It's a Saturday, Mizzou is on, and we decided to do a small blog.  I checked my beer shelf and saw that I had six different Decadent ales so I thought that might make an interesting blog.  Here is their website.

https://www.decadentales.com/

So, here are the six IPA's we are going to cover:

Coco Ecto (Coconut)
Orange Cream Pop
Peach Cream Pop
Mango Coconut Smoothie
Wild Berry Smoothie (4 Berries)
Maple

So, without further ado, here we go with six 16 oz cans of 9% IPA.  Should be interesting.

Brewer:  Decadent Ales
Beer Name:  Coco Ecto
Beer Style:  IPA
Price: About $4 or $5 a can depending on where you get it.

Appearance:  Very cloudy, light amber, somewhat frothy.  A usual IPA.

Aroma:  COCONUT/ FRUIT.  Very pineappley.

Mouthfeel:  All of these beers have a very light, frothy, lively mouthfeel.  They have the alcohol at the back that dulls out some of the bubbliness.

Taste:  Boozy Coconut is what I get.  John says he tastes the orange zest as well.  I just get a slight citrus tinge.  I'm not sure I get the tangerine specifically but it definitely has a tropical flavor to it.  It is STRONG as well.  These are serious sipping beers; almost like a light mixed drink by the pool.  This has a definite pina colada twinge to it.  John's wife, Michelle, tried it.  She said it tasted like a butt.  Not sure what her frame of reference is but I'm going to report her opinion.

Overall rating:  Michelle says it's a solid .5 as in 1/2.  But she doesn't care for IPAS in general.  John says it is a 3.75.  I say a 4.  I like this one.  But I also like very fruity things- see my friends (Tim Britt) as proof...

NEXT ONE:  The fruit express hits second gear.

Brewer: Decadent Ales
Beer Name:  Orange Cream Pop
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $4 or $5 a can depending.

Appearance:  Very similar to the Coco Ecto.  Slightly lighter in color.

Aroma:  Not nearly as much aroma with this one.  A little citrus but not nearly as fragrant as the coconut.  Slight vanilla also.  A slight bitter as well.  John says he can smell a little bit of sweetness with this one. 

Mouthfeel:  Almost the same as the Coco Ecto.  A little smoother and lighter.  Not a lot of sparkle in this one.

Taste:  It tastes like an orange cream pop.  It's delicious if you like those vanilla orange ice cream bars.  Add IPA flavor and bitterness (although less than the Coco Ecto) at the very end and this is what you are drinking.  Like the coconut, this is like a boozy dessert.

Overall Rating:  John likes this better.  4.25 for him.  I think it is equally as good.  It's delicious.  I feel like drinking this would be cheating on your diet.  I'm going 4 again but it may climb up after I try a few more.  Michelle just got back from picking up pizza.  She likes this one a lot better.  She says this is a 2.  At this rate, we will have her buying stock in Stone in about 45 years.

NEXT ONE:  The fruit express hits third gear.

Brewer:  Decadent Ales
Beer Name:  Peach Cream Pop
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  About $4 or $5 a can depending...

Appearance:  Exactly the same as the previous two.  The last two have plenty of floating particles in them.  Not sure if we missed them in the coconut but we didn't notice.

Aroma:  Much more of an aroma from this one.  Peach and IPA.  I know that's not that much of a description but it is accurate.  Sorry to play Captain obvious.

Mouthfeel:  Slightly more happening here then the orange.  The orange was dead in relation to this.  This has some life- a tingle for sure.

Taste:  John says it is very similar to the orange cream pop.  I think it's close as well but it is smoother- less boozy for sure even though the percentage is the same (Or I'm on 9% beer #3 in and hour).  This one is not quite as bitter either (Or I'm getting used to it).  Either way, this is delicious.

Overall Rating:  John says a 4.25.  I agree.  This one is a slight step up from the previous two.

NEXT ONE:  The fruit express is in fell effect.

Brewer:  Decadent Ales
Beer Name:  Mango Coconut Smoothie
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $4 or $5 a can depending...

Appearance: Exactly the same as the previous three.

Aroma:  FRUITY.  Think Liberace meets George Michael fruity.  John smells mango.  I could wear this for cologne (John bathes in Sam Smith Chocolate Stout- this can be my cologne for sure).  John says the mango is the prevalant odor along with cream.

Mouthfeel:  Sparkly- this is a light, 9% party in your mouth  (Not that kind of mouth party Tim)

Taste:  This tastes like a pina coloda mixed with an IPA.  This is the pinnacle of fruity beer.  I love this one.  It's sippable or slammable depending on the occassion.  John said "Yeah, it's pretty good."  That doesn't describe the look he gave when he said it though.  He looked like R Kelly in a Kids R Us when he uttered those words.  Or Robert Kraft at a cheap massage parlor.  (preferable oriental).  Either way, he looked VERY HAPPY.

Overall Rating:  I say a solid 5.  This is fantastic.  I love pina coladas.  Hence...  John says 4.5.  Michelle loves this one.  She says 3.5.  DAMN.  She HATES ipas.  That tells you something.

Brewer: Decadent Ales
Beer Name: Wild Berry Smoothie
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $4 or $5 a can depending...

Appearance:  Exactly the same as the previous four.  Super cloudy.  Hazy IPA at it's finest.

Aroma:  Raspberry for me.  John says he can't pick out a particular berry.  To be fair, it has strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry added so it's easy to see why.  Let's call this a berry medley.  That sounds very hotel Thanksgiving brunchish.

Mouthfeel:  This is way sourer then the previous four.  It makes me pucker slightly.  There is some sweet to it so it's more of a mix.

Taste:  It's good but not as tropical as the the previous few.  If you like fruit pies and don't like pina coladas, this is the Decadent for you.  It's good.  There is a slight pie crust feel to it but way more fruit.  John says it's more wine-like.  It is definitely more tart.  Think a blackberry pie with a lack of sugar.  After much discussion, John and I have determined that the tart with bitter doesn't mesh with either of us.  It's not bad- just not as good as the others.

Overall Rating:  Michelle says a .7.  She is very precise.  John says a 3.75.  I say a 3.5.  This would be the last one of the bunch that I will buy again but, to be fair to Decadent, I love coconut and tropical fruit so the others are more up my alley to begin with.

LAST ONE:  The fruit train is off the rails!  We landed in Vermont.  Maple syrup and pancakes IPA coming up!

Appearance:  Duh...

Aroma:  Ummmm.  Maply maple mapleson mapleburger mapleschmidt maplestein mapleberry maplesmith with a hint of maple.  John is getting brown sugar.

Mouthfeel:  About the same as the previous few.

Taste:  Ummmm.  If you read back on the blog, you know John and I made mancakes a few years back.  They were pancakes with candied bacon and chocolate chips.  Instead of water, we used 4hands chocolate milk stout as the liquid mixer.  They were delicious.  We used regular syrup.  In the future, we might use this (or perhaps a fine maple stout).  John says it's more brown sugar.  I say it's maple but it's hard to tell after drinking so many fruity beers.  Maybe we need to retry this one at a later date.

Overall Rating:  I don't think these will be valid so we are going to hold off on rating.  Having had one of these a couple weeks ago, I'm pretty sure our tastebuds are messed up.

2019 OSCAR Blog

Oscars just came out this morning.  8 nominations for best picture and great fields for actors and actresses.  I will be updating this blog as I see more movies.  I have seen two already so I will start with those and add them in as I watch.  I will try to hit all the actors/ actresses as I go as well.

BEST PICTURE

A STAR IS BORN

Before seeing this film, there was so much hype.  I couldn't help but see everyone rating this film so HIGHLY that my expectations were slightly skewed.  Allowing for the over-hype, I still thought this would be a serious contender for best picture.  The film chronicles an unknown's (Lady Gaga) rise to fame after she is discovered by a veteran rock star while she is performing in a drag show.  From his (Bradley Cooper's Jackson Mayne)  immediate love of her talent, he brings her on stage, they fall in love, yadayadayada...  This film does not have a story that we haven't heard before.  That being said, I think what makes this film so compelling is the music (which Cooper and Gaga co-wrote for the entire film).  The music mirrors the feelings being felt by the characters (and the audience as well).  Add the music to the superior acting of most of the cast during most of the movie and we have an Oscar contender.

That being said, I think this film had some serious strengths and some serious weaknesses as well.  As I alluded to, the performances of Cooper, Sam Elliot, and Andrew Dice Clay were magnificent.  Lady Gaga did a very good job for her first movie.  A few scenes could have been slightly better but overall, she was good throughout the film.  Cooper as director could have gotten a few things done better but overall, it was a solid effort for his directorial debut.  The score and music were A+ and in any other year without Mary Poppins, "Shallow" walks off the stage with the best song statue without batting an eye.

Overall, the movie was definitely worth watching, if for nothing more then the actor's engaging, wholly believable performances.  Great job there.  And the music is top notch.  My rating for this film is 3.5/ 5.  I was expecting a little better but it was still a solid film.

ROMA

Saying that this movie's first 45 minutes to an hour was pointless is the understatement of the century.  We gleaned a few facts about our protagonist that we could have received in roughly three minutes.  She was a poor, single woman who worked her tailfeathers off for a more affluent family somewhere in Mexico.  She, having very little money and seemingly no family, was looking for love and affection in any corner of the universe that would pay attention to her- hence, making the decision to have unprotected sex with a guy who had no job and spent all day practicing martial arts.  Not the sort of checklist most women are looking for.  And hour later, we find out whe is pregnant and that Judo Juan wants nothing to do with her.  From this point forward, the film takes off.  We see several events that shape this woman into what she will become and the script, acting, cinematography, score, everything is fantastic.  The emotional impact that the last hour of this film has on the audience is major to say the least.  We truly get a feeling of what happens to the poor, working class in Mexico.

The acting in this film was good- I am not sure either should have been nominated for an Oscar though.  I found it hard to actually empathize with the characters as I read the subtitles and didn't understand the inflection in their voices.  I am going to trust that the academy members who speak Spanish have made a good choice when nominating both women for their performances.

After seriously contemplating this film, there is no way I can give a movie that wasted so much time at the beginning a really high score.  My feeling is that Cuaron knew he had an hour film but needed to stretch it out so we got 45 minutes of very little depth or storyline.  I think he saved everything with neaning until the end as he knew we would walk out of the theatre thinking of that; the the 45 minutes where we twiddled our thumbs.  If I could break this movie into two ratings it would probably look like this:  first hour: .25  second hour: 4.75.  Overall, I'm going to go a 3.5 for this one as well.

BLACK PANTHER

Before reading this, please know that I am not a fan of the superhero films.  I do not watch the Avengers, haven't seen the new Aquaman, Superman, or Incredible Hulk.  I don't watch the Transformers movies, etc.  I have openly railed on the two newest Star Wars movies as well.  My point being, I am not attacking this one independently.  I am an equal opportunity hater if the genre and would never, ever argue that anything made since The Dark Knight has a chance at being nominated for best picture.

After watching the first 60% or so of this movie, I cannot for the life of me figure out why it was nominated.  I was expecting some sort of revelation about the power of the African American filmmakers/ actors and the lens through which they told the traditional comic book story.  I realize that they were constrained by the Stan Lee comic here but I was amazed at the lack of anything found on this film.

The special effects were awesome as were the CGI cameras.  It was a first rate film with great effects and may win something as a consolation prize.  As for best picture, there is no way.  I think the Academy finally relented to the audience's opinion and box office totals; think the same argument as  The Dark Knight.  From the academy's point of view, I think the only thing that separated this from being the Dark Knight (which was a much better film by the way- hands down) was that these were African characters and the political heat applied by not nominating was too much for them to absorb.  As a result, we get a mediocre film (think black Captain America- only from a made up African country) as a contender for best picture.  Up to the last two years, I thought the Academy had done a good job of toeing the line between being inclusive and also having some integrity.  Unfortunately, with Get Out last year and Black Panther this year, that line is being eroded quickly.  At some point, I hope the academy can judge all films on merit rather then color of stars and director.  Get Out was a bad nomination; this one is horrendous.  The story is ridiculous, the acting is OK, the overall film is almost unwatchable if you care about things like plot, character development, and emotion.   Needless to say, I didn't bother watching the last half.

Just to clarify, the Avengers and the new Star Wars movies (the ones creating the actual story) are equally as bad, if not worse.  So, I'm not picking on this because of the color or race- despite what some of you would like to believe- I'm saying this for the same reason I would have a coronary if the Avengers or the new Star Wars were nominated- it's just not a best picture candidate, regardless of popularity.

If you like other superhero movies, you will love this.  If you want a movie with some sort of realistic substance and emotion, skip it completely.  In the words of Flavor Flav:  Don't Believe the Hype.  Overall rating:  1.

Hopefully, the other five present something above what I have seen with these three.  I will update after I watch the next one.

BLACKKKLANSMAN

So, Spike Lee finally got a best picture nod.  Before going any further, I must say that Spike Lee is not my favorite director of all time.  I respect him and his obvious talent but am not a fan of his style.

Unfortunately, this film did not change my perception of Spike and his methodology.  The story was interesting; the acting good for the most part but I felt the characters and the use of stereotypes were just too much.  I would have liked to have seen a much grittier, true to life adaptation of this compelling story rather than a Saturday Night Live or Dave Cahappelle skit about how dumb the whites were (which the KKK is plenty dumb- not disputing the truth of the basis for this attitude).  I thought Lee's over the top style detracted from the film's gripping story about a Jewish guy and a black guy joining the KKK as part of an undercover police operation.

As over the top as the characters in the film were, after the actual movie was over, Lee's inclusion of the real-life footage of the car being driven into a protest crowd in 2016 really underlined the film's true intent: racism in all forms must stop now.  Killing each other based on skin color is dumb.  Everyone has the same value as a human being.  I commend Lee for including this as a counterpoint to his satirical take on this topic.  It drove home the point of why this film was made.

Overall, the film was definitely worth seeing but I doubt it has a realistic chance to win.

Overall rating:  2.5/ 5.

THE FAVOURITE

I have yet to see "The Lobster"; Yorgos Lanthimos' first major film.  After watching "Killing of a Sacred Deer" last year and being irked and intrigued at the same time, I was cautiously optimistic about the Favourite, Lanthimos' third film and first best picture nomination.

The film is a period piece about Queene Anne and her right hand woman, (played by Rachel Weisz) who are running England together with no problems until Weisz' cousin shows up (played by Emma Stone).  As the film's title foreshadows, Weisz and Stone eventually fight about who will be the "hand of the queen" (borrowing Game of Thrones lexicon here).  As the fight intensifies, highjinks ensue.  Acted brilliantly by Weisz, Stone, and Olivia Coleman (Queen Anne), the film has it's strengths for sure.  Unfortunately, Lanthimos's directorial style gets in the way of what could have been a really good black comedy.

My major criticism of Lanthimos is that, in my opinion, he wants to be the star.  His quirky directorial style and camera-work are distractions as the movie progresses.  Several shots using fish-eye lenses for no apparent reason distract the viewer as the film progresses.  I actually thought my TV was messed up until they kept repeating.  The non-stop movement of the camera lends well in a few scenes; in others, it becomes the film's primary focus.  Why I wanted to watch a tracking shot of Emma Stone walking down a hallway for what seemed like 4 minutes was beyond me.  It was worse then the poop sweeping scene in Roma.  Towards the end of the film, I was yearning for a straight up shot of a room as the scene played out.  Coupled with the insistence that the only two colors seen in the film are black and white, combined with the camera work and weird lenses, became another character which greatly detracted from the film's overall worth.  As viewers, we understand that Olivia Coleman's Queen Anne's either bi-polar or manic-depressive states provoked two distinct personalities.  Being beaten over the head with the black and white imagery was a little too much at times.  The lack of stability in the character's lives was evident without the constantly shifting camera to remind us that nothing besides the queen and her ever-changing temper were static in England at this time.

I didn't like the way "Killing of a Sacred Deer" was shot but for completely different reasons.  After contrasting the two Lanthimos films, I feel like he is trying way too hard to say, "Look at me!  I'm the artist here, not these actors!"  In most great movies, the director makes everything fit and nothing stands out- that is what makes it feel perfect.  If a certain style is used (I'm thinking Wes Anderson here), it is very rare that the viewer feels as if he is watching Wes Anderson make a movie about some weirdos who stumble through their life.  In fact, it's the opposite- Anderson's use of color and camera enhance the story to make it easier for us to see what is happening internally with the characters.  Lanthimos's antics do just the opposite.  They annoy the viewer and make the story harder to follow.

I can see several in the academy taking to this film because it is avant-garde enough to be trendy but I can't see it garnering enough support to be a serious contender.

Overall Rating 2.0

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

This biographical film about the life of Freddy Mercury was eye-opening and entertaining.  As I grew up, I only knew that Freddy Mercury was an unabashedly gay man who flaunted his sexuality with no shame.  Truly a groundbreaker, Mercury paved the way for coming out, gay rights, and unfortunately, the tragedy of the Aids epidemic in the 80's.  I knew all that going in.

What I didn't know was that his life was far more complicated and not nearly as paved in stone as what MTV and the few music magazines I could read in the 80's let on.  The way in which he carried himself so confidently was an eye-opening revelation in bravery.  Standing up to almost everyone in order to fully realize himself was an inspirational story to see unfold on the screen.  What really made the story interesting was watching Freddy deal with the hurt and pain he caused others by taking the stances he took- while he deeply cared, he didn't apologize as he knew what would make himself happy.

Rami Malek's portrayal of this icon certainly did him justice as his Golden Globe and other awards have recognized.  Showing both the brazen side contrasted with the vulnerable side of Mercury was no easy task.  After seeing this film, I understand why he has won so many awards so far.  The rest of the cast was flawless, the script was sound, the music was perfect (if you are a Queen fan- my feeling is that most will be drawn to it after seeing this if they were not a fan to begin with), and Bryan Singer did a great job in bringing out the best in Malek and the script.

This is a serious contender in my mind.  With two films to go, I am glad I have seen one that has a legitimate shot at Best Picture.  If you would have told me in January that a Freddy Mercury biography would be leading the pack as the Oscars loomed, I would have said "NO WAY."  But, that is why it is impossible to guess which movies will shine.  See this one if you are a Queen fan, see it if you hate them.  Regardless of your stance on homosexuality, seeing the bravery Freddy displayed should be an inspiration to all of us.

Overall Rating 4..5/ 5

VICE

So I went into this movie already knowing a couple of things.  One, Dick Cheney was an egomaniac.  I knew about the Halliburton contracts and the level of corruption he brought into the White House.  Secondly, I knew Christian Bale was a fine actor.  He has played some great roles in the last few years but this may be his finest performance yet.  Surrounded by some of Hollywood's best actors at the moment, Bale managed to shine above them all as former Vice President, Dick Cheney.

The story begins during Nixon's presidency and follows Mr. Cheney's career through his role as vice president for George Bush II.  Watching Cheney evolve into the power hungry machine behind the curtain that he was portrayed as, was frightening to me as a voter in the USA.  Cheney was not remotely concerned about the public- he was concerned about two things; feeding his ego and his pocketbook.

The rest of the film did a great job of highlighting some of Cheney's more despicable acts as vice-president while simultaneously showing George Bush to be second in charge to Cheney's self-fueled megalomaniac dictator.  Culminating in what may be the most despicable political act in recent times, the film delivers on it's promise to expose Cheney for what he was- a dirtbag.

Regardless of politics (although I'm sure conservatives will blindly label this left-wing Hollywood propaganda instead of actually researching the unopposed Halliburton contracts etc.), this film depicts the inherent dangers of an unchecked oval office.  Considering that is what our sitting president so obviously wishes for, we should all take a moment to ask what good having someone like Cheney in office did for the United States.

The rest of the film was technically sound- the actors (from Amy Adams to Steve Carell) did a spot on job.  The cinematography was sharp, the score was fine.  Nothing let this film down except, depending on your own personal taste, the director.  Choosing at one point to add a false ending into the movie was either a masterstroke of genius or a rabbithole of annoyance depending on what your personal preference was.  I personally did not care for it and would have appreciated a more linear, traditional approach- especially given we were watching a historical drama.  That being said, I admire Adam McKay's willingness to try new things and the creativity it took to develop these ideas.

Overall, I enjoyed this film almost as much as I hated the main character.  Rating is 3.5/5.

GREEN BOOK

Wow.  What a powerhouse of a movie this was.  It should win best picture.  But it won't.  Unfortunately.  

It tells the story of Dr. Frank Shirley, an exceptionally talented African American concert pianist, who toured through the deep south in the 60's.  Dr. Shirley needed a driver and bodyguard so he hired Tony "Lip" Villenega, a bouncer at the Copa in New York.  Needless to say, the two were polar opposites.  As the tour proceeds, the become friends despite the inherent prejudice that Tony carries and the inherent quirkiness of Dr. Shirley. 

Having conquered the south and returned home, they could have easily retreated into their own prejudiced worlds and never saw each other again.  But both decided that their friendship was worth pursuing, despite it bringing each out of their comfort zones.  The real winner in this film was the human connection made between these two opposites- despite social class, upbringing, and prejudice.

Dr. Shirley is played by Mahershala Ali and after he wins the best supporting actor award for the second time in three years,  he is going to be ready to make the transition from supporting man to leading man.  Viggo Mortensen is up for best actor as well but with Malek and Bale's performances, I'm not sure he has a real shot despite being very good in this film.   The rest of the performers and technical aspects were up to par as well.  An excellent job of cinematography and editing were on display; the soundtrack and score were brilliant as well.  Overall, this was my favorite movie of the bunch.

Overall Rating 4.5/ 5.

PREDICTIONS:

Best Picture:  Roma
Best Director:  Spike Lee: BlackKKKlansman barely over Cuaron
Best Actor:  Rami Malek barely over Christian Bale but this could go either way.
Best Actress: Glenn Close
Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali
Best Supporting Actress: Regina King

OTHER MOVIES I'VE SEEN WITH OSCAR IMPLICATIONS:

FIRST MAN
This biopic about Neil Armstrong's trip to the moon, was beautifully shot, well produced, and truly an eye opener for me in that I had no idea that Neil Armstrong had such adversity in his life.  After seeing it and the eight nominees, I can say that this one should have been nominated for best picture in lieu of some of the others.  See this movie, if for nothing more then the CGI of them on the moon.  It was fantastic and it made you feel like you were there.  There were no hokey spacecraft is going to fail moments up there and the emotional impact the scenes have on the viewer parallel the emotional impact that the trip had on Armstrong- but not in the way you imagine it would.  This was a pretty good movie.  OVERALL RATING 4/5

IF ONLY BEALE STREET COULD TALK
The follow up from Barry Jenkins to Moonlight, this film was not nearly as good.  It could have been nominated over several of the actual nominees- most notably Black Panther- but it wouldn;t have won.  Besides the standout performance from Regina King, the movie fell flat.  Many of the scenes were too long, too drawn out, too over-dramatized.  I get what Jenkins was going for; he will learn from this and improve for his next film.  Overall rating 2/5.  Regina King's performance 4/ 5.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
Up for visual effects, it should win but I think the Star Wars universe is a victim of it's own perfection.  Solo looks technically perfect in that you don't even notice the visual effects- you take it for granted they are really happening.  Overall rating, 3/5 for a Star Wars movie. 5/5 for the effects.

THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS
Up for costume design, this doesn't stand a chance compared to "The Favourite" and its period-piece dresses which could double for small apartments.  Overall the Cohen Brothers entry into the Netflix library isn't their best but not their worst either.  Quirky in typical Cohen Brothers fashion, it's entertaining enough to watch but not good enough to memorize like The Big Lebowski or Fargo.  Overall Rating 2.5/ 5.

CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
This based on a true story film about Lee Israel, who faked over 400 letters from prominent authors and sold them to collectors, placed the age-old question in front of the viewer?  Can we empathize with- and ultimately sympathize with- a truly despicable set of characters because they are too lazy/ stubborn/ dumb/ unwilling to make changes to their lives?  Lee Israel was a destitute author who needed money to pay her bills.  With the help of her only friend, Jack Hock, (played brilliantly by Richard E Grant) she sells these letters for noble reasons- to get her cat medicine, pay her rent, etc. but also to buy copious amounts of booze with.  Melissa McCarthy (in the least likely Melissa McCarthy role ever) plays the miserable old lady to perfection.  Both main actors are nominated for best actors.  Grant's performance was impeccable but against Malek and Bale, I'm not sure he has a chance.  McCarthy is a dark horse.  I have yet to watch all of THE WIFE (hoping to finish it tonight) but in my mind, McCarthy has the best performance of the four I have seen.  Watch this movie just for the perofrmances these two actors put in.  Overall Rating 3.5/ 5.

Saturday Night Stoutfest!  (or just dark beer).  It's about 45 below out so John and I decided to stay in and drink some dark beer.  So here we go!

First up, we are finishing up the beer I brought hom early in the summer from Against the Grain brewery in Louisville.  If you make it anywhere near, I would strongly recommend stopping by as they had some good stuff to go.

Brewer: Against the Grain
Beer Name:  The Brown Note
Beer Style:  Brown Ale
Price:  About $10 or $12 for a 4pack of 16 oz cans.

Aroma:  There really isn't any.  Maybe a slight almond or other nut smell but very feint.

Appearance:  Obviously, it's brown.  Medium in color- foggy but not dense.  It's a real light brown around the edges.  A very nice looking beer.  John says pretty clear, amberish in color.

Mouthfeel:  Light, not much weight to it.  John says it is very smooth.

Taste:  John's first words were, "Man, this is good."  We have both had it before and we both agree it was the best of the beers I brought back.  It is a solid brown ale for sure.  Google the label and read it.  It's worth the 20 seconds.  John gets a little malt taste but not overpowering.

Overall rating:  I put a 4 on untappd when I rated it there and I'm sticking with it  If you like brown ale at all, this is a good one to drink.  John says 4 as well.  We agree that this is worth tracking down a 4pack.

2nd Beer:

Brewer:  Against the Grain
Beer Name:  35K

Beer Style:  Milk Stout

Price:  About $10 or $12 for a 4 pack of 16oz cans

Aroma:  Not much there.  John agrees.

Appearance:  Dark.  A nice, oily look to it.  Great lacing.

Mouthfeel:  Very tingly.  This feels like a regular stout.  I had one of these already and it tastes much more like a regular stout then a milk stout.

Taste:  This is very much like a regular stout.  Licoricey and malty.  John agrees that it is not a traditional milk stout.   He thinks it is good, but not very milky.

Overall Rating:  I'm saying 3.5.  John says 3.75.  It's good but not as good as the brown.

3rd Beer:  

Brewer:  Terrapin
Beer Name:  Moo Hoo

Beer Style:  Chocolate Milk Stout

Price:  $10 for a six pack if memory serves correctly.

Aroma:  Again, not much here.  John smells chocolate.

Appearance:  Dark, clear, and handsome.  Not as oily as the 35K. 

Mouthfeel:  Again, not much going on.  Smooth, light, some tingle as it passes over the tounge.

Taste:  This has a LOT of chocolate in it.  It puts the chocolate milk in chocolate milk stout.  It is delicious.  I have had the other five and I think I drank them colder because I haven't gotten this much taste out yet.  It pays to drink them at the right temperature.  John loves it.  He says you can really taste the chocolate.

Overall Rating:  John says 4.25.  I'm saying a solid 4.  It is way better as it warms up.

Beer #4

Brewer:  4Hands
Beer Name:  2018 Tiki Chocolate Milk Stout (I have a bottle of 2017 in the fridge that I will rate at a later date)
Beer Style:  Chocolate Milk Stout w/ Coffee and coconut.
Price:  You can buy a 12 pack of 6 regular and 6 tiki at Friar Tucks for about $18.

Aroma:  John says it has a sharp coffee smell.  It does have a coffee aroma but I think it smells good.

Appearance:  Also dark in color, opaque.  Has brown lacing.

Mouthfeel:  This has a good tingle to it as it goes down.  light. smooth, more volume then the others. 

Taste:  For a mass produced beer, this is complex.  It starts with the coffee, but quickly changes to the coconut, chocolate, vanilla, licorice, etc found in the rest of the beer.  As much as I love the regular chocloate milk stout, I like this as much or more.  The coffee is not overpowering at all; it does not overpower any of the other flavors.  It's one of the few beers where each flavor is overtly expressed at some point in each drink.  For the record, John doesn't care for it.  Not going to drink my Perennial Sump with him.  (Don't tell him that).

Overall Rating:  John says a 3.25.  He is not enamored by the coffee.  I say 4.75.  I love this stuff.  It is a flavor bomb.

Beer #5

Brewer:  Narrow Gauge
Beer Name:  Old Town Porter
Beer Style:  Porter
Price:  $12 for a 4 pack of 16oz cans

Aroma:  Slight vanilla maybe?  Hazelnut possibly?  None of these beers have an aroma.  I've been drinking so many juicebomb IPA's recently, this is crazy.  John says he gets nothing.  Seems to be a theme.

Appearance:  Dark brown. 

Mouthfeel:  Super tingly.  A lot more alive then the others.

Taste:  Maple and bacon right off the bat.  Anise, maybe some berry as well.  This has a lot of flavor for a porter.  I think it has more of a stout taste to it.  John doesn't think it has much of an extra flavor.  As many of you know, Narrow Gauge is an IPA brewery so darker beers are not their specialty.  That being said, this was an admirable attempt at a porter.  It's not bad- not good.  John says it's roasty and smoky. 

Overall rating:  John says its a 3.5.  I say 3.5 also.  Consistency is the key.  Not my favorite porter but not the worst I've had by any means.

 
Beer #6  (Time for the Big Boys)

Brewer:  Left Hand
Beer Name:  Wake Up Dead Nitro
Beer Style:  Russian Imperial Stout Nitro
Price:  Don't remember but it wasn't that much.  Maybe $3 or $4 for a 16 oz can.

Aroma:  Something going on here finally.  Black licorice, maybe some dates or plums?  A slightly tart aroma for sure. 

Appearance:  Think TLC Waterfalls as the foam gathers its way up the glass.  A beautiful pouring beer.  Gotta love nitro.  Obviously, it has a great head on it.  Creamy as could be and the lacing is not disappearing at all.

Mouthfeel:  Defintely a big boy.  Boozy but with the nitro, it still passes as a regular beer.  John thinks this one could really sneak up on you.

Taste:  John says he likes it but the name is appropriate.  He does not think it tastes like a 10% beer.  He wants another one.  I, on the other hand, don't care for it.  It is too dry to me.  It has a very bitter taste that I don't care for.  I want my stouts sweet and malty.  This one is too bitter and it has a weird fruity/ pruney/ datey thing going on.  Maybe that's the Russian flavor.  Not my thing. 

Overall Rating:  John says 4.0.  I say 2.0.  Give me some chocolate milk in my beer. 

Beer #7

Brewer:  Samuel Smith
Beer Name: Imperial Stout
Beer Style:  Stout
Price:  $4 for a 550 ML (1 pint 2 oz) bottle.  Relatively cheap for 2 almost full glasses.

Aroma:  Fruity.  I'm guessing the yeast? John doesn't smell anything.

Appearance:  Another beautiful pour.  Not the lacing of the nitro but still very nice.  Dark, lacey, clearish for a dark beer.  John just said we have to go to Sam Smith some time.  I'm all for it.  We did try to open a local branch last year but they only franchise in the UK.  For real.  Not making this up.  We actually looked into it.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth again.  No tingle on this one. 

Taste:  Very pruney as well.  I am a little perplexed by the taste to be sure.  I was expecting a little more.  It is good but very simple.  John says it's light and smooth but definitely has the prune taste. 

Overall Rating:  John says its a 3.5.  I say 3 even.   

Beer #8 (Last One)

Brewer:  Tool
Beer Name:  Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk
Beer Style:  Imperial Milk Porter
Price:  I bought this about 3 years ago.  I have no idea.  We had a similar brew from Tool a few years back and we decided to let the other one wait  for a while.

Aroma:  A slight hint of bourbon followed up with a huge aroma of bourbon.  Besides the bourbon, it has a slight fruit aroma- similar to the stout John and I drank four years ago, it has a fruity undertone.

Appearance:  Very dark- it's about time to make a joke about Brad Owens' women here-  it's a good looking dark beer.

Mouthfeel:  Tart and fruity on the front; followed by the burn of heavy alcohol on the back.  This is a strong beer for sure. 

Taste:  Very raisoney/ pruney, tart for a porter.  This is very similar to the stout we drank 4 years ago.  John says it is very strong and boozy.  I agree.  It's a strong beer.  That being said, we both like it.  John tastes the lactose or milk or whatever it is in there.  John says it probably has mellowed over the last four years it sat in my fridge.  Either way, it didn't hurt to let it sit there; that's for sure.

Overall Rating:  John says 3.75.  I say 3 even.  Not my favorite bourbon barrel aged.  Still ineresting to drink beer from Denmark.

A little Saturday Night blogging...

OK.  So John and I just decided to do a little mini-blog.  His girls went to watch a movie with the wife and I traded and I came down to John's to drink a little fantastic beer.  I am predicting some high ratings tonight.

Beer #1
Brewer: Decadent Brewing
Beer Name:  Mango Coconut Smoothie
Beer Style: IPA
Price:  $22 for a 4 pack of pints at Friar Tucks (expensive but I had one already- it's fantastic; worth every penny.)

Aroma:  A little pineapple; not a whole lot given the title.  I was kind of surpised by the lack of aroma to be honest.  John says it smells mangoy- good frutiy smell to it. 

Appearance: Very light IPA; cloudy as could be- a typical fruit infused IPA.  John says light with a slight haze.

Mouthfeel:  Very tingly- an effervescent beer for sure.  John says it's smoothie like.  I don't drink smoothies unless they have IPA after it so I'm not exactly an expert.

Taste:  Holy crap this is good.  I LOVE the 4Hands Smooth Operator but this is better- slightly; but better.  This is the perfect blend of coconut, mango, and IPA.  It tastes like a Pina Colada IPA.  I love it.  This is my second can and it's perfect.  (I rated the first one a 5.0 on Untappd after one drink.)  John says more mango up front but coconut at the back- he doesn't care for the coconut.  By the way, at 9%, there is NO boozy taste at all.  I'm amazed that this is 9% as I could really puke really quick with a cooler full of this.

Overall Rating:  I say 5/ 5.  There is no way to improve on this beer.  Undoubtedly, one of the top 4 or 5 beers I've ever had.  I could drink this every day for the rest of my life and be happy.  And it's 9% so a cheap date as well!  John says it's light enough for the pool (at 9%) and he would drink it as well.  He goes 3.75.

Beer #2
Brewer:  Againt the Grain
Beer Name:  35K
Beer Style:  Stout
Price:  If I remember right, it was about $15 for a 4pack of pints- don't quote me.  Friar Ticks has it for about $12 a 4 pack.

Aroma:   Typical Stout- a little coffee, a little licorice, a little malt.  In short- it smells like heaven.

Appearance:  Slightly darker then the previous IPA- by slightly I mean totally black.  Totally- with slight brown lacing. 

Mouthfeel:  A very typical stout- some tingle up front followed by a whole lot of smooth; like black licorice mixed with water.

Taste:  Quite a nice stout- I could drink this all night as well; that being said, there is nothing outstanding about it.  A very solid effort but not the best stout ever. 

Overall rating.  4.0 for me.  A very solid stout but nothing to set it apart.  John says "Ditto- I could easily drink more then one."

Beer #3
Brewer:  4204
Beer Name:  Chocolate Coconut Stout
Beer Style:  Stout
Price:  About $2 for a 12 oz can at Beer Sauce Shop.

Aroma:  Nothing.  John says it is different than the last one but is struggling to name the aroma.  John says it smells like stout but just the roasted smell.  I might get a hint of butter but it's not strong.

Appearance:  Dark, not exactly see through- brown lacing on the glass.  Typical Stout.  Nothing out of sorts here.

Mouthfeel: Very waterish- not much happening.

Taste:  Up until now, this beer wasn't promising.  Wow.  This is awesome.  I love coconut.  This is exactly what is advertised.  Stout and coconut.  Chocolate, coffe, malt, slight licorice- and a lot of coconut. It's a,most got an oil of coconut feel to it.  John says maybe he likes coconut more than he thought he did because this is pretty good.  He likes it better then the last one as I do as well.  John says it's better as it warms up.  It does.  It's delicious.

Overall Rating:  I'm saying 4.5.  This is good.  Paired with Jane's Addiction live from New York.  Which by the way is a great concert video.  I've seen the whole thing.  Love the Jane's.  John gives the beer a 4.25.  (Mikey likes it!)

Beer #4
Brewer:  Bruery
Beer Name:  Bakery
Beer Style:  Imperial Stout
Price:  $6 for a pint

Aroma:  Definitely a bourbon stout.  Slight coconut odor.  Maybe a slight hint of vanilla but I'm not sure.  John says it smells almost sour; a lot of licorice.  Michelle says it smells like coffee.  I say boozy.

Appearance:  About what you expect.  Dark, etc.  John says it pours like oil.  Not a whole lot of surprise here.  John says dark as night.

Mouthfeel:  Bourbon.  Lots of it  BOOZY!!!!!!!!!!!

Taste:  Bourbon.  Lots of it. 

Overall Rating:  3.0?.  Not quite as good as I expected.  I was hoping for a lot more flavor.  John says 3.25.  He likes it like a stout but not the other stouts.

Six Days Later! Back at It! More blog perfection!

Six days after the last blog...  John and I are here to provide more expert guidance for your beer pallette.  Enjoy the excess information and beer ratology (this is science after all).

So here we go...

Beer #1

Beer Name:  Fresh Squeezed IPA
Brewer:  Deschutes
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  About $10 for a 6 pack at Dierbergs.

Aroma:  Not much there.  A slight hint of grapefruit.  Maybe a little teeny bit of pine.  But for the most part, not an aromatice beer.

Appearance:  Hazy; copperish brown.  A non-traditional IPA look to it.  Good lacing on the glass.  A nice pour.

Mouthfeel:  Tart on the back end more than bitter.  It's a beer that keeps your mouth busy.  A lot going on throughout.  This is a somewhat complex beer.

Taste:  Grapefruitish for sure; bitter at times; especially if you drink it quickly.  I think it gets a little better after it warms up slightly.  I drank one last weekend and it wasn't as good as the one tonight.  This is a really good tasting beer.

Overall Rating:  4.0 from me.  Fairly complex for a fruity IPA.  John says 3.5.

Beer #2

Beer Name:  Mosaic Single Hop IPA
Brewer:  Sweet Water
Beer Style:  Hazy IPA
Price:  $10 for a six pack at Dierbergs

Aroma:  This smells like nectar.  Citrusy, fresh, slightly hoppy.  They should make this perfume.  Kelly would wear it nonstop whether she wanted to or not.  It smells like a screwdriver (drink- not tool).  Delicious.  John says it smells sweet and hoppy.  Nothing overpowers.

Appearance:  John says this has an IPA color.  Much lighter then the Deschutes.  This looks like a hazy IPA.  Light in color, obviously cloudy.  It looks like pineapple juice.

Mouthfeel:  Not as complex as the Descutes.  A much more straightforward IPA.  Crisp, clean, slightly tart, slightly bitter.  I just took a drink and got an ice cream feel.  Weird.  It has a hint of orangecycle to it.

Taste:  John says it tastes like it smells.  Definitely a sweeter, fruity taste.  I say it's totally different then the Deschutes but equally as interesting.  The Deschutes was a much more subdued citrus taste; this one is much more blatant with the Mosaic hops.  That being said, this is just as good.

Overall rating:  John says 3.25.  He prefers the Deschutes.  I'm going 4 again.  It is amazing how different two beer the same family can taste so different.  This is more of a summer beer for sure.  I am going 4 again.

Beer #3
Beer Name:  Prism Saison
Brewer:  Perennial Ales
Beer Style:  Dry Hopped Saison
Price:  $11 for a 4 pack of 16oz at Friar Tucks.

Aroma:  Not very strong at all.  A slight citrusy, almost belgiun aroma.  John says it smells like champagne.

Appearance:  Yellow like Big Bird.  HAZY as well.  Ain't no looking through this one.

Mouthfeel:  Very light on the tongue.  A slight tingle at the end.  Almost champagney.

Taste:  Citrusy, clean, fresh.  A very subdued Saison.  Not a lot of Belgiun taste at all.  It's almost wine spritzerish which normally would be a bad thing.  This is a true breakfast beer.  As in get up, go to the fridge, ignore the milk and juice, and crack one of these.  John says it takes the place of your momossa.

Overall Rating:  I'm going a solid 3.  I'm not sure what they were aiming for but I could see having this with my bowl of cocoa pebbles or vanilla milkshake pop tarts for sure.  John says its a 2.5.  Not bad, not good.

Beer #4
Beer Name:  Tropical Torpedo
Brewer:  Sierra Nevada
Beer Style:  Tropical IPA
Price:  $10 for a six pack at Friar tucks

Aroma:  John says maple.  Then he said, "What is going on here?"  I said it smells like water with a slight hint of waterish water.  Not much going on here.  By the way, John and I just told Nick when we pull up to pick up him up from his friend's house, all his friends say #roll models.  Yep, that's what we do.

Appearance:  Less hazy then the previous beers but still pretty hazy.  Golden blonde in color.  Decent pour.  It's a good looking beer in the glass.

Mouthfeel:  Nothing happening here.  Very watery for the most part.  A true IPA.

Taste:  John says that once you get through the maple taste, it's a fruity IPA.  I say "What is going on here?"  The taste is very muted.  It is tropical but not until the end.  It is not very hoppy.  It's a very vanilla version of a tropical IPA.  Its good, just not outstanding.

Overall Rating:  John says not bad for a maple syrup IPA.  He says 3.  I say 2.75.  Not anywhere near as good as the others but it is drinkable.

Beer #5  (Can't believe I'm doing this- #worstbeerontheblog)
Beer Name:  Black and Tan
Brewer:  F'ing Yuengling
Beer Style:  Piss & Shit?  (Label says porter and premium beer- sounds like an Aldi's label to me)
Price:  Too Much- seriously, free is too much for anything Yuengling.

Aroma:  Smells like sour piss.  John says he's not sure.  He's never spent the night in a crack house- obviously...   John says nothing stands out.  I vote for that as the understatement of all eternity.

Appeance:  I say diahrea with a splash of superdehydrated pee.  John says a dark amber color that you can almost see through.

Mouthfeel:  Like gagging.  John says it's smooth. 

Tatse:  John says it's like the Coors Lite of Black and Tans.  I say it's like the filet mignon and fresh Maine lobster tail of shitty beer.  I mean it's almost perfectly shitty in every way.  The "brewers" should be proud of themselves.  It's perfection in almost every category of crap.

Overall Rating:  John says 3.5????????????????????????  WTF????????????????????  I say .000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001  Untappd apparently only goes in 1/4's so technically it's a straight 0.  I'd rather drink the beast light with Brass Monkey and call it a "black and tan."

And back to the "beer" blog...

Beer #6
Beer Name:  Voodoo Ranger Juicy Hazy IPA
Brewer:  New Belgium
Beer Style:  Hazy IPA
Price:  $10 for a 6 pack at Friar Tucks

Aroma:  Metallic and fruity.  Almost coppery aroma covered up by a grapefruitish, orange smell.  Not bad, just a little weird.

Appearance:  Unfiltered, cloudy pineapple juice says John.

Mouthfeel:  Not much; a little bitter but not bad.

Taste:  John says it starts not good and gets worse.  I said it tasted like a mouthfull of dirt.  Seriously.  It tastes like dirt.  Not a great beer at all.  I'm thinking go straight to DVD with this one.  John says it tastes like when you take a day after the chili cookoff dump and then spray air freshener on top of it.  You know that sweet smell????  Of course you do.

Overall Rating:  John says a 1.  I'm saying 1.5.  This is easily the worst beer we've had tonight.  (Not counting the Yuengling as anything other than nuclear bovine waste).

Beer #7
Beer Name:  Stupid Head
Brewer:  Stillwater (Top 5 brewers in the USA)
Beer Style:  Hefeweizen
Price:  5.99 for a 16 oz can.

Aroma:  John cracked it open, took one sniff and said "maple syrup".  I can't make this stuff up.  It smells like fresh pineapples.

Appearance:  Hazy.  Imagine that.  Light golden blonde in color.  Good lacing.  Nice looking beer in the glass.

Mouthfeel:  Nothing at all.  No tingle, no tart, no bitter, think drinking Kool-Aid. 

Taste:  This tastes like a pineapple dreamcycle.  I don't know how many beers can have the ice creamish taste but I'm digging them all.  The 4Hands vanilla milkshake IPA is the best of them all.  This one is pretty good though.  It's not lacking in tropical flavor for sure. 

Overall Rating:  John is not a fan.  He says 1.5.  And no more "tropical" beers for John.  I say a 3.5.  It's not bad.  I like the milkshake/ smoothie thing that it has going on. 

Until next time...  Drink more beer.

Pre-Halloween Beer Blog- This could be scary.

OK.  This is a for real blog.  We have a crap- ton of beer and with the exception of the first one; they are all above 6%.  So by the end, if I'm typing in Cyrillic, you will know why.  Buckle up.  Hold on.  Grab your partner.  Here we go.

Beer #1:

Beer Name:  4 hands Ripple (as in pass me my ripple from Eazy Duz It.
Brewer:  Hands down the best brewery in the STL- 4 Hands.
Beer Style:  White Ale
Price:  About $14 for a 12 pack at Sams.

Pics come later.

Appearance:  Defintily cloudy says John.  It's a very light shade of yellow; lighter then my pee will be tomorrow for sure.

Aroma:  Very fruity.  John says citrusy.  Smells delicious.  It's amazing that when I pop one of these open, Kelly immediately starts cleaning.

Mouthfeel:  Feels like an orange soda.  John says it's very crisp.

Taste:  This is a beer you want to drink COLD.  It is very witbierish.  A hint of the Belgiun yeast like a witbier.  John says it's OK; like a wheat beer with an orange slice squeeed in.  Maybe it's actually a Blue Moon!  I say it is not bad but nothing out of the ordinary.  If you read my blog, you know I'm not crazy about the Belgiun yeast so it's not my thing.

Overall Rating:  John says 3..  I say 3 even as well.  Not our choice of summer beers.

Beer #2

Beer Name:  Budweiser Copper
Brewer:  UMMMMMM.....
Beer Style:  Barrel Aged Lager
Price:  about $8 a 6 pack available anywhere.

Appearance:  Wow!  It's copper.  Shocking.  Looks like an amber- think Amber Bock.  Very clear.  You could see your own pee pee on the other side of the glass (if it had a magnifying lens that is).

Aroma:  Not a lot to smell here.  Slight bourbon maybe but very subdued.  John sys he can smell bourbon but definitely not overpowering.  Slightly sweet.

Mouthfeel:  Very shocking on the tongue.  It hits you hard but mellows very quickly.  Probably like a bourbon (I don't drink bourbon so not exactly an expert).  John says a tingle on the tongue up front.

Taste:  John says a budweiserish caramel taste.  I agree.  To Bud's credit, they let the actual bourbon come through.  It's not bad.  I could drink this if it was left in my fridge.  Much better then the actual beer.

Overall rating:  John says 2.  I say a 3 again.  It's not terrible.  It was better than I expected but still a lot of room for improvement.

Beer #3

Beer Name:  High Cotton IPA
Brewer:  High Cotton in Memphis- Picked this up a few weekends ago when Landon was there for soccer.
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $9 a six pack from the brewery.  This is not available outside of TN.

Side Note:  Props to John.  He picked up the can and said, "Where is the rest?"  The can was only filled about 3/4 of the way and he knew without looking.  That's why we blog...

Appearance:  Looks like Bud Lite.  Golden and clear.  No lacing on the glass.

Aroma:  Hoppy.  I know that's not a stretch but it really smells hoppy.  John says it has some pine.  Not a bad smell per say but not the best beer smell ever.

This beer has a 1.062 Original Gansta score as well in case anyone was wondering.

Mouthfeel:  Nothing. At all.  Nothing there.  It's slightly flavored water out of the can.  John says it has the bitter feel to it.  I don't get that.  Maybe because I'm on beer #7.

Taste:  I had this on tap at the brewery and it was pretty good.  The canned version is a little less satisfying.  John says a straight IPA- no fruit or other tastes.  He says it is bland.  He could enjoy the bitterness with more flavor.

Overall Rating:  John says he is not impressed; a 2.25.  I'm going 2.5.  It's not a great beer out of the can.

Beer #4

Beer Name:  Hi-5 IPA
Brewer:  Terrapin
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  Don't know.  Joel the Beermaster got me this.

Appearance:  A slightly darker and maybe a little cloudy Bud Lite.  Very frothy and bubbly.  A nice pour in the glass.

Aroma:  This beer smells great.  It has a citrusy, piney, hoppy, beery smell.  If someone made this into a perfume, I'd buy some and spray it on myself when my wife wasn't around.  John says a very mellow IPA smell which is good.

Mouthfeel:  Slight tingle  at the back.  John says it is pretty smooth.  Very nice feel to it.  This is a quality IPA.

Taste:  This is delicious.  A slight pine taste with a slight hop tinge to it as well.  John says slightly hoppy as well.  He says it tastes good.

Overall Rating:  John says a 3.25.  I say a 4.  It's very good.  Smooth and easy.

WE HAVE A NEW RATER:  WELCOME V TO THE BLOG!  by the way, V wants this to change to a Ukranian cognac blog.  Not happening tonight.

Beer #5

Beer Name:  Minglewood DDH Citra Satellite
Brewer:  Minglewood Brewing
Beer Style:  IPA
Price?  The beermaster got it for me.

Appearance:  Very cloudy.  Very light in color.  No lacing or foam.  It looks like apple cider.

Aroma:  Smells like a sour glass of OJ.  John says it smells very fruity (no jokes here please).

Mouthfeel:  Not much happening here.  Very smooth and light.  John says slightly bitter but no kickback at all.

Taste:  V says it's very good.  John says it's citrusy the whole way through.  I say it's fricking delicious.  I'm a big an of the DDH citra beers.  Narrow Gauge's is delicious.  This is equally good.  Where are the stuffed meatballs?  Man this is good.  I'm considering a drive down there next weekend.

Overall rating:  John goes 4.25.  V says its a 3.5.  I'm going 4.75.  This is damn near perfect.  I recommend it and please bring me back as much as your truck will hold.

Beer #6

Beer Name:  Oachkatzlschwoaf
Brewer:  Urban Chestnut
Beer Style;  Ocktoberfest
Price:  $16 for 8 16 ounce cans at Dierbergs.

Appearance:  Light amber for an Octoberfest- medium clear.  John says slightly hazy.  V says acryllic.

Aroma:  It smells buttery and sweet.  Almost like creme brulee'.  John says nutty and malty.  Almost like a Tim Britt Schmaltzy aroma.

Mouthfeel:  My tongue is numb.  Out on this category.  John says very light and smooth.  V says lite beer.

Taste:  This is buttery and malty.  Very good.  It has the Ocktoberfest tang to it. I'm loving it.  One of the best Octoberfest's I've had.  John says ditto.

Overall Rating:  V says 2.5.  John says 3.  I say 4.  It's a very good Octoberfest.

AND ON WE GO:

Beer Name:  Ill Repute
Brewer: 4 Hands
Beer Style:  Imperial Stout
Price:  $6 or $7 at Schnucks LSTL

Appearance:  UMMMMMM, we have transitioned from light to dark- for sure.  This is black.  As in an unstarry night. Nice lacing on the glass.  Little froth says John.  V says his comment was racist and so he did not comment.

Aroma:  Holy cinammon.  This would give HOT DAMN a run for it's money.  If you don't mind hot and spicy, this is right up your alley.

Mouthfeel:  Super tingly; like a red hot.  V says Iced Coffee.

Taste:  John says its a very tasty beer.  Vanilla up front turning to cinammon at the end.  It has a whole lot going on for sure.  It's very tingly up front but smoother going down.  hints of vanilla, cinammon, oak, coffee, and slight chocolate are the obvious tastes.  John thought it was a pumpkin beer but we aren't getting anything resembling pumpkin tonight.  We all like it.  I'm pretty sure John Kelly (Blues announcer) just said "Johnson unloads" during the broadcast.  HAHAHA.

Overall Rating:  John says 3.75.  V says 4.  I say 3.75.  Not the best stout ever but I definitely would drink it agian without flinching.

Beer #8

Beer Name:  Mother's MILF
Brewer:  Mother's
Beer Style:  American Imperial Stout
Price:  ?  Thanks Joel the beermaster.

Appearance:  John says it looks like liquid tar.  V says darker then the previous one and you thought his last comment was racist!  V says 50 shades of dark.  WOW.

Aroma:  This smells like a vat of whiskey.  A strong vat.  John says a shot of Jager.  And he got his bottle of Jager out and compared.  For real.  Hilarious.  V says a choclate candy with cherry liquor candy smell.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth for the titantic ship of  beer.  Holy shit this is ridiculous.

Taste:  Very whiskeyish.  Definitely interesting.  It's STRONG.  It is very raisonish.  Almost pruney.  V says its a diluted liquor.  Not quite as liquorish as Jager.  I'm saying it's not bad.  I wish I had more time and this was then only beer I had.  This will be continued.  I think it's a really sippable beer.  V says it's a like a dark beer but the over-alcohol taste kills it before you really can tell.

Overall rating:  I'm thinking a 3.75.  It's very tasty.  I'm not crazy about the raisins but it's still good.  A LOT GOING on here.  I mean A LOT.  It's a very interesting beer.  John says he's not a huge fan.  2.25.  V says he gives it a 2.  Not our favorite beer.

Beer #9

Beer Name:  Boulder Shake
Brewer:  Boulder Brewing
Beer Style:  Chocolate Porter
Price:?  Thanks Joel the beermaster

Appearance:  Dark.  As in dark.  Maybe a slight transperancy with a red tint.  V says it looks like coffee.  John says pretty good froth.

Aroma:  John says choclatey or mochaey.  Either way, it smells delicious.  I'm thinking chocolate Thunder.  V says no that is meaningful.  Not sure how to translate that into English.

Mouthfeel:  It's very smooth.  Not a lot going on.

Taste:  It's very smooth.  I am saying delicious.  It's a very good porter.  John says very cocoaey; not chocolate milk stouty.

Overall rating:  John says 4.25.  V says 3.  I say 4.5.  I could drink this all winter.  It is delicious.

Beer #10

Beer Name:  Imperial Vanilla Porter Aged in Rum Barrels
Brewer:  Breckenridge
Beer Style:  Barrel Aged Imperial Porter
Price: $13 a bottle at Schnucks

Appearance:  Dark.  Blacker than a dark steer's tuchas on a moonless prarie night.

Aroma:  Rum de dum dum.  V says its sour.  John says its got an ovrpowering alcohol smell. 

Mouthfeel:  Tingly at the end.  John says you feel the alcohol on the back end.  V says it's a normal beer to him.  Not overpowering.

Taste:  This is a very good beer.  I am absolutely digging it.  The rum is very understted but yet you can tell its there.  It is a very good edition of the regular vanilla porter.  I have two bottles of this on the shelf to age but I am seriously questioning the decision to save it. 

Overall Rating:  V says 4.  John says 4.  I'm saying 4.5.  That was a great entry into the Imperial porter (or stout) variety of beer.  Delicious.  It's very good.

LAST ONE:  THANK GOD  Holy shit I'm drunkish.

Beer Name:  Warhammer
Brewer:  4 Hands
Beer Style: Imperial IPA
Price:  About $8 at Schucks LSTL

Appearance:  Very cloudy for an IPA.  Very light in color with a great head.  John says slightly cloudy with a peeish (his term not mine) tone.

Aroma:  John says IPAish but not over the top.  I say it smells like fluorescent flowers on a brightly lit beach.  Jamming Jane's Addiction "Three Days" right now so I could enjoy Falstaff.  This beer smells like Heavan for IPAs though.

Mouthfeel:  Not much happening.  Very smooth for an IPA.  John and V say Bitter but in a good way.  V says they disguise the alcohol tatse in the beer.

Taste:  This is the 2nd bottle of this I've had.  Its delicious.  This is one of the better IPA's I've had.  It's the best mperial for sure.  Might be a perfect beer.

Overall Rating:  V says 4. John says 4.  I say 4.5 with the disclaimer that I can raise the rating later.  It's very good.

Sorry the ratings  got more boring but I am going to sleep LATE tomorrow if you know what I mean.  Thanks for reading,

Tom

Manchester United vs. Real Madrid

After attending the Liverpool drubbing of Manchester United in Michigan on Saturday, I decided I better drink early and often to watch the United/ Real game tonight.  So, I have at least 7 beers in line to be sampled tonight.

First up:

Brewer:  4 hands
Beer Name: Contact High Juiced
Beer Style: Ale
Price $14 for a 12 pack of cans at SAMS




Appearance:  Very light, super cloudy, obviously infused with something.  This beer is advertised as having Tangarine and Mandarin Orange in it and it has a strong look of something in it.

Aroma:  This has a very fruity aroma along with a tradtional ale.  It smells wonderful.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth.  A very light tingle with a very smooth finish.

Taste:  Full disclosure:  I love this beer.  I don't think it is a surprise that I like the fruity beer.  This is an exceptionally fine beer if you are into the fruit infused ales that are all the rage right now.

Overall rating:  4.75.  I have bought three cases over the last three weeks.  That should be testament enough.  It is delicious.

Next One:

Brewer:  Stillwater Artisanal
Beer Name:  Micro
Beer Style: Pale Ale
Price:  $10 for a 4 pack of 16 oz cans at Friar Tucks

Appearance:  Similar to the 4Hands above.  Light, very hazy with a nice clean pour.  Great lacing on the glass.  Looks like a fantastic summer beer.

Aroma:  Ale with a tangarine or orange scent.  The fruit cent is very strong despite not having any added fruit.  It looks great and smells great.  It makes you want to head out by the pool or go on a picnic or somewhere outside.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth.  Light, fresh feel with a slight tingle.

Taste:  This is a perfect beer.  I have drank it all summer and have not tired of it at all.  It has a much more subdued citrus flavor then the 4Hands but it is equally refreshing and crisp.  This is a nust try; the citra hops give it the perfect blend of citrus to balance out the bitterness of the hops.  Perfect balance.

Overall Rating:  5.  This is a perfect beer.  I love it.

Beer #3

Brewer:  Bell's
Beer Name:  Hopslam Ale
Beer Style:  Double IPA
Price:  No idea.  This was a gift from Joel the beermaster.

Appearance:  A little amber; slightly cloudy but much more clear then the other two.

Aroma:  Hoppy.  Very crisp.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth as well.  No tingle at all.

Taste:  This is much hoppier then the previous two.  No citrus at all.  A much more traditional IPA with hops.  I am getting some caramel in the aftertaste as well  Wierd for an IPA.  John says super hoppy and not his favorite.  I concur.  Its OK for a double IPA.  But not my favorite style.

Overall rating:  I say a 3.  Well balanced and a goof effort but not my cup of beer.  John says a 2.75.

On to the next #4:

Brewer:  Narrow Gauge
Beer Name:  SHB:  DDH Galaxy
Beer Style:  Double IPA as well
Price:  $18 for a 4 pack of 16 oz cans.  Expensive.

Appearance:  Light yellow, very cloudy.  A nice lacing on the glass.

Aroma:  A lot of orange juice here.  Very citrusy.  The mosaic hops certainly are prevalant here.

Mouthfeel:  Somewhat tingly here.  Smooth overall.  A nice light beer for the summer.

Taste:  This beer smells better then it tastes.  Not bitter but not very sweet either.  Sort of a very mediocre effort in my opinion.  If you like Galaxy hops, you probably will like this.  If not, they have better beers.

Overall rating:  3.  Very pedestrian.













#5:

Brewer:  Narrow Gauge
Beer Name:  SHB:  DDH Citra
Beer Style:  Double IPA
Price:  $18 for a 4 pack of 16 oz cans.  Expensive

Appearance:  Looks exactly the same as the other Narrow Gauge.  In fact, I think this is the same except the hops are changed from Mosaic to Citra.  Both are double dry hopped IPAs.

Aroma:  Also, very citrusy or orangy like the mosaic.  Smells like a breakfast juice of some sort.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth.  Outstanding balance.

Taste:  Outstanding.  Very well balanced.  I really like this beer.  Their citrus infused pale ale is even better but they did not have any for sale in cans.  This is well balanced, flavorful with a mix of hops and citrus.

Overall rating:  I say a 4.5 at least; maybe higher upon repeated drinkings.  John says 3.5.  It is clearly better then the galaxy.

On to #6:

Brewer: Sam Smith
Beer Name:  Organic Pale Ale
Beer Style:  Pale Ale
Price:  $6 for a pint.

Appearance:  Way darker then anything else on the blog.  This is a very traditional pale ale is appearance.  Medium brown; slightly cloudy; almost no lacing or foam on the pour.  John says it is loudier then you would expect for sure.

Aroma:  Smells much more like an alcoholic beverage then any of the other beers.  No fruit; very little hops, etc.  Smells like a strong beer. 

Mouthfeel:  Almost nothing there.  No tingle; no weight, almost watery.

Taste:  John says it has a Newcastle feel to it.  Smoother then Newcastle but that same vibe.  I say it is another flawless entrant from Sam Smith.  This is the best brewery on the planet across styles and genres.  It is amazing how they put out quality entrants across the board.  This beer has a perfect balance of malt, tanginess (thinking plums or grapes?) along with barley and hops.  It is a very nice beer to just sit and chill with.

Overall rating:  John says each drink has gotten better.  He goes 4 even.  I am going 4.75.  It is basically a perfect beer.  The only thing stopping me from giving it a perfect 5 is that I have only had it tonight.  I reserve the right to raise my rating if it is equally as good next time.

On to #6.

Brewery:  Oskar Blues
Beer Name:  Death by Coconut
Beer Style:  Irish Porter
Price:  No idea- provided by Joel the beermaster

Appearance:  Looks like a porter; dark beer, dark foam, nice head. john says it pours well.  He keeps lifting his glass and looking at it so I'm fairly sure he likes the look of it.

Aroma:  Smells like coconut.  It has a very thick aroma.  If you like coconut, you will wear this as cologne.  I love coconut so this is like nosecrack.

Mouthfeel:  Very tingly.  A very busy beer as it goes down.  Lots happening here.

Taste:  Unfortunately, it isn't quite as good as it smells.  The coconut is covered up by something.  If its chocolate, it's a weird strain of chocolate.

Overall rating:  I'm saying 2.5.  I can't make it past the tingly/ tangy/ sour, whatever taste is blocking the coconut.  John says a 3.25.  He says it will be a nice winter beer.

Last one:

Brewery:  Brew Link Company
Beer Name:  Nuttercup
Beer Style:  Porter
Price:  don't know- provided by Joel the beermaster

Appearance:  Dark, relatively clear.  Nice lacing.

Aroma:  Think peanuts on top of a bed of peanut butter sandwhich layered with resses and topped with peanuts.

Mouthfeel:  Can't tell, I'm afraid to try it.  I gave in.  Its very smooth but I can't get past the pound if peanuts shoved in my nose to get to the mouthfeel.  It's a very pungent aroma.

Taste:  I'm shivering with disgust.  Really.  It's like drinking a liquid nutterbutter.  John says all flavors come through very strongly.  Chocolate, PB, and porter are all prevelant.  He then added that it wasn't his favorite mix.

Overall rating:  I'm going .25  It's only slightly better than undrinkable.  And I mean SLIGHTLY.
John likes it.  He says 2.75.

And this ends tonights blog.  By the way, United beat Real 2 to 1. Like there was any doubt.