Reviews from First Friday April 2010

Thanks to everyone who came out for the 18th "First Friday."

For those who couldn't make it, there's always next month (May 7 @ 8 p.m.).

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

Allagash Tripel Ale
This is really good. A whole lotta flavor
Smooth!
A full meal
It's doable
Delicious. I started with this brew and I'm happy I did.
Bitter

Ayinger Ur-Weisse Bavarian Dunkel Weizen
Trace's favorite beer in the whole world
A little too sour for me
Very good -- Sweet taste at the end
Bananarama-ish

Moe's Backroom Ale
(Tap Room #21 Brewing Co.)
Very good ambler ale

Chambly Noire
Yum!

New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale
Yum!
Too toasty for me

Belhaven Scottish Ale
Very good!
Fizzy warm

Allagash Tripel Reserve
OK, but not great

Carmel Wheat Beer
It's like a story with no ending. Meh.

P.J. King Wingwalker Winter Brew
Not great

Bitburger
Oh yeah, I love me some ground up liquid beef in my beer... NOT!

Simpler Times Lager
Too 2 Buck Chuck for me
Yuck!

Video: First Friday April 2010

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