anyway.
Huh. Pours well. Opague and black with brown highlights, but not as opaque as a stout. Great tan to brown cascading head. That's a surprise. Decent carbonation that you can see up to about 1/4 inch into the glass.
Roasted and slightly sweet malt. I know it has no lactose in it, but it smells like that kind of sweetness.
Same roasted grain taste and a decent bitter pop. It's indistinct, with any particular characteristics drowned out by the roasted flavor. It still has that hint of sweetness too, and it still seems a bit like a milk stout.
Surprisingly good beer. I'll keep the other two of these, and give the six remaining beers from this run to someone else.
Huh. Pours well. Opague and black with brown highlights, but not as opaque as a stout. Great tan to brown cascading head. That's a surprise. Decent carbonation that you can see up to about 1/4 inch into the glass.
Roasted and slightly sweet malt. I know it has no lactose in it, but it smells like that kind of sweetness.
Same roasted grain taste and a decent bitter pop. It's indistinct, with any particular characteristics drowned out by the roasted flavor. It still has that hint of sweetness too, and it still seems a bit like a milk stout.
Surprisingly good beer. I'll keep the other two of these, and give the six remaining beers from this run to someone else.
Florida Beer Company's Hurricane Reef Pale Ale
We'll see if this one is better than their Golden, which I drank all of but was non-plussed by.
Pours nicely. Good yellowish amber in color with a nice small-celled light tan head that stays nicely enough with fairly strong carbonation.
Good sweet bready malt smell with a slight hint of raw grain. No real hops to speak of.
Like the golden, it's too zippy in the body because it's too carbonated. Decent hops grassiness that's appropriate for a pale. It would have more body if it didn't feel so much like a soft drink. And that's my only complaint. It's appropriately hoppy, but lacks and real substance because it feels like a bitter ginger ale going down.
Too bad. The taste is right on, but rarely is a beer dragged down so clearly by the carbonation.
Pours nicely. Good yellowish amber in color with a nice small-celled light tan head that stays nicely enough with fairly strong carbonation.
Good sweet bready malt smell with a slight hint of raw grain. No real hops to speak of.
Like the golden, it's too zippy in the body because it's too carbonated. Decent hops grassiness that's appropriate for a pale. It would have more body if it didn't feel so much like a soft drink. And that's my only complaint. It's appropriately hoppy, but lacks and real substance because it feels like a bitter ginger ale going down.
Too bad. The taste is right on, but rarely is a beer dragged down so clearly by the carbonation.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Diamond Bear Brewing Company's Presidential IPA
My first beer from Arkansas, and I'm guessing that it has something to do with Clinton since it's "presidential" and all. The American flag makes me want to send it back. I'm surprised there's not an eagle shedding a tear on there somewhere.
I'd rather hang up the flag and be done with it.
Pours a decent, coppery amber even if it does have a hollow neon clarity to it. Pretty good tan head that thins but never goes away.
Smells a bit musty. That's the first thought that came to mind. As the head dies the malt comes out and it smells like bread under a crisp floral smell.
Good pop to it. It's muddled a bit by what seems to be adjuncts, and for some reason it feels hugely carbonated and so it's a bit sharp in the feel. The bitterness is crisp though, and lingers well in the aftertaste. It mellows a bit and the taste clears up as it warms, and is much better after the carbonation dies down.
Pretty good beer from a no-name brewery. Too carbonated, but otherwise no real complaints.
I'd rather hang up the flag and be done with it.
Pours a decent, coppery amber even if it does have a hollow neon clarity to it. Pretty good tan head that thins but never goes away.
Smells a bit musty. That's the first thought that came to mind. As the head dies the malt comes out and it smells like bread under a crisp floral smell.
Good pop to it. It's muddled a bit by what seems to be adjuncts, and for some reason it feels hugely carbonated and so it's a bit sharp in the feel. The bitterness is crisp though, and lingers well in the aftertaste. It mellows a bit and the taste clears up as it warms, and is much better after the carbonation dies down.
Pretty good beer from a no-name brewery. Too carbonated, but otherwise no real complaints.
Florida Beer Company's Key West Golden Lager
Another questionable delivery from one of my beer of the month clubs. I'm less than impressed with the label, and chose this one before the IPA from the same brewery because I'm usually less than impressed with this style and I'm hoping that if it's not very good I can wash the taste out with their IPA. I find myself already hoping their IPA is good.
It's also my first beer from Florida, and I'm not sure of that's a good or a bad thing.
Decent head for any lager, especially one this light. It pours the standard clear, oily looking yellow that the style should have, and the large head sticks pretty well. I expected it to be much fizzier. Moderate to low carbonation.
Smells sickly-sweet, with a bit of cardboard bitterness that like a pilsner comes more from the grain than any degree of hops. Except unlike a good pilsner, these are adjunct grains. So far, it smells like a sweeter macro. Maybe it because there's more malt, we'll see.
Yep. Like a Euro Golden, it's sweet and cheap tasting. A European version of an American Macro. There's a bit more malt than a rice-fueled macro, but it's not right, except for the style. The style isn't right, so that's not truly redeeming.
It's not awful, it's just a weak style. I wouldn't drink it even in Florida by choice, and much prefer Budweiser except I'd rather support a smaller brewery. So, if in Florida, I'll probably pick Yeungling, which I can't get here.
It's also my first beer from Florida, and I'm not sure of that's a good or a bad thing.
Decent head for any lager, especially one this light. It pours the standard clear, oily looking yellow that the style should have, and the large head sticks pretty well. I expected it to be much fizzier. Moderate to low carbonation.
Smells sickly-sweet, with a bit of cardboard bitterness that like a pilsner comes more from the grain than any degree of hops. Except unlike a good pilsner, these are adjunct grains. So far, it smells like a sweeter macro. Maybe it because there's more malt, we'll see.
Yep. Like a Euro Golden, it's sweet and cheap tasting. A European version of an American Macro. There's a bit more malt than a rice-fueled macro, but it's not right, except for the style. The style isn't right, so that's not truly redeeming.
It's not awful, it's just a weak style. I wouldn't drink it even in Florida by choice, and much prefer Budweiser except I'd rather support a smaller brewery. So, if in Florida, I'll probably pick Yeungling, which I can't get here.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saint Arnold Brewing Company's Brown Ale
This one always looks like an amber to me. It pours a coppery amber with a light tan head that stays fairly well and moderate carbonation.
Smells like it should though. Bready and slightly nutty, it's straightforward and simple.
Light bodied but smooth, this is a very good beer for times when you want something bigger than a macro but not hoppy or heavy. Light to moderate bitterness that isn't really distinctive and doesn't weigh it down, with a good malt backbone that stays bready but also manages to stay light in feel.
For a long time this was my favorite Saint Arnold offering, but I think it now regularly rotates between this, the amber and the wheat, depending on which one I'm drinking at the time. Today, this one is it.
Smells like it should though. Bready and slightly nutty, it's straightforward and simple.
Light bodied but smooth, this is a very good beer for times when you want something bigger than a macro but not hoppy or heavy. Light to moderate bitterness that isn't really distinctive and doesn't weigh it down, with a good malt backbone that stays bready but also manages to stay light in feel.
For a long time this was my favorite Saint Arnold offering, but I think it now regularly rotates between this, the amber and the wheat, depending on which one I'm drinking at the time. Today, this one is it.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Spoetzel Brewery's Shiner Bock
Almost a shame to review such an every day beer, but way back in high school this was "different." As with most Texas teenagers, I'm sure, it was the first non-macro beer I ever had, and I swear like most who had it back then that it's different now.
Pours a deep coppery brown with a fizzy tan head that's the hallmark of a fairly light bodied lager.
Shiner smell. You have to smell it to know it. It's like smelling a cold, fresh loaf of bread with a slight zing that's not really hops, but just the way a Shiner (and many of its variants) smells.
Same solid, bready malt in the taste. It's a maltier, heavier (but only slightly) version of an American macro. I swear to all that is holy that it used to be bigger and have more of that Shiner zing to it. It was just... more.
Still, a gas station favorite for summer time, and something that should be around at all times.
Pours a deep coppery brown with a fizzy tan head that's the hallmark of a fairly light bodied lager.
Shiner smell. You have to smell it to know it. It's like smelling a cold, fresh loaf of bread with a slight zing that's not really hops, but just the way a Shiner (and many of its variants) smells.
Same solid, bready malt in the taste. It's a maltier, heavier (but only slightly) version of an American macro. I swear to all that is holy that it used to be bigger and have more of that Shiner zing to it. It was just... more.
Still, a gas station favorite for summer time, and something that should be around at all times.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
I'm tired of hit and miss beers, so I went for a twofer with a second Samuel Smith.
This one pours opaque and black, but not as thick or slow as their RIS. Amber highlights at the edges with a big tan head that looks like tan cotton.
Vinous smell like all Sam Smith stouts, but not as vinous as their porter. This one is more grainy than the rest though, and you can smell that the malt has oats in it.
Good, smooth body for a stout, aided by the oatmeal. Still a little vinous, but less than in the smell. Solid roasted malt with the bready oats still coming out fairly strong.
This is another beer that isn't in your face, isn't extreme, and isn't over the top in ABV. It's just a good, solid, representation of the style that I'll buy over and over again because it's just flat-out good. Sam Smith's does it right, and American brewers would do well to follow suit. No more pissing matches that make stouts that taste like a Starbucks with alcohol, just stouts that taste like stouts.
This one pours opaque and black, but not as thick or slow as their RIS. Amber highlights at the edges with a big tan head that looks like tan cotton.
Vinous smell like all Sam Smith stouts, but not as vinous as their porter. This one is more grainy than the rest though, and you can smell that the malt has oats in it.
Good, smooth body for a stout, aided by the oatmeal. Still a little vinous, but less than in the smell. Solid roasted malt with the bready oats still coming out fairly strong.
This is another beer that isn't in your face, isn't extreme, and isn't over the top in ABV. It's just a good, solid, representation of the style that I'll buy over and over again because it's just flat-out good. Sam Smith's does it right, and American brewers would do well to follow suit. No more pissing matches that make stouts that taste like a Starbucks with alcohol, just stouts that taste like stouts.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Samuel Smith's Russian Imperial Stout
When it comes to solid beers from a solid brewery, Sam Smith is damn near unbeatable. Some of my favorites like Great Divide, Anchor, and others are good, but none really have such an impressive line up of beers that are just the way they should be.
This one pours slow and black with a deep reddish-tan cascading head that stays.
Substantial bready smell. Not overly-roasted, or overly hoppy. It's not a beer that is intended to be in your face like many American RIS's, and that's OK for them because I like many of them. It's just solid. It doesn't have an enormous ABV, because it focuses on taste more than alcohol. I wish more "extreme" beers in the US took that stance.
Smooth body that goes down evenly and slowly, with a great roasted coffee flavor that's fairly vinous. There are a lot of similarities between this and their Taddy Porter, another of their solid beers. Moderate bitterness that is quickly covered by the vinous coffee flavor.
This was the first RIS I ever had, and I still judge all others by it. Great beer. I used to keep it around at all times, and have no idea why I got out of the habit.
This one pours slow and black with a deep reddish-tan cascading head that stays.
Substantial bready smell. Not overly-roasted, or overly hoppy. It's not a beer that is intended to be in your face like many American RIS's, and that's OK for them because I like many of them. It's just solid. It doesn't have an enormous ABV, because it focuses on taste more than alcohol. I wish more "extreme" beers in the US took that stance.
Smooth body that goes down evenly and slowly, with a great roasted coffee flavor that's fairly vinous. There are a lot of similarities between this and their Taddy Porter, another of their solid beers. Moderate bitterness that is quickly covered by the vinous coffee flavor.
This was the first RIS I ever had, and I still judge all others by it. Great beer. I used to keep it around at all times, and have no idea why I got out of the habit.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Lagunitas Brewing Company's Ruben And The Jets
I bought this because many seasonals and one-time offerings are better than the standards from a brewery, and although Lagunitas is decent, their seasonals are the best of their offerings, in my opinion.
And then, holy crap I had to look it up to see what style it was. The bottle was silent on the style, and I picked it because the next beer in my line up is a Sam Smith's RIS so I figured I'd start light, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. It pours a deep, clouded, opaque brown tinted toward black. It is virtually identical to how Dogfish Head's Palo Santo Maron pours (which is not a goddamn brown). So, imperial stout based on what I could find, which matches well with what I'm looking at. I just had no idea what to expect, so I had to make sure. Good tan head that stays, and decent carbonation based on what I can see at the edges. It has what looks to be the remnants of being wet-hopped, and as the carbonation dies down you can see the hops particulates just suspended. The heavier ones fall, but it's full of pieces from about 1/16th to 1/8th across. I don't think it's the yeast, because there's no residue at the bottom of the bottle. If you like crystal clear filtered beers, this one isn't for you.
Roasted grain seems to supply the apparent bitterness, with a shot of coffee and grain. Smells deep and slow.
Yep, it's an RIS, just a little more brown than usual. Big, slow, smooth body. The roasted grain is still hits first, followed closely by a solid bitterness and although it's a big beer and only 8.6% ABV, the alcohol stings a bit. That's a little less sophisticated than I'd expect for such a big beer, but nobody's perfect. A bit of raisin in the aftertaste, and although I hate raisins, this doesn't detract from it.
Very good beer. Glad I had it, and it was a pleasant surprise.
And then, holy crap I had to look it up to see what style it was. The bottle was silent on the style, and I picked it because the next beer in my line up is a Sam Smith's RIS so I figured I'd start light, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. It pours a deep, clouded, opaque brown tinted toward black. It is virtually identical to how Dogfish Head's Palo Santo Maron pours (which is not a goddamn brown). So, imperial stout based on what I could find, which matches well with what I'm looking at. I just had no idea what to expect, so I had to make sure. Good tan head that stays, and decent carbonation based on what I can see at the edges. It has what looks to be the remnants of being wet-hopped, and as the carbonation dies down you can see the hops particulates just suspended. The heavier ones fall, but it's full of pieces from about 1/16th to 1/8th across. I don't think it's the yeast, because there's no residue at the bottom of the bottle. If you like crystal clear filtered beers, this one isn't for you.
Roasted grain seems to supply the apparent bitterness, with a shot of coffee and grain. Smells deep and slow.
Yep, it's an RIS, just a little more brown than usual. Big, slow, smooth body. The roasted grain is still hits first, followed closely by a solid bitterness and although it's a big beer and only 8.6% ABV, the alcohol stings a bit. That's a little less sophisticated than I'd expect for such a big beer, but nobody's perfect. A bit of raisin in the aftertaste, and although I hate raisins, this doesn't detract from it.
Very good beer. Glad I had it, and it was a pleasant surprise.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Lagunitas Brewwing Company's Lucky 13 Mondo Large Red Ale
Well, I get the horseshoe on the label, but why isn't the chick a red head? It would make a better pin up, too.
Pours a beautiful coppery red with a small-celled light tan head that stays and has decent carbonation.
Strong hops for a red, which is a bit odd. Very grassy and crisp.
Big body. Combined with the hops this would be at least an IPA from many breweries. Sure, it's red, but it's bigger than a red should probably be.
It's a good beer, don't get me wrong, it's just not a red.
Pours a beautiful coppery red with a small-celled light tan head that stays and has decent carbonation.
Strong hops for a red, which is a bit odd. Very grassy and crisp.
Big body. Combined with the hops this would be at least an IPA from many breweries. Sure, it's red, but it's bigger than a red should probably be.
It's a good beer, don't get me wrong, it's just not a red.
Boston Brewing Company's Long Shot Cranberry Wit
Oh, man. Sweetheart, whoever you are, I am so sorry for what the artist did to your picture.
Other than that, this is the third in this year's Long Shot mixed pack. Hope it picks up.
Pours a hazy orangish yellow like a wit should, with a light tan head that is too big, telling me that it's probably throwing off a lot of the taste that should have stayed in the beer.
Smells like a maltier than normal wit. Slight yeasty but more bready that usual. No real cranberry smell to it, which may be a good thing because it is an indicator that they didn't go overboard in the fruit flavor, a mistake that most fruit beers make.
Well, it tastes more like a coors than anything. It has that hevaily adulturated malt flavor. The tartness of what may be the cranberry flavor seems to be what gives this beer the bitterness that it has. If it's from any degree of hops, it's way out of style for a wit. As it is, I guess it's not too bad because the tartness drowns out the plastic taste that most wits have.
Eh. Like most Sam Adams beers, it's just off. But that's OK with me in a wit, because it's just not my favorite style from the start. I felt compelled to try the Long Shot series, but I'm glad it's over until next year.
Other than that, this is the third in this year's Long Shot mixed pack. Hope it picks up.
Pours a hazy orangish yellow like a wit should, with a light tan head that is too big, telling me that it's probably throwing off a lot of the taste that should have stayed in the beer.
Smells like a maltier than normal wit. Slight yeasty but more bready that usual. No real cranberry smell to it, which may be a good thing because it is an indicator that they didn't go overboard in the fruit flavor, a mistake that most fruit beers make.
Well, it tastes more like a coors than anything. It has that hevaily adulturated malt flavor. The tartness of what may be the cranberry flavor seems to be what gives this beer the bitterness that it has. If it's from any degree of hops, it's way out of style for a wit. As it is, I guess it's not too bad because the tartness drowns out the plastic taste that most wits have.
Eh. Like most Sam Adams beers, it's just off. But that's OK with me in a wit, because it's just not my favorite style from the start. I felt compelled to try the Long Shot series, but I'm glad it's over until next year.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Otter Creek Brewing Company's Imperial India Pale Ale
I'm always suspicious of this style. Imperial IPA? Why not Barleywine? Is it just hoppier, but not maltier? We'll see.
Pours a deep, loosely filtered amber with a huge light tan head. It immediately throws off piney hops that you don't have to be anywhere near the glass to smell. So far so good.
An immediate bitterness hits across the back of the tongue, with a great body and smoothness due to the increased malt. Sweet, with a surprisingly clean finish.
Very good beer. Much improved over their RIS, so I have hope for this brewery. Other folks hype it up quite a bit, but until now I've been less than impressed. Hopefully they'll offer more of their beers in Houston in the future.
Pours a deep, loosely filtered amber with a huge light tan head. It immediately throws off piney hops that you don't have to be anywhere near the glass to smell. So far so good.
An immediate bitterness hits across the back of the tongue, with a great body and smoothness due to the increased malt. Sweet, with a surprisingly clean finish.
Very good beer. Much improved over their RIS, so I have hope for this brewery. Other folks hype it up quite a bit, but until now I've been less than impressed. Hopefully they'll offer more of their beers in Houston in the future.
Rogue Brewing Company's Somer Oramge Honey Ale
Not sure who Somer is, but I'm guessing the label doesn't do her justice. Looking forward to a wheat from Rogue though, even if it does have the other junk in it. Hopefully it won't be as heavy as the hazelnut in their Hazelnut Brown.
Pours an unfiltered dark yellow with a huge white head. Stays longer than any head on a wheat beer I've seen.
Smells like a wheat, with that musty smell malted wheat can have. Slight citrus zing to it, but it's not identifiable as orange right now, probably because it's muted by the honey.
I like it. Immediately zippy like a wheat should be, probably aided by the orange. Good smoothness to it as well, with a clean finish that isn't as dry as most beers with honey in them. No real bitterness to speak of, but a twang that hits right up front and quickly fades.
Good beer. Another one I hope they keep around, at least on a seasonal basis. They did the additions just right, and you aren't swamped by orange and honey like other breweries might have done.
Pours an unfiltered dark yellow with a huge white head. Stays longer than any head on a wheat beer I've seen.
Smells like a wheat, with that musty smell malted wheat can have. Slight citrus zing to it, but it's not identifiable as orange right now, probably because it's muted by the honey.
I like it. Immediately zippy like a wheat should be, probably aided by the orange. Good smoothness to it as well, with a clean finish that isn't as dry as most beers with honey in them. No real bitterness to speak of, but a twang that hits right up front and quickly fades.
Good beer. Another one I hope they keep around, at least on a seasonal basis. They did the additions just right, and you aren't swamped by orange and honey like other breweries might have done.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Rogue Brewing Company's Captain Sig's Northwestern Ale
Alright Captain Sig, save me from my Unibroue horror. Please, please, please be the first good beer I have today, even if you are a shameless marketing ploy. Glad they didn't pick one of the hillbilly captains from the show though.
Pours an unfiltered brown with red edges. Great tan head that develops large cells and stays. Great small as well. Hoppier than a straight pale, and more malty as well. Grassy hops come across as very clean.
This would be an IPA in any other bottle. Big body that matches the bitterness, which is still grassy and clean. Probably a little less malty than the IPA's with this level of hops though.
Like most of the Rogue offerings, this is a very good beer. Glad to see them roll out a new one, and I hope it stays.
Pours an unfiltered brown with red edges. Great tan head that develops large cells and stays. Great small as well. Hoppier than a straight pale, and more malty as well. Grassy hops come across as very clean.
This would be an IPA in any other bottle. Big body that matches the bitterness, which is still grassy and clean. Probably a little less malty than the IPA's with this level of hops though.
Like most of the Rogue offerings, this is a very good beer. Glad to see them roll out a new one, and I hope it stays.
Unibroue's Raftman
Alright, I saved what I hoped would be the best of the Unibroue variety pack for last. Let's see if they can screw up an amber.
Pours an unfiltered amber with a tan head. So far so good, although the head is probably too big.
Damnit. It has that Belgian yeast smell. Goddamnit. Smells more yeasty and like old fruit than malty and slightly hoppy, like an amber should.
I guess Unibroue doesn't understand that amber is a style, not just a color. Tastes like a weak trippel. With the same odd twangy aftertaste that the Noire had.
Lesson learned. No more Unibroue, ever.
Pours an unfiltered amber with a tan head. So far so good, although the head is probably too big.
Damnit. It has that Belgian yeast smell. Goddamnit. Smells more yeasty and like old fruit than malty and slightly hoppy, like an amber should.
I guess Unibroue doesn't understand that amber is a style, not just a color. Tastes like a weak trippel. With the same odd twangy aftertaste that the Noire had.
Lesson learned. No more Unibroue, ever.
Unibroue's Chambly Noire
A beer in honor of a French regiment? I hope it puts up a better fight than they do. Or at least isn't known for massacring a bunch of indians.
Head's too big. Yes, too big. Pours opaque black with amber edges and a big tan head that gets in the way. I pour into a glass that's twice as big as I need for a regular 12 oz. bottle, and I had to stop pouring. It fades, but it shouldn't have been that big from the start.
Smells decent, but I hope the head isn't throwing off all the flavor. Malty and a bit sweet, it smells like the schwarzbier I had yesterday but with that Belgian overly ripe fruit smell.
Yeah, it actually feels like a lager because of the over-carbonation, but tastes like a Belgian double. And as you know if you've read any of this blog, I'm not a Belgian fan. Nor am I a Unibroue fanboy. On top of that it has an odd twangy aftertaste that can't go away fast enough.
Glad it was a part of a mixed pack, so I didn't have to spend too much for it.
Head's too big. Yes, too big. Pours opaque black with amber edges and a big tan head that gets in the way. I pour into a glass that's twice as big as I need for a regular 12 oz. bottle, and I had to stop pouring. It fades, but it shouldn't have been that big from the start.
Smells decent, but I hope the head isn't throwing off all the flavor. Malty and a bit sweet, it smells like the schwarzbier I had yesterday but with that Belgian overly ripe fruit smell.
Yeah, it actually feels like a lager because of the over-carbonation, but tastes like a Belgian double. And as you know if you've read any of this blog, I'm not a Belgian fan. Nor am I a Unibroue fanboy. On top of that it has an odd twangy aftertaste that can't go away fast enough.
Glad it was a part of a mixed pack, so I didn't have to spend too much for it.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Ayinger's Ur-Weisse
Pours a cloudy and unfiltered deep orangish amber with an almost white head tat damn near cascades on a heavy pour. It gets rocky and sticks well.
Zippy smell. Almost like orange, but that ain't exactly in the purity law so it's a combination of the wheat malt and hops. It stays slightly citrusy and spicy as the head dies down.
Meh. I hate the funky, chemical, over-ripe smell that comes out as it warms and the head fades, and the taste is the same. Flat. Dull.
Damnit why can't Europeans do a straight-up wheat.
Zippy smell. Almost like orange, but that ain't exactly in the purity law so it's a combination of the wheat malt and hops. It stays slightly citrusy and spicy as the head dies down.
Meh. I hate the funky, chemical, over-ripe smell that comes out as it warms and the head fades, and the taste is the same. Flat. Dull.
Damnit why can't Europeans do a straight-up wheat.
Kostrizer Schwarzbier
Great cascading head, really unusual for a lager. It settles to a huge, pillowy light tan head and stays for ever.
Good malty smell. Not much deeper than most Euro lagers, since it's supposed to be light in body despite the color. The head throws off some heavily floral scents.
Smooth body, but still light. Light lager taste, but a little more bold than most. Similar to something else I've had, I'm trying to place it. Slightly sweet, clean finish.
This beer easily lays waste to beers like Shiner 100 and other American schwarzbiers I've had, and gives me hope that the style is something to keep on trying.
Good malty smell. Not much deeper than most Euro lagers, since it's supposed to be light in body despite the color. The head throws off some heavily floral scents.
Smooth body, but still light. Light lager taste, but a little more bold than most. Similar to something else I've had, I'm trying to place it. Slightly sweet, clean finish.
This beer easily lays waste to beers like Shiner 100 and other American schwarzbiers I've had, and gives me hope that the style is something to keep on trying.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dundee Brewing Company's Pale Bock
Alright, it says "Pale Bock Lager," but duh, bocks are lagers. What the heck though, it was another one of the Dundee mixed 12-pack so we'll see how it goes.
Sure enough, it pours pretty pale. It's a deep yellow with an orange tinge and a pretty good light tan head. The head and the moderately slow rise of the good carbonation seems to belie the odd clarity of this beer.
Smells fairly malty, and slightly sweet. No hops.
Eh. It's like a bock was mixed with a cheap Euro golden lager. Lighter in feel and taste than any bock should be, with more adjuncts than anything by the taste. Odd bitterness that shouldn't be there, and then it's gone except for the wet cardboard bitterness.
The pale doesn't excuse the lack of just about everything a bock should be.
Sure enough, it pours pretty pale. It's a deep yellow with an orange tinge and a pretty good light tan head. The head and the moderately slow rise of the good carbonation seems to belie the odd clarity of this beer.
Smells fairly malty, and slightly sweet. No hops.
Eh. It's like a bock was mixed with a cheap Euro golden lager. Lighter in feel and taste than any bock should be, with more adjuncts than anything by the taste. Odd bitterness that shouldn't be there, and then it's gone except for the wet cardboard bitterness.
The pale doesn't excuse the lack of just about everything a bock should be.
Dundee Brewing Company's Honey Brown
Another Dundee beer from a mixed 12-pack, a great way to try several beers without buying entire six packs. And so far, I've been pleasantly surprised by the beers from Dundee.
I'd expect a honey brown in a yellow label to be lighter than most browns, but not this much. It's a deep yellow-amber, and it's super clear. It has a crisp white head and strong carbonation as well, and so far looks nothing like a brown. It's a lager, but so is a bock, so it's not really an excuse for how light it is.
It has a crisp lager smell as well, like a heavier American macro than it should be.
Well, the brown sneaks out a bit in the taste, but barely. Still has the lager taste more than anything, and the honey isn't drying like in most beers but instead is probably what softens the lager feel a bit. A low bitterness fades quickly and everything but the honey is quickly gone.
Not bad, and kind of a decent beer. I'm just not real sure about brown lagers.
I'd expect a honey brown in a yellow label to be lighter than most browns, but not this much. It's a deep yellow-amber, and it's super clear. It has a crisp white head and strong carbonation as well, and so far looks nothing like a brown. It's a lager, but so is a bock, so it's not really an excuse for how light it is.
It has a crisp lager smell as well, like a heavier American macro than it should be.
Well, the brown sneaks out a bit in the taste, but barely. Still has the lager taste more than anything, and the honey isn't drying like in most beers but instead is probably what softens the lager feel a bit. A low bitterness fades quickly and everything but the honey is quickly gone.
Not bad, and kind of a decent beer. I'm just not real sure about brown lagers.
Spoetzel Brewery's Shiner Blonde
I've had a couple of these over the years, but largely don't remember much about it so I was glad to see it in the family pack.
It pours a clear, light yellow with a crisp white head and good carbonation. Smells more like a lighter pilsner than a blonde, since it has that slight funk to it. I envision a blonde as a light lager with fairly muted characteristics. Malty, but not distinctive in any serious category. This is closer to a pils.
Yep. Taste is very close to a pilsner. A German maltier one, I think. If not for having read the label, I would have put it in that category in a blind test. Good, crisp, and zippy, it has low bitterness and the pilsner taste that really shouldn't be in any other style. It fades to a malty bitterness when the light and sweet malt fades to what seems more like a grainy bitterness than a hoppy one. It doesn't have the Shiner taste that many of their variants have, which is a good thing.
I like it. But it's a pilsner.
It pours a clear, light yellow with a crisp white head and good carbonation. Smells more like a lighter pilsner than a blonde, since it has that slight funk to it. I envision a blonde as a light lager with fairly muted characteristics. Malty, but not distinctive in any serious category. This is closer to a pils.
Yep. Taste is very close to a pilsner. A German maltier one, I think. If not for having read the label, I would have put it in that category in a blind test. Good, crisp, and zippy, it has low bitterness and the pilsner taste that really shouldn't be in any other style. It fades to a malty bitterness when the light and sweet malt fades to what seems more like a grainy bitterness than a hoppy one. It doesn't have the Shiner taste that many of their variants have, which is a good thing.
I like it. But it's a pilsner.
Spoetzel Brewery's Shiner Blonde
I've had a couple of these over the years, but largely don't remember much about it so I was glad to see it in the family pack along with Kosmos Reserve.
It pours a clear, light yellow with a crisp white head and good carbonation. Smells more like a lighter pilsner than a blonde, since it has that slight funk to it. I envision a blonde as a light lager with fairly muted characteristics. Malty, but not distinctive in any serious category. This is closer to a pils.
Yep. Taste is very close to a pilsner. A German maltier one, I think. If not for having read the label, I would have put it in that category in a blind test. Good, crisp, and zippy, it has low bitterness and the pilsner taste that really shouldn't be in any other style. It fades to a malty bitterness when the light and sweet malt fades to what seems more like a grainy bitterness than a hoppy one. It doesn't have the Shiner taste that many of their variants have, which is a good thing.
I like it. But it's a pilsner.
It pours a clear, light yellow with a crisp white head and good carbonation. Smells more like a lighter pilsner than a blonde, since it has that slight funk to it. I envision a blonde as a light lager with fairly muted characteristics. Malty, but not distinctive in any serious category. This is closer to a pils.
Yep. Taste is very close to a pilsner. A German maltier one, I think. If not for having read the label, I would have put it in that category in a blind test. Good, crisp, and zippy, it has low bitterness and the pilsner taste that really shouldn't be in any other style. It fades to a malty bitterness when the light and sweet malt fades to what seems more like a grainy bitterness than a hoppy one. It doesn't have the Shiner taste that many of their variants have, which is a good thing.
I like it. But it's a pilsner.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Brew Dog Brewery's Paradox Whisky Cask Aged Stout
I am incapable of learning. I buy every new beer that comes across my face, but always regret buying the various types that I don't like very much. Still, I feel compelled.
In this case it's another oak aged stout. And true to form it pours well, but I already can't stand the smell. It's an opaque black with brown highlights and a decent tan head. Smells like whisky (no 'e') though, not beer. Smells smoother than some American variants though, so maybe Scottish whisky really is better than American whiskey. I know a few Scots who proclaim this, but I hope they're not readers. (Of course they're not.)
You know, the more you smell it the smoother and more complex than American beers it becomes. It's fairly obvious, in fact. Also unlike many of the brash American versions, the malt retains some of its characteristics and there's a good roasted malt flavor that comes out a few seconds after each sip. The whisky hits first, of course, but it fades to the roasted flavor, which lingers a bit and then it finished pretty clean for an oak aged stout.
I won't buy it again, but if I was asked to name my favorite oak aged beer, this would be it. Right after Oak Aged Yeti. Suck it, Scots.
In this case it's another oak aged stout. And true to form it pours well, but I already can't stand the smell. It's an opaque black with brown highlights and a decent tan head. Smells like whisky (no 'e') though, not beer. Smells smoother than some American variants though, so maybe Scottish whisky really is better than American whiskey. I know a few Scots who proclaim this, but I hope they're not readers. (Of course they're not.)
You know, the more you smell it the smoother and more complex than American beers it becomes. It's fairly obvious, in fact. Also unlike many of the brash American versions, the malt retains some of its characteristics and there's a good roasted malt flavor that comes out a few seconds after each sip. The whisky hits first, of course, but it fades to the roasted flavor, which lingers a bit and then it finished pretty clean for an oak aged stout.
I won't buy it again, but if I was asked to name my favorite oak aged beer, this would be it. Right after Oak Aged Yeti. Suck it, Scots.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
A Note About Southern Star Brewery
Alright, I know I've been a little rough on Southern Star. I'm not too wild about Pine Belt (never was, but I liked their first batch better than any subsequent batch, no matter how much they claim there's no difference), and the blonde isn't my style. I have yet to try any other offering, and I'm hoping for the best.
But regardless of any of that, I wanted to point out to the one other person who may ever read this that they're a damn good group of folks.
This weekend they participated in a charity softball tournament for a five year old girl with an inoperable brain tumor. I don't know anything about the girl, but decided to play when the e-mail came across. The owners were there, as well as the usual suspects for the brewery, a couple of their chicks, some dude and his teenage son, and one or two other folks.
They suck ass at softball, but had a good time for a good cause and seemed to be a good group of people. You should make an effort to support them, and I know I will buy more of their beer as well.
But regardless of any of that, I wanted to point out to the one other person who may ever read this that they're a damn good group of folks.
This weekend they participated in a charity softball tournament for a five year old girl with an inoperable brain tumor. I don't know anything about the girl, but decided to play when the e-mail came across. The owners were there, as well as the usual suspects for the brewery, a couple of their chicks, some dude and his teenage son, and one or two other folks.
They suck ass at softball, but had a good time for a good cause and seemed to be a good group of people. You should make an effort to support them, and I know I will buy more of their beer as well.
Flying Dog Brewery's Kerberog Tripel
A Belgian tripel by Flying Dog. I'm expecting this to be a perfect storm of meh. You know I don't like Belgians too much, but I'm not sure if I've mentioned my lack of respect for Flying Dog, since I tried their beers before I began this blog but haven't had once since. That should tell you something, I guess. It was the Steadman art that got me to bite (pardon the pun), but it wasn't enough to keep me around. This came in one of my beer of the month club packages, so although I'm not wild about the brewery I have to admit I've never seen it and I'm glad to have a shot at it.
Pours deep yellow with a huge pillowy tan head, with good carbonation that's some of the slowest I've ever seen in a beer. The slow rise of the bubbles belies the clarity of this beer, and indicates that it may actually have some body despite what looks like more filtration than I've ever seen in a tripel.
Huh. Good, malty smell. Not the usual plastic or chemical smell that I'm used to in a tripel. It's malty, a bit floral. Difficult to tell if the floral smell comes from any amoutn of hops, or if it's a byproduct of the higher than average malt. Looks and smells like a heavier, maltier, golden ale.
It has an odd, hollow, cardboard bitterness that I notice more than anything right up front, which makes it taste like a stronger golden ale. Like adjuncts. Cheap. It fades quickly to an alcohol bite, and all of that malt disappears quickly. The bitter harshness just isn't right for the type.
I get three of each type of beer with my BOTM package from this club, and I will definitely be giving the other two of these away.
Pours deep yellow with a huge pillowy tan head, with good carbonation that's some of the slowest I've ever seen in a beer. The slow rise of the bubbles belies the clarity of this beer, and indicates that it may actually have some body despite what looks like more filtration than I've ever seen in a tripel.
Huh. Good, malty smell. Not the usual plastic or chemical smell that I'm used to in a tripel. It's malty, a bit floral. Difficult to tell if the floral smell comes from any amoutn of hops, or if it's a byproduct of the higher than average malt. Looks and smells like a heavier, maltier, golden ale.
It has an odd, hollow, cardboard bitterness that I notice more than anything right up front, which makes it taste like a stronger golden ale. Like adjuncts. Cheap. It fades quickly to an alcohol bite, and all of that malt disappears quickly. The bitter harshness just isn't right for the type.
I get three of each type of beer with my BOTM package from this club, and I will definitely be giving the other two of these away.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Avery Brewing Company's Mephistopheles Stout
Well, the Avery Fanboys (a group to which I do not belong), talk this beer up big time. We'll see, I hope it's as good as they say it is.
Someone over at Avery has religion issues. But if they were going to name this one something with their constant, if trying, religious theme, this would be a good one. The art is cheesy, the description dumb, but it looks great coming out of the bottle. This is Batch 4, brewed in Nov. 2008, and it has to be an RIS the way it pours. Black. Huge, cascading deep brown head that settles to a deep tan. A great start.
Great, raw, grainy smell. Not bready, more basic than that. I mean that in a good way. A hint of hops bitterness, maybe, but mostly just grainy. One of the best smelling stouts out there.
Heavily smooth body. Almost like milk. Not as in a milk stout, but in feel alone. The alcohol comes out for the first time, since it was almost completely masked in the smell. Hard to believe it's 15.92% ABV, it doesn't feel like it although there is a little alcohol bite. Still has the solid grain taste, but much more roasted in the taste than the smell.
This would be a phenomenal beer. Would be. If not for the high alcohol content. Not only does it mute the malt, but it plays with it in an odd way. Muddles it. As the beer warms it becomes much more scotch-like, like many oak aged beers, and I hate that. The alcohol muddles the flavor and quite honestly, ruins it after a while. And on top of everything else, you can't enjoy too many beers at this high ABV, whereas you could have several beers with just as much flavor with a reasonable ABV.
Another beer that presents itself as an extreme beer, but would be much better if it wasn't.
You're on the right track guys, just stop the pissing match and make a good beer.
Someone over at Avery has religion issues. But if they were going to name this one something with their constant, if trying, religious theme, this would be a good one. The art is cheesy, the description dumb, but it looks great coming out of the bottle. This is Batch 4, brewed in Nov. 2008, and it has to be an RIS the way it pours. Black. Huge, cascading deep brown head that settles to a deep tan. A great start.
Great, raw, grainy smell. Not bready, more basic than that. I mean that in a good way. A hint of hops bitterness, maybe, but mostly just grainy. One of the best smelling stouts out there.
Heavily smooth body. Almost like milk. Not as in a milk stout, but in feel alone. The alcohol comes out for the first time, since it was almost completely masked in the smell. Hard to believe it's 15.92% ABV, it doesn't feel like it although there is a little alcohol bite. Still has the solid grain taste, but much more roasted in the taste than the smell.
This would be a phenomenal beer. Would be. If not for the high alcohol content. Not only does it mute the malt, but it plays with it in an odd way. Muddles it. As the beer warms it becomes much more scotch-like, like many oak aged beers, and I hate that. The alcohol muddles the flavor and quite honestly, ruins it after a while. And on top of everything else, you can't enjoy too many beers at this high ABV, whereas you could have several beers with just as much flavor with a reasonable ABV.
Another beer that presents itself as an extreme beer, but would be much better if it wasn't.
You're on the right track guys, just stop the pissing match and make a good beer.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau's Oktoberfest
Kinda old, I guess, to be had in August, but let's see how it does anyway.
Pours a clear copper with strong carbonation and a small-celled tan head that stays. Looks almost like a bock, but a bit shy of it.
Smells malty, and a bit spicy. Very slightly peppery. Almost a bit of pilsner in it.
Tastes follows the smell closely, but more of the pils funk than before. Very clean, yet lots of malt. Light hops, almost like the bitterness comes from the malt more than anything.
Good beer. Probably my favorite Spaten.
Pours a clear copper with strong carbonation and a small-celled tan head that stays. Looks almost like a bock, but a bit shy of it.
Smells malty, and a bit spicy. Very slightly peppery. Almost a bit of pilsner in it.
Tastes follows the smell closely, but more of the pils funk than before. Very clean, yet lots of malt. Light hops, almost like the bitterness comes from the malt more than anything.
Good beer. Probably my favorite Spaten.
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