Mike Loves Beer -

Starr Hill Pale Ale

February 8, 2010

Name – Starr Hill Pale Ale
Country – United States
Type – American Pale Ale

Appearance – Poured a some what cloudy orange color. It cleared up a bit after the pour settled. Nice size white head that left some lacing on the glass.

Smell – Citrus and floral hops jump out at you. Not getting much else

Taste – You get the citrus hops that include a nice grapefruit taste to it. Some sweet malts in there and bit of caramel.

A pretty solid pale ale here from Starr Hill. As most know from reading this, I love grapefruit flavored and scented hop profiles so this was right up my alley. Nothing out of this word and nothing done wrong.

Overall Grade – B

Piraat Ale

February 5, 2010

/ Beer Review /

11 Comments

Name – Piraat Ale
Country – Belgium
Type – Belgian IPA

Appearance – Pours a clear amber color with a very big white head that leaves a lot of lacing on the glass.

Smell – Sweet malts and cherries are what I pick up the most. It is a big boozey.

Taste – More malts and cherries. A little bit of a yeast taste but not a lot in the way of hops going on. Alcohol has bite and it gets even bigger the more it warms up.

I’ve seen it time and time again at stores and it was time to try Piraat. Classified as a Belgian IPA I think it’s more like tripel if you ask me but a little darker. I really get no hop profile from it but the malts are very nice. And wow does the alcohol hit you once it warms up. It was a little to strong for my liking and I like big bold beers. This one just doesn’t seem to mask it all that well, if they even wanted to. So drink this with care in mind.

Overall Grade – C

The Funky Buddha’s Grand Re-Opening Tonight

February 5, 2010

/ Beer News /

2 Comments

For quite awhile The Funky Buddha Lounge in Boca Raton, FL has been considered to be one of the best beer bars in South Florida. The selection was impeccable and would very regularly get a keg of something that you don’t really expect to see on draft. They are also known for being a respectable hookah, kava and tea bar as well with open mic nights and other local and national performers taking their stage. The only problem with Funky? The size. Having 15 – 20 people in there literally felt crowded beyond belief. Well fear not anymore as the Funky Buddha has expanded in big ways.

First they have moved. Fear not to those that are use to their location because they are actually in the same exact plaza just on the north end of it now. Secondly it is said to be quite a deal bigger. And the biggest change of them all, they are now a brew pub. Along with having one of the best craft brew selections Funky Buddha Lounge is now Funky Buddha Lounge and Brewery. They will include a number of their own brews on tap. I look forward to sampling some of their stuff.

They had a soft opening last night and Ferm and Cerveza Chica from Dos Bee-igos were there and said the place was amazing in comparison to the old location. But the Grand Re-Opening is this weekend starting tonight. Also there are rumors going around of some major celebrities being on hand Saturday night. Gene Simmons was on the local Paul and Young Ron radio show yesterday and said that himself along with Frank Caliendo, Christopher Walken (aka the Greatest Man Ever) and Tracy Morgan would be on hand for a Haitian Relief Benefit. Now Funky Buddha’s website says that comedian Craig Glass will performing Saturday so who really knows on that. So there is the potential that Saturday night will be an absolute mad house at Funky. If this isn’t the truth don’t shoot the messenger, this is just what Simmons said on the radio.

But regardless of all that hoopla, if you are in South Florida and love good beer you have to go by the Funky Buddha’s new digs sometime soon. I’m not one for large crowds but I find myself really wanting to go tonight and try some of their own brews. If I don’t make it tonight I will definitely be going soon.