Day 335 - Gouden Carolus

So, last night of 2010, and took a risk on this one. A Belgian brew, which typically aren't my favs, but this one claimed a decent hops hit, so went for it. Plus the bottle was big and classy looking, so fits the night.

This one almost glows it is so yellow/orange in true blonde fashion, and like most BAs, the aroma is kind of fruity/spicy causing some trepidation. It is definitely a big taste, though the hops only play a minor role, perhaps providing the dry finish. It does still tug on the tonsils as it goes down, like all its brethren.

Specs:

Full Name: Gouden Carolus
Brewed By: Brewery Het Anker
From: Mechelen Belgium
ABV: 8%

So, using the blog to get out of having to watch some chick flick with Drew Barrymore, and will try and milk the big bottle as long as possible. Luckily, ellie doesn't read my blog so I won't get busted writing that, t least not until well after the fact... ;>)

HNY to all, hard to believe I'm down to my last 30 days.

Day 334 - Zlaty Bazant

So, no new beer last night, but as a side benefit of seeing some old friends, I got some new ones for the pipeline from the Galambos's, as Adam is transferring to Austria and brought these back from one of his trips.

So, unlike the "green bottle" export stuff, this is real beer. It has that classical pale yellow color, but a good pilsner-esque flavor and none of that dry nastiness. Could drink this one easily, though the ABV would catch up quickly I think. Alas, all the writing is unreadable, so the specs will be short.

Specs:

Full Name: Zlaty Bazant
Brewed By: Unknown Austrian brewer
From: Some place in Austria
ABV: 10% (or at least I assume what that big 10% refers to...)

So, clearly, to really sample a country's beer, one must travel to that country. Perhaps one day, I can do a new blog "the Traveling Beerest" and try local brews. Ah dreams...

Thanks to the Gumbi's!

Day 333 - Nothing new

Had a whole bunch of friends in town for a night, so was out with them and didn't blog. While I did have a beer, it was Sierra Vevada Pale Ale, which I have already blogged about.

So good times with old friends trumps new beer. Good trade...

Day 332 - Winter Welcome Ale

You know, I was concerned that this one might be on the sweet side, as some English ales can be (see the other day...). It is good when your fears are proved to be in haste.

The color of wood coals glowing in the fireplace, a calm, earthy aroma, and a very tasty dry malt flavor that fills the mouth and lingers a bit after swallowing. All in all, in my opinion, what an ale should be.

Specs:

Full Name: Winter Welcome Ale
Brewed By: Samuel Smiths Old Brewery
From: Tadcaster England
ABV: 6%

So, an above average beer on a Tuesday is a real treat. It makes me want to be in England, sitting in some old pub with friends, having a pint or two near the fireplace dark with soot from untold number of fires. While it would feel out of place drinking this sitting on a beach at some Carribean resort watching the sunset, I could probably deal with that discomfort... ;>)

Cheers!

Day 331 - Jackman's

The first 5th, and from a brewery that runs hot and cold in my mind. I'm finding this one a bit middle of the road, though perhaps a bit on the good side. It's a bit hard to tell, as I've just eaten dinner and thus full, which is not a good time to drink beer. At least I stayed away from the porter...

So, nice amber color, and a decent blend of hops and malt. Worth drinking yes, but also easy to give up in favor of something more interesting.

Specs:

Full Name: Jackman's American Pale Ale
Brewed By: Left Hand Brewing Co
From: Longmont CO
ABV: 5.2%

Going to have to go out and replenish the pipeline before the weekend, which means the chance to grab one of those $10/bottle palies I have been drooling over. Hum, maybe not drooling, at least not that I should document at least...

Cheers!

Day 330 - Seriously Bad Elf

So, the Lord of the Rings marathon is over, and I'm back to blogging. I was going to have this one last night, but I think it worked out that I saved it for tonight, that way the positiveness of yesterday was saved a sweet demise...

The color of a light whisky, and mild aroma, traps you into a sense of security that is overwhelmed by sweetness. Actually, the barley would have been better served being made into Scotch...

Specs:

Full name: Seriously Bad Elf
Brewed By: Ridgeway Brewing
From: Oxfordshire England
ABV: 9%

Truly an evil elf that made this one, as it is like drinking a Christmas cookie made of malt. The label says it is a rather serious English double ale, but I think it rather lacks any kind of seriousness. Hum, at least they could have roasted the malt a bit, to bitter it up, but no, might as well drink a bottle of Kayro syrup...

Going to have to man up to get this one down, but that is the burden I have chosen.

Cheers!

Day 329 - Christmas - Took night off

Having a lord of the rings movie marathon with daughter Liz. Taking the night off from beer blogging.

Merry Christmas to all!

Day 328 - India Pale Ale

Tis the night before Christmas, and behold in my hand,
A bottle of beer, now ain't that just grand.
A palie in name, and also in taste,
I'll drink til it's empty, no drop will be waste....

Specs:

Full Name: India Pale Ale
Brewed By: Diamond Knot Brewing Co
From: Mulkilteo WA
ABV: 6.2%

No time to e-chat tonight, as our traditional watching of The Christmas Carol at 8 o'clock on Xmas eve starts in a few minutes.

Ho, ho, ho to all, and to all a good night!

Day 327 - Pale Ale

Enough, fruited/spiced stuff, just a simple, plain pale ale tonight, in prep for the big bottle palie tomorrow night.

More yellow than orange, and a non-descript nose, leads to a simple, drinkable beer. Nothing fancy, just a beer. Don't get me wrong, it is better than the massed produced, or the "premium" European exports, but nothing notable after that, other than being a new brewer.

Specs:

Full name: Pale Ale

Brewed By: Napa Smith Brewery

From: Napa CA

ABV: 5.2%

I guess if you were having a wine party with a Napa theme, you could have this beer on hand for your friends that don't wine, and be safe.

Cheers.

Day 326 - The First Snow Ale

A very attractive label.... The 3rd from this brewer, and a ho-ho-hum brew.

Ok, a decent enough golden color, and nothing fancy about the aroma, but the taste is just basically non-existent. Sure, there is a hint of some spice there, but only enough to distract not impress.

Specs:

Full Name: The First Snow Ale
Brewed By: RJ Rockers Brewing Co
From: SC
ABV: not on bottle, and not worth spending time finding

Got to give this brewer points for labeling, as they are all good. I just wish they put the same creative effort in their beers. Still, perhaps it is intentional to appeal to more drinkers, but the only snow with this one is the snow job that it might be worth drinking...

Dang, still one more night between now and the weekend and the big bottle palies. Of course, in two weeks, the Wednesday Whisky of the Week starts, assuming brother Shard get's the first month's samples out timely and I can convince son Cullen to build the wiki we plan to track that adventure in...

cheers.

Day 325 - Blueberry

So, the 2nd frubie from the same brewer, and over 100 days later, I'm still haunted by the first, but since I already was in a masochistic mood from yesterday, figure I might as well get the pain over quickly.

So, a blueberry, oatmeal, stout. Truly, there is nothing about any of that description that shouts "I am going to be good". Still, in all fairness, and to be true to my dedication, I am drinking this. A deep brown color (go figure), rather non-descript aroma (thank goodness), and alas, the taste. At least the blueberry is subtle, or at least burried underneath the oatmeal and the stout. Not meaning to be sexist here, but it reminds me of a scene from some movie where girls are wrestling in mud. A lot of arms flailing about, but in the end, they still have mud in their mouths...

Specs:

Full Name: Blueberry
Brewed By: Buffalo Bills Brewery (aka Pyramid Brewing Co)
From: Seattle WA or Portland OR (so you can't find them)
ABV: 7% (ok respectable)

Well, that purges the pipeline of frubies, and if I am lucky, that will be the last for this year. I still might have the spiced seasonal left to do, but down to the last 40 overall.

Just need to make it to the weekend, when I have a few big bottle palies to pull out.

Cheers.

Day 324 - Shiner Holiday Cheer

Perhaps I don't read labels on purpose, lest they influence my decision making process.....

This one pours a very deep reddish brown color, and the sweet aroma should have been a clue of what was to come, but as I had just come in from walking the dog on this cold night, the old nose wasn't quite working properly. The label says it is an ale brewed with peaches and pecans, and by god, that is what it tastes like too...

Specs:

Full Name: Shiner Holiday Cheer

Brewed By: Spoetzl Brewery

From: Shiner TX

ABV: 5.4%

Dang, who associates peaches with the holidays? What is worse, in a moment of insanity, I added another frubie to the pipeline, which means I will have had 2 in two weeks. Those kind of records are just not meant to be set.

Ah well, happy holidaze...

Cheers

Day 323 - Fish Tale Organic IPA.jpg

A new palie, and certified organic at the same price as some of the regulars, so worth the try.

The classic golden orange color, hoppy aroma and good citrusy bitterness. It actually finishes quite clean, and perhaps a tad lighter on the hops that I really like, but all in, a tasty beer and clearly heathly as well... ;>)

Specs:

Full name: Fish Tale Organic India Pale Ale
Brewed By: Fish Brewing Co
From: Olympia WA
ABV: 6.5%

A day spent on work stuff and helping Liz with college apps, started out kind of shaky but ended well, and thus a good day finishing on a good beer. Who could ask for anything more.

Cheers!

Day 322 - Michelob

Here's to good friends, tonight is kind of special,
the beer you pour, must be something more, somehow
Let it be Lowenbrau.

Hum, start out thinking this was the jingle for Michelob, then remembered at the last that clearly it wasn't. Ah well, Ellie and I were out for our annual holiday dinner with the A-Team and Procs, and pitchers of Michelob were the best choice. Actually, good news is, it was close to another Total Beverage, and whilst Tony didn't find that Schaeffer he was looking for, I did pick up another 6 for my pipeline, so all in all, a very good evening.

Ellie reminds me that the jingle for Michelob was short "Weekends were made for Michelob".

Not really going to go into this one, as other than reminding me of college days, when Mich was the keg beer of choice, it really is just a basic, non-descript lager. Not much on taste, easy to drink.

Given it is after 10, I will end this and go curl up in our new UVa Snuggie, thanks to the Procs, and dream of picnics next spring with the goodies supplied by T&J.

Cheers.

Day 321 - Santa's Swallie

The piepline is refilled for another week, but sadly with few seasonals, as I caught them in between restockings...

At least it is friday, and this one is festive enough in looks and name to get by. Actually, it pours a quite pleasing orange/red, like a sunset over fields of wheat. I was a bit scared by the mention of it containing seasonal spices of nutmeg, cinamon and that ilk, but luckly, they play only a very minor role, to the extent that if you didn't read the label, you wouldn't guess they are there.

Specs:

Full Name: Santa's Swallie

Brewed By: The Inveralmond Brewery

From: Scotland

ABV: 4.3% (ie just above water...)

So, for the curious out there, a "swallie" is the Scot name for a drink. This would be a great Xmas party beer, as it is festive looking, but very mild on taste so could be drunk by the masses. It is also just shy of 17 oz, so requires fewer trips to ther fridge.

Hum, guess because it is friday, I am finding all the positives here. All in all, I was hoping for a little more heft to this one, but alas, that expectation fell short. Still, a beer is a beer, and for that, I am thankful.

Cheers.

Day 320 - Sabeco

The last of this pipeline, and another in the line of SE Asia imports. The best thing about his beer is that it at least doesn't have the P word on the label. It does say export, which perhaps means "we have to sned this overseas because no one here will drink it...)

Not to be too graphic, but it is truly the color of pee after eating a bunch of asparagus, ie bright yellow. After that, it is very common in flavor, not bad, but not good either. A definite good choice for drinking games, as it is easy on the ABV and any distracting taste.

Specs:

Full Name: Sabeco Saigon Export
Brewed By: Siagon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp
From: HCM City, Vietnam
ABV: 4.9%

Good news is, I get to refill the piepline tomorrow, which happens to be a friday, which means a speacial one might slip in the basket. Like I need the excuse...

Cheers!

Day 319 - OK Beer

All's quiet in the Light household, as Cullen is off to AZ, and Liz is doing a good deed by picking up a friend down at JMU. I made the trip to the mall for one more gift to be mailed, while Ellie has been busy packaging up boxes for mailing. Hum, I said quiet, not restful...

For this one, it is all about the name, and it lives up to it fully. Mild yellow color, mild aroma, and mild taste. Yep, it's ok.

Specs:

Full name: O.K. Beer Okocim
Brewed By: Okocim Brewery
From: Poland
ABV: 5.6%

Down to one left in the pipeline, and hopefully will be able to then fill the next week or two with some tasty seasonals. At least that is my goal. Also, will have to find a special one for New Years, maybe splurge on one of those pricy palies.

cheers.

Day 318 - Mississippi Mud

So tonight being our family Christmas dinner, since Cullen is heading out to AZ to visit Elia over the holidays, I figured I'd pull out the big gun. A 32oz, package-is-everything, black and tan.

While a true B&T is mixed so that the light and dark beers stay separated in a clear glass, obviously that is impossible in a pre-mixed bottle. This one gets it's darkness and malt from a porter, and it's lightness and ease of drinking from a pilsner. All in all, it works ok, and the bottle is impressive, so for the wow factor at a party this one is decent.

Specs:

Full Name: Mississippi Mud Black & Tan
Brewed By: Mississippi Brewing Co
From: Utica NY
ABV: 5% ?

A bit of an enigma this beer. There is no website, only references to the beer on other postings about beer. Rumor has it that is is at least distributed by the company that makes the Arizona Tea brand, but no confirmation of that, nor do I really care. It doesn't crack my favs, but was ok to drink, and in the big bottle, I could give Cullen half without feeling jipped. After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about... ;>)

cheers!

Day 317 - ESA

What was that old song "I don't like Mondays", by the Boomtown Rats. Sometimes it does feel like I have a silicon chip inside my head, but alas the programing is rather buggy at times....

Oh right, the beer. A nice brown, ale-ish color, and it has an ale-ly smell, and guess what, drinks like an ale as well. Slightly dry, but malty.

Specs:

Full Name: ESA (short for extra special ale supposedly)
Brewed By: Yards Brewing Co
From: Cheesesteakville PA
ABV: 6%

Ah well, each day brings it's own test of character and, in my case, test of taste buds. This one doesn't fail, and Cullen likes it ok, but then his standard measuring stick is a Nattie Light....

It's gone, and so am I.

Cheers!

Day 316 - India Pale Ale

A wet rainy, cold day, and oh yeah, the Redskins played pathetically and lost again. Some might pick that as a good excuse to have a beer, and they would be perfectly right about that, but Ellie, Cullen, Liz and I went out to dinner, and even though Liz was exhausted after working at Free People most of the day (her first on that job) and has a project she is working on, and Cullen was fighting a strange bug, we had a great time. Don't feel too bad for the "kids", as it was their idea.... Now a good time with family is worth celebrating!

Specs:

Full Name: India Pale Ale (a bit boring...)

Brewed By: The St George Brewing Co

From: Hampton VA

ABV: 5.5%

This is another true "pale" ale, as while the color is a nice burnt orange, the taste runs to the dry malty side, and that doesn't make me very hoppy..... It isn't bad, just kind of snooze-city. Ah well, there are more fish yet left in the pond, though my bucket is getting full, and by bucket, I mean I'm on the last notch on my belt. Gonna have to start that old exercise program back up. My regimen of 12 oz curls every night doesn't quite seeem to be doing the trick. Go figure.

cheers

Day 315 Brown Sugga

Another day spent doing the Christmas shopping thing with Ellie, and even though at times we have a difference of opinion on a certain idea, somehow we manage to take care of everyone on our list.

Clearly there was risk in this selection, as anything that prominently talks about sweetness in the beer is potentially scary. Still, it pours a nice coppery color, and actually, tastes like a decent palie except for a strong sweet finish. Guess I dodged a bullet on this one...

Specs:

Full Name: Brown Sugga Ale
Brewed By: Lagunitas Brewing Co
From: Petaluma CA
ABV: 9.99%

So, seems that adding more sugar pumps up the ABV. It is a bit heavy, so no temptation to sit and drink more than one, but a good change of pace.

Peace out....

Day 314 Scuttlebutt

Friday baaaaabeeeee. So, to celebrate my first new customer as well, I pulled out the big bottle IPA.

The oh so important pour into the shot glass yields a golden color, and the mouthwatering aroma of hops, but will the taste be there as well? Mostly yes. That wonderful hops flavor is in full splendor, but is not quite A+. The name is Gale Force IPA, but I'd classify more as a strong tropical storm....

Specs:

Full Name: Scuttlebutt Gale Force IPA

Brewed By: Scuttlebutt Brewing Co

From: Everett WA

ABV: 5.25%

So, we'll leave it at that, as it is friday night, and even if I have no life, I can at least act like I do...

cheers.

Day 313 - MaiTai

Ok, it isn't a beer, but when you already have done a Singha, and you're at a Thai restaurant, what else is there?

Fruity, a brownish yellow, and packing a bit of a punch. All in all, exactly what one would expect from this drink.

Specs:

Full Name: Mai-Tai
Made by: the bartender at the Thai restaurant we were at
From: Bethesda MD
ABV: Can only guestimate = 40% of 20% = 8%

So, older brother Rick was in town for the night, so Ellie nd I sat through the nasty Beltway traffic to go out to dinner with him. We get down to Bethesda, and they are having electricity issues, so a buynch of restaurants are closed, and the rest have decent waiting times. We lucked in a table at this Thai restuarant, but then we lost power right after we were served, so it was dinner in the semi-darkness, and alas the power came back on before we were finished, so the credit card machine was working again...drat

Back to malted/carbonated beverages tomorrow night.

Cheers

Day 312 - Carib

After a couple of Bass ales last night, i was looking for something on the light side tonight. I found it...

Classic beer yellow, and matching easy drinkability common to this type, even with the P-word on the label. It won't win any awards, but then, I get to add another country to the list (hum, may have to count one of these days...)

Specs:

Full name: Carib Lager
Brewed By: Carib Brewery (nothing like keeping it simple)
From: Trinidad
ABV: Not on label, guessing 5 at best

Actually, not a bad beer and the bottle is already empty. Another good beer to serve at parties if you want to look sophisticated (and go two-fist-i-cated) without getting filled up or distracted by actual taste in your beer.

Picked up a couple of larger sized bottles for fun, a palie and a b&t, probably pull one one this weekend.

Cheers!

Day 311 - Bass Ale

Ok, a rather common bar beer, and no pic. Yep, I was out and so this is what I blog about. I mean, given a choice of any beer on draft for $3, and there is this or Bud Light, the choice becomes simple.

The good thing about Bass Ale is that is is not overpowering, but has a good color and taste, and is rather easy to drink. That worked, as it was one of those times wher the beer wasn't the focus, but rather getting schooled on Sales 101 from a good friend who is an extremely successful software sales professional. Todd can tell one of his reps they're a piece of whale crap, and they think they're perfume...

Specs:

Full Name: Bass Ale
Brewed By: hum, guessing Bass Brewing Co
From: England somewhere
ABV: modest, probably low 5s

Actually, this worked as my pipeline was dry and I didn't get a chance to get to the store to replenish. Sometimes, things just work out...

Cheers

Day 310 - K-9 Winter Ale

Oh the weather outside is darn cold,
and this beer runs malty and bold,
Colored orange like the sun down low,
Drink it slow, drink it slow, drink it slow....

Specs:

Full Name: K-9 Cruizer Winter Ale
Brewed By: Flying Dog Brewery
From: Frederick MD
ABV: 7.4%

A very tasty one in the winter ale category. Full flavored, but not too sweet or heavy, or worse, full of nasty spices. After a slow start with the first two beers (admittedly a wheat and a porter), I'm really going to have to make a trip to Frederick to find this brewer, or at least pick up a few of their others.

cheers!

Day 309 - James Boag's

Another trip to Home Depot today to get more lights, and the usual hauling boxes up and down to the basement commenced today. Ho-ho-ho.

So, green bottle, Premium on the label, even the Aussies get into the act. Still, almost a yellow color, and an underlying sweetness moderates out the typical bitterness that you get with the European brethren of this ilk.

Specs:

Full Name: James Boag's Premium Lager
Brewed By: J Boag and Son
From: Tasmania Australia
ABV: 5%


Well, not really a great end to the weekend, but hey, it wasn't about the beer, but about finding the Christmas Spirit. Alas, it was in any of the boxes I brought up so far (just a sore back...), and it certainly wasn't in this bottle, so the quest will continue. Actually, sitting in the living with the tree a few feet away makes it seem close, so I figure it is hiding around here somewhere.

Cheers.

Day 308 - Old Jubilation

A day spent doing Xmas stuff, after having to take the cats to the vet in the am. Shopping, buying a tree, getting more lights for the outside (new LEDs ones are very cool, and don't break as easily as those little glass things) Oh yeah, this is a beer blog... Another winter seasonal, and this one notches it up a bit.

A pale sparking brown color, strong malt aroma that gets lost once this one hits your mouth, and hit it it does. Very strong roasted malt flavor, with that dry bitter finish that is common with this type.

Specs:

Full Name: Old Jubilation Ale
Brewed By: Avery Brewing Co
From: Boulder Co
ABV: 8.2%

Another cold night, so not a bad beer under the circumstances. I couldn't drink a ton of these in a row, as the strong taste would get to me, and i might just go crazy tonight and have a 2nd beer, though lighter. Hum, there is an idea for new Xmas lights, a bunch of beer bottles....;>)

Cheers

Day 307 - Smuttynose Winter Ale

It's friiiiiiiidaaaaaayyyyy. A rather tough week ends with a good day, so what better way to celebrate the start of a weekend than with a beer. Let's get greedy, and say a good beer....

So Smuttynose hasn't let me down yet, and while dark ales are not my favorites, especially when they are of Belgian style, they are comfortable, and this one is like that ratty pair of jeans with the hole in the knee I keep in my closet. Deep cola brown, clean smell and roasted malt taste.

Specs:

Full Name: Smuttynose Winter Ale
Brewed By: Smuttynose Brewing Co
From: Portsmouth NH
ABV: 5.1%

The only beef I have with this is that it does grab my tonsils a bit, but that is true of all this style for some reason. Tastewise, it is very good, and it is refreshing in a way. Try it if you like this style.

Cheers!

Day 306 - Phin & Matt's

An ale tonight, from a brewer that did a very good job with a palie. It's good to taste a second satisfying effort.

The color of wet oak leaves, a earthy aroma, and just a nice, light, malty taste. I could drink a fair number of these, and probably enjoy each one, without being distracted. It won't hit the top of my charts, but definitely worth having on hand.


Specs:

Full Name: Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale
Brewed by: Southern Tier Brewing Co
From: Lakewood NY
ABV: 5.5%

So, the label claims it is brewed with 3 different hops and 3 different malts. Whatever they do, they achieve a simple yet drinkable drop. A good beer for a Thursday night.

Cheers.

Day 305 - Bald Eagle Brown

Ah, hump night (wednesday, middle of the week....), and a second from this brewer. My biggest problem is not remembering which ones I've had, but which ones I didn't like. The first from this brewer fell into that category.....

So, I could say that #2 tastes like #2, but in fact, it is better than that. It is brown though... I wouldn't so far as to say it is like cat poop to a dog, ie a delicacy, but if you like a light roasted flavor on the dry side in your beer, this one might work for you.

Specs:

Full Name: Bald Eagle Brown

Brewed By: RJ Rockers Brewing Co

From: Spartanburg SC

ABV: 5.6%

Definitely going to BYOB if I head down to SC, and that's all I'm going to say about that...

Cheers!

Day 304 - Henninger

At least it is 16oz and not in a green bottle..... Ok, so why I would even consider an imported can with Premium so prominent on the label, even though it was the cheapest in this weeks pipeline, is just crazy. Hum, maybe the price should have been a clue as well...

Sadly, the color of dog pee on snow and a taste reminiscent of Old Mil or maybe Schlitz, and you get the picture.

Specs:

Full Name: Henninger Premium Bier
Brewed by: Henninger-Brau
From: Germany
ABV: 4.8%

So, the picture that comes to mind is german college males standing around chugging a few of these babies down. I mean, if it is $1.29/can here, it must be like a quarter a can there, making it the perfect cheap drink (other than the slightly low ABV, which can be made up for in volume only the youth can sustain...) Of course, that assumes they actually drink this there, rather than export it all to us, who are stupid enough to buy it.

Ah well, I saw quite a few winter ales hitting the shelves, so hopefully this next month should be full of good beer. Along with that, I am discussing with my dad and brothers how to best accomplish "whisky of the week" starting in Jan, which will focus on single malts. It means a month of overlap, but hey, I can make that sacrifice... ;>)

Day 303 - Efes

Alright, back on track tonight, and going foreign and light. Yes, that means my pipeline is also now empty and I will need to go refill tomorrow.

So, classic imported green bottle, almost white color, and just a hint of the normal dry, bitterness so common in this type. At least I get to cross off another country....

Specs:

Full name: Efes Pilsner
Brewed By: Efes Brewery
From: Istanbul Turkey
ABV: 5%

Tricksey they are, hiding the word Premium by embossing it on the glass and not the label itself. Of course, that really went without saying. Not to be sexest here, but the narrow bottle and mild-side taste would be well suited for the female gender or for small-handed males with tempermental constitutions...

Could keep some on hand just to say I have a Turkish beer, to then distract away from my good palies. Hum, not a bad idea.

Cheers!

Day 302 - Oops...

Ok, what is more lame, just plain forgetting, or getting so engrossed in a game of StarCraft that I neglect to do my blog (or even have a beer...) I'm even back-dating this note.

That is, of course, a rhetorical question... ;>)

Day 301 - Wassail

Hum, ok, seriously, I really have to pay attention, or start finding some memory-enhancing pharmas....


I haven't had much luck with this brewer either, and after 4 attempts, have hopefully had my last. the color of imperial topaz, and the taste like water strained through mulched leaves and grass clippings. sigh, two ew's in a row, and we're not talking sheep here...

Specs:

Full Name: Wassail (clever play on name for seasonal)
Brewed By: Full Sail Brewing
From: Ft Hood WA
ABV: 7%

So, a quiet saturday night of drinking less than high quality beer. Ah well, if they all were great, I might be more inclined to increase consumption, and I'm already threatening the last notch on my belt buckle after 300 days of this.

Thanksgiving resolution, exercise more, so I can keep drinking.....;>)

cheers!

Day 300 - Dundee India Pale Ale

Ok, I'm back dating this, and actually wish I could take a mulligan on this beer, so much so, I'm not bothering to put a picture up.

I don't think I've had a good one yet from this brewer, and this was my last try that is for sure. It just doens't taste good.

Specs:

Full Name: Dundee India Pale Ale
Brewed By: Dundee Brewing Co
From: Rochester NY
ABV: not on bottle, and seriously even if it were 10%, not worth drinking


Good news is, at least it is saturday night and I can have a 2nd to rinse away the taste of this one... Missed last night as we had aunts/uncles over for dinner and went to Harry Potter and got back after my bedtime (9pm... ;>) )

On to the next!

Day 299 - Simcoe IPA

I am so full..... ;>)

Ok, maybe breaking out the big gun after the "Big Meal" is not the smartest, but then, neither is eating 10 lbs of turkey, potatos, stuffing etc etc etc, but then again, if you are already committed to excess, then might as well stick with that theme.

A 25 oz bottle, cloudy fiery sunset color and a taste akin to eating the hops right off the vine. You better like it bitter to drink this one, and while delicious, definitely is on the wild side and not to be drunk in quantity as it is quite filling (well, that could also be the after affects of consumption noted above...)

Specs:

Full Name: Simcoe IPA
Brewed By: Weyerbacher Brewing Co
From: Easton PA
ABV: 9%

There might be malt in this to ferment into alcohol, but that is its sole purpose. This one is all about the hops from start to finish. Sigh, man I love good IPAs....

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, and have that something to be thankful for. This beer a day aside, which by itself would be enough, my list is long and I won't bore you. Ok, I normally would, but I'm just plain tuckered out and can't type anymore.

Cheers!

day 298 - Grand Cru Winter Reserve

Sadly, my propensity for not reading the label too closely has led to another tough night of slogging through the blog, as indeed, a Belgian-style ale is in my hand and tormenting my taste buds...

A pleasant glowing yellow color is the best thing about this beer, because at some point, you have to stop looking and start drinking. Then, that funky spice, no hops flavor racks the mouth and like, yuck-ola.

Specs:

Full Name: Grand Cru Winter Reserve
Brewed By: Flying Fish Brewing Co
From: Cherry Hill NJ
ABV: 7.2%

On the bright side, tomorrow is a holiday, and I have better beers in the fridge, and thus can justify having a second tonight to wash away this one. Sometimes, that is the price I pay for such dedication... ;>)

Cheers!

Day 297 - Raison D'Etre

The risks I take just amaze me sometime. So Cullen is home for Thanksgiving, and drinks my 60-minute IPA from this brewer, leaving me with this one. Per the label, it is brewed with Belgian beer sugars, green raisins and a sense of purpose. Hum, me thinketh they should have substituted all 3 for real ingredients...

A rootbeer brown, and unsurprisingly, dominatingly sweet flavor. You gotta like creativity in brewing, but this was a recipe for disaster in my opinion, which of course they didn't ask for...

Specs:

Full Name: Raison D'Etre
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
From: Milton DE
ABV: 8%

Well, on the bright side, this one is now out of the way, and there are no more of this style in the pipeline for the next week, so things are looking up, as I look up into an empty bottle.

cheers

Day 296 - Old Thumper

"A Beast of a Beer" per the label, with a pic of a mean looking wild boar. Not sure I'd go that far, but it is a classic English ale.

A light brownish yellow pour, with an earthy aroma and dry, malty taste. Another beer for sitting around a fire in a wool sweater, if one were so inclined. A modest ABV means it would take a few before I would get to that point...

Specs:

Full name: Old Thumper
Brewed By: Ringwood Brewery (owned by Shipyard)
From: Portland ME
ABV: 5.6%

Dinner tonight was at Outback, celebrating Liz getting a job at her favorite clothing store, and getting her tonsils out tomorrow. May have to pull out the video camera the next few days, as she can get funny on painkillers... The added bonus tonight was our old friend Carol came by since she was in the area visiting her folks. Luckily, she didn't tell too many stories about our college days in front of Liz, who is almost as bad as posting something on Facebook. I just couldn't bring myself to blog about the Michelob Ultra I had there, that at $1.95, was less expensive that many of my regular blog beers...

cheers!

Day 295 - Bards

Was refilling the pipeline today, and picked this one as I hadn't tried this one before, and figured I'd see if they were making a decent gluten-free beer yet that Ellie could drink.

It has the right deep yellow color, but sorghum just has a different taste that is hard to hide, almost kin to pine sap. It isn't overpowering, but the mouth expects something different coming from a brown bottle, so perhaps that adds to the lack of excitement. Ellie wasn't thrilled with it either, so I guess that quest will continue.

Specs:

Full Name: Bard's
Brewed by: Bard's Beeer Co
From: Utica NY
ABV: unknown, not on bottle or website

So the weekend ends quietly, though miraculously, the Skins won today, so perhaps that used up all the good karma.... I picked up what I hope is a really good palie for turkeyday, in large bottle that might be shared with Cullen and dad. Until then....

cheers.

Day 294 - St Boisterous

So wanted to get this in before we went out for the evening, as Liz is having her 18th Bday party and we aren't invited... However, since Ellie and are are old, we'll be back by 10....

A seasonal, but thankfully lacking any funky spices, so drinks like an ale, with malt as the driving taste. Actually, a tasty beer all in all, and good on a cold night. Keep a few of these on hand, but only give them to true beeretics.

Specs:

Full Name: St Boisterous Hellerbock (really a lager beer)
Brewed By: Victory Brewing Co
From: Downington PA
ABV: 7.3%

I'll try and remember to post a pic of this tomorrow, but hey it's me, so it may or may not happen. Depends on if we survive getting home tonight, or more to the point, if the house and it's contents survive... This time next year, our beloved daughter will be at college somewhere, a thought both sad and joyous... ;>)

Day 293 - 33 Export

After some fine dining at Taco Bell, and by fine I mean cheap, easy and filling if not satisfying (but hey Ellie picked it and who am I to deny her that right...), home I am on another friday night, sitting here drinking a beer and typing away.

A typical SEA beer. Pale yellow in color, no real aroma, and while I know it isn't water, it might as well be. You could almost drink it like water, and not sure which would win, the bloated feeling you get when you drink too much liquid, or the alcohol.

Specs:

Full Name: "33" Export

Brewed By: VBL Ten Gang Ltd

From: Vietnam (big long address on bottle..)

ABV: 4.5%

Not much more to say on this one. It is easy to drink, and probably would be accepted by the masses, so it you want to serve something different that isn't (like a number of other beers that have come before), put this one in your cart.

Cheers!

Day 292 - DPA

Ah Thursday, and the 4th from this brewer. Hum, the 4th day of the week as well, coincidence? Am I working off some great karmatic plan? Well; only if that plan involves a choice of 3 and this was the closest to my hand whenI reached in...

Cheerful sunset color, and pleasing if not hopped out aroma. The taste is best described as nice, like that girl your mom sets you up with in middle school...

Specs:

Full Name: Denver Pale Ale
Brewed By: Great Divide Brewing Co
From: Denver Co
ABV: 5.4%

A good beer to have around just because it is easy to drink, but doesn't overwhelm and thus could appeal to a broad consumer pool. While you might drink your wild oats with more flavorful brews, you might marry this one when you want to settle down....

Cheers.

Day 291 - Leviathan

Some might drink this and say "I'm not worthy", and they would be right. I, however, am most worthy, and feel justly deserved in enjoying this awesome brew.


I won't cheapen it by tying to put it into words either. You'll just have to go try one yourself. Hum, on second thought, you best call ahead first, as I might have bought up all available...;>)

Specs:

Full name: Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA
Brewed By: Harpoon Brewery
From: Boston, MA
ABV: 10% (that is what I'm talking about baby!)

So the question begs, does it replace any in my top 3. I don't think so, as it is in a class by itself. This one is not meant to be part of a triumvirate, but king. Hail Caesar!

(ok, a bit over the top tonight, but it is dang good, and I had a good day talking to new prospects, so deal...)

cheers!

Day 290 - Steigl Beer

So, a relatively quiet Tuesday night after a rainy day, and just grabbed the first one in the fridge. Hum, green bottle, imported from Europe, and in tiny font "premium" on the label...

Blaise yellow, but a somewhat twist, as there is a slight sweet undertone descernable under the regular bitter-dryness I find both common and boring in these beers.

Specs:

Full Name: Salzburger Steigl Beer
Brewed By: Steigl Brewery
From: Salzburg Austria
ABV: Not on bottle, who cares

Ok, it's drinkable but that is as far as that goes. I guess it would be really good sitting at some chalet looking out over the Alps, but then many beers would benefit from that...;>) I actually got this one in honor of our good friend Adam Galambos, who is now working over in Austria. He better read this and bring me some good beers when he comes back to visit....

Cheers

Day 289 - Pike IPA

Ah, Liz turns 18 today, so I pulled out the big gun. Literally, 22 oz of delicious IPA. Alas, Cullen came up from Cville to surprise his sister, so there went 50%...

Great orange color, classic palie aroma, and darn good taste.

Specs:

Full Name: Pike IPA
Brewed by: The Pike Brewing Co
From: Seattle WA
ABV: 6.3%

Sadly, this has to be quick as I am pressured to now take everyone out to dinner. This beer is good, but a tad on the pricy side - almost $4 a bottle. Still, it is better than what i will pay at the restaurant...

Cheers, and may i find enough drink to numb the fact my daughter is 18...

Day 288 - Howl

A good day, walking 7+/- miles on the Cross County Trail with some old fraternity brothers and a few of their friends ending at a local bar for some electrolyte replenishment in the form of Rolling Rocks. Tolerable, but not worth blogging about. The beer that is, not the company...;>)

An eye-catching label, dark brown pour and heavy roasted malt taste put this one in the "flavorful but not my favorite" category.

Specs:

Full name: Howl Winter Seasonal
Brewed by: Magic Hat Brewing Co
From: Burlington VT
ABV: 4.6%

Perhaps another good beer to add to the pot for pot roast, but as we are having some asian dish tonight, I'm obligated to finish the bottle. At least I can do that without a big push, unlike a few others I have had. Lots of new seasonals appearing on the shelves, so will probably see a few of those popping up regularly over the next month or so.

Cheers!

Day 287 - 1845

Another English ale "bottle conditioned", and the last of my current pipeline which means another trip to the store tomorrow. That will be after a morning hike with some old fraternity brothers that culminates in, guess what, a beer... ;>)

The color of dark amber, and the earthy taste that conjurs thoughts of old pubs with roaring fires in stone fireplaces blackened by soot. Actually, this one kind of makes me want a good single malt, preferably high on the peat. Hum, it is saturday.

Specs:

Full name: Fullers 1845
Brewed By: Fuller, Smith and Turner PLC
From: England
ABV: 6.3%


These aren't my favorite, but there is something just warm and cuddily about these beers that make them worht drinking on occasion. I think I prefer the ESP to this one, as this one has a bit more sweetness underneath.

Until tomorrow...

Day 286 - Dos Equis

Ok, not exactly an unknown here, but one can hardly go into a Mexican restaurant and not have had one of these, and while is it "lager especial", at least it isn't premium...

Once upon a time, this would have been appreciated, but now I just find it boring. The color is barely past clear, and while it is above the water I had last saturday night, not by much. It isn't bad, just doesn't have much taste, but then, paired with some spicy Mex food, that is probably the point.

Specs:

Full Name: Dos Equis XX

Brewed By: (some long unpronouncable company, see below)

From: Mexico

ABV: not on label, at best 5%

Kind of yawnsville for a friday night, but then Ellie and I were out and about until late (ie 9 pm...) so I didn't really want to crack the last other one in the pipeline which is a 20 oz English ale, and this was in the fridge. No plans for tomorrow night, so will at least have a potential decent beer then....

Cheers!

Day 285 - Wild Goose IPA

Ah Thursday night, and not all of us get to start our weekend early like the Procs (or at least Mary...), so we have to content ourselves with small outlets of simple pleasure. I even had to miss a happy hour with old coworkers because the timing didn't work. I think I will have a beer....;>)

Sadly, the wild goose is just a lame duck. The golden color is pleasant enough, but the best description I can come up with is that it should have been in a green imported bottle with the word "premium" on it......

Specs:

Full Name: Wild Goose IPA
Brewed By: Wild Goose Brewery
From: Frederick MD
ABV: 6%

Truly depressing, to find a new palie that falls flat like this, and so close to home. I mean, if it was drinkable, I am only an hour or so away from the brewery, and how good would that have been? Perhaps someone out there just was looking after my interests and didn't want to provide that kind of temptation, given I am weak...

Ah well, the search continues, and the blog will go on, and well, tomorrow is friday so what the heck.

cheers (with this one all you want ;>) )

Day 284 - Prohibition Ale

This one is in the upper price range, and I'm sure the painted bottle adds to that. It better be good because it is wednesday, and the weekend is still far away...

A bright orange/brown color, fresh earthy aroma, so far, so good. Oops, somehow the bottle is already empty... Um, if my memory serves me, which ok, is not always a given nowadays, this one had a very tasty dry malt taste. It's not a palie, but dang, it is easy to drink and has flavor. Most excellent.

Specs:

Full Name: Prohibition Ale

Brewed By: Speakeasy Beer and Ales

From: San Fran, CA

ABV: 6.1%

You know, if this brewer was serious about prohibition and not condoning that people drink, they would not make such a palate-pleasing beer. Hum, perhaps that was their true intent... I could curse that I am weak, but then, we all have our faults... ;>)

I think this one bumps the Lion Lager from my favs, and joins Hazed and Infused and Singha at the top of the beer chain.

Cheers! (but not this one, I claim it as my own)

Day 283 - Festie

There is not much good about Tuesdays in general, and while I have a palie in the pipeline, I took a risk and went with a seasonal instead. While the label claims "the gift of great beer", I think more appropriate would be the Forrest Gump saying "life is like a box of chocolates", and I just got the jelly-filled one...

So, a nice label, and actually decent orange glow in the glass, but then you drink it and the warm fuzzies quickly turn to cold shakes. No hops to speak of, and a tinny sweetness that makes me glad the taste fades quickly.

Specs:

Full Name: Festie

Brewed By: Starr Hill Brewery

From: Crozet VA

ABV: not on label, not worth spending the time to find it...

Ah well, if it weren't for the duds, the experience of the tasty ones wouldn't be as great. I'd almost put this one with the ill-fated vanilla beer, or at least on par with any of the fruited beers. If it were summer, I'd put this in the garden to kill slugs....

Cheers (but not with this one...)

Day 282 - Hop Karma Brown Ale

There are days you wish would never end, which go by in a flash, and there are days you wish were a long past memory, that last forever. Either way, every day comes and goes, and for me, and this year in particular, each mostly ends with a beer. No matter what kind of day it is, all are truly blessed, some just more than others, depending on the hops level...

So, the 3rd by this brewer, and pours a deep brilliant brown color with an enticing aroma of malt and hops. Given the name, I was hoping that the hops would be the dominant dance partner, but a malty sweetness leads here. It's not going to break my top favs, but it's not leaving me with bruised toes either.

Specs:

Full Name: Hop Karma Brown Ale
Brewed By: Terrapin Beer Company
From: Athens GA
ABV: 6%

This brewer supplies a very good and consistent product acrosss their whole line it seems. If you like your beers dark and sweet, but on the light side (like a black lager, but more taste), this would be a good bet. My bottle is empty, and while I'm not shedding any tears, I am blinking a bit more than normal.... ;>)

Cheers.

Day 281 - India Pale Ale

The 3rd by this brewer, though it has been a while since the last. I'd also add that while the Hoos did their usual break my heart yesterday (and to Duke no less, is there no right in this world...), at least the Redskins didn't, by way of having a bye this week....


Yep, I changed the subject, which of course means the beer did not wow me. It was decently orange, and had the hops dryness, but lacks real body and depth. That said, this is nector compared to last night's beer...

Specs:

Full name: India Pale Ale (not very original...)
Brewed By: Avery Brewing Co
From: Boulder CO
ABV: 6.5%

To share part of my exciting life, Ellie and I spent most of yesterday working to deflea the house, from vacuuming everywhere, and washing/spraying bedding areas of the dog and 2 cats, and finally, the big finale, washing the dog. Today, we went to the farmers market, where we ordered a ham for Thanksgiving from our pork guy (it is really the best) and have been helping Elizabeth with college applications while working on updating finances. I even made a new business connection with a guy in the UK via skype.

Wow, it amazes me as I write it. I definitely earn my beer every day ;>)

cheers!

Day 280 - Miller Lite

Saturday night, and we were out with the Procs for dinner, and Dave, aka the Fiscal Gourmet, was excited to try the "Two for $20" deal at Chilli's. In keeping with that, we decided to accompany that fine cuisine with $1.99 16oz draft Miller Lites. Crazy, yes, insane, probably, but it does provide good blog fodder...

So, the canary yellow color of imitation banana food coloring, and basically no taste, we were calling them $2 waters. That's all I have to say about that.

After Chilli's we went to American Tap Room at Reston Town Center, where I had a really good beer, which I will save for a later post, and dessert, and we met a couple from NC, but not really, as they had moved there from PA about 5 years ago. We talked beer, kids, and southern living, and the guy had a great story about his mostly babtist coworkers praying for him over his use of profanity and drinking. I applauded his sacrifice and the gift he gave them to be able to do that....

So, as truly is the case, it isn't really about the beer or alcohol, but about good friends and good people. Of course, on nights when I am alone with my beer and blog, it is all about those first things... ;>)

Day 279 - Blonde Ale

Friday night, and the other two from this brewer had been decent, so was looking forward to a good beer.

Ok, this one kind of lives up to the stereotype of its name. It looks good, but lacks real substance...(hey, I din't make that up). A nice golden yellow color, faint sweet aroma, and the taste follows the same path. This beer isn't bad, but is definitely forgettable in my book.

Specs:

Full Name: Mendocino Blonde Ale Seasonal
Brewed By: Mendocino Brewing Co
From: Saratoga Springs NY
ABV: 5%

Ok, the website says this is a summer ale, and I definitely get that you could sit there on a hot day and drink a few of these, and probably not even realize it from a taste perspective. Some might even go so far as calling that refreshing. I just call it yawnsville, and don't plan to include a stop there again.... ;>)

cheers, and have a good weekend!

Day 278 - Organic IPA

Ah, a freshly filled pipeline is like that moment in time just before football season starts, and both UVa and the Redskins are undefeated. So much hope and promise...

Not sure if this is my first organic or not, but hey, I figured it's a palie at least, so minimized the risk a bit. The pour leans towards the orange from yellow, but doesn't quite get to that glow that gets me excited, and the nose catches a hint of the hops to come, but nothing drastic, and the taste gets off on the right foot, but fades. It reminds me of when I try and jump, a lot of effort perhaps, but I still only get an inch off the ground....

Specs:

Full Name: Bison Organic IPA
Brewed By: Bison Brewing
From: Ukiah CA
ABV: 6%

A decent enough beer, and if you buy a case, they'll buy you a carbon offset, so not only if you drink the whole case will you be doing the green thing, but you will be green.....

They don't list the exact hops used, only that they put in 4 types of malt and 3 hops. Personally, I think they could go a bit bolder and add some more hops, but hey, that just me.

Cheers.

Day 277 - Hens Tooth

Mid week, and the last of the pipeline, thus requiring another trip to the beer store tomorrow. Until then, an English ale awaits...

This one is conditioned in the bottle, and indeed there was sediment visable through the clear glass and thus it got poured into a mug (irregular, but hey, I am adaptable...). A fiery, sunset red color, with flowery aroma, my pinky went straight out when I hefted this to my mouth. A rather classic taste, heavy on the malts with a lingering dryness.

Specs:

Full Name: Hen's Tooth
Brewed by: Morland Brewing
From: England
ABV: 6.5%

The thing about this style is that I am still trying to figure out if I like it or not. I mean, the thoughts it conjurs up is of wearing a sheeps-wool cardigan while sitting in front of a fire, and well, I don't wear sweaters. Still, there is something comforting and relaxing about it, even if it isn't an IPA. I suppose if you don't want to be caught wearing your Snuggie in public, drinking a bottle of this will give you the same feeling while still maintaining a semblance of testosterone in your veins....

cheers