Anno 1216

Abbaye-Val~Dieu Blond

Bought as a 3 pack (each with a different color cap) and a very nice glass (see pic!) for $9.00. Bottle is classic three tier in brown glass (11.2oz). I tasted the Blond tonight with talapia.
Pours with a rich puffy white head and color of beer is rick golden color - like brazilian citrine. Does not lace at all when sipped. Definite pear and maybe apricot taste - love the fruit on the palate! Finishes smooth with a hint of an oaky taste that remains after each tasting. This is the real deal Belgium beer and at a modest 6% abv delivers a very respectable session without too much punch. Will be reviewing all 3 from this lot over the next week.

Package: 9.4 (for the layout of case and glass being included- top marks)
Color: 8.2
Taste: 8.5
After Taste: 8.1

Rosee D'hibiscu

One of the wildest so far Ive had the chance to taste. The bottle has a really bohemian/folk art drawing on the label with a ton of info about where it was brewed and what it has in it. I love it when beer is not afraid to give you information about where it comes from. The pour is absolutely gorgeous. Its a med pink/amber tone with hint of copper. Never seen this color!! Small thin lace head. Smells like, well, hibiscus! and other floral smells with maybe a hint of grass. Maybe it was because I was so excited about it in general but the taste was really nice and full of robust roasted flavor! finishes really dry on the palate and is the only bad point. Really nice.

Package: 8.9
Color: 9.6
Taste: 8.5
Aftertaste: 7.9

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.