Swordfish Double Cascadian Dark Ale: Review

Reel Ales

Fish Brewing Company

Olympia, Washington, USA

Reelales.com

7.5% abv

64 IBUs

1pt 6oz bottle

The store I go to gave me this bottle.

Appearance: black body with a two finger tan and creamy looking head that leave some massive lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: nice hoppy presence that reminds me of soft pine; roasted grains in the mix, a touch of semi-sweet chocolate

Flavors: the hoppy notes come through with a tasty mix of pine and citrus rind; the toasted malts are present with roasted grains, bitter chocolate bite, toasted … slightly burnt caramel, I think you can even throw in coffee … medium roast coffee

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, nice bitter style (it does have a 65 IBU), the malts are doing their job for some balance, lingering roasted notes on the aftertaste, a touch of 99% dark chocolate bitterness, not heavy like a stout – closer to a porter in mouthfeel 

To the Point: to me it is a tasty dark ale and perfect on this cold fall day here in Michigan.  

Spaten Optimator Doppelbock: Review

Spaten-Brau

Munich, Germany

7.6% abv

25 IBU

Spatenusa.com

Appearance: dark brown with a ½ finger head that leaves some lacing on the glass

Aroma: bock like with toasted caramel, roasted grain, and fig

Flavors: dark roasted malts, sweet dark chocolate caramel, fig, dark bread, hops must be doing their job for the balancing act – very light grassy feel

Mouthfeel: low-moderate carbonation, sweet, very light bitterness, smooth, lingering roasted notes, medium body

To the Point: a nice Doppelbock; I really like Celebrator Dopplebock; Spaten Optimator is a worthy purchase if you like a good dark beer 

Red Hoptober Ale: Review

Fall Seasonal

New Belgium Brewing

newbelgium.com

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

6% abv

22 oz bottle

$3.99

Appearance: plain and simple to me … it looks like root beer soda – a dark caramelized body in color with a tan two finger head.  Holding it up to the light the mahogany shines through. 

Aroma: light citrusy hoppy nose with some toasted grains in the mix

Flavors: white grapefruit meat (it’s under control), toasted light rye, lightly roasted caramel, herbal? Or sea grass? From the hops on the back, 

Mouthfeel: decent carbonation; light hoppy notes tantalize the tongue; toasted grains and a light roasted caramel help to balance things out; a moderate aftertaste;

To the Point: I have only had one bottle so far but, I am willing to buy more.  It is tasty.  Exceptional … I am not ready to go there yet … “very good” sure.  Not harsh or heavy on the palate.  Worthy of a try.  Understand that it is a red amber ale with some Cetennial, Cascade and Eldorado hops.  The light-moderate bitterness with a touch of sweetness should satisfy most specialty beer drinkers palate.   

Ass Kisser Smoked Porter: Review

Ass Kisser Smoked Porter

Porter Pounder

“Perfect for the boss”

Asskisserales.com

San Jose, California, USA

8% abv

$15.99 a six pack

Game one or the World Series tonight and being a Detroiter I will be watching.  I am not as positive about the outcome as my friends are but I believe they will win the first game 3 to 1.  Giants come back and win the next 4 games.  They (the Giants) were just hitting too good in that last series.  

Appearance: dark murky cola like, no head from this bottle, little lacing with each sip but nothing stays on the glass.  On the second bottle poured I might have gotten a quarter inch tan head with a tad more lacing.  So, with more head you get more lacing?   

Nose: smoky wood for sure and it reminds me of light hickory smoke for this moment in time, mocha coffee is what I get after that

Flavors: wonderful coffee flavor for the coffee lover like me; dark roasted grains; a little dark chocolate bite;

My Annie sporting her Jack Ass look

Mouthfeel: short after taste, nothing seems to linger on the palate, slight bitterness on the finish, smooth on the delivery, low carbonation.

To the Point: A nice smoked porter.  Not over smoked … not under smoked … seems just right to me.  I personally like the coffee note.  A fairly tasty porter overall but, do I want fairly tasty for 16 bucks a six pack.  I do like it.  If it was 9 bucks a six pack I am buy more.  

I am finally getting ready to post this and the Giants are winning 5 to 0.  Damn!  It is only the 5th inning but, the Tiger bats don't look like they are ready to play.  It is also time for them (the Tigers) to play like they did during the regular season. (like crap)

Xingu Black Beer: Review

Cervejaria Sul Brasileira

Santa Maria – RS, Brazil

4.7% abv

Appearance: black body with brownish edges with a ½ finger rich tan head

Aroma: not much of a bouquet here; light roasted malts at best

Flavors: toasted grains, roasted caramel, slightly burnt sugars, little hint of dark chocolate and coffee on the back

Mouthfeel: low-moderate carbonation, moderate body, a little thin on delivery, the malts hit the mid palate and a slight dry bitter note from the hops on the finish.

To the Point: a nice black lager – worthy of trying; I remember having this beer about 3 years ago and really enjoying it then

Flying Dog Raging Bitch: Review

Belgian-Style India Pale Ale

Flying Dog Brewery

Frederick, Maryland, USA

flyingdogbrewery.com

8.3% abv

60 IBU

12 oz bottle

I was in a party store the other day and I was thinking about my wife and I ended up with this beer in my hand – coincidence?

Appearance: amber body with a nice one maybe two finger white head that leaves some lacing on the glass.  On my second glass I poured an easy two finger head.

Aroma: nice hoppy nose, grapefruit skin, little caramel in the mix,

Flavors: oh I like this one from the first sip.  Some good pine notes hit the palate with a little white grapefruit bitterness.  Then, the caramel, lightly toasted grains, and fruit mix it up for one interesting IPA.  The fruit reminds me of golden raisin and a touch of peach and maybe a hint of mango. 

Mouthfeel: fine fizzy carbonation, smooth on the delivery and then the bitterness hits the mid and finish, firm and dry aftertaste – pine and earthy yeast,

To the Point: damn this is one nice ale.  I will be keeping this Raging Bitch around too!  This is worthy of a six pack purchase.  If you don’t like it send me the other five.      

Warka Original Recipe: Review

Warka Brewery

Zywiec, Poland

5.7% abv

11.2oz bottle

I have had these lagers and pilsner for a couple of months and never got a chance to review them.  So, let’s get these out of the fridge. 

Appearance: golden lager with a thin white head that leaves nothing on the glass (no lacing)

Aroma: very light lager bouquet, non-descript sweet malts with … uh, nothing much else going on here, okay I notice a hint of hops as the lager warms up a tad

Flavors: crisp, clean, sweet malty style, must have some mild hops to help balance the malts

Mouthfeel: crisp, clean, smooth, clean, low carbonation, clean, watery and clean

To the Point: nothing special here, Bud drinkers would think this is the best beer in the world.  Save the money and skip this one.  On the positive side this would be good with food for it should not interfere with any flavors.

Dominion Lager: Review

Dormunder Lager

Old Dominion Brewing

Dover, Delaware, USA

5.3% abv

12oz bottle

I am trying to finish up some of these lagers and pilsners that I bought during the summer and never got a chance to review them.  This is a nice break from the Oktoberfest beers that I have been drinking lately. 

Appearance: golden orange body with a nice two finger white head that leaves some solid lacing on the pilsner glass.

Aroma: biscuit like, grains, earthy slightly grassy hops, light overall

Flavors: tasty grains, earthy yeast, light herbal hops

Mouthfeel: crisp, smooth, low to moderate carbonation, not much of an aftertaste, okay it is dry, a nice Dortmunder Style Lager,

To the Point: seems to be true to its style, it is tasty, I am not running out to buy more but I would buy again for something different in the lager category 

Mt. Pleasant Oktoberfest Lager: Review

Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA

Mtpleasantbrew.com

12oz bottle

$12.99 a six pack

6% abv

A little pricey for an Oktoberfest. 

Appearance: dusty, hazy amber pumpkin body with a thin eggshell colored head and not much on the lacing front.  Make sure to get the sediment off the bottom of the bottle. 

Aroma: sturdy malt profile with a grassy and slightly herbal like hop note,

Flavors: earthy malts, yeasts, and hops.  Sweet bread like malts, lightly toasted grains, and a hint of grassy hop bitterness on the finish. 

Mouthfeel: moderate-fine carbonation, earthy feel, sweet without being overly sweet, light hop bitterness on the finish, lingering earthy grains

To the Point: a nice Oktoberfest.  I liked the earthy style of this lager.  I drank the other five bottles last week and enjoyed each one.  It was a good change from some of the other Oktoberfest beers which have that Oktoberfest spicy (brown spice) style. 

I would buy this again.  Now, factor in the price.  I might buy this again … well … probably not.  For 13 bucks a six pack – it is not that special.  $8.00 a six pack and it would be a regular fall staple in the beer fridge.  

Klisch Pilsner: Review

Lakefront Brewing, Inc

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Lakefrontbrewery.com

Style: Czech Pilsner

5.4% abv

12oz bottle

Appearance: shiny golden body with a two finger white head that leaves some nice lacing on the pilsner glass.  

Aroma: typical white bread, very light grassy hops, hint of golden raisin

Flavors: bready, light fruitiness that reminds me of white grapes and golden raisin, sweet malts, golden grains, a light dusting of grassy hops

Mouthfeel: on the sweet side of town – on the delivery and through the finish, smooth pilsner like feel, low carbonation, light grassy hop like note on the aftertaste that gives this beer a very mild bitter note; maybe mild-medium body or maybe just mild

To the Point:  a tasty pilsner, better than your average pilsner, I would like to try this one again.