Day 29 - Backfin

What is a weekend if not a couple of days to spend fixing cars that fail inspections...... That bit of mischief managed today (hopefully...), I couldn't resist the call of one of the pale ales remaining from the Uncle Bill collection.

The color of a fine sunset, and the dry aroma of good finishing hops, and the taste.....well, it lived up to the "pale" part of pale ale. It was quite drinkable, but the jolt of dessert sand in the mouth dryness I was hoping for didn't materialize. There was a tantalizing hint of it, but it seemed to fade over the bottle. If this is an option at a crab feast, and the rest are big domestics, there would be no question which I would chose (and then be tempted to hide some of the others to ensure a continued supply....).



Specs:

Full Name: Backfin Pale Ale
Brewed by: Clay Pipe Brewing
From: Westminster, MD
ABV: 5.5%




So, their website says this is supposed to be smooth, so I would concur that they hit their objective then. They also make an IPA called Hop-Ocalypse, which could be worth trying. In the end, after a tiring day, this actually was a good choice, like picking up the Sports Illustrated to read now instead of a novel....

No old jokes.....

Day 28 - Oranjeboom

One of the many benefits of having great friends, in this case Dave & Mary Prochnow, is that they follow my favorite rule "it is never too late for birthday presents" and are quick to jump on the bandwagon when they see it rolling. Thus, I am another 6 pack of uniques richer, and in their honor, I chose one of their donations for tonight's tasting.

Another first, one out of a can. A lager, and not surprisingly, it is what it says it is. The color is clear pale citrine, and the taste straightforward, with a faint bitter finish that one would expect. Close your eyes, and I could probably line up hundreds of other beers that taste exactly the same and you couldn't tell it apart, but hey, sometimes you want a beer that doesn't distract you, and this one is perfectly fine in that role (and at 16 oz, means fewer trips to the fridge...).


Specs:

Full Name: Oranjeboom Premium Lager
Brewed by: Hofbrauhaus Wolters GmBH (under license from Brouwerij de Oranjeboom, Holland) - very complicated......
From: Braunschweig, Germany
ABV: 5%



This one has a strange lineage, and like many "export" beers, lacks much depth of character. Both the Germans and Dutch brew beers with more pizzaz, which I have to look forward to. So, if you see this in the cooler or in someone's fridge at a party, and you don't want to be seen drinking a domestic, but want the taste of a domestic, grab it. Proc would drink this beer, my bad for not saving it for when he came over. I guess I can pick up one to have on hand, as I like to try and get him out of the "Bud" zone.... :>)

Day 27 - Xingu

Ah, another friday....

This is another from the "Liz" collection, as I exercised amazing constraint in not returning to the pale ales in the pipeline, plus we're off in a bit to a friend's house where Corona will be the option, so wanted to hopefully start different.

Admittedly, I don't recall having a "black beer" before, and it lives up to that name. The color is un-latte'd coffee, deep and dark. Moving past that, the taste is actually rather refreshing, with a faint sweetness and no bitterness at all. Ok, it's not going to win any "Miss Personality" awards, but if you are out for a night dancing, and don't want your favorite moves screwed up by a full stomach caused by a heavy beer, this is a good option. Add the uniqueness factor, and you might get away with strangers thinking you are cool (your friends will know the truth, no beer can help that... ;>) ) I'd be tempted to keep a few of these on hand, for when I want something light and easy to drink, but just different enough.


Specs:

Full Name: Xingo Black Beer
Brewed by: CKBR S.A.
From: Sao Paulo, Brazil
ABV: 4.6%


One of my other goals is to try beers from as many countries as possible, so at least this checks another off that list. I have a german in the queue (another black beer, should be interesting to compare...), and the rest are US, so need to work the import isle more next time.

A good weekend to everyone!

Day 26 - The Love

So, had Liz along with me when I went on a replenish run this evening, and this is a result of her influence. The remainder of the 6 pack clearly bears her mark as well....

Getting past the ultimate fufu name, this is actually an honest, straight-up wheat beer. Cloudy yellow, not a sniff of hoppy bitterness, with a subtle clove sweetness enough to make it abundantly clear that it is a wheat beer, without overdoing it. I drank this while having a chocolate chip cookie, and it worked! I'd be inclined to keep this one on hand for friends that like wheats, and put some orange/lemon slices next to them.


Specs:

Full Name: The Love Wheat Beer
Brewed by: Starr Hill Brewery LLC
From: Crozet VA (originally started in Charlottesville...)
ABV: 4.6%


I have a feeling that my younger brother might give me some grief over this one on a couple of levels, but hey, I'm making the path here (ignoring the fact that Liz picked it out...) and for me it's all about testing, and yes, retesting, limits. I actually am on a quest now to find a great boutique beer, as there is a certain crotchity old frat brother who seems to think that there is no such thing. Gotta love the challenge!!

Day 25 - Kalamazoo Stout

Another busy day topped with a late demo of CrossPoint to some prospects, means no trip to Total Wine and that I'm still limited to what I had on hand. Sure, I could have gone with another pale ale, but being a wild and crazy guy, I chose the only other option ......

A shot glass of this was like a little black hole, no light in or out, but then this isn't about looks so bottoms up and down it went. Big flavor, not too sweet though hints of licorice, which is not high on my list of favorite tastes, but a clean finish and in the end but pretty dang tasty.


Specs


Full Name: Bell's Kalamazoo Stout
Brewed by: Bells Brewery Inc
From: Comstock MI
ABV: 6%



This was my dessert tonight, complimenting a late dinner of hickory-smoked chicken and salad. Now I'm totally stuffed, so yep, it met expectations. I'm thinking that every well stocked beer fridge should have a stout for such occasions. Should it be this one, that's a bit premature to say maybe, but if it is, and I have the room, I'd grab it.

Day 24 - Pick Axe Pale Ale

Well, I didn't get out to the store, so had to stay American at least one more night. I went back to the Uncle Bill collection, and eanie-meanie-minie-moed this one.

Sometimes life gives you lemons, and some people put them in their beer, but if you did that with this one, it would be pure sacrilege. A great marigold color, then a full on hops hit start to finish. Yummo. I am trying not to let my prejudices show, but dang it, I just like my beer this way. I wonder if there are 340 different pale ales... ;>)


Specs:

Full Name : Pick Axe Pale Ale
Brewed by: Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub
From: Idaho Springs, CO
ABV: 6.2%


Hum, the bottle says to share one with a friend. Well, I guess if it were a really, really good friend, and they brought the 6 pack, I could see sharing 1...

Day 23 - Troegenator

I didn't get to the store today, and Liz offered to go pick out tonight's blog beer from the remaining options. Clearly, she picked this one for the name/label....

The color was lighter than I expected for a doublebock beer, a deep coppery gold rather than dark brown. This then translated into a lighter body than anticipated, which while not bad per se, again isn't exactly knocking my socks off. At least it doesn't taste like it was strained through my socks..... Does it have the requisite roasted malt caramel sweetness coupled with a dash of hoppy bitterness - yep. Does either one grab your taste buds and leave them crying for more/mercy at the same time - nope.

Specs:

Full Name: Troegenator Doublebock Beer

Brewed by: Troegs Brewing Co

From: Harrisburg, PA

ABV: 8.2%

Yet another award winning beer that I can't in good faith rate higher than a single. However, the attentive reader will quickly acertain why this might actually be worth the investment of calories/cash to have every now and again - a relatively high ABV. If that is a key criteria for you, and you want a change of pace, I say go for it.