Daily Beer Review

Bengali Tiger

2013-06-19T10:11:00.001-04:00

Sixpoint Brewery's Bengali Tiger is next up on my list. I checked out their Resin a week or so ago, so decided to see what this one was all about. Bengali Tiger is an IPA that is packaged in pounder cans. 6.4% alcohol; 62 IBU; 13 SRM.

As usual, on the back of the can, Sixpoint delivers a piece of poetry that relates to the beer in some way. For this beer, they chose a few lines from William Blake's The Tyger. "What immortal hand or eye. Could frame thy fearful symmetry?" Here go read it yourself! Best Before 02SEPT2013.

Aroma is almost non-existent, just a little malty sweetness. Malty orange flavors come in the beginning. Pine, sap, resin and some bitterness from citrus rind. There is a black peppery spiciness that comes with each sip as well. Kind of malty thick texture and not really that bitter at all.

A little boring, light bodied and I definitely expected A LOT more. Dry at the finish with a light alcohol aftertaste. The lacing story and the poem quote from The Tyger are all that saved this beer from having a fraudulent name. I was thinking this was more of a kitten.

El Steinber -- AntiHero Vinny Guest Post

2013-06-17T08:41:00.000-04:00

Guess who's back for another guest review. Yep, AntiHero Vinny, who even broke his own beer dieting rules to put this little piece together! When you have a chance, check out Vinny's drinking games column and follow on Twitter to see him exchange little public love notes with his girlfriend.

El Steinber

Bahl Hornin', Daily Beer Review readers!

Uncle Rob sent out the Twitter Beer-signal (which is a lot like the Bat-signal, if Batman was an alcoholic) asking if anyone wanted to do a guest post, and since there's nothing I enjoy more than working for free, I took him up on the opportunity.

Today's beer is Anderson Valley Brewing Company's El Steinber, a dark lager. I'm a huge fan of the Boonville brewery - I drank about a case of their Summer Solstice last summer - so I was very interested. I saw this tallboy 4-pack while on my first Solstice Hunt of the summer. Barkley, the lovable "bear+deer=beer" mascot, adorns the can sporting some sharp threads that puts Beiber swag to shame.

From AVBC: "Borders. We’ve crossed into uncharted territory with our newest release, El Steinber. In our somewhat unusual take on the style, we add Midnight Wheat malt to give this lager its dark brown color and roasted Indio-Hispano blue corn to lighten the body and create a unique, toasty flavor. German pilsner malt and Saaz hops round out this beer producing a crisp, clean finish and smooth drinkability that is perfect for any occasion."

Fencing to keep out the Bear-Deer!

El Steinber pours a very rich and deep, mahogany. It looks opaque until you hold it up to the light to see its true clarity. The head is a pale off white that dissipates quicker than a fart in the wind (majestic prose, right?). El Steiny has a smooth but effervescent (I learned that word from an Alka-Seltzer commercial) mouthfeel. The carbonation keeps it from being "creamy," which is good for the style (I like creamy beers, so I would've been good with a little thicker body).

The malts (Pale Two-Row, German Pilsner, Midnight Wheat, Roasted Blue Corn) balance out the spicy crispness of the hops (Saaz). There is definitely that distinctive Eastern European German/Czech pilsner flavor. The Roasted Blue Corn in the bill adds a nice bit of sweetness, that along with the 5.5% ABV makes Steiny a great beer for a warm Summer siesta (or fiesta).

El Steinber is a solid dark lager that's good for easy hornin', definitely a nice change of pace if I ever get tired of the Solstice (spoiler alert: I won't).

French Aramis India Pale Ale

2013-06-16T17:48:00.000-04:00

One of the beers New Belgium sent me to check out prior to their Florida market entry was French Aramis India Pale Ale, the second in their Hop Kitchen series of beers. This beer was "brewed with French Aramis hops to create an aroma of fresh cut flowers and garden herbs." The label on Big 22 names the beer in a colorful and whimsical way, nothing too fancy. 6.7% alcohol.

Not a very powerful aroma--a little fruity, maybe some citrus and a little rosemary herbs. Floral flavors are very strong at the beginning but become second fiddle with the entrance of the Herb Garden Express. I don't know what this French Aramis hop is capable of, but this beer tastes like it has a tablespoon of Herbes de Provence in it.

Grassy, minty, and quite frankly, a bit unpleasant after a bit. Bring in the alcohol to accentuate the part I don't like and well, yeah. Hints of fruit and sweet honey smooth things out a little, especially with a little warmth. Very dry at the end with some of that herbal flavor lingering in the aftertaste. Just kind of weird. I really wanted to love this, too. Honestly, I think this probably would make for interesting beer cooking, if I had those skills.

New Belgium and Fat Tire Are Finally Here! (Soon)

2013-06-14T07:40:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I was told that New Belgium Brewing picked a date and distributors for their long-anticipated entry into the Florida market. Locally for me, that's July 29, 2013 with Gold Coast Distributors. If you care about anyone else but me here in South Florida, you can read about the other distributors in their network here. So welcome to the neighborhood!

A few days after finding out about their launch, I was contacted by the brewery's communications agency asking if I'd like to be on their media distribution list in Florida. Um, hello? Hell yeah! And I kind of answered like that too. At the same time I asked if they were going to throw any local parties to celebrate. They will let me know specifics later, but you can bet on it!

Anyway, the launch will begin with bombers of some of their most well-known flagship beers: Fat Tire, Ranger IPA, 1554 Enlightened Black Ale, Sunshine Wheat and Lips of Faith. In September, draft and 12 ounce bottles follow. Beyond that, I'd expect their lineup to expand little by little until we have most if not all of their beers.

Because I'm such a nice guy, and because I asked nicely, they sent me a nice assortment of their beers. So to mark the occasion, I decided to do a little write-up for what I consider two of their best-known, most approachable beers, the ones that helped put them on the map.

New Belgium and Fat Tire Are Finally Here!!! Ed Roberts will be so pleased to find out!

Fat Tire Amber Ale

Everyone loves the quaint label on this beer, the red bike parked along a path ready for a ride home. In fact, if you go to Facebook.com/FatTire, you can "pair yourself with a new bike". The story on the side lets you know the beer is named for a bike ride through Europe. 5.2% alcohol. Best Before 13OCT13.

Grainy, toasty aroma with some caramel and tea and a hint of lemon. Flavors just like the aroma. You start with sweet caramel and a little herbal tea. Some toasted and buttered bread and sweet orange come next. There is just enough of a bitter citrus hoppy nip to tone the sweetness. Creamy, decent body. More carbonation, please. Pleasant flavors, easy drinker.

1554 Enlightened Black Ale

This beer was developed from a library book in Belgium. This was no normal library book though; rather, this was one that was really old and falling apart and used words and measurements that have been long dead. Anyway, the recipe they used as a template dates to 1554, thus the name. The label depicts a glass of this beer next to that book, both on top of a barrel of beer. 5.6% alcohol. Best Before 08DEC13.

Roasted coffee, light smoke and a distinct nutty aroma are intriguing. The roasted malt and smoke are prominent in the beginning. A blend of sweet chocolate, caramel and coffee come next, not really distinct, but rather more like a mochachino frappiano (or whatever that stuff is that Starbucks sells). Something tells me to say this is a little salty, even as my palate is feeling a drying effect. Good body. Very neutral overall, smooth, balanced. Another easy drinker to check out!

Maggie's Peach Farmhouse Ale

2013-06-12T09:19:00.000-04:00

I was done beer shopping yesterday at Total Wine and on the way to cash register when Maggie's Peach Farmhouse Ale caught my eye. The distributor rep was building a display with it, and I think my taking a single from one of the packs didn't really please him, but whatever. I'm gangsta like that.

Anyway, Terrapin tells a little story on the side and concludes that this beer is "just like granny used to brew". I believe the old lady turtle with the basket of peaches and bifocals on the label is Granny herself! This is their Summer 2013 Seasonal. 5.3% alcohol.

Big-bubble head all the way to the top of the glass, but I'll be damned if it wasn't half gone before I could take a picture. Didn't help Tropical Storm Andrea was causing some big winds and blew over the bottle cap part of my presentation. Very powerful peach aroma--juicy, fruity, a little exotic and intoxicating!

Peach flavors from the start are very good though not nearly as rich or juicy as the aroma promised. But I'll say it again, very good. NOT sweet, which I was expecting, but rather with a little dose of sour tartness, just a nice little tangy zing. Reminds me of a tamer Festina Peche.

Calling this a Farmhouse Ale is like me calling my Mazda a Ferrari. There aren't any farmhouse qualities to this beer whatsoever, sorry. Not even any that you can force yourself to believe are there because you read it on the label. Peachy, orange ade flavors, low-medium body, OK carbonation though I'd have preferred a little more bubbly. Refreshing, enjoyable, and the perfect beer to recommend to that "I don't like beer" friend of yours. I would drink more for sure.

Shipwrecked Double IPA

2013-06-10T07:46:00.000-04:00

And another new brewery at my local Total Wine. South Florida is seriously on a roll! Today I'm talking about Mission Brewery from San Diego, California, and decided to check out their Shipwrecked Double IPA first. Beyond the name, the label art continues the theme with a black flag decorated with a skull wearing a pirate's eye patch. On the side, a few sentences describing their beer, with lots of adjectives. You can read it below.

Tons of pine in the aroma with a little black peppery, rye-like spice. Sweet, malty melon and pineapples start, and let me tell you they are dripping in a 9.25% boozy infusion. Pine resin and a little orange citrus step in with plenty of pungent bitter hops. That bitterness along with more of that rye bread spicy flavor really build and are the dominant aspects of the beer.

Good chewy body, sappy. On the flat end of the spectrum. More alcohol heat and a little burn in the throat come toward the finish. Decent balance, decent beer.

Fleur De Houblon Summer Ale

2013-06-07T08:42:00.000-04:00

I decided to try Fleur De Houblon Summer Ale today. This is a Belgian Pale Ale brewed by Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, New York. The label depicts the Fleur de Houblon, translated to Hop Flower, a very simple little impression on the front. On the side, a story about the beer and what the brewery hopes you experience while drinking it. Serve at 40°F. 6.8% alcohol.

Lemony aroma with quite a bit of yeast and a light fruity sweetness. Yeasty hay flavors and lemony hops dominate right from the beginning. Carbonation is prickly yet you still have a nice creamy texture. Sweet honey and orange add additional flavor nuances, and there is a little peppery spice toward the end.

I just went back to read a review I did a few years back of their BPA Belgian Pale Ale, a beer I remembered really enjoying. Part of the reason I went back was because of how much this beer reminded me of it. Maybe this is a little sweeter, a little fruitier, but they are definitely relatives. That house yeast these guys use really has a distinct flavor. Anyway, I liked it. Grab one when you can.

Hoptimum -- Galileo's Bane Guest Post

2013-06-05T07:41:00.000-04:00

You guys probably remember when Darren did that guest review of Palo Santo Marron last fall, right? Well, he's back with this little gem. Check it out!

“Write drunk; edit sober." ― Ernest Hemingway

(I won't say I was drunk, but drinking the Hoptimum, and it was late at night, and the following contains only minimal edits to the original.)

The art on the label could pass for the next monster on Doctor Who... the Non-weeping Silent Cyber Hophead! Flavor abounds! Hop goodness from the initial aroma to the finish. This is a terrific beer. Smooth, wonderful, hops front to back.

All whole cone hops is the bragging point with this one.

I'd like to put this against the 90 Min, Hopzilla and Hopslam. Thinking about it, the 90 Min will be balanced, the Hopzilla will lean toward pungent (with firm malt flavor) and the Hopslam leans toward the sweet. This is right where is should be.

The 90 Minute is great, but the local grocery store sells it. Give me a limited release to get excited about. And three come to mind; Bell's Hopslam, Terrapin Hopzilla, and the reigning champ of them, the Sierra Nevada Hoptimum! (starting to sound repetitive, I know.) Hop heads only need apply.

If you combine the three above, you may get one as good as this.

The Imperial IPA is one of my favorite styles. Nothing wimpy about it. Bam! The flavor hits you right in the eyes (and mouth).

From the aroma, to the initial sweetness of flavor, and then then raising crescendo on the finish... It's like a symphony of taste.

A persistent thin white head acts as a protective canopy for the hoppy greatness.

Beautiful gold color, like an imperial IPA should have.

I like the hop head logo on the label. It fits so well with the style of this beer. And reminds me that "bow ties are cool."

Get it while you can!!!

Darren U. dunerbrew.com @galileosbane

Funky Buddha Brewery Opens in Oakland Park

2013-06-02T21:57:00.000-04:00

Funky Buddha Brewery opened in Oakland Park, Florida yesterday. For those unaware, that's basically Ft. Lauderdale, and yep, Broward County! My original plan was to arrive at opening around 4 pm so I could see the official ceremonies and ribbon cutting type stuff, but alas, mother nature combined with Little League baseball kept me at the field for 9 hours. I arrived around 6:30 or so to a blocked off road, massive traffic (due to the opening), distant parking and big-ass rain.

Whatever. No umbrella, I walked 8 blocks using the Dixie Highway train tracks and flashing police lights to guide me like a lighthouse in a dark stormy inlet. So yeah, the brewery was mobbed. Outside were three food trucks, a Funky Buddha beer tent, tents selling beer tickets, merchandise and a live band. I got poked at least three times in the face by umbrellas before deciding it might be OK to check out the great indoors, now armed with half a dozen beer tickets.

On the way in, I bumped into the first person I recognized--Bobby Gordash of Holy Mackerel Beer fame. He told me he'd be starting a new gig next week, so watch out for his next adventure. Oh, and he asked me if I had lost some weight. (Thanks for noticing Bobby!)

The new Buddha was busy, but not wall-to-wall, elbow-to-elbow, college-dive-bar crowded. You could maneuver no problem. The bar is long and wraps along an entire wall with a few dozen taps. There was an ample amount of employees and volunteers there to pour everyone their beers very quickly, and the ticket system worked perfectly as a time saver.

The taproom was very big with many tables and bar seats. In addition there were outside areas in front and back. From the taproom you could see the brewing space and so many huge tanks for brewing. If any of you have ever been to the old Buddha in Boca Raton and done their "brewery tour", well, this will shock you, the grand growth scale happening here. They now are using a 30-barrel facility, and speaking of tours, they will take place Saturdays and Sundays starting June 15, 2013 at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. I would recommend calling (954) 440-0046 or emailing tours@funkybuddhabrewery.com before just showing up so you're not disappointed in any changes.

Yeah, a little fun blur. If you want crisp ones, ask me.

After checking out the place, I bellied up to the bar, and there were at least half a dozen seats so I plopped my butt down and used my tickets, being sure to save some for the special releases set to happen at 8 pm. I sat there for around 75 minutes and was amazed that every single beer on the tap list was regularly ordered, over hundreds of orders, not a single one neglected.

And it's funny listening to some of the questions customers say to servers. One dude asked how a particular beer tasted, if it was good. Server told him, "all of our beers are shitty!" with sarcasm noted by each as they had a chuckle. Next up, the chick that wanted to know if they had any wine. She was a HEAT fan too, so I wasn't surprised. Anyway, no wine, at least not last night. Finally, a woman clearly overwhelmed by the tap list asked for a recommendation. The back and forth banter was priceless but after she said "girly", the server brought back a Pina Colada Wheat. And she liked it!

There were special releases scheduled for 6 pm and 8 pm, and some at the later time were some of the brewery's most popular. So my seat at the bar was fortunate as those desperate for a (plastic) glass started to swarm around 7:45. Right at 8, an employee dressed as a banana came out to release the specials and the taps started to flow. By my own account listening to the staff, the first keg of No Crusts PB&J Ale kicked in 18 minutes.

Before giving up my seat to go find Ed Roberts, several trains sped by the back of the brewery. Yeah, this place is right on the tracks! I thought the studio location of ByTheGlassShow.com was close to those tracks in Hollywood, but this was a record. Everyone seemed to think it was cool though, and not annoying, so good on that front. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the growler station. State of the Art beers in 32 oz and 128 oz (don't bother asking for a 64 oz, and don't ask why either) sizes to go. Was only Hop Gun IPA for the grand opening, but others will be there soon.

While looking for Ed, I bumped into MikeLovesBeer and spotted Ian from Fresh Beer though he was bolting for somewhere and I didn't get to say hello. Two of Ed's friends were there as well, a beer rookie and local personality Photographer Jarret, who I think is involved with that Crossfit cult. I met some new people and Ed pointed out a few others by name.

I think the Funky Buddha did a great job against a crappy rainy day, handling several thousand patrons (and I heard that they were not expecting nearly that many). The ticket system was great, customer service terrific, the taproom was beautiful and new and welcoming, despite sticking to the floor by the end of the night. I wanted to slip into the actual brewery section, but since there was a police presence outside ready to arrest me, I resisted. The City of Oakland Park (and City Hall is down the road, between the brewery and where I parked-->see pic if you didn't believe that I had to walk) is a lucky community to have this brewery in their city, and Broward County residents should support the Funky Buddha not only because of its locality, but because they brew some of the most awesome beers you can find ANYWHERE! I WILL BE BACK!

Since I mentioned that I tasted a few beers, here's a rundown with a few notes and impressions. In order...

Blueberry Cobbler Ale: Delicious. Luscious creaminess. Great blueberry flavor and I'll be damned if it doesn't also taste like a cobbler. Seriously, the name of the beer is a huge "duh". So perfect in every way.

Pina Colada Wheat Ale: Fruity, tangy, nice wheat flavor and texture. Refreshing and awesome.

Nib Smuggler Chocolate Porter: Nice cocoa flavors with some pleasant bitterness. Very smooth.

Hoppy Berlinerweiss: Wow, very hoppy yet tart at the same time. Interesting fruity refreshness.

No Crusts PB&J Ale: The jelly flavors are freakin' awesome, a beautiful grape. A little sourness and unique tart jelly. Great!

Bonita Applebum Apple Pie Ale: Nice flavors of apple and cinnamon, tastes like you're baking an apple pie in your mouth.

Passionfruit Berlinerweiss: BEST OF THE NIGHT! Passionfruit flavors are spectacular and the sour tartness is to die for. Such an awesome and flavorful beer.

If you don't comment, the terrorists win.

Sweet Action

2013-05-31T08:13:00.001-04:00

After checking out Resin a few days ago, I decided to try Sixpoint Brewery's Sweet Action next. I heard this beer referred to as a Cream Ale more than a few times, but my pounder can doesn't say that. I normally don't go do more research, but decided one more click would be OK today--even the Sixpoint website is confused on style, which is actually perfectly fine with me. I don't care about style guidelines.

There is a story on the back. Actually, I was tipped off by this really cool Boston guy (yeah, I know) that all of these Sixpoint can stories lead with a quote from a poem. Sweet Action's quote happens to be from long-dead poet Hilda Doolittle. She still hasn't been dead long enough to be famous enough for me to have heard of her. Read into that any way you wish. Anyway, you can see the full story in the photo below. The can offers a few stats as well: 5.2% ABV; 34 IBU; 12 SRM.

Citrus and lemony hoppiness with a touch of sweet grain aroma. The flavors are FAR more bitter than I anticipated, and beyond the bitterness, there is even a sour doughy flavor. Grassy and citrus hops meet a spicy zing on the palate with just a touch of flower petals.

Definitely creamy but lacking balance in any way. Perhaps a faint fruity sweetness barely shows just at the end, and you do get used to the flavors eventually, mostly. But I don't want to have to drink an entire beer just to get used to its weirdo flavors. I can drink the sourest of the Puckerington Kingdom beers and be used to them with just a few sips.

Lemony wins all the way, in a bad way. Refreshing at best. Funny aftertaste. Pass.

Rye-on-Rye 2013

2013-05-29T08:08:00.000-04:00

This might be the last Boulevard Brewing beer I have left from my trade with one of their brewers. Oh, except for the one I'm saving for #QuadDay 2013 on December 2nd. Anyway, Rye-on-Rye comes in a corked and caged wine bottle and is a Limited Release Smokestack Series beer, limited to the 4,123 cases produced. My bottle is from Batch 2013-4 and Best By 12-2014. I've also been sitting on it a while since it's a 12.0% beer, but figured my son's 7th birthday was good enough.

There is a story on the back that I'd title "What the Hell," an expression these guys seem to have used when first getting some Templeton Rye barrels and considering aging a rye beer in them. Your expectations are then set with a self-analysis.

Fine, billowing head! Check out that picture. Whiskey immediately fills your nostrils followed by some sweet caramel and rich toffee. Boozy and barleywinish.

OMG so good! Sweet toffee is prominent in the beginning. Word! (See what I did there? If not, I'll see you in church next Sunday and can explain it then). Anyway, I was expecting Clubber Lang in the way of a whiskey blamo on my palate but instead got nuanced bob-and-weave whiskey finesse. Caramel flavors meet rye spiciness next, and you will taste oak and vanilla after a while too.

Great, creamy texture. More toffee flavors lead into a dry, woody finish. The booze does start to add up by the end of the bottle. I'd recommend sharing if you grab a bottle, a three-way perhaps. Excellent flavors and very enjoyable.

No Instagram Bullshit Either!

Resin

2013-05-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

It's Memorial Day and I'm still asleep, so I scheduled this for your early-rising ass!

Sixpoint Brewery from Brooklyn started shipping their cans down here to South Florida recently. It took a Total Wine Grand Opening as an excuse to pick up all the beers they sent. Picture the occasion: brand new store, perfectly and completely stocked shelves, and me shopping for singles in the six-pack aisle because I didn't know what beers were there (Total Wine arranges their singles section by style).

You know what that means right? Yep, broken sixers, or in the case of Sixpoint, opened boxes of 4 packs. Sorry dudes. You'll sell them though. So the beer I chose tonight, Resin, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't a pounder like the rest of the beers I grabbed. Yeah, whatever, it's a 9.1% Double IPA. OK. I got a beer in a tall and skinny energy drink 12 ounce can. Things got a little contentious when I openly aired my grievances on Twitter!

The can design is pretty industrial, nothing too interesting. Name of beer, brewery, trademark and some beer stats including 103 IBU and 9.5 SRM. On the back in different font sizes/bolds, not sure... "Whatever flames upon the night Man's own resinous heart has fed. Resin is the sticky quintessence of hops that quells the encroaching malt sweetness." OK then!

The aroma is not that strong, but resinous pine is dominant with some light tropical fruit and citrus in the background. Spicy black peppery start with so much chewy (duh) pine resin that George Brett would have a second fit (BTW, that ruling was reversed, if you recall). Big body.

Hints of citrus peel do appear and so does the alcohol, not bad but certainly not disguised. Beg me to say there was some fruitiness and I'll decline. Oily texture, a bit sharp and harsh on the palate. Don't get me wrong, I liked it but it was a one-trick RESIN pony. Whoever named it should be given a beer-naming Emmy. You could say, pass me the resin and the generic would mean the trade name (like Kleenex). Tasty, try it!

HiCü

2013-05-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

Stepped out onto my front porch this morning to find a dripping wet box. Good thing that wasn't the Monet I just bought or UPS would have some answering to do. Really, why can't they ring the doorbell or at least put my package where it has a chance against Florida monsoons?

Anyway, Magic Hat was the culprit, sending me a few beers including HiCü, a beer brewed with cucumbers and Hibiscus. I would have probably guessed this a gimmick for almost every other brewery, but this is what Magic Hat does, so let's see how it tastes. The art work is pretty cool, with a pair of fish swimming around the name of the beer. 4.2% alcohol.

Smells like cucumber body wash, and the aroma was powerful even outside on a windy day. Flavors are VERY vegetal and full of flower petals. I know I should have known to expect that, but this really tastes like a glass of ground up garden. Kinda blech, not that pleasant. Add some weird and aggressive metallic bitterness along with an ugly tang and bad aftertaste and what you get is a first class example of a drain pour.

This beer arrived just as Magic Hat sued West Sixth Brewing for trademark infringement. If I thought West Sixth had any case at all (like when Monster Energy sued over the Vermonster), I'd have chimed in my support to their social media case. But seriously, West Sixth is going to lose hard and should not waste any more money kidding themselves. I'm no lawyer but obvious is obvious. So, no, I won't stop drinking Magic Hat beers in protest. Well, except this one. West Sixth, I will not drink HiCu to support your cause!

And in case you didn't get the joke of the beer's name, Magic Hat spelled it out for you on the neck of the bottle.

Dark Truth Stout

2013-05-21T07:47:00.000-04:00

Decided to try Boulevard Brewing's Dark Truth Stout this afternoon. This beer was obtained as part of a trade as it is not distributed to South Florida. The label is simple with the name of the beer in bold block letters and a glass of this beer in front. The back label gives some insights into the beer and sets your expectations. Best By 02/12/15.

Choco-cherry, pruney aroma. Chocolate flavors come first but are immediately met with a pronounced cherry cordial type flavor, really brought out by the 9.7% alcohol. Some hazelnut flavors come next along with some charred malt, perhaps even some smoke.

The dark fruitiness is really interesting, different, even "out of bounds". Bittersweet, a little hoppy, and very creamy. The finish is quite dry. I liked just how fruit forward and different this stout was. Very enjoyable. Grab it when you can.

Newcastle Bombshell Pale Blonde Ale

2013-05-18T12:23:00.001-04:00

The last beverage in my Funky Buddha glass before my son broke it!

Ed Roberts recently said he was surprised that I hadn't reviewed Newcastle Bombshell Blonde yet. So I decided to ask their agency if they'd send me a sample, as they always usually do without me even asking . But while I was looking around for info about the beer, I noticed the thumbnail of a blonde woman in a swimsuit with a beach ball in the middle of the label.

So I decided to question how smart a decision that actually is, considering the blonde woman/blonde beer idea is extremely overdone and considered sexist by many. So here is how I (eloquently) penned my questions which then filtered through to the Newcastle Marketing Brand Manager over at Heineken.

Pain in the ass me: "I wanted to know if you have info/samples about your Newcastle Blonde. I'd like a statement from the brewery about the voluptuous blonde on the label, a cliched overused label idea that Newcastle hasn't explored before. I mean, she's hot, but there are a zillion female beer drinkers in the US now that will not appreciate what the brewery did. I'd like to know whose decision that was."

Brand guy: "I’d be happy to share more information about Newcastle Bombshell...

As you know from reviewing our brand in the past, the spirit of the Newcastle "No Bollocks" brand voice is humorous, lighthearted and dedicated to honesty. In this case, our summer brew is a blonde ale. And the woman on the front of our label is also a blonde – following our inclination to call a spade a spade – and wearing a respectable bathing suit by today’s standards.

Cheers!"

Pretty funny stuff right? I do things like that because I love you!

The label takes its "No Bollocks" a little further, calling this "A Real British Beauty" and tells the "Simply Stunning" story on the back.

Usually I'd make you read it in my picture, but this is really good...

"An Englishman's first love is his Brown Ale. However, in the summer he often fancies blondes instead! With this inspiration, we've created Newcastle Bombshell, an English style blonde ale. The combination of Cascade, Hellertau and Northdown hops balance this golden coloured ale's light aroma and bitterness with toasted malt to ensure a silky smooth finish. After one sip of this brew, we're sure you'll agree she's a real bombshell."

As for the beer, it has a grainy, toasty aroma with light lemon. Grain continues into the flavors, but it is attacked by some weird astringent lemony bitterness with metallic on top. Just ugly. The finish was dry. I didn't like it at all. It wasn't just boring--it was unenjoyable defined. Dump.

Gold Coast Distributors Welcomes SweetWater Brewing to South Florida

2013-05-16T10:58:00.000-04:00

You already all knew that SweetWater Brewing was arriving this month in South Florida. In fact, I saw their initial three beers delivered just yesterday at MY Total Wine. Last month, when I first mentioned the intent of SweetWater to distribute beer here, the brewery still didn't know which distributor would be responsible for carrying their brand. That, my friends, is what yesterday's party was all about!

A few weeks ago, a buddy of mine from Gold Coast asked if I'd be interested in attending the SweetWater launch party at Revolution Live in Ft. Lauderdale. Yep, Gold Coast won the distribution business of the brewery! (BTW, Gold Coast also just launched a really cool Facebook page called SFLonTAP, a hub for all things beer in South Florida, which you should all "Like" or whatever it is you do on FB.)

So apparently this party was going to go down at 4:20. Like, duh! I toke (I mean took) the afternoon off from my paying job to attend (yeah, I got a haircut too, but 4:20 isn't exactly a good time for me). I arrived early, around 3:30 (you hear that, Miami) because I knew there would be some issue. There was definitely no issue finding the place with the huge SweetWater trailer in front. But WTF is up with the private lots next to the venue? The parking spots are numbered but somehow you're supposed to pay the attendant who is not there? Or put coins or dollars into some board slot game and push them through with a key? Let me repeat WTF? Grow up technology. Ask the 30 Gold Coast guys in the lot what they thought of the system. I drove 5 blocks away to a real city lot, not some bullshit scheme crap.

I was told this was at Revolution Live AND America's Backyard. They are next door to each other, and I just followed the pack of Tie-Dyed bodies to the party. Each Gold Coast employee had on a special blue tie-dyed SweetWater T-shirt. Needless to say, I stuck out with my red polo shirt on. Anyway, I snacked on tortilla chips and "Franks in a Blanket" which were labeled in case we weren't sure (see at the bottom for proof).

Not much later, I found myself chatting with the guys from the ByTheGlassShow over a few 420 Extra Pale Ales when SweetWater's founder Freddy Bensch walked in. No entourage, just a cool guy that looked like he was happy he made it at 4:10. Whew!

We chatted a bit since I was prepared and knew some facts about his background. I never did get to ask the question about opening a second brewery in Colorado where he came from (you know, because of the pot legalization and all). We posed for a few pictures, and after all was said and done, I ended with a standing invitation next time I'm in Atlanta to be taken to the Clermont Lounge. Freddy mentioned that the bras hanging from the bar at Revolution reminded him of the place, so I guess there's some kind of nakedness there?

And I might take him up on the offer. My sister lives in Atlanta. Heck, she even served SweetWater's Blue at her wedding reception. Here's a cool picture of a bottle from that day--look closely (picture below), the historic Callanwolde Mansion is reflecting in the top of it!

There were at least 100 Gold Coast Employees there, all celebrating the launch of SweetWater and winning the account. We were told just how quickly Gold Coast was able to get the first three beers into the South Florida market. In just 4 days, SweetWater was in 80% of on-premise target accounts, and using Publix as an off-premise example, SweetWater's 420 and IPA were in 86% while Blue was in 71%, and only because they ran out of stock. That comment left Freddy Sch'weating.

Freddy made a toast at 4:20 while I was double-fisting 420s which was perfect. After downing that beer and a few more, Freddy along with Director of Marketing Steve Farace, Director of Sales Dave Guender and newest sales leader Seth Herman led us in a presentation about the history of the brewery, including a recent recount of how Gold Coast went from "low on the list" to "earning the business, hands down." Freddy said he was so impressed with their presentation that he felt SweetWater needed to "up their game" during the process.

Freddy started in the industry with Boulder Beer Company washing kegs in the early 90s. After a visit to Atlanta for the Olympic games, he decided to stick around and open his own brewery. SweetWater Brewing, named for SweetWater Creek, was founded in 1997, when the brewery was on the outskirts of the city where the only things you could buy nearby were "beer, hookers and crack. That first month we sold seven kegs. We also drank seven kegs, but we were really excited!" The brewery moved to Atlanta in 2004, and they've undergone a major expansion in the past few years, the reason they are now able to sell to the demand in South Florida.

For now, we have 420 on tap and 420, IPA and Blue in bottles. But I was told we can expect that core line to be expanded over time, with more beers on draft and seasonals to follow. I had to leave just as the presentation was ending, but I had a great time and am excited to have these beers in our market.

Madame Rose 2012

2013-05-13T10:12:00.001-04:00

Finally I'm getting to the third sister from Goose Island's Vintage Ales collection. Madame Rose is a Belgian Style Brown Ale brewed with cherries and aged in wine barrels. And thanks again to (no more)-Marathons Marie for trading me for this and the other two ladies, Juliet and Lolita. If this is any bit as good as they were, I'm in for a treat! This is the 2012 vintage, bottled 07/31/12, just short of one year of the five the bottle says you can age it.

Simple label on this 22 ouncer, yet classic. Eggshell background with an illustration of some red foil colored cherries and other red accents. The name of the beer is in some script style from the days when they invented calligraphy.

Dark reddish-brown color. I thought it was going to be a little brighter, but whatever. Tart cherry aroma, not overpowering, with some fizzy little bubbles.

Tart fruity flavors start, generic at first, but then becoming identifiable as cherries and apples. Strong acidity is there, but this is certainly less puckering than either Juliet or Lolita. A little sweetness from the cherries adds some nice balance. Wood and wine tannin flavors from the aging process are very obvious throughout and work great with the cherries.

There is very little Brett character in this beer, though I know that it was used. A little flat but still OK. The finish was a bit dry. The cherry flavors linger on your palate, a nice touch. I didn't really notice the 7.1% alcohol at all, except perhaps for a glimpse with the dry ending--very nicely incorporated. Overall, I really liked Madame Rose, though I missed just a hint more of the blatant tartness her sisters provided. Nice job, Goose Island Buds.

Orange Avenue Wit

2013-05-11T14:17:00.000-04:00

I saw Coronado Brewing's Orange Avenue Wit and thought it might be cool to check it out. So here we are. The label depicts a mermaid holding a huge mug of beer while her hair and the beer's head blow briskly in the wind. The story on the back explains that this beer is named for Coronado's main street, where the brewery is located. Orange Avenue was once lined with orange trees, so they brewed this beer with orange zest, coriander and orange blossom honey. "Its Belgium by way of Coronado." I probably would have proof-read that part before I sent it to the printer, but that's just me I guess.

Huge wheat aroma with tangerines in the background. Grainy and spicy too. Wheat is also a dominant flavor from start to finish and provides a thick texture on the palate. Toasted grains, some spices and just a touch of orange. A little/lot more orange would have been a welcome balance to the wheat.

On the sweet side of balanced, but not overdone. Carbonation is good, body medium. The chewy texture knocks down the refreshment quite a bit. The flavors are OK though overall. I'd probably keep looking before grabbing this again.

Long Strange Tripel

2013-05-09T08:56:00.000-04:00

Today I'm checking out Boulevard Brewing's Long Strange Tripel, a member of their Smokestack Series which I acquired in a trade with one of the brewers there. Beyond the beer name, the label continues with that "Dead" hippie type feel with the crazy letter font and colors and roses. In addition, they have a thumbnail of a dude with long hair and a substantial beard. Nope, it's not Jerry Garcia. It's the longest-tenured employee of the brewery, Trip Hogue. Trip is also found repurposing a well-known song on the back label. Check it out below. Best By 08/09/13.

Sweet honeysuckle aroma with hints of tart apples, lemon, and yeast. Nice fruity peach and pear and apple flavors open things up. Honey and bubblegum work nicely with those fruits. Chewy consistency at the beginning. Some citrus and maybe even grape tartness does loosen up the sweetness next, one facet totally complementing the other.

The 9.2% alcohol shows through, enhancing the fruits while toning the chewiness. Belgian yeast is prominent and you can also taste some hay and spicy character adding interest. Creamy texture and great carbonation. Terrific beer, complex, and a little different from many other tripels. Or perhaps it was just better. I don't know. Either way, check it out!

Dedicated to my newest favoritest brewery Marketing Communications Manager, Julie Weeks.

Cinco de Mayo with Tecate and Tecate Light

2013-05-06T16:47:00.002-04:00

I spent a small part of yesterday, Cinco de Mayo, partying with two of my buds, Tecate and Tecate Light. The agency for these brands thought I might enjoy these Mexican beers as part of my celebration. My sister and brother-in-law and cousin-in-law were over for dinner. I cooked Big Ass Ham with some corn on the cob. The mood for the evening was perfect.

Tecate Light: Grainy blandness, thin cardboard flavor. Slight hoppy bite but still a bit too sweet. Refreshing enough. For you fitness buffs: Per 12 FL. OZ.: 110 calories, 7.9g carbs, 0.9g protein, 0.0g fat.

Can't wait to try this baby!

Tecate: Fuller body than the light. Also much more corny graininess throughout. Cardboard, light skunk along with other weirdness, a little buttery. Not refreshing. Bad. Sub-par, like in a non-golf-goal kind of way.

Shocked!

Don't worry, guys. I had PLENTY of other delicious beers. I'll be OK.

Enjoy By 05.17.13

2013-05-06T07:51:00.000-04:00

Stone Brewing makes some of the awesomest hoppy beers on the planet. So when the beer geek community starts raving about their newest invention, you kinda need to give it a whirl. What they've done is to create a series of beers named after the date that you are supposed to drink the beer by. Enjoy By now has a handful of dates that follow it. Mine was bottled on 04/12/13 and is named Enjoy By 05.17.13, exactly five weeks later. Not sure if all are five week periods, but I wouldn't be surprised if that window was consistent.

The story on the back gives you a little background as to what they are doing with this series, but they basically implore you to drink this the second it's been refrigerated, and not wait a second longer. "We brewed this IPA specifically NOT to last" and "LIVE for the NOW, the present" and "There is no BETTER time than RIGHT NOW to enjoy THIS BEER" are just a few tips. The label front is simply the name with their gargoyle (looks like a gremlin to me) watching over.

Wonderful "make-out-with" kind of aroma. Seriously! Tropical pineapples and peaches, juicy orange citrus, and some piney peppery hops in the background.

Super juicy flavors. Grapefruit rinds crash into peppery and piney hoppy flavors from the first sip. Not really very bitter in the beginning as there is ample sweet malty balance. The 9.4% alcohol adds a nice kick, really amping up each flavor. You know this has some bite to it!

The spicy hops continue to take little nips at your palate, and the bitterness builds, becoming more pungent as you get through this 22 ouncer. Some very soft fruity flavors do start to appear as the beer warms, but they are background and not reminiscent of that nostril love in the beginning.

The finish is pretty dry and a little alcoholic, though not in a bad way. Fresh (their label says "devastatingly fresh". Not sure I'd go that far, but that could be my fault for leaving it in my fridge for a week. And keep in mind I was going to wait until 5/18/13 to celebrate my son's birthday, just to disobey the gargoyles.) and tasty. Loved the aroma, easily the best part. Taste was delightful and flavors were bold. For sure grab one if you can.

Gaspar's Porter

2013-05-03T07:51:00.001-04:00

I saw that Florida Beer Company recently released a beer that's been on hold for several years, most recently available as one in their Ybor Gold line. That beer is Gaspar's Porter, brewed with a new recipe and bottled with a cool new label design. The label depicts an angry Gaspar with an eye patch and huge mustache sneering at you. The beer is named for Gaspar, a pirate in the Caribbean that drowned himself with his ship's anchor before being captured.

Nice roasty aroma with some milky sweetness and a hint of smoke. Sweet and roasted malt flavors come together in the beginning. There is also just a little cocoa, but not that strong. Hints of smoke come through as well. However, there is a very prominent and persistent and sharp, weird, tangy flavor that just dominates. And it's not a pleasant flavor, a very unenjoyable aspect. Body and carbonation are medium and fine.

I really like Florida Beer Company and their lineup of beers, so it pains me to hate on this one. But this is by far my least favorite of all the rest. Glad I bought some Key West Southernmost Wheat yesterday to follow this up with.

Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout

2013-04-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

I saw Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout over at Total Wine a few days ago and had an argument with myself as to whether I'd ever tried it. I correctly convinced myself it must be a new beer for them, though I don't know much more than I've never had it. The label shows a branch and seeds from Theobroma cocao, the lovely tree we get cocoa and chocolate from. On the back, a little story to set your expectations. This beer is Soil Association Organic and USDA Organic, a topic I've been learning about.

Beautiful milky sweet aroma. Cocoa powder rushes into your nose. Light caramel and butterscotch too, a delicious smell. Chocolate flavors ride in on the creamiest, milkiest texture ever. Decadent! You will, however, notice right away that there is a decent amount of hoppy balance and this beer isn't overly sweet.

Caramel, hints of coffee, and a light roast with smoke. A little flat with a decent body, though I wouldn't have minded a few more bubbles and increased heftiness. A little alcohol dryness on the finish which surprised me a little considering the 5.0% mark in this beer. Very good. Check it out!

Cayman Jack Margarita

2013-04-28T10:32:00.000-04:00

Not a beer today. Instead Cayman Jack Hand-Crafted Margarita Premium Malt Beverage. This is another oddity from the great Ed Roberts. According to the pounder can, this is "arguably the world's most refreshing Margarita". Made by American Vintage Beverage Co. in Rochester, LaCrosse or Memphis. I've had some kick ass Margaritas in my life, so let's check out this pre-made batch.

No Margarita glass that I could easily find, so I poured it into my Westie XII glass. Lime aroma, sugary. Smells like a Margarita. Limes taste fresh. Not overly sweet, at least in the beginning. Carbonation is prickly, not necessarily a real Margarita characteristic, but welcome nonetheless. A bit sugary after half the can, and the sweetness starts to build.

The 5.9% alcohol is noticeable but probably not enough to offer the kick of a real Margarita. Very nice for a mix. I'd consider it to avoid all the work in making fresh Margaritas, depending on who was coming over for a visit. Plus that douche at Publix today bought EVERY lime in the rack. Seriously, like 200 of them, as a guess. I bet his party kicks ass!

Double-Wide India Pale Ale

2013-04-26T10:03:00.000-04:00

When I was on vacation last month in Colorado, I spent a good part of my evenings sucking down Boulevard Brewery's Pale Ale and Single-Wide IPA. When I got back to Florida, I coincidentally entered into a beer trade with one of Boulevard's brewers, with this Double-Wide India Pale Ale coming my way as part of it. I decided to lead with the biggest beer, but to also include the notes and pictures I took for its little brothers below.

So Double-Wide is a trailer, but don't worry and "Relax, It's Twister Proof". The story on the back lets you know to expect hops on a level that will rip the roof off, plus some other insights. Beautiful color! Best By 10/15/13.

Soft fruity apricot and peach aroma with caramel and hoppy undertones. Rich, sweet caramel flavors come out swinging. Those are then balanced by some sharp and astringent lemony citrus bitterness. The 8.5% alcohol is a bit boozy midstream, but I like the way it brings out some honey and fruity sweetness.

The hoppy bitterness gradually grows with some citrus rinds very prominent. Carbonation is medium and the body is big and chewy, almost like a meal. Finish is dry. Enjoyable and flavorful and pretty potent. Grab a few!

Boulevard Pale Ale

Light hoppy spice with lemon astringency. Refreshing bitterness. Nice doughy balance with caramel. Dry at finish.

Boulevard Single-Wide IPA

Lemon and grapefruit rind bitterness meets some sweet orange and bread. Similar to the pale ale, just turned up on the hoppy bitterness. Nice flavors.