Beer reviews

Gatorbait25

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Good stuff guys. I've been busy traveling lately, so I haven't had much time to post.
I was in Vegas for the first weekend of March madness, and enjoyed some west coast
brews. The 805 by Firestone without question was the most memorable. Though I usually
stuck with liquor throughout the trip. Especially in the casinos. Did pretty good wagering
on the Gators . Nova, Wisconsin and the damn jayhawks in particular really let me down.
Think I ended up 13 out of 20, so not a bad trip.
 

GatorBart

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@Gatorbait25

This is one I’ve had and really enjoyed but it was years ago and didn’t want to review it until I found it again. Bart and the other West Coaster’s probably have much better access to it, but it’s been a rarity for me. I’ve only seen it in Napa until today. Just a really solid IPA that hits it all. Big fan.

View attachment 14761

Used to see FSW out here everywhere. Now I have to go to specialty shops to find any.
Their Wookey Jack is a great dark IPA.
beer_167331
 
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T REX

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Just got back from St John...had one of these and it was pretty good. Lots of Painkillers though. st-john-brewers-tropical-mango-ale-label.jpg
 

Gatorbait25

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Kentucky bourbon barrel ale

Kind of a letdown . Definitely taste the bourbon but not much else going on . Worth a try if you like the taste, but don’t mistake it for a memorable brew . C plus
 

Gatorbait25

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Green man trickster

Lemon, citrus orange IPA . Hints of pine , weed
And hops . Pretty solid warm weather beer either by the pool or beachside . It’s a solid brew but doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression . B minus .
 

soflagator

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Kentucky bourbon barrel ale

Kind of a letdown . Definitely taste the bourbon but not much else going on . Worth a try if you like the taste, but don’t mistake it for a memorable brew . C plus

Yeah, it feels like the bourbon barrel thing is starting to mirror the citrus(of some type)craze. There are some good ones that got it started when it was brand new. A couple of good additions emerged shortly thereafter. But now, there’s just this insistence on working it into a beer without any consideration of balance or overall context.

I was never a major fan, largely because of that, but have definitely seen the scales tipping in the favor of more bad than good.
 

desertskullz

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Yeah, it feels like the bourbon barrel thing is starting to mirror the citrus(of some type)craze. There are some good ones that got it started when it was brand new. A couple of good additions emerged shortly thereafter. But now, there’s just this insistence on working it into a beer without any consideration of balance or overall context.

I was never a major fan, largely because of that, but have definitely seen the scales tipping in the favor of more bad than good.

I'm not a huge stout fan which is what gets bourbon barrelled a lot. However, I have found some great imperial IPAs that have been barrel aged that are top notch. Unless you are pretty far west I don't think you can get this one.

esr2-1920x1280.jpg



Another one that is really good is Dank Wood.

dankwood_750ml_bottle_web-002.png
 

soflagator

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I'm not a huge stout fan which is what gets bourbon barrelled a lot. However, I have found some great imperial IPAs that have been barrel aged that are top notch. Unless you are pretty far west I don't think you can get this one.

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Another one that is really good is Dank Wood.

dankwood_750ml_bottle_web-002.png

I’d be up for trying either of those. As I said, there are exceptions. I’ve just found too few. I actually don’t like the bourbon influence in the ales or IPAs very much. To me at least, it’s more fitting in stouts. I could be the odd one on that though.
 

Gatorbait25

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Heavy seas double cannon

Perfect warm weather beer from Baltimore . Great blend light caramel with an orange citrus that gives way to a slight lemon aftertaste . Hops are there but not overpowering. I imagine sitting in Camden yards watching the dreadful O’s play would still be a fantastic time with a couple of these on hand . Solid A from a damn good brewer.
 

Gatorbait25

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Anchor fog breaker


Definitely a brew you sip . Pineapple mango and citrus taste . Aroma is similar . Overall it’s a good beer but not as good as the other brews out there by anchor. B minus
 

soflagator

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3 Floyds Zombie Dust. I’d read people raving about it on some other beer sites, but apparently it’s almost impossible to find for most of the country, most of the time. Long and short, a friend of mine knows a distributor and gave me one. Incredibly good IPA. Great Citra hops. Right on the edge abv-wise, so really balanced and easy to drink. Definitely lived up to the hype.

zombie-dust-ipa-1.jpg
 

desertskullz

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about a month & a 1/2 ago, I had my first Pliny the YOUNGER. Yes, it is pretty good. However, it does not stand out as much as I suspect that it used to given the surge of big IPAs. The elder showed up in 16.9 oz bottles for a good month or so - also a first. Usually it is only on tap. Given its exceptional balance, I probably prefer it to the Younger.
 

T REX

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20190607_155729.jpg Monkeyflower Double White Ale from Night Lizard Brewery in Santa Barbara
 

T REX

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That looks great, Rex. How was it?
Oops...delicious. I think lol Killer micro breweries in SB. The weather was freaking amazing. Also had an Institution Double White Ale but did not take a pic. My first trip to SB.

The Monkeyflower Double White Ale has arrived and is on tap at the brewery. A double strength Belgian Wit beer brewed with wheat and oats, local Meyer lemons, with bitter and sweet oranges.
7.5% ABV 19 IBU 5.5 SRM
 
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cover2

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I've tried a couple lately that are worthy of mentioning, even if they are from my novice perspective...

The first was a Mango Wit from the Proof Brewery in Tallahassee. I don't know enough to tell you all the ins and outs, but it was pretty smooth and was, to me, reminiscent of a Blue Moon (kinda had a hint of citrus, but not overpowering). It also left some cool little foam lines on the inside of the glass as you worked your way down.

upload_2019-6-10_16-0-28.jpeg

The second was from Pretoria Fields Collective in Albany Ga. Had their Skywater Golden Ale at Sweet Grass, a restaurant in Thomasville Ga. This stuff was very good to me and my unsophisticated tastes. I had to exercise restraint (with the help of the missus) so that I didn't get too loud. It was, afterall, c2 Jr's lady friend's birthday celebration. Never knew anything this good could come from Albany.

SkywaterGoldenAle.jpg
 

Gatorbait25

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I've tried a couple lately that are worthy of mentioning, even if they are from my novice perspective...

The first was a Mango Wit from the Proof Brewery in Tallahassee. I don't know enough to tell you all the ins and outs, but it was pretty smooth and was, to me, reminiscent of a Blue Moon (kinda had a hint of citrus, but not overpowering). It also left some cool little foam lines on the inside of the glass as you worked your way down.

View attachment 15433

The second was from Pretoria Fields Collective in Albany Ga. Had their Skywater Golden Ale at Sweet Grass, a restaurant in Thomasville Ga. This stuff was very good to me and my unsophisticated tastes. I had to exercise restraint (with the help of the missus) so that I didn't get too loud. It was, afterall, c2 Jr's lady friend's birthday celebration. Never knew anything this good could come from Albany.

SkywaterGoldenAle.jpg


Good stuff cover . Thanks for sharing . I’m looking forward to bits and pieces in about ten weeks.
 

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