The Bruery Mischief Review

The Bruery

Placentia, California, USA

Thebruery.com

8.5% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$9.99 a bottle

Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Unfiltered

I wish they dated their bottles

I reviewed a few beers from this brewery in the last couple of months and I really enjoyed them.  I enjoyed them so much I have purchased more of the ones that I have reviewed and while I was there I picked up a couple of new ones to me.  This Brewery is fast becoming my favorite brewery. 

Appearance: a misty golden glow to the body with a one finger white head; not much on the lacing front; the second glass had a cloud appearance

Aroma: moderate note of lemon peel; hint of sweet fruit; fresh yeast

Flavors: summertime ripe and sweet muskmelon; lemon meat; lemon grass; fresh baked buttermilk biscuit;

Mouthfeel: flavors are very bright; the carbonation has a fine lively feel; medium body; medium-light bitterness mixed with a pleasing hint of sweetness; crisp up front; dry on the back; light citrus bitterness lingers giving it a soft pink peppercorn feel

This beer was so crisp and fresh that it made me think
of my new favorite female poker player Lily Kiletto

Pair with shellfish, grilled Italian chicken breast; whitefish; and I did pair it with an Indian Tabac Maduro Cigar and it was pleasing 

To the Point: with 1,150 reviews on Beer Advocate it scored an 89 and that is what I was thinking a solid B+; I would buy this again; one day I will find a beer from this brewery that I don’t like but, it was not today; they are 5 for 5 for the beers that I have reviewed and ‘really’ liked; I am going to buy more of this one and do a dinner pairing review 

Svyturys White Baltas Review

Svyturys Kvietinis Alus

Lithuania

Unfiltered Wheat Ale

5% abv

500ml bottle

Four pack $8.99

Appearance: dense dusty orange body with a massive yet perfect head, make sure to swirl the bottle to get the sediment off the bottom of the bottle (it’s unfiltered), the head crown was perfect sitting on top; 

the head retention is as good as it gets – it hangs around forever; best looking beer that I have seen in a while;

Check out the difference in the cloudiness in these two pictures

(above) First pour from the bottle into the glass while leaving an inch or so of beer in the bottle – then stop pouring and swirl the bottle - then pour the last bit into the glass to get the sediment into your beer

In this second picture the body clarity is more dense 

and the body color moves from a lighter golden to a deeper golden

Aroma: big wheat profile; some fresh wheat mixed with some dusty (lightly earthy) wheat; there is a soft orange peel might be closer to orange meat; what I don’t get is: lemon, coriander, clove, banana, grapefruit and whatever else I have seen on Beer Advocate,

Flavors: once again fairly simple; wheat profile with a soft citrus style; the soft citrus reminds me of … well … okay here is what it does not remind me of: lemon, orange, grapefruit, banana – people go taste and smell a banana and then smell and taste this beer – there are no bananas; so let me call it a soft orange peel – okay folks it is not even close to being an Oberon from Bell’s – not that much orange – so, to me that means it is better;

Here is a pic from last week  - a perfect .5L pour

Mouthfeel: fresh wheat upfront; dusty wheat on the mid; earthy wheat on the finish – with a dirty yet tart wheat on the late finish and aftertaste; to me there is not a clear clove taste or aroma but, on the finish and aftertaste, when the beer warms up, the tartness becomes a bit more astringent like clove without the clear clove taste. There is a fine fizzy feel from the carbonation.

That head retention is still there on the last inch or so
and I did not swirl the glass to pick it up

To the Point: Beer Advocate gave it an 82 and rate beer gave it a low rating; ah the hell with them to me this is pure wheat pleasure without all the other flavors; I am going to make this my beer for the summer of 2014; from the fresh wheat on the delivery to the dusty and earthy style on the finish to the sweet wheat on the tip to the earthy yet dirty wheat on the aftertaste – I just like this wheat beer because it seems to be all about the wheat.  I am giving it an 89 … no I’ll go with 91 … let’s split the difference 90% A- all the way – and I am rating it just as a wit beer not as a hefeweizen like some of the people on BA think it is … it is a witbier or wheat beer. 

This ale comes in a four pack and I have finished about four of them – four, four packs that is – no not today over the last two months – and I did share with some friends. 

Clown Shoes Space Cake Review

Double IPA

Mercury Brewing Company

Ipswich, Massachusetts

Yes, those are cupcakes zipping around him

1pint 6oz bottle

9% abv

Complements of: The Super Fine Wine & Liquor store in Canton, Michigan

Appearance: fairly dense; on the amber side; slightly tarnished copper body with a thin bone white head that leaves no lacing behind; I got a little better head when I poured the last third of the bottle into the glass – and there is nothing better than getting a little better head.

Aroma: sweet malty grains blend right into the citrusy hops; orange blossom, grapefruit, light pine

Flavors: really follows the nose; sweet malty grains on the tip of the tongue – reminding me of dark caramel; followed by the citrusy notes of white grapefruit and orange peel; piney on the finish; the grapefruit and alcohol display a nice peppery note – like a fine grind black pepper

Mouthfeel: hint of malty sweetness on the delivery which is soon washed away by the hops; firm bitterness on the mid; solid bitterness on the finish with a piney prickly feel; tart lip smacking aftertaste from the citrusy hops that are use; low-moderate carbonation;

To the Point: very appealing nose and the taste follows suit; I did not think it was too sweet for a DIPA; when I checked this beer out of beer advocate there were some reviewers saying it was too sweet for a DIPA and they downgraded it for that point; probably the same people who said Hopslam is world class and Hopslam is a lot sweeter than this  

Samuel Adams Cold Snap Review

The Boston Beer Company

1-888-661-2337

How about a website on the bottle?

5.3% abv

I bought this a couple months ago when we still had snow on the ground.  I just never got around to doing a review.  This is the last bottle from that six pack so, I guess it is time. 

Appearance: heavy golden haze with a one finger white head that leaves no lacing on the glass.

Aroma: spice from the coriander; light orange peel; fresh wheat

Flavors and Mouthfeel: moderate spice on the palate; the coriander stands out to me followed by the orange peel; then some fresh grains; medium body; moderate carbonation to keep things fresh;

To the Point: reminds me of a winter white (wit) beer; or a Belgian Wit - like Hoegaarden (I'm off to the store to buy some); pleasing spice profile; I would buy this again. I would give this beer a high B for a grade; okay a B+.  

Pair this with: white fish or shell fish

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale Review

Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Company

Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Kentuckyale.com

8.19% abv

$3.30 a bottle

12oz bottle

Picked up at a party store in Ohio

Ale aged in oak bourbon barrels

Appearance: crystal amber-copper; quarter finger white head with an aggressive pour; not much on the lacing front

Aroma: wet grains; little oak; not much else

Flavors: on the first few sips I couldn’t pick out a thing; as the ale opened up – a nice little spicy oak; a touch of bourbon soaked caramel;

Mouthfeel: moderate-light carbonation; crisp; seems thin at times; medium body; grainy bourbon on the finish and aftertaste; seems out of whack; thin of the front, then a light-moderate blast of spicy oak and then you are left thinking, ‘what is this?’  the bourbon soaked caramel is like an afterthought

To the Point: this is okay; I’ll give it a C+; 

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout Review

Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Company

Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Kentuckyale.com

Stout brewed with coffee and aged in oak barrels with Haitian coffee

8% abv

$3.55 a bottle

12oz bottle

Being born in Kentucky I am looking forward to trying some ales from Kentucky.  I was in Ohio last month and picked up several different beers from this brewery.  I bought two bottles of this stout because I like Bourbon Barrel Stouts and Porters.  

Appearance: black body with a half finger tan head that did not stay around long; no lacing; spotty lacing with each sip and it slowly slides down the glass to nothing; no syrupy legs

Aroma: just opened the bottle so maybe it has not warmed up to display the bouquet; nothing; just plain old nothing; weak watered down coffee at best; no bourbon here; went to my cellar got a bottle of bourbon for I thought maybe I forgot what it smelled like; yep, no bourbon on the nose; no roasted notes that a stout should have nothing, just plain ol’ nothing

Flavors: some charred oak; no bourbon; thin on the flavors if there are any;   

Mouthfeel: this is a stout; has the body of a black lager; fine fizzy carbonation; thin body; light bitter diner coffee;

To the Point: I would not even give this to someone as an introductory Bourbon Barrel Stout; Shit I bought two bottles of this crap; If they called this ‘Charred Oak Black Lager’ okay I would give it a B; for a Bourbon Barrel Stout – I’ll give it a D all day long;

At $3.55 a bottle for this dirty water go and buy: KBS, Siberian Night BB; Goose Island Bourbon Country; Arcadia Shipwreck Porter is great for the money; I say, don’t buy it and buy something good. 

This stuff is so bad that I don't won't to even bet on the Kentucky Derby and I never miss that opportunity.

   

Samuel Adams Escape Route Review

The Boston Beer Company

Limited Release

5% abv

Unfiltered Kolsch Style

Winter should be done and spring is trying to get some legs.  The days are still cool and the patio furniture is still under the tarp that was protecting it from the winter elements.  

Appearance: there is a little sediment on the bottom of the bottle so, make sure to get it off the bottom when pouring to get the hazy appearance that it is supposed to have; hazy golden body with a one and a half white finger head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: faint golden fruit; yeast; soft and delicate grassy hops; light bouquet overall

Flavors: little grassy; gentle citrus meat; light golden fruit;

Mouthfeel: light fizzy carbonation; crisp; light earthy yeast; light body;

To the Point: think of the typical clean Kolsch Style and add a touch of dusty yeast to give it a little body and that’s what this is; another way to say it, ‘a dirty Kolsch’; not bad; nothing special; nice for something different on a cool spring day and help those taste buds transition from the winter brews to the summer brews.  

New Belgium Snapshot Wheat Beer Review

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

5% abv

13 IBUs

Unfiltered Wheat

Appearance: hazy lemon peel body with a one finger white head that does not stay around long; leaves some lacing on the glass

Aroma: fresh wheat; light citrus zip; yeast; light spice; soft and pleasing

Flavors: the coriander stands out to me and is softened by the yeast and wheat; light tart on the finish; this would make a nice ‘sweet/tart’ candy – the sweet wheat with a light tart lemon

Mouthfeel: active carbonation; soft, refreshing; light-medium in body; light yet tart lemon peel on the back

To the Point: this will make for a nice summer beer if we ever get to summer this year; I liked it; I would buy again; I personally think the people on Beer Advocate are a little tough on this one – they gave it an 80; which would be only okay; I’ll give this beer an 85 a solid good but, not outstanding.  

Fire Rock Pale Ale Review

Kona Brewing Company

Kona, Hawaii

Konabrewingco.com

6% abv

12oz bottle

$9.99 a six pack

Also listed on the bottle for brewing facilities:

Portland, OR; Woodinville, WA; Portsmouth, NH

Appearance: fairly clear; bright copper body; half finger white head that did not stay around long; no lacing

Aroma: weak nose overall; hint of floral, spice, and biscuit

Flavors: better than the nose; on the bottle it says, ‘…rich roasted malt tastes.’ I was expecting a malty profile; oh, no it’s not; soft white pine; touch of lemon peel; and nice roasted grains

Bought this LP album (Hawaiian Paradise) for 50 cents
and bought the album frame from Ikea for around 8 bucks

Mouthfeel: smooth wool; moderate-light bitterness; active carbonation; crisp; light-moderate spicy style; lingering lemon peel water;

To the Point: not bad and with that said it is not great either; Okay to good; let me give it an 83% for a B grade; easy to drink; simple; pleasing; Should pair well with white fish or a good Spam sandwich.  

Koko Brown Review

Kona Brewing Company

Kona, Hawaii

Konabrewingco.com

“Crack Open Aloha”

5.5% abv

12oz bottle

$9.49 a six pack from a party store in Sylvania, Ohio

Also listed on the bottle for brewing facilities:

Portland, OR; Woodinville, WA; Portsmouth, NH

Appearance: dark chestnut with some mahogany highlights when held to the light; one finger, if that, tan bubbly head that did not stay around long; one or two spots of foam on the glass;

Aroma: very light bouquet; a little funky at first and then the notes start to come into focus; nut shells; roasted grains; toasted coconut; and yes the nose is still very light; you will have to get your nose down in the glass

Flavors: roasted grains with a dusty nutty note swirl the palate; the coconut show up toward the back; a light bitter nut shell;

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation; medium body, I’ll give it a 5.5 on my strength scale; dark toasted dusty notes coat the back of the palate and lingers for a while with a light bitter nut shell finish; that light bitter nut shell finish builds with each sip for I am halfway thru and that bitter nut shell taste is leaving a nice bite on the tongue when it hits the mid-point. 

To the Point: once again nice packaging; something is out of whack here; the bitter nut shell gets old after a while; the coconut flavor is not clean; I am starting to think the brewed this beer with the coconut shell and not the meat.  Personally, I can pass on this one.  Damn, five more bottles to go.  I’ll give this one a C for a grade.  

Longboard Island Lager Review

Kona Brewing Company

Kona, Hawaii

Konabrewingco.com

4.6% abv

12oz bottle

$9.99 a six pack

Also listed on the bottle for brewing facilities:

Portland, OR; Woodinville, WA; Portsmouth, NH

Appearance: bright yellow gold body with a half finger white head with a fairly aggressive pour for a lager; no lacing

Aroma: bready; touch of sour dough; faint non-descript fruit and hops

Look at those bubbles rising to the top

Flavors: dry floral grassy hops; sour dough bread; white bread;

Mouthfeel: feels a bit heavy for a lager; I feel full after one; dry; grassy; a bit metallic; doesn’t seem refreshing to me;

To the Point: an Island Lager with some character compared to other ‘island’ beers; comes across non-descript at times; just call it another lager with some character but not enough to distinguish itself 

Big Wave Golden Ale Review

Kona Brewing Company

Kona, Hawaii

Konabrewingco.com

4.4% abv

12oz bottle

$9.99 a six pack

Also listed on the bottle for brewing facilities:

Portland, OR; Woodinville, WA; Portsmouth, NH

The bottle has a great label and nice embossing on the glass. (I hope my bad photo work can pick that out)  If this beer is any good it may find a regular spot in my beer fridge for I have a Tiki décor in my basement. 

The State of Hawaii is embossed on the bottle 

'Liquid Aloha' is embossed

Appearance: neon golden body with a one finger white head that did not stay around long and not much on the lacing front.

Aroma: bright aromatic hops; floral and fruity;

Flavors: floral; citrus – reminds me of orange with a touch of grapefruit; there is a little white bread under the floral and citrus notes; soft grassy bitterness on the finish;

Mouthfeel: smooth, crisp, and refreshing; easy to drink; active carbonation; light body; light lingering bitterness on the aftertaste;

To the Point: fairly simple; light; should be pleasing on a nice summer day; I would serve this if I was having a party in the Tiki basement; great packaging;