Blog from the Lake!

At Chris' new lake house.  Hanging with 5 of us on our lake golf trip.  Three new blog participants!  Chris, Dan, and Lonnie.  Welcome to the BLAAAWWWWWWGGGGG.

We have some heavy hitters tonight.  First up is a 10% barleywine.

Beer Name:  Sucaba
Brewer:  Firestone Walker
Beer Style:  Barleywine
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Caramel, toffee, maple, pancakes, anything that smells delicious. 

Appearance:  Light brown, clear,

Mouthfeel:  Dan says smooth.  thick, syrupy.

Taste:  Boozy, toffee, caramel, s=very sweet.  This is a heavy hitter for sure.

Overall Rating:  Lonnie says a 4, Dan says a 4, John says a 3.75, Chris says a 4, I say 4.5.  It is delicious but is super heavy.  I'm glad they sold it in a 12 ounce bottle and not a huge bottle.

Beer #2

Beer Name: A Wee Bit Foggy
Brewer: Mark Twain
Beer Style: Scotch Ale
Price: Can't Remember- I bought it in 17.

Aroma:  Slight hint of caramel maybe; maybe malt.

Appearance:  Very clear, amberish in color (although we are outside in the dark)

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth, almost watery.

Taste:  Not much, Caramely, malty and then bitter says Dan.  He also gets burnt caramel. 

Overall rating:  I say 3.5, Chris says a 3.25, John says 2.5, Lonnie says 3, and Dan says a 3.25.

Switching gears to a couple IPAS.

Beer #3

Beer Name: Mango Milkshake IPA
Brewer:  Bur Oak
Beer Style: IPA
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Lonnie says it smells like ass.  Dan says an ice cream shop.  Very fruity, cirtusy. 

Appearance:  Very light in color. not quite clear. 

Mouthfeel:  Very light, crisp, not much there really. 

Taste:  Sweet creamy mango with bitter bite at the end.  Not a huge milkshake taste to it though.  I had a six pack of this about a month ago and it was awful.  I think it was bad. 

Overall rating;  Chris says a 3.5, Dan says 3, Lonnie says 3, Lohn says a 3, I'm going to go a 3.5 when you consider the price.  This is a drinkable IPA for about $10 a six pack.  Not too shabby.

Beer #4

Beer Name:  Dino Smores
Brewer:  Off Color
Beer Style:  Stout
Price:  About $12

Aroma:  Licorice, Graham Crackers, a hint of chocolate.

Appearance:  Dark, rather clear for a stout.

Mouthfeel:  Very dry, light and smooth.

Taste:  You can taste chocolate, graham crackers, and licorice for starters.  This is a delicious beer and a heavy hitter at 10.3%. 

Overall Rating:  I say a 4.75, Chris says a 4.675, Dan says 4.5, John says a 4, Lonnie says a 4.5. 

Beer #5

Beer Name:  Madagascar Maple
Brewer: 4 Hands
Beer Style: Stout
Price:  $27 a bottle and worth every penny.

Aroma:  Maple, maple, maple. Vanilla, bourbon.

Appearance:  Looks like stout. 

Mouthfeel: Heavy. but smooth. 

Taste:  Holy crap this is better then it was on opening day.  It's delicious.  Maple, vanilla, bourbon, stout.  This is a great combination.

Overall rating:  5's across the board.

Beer #6

Beer Name: 

JUSTIN IS BACK IN TOWN!

Justin is visiting from KC again and we are going to blog it up!  Lots of beer to come.

Beer #1

Brewer:  Dry Dock
Beer Name: Apricot Blonde
Beer Style:  Blonde Ale
Price: ?

Aroma:  Smells like a beach bum's ballsack on a sandy ocean in North Carolina says Justin.  And off we go.  For me, it has a slight aroma of apricot.

Appearance:  Hazy, golden ale.

Mouthfeel:  Rather watery.  Not a lot happening here.

Taste:  Everyone says it tastes better then it smells.  It is good.  Very light, crisp, apricot ale. 

Overall Rating:  Justin says 3.75.  John says 3.25.  I'll split the difference.  3.5 for me.

Beer #2

Brewer:  Dry Dock
Beer Name:  Sour Apricot
Beer Style:  Sour
Price:  $

Aroma:  Very tart.  Lemony.

Appearance:  Very hazy golden color.  Slightly darker then the blonde.

Mouthfeel:  A little tingle on the tongue here. 

Taste:  Taste is pretty tart.  A lot of lemon to me.  It's too much.

Overall Rating:  A little too tart for me.  I say 2.5.  John says 3.5.  Michelle says 3.75.  She likes it. 

Beer #3

Brewer:  Narrow Gauge
Beer Name:  Peach OJ Run
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $20 for a 4 pack of cans.

Aroma:  Pineapple, fresh squeezed OJ, peaches, fruit in general.

Appearance:  Hazy, juicy, looks like a glass of OJ.

Mouthfeel:   Very rough through the drink.   A strong, rough feel as it goes down.

Taste:  A delicious take on the OJ Run.  This one has added peaches which just makes it juicier.  If you like the NE IPA's, this one will be right up your alley.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 4.0.  John says 3.75.  I'll go 4 as well.  Not my absolute favorite Narrow Gauge but it's still very good.

Beer #4

Brewer:  Stone
Beer Name:  Revengeful Spirit
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Dank with a slight hint of fruit.  Maybe a mango?

Appearance:  Pee yellow and not clear.  Not a hazy like the Narrow Gauge but you can't see through at all.

Mouthfeel:  Slight tingle on the front but not much else.  Very light for an 8.1. 

Taste:  Suprisingly fruity for a Stone.  Not bad at all.  I could drink this although I would not pick it over a Narrow Gauge for sure.  Justin says he tastes the booze. 

Overall Rating:  John says a 3.5.  Justin says 3.5.  I'll go 3.25. 

Beer #5

Brewer:  Grains and Taps
Beer Name:  Yuppies in Blazers
Beer Style:  Milkshake IPA
Price:  $12 for the crowler

Aroma:  Tangerine milkshake vanilla goodness. 

Appearance:  Super hazy.  Orangey. 

Mouthfeel:  Tingly, somewhat heavy.

Taste:  Justin nailed it when he said it tastes like a melted orange sherbet.  It's fricking fantastic.  It's orange sherbet with IPA at the end.  Delicious.  Justin says a near death experience only topped by a Decadent Tropical Smoothie.

Overall rating:  Justin says 4.75.  I agree.  John says 4.25.

Beer #6

Brewer:  Pipeworks
Beer Name:  Pineapple Guppy
Beer Style:  Pale Ale
Price:  $2 for a can at Beer Sauce

Aroma:  Justin says wet pennies soaking in OJ.  I say it's more like day old bubble gum- the really cheap stuff that comes in Topps baseball cards.

Appearance:  Very light yellow; almost clear.  Looks more like lemon juice.

Mouthfeel:  Slight tingle on tongue. 

Taste:  A little let-down after the fantastic ice-cream IPA we just had but not bad overall.  This is pretty good for a lighter beer (4.6%).  If you want a totally trendy beer to take to the pool, this is the one. 

Overall Rating:  I say a solid 3.75 for a lighter beer.  Justin says a 3.  John says 3.0.

Beer #7

Brewer:  St. Patrick's Brewery
Beer Name:  Tropical Beach IPA
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Justin says it smells like damp (moist) Michelin tires from Costco?  I say it smells like rotting trash mixed with dog poo.  (John added the dog poo.)  Justin says it reminds him of a butt.

Appearance:  Looks like diet Coors Lite.  It's light, light yellow.

Mouthfeel:  Nothing at all.

Taste:  Well, we have a loser.  This is the worst beer we've blogged since that debacle black and tan Yuengling.  Nothing was that bad but this enters the arena for consideration.  It tastes like it's been microwaved to boiling and then frozen solid for about 12 weeks straight.  I'm saying that it has a gunpowder aftertaste.

Overall Rating:   Justin says a 1.75.  John says a 1.75.  I say a solid 1.  This must be a bad batch or can.  It has a 3.5 rating on untappd.

Beer #8

Brewer:  Boulder Beer Company
Beer Name:  Hazed and Infused
Beer Style: Pale Ale
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Slight citrus.  Justin says tangerine floral.

Appearance:   Golden, hazy.  Light yellowish pee color.

Mouthfeel:  Very light and fruity.  Justin gets resin.  John says tingly.

Taste:  Almost west coast ipaish.  Definitely get the dry hopped coming through.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 3, John says 3.25.  I say 2.5.  Not a huge fan overall. 

Beer #9

Brewer:  Boulder Beer Company
Beer Name:  Due East
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Very slight passionfruit maybe?  Peaches?  Unaromatic for a NE IPA.

Appearance:  Very clear for a NE IPA.

Mouthfeel:  Very watery for an IPA.  Almost no tingle. 

Taste:  Again, a bubble gummy flavor.  Not sure how these hops are working out west but they seem to have a common theme. 

Overall Rating:  I say a 3.0.  Justin says 3.4.  John says a 3.5.

Beer #10

Brewer:  AC Golden
Beer Name:  Colorado Native Apricot
Beer Style:  Ale
Price:  $20 for a bottle

Aroma:  Tarty, tarty, tarty tart tart.  Holy sours.  Not messing around on the tartness.

Appearance:  Golden, hazy, light.

Mouthfeel:  Rather puckering as you untwist your face.  Think the old Keystone Light commercials.

Taste:  Slightly sour.  And by slightly, I mean a punch you in the nuts IV drip of sour patch kids.  This is seriously sour.  After yout take a drink, you feel like you have been drinking nothing but ocean water for the last month.  Justin says it makes his ears hurt.

Overall Rating:  Michelle says a 3.8; John says 3.75.  I say 3 even.

Beer #11

Brewer:  Rockyard Brewing
Beer Name:  Hopalypto
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  ?

Aroma:  If you snort it, it burns according to Justin.  Slightly less sour then the previous entry.  If you snorted lemon peels, it would be less sour then the last beer.  This one has a fruity, much more even bouquet to it. 

Appearance:  Clear, pale, very IPAish

Mouthfeel:  Very light, slight tingle. 

Taste:  Blah, blah, blah.  Nothing special.  Perfectly drinkable but nothing outstanding.

Overall Rating:  2.5 for Justin, same for me; John says 2.75.

Beer #12

Brewer:  Decadent
Beer Name:  Guava Orange Pacific Punch
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $20 for a 4 pack

Aroma:  Citrus, duh.

Appearance:  Cloudy, hazy, golden light.  As tropical a beer as you could imagine.

Mouthfeel:  Slight IPA tingle at the back end but smooth up front.  Not a lot happening here.  Justin says it's like drinking silky roses.

Taste:  Citrus, smooth, fruity.  Almost as good as the smoothie beer we had earlier.  Delicious.

Overall Rating:  Justin says a 4.8.  I say a 4.5.  John says a 4.5.

Beer #13

Brewer:  Decadent
Beer Name:  Coconut Citrus Citra
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $20 for a 4 pack

Aroma:  Not a whole lot happening here.  A little citrus here.

Appearance:  Same as the other- light, hazy and clear.

Mouthfeel:  Tingly; boozy.  A nice, fresh mouthfeel.  Almost like a mouthwash.

Taste:  This tastes like a beach party in a can.  This is my second favorite Decadent.  No one agrees.

Overall Rating:  Justin says a 3.3; John says a 4.  I say 4.75.

Beer #14

Brewer:  4Hands
Beer Name:  Mississippi Mud Cake Stout
Beer Style:  Stout
Price:  $7 a bottle roughy but came as part of a 3pack of milk stout XMas pack.

Aroma:  coffee, chocolate, vanilla

Appearance:  Quite a bit darker then the others and no, I'm not a racist. 

Mouthfeel:  Quite a tingle.  Not bad at all.

Taste:  Chocolate; chocolate, chocolate, followed by the vanilla. Not getting any walnuts.  We are all getting coffee/ mocha.  It is smooth as could be and worth very penny I paid.  This is a curl up under the blanket and take a winter nap beer.  I was expecting good things from this one and I am not disappointed. 

Overall Rating:  John says a 4.75; Justin says a 4.5; I say 4.5 also.  Delicious but not Madagascar good.

Beer #15

Brewer:  Boulder Brewing Company
Beer Name:  Shake
Beer Style:  Porter
Price:  ?

Aroma: Smells like chocolate heaven. 

Appearance:  Dark, dark, dark. 

Mouthfeel:  Very light.  Not a lot happening.

Taste:  Chocolate, mocha, slight hint of coffee.  Very heavy on the chocolate.  Justin gets vanilla.

Overall Rating:  Justin says a 4.3; John says a 4.5; I say a 4.0.

DONE AND DUSTED.  15 beers.  And I'm going to bed. 

USA CURACAO GOLD CUP!!!

After the debacle that was qualifying two years ago, the USA is back on the field in competitive play.  After not conceding a goal in he group stage, they face a nation with about 5 times as big as Wentzville, this shouldn't be much of a game...  But...

We are going to knock out a few beers as we go.  Here they are:

Beer #1

Brewer:  Yellowstone Brewing
Beer Name:  Huckle Weizen
Beer Style:  Huckleberry Wheat
Price:  ?

Aroma:  John says fruity.  I'm thinking honey?  Sort of a weird natury smell.  As I've never smelled a huckleberry, it might be those.

Appearance:  Light golden amber, looks like a light ale.  Very clear.  Filtered for sure.

Mouthfeel:  Very light; no tingle, no nothing really.  Very watery and light.  John says it's very wheat beerish.

Taste:  Tastes like a huckleberry- whatever that is.  You will either like it or not- no inbetween.  I'm saying I'm not a huge fan.  Kind of a funky taste.  Maybe if I was a little more familiar with huckleberrys.  John said they had ice cream and other things so they are more familiar with it.

Overall Rating:  Michelle says a 4; John says 3.75; I'm going 3.

Beer #2

Brewer:  Fernson Brewing
Beer Name Curio
Beer Style:  Tart Ale
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Tart, fruity, smells very light and summery.

Appearance:  This looks like sugar free apple juice.  Super light, clear, no lacing at all.

Mouthfeel:  Again, very light.  Not much mouthfeel at all.

Taste:  This is very nice.  Smooth, tart, fruity.  Grapefruit, grapes, maybe a little key lime.

Overall Rating:  Michelle says 4.1, John says 3.75, I concur.

Beer #3

Brewer:  Station 26 Brewing Company
Beer Name:  303 Lager
Beer Style:  Lager
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Smells like barley and hops.  A traditional lager aroma.

Appearance:  Again, apple juice although this may not be sugar free.  Very clear, slight lacing.

Mouthfeel:  A little more substance and tingle then the previous two but we are still in the very light, nothing happening category.

Taste:  Reminds me of Miller High Life- very sweet for a lager.  John says it reminds him of Budweiser.

Overall Rating:  John says a 2.25.  I don't like lagers but this isn't any worse then others.  I'll go 2.5.

Beer #4

Brewer:  Grand Teton Brewing
Beer Name:  Old Faithful Ale
Beer Style:  Ale
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Honey for sure.  Slightly fruity tartness as well.

Appearance:  Keeping with the apple juice theme, this looks more like Apple-pear juice.

Mouthfeel:  Again, very bland here as well.

Taste:  Very smooth with a slight hint of hoppiness at the end.  I'm going to say it's a honey ale.

Overall rating:  John says a 2.75.  I say 3.25.  It's very crisp.  I could definitely drink it by the pool.

Beer #5

Brewer:  Bozeman Brewing
Beer Name:  Gallatin Pale Ale
Beer Style:  Pale Ale
Price:?

Aroma:  This smells more like a beer.  Hoppy, peachy, fruity.  We started light on purpose.  I know a pale ale isn't usually a heavyweight but relative to what we have been drinking, this smells like Mike Tyson's boxing trunks.

Appearance:  Very clear, this might be a farm fresh apple juice as it is definitely darker then the others.

Mouthfeel:  Slightly more tingly.  We are getting somewhere.

Taste:  John gets more hops with this one.  He detects a change in hops as he moves through the drink.  I get a fairly typical pale ale profile- slightly fruity with slight hops at the end.  It is a solid beer- not a Stillwater Citra but it's definitely drinkable.

Overall Rating:  John says a 3.25; I agree.

Beer #6

Brewery:  Wasatch Brewing Company
Beer Name:  Blueberry Hefeweizen
Beer Style:  Hefeweizen
Price:  ?  (This one was left in the fridge of a hotel room that John staid in on his trip.  For real.)

Aroma:  Very blueberry!  If it was a breakfast cereal, it would be the Boo Berries.

Appearance:  John says light but a little cloudy.  Haven't seen anything but crystal clear so far.

Mouthfeel:  Nothing.  Nothing.  Nothing.

Taste:  Delicious.  Perfect blueberry taste in the light hefeweizen.  Not too sweet; not too tart.  This is delicious.  It's buttery too.  I like the whole waffle thing it's got going on.

Overall Rating:  Michelle says 3.9, John says 3.5.  I'm going 4.  I think it's the best yet.

Beer #7

Brewery:  Tommyknocker
Beer Name:  Blood Orange IPA
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Very Orangey- like the orange cleaning product you see on the infomercials.  Or the orange scented handwash you use after you change the oil.

Appearance:  A beer with foam!!!  Darker amber, slight cloudiness.

Mouthfeel:  A little tingle at the end.

Taste:  Tastes like an orange drink.  Almost no hoppiness- certainly not very IPAish.  John says it's orange all the way through with out as much hops as a normal IPA.

Overall Rating:  John says a 3.75.  I say a 3.  Not my favorite.

Beer #8

Brewery:  Snake River Brewing
Beer Name:  Zonker
Beer Style:  Export Stout
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Roasted Malt and Barley for sure; a slight chocolate and black licorice.  John says roasty.

Appearance:  Ummm, exactly what a stout should look like.  Dark caramel lacing around the rim.

Mouthfeel:  Buttery, thick, very tingly at the end.  John says it has a coffee feel to it but not necessarily a coffee taste.

Taste:  Very dry.  It reminds me of a Russian stout for sure.  Very, very roasty, malty, and smoked.  John gets a slight bit of band-aid at the end.

Overall Rating:  John says a 3.5.  Again, I agree.

It's Friday night... you know the rest

Waiting to go out with the homies.  Gonna have a few brews.  Figured I might as well blog the pre-game.  Here we go.
Beer #1:

Brewer: Bur Oak
Beer Name:  Sacred Sun
Beer Style:  Saison
Price:  $10 for a six pack at Friar Tucks

Aroma:  Delicious belgiun saison.  These all smell the same.  I think it's the yeast.  Kind of funky orangey/ citrusy but not quite.  Almost like a fruit that's been in the sun too long.  Just slightly rotten but not gross yet.

Appearance:  Golden blonde with great lacing on the glass.  Not clear at all.

Mouthfeel:  Very light.  Crisp and tart at the back end.  A nice little tingle after it goes down.

Taste:  These all taste good.  If you like one, you will like them all.  It's slightly citrusy, slightly tart, slightly belgiany with the yeast.  A saison tastes like nothing else I've ever had.  Kind of dank like an IPA (very lightly) but still refreshing and light. 

Overall ranking:  Going a 4 here.  Not much better or worse then any other- a solid entry into the saison category.  If you like saisons, you will love this.

Beer #2:  Thanks to John for this one.  He brought it back from vaca.

Brewer:  Remedy
Beer Name:  Brown Out
Beer Style:  Brown Ale
Price:  Doesn't matter unless you drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Aroma:  Slightly fruity for a brown ale.  Very yeasty.  A very pungent brown ale.

Appearance:  Very light brown.  Almost a dark tan/ light brown.  Quite clear- a nice tan lacing on the glass.

Mouthfeel:  Very boring- nothing at all.  A little tingle on the upper gums.

Taste:  Delicious.  Quite a decent brown.  Rather light and very smooth.  John says he tastes malt. 

Overall Rating:  I'm going 4.0.  Another very solid entry.  John concurs.  We are birds of a feather.

Beer #3  Thanks to John again.

Brewer:  Miner Brewing Company
Beer Name:  Stamp Mill Stout
Beer Style:  Stout
Price:  Doesn't Matter unless you drive to Hill City, South Dakota

Aroma:  A hint of black licorice; slightly minty, possibly prunes???  Not a lot here but some slight aromas going on.

Appearance:  Very clear for a stout.  Dark, obviously.  No lacing or anything on the glass. 

Mouthfeel:  Slightly tingly. 

Taste:  Very mellow; almost watery.  Kevin says tad bit of vinegar sour. 

Overall Rating:  John says 4.25.  I say 3.5.  Solid but not a knockout.  I'm impressed by the beers of South Dakota.

Father's Day US Open Blog!

It's Father's Day.  Wife is working so I cleaned up the house, did the laundry, and now I'm sitting down to try some new beers for the rest of the day.  I have several to add and if John can join me later, he just returned from an upper midwest trip with a whole crapload of beer from breweries we can't get here.  So let's hope that happens.  On to the beer!!!

First beer (and it's really good)

Brewer:  Toppling Goliath
Beer Name:  Pompeii
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  About $15 a 4 pack anywhere- Friar Tucks, Total Wine, etc.

Song Pairing:  "It's the End of the World (As we Know It) by R.E.M.

Appearance:  Super hazy- dark for an IPA.  It almost looks like a very hearty fruit juice which is very appropriate as it is a fruity IPA.

Aroma:  It smells like a pineapple and a guava mated and made a gaupple.  It smells fruity and delicious.

Mouthfeel:  Very peppy- a lot of tingle and fizz going on.  It's very busy for an IPA.

Taste:  The smell don't lie.  Pineapple and guave, orange, even a hint of lime maybe.  All that fruit on top of a very slight bitterness adds up to a delicious IPA.  This is fruity and smooth.  Right up my alley.

Overall rating:  4.5 from me.  It's the best Toppling GoliathI've had yet.  It's fantastic.

Beer #2

Brewer:  Toppling Goliath
Beer Name:  Fire, Skulls,and Money
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $15 or so for a 4 pack at any store.

Song Pairing:  "Fuel" by Metalltica

Appearance:  Looks the exact same as the last-- dark for an IPA and hazy as could be.  Possible a little lighter then the Pompeii.

Aroma:  Not nearly as fruity.  More of a rotten fruit odor then fresh fruit.  Still fruity- just not as up front citrus as the last.

Mouthfeel:  Way less happening here.  Very smooth and almost boring after the last.

Taste:  Quite a bit less fruity.  Still good.  This is more of the normal Toopling Goliath oat or grain taste then the fruitiness of the Pompeii.  As a fan of the fruitier IPA's, this is not quite as good as the Pompeii.  That being said, I'm not exactly rushing to dump it down the sink.

Overall rating.  I say 3.75.  Very solid and nothing wrong with it.  I just prefer the Pompeii a little more.

Beer #3

Brewer:  Left Hand
Beer Name:  Push Pop Party Nitro
Beer Style:  Ale
Price:  $10 a 4pack at Friar Tucks.

Song pairing:  "Suedehead" by Morrisey

Appearance:  Substantially lighter in hue then the 2 IPA's I had.  This is a much clearer, traditional looking ale.  Golden in color; not quite see through.  Given that there are no other push pop ales to compare it to, I would say it looks like a Budweiser more then anything.

Aroma:  HI-C fruit drink; I mean ORANGE. 

Mouthfeel:  Notro makes it smooth.  Not much happening here.

Taste:  I know this is obvious but it tastes like a watered down push pop.  I mean really.  Some beers advertise a taste but this delivers.  It's creepy how close this is and it still comes in at 5.4% ABU.  Amazing.

Overall Rating:  I'm saying 4.  Not my favorite beer overall but this deserves credit just as an art form thing.  They nailed it.

Another IPA+ Blog during spring break

So, I can't get enough of these New England IPA's.  Hazy, juicy, really easy on the bitterness, I am loving them.  So, I figured I would go ahead and blog a few as I drank them tonight.  Flying solo so no shenanigans here.  Just pure blogging honesty with me, myself, and I.

First Beer:

Brewer:  Central State
Beer Name:  Snake Skin Boots
Beer Style:  IPA
Beer Price:  ?  John gave me a can of this.

Aroma:  Bitter with just a hint of fruit.  Guava maybe?  Not sure.  Getting more aromatic as it warms up. 

Appearance:  This is quite a bit darker than the majority of the other hazy IPA's out there.  This one is a dark tan, almost a leather color.  The lacing and head is beautiful.  This can was very carbonated and it bubbled over when I opened it.

Mouthfeel:  Heavy for an IPA- not light or smooth.  A really full beer on the front and back of the drink.

Taste:  Pretty good actually.  This is more IPAish then a lot of the other fruity, hazy beers out there.  So, while I'm not a fan of the more traditional IPA's, I can definitely appreciate the balance this brings.  The Simcoe hops are fruity yet retain a hint of bitterness.  This is a really good middle ground between NE IPA's and the West Coast IPA's.

Overall rating:  I'm going 4.0.  It won't be something I'll rebuy but it is very well made.

BEER #2

Brewer:  Narror Gauge
Beer Name:  DDH Fallen Flag
Beer Style:  American IPA
Beer Price:  $16 for a 4 pack of 16 oz cans at Narrow Gauge

Aroma:  Not much here. Slight fruity tinge.  A hint of hops but not nearly as much as the last one.

Appearance:  Way lighter in color as well.  This is more of a yellow than a tan.  The color of watered down orange juice.

Mouthfeel:  Much lighter then the Central State. At 7%, there is a little booze on the tongue as well.  Not overly.  Just a little burn after an almost orange juicish tartness.

Taste:  Delicious.  If you like orange juice and the dank, bitterness of hops in a traditional IPA, then you will love this beer.  One of the fruitier ones I've had.  This may be my new favorite from Narrow Gauge.  It's almost like a screwdriver in taste.

Overall Rating:  I put 4.25 on untappd but I'm raising it to a 4.75.  Not sure what could make it better.  It may be raised to a 5.

Beer #3
Brewer:  Firestone Walker
Beer Name:  Mind Haze IPA
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $3 for a can at Beer Sauce

Aroma:  Citrus.  Smells Delicious.  I'm digging this.

Appearance:  Very light and hazy.  Lighter then the Narrow Gauge.

Mouthfeel:  Very light and smooth.

Taste:  This is one of the better non-Narrow Gauge IPA's I've had.  There is no bitterness to it at all.  It is sweet all the way through.  I'm not sure it counts as an IPA or what the definition of an IPA is anymore but I do know that I like these a whole lot.  I told John I was in a beer rut earlier- IPA's and stouts.  I then said that I was happy as a cat in the rut I am in.

Overall Rating:  John and I both went 4.0 on this one.  At 6.2, it's slightly weaker then the others I drink on the regular but it's well worth a try; especially if you don't like bitter.

Beer #4

Brewer:  Stillwater
Beer Name:  Action Bronson's 7000  (??????)
Beer Style:  Dry Hopped Sour Ale
Price:  $3 a 16 oz can at Beer Sauce

Aroma:  Tart Fruit for sure.  Maybe a lemon?  Lime?  Can't tell but it's definitely of the citrus family.  It smells like spring cleaning should.  If they put this stuff in a glade diffuser, I'd buy a case.

Appearance:  Very light yellow but very cloudy.  Not as clear as a sour usually is but I think that may be the citrus.

Mouthfeel:  Smooth, silky smooth.  Like Billy Dee Williams on the Millenium Falcon smooth.

Taste:  Damn, this is fantastic.  It's one of the better sours I have ever had.  It is very citrusy up front; mellow through the back of the tongue but the tart sneaks up on you at the end and provides a perfectly balanced finish.  I love the Stillwater Micro Pale Ale but this may be as good.  It is definitely going to be drank by the pool this summer.

Overall Rating:  John says a 4.0.  I'm saying 4.5 with the chance to rise.  This is a fantastic beer.

Beer #5
Brewer:  Goose Island
Beer Name:  Next Coast IPA
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $2 a 12 oz bottle at Beer Sauce

Aroma:  More of an orange bubble gum smell.  Citrusy but off in some way.  Not as clean or fresh as the others.  John says it's more piney.  Maybe that's what it is.  I can't tell.

Appearance:  Very light and clear.  Almost a pear juice/ apple juice look to it.  Maybe a HI-C apple juice box look?   No head or lacing at all; not a trace.

Mouthfeel:  Very light, almost syrupy like cough syrup that has been watered down.  It's not a bad thing; just super light.

Taste:  Not bad- just not really good.  It's a good beer if you are at Quicktrip at 2:30 am and you don't want Bud Select.

Overall Rating:  John says 3.25.  I'm going 3.0.  Definitely the weakest of the bunch but still drinkable.

Beer #5

Brewer:  Avery Brewing
Beer Name:  Vanilla Bean Stout
Beer Style:  Barrell Aged Stout
Price:  $10ish a bottle

Aroma:  Bourbon, vanilla, stout.  BOURBON.  The smell is strong.

Appearance:  Dark, too dark to be clear.  Looks like motor oil with a hint of black food coloring.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth.  Not a lot here except smooth and silky.  It's very light.

Taste:  Vanilla, bourbon, stout.  The taste is better than the smell.   It tastes very smooth for a bourbon stout.  The vanilla really smooths it out. 

Overall Rating:  I'm saying 4.0.  Not as good as Madagascar but pretty good.  John says a 4.0 as well.  We each like it.

BACK AT IT!  As if 14 IPA's over 6% weren't enough last night.  We have a cooler full of stout (and one pale ale) to rate tonight.  And then we are not drinking until next February to let our livers recover.

Same dream team of tasters; just a new lineup of fantastic beers to rate.

Brewer:  Dogfish Head
Beer Name:  American Beauty Pale Ale
Beer Style:  Pale Ale
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Not much here.  Slight metallic odor maybe.

Appearance:  Clear, amber, not much head or lacing on the glass.

Mouthfeel:  Very tame really.  Not much here either.  Light, slightly tingly.

Taste:  Tastes like a pale ale.  It says it has graham crackers and honey but none of us are tasting it.  It's pretty cold so that may be why.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 3.0, John says 2.5.  I agree.  2.5 it is.  AND NOW THE STOUTFEST BEGINS!!!!!!

Brewer:  Ballast Point
Beer Name: Red Velvet Nitro
Beer Style:  Oatmeal Stout
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Justin says berry cheescake.  John says it smells like a red velvet cake.  I am not getting anything on this one.

Appearance:  Relatively clear, orangish, reddish.  It is listed as a golden oatmeal stout.  I'm not sure this is really a stout.

Mouthfeel:  Nothing.  Waterish.

Taste:  Metallic cherrys.  Light, bitter, basically no stout flavors at all.  None of the three of us get anything stouty at all.

Overall Rating:  John says a 2.0, Justin 2.5.  I'm goint 2.0 also.  I'm not even sure this even fits into the category it claims to be in.  Maybe the non-nitro is better.  This one is not really good.

Brewer:  Martin City
Beer Name:  Brooo
Beer Style:  Milk Chocolate Stout
Price?

Aroma:  Coffee, Chocolate, Licorice, smells like a stout.  We have mentioned sweetness, roast, smoke, creme brulee, vanilla, and more.  This beer is not lacking aroma.

Appearance:  Dark, caramel lacing, very stoutish.  Looks like a serious stout here.  Thanks goodness.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, a little heavier.

Taste:  Very coffeeish, some chocolate.  Roasted, smoky black licorice as well.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 3.7; John goes 2.75, I go a 3.5.  This isn't bad.

Brewer:  Martin City
Beer Name:  Donut Stout
Beer Style:  Stout
Price: ?

Aroma:  Justin says it smells like Saturday morning breakfast at his parents house.  This is advertsied as having maple and that it not accurate.  This smells like you took a bath in Aunt Jemima.

Appearance:  Very clear; dark but not motor oily at all.  More like a grape kool aid but black instead of purple.

Mouthfeel:  Very light and smooth for a stout.

Taste:  This is like drinking a pancake smoothie with extra syrup.  It has a coofeeish backround as well.  Justin says pancakes doused on syrup.  John adds that it has brown sugar as well.  Pretty much think of the best non-egg related breakfasts you have ever had and then can it.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 4.5, John says 4.5.  What the hell?  I'll stick with the 4.5 as well.  This one is a definite keeper.

Brewer:  Boulevard:
Beer Name:  Dark Truth
Beer Style:  Stout
Price:  ?

Aroma:  VANILLA, chocloate as well.  Some sweet brown sugar, maybe prunes or dates.

Appearance:  Looks like used oil from a Boeing 747.

Mouthfeel:  Smooth for a 10% stout.  Makes your mouth a little puckery from the tartness.

Taste:  Justin says vanilla and roasted chocolate with a hint of dates at the end.  John is getting a date/ raisin/ fig taste as well.  I say it is really pruney.  Chocolate covered prunes.  Not so stoutish as you would think with a big 9.7%er.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 3.8.  I think a 3.25.  John says 4.0.

Brewer:  Rockbridge
Beer Name:  Option #2
Beer Style:  Imperial Milk Stout
Price:  ?

Aroma:  COFFEE...  Hints of vanilla.  Cinnamon as well.

Appearance:  Obviously, dark.  Clear though.

Mouthfeel:  Tingly.  Light, Jumps off the tongue.

Taste:  This is delicious.  Coffee, vanilla, well-balanced, not over coffeeish, not overroasted.  In short, a very fine beverage.

Overall rating:  Justin says a 4.3, John says a 4; I say a 4.25.  I would buy this one by the case.

Brewer:  New Holland
Beer Name:  Dragon's Milk Orange
Beer Style:  Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout
Price:  ?

Aroma:  An orange starburst.  For real.  Supertangy orange.  Delicious.

Appearance:  Dark.  Very light lacing.  Looks like a stout.

Mouthfeel:  Very heavy.  Delightfully complex.

Taste:  This is delicious.  The bourbon is only a hint.  Chocolate and orange are the overwhelming tastes here.  Holy cow, if you like orange stouts, this is fantastic.  I could have this for breakfast-Donut stout for the main course and this as a drink.  John says the orange is too much as does Justin.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 3.5, John says 3.75, I say 4.5.

Switching to an ale!!!

Brewer:  Founder's
Beer Name:  Curmudgeon's Better Half
Beer Style:  Barrel Aged Old Ale
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Justin says bread, raisins, cinnamon toast, maple, bourbon.  I think he covered it.

Appearance:  Cloudy amberish red.  Light lacing.

Mouthfeel:  Very boozy.  Heavy on the tongue but a smooth finish.

Taste:  13% so you can taste the bourbon.  This is a complex beer.  We have mentioned maple, bourbon, vanilla, bread, dates, figs, prunes, raisins, orange, citrus at the front.  Maybe founders could smash a few more flavors in their beer.

Overall rating:  Justin says 4.3, john says 3.75; I say 4.0.  It's very complex.

Brewer:  Samuel Adams
Beer Name:  Chocolate Bock (2017)
Beer Style:  Bock
Price:  ?

Aroma:  Slight hint of cocoa.

Appearance:  Medium brown, clear as a bell.

Mouthfeel:  Light.  Almost like a bud light.  For a dark beer, this is paperweight territory.

Taste:  Tastes like cocoa puffs.  This is a chocolate lovers chocolate dream. This is well balanced, cocoa heaven.

Overall Rating:  I say a 4.5.  Next winter, I'm buying chocolate bock and letting it sit on my shelves for 2 years.  Justin says 3.5, John says 4.

Brewer:  Friendship
Beer Name:  Barrell Aged Series:  Belgiun Dark Strong Aged in Seagram's Rye Barrels
Beer Style:  Belgiun Strong
Price:  $12 for a 375ML bottle

Aroma:  Justin says smell it and get crunked.  John says whiskey tango whiskey.  I saw raisins.

Appearance:  Hazy mediumish dark brown; rhino poop (that was Justin)

Mouthfeel:   Nothing here.  NOTHING.

Taste:  Not a typical Belgiun; the yeast either is drowned out by the booze or the yeast is not the typical weird Belgiun yeast.  This is a VERYSTRONGBEER.   Holy crap.  It's like drinking traight rye whiskey.

Overall rating:  Justin says 2.5; John says a 3.75; I say a 3.0.  I'm going to let my bottle age for a couple of years before drinking it.

Brewer:  Perennial
Beer Name:  Prodigal
Beer Style:  Imperial Stout
Price:  $5.49 for a 16 oz can

Aroma:  Cinnamon. Vanilla, sweet.

Appearance:  Looks like motor oil from a 68 John Deere tractor that hasn't had an oil change since WW2.

Mouthfeel:  Tingly.  That's a super stouty stout mouthfeel.

Taste:  Vanilla, dark roated chocolate, boozy at the end.  This is ridiculously good.  Buy this one.  NOW

Overall Rating:  Justin says 4.5. I say 4.5; John goes 4.25.

Brewer:  4Hands
Beer Name: Madagascar
Beer Style:  Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout (GOD THIS SHIT IS DELICIOUS)
Price:  $20 a pint 6 bottle- not cheap but totally worth it

Aroma:  Bourbony bourbon bourbonesque bourbonstasia bourbon.  Justin gets banana with chocolate.

Appearance:  This is exactly how a beer should look.  My God, I love this beer.  The best bourbon barrel aged stout out there.

Mouthfeel:  Velvety smoothness on top of silky smooth freshness.

Taste:  Toffee, sweet, stout, deliciousness, vanilla, bourbon-barrel aged heaven.  Best beer ever.

Overall rating:  I'm upping mine to a straight 5.  I want to marry this beer and give it many beer babies.  I want to buy it a lakehouse and take it to the ocean for vacation.  Maybe Aruba.  Whatever she wants.  Justin says 4.7.  John says a 4.5.  Did I mention this is fantastic.

Brewer:  4Hands
Beer Name:  Madagascar (Maple)
Beer Style:  Bourbon Barell Aged Stout
Price:  $25ish at 4hands on release day

Aroma:  Maply maple syrup suurounded by maple syrupy maple with a dash if maple.  With a hint of bourbon.  God, I'm excited.

Appearance:  Stoutish with a brown lacing on the glass.

Mouthfeel:  Perfection.

Taste:  Perfection.  Jesus Christ, this is beer nirvana.  May I die and go to heaven.  Justin says this is the donut stout's big brother.

Overall Rating:  Justin says a regular 5.  I say this a 5 with a gigantic hard on of titanium steel doused in maple stoutish goodness.  This is extraterrestrial.  Not of this earth.  I wanted to marry the regular Madagascar; this one is my mistress.  Like my one in a million Vegas hooker quality mistress.  This is the one you sell the family's house to buy her a diamond studded bra for.  Justin says if you almost die, have an out of body experience, and come back, this is the beer you would drink while in heaven.  John says 4.75.  He's crazy.

IPA Friday!!!!

It's Friday night, ain't got no job....  OK, OK, sorry.  Mention the word Friday and off I go.  Justin from KC has joined us and is excited to be part of his first blog!  Welcome Justin.  As usual, John and I are hear to provide next to no useful data.  On tap, we have 12 strong IPA's and two strong pale ales.  Three from Decadent, five from Toppling Goliath, four from Narrow Gauge, and two Evil Twins.  Off to the first beer---

Brewer:  Decadent
Beer Name:  Double Tropical Smoothie
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $20 for a 4 pack.

Aroma:  Justin says orange juice and pineapple, Kelly says mango, I'm saying guava and keylimes, watermelon, canteloupe, and honeydew.  If I forgot any tropical melons, add them in.

Appearance:  Super cloudy OJ with froth.  This category might get redundant.

Mouthfeel:  Justin says silky smooth, like Billie Dee Williams afro.  Lucious even.

Taste:  Justin says Orange Julius pineapple explosion.  I'm thinking the if someone invented a blender big enough to dump a fruit cart in, this would be the stuff you lick off the bottom.  Gladly.

Overall Rating:  Justin says a 5.  John says 4.  I say 4.25.  It's good but not as good as the Mango Coconut Smoothie from the last blog.

Brewer:  Decadent
Beer Name:  Blueberry Frosted Pastry
Beer Style:  Double IPA
Price:  $20 for a 4 pack

Aroma:  Blueberry, doughy, french toast, maply

Appearance:  Much clearer then the other.  I got the top of the can and John's is cloudier at the end.

Mouthfeel:  Very smooth and light.  Slight alcohol burn at the end.  These are the best disguised strong beers ever.

Taste:  Blueberry french toast doused in maple syrup with a hint of blueberry vape pen at the end says Justin.  I say it's a very close representation of a blueberry pop tart. 

Overall Rating:  4.2 for Justin.  John says a 3.75.  I'm staying with 4.25.  It is good as well.

Brewer:  Decadent
Beer Name:  Strawberry Frosted Pastry
Beer Style:  Double IPA
Price:  $20 for a 4 pack

Aroma:  Not as much here.  Slightly bitter combined with a burnt strawberry.  Justin says strawberry bread left in the attic for too long.  Maple as well.

Appearance:  Definitely cloudy but clearer then the first one.

Mouthfeel:  More bubbly- not nearly as smooth.   Slightly tingly.

Taste:  Burnt strawberries, It's a very sour, tart, almost spoiled strawberry taste.  Definitely maple in this one as well.  Justin says medicine.

Overall Rating:  Justin says a 3.3; John says a 3.25.  I'm saying a 2.5.  No one will be buying this sgain.

Brewer: Narrow Gauge
Beer Name:  Double Dry Hopped Sparkle Motion
Beer Style:  Pale Ale
Price:  $16 for a 4 pack at Narrow Gauge

Before we begin, I must say that I love the Narrow Gauge.  It's my favorite brewery in St. Louis.  So, you may see some serious love from me.

Aroma:  This beer smells dank.  It has a definite moldy grandma  basement smell to it.  Justin says piney tree bark resin.  Or a tree-hugging hippie's armpit.  Not quite sure I agree with Justin's assessment.

Appearance:  This is a cloudy orange mess.  It looks like a slice of peach pie.  John says pineapple juice.

Mouthfeel:  Tingly, dances on the tongue.  Very light and smooth as well.

Taste:  This is the perfect balance between bitter and citrus.  Justin says it's like licking George Brett's bat.  John says it tastes citrusy.

Overall Rating:  John says 3.5, Justin says a 3.9.  I say a 4.5.  I love this one.

Brewer:  Narrow Gauge
Beer Name:  Double Dry Hopped Cloud City
Beer Style:  IPA
Beer Price:  $16 for a 4 pack

Aroma:  Justin says sweet morning dew.  John gets a little pine.  I say it smells like the air before a thunderstorm combined with Drakkar Noir circa 1982.

Appearance:  Very cloudy and light.  Same as all the others.

Mouthfeel:  tingly, smooth, tangy= not much else we can say about the IPA's tonight.

Taste:  citrusy deliciousness combined with heavenly juiceiness.  That is my comment.

Overall Rating:  I say 4.75, Justin says a 4.5; John says a 4.25.  We are getting warmer.

Brewer:  Narrow Gauge
Beer Name:  OJ Run
Beer Style:  Imperial IPA
Beer Price:  $18 for a 4 pack

Aroma:  Boozy OJ.  Go figure.

Appearance:  Again, hazy with a light tone.

Mouthfeel:  Tingly, smooth, etc.  Same thing.  Ditto.  Etc.  Etc.

Taste:  100% citrus.  Slight, slight bitter at the end.  I love "IPA".  This is a juice bomb explosion.  Orange juice heaven.  This beer tastes like a 4% summer beer packed into a nitroglycerine barrel.

Overall Rating:  I say 4.75.  John says 4.5.  Justin says a 4.6459734-291i.778 times pi divided by the pythagoreun theorum times the tangent of 45 degrees.  I don't know anyone else who divides teir palate by the thousandths.  That is impressive.

Brewer:  Evil Twin
Beer Name:  IPA Kolata
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $4 a 16 ounce can

Aroma:  orangey, pineapple, very tart.

Appearance:  light and cloudy, everyone else says clearish.  As in you have uti says our wives.  Maybe that's why we don't let them blog.  Just an observation.

Mouthfeel:  very light, smooth, slightly tingly.

Taste:  Justin and John are both fans.  They are raving about it.  They say it goes from pineapple immediately to coconut.  Ralph says it's like licking a coppertone swimsuit model's....  ummm ankle.  Yeah, we are going with that.  By the way, there is no Ralph here.

Overall Rating:  John says 3.75; Justin says 4.3; I say 2.75.

Brewer:  Evil Twin
Beer Name:  Key Lime Pie
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $5 a 16 oz can

Aroma:  Sour Limes,  Go figure.  Very tart.  Slight sweet hints around the edges..

Appearance:  ditto, these are all fruity ipas.

Mouthfeel:  puckering, sour.  No weight at all.

Taste:  Justin says it's like licking a leprechaun's ass.  I am not even going to ask.  Justin says carbonated lime juice.  I think I like that one better then the leprechaun simile.  Call me an Engligh major.

Overall Rating:  John and Justin are not fans.  John says 2.5, Justin says 2.7, I say 4.0.  I thought it was delicious.  Definitely buying again.

Brewer:  Toppling Goliath
Beer Name:  Psuedo Sue
Beer Style:  Pale Ale
Price: $12 a 4 pack

Aroma: Fruity, floral, and piney.  Legit.

Appearance:  Ditto...

Mouthfeel:  Very, very smooth...  John detects a slight tingle.  I'm not sure that is happening in his mouth though.  Justin says a little tingle tingle for the dingle dingle.  No, I'm not making this up.

Taste:  Delicious.  This is a ridiculously good beer.  John says vaginosis.  Justin thinks a huge citrus bomb with a slight hop at the end.  Justin said when he swallows he gets a little tingle on the back end.  (His words- not mine).

Overall Rating:  I say 4; John says a 4.25, Justin says a 4.6.

Brewer:  Toppling Goliath
Beer Name:  King Sue
Beer Style:  Double IPA
Price:  $16 for a 4 pack

Aroma:  A leprechan's sweaty crotch says Justin; spicy and dank.  I think it's orangish.  Juicy.

Appearance:  Ditto.

Mouthfeel:  About the same.  Nothing new given we have blogged the exact same base beer for the last 9 hours.

Taste:  Creamy smooth citrusy pineapple mango bomb.  Boom goes the dynamite.  Beotch.

Overall Rating:  Justin says 4.7; John says 4.0.  I'm going 3.75.

Brewer:  Toppling Goliath
Beer Name:  Golden Nugget
Beer Style:  Shocking!  An IPA.
Price:  $10 for a 4 pack.

Aroma:  So George Brett's bat hooked up with a pine tree loving hippie with vaginosis and they had a baby in a grandma's dank basement.  I don't smell anything.  Apparently, I'm hypoallergenic to George Brett's penis (or bat).  That's what this has devolved into.  Gotta love alcohol.

Appearance:  Dank.  Justin says it whistles through like a tornado!

Mouthfeel: Justin says it's just like George Brett's pinetar dong.  Not sure I agree with that. I found George Brett's pinetar dong to be a lot less abrasive on the palate.

Taste:  We not touching this one.

Actually, It's pretty good.  Very nice for $10 a 4 pack.  Citrusy; not as good as the psuedo sue but it's still good.

Overall Rating:  John says 3.0; Justin says a 3.5.  I'm saying a 3.5 also.

Brewer:  Toppling Goliath
Beer Name:  SOSUS
Beer Style:  Double IPA
Price:  $14 a 4 pack?

Aroma:  Justin says dank wood floating in a dirty river.  Rotting kumquat in a field of mosaic hops.  John says he likes it.

Appearance:  Ditto

Mouthfeel:  This is a slightly more tart version of the Sues.  Not bad.  Tingly, smooth, etc.

Taste:  This is slightly more tart than the sues.  It is good.  Justin says dang dang a dong doo.  I say it's very close to the Psuedo Sue.

Overall Rating:  Justin says a 4.2.  John says a 4.0.  I say 3.75.  Slightly below the Psuedo Sue.

Brewer:  Topping Goliath
Beer Name:  Fire, Skulls, and Money
Beer Style:  IPA
Price:  $12 a 4 pack

Aroma:  Old Pennies soaked in OJ.  Old musty oranges.

Appearance:  ...

Mouthfeel:  ...

Taste:  We are done.  Hoppy bitter piney citrus.  OK.  We are done.  John says it almost has an IPA taste.

Overall Rating:  We all say somewhere between 3 and 5.  Bam!  Another work of art finished.  We have finished this bitch.  14 IPA's done and dusted.

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.