Lindemans Peche Lambic

Aaaaaand we’re back! Sorry about the hiatus, I know you missed me terribly……Right? Quit making cricket sounds, I get it.

So it’s time to try the third of the Lambics! This one is….peche. which according to my research (and memory of high school French) can mean peach, fishing or…….sin. Depends on accent and context I guess. Going to go out on a limb and assume its the first one. Seriously, if there is fish in this bottle I’m going to be pissed.

The Verdict:

Well, no fish. off to a good start. Instead, I’m greeted with a delicious peach smell and color. Is peach a color? I know it’s a princess…….but I digress. Even with all that peachy smell I can still smell the yeast, telling me that this is still an alcoholic beverage, not just juice. The flavor is great, a ton of peach, with a subtle apple hint. I can taste the alcohol a bit, but it doesn’t bother me. Heck, it’s one of the reasons I’m drinking the thing! It’s pretty sweet, but some acid came out toward the end for some good balance.

What Have We Learned?

Man I’m really liking the lambics! They have fantastic flavor of the flavor they’re supposed to, and they have have a complementing flavor or two as well. I’m gonna have to hunt down the flavors I haven’t had yet. Also, I’m going to have to get into the world of ciders……sweet.

So I may be back, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be posting every day again. I’ll try, but I’m nearing the end of my culinary school term. Which means things are getting hectic. I graduate on September 23rd though (hopefully)! Wish me luck!

-Dex

James Boag’s Premium Lager

Honestly, I walked into Bevmo, and grabbed the first beer I laid eyes on. Hey, they were about 5 minutes to closing when I walked in! Also, if I’m going to be random and impartial, then grabbing the first beer I see is the way to go, even if its a….Tasmanian Lager? OK, THAT is random. Time to be impartial!

The Verdict:

Well, the color is a nice gold. Color is usually indicative of flavor, so off to a good start. I get a malty smell with a little grain as well. The taste isn’t super strong, but the flavor is good. There’s that grain and malt again. As those fade, I pick up a little….apple too. Nice. A little bit of a funky aftertaste towards the end of the glass, but it still didn’t ruin the beer for me. Will probably even buy this again. Definitely for a party or something. Will beat the pants off the Budweiser everyone else brings.

What Have We Learned?

A decent beer from Tasmania, who knew? When I think Tasmania, I don’t necessarily think lager (I think devils), but my mind may wander that direction from now on. Might have to keep an eye out for more down under brews.

On a completely related note. I’ve temporarily stopped tasting until I finish blogging the backlog. No, I’m not quitting. In fact, I AM working on a blog that will show up soon…….I hope.

-Dex

Stone 10.10.10 Vertical Epic Ale

I’m not going to lie. I’ve been holding on to this beer for almost a full year, not wanting to drink it. Just waiting for a special occasion (like a blog), to come along. I have resisted an incredible siren’s song every time I open my fridge and it’s the first thing I see. It has been sitting there, tempting me, BEGGING me to drink it, and be without that bottle forevermore……Good thing I’ve got two! Let’s crack this bad boy OPEN!

The Verdict:

So the bottle says it is a Belgian style tripel brewed with chamomile flowers and the juice from 3 different wine grapes (Muscat, Gewurztawhoosits, and Sauv Blanc). and some other goodness. I have a feeling that there’s going to be a few wine characteristics in this beer. I open the bottle, and angels sing  I smell some citrus and malt; smells kinda like a tripel. Off to a good start. I can also smell the grape juice a little bit. The flavor is malty, citrusy and dry. Also alcohol-y. Woah. Hold everything. If I keep the beer on the front of my tongue, it tastes like a nice Belgian tripel. Malty, bright. When I knock it to the back of my tongue, it transforms into a Fruity Sauvignon Blanc (no, spellcheck, that one’s right). Wow, that’s crazy. In a good way. A bit more of the tripel came out later, probably when I got closer to the bottom, the yeast adding some nuttiness.

What Have We Learned?

I’m still trying to wrap my head around this beer. I’ve picked up wine notes in a beer before, but this just flat out turned into wine. I think that wine taste helped me not notice the alcohol, which is substantial at 9.5%. Looks like Stone is really going outside the box for these Epic Ales. Shifting their paradigm. Thinking outside the bun. I’m now kinda sad I didn’t get to try the 1.1.1 through 9.9.9, but you can bet I’ll be there for the 11.11.11 and 12.12.12. releases. You’ll hear about it. Can’t wait for it? Think how I feel.

-Dex

Kostritzer Dark Lager

Another trip to the delicious Spanish restaurant, another new beer! This is the beer April got last time we were there, and I remember it wasn’t bad, so I decided to give it a try. Usually I find lagers that are light, in both color and flavor, but this one is….dark. My world has been turned upside down. Again. So now it’s right side up? Eh I’ve lost track.

The Verdict:

Well it certainly is dark. Actually it’s kind of a nice brown color. Not much smell to speak of. Weird. The flavor is dark and creamy, with a little coffee and a little chocolate. I say a little, because because this wasn’t exactly a complex and incredibly flavorful beer. It was nice and smooth, and it went pretty well with what we were eating, but next time we’re there, I’ll prolly order something else.

What Have We Learned?

Kinda wish the beer had more flavor, because what flavor it DID have was pretty good. On the other hand, I’m kinda glad it didn’t blow my palate away so I could still taste my food. Which will bring me to Beer/Food Pairing Guide Number 2: The beer should enhance the food, not over power it. So intense, super hoppy beers are usually out. SORRY STONE. Don’t worry though, I still love you.

-Dex

Bear Republic Hot Rod Rye

Well Bear Republic’s first beer didn’t impress me terribly, so I figured I’d give them another shot. I’ve also never had a rye beer before, so that was new. It is called HOP rod, so I’m expecting a bit of that. Other than that, no idea what is about to happen. Flying zebras could come out when I open it, who knows?

The Verdict:

Well, no flying zebras. Damn. Some hops and chocolate flew out and into my nose however. Just in aroma, not actual chocolate in my nose. I got some grain flavor. Roasted grain to be specific. Not sure which grain, but if you had to twist my arm, I’d say rye. I did get some hops as well. Not too much though. There was some floralness and a hint of pine from the hops for a good balance. Nice, smooth, flavorful and delicious.

What Have We Learned?

Well we’re one for two on Bear Republic beers. Guess Ill have to check out more Bear Republic beers, and certainly more rye beers. quite interesting…. Still disappointed about those flying zebras though.

Well, friends this is a momentous occasion, as I have worked my way through an entire notebook. Filled with notes and wisdom (well notes anyway), I will file it away, just awaiting someone to say, “So what kind of beers have you tried?” Then I will pull out the book, and smile as I read them each and every entry, as if it were a scrapbook of my children’s pictures. That’ll teach em to ask anymore….

-Dex

Fullers 2010 Bottle Conditioned Vintage Ale

Once again, I see a brewery with a brewer who wants to show off a bit. Vintage ale eh? Not sure one year makes it “vintage” but here we go anyway.

The Verdict:

Color is….nice. Not EXACTLY sure what color it is, but it’s pretty. The smell is a little hoppy. Not much else to it though. Wow, the mouthfeel is very thick. Like…..a thick….thing. The flavor is like a time bomb! Nothing…nothing…nothing…BOOM. Flavor! Immediate and intense hops with a little spice and some malt. Also alcohol. Some caramel came out a little bit later.

What Have We Learned?

There was a lot of flavor here, but this beer still was not my favorite. Rather than the flavors mixing, they seemed to come out one at a time, making the beer seem less complex than it probably was. When the flavors did mix, they didn’t seem to go well together. Oh well, guess we will try again next year, for the 2011 Vintage Ale. Although I read that this beer gets better with age even in the bottle, so maybe I’ll grab another and hang on to it. I’ll get back to you in a while on that.

Now I need to stock up for the next week or two! If you have any suggestions for me, let me know at beerdaily@gmail.com. Or on Twitter at @beerdailyblog. I love beer shopping!

-Dex

Mississippi Mud Black and Tan Porter and Pilsner

Another beer April (Hi April!) wanted to get. I always passed this beer by, thinking it was a little gimmicky. How can you pour a proper black and tan out of a bottle? Short answer, you can’t. OR CAN YOU? The answer to that, and more, when we return.

The Verdict:

Welcome back! While you were gone, I researched the answer on Wikipedia! Ahem, I mean, I drank the beer. And took notes and stuff. So It’s not layered like a traditional black and tan out of the tap, but that’s kinda what I expected. It smelled quite a bit like coffee, probably from the porter, and tasted a bit like coffee too, but in the good way. (I’m not much of a coffee drinker.) Then the pilsner kicks in and gives it some sweetness (like a slightly sweet coffee) and the final chocolate notes from the porter make it a……mocha? Is that right? An alcoholic mocha. Either way, I enjoyed this. It IS a bit gimmicky, but well done, and delicious.

What have we learned?

That I should every beer a chance. Also, peace. Never mind, forget peace, it’s been given enough chances. I may also like coffee more than I thought I did (not at all). I wonder if they make other layered beers in bottles. Snakebite, Black and Blue, etc. This might require some research. Or invention on my part.

I know I didn’t post yesterday, but we did wine tasting in class for culinary school, and I gots rules to follow……. see you tomorrow though.

-Dex

Unibroue La Fin Du Monde Triple Fermentation Belgian Style Golden Ale.

The name of this one frightened me a little, mostly because the name is French for “The End of The World” (Thanks, High School French!) I figured we’ve just dodged one Apocalypse, so why tempt fate with a second? Naturally, I embraced my fear, and bought it anyway!

The Verdict:

It’s……….well it certainly is. Almost smelled like champagne to me. At first it just tasted like malt, but then I started to taste some orange on the side…….of my tongue. Not in the middle. Weird. It didn’t taste much like a Belgian to me, but developed a little more flavor as I worked my way through the bottle, developing some spice as I went. I even started to get some cloves from the second glass of the 25.4 oz bottle. Add in the 9.0% alcohol, and it might be the end…….of me.

What have we learned?

Why do all these high alcohol beers come in such large bottles?! This one didn’t impress me a whole lot. It almost burned going down from the alcohol. It was an interesting experience, but I don’t know if I’ll try it again. I was told it was very popular, and I can imagine why, lots of bang for your buck. I’ve heard the brewery does other beers too, so of course they’ll end up here eventually.
Finally finished this post with seven minutes before midnight. This week’s been tough, but I’ll see you tomorrow.

-Dex

Widmer Brothers Reserve: Barrel Aged Brrrbon

Whenever I see a brewer or brewery trying to show off their chops, I’m cautiously optimistic. Such was definitely the case with the first Widmer Brothers Reserve I tried: A Prickly Pear Braggot, and wow, was it good. Too bad you can’t get it anymore. Guess we will have to make do with this…

The Verdict:

…..Which is fine with me! OH, some background on the beer. Widmer took their seasonal winter beer, called “Brrr”(Hah) and aged it in used bourbon barrels. Immediately the bourbon comes through in the aroma along with cherries…As I take the first sips, I get hit with delicious caramel and malt followed by the oak barrel it was aged in. It felt thick, but surprisingly smooth for the 9.4% alcohol content. Which is only ONE reason you want to take your time and sip this beer. Another is the fact that it drinks QUITE a bit like a whiskey, it’s complex and flavorful. Yet another is its almost 14 dollar pricetag………..

What have we learned?

Wow I’m glad I bought two bottles of this. I’ll prolly even buy another one just to make sure I have a reserve before they stop producing it. I’m both a whiskey and beer drinker, and this felt like the best of both worlds. Two for two on Widmer Reserve beers!

-Dex