Ni Hao! Gotta love free mini-bars...San Miguel Pale Pilsnen

Greetings from Hong Kong! For those that did not know, I am in China for the next several days on business and since I am trying to stave off the fatigue of jet lag/have a free mini-bar/have not posted in forever, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to do a little posting from the Far East! Today I am drinking the only beer that happened to be waiting for me in my hotel: San Miguel Pale Pilsen.





San Miguel is the flagship beer of the brewery with the same name based in the Philippines (although this particular can was probably brewed in Hong Kong). Since I don't have the proper drinking glasses, I will describe how this beer pours and tastes in a hotel bathroom glass (only the finest when it comes to this blog)!

The first very noticeable thing about this beer is the packaging...the beer is packaged in a can that uses an "olde tyme" pull tab, ala beers you would find back in the fifties. The beer is unassuming in appearance, with a classic golden pilsner color and a markedly thick head. The beer smells a bit like the Natural Light I used to chug in college but, thankfully, tastes much better than it's aroma might suggest. The taste is subtle and slightly flowery with no lingering after-taste. San Miguel is light and easy to drink, which is a nice difference than some of the American pilsners I have had.

All in all, this is a pretty good beer...there is truly nothing out of the ordinary that makes it memorable (besides perhaps the location it is being consumed), but certainly better than lots of other pilsners I have had (looking at you Natty Light). If you happen to be in Hong Kong, I would recommend giving this beer a shot!

Gan bei! (Literal Chinese translation means "dry the cup").


Flavor: Classic pilsner with a slight flowery hint
Color: Light gold
Alcohol Content: 5% (by volume)
Average Price: Free in hotel mini-bar!

Never had a communist beer - Cigar City Cubano Espresso

Dave and Sara are in town to visit for the weekend, and more of a reason do I need to write a couple of updates! Dave and Sara toured the Cigar City Brewery in Tampa after Dave's completion of the Bar exam. They decided it would be fun to grab a growler and have a group review...today we are going to try the Cigar City Cubano Espresso.





The first thing that we noticed about this beer is the rich coffee aroma...Sara and I agreed that the beer smells more like an iced coffee that a stout beer. The pour was soft and resulted in little head (although, Dave was pouring the beer in a manner that preserved every drop of beer from the growler). The beer is dark in color, although not so much that you cannot see the slight changes in the color when shown in light. The flavor, much like the aroma, is very coffee heavy...which is not a negative attribute, but certainly something that might surprise those that were not anticipating it. The only probably with some much coffee flavor is that you can not really admire the other elements of the beer...it tends to overpower the hops and malts.

All in all, this is a very tasty beer, but it could use some tweaking to improve upon the overall flavor varieties. This is something I would have again, but something that I think I would actively seek out to purchase for stocking at my house.


Flavor: Coffee...enough said
Color: Dark and reddish brown
Alcohol Content: 5.5% (by volume)
Average Price: $7.00 (per 32 oz. growler)

They will call me this when I am a grandpa - Gritty McDuff's OPS IPA

While this might not be the first IPA I have reviewed, it is certainly the one with the longest name! Today I am reviewing the clever/lengthy Gritty McDuff's Original Pub Style Maine's Classic Pale Ale...whew!





Well, not only is this the longest named beer I have ever consumed, but also the most difficult to find a decent photo of! GMD's is a nice, lightly colored IPA with a subtle aroma and a quickly dissipating head...the flavor, however, is much softer than I expected. There is very little hoppiness to speak of, and this beer actually tastes a bit like dry toast (which, I should add, isnt necessarily a bad thing, just something I wasnt expecting)...the finish is smooth and there is no lingering aftertaste (something that can be a bit of a turn off about stronger IPAs).

All in all, I wouldn't say that this is my favorite IPA, but certainly not one I would scoff at if given to me. This is a very good starter IPA for those who are uncertain about diving into a strong IPA, but not necessarily memorable for those who are looking for a more falvorful brew!

Flavor: Light hoppiness with heavy hints of toast (?)
Color: Golden and clean
Alcohol Content: 6.2% (by volume)
Average Price: $12.99 (12 pack)

Maximus - best name never: Lagunitas Maximus IPA

I was in need of some crisp and cool hoppiness this evening, so I decided to turn to one of the IPAs I was holding off on (since, admittedly so, the blog is very IPA heavy). Tonight, we look into the self proclaimed "greatest" IPA in Lagunitas' Maximus IPA.





Lagunitas is a California based brewing company (is it me, or do most IPAs come from the west coast?) that currently only ships beer to 29 states and 2 Canadian provinces. They constantly brew 7 different types of beers, including 2 different IPAs, along with a nice variety of seasonal beers.

I tried to pour this beer a little harder than I typically do to judge the true head of the beer which, not to my surprise, was minimal and quickly dissipated, but was much more visible than when I typically pour my beers. The beer is a clear, golden color typical of many classic IPAs and has a subtle, hoppy aroma. The flavor is smooth and refreshing, with a nice undertone of hops that does not over power the flavor of the beer. Underneath the hops is a soft citrus and spice that balances out the hops.

I can honestly say that this is one of the better IPAs I have tried lately. As much as I enjoy a skull-crushing hoppiness, sometimes it is nice to be able to see clearly after drinking a beer! This is an IPA that could easily be tolerated by those who are new to stronger flavored beers, but tasty enough for the professionals to enjoy. I like to think about having several beers of one type over the course of a night as a gauge to the quality of beer...this is a beer that I could enjoy several of without tiring and wanting to switch to something else!

Do yourself a favor and pick up some Lagunitas Maximus IPA to try for yourself!


Flavor: Hoppy and citrus with nice spicy notes
Color: Golden with a nice clean finish
Alcohol Content: 7.5% (by volume)
Average Price: $10.98 (6 pack)

Calories: 233
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Carbs: 21.5 g
Protein: 1 g

Since my girlfriend loves the gonzo - Gonzo Imperial Stout

Well, it certainly has been awhile...No excuses on my part, although I could push out several very valid 'reasons'.

Let's jump right into it: Gonzo Imperial Stout





I am not certain why the Flying Dog brand of beers has such a love for Hunter S. Thompson (or, at least the artist that does all the drawing for his works), but it seems to me like this company uses this art all the time for their beers. I know a ton of people who really enjoy Flying Dog, but have never had the pleasure of getting to try one myself...

The beer is very dark and flows lightly into the glass...very little head for a stout, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this has a lot to do with the way I have learned to pour my beers for optimal beer consumption! The flavor is strong and has heavy undertones of dark chocolate. The strength of the beer is surprising, given how smooth it is to drink. The aroma is chocolately with slight hints of maple (although the beer has no maple taste to it).

This is a very tasty stout, but not one that I think I could handle for an entire evening of drinking. I would certainly recommend having this beer over dinner or with a chocolate dessert (Jess will be making a cake using stout from a future blog post: kamikaze gourmet...look it up!). Definitely have this beer whenever you are looking for a nice, strong stout!


Flavor: Dark stout with a nice, heavy undertone of dark chocolate
Color: Dark brown (almost purplish on the adhesion to the glass)
Alcohol Content: 7.8% (by volume)
Average Price: $5.99 (bottle)

Calories: 269
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Carbs: 18.6 g
Protein: 0 g





P.S. I'll end with a promise...much more frequent posts in the future!

All mine comes from growing up on the streets: Sol Cerveza

This post was originally planned for Cinco de Mayo, but it seems that Once de Mayo...From what I hear, this is like the Corona of Canada, so we shall see if Sol Cerveza tastes like maple syrup and ham.





Jess told me that, like Corona, this beer should be served with a lime, but to truly test the flavor of the beer, I decided to do this review with just the beer only. The color is a light golden amber and has little head of which to speak. Sol Cerveza has a very similar aroma to Corona, but a unique sweetness after tasting. In fact, I would say that this beer tastes as if someone mixed Corona with Heineken, which might sound a little strange, but is actually a nice little twist on your traditional Mexican cerveza. I would think that this beer would be inhanced with a fresh lime.

I know that most people like to eat Mexican food when enjoying a Mexican beer, but I really enjoy have a good burger and fries, since typically these beers are lighter in consumption, and thus better suited to consumption while eating food.

A very tasty beer with a nice hint of sweetness...I would definitely recommend picking some up for your next Once de Mayo party!


Flavor: Sweet with a subtle hint of Heinekenish flavor
Color: Light amber
Alcohol Content: 4.1% (by volume)
Average Price: $14.99 (12 pack)

Calories: 143
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Carbs: 11 g
Protein: 1.1 g

Wait, im NOT reviewing an IPA? - Sierra Nevada Stout

I have been a fan of Sierra Nevada since my first sip of it in a few years ago...however, I can say that my experiences have typically been with their different varieties of hoppier beers (IPAs, seasonal beers, etc.) The company itself has a very unique and inspirational history (the president began brewing in his garage and now has one of the largest microbreweries in the country...all with no paid advertising). Today, to experience more of their brand, I will be sampling the Sierra Nevada Stout.







Right off the bat, this is probably one of the darkest beers I have ever seen; imagine a Guinness without the defined head and unique bubbling. The aroma is nice and chocolaty, but not quite as potent as the aforementioned beer...The flavor is rich with a surprising (and pleasant) hoppy finish. I suppose that this is to be expected with a Sierra Nevada, as it seems that they pride themselves on the ability to infuse any beer the brew with a good amount of hops. The flavor is forward, but doesn't linger on the pallet much longer than it should.

All in all, I would say that this beer is a very tasty addition to my already beloved Sierra Nevada brand. If you are looking for a traditional (i.e. Guinness) flavored stout, I would probably steer away from this one, but if you are looking for something a bit more unique than your typical stout, then I would definitely recommend this beer!


Flavor: Chocolaty with a warm hoppy finish
Color: Dark brown (practically black)
Alcohol Content: 5.8% (by volume)
Average Price: $8.99 (6 pack)

Calories: 175
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Carbs: 14.1 g
Protein: 1.5 g

Dave update: Eel River Brewing Organic Porter

This is my first foray into the organic beer area. Generally speaking, I am a firm believer that organic products do not taste any different from regular products, and when they do, it is largely due to self-persuasion. This beer pours dark, but clear, so the light causes a reddish brown hue top be seen. Head is chocolatey, but disappears quickly.

On the one hand, I commend this beer for using an organic approach AND producing a very good tasting porter for LESS than 6 packs of other porters or stouts can be had (50 cents less than Guinness for instance). It is tasty, and reminds me of one of James and I's newest favorites-the Harpoon Limited Barrel Series Oyster Stout, and is the closest I've found as a replacement. Do the organic ingredients matter? Probably not, but it is a tasty brew.


Color: deep reddish brown, but clear.
Scent:Malt, plain and simple.
First taste: chocolate front, leading to malt. Great malt flavor here.
Feel: Pretty heavy, but doesn't "slog" the way Guinness does, making it easier to drink.
Finish: Slight bitter touch at the finish, balancing the malt.
Alcohol Content: 6.3% ABV
Average Price: $8.50 per 6-pack of 12 ounce bottles.

Decisions, decisions...Microbrewing post

Well, a few weeks have passed since I last posted about my intentions to starting trying to brew my own beer with Dave...the last post was basicaly just an overview into the things he and I need to start thinking about before we begin this process. Since then, I have begun brewing my first beer (with the help of the Mr. Beer brewing kit, but brewing none the less).




Having done some research, I think that at this point in our lives, the best thing for Dave and I to focus on is getting a brewpub up and started before we could even imagine having the financial stability to focus solely on brewing. For those that are unaware of the differences, a brewpub is is basically a smaller brewery that also sells food. Everything that I have been reading tends to point out the fact that it is much easier to make money selling food than it is trying to convince people that your brand new type of beer is better than the normal beers they are used to buying (i.e. those huge brewing companies that make up about 90% of the market). I am not upset about this fact, especially since I think that Dave and I have the combined knowledge and business saavy to make something like this work to our advantage.

The stumbling block in my mind is mostly financial...Like I have said, I think that Dave and I are smart enough to run a business, and determined enough to make a unique varieties of beers. I am really unsure of how to even begin to figure out how much capital we will need to amass before we can start. The guy who created Tijuana Flats started with a $20,000...this seems a good spot to start thinking. In my mind, the yet unnamed brewpub would be half bar, half restaurant...I like the idea of a large bar with maybe 10 small tables filling in the rest of the area:

-Rent
-Equipment
-Insurance
-Ingredents (both food and beer)
-Salaries (employees and, ideally, Dave and I could manage to make some money too).


This isn't something I plan on jumping into tomorrow, so I have plenty of time to figure out all my expenses and save up some money (hopefully getting a loan for a brewpub would be easier than it seems getting one for brewery).

The other thing I have been tossing around in my head is location...Dave and I spoke about setting up shop in a college town, but I wonder if there is a demand for a higher priced mircobrew in a land where Natural Light is King? Perhaps we would fair better establishing ourselves in a downtown automosphere or a wealthier part of town? All things to think about while I am experimenting with brews and saving money to get everything started...

Couldn't let Dave go there on his own...La Fin du Monde

Well, it has certainly been a rough few weeks...ever since starting my P90X diet, I haven't been able to properly review as many beers as I would like to (thanks go out to Dave for picking up a lot of the slack), so I decided that today would be a nice day to treat myself to a good review. Dave previously reviewed La Fin du Monde (French for "The End of the World"), but since this is one of the beers that Jess purchased me for bachelor weekend, I wanted to do it justice and double review this one.





Unibroue Brewing is based out of Chambly, Québec...Canadian beers have always been interesting to me, as they mainly have 3 areas of influence (English, French, and American) and many tend to fold easily to American interests (lighter flavored lagers, etc). La Fin du Monde is a golden style Belgian ale, so it seems that the European side of this influence should hold firm in the beer.

First glance shows an especially clouded beer with little visibility and lack of any noteworthy head. The aroma is soft and citrusy and the color is a dark gold... The first taste is very complex: hints of a sharp hoppiness on the tip of the tongue that follows closely with a flowery sweetness. There is thicker mouth-feel which isn't overpowering and could possibly be explained away by the cloudiness of the beer. After his visit to Canada, Dave said that this is one of the area's most famous microbrews and, after tasting, I can clearly see why. This beer is complex in it's flavor and unique in taste. Strict Beeritarian approved!


Flavor: Hoppy beginnings with a sweet, flowery finish
Color: Cloudy dark gold
Alcohol Content: 9.0% (by volume)
Average Price: $3.00 (11 oz bottle)

Calories: 225
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Carbs: 30g
Protein: 0g

QuaDave post - Canada is now suffering a beer shortage

I recently wrote about a trip to Montreal. Without rehashing, I’ll summarize and say my favorites (on draft in Canada) were the Le Cheval Blanc Stout (best stout I have ever had) and the Boreale Blonde.

I already reviewed the Labatt Porter. The rest are:

Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel Rosee d’Hibiscus





This beer comes from a small brewpub in Montreal that also has a bottling operation. Labelled as a wheat beer with hibiscus flowers.
Color: deep reddish amber. Unfilteres. Very little head.
Scent: Apples and flowers.
First taste: cider-y with a very hefe finish. Has more of a “beer” taste than the Sam Adams Stony Break read I reviewed earlier. Very crisp and refreshing.
Feel: Just like a wheat beer should: thick, but not so heavy as to be hard to take big sips of.
Finish: tart, like a dry cider.
Alcohol Content: 5.5% ABV
Average Price: $3.00 CAD (341 ML bottle)


Les Brasseurs RJ Belle Guele Originale





This is a pale lager that comes from a brewery consortium in Quebec (of which Le Cheval Blanc, which I mentioned above, is a part of).
Color: Golden. Nice and bubbly, with a nice foamy head.
Scent: beer. Crisp, clean, lager.
First taste: initial taste is a crisp, light malt. From there it expands to that of a traditional no-filler lager. Full-bodied, and refreshing. Tastes like a more-perfect version of a lot of American lights.
Feel: somewhat heavy on the tongue, lots of bubles.
Finish: malt to hops. Awesome beer!
Alcohol content: 5.2% ABV
Average Price: $2.50 CAD (341 ML bottle)


Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel Peche Mortel





This beer comes from Dieu Du Ciel, whose Rosee d’Hibiscus I reviewed 2 days ago. This beer is described as an extra strong imperial coffee stout. It should be noted that this beer has received a rare “A” rating on beeradvocate.com (it is actually in their top 25 all-time list of thousands of beers).
Color: dark, black. Thick, foamy head that is chocolate in color.
Scent: chocolate, leading to coffee, to malt. Delicious.
First taste: strong stout, immediately followed by chocolate and coffee blended together. Hoppy finish. Complex is an understatement. Amazing beer, does not taste like it is 9.5% ABV.
Feel: surprisingly light, given how heavy and alcoholic this beer is. This stuff is drinkable, though it shouldn’t be.
Finish: Hoppy, but with a lingering espresso taste, that tastes exactly like a strong espresso.
Alcohol content: 9.5% ABV
Average price: $2.75 CAD per 341 ML glass, $5.00 CAD per European Pint.
Delicious beer. Wow.


Unibroue La Fin Du Monde-(Note: the end of the world is a fitting name for my last Canadian beer)





This beer is from Quebec’s most famous microbrew, known for La Fin Du Monde and Ephemere. It is describeae as a Triple Fermentation Extra Strong Ale. It comes wrapped in silver foil, so you know its fancy.
Color: straw and unfiltered. Looks like a hefe.
Scent: wheat and bananas. Reminds me of a hoegaarden, or other stereotypical white beers. Tastes like a white beer.
First taste: wheat, expanding to fruit and flowers. Crisp.
Feel: light for a wheat beer, but not as light as say Sierra Nevada wheat.
Finish: refreshing. Again, like dieu du ciel above, it does not taste as strong as it is. Another awesome Canadian beer.
Alcohol content: 9% ABV
Average Price: $2.99 per CAD 341 ML bottle, $6.99 CAD per 1L bottle
Another amazing choice from Canada.




Future Dave?

James and Jessie: Awesome Review! - Sweet Water 420

Today is a first for the blog as both Jess (http://kamikazegourmet.blogspot.com/)and I are doing our first duo review together...As it is her first time to the site, she gets to pick the beer. Today we are reviewing Sweet Water 420 IPA.





This beer has a very clear and crisp amber color, Jess describes as a deep amber (perhaps a nice caramel complextion?) Little to no noticeable head, although a few bubbles are lingering along the top. For the rest of the review, I will simply dictate Jess' thoughts on the beer: "First taste is hoppy and made my tongue tickle...I had it in Atlanta for the first time while attending a museum event. It is a beer that will always remind me of Atlanta, and it makes me nostalgic for those times. My friend Mac brought this for me on a visit to Orlando...to my knowledge you cannot buy this beer anywhere but where it is locally brewed."

James back: This is a very good IPA (I promise some more variety is coming to the review soon!) and has a slight hint of baked flavor, as odd as that sounds. Jess came up with the idea of the beer review as a nice little break from my current P90X diet. I am certainly glad that I decided to give up my carb portion for the day to enjoy this refreshing IPA!


Flavor: Crisp and earthen...slight hoppiness with a nice baked finish
Color: Caramel Amber
Alcohol Content: 5.4% (by volume)
Average Price: $7.99 (6 pack) Only available in the Metro-Atlanta area

And, since I am trying to maintain my diet I think ill include this in all future updates:

Calories: 185
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Carbs: 15g
Protein: 0g

Un petit goût de Canada - Dave takes to the North with Labatt Porter

Enjoy another great review from Dave!


I recently got back from a weekend jaunt to Vermont and Montreal and got to sample a variety of microbrews up there. I tried several flavors from Magic Hat in Vermont (#9, Circus Boy, Lucky Kat, Vinyl, Blind Faith, Single Chair Ale, Wacko), Le Cheval Blanc in Montreal (Blonde, Stout, and Bauweaerts Golden Ale), and Les Brasseurs du Nord (Boreale Blanche, Blonde, and Rousse). I also brought some back from me (1 from Vermont and 5 from Quebec) to write up. I’ll do one every few days or so...

First is the only non-microbrew I brought back: Labatt Porter





Labatt is a larger Canadian brewery, and stouts are one of my favorite varieties, so I thought I would give it a go...

The first thing I noticed is that though it pours dark, it is very clear, much more translucent than most stouts or porters. There is virtually no head. The scent is stout-chocolate/coffee, but very very weak overall.

First taste: tastes like old chicken. From there it expands to old beer (think natty light (previous review) with chocolate syrup). Very watery-easily the most watery “dark” beer I have ever had. Nasty.The body is smooth and feels pleasant on the tongue (.com).Would probably go well with anything spicy, as your dead taste buds will be grateful for not having to taste this. The finish is alcohol-y- again like a cheap American lager.


Flavor: Smooth, old, chicken, with a lager-y body and nasty finish.
Color: Clear and dark
Alcohol Content: 5.0% (by volume)
Average Price: $9.99 CAD (6 pack)




Mmmmm....

Micro brewing post #1

So, as previously stated, Dave and I are venturing into the world of micro brews...I will be chronicling some of our ideas and stepping points here. I think I will probably leave out some of the finer points until we get them in a more concrete form, but we are already coming up with some great ideas for some very unique flavors of beer that might be perfect as a niche brew that hasn't been filled yet.





I guess the first thing we both need to learn how to do is actually "brew" beer...Dave and I both are going to start buy experimenting with some smaller DIY kits to get the feel of the process of brewing before transitioning into anything bigger. I have also ordered some books on the matter to try to learn from others who have been in the same boat that we are in: a desire to learn with little actual experience in creating. Here are the books I will (hopefully) have delivered to me tomorrow:

- Brewers Association's Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery
- Beer: Tap into the Art and Science of Brewing
- Designing Great Beers: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles

I chose these book because I figured it was a nice variety of the things I am looking into at the moment: Start a brewery, Learning to make beer, and designing my own. I am eagerly looking forward into diving into my research, and I know that Dave is eager as well. For the most part, I feel we have a pretty firm grasp on a lot of the "business" aspects to running a business, so learning this part of the process will help me realize if this is something that could be a reality in the future, or perhaps a hobby that I enjoy for myself (or both ideally).

I'll be back with regular reviews in the very near future...my current diet doesn't really allow me much wiggle room for having beer, but this is something that I am making room for by cutting calories out of my day to make up for the beer. Look for more nutritional information in the summary part of my reviews as well. Lastly, stay tuned for a unique review on Sunday, as I will be presenting my first public beer tasting on Saturday evening! I will be sure to hound Jess to take some nice photos of me in my element!

My grandma and your grandma - Abita Jockamo IPA

Seems like my blog has been very "IPA" centric over the past few weeks...I am almost through with my current 6, so I will be certain to mix things up with the next 6. If you feel like there are any you would like me to test out, let me know (although I have some ideas that I think might be entertaining/funny).

Up today for tasting is the Abita Jockamo IPA:





Abita Brewing Co. is a new brewery to me, so I decided to do a little research into what they were all about before I sampled this beer. The brewery is located in Abita Springs, Louisiana and they actually make quite a few beers which I have heard of (the most famous I suppose would be the Purple Haze). If you get a chance, check out their website...it is one of the nicer ones I have seen from a brewery: http://abita.com/


The beer is a very pale amber color, which seems unique among many of the other IPAs I have tried...a nice head that, while decreases in size, has yet to fully disappear entirely (which I am not certain has anything to do with the quality of the beer, but I always find it desireable to have a few bubbles in my beer). The taste is smooth and mildly hoppy...a nice compliment to the look of the beer. Within writing this last paragraph, I have nearly completed my beer and cannot find anything to complain about it. A very tasty beer!

Here is some food pairing (directly from their website): "The spicy aroma of the hops contrasts nicely with the pleasant sweetness of the malts. Jockamo has a flavor that entices and excites the palate. The intense hop character makes it among the perfect choice to team up with many spicy dishes. Cheddar and strong farmer cheeses stand up well to Jockamo’s hoppy character. Cajun food is a natural pairing, as is Thai, or Mexican cuisine."


All in all, I would not only call this a wonderful IPA, but a great beer overall as well. The unassuming flavor is a nice introduction to IPAs for those who are unfamiliar, but will also please those (like myself) who are looking to test the ranges of beer from top to bottom. Beeritarian approved!


Flavor: Smooth and mellow hoppiness...not overpowering, but still noticeable
Color: Light amber/slightly reddish
Alcohol Content: 6.5% (by volume)
Average Price: $8.99 (6 pack)





Also, as a little aside, I wanted to let everyone know about my intentions on trying to brew and (eventually) sell my own beer. Dave and I have discussed this, and given our love of beer, this seems a logical conclusion. So, if you have any advice, words of encouragement, or ideas, please let me know!

Dave post: Natural Light & Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red

Dave again, this review is two-tiered. Firstly, I am reviewing one of my favorite (if favorite means most frequently drank) beers, Anheuser-Busch’s Natural Light. Suprisingly, it is a pilsner and not a lager, and gets far worse of a rap than it actually deserves. Up here in Boston, a 30 pack of Natural Light is $13.50. A 12 pack of bud light is $10.50. It is easy to see why Nat wins out so much of the time.

The second part of my review is about the glass. Boston Beer Company (brewers of Samuel Adams) is in Boston and they have a much-touted perfect beer glass. Features of this glass include a beaded rim (.com) to release flavor and aroma as the beer enters your mouth (.com), laser etched to release constant stream of bubbles, outward turned lip (.com) delivers beer to the front of the tongue where malty sweetness (.com )can be fully enjoyed.

I have taken a picture of the glass with the Natural Light inside of it to show how it looks.






First, the beer: the first sip reflects a very light flavor, actually quite reminiscent of a watermelon beer I reviewed back in February. Prolonged tasting does not reveal much more, it has a slightly lager-ish body, but there are few notes. The scent is strictly old-stadium/men’s restroom, and is classic American “beer” stench. That being said, it is terrifically easy to drink, and pairs well with strong-flavored foods that are helped by just a hint of beer flavor (think bar fare: pizza, wings, burgers, etc.)
.
The glass definitely produces a lot of bubbles, the beer has not stopped bubbling since I began this review. I do notice that the curled lip of the glass does let the beer hit your tongue in a way that spreads it evenly over the mouth. Though I am sure it is somewhat psychological, I would like to think that this glass does what it says it does: reveals the true body and flavor of the beer. In the case of Natural Light, it does reveal just how flavorless this beer is (without the aluminum can adding hints of nickels). It does make it easier to drink, which is probably the goal when Nat is on the table.


Flavor: Watery, light-lager taste
Color: Watery urine
Alcohol Content: 4.2%
Average Price: $2.99 (4 pack tall boy), $3.99 (6 pack bottles-hard to find) $6.99 (12 pack), $13.50 (30 pack). Depressing I know all this off the top of my head.



Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red





Today I am going to review a limited edition Samuel Adams Barrel Series beer. These are expensive, and are only sold in Boston (or online via Sam’s virtual store). They produce three at any given time. This is the Stony Brook Red, described as “Belgian style with a hint of tart fruit and toasted oak character.” These are all hand bottled and corked, so I had a fun time trying to get the cork out, shying away from it like it was about to explode. After five minutes of coaxing and trying to get my girlfriend Sara to open it, I sucked it up and did it. It opened with an audible pop, and immediately the scent of wine wafted into the air (weird.)

The color is deep amber, and reminds me almost of tobacco-spit. The scent is fruity-very much like wine or a deep Belgian abbey ale with some notes of cider.

First taste, here we go…

Doesn’t taste like beer. Strangely enough, first taste is of American cheese, followed by sour grapes. This is a sour beer, so the sour finish is to be expected, and is a refreshing change from the typical bitter finish of more hoppy beers.

The taste of barley or hops is nowhere to be found, replaced by a rich fruity body (.com) that turns sour when swallowed (.com). Sara says it is closer to cider than beer, and she is absolutely correct, which is funny given that this is brewed as a beer, and to my knowledge doesn’t contain apples.

Definitely a strong beer at 9% ABV, though this increases as it is bottle-conditioned and it is suggested that you let it age.

I am glad I sprung for the fancier limited-edition experience, though there is something to be said for the simplicity of a traditional beer. More of a sipping beer, it tastes like a combination of a lambic and a cider.

Flavor: Fruity cider, sour finish.
Color: Deep amber/tobacco
Alcohol Content: 9%
Average Price: $9.99 per 25.4 fl. Oz. bottle.

Considering I broke the bottle upon opening, perhaps its time to stop drinking? - Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

So, I think this beer may have to have an asterisk next to it...I hope the beer fairs better than the bottle did, considering the lip broke off into the bottle cap when I opened it: Brooklyn's East India Pale Ale.





The look of the beer is open for interpretation...I see no floating glass shards, so I will consider this a success. Also, on a side note, it is almost midnight, and Emma is looking so sleepy that I think this might be my last review...I would love to finish the last two beers, but I would hate to keep her up any longer with the lights and sounds of the tv.

The EIPA has a nice light amber color and a very aromatic hoppiness. FIrst taste (basically one huge gulp): A nice mellowness with a hint of sweet aftertaste...subtle, but unique. I would have another one of these without much hesitation. A very tasty beer that I would recommend to anyone!

Flavor: Hoppiness and yummy
Color: Light amber (Chris Parnell is hilarious)
Alcohol Content: 6.8% (per volume)
Average Price: £83.58 (per case)

Cant think of any clever monster puns - Brooklyn Monster Ale

Half way to the title! Emma is sleeping soundly on the couch, and I am beginning to feel the affects of the previous two posts. Let keep everything rolling along with a favorite brewery of mine that I was introduced to a little over a year ago during a visit to NYC to visit one of my best friends Nick: Brooklyn Brewing's Monster Ale.





Whooo! This beer has a very sharp flavor profile...tends to linger on the tongue a bit, which I havent quite figured out if this is a good or bad thing, The beer is, again, a nice amber color with no visible flaws. After another sip, I think that the lingering flavor will be deem a negative attribute. This beer is a bit too chemically for my tastes...I would avoid this if you can. Also, I aplogize about the length of these most recent posts. Here to the next three being more than 3 words!

Flavor: Chemically, strong...
Color: Deep amber
Alcohol Content: 11.8% (per volume...yow yow!!)
Average Price: $8.99 (6-pack)



I miss you Nick...do it NYC for me.

"Immortals... we put their name to the test" - Titan IPA

I really love the fact that Jess knows how much I love IPAs...after checking the fridge, I noticed that I have a few more pale ales to sample over this evening festivities...I will have it noted for the official record that my drinking partner is now asleep on the couch (what a wimp).

In honor of the strength that Emma shows when she jumps heroically onto the couch and thrust herself under her warm blanket, I will be reviewing ALONE (thanks Emma) the Great Divide Brewing Company's Titan IPA.





Titan looks much more like a traditional IPA vs. the Red Seal Ale...nice amber color, strong hoppy aroma. The first taste was very similar to the Red Seal Ale: surprisingly strong. However, unlike the RSA, I was expecting this beer to be a stronger flavor, so having it exceed my expectations would have to rank this beer a bit lower than I would have liked. It is not a bad beer, just perhaps a little more punch than I would have liked between bites of Chicken McNuggets.

I would probably recommend this beer for the sheer fact that I love a nice strong beer, but perhaps heed some caution before facing this Titan; the bigger they are, the stronger they hit...


Flavor: Strong, nearly overpowering, hoppiness...
Color: Medium amber color
Alcohol Content: 7.1% (per volume)
Average Price: $1.83 (bottle)

Awwww: Black eyes...Red Seal Ale

Well, I really shouldn't threaten myself with a good time...I told Jess that while she was on her trip to Georgia that I was going to do a 6 beer review. Well, she called my bluff and purchased me 6 different beers to do reviews on! Join me on my journey from beer to beer; sobriety to inebriation.


I chose this first beer in honor of my drinking partner for the evening (and a reason I am sure that Jess picked this beer as well): Emma! Both she and seals have much in common...long bodies, black eyes, smooth fir, and an overall cuteness about them.





Red Seal Ale is brought to us North Coast Brewing Company, the same company that makes Old Rasputin (reviewed a few posts ago by yours truly). I really enjoyed the Rasputin and at first glance it looks like I should really enjoy this beer as well. A great red color with no noticeable flaws (no cloudiness or specks). After pouring the beer, the head was quick to subside, but never quiet vanished.

My first taste was meet with much more bitterness than I had expected...much more like an IPA than I anticipated. After reviewing their website, I was surprised to see that this beer actually is an IPA! the color threw me off a bit, but the tastebuds are always batting 1000. The hoppiness grips you nicely without overpowering the smoothness of the beer. I am still slightly shocked by how wonderful this beer is!

I have reviewed so many other IPAs in this blog (in addition to trying so many others that have yet to be reviewed), so I dont think there is much more room for description on what makes an IPA great, but I will part is saying that this will rank among one of the best beers I have ever tasted (and Emma gives her approval too!)


Flavor: Smooth hoppiness, delicious...
Color: Flawless red hue
Alcohol Content: 5.5% (per volume)
Average Price: $8.79 (6-pack)



What a good drinking buddy!

"I believe the proper term is buffalo" - Bison Organic IPA

I have always been skittish about foods that are labeled "organic"...I know that they tend to spoil much more quickly but are generally consider better for you. Beer, however, seemed to be doing quite fine with it's illustrious history of being "non-organic" (or rather, without proclaiming it's organic-ness). Jess purchased me this beer, and it will be my first leap into the world of organic beers...let's see if this shall be an odysseain voyage or a quick trip to the 7-11.





At first glance, this beer is your traditional darker amber color and hoppier scented IPA...the beer is slightly clouded, though I am not sure if this is a typical feature of organic beers. My first taste was a pleasantly strong hoppiness that was powerful enough to perk my interest, but no so strong as to turn me off to the beer immediately. Also, and this might be because I was searching for something that might make an organic beer taste differently, I can detect a subtle earthiness about the Bison IPA.

I don't have any food to compare this IPA to, but you can always click on the links at the side of the page to read some of my older IPA reviews to get a good idea of what to eat while enjoying a fine pale ale such as this one. After reviewing it this way, I would recommend drink this beer with your favorite music playing on Pandora while messing around with your beetle collection (although, I am probably the only person in the world listening to Kanye West while preparing their Xylotrupes gideon for mounting).



(This type of beetle, although not necessarily this type of mounting)


All in all, a very tasty beer and a good enough one to help me shake off some of my fears about trying other types of organic beers...I would definitely give this the Beeritarian Seal of Approval.


Flavor: Hoppy and strong, without being overpowering in it's strength
Color: Dark amber and cloudy
Alcohol Content: 6.8% (per volume)
Average Price: $1.99 (bottle)

Micro-post: Guinness

As my tribute to St. Patrick's day (and general lack of creativity), my micro post today is about Guinness. A very well known stout with a celebrated history that has been around for over 250 years. I really love Guinness and highly recommend you share one with me soon!





Flavor: Delicious choclate stout
Color: Black (although Guinness claims it is a very dark red)
Alcohol content: 4.0% by volume (but interestingly enough only 3.2% by weight!)Average price: $7.99 (6 pack)


Random factoid: The world's largest Guinness brewery is in Nigeria...

Anniversary Post - Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale

So, this weekend was my 1 year anniversary with Jess...I had intended on not updating the blog, but was introduced to a very nice beer while we celebrated: Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale...






Kona Fire Rock was one of the tap beers at the hotel bar that Jess and I went to before dinner (but was also the featured beer for the dinner luau as well). I assumed that since the hotel was island themed, this beer might have been specialty made for this hotel, but apparently it can be purchased pretty much anywhere. The Kona Brewing Co. is based out of Waikiki beach in Hawaii and, judging from their website, brew a few other varieties of beer.

At first glance, this pale ale was unassuming...it looked very much like a pale ale. The aroma was light, flowery, and very inviting (Pale ales often have a stronger aroma, which I like, but this was a nice change of pace). The first taste instantly had me hooked...Kona Fire Rock is very mellow and smooth with a nice degree of hoppiness that doesn't overpower the other flavors of the beer. For those that might think a pale ale is too bitter, I would highly recommend checking out this beer: it gives you a nice stepping stone into the realm of beers with a bite without pushing you over the edge too quickly.

Kona Pale Ale goes great with Hawaiian foods (roast pork, fresh fish) as well as traditional American fare (chicken fingers drizzled with honey mustard)...Do yourself a favor and pick up a 6 pack of this today because you will not be disappointed! Remember to save one for me though...I will be asking for one when I come to visit.


Flavor: Smooth and mellow with a nice degree of bitterness
Color: Amber and gold
Alcohol Content: 5.9% (per volume)
Average Price: $7.49 (6-pack)

Belfast Bay - Lobster Ale

Let me start of this post by saying that there are certain things that should be combined into one thing...





I had the very highest hopes for this beer...and after the first sip, they we're quickly dashed. Let me get into a little about this beer before I give it the final verdict:

Belfast Bay Lobster Ale is a mirco-brewed amber ale made in Portland...after a bit snooping, I discovered that this is a part of the Shipyard brewing family! So, including the Old Thumper, I am now 0-2 with this brewery. The beer has a deep red color and poured with no head whatsoever. The first sip had a strong chemical flavor to it (the closest thing I can compare it to is chlorine). That flavor lingeres on the tongue for longer than I would have expected, given that this beer is very thin. As promised, I intend on finishing this beer, but I will not be pleased. Do not drink this beer (although it might be good for cleaning out your pool/toilet).


Flavor: Minimal maltiness paired delightfully with the toxic chemical chlorine
Color: Deep red...I always that chlorine was colorless?
Alcohol Content: 5% (per volume)
Average Price: $8.99 (again, who knew chlorine was bottled in 6-packs?)

Micro-post: Shock Top Belgian White

Since there are so many popular beers that many people already know alot about, but I still want to say that I have officially tried and reviewed, this will be the first of many "micro-posts"! Please, however, don't confuse micro with bad, since many micro-brewed beer are some of the best...





Brewer: Michelob
Color: Slight Brown/Amber
Taste: Mellow wheat beer flavor (paired nicely with an orange slice)
Alcohol content: 5.2% per volume
Price: $6.99 (6-pack)

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout XII

Seems like it has been too long since I have been able to jump on an make a decent post! The Boston trip forced me to reconcile with my liver over the years I reduced from its life, but I am back with a very dark and strong beer: Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout XII.





This is the 12 anniversary of the brewing of this beer, so North Coast Brewing (based out of Fort Bragg, CA) decided to brew this special version of their traditional Imperial Stout. What makes this beer unique (besides the fact that the brewer deems it so) is the fact that this beer is 11.2% alcohol by volume! Typically, most stouts I have ever had are about 1/2 this ABV, so I was very eager to see how this one danced on my palate...

Upon first glance, this beer looked much like a Guinness in its darkness and pronounced head (although slightly less thick (have fun with that one Dave)). The first sip took me a little by surprise...I expected a taste similar to Guinness, but this beer was exceptionally strong (almost overpowering). After checking out the North Coast website, I found that the flavor comes from the aging process done in old whiskey barrels. The beer was thick on the tongue, but did not linger there long, which was a nice feature.

Overall, I liked this beer, but I could probably only have one without having to switch to something a little less strong (in both flavor and alcohol content). This is a beer best served with food; anything sweet or savory (perhaps a chocolate covered steak?). I would recommend this beer to anyone who thinks that they can handle it's strong taste and ABV percentage. All in all, a very solid and memorable beer!


Flavor: Very strong stout flavor...chocolate hints with a heavy muskiness
Color: Dark, very dark...practically black
Alcohol Content: 11.2% (per volume)
Average Price: $4 at the bar I bought it at (per fancy glass).