Longhammer IPA--Ick.

Bleh. This is the kind of IPA you'd drink if there were literally no others left in the fridge...which is exactly what will happen with the remainder of the six pack currently junking up the back of my lower shelf...unless I can convince some unsuspecting or non-elitist visitor to partake and rid me of the damned stuff.

Let's see: bland, unbalanced, and not a bit of crispness. Yawn.

If you really must, you can read the falsehoods concerning this beer here.

Beer Consumed at: home

Beer Consumed from: bottle

Beer Rating: 2

Dale's Pale Ale

Alright, so I've established myself as an pale ale lover, but this one takes the cake. I discovered it last fall when it was a selection as the beer of the month at my local shop. I got another six pack of this stuff last week, and it is insanely tasty.

There's also something about a canned beer that I like. Seems, I dunno - fresher.

Read all about this beer here.

I give it a 9 out of 10. I drank these by pouring them into a pint glass ever so often trying to keep it full. It was a tough challenge, because I liked it a lot and eventually ran out cans.

My goal for later today is to buy more of this and drink myself silly. Preferably within the next two hours. Work blows today.

The Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale

Well, this beer is good. Not fabulous, mind you, but a fair Amber. It has the characteristic sweetness and medium body of a true Amber, but the finish is a little weak. It is more similar to Dos Equis than the handcrafted taste of Bell's Amber.

I am impressed that it is brewed locally, though. According to their website: We are a new packaging microbrewery (we sold our first beer in August of 2004) located in Farmville, North Carolina. We specialize in beautiful, delicious, full flavored dark beers. When we brew, we’re happy and we dance. During fermentation, we sing softly to the yeast. Please try our beer and enjoy a taste of contentment!

How goofy is that writeup? I would drink their beer just for their silliness. Yep. Oh, hell... let's be honest. Id' just drink their beer again because I like beer.

Beer Consumed At: home

Beer Consumed From: a bottle

Beer Rating: 6

Z Lager

Tonight I popped open a bottle of "Z" Lager. Emblazoned with flames, the black branded letter "Z" looks faintly like Zorro designed the bottle. Not so. Someone drank this beer and realized that the contents needed a brand, much like a fine slab of steak. Why?

This beer tastes like meat.

No, really. It does. Like you're drinking a nice, big, cold, gulping draught of MEAT. Barbecued meat. VEGETARIANS BEWARE!

Brewed and bottled by The Fort Collins Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, the bottle describes the beer as such: "Rauchbier dates back to the 1500's in Bamburg Germany when malt was often dried over the flames of a beechwood fire. The lingering smoke flavors, slight caramel undertone and amber color make Z an unexpected treat alone or as a compliment to a good meal."
Umm, thanks Fort Collins Brewery, but this beer IS a meal. A cold, disgusting meat tasting meal. In a bottle. Ugg.

Beer Consumed At: home

Beer Consumed From: bottle

Beer Rating: 2 (the beer smelled good...but I was hungry)

Avalanche Ale

I had not noticed Avalanche on the shelf before. That's not to say that it was not there, just that I had not paid it any particular attention until last night. It has simple art of mountain tops on the brown bottle and the label has hint of an older style of beer to it. Ah, but more importantly let me get to the taste. It was a little darker than I was expecting from an amber style brew, it had some nutty undertones to it, and it had that hint of a hop bite that I have come to enjoy from many an ale. It's definitely not your typical amber, but I quite enjoyed it. It is smooth and delicious with some mozzarella pesto pizza with some diced tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. That is a good dinner!



Beer Consumed at: Friend's House

Beer Consumed from: Bottle

Beer Rating: 8.5

Bell's Two Hearted Ale

First, it has two pretty, grey fish on the bottle. SOLD! I am a sucker for an artsy label, after all.
Still, pop the cap and this is a delicious, complex IPA. The first sip is a little stringent, but the follow through is slightly bitter and absolutely delicious. Like all Bell's, it is best decanted into a glass (leave the last 1/4 inch in the bottle to avoid the backwash looking swill).

From the Bell's website: "India Pale Ale style well suited for Hemingway-esque trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and incredible floral hop aroma. (7% alcohol)

Beer Consumed at: Home

Beer Consumed from: Glass

Beer Rating: 9

Harpoon IPA

I'm finishing off the last of a six pack of Vermont's Harpoon India Pale Ale. It's got everything I'm looking for in a brew: it's hoppy (what you expect from an IPA), crisp, and wicked refreshing.

I like a real variety of beers, but I'm especially partial to IPAs. This one is a great one.

Beer consumed at: Home

Beer consumed from: Bottle

Beer rating: 8