Beer Round Up, What I’ve Been Drinking
I’ve decided I’m not really good with “formal” beer reviews, my tastes are too picky and I hardly ever am willing to sit down and take pictures and notes. Maybe I’ll try the full on beer reviews again sometime, but for now I’m going to be writing shorter round ups of the beers I’m drinking from time to time and how I felt about them. I’ve taking full advantage of Star Liquor’s “Build your own 6-pack” policy. I realize it’s more expensive per beer, but it’s allowing me to sample a lot more beers than I would otherwise.
Durango Bootlegger’s Society: Spring Tonic Elixir
I first had Spring Tonic Elixir at the release party at Carver Brewing Company a few weeks back. I liked Spring Tonic Elixir, I’ve heard it’s a pre-prohibition recipe lager, I don’t like lagers much at all, but I guess that’s because they’ve become bland and tasteless. Kinsee on the other hand LOVED this beer. After the first few sips she proclaimed this was her favorite beer yet. We picked up a growler when we were at Carver Brewing Co the other night and took it home to drink of the weekend. We shared with people at The Red House Gallery opening, and it went fast.
Dogfish Head: India Brown Ale
I’ve had some beers from Dogfish Head that I’ve liked and some that I’ve hated, this one was probably my favorite. I’d never had an India Brown Ale, never even heard of it, but it was good. As most Dogfish Head beers are, it was strong and flavorful, it didn’t look like it, but it tasted more like a stout than a brown ale to me. Very interesting and unique beer.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co: 2009 Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale
I usually drink a Bigfoot or two a year, hoppy Barleywine’s are a favorite of mine. This one didn’t seem as good as I remember it in the past. Maybe it’s because I’ve been drinking so much other great beer lately. Maybe it’s because I drink it in April when it was 65F instead of February when its colder outside, I’m not sure. Not a bad beer, but not as fond as I remember it being.
Breckenridge Brewery: Agave Wheat
I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of wheat beers, I can’t remember the last time I had one I enjoyed. The only reason I bought this is because I was a little lonely for Mexico and this one is brewed with Agave nectar. It tasted flavorless like most wheat beers to me. One of these days I’ll learn my lesson and not get my hopes up by buying beer I’m almost certain I won’t enjoy.
Left Hand Brewing Company: Smoke Jumper Smoked Imperial Porter
I’m a big fan of stouts, especially imperial stouts, and I’ve never really gotten the whole porter vs stout distinction down. I generally like stouts more than porters, but when you throw an imperial porter into the mix it gets confusing. I’ve had a few smoked porters and enjoyed them, and this one was no different. It was full bodied, strong and not too smokey.
I agree with you on the wheats. The only wheats I’ve had that I consistently enjoy are Widmer Hefeweizen and Ska DIFF. But most wheats suck.
I picked up a bomber of Stone Imperial Russian Stout at Star last night. I’m looking forward to trying that.
Sometimes taking pics and full notes on a beer can be so tedious and tiring to do. I force myself to do it sometimes as I really want to be able to go back and read through a beer I’ve had before. But ya, you gotta take a break every so often and just enjoy. Cheers!