Also. No.
All posts by Blaine
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Delerium Nocturnum
Delerium Nocturnum is an 8.5% Belgian Strong Ale from the Huyghe Brewery in Belgium. It pours out a beautiful rich brown head with a nice head. It was rich enough to stand up to and even pair nicely with a Cohiba. While it is a very tasty beer, I found I liked its sister, Delerium Tremens even better. I thought Tremens was richer, sweeter, and more complex, more of what I expect in a Belgian ale. I would definitely drink it again but would take Tremens every time if given the choice!
On another note, I really need to get the proper glassware for a Belgian ale. I don’t think I have the palate to detect the difference made by glassware, it’s more for the experience. But then again, who knows…..
Columbus
This is Columbus from Brouwerij ‘t IJ in Amsterdam. It is a 9% beer that is rich and complex. I tried many of the beers at Brouwerij ‘t IJ but this was by far my favorite.
I would definitely drink this again, it is so good. As far as I know though, Brouwerij ‘t IJ doesn’t export to Canada. I managed to bring 4 bottles back with me in my suitcase, I’m down to three now. I’m guarding it carefully but I want to drink it! I’m hoping that my good friends in Amsterdam will do their best to hook me up with more! (Are you listening Scotty?)
If you are ever in Amsterdam I would highly recommend going down to the Brouwerij ‘t IJ, hang out on their beer garden and try all their beers, especially the Columbus!
Maudite
Today I drank this bottle of Maudite from Unibroue in Chambly, Quebec. It is wonderful, I’ve had it on tap at the Sugarbowl and it is just as good out of the bottle. I love this beer, it has that fruity, yeasty taste that I associate with a Belgian abbey ale. The cork gave me a run for my money but it was worth the work! This is an unfiltered, refermented in the bottle beer so there is still yeast in the bottom, I love that , just be aware of it when you pour this beer. I would drink this again, on tap or from the bottle.
Innis & Gunn Rum Cask
I have loved Innis & Gunn for quite some time now and the Rum Cask is no exception. I was lucky enough to be given an Innis & Gunn glass for my birthday by Jeff and Patricia and I always drink my I&G out of it! It pours a beautiful brown color with very little head that dissipates quickly. Smelling it, the rum aroma is very present. I love the rich dimension that being aged in whiskey casks gives to the Original I&G and that same dimension is present here but being aged in a rum cask gives it a different touch. The Rum Cask has that typical sweet, malty, rich Innis & Gunn.
I would drink this again. In fact I will be drinking it again, many times, since I bought a case recently when it was on sale at Superstore. Kim had to convince me to buy the case. You know you married the right woman when she urges you to buy your beer by the case!
Yellowhead Premium Lager
I tried Yellowhead Premium lager a few months ago at this thing for some politician. I’m not into politics. Not even a little, but Taylor’s band was playing and there was beer so sign me up. For that evening I was fully behind ol’ what’s her name and her platform. I remember enjoying it that night but I tried a lot of beer that night so I wanted to try it again on its own.
Yellowhead Premium lager is brewed here in Edmonton, it’s the one single beer that the company brews. I can respect them for focusing on one single beer. I don’t know if they do it because they want to concentrate their efforts or they just don’t have the space to brew more types of beer. Whatever the reason they brew a good lager. It pours out a nice coppery gold with very little head. It’s nice and malty with just enough hops in the finish. I found it refreshing, delicious and very drinkable.
I have been thinking that I should have some beer on hand for when people come over to visit. I often have singles of various kinds of beer that I am wanting to try but when people come over I don’t always want to share them. Either because I really want to try it myself or they are a bit off the beaten path and I’m not sure my guests would appreciate them. I don’t want to serve a guest a bottle of relatively expensive beer just to have them not appreciate it. So I’m looking for something basic that a lot of people will enjoy, Yellowhead Premium lager just might be that beer.
I would definitely Drink Again!
Lowenbrau Original
This was another beer from the bag of beer that my Uncle Jim gave me for Christmas. I have been wanting to try Lowenbrau for quite a while. Lowenbrau Original is a Munich Helles Lager brewed in Munich. I was surprised to find that Lowenbrau is one of many brands owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, this is a macro produced beer if there ever was one.
This beer poured pale golden in color with a head of foam that dissipated rather quickly. There really wasn’t much going on in this beer. Slightly malty, very little hops. This beer is fairly true to what I understand is the Munich Helles style. Would I drink it again? Sure, if it was put down in front of me. I wouldn’t go looking for it though.
Alley Kat Amber Ale
Back in September I tried this bottle of Alley Kat Amber Ale, I’ve had this post in the chute since then and finally decided to get off my ass and post. Seriously. I know right? It’s not that hard…
I’m a big fan of Alley Kat. I have to admit that I don’t always like their beer. No, it’s not that, I don’t dislike any of their beer it’s just that I find many of them unremarkable. I love Alley Kat because they are local and they brew decent beer, and the owner is a nice guy.
Pour
Deep mahogany color. Half inch of head which dissipated quickly leaved thin film.
Aroma
Roasted malt and chocolate.
Taste
This one tastes like it smells, nothing hiding here. A touch thin on the mouth feel, watery but not in a bad way. Very little carbonation to speak of. Nice caramel malt taste.
Tiny bit of bittering hops in the finish. A good example of an amber ale. I would drink this again. Especially since it’s locally produced!
Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold
This can of Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold was given to me for Christmas from my Uncle Jim. Good old Uncle Jim! Since Christmas I have bought and drank two more. This light golden lager has a malty, biscuitty, fruity flavor with a light hop finish. This is a delicious, easy drinking beer, it could very well become my go to beer. I would certainly drink it agin. Right now.