"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)

"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)

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)

Dual Boston blog - Hookey Bitter

Well, today I am in Boston with Dave, and we are both reviewing a beer together...today we are enjoying a Hookey Bitter





After first tasting, I think Dave and I came to the conclusion that this is an average tasting beer. Nothing is truly striking about the flavor (besides a slight butterscotch/metallic flavor). It is lightly colored and has very little head, although the guy at the store told us that this was a very mildly flavored ale. Dave has pointed out the pleasant aroma of this beer, but also mentions that the flavor does not live up to it. It is not a bad beer, but certainly cannot justify the price that we paid for it...All in all, I think I can file this under "good beer" and feel happy that I tried it and will not feel bad about not ever having it again...

Flavor: Mild bitter ale
Color: Light amber/gold
Alcohol Content: 3.6% (per volume)
Average Price: $5.99 (per bottle)

Smuttynose - IPA

Welcome back my old friend...Indian Pale Ale, how could I gone so long without your beautiful taste on my lips? Tonight I will be sampling a beer that Jess bought for me. The next several beers are gifts from her to me (suggesting more and more that I named this blog aptly).






Since this is an IPA, I knew that I should be expecting bitterness and a slightly amberish color, however I was surprised by what I saw after I poured the beer into my glass. If you look at the photo above, you will see something similar to what I saw: white specks floating in the beer! After doing a little research, it appears that certain IPAs will have the malts stick and create clumps in the beer. I haven't yet determined if this is considered a negative feature in a beer, but it didnt deter me from drinking it (although, this is only post 3, maybe i'll get more snooty?)

Again, the beers flavor was as expected...bitter and hoppy, just like an IPA should be! The flavor was less intense than the Sierra Nevada Torpedo, which might make this a better jumping off point for someone who wants to try an IPA, but isn't quite ready for the SNT...All in all, a very tasty and flavorful IPA...remember to look past the floaters!

Flavor: Bitter, but less so than the Sierra Nevada Torpedo
Color: Light amber with little hoppy specks
Alcohol content: 6.9% by volume
Average price: $9.59 (6 pack)

Sierra Nevada - Torpedo

First, let me state that this blog will be different than perhaps others that I have started...I actually have passion to create and continue this one. Beer is something that I feel I have a good amount of knowledge about and even more drive to experience more. Thank you for joining me on this adventure!





Sierra Nevada Torpedo

This beer is one of my favorites and I am pleased to be beginning my blog with this one. This beer is classified as an Indian Pale Ale (to be referred from now on as IPAs). A little history on the IPA...these beers are named this because during British rule of India, brewers needed to add extra hops to the beer to help preserve the beer for long oceanic freight trips to the East.

Given the extra hops, IPAs have a noticeable bitter taste, and Torpedo is no different. This beer might be a strong jumping off point for someone who is just beginning to experience beer or perhaps is looking for something new to try. I would recommend starting with a classic Sierra Nevada (which I am sure I will be sampling at some point in the near future). I personally love the sharp bitterness that comes with the Torpedo, since it is a nice compliment to a variety of different types of foods:

-Burgers
-Wings
-Fish and Chips

This beer has a nice dark amber color and, if given enough time to breath, will create a thick head that helps aromate the beer. I would recommend this beer to anyone who likes bitter IPAs or is looking to try something unique and new!

Flavor: Strong bitterness
Color: Amber
Alcohol content: 7.2% by volume
Average price: $8.99 (6 pack)