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Pumpkin Ale. Aside from pumpkin pie, I do not often find myself craving pumpkin anything. For those who know me, I absolutely love pumpkin pie, like a enough to beg my coworker to make it for me, buy the ingredients, drive her home, and wait for the pie to be done so I can drive away while giggling madly and dipping my fingers in it. That was a little much to share, but clearly pumpkins are my friend and they have a purpose; PIE!
So the ale is interesting, the taste is not particularly overwhelming, but the taste of pumpkin is clearly evident in every sip. I guess that would be the point of the beer, but it simply does not work! Trying to keep an open mind here, so I can at least point out that the beer is not very filling, it does have a crisp taste, and for those who love the idea of a pumpkin flavored beer, you wont be disappointed by what Sam Adams has bottled. The carbonation is a little on the heavy side, and the beer has a spicy aroma that tends to linger. You really don't feel as if you are drinking a beer, instead, the ale goes down like a carbonated pumpkin spice concoction that hipster would drink (no offense hipsters).
Final Verdict: Not for me. If you thoroughly enjoy pumpkin flavored beverages and feel like enjoying those flavors with carbonation and alcohol in the mix, then give this a shot.
This beer was solid! I really enjoyed drinking the beer with the endless head! I have to start backwards a bit, because the finish on this beer has to commended; it was smooth, very crisp, and definitely refreshing. There were a lot of things happening with the flavor in this beer, more than I can even begin to explain. The body can be likened to an expensive throw pillow, with soft and smooth, almost silky texture - yet with a hint of carbonation that really tingles the tongue. The was nice, an almost golden-orange coloring that stands out when poured into a nice pint glass, and the coloring leads you to explore the scent of the beer, which is highly aromatic, reminding me of ripened bananas.
My only concern was the filling nature of the beer, as it began to feel a bit like a meal, but not quite as overwhelming as other "heavy beers." The taste needs more attention! It had a creamy feel to it that also emitted a certain spicy flavor to the overall lingering - and ever pleasant - banana. Not too sweet, and that is truly a relief! Overall, a wonderfully pleasant experience I plan on revisiting soon!
Final Verdict: Drink this beer! Relatively easy to find in most beer distributors, and not too expensive. Also available on tap in my neck of the woods, it has a nice Autumn-feel that should be explored by all!
Purple Haze is not marijuana! Instead, the Louisiana based Abita Brewing Company has put together an interesting Raspberry Wheat, 4.20% ABV, refreshing beer that always helps start conversations. The beer itself has a smooth and solid taste that has fruit and wheat in every swallow. Interestingly enough, the smell is very faint, you really need to take a deep whiff if you hope to catch the aroma. The color of this beer is definitely not the inspiration for the name, it can be best described as a cloudy golden color that looks interesting when poured into a pint glass. Interestingly enough, is that the beer is fruit based, and the fruity taste, which is obviously sweet, tastes rather artificial, and reminds me of those rather effeminate wine coolers. Nevertheless, I enjoyed drinking it on tap and it definitely is refreshing and great for chugging. I can see this beer being utilized for beer pong - at least by those who can afford to pay a little more for a domestic. I would actually recommend it, it has a gender neutral appear and can easily convince those who dislike the standard beer taste with something easier to throw back.
Final Verdict: Try this beer! It's a domestic, so the price for a six pack is not outrageous, and worst case scenario, you end up having someone who enjoys fruity drinks take them off your hand. It's nice to try something different every now and then, and why not add a little fruit into your diet?
The official beer of the Dominican Republic is rumored to be the official choice of every Dominican President and the beer itself has gained iconic status both on and off the island. Brewed by the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana since 1935, the Pilsner has a very full taste and should definitely be consumed as cold as you can possibly get it! The beer carries a 5% alcoholic content volume and is usually sold in glass bottles. Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, lets address the taste. Presidente has nothing really special about it, in fact, the taste is comparable to any other "national beer" you find. It has a crisp taste, very refreshing (again, have to emphasize the need to drink this beer as cold as possible) when facing high temperatures, but definitely not worth the cost associated with purchasing an import. I have to add in that all of my Dominican friends insist on claiming that the"version" of the Presidente beers we receive here in the states "pales in comparison to the bottles enjoyed in the Dominican Republic." I sure hope that there is some truth to this claim, otherwise, its just Budweiser in a green bottle with a bitter finish.
Final Verdict: Not impressed with this one, and drinking it outside of the Dominican Republic seems like a waste of money for me.
In true Lazarus form, the blog is reborn! Rejoice drinkers and review enthusiasts!
Hooray Beer! Anybody remember these commercials from the late 1990's? They were hilarious, and probably a tad politically incorrect, but the advertised product, Red Stripe Jamaican Lager was quite an intriguing substance. Bottled in what looks to be a left over bottle found in a lab containing hydrogen peroxide or some other chemical, Red Stripe definitely gets points for originality in bottle design. So let's get down to the nitty-gritty; the lager has a decent flavor that reminds me of most other basic lagers. The smell and consistency are also quite typical, practically cookie cutter, and there really is no originality to this beer. Instead, Red Stripe tastes like your typical domestic beer that can be purchased at your local bodega for a under $8.00 a six pack. I have no objection to such beer, recognizing the role that typical domestics play and I actually do not mind a decent domestic "brand name" for casual drinking, beer pong, and other drinking games. However, I don't live in Jamaica, therefore, Red Stripe is not a domestic beer for me and totally not worth spending more money to purchase a beer that tastes like many of our domestics that cost $3-4 cheaper per six pack.
Final Verdict: Thanks but no thanks. Maybe if lived in Jamaica and was playing dominoes on the corner, these little brown bottles fit quite conveniently inside brown paper bags.
For those who are afraid to venture into the land of the ciders, I give you but a stern warning: cider is not to be taken lightly! All those ridiculous notions that fruits and beer should never be paired are not only asinine, but completely unfounded, and if you believe such nonsense you are definitely missing out! That being said, Hardcore Apple Cider is a definite regular in my rotation. This cider packs a refreshingly sharp taste, finish, and aftertaste. All this cider needs to be enjoyed year round is a cup and some ice, maybe some good company to share it with, but nothing more. It packs a decent alcohol percentage at 4%, and the colder you serve this bad boy up, the better tasting and more refreshing it is. Though a little tricky to find in some areas, it generally can be found in areas with decent beer selections, hell, even some gas stations if you are certain neighborhoods in Queens. I actually enjoy this stuff enough to keep it in the fridge.
Final Verdict: Recommend this cider for anyone interested in venturing into the magnificent world of ciders, as well as to those who enjoy a nice crisp, sharp cider.
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