Dragoons 3-17-2011

Ze Beer? Dragoon’s
Ze Style? Dry Irish Stout
Ze Maker? Moylan’s Brewing
Ze Content! 5.0%
Serving type: 22oz bottle

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Right?! How many of you had a Guinness today? That’s right, you did. Don’t lie. Now how many of you actually enjoyed that Guinness the same way you’d enjoy your standard craft beer? And having Guinness in an Irish Car Bomb, does not count. Well, Guinness is a Dry Irish Stout, and I stand by my word, when I call it the bud light of stouts. I don’t care much for Dry Irish style stouts, as I much prefer a hearty Stout, dinner in a bottle, Mmmmm. But I direct your attention to Moylan’s Dragoon’s, the same style as your comforted Guinness, but a much better taste. Don’t get me wrong, I love to drink a Guinness every now and then, but try this beer out. I first had it a couple of years ago, and ever since, I recommend this beer as an alternate to Guinness. People have been thanking me for introducing them to this beer instead for years. I challenge you, try this beer side by side with a bottled Guinness; unless you’re a diehard Guinness fan, you won’t be disappointed.
Disclaimer: This challenge is void if you’re in Ireland drinking a fresh Guinness… That’s cheating.

Dragoon’s pours a solid black color and leaves a nice 2-inch head but doesn’t retain very long. Almost no lacing to the glass, but this is expected of a Dry Irish Stout, as opposed to the creamy Imperial Stout styles. Tons of roasted malt radiates from this beer; coffee, freshly brewed coffee, is what you smell. A subtle hint of caramel from the malts are present, If you’ve ever had a caramel macchiato from Starbucks, this is what that beer smells like. Dry Irish Stout’s aren’t my favorite of stouts but they are very drinkable, however, compared to a Guinness, this Dry Irish is definitely better. Still gives a bit of that metallic taste, but this has almost none of that burnt charcoal taste Guinness is known for. Still has a bit of bitterness with maybe just a touch of chocolate. Very easy to drink, it amazes me when people say Dry Irish stouts are too heavy, when they are the lightest of stouts. To each their own in any case.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes, for 3.99, you cant go wrong. If it was more than that or a smaller bottle, I may have a hard time wanting to buy this. As long as the price point remains the same, I don’t mind paying for it.

Overall Rating: B-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Twilight 03-16-2011

Ze Beer? Twilight
Ze Style? American Pale Ale
Ze Maker? Deschutes Brewery
Ze Content! 5.0%
Serving type: bottle

Picked this bottle up at work by itself when we were practically forced to sell them individually, due to the fact that instead of a case of 6-packs, we received a case of loose bottles, apparently it is much too hard to trade them with your vendor for the proper item. Although this beer is an summer ale, but since we couldn’t sell it as we were trying to trade the beers for 6 packs, it has lasted this long in the store, and since we have recently started selling single 12 oz bottles I picked it up. Deschutes makes one of my favorite beers, The Abyss, I have yet to be let down by a Deschutes beer… lets see how this summer ale holds up.

This beer pours a subtle orange amber color with a decent head but doesn’t last very long. You can smell the pale malts on this beer along with a soft orange hint as well. The hop scent is present but not at all overwhelming, but the more I smell this beer the more the orange scent is apparent. Very simple in taste, very bready, like a traditional orange wheat beer, but instead of the heavy wheat, you have bready malts. Nothing spectacular about this beer, but its decent and very easy to drink, in fact I wish my gf was here as I tasted this, she may like it, seeing as she likes that orange coated flavor taste. The beer itself is easy to drink, however, this beer is missing a certain ‘punch’ to truly make it stand out. Its decent, but not much beyond that.

Would I PAY for this beer? Maybe for a one time pint, to mix things up, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to ensure I had this beer. Not bad, Deschutes still has a flawless record, just not something I would personally enjoy over and over again.

Overall Rating: C

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Tricerahops 3-13-2011

Ze Beer? Tricerahops
Ze Style? Double IPA
Ze Maker? Ninkasi Brewing
Ze Content! 8.8%
Serving type: 22oz bottle

I do love an IPA, Double IPA’s are just that much nicer, or at least that’s the idea. I have had some Nasty Double IPA’s and when I try a new one, I really do hope it’s not as bad as the aforementioned nasty Double IPA’s. I have had some beers from Ninkasi brewing before, so going into this beer I had expectations; and high ones. I mean let’s be honest, Tricerahops? C’mon, how awesome is that name?! It’s named after a dinosaur that is known to kill Tyrannosaurus Rex’s; regardless this beer was chosen and purchased for me by my best friend Chris Ramirez. I just wish he showed a passion for beer as much as I do, so we could actually enjoy beer tastings, and drinking beer together. I guess on a positive note, I’ll always have a designated driver.

The Tricerahops pours a beautiful cloudy golden amber color. Very consistent tiny micro bubbles streaming from the bottom of the glass while a nice fluffy 3 inch head remains behind and while it slowly froths away over the next several minutes. Once the bottle is opened you can smell the hops slightly piney, and a little sweet before even getting a chance to try this beer. A bit of pineapple along with grapefruit is hinted in on the nose. Even though it is labeled a double IPA, the bitter hop flavor you’re probably expecting isn’t really there; though the hops are very present in the taste with a bit of bitterness, but overall it has a very mellow and tasty sweetness mimicking passion fruit like flavors. After a few sips, you do begin to taste a bit of the ethanol through the fruit sweetness, but for a double IPA, this beer is very nice, and very easy to drink. Cheers!

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes, this beer is a 22oz bottle and goes for about 3.99. For a double IPA, let alone a good craft beer, this is a wonderful price, and will not break the wallet. It is also within easy price range, to recommend or suggest to a friend. Affordable and yummy; Me Likes.

Overall Rating: A-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy