Bill and Al are at it again! After a great dinner at Nagoya Steakhouse in Port Clinton, it was off to Bill's house to enjoy a few microbrews. Here they are:
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron (Malt Beverage Ages on Palo Santo Wood)
12% ABV
Very dark color, big head. Sweet smell.
According to Dogfish.com this beer is highly roasty and has hints of caramel and vanilla.
Bill - "It smells good and tastes good, but I don't like the aftertaste."
Alan - "The aftertaste is similar to what burnt wood would taste like."
Bill 4.5, Alan 3.5. Bill said he would have given it a six if it wasn't for the aftertaste.
Ithaca Beer Co. Apricot Wheat
Very light color, small head. Aroma is strong of apricots.
Bill - "A sound fruit beer."
Alan - "A bit weak, in my opinion, but I shouldn't expect too much from a fruit wheat beer."
Bill 5.5, Alan 5.5.
Ephemere Ale
Golden color, bubbly, strong apple aroma. Very large head for such a light beer.
Bill - "The smell is much more than the bite."
Alan - "Wow! You can smell the apples right away. The apple flavor is not as strong as I would have liked, but it's definitely there. It has a few other spices that blend nicely with the apples."
Bill - 4, Alan 4.5
Pete's Wicked Strawberry Blonde
Pale in color, very effervescent. Not a lot of head. Lacks a true aroma.
For fun, Bill wouldn't let Alan know what kind of fruit was in the beer. After several wrong guesses Alan grabbed the bottle.
Bill - "It's not powerful, it's smooth. It's below average."
Alan - "I barely taste any strawberry, but it's not awful to drink."
Bill - 4, Alan 4.
Dundee Summer Wheat Ale
Pale in color, semi-bubbly. Very little head and a pleasant smell.
Bill - "Smells good and tastes good. It has a good aftertaste. I like it."
Alan - "A very good aroma. The beer is tingly on your tongue."
Bill 5.5, Alan 5.5.
Smutty Nose Summer Weizen Ale
Big head and pale color. Cloudy. Smells a bit sour.
Bill - "The beer is tingly on my tongue."
Alan - "More taste than the last wheat beer. I like it!"
Bill 6, Alan 6.
And, the final beer of the night:
Great Lakes Nosferatu
8% ABV
Massive head, but not thick. Smells of high alcohol. Good redish color.
Bill - "Love the hops, the hoppies make me happy!"
Alan - "Good taste, bites on first taste. It's very interesting. A nice beer from a great company."
Bill 7, Alan 7.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Off to Milan....
The Milan Brewing Company is having an afternoon of beer tasting today. We will be in attendance. Stop on out and interact with your favorite beer critics!
A special thanks to Norwalk Reflector reporter Aaron Krause for publicizing this event. Check out the information in his story at:
http://www.norwalkreflector.com/content/milans-brewing-heritage-tap-milan-museum
Hope to see you all there!
Alan and Bill
Saturday, August 27, 2011
A night at Maumee Bay Brewing Company, Toledo
So, one night in August Bill got us four tickets to a Mudhens game. All four of us decided to try all the beers they had on tap. It was quite the adventure. Please, read on...
Buckeye Beer
5.2 ABV, 14 IBU's
Bill - Better than mass-produced American Beer.
Alan - Refreshing, Good.
Paige - Crisp and Zippy.
Sarah - Light and Refreshing.
Bill 5, Alan 5, Paige 6, Sarah 6.5
Glass City Pale Ale
5.7 ABV, 37 IBU's
Bill - Nice grapefruit flavor, like the citrus.
Alan - Ok, not great. Not really and IPA guy I guess.
Paige - Not skunky, not as good as the first one.
Sarah - Likes the front end.
Bill 6, Alan 4.5, Paige 4.5, Sarah 4
India Pale Ale
7.0 ABV, 80 IBU's
Bill - no comment given.
Alan - no comment given.
Paige - Strong and manly.
Sarah - Srong but smooth.
Bill 5.5, Alan 4.5, Paige 5, Sarah 5
Fallen Timber Red
5.0 ABV, 31 IBU's
Bill - Really liked (bought a growler)
Alan - Smokey.
Paige - Good with salt.
Sarah - Kinda sweet.
Bill 6.5, Alan 4, Paige 6, Sarah 6
Summer Stinger
4.8 ABV, 181 IBU's
Bill - Very average.
Alan - The write up is more impressive than the beer.
Paige - Boring, not spectacular.
Sarah - Not bad.
Bill 5, Alan 4.5, Paige 4, Sarah 5.5
Dry Irish Stout
4.9 ABV, 38 IBU's
Bill - I think I could finish this beer.
Alan - Me likey.
Paige - Cappuccino chic.
Sarah - Takes like happy.
Bill 4.5, Alan 7, Paige 7.5, Sarah 7
Amarillo Brillo
8.4 ABV, 101 IBU's
Bill - This is the bomb diggity!
Alan - I like it. Tickles your tongue, effervescent aftertaste.
Paige - Dry and sweet, orangy, I don't think I like it.
Sarah - Dry, yummy.
Bill 6.5, Alan 6.5, Paige 4, Sarah 6
Total Eclipse of the Breakfast Stout
9.1 ABV, 31 IBU's
Bill - Too much coffee taste.
Alan - Smells good, WOW, alcoholic coffee.
Paige - Deliciouso!
Sarah - Smells divine, tastes like strong coffee with syrup.
Bill 3, Alan 6.5, Paige 9, Sarah 8.5
Buckeye Beer
5.2 ABV, 14 IBU's
Bill - Better than mass-produced American Beer.
Alan - Refreshing, Good.
Paige - Crisp and Zippy.
Sarah - Light and Refreshing.
Bill 5, Alan 5, Paige 6, Sarah 6.5
Glass City Pale Ale
5.7 ABV, 37 IBU's
Bill - Nice grapefruit flavor, like the citrus.
Alan - Ok, not great. Not really and IPA guy I guess.
Paige - Not skunky, not as good as the first one.
Sarah - Likes the front end.
Bill 6, Alan 4.5, Paige 4.5, Sarah 4
India Pale Ale
7.0 ABV, 80 IBU's
Bill - no comment given.
Alan - no comment given.
Paige - Strong and manly.
Sarah - Srong but smooth.
Bill 5.5, Alan 4.5, Paige 5, Sarah 5
Fallen Timber Red
5.0 ABV, 31 IBU's
Bill - Really liked (bought a growler)
Alan - Smokey.
Paige - Good with salt.
Sarah - Kinda sweet.
Bill 6.5, Alan 4, Paige 6, Sarah 6
Summer Stinger
4.8 ABV, 181 IBU's
Bill - Very average.
Alan - The write up is more impressive than the beer.
Paige - Boring, not spectacular.
Sarah - Not bad.
Bill 5, Alan 4.5, Paige 4, Sarah 5.5
Dry Irish Stout
4.9 ABV, 38 IBU's
Bill - I think I could finish this beer.
Alan - Me likey.
Paige - Cappuccino chic.
Sarah - Takes like happy.
Bill 4.5, Alan 7, Paige 7.5, Sarah 7
Amarillo Brillo
8.4 ABV, 101 IBU's
Bill - This is the bomb diggity!
Alan - I like it. Tickles your tongue, effervescent aftertaste.
Paige - Dry and sweet, orangy, I don't think I like it.
Sarah - Dry, yummy.
Bill 6.5, Alan 6.5, Paige 4, Sarah 6
Total Eclipse of the Breakfast Stout
9.1 ABV, 31 IBU's
Bill - Too much coffee taste.
Alan - Smells good, WOW, alcoholic coffee.
Paige - Deliciouso!
Sarah - Smells divine, tastes like strong coffee with syrup.
Bill 3, Alan 6.5, Paige 9, Sarah 8.5
Another variety six pack from Anderson's in Toledo
Agave Wheat - Colorado
4.2 ABV
Alan - Smell was awful, but taste was ok. Kinda sweet, interesting aftertaste.
Bill - Very similar to Boulevard Beer (Alabama), smooth yet bold on the tongue.
Alan 4.5, Bill 6, Sarah 6, Paige 5.
Sea Dog Wild Blueberry, Pugsly Brewery, Portland, Maine
4.7 ABV
Alan - WOW! Did this beer smell like blueberries. Luckily, the flavor was blueberry as well. The taste was strong, but not overpowering. A refreshing beer to end the evening on. Too bad we drank it second.
Sarah - Nummy!
Bill - Tasted as advertised, however it's just an average beer.
Paige - I would rank this higher if I liked blueberries.
Alan 6.5, Bill 5, Sarah 9, Paige 6
Fort Collins Brewery Smoked Amber Lager, Colorado
Alan - Man, the smokey smells smacks you in the face like an ex-girlfriend. The flavor reminds me of the time I licked a grill grate on a dare.
Bill - Smells strong and tastes like burnt wood.
Paige - Kinda boring.
Sarah - Smells bad, tastes worst.
Alan 2.5, Bill 3, Sarah 0.5, Paige 4
Troegenator DoubleBock Beer, Pennsylvania
8.2 ABV
Alan - Not much of a smell. Smooth on tongue, weird aftertaste. Kinda bitter on the end.
Bill - Rich amber color, doesn't mind the aftertaste. Impressed with smoothness considering high-alcohol content. I bet if I liked bocks I would rate it higher.
Paige - Ehh, I don't know. I don't care for it.
Sarah - Meh.
Alan 4, Bill 5, Paige 4, Sarah 2
Sea Dog Raspberries, Pugsly Brewery, Portland, Maine
4.7 ABV
Alan - Smells a bit like raspberries. Good flavor. Very refreshing, just like the blueberry.
Bill - Smell not as strong as expected. Love the taste more than the Sea Dog blueberry. I would buy a fruit variety pack from the group.
Paige - What kinda fruit is it? Kinda bitter.
Sarah - Fruity buy acidic.
Alan 6, Bill 6, Paige 3, Sarah 4
Black Chocolate Stout, Brooklyn Brewery, Utica, NY
Alan - Smells like coffee and chocolate. Great dark, rich color. Smooth on the tongue and tremendous malty, coffee/chocolate flavor. My favorite of the night. The beer works its way up the glass like a Guinness.
Bill - Tolerable for a stout.
Paige - It is a little strong. I'd like some cream with my coffee. You must think that we will like it because you gave us so much.
Sarah - Strong like bull.
Alan 7, Bill 4, Paige 3, Sarah 5
4.2 ABV
Alan - Smell was awful, but taste was ok. Kinda sweet, interesting aftertaste.
Bill - Very similar to Boulevard Beer (Alabama), smooth yet bold on the tongue.
Alan 4.5, Bill 6, Sarah 6, Paige 5.
Sea Dog Wild Blueberry, Pugsly Brewery, Portland, Maine
4.7 ABV
Alan - WOW! Did this beer smell like blueberries. Luckily, the flavor was blueberry as well. The taste was strong, but not overpowering. A refreshing beer to end the evening on. Too bad we drank it second.
Sarah - Nummy!
Bill - Tasted as advertised, however it's just an average beer.
Paige - I would rank this higher if I liked blueberries.
Alan 6.5, Bill 5, Sarah 9, Paige 6
Fort Collins Brewery Smoked Amber Lager, Colorado
Alan - Man, the smokey smells smacks you in the face like an ex-girlfriend. The flavor reminds me of the time I licked a grill grate on a dare.
Bill - Smells strong and tastes like burnt wood.
Paige - Kinda boring.
Sarah - Smells bad, tastes worst.
Alan 2.5, Bill 3, Sarah 0.5, Paige 4
Troegenator DoubleBock Beer, Pennsylvania
8.2 ABV
Alan - Not much of a smell. Smooth on tongue, weird aftertaste. Kinda bitter on the end.
Bill - Rich amber color, doesn't mind the aftertaste. Impressed with smoothness considering high-alcohol content. I bet if I liked bocks I would rate it higher.
Paige - Ehh, I don't know. I don't care for it.
Sarah - Meh.
Alan 4, Bill 5, Paige 4, Sarah 2
Sea Dog Raspberries, Pugsly Brewery, Portland, Maine
4.7 ABV
Alan - Smells a bit like raspberries. Good flavor. Very refreshing, just like the blueberry.
Bill - Smell not as strong as expected. Love the taste more than the Sea Dog blueberry. I would buy a fruit variety pack from the group.
Paige - What kinda fruit is it? Kinda bitter.
Sarah - Fruity buy acidic.
Alan 6, Bill 6, Paige 3, Sarah 4
Black Chocolate Stout, Brooklyn Brewery, Utica, NY
Alan - Smells like coffee and chocolate. Great dark, rich color. Smooth on the tongue and tremendous malty, coffee/chocolate flavor. My favorite of the night. The beer works its way up the glass like a Guinness.
Bill - Tolerable for a stout.
Paige - It is a little strong. I'd like some cream with my coffee. You must think that we will like it because you gave us so much.
Sarah - Strong like bull.
Alan 7, Bill 4, Paige 3, Sarah 5
A beer night with Dustin Stower
This beer night happened while Paige and Bill's cousin Dustin was up from Florida. It was the beginning of July.
Right Brian Brewery Cherry Wheat (Traverse City, Mi)
Right Brian Brewery Cherry Wheat (Traverse City, Mi)
*Three week old growler
None of us tasted any cherry, disappointing after hearing about this brewery for so long.
Bill-5, Alan-3.5, Paige-6, Sara-6, Dustin-4
Mackinaw City Brewery Belgian Wheat (Traverse City, Mi)
*Three week old growler
Bill-Better at the Bar when we visited, I’d give it a 9 fresh from the tap.
Bill-7.5, Alan-5, Paige-6, Sara-5, Dustin-3
Hopping Frog Boris Stout (Akron, Ohio)
Bill- Best stout I’ve had, Alan- Delicious
Bill-5, Alan-7.5, Dustin-8
Bells Amber Ale (Michigan)
Bill-6, Alan-5.5, Paige-3, Sara-7, Dustin-6
Bells Lager of the Lakes (Michigan)
Sarah- tastes like swine piss
Bill-7, Alan-4.5, Paige-3, Sara-1, Dustin-4.5
Stevens Point Nude Beach Summer Wheat Ale (Wisconsin)
Bill-8, Alan-6.5, Paige-4, Sara-3, Dustin-5
Two Brothers Dortmuder Lager (Illinois)
Alan- Did you give me a Bud Light? Sara- Wet Dog, Paige- Horse Piss, Guys- Girls are drunk
Bill-4, Alan-3.5, Paige-1, Sara-2, Dustin-4.5
Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Ale (Maryland)
Paige- Smells like playdough
Bill-6, Alan-5.5, Paige-6, Sara-5, Dustin-5.5
Flying Dog In Heat Wheat Hefeweizen (Maryland)
Bill-5, Alan-2.5, Paige-2, Sara-0, Dustin-2
Monday, July 18, 2011
Wow! We need to update!
Hey everyone!
Bill and I have been very busy tasting and trying new beers, but we haven't had the time to update our blog in a while. We apologize for the delay and will have some new beer information up later this week!
Stay thirsty and cool this summer!
Alan
Bill and I have been very busy tasting and trying new beers, but we haven't had the time to update our blog in a while. We apologize for the delay and will have some new beer information up later this week!
Stay thirsty and cool this summer!
Alan
Friday, April 29, 2011
TommyKnocker Night
Bill and I are sampling six beers from the TommyKnocker Brewery, located in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Unfortunately they didn't send these to us, we had to buy them.
Here we go....
Jack Whacker Wheat Ale
Very light in color, very light in taste.
Tingles on the tongue, probably from the lemon used during the brewing process.
Very little head, not much carbonation.
The flavor quickly disappears.
Ratings: Bill, 4. Alan 3.5. Bill said "Nothing Special, except for the taste on the tongue." Alan said "Too much like Bud Light for a Wheat Beer."
Pick Axe Pale Ale
Amberish in color, very sour smell.
Small head with decent carbonation.
Not as good a feeling on the tongue, it's more bitter than we expected.
Ratings: Bill, 2.5. Alan, 2.5. Both agreed "We wanted to rip the taste off our tongues with our teeth."
Alpine Glacier (Lager)
Light golden color, medium head after the pour.
Smell was awful, like the beer had rotted or something.
Taste was very weak. Not what a lager should be.
Ratings: Bill 2.5, Alan 2.0. The label says "brew contains the finest quality ingredients in the Tommyknocker tradition." Thus far, this tradition isn't anything worth celebrating.
Butthead Doppelbock Lager
Very dark brown color, big head.
Both Bill and Alan quickly picked up the scent of the caramel.
Great flavor, very tasty. Very smooth in the mouth.
Ratings: Bill 6.0, Alan, 6.5. Both thought this was the best beer thus far, and both would drink a six pack.
Ornery Amber (Lager)
Medium Brown color, no head to speak of, very little carbonation.
Nice, pleasant smell.
The initial drink fills your mouth with bubbles, and it is very tasty. It is smooth and flavorful.
Ratings: Bill, 5.0, Alan 4.5. Bill says "A decent beer, I would maybe buy a three pack." Alan said "Not the best, not the worst."
Maple Nut Brown Ale
Dark brown color, medium-sized head, little carbonation.
Smell is nutty and pleasant.
Alan was very impressed with the flavor and finish of this beer. The chocolate malts make the difference.
Bill 2.5, Alan 6.5. Alan said "Liked it a lot." Bill said "I did not enjoy them."
After tasting the six beers, Alan thought the brewery did an ok job. As most breweries do, there are some that they are known for, and there are some that just fill the stable. Bill says "Go for the Butthead," while Alan says "Butthead or Maple, both were tasty."
Here we go....
Jack Whacker Wheat Ale
Very light in color, very light in taste.
Tingles on the tongue, probably from the lemon used during the brewing process.
Very little head, not much carbonation.
The flavor quickly disappears.
Ratings: Bill, 4. Alan 3.5. Bill said "Nothing Special, except for the taste on the tongue." Alan said "Too much like Bud Light for a Wheat Beer."
Pick Axe Pale Ale
Amberish in color, very sour smell.
Small head with decent carbonation.
Not as good a feeling on the tongue, it's more bitter than we expected.
Ratings: Bill, 2.5. Alan, 2.5. Both agreed "We wanted to rip the taste off our tongues with our teeth."
Alpine Glacier (Lager)
Light golden color, medium head after the pour.
Smell was awful, like the beer had rotted or something.
Taste was very weak. Not what a lager should be.
Ratings: Bill 2.5, Alan 2.0. The label says "brew contains the finest quality ingredients in the Tommyknocker tradition." Thus far, this tradition isn't anything worth celebrating.
Butthead Doppelbock Lager
Very dark brown color, big head.
Both Bill and Alan quickly picked up the scent of the caramel.
Great flavor, very tasty. Very smooth in the mouth.
Ratings: Bill 6.0, Alan, 6.5. Both thought this was the best beer thus far, and both would drink a six pack.
Ornery Amber (Lager)
Medium Brown color, no head to speak of, very little carbonation.
Nice, pleasant smell.
The initial drink fills your mouth with bubbles, and it is very tasty. It is smooth and flavorful.
Ratings: Bill, 5.0, Alan 4.5. Bill says "A decent beer, I would maybe buy a three pack." Alan said "Not the best, not the worst."
Maple Nut Brown Ale
Dark brown color, medium-sized head, little carbonation.
Smell is nutty and pleasant.
Alan was very impressed with the flavor and finish of this beer. The chocolate malts make the difference.
Bill 2.5, Alan 6.5. Alan said "Liked it a lot." Bill said "I did not enjoy them."
After tasting the six beers, Alan thought the brewery did an ok job. As most breweries do, there are some that they are known for, and there are some that just fill the stable. Bill says "Go for the Butthead," while Alan says "Butthead or Maple, both were tasty."
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