The Darius Beer Blog

WoW

2010-08-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Ok it's been a while, changed jobs last winter and that slowed me down... way way down. anyway I am back brewing ad tasting and will have three new reviews posted next week!

Leaf Burner Brown

2009-02-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

OK I am brewing a brown ale from extract. I plan to call it "Leaf Burner Brown Ale" Brown ales always kinda reminded me of burning leaves in the fall for some reason. any way here is what is going on

Leaf Burner Brown Ale

IG 1.040

Arlington Texas water put through an activated charcoal bed

Grist
2 oz 55 degree British Crystal Malt
2 oz British Chocolate Malt
1 oz British black malt

Yeast
White labs British ale yeast WL005

Extract
6 lbs Muntons light

Hops
½ oz Carlsons Brewers gold pellet .7% alpha
½ oz Kent Goldings leaf 4.2% alpha

Adjuncts
21 oz pure maple syrup
1 tsp Irish Moss

Steep grist in ½ gallon water at 150 Degrees for 20 minutes strain off to boil kettle batch sparging the grist

Add about 2 gal water bring back to 150 add spray malt and dissolve. Add bittering hops. Maintain between 140 and 150 for 45 min

Add Maple Syrup and finishing hops sit 5 min then raise temp bring to a slow boile then reduce heat to between 170 and 180 for 20 min

Cool to 90 degrees and pour into brew bucket add water to 5 gal. pitch yeast after checking temp is down to below 80 degrees

Home brew

2009-02-01T12:13:00.001-08:00

Ah home brew! yup I do that to. Just been enjoying a cream ale I made last month and yesterday I put down a brown ale. Hopefully if it comes out well enough I will enter it into the Celtic coming up later this spring

January 23 beer

2009-01-31T09:38:00.001-08:00

January 23 beer
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

The previous Friday we tried beers but we drank from pint glasses and were there for to lit to take notes for the blog. The only things I recall is that Avery Barley wine was universally hated, and that we decided that Spaten Optimator was a better Dopple than Shiner 100 Commemorator. The Avery I poured it in the compost heap the next day. This week we remembered to use smaller glasses so that we could avoid the hangover!

The Beers we drank from left to right

Delirium Noel

This is from Delirium brewery in Belgium. We liked it. over all it had a nice foam, good malt and a decent hop bite. the after taste was a bit smokey but not as much as others from this group of beers.

Next is Black Butte Porter from Deschutes brewery in Oregon. I had high hopes for this beer as their Obsidian Stout was one of the beers that started the beer blog. The Black Butte.. was not bad. good mouth feel rich though smokey flavor a bit of a let down after the Obsideon but over all a pretty decent stout. I'd buy it again if the mood struck me but it wouldn't be a regular.

In the middle we find Ayinger's Celebrator. Again a smokey flavor to the malt (It was a running theme tonight) Over all a good Dopple bock. (I still like Optimator better) Heavy on the malt light on the hops.. yup it's a hangover in the making. like all Dopple's it is a very heavy beer. serve cool and drink slowly.

Next is St Peter's Cream Stout. This is actually the one we started the evening with. It's a subtle taste for a stout. very drinkable very smooth, a stout for people who don;t really like stouts.. not necessarily for those of us who do like a more classic stout.

Last of the night was Sam Adams Cream Stout. This Cream stout has much more of the robust flavors and hops that the typical Stout lover ids looking for while still being mellow enough to call it a creamy. The boys at Sam Adams did good with this one. Good creamy head that last and last, nice full aroma, pleasant mouth feel. Really I don't have anything bad to say about this beer. I won't jump up and down and say "go buy it right now!" but it is a good beer.

Rahr Brewery Ft Worth

2008-12-28T13:23:00.001-08:00

Rahr
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

Tour.. oh yeah they had one of those too! Saturday before the Dallas Stars Game I spent the Afternoon at the Rahr Brewery. A good time was had by all! This is clearly and presently a pleasant Saturday afternoon! $5 gets you a branded pint and having it filled 3 times with Rhar beers (the Storm Cloud IPA and Buffalo Butt amber are my preferred from Rahr) There is live music BBQ is catered in at $4 a plate of and if you are actually interested there really is a tour as well. If you want more than 3 pints that's fine just buy another glass. (or you can get more drink tokens with out buying another glass, but what the hell? You can't buy a branded pint glass for $5 most places empty)

Friday Night Beer 12- 26

2008-12-28T13:01:00.000-08:00

Seasonal Beer night (mostly Christmas)

First up tomnight was the Winter's Bourbon Cask Ale from ... Michelob. An Anhieser Bush label Michelob is actually better than their parent at making seasonal and craft beers. This however is not there best venture. a thin head very little aroma and a corm sugar like flavor over powering the vanila tomes they advertised. not bad if you hav already had a shot or two and your toung is numb I guess.

Next was Dogfish head Raison d'extra. We chanced upon this as it is actually not currently on the market. WoW lot's of sugar lots of alchohol this will kick your ass and come back the next day as a sugar hangover from hell. Have one it's good but for the sake of the Children just one!

Next was Otter Creek winter Ale which they claim to be a Rasberry Brown. OK I read the label on this and some others here Friday night didn't. For those who don't know the seeds of a rasberry are way way way up there on Tannin level. the fruit has far more tanin than most realize this is important bacause english beers once upon a time were bittered with tannin from nutshells rather than the hops the Germans and Belgians guarded like virgin daughters. I was expecting a slightly fruity but faitly bitter brown and got what I expected. and if that is what you like then Otter Creek ha a beer for you.. if youare expecting a fruity beer when you pick this up .. sorry dude your out of luck

Friday night beer 12 - 19

2008-12-28T12:28:00.000-08:00

The grand Friday night beer adventure continues! on the 19th we tried not 3 or 4 but rather 7 different beers! this is a record for Friday night beer that will likley last a while.

First up on the block was Old Speckled Hen. An Ale that falls into the English Bitter type most folks would simply call this a Pub Ale. Realistically they would be right on the money. A good solid hop base note playing just a little bit louder than the malt melody. A good solid beer for playing poker or darts and carousing with freinds.

Next up was Hornsby Crisp Apple Cider. This is not actually a beer but since most beer drinkers I know like ciders.... we will taste them here! Hornsby is a Gallo label for any who didn't already know. If you are already a fan of theier "Hard Cider" do yourself a favor and try the Crisp Apple. A refreshing light cider not very over bearing with the malolactic flavor. This of course Belies it's alchohol content which like most ciders packs a pretty good punch.

After a fair bit of BSing and general socializing we moved on to the Belgian Grand Reserve St Sebastion Abbey Ale from Br. Sterkens Meer. Not a Cidery as many of its Belgian brethren we rather enjoyed it. nothing to right home about really but an outright pleasnt Abbey Ale.

Then whe hit the Kona Pipeline Porter... Oh ...My ...God.. this is good shit! A rich coffee Flavored Poret dr'ed up with genuine kona coffee from Hawaii this is just flat our what a Coffee porter should be. this is not a base line this is a role model. Well Done!

Next up was Genesee Cream Ale.... Wow what a let down after the Kona. With notes of Budwiser this cream ale comes in as a rather weak and insipid version of a cream ale. nuf said.

WIth a bit of trepidation and disapointment we moved onto Old Growler Porter from Nethergate Brewery. They claim their recipie is unchanged from the london recipie for porter found in 1750. and with the heavy handed hops I pretty well believe it. It's a god porter but for most yanks who started in on porters and stouts fromamerican craft brews... you might be taken of your mark. not unpleasnetly mind you... it's just not what you are expecting.

Last we tried Pinkus Organic Hefewiesen. after a disasterous atempt at sharing the yeast amounst all those trying this beer we all finally got a sop. Much better malt flavor than most Hefe's out there. they didn't try to hide the cidery nature of a wheat malt behind alot of citrus but instead treated us to a good solid well balanced beer. Good job!

Friday night beer 11-14

2008-11-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

Well we had 5 different beers last night. A few good and a few not so much. Those to face tasting and blogging by yours truly were:

Jacks Pumpkin Spice from Michelob
Belhaven Wee Heavy
Hacker Pschorr Weisse Dark
Orval Trappist Ale
and finally Bards Tale Beer, Dragons Gold

We'll start with Jacks

Michelob has been doing a little bit better job of reinventing themselves with the advent of craft brewing than most. which is surprising considering they are owned by A-B and there fore now a subjugated fiefdom of InBev.

Jacks Pumpkin spice is a drinkable novelty ale, and that is about the best description I can give of it. It had hints that it might one day want to grow up and be a rich spice beer but never really lived up to the promise. Over all the flavor fell a bit flat after the hint of spice it was ... well kinda like the flavor of an average light beer.

Next up on the chopping block, Belhaven Wee Heavy

This beer is right dead in the sights of my expectations from Belhaven. A solid representation of a Scottish Heavy Ale. Light (almost fruity) flavor to the malt and a very mellow hop. A good red color and it felt good on the tongue. Over all apretty good beer. If I was trying to explain a Scott heavy to some one I could use this as a good base line example.

Next: Hacker Pschorr Weisse Dark

Hacker Pschorr exports the same kegs they sell in Germany which means all their beer meets the very strict German purity laws. This is in and of itself pretty impressive, the beer however takes a bit of getting used to. For those out there who draw back a foamy pint of this expecting (as most Americans do) a heavy malt flavor with carmely notes.. you are in for a surprise. this despite it's ruddy color is a very citrusy light flavored beer with hints of apple. the hops kick in just after the citrus and are a bit on the flat side for my palate. It's a good beer but don't mistake it for a typical dark beer!

onto Orval Trappist Ale

As Newcastle is how I explain to some one what a good Brown ale is so Orval is a fine example of a Trappist Ale. Nice deep amber color pouring clean with a good head. It is very citrusy, Jan Described it as Tangerine in tone but I wouldn't know as I am allergic to oranges. We all agreed that though this type of ale would be an acquired taste this one would be the one to acquire it for.

and finnaly Bards Tale Beer, Dragons Gold

This is a very different beer. Based on a Sorghum malt it is a daring departure from what we normally expect. Trying something different is some thing bold and daring in any industry, that being said we didn't much care for it. Taste kinda like some one soaked a stale gingerbread cookie in a pint of Heineken then strained off the crumbs. I might hand one to some one as a party gag but I can't think of another reason to ever buy it again. Great name, cool label, less than average beer.

Friday night beer from 11/7

2008-11-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

OK my wife has a spinning and knitting thing every Friday night and one of the ladies that comes over to do fiber type stuff also likes trying new beers! Lucky me! any way on the Friday of 11.7 we tried the following

MacKeson XXX stout
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Melbourn Bros Cherry Lambic (not called Lambic on the label but by definition that's what it is)
Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre ( they claim this to be a 'mahogany' ale)

MacKeson
One of my favorites so no one should be surprised when I say glowing things about it. A triple malt Stout with a chocholated malt. Drink it cold and you will enjoy a rich cocoa after taste following up a well balanced blend of hops and malt. Darn near Opaque in color and having a rich creamy head without the need for a nitrogen widget, this is the unsung rival of Guinness. Stout drinkers every where do yourself a favor and try it (note ist is not as good warm the front taste gets a little acidic. )

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
What can I say it is a solid oatmeal sout. rich, complex and on the dark side of bitter. solid, good, but pass me a MacKeson.

Melbourn Bros Cherry
The first spontaneous fermentation beer on my blog! A Lambic by definition this stuff smells exactly like Luddens cough drops and taste like sour cherry gummi worms. if you like sweet grab one and enjoy but not for the "malt and hops" set. (My wife loved it)

Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre

From Dogfish head comes this "mahogany ale" brewed with beets and raisins. no really beats and raisins and it's also really good. a rich complex flavor well balanced with its hops. not something I would drink every day but it has a nice warm rich flavor that goes well with getting ready for thanksgiving and enjoying fall.

Bubwieiser American Ale

2008-11-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

Yes I drank a Bud, but not just any bud, Budweiser American Ale. Seeing as I went into to tying this expedition into craft brewing by those who just sold their souls to Inbev, I expected little, so I was not disappointed.

While a bit more complex and bearing just a little heavier malt taste, it was over all ... A Budweiser. Even my son who I handed one to in an unmarked glass remarked that it tasted so much like Budweiser.

Turning off the chillers on the laggering bin and switching your yeast from bottom to top is not craft brewing. Maybe that mis understanding is why they got bought out?

Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale

2008-10-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

Well I do very few trendy seasonal ales much less anything that hails from Golden Colorado, but I went ahead and grabbed a six of Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale. It's... Different. Reminiscent of a spice beer with a little bit of pumpkin pie muddled in the some where around the after taste. Over all not in the least a negative experience yet not one I would necessarily chase down either.

Overall, a novelty this one began and a novelty it shall stay.

Hagan Haunt

2008-10-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

OK for those who don't know I am a Halloween Nutcase. I build corpses in my garage and haunt my house because it is a blast to do. This year one of the top 10 haunted houses in the nation may not happen because of some pussy dickweeds who are willing to steal from kids.

see the story about the theft here http://www.kcra.com/news/17613546/detail.html

Stealing from a business is one thing but stealing from a charity that helps kids?

I have been in contact with the co-ordinator Jerry Jewell (As nice a guy as any one would ever hope to meet) Jerry runs a special effects business and is taking a pretty hard personal hit trying to keep Hagan ging after this robbery. this is what he sent me

"Hi Don,

We’ve had some good donations of computers and vide projectors and a little bit of cash. So right now cash is king. We now have to hire a guard to stay there each night. If you can hit the Halloween forums and help fund raise that would be great.

Contributions can be made by check to

Jewell Performing Arts Center Inc
10457 Ambassador Dr
Rancho Cordova CA 95670

916 600-2295

Paypal payments to info@skulltronix.com will be forwarded to the non-profit.

Best regards

Jerry"

I have already posted on www.Halloweenforum.com but I figure why stop there these are kids that were stolen from so pass it along to any one you know who might be willing to help a worthy cause. (Wish we could give them some of that bail out pork!)

Cap Scores

2008-08-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

I am discontinuing "Cap Scores". I initially created this scale to be an objective measure to grade beers but in the end I am still giving my very subjective opinion therefore enough of numbers and let's just talk about beer. For any reading my older reviews here is the criteria for the cap scores.

I have arbitrarily created a scale of 0 to 10 caps. I will grade my beers in three categories, and average the three for a final score.

Type: How true it is to it's claimed type of beer.

Drinkability: this is based on how many of my friends would try to walk off with my beer after tasting it. This of course is taking into account tasters preference for the given type of beer.

and finally

Value: Is it worth the price per six pack equivelent. (Typical price for a craft brew in this area is about $8.00 a six.)

The total out for an Average "import" or "craft beer" is around a 7.00 with typical American beers coming in closer to a 5.

Murphy's Irish Stout at Humperdinks

2008-08-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

When asked for a bench mark to compare stout against most folks will say Guinness. In most ways and days I would make the same recommendation if nothing else because it is a well known name and readily available for sampling.

However for at least a little while I would instead direct those wishing to try a stout for the first time to pull up a bar stool at Humperdink's and try their seasonal "Murphy's Irish Stout"

This beer was a delight to look upon as the Barkeep pulled the draught. The gleam of the lights upon the dark malty liquid forming a creamy resilient head. The Delight continued as I tried my first sip. Though I was braced for the forced, over hoped bitter that many insist is just "part of a stout" I was treated instead to a well balanced complex flavor worthy of a second round (and possibly a third or fourth)

Rich, almost coffee like, tones of malt matched with a well calculated dose of hops. A harmonious blend and representation of how a stout Porter ought to be made!

Saving energy by drinking beer

2008-07-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

Yes I am taking a positive step in cutting fuel cost and conserving natural resources. This afternoon I pick up the co2 tank for a keggorator that was given to me last year and then a pony keg of Texas Blonde from Humperdinks here in Arlington Texas

How is getting a Keg at home environmentally friendly and a cost savings you ask?

First it will save me money Buying a Pony Keg cuts the cost of beer by around 50%. A Pony Keg is 7.75 Gal. This equates to about 6.88 12 packs. with a Pony of Shiner Bock running at about 50 to 55 dollars this means I am paying about $7.50 to $8 a 12 pack. If you can find it in bottles for that kind of price I want to know where. A pony of Texas Blonde from Humperdinks actually only costs me $40 giving me a solid tasty premium lager on tap for the price of $5.80 a 12 pack

You can get Kits to install a keg tap in almost any old fridge (It does have to be big enough for the keg) for $100 to $150 http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/kits/fridge-kits.shtml a used fridge to stick in your garage can be found pretty cheap usually looking at the classifieds in the news paper or asking around some appliance stores. I figure I am saving about 25 to 30 a month so the set up has less than a six month payback on your investment.

It also saves on my impact on the environment and our energy resources. No more runs to the store for a 12 pack, though I will still be buying the occasional six pack of beer for my hobby of trying and reviewing brews.

But the reduction of impact doesn't actually stop at emissions from my truck (which also saves money on gas). Fewer bottles means the energy I indirectly consume goes down as well. Think about it. Even though I recycle my bottles they still have a cost associated with the recycling process as well as the paper labels which are lost when a bottle recycled. Same for the chipboard pack itself, yes it is also recycled but at what cost and both glass and paper products when recycled are mixed with a given percentage of "virgin material" meaning My 12 pack still requires trees to be cut down, and minerals to be mined, not to mention the fuel for the furnaces and paper mills. Sure there is still an indirect energy consumption involved in me buying a keg but it is allot less than continuing to buy 12 packs.

Toping it off is the fact that a large thermal mass once chilled is easier to keep chilled than smaller individual portions (it has to do with surface area and heat transfer) this thermodynamic principal combined with less opening and shutting of the fridge (another big energy suck as you have to now cool all the warm air you just let in) In fact since my keg-fridge has a tap on the outside the opening and shutting of the door is virtually eliminated.

So beer drinkers unite and go green! Buy a keg!

Saint Arnold's Brown Ale

2008-06-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

From Saint Arnold Brewery in Houston Texas comes a brown.

St Arnold's Brown is a bit heavy on the malt with the hops favor coming through only at the end with a citrus bite leading into an _almost_ pleasant bitter aftertaste. Not the best balanced brown I have had by a long shot. Still yet it has it's good points the strong malt flavor is just the thing for those around who want a heavy sweet to the leading edge of a brew. Over all darn close to unimpressive.

Cap Scores:
Type: Yeah it's a brown but hardly what I would recomend as an example of the type 6

Drinkability: To heavy on the malt with the hops coming to little to late - 6

Value: a little above average price available at some grocery stores.. almost pretty average value 6.25

Total 6.08 Caps

new blog in town

2008-05-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

A buddy of mine, Justin, has started a new blog chronicling his reviews of Irish pubs in DFW read it here http://dfwpubs.blogspot.com/

BJ's Brew pub in Arlington, TX

2008-05-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I went down to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Arlington (right off of I-20). Overall I found the experience satisfactory. The Service was good, the food was a little better than average and a couple of the beers I tried were worth writing about.

Now once you get to know me you will realize that I will actually judge a restaurant by their burger. In this vein BJ's is just flat out trying to hard. I had the BJ's Burger with Bacon and a side of fries. It wasn't bad, it was clearly better than fast food, but it wasn't great. It was however large and very filling.

My wife had the jumbalia. It did have pretty good flavor though it was served more like a Pasta Dish, sort of a thick Gumbo Served over rice Pilaf. Good flavor, big serving but a bit off to what I expect of creole cooking.

For beer we got a Sampler we tried the BJ's Jeremiah Red, the Nutty Brewnette, the PM Porter, and the Tatonka Stout.

Of the 4 we found the Stout to be disappointing and the Brewnette to be .. well kinda unimpressive. the Porter and the Red though were worth more study and research. The wife had a pint of the Porter and I indulged in a couple pints of the Red, my review of the red is as follows:

Irish Reds are a variant of the basic Pale Ale. not necessarily made in Ireland or even using Irish recipes the type _Usually_ implies using a roasted Barley or other grain which gives it a rich flavor and a reddish color.

BJ's beer info doesn't say if they are using roasted grains or not but it sure tastes like it. It has a rich malty aroma and a clear, almost overstated, sweet character to the malt flavor. The Hops pairing up with the malt works but could be a bit better balanced. It does have a nice soft mouth feel not astringent in the least which is surprising since it comes in at 7.3 % ABV.

Cap Scores are as Follows:

Type: Seems to follow the guidelines of an Irish red pretty well though I am unsure that I would come any where close to matching it with the archetype I give it a 7.5

Drinkability: A bit on the sweet side for a red and that would turn of a few but over all an enjoyable beer to watch a game with. I give it an 8

Value: Available only at the BJ's and runs 4.50 a pint. Not bad for a restaurant beer really but since my standard is a six pack equivalent, I'll give it a 7 and call it average.

Total Score: 7.5 caps

A Real Blonde

2008-05-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

Finally I wrapped my hands around the cool rounded curves of a real Blonde Ale. In particular "Fireman's #4 Blonde Ale" from the Real Ale Brewing company of Blanco, Texas.

Now Historicaly what we now call a Blonde ale is what the Germans and Eastern Europeans rejected in favor of Lagering which produces Pilsners and Helles. Blonde Ales going into production is really a 20th century kind of kick thanks to the craft brewing industry.

Fireman's #4 delivers the goods in a Blonde, it is a pretty golden straw color and a little bit cloudy. It has a subtle nose reminiscent of hops and fresh grains. This beer has a citrus lead in for a complex malt flavor that is just wonderful to sit and enjoy. The foam is a bit light and degrades quickly but I really can't think of much else negative to say about this brew. Overall it's pretty darn tasty. A delight to the nose and the taste buds. The boys down at Real Ale Brewing make the Texas Hill Country proud.

Cap Scores:

Type: Describing this beer is a description of a Blonde Ale. the foam could be a bit heartier but over all, Well Done! 9.5

Drinkability: A very enjoyable beer. It is a bit on the rich side so some might be turned away but I don't think many. I give it an 8.75

Value: I paid 7.60 for a 6 pack. Right on average for a craft beer in this area. I would absolutely reach for it again. I give it a 8.75

Total Score: 9 even Go out and try this one.

In search of a natural Blonde

2008-04-24T06:55:00.001-07:00

Wow you wouldn't think you'd hear some one talk about Beer that way, but it's true. It's really hard to find a real Blonde in todays beer market. You find lots of beers that have the word "blonde" in their name, Shiner Blonde (a Pilsner) , Rahr Blonde (A Helles Lager), and several other Lager styles that usurped the moniker of being a "blonde beer" but an honest to goodness blonde ale is just tough to find. I think in the next week I may have to go to the stores and lay my hands on the delicate curves of a likley subject or two and check if I can really find a natural blonde.

Shiner Blonde

2008-04-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today I review Shiner Blonde which according to their website is in the style of the original beers Brewed in the Spoetzl Brewery. Similar to my notes on Rahr's Blonde, it is in fact _not_ a Blonde Ale. It has however won awards as a Pilsner Lager.

As a Pils it does well, a nice crisp flavor and a slightly acidic bite followed by a moderate hops note. To the average beer drinker who has never had a European Pils it is likely even quite good. Frankly on a hot summer day after mowing the lawn it is pretty great. But the reality is that Shiner Blonde is pretty average in it's class. Certainly better than the drek many American companies pass off as a Pils but not keeping up with it's truly Bohemian brothers.

Over all A Base line Average beer. I'll keep drinking it mind you, if nothing else it trumps many others on availability alone in these parts.

Cap Scores:

Type:
Sigh like Rahr they get knocked for the "blonde" 7.00

Drinkability:
Clearly a nice thing to have on a hot summers day but put next to a Czech or German Pils... 7.00

Value: Average Price Good Availability, I give it a 7.5

Overall a 7.16 an enjoyably average beer.

Beer cost how much?

2008-04-21T04:04:00.000-07:00

find out here!

http://www.pintprice.com/

World Beer Cup

2008-04-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Results are in and interesting

http://www.beertown.org/events/wbc/winners_list/winners_2008.html

Bridgeport Black Strap Stout

2008-03-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today I am trying Bridgeport Black Strap Stout from Portland Oregon.

Stouts are in the same family of beer as Porters. In fact a "Stout Porter" is what we now call Stout. There are a great many adjuncts used in this beer such as Chocolate or coffee or in this case Black Strap Molasses. No matter what the adjunct however all agree that a Stout should produce a luxuriant creamy head with good retention, and have a full body and a rich toasty hop back flavor. Bridgeport Delivers on the type on all points but retention of the head. I found it to dissipate far quicker than Guinness or MacKeson. In fact it was maybe 2 or three minutes of foam total.

It does deliver on rich flavor. the Molasses adjunct gives a rich dark flavor that fits in well with a stout porters character.

Cap Scores are as Follows:
Type: I give it high marks except the head retention. So it's a 9

Drinkability: A beer to be slowly savored and enjoyed, Not everyone would appreciate its subtlety I give it an 8

Value: At $9.30 for a six pack It is a wonderful Dark beer for a special occasion. Defiantly not an every day beer however. I'll keep Shiner as my stock and trade in my fridge and go get this for the right meal. Cap Score is an 8 worth the money but not every day.

Total Score is an 8.33

Going to Helles

2008-03-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

Well I had originally Picked up Rahr Brewery's Helles Lager to review on the way to play poker and another guy there brought the Shiner 99 which is also a Helles. Damn the luck I was able to try both and have an instant comparison... woe is me .. Hic....

First up Rahr:
I had trepidations about this beer as I had previously sampled their Ugly Pug Black Lager and found it far to hopy for my taste. However the Rahr Blonde Lager is not hoped half near as heavy. It was in truth a quite pleasant Beer. It had a Crisp Character and an ever present but not over bearing hops background flavor that was in good balance with the malt. Over all a very enjoyable brew.

Now to Cap Scores.
Type: Now here is the rub the Lable calls this a "Blonde Lager" and then in smaller print calls it a Helles lager. A Blond is both a delightfully curvatious thing to behold and a Belgian Ale but it is not a Lager. Ales are brewed with diferent yeast and at Warmer temps than lagers.

They do have both names on the lable and both specify lager but I am still gonna dock them 3 points for a misleading name. so here they get a 7

Drinkability: I give it an 8 A pleasant well rounded beer

Value: 7 Average Price when you can find it in general market but most of the grocery stores don't carry it, so I have to pay more at the liquor store for it

Total Score 7.33

Now on to the Shiner 99!

This is a Limited edition for their 99th year of brewing (can't wait to see what Shiner 100 is). As a Texan I have Shiner bock and Shiner Blonde in the house on a regular basis. One day I will get to actually reviewing them but that may wait for a tasting party so I am a bit more objective about it.

The 99 is a bit on the sweet side. Actually a bit sweeter than what I would expect from a Helles. the Hops are well balanced and have the right kick though so overall I think Bavarians would simply raise their glass and take a swig and not worry about the sweetness.

Cap Scores
Type: Too sweet for a traditional Helles but overall on target I give it an 7.5

Drinkability: Sweet suits the American palate so it goes out of the cooler pretty fast, 8.5

Value: average price but you have to look given it's a one year one year run. I'll give it an 7

Total 7.66

Newcastle

2008-03-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

Yes I shall now commit what some would call Heresy and dare to critique .. Newcastle Brown Ale.

A brown ale is a deceptively simple style of beer. simply put it is an ale (which is a beer made at approximately room temp with a top fermenting yeast) made with a dark brown malt.

Newcastle is a classic icon of the type. it has a full body that is not over bearing and a nice nutty aftertaste. IT is however a beer you don't want to leave long because it is bottled in clear glass. Beer is typically in brown glass due to being photo reactive, meaning light can alter the flavor. I have never had a problem with Brownies souring as they just don't last that long.

Cap Scores are easy
9.5 for type, 10 for drinkability (never found a beer drinker who didn't like it) and 8 for value (they do tend to run a bit on the higher end of the price scale) totaling out to a 9.16. likley as close to a perfect score as I am wont to give.

2 from Humperdinks

2008-03-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

Well went down to a local Beer pub tonight.. a stand by and favorite of mine, Humperdink's here in Arlington Texas.

I had the Total Disorder Porter and the Big Red IPA.

We'll Start with the Porter.

For the most part it is a traditional porter but it has a chocolate malt adjunct that provides a nice kick reminiscent of hazel nuts. For fans of dark beers this one is a keeper and a stand by for me any time I stop in to Dinks.

On Type I give it 8.5 caps. It's a solid Porter no questions asked, but it ends up a bit light in the aftertaste richness. The chocolate component is quite tasty there at the back of the tongue though.

Drinkability is 8.5 caps. Porter fans will walk off with it given even half a chance.
Value is gonna be ... 7.5 caps. While it is at a brew pub the carry out growlers are reasonably priced and just short of equal to a six pack. However it's still a bit inconvenient to have to go get a growler from the bar rather than a six in the fridge.
Total: 8.16 caps

Next the Big Red IPA. Hops Bite: check, Higher than usual alcohol: not so much. Clearly an American IPA has a nice tannin flavor complex coming in after the initial hoppy bite. Aftertaste is a little on the acid / tannin side. Redish amber in color it is a nice beer for a hot day in North Texas.

Type 7 caps: Average in this class to most Commercial IPA's
Drinkability: 7 IPA Drinkers will enjoy when you hand it to em and might even have a second but they wouldn't steal it.
Value is gonna be ... 7.5 caps. While it is at a brew pub the carry out growlers are reasonably priced and just short of equal to a six pack. However it's still a bit inconvenient to have to go get a growler from the bar rather than a six in the fridge.
Total: 7.16 caps

Other recommendations at Humperdinks... the bread pudding is to die for.

The Old Beer Blogs

2008-02-29T14:26:00.000-08:00

These are the original beer blogs from when I went to Seattle in November of 2007. these can be found in their original form at my personal blog at the-darius.blogspot.com I have added cap scores to each brew.

So I have been just outside of Seattle since Monday evening. being that there is almost nothing near my hotel I decided to visit Outback Steak house and Albertson's (the two things I can walk too) and sample a few of the regional beers.

The first I tried was from a Brewery here in Washington State, Pyramid Brewery. Pyramid brews are of average price at the package store.

Their seasonal dark ale called Snow Cap is in it's 21st year and is quite tasty. I had this Monday night after being on a 5 hour flight. Being a Texan and an Irishman I tend to drink Dark beers. this one is well balanced and has a rich after taste. The hops are clearly evident and perhaps a bit on the acidic side but it counters well with the very dark malt.

I would give Snow Cap 8 caps for type 9 for drinkability and a 7 for value over all an 8

Next from Pyramid I tried a Hefe Wiesen It is an ok Hefe though it really pops with a twist of Lemon I think Humperdink's Hefe back home in Texas is still one up on it though. It doesn't have quite the back taste of some Hefe Weizens non of the yeast and leaned more towards the flavor of a Whit beer

Cap Scores: 6 caps for type; 7 for drinkability and a 7 for value. 6.65 over all.

On to Big Sky Brewery in Montana. I saw this one in the store and had to buy some based purely on the name... Moose Drool as Brown Ales go this is as High up on my list of Beers to hunt down as a Newcastle Brownie.. in fact I might just grab the Moose Drool first if I had the cash. It has a Sweet first taste and a complex feel .. ending up in a pleasant hops nip for an after taste. .. after an autumn day work in the yard.. this is just the ticket.

Cap Scores: 8.5 on type; 9 on taste 6 on value (it was 14 bucks for a 6) over all a 7.83

Last on my list for now is Obsidian Stout from Deschutes Brewery in Oregon. What first caught my eye about this beer was the statement on the label that Deschutes Brewery uses a natural carbonation process. that is to say not killing the yeast and letting an anaerobic fermentation to produce the CO2. Guinness drought actually charges with Nitrogen rather than CO2 purely artificial from their famous widget. This beers pedigree of awards and medals speaks as well as any thing I can Say.. I add it to my My List of favorite stouts between MacKeson (my favorite) and Guinness and it might just be even with the chocolaty goodness of MacKeson.

Caps: 9 for type, 8.5 for drinkabiity and 8.5 for value (paid $9 for a six pack) Over all an 8.66

On the way home I stopped in at Seattle Taproom in Sea-Tac air port and had Alaskan Amber. This was recommended by the waitress as her most often ordered and she said it was of average cost in the store. It was also very average for an Amber. It rates strait 6's on the cap scale. However the Reuben Sandwich at Seattle Tap Room in Sea-Tac international... worth finding if you ever fly that way.

Broken Halo IPA

2008-02-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

Today I am trying Broken Halo IPA by Widmer Brothers Brewing Company in Portland Oregon.

Broken Halo delivers a good hops bite followed by an oak overtone complex flavor to the malt. It's color is a clean amber with a consistent rim of foam all the way through the glass. It is definitely a "West Coast IPA" though IPA's in general have the bite this has the American West Coast tendency to really push up the over all flavor of the hops as well as the bitter.

I give it 8 caps in type, 7 caps in drinkability and a 7 in value. Over all it gets a score of 7.33 caps. It is an above average IPA and one I will consider when in the mood for a bitter.

Beer

2008-02-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

You may ask me why I am qualified to grade beer. I answer because I Drink beer,and I make beer . I know what I like. One day I hope to start having tasting parties involving 3 or four different beers and then this blog will evolve to reflect more than just my personal taste. Till then just trust me, I'm here to help!