Epcot Center - Around the World (in Beer): China


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.

Judging Beer: Drinking Discriminately


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.

Review: Mississippi Mud Black & Tan


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.


Mexico?

Quick Brew Hits

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.

Review: Hofbrau Munchen Maibock


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

Epcot Center - Around the World (in Beer): Intro


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.

Fall has Officially Begun!


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.

Review: Dogfish Head Punkin Ale


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

Quick Brew Hits

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.

Review: Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout


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

Why Miller Lite?? - A Rant


What's your go-to beer when you go out?  What is at every bar/restaurant/ball game and you can order when in doubt?  It's cheap, it's everywhere, and it doesn't really "taste great" - it's MILLER LITE.  I guess you could lump in Bud Light and Coors Light as well.  All these beers pretty much taste the same to me - thin, watery, fizzy, leave a weird aftertaste in the mouth.  Overly sweet with really no hop taste (despite the fact that Miller Lite is advertised as "triple hops brewed"), why do we bother with these produced-for-mass-consumption beers?  I'd equate it to ordering a veggie burger in a steakhouse.  I think it also contributes to the lack of beer education/appreciation by dumbing down our tastebuds and not expanding our horizons on taste.


Spring water = Miller Lite?

Is it really because it's cheap and easy to drink alot of or is it because we like the taste?  I guess I'm asking myself these questions because I always wonder myself!  I find that I don't want to think and just order what is familiar, only to regret it afterwards (and not because I drank too much!).  If I'm going to drink anything at all, it should be something that tastes good, complex to challenge my palate and complement whatever I'm eating.  That alone should be worth the extra dollar for a beer that doesn't have the word "Light (Lite)" in it.

That's it, I'm done with Miller Lite (Bud Light, Coors Light) for now.  I'm taking a stand - I will not settle for shallow brews anymore.  I'm not saying I'm a beer snob; life is just too short and I just don't think it's worth it not to taste the rainbow of flavors beer has to offer!