5 Rabbit 5 Vulture

The label describes it as an Oaxacan-style dark ale brewed with ancho chili. Apparently, in Aztec mythology, 5 vulture is one of the five gods of excess that serve to warn us of our baser instincts. Hmmm. No excess here. I had this on draft at the map room a few months ago and had hoped it had a little more heat. I also remember liking it anyway! So tonight I bought a six pack and I'm not disappointed. I just wish the Chicago brewers had been a little more humble when they entered the market.

Davy Jones Lager

This is an imperial cream ale from Heavy Seas. Tastes a little like the Anderson Valley Summer Solstice, but a little stronger in abv.

Mikkeller, take 2

This is the second IPA that I bought from the single hop series. This one was made with cascade hops. It is 38 ibus, so it's a little more hoppy / bitter than the Mt. Hood. It is closer to what I expected from an IPA. Another enjoyable Mikkeller.

Mt. Hood

I have tried a number of Mikkellers and liked them all. This is from the single hop series - using only Mt. Hood hops. It has an ibu of 33 and the malts balance out the limited hops. I like this a lot.

Brooklyn Brewmaster's Reserve

This is a Brooklyn Main Engine Reserve - an abbey single. I don't know that I have ever had an abbey single, but even if I have, this blows it away! It's a very smooth Belgian with a little kick.

5 Rabbit 5 Lizard

This is a relatively new Chicago brewery. The beer is the Latin style witbier brewed with Spices and passion fruit. Very interesting. Also love the glass.

Summit Red - on cask

A nice copper color with a slightly bitter finish. Like the beer, love the glass - beer is my life.

LakeFront!

This is the Cream Ale - a pale ale. I think this is a nice crisp pale ale with a good mix of bitterness. And right from the brewery!

Black IPA

This beer is from the southern tier of NY, near where I grew up. The brewery has received praise for a number of it's offerings. This is a relatively new ale from Southern Tier. It is a black IPA. I've had a few, a couple of which I thought were awesome. This one is pretty good. At first it tasted like a half and half of an imperial stout and IPA. The second taste convinced me - pretty good, especially for an imperial. Nice hops. Good malt. And a cheap date.

Tramp Stamp

Yep, a beer named after the tattoo I never got. I had seen this in the store a couple times and loved the label. Now I've had it on tap and it is just as good as the label! Nice copper color and bitter nose. Finishes a little sharp but enjoyable.

Make it a double.

Firestone double jack IPA. Nice hoppy taste, which must mask the alcohol because this is yummy. Try it!

Peace.

This is a Goose Island Fleur. It has a great floral nose, copper color and great finish. Better on tap than in a bottle.

Unibroue

This is from Unibroue, but I can't remember the name. I do, however, remember liking it. It had a nice malty taste and copper color (lighter than in the photo). I'll try to update this post with the actual name.

Back at it

The blogging, not the drinking. Of course I have not taken a break from trying new beer. This is Boulevard Smokestack Series Tank 7 farmhouse ale. It's, well, interesting. I think it's the yeast. It starts a little hoppy and finishes a little bitter - for a farmhouse. But it's crisp and light which is nice for a hot and humid day. And in a mason jar at an almost authentic southern BBQ joint. In Bucktown. Close.

Bar Fly IPA

At the Sox game with a Bar Fly IPA. It's nice and hoppy with a crisp and bitter finish. Perfect for a warm summer evening.

Jockamo!

Sitting outside at the French Quarter Festival and having an Abita Jockamo IPA while listening to some awesome blues. Oh yeah, the IPA is good!

Crescent City Brewery

The sampler! Lightest to darkest - A pilsner (tastes like a light lager), a wheat (pretty good - crisp), seasonal - ambrosia (interesting - finishes kind of malty), Munich style ale (black forest - malty and not very hoppy), red stallion (it's their happiest and not that hoppy, but not bad). Gotta love local beer!

Gnomegang

A Belgian trippel that is a collaboration between Ommegang and La Chueffe. It tastes a little heavy, almost syrupy. I'll give it another chance because, well, I have a full glass.

Smallbar Pale Ale

I like this beer very much. This has a nice copper color and a crisp taste, with a mildly hoppy taste. If you want crazy IBUs, this isn't your beer. If you like a smooth and flavorful beer with Moderate hops - this is it. It is brewed by Two Brothers using hops grown at the Fullerton Smallbar location. Yummy. And, when the bartender saw me attempting to take a picture using the candle as light, he turned on the overhead lights for me. Nice. That random act of kindness may have saved my night.

Go east, young man!

Yuengling lager. I never cared much for it when I lived in Philly, perhaps because of its ubiquitous nature. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. This was the best the 7-11 had to offer and it hit the spot.