Day 154 Red Rocket Ale

A return to the Big Bottle Beer, as I found I had one more in the pipeline thanks to Cullen (part of my Fathers Day present).

A second by this brewery, and to be honest, not that different than the first, at least after drinking a bit of it and rereading that blog. It has the same orange-brown color, same hops finish after a malty start. Perhaps there is a difference, but again I feel it is a bit over on the malt side, which makes it somewhat heavy.

Specs:

Full Name: Red Rocket Ale
Brewed By: Bear Republic Brewing Co
From: Cloverdale CA
ABV: 6.8%

Upon reflection, it could be that I am going about this incorrectly, as I could see this as a decent beer when it is cold outside. Perhaps I could try and focus my timing based on the season, and drink lighter ones over the summer and go heavier come next fall/winter. Of course, that would require planning, forethought and my foregoing spontaneous consumption. Yeah right, that's not going to happen... ;>)

Happy 4th weekend. May your bbq's turn out great, and your cooler be filled with good beer.

Day 84 - Hop Rod Rye

Back in Durham, but brother Ned is off taking his daughter Erin to check out a potential summer camp, so no camera again. The label is rather colorful at least....

Given the name, this one indeed leads and ends with hops, but has a less-than-subtle sweetness as well. The color is on the reddish side of apple cider.


Specs:

Full Name: Hop Rod Rye
Brewed By: Bear Republic Brewing Co
From: Healdsburg CA
ABV: 8.0%

So, this one took a gold medal at the 2009 CA state fair. Hum, not sure I would go that far, either trans-continentally or beeritually (the attainment of that certain consciousness one attains whilst drinking good beer...), but it is ok. Perhaps it loses me with the sweetness, or perhaps I am tired. It has been a long week, but mom is doing better, and I have been able to spend time with my dad, brothers, a sister-in-law, a nephew and a niece, and that has been a gift in all of this.

Cheers!