The Bruery Rugbrod

Can definitely taste the rye in it, but its not as aggressive as the Founders Rye Pale Ale. Starts with a heavy dose of roasted malts, but its not really sweet. Good beer.

Bonus Leah the Dog Thoughts:
I placed this and Heavy Seas Bourbon Barrel Aged Below Decks on the floor. After staring at me for 5 seconds she wandered over to the Bruery beer. Clear winner.

Bell's Special Double Cream Stout

From the back of the fridge. I guess I bought the six pack probably in the fall.

There's a weird acidic taste to this. A lot of carbonation and not all that sweet.

I'm not sure if this just didn't age well in the back of the fridge or if it always tasted like this. Will not buy again.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
You just want my quote because you know I won't like it because its dark. Are you writing that down? I think I've tried this one before and I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. Its fizzy and that's all I like about it. I should have my own beer blog. Leah [the dog] thinks I should too.

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

On draft

Nice and grassy hop flavors. Nice malt balance. Was once the official go-to IPA before Mandy and I discovered Two Hearted Ale.

Houblon Chouffe Tripel IPA

Definitely hoppy. Tasted a lot better as it warmed up. Not too funky. Definitely a "Belgian" made IPA. Not a lot of malt taste to it. Tasted like a well hopped belgian pale ale.

Anderson Valley Summer Solstice

Surprisingly tastes a lot like the Winter Solstice beer, just less "spicy". Really nice malt flavor. I'm sad that I never tried it before this summer because I love Winter Solstice. I went out a bought a six pack after having this on draft which is saying a lot for me.

Bruery Trade Winds

Hmm. Maybe a little more alcohol burn than other triples it's maybe a little heavier than others. Definitely don't get any basil. Not great, not bad.

Founders reds rye pale ale

This is pretty awesome. The rye comes through crystal clear. Less alcohol content than a manhattan. One of my favorite beers.

Harpoon Pott's Landbier

I'm not entirely sure why I keep buying the beers in the 100 barrel series. I'm not sure I've been entirely satisfied.

Pretty malty lager. Not bad. Not great.

Tidying up the Blog - My Readers

For some reason I drafted this post over a year ago and never posted it. Maybe because Mandy did a similar post on Below 6N? Anyway, here it is.

This post is devoted to my loyal readers.

Actually, its devoted to the people who somehow stumble upon my blog.

I sincerely hope that my visitor from Suginami, Japan found the "taco actions" that he/she were looking for.

I think I probably disappointed my reader from Anchorage, Alaska who was interested in "lethal weapon bar scene." They did get to read my great review of Lethal Weapon though.

Madison, Wisconsin - Sandwich Haiku - I have to say, this person probably got exactly what they were looking for.

Austin, Texas - "stuff to make for dinner" - Austin, Texas you've come to the right blog. There certainly is stuff to be found here.

New York - "sausage and pepper truck" - I thought this was an odd thing to be searching for, just because I've never eaten sausage and peppers from a truck. But my favorite place to eat in Sunnyside is a truck, so who am I to judge?

Mikkeller Black Hole

This was sold in a weird sized bottle.

Super bitter coffee taste. Not really much carbonation. Its interesting, but not terribly great. Wouldn't buy it again.

Troegs Java Head

Slight coffee taste, lots of malts. Not too heavy or boozy. Pretty enjoyable.

Heavy Seas - Red Sky At Night

Another from the sampler pack:

This is a lot sweeter than most saisons I've had. The alcohol is noticeable too. Also has a strong banana taste. I don't really like it all that much...

Heavy Seas Peg Leg Imperial Stout

From a sampler pack:

Very sweet. Doesn't have a lot of balance to the malt. Slightly creamy taste and then... nothing. Fairly one note. Kinda watery tasting. Eh.

Victory Helios Ale

Definitely smells of brett yeast (wet socks again, see Wild Devil). It doesn't really translate to the taste though. Tastes slightly lemony, a little bready. Not bad. Not great.

Mandy really didn't enjoy this one.

Heavy Seas Marzen

From a sample pack:

Slightly sweet with a decent amount of maltiness in the back. I think I like the Brooklyn Summer Ale better though.

IMPORTANT JOSH HOWARD NEWS

I can't believe I've had this blog for two years and haven't mentioned Josh Howard yet.

Well, Josh signed with Les Boulez for this year which means I'll have one reason to go see a game this year.

This was also a good excuse to post Josh Howard with a pancake on his head.

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace

I think this is what I wish Sam Adams Summer ale tasted like. Its really good. Its light and slightly lemony and is pretty bubbly.

Also, it has an awesome playing card kinda logo on the bottle.



Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
One of the better ones you've made me try.

Great Divide 16th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

Hmm. Definitely bitter but the taste is just off. The oak does come through but it is too sweet to start.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
I forget the exact quote but I believe she said it tasted like cough syrup.

Guest Post! - Ommegang Hennepin and Ommergang Zuur

Dear Readers,
As Joe's oldest friend, I feel that I am within my rights to occasionally hijack his blog, however, in good spirit, I will use my power to suggest further beers that Joe (or you) may enjoy (or not).

First up are two beers I drank this week that Joe has not already reviewed. I didn't take pictures so I found other people's pics and mashed them together.

Both of these beers were made by Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY. I don't know why Joe hasn't reviewed any beers by Ommegang yet - maybe its cause the Nationals suck. Anyway, the first one was the Ommegang Hennepin which was a saison which I guess is really trendy right now. It was just okay - a bit too light and sweet for my tastes. Not that interesting. It was cheaper than the other saisons though which is why I bought it. I drank it yesterday which was International Beer Day.

The second beer was the Ommegang Zuur, a special beer that debuted this summer in bottles and on draft. I had it at a bar on the Upper West Side. It was definitely one of the most unique beers I have ever tasted. Its basically a Flemish style sour brown ale. It was a little fizzy and definitely had a sour taste to it, a bit like sour cherries or even vinegar, but not too intense. I loved it, but its not for everyone. Its definitely worth a try.

Ok. That's it. Next time my post will be much shorter.

Schalfly Tripel

First thing I notice is the alcohol.

Its a little heavier and less fruity than other tripels I've had. Its alright, not great. Wouldn't recommend getting a bottle.

IMPORTANT BLOG NEWS

In consultation with expensive branding experts, the official blog name has been changed to "Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff."

Do not fear faithful readers, the content will remain the same. I will not be blending up rib-eye steaks or tortellini into delicious shakes and drinking them for dinner.

Saison du Buff

Hmm. It definitely smells herbaceous. Not sure I get any sage, but definitely rosemary and thyme.

It tastes better than it smells. It has a slight bitter aftertaste, a little peppery and a little "herby".

Still the closest beer (at least in taste) I might compare it to was the John John Juniper Ale. I guess its interesting enough to try once but its not worth more than one glass.



Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
It smells like plants but tastes alright.

Bonus Leah the Dog Thoughts:
In a scientific experiment*, Leah chose the Saison du Buff over other leading craft brews. Or something like that.

*Placing the unopened bottle of saison du buff on one side of the carpet; a bottle of Mikkeller Simcoe Single Hop IPA on the other.

Founders Dirty Bastard

I'm not sure why I buy scotch ales during the summer. Last year I brought a six pack of Oskar Blues Old Chub to a Wilco concert outside. Not refreshing.

Although, apparently Old Chub is a Scottish Ale, while this is a Scotch Ale. And there's apparently a difference.

The finish is a little hoppy, but the initial taste is all caramel & toasted malt. Its kinda boozy. Not bad, not great. Don't think I'd get another six pack. The aftertaste is just a little too off for me.

Allagash Black

Billed as a "belgian style stout" but it comes off tasting a lot like a mix between a porter and a stout. I'm further confused by the fact that beer advocate classifies it as a belgian strong dark ale.

Plenty of carbonation. A mild bitter coffee and chocolate taste. I don't really get a lot from the belgian yeast used. Shrug.

Avery Seventeen Annivesary Lager

Hmm. This was okay. Slightly bitter. Pretty eh.

Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast

This was a nice change of pace from the other more recent stouts I've had. Possibly because there was no barrel aging involved.

It was pleasantly carbonated and didn't drink like motor oil. I think the hops come through a lot better on this than some others I've had recently. The coffee and chocolate flavors aren't as prominent.