I also admit my biases: I prefer dark, stout, thick beer, with some bitterness and a strong malt note, with a hint of hops, but not too much. When I started this back early in 2012, I was not a fan of blonde beers. However since I started this challenge, I've found several good blonde beers that have bite and flavour. I also have developed a love-hate relationship with IPAs. Some, like Saint Arnold Elissa, 512 Nitro IPA or Brooklyn blast, I love--especially in the cask. Others that are so hoppy and bitter that they could double for Syrup of Ipecac (Moylan's Hopsickle, I am looking in YOUR DIRECTION) I TOTALLY HATE!!! I prefer not to drink the usual mass-produced North American Bilgewater that's like making love in a canoe (Effing Close to WATER). This exploration of drink is a supplement to Hank on Food. Food is the main thing, but drink matters as much. Gotta wash it down, after all, eh?
While I've had wayyyyy more different beers than these I've had at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, these are just the ones I have credit for in the UFO Club so far. Below are my impressions and personal grades of the beers I've tried. These will be updated as I make my way around the Ring of Honor.
DISCLAIMER:
I DO NOT ADVOCATE BEER GUZZLING, DRUNKENNESS, DRIVING DRUNK, ABUSING ALCOHOL, BEING DRUNK AT ALL, UNDERAGED DRINKING OR BEING A SLOSHED, WASTED IDIOT. I ADVOCATE ONLY THE RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND ENJOYMENT OF GOOD, QUALITY CRAFT BEER. I SIP MY BEER SLOWLY. I PAIR IT WITH PROPER SNACKS AND FOOD. I ALLOW MYSELF TO RECOVER FROM EVEN A MILD BUZZ BEFORE DRIVING, OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY, ETC.
Tasting Note Phrases I use:
Aftertaste: If you detect a flavour 20 minutes or more after drinking the beer and not having eaten or drank anything else since, that is the aftertaste. Some beer, like Saint Arnold DR 12, has a good aftertaste. Some don't. Some have none.
Bite: When I take a drink and am hit with a strong, bitter or woody front note, I call that bite.
Cask: Cask conditioned ale is beer that is brewed from traditional ingredients and matured in the cask from which it is served. This means that it is fresh and unfiltered and therefore has a unique flavour. Cask ale is naturally conditioned as a by-product of the secondary fermentation that takes place inside the cask, It is then served directly, without the use of extraneous carbon dioxide or chemical treatments of any sort. What you are tasting is a live product, full of flavour and character: beer in its natural state. Most beers are greatly improved when served from the Cask. Moylan's Hopsickle is made MUCH WORSE IN THE CASK, in my opinion.
Citrusy: Some beers--notably Pilsners and Wheat Beer--have a lemon, orange, grapefruit or other citrus flavour
Finish: The final taste detected after the beer is swallowed.
Hoppy: Hops are a female flower cluster/seed cone that is dry aged and usually placed in the fermentation tanks at varying points in the brewing/aging process. They give beer a bitter bite, though some hops are more bitter than others. Some are very aromatic like eucalyptus. They are related to the cannabis plant. There are a number of species of hops out there. India Pale Ales (IPAs) have an extremely strong hop flavour. I like my beer to have a hoppy flavour in general. However, some hops have an excessively bitter and sour flavour and ruin the drinking experience for me.
Malty: Many beers are brewed with malt; others develop a malty taste as they ages. I personally consider a malty taste very good in dark beer like stouts and porters.
Mellow: Sometimes the middle of a gulp of beer fades slightly or as I like to say the flavour mellows.
Middle: After the initial taste, while the mouth is full of beer, the flavour can change or you detect a different essence than the initial taste
Nose: The aroma that wafts off the glass as I take a sniff before my first sip/gulp
Smoke/Smoky: Some hops are roasted, as are some malts. Some beers develop a smoky taste in general. I had a craft beer whose name escapes me that reminded me of smoked sausage.
Top Note: First taste I get when it hits the tongue
Woody: beer has an essence that echoes the barrels it was aged it. Some of this works good with beer I drink, some does not.
Yeasty: Many beers use yeast in the fermentation process. Wheat beers don't filter it out. Even non-wheat beers may have a yeasty taste. This can be good or bad, depending upon the beer.
Now, here are the craft beers, from most recent 4 and then going backwards:
197 to 200:
Shiner Bock (#200) Yeasty lagery nose; yeasty front note; woody twangy middle; mild smokey finish Grade: B+
Saint Arnold winter stout Spicy malty nose; woody front note; deep malty middle; warm finish Grade: A
Franconia Oktoberfest Lagery nose; sour Front note; middle; weak finish; not much flavour Grade: C+
Krombacher Pils German Pilsner; light yeasty nose; woody twangy front note, mild hop middle; clean finish Grade: B+
193 to 196:
Leinenkugel Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout; malty dark nose; deep dark middle; bitter cacao finish Grade: A
Barbar Belgian Honey Ale Belgian Strong Ale; sweet yeasty nose; sweet front note; pilsner middle; slightly sweet pilsner finish; Grade: A
Sam Adams Boston Lager Vienna Lager; woody malty nose; woody barley front note; twangy middle; slight bitter finish. Grade: B
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Brown Ale; dark malty nose; cacao malt front note; dark malty middle; dark chocolate bitter finish Grade: A-
189 to 192:
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Mild yeast & cherry nose; yeast and strong cherry middle mild finish; cherry cough syrup aftertaste Grade: B
Real Ale Shipwrecked Bourbon barrel aged Scotch Ale; bourbon nose; bourbon & soda front note; sweet burnt finish; little sour in comparison to Bishops Barrel 1 Grade: A
Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Stronge Ale; malty oak nose; hoppy bitter front note; woody hoppy middle; strong bitter finish Grade: B
Brooklyn Winter Lager Yeasty woody nose; woody lager front note; malty middle; mild finish Grade: A-
185 to 188:
Deep Ellum Festivus Black IPA; hoppy malty nose; twangy front note; bitter hoppy malty middle; bitter hoppy end Grade: B
Bear Republic Red Rocket Cask Strong ale; hoppy nose; hoppy front note; soft citrus middle; soft bitter finish like Elissa Grade. A-
Anchor Steam Steam lager; yeasty nose; woody front note; barley lager middle; mild finish Grade: A
Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread stout; sweet ginger nose; chocolate front note; malty spicy middle; ginger finish; Grade: A
181 to 184:
New Belgium Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout; mocha nose; coffee front note; malty chocolate middle; mild bitter cacao finish Grade: A+++
Avery White Rascal Belgian style ale; lemony yeasty nose; clean yeasty front note; mild citrus middle; sandy clean finish Grade: A-
Boulevard Nutcrakcker Winter ale; woody lagery nose; spicy front note; lagery middle: bitter yet spicy finish Grade: A-
New Belgium Snow Day Winter ale; musky spicy nose; spicy malty front note; dark spicy middle; dark burnt finish; warm! Grade: A+
177 to 180:
Ommegang Rare Vos Belgian style ale; yeasty citrusy nose; sour middle; mild bitter finish; Grade: A
Rahr & Sons Winter Warmer Dark spicy nose, malty and spicy front to middle; mild ginger finish Grade: A
HeBrew Messiah Nut Brown Ale; sour malt/yeast nose; wood malt twang front note; dark lagery middle; sour finish Grade: B+
Buffalo Bayou Gingerbread Stout Imperial Stout; spicy ginger nose; malty sweet front note; syrupy middle; spicy sweet then bitter finish Grade: A
173 to 176:
North Coast Old Rasputin Nitro Imperial Stout; mild malt nose; black coffee & cacao front note; dark barley malt middle; dark semi bitter finish. Like dark silk Grade: A++++
Stone Vertical Epic 12-12-12 Belgian Strong Dark Ale; Spicy woody nose; twangy front note; licorice middle; lagery woody finish Grade: B
Deschutes Jubilee Winter Ale; Spicy Woody Malty nose; dark woody front note; malty middle; slight bitter finish Grade: A-
Buffalo Bayou More Cowbell Imperial IPA; citrus eater nose; sour front note, hoppy citrus middle; hoppy bitter finish; lemon aftertaste Grade: B+
169 to 172:
Saint Arnold Icon Red Belgian Style Ale; yeasty nose; woody front note; slight wine hint in the middle with wood notes; slightly twangy bitter finish; Grade: A-
Fort Bend Texas Backyard Blonde Blonde Ale; mild yeasty nose, woody malty front note; dark malty middle;slightly hoppy finish; Grade: B+
Great Divide Hibernation Ale Old Ale; malty spicy nose; dark burnt front note; sweet malty cacao middle; smooooooth finish!!! Grade: A+++
Anchor Christmas Winter Warmer; spicy dark nose; spicy sweet malty front note & middle; cinnamon & cardamom finish Grade: A+
165 to 168:
Rahr & Sons Blonde Pale lager; Citrus estery nose; mild front net; warm center; pilsner finish Grade: B+
Real Ale Signature Hop Pale Ale; hoppy lemony nose, like an IPA, bitter hoppy lemony twang, like an IPA; bitter finish--why isn't this called an IPA? Grade: B+
Breckenridge Christmas Winter Warmer; spicy yeasty nose; malty woody front note; lagery spicy middle; slightly sweet finish Grade: A-
Karbach Yule Shoot Your Eye Out Winter Warmer; Sweet spicy nose; malty sweet front; cinnamon & cardamom in the middle; syrupy finish; nice Christmas beer Grade: A
161 to 164:
Newcastle Werewolf Irish red ale; twangy malty nose; woody twangy front note; detect some red wine notes; mellow malty middle & finish; aroooo! Grade. A-
512 Bruin (Cask) Brown ale; dark like a porter; sour malty nose; soft middle & finish; very nice dark beer! Grade: A
Real Ale Shade Grown Coffee Porter Porter brewed with coffee; malty nose & front note; black coffee malty middle; smooth slightly bitter finish; so good! Grade: A++
Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock; smokey dark cacao nose; with burnt sweetness; mild front note; burnt malty middle; strong dark finish; an easy beer to love! Grade: A+++++++
157 to 160:
Lagunitas pale ale new Dogtown Lemony Hoppy nose; citrus hoppy front note & middle; clean bitter finish; what I expect from Lagunitas Grade: A-
Boulevard Bobs 47 Munich Oktoberfest; malty nose; wood twang front note; slightly sweet malty middle; mild twang finish; good representative of the style Grade: A
Blanche du Bruxelles Belgian White Ale; light citrus nose; lemon yeast front; mild middle; slightly sour finish; it's Belgian what can you do? Grade: B+
Austin Beerworks Black Thunder Stout pilsner combo; malty nose with hint of cacao; woody twang in front, malty middle, strong finish with hints of pilsner Grade: A
153 to 156:
Full Sail Wassail Seasonal ale; yeasty nose; spicy malty front note; hoppy malty middle; slight bitter finish Grade: A-
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout Imperial Stout; burnt cacao nose, Hershey's Special Dark front note; sweet burnt malt middle; burnt sweet finish; Grade: A-
Real Ale Brewhouse Brown Brown ale; yeasty malty front note; dark malty middle; slight barley malt smooth finish; nice sipping brown ale Grade: A
Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale; Yeasty citrusy front note, mild yeasty middle, slightly sour finish. Grade: B+
Beers 149 to 152:
 |
| Jester King Le Petit Prince, New Belgium Red Hoptober, Crispin Desert Noir apple cider & Ommegang Scythe and Sickle Seasonal Ale |
New Belgium Red Hoptober: <br /> Amber Ale; hoppy & sweet nose, middle & finish; very tasty! Grade: A-
Crispin Desert Noir Apple Cider: aged in wine & bourbon barrels mixed with agave nectar; Smells like Chardonnay; appley front note; tequila cider middle; sweet lightly carbonated finish. I did not get any Bourbon Flavour from it at all, much to my disappointment. Grade: A
Ommegang Scythe & Sickle Seasonal Ale: Apricot nose; sour malt front note; yeasty apricot middle: some pears & grains in the finish; Grade: A-
Beers 145 to 148:
 |
| (l to r) Harpoon Grateful Harvest, Live Oak Smoaktoberfest, Karbach Krunkin Punkin, Lagunitas Brown Shugga |
Live Oak Smoaktoberfest Smokey lager nose; twangy woody front note; malty middle; mild smokey finish; like an Oktoberfest lager was left near the smokehouse Grade: A
Karbach Krunkin' Pumpkin Dark Pumpkin Ale, on cask, smooth, slightly sweet and spicy, nose & front note is sweet and spicy, malty sweet middle, soft finish Grade: A-
Lagunitas Brown Shugga A strong dark ale; hoppy nose like an IPA; hoppy front note; hoppy middle; slightly sweet yet hoppy finish; this seems more like an IPA; I found the name to be HIGHLY MISLEADING. Grade: B+
Beers 140 to 144:
 |
| St. Bernadrus Abt 12, St. Arnold Christmas Ale (cask), Brooklyn Post Rd Pumpkin Karbach Yule Shoot Yer Eye Out & Breckenridge Autumn |
Dark Belgian Strong Ale; thick head, mild nose; smooth front note; slight coffee & cacao essence & malt in the middle; smooth sweet finish Grade: A+
Saint Arnold Christmas Ale (Cask)
Real ale with Christmas spices: sour spicy malty nose; soft sour front note; slightly spicy malt middle; delicate bitter finish. Grade: A-
Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin
A pumpkin barley malt ale; spicy yeasty nose; malty twangy front note; pumpkin & clove middle; sweet nutmeg malt finish; like pumpkin and an ale had a baby. Grade: A-
Karbach Yule Shoot Yer Eye Out
Malty nose, dark sweet front note; malty thick middle; soft spicy finish; grandma's kitchen in a beer; Ginger nutmeg all spice cardamom Awesome!!! Grade: A+
Breckenridge Autumn
Altbier; mild malty nose; cocoa twangy front note; hoppy yet sweet middle; slightly spicy finish
Grade: A+
Beers 135 to 139:
 |
| Oscar Blues Old Chub Scots Ale, South Austin S'aison D'Austin, Oskar Blues Mama's little yella pils, Clownshoes Let My People Go |
Nice chocolate malty bitter nose; sweet malt front note; twangy malty middle; syrupy bitter finish; good dark stout ale Grade: A+
South Austin S'aison D'Austin
An Amber Saison; yeasty nose; slightly sweet front note; woody middle; mild finish; smooth all the way down Grade: A+
Oskar Blues mama's little yella pils
Pilsner beer--small batch; yeasty malty nose; citrus front note; lager middle; mild finish; good pilsner
Grade: A-
Clownshoes Let my People Go
English style pale bitter; slightly hoppy nose; bitter front note; hoppy middle; mild finish. Grade: B+
Beers 131 to 134:
 |
| Brooklyn Fiat Lux, Boulevard Smokestack Tank 7, Rogue Shakespeare Stout & Saint Arnold Weedwhacker (cask) |
Saison; yeasty citrus nose like a Witbier; yeasty front note; hoppy middle; mild hoppy finish;
Grade: A-
Brooklyn Fiat Lux
Belgian Style Witbier; yeasty nose with many fruity esters; yeast twangy front note; spicy fruity middle; yeasty spicy finish; surprising Flavours in a Witbier Grade: A
Saint Arnold Weedwhacker (cask)
A special version of their Lawnmower Lagered Ale; mild nose Spicy and hoppy front note: similar middle; soft finish; quaffable but mild for my tastes. Grade: B
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Malty nose; dark chocolate cream front note: bitter cacao middle; bitter finish; thick stout, satisfies. Grade: A+
Beers 127 to 130:
 |
| Real Ale XVI Anniversary, Independence Austin Amber, Buffalo Bayou 1912 and Saint Arnold Pumpkinator |
Independence Austin Amber Burnt Orange Ale; yeasty spicy nose; hoppy woody middle; clean bitter finish Grade: B+
Buffalo Bayou 1912 Red Ale; Rice U's 100th anniversary; Woody Hoppy nose; hoppy front note; hoppy middle; bitter finish; like a red IP Grade: B
Saint Arnold Pumpkinator (Cask) Pumpkin Stout; Sweet Spicy nose with some roast malt flavour; Clove and Cinnamon front note; warm pumpkin & roasted malt middle; sweet thick finish; spicy aftertaste. Best Pumpkinator yet!!! Grade: A+
Beers 123 to 126:
 |
| (l to r) Dogfish Punkin Ale, Ska Mole Stout, Santa Fe Java Stout, Saint Arnold Fresh Hop Elissa IPA |
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale Ale spiced with pumpkin; Sweet pumpkin pie nose-spicy too; twangy sweet cinnamon front note; malty lagery middle; spicy mild finish; a very good pumpkin ale Grade: A
Saint Arnold Fresh Hop Elissa A fresh hop version of this IPA as opposed to aged dry hopped; this IPA has more bite than standard or Casked Elissa--more bitter nose middle and finish. Grade: B
Ska Mole Stout Brewed with cocoa nibs & spices wit chile peppers also; Heat and cold; Musky nose; mild malty front note an middle with hints of cinnamon; a little heat at the end; nice surprise there Grade: A-
Beers 119 to 122:
 |
| (l to r) Buffalo Bayou Smoke on the Bayou, Saint Arnold Oktoberfest, Brooklyn Oktoberfest, Deschutes Black Butte Porter |
Saint Arnold Oktoberfest: This is a traditional Marzen lager. Coppery coloured, with a thin head. Has a mildly herbal yeast nose, a strong malty front note, a twangy wood middle, a mild bitter finish. A good representative of this category. Grade: A-
Brooklyn Oktoberfest: Another Marzen lager with a dark Amber colour. Has a spicy, malty nose, woody front note, malty lagery middle, and a mild bitter finish. It's quite good. Grade: A-
Deschutes Black Butte Porter: Dark, opaque and thick, with a foamy head. Roasted cocoa nose, dark cacao front note, rich malty middle and a smooth yet bitter finish. A most excellent porter!!! Grade: A+
Beers 115 to 118:
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter Light nose for a porter-yeasty; malty roasted vanilla front note: roasted malty middle. Sweet yet bitter finish Grade: A-
Rahr & Sons Ugly Pug Schwarzbier A black lager; includes chocolate & toasted malt; toasted malty nose; bittersweet chocolate front note; bitter roasted hoppy middle; cacao finish; Grade: B+
512 Barrel Aged Cascabel Cream Stout (cask): roasted malt nose; cacao front note; smooth smokey malty middle; mild smooth finish Grade: A
Saint Arnold Amber Ale With Cascade & liberty hops; light for an Amber; yeasty citrusy nose; citrus & spice middle; mild finish; good standard Amber; Grade: B+
Beers 111 to 114:
512 Nitro IPA Light yeasty nose; soft smooth front--very thick head; hoppy bitter middle; mild bitter finish; smooth for an IPA! Grade: A
Avery 19 19th anniversary Belgian style Wit Ale; VERY potent--deceptively so in fact; yeasty, lemony nose; citrus middle; yeasty mild finish; Goos Belgian Witbier Grade: A+
Leinenkugel Oktoberfest Amber, lager, malty top note, barley malt middle, smooooooth finish Grade: A
Abita Purple Haze Isn't purple; has a nice raspberry essence, semi yeasty, mild, good, mild finish; Grade: B
Beers 107 to 110:
Sam Adams Belgian Session: Estery, Fruity nose, Sour fruit @ wood front note, malt & hoppy middle, mellow bitter finish. Grade: A
Big Sky Summer Honey light nose; gentle malty front, slightly yeasty middle; honey aftertaste; weaker than expected but still good Grade: B+
Pilsner Urquell A Czech Pilsner; mild yeasty nose; hoppy front note, bitter hoppy middle, mild bitter finish; like a watered down IPA Grade: B
Real Ale Lost Gold IPA (Cask) Another Inda Pale Ale; grapefruit & yeasty nose; hoppy middle, soft finish; palatable IPA Grade: B+
Beers 103 to 106:
Brewdog Paradox Smokehead: An Imperial Stout; peaty burnt malty nose; Has a peaty Scotch front note, burnt malty middle; sour Scotch finish; Strong Stuff!!! Not for lightweights!!! Grade: A
North Coast ACME IPA: Yeasty, Hoppy nose; hoppy twang in the front note, slightly bitter in the middle; mild bitter hop finds; a quaffable IPA; Grade: A-
Real Ale Four Squared Fireman's 4: Totally hopped up!!! Hoppy, yeasty nose; hoppy woody front note, hoppy middle, bitter hoppy end; like blonde ale mixed with IPA Grade: B+
Boulevard Zon Belgian style Wit Ale Yeasty nose; lemony yeast front note; sandy sour middle; mild finish; nice Wit in general Grade: A-
Beers 98 to 102:
 |
| Karbachtoberfest, Laughing Dog Anubis, Stone Levitation, Barbar Bok |
Karbachtoberfest: Amber clear color, malty, yeasty nose; woody, malty front note; hint of hops in the middle, muddled bitter woody finish; a fine Oktoberfest beer specimen. Grade: A+
Laughing Dog Anubis: a Coffee porter; dark coffee cacao roasted malt nose; Guinness style front note; black coffee malt middle; semi bitter malty finish; Wonderful! Grade: A
Stone Levitation: Hoppy malty nose; bit of a hop bite but not as strong as with an IPA; woody hoppy middle, bitter finish; slight yeasty aftertaste; Grade: A-
Barbar Bok--#100!!!: Belgian Brown Ale containing honey; sweet yeasty nose, malty burnt sweet front note, malty woody middle, bitter malty finish, dark plum aftertaste. Grade: A+
Beers 94 to 97:
 |
| (l to r) Deep Ellup Dallas Blonde, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, New Belgium Somersault Blonde Ale & Harpoon Oktoberfest |
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: Has a lot of different hops in it; decent head; yeasty-hoppy nose; bitter front, hoppy bite in the middle; bitter hop finish--but not overtly so. Grade: A-
New Belgium Somersault Blonde Ale: light yeasty nose, strong woody front note, lagery middle, mild bitter finish. Slight sweet hint in the aftertaste. Grade: B+
Harpoon Oktoberfest: Amber coloured, 1 cm head, mild malty head, burnt malty front note, semi mellow bitter middle, mild finish. A good sipping beer! Grade: A-
Beers 90 to 93:
 |
| (l to r) 512 Pecan Porter w/Caramelized sugar; Duvel Single A Belgian strong ale; Laughing Dog Dogzilla Black IPA; Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale (Cask) |
Duvel Single A Belgian strong ale:; Has a floral hop nose; slightly bitter hoppy middle; clean bitter finish; Grade: B+
Laughing Dog Dogzilla Black IPA: I like dark beer; have a love hate relationship with IPAs; Hoppy malty nose--like IPA & bock combined; Sour hoppy woody front note; softens in the middle; finishes sour & creamy. Grade: A-
Stone Arrogant Bastrd Ale (Cask): (Yer not worthy!!!) Dark amber colour, yeasty malty nose, malty caramel top note, semi sweet & sour middle, burnt caramel yet soft finish; this is good in the cask; Grade: A
Beers 86 to 89:
 |
| 512 IPA (Cask), Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale, Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, and Sierra Nevada Summerfest |
Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale Copper colored, mild hoppy nose, yeasty-malty front note, hoppy middle, slight woody twang at the end; quite good! Grade: A
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter Flavored porter, from a bottle; Dark brown porter, mild burnt malt nose; malty front note; sweet burnt hoppy/ malty middle; slightly sweet finish; good drinkability Grade: A
Sierra Nevada Summerfest A pale lager, on draught! (untappd calls is a Czech Pilsner) Has a slight hoppy lager nose; Woody keg front note; semi bitter middle; slight bitter finish; tastes like lager/pilsner hybrid Grade: B
Beers 82 to 85:
 |
| Brooklyn Blast IPA, Brooklyn Sorachi Ace, Brooklyn Gold Standard Export and Real Ale Hans' Pilsner |
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace Aged with rare Japanese hops! A Belgian Saison ale that looks & smells like a Wheat Beer. Lemony yeasty nose, sour yeasty front note, lemony sandy middle, mild bitter finish. Grade: A-
Brooklyn Gold Standard Export A Keller Unfiltered Beer; yeasty nose; very cloudy; thick head; bitter front note, woody twangy middle, yeasty bitter finish; Grade: B
Real Ale Hans' Pils A hopped up pilsner beer; mild nose; citrus front note; hoppy slightly sour middle; mild bitter finish; stronger & hopper than the usual pilsner; Grade: A-
Beers 78 to 81: (IPA Day happened during this time period)
 |
| (l to r) Saint Arnold Endeavor, Karbach Doulbe Dry Hopped Hoppadillo, Real Ale XV Anniversary Imperial Stout, Deep Elllum Rye Pilsner |
Reissue of DR11; sour hop nose, amber color, hoppy grapefruit front note, mellow bitter middle, slight bitter finish--very drinkable IPA; grade: A-
Karbach Double Dry Hopped Hoppadillo IPA
Sour hoppy nose, malty front note--less sour than the Endeavour, woody middle, mild finish. Grade:A
Real Ale XV Anniversary Imperial Stout
Burnt malt dark cacao nose, thin head; bitter dark chocolate front note; roasted burnt malty thick middle; bitter finish with a hard bite; Grade: A-
Deep Ellum Rye Pilsner
Yeasty citrus nose like a wheat beer; yeasty top note, mild citrus middle, clean citrus finish; it's a Pilsner posing as a Wheat Beer! Grade: A
Beers 74 to 77:
 |
| (l to r) Boulevard Dark Truth Imperial Stout, Alamo Golden Ale, Dogfish Head Raieon D'etre, Austin Beerworks Snap Pils |
Alamo Golden Ale: Like a craft ale, light nose, lagery front note, mild middle and finish; better than Budweiser but only just; I prefer more flavor; Grade C++
Dogfish Head Raison D'etre: Dark amber/brown, thin head, malty nose, mildly bitter malty middle, slight pear essence at the end with a slight bitter finish; Grade: A-
Austin Beerworks Pearl Snap Pils: Casked pilsner; Soft citrus nose; slight oak & sour front note, hoppy bitter middle, sour end; Grade: B
Beers 70 to 73:
 |
| (l to r) Reale Ale Fireman #4 Cask, Buffalo Bayou Wit Da Eff?, Deep Ellum Double Stout, Paulaner Oktoberfest |
Buffalo Bayou Wit Da Eff? Golden Wheat Beer. Clear compared to most wheat beets. Strong yeasty nose. Semi bitter front note, yeasty middle. Mild clean finish. Grade: B+
Deep Ellum Double Stout: Burnt malty Guinness nose, strong cocoa & malty front & middle, slightly bitter finish; Grade: A++
Paulaner Oktoberfest: dark Amber colour; Mild yeast & hops in the nose; bitter front note; wood barrel middle; clean finish; good lager, not exceptional; Grade: B+
Beers 66 to 69:
 |
| (l to r) Live Oak Roggenbier, Real Ale Devil's Backbone, Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale, Ommegang Belgian Independence Day |
Real Ale Devil's Backbone: Honey golden cloudy wheatish beer; sour yeasty nose; yeasty front note; sour yet oaky middle; mild bitter finish. Grade: B+
Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale: Very dark: Strong hoppy/malty nose; bitter wood hoppy front, bite in the middle; sour finish; a slap in the mouth! Grade: B+
Ommegang Belgian Independence Day: Cloudy & yeasty like a dark wheat beer; fruity and yeasty front note--like pears; bitter middle; mild finish; Grade: A
Beers 62 to 65:
 |
| (l to r) Deschutes Obsidian Stout, Deschutes Twilight Pale Ale, Crazy Mountain Hokkiebob IPA, Real Ale Barrel Aged Vol XV Imperial Stout |
Deschutes Obsidian Stout: Very fine black stout; Malty burnt nose; thick head; dark chocolate malty front, burnt malty middle, mellow bitter finish. Grade: A+
Deschutes Twilight Pale Ale: Has 4 types of hops; malty yeasty nose; thick head for an ale; semi bitter front, citrus spice in middle, mild finish. Good pale ale. Slight hop tinge. Grade: A-
Crazy Mountain Hokkiebobb IPA: 3 kinds of hops; amber and dark; Spicy hoppy nose middle & finishes with a strong bite; better than many IPAs! Grade: A
Real Ale Barrel Aged Volume XV Imperial Stout: Dark Potent Stout; aged in Bourbon barrels; burnt sweet malt taste like Anchor Old Foghorn; high end stout; Grade: A
Beers 58 to 61:
 |
| (l to r) Real Ale Full Moon Rye, Southern Star Walloon, Rogue Hazelnut Brown & Victory Summer Love Blonde Ale. |
Southern Star Walloon: A Belgian Style Ale; very sour yeasty nose, sour fruity front, yeasty middle, mild bitter finish. Grade: B+
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale: Malty nose, burnt caramel malty middle, slight hint of apricot nectar, smooth semi bitter finish with slight sweet aftertaste. Grade: A
Victory Summer Love Blonde Ale Citrus & Spice nose, woody hoppy front note, bitter hoppy middle, bitter twang finish; like a mild IPA. Grade: B+
Beers 54 to 57:
 |
| (l to r) Belhaven Scottish Ale, Breckenridge Agave Wheat, St. Arnold's Elissa IPA and Real Ale Phoenixx Double ESB |
Breckenridge Agave Wheat Wheat beer brewed with Agave nectar: Sweet yeasty nose, smooth texture & yeasty middle, mild citrus finish. Grade: A+
St Arnolds Elissa IPA (Cask): This IPA is darker than most and has a spicy hoppy nose & front note, bitter middle & clean, soft finish thanks to the cask. One of my favourite IPAs. Grade: A
Real Ale Phoenixx Double ESB: Very dark ESB, Hoppy nose, burnt malty front notes, bitter malty middle, bitter finish. Grade: A-
Beers 50 to 53:
 |
| (l to r) Anchor Porter, Lindeman's Framboise, Spaaten Optimator, and Deep Ellum Farmhouse Wit |
Anchor Porter: dark, thick, burn malt chocolate nose, burnt front notes, caramel bittersweet middle, bite smooth finish. Grade: A
Lindeman's Framboise: Raspberry infused fruit ale. Bright red, strong raspberry nose, strong raspberry flavor all the way through; very sweet, very much a dessert beer, nice apertif IMHO. Grade: A
Spaten Optimator Dopplebock: A potent German Dopplebock. Mild nose, dark color, mild head, burnt smooth hoppy middle, clean finish; excellent German beer!!! Grade:A
Deep Ellum Farmhouse Wit: A Texas wheat beer. Not as cloudy as some wheat beers. Yeasty pilsner nose. Spicy citrus front note, lagery middle, yeasty finish. Not as strong in flavour as some wheat beers. Grade:B+
Beers 46 to 49:
 |
| (l to r) Big Sky Moose Drool, Boulevard Wheat, 512 Pecan Porter Cask Special, and New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale |
Boulevard Wheat: Bright yellow & cloudy, yeasty nose, yeasty front nose, mild middle, sandy finish. Orange enhanced the flavour. Grade: B+
512 Pecan Porter Casked with coco cerise: Same bitter sweet chocolate & malt nose, more chocolate smell this time; smoother cocoa front note, creamy middle,soft bitter end; softest if the 3 versions of this beer; was also served a little warmer. Grade: A
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale; Nice brown amber color, woody malty front, spicy middle, mild finish. Grade B+
Beers 42 to 45:
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| (l to r) Left Hand Milk Stout, Brooklyn Lager, Ranger Creek Oatmeal Pale Ale and Southern Star Blonde Bombshell |
Left Hand Milk Stout: coffee & chocolate nose; malty, dark cacao front note, mellow nitro middle, smooth, bitter finish Grade: A
Brooklyn Lager: based on a recipe from before Prohibition. Copper colored--darker than a usual lager. Yeast/Hop/Malt nose. Spicy malty front note, wood smoke middle, bitter clean finish. Solid drinkable lager. Grade: A
Ranger Creek Oatmeal Pale Ale Citrus yeast nose, dark orange amber color, citrus front note, spicy middle, mild acid finish. Grade: B+
Southern Star Blonde Bombshell Malty hoppy nose, slightly bitter malty middle, clean dry finish
Grade: B
Beers 38 to 41:
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| (l to r) 512 Nitro Pecan Porter, Karbach Barn Burner Saison, Buffalo Bayou Hibiscus Wheat, Young's Double Chocolate Stout |
Karbach Barn Burner Saison: Sounds like a hybrid of a wheat & an IPA. Amber color, thick head, yeasty nose like a wheat beer, strong citrus preserves & hoop front notes, lemony middle, strong bitter finish. Very potent! Grade: A
Buffalo Bayou Hibiscus Wit: Darker and amber rather than light and yellow like most wheat beers, sweet flowery, less yeasty nose than other wheat beers, clean middle & light finish. Grade: B+
Young's Double Chocolate Stout: Very dark, similar to Guinness, has a twang like Hershey Special dark, smooth, slightly bitter, great beer! Grade: A++
Beers 34 to 37:
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| (l to r) St. Arnold's Lawnmower, Hofbrau Dunkel, Live Oak Pilz, Live Oak Heffeweisen |
St Arnold Lawnmower: Golden lager, minimal head; malty all the way thru; bold golden lager, weak compared to my usual Stouts, Bocks & Porters. Grade: B+
Hofbrau Dunkel: Dark Lager, thin head, burn hop & malt nose, mellow creamy front, burnt dark chocolate middle, mild bitter finish. Grade: A-
Live Oak Pilz: Yeasty Nose, Semi bitter malty middle, crisp bitter finish; a pilsner true to its Czech roots. Grade A-
Live Oak Heffeweissen: Yeasty nose, dark yellow & cloudy, yeast front note, citrus middle, sandy clean finish. Grade:A-
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| (l to r) Stone's IPA, St. Arnold's Summer Pilsner, Karbach Hop Barran Sout & Karbach Weisse Versa Wheat Beer |
St Arnold's Summer Pilsner: Golden thin head, mild yeasty nose, malty front note, hoppy middle, clean finish; light but still full flavor. Grade B+
Karbach Hop Barran Stout: Burnt coffee nose, strong bitter front, malty cacao middle, mild bitter finish. Grade:A
Karbach Weisse Versa Wheat beer: Made sure to ask for an orange wedge. Very lemony yeasty nose, thick head, yeasty front note, citrus middle, mild yet gritty finish. A fine wheat beer. Grade:A-
Beers 26 to 29
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| (l to r) Stone Vanilla Porter, Harpoon UFO White Wheat Beer, North Coast Old Rasputin, Maui la Peruse Wheat Beer |
Harpoon UFO White Wheat Beer: This wheat beer was not served with an orange wedge. Had to ask for it. Gold & murky colour. Thin head. Yeasty citrus nose. Lemony front note. Smooth middle. Mild yeasty finish. Was good without the wedge as well as with it. Grade: B+
North Coast Old Rasputin: This is strong, dark Imperial Stout. It's dark, murky, and has a very thick rich head. Starts with a yeasty/coffee nose. Head tastes of unsweetened chocolate and black coffee. Twangy bitter top note. Bitter coffee yet smooth middle. Quietly bitter aftertaste. Burnt hops throughout. Grade: A++
Maui la Peruse: A cloudy yellow Belgian Wheat Beer Yeasty nose, thin white head, salty yeasty top note, lemony middle, sandy mild finish. Orange neither helps nor harms the flavour. Started without it, finished with it. Grade: A-
Beers 22 to 25
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| (l to r) Wells Banana Bread, Avery IPA, Buffalo Bayou Chai Porter, Alaskan Summer Ale |
Avery IPA: Yeasty nose, light amber color, thin head; woody front note, burnt hoppy middle, nice bitter finish. Grade B+
Buffalo Bayou Chai Porter: Spicy Clove Chai tea nose, dark, thick, small head, bold sweet front note, burnt chai tea middle, smooth hoppy finish. One of my all time favorites as of NOW!!! Grade: A+++
Alaskan Summer Ale: Yeasty nose, golden color, woody lager front note, bite in the middle, mild clean finish. A very drinkable ale. Grade: B+
Beers 17 to 21
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| (l to r) Leineinkugel's Sunset Wheat Beer, New Belgium Super Cru, Breckenridge Thunder Stout, Karbach Hopadillo IPA |
Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat Beer: Dark yellow yeasty color, yeasty nose, citrus front, mellow middle, oaty finish. The orange slice may get dissed by Germans who drink Wheat Beer--I thought it complemented it perfectly. Grade: A
New Belgian Super Cru: From the folks who brought you fat tire A potent Ale with Asian pears, double hops & malt, Dark amber, thin head, sour hoppy nose, sour front, mellow middle, strong bitter finish. Grade B+
Breckenridge Thunder Stout: Strong resemblance to Guiness; thick rich head, dark murky color, thick body, yeasty nose, bitter chocolate top note, smooth middle, mild bitter finish. Grade: A+
Karbach Hopadillo IPA: Dark amber much like (512), citrus yeast strong nose, spicy bitter front, dark hoppy middle, burnt bitter end; very bold. Grade: A-
Beers 13 to 16
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| (l to r) Boulevard Boss Tom Golden Bock, Moylan's Hopsickle (cask), Alaskan Amber Altbier, & (512) India Pale Ale |
Boulevard Boss Tom Golden Bock: This beer looks like a dark pilsner. It has a decidedly yeasty nose, a bitter front note, woody middle and a crisp, clean finish. It looks like a pilsner but has the bite of a good Bock Beer. Grade: A
Moylan's Hopsickle Cask Conditioned beer: I wanted to like this amber colored beer. It had a thick head, spicy nose, citrus top note like bitter pink grapefruit, strong bitter middle, finish like cilantro. Usually cask-conditioned beer is a lot softer and less sour. However this beer was like drinking alcoholic spoiled pink grapefruit juice. The most disgusting example of an IPA on the planet! I'd rather drink Keystone Light mixed with Drain Cleaner than this sorry excuse for a beer! One of the few beers I am NOT sorry to say I won't have again. Grade: D-
Alaskan Amber (Altbier): I really liked this Amber Altbier. It had a nice full hoppy nose, mild top note, semi bitter middle, and a crisp clean finish. A pleasure to drink. Grade: A+
(512) IPA: This is another great beer from (512) Brewing. It was darker & clearer than most IPAs I've had; It had a citrus nose, soft herbal top note, mildly hoppy burnt middle, slight bitter finish; very soft texture, as I'd expect from a cask conditioned IPA. I did detect a hint of grapefruit in this one too, but it was only a hint, not overpowering like the Moylan's. Grade: A
Beers 9 to 12
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| (l to r) Dogfish Black & Blue, Buffalo Bayou 1836, Karbach Sympathy for the Lager & St. Arnold Santo |
Buffalo Bayou 1836: Yet another copper ale--made right here in Houston in fact, has a sour nose, acid/citrus front notes, burnt middle, clean finish. Grade: A
Karbach Sympathy for the Lager: This is a Texas Lager. It has a decidedly spicy nose, hoppy burnt front note, malty middle, nice clean bite at the end. It's brassy in colour, and has almost no head. Grade: A
St. Arnold Santo: Another Houston area Craft Beer: has an acid nose, mellow front, burnt middle, bitter bold finish. It tastes like a mild cousin to Shiner Bock. Grade: A
Beers 5 to 8
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| (l to r) Deschutes Mirror Pond Ale, Shiner Dortmunder, New Belgian 1554, Real Ale Fireman #4 |
Shiner Dortmunder: Another copper coloured beer with a bitter top note, hoppy middle, mild finish; has more bite towards the end that surprised me. Grade: A-
New Belgian 1554: This Belgian ale is dark & murky, has a very slight head, burnt hoppy nose, smooth front notes, burnt malty middle, wood smoke bites and a mild bitter finish. Grade: B+
Real Ale Fireman #4: I usually don't go for a blonde ale--it has a distinct pilsner nose, thin head, citrusy top note, bite in the middle, and a tinge of sawn lumber towards the back, into a clean finish. Grade: B
Beers 1 to 4
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| (l to r) (512) Pecan Porter, Southern Star Buried Hatchet Strong Stout, Live Oak Schwarz-bier, Real Ale Full Moon Rye Pale Ale |
Southern Star Buried Hatchet Strong Stout: This very dark stout had burnt hoppy top notes, cacao middle, bitter finish; Overall it was nice thick and satisfying--it reminds me of an oatmeal stout I had in Canada a few years ago. Grade: A
Live Oak Schwarzbier: This is a black ale with a very smooth texture--I detected hints of Guinness & roasted oats, and mildly bitter finish. Grade: A+
Real Ale full moon Rye Pale Ale: The nose fills with citrusy esters,a first taste gives a woody bite, winding up to a clean hoppy bitter finish. Grade: A-
More to come!!!
Cheers!
Hank on Food
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