Erdinger Oktoberfest Weissbier: Review

11.2 oz bottle
5.7% abv
Erdinger Weissbrau
Bavaria, Germany
My Strength Rating: 3.5 or 4
This is a hefe-weizen Oktoberfest! So, if you get tired of the traditional Octoberfest style beers this would make a good switch. Yes, this Oktoberfest beer looks like a hefe-weizen beer – a hazy golden wheat color with a nice looking foamy white head.

The aroma is of sweet grains and the taste follows. There is also a good hefe fruity style but, I don’t get any banana flavor and that is a good thing I think since it is an Oktoberfest beer. The main profile is the grainy wheat taste.

When I think of an Oktoberfest beer do I think of this one right off hand ? No. But, like I said, it is a good and unique twist to the Oktoberfest style and always makes me ready for another traditional style Oktoberfest beer.

Buy: Sure thing – I buy it every year.

Samuel Smith Tadcaster Yorkshire Stingo: Review

The Ale

Samuel Smith Tadcaster Yorkshire Stingo

550ml bottle
In Michigan around $5.00 a bottle
8% abv
Samuel Smith Old Brewery
United Kingdom
This is an aged bottle: Brewed in 2008

This bottle conditioned ale is ‘aged in oak ale casks matured for over a year.’ I have never had this beer from Samuel Smith before and I really like oak aged beers.

This beer pours a murky, ruddy, copper color with a solid tan head. The aroma when I first opened the bottle was of sweet apples. It made me think of a cider mill at first. The nose is mainly malty. I had a little apprehension hoping it was not going to be too sweet.

The first sip brightened my eyes for the taste seemed wonderful. Of course there was the usual caramel sweetness but, it is the Granny Smith apple-tartness that starts to steal the show. There are plenty of dark fruit qualities that one can play the old guessing game of ‘what am I tasting?’ Then there is a good herbal bready profile that mixes well with all of the other wonderful flavors. Oh, don’t forget the nice little spice taste. This is one rich tasting and complex ale. The carbonation level is near perfect for this ale and it is on the back of my palate where I experience that slight oaky taste.

Ale Review: Petrus Aged Pale Ale

The Ale


11.2 oz bottle
7.3% abv
Brewed by: Brouwerij Bavik
Belgium
My Strength Rating: 8.5

This delicious golden blonde ale is aged in oak barrels for over 20 months. This ale pours an attractive golden color and carries a nice white head that dissipates quickly.

The first thing I notice is the strong tart green apple taste that boarders the line on sour. This past weekend a friend brought some apples brushed with lemon juice to the party and this reminds a little of this ale. This ale has a bigger lemon juice profile and green apple bite though. I like the oak cask taste and the aroma that I get with each sip.

I have had this ale before and I already know that I like this one. This ale would be excellent after a big hearty meal like the one I had tonight.

Buy: yes – when your taste buds are ready for the acidic tart-sour bite of green apple and lemon.

Bought these for their bottle caps

Here are few beers that I got to sample during the summer but, I never wrote any notes. There are two beers that I would buy again to do a review (Coney Island and Glissade)

Alhambra Lager
Southern Spain
Nothing special

Chang Beer
Thailand
At least I got another bottle cap for the wall.

Sunrye Summer Ale
Red Hook
Uhm - don't remember

Coney Island Albino Python
New York
Gota love the artwork on the label
I liked the spices in this brew - I think I know this women

Sierra Nevada Glissade
A nice taste - I think I may try this again

Estrella
From what I can remember - uneventful

Stieglbock
Had a strange taste