Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale 2012

Got this magnum size "Our Special Ale" from Costco for a really decent large format price. The winter ale is only slighty spiced and highly drinkable. Perfect for cold weather when you don't want something to heavy. 5.5 ABV. A solid A.

Goose Island reconsidered

Why? Because I recently was advised to try goose island's Matilda and Sophie, both Belgian style ales which while having the same style name have nothing in common except exceptional brewing technique.

I don't know if goose island got another brewer or what, but these examples are far superior than the urban wheat 312 I had once upon a time.

Both shouldn't be drunk too cold. Both are well-balanced. The Matilda is pungent and earthy. You could drink it by itself to explore the odd tones or with earthy foods like game and mushrooms. The Sophie is a classic witbier. The citrus is present but not overwhelming. 6.5 ABV. Trying to move up from blue moon? Try the Sophie. Both are solid A's.

Ommegang all day long

This summer I had a need for a case of beer (rare) and at my 2nd closest distributor I find an Ommegang variety pack. Since 24 of the same beer is shocking to my system and since the next best option was Dogfish 60 min (so tired of it!), Ommegang it was even though I hadn't drunk anything from them in a really long time. Hennepin, Pale Ale, Dubbel and Three Philosophers Quad. What this variety pack made me realize is that Belgian Pale Ales do exist and are tasty! Next favorite, the Hennepin, then the Dubbel and finally the Quad. All A rated beers (except 3 Phil) which made me like Ommegang again even though I still think they're stuck in some sort of Belgium is the best wonderland. Drink again? Yes! Buy again? At $60, it wasn't a cheap case (actually it was he most expensive) but the per bottle price really wasn't bad at all. Maybe I'd buy a case of Pale and Hennepin over the variety pack now that I know what I like.

5 year recollections on Sella del Diavolo, Ola Dubh and Three Philosophers

Brewed by Birrificio Barley www.barley.it, the Devil's Saddler is one of the best ales I've had. Not that I've had it in over 5 years so the memory of it might be a lot better than I remember. What I do remember is an easy drinking (6.5 ABV) malty ale with well balance fruit flavors. A very rich ale more in line with Belgian ales than American craft ales. Had this when a restaurant was closing down and selling all their stock (primarily B. United) at half price. Otherwise I couldn't afford this beer or any B. United beer. Expect to pay near or over $20 for the 750 ml bottle. Drink again? Yes! Buy again? Regrettably, no, my budget can't afford it. A+

At the same blow-out sale, I acquired Harviestoun's Ola Dubh (Black Oil), a Scottish ale matured in Highland Park's 12 year whiskey casks. Dark, thick, and best drunk approaching room temp, if I remember the overtones were coffee and chocolate. It was well-balanced with any hops well-hidden. I don't remember the taste of whiskey. Frankly, I don't remember it much at all. 8% ABV. Drink again? Yes if sitting by a warm fire. Buy again? No. Just too pricey for me. A.

Forgot that this was also the first time I tried Ommegang's Three Philosophers Belgian-styled Quad. An ale sweetened with cherries, I remember it was stronger than the Sella and less balanced but entirely drinkable. This past summer and fall, I've had the chance to drink 3Phil in small bottle format from an Ommegang variety pack and in large bottle format in another variety pack. Then and now it had a metallic finish for me and the sweetness is too much as if it's there to mask the high ABV. I've never been a big quad fan so this one is already starting off handicapped. Compared to other quads it's not bad. Compared to other Ommegang styles, it's at the bottom. B+

A summer in the Pacific NW with Deckhand Belgian Saison

Beer hails from Lighthouse Brewing Company out of Victoria, B.C. Had this 2 summers ago. As I remember, very sessionable. Citrusy. Not my favorite saison but packs a good punch at 8% ABV. Also if I remember correctly, moderately priced. Drink again? Yes. Buy again? Depends on what else is available. A solid B+

312 Goose Island Urban Wheat Ale

Time:  upper 40s, low 50s day in March

Food:  Indian

 

Beer: [C-] 312 Goose Island Urban Wheat Ale

DRAFT: NO

I really wanted to like this beer because of the cool bottle, but as they say, never judge a book by its cover.  While not without some merit, the balance of flavors in this beer is all wrong.  Since I'm reviewing this beer way out of date, we'll just leave the conclusion as there's better beer in the world; let this one pass.

Dock Street Brews

Time:  rainy Sunday happy hour in April upper 60s F

Food:  thin crust wood-fired pizza

Beers: (F) Dock Street collection on tap (includes pils, wit, pale ale, IPA, porter)
DRAFT: YES

All the beers suffer from a lack of body and maturation.  The hops is all wrong as well -- for simplicity's sake, it's too hoppy, but actually, the hops is just unbalanced for the brews.  The only palatable beer is the wit, and even it is not anything to talk about.

The pizza, while more palatable, also suffers from a balance issue having a ratio of toppings which burdens the crust and creates sogginess.  The combo of toppings and the ingredients themselves are quite good -- it's just the balance thing.

A final remark: it's places like this that brew awful beer and offer mediocre fare, yet are packed thurs, fri and sat where I realize that we'll eat and drink pretty much anything.

Conclusion: don't waste your time -- better food and beer await elsewhere.