America's Original Pumpkin Ale: Review

Ale brewed with real pumpkin and natural spice flavor

Buffalo Bill’s Brewery

Hayward, California, USA

Brewed by Independent Brewers for Buffalo Bill’s

Seattle, WA & Portland, OR

Appearance: Bronzie Amber with a thin white head

Aroma: Pumpkin Bread but light

Flavors: liquid pumpkin bread, nice little pumpkin note, nice seasonal spice like nutmeg, hint of cinnamon, and a little clove.

Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock: Review

G. Schneider & Sohn
Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany
12% abv

11.2oz bottle

$4.49 a bottle

Appearance: blackish-brown body with a huge tan head that settles to a thin layer.  There is plenty of sediment in this bottle so make sure to ‘roll it’ or ‘swirl it’.  I swirled it today!

Aroma: wonderful nose with hints of sweet dark chocolate, rich coffee and a big time bubble gum note.  You want to know what a bubble gum aroma in beer is all about – well, buy this beer and smell it like a bloodhound.  I smelled it just opening the bottle.  If you don’t get it then, then take a sip and then smell.  Okay, my wife just killed that theory.  But, she likes Dos Equis.

Flavors: oh this baby follows the nose.  I just said to myself, ‘Self, make beer simple, don’t over complicate things; the average beer person does not really care about all the intricacies.’  Damn, I had to select this beer to review next.  Rich toasted caramel, touch of banana, 50% dark chocolate character, rich coffee with real whip cream, okay I stop.  Nice bitter note.  Okay that is it.   

Damn, I love this beer.  My all-time favorite is its brother Aventinus Wheat Doppelbock.  I’ll just have to do a side by side taste comparison one day. 

Mouthfeel: Very rich taste with a mild carbonation that leads to a fizzy and creamy feel.  The lingering notes are very pleasing with a 50% dark chocolate and roasted caramel taste.  The alcohol warmth showed up half way through my first glass. 

To the Point: yes, this is a complicated Eisbock.  This is wonderful and should be tried by any true beer conasure.  This will make my top 5 list if I ever make one.  

My Strength Rating: 7.5 – full of flavors, thick, creamy bodyfeel, alcohol warmth. 

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat: Review

Unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale

Brewed with spices and pumpkin

Anheuser-Busch product

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Shocktopbeer.com

5.2% abv

12oz bottle

$7.99 a six pack

Anheuser has a few of these different beers out on the market to compete with the craft breweries.  Some are flops, like Beach Bum, (my opinion) and some are pretty good representations of the beer style, like Dunkel Weisse.  And, I just reviewed the Raspberry Wheat and that was nice. 

Let’s see how this one goes.

Appearance: deep hazy dirty amber with a fine off-white ½ finger head that leaves very little lacing (a patch here or there).

Aroma: light spice, wheat,

Flavors: huh, little pumpkin bread and some kind of spice.  The flavors seem muddled. 

Mouthfeel: light bodied, big water edge, low carbonation, dirty water aftertaste.

My Strength Rating: 3 – not much here

To the Point: there are much better Pumpkin Ales out there.  This beer might be good for the Bud Light Drinker they will think this is full flavored stuff. 

Samuel Adams Octoberfest: Review

Seasonal

The Boston Beer Company

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Brewed with 5 varieties of malted barley

$8.99 a six pack

Purchased at Super Fine Wine & Liquor – Canton, MI

Appearance: dirty copper penny body with a fine light beige one finger head.

Aroma: mild octoberfest spice nose with a touch of toasted malt.

Flavors: light and grainy on the delivery, toasted grains kick in, touch of hoppy spice, and a hint of sweetness

Mouthfeel: Moderate fine carbonation, medium body, light bitter note that lingers on the back of the palate, roasted malty notes hang on the tongue.

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – a worthy medium body Octoberfest Lager. 

To the Point: Nothing bold or memorable but, a solid Marzen to enjoy this fall.  Six pack worthy because it is better than most.   

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest: Review

Frankenmuth Brewery

Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA

Frankenmuthbrewery.com

Seasonal Lager

5.27% abv

27 IBU

$8.40 a six pack based on case for $36.00

And 10 cents a bottle deposit

Purchased at the brewery

Appearance: bright amber or shiny copper penny with a thin head and no lacing.

Aroma: pretty delicate with a grainy sweet malty nose

Flavors: sweet malty profile with a caramel corn taste, grains, touch of spice, pink peppercorn like. 

Mouthfeel: fairly dry in taste and dry on the aftertaste, spice lingers on the aftertaste, mild-medium body, a slight watery edge

My Strength Rating: 4/4.5 – on the lighter side for an Oktoberfest but still tasty.  Easy to session and the palate won’t feel heavy.  

To the Point: easy to drink, I think it would be good with an Oktoberfest Sausage.   Try a bottle.

Paired well with a Padilla Edicion Especial 2006 Cigar. 

Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest: Review

12 oz bottle

5.1% abv

Leinenkugel Brewing Co.

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA

This German-Style Marzen pours a bright amber color.  It has a thin tan head that disappears quickly.  There is a nice grain and caramel malt flavor.  It is a bit sweet but the big watery edge controls the sweetness.  It is smooth and easy to drink.  There is no strong lingering aftertaste but, it does have the usual metallic Oktoberfest aftertaste. 

I think it is a little below average to average Octoberfest making it a good introductory beverage to this style. 

Buy: if you have not had this style before this would be good to start with.

Bell's Octoberfest Beer: Review

Bell’s Brewery, Inc.

Comstock, Michigan, USA

Bellsbeer.com

5.8% abv

12 oz bottle

$9.99 a six pack

Purchased at Super Fine Liquor and Beer – Canton, MI

Appearance: rich amber body with a fine light beige one finger head.  Nice lacing on the side of the glass that only builds with each sip.

Aroma: very light – I had to get my nose down in there and there is a light toasted malt and sweet-spice bread note.  Whatever the nose is it is just boring.

Flavors: very tasty toasted malty grains, touch of roasted caramel, firm hoppy spice and slight bitterness.  The spice and toasty malts just swirl together for a tasty Octoberfest treat.

Mouthfeel: lingering Octoberfest spice on the palate.  Low-moderate carbonation. 

My Strength Rating: 6/5.5 – the taste of this beer is exactly what I mean by Octoberfest spice. 

To the Point: Yes, very worthy of a six pack.  Strike up the Ohm-pa band and roll out the barrel for this is a classic example of an Octoberfest Lager.

Sure buy a case and enjoy yourself. 

Ovila Dubbel: Review

7.5% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$12.99

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico, California, USA

SierraNevada.com

“A collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the monks at the Abbey of New Clairvaux…”

Appearance: caramel brown body with a fine fluffy tan head that has some good staying power.

Aroma: fairly light with sweet malty notes and a touch of dark dried fruits.  The bottle says, “The aroma is heady and layered mix of fruit and spice with hints of clove and black pepper …” No spices to me.  Maybe when the ale warms up?

Flavors: Nice malty character without being overly sweet.  The dark dried fruits follow.  Not complex nor does it have that wow factor but, it is a very pleasing Abbey Ale to drink. 

Mouthfeel: light in body, fine fizzy carbonation, a touch of dried fruit lingering on the palate.  I expected more.

My Strength Rating: 2.5 – nice mild Abbey Dubbel Ale.

I had a bit of a problem opening this bottle.  As you can see the cork broke off. 

The cork did not want to come out so I had to use a wrench to get it out and that did not work.  I had to use a wrench before on other beer bottles that had corks in them. 

Visit CigarPostings for the Cigar Pairing

St. Bernardus Tripel: Review

Belgian Abbey Ale

1pt 9.4oz bottle

8% abv

$10.99 a bottle

This is going to be the shortest review I have ever written about a Belgian Ale. 

This is BORING!

Appearance: tons of sediment floating around in a golden colored body with a big head when poured.  I was pouring this baby really slow and it still got a big head.

Aroma: none

Flavor: how disappointing – nothing – I mean … really … nothing.  Okay, as it warmed up a little there was a light yeasty note.  I was really looking forward to this ale.  I love Belgian Tripels. 

I don’t know if I should buy another bottle to see if this one is just bad.  Let’s check Beer Advocate to see what is going on.  Wow, it has an A- rating with 991 reviews.  Okay, I’ll pitch this one, for I cannot even drink it, for it is sooo boring.  I want a good beer!  I’ll have to buy another one because of the beer advocate rating. 

Okay, that was the last sip.  I hope the worms enjoy it for I am going to pour this on the grass. 

Shiner Bohemian Black Lager: Review

Shiner Family reunion

Spoetzl Brewery

Shiner, Texas, USA

Six different 12oz beers from the Spoetzl Brewery

Bock, Black Lager, Blonde, Hefeweizen, Kosmos Reserve, Brewer’s Pride – Old-Time Alt

$8.99 a six pack

Shiner Bohemian Black Lager

4.9% abv

Appearance: let’s call it … black with a tan head that has some good lacing.

Aroma: at first whiff what the heck roasted rubbing alcohol?  It is not a big nose but, there is some kind of roasted slightly burnt wood or maybe a touch of charcoal.

Flavors and Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation feel with a medium body. Roasted malts and grains on the aftertaste with a lingering slightly burnt feel.  With each sip I like the taste a little more but, I still dislike the aroma. 

Seems to one dimensional in taste. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – for the slightly roasted taste I gave it an extra .5

This beer reminded me that I have not had some good black beer in a while. 

Shiner Bock: Review

Shiner Family reunion

Spoetzl Brewery

Shiner, Texas, USA

Six different 12oz beers from the Spoetzl Brewery

Bock, Black Lager, Blonde, Hefeweizen, Kosmos Reserve, Brewer’s Pride – Old-Time Alt

$8.99 a six pack

Shiner Bock

4.4% abv

Appearance: used penny copper color with a thin head that just becomes a thin rim around the glass. 

Aroma: clean, uneventful, could be malty sweet

Flavors and Mouthfeel: low to low-moderate carbonation with a light fizzy feel on the palate, a balanced bock with a lightly sweet and lightly hopped delivery that leaves you with a lightly flavored beer.  There is some kind of roasted malt and some kind of earthy caramel with a slight bitter note swirling around.  Dry aftertaste. 

My Strength Rating: 4

Sierra Nevada Torpedo: Review

Extra IPA

7.2% abv

65 IBU

12oz bottle

$1.49 a bottle (only got one)

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico, California, USA

Appearance: amber body with a fine white head

Aroma: decent hops on the nose, pine and citrus, touch of sweet grains.  Not very strong and this can mislead you for the taste is big time.

Flavors: oh this baby is delicious, the hops hit me first with a burst of pine and grapefruit and there is a touch of this sweet herbal and/or grainy note – I just can’t put my finger on it.  There is a floral note swirling around as well.  Peppery finish.  This is a nice hoppy IPA.  Balanced No.  It is on the hoppy side of the scale.    

Mouthfeel: the hops seem to not only linger but expand on the aftertaste.  The aftertaste gets fatter on the tongue.  It like swells.  There is a solid peppery finish. 

My Strength Rating: 8.5 – solid pine and white grapefruit bitterness with a firm peppery finish. 

To the Point: this is one tasty IPA

Heineken Lager Beer: Review

12oz bottle

Heineken Brouwerijen B.V.

Amsterdam, Holland

Heineken.com

I was asked the other day if I have reviewed Heineken Light and my answer was, “I have not and will not.”  I may have reviewed one light beer by mistake – I’ll have to check.  I almost reviewed Sleeman Light for it was in their sampler pack but, my wife saved me for I came home after being gone for the weekend and she drank them.  The first nice thing she has done for me in years! J

On to the review

Appearance: bright clear golden color with a fine white head that was gone in a second.

Aroma: light malt and grains on the nose.

Flavors and Mouthfeel: crisp feel with an easygoing grain profile on the taste. Sweet biscuit, low bitterness, moderate carbonation. 

They must have brewed the old skunkiness out of this beer.  I have had this beer a few times over the last year and have not had one skunky beer.  

My Strength Rating: 3 -

Petrus Oud Bruin: Review

Ale aged in oak casks – 20 months

5.5% abv

11.2oz bottle

$14.99 a four pack

globalbeer.com

Appearance: almost black body with deep mahogany highlights.  Nice off white head.  Good lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: light sour oak cask

Flavors and Mouthfeel: the ale has a cola like feel, with some tart notes of apple and cherry, there is a nice oaky presence.  The carbonation is fine and has a fizzy feel on the palate.

My Strength Rating: 4.5 

To the Point: just an okay ale.  The flavors somewhat muted and muddled together.