Saturday, June 27, 2009

Steam Whistle Pilsner


Steam Whistle Pilsner

Ratebeer 2.83 30th percentile
Beer Advocate B-

There are few things I like about Toronto; this is one of them.

Taste +4

The nose is very pilsner like; light grass sweetness and clover notes. Immediately the carbonation takes hold and fizzes the refreshing tastes all over the mouth. It is the most pleasant grass and toasted bread sweetness. This is vanquished with an equally as refreshing hop bitterness. The hops are just slight enough to cleanse the palate.

Aftertaste +1

There is a very hollow finish, dry and crisp. It is just as a good pilsner should be. After a slight mouth rinsing of hop bitterness, it was gone

Alcohol Content 0 5%

Value +1

This is truly an exceptional Canadian Pilsner. Well worth the slightly premium price; about $15 for 6 pack. I get it every time I see it.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I am just making this up to increase the beers score.
Overall 7/10

This should be Canada's beer; not those other 'pilsners'.

Paddywack IPA


Paddywack IPA (Nelson Brewing)

Ratebeer 3.34 70th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

The nose is a nice balance of aromatic piney hops, but with a little subdued malt/bready sweetness. The gulp starts off with a tame toasted bready sweetness, that is quickly followed with a non-standard hop bitterness. Usually stronger IPAs have a grapefruit and pine resin to them; this brew adds an astringent lemon rind to the mix.

Aftertaste +2

Very long lasting astringent grapefruit and lemon residue that coats the whole mouth.

Alcohol Content +1 6.5%

Value 0

This is a nice IPA but hard to place. If I wanted a nice drinkable IPA, I would get an Brocktons. If I wanted something to smack the palate, I would get a Green Flash. This one sadly falls in the overqualified and under appreciated category.

Ingame Enhancement 0

No game, no witty comments, it's over.

Overall 6/10

This is the beer I got because there was nothing else worth getting at the Queen's Cross CBAW in North Van. Keep on driving to Edgemont Village, much better CBAW there.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hop Goblin IPA R&B


Hop Goblin IPA R&B Brewing

Ratebeer not listed
Beer Advocate B-

Taste +4

There is nothing wrong with an IPA like this one; your nose is graced with heavy, floral hops. It is similar to the smell of grapefruits and assorted bitter citrus. You get a very sweet caramel up front with a very assertive hop bitterness immediately afterwards. They blended nicely together; there was over 45IBU for those keeping track.

Aftertaste +2

There was a long lingering of malt sweetness with an astringent, bitter hoppiness to it. The grapefruit flavours lasted until the next sip.

Alcohol Content +1 6.0%

Value +1

This was great local flowery IPA. I would get it again.
Ingame Enhancement 0
Grid Defense might cause me to loose all my friends. Who needs friends when you get level beating satisfaction.
Overall 8/10

I would class this one as an excellent grapefruit, flowery IPA. Not quite as over the top as a Stone.

Other forgettable posts
Stone IPA
Broken Halo IPA
Dogfish Head 90min IPA

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Asahi Black


Asahi Black

Ratebeer 3.0 44th percentile
Beer Advocate B
Taste +2

It pours with a minimal, thin head. ICYWW that is not a traditional style of beer glass. It came with a fancy Italian frozen desert. The colour is true, dark like coffee but not murky. The taste is as you would expect. There is roasted malt sweetness mixed with burnt toast and just the fainted of hops. It was actually very thin tasting; similar to a burnt Guinness. Only not as sweet.

Aftertaste +2

The brew provided a long lasting roasted malt and astringent hops coating. It seemed to hang around for hours.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

Value 0

You could liken this to a watery stout. Asahi dark was nice but not spectacular.

Ingame Enhancement 0

I tried the Grid Defence demo today. I think there may be a 12 step program in my near future

Overall 4/10

If I were in Japan and could not get anything else, I would have one again.

Jacobsen Dark Lager


Jacobsen Dark Lager

Ratebeer 2.9 35th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

This has to be one of the cooler bottles out there; nothing beats a bottle with a head on it. It is a spot on dark lager; nose consists of sweet caramel malt, licorice and brown sugar. The flavours are a well rounding of toffee, bread and nuts. There is slight bitterness at the end comparable to tart tomatoes.

Aftertaste +2

The mouth coating lasted quite a long time and consisted of a dry sweetness with that tomato like tartness. It could easily be a -2 if you are not into dry, tart flavours.

Alcohol Content 0 5.8%

Value 0

I can appreciate the style, but I wouldn't get it again.

Ingame Enhancement 0

It was a nice night of L4d; even if NW and Matrix did keep setting me on fire. Gentlemen please shoot the gas can after I put it down.

Overall 5/10

If you like your dark lagers a little sweet and tart, then this one is for you.

Petrus Dubbel Bruin


Petrus Dubbel Bruin

Ratebeer 3.42 81st percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

Like a shot your mouth is hit was a heavy sweetness, mixed with an alcohol burn. Full mouth for sure, rather like an alcoholic cherry syrup. Nose is not surprisingly malt vinegar and faint caramel/toffee. A little bit of plum and spice is added for good measure
Aftertaste +1

Once the burn is gone, the brew reveals a sweet caramel and cherry.

Alcohol Content +1 6.5%

Yup its there alright.

Value +1

It was a nice bold taste I would get again. You can pick one up for $3.50 at BCLS.

Ingame Enhancement 0

L4d survivor is just like sex. Why can't I last for more than 2 minutes?

Overall 6/10

Gotta love those strong Belgian Doubles. This one had a less intense flavour than Duchesse de Bourgogne.
Other irrelevant posts
Duchesse de Bourgogne and a taste for blood
Bah Humbug and preparing for holidays

Greens Endeavour (Gluten Free)

Greens Endeavour

Ratebeer 2.54 17th percentile
Beer Advocate C-

Taste +2

Nose was almost like a rye, with added heavy malt sweetness and cherries. Right away you got a alcohol and carbonation tingle that gave way to a tart cherry-like sweetness. It was almost effervescent. Certainly was on the sweet side.

Aftertaste +2

It is hard to believe that malt vinegar and cherries can provide a nice lingering taste.

Alcohol Content +1 7%
Too much sweet; there was no hiding the spirit vapor.

Value 0

It was interesting, but as it warmed up it got sweeter. Best served very cold.
Ingame Enhancement 0

Left a funny taste in my mouth that had to be removed by brushing. It caused my to miss part of the finale.
Overall 5/10

For those who have gluten sensitivities it is nice to know that you can still enjoy a beer. I'm glad I don't have such sensitivities.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Kronenbourg (Speed review)

Kronenbourg
**insert generic pale beer picture here**

Ratebeer 2.23 9th percentile
Beer Advocate D+

Had this one on tap at the Penny Farthing Pub. Not sure is it was the 1664 or the plain.

Taste +1

Taste was average; barely flowery hops with whiffs of grass and honey. It was very light and drinkable, a little watery though. The nose did have a slight plum and spice sensation, but it was a stretch. It tasted a lot like apple cider.

Aftertaste +1

Very clean finish and not too mouth puckering.

Alcohol Content -1 4.7%

Value 0

It was alright.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Just sat in the pub and talked with my friend Donovan (aka. Pretty Blue Eyes), so it was a good night.

Overall 2/10

Bleck, boring beer. Only slightly above average.

Propeller IPA


Propeller IPA (Nova Scotia)

Ratebeer 3.46 81st percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +2

I like a good strong IPA, or a very mild IPA. This one is in between; with a faint nose of piney hops and caramel malts. The taste was very similar, rather watery medium feel with a slight ice-cool backbone. You could only pick up slight piney hop resin but not citrus. Only a trace of vanilla sweetness.

Aftertaste +1

There was more of a malt sweetness than you would expect from an IPA. It lingered a little, but then it was gone.

Alcohol Content +1 6.5%

IPA's must be strong to be flavourful IMHO.

Value 0

I originally gave it a +1. Then I tried the Granville Island Brockton IPA and decided this was a better mass produced IPA.

Ingame Enhancement 0

More Elvis Costello talk (variety) show distain. I felt like reaching into the TV and tightening Elvis's cravat until he shut up.

Overall 4/10

This is an OK IPA; certainly better than that other Nova Scotia IPA Alexander Keiths. It was no where as good as Stone IPA or Brockton's IPA.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Double Dead Guy 2009 (Rogue)


Double Dead Guy Ale 2009 (Rogue)

Ratebeer 3.56 89th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +4

This is one nice bitter ale. The first sip reveals to you a sense that there will be huge grapefruit/pine bitterness to follow. Sadly the taste is more candy malt and roasted nuts followed by a slight citrus and pine resin hop bitterness. The nose is actually quite attenuated from what you might have expected. Over all it is a very smooth, bitter ale with a touch of wood and bourbon.
Aftertaste +2

The bitter citrus and pine resin makes your mouth salivate for the next sip. It seems to keep on building after each gulp.
Alcohol Content +1 9%

No mistaking this beer for a lightweight. The smell and taste of alcohol is a powerful as a Superbowl Sunday post-game fart.
Value 0

It was very nice, but for $15 a bomber... Possibly for a special occasion.

Ingame Enhancement 0

I sat on my friends couch and watched Elvis Costello's train-wreck of a talk show. Is it just me or does Elvis look like Gordon Freeman; must be the glasses.

Overall 7/10 BOOM Costello head-shot

This was a good bitter ale. The ceramic bottle was a nice touch; it now holds my dish washing soap.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Hook Norton Double Stout and Blackberries


Flavius: I think I need a Blackberry.
Meterman: Why, no one desires to communicate with you.
F: It will help me stay connected to the wired world.
M:Most of us hope you will sever your ties completely.
F: I see all these people looking at their blackberries being important. I feel like I'm missing out.
M: It's a false illusion. Most of them are following RSS feeds about Jon and Kate plus 8 gossip.

Hook Norton Double Stout

Ratebeer 3.51 86th percentile
Beer Advocate B+
Taste +4

The nose smells like blackness; bitter hot chocolate, nuts mixed with malt sweetness. The taste is surprisingly smooth and washes your mouth out with a dry chocolate bitterness. It is similar to a 75% cocoa mass mouth wash with lots of malt.

Aftertaste +2

This brew will not go away. Your palate is blessed with an alcohol and hop tingle that leaves to reveal an everlasting chocolate bittersweet residue.
Alcohol Content -1 4.8%

A lot of stouts tend to be a little low on the alcohol content.

Value +1

This is stellar chocolate stout, almost better than Young's. I would get it again.

Ingame Enhancement 0

Played it old school today with CSS. I don't play enough so I got owned; at least I didn't make a fool of myself.

Overall 6/10

A good chocolate stout; enough said.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Youngs Double Chocolate Stout


Youngs Double Chocolate Stout

Ratebeer 3.78 97th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +5

With a slight nose of alcohol, oatmeal and bitter chocolate you know this will be one rich beer. It does not disappoint; there is a thickness to this pint that covers the mouth with bitter chocolate and lightly roasted malt. Despite the slight hops and roasted malt bite, this is one remarkably smooth beer.
Aftertaste +1

It leaves an after bite of bittersweet chocolate liqueur, but it fades gently away with the alcohol tingle.

Alcohol Content 0 5.2%

Value +1

I get this beer whenever I have been a good boy.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Tonight was a standard night: beer, zombies and friends. Although the zombies were virtual and the friends I have never met in RL.
Overall 8/10

I seem to have one of these every month. Rightly so, it is a great indulgence beer.
Other non-noteworthy posts
Brother Bart Belgian Brown Ale
Lucky Force 8
Unibroue Quatre-Centieme and Professional help

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Old Towne Bavarian Lager and Beer Hacking

Flavius: I have been reading this book about mind hacking...
Meterman: Not very relevant for you..
F: Under my feet. I was thinking..
M: Good! You should try that more often.
F: I should try and hack my beer drinking.
M: How the hell can you hack beer? Open bottle, drink; repeat as needed.
F: No... Start with the lager or pilsner so as to not coat the palate. Then move on to the stouts and Belgians.
M: You think too much about useless stuff.

Old Towne Bavarian Lager (Swans)

Ratebeer 2.76 26th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +3

This pale pint has the most amazing sweet hop aroma. I am not a fan of lagers, but this is the exception. You taste a fresh corn and pale malt that is not too sweet. The aromatic hops keep this under wraps. When the light malt fades away the hops take over with a gentle bitter bite. A very drinkable pint.

Aftertaste 0

It drifts off very clean; perhaps a corn syrup and pancake lingering. It was hard to tell.

Alcohol Content 0 5.4%
Value +1

Stellar deal for $3.85 for a true pint.

Ingame Enhancement +1

After a pint of that 8% scotch ale and this one I was feeling no pain. On a hot day in downtown Victoria, there is no better place to be than at Swan's Hotel. I am truly glad that the mini-skirt is back in fashion. I am also glad that I brought my bike.

Overall 5/10

This might make a lager lover out of me; just not those mass produced ones in colourful cans.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Swan's Scotch Ale and Comedy Writing

Flavius: It is hard being a comedy writer
Meterman: Especially since your life is a tragedy
F: No, it is hard to think of the funny monologues.
M: You should try a little harder; most are not very funny
F: What I need to find is inspiration.
M: Look in the mirror. Often I am laughing at you not with you.

Swan's Riley Scotch Ale

Rate beer 3.41 72nd percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +3

There is more of a fruity malt nose, not expected from a scotch ale. Other noted nose offerings include caramel, wood, digested fruit (a.k.a. vomit). Luckily the taste is better than the nose. A little dark fruit sweetness with a little smoke and wood hints. Only the slightest of hops to keep the sweetness is check.
Aftertaste +2

It is a very sticky brew, the mildly tannic flavours lasted forever. It might be a -2 if you are not into bitter plum and raisin tastes.

Alcohol Content +1 8%

Value +1

I would try this one again, it was pleasantly different. And at $3.75 for a true pint, it was a great deal. Sadly the deal is only on Mondays.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I did not bring the laptop so no gaming was happening at the pub. But life is rough, watching the world rush past while you kick back with a good pint.
Overall 8/10

If you are ever in Victoria, stop by the Swan's Hotel and brewpub for good pints.

Granville Island Ginger Beer


Granville Island Ginger Beer

Rate beer 3.06 39th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +2

The nose is similar to a strong, spicy ginger ale. Hiding behind the prominent ginger flavour is a nicely balanced ale; not to malty and not too hoppy. The ginger is spicy enough to warm, but not enough to burn.

Aftertaste +2

There is nice malt sweetness that carries the ginger spiciness all over the mouth and down the throat.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

Value +1

It was nice; just gingery enough. I will probably get it next year.
Ingame Enhancement 0

Nope no zombies tonight, sorry

Overall 5/10

If you like ginger, you will like this one.

Phillips Double Dragon 2008


Phillips Double Dragon 2008 (Imperial Red Ale)

Ratebeer 3.31 63rd percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +4

The colour is not visible in the photo, but it is a deep ruby. Your nose is pounded with a rich mixture of malt sweetness, citrus, raspberry, nut and slight piney hops. No surprises in the taste, but very welcome. You get a full mouth fill of slight raspberry, nut and sweet malt. It is a little under hopped, so overall it is on the sweet side. Throughout this glorious gulp is a nice alcohol tingle.

Aftertaste +1

Nothing new in the finish. It does not linger long; but what is left is a bready, roasted malt and barely a hop bitterness.

Alcohol Content +1 8.2%

This is where the 'double' comes from, I guess. The alcohol is in the nose, taste and finish. There is no hiding it.

Value +1

Every year this brew is a limited release and is always sold out quickly. At $5 for a 650ml bomber, I should have bought more.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Not sure if I played this night; but I will give it a positive score to bump the numbers up.

Overall 8/10

I think I look forward to this beer more than Christmas.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Joseph Spelt Beer


Joseph Spelt Beer

It is possible to brew with grains other than barley and wheat. Technically spelt is in the wheat family of grains. One misconception is that spelt is gluten-free; this is not true. As a member of the wheat family it does contain gluten like proteins and is not recommend for people with celiac disease. There are gluten free beers; Greens are a great example. They use rice, sorghum and buckwheat.

Rate Beer 3.06 48th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +4

The nose is heavy on the yeast, lemons and wheat/spelt aroma. Its taste is just like the aroma; very refreshing and intensely citrus. The photo does not truly represent the fluorescent yellow colour of this beer; it looks almost artificial. If you like heavy carbonated beer, then this one is for you.

Aftertaste +1

The aftertaste is short lived and very reminiscent of lemon pie.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

Value +1

As one of the more unique beers I have tried; this one will be a repeat purchase. Highly recommended for something completely different.

Ingame Enhancement +1

As always there were zombies and there was lead. This combination always leaves a big mess. The best part is that when you turn off your monitor, the clean-up is complete.

Overall 7/10

This was a very refreshing beer. Think of it as Corona on steroids; the perfect summer beer to impress.

Previous cool posts
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a Love of Dogs
Swan's Oatmeal Stout
Koningshoeven Quadrupel Trappist Ale