27 February 2011

Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout | ZE Beer Review

This was a request from someone, but I can't remember who it was. If you're the one who requested it send me a note and I'll update this info box with your info.

Overall, this isn't a bad beer, but it's a little bit too much coffee and not enough stout for my taste.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B

26 February 2011

Great Divide Old Ruffian Barleywine | ZE Beer Review

One last snow video before spring sets in. I review one of my favorite barleywines, a very hoppy American-style barleywine from Great Divide.

(Note: I'm trying a new rendering/uploading method, sorry if quality drops.)



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A

25 February 2011

Belhaven Scottish Ale | ZE Beer Review

Another import beer review, of a beer that I attempted to review earlier in the month. The earlier review was the bottled version, which was too lightstruck to fairly review.

This is also another review out in the snow, for those interested in seeing me stand in the freezing outdoors.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B

24 February 2011

Zymurgical Explorations Vlog 2011-02-21

Come have a pint with me as I bullshit my way through an unedited vlog and drink a Two-Hearted in my garage....

Propeller IPA | ZE Beer Review

This is the first beer I've reviewed that was sent to me by fellow Youtube beer reviewer elharlock. Quite a nice session IPA -- I'd definitely drink it if it was local to me.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B

23 February 2011

Beck's Lager | ZE Beer Review

I figured as long as I'm doing a month of imports, I might as well do at least one green-bottle European lager. So I picked the standard lager from one of the largest breweries in Germany. It's about what you'd expect.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: C-

22 February 2011

BrewDog Punk IPA | ZE Beer Review

Definitely clear evidence that it's best to drink an IPA as fresh as possible. I've had an old bottle of this before, and it doesn't even taste like an IPA.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B

21 February 2011

Lion Stout | ZE Beer Review

In this episode I review a beer all the way from Sri Lanka, that actually includes a quote from the late Beer Hunter Micheal Jackson himself. If there's a such a thing as a sessionable high-gravity stout, this is it.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A-

20 February 2011

Founders Imperial Stout | ZE Beer Review

Ho-hum, another excellent imperial stout made within easy driving distance of me. However will I survive?



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A

19 February 2011

Harvestoun Ola Dubh 30 | ZE Beer Review

This is my 150th video beer review, which is awesome. What's not so awesome is waiting ten months or so to drink this beer, which is good but not worth the incredibly high price tag I paid for it. I don't mention it in the vid, but New Holland Dragon's Milk is just about as good for a fraction of the price, and is much more widely available (at least in Michigan).



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A-

18 February 2011

Frankenmuth Munich-style Dunkel Lager | ZE Beer Review

I've decided to start reviewing more local beers, especially from smaller, lesser-known breweries. I won't be doing this as a series, but just interspersing these reviews with all the other stuff I do.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: C+

17 February 2011

Okocim Porter | ZE Beer Review

I do a beer that's basically definitive of a style -- in this case, the Baltic Porter style. Basically a Euro Dark Lager with black patent malt added to give it a dark, roasty, licorice/raisin character. Quite nice!



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B+

16 February 2011

Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf

I review the last of my Three Floyds bombers, the truly phenomenal Arctic Panzer Wolf. This video is a bit more NSFW than others, simply because I couldn't resist dropping a few extra swear words in discussing how excellent this beer is.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A

14 February 2011

Mikkeller Monk's Brew (Monk's Elixir) | ZE Beer Review

This is my edit of the collaboration video I did with Peter (TheMasterofHoppets) and Jakob (TheLordofMalts), both in Denmark. We reviewed a Mikkeller Quadrupel that purports to be authentically Trappist, but it left us all somewhat wanting.

There was a LOT of footage in the original, which I've edited down while keeping the spirit of the proceedings. I was tempted just to post the whole damn thing as an object lesson in what happens when beer reviews go astray, but I think this one works anyway.

Peter's channel: http://www.youtube.com/TheMasterofHop...
Jakob's channel: http://www.youtube.com/TheLordofMalts



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B-

12 February 2011

Troegs Nugget Nectar | ZE Beer Review

I review a highly-rated beer that I received from Chris over at BeerGeekNation. Color me slightly underwhelmed.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B

10 February 2011

Wells Bombardier Ale | ZE Beer Review

I have to admit that I really only reviewed this because Simon of the Real Ale Guide shot a video of this being bottled, and seeing all those bottle fills gave me the psychosomatic response of wanting to drink this beer.

Simon's video of the bottling process can be found here.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B

08 February 2011

Alesmith Speedway Stout | ZE Beer Review

In this episode I review a beer sent to me by Ryan, aka Youtube beer reviewer StumpyJoeJr, also of BeerGeekNation. This is one of the top-rated stouts in the world, and it absolutely deserves the recognition.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A

06 February 2011

Mikkeller Black Hole | ZE Beer Review

In this episode I review a Danish Russian Imperial Stout made by Mikkeller. It's a collaborative effort with fellow BeerTuber Peter, also known as The Master of Hoppets.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B+

We also took a few minutes to have a chat together, which we thought those interested in our channels might enjoy.



Thanks again to Peter for both the review and the conversation.

Three Floyds Dreadnaught IPA | ZE Beer Review

One of the top-rated DIPAs on Planet Earth. How would I respond to it?



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A-

05 February 2011

Brauerei Michael Plank Pilserl | ZE Beer Review

In this episode I review a pilsner made by a small microbrewery in Germany, Brauerei Michael Plank. It's imported to the US by Elite Brands, which is located right in my home city of Kalamazoo, so I'm guessing I get it fresher than anywhere else in the country. A very nice pilsner, one I'd love to try on tap sometime.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A-

04 February 2011

Trappist Rochefort 10 | ZE Beer Review

I review another Belgian Quadrupel, currently listed at number 6 on the BeerAdvocate "Best of BA" list. I originally tried this back in January 2006 and reviewed it on BA, but my palate has developed a lot since then and I'm much more able to appreciate its qualities.

The news story about the fire at the Trappist Rochefort monastery is here.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A+

Paw Paw Brewing Two Paws IPA | ZE Beer Review

In this video, Shana and I review a growler fill from a brand-new brewery a couple of towns over from us: the Paw Paw Brewing Company.

http://twitter.com/pawpawbrewery



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B+

03 February 2011

Boddington's Pub Ale | ZE Beer Review

While my grains were mashing on my brew day earlier this week, I decided to shoot a quick beer review. This one is for Boddington's Pub Ale, which is listed on BeerAdvocate as an English Pale Ale, but I've always thought of it as a bitter. Probably just me.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B-

02 February 2011

Three Floyds Broo Doo | ZE Beer Review

So. "Broo Doo" might just be the silliest name for a beer EVER.

Nonetheless, we soldier on. This is Three Floyds' harvest ale brewed with fresh wet hops, so I was a bit reluctant to review it at such a late date. I ended up drinking it on January 3 and it was still deliciously hoppy.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A-

Monk's Cafe Sour Ale | ZE Beer Review

This was one of the very first sour ales I ever tried, and I remember really enjoying it. Would I think it was as good on a second go-around?



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B+

Zymurgical Explorations Vlog 2011-01-16

That's right, a new vlog despite my semi-absence.



Channels mentioned in this vid:
www.youtube.com/monkeycaveman
www.youtube.com/elharlock
www.youtube.com/StumpyJoeJr
www.youtube.com/TheMasterofHoppets
www.youtube.com/Yuichituba
www.youtube.com/BeerichiTuba

Fuller's 1845 | ZE Beer Review

In this import month entry, I review a specialty ale from Fuller's in London. A stronger-than-average pale ale made to commemorate the founding of the modern era of their brewery.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: A

Weihenstephaner Korbinian | ZE Beer Review

Import month continues, with this dopplebock from the oldest continuously-operated brewery in the world.



Zymurgical Explorations grade: B+