Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA (bottle)
Grand Rapids, MI
12.0% ABV
I'm about to spend a month in Prague, so when Founders Devil Dancer came in two days before I left, I knew it'd be my last review before I had to go on hiatus.
I'll definitely be taking my video camera and I'll do my best to upload vids from Prague, but no guarantees. This blog may go back to text-only for awhile.
My numerical rating: 8.5/10
30 June 2010
29 June 2010
Video: Thames Welsh ESB
Thames Welsh ESB (bottle)
Wales, UK
6.5% ABV
I thought this wasn't available in my area when I bought it, and continued to labor under that delusion until after I filmed the video, but I've seen this at my store and I believe we may have a bottle or two on the shelf. My bad. Anyway, this is a decent ESB (if a bit over-drying and astringent) and anyone who likes the style should at least give it a shot.
My numerical rating: 8.0/10
Wales, UK
6.5% ABV
I thought this wasn't available in my area when I bought it, and continued to labor under that delusion until after I filmed the video, but I've seen this at my store and I believe we may have a bottle or two on the shelf. My bad. Anyway, this is a decent ESB (if a bit over-drying and astringent) and anyone who likes the style should at least give it a shot.
My numerical rating: 8.0/10
27 June 2010
Video: Michigan Brewing Superior Stout
Michigan Brewing Superior Stout (bottle)
Webberville, MI
5.5% ABV
Another quick after-work review here. Shana was watching TV near the computer, so I filmed this in the spare bedroom. I think it worked out pretty well.
MBC makes decent beers, but rarely great ones. At least, from what I've tasted in bottles -- I've heard that the stuff they make for sale on-tap at the pub is much better. I'll definitely try to make it out there one of these days.
Webberville, MI
5.5% ABV
Another quick after-work review here. Shana was watching TV near the computer, so I filmed this in the spare bedroom. I think it worked out pretty well.
MBC makes decent beers, but rarely great ones. At least, from what I've tasted in bottles -- I've heard that the stuff they make for sale on-tap at the pub is much better. I'll definitely try to make it out there one of these days.
26 June 2010
Declining Hops in Macros?
I found this video over at Beervana. Ken Grossman talks about declining hops in macro beers over the last couple of decades.
Of course, for us craft drinkers 15 or 16 IBUs is still a very low-hopped beer, but it's interesting that even beers that aren't considered hoppy at all (like, say, my beloved hefeweizens and sweet stouts) will have in the order of 20-30 IBUs. That lab testing indicates that macro beers are literally hopped in the single digits shows just how mild those beers really are.
I wasn't drinking beer twenty years ago, but I've heard anecdotes of older folks talking about how back in the day Coors was the most flavorful beer around. Even stories about smuggling cases of the stuff across several states when it was only available out west. The evidence of the lab testing would seem to indicate that by the standard of 1985 or whatever, Coors was indeed something special.
Also, posted without commentary, there's this old Keystone ad from the nineties.
Grossman on Declining IBUs in Macro Beers from Jeff Alworth on Vimeo.
Of course, for us craft drinkers 15 or 16 IBUs is still a very low-hopped beer, but it's interesting that even beers that aren't considered hoppy at all (like, say, my beloved hefeweizens and sweet stouts) will have in the order of 20-30 IBUs. That lab testing indicates that macro beers are literally hopped in the single digits shows just how mild those beers really are.
I wasn't drinking beer twenty years ago, but I've heard anecdotes of older folks talking about how back in the day Coors was the most flavorful beer around. Even stories about smuggling cases of the stuff across several states when it was only available out west. The evidence of the lab testing would seem to indicate that by the standard of 1985 or whatever, Coors was indeed something special.
Also, posted without commentary, there's this old Keystone ad from the nineties.
Video: Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout
Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout (can)
Lyons, CO
9.5% ABV
I don't have a lot of commentary on this one. I talk for a minute or so about yesterday's Magic Hat review, but then get right to reviewing this Impy Stout. A bit too high in the fusel alcohol flavor for me, without the roastiness that really makes a nice RIS. It's good, but falls short of great for me.
My numerical rating: 7.5/10
Lyons, CO
9.5% ABV
I don't have a lot of commentary on this one. I talk for a minute or so about yesterday's Magic Hat review, but then get right to reviewing this Impy Stout. A bit too high in the fusel alcohol flavor for me, without the roastiness that really makes a nice RIS. It's good, but falls short of great for me.
My numerical rating: 7.5/10
25 June 2010
Video: Magic Hat Wacko
Magic Hat Wacko (bottle)
South Burlington, VT
4.5% ABV
I was tired from work when I filmed this, and honestly the beer was terrible, so I basically just laughed through the whole thing. I decided to just let the whole thing run un-edited because I was so obviously trying to find something positive to say about this beer. I usually find Magic Hat accessible but mediocre, so it's actually pretty unusual that I disliked this one that much.
I did end up finishing this bottle, but I had a bottle of Anchor Old Foghorn immediately after to make up for the crappy beer. Sometimes that's just the luck of the draw. It happens.
South Burlington, VT
4.5% ABV
I was tired from work when I filmed this, and honestly the beer was terrible, so I basically just laughed through the whole thing. I decided to just let the whole thing run un-edited because I was so obviously trying to find something positive to say about this beer. I usually find Magic Hat accessible but mediocre, so it's actually pretty unusual that I disliked this one that much.
I did end up finishing this bottle, but I had a bottle of Anchor Old Foghorn immediately after to make up for the crappy beer. Sometimes that's just the luck of the draw. It happens.
24 June 2010
Video: Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron (bottle)
Milton, DE
12.0% ABV
Am I posting too many videos? I'm hoping to get more text-based content out soon, but for right now I'm just having a lot of fun playing with the camera. It's a new experience for me putting myself out front a little bit more in these reviews, and I've learned a lot about the need for performance and entertainment even from just doing very simple locked-off shots like these.
I'm still working out technical issues. I know these kind of look like crap, partly because I'm using a cheap video camera and partly because there's virtually no place in my house that has decent lighting. Sorry.
Milton, DE
12.0% ABV
Am I posting too many videos? I'm hoping to get more text-based content out soon, but for right now I'm just having a lot of fun playing with the camera. It's a new experience for me putting myself out front a little bit more in these reviews, and I've learned a lot about the need for performance and entertainment even from just doing very simple locked-off shots like these.
I'm still working out technical issues. I know these kind of look like crap, partly because I'm using a cheap video camera and partly because there's virtually no place in my house that has decent lighting. Sorry.
23 June 2010
Video: O'Hara's Irish Red
O'Hara's Irish Red (bottle)
Carlow, Ireland
4.3% ABV
These had been sitting at the store for awhile, as we got a good deal on a few cases and put them on sale earlier this year. I stuck a four-pack into a corner to purchase, then forgot all about them. Still tasty and worthy of review, though.
My numerical rating: 6.0/10
Carlow, Ireland
4.3% ABV
These had been sitting at the store for awhile, as we got a good deal on a few cases and put them on sale earlier this year. I stuck a four-pack into a corner to purchase, then forgot all about them. Still tasty and worthy of review, though.
My numerical rating: 6.0/10
22 June 2010
Video: Anchor Old Foghorn
Anchor Old Foghorn (bottle)
San Francisco, CA
8.8% ABV
This ended up being a very short mini-review, partly due to technical issues and partly because I just didn't have a lot to say about this beer, as good as it is. These shorts ones are easier to shoot, edit, and upload, so I may be using that format a little bit more often for stuff that I've had quite a bit before.
San Francisco, CA
8.8% ABV
This ended up being a very short mini-review, partly due to technical issues and partly because I just didn't have a lot to say about this beer, as good as it is. These shorts ones are easier to shoot, edit, and upload, so I may be using that format a little bit more often for stuff that I've had quite a bit before.
21 June 2010
Video: Dragonmead Under the Kilt Wee Heavy
Dragonmead Under the Kilt Wee Heavy (bottle)
Warren, MI
7.8% ABV
I had some focus issues on this one, because I think I was a bit too close to the camera and whenever my hand moved too close the auto-focus went out of whack. For future vids I'll try to stay a bit further back. I'm also working on getting a bit more light, although it's tough because I basically live in a cave.
Warren, MI
7.8% ABV
I had some focus issues on this one, because I think I was a bit too close to the camera and whenever my hand moved too close the auto-focus went out of whack. For future vids I'll try to stay a bit further back. I'm also working on getting a bit more light, although it's tough because I basically live in a cave.
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