Taste: 2 Finish: 2 Visual: 3 Aroma: 1
Total: 8
It's cold. It's wet. It tastes like "beer". It smells of boiled malt. It has a cooked down flavor. But, it does have a decent color!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Bear Republic Racer 5: 24
Taste: 8 Finish: 7 Visual: 4 Aroma: 5
Total: 24
Bear Republic is partially credited for bringing ultra-hopped IPAs to California, and ultimately the country.
It has a slightly cloudy yellow color with a hint of orange. It has a full creamy head. It has a grapefruit and spiced aroma.
The bitter hops are front and center. Behind it is a bit of grapefruit but not as much as I expected. In fact, the whole brew is oddly strong yet muted. It's lightly carbonated giving it just a bit of sizzle around the edges of the tongue. The finish has some dry hops on it but it's not overpowering.
It's a step stronger than a good IPA but nothing as powerful as a Stone Arrogant Bastard or Smuttynose Big A IPA. Very drinkable for a big beer.
Total: 24
Bear Republic is partially credited for bringing ultra-hopped IPAs to California, and ultimately the country.
It has a slightly cloudy yellow color with a hint of orange. It has a full creamy head. It has a grapefruit and spiced aroma.
The bitter hops are front and center. Behind it is a bit of grapefruit but not as much as I expected. In fact, the whole brew is oddly strong yet muted. It's lightly carbonated giving it just a bit of sizzle around the edges of the tongue. The finish has some dry hops on it but it's not overpowering.
It's a step stronger than a good IPA but nothing as powerful as a Stone Arrogant Bastard or Smuttynose Big A IPA. Very drinkable for a big beer.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Harpoon Octoberfest: 24
Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 24
It has a perfect amber color with a very full and creamy head. The aroma is sweet but faint.
There is the typical sweet malt upfront. Nothing too strong. That washes over the tongue and then a nice amount of bitter hops kicks in the back. So, it has a great balance. The finish is a bit dry and clean and dissipates quickly.
It's missing a bit of that standard Octoberfest flavor. But it's still a solid brew. Very drinkable with just the right amount of sweet and bitterness to it.
Total: 24
It has a perfect amber color with a very full and creamy head. The aroma is sweet but faint.
There is the typical sweet malt upfront. Nothing too strong. That washes over the tongue and then a nice amount of bitter hops kicks in the back. So, it has a great balance. The finish is a bit dry and clean and dissipates quickly.
It's missing a bit of that standard Octoberfest flavor. But it's still a solid brew. Very drinkable with just the right amount of sweet and bitterness to it.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Smuttynose Wheat Wine Ale:27
Taste: 9 Finish: 10 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 27
This brew is made by combining a barleywine with a wheat brew and then hopping it.
It has a very deep mahogany color with very little head. The aroma is of very sweet malt but also of ripe red fruit.
It is a totally unique taste. There is a bit of sweetness upfront. But pretty quickly the alcohol kicks in (10.7%). It's a warming alcohol, not a harsh one. Similar to a red wine. Towards the back the hops show up nicely. Just a bit of bitterness around the tongue to balance out the alcohol. In the finish the ripe red fruit picks up and it ends a bit tart and a bit sweet. I taste some plums and cherries.
A really great brew. Would be great to start a meal or finish it. It's too complex to eat a main course with. I've read that if you cellar this bottle for a while it will tame the alcohol. But cellar it too long (~2 years) and it takes all the punch out of it.
So, pick up 2 bottles from this year. Drink one now and then another next year. It will be a nice treat.
Total: 27
This brew is made by combining a barleywine with a wheat brew and then hopping it.
It has a very deep mahogany color with very little head. The aroma is of very sweet malt but also of ripe red fruit.
It is a totally unique taste. There is a bit of sweetness upfront. But pretty quickly the alcohol kicks in (10.7%). It's a warming alcohol, not a harsh one. Similar to a red wine. Towards the back the hops show up nicely. Just a bit of bitterness around the tongue to balance out the alcohol. In the finish the ripe red fruit picks up and it ends a bit tart and a bit sweet. I taste some plums and cherries.
A really great brew. Would be great to start a meal or finish it. It's too complex to eat a main course with. I've read that if you cellar this bottle for a while it will tame the alcohol. But cellar it too long (~2 years) and it takes all the punch out of it.
So, pick up 2 bottles from this year. Drink one now and then another next year. It will be a nice treat.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Stoudts Oktoberfest: 24
Taste: 7 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 24
It has a great copper color with a full creamy head. It has a very light malt aroma.
It has a moderate sweetness upfront from the malt. Under it is a bit of roasted nuts and caramel. There is a bit of brightness of hops at the back of the tongue. But it finishes very cleanly. In fact, it's a bit dry which I wasn't expecting. Definitely some walnut. It's really nice. I expected a bit more character upfront. But the finish is great.
Total: 24
It has a great copper color with a full creamy head. It has a very light malt aroma.
It has a moderate sweetness upfront from the malt. Under it is a bit of roasted nuts and caramel. There is a bit of brightness of hops at the back of the tongue. But it finishes very cleanly. In fact, it's a bit dry which I wasn't expecting. Definitely some walnut. It's really nice. I expected a bit more character upfront. But the finish is great.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Afflligem Tripel: 27
Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 4
Total: 27
It has a great deep yellow, going on orange color. The aroma smells sweet with citrus and floral notes. There is a mild yeast/bread underneath it all.
It has a lot of sweetness upfront. Syrup and mild flowers. The bitterness starts at the edges of the tongue and then kicks in a bit in the back. A very light citrus, orange, is present. It's definitely a medium floral hop flavor. It finishes cleanly with a bit of sweetness and bread remaining. Not a hint of alcohol is present even though it's 8.5%.
A great tasting brew for sipping or enjoy after dinner. Would be great with cake or pie or a bit of dark chocolate. Really good and worth several tries.
Total: 27
It has a great deep yellow, going on orange color. The aroma smells sweet with citrus and floral notes. There is a mild yeast/bread underneath it all.
It has a lot of sweetness upfront. Syrup and mild flowers. The bitterness starts at the edges of the tongue and then kicks in a bit in the back. A very light citrus, orange, is present. It's definitely a medium floral hop flavor. It finishes cleanly with a bit of sweetness and bread remaining. Not a hint of alcohol is present even though it's 8.5%.
A great tasting brew for sipping or enjoy after dinner. Would be great with cake or pie or a bit of dark chocolate. Really good and worth several tries.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Shiner Bock: 17
Taste: 5 Finish: 5 Visual: 4 Aroma: 3
Total: 17
It has a nice amber color with a medium head. The aroma is light but of roasted malt.
Upfront is definitely more roasted malts. A bit caramelized and sweet. It's a bit fizzy in the middle. At the end a little hop bitterness peaks through. But a mild sweetness is left on the tongue. I definitely get a bit of a toasted and slightly burnt flavor.
A nice clean brew with a bit of flavor. Very drinkable. A step above a macrobrew. Probably on par with Killians or Honey Brown, etc. I've heard a lot of good things about this brew so I'm actually a little disappointed. Again, a solid brew but nothing special either.
Total: 17
It has a nice amber color with a medium head. The aroma is light but of roasted malt.
Upfront is definitely more roasted malts. A bit caramelized and sweet. It's a bit fizzy in the middle. At the end a little hop bitterness peaks through. But a mild sweetness is left on the tongue. I definitely get a bit of a toasted and slightly burnt flavor.
A nice clean brew with a bit of flavor. Very drinkable. A step above a macrobrew. Probably on par with Killians or Honey Brown, etc. I've heard a lot of good things about this brew so I'm actually a little disappointed. Again, a solid brew but nothing special either.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sam Adams Octoberfest: 22
Taste: 7 Finish: 7 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 22
Surprisingly, this is the world's best selling Octoberfest. Who knew? Visually it the perfect amber color with just enough head on it. It has a slightly sweet malt aroma.
The sweet malt flavors last throughout the sip. It's a bit creamy but then the hops crisp it up at the end. It has the right "oktoberfest" flavor to it. A very nice aftertaste of sweet malt, brown sugar, and a bit of hops lay on the tongue for a bit.
I'm still waiting for an Oktoberfest to knock my socks off. Sam Adams does a very good job but it's missing that extra umph to take it to the next level. Very drinkable. Nice flavor. Good brew.
Total: 22
Surprisingly, this is the world's best selling Octoberfest. Who knew? Visually it the perfect amber color with just enough head on it. It has a slightly sweet malt aroma.
The sweet malt flavors last throughout the sip. It's a bit creamy but then the hops crisp it up at the end. It has the right "oktoberfest" flavor to it. A very nice aftertaste of sweet malt, brown sugar, and a bit of hops lay on the tongue for a bit.
I'm still waiting for an Oktoberfest to knock my socks off. Sam Adams does a very good job but it's missing that extra umph to take it to the next level. Very drinkable. Nice flavor. Good brew.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Victory Festbier: 18
Taste: 6 Finish: 6 Visual: 3 Aroma: 3
Total: 18
Victory makes a very different Oktoberfest brew. It's very light. From the color to the finish, it tastes like a watered down version. Now, saying that, it's extremely drinkable. I mean, I could drink 5 in a row. It's got just enough flavor to keep you coming back. This would be a great game day beer. But not one to savor.
Total: 18
Victory makes a very different Oktoberfest brew. It's very light. From the color to the finish, it tastes like a watered down version. Now, saying that, it's extremely drinkable. I mean, I could drink 5 in a row. It's got just enough flavor to keep you coming back. This would be a great game day beer. But not one to savor.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Duvel: 23
Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 4 Aroma: 3
Total: 23
It's a very pale yellow color and not cloudy like a typical belgian. It has a light yeast and malt aroma. The head is relatively large and a bit too foamy.
First I have to say that it's a bit too carbonated. So, don't follow the bottle with the smoother pour. Get some of that carbonation out of the brew because it interferes with the flavor and is really bloating.
As for the taste, it starts with some bready yeast making it start a little creamy. But then the bitterness of hops and some lemon kick in. At the finish is a kick of alcohol. Throughout it all is a flavor I can't quite figure out. A bit of clove? Some sort of spice. It's vey interesting.
Reading other reviews, this is considered one of the best brews you can buy. I'm not that gonzo about it.
Total: 23
It's a very pale yellow color and not cloudy like a typical belgian. It has a light yeast and malt aroma. The head is relatively large and a bit too foamy.
First I have to say that it's a bit too carbonated. So, don't follow the bottle with the smoother pour. Get some of that carbonation out of the brew because it interferes with the flavor and is really bloating.
As for the taste, it starts with some bready yeast making it start a little creamy. But then the bitterness of hops and some lemon kick in. At the finish is a kick of alcohol. Throughout it all is a flavor I can't quite figure out. A bit of clove? Some sort of spice. It's vey interesting.
Reading other reviews, this is considered one of the best brews you can buy. I'm not that gonzo about it.
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