Beer reviews

Detroitgator

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Jul 15, 2014
28,226
46,727
Wait...so you were in someone else’s house, obviously without their knowledge, and cleaned them out of their entire beer stash? The note and $20 is a nice touch, but they still come home under completely false pretenses, and then have to go back out just to get back to break even . And what the hell do you need 9 beers for on a random Saturday night? Even putting aside your possibly needing help, it’s a terrible story.
It’s better... he’d be coming back on Sunday, not sure about now, but used to be no Sunday sales there.
 

GatorBart

Founding Member
:bandit:
Lifetime Member
Jun 11, 2014
8,032
9,309
Founding Member
It’s better... he’d be coming back on Sunday, not sure about now, but used to be no Sunday sales there.
We used to run to Newberry on Sundays when we ran out of beer.
I think they can sell beer in Gainesville in Sunday now.
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
BP grapefruit sculpin

I’ve been skeptical on this for a number of reasons. But I decided to give it a try. If the one and only SoFla likes it then it has to be worth a damn, right? Turns out it’s actually pretty good . No way I’d pay $12 for a sixer but the grapefruit is surprisingly not overwhelming . In fact I didn’t find it bitter at all. This one is the bronze of sculpins , but it’s still a good beer . B minus

Image1535071326.093891.jpg
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
Ommegang seven kingdoms

Classified as a “Belgian specialty” . It’s basically a mix of a Belgian pale ale and the classic American IPA. I’d recommend it to anyone who is a fan of either . This is a quality brew. Solid B Image1535071972.926727.jpg
 

PhD Gator

UF Ph.D. 2011
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
487
1,297
I'm drinking a Weyerbacher Tiny. It's a Belgian-Style Imperial Stout and is 11.8%.

Not quite as good as the Prairie Bomb that I've previously mentioned IMO, but solid nonetheless. And pretty reasonably priced for such a high alcohol content brew (I believe it was 9.99 for a 4 pack).
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
So, I was in son #1's college flop house last night... I scavenged 3 Corona Extras and a 6 pack of something from Swamphead Brewery in Gainesville from the "beer fridge"... I don't even know what kind of Swamphead beer it was, doesn't matter, all 9 were cold, criteria met, was good. That's all a beer review needs to be for me... not sure if there was a hint of oaken barrel or ass, it was fine.

Update: and because it's not cool to poach someone else's beers (because they might be coming back thinking "i'm so glad there are beers in the fridge") and I didn't want to be a total jerk, I left a $20 with a "thanks for the beers Charles" note stuck in the empty six pack tree in the fridge. I actually have a really good Korea story about beer poaching.



I admit it. When I was 18 I used to drink corona too. Then I grew up and realized it’s good for nothing piss. The kid should thank you for cleaning out his fridge .
 

Swamp Donkey

Founding Member
7-14 vs P5 Fire Stricklin First
Lifetime Member
Jun 9, 2014
78,161
109,974
Founding Member
I admit it. When I was 18 I used to drink corona too. Then I grew up and realized it’s good for nothing piss. The kid should thank you for cleaning out his fridge .
Pacifico isn't a bad beer and it just tastes right with camarones, a stack of tortillas and all the right fixins.
 

soflagator

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 4, 2014
21,131
78,736
Based on my first experience with Lord Hobo a few weeks ago, I went for their double tonight. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Like most double-IPA’s, it had moments where it was delicious, and moments where it was almost too much. One of the richest finishes I’ve ever encountered in an ale, and definitely rivaled Dogfish’s 120 in body. I liked it but it was certainly a situational beer that I probably wouldn’t revisit any time soon. Still worth a try. And pretty sure if you order now, they’ll include a free “Che” shirt.

lord-hobo-consolation-prize-can-500x500.jpg
 

bradgator2

Founding Member
Rioting
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
9,504
24,927
Founding Member
Based on my first experience with Lord Hobo a few weeks ago, I went for their double tonight. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Like most double-IPA’s, it had moments where it was delicious, and moments where it was almost too much. One of the richest finishes I’ve ever encountered in an ale, and definitely rivaled Dogfish’s 120 in body. I liked it but it was certainly a situational beer that I probably wouldn’t revisit any time soon. Still worth a try. And pretty sure if you order now, they’ll include a free “Che” shirt.

lord-hobo-consolation-prize-can-500x500.jpg

That Dogfish120 is definitely interesting.
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
Prairie- Birthday bomb

Imperial stout

Slight different than the previous review of Christmas and vanilla bomb . The birthday bomb is less subtle than the vanilla . 13% isn’t quite as well hidden, but that’s not a bad thing . Heavy taste of bourbon and coffee. Birthday bomb is thick, nearly syrupy dare I say . Aftertaste adds a bit of spice that’s actually quite good. Prairie hits this one out of the park. A plus Image1536189650.952771.jpg Image1536189664.011154.jpg
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
Left hand Oktoberfest

Caramel malt with a hop finish . The beer is easy to drink , and probably the best US version I’ve had of the style . It has the welcoming aroma of freshly baked banana bread , almost making you smile before the first sip . Great job by left hand brewing . The beer is a solid A.

Image1536196300.673191.jpg Image1536196309.516080.jpg
 

Swamp Donkey

Founding Member
7-14 vs P5 Fire Stricklin First
Lifetime Member
Jun 9, 2014
78,161
109,974
Founding Member
Left hand Oktoberfest

Caramel malt with a hop finish . The beer is easy to drink , and probably the best US version I’ve had of the style . It has the welcoming aroma of freshly baked banana bread , almost making you smile before the first sip . Great job by left hand brewing . The beer is a solid A.

10825
10826
I like Lefthand. Must try it.
 

Flgator2

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Aug 17, 2018
147
149
th

If you like Blue Moon then you will love this one then. Unfortunately the only way to sample some is to go to Wisconsin, they don't ship.
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
Green bench sunshine city
Image1536883874.904097.jpg
Image1536883892.130948.jpg

Really good brew here . Probably the best IPA I’ve had in awhile . Smells like pineapple and tangerine. Taste is similar with light pine and a bit of a weed aftertaste . This is my first go round with green bench and I will be on the lookout for more of their offerings . Sunshine city rules. B plus .
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
Maudite by Unibroue

Dark Belgian ale

I’ll start by saying like most beers this one is better on tap . However it’s difficult to find anywhere except north of the border . The beer itself is delicious. Gingerbread aroma and tastes like it too. But wait there is more, malt is fairly heavy through a crisp medium bodied beer . Maudite is a belgian lovers dream. Solid A. Image1537039860.334484.jpg Image1537039884.864058.jpg
 

soflagator

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 4, 2014
21,131
78,736
Green bench sunshine city
11034

11035


Really good brew here . Probably the best IPA I’ve had in awhile . Smells like pineapple and tangerine. Taste is similar with light pine and a bit of a weed aftertaste . This is my first go round with green bench and I will be on the lookout for more of their offerings . Sunshine city rules. B plus .

I’ve seen Green Bench and have shied away for some reason. I’ll have to give this a try. Between this and your LH October review, I’m tempted to go out and find them tonight. You are a true sommelier, my friend.
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
Sweetwater twisted fish

I’ll start by saying I’ve enjoyed this brewery for years . They make a great pale ale and a few quality IPA brews . This is their take on a Pilsner . The beer is terrible. Outside of the appearance there is literally nothing redeeming about this beer . It tastes like someone tossed a pale ale into the desert for 48 hours , retrieved it then put it over ice . The twisted fish is beyond dreadful . Stay away . Image1537489731.941654.jpg
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
Catawba Oktoberfest

Don’t know much about this brewery . It’s a bit of a letdown . The beer is similar to a yeungling light . It’s okay but not what I wanted or expected . More of a light Image1537490702.554455.jpg lager than Oktoberfest. Best to avoid the disappointment here .
 

soflagator

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 4, 2014
21,131
78,736
Sweetwater twisted fish

I’ll start by saying I’ve enjoyed this brewery for years . They make a great pale ale and a few quality IPA brews . This is their take on a Pilsner . The beer is terrible. Outside of the appearance there is literally nothing redeeming about this beer . It tastes like someone tossed a pale ale into the desert for 48 hours , retrieved it then put it over ice . The twisted fish is beyond dreadful . Stay away .
11167

I've noticed this pattern with several breweries. It seems that if their staple is a more hop-forward, PA/IPA approach, they struggle to deviate into other categories without having their "base" impact the flavors. The end result is a total failure. I applaud them for trying to be balanced and branch into new territories, but too often I see this type of swing and miss. As great as Bells is, I've even seen some of their offerings fall flat on their face as they unsuccessfully try to get away from their core. Sometimes you have to stick with what you know. Even the name sounds terrible.:lol:

I'll be at the Food and Wine Festival this weekend, and will be out and about, so will hopefully have some new stuff to try and report back. Really hoping I can find that Oktoberfest.
 

Gatorbait25

Founding Member
H.E. Pennypacker, wealthy American industrialist
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,535
5,318
Founding Member
I've noticed this pattern with several breweries. It seems that if their staple is a more hop-forward, PA/IPA approach, they struggle to deviate into other categories without having their "base" impact the flavors. The end result is a total failure. I applaud them for trying to be balanced and branch into new territories, but too often I see this type of swing and miss. As great as Bells is, I've even seen some of their offerings fall flat on their face as they unsuccessfully try to get away from their core. Sometimes you have to stick with what you know. Even the name sounds terrible.:lol:

I'll be at the Food and Wine Festival this weekend, and will be out and about, so will hopefully have some new stuff to try and report back. Really hoping I can find that Oktoberfest.

I'm trying to think of a beer to compare the twisted fish to, and I just can't think of one. I would rather drink a six pack of room temp Coors lite
tallboys in a half hour than drink the twisted fish. It's simply terrible, and a shame for a good brewer in Sweetwater. Their 420 pale ale is a real delight for the hop lovers out there. Enjoy your festival this weekend buddy. Just make sure you get home before toe meets leather Saturday night.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    31,642
    Messages
    1,615,448
    Members
    1,642
    Latest member
    fishermb