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.

Saison du Buff

A collaboration among Dogfish Head, Stone and Victory. It is named for
"brewers united for freedom of flavor." You gotta love a beer that is
brewed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Duping avec Les Bon voeux

A strong farmhouse ale (9.5% abv) with lots going on - a funky yeasty
taste, some honey, and a little hoppy bitterness. Overall, not my
favorite farmhouse, but pretty enjoyable.

Three Floyd's Handshake of the Devil

Collaboration between Three Floyds and the band Bible of the Devil.
Starts sort of hoppy (65 ibu) but finishes really smooth.

Stone Cali-belgie

Ipa. Passion fruit. Cantaloupe. Orange.

Two brothers bitter end cask ale