Rating = 2 glasses.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Birds Fly Sout Rustic Sunday
Rustic Sunday is an interesting rye forward saison with sour notes. Uses Solera, mixed fermentation, Sauvignon Blanc puncheons, and rye. I don't know if the mixed fermentation comes from the puncheons or if the brewers pitch critters. Does puncheon = barrel or stave? I know that Solera involves blending beers of different ages but don't know exactly how BFS does it. Do they blend just before bottling of mix ages while aging?My first taste on draft in Atlanta was yummy.
I have had several bottles since then.
BeerAdvocate rates it as Outstanding, the 7,187th best beer overall, and the 305th best Belgian Saison.
Rating = 6 glasses.
Goose Island Summertime
This is a nice Kolsch. A tiche sweet and easy drinking. Rating equals 3 glasses.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Pacifico on draft @ Mexico
My favorite macro lager? I enjoyed it with $1 tacos. Would buy again. Rating = 2, maybe 3 glasses.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Easter treats
Hardywood Bourbon Barleywine
An English barleywine with notes of bourbon barrel aging. Flavorful without being intense.The bottle had aged at least 10 months. I'll look to buy some of the 2015 release.
Rating = 5 glasses
Blue Mountain Sour Banshee
A little sour, a little bourbon. Nothing intense. Alex like it. I wanted more sour.
Rating: = 3 glasses
Duchesse de Bourgogne
The classic Flanders Red Ale. A flavorful and easy drinking blend of sweet and tart.
Rating = 4 glasses (at least).
An English barleywine with notes of bourbon barrel aging. Flavorful without being intense.The bottle had aged at least 10 months. I'll look to buy some of the 2015 release.
Rating = 5 glasses
Blue Mountain Sour Banshee
A little sour, a little bourbon. Nothing intense. Alex like it. I wanted more sour.
Rating: = 3 glasses
Duchesse de Bourgogne
The classic Flanders Red Ale. A flavorful and easy drinking blend of sweet and tart.
Rating = 4 glasses (at least).
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Some good beer tonight
Duclaw Devil's Milk is a nice barleywine. BA calls it an American barleywine but it drinks more like English. Nice and flavorful. Of course, it was after 2 Singels and 5/6 of a flight. I liked it.
Rating = 4 glasses, at least
Alpine Super IPA is a nice double IPA.
Rating = 4 glasses, at least
Allagash Interlude is an interesting wine-barrel aged Saison with some
Brett. Rating is tough - the taste was different.
Brett. Rating is tough - the taste was different.
Rating = 4 glasses. I need another taste.
Vanderghinste Oud Bruin is a sweet version of Flanders Oud Bruin. I
liked it
liked it
Rating = 5 glasses.
Hardywood Singel is a Belgian Blond Ale, even if BA calls it a Pale Ale.
Nice, easy drinking, and flavorful. Given its distinctive taste,
Nice, easy drinking, and flavorful. Given its distinctive taste,
Rating = 5 glasses.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Smuttynose Finest Kind clone
Homebrew 3 is a clone of Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA, my favorite IPA and one of my favorite beers. Put in the fermenter this morning and a CO2 bubbles emerge from the air lock every 3 seconds 11 hours later. I am excited.
Stone Lucky Bastard
Lucky Bastard is a blend of Arrogant Bastard, Oak-Aged Arrogant Bastard, and Double Bastard. It is a hit! Lucky > Double > Arrogant. Smoother than the other too and still packed w/ flavor.
Rating = 6 glasses.
Rating = 6 glasses.
Stone Double Bastard
Double Bastard is a big Strong Ale. Lots of malt and lots of hops. Barleywine-ish but with a rougher edge.
Rating = 5 glasses. Down from 6 glasses.
Rating = 5 glasses. Down from 6 glasses.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Some reviews of Budweiser's ad at the BIg Game.
Bud made heads turn with an ad that differentiated itself from craft beers.
Click here to see what The Atlantic said.
Click here to read an even more harsh review from Paste Magazine. The comments indicate that the ad is a copy of an earlier ad for Carthartt.
Click here to see what The Atlantic said.
Click here to read an even more harsh review from Paste Magazine. The comments indicate that the ad is a copy of an earlier ad for Carthartt.
Homebrew 2 - Duvel clone
My second batch of homebrew is in bottles. I used a clone of the recipe for Duvel, a classic Belgian strong pale ale and one of my favorite beers.
The yeast was active; krausen clogged the air vent and then the pressure blew off the lid to the fermenter. CO2 bubbled for 2 weeks. Then I racked to secondary fermenter and left the beer in the crawl space @ 50 degrees for two weeks. A week back in the fermetorium and CO2 again appeared at a slow rate.
Emily helped both to make the wort and to bottle the beer.
My tastes during the bottling tell me that the beer has promise. I plan to give it 3 weeks to condition in the bottle and then see what has happened.
It is darker than I wanted and expected.
The yeast was active; krausen clogged the air vent and then the pressure blew off the lid to the fermenter. CO2 bubbled for 2 weeks. Then I racked to secondary fermenter and left the beer in the crawl space @ 50 degrees for two weeks. A week back in the fermetorium and CO2 again appeared at a slow rate.
Emily helped both to make the wort and to bottle the beer.
My tastes during the bottling tell me that the beer has promise. I plan to give it 3 weeks to condition in the bottle and then see what has happened.
It is darker than I wanted and expected.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Blue Mountain Long Winter's Nap
Blue Mountain describes Long Winter's Nap as a blonde tripelbock. It is big, malty, and tasty.
5 glasses
5 glasses
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Home brew: Shakespeare Stout
I brewed my first beer. I had assisted ML several times. My main job was to drink beer. After she started using all-grain recipes I decided I wanted to take the lead. My daughters bought some good equipment for me and I finally pulled the trigger. I wanted a stout for the cold weather ahead and followed a recipe for a clone of Rogue Shakespeare Stout that I found online.
I am pleased. The beer looks beautiful. It is really dark and a nice head forms when poured. It has flavor, lots of smoke, some charcoal, and a blast of hops. I fear that it is not balanced, the hops are too much for the malt. Perhaps it will mellow some as it sits. I may want to tweak the recipe if I follow it again.
3 glasses, maybe 4
Update: 22 Jan. Getting better. Rating = 4 glasses. I would brew again in a heartbeat.
I am pleased. The beer looks beautiful. It is really dark and a nice head forms when poured. It has flavor, lots of smoke, some charcoal, and a blast of hops. I fear that it is not balanced, the hops are too much for the malt. Perhaps it will mellow some as it sits. I may want to tweak the recipe if I follow it again.
3 glasses, maybe 4
Update: 22 Jan. Getting better. Rating = 4 glasses. I would brew again in a heartbeat.
Recent good beers
Drie Fonteinen Intense Red Oude Kriek
Drie Fonteninen has blended great lambics and are now brewing their own. I think that this was a one-off to celebrate their entry into brewing. It is a fantastic Kriek. It is darker and fruitier than most Krieks and packs a powerful sour punch.
6 glasses, at least. I want another bottle before going to 7.
Drie Fonteninen has blended great lambics and are now brewing their own. I think that this was a one-off to celebrate their entry into brewing. It is a fantastic Kriek. It is darker and fruitier than most Krieks and packs a powerful sour punch.
6 glasses, at least. I want another bottle before going to 7.
Another fabulous wild ale from Russian River. This one is aged in Cabernet Sauvingnon barrels and contains currents. The wine flavor was a little too strong imho. Otherwise, 7 glasses
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Williamsburg Alewerks Lover's Greed
This is a nice Wild Ale. Its flavor falls between Gueze and Flanders Red Ale, a nice blend of tart and sweet. I'll buy again.
5 glasses.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Bear Republic Cafe 15 Racer
A really nice IPA. Easy drinking with some grapefruit and bit. 5 glasses.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Rodenbach Caractère Rouge
Rodenbach Caractère Rouge is a special one-off version of its famous Flanders Red Ale, made with fresh cherries, raspberries and cranberries.. It is good, interesting, and expensive. I like Grand Cru better.
4 glasses given the price.
4 glasses given the price.
Rodenbach 2011 Vintage
Rodenbach 2011 Vintage is a one-off Flanders Oud Bruin. It is fantastic. 7 glasses. Tart with flashes of sweet. Better than Grand Cru. Better than Caractère Rouge, a more expensive beer. Shared with Alex. We both liked it a ton.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Bruery White Oak
I had the Bruery White Oak tonight at Mekong and was quite impressed. I was ready to give it a 6-glass rating until I read my first review. It is a wheat wine with lots of oak (and maybe a little bourbon) flavor. It is too easy to drink. I thought the result was really good tonight.
Rating = 5 glasses.
Rating = 5 glasses.
Cantillon Saint Lamvinus
Wow!. St. Lamvinus is a fruit lambic. It is wonderfully tart with a musty slight sweetness from grapes. It resembles Kriek, but uses grapes instead of cherries. Here is the description of the beer from Cantillon:
"The grapes, of the merlot and cabernet-franc varieties, are soaked in Bordeaux barrels containing two to three years old lambic. The beer is not blended before the bottling. The foam is caused by the addition of a liquor which starts the fermentation.
"The grapes, of the merlot and cabernet-franc varieties, are soaked in Bordeaux barrels containing two to three years old lambic. The beer is not blended before the bottling. The foam is caused by the addition of a liquor which starts the fermentation.
It was rated on BeerAdvocate.com as one of the 100 best beers in the world on 29 December 2005, 01 March 2007, and 09 October 2013.
Rating = 7 glasses.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Strangeways Phantasmic East Coast IPA
Strangeways Phantasmic East Coast IPA is a nice beer of good quality. The hop profile missed my mark a little, more of a hoppy pale ale with a tiche of sour flavor, but the lacing was fantastic. 3 glasses. Might merit 4?
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Heady Topper
The Alchemist Heady Topper is a wonderful double IPA. The hops accentuate grapefruit and are intense without being intensely bitter. The beer is so easy to drink that you might think that it is a session beer but the ABV will hit you quickly. The malt backbone is present as a supporting actor but big enough to make the beer so easy to drink. The reviewers on BeerAdvocate recently rated it as the best beer in the world. The beer earns it accolades. I am giving it 6 glasses and may upgrade to 7 after drinking the last one in my frig - I am reluctant to give 7 glasses on one evening of drinking. Many thanks to Mary Lou for bring some to me from Vermont.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
18 August 2013
Bell's Oarsman: A solid 4. Simple, tart, and easy drinking.
Allagash Tripel Reserve: I am liking this more and more. Upgraded to 6 glasses.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Visit to Mekong
I ate at Mekong Restaurant tonight and sampled 5 beers. One beer was interesting and not my cup of tea. another was good, two were very good and one was fantastic.
BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes Square root 225 is a delightful funky saison. It is tart enough to be a sour. I asked An for a recommendation and he gave me a glass of this, telling me it was better than Saison Brett. He was correct. 6 glasses.
Boulevard Saison-Brett is a nice saison with a touch of sour. Good but paled somewhat with the beers that followed. Downgraded from 6 glasses to 5. Click here for previous review.
Firestone Walker Double Jack is a big Double IPA. It is nice and hoppy and not too malty. I only had a small portion because my order blew the keg. Darn.
Update on 1308. Had a full glass and was not as impressed. Good but I missed something in the hop profile. Downgraded from 6 glasses glasses to 5 and thought about 4.
Update on 1308. Had a full glass and was not as impressed. Good but I missed something in the hop profile. Downgraded from 6 glasses glasses to 5 and thought about 4.
The Bruery White Oak "is a blended beer-- 50% wheatwine aged in Bourbon barrels (we call it "White Oak Sap"), and 50% Mischief (our Golden Strong Ale)." It was nice and interesting and not my cup of tea. 3 glasses.
BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes Bon Chien (2012) is a fantastic beer. Sour with oak and smoke and tons of complexity. 7 glasses.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Recent beers
21st Amendment Hop Crisis is a complex Imperial IPA. The web site says, "We made the biggest, hoppiest IPA we could imagine and aged it on oak for good measure." It is one of the better barrel-aged IPA's I remember. The aging muted the hops but give a wonderful complexity to the beer. 5 glasses.
The Bruery Hottenroth is a pleasant Berliner weiss. Slightly tart and acidic with a touch of lemon, it is easy drinking and light.Still three glasses.
Trappistes Rochefort 8 is a fantastic example of Strong Belgian Dark Ale. The last bottle I pulled from my "cellar" had been aging for about 5 years and it was yummy. Easily 6 glasses and I am thinking about 7. It is complex, flavorful, and easy drinking.
Bell's Third Coast Old Ale is another beer that is improving with age. The last bottle I pulled from my cellar was about 5 years old. It had evolved into a caramel, butterscotch brew that resembled an English Barleywine. It continues to earn 6 glasses.
Trappistes Rochefort 8 is a fantastic example of Strong Belgian Dark Ale. The last bottle I pulled from my "cellar" had been aging for about 5 years and it was yummy. Easily 6 glasses and I am thinking about 7. It is complex, flavorful, and easy drinking.
Bell's Third Coast Old Ale is another beer that is improving with age. The last bottle I pulled from my cellar was about 5 years old. It had evolved into a caramel, butterscotch brew that resembled an English Barleywine. It continues to earn 6 glasses.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Lindemans Gueuze Cuvée René
0803: Nice, apple cider w/ lemon and vinegar. Good value for gueuze. 6 glasses
1304: More sour and less tart. A slight rancid metallic taste. Downgraded to 5 glasses and thought about 4 glasses.
1304: More sour and less tart. A slight rancid metallic taste. Downgraded to 5 glasses and thought about 4 glasses.
Russian River Supplication
Brown Ale aged in used Pinot Noir barrels from local Sonoma County wineries. It is aged for about 12 months with sour cherries, brettanomyces, lactobacillus, and pediococcus added to each barrel. Flavors from the cherries, Pinot Noir and oak balance each other nicely with a little funk from the brett (URL).
Good but not great. A little like wine added to a beer. Tart and compex. 6 glasses.
Good but not great. A little like wine added to a beer. Tart and compex. 6 glasses.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Hardywood Baltic Porter with Bacon and Maple
Oh no! Hardywood missed on this one. Massive and dense but not what I want to drink. 1 glass.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
Had a bottle at Happy Hour at Cafe Catura. The grilled shrimp tacos were boffo. The beer was not. It does not hit my sweet spot. A review from April 2008 gave the beer 2 glasses and said, "OK. A little cream, a little chocolate, and a little smokey bite but a little thin. Better @ room temp. May rate a 3." The beer is crafted well and I am moving the rating to 3.
Monday, March 18, 2013
NPR on Big Beer
This story on NPR talks about the dominance of ABInBev and MolsonCoors and ABInBev's attempt to acquire Modelo.
Beer and Civilization
This note in the New York Times claims that beer played a vital role in creating the type of civilization we enjoy today.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Friday, November 16, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Caledonian Newcastle Winter IPA
I paired my Pho Sate w Newcastle Winter IPA tonight. It is easy to drink and pleasant. As advertised it is an English IPA, with mild hops.
I am giving the beer a rating of 3 glasses.
Edit. I just finished the six pack. The more I drank, the less I liked. Downgraded to 2 glasses and thought about 1.
I am giving the beer a rating of 3 glasses.
Edit. I just finished the six pack. The more I drank, the less I liked. Downgraded to 2 glasses and thought about 1.
Smuttynose Winter Ale
I succumbed to a stack of Smuttynose Winter Ale on a visit w Lisa to Kroger's today and bought a 6-pack. I thought it was a wittier. I tired one tonight because I thought it would be a a nice aperiti. Well, surprise! The ale is actually a winter warmer reminiscent of a Belgian style dubbel. Beeradvocate classifies it as a dubbel. I think that I will group it w winter warmers. The brewer states that the beer contains no spices.
The beer reminds me of Great Divide Hibernation Ale and Anchor Old Jubilation. It is nice and malty with some caramel and spicy sweetness. Pleasant and Christmassy.
I give it 4 glasses. Upon further examination I may move the score to 5.
The beer reminds me of Great Divide Hibernation Ale and Anchor Old Jubilation. It is nice and malty with some caramel and spicy sweetness. Pleasant and Christmassy.
I give it 4 glasses. Upon further examination I may move the score to 5.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Business Week
Here is a good article on the effects on the beer industry of the InBev's acquisition of Anheuser-Busch to form AB InBev. The article does a nice job describing some of the real or potential tradeoffs between cost efficiencies and quality.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Three recent wonderful experiences
I have tasted three wonderful beers recently: North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, Bell's Third Coast Old Ale, and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine Style Ale.
Old Rasputin is what the name says, a big Imperial Stout. Nice chocolate and smoke flavors with a touch of charcoal. Thick and smooth. I purchased this bottle in November 2011 in Mathews; it had aged at least 1 year. Yummy. I discovered that I left an inch or so in the glass overnight and drank what was left in the morning. Still good. I liked the beer so much that I went out this week and bought 3 new 4-packs. I moved its rating from 5 to 6 glasses and thought about 7. Previous review.
Beer Advocate classifies Third Coast Old Ale is an American Barleywine. Bell's bottled this 6-pack on 4 Dec 2008, making it about 4 years old. The taste was all brown sugar and malt. I want to buy and age more. Yummy. It continues to earn its 6-glass rating. Previous review.
Tonight I took a 2010 vintage Bigfoot out of my cellar. Malt and hops and wonderful. Still 7 glasses. Previous review.
Friday, October 12, 2012
J. W. Lees Harvest Ale Matured in Calvados Casks
The beer continues to earn 7 glasses.Sweet, thick with a dash on apple brandy melded to a fantastic English barley wine. The brewer brewed this bottle in 2005 and I purchased it in April 2008 from West Park Wine and Beer. I am sad that West Park closed.
I paired the beer with pecan pie for a late night treat.
Previous Review.
I paired the beer with pecan pie for a late night treat.
Previous Review.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
New Reviews yet to be Posted
Weyerbacher Riserva - 5 glasses
Bruery Three French Hens - 5 glasses
Troeg's Mad Elf - 2 glasses (an upgrade)
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum - 5 glasses
Clipper City Heavy Seas Loose Canon - 4 glasses (a downgrade)
Steenberge Piraat - 4 glasses
Ommegang BPA - 3 glasses
BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes Abbaye De Saint Bon-Chien - 7 glasses
Steenberge Bruegel - 3 glasses
Steenberge Bornem Triple - 4 glasses
Hanssens Lambic Experimental Cassis - 3 glasses
Highlands Black Mocha Stout - 4 glasses
Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' - 5 glasses
Steenberge Bornem Double - 4 glasses
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA - 5 glasses
Highlands Oatmeal Porter - 4 glasses
Steenberge Augustiin - 3 glasses
Alesmith Old Numskull - 5 glasses
Avery Joe's - 4 glasses
Move Chimnay to 6
Move Sculpin to 6
I have fallen behind
Bruery Three French Hens - 5 glasses
Troeg's Mad Elf - 2 glasses (an upgrade)
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum - 5 glasses
Clipper City Heavy Seas Loose Canon - 4 glasses (a downgrade)
Steenberge Piraat - 4 glasses
Ommegang BPA - 3 glasses
BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes Abbaye De Saint Bon-Chien - 7 glasses
Steenberge Bruegel - 3 glasses
Steenberge Bornem Triple - 4 glasses
Hanssens Lambic Experimental Cassis - 3 glasses
Highlands Black Mocha Stout - 4 glasses
Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' - 5 glasses
Steenberge Bornem Double - 4 glasses
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA - 5 glasses
Highlands Oatmeal Porter - 4 glasses
Steenberge Augustiin - 3 glasses
Alesmith Old Numskull - 5 glasses
Avery Joe's - 4 glasses
Move Chimnay to 6
Move Sculpin to 6
I have fallen behind
Beers sorted by Brewer
21st Amendmend: Hop Crisis
Alchemist Heady Topper
Alesmith (Speedway Stout
Allagash: Dubbel, Triple Reserve, White
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Anheuser-Busch Budweiser
Avery: Anniversary Ale - Sixeen, Maharaja, Old Jubulation
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen
Bass Pale Ale
Bavik Petrus Aged Pale Ale
Bear Republic Racer 5
Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA
Bell's: Batch 9000, Expedition Stout, Oarsman, Oberon, Octoberfest, Sparkling Ale, Special Double Cream Stout, Third Coast Old Ale, Two Hearted Ale
BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes: Square root 225, Bon Chien
Bitburger Premium Pils
Bockor Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge
Blue and Gray Elwood Thompson Fresh Farmhouse Ale
Bluegrass Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout
Blue Mountain: Artisanal Ale, Big D.I.P.A, Full Nelson, Rockfish Wheat
Boon Mariage Parfait
Bostells Karmeliet
Boulevard: 80 Acre, Saison - Brett
Brasserie Dieu du Ciel Peche Mortel
Brooklyn: Black Chocolate Stout, Monster Ale, Oktoberfest
Bruery: Hottenroth Berliner Weisse, Saison Rue, White Oak
Caledonian Newcastle Winter IPA
Cantillon: Gueuze, Rose de Gambrinus, St. Lamvinus, Vigneronne
Center of the Universe Pocahoptas
Chimay: Grand Reserve (Blue), Tripel
Clipper City Heavy Seas Loose Canon
d'Achouffe: La Chouffe, N'Ice Chouffe
de Dolle: Ara Bier, Dulle Teve, Oerbier, Oerbier Reserva, Stille Nacht
De Proef: Les Deux Brasseurs, Pinhead
Dogfish Head: 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, 120 Minute IPA, World Wide Stout
Drie Fonteine Oude Geuze
Duck-Rabbit Porter
Dupont: Avec Les Bons Voeux, Saison
Duvel Duvel
Fantôme Saison
Firestone Walker: Double Jack, Floreffe Prima Melior
Flying Dog: Gonzo, Dog In Heat Wheat, Raging Bitch, Snake Dog IPA, Whiskey-Barrel Aged Gonzo
Founders: Breakfast Stout, Imperial Stout, Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Porter, Red's Rye PA
Fullers Vintage Ale
Girardin Gueuze 1882 Black Label
Goose Island: 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
Great Divide: Hibernation Ale, Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, Titan IPA, Yeti Imperial Stout
Green Flash Imperial IPA
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
Hardywood: Bourbon Cru, Baltic Porter with Bacon and Maple,
Hanssens: Oude Gueuze, Oude Kriek
Hoegaarden Original White Ale
Huyghe Delirium NocturumA
Koningshoeven Tripel
Lagunitas: Brown Sugga' (cask), Cappuccino Stout, IPA, Undercover Investigator Shut-Down Ale
Leffe Blonde
Left Hand Polestar Pilsner
Legend: Brown Ale, Golden Ale, Octoberfest
Lindemans Framboise, Gueuze Cuvée René
J. W. Lees: Harvest Ale, Harvest Ale aged in Calvados casks
Magic Hat Vinyl
Modelo Negra Modelo
New Belgium Mothership Wit
New Holland Golden Cap
North Coast: ACME California IPA, Blue Star Wheat Ale, Old #38 Stout, Old Rasputin, Red Seal Ale
Old Dominion Millennium
Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout
Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
Oskar Blues Gordon
Oskar Blues TEN FIDY
Ommegang Abbey Ale
Ommegang Biere de Mars
Ommegang Hennepin
Ommegang Ommegeddon
Ommegang Rare Vos
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Ommegang Tripel Perfection
Orval Orval
Oud Beersel Kriek
Oud Beersel Oude Geuze Vieille
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrub
Paulaner Salvator
Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Pilsner Urquell
Port Old Viscosity
Rogue Chocolate Stout
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Russian River: Santification, Supplicaton
Russian River Temptation
*Samuel Adams* (Boston Lager, Noble Pils, Octoberfest)
Samuel Smith: Oatmeal Stout, Pure Brewed Lager
Schneider: Aventinus, Aventinus Weizen Eisbock, Weisse
Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot / Celebration / ESB / Kellerweis / Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale / Pale Ale / Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale, Stout / Summerfest / Torpedo Extra IPA /
Sinebrychoff: Porter
Smisje: Calva Reserva
Smuttynose: Baltic Porter, "Finest Kind" IPA, Robust Porter
Smuttynose Winter Ale
Southampton: Biere de Garde, Saison Deluxe
Southern Tier - 2 x IPA / IPA / Unearthly /
St. Bernardus: Abt 12, Prior 8, Tripel, Witbier
St. George: IPA, Summer Ale
Starr Hill: Dark Starr Stout, (The) Gift, Jumo Lager, (The) Love, Northern Lights
Steenberge: Gulden Draak, Maerfant Damse
Stone: 13th Anniversary, Arrogant Bastard, Double Bastard, Imperial Russian Stout, Levitation Ale, Old Ruffian, Ruination
Stoudts: Scarlette Lady
Strangeways Phantasmic East Coast IPA
Strubbe: Ichtegem's Grand Cru
Terrapin: Sunray Wheat Ale
Thirsty Dog: Old Leghumper, Siberian Night
Three Floyds: Gumballhead, Pride and Joy
*Trader Joe's* (2009 Vintage Ale, 2010 Vintage Ale, Bavarian Style Hefeweizen, Joseph Brau Dunkelweizen, Joseph Brau Oktoberfest)
Trappistes Rochefort: 6, 8, 10
Tröegs: Nugget Nectar
Tuppers: Keller Pils
Tyskie: Gronie
Unibroue: La Fin du Monde, Maudite, Trois Pistoles
Urthel: Hop-It, Saisonnière
Victory: Baltic Thunder, Old Horizontal, Prima Pils
Weihenstephaner: 1809, Hefeweissbier, Vitus
Westmalle: Tripel
Weyerbacher: Twelve
Widmer: Hefeweizen
Yuengling: Black and Tan, Traditional Lager
Alchemist Heady Topper
Alesmith (Speedway Stout
Allagash: Dubbel, Triple Reserve, White
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Anheuser-Busch Budweiser
Avery: Anniversary Ale - Sixeen, Maharaja, Old Jubulation
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen
Bass Pale Ale
Bavik Petrus Aged Pale Ale
Bear Republic Racer 5
Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA
Bell's: Batch 9000, Expedition Stout, Oarsman, Oberon, Octoberfest, Sparkling Ale, Special Double Cream Stout, Third Coast Old Ale, Two Hearted Ale
BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes: Square root 225, Bon Chien
Bitburger Premium Pils
Bockor Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge
Blue and Gray Elwood Thompson Fresh Farmhouse Ale
Bluegrass Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout
Blue Mountain: Artisanal Ale, Big D.I.P.A, Full Nelson, Rockfish Wheat
Boon Mariage Parfait
Bostells Karmeliet
Boulevard: 80 Acre, Saison - Brett
Brasserie Dieu du Ciel Peche Mortel
Brooklyn: Black Chocolate Stout, Monster Ale, Oktoberfest
Bruery: Hottenroth Berliner Weisse, Saison Rue, White Oak
Caledonian Newcastle Winter IPA
Cantillon: Gueuze, Rose de Gambrinus, St. Lamvinus, Vigneronne
Center of the Universe Pocahoptas
Chimay: Grand Reserve (Blue), Tripel
Clipper City Heavy Seas Loose Canon
d'Achouffe: La Chouffe, N'Ice Chouffe
de Dolle: Ara Bier, Dulle Teve, Oerbier, Oerbier Reserva, Stille Nacht
De Proef: Les Deux Brasseurs, Pinhead
Dogfish Head: 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, 120 Minute IPA, World Wide Stout
Drie Fonteine Oude Geuze
Duck-Rabbit Porter
Dupont: Avec Les Bons Voeux, Saison
Duvel Duvel
Fantôme Saison
Firestone Walker: Double Jack, Floreffe Prima Melior
Flying Dog: Gonzo, Dog In Heat Wheat, Raging Bitch, Snake Dog IPA, Whiskey-Barrel Aged Gonzo
Founders: Breakfast Stout, Imperial Stout, Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Porter, Red's Rye PA
Fullers Vintage Ale
Girardin Gueuze 1882 Black Label
Goose Island: 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
Great Divide: Hibernation Ale, Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, Titan IPA, Yeti Imperial Stout
Green Flash Imperial IPA
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
Hardywood: Bourbon Cru, Baltic Porter with Bacon and Maple,
Hanssens: Oude Gueuze, Oude Kriek
Hoegaarden Original White Ale
Huyghe Delirium NocturumA
Koningshoeven Tripel
Lagunitas: Brown Sugga' (cask), Cappuccino Stout, IPA, Undercover Investigator Shut-Down Ale
Leffe Blonde
Left Hand Polestar Pilsner
Legend: Brown Ale, Golden Ale, Octoberfest
Lindemans Framboise, Gueuze Cuvée René
J. W. Lees: Harvest Ale, Harvest Ale aged in Calvados casks
Magic Hat Vinyl
Modelo Negra Modelo
New Belgium Mothership Wit
New Holland Golden Cap
North Coast: ACME California IPA, Blue Star Wheat Ale, Old #38 Stout, Old Rasputin, Red Seal Ale
Old Dominion Millennium
Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout
Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
Oskar Blues Gordon
Oskar Blues TEN FIDY
Ommegang Abbey Ale
Ommegang Biere de Mars
Ommegang Hennepin
Ommegang Ommegeddon
Ommegang Rare Vos
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Ommegang Tripel Perfection
Orval Orval
Oud Beersel Kriek
Oud Beersel Oude Geuze Vieille
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrub
Paulaner Salvator
Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Pilsner Urquell
Port Old Viscosity
Rogue Chocolate Stout
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Russian River: Santification, Supplicaton
Russian River Temptation
*Samuel Adams* (Boston Lager, Noble Pils, Octoberfest)
Samuel Smith: Oatmeal Stout, Pure Brewed Lager
Schneider: Aventinus, Aventinus Weizen Eisbock, Weisse
Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot / Celebration / ESB / Kellerweis / Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale / Pale Ale / Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale, Stout / Summerfest / Torpedo Extra IPA /
Sinebrychoff: Porter
Smisje: Calva Reserva
Smuttynose: Baltic Porter, "Finest Kind" IPA, Robust Porter
Smuttynose Winter Ale
Southampton: Biere de Garde, Saison Deluxe
Southern Tier - 2 x IPA / IPA / Unearthly /
St. Bernardus: Abt 12, Prior 8, Tripel, Witbier
St. George: IPA, Summer Ale
Starr Hill: Dark Starr Stout, (The) Gift, Jumo Lager, (The) Love, Northern Lights
Steenberge: Gulden Draak, Maerfant Damse
Stone: 13th Anniversary, Arrogant Bastard, Double Bastard, Imperial Russian Stout, Levitation Ale, Old Ruffian, Ruination
Stoudts: Scarlette Lady
Strangeways Phantasmic East Coast IPA
Strubbe: Ichtegem's Grand Cru
Terrapin: Sunray Wheat Ale
Thirsty Dog: Old Leghumper, Siberian Night
Three Floyds: Gumballhead, Pride and Joy
*Trader Joe's* (2009 Vintage Ale, 2010 Vintage Ale, Bavarian Style Hefeweizen, Joseph Brau Dunkelweizen, Joseph Brau Oktoberfest)
Trappistes Rochefort: 6, 8, 10
Tröegs: Nugget Nectar
Tuppers: Keller Pils
Tyskie: Gronie
Unibroue: La Fin du Monde, Maudite, Trois Pistoles
Urthel: Hop-It, Saisonnière
Victory: Baltic Thunder, Old Horizontal, Prima Pils
Weihenstephaner: 1809, Hefeweissbier, Vitus
Westmalle: Tripel
Weyerbacher: Twelve
Widmer: Hefeweizen
Yuengling: Black and Tan, Traditional Lager
Stille Nacht
Brewer: de Dolle Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Tasting notes: (1012) Bottled 2008, in my cellar for 1 yr 4 mn since 0908. Where is the sugar? Fruity with orange zest and funk. Downgraded from 7. A bad bottle? (0811) Marvelous mix of orange zest, spices, alcohol, candy sugar, and funk. Bottle in 2006. Upgraded from 5. Initially put down 6 but could not get the beer out of my mind. (0712) A 2006 bottle. Spicy sour oranges (tangerine?) w/ an alcohol blast. Not as sweet as I remembered. Downgraded from 6. (0610) A glass at Mekong. Sweet, spices, and alcohol. Reminded me of Samichlaus, but better. Click here for a previous review.
Previous ratings: 6, 5, 7 glasses
Rating: 5 glasses
Vintage Ale 2010
Tripel Perfection
Tripel Reserve
Brewer: Allagash Style: Tripel
Tasting notes: (1012) A bottle @ LeMaire. Fruity, spicy, with a tiche of dry funk. Complex. Upgraded from 4 glasses and thought about 6. (1008) Fruity and nice w/ a touch of triple sour dryness. 0705: Dry, sour, grapefruit hops, with hints of lemon and citrus.. Downgraded from 5/8. ???: My first Belgian style ale and still one of my favorites. Fruity and nice. You spend half the bottle trying to identify the flavors and then the 9.0% ABV hits you.
Top 100: 29 December 2005
Previous ratings: 5, then 4 glasses
Rating: 5 glasses
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Old Jubulation
Brewer: Avery
Style: Winter Warmer
Tasting notes: (1012) A spicy brown ale. It tastes like Christmas. Downgraded from 5 glasses. (1011) A hoppy brown ale? A subdued Arrogant Bastard? Strong Ale might be the better classification The brewer calls it English Strong Ale. (0801) A good brown ale? (0801) Big caramel malt with a spicy finish. (0801) A Brown Ale / Stout? Thinking about a 6 and buying another 6-pack. (0801) Burnt toffee. Quaffable and sippable. Very nice.
Previous ratings: 5 glasses
Rating: 4 glasses
Style: Winter Warmer
Tasting notes: (1012) A spicy brown ale. It tastes like Christmas. Downgraded from 5 glasses. (1011) A hoppy brown ale? A subdued Arrogant Bastard? Strong Ale might be the better classification The brewer calls it English Strong Ale. (0801) A good brown ale? (0801) Big caramel malt with a spicy finish. (0801) A Brown Ale / Stout? Thinking about a 6 and buying another 6-pack. (0801) Burnt toffee. Quaffable and sippable. Very nice.
Previous ratings: 5 glasses
Rating: 4 glasses
Southern Tier 2 x IPA
Brewer: Southern Tier Style: Double IPA
Tasting notes: (1011) 1st of a 6-pack. Thinnner and more floral than I remembered. Downgraded from 5 glasses and thought about 3. Better on draft. (1011) On draft @ Joe's Inn. Hopped up, w/ some malt to balance. Lots of citrus with some pine.
Previous ratings: 5 glasses
Rating: 4 glasses
Polestar Pilsner
Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale
Brewer: Sierra Nevada Style: Pale Ale
Tasting notes: (1010) Slight sweetness up front followed by wonderful bite - a tiche of resin and a tiche of pine. (0811) Another fine bottle. Nothing too strong: tamer than the description that follows. (0810) Sweet malt w/ resiny musty hops. Very nice. (0710) A 24 oz. bottle. Resiny, musty hops. May rate a 5, but it is the best example of American Pale Ale. My tastes have changed. Upgraded from a 1. (????) Well crafted but too much pine
Comment: This is a seasonal release (Fall) that uses fresh hops. Sierra Nevade trys to use them the day that they are picked.
Top 100: 29 December 2005
Previous ratings: 1 glassRating: 6 glasses
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Joseph Brau Dunkelweizen
Oktober Fest-Märzen
Bavarian Style Hefeweizen
Brewer: Trader Joe's
Style: Hefeweizen
Tasting notes: (1010) Bananas, clove and bubble gum. Upgraded from 3 glasses. (1008) Wonderful nose. Flavor is weaker and a little different. Downgraded from 4 glasses. (1004) Bananas and clove. A little thin. May rate 3 glasses but $1 a bottle pushes up the score.
Comment: A contract brew.
Previous ratings: 4 glasses, then 3.
Rating: 4 glasses
Style: Hefeweizen
Tasting notes: (1010) Bananas, clove and bubble gum. Upgraded from 3 glasses. (1008) Wonderful nose. Flavor is weaker and a little different. Downgraded from 4 glasses. (1004) Bananas and clove. A little thin. May rate 3 glasses but $1 a bottle pushes up the score.
Comment: A contract brew.
Previous ratings: 4 glasses, then 3.
Rating: 4 glasses
Joseph Brau Oktoberfest
Octoberfest
Octoberfest
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