Magic Hat #9 8-12-2011

Ze Beer? #9
Ze Style? “Not Quite Pale Ale”
Ze Maker? Magic Hat Brewing
Ze Content! 5.1%
Serving type: 22oz

So I have heard good things from Magic Hat Brewing, and I think I was lucky enough to get this ordered into my store when I talked to the Boston Beer Rep. Lots of the East Coast craft breweries don’t make it west of the Mississippi, and I thought this was one of them. So when I had the opportunity to order it I jumped at the possibility. Reasonable priced just had to wait for it to show up, fast forward a week later and it was in stock. My boss bought one up first to try it, and after drinking right after the Theobroma from Dogfish Head, he mind was all confused on what to think of this beer. He made it seem like whoa the magic behind this beer is… mystifying, so in an effort to get me to buy/drink/blog this beer, my boss was kind enough to by me a bottle since he knows how much I make and how poor I truly am. Thanks Bob. I mean this both sincerely and sarcastically. Moving on, I was excited to try this beer, hopes up high… let’s see what “Magic” this beer will bring.

This beer poured a very murky brown color, almost as if an unfiltered beer, with a substantial head that lingered on for a while, though leaving minimal lacing behind. Upon the pour of this beer I got tons of sweet fruity tones. This confused me at first as I was expecting something along the lines of a Pale Ale, but when taking my time to examine the scent; I picked off apricots, and maybe a bit of strawberry. I turned to beer advocate for more info once the confusion hit me, and it appears that this beer under BA is labeled as a “Fruit/Vegetable” beer. Then it made more sense. Now my mind was changed from rating a very crappy Pale Ale, to just drinking a mildly annoying and possibly crappy Fruit Ale. As you can see my love for fruit beer shines, and I am even shinier for this beer, as it deceived me. The taste as the smell pre determined was sweet. Now it wasn’t knock you on your face sweet, but it was sweet enough. Again apricots, orange pulp, wheat, bready malts; think of a awkwardly flavorful Apricot Wheat from Pyramid. (I’d actually prefer a Pyramid I think) The texture was a bit odd on the palate, not what I expected before opening the bottle but pretty dead on from the initial pour. I like to keep my juice separated from my beer, I had a hard time drinking down one bomber, let alone even thinking about drinking two. Quick someone find me an IPA to chase this beer with.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes and no. It’s that affordable beer I would easily buy for someone else. But for myself, fruit beer? I would have to pass. Very few fruit beers out there I would drink and buy. I’ll admit sometimes I want something different, and ill buy something sweet. Just not this beer.

Overall Rating: C-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Monk's Cafe 8-05-2011

Ze Beer? Monk’s Cafe
Ze Style? Flemish Sour Ale
Ze Maker? Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Ze Content! 5.5%
Serving type: 12oz bottle

So, this is my first official blog from a 2 month hiatus. First off, I am sorry to let all of you down at least those of you who followed along on my blogs. But now that my promotion at work is regulated and my move to my new apartment is complete, I should have little to no excuse not to update this blog more often. A few months back, I was lucky to attend my friend Robert’s Graduation party, where we were able to drink/taste several delightful beers. During this event, we tasted several beers from Russian River, including their line of sours. My girlfriend has never been much into beer, but when this magical elixir touched her lips, she was instantly in love. To say the least, I will be buying more Sours so I have someone to drink with. With that said, this was the first sour I bought for her, as i truly think this is a must try for anyone into sours.

This Flemish sour when poured into my Tremens Goblet, turns out a very dark red/copper color. Lots of carbonation is present as the Head dwindled away. The head did not retain too long, but it was a nice layer of foam coating the beer as it poured. On the nose you could tell this was a sour with the slight hint of vinegar that came through, but not overpowering the tart apple and sour cherries. The Cherries pull through, but takes a while for the vinegar and apples to settle down. As soon as this beer touches your lips, tart crisp green apple is most of what you can think of; almost like a Sour green soda. The sour taste is not overwhelming as some other Sour Ales can be, but is nice and easy to get into if you are new to Sours as this one has a nice yeasty bread-like body. Very enjoyable, and easy to drink, though however tasty a sour ale can be I cannot do too much of a sour ale before I am ready to move on. Not to take away from its drinkability, this is very easy going.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes I would, definitely. For about 4-5 dollars, you can get this solid Sour Ale, a staple of sours too if I may say so myself. If you want to get into sours or try them out this is definitely an affordable buy.

Overall Rating: B+

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Sea Monster 5-2-2011

Ze Beer? Sea Monster
Ze Style? Imperial Stout
Ze Maker? Ballast Point
Ze Content! 10%
Serving type: 22oz Bottle

This beer I picked at my local store, is one I’ve had before, during my hunt for great Imperial Stouts. When I saw it again, I knew I had to buy it to blog, because this beer is quite the treat when it comes to Imperial Stouts. Ballast Point makes several wonderful beers. Not all of them are my favorites, but all their special release labels definitely are. It’s sometimes not the easiest bottle to find, but if you can manage to locate a bottle, it’s worth a buy if you’re into that heavy Imperial Stout. I have a Victory at Sea at a friend’s house waiting to drink and blog on. Can’t wait.

This beer poured a heavy black color just as most Imperial Stouts do. Only slight hints brown colors around the rim where the head meets the beer. The Head for the most part was a light tan brown color as well. The head was large and fluffy, though after a couple minutes, the smell of molasses is heavy through this beer, along with the hints of chocolate and roasted coffee just coming through so boldly. The beer is surprisingly smooth for the intense nose you get. The Ethanol is still present, but that chocolate taste and bitter back end come through and does not fail to help balance this stout, just before the alcohol taste comes through. Very nice, after drinking a bottle you can tell you had a hefty beer. The molasses gives this imperial stout a different but not unique feature that most Imperial stouts don’t have; however, some very yummy ones do. More than one may be over doing it, but, that one you do drink is wonderfully splendid.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes, I would. Simply put, this Imperial Stout is a wonderful beer, and no more than the price of a pint at a decent pub/bar. It’s definitely worth at least a try. Unless you don’t care for that dark bold taste, because this beer is just that.

Overall Rating: A-
Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Aecht Schlenferla Rauchbier 4-29-2011

Ze Beer? Aecht Schlenferla Rauchbier
Ze Style? Rauchbier
Ze Maker? Brauerri Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla
Ze Content! 5.4%
Serving type: 16oz bottle

Hello everyone, another blog to add to the month, of April, picked out by a co-worker, Virginia Valenzuela. We had just returned from a Wine Tasting for work, and I decided, what a good way to finish a few hours of wine tasting, then to add a beer as the finale! I asked her to pick my beer, seeing as I’ve had most beers at work, and tend to gravitate towards beers I enjoy and would rather prefer, this way, by asking a third party to help select a random beer, I have a non direct way of picking beers not normally selected by the general populace. Here’s to being random, here’s to fun co-workers, here’s to beer! Cheers!

The moment you open this bottle, the aroma has a light malt nose but then is quickly overwhelmed with a smoke heavy scent. This beer pours a dark amber color, with a slight red hue with a nice thick fluffy head. Though the head was nice, it didn’t retain very well; but instead cascaded away to a very thin layer of carbonation. Tons of smokey aroma, absolutely full of it, almost like a chunk of firewood is toasting on a bonfire. I have to admit, the strong smoked wood is actually quite nice, and the malts in this beer compliment them. Very smooth, a very easy subtle hop presence on the back end, almost hard to pick up through the hickory bacon-esque flavor. Not much carbonation in this beer, but not much is needed. Very nice beer, but after a couple, the smoke filled flavor may be too much, seeing as it does leave a type of salted pork after taste, I know unusual, but yummy!

Would I PAY for this beer? At 6 dollars a pint, buying this beer isn’t much more than paying for a pint of beer at a pub. Definitely worth the one time try, but I can easily see why this beer isn’t going to be the beer for just anyone. I suggest trying it at least once, if not tasty, it’s fun! Mmmm Liquid Smoked bacon!

Overall Rating: B+

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Tilted Smile 4-16-2011

Ze Beer? Tilted Smile
Ze Style? Imperial Pilsner
Ze Maker? Uinta Brewing Company
Ze Content! 9.0%
Serving type: 22oz bottle

This bottle was purchased for me by my girlfriend for our 4 year anniversary. Went to the store, and the woman’s smile on the bottle caught her eye; alas, it was chosen. I’ve actually never had an Imperial Pilsner before, so I was a little excited, but never hearing this brewery before too made me a bit apprehensive; more about the taste though, not the selection. That is what this blog is about! Trying new things, something you’d never find yourself buying. And hopefully craft selections you love. All in all, I think this was a great choice made by my girlfriend; here’s to 4 years of love, and a new style of beer!

Beer pours a very tan brown color, very copper; lots of fluffy head with decent retention and surprisingly nice lacing. Can definitely pick up on the pale yeast but it’s not overwhelming on the nose, which is nice. Lots of bread for malts with just a touch of citrus lingering on the back end, also with the longer the more the citrus tones come out. The beer is nice and creamy on the texture which was surprising, I guess that’s what you expect out of an “Imperial” Pilsner. A little bit of that straw taste lingers on the finish, but not bad overall, nothing too exciting either but not bad. Perhaps a small tart of green apple right off the front end before the bread malts power through. It’s a little heavy for a session beer, all that creaminess translates to, one bomber is enough. At the end of the bottle, the 9.0% abv catches up too which is nice, seeing as you don’t have an ethanol finish.

Would I PAY for this beer? For 10 dollars a bomber, I’d pass. Nothing screams out to buy… if it were a decent price on tap somewhere, maybe… but the mood would have to strike me before drinking something so bread malted.

Overall Rating: C/C+

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Titan 4-10-2011

Ze Beer? Titan IPA
Ze Style? India Pale Ale
Ze Maker? Great Divide Brewing.
Ze Content! 7.1 %
Serving type: bottle

Great Divide Brewing is a brewery I didn’t have much knowledge on until I heard about their Imperial Stout, the Yeti, which I reviewed a while back. Since then I have enjoyed most beers I have had from Great Divide. BevMo used to not carry Great Divide beers, and it seems my persistence with vendors or just luck and time made it available for our store to carry. At least at my BevMo!, we carry some of the Great Divide beers as it is making its way through the west coast. Now Great Divide is from Colorado and im not much a fan of Colorado hops, to me they tend to be a little on the skunky side, it may have to do with the freshness but not entirely sure. But here’s to trying a new IPA and hoping for the best. Cheers!

The Titan IPA pours a clean amber color with decent head but little retention, though the lacing is nice. The scent is a bit resiny feeling a little sticky just from the nose, and a little floral and aromatic. For some reason, If I drink an IPA from Colorado, I can usually tell it’s from Colorado by the way the hops taste, very distinctive. It’s a nice IPA, but has a decently sticky, slightly pungent hop bitterness to this beer. A very slight caramel malt taste on the front end helps prepare your palate for the bitterness the hop brings shortly after. Very easy going, nothing too complex, but a great tasting decent IPA; if you are used to the taste of a bitter IPA, this beer will be fairly easy to drink, but if you are not used to that bitter, green herbal IPA taste, this may not be the beer you should drink to get into IPA’s. For me, I enjoy an IPA but this kind of hop, ones enough.

Would I PAY for this beer? It was a bit pricey for a 6 pack reaching the upwards of about 10 dollars. If I found it in a single bottle or it was reasonably priced at a bar, sure. But I wouldn’t go out of my way to make sure I try this beer.

Overall Rating: B-
Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

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

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

Lucky Bastard Ale 2-19-2011

Ze Beer? Lucky Bastard

Ze Style? American Strong

Ze Maker? Stone Brewing

Ze Content! 8.5%
Serving type: 22oz bottle

I’ve had this bottle laying around for about a month and a half, waiting for the right moment to drink. Before I opened this bottle I was going to blog on an American Stout, a stout which I’ve had before, and enjoyed. But when I smelled and drank this stout, it was nothing like I remembered. My beer went bad, and it was my fault, I had it lying around for about 6 months before drinking. Some beers just weren’t made for aging. So I thought to myself, Holy Crap! I have a bunch of bottles that may be just as old or older, I guess that’s what you get for trying to prolong the life of a beer, just by “waiting” So what beer did I go for first? Lucky Bastard, Oh yea… didn’t want this one going bad, let’s enjoy…

This beer poured a very solid and consistent deep amber color, with a decent 2 inch fluffy head. Retention was nice at about a minute and a half to two minutes as it left wonderful lacing around the glass. A fresh hop smell, very piney with a citrus grapefruit rind hint; smells a bit oily but heavy on the hops. A wonderful sticky resiny taste as the grapefruit sweetness hits your mouth, right before the bitter hops clean it up. Incredibly smooth on the palate, not to overwhelming on the hops, but still very present throughout this beer. The malty sweetness is surprising up front, backed up with the citrus sweetness, very nice and easy to drink for the standard hop head I’d say. But for those not accustomed to copious amounts of hops, it may be a bit much. The finish has a slight but hidden ethanol taste but the oaked quality of this beer is very nice. I do wish I had more of this lovely liquid, but I do believe this was a one-time deal, for shame.

Would I PAY for this beer? Hells yes, I would. But unfortunately as I mentioned above, I don’t think it’ll be coming back. Maybe a later anniversary? One can only hope.

Overall Rating: A

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Sancti Adalberti Miraculum Novum 2-18-2011

Ze Beer? Sancti Adalberti Miraculum Novum
Ze Style? Belgian Tripel
Ze Maker? Brouwerij De Prael
Ze Content! 7.5%
Serving type: 335ml bottle

So, I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted a blog, and I know I keep saying I’m going to do more in a more timely fashion, but it hadn’t occurred to me just how much time it takes in the scheme of things to continuously keep a blog updated. Well, I can say ill do better, but why? When we can just wait to see if I post instead :D. Anyways, my buddy Matthew brought this beer back from Holland from his last trip out in that area. And alas, here it is in my glass and now my blog. Thank you Matt! We both had this beer, on the day we brewed out first batch of beer together. Well, I look forward to drinking more beers again, and sharing my thoughts with all of you soon! Enjoy.

There was little head retention and not much head on the pour. Decent carbonation, a very cloudy orange color. On the pour you can smell the yeast, and the bottle had a large amount of sediment yeast on the bottom of the bottle now clearly present on the bottom of my glass. Coriander and lots of yeast on the nose, a touch of sweet sugar, not dark. a small bit of clove gives this a little bit of a spiced nose with just a bit of as banana ester, similar to a Bavarian style wheat beer. Very smooth medium body with just a small amount of creaminess. After a few sips you can begin to taste the trace amounts of ethanol on the back end. that sugary sweet falvor is a bit more flavorful in the form of a apricot/orange taste. Not much complexity to this Dutch beer, but hey it’s no Heineken or Amstel.


Would I PAY for this beer? Yes, I would, but I think I would prefer to try this on tap or on location in Holland. To get a fresh taste of this beer, and truly experience what it has going for it.

Overall Rating: B-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Pangaea 1-23-2011

Ze Beer? Pangaea
Ze Style? Belgian Strong Ale
Ze Maker? Dogfish Head
Ze Content! 7.0%
Serving type: 750ml Bottle

So, I know it’s near the end of January, and this is my first blog of the month. There went my resolution right? I’ll make a comeback you just wait and see. My resolution was to kick this site, and my beer passion into the next gear… New Glassware, better styles, more limited release beers to review, etc... So this beer I let my girlfriend choose, as well as the glass I would buy for my “Belgian-style” possibly even my imperials etc, though I wanted something simple, less labels so the beer could be seen easier through the glass; the allure of “pink elephants” was too much for my girlfriend to handle. Alas, a Delirium Tremens glass it was. Moving on, Pangaea from Dogfish Head was the bottle she chose for me. I’ve had standard bottles of the 60/90 ipa’s, palo santo, punkin, midas touch and aprihop; but nothing really from the “limited” release bottles that are typically harder to get. This is a fall seasonal bottle that is brewed from ingredients from every continent on Earth. Not only is the concept unique, the bottle can age as well. Let’s see what it’s got.

This beer pours a very clean copperish amber color with a very fluffy head with nice retention. Smell tons of Belgian yeast throughout the beer, very noticeable. Some sweet malts and a decent but not overwhelming amount of spices; very smooth and mellow on the taste, I was expecting something heavier, but I like that it’s this mellow and soft. Light body, medium carbonation bottle indicates brewed with crystallized ginger; I can taste the ginger, however, not much ginger presence. Personally I don’t care for much ginger in anything, but the fact that it was just a trace amount, made this quite tasty. It’s a bit too similar to a Belgian or German ale, it takes away from the uniqueness of the beer. Very easy to drink, and not too expensive makes this beer very nice. Easy to drink very smooth just nothing too unique about this “unique” beer.


Would I PAY for this beer? For a reasonable price yes, but not too often. It just tastes too much like any other Belgian or german ale.

Overall Rating: B

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti 12-25-2010

Ze Beer? Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti
Ze Style? Imperial Stout
Ze Maker? Great Divide Brewing
Ze Content! 9.5%
Serving type: 22oz Bomber

So, I had wanted to do a “Christmas” blog this year, and I wanted to do something wintery, like a winter ale, but when I went through my collection of beers, I noticed I had no “winter” ales to blog about. I originally lined up the new Samuel Adam’s Collaboration the “Infinium” to taste, but after spending some time with my family, and talking to my cousin to doesn’t have much of a taste for stouts, I felt this would be an appropriate beer to blog on tonight. My cousin Jason isn’t much for dark beers, but it seems his experience is narrowed down to Guinness; I assured him that there was a whole world out there of stouts, different styles, flavors and ways to drink them. Though stouts and Imperial stouts may not be for everyone, and my cousin may not even enjoy a “non-Guinness” stout. Any chance I have to help persuade to try a good quality beer the better. I have had this bottle from the summer when I was in Colorado for my brother’s wedding; here’s to you Jason, enjoy!

The Oak Aged Chocolate Yeti pours as a solid black liquid, with a bit of weight and depth as it pours, it almost feels like its pouring out in slight globs, like if it were real thick paint. The head forms slowly, and cascades from within the beer to the top. It’s a nice mocha brown color, thick but not too fluffy, but doesn’t retain too long. From the moment I begin to pour this beer, I can smell the chocolate and the malty grain from this beer. A deep molasses smell resonates from the nose alongside a smoked woody oak dryness, as you can smell a slight hint of ethanol hiding in this beer. Surprisingly very smooth on the taste, a bit of a lingered bitterness from the dark cocoa, not too creamy but a bit of body in this brew. A little bit of spice on the finish if you can get past the chocolate malts throughout this beer. The content is a bit on the higher side, but the alcohol is hidden well. A slight bit of hop up front before a blast of malts parade through to the finish.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes, this is a wonderful Imperial Stout. Though not as wonderful as the regular Oak Aged Yeti, it is still good and refreshing, the heavy chocolates makes this beer refreshing; but, I feel if you’re going to be an Imperial Stout, be an Imperial Stout, and same goes with a chocolate stout, just be a chocolate stout, I think a bit is lost in the attempt to be both.

Overall Rating: B+/A-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Zipfer 12-21-2010

Ze Beer? Zipfer
Ze Style? Heller (European Lager)
Ze Maker? Brauerei Zipf
Ze Content! 5.4%
Serving Type: 22 oz Bomber

So, this beer was purchased for me from my wonderful boss at work. It was a Birthday gift, and it was a new delivery, and seeing as he enjoys the idea of these blogs I’m doing, decided he’d help out with a beer, id probably never buy. The “Fat Michelob” we call it, and by the picture you can see why. This has just been sitting in the fridge for a couple of months, so it was time to break it out and blog. I would have drank it much sooner, but now I have conflicts. It’s dinner time and I want to drink you, but because you are my only bottle, do I have time to blog you?. Oh the days of Sad Panda are amongst us. Alright Bob, let’s have a crack at this fatty Michelob.

At the pour, you can immediately smell all that malt, pale malts everywhere. A very clear golden yellow color from this beer, a nice fluffy head that lasts a good while before completely gone, leaving nice micro-bubbles latched to the sides of the glass. Lots of pale malt on the nose, with some grain going on. Surprisingly the bubbles do nothing to the carbonation as the beer tastes rather flat; again, emphasis on, “Pale EVERYWHERE”. This beer has a nice creamy texture, but combined with the amount of pale going on, almost leave an awkward texture in your mouth. Not much for flavor in this beer, other than the pale malt going on. I mean if you like a good pale lager, this beer is definitely great, but it’s a bit much for my liking, I much prefer a pale ale. All you can really get out of this beer is the amount of malted grain used. If it weren’t for that creamy texture this beer would be a lot more drinkable. As someone who doesn’t care for many lagers I would rate this beer much lower than I will, but being the kind “attempted” unbiased person I am. I’ll be nicer.

Would I PAY for this beer? No, not for myself, it’s a decent beer, and I know a few people who would love it; but this style just isn’t for me.

Overall Rating: C

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale 12-17-2010

Ze Beer? Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale
Ze Style? Nut Brown Ale
Ze Maker? Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
Ze Content! 5%

Samuel Smith’s makes some great brews. Slightly different from what you’re used to here in the states, as they are all English style beers. Seeing as Newcastle is one of my favorite anytime beers, the search for another good brown style seemed appropriate. And well as both are English Style, I picked up a bottle long ago, and tried it out. I decided to blog this beer, because today during my tasting, I had the Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale. Though not too impressed with the Winter Welcome, why not re-visit one of my classic “go-to’s” for those who want a little something less mainstream in America.

This English 550mL beer is a classic brown English ale by all standards. It pours a great mahogany brown color with little head on the pour. An off-white head leaves decent lacing, but not too sticky. You can definitely smell the malts in this beer a sweet caramel nutty tone present. A bit of toffee on the end, but definitely heavy on the sweet and breaded malts. This beer has that English Creaminess you can find in most English-style Ales, and along with it you get some wonderful toasted nuts and roasted malt flavors. Noticeable caramel, with softer tones of coffee and toffee make this beer quite tasty at and warming. A medium body gives this beer a bit of stickyness combined with a lighter carbonation allows for this beer to coat the mouth nicely, and leave just the right amount of aftertaste.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yea, it’s a great English beer and you cannot get many of those these days, in the world of craft microbrewing. Though there are better domestic beers that taste very similar if not almost identical, there’s something nostalgic about revisiting a Samuel Smith Nut Brown; and that nostalgia makes me buy this.

Overall Rating: B+

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Pumpkin Ale 12-17-2010

Ze Beer? Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale
Ze Style? Pumpkin Ale
Ze Maker? Buffalo Bill’s Brewery
Ze Content! 5.2% abv

Oh Pumpkin Ales, what can I say about thee. I am not a fan, to me there is only one type of pumpkin flavored anything, and that it comes in a roll. Every year my mom makes this wonderfully Pumpkin Roll, I look forward to it every year, I was in fact nervous I wouldn’t be able to have any this year… but alas, she came through and made it. I even got to take home the leftovers, but someone ate the rest before I had a chance *sad panda*, Oh well always next year. Of all the Pumpkin Ales I have tried this Pumpkin Ale is the easiest for me to drink? Why? Probably because its more spice than pumpkin. If I had to CHOOSE a Pumpkin Ale, it would definitely be this one. So, it’s the holiday season, and as the temperature drops why not send it away with a Pumpkin Ale. Huzzah!

This beer poured a light slightly hazed orange color, good carbonation and a good initial head, but the retention was not there, the head fizzled away in less than a minute. The initial smell is great with loads of spices coming off even before getting close to the glass, but that’s about all you smell. That fall time cinnamon-y and nutmeged cloved scent. Tons of pumpkin spices on the palate when you drink this beer, though the actual pumpkin taste is very light and mild, hard to pick up. Maybe this is why I can actually stand this Pumpkin Ale. Would have expected more from the taste due to the nose of this beer being so strong but it falls short of a full bodied and flavored Pumpkin Ale. It’s easy to drink but the spices do catch up to me and it becomes a bit too sweet with the malts. Would still prefer this Pumpkin Ale to others, but I think it’s because the pumpkin flavor isn’t too strong in this case.


Would I PAY for this beer? No, I do not like Pumpkin Ale, I do not like them in your house, I do not like them with a mouse. I do not like the taste of Pumpkin , I do not like them… err… Roy I. Guardsman

Overall Rating: C-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Serpent's Stout 10-29-2010

Ze Beer? Serpent’s Stout
Ze Style? Imperial Stout
Ze Maker? The Lost Abbey
Ze Content! 11%

So this beer I received as a Birthday gift from one of my best friends Matthew Rusting-Morey. It was my birthday in September, and a growler from Lost Abbey/Pizza Port Brewery was purchased for me  Thanks Matt! So this bottle clearly isn’t the “Serpent Stout” normal bottle but what you see here is The Lost Abbey’s 2 Liter Growler. Had to bust out the big Guard for the Big Bottle! I have only had a few of The Lost Abbey’s beers, but so far from what I’ve had they are all worth the price. The Lost Abbey is in Southern California, and if anyone is near the area, it is definitely worth the visit.

As most Imperial stouts are, this beer is pretty dark, not much head to it and the retention was a bit light as well, but it had a nice tan color to the head. Not as Jet black as other imperial stouts, but through the body, it’s pretty opaque with light brown edges along the glass lines. Right off the bat you can smell the booze content on this beer, it is indeed 11% but it also smells like its 11%. Tons of roasted malts with some decent but not overpowering coffee scents; raisin and fig maybe too? As well as some chocolate going through, with a bit of toffee caramel on the back end of the nose. Possibly some molasses tones helping the sweetness come through. Nice lacing, on the glass. Though the boozey content is very noticeable it doesn’t have that boozey burn in your mouth… makes his much easier to drink, while clearly knowing, this beer will do you in if not careful. A soft chocolate bitter hangs in your mouth, a little creamy but not to heavy or thick, at least for an imperial. At first sips the stout can be a bit strong, but once you take a decent swig of this stout, you realize the booziness isn’t too bad, and it becomes quite enjoyable. Not too rich, makes this imperial easier to drink, Though I do believe a growler in one setting may be too much… Or is it ;)

Would I PAY for this beer? It depends on the occasion, if I were going out, one bottle would do the trick, but I wouldn’t bring this to just an average party, I feel as if it would go to waste. But if I were in the mood for this, I would most definitely buy it!

Overall Rating: A-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Moose Drool 10-11-2010

Ze Beer? Moose Drool
Ze Style? Brown Ale
Ze Maker? Big Sky Brewing Co.
Ze Content! 5.1%

So October has begun, and I am now officially making my blog public, which means I will do my best to maintain and update this blog as often as possible. Let’s see how this goes! I first turned to Moose Drool when expanding my beer horizons beyond that of a Newcastle. Newcastle will always have a special place in my heart as a beer that is just decent to drink for an anytime beer. This one just caught my attention because well… the label is that of a Moose… Drooling. C’mon. I see people buying this beer often enough to feel confident that I wouldn’t be immediately let down, but as I see it there is only one way to try out a new beer. Drink it. Let’s do it.

Moose Drool pours a nice mahogany color into your glass, Not much head to it, and little retention, but that may have to do with I’ve had this bottle for some time as well. I tend to save bottles, more than I need to. A great nutty nose from this brown ale, a soft bit of caramel maltiness, with a subtle dark chocolate bitterness to the finish makes this beer very nice. Lots of fresh nuts, and a tad bit of coffee fill your nose just about borderline porter style this brown is a bit heavier than the common Newcastle. When you drink this beer, it is definitely a nice refreshing take on what a darker beer may hint to. Surprisingly lighter in body than one would expect from a beer this dark, still has a decent weight, and a nice taste, very drinkable for the color of this beer. It can be a bit sweet, good for a few beers especially with dinner, but stand alone, possibly not the best idea.

Would I PAY for this beer? On occasion the mood strikes for a decent nutty brown ale, usually for me when it hits, I just go for a porter. If you haven’t had this beer, but enjoy its style… pick one up. Or like me, wait for someone else to buy it then gladly call dibs. :)

Overall Rating: C+

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Pliney the Elder 9-13-2010

Ze Beer? Pliney the Elder
Ze Style? American Double IPA
Ze Maker? Russian River
Ze Content! 8%

So, I’ve had this bottle sitting in my fridge longer than id care to truly admit. However this was a gift from Robert Jones, a good beer loving friend of mine. It was supposed to be my first Pliney! And technically was, at the time of gift giving; but before I had gotten around to the bottle I have had the beer a few other times. It’s the thought that counts right? Needless to say, I finally got around to opening this bottle. I almost didn’t want to, it was my only bottle, what was I to do after it was gone? Technically I keep the empty bottle in the fridge so when I open it to look at the variety, my eyes see a Pliney, and my mind can be at ease. So enough with the jibba jabba, let’s get on with the tasting!

The moment you open the bottle, you can smell the citrus from the beer, the fresh clean flavor, a beautiful golden orange color about this beer. A decent inch thick head forms at the top, but fizzes away fairly quickly. A nice head that doesn’t retain very long but the lacing is beautiful, clings to the glass until your last sip is gone. Lots of piney green hops are present in the smell, almost a bit resiny but all very floral, nice citrus tones but not overwhelmingly sweet. When you drink the beer it’s got a decent medium body, but very crisp at the same time. A wise man once said: “This tastes like a bitter Pine Tree!” This beer has just the perfect carbonation as you drink this slightly sticky resin based hop masterpiece, it's just enough to have the bubbles present giving it a refreshing crisp taste, but doesn’t lighten the beer making it “some fizzy yellow beer”. A wonderful beer, very hoppy though, well balanced in the bitter department, but very noticeable, very bold in presence. Personally wouldn’t do more than one bottle in a setting as it is quite hoppy on the palate, so probably not the best session beer, but a great beer to have more than “just every now and then”.

Would I PAY for this beer? Most definitely would. For only about 5 dollars you can enjoy this hoppy goodness as regularly as you can afford 5 dollars! Who wouldn’t want that?! Screw that Starbucks you get in the morning, and save it for a Pliney in the evening,… or Afternoon … or hell morning!

Overall Rating: A-

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

Oak Aged Yeti 8-10-2010

Ze Beer? Oak Aged Yeti
Ze Style? Imperial Stout
Ze Maker? Great Divide Brewing Co.
Ze Content! 9.5%

Sorry for the absence in beer reviews, I have moved locations and found a new mascot to join me on my beer tasting/reviewing journeys. So what beer could I possibly review to bring in the new “location” as well as the new month? The Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout was the perfect beer. Now this beer was recommended to me almost a full year ago, early December to late November from my friend Robert; a fellow beer enthusiast, as well as a Stout lover. He advised if I ever had the chance, to try this beer out, and with my brothers recent wedding in Colorado last June; I took the opportunity to find this beer. Needless to say during my visit, I purchased a mix-up of regular Yeti’s, Oak-aged, and Chocolate. And through the good graces of family and friends, my case of beer found its way to Southern California within a week and in my possession within 2. Now, when do you decide to taste a beer that has been put so high on a pedestal before you’ve even tried it? It was difficult to decide, and as my boss said, there is never an event good enough to try out a save worthy beer. Well, I held out as long as I could before I began looking for events to pop it open. And alas, one of my best friends Matthew, also an avid beer lover, had just graduated with his Master’s degree. It seemed like to be as good of a time as any. So he came over, and we let the tasting begin…

The Yeti, pours a solid black color that not even the shiny lights of the gates of heaven can penetrate through. With a decent 2inch head with a dark brown color to it, this beer pours with a lot of micro bubbles giving hint towards a lot of carbonation. The head retention lasts maybe a minute or so, but the lacing on the glass is great! Even after the beer is gone, the lacing holds to the glass. A very sharp oaky barbeque scent its apparent, almost woodchippy. Definite malt presence with subtle chocolate undertones, a slight caramel booze sugar flavor; possibly a molasses. You can smell that charred smoked goodness throughout this beer, I can’t wait to try it. Tons of roasted malt flavors creamy on the texture, not so thick its syrup, but a great creamy texture that’s easily coats the mouth. This beer is great! Lots of roasted coffee flavor, slight sweet boozey taste in the middle before you get that sharp oaked hop taste on the finish. Possible dark berries, hard to pin point definitely a type of sweetness floating around though, almost belgiany, which makes me thing, fig, or dark cherry. The carbonation was surprisingly low on the feel for as many bubbles I got on the pour; I’ll blame it on the ambience of my new place. It’s definitely a sipping type beer, but one you just don’t want to stop sipping. I’m glad I bought several while in Colorado.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes, in fact I wish I had bought more when I had the chance. Not sure if this retails out of Colorado, but when I go back. I’m buying more.

Overall Rating: A/A+

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy

The Kaiser 7-28-2010

Ze Beer? The Kaiser

Ze Style? Oktoberfest/Marzen

Ze Maker? Avery Brewing Company

Ze Content! 10.03%

So, this is my first “request” beer to review, on behalf of my Boss at work, I suppose I owe him for giving his Summer Shandy a C+. *snicker* Didn’t mind at all, seeing as it was also an Avery beer, and Avery usually does very well in the beers they brew. Hopefully, one of these days I can get out to Colorado again, to visit their brewery amongst other possible breweries in CO. This was a 2009 bottle won’t be too long til the 2010’s come in. Nice little label of who id assume is Kaiser Wilhelm wearing his “Pickelhaube,” daring you to speak poorly about this beer, so he has a reason to impale your face. Just saying, my innocent interpretation.

This beer pours a nice tan/copper color with very little head or head retention, as it fades to a thin layer of creamy bubbles. Tiny microbubbles are constantly released though carbonation isn’t too high, but clearly present. Very nice on the lacing, after my first taste, it just sticks to the glass and doesn’t even want to slide down, very sticky! On first smell, I was punched in the face with a caramel scent, very sweet, very malty; I can tell I will like this beer already. A bit of that molasses sugary scent also very present in this malted backbone of a beer, smells like a Belgian yeast presence in there as well, with a bit of dark candied spice scent. A great taste, again, lots of caramel, some nutty toffee as well. A surprising weight to this beer in a slightly syruped texture but not too glossy; as it remains light through carbonation and very smooth. That molasses definitely stands out a bit more a candied sugar taste. Would definitely suggest drinking this with some kind of food, the sweetness from the molasses and malts catch up fairly quickly, and though a great taste, does start to leave a sugary spot in your stomach after 22oz. A great beer overall, minus the slight drinkability of this beer, 1 pint at a time is just enough, too much and your stomach will be in for some hurting later.

Would I PAY for this beer? Yes, this is the epitome of a great Oktoberfest beer. Now just because it’s a great Oktoberfest beer, doesn’t mean go and drink 10 bottles of these at Oktoberfest, my god poor stomach. For its style, it’s amazing and great.

Overall Rating: A-/A

Cheers,
-Ze Beer Guy