Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Route Des Epices

Route Des Epices (Dieu Du Ciel - Quebec)

Ratebeer 3.37 75th percentile
Beer Advocate B


Taste +1

I'm sure this is a fabulously complex beer and has won awards somewhere, but I did not like it. It started off nice; standard red ale with a nose of malt sweetness and hint of spice. The first sip began with a nice opening malt sweetness with hints of dark fruits and chocolate; then came the spice. Have you ever dumped too much pepper in your chili? This was the same; a spicy pepper wave came out of nowhere and ruined everything.

Aftertaste -2

This god-awful peppery spice filled the mouth and would not go away. To make it even worse, there was this slight warmth that traveled around the mouth and headed down the throat. It felt like someone stuck a few peppercorns in my toothpaste.
Alcohol Content 0 5%

Value 0

It was not bad beer, just a style I did not care for.

Ingame Enhancement 0

I think I had to miss a few rounds, because this beer had to be poured down the sink.

Overall -1 EWWW

I am really trying hard to think of something nice to say about this beer. Ok. I tried. It might make a good marinate for a pepper steak?

Bitburger Pils and Palm Springs

Flavius: Palm Springs was just like a L4D map!
Meterman: Ok, try and explain. How is an overpriced desert oasis, with gated golf communities full of rich old people, just like a violent, zombie video game.
F: It was the best map ever! Every car had an alarm and there were guns and ammo everywhere!
M: Those skinny, brown zombies that grunted and flailed their arms were actually senior citizens with a tan. Also, some of those cars you were jumping on were golf carts.
F: But some of the golf carts did have alarms! That also means that I was shoving those zombies away with a 9 iron.

Bitburger Pilsener

Ratebeer 2.9 35th percentile
Beer Advocate B-

Taste +4

I know that I have been critical of cheap, exported pilseners in the past. This beer is just the same but it actually tastes good. At first the nose is very light and quite floral with grass and grains. The flavours are very mild which makes this a very drinkable beer. A pleasant malt and grain sweetness is just under balanced with light hops. All of this with little carbonation.

Aftertaste +1

The finish is very clean and dry. There was little hoppy bitterness worth mentioning.

Alcohol Content -1 4.8%

Value +1

This beer is cheap; about $2 for a 500ml can. A very nice flavour for what you pay.

Ingame Enhancement 0

No game tonight, watched Johnny English instead. If Rowan Atkinson was a zombie, would he still be funny?

Overall 5/10

This is a summer patio beer; on par with Corona for ease of drinking. I put his beer on par with Blue and Canadian, only less carbonation and less of a bitter aftertaste.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Chambly Noir (Unibroue) and video game help

Flavius: I have finally found a situation where playing video games has helped me in real life.
Meterman: You recently got back from LA; please do not tell me the game has GTA4 or Saints Row.
F: Luckily no, it was GRID and Gran Turismo.
M: Navigating the LA freeway?
F: Nope; kicking ass on the go-kart track.

Chambly Noir (Unibroue)

Rate beer 3.33 72 percentile
Beer Advocate B


Taste +3

The nose is pleasantly light with caramel, toffee and plums. At first sip the heavy carbonation floods the mouth are carries a citrus and molasses wash with it. The usual Unibroue yeastiness is there, but it added an unusually smoothness. Mixed in with all this is a sour fruit (lemon) tang.

Aftertaste +1

Once the sourness and yeast flavours fade with the bubbles; you are left with a delightful malt and molasses sweetness.
Alcohol Content +1 6.2%

The alcohol taste is apparent, but it enhances the sour flavours very well.

Value +1

Meterman was impressed with this one and would get it again. I believe the standard 750ml corked bottles go for around $6.
Ingame Enhancement 0

Meh, no zombies tonight. The scary part is that in real life, I often find myself bumping my hip against expensive cars. I think it a habit; set off the alarm and the zombie fun is soon to come.

Overall 6/10

Meterman was particularly taken with this darker Unibroue style. It focused more on the dark fruits and less on the light breads and yeastiness. Not as good as some of the other Unibroue flavours we have reviewed.

Stone Imperial Russian Stout Spring 2007 and absolute power..

Meterman: So how is life as an admin?
Flavius: Players know the power I wield! They play differently when I am around.
M: They are giving you space because all the friendly fire you dish out.
F: No Way! It is the fear of being banned.
M: No, it is the fear when you accidentally shoot an alarmed car in expert mode.

Imperial Russian Stout Spring 2007 (Stone Brewing)

Rate Beer 4.22 100th percentile
Beer Advocate A

Taste +4

The nose is just as expected from an imperial stout; coffee, bitter chocolate, molasses and alcohol. To ingest this brew is a little challenging; you must chew it! It feels in the mouth like an espresso infused dark chocolate bar. There is a certain smoothness within this beer; despite the heavy alcohol tingle that travels all over the mouth. I must not forget to mention the roasted malt and black currant flavours.

Aftertaste +1

The roasted malt fades away to leave that mouth coating bitter chocolate. Sadly, the aftertaste is not long enough. It calls you and begs you to drink again.

Alcohol Content +1 10.8%

Ouch! It is hard to taste the booze on this one. Luckily this is a thick, sipping beer. If this one were easy to chug, there would be problems.

Value +1

This is one of the greatest beers I have every tried; I will purchase immediately upon sight.
Ingame Enhancement +1

I had this beer after riding the California Screaming roller coaster with my father. There is a certain satisfaction in hearing your father scream like a little girl.

Overall 8/10 BOOM HEADSHOT

This is a sinfully delicious beer. Anyone who is a fan of the thick stout style will love it.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Rate beer 3.64 91st Percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +3

The flavour was very full for an oatmeal stout. You could pick out plenty of the standard flavours: mild chocolate and coffee, roasted grain and oatmeal. This was a very easy drinking, albeit thick, stout.

Aftertaste +2

Your whole mouth was coated with a coffee and roasted grain bitterness that lasted for quite a while.
Alcohol Content 0 5.7%

Oatmeal stouts are not meant to be heavyweight beers.
Value +1

This was a very good oatmeal stout, I would certainly get it again.

Ingame Enhancement +1

WOOT! I was given admin privileges on the L4D server tonight. @kick nightware @kick meterman @kick you and you and you too.

Overall 7/10

If you are a fan of sweeter, thick stouts, this brew will not disappoint your tastebuds.

Howe Sound Baldwin and Cooper Best Bitter


Howe Sound Baldwin and Cooper Best Bitter

Rate beer 3.26 62 percentile
Beer Advocate A-


Taste +3

This was a nice beer. Very light hop bitterness in the nose with hints of nuts. The taste was a pleasant surprise; very light hop bitterness, grass and hollow malt and honey sweetness. It was very refreshing; an excellent example of a English style bitter.

Aftertaste +1

Slight warming tingle with the following hop bitterness.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

Value +1

I got this on tap at the Oak Bay Rec Center lounge. How is that for a hip and happening place?

Ingame Enhancement +1

It was almost like L4D in the lounge. Many of the patrons were rotting and moaning.

Overall 6/10

Who would have guessed that one could find good beer at the Rec Center.

Molson Canadian Cold Shots


Molson Canadian Cold Shots

Rate beer 1.52 2nd percentile
Beer Advocate D+

This is a sad day for Canadian brewing; beer in a Red Bull can.

Taste +1

Technically it is beer. When it is ice cold there is almost no flavour; this is a good thing. As it warms up you get the nose of honey, grass and cardboard. This one reminds me of a sweeter version of regular Canadian. A light lager with added corn syrup. Heavy on the carbonation.

Aftertaste 0

Very quick and clean finish, thank God.

Alcohol Content 0 6%

Value 0

I picked this up singly for $1.80 for 250ml. Available by itself at slummier CBAW stores.

Ingame Enhancement 0

I actually can't remember drinking it; it was gone so quick.

Overall 1/10 BLECK

This beer is a novelty and good for one thing only; sneaking into venues and getting teenagers drunk fast. I might hide a few around my house and yard in case of such an emergency.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Unibroue Quatre-Centieme and Professional help

Flavius: I decided to seek professional help to improve my video gaming.
Meterman: Wow. What did you do, get online coaching from a pro?
F: Nope, I went for body modification.
M: Oh crap! Did you have cheat codes tattooed on your forearms?
F: Nope. I had a manicure. With long nails I was always poking myself in the eye when I drank my beer too quickly.

Unibroue 4 Centuries

Ratebeer 3.57 88th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +3


The nose is typical Unibroue; yeasty, spicy (pepper and coriander), vanilla and alcohol. As with all Unibroue pints, the flavours are mildly complex. You can pick out cloves, allspice with just a little orange and citrus fruits. All of these rest on a carbonated, yeasty, light malt wash.

Aftertaste +1

Very clean finish, with a full mouth tingle mixed with bitter sweet citrus fruits.

Alcohol Content +1 7.5%

No surprises here; all Unibroue beer are above 7%. It is hard to taste the alcohol in this one, other than the obvious tingle.

Value +1

It cost about $7 for a 750ml bottle; essentially this is 3 regular beers in one bottle. I would get it again.

Ingame Enhancement 0

No L4D tonight. Hey, I can't play violent video games every day. Studies have shown that violent video games might negatively affect behaviour. I personally don't believe these people, I play violent video games and am a gentle and mentally stable person. Anyone who tells me differently will get a kick in the crotch!

Overall 6/10

Typical Unibroue. It is nice, but you must like strong, yeasty, spicy beers.

Palo Santo Marron (Dogfish Head) and blog integrity

Flavius: Normally at left4beer we are committed to giving our readers the highest standards of impartial reviews on alcoholic beverages.
Meterman: Right, you are about as impartial as Judge Judy. You also used the word 'Normally', which means that your high standards might dip a little.
F: That's right. We had to tell you, our readers...
M: All seven of them.
F: Shut it. We must tell you about this incredible beer.
M: That is the only reason why I am still here. You won't tell me where you bought it.
Palo Santo Marron by Dogfish Head

Rate beer 3.88 98th Percentile
Beer Advocate A-

This beer is officially classified as a strong American Ale. The claim to fame for this beer is that it was aged on Palo Santo wood from Paraguay. I now have this desire to visit Paraguay and lick a Palo Santo tree.
Taste +5

Wow, this beer has some viscosity when it pours, not unlike a strong imperial stout. It pours as black as my parole officers heart. The nose is very complex; you can pick up vanilla, molasses and cherries. Every drink reveals a new flavour; burnt coffee (the good kind), bitter chocolate, cherries and exotic woods.
Aftertaste +2

This beer sticks around for a while and leaves a residue of wood smoke, caramel and dark fruits. It is all packaged with a pleasant alcohol warmth. There is little carbonation in this brew.
Alcohol Content +1 12%

Whoa partner! We kept sipping this one until it was gone in about 2 minutes. You cannot smell nor taste the alcohol in your glass. Be very careful
Value +1

This beer was not cheap; it cost about $21 for a 4 pack. When one spends this much on a beer, one expects something special. This is the second 4 pack I have purchased and no doubt there will be more.
Ingame Enhancement +1

No game tonight; we just stood at my bar and stared at the fish. All the while enveloped in gastronomic bliss.
Overall 10/10 BOOM ZOMBIE HEATSHOT
This is perhaps one of the most impressive beers I have ever tasted. Only 4 other beers have gotten a perfect 10 at left4beer; Aventinus, Obsidian stout, Hermannator and Okocim Polish Porter.

Phillips Slipstream Cream Ale


I am a big fan of this local brewery. Their 650ml limited edition brews are worth trying. Recently we reviewed the Hammer Stout, which was excellent. To everyone's delight, the Double Dragon Imperial Red Ale is currently in finer CBAW outlets.

Phillips Slipstream Cream Ale

Ratebeer 2.72 24th percentile
Beer Advocate B-

Taste +1

Well at least it is beer. The nose is reminiscent of acidic vomit. The taste is just as the label says; a creamy tasting ale with hints of cashew nuttiness. You also are treated to a nice wash of malt and toffee sweetness and only the slightest hint of hop bitterness.

Aftertaste 0

Finishes quick and clean

Alcohol Content 0 5%

Standard box beer alcohol conent here.

Value 0

Meterman picked up a six pack for about $15. I will probably have made a different choice next time

Ingame Enhancement 0

The zombies were safe tonight. We just sat and watched the kids do circles around the couch. After an hour of that they moaned like tired zombies.

Overall 1/10

The must be something good I can say about this beer... If you are going to a BBQ and don't want to look odd, bring ths beer. It is better than Blue and more recognizable than Hoegaarden.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Rogue Santas Private Reserve and Prepare Yourself

Flavius: No time for small talk, we need to get reviews done. We are backlogged and need to prepare for the 100th beer review.
Meterman: Great the less you talk the better. Anything planned for the 100th review?
F: We need to shatter the palate! Whenever you can detect the flavours of grapefruit peel and vanilla, something needs to be done.
M: Well it is not like you are Michael Jackson or anything. It would be nice to do a hard reset on the taste buds.
F: Stay tuned, I have a plan. What does the King of Pop have to do with it?
M: No the other Michael Jackson you idiot; the great "Beer Hunter".

Rogue Santas Private Reserve

Ratebeer 3.51 85th percentile
Beer Advocate B+
Taste +3
IBU 44

This red amber ale had the look and nose of a pale ale, just with more hops. The first drink did not give the full mouth feel you might have expected from a hoppy Rogue Ale. As predicted, the taste was a pleasant hop bitterness, quite sharp. There was not a lot of malt sweetness to balance out the bitter. Don't get me wrong, it is a tasty beer. I just expect more from a Rogue. You could also pick up hints of citrus and pine.
Aftertaste +1

The malt/caramel sweetness vanished quickly to leave a residual hop bitterness. This slowly faded away to leave a clean palate.
Alcohol Content 0 6%

Just under the mark for a positive score.
Value -1

Ouch, Meterman got rocked with a $8 bill for this 650ml bottle. It was a cool bottle with the glow in the dark snowflakes. We expected more from a higher priced special edition beer.
Ingame Enhancement 0

I can't remember what I did this night; this certainly wasn't caused by a 6% beer. Maybe I was abducted my aliens. If I was; we all probably played L4D.
Overall 3/10 meh

This was good beer, but nothing outstanding. Perhaps I expected too much from this Rogue, everything else they make is outstanding.