Thankgiving '09 beer collection, Ben

Jason Ortiz Home Brews,

Holiday Ale: Best of the three. Cinnamon and nutmug, but not too overwhelming. A-
Cherry Stout: Not at all cherry, but it was good for a medium body stout. B
Apple Wine: Tasted just like that. Apples and wine. Strong and drinkable. B-

Free State Doppelbock: Dark and smooth, with a little tang at the end. It was a nice contrast to the Hennepin we bought. B+

Ommegong Heppepin: Great farmhouse ale. Most belgian styles are easy to pair with a variety of foods, and this worked well. Not the A+ pairing with any one thing, but it did not overpower any part of the meal. A-

Three Philosphers Quad: This was fun to drink, despite the strong liquor taste to it. Similar to bourbon or whiskey in the tartness, but the kick did not distract you from wanting the drink more. A

Great Divide Double Wit: It took me forever to buy and drink this beer. Really enjoyable with a nice balance between a classic Belgian taste and smoothing it out with a subtle sweetness. A

Breckenridge Sample Pack,

Avalanche Ale: Didn't actually get to drink it this time, but it went perfectly in the beer bread. A-
Oatmeal Stout: It promises what it delivers and really enjoyable, but doesn't capture that balance of the Founder's Breakfast Stout. B
Vanilla Porter: This is what I want a vanilla porter to be. The vanilla didn't overpower the rest of the beer and the body was nice and thick. A-
Pandora's Bock: This actually had a negative taste on the first sip because I didn't know what to expect, but as a kept drinking it was enjoyable and had a second. B+


Overall, we did a good job picking out the beer for Thanksgiving, and it seemed my whole family enjoyed it.

ACBF '09, Ben's take

I volunteered Friday, and was a patron Saturday. All of it was a good weekend. My notes written are in italics, some I will try to decipher.

Here are the beers that I sampled:

++:
Black Butte Porter - Deschutes Brewery, OR
Super smooth. Oh yes it was, yum!

Mirror Mirror - Deschutes Brewery, OR
No notes, because I tried this on the first day. This was certainly one of the biggest surprises of the fest. A barleywine so good that Beth liked it.

Palo Santo Marron - Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, DE
Nice whiskey taste and strong. You got to love the fun stuff that Dogfish has, and I would definitely seek out a 22oz. bottle of this fine beer.

Archangel - John Harvard's Brew House, MA
Hoppy. Wow, I didn't say much for my favorite beer of the fest. It was made especially for this fest and boy did John Harvard's hit it out of the park. A lovely example of a DIPA.

Paper City Summer Brew - Paper City Brewery, MA
Super refreshing. I do not know much about Helles Bock, but I know that after a lot of ales and stouts, this was quite the pallet cleanser. It wasn't too kitschy like their peach beer.

Saint Botolph's Town - Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project, MA
Refreshing and good body. Apperently good body is really important to me. I want my beer to either match what it looks like, or find a blance with taste so I am not distracted when I drink. This was a brown. Pretty Things was awesome and you should support the homegrown movement.

Duck-Rabbit Barleywine - The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, NC
Wow, strong but balanced. While Duck-Rabbit wasn't the show stopper, it certainly was a highlight of my fest. I only had this and the porter, but both were so enjoyable that I quickly gained faith in them and want to try more.



+:
Dorado Double IPA - Ballast Point Brewing, CA
Way too fruity. And we all know that I love the IPAs

Crazy Ivan - Bear Republic Brewing Co., CA
Smooth but tart. Beth actually got this sample, though I tried it. It was so tart compared to the Norcal.

NorCal - Bear Republic Brewing Co., CA
Not all that bitter. It is supposed to be a bitter, but it didn't have all that much bite for me. But overall I trust Bear Republic.

Flashback Anniversary Ale - Boulder Brewing Co., CO
Good, but light. Trust in Boulder beer.

Mojo Risin' - Boulder Brewing Co., CO
Good and solid. this is a cheat. I have had it before and I know that I like it. Do not get it confused with just Mojo, though.

Cuvee de Cardoz - Brooklyn Brewery, NY
Nice and peppery. A Belgian style ale.

Obsidian Stout - Deschutes Brewery, OR
Smooth and big body. Probably would have been better if I hadn't drank it next to the porter.

Titan - Great Divide Brewing, CO
Solid. I've had it before, and it is solid.

Toasted Brown Ale - John Harvard's Brew House, MA
Smooth. Apparently at John Harvard's booth, I had given up description. But, overall, they have fine beer.

Milk Stout - Left Hand Brewing Co., CO
Milk-like. Well, I should hope so. This is a good basic stout from Left Hand and you should try it.

Oak Aged Imperial Stout - Left Hand Brewing Co., CO
Not too stout, better than Stone's. Way to go Left Hnad, beating one of my favorite brewers at their own game. Imperial stouts should have a kick, but be drinkable, too.

90 Shilling - Odell Brewing Co., CO
Smooth. A Scottish ale, and one that I have seen a lot in stores, especially in Colorado and Kansas. I would consider this next time I am looking for something different.

One Eared Monkey - Paper City Brewery, MA
Wow, like peach! This brewer had some exciting flavors that were enjoyable. I wouldn't necessarily buy a 6-pack, but it is good to try something different.

Baby Tree - Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project, MA
Good Belgium, no real plum taste. A quad, with plums. But really, it felt like neither of those, and was simply refreshing.

Honey-Orange Wheat - Rogue Ales, OR
Crisp and summer. A realy tasty summer beer, which I guess I think I like more than I will admit. Sometimes I am scared of what Rogue offers, but this worked.

Shipyard Export - Shipyard Brewing Co., ME
Refreshing but plain. An English style ale. Shipyard is good, but never can make it to the next tier with me. But Beth loves their Blueberry!

Coney Island Human Blockhead - Shmaltz Brewing Co., CA
Bittersweet. These are the same gus that do HE'BREW. Enjoyable, but from a Barleywine, I want more.
HE'BREW Rejewventator - Shmaltz Brewing Co., CA
Enjoyable. Best name of the fest. A half dopplebock, half dubbel. Though this isn't upper tier material, I would like to try more from them.

Gravitation Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Co., NH
Yes raisin! Raisin beers have their one distinct taste that you have to try. You'll love it or hate it, and you'll definitely know when it doesn't work. This is a great example from a great brewer.

Prohibition Ale - Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, CA
No notes. But I was pleasently surprised how enjoyable it was. I had it with my free meal.

2007 Stone Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co., CA
Tart. I had high expectations for this, and was a little disappointed. It wasn't bad at all, but I really feel like imperial stouts should be a malt first.

Duck-Rabbit Porter - The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, NC
Nice body with balance. Porters are so fun to drink, because they have a little bit of everything, and this one worked all the parts in equally.

XVI Anniversary Barley Wine - Uinta Brewing Co., UT
Drinkable. Good job for something that I was trying because the line to Dogfish was so long that I was at Uinta's booth.



0:
Summer Solstice - Anderson Valley Brewing C0., CA
Berry flavor. Apparently.

Red Barron Ale - Blue Hills Brewery, MA
Okay, not exciting. This matched with the other Blue hills that I tried, not impressed with a local brewery.

Brooklyn Moster Ale 2007 - Brooklyn Brewery, NY
Not a great barleywine. I was actually disappointed that Brooklyn did not make a good barleywine.

Hurricane Amber Ale - Coastal Extreme Brewing, RI
Not really an amber feel. I want my ambers to have some body.

Morimoto Soba Ale - Rouge Ales, OR
Yeasty. Which, apparently is not enjoyable.

Star Island Single - Smuttynose Brewing Co., NH
Good if you want an abbey. Yeah, but I really didn't want an abbey at the time.

Bootlegger Black Lager - Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, CA
Smooth, licorice. It is what it is, probably a good example, but I didn't like it.

Special Taco Mac 30 Year Anniversary Ale - Terrapin Beer Co., GA
Fun, but not that exciting. 30 ingrediants, that were well balanced, but it wasn't that good. I still find myself not trusting Terrapin, yet I keep trying.



-:
Blue Hill IPA - Blue Hills Brewery, MA
Boring. You would expect an IPA to at least have a bite.



--:
Imperial Skibsol - Cambridge Brewing Co., MA
Bacon. The initial taste was bacon. And I couldn't get past in. Sad, for I love CBC.

#26, #27, #28 for Ben

Beer: Old Ruffian Barley Wine
Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company, Colorado
Category: American Barleywine
Date Drank: 4/10/09
Grade: A-
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: 22oz. Bottle

Great Divide is amazing. They continually have outstanding beer and I have never been disappointed. True, I am glad that I tried the Rice Beer before ever buying a bottle, but other than that oddity, just try anything they make. This drink sets my standard from what I want from barley wines. The only thing that docks it a point is that I was having trouble finishing such a big bottle because of the 10% alcohol content. Which, really, it shouldn't count against it, but if you want a straight A or even A+, you need make me want more of you. I like that barley wines can either be hoppy or malty, and this one is a nice balance between the two. A bite, a smoothness. Just so yummy.


Beer: Founders Porter
Brewery: Founders Brewing Company, Michigan
Category: American Porter
Date Drank: 4/8/09
Grade: B+
Location purchased/drank: Whole Foods
Served from a: bottle

I wish that Founders was more available out here. OUr friend Josh raves about the brewery every time we mention beer, and as well he should. The description on the bottle says "dark, rich, and sexy." And, really, it is. For Beth and I, after we had our first bottle, we realized how rich it was. We were almost afraid to drink it with the wrong type of food. We had it with a more hardy of a meal, ham I believe. It is very much a dessert beer, but not like chocolate dessert, but certainly that can finish up a meal very easily.

Beer: Claymore Scotch Ale
Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company, Colorado
Category: Scotch Ale
Date Drank: 4/10/09
Grade: B+
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: tap

My first Scotch Ale. So, they look like porters, but they carmalize the wort and typically have a higher alcohol content. It was a good beer, but really, you could have told me that it was a strong porter and would have been very happy. I don't know much about the category, but certainly would like to learn more and try more of this. Maybe go visit Scotland?

#24 and #25 for Ben

One quarter of the way through. I really need to make a list so I know what I need to drink. The beer fest samples will not count, sadly.

Beer: 90 Minute IPA
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Delaware
Category: American Double IPA
Date Drank: 3/25/09
Grade: B+
Location purchased/drank: Whole Foods
Served from a: Bottle

I know that I love this beer and I know that I have had it better from the tap at the Independent. But, that's okay. I still recommend it from the bottle. For the hop-head, like I, this is the best of the Minutes group... that I have tried. I want to try the 75 minute when I can. Wherever it may be. The numbers have to do with the alcohol level in the beer, so this is pretty strong for a social beer. I think, though, why this isn't in the A-range is that I am put off by raisin-y flavor. Shame, because that is the way a lot of my favorite beers go. I'm not disgusted, but it certainly is a B-level flavor for me.

Beer: Red Rocket Ale
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing, California
Category: American Amber
Date Drank: 3/31/09
Grade: B+
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: Tap

Bear Republic is quickly becoming one of my favorite brewers. This beer is a nice go-between for both Beth and I, since we both had it. It is a light beer for her, a dark for me. It was very well balanced between the malt and the hops. It is a great example of an Amber. But, I didn't drink a second glass of it. It was about as far away I wanted to stray for my normal beers that day.

Redbones celebrates Boulder Beer, #22 & #23

I Hope that Beth catches up soon in posting. I like seeing her thoughts on what she drinks.

Beer: Mojo Risin' Double IPA
Brewery: Boulder Beer, Colorado
Category: American Double IPA
Date Drank: 3/30/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: Redbones
Served from a: Tap

I love the DIPAs, but I, for some reason, never really got around to drinking this. I liked it. A little cloudy in color and the hops will bite you right away. The malt was more of an after taste than a taste. As it is, Boulder has a good track record, and are a solid brewing company. If you like your DIPA to bite then sooth, it's a good choice.

Beer: Planet Porter - Cask Conditioned
Brewery: Boulder Beer, Colorado
Category: American Porter
Date Drank: 3/30/09
Grade: A-
Location purchased/drank: Redbones
Served from a: Cask

This is an excellent beer with a cask condition. It was really velvety smooth, with a subtle hint of cocoa. It had a nice medium body that made it drinkable. And, without the additional nitrogen it felt settled. Like, not coffee grounds settled, but after stirring something settled. It was highly enjoyable and I wonder what it is like when it is not cask-condition. Hell, if you are reading this right now, get down to Redbones.

Ben, #20, #21

Beer: #9
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company, Vermont
Category: Fruit/Vegetable Beer
Date Drank: 3/21/09 & 3/27/09
Grade: B-
Location purchased/drank: The Thirsty Scholar & Champions & bottle
Served from a: Tap & bottle

I never thought that I would give one of my gateway beers such a low grade. But really, in the large scheme, it is not all that low. I just know what I like and I tend to only drink that way. But, anyway, Magic Hat, to where Beth and I even went to the brewery on our honeymoon, is a good beer company with good beer. You definitely should try it if you are ever near it. It is the imfamous apricot beer. It is smooth as drinking anything full of citrus can be. Hazy, and medium. Not that heavy in alcohol, so it is a good every day type of drink. Sometimes it is a relief for me to see this on the menu, like at Champions, but with Thirsty Scholar, where I expect more selection, just resolved to drink this because I know what to expect.

Beer: Tremont Ale
Brewery: Shipyard Brewing Co., Maine
Category: English Pale Ale
Date Drank: 3/21/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: The Thirsty Scholar
Served from a: Tap

This beer is a little powerhouse of an English Ale. I am starting to see that I like the English Pale Ales, and never really seem to want to get an American Pale Ale. Typically English ingredients and hard water are what make the flavor. Buttery. Hoppy. Yes, these are ingredients that I can get behind.

Ben, #18 & #19

Beer: Abbey Normal
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company, Massachusetts
Category: Dubbel
Date Drank: 3/24/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: Cambridge Brewing Company
Served from a: Tap

Unlike the Strong Ales that I tend to pick when I drink Belgian, this is not as tart and fruity as I am used to. It was describe as raisiny, and malty, which both CBC did deliver on. It did have a classic Belgian taste to it, but grew more mild as I drank it. Solid beer, and anything seasonal is worth the try at CBC.

Beer: Ipswich Original Ale
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company, Massachusetts
Category: English Pale Ale
Date Drank: 3/15/09
Grade: B+
Location purchased/drank: Miracle of Science & Whole Foods
Served from a: Tap & Bottle respectively

Ipswich is so unassuming when it comes to beer. They don't try to over power you with flavor, but simply make something that is enjoyable. And there original ale is just that. This is an ale that you would want if you sat down and said, "Give me an ale!" I guess smooth would best describe it, since it is there to drink leisurely or wash down a meal. I bought this for both occasions. I tend to like my beers that are memorable for a reason, but it is pretty much memorable without. Great for parties, like a baby shower!

Ben's #16 & #17

My list of beers to review was getting as long as those that I those that I had already reviewed.


Beer: Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Brewery: Anderson Valley Brewing Company, California
Category: Oatmeal Stout
Date Drank: 3/18/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: Tap

THough Beth loved this beer, I wasn't overly impressed. Sure, it was a good beer, but I wasn't won over with body or taste, the two things that I expect from a stout. I guess that I really want my stouts to be like drinking milk (body wise). But, hey, it was enjoyable to the last drop. It went well with the ice-cream layered cake that we chose to eat.

Beer: Hercules Double IPA
Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company, Colorado
Category: American Double/Imperial IPA
Date Drank: 3/16/09
Grade: A-
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: Tap

My first experience with this was way back in Colorado, I believe at the Great American Beer Fest, and I have loved it ever since first sip. It falls into the grapefruit-like beer that I love, but it also has body, too. Great Divide is a leader among great beers, and certainly try anything you find... except the rice-beer. Funny, though, after tasting a lot of those and mentally comparing to other DIPAs, this is not all that an uncommon a taste. Either I have good picking skills or I just love the whole group. But, this one will always hold a special place for me.

Ben's #15

I need to maybe keep a list on my person so I know what I have and have not reviewed. Probably right now is fine, but imagine about 70 beers in?

Beer: Brutal Bitter Ale
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery, Oregon
Category: Extra Special/Strong Bitter
Date Drank: 3/9/09
Grade: B+
Location purchased/drank: Wine and Cheese Cask/home
Served from a: 22 oz Bottle in a glass

This is a hop lover's beer. You take a sip and say, "My, this is bitter. Yet coyingly enjoyful." Hoppy, yes, but the malt is there to tune it down. But just a little. The balance is kinda like a sweet &sour sauce. The whole ah-ooh affect. But, being brutal, this beer only does get a B+ for it is more of a novelty than a thirst quencher. I put down my glass and felt happy, but was okay that I didn't have more.

#14, Ben

Beer: Racer 5 IPA
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewery, California
Category: American IPA
Date Drank: 3/6/09
Grade: A-
Location purchased/drank: Whole Foods
Served from a: Bottle

This is a fine example of a normal IPA. Compare this to the Harpoon version, and you'll see what can be done so simply, yet so strong in flavor. It is an easy drinking experience, too. Sure, it is bitter, but it goes down with now aftertaste/afterburps. Decently high, too, in the alcohol. I first had this, knowingly, at a bar in Northampton. I loved it there, but was weary of California beers. I still think that the majority of California beers suck. But this one is a keeper. I drank three (over a week) expecting something to be bad about it, but really, this might be the finest single IPA I have had.

#11, 12, 13, Ben

Beer Advocate has taken away their state listings on beer reviews? Makes things a little more annoying, but oh well. Things will work out.

#11
Beer: Harpoon IPA
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery, Massachusetts
Category: American IPA
Date Drank: 3/1/09
Grade: B-
Location purchased/drank: The Cheesecake Factory
Served from a: Tap

This was one my beer. This is my gateway beer to beer snobbery. And it is still a delicious and refreshing beer. But, since I have matured in my tastes, there is nothing special or defining about this beer anymore. for me. Certainly, if you haven't had it, try it, but there are better examples and variations. This is a starter beer, I suppose. It is what an IPA is supposed be, hoppy and with citrus flavor. This is the first beer that Beth called a Ben-beer.

#12
Beer: Unearthly IPA
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company, New York
Category: Double IPA
Date Drank: 3/2/09
Grade: A-
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: Tap

Solid, solid beer. Funny to review this after the Harpoon. I love Imperials/Double IPAs. They have the flavor profile on an IPA (well, doubled), but they beef it up with body, like malt. On top of that, it is high in alcohol. So, it is quite the drinking experience. I love that the Independent always has one of this style on top. Looking at the picture from BA, I have seen the bottle for sale before at Whole Foods. Maybe I will put two and two together and try to buy this at some time, for person use at home.

#13
Beer: Double Simcoe IPA
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co., Pennsylvania
Category: Double IPA
Date Drank: 3/2/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: Tap

I had had this before, and enjoyed it, but drinking it right after the Unearthly, you realize how much more this beer could be. It certainly had less body to it, and it had a piney taste. Which is fine, but it certainly distracted from the bigger drinking picture. As the Unearthly went down so smooth, every time you took a sip of this one, you said to yourself, "Oh yeah, this is what I am drinking." I like beers that want to be your friend and not be the center of attention.

#10, Ben

Beer: Blunderbuss Barley Wine
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company, Massachusetts
Category: American Barleywine
Date Drank: 2/28/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: Red Bones
Served from a: Tap

So, I have become rally fascinated with Barleywines. They are hoppy and full of alcohol. What's not to love? So, I had a chance to have CBC's Barleywine while out in David Sq. I think that it was a good drink. In fact, I drank two, but I wasn't overly wowed by it. I think that CBC produces from fine beer, and will always trust what they make. This is a solid example of what a barley should be, but not overly what it can be.

On a side note. This is not good for quenching heat from spicy food.

#8 and 9, for Ben.

Beer: Raison D'Etre
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Delaware
Category: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Date Drank: 2/26/09
Grade: B-
Location purchased/drank: Silvertone
Served from a: Tap

Now that I am starting to really consider how beers do compare to each other, this received a lower grade. Well, lower than in would have when we were obsessed with it for a few months in 2007. But, when you compare it to Delirum Tremens, which is the pale Belgian, you would think that this would be similar. Drinking this, you don't really think of Belgian beer. Sure, it's tart, like you would want, but the kick was missing. Now, I love Dogfish madly, and gladly drink this, but it really is a middle of the pack good beer. Nothing more.

Beer: Anchor Steam Beer
Brewery: Anchor Beer Company, California
Category: Steam Beer
Date Drank: 2/26/09
Grade: B-
Location purchased/drank: Silvertone
Served from a: Bottle

Similar lines with the Steam Beer. The steam has to fermentation when refrigeration was scarce. Common back then, but not so much now. Now, I love Anchor and believe in their beer, but I have always felt that this should be their flagship. That this should be the beer that people remember them by. And, instead, it was like "honey and rye". Enjoyable, but nothing that made a lasting impression that would make me favorite it over other Anchor beers. Maybe if I had other Steam beers to compare it to, I would understand, but not in the larger picture.

Oh, and Silvertone was alright for beer when it comes to right-after-work office restaurants. The food was good, too.

#7, Ben

#7
Beer: Shakespeare Stout
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery, Oregon
Category: American Stout
Date Drank: 2/24/09
Grade: A
Location purchased/drank: Wine and Cheese Cask
Served from a: 22 0z bottle

This is what I want to taste when I drink a stout. As we know, I am a hoppy person, not the stout person that Beth is, but I think that it is a fine style of beer. When drink a stout, I want a nice body, but not one that chokes you as you drink it. I want to think of chocolate and coffee, the two best flavors for a stout. And this is a mixture of the two. It was a stout that I didn't mind drinking at all and I wanted more. It was refreshing! You don't think that about stouts, since they are more a desserty beer. But this one was just so damned enjoyable.

#6, Ben

#6
Beer: Hennepin (Farmhouse Saison)
Brewery: Brewery Ommegang, New York
Category: Saison/Farmhouse Ale
Date Drank: 2/23/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: Wine and Cheese Cask (A gift!)
Served from a: 22 oz. bottle

Saisons are not my style of drink that I normally have, so it is hard for me to judge. I guess that's what this is. But it is done nicely, with a tart taste, golden body, a little clouding. It sticks with you in the back of the throat, which is probably why I don't normal drink this style. I'm giving it a B because I think this is what it should taste like. It is memeorable, but not WOW!

100 different beers

#4

Beer: Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale
Brewery: Stone Brewing Company, California
Category: American Strong Ale

Date Drank: 2/21/09

Grade: B+

Location purchased/drank: The Independent

Served from a : Tap

I have had the original version of this beer and loved it, so I thought that I would give it a try oaked. Who knew that oak flavored beer would be good. At least it was done through a brewery I trust. Nice mix of body and aroma. Hoppy, but mellowed out by sweetness. It didn't necessary taste like oak, but like you were drinking from inside a wardrobe. The atmosphere, not the flavor.

#5

Beer: Delirium Tremens
Brewery: Brouwerij Huyghe, Belgium
Category: Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Date Drank: 2/21/09

Grade: A-

Location purchased/drank: The Independent

Served from a : Tap

Almost impossible to pass when you see this beauty on tap. It was my gateway Belgian beer. It has the right mix of flavor, refreshing ability, plus that certain bitter kick that you should expect from a great Belgian beer. On BA, they describe it as "hazy golden", which I think is perfect.

Last night Beth and I went out with a couple of people from her Starbucks for a few drinks. I love the staff at the bar over there. I need people who want to go play scrabble and drink beer. You know, like 5 p.m., before the dinner rush. It's my third place!

100 different beers

To revive the blog, I'm going to review 100 different beers.

Format may change over time.

#1

Beer: Anchor Liberty Ale
Brewery: Anchor Brewing Company, California
Category: American Pale Ale

Date Drank: 02/19/09

Grade: B

Location purchased/drank: Whole Foods

Served from a : Bottle

Anchor is a good brewery. I haven't had anything bad yet. Steam beer is an interesting concept, and apparently they are the only ones that do it. Whatever "it" is.

#2

Beer: Grimbergen Dubbel
Brewery: Brouwerij Alken-Maes, Belgium
Category: Dubbel

Date Drank: 02/19/09

Grade: B

Location purchased/drank: Wine and Cheese Cask

Served from a : Bottle

Simple Belgian taste, though I almost gave it a B- because it taste much worse from the bottle then poured into a glass.


#3

Beer: 60 Minute IPA
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Delaware
Category: American IPA

Date Drank: 02/20/09

Grade: B+

Location purchased/drank: Whole Foods

Served from a : Bottle

I love Dogfish! Though still the 90-minute is best.

Avery Brewing Company: Collaboration Not Litigation Ale

Beer: Collaboration Not Litigation Ale
Brewery: Avery Brewing Company, Colorado
Category: Strong Dark

The Drinker: Ben

Grade: B

Location purchased/drank: The Independent

Served from a : Tap

The Drink: From the menu: "Dark amber, Belgain style" and "Corriander, cloves, and malt". It certainly has a Belgian flair, and a true medium body.

Notes: Beth tried a sip and described it as "Coyingly Belgian". I think that it is a fine beer, but lacks anything to make it memoriable. I love that The Independent always has something exciting to try. Not my favorite Colorado brewery, though.

Founder's Brewing Company: Centenial India Pale Ale

Beer: Centenial India Pale Ale
Brewery: Founder's Brewing Company, Michigan
Category: India Pale Ale

The Drinker: Ben

Grade: A-

Location purchased/drank: Whole Foods/Home

Served from a : Bottle

The Drink: So hoppy. IT was tart and floral to the smell and definitely tart in taste. The color was the beautiful amber color that IPAs should have. For me it started off with a medium body, just because of the flavor, but tappered off into a light body. The aftertaste was a delightfu lspice that wasn't noticeable at first.


Notes: When I opened the first bottle, the air rushed out so fast that I thought I had cut myself. But, no, it was just a rush of cold air. First time that has ever happend to me. We ate this with a Mexican style dinner, and it paired great. I have had Founder's before at Sunset Grill, and loved that beer, too. Good stuff.

Anchor Beer Company: Our Special Ale 2006

Beer: Our Special Ale 2006
Brewery: Anchor Beer Company, California
Category: Holiday Seasonal

The Drinker: Ben

Grade: B

Location purchased/drank: Whole Foods/Home

Served from a : Bottle

The Drink: An aged beer, 2 years this time. It was red in the glass. The head stayed around a lot longer this time through. The body was lighter than the '06. There was the overall taste of nutmeg and pine, but not that overwhelming. More like you drinking at Christmastime, not drinking Christmas itself. The alcohol content was not as noticeable.

Notes: We had talked up with our friends how interesting the '03, we were planning to share the last four bottles. But too our surprise, the beer we had in hand was actually the beer we bought. So, we only had the 4 '06s and 2 '03s. We showed off our beer geekiness, and had a good time. We stuckit between Mexican meatloaf and yummy espresso chocolate cake. These two experiences with the holiday beer has led me to trust Anchor as a brewery and will look forward to trying other stuff.