Captain Sig's Northwestern Ale - Rogue Brewing Company

http://www.rogue.com/beers/northwestern-ale.php

Rogue Brewing Company is one of the best micro-brewers in the United States.  They have a wide range of  beers with many different beer types, even crafting some of their own.  This beer type, India Red Ale, was not created by Rogue Brewing, but it is the most wide spread version of it.  This is my first time drinking this type of beer, so this will be a learning experience for the both of us.

Sight - This ale is very full headed beer.  This is the ale part of the beer.  It is amber and dark in nature.  You can really see where the 'red' part of this ale come in when you hold it up to a light.  Without drinking this ale, you can tell that this a mix between two different beers with the large head and the red color.

Smell - Wow.  With all the build up of from the sight from a slick amber ale, the 'Indian' part of this ale comes out in its smell.  The scent of a hoppy IPA come out in full force.  This beer just got complex from the difference in sight and smell, so the taste of it should be very interesting.

Taste - To begin, this is a very heavy beer. That fact right there is the simplest part of this beer.  First comes the bitterness from the hopes in the 'Indain' side of this ale.  It is not overwhelming, like an IPA, just a little bitterness to tingle the tongue.  This bitterness is swept away by the sweetness  as quick as possible.  Just as with the bitterness, the sweetness is slight. Then the sweetness goes away for a second wave of bitterness.   That is right.  A three wave beer, and a very tasty one at that.

Overall - This is a great beer.  It is dark, yet light.  Bitter and sweet.  This beer sets a high standard at the beginning, then exceeds them all throughout the enter drink.  It has a great price at around four dollars for a twenty - four oz. bottle.  The only problem with this beer is the contrast between the smell and the taste.  They are very different and do not work together for a truly amazing experience.  The smell is actually rather deceiving, following more of an IPA scent that does not show any sweetness that is in the beer.   

5 out of 5 cheers!

Steelhead Double Indian Pale Ale - Mad River Brewing Company

http://www.madriverbrewing.com/mad_river_brewing_the_remix_004.htm

 Double IPA's should be called dangerous IPA's instead of the double nickname.  Mad River Brewing Company craft a slick beer with a strong 8.6% alcohol to it.  This ale has more to it that just a higher alcohol content though.  A high amount of hops adds an extreme bitterness to it.  This beer is not for weak of heart.  But can these details overcome the alcohol content?

Sight - Much more thick and hearty looking than a standard IPA (Indian Pale Ale),  this beer just looks like a one and done beer.  It has an extreme bitterness to it, as you can tell by the actually hop pulp that is in the beer.  The head of the beer is also extreme in its size.  One of the biggest heads I have ever seen!

Smell - With a beer that looks so fierce, the smell is nothing close.  It is weak and hard to pick up.  It smells like like an IPA, but with double the bitterness hops, you would expect more from the smell.  There just no character to this beer, other than being an IPA.

Taste - You would think with a great alcohol content in this beer you would taste it, but very surprisingly, you do not.  Bitterness is the key taste here, and nothing really else shows itself.  That is not a bad thing, because that is how the double IPA is designed.  There is not an after taste, just bitter than beer.  Nothing too fancy, just a basic double IPA.

Overall -  If you are looking for a good double IPA at a good price look no further.  Do not be put off by the ten dollar price tag, there is more quality and alcohol in this six pack than a case of some cheap mass produced beer.  There are higher quality double IPA's out there, but at a higher price.  The only problems I have with this beer is the lack of smell.  It needs more power to it to make it a truly great beer.

3 out of 5 cheers!

Spaten Oktoberfest Beer - Spatan Brewing Company

 http://www.spatenusa.com/3_products/3_1_prod_spectrum/index.html



This is the second beer that I have reviewed from Munich, Germany.  This Oktoberfest beer, just like others, is only brewed once a year for the biggest beer festival in the world.  Oktoberfest was original a wedding party between two royal members of the Munich monarch.  It was such a success that they had the same party the next year for their anniversary, and the tradition continues today.  Spaten is one of the six breweries that is allowed to serve at Oktoberfest, and they create this brew just for this festival.  How does this tradition hold up?

Sight - Darker than their standard beer, Spaten Oktoberfest sets a standard for how a Oktoberfest beer should look and taste.  This is evident through the wide range of Oktoberfest style beer made in America this time of the year.  It carbonates well and appears to be very robust and drinkable.

Smell - One sniff of this beer brings the very faint smell of malts, which is a good thing for this beer.  There are more malts than other beers in this, so you should smell them, but only a whiff.  Other than that, this beer does not have the best smell, but German beers are not too well know for their smell.

Taste - Any problems with the smell are thrown out by the taste.  Like any good beer, there is a one-two taste punch.  Although you cannot smell them, the hops offer a great taste with the first sip.  It is not a hoppy beer, just a nice surprise.  Any bitterness that the hops creates is quickly taken away from the sweetness of the malts.  This last throughout the entire beer.  It is a satisfying drink from the first drop to the last.  It is not a complex drink, but a beer does not need to have multiple layers to be enjoyable.

Overall - This beer not only follows tradition, it creates it.  This is a classic beer that any person that calls themselves a beer drinker should know and love.  First drank by the royalty of Munich, it is now available to everyone in the world.  Plus, it is not hard to find, you just have to know where to look.  Prost!

5 out of 5 Cheers!

Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

http://www.avbc.com

While not in season right now, this winter beer is highly sought after in the winter, and to find it now is rather hard, particular on the east coast.  Anderson Valley Brewing Company is located in Bonneville, California and tends to have most of their beer stay on the west coast.  A hard beer to find in the summer for sure.  Is it worth the treasure hunt?

Sight - Being a winter beer, the dark amber color is very fitting.  It could be compared to a warm crackling fire.  If the beer is a fire, the the head is the smoke, as it rises quick and is completely white.  Perfect setting for a beer on a cold winter night.  At least it looks that way.

Smell - Malty!  The amounts of malts in this beer can be solely told from its smell.  There are so much malts in it that this could well be a dessert beer.  This is almost be a problem as all you smell is the malts, not of any of the holiday spices that have been added to the beer.

Taste - Now the problem between the malts and the spices are in full fold once the beer is sipped on.  Malt at first, malt in the end.  The only difference between the taste and the after taste is the slight, slight hint of nutmeg in the aftertaste.  At least the spices come out of the beer in some shape or form, if only for a small window of time.

Overall - The beer is nothing more than a supplement to a dessert, not too be enjoyed by itself.  This really hurts it in the long run, as most people do not want to drink beer and eat cake at the same time, especially in the winter time.  Really, if you see this beer, do not get it unless to cook with or to drink with holiday cake of some sorts.  I enough the company's mascot though, a bear with antlers.  (Jackabear?)

2 out of 5 Cheers!

 

Ruby Redbird - Shiner Brewing Company.

http://www.shiner.com/main.php

 I am going to be honest here.  I am biased for anything from Shiner Brewing Company, as there basic Shiner Bock beer is my favorite beer.  Brewed in a small town in Texas with the same name as the company, Shiner Bock was one of the first beers I ever drank.  This is their summer seasonal brew, made with grapefruit.  It is different from there traditional bock beer in many ways.  This beer is a lager, not a heavy dark bock.  How does Shiner's lager stack up to its legendary bock?

Sight - One detail that is noticeable from the first pour is how well the beer carbonates.  Even while I am writing this review, my beer is still bubbly a good ten minutes after pouring it.  This is a sign of great craftsmanship within the beer.  One part of the beer that seems to be lacking is the head.   As you can see in the picture, the head is horribly small.  The head is forgettable if you are able to sip it fast enough before it disappears.
  
Smell - Even though the beer has grapefruit in it, the beer has a nice hoppy aroma with just a hint of grapefruit.  One smell reveals a crisp refreshing beer that is perfect for the summer.  The hops and grapefruit work in tandem together for a perfect smelling beer.

Taste - One sip gives a one-two bunch of taste.  The first punch is a crisp refreshing hoppy beer that is sure to cool off any hot summer day.  The second is the sweetness, yet with just a hint of bitterness, of the grapefruit that is in the beer.  From crispy to sweet, this is the perfect beer to drink when the summer days get too hot.  A very fitting taste from a beer brewed in Texas.

Overall - This beer is good.  If you are reading this in the summer, go out and get in now.  Reviewing it, though, reveals a few flaws that are present within the beer.  These are very minor, but flaws nonetheless. Having experienced Texas summers a few times, I understand why this beer was crafted the way it was, for the almost Hell like summers of Texas.
4 out of 5 cheers!

Session Black Lager - Full Sail Brewing Company

http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/

Full Sail Brewing Company has quite a large variety of beers that they brew.  I recently went to a tasting of theirs, sampling 6 extremely different beers, which is just a fraction of what they produce.  I purchased their Session Black Lager, cousin to their famous Sessions Lager.  Being my first black lager I have ever drank, let us see of how this beer stands up.

Sight - They were not joking when they call this black.  It has the same color as a double bock, or even Coke!  It makes me wonder how this color could be a lager, but we will get to that soon.

Smell - This is defiantly a lager, as the smell reveals this instantly.  The malt can be recognized from just opening the bottle.  To make this beer 'black' they add more than enough malts to the beer early in the brewing process.  This is shown through smell of the beer, as normally  malts are hard to find in the smell of a lager.

Taste - One single sip releases malts into your mouth, a very tasty and delightful malt.  Even as a 'black' lager, it still is a heavy drink, yet it is sweet as a lager can be.  I did find it overwhelming almost as if I was drinking a Coke with a hint of alcohol to it.  Yet there was still a bit of bitterness from the hops, reminding you that this is a beer.  A good combination that is very easy to drink.

Overall - This is good choice of beer if you are looking for something different, plus it is rather cheap for micro brewery beer.  You will not be blow away by this beer, just pleasantly surprised.

3 out of 5 cheers!

Kellerweis - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/kellerweis.html

Sierra Nevada is a very well respected brewing company on the west coast of America with most of their seasonal beers and special reserves winning awards around the world.  The Kellerweis is a German inspired wheat beer with banana and cloves brewed in it.  It even is brewed with Munich hops that come from, well, Munich.  Does Kellerweis exceed the expected tradition of the hefe weisse, or does in fall flat?

Sight - Kellerweis is light for a hefe weisse, or wheat beer, in color and apperance.  It is amberish yellow, where other wheat beers are a bit darker in color.  This could be because of the bananas added to the beer.  The head is frothy and big, a good sign for a wheat beer.

Smell - Even though there are bananas and cloves in this beer,  the wheat is the main star of this beer.  It shows in the smell of the beer.  The cloves and banana can not even be smelt, because there are more of a spice added than a main ingredient.  One big sniff reveals overwhelming wheat, with just a hint of the bananas and cloves.

Taste - Just as with the smell, wheat is the main taste, while the bananas and cloves play a very nice supporting role.  This is not a fruity malt beverage, this is a beer, a complex yet tasty one.  It is refreshing and sweet, anyone would like this beer.  The aftertaste leaves a nice bitter feeling, but it is not overwhelming like other bitter beers.  It makes the sweetness of the next sip more sweet because of the slight bitterness.

Overall -  A good beer for a hot day sitting on a porch.  It is a good way to cool down and enjoy excellent weather.  Although made year around, it is best drank on the summer, but really anytime of the year is a great time to drink this.  What holds it back is the rather lack of bananas and cloves you can taste.  You really have to search for it, but again, this is not a banana beer.
4 out of 5 cheers!

Rolling Rock - Latrobe Brewing Company

http://www.rollingrock.com/

 Rolling Rock is a 'pale lager' that has been brewed in Latrobe, Pennsylvania since the 19th century.  It is a fairly cheap beer that can be bought almost anywhere where beer is sold.  It is a mass produced beer, own by Anheuser Busch.  Does Rolling choice quantity over quality, like many other mass produced beers? 

Sight - Once poured, Rolling Rock appears to be a straight forward lager, similar to Budweiser or Busch.  It has a large head, but you want to avoid the head with this beer.  It carbonates very well, but this does not add much to the overall experience.

Smell - Every walked into a room where beer was left open and overnight?  That smell is just like Rolling Rock, stale beer.  At least you will not have to worry about the beer going stale as you drink it.

Taste - Despite the smell of this beer, the taste is crisp and refreshing, as long as it stays cold.  It taste its best when first drank right after it is poured.  There is not much more to it than that.  There is no aftertaste, and the head should be avoided at all cost.  Yet, Rolling Rock does not necessarily a bad beer for this, it is just simple and easy to drink.  

Overall - Rolling Rock is a classic example of an American Beer that has withstood the test of time.  It goes well with ballparks and hot dogs, anything that is American.  This does not mean it is an outstanding beer, it is just easy to drink.  No one really remembers how great Rolling Rock is, just that they drank it.  If you are going for a cheap beer, Rolling Rock is a great choice.

2 out of 5 cheers!

Boddingtons Pub Ale - Boddingtons Brewing Company

http://www.ab-inbev.com/

 Reviewing this beer breaks a rule for a beer to be reviewed. Usually the beer has to be in a bottle, but Boddington's does not come in a bottle, so I have excepted this slight change.  Boddington's comes from Britain and follows a traditional British Ale.  It is famous for its 'Creamy and Smooth' head, which is written on the can itself.  Is the head the only star, or is the whole package worthwhile?

Sight - The bigger the head you create for this beer, the better it will be in the long run.  It make look that a big head is damaging, but it works wonders.  Watching this beer turn from nothing but head to 1/4 head and the rest beer makes the drinker just want to start on this ale.  It is best if you let the beer breathe for a good minute or so after pouring, so the different taste can come together.

Smell - Boddington's is known for its creamy, honey head and bold, crisp ale.  The smell represents this ideal, as the head is ripe with honey while the ale is simple.  The beer is of ale, nothing more and nothing less.  You could not ask for more simple smell in an ale.

Tate - The two stark differences in this ale work amazingly together.  The creamy honey head complaints the smooth yet flavorful ale.  After waiting for the head and the ale to breathe in the beginning, you should drink this rather fast for a good beer, because once the head is gone, the relationship between the head and ale is ruined.  Not necessarily a bad thing to happen, but it does cause the drinker to drink faster than normal.

Overall - I would recommend this beer to anyone who wants a classic beer from a tap.  When you pour this beer, it is just like a beer from a draft at a bar or pub, which is great since it comes in a can.  It is so good, that after I finished it for this reviewed, I opened another to enjoy while writing it.  The only problem with this beer is that once the head is out, the ale is not the best as it lacks a full bodied beer.  Since most people drink beer for the beer, and not the head, this will hurt its overall score.  Drink it fast or not at all.

3 out of 5 Cheers!

Hefeweisse - Hirschbrau. Bavaria, Germany

http://www.hirschbraeu.de/Hirschbraeu_Start.html

Visiting the Hirschbrau Brewery again in Bavaria, Germany, the heffeweisse is an important beer to any German brewery.  Roughly translating into 'wheat beer,' this traditional beer is heavy yet refreshing, bitter yet crisp.  this style of beer is drank in the summer mostly.  Let us see if this heffeweisse follows this tradition.

Sight - This beer has an amazing head!  It appears to be cool and crisp  which is different for most heffeweisse, but not unheard of.  The color of the head is lighter, but, again, not too odd.  The actual beer itself looks more like a pilsner more than a heffeweisse, which has a more brown color than amber.  With these differences in mind, this beer sparks a lot of interest in me.

Smell - With so much hype generated by the mere sight of this beer, the smell is a huge let down.  It does not smell bad, but the beer has an extreme lacking of one.  Even after being allowed to breathe for a bit, the smell is just not there.

Taste - Forget everything you have ever tasted a heffeweisse before because Hirschbrau is completely different.  The best way to describe the beer is sharp in its taste; it is there, then it is not. It is very hard to pick up on because of the sudden changes in taste.  The quick taste you do get in the first part of the sip is refreshing and nothing short of a good beer, but it does not last.  A mere flash of good tasty beer.  The rest of the sip if completely forgettable.

Overall - This is the second beer I have reviewed from the Hirschbrau Brewery, and the second time they have let me down.  They just cannot make beer on the same level as other brewers in Germany, nor can they follow tradition very well.  This beer is just low quality overall.

1 out of 5 Cheers!

Purple Haze - Abita Brewing Company

http://www.abita.com/

 Abita Brewing Company is one of the most beloved brewers in New Orleans, keeping the different pubs and bars in New Orleans supplied.  They have a wide range of different beers that can fit into anyone's taste range.  Purple Haze is a raspberry wheat beer, similar to Blue Moon and other wheat beers. But is this beer good enough to be served in the Big Easy?

Sight - Thick and heavy, just like other wheat is the appearance that Purple Haze has, but with a twist.  It has a, well, purple tint to it, which can seen better when pouring or held up to a light.  This hue gives the beer a very recognizable character, even when poured and no label anywhere.

Smell - Raspberry.  Raspberry.  Raspberry.  With a hint of beer.  Need I say more?

Taste - As with the smell, raspberry the main focus of the beer, but the wheat part of the beer is not forgotten, which is wonderful for the drinker who wants more than an alcoholic raspberry drink.  The first part of the drink is raspberry, followed by the sweetness of the wheat in the beer.  It is a winning combination that Abita has crafted.  The taste of both raspberry and wheat continues all the way to the last sip of the beer.

Overall -  Purple Haze is cool and refreshing when it is burning hot outside, a perfect beer for the hot summers of New Orleans.  What keeps this beer from being a truly wonderful beer is the smell.  It smells more like a malt beverage, such as a Smirnoff Ice, than a beer.  It may be a small problem, but it does make the drinker forget sometimes you are drinking a beer.  If you want a fruity beer when you have to survive a hot day in the Big Easy, look no further.

4 out of 5 cheers!

Sweet Water Extra IPA 420 - Sweet Water Brewing Company

http://sweetwaterbrew.com/

 Sweet Water is one of the best brewing companies on the eastern coast of the United States.  It has a wide range of beers, including seasonal beers and year round beers that can fit into anyone's taste.  The Extra IPA 420, which is a major road in Atlanta, G.A., is one of the flagships beers that is available year round.  Is it worth going off the mainstream of beers, or will your adventure sink?

Sight - Once poured, a frothy head is first to be revealed.  It appears to be rich and large, a good sign for an IPA.  The beer itself is a pleasant amber that carbonates well.  All show excellent qualities in an IPA.

Smell - Usually IPA's have a very strong and recognizable smell, but 420 does not have an odor that can be identified easily.  It has a smell, but it is a weak odor that could not be picked out from other beers.  The smell is the bitterness that often follows with any other IPA, so it is really nothing to write about.

Taste - A taste of this beer gives the traditionally bitterness that comes with any other IPA, in the after taste.  What sets this beer apart is the first taste, not the traditional after taste.   It is a hoppy and well carbonated beer that radiates craftsmanship.  Not only is this beer just an IPA, it is a damn good beer in general.  This is most likely were the 'Extra' in the name comes into play.  A great beer to drink any time of the day or night.

Overall - Sweet Water has won many awards with this beer, including "Best New and Small Brewery."  It successfully blends a delightful hoppy beer with a bitter IPA.  It is apealing to the eyes and the mouth, but it lacks in its smell, but that is the only problem. If you are looking for a good IPA with a bit extra to it, look no further.

4 out of 5 cheers!

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Ayinger Brewing Company

http://en.ayinger-bier.de/?pid=118

If you are are able to get your hands on on of these hard to find beers, you have many reasons to celebrate.  Brewed in Bavaria, this beer is a douplebock, a thick heavy beer with more alcohol content than most.  It has been brewed since the eighteenth century once a year.  The tapping of these kegs is the second biggest beer celebration in Munich, next to Oktoberfest.

Sight - A dark, dark beer, one can only see through the beer when held to a light.  The darker, the better for a double dock.  The head is also dark, both inviting the drinker to drink, but to take our time at the same time.

Smell - One attribute that Celebrator double bock that makes it different from all others is the smell and the spices that are used in making it.  When poured, you not only smell the dark beer, but the aroma of Christmas cake.  The sweetness of the cake and the bitterness of the beer give this beer a very distinct character.  

Taste - One sip gives a sweet satisfaction to the drinker.  Once swallowed, the bitterness of the double bock is brought forth, a complete opposite to the sweet taste beforehand.  Add the creamy head that this beer carries, and you have a dessert beer that can also be enjoyed any time of the day or night.

Overall - This is one of the best beers I have every tasted.  Ever.  From the first sip to the last, the beer goes down smooth and satisfying. It will also bring forth potent reminders that there is a good amount of alcohol in it.  Half the beer is enough to get you a good buzz.  The only complaint I have for the beer is the price.  Nearly fifteen dollars for four beers is a very steep price and turns away lots of people.  A beer for anyone who loves beer, and if you do not love beer, leave for those who do.  Plus, it comes with a free Christmas ornament with every bottle.  Prost!
5 out of 5 cheers!

Blue Moon - Blue Moon Brewing Comany

http://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/

 Blue Moon Belgium Wheat Ale is a well respected beer.   I know many people that drink this beer to celebrate or to just relax.  It is there go to beer for a good time.  Backed up by millions of dollars in ad campaigns, Blue moon is one of the more recognizable beers on my blog to this date.

Sight - Blue Moon follows a traditional Belgium wheat ale that has been crafted for centuries in Europe.  It is a bit on the lighter side of others Belgium, but that is not too problematic.  It shows character more than anything else. It does not carbonate as well as other beers by appearance.  The head is weak.  As you can see in the picture, it disappears right before your eyes, like a cheap magic trick.

Smell - One sniff reveals nothing.  A second nothing, and a third sniff still gives does not give off any smell.  Not a hint of beer or wheat, one of the main ingredients in this beer.  It is one of the biggest disappointments when a beer has no smell, because first it may mean there is no taste, and even worse, a lack of character.

Taste - Any fears that the smell may of brought forth are relieved with a sip of this beer.  A sweet symphony of wheat and hops plunge into your mouth, delighting any one who drinks it.  Yet, after it is done, there is no after taste, as there are with the majority of other Belgium Wheats.  It is also much lighter in taste and in alcohol content than most Belgium Wheats, which is a huge down fall of Blue Moon.

Overall - Blue Moon should not be called a Belgium Wheat Ale due to its serious flaws.  It looks like one, but that is all that is has gong for it.  It has no smell.  While it has a good taste, it is not what a Belgium Wheat Ale taste like.  I mentioned that I do not review beer based on image, but when the beer is mislabeled, I have to take this into consideration.
1 out of 5 cheers!   

New Castle - Summer Ale

http://newcastlebrown.com/

Launched with a new ad campaign for Newcastle Ale, the traditional version of this summer ale is an attempt to expand Newcastle to American markets.  There are many summer ales that can be found in America, all following a certain pattern of hoppy and fruity beer.  Newcastle summer ale takes a different approach, but does it work?

Sight - If there is one thing that Newcastle Summer Ale has going for it is it's appearance.  A bit lighter in color than the traditional ale made by Newcastle, which is a good choice by the brewery since this is a summer ale.  It still carbonates well, just like a Newcastle.  Lastly, the head is well crafted, and stays with the beer until the drink is done.

Smell - As soon as you open the beer, the scent of Newcastle is released, but not as potent as the traditional ale.  It is more refreshing than heavy, but still has the character Newcastle carries with it.  Pouring the beer does not release this scent as it does with other beers.  You really have to get close and sniff hard to smell the hoppy, cool scent of the beer when it's in a glass.

Taste - One sip reveals the bitterness that Newcastle is known for.  The difference between the two ales is that the summer ale is far more drinkable for people who are not heavy beer drinkers.  It is still a heavy ale that is bitter, but it is not as heavy and bitter as the traditional ale.  What makes this a summer ale is the hoppyness.  It makes the last sip as good as the first, which is followed by the bitterly aftertaste.  It is a nice aftertaste that reminds you that is beer means business.  It is light and refreshing, while still maintaining the traditional taste of Newcastle.  This beer is perfect for a hot summer day to sip on while enjoying the sunshine.

Overall - Newcastle can be a hard beer to drink, but with the release of their new summer ale, Newcastle is starting to branch out beyond a select small group of beer drinkers.  The Summer Ale delivers to a wider audience while still being able to satisfy the lovers of  the original Newcastle.  A well crafted and well thought out beer.  I must say that the first few sips are rather bitter, but when allowed to breath and carbonate, you will be well rewarded with an amazing beer.

5 out of 5 Cheers!

Bavarian Double Bock - Hirschbrau

http://www.hirschbraeu.de/Hirschbraeu_Start.html

A simple brewing company from Bavaria tries to make a classic double bock, a more alcoholic dark beer that focuses on malts more than on hops.  It has been brewed in Bavaria since the sixteenth century, so there is a lot of history behind this style of beer.  Does Hirschbrau do justice to the tradition of a double bock?

Sight - A very appealing drink, Hirschbrau's double bock lets you know for the start that it means business.  The lack of carbonation alters the drinker to the strong malts, instead of hops, used in this beer.  A strong head gives off the idea that there is even alcohol in it.  With the beer at a 7.2% alcohol level, it most likely does.

Smell - When you pop the cork (yes there is a cork to this beer), the single smell that comes out of the bottle is malts.  As with any bock, malt is the key ingredient.   But with so much malt in this beer, it seems to lack the smell of malts that other double bocks seem to bolster well.

Taste - One sip of beer, as with any other sense, reveals malts.  Overpowering malts that do not let any other part of the beer be tasted, except for the large amount of alcohol in it.  The beer maintains this taste throughout it.  It is a tough beer to drink, switching from sweet in the beginning of the sip, to a bitter after taste.  Usually, I would welcome a changing in taste in a beer, but this does not work as well.  It is driven purely by the malts, while most taste changes have to do with two different ingredients.

Overall - There are better double bocks on the market that this one, even at a better price than this one.  Although there are worse beers than this one, you will still get your money's worth.  I would recommended this beer to anyone who has not tried a German double bock, but if you have, there are better beers that this one.

2 out of 5 Cheers!

Mythos - Mythos Brewery

http://www.greekproducts.com/mythosbeer/company.html

Mythos is a beer brewed as an attempt to inspire Greek nationalism.  The brewer calls the beer "Hellenic Lager,' inspiring classical Greek tradition that was once wide spread all over the world.  Along with this tradition comes the love of wine, not beer.   Beer was seen as barbaric in ancient Greek.  Let us see if Mythos makes beer civilized, or if its just a mere legend.

Sight - Mythos cannot be more of a truer looking beer.  It has the tint of a lager, a nice hoppy yellow.  This tint just appeals to the sense, altering the drinker that he or she is about to drink a beer, and a good one at that.  Many other beers could learn from this color.  The head appears to be very full and flavorful, adding to the idea that there is a beer in front of you.

Smell -  One sniff of this beer,as with the sight, tells the drinker that there is a beer in front of them.  Although not as strong as other beers, its odor is of beer.  Nothing more and nothing less.  A beer does not have to have a strong smell to be good, just an odor that can be recognized.

Taste - One sip is beer bliss.  From beginning to end, the beer keeps a constant, hoppy taste that has amazing carbonation.  It is just smooth enough, but not letting you forget that you are drinking a beer.  The head is standard for a lager, finding similar taste and texture in other lagers, such as Budweiser.  It is not necessarily a bad thing, but it would of been nice to see more character from a beer outside the country.

Overall - Mythos is a wonderful beer that many other beers could take lessons from.  It does not create a new standard of beers, just meets, and sometimes exceeds, the standards set by other brewers.  For a beer that is trying to start a new culture in a wine dominate country, it is not a bad concept to follow.  It does seem to have a lack of character, but still a good choice for someone looking for American standards in a foreign beer.
4 out of 5 Cheers!

Land Shark - Anheuser-Busch

http://www.landsharklager.com/

 Land Shark is an island lager brewed by Anheuser-Busch, the biggest brewer in America.  The label presents itself as a cool, refreshing drink.   Being tied to Jimmy Buffet and Margaritavilla, Land Shark encompasses relaxing and island attitudes.  Let's see how the actually beer stacks up to these ideas.

Sight - The most outstanding part of this beer is the head that is created when poured.  It stays throughout most of the beer, how a good lager is suppose to be.  The color screams beer, only asking the drinker  to start drinking as soon as possible.

Smell - One sniff of this beer removes any idea you would be on an island.  It does not smell bad, but it does not smell like an island lager.  It is more comparable to Rolling Rock or Budweiser than to Red Stripe or Crib.  Saying that, it's smell reveals the use of good hops and excellent malts.  It's what one would expect from Anheuser-Busch.

Taste - One gulp from this beer, just as with the smell, takes the drinker away from the island.  This does not take away from the overall quality of the beer  It offers a cool crisp taste that will satisfy any hot thirst. I have a serious problem with the beer, though. Being presented as an island lager when it's not.  It is a standard American lager, but a good one at that.  The beer has a good balance between hops and malts, adding addition and welcomed carbonation.  What keeps it back is the possibility of making a more true island lager, using more hops and perhaps a bit more alcohol content, (just a bit).  It is almost too smooth for a beer, as it is almost too easy to forget what you are drinking.  A good beer lets you know its a beer, all the time.

Overall - As I have mentioned before, there is a distinct difference from how Land Shark is presented to how it actually is.  But in my welcoming message, image is not of one of the items I judge on.  I review the beer, not the image.  The main theme that Land Shark has going for it is that its refreshing and easy to drink.   A good choice on a hot day overall.
3 out of 5 Cheers!

Creative Design - David Hampton

Credit to David Hampton for making this great design! He recommends City Beverage in Winston-Salem, N.C. for a great beer store!  I would love to try the 'Thick Beard Special!'

Banana Bread Beer - Wells and Young Brewing Compay

http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/

An exciting idea from Wells and Young, a brewing company in the United Kingdoms, Banana Bread Beer tries to make a beer that plays on the classic joke as ale being 'liquid bread.'  I got excited myself seeing this in the United States, as I have only seen this in Europe.  It  is still rather hard to find, though, even for special beer shops.  I found this at the World Market in Winston-Salem, N.C.  Let's begin the review.

Sight - Wells and Young have perfected a beer that looks like bread.    An alluring amber color and an even more inviting, strong, and plentiful head brings the drinker closer to the beer.  Getting closer reveals a highly carbonated beer and a head that is bubbling with flavor.

Smell - When opening the beer, a fresh smell of banana bread is released, even before the beer is poured.  Pouring the beer into the glass allows for the beer to start 'breathing' releasing a more heavy aroma that will fill a room with the smell of baked goods.  Giving a sniff of the beer a minute after pouring, however, reveals a sudden lack of banana bread.  A quick stir allowed the smell of the beer to be released again, but not as prominent as before.  This continues on during the drinking process, with less and less of the smell being released with every stir, mix, or even re-pouring.

Taste - One small gulp in the beginning of the beer shows an outstanding blend between banana and beer.   The head of the beer is more important than most other beers, as the flavor is released in the bubbles. The second gulp gives off less of  the pleasant taste, and the third even more so. By the fifth or sixth sip, the taste of banana bread is gone, which is a huge disappointment.  A quick stir fixes this, recreating a head, but disappears quickly again.  I had to work hard to constantly recreate the head to get the banana flavor again, but frustrated when it vanished as soon as it arrived.  This constant strain on the beer lowers its overall taste.

Overall -  Do not get me wrong, at the beginning of the drink, Banana Bread Beer is amazing, but only for a short time.  The price tag of four dollars for a pint is a bit steep for such a small window of taste.   It would be an outstanding beer if the taste continued through the entire experience.  A great idea on paper, but not executed well.
3 out of 5 Cheers!