Virtual Happy Hour (Brews & Spirits, Pics & Reviews)

[Zaukrie]

Was Pumking bad one year?

I have noticed variability bottle to bottle with the Elysians this year.

It was pretty mediocre two years ago. IIRC

 

[Zardnaar]

Former craft beer got bought out by one of the bigger ones.

Still tastes good and one of the first back in 1993. Options were very limited back then.

One of three local breweries in my city.

Bit more hoppy than most Pilsners, not as hoppy as an IPA.

Good beer though.

 

[Cadence]

Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale. 10% ABV. The first drink definitely makes it clear its bourbon barrel aged, a style I'm not usually a fan of. The pumpkin is definitely secondary. I haven't had many bourbon barrel ones, but this might be my favorite of them and maybe I'd rate it higher if I was more used to them. I'm kind of curious what folks like that style think.

Anyway, this is the last of the pumpkins for the year (although there are a few I might go back and compare to see if I agree with my original rankings):

New ranking (with Beer Advocate scores in parentheses):
1) Southern Tier Warlock (90/4.03)
2) Elysian Night Owl (89/3.97)
3) Southern Tier Pumking (92/4.13)
4) Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale (84/3.73)
5) Elysian Great Pumpkin (92/4.15)
6) Dogfish Head Punkin Ale (88/3.95)
7) Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale (70/3.03)
8) Elysian Punkuccino (92/4.17)
X) Elysian Dark O' The Moon (88/3.96)

 

[Zardnaar]

Back to my macro lagers. Took a break and didn't buy any for two weeks.

 

[Cadence]

Brauhaus Riegele Augustus Weizen Doppelbock, Fruchtig & Stark. 8% ABV. Brewery goes back to 1386 in Augsburg, Germany. Not usually a fan of Doppelbocks, but this was pretty good. Not up with the better hefe-weizens or dunkel-weizens for me, but I can see some folks loving it. (89/4.08 on Beer Advocate).

Had the camera in the wrong mode, so the head went down quite a bit before I took it!

 

[Cadence]

Highland Brewing Seasonal Clawhammer Octoberfest Marzen Lager. 5% ABV. I apparently need to try more Octoberfest. I have no idea how to describe the flavor, but it was very drinkable. I'm kind of surprised Beer Advocate was only an 82 (Good)/3.64.

 

[Zardnaar]

Highland Brewing Seasonal Clawhammer Octoberfest Marzen Lager. 5% ABV. I apparently need to try more Octoberfest. I have no idea how to describe the flavor, but it was very drinkable. I'm kind of surprised Beer Advocate was only an 82 (Good)/3.64.

Beer advocates useful but it's very subjective and heavily skewed towards craft beers by microbreweries.

Some of the best I've had recently is craft beer by macro breweries or relatively normal beer made by craft breweries.

I don't mind an IPA but alot just go with more hops and a milk chocolate stout isn't that great lol.

 

[Zaukrie]

Short beer review
On Fleek from Stillwater Artisanal

Great imperial stout. Great brewery. Dark, intense, malty goodness.
(I tweet these out whenever I have a beer, well, I just started)

 

[Zaukrie]

Had a night owl a couple days ago....quite good. Classic pumpkin beer taste.

 

[Zaukrie]

Short beer review
Meet Your Maker from Monkless
Love this brewery. This beer tastes great. It is a Belgian dark ale. But way too effervescent. Maybe it was this bottle, but way too many bubbles.