The reviews from First Friday April 2009

Thanks to everyone who came out for the sixth "First Friday."

For those who couldn't make it, there's always next month (May 1 @ 7:45 p.m.).

There wasn’t a dud in the bunch this month. A run-down of the April 2009 favorites:

THE CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER
Weltenburger Kloster Winter Tralem
The best beer I’ve had in a long time!
Winner
Good. Very Good.
Excellent taste!
A little watery

ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 3
Deschutes Hop Henge IPA
Da best!!
Add 2 more “Da bests”

Fin Du Monde
Excellent!
Got a kick to it.
Nutmeg – spicy and wintery

THE REST OF THE PACK
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Hearty
Tastes like soup!

Sam Smith IPA
Definitely can taste the hops!

Black Toad Dark Ale
Good stuff! Basic, smooth beer

Stone IPA
Hemp smell. Crisp flavor without being too sharp.

Phuket Lager
Very light
I just like saying it – Phuket, Phuket, Phuket

Victory Prima Pils
European taste

Birra Moretti
Drinkable

Fat Weasel Pale Ale
OK

Photos: First Friday (April 2009)

The reviews are in for the "fifth" First Friday (March 2009)

Thanks to everyone who came out for the fifth "First Friday."

For those who couldn't make it, there's always next month (April 3 @ 7:45 p.m.).

The most-talked about March 2009 beers included:

THE CLEAR FAVORITE
Beautification Russian River
Strange (but beautiful) brew. Lime flavor, dry finish.
Lemon funkiness. Finishes tart and dry. Super good.
Similar to unflavored Lambic. Nice and sour. -- Chris O
Good choice for a very hot day (in small amounts) -- Joseph B
How about some Alka Seltzer -- Al

TOP MARKS
Mirror Pond Pale Ale
Loved it. My kind of beer.

Long Hammer
Great IPA. Loved it.

San Luis Obispo Brewing Extra Pale Ale
Easy drinking ale.
Nice and smooth. Something you can definitely get a keg of.

Leffe Blonde
Al says: I totally love it.
Ditto Al!
Yum! Not too shabby

Firestone California Pale Ale
Love the aftertaste.
Not as hoppy as I expected.

Steelhead Double IPA
Smooth for the 8%+ alcohol content

New Glarus Raspberry Tart
Tastes like a raspberry truffle. Not too sweet though. Well balanced.

Ale Smith Grand Cru
Tastes like caramel, vanilla and candied fruits.

Smithwicks
Smooth & de-lish! Could drink it all night long.

Sierra Nevada Barleywine
Strong as shit!

MIXED REVIEWS
2 Degrees Below
Grabs you at the first sip. Then it's smooth there after.
Delicious brew!
Smooth. Not as good as Fat Tire

Moose Drool
Will not be droolin' over this anytime soon
Dark and smooth. Great taste!
Coffee taste. So so.
Welcome to Starbucks

Lost Coast Raspberry Brown
Too jammy! -- Andrew
Perfect balance of berries and beer.

Jumping Cow Amber Ale
Decent amber beer, but nothing special.
Mooo! Happy cow
Good!

NOT SO MUCH
Stone Mill Pale Ale
Not too good. Left a bad taste in my mouth.

Stone Levitation
Harsh!
Fair to middlin'

Grimbergen
Not that great.

Hofbrau Original
Too light, too watery
Heinekin -- not that good