Archive for October, 2011

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Three Floyds Brewing Company Brian Boru (365 Day 324)

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Three Floyds Brian Boru

Even after a couple of months sitting in the fridge, Brian Boru by Three Floyds Brewing Company, hasn’t lost too much. The usual profile of a Three Floyds American craft beer is prominent as a nice bed of hop aromas and flavors compliment the beer.

Definitely a beer that I have no trouble befriending over and over again. Only a few more months and a new batch will be4 hitting the shelves. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9 (25%), Taste: 9 (25%), Look: 9 (15%), Drinkability: 9 (35%), Overall: 9.0

Useless Fact: Men fart an average of 17 times a day, and women fart an average of 9 times a day.

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The Bruery Provisions Series – Bierbauch (365 Day 323)

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Bruery Provisions Series - Bierbauch

Lately, long hours at work have consumed me to the point were I feel like a walking zombie. Monster has become my best friend, trying to reason with my eye lids to stay open in spite of being so much more comfortable closed. In my sleep deprived state my mind has wondered to the point of knowing that I have gained a lot of weight, since starting this 365 days of American craft beer, trying to figure out how I might solve this problem of the emerging blimp.

I started working out but my mind slipped further to the point of suggesting I should take the month of December off from reviewing beers. See what the lack of good ole malt will do to my waste line combined with a few extra minutes on the elliptical. Luckily not too many people read this blog or word could get out and I might find myself committed.

Of course I managed my way to American craft beer 323. Provisions Series – Bierbauch by The Bruery is their version of a Maibock. I have to admit that I am not much of a lager fan but Maibocks are one of the few exceptions. Bierbauch is finely crafted, enlightening the senses with typical Maibock aromas and flavors, while adding a touch of vanilla from barrel aging. Alcohol comes through but not enough to deter. Very nice.

Today I will leave you with a quote: “There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled” – Edward Lucas (obviously this guy wasn’t drinking good beer, but it feels right at the moment). Enjoy!

Aroma: 9 (25%), Taste: 9 (25%), Look: 10 (15%), Drinkability: 8 (35%), Overall: 8.8

Useless Fact: The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin in World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.

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Founders Brewing Company Breakfast Stout (365 Day 322)

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Founders Breakfast Stout

Breakfast Stout does it really go well with breakfast? I have had it for breakfast, so I am speaking from experience when I say, yes. It also goes well any other time of the day.

Founders Brewing Company probably doesn’t care when you imbibe, just as long as you do. The beer is obviously the base beer for multiple of their short release beers.

Coffee, chocolate, and sweet malts all titillate the senses. Coffee is the strongest but it doesn’t overwhelm, it is a pleasant, smooth sensation.

I have frequented this beer many of times throughout the day and I will continue to do so. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9 (25%), Taste: 9 (25%), Look: 9 (15%), Drinkability: 9 (35%), Overall: 9.0

Useless Fact: If one places a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death.

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Short’s Brewing Company Autumn Ale (365 Day 321)

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Short's Autumn Ale

Another autumn has dawned on the Midwest, bringing along with it the glutton of autumn beers. I thought it was the perfect time to try another fresh bottle of Autumn Ale by Short’s Brewing Company.

I originally had it earlier this year. Since Autumn Ale is brewed in the fall, I wondered how fresh a January bottle would be. Being that Autumn Ale is a slightly above average beer in my opinion, it wasn’t something that I was going out of my way for but a situation presented itself, so why not.

Hops are nice in the beer: floral hops dominate citrus hops. These come through in the aroma, especially early. Mid beer I couldn’t find them anywhere. Autumn Ale had transitioned to a malt forward beer: very sweet. The taste originally had the malts but those seemed to go south along with the aroma.

Another year and the same result. I feel I rated this beer fairly earlier this year. I would have it again but, as I stated, I not going to go out of my way for it. Enjoy!

Aroma: 7 (25%), Taste: 8 (25%), Look: 8 (15%), Drinkability: 7 (35%), Overall: 7.4

Useless Fact: By raising your legs slowly and laying on your back, you cannot sink into quicksand.

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Boulevard Brewing Company Dark Truth Stout (365 Day 320)

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Boulevard Dark Truth Stout

I have reviewed a few American imperial stouts and Russian imperial stouts lately that haven’t lived up to my expectations. My expectations are based on what I have experienced and perceived as the qualities I like in those American craft beer styles. This doesn’t mean that beers within the style that aren’t overly appealing to me are bad. My nose, palate, mood, age of the beer, how the beer was kept, etc can all change what I think about a beer. That’s why I also like to do this write up the day after I have had the beer to let it all digest.

Dark Truth Stout by Boulevard Brewing Company falls into this category of beer. It is an American imperial stout that just doesn’t do it for me. It is still a quality stout as I rated above average but it didn’t make me say wow.

As I thought about the experience a bit more, I feel that a big beer should have some dark fruits associated with it. Also, not that is needed, but I am used to so many sloppy sweet messes of a big beer that I almost expect it and feel a beer is missing something. This is where Dark Truth Stout shines – not sloppy sweet and didn’t make my lips stick together with all the sugars. A nice offering that, I assume, many will appreciate more than myself. Enjoy!

Aroma: 8 (25%), Taste: 7 (25%), Look: 9 (15%), Drinkability: 7 (35%), Overall: 7.6

Useless Fact: The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.

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Saugatuck Brewing Company Pier Cove Porter (365 Day 319)

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

The trials and tribulation of my American craft beer cellar have been well documented over the past 319 American craft beers. It has become very apparent that I have mishandled my share of beers. The latest causality weighs in as beer number 319.

Pier Cove Porter by Saugatuck Brewing Company hadn’t been in the cellar more than six months, but somehow it was soured. I knew when I heard the hiss of the carbonation upon popping the crown. Of course a huge amount of soured foam followed. I few sips were all I could handle before I moved on.

Unfortunately I was really looking forward to this beer. Enjoy!

Saugatuck Brewing Company

Useless Fact: The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.

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Terrapin Brewing Company Big Daddy Vlady’s Russian Imperial Stout (365 Day 318)

Saturday, October 15th, 2011

Terrapin Big Daddy Vlady's Russian Imperial Stout

Just another ho-hum Friday that was picked up by knowing an American craft beer was coming along soon. Big Daddy Vlady’s Russian Imperial Stout by Terrapin Brewing Company.

A Russian imperial stout (RIS), Big Daddy Vlady comes up a bit short for me. Licorice, chocolate, and a touch of roasted malts. I like my RIS to have dark fruits and hints of chocolate. The body was thin too.

Big Daddy Vlady is an average RIS that has a few teaks to be made in order to be to the style that I am looking for. Enjoy!

Aroma: 7 (25%), Taste: 7 (25%), Look: 9 (15%), Drinkability: 6 (35%), Overall: 7.0

Useless Fact: The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from public libraries.

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DuClaw Brewing Company Black Jack Stout (365 Day 317)

Friday, October 14th, 2011

DuClaw Black Jack Stout

Been a few weeks since Rich and I had a chance to get together on a Thursday evening. We managed to review four different beers with Black Jack Stout by DuClaw Brewing Company made it as American craft beer number 317.

Black Jack is a Russian imperial stout that is on the lighter end of the style. It still has good aroma and flavor without having the high alcohol, thick body, or the sometimes cloying mess that they can be. Instead it was a pleasant surprise to have a smooth drinking RIS. Good stuff. Enjoy!

Aroma: 8 (25%), Taste: 8 (25%), Look: 9 (15%), Drinkability: 8 (35%), Overall: 8.2

Useless Fact Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space because passing wind in a space suit damages them.

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Sixpoint Craft Ales Sweet Action (365 Day 316)

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Sixpoint Sweet Action

Sweet Action by Sixpoint Craft Ales lines up as American craft beer number 316. Sweet Action is a cream ale which, I have to admit, is a style that I don’t frequent. It could be a combination of two things: first, I don’t seem to see the style all that often and, two, it isn’t a style that I go looking for all that often.

Sweet Action lives up to the name. It is sweet as pale and caramel malts hit the senses. Hops are also bigger than I have experienced before. Floral and citrus are there to help balance the the malt but comes up just short. A solid beer and a good way to get introduced to Sixpoint. I look forward to more. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9 (25%), Taste: 8 (25%), Look: 9 (15%), Drinkability: 7 (35%), Overall: 8.1

Useless Fact: You’re more likely to die on your way to buy a lottery ticket than you are to actually win the lottery.

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Three Floyds Brewing Company Broo Doo (365 Day 315)

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Three Floyds Broo Doo

The other day was my birthday. My wife was nice enough to invite over the my family along with Rich and his family to celebrate. I busted out a bottle of 2009 Cuvee De Tomme that Rich, my wife, and I shared. As Rich left at the end of the night he mentioned that my “present” was in the fridge. If it is in the fridge it has to be American craft beer. Nice.

Later, when I opened the fridge, a bottle of Broo Doo by Three Floyds Brewing Company was staring at me, eye high. I knew exactly what to do: make this American craft beer number 315.

Broo Doo is released each October to honor my birthday. It is so nice of Three Floyds (3Fs) to think of me. Realistically this it the typical hop bomb that 3Fs puts out. Lots of pine, citrus, and tropical fruits for the nose and mouth to ponder. A bit more aggressive with the bittering hops than most of their beers, this is still one fine drinking beer, especially when it is less than two weeks old. Sometimes you forget the profile of a beer from year to year, even with notes.

I will have a few more Broo Doos over the next month before the hops start to lose their luster. If you have the means, pick up a bomber or three. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9 (25%), Taste: 9 (25%), Look: 9 (15%), Drinkability: 9 (35%), Overall: 9.0

Useless Fact: You can’t hum while holding your nose closed.

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