Saison Dupont

Ratebeer 3.81 98th percentile
Beer Advocate A-
Taste +4

Yum, wonderfully dry with lemon, tangerines and yeast. The mouthfeel is dry and creamy, if that is possible. Aromas of lemon and skunk cabbage (the nice herbal kind) fill the room. Don't forget about the earthiness and grainy bits.
Aftertaste +2

The finish is long and dry with a slight tartness. It reminds me of an under-sweetened lemon meringue.

Alcohol Content +1 6.5%

All this and booze too..Woot

Value +1

I have yet to try a saison that I have not liked.

Ingame Enhancement +1

L4D2 is still fresh and confusing. Another good night with the CDN clan and Meterman. The alcohol content lowers the twitching reflex.

Overall 9/10

Wonderfully tart, dry, earthy with citrus bonus points. I find it hard to keep my glass away from my face.

Driftwood Farmhand Ale
Le Merle
Ommegang Hennepin

Brunehaut Abbaye de Saint-Martin Brune

Ratebeer 3.45 85th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +4

This is going to be good, my nose tells me so. Aromas of toffee malt, raisins, prunes and cinnamon effortlessly fly up into my nose. A mildly tart sip is nothing to be frightened of, but the big dark malts, prunes and raisins may challenge to palate. It feels almost oily and slippery in the mouth, yet there is some effervescence. No noticeable hops because this brew is heavy into the malts. Currently I am reading a copy of a special edition of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The article is discussing the flavour sensation of umami. Which is best described as meaty or savory; not a big flavour in vegetarian cooking. Anyways, this beer is very umami, rich and satisfying.

Aftertaste +2

It leaves a very juicy and full coating of rich prunes and raisins.

Alcohol Content +1 8%

Oddly you can't taste it.

Value +1

I love a beer that has a flavour profile that changes as it warms up.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I just sat in bed and nerded out while drinking good beer.

Overall 9/10

This is one big, rich and malty beer. Drink it if you can get it.

Petrus Dubbel Bruin
Bornem Dubbel Double

Coopers Sparkling Ale

Ratebeer 3.05 51st percentile
Beer Advocate B

I picked this up as a single at the Cook Street CBAW Store. I love randoms singles.

Taste +4

It is not often that I like a light coloured ale. This one had an inviting nose of apples, cookie dough and lemon zest. Every sip was crisp and refreshing with apples and other pale fruits. After that, it was off to visit a slightly spicy and earthy hop ending. The ample carbonation only enhanced the cleansing finish.

Aftertaste +1

The ending was more than I expected. You were hit with this mash of slightly grapefruit, ripe banana and clove spice.

Alcohol Content 0 5.8%

You could notice the booze taste but it added to the crispness.

Value +1

This was a very refreshing light ale.

Ingame Enhancement +1

No game tonight, just drank beer in bed. Good beer, rest and beer score enhancements are well within my rights.

Overall 7/10

Perfect for the light beer drinker who think that they all take the same.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a Love of Dogs
Phillips Blue Buck
Bass Pale Ale

Keepers Stout (Lighthouse)

Ratebeer 3.25 62nd percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Canadian Brewing Award 2009 Silver Medal for Stout.

Taste +4

The nose was a little vacant because it came on tap very cold, but you could still pick up the slight roasted chocolate. The colour is as a stout should be; black, opaque with a thin layer of tan head. It had a medium mouthfeel, slightly watery, with roasted malts and bitter chocolate. The roast was the predominant flavour but still a little on the sweet side.

Aftertaste 0

Sadly this stout ends clean with only the faintest of roasted chocolate.
Alcohol Content 0 5.1%

Value +1

I love this stout even better when paired with a good Irish Whiskey.

Ingame Enhancement +1

This was the same Pfizer dinner, but at home was the unlocked Left4Dead 2 demo. Life does not get much better than this.
Overall 6/10

Three words best describe this beer: Yummy Stout.

Pike Entire Wood Aged Stout
Rip Tide Stout and The Science of Binge Drinking and Driving
The Great Irish Stout Blind Taste Test

Buckerfields Lederhosen Lager (Swan's)

Ratebeer 3.3 (one rating, thanks Capflu)
Beer Advocate

Taste +2

It has a nice caramel and lightly spicy nose. The taste is the same with a slight spicy hop up front and hints of green apple. A very drinkable brew due to the low carbonation. Since there is no picture you must imagine a copper and ruby coloured brew that you can just barely see through.

Aftertaste +1

A very dry and tart finish, with a glycerin like coating of tart malt and green apples.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

It was not stated, but assumed.

Value 0

It was above average for any other brew. For Swan's it was OK, below average for them. This in a very unfair standard, but one should expect a lot from an excellent brewpub like Swan's.

Ingame Enhancement +1

No gaming tonight but I did have dinner at the Ferris's Oyster Bar upstairs lounge. Thanks Pfizer!

Overall 4/10

It was a tasty beer. It got lower marks because it was below average for Swan's. If it was from anywhere else it would get a 6/10

Red Stripe Lager
Stiegl-Goldbrau and is addiction really so bad?
Lucky Force 8 and 100th review

Coney Island - Freaktoberfest

Ratebeer 2.77 26th percentile
Beer Advocate C+

This is marketing hype at its best. The label was cool, ABV set at 6.66% and it was released around Halloween. Hopefully the taste is good at the hype.

Taste +1

Shocking, the brew poured the colour of cheap horror movie blood red. There must be some beet juice in there. This is not going well, the nose is oddly vacant but barely pale malt. The taste is a vague hop soup with a vague malt blend carried on a medium-full mouthfeel. Too hard to pin down one particular flavour.

Aftertaste 0

It was a slightly astringent tart finish but it was very vague.

Alcohol Content +1 6.66%

Bonus points for picking a spooky number.

Value 0

It was not bad, but with the $5 I could have bought 3 Belgians. At least some of the money goes to charity.

Ingame Enhancement 0

This was the last beer of the night and I don't think I finished it.

Overall 1/10

It is great for the novelty and shock value, but don't buy it for the taste.

Brew Free or Die IPA

Ratebeer 3.64 93rd percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +4

The first sniff lets everyone know that this is an IPA that means business. It is big on citrus and pine hops with those pale malts barely peaking through. Despite the big nose, it is a very drinkable IPA. Every sip is creamy and smooth with pale malt. This is followed shortly by a big, but not overwhelming, pine hop bitterness. I place this one just above Brockton but below Pliny.

Aftertaste +1

It was nice and wet finish with lingering pale malts and sweet pine hops.

Alcohol Content +1 7%

Value +1

If I could get it at home I would drink it all the time.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Is this a dream, am I still in Seattle? With all these great beers my palate has gone to heaven.

Overall 8/10

This is yet another tasty, bold IPA.

Yellow Snow IPA and New Years Resolutions
Thunderhead IPA and Raising Funds
Hop Goblin IPA

Alaskan Amber
Alt (Old) Style Ale

Ratebeer 3.35 79th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

The faint nose is quite malty and reveals caramel, roast and cherries. With a medium mouthfeel you were not overpowered by this malty brew. There is a good dose of caramel and earthy malts backed with floral hops. These flavours were enhanced by the accompanying cherries and roast/smoke.

Aftertaste 0

The light carbonation cleaned everything away after each sip. The ending was dry.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

It is was it is. An easy drinking beer.

Value +1

I have heard people speak unfavorably about this beer. This is a very nice, malty and drinkable beer. It only set me back $3 for a bomber; a great deal for the quality of beer you get. I even like the label.

Ingame Enhancement +1
This was another Seattle beer sample. Next time this beer will be one I take home.

Overall 5/10

Despite the lower score this is a great malty brew. It was very easy drinking and surprisingly flavourful.

Drop Top Amber Ale
Duckstein Ale
Race Rock Amber Ale

Mango Weizen (Trade Route Brewing)
Flavoured Wheat Beer

Ratebeer 3.01 44th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

I'm sure you can imagine what the nose was like. Yup, it smelled of wheat tartness, yeast and tart mango. Luckily it was a nice balance of sweet and tartness. The sweet mango creaminess/juiciness balanced well with the tart wheat, biscuity yeast and lemon tartness. It poured cloudy with a orange hue like fresh mango juice.

Aftertaste +1

The mango juice and tart wheat rolls of the tongue and leaves a slight astringent residue.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

Value +1

This is a nice flavoured wheat beer. The added fruit juices did not overwhelm the palate.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Still sitting in my Seattle hotel room sampling many great beers.

Overall 6/10

If you are looking for a refreshing flavoured wheat, your search is over. This one would be perfect on a hot summer day.

Tangerine Wheat (Lost Coast)
Belgian Wit (Granville Island)
White Bark Wheat Ale (Driftwood)

Here is a summary of past beer and health articles 

Salivary acetaldehyde increase due to alcohol content and might be a cancer risk


Can science help you be a beer pro?

The flavour of beer makes you want to drink more

Can beer help with post exercise rehydration

Caffeinated beers and hangovers

Beer drinking help reduce risk factors for heart disease in at risk men

Arsenic and old ale


Beer drinkers buy more junk food than wine drinkers

Alcohol consumption frequency inversely related to obesity risk

Beer consumption greater than 7 per week increases risk of metabolic syndrome

Salty beers helps with post exercise fluid loss

Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages reduces the risk of developing Grave's hyprethyroidism

Consumption of non-alcoholic beer increases antioxidants in breast milk

Non-alcoholic beer help improve sleep patterns in female nurses

Alcohol consumption reduces mortality in women after a heart attack
Beer is equally effective as wine and spirits

Regular consumption of beer was associated with fewer teeth lost

The effect of drinking habits and the price of alcohol
A 10% increase in price, reduces consumption by 16%.

Regular beer consumption increased the risk of colorectal cancer
Dietary intake of folate, B12, B6, C, E, selenium and lycopene can attenuate this risk.

Beer can reduce risk of Parkinson's disease while liquor can raise risk

Beer and Wine similarly reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

Oktoberfest does not increase the incidence of acute pancreatitis

Beer reduces the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Truth about beer goggles

BMJ article: Alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease

Beer reduces respiratory illnesses and inflammatory in marathon runners

Beer contains prebiotics that benefit intestinal flora

Taxation reduces alcohol consumption and many alcohol-related negative outcomes

Beer can increase HDL cholesterol but not cholesterol effux

Alcohol intake and risk of psoriasis
Only nonlight beer increases the risk of developing psoriasis.

Beer and Pancreatic Cancer

Moderate drinking after a MI may be beneficial
Continued moderate drinking after a MI leads to better outcomes and reduced mortality.

Heavy Drinking Negates Benefits of Moderate Drinking
Once a month heavy drinking can negate that cardioprotective benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.

Can Drinking beer lead to malaria?
Drinking dolo can increase one's attractiveness to mosquitoes.

Alcohol Consumption reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
1-6 drinks per week reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes only in people who increased exercise or took metformin.

Wine and Beer are equally as good and bad for you
Both wine and beer increase antioxidant status one drink, but also unexpectedly reduce it after 3 drinks.

Hops can save my prostate
Xanthohumol, a bitter flavonoid in hops, can prevent testosterone from binding to receptors in prostate cells.

Boozy Energy Drinks Make You Dumb
Alcoholic energy drinks reduce mental functioning

The Beer Bottle Headshot
It takes more force to break an empty beer bottle than a full one.

Longwood IPA and beer does a prostate good
Regular consumption of alcohol has a reduced risk of developing an enlarged prostate.

I get by..
Japanese men had a greater reduction in heart disease risk with both moderate alcohol consumption and high social support.

Pliny the Elder and Adrenaline Shots
Report about anaphylactic (severe) allergy to beer.

Rebranding The Beer Belly
Binge drinking, and not regular consumption, can make you plump.

Stone Vertical Epic 9/9/9

Ratebeer 3.72 95th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

This is the most complex and tasty beers I have ever tasted. Normally a beer takes up a 1/2 page in my notebook. Stone Epic took up a full page of descriptions.

Taste +5

There is so much going on I must use point form.
Nose: vanilla, roast and wood, bitter chocolate.
Tastes: bitter chocolate,Stoli vanilla vodka, oak, bitter coffee, vague citrus.
The mouth feel was rich, full and oddly creamy

Aftertaste +2

All the flavours mixed together with a nice, long alcohol burn.

Alcohol Content +1 8.9%

The alcohol could be tasted and blended in well.

Value +1

WOW!
Ingame Enhancement +1

Very few beers knock me on my arse flavour wise and alcohol wise.

Overall 10/10

This is a limited release; if you see it get two or three. If not you will have to wait for 10/10/10.

Palo Santo Marron and Blog Integrity
Rochefort 10 and Believable Privates
Mikkell Beer Geek Weasel

Elysian Perseus Porter

Ratebeer 3.53 88th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

I picked this one up in Seattle at my favourite specialty beer store, Pike Street Beer and Wine. They always have the best selection in town. The prices are a little top shelf but not outrageous. The owner is always nice and kicks out a free glass for me. Then again I also spend about 3 figures whenever I go in there.

Taste +4

I love a good porter and this one did not disappoint. The not too overpowering smoky nose with hints of light chocolate told me I was in for a treat. The taste had a medium mouthfeel that was creamy. The favours mirrored the nose with light smoke and rich bitter chocolates. It was not too bitter at all; just right.

Aftertaste +2

This new friend stayed around for a long time. He told tales of light milk chocolate adventures, creamy smoke filled desires and a light warming of alcohol rendezvous.

Alcohol Content 0 5.4%

A very drinkable bomber; you don't even have to share.

Value +1

This one can be found for about $4.50US.
Ingame Enhancement +1

This was sampled in my Seattle hotel room. Hence the towel as a backdrop. Every six months I hit Seattle to stock up on exotic brews.

Overall 8/10

I think I have found my everyday porter soul-mate.

Granville Island Porter and Real Life
Black Butte Porter
Sleemans Fine Porter (YUCK)

Spaten Optimator
Dopplebock

Ratebeer 3.65 94th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +3

It emits a vague earthy/roasted malt and caramel nose. There was a quick splash of roasted caramel which was quickly followed by an astringent/herbal coating of hops. As the beer warms up you get a slight bitter cherry sourness and tartness.

Aftertaste 0

Clean, fast and slightly tart.
Alcohol Content +1 7.2%

Value +1

A lovely malty dopplebock.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Pre-load for L4D2 completed. Is is so wrong that I had a long conversation with Meterman about the excellent quality spatters in the new version?
Overall 6/10

Sweet, malty with earthly caramel and lots of alcohol. It was almost perfect.

Boss Kozlak Bock
Amber Bock (Michelob)
Elysian Ambrosia Maibock

Long Wood Imperial Stout

Ratebeer 3.12 43rd percentile
Beer Advocate A-

This is one of my favourite styles of beer. The other is a good Saison.

Taste +3

The nose is quite sweet with chocolate, burnt almonds, slight oatmeal and sherry (alcohol). Every lovely sip is rich, smooth and creamy that leaves a slight oily coating in the mouth. The mild roasted coffee flavours mix well with the not too bitter chocolate.

Aftertaste +1

Sadly it is over quickly with only a trace of bitter chocolate left.

Alcohol Content +1 7.2%

The alcohol shows up as a sherry/port like taste; the sweetest form of alcohol.

Value 0

When I ask for an Imperial Stout, I want a bitter and strong face sucker. This was almost there, but not quite.

Ingame Enhancement 0

Meh, didn't play tonight.

Overall 5/10

This was a very silky Imperial Stout, but a little lacking in the bitter chocolate department. To be fair this was made at a brewpub and general these brews do not stay too far from the norm.

Drakes Imperial Stout and Executive Class Guilt
Hammer Imperial Stout and Get Rich Quick
Pike XXXXXXXX Extra Stout

Now this is science. Playing video games may help improve concentration in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A very small study of 10 children with ADHD found that when they played Gran Turismo, it increased electroencephalograph (EEG)-measured beta waves. Beta waves are associated with greater concentration. After regular video game session these subjects demonstrated improvement in behaviors at school. It sounds great but critics of the study noted its small size and warned that video games can be addictive.

Le Freak

Ratebeer 3.71 95th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

This is a mix of two big styles of beer, Belgian Tripple and American Imperial IPA.

Taste +4

The nose is a little on the tart side with light fruits, apricots, green apples, pale malt and citrus hops. The flavours are a little hard to put your finger on, because there are so many. There is the ever present citrus hop bitterness at the start, but this mixes well with the tart green apples and Belgian yeast spiciness. It comes with with it the big carbonation expected from a Belgian style.

Aftertaste +1

It ended quite dry and clean, but the citrus hop residue still lingered a little bit.

Alcohol Content +1 9.2%

You could taste the alcohol , but your palate was too confused to notice it.

Value +1

I don't think I could drink this everyday. It would be fun at a tasting party because it doesn't really fit any style.

Ingame Enhancement +1

After playing L4D2 demo for the unknown number of times, I am ready for the real thing.

Overall 8/10

This was a lot to take in. It is best described as a big Belgian Trippel with extra citrus and spicy hops.

Damnation and Conspiracies
Tripel Karmeliet
Green Flash Trippel

Pike Tandem

Ratebeer 3.35 77th percentile
Beer Advocate B

This is one of those most go places for any beer drinker; the Pike Brewery near Pike Place Market. The pub is great, the beer is better and the food..yum.

Taste +4

It pours with a mucky, ruby/rust colour. Nose has a lot going on, but it is malty dominant with green apple and caramel. In stark contrast every sip is smooth and velvety. If you taste through the slight pit fruit tartness you get plums, bruised apricots, hints of yeast and bread. It reminds me a little of well made scones. Did I mention the grapefruit bitter ending..

Aftertaste +2

There was a long lingering of yeast mixed with bruised fruits.

Alcohol Content +1 7.5%

Ouch, but your tastebuds were focused on other things so the alcohol slipped right by.

Value +1

This is nice, slightly complex and delicious.
Ingame Enhancement +1

I have learned that I am not very good at versus on L4D. At least I did not score lowest.

Overall 9/10

If you like your beers big and on the sweet side, head for Seattle. It reminded me of a strong scotch ale with extra hops.

Belhaven Wee Heavy
Swan's Scotch Ale and Comedy writing
Doppel-Hirsch

La Moneuse
Saison

Ratebeer 3.75 96th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +4
I love a good saison style; they are big, sweet, spicey and refreshing. This one smells like a good one with spicy yeast, apricots and dried apples. You must watch the bottle when you pour. There is so much head it creeps out of the bottle. Yum..The taste is sweet maraschino cherries, apricots and other light pit fruits. All around these flavours is that wonderful spicy yeast/hops mix. At the end of every sip it provides that towel snap to your tongue.

Aftertaste +1

The finish is dry, tart and very cider like. Green apples and spicy yeast linger not long enough.

Alcohol Content +1 8%

Be very careful with this one. It is very tasty.

Value +1

This was very good, tasty and the corked bottle gives a nice presentation. Perhaps best paired with something spicy.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I must stop using this criteria; it really has nothing to do with beer. Any suggestion or comments for a new category would be greatly appreciated. What did I do... Tonight no one was on the L4D server so I played with myself. Wait.. No I played by myself.

Overall 8/10

Simply delicious. It was sweet, spicy and strong.

Farmhand Ale (Driftwood)
Le Merle Saison
Ommegang Hennepin

Imperial Hefeweizen
(Pyramid Breweries)

Ratebeer 3.22 66th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

This brew is just what the name says: Imperial (strong) Hefe (yeast) weizen (wheat beer). Your nose is greeted with the boldest tingle of yeast, wheat, grass, banana, cloves and apricots. The first taste is a little bitter, spicy and effervescent with a medium mouthfeel. Flavours range from peaches, lemon and bananas. The odd ending for this hefe was the light citrus hops.

Aftertaste +1

Overall it was very dry and crisp, with only a hint of bitter orange and yeast.

Alcohol Content +1 7.5%

Value +1
It was a little better than your average hefe.
Ingame Enhancement +1

More Left4Dead2 demo action tonight. It is still a linear FPS, but it looks really pretty.

Overall 7/10

Delicious. Just take your standard hefeweizen and turn the flavour dial a few notches.

Granville Island Hefeweizen
Pyramid Hefeweizen
Tree Hefeweizen
P38MP5486HRZ

Fort Garry Dark Ale

Ratebeer 2.79 27th percentile
Beer Advocate C+

Located in beautiful Winnipeg, the Fort Garry Brewing Company has been producing this dark ale for the enjoyment of all Manitobans. This is one more reason why I have no plans to visit this cold rock of a province.

Taste -1

The nose was ever so slight of roast and digested fruit (aka. vomit). No surprise to me the taste is no better; thin demerara sugar, acid and brunt white bread.

Aftertaste -1

The lingering was too acidic and tasted of golden pancake syrup.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

There really is nothing redeeming about this beer.

Value 0

It wasn't too bad; thankfully I never bought it.
Ingame Enhancement -1

I never played a lot this night because I had to leave to brush my teeth. The flavours would not get out of my mouth. When I finally returned, all the other players had gone to bed.

Overall -3/10

May I suggest we start a telethon to raise funds and send good beer the Manitoba?

Hitachino Nest XH (-3)
Rolling Rock Light (-4)
Pacific Pilsner (-4)