"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).

Boston 2010

Dave has a great memory and jotted down a list of all the fine establishments that we went to during my Boston trip...see below the photos for the details!

Well, I made it back alive and well...Boston was awesome and getting to hang out with Dave was great. He is working on creating a list of beers we had/bars we went to. Until then, enjoy a few photos from my trip!

Dave's List:


First Night:

Cornwall's, Boston:
Harpoon IPA
Fullers ESB
Young's Chocolate Stout

An Tua Nua, Boston:
Miller High Life

O'Leary's, Brookline:
Harpoon Oyster Stout

Wine Press Liquor Store, Brookline:
Narragansett, Rhode Island

Sunset Grill, Allston:
Coors Lite
Mead (do not remember)

Plus the two you already wrote about on the blog.

Second Day:
Sam Adams Brewery, Boston:
Sam Adams Boston Lager
Sam Adams Noble Pils
Sam Adams Chocolate Bock

Harpoon Brewery, Boston:
Harpoon Cider
Harpoon White UFO Hefe
Harpoon Chocolate Stout
Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA
Harpoon Leviathan Baltic Porter
Harpoon Limited Cask Series (tasted like shit)
Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale
Also regular Harpoon IPA, but I already wrote about it.

Barking Crab, Boston:
Pabst Blue Ribbon

Kevin's Apartment:
Sam Lite
Bud Light

Third Day:
Legal Sea Foods, Boston:
Harpoon IPA
Sam Adams

Tommy Doyle's, Cambridge:
Guinness
Coors Light

Grafton Street Pub, Cambridge:
Long Trail Brewery (Vermont) Double Bag

People's Republik, Cambridge:
Stella Artois

The Dug Out, Boston:
Coors Light

My Apartment:
Natural Light

So by my count, between the two of us, 28 different beers.