Reviews from First Friday March 2010

Thanks to everyone who came out for the 17th "First Friday."

For those who couldn't make it, there's always next month (April 2 @ 7:45 p.m.).

A run-down of our favorite (and not so favorite) beers from March 2010:

Avery Out of Bounds
Delicious
Wonderful

Fullers ESB
Very good
An old favorite that never disappoints

Al-Iksir Baladin
Winner!

Bruery Mischief
Bitter like coffee/espresso
Yummy
Bitter - if it was coffee I'd add sugar

Bruery Orchard White
Nice, light

Dixie Blackened Voodoo
Dark but not heavy - easy drinkin' dark

Murphy's Red
Very light taste, but you still have the burp

Stone Pale Ale
Pretty good

North Coast Old Stock Ale
Candy

Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale
"Nut" a problem
A nut? I'd rather have a rim shot. With an ass smack. (With suugaar)

Stone Smoked Porter
Yum!
Tastes like prophylactic

Russian River Consecration
Reminds me of the NIN song

Schneider Weisse Hefe-Weizen
Kinda spicy... like my men
Decent

O.K. Beer Okocim
(From Poland by way of Big Lots)
Better than I thought it would be. But is it better than O.K.?
That's not O.K.
O.K.? Not!
Tasted like urine

Puborama

The Avocadoville Library: World's Best Beers

My friend Raoul got me "World's Best Beers" for Christmas and asked that the Avocadoville faithful annotate the book with our thoughts and observations as we make our way through its 1,000 brews.

The author was voted Britain’s Beer Writer of the Year — twice.

You'll find the Beer Bible on the bar. Feel free to leave beer rings on its pages.

World's strongest beer: Schorschbräu Schorschbock

The 40% alcohol brew costs $130 (US) but isn't available in the states. The run was limited to 15 bottles but a Beer Advocate reviewer got his hands on one and literally lit the beer on fire.

Here' s the story.

Reviews from First Friday January 2010

Thanks to everyone who came out for the 15th "First Friday."



For those who couldn't make it, there's always next month (Feb. 5 @ 7:45 p.m.).

Remember that the February 2010 First Friday is a WINE & CHEESE tasting party.



A run-down of our favorite (and not so favorite) beers from January 2010:

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale
Glad fall is over. Winter solstice is thoroughly enjoyable on a cool California winter night
Another solid AV brew! I’ve had the very good Amber, too.
Thumbs up
Very good

Victory Moonglow Weizen Bock
Smooth, almost silky and honey-like
Definitely fruity – perhaps a “dessert beer”
Good – I could drink a whole one
No :(

Jaargang Golden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer
Verrrrrry good

Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale
Doable
Not a good aftertaste
:) Yummy
Good

Full Sail Wassail
Bitter
OK
Excellent!

Brew Dog The Physics
Quite good
OK

Firestone Walkers Reserve Robust Stout
:)

Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial
Sour. Really sour.
Funky and musty – Good

Trader Joe’s 2009 Vintage Ale
Chocolate taste :)
No
Thumbs up for me

Lost Abbey Angel’s Share
Carmel & vanilla soaked in brandy

Brothers Reserve Cherry Oak Doppelbock
Cough syrup
Oak, malt and slight cherry

High & Mighty Home for the Holidays
Decent

Cyrstal Weiss
Is this beer or is this water?
Could use some more taste

Wingwalker Amber Ale
Tastes like a candle
Light, no taste
Like water


Photo by Dave Rugh

Reviews from First Friday December 2009

Thanks to everyone who came out for the 14th "First Friday."

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



A run-down of the December 2009 favorites:

Mikkeller Weasel
Best coffee ever!
Very roasty! Thick and delicious
Roasted coffee, chocolate, very smooth
Who knew that weasel shit taste so good? Amazing

Bruery White Oak
Excellent -- Perfect balance of bitterness and smoothness
No, especially after 2 Doves
Amazing -- Rich, smooth, savory
Great -- Vanilla oak and bitter hops

Bruery Two Turtle Dove
Sweet molasses with finish of peanut butter
Carmel nuttiness
Super good

Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi
Like licking the bottom of the barrel
One of the best beers of the night!

Lost Abbey Inferno Ale
If one digs swallowing a cinnamon stick, then yummy!
Very Belgian! Definitely spicy!

Bruery Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
I don't think it's a beer
Tastes like sourdough bread
Yes, like warm sourdough
Tastes much better than it smells

Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale
Nutty, missing something
Nutty nutilicious nuttness - in other words, kinda nutastic for nut overs. Nut said.

Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout
Lump of good

St. Peter's Cream Stout
Where is the cream?

Moosbacher Weissbier
Nice, light, not bitter
Okay, kinda boring

Reviews from First Friday November 2009

Thanks to everyone who came out for the 13th "First Friday" — our first anniversary celebration. For those who couldn't make it, there's always next month (Dec. 4 @ 7:45 p.m.).

 A run-down of the November 2009 favorites:

Bruery Barrel Aged Batch #1
Holey moley
Wow
Very buttery with a hint of fruit
Buttery

Black Xantus
Excellent imperial stout
Needs some cream and sugar
Roasted malt, coffee, vanilla, chocolate
Great stuff

Bruery Two Turtle Doves
Wow
A simply incredible beer

Wild Blue Blueberry Lager
I’ve found my beer
Very raspberry
Mmmmm
Fruitilicious
Good taste
Yummm
Artificial taste

Spaten Optimator
Optimal
Pretty good
De-liciously smooth
Always good

Weihenstephaner Festbier
Yum – light, crisp and smooth finish
Good balance o’ flav-ah
Smooth

Deschutes Black Butte XX
Coffee, chocolate, dark fruits and bourbon
Potent

Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper
Bourboniac
That’s beer?
Carmel truffle dipped in bourbon
Cinnamonny – a bit good, a bit harsh

Kostritzer
Dark and bitter but not too heavy
Smokey
Rich

New Belgium Hoptober
Very hoppy, but good
Tasty – light and smooth. Yum!

Warka
Surprisingly fruity

Peroni
Good
Very bold taste

Blue Moon Wheat Ale
Good taste

Jamaica Red
Very good for a red
Bitter aftertaste

Alaska Brewing Smoked Porter
Cigars?
It’s smoked
Smells like a cigar. The only beer you can roll. It’ll cause you to get smoker’s breath.

Palm
Too simple
Nice to begin with and then bitter

Dale’s Pale Ale
Not good
In a can?
Bueno

3 Horses Lager
Very light, nothing special