In searching my past beers, I see I've already had one from the Philippines, which surprises the hell out of me.
This one pours a very clear yellow with a pretty nice white head. I'm going to call it a pilsner already, because the head is throwing off that pilsner funk. Seems kind of sweet, so I'm going with German.
No, it's too crisp for a German. So I'm switching to Czech. It's not as crisp as a Czechvar or something similar, but it's not nearly malty enough for a German. If not for a fairly strong adjunct grain harshness, it would be a very nice beer. As it is, it's just middle of the road. Better than an American macro, but that's not saying too much.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Diamond Bear Brewing Company's Paradise Porter
Pours an opaque blackish brown. Nice tan head to it. Smells great, but a bit more like a stout than a porter at first, but it does have a few tannins in there if you really try.
Still more of a stout in the taste, and feels a bit like a milk stout. Only in the aftertaste does it taste like a porter. Until then, it seems like a standard stout. A good one, but not really a porter. More heavily carbonated than I like porters to be, too.
Maybe it's because I've had this one sitting around for a while, but it seems just a bit off style.
Still more of a stout in the taste, and feels a bit like a milk stout. Only in the aftertaste does it taste like a porter. Until then, it seems like a standard stout. A good one, but not really a porter. More heavily carbonated than I like porters to be, too.
Maybe it's because I've had this one sitting around for a while, but it seems just a bit off style.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Snake River Brewing Company's Pale Ale
I remember liking this brewery, but I don't remember why. I can't remember where I got this beer or how long ago, but I'm hoping it has held up over however long.
Pours an unfiltered deep amber with a nice light tan head. Holy Hell, I've heard and even described some beers as being floral, but this one is nuts. The head throws off a huge lavender smell. It had me wondering if there was some dish soap in the glass, but I've just been rinsing it out after every use. So it has to be coming from the beer, and I mean it is big. It smells like I'm about to drink a girl with too much perfume. I don't mind that, though. Been a while...
Odd. Smell is so attached to taste, and this smell is so big, that you can't drink this beer without smelling it and that smell is still overpowering. It has fairly strong carbonation and because the taste is so weak compared to the smell, it sort of comes across as a bland soda. Empty.
Disappointing beer, although interesting because of that smell.
Disappointing beer. Interesting though, because of that smell.
Pours an unfiltered deep amber with a nice light tan head. Holy Hell, I've heard and even described some beers as being floral, but this one is nuts. The head throws off a huge lavender smell. It had me wondering if there was some dish soap in the glass, but I've just been rinsing it out after every use. So it has to be coming from the beer, and I mean it is big. It smells like I'm about to drink a girl with too much perfume. I don't mind that, though. Been a while...
Odd. Smell is so attached to taste, and this smell is so big, that you can't drink this beer without smelling it and that smell is still overpowering. It has fairly strong carbonation and because the taste is so weak compared to the smell, it sort of comes across as a bland soda. Empty.
Disappointing beer, although interesting because of that smell.
Disappointing beer. Interesting though, because of that smell.
Sweet Water Brewing Company's IPA
Pours a nice amber, with a decent sized light tan head. Both good, grassy hops and a nice sweet malt. Well balanced and promising so far.
I don;t want to say it's light in the body. It's more that it's more crisp than many IPA's, and it's nice and drinkable. It has a nice bitterness to it that comes out more than the malt, which is surprising based on the smell. Still, if it was weaker in taste I would have hammered it for the lighter than usual feel. But instead, it's an all around nice, even if light, IPA.
I don;t want to say it's light in the body. It's more that it's more crisp than many IPA's, and it's nice and drinkable. It has a nice bitterness to it that comes out more than the malt, which is surprising based on the smell. Still, if it was weaker in taste I would have hammered it for the lighter than usual feel. But instead, it's an all around nice, even if light, IPA.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Primo Brewing and Malting Company's Bombucha
Not so sure about Hawaiian beers.
This one pours a medium amber, but has a great light tan head. Man, the head throws off a great crisp pilsner smell. And I mean, huge. It's crisp and not very sweet, so it must be more of a Czech than a German.
Very nice. Spot on for a Czech, and a very light and drinkable beer. Every time I run across one of these I'm reminded that you don't have to be one of those asshats at Stone or Victory to make great beers. And although this is an unlikely one, it's still very good.
This one pours a medium amber, but has a great light tan head. Man, the head throws off a great crisp pilsner smell. And I mean, huge. It's crisp and not very sweet, so it must be more of a Czech than a German.
Very nice. Spot on for a Czech, and a very light and drinkable beer. Every time I run across one of these I'm reminded that you don't have to be one of those asshats at Stone or Victory to make great beers. And although this is an unlikely one, it's still very good.
Blue Moon Brewing Company's Full Moon Winter Ale
An abbey ale... brewed with Belgian sugar... by a macro brewer. What the Hell, I like Budweiser, we'll see if this is any good.
Pours a nice, fairly opaque amber with a very nice head--although I poured it fast, so we'll see if there's any taste left once the head is gone. Blue Moon Brewing Company's Full Moon Winter. Pretty nice smell to it. Fairly malty and slightly peppery, like a winter (warmer?) ale should be.
Meh. Very weak in the feel compared to the appearance. Empty cardboard bitterness that fades almost immediately and leaves you with a feeling like you're missing something. Or maybe that something has even been taken from you. Or like you've been fondled by a stranger, or something.
If it was a movie, I'd want my two hours back. Instead, I'm just going to pour it out and be glad I didn't have to buy more than one of them, and them I'm going to go take a shower. Although I don't know if I'll ever feel clean again.
Pours a nice, fairly opaque amber with a very nice head--although I poured it fast, so we'll see if there's any taste left once the head is gone. Blue Moon Brewing Company's Full Moon Winter. Pretty nice smell to it. Fairly malty and slightly peppery, like a winter (warmer?) ale should be.
Meh. Very weak in the feel compared to the appearance. Empty cardboard bitterness that fades almost immediately and leaves you with a feeling like you're missing something. Or maybe that something has even been taken from you. Or like you've been fondled by a stranger, or something.
If it was a movie, I'd want my two hours back. Instead, I'm just going to pour it out and be glad I didn't have to buy more than one of them, and them I'm going to go take a shower. Although I don't know if I'll ever feel clean again.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Live Oak Brewing Company's Primus Weizenbock
Had to google this to make sure the bartender gave me the correct style, and she was off by a touch. She said it was an eisbock, which probably would have made it a bit stronger. No big deal, and the only thing I''m a little pissed about is the "banana and cloves" description on the website. That is the faggiest beer description ever, and I hate it every time I see it.
Pours a loosely or even unfiltered brownish red, with a nice dark-ish tan head. Nice bready smell with floral hops.
It's a bit yeasty, which is where they get their banana and cloves BS. Seems almost more like a Belgian strong ale than a weisbock, because it has more body and is much smoother in the feel than any type of bock. It has the Belgian flavors in the yeast that I mostly don't like, but Live Oak makes easy to drink by making it subordinate to the malt.
Very nice beer. One of the few that I like that is this yeasty.
Pours a loosely or even unfiltered brownish red, with a nice dark-ish tan head. Nice bready smell with floral hops.
It's a bit yeasty, which is where they get their banana and cloves BS. Seems almost more like a Belgian strong ale than a weisbock, because it has more body and is much smoother in the feel than any type of bock. It has the Belgian flavors in the yeast that I mostly don't like, but Live Oak makes easy to drink by making it subordinate to the malt.
Very nice beer. One of the few that I like that is this yeasty.
Descheutes Brewery's Jubelale Winter Ale
This is another one I had out of the bottle.
Nice slightly peppery zip in addition to a fair amount of bitterness in the smell. The way a warmer should be. It has a bit of an alcohol smell, but it's minor.
Tastes about the same. Not as much alcohol, but it's still there. Right on type for a warmer, but nothing terribly spectacular.
Nice slightly peppery zip in addition to a fair amount of bitterness in the smell. The way a warmer should be. It has a bit of an alcohol smell, but it's minor.
Tastes about the same. Not as much alcohol, but it's still there. Right on type for a warmer, but nothing terribly spectacular.
Harpoon Brewery's Leviathan Barleywine
Had this one out of the bottle, so I'm fairly clueless as to the appearance.
It has a solid, sweet, bready malt-forward smell. Big and smooth in the feel, with a good grassy bitter kick to it, but still feels maltier than most barleywines. Glad to see it, too. Most breweries think they have to hop the style up beyond recognition, so a maltier version is a good find.
It has a solid, sweet, bready malt-forward smell. Big and smooth in the feel, with a good grassy bitter kick to it, but still feels maltier than most barleywines. Glad to see it, too. Most breweries think they have to hop the style up beyond recognition, so a maltier version is a good find.
Rogue Brewing Company's XS Imperial Red
I seriously hate the little bottle.
Pours a fairly deep, loosely filtered reddish brown with a nice tan head. Big, bready smell.
Pretty good punch to it, about like an imperial pale should be, although it has a pretty harsh bitter aftertaste. I don't know, seems kind of meh overall, although that may be because it's a pretty bland style to take imperial. It should be closer to an IPA, but it just, isn't.
Pours a fairly deep, loosely filtered reddish brown with a nice tan head. Big, bready smell.
Pretty good punch to it, about like an imperial pale should be, although it has a pretty harsh bitter aftertaste. I don't know, seems kind of meh overall, although that may be because it's a pretty bland style to take imperial. It should be closer to an IPA, but it just, isn't.
Lake Superior Brewing Company's Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout
I don't even remember where or when I got this. Which may not be a good sign, but we'll see.
Pours an opaque black that is amber to clear at the edges. Looks a little light in the body. Very small tan head that is pretty small for a stout, much less one with oatmeal. Nice smell to it though. Lots of tannins, like a porter, and some very subtle coffee, but mostly alcohol.
Smooth, like an oatmeal stout should be, but still a lot of alcohol. And that's weird, for a standard stout. It diminishes fairly quickly though, and gives way to a nice roasted coffee flavor.
Good beer that I bet is really good on tap. The alcohol bite bothers me, but I'm chalking it up tot he age of the beer, which is my fault. I need to drink more.
Pours an opaque black that is amber to clear at the edges. Looks a little light in the body. Very small tan head that is pretty small for a stout, much less one with oatmeal. Nice smell to it though. Lots of tannins, like a porter, and some very subtle coffee, but mostly alcohol.
Smooth, like an oatmeal stout should be, but still a lot of alcohol. And that's weird, for a standard stout. It diminishes fairly quickly though, and gives way to a nice roasted coffee flavor.
Good beer that I bet is really good on tap. The alcohol bite bothers me, but I'm chalking it up tot he age of the beer, which is my fault. I need to drink more.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Dogfish head's Burton Baton
A blend of Old Ale and Imperial IPA? Where in the Hell did they decide to come up with that? I could have sworn I had this before, but maybe I swore off Dogfish before it became widely available in Texas. Didn't know it was an IPA, at least in part, or I might not have ignored it. Then again, who knows what it will actually be, based on their penchant for mislabeling styles.
Pours a loosely filtered deep reddish amber with a nice tan head. Sweet and floral, like a decent IPA should smell--I guess the Old Ale tones it down a bit from the Imperial IPA. The 10% ABV comes out in the smell the more it warms. And in the taste. Otherwise it has a decent feel to it, with plenty of malt that translates into the taste well. It has a fair amount of hops as well, but it's well-balanced and well thought out. Probably the best Dogfish beer I've had.
Pours a loosely filtered deep reddish amber with a nice tan head. Sweet and floral, like a decent IPA should smell--I guess the Old Ale tones it down a bit from the Imperial IPA. The 10% ABV comes out in the smell the more it warms. And in the taste. Otherwise it has a decent feel to it, with plenty of malt that translates into the taste well. It has a fair amount of hops as well, but it's well-balanced and well thought out. Probably the best Dogfish beer I've had.
Descheutes Brewery's The Abyss 2010 Reserve
Alright--brewer's licorice (is there such a thing?), black strap molasses, cherry bark and vanilla beans aged in oak barrels has all the hallmarks of trying too hard. But I've liked everything this brewery has ever done, so I'm keeping an open mind.
Pours an inky brownish black with a solid dark tan head. Smells deep and grainy, with oak.
Good body, although I expected bigger. Maybe it's all the hype. Very good beer though. The oak is there, but I like that only a third of it is aged in oak because it keeps it in check. The licorice is there, and the molasses in the aftertaste. 11% ABV? Not a hint of that. Very well hidden, which is something a lot more beers need to do. Says best after 11/15/11, so I'll have to go get some more and hold it for a while.
Pours an inky brownish black with a solid dark tan head. Smells deep and grainy, with oak.
Good body, although I expected bigger. Maybe it's all the hype. Very good beer though. The oak is there, but I like that only a third of it is aged in oak because it keeps it in check. The licorice is there, and the molasses in the aftertaste. 11% ABV? Not a hint of that. Very well hidden, which is something a lot more beers need to do. Says best after 11/15/11, so I'll have to go get some more and hold it for a while.
Magic Hat Brewing Company's Roxie Rollie's Autumn Seasonal
Pours a deep brown with a big tan head. Smells sort of spicy. There are some grassy hops in there, but more peppery than hoppy.
Says it's an amber. Weird, although in the light it is more like a deep amber than a brown. Nice amber taste to it though. The hops and spice trade places in the taste. Nice enough winter warmer.
Says it's an amber. Weird, although in the light it is more like a deep amber than a brown. Nice amber taste to it though. The hops and spice trade places in the taste. Nice enough winter warmer.
Snake River Brewing Company's Zonker Stout
I've had this beer for at least a year and a half, which has to be past its date. I'm betting it's big enough to age well though.
Pours an inky brownish black with a nice dark tan head. No sign of aging poorly there. Still smells pretty grainy and robust, too.
Feels a little light compared to the appearance and smell though. It still has plenty of taste, and it hasn't lost any zip because it still has a fair amount of carbonation for a stout, but it just tastes lighter than everything else would indicate. It's a good straight up stout, that looks like a much heavier beer.
Pours an inky brownish black with a nice dark tan head. No sign of aging poorly there. Still smells pretty grainy and robust, too.
Feels a little light compared to the appearance and smell though. It still has plenty of taste, and it hasn't lost any zip because it still has a fair amount of carbonation for a stout, but it just tastes lighter than everything else would indicate. It's a good straight up stout, that looks like a much heavier beer.
Descheuts 2010 Jubel Once A Decade Ale
Belgian Strong Ale? Quad? I was expecting an imperial stout or some such, but it pours too fast and is too light. Nice, rich brown with a huge tan head.
Very floral and slightly grassy. I'm putting it as a strong ale. None of the Belgian yeast tastes. Just Googled it and it says winter seasonal, but that's so broad that it could be anything. It's got some spice to it, so that's on type, but the 10% ABV makes it a bigger beer than your standard warmer. The alcohol is well hidden though, and is relatively light in the taste until it warms a bit. The body is a bit light for most strong ales, but the style is as broad as winter seasonal so that's where I'll keep it. Good beer. Wish it had a bit more malt, but all in all it's very good.
Very floral and slightly grassy. I'm putting it as a strong ale. None of the Belgian yeast tastes. Just Googled it and it says winter seasonal, but that's so broad that it could be anything. It's got some spice to it, so that's on type, but the 10% ABV makes it a bigger beer than your standard warmer. The alcohol is well hidden though, and is relatively light in the taste until it warms a bit. The body is a bit light for most strong ales, but the style is as broad as winter seasonal so that's where I'll keep it. Good beer. Wish it had a bit more malt, but all in all it's very good.
Rogue Brewing Company's Juniper Pale Ale
If you can't tell, I'm dumping a ton of beers I've kept notes on into the blog, so I can track what I've had better. Most Rogue beers would deserve a more detailed post, but unfortunately this one doesn't so I don't feel too bad including it in the dump.
Pours a cloudy yellow, with a fizzy almost white head.
It has a slightly malty sweet smell, with indistinct hops. Tastes about the same, and unfortunately there's not a whole lot to say about a middle of the road pale. Light body, just a tad too sweet.
Pours a cloudy yellow, with a fizzy almost white head.
It has a slightly malty sweet smell, with indistinct hops. Tastes about the same, and unfortunately there's not a whole lot to say about a middle of the road pale. Light body, just a tad too sweet.
Brew Dog Brewery's Toklo
Brew Dog Toklo? I think thtat's what the label says. I hate this brewery though. Stout with cranberries and jasmine? Dumb. 18.2% ABV? Even dumber.
Pours like a standard stout--not as opaque as an RIS. Nice head though. Can't smell much but alcohol. Amateurish. Slight roasted grain smell, but not much. Tastes awful. Like rubbing alcohol with some grain in it. Too bad too, because the aftertaste is pretty nice. Like it would have been a good beer if they hadn't used champagne yeast or whatever it was that got them such a high ABV. Idiots.
Pours like a standard stout--not as opaque as an RIS. Nice head though. Can't smell much but alcohol. Amateurish. Slight roasted grain smell, but not much. Tastes awful. Like rubbing alcohol with some grain in it. Too bad too, because the aftertaste is pretty nice. Like it would have been a good beer if they hadn't used champagne yeast or whatever it was that got them such a high ABV. Idiots.
Bell's Brewery's Java Stout
Pours a deep black, with a great deep brown head. Fair amount of roasted coffee and grain in the smell. I'm hoping it's as good as Founder's Breakfast Stout, and so far it's headed that way.
Pretty nice. Strong roasted grain in the taste, with a good coffee aftertaste. Smooth, almost like a milk stout, but not quite. Wish it had a bit more carbonation, but other than that this is a pretty fantastic beer. Almost got to Founder's, but that one is hard to beat.
Pretty nice. Strong roasted grain in the taste, with a good coffee aftertaste. Smooth, almost like a milk stout, but not quite. Wish it had a bit more carbonation, but other than that this is a pretty fantastic beer. Almost got to Founder's, but that one is hard to beat.
Bell's Brewery's Special Double Cream Stout
Pours a blackish brown, with a dark tan head. Roasted grain smell, but with the edge taken off of it.
You can definitely feel the lactose, but you can't really taste it. And I like that better than those that throw the sweetness at you with no improvement in the body (I'm looking at you, Left Hand). Very nice beer. It has the feel of a smooth imperial, with a laid back stout taste.
You can definitely feel the lactose, but you can't really taste it. And I like that better than those that throw the sweetness at you with no improvement in the body (I'm looking at you, Left Hand). Very nice beer. It has the feel of a smooth imperial, with a laid back stout taste.
Spoetzel Brewery's Shiner Old Time Alt
Pours a clear coppery brown with a nice tan head. Very malty smell, with a hint of the standard Shiner smell that most of their beers have. Still nice.
Nice punch to it. But, as I mentioned, it tastes like a shiner Bock version of an alt. Good beer and very drinkable, just comes across as a lighter version of their bock. Glad to see them trying so many different styles in recent years though.
Nice punch to it. But, as I mentioned, it tastes like a shiner Bock version of an alt. Good beer and very drinkable, just comes across as a lighter version of their bock. Glad to see them trying so many different styles in recent years though.
Tommyknocker Brewery's Imperial Nut Brown Ale
Imperial brown? I see a shark being jumped.
Pours a deep brown. Moderate head that disappears making it look more like a Coke than anything else. Smells, I don't know, like a wanna' be stout. Tastes about the same. More hops than a brown should have, even an imperial, whatever that means for a brown. Otherwise it tastes like a slightly nutty standard stout.
Meh. It's like a boring brown, but bigger.
Pours a deep brown. Moderate head that disappears making it look more like a Coke than anything else. Smells, I don't know, like a wanna' be stout. Tastes about the same. More hops than a brown should have, even an imperial, whatever that means for a brown. Otherwise it tastes like a slightly nutty standard stout.
Meh. It's like a boring brown, but bigger.
Millstream Brewing Company's Colony Oatmeal Stout
Stout.... lager?
Pours an opaque black with a fairly light tan head for a stout. Fairly light smell for a stout too. Not sure of that's the oatmeal, which always seems to give stouts a lighter and sweeter smell, or the fact that it's a lager.
Pretty nice. Probably one of the heaviest lagers I've felt, it's similar to a dopplebock in feel. But it's a stout in the taste. Pretty strong coffee flavor in this one, especially in the aftertaste, which is very nice.
Good take on the style, and a very good beer.
Pours an opaque black with a fairly light tan head for a stout. Fairly light smell for a stout too. Not sure of that's the oatmeal, which always seems to give stouts a lighter and sweeter smell, or the fact that it's a lager.
Pretty nice. Probably one of the heaviest lagers I've felt, it's similar to a dopplebock in feel. But it's a stout in the taste. Pretty strong coffee flavor in this one, especially in the aftertaste, which is very nice.
Good take on the style, and a very good beer.
August Schell Brewing Company's Schell's Stout
I've had several assorted stouts waiting in the beer cellar (which has now moved from the kitchen cabinets to the bedroom closet) for quite some time. I'm not sure why, but I've been keeping an eye on this one in particular.
Pours an opaque brownish black with a nice tan head despite a very slow pour.
Great, solid smell to it. Lots of roasted grain, but also something sweet. Almost like a milk stout. Maybe a Snicker bar. (I might be a little drunk already.)
Yeah, I would totally have called this a milk stout in a blind tasting. Very smooth and slightly sweet feel and taste. Plenty of roasted grain taste that every stout should have as well, but slightly silky like lactose does.
Nice beer. Fairly substantial for a standard stout.
Pours an opaque brownish black with a nice tan head despite a very slow pour.
Great, solid smell to it. Lots of roasted grain, but also something sweet. Almost like a milk stout. Maybe a Snicker bar. (I might be a little drunk already.)
Yeah, I would totally have called this a milk stout in a blind tasting. Very smooth and slightly sweet feel and taste. Plenty of roasted grain taste that every stout should have as well, but slightly silky like lactose does.
Nice beer. Fairly substantial for a standard stout.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thomas Creek Brewery's Dockside Pilsner
Pours a light orangish-yellow, with a nice fizzy white head that stays surprisingly well, especially considering how old this beer has to be.
Sweet malty smell to it, which should make it a German. It has the right hops hit to it as well.
Very nice. Definitely a German pils, because it's maltier and smoother than a Czech. Still light and drinkable though, with a clean finish and feel.
Very good beer.
Sweet malty smell to it, which should make it a German. It has the right hops hit to it as well.
Very nice. Definitely a German pils, because it's maltier and smoother than a Czech. Still light and drinkable though, with a clean finish and feel.
Very good beer.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Cerveceria La Constancia's Cantina
Man, I haven't seen a beer this pale and clear since they were giving away free Cerveza Sol at Lado B in Guadalajara.
You know, I actually like Budweiser, and this looks and smells a lot like it. Bright yellow with strong carbonation and a fizzy white head. Strong adjunct grain smell.
I like this beer. It is what it purports to be--and nothing else. Crisp and light, it has a little bit of a sweetness to it that I wish it didn't have, but otherwise this is a nice and easy-drinking beer.
You know, I actually like Budweiser, and this looks and smells a lot like it. Bright yellow with strong carbonation and a fizzy white head. Strong adjunct grain smell.
I like this beer. It is what it purports to be--and nothing else. Crisp and light, it has a little bit of a sweetness to it that I wish it didn't have, but otherwise this is a nice and easy-drinking beer.
Twisted Pine Brewing Company's Raspberry Wheat
Drinking this one in the middle of the day so I can cover it up with other beers later--like that DR11 I just scored.
Pours a very slightly hazy yellow to light amber. Big foamy head that I'm hoping will go away, and makes me wonder if I need to switch dishwasher soaps. We'll have to try out that theory with a few more beers. Very strong carbonation despite the foaming and despite the fact that it has to be almost two years old--I've been avoiding it for a while.
Yup. Raspberry and wheat. Has a zippy wheat smell that is just right though.
Same in the taste, but without the wheat zip. The raspberry just drags it down.
It has to be right on style, but why there are beers like this I will never understand. It is not pleasant to drink.
Pours a very slightly hazy yellow to light amber. Big foamy head that I'm hoping will go away, and makes me wonder if I need to switch dishwasher soaps. We'll have to try out that theory with a few more beers. Very strong carbonation despite the foaming and despite the fact that it has to be almost two years old--I've been avoiding it for a while.
Yup. Raspberry and wheat. Has a zippy wheat smell that is just right though.
Same in the taste, but without the wheat zip. The raspberry just drags it down.
It has to be right on style, but why there are beers like this I will never understand. It is not pleasant to drink.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company's Brrr Seasonal Ale
Never been impressed with Widmer. Bought this as a single a while back and have been avoiding it in favor of others, but I figure, what the hell.
Pours a slightly hazy amber with a quickly dissipating tan head. Throws off a nice smell though, slightly peppery with some alcohol. So far, better than expected and seemingly on type.
Seems like a repurposed amber. Pretty big hops bite for a winter warmer, and although there seem to be some spices they don't really come out as much as they should until well into the aftertaste.
I like it, but it's a better amber than a winter warmer.
Pours a slightly hazy amber with a quickly dissipating tan head. Throws off a nice smell though, slightly peppery with some alcohol. So far, better than expected and seemingly on type.
Seems like a repurposed amber. Pretty big hops bite for a winter warmer, and although there seem to be some spices they don't really come out as much as they should until well into the aftertaste.
I like it, but it's a better amber than a winter warmer.
Monday, April 4, 2011
St. Peter's Brewery's St. Peter's Cream Stout
Pours inky black, but not opaque as it poured. On type for a stout. Nice dark tan head that sticks fairly well.
Throws off a sweet floral smell as the head dissipates, and settles to a nice grainy smell. Still a bit sweet, apparently from the lactose.
Huh. I like it. But the lactose isn't too apparent. It is mostly apparent in the feel, making the feel a little smooth up front like the type should be, but is quickly offset by a carbonated soda feel and aftertaste. Roasted grain still, but still soda-like.
Wish there were more cream/milk stouts out there. This one is fairly average, not going far enough into the style to really stand out.
Throws off a sweet floral smell as the head dissipates, and settles to a nice grainy smell. Still a bit sweet, apparently from the lactose.
Huh. I like it. But the lactose isn't too apparent. It is mostly apparent in the feel, making the feel a little smooth up front like the type should be, but is quickly offset by a carbonated soda feel and aftertaste. Roasted grain still, but still soda-like.
Wish there were more cream/milk stouts out there. This one is fairly average, not going far enough into the style to really stand out.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Kulmbacher Braurei's Kapunziner Schwarz-Weizen
A black wheat? Should be interesting. And it's good to see a German ale, as opposed to all of those god-awful lagers stinking up the place.
Pours an opaque inky brown, with a great tan head. Smells like a lot of European beers--very yeasty. More yeast than hops or malt to it, even. Not as bad as a wit, but not as clean as I like a wheat to be.
Not zippy like my favorite American wheats. It has mild bitterness that stays into the aftertaste, but is predominantly close to some wits. Not quite as chemical-tasting, but the yeast is still huge. One of the better European wheats, but nothing compared to a good American one.
Pours an opaque inky brown, with a great tan head. Smells like a lot of European beers--very yeasty. More yeast than hops or malt to it, even. Not as bad as a wit, but not as clean as I like a wheat to be.
Not zippy like my favorite American wheats. It has mild bitterness that stays into the aftertaste, but is predominantly close to some wits. Not quite as chemical-tasting, but the yeast is still huge. One of the better European wheats, but nothing compared to a good American one.
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