The Mustache Wins

 Beer News  1 Response »
Jan 122012
 

Initially I started off with just a few links today and then things got a little out of hand.  After happily including some input from The Mother-in-law I also went on to include more and more and more stories until finally making myself stop.  That is why I am well into double digits for the number of news items this week.

Let’s get to it . . .

AverySourFest1 thumb 565x375 The Mustache Wins

via http://blogs.westword.com

 Posted by Lucas at 2:00 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sam Adams – The Vixen *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Dec 062011
 

This one was saved for last because just from the label I was thinking that it was the one that I was least excited to drink 22oz of when compared to the other three.  I think that was mostly because the chili thing is tough to get right in a beer, at least for my palate.  Within the first few sips of this one I knew that wasn’t going to be an issue and I actually found myself wanting a little more heat to balance everything else out.

The last of what is now four . . .

Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)

Name: The Vixen

Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer (based on a Doppelbock)

ABV: 8.5% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in a pint glass.  Batch No. 1

Aroma: Light sweetness with some faint roasted malts with maybe a bit of spice.  Relatively mild and clean overall. – 7.5/12

Appearance: Dark, dark brown with garnet tones at the edges when held to light.  One finger plus light brown head with small bubbles, good retention, and leaving a very slight trail.  Appears opaque though clear at the edges with rising bubbles when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: Smooth roasted malty sweetness with a touch of chocolate and also some notes of vanilla.  A very low heat comes through in the back of the throat with some faint cinnamon-like spice toward the finish.  Finishes quite smoothly and pretty cleanly with some lingering sweetness on the palate. – 13/20

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a moderate to low level of carbonation.  Very smooth and somewhat creamy on the palate. – 4.5/5

Overall Impressions: The chili heat is very, very faint and kind of a letdown – really kind of pointless and unneeded in this beer.  Very easy drinking with a bit more cinnamon and chocolate as it warms a touch.  Wouldn’t mind having again especially if paired with the proper food.  The clean finish is very nice after the sweetness fades.  Does not taste like a beer with 8.5% ABV (hides it well). – 6.5/10

Overall: B (34.5/50)

6466353891 fca0a36075 Sam Adams The Vixen *

Sam Adams - The Vixen

 Posted by Lucas at 11:30 am  Tagged with: , ,

Samuel Adams – Tasman Red *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Dec 022011
 

Just as I think I am passing the third and moving onto the fourth and last in the Small Batch Series I read about a few more that are to be released in the relative near future.  They have been pretty solid to this point, so I am actually looking forward to giving the new ones a try.

As a side note, I can tell when I have hurried through a review because I have a hard time interpreting the notes when I look at the sheet.  That is not so much a result of the legibility, but more so that the sentences/phrases don’t make a lot of sense when read aloud.  I did my best to interpret this time.

On with the third . . .

Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)

Name: Tasman Red

Style: A sort of Amber Ale / IPA hybrid (therefore a Specialty Beer in my book)

ABV: 6.75% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in a pint glass.  Batch No. 1

Aroma: Nice subtle hoppy aroma with notes of grapefruity citrus and a slightly spicy earthiness.  Some deep caramel maltiness underneath.  Nicely balanced overall. – 8.5/12

Appearance: Really deep amber color with ruby tones.  Three finger or so tan color head that is thick and frothy, has great retention, and leaves really nice lacing on the glass.  Clear with slowly rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: Slightly roasted malts with a touch of dark caramel.  A very nice hop bitterness with good notes of pine.  Fairly well balanced overall.  Nice finish with a bit of dryness, but with nice lingering bitterness and some of the medium roasted malt character. – 14.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a moderate level of carbonation.  Decent smoothness with some creaminess on the palate. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: Pretty nice beer overall as it is enjoyable to drink with enough bitterness to keep me wanting more.  Drinks a lot like a pale ale or amber ale (as I suppose it should).  Really drinkable to the point that I could see this one in a six-pack rather than a bomber.  Probably would have guessed a pale ale or amber ale if tasting blind.  Note: I have recently learned that this one will soon be available on draft. – 7/10

Overall: B+ (37/50)

6400023167 48d9fdc060 Samuel Adams Tasman Red *

Samuel Adams - Tasman Red

 Posted by Lucas at 10:00 am  Tagged with: , ,
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