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.