I had this written up last week, but for some reason never sat down at the computer and typed it up. I've been emptying out all those bottles I've been hanging on to with the intention of trying. Hopefully I have a Japanese beer in the queue, and an Aussie (Sorry, it's not Boag's Premium). I'm hoping to crack them open in the next week, once I'm done with this great pomegranate juice I found...
Alaskan Barley Wine Ale, Alaskan Brewing Company, Juneau AK
Wrapped in the typical Alaskan Brewing Company 65cl bottle, I can't find any indication of the date of origin for this particular bottle. When I pour it out, the beer looks smooth and thick, a deep burgundy who's head dissipates into a thin white ring while I'm still smelling the beer. The hops are incredibly floral, and leaps out after fragrance of the grains. There are subtle hints of something malty lurking underneath that I can't quite put my finger on, with how strong the other two odours are. When I sip it, the Barely Wine Ale opens up with a bitter taste, followed by a mere whiff of the grains involved, and ending with a crisp and bitter aftertaste. How can something so thick be so crisp? It's like drinking oil, it's so thick, and yet there's a distinct bite at the end. It's a paradox, wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a beer.
There's something underneath the hops that feels almost oaky, but it's hard to work it out from the power of the rest of the beer. It's vaguely disappointing, because Alaskan seems to do better balancing their beers than they've done with their Barley Wine Ale. The end effect is that the beer tastes too simple, and too heavy on the hops for my tastes. That's not to say I couldn't finish the bottle - you barely realize there's alcohol in this beer at all, it's so well hidden. Still, one bottle is a bit much for one person, and it might be best split between friends over dinner.
3.8 out of 5. B+
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Monday, 21 March 2011
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Beer notes from Tuesday
This is a beer I tried at the Alaskan Beer and Barley Wine festival, and it was the first amongst all of the beers I tried that day. This... this is excellent.
Alaskan Smoked Porter, by Alaskan Brewing Company
The bottle is 65.1cl brown glass, with a single, simple label that has no clear indication of brewing date. Pouring it, the beer is a dark brown with a light beige head that fades to mere ring. It smells of oak, the smoked salmon, and dark malts. It tastes like pork fat and smoked salmon, with a light coffee like maltose taste beneath it all. It has a crisp bite, with an airy hint of the smoked taste lingering. It drinks easily, especially with other, stronger flavours.4.55 of 5 A+
Monday, 1 November 2010
Beer notes on Alaskan Baltic Porter ale.
I had no idea there was such a thing as a Baltic Porter as a beer style - this is pretty dang good. As @T said, there are more beer styles than beers... if this is a Baltic porter, I must have more Baltic porters!
Alaskan Baltic Porter Ale by Alaskan Brewing Company.
65.1 cL bottle - that's a strange volume. Still, a dark purple label with the vintage clearly noted. There's no head, just the thinnest of tan rings around this dark, opaque beer. It smells of vinella and cherries, a rich sweet smell which just barely masks the alcohol smell. It smells a bit like molassass - potentially the brown sugar used in making this. The smoky oak flavour and the brown sugar really carry through the drink. If you let it linger, the cherries really come through on the finish. It's a tad dry, and the alcohol content periodically comes through. There's a bit of bitterness, like cross between licorice and dark chocolate, that's hard to place. Eminently drinkable, this is a phenomenal brew.
4.65 out of 5. A+
Alaskan Baltic Porter Ale by Alaskan Brewing Company.
65.1 cL bottle - that's a strange volume. Still, a dark purple label with the vintage clearly noted. There's no head, just the thinnest of tan rings around this dark, opaque beer. It smells of vinella and cherries, a rich sweet smell which just barely masks the alcohol smell. It smells a bit like molassass - potentially the brown sugar used in making this. The smoky oak flavour and the brown sugar really carry through the drink. If you let it linger, the cherries really come through on the finish. It's a tad dry, and the alcohol content periodically comes through. There's a bit of bitterness, like cross between licorice and dark chocolate, that's hard to place. Eminently drinkable, this is a phenomenal brew.
4.65 out of 5. A+
Monday, 18 October 2010
Beer Notes from Sunday
Jubelale by Deschutes, Oregon.
The bottle is a typical 12 oz Deschutes bottle, with a purple label that informs me that Jubelale is a "festive winter ale," and little else. There's a best by date stamped by the UPC, but no indication when it was bottled. You can smell the hops before you've even poured; the beer is a dark oak colour, just edging on transparent, with little evident carbonation. The head is down to a thin ring in short order.
The aroma is dominated by hops, with just the faintest hint of caramelized sugar. The flavour is more balanced, with the smoky coffee flavour that Deschutes does so well blended with hops and something malty. The beer finishes dry, with just a slight bitter aftertaste. It seems to improve as it warms, the flavours becoming more distinct. Not terribly drinkable for for my money, though - just a touch too dry. 3.7 out of 5. B.
The bottle is a typical 12 oz Deschutes bottle, with a purple label that informs me that Jubelale is a "festive winter ale," and little else. There's a best by date stamped by the UPC, but no indication when it was bottled. You can smell the hops before you've even poured; the beer is a dark oak colour, just edging on transparent, with little evident carbonation. The head is down to a thin ring in short order.
The aroma is dominated by hops, with just the faintest hint of caramelized sugar. The flavour is more balanced, with the smoky coffee flavour that Deschutes does so well blended with hops and something malty. The beer finishes dry, with just a slight bitter aftertaste. It seems to improve as it warms, the flavours becoming more distinct. Not terribly drinkable for for my money, though - just a touch too dry. 3.7 out of 5. B.
Friday, 6 August 2010
Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale
Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale by Samuel Smith Old Brewery, United Kingdom.
One can't help but admire Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale's bottle, with enough moulding on the glass to lend it elegance, without being gaudy. It's sturdy glass, with simple labels that seem a touch olde-timey. The beer has a course pour, and after an initial flush of head, it dies down to the tan ring. The beer is a opaque red-brow, almost like oak. It smells fruity like freshly ground nutmeat. It's the malts that stand out when you drink it though, thick on your tongue as syrup. I'm disappointed about the lack of nutty hints - it isn't much of a brown ale without some nuttiness to it. There's barely detectable undercurrent of apple that I missed in the first few sips. It has a fine mouthfeel, and the carbonated bite is minimal. Rather, this beer has a watery, clean finish. Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale would excel as in many other beer styles, but is a weak entry in the field of brown ales. 4.0 of 5. B+
One can't help but admire Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale's bottle, with enough moulding on the glass to lend it elegance, without being gaudy. It's sturdy glass, with simple labels that seem a touch olde-timey. The beer has a course pour, and after an initial flush of head, it dies down to the tan ring. The beer is a opaque red-brow, almost like oak. It smells fruity like freshly ground nutmeat. It's the malts that stand out when you drink it though, thick on your tongue as syrup. I'm disappointed about the lack of nutty hints - it isn't much of a brown ale without some nuttiness to it. There's barely detectable undercurrent of apple that I missed in the first few sips. It has a fine mouthfeel, and the carbonated bite is minimal. Rather, this beer has a watery, clean finish. Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale would excel as in many other beer styles, but is a weak entry in the field of brown ales. 4.0 of 5. B+
Friday, 2 July 2010
Beer Notes on Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout
Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout by Samuel Smith Old Brewery, UK
The label on the stout 55cl bottle is a tad tacky, trying to look olde timey too much. When you open it, you're immediately slammed with fruity smells. This is only intensified as the coffee-black beer pours, leaving a dark tan head. In the goblet the lesser odour of yeast, and something faintly peppery peeks through. You definitely taste the peppery notes of the beer, a complex flavour almost like the offspring of coffee and banana. There are definitely bitter chocolates mixed into this mix. The carbonation is moderate, giving the beer a bit of a sparkling quality in the mouth. It's very reminiscent of Obsidian Stout by Deschutes, in a way, but with a sweet middle. In all, a pleasant though heady beer.
4.2 of 5, A-
The label on the stout 55cl bottle is a tad tacky, trying to look olde timey too much. When you open it, you're immediately slammed with fruity smells. This is only intensified as the coffee-black beer pours, leaving a dark tan head. In the goblet the lesser odour of yeast, and something faintly peppery peeks through. You definitely taste the peppery notes of the beer, a complex flavour almost like the offspring of coffee and banana. There are definitely bitter chocolates mixed into this mix. The carbonation is moderate, giving the beer a bit of a sparkling quality in the mouth. It's very reminiscent of Obsidian Stout by Deschutes, in a way, but with a sweet middle. In all, a pleasant though heady beer.
4.2 of 5, A-
Monday, 21 June 2010
Beer Notes on an unlikely beer
Quick note: What the heck is with Blogger not posting my posts? this one got saved as a draft, and not posted like it should have been. This is not the first time...
Pabst Blue Ribbon, by Pabst Brewing Company
Oh poor maligned Pabst Blue Ribbon, how times have changed. It used to be drinking you made one elitist, and a snob. Now, it makes one common, and unrefined. Time has not been kind to you, Blue Ribbon, and your red, white and blue can, while elegant in its simplicity, has become much derrided. I applaud you for not slipping into becoming mindlessly hip, as others have tried to do.
You're fine in your can, but when you're sold for 3 dollars a glass on Tap, you really shine. Fresh, clean, with a clear filtered liquid, it's easy to see where the comparisons to urine came from, but this is the derision of mob which has turned against you. You smell of sweet grain, faint and not overpowering. This is where your can fails you, as it isolate our nose from the drinking experience.
Your light body compliments most food one would eat in a bar perfectly, from the burger, to the chicken strips. A joy of my own is using you to cook noodles, an idea that came to me when I had too little water to finish a dish. You have not given in to the hops-ridden madness that is in vogue today, and instead you focus on having a pure grain taste, with a light body and a crisp mouthfeel. The yeast leaves just a slight feeling of bread. You do not overwhelm, but complement. You are the coda of a symphony. You are the perfect session drink, capable of being consumed for hours, both to your lighter alcohol content, as well as your other qualities. Raphael's masterpiece you are not, but you are worth for what you aspire to be. 3.5 out of 5. B-
Pabst Blue Ribbon, by Pabst Brewing Company
Oh poor maligned Pabst Blue Ribbon, how times have changed. It used to be drinking you made one elitist, and a snob. Now, it makes one common, and unrefined. Time has not been kind to you, Blue Ribbon, and your red, white and blue can, while elegant in its simplicity, has become much derrided. I applaud you for not slipping into becoming mindlessly hip, as others have tried to do.
You're fine in your can, but when you're sold for 3 dollars a glass on Tap, you really shine. Fresh, clean, with a clear filtered liquid, it's easy to see where the comparisons to urine came from, but this is the derision of mob which has turned against you. You smell of sweet grain, faint and not overpowering. This is where your can fails you, as it isolate our nose from the drinking experience.
Your light body compliments most food one would eat in a bar perfectly, from the burger, to the chicken strips. A joy of my own is using you to cook noodles, an idea that came to me when I had too little water to finish a dish. You have not given in to the hops-ridden madness that is in vogue today, and instead you focus on having a pure grain taste, with a light body and a crisp mouthfeel. The yeast leaves just a slight feeling of bread. You do not overwhelm, but complement. You are the coda of a symphony. You are the perfect session drink, capable of being consumed for hours, both to your lighter alcohol content, as well as your other qualities. Raphael's masterpiece you are not, but you are worth for what you aspire to be. 3.5 out of 5. B-
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Beer Vs. Cosmos!
This is a cool tool! It's called 'Lexalist.com' Of course, the first thing I have to do, is find out who drinks what, where!
Oregon sure loves their beer! Not surprisingly... they have some of the most microbreweries of anywhere in the country!
Monday, 7 June 2010
The island of Drunk Monkeys
This is too cute to not pass on. It's a clip from a BBC documentary, that talks about St. Kitt Island, where some primates have a booze problem, and it's not the Humans...
I think the cool kids would call everything the monkeys are doing at the end a "Party Foul." Which is not to be confused with a Party Fowl.
I think the cool kids would call everything the monkeys are doing at the end a "Party Foul." Which is not to be confused with a Party Fowl.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Beer Notes from Sunday
First: despite it's name, it's an amber ale. That said...
In Red Hook's typical overmoulded bottle, frail and translucent as any of their other line, Copper Hook has no great external appeal. The beer is presumably copper colour - orange, more like - with light-mild carbonation foam. It smells of fruit - heavy citrus - with a hint of something peppery. It feels smooth across the tongue, with no real carbonated bite. It has the aforementioned citrus zest, but it's less conveyed by taste than it had through aroma. The hops aren't as heavy-handed as in some of their other offerings. There's a light, creamy aftertaste, followed by a clean, dry feeling. There's nothing overwhelming about this beer, but instead a nice, surprising combination of flavours that play well together. 3.6 of 5. B.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Beer Notes from Sunday
Mud Slinger Spring Ale, by Redhook Ale Brewery, Washington
Mud Slinger has the same over-moulded, far too transparent bottle that the rest of the Red Hook line seems to have, with the stylized wheat and what must be a series of conifers from their logo. Be beer is a deep burgundy, with a darker tan head that remains for a while. Mud Slinger smells malty, hops, and just a hint of nuttiness. It's lightly sweet, with just the right amount of hops to the malts. The mouth feel is lightly carbonated, chewy and viscous. The slightly bitter aftertaste from the hops is the last thing on your palate. Honestly, the flavour could be more nutty, since it aspires to be a Brown Ale, and the finish keeps this otherwise good offering from being great. 3.5 out of 5. B+
Monday, 10 May 2010
Beer Notes from Saturday, and a bonus movie review!
The bottle is fairly transparent, and you can see how clear the beer is without even the courtesy of a pour. Continuing in the trend of moulded glass, the bottle shows wheat in relief, along with what I have to assume are mountains from their logo. The beer is the colour of clear honey, with a light beige head that stretches tall after even the lightest agitation. The beer smells strongly of hops, and little else. Sipping it, this beer personifies the trend towards a strong hops flavour, with a background of grains. It's very dry in the mouth, and the bitter qualities seem to leave the palate more bereft of moisture after drinking than it had before. The beer is a little too simple, and a little too one directional. While it would be easy to learn to appreciate this beer, I'd prefer to avoid having to do so. 3.05 out of 5. C+
Ironman 2 - Enjoyable. Worth the 7 dollars. Not as good as the first, but the 1st set a high bar. Do NOT bring your screaming 2-year old, though. Comicbook Nerds should stay until after the Credits.
Monday, 3 May 2010
Beer Notes from a few days ago
Grimbergen Blond, by N.V. Br Alekn-Maes, Jumet Belgium.
The artwork is a bit gaudy on this 11.2 fl beer - some sort of hereldic eagle - but not too over the top. The beer pours a thick head, the beer itself a clear straw yellow. The predominant smell is yeast, but with a backing of fruity esters. The first thing you notice is the clouded, muzzy mouthfeel of the beer, thick and silty. It has faint taste of bananas, backed with a carbonated bite. There's a light citrus zip, but the overwhelming silt feeling still dominants. It's hard to drink anymore than a little of this at a time, before it feels like your teeth are being sandblasted - bring plenty of water. 3.1/5 C+
The artwork is a bit gaudy on this 11.2 fl beer - some sort of hereldic eagle - but not too over the top. The beer pours a thick head, the beer itself a clear straw yellow. The predominant smell is yeast, but with a backing of fruity esters. The first thing you notice is the clouded, muzzy mouthfeel of the beer, thick and silty. It has faint taste of bananas, backed with a carbonated bite. There's a light citrus zip, but the overwhelming silt feeling still dominants. It's hard to drink anymore than a little of this at a time, before it feels like your teeth are being sandblasted - bring plenty of water. 3.1/5 C+
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Beer Notes from Two nights ago
Drop Top Amber Ale - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, Oregon
The amber ale doesn't mislead - the colour is a rich amber, clear with minimal carbonation which quickly fades to a thin ring around my glass. It's the same overmoulded bottle as their other offerings, which looks fancy, but breaks far too easily. It has the date of bottling right on the label, which is always a plus. The beer smells rich honey and citrus, a little too strong of the latter. However, you taste more of the former as you sip, with brief notes of pepper. It's clean and smooth, not lingering on the tongue any longer than water. It's very drinkable, and it would be easy to drink several of these without noticing. 3.5 out of 5. B.
The amber ale doesn't mislead - the colour is a rich amber, clear with minimal carbonation which quickly fades to a thin ring around my glass. It's the same overmoulded bottle as their other offerings, which looks fancy, but breaks far too easily. It has the date of bottling right on the label, which is always a plus. The beer smells rich honey and citrus, a little too strong of the latter. However, you taste more of the former as you sip, with brief notes of pepper. It's clean and smooth, not lingering on the tongue any longer than water. It's very drinkable, and it would be easy to drink several of these without noticing. 3.5 out of 5. B.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Glacier Brewhouse in brief
I tried a number of beers while I was in Anchorage, some of which I even remember. Friends don't let friends review while under the influence, but there is one place I want to mention. Me and a good friend went to the Glacier Brewhouse in downtown Anchorage, and tried their wares. Without the time (or atmosphere) to do proper reviews, here's a quick list of things I tried.
- Imperial Blonde: Thumbs down. Saccharine.
- Belgium Imperial Stout: Thumps down. Shots of flavour? Serious?
- Cherry XXXMas Triple Bock(?): Thumbs up. Shockingly balanced.
- Brown Ale: ???. If you're out of a beer, DON'T RECOMMEND IT.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Beer Notes from Last Night
If it seems like a while since I've reviewed a beer, this is true. September was my last one. Not for a lack of drinking - everyone but my mother will be glad to know I'm still working hard to destroy my liver and encourage negative stereotypes about my sort and profession. It's just I'd fallen into a beer rut, drinking lots of Moose Drool for a table beer, and Chimay Grand Reserve for special occasions. I picked up something new from Freds of all places, and decided to crack it open after spending a couple hours at work Sunday.
Ommengang Abby Ale, by Brewery Ommegang New York, United States
The bottle is a stately 75Cl, corked and basketed, with a red label with heraldic lions holding aloft an O. This is sullied by the instructions for pouring on the side. Upon pouring, I realize how translucent the glass actually is. There doesn't seem to be any indication of when it was bottled. The beer pours easily, with a rusty colour, and a minimal light tan head. It smells yeasty, with hints of banana and pepper. The odour is sweet and creamy. Drinking it, it has a silt like consistency on the tongue. The creamy texture really stands out here, as well as the mild fruits. There's mild carbonated bite to it, but the liquid clings to the mouth, coating it. Due to its mouthfeel, it suffers from lower drinkability. You must pace yourself, or intersperse glasses with either water or cheese, because it becomes overwhelming otherwise. 4.1 out of 5. A-.
By the way, if you want to see past beer reviews, click on the Beer tag at the bottom of this post.
Ommengang Abby Ale, by Brewery Ommegang New York, United States
The bottle is a stately 75Cl, corked and basketed, with a red label with heraldic lions holding aloft an O. This is sullied by the instructions for pouring on the side. Upon pouring, I realize how translucent the glass actually is. There doesn't seem to be any indication of when it was bottled. The beer pours easily, with a rusty colour, and a minimal light tan head. It smells yeasty, with hints of banana and pepper. The odour is sweet and creamy. Drinking it, it has a silt like consistency on the tongue. The creamy texture really stands out here, as well as the mild fruits. There's mild carbonated bite to it, but the liquid clings to the mouth, coating it. Due to its mouthfeel, it suffers from lower drinkability. You must pace yourself, or intersperse glasses with either water or cheese, because it becomes overwhelming otherwise. 4.1 out of 5. A-.
By the way, if you want to see past beer reviews, click on the Beer tag at the bottom of this post.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Expectations in medicine
A neat little 6 minute video I stumbled across where a researcher discusses expectation biases in both pain control and beer.
His story about vinegar in beer reminded me about the study where they took expensive wines and sold them for cheap, and cheap wines and sold them as expensive, and both at their real prices. What mattered more than the sort of wine was the price tag. The higher the price, the more people reported enjoying it, it's quality, etc. We expect a 100 dollar bottle to be great, and a 2 dollar bottle to be questionable so much that it takes amazing push to get over that hump.
His story about vinegar in beer reminded me about the study where they took expensive wines and sold them for cheap, and cheap wines and sold them as expensive, and both at their real prices. What mattered more than the sort of wine was the price tag. The higher the price, the more people reported enjoying it, it's quality, etc. We expect a 100 dollar bottle to be great, and a 2 dollar bottle to be questionable so much that it takes amazing push to get over that hump.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Beer Notes from this Weekend
I'm thinning my collection, since I've been gifted a few bottles which need to be shelved for a long time. While I was at the store, I couldn't help but do a double take at the price if Chimay, my old standby for amazing dinner beer. 20 dollars?! What on earth caused the 100% price surge? Hopefully it will come down before thanksgiving, which is my next occasion for it.
Andelot Cuvee Euphorique by De Proefbrouwerij
The 75cl bottle is simple - brown glass with a cork and basket. It has a simple yellow label with the name, the country of origin (Belgium), and a subscript declaring it an "Abbey Style Blond Ale." No mention of the brew or bottle date. The beer itself is perfectly clear, a pale copper-gold with moderate carbonation; you can see just how clear it is, even in the dark bottle. It pours thin, with some head which dissipates into a thin white ring. It smells of bananas, cloves, and perhaps some wheat? Very fruity, very aromatic.
Tasting it, it is sweet and simple. A bit of a carbonated bite, more than one would predict from the head. A very spicy body as it lingers in the mouth. Oddly, my mind keeps going to apples, but not enough to make me feel comfortable putting it down on paper. Others disagree with me, so I include this fact for your consideration. It's a little heavy on the pepper, and for such a mild beer (merely 6.5% ABV), it seems to leave your mouth dry like you've drank vodka.
If you let yourself drink it casually, not letting it linger on the tongue, past when it starts to impart the spices, I imagine it is like drinking thinned honey. This makes it easy to drink for extended periods, for long sessions. A good beer for dinner with chicken or mild seafood.
B+, 3.8 out of 5
Andelot Cuvee Euphorique by De Proefbrouwerij
The 75cl bottle is simple - brown glass with a cork and basket. It has a simple yellow label with the name, the country of origin (Belgium), and a subscript declaring it an "Abbey Style Blond Ale." No mention of the brew or bottle date. The beer itself is perfectly clear, a pale copper-gold with moderate carbonation; you can see just how clear it is, even in the dark bottle. It pours thin, with some head which dissipates into a thin white ring. It smells of bananas, cloves, and perhaps some wheat? Very fruity, very aromatic.
Tasting it, it is sweet and simple. A bit of a carbonated bite, more than one would predict from the head. A very spicy body as it lingers in the mouth. Oddly, my mind keeps going to apples, but not enough to make me feel comfortable putting it down on paper. Others disagree with me, so I include this fact for your consideration. It's a little heavy on the pepper, and for such a mild beer (merely 6.5% ABV), it seems to leave your mouth dry like you've drank vodka.
If you let yourself drink it casually, not letting it linger on the tongue, past when it starts to impart the spices, I imagine it is like drinking thinned honey. This makes it easy to drink for extended periods, for long sessions. A good beer for dinner with chicken or mild seafood.
B+, 3.8 out of 5
Which state has the best beer?
There's an old joke about American beer being like doing the dirty in a boat - I'll let you figure out the punchline - but American beer does surprisingly well both in sales and in awards, when in international competitions. This is even more true when you consider American craft beer production was wiped out thanks to prohibition, and a lot of know-how was quickly lost.
Two beer journalists decided to find out which state in the US gathered the most medals in beer competitions. They plotted it out in a lovely map, which I'll repost here.
The answer to who was the best, unsurprisingly, was California. Actually, I was a little surprised, since Oregon and Washington are collectively referred to as "Beervaria" due to their large number of microbreweries. But these numbers don't take into account the fact that, say, there's many people in California, and no so many people in South Dakota. That's why Strangemaps - a neat little blog I just found - reshuffled things for medals per million people.
What really surprised me was that Alaskan Brewing Co. is such a winning brewery. If I'm reading their numbers right, they have the most medals for someone who wouldn't be considered a macro-brew. More than Deschutes, long one of the best craft beer producers in the US.
Definitely something to drink about.
Two beer journalists decided to find out which state in the US gathered the most medals in beer competitions. They plotted it out in a lovely map, which I'll repost here.
The answer to who was the best, unsurprisingly, was California. Actually, I was a little surprised, since Oregon and Washington are collectively referred to as "Beervaria" due to their large number of microbreweries. But these numbers don't take into account the fact that, say, there's many people in California, and no so many people in South Dakota. That's why Strangemaps - a neat little blog I just found - reshuffled things for medals per million people.
1. Colorado – 64.4But! cried StrangeMaps' readers. You just reshuffled! You didn't see if anyone would make the top 10. A little math later, and Alaska quickly sits on the top of the heap with 78.68 medals per million people - heads above California and nearly double Oregon.
2. Oregon – 42.5
3. Wisconsin – 38.6
4. Washington – 16.2
5. Missouri – 15
6. Pennsylvania – 13.5
7. Massachusetts – 12.6
8. California – 12.8
9. Texas – 5.6
10. New York – 5.1
What really surprised me was that Alaskan Brewing Co. is such a winning brewery. If I'm reading their numbers right, they have the most medals for someone who wouldn't be considered a macro-brew. More than Deschutes, long one of the best craft beer producers in the US.
Definitely something to drink about.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Beer Notes from Last Night
Prepared for an intellectual discussion of the play of flavours and smells? You're not getting it.
Alaskan White by Alaskan Brewing Co.
Their normally mediocre to good line is blemished by this inclusion. Yellow, headless, that stinks of ethanol and yeast. To add insult to injury, the beer tastes like wheat and soap. Honestly, it reminds me of when my father would wash my mouth out with a bar of cheap soap when I swore. Who wants to drink that? Uninspired, and just a tad unnerving. Send this one to the reject bin. D+, 2.5 out of 5.
Alaskan White by Alaskan Brewing Co.
Their normally mediocre to good line is blemished by this inclusion. Yellow, headless, that stinks of ethanol and yeast. To add insult to injury, the beer tastes like wheat and soap. Honestly, it reminds me of when my father would wash my mouth out with a bar of cheap soap when I swore. Who wants to drink that? Uninspired, and just a tad unnerving. Send this one to the reject bin. D+, 2.5 out of 5.
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