Day 243 - Full Sail IPA

The 3rd by this brewer, and their attempt at an IPA. Sadly, it tastes more like any one of those "premium" European green-bottle export beers. That is, on the bitter side, without the citrusy yumminess I want. The first clue was the color, which was a weak pumpkin orange.

Specs:

Full Name: Full Sail IPA
Brewed By: Full Sail Brewing Co
From: Hood River OR
ABV: 6%

So, I'm relavating that it actually might just be a specific variety of hops or blend of hops that make a great palie. I may have to exercise a few under-utilized brain cells, which shouldn't be hard to find, and try and see if my favs use the same hops.

Stay tuned...

Day 242 - Endo IPA

I've lost almost all concept of time or day of the week the last month or so, and will need to regain that somehow. The one anchor has been this blog, though I must admit there were days it was a struggle to maintain, and I missed a few recently. Still, if nothing else, these times re-enforce why we should pursue our passions.

So, back to my favorite genre tonight. A pale autumnal brown, with only a faint hint of the hops flavor I enjoy so much. It is easy to drink, but misses out on being great, or even very good. I'd still pick it over a number of other beers, but not running out to buy more of it either.

Specs:

Full Name: Endo IPA
Brewed By: Carolina Beer Company
From: Wilkes Barre PA
ABV: 5.9%

Two comments on this one. One, per the label "endo" is a mountain biking term for when you go over the handlebars. IMHO, this one needs more taste to qualify for over the top.... Also, the label says it is b&b'd in Wilkes Barre PA (what is it about WBPA, I mean is it the water or just cheap contract brewers?) when the company itself is based in NC. Not sure why it bothers me when beers are farmed out to be brewed, but it does.

Somehow, I left the fruited beer I had acquired for the pipeline down in brother Ned's refrig. I might "forget" to remind him of that...... ;>)

Day 241 - The Hairy Eyeball

A tough post tonight, as my mom passed away early this morning. It is a sad thing indeed, but she did not want to be remembered in that way, so it seems better to honor her by continuing the blog, and the beer consumption does help dull the pain a bit...

I had fair expectations of this one, as others by this brewer have been good. The name has a unique character, and it pours a deep red-brown. Alas, its catch phrase "Here's Lookin' Atcha!" rings too close to the truth, as the strong malty sweetness of this definitely makes it better to look at than to drink in my opinion.

Specs:

Full Name: The Hairy Eyeball Ale
Brewed By: Lagunitas Brewing Company
From: Petaluma CA
ABV: 8.83%

Since the blog was already inspired and dedicated to mom, I can only hope that I have the same strength and toughness that she had. Her not being with us is tough, and her love of shopping will be missed by the entire retail industry, but like a great palie, her memory will live on in my thoughts for a long time.

Cheers ma.

Day 239 - Dundee Pale Ale

A picture of a frog drinking a beer is the central theme to the label for this one. I really should have known that frogs really don't drink much beer, so why would I think that one would promote a good one...

The faded orange color is decent, but at some point you drink it, and then it goes downhill. The best I can come up with is that it tastes like stale saltine crackers.

Specs:

Full name: Dundee Pale Ale
Brewed By: Dundee Brewing Co
From: Rochester NY
ABV: 5.3%

Bummer, I was hoping this might keep the streak of good palies going, but all good runs end sometime, and that creates opportunity for a new one to begin. Here's to tomorrow.

Day 237 - Hoppus Maximus

Back to Durham, and to the current pipeline. There was only one cold, so darn, had to go with it... ;>)

I neglected to pour it before drinking it out of the brown bottle, but given the type, will assume it has a fine amber color. The best thing, the flavor matches the name without being overbearing, so another winner!

Specs:

Full Name: Hoppus Maximus American-Style Amber Ale
Brewed By: Thirsty Dog Brewing Co
From: Akron OH
ABV: 5.9%

So, not only does this taste good, but the label is bold and includes all the needful info. It doesn't set records for ABV, rather on the low side perhaps, but the great taste would allow easy consumption if one so chose. I'm a bit saddened that I didn't have a second, but may correct that on the next trip to replenish the pipeline. Not sure I'll be able to finish the rest of the year on palies, and the pipeline already includes a "stretch" beer, but will do my best..

Cheers!

Day 236 - 420

So back down in Pinehurst for the night, and had to find something at the grocery store, which for whatever reason, only carried expensive belgium ales and mass-brews in singles, so found a six pack. The price one pays...

So, extra pale ale in this case means pale color and a pale amount of hops, but it is also an easy drink that isn't too sweet, so all in all, acceptable.

Specs:

Full Name: 420 Extra Pale Ale
Brewed By: Sweet Water Brewing Co
From: Atlanta GA
ABV: 5.4%

Not much more to add to this one. A decent, easy to drink beer that leans to the hops side rather than malt.

Day 235 - Scottish Joker

A successful trip to replenish the pipeline (though one goes against sane thought, but another day on that one).

Back on the palie trail tonight. A soft orange color, and a good hops aroma, this one is good, but doesn't quite make the upper eschalon as it just comes up short on the full hops taste I enjoy, plus finishes a bit rough.

Specs:

Full Name: Scottish Joker IPA
Brewed By: Williams Bros Brewing Co
From: Scotland
ABV: 5%

So, I'm not disappointed, but also not impressed. To continue my analogy from last night, this is probably a one stop light town, and you got the red. Thus, you stop and look around, but in the end, pass through and don't really remember what you saw afterwards...

Not beer related, but brother Ned does this thing sometimes, where he buys padron peppers and does a quick fry in olive oil. It's then roulette, as most tend to be only a tad hot, and some rip your tonsils off. Great fun at the dinner table... ;>)

Day 234 - Beerlao

Alas, no palies tonight, but a holdout from one of my previous trips to Durham that was in teh back of Ned's fridge.

The color of a rum and coke, mildly sweet malt flavor and then nothing. This beer is the equivalent of one of those small towns where if you blink driving through, you miss it...

Specs:

Full Name: Beerlao Dark Lager
Brewed By: Lao Brewery Co
From: Lao PDR
ABV: 6.5%


Another really good beer for those that don't want to be distracted by their beer. It is drinkable enough, and a better than average ABV, so would appeal to many drinkers. Still, I've been spoiled by two good palies in a row, so anything less would have been a let down. Gonna have to get back on track tomorrow...

Day 233 - Imperial IPA

Ok, if I could, I would buy a ticket to San Diego tonight...

Color of a perfect golden sunset, enticing aroma, and absolutely perfect hops, enough finish to leave you wanting more, and more, and more. Wow....

Specs

Full Name: Imperial IPA
Brewed By: Green Flash Brewing Co
From: San Diego CA
ABV: 9.2% (in a 22ox bottle!!!)

For any naysayers out there, that think that good beer is impossible to find, you're right. Don't go out and buy this one.... ;>) Of course, you probably need to be a palie fan to truly appreciate this one. If you're not, then I know quite a few premium beers that might interest you.

Day 232 - Mikkeller

Back down in NC, and stopped at the local beer store on the way to pick up a couple, just in time for the Skins to unkick their way to a loss....

So, who would guess the Danes would brew an American-style IPA that is really good. A cloudy orange color, clean hops aroma, and just a very satisfying taste, swallow after swallow. This one wasn't cheap, but sometimes you get what pay for, and it was worth it since it was 17oz and meant enough to share with brother Ned.

Specs

Full Name: Mikkkeller Stateside IPA
Brewed By: Mikkeller at Orbaek Bryggeri
From: Orbaek Denmark
ABV: 7%


So far Peyton is winning the Manning war, but still but game left, and as the Skins found out you actually have to play the full 60 minutes to get the W....

Day 231 - Loose Cannon

I did no get 7 IPAs, but did manage 5 in this pipeline batch.. ;>)

So, one more from Clipper City, and another overall very good, but not great, beer. Nice color, solid hops, no annoying sweetness, what more could you ask for?

Specs:

Full Name: Heavy Seas Loose Cannon
Brewed By: Clipper City Brewing
From: Baltimore MD
ABV: 7.25%

Gotta love the fall in VA (when it isn't raining...). Perfect blue skies, cool crisp air, football on every channel, and then end your day with a palie. Yeah baby....

Day 230 - Baltika

So almost 17 oz of "premium" beer from Russia...(it's not my fault, it is in small gold print on a reddish-brown label)

The color of Dr Pepper, and the hint of sweetness almost reminds me of that, with a malty undertone. My best observaton is "it could be worse".

Specs:

Full Name: Baltika
Brewed By: Baltika Brewing
From: St Petersburg Russia
ABV: 5.6%


It's friday, and the week ends kind of quietly after a rather turbulent start. The undertow hasn't gone away, but is not as threatening, at least for the now. I really must focus on finding any and all palies that haven't graced this blog yet, mainly because I could use a good beer, and it has been a while since I have found one. While I have no regrets on the less than satisfying beers consumed, and I'm sure there'll be others, it's time to throw variety out the door and usher in a time of pure selfishness. As S.i.L. Anne put it yesterday, even the name sounded unappealing...

A good weekend to all!

Day 229 - Vanilla Java Porter

Well, at least I can say I tried it, and thankfully, the vanilla is overwhelmed by the coffee flavor...

From an old-fashioned dark green bottle pours forth a cola-colored brew. Initially sweet, the biterness of coffee then takes control. At the end, it finishes clean, which thankfully is a good thing.

Specs:

Full Name: Vanilla Java Porter
Brewed By: Atwater Block Brewery
From: Detroit Michican
ABV: 5.5%

The choice was down to this or a Russian beer, in a large bottle, so saved that for friday night. 4.5 months to go, and somewhere more than 1500 ozs of beer left..... ;>)

Day 228 - Samurai

So, the 3rd from this brewer, and a rather testosterony name. After an over the top palie, and a self-sacrificial frubee, this one comes right in the middle.

A very basic beer-yellow, and somewhat sweet taste with little hops distraction, this one is perfect for those that like to drink beer, but not really taste it.....

Specs:

Full Name: Samuria Rice Ale
Brewed By: Great Divide Brewing Co
From: Denver Co
ABV: 5.1%

I know I've been slack on the bottle pics, but it has been a hard week on the family health side which makes it tough to write about beer. Still, staying up with this helps keeps things grounded, and helps ignore the temptation to consume larger quantities to really become grounded, as in can't get up off of... The hope to find that next great beer, reflects the hope that good health will return to all.

Here's to health!

Day 227 - Optimator

Ok, it is possible to whiff on a change up...

So, another attempt at a German beer, and alas, even though it is dark and has a tad more malt flavor, it still is in a green bottle, and still on par with all the other exports from WE.

Specs:

Full name: Opitmator
Brewed By: Spatenbrau
From: Munich Germany
ABV: 7.2%

Ok, the only redeeming quality here then is the above average ABV. Sadly, even though it lacks that tasteless bitterness of it's brethren, the tasteless sweetness put it in the same league. I know there are some decent German beers out there, I just need to find one....

Day 226 - Avalanche

My second one from this brewer, and given the first was a vanilla porter, I was willing to put that behind me and give them another shot. Alas, that was all it took to acertain that one really shouldn't drink any more of this beer...

Sadly, the color was a decent amber color, true to name, but the beer just falls flat from there. It has a tinny taste, perhaps inparted from the can, but more likely just a poor mix of malt and hops.

Specs:

Full Name: Avalanche Amber Ale
Brewed By: Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado
From: Denver Co
ABV: like the other, not readily available and who really cares...

So the can says it was first brewed in Breckenridge in 1988. Either moving the brewery to Denver was a bad idea, or this is a can from the original batch. Either way, this is one of the saddest beers I have had, even when counting the fruited ones. There's always tomorrow....

ps. this one isn't worth the time to take the pic and post..

Day 225 - Backdraft Brown

I'm watching the Skins - Yuckboys game, and trying to figure out if I like this beer or not (with the Skins up 3-0 for the next few minutes at least...)

Dark brown color (hehe, Cowgirls just missed a short field goal), very light on the hops, and a slightly sweet malt hit that rapidly disappears. It is easy enough to drink, but does that make it good?

Specs:

Full Name: Backdraft Brown
Brewed By: Hook and Ladder Brewing Co
From: Wilkes Barre PA
ABV: 4.5%

Ah, the light AGV probably explains why this one goes down so easily. I guess if you are looking for a beer that has a bit of flavor, but not much else, this one fits. To answer my question, no not really, but I'd also probably drink it again if it was there and other options were limited...

Go Skins!

Day 224 - He'Brew

Hum, a self proclaimed "The Chosen Beer" may leave one questioning, chosen for what or by whom?

A very deep brown beer, with a dry, slightly bitter coffee type flavor. It doesn't linger though, nor is it very heavy, so it rates a drinkable if you like your dark beers on the lighter side.

Specs:

Full Name: He'Brew
Brewed By: Smaltz Brewing Co
From: Sarasota NY
ABV: 5.6%



It's saturday, and there's football on TV, so this ends now....

Day 223 - Dream Weaver

It's been over 100 days since I last had a wheat beer, and with the summer winding down, figured I could use this to mark that ending.

A very light straw color, and while there is no mistaking this for anything but a wheat beer, it is subtle enough on the sweet spiciness that it is tolerable.

Specs:

Full Name: Dream Weaver Wheat Beer

Brewed By: Troegs Brewing Co

From: Harrisburg PA

ABV: 4.8%

This brewer has a fair number of offerings, and is maybe a 2.5 hour drive away, so given the overall quality is good, may be up for a pilgrimage.

Sweet dreams.....

Day 222 - Gosser

The good thing about having beer can chicken for dinner, is that I have an excuse to have beer. Oh right, like I really need that now-a-days....

Alas, European brewer, green bottle, pale pour, can it get any more predictable. Nope, this one could be a poster child for this genre. Ah well, the chicken was good...


Specs:

Full Name: Gosser
Brewed By: Brauerei Goss
From: Austria
ABV: 5.2%

Not really much to add here, plus ther eis football on the tube, so drink this one at your own risk, or if your only other choice is a frubee.

Day 221 - Nut Brown Ale

A new brewer, and a new state tonight, and I'm not talking about my normal state of confusion...

True to name, which isn't very original, this one pours a deep golden brown, and the taste reminds me of fall leaves and cool mountain streams (sigh, been too long since I went fishing, and no plans on the horizon..). A strong earthy malt overtone, but is saved by a clean finish.

Specs:

Full Name: Nut Brown Ale

Brewed By: Mountaineer Brewing Co

From: Martinsburg WV

ABV: unpublished (guessing in the low-mid 5s)

All in all, a good drink for those times when you are feeling crazy and not in the mood for dominating hops. This one could be very good on tap, on a cool night with a fire in the fireplace. Who knew WVa could come through like this. I'll have to track down a few of their other beers, to see if they duplicate the effort.

Day 220 - White Hawk

Tonight, I am a hoppy camper... Ok, this is at least the 3rd from this brewer, and the 2nd was just 2 nights ago, but I first grabbed a vanilla-coffee porter, and just didn't feel up to that tonight.

The pour looking like a golden sunset, and the aroma whispering to my nose of a dry, citrus goodness. Darn tasty this one is, though just shy of bouncing my favorite palie from it's position, as it does tug on the tonsils on the way down a bit.

Specs:

Full Name: White Hawk Select IPA
Brewed By: Mendocino Brewing Co
From: Sarasota Springs NY
ABV: 7%

Interestingly, at least to me, that this one must be brewed under contract in NY, since the main brewery is in CA (as previously reported...). Regardless, it is a worthy beer, and hum, Sarasota NY is a lot closer than CA, so maybe, I can make it up there sometime to really get to the bottom of this.Alas, I have already reached that stage with this bottle. So until tomorrow...

Day 219 - Bells Pale Ale

Another long weekend, come and gone, but it ends on a nice hoppy note...

This one poured particularly light yellow for a pale ale, so was cranking down the expectations when I took that first sip. Hum, I like it when I am wrong. Not quite the full on action, but a nice hops flavor with decent finish.

Specs:

Full Name: Bell's Pale Ale
Brewed By: Bell's Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 5.2%


Well, all caught up on the blogs again, after drinking the beer but running out of steam to write the last 2 nights as we left early and got back late both nights.

Day 218 - Blue Heron

Back on track tonight, after stopping to refill the pipeline on the way home from dinner. I picked up another dozen, but it is getting harder, and will probably need to print out a list.

A decent light orange hue and the Pavlov dog in me was salivating, but the strong malt undertone keeps this one only in the above average category. A full flavored beer, so definitely beats masspros, and goes down easily enough, so drink up if you see one.

Specs:

Full Name: Blue Heron Pale Ale
Brewed By: Mendicino Brewing Co
From: Ukiah CA
ABV: 6.1%

Another good beer from this brewer, but doesn't quite pull strong enough for a pilgrimage yet. My son drives out to Tucson AZ and back in a week, but do you think he stops along the way to pick up some pipeline for his dad. no.....

Day 217 - Stegmaier Porter

So last time I had a Stegmaier was summer of 1983, when Tom Wulf found it at the local Safeway for $1/6-pack and I was stupid (and poor...) enough to buy a case. I think I still have a few left around here somewhere...

Well over at the Proc's and what to do have that's new, yep, a Stegmaier Porter. Amazingly, I drank the whole thing, and survived.


Specs:

Full name: Stegmaier Porter
Brewed By: Stegmaier Brewing Co
From: Wilkes Barre PA
ABV: 5.4%

So, not sure if the original brewery is still in operation, and I actually think this particular beer was rahter old, as it doesn't look anything like the label on a bottle on the internet.

Gotta like good friends...

Day 216 - Oktober fest

You know, it is hard to get into the spirit of Fall, when it is 90+ degrees outside, and maybe I'm pushing it a bit by having this beer a wee early, but then, given it was my only option.......

It has the right golden color, and a taste that does remind me of those days of jumping into leaf piles so carefully raked up. Thus, dry with just a hint of malt for body. All in all, an easy to drink beer, and if at a bar, I would probably order a second.

Specs:

full name: Oktober fest
Brewed By: Brooklyn Brewery
From: ithica NY
ABV: 5.5%


This is at least the 3rd from this brewer, and another decent beer. Not sure if enough to want to move there, but definitely might go out of my way to stop there if in the neighborhood.

The start of a long weekend, what wil I drink tomorrow night... ;>)

Day 215 - Elephant

Ok - green bottle, European export, "premium" on the label, what sort of expectations should we have here.....

Sadly, this one easily meets those... the classic bitter, no flavor beer that us Americans buy thinking we are cool.

Specs:

Full Name: Elephant Premium Beer
Brewed By: Carlsberg
From: Denmark
ABV: 7.2%

So, brewed under the Authority of the Royal Danish Court would be grounds for an revolt in my humble o. The only really redeeming value here is the decent ABV and the fact the bottle is narrow, so easy to hold onto, though also then begs for the pinky to lift slightly..... Seriously, next to fruited beers, this has to be my least favorite genre, but I will keep searching.

Day 214 - BBC American Pale Ale

Hops, glorious, bitter hops, and a new brewer/state. So tasty after walking the dog on a hot night...

Hopes went up when I saw the hint of orange hue, though it was a tad more towards brown. A definite strong hops hit, though with a heavy underline of maltiness. The taste of this one lingers in the mouth, perhaps longer than I really prefer. To me a really good beer finishes clean, so the taste buds are clamoring for more right away. This is not a chugging beer...

Specs:

Full Name: BBC American Pale Ale

Brewed By: Bluegrass Brewing Co

From: Louisville KY

ABV: ? (not on bottle or website)

Always good to find a decent new beer. This one is a little rough at the end to threaten my favorites, but is a welcome relief after the previous few. If you want full flavor, this one is up there. I may look for a few others from this brewer, to compare at some point.