tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52567829285571665162024-02-19T20:02:12.620-05:00Beer CrusadeA blog about the search for the perfect beer. Ranking and rating beers until perfection is found. Beer Rankings and Beer Reviews across all Beer Styles from 3 different beer reviewers.Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-90447276834939922192012-01-24T18:06:00.003-05:002012-01-24T18:10:27.182-05:00Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale Brown Shugga' Substitute, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mZBlFpQD8Eg0hKo21n6mNK6PCbwn2AlwmJvBQEqd0Y76N9Qe-cx-fWfPb-yn71-APJJhuHGvAoJZsA0WmKVY-iO5pM4IVxYFNRhlrBQVvAsPoPs2Z7kmZsz2Or-sZUbzXi5bWMFJnN_6/s1600/Lagunitas.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701339156128588738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mZBlFpQD8Eg0hKo21n6mNK6PCbwn2AlwmJvBQEqd0Y76N9Qe-cx-fWfPb-yn71-APJJhuHGvAoJZsA0WmKVY-iO5pM4IVxYFNRhlrBQVvAsPoPs2Z7kmZsz2Or-sZUbzXi5bWMFJnN_6/s320/Lagunitas.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://lagunitas.com/beers/index.html">Lagunitas</a> hit another homerun with their latest Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale Brown Shugga’ Substitute. The label itself sets a tone with the following message, “This sad holiday season we didn't have the brewing capacity to make our favorite seasonal brew, the widely feared <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2009/09/brown-shugga-ale-lagunitas-brewing-co.html">Brown Shugga' Ale.</a> We're just out of capacity. There is nothing cool about screwing up this badly and we know it.”<br /><br />Popping off the cap you are introduced to a brew that does not follow your traditional winter seasonals, there are no cloves or cinnamon, just smooth malt and great bittering hops providing a citrusy alternative. The 7.85% ABV does some damage. As always I am impressed with what Lagunitas churns out, even if it did mean no Brown Shugga’ this season. I give it a 4.Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-83566683015490712422010-09-15T21:26:00.004-04:002010-09-15T21:50:12.698-04:00Brooklyn Brewery: Oktoberfest<a href="http://www.bobricca.com/beerofthemonth/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/brooklyn-octoberfest.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 437px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.bobricca.com/beerofthemonth/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/brooklyn-octoberfest.png" /></a><br /><div>Why hello there world wide web! Remember me? I'm baaaaaaaaack...</div><div></div><br /><div>So it's a sad, yet happy time in the world. Sad because it's the end of summer. No more beach, no more bikini's, no more mosquito bites (wait, that's not a good thing), but it's a great thing because it means it's the season of fall beers, more specifically, Oktoberfest...</div><div></div><br /><div>So to kick off the season, I decided to go with one of my favorite breweries, <a href="http://www.brooklynbrewery.com/beer/">Brooklyn Brewery</a>. Surprisingly enough, it's never been reviewed by the find men at beercrusade. Right off the bat, I was quite happy with my choice. It poured a nice healthy amber color which immediately made me happy. It didn't have a particularly strong odor (in the glass or in the bottle), but that didn't worry me all that much.</div><div></div><br /><div>Taste... well I think the best word to describe it is balanced. It's mostly a carmel/malt/hoppy flavor which worked perfectly for me. This was my first go round with the Brooklyn Oktoberfest, but I'd be very interested in trying it on tap. The only drawback for me, and it's not really a drawback, is that it's only 5.5%abv. I expect (or hope) for a little more from a fall beer. </div><div></div><br /><div>I really don't think you can go wrong with this Oktoberfest. As a matter of fact, I'm going to give it a very strong 4. It goes down easy, tastes great, is a perfect color .... really, no huge drawbacks. Go out and try some, you won't be disappointed.</div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-43852401492130387692010-08-20T18:50:00.002-04:002010-08-20T18:59:23.557-04:00Summer of Lager, Cisco Brewers, Nantucket, MA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8FVrRidveGG5IVw1zlb50c6W2lxL4zuuR6iA5a5Te6ajxScd8y8xqm-H482eJg3H-9yjtfVLPiJfHWz-FHKttgEXculDc_ZEWiRAXHeEuT0Dk163Ck-KWSj0ROf9CqlK7RJy8JDgqAJe/s1600/cisco.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507628493237845058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8FVrRidveGG5IVw1zlb50c6W2lxL4zuuR6iA5a5Te6ajxScd8y8xqm-H482eJg3H-9yjtfVLPiJfHWz-FHKttgEXculDc_ZEWiRAXHeEuT0Dk163Ck-KWSj0ROf9CqlK7RJy8JDgqAJe/s320/cisco.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I know, it's been awhile. I've been pretty busy with life stuff so the beer writing took a bit of a backseat. A few weeks ago I went on vacation to the great escape, Cape Cod. Very relaxing. While there I picked up the <a href="http://www.ciscobrewers.com/brewers/ourfineales.htm">Summer of Lager</a>. It immediately shot up the charts of my favorite summer beers. It executed all the attributes of a great summer beer well; it was light, crisp, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hoppy</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">citrusy</span>. Not to mention a 6.25% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ABV</span>! I spent the remaining week of my vacation trying to hunt this down again, but to no avail. It's a little bit late in the season and I see the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ocktoberfests</span> already creeping into the stores, so if you get a chance, go out and try the Summer of Lager. It's a 4.0!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-58948601449437299062010-06-16T16:50:00.001-04:002010-06-16T16:52:22.302-04:00Maple Nut Brown Ale, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSxlEL8JsUrs-tLjvtjL0wyDq0b33DESv5KxqLBYxFSvfh13kaBAoKlCkWySbI6XoaxBDuEeifXR75DtivgdDinsgazoFnula2WbdlK0eSlAO-1WXjRxUdY8z21s-08n7rRTQgwAP8VVy/s1600/tommyknocker-maple-nut-brown-21125266.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483476816093536082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSxlEL8JsUrs-tLjvtjL0wyDq0b33DESv5KxqLBYxFSvfh13kaBAoKlCkWySbI6XoaxBDuEeifXR75DtivgdDinsgazoFnula2WbdlK0eSlAO-1WXjRxUdY8z21s-08n7rRTQgwAP8VVy/s320/tommyknocker-maple-nut-brown-21125266.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>No Mas. I give up, I have tried the <a href="http://www.tommyknocker.com/ourBeer.html#mapleNut">Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown Ale</a> and the biggest conclusion I have drawn from this beer is that I don’t like beers where a good portion from the flavor is nut based. The Tommyknocker wasn’t overly nutty like the <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2008/10/rogue-hazelnut-brown-nectar-rogue.html">Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar</a>, but it was nutty enough where it threw me for a loop. The Tommyknocker was very sweet, from the maple syrup, yet also very dry. I wish the flavor was a bit more sugary and chocolatey tasting, more of a brown sugar I guess. The 4.5% ABV was solid as I wasn’t looking to knock myself out with one punch. The Maple Nut Brown Ale gets a very even 3.0.</div>Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-43929253508513897622010-06-09T18:22:00.005-04:002010-06-09T18:38:05.627-04:00Hazards Ale, Wineglass Bay Brewing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXQ3ggxmDWx5kIIF44bXgXKEvQdP-x0yktYbMHlW_t-KcJzQOLyfMr20V5J3ZzsrGQilOWq3dHZkVV6ugx-3_MZSZa4XHgFTjnXeGBMSkM9bVHgzEwos28maUFCzSrbWkDlF3tsqZjic/s1600/hazarrd.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXQ3ggxmDWx5kIIF44bXgXKEvQdP-x0yktYbMHlW_t-KcJzQOLyfMr20V5J3ZzsrGQilOWq3dHZkVV6ugx-3_MZSZa4XHgFTjnXeGBMSkM9bVHgzEwos28maUFCzSrbWkDlF3tsqZjic/s320/hazarrd.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480906855094924386" /></a><br /><br />These days, Tasmania is more well-known for its wines than its beers. However, while vacationing on the Freycinet peninsula, I discovered a gem of a brew, Hazards Ale. Its brewers, <a href="http://www.wineglassbaybrewing.com.au/">Wineglass Bay Brewing</a>, are wine makers by trade, but a trial endeavor into brewing proved so successful that they decided to continue producing and selling their creation, Hazards Ale. Made from local Tasmanian barley and hops, Hazards Ale tastes like a traditional English ale: flavorful and smooth, with a very slight, pleasing bitterness and 5.2% ABV. Sadly, it's distribution is limited, and you'll have a tough time finding it outside of Tasmania.eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15435132755332951836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-83713796927708756122010-06-01T06:07:00.000-04:002010-06-01T09:08:41.235-04:00Tule Duck Red Ale, Buckbean Brewing Co., Reno, Nevada<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTKcUqDVZ8aCVy-4oXAGCmf-bC_qP_v9QjAU-ZzZO17Dpez1wYi1dhKyvw9jlU6nDJ5TcielyrPq7jciXVibm2k3zqakfAAKOOdcDYrT4CD0ibdRBIu5LvcsheK16_ItBgYUCx9Z2fAzU/s1600/Tule_Duck.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477791155499963762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTKcUqDVZ8aCVy-4oXAGCmf-bC_qP_v9QjAU-ZzZO17Dpez1wYi1dhKyvw9jlU6nDJ5TcielyrPq7jciXVibm2k3zqakfAAKOOdcDYrT4CD0ibdRBIu5LvcsheK16_ItBgYUCx9Z2fAzU/s320/Tule_Duck.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Welcome to the <a href="http://www.buckbeanbeer.com/">Buckbean Brewing Co</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_match">Rubber Match</a>. <a href="http://www.buckbeanbeer.com/">The Tule Duck Red Ale</a> is the third of the <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/search/label/Buckbean">Buckbean</a> beers I have sampled, and so far I have had mixed reviews on the brewery. With trepidation I poured the Tule Duck into my stein and watched the frothy head emerge from the reddish brown sea of beer. The Red Ale was creamy with good malt flavoring. The beer ended with a nice fruity hop tone. I find that most red ales can go either way, and this one is definitely at the top of the spectrum. Yes, it comes in a can. Deal with it. Buckbean seems to be available only in the Nevada and the states surrounding it, so next time you are in Vegas, search it out. With a 6.2% ABV, you’ll at least get your bang for the buck. The Tule Duck Red Ale gets a 4.0.</div>Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-78414013528070193572010-05-13T05:40:00.005-04:002010-05-13T05:56:17.851-04:00Little Creatures Bright Ale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJquIzZ8xtB7pRIAjXNGmd867D2gIJU1-naT5N0FjfzvDDdPCtuEVhsl6J8yeFNEOkJDV9yrCv1I5QndUKGc3EDU5KQP6x3u3Gzr10lpr_YFt0IWNw-anP-uxFTakcd-uPVAJ11DjDcU/s1600/LC.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJquIzZ8xtB7pRIAjXNGmd867D2gIJU1-naT5N0FjfzvDDdPCtuEVhsl6J8yeFNEOkJDV9yrCv1I5QndUKGc3EDU5KQP6x3u3Gzr10lpr_YFt0IWNw-anP-uxFTakcd-uPVAJ11DjDcU/s320/LC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470688242179818578" /></a><br />After last winter’s assignment in Austria and Germany, I decided to renew my contract as Beer Crusade’s foreign correspondent and moved to Australia. It didn’t take me long to identify my new go-to beer, Coopers Ale, but it’s already been reviewed (and justifiably lauded) <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2009/10/coopers-original-pale-ale.html">here</a> on BC. Another recent favo(u)rite of mine is Little Creatures Bright Ale. The <a href="https://www.littlecreatures.com.au/">Little Creatures</a> brewery is located in Freemantle, on the west coast of Australia, but they distribute nationally and also operate a beer hall in Melbourne. The Bright Ale lives up to its name, with a clear golden color and bright clean flavor with just a hint of citrus. It rings in at 4.5%ABV, which is fine, as you may drink multiple in one sitting. I did have trouble categorizing it, as it isn't a true summer brew but is bolder than your average lager, but I'll give this golden ale a 4.0.eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15435132755332951836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-84021161098253094602010-04-27T19:39:00.004-04:002010-04-27T19:49:57.924-04:00Dogfish Head: Aprihop<a href="http://www.menotomybeerandwine.com/images/dogfish_head-aprihop_ipa.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.menotomybeerandwine.com/images/dogfish_head-aprihop_ipa.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>... let's think this through. On one hand, its a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hoppy</span> beer, which is usually a very good thing. On the other hand, it has a fruit in it's title, which is usually a very bad thing. </div><div></div><br /><div>But keeping to form, <a href="http://www.dogfish.com/">Dogfish Head </a>has produced yet another tasty treat of a beer. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><a href="http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/seasonal-brews/aprihop.htm">Aprihop</a></span> is an interesting blend of hops and fruits. I'm kind of impartial on the subject of apricots, but I'm a big big fan of hops.</div><div></div><br /><div>When first opened, the fruity aroma is quite prevalent. At the first sip, the hops are immediately present with the fruity/apricot flavor pulling up the rear. I've gotta say though, the marriage between the two is quite good. The taste wasn't quite as powerful as the aroma, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I actually thought it was close to perfectly balanced with neither the hops nor the fruit dominating. I wanted to like this beer because I'm a big Dogfish fan, and I'm glad I was proven correct. And with a hearty 7%<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">abv</span>, it'll also put a smile on your face after a long day of work. </div><div></div><div>I originally planned on giving this beer a very solid 3.5, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. So I cracked open another bottle and decided to go ahead and give it a 4. To me, a 4 is something you won't be disappointed with, something that you won't hesitate to buy again, and something that you'll get the occasional craving for, and this fits all of those. </div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-4920176889115293632010-04-26T06:24:00.003-04:002010-04-26T06:46:40.589-04:00Pick Axe Pale Ale, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, Co.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHj6AFJAsCD5aCHT77Irdt3HbLKmXrpdo_TdDWMQW1AwSmmM7sIgMQFaWFmbWusF8YKcMzgMnScdEqBylHCeq9iN7HHsBE5TkhSDFBxNgVXp7xbaiup1HuoK8MJHVzYBpKCgBnkn0wgh3/s1600/TPA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464390931336823778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHj6AFJAsCD5aCHT77Irdt3HbLKmXrpdo_TdDWMQW1AwSmmM7sIgMQFaWFmbWusF8YKcMzgMnScdEqBylHCeq9iN7HHsBE5TkhSDFBxNgVXp7xbaiup1HuoK8MJHVzYBpKCgBnkn0wgh3/s320/TPA.JPG" border="0" /></a> I have had a pretty good few weeks in the free beer department; it's almost as if Karma is helping me out after dumping all that cash on the <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2010/02/samuel-adams-utopias-boston-beer-co.html">Utopias</a>. My amigo Downtown, gifted me some <a href="http://www.tommyknocker.com/ourBeer.html#pickAxe">Tommyknocker Pick Axe Pale Ale</a> and I feel quite indebted to him. It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a good American Pale and I was definitely looking forward to putting this one into a tall glass. The Pick Axe poured a nice orange brown color with modest head. The beer led off with a bitter hop first impression, melding into a caramel apple malt hop combination. Finishing with a crisp tasting, solid even bitterness. The Tommyknocker is a great example of how American Pale Ales should be constructed. The 6.2% ABV only solidifies this beer’s standing. Now only if I can get Downtown to gift me a few more! The Pick Axe Pale Ale gets a 4.0Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-48906777901472189972010-04-23T12:20:00.004-04:002010-04-23T13:11:47.142-04:00Copper Hook Spring Ale, Redhook Brewery, Portsmouth, NH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iGdLHHTY77e_Nv2S0LX2_V6h6fqJemm8VBDtmkW8sywt0k37OSqAZsJqxFiwUsEPy2Eth0D3Zn7QiVhgyYR_7V7t6PgA1rYevXWK0pk9pNGVpoBA-AEt6_doi_-eXlkjlOqubM8VrEU/s1600/Redhook_Copperhook.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iGdLHHTY77e_Nv2S0LX2_V6h6fqJemm8VBDtmkW8sywt0k37OSqAZsJqxFiwUsEPy2Eth0D3Zn7QiVhgyYR_7V7t6PgA1rYevXWK0pk9pNGVpoBA-AEt6_doi_-eXlkjlOqubM8VrEU/s320/Redhook_Copperhook.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463378847572997506" border="0" /></a>Based on past experience, I usually avoid <a href="http://www.redhook.com">Redhook Brewery</a> products, as I find myself disliking them. But a good copper ale is one of my favorite things, and I decided to give the<a href="http://www.redhook.com/Default.aspx?p=31"> Redhook Copper Hook</a> a try. My mistake...<br /><br />The color is a very nice copper/amber, but the aroma and taste are awash with caramel maltiness, almost like they tried to make a beer to replicate a <a href="http://www.oldtimecandy.com/sugar-daddy.htm">Sugar Daddy</a>. There is a touch of hop bitterness to combat the sweet caramel flavor, but not nearly enough. The caramel hit is especially jarring in the first sip, but that might be expectation vs. reality.<br /><br />The beer is easy to drink, if you can stomach the sweetness, with an ABV of 5.8%.<br /><br />I'm curious to see if the west coast version of this beer (which is served year-round) is different than the east coast version (which is a spring seasonal). For the record, I'm drinking the east coast seasonal version.<br /><br />Rating = 1.5<br /><br />I guess this one reaffirms my personal feelings on Redhook...Knight of Saint Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904060496679961319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-69173661010698711672010-04-20T22:02:00.002-04:002010-04-20T22:14:55.523-04:00Purple Haze: Abita Brew<a href="http://www.gulfdistributing.com/gulf/media/1/20080508-abitapurplehaze.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.gulfdistributing.com/gulf/media/1/20080508-abitapurplehaze.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Well, another week, and another beer.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.abita.com/brews/purple-haze.php">Abita Beer's Purple Haze </a>is a raspberry wheat malt beer. I know what you're thinking, fruit beers are never good. And for the most part you'd be right with that statement, and this one doesn't do a whole lot to disprove that.</div><div></div><br /><div>Once I saw it was from Louisiana though, I thought, this beer has to be good. Mostly because I went to a bachelor party once in New Orleans and that place was fantastic, so why wouldn't a beer from that fantastic place also be great? That being said, there wasn't really a whole lot to it. Not a whole lot of aroma (smelled like any other nondescript wheat beer), not a whole lot of taste, and only a slight taste of raspberry. The color was an orangey/cloudy combination. Not that I was expecting a whole lot, but I was expecting more. It reminded me of your everyday domestic beer really. I wouldn't turn down another one if it was handed to me at a barbecue, but I don't see myself picking up another sixer any time soon either. It's 4.2%abv, doesn't exactly knock your socks off either.</div><div></div><br /><div>So not surprisingly, I'm going to give it a 2. It is what it is, just another beer. </div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-82128147452772242022010-04-15T10:10:00.000-04:002010-04-15T10:10:00.448-04:00Orange Blossom Original Ale, Buckbean Brewing Co., Reno, Nevada<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIXa5NpKnprKTKkacs5b8SyP1MkUA2irU_BW0z8oWYL1Nz9iHs9i9e7zDbNfzNVkCJDvusj_9DA66PVNj8TBBjoJKccfWXYnzERNbPb_z32-Voodp4IGvJ9tennH5uQ81zV4rr-WgSKd-/s1600/IMG_2396.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460180950426640386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIXa5NpKnprKTKkacs5b8SyP1MkUA2irU_BW0z8oWYL1Nz9iHs9i9e7zDbNfzNVkCJDvusj_9DA66PVNj8TBBjoJKccfWXYnzERNbPb_z32-Voodp4IGvJ9tennH5uQ81zV4rr-WgSKd-/s320/IMG_2396.JPG" border="0" /></a> With the temperatures in the sixties and the cherry blossoms in full bloom in DC, I decided to crack a brew on my porch and enjoy a lazy Sunday evening. Looking for something light, I picked out the <a href="http://www.buckbeanbeer.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Buckbean</span> Brewing Orange Blossom Original Ale</a>, breaking my unwritten rule of reviewing the same brewer twice in a row.<br /><br />Cracking open the can, I was overwhelmed with the scent of oranges. I poured the orange brown elixir into my stein and went to work, that's if you consider sipping beers in wicker chairs working. And work it was, the orange blossom water dominated this beer, and my palette could not stand up to the onslaught of orange.<br /><br />I had hoped the beer would resemble a light summery ale, instead I got something that resembles one of those Belgians I have a hard time with. Perhaps the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hefeweizen</span> and Belgian lovers would find this style more appealing, however I did not. It is very rare that I can't finish a beer, and this I couldn't make it more than halfway through.<br /><br /><br />The Orange Blossom Original Ale has a 5.2% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ABV</span>, and it receives the lowest rating I've given in a long time, 0.5.<br /><br />I have another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Buckbean</span> Brewing beer in my fridge. I hope it resembles the <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2010/03/black-noddy-lager-buckbean-brewing-co.html">Black Noddy Lager </a>more than the Orange Blossom.<br /><div></div>Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-1190699345100277722010-04-09T14:41:00.004-04:002010-04-11T21:28:32.532-04:00Island Creek Oyster Stout, Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqTjymDe7rs_V6yv1gsea45cKLm4-nbkOJ9Tz1Prbtw2o5PgxnFnQjjpV3T028YsYw1VcTuokpvW5CUk67kSHDHgGlhky_KmroHC9dYS7xSP7GkjOMnZMBM937MfTr7ajdxJ2_9IicYc/s1600/oyster_stout.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqTjymDe7rs_V6yv1gsea45cKLm4-nbkOJ9Tz1Prbtw2o5PgxnFnQjjpV3T028YsYw1VcTuokpvW5CUk67kSHDHgGlhky_KmroHC9dYS7xSP7GkjOMnZMBM937MfTr7ajdxJ2_9IicYc/s320/oyster_stout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458210025559615362" border="0" /></a>Remember a few weeks ago <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2010/03/ginger-wheat-harpoon-brewery-boston-ma.html">when I said</a> that the <a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm/page/100-Barrel-Series/pid/28515">Harpoon 100 Barrel Series</a> beers were generally very good? I found an exception: <a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm?cdid=142531&pid=28516">Island Creek Oyster Stout</a>.<br /><br />Like most stouts, this one is dark brown/black with a thin tan head. There is a striking aroma of the ocean - primarily driven by the smell of salt water. This aroma sensation carries over into the taste, as the first thing you taste is tinged with salt. Happily, the salty flavor is quickly washed away by the taste of a half-decent stout, followed by a lightly hopped aftertaste. There is some unpleasant metallic flavor as well, unfortunately.<br /><br />Comparing this oyster stout to the recently reviewed <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2010/02/bayshore-oyster-stout-flying-fish.html">Flying Fish</a> offering, I definitely give the nod to Flying Fish. I don't know if their oysters are better or not, but their beer definitely is.<br /><br />Rating = 2.0<br /><br />Interesting, but unspectacular...Knight of Saint Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904060496679961319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-15742649257161664022010-04-06T20:36:00.006-04:002010-04-14T07:41:32.483-04:00Haverhill Brewery: Homerun APA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yAUI-iMnpnsgo5gjt4OzZZKJxNhFQtxNcEJu5KF56RXmRuD8pSMpIF_1eFNY0fj8i2eiaN6vVnNCiRoChUvARqHBJN1TfHsQP8rcDA8-aee35cvAePHNWulK8sN1FQyh_CAX-vUitvM/s1600/100_1487.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457190127128007538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yAUI-iMnpnsgo5gjt4OzZZKJxNhFQtxNcEJu5KF56RXmRuD8pSMpIF_1eFNY0fj8i2eiaN6vVnNCiRoChUvARqHBJN1TfHsQP8rcDA8-aee35cvAePHNWulK8sN1FQyh_CAX-vUitvM/s320/100_1487.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Remember when you were a little kid, and on Christmas morning you'd sprint down those stairs to open up your presents? As you sat there ripping off wrapping paper there was always that inevitable disappointment when you opened up the socks, thinking it was a Transformer. Well that kind of sums up how I felt about the <a href="http://haverhillbrewery.com/beer">Homerun American Pale Ale</a>.</div><div></div><br /><div>Don't get me wrong, it's fine enough, it's just that I was expecting more I guess. <a href="http://haverhillbrewery.com/">Haverhill Brewery</a> is a local brewery (for me at least), which made me want to love it that much more (gotta support the local guys right). It was good, just not knock your aforementioned socks off good.<br /></div><div>I was expecting lots of hops, and got maybe one hop. Nothing about the flavor, aroma or color jumped out at me. The only thing I really noticed was the aftertaste which wasn't all that great and just wouldn't go away. The best thing about this beer? The label... can't go wrong there. Next time, I suggest they put more effort into their beer though, and less into the advertising (although I guess it worked on me). I'm going to give the beer a blah 2. Sure it's beer, it'll get the job done, but I won't be running out to grab another six pack.</div><div></div><div></div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-64593063925251588452010-03-30T22:16:00.003-04:002010-03-31T10:10:32.516-04:00Weyerbacher Fireside Ale<a href="http://thefullpint.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/fireside-194x225.png"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://thefullpint.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/fireside-194x225.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>For the record, I'm a big <a href="http://www.weyerbacher.com/cwo/Brewery"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Weyerbacher</span> </a>fan. If I could find a reason to travel to PA, I'd love to hit their brewery. I've had a bunch of their different brews and have yet to be disappointed, so when I saw the Fireside Ale on the shelf, I just had to give it a whirl...</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.weyerbacher.com/cwo.php?id=7&page_id=63">The Fireside Ale </a>is surprisingly aptly named. Meaning that it gives of a hint of a smokey flavor (nothing overpowering, just a taste) that actually really works. The light carbonation and wee bit of sweet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">caramel</span> help this beer go down easily.</div><div></div><br /><div>At 7.5%<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">abv</span>, and coming only in a four pack, this beer is perfectly packaged. Although the four pack tends to disappoint me (leaves me two less beers to drink, which is sad), I'm starting to get used to it as I'm seeing it more and more on the shelves. I'm going to give this beer a solid 4 because I really liked the smokey flavor and was shocked at just how good it was. Off the top of my head, I can't think of another beer where I could really taste the smokey flavor, but would love to try another one. Anyone have any suggestions?</div><div></div><div>Overall, I highly recommend picking some up next time you're out and about. </div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-56639937724364480522010-03-29T11:25:00.001-04:002010-03-29T11:27:18.246-04:00Black Noddy Lager, Buckbean Brewing Co., Reno, Nevada<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcuonZe260OB_-cX7-t5dsXTbgkmjk8AZrO-w5kZkMZJX5tceaweANfIK4NvWAEfIUW5QmY8hOOpdS5K09QLOQZgCD-8UZA9g9JVlnh5TDsXK3lFnZi3QyS5bYIYJFzwRT4KQ-gF29jib/s1600/Buckbean.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454077281249895586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcuonZe260OB_-cX7-t5dsXTbgkmjk8AZrO-w5kZkMZJX5tceaweANfIK4NvWAEfIUW5QmY8hOOpdS5K09QLOQZgCD-8UZA9g9JVlnh5TDsXK3lFnZi3QyS5bYIYJFzwRT4KQ-gF29jib/s320/Buckbean.jpg" border="0" /></a> So a couple of months ago I received an email telling me that there was a brewer in Nevada looking for some bloggers to post some reviews. I joined Twitter, sent a message and a few weeks later a box containing three varieties of <a href="http://www.buckbeanbeer.com/">Buckbean Brewing Co's</a> beer showed up on my door. Due to the arctic cold that had descended on my doorstep this past weekend, I decided that the <a href="http://www.buckbeanbeer.com/">Black Noddy Lager</a> was the way to go.<br /><br />After travelling over 2,800 miles to reach my doorstep, I was a bit concerned whether the beers would tolerate the trip well, especially leaving the warmth of the Left Coast for the freezing temps of the East. I poured the Black Noddy into one of my favorite steins and hoped for the best. The Noddy was as black as advertised and poured with a monstrous tan frothy head. The taste matched its aroma of roasted coffee. There was a twinge of bitterness, but the beer finished very smooth. Halfway through my glass any concerns how the beer survived its Eastern journey were dispelled. Per my legal obligation I must mention that yes, this is a micro-brew served in a can. I’d have to say the biggest disappointment regarding the Black Noddy is that it only appears to be available in Nevada and California, which are two places I do not live. I think if you are looking for a dark beer with a Guinness feel, you wouldn’t be remiss to consider the Black Noddy. The Black Noddy gets a 4.0.<br /><div></div>Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-72981651791631531902010-03-24T19:44:00.006-04:002010-03-25T10:32:20.307-04:00312 Urban Wheat Ale<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXAHRFw20wmFmObtSh2YaYZVnVXGp4r6CExUZHAfZXI6Xw16nAuECaOVywBz1Sv0KRjnOnLRWkpq8AFDmMi9NTRMHBPbktIPMRZJ2IjSVUE5E0d9GQGYpbqhdm7l9boEtV4Yj84jbPoc/s1600/100_1486.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452353930117427890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXAHRFw20wmFmObtSh2YaYZVnVXGp4r6CExUZHAfZXI6Xw16nAuECaOVywBz1Sv0KRjnOnLRWkpq8AFDmMi9NTRMHBPbktIPMRZJ2IjSVUE5E0d9GQGYpbqhdm7l9boEtV4Yj84jbPoc/s320/100_1486.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So I'm in my local beer store this evening, perusing the fine beer selection. My wife is being zero help, and keeps pointing out things I've already had. Luckily, a gentleman searching for his next six pack stepped up and recommended the <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/312_urban_wheat/16.php">312 Urban Wheat Ale </a>from the <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/home/56.php">Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago.</a></div><br /><div></div><div>Mr. Random Beerman, I salute you..</div><div></div><br /><div>Like you typical wheat beer, it poured a very pale yellow with just enough head to get by. The smell of lemons immediately jumped out at me, but not in a bad way. It wasn't overpowering, just enough to get noticed. And boy did it go down smooth. No bitter aftertaste, just nice and sweet and smooth. Compared to other wheat beers, it doesn't exactly bring down the house, but for a nice drinking beer on a warm summer's nice, this would fit the bill perfectly. I'm going to give it a 3, but that's a good three, not a bad one. Once the weather turns nice where ever you are, pick up a six pack, grab a few friends and enjoy a pop or two out on the patio. And at 4.2%abv, you can afford to have a couple without getting the spins...</div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-52794795791856995722010-03-24T14:22:00.001-04:002010-03-24T14:25:19.386-04:00Mama's Little Yella Pils, Oskar Blues Brewing Co., Lyons, CO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_48xECVHWqHrtNf9j7u5l7r7hMKu_itP2NljO8eJ2dhvwSgnEjHd80z7IABE0fk9VdP0o8fUeU1dJVyoKNqdXKGwBfjSqe4GNaqzYDpmnEa3m_d4RbKJn4WLhOIghW407AMFwc9bo_hyphenhyphen/s1600/PILS.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452267699646184546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_48xECVHWqHrtNf9j7u5l7r7hMKu_itP2NljO8eJ2dhvwSgnEjHd80z7IABE0fk9VdP0o8fUeU1dJVyoKNqdXKGwBfjSqe4GNaqzYDpmnEa3m_d4RbKJn4WLhOIghW407AMFwc9bo_hyphenhyphen/s320/PILS.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So the <a href="http://www.oskarblues.com/the-brews/mamas-little-yella-pils">Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils</a> has been sitting in my fridge a few weeks. Even though I am a huge fan of Oskar Blues, I am not a fan of pilsners. Until recently, when Sam Adams Noble Pils has turned into my spring beer of choice. So after a long day of un-finishing my basement due to the Lord redecorating my basement from Sports Basement to Indoor Pool, I poured the Yella Pils into a stein and sat down. The beer is yellow, it's not pale, it's yellow. The Pils also poured monstrous head. My first sip revealed a very crisp, refreshing taste, followed by a bitterish twinge at the finish. There is a smoothness to the Pils you don't find in it's contemporaries. The Pils carries a 5.3% ABV, solid, and of course the media requires that I point out this is a craft brew that is served in a can as opposed to a bottle. Mama's Little Yella Pils garners a 3.5 in my book, appraoching a 4.0</div>Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-79867654881493740272010-03-23T19:42:00.002-04:002010-03-23T19:47:00.031-04:00Sorry..But we're experiencing technical difficulties. Ok not really, it's just that I once again picked a beer (<a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2010/03/cascazilla-ithaca-beer-co-ithaca-ny.html">Ithaca Beer Co. Casca Zilla</a>) that has already been reviewed. So instead of giving it the same review (I agreed with the previous posting of a 4), I'll run to the beer store tomorrow and find something new and interesting to try. <br /><br />So sorry for the lack of a review today, but I'll have one posted Wednesday night.Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-8615217607922283892010-03-18T22:23:00.009-04:002010-03-18T22:55:28.579-04:00Ginger Wheat, Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbF04o-tjXFt8dYdZuXDX3tfmqU87Qh5xpDO2bG-kN-yINRBr4EvG_A5dRrF7qE-Mu3III8sdTJRX9AOjVqY9HKMyMunx-yRF2NJ9QPBLUV45KHnx9reuxIDcM2l6EYcIXf_j_6Y-Uq0/s1600-h/gingerwheat.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbF04o-tjXFt8dYdZuXDX3tfmqU87Qh5xpDO2bG-kN-yINRBr4EvG_A5dRrF7qE-Mu3III8sdTJRX9AOjVqY9HKMyMunx-yRF2NJ9QPBLUV45KHnx9reuxIDcM2l6EYcIXf_j_6Y-Uq0/s320/gingerwheat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450165584096562338" border="0" /></a>Part of the ongoing, limited-edition Harpoon <a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm/page/100-Barrel-Series/pid/28515">100 Barrel Series</a>. The <a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm?pid=28516&cdid=139981">Harpoon Ginger Wheat</a> is one of the most interesting beers that I've had in a while. As you can expect from the name, the flavor of ginger is prominent and unmistakable, as is the aroma. Yet the beer is good enough to be complimented by the ginger instead of being overwhelmed.<br /><br />The ginger imparts an interesting spicy taste to the beer, and gives a sensation of warmth on your tongue. Of course, the ABV of 7.0% probably helps. The venerable Sam Adams Summer Ale has a similar spicy flavor. The Ginger Wheat is kind of similar to the Sam Summer, with hints of lemon and a lighter body, but with much more of the spice. It is actually quite a refreshing beer, and would probably be great with sushi.<br /><br />Rating = 4.0<br /><br />I've almost always enjoyed the Harpoon 100 Barrel beers and find them to be generally underrated. Good stuff.Knight of Saint Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904060496679961319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-38971595912517916332010-03-16T22:07:00.005-04:002010-03-18T08:05:20.798-04:00St. Patrick's Best Ale:Strangford Lough Brewing Co.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW2vmwjpHYFdZavDhI1N3gNrbhdky2KK_RUfkhb3x7yXW1Mhjk-lBej5k2j1ZV5KW5XFrZ5A02r0SmCErskJmpGf0ykBLSfzHahQ9EO_S-8xsmES7MGqR83jT-CRm1qGJ9FnfnJUpct8/s1600-h/100_1481.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449423398416980402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW2vmwjpHYFdZavDhI1N3gNrbhdky2KK_RUfkhb3x7yXW1Mhjk-lBej5k2j1ZV5KW5XFrZ5A02r0SmCErskJmpGf0ykBLSfzHahQ9EO_S-8xsmES7MGqR83jT-CRm1qGJ9FnfnJUpct8/s320/100_1481.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well with today being St. Patrick's day, I thought it would be fitting to review a beer called <a href="http://www.slbc.ie/products/view/st_patricks_best/">St. Patrick's Best Ale.</a> I've never heard of it before and just happen to stumble upon it in the beer store today, so I figured why the heck not.</div><div></div><br /><div>I must say I was blessed with the luck of the Irish. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how good this beer is. It's brewed by the <a href="http://www.slbc.ie/home/">Strangford Lough Brewing Company </a>out of Northern Ireland, so you know it has to be at least half decent. It's a relatively new company, so you might not have heard of them yet. The beer poured a nice rich amber color with a healthy head which lasted throughout the entire glass. It's odor was mostly malty with a wee bit o' fruit thrown in there. </div><div></div><br /><div>I was really surprised with just how easily it went down. No bitter aftertaste, not overly carbonated, just a good drinkin' beer. I'd call it a very drinkable beer. Overall, I'm going to give it a solid 3. Nothing spectacular, just a respectable go to beer. And with a so-so 4.2%abv, it won't exactly knock your socks off, which isn't the worst thing ever. It basically allows you to have couple of pops and call it a night. If you're out and about and see it, I'd definitely recommend giving it a whirl.</div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-57991124296188217072010-03-15T04:30:00.000-04:002010-03-15T04:30:00.501-04:00Geary's Pale Ale, D.L. Geary Brewing Co., Portland, ME<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX0xMn_-sVCcVnyp2lAyLAFPUs_Erv5JBQ44KBnOqYV-CBh09ntTMo89fCd2GoGURwMJxhQpmwlwyd-ufFreNLTdiHnMlvVkowtb5ckn0bM3BuRtall6LSo2hYVHeWpcXulIsz_SPssNE/s1600-h/Pale.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448589693842158178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX0xMn_-sVCcVnyp2lAyLAFPUs_Erv5JBQ44KBnOqYV-CBh09ntTMo89fCd2GoGURwMJxhQpmwlwyd-ufFreNLTdiHnMlvVkowtb5ckn0bM3BuRtall6LSo2hYVHeWpcXulIsz_SPssNE/s320/Pale.jpg" border="0" /></a> I am always a little disappointed when I pick out a Pale Ale and it's more an English Pale than an American Pale Ale. That is the case when I picked out the <a href="http://gearybrewing.com/pages/pale.php">Geary's Pale Ale</a>. The Geary's was more bitter than malty. The malt was highlighted honeyish and dry apple tones. Still, despite all this, the beer was decent. The 4.5% ABV is decent. <br />Funny thing about this beer, at the bar Geary's was served, it was described as the first Microbrewery east of the Mississippi, something that is essentially said on the <a href="http://gearybrewing.com/pages/history.php">website</a> as well. I think since <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/search/label/Yeungling">Yeungling</a> was America's Oldest Brewery, why isn't that considered the first micro brewery? Right? Oh well, the Geary's Pale Ale gets a 3.0.Beer Crusadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033268068351673231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-90817912343805785122010-03-09T22:13:00.004-05:002010-03-10T07:48:51.835-05:00Red Racer IPA: Central City Brewery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtP9xjjhY51cxE9KahuQOAiYwe4HaIQTTYZYCW-alyWhtSf4hJ-PMhEZnBwIWK-7OeQxKWmb7W6aYhpe5bAtSz3NobYwqL5fu4Ky9YVLep6l2Pvop7fVyt4wfHiZXirwkm7ih43XNa-A/s200/red_racer_ipa.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtP9xjjhY51cxE9KahuQOAiYwe4HaIQTTYZYCW-alyWhtSf4hJ-PMhEZnBwIWK-7OeQxKWmb7W6aYhpe5bAtSz3NobYwqL5fu4Ky9YVLep6l2Pvop7fVyt4wfHiZXirwkm7ih43XNa-A/s200/red_racer_ipa.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So I did it again...</div><div></div><br /><div>Without realizing it, I seemed to have reviewed a beer that has already been reviewed. In my quest to seek out the ultimate canned beer, I didn't double check to make sure it hasn't already been tried...</div><div></div><br /><div>Well too bad for you guys I guess, because I'm going to give you my two cents anyway. For the second week in a row, I'll be reviewing a wonderful canned beer. <a href="http://www.centralcitybrewing.com/ourbrews.htm">Red Racer IPA </a>produced by <a href="http://www.centralcitybrewing.com/index.htm">Central City Brewery </a>out of Vancouver. They seem to have a decent variety of beers, so I'm assuming I'll give each of them a whirl in due time. But as for the Red Racer, I say if you see it, buy it. Apparently it won the best beer in British Columbia in 2008-09, but isn't that kind of like being named the toughest guy in France? I mean who's their competition, Molson?</div><div></div><br /><div>Overall though, it comes across very IPA'y, meaning that the hops jump out at you immediately, however, I seemed to be left with a malty aftertaste. If you're an IPA fan, you'll definitely want to check this out. And at a decent 6.5%abv, it's got a decent kick to it too. I'm going to give it a sold 3. I want to go higher, but my gut is telling me to stay with the three. </div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-70184917495398091502010-03-04T23:39:00.005-05:002010-03-04T23:58:29.025-05:00Imperial IPA, Green Flash Brewing Co., San Diego, CA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75TsX1iobwKAms3iuSA92pxr3Fd-ffEFdp5dt0ZUraoaTQlcGrUc9FL5Xi2e2__zzU_YxZ1MQJ3lawe-BcvFWJlP0-81ClQiDeoUGB3AX7lZI1Ipalx0qipp-s3uc_sPWUFscMpmeUdw/s1600-h/greenflash_iipa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75TsX1iobwKAms3iuSA92pxr3Fd-ffEFdp5dt0ZUraoaTQlcGrUc9FL5Xi2e2__zzU_YxZ1MQJ3lawe-BcvFWJlP0-81ClQiDeoUGB3AX7lZI1Ipalx0qipp-s3uc_sPWUFscMpmeUdw/s320/greenflash_iipa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445005829343170098" border="0" /></a>Beer Crusade is lucky enough to have reviewed the <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2010/01/west-coast-ipa-green-flash-brewing-co.html">West Coast IPA</a> from Green Flash a few months ago. I consider myself even luckier to have the opportunity to enjoy that beer's big brother, the <a href="http://www.greenflashbrew.com/taproom.html">Imperial IPA</a>.<br /><br />As you'd expect from something with "imperial" in the name, this beer pushes the envelope on hop flavors and ABV (9.4%). The hops are ever-present in this beer, imparting a citrus-y flavor and a sensation of freshness. Despite the hop onslaught, this beer is very drinkable and quite tasty.<br /><br />Frankly, I think this is a great beer, and a top-notch example of a Californian IPA. The biggest downside is that the alcohol is a bit "hot" at times, giving a touch of "burn" to the flavor and drowning out a touch of the hoppy goodness.<br /><br />Rating = 4.0Knight of Saint Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904060496679961319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256782928557166516.post-55826606382766132052010-03-02T22:09:00.006-05:002010-03-03T06:10:28.687-05:0021st Amendment: Brew Free or Die IPA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSknl-uacaNy0vbQp8vMhWYHc7p5RBldd43n8dMIht-3vSabyoA_jiavDu9-3-07kPo61Y09SXG0JVS64rnTQFuQ02HM0jgGR1LqMR2mUkwe9qMArni40ovM6JHUGKK10CEqNfVwG7_Y/s1600-h/100_1479.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444239807288862866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSknl-uacaNy0vbQp8vMhWYHc7p5RBldd43n8dMIht-3vSabyoA_jiavDu9-3-07kPo61Y09SXG0JVS64rnTQFuQ02HM0jgGR1LqMR2mUkwe9qMArni40ovM6JHUGKK10CEqNfVwG7_Y/s320/100_1479.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So three great things happened to me tonight. First, my wife's best friend called and they talked for about an hour enabling me to watch the Bruins and the Celtics without interruption. Second, LOST, the best show on tv, was on. And third, I discovered my holy grail of beers; a beer that tastes great out of the can.</div><div></div><div>I've had my fair share of beers out of the can, usually something see thru and cheap though. About seven years ago, we discovered <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/2008/05/dales-pale-ale-oskar-blues-brewery.html">Dale's Pale Ale </a>which comes in the can and is absolutely fantastic. This beer however, gives Dale's a run for their money.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.21st-amendment.com/beer/brew-free-or-die-ipa">The 21st Amendment brewery </a>is out in San Francisco and what a job they did with the Brew Free or Die IPA. I can't really comment on the color, because it never touched a glass, but what I can say is that the malt and hops jump out at you immediately at that first sip. Not overpowering, just a very nearly perfect combination. And at 7%abv, it's got a little punch to it too. It's not perfect, but wow is it good. I'm going to give this beer a strong 4, with no reservations. In a review <a href="http://www.beercrusade.com/search/label/21st%20Amendment">posted last September</a>, Beer Crusade gave it a 3.5. I happen to like it more than he does, so maybe I'll have to pick up a sixer and let KSA being the deciding vote...</div>Pale Ale Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12685327533201740241noreply@blogger.com0