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Well a lot has happened since I’ve reviewed a beer.  Florida has become the laughing stock of the nation again after the Casey Anthony trial.  The Phillies are dominating every team in baseball.  And I’ve decided to pass on GABF this year.  A lot of big things there.

But I have been having my fair share of beers.  A matter of fact today’s review is from something I drank about 2 weeks ago.  Luckily I take notes on things I want to review for these particular occurrences.

Today’s review is of Jolly Pumpkin’s Calabaza Blanca.  It is described as a witbier but you know if it’s from Jolly Pumpkin that there is going to be some sour to it.

I pour it into my Funky Buddha snifter and it arrives a cloudy straw yellow color.  A big white head sits on top of the brew and actually stays around for a good while.

The nose has a definite Brett funk to it that you expect from Jolly Pumpkin.  This is coupled with aromas of lemon and wheat.

The taste is great in my opinion.  Lots of lemon with grassy notes.  The Brett can be tasted obviously.  And the finish is dry and crisp.

Man was this one good.  I really enjoyed the slight sour funk on this classic style.  And weighing in at only 4.8% ABV it’s a great summer time beer.  Pack this bomber and some cups on your next trip to the beach.

I know Jolly Pumpkin can be a bit difficult for us in South Florida to find.  But we’ve gotten a number of things from them in the past month that we typically don’t get regularly.  So stop by your local beer store of choice and see.  And if they have this one then I say pick it up and enjoy.

Grade - A

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It’s great having a local brewery.  And for the past almost 2 months I have been proud to call the Funky Buddha my local brewery.  Between the opening night and many visits since I have enjoyed a number of their brews.  But one thing was missing, a review on the site for any of the beers.  Well today we put an end to that.

After talking with Kevin and Ryan from the Buddha Monday night I figured I’d go in and pick up a growler of one of their brews and take it home to review.  They know full well how badly I want their Don’t Try Amber Ale again.  Unfortunately it is not currently on.  But alas they plan on brewing it again next week so I should have that baby in my possession again shortly.  I decided to go with one that I have had before and find it to be one of their more unique brews, So Thank You Music Ginger Wheat.

I poured it from the Funky Buddha 32 oz growler into my pilsner glass.  It arrived at the bottom a hazy golden color.  It has some orange type hues to it as well.  The head was thin, bubbly and white.  Unfortunately it was gone rather quickly.

The smell is unlike any beer I’ve ever had but very similar to a real craft made ginger ale soda.  You get tons of ginger in the nose and hints of lemongrass.  Seems pretty obvious to get those as they are exactly what are used to make the beer.

The taste is more of the same from the nose.  But I also get a little honey and orange in there.  Some hefe like yeast characteristics rounds this out.  It is also quite light in body.  The carbonation seemed a hint off from the last time I had it but not enough to be a big difference.

From the first time that I had this beer I have said that this beer will pair very well with most Asian cuisine, especially sushi.  That ginger and lemongrass is just so present and would make a lovely compliment to the meal.

I also love how much this reminds me of ginger ale.  I just love ginger ale while I know many people do not.  It just reminds them of times when they were sick as a kid and it was all their parents gave them to drink.  While my parents did that too I actually developed a love for the soft drink.  This beer just reminds me in so many aspects of it.

So next time your in South Florida, or Boca Raton specifically drop in to the Funky Buddha and have a beer.  If this one is on tap and you want to try something completely unique then have it.  Then if you like it get a growler to go.

Grade - A-

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My brother can be quite the sucker for beers that are a novelty or have some sort of gimmicky name or label.  Sometimes he finds some hits like Skull Splitter but a lot of times is a miss.  I try not to buy into the novelties but sometimes I stumble.

I found myself buying into a novelty when I bought the Magic Hat Night of the Living Dead variety pack.  I was just strolling down the beer aisle in Publix while getting some dinner when I saw it.  With George Romero’s original zombie classic stamped on the case I was hooked.

People tend to be downers on Magic Hat saying they make less than stellar beers.  I like to think that they make great gateway beers.  They may not be as big and bold for a regular craft drinker but they are different enough from your everyday swill to maybe catch a few macro converts.

Today’s review is on the Odd Notion from this pack.  The Odd Notion beer is only available in the variety packs and it’s recipe changes each season.  This one is being called a Green Apple Wit.

It pours into my pint glass an amazingly clear golden yellow color.  A nice looking white head tops off the brew but is gone pretty quickly.

In the nose I am definitely getting granny smith apples in there.  There is also a very sweet bubble gum scent I am getting.  A definite yeast quality can also be smelt in here as well.

On the first sip I am hit with the yeast taste immediately.  It also seems to stay with you throughout the taste.  It then has an apple taste to it as well and then there is really nothing.  The flavors come and go pretty quickly.

The body of this is quite light and it is crisp and refreshing.  I’m guessing their idea here was to go with something apple like without making a cider for the fall.

All in all I think it was an interesting concept for a beer but the hit and run of the flavor just leaves with a whole lot to be desired.  I guess it is an acceptable session beer at 4.5% and the ladies might like it as well.  It just wasn’t really my cup of apple cider.

Grade - C