St. Ambroise

St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout
To be frank- its 11.5 oz that left something to be desired. It had over roasted malt to the point of being extremely bitter almost metallic. There was slight hint of a coffee flavor but I will too busy scraping charcoal off my tongue. And where is that classic "Oatmeal Taste" similar to a Sammy Smiths? Glass reminds me of the Fuller's griffin. Great color though- nice super dark black and laces pretty well.


Package - 6.0
Color - 8.1
Taste - 3.8
After Taste- 3.5

Paul - Thank you!

Thank you Chunk!

Mississippi Mud Black & Tan
Bottle: Old Fashion "XXX" Jug Style with 2 shaded Brown top/bottom. Totally original and clever packaging.
Pour: I was expecting something a lot darker since it was advertised as a "Black&Tan", but the med brown with a hint of red color provides a descent pour with a small head that lays thin.
Taste: Mild and smooth. There is almost no bite and has a very distint sweetness on the palate. One first taste i thought it was a honey or even a sugar cane taste, but it does infact stay over every sip! Quite nice and refreshing with the darker roasted grains.
After taste: Very little Hops and light on the back of the tounge once you finish a drink.

Package: 8.9
Color: 7.5
Taste: 7.2
After Taste: 7.9
"They got praelines and cream and they got Mississippi Mud... AND THEY GOT CHOCOLATE ERUPTION! And they got apple...and they got grape, they got grape, and SUPER DUPER CHOCOLATE ERUPTION!"

Shiner- hmmmmm

Shiner Black Lager:

I have never been a fan of this Mid Texas brew house. Their claim to fame being a Hefe-, which leaves much to be desired- par at best. Nevertheless, it was on sale, so why not? It pours well and has a wonderful rich chocolate and roasted scent to it. Not overpowering, in fact, could have given a bit more bite and I would not have complained. Good color and nothing too odd that would take points away. Not bad – I might buy it again.

Package – 5.9

Color – 7.8

Taste – 6.0

After Taste – 7.0

The Brits Are Pouring

Boddington's:

It is the magnetic opposite of a Guinness. And I’m attracted to both. Thick White head that cascades just like the famous stout! And laces perfectly as you drink. Such a great late summer beer.The only way I can describe the first few sips is to say: Pure Silk. Its one of the most effortless drinks to keep on swallowing. Can design is a very clever- a great bright yellow with a bee and cask on the cover help it stand out among the 'regular' colors. I cannot drink just one and since they are in a 1 pint aluminum can they leave you with a slight buzz and a smile. Love the Bee! Cheers Wu!

Package: 8.5

Color: 9.0

Taste: 8.0

After Taste: 7.8

DARKNESS!!!!

Sweetwater Brewery:
Happy Endings Imperial Stout
Bottle: Gold foil sealed and "Groelsh Style" flip top with a huge solid black bottle. Drawing and art work kept with classic Sweetwater style and the name - Happy Endings - was begging to be experimented.
Pour: Total Darkness, pours like the soul of the devil. There is absolutely no light at all in the glass, I have never seen a color this black. The head is the same color of whipped chocolate milk. Deep brown and highly carbonated even after pour. Head held till the very end.
Taste: The taste was very well defined and had a sharp and distinct Stout flavor. Sometimes you run into the "Imperial Stout" that tastes more like roasted malt with chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, and Guinness - its nice to have such a welcome surprise of a true Imperial that is happy to be itself. I was really happy with everything about the beer and for once I think that Sweetwater (God bless 'em) has found something that they can't rape with HOPS! It has a slight almost almond or vanilla on the finish. It is a stout standard in my book and is so smooth that it reserves a spot as a session beer for a cool spring night. Highly recommended. But get em quick!! --each one of the bottles are numbered by hand individually sold...I don't know how long they are gonna be at your local Quicktrip. GO GO GO!

Package: 9.5
Color: 9.1
Taste: 8.8
After Taste: 9.2

Post Script: I had to use random persons photo since my camera is MIA at the moment.

I had the great pleasure to sample one of the New Belgium Brewery's finest over my last visit to the Show-Me-State. The 1554 was one of the NBB's that i really thought I would get to try out in Colorado but thanks to the ever expanding sub-culture of beer appreciation I got it in the Brown Derby Liquor Store just south of Springfield MO. I need to take a moment and talk about the amazing establishment of the Brown Derby. Justin, my brother, had told me on several occasions that if I ever had the chance to head out to Missouri I must seize the opportunity to visit this store. Thinking it was nothing more than a simple "beer store" my sister and I walked in. Inside it was full of boxes and empty wine crates piled to the ceiling. Drifting aimlessly we passed bottles of French wine that exceed the middle class America pocketbook, and headed to the back where I could see the blue tint of florescent lights on glass doors- the beer cooler! It was a pretty nice collection: Chimay (red,white & blue), the whole Unibroue collective, tons of Fort Collins Co brews, New Belgium collection, and other west coast known names. Approx 20-30 different types- nice but not orgasmic. A few minutes after debating which one to grab a very nice gentleman approached and asked if we needed help. I rattled off that I was hoping for a little more of selection of Belgium Bottle Fermented beers... to which he quickly and calmly retorted: "Follow me". He took me around the corner and imagine that I had the same feeling that a father has after seeing his newborn child in his wifes arms. HOLY SHIT! Wall to wall beer, Stouts, Porters, Sweet Porters, Lagers, Ales, True Bitters, Pilsners! Everything!!! Over 100 types, colors and varietes!! It was amazing! Well $60 and 4 beers later I reminded my sister that she promised not to let me spend over $30. One of those beers was a 6 pack of 1554. The dark coal colored liquid was smooth pouring and held a wonderful head. The aroma was suttl eand yet well balanced. I wasnt expecting it to taste and to finish so well! If I had to choose a picture to describe the taste it would be: On a porch of cabin in a rocking chain around 7:30pm watching the sun set up in the Rockies. It was awesome. This brewing company deserves all the praise and hype you might expect. They truly love to brew and you can taste it in every sip.

Package: 5.5
Color: 8.0
Taste: 8.9
After Taste: 9.2

Palmetto State meets Amber

South Carolina has much to offer besides remarkable coastal views and spectacular dinning...it offers beer. I had the change to sip a Palmetto Amber. Brewed locally in Charleston at the Palmetto Brewing Co. this beer is one of four beer types that they produce. Using the classic plant of South Carolina state flag Palmetto Ales' artwork is simple and pretty attractive. The coastline helps brings the drinking into a mental mindset before indulging, just as a good label should! The pour is nice, very little head and what little is there remains white and thin. Color is a fairly nice red/brown a nice basic color for the Amber name. The first taste on the tongue is nice and relatively smooth. Roasted malt coming through at the beginning but quickly overwhelmed by hops. Sweet Jesus, here come the hops, someone grab a life vest I'm drowning in too much overpowering hops and not enough malt or other flavor to balance! Get me outta here. It's sad. I was really happy with getting a local brew on a hot day and even having a "thumbs-up" from the waiter! Ohh well, at least the coastline and seafood are still amazing. Good luck. Cheers
Package: 7.4
Taste: 6.1
Aftertaste: 3.9
Color: 5.3