Review: European Lager Time!

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Beer!

So in recent days I've come across a few different European lagers... some via friends, other through Marcello's going out of business sale.  Combine this with past experience with beers like Heineken, Groslch, and Stella Artois and I've come to a definite conclusion... the world of European lagers is just as watered down as in America.  That's not to say there aren't some great lagers available, just that the bigger the marketing campaign, in general the worse the beer.  First up is probably the most popular beer in all of Italy... Peroni Nasture Azzuro.

Technically this one is classified as a European Pale Lager, along with Heineken and Stella.  If you take away that bottle next to it, there's no difference from any American macrobrew... light clear golden color, earthy straw flavor... nothing special, but rerefshing.  Best served cold.

Next up was a Mythos Hellenic Lager... a product of Greece.

This one is classified as a 'Munich Helles Lager' which basically means it's a German-style light (in color) lager.  I'm sure you've tried this style of beer before, most likely a Paulaner, Hoffbrau, Spaten, or Weihenstephaner original.  This one is a Greek take on the style, and it left a lot to be desired.  Just like the Peroni, clear golden color, straw flavors, very little hops... if you see this one and there are better options, take a pass. 

Finally, in yet a third different style of European lager... a Stiegl Goldbräu Premium Lager.

This one is an Austrian beer, and considered a Märzen, or Oktoberfest lager.  These are almost always going to be darker in color and have a thicker maltier body than the above lagers, and this was no exception.  Definitely the best of the three European lagers I've tried recently, and a solid beer all around.  If you see this one, give it a try!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and keep on drinking!

Review: Newcastle Brown Ale

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Beer!

Alright, I'm sure most of you have tried one of these before... Newcastle is probably the most popular English Brown Ale in the world, and it's easy to find all over the states, on tap and in bottles.  Newcastle came from appropriately enough, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.  Unfortunately, in what has become a common trend for some of these classic English beers like Newcastle, Boddingtons, and others, brewing no longer takes place in Newcastle, and the brewery and beer name is owned by one of the larger conglomerates.  In this case, Heineken owns the Newcastle brand under one of its subsidiaries.  Now, I can't really tell whether these changes in ownership have affected the beer itself, but they certainly have increased distribution, so sometimes these deals aren't really a bad thing.

As for the beer itself, expect a sweet malty brown ale with minimal hops and not a whole lot of surprises.  There aren't going to be any crazy flavors here, or anything extreme, just a refreshing sweet malty beer that just about anyone can enjoy.  The perfect sort of beer for hitting the bar after some kickball, or digging out of the fridge after a sweaty afternoon of yardwork.

Enjoy, and Merry Christmastime everyone!

Taste: B-

Value: B

Review: Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale

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Beer!

Thanks to Lauren Land for bringing some of these over... not one I would normally pick up but that doesn't mean I shouldn't give it a try and let everyone know what I think!  I poured this one from a 12 oz. brown bottle into an imperial pint glass. It poured smooth, copper orange color, crystal clear with a small white head. There is little retention on the head, and minimal lacing. I like the darker color, but nothing else about the appearance is inviting.

The smell isn't strong, but at least there is some pumpkin in there. Also some malty aromas, a little chocolate even. There is even more pumpkin on the tongue, along with the malt flavors... even a kick of pumpkin on the aftertaste. It's better than I expected for sure.

Not bad at all for a macro beer, not the best pumpkin beer I've ever had... or even had in the last few weeks, but not a bad effort.  I think of all the macro lines of beers the 'Blue Moon' beers from Coors tend to be some of the best. 

Taste: C+

Value: B

Another one from Coors/Blue Moon will be coming soon, their 2009 Grand Cru... so look for that one!

Review: Boddingtons Pub Ale

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Beer!

Thanks to James for supplying the beer in this case, as he brought over a 4-pack of Boddingtons, the "Cream of Manchester" which of course refers to its hometown of Machester, England.  Unfortunately Boddingtons and its Manchester brewery are now owned by InBev, so the global giant claims another one.  But on to the beer... which as far as I know hasn't changed.

I poured this one from a 1-pint nitro-can into an imperial pint glass. This one has a nitrogen widget similar to Guinness, Wexford, and other Irish and British ales.  The famous bubbles came forth like crazy... turning the glass into a battlefield as the golden ale fought through the creamy head. One of the best looking pours around... too bad that's the highlight of the beer!

Smell is average... a little hops, nothing special. The taste is watery, slightly bitter with not a whole lot of character.  The mouthfeel isn't bad... no bad aftertastes, feels good going down despite the bitter feel.  Very drinkable... I have a feeling I could kick these guys back all day long.

Taste: B-

Value: B

Review: Brother Thelonious Belgian-Style Abbey Ale

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Beer!

Another one from a recent Calandro's beer run... the Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale from North Coast Brewing Company.  This brewery is located in northern California, and not just San Francisco... Fort Bragg which apparently (I just checked some Google Earth) is much farther north.  That's damn near Oregon and Oregon makes some good beer, so that's a good sign.  They are probably best known for the Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, which I've tried before and will have to find again to feature on this blog sometime in the future.  But back to this beer...

I poured it from the corked 750ml bottle into a Chimay goblet... no head at all. Zero. That was really odd, as you can see in the picture from literally seconds after the pour. The color is a dark ruby red, almost brown. 

There's a good smell to it, herbal, a little pear and apple scents.

The taste isn't much like the smell upfront... hints of malts, then the fruit flavors come through and on the back end more malts with some hops as well. Pretty good, considering this one has almost no carbonation.  I obviously came across a flat bottle, total bummer... the flavor is still there but none of the character.  I've had this beer once before, on tap at the Flying Saucer in Little Rock, AR last year after the LSU/Arkansas game.  I remember it being a really good Belgian-style ale so I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt despite this disappointment.

Taste: B+

Value: B+  ($8.49 at Calandro's, good price for a 750ml bottle.)

On the notes of price, just imagine what you'd pay for a 750ml bottle of exceptional wine?  A lot more than $8.49 that's for sure, yet the same price on the same quantity of beer is often considered to be high.  Just something to think about next time you're picking up a few bombers or 6-packs.

Review: Brooklyn Lager

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Beer!

I picked up a 6-pack of Brooklyn Brewery Lagers from Bet-R for Thanksgiving a few weeks back... good prices and a decent little selection over there.  After Thanksgiving I had a few left over so it was time for a review.  

I poured it from a 12 oz. bottle into a Third Row pint glass. There's a great look to this one for a lager like this. Lots of bubbly carbonation, decent sized head that filled the last 4 ounces of the glass, but not quite enough to overflow. Very nice, and unexpected. 

Very malty on the nose, nothing else stands out at all, clean smell, no funk at all. The malt carries over into the taste well, although it takes a while to get the flavors on the tongue. A bit watered down on the front and back end of each sip, strong malt in the middle with a bit of an aftertaste. It's good, and the flavor that is there is great, but just lacks a little body.

The drinkability is great, I could drink all night on these guys. All in all a damn fine lager and a damn fine session beer... well done Brooklyn!

Taste: B+

Value: A

Review: De Dolle Dulle Teve (Mad Bitch)

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Beer!

First off, I love the name.  Just say 'De Dolle Dulle Teve' real quick.  Kinda rolls off the tongue!  'De Dolle' is actually the name of the brewery, located in Esen, Belgium.  'Dulle Teve' is the name of the beer, which of course translates into 'Mad Bitch.'  I've had one of these before at the Cove and remember liking it a good bit, and Belgian Tripels are one of my favorite styles, so when I saw some at Calandro's, I figured it was time for another try. 

I poured this one from an 11.2 oz. bottle into a Chimay goblet... typical cloudy amber color with a ridiculous creamy frothy head. One of the biggest heads I've seen on a beer, especially in a goblet.  

Smells like sweet floral spices.. a hint of citrus, definitely some hops. Just like you want from a Belgian tripel.   The taste is more of the same, plus a hint of sweet caramel in there. Floral on the end of the sip, spicy and delicious.

A top notch tripel, but not my all-time favorite.

Taste: A

Value: B

Sorry for the delay between reviews... I've been trying to balance a low-calorie diet with the beer drinking since Thanksgiving, which isn't always easy.  I have a few more in the works that you should be seeing soon, including a Brooklyn Lager, Stone IPA, and a few more.

Until then, cheers!

Review: McSorley's Irish Pale Ale

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Beer!

Picked up a 6-pack from Calandro's... at only $7.99 it seemed like an interesting one to give a try and a great price.  I poured it from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass... slightly hazy amber color, small head.  I figured a Happy's Irish Pub pint glass was appropriate for an Irish pale ale, right?  I'm taking the proper glassware to the next level my friends.

Smells of malt, bread flavors, slightly sweet, not a lot of balance or complimenting flavors.  The taste was more of the same. Nothing too bold at all, but a solid drinkable pale ale.

I have to say if I was sitting at McSorley's Old Ale House in NYC I could really enjoy a few of these on tap.  I'm still kinda bummed that we missed this place when Jay, Brent, Brandon and I all went to New York two summer ago.  I'm betting that it tastes significantly better fresh from the brewery to the pub, but as a bottled beer for retail, just not all that spectacular.  There are definitely better 6-packs out there for the price.

Taste: B-

Value: B

In other news, my place was broken into today sometime while I was at work.  The bastards took my old power tool set, a folding table, and a dolly.  Not to be TOO insensitive, but I was kinda surprised the tequila was still on the shelf.  Only that last bit was a joke.