FRIDAY NIGHT BEER FIGHTS EPISODE TWO

In the spirit of the Olympics, I figured it would only make sense to have a little international competition. And since all the cool sports (ice skating, synchronized swimming, etc.) involve a panel of judges, I figured only one opinion wouldn't be very Olympicish. So, for the second episode, I am bringing in the big gun; my next door neighbor and fellow beer lover, Kerry...

Without further ado, here are the two competitors:

In the Red Corner, hailing from The United States by way of St. Louis, MO, standing in at 11.5 inches tall and weighing in at one pint, The Beer Without Fear, Schlafley's Tripel Ale!!!!!!!!! USA!USA!USA!USA!

In the Blue corner, hailing from the beer capital of Europe, Belgium, by way of Buggenhout, standing in at the exact 11.7 inches tall and also weighing in at an even pint, the European that gets you peein', Karmeliet Tripel Ale!!!!!!!! BOOOOOOOOO!BOO!

USA!USA!USA!USA!

So the stage has been set for an epic brawl between these two middleweights. The Belgiun sure has the pedigree but the young, upstart American has the heart. We'll see what happens as they battle it out!

Brewer: Schlafly's
Beer Name: Tripel Ale
Style: Tripel Ale
Price: $8.99

Appearance: light amber, clear,

Smell: fruity characteristics,

Taste: very fruity, sweet, and not a very traditional beer taste. There is a very strong underbite of alcohol. The 10% is not overpowering but it's presence is felt. Kerry says there is a rubbing alcohol tinge on the palate after the fruityness is done.

Mouthfeel: Coats the mouth with foam. A fairly powerful beer feeling. Very pleasant.

Drinkability: Kerry says not a beer you could drink all night; good change of pace. I agree although it could grow on me; especially during the summer by the pool. Assuming I didn't have kids and drowning was not such a downer. By the way, Google Tanith Belbin if you hate ice dancing in the Olympics. I'm betting this will change your mind. (Honey, Kerry made me do it.) My suggestion is that you start here:

http://www.myavidgolfer.com/resources/tanith%20belbin09.jpg

Overall: 1-5 (5 being highest) Kerry says: Definitely better then the Heineken. Going with a 4. The Russian judge said 2.5 but I'm going 3.75.

Brewer: Karmeliet
Beer Name: Tripel
Style: Tripel Ale
Price: $9.99

Appearance: Lighter in color but very cloudy. You can't see through the bottle. As a sidenote, this beer is so foamy, you could use it as shaving cream. Or Johnny Weir's skating costume. (with feathers of course).

Smell: Smells like Heineken. Hopefully, it tastes better.

Taste: Tastes like Heineken. Hopefully the mouthfeels better.

Mouthfeel: Feels like Heineken. Pretty sure it's not going to win...

Drinkability: If you like Heineken, this beer is about 3 times as expensive, and not much better. The bottle says it's fruity; I'm guessing they mean sexually. I think this is the Lindsey Vonn of Downhill beer drinking. USA!USA!USA!USA!

NEW CATEGORY: BELCHABILITY: Kerry says: Belches like Heineken too. Surprise, surprise.

Overall: 1-5 (5 being highest) Kerry says it's drinkable; not crap. Maybe a 3. I say 2 at the highest. It's crap. Not drinkable.

We Have a Winner. For the second week in a row, Schlafly's wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for next week's edition of Friday Night Beer Fights!