Beer

Jun 19 2014

Kingfisher Lager

What, you expect me to order something other than Kingfisher Lager with Indian food?

Come to think of it, for a Wednesday night, it was pretty busy at the Indian restaurant. The food was really good – it’s a place we order from all the time, and, since we got the youngest hooked on Indian, and since her sibs were away at camp, it’s a good idea, no?

But this isn’t an Indian food review, this is a review of beer that you would have with Indian food.

Now, before the review, a word to the wise.

If you’re looking for a snobby beer review site that tells you that all domestic lagers are crap, go elsewhere. We don’t judge here: if you want to drink a domestic lager, drink a domestic lager. Oh, and especially if you’re having something that’s powerful and spicy. Like Indian food.

Let’s get to the review.

Kingfisher Lager Review

Oh, about that “domestic lager” thing? Look at the photo: “Brewed and Bottled by Kingfisher Brewing Co., Saratoga Springs, NY.” So, just like any of the other imports that are actually brewed here, it’s the same idea: original recipe, original process, managed by the original company. Just done here so it’s not an import.

Taste

See above about “lager to have with Indian food.” Or, a variation on a great quote: “A bad beer is a choice.” In other words, my expectations were as follows:

This will be a lager. It will not overpower. It will have a clean finish and very little aftertaste. It will complement my Indian food.

Check, check, check/check. Check.

(I had the Lamb Masala.)

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Beer Advocate tells us it’s an American Pale Lager, with an ABV of 4.8%.

Value

I paid $5 for a bottle at the restaurant. Expect to pay $7.99 for a sixer at your local store.

Metasip Grade: B+

I’m gonna say this is kinda like the smart bored kid in high school algebra. Sure, he probably knows his stuff, but he’s also probably not a math whiz and didn’t really apply himself. But he’s smart and bored and shows up and scores okay on the test.

Enough about me, this is a good, solid, better-than-average lager. And it works well with Indian food.

Drink up!

Jun 10 2014

Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer

I’m not a big ginger fan. I occasionally drink ginger ale. I don’t like ginger cookies of any sort. The only ginger I really care for is the pickled stuff you get with sushi.

Long story short, there’s no reason to think I’d enjoy a ginger beer, alcoholic or not. But that was before Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer. I would never have tried it, but I was at an Old Town bar with a buddy who ordered and loved it. He offered me a sip and before I knew it, I was ordering my own. That night, I was in a grocery store where they happened to have it, so I bought a four-pack. And I’m enjoying one as I write this. Here are the details.

Taste

As you’d expect, ginger is the predominant flavor. It’s spicy and sweet, but not too sweet. Very smooth, with just enough carbonation so that you feel the bubbles on your tongue as you drink. And if you couldn’t read the label, you’d never know there was alcohol in it as there’s not an alcoholic note to be found.

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According to the bottle, Crabbie’s clocks in at a wonderfully sessionable 4.8% ABV and an IBU count of … wait for it … zero.

How to drink it

There’s no real “right” way to drink this stuff, except that it needs to be nice and cold. The first time I had it, it was poured from the bottle into a nondescript pint glass. But it can also be served over ice or straight from the bottle (as I’m drinking it right now). The label on the bottle suggests serving it with a slice of line or lemon. No matter what, it does need to be cold to make sure the flavors stay crisp and refreshing.

Value

This one’s a bit pricey. At the bar, it was about $7 for an 11.2 ounce serving. At the grocery store, I got a four-pack for $9.99 and Binny’s lists the same price.

Metasip grade: A-

This is a wonderful warm-weather beer, perfect for sitting on a patio or in a park. It’s light enough and has a low enough ABV that you can drink a few of them without being hammer drunk or feeling bloated. With summer approaching, I suspect I’ll be enjoying more than a few of these in the coming weeks.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to http://www.crabbiesgingerbeer.co.uk/ for the photo.

Jun 06 2014

Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale

‘ello, guvnah.

There’s folks that say a beer made to taste like something that isn’t beer, isn’t really beer. To such critics the Brit brewers at Wells – makers of Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale – likely would say, “Piss off.”

I, however, would say, “Hold off a moment.” Granted, there are plenty of sweet or savory or otherwise un-beery libations that would best be left in the bottle. Don’t even get me going on all the macrobrewed swills that end in “A-Rita” (unholy alliances of beer and margarita not fit to water your lawn with).

Then again, flavored beers can be fabulous, in the right brewmaster’s hands. Look at those crazy Belgians and their delicious lambics. Coffee stouts abound, and many of them are darned dandy drinks (quick question: is it okay to drink coffee stouts in the morning? No? Damn).

Then there’s this sweet ale, modelled after a classic British dessert. Is it worth a tipple, or should you wish it a hearty cheerio and throw it in the Thames? Let’s have a go, shall we?

Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale

Taste

If you’ve ever dug into this ale’s namesake, you know it’s strictly for folks with a serious sweet tooth. Half the big brown lump is sugar, and then mashed up, super-sweet dates. Might as well rip open a bag of brown sugar, grab a spoon, and dig in.

This ale doesn’t go that far. It very wisely reins in the diabetes-inducing sweetness so the bitterness of the hops can pop through—it’s a nice balance that reminds you you’re drinking beer, and not liquid sugar.

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5.0% ABV. The IBU count stands at 40—probably a good number, to balance out the sweetness

Value

At my local pub (literally 212 steps from my front door) it’ll put you back $5. Great value; however, Wells has cut the bottle down from 12 ounces to 11.2 ounces (cheeky bastards–I’d be miffed if the label weren’t so gosh-darned adorable).

Metasip Grade: B+

This would be a fantastic beer to go with a fruity dessert, like an apple crumble or peach cobbler—or skip the actual dessert and just knock back the Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale to finish off your meal.

Jun 03 2014

Hebrew The Chosen Beer Rye IPA

We don’t hand out A gradess very often. You’ve got to be rock-solid, stand the test of time, and really REALLY knock our socks off.

Hebrew The Chosen Beer Rye IPA did just that – knocked our socks off.

Part of the reason? The alcohol level: a whopping TEN PERCENT.

But, still, if you’re into that sort of thing, here you go. Time for the review of this stellar Rye IPA.

Taste

Like…drinking pure (alcohol-laden) gold. With rye and malt and hoppy goodness. And did we mention the alcohol? That, too. We sipped this like a whiskey, and that was plenty.

Technically, the name of this beer is “Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.” The folks at Shmaltz have gotten quite a few accolades, too.

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TEN PERCENT ALCOHOL BY VOLUME. Also, take a look at all the Malt and Hops info on the website, as that will spell out more than you need to know.

Value

Here’s where this stands out – since we got it in a “Mixed-Six” at the local store, it only cost us $1.66 per bottle. We just got one, but this is more on par with the Matilda type of brew. So you’re making out in the long run.

Metasip Grade: A

A solid A. Were it not for the alcohol content, we’d drink this every day, but it would put us on the floor. So we can’t do that – but, for a every once in awhile treat, you’ll be hard pressed to do better.

Jun 02 2014

Bell’s Oberon Ale

: Bell’s Oberon Ale

There’s a reason Bell’s Oberon Ale is sometimes banned in Illinois.

That’s harsh. “Banned” is a strong word; let’s just say that a disagreement on taxes or something meant that we couldn’t get the stuff a couple summers back.

But they ironed that out – probably had our governor call their governor or something – and all was right with the world.

Because, Midwesterners, it wouldn’t be summer without Bell’s Oberon Ale.

To the review!

Bell’s Oberon Ale Review

Taste

The website – you can link to it here – talks about “mouthfeel.” Which, since this is a beer blog, we should probably start working into our posts.

Come to think of it, though, maybe that isn’t a bad idea – since I’m not typically a big fan of “wheat” beer (or, more accurately, they’re not a big fan of me and I end up with a headache after just one), I don’t actually think of this when I think of wheat beer. It’s probably the mouthfeel.

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5.8% ABV. They don’t tell you the IBUs on the Bell’s website – but it’s not as bitter as your IPA or even some of the hoppier Pale Ales (like Sierra Nevada).

Value

We don’t care. $8.99, $9.99 – we’ll pay it. And it’s worth every penny.

Metasip Grade: A

You would expect anything less from us? I mean, you’re starting to figure us out, sure…but this is one of those Midwestern staples that has earned a spot in our fridge.