Dogfish Head Festina Peche

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Years ago, Mandy and I went to a Dogfish Head brewpub in the suburbs in Maryland. We got some beer and realllly mediocre food. At one point, we ordered a larger bottle to split, and I think it may have been Festina Peche. At the time, we thought it was absolutely disgusting.

This actually smells pretty good. It doesn't taste repulsive. Its a little tart, and definitely peachy (sort of like a gummy-peachy-o). If you think your beer has been missing a peach candy flavor with some added tartness, this beer is for you.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts
[Take a sip. Looks absolutely repulsed. Sticks her tongue out in disgust.]

Ithaca Ground Break

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Found at a little liquor store that I usually don't go to. Turns out they have a few out of market beers. They had a few from Ithaca (Flower Power, Caskzilla and this) and some Lost Abbey beers too.

It was a few months past its "best by" date but I figured a saison should be okay if it just came out in January or February.

The smell is a little off, but it tastes alright. Not spectacular, not terrible.

Roanoke Railhouse - Track 1

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Thanks to the Newtster for providing this brew.

Reminds me slightly of Dead Guy Ale. Not bad.

Fischer Tradition Amber

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Another beer courtesy of the Newtster.

Pretty sweet. Reminiscent of a Red Oak.

DuClaw Naked Fish

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

It really does taste like raspberries. That's actually a good thing. Its not a hint of raspberries, its a shit ton.

A pretty tasty dessert beer.

Roanoke Railhouse - Loose Caboose

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Another beer courtesy of the Newtster.

Hmm. I think I liked the other beer from Roanoke Railroad better. This has a strange aftertaste, after an initial sweet caramel flavor. It has a weird bitterness that I can't really describe. (Mandy suggested "cough medicine").

Would not recommend. (Mandy however said she liked it better than many of the beers I make her try.)

New Belgium 1554 Black Ale

Phew. Thank god this came in. I think the consecutive days posting streak can continue.

"Was at the grocery store and picked up something called New Belgium 1554 Black Ale because nothing else was striking my fancy. Here are my thoughts in appropriate Joe Cooks Dinner and Stuff Style:

Hmm. Randomly picked this up. The label speaks of chocolate and maltiness, but all I can taste is blueberry and alcohol. I probably won't buy this again."

Flying Dog/Brewer's Art - Table for Two

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I like the bottle art on this one. You can get a better look here. Described as a belgian table beer.

Light and refreshing. Slight fruity. Slight honey taste maybe. It was really easy to drink. I'd buy it again.

Firestone Walker Parabola

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is pretty enjoyable. Balanced, for a barrel aged beer. I'd buy it again.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
[Mandy had the first sip] You're really going to like this [said with a bit of contempt in her tone of voice].

Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Well, they're not lying when they say "anise". That's basically the only flavor that comes through in this. I would not recommend this, even for someone who likes anise/licorice, etc. It was a struggle to finish the entire bottle.

Avery 18th Anniversay Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This smelled awesome. The taste was a little underwhelming. A lot sweeter than I would have thought it would be. Sweet & thick. Two things I wouldn't associate with a saison.

I had such high hopes. I love rye in beers. I like saisons. I should really like the combination.

Pass.

Victory Summer Love

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

[Inoffensive, decent summer brew]

Short's Huma-Lupa-Licious IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is really bitter and has a strange, off aftertaste. I'm hoping it grows on me because I have five more to drink. I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

DC Brau The Public

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I think this was the new recipe, they apparently tweaked it to make it slightly less hoppy and more malty. I think I liked the first recipe better. Still enjoyable though.

Oliver's Strongman Pale Ale with Sorachi Ace (Cask)

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was... interesting. Strong lemon taste from the sorachi ace hops. I'm not sure it works. I did not order another.

Great Lakes Engine 20 (Smoked Pale Ale)

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

On tap at Meridian Pint. Mandy actually ordered this.

This seriously tastes like bacon.

Schlafly Summer Lager

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Picture says it all. (It's Mandy's hand).

Mikkeller It's Alright!

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Well, it smells alright. But it taste like. Um. Soggy cardboard? This was not enjoyable.

21st Amendment Hop Crisis

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I had this on draft a long while ago. I thought it was a decent IPA, but didn't think the oak-aging really added much to the beer.

I think that opinion still stands, although I'd upgrade from "decent" to "very good". But I get two more Two Hearted Ale's for the same exact price... soo...

Short's Bellaire Brown

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Eh. I haven't had a brown ale in quite a while. This isn't bad. It has a hint of chocolate. Mildly sweet. yadda yadda yadda.



Bonus Mandy Thoughts:

[Takes about three separate sips]. I'm not giving thoughts away for free anymore.

Southern Tier - Mokah

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is still super chocolatey. I don't get much from the coffee addition.

Mandy actually liked it, although she said she'd only be able to have a few sips.

Left Hand - Good Juju

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. This is interesting. The aftertaste tastes like a gingerbread cookie. Its not heavy or sweet. Its like an alcoholic ginger ale that actually tastes of ginger.

Short's Pandemonium Pale Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I spotted three Short's beers at one of the beer stores this weekend. They're not normally distributed in DC so I picked up one of each to try.

I think these guys are typically known for making ridiculous beers that taste like key lime pie, s'mores, strawberry shortcake and other non-typical beer flavors.


This tastes like a typical pale ale. Not too hoppy or bitter. Meh. I dig the label art on this one though.

Short's Nicie Spicie

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This smells really... interesting.

Woo. I've had other beers that have been brewed with peppercorns (I'm looking at your Pepe Nero) but this is the first one I've had that really tastes like it has pepper in it. But that's not meant in a bad way. I actually enjoy this. There's a slight taste from the coriander also.


Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
It smells dinnery.

Heavy Seas Plank I

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was pretty enjoyable. It didn't have a typical wood-aged flavor. A slight roasted, burnt molasses flavor to it. I'd drink it again.



Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
I don't like the smell. And I don't like the taste.

Clown Shoes - Tramp Stamp

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I was intrigued by the name and cover art (and had heard of that the brewery had started to distribute in DC). Coincidentally, after I poured this Mandy put on the episode of How I Met Your Mother where Ted gets a tramp stamp.

This was really enjoyable. Citrusy with a nice bitter finish. I can't remember how much I paid for it. I'd definitely buy it again on draft.

Allagash Dubbel

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Wedding Beer #5

Thanks Sara!!

More sugary molasses flavor than dark fruit going on. Definitely enjoyable.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
It has an aftertaste of coffee grounds.