Good Times

New name, new location

2011-11-29T09:02:00.002-07:00

Since we've just changed the band name to Mezzo Mestizo, we thought it would be a good time to move the ol' beer blog to our main website. Our blogger account will remain as an archive, but all new posts will be at mezzomestizo.com. Cheers!

Pliny the Elder (bottle) - 4.4

2011-09-12T16:59:00.003-06:00

Pliny the Elder
Double IPA
Russian River Brewing Company
Santa Rosa, CA
ABV: 8%

Jon:
This is now the second time that I've ever been able to find this in stock at a liquor store (found on the first occasion by my wonderful girlfriend!). Very light color, clingy. Smells citrusy and overly hoppy with a hint of sweetness. The first sip is the reverse of that, with a far more balanced honey sweetness on the front with the hops leaning more toward pine flavors than citrus. Amazingly drinkable for the amount of hops and alcohol; I'm pretty sure someone sold their soul to pull this off. I guess I'll need to make some friends at the liquor store to have a chance of finding this on a semi-regular basis...

4.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	4/5	10/10	5/5	5/5	10/10

Mark:
This is exactly what I want in a nice IPA. Humongous hops straight to the face on your first sip, mellowing into a slight sweetness with a bitter white grapefruit aftertaste. Delicious.

4.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	5/5	9/10	4/5	5/5	9.5/10

Jere:
Pretty strong on first intake, but the intensity wears off as I go. A tad sweet but mostly bitter, I'd probably have to be in the right mood to down more than a half pint.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	7/10	2/5	5/5	7/10

Tonight @ Boulder Beer!

2011-06-30T10:13:00.007-06:00

Free CDs, great beer, and music on the patio! Mestizo pairs especially well with Mojo IPA. See ya tonight!

Hop Manna (bottle) - 4.3

2011-06-15T17:05:00.003-06:00

Hop Manna
India Pale Ale
Shmaltz Brewing Company
Saratoga Springs, NY
ABV: 6.8%

Jon:
More goodness from Shmaltz. Their foray into the IPA world is a massive success in my book. Heavy on grapefruit and rye flavors, which is right up my alley. As is printed on all He'brew bottles, L'Chaim!

4.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	5/5	9/10	5/5	4/5	9/10

Mark:
Amazing aroma. The Cascade, Amarillo, and Warrior hops really come through. Fantastic flavor profile--bitter grapefruit with a slightly floral aftertaste.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
My first kosher IPA. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have known the difference. I will definitely need to sample some more from this brewery since this is some good stuff.

4.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	4/5	8/10	5/5	4/5	9/10

5-Day IPA (bottle) - 4.0

2011-03-27T13:13:00.000-06:00

5-Day IPA
India Pale Ale
O'Fallon Brewery
O'Fallon, MO
ABV: 6.1%

Jon:
Unfiltered and hazy. Smells of caramel and fresh grains. Hoppy on the tongue but wonderfully balanced. Honey, malty sweetness is singing next to the citrus hops. Definitely one of the best beers I've tried in recent months.

4.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	5/5	9/10	3/5	4/5	9/10

Mark:
Wonderfully fragrant pour. Unfiltered, amber color, with little to no head. There's a bright sweetness to start with a slightly grainy mouthfeel, followed by a nice hop bitterness with just a touch of bee pollen and floralness.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	3/5	8/10

Jere:
Still wondering what the "5 days" are from, perhaps the website will explain. Whatever the reason, it's definitely tasty. I could even drink another, given the opportunity, and we may have to try some more from this brewery.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	4/5	8/10

Mystic Bridge IPA (bottle) - 3.4

2011-03-14T13:43:00.001-06:00

Mystic Bridge IPA
India Pale Ale
Cottrell Brewing Company
Pawcatuck, CT
ABV: ?

Jon:
Reddish hue, foamy head. Sweet floral flavors, reminding me of some seafoam honey I once had at a farmer's market. Sweet middle, bitter tea finish, and the transition between the two makes this feel a tad watery. The bitterness becomes less pleasant as the beer warms up.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	3/5	6/10

Mark:
Slightly sweet aroma, like dark unfiltered honey. Sweet start followed by a floral hop kick. Medium dark amber color with a silky mouthfeel.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Jere:
No sweetness detected here, in fact no descriptive words are coming to mind at all. It isn't displeasing in any way, just not terribly expressive.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

JimBrew Gingerbread Ale (bottle) - 3.9

2011-03-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

JimBrew Gingerbread Ale
Specialty/Spiced Ale
Arvada, CO

Even more homebrew from Jimbo!

Jon:
The nose on this one is really perfumey, so I was surprised when the flavor perfectly hit my expectation of gingerbread. As it warms up, some very nice chocolate malt undertones are coming through. A tad heavy on the spice, otherwise surprisingly good flavor in a style of beer I wouldn't normally seek out.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	5/10	4/5	9/10	5/5	4/5	7/10

Mark:
Like drinking a cookie! I like the sharp nutmeg with the bitterness of the hops. I'm usually a purist when it comes to beer--barley, yeast, hops, and water--but this is surprisingly good!

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	5/10	4/5	8/10	5/5	4/5	7/10

Jere:
The appearance does remind one of gingerbread, with whole wheat flour. At first sip, I sensed more than just that flavor, but I can't quite put my finger on it. There does seem to be some bread-like qualities to the texture, which I'm quite impressed with, all things considered.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	5/5	4/5	9/10

Tremont Freedom Trail IPA (bottle) - 2.5

2011-02-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

Freedom Trail IPA
India Pale Ale
Shipyard Brewing Company
Portland, ME
ABV: 6.4%

Jon:
I'm not too big on British-style IPAs, but this one strays even farther from my usual tastes. There's a cloying sweetness and a Britishy bitterness that just don't balance each other out.

2.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	5/10	2/5	5/10	5/5	4/5	4/10

Mark:
Little head with little lacing. Not bad to start with a burst of floral hops, but finishes oddly sweet with a dandelion bitterness.

2.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	2/5	3/10	3/5	4/5	4/10

Jere:
Port! That's the first thing that came to mind on the first taste, but after subsequent sips I've revised my impression: bitter port.

2.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	4/10	2/5	4/10	3/5	4/5	3/10

JimBrew Amber (bottle) - 3.3

2011-01-28T14:45:00.001-07:00

JimBrew Amber
Amber Ale
Arvada, CO

More homebrew from Jimbo!

Jon:
Cloudy and foamy, mucho carbonation. Nice and malty, but with a sharp hop counterpoint on the finish. The caramel goodness becomes more apparent the further you get through the glass.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	4/5	6/10	5/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
Crisp and malty with a slight herbal aftertaste. I taste zinc too, but that must be the Zicam I've been taking for my cold. Very refreshing and clean on the palate.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	3/5	6/10	5/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
The taste isn't quite distinguishable, but I keep thinking with every passing sip that I'll figure it out. Also lots of carbonation, although that could be operator error. The foam has its own flavor too, incidentally.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	5/10	4/5	3/5	6/10

Mendocino Imperial IPA (bottle) - 3.7

2010-12-06T17:02:00.004-07:00

Mendocino Imperial IPA
Mendocino Brewing Company
Hopland, CA
ABV: 8%

Jon:
Fairly opaque, reddish hue, thick head. Smells like a million bucks: bitter orange, honey, molasses, grains, fig. It's less sweet on the tongue than the nose, as the sage/herb flavors are more dominant. Serious alcohol heat, it just can't be hidden. Wonderfully complex. A little overwhelming.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	2/5	8/10	2/5	5/5	8/10

Mark:
Light caramel color. Lots of carbonation with a creamy, buttery yellow head. GREAT aroma after pouring. First sip: zing! Citrus and piney hops come right through. Very little malt flavor (just how I like it). There's an odd mouthfeel and aftertaste; sort of a pollen feel with a slightly sweet taste of honey.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	2/5	6/10	2/5	5/5	7/10

Jere:
Packs a punch, but for the price I'd expect nothing less. After a few more sips it isn't quite as potent but it still has some spirit.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	2/5	7/10	2/5	5/5	7/10

World Wide Stout (bottle) - 3.8

2010-11-24T19:28:00.007-07:00

World Wide Stout
Imperial Stout
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, DE
ABV: 18%

Like the rest of America, we watched the premiere of "Brew Masters" on Sunday. Then, like the rest of America, we got a serious hankerin' for some Dogfish Head. (Watching an entire television program about a beer without having said beer on hand for sampling is NOT advised.) So when Mallory came home with two bottles of World Wide Stout today, we lasted a solid 6 hours before cracking them open. Beer on TV is super awesome, but get ready for Dogfish to be even pricier and harder to find in the months to come.

Mallory & Jon:
Black as night; light doesn't have a chance of getting through this beer. Little carbonation and head, as expected. Big alcohol on the nose, with a nice initial mix of chocolate, coffee, and a fairly hefty fig/prune/port aroma reminiscent of barley wine. Hang on to that chocolate/coffee goodness at the start, because once you get going on this it starts to behave more like a barley wine and less like a stout. Not that that's all bad, but we like our stouts to be smoky and roasty, and that just isn't the avenue that this stout happens to be going down. More flavors open up as it starts to warm up; some hints of spice and oily espresso can be found in the finish. The finish doesn't scream "stout," but then again, the nose doesn't even whisper it. Extra points for making a bad-ass Discovery show; minus points for inflated price and bad categorization. New genre suggestion: Stoutly Wine.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	7/10	4/5	8/10	2/5	5/5	7/10

400 Pound Monkey (bottle) - 3.4

2010-09-26T17:00:00.000-06:00

400 Pound Monkey
India Pale Ale
Left Hand Brewing Company
Longmont, CO
ABV: 7%

Jon:
Really fizzy, sudsy head. Slightly sweet, spiced nose; malty brown sugar notes. The flavor is subdued. I thought that this was some really heavy-handed stuff at the Keystone Beer Fest, but it's not nearly as complex in the bottle. Very acidic mouthfeel, which I don't mind. Awesome bottle art!

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	2/5	4/5	8/10

Mark:
Creamy, clumpy head with little lacing. Toasty English malt with a strange bitter coppery metallic aftertaste.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	6/10	2/5	6/10	3/5	4/5	6/10

Jere:
I don't really care for the taste of alcohol in my beer, and this one is pretty strong in that department. On the bright side, that's the sort of problem that goes away once you get to the second pint!

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	4/5	6/10

Hop Czar (bottle) - 3.4

2010-09-15T14:40:00.000-06:00

Hop Czar
Imperial India Pale Ale
Bridgeport Brewing Company
Portland, OR
ABV: 7.5%

Jon:
Reddish and coppery. Smells... soapy? Not sure what to think about that. First sip... Holy hell that's bitter. Tastes kind of soapy too. Not distinguishing a ton of flavors, just mucho bitter. I'm on the fence, but this amount of hops is worth it for $7 per 6-pack.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	5/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	4/5	6/10

Mark:
Slightly floral, bitter aroma. Bitter, bitter, bitter! Not a lot of flavor beyond the hop. I do detect a slight coffee overtone. Bitter floral finish.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	5/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	4/5	7/10

Jere:
Perhaps the color/appearance factor is influencing my judgement, but I do like this particular brew. It also could be my thirst factor enhancing my enjoyment level. Not detecting quite the same bitterness as my bandmates... perhaps a touch of hazelnut.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	4/5	7/10

The Tap Hunter Approacheth

2010-09-12T16:39:00.006-06:00

TapHunter.com now has a Denver/Boulder channel up and running, and Jon has been spending some time over there. Check out his posts:

Keystone Bluegrass and Beer recap
Jon's Denver Beer Fest picks to keep you occupied until GABF

Beer on the brain!

-Jon

Lagunitas Maximus (bottle) - 3.5

2010-09-09T10:04:00.000-06:00

Maximus IPA
Double India Pale Ale
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, CA
ABV: 7.5%

Jon:
I'm pretty sure that this qualifies as an "extreme" IPA at +70 IBUs, but honestly, this is not nearly as face-meltingly hoppy as I expected it to be. There's a fair amount of caramel and molasses sweetness going on here; maybe that's what's starting to balance this out. This would be a really great intro for a new hophead into the world of extreme IPAs who doesn't want their face to melt off just yet.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	5/5	7/10

Mark:
Nice creamy head, clean amber color. Lots of bitterness nicely balanced by an understated caramel malt. Nicely crisp with a slightly mineral finish.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	7/10	2/5	4/5	7/10

Jere:
I probably shouldn't have sampled the Republic Organic Tequila first, as it has colored my palette somewhat. Still working on my first pint, which would seem to indicate the high potency of this "Double" IPA. Hopefully I can get through this one.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	4/5	7/10

Ranger IPA (bottle) - 3.9

2010-09-04T09:54:00.000-06:00

Ranger IPA
India Pale Ale
New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, CO
ABV: 6.5%

Jon:
Light-colored and fizzy, foamy head. I love the flavor: herby, fairly bitter, with a pleasantly lingering bitterness and just a hint of sweetness. This is the kind of IPA that bridges the gap between easy-drinking and heavy-duty; it's complex and full-flavored, but not overwhelming.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	9/10	3/5	4/5	8/10

Mark:
I love this IPA! It really seems to be a departure from the malty/toasty characteristic of many New Belgium beers. Very balanced, citrusy, floral nose, with a slightly bitter finish.

4.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	4/5	9/10	3/5	4/5	8/10

Jere:
Not having had the benefit of trying this on tap (like Mark and Jon got to on its first weekend out), I think it's still right in New Belgium's wheelhouse. Quite hoppy, with an average bitter aftertaste; I do like how it goes down. Will have to try the draft version someday soon.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Lucky U IPA (bottle) - 3.2

2010-08-28T09:42:00.004-06:00

Lucky U IPA
India Pale Ale
Breckenridge Brewery
Denver, CO
ABV: 6.2%

Jon:
This is a nice, easy-drinking IPA. Very subtle nose, with just a hint of citrus and tea leaf. There is a bit of sourness here - not enough to be detrimental - but it still doesn't seem to fit with the other flavors. If this were cheaper it might replace Long Hammer as my pick for best value IPA.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Mark:
Slightly sweet to start with a bitter, sour finish. Almost non-existent head and very little aroma. I liked the second one better than the first.

2.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	5/10	2/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Jere:
It's very average to me, but in a good way. After finishing over half, I barely feel like I've had any at all. Perhaps I'll feel differently after another.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Carrabassett Pale (bottle) - 3.2

2010-06-08T15:22:00.003-06:00

Carrabassett Pale Ale
American-Style Pale Ale
Casco Bay Brewing
Portland, Maine
ABV: 4.2%

Jon:
From Beer of the Month Club. Not too hoppy at all, even for an American-style pale. Very refreshing, with a crisp bite, but the flavor profile leans more toward sweet molasses rather than the brighter flavors you would usually find in an American pale. Very nice for summer.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	2/5	6/10

Mark:
Nice, refreshing summer pale. Not a whole lot else to say.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Jere:
Reminds me of some kind of amber, which is a bit of a slam against its hoppiness... It's not terribly offensive though, but it's a good thing I'm only having a third of a pint.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Wild Goose IPA (bottle) - 3.2

2010-05-04T12:29:00.004-06:00

Wild Goose IPA
India Pale Ale
Wild Goose Brewery
Frederick, MD
ABV: 5.9%

Jon:
From Beer of the Month Club. Copper and foamy. Doesn't smell much like an IPA, the nose is very mellow and kind of sweet. But there's some huge bitterness on first sip, not too describable, just the absence of sweet. The more I drink, the sweeter it gets. Long aftertaste, otherwise quite crisp and refreshing.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	5/10	3/5	5/10	4/5	4/5	6/10

Mark:
This reminds of an uber-hopped amber ale. Slightly toasty and mellow with a splash of floral hops and a bittersweet, honey-mead finish.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
My first taste of mail-order beer; not too bad if I do say so myself. The aroma is a tad nondescript, but nothing that would negatively affect the overall experience.

2.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	4/10	4/5	5/10	4/5	3/5	6/10

Harp (bottle) - 2.8

2010-03-15T16:54:00.005-06:00

Harp
Pale Lager
Guinness Brewing Company
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
ABV: 4.3%

Jon:
It's almost Saint Patty's Day, time to start drinking Irish beer brewed in Canada! That's how we roll in the States. It tastes similar to any mass-produced lager, with a little extra sweetness and considerably better balance and taste. Harp has a little place in my heart for some reason, and it's been exceedingly affordable for the past few weeks. Can't beat that.

2.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	2/5	5/10	2/5	3/5	6/10

Mark:
Good, basic beer. Reminds me of a nice Mexican lager, without the lime of course.

2.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	2/5	6/10	2/5	3/5	6/10

Jere:
I need some Guinness Stout with this, otherwise it's just a Tan without the Black. But, it'll do.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

"Test Product" Pale Ale (bottle) - 3.8

2010-02-24T19:01:00.005-07:00

"Test Product" Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
Arvada, CO
ABV: About 5%

Mark has been making his own hard cider for a while, then made a batch of that into applejack, and now he's finally ventured his way into brewing his own beer. His first batch is a pale ale using Warrior, Amarillo, and Cascade hops. Mark didn't want to rate his own brew, so his brother-in-law Chris is sitting in on this one.

Jon:
Clear, golden honey color. There's something interesting going on with the nose... I smell orange and banana but Mark says my smeller is off today. A tad sweet and a tad fizzy, otherwise a really great pale ale. I like the mix of hops, the flavor is right on.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	7/10	5/5	3/5	7/10

Chris:
Great beer, almost more enjoyable than the beer is hearing about how it's made and everything that went into it. The flavor has lots of dimension and character. Two thumbs up!

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	7/10	5/5	4/5	7.5/10

Jere:
Even though it's not specifically intended to be sweet, I appreciate that unexpected quality. Considering it's a homebrew I'm definitely impressed. Can't wait for the IPA!

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	4/5	8/10	5/5	4/5	8/10

Hazed & Infused (bottle) - 3.1

2010-02-16T10:09:00.004-07:00

Hazed & Infused
American Pale Ale
Boulder Beer Company
Boulder, CO
ABV: 4.85%

Jon:
Looks hazy. Ha! The bitterness is sharp and lemony. Very fizzy and acidic, it's got a lot of bite. Quite refreshing.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	2/5	6/10

Mark:
Very bright and sparkly for an unfiltered beer. The combination of Centennial and Crystal hops gives it a sharp lemon rind, sour herbalness.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	2/5	7/10

Jere:
Stronger than I remember, or maybe it's the glass... I'm guessing this is usually drunk out of the bottle.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	2/5	7/10

JuJu Ginger (bottle) - 3.0

2010-01-27T12:30:00.004-07:00

JuJu Ginger
Herb/Spice Ale
Left Hand Brewing
Longmont, CO
ABV: 4%

Jon:
One of my favorite ginger beers! Slightly sour nose, pretty hefty amount of ginger on the first sip. Slightly sweet and very bubbly. This is one of the priciest beers I buy on a semi-regular basis... usually the pricey beers I lean toward have a much higher ABV.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	2/5	7/10

Mark:
Sweet and spicy gingerbread beer. I'm not really sure I like the sweetness of this. I feel an immediate urge to eat something salty.

2.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	4/10	2/5	3/10	4/5	2/5	4/10

Jere:
After trying some of Mark's latest distillery efforts, I probably should've had a palate cleanser before trying this ginger beer... Perhaps ginger would've done the trick! I could drink some more of this, which is high praise coming from me.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

JimBrew 2.0 IPA (bottle) - 3.9

2009-12-21T16:30:00.007-07:00

JimBrew 2.0
India Pale Ale
Arvada, CO
ABV: 5.4%

You won't find this one in stores... partly because we already drank all of it, and partly because it was never in stores to begin with. Our friend Jim has started brewing his own beer, and he sent a few bottles of his first IPA our way.

Jon:
Cloudy and dark. Citrus and caramel aroma. Smooth up front then considerable lingering bitterness on the end. Quite malty for an IPA, but that's a big part of what makes this really unique. The nose and finish are a bit contrasting for me, but I think things would've started to match up had I tried it more than twice. Extra point for home brewing!

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	8/10	3/5	8/10	5/5	3/5	9/10

Mark:
I'm very impressed with Jim's foray into home brewing. This IPA has a malty, slightly dark chocolate feel with a very bitter, dark aftertaste. Get job! I'm going to have to get the recipe!

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	7/10	5/5	3/5	9/10

Jere:
I've had this twice before, and if anything it's gotten better with age. Considering it was a homebrew, I appreciate it even more. Kudos to the brew meister!

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	6/10	5/5	4/5	9/10

Alaskan IPA (bottle) - 3.7

2009-11-15T22:33:00.003-07:00

Alaskan IPA
India Pale Ale
Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, AK
ABV: 6.2%

Jon:
Lovely citrus nose, but has a strange herb/sage quality on first sip. Feels bright and fizzy on the tongue. Loses pretty much any distinctiveness after saturation. A good buy when on sale.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Mark:
This is my economy IPA, as it's been on sale for a long time at my local liquor store. Bright carbonated mouthfeel with a lemon peel bitterness.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	7/10	5/5	4/5	7/10

Jere:
It's different, but a good different. Perhaps the 2° Below I had prior to this is coloring my judgement, but for now I don't mind. We'll see how I feel after I finish it I guess...

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	4/5	8/10

Bard's Gold (bottle) - 2.4

2009-11-12T21:55:00.004-07:00

Bard's Gold
American Lager (Gluten-free)
Bard's Tale Beer Company
Minneapolis, MN
ABV: 4.6%

Jon:
Pretty sure this is my first sorghum beer. Nicely sweet orange aroma--but looks and tastes like someone put a drop of soap in a Shock Top. Very unique. I guess not a horrible option if you really need to go gluten-free, but I haven't tried many in this category to compare.

2.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	7/10	1/5	3/10	2/5	2/5	5/10

Mark:
Bard's is an odd beer. It looks great, tastes slightly sweet and slippery with a bitter and sweet molasses aftertaste.

2.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	7/10	3/5	3/10	2/5	2/5	5/10

Jere:
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, and taste. But I somehow toughed it out. Or at least I'm trying to...

2.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	7/10	2/5	2/10	2/5	3/5	5/10

GABF 2009

2009-11-01T23:15:00.000-07:00

The Great American Beer Festival was over a month ago, but I can still taste it like it was yesterday. Here's some of the great stuff I came across:

I had somehow never tried a brew by Shmaltz Brewing despite the fact that I've passed it by at more than one local liquor store. What a mistake! The Bar Mitzvah 13th Anniversary Ale was great--built like a barley wine with lots of extra hops, very balanced. They also put out a rye IPA that I will definitely be looking for again.
I finally got to try Stone's Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale and it didn't disappoint. It had a sweet maple syrup nose with herby, peppery undertones. Complexity can be good.
I once drank an awful green chili beer in New Mexico that I thought had ruined me on the concept forever, but CooperSmith's green chili beer won me back. Reminiscent of Twisted Pine's Billy's Chilies, maybe even a tad more flavorful.
Dogfish Head always brings some crazy stuff to the GABF, but they topped themselves this year with a beer they call Chicha. This selection was brewed in a traditional South American method which apparently involves chewing and spitting out the maize that goes into the beer in order to break down the starches. Brewer saliva? I couldn't pass that up! It was very sweet and floral, heavily dominated by the flavor of strawberries (not sure if the strawberries they used made it into any mouths or not). One of the most interesting beers I've had the pleasure of drinking, at least in terms of back-story.
I got another taste of Sam Adam's Utopias this year (I somehow missed it last year), which I already wrote about in 2007 so I'm not sure why I'm bringing it up again. Oh right, because it's frickin' epic! Everyone needs to try this stuff. Seriously.

I'll be there again next year, and you should be too. Hurray beer!

-Jon

Modus Hoperandi (can) - 3.5

2009-08-23T12:38:00.002-06:00

Modus Hoperandi
India Pale Ale
Ska Brewing Company
Durango, CO
ABV: 7%

Jon:
Copper complexion, sweet orange hoppy nose. The aroma didn't prepare me for the mouth-puckering bitterness -- somehow the sweetness I smelled just doesn't transfer to the tongue. Unique and tastes good, but unexpectedly harsh for me.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	3/5	6/10	2/5	4/5	7/10

Mark:
I really like this IPA. Full palate, slightly toasty with bitter floral notes. I can definitely taste the 7% ABV.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	5/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Jere:
Canned IPA -- WTH? Actually not that bad, considering... Not sure if I'll have another though.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	4/5	6/10

Southampton IPA (bottle) - 3.6

2009-08-19T13:53:00.002-06:00

Southampton IPA
India Pale Ale
Southampton Publick House
Southampton, NY
ABV: 6.2%

Jon:
A serious amount of roasty/caramel flavors for an IPA, quite unexpected. Very sweet and somewhat bitter but doesn't quite strike a balance. It's sweet, then bitter. With a gummy aftertaste. Same aftertaste as after drinking a sweet and sour margarita. Very unique, but not a favorite.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Mark:
I'm not sure what to say about this one. It's a golden caramel color with an eggshell head. The bottle claims that "balance" is their difference. Not so hopped as an American-style IPA, closer to an English IPA. Slightly bitter, toasty with a strange lemon rind / sour skittles aftertaste. It's definitely a quality brew, but I'm not crazy about it.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	4/5	6/10

Jere:
Not bad for a 6.2%. The Mexican Mojito I had beforehand may have clouded my judgement, though... Hopefully it won't be another long while before I try one again.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	8/10

American Dream IPA (growler) - 3.9

2009-08-14T00:20:00.003-06:00

American Dream
India Pale Ale
Rock Bottom Westminster
Westminster, CO
ABV: 7.2%

Jon:
Very floral nose mixed with grapefruit. Soothing mouthfeel with a little alcohol heat on the finish. The floral notes are a bit too pervasive on the tongue, otherwise a great brew.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	8/10

Mark:
Tasty. The first thing you taste are the floral notes followed quickly by a white grapefruit sweetness, fading to a bitter finish. I would say this was the best beer that I've had at Rock Bottom except that I just tried their recently released Naked Hop Bomb--amazing!

4.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	5/5	8/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
I like. Definitely one of the better brews I've had in a while. If I remember it next time I'm at Rock Bottom, I'll be sure to revisit.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	4/5	7/10	2/5	4/5	7/10

Bud Light (can) - 1.7

2009-08-10T21:55:00.004-06:00

Bud Light
American-Style Lager
Anheuser-Busch Company
St. Louis, MO
ABV: 4.2%

Jon:
This is Good Times: Recession Edition. It's cheap but I think there are better values out there (Tecate, IMO). I'm scared to pour it in a glass after my PBR experience last year. Tastes like a mega-corporation.

1.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
1/5	2/10	3/5	2/10	4/5	1/5	2/10

Mark:
Almost defies description, like that guy you know that so lacks personality that it's impossible to ever be offended by him. That said, this is good, cheap summer beer and I don't know anyone who won't drink one if they're handy.

1.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	1/10	3/5	3/10	4/5	1/5	3/10

Jere:
This Bud ain't for me. "Superior Drinkability" is deceptively accurate--thankfully I won't be partaking again anytime soon. Less filling? I think not.

1.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	3/10	2/5	3/10	4/5	2/5	3/10

Hoppy Boy (bottle) - 3.2

2009-06-01T01:39:00.001-06:00

Hoppy Boy
India Pale Ale
Twisted Pine Brewing Company
Boulder, CO
ABV: ?

Jon:
Sweet orangey nose, followed by a real bitter taste that's harsh on the tongue at first, mellowing into a slightly unpleasant aftertaste. The right flavors are in there, and they're good, but there is some imbalance that takes a toll on this brew's drinkability.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	2/5	5/10	3/5	4/5	6/10

Mark:
This starts with a sweet caramel, NutraSweet taste and ends with a big pine flavor. Very flavorful and very different, but I'm not too fond of the Pine-Sol bitterness.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	4/5	6/10

Jere:
This ain't bad. I usually like the Twisted Pine line, and this one's no exception. Not quite sure what the aroma is but it's not offensive by any means.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	2/5	4/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Spoiler Alert! LOST puzzle solution from Wired's May issue

2009-05-19T02:41:00.010-06:00

I hope this doesn't go against the spirit of Wired's May mystery issue, but I figure since they've already spilled the beans on the metapuzzle, it's probably time to do the same with the LOST puzzle on pages 104-105 since the season finale it relates to has already aired.

Page 104 was solved by Steven Bevacqua (also the first person to solve the metapuzzle), who used a Vignere cypher to decrypt this message:

U S E L E T
T E R S B A
C K W A R D S F
R O M E N D

Steve credits Nick Tierce for the idea that the page was an alphanumeric code. I had nothing to do with solving this page and merely used the clue that they unearthed.

Page 105 solution:
In the recent LOST episode "The Variable," there is a quick shot of Wired issue 11.08 from August 2003. Scott Dadich's twitter hint led me to the time travel article in that issue. The part of the article on Thorne Plates refers to the "Casimir Effect," which was also referenced on LOST in the past. In order to USE LETTERS BACKWARDS FROM END, count the letters backwards from the end of the Thorne Plates portion of the article. So, count 4 letters back (the "t" in "trip"), then 34 letters back from that (the "h" in "happen") and so on. The final solution is:

T H E F O U
R T O E D S
T A T U E I S
T A W E R E T

which refers to one of the reveals in the Season 5 finale of LOST.

-Jon

Wired's LOST puzzle

2009-05-18T14:38:00.001-06:00

I just out-nerded my already rather nerdy self by spending many an hour figuring out the LOST number puzzle in the May issue of Wired magazine. The answer turned out to be one of the many reveals of last week's finale, so kind of a letdown that no one apparently figured it out in time, but still satisfying to get it out of my brain.

-Jon

The Tunes

2009-05-14T15:21:00.003-06:00

Mestizo is getting ready to release a new album, so I figured it was high time to put some new songs up in here. Check out the new section in the sidebar called "The Tunes" to listen to the songs we have available on iLike/Facebook (it's kind of far down the page... this is a Beer & Tunes blog, not a Tunes & Beer blog). "Hostage" and "Fade" are from the new album, out on May 16th! If you're in Colorado, you can grab a copy at our CD release party:

Saturday, May 16th - 7:30pm - $5 cover
The D'Note - www.dnote.us
7519 Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO
with Melissa Ivey and My Friend Tom!

-Jon

Upslope IPA (can) - 3.0

2009-05-10T20:29:00.002-06:00

Upslope IPA
India Pale Ale
Upslope Brewing Company
Boulder, CO
ABV: 7.2%

Jon:
Doesn't look like an IPA. Doesn't really taste like an IPA. Soooo bitter, like black tea. No citrusy goodness to speak of here. Just a bitter punch in the mouth.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
First impression: "That's a weird color!" Except for the high alcohol content, it seems more like a crazy bitter amber or a weird stout. Very, very bitter with a floral quality and a hint of coffee and pine. Sort of tastes like dandelions.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	5/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	5/5	6/10

Jere:
Can you can an IPA? Upslope seems to think so, but I'm afraid I disagree. Worth a try just to say I tried it though.

2.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	5/10	2/5	6/10	3/5	2/5	5/10

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

2009-05-05T10:37:00.003-06:00

Today's to-do list:

Cerveza.
Siesta.
Más cerveza.

Happy Cinco to all the other Mestizos out there.

-Jon

Single-Wide IPA (bottle) - 3.0

2009-05-03T23:00:00.005-06:00

Single-Wide IPA
India Pale Ale
Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO
ABV: 5.7%

Jon:
Foamy to a fault... I don't even really understand how it's possible. Smells like a beer fest (in a good way). Good drinkability without overpowering your palate or sacrificing too much hop flavor.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	5/10	4/5	8/10	5/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
Really foamy, I poured it very carefully and it looked like I topped it off with spray foam insulation. Also, I'm allergic to this beer. Pretty good other than that. I wonder where I put my EpiPen...

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	7/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	8/10

Jere:
Foamy like the wolf... Too "alcohol-ey" for my tastes, once the foam finally dissipated.

1.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
1/5	4/10	2/5	2/10	2/5	3/5	3/10

7th Annual Boulder Strong Ale Fest

2009-03-10T20:31:00.006-06:00

Not much time for new beers lately since we've been putting all our effort into the upcoming album, but Mark and I did get a chance to hit up the Boulder Strong Ale Fest this year. We were joined by the usual Kate and Jim, plus beer fest first-timer Rico. Since we are accustomed to unlimited pours at GABF, we were shocked to learn that we would only be receiving 16 coupons each. One coupon is good for a two-ounce pour of 8% ABV or higher ale. I put some extra cash in my pocket, thinking I'd need to buy quite a few more tickets to get through the night. But hold the phone, this is some stroooong beer. Not a single one of us used all of our tickets. But we did get in on some good stuff--here are some highlights:

Great Divide's Hercules IPA is a full-on, all-up-in-yer-bizness IPA, with an explosion of citrusy hops. I can't believe I've somehow avoided it at my local liquor store this long. Shame on me.
Pizza Port had some great offerings in the double IPA category, including the piney "Killer Dana" from San Clemente and the amazingly hoppy "Poor Man's IPA" from Carlsbad.
Moylan's Brewery brought along Wet Hopsickle, which was quite reminiscent of Stone IPA (a very good thing). Also, Green Flash Brewing's Imperial IPA reminded me of Redhook's Longhammer IPA (also a good thing). Reminiscent, but with nearly twice the alcohol.
The ever-present New Belgium brought along the mysteriously-named Kevin's Ale. It's described on the info sheet as a "strong golden ale with spices." Call me unrefined, but I couldn't get past the ginger to find any other spices. You got yourselves some very alcoholic ginger ale there, dudes.
I also liked Redstone Meadery's Nectar of the Hops. I haven't had a lot of experience with mead, but it tastes like a syrupy agave nectar. Really not bad at all.
I gotta throw a shout out to Alpine Beer's Pure Hoppiness, merely for the fact that I tried it toward the end of the night and wrote nothing but "bueno" in my notes. Did I mention that these were strong ales?

All in all, a good beer fest. But I must say that Harpo's is waaaay too small for this event. It took half of our coupons to stop being annoyed by the closeness of the crowd and enjoy ourselves.

-Jon

Revisited! Mojo (growler) - 5.0

2009-01-28T10:01:00.004-07:00

Mark and Jon have been spending a bit of time over at the Boulder Beer Company's bar lately, so it's once again time to shower our favorite brew with some love...

Mojo
India Pale Ale
Boulder Beer Company
Boulder, CO
ABV: 6.8%

Jon:
Huge orange flavor, some subtle pine notes, and the most amazing bitterness on the finish. Sweeter on tap than in the bottle, but it adds to the depth of flavor and smells heavenly. $9 for a growler! This is the standard by which all IPAs should be judged.

5.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	5/5	10/10	5/5	5/5	10/10

Mark:
Liquid perfection! Definitely my favorite beer, and it's even better on tap! Crisp, clean... It hits you with a hoppy bitterness reminiscent of white grapefruit with floral hints and a clean mineral effervescence, followed by a bitter alcohol finish. Bravo!

5.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	5/5	10/10	5/5	5/5	10/10

Red Rocket Pale Ale (bottle) - 3.0

2009-01-12T18:36:00.002-07:00

Red Rocket Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
Bristol Brewing Company
Colorado Springs, CO
ABV: 5.2%

Jon:
Honey colored, honey nose, honey taste. Strangely metallic finish. Somewhere between complex and easy-drinking, and rather unique.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	2/5	7/10

Mark:
Slightly sweet, watered down, definitely different. Almost tastes like a stout that they somehow morphed into a pale ale. Tricky. Very tricky.

2.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	2/5	3/5	6/10

Jere:
Now it's Red Rocket instead of Red Truck--what's next, Red Comet? Works for me, this beer however is not really up my alley.

2.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	5/10	2/5	6/10	3/5	2/5	5/10

Red Truck IPA (bottle) - 3.0

2009-01-05T14:24:00.004-07:00

Red Truck IPA
India Pale Ale
Palisade Brewery
Palisade, CO
ABV: ?

Jon:
Woah. There are some crazy sorts of bitterness going on here. It's very herbal; reminds me of some of the bitter flavors found in Cynar. Marks for complexity, but it's ultimately an unfortunate comparison because Cynar is one amazingly toxic drink.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	8/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
Fairly balanced for an IPA. Not quite the hops for me, but with an oddly watered-down bitter flavor. Not bad at all, definitely good quality, but the $9 price tag turned me off a little bit.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	2/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
Red Truck stands for bitter--too much for my tastes unfortunately. Not that I won't finish what I've started, mind you, but I can't say I'll enjoy it all that much.

2.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	4/10	3/5	2/5	3/10

Revisited! Hop Devil IPA (bottle) - 3.8

2008-12-23T10:44:00.004-07:00

Hop Devil
India Pale Ale
Victory Brewing Company
Downington, PA
Alcohol Content: 6.7%
Old score: 3.8 (1/18/2008)

Jon:
I think I like this better the second time around, though it's apparently not reflected in the score. The nose reminds me of beer fest, probably because I seek out the hoppiest beers in the country for an entire evening. Solid brew.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
Bitter and sour! My two favorite flavors. This hits you with a bitter hoppy, lemony flavor, with a slightly sweet alcohol finish. Yum.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	5/5	7/10

Jere:
Still as bitter this year as it was last, but I guess it's grown on me after 10 months and a day. I'm not sure why either, except that the beer reviewing has become synonymous with practicing, and is hence, an acquired taste.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	3/5	8/10	2/5	4/5	7/10

Power Outage IPA (growler) - 3.8

2008-12-02T18:19:00.003-07:00

Power Outage IPA
India Pale Ale
Rock Bottom Westminster
Westminster, CO
ABV: 6.5%

Jon:
Piney, very subtle. Interesting flavors if you give it a chance, but not hoppy enough at the first sip.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
This IPA kind of sneaks on you. At first it's a nice pleasant, mellow pale ale, then the hops hit you - bam! And you realize "it's an IPA!" Hooray! Nice hoppy aftertaste.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	8/10

Jere:
This one sneaks up on ya, since it's not quite as bold as our usual IPA selection. I think I could get used to it though. Too bad it's not more widely available.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Halloween with Devotchka

2008-11-06T13:26:00.002-07:00

Devotchka likes Halloween. Last year at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, they dressed up as dead mariachis. This year at the Boulder Theater, they were colonial Americans. I love their music, love their shows, and especially love them on Halloween. And they really make me want to buy a theremin. Haven't heard 'em? Go watch Little Miss Sunshine, buy their CDs, and/or catch a concert. You won't be disappointed. Gypsy rock never sounded so good.

On a mostly unrelated note, I dressed as Waldo this year (of "Where's Waldo" fame). Holy hell, I had no idea that I was jumping on the biggest Halloween bandwagon since sheets with eye-holes. Waldos everywhere. But even worse, every other person that passes you on the street decides to harass you with what he thinks is a hilarious quip. So if you ever find yourself dressed up as Waldo for one reason or another, here's some replies for the passersby that can't help but ask "Where have you been?!?!" and die laughing:

Looking for someone to buy me a drink.
Trying to find a friggin' restroom.
Kicking the ass of the last guy who asked.
Hanging out with your mom, mostly.

You'll be sure to have an interesting night.

-Jon

Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen (bottle) - 3.7

2008-11-04T13:04:00.004-07:00

Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen
Märzen/Oktoberfestbier
Paulaner Salvator Thomasbraeu AG
München, Germany
ABV: 5.80%

Jon:
This is some mapley, brown sugary goodness right here. Not overly sweet, just exhibiting all the good qualities of an Oktoberfest bier. Nutty and toasty.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	8/10	5/5	4/5	8/10

Mark:
I don't have a whole lot to say about this beer. A great cool weather beer, hence the "Oktoberfest" I guess. Still crisp, but with layers of spice and cinnamon.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	4/5	8/10

Jere:
Third time's the charm for the Paulaner nuts. Had this first on tap but it did not agree with me. The second time was bottled, and it started to become a tad more palatable. Now I seem to be enjoying it fully.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	7/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

GABF Report, 2nd edition

2008-10-31T15:38:00.004-06:00

The Great American Beer Festival was a few weeks ago now, but my memory is pretty good when it comes to beers. Props to first-timer Dan for joining Kate, Jim, and I this year, and sorry to the many people that could've gone on Friday night had we gotten tickets sooner. Apparently I was in the mood for uniquely overpowering brews this year, because that's definitely what caught my eye:

Avery's 15th Anniversary Ale wins my award for uniqueness. Hibiscus and white pepper are strange beer ingredients, but it makes for a surprisingly drinkable (and just plain surprising) brew.
Rocky Mountain Brewery's Smoked Hefe is wickedly intense. It's nearly as smoky as the last bottle of mezcal that I bought. Liquid smoke.
Speaking of smoky, Arbor Brewing's Engine #9 is a bit more palatable than Rocky Mountain's Smoked Hefe. Smoked Hefe is like putting a campfire in your mouth. Engine #9 is like cooking smoked bacon in your mouth. Mmmmmmm, bacon.
Twisted Pine's Oak Whiskey Red picks up a huge alcohol taste from aging in bourbon barrels for 3 months. It tastes a helluva lot like Maker's Mark... I really want to find out where they get their barrels.
Despite the mildly sexist name, Bull & Bush's Man Beer was one of my favorites of the night. Crisp, intensely earthy hops; like licking grapefruit juice off a pine tree (if you can imagine that being a pleasant experience).
And to round out the list, Tröegs Brewing's Hopback Amber is quite possibly the most balanced ale I've ever tasted. Nothing overpowering here, just straightforward flavors that stand up to each other nicely.

So there you have it. Another year, another beer fest. Lesson learned this year: If you show up right when the doors are about to open, don't follow the arrows to the end of the line. You'll just end up walking around the entire convention center. Literally.

-Jon

Random update

2008-10-23T13:18:00.001-06:00

Oh little beer blog, how I neglect you so. I should be recapping beer fest, but then I saw this and had to share: Cancer-fighting beer

I love science.

-Jon

GABF Tonight

2008-10-09T10:45:00.003-06:00

I'll be making my way on over to the sold-out Great American Beer Festival tonight. I know you're maddeningly jealous, it's okay to feel that way. Unfortunately I'm going through some déjà vu... Just like last year, I'm recovering from a cold. And also just like last year, I warmed up with a Skinny Dip last night. Hopefully my sense of taste and smell will be up to par for the onslaught of one-ounce beers that are about to come my way.

-Jon

The Maharaja (bottle) - 4.1

2008-09-20T11:11:00.004-06:00

The Maharaja
Imperial India Pale Ale
Avery Brewing
Boulder, CO
ABV: 10.54%

Jon:
Smells of burnt orange and... intensity. Tastes a tad sweet, like molasses, plus a burny taste similar to the aroma. Interesting approach, good complex brew.

4.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	5/5	8/10

Mark:
This is intense! It starts out with a huge hop burst with lemony and floral flavors coming through. There's almost a sweet raisin-type thing going on, trying to balance out those hops. Of course, at 10.54% ABV, there's a warm mellow alcohol taste and fairly warm finish with a nice bitter aftertaste.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
Raisins, you say? Here?! I must warn the others--oh no, I've been shot!! By a 10.54% beer, that is. I've heard of 3.2 beers, but this is ridiculous. Not a good idea for a productive night of band practice.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	2/5	5/5	8/10

Mirror Pond (bottle) - 3.2

2008-09-11T22:35:00.002-06:00

Mirror Pond
American Pale Ale
Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR
ABV: 5.0%

Jon:
This beer is responsible for our amazing musical abilities. We drink it at almost every gig. We know it so well, we can even tell when the keg is brand new or nearly spent. That said, there's really nothing too special about it, besides the fact that it's not so hoppy that it tightens our throats. It may be the perfect gigging beer.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Mark:
I think that the most sensitive part of your mouth is that little spot right behind your front teeth, which I burned with a hot piece of pizza (gluten free!) right before I tried this beer. I can tell you that this ale smells mildly of bananas and tastes especially hopped for a pale ale, with a nice alcohol aftertaste. Cheers!

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
Having become accustomed to the draft version of this P.A., the bottled one did taste a little off... No banana flavor was detected though.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	5/10	2/5	3/5	7/10

Jackman's Pale Ale (bottle) - 3.8

2008-09-04T21:50:00.002-06:00

Jackman's Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
Left Hand Brewing Co.
Longmont, CO
ABV: 5.2%

Jon:
Hazy. Tastes mildly of bananas. Clean finish, very agreeable.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
Very crisp, smooth pale ale with a surprising body that doesn't weigh it down. Tart, bright and hoppy with a balanced finish.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	3/5	8/10

Jere:
Jackman--as in Hugh? That's what comes to mind first when sampling this robust brew, although the resemblance to Wolverine is purely coincidental. Perhaps there are other similarities to the professional Aussie, but at the moment they escape me. The palate certainly gets a workout, which may or may not be a result of the Chinese food leftovers consumed 20 minutes earlier.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	5/5	8/10	3/5	3/5	8/10

Third Eye P.A. (bottle) - 2.9

2008-09-01T21:14:00.005-06:00

Third Eye
India Pale Ale
Steamworks Brewing Co.
Durango, CO
ABV: 6.6%

Jon:
Fizzy and mild, a hint of sweetness prevails. Enough hops, but not shining through. Still decent.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	6/10

Mark:
Not very strong-flavored for an IPA. The hops are there and the alcohol content but it almost tastes watered down. There's definitely an odd aftertaste--almost metallic. Maybe it has something to do with the naked, floating green lady on the label...

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	6/10

Jere:
Not terribly impressed, in case the rating weren't obvious enough... The naked lady on the box didn't really help bring up the rating either, sadly enough. A very zinc-y, mineral-y aftertaste.

2.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	5/10	2/5	3/10	2/5	2/5	4/10

Vertical Epic 08.08.08 (bottle) - 4.5

2008-08-18T20:10:00.004-06:00

Vertical Epic 08.08.08
Belgian Strong Ale
Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Alcohol Content: 4.5%

Jon:
Amazingly fragrant--citrus, berries, yeast, spice, something almost floral. Golden pale, fizzy, and a bit cloudy. It tastes much as it smells with a big alcohol warmth, and leaves the tongue a tad dry and tingly. A hint of sourness and honey really brings out the complexity. Perfect hops. Impressive beer.

4.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	10/10	4/5	10/10	4/5	5/5	10/10

Mark:
So I read the bottle (lots of print) and it says you're supposed to age this stuff, but I don't know if I could stand it for very long. Very crisp, dry light honey-colored ale. It's got some great hops and really interesting aftertaste. I think sour and honey describes it well.

4.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	5/5	9/10

Jere:
Quite the aftertaste, which (for a change) I like. Not exactly the cheapest bomber on the shelf, but it'll do. I like the name, too!

4.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	5/5	8/10	4/5	5/5	8/10

Blog-iversary

2008-08-07T14:36:00.000-06:00

One year ago today, we set out on a mission to drink good beer and write about it. While we haven't always had the time or sober cognizance for the writing part, we did drink a lot of damn good beer. We'll be celebrating our blog-iversary this Saturday evening at the St. Julien Hotel by, um... playing music and drinking beer. May the beer and tunes keep flowing for many years to come!
Mestizo's Good Times Blog, Year One - The Rundown:

Posts: 43
Beers reviewed: 25
Best beer: Mojo IPA (4.8)
Worst beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon (1.7)
Favorite brewery: Stone Brewing Company
Favorite style: India Pale Ale
Mestizo gigs: 35
Bootleg tracks posted: 5
Albums recorded: 1
Most important lesson learned: If you must drink PBR, don't pour it in a glass.

Jon's new super-cool beer timeline:

Guinness Draught (can) - 4.1

2008-08-06T22:37:00.002-06:00

Guinness Draught
Dry Stout
St. James's Gate Brewery
Dublin, Ireland
ABV: 4.1%

Jon:
Classic and distinctive, doesn't get better than this. This beer pretty much defines it's own category (at least in the ol' US of A), and is marketed as heavily as Nike. You know it's good. Give in to the pressure.

4.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	4/5	9/10	3/5	3/5	9/10

Mark:
Cool bubbles and a pretty head, but it's too sweet for me. Also, I "accidentally" got really loaded in an Irish pub a couple of days after my daughter was born. Oops--Guinness has never been quite the same. I still like Irish whiskey though...

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
I miss the Baileys, or the Bass/Harp/<insert additive here>, but by itself, 'tis a fine, fine beer. Sweet as a <insert sweet thing here>.

4.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	5/5	9/10	2/5	4/5	9/10

90 Minute Imperial IPA (bottled) - 4.0

2008-06-23T21:35:00.002-06:00

90 Minute Imperial IPA
Imperial India Pale Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, DE
ABV: 9%

Jon:
Grassy nose, clings to the glass well. Sugary on the tongue, but a firmly bitter finish. Intense stuff.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

Mark:
It's like hoppy liquid bread. Mmmm... beer meals. :)

4.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	4/5	9/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
Definitely thick, and my, what a kick! But at $10 for a 4-pack, this one won't be added to the favorites list anytime soon.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	4/5	8/10

Mongoose IPA (bottled) - 3.7

2008-06-08T20:19:00.003-06:00

Mongoose IPA
India Pale Ale
Hale's Ales Brewery
Seattle, WA
ABV: 6.2%

Jon:
This beer is dark... with floaties. Never had an IPA with floaties. Smells wonderful, has a huge orangey-citrus nose with hints of something nutty. Very malty, wonderfully spiced... totally weird for an IPA. But I like it anyway. A lot.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	9/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	8/10

Mark:
Remember that soft drink with the weird snotty floaties in it? This is like the beer equivalent, but it is very nice. (It was called Orbitz, and no, the floaties were not like this. -Jon) More malty than most IPAs, but still lots of hops with a depth that some IPAs lack.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
Floaters! 'Nuff said.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	7/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Flight of the Conchords

2008-05-16T13:49:00.004-06:00

These guys are hilarious. I can't even describe it. I'll just list some of my favorite lines of the night:

"I think you've mistaken us for New Zealand."
"Congratulations, bitches!"
"Jesus is our drummer."

The new songs they're cooking up are great (look for "Angels" on YouTube sometime), and we got to hear a lot of our favorites. Bret singing the female vocal parts was pretty funny. The ongoing banter and the willingness of the crowd to heckle these two are probably the best parts about seeing them live. And they forget the words to their own songs even more often than I do. Sweet!

Où est la piscine? Splish splash?

-Jon

Pink Martini with the Colorado Symphony

2008-05-13T15:33:00.003-06:00

Kate was the first to introduce me to Pink Martini, and after a great appearance at the Boulder Theater a couple years ago, we've seen them virtually every time they've been in town since. We finally got a chance to see them perform with the Colorado Symphony this month, and it was stellar. Pink Martini is a "mini-orchestra" that normally tours with 10-12 members, performing elaborate arrangements of tunes from old movies and some outstanding original compositions. The Cuban influence is the most outspoken in my rhythmic opinion, but the variety of styles present (not to mention the variety of spoken languages) is mind-boggling. I just plain love this band.

The show was at Boettcher Concert Hall (whose curvy walls I have only been inside a handful of times since the obligatory elementary school field trips of my youth), and the sound was rather impressive. We sat directly above and behind the wonderfully flamboyant and insanely talented pianist Thomas Lauderdale, whose hands were usually hidden from our view on the keys (that is, when they weren't up in the air during a dramatic gesture). Fortunately I could see inside the piano from my perch, and the way the hammers were pounding away on the strings I wouldn't have been surprised if he turned around and had a couple of extra arms. Hearing the pipes on China Forbes always leaves me speechless, and holy freakin' hell, they have three percussionists, and they all ROCK. They have so many sweet percussion toys, but I found a new favorite to drool over that night: machine castanets. They are a pair of castanets mounted to a base so you can hammer on them with your fingers, and they made quite the slick addition to the conga setup (hint hint, Mark). I believe the trombonist was absent from their last trip here, which was unfortunate, because he is crazy talented. He played an amazingly intricate piece with the symphony that was all over the place. Really amazing player.

Having a symphony backing up the band was quite the experience as well, though I didn't feel they were utilized to the fullest extent. They were only used as occasional accents for several songs, and they even sat out completely on a couple. (The vibes in particular could have been featured more often, in my opinion.) The difference in volume level when the symphony was full blast vs. them sitting out was a tad jarring too, though I suppose this couldn't be avoided. The conductor even provided a bit of comic relief during Thomas' unique rendition of Rhapsody in Blue--after the intermission, the drummer apparently forgot to release the switch on his snare, and it was vibrating horribly to the bass notes of the piano. The conductor went to go save the day during a piano solo, and he couldn't figure out how to to fix it! He gave up to get back to his duties, then went back for another attempt on the next solo. After a few nervous glances to the percussion section, he finally figured it out. Containing my laughter was almost too much for me... this guy is setting the tempo for an entire symphony, and he looks like he's never seen a snare drum in his life! But anyway, the quiet humor was welcome and it didn't kill the piece too badly (for me, at least). Definitely not something you see at the symphony every day!

So to sum up, the performance was great, conductors can be hilarious, and Mark needs to buy some machine castanets. I was also exceedingly happy to be joined in attendance by my favorite sister, my favorite brother-in-law, and my favorite girlfriend. Can't beat that!

Next up: Flight of the Conchords

-Jon

Broken Halo IPA (bottled) - 3.6

2008-05-05T20:20:00.001-06:00

Broken Halo
India Pale Ale
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
Portland, OR
ABV: 6%

Jon:
Lots of hops, nicely bitter. Got a weird bite to it, almost gives it a sort of metallic quality. It feels lighter than it tastes in terms of body, if that makes any sense.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
Hoppy--with a lemony zing to it. Very crisp and clean with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Tastes like lemon peel beer.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
I like it, and I don't know why. It's a good though, for sure, I just can't put my finger on it.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	5/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Juanes!

2008-04-28T13:39:00.004-06:00

Summertime is concert time, which means that little local musicians like me get a chance to see what the big boys have to offer when they come to town. Kate and I saw Juanes at the Magness Arena last Friday, the latest stop on his "La Vida" tour. I don't know many Juanes songs, and I haven't even been a fan for that long, but it seemed like a great concert to start out the summer with, and we weren't disappointed.

As we all know, arena concerts are tough. The bad acoustics are generally handled by turning up the volume so loud you couldn't hope to hear an echo if you're anywhere near the stage. Kate and I were ten rows back, in front of a massive array of speakers, and we really got our heads blown off. The bass rattled my rib cage (the drummer sure loved his kick pedal) and the vocals were explosive, but the screaming fan behind us somehow took the cake as far as overbearing noise goes. Two pairs of emergency toilet-paper ear plugs and some minor hearing damage later, we got used to the volume and were able to enjoy the show. I guess we just didn't know that we were getting into full-blown Latin pop star territory, otherwise we would've been prepared with proper earplugs.

If you've been to a Mestizo gig, you've probably heard our cover version of "A Dios Le Pido" featuring the mangled-Spanish stylings of yours truly. Since it took awhile to get accustomed to the volume level, it was a tad unfortunate that the band started with this song. I was, however, grateful for one song that I knew the lyrics to, as my Spanish comprehension is at the sub-toddler level and Juan's ample between-song banter was entirely in Spanish. The Spanish-ignorant among us did get thrown a couple bones--a "thank you very much" and one bit about how he plays his guitar in English so we can understand him. One part of the show needed no translation--a slideshow of land-mine victims played on the sides of the stage during a slow ballad. It was cool to see a world-class performer who is so passionate about people and about music, which was the only thing that made the all-Spanish presentation a tad disappointing (other than my own lack of comprehension).

The music was really great--rockin' guitar licks, hip salsa beats, and lengthy vocals that just plain make me jealous. Let me tell you, this Columbian is real rockstar. There was a stage extension in the middle of the arena for Juan to strut on, and more than one female fan braved her way on stage to get up close and personal (one even wrestled her way out of a security guard's grip). I'm also the type that loves to watch a hand percussionist with an extensive setup, and this guy was busting out some complex rhythms. Expect some new Mestizo knock-offs in the near future if I'm ambitious enough to attempt any more of these impressive songs.

Next up: Pink Martini

-Jon

Fire Rock Pale Ale (bottled) - 3.3

2008-04-28T13:17:00.004-06:00

Fire Rock
American Pale Ale
Kona Brewing Company
Kailua Kona, HI
ABV: 6.0%

Jon:
Honey-brown hue, appropriate for the mild honey flavor that is present. Adequate hops, but not too bitter. Great for spring.

3.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
A velvety-smooth pale ale with a balance of malt and hop flavor, but with a sweet, almost nutty aftertaste. Very nice.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
Nutty, eh? I don't know if I'd agree with that assessment, but I like the fact that it's from Hawaii, so I'll give it some merit there. I'm guessing this will be a one-time-only drinking experience--unless we get to Hawaii someday on our world tour!

2.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	5/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	2/5	6/10

Long Hammer (bottled) - 3.0

2008-04-17T07:58:00.003-06:00

Long Hammer
IPA
Redhook Ale Brewery
Woodinville, WA
Alcohol Content: 6.51%

Jon:
This is the only draft IPA at our favorite pool hall, but unsurprisingly my memory is too poor for a good comparison to this bottled version. Anyway, this beer is copper-colored with little aroma, and as far as taste goes, it barely teeters on the edge of the definition of IPA. It seems very lightly hopped, almost to a fault. Still, the crispness of this beer is refreshing. Not a bad value, but should be reclassified.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	4/5	5/10

Mark:
More like an extra pale ale than an IPA, it is very refreshing and seems to be on the lighter side, even with the 6.5% ABV. It's a little better on tap, although the last two pints I had seemed a little skunky. Could have just been a fluke, though.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	4/5	6/10

Jere:
My memory is flawless, and the draft version is definitely superior... If Mark would just get a kegerator then all our problems would be solved! It just goes to show that you can't take it with you, as the bottled Long Hammer loses something in translation.

2.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	5/10	2/5	4/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Old Guardian Barley Wine (bottled) - 3.7

2008-03-27T19:39:00.002-06:00

Old Guardian
Barley Wine
Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Alcohol Content: 11.26%

Jon:
The least sweet barley wine I've tried--and sweet is why I didn't like some of the others. There is sweetness there, of course, but more honey flavors than the weirdly intense figgy flavors I was expecting from past experience. A lot of depth--plenty of hops, and a bitter tea finish. Every sip yields something new.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	5/5	7/10

Mark:
Old Guardian is a beautiful honey-colored ale. Surprisingly, there wasn't a strong aroma, but the taste is definitely intense. It starts out sweet, but balanced with bitter and spice. Definitely for sipping only!

4.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
Tastes like beer with wine poured in it. Also, be careful how much you consume--half of a 22oz bottle knocked Mark on his ass the first time he tried it. Luckily I just had a fourth of that (bottle, not Mark's portion). Anyways, good for getting drunk fast.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	4/5	6/10	2/5	5/5	6/10

Mojo Risin' (bottled) - 4.5

2008-03-12T21:58:00.005-06:00

Mojo Risin'
Imperial/Double IPA
Boulder Beer Company
Boulder, CO
Alcohol Content: 10%

Jon:
I was really stoked to try this super-charged version of Mojo, and it doesn't disappoint. The relatively mild citrus aroma doesn't prepare the drinker for how amazingly bitter this beer is. The lemony hop flavor just wrecks your face in an instant. As intense as it is, it's surprisingly balanced (as much so as an Imperial IPA can be). Great stuff.

4.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	4/5	9/10	3/5	5/5	9/10

Mark:
Oh my... This is like drinking two Mojos in one glass. Super-charged. Great citrusy flavor with an intense bitter finish followed by an alcohol "glow." I think it made my ears red. Great!

4.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	5/5	10/10	3/5	5/5	10/10

Jere:
Long build-up for trying this out, and it was worth the wait. We didn't think Mojo could get any better, but slap a "Risin'" on that and you're good to go. We'll be hard pressed to top this next time. But our wallets will thank us if we try something else.

4.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	5/5	8/10	2/5	4/5	10/10

RPM Challenge - Report Card

2008-03-05T11:47:00.011-07:00

New songs written in February	3
Unreleased songs recorded in February	13
Beers consumed in February	50+
10-song album finished	Yes
Days to spare	1
----------	---
Final Grade	B-

We would've liked to finish writing more new songs, but we adhered to the minimum rules and successfully met the challenge. After a long month of writing, practicing, gigging, and recording, we ended up only using tracks from our final recording session. We are happy enough with the results to start plans on incorporating the tracks into a new limited-release CD, so keep your eyes peeled for that. We would like to thank New Belgium Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, and Grupo Modelo for helping us persevere through the hard work.

We've learned some good lessons, and we're going to do our best to keep writing and working hard during the other 11 months of the year. But first, back to the important stuff--new beer reviews starting next week!

-Jon

RPM Challenge

2008-01-28T17:33:00.001-07:00

Today I stumbled across The RPM Challenge, a challenge to musicians around the world to write and record a 10 song album of original material entirely in the month of February. As we are not the types to back away from a challenge, I signed us up, and we fully intend to complete said challenge using our state-of-the-art iPod home recording gear. Why would we subject ourselves to a month of deadline-induced pressure and agony, you ask? Well:

We're into that sort of thing.
Having only one job with pressures and deadlines is for sissies.
To knock us off our asses and write some damn music.

Be warned that the end product could end up... well, bad. Hopefully we will use this opportunity to try some wild and crazy things--some of which might work, some of which definitely won't--and we all know that's a dicey proposition when it comes to music. Even so, we're stoked to give it a try, and the tracks will be available, for good or for awful, in a few months. Wish us luck!

-Jon

Flying Dog IPA (bottled) - 3.1

2008-01-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

Snake Dog
IPA
Flying Dog Brewery
Denver, CO
Alcohol Content: 7.1%

Jon:
There are some strange flavors going on here... lemony, peppery, burnt orangey... I can't quite put my finger on it. Even so, this beer isn't too distinctive or overly desirable. I feel the same way about most Flying Dog brews--I'll happily drink it, but won't usually buy it.

2.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	5/10	3/5	5/10	3/5	3/5	5/10

Mark:
This is a very drinkable IPA. Still nicely hopped, but very refreshing. Almost a toned down Stone IPA.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
On the one hand, very agreeable beer. But on the other, I'm not exactly dying to try another... but I probably will.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	5/10	2/5	6/10	3/5	2/5	8/10

Hop Devil IPA (bottled) - 3.8

2008-01-18T17:51:00.001-07:00

Hop Devil
IPA
Victory Brewing Company
Downington, PA
Alcohol Content: 6.7%

Jon:
Very bitter stuff, like lemon rinds soaking in strong tea. Even so, quite addictive. It sports a deceptively smooth look and aroma, so tasting this one was an interesting, and pleasant, surprise.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Mark:
This starts with a harsh citrus bitterness, but quickly smoothes and fades to an almost sweet alcohol aftertaste. It has a color like unfiltered honey with an almost nonexistent head. Very nice... and different.

4.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	5/5	9/10	3/5	4/5	9/10

Jere:
Hop's the word for this one, which may explain its high price in the current hops shortage crisis. I think I'll have to limit myself to one, all things considered, especially when there's Mojo available.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	3/5	7/10

Allez Cuisine!

2008-01-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

I try to spoil myself with good food and drink on a fairly regular basis, but I know I must be hard up for something new and exciting when I see an $11 beer on a menu and can't even think of not getting it. To my credit, it was bomber-sized, and I did go through more than one server trying to get an accurate description of it. Furthermore, one doesn't go to a sushi restaurant looking at prices--one fills oneself chock full of sushi until not another grain of rice can be consumed, all in the hope that such an overwhelmed stomach can't possibly regret a large bill at the end of the night. Throwing some beer and sake into the mix can't hurt either. Now that's what I call foresight.

Kate and I were at Sushi Tora, a restaurant that rightly claims the title of "Boulder's Best Sushi," boasting of real wasabi and homemade sauces. The fish is fresh, the chefs are friendly, even the rice has the perfect amount of vinegar to make your tongue sing. But back to beer. The beer I couldn't resist was Rogue's Morimoto Soba Ale, a buckwheat ale that has found the perfect companion in sushi. It's grainy, with just a tinge of hop flavor, and it's the cleanest finish you'll ever find in a beer. It's like having a tasty side dish of soba noodles in a bottle. In short, it will make you eat way too much sushi. And yes, "Morimoto" refers to the one and only Chef Masaharu Morimoto, no doubt the coolest of all Iron Chefs, east or west. I'm curious to see how this beer would stand up to other foods or by itself, but with sushi, it's my new king.

On another note, the writer's strike has reinvigorated my love for the Food Network, as it is now one of the only things worth watching on television. Its only failing is that it motivates me to eat, not cook.

-Jon

'Twas the night before Christmas...

2007-12-25T00:21:00.002-07:00

...and Jon realized he forgot to upload any Christmas tracks from our recent gigs. This one features Mark as Elvis, and Jon on the bottle caps. Merry Christmas!

Download the MP3

Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale (bottled) - 3.0

2007-12-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale
Brown Ale
Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA
Alcohol Content: 5.9%

Jon:
I'm quickly becoming convinced that most Sam Adams brews taste a bit like cola, but maybe it's just an effect of how damn fizzy they are. The predominant taste here is orange, but the spice is too subtle.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	3/5	6/10

Mark:
Malty--and fizzy. This tastes OK, but it made me feel funny, too. I'm not sure what it is about Sam Adams, but it's never sat well with me.

3.1

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Jere:
I was hoping to taste some of the cinnamon that was promised me by this one's label, but sadly I could not. Made me long for some pumpkin spice beer. Now that's good stuff.

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	4/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	6/10

Samuel Adams Winter Lager (bottled) - 2.4

2007-12-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

Samuel Adams Winter Lager
Weizen Bock
Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA
Alcohol Content: 5.8%

Jon:
This stuff is really fizzy and almost numbing on the tongue. The spices are noticeable, but this brew seems a tad watery. I really need to check the label more closely before I pour for Mark...

3.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	2/5	6/10	4/5	3/5	5/10

Mark:
This beer smelled nice, but it made my face numb and my throat itch. Then we realized it was a wheat beer, which I can't have. Oops! Interesting anyway--haven't tasted anything like it in a long time.

2.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	3/5	5/10	2/5	1/5	2/10

Jere:
Carbonation = bad for this beer, and the rest didn't seem to whet my whistle much either. Oh, and it almost reduced Mestizo by one-third.

2.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	6/10	1/5	4/10	3/5	1/5	3/10

Rocky Mountain IPA (bottled) - 3.3

2007-11-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Rocky Mountain IPA
India Pale Ale
Fort Collins Brewery
Fort Collins, CO
Alcohol Content: ?

Jon:
Foamy head, with a somewhat sour nose that detracts from the smell by itself, but enhances a nice bitter orange flavor. Maybe I just haven't had enough IPA lately, but I like it.

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Mark:
I always love a good IPA--this one is great in its slightly hop-sided balance.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
After a few Guinness pints, the IPA-ness of this really stands out. Perhaps next time a palate cleanser would be a good idea, but right now I'm not in the tasting mood for bitter.

2.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	5/10	3/5	5/10	1/5	3/5	5/10

Powder Hound (bottled) - 1.9

2007-11-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

Powder Hound
English Strong Ale (Winter Seasonal)
Big Sky Brewing Company
Missoula, MT
Alcohol Content: 6.2%

Jon:
Looks like tea, tastes like coffee. Bad coffee.

2.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	5/10	2/5	5/10	2/5	3/5	4/10

Mark:
I gotta agree with Jon: Coffee--watery, bitter coffee. This was a little disappointing. And it gave me heartburn.

1.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
1/5	3/10	1/5	3/10	2/5	2/5	3/10

Jere:
Not as opposed to the tea/coffee taste as Jon, but it is pretty foul. Cocoa was suggested as an alternative taste, but I disagree... Won't be drinking any more of this one, though. Bah! Humbug.

1.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
1/5	4/10	3/5	5/10	1/5	2/5	3/10

First Bite Boulder

2007-11-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Kate and I partook from the West End's offering in the annual First Bite Boulder event. I had the recommended beer flight with my meal, and I fell face first into the best beer pairing of my life so far:

Warm basil & roasted red pepper goat cheese dip
---paired with---
New Belgium's Mothership Wit

The tangy goat cheese mingled brilliantly with the slightly sour citrus flavors of the wit. I had it 4 days ago and I still can't get over it. And that was only the first course--the rest of the meal was wonderful as well. I was served a Stone IPA with the second course and Avery's Ellie's Brown Ale with the third, but nothing could quite match such a superb beer and cheese pairing.

I washed the meal down with a Buffalo Trace on the rocks, which was an okay choice for after dinner, but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise. It's very fruity, heavy on apple and pear flavors, and just isn't quite what I'm generally looking for in a bourbon.

All in all, it was quite an amazing meal. I'm definitely inspired to experiment with some beer and cheese pairings now. Be sure send any good suggestions my way.

-Jon

Old Jubilation (bottled) - 3.4

2007-11-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

Old Jubilation
English Strong Ale (Winter Seasonal)
Avery Brewing
Boulder, CO
Alcohol Content: 8.0%

Jon:
This is a dark and bitter ale, with an underlying chocolatey taste mostly masked by roasted coffee. The finish is really bitter, and the alcohol taste is a bit overpowering. Not a bad choice, but this is the type of beer that requires the right mood. I wish I could try it cellared like Avery's website suggests.

3.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	4/5	6/10

Mark:
This beer looks like Coca Cola. Usually I'm not horribly fond of dark ales. They taste like chocolate and coffee. Not that I don't like chocolate and coffee (not together, thank you very much), but I like my beer to taste like beer and my coffee to taste like coffee--nothing else. This is nice and bittery though. A little clearer than most--it's almost like it's a dark ale mixed with an IPA or cola mixed with beer. Not my favorite, but not half bad, not half bad at all.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
2/5	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	4/5	7/10

Jere:
Sausages! That's what this one tasted like at first, but that quickly faded. As Jon says, it is a meaty beer. If we didn't have some single malt scotch to try, I would have had another. Ye Olde Jube!

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	7/10	4/5	3/10	4/5	5/5	7/10

2° Below (bottled) - 4.2

2007-11-09T15:23:00.001-07:00

2° Below
Extra Special Bitter (Winter Seasonal)
New Belgium Brewing Co.
Fort Collins, CO
Alcohol Content: 6.6%

Jon:
What a great way to transition to more wintery brews. This perfect seasonal has enough hoppy flavor to keep this hophead happy, but also has enough balance and substance to get me prepared for the cold nights ahead. There will be at least one of these in my fridge for the entire season.

4.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	5/5	9/10	4/5	3/5	9/10

Mark:
I have been waiting for this... This stuff is like Fat Tire on steroids. Crisp, clean, and balanced with a warm alcohol afterglow. Perfect for that cold, blustery day.

4.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	4/5	8/10

Jere:
Every spring when this disappears from the shelves we always mourn its passing and long for the fall when it reappears, so much so that Mark had to call us on the way to a hunting trip, no less, when he saw it on sale once again a few weeks ago. This is what gets us through those long winter nights.

4.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	9/10	5/5	4/5	8/10

Deep Blue Eyes

2007-11-07T15:37:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure why, but this has become one my favorite songs lately. When I first wrote it, I had trouble hitting the low notes, had trouble singing with enough intensity at the end, and just wasn't crazy about it for some reason. This is far from a perfect recording, but Jere's awesome piano part and my renewed fondness for the lyrics make me enjoy it quite a bit. Hopefully you agree.

Download the MP3

Ruination IPA (bottled) - 4.4

2007-10-31T13:18:00.002-06:00

Ruination IPA
Imperial/Double IPA
Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Alcohol Content: 7.7%

Jon:
Bitterly hoppy to the point of cottonmouth and tongue-tingling. For hop addicts, that's not a bad thing at all. Too intense for everyday drinking, but at this price I'd be pretty upset if I wanted it every day. A feat of hops.

4.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	5/5	9/10	3/5	5/5	10/10

Mark:
Holy crap. Bitter perfection, like this girl I knew once. I actually like this a bit more than Arrogant Bastard. Oddly enough, if you drink enough, you sort of become numb to the hops and suddenly it tastes almost sweet! Mmmmmm... bittersweet perfection.

4.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	5/5	9/10	3/5	5/5	9/10

Jere:
For the alcohol content, you can't do much better than this. The Ruination ruined us the first time we tried reviewing this, so this time we split a bomber and stayed coherent.

4.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	8/10	5/5	10/10	2/5	5/5	8/10

Arrogant Bastard Ale (bottled) - 3.9

2007-10-31T13:04:00.001-06:00

Arrogant Bastard Ale
American Strong Ale
Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Alcohol Content: 7.2%

Jon:
This is one of the more interesting ales I've tried. It's so powerful, but still balanced in an extreme sort of way--I don't really know what to think. But I like it. And I like Stone.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	9/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

Mark:
A very pretty beer--it's almost cherry red! It doesn't taste like cherries, though. This is an extreme beer--extremely hoppy but still balanced, just strong-tasting overall. Good stuff, I love it on tap. A beer to be enjoyed in moderation.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	9/10	2/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
This arrogant brew will knock you right on your ass and laugh at you for thinking anything else would happen. Just shy of being too bitter, and that's saying a lot.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	5/5	8/10

GABF Report

2007-10-15T15:01:00.000-06:00

My first time at the Great American Beer Festival was awesomer than awesome can be. Mad props to Kate, Jim, and Jason for shelling out the $45 per ticket for the outing. Some of my favorite parts of the evening:

Stone Brewing had a festival booth, and I took full advantage to try everything they had to offer. I was stoked to taste their 11th Anniversary Ale for the first time, but the best of the bunch was the Ruination IPA. I had once tried this premium beer in bottled form (which set me back over $16 for a six-pack), but it's absolutely amazing on tap. It's like a clown car of hops--you don't know how they all got in there, but you're smiling too much to care.
We also had the distinct privilege of tasting Samuel Adam's Utopias, a premium barley wine that weighs in at a record-breaking 25% ABV. This is legendary stuff. It sells for over $200 a bottle on eBay, is illegal in 14 states, and has kicked the asses of both Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer. I've only tried a few barley wines in my day, probably because most of them tasted like someone dropped a vodka-infused Tootsie roll in a beer and left it in a dark corner for 6 months. Not Utopias. Sweet yet refined, intensely aromatic, hints of plum and toffee... simply sublime. By the time we went back for a second round, it was gone. Gone, but not forgotten. I'll probably still be talking about it next year.
Arbor Brewing's Espresso Love Breakfast Stout was a notably tasty treat. It tastes just like chocolate-covered espresso beans.

There were plenty of other good brews, but as I was drinking a ton of beer and not taking notes, a few details have escaped me. If you plan on going with me to next year's shindig, here are some lessons that I've learned for next time:

Take notes. You'll look like an ass, but part of the $45 investment is to find some good beers to buy the week after.
Bring snacks. Those homemade pretzel necklaces are pretty ingenious.
Have a tasting plan. Imagine tasting a barley wine, then an IPA, then a stout, then a wit, then repeating the whole process. It can really make that first sip pretty weird. It's tough to avoid wanting the closest beer in sight, but I might try to plan a loose progression of beer styles next time.
Expect a stomachache.

-Jon

Crossing Into the Blue

2007-10-12T14:45:00.001-06:00

Last weekend, our good friend Matt headed out for 12 weeks of officer training in the USAF. Here is his most oft-requested song, recorded at Organic Orbit on his last night in town. Good luck, buddy. See ya soon.

Download the MP3

Beer Fest

2007-10-12T12:05:00.000-06:00

I'll be attending tonight's session of the Great American Beer Festival, which is a fantasy pretty much on par with drinking my way out of a full vat of beer. I was on the injury list just two days ago, but after some stomach-expanding meals and a couple Skinny Dips to prime myself for tonight, I think I'm ready. Wish me luck!

-Jon

Titan IPA (bottled) - 3.5

2007-10-03T16:15:00.000-06:00

Titan IPA
India Pale Ale
Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver, CO
Alcohol Content: 8.6%

Jon:
This one is really bitter--which I like, but the aftertaste gets mighty harsh after a few swigs. Big and bold, but not a ton of complexity. Still good.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	3/5	7/10

Mark:
Very hoppy. Hoppy, like the Easter bunny. Nice IPA--very nice, in fact--but not spectacular.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	5/5	8/10

Jere:
Good in a pinch when Stone or Mojo aren't an options, but definitely second to those two when it comes down to it. Or, as the cliché goes, close, but no cigar. I did like the bottle slogan though: "Great minds drink alike."

3.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	6/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	5/5	7/10

Pete's Wicked Strawberry Blonde (bottled) - 3.2

2007-09-25T21:12:00.001-06:00

Pete's Wicked Stawberry Blonde
Fruit Beer (Lager)
Pete's Brewing Company
Utica, NY
Alcohol Content: 5%

Jon:
I'll give this beer points for what it is--a fruit beer. It smells and tastes like strawberries, which would be great if I had a bigger sweet tooth. But really, for a fruity beer, it agrees with me better than many I've tried. Still too sweet.

2.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	7/10	2/5	6/10	2/5	2/5	6/10

Jere:
Unfortunately Mark could not review this one due to its wheat content ("nasty wheat!") but he did give me the perfect description of the aroma: "Smells like pop tarts!" I have a bit of a sweet tooth as it is so that has skewed my perception of this fruit beer, since it does lean towards the sweeter side, but at the same time it is reminiscent of something from my wine cooler days, which is a bit of a turn off.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	4/5	6/10	5/5	3/5	6/10

Pabst Blue Ribbon (can) - 1.7

2007-09-10T00:25:00.000-06:00

Pabst Blue Ribbon
American-Style Lager
Pabst Brewing Company
Milwaukee, WI
Alcohol Content: 5%

Jon:
This is the first time I've poured a PBR from a can into a glass, and I hope it's the last. It looks like ginger ale and smells like... well, it smells like bad beer. Nonetheless, PBR has a place in my heart for being cheap, refreshing, and readily available. Ah, memories of youth.

2.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
1/5	2/10	3/5	3/10	5/5	1/5	5/10

Mark:
First of all, this is a working man's beer--no pouring--it stays in the can it came in. And the can is quite nice--a 3 for appearance from me. As far as taste, palate, and flavor, it's pretty much what you'd expect. It tastes like beer--classic American beer. Mmmm... cheap beer. Not great, but a bargain! Unfortunately it gives me a raging headache if I drink even one. Oh well...

2.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	1/10	2/5	2/10	4/5	3/5	5/10

Jere:
Since Jon and I both poured ours into glasses, the slight variations in color and hue between the two were most apparent--clearly the QC process at this place leaves something to be desired... As for the taste, again, it's better than King Cobra, but that's not saying much.

1.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
1/5	1/10	2/5	1/10	4/5	1/5	2/10

Look Up

2007-09-07T01:47:00.001-06:00

As I'm a complete idiot, during our last gig at the St. Julien I put the output from the mixer into the headphone jack of the iPod instead of the line-in jack. As you can imagine, the recording sounded like crud. So instead of a track from that night, you get another track from our last Folsom Coffee show. Lucky you.

-Jon

Download the MP3

Mojo (bottled) - 4.8

2007-09-07T01:19:00.000-06:00

Mojo
India Pale Ale
Boulder Beer Company
Boulder, CO
Alcohol Content: 6.8%

Jon:
This is truly the ultimate IPA. There is a complexity and fullness here that seems to transcend the normal possibilities of hoppy beers. It really shouldn't be possible to get this sort of body and balance without sacrificing hops.

4.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	5/5	10/10	5/5	5/5	10/10

Mark:
I said my favorite was yet to come--and here it is. This is hands down the best IPA that I have ever tasted. If I could only drink one beer for the rest of my life (horror of horrors), this would be it. Great hoppy, grapefruit flavor with a wonderful smooth palate and full aroma. Best bet for the money and I love that it's a Boulder brewery!

5.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	10/10	5/5	10/10	5/5	5/5	10/10

Jere:
I love Mojo as much as the next guy, but I'll have to sample a lot more brews before I hand out the 5.0. That said, this is the best contender for the perfect score as of yet... Two thumbs up!

4.6

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	5/5	9/10	4/5	5/5	9.5/10

No Mark, no review

2007-08-24T22:00:00.000-06:00

Since wheat-allergic Mark is in recovery mode this week, Jere and I tried New Belgium's Mothership Wit, an organic wheat beer I had never before seen at my local liquor store. It's a good beer, very citrus-y and appropriate for late summer, but it was a tad too sweet for me to want a second (as there were other selections next to it in the fridge). I think I'll end up buying it again. We probably should've written a review to have a little variety on the ol' blog, but we were so busy practicing classical music that we didn't have time. The rousing Harry Potter discussion with Kate didn't help our time management much either.

In other news, someone needs to get us a gig in Albuquerque so we can have some space beer.

-Jon

Where were you on the night of August 4th, 2007?

2007-08-17T14:01:00.002-06:00

We were playing at Folsom Coffee, and you should've been there. Here's a track in case you missed it.

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Cold Hop (bottled) - 3.5

2007-08-15T09:59:00.000-06:00

Cold Hop
"British-Style Ale" (whatever that means--it drinks like an American Pale Ale)
Boulder Beer Company
Boulder, CO
Alcohol Content: 6.5%

Jon:
The sweetness of this beer is too intense on the finish. It kind of tastes like someone slipped some Splenda in my beer. As pretty as this beer looks, it's a tad disappointing to taste.

3.2

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	3/5	5/10

Mark:
Surprisingly sweet, a bit like toast with orange marmalade with a decidingly floral aftertaste. Bright, with a golden/orange color and opaque head. Not bad for a change of pace, but I don't think I'd drink it every day.

3.3

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	6/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	4/5	6/10

Jere:
The sweetness is quite distinctive--almost makes me forget it's a beer! Not used to the heavy carbonation though, which is kind of a turn-off.

3.9

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
3/5	9/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	4/5	8/10

Avery IPA (bottled) - 3.8

2007-08-08T17:03:00.000-06:00

Avery IPA
India Pale Ale
Avery Brewing
Boulder, CO
Alcohol Content: 6.3%

Jon:
This beer has a little bit of the IPA sourness that I'm not a huge fan of. Other than that, this is a pretty good hop-fest, and big props for Boulder breweries.

3.7

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	7/10	3/5	7/10	5/5	3/5	8/10

Mark:
Obviously, I love IPA's and this one is no exception. I love that this beer is brewed right here in Boulder, Colorado. YEAH, IT IS! It just tastes fresh. No long ride in the beer truck here. This is another light, hoppy IPA with citrus (lemon and grapefruit) overtones and light golden color. This IPA is a bit mellow, by my standards, but very enjoyable. All together, a very acceptable IPA. By the way, this beer (along with every other beer) tastes quite different on tap. If you have the option of draft, go for it.

3.8

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	7/10	5/5	3/5	7/10

Jere:
Avery, Avery, Avery. Always a good buy, and I especially like the color. The cirtus-ey taste also adds to the overall experience. The only drawback I can see is the buzz factor, which isn't quite as high as I'd prefer. I always appreciate the locally brewed beer though so that's why this one rates 8 out of 10.

4.0

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	8/10	4/5	8/10	5/5	3/5	8/10

Stone IPA (bottled) - 4.5

2007-08-08T10:00:00.001-06:00

Stone IPA
India Pale Ale
Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Alcohol Content: 6.9%

Jon:
At first glance this IPA doesn't look quite as perfect as it really is (but damn close). And yes, it's perfect. This is what an IPA should taste like. Stone manages a perfect bitterness profile through its strong citrus overtones and clean (for an IPA) finish. This is one of our favorite beers for very good reason. And the gargoyles on the bottle? Frickin awesome.

4.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	5/5	10/10	4/5	4/5	9/10

Mark:
Ahh....Stone IPA, one of my perennial favorites! My favorite thing about this beer is the fantastic grapefruit aroma and overtones. Light, but extremely hoppy and nicely bitter. There's also that 6.9% alcohol level... Yee ha! This IPA is great, but not quite my favorite. Although the flavor and palate is complex (and wonderful), it seems that a lot of what comes through is the alcohol taste, which I have somehow been numbed to?! There is another IPA that I like just a little bit better--but that is yet to come. Stay tuned.

4.5

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
4/5	9/10	5/5	9/10	4/5	5/5	9/10

Jere:
Full bodied, with that unmistakable "Stone" flavor, this beer is best on tap, but the next best thing is opening a cold one up right out of the refrigerator. Well-brewed, well-rounded, this beer rates second only to the Ruination style of Stone. Two thumbs way up!

4.4

Appearance	Aroma	Palate	Flavor	Price	Buzz	Overall
5/5	9/10	5/5	9/10	2/5	5/5	9/10

How we rate beer

2007-08-07T13:57:00.000-06:00

Here is our rating method, modified from a good rating scale that can be found on RateBeer.com:

Appearance (5 points)
If it looks like a beer, we’ll probably drink it, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be extremely pleased with that decision. A good beer looks tasty and makes you want to pick it up—important characteristics such as color, head, and clarity can do a lot for the beer-drinking experience. At least that’s the case with the first couple of beers… results may vary after that.

Aroma (10 points)
Try as we might, it’s damn near impossible to taste something without smelling it, and vice versa. These senses are highly linked, so this category has a bit more weight than the first. The aroma of a beverage will often tell you even more about its subtle qualities than tasting it will. The only thing a good-smelling beer won’t help you with is how your breath smells after putting away a six-pack.

Palate (5 points)
A balanced mouthfeel is essential—drink a beer that feels too dry or overwhelming and you’ll probably need to order something else for the next round to recover. That said, different styles of beer will naturally follow a palate pattern based on their composition. Ratings in this category are usually defined by what the drinker is expecting based on the type of beer, coupled with the enjoyableness of the mouthfeel based on that expectation.

Flavor (10 points)
This is what drinking beer is all about. The balance of different flavors and the intensity of those flavors will distinguish the beers you like and the beers you tolerate. And as always in life, tolerance is a virtue.

Price (5 points)
We’re cheapskates. That’s not to say that we won’t shell out for good beer, but we expect to get what we pay for. Did I mention that we’re cheapskates?

Buzz (5 points)
Fact: People like to get a beer buzz. Fact: The older I get, the fewer beers I drink. Conclusion: A beer that feels full in my stomach and gets me a tad tipsy is a good thing—fewer drinks and a slower pace never hurt anyone.

Overall (10 points)
This is the place to give a little extra credit for anything that strikes our fancy. We’re not just talking excellence in the categories above; anything from socially responsible business practices to cool label art can get points here. The beer experience goes far beyond the act of drinking it, and this category reflects just that.

That puts us at a total of 50 points, which is divided by 10 for a total score out of 5.0. Individual band member scores are averaged to give us the master composite score, which is then laid down in the history books as absolute truth, forevermore (or until we try the same beer again).

Yeah, you read the title right... It's a blog about beer

2007-08-07T13:44:00.000-06:00

We’ve tossed around the idea of having a band blog for a long time. But when it came down to it, I figured we didn’t have enough day-to-day news to keep anyone (especially ourselves) interested. Then it hit me—what is the one thing we do at every band practice and every gig? Play music? Yes, but ignore that fact for a moment. The one thing we do without fail at every band gathering is… you guessed it… drink beer!

And so, we finally have something to blog about. We will be using this space to post our thoughts about what we drink, and I’m sure we’ll throw some band news in there every now and then. Here’s a toast to hoping it keeps us all entertained for a while. Cheers!