Feeling a little less dark tonight, I went with a brown ale. Alas, this has a corresponding drop in taste as well a depth of color.
It is indeed a brown ale, and it runs along the malty side with little noticable hops. The label is kind of colorful....
Specs:
Full Name: Legend Brown Ale
Brewed By: Legend Brewing Co
From: Richmond VA
ABV: 6%
Per their website, this is their most popular beer, which means I will be most reluctant to add more to the pipeline. At least it isn't called Legendary, and leans towards forgetable, and thus won't become a true Legend in this blog. This is a bit sad, as this brewery is fairly close, and if it had been really good, would have been an easy pilgrimage. Ah well, maybe tommorow nights beer.
Cheers to a good and long weekend!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Day 250 - Double Cream Stout
Furthering a trek down the dark path, here's a 4th by this brewer, and second stout.
The deep brown of rain water than has steeped all Fall in a rotted oak stump, I must admit I was expecting the taste to be comparable. Yes, it is heavy, and yes it does have that strong roasted malt taste, but it lacks any kind of sweetness that turns me off, and finishes clean enough. By golly, I might actually like this one...
Specs:
Full Name: Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
Brewed By: Bell's Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 6.1%
I'm not sure what exactly "double cream" means in this context, and while "special" is almost as bad as "premium", I'll let them slide on this one. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't replace any of my favs, but if you're looking for a mouthful of flavor and you're out on stouts, you might try this one. I'm guessing I find it acceptable because the roasting imparts a somewhat dry taste, and while it doesn't come close to the bitterness of good hops, it beats anything sweet.
Now more than two thirds through this beerfest, with fewer in front than behind (not to mention it getting harder to find untried ones), this should start to get interesting. Sadly, this also means I'm that much closer to being 50. Good news is, started prelim discussons with dad and brothers about the concept of "whisky of the week" for next year... ;>)
cheers.
The deep brown of rain water than has steeped all Fall in a rotted oak stump, I must admit I was expecting the taste to be comparable. Yes, it is heavy, and yes it does have that strong roasted malt taste, but it lacks any kind of sweetness that turns me off, and finishes clean enough. By golly, I might actually like this one...
Specs:
Full Name: Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
Brewed By: Bell's Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 6.1%
I'm not sure what exactly "double cream" means in this context, and while "special" is almost as bad as "premium", I'll let them slide on this one. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't replace any of my favs, but if you're looking for a mouthful of flavor and you're out on stouts, you might try this one. I'm guessing I find it acceptable because the roasting imparts a somewhat dry taste, and while it doesn't come close to the bitterness of good hops, it beats anything sweet.
Now more than two thirds through this beerfest, with fewer in front than behind (not to mention it getting harder to find untried ones), this should start to get interesting. Sadly, this also means I'm that much closer to being 50. Good news is, started prelim discussons with dad and brothers about the concept of "whisky of the week" for next year... ;>)
cheers.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Day 249 - Hacker-Pschorr Weisse
It has been a long time since I tempted a wheat beer, and unfortunately, they haven't gotten better in the interim....
So, tiny-bubbled, clear yellow color. Classic, though not overpowering or overspiced, wheat flavor. All in all, drinkable, and probably acceptable to a wheatnik, but there is something just girly about this genre that leaves me cringing with every sip.
Specs:
Full Name: Hacker-Pschorr Weisse
Brewed By: Hacker-Pschorr
From: Munich Germany
ABV: 5.5%
all else being equal, this might be the best of the German beers that I have had, which really only speaks to how low the other ones have been, rather than how good this one is. Still, the alternatives are sitting here drinking this or watching America's Next Top Model with Ellie and Liz, so again, I settle for the lesser evil and type away.....
Picked up some kind of outer limit beers for the pipeline tonight, so will be walking a dark path far from sunshine and palies for the next week. I saw at least 7 different pumpkin ales, so may have to do a week of them at the end of the month. Yep, I'm just that crazy...
Cheers.
So, tiny-bubbled, clear yellow color. Classic, though not overpowering or overspiced, wheat flavor. All in all, drinkable, and probably acceptable to a wheatnik, but there is something just girly about this genre that leaves me cringing with every sip.
Specs:
Full Name: Hacker-Pschorr Weisse
Brewed By: Hacker-Pschorr
From: Munich Germany
ABV: 5.5%
all else being equal, this might be the best of the German beers that I have had, which really only speaks to how low the other ones have been, rather than how good this one is. Still, the alternatives are sitting here drinking this or watching America's Next Top Model with Ellie and Liz, so again, I settle for the lesser evil and type away.....
Picked up some kind of outer limit beers for the pipeline tonight, so will be walking a dark path far from sunshine and palies for the next week. I saw at least 7 different pumpkin ales, so may have to do a week of them at the end of the month. Yep, I'm just that crazy...
Cheers.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Day 248 - Pilsner 100
This one is brewed by the same company as that 32oz bad boy I blogged about back on day 20. Alas, it is only in a 12oz bottle.
Alas part deux, it pours a very, very pale yellow, and the taste is as bold as 5/$1 mac & cheese. Even sadder, I really couldn't just pour ketchup into this to add taste like I do the m&c.... It is very easy to drink at least.
Specs:
Full Name: Pilsner 100
Brewed By: Cerveceria La Constancia SA
From: San Salvador
ABV: 4.5%
So, if you are wanting a beer with little taste and relatively low alcohol but is not found in most people's frig, this might be a good choice. Or perhaps, if you are going to spend the whole day lying on a beach in 90 degree heat and don't feel like being seen drinking fruited water, this would be a good alternative.
Hum, a wheatie and an o'fest left in the pipeline, not going to make it to the weekend...
Alas part deux, it pours a very, very pale yellow, and the taste is as bold as 5/$1 mac & cheese. Even sadder, I really couldn't just pour ketchup into this to add taste like I do the m&c.... It is very easy to drink at least.
Specs:
Full Name: Pilsner 100
Brewed By: Cerveceria La Constancia SA
From: San Salvador
ABV: 4.5%
So, if you are wanting a beer with little taste and relatively low alcohol but is not found in most people's frig, this might be a good choice. Or perhaps, if you are going to spend the whole day lying on a beach in 90 degree heat and don't feel like being seen drinking fruited water, this would be a good alternative.
Hum, a wheatie and an o'fest left in the pipeline, not going to make it to the weekend...
Monday, October 4, 2010
Day 247 - Black Boss Porter
I had been thinking that I owed dad a dedication, for no other reason than he just flat out deserves it for many reasons. So looking at the pipeline, this one just was appropriate, since I have called dad "boss" for many, many years. It also certainly has a unique personality, just like dad.... ;>)
A deep, clear brown and a very strong sweet aroma. Uh Oh... Fears realized, it drinks liked heavily roasted & malted sugar syrup with carbonation. I'm halfway through and my taste buds have rolled over and given up crying for uncle and now stoically accept their 22.9 oz fate.
Specs:
Full Name: Black Boss Porter
Brewed By: Browar Witnica SA
From: Poland
ABV: 9.4%
IMHO, this is another great beer for pot roasting, or for those that like their beer sweet with a kick. Actually, dad has pretty much given up drinking beer, and scratches that itch with the occasional G&T or good whisky. While he doesn't win the Florence Nightingale award for bedside manner (it's true boss... ;>) ), his dedication, support and positive attitude was a bulwark for mom to hold onto for many months. Now, he has the tougher road to follow for a while, but he will get there, and if I know him, there will be a fishing rod involved.
Cheers dad!
A deep, clear brown and a very strong sweet aroma. Uh Oh... Fears realized, it drinks liked heavily roasted & malted sugar syrup with carbonation. I'm halfway through and my taste buds have rolled over and given up crying for uncle and now stoically accept their 22.9 oz fate.
Specs:
Full Name: Black Boss Porter
Brewed By: Browar Witnica SA
From: Poland
ABV: 9.4%
IMHO, this is another great beer for pot roasting, or for those that like their beer sweet with a kick. Actually, dad has pretty much given up drinking beer, and scratches that itch with the occasional G&T or good whisky. While he doesn't win the Florence Nightingale award for bedside manner (it's true boss... ;>) ), his dedication, support and positive attitude was a bulwark for mom to hold onto for many months. Now, he has the tougher road to follow for a while, but he will get there, and if I know him, there will be a fishing rod involved.
Cheers dad!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Day 246 - West Coast IPA
Seriously, anyone got any contacts in San Diego. I'm going to have to Forrest Gump the country for this beer....
The second by this brewer, and another winner. Bright, harvest-gold color, but of course, it is the excellent hops flavor that makes my eyes close and a sense of peace settle around me. Good thing I don't have a six-pack, otherwise I might even get to a place where I could watch one of those touchy-feely movies. Well, that might be a bit extreme.....
Specs:
Full Name: West Coast IPA
Brewed By: Green Flash Brewing Co
From: San Diego CA
ABV: 7.3%
Good beer, sometimes, that is a good as it gets, and sometimes that is a good as it needs to be.
Cheers.
The second by this brewer, and another winner. Bright, harvest-gold color, but of course, it is the excellent hops flavor that makes my eyes close and a sense of peace settle around me. Good thing I don't have a six-pack, otherwise I might even get to a place where I could watch one of those touchy-feely movies. Well, that might be a bit extreme.....
Specs:
Full Name: West Coast IPA
Brewed By: Green Flash Brewing Co
From: San Diego CA
ABV: 7.3%
Good beer, sometimes, that is a good as it gets, and sometimes that is a good as it needs to be.
Cheers.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Day 244 - Un-Earthly
A friday night, and sitting here trying to write down some thoughts to share at mom's service tomorrow. Almost 50 years spent raising her, and so proud how she had come so far......
So, stopped at the beer store for one a bit special for this occasion. Keeping to the theme of new beer, I went with a 22 oz one, and the deciding factor between this and another in roughly the same range was 11% vs 6% ABV - no brainer there... :>)
Poured this one into a glass mug, instead of a taste into a shot glass. The color of dark gold marigolds, which were a fav of mom's, and mild hops aroma. Then the explosion in the mouth. I don't know the chemistry, but it seems that higher ABV beers have a higher body as well. This one is as full-bodied as Dolly Parton. My lips tingle after each sip from the bitterness of the hops, which last long after it is swallowed.
Specs:
Full Name: Un-Earthly
Brewed By: Southern Tier Brewing Company
From: Lakewood NY
ABV: 11%
In a perfect world, I would be drinking this one sitting on the deck of a cabin in the woods on a cool night listening to a stream and looking up at the stars. I have to settle for sitting in my desk chair in my living room with the window open listening to my wife and daughter watching TV.... You know, that ain't so bad either.
cheers!
So, stopped at the beer store for one a bit special for this occasion. Keeping to the theme of new beer, I went with a 22 oz one, and the deciding factor between this and another in roughly the same range was 11% vs 6% ABV - no brainer there... :>)
Poured this one into a glass mug, instead of a taste into a shot glass. The color of dark gold marigolds, which were a fav of mom's, and mild hops aroma. Then the explosion in the mouth. I don't know the chemistry, but it seems that higher ABV beers have a higher body as well. This one is as full-bodied as Dolly Parton. My lips tingle after each sip from the bitterness of the hops, which last long after it is swallowed.
Specs:
Full Name: Un-Earthly
Brewed By: Southern Tier Brewing Company
From: Lakewood NY
ABV: 11%
In a perfect world, I would be drinking this one sitting on the deck of a cabin in the woods on a cool night listening to a stream and looking up at the stars. I have to settle for sitting in my desk chair in my living room with the window open listening to my wife and daughter watching TV.... You know, that ain't so bad either.
cheers!
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