Dogfish Head Saison du Buff (California) – Oh, those wacky Dogfish folk. I find that they either hit a grand slam out of the park or go down swinging, and this is one of the latter at-bats. A furious attempt to achieve the pinnacle of nothing very interesting. (7/10)
Browse Tag
beer
UPS
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale (Delaware) – Yeah, that’s brown ale. And the first time I’ve ever found a Dogfish Head beer kinda indifferent. I didn’t think they had it in them. It’s good. Not great. Not interesting. Just good. (7/10)
Don’t hop the whale
Harpoon “100 Barrel Series” Single Hop ESB (Massachusetts) – Were I more fascinated by hops, I’d no doubt be more intrigued by this beer. I’m not, and so…I’m not. (5/10)
John’s society
White Birch Belgian Style Pale Ale (New Hampshire) – Fairly enticing. I’ve realized, after extensive sampling (perhaps too-extensive), that most domestic Belgian knockoffs don’t really do it for me, outside the spiced white ale genre. The reason is that they mostly stop at heaviness and sweet alcoholism without the complexity or inner life. Here, thankfully, there’s more: spice, swirl, and light within. Perhaps even a woodsy note? Tasty. (6/10)
White Birch Belgian Style Pale Ale (New Hampshire) – A confident, white-hued interpretation, perhaps not overly authentic but very, very appealing despite the idiosyncrasy. Fruit, spice, not too much weight, and a pleasant counterpoint of mild bitterness. Nice. (5/10)
By gham
St. Peter’s Sorgham Beer (England) – Beer people are always surprised when I say that I don’t like lager. Well, I don’t, much. There’s just something watery and unsatisfying about the style, no matter how well-executed, unless it’s in contrast amidst a tasting or present on a very, very hot day. All the reasons I don’t like lager apply to this, an ale that will find its principal audience among the gluten-intolerant. I applaud the effort. I can’t applaud the beer, which is bitter, watery, and insipid. (4/10)
D’arcy
Shipyard “Pugsley’s Signature Series” Smashed Pumpkin Ale (Maine) – As much pumpkin as I’ve ever tasted stuffed into one of these ales, and light on the spice (but not absent its lurid influence). Mostly, pumpkin ales are exceedingly heavy and a very acquired taste. Usually, that’s due to excess spice. Excess pumpkin is a new experience, for me, and just for the sake of originality this has appeal. But it really, really tastes like pumpkin. (4/10)
Oh, brother
Anderson Valley Brewing Company “Brother David’s” Double Abbey Style Ale (California) – Mildly thick and a little herbal, which is a new experience in this style. A little spicy. A little insufficient. (4/10)
Anderson Valley Brewing Company “Brother David’s” Triple Abbey Style Ale (California) – Heady and heavy, with the requisite spice and liqueur-like tendencies, but lacking much other than the bare fact of each. (4/10)
Kevin Smith
Brewdog “Chaos Theory” Ale (Scotland) – Bitter, but in a confident fashion, laying everything up front and demanding appreciation strictly as-is and on the merits. I could quibble that I prefer beer with a little more generosity, but really this is pretty solid. (4/10)
Brewdog “Dogma” Ale (Scotland) – Brewed with honey, kola nut, poppy seed, and guarana. And the point? Excess bitterness to no complexing or enriching ends. Pretty dull, honestly. (4/10)
Brewdog “bashah” Black Belgian Style Double IPA (Scotland) – No. Too much. No. (7/10)
Beach
The Bruery “Orchard White” Ale (California) – More “ale” than “white,” so those for whom the spicing and froth of true white ale are a bit much will probably be well-pleased. For me, it’s a handwave at a style, but in failing to achieve that style lessens even its base qualities. (4/10)
The Bruery “Black Orchard” Ale (California) – Vibrant and vivid, full of deep and rich flavors. Unfortunately, one of those flavors is rubber. Still, the rest is appealing, and though this is the complete opposite of a quaffing beer, and both demands and requires attention, the rubber can be ignored. Almost. (4/10)
The Bruery Saison Rue (California) – Not fresh, as I expect a saison to be, but rather leaden. If this was labeled as a Trappist knockoff, I’d be unsurprised. As it is, I’m merely whelmed. (4/10)
Dude
Lagunitas 2010 “Olde Gnarly Wine” Barley Wine (California) – 10.85% alcohol, and it shows every bit of it. I wouldn’t say it’s imbalanced, exactly, because the alcohol doesn’t stick out from the piercing, coppery intensity, but man does it go to the head fast. Very, very strong, in many senses of the term. Too much for me, frankly. (3/10)