Samuel Adams - Blackberry Witbier

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Samuel Adams - Blackberry Witbier
Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA USA
Est.1985
www.samueladams.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0
 
Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy orange color.
A citrus orange and berry aroma wafts from the glass.
Wheat taste and finish that displays blackberry flavors.
Firm one finger head with some lacing.
Light and carbonated mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Another Brewmaster Collection beer from the venerable Samuel Adams group.  As with the cherry wheat in the collection, this one took me by surprise, too.  I enjoyed it much more than the cherry wheat, partially due to the fact I'm not fond of cherries.  Blackberries, on the other hand, take me back to days when we'd pick them stright from the field.  

Do give this one a try and see how great it is.

Shmaltz - Coney Island Lager

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Coney Island Lager
Shmaltz Brewing
New York, USA
Est. 1996 (5757 Hebrew Metonic Cycle)
www.shmaltzbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Brilliant copper/amber color.
Very malty with floral hop aroma, all in great balance.
One fingered head, off-white in color.
Medium amount of lacing.
Great hops 'bite' at end of each sip.
Medium mouth feel and 'just right' medium carbonation. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Do you think you like lager beer?  Do you even think you like lager beer? Think again...

There's a new reason to like, enjoy, make that, LOVE lager beer. This is such a full flavored lager, you might think you are drinking an ale of some sort, perhaps even an IPA.  There is such a lusty maltiness and floral hop aroma enticing you in, sip after sip.

This is a beautiful crafted lager that everyone needs to experience. If your palate has "turned off" to other lagers; perhaps made up your mind that they were mainstream and cannot be enjoyed, you are a fool.  Try one of these and experience what GOOD, make that GREAT lagers are like.  To exemplify the carnival atmosphere, "Step right up! Be amazed, mesmerized and baffled by just what a lager beer can become!"

Try one for yourself.  Compare it against any other lager beer that you have favored in the past.  Then tell me if this isn't the best you have experienced in a lager beer.

Do I have your attention?  No? Well then, this beer should!  Step right up and see for yourself.  This is not the side show, it is the main event!

Flensburger Dunkel

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Flensburger Dunkel
Flensburger Brauerei GmbH und Co.
Munketoft 12
Flensburg, Germany
Est.1888
www.flens.de

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0
 
Postmortem Brew Review
Dark copper color.
Wheat, roasty malt with a coffee note.
One finger, caramel colored head that leaves no lacing.
Malty bread like yeast taste; like whole wheat.
Dry and bitter without overpowering.

Slight chocolaty roast taste as it warms.
Medium body with full flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Forget about the beer for a second...go visit their website!  This is an easy drinkable Dunkel.  The website has easy litening euro music and the videos make for some easy views on the eyes!  The beautiful people of the Deutschland.  I don't know what they are saying, but it's just fun to watch.

Back to the beer...you'll want this one from the minute you see the bottle and it's ceramic and rubber stopper top. Pop-jingle-ling! There goes the top, as you push the wire bale.  It's a little show and song every time you open one.  Now I cant wait to try their pilsener.

So grab a Flensburger and enjoy the sights, sounds and, oh yeah, the beer too!

Left Hand Milk Stout

Dead Cow

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Left Hand Milk Stout
Left Hand Brewing Company
1265 Boston Avenue
Longmont, CO USA
Est. 1994
www.lefthandbrewing.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Black color, similar to a cola soda.
Malty flavor with sweet aromatic hits of chocolate.
Wafer thin tan colored head is gone in 30 seconds; no lacing at all.
Rich roasted malt and slight chocolate tastes, moderate carbonation.
Medium to full bodied mouth feel; pleasantly warming bitter aftertaste. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Black as the night on the pour and rich tasting, this Milk Stout is unique.  It leaves me wondering if it is better on tap, as this bottle poured with very minimal head and no lacing at all.  Maybe it's the milk?  It tasted creamy and sweet.  The fact that there was no noticeable foaming head left me wanting for something more from this stout.  It may be what kept this out of the 'A' group.  I will try this stout again sometime to see if it was an aberration.

Update 12/03/2010 - A new label from Left Hand for Milk Stout.  I am happy to report that it was much more satisfying than the first time around. The head is still pretty much non-existent, but I have found that is just how it is with this beer.  The taste was similar to the first tasting, but with more pronounced malts than before.

Paulaner - Premium Pils

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Paulaner Premium Pils
Paulaner Brewing
Munich, Germany
Est. 1634
www.paulaner.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.9 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Bright golden yellow color.
Dry grainy malt and slight hops smell.
Crisp white tall head that lasts to the end of the glass.
Stringy lacing.
Light and refreshing; light mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Inside this bottle is a quintessential euro style Pilsener beer.  It is dry, light crisp and refreshing.  And almost a bit too dry for my bones, but never the less a tasty brew.  If you like your 'yellow' beers original to recipe and light and easy to drink, you'll look no farther to find enjoyment, right here.

Heck, they have been perfecting the art of Pilsener style for over 360 years.

Full Sail - Premium Lager

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Full Sail - Premium Lager
Full Sail Brewing Company
Hood River, OR USA
Est.1987
www.fullsailbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.0
 
Postmortem Brew Review
Pale and golden in color.
Grain smell with faint hops aroma; bread-like smell.
Sweet malted taste.  Slightly grassy flavor.
Two and a half finger, white colored head that slowly dissipates, leaving good lacing.
Light to medium body with carbonated mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
It's what beer used to be!  Session from Full Sail is reminiscent of the lagers I grew up with in my formative beer drinking days.  Those breweries from Piels, Rheingold or Schaefer were the 'microbreweries' of their day. They promoted sporting events in the New York area such as football and baseball, adorning the end-zone or outfield billboards with their logo's.  They would entice you to try their crisp clean excellent beverages with slick jingles and flashy, eye catching branding.

Those days are long gone now, along with the back yard barbeques that had coolers full of the aforementioned suds in abundance.  They were always in easy reach of the grill or the picnic tables or even the horseshoe pit.  Mom & Dad, grandpa's & grandma's, aunts, uncles along with all sorts of friends and neighbors gathered around the back yards, parks and beaches of North America.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob and some icy cold brews from the box were the primary staples for the event along with salads, beans and chips of all types.

It was a working man's (and woman's) relief from the work-a-day world every Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day.  Ahhh, yes!  You remember the sights, smells at these family gatherings, just as you are reading these words!  If you are like me, it was probably where you had your first sip of beer as a kid.

So if you want to wax nostalgic, pick up an aptly named Session and have your own trip down old memory lane.  Here's to those "...lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! Those days of sodas and pretzels and beer!"  Thanks Nat!

Früli Strawberry Beer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Früli Strawberry Beer
Brouwerij Huyghe

Brusselsesteenweg 282

Melle, Belgium
Est. ????
www.fruli.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 8.4
 
Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy reddish brown color.
Powerful strawberry aroma, coriander and citrus notes.
Wheat and strawberry tasting with balanced sweetness.
Slight sourness; tart sensation at end of sip, but not unpleasant.
Off white head with good lacing.
Light mouth feel with good amount of carbonation.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
A blend of 70% white beer and 30% fruit juice goes into making this strawberry beer.  It's a mini bottle packed with a mighty "punch" of strawberry flavor.  Sweet on the nose and true tart strawberry finish makes this most unusual in a beer, indeed.

Opening the cap, there is no mistaking the aroma.  It wafted out of the vessel and could be smelled from over 3 feet away.  It was so sensory, that it stopped me 'dead' in my tracks!  The taste is similar to spiked fruit punch.  It's fizzy, strawberry sweet and oh, so easy to drink.  The unusual 8.4 oz. bottle makes Früli just the right size for a step off the beaten beer path.

A gold medal winner at the International Beer Competition 2004, it's just another good thing from the earth in a bottle!

Dogfish Head - Shelter Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Dogfish Head - Shelter Pale Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
6 Cannery Village Center
Milton, DE USA
Est. 1995
www.dogfish.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy amber color.
Slight sour taste with nascent hops.
One finger tall, white foamy head.
Hops and malts are in there, but muted.
Active carbonation.
Medium mouth feel with watery finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is not a hop monster of a pale ale, but sometimes you need an easy session drinker.  It was not so remarkable as to set it apart from the sea of pale ales in the market.  But consider for a moment that it is from Dogfish Head and you know that it is quality brewed.

Nothing more to say.

Wild Blue Blueberry Lager

Dead Dog

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Wild Blue Blueberry Lager
Blue Dawg Brewing
Baldwinsville, NY
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
St. Louis, MO USA
Est. 1852
wildbluelager.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Blue to purple in color.
Sweet blueberry smell; faint malt notes.
Thin, fast dissipating head with minimal to no lacing.
Sweet blueberry taste with minimal carbonation.
Light bodied, syrupy mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Highly infused blueberry taste, as only blueberry sugars will do.  This is great for the first few sips, but wears you out through the glass with its sweet syrupy flavor and taste.

Sessionable? No.

Try-able? Sure, why not.

Samuel Adams - Dunkelweizen

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Samuel Adams - Dunkelweizen
Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA USA
Est.1985
www.samueladams.com

Brain Damage Quotient = ?.? % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy brown color.
Malty wheat smell; not too much hops on nose.
Wheat taste and finish with mild hops.
Firm tan color head with good lacing.
Light to medium mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Jim Koch!!!  You've done it again!  I don't prefer wheat beers and then there's the fact that it is a dark wheat beer.  I can hear mother saying, "...eat whole wheats, eat your veggies."  Grrrrrr.....

Uh, so there it is.  The fine folks at Boston Beer come up with another reason for me to like that which I thought I did not.  This is an exceptional wheat beer.  It's as good as any hefe or crystal wheat out there, in my humble opinion.  And because it's a dark beer it must be even better for me, as the whole grains are in play.

Dudes of Sam Adams, I am not worthy!  Keep on making these fine crafts and keep on amazing me by doing so!  Once again, learn to not judge the book by its cover, nor the beer by its style.

Jalehouse Light

Dead Inmate

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Jalehouse Light Lager
Turtle Distributing Co. of South Florida
1251 Commerce Boulevard South

Sarasota, FL USA
Brewed by The Florida Beer Co.
Melbourne, FL
Est. 2009
www.jalehousebeer.com
 
Brain Damage Quotient = 4.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Bright, light yellow color.
Sweet grain smell with faint citrus smells.
Foamy, white, tall head that dissipates over time.

Dots of lacing on the glass.
Moderate carbonation. Slight lemon detected in taste?
Light bodied, refreshing. Low calorie and low carb. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Headline should read, "Hometown boys make good!"

I read something once that said nearly everyone in the USofA lives within an average of 10 miles from a brewery.  The boys over at Jalehouse actually are distributors, not brewers, so they contract their beer production with The Florida Beer Company out of Melbourne, FL.  Since I live within 10 miles of their first distribution points, we set off for a scavenger hunt.

The hunt was short and the hearse pulled in the crypt with six cold corpses for a quick autopsy.  This beer just hit the market in the past few weeks.  As I type, a cold one is only a few inches from the keyboard.

The beer is a great first effort, in that it fits the Florida market and lifestyle.  Many hot days here produce the need for a quenching beer that won't dry you out.  So these fellas did their homework and have come up with a great beach/pool/after a hard days work kind of beer.  You will find that they will slake even the mightiest of thirsts.  Wth low carbohydrates and low calories, they won't weigh you down.  Even the 4.5% ABV will keep the 'brain drain' at bay.

Bravo for your first effort!  Another micro-brew has launched, and right here in my own backyard.  Keep up the good work boys.

Sea Dog - Blue Paw Wheat Ale

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale
Sea Dog Brewing Co.
125 Western Ave.
South Portland, ME  USA 
Est. 1993
www.seadogbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.0 (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Straw to golden color.
Blueberry fruit aroma, no malt or hops detectable in smell.
Minimal off-white head with some lacing on the glass.
Mostly blueberry tastes comes through with little hops or malt.
Light fruit flavored, light bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is a beaut...like drinking a blueberry muffin.  That comfort food aroma is what your nose detects when you raise the glass to your lips.  A novelty and a drinkable beer, Blue Paw Wheat is low in alcohol and refreshing. 

Ordered on tap, a teaspoon of blueberries were added that floated like little blue lobster pot buoys on the head of the beer!  These beer soaked jewels are your prize to enjoy when you reach the bottom of the glass.  Fun to sample this beer of Maine.

Reissdorf Kolsch Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Reissdorf Kolsch Ale
Brauerei Heinrich Reissdorf
Emil-Hoffmann-Str. 4-10 D-50996

Cologne, Germany
Est. 1894
www.reissdorf.de
 
Brain Damage Quotient = 4.8 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 16.9 

Postmortem Brew Review
Bright golden straw color.
Sweet grain and yeast nose accompanied by unusual tart, citrus smells.
White minimal head that dissipates rapidly.

Minimal lacing of the glass.
Moderate carbonation malt sweet and citrus tart taste.
Light bodied, refreshing.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
To describe this 'big fella' is to say, how should I put this...like what Bud would be if it had a big brother ale.  Though the unusual citrusy grape/fruit like twang at the end of each sip was an unexpected surprise.  It was served in a tall, symmetrical cylinder of a glass that resembled a rather large shotgun shell, and had the HR brewery logo on the outside along with ml (milliliter) markings.  Some kind of science beaker! 

Very enjoyable and refreshing on an 80 degree day here on the sun-coast of Florida.

Harpoon I.P.A.

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Harpoon India Pale Ale

Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA USA
Est. 1986
www.harpoonbrewery.com
 
Brain Damage Quotient = 5.9 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Orange with red hues in color, slightly cloudy.
Floral hop and hop oil aromas with some malt.
Off-white, fluffy three fingered head that dissipates slowly.

Head lacing coats entire glass nicely.
Moderate carbonation with bright hops finish.
Medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
There are lots of I.P.A.'s to select from in the beer world today.  Plenty of breweries add tons of hops in order to capture what they believe to be the ale was supposed to be in its origin.  This has led to off-shoot splinter I.P.A.'s that hop even more and more and more, to the point where your tongue goes numb.  And, that is the point of many; climb to the top of the hops pile, to become king-of-the-hops-hill.

What Harpoon has done, is craft an I.P.A. that does not punish your taste buds for wanting more than one...or two...or even three.  They have managed to get it right by keeping the 'hops heat' to 40 IBU's.  By accomplishing this, they allow you to enjoy a session of pure, unadulterated hoppy IPA indulgence.  After some rumination, I decided that point alone was what pushed it from a B+ to an A-.  Imagine that! 

Don't get me wrong.  I like my hops as much as the next fellow.  But when the fire blazes, you'll find yourself backing off from the heat; hence you lose the enjoyment.  By allowing it to smolder, you can enjoy the fire for a long, long time.

Get the picture?  Now you get this exceptionally subtle I.P.A.

Avery - India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
India Pale Ale
Avery Brewing
5763 Arapahoe Ave.
Boulder, CO USA
Est. 1993
www.averybrewing.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.3 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Tawny, hazy golden color.
Fruitiness and hop oil presence and a bit of pine spiciness.
Full, creamy-white three finger high head.
Sensational spiderweb lacing on glass.
Medium malty mouth feel with plenty of hoppy bite. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Mmmmm.  The first of Avery's creations I sampled was in the rarefied air of Colorado.  Now, us lowlanders in Florida also get to enjoy the taste.  This is a perfect example of an American built craft IPA.  Start to finish it is an adventure.  So why haven't I been hunting for these sooner?

Let's begin our adventure with the "Indiana Jones" style Mercator projection of the eastern hemisphere, smack dab on the middle of the label.  As the opening credits roll, you trace your finger upon the red line from the north coast of Africa, around The Cape of Good Hope and straight to Mumbai.  A tip of the hat to George Hodgson from the folks at Avery.

In the 1790's Hodgson figured out the alcohol and hop ratios that kept the beer from spoiling before reaching the thirsty troops stationed in India.  His formula produced a bitter, alcoholic, sparkling pale ale that withstood the trip to India. Hodgson's success is legendary, and as a result we all enjoy IPA today.

Nice touch that Avery, though based in a land locked state like Colorado, can carry this traditional style forward.  Killer 69 IBU's will dazzle your taste buds along with the present maltiness.  Start your epic journey today!

Oskar Blues - Ten Fidy

Tin Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Ten Fidy
Oskar Blues Brewery LLC
1800 Pike Road
Longmont, CO USA
Est. 1997
www.oskarblues.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Solid black color.
Hop aroma, chocolate and roasted malts with other complex aromas.
One fingered creamy tan head, quickly dissipates.
Stringy lace on the glass.
Full flavor in taste; hop, malt and chocolate complex flavors.
Full bodied; smooth and silky.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Oh my.  Nearing the end of a fine evening at the new liquid location "World of Beer", host Brogan sought me out and offered some of the establishment's 'private stock', not yet on the available menu.  

This one almost escaped my grasp due to a 'bone headed' thought.  Getting ready to leave for the evening, I first refused the purchase.  That's when it occurred to me I had a designated driver to navigate.  What fortuitous luck!  I sheepishly returned to my host and apologized for acting the chump.

This imperial stout is so outrageous in so many ways, it simply shouldn't work.  I mean, nearly 10% ABV is a challenge...NO PROBLEM.  You don't pick that up in the taste.  How about the insane roasted malt AND chocolate, chocolate, chocolate flavors? PERFECT!  And for an encore, they add the CUH-raziest amount of hops.  IBU's 98...that cuh razy enough for you?  Sounds like it should be a train wreck. Ahhh, but it's more like the 20th Century Limited.  Simply the finest experience.  But leave the chugging to the train and savor the flavors of this fine imperial stout.

Outrageous? Yes! Worth every bit of it.  Oskar Blues...wooot, WHooooT!  That must be the Ten Fidy train. And to think I almost let it pass me by!

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
The Old Brewery at Tadcaster
Yorkshire, England
Est. 1758
www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark walnut brown color.
Nutty, malted barley with a hazelnut aroma.
Nicely foaming head with clumps of foam and lacing.
Medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The second Samuel Smith sampling and boy, another winner.  This is a deliciously smooth and rich stout.  The first oatmeal I've had the chance to try and will be a stranger to them no longer.  If you fancy yourself stouts and you are looking for something a little different, try this one.

In the previous Nut Brown Ale review it was stated, "Upon further research, Samuel Smith has many other brews in their arsenal, of which I plan to seek out. If they are half as good as this brown ale, it will be worth the search."   The Celebrated Oatmeal Stout is up to par. See if you don't agree, too.

Michelob Light

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Michelob Light
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
St. Louis, MO USA
Est. 1852
Intoduced 1982
www.michelob.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.3 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear yellow nearly straw color.
Sweet grain smell, no hops aroma.
Thin, fast dissipating head with minimal to no lacing.
Crisp flavor, light mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Deja vu all over again.  

If the post mortem sounds like the Bud Light from this past summer you're not dreaming.  Same stuff in a different bottle as far as my taste buds were concerned.

That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable, but not my regular bony-armed reach for liquid refreshment.

Lost Coast 8-Ball Stout

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Lost Coast 8-Ball Stout
Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe
617 4th Street
Eureka, CA USA
Est. 1990
www.lostcoast.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.3 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.0 (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep brown to black in color.
Malty aroma, notes fo chocolate and coffee.
Minimal brownish-tan head with rings of lacing on the glass.
Nicely balanced hops and malt characteristics.
Full flavored, full body mouth feel.
 
Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Creamy smooth and rich fullness makes this stout a delightful finish any night.  Another delicious dessert stout that contains wonderful tastes and smells to light up your nose and palate.  It's not as notable as some other oatmeat/choclolate style stouts, but a great drink, nonetheless.

Nicely done tap handle that looks like an 8-ball and cue stick.  Rack one up for yourself.

Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Brewing Company
North San Diego County
Escondido, CA USA
Est. 1996
www.stonebrew.com
www.arrogantbastard.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.0 (On Tap) - 22.0 (Bomber Bottle) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rusty orange/amber in color.
Hop oil aroma, pine and citrus scents.
Minimal off-white head with dots of lacing on the glass.
Aggressively hopped smell, taste and flavor.
Complex flavored, full body with active carbonation.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
"This is an aggressive beer.  You probably won't like it..." is the lead on Stone's Arrogant Bastard website banner.  That's brash confidence, bravado and machismo.  Call it a warning to the timid, or a throw down to the brave.  Their website even has the IBU's listed as "CLASSIFIED".  Basically, don't order this if you only want to peak your curiosity.

Listen up people!  It is so arrogant, they developed a separate website for this ale.  Their main website is not big enough for its flavor, hops or ego.  Get the point?

I, for one, am not challenged by hops.  I enjoy spicy food and hopped up beers and ales.  And as stated before, I am the Grim Reaper and do not fear gargoyles.  Good thing for that, because the warning is more than fair.  This beer makes an attempt to rip your taste buds off your tongue.  It comes remarkebly close to doing so, I might add.  But, Stone has another ale for that purpose; the to-be-feared Ruination.  But that review is for a later date when my mouth heals from the Arrogant Bastard.

It's not for everybody...and Stone make no bones about it.  Like the finer things in life, it is an acquired taste.  It will feel as if a 4th of July fireworks display has gone off in your mouth.  You have been warned!

Ommegang - Three Philosophers

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Brewery Ommegang
656 County Highway 33

Cooperstown, NY USA 
Est. 1997
www.omegang.com  

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.8 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark red/copper color.
Cherry and chocolate aromas.
Full caramel head that lasts and leaves good lacing.

RIch tasting cherry and other dark fruits; figs or raisins?
Full bodied.  Complex flavors under the cherry. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Cooperstown, NY is famous for two things. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and the author James Fennimore Cooper, after which the town was named.  Actually, after his father.  We now need to make it three things.

Ommegang is crafting a reputation in the Belgian style of ales, in that sleepy little neck of the woods.  This Quadrupel  is as far out as the location. If you have ever driven to Cooperstown, you'll know what I mean.  First off, there is no getting around the fact that you'll be driving to the town.  Local airports are way more than a hoot and a holler from here.  Secondly, after you've driven for miles, you'll find that you can't go the last mile or so into town.  You have to park and ride public transportation to arrive.  But once you have arrived, it is evident that the trip was worth every sacrifice.  Don't believe me?  Ask any 'hall-of-famer' who has made the journey, literally and metaphorically.

The idyllic setting by Otsego Lake, the pastoral ball field and baseball museum/shrine, are worth driving to see.  Thank goodness the brewery doesn't make us come all the way to them to enjoy their craft.  Although, the ale is similar to the burb's park-like setting and the 'Hall', so it too would be worth the trip.  And at a mighty 9.8% ABV, the Quad can knock one outta' the park.

In conclusion we find, in one small out of the way town, you can ponder:

• classic American literature 
• the art of throwing a curveball 
• and crafted Belgian Style brews

Perhaps those are the things Ommegang's 'Three Philosopers' discuss at great lengths in Cooperstown.

Penn Brewery - Penn Dark Lager

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Penn Brewery - Penn Dark Lager
800 Vinial St
Pittsburgh, PA USA  
Est. 1986
www.pennbrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep brown color.
Roasted malt smell and hints of toffee; all aromas are subtle. 
Toffee and roasted malt in taste with small hops bite at end.
Minimal tan head with some lacing.
Medium to light mouth feel with active carbonation.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is an interesting brew that brings darkness bun not heft to a beer.  In that sense it makes a handy session beer, the next time you are looking for a change of pace.

The brewery has been 'resurrected' from near death, something that interests The Reaper in me, muahahahahaa.  The neck label boasts "Celebrating 20 years" and they have seen some changes in that time.  You can read about it on their one web page, that right, one page only.  See for yourself.

This company is a work in progress that appears will culminate in bringing brewing back to Pittsburgh now that Iron City has closed. Let's hope for a revival as this brew is a good indication of future success.

Key West Sunset Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Key West Sunset Ale
The Florida Beer Company
725 Silver Palm Avenue
Melbourne, FL USA
Est. 1994
www.floridabeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = ?.? % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Amber in color, almost orange in hue.
Smell of sweet bread-like yeast, mild malts and slight hops aroma.
Two finger off-white head that dissipated slowly.
Medium carbonation with small nucleated bubbles.
Light bodied and flavor; clean, dry hops finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Key West is the sister to the Ybor line from The Florida Brewing Company.  The Key West Brewery was part of a merger under The Florida Brewing Company that took place in 2003 as an attempt to secure better distribution within "The Sunshine State."

The Florida brewing company is turning out some pretty fair beers in the Sunshine State.  They are making a steady reputation in micro brewing. Sunset Ale touts itself as "The Original Beer of the Conch Republic."  We are a fierce groups of pirates, here in Florida.  So if you venture into our area, pick up some of this bounty and see first hand, what it's all about.

Abita - Restoration Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Abita - Restoration Pale Ale
Abita Brewing Company, LLC
Abita Springs, LA USA
Est. 1986
www.abita.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy orange yellow color.
Barley with hint of hops in the nose.
Short and fast dissipating head.
Virtually no head by end of glass and little lacing on glass.
Good but not pungent amount of hops in finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This "Big Easy" pale ale was easy to drink but just not that big to set it apart from others in its style.  It could be a session drinker if you are looking for something to mix up your next party, away from the BMC set.  It does offer some hops character, but for a pale ale it needs more presence.  Hmmm...and their Turbo Dog was pretty good.....

The ale gets its 'Restoration' name after the tragic hurricane that befell New Orleans in 2005.  I'll call this one a work-in-progress. As with all restorations, we'll wait and see if the hard work pays off down the road.  Mean time, there are many more Abita brews out there just waiting to be had.  Stay tuned.

Dogfish Head - Festina Péche

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Dogfish Head - Festina Péche
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
6 Cannery Village Center
Milton, DE USA
Est. 1995
www.dogfish.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Cloudy, pale yellow color.
Tart fruit aroma with subtle sweetness.
Fast dissipating, crisp white head with zero lacing.
Ticklish carbonation throughout.
Light, dry mouth feel.
Crisp yet tart/acidic finish and flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Interesting 'summer' brew that was in a sample pack from the jumbo liquor store. Since summer is still upon us in south Florida while others are at or on the fringe of winter's doorstep, we'll give it a go.

First off, this is not a beer in the usual tradition. That is to say in its taste.  Well, what I'm trying to say here is you have to try this for yourself.  It rolled onto the tongue tartly, leaving hints of peach sweetness at the edge of your sensory periphery.  I likened it to Asti Spumante at one point.  See if you don't think so too.

From reading up more about the Berliner Weisse style, I found that it is not produced much these days.  Give Dogfish Head kudos for experimenting with the style and bringing it to our palates.

I really must get around to trying one of their beer beers after sampling some of their more off-beat concoctions.