Chimay Tripel (White)

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Chimay Tripel (White)
Bieres de Chimay S.A.
Route Charlemagne, 8
6464 Baileux (CHIMAY) Belgium
Est. 1862
www.chimay.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Solid amber color with a slight haze.
Dry spicy hops presence and yeast nose.
Off-white head with lacing that coats the glass.
Head simmers to a wisp.
Mouth feel medium; fruity aftertaste.
Smooth, medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Trappist Monks have beer and cheese down pat.  Chimay is one of only six Belgian beers that are allowed to carry the "Trappist" designation.  Deliciously fruity, this tripel owes its taste to muscat grape and raisin flavors.  According to their website, the beer's after bitterness "melts in your mouth."  I did not get too much of the aforementioned bitterness, but instead the complex grape scents and aromas.  Pleasant indeed.

I was surprised at how balanced all of the components were combined.  Even more surprising was how easy they were to pick out in smell and taste.  That is the sure sign of a well formulated brew.  As usual, I attempt to discover these on my own through the sample first, jotting down flavors and nuances.  I always do this before reading the label, the website, or any other tasting notes.

A friendly reminder --- as this beer is at the entry point of a high ABV, you'll want to be sure to sip and enjoy, and not gulp.  There is a lot going on in the body, so savor the flavor.

Tucher - Dunkles Hefe Weizen

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Tucher Dunkles Hefe Weizen
Brauerei Tucher Brau
Nürnberg/Fürth, Germany
Est. 1672
www.tucher.de

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.35 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.9 

Postmortem Brew Review
Fresh wheaty aroma; pungent.
One finger off white creamy head.
Head disappears rapidly but leaves some cover.
Suspended unfiltered particles throughout the body.
Spicy, potent flavor.  Slight peppery taste.
Good carbonation.
Light to medium body with full mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is as opposite in appearance as its brethren the Tucher Kristall.  Dark and full of wheat suspension, it is more like drinking a loaf of pumpernickel bread.  While it is a decent beer, it is not my most favorite style.  But that is for you to decide.

I prefer the Kristall, after having compared the two.

Cigar City - Batch #69 Double Cream Ale

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Batch #69 Double Cream Ale
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Copper color body.
Bready, malty aroma with soft hops and fruit aroma.
Off white minimal head that settles to a cover.
Little head, but good spot and string lacing down the glass.
Sweet malty taste with some tropical fruit notes.
Creamy sweet sugary twang at end of each sip.
Slight alcohol notes as it warms up.
Medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
I came across this brew, served on tap, while out of town on a business trip.  I decided to reap its reward of flavor.  This is quite an interesting beer, perhaps because it is locally brewed in FL.  Sweet fruity taste at times and a sleeper at 9.5% ABV.  You hardly notice the alcohol content for the delicious taste wrapped around it.

I was told that it is currently only in kegs at the moment, so tough luck if you aren't in their delivery area.  However, that is excellent luck for the rest of us!

Hofbrau Original

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hofbrau Original
Hofbrau Brewery (Staatliches Hofbräuhaus)
Platzl 9
80331 München (Munich), Germany
Est. 1589
www.hofbraeu-muenchen.de
and 
www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.9  (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden and clear color.
Aroma of malts and hops in perfect balance.
Crisp white, everlasting foamy head.
Tastes as great as it smells. Wonderful mellow hops finish.
Bubbly carbonation.
Light taste; not filling. Very refreshing and easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Here's one of the easiest to drink lagers you will ever find.  This beer has been brewed for over 400 years in Munchen, keeping all the heritage of the brewery and the traditional law of Reinheitsgebot.

Not much more to state other than it's refreshing and satisfying for any beer drinker.  It is no wonder some of the best beer of this style comes from this region of the world.  Keep searching my friends, and you too shall be rewarded for your efforts.  Be sure to check out the link above to Hofbrauhaus.  It looks like a great place to visit if you find yourself in Germany.

Dogfish Head - 60 Minute IPA

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Dogfish Head - 60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
6 Cannery Village Center
Milton, DE USA
Est. 1995
www.dogfish.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep golden color.
Hops aromas; citrus.
One finger white head with stringy lacing.
Well carbonated.
Hoppy taste with some malt inclusion.
Medium body with noticeable hops zing.
Sessionable, if you are a hop head. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
60 IBU's, 60 hop additions in a 60 minute boil, and we have Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA.  Wonderful stuff for hop heads.  This IPA has a punch in the nose of hops smell and tug on the tongue of hops taste.  Watch your step if you are timid of hops.  A great brew from Sam and the gang at Dogfish Head.

Also available in 90 minute and 120 minute versions, for the more daring.

Samuel Adams - Noble Pils

Dead Soldier

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

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

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear yellow color.
Mostly the smell of malt present on nose.
Some hops character in the aroma.
Two finger white, tight head.
Foam leaves behind good lacing.
Nice hops flavor without overpowering.
Light and refreshing mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The White Ale by Samuel Adams appears to have been nudged out of the winter lineup by this new Noble Pils.  Pilseners are a harbinger of spring.  The Boston Brewing Company's release just before Groundhog's Day was a master stroke.  Too bad there will be 6 more weeks of winter this year.  As long as you're staying indoors, you can drink this delicious beer, if you can get to it through the snow.  No problem here for us on the sun coast of FL, but for you up north...well, you'd better hurry and get that snow-blower going.

So, shovel out that driveway and head to the store for some of this seasonal beer before it's all gone.

Lazy Magnolia - Indian Summer Spiced Ale

Reincarnated Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Lazy Magnolia - Indian Summer Spiced Ale
Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company
7030 Roscoe Turner Road
Kiln, MS USA
Est. 2005
www.lazymagnolia.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear orange/yellow color.
Citrusy and spicy.  Coriander and orange on the nose. Some malt.
Three finger white, soapy head.
Foam leaves behind nice lacing.
Nice orange flavor without overpowering. Also malt and yeast detected.
Light and refreshing mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This little bottle has been hanging out in the back of the crypt's cooler for some time now.  It is intended to be a autumn or October beer.  Even though it's the middle of February --- what the heck, we gave it a go.  It is a very delicious fruity and spicy ale that you'll find is easy to drink.  Like the company name implies, you won't want to rush this 'Lazy' beer.  Take your time to reel in all the flavors of coriander and orange peel in the bottle.

I found this Spiced Ale to be an easy drinker with lots of character.   A great switch up if you are looking for something sessionable and light. Do give their website a look and see how this brewery survived the largest hurricane, ever. I'd say after an auspicious start as that, they will are poised for more future success.

Stone Ruination IPA

Dead Soldier

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

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden, cloudy, hazy color. Syrup looking body.
Powerful hop pine/citrus smell.
Three fingered creamy near-white head.
Excellent spiderweb lace drapes the glass.
Tremendous hops taste with even more bitters in the finish
Full flavor, medium body with good carbonation.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The name, 'Ruination' was brought about because of this ale's taste bud wrecking capabilities.  I will go one better by saying not only did it scorch away the fleshy part of the back of my tongue, but it must have tooth enamel stripping powers as well!  Just kidding.  But, I'm not kidding by the overwhelming hops taste.

There are three layers of hops immersion one must endure in this powerful IPA.  The first is the heady, hop scented nose which sends warning messages to your deepest levels of brain cortex.  Psyched out by that, the second is the instantaneous raw hops bitch-slap to the palate and taste buds.  The third includes the disregard for the back of your throat and upper esophageal passage as over 100 IBU's slide warmly into your gullet.

"A liquid poem to the glory of the hop."  These words belong to Stone.  Here is my non-mortal attempt at poetry.  Since it's close to Valentine's Day, let's begin with an old standard....ahem, ahem...

Roses are red,

But don't have 100+ IBU.

If you can handle the hops,

Then it's Ruination for you.

Oh, don't get me wrong!  I love the hops. Bring 'em on, full tilt.  And I especially love this ale.  But be warned that you might not.  But who am I to judge?  See for your self if you can stand this bold and bracing brew.

Lindemans' Framboise Lambic

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Lindemans' Framboise Lambic 
Brouwerij Lindemans
Lenniksebaan, 1479
Vlezenbeek, Belgium
Est. 1811
www.lindemans.be

Brain Damage Quotient = 2.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep red color.
Lots of raspberry essence in the aromas; big and bold.
Pink foamy head goes to about one finger high, then gone quickly.
Non existent lacing.
Dry, sparkling clean taste of raspberries; not much else going on.
Light bodied mouth feel. Low alcohol. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Is it a beer? Is it a fruit drink? It is both. Incredibly fruity by nature, we chose to mix this with a hefe weizen to tone it down a bit.  Barley, wheat, yeast and raspberries make up this unusual beer.  That's right, no hops. The raspberries really shine in the aromas and the taste.

Enjoy this with your favorite dessert, especially something chocolate.  Or, try one by yourself, if you dare.  It won't be a high alcohol content that keeps you from drinking more than one.  It's those damn raspberries. They go, "KAPOW!" on your taste buds.

Cigar City - Maduro (Vanilla Aged)

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Maduro Oatmeal Brown Ale (Vanilla Aged)
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep brown color.
Roasted malt, chocolate and vanilla aromas.
Tight tan head with lacing that evenly coats the glass.
Subdued vanilla mixing with the toffee and chocolate flavors.
Fair amount of carbonation.
Medium to heavy bodied. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
A young brewery here in the bay area of Florida with a sense of tradition to the long heritage of Florida brewing.  Visit their website for a glimpse into the gallery of photos that takes you on a tour of by-gone breweries, in and around the Tampa area.  Hostess Caitlin, of Mr. Beery's, explained the characteristics of this vanilla aged ale, with ease. She was able to describe it to a "T".

As for this brown ale - you have heard me say before that browns are spot on or terribly miss the mark - well, BULLS-EYE!  The additional incorporation of vanilla is a wonderful addition to the chocolate and toffee tones going through this malted pint.  It is the first place I have come across the Cigar City tap offerings and it's surely a hit.  At 5.5% ABV it's easy to session this and pair with a fine cigar of your choice.

Tampa was long renown for its cigar production.  I ask you, what goes better with a cigar than a brown ale such as this beauty.  Right in my back yard...I must pay them a visit, soon.

Tröegs - Nugget Nectar

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Nugget Nectar
Tröegs Brewing Company
800 Paxton St.
Harrisburg, PA USA
Est.1997
www.troegs.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0 (Sample) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Reddish orange color. Some particle suspension.
Citrus hops with sweet malt background.
Frothy white head with strings for lacing.
Big hops presence in taste without overpowering.
Moderate amount of carbonation.
Very easy drinker, but be careful of the high ABV.
Medium to heavy bodied.  Tremendous balance. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Meeting new friends can be so much fun.  Our host Mark, the mastermind of Mr. Beery's, treated us this evening to a sample of his private stock from Tröegs Brewery.  This is the reason, dear readers, that you should pursue your adventures in craft beer.  The payoff in friends along with little gems of beer, such as this Nugget Nectar, is worth the pursuit.

This ale is incredible. It has a beautiful copper bodied color with 7.5% ABV to tantalize.  There are 93 IBU's of hops for us hops freaks.  Despite the 'hops grenade" on the label, you will get the pine/citrus hops notes on the nose, but amazingly they will not overpower the taste.  Superb balance of ingredients yields an excellent brew.  One whiff and one sip is all it will take to convince you that those boys in PA got their brewing stuff down pat.  Oh, it helps to share over a discussion about who crafts these beverages.

Once again, the formula for success is to seek out friend opportunities through you beer experiences.  That is the best way to bring out your true inner beer geek.

Blue Point - Toasted Lager

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Blue Point - Toasted Lager 

Blue Point Brewing Company
161 River Avenue 
Patchogue, NY USA
Est. 1998
www.bluepointbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.3 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0 (On Tap - Flight) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Copper color with orange tinges.
Caramel malt with bittering hop scent.
Two finger off-white head.  Lots of bubbles in the glass.
Tastes like the aroma; malty and bitter medium hops taste.
Fair amount of stringy lacing.
Medium bodied. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The third of the four* in the flight, and no surprise here.  A good drinking, easy to handle lager from Blue Point.  I had found them first with the Rastafa Rye about a month ago,  I didn't like this lager as much as the rye, but I did find it a great example of what makes a good drinking lager.  Guess I'm just partial to the rye. 

Stone Cold Fact: Blue Point Toasted Lager is a Great American Beer Festival medal winner for Amber ales.

Anyway, do yourself a favor and put down your regular-ass lager and pick up one of these, instead! 

* - In case you are playing the home game, number 4 in the flight was Stone's Arrogant Bastard.  I have reaped and reviewed earlier date.

Allagash - White Beer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
White Beer
Allagash Brewing Company
50 Industrial Way
Portland, ME USA Est.1994
www.allagash.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.2% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0  (On Tap - Flight) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Straw yellow color with some haze.
Wheat, citrus fruit nose. Small amount of grain noticed.
Foamy white head with decent lacing..
Lemon citrus, wheat, coriander tastes, as with the aroma.
Fair amount of fizzy carbonation creating small bubbles in head.
Light to medium body.  Easy drinker. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
This was the second sampling in the flight at Mr. Beery's tonight.  Creamy and hazy witbier that had just a touch of yeast.  Very delightful after the Victory Golden Monkey.  From the flight sampling, I recall how easily it went down and how refreshingly smooth it was, as are most in the wheat style.  But this was uncommonly better than most witbiers.  First from this brewery for me, but most definitely not the last.

I will get more of this again soon!  Easy to drink at any time of year.

UPDATE 12/14/2010: Had some of this tonight in a 12 ounce bottle and it was as delicious as ever! Going to get more next bottle hunting trip!

Victory - Golden Monkey

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Golden Monkey
Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Lane
Downington, PA USA
Est.1996
www.victorybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0 (On Tap - Flight) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Syrupy light golden color. Some particle suspension.
Sweet fruit aroma; think apples. Not a lot of yeast.
Soapy white head that reveals excellent string lacing.
Light tasting like a wheat with sweet fruit finish.
Very little carbonation leaving a slight viscous body.
Alcohol is well hidden for a Trippel.
Light to medium bodied.  Well balanced flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
A new craft beer bar has come to town in Sarasota.  Mr. Beery's opened this week and we thought we'd give it a go.  Since we were having an unseasonal downpour, the regular stop would have been treacherous to transit.  We agreed upon this meeting place for the evening.  Partly due to the proximity to home and the bus line, should it be necessary.  Practice safe imbibing skills, my followers!

A tidy, non-nonsense brick and wood interior contained a gleaming chrome tap line.  We were dazzled!  It contained a tremendous assortment of suds from which to choose.  There were North American and European brews on tap and chillin' in the fridges, too.  A chalkboard in the corner proclaimed the oft seen and spoken words of true craft beer establihments, "No Crap On Tap!"  Yeah, baby!

When confronted by the plethora of delectable beer choices, our beer-tender, Rick, helped us settle upon a flight of four.  The first up was this delicious Belgian style trippel from American craft brewers, Victory.  There was so much going on in this one.  The fruitiness, the low carbonation, the high ABV, the sumptuous pale golden color.  I didn't get all of the yeast complexities associated with this style.  Nevertheless, it was a treat for the eyes and the taste buds.  You gotta' get yourself some of this, monkey!

Anchor Steam Beer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Anchor Steam Beer
Anchor Brewing Company
1705 Mariposa Street 
San Francisco, CA USA
Est. 1896
www.anchorbrewing.com

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

Postmortem Brew Review
Copper color.
Deep barley malt smell; very pleasant. Slight hops presence.
Tan colored, one finger head; tight bubble head, evaporates slowly to a cover.
Nice draped lacing on glass.
Good malty taste with soft hops taste. Smooth with no bitterness.
Medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Anchor Steam has been around for a long time.  This word "steam"  is used to describe the process of how the beer was made. According to Anchor Brewing records, the beer was pumped to shallow bins at the top of the brewery where the cool air from the Pacific Ocean would cool the wort.  They had no other means of chilling, back in the day. 

By any means, today the word "steam" is more closely associated with a Californian common beer. This brewery has survived many close call in its 100+ years, nearly shutting down for many reasons.  In 1965, Fritz Maytag bought the company and proceeded to bring it back to life.  Now in the halcyon days of microbreweries, it is enjoying the fruits of Fritz's labors.

Don't wait to visit San Francisco to enjoy an Anchor Steam beer.  See what makes this 'common' beer, uncommon.

Imperial Beer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Imperial Beer
Cerveceria Costa Rica 
San Jose, Costa Rica
Est. 1924
www.beer.co.cr
www.discoverimperial.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear golden yellow color.
Malt grain smell, no hops presence.
Bright white, half fingered tall head that totally evaporates rapidly.
Malty, light tasting with no hops characteristics, in taste.
Light bodied, borderline watery. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Cerveceria Costa Rica has been making this beer since the 1920's but it has only recently been exported from this tiny Central American country. While it is light and refreshing, it is pretty unremarkable, similar to the first website link above.  It is just one page of information.

You try it and let me know your thoughts.

Flying Dog - Tire Bite Golden Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Tire Bite Golden Ale 
Flying Dog Brewery
Frederick, MD USA
Est. 1983
www.flyingdogales.com

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

Postmortem Brew Review
Pale golden yellow color.
Minimal head disappears quickly.
Sweet malt grain smell. Not much hops.
Light and dry with a slight sweetness
Very light hops characteristic of 16.5 IBU's.
Tart, dry finish. Light body.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Hmmm...just on the heels of their Hefe, (which I enjoyed), comes this 'Golden Ale'.  It wasn't the usual great treat I have come to expect opening up a Flying Dog.  Mind you, I don't blame them as much as I am not a big fan of Kölsch style beer.


Ah well, they have more dogs in their lineup, so it shouldn't be too hard to hit a winner again sometime soon.