July grades and ranks

My most intense beer month ever. If I buy one of those 33beers books, I would have needed two to get through this month alone. And, I know that I love what I do, but I wish that I could articulate better in person about why I like what I drink. When I talk, it's like, "This is awesome, I trust this brewery." But ask me what I like about the beer, I give more vague answers than someone who works at a beer bar should. But, seriously, I love a beer when I love a beer. I don't when I don't. When I am drinking, I live so much in the moment. It's lucky that I have gotten into the habit of tweeting what I drink, or I wouldn't know on Friday what I had Monday. But now I want to have some sort of accomplishment to go with it. I know that I am interested in the Cicerone certification, but I also want a "good job" sticker so people know that I like beer.

It's like Pokeman, I got to drink them all!

I need a medium in which I can convey the beauty and the passion that I experience in every glass. Imagine if I went to the Grand Canyon, and told you about how beautiful it was, but without photos, you wouldn't know until you went yourself.

Sorry, this got introspective. Here's the beer!

[A+]

#1 Allagash Four. It has to be my favorite that is "mass" produced by them. Simply put, I don't know anyone that does such a great quad. A+ Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:05:56 AM via web ( A+, A+)

One of my all time favorite beers. It's big and strong. You cannot fail to have a good time while drinking such a delicious beer.

[A]

#2 Ipswich Summer Barleywine '09. Spicy and strong just like a good barleywine should be. It's a sippin' summer good time. Doesn't burn! A Sunday, July 25, 2010 6:53:00 PM via web (A, A)

Not your typical Ipswich. And it is aged, so how can you pass up an opportunity like that? I was proud to have this on tap, and tried to enjoy this as much as I could. It makes me want more of the big guns at CC.

#3 Smuttynose Gnome. Something awesome from a small batch series. Belgian influence, with brightness, and maybe a touch of brett. Mystery. A Friday, July 16, 2010 5:53:40 PM via web (A, A)

Another rare find. It doesn't even have a web page to descirbe it. But it was just a nice sippin' beer, that would be similar to sippin' your morning coffee. Not in taste, but in relaxing.

#4 Pretty Things Fieldmouse. This is better than the GD farmhouse, but still gets the same grade. A tad heavier, smoother. Love it. A Monday, July 12, 2010 8:43:07 PM via web (A, A)

Pretty Things never fails, and this is my new favorite from them. It will change in a month.

#5 Saison Dupont. A saison to measure all saisons. True farmhouse funk, but a light, crisp taste that is well balanced and easy to drink. (A, A)

It's nice to have the model for which a lot of my favorite beers comes from. If you ever want to know what a Saison is supposed to taste like, try this.

#6 Allagash Victor. I finished this before the victoria. Only because it had a slightly heavier body, being with the red grapes and all. A Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:03:51 AM via web. I know I tweeted it once already this month, but hey, why not sing it's praises once again. If you find it, drink it. A Tuesday, July 27, 2010 11:18:57 PM via web (A, A, A)

#7 Allagash Victoria. Absolutely a great white grape beer, worth trying if anyone is near it. Still, I like the Victor better. A Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:04:46 AM via web (A, A-)

Yay for the Allagash dinner. It was such a wonderful evening to talk to the people who make their life out of such a fine beer. I like the body of Victor just slightly more than Victoria. But both are fine and merely subject to individual taste.

#8 Lost Abbey 10 Commandments. super complex beer that has a delicate taste. even ketchup will effect it. i ordered this for me at work. A- Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:26:14 PM via txt (A, A-)

I was fortunate enough to say, "Let's order Lost Abbey" and this is what I got. It was sad that for the Opa-Opa dinner, this was taken off for the night. The bartender saved me a glass, in the fridge, but I had to leave at the end of the shift.

#9 Great Divide Colette. I love GD & everything they do, and this farmhouse is super tart, but refreshing. Love to try it next to Smutty's. A Monday, July 12, 2010 8:41:08 PM via web (A, A-)

This is making the second round right now at CC. It is a great summer beer.

#10 Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale. What a copper-brown ale of kings. Strong, but sessionable. Bitterness that doesn't keep you away. Citrus! A- 6:17 PM Jul 3rd via web (A, A-)

My favorite pale ale. 4 months ago, I would have not believed that canned beer was this good.

[A-]

#11 Goose Island Sofie. A treasure found at ACBF, thanks Beth! Super drinkable Belgian, low citrus-bitter, strong body, but still a Belgian. A 8:24 PM Jul 2nd via web. You would think with their big-gun distribution, you would see them more often. Regardless, fine saison-y drink. A- Wednesday, July 28, 2010 11:06:56 PM via web (A, A-, A-)

Oh the bitter debate of having a good beer supported by a macrobrewery. I say good beer is good beer. We drink Coke when local sodas are available. Is there that big a difference?

#12 Ballast Point Sculpin IPA. a hops bite that doesnt take away from the drink. no burn but all classic IPA flavors are there. for now A- Wednesday, July 21, 2010 9:01:56 PM via txt (A-, A-)

Best find of July. Fantastic IPA.

#13 Bruery Coton. 14.5%ABV. It drinks like a holiday ale, with heavy body, sweet, sryupy tones. High whiskey-like burn. Herbal. Woah! A- Monday, July 19, 2010 8:21:59 PM via web (A-, A-)

Crazy strong. We have a log at CC. Tempted to age it for a special occasion.

#14 Lagunitas Undercover Shutdown. This is an awesome imperial ale, with a nice amber body, Spicy flavor with a whiskey-like finish. A- Thursday, July 15, 2010 7:28:26 PM via web (A-, A-)

Another happy surprise. I forget about Langunitas until I see it again.

#15 Allagash Curieux. Whiskey strong in flavor, and in taste, but it doesn't kill the enjoyment. Be prepare for the harshness. A- Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:08:16 AM via web (A-, A-)

You have to be patient while drinking this beast.

#16 Pretty Things American Darling. High ABV for such a light beer. Almost feel like a helles or pils, but a litter heavier. Always great. A- Monday, July 05, 2010 7:41:25 PM via web (A-, A-)

Super drinkable, but don't do it too fast.

#17 Chimay Blue. An ol' standby. I haven't had a Belgian beer, from Belgium, in a while. Dark and roasty with a crisp Belgian taste. Yum. A- Tuesday, July 20, 2010 7:19:29 PM via web (A-, A-)

As classic Chimay is, there are times that I want an American Belgian-style beer. That said, I can never say anything bad about ol' blue.

#18 Mikkeller Jackie Brown. !t's a hoppy brown. Would have been sad if I wished for malty. First glass of draft in over a week @theindo! A- Sunday, July 11, 2010 2:56:34 PM via web (A-, A-)

Too bad Mikkeller runs on the expensive side. There are a lot of beers by them that I have yet to try. I haven't had a bad one yet.

#19 Allagash White. A simple stand-by well deserving to be a flagship beer for a great company. A great Belgian style beer. A- Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:01:25 AM via web (A-, A-)

When I first had White, I thought it was the end-all, be-all of beers. Little did I know how much lay beneath the leaves of the label.

#20 Southern Tier Iniquity. They mostly hit, w/ a few misses. This beer should be tried with a sampler. Hoppy one sip, malty the next. A- Monday, July 12, 2010 8:44:33 PM via web (A-, A-)

I am trying to keep faith in the breweries that I know have had some misses, Creme Brulee anyone? But, when they stick to hops and malt, things are good.

#21 Ommegang Zuur. This is a solid example of an American doing a Belgian sour. This beer has to be sipped, not slurped. Can't drink much. A- Monday, July 12, 2010 8:39:58 PM via web (A-, A-)

How about this sour stealing my taste buds this month. After the first sip, I knew that it was good, but I never thought that I would want to drink a glass of it. Now, sure... no problem.

#22 Unibroue La Fin Du Monde. Seriously peppery, especially w/ grilled Thai burgers. Like likes like. Fancy food/beer is only in your eyes. A- Sunday, July 11, 2010 9:33:46 PM via web (A-, A-)

This was a nice gift from a friend. I never think to get them, but I know that I like them.

#23 Portsmouth Brewery Bottle Rocket IPA. nice citrus and light on the spice. easy to drink but a classic IPA after taste. A- Friday, July 30, 2010 1:52:05 PM via txt (A-, B+)

Yeah for the real local breweries. This number was quite delicious. I would like to meet the brewer some day.

#24 Allagash Tripel. How can a great beer be lowest of the night? Well, it has to be obscured by other great beers. Still, a great example. A- Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:02:47 AM via web (A-, B+)

What's to say about a good beer that would stand out if it weren't for all the better stuff they make?

#25 Chimay Red. Not the bite nor the body of the blue, but certainly heavier than the white. Easy to drink, but watch out for the sedimen! A- Monday, July 26, 2010 9:12:11 PM via web (A-, B+)

Blue's cousin. The silver of the Chimay podium stand.

[B+]


#26 Ipswich Ale. It promise what it delivers. A solid, I want an ale (an dress like a viking) ale. Maybe I should drink it in a sheep skin. B+ 6:35 PM Jul 5th via web (B+, B+)

We are starting to get into beers that I love to have when I don't want to be wowed. Perfect session beer.

#27 Smuttynose Brown Dog. Had it with a bacon and goat cheese sandwich. Of course it goes well with bacon. Happy to drink northern beers. B+ 3:25 AM Jul 2nd via web (B+, B+)

A perfect session brown.

#28 Bear Republic Racer 5. I like body to my IPA, which this has. Good spice to mute the citrus. Too bad they gave me a 'gansett at first. B+ Saturday, July 17, 2010 7:58:20 PM via web (B+, B+)

For a more expensive session beer.

#29 Flying Dog Raging Bitch. Considering this is super hoppy, it actually is good. Totally filled with a hops pop, malt to round it out. B+ Monday, July 12, 2010 8:38:50 PM via web (B+, B+)

This was a random beer from the CC. It was better than I thought, which is good. I tend to stay away from flying dog. Maybe it's because I never read Fear and Loathing.

#30 Rogue Dead Guy. Super sessionable with a sharp edge & muted spiciness. A sweet body as it goes down. They don't all have to be fancy. B+ Monday, July 19, 2010 5:45:02 PM via web (B+, B+)

I cannot drink this without thinking about Dave's obsession. Or at least the obsession of when we first met him. I always forget that it's a maibock, too.

#31 Portsmouth Oatmeal Stout. Sweet at first but mellow with chocolate cake. wish the brewer was around to discuss with. B+ Friday, July 30, 2010 7:42:42 PM via txt (B+, B+)

I know that I had this to go with dessert. It paired well.

#32 Smuttynose IPA. so much tastier than it's Harpoon counterpart. Probably got to do with the hops. White men can't jump, but they hop. B+ Friday, July 09, 2010 3:55:34 AM via web (B+, B+)

#33 Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale. smooth and delicious. I don't need anything with bite this late at night. It's out of sight, alright? B+ Saturday, July 10, 2010 4:04:41 AM via web (B+, B+)

Both from a sampler pack. The IPA i have always liked, but I am getting into the other Smutty's. I would almost always keep a Smutty's or Ipswich in the fridge at all times if I could afford it.

#34 Southampton IPA. I really like Southampton. They give the body that I want to the respective beer. The IPA wasn't too hoppy. B Monday, July 05, 2010 7:38:22 PM via web (B, B+)

Just a reminder to myself, I need some Southampton for the CC.

#35 Lagunitas IPA. Really wanted a pils for brunch, but this was light enough. Solid effort that doesn't push the hops in your face. B+ Sunday, July 18, 2010 1:21:42 PM via web (B+, B)

It's their flagship, but they make other stuff better.

#36 Southampton Altbier. A little more of a showcase beer. Drinkability of an lager, body of a ale. I would like the explore German ones. B+ Monday, July 05, 2010 7:39:57 PM via web (B+, B)

Another month, this would have been higher. It's delicious, but not fancy.

#37 Sam Adams "Belgian Style IPA". A perk of the job, for it is a sample. Super dry drink, with more IPA than Belgian. Hope to see it soon. B+ Saturday, July 17, 2010 10:28:23 PM via web (B+, B)

It was exciting to have a free sample of the beer, but the beer never seems to kick it up a notch. At least what you can find in the small bottles.

[B]

#38 Avery Karma. They are a total hit and miss brewery. This ale doesn't seem to want to step it up in any flavor, but it is trying. B Monday, July 12, 2010 8:37:41 PM via web (B, B)

This is a swing and a foul ball for Avery. I know they can do better, and I know they can do worse.

#39 Grittys Lobster Claw Brown Ale. tasty outside light brown session beer. malty taste but no body. what you want at a lobster shack. b Saturday, July 31, 2010 6:41:13 PM via txt (B, B)

There is the Red Claw Ale and the Best Brown Ale, but I cannot find a lobster claw ale. I do not know if they took some liberty with the name at the lobster shack, but still, it was a fine brown served in a plastic cup.

#40 Long Trail Ale. Haven't had this for a while, but first drank it on our honeymoon. Less body, touch more acidity than Ipswich. Go local! B Monday, July 05, 2010 7:36:22 PM via web (B, B)

Don't let the fact that it is so low fool you. I had some awesome beer this month. But I had 39 better than this.

#41 Ipswich IPA. Disappointing for Ipswich, but a sensible beer with a good style. Nothing defining, for they do their ales better. B Sunday, July 25, 2010 8:41:34 PM via web (B, B-)

The only disappointment from Ipswich. Still better than most.

[B-]

#42 Harpoon IPA. Wow, I am just not excited about this beer tonight. Thought it would be good after work, but I am swilling just to swill, B- Wednesday, July 07, 2010 2:45:41 AM via web (B-, C+)

This is what I drink when I don't care what I drink. Though my gag is saying 7 buck Harpoon IPA when I am making fun of a places beer selection.

[C+]

#43 Wachusetts Ryde. Mildly disappointing. I feel like that Rye was added as an afterthought to what could have been a decent ale. B- Sunday, July 18, 2010 5:28:33 PM via web (B-, C)

I have had about three bottles of this, but it just was disappointing each time. I don't know if I had a bad batch (as I didn't buy it) but it just never impressed me. Sad.


Rye can be hit or miss, but this just misses. I feel like they brewed and then added rye. Maybe they were trying to create layers of flavor, but I just found the separation distracting.