A story for every beer

Lately, I've been taking some criticism about the content of my commentary on the beer blog. So, for this beer, I'll tell you a story because, let's face it, can I really give you tasting notes on this? If you want a cream ale, try Anderson Valley's Summer Solstice Cream Ale. If I have not blogged about it, here you go. It's awesome - complex, smooth, not too malty, not too hoppy, just right. And a fun can that looks like rootbeer.

But, I digress. Back to the Genny. This is one of the first beers I ever drank. I think I was about 7 or 8. Then, for my 10th birthday, I had a little party at my house. We were going to drive the tractor (stop laughing) with the wagon full of picnic supplies out into the forest for a picnic. We had a great idea - let's take a six pack of my dad's Genny and hide it in the wagon for the party. I executed the first part, but then my friends also put all the food and non-alcoholic beverages under the blanket, thereby raising all parental suspicions. Needless to say, my mother pulled back the blanket and there was beer! Oops. That explains a lot, doesn't it. Genny cream ale is not worth the trouble I got into! Nor was it worth the $4 I spent on it last Saturday.

Beer quotes = fun

Tripod

It's a beer and a tripod! St. Pete's organic English ale. Malty and a little tangy, if that applies to beer. Overall, not my favorite English ale, but pretty good!

FFF Gorch Fock

Halles style lager, finishes a little sweet. Not bad.

Dizzy

Billed as a true blonde, this is dizzy. If it were a true blonde, it might be ditzy. Putting that aside, this is a nice blonde ale and a good drink for a hot summer day.

The future of beer

Here's your shout out, bi#*£! This beer is from the future. It was bottled in December 2010. Or simply a mis-stamp. This is a black Belgian style double ipa, a collaboration between Brewdog and Stone Brewing. It is 8.6% abv, but sort of tastes stronger and has a nice malty / mocha finish.

Capital

Island wheat. Hmmm. The capital is pretty, but not on an island. The beer is smooth and easy to drink.

Wheach

O'Fallen Wheach - a very nice peach aroma. Smooth and refreshing. Surprisingly good.

Cherry Wheat

Bell's cherry wheat. Nice cherry taste, finishes a little tart. Creamy smooth, but nicely carbonated. The consensus was bell's > sam's.

Widow maker

A friend brought me this special can of Keweenaw Widow Maker, which is named after a mining tool that was used in the copper mines in northern Michigan. It earned the name because it produced a lot of dust and the men who operated the tool died of diseases related to the inhalation of dust. It is a very dark beer, but not as malty as you might expect, and it has a slightly hoppy finish with a lingering chocolate taste. Very enjoyable, even on a hot summer night. Thanks, ndh!

Bamb!

Some friends bought us a growler of this New Holland limited brew. I opened it, took one whiff and thought, hmmmm... This smells a little off. I poured a glass and dove in. Delicious. Starts with pomegranate and finished with clove. Very enjoyable.

FRB, this one is for you!

A very nice, smooth oatmeal stout. Great pour, luscious creamy head that lasts. Overall, a hit.

Shoreline IPAs

You have to love the names, even if you don't love the beer.

Queen Mum - a smooth English IPA. Very easy drinking.

Sum Nug - a slightly higher octane IPA with more of a hoppy kick.

3 Sum - the real deal high octane IPA. This ale will kick your taste buds and leave you senseless. Great name. Need I say more?

Avery Maharaja

A 10.3% abv American Imperial IPA. Hoptastic. In the middle, a little sweet, then kicks some major hoppiness.

Cheap thrills

At Piece pizza and brewery having a Cheap Thrills. It is a witbier, but doesn't have a real strong coriander taste. The first sip was ok, the second was better. We'll see about the rest of the pint.