The Simple Man's Beer Blog

We’ve have moved over to the new Simple Man’s Beer...

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:08:02 -0600

We’ve have moved over to the new Simple Man’s Beer Blog site. Please update your links as applicable and come over to check out the new site.

Lessons Learned - Hawaiian Style Bill Sour I suppose I’m a...

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:49:00 -0600

Lessons Learned - Hawaiian Style

Bill Sour

I suppose I’m a pretty lucky guy. Really, in my life there are only a few instances where I could say something makes me feel lucky. Once of those things is the fact that I’ve been to Hawai’i not once but twice. Both times were in my early 20s when drinking beer was lots of macro brews and more or less getting loaded. We often say as adults, “if only I knew then what I know now.” So when I picked up some Maui Brewing Bikini Blonde Lager, I definitely had a flashback to what those times were like and what I learned since then.

Really, cracking open this can was great. The crisp sound just had me excited to take a chug. It was just like thinking of feeling that light Hawaiian breeze gets you excited to get there so you can feel it for yourself. Before I let myself succumb to the alluring thoughts of a cold beer that would taste good on a white sandy Hawaiian beach, I took a whiff. It smelled crisp. It smelled clean. More of a full aroma than the macros I drank while on the island. There were some malty overtones but nothing that was overpowering. So I took that first swig. That malt was there. It gave it some sweetness. There was some light hoppiness that gave it just a hint of bitter. The balance was extraordinary. Just like the Hawaiian lifestyle that isn’t too fast and isn’t too slow. It was bold and clean but not like it was trying to hard. Much more personality than the macros I consumed when I was on the islands. I could see myself enjoying one of these slowly while lounging on the beach. At the same time, I could see myself slamming one after another hanging with the guys looking to get crazy. This beer really embodied Hawai’i. One second I’m thinking about how it’s the perfect vacation spot, the next I’m thinking about how I might just need to relocate myself. It definitely brought back thoughts from that island.

But what did I really learn here anyway? Isn’t this about learning from my past? Well, I did learn a few things since that 2nd trip. I learned that I should not let my dad drink eight mai tias on a self-guided (self-invented) hotel beachfront bar tour of Waikiki Beach or you’ll have to pour him into a taxi to get back to where you’re staying. I learned that you need to be in shape if you’re going to go play in the waves at the Sandy Beach Park otherwise those waves will beat the living hell out of you. (I seriously thought I was looking up at an enormously huge wall of water) I learned that when you go surfing…or just taking surfing lessons it’s important to wear a shirt of some type or you will chafe the hell out of your nipples and have to wear band aids over them for the rest of the trip. Finally, I learned that spending two vacations consisting of over two total weeks in Hawai’i, that if you don’t find delicious craft beers to drink while you’re there, you’ll look back many years later and realize that the incredible vacations you had could have been so much more incredible with less Coors Light, and more Bikini Blonde Lager. Seriously though…my nipples got jacked up.

Beach Facts

2009 Gold Medalist L.A. International Commercial Beer Competition (Muncher Style Helles
BDR (Binge Drinking Rating) - Inevitable
Hops Used - Liberty, Sterling and Hersbrucker
This beer’s favorite food - Wouldn’t say, but not Spam
ABV% - 5.1%
Pretty Hula girl on the label
Final Beer Rating - 9 Coconut Bras

http://mauibrewingco.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/MBCBrewpub

Twitter - @MauiBrewingCo

It Tasted Like Beer Bill Sour As I’ve been reviewing...

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:57:12 -0600

It Tasted Like Beer

Bill Sour

As I’ve been reviewing beers, one of challenging aspects has been finding new beers to review. I like to try and keep a balance. I don’t want every review I have be about some oak-barrel aged beer that’s some brewery’s quarterly release. But I don’t want every review to be your run-of-the-mill micro brew. Thus, I’m always on the lookout for some new things to try. I’m always hoping to find that new, incredible flavor that makes me say, “WOW! Now that’s a nifty beer!” (Yes, I said nifty) At the same time, I don’t want to have my iPhone out looking up info on beer. I don’t want to try it and review it based on another review. That just feels wrong. I want a fresh perspective when I take that first sip.

So when I was pacing in front of the micro cases at one of my favorite liquor stores, I saw Genesee Cream Ale and had to give it a go. Cream Ale? It must have a delicious, creamy kind of taste! I love beers that have a creamy taste! It comes in a cool bottle too! It’s a stubby! When do you see beers bottled in stubbies that isn’t Red Stripe? (excellent beer by the way) It comes from Rochester, New York. It’s always good to have some east coast beers to review. It’s so hard to get them west of the old Mississippi. I’ll tell you, I was really excited.

When I cracked open the first bottle, it didn’t have any strong defining qualities. There was a faint hoppiness and a faint malty aroma. Nothing out of the ordinary like most wacky micro brews try to give you. The smell was like a good cold beer. When I took the first sip, I found the exact same thing. It wasn’t overly or even middle-ie malty. It wasn’t overly or even middle-ie hoppy either. It just tasted like a good beer. The crispness of the beer felt very lager-like and it was quite carbonated. It was so far from what I was expecting. But with all of that in mind, it wasn’t bad…it just tasted like beer. Not bad beer. Just good beer. Feels kinda like good old fashioned lawn-mowin’ beer. Or maybe takin’ a break from re-shingling your house beer. Possibly a thirsty from cleaning out the garage beer. It was good…because it just tasted like beer.

The Plain Old Facts

ABV% - 5.10%
This beer’s favorite 70s era sitcom - WKRP in Cincinnati
Packaged as - 6-pack 12oz bottles (I drank all 6)
BDR (Binge Drinking Rating) - Very Possible
Paired well with - Papa John’s Buffalo Chicken Pizza (Rochester isn’t far from Buffalo)
Crime that drinking this beer makes me want to commit - Perjury
Final Beer Grade - Good Beer

http://www.geneseebeer.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/geneseebrewery

Twitter - @GeneseeBrewery

It Tastes Good in the Middle Bill Sour Beers from the...

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 14:38:00 -0600

It Tastes Good in the Middle

Bill Sour

Beers from the “Blue Moon Brewing Company” are an interesting topic. Brewed to give the feel and taste of a craft brew but Blue Moon is actually owned by Coors as part of their craft an import division. Makes it a bit difficult to define it as a microbrew. Regardless, there’s plenty of these “middle” beers out there to try and many damn good ones. I know for myself I won’t discriminate and stay away from these types of beers. A beer is a beer is a beer and I’m all about equality even if I prefer one more than the other. So I decided to take the plunge and review one of these “middle” beers. In this case, limited summer release of Agave Blonde Ale caught my eye.

The aroma was a bit wheaty with hints of the agave as well as some citrus floating around. This is definitely the smell of a beer that was brand new to me but the smell had me hooked and I was ready to get the first taste. What I found with the first sip was that the flavor did a good job at following the aroma. The draw is a bit wheatie and smooth and the agave sweetness follows quickly. It’s not exactly a subtle sweetness. It’s definitely a but more pronounced than most fruity flavored beers but not nearly as “in your face” as some others I’ve tasted. Almost as if it was sort of right in the middle in terms of fruity. The finish has a bit of that citrus as well as a light hoppy flavor to make it just a bit dry on the back end. Not the hoppiest beer I’ve ever had, but not the least hoppy either. Sort of right in the middle.

After having a few drinks, I asked two of my closest friends to try it and tell me what they think. My best friend took a swig and made a bit of a face. Simpy put, she wasn’t exactly a fan. She’ll stick with Blue Moon’s Summer release, Honey Moon until the day she dies. As for the other, he took a swig and looked a bit puzzled. He took a second and had the following comment; “It’s not too bad. The initial taste isn’t bad and the aftertaste is alright. But it’s almost like there’s this flavor in the middle that makes it a bit better.” That series of comments summed up my entire thought process on this beer.

You’ll now get to see Justin and I argue for the rest of the life of this blog over a term I decided to coin myself. This beer is not a micro brew. But it’s not exactly a macro brew either. It’s sort of in the middle. It’s a “middle brew.” And this is the perfect example of a middle brew. All of its factors are not exactly on one end of the scale or the other. They’re all sort of in the middle. And when you taste everything together, its not great, but its not terrible. But it tastes good in the middle.

Half of the facts:

ABV% - 5.6
This beer’s favorite karaoke song - Shock to the Heart by Bon Jovi
Citrus tones - Lemon and Orange peel
BDR (Binge Drinking Rating) – Not impossible, not very possible. Just possible.
Pairs well with - Seasonal salads and fruit sorbets
Final Beer Rating - Sort of in the middle

http://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/bluemoon

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/BlueMoon_BrewCo @BlueMoon_BrewCo

Well Built, Like a Lifelong Friendship Justin Jaramillo This...

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:28:00 -0600

Well Built, Like a Lifelong Friendship

Justin Jaramillo

This past Saturday I stood in a tuxedo under an expansive Colorado sky listening and watching as one of the best friends a guy could ask for entered into marriage. I felt a bit of emptiness in my stomach, as I knew that this one was special. Jose always reminded me of a brother that I never had, a guy that I considered to be my family.

My buddy Jose is a great guy, he is one of those guys who no matter how long you have been away from him you can always pick up a conversation and have a good time. We both went to the University of Colorado, yet our paths never crossed during our four years in Boulder (most likely a good thing for the city). I have known Jose since we both started working together at our first “real” job. During these past 8 years of friendship, Jose and I have had the opportunity to experience life in ways that would make others envious. We have traveled to great locations, spent many days lounging around drinking and telling ridiculously unfunny jokes, and pontificated on a myriad of topics. I am sure there are many people would who say the same things I could and would say about him. He has shared his time and lent his talents to all his friends, and in a pinch he even lent his crotch to a lonely mouse (an inside story!) In all of those moments, I acted as any young friend would; I took them for granted.

Not wanting to take for granted the last few moments of Jose’s bachelorhood, I decided to share my specially procured bottle of Breckenridge Well Built ESB. This beer is produced by my favorite brewery, Breckenridge Brewery. This beer was aged in Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey barrels and exudes the unique and enjoyable spirit of Colorado craft brewing. Breckenridge Brewery has teamed with Stranahan’s distillery to help produce an incredible brew. I can’t do justice in describing the flavor of this beer. It has a smoothness that I have not experienced while drinking a beer. The fullness of flavor and the distinct yet mild whiskey undertones gave each of us a reason to continue sipping. You did get a taste of caramel, vanilla, even coffee. The aftertaste was dry but still held that refreshing quality. To me this was the perfect bottle to share between friends.

As the sky started to cloud over and the wind started to pick up, I was left standing there wondering how my life, and the friendship I had built over the last 8 years was bound to change. Nearly every one of my friends has married over the last 10 years. Jose had stood as the last bastion of the life I had before I “grew up”. Yet, as he slowly turned to the groomsmen after he had laid that obligatory first kiss on his bride, I saw that same goofy smile I had come to know, and my uneasiness calmed. In that moment I understood that my life has changed, but the well-built and strong friendships I have will continue. I was also glad that I was able to share one last great memory with Jose before his life changes as well.

Facts:

IBU: 55
ABV: 7.8%
Flavor: Complex hopiness balanced with traditional English Ale maltiness
Availability: Quarterly Release
Rating: Highly Recommended

http://www.breckbrew.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/BreckenridgeBrewery

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/BreckBrew (@breckbrew)

It Was Just Damn Good! Bill Sour After almost two months of...

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:34:02 -0600

It Was Just Damn Good!

Bill Sour

After almost two months of reviewing beers, we finally launched a Facebook page for the Simple Man’s Beer Blog. Before midnight, we had over 50 “likes” on the page which was astounding. That’s Good! Damn Good! I was so excited to know that the work Justin and I had been putting in had some real momentum and people might actually see the little thing we care so much about. It was so damn good I just needed to celebrate a little. But it was a Tuesday night so it’s not like I could get too crazy. Still, I had to do something to celebrate this new road we’d opened up for this simple blog. I had a few Santa Fe Brewing Company Pale Ales in the fridge so I figured cracking them open and enjoying a new beer would be an excellent option.

All I can say is, it was good. Damn good. I’ve had quite a few pale ales in my time as a beer drinker but this one was good. Damn good! The aroma was so enjoyable. It had a little hoppiness, a little citrus, a little maltiness. It smelled good. Damn good! I took that first swig and it just had amazing balance. You tasted the prominent hops that you should taste in pale ale, but it wasn’t overpowering. It mixed damn near perfectly with the light carbonation and almost pilsner like malt flavor. It tasted good. Damn good! As I finished each drink, the aftertaste was so pleasant. It wasn’t too dry and had just the right bite of hops on the back end, but that pilsner taste got a little bit sweet and fit really well with the hops at the end. It finished good. Damn good! So damn good that it just made me crave that next drink.

I think it’s easy to say I like this beer a lot. You know, because it’s so good. It’s so good that I’d drink it out of an opossum skull. So good that I’d walk through a crowd of Justin Bieber fans in full Justin Bieber makeup just go get one. It’s so good that if I got my arm stuck under a boulder on my way to get one, I’d chew my own arm off just so I got there before they ran out. It’s so good I’d ride a Pegicorn (pegasus/unicorn cross-breed) naked over 1000 rainbows on my way to watch Jay Cutler and the Bears beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl…just because they were selling it at the game. It’s so good that it could be the first thing I’d drink in a pub, or buy at a liquor store…Just because it’s so good. It’s just so damn good.

Damn Good Details;

ABV% - 5.4%
Smoothness - Smooth as a Santa Fe sunset
Awards won - 7 (http://www.santafebrewing.com/beer_detail/20)
Where did I get the Pegicorn? I summoned it using Liger magic
Best foods for pairing - Hot and spicy foods with Southwestern flavors.
How badly did Cutler beat the Broncos - Are you kidding? Cutler will never win a Super Bowl…especially over the Broncos.
Final Beer Grade - Damn Good

http://www.santafebrewing.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SantaFeBrewing

Twitter - @SantaFeBrew

Captain America and a Ranger IPA Bill Sour My three year old son...

Tue, 29 May 2012 12:03:55 -0600

Captain America and a Ranger IPA

Bill Sour

My three year old son has a group of stuffed animals he carries around with him that he calls his “best friends.” One is a character named “Broby” from a show called “Yo Gabba Gabba” that he’s had since he was an infant. Another is a small monkey he received from his Uncle Justin he’s named “Bobo.” Finally, there’s a small white rabbit he started carrying around during Easter he aptly calls “Bunny.” It bummed me out that none of his best friends were from me. So I purchased a small stuffed version of Captain America that I thought he’d really like. He likes super heroes and Captain America is very colorful. But off the bat my son was very resistant. He maintained that he only had three best friends and he did not need a fourth.

After about a week of prodding him, I sat down with him one night shortly after opening up a Ranger IPA from New Belgium Brewing. Now, I’d never been a huge fan of IPAs. The hoppiness is an acquired taste and when I first began venturing out from bland American style lagers, that bitter bite was not something my pallet would accept. Slowly but surely over the past 10 years, I’ve forced myself to branch out and really try find exactly what each beer I drink is really trying to make me taste. Thus, I’m finding myself more drawn to pale ales a lot more often and even have begun to take in more IPAs.

Thus when I took that first smell and drink of Ranger IPA, I had a new fond appreciation for this style of beer. While it began with a hint of pine in the aroma, as it warms a little it becomes a bit more citrus based. It was smooth and slightly sweet before the hops take a crack at you. Definitely some sweeter malty flavors on the draw and a good sense of that hoppy richness as the draw becomes aftertaste. As with all IPAs, the flavors definitely change as the beer warms up a but. Hops become more pronounced and that smoothness fades and gives a bit more bite. But the flavors are still there. Sweet at first and hoppy in the finish. Seems I’d really leaned how to appreciate a beer with different flavors than I’d usually try.

As I drank the IPA, I explained to my son that Captain America was a super hero and that he had his own cartoons and movies. I told him that, while he may not be who he expected to be one of his “best friends” that there were things about him that made him cool and fun to have around. Very similar to the fondness I’ve found with IPAs. While it’s not the taste I reach for right away, when I see an IPA that looks interesting, I no longer scoff and look for something else. I find myself intrigued and am much more willing to try what I wasn’t accepting of before. As for my son, Captain America is now in the group and possibly leading the pack of stuffed best friends. When I ask him about his friends he says Bobo has the biggest appetite (bananas), Broby is the saddest (which is weird) but Captain America is the strongest, the bravest and tells the best jokes. Sounds like my son learned to appreciate something he didn’t appreciate before. Maybe he learned something from his old man…or did his old man learn something from him?

Just the Facts Ma’am

ABV% - 6.5%
This Beer’s Best Friends - Alf, Serta Sheep #26, the Hamburglar
Types of hops used - 3 (Cascade[twice], Chinook, Simcoe)
This beer’s favorite (original) Law & Order detective - Lenny Briscoe
Best food pairings - Char-Grilled Peaches and Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken
Final Beer Grade - 3 out of 4 hop cones

http://www.newbelgium.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/newbelgium

Twitter - @newbelgium

A Victim of Karma Justin Jaramillo Having gone to school in...

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:44:00 -0600

A Victim of Karma

Justin Jaramillo

Having gone to school in Boulder you may assume I would have been on the leading edge of craft brewing. A region that boasts several very successful and accomplished breweries would have been a playground for a young drinker. Unfortunately I missed that whole scene. Being self involved and extremely narrow minded tends to lead one to not explore much. Some would say karma got the best of me.

Averys special edition Karma Ale boasts a name that should espouse a positive and deliciously rewarding drinking experience. Unfortunately I feel like this one was reciprocity for something I must have done some random night behind The Sink. Avery is known for fabulous beer and Karma had a very palatable first taste. The beer had a hint of the Belgian hops as advertised. I feel as if the flavor was being suppressed in some way. Each drink left me waiting for a little more. I would like to try this beer out of a tap to see if the experience was lost in any aging the beer experienced in the bottle.

As it stands, I would pass on a second serving.

5.4% ABV
Limited Release
Belgian Style
Rocky Mountain Water included
Rating: One before a nap

http://averybrewing.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AveryBrewing

Twitter - @AveryBrewingCo

Bottles of Bass and Cups Full of Cake Bill Sour I love beer....

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:03:00 -0600

Bottles of Bass and Cups Full of Cake

Bill Sour

I love beer. Everyone always gets my classic explanation. I don’t love beer because it gets me drunk. I love it because it tastes great. Getting drunk from it is just an added bonus. And when you love beer, you tend to drink it with just about anything. And a few Saturday nights ago that included cupcakes.

My best friend and I decided we wanted to make some cupcakes and have some black and tans. But while we had the beers for the delicious mixture available, I couldn’t help but have a few plain Bass without the Guinness mixture. And I figured I’d have a few cupcakes while I was at it.

• Color

Bass – Slightly darker than yellow. Not quite Amber. More golden
Cupcake – funfetti cake (white with sprinkles)

• Aroma

Bass – Balanced citrus and hops. Both quite subtle
Cupcake – Like freshly baked cake. Sweet and comforting

• Head

Bass – white fizzy 1” head. Fits perfectly with the golden body
Cupcake – Light pink whipped frosting with sprinkles (I LOVE sprinkles)

• Draw

Bass – Slightly sweet with a hint of citrus. Smooth and crisp
Cupcake – Very sweet with even balance between cake and frosting

• Finish

Bass – Sweetness fades on the draw. Hoppy enough so it finishes smooth, not enough to really even taste it
Cupcake – Still quite sweet. Balance of cake and frosting remains. (I like to eat my cupcakes evenly)

• Aftertaste

Bass – Light and refreshing. Not overpowering or “lip-smacking.” Invites you in for another taste
Cupcake – Sweet and sugary. Not overly filling but not so light that you need to eat 20…although I could with no problem

Bass is a classic. Touted as “The World’s First Pale Ale,” it’s crisp, clean and refreshing. It has a pleasant aroma that doesn’t overpower the senses. There’s a slightly sweet taste on the draw that evens out with a smooth aftertaste that isn’t offensive. I won’t go into the specifics of the beer because Bass is very old school. If you haven’t had some Bass, I suggest you try it. Definitely a beer everyone should sample. It’s easy to enjoy and always a good option if it’s available on tap. Bass was just like the cupcakes. You don’t always know you want one, but when it’s there, there is almost no reason why you shouldn’t have one. And really, the two go together just fine.

Final Beer Grade – 7 Cupcakes

http://www.bass.com/

Fruity Pebbles, Flintstones Included Justin Jaramillo Fruity...

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:05:00 -0600

Fruity Pebbles, Flintstones Included

Justin Jaramillo

Fruity pebbles…my favorite cereal as a kid. I absolutely loved dumping a huge load of those colorful sugar chunks into my designated cereal vessel. I don’t know exactly why I loved them. Most likely it was due to their 99-1 sugar to healthy nutrients ratio. I just know that it was the cereal I always reached for and would try to sneak past my parents into the shopping cart at the grocery store. I don’t even remember them having to use any gimmicks or decoder rings to convince kids to risk Type 1 diabetes to eat them. I think the Flintstones tie-in made them fun and relatable.

The reason I bring up fruity pebbles is that I generally am not crazy about super fruity foods. I may have spoiled myself young as I found the epic fruity taste of the pebbles before I refined my tastes as an adult. With this being said, I generally tend to reach for a more savory brew. So sweet fruity beers aren’t really my game. I happened upon this Dry Dock Apricot Blonde and found that the brewers used a fruit I oft pass up and felt the need to give it a shot. Dry Dock has gone and developed a tasty year round brew. The beer had a very sweet and agreeable initial apricot flavor. I don’t mean that cheap dried tart apricot taste you get from your trail mix either, it’s the real deal. The beer has a fair amount of carbonation, which makes it enjoyable to sip. It has a light color and I noticed a light and airy head. The aftertaste of the brew was just slightly tart, but not lip puckering. The brewery touts the beer as an ale that is fermented “with shiploads of fruit…”, which is exactly what I experienced. The beer would be a great beer to consume at a barbecue as the apricot taste would go great along with any sweet sauce. It seems like a beer that is approachable by beer drinkers and non beer drinkers alike. There is no heavy hoppyiness or complex layering of flavors. It is prehistorically simple.

Notes:

5.1 ABV
17 IBU
2009 Small Brewing Company of the Year
Rating: 100% Enjoyable

http://www.drydockbrewing.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/DryDockBrewing

Twitter - @DryDockBrewing

Taking on a Kingpin Bill Sour Beers are great. All beers have...

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:35:00 -0600

Taking on a Kingpin

Bill Sour

Beers are great. All beers have their own personalities. They have their own characteristics. They all demand a different level of respect. Sometimes you just get an initial taste of a cold frothy brew and you know it demands respect.

When I picked up a few Kingpin Double Red Ales I wasn’t totally sure what to think. The bottle touts it as triple hopped which piqued my interest. As someone who is still learning to enjoy hoppy beers I was a little intrigued. While I opposed heavily hopped beers in my earlier beer drinking years, I’m learning to appreciate the way hops work within a beer. So when I saw “triple hopped” I was ready to give it a go. So I cracked open a bottle and was ready to begin.

Moving the Kingpin back and forth under my nose I was able to pick up in the hoppiness of the brew. It was a little more subtle than I had expected but there was definitely some hops in the slightly bitter aroma. With just a single swig, I had respect for this Kingpin. The flavor was lightly malty and kind of bready. It was smooth but had a bit of an edge to it. As I savored, I was waiting for the hops to hit and they did on the back end. There’s a dry aftertaste that lets the hops flourish while not letting them get out of hand.

As I continued to drink through the first bottle and into the second, the 7.5% ABV began to take over. I thought more about this beer after enjoying the flavors for what they were; Flavors that are simple and bold, but not in your face. It’s powerful yet presents itself with class and sophistication. This Kingpin demanded my respect. Almost as if it were a mob-boss wearing a fine silk suit, black shirt and power tie. So when it demanded, I complied. It might not be the first thing I reach for, but I’d definitely be happy to have one of these at the bar or in the pub, ice cold and flavorful. I respect the Kingpin. It’s probably a good thing too. The last thing I want is to wake up with a severed horse head in my bed or find myself sleeping with the fishes. Really though, who would have thought the Mafia was in Portland, Oregon?

The Kingpin’s Rap Sheet;

ABV% - 7.5
Legs broken by this Kingpin - 21
Hops used - Liberty
Witness’ disappeared from this Kingpin - None (that can be proven)
Style - American Amber Ale
Best temperature to serve this beer - Ice Cold (like in a meat locker)
FINAL BEER GRADE - 7 out of 10 Severed Horse Heads

http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/BridgePortBrewingCompany

Twitter - @bridgeportbrew

The Season of Saison: Tommyknocker Nice Saison Seasonal...

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:20:00 -0600

The Season of Saison: Tommyknocker Nice Saison Seasonal Ale

Justin Jaramillio

The last few years I have been trying to explore more of the state I call home. My wife and I try to hike occassionally and this year we hope to take the dogs camping. Living in a state like Colorado you are constantly bombarded with images of blue skies and mountain activities. I have definitely spent time in the mountains, and have had my fair share of campground beer. Generally this has consisted of purchasing and consuming large amounts of macro brew. Coors Light, Bud Light, or any other cheaply priced beer has been the staple of these trips. I guess the beer was never meant to be enjoyed, just consumed quickly, and as with most of those macro brews the filtered aftermath was removed quickly (thanks liver).

The search for a new campground beer has begun. I hope to find a beer that is made by people that live/work/understand the mountains. One brewery I have always heard about but had never had the chance to consume their product would be Tommyknocker. Being set in the mountain gateway Idaho Springs, I haven’t ever stopped by to have a beer, generally opting to consume Beau Jo’s mountain pies instead. But, I decided to pick up a bottle of Tommyknocker Nice Saison. Simply put, this Saison was much more approachable and drinkable than the Widmer Dark Saison. The tart crisp carbonation was welcome after a long day at work. The spicy aroma helped set the table. The fruity aftertaste lingered after each drink, reminding me that this beer was not made to be slammed. I enjoyed the beer much more than I had anticipated and am now looking forward to spending some more time exploring Tommyknockers lineup, perhaps over a campfire after a day of hiking.

Product Features and Mentionables:

5.5% ABV
Colorado Mountain Town Craft Beer
IBU 15
Crafty Miner on Label
Rating: 7/10

http://tommyknocker.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/tommyknockerbrewery

Twitter - @TKBrew

Bacon for Breakfast…and to Flavor Your Beer Justin...

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:55:00 -0600

Bacon for Breakfast…and to Flavor Your Beer

Justin Jaramillo

Breakfast for dinner. I used to love coming in the house after running around outside and smelling Bacon grease and hearing the pop of the toaster. Having breakfast for dinner was always a treat for me. My mom and dad were both enthusiastic when creating the menu on these nights. We would have scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, Bacon, and sausage. I recall these nights as much more fun, as we sat around the table and enjoyed each others company, all the while slowly eyeing the stack of crisp warm toast.

Rogue brewery has become one of my guilty pleasures. As I have moved forward as a beer drinker I have found myself more attracted to the dark and satirical nature of this brewery. I have also enjoyed the dense and hoppy nature of their beer.

I honestly don’t have a rhyme or reason on what beers I choose to review. To be honest, I am generally guided by the new releases advertised to me in an email from a local liquor store. When I saw the weekly email tout Rogue VooDoo Maple Bacon beer, I knew I had to try it.

The beer bottle, pink and large, evoked an image of a large frosted donut. I popped the top on this one and was pleasantly surprised at the strong and aromatic maple scent. Since I was looking forward to this beer I poured it into my king sized beer stein. The color of the beer held true to the maple name. My sips of the beer held constant and were flavorful; starting with smokyiness and ending with sweet and hoppy maple. I can say that the head was very bitter, but waiting a short time allowed for it to settle and provide only accents to the titled flavors.

Stats:

Free Range Coastal Water
30 IBU
Bone Necklace and pig wrapped bottle
13 ingredients, including Applewood smoked bacon
Rating: Enjoy Responsibly and Gladly

http://www.rogue.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rogue-Ales/250849644990146

Twitter - @RogueAles

Flavorful Shenanigans Bill Sour A few weeks back I reviewed a...

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:01:00 -0600

Flavorful Shenanigans

Bill Sour

A few weeks back I reviewed a beer I drank before the University of Colorado Spring football game. Well, after we stopped for lunch and had those beers, we walked down the street and found another place to hoist a few before heading over to the stadium. In this case we ended up at a pizza place (where I chased down my cheeseburger with a slice of pepperoni) with a few interesting selections on tap. My choice was Odell’s Single Serve Series “Shenanigans.”

First off, I love Odell beers and I’m excited to review more as this blog continues to grow. Odell’s is one of my absolute favorite breweries. This brew sadly missed the mark. It’s billed as an oak aged crimson ale. The color follows right along those lines. It had a cloudy reddish hue with a fairly thin head. (I had heard it should be served in a sifter so being that it was served in a pint glass may have contributed to the light head) Even just the scent of the brew tells you there’s a lot going on here. There’s an oak-like feel, some vanilla overtones as well as some fruity nodes. Definitely a little citrus and what seems like cherry. It almost felt like there was so much going on, it was difficult to enjoy what WAS there.

As a lover of fruity beers, this one just felt like it was trying too hard. Interesting flavors in beer is something that always catches my attention. And interesting flavors are often accompanied by complex mixtures to compliment the targeted flavor. This one tasted like every taste bud I have was being targeted by something different. Feels almost like this is a place where less would have been more. It’s a catch 22 really. Don’t add enough and it falls right in with other similar sweet beers and fails to stand out. Add too much and I gripe and complain about there being too much happening at once.

I appreciate the effort here from Odell but this one just didn’t do it for me. I’m sure there are those out there who may really love the complexity and how this beer targets every single taste bud. For me, not so much. I prefer to keep my taste buds all on the same team when enjoying a delicious adult beverage. On the plus side, its high ABV% will definitely get you primed for some real shenanigans.

About these Shenanigans

If this beer were a He-Man character it would be - Beastman
ABV% - 9.1% (HI-OH!!!!)
It’s capped with a cork
Amount consumed - 2 pints
Did it go good with the pizza? - Not especially (and everything goes with pizza right?)
Bottled as - 750ml (25.36oz) bottles (you better be thirsty)
Final Beer Grade - 4 out of 14 “Meh”s

http://odellbrewing.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/OdellBrewingCo

Twitter - @OdellBrewing

Barney Fife is a Lot Funnier When I’m Drunk on Oatmeal...

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:59:00 -0600

Barney Fife is a Lot Funnier When I’m Drunk on Oatmeal Stout

Justin Jaramillo

I remember the days when I would walk into the house after school and wonder what to do next, some RBI Baseball or scanning the latest Bowman for the price jumps if my 1989 NFL ProSet box. Every so often I would turn on the TV and catch the end of a rerun The Andy Griffith Show. I never really got into the show, it may have been my youth but that Barney Fife was annoying.

The Oatmeal Stout from Anderson Valley Brewing Company comes in a 12 oz. can. It has a crisp and smooth first sip. The beer had a heavily roasted quality to it. It was a little bitter after a few tastes. The one quality I most enjoyed in this can of beer was its drinkability. Many oatmeal stouts I have had tend to sit heavily in my stomach. This selection, in its can would be a good beer to swig over a game of cards or make some old reruns more bearable.

Facts:

12 oz can
Bahl Hornin’- Since 1987
5.8% ABV
Rating - Two pairs (Jacks & Deuces)

http://www.avbc.com/main/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anderson-Valley-Brewing-Company/9239636972

Twitter - @avbc

I Don’t Know What Saison is But I Like It Slightly...

Mon, 07 May 2012 09:08:13 -0600

I Don’t Know What Saison is But I Like It Slightly Warm

Justin Jaramillo

First tastes of beers can be starkly different than the last slurp. I can’t even count the times I have nearly given up on a beer due to the first shudder filled mouthful of a new beer. I am not a beer snob and I certainly cannot tell you the differences between many types of beers. I do have friends who can do this, and that is why I luck out and never actually have to remember any of that information. Does this make me a bad beer drinker? I don’t think so, it is a simple man’s blog for simple beer drinkers. This is to all say that I have no clue what a Saison is.

This brew from Widmer had a significant and bold initial taste. Malty and smooth come to mind. As I sipped through a bottle or two I began to notice almost an alternating flavor of smoothness and malt and a little sour in there to boot! The aroma from this beer was great; it had a distinctive and appealing smell. As a Brewmaster’s release I can respect the craftiness of this selection. I tend not to be a fan of exceptionally malty beers or those that are too spiced due to the insanely agriculturalish burp’s I endure after consuming wheat beers.

I enjoyed this selection for what it was, but I would never go out on a limb and purchase it again. If it happens to show up on a brewer’s box, I will happily drink it. It went great with pizza and Game of Thrones, but let it warm up a bit first, the taste was better as the beer warmed.

Bottled on 2/7/12

ABV: 5.5%

Rating: 5/10 Burps

http://widmerbrothers.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/WidmerBrothersBrewing

Twitter - @Widmer_Brothers

A Blast From the a Past…Review Bill Sour (originally...

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:27:00 -0600

A Blast From ~~the~~ a Past…Review

Bill Sour (originally reviewed in early 2011 for a different blog)

With the NFL Draft last week (one of my favorite sports days of the year) I have been a bit backed up at work and dealing with catching up from being out (in preparation for my annual draft party) for a few days so I haven’t been able to post. Don’t worry, there’s plenty on it’s way here in the coming weeks. But to get the ball rolling, I figured I’d tackle a past review from old blog…so here goes.

I’m always on the lookout for new beers to try. While I have my specific tastes as well as things I tend to avoid due to personal preference (IPAs) there’s always been a special place in my heart for fruity wheat beers. It’s weird because when it comes to straight wheat ales, I’m generally not a fan, or if I am the conditions have to be right. For some reason, New Belgium Sunshine Wheat tastes better out of a can than it does out of a bottle or even fresh from the tap. At the same time, Leinenkugels Sunset Wheat has always been fantastic regardless of coming from a bottle or a Tap. Fruity wheat beers on the other hand are often high on my list.

When I saw Ft. Collins Brewery’s Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat I was excited for a few reasons; it comes from Ft. Collins, CO which is in my opinion one of the best craft brew cities in America, it’s a fruity wheat beer, and because the fruit favor used is pomegranate. Who doesn’t love pomegranate? Needless to say, it was an easy choice for a Friday night.

From the time I popped the first cap to the final drink of the bottle, the smell of this beer is amazing. Just enough hint of the hops along with that soft scent of pomegranate made me even more excited to drink it down. That first bottle wasn’t as cold as it should have been. In this case, the slightly less cool temp brought out the hops quite a bit. The initial flavor gives a good dose of pomegranate but the less cool swig brought on more hop flavor than I think is intended. The next bottle I had was ice cold, from my freezer to ensure the next bottle was optimum coolness. When cooled down ice cold the beer reacted just as you’d imagine. The hops were nearly absent in the initial taste and the pomegranate fought to get through. Later I poured a properly chilled bottle into a pint glass and resumed consumption. Wow, I finally was feeling what I believe was intended. The hoppiness was a perfect complement to the pomegranate flavor. The hops weren’t overpowering as they can be in other wheat beers yet they were more present than you’d experience in more malty ales. From here I could make my final observations and review this fruity brew.

While the smell captivated me, the taste of the hops mixing with the pomegranate kept me coming back for more. On the draw, the pomegranate rides “sidecar” (not backseat) to the flavor of the hops which makes for the perfect complement mentioned before. It wasn’t overly filling yet it left me satisfied, even if I were forced to drink just one. (Which I’d rather not do) If consumed slowly you’ll witness that hoppiness becoming more pronounced as the beer warms. It doesn’t make the flavor bad by any means but the flavor will change slightly if not consumed rather quickly. The beer finishes well with the hops now riding “sidecar” to the pomegranate flavor leaving a nice sweet but not overly intense aftertaste. If you’re looking for a new brew to try, keep this beer on your radar. For me, it’s not the first thing I’d grab when looking for a 6-pack but if I saw it on tap in a pub I’d be happy to jump on the bandwagon and hoist a few.

The Final Summary…

Aroma: Light and enjoyable. Good mix of hops and pomegranate with every whiff
Color: The straw blonde color is light enough to look refreshing just sitting in a glass, but dark enough to remind you that you’re not drinking a shitty Budweiser
Draw: Just enough hops to keep the taste buds alert while pomegranate relaxes the soul
Refreshingness: Perfect to drink around a fire with friends, watching the game or after mowing the lawn
Aftertaste: Sweetly pomegranate that doesn’t overpower and entices you to come back for another swig
Alcohol Content: Between 4.5% and 5.5% ABV
Bitterness: Not quite middle of the road. Definitely sweeter than it is bitter as the prominent hops were used for flavor
Value: At about seven bucks a 6-pack, it falls right in line with a majority of craft brews which is acceptable

Comparable to: Great Divide Wild Raspberry Ale, Tommyknocker Tundraberry Ale, Estes Park Bear Lake Blueberry Wheat

Final Beer Grade - 3.5/5 Stars

http://www.fortcollinsbrewery.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/FortCollinsBrewery

Twitter - @FortCollinsBrew

Going Over to the Dark Side…And That Doesn’t Mean...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:11:00 -0600

Going Over to the Dark Side…And That Doesn’t Mean Anheuser-Busch

Bill Sour

It’s a Tuesday night and I feel like playing some Star Wars…and drinking a few beers. Now be careful because this can get a bit nerdy. My main Star Wars character is a Sith Lord who has found himself waist deep in the dark side of the force. Taking what he wants and killing anyone who stands in his way. The dark side is strong in him…just as it is in Obsidian Stout from the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

Lord Brodicious (my character) is tall and stout with a good head on his shoulders. Much like the Obsidian Stout I poured into a pint glass to drink while I romp through the galaxy killing everything in my path. From the initial pour, you see how dark this beer is. Holding it up to the light, its murky darkness lets little if any light through and is topped off by a creamy, thick foam that makes up the lacy beige head that sticks to your lip. Upon first glance, you may think that this dark liquid is pure evil, much like my Sith juggernaut that seeks power and control over the Empire. But we must have a taste to see how evil this brew is.

In the early stages of Brodicious’ storyline, he was very level headed and damn near friendly. And the first taste of this stout fell right in line. It was chocolaty, almost coffee like in taste which is common for stout brews. The sweetness that comes from the malt is absolutely delicious. But then, that sweetness is slowly taken over on the back end by a strong, yet not overly aggressive hoppy finish. That hoppiness creates an inner conflict that faces many Sith who begin coming into power. I generally don’t like that hoppy flavor but here, there’s something about it that consumes me. I have to have another drink…and then another. And just as Brodicious reacted when he had those first tastes of the power of the dark side, there was then no turning back. I was consumed and needed more.

Really, this beer is pretty damn smooth. It’s gentle at first and full of flavor and amazing aromas. That malty sweetness fits perfectly with the hoppy finish that rounds out every drink. Just like Darth Vader, this dark murky brew that appears to be pure evil definitely has lots of good in it. It’s not overly filling and makes you want to come back for more even if it’s probably not optimal for binge situations. Deschutes Obsidian Stout is proof that there is great power in the dark side.

Facts of the Dark Side

ABV% - 6.4%
This beer’s light saber color – Orange
How many of these beers I drank – Two singles (12oz bottles)
This beer’s Star Wars Sith name – Darth Obsidian (obviously!)
Malts used – Pale, Crystal, Carapils, Munich, Black Barley, Roasted Barley, Wheat
Who would play this beer in a new Star Wars movie – Jason Statham
Hops used – Nugget, Millennium, Willamette, Northern Brewer
Final Beer Grade – 27 (out of 32) Wookie Calls

http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/brew/obsidian-stout

Abita Red Ale, a BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger and the CU Buffs beat...

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:44:00 -0600

Abita Red Ale, a BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger and the CU Buffs beat themselves 35-0

Bill Sour

Went up to Boulder with some of the guys Saturday to watch the CU Spring football game and decided to have some lunch and drink some beers beforehand. Felt like it was a perfect chance to review a new beer or two. We rolled into “The Sink” at about 1:00pm and I struggled for ten minutes or so before deciding to knock back a few Abita Red Ales (edging out Coors Batch 19 and Abita Turbodog).

Abita Red Ale is made by the Abita Brewing Company which can be found just north of New Orleans in the piney woods of Louisiana. Their Red Ale is what they call their “March-May” seasonal beer which seems to be a late spring brew that follows their Bock which is brewed from January through March. It’s an American Amber/Red Ale. While it’s not one of their flagship beers there are plenty of reasons why this session beer could be perfectly acceptable for anyone looking for a smooth, crisp pint at the pub.

The aroma is malty with just a hint of the hops. The finger thick cream-colored head was creamy but not too thick and felt perfect for this particular beer. On first taste the brew was refreshing. The lightly caramel flavor had a bit of a roasted tint to it that made the aftertaste very soothing and inviting for the next drink. The hops were extremely light and with just a hint of flavor on the back end that wasn’t bitter. It’s creamy and smooth without it being overly heavy. The balance between the malt and the hops was just right for a beer such as this which made it very refreshing and something I could sit and drink all day/night. This is definitely a beer that can be enjoyed in a bar, at home watching the game, or around the campfire making nature a jealous bitch. Screw you nature! I can drink beers and you can’t!

The Red-Zone Facts:

ABV% - 5.2%
If this beer played for the Buffs – It would be an athletic offensive lineman who walked on freshman year but is now a Junior on scholarship
Number of beers consumed – 2 pints
This beer’s favorite cartoon character would be – Heathcliff
BDR (Binge Drinking Rating) – Very possible
Most entertaining part of the game - Watching Josh Ford puke on the field at halftime
Where I drank this beer – The Sink, Boulder CO (http://www.thesink.com/)
This beer’s preferred internet browser – Opera 9.5
Final Beer Grade – 4 strands of purple Mardi Gras beads

http://www.abita.com/brews/red-ale.php

Christ Died So I Could Enjoy the Champagne of Beers Bill...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:59:38 -0600

Christ Died So I Could Enjoy the Champagne of Beers

Bill Sour

The air was crisp but the sun was warm, slowly cooking the back of my neck. I kneel down in the thick green lushness that is my lawn to prepare my mower. My belly full of delicious Easter ham and bacon frittata I begin to reflect back on the relaxing holiday; Seeing the kids check their Easter baskets to see what sweet treats the Easter Rabbit left for them, sitting down to a delicious brunch with all of the traditional Easter fixings, relaxing in the recliner to watch some golf nearly drifting off for a nap. Watching the kids search for dyed eggs in the bushes, downspouts, planters and that thick lush lawn. Not to mention the taste of that delicious beer to wash it all down. Really, how often is that you can have a few before noon without the old ball and chain nagging you incessantly?

I continue preparing the mower, sweat beads up on my forehead. The sun is getting hotter and brighter by the minute. My son walks out as I wipe the sweat away from my brow. “Whatcha doin’ Pop?” he asks as walks through the lawn. “Just gettin’ ready to mow the lawn now that you kids are done hunting Easter eggs” I reply. Noticing some loose bolts, I ask him to go get me 5/8” wrench so I can tighten them up. He quickly returns with a wrench in one hand, and a cold bottle of Miller High Life in the other. I take the wrench from him and tighten the bolts without saying a word. I hand the wrench back to him and stand up. There’s a look of pride in his eyes as he watches me pull the starter cord to get the engine running.

With exhaust fumes quickly fading the engine gains it’s steadiness and rumbles away waiting for me to initiate the weekend ritual. I look over at my son whose eyes appear to have visions of weekends mowing the lawn in his future. Before I begin pushing the mower, he reaches out handing me the cold glistening bottle. As I twist off the cap the look in his eye changes from one of pride to one of envy. Knowing his old man is about to taste that cold refreshing brew and partake in of of his favorite pastimes.

I flip him the bottle cap as I begin to tip back the bottle. The first drink of that cold bubbly refreshment quenches every thirst possible and I no longer feel the heat of the hot spring sun. My son watches in amazement as I continue to take drink after drink from the bottle. As I feel the bottle’s weight falling, I slowly tilt the bottle forward with one single drink left. Looking down at my son I see a hopeful look on his face. I reach my arm out and ask him to go throw the bottle away from his old man. As he takes the bottle from my hand I give him a fatherly smirk and a wink. A wink that tells him without saying a word, that the last drink of delicious Milwaukee refreshment is meant for him.

As he walks into the garage I begin pushing the mower into the afternoon sun. Eager to begin grooming this lush green lawn into the pristine turf that gives me so much pride, almost as much pride as sharing a cold beer with my sun on a warm afternoon. This has definitely been a great Easter. One for the books. Indeed, Christ died so I could enjoy the champagne of beers. So I could live the high life with my son. This one’s for you Jesus.

So, what about the beer right?

For me, Miller High Life is my favorite traditional American-style lager. When compared to each of it’s counterparts, there are definitive differences that set it apart. It tastes far less watered down than Budweiser/Bud Light. The High Life has more and better flavor than Coors Original/Light. And the morning after a night of binge drinking with Miller High Life, I don’t have some of the unmentionable ill-effects of other traditional American-style lagers such as Old Style, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Hamms. Finally, while there are plenty of refreshing beers out there, but for me personally there’s nothing more refreshing and thirst quenching after mowing the lawn on a hot summer’s day. I did mention in a previous review that “Shift” from New Belgium is a great alternative for those looking for something other than the traditional American-style lager, but in my opinion Miller High Life is the epitome of summer weekend post-lawn mowing refreshment.

Final Beer Grade - Thumbs up