Festina Pêche

Beer: Dogfish Head Festina Pêche
Brewery: Dogfish Head, Milton Delaware
ABV: 4.5%
Style: neo-BerlinerWeisse
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression: Mouth puckering lip smacking sour from start to finish. That more or less summarizes the general thrust of Festina Pêche. I am guessing Dogfish was generally content with this outcome given that they labeled it a malt beverage, unlike thier other products which are labeled ale. Beyond the potent carbonation and a sustained sour finish kissed with a hint of peach not much else is present. The golden hue of Festina Peche makes and excellent backdrop for the fizzy carbonation bubbles zipping around the glass and the malt beverage also suds up into a lovely white frothy head. Unfortunately this package does not justify the outrageously high price point of $10.99/4-pack in my neighborhood. I am typically willing to shell out this type of dough for Dogfish creations which are crafted with the care and diligence of a fine wine. Being a bit of a Dogfish fanboy it is hard to say, but I would not recommend Festina Peche and I don’t plan to ever buy it again…then again if you want to impress a girl maybe you should get it. Mine liked it.

Stone IPA

Beer: Stone IPA
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
ABV: 6.9%
Style: American IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression:Ahh yes the Stone IPA. To say this beer has a strong following may be a bit of an understatement. This IPA has won the hearts and loyalty of many. In large part I think Stone has earned that admiration and fanfare as this is a good beer. I think it may actually be on the cusp of great, but I personally can’t quite put it in that category. I think Ruination is a superior beverage in the Stone family. But, this IPA holds its own from start to finish even though I wish there was a bit more body and malt. I really enjoy the grapefruit citrus that permeates the aroma and finish. Unfortunately, the ale finishes with a hint of sour acidity that detracts from the overall experience. That of course is all personal taste as some love being pounded by IBU’s regardless of balance or flavor. The bright straw color, healthy sized head, and brilliant hop aroma all fit well within the IPA style. I would recommend you try this ale with food as it will make a fair paring with virtually anything spicy or dripping in barbecue sauce. In summation, while I prefer labels to printed bottles (unfounded personal preference) given this IPA’s availability I would drink this wherever you find it on tap. It is likely the best option.

Double Dragon

Beer: Felinfoel Double Dragon
Brewery: Felinfoel Brewery Company, Ltd., Llanelli, Wales, United Kingdom
ABV: 4.2%
Style: English Pale Ale
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 16.9 oz

Impression: I was immediately attracted to this beer for two reasons. First, it shares the name of one of my all time favorite video games which brought pleasant memories flooding back. Second, at the bottom of the label in rather humble text are the words “the national ale of Wales.” Aside from instantly wondering if there is a national lager of Wales, I figured that between the nostalgia and national endorsement I would likely have a pleasant experience. And, yeah I did. I like Double Dragon. This beer manages to pack a fair amount in while still maintaining a pleasantly understated simplicity. The flavors are earthy, woody, and nutty with mild malt and hopping. At the end of a sip I taste almost a mild toasted popcorn flavor. Really it seems like this beer has an “old soul” which I realize sounds ludicrous. But, it actually smells and tastes of an old bar, as if somehow the wood, smoke and years of spilt beer from a Welsh pub have all made it into the bottle. Of course I mean that in a good way. Admittedly this sounds bizarre, but give Double Dragon a try. I think most anyone would enjoy this ale…Now if I could only find where I put my old Nintendo.

Mighty Arrow

Beer: Mighty Arrow Pale Ale
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado
ABV: 6%
Style: American Pale Ale
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression:I like Mighty Arrow, there it is. It’s not glamorous or ground breaking. It is clean, tight and refreshing. Those are elements I consider essential to pale ales. I also consider Mighty Arrow to be New Belgium’s second most drinkable beer. Second to my favorite New Belgium ware, 2° Below. (If only it weren’t seasonal!) A few noticeable characteristics I enjoy about Mighty Arrow are its blazing clarity, round mellow mouth feel and the smooth farewell as it slides into the abyss of my gullet. I will certainly drink this again. I must admit that London Pride really is my favorite and Mirror Pond my standby pale ale, but Mighty Arrow could push. I recommend anyone who wants to experience mild hopping and a zesty little body pick up a 6-pack, or anyone heading to a social gathering. The New Belgium brand will certainly secure your credibility and the approachability of this ale will provide wide appeal at the function. But, hey you could always tear down a sixer all on your own…I sure won’t judge you.

Odell IPA

Beer:Odell India Pale Ale
Brewery: Odell Brewing Co, Fort Collins, Colorado
ABV: 7%
Style: American IPA
Sample Medium:Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression: Odell doesn’t hold back on their India Pale Ale, hop-tastic right out of the gates. Plenty of citrus zip enchants the tongue and olfactory. The effect creates a zesty little jab to the face that really almost overwhelmed my senses. I guess I should have anticipated a wild ride from the rodeo like scene on the bottle depicting a man riding a bucking elephant. I also appreciate the lush foamy head that adorns the top of this beer so proudly and possesses notable staying power. It’s not all sunshine though as I’ll admit I am not exactly smitten with the mildly hazy color that lacks depth and what I consider to be an underdeveloped body. Certainly the fleeting hop forward punch which mellows into a light crisp finish accented with a clean hop bite positions this ale well for the opportunity to earn much admiration. However for me the body could use a bit more presence to balance out the opening act. It is fun for a hop head, but like a one trick pony this ale loses its luster after a bit. I don’t mean to sound too harsh as Odell really has delivered a tidy little IPA and I would recommend it to those who enjoy hops but not too much malty sweetness. This beer is for you. In short: I am glad I tried it and would drink it again, but for the most part I will stick to The Maharaja, 90 Minute IPA, or Hop Knot as my staple IPA’s for now.

Session Black

Beer:Session Black Premium Lager
Brewery: Full Sail Brewing Co, Hood River, Oregon
ABV: 5.4%
Style: European Dark Lager
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 11 oz

Impression:I like this lager for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which being pleasant refreshment. But quaff-ability aside, I am thrilled that Session Black single handedly provides an excellent educational opportunity as well as supplying craft newbies a first-rate transition beer. Let me explain. First, this lager really accentuates the difference between “dark” and “heavy” beers and how the two can be mutually exclusive. These two concepts are so frequently misunderstood as interchangeable descriptions in the general public’s mind. Session Black offers a great education opportunity to experience how darker beer ≠ heavy. Second, Session Black, much like the original Session, offers an extremely approachable beer for those who principally drink mass produced light American lagers, but are interested in expanding into other suds. Don’t get me wrong though, I am not saying Session Black is only for rookies. Yes, the dark lager has such a mellow texture and mild well balanced flavors that anyone can enjoy it, and yet there is enough complexity and depth to entice the seasoned connoisseur.

Ok for the actual review. Though dubbed Session Black, the color leans more towards a deep brown. The hopping must be very mild as I don’t detect much. This lager passes gently over the palate with a touch of toasty caramel malt. A hint of well placed sweetness fades into a nice clean finish truly making this a session beer. Definitely try this one and bring it to your next summer gathering. Now I just have figure out which Session to keep on hand. Hey Full Sail how about offering a half/half 12 pack?(6-Session, 6-Session Black)

Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout

Beer: Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout
Brewery: St. James's Gate Brewery
ABV: 5%
Style: Irish Dry Stout
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression:I went into Guinness’s 250 Anniversary Stout without expectations. OK well perhaps that is a bit of an untruth, I expected this beer to be bigger and better than Guinness Stout in every way. I mean you have had eons to perfect this follow up recipe. So given this expectation I was obviously biased going into the tasting. All that aside, I still think it is safe to say that Guinness 250 Anniversary was somewhat underwhelming. It certainly lacks the distinct creamy silkiness of the original. It is also notably more carbonated and the head bubbles up in a much looser weave, which doesn’t provide that enjoyable frothy Guinness mustache. Overall this beer has a much lighter body and mouth feel as well. But, enough comparison as I think it is prudent to evaluate this beer on its own merit. The aroma entices the senses with mild roasted caramel and a hint of malt. While breaking across the palate I experienced a supple toastiness, but the finish yields a sustained metallic dullness. The off finish doesn’t make for a deal breaker, but being honest Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout won’t make it into my top 10 list. On balance a grade of ‘B’ seems reasonably appropriate. I will sum it up this way: I am glad I tried it, but I won’t buy it again.

Sah'tea

Beer: Sah'Tea
Brewery:Dogfish Head, Milton, Delware
ABV:9%
Style: Sahti
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 750ml

Impression:After experiencing Sah’tea I must admit that I am somewhat at a loss for a concise and encompassing description of the brew. The unparalleled nature of this creation has obfuscated me and challenged my comprehension of what IS beer. Fittingly the single most apt summation of “banana bread like unique beer” comes from the Doghfish Head founder Sam Calagione which can be heard explaining Sah’tea in a short video here. Basically Sah’tea was derived as a play on Sahti (a traditional Finish beer utilizing juniper berries in lieu of hops) by borrowing the traditional Finish brewing process and infusing it with Chai Tea to create something uniquely Dogfish Head and hence Sahti + Chai Tea = Sah’tea. As for an actual review, the cloudy orange amber presence in the glass doesn’t fully prepare one for the spiced tea like notes and zesty mid-palate experience. This is only compounded by the finish which accentuates Chai like overtones while light bready fruitiness accompanied by cinnamon and nutmeg begin to discreetly express themselves. This experience evokes a feeling I associate with festive winter beverages like spiced cider, probably making it more appropriate for a holiday season than summer refreshment. I really enjoyed this warm and slippery brew as it dared my senses to pigeonhole it. On a downside, head retention was ghastly and I was unable to perceive as much of the caramel profile that I had hoped would result from the hot rock boiling process. And while not inherently bad I was unable to detect any alcohol content at all, further complicating my ability to recognize this as beer. With all that in mind I would recommend this beer to two types of people: 1) adventurous beer drinkers that recognize the renaissance of craft brewing that is occurring in America and are willing to test the waters of brewers on the fringe 2) People who don’t really like beer, but would enjoy a bubbly spiced drink. In conclusion I will risk sounding trite and assert that words cannot adequately describe Sah’tea and drinking one is the best way to experience it.

London Pride

Beer: Fuller's London Pride
Brewery: Griffin Brewery, Chiswick, London
ABV: 4.7%
Style: English Pale Ale
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 16.9 oz

Impression: When I imagine the beginnings of modern beer as we know it Fuller’s London Pride Pale Ale comes to mind. I don’t know exactly when the recipe for this particular brew was concocted, and certainly there are older beers out there, but I feel London Pride captures the essence of the early British style pale ales that birthed the modern beer. I am enamored with this beer for its lovely simplicity and yet elegant depth. The deep honey color and brilliant clarity give the ale a regal appearance in a pint glass. The body and mouth feel are perfectly balanced to satiate my senses and yet are graceful enough to court my desire for another sip. In part I attribute this to wonderful malts from a skilled maltster whomever you are. The aroma hints of mild malty sweetness which is made good on after the creamy smooth suds wash down your gullet. To get a better appreciation for the differences between American and UK pale ales try London Pride side by side with Mirror Pond for fun. Afterward I think you will posses a deeper understand of London Pride's delicate elegance.

Thames Welsh ESB

Beer: Thames Welsh ESB
Brewery: Felinfoel Brewery Company, Ltd., Llanelli, Wales, United Kingdom
ABV: 6%
Style: Extra Special Bitter
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 16.9 oz

Impression: I truly enjoyed this ale for everything an ESB should be: light, smooth, refreshing and crisp. The color was somewhat darker than I anticipated reflecting back at me a reddish copper. I only detect a mild malt flavor, but the mouth feel was full and pleasant. There wasn’t much in the way of carbonation and it required a vigorous pour to froth up a worthy head. I was somewhat dismayed to then promptly watch it dissipate. Overall Thames delivered a tidy little libation that provided needed refreshment on a warm summer day. The flavors were agreeable while in my mouth, but the finish did pack a zippy little tang that seemed almost out of place. It was not so pronounced that it made the ale seem unbalanced, but I don’t think it was better for it either. Given that the label boasts this ESB has been created for the connoisseur it could deliver a bit more. On balance I don’t think it quite stacks up to Fullers ESB which offers a more well balanced and perhaps even a true reflection of the ESB style. I will say that for ESB lovers it offers a reasonable option to mix up the standard selection. Overall I guess I would rate this somewhere in the neighborhood of a “B” which means I will reach for a Fullers instead.

Cali-Belgique IPA

Beer: Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Brewery:Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
ABV: 6.9%
Style: Belgian IPA?
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 22 oz

Impression: While I understand that this creation basically evolved from Stone’s IPA brewed with a Belgian yeast strain, beyond the name this beer has very little in common with IPA and everything to do with Belgian inspired ale. And, before getting too much further it is worth noting that I am not extremely fond of Belgian beers and if I had my druthers I would consume a hoppy opus. So yes, I am admittedly biased. Keeping that in mind, I am not wild about this beer. For me there are really only two major components I take away from this experience. First, the prominent flavors associated with the Belgian yeast assert themselves. Second, an unfortunately unbalanced and awkward finish follows. It more or less reminds me of overripe grapefruit, bitter and unfriendly. While I typically support adventurous brewing, this combination of styles Stone attempted didn’t quite pan out in my book. If you are interested in an adventurous or unique IPA style seek elsewhere. In fact I would probably just seek elsewhere. If you want to stick with Stone, Ruination will provide you a much better IPA choice and New Belgium’s Trippel offers a tastier Belgian style. At the end of the day I think the only people really boasting the merits of this ale are jaded Stone fan boys. Don’t believe the hype. If you want an adventurous craft ale try again...like maybe Dogfish Head.

Hop Stoopid Ale

Beer: Hop Stoopid Ale
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, California
ABV: 7.7%
Style: Imperial IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 22 oz

Impression: Lagunitas has produced what I am going to describe as a playful hoppy beer. In stating this I don’t mean that Hop Stoopid should be waved of as superficial because it certainly has bold hopping, and at 7.7% ABV has the minerals to back it up. I do mean that Lagunitas probably had some fun in creating this brew, as evident by their exploration of alternative ingredients, and it has a really light mouth feel that makes it easy to suck down. I think this brew derives this deceivingly light mouth feel from the use of hop extracts instead of actual whole leaf hops during the brewing process. Somehow Hop Stoopid feels cleaner or smoother than the typical liquid hop symphony. Conversely when considering this from an overall perspective the beer does lose some dimension of hop punch or richness that sets it back a bit from something like Ruination. In summation at roughly half the price of comparable 22 oz beers Hop Stoopid is a contender that packs plenty of hoppy goodness. There is a good chance you will see me in the beer isle putting some in my basket again soon.

Ruination IPA

Beer:Stone Ruination IPA
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
ABV: 7.7%
Style: Imperial IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 22 oz

Impression: This beer is a good time if you are a hop head. Rookies do yourself a favor and pass on this one or you run the risk of breaking your tongue. That's not to say that I buy into all the hoopla on the back of the bottle about ruination, but this beer is way to complex for a inexperienced palate. Rookies looking to enter into the hop world should start with something more approachable like Cascade or Mirror Pond. Essentially this is a hop giant that has been well paired with a malty counterpart to produce an intriguing and enjoyable beverage. Two things I really like: 1) the aroma is a wonderful blend of hop and malt that truly entices 2) The hop bitterness persists with a resounding stamina. Just when the aftertaste has almost hung around too long it is time for another enjoyable swig and your mouth feels happy. The only downside is that after you finish this celebration of hops you want another beer. In closing I enjoy the 7.7% ABV. It snuck up on me a bit and made me delightfully giddy. While Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA still holds the title of my favorite IPA this drink is above average...that is of course if you like your hops served up unremorsefully bold.

White Hawk Original IPA

Beer: White Hawk Original IPA
Brewery:Mendocino Brewing Company, Ukiah, California
ABV: 7%
Style: American IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 0z

Impression:I didn’t know what I expected from a beer with a white hawk on the label. I mean honestly, what does that personify? What emotions did Mendocino Brewing Company intend to conjure with this snowy fowl? From a marketing perspective I guess it worked as I did purchase the beer. And yes, just to prevent any unnecessary comments or emails, I am fully aware that Mendocino has chosen a bird theme for their brewery and adorn all their libations with winged creatures. It just doesn’t seem like beer to me. In my book bird ≠ beer. Labels aside, I put this IPA in the realm of just OK. It does have a unique aroma with intriguing hop accents and the mouth feel is nice. This does not compensate for the finish which brings on an unbalanced bitterness that twinges the tongue. Maybe that overstates the bitterness a bit, but either way this IPA just doesn’t shape up in my book. It is OK, but with so many IPAs to choose from why settle?

Samuel Smith's India Ale

Beer: Samuel Smith's India Ale

Brewery: Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster), Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England

ABV: 5%
Style:IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 18.7 oz


Impression: Right out of the gate I observed two things about this brew. First the beautiful golden honey color with just the slightest red hue that really made me want to dive right in. Second the billowy white head sitting proudly on top of that inviting golden body. And ok I said two, but the third thing was a gentle sweetness on the first few sips. Of particular interest is a notable lack of hop forward aroma or flavor. This is probably because I have been drinking American IPAs as of late which have exploded with massive citrusy aromas. It is actually refreshing (no pun intended) to experience this more sedate version. Really this reminds me more of a pale ale than what I consider an IPA and at only 5% alcohol I feel pretty confident in that claim. That isn’t to say that this ale lacks malt though. On the finish I really enjoy the present yet subtle maltiness that eases into what can only be described as the beckon for another sip. This beer is crazy drinkable and if you are not a real beer guy, but you want to gain some respect points from your buddies, I recommend going to the next poker night with this. In summation this beer is easy like Sunday morning, and if you don’t go to church on Sunday morning you may even consider cracking one.

The Devastator

Beer: The Devastator
Brewery: Wasatch Beers, Park City, Utah
ABV: 8.0%
Style: Double Bock
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression: Wasatch offers a high alcohol content beer offset by a nicely balanced flavor profile in The Devastator, an easy drinking German-style lager. This double bock boasts tons of malty flavors and almost bready aromas that eventually give way to an elegant resin like mouth coating. This coating acts as a pleasant continuation of the flavors dancing on your taste buds after the wash of suds has receded down your gullet. I also detect light roasted notes accompanied by mild caramel flavors and a general sweetness, but the sweetness is not overbearing. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this beer is the color. It has a deceivingly light brown hue that masks the sheer thrust of this 8% monster. The provocative imagery on the label aside, this is a serious beer that Wasatch can certainly take pride in. If you enjoy strong drink that goes down with ease than I strongly recommend The Devastator.

Hop Knot

Beer: Hop Knot
Brewery:Four Peaks Brewery, Tempe, Arizona
ABV: 6%
Style: American IPA
Sample Medium: bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression:Four Peaks Brewery Company out of Tempe, Arizona has created a beautifully crafted American IPA in Hop Knot. The name references the six different hop varieties woven in at seven separate times during the course of the brewing process. As the name implies, bold hopping greets you right up front with huge floral aromas and juicy citrus notes on your pallet. The unique hop flavor that makes this libation intriguingly unlike the growing sea of hop giants is rumored to be the Simcoe hop. Hop Knot pours up a pure white head over a crystal clear golden honey hue which can be deceiving of the true richness of this IPA. The real beauty of Hop Knot lies in the pure American malt which delicately offsets the bold hopping to create a well balanced and refreshing beer. Each sip finishes crisp and clean inviting you back for another.

I strongly encourage you to experience this beer. It is among my very favorites. Contact me and I will assist you in acquiring some.

World Wide Stout

Beer: World Wide Stout
Brewery: Dogfish Head, Milton Delaware
ABV: 18%
Style: Imperial Stout
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression: This Goliath certainly demands your attention and respect right out of the gate. I am not sure I would refer to this so much as a beer, but rather an experience. The label pretty well sums things up, "a very dark beer brewed with a ridiculous amount of barley." In fact Dogfish Head used so much barley in this brew that at 18% ABV it is a barley wine and not really a beer at all. I think the name may be a bit of a misnomer as it requires some tenacity to acquire this bold brew, but certainly worth the trouble. That is of course if you enjoy fierce dark beer that you could stand a knife upright in. To refer to this drink as rich would be a bit of an understatement. The bold roasted elements and strong coffee notes are omnipresent making a most enjoyable stout. The finish boasts deep dark sugars of raisin or possibly fig but settle nicely on your palette and quickly invite you back for another sip. However, one of these joys is certainly enough to satiate your senses and at the $11/bottle price tag it damn well better. If you enjoy stout and bold brew begin your search now for the World Wide Stout and your persistence will be rewarded.

Heineken

Beer:Heineken
Brewery: Heineken, Amsterdam, Netherlands
ABV: 5%
Style: Pale Lager
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12oz

Impression: Heineken consistently delivers that unmistakable aroma and crystal clarity. The flavor is very mild with a hint of skunk that is characteristic of beer in green bottles. The color is very sharp due to the aforementioned clarity but, extremely light. Not to be vulgar but this beer actually reminds me of something I excrete after drinking real beer. I really don't notice much of the hop content and very little to zero malt flavor during the experience. The finish is quick and sharp and leaves me with a tangy skunky flavor. This is not one of my favorite beers. I think my brother put it best: "Heineken is like cooking for for a large group of people, you end up dumbing things down so you can find a middle ground acceptable for everyone." If I were to grade this beverage I think C- would be a reasonable mark. In summation I consider Heineken an airport beer, probably the best you can do in a situation with limited options.

Green Lakes Organic Ale

Beer: Green Lakes Organic Ale
Brewery: Deschutes Brewery, Bend Oregon
ABV: 5%
Style: Amber Ale
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 22 oz

Impression: This is the closest thing to homebrew I think I have experienced from a brewery. It drinks like homebrew with bubbly mouth feel and carbonated zeal bursting forth just after swallowing, eventually giving way to a sustained mouth coating. The rusty brown color fills the glass with a deep beautiful presence I find most inviting. Upon the initial inhale a cider like aroma greets you. The flavors are intriguing and likely due to the 5 types of malt used in brewing this ale. This beer is enjoyable and sumptuous without undue complexity. I really enjoy the tobacco and molasses like accents somewhere near the end and upon exhale I am greeted with subtle coffee notes. Hands down Green Lakes sets the standard for organic beer in my book as (gasp) Deschutes has actually created beer and not just a watered down gimmick. If you choose to resign yourself to organic beer this will suit your daily needs. Since I don't, I would rather order up a Black Butte Porter.