A Pint Half Full

Note: This is part 8 in a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beers they serve.

This is where things start getting fuzzy.

We moved from Morocco to France.  This area of Epcot is smaller as the space seems more cramped and France really consisted of a gift shop and a few bakeries.  There weren't too many attractions for France besides Beauty and the Beast.  It didn't, now it was about checking off the box and saying I had been to France and drank their beer.  This was also the last stop before going to "Soaring" (we had gotten our fast pass at 11AM for the 4:30PM line), one of the newer motion rides at Epcot.


The ride was great - these 4-D rides have come a long way since Star Tours and Body Wars (barf!).  Soaring was smooth and immersive as the screen you are watching are ginormous and really puts you into the environment.  The mechanics of the motion machine are smooth and you will hardly feel sick.  This is definitely one of the best rides at Epcot.  
I didn't even get sick after the Kronenbourg 1664 I had in France.

Purchased from:
Total Wine and More, Alexandria, VA

ABV%:
6.7%

Type:
India Pale Ale

Color:
Deep amber hue with an orange-tinged, fluffy head

Aroma:
Citrus and piney scented hops emanate from the head and grow stronger as the head fades.  Alcohol mixed in there as well with a tiny tiny hint of spice.

Taste:
Somewhat full bodied with a delayed hit of a major load of hops and bitterness in the back of the palate.  The alcohol is a bit overpowering.  There is hardly any sweetness and the hop taste lingers for a good long time after you finish.  No dry finish to speak of but it does warm the throat.


Overall:
After trying Victory Brewing's Hop Wallop beer at Columbia Firehouse in Old Town Alexandria, I wanted to check out the rest of their line.  The Hop Wallop was wonderfullly balanced with hops taking the forefront, better balanced I felt than the Hop Devil.  However, one cannot deny the freshness and bright flavor of the hops in this beer.  It's too bad the alcohol somewhat detracted from fully enjoying all the flavors and it covered up some of the malt sweetness to balance the bitters.  But it does get you your hop fix; the flavor is complex, wonderful and sticks on your tongue for a long time to enjoy.  The artwork is great too - that little hop devil is so cute (it looks like a bull).

3.75/5

Was away from the coldness of the DC area this week and arrived in "sunny" San Diego.  I was hoping to get away from the snow and rain but all I got upon arrival was even MORE rain with added wind.  Asking the hotel receptionist what was up with the weather, she said that it was the first time this year it had rained in SD.  Awesome, this trip is gonna suck.

Fortunately, the rain subsided over the next few days, the sun eventually came out, and I was able to go out and try some new local beers!  I really liked that even the hotel bars and alot of the restaurants had local microbrews on tap along with the other mainstream stuff.  It allowed me to explore and try out stuff I'd never get on the east coast.

The beers I were able to try were a couple from Ballast Point brewery - Victory At Sea Imperial Porter and their Yellowtail Pale Ale.  Also tasted was the Firehouse Pale Ale and Stone IPA.  It was great to see such a thriving beer community there.  Also, had some Fat Tire Amber Ale, a staple on any trip out to the West Coast.

Impressions of beer after the jump.

Note: This is part 7 in a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beers they serve.

After a quick break in America to rest up, we journeyed over the pacific into feudal Japan.  This Japan was kind of like you stepped into an old forest village, complete with man-made coy ponds, temples, and traditional houses that look like you are playing Ninja Gaiden on Xbox.  We went into the shop there and alongside the Mickey and Minnie dolls dressed in kimonos and other random Japanese trinkets and delicate stationery, there was a live oyster pond where one could find their own pearls.  This was pretty cool but I wish they were serving the raw oysters for consumption instead.  Finished browsing, we went and caught the Taiko drummers perform.  They had a monster drum and it was well done, rhythmic AND melodic. 


As far as beer goes, I passed on the beer in Japan since I've had most of the brews that they were serving (Asahi and Kirin).  Both decent beers but I wanted to keep things moving so I could try some stuff I never had (and preserve some sense of sobriety - for the kids). 

We moved on to Morocco.

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday.  For dinner, I made a pork loin roast, corn bread stuffing, miso codfish, wintermelon soup, and my sister made garlic mashed pototoes.  Everything turned out well for the most part.  My pork was dry, though.  That's ok, I had enough beverages to wash it all down.

Other fun activities was going to sing karaoke, seeing Chanticleer - an all male acapella group - sing unnaturally high (falsetto or castrati?!), and spending the rest of the time giving my sister a hard time.  Just like the old days.

Back to the food and drink: on the table this weekend was the Southern Tier Harvest Ale, the Stone Double Bastard, and some Otter Creek Pale Ale that I got earlier last week.  For you wine drinkers, we also got some wine on my sister's recommendation - a 2006 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a red wine from Italy.  Impressions after the jump.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  Hope you are all enjoying time with friends or loved ones and sharing some good food.  Oh, and beer, of course.

As I went food shopping, I picked up a couple fresh brews that I'm pretty excited to try over this long weekend.  The first is a big bottle of Stone Brewing's Double Bastard Ale.  This looks like a beast of a beer at 10.5% ABV with potential of awesome flavor.  Looking forward to it.

 
Second, I picked up Southern Tier's Harvest Ale. I've tried their Pumpkin Ale offering and really liked it so I thought to give this a try with dinner.  I will post my impressions next week.

So, what are you all drinking and eating? Feel free to leave your impressions in the comments.

First, I just want to say that I still hold by my opinion that American light beers (Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light et al.) are weak, flavorless, and are a detriment to the beer landscape.  They reduce the appreciation of better quality beers with richer flavors brewed with creativity.  Due to the mass production and cheap-ness of it however, it is impossible to escape these choices when out and sometimes they are your only choice.  Case in point - my friday night at BBQ Chicken and Beer (BBQ = Best of the Best Quality, really).

Note: This is part 6 in a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beers they serve.

Next stop on our trip around the world was my personal favorite country, the United States of America.  The moment I walked into the town square, I felt a sense of national pride.  With a brick walkway and red,white and blue flags draped everywhere, America at Epcot is designed to mimic Independence Hall in Philadelphia.  There is a large "town square" where you can watch a drum and fife corps perform some of America's "greatest hits" - songs you don't know the name of but have heard when you learned about the revolutionary war in 6th grade.

No trip to America would be complete without junk food and beer.

Purchased from:
Whole Foods, Fair Lakes, VA

ABV%:
9%

Type:
Ale

Color:
Hazy, rich, golden hue with a pillowy white head

Aroma:
Immediately smelled of cloves and spices with alcohol interlaced, finishing up with a little sweetness

Taste:
More cloves and spice.  Almost tasted like this beer was "smoked".  The 9% ABV is pretty high and it provides a warming feeling but it is not overbearing.  Medium bodied with a flavor that you won't forget.

Overall:
I saw this in Whole Foods a couple times and was intrigued by the name and the image of a "golden" Canada (seriously?).  I really like the Unibroue Brewery; I've had fond memories of hanging out at Brickskeller in DC drinking bottles of Unibroue Edition 2004 (or was it 2005?) with friends and the stuff was just awesome.  So when I saw this offering I could not resist picking up a pack despite its $9/4bottle price tag.

La Fin Du Monde literally means "The Ends of the World" according to the box and is self described as "liquid gold".  If I thought about what liquid gold tastes like, it'd be close to this beer.  Unibroue has done a great job with this, delivering a unique flavor that is sure to awaken your taste buds to what beer can offer.  It is pleasant and easy to drink despite its high ABV but every sip is wonderful.  The flavor is very complex with its layers of smoky, spicy taste, finishing dry and warm, enticing you to drink more.  Be careful though, the alcohol will definitely hit you in the end.  I highly recommend this brew.

4.5/5

When I think of beer paired with food, immediately my mind thinks of something that complements a main dish or would be good to whet my appetite.  This is probably due to the nature of most ales and lagers, which are hop-focused, lending a bitter, acidic flavor.  Some beer can be give a dry, clean finish to open up the taste buds to prepare for additional food intake.   Savory foods can then be enjoyed fully as the beer fully enhances whatever it is you are eating.

Prompted by one of my faithful readers, cmfl3x, I began to think about what beers would actually complement the after dinner meal - dessert.  First of all, I don't really have a sweet tooth at all; one fun size kit kat and I've got my chocolate fix for a good 2 weeks.  Also, I favor beers that are more on the hoppy end of the spectrum which does not go well with candy or sweets.  The mixture of the bitters and acidity that you taste conflict with the sweetness from whatever dessert you are eating.

Note:  This is part 5 in a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beers they serve.

We reluctantly left Germany and took the short walk to Italy.  This was prior to our REAL trip to Italy so I had no frame of reference for what to expect.  However, now that I've been to Italy, I can say that Epcot tried to model their version off of Piazza Navona and its wide open space and light stone architecture.

I grabbed a Moretti from the beer stand prior to entering the piazza and watching a weird street performer jump around, speak gibberish, and blow a whistle while doing tricks. Things were getting surreal at this point.

Purchased from:
Giant Supermarket

ABV%:
5.8%

Type:
Lager

Color:
Deep brown which poured a relatively thick head

Aroma:
Mainly brown sugar malt, a bit of floral hops with a tinge of cinnamon

Taste:
Full bodied, sweet, a little spicy from the cinnamon ending with a little bit of hop bitters and warming alcohol

Overall:
After my disappointment in the Sam Adams Octoberfest, I went into the Winter Lager with lowered expectations. In previous years batches, I remembered tasting alot more spices in the mix but this year's is much more mild.   It is easy to drink and has more malt taste as it is quite sweet.  The cinnamon is prevalent to add a spicy, icy-hotness.  This is balanced with a bit of hop bitterness to counteract the sweet backbone.  The alcohol content along with the warming spices and sweetness make this a pleasant drink during the cold months ahead.  A quality, solid offering from Sam Adams once again.
 
3.5/5

Note: This is part 4 of a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beer they serve.

Our travels take us from the Far East back to Europe as we entered Germany in our trip around the world.   If I learned anything from Epcot about Germany, it seems like it'd be that the country is all about Octoberfest, pretzels, chocolate, sausage, and castles.  And that's ok by me!  As you stroll through the little German town with the stone cobbled streets, surrounded by medieval architecture, Epcot once again transports you to a new country.  The color themes are in contrast to the brightness of China and now I see that this was probably by design.

Apparently, Snow White lives in Germany too as we passed by a photo stop where you could take pictures with her.

Purchased from: 
Whole Foods, Fair Lakes, VA

ABV%:
5.3%

Type:
Pilsner

Color:
Golden yellow straw color with a pure white, thick head that lingers and carries the aroma

Aroma:
Malt, lemon, apple in the background with hops up front

Taste:
Hop bitterness, light carbonation that is refreshing, crisp and clean.  Finishes with light malt sweetness. 

Overall:
After trying Dale's Pale Ale at Rustico, I wanted to check out some more offerings from the Oskar Blues Brewery based out of Colorado.  This brewery is unique in that they package all their beers in cans.  I think that cans carry a stigma amongst the beer world as being cheap or imparting the metal taste to the beer.  However, according to their website, Oskar Blues decided to use cans after finding out that there is a barrier between the metal and the liquid so that no aluminum actually touches the beer.  In addition, no light can touch the beer which preserves freshness and reduces chance of skunk.  I have to say, the theory holds true as this beer was great out of the can and tasted as good as it would out of a bottle and even, dare I say, on tap!

Aside from the freshness, Mama's Little Yella Pils is smooth, drinkable, and very well balanced, delivering a solid pilsner taste.  I love the bitterness and slight sweetness, with a little bit of acidity from the citrus flavor.  The hops leave your mouth a little dry in the end making you want to drink more.  With a lighter ABV%, it is quite easy to get through a few of these in no time.  The cans are quirky and attractive and I love this brewery's attitude - and they back it up with quality stuff.  Both Dale's Pale Ale and the Little Yella Pils are yummy.  Highly recommended if you can find it.

4.5/5

We've all been to parties or get-togethers with friends.  Let's be honest, the food and drink spread can make or break the party.  If there's a shortage or lack of selection of either, no matter who/what is there (your best friends, a girl you what to get to know better, Rock Band), the party will fail.  Even if Funkmaster Flex was spinning, the party won't begin until you're stuffing your face with cocktail wieners and washing it down with a beer.  So I'm listing 5 rules which should help those people planning gatherings amongst friends to make their party a hit.  These are just based on my past experiences and being a discriminating beer drinker.

Note: This is part 3 of a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beer they serve.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the land of vikings, weird troll things, and (how could I forget?!) the Maelstrom, was China, the land of Mulan and Chinese acrobats.  Epcot again does a great job here, creating 'temples' and painting the architecture red with the traditional Chinese adornments.  We walked through a museum which had a miniature exhibit of the Terracotta Army of the First Emperor of China which was pretty neat.  Koi ponds surround you as you walk through the exhibit making the environment peaceful with its feng shui-minded design even though you're actually in Orlando, FL.

I'll be the first to admit, I'm no expert on how beer is made or on the types of malt/hops/yeast are used to brew different types of beer, or how to develop specific flavors using these same ingredients.  There is aLOT of science and art into creating beer and it can get really technical, just like music or cooking.  Eventually, I'd like to start getting into the intricacies of brewing beer myself but right now, I'm trying to learn beer appreciation and develop my palate by getting my hands on anything remotely interesting.

Naturally, taste, scent, and anything else related to the senses is very subjective so the reviews I write are only based on a very personal experience.  So I wanted to outline how I approach each beer and give some guidelines on how to taste and enhance your beer drinking experience.  There are alot of good resources you can find by googling to get a good guide on how to taste beer.  A couple good links are here (check out the flavor wheel halfway down the page) and here (beerutopia.com - check out their Beer 101 section).  I hope that these methods will help in finding beers that you like and can enjoy on a deeper level rather than just "sucking down a few cold ones".

I will just highlight some of my main methods here and what I use for the reviews.  With beer, it's all about releasing aroma in the beer in order to help open up your palate to taste all the flavors.  Second is the taste and allowing the the beer to reach all the corners of your mouth.  Third is the finish after your swallow.  Alot of the more subtle flavors and balance of the beer an be tasted in the aftertaste.  This is probably oversimplistic but works for me.  Read on for more details.

Purchased from:
Trader Joe's, Falls Church, VA

ABV%:
5%

Type:
Pre-mixed black and tan (porter mixed with pilsner).

Color:
Dark brown color, like a Coke.

Aroma:
Really had to sniff this long and hard to get any malt or hop aroma.  Mostly dry and apple-y, a bit grassy and even cardboard-ish. 

Taste:
Watery, dry, thin, really light flavored.

Overall:
Like I've said before, I am a sucker for advertising and this beer definitely sucked me in with its packaging.  I was looking for some new beer to try while shopping at Trader Joe's (who don't really have a great selection) and this caught my eye.  The little brown jug makes it seem like it's homemade or aged and implies richness, sweetness, with a reckless flavor.  For $2.99 for the quart, I thought it was worth a try.  I've had the Yuengling Black & Tan previously which I liked the balanced flavor of the maltiness of the dark beer with the bitter, floral taste of the pilsner.  I anticipated something similar if not, better.

I poured this into my Perfect Pint glass and the dark color was appealing.  I took a whiff and couldn't really make out anything though.  Took another whiff and still not much in the aroma.  Dang it.  I saw alot of bubbles which made it seem like a soda.  Hmm...

When I drank this, I had a hard time making out any flavors as well.  I guess it was balanced but it really lacked anything special; hardly any sweetness or bitterness, really light and REALLY watery and thin feeling in the mouth.  I wanted to like this so it was disappointing.  At least I have a cool little jug for... oh who cares.

1.5/5

Note: This is part 2 of a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beer they serve.

Each area at Epcot is designed to resemble the art, architecture, and feel of the native country.  In addition, the employees at each country actually call that country their home in real life.  It must be true since I saw their hometown displayed on their nametags, they spoke in accents, were wearing traditional garb, and just "looked the part" (not trying to be racist or stereotype anyone, it's just fact).  All these details make it feel like you are literally walking across borders into a foreign country.  Granted, the entire environment is sterile and fake but it's fun anyway.  The first 2 stops on our journey around the world began in Mexico and Norway (??  clearly Epcot Center was not thinking geography when they designed the place).

First stop, Mexico!  In the shadow of the Mayan Temple replica, the country of Mexico was out on display.  It was actually lunch time so the line for tacos and drinks was really long.  We decided to pass some time in the shops and within the Mayan Temple.

I've been talking alot about craft/micro brews lately and beers that aren't typically served in your restaurants and sold at 7-11s.   That doesn't mean I hate on/don't drink any of the macrobrews that are so common.  So this edition of Quick Brew Hits will list some of the beers I typically order when you can't get the small, local craft brews.  These are mainly lighter in flavor, lighter bodied, and pretty unassuming beers that are good when you're just hanging out with your friends and munching on pub grub (except for one of them). 

In this edition: Stella Artois, Yuengling Lager, Newcastle Brown Ale, Coors Light


Stella Artois - Not sure why, but Stella is becoming one of the beers I will usually get when at a typical American restaurant.  It is becoming more and more prevalent at the bars, probably because it is easily accessible, but a tier above the typical light beers.  It's got a thin sweetness, is refreshing, somewhat fizzy, and has this very slight metallic/skunky flavor (even on tap) to it which, oddly enough, balances out the sweetness.  Pretty much, it won't get in the way of anything.

Purchased from:
Total Wine, Alexandria, VA

ABV%:
7.2%

Type:
Maibock Lager

Color:
Reddish amber body with a slight brown sugar-tinged head when poured

Aroma:
Smells of roasted toffee malts with alcohol in the background.  Very slight hops. 

Taste:
Light carbonation and mainly taste the caramel/toffee notes.  A little bit of grassy hop taste but mostly malt.  Smooth going down.

Overall:
This was my first maibock so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I saw it on sale at Total Wine and decided to try it.  I had heard of Hofbrau Munchen as one of the most well-known and oldest breweries in Germany.  It being Oktoberfest-time, thought it'd be fitting to try something from the legendary brewery (apparently Nazis hung out there back in the day [wiki]).  On the bottle, it states that this was first brewed in 1614 in Munich and is enjoyed in the springtime.  I guess they find any excuse to drink over there.

I purchased this beer in bottles and unfortunately, a couple of the bottles had skunked.  I finally got a normal tasting one in the 3rd bottle so I'm basing my review off of that.  Overall this is a really smooth, malty, slightly rich beer.  It's really got a unique flavor from the malt that I haven't tasted before and can't really describe at this moment.  There is less carbonation and actually tasted better as it warmed up.  The mouthfeel was slightly watery and 'slick' but not too syrupy.

This is a beer that can be refreshing but due to the higher ABV and strong flavor of the malt, I'd recommend more drinking this as an accompaniment to food.   The flavor is like nothing I've had before and it definitely has a "European" feel to it (less carbonation, better served at a warmer temp).  I will definitely be on the lookout for this style in the future.


3.5/5

Note: This is part 1 of a series documenting the countries of Epcot Center and the beer they serve.

At heart, I'm a big kid.  You might call it a "almost-30-straddling-the-line-between-youth-and-adulthood" syndrome that alot of people my age go through.  Things from my childhood have once again become a passion - G.I. Joe (yes I saw the new movie, yes it was the worst movie ever), Transformers, TMNT, Street Fighter, Sega, and of course, Disney, have all worked their way back into my life in some form or another, whether due to nostalgia or pure geekiness.  Of course, the twist now is that these things are appreciated on a more 'adult' level: G.I. Joe figures remain in their plastic prisons of their original packaging or posed for 'action' vice ripped apart at the mid-section and missing tiny plastic weapons; the nuances of Street Fighter technique and strategy are discussed and refined in lew of button mashing; plots of Disney movies are actually understood from a musical and storytelling perspective rather than staring numbingly at Aladdin's magic carpet.  In essence, there is a greater, more sophisticated appreciation of all things we loved as a child - including the mother of them all - Disney World.

Some people hate and/or resent the Disney empire for various reasons.  I wouldn't know any of these since I love it.  But one area at Disney that I underappreciated as a child was Epcot Center.  When I visited the theme park for my last birthday, Epcot was definitely the highlight of the trip.  Not only do you get to ride some of the most state-of-the-art rides (SOARING is awesome!), there is the WORLD SHOWCASE.  All kids hate the World Showcase because all it is food, shopping, shows, beer, and some culture from the countries represented at the park.  But all these are great when you're almost 30!  Especially the food and beer part.  Well really the food isn't that great, so really it's just the beer.  More after the jump.

Had a nice weekend, spending time with a bunch of friends, sharing good food, and drinking great beer.  I love the fall due to the fact that the food and beer around this time all become hearty, with big, warming flavors and spices - it's just straight up COMFORTABLE.

So we ended up in Philadelphia on Saturday, to visit my wife's friend, and had dinner at Lolita, a "modern Mexican" restaurant with a melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin, and drinks at Continental.  The Continental had some nice beers, all bottled.  They had one I didn't recognize which was called Kenzinger, which looks like it is a local PA beer (something other than Yuengling??).  I ended up going with the Lagunitas IPA which I've had before and enjoyed alot.  Will have to go back and try that Kenzinger sometime.  I'd recommend both of those places to check out next time you are in Philadelphia - especially the rooftop bar at the Continental (heat lamps FTW!).  Ended up back in VA Saturday night, I know crazy, whirlwind trip.

Sunday, there was a wine festival in Old Town Alexandria that we were planning on hitting up and at least walk around and take in the brisk fall weather.  I think the travelling on Saturday pooped us out so we ended up not getting to Old Town until dinner time (and I got to watch football instead!).  We went to Columbia Firehouse.  It was decent New American style food - I got mussels which were very good and fresh.  The restaurant was also supposed to be participating in the wine festival but I didn't see any specials on wine offerings - strange.

I was impressed, however, with their beer list - a hefty mix of local craft brews.  Off the top of my head - and I know I'm missing some - on draft, they had St George Lager, Dominion Octoberfest (tapped out when I was there :( ), Flying Dog Gonzo, Southern Tier Pumking Ale, Victory Hop Wallop, Starr Hill The Love, Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA, Guinness Stout, and at least 5 more.  Also like 20 different bottles available - pretty ridiculous.  I was able to try 3 different ones, all unique and brilliant in their own way: Southern Tier Pumking, Victory Hop Wallop, and Flying Dog Gonzo.  Impressions of the beers mentioned after the jump.

Purchased from:
Whole Foods, Fair Lakes, VA

ABV%:
7%

Type:
Brown Ale

Color:
Pumpkin orange with a cinnamon tinge

Aroma:
Smells of the pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg primarily. 

Taste:
Crisp, nice blend of the pumpkin pie essences and smooth.  All the flavors work together.  Creamy.   A little sweet, but overall a thick, robust beer.  A bit of aftertaste but cleans up with a little bitterness from the hops.

Overall:
I'm going to disclaimer this right now and say that if you're not a fan of pumpkin/pumpkin pie you MAY not enjoy this beer!  I recommended this beer to a couple of my friends who went out and bought it on my suggestion and they didn't like it.  One of them doesn't drink beer so their opinion doesn't count but the other loves pumpkin pie AND beer and still didn't like it.  I think he was surprised by the mix of pumpkin with beer so it may have thrown him off (like me and the Old Rasputin - which, thinking back on it, and as one of my commenters pointed out, is truly an excellent beer). 

Anyway, this beer delivers.  As I said in my post previously, the DFH Punkin Ale really brings you into the fall season with its reminders of Thanksgivings past in its aroma and a harvest-y, hearty feel through its taste.  The flavors are balanced and you can pinpoint all the different spices.  At the same time, it's not like you're drinking pumpkin pie juice - this is a beer!  It's got some hops and malt as the bitterness and sweetness counteract each other to add to the balance.  It is creamy, smooth, and rich making it more satisfying.  It all becomes quite complex and keeps you going back for more. 

4/5

Not every beer I encounter can be reviewed.   Therefore, every so often, I figure I'll give you my quick impressions of beers I've tried along the way.  Most of these probably suck and aren't really worth reviewing but there will be some nuggets in there which might sway you from one choice to another when you are staring at the shelves in your liquor store.

In this edition: Stone Levitation Ale, Landshark Lager, Abita Restoration Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale 2009.


Stone Levitation Ale - As I said in my previous review for Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, I am a SUCKER for advertising an cool logos and Stone Brewery certainly sucked me in with their beastly gargoyle logo, promising an attitude and taste comparable to that of its logo.  Too bad this Levitation ale didn't really do much for me.  It was really light and just above average on flavor.  It was smooth going down but mostly bland.  Pretty big letdown for me.

Purchased from:
Ray's The Steaks

ABV:
9%

Type:
Stout

Color:
Dark, almost black with a tan colored, thick head - almost opaque

Aroma:
Spice, coffee and malt mainly, very complex and rich

Taste:
Thick and syrupy yet oddly drinkable.  Spicy on the lips with bitterness from the coffee flavor.  Really smooth going down and finishes with a warming effect from the high ABV%. 

Overall:
Finally got to try out Ray's The Steaks out in Arlington, VA tonight and had a very good steak.  With the steak I ordered this beer.  I had seen it in the Whole Foods I usually go to and was interested but knew that it was a pretty heavy drink and not for every day casual drinking - at least for me.  Mainly what attracted me to this initially was the label of course - I mean, that's Rasputin, the Russian wizard guy!  But seriously, he really does characterize this beer as a thick, strong, initimidating, and intensely flavored beer.  Right off the bat, you get knocked in the face with the spicy and chocolate/coffee flavor, not to mention the creaminess of the beer.  The spice leaves your lips tingly and then the bitterness from the coffee flavor makes up for whatever lack of hops there are.  Sweetness of the malt remains once the alcohol and bitterness subside.  This beer went down really smooth despite the intensity from the flavor making it easy to drink while accompanying my meal.  At the same time, it's not a drink I'd have while watching the game on Sunday afternoon.  Overall, a very good stout beer that is complex in flavor, but unfortunately too strong and a little overwhelming for me.

3.75/5

Purchased from:
Whole Foods, Fair Lakes

ABV:
5.1%

Type:
Pilsner-type lager

Color:
golden/amber hue that is quite attractive

Aroma:
citrus-y, sweet, spice

Taste:
floral and spice hop notes at the beginning making way for citrus and hints of apple; crisp, not bitter with very slight malt backbone and ends dry

Overall:
I picked up a pack of these on a whim since I was in the mood for something lighter and refreshing and this beer fit the bill.  I had never had this before but have had Brooklyn Lager which I liked.  Also because my sister and cousins live in Brooklyn so I felt like I have a connection to the brewery... or something like that.  Anyway, drank this out of my Sam Adams glass and took a whiff and it was very enticing.  The floral notes were prevalent in the aroma, setting you up for what is to come.  When you drink though, you get mild hops, crisp and refreshing water, and some fizziness from the carbonation.  The hop flavors linger a bit and reveal light citrus that reminded me of green apple sometimes.  Pretty interesting.  Hardly any malt flavors as expected on this pilsner.  The beer is somewhat dry and leaves you wanting to take another sip.  The Brooklyn Pilsner is quite drinkable and smooth and did the job for a refreshing beer but due to the dryness and lack of robustness in the taste, it makes the beer just a decent selection.

3/5

So you've seen the commercials, talking about how Boston Brewing Company has created a highly technical, seemingly well thought-out design for a beer glass.  Different than your typical pint glass or tall mug, this glass purports to "elevate the craft beer drinking experience" and that they have "create[d] a glass that offers beer lovers a full sensory drinking experience".  They've optimized it for drinking Sam Adams Boston Lager but the concept, to me, probably applies to most beers.  Here are the ways in which the glass hopes to accomplish delivering a superior taste, color and aroma when you drink your brew (this is from the manual they sent with the glasses).

1. Bead inside the rim to create turbulence and release taste and aroma as beer enters the mouth - I thought there would be actual beading around the rim of the glass but this is actually a raised lip.  
2. Narrowing the glass at the top retains hop aroma and head
3. Rounded shape collects aromas
4. Laser etching at the bottom creates bubbles for constant aroma release
5. Outward lip delivers beer to front of the tongue where sweetness (malt) is tasted
6. Thinner walls and rounded shape help maintain proper beer temperature longer

Apparently they've been out for a while but I finally got my hands on a set and was able to compare with the regular pint glass.  So - does this glass live up to the expectations?  Does their research and technical knowledge of beer enhance the drinking experience?  Do each of those 6 technical aspects do what they are supposed to?  In a nutshell, the glass didn't blow me away with its flavor boosting power, but compared to a regular glass, it definitely brings out the flavors of the beer consistently as you drink and overall works well.  They are a little expensive but I would recommend buying some if you can find them on sale or if you are getting serious about your drink.  Read on for details...

Yesterday marked the 250th anniversary of Guinness.  250 years ago, Arthur Guinness signed a 9000 year lease on a brewery at St. James' Gate in Dublin, Ireland.  Since then, it has become one of the most popular beers in the world and a staple for any beer drinker.  They released a 250th anniversary Guinness that differs in taste and brewing methodology than their regular Stout.  If I find it and try it, I will post a review. 

So if you are out and about, go get a Guinness and raise one to Arthur!

My wife and I went to Rome and Naples this past summer.  Now italian food is probably my favorite type of food and there was definitely no shortage of it.  I hate tomatoes but I have to say I wouldn't mind eating caprese salad (mozzarella, tomato, and basil) for lunch 'most' days if I lived in Italy.  Their pastas are generally light and delicate rather than the rich, salty food you get in the US (aka Olive Garden, Romano's Macaroni Grill).  The thing that stuck out most to me about the food in Italy was that each dish's ingredients blended together into a cohesive flavor and at the same time, stood out on their own so that you could TASTE each component.

So what does this have to do with beer?  My theory: countries that have really flavorful foods generally have light tasting beers which complement and enhance the flavors of food rather than the beer being a focal point in some other cases.  Think about it, Germany and England - crappy food: really rich, hearty beers that could be meals themselves; Asian, Mexican, Italian - great food: light, refreshing beers that make you want to eat more.

Now of course this isn't an end all be all rule, but it is a trend in my experiences.  Which leads me to introducing the beers I had in Italy, most of which did exactly as I mention, clear the palate to eat more food, and refresh the mind after a long day of walking around and viewing the achievements and ultimate epic fail of ancient Rome.

The boss "made" us go to happy hour last Friday and as I walked out into the hallway, encountered my co-workers asking where we should go. I tried playing it cool by saying "Dogfish, but I'm down with whatever" meanwhile hoping in the back of mind no one would have beef with the suggestion. Basically, the way our happy hours work out, we either go get cheap Miller/Coors/Bud Lights or we go to Dogfish Head and enjoy some quality beverages while unwinding from another long, tedious week. Usually, it's the former, and well, honestly, we deserve better than that.


So we head on over to the DFH Alehouse once again. Excitedly, I turn around as we enter the bar to see what offerings they have. "Punkin... Ale"?!!?? Apparently, the fall season is upon us! My eyes widen and I know exactly what I'm getting. I order it and take a big whiff. Pure joy as memories flood my mind of Thanksgivings past. I'm a huge pumpkin pie fan and after hearing some of the hype about this beer, it truly did not disappoint. On first sip, the beer just completely hit me with the creamy, nutmeggy, pumpkiny, buttery, pie-crusty, vanilla-y goodness that comes with your first bit of pumpkin pie with ice cream on top. Yes, it was that good. Subsequent intakes did not yield as strong a flavor as the first sip but that's good because it was not overpowering in anyway but just reminded you of that initial burst of flavor. So good; will look for this in the store in the coming months.

Next on the menu was another seasonal brew from DFH called "Aprihop".

Purchased from: 
Whole Foods, Fair Lakes

ABV: 
5.4%

Type: 
Lager

Color: 
Beautiful dark amber color.

Smell:
 Sweet malt on the bottom and flowery bouquet with some alcohol fragrance.

Taste:
 Malty initial which fades fast. Hops take over and linger to the end but the blend of sweet and bitter remain.

Overall:
 So my Renaissance Festival experience wasn't too far off with this beer. The Sam Adams Octoberfest is a pleasant beer resulting in a sweet, dry flavor with slight bitterness. Due to the use of Noble hops, it does have a different, less harsh bite than other beer and the use of the 5 different malts makes the beer overall pretty sweet tasting.  As seen from a lack of a thick head, the Octoberfest is actually very light and once the flavor fades, it leaves a clean mouthfeel. However, the beer doesn't taste robust enough and rather, tastes "thin". In the end, the beer is pretty smooth and drinkable but I would have liked a little more complexity to the flavor. Unfortunate because I really wanted to like this beer.

2.5/5

Ok, this post has nothing to do with beer, but beer's best buddy, the burger. I was trolling one of the forums I frequent and saw that someone was recommending this place in Bound Brook, NJ (next to the town I grew up in) that serves amazing burgers. This guy that was posting claimed that Five Guys got nothin' on this place. The place is called 25 burgers. I've never even heard of this place. But look at the menu... and then look at the pictures... and then look at the $5 menu... and then tell me that you don't want to take the 45 minutes off the NJ Turnpike on your way to NYC/Boston to go and taste this. Expand the post for my plan of attack.


So here's my plan - everytime I go to a new place, I always get the simplest thing on the menu before trying their specialties, especially when it comes to burgers. If they can't get the plain burger right, then the place is not worth it. So next time I go home, I will go there, order a plain burger, and judge for myself and let you all know what's up.

All you need to know is this:

Ah Labor Day weekend. Had a good time this weekend relaxing and having fun with some friends - and of course, drinking a few beers! First up was the Maryland Renaissance Festival (Renny Fest). You get all the campiness that you'd expect: turkey legs, miscellaneous meats on stakes/sticks/lances, fat guys posing as knights in shining armor, and impossible carnival games (those crossbows do NOT shoot straight). In addition to exceeding the expectations for festival cliches, the Renny Fest offered a decent selection of beer. On tap was Sam Adams Octoberfest and Cream Stout, Killians, Coors Light, and Hardcore Cider. I was excited about the 2 SA offerings and mainly sampled those during my afternoon in the mediaeval times.

Sunday, the merriment continued as my wife and I went back to Rustico for the second time. This restaurant has a HUGE beer selection with about 15 beers on tap and a whole book of bottles. Food is better than the usual new american and their woodfired pizzas are quite good with a tasty dough. They sort their beer by flavor (crisp, hoppy, roast...). I was in the mood for something hoppy and crisp after the cream stouts I had on Saturday and tried the Southern Tier Harvest Ale and Dale's Pale Ale. Both delicious with pizza and fries.

Impressions of all beers after the link.

Purchased from: 
Whole Foods, Fair Lakes

Type: 
Brown Ale

ABV: 
5.6%

Color: 
Dark brown with a tan head

Smell: 
Bright, hoppy smell with a little chocolate.

Taste: 
Initial hit of bitterness from the hops which dissipate to reveal chocolate, malt and coffee notes. Smooth clean finish with a light aftertaste.

Overall: 
This beer after first drink reminded me of Newcastle Brown Ale in how it hits the palette, with the initial hop hit with the malt soon after. It is a darker brown ale that goes down smooth and somewhat heavy but finishes clean. The chocolate/malt notes really come out after the first gulp but don't linger and actually refreshes the palette. As I drank this beer more, I enjoyed it more. Although, I prefer a lighter beer with my food, I could drink this beer with steak or burgers and I believe it would complement it well. Overall, a solid brew from Abita.  

3/5

More info: Abita Turbodog

Welcome to the Features page.  Click on a link below to read entries of the blog that go into depth of my experiences as I travel around and experience the world of beer.  Also, any ongoing series of blog entries will be linked here.  Enjoy!

My breakdown of the Samuel Adams Perfect Pint Glass

My guide to tasting beer (always a work in progress)

Travels at Epcot Center

1. Around The World at Epcot Center - Intro
2. Around The World at Epcot Center - Mexico/Norway
3. Around The World at Epcot Center - China
4. Around The World at Epcot Center - Germany
5. Around The World at Epcot Center - Italy
6. Around The World at Epcot Center - America
7. Around The World at Epcot Center - Japan/Morocco
   

If you didn't know, there's a new Dogfish Head Alehouse (www.dogfishalehouse.com) that opened in Chantilly, VA, not too far from the office. After visiting the Falls Church site, I was pretty excited that another one was opening up close to work (happy hour anyone?) A couple of my co-workers and I visited last week to check it out. Needless to say, the place was packed as the DFH beers are pretty popular and local to our area. I have to say this new venue is pretty nice and they have about 9-10 different beers on tap, varying in price from $5-$13. Their happy hour is $1.50 off drafts and $2 off pizza making their $5 drafts around $3.50. Not too bad to support a microbrew and their quality beers.

DFH beers are generally quite flavorful, using interesting ingredients and tend to be more hoppy (at least the ones I've tried). I particularly like their Indian Brown Ale as it's smooth, dark, and malty yet balanced.

However, this DFH Alehouse had one beer I'd been reading about that wasn't at the Falls Church one - "Theobroma"! They base their recipe off of what they believe was used in ancient Aztec drinks, including chiles and cocoa. I ordered it and it was still $10!!! This was during happy hour. I was expecting alot.

Alright... I think I've found my niche - beer! Lately, I've become more and more interested in beer (whether it's ale or lager), its subtleties in flavor, and starting to look deeper into how it is made. It helps that the Whole Foods and Wegmans here has a great selection of microbrews.

I know my previous blog endeavors have failed miserably but I hope, with this one, I can share my beer experiences consistently since I'm always on the lookout for new flavors.

My plans are to bring to this blog impressions of different beers I try either at bars or purchase. My approach will be to keep the descriptions simple and hopefully get some recommendations out to those that are curious. I'm no expert so what you read will just be what I taste and see.

Here's to keeping this going!