Mike Loves Beer -

Beer’s Most Wanted

January 19, 2010

All craft beer lovers have probably at least one thing in common. They yearn for some particular beer that they can not get very simply. Not all breweries are widely available across the United States and it makes many of us envy what others can have. Being in such a geographically out of the way place like South Florida I am constantly one of the many that wishes he could get his hands on some of the great beers that people rave about. Luckily occasional trips bring a smile to my face when I can sample something I normally can’t have at home but that doesn’t last long.

Over the summer while I was in Arizona I got to have New Belgium, Deschutes and Alaskan brews for the first time. All are widely considered big names in the craft brewing biz and all not available in Florida. Now I am continually counting the days until I can have 1554 from a local store and poured into a glass in my own home. Unfortunately it isn’t looking like New Belgium will be in Florida until 2012 so I will still be waiting and Ed Roberts at Total Wine will still be getting asked when they will be here for at least a couple more years.

Luckily we are getting the Bruery, Summit and Southern Tier in South Florida soon and I have been waiting for the Bruery for awhile after trying Two Turtle Doves a few months back. So there is some things to look forward to. But that brings me to the main question at hand. What is your most wanted brewery or beer? What do you wish you could easily get without long travels, mail orders or trades? I’m really anxious to see what everyones’ wishes are.

Terrapin Gamma Ray

January 18, 2010

/ Beer Review /

6 Comments

Name – Terrapin Gamma Ray
Country – United States
Type – Wheatwine

Appearance – Poured a slightly hazy reddish orange color with a thin white head that was gone pretty quickly.

Smell – The scent is on the boozy side but not too strong. There is hints of banana, cherry and white grapes.

Taste – You get a very sweet taste up front that is very much like a white wine so those grapes are there. There is the banana and cherry from the smell as well as some citrus notes. Finishes with a bold alcohol bite.

My first venture into the wheatwine style and I can say that this one reminds me more of wine than barleywine. But with the wine characteristics it also was quite similar to many Belgian tripels as well with the cherry and banana presence in there. It is definitely something a little different from what you may be use to so if you want to go out and get something that will be a bit surprising then definitely pick this up.

Overall Grade – B-

Samuel Adams Holiday Porter

January 16, 2010

/ Beer Review /

2 Comments

Name – Samuel Adams Holiday Porter
Country – United States
Type – American Porter

Appearance – Pours a pretty opaque brown with some red highlights around the edge of the glass. A good sized, slightly tan head is there at the start but gone pretty quickly.

Smell – The aroma is not that bold but you can pick up some bittersweet chocolate and roasted malts.

Taste – Roasted malts and sweet chocolate up front are followed by an ever so slight spice taste and a bit of hops too.

Along with Old Fezziwig this was part of the only reason I bought the Sam Adams Winter Pack. Unfortunately I wasn’t blown away by this but I wasn’t put off either. It was a solid beer but nothing that just jumps out at you. I really don’t see in it what makes it a holiday porter. The spice content was very minimal and really could see this being drank all year round. But really Boston Beer should put this and Old Fezziwig out on their own during the winter. I think they have had their training wheels on long enough and can go out on their own two wheels now.

Overall Grade – C+