August grades and ranks

I don't know where all this tweeting is going. I am addicted to tweeting my beers, and giving them ranks, which is all fine and good, but doing this blog post, it was hard. It's a little time consuming, and I drink a lot of the same beers as I do different ones. It's probably a 50/50 split. Do you really care from month to month what I think of Smuttynose Brown Dog? And are ranks really fun when I feel that I hardly ever give anything below a B-? Sure, I drink a lot of fine beer, and I do tend to be choosy about what I buy, but I am looking at 8 "A" beers this months. And they all deserve it, but I feel like I am approaching "Everyone gets a trophy" territory.

So, I feel that collecting the beers that I drink, it's a start. But these are just poorly written tweets with some afterthought. Not all that deep. That's why I want something more visually stunning. I think that drinking as many different beers as you can is a good thing, and I want to share this passion with other people. But how can I get other people involved. Collecting beer cards for everything that you drink? Four Square style badges? Head-to-head matchups to truly pick a best beer? I am something that is visually enjoyable and yet clear and concise information. All websites for beer are different. I think that there should be a standard in which the information is presented, and the same information presented for each and every beer. Like, Harpoon IPA vs. Smuttynose IPA vs. Ipswich IPA. Help me compare these three and choose. And I want a website that is not tainted with personal opinions. This is my blog, and my space in which to do so, but I want something else, too. There are books that I love that do just this, but why not have a complete library of information? My dreams are always larger then the effort I have to exert.

All that said, doing this still feels right.

Grades are 1st impression and today's thought. They are ranked on average, then person opinion.


[A]

#1 Russian River Pliny the Elder. Motherfucker I am lucky have had this beer. Brought by a co-worker. So much hops, but so well balanced. A Sunday, August 29, 2010 10:10:53 PM via web (A, A)

How lucky am I to have had this beer in Boston? It is as great as everyone makes it, though I think this is by far better than the Younger. This is just my personal taste. Though, I love that my job has a culture of sharing good beer. Can't wait for my turn to bring back my local favorites.

#2 Great Divide Yeti '09. I've stared at these bottles for a month now, finally got to crack one open. Split this and dessert with wife. A Sunday, August 22, 2010 7:36:52 PM via web (A, A)

Another perk of where I work. This is a favorite beer of mine, but to have it aged, made it a little thicker, but just as good.

#3 Allagash Curieux. THe most lovely kick in the ass that you can have. Sure it's powerful, but enough sweetness makes you beg for more. A Sunday, August 29, 2010 10:09:38 PM via web (A, A)

Allagash is up there in the breweries that can do no wrong. I typically don't do the strong barrel-aged stuff, but this is too good to ever pass up.

#4 Dogfish Palo Santo Marron. Stupid strong but a sweetness that keeps you drinking. just a touch of tart that get yous attention A Monday, August 16, 2010 6:10:25 PM via txt (A, A)

Sometimes Dogfish is just a little to extreme, but when they walk the line, they do it just as well as anyone else. They have some of the best pallets out there.

#5 Avery Majaraja. Absolutely fantastic IPA. has all the hops and bitterness that you would want. also a body that makes it a good drink. A- Monday, August 16, 2010 6:06:16 PM via txt (A-, A)

The first time I had this was a shared bottle at Beck&Tony's. It was good then and has stuck with me every time I see it. I don't know why I never got into Avery when I actually lived out there, but I am learning to respect it more and more.

#6 Pretty Things St. Botolph's Town. Heavier than I remember. Almost stouty, but still went delicious with a pork sammy and fresh corn. A Tuesday, August 17, 2010 8:28:23 PM via web (A, A-)

A great dark ale, what can I say? The darker the beer, the more body I want, and Pretty Things seems to think the way I do.

#7 Ommegang Hennepin. Great Farmhouse, never fails to disappoint. It stays fresh and flavorful with each sip. Never backs down. A Friday, August 20, 2010 11:57:33 PM via web (A, A-)

This beer is almost always available, and I don't know why I don't pick it up more often.

#8 Stone 14th Anniversary. Imperial IPA. Stone tastes like Stone, though it wasn't that heavy "arrogant" taste that is most common. A- 8:27 PM Aug 2nd via web (A, A-)

Stone and that Stone taste. Some times works better than others, and this is one of those. I have a soft spot for any anniversary beers.

[A-]

#9 Smuttynose Farmhouse Saison. This was my first saison love. Still is. Better balance than Great Divide. Malty, yet still refreshing! A- Friday, August 13, 2010 7:13:30 PM via web (A-, A-)

Is there a movement for an American saison? Less funk? I dunno, but this stands out different than Dupont, and the others like that.

#10 Pretty Things Baby Tree. It's been a while since I had this. Forgot how badk and heavy it can be, especially mid summer. Still awesome! A- 12:00 AM Aug 5th via web (A-, A-)

This is a beer that you should only have every once in a while. It could distort your opinion of other beers if you drink it too much.

#11 CBC Three Rings. Nice Belgian that doesn't to hard to be all "Hey, look at me!" It drinks smooth and quick. Tastes good, pairs well. B+ Wednesday, August 25, 2010 10:07:39 PM via

I live so close to CBC, but I don't know how I have forgotten about if for so long. I think that Halloween bust from last year tainted my opinion. But the beer can be damned good.

#12 Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale. Everything that I want a Pale to be. And also a finely crafted beer. Sad the case is now gone. A- 8:01 PM Aug 12th via web (A-, A-)

BA is wrong. This beer is way better than a B.

[B+]

#13 21st Amendment Black IPA. A solid IPA that balances the sweetness with a nice hoppy taste. Clown Shoes should pay heed to the can. B+ 8:06 PM Aug 9th via web (B+, B+)

Black beers. It is an interesting movement to have more of them. Kinda hip right now, I guess. But to do it well, you don't need it to be a gimmick.

#14 Ipswich Ale. I love this simple, no frills drink. Easy to swallow, no balance issues. It give me the exact drink I want. B+ 2:29 AM Aug 12th via web (B+, B)

If you read fantasy fiction, where the characters go drink a skin of ale, this is what I would want mine to be.

#15 Mayflower Summer Rye. It's not one of those Ryes that thinks it's being clever. It tastes like a wheat with the spice, not vice versa. B+ Monday, August 16, 2010 8:31:20 PM via web (B+, B)

Trying to get into Mayflower seasonals. This is fine, as well as the fall seasonal I just had. They are better than most, but I almost pass them over for something else. Bad me.

#16 Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale. I just needed something to take the edge off of changing a flat tire at 2am. It is drinkablely delicious. B+ 2:03 AM Aug 9th. I probably drink Smutty at least once a month. Their sampler is one of the few that is all good. B Tuesday, August 31, 2010 via web (B+, B)

We are getting into my session beers. Everyone has to have them.

#17 Rogue St. Rogue Red. Cask. I probably drank this too fast to give it a straight review. But, It was super hoppy, nice body. Like me. B+ 6:12 PM Aug 13th via web (B+, B)

Good cask. Casks are so much better on day 1 then day 4 or 5.

#18 Southampton Tripel. Enjoyable, good showing to be an Abbey. They produce some fine quality beers out there. Keep reaching! B+ Friday, August 20, 2010 11:59:07 PM via web (B+, B)

Why doesn't the restaurant pour more Southampton? They are good!

#19 Epic Armageddon IPA. New Zealand beer. Herbal taste to balance out the hoppiness, tasted better a little warmed up. Tasty little number. B+ Saturday, August 14, 2010 8:46:42 PM via web (B+, B)

A New Zealand beer. Enjoyable, but I don't know if it defines the flavor of a country. Will try more Epic down the road.

#20 Sam Adams Latitude 48. Great tasting IPA with a good balance, that doesn't kick you down. CC had it for a beer dinner and I got one. B+ 9:43 PM Aug 10th via web (B+, B)

My favorite Sam's.

#21 Great Divide Tripel. home taste. nice belgian taste and strong in ABV But not the greatest. does not take me away to belgium. b+ 9:10 PM Aug 3rd via txt (B+, B)

GD misses the mark by a hair on this, but that's fine due to all the other awesome beers they make.

#22 Smuttynose Star Island Single. My first full bottle. I wanted something light and easy to drink, and that was exactly what I got. B+ 1:53 AM Aug 2nd via web (B+, B)

I am glad that I stopped being afraid to try this, as the "other" beer that was always in the sampler. It's good.

#23 Sierra Nevada Torpedo. It's a good IPA with the heavy grapefruit taste. Good body to it, too. It doesn't have enough to be great. B+ 10:53 PM Aug 6th via web (B+, B)

I wish that I was more into SN. I know how important they are to the craft beer movement, and I really want to try more from them, but it's the Bigfoot for me..., given I have never had the Celebration.


[B]

#24 Arcadia Sky High Rye. Cask. Enjoyable, but actually lost appeal on the way down. The rye levels were fine, but had no finish to note. B Sunday, August 22, 2010 7:35:42 PM via web (B, B)

Ryes.. hip like black beers. Also, the freshness of the cask may have had a lot to do with my opinion of it. I don't like the layers of flavor approach. I want a solid flavor that you have to work to dissect.

#25 Long Trail Double Bag. Don't know if I have ever had it. Didn't know what to expect? Alt? Well, okay, but not all that great. B Sunday, August 22, 2010 3:43:52 AM via web (B, B)

I first had Long Trail on our honeymoon. We were all "ooh, what's this". The are still respectable, but I always want the beer to be more.

#26 Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. I'll just keep saying this until my musical family can escape from the Nazis. I love it's distinct taste. B Thursday, August 26, 2010 12:29:55 AM via web (B, B-)

This has dropped since last time I had it. It's taste is different, but it's only surprising once.

#27 Murphy's Irish Stout. The only thing to drink at The Glenview. My favorite "Keno and Salisbury" place. I know to let it warm up first. B 10:16 PM Aug 7th via web (B, B-)

My guilty pleasure.

#28 Long Trail Ale. A simple beer that's tasty. Not much body or flavor, but a solid drink to help was away the sins of the day. B Friday, August 20, 2010. Long Trail Ale. Fast drinkin', easy goin' ale, with little suprises, but little disappointments. Just happy to have good beer in me. B 10:13 PM Aug 10th 4:08:40 AM via web (B, B-)

Again with the Long Trail... perhaps what I had sat around a little to long. It's like Mayflower and the better than most problem.

[B-]

#29 Sam Adams Lager. At least most crap on tap places have this. But the pizza was so damn good in Providence. More MORs needed. B- Sunday, August 29, 2010 12:57:30 AM via web (B-, B-)

Thank goodness this is available almost everywhere. It has saved me from a lot of crap beer.

#30 Harpoon IPA. The last of the party beer. The more I drink it, the more I remember how good it was to me in the past. Still simple. B- Friday, August 27, 2010 11:04:55 PM via web (B-, B-)

Can't complain, but you know it is nothing fancy.

#31
Wachusetts Ryde. Still nothing exciting, but I will drink the dwellers of our fridge after a close. Maybe a little rye taste in there. B- 3:25 AM Aug 6th via web (B-, C+)

I am sorry, but I just don't like this beer very much. It's the Rye layers that make it distracting.