Tag: beer review

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Review – Firestone Walker Anniversary XVIII

Each year when I buy the latest Anniversary beer from Firestone Walker, I crack open the oldest bottle that I have which is 6 years old at that point. Which means that number 18 is the lucky number. I now only have two of the old school 22oz bottles left before the format went down to 12.

Here is my review of 18 – I get a bit of cola upfront here.  Dark brown in color with not much head to it. A bit of spice and caramel come to mind. Does not taste heavy and is probably middle low in carbonation but not silky, more spiky to me.  A tiny bit of vinous quality to me as well. 

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Christmas Beer Review – Anchor Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

You really have to start any Christmas beer review with the undisputed King which is Anchor Merry Christmas. “The 2019 edition of this established holiday delight lends velvety spices and rich flavors of roasted malts, western evergreens and subtle hints of Mexican chocolate.”

I would call this a return to form for Anchor. The 2019 edition of Our Special Ale has a bit more kick to it than past years. I am getting spice (cinnamon) and some pine / Christmas tree notes. It tastes more bubbly this year as well. There is a slight cola tinge at the back to add a little depth.  The only flavor I am not getting is the Mexican chocolate but that could be just a me thing. This is a Claus approved beer.

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Featured 19.2 Review – SeaQuench from Dogfish Head

I thought I would kill three birds with one stone and get a Dogfish Head beer since I hadn’t had one in such a long time, and try SeaQuench, their popular seller for the first time, and get the 19.2oz can too.

The lime (from either peel, juice or different varietal) comes through in the aroma. That is immediately cut by a one-two punch of salt and then wheat. At first SeaQuench comes across as sour but with each progressive sip, it becomes less aggressive. It has a cocktail quality to it. Lime Rickey maybe.

I can’t quite wrap my head around why this is such a popular beer, not from a taste standpoint, because this is a nice American twisted Gose, but because of the salt. I think the American palate has tilted towards extremes. Sugary. Salty. Sour and even bitter to a certain extent but this mixes tart and salt. I do wonder if a brand extension is in the offing too.

As far as the larger format can, this is a perfect choice at 4.7%. This would be a great beach beer.

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Featured 19.2 Review – Carlsberg Danish Lager

I haven’t had a Carlsberg in a long time but at the price that my local Trader Joe’s was selling them, I couldn’t pass it up. Here is my review of the stovepipe can of the Danish Lager.

Well, technically not a stovepipe, but it is above 16oz even if by just an almost ounce, so I am counting it. Pours super clear. Darker yellow than expected and a lingering foam to it as well. First note is pear. A little dry.  A bit sweet close to honey note. Not super grain forward. A bit slick.  No snap to it. 

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Oktoberfest Review – Sierra Nevada v. Chapman Crafted

Now that we are in September, it is seasonally appropriate to talk Oktofest beers. Today, I will compare and contrast the gold standard (since the German collaborations have started) Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest and a local marzen from Chapman Crafted in Orange.

Starting with the latter. This is really quite biscuit rich. That creates a backbone for other flavors to play off of. I get a little citrus note as well as a bit of nutty. Good sparkle to this. May not have the mineral tinge that a classic may have but this is a beer that reminds what happens when malt is in the fore.

The Bitburger 2019 version of the Okto pours a red/brown color. Another malt forward beer but this is a notch or two lighter in both malt character and heft. There is a nice hop character here but the beer overall still tilts to the German side. Searching my memory, this seems like the lightest version so far. Part dunkel and bigger part lager.

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Review – Mikkeller Cryo Room

image from Mikkeller SD

Thanks to beer buddy Richard, I was able to taste an all Cryo Hop IPA from Mikkeller San Diego. How do Henry and Sally fare in my tasting notes?

This is a super clear yellow hued beer with orange tint to it. The aroma is a mix of pine and candied orange. This has a solid bitter backbone to it. The hop resins are sticking to the roof of my mouth. Pretty viscous and slick as well. Pine and woodsy flavors are the headliners for this one. Cryo hops are still new-ish but this IPA reminds me of beers of yesteryear.

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Featured Review – Dos Topas from Topa Topa

I have visited the Ventura branch of Topa Topa on two occasions and really enjoy the space and the cacti design. On the 2nd visit, I saw that 12oz canning had begun and when I saw them in L.A. I grabbed two beers.

First is Dos Topas. This lager pours a near orange but primarily yellow color.  Great to have a malt forward beer.  Cracker.  Little rye spice.  Maybe a tiny bit of pear at the end. Leans to viscous over crisp. Simple and effective.

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Paso Robles Beer Review # 2 – Los Leñadores from Firestone Walker and Cigar City

The Woodcutter pours a dark black color. Almost a spiced apple aroma behind a pina colada.  Initial taste is toasted coconut. Does not taste 11%+ ABV at first, then it begins to warm the cheeks.  Almost more rum in direction than rye whiskey. Maybe the two woods combine to give off the coconut.  Little bit of spice at the back end but that is quickly gone.  A fine collaboration for FWIBF.