Dave Van de Walle

Mar 30 2013

Jumping Cow Amber Ale

I still remember the first Jumping Cow Amber Ale I tried: shocked at how inexpensive, approachable, not pretentious. Then I stopped myself and said “Dude, it’s a beer, drink it.” And there we were.

This was a few years ago, mind you, and I think my palate has mellowed with age.

Now, this is something I’ll pick up from Trader Joe’s – still the only place I’ve found it – from time to time.

Jumping Cow Amber Ale Review

Taste

As ales go, this one is missing…something. When we’re able to put our finger on what it is that it’s missing, we’ll let you know. If beer had a “table wine” category, this one would be in it. You won’t embarrass yourself serving it to friends – but you won’t win over beer snobs, either.

Profile

ABV: 5.5%.

Value

Using the “buck a bottle” gauge, this is right about, well, okay. Not our favorite, and not a solid “B” when it comes to getting your money’s worth.

Metasip Grade: B-

Mar 30 2013

Double Take Pale Ale

So, in the Pale Ale category, you can spend $10 for a six-pack. And more. And be satisfied, too.

But does it make sense to pay that much when you can get something like the Double Take Pale Ale for $6.99 for a sixer?

By the way…can someone please explain the “It’s a Head Snapper” statement – and the fact we’ve found it on a wine bottle, too? Thanks. Anyway…

If there’s one thing we like here at Metasip, it’s value: and you can get that with Double Take, and specifically this Pale Ale.

Taste

We actually preferred their IPA to this Pale Ale – but there’s a “hey, that’s a pale ale” taste to it. Won’t overpower you, and won’t underwhelm, either.

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ABV 5.1%. Light in color – thus the name.

Value

See above: $6.99 for a 6-pack of the Double Take Pale Ale and we’re in.

Metasip Grade: B

Have you tried this? Do you agree with our assessment? Want to write your own review – of this, or something else? Let us know!

Mar 30 2013

Budweiser Black Crown Golden Amber Lager

Oh my goodness, a behemoth of a brewery gets into the microbrew business? What is this world coming to?

What if we told you…gasp…that this stuff is actually…gulp…quite good?

Okay, so it’s not earth-shattering: Budweiser Black Crown Golden Amber Lager is a bit of a mouthful – but, if it’s a mouthful, that implies that there’s something in your mouth, like taste.

“Toasted caramel malt” is where it gets its color. And, this beer actually won a contest: if you were part of the trial last year, where 12 regional A-B brewmasters came up with new recipes, then they were tried throughout the country and the best was chosen, then you MIGHT recognize this as the West Coast brew.

Taste

Without sounding crass, if you’re a beer snob you’re expecting something marked “Budweiser” to have a certain watery-pilsner effect. This isn’t that: you can taste the toasted caramel malt, and that’s a good thing. Heavy without being too heavy.

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ABV 6.2%. Amber color, but not “Black” at all (again, it won a contest, thus earning the “Black Crown” name).

Value

You expect to pay about a buck a bottle – or more – for 12 ounces of a craft beer. This one we found in 12-packs in suburban Chicago for $11.97, so that’s right in line. And it’s pretty solid (for a microbrew coming from a macrobrewery).

Grade: B

Have you had the Budweiser Black Crown Golden Amber Lager?

Mar 29 2013

Boatswain American IPA

Okay, the Boatswain American IPA jumped out at us – might have been because we were in the mood to try something different, and by the bottle. Or maybe it was just the really loud label. Or all that.

Quick summary: Hoppy brilliance. Not too bitter. Seriously a phenomenal beer. Can’t get over how awesome this is. One of the best beers I’ve had in a long, long time.

Boatswain American IPA lives up to its billing – Trader Joe’s had this guy available in a 20-ouncer, and the price was under $2 for a bottle, which is one of the best deals maybe in the history of ever.

Taste

You can taste the malt. You can taste the hops. The alcohol content is pretty high, but that’s okay. This puppy is well worth whatever you pay for it.

Profile

In-between the overly hopped IPAs and the barely hopped domestic macrobrews. ABV: 6.8%. IBUs: 79.

Value

See above, where we found it at TJ’s for a crazy low figure. Would have paid twice that.

Grade: A-

Have you had the Boatswain American IPA?

We want to know! Let us know what you think in the comments…or, even better, share a photo!

Mar 29 2013

Don Simon Seleccion Tempranillo

The bottle says – on the back – that Tempranillo is “the perfect everyday wine to drink with pizza, burgers and fried foods.”

AND, we think, if you’re shopping at Whole Foods, where we found this wine, you can do a lot worse than (if memory serves) $6 a bottle.

To the review…

Taste:

We should probably post a picture of the back of the bottle, right?

That part where they tell you what it tastes like, and then you can ask yourself whether or not it’s spot on?

We tasted the “ripe strawberry and cherry flavors.” We also got a little peppery spice nose. And, while drinking it, we tried NOT to think “hey, this didn’t cost too much.” Because it didn’t taste like it was a six-dollar bottle.

Profile:

100% Tempranillo. As is usual with these guys, no clue what year. That’s okay – I think it’s supposed to be table wine.

Value:

Solid value – actually, if you’re heading out for a BYOB meal somewhere, this is a really good choice.

Metasip Grade: B

Now – a little something about the grading scale here. We’ll talk more about it down the road, but just because something is a “B” doesn’t make it bad. And if it’s not a “B+” that doesn’t mean it’s subpar. And so on…

Remember back in school, the typical US grading scale? 100 is not just an A, it’s an A+. 90 is an A-, 89 is a B+. I’m sure we could come up with an infographic to explain our ratings and whatnot, but we’d rather just tell you whether or not it’s worth your time (and money).

As this site evolves – and ratings evolve – we’re sure you’ll take exception to what we have to say. AND THAT’S THE POINT. Tell us what you think…or tell us about other wines, beers, and spirits you’ve tried. We’d LOVE to hear from you!