Green Flash Hop Head Red Ale

Ratebeer 3.73 98th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +5

I have never met a Green Flash that I didn't like; no, make that love. The dry hopping of Amarillo gives a big citrus, sweet and slightly fruity nose. This brew wastes no time and instantly delivers the hop punch: astringent, floral, resins, citrus and tangy. Normally all these hops flavour mix together and get lost. Not with this brew; they all line up and present themselves in an orderly fashion. The malts are a true caramel but barely peek through the hop smack. For those keeping score there were 45IBU's.

Aftertaste +2

The alcohol warmth nicely supported the long lingering floral hops. It was not an astringent lingering but it was a tongue coater.

Alcohol Content +1 6.4%

Value +1

Definitely hop head approved. It was very much like the Three Beavers, but slightly better.

Ingame Enhancement +1

This is going for a perfect 10, so why stand in its way. Lets see... I drank this glorious beer after saving a kitten from a burning building while it was snowing.

Overall 10/10

This is a hophead delight. The big hop nose and tastes are off the charts, yet not intimidating. If you care about the malts, the caramel goodness will surely please. I look forward to getting this one again.

Three Beavers
Phillips Double Dragon

Pike Entire Wood Aged Stout 2009

Ratebeer 3.77 95th precentile
Beer Advocate A-

I picked this up from the Pike Place Brewery. Wow this is a fun place, highly recommended. The food was great, atmosphere was fun and kids were welcome. I was there for their 20th anniversary party, purely by coincidence.

Taste +5

I was fearful because the nose was very light, but you could pick up burnt wood, coffee, bitter chocolate and vanilla. Pouring this beer was hard because it produced a huge fluffy head that never entirely went away. I should have used a shaker glass instead. The taste was just like the nose but only much richer. It is not often that you get a hop bitterness the is hard to distinguish from a bitter sweet chocolate ending. This brew was thick, rich and chewy. As it warmed up, it only got sweeter and smoother. It was not bitter at all.

Aftertaste +2

A very long, dry roasted coffee and bitter chocolate was a welcome ending.

Alcohol Content +1 9.5%

It was no where to be seen, either in the nose or the flavours.

Value +1

Bonus points given for beautiful packaging, the wax sealing was a nice touch. This would be interesting to cellar if you could wait that long

Ingame Enhancement +1

It is not often that you get a versus game of L4D going. Nothing is better than vomiting all over your friends, even if it is only virtual.

Overall 10/10

A perfect score for a prefect strong, bitter-sweet stout.

Obsidian Stout and Self Improvement
Blackheart Oatmeal Stout
Pike XXXXX Stout

Flavius: OMFG a comment, someone is reading our posts.
Meterman: Remember these are your post. Shea told you that you couldn't tell a Dubble from a Flemish Ale you zombotomy victim.
F: It does not matter. This is the first step to fame and fortune!
M: You are not going anywhere if you can't get your facts straight.
F: I never let a lack of knowledge stop me from doing anything!
M: Famous last words, you should try skydiving.

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout

Ratebeer 3.9 98th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +5

I truly am a sucker for a strong stout; if it's an imperial style even better. This one was a treat. The nose is fulfilling with huge whiffs of milk chocolate, licorice, roasted cocoa and molasses. Your taste is just like the nose; just add a creamy/smooth mouth feel and you got it. Oddly the finish is dry with bitter chocolate. Did I mention that you could pick out smoke and fruit hints?

Aftertaste +2

Your whole mouth and throat are coated with a sweet molasses burn that lasts longer than expected.

Alcohol Content +1 7%

You can smell and taste it with every raise of the glass.

Value +1

This is right up there with the best of the imperial stouts

Ingame Enhancement +1

I played a little GRID on PS3 tonight; booze is great for relaxing the twitch reflex when driving. Too much though and you need a lot of race restarts

Overall 10/10 BOOM HEADSHOT

Drink this beer often; enough said.

Other mind numbing posts

Swans Oatmeal Stout
Stone Imperial Stout and Absolute power
Old Rasputin Imperial Stout

Flavius: Here is more proof that beer is good for you.
Meterman: I'm listening...
F: In the April 2009 issue of Clinical Nutrition, they tested beers for melatonin and antioxidant content. The higher the alcohol content for the beer tested provided higher melatonin content. This contributed to a higher antioxidant status in test subjects. Higher antioxidant status has been associated with lower incidences of heart disease and more.
M: Sorry what was that?
F: You said you were listening. Melatonin in beer..
M: Yes, but never to you. And I always thought it was your conversations that were putting me to sleep.

Weizen Bock (Tree Brewing)

Ratebeer 3.53 68th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +4

I'm not used to great beers from Tree Brewing, but this is different. There is a huge nose of banana baby food, citrus, lemon and sweet grains. The taste is very light, refreshing and similar to the nose; lemon zest, banana and yeast.

Aftertaste +1

Sadly the ending was very crisp and clean. Perhaps there was a slight rum soaked bananas at the ending.

Alcohol Content +1 7%

The alcohol was no where to be tasted or smelled

Value +1

For $5 for a 650ml bomber, this beer is underpriced.

Ingame Enhancement +1

This was the first night they released the survivor pack for L4D. Which button makes your character wet his pants and call for mommy?

Overall 8/10

I purposely held this review back so I could buy up the rest of this beer in the city. I doubt that my reviews make that much of an impact, but I was not taking any chances. This is a great beer.

Other great and entertaining posts:
Stone Bitter Oatmeal Stout and Failure
Schneider Weisse
Fat Tire Amber Ale and Mistaken Identity

Green Flash Imperial IPA

Ratebeer 3.84 97th percentile
Beer Advocate A-


Taste +4

WOW, the aroma hits you as soon an you pop the cap; grapefruit and piny hops. This one is going to hurt. Every single one of those 101 IBU slaps your palate with every sip. Surprisingly the sensation is smooth and creamy; not as bitter as one would expect. There is lot of malt sweetness in there but the hops hide it well. For a strong IPA it is very drinkable. Is that a hint of vanilla bean?

Aftertaste +2

Very nice coating of the mouth with creamy hops and a slight alcohol warmth.

Alcohol Content +1 9%

You can't actually taste the alcohol, but it provides an effervescent feel to the brew.

Value +1

This is a great, super hoppy IPA. I will, without a doubt, buy this one again. At a price of $6 for a 650ml bomber, it is a great deal.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Whenever I find a great beer it makes every occasion special.
Overall 9/10 BOOM ZOMBIESHOT

This was another stellar IPA, Dogfish Head 90min IPA was the other one. If you see one, buy it.

Old Rasputin Imperial Stout

Rate Beer 4.11 100th Percentile
Beer Advocate A

This is arguably one of the best beers in the world. This is reflected in the high scores from Rate Beer and Beer Advocate. Anything from North Coast Brewing is a good choice

Taste +4

The nose has a faint hint of chocolate and roasted malt. This is one full bodied, thick stout. It is fully loaded with bitter chocolate, coffee and malt sweetness. Thankfully it is followed, or enhanced, by a nice alcohol tingle and warmth.

Aftertaste +2

The lingering bitter sweetness of the dark chocolate is similar to chewing on a roasted coffee bean covered in dark chocolate. It is very long and never forgotten with the alcohol warmth.

Alcohol +1 9%

You can taste and feel the alcohol, but it suits this beer well.

Value +1

This is not an overly expensive beer for the flavour. It is $11 for a 4 pack from the BC Liquor stores.

Ingame Enhancement +1

There is now a critical mass of L4Ders in the shire; this naturally leads to versus games. I can think of nothing more pleasurable than vomiting all over Nightware.

Overall 9/10 BOOMER ALL OVER NIGHTWARE

This is a classic example of how an imperial stout should taste. A nice bitterness, balanced with a malt sweetness and lots of ethanol to go around.

Kells Irish Style Lager - Rogue

Ratebeer 3.01 44th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

The nose is all lager with sweet grains, grass and bread. The flavour is very smooth with hints of honey/light malt, light hops and dry bread. This is a very drinkable beer.
Aftertaste +2

A nice, long lingering of sweet grains. Almost like leaving a piece of dry bread in your mouth until the sweetness comes out.

Alcohol Content 0 5.2%

Value +1

This was a nice lager; priced in the $6 range for 650ml. I would buy it again.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Not exactely sure what happened this night. I'm sure it involved myself and Nightware terrorizing zombies.

Overall 7/10

I liked this lager; it was not overly complicated but more flavourful than expected. If you have a friend who is stuck in the lager rut, this might give him a little lift.

Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock

Ratebeer 3.82 97th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

This is 'ice-strong beer'. To create an eisbock, you essentially freeze a strong wheat beer. Part of the water within the beer freezes. After this step, the resulting nectar is drained away from the slushy part. This takes a normally strong dopplebock at 8% and boosts the alcohol content up to around 12%. It also tends to make the flavours sweeter and more intense. I have been looking for one of these a long time.

Taste +5

Wow, the nose is heavy on the fruity malts with a little hint of cloves. Ouch, this beer tastes big and strong. This brew feels slippery and thick; heavy on the malt sweetness. You can pick out flavours of raisins, peppers, molasses, prunes and dark cherries. These flavours mix with the alcohol to give an almost effervescent, bitter mouth feel.

Aftertaste +2

You can't seem to shake the lingering malt sweetness and prunes. Once the flavour leaves, you are graced with this alcohol warmth. The warmth seems to raise the temperature in your throat and stomach.

Alcohol Content +1 12%

Ouch, the alcohol slaps your face like a first date gone wrong! There is a slight mouthwash quality to this beer.

Value +1

I will certainly buy this beer whenever I see it again. I might even drive to Courtney to get some. It is certainly worth your $3. Wait, the BC Liquor website says they have some at the liquor store down the street; I will be right back...

Ingame Enhancement +1

The excessive amount of alcohol makes you feel invincible. With Nightware and Meterman at my back; I found myself jumping upon alarmed cars and impatiently waiting for the hoards of zombies to merrily arrive. Sadly you can only set off the alarms once, this is obviously a bug.

Overall 10/10 I hear angels singing

This beer is so complicated and intense it is hard to describe. You must try it. This is the kinda stuff that you leave to people in your will. Not me, I plan to be buried with my eisbock.

Luckily Meterman is not here; he would have a few choice words for my latest post. There are a few good choices I have made in my life; going to University, marrying my first (and only) wife and ignoring that cold sales call about buying Enron stocks. Another smart choice is to always listen to wise men. This was the case with the learned shop keeper at Bottleworks in Seattle. He said I must try this beer; so I listened.

Okocim Porter


Taste +5

This beautiful brew is as dark as a forest fire night. A vigorous pouring leaves a fluffy head, but oddly there is little carbonation even though the beer tastes effervescent. The nose is all malt sweetness with mild chocolate and fruit. The taste is a little on the sweet side; lots of malt, with hints of peat, phenolic chocolate and an espresso finish.

Aftertaste +2

This beer leaves a very long, lingering malt sweetness that is very pleasant. It packs a goodness like a fine scotch.

Alcohol Content +1 8.3%

You can taste the alcohol in this one; it leaves the tongue and mouth with a nice tingle.

Value +1

I don't care how much this one costs, it was worth it.

Ingame Enhancement +1

There was no gaming this night. I just sat in the kitchen very contented and enjoyed my beer. After every sip I pondered various plans about how to obtain more.

10/10 BOOM HEADSHOT

Sigh.. Now I know how a zombie feels; an irrational and all consuming craving for a tasty, tasty treat. This beer shall haunt my thoughts, calling me from afar. If you have some, you might need a boomstick to keep me away.

Flavius: ..this is the most wonderful time of the year...
Meterman: Caught up in the Christmas spirit in early November, you must have just been to Costco.
F: Nope. This is when all the winter and seasonal beers are released.
M: Leave it to you to associate the holiday season with drinking more alcohol.
F: Yup! My inlaws are coming! Screw the eggnog and fruitcake; make mine a 15 pack of Lucky Lager and a pocket bottle of Jagermeister!
M: ..Joy to the world the beers have come..

Bah Humbug by Wychwood

Usually anything by this brewery is a good choice. They also have some of the coolest bottles and artwork. I hope I get the t-shirt and beer gift set this year.

Taste +4

This is a great tasting, smooth beer. Very apparent flavours of malt sweetness, light cinnamon and dried fruits. There are subtle tastes of spices such as cloves and coriander. Very low carbonation, which is the English ale way.

Aftertaste +2

Lightly sweet and spicy with just a hint of malt. The burps taste great.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

You don't drink this beer to get messed up.

Value +1

This was $3.50 for 500ml from BCLS . A very good flavour to dollar ratio. I wish I had bought two.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Played GRID on easy mode. Some days you just feel the need to win.

Overall 8/10

Do not wait for this to appear in your stocking on Christmas morning. I know you have been a very bad boy this year (especially LK for knifing me). Just buy yourself one or two; don't forget to pick up a Father John's Winter Ale also.

Meterman: Flavius why is every single light on in your house are you are cowering in the basement?
Flavius: GET AWAY FROM ME!! ZOMBIE!! WHERE IS THE AMMO.
M: Wait, I'm not a zombie because.... I have a medkit!! Here I will heal you.
F: Thats not a Medkit, its beer can.
M: Whatever, it makes you feel better, doesn't it.
F:Yes! Yes it does. Good you are not a zombie.
M: How long have you been playing that Left 4 Dead Demo.
F: Not sure, what time is it now?
M: Wrong answer, you are cut off. Even your oven light is on.

FacePlant Winter Ale (Nelson Brewing Company)

I like this BC Brewery, everything they make tastes great. Their Nelson Afterdark Ale is especially good.

Taste +4

This is one easy drinking beer. Just enough flavours of malt and brown sugar to keep things interesting. Only the slightest of hoppy bitterness.

Aftertaste +2

The sweetness lingers on and has an almost bran flake taste to it.

Alcohol content 6% +1

Be very careful with this one. The cans are stacking up on the table one after the other. This is a very easy drinking beer. Not the kinda drinking where you think it is like water, but the kinda drinking where you look forward to the next sip.

Value +1

For $12 a six pack, well worth it.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I cracked open one of these brews to calm my nerves after trying the Left 4 Dead Demo. MOMMYYY. I'm so glad I prebought; I plan to take the 19th and 20th off work.

Overall 9/10 BOOM ZOMBIE HEADSHOT

This is good all around beer, sure to be a regular in the CLAN ARC beer fridge. It might even replace the Holsten Festbock.

Flavius: I felt so badly about the Earth day post, I decided to learn how to help save the planet.
Meterman: This should be amusing.
Flavius: I rushed out and rented Al Gores movie "An Inconvenient Truth".
Meterman: Please don't tell me you drove there. You drive a 85' Suburban and live two blocks away.
Flavius: Maybe I did. In my defense it was so hot that I had to put the A/C on.
Meterman: It frightens me to ask what you learned.
Flavius: I picked up lots of ideas. I installed a wind turbine and solar panels on my roof to generate electricity.
Meterman: But your house is shaded by trees and the only wind at your place comes out our ass.
Flavius: No problem. I cut down the old growth trees and bought a gas powered leaf blower to make the turbines spin.
Meterman: Here have another plastic beer, what else did you do?
Flavius: I am now using recycled paper in my printer.
Meterman: But you just bought a case last week..
Flavius: Oh yah, I threw that stuff out.
Meterman: Please tell me that was all.
Flavius: Oh no, I replaced all the old windows in my house with new double paned vinyl ones. I even composted the old windows.
Meterman: That might actually be a smart idea. Wait, how to you compost old windows.
Flavius: Just like kitchen vegetable waste, just cut it into smaller bits and send it back to where it came from:Mother Earth.
Meterman: Oh please don't tell me..
Flavius: Yup, I broke the glass into small pieces and buried in the playground sandbox. Meter, why are you crying?

I can see that my selfish acts have brought you to tears, so maybe you should drown your sorrows with a beer review. This one is special:

Unibroue 17

Every year the Unibroue brewery puts out a special edition anniversary beer. This one is truly exceptional. Most of their beers are.

Taste +4

This one is hard to describe, but bold is best word to use. So many flavours are present; the most notable are coffee and apricots. There is a nose of fresh spiced bread (coriander actually). A little bit of plums and bing cherries are apparent. Every sip is a new flavour.

Aftertaste +2

With flavours like these you do not want them to end, and they don't. Sweet molasses aftertaste that never ends.

Alcohol Content +1 (10%)

Watch out for this one , you can sip this one down quick because you can't taste the alcohol.

Value +1

Six bucks for 750ml, worth it. Even if you might have to work an hour to get one.

Ingame Enhancement +1

This dark, malty monster dulled the twitches enough for me to enter COD Flow. A Zen like state which produced two rounds of 50 kills. Hey back off, this is good for me.

Overall 9/10 BOOM HEADSHOT

I plan to go out and buy a few more of these before they are all gone. Maybe hide one somewhere and let it age. Live yeast brews age well, but I couldn't stare at this one too long.


Flavius: Oh, I almost forgot I did one last thing. I replaced all my old incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
Meterman: Please tell me you didn't buried the old bulbs too.
Flavius: No they wouldn't grow tulips, so I wired them up on the roof to light the solar panels at night.