review – Page 22 – Beer Search Party

November 12, 2013September 10, 2018

Review- Feminist from Monkish

Great to see this Monkish flagship beer in Bruery style bottles. I think that Henry is doing some really creative things in Torrance and I am glad that I have a growler to use at will, or whenever the traffic allows. Feminist pours a reddish brown color. I first get hibiscus notes. Followed by a dry, antiseptic Belgian yeast strain. Puts cranberries in mind for some reason. I have found that hibiscus can be way too overpowering but it works here. It also puts me in mind of Thanksgiving. I think this would be perfect with turkey and stuffing.

November 7, 2013September 10, 2018

Mid-Western Beer Review – 5 Grass Hoppy Ale from 5 Rabbits

Here is the second review of a Mid-Western beer brought back from Chicago, 5 Grass from 5 Rabbits…

Was expecting a little more hop to this one, considering the name and all. Pours a nice clear amber color. Spices really take the forefront here. The sage is coming through and I am getting some savory ginger type notes as well. Some pepper too. A little metallic note as well. Tasty, just mis-named for me. I much prefer the 5 Vulture which was a take on the mole, in beer form. I am intrigued to try more of the line-up from this brewery though.

November 4, 2013September 10, 2018

Review – Clown Shoes Galactica

Yes, I am deeply afraid of clowns. But I am growing fonder thanks to the beers of Clown Shoes from Massachusetts. The Sci-Fi heroine on the label points to a hoppy concoction from the hop staff she wields. Galactica pours a bright orange color. Thin head on this one, a quick dissipation of bubbles. A bit of caramel on the nose with some slight citrus behind it. My initial taste is of grape and grape juice. And that taste doesn’t fade as it warms up. It is almost like a grape barley wine. Good little sparkle to it as well so it doesn’t get too cloying. I would like to see this in an XPA version to get a little more of the hop character. As is, it is more an East Coast big malt bill that leads the way.

The Terrible Real Estate Photos blog is my new favorite site (after mine of course). Photo after photo of some really bad home shots that shouldn’t have seen the light of day. Hit the delete button people! Or better yet, don’t. I love reading the pithy little comments below each one.

October 31, 2013September 10, 2018

Review – Evil Dead Red from AleSmith

What could be more perfect for Halloween? For a SoCal hop fan, AleSmith’s Evil Dead Red is a perfect Halloween treat. It pours a reddish brown and has a fragrant hop aroma coming off the glass. The taste starts off with some chewy maltness that is quickly overcome by some sharp carbonation and a wild melange of hops. I get a little citrus, some fruit punch and some floral notes. And they are strong. But the whole thing is well balanced. You get some more cereal notes at the end to really round the beer off.

And in keeping with the zombie theme on the label, my favorite Halloween film to watch is Shaun of the Dead (tragically mis-spelled). Followed by the first Paranormal Activity, The Exorcist, Arachnaphobia and the Blair Witch Project. I am not a big horror fan. Don’t like the chain saws and knives and crazed pyscho’s on the loose. I prefer a little more realism and some humor. Maybe it is because I watched a Pinhead movie when I was young and was turned off the whole blood and gore thing. Obviously, Evil Dead should be paired with it’s namesake movie but for Shaun of the Dead, I would go with Fuller’s Black Cab Stout. Dark but light bodied.

October 26, 2013September 10, 2018

Review – Whale’s Tale Pale Ale from Cisco Brewers

Los Angeles has been the recipient of some East Coast beers of late including this British style pale ale from Cisco Brewers. I love the simple label, especially the 3/4 pint notation. Pours a very clear and dark orange color. Aroma is more British pale for sure so kudos to brewing to style. Taste is primarily cereal malt with a small dose of hops. Does taste a bit watery which is odd for a 5.6% beer. Upon re-checking the aroma, you can almost smell the lack of oomph behind the beer. I am not arguing for a more hop approach but this does taste a little on the weak side to me. Then again my palate has had to work through Green Bullett and Carrack from San Diego brewers so maybe this is just an adjustment.

October 11, 2013September 10, 2018

Video Review – Angel City Angeleno IPA

I usually reserve my October reviews for pumpkin beers but in a fit of pique, I have decided to skip over them this year as punishment for coming out too early in the season. Petty, I know but I have a great replacement, Angel City from right here in Los Angeles is now bottling (Oddly enough in Ohio) some of their core line-up. So let’s get to the review for the Angeleno IPA…..

And here is the description from the Angel City website for reference, “Big, bold, grapefruit hop flavors and aroma best characterize this medium-bodied, copper-hued beer. Angeleno IPA is hopped with Citra, Nelson, Simcoe, and Nugget to make the perfect treat for hop heads.”

October 9, 2013September 10, 2018

Review – Cluster from Double Mountain

One of the favorite beers from my recent Portland trip. I had one while I was there and had to bring one home as well. This orange hued beer has a big hop aroma and the taste is really herbal and spicy with a background of citrus. All three tastes play well together. Certainly a NW hoppy beer as opposed to a San Diego HOPPPPPPY beer but I like the difference. Glad that Artisan Ales in Pasadena will be bringing Double Mountain into SoCal, now we just have to get their single-hop beers as well. Plus the label hints at a certain different Cluster. Very cool.

I have been listening to the latest Elvis Costello album (do they still call them albums?) “Wise Up Ghost” that he made with The Roots and I am still trying to say if I really like it or if it is just so different from the mainstream that it pricks my ears up.

September 17, 2013September 10, 2018

Review – IPX Single Hop Centennial by HUB

Thanks Hopworks, now I have to get my hands on the Amarillo, Meridian, Falconer’s Flight and Cascade hop versions too! Love the label. Simple design with a great use of graphics to give a little bit of hop knowledge to the drinker. I especially like the disclosure of the hop farms that grew the hops that made it into this particular beer.

The Centennial version pours a dark orange. Aroma isn’t huge to me. I get some spice notes primarily. The taste has a solid level of bitterness and it is tilted more to spices and herbs. By solid, I mean that it delivers hops but doesn’t bludgeon you with them. Nice and bubbly and fresh tasting. The IPX tastes a bit stronger than 6%.

And since we are reviewing part of my bounty that I brought back from Portland, I would be remiss not to mention that Season 3 of Portlandia is now streaming on the Netflix. I thought Season 2 was a bit less funny than 1 (despite the standout Battlestar Galactica episode) so I am curious as to how the latest season plays out. And to see which Portland Trailblazer (if any) make a guest appearance.

September 9, 2013September 10, 2018

Review – Alphadelic from Hop Valley

alphadelic

A double review! I first had this beer in December of 2012 and had these brief words to say, The canned version. Another strong IPA offering from Oregon. Restrained with a load of hops to work through. Nice and vibrant.

In my latest trip to Portland, I picked up another can of the Alpadelic from Hop Valley at the new Imperial Tap Room (where I also had a pint of Boring Brewing’s Oatmeal Pale ale) on Division Street on da’ Eastside. And this is what I think of the beer now, this IPA pours a light amber. The aroma is citrus with a hint of medicinal notes to it. The taste is pretty bitter but it fades away nicely before the next sip. Much better cold when there is a snap to it. The warmer it gets the more caramel sneaks in. Cool looking can design as well.

can back

And I have just started watching Moone Boy on Hulu. Funny stuff. Very much in the vein of “A Christmas Story” just set in 1989 Ireland. And it has the very funny Chris O’Dowd in the imaginary friend role.

September 5, 2013September 10, 2018

Review – Gilt Edge from Ruhstaller

I have had a couple Ruhstaller beers now. They of the distinctive netting on the bottle necks and the detailed information on the provenance of the beer’s ingredients from this Sacramento brewer. Then I see this hoppy lager (in a can) which I immediately grabbed knowing that I would review it later. So here goes….

Pours a medium yellow. Foamy head at first. Nice amount of bubbles, very sparkly and festive looking. Cereal aroma hits me first with a spicy hop note on the side. Taste marks this as more of a hopped lager. Initial flavor is that malt crispness that is quickly hidden by the piney hops. Though the grain does make a comeback at the end of a sip which is cool. Love the stick on label attached to the plain silver can. And I love even more the listing of the hops and barley. Makes for a more informed customer!

And what am I reading now. you ask? Well it is Double Feature by Owen King. Yes, another writing son of Stephen and Tabitha. Must be genetic. I have just started but I am partial to father-son dynamics so it should be up my alley.