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August 30, 2004

Samuel Adams: Octoberfest

Name: Samuel Adams: Octoberfest
Brewed In/Type: Boston, Massachusetts/Octoberfest - Lager
Dennis: It's hard to find a bad Samuel Adam's beer honestly, and this proves it. It's alway nice when you can buy a beer untasted and know your going to enjoy it. Hearty in taste, but light in body this beer is one of the better Oktoberfest's out there.
Jen: As far as Octoberfests goes, this is one of the better ones. It is smooth and tasty. It has the nice fall flavors that an october beer deserves. As usual Sam Adams has made another delicious beer. I definitely recommend that you pick one of these up before they go out of season and you have to wait until next year!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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August 29, 2004

Frugal Joe's Ordinary Beer

Name: Frugal Joe's Ordinary Beer
Brewed In/Type: Minnesota/Ordinary Beer
Dennis: This is beer. Nothing fancy, nothing amazing. Cheap, cold, beer. That's about it.
Jen: Pretty much the name of this beer says it all. It is an ordinary beer and for $4.69 a six pack at Trader Joe's, I really didn't expect much more. It has light flavors and no after taste; kind of a like a plain ole American beer. Light, cheap and it tastes good: things that I like about beer.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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August 28, 2004

Fat Weasel Ale

Name: Fat Weasel Ale
Brewed In/Type: Minnesota/Ale
Dennis: I think this beers taste is deep and subtle, it makes a presence the minute it hits your tounge and doesn't leave a heavy aftertaste. You can tell this is a strong ale the minute you smell it and taste it, even more so if you look at the alcohol content on the label ;) Good beer for those who want more than what a bulk brew beer can offer.
Jen: This beer has a really mild and almost sweet flavor. It goes down really smooth with this unusually good after taste. Almost like a sour patch kid...bold and slightly bitter at first but ends with a sweet finish. And being 7.1 % alcohol makes it all the better.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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August 27, 2004

Jumping Cow

Name: Jumping Cow
Brewed In/Type: Minnesota/Amber Ale
Dennis: As and amber ale this is a little more bitter than I expected, but the flavor is very rich, almost kind of roasted. Kinda like burt toast, sometimes you want it, sometimes you don't. Tasty though and worth drinking.
Jen: A good beer with a zip to it. I really like it and it is full of good flavors. It has a zing to it with a nice clean finish. I can't quite put my finger on the spices in it, but I definitely like it. Easy to drink. Here's hoping it goes well with pizza tonight!
Rating: 4 out of 5

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August 26, 2004

Berghoff: Original Lager

Name: Berghoff: Original
Brewed In/Type: Wisconsin / Lager
Dennis: Good, light, cheap. $9.99 for a 12 pack isnt' to bad for "micro" brew beer. If you looking for a good cheap beer this is it. If you looking for rich flavors, and a deep complexity...go somewhere else. It is what it is and nothing else.
Jen: *Yawn... Just another beer to me. Don't get me wrong, the flavors aren't that bad, but there are many different beers that I would rather have. It is nothing special, but if like just a plain ole beer, than give it a shot, otherwise spend the $$ and get a lager that is delicious!
Rating: 3 out of 5

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August 25, 2004

Red Stripe

Name: Red Stripe: Jamaican Lager
Brewed In/Type: Jamaican/ Lager
Dennis: Crisp, clean, light but with a twang of flavor. Not to much aftertaste, a very good beer when you want something different that isn't to heavy. The real kick in the pants is that it's imported by Guinness. Good beer that's not watered down like some bulk microbrews.
Jen: I have been looking forward to drinking this beer because it brings back good memories. I really enjoy this beer. It may be mild, but has a perfect balance of flavors: clean, crisp and delicious. Definitely a good one to drink and the bottle (like a barrel) just makes it more fun to drink! Jamaica makes a great beer! :P
Rating: 4 out of 5

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August 24, 2004

Founders: Dirty Bastard

Name: Founders: Dirty Bastard
Brewed In/Type: Grand Rapids, Michigan/Scotch Ale
Dennis: This beer is 8.3% alcohol, and not for the timid. A dark stout obviously, it's taste is still smoother than that of Samuel Adam's Scotch Ale, but leaves much more than just a twenty on the nightstand next morning. Here's a quote from the label:
"Auch! Yeh've nary had such a bonnie taste of heav'n since pullin' yer mouth off yer mammy's teet. With more highland bitties and flavours than yer grandmammy's haggis, Dirty Bastard Ale ain't fer the wee lads. And if it's too strong fer yer silk-wearin', poodle-walkin' arse, then it's back to the loch with you, nessy!". This beer is something to be experienced, but beyond that I wouldn't buy it again. If you want a truely strong brew I recommend Golden Monkey or Stout King (soon to be reviewed I hope) over this.
Jen: I don't really mind Scotch Ales, but unlike Dennis, I prefer the Sam Adams Scotch Ale. However, this one is FULL of flavor and it is tasty. A very heavy beer and, man oh man, grrrr! It is harsh! I don't dislike, but I don't know if I would really ever buy it again!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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August 20, 2004

St. Paulie Girl: Special Dark

Name: St. Paulie Girl: Special Dark
Brewed In/Type: Germany/Dark Bier
Dennis: I agree that this is a very light dark beer. But this is a very tasty, crisp, light, tasteful dark beer. Worth buying twice.
Jen: IMO, this is a "light" dark beer. It is pretty good with a slightly nutty flavor. All in all, it is tasty, but light. Easy to drink and a good starter beer. Goes down easily with no strong after-taste. It is a good beer and a nice change of pace.
Rating: 4 out of 5

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August 19, 2004

Spaten: Oktoberfest

Name: Spaten: Oktoberfest
Brewed In/Type: Munich, Germany/Bier
Dennis: It's been about 2 years now since Spaten has started trying to break into the american market, and they seem to be having some success. This beer boasts about following the Reinheitsgebot (purity law) which is not uncommon for german beers. However, unlike other german beers this one has a different spicey/musty taste and smell. It's a good beer, and flavorful but by no means a light crisp beer alone. I like it, even recommend it, but drink to many and you'll start to get a little over "oktoberfested" with the spices.
Jen: This isn't that bad of a beer. It has subtle flavors and isn't as "oktober-festy" as I usually like my fall beers. I still like it though. Easy to drink and it is pretty delicious. However, if you are looking for a full-flavored oktoberfest try something else. This is a good beer, easy to drink and light in spicy flavors.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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August 18, 2004

Amstel Light

Name: Amstel Light
Brewed In/Type: Amsterdam/Lager
Dennis: It's a light beer, or as I like to call it "fizzy water". Really to me light beer tastes like it's already been through somebody's kidneys. Harshness aside, as light beer's go, it's good. But honestly I'd rather run an extra mile and enjoy a hearty brew.
Jen: As for light beers goes, this is one of the better ones. If you like to stick to lower calorie etc beers than try this one. But it really doesn't hold a candle to my favorite light beer (review to come for it). But, all in all, a good light beer to have on hand for your calorie-watching friends!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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August 16, 2004

Guinness Draught

Name: Guinness Draught
Brewed In/Type: Dublin, Ireland/Stout
Dennis: This is always a great drink that goes down easy and is good for you. No really I mean it. It's a good stout to start with, and even after drinking darker stouts you can always come back to enjoy the light flavor and rich taste.
Jen: This is my all time favorite beer. There really are no words worthy of describing this beer. It goes down smooth, has perfectly balanced flavors and is delicious. I love to drink it all the time. I can be a starter, a middle or an ender! Plain or as a black and tan; put a Guinness in front of me and it will be gone with a blink of the eye!
Rating: 5 out of 5

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August 11, 2004

Sierra Nevada: Pale Ale

Name: Sierra Nevada: Pale Ale
Brewed In/Type: Chico, California/Pale Ale
Dennis: Very tasty beer. Lot's of flavor from the malted barley that really doesn't make any part of this beer pale. There's a little bit of bite from the way the yeast is fermented in the bottle, but over all it just adds to the taste. I enjoyed this beer, and would recommend it over a lot of other domestic's.
Jen: Strong flavor and light body best describes this beer. It isn't bad, but I have had better. The tastes are slightly overwhelming, but I still enjoy it. It is a good starter beer, and I will drink it again, but there are many beers I prefer over this one!
Rating: 4 out of 5

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August 09, 2004

Trinity

Name: Trinity
Brewed In/Type: Chicago, Illinois/Red Ale
Dennis: Dark, musty and full of taste. This is a very good red ale, with no bitterness or heavy aftertaste. A bit more "toasty" than other red's and a bit more hearty, it still doesn't leave to strong of an impression that would overpower your meal. Good red ale.
Jen: This is a pretty decent beer. Fairly easy to drink with good flavors. Almost a roasty flavor with chocolate undertones and a slightly spicy finish. It also has a crisp clean aftertaste. A good red ale IMO.
Rating: 4 out of 5

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August 02, 2004

Black Toad

Name: Black Toad
Brewed In/Type: Chicago, Illinois/Dark Ale
Dennis: This is a very enjoyable dark ale, perfect for when you don't feel like drinking your beer using a knife and fork. Doesn't leave as heavy an aftertaste as most stouts and goes down easy. Tastful, crisp and enjoyable.
Jen: This is another one of those great finds at Trader Joes. What a great dark ale. It has a nutty flavor that is just right. It is a nice alternative to a stout: all of the great flavors but in an ale. I really like it and find it easy to drink. Definitely try this if in the area!
Rating: 4 out of 5

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