Friday, June 1, 2012
Magic Hat Elder Betty
Rogue Double Dead Guy Ale
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Michelob Ultra Pomegranate Rasberry Light Beer
My friend bought me a case of this beer and its been in my fridge for a few weeks now so I decided to finish off a few bottles, after all there are a lot of people in this world without beer in their fridge and so it would be unethical to waste this beer. Anyways, turns out, it's not really a beer. More like a carbonated fruit juice, or soda with a little more carbohydrate thickness to it and some head. Actually, it tastes a little like flavored seltzer water. If you like miller chill, or bid light with lime, or maybe (but less) even corona with lime (all of which I consider to be like crappy carbonated lemonade), you may like this drink. I would not however group it with things like pumpkin ale, and maybe apricot ale which, in my opinion, are still significantly beery. My (female) friend who bought this 6 pack however likes this, so I think there is an audience for it. Originally I thought about writing that this is a good compromise between getting wine coolers or bacardi's and getting beer, but that would be false. This would only be a good alcoholic replacement for fruit flavored seltzer water, nothing else. 1/5 although its not really a beer in my opnion so maybe NA/5 would be more appropriate.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Sierra Nevada 12th Release Harvest Wet Hop Ale
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Coney Island Freaktoberfest
The shock value of pouring this beer out of the bottle is possibly the best part. It pours a deep, pomegranite juice RED with a (small, poor retention) pink head. Halloween! Freaks! Blood! I get it!
Unfortunately it doesn't get much better from here on out. There's a mild smell of citrus, hops and caramel malts that makes the mild taste of citrus, hops and caramel malts no surprise (where's the plot twist, Shmaltz? where's the magic?). I drank it fairly cold and noticed the bitter aftertaste most strongly. The flavor is unobtrusive despite the bitterness and after a half a glass I found it much more drinkable (once the back of my tongue had recovered from the introduction). As it warms the sweeter notes (grapefruit, apple?) and the hops come shyly to the fore, which upped the appeal for me somewhat. I can see it being a hit at a Halloween party if only for the color and the label. This is not like on Oktoberfest at all, despite the name, and I suspect those expecting one would be disappointed. I wouldn't get it again but that's not to say it's awful (though I have my suspicions as to its mediocrity). I think it is simply not my style. 2.5/5
Saturday, October 11, 2008
hacker-pschorr weisse
4.5/5
Friday, October 3, 2008
Brooklyn Lager
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Double Bastard Ale, Stone Brewing Co., San Diego, CA
Tom: As a lover of everything that comes from Stone Brewing Co., and in particular a huge fan of Arrogant Bastard, it is with great remorse that I have to report this as the biggest disappointment in beer tasting since the start of this blog. Remnants of the thickness we love so much from Arrogant Bastard are there, but I'd call it half-bastard instead of double-bastard. And that brings us to the taste, which is abhorrent. There is not even a shadow of that smokey goodness we know and love--in it's place. Pineapple. Fucking Pineapple. I know, I know--I couldn't believe it either. Do not be fooled by the Brewery or the Label or the wit you'll find on the label. This beer is a disgrace. 1.5/5
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Death and Taxes, Moonlight Brewery, San Francisco
Tom: They say this is a black lager, but it was a lot thicker than that. And better. One of the most burnt tasting beers I've ever had, but they pulled it off magnificently. Not a hint of sweetness, fruit, or chocolate. It didn't dry my mouth out like I was afraid it would. It made me feel like a man. 4.7/5
Thursday, November 1, 2007
The Shipyard Blue Fin Stout, Portland, ME
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Grimbergen Double Ale
Monday, October 15, 2007
Arrogant Bastard Ale
"This is an aggressive beer. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. Maybe you should stick to safer and more familiar territory - maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it's made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think multi-million dollar ad campaigns make a beer taste better. Perhaps you're mouthing your words as you read this." 4.8/5.0
Friday, October 12, 2007
Shipyard Pumpkinhead
Rat: I don't like fruit (or vegetable) flavored beers usually because I think they do a diservice to the beer and to the fruit at the same time. However, of the flavored beers I've tried (cherry wheat, apricot, and other crap) this one was probably the best. Its got a mild pumpkin taste thats not overbearing, and that compliments the bitterness and sweetness of the ale. I would recommend trying a bottle or six pack but not going much more than that. 3/5
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Samuel Smith's India Ale
Kyle: Wikipedia says it's an "independent" brewer. Don't know if that's quite a microbrewery. I had it at the Clay Pit, an Indian restaurant in Austin. It was hardly bitter at all, kinda surprisingly sweet for an IPA. Like banana nut bread. I didn't get much of an aroma. But my nose was runny from the curry. Gold foil around the neck makes me feel like I'm being bought. 2.7/5.0
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Corona Extra
Rat: Although clearly not a microbrew, I think Corona deserves discussion. Specifically, I think this whole "Corona with lime" thing is out of control. Do I like corona? Yes, I do. In fact, I like it more than having a bud or a coors. I also think, if it wasn't so expensive, it would make a fantastic beirut beer. However, all this is based on my "Corona without lime" experience. I do not believe a lime enhances Corona any more than a lime enhances a bud or a coors. Its not like I never have Corona with lime, because clearly its like the social thing to do, but my point still stands that Corona is good without the lime and people tend to forget that. 4/5
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA; Milton, DE
Greg: Man, this is just such a good beer. I'm a huge fan of pale ales and IPAs. I just love the hops, probably because they compensate for my race's lack thereof. I spose it's a New England thing, which is sad, b/c the world could benefit from this beer. Its not quite Sierra Nevada, so it gets a 4.8/5.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Harpoon IPA, New England
Left Hand Brewing Co.'s Milk Stout, Longmont, CO
Monday, July 2, 2007
Kozlov Stout, Thirsty Bear, San Francisco, CA
Tom: This is the absolute best dry stout I've had in America. Period. It's fantastic--from the first to the sixth. Not too sweet, smokey as hell, and thick but not filling. It's got to be a 5.0--goddam. You can't get it anywhere outside San Francisco, though, as far as I know. So come visit! 5.0/5.0
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Karma Ale, Boulder CO
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Boundary Bay ESB
Boundary Bay Scotch Ale
Boundary Bay Dry Irish Stout, Bellingham, WA
Rogue Kells Irish Style Lager from Rogue Ales
Boddingtons Pub Ale
Sierra Nevada Porter
Rolling Rock Extra Pale
St. Peter's Golden Ale (British)
Greg: i'm not particularly sure it was the golden ale, but i think so. i only had it once, but it was awesome. but then that could have just been circumstantial. and frankly i don't remember it at all, i just know i liked it. next time anyone goes to bevmo, please pick some up. Score: 4.5/5
Drake’s IPA
Rat: A really good beer. It’s got a sweet cover up over that’s slightly bitter first wash, that leaves you relaxed, but steadily craving another sip. 4.2/5
Smithwicks
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye Seasonal Ale, Healdsburg, CA
Rat: I liked this one. It had a strong deep flavor with a dry and bitter taste that left me wanting for another sip. I haven’t tried very many rye beers, but given this, I might try some more. 4.2 /5
Guiness Extra Stout
Rat: I like Guinness Draught more than this extra stout. It’s bitter, but without much unique flavor of its own, just bitter. I could never really see myself saying “I could use a Guinness extra stout right now.” I could however, see myself saying I would like a Guiness Draught right now. Nevertheless, a Guinness is still a Guinness, meaning that it is solid, robust, and dependable. It will definitely fulfill your palette, and beat the average beer. Score:
Copperhook
Rat: I’d stick with redhook. This one tastes like a watered down or light redhook. The flavor is still in there, but its hard to find.
Red Hook Amber Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Rat: Tastes good as
Greg: sierra Nevada pale ale (not Indian). hands down my favorite beer. every time i go to the liquor store to get good beer i first have to decide b/w snpa and other beers (snpa usually wins), and then if i decide not to go with it i have to consider all the others. the veritable radiohead of beers for me. 5/5
Sam Adams
Sam Adams White Ale
Rat: I generally love Sam Adams, and I’m fairly fond of the few white beers I’ve tried, but I didn’t
really like this one. Can’t say too much more, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Greg: sam
Dead Guy Ale
Rat: At first a weak ale with strong seltzer flavor, but becomes a bittersweet wash, followed by a dry cap for your taste buds.
Mackeson Triple Stout, Cincinnati, Ohio
Rat: Long flavor like a good stout should have but lacks a toasty punch that more classic stouts have. Some might call it not yet ripe.