Beeraucracy - Beer Reviews by Mugsy and Jugsy

Undercover Investigation Shut Down Ale

2011-05-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Beer: Undercover Investigation Shut Down Ale

Brewed by: Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, CA

Style: American Strong Ale

ABV: % 9.75

IBUs: 72.41

Bottle: 12 oz.

Served in: Tulip glass

Place of purchase: Red Carpet Wine & Spirits, Glendale, CA

Price: $9.99 / six-pack

Well, as it happens from time to time, husband & wife drink the same exact beer and taste something completely different! This is one of those beers.

In case you were wondering, we don't actually talk to one another when we're doing the reviews. We typically pour the brew into an appropriate glass for the style and photograph it. Then, we sit down and review each category. In fact, the only time we speak is right before the "Taste" category, where we usually say "Cheers!" and clink our glasses. It's only after we're done that we share our thoughts with each other and times like these, we really wonder what the other person was thinking! We invite you to try the Undercover Investigation and see who you agree with!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Undercover Investigation Shut Down Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Very deep brown. Looks like maple syrup, actually. Takes on a slightly more amber hue in the light but still very dark. Not opaque, however. Some carbonation is visible. Medium head when poured which disappears quite quickly to form a very slight, thin head. Leaves some lacing on the glass, however.

Jugsy: Dark copper in color. Clear, with very mild carbonation visible. Medium tan head dissipates quickly.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Slightly sweet and fruity smelling. Hints of honey and dates. Maybe even a little brown sugar, which is not uncommon with Lagunitas ales, in my opinion. The hops are there too, but they're underneath the sweeter scent. There's also a little bit of the yeast in there, which in this case, doesn't smell fantastic. Not bad but not great either. Overall, the complexity of the aroma really makes me wanna dig in!

Jugsy: Sweet malts and hops! Smells like a mix of sourdough and sweet bread with a hint of something fruity - raisins, plums, perhaps a touch of citrus. The faintest hint of piney hops in the background.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Quite sweet. Again, honey with some fig coming through. Very slight hint of maple syrup. Wow, for an IBU rating that's over 70, I expected a full-on hop assault. However, the hops are much more subdued. They're there to bite the tongue oh, so gently at first sip. But then they mix with the sweetness of the malt and the two dance delicately around each other until they hit the back of the throat, as you wash it all down. Quite complex. After taste is nice but maybe just a little too much caramel or sugar.

Jugsy: Cool, bitter hops are overwhelming initially, then the sweet malt comes through. There's definitely a distinctly soapy taste right before the hops work their numbing charm on the tongue. I would say a variety of floral and piney hops were used in this brew. The taste is at least two-dimensional. Flavors don't stand much of a chance to develop with the abundance of hops present.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Slight stinging on the tongue from the hops which doesn't last long, as it's washed away by the light feeling of the liquid in the mouth. With so much sweetness, I would almost expect it to be somewhat thick. It's not, though. It's not watery, but on the thinner side, which is a welcome surprise. However, the sweetness does leave a coating in the mouth and on the tongue after it's all gone down.

Jugsy: The mouth-feel is decidedly creamy with a fair bit of carbonation. In conjunction with the bitingly bitter hops, this brew will leave you with a tingly and then numb tongue -- at least for a few seconds. Also leaves a bitter hops coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Very easy to drink. The sweetness in flavor and residue left over in the mouth might be a little off-putting for some, but that's relatively minor. Due to the flavor and the relatively thin mouth-feel, this is very easy to throw back. And that's dangerous, considering this bad boy clocks in at 9.75%! I can't say that I'm feeling it yet, but then again, I have only been sipping. ABV aside, I'd easily be able to drink another couple of these before realizing that I'm gonna need to hand the car keys over to Jugsy, who in turn hands them over to the taxi driver.

Jugsy: I'm a huge fan of hops, but the heavy-handed bitterness of this brew doesn't put it at the top of my drinkability list. This beer is to be savored, not thrown-back. And at an ABV above 9.7%, it's best to savor just one or two at most!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Very nice offering from Lagunitas. One of the most important aspects of rating beer (as my lovely lady & I opine), is coming to the decision of whether or not the first one made you want to order another one. And in this case, the answer is most definitely, "YES." The flavor is just complex enough without being over-stated, putting it high on the ranking for "the next one," regardless of whether you're at home, having dinner or just out with your drinking pals. As mentioned before, the sweetness and sweet residue for me, fall into the negatives and may end being the reason I'd only have a couple more. But after switching to something else that may be far inferior on so many other aspects, I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up going back to this one after all. By the way, I'm feeling that 9.75%. Hey, taxi! Taxi! Oh, wait - I'm on my sofa.........

Jugsy: I definitely enjoyed the Undercover Investigation by Lagunitas, as I do most of their brews. However, I can't help but feel like this beer - while catering to hop-heads (which, I confess, I am) is in essence a one-trick pony. Mugsy and I had a Little Sumpin' Sumpin' the other night and I think that was a superior brew in that there was a much more successful balance of flavors (oh, and I could still feel my tongue after drinking it!) By the way, make sure to drink the Undercover Investigation while it's still cold - warming does not improve the taste any!

SCORE:

Mugsy 7.70

Jugsy 6.80

Saison de Lente

2011-04-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

Beer: Saison de Lente

Brewed by: The Bruery, Orange County, CA

Style: Saison

ABV: 6.5%

IBUs: 35

Bottle: 750 ML [1 Pint, 9.4 fl. oz.]

Served in: Tulip or wine glass

Place of purchase: Red Carpet Wine and Spirits

Price: $9.99

Mugsy and I are excited to be back after our lengthy hiatus - and just in the nick of time to take full advantage of all the resurrection references we can muster! Seriously though, it's good to be back. Naturally, we never stopped drinking beer, we merely stopped writing about it - but both of us agreed something was missing. It's just more fun to drink when we can share the experience with YOU! So, please, grab a cold brew and join us in toasting our return!

In honor of the season (whew, just made it in on the very last day of Lent!) we thought it would be fitting to mark our "rebirth," if you will, with a California brew celebrating Springtime, revival, fertility and the sanctity of beer. We present our review of Saison de Lente!

Saison de Lente

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Golden color. Reminds me of golden fields of wheat for some reason. Some carbonation visible when held to light. Thick, foamy head when poured, which dissipates fairly quickly.

Jugsy: Rich, golden hue - slightly opaque. Thick, frothy head takes several minutes to dissipate, leaving a thin tan head behind. No real lacing to speak of.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Very strong scent! I can smell it When it's just sitting on the table! Very fruity and sweet smelling; apricots and honey. Just a touch of barnyard hay funkiness in there, as well.

Jugsy: Initial aroma is that of sweet yeast and fruitiness, perhaps apricot. Pineapple, citrus and the slightest hint of floral hops are also present. This beer smells like Spring!

TASTE:

Mugsy: A sourness that one may sometimes expect from a saison but did not let its presence be known in the aroma. Sweet undertones are there, as well: honey is extremely prominent along with a bit of dried or jarred fruit. Not sugary, mind you. The flavors become more complex as it warms bringing the sweetness to the forefront. Begins to remind me of a bread pudding sort of flavor.

Jugsy: Just like it smells.... Yeast and sour fruit tastes hit the tongue first. Sourdough bread and bitter hops comes through next. Now, I'm having a difficult time trying to figure out whether the hops are indeed floral, as the taste is somewhat piney. Aftertaste is minimal: faint sourdough.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Rich and creamy. Not heavy at all but more like how I remember a meringue to be. However, does water down a little bit as it warms up. Nonetheless, very pleasant mouthfeel. Lets you know that a lot of care has gone into the creation of this brew.

Jugsy: Light yet creamy feel. Carbonation is mild but balanced well against the flavors. Leaves a slightly yeasty coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Even with it being extra creamy this is extremely easy to drink. Just don't let it warm up too much before re-filling your glass to avoid that somewhat watery mouth-feel. And with 750 ml. at only 6.5% ABV, you could easily fill your glass several times over!

Jugsy: This is a very drinkable Saison! At 6.5% ABV, seasoned drinkers may be able to enjoy a few more than your "average Joe." This brew is light and bright in flavor and seems like the perfect way to usher in Spring!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Wonderful job by The Bruery. Great care has been taken to get this to be remarkably like a true Belgian Saison Ale. Perfect for Spring! Would pair well with lighter dishes, such as salads, light pastas, etc. Would be a fine accompaniment to a night-time Spring dessert during Lent. Just imagine, sitting outside in the Spring air with a light dessert & a Saison after your supper! (Hopefully not your Last Supper....)

Jugsy: I was pleasantly surprised by the Saison de Lente. Whenever I see "Saison," my mind conjures up images of a cornucopia of fruit that is starting to go off, resting in the middle of a barn. Is that weird? In any case, I'm thrilled that the words "barnyard funk" were not necessary for this review! The Saison de Lente is so light and bright in flavor that it may have resurrected the style for me altogether! It definitely feels like Spring, in the best sense. It's light, but full of delicate flavor and whimsy - if you don't believe me, just ask the little green bunnies adorning the bottle's label!

SCORE:

Mugsy 7.5

Jugsy 7.25

Dogfish Head Midas Touch

2010-05-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

Beer: Midas Touch
Brewed by: Dogfish Head
Style: Traditional Ale
ABV: 9%
IBUs: 12
Bottle: 12 fl.oz.
Served in: Wine glass or pint glass
Place of purchase: this was a birthday gift for Jugsy (Thanks Ara & Leon!)
Price: unknown

Mugsy and Jugsy hope that this Memorial Day finds you relaxing, enjoying a good brew, and perhaps contemplating the finer things in life. To that end, we bring you a review inspired by the legendary King Midas, who had the ability (or so the story goes) to turn everything he touched into gold!

Dogfish Head touts this brew as the "actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world!" They followed an ancient recipe using the original ingredients from the 2700 year old drinking vessels discovered in the tomb of King Midas and by their own admission, this brew lies "somewhere between wine & mead... and will please the Chardonnay or beer drinker alike."

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Dogfish Head Midas Touch

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Darkish yellow color. Very slight amount of carbonation visible. Thin head that dissipates to an even thinner head. Looks like a lager. No lacing left on glass.
Jugsy: Amber in color with a very slight murkiness. Practically no head to speak of, but very visibly carbonated during pour, although now appears normal.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Sweet scents of honey come to the nose first. Sweet, dessert wine aroma is next. Extremely sweet smelling, almost like candy.
Jugsy: Smells fragrant and sweet, like a spicy, perfumed essential oil. Floral smells and honey -- smells like mead! Sweet malted barley and light orange blossom scent permeates throughout. If this brew has any hops, I can't smell them.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Sweet! The muscat grapes predominate this. Almost tastes like a very mild, slightly carbonated muscato wine. There is a slightly sugary after taste, but it's not overwhelming. Doesn't taste at all like other beers from any other styles that I can think of.
Jugsy: Yeast and barley flavors hit all at once, but in an unexpected way. Tastes more like wine than beer. Yeast and muscat grapes are strong middle-notes along with the spices (the label says it's saffron).

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: The sugary content of the beer makes for a bit of a coating on the tongue. Goes back easily, if not somewhat watery.
Jugsy: This beer is neither rich nor watery. Has a tongue-numbing effect after a few sips, though.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: The 9% ABV would keep you to drinking only a couple before moving on to something else. Also, the high sugar content coupled with the high ABV would make for a pretty nasty hangover!
Jugsy: Definitely not a brew you can continuously throw back, and not merely due to its 9% ABV, but its sheer overpowering taste! Really drinks more like wine than beer.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Definitely a neat concept. Not bad overall. May be a little too sweet and little too watery for me. Drink this one cold and finish before it warms up to any degree! Would purchase again at least once, just for fun.
Jugsy: I was really excited to try this beer after finding out about its ancient recipe and heritage. The beer smells amazing and unlike anything I've smelled before, but the actual taste is somewhat disappointing. There's a sharp taste to it, more reminiscent of wine, which nearly always gives me a stomach ache, as this beer is doing now. It's possible the bottle was mis-handled and the taste spoiled; I can't be sure. Definitely should not be drunk on an empty stomach!

SCORE:
Mugsy: 5.5
Jugsy: 6.0

Wolaver's India Pale Ale

2010-05-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

Beer: Wolaver's India Pale Ale
Brewed by: Otter Creek Brewing, Middlebury, Vermont
Style: IPA
ABV: 6.5%
IBU: 55
Bottle: 12 fl.oz.
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: Wades Wines, Thousand Oaks, CA
Price: $1.50 / per bottle

In celebration of American Craft Beer Week, (May 17-23, 2010) we thought it would be nice to review a craft beer from a small brewery in Vermont. Wolaver's takes beer back to its basics, and by that we mean organic and unadulterated beer!

Not only do they use a minimum of 98% organic ingredients to make their beers, but they also have a laundry list of sustainable "green" practices: everything from feeding their spent grain to local livestock, to treating their wastewater themselves with an in-house management system! 'Don't know about you, but we were impressed!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Wolaver's India Pale Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Medium golden color. Creamy head that dissipates quickly, however, leaves lacing on glass.
Jugsy: Amber and copper hues, slightly murky with a medium, frothy head -- no visible carbonation whatsoever.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Lots of sweet malt with a subtle hint of hops. There's a little bit of yeast in there, too. Sweet malt definitely dominates here. As the beer warms, there's a slightly funky smell that becomes noticeable. I can only imagine it's from the yeast.
Jugsy: Incredibly yeasty and rich smells hit the nose first. Something approaching "funk" but more distinctive. Aromas of apricots, licorice, dried cherries and vanilla beans combine for a striking fruitcake aroma. Slight scent of hops, but not as much as I would expect from an IPA.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Bitterness from piney hops hits the tongue first, followed by sweetness from malt. There is an unpleasant aftertaste, however. Almost chemical (ridiculous, of course, as this is organic!) I think it's from the yeast but it's hard to tell.
Jugsy: Initial taste is yeasty, like the aroma. Middle-notes include dried apricot and light citrus-orange(?) taste. Hops come through near the finish. Hint of piney hops appears and disappears, leaving a bitter finish.

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: Sting on tongue from the hops remains in the mouth for a little bit. Very watery finish.
Jugsy: Feels very creamy going down. The lack of carbonation makes for smooth and easy drinking. Bitter coating on tongue is only mild and dissipates quickly.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: 6.5% ABV makes this easy to drink all night, but I wouldn't necessarily want to. The unpleasant aftertaste, smell and watery finish ruined it for me.
Jugsy: From a taste perspective, this brew is bold and flavorful -- maybe too much so for a typical session beer. And at 6.5% ABV, that might be for the best. All in all, a pleasant and drinkable beer.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: The more subtle bitterness level reminds me more of a British style IPA as opposed to American style. That's fine with me, however, I just can't get past the aftertaste and smell. I really do believe that it's coming from the yeast. Maybe this bottle had seen too much light or become too warm in the store. I can't be sure, but I do know that this is not a very enjoyable beer for me. I wouldn't purchase it again. I've had other beers from Wolaver's that I don't remember being at all bad. This one surprised me.
Jugsy: While this isn't at all what I would expect from and IPA, it isn't a bad beer! The funk is kind of growing on me! However, since Mugsy just mentioned that he doesn't even want to finish this beer due to an awful aftertaste (words I seldom hear!) it occurs to me that the bold funk of this brew is not everyone's cup of... well, beer! Proceed with caution.

SCORE:
Mugsy: 2.9
Jugsy: 5.75

(Hey, they can't all be winners, right?)

Happy AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK from Mugsy and Jugsy! Click HERE to sign the Declaration of Beer Independence!

Beers at the Toronado Pub in S.F.!

2010-04-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

For some time now, whenever Mugsy and I would mention San Francisco in the vicinity of beer lovers, they would invariably ask, “Have you guys been to the Toronado? They have an amazing beer selection!” We heard this over and over – and wondered to ourselves, “What is this fabled Valhalla?” and “Will it actually live up to our expectations?”

In a word, friends, YES.

The Toronado is not a fancy bar. You wouldn’t take a woman there on your first date (unless she was a devout lover of quality beer). It’s not the kind of place where you casually meet up with co-workers after a hard day. No. The Toronado is a beer bar for beer aficionados. The walls are adorned with old beer advertisements from around the world along with a bumper sticker proudly proclaiming, “No Crap on Tap.” Indeed! The lighting is dim… the seats, not terribly comfortable, but what it lacks in atmosphere, it more than makes up for in the sheer variety of tasty craft beer selections.

For your reading pleasure, we’ll include a mini-review of some of those brews here.

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Beer: Death and Taxes

Brewed by: Moonlight Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA

Style: Black Lager

ABV: 5.0%

Bottle: On draught

Served in: Pint glass

Place of purchase: Toronado, San Francisco, CA

Price: $5

Death and Taxes

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Black, opaque. Very thin head. Some lacing on glass.

Jugsy: Dark brown with little to no head and not

much carbonation.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Roasted malt, coffee – almost chocolaty, like Quik chocolate milk mix.

Jugsy: Sweet chocolaty malts, possibly even the sweet smell of dates. Very light scent of roasted coffee; overall scent is of chocolate and fruit.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Sweet roasted malt with a fair bit of hops. Slightly chocolaty with a nutty finish.

Jugsy: True to its smell, chocolate malts hit the tongue first. Taste of hops in the finish and hops / yeast aftertaste. Also some dried fruit flavors, prunes, perhaps.

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: Bit of sting from bitter malt and hops. Goes back quite easily, like a lager should.

Jugsy: Drinks light – a bit on the watery side with a thin mouthfeel.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Could drink all night. Not too heavy. Quite refreshing, actually.

Jugsy: This is a drinkable “everyday” beer.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Would order again in a heartbeat. Tasty and refreshing. Don’t let it get too warm, though. Savor, then throw it back!

Jugsy: The taste reminds me of Black Hart Irish Stout, only fruitier. I wouldn’t seek this out, but I wouldn’t turn it down, either. It’s a good beer, but with a name like Death and Taxes, I expected something slightly more bold and creative.

SCORE:

Mugsy: 7.7

Jugsy: 6.5

Naturally, with such an extensive selection of brews from which to choose, Mugsy and I wanted to try all sorts of different things on our own as well! So, we’ll break with tradition a little bit here and include some solo reviews. You’ll notice that one of us had a few more brews than the other!

Beer: Grand Cru

Brewed by: Brouwerij Rodenbach, Belgium

Style: Flanders Red Ale

ABV: 6.0%

Bottle: On draught

Served in: Tulip glass

Place of purchase: Toronado, San Francisco, CA

Price: $6

According to its website, the “Award Winning Rodenbach Grand Cru is a blend of ‘young’ beer (33%) and an older beer (67%) that has matured in oak vats. It is the high percentage of the older ripened-in-oak beer that gives it the complex and intense bouquet with a very long aftertaste like a Grand Cru wine. This is a complex beer with lots of wood and fruity esters, wine-like and with a balsamic vinegar aroma. A sharp taste, fruity, refreshing and with a balanced Madeira-like sweetness.”

The late Michael Jackson bestowed upon this beer the titles of “World Classic” and “the Burgundy of Belgium.”

Grand Cru

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Dark, coffee brown with a very thin head. Thick lattice-work of lacing.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Malt vinegar! Slight scent of alcohol and a slight hint of citrus; sweetens as it warms.

Jugsy: I can vouch for the strong vinegar smell – whoa!

TASTE:

Mugsy: Malt vinegar! Extremely sour. Slight hint of sour cherries, sour blackberries..

Jugsy: Okay, I had a sip. Just one. (That was all I could handle.) Who put vinegar in my lambic and why?!?

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Little sting from the bitterness, otherwise goes back easily. Aftertaste is quite overwhelming and stays in mouth for a long time.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Only in small doses. Far too sour for me.

Jugsy: Saying this beer is “sour” is actually being kind. I love vinegar, but not in my beer glass!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Interesting to try but otherwise far too sour for my palate. Wouldn’t say no, but probably would not order again. Not complex.

Jugsy: I don’t really understand people who think this brew is drinkable. After one sip, I absolutely refused to have another taste.

SCORE:

Mugsy: 3.5

Jugsy: 1.0

Partly to get rid of that awful vinegar aftertaste and partly because we were getting pretty hungry after drinking our beers and watching patron after patron bring in what looked to be utterly delicious sausage sandwiches from the place next door, we decided to take a little food break. If you find yourself at the Toronado, we highly recommend getting a sandwich from Rosamunde Sausage Grill. They have everything – including vegan sausages – you can add sautéed onions and mustard and it comes in a warm & toasty sourdough bun. Heavenly!

Beer: Blind Pig IPA

Brewed by: Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA

Style: American IPA

ABV: 6.0%

IBUs: 72

Bottle: On draught

Served in: Tulip glass

Place of purchase: Toronado, San Francisco, CA

Price: $5

Blind Pig IPA

APPEARANCE:

Jugsy: Golden amber with some carbonation visible. Thin head dissipates quickly.

AROMA:

Jugsy: Nothing but an influx of fresh, piney hops! Smells like an Evergreen forest in a glass!

TASTE:

Jugsy: Smooth and bitter, with an overwhelming hops punch. Can’t taste much else when it’s cold, but as it warms, an apricot flavor emerges. Hops aftertaste.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Jugsy: Very smooth. Not watery at all. Fair amount of carbonation present. Leaves a bitter hops coating on the tongue. Tastes like it has a higher ABV than it actually does.

DRINKABILITY:

Jugsy: Very drinkable, but only for pure hopheads!

OVERALL:

Jugsy: I really enjoy the beers I’ve tried from Russian River Brewing, Pliny the Elder being my favorite so far. Blind Pig is not a balanced brew by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t think that was ever its purpose. It’s difficult to taste anything but hops. I really like it, but it’s definitely not for everyone!

SCORE:

Jugsy: 7.2

And… possibly saving the best for last (of the beers at the Toronado, that is) – Mugsy ordered another fine brew and, as always, offered me the first sip (ever the gentleman!) The Dubuisson Scaldis Quadrupel. Oh, so good!

Beer: Scaldis

Brewed by: Brasserie Dubuisson Frères, Leuze-Pipaix, Belgium

Style: Belgian Style Quadrupel Ale

ABV: 12.0%

Bottle: On draught

Served in: Tulip glass

Place of purchase: Toronado, San Francisco, CA

Price: $7

Dubuisson Scaldis Quadrupel

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Golden amber, tan. Thin head, lacing on glass is a lattice-work

AROMA:

Mugsy: Lots of yeast, fruity scents: passion fruit and figs

TASTE:

Mugsy: Honey drizzled on top of sweet fruit. Slight hoppiness comes through. Passion fruit and ripe fig strong aftertaste.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Delicate. Balance is sweet with slight hint of hoppiness.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Like drinking fruit juice. Could get you in to trouble very easily. Easy to drink. Watch out for the hangover.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Beautiful balance of honey, fruit, yeast and hops. Fruitiness may be a little heavy-handed, though. If anyone hasn’t bottled the Greek God’s gift ‘Ambrosia’ as of this writing, then Scaldis may be able to take the copyright.

SCORE:

Mugsy: 8.90

Beer Run for the President!

2010-04-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Beer run for President Obama!

According to one of the many news articles on the subject, Obama "kiddingly" asked for BEER during a visit to Maine.

Kiddingly?!?! We think not!

From the podium, while addressing a large crowd, President Obama mentioned Bill Milliken, a small business owner -- that business being Maine Beer and Beverage -- and said that he hoped he'd get some free samples in exchange for the publicity!

Way to use your position of power, Obama! Mugsy and Jugsy approve!!!

El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale

2010-04-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

Beer: El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale
Brewed by: Stone Brewing/ 21st Amendment Brewery/Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Style: Dark Ale
ABV: 9.5%
Bottle: 12 fluid oz.
Served in: Tulip glass
Place of purchase: Stone Brewery, Escondido, CA
Price: $5.00 (or so - we weren't counting at this point....)

Figs and Fennel and Chia - oh my! Just some of the ingredients in the latest Stone Brewery collaboration. This time it's Stone Brewing meeting up with 21st Amendment Brewery, in San Francisco, CA, and Firestone Walker Brewing Co. in Paso Robles, CA.

Jugsy and I tried this one on tap when we were at the Stone Brewery. However, we decided to just enjoy Jugsy's birthday and not concentrate on reviews. We purchased bottles of this collaboration and reviewed them at home, once we were sober!!!! As mentioned on the bottle, "(We) tried to capture some of the historic flavors of the old El Camino Real by brewing this beer with fennel, chia, peppercorns and mission figs. It was a fun beer to brew, and in some ways took us back to the 4th grade, when our schoolteachers first introduced us to the history of California and its Missions.

Jugsy and I are both very proud NATIVE Californians. You don't find much of our kind around these parts. Let us review the kind of beer that famous Brother and Monk Junipero Serra may have enjoyed (at least we hope they let him drink beer!)

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Black, as the name would imply. Completely opaque, even when held to the light. Medium sized, beige colored head that dissipates somewhat quickly, leaving a thinner but lasting small head. Very little lacing left behind on glass.
Jugsy: Brown/Black with a hint of dark red. Medium tan/pink head dissipates relatively quickly, leaving lacing behind. Dark and completely opaque in appearance.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong nose of piny hops mixed with coffee. Smells woodsy. Ever so slight scent of anise or licorice. Begins to smell fruity as it warms.
Jugsy: Initial aromas are of multi-layered hops, coffee and roasted malts. Sweet black licorice comes through as the beer warms a bit. Overall smell is fresh (slightly piny) with rich coffee, chocolate and herb sweetness.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Hops and roasted malt come first. Next on the palate is light taste of chocolate and then fruit. The fruit flavor intensifies as the beer gets warmer. Fruits like prunes or sugary dates. Very complex. Definitely becomes sweeter and less bitter as it warms.
Jugsy: Bitter hops and roasted malt hit the tongue first, then quickly give way to a bittersweet chocolate flavor. Definite taste of licorice and something herbal - lavender, perhaps? Complex flavors reveal something different in each sip. Aftertaste is of bitter hops, coffee and licorice.

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: Very light on the tongue. I wouldn't describe it as watery, due to the sweetness, but definitely not heavy like a stout or porter. Quite refreshing, actually.
Jugsy: The flavors make for a bold mouthfeel, neither heavy nor light. Carbonation is significant and the bitter, numbing hops only add to the sensation.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Very easy to throw back, especially when on the colder side. As it warms, the sugary taste of the beer may become a little off-putting. Also, at 9.5% ABV, this is one that you would want to sip and not slug.
Jugsy: While the El Camino (Un)Real is a very enjoyable and drinkable beer, both the complexity in palate and high ABV (9.5%) make this a specialty rather than a session beer. It's clearly meant to be savored and sipped to be properly appreciated.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Complex, especially when it's colder (mind you, not right out of the fridge cold - ales should be enjoyed between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the ale). The sweetness becomes dominant as the ale warms which is unfortunate, as I really liked the original mix of hops, malt and fruity, chocolaty sweetness. Whatever the case, would I drink this beer again? Absolutely. I would just drink it quicker! Is this my favorite Stone collaboration? No, but that's not my point here. It's obvious that the guys at Stone, Firestone Walker and 21st Amendment had a blast coming up with this fabulous concoction that includes mission figs, fennel and chia (ch-ch-ch-chia!) seeds. This is a great example of the kind of fun, out-of-the-box ideas about brewing that we get from Stone (and their collaborators) that make their beers stand out above so many others. Nice work, folks! This would pair well, with rich foods like roasts, stews, or saucy dishes.
Jugsy: El Camino (Un)Real? Named so perhaps because the flavors take you on a journey that's familiar yet mysterious at the same time. The taste can best be described as kaleidoscopic, as new flavors jump out unexpectedly and dance for a moment on your tongue. I can't imagine what food would be able to hold its own against this beer. I say, drink it on its own (but on a full belly!) and allow yourself to explore the dark.

SCORE:
Mugsy: 7.65
Jugsy: 7.77

Just a little something...

2010-03-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

Just a little something to keep you entertained until we put up our next post... which will either be a review of the new Stone collaboration "El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale" or the "Sawyer's Triple Ale" (whose proceeds go completely to charity - more on that later) or, we were toying with the idea of reviewing a He'Brew beer in honor of Passover. Any thoughts?

It's true what they say, "So many beers, so little time!"

We know that we review a lot of Stone brews and some of our followers on the East Coast get frustrated from time to time, but you're likely to see even more in the near future, since that's where we went to celebrate Jugsy's birthday this past week! The folks at Stone are as lovely and welcoming as their brews.... Stay tuned for our interview with Dan, the Tour Master at Stone (at least, that's what we call him!) There's a lot of typing involved for us on that one, so it might take a while ;-)

In the meantime, we thought we'd offer up an "appetizer" of sorts. Since so much is often said about the pairing of wine and cheese, we thought it would be a good idea to celebrate the heavenly combination of beer and cheese! It's not entirely new, as a commentator on the AOL article this morning said, "Beer and cheese have always been a matching pair in my book. Forget the fancy stuff... any kind of beer goes with any kind of cheese. At the high end: Guinness and brie. At the low end: Bud Light and Cheetos. The flavors just seem to compliment each other in a way that wine does not."

There's also a pretty cool pairing on the Kegerators blog. Mmmm. Wonder what would pair well with vegan cheese???

Smithwick's Irish Ale

2010-03-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Beer: Smithwick's Irish Ale
Brewed by: Guinness & Co., Dublin, Ireland (originally brewed by Smithwick's, Kilkenny, Ireland)
Style: Irish Red Ale
ABV: 4.5%
IBUs: Unknown
Bottle: 12 fluid oz.
Served in: English pint glass
Place of purchase: Trader Joe's
Price: $6.99 per 6 pack

So, here we are, the middle of March. The 17th, to be exact. Why do I have a strange inclination to eat boiled potatoes and soda bread while listening to The Pogues and drinking beer? OK, I always have an inclination to listen to The Pogues and drink beer, but all of it combined speaks quite strongly of - - Saint Patrick's Day! The celebration (at least here in the U.S.) of all things Irish: wearing o' the green and tons of other Irish stuff, most importantly, drinking. Yes, drinking. Drinking beer. And drinking whiskey (notice the spelling, boyo?) Wait, that's a whole different blog!

OK, back to drinking beer. Jugsy & I, having been to the British Isles (including Ireland) many, many times, did some very serious searching for a beer to review at this specific time. Of course, we could have chosen Guinness Stout or Harp Lager (both fine beers!) but we decided on a brew that is not as readily available, or at least, is not as well known, here in the U.S.

Smithwick's Irish Ale is celebrating it's 300th anniversary this year, having started its brewing operation at the St. Francis Abbey brewery in Kilkenney, Ireland in 1710. A family tradition of brewing resulted over the next 300 years and gives us the beer we have for review today.

In passing, here are a couple of famous Irish sayings - ones that we love; just to get you in to the St. Patty's Day spirit:

"There are many good reasons for drinking,
One has just entered my head.
If a man doesn't drink when he's living,
How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?"

"Here's to a long life and a merry one
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer and another one!"

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Smithwick's Irish Ale

Appearance:

Mugsy: Deep bronze color. Dark amber when held to light. Creamy looking head that dissipates quite quickly. Slight bit of carbonation visible. Very little lacing left on glass.
Jugsy: Clear, copper/red in color with a thick, frothy head that dissipates to a thin, white head. Very little carbonation can be seen. No lacing left behind.

Aroma:

Mugsy: Slight bit of yeast. Some malt comes through also. Not a strong aroma at all.
Jugsy: Delicate scent of mild yeast and hops. Smells slightly sweet and fresh, a hint of peppermint candy and pine cones.

Taste:

Mugsy: First and foremost is a "cheesy" taste. I can only assume that this is attributable to the yeast. Slightly sweet malt is present, as well. While the hops couldn't be detected with scent, they do come through here, if only very slightly. Slight toasted nut after taste and very slight chocolate, caramel and coffee become present as the beer warms.
Jugsy: Unusual combination of yeast (Irish soda bread?) and roasted coffee/malts. There's a skunky bitterness from the hops that becomes a very pronounced middle-note before the yeast and coffee re-appear. Aftertaste is bitter sourdough. As the beer warms, a distinctly nutty and pleasant taste (and aftertaste) emerges.

Mouthfeel:

Mugsy: Quite a nice feel. Very creamy. Slightly bitter bite on the tongue. Goes down without any "soupiness" but with just enough substance to make sure you know that this has some weight to it. As beer warms just past its perfect temperature, it does get a little watery feeling, though.
Jugsy: The initial expectation is of creaminess, but this beer actually ends up being a little on the thin side.

Drinkability:

Mugsy: At 4.5% ABV, it would obviously be no problem for a serious beer drinker (who me?) to throw back many of these, however, the watery finish as the beer warms past its point of perfection is a slight turn-off for me and makes me think twice. Guess I'll just have to drink the next several Smithwick's much more quickly!
Jugsy: At 4.5% ABV, this is a classic "session" beer and I'm pretty sure Mugsy would have to drink a gallon of it just to feel a buzz! The beer needs to warm somewhat in order for it to reveal its full character. Quite drinkable!

Overall:

Mugsy: Quite well balanced. Not overdone on any aspect, making this an obvious choice for the first pint at the pub on the way home from work. It all comes down to, as mentioned so many times before, "would I drink this beer again?" And the answer is "Yes - but I wouldn't necessarily seek it out." Not a bad beer by any means (and believe me, I've had some pretty bland beers in the British Isles), I just feel that there are so many better, more interesting beers out there on which I would rather spend my money. Let's put it this way - the next time I go shopping for a great beer, am I going to head straight for the Smithwick's? If it's St. Patty's Day, then it would certainly be one of the two or three Irish beers I would select. Otherwise, no. However, the next time I find myself in Ireland or anywhere in the British Isles (as Jugsy and I often do, believe it or not) then Smithwick's would definitely be one of the beers on rotation at the pub. Would pair very well with rich St. Patty's day foods and equally well with rich, creamy desserts.
Jugsy: I'd love to be in Ireland, drinking this ale alongside a talkative, old pub-regular, nestled in the supernaturally green and misty countryside. There's something in this beer that I can't put my finger on, but when I taste it, I know I'm drinking either an Irish or a Scottish ale. Yeast strain, perhaps? Peaty water? I don't know, but it makes me a bit nostalgic.

Score:
Mugsy: 5.0
Jugsy: 6.0

From both of us at Beeraucracy, we wish you a very happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

Belgian Beer Tasting - 10 Brews

2010-03-13T16:29:00.000-08:00

Belgian Beer Tasting! (a.k.a. 10 Beers for $5!)

We know it’s been a little longer than usual since we’ve posted a review, but rather than give you a long story about pipes bursting and flooding our home, we figured we’d just give you more bang for your buck! (We realize it’s free to read our blog, so really… you’re getting a heck of a lot of “bang” for nothing!)

Last Thursday, one of Mugsy & Jugsy’s favorite purveyors of fine beers (and other spirits), Wades Wines, hosted a Belgian Beer Tasting. Jason, or “the beer guy” as Jugsy refers to him, selected 10 Belgian brews for the tasting and provided lots of cool information to all the curious tasters in tow. (Did we mention it was only $5?!?!)

Beers were presented in a specific order according to the complexity of taste and alcohol by volume, in general, lowest to highest. We struggled over whether or not it was fair to assign a point-value as we would normally do, simply because the environment and amount served was not conducive to the proper attention and appreciation that beer usually requires. So, bear that in mind before taking our ratings too seriously on these!

Without further ado, we present our mini-review of 10 beers!

Belgian Beer Tasting – 10 Beers for $5!

Beer #1 – Bavik Belgian Pilsner

Mugsy: Hoppy, clean – 4.5

Jugsy: I didn’t even bother to take notes on this one. It tasted watery and weak. – 4.25

Beer #2 – Poperings Hommel Ale

Mugsy: Funky, citrusy, very yeasty, piney – 6.7

Jugsy: Amber/murky, funky yeast, mild piney hops, citrus, bitter, barnyard funk, aftertaste of yeast & hops – 6.4

Beer #3 – Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel

Mugsy: Funky, quite hoppy, quite citrusy & sweet. Not like standard American IPAs – 6.0

Jugsy: Clear/amber, frothy head, sweet, fruity yeast and floral hops, creamy, smooth & balanced flavors, yeast & hops blend beautifully. Drinks light & slightly sweet – 7.25

Beer #4 – Petrus Oud Bruin

Mugsy: Slightly sour, some malt, a little hops; maybe a little too sour for me – 5.75

Jugsy: Clear brown, some head, roasted malt & yeast smell, very funky sour yeast and malt flavor; not pleasant to drink – 4.5

Beer #5 – Malheur 10 (Tripel)

Mugsy: Super murky & super funky, very citrusy – like orange, smooth, sweet and creamy. Can definitely taste the ABV. Quite balanced between sweetness & hops. Fruity – 7.5

Jugsy: Amber/opaque (murky), lots of fruity yeast, smell of fresh citrus; smooth, creamy, fruity with a nice hop balance. Delicate, sophisticated flavor, and I’m feeling the ABV. Sweet and light. Love it! -- 9.0

Beer #6 – Grimbergen Dubbel

Mugsy: Malty, sweet, hoppy – 6.5

Jugsy: Clear brown/copper, malty/hoppy, initial taste is dusty/smoky; nice hops middle, fresh piney/yeasty finish – 6.7

Beer #7 – Brasserie des Rocs Gran Cru (Belgian Special Brown Ale)

Mugsy: Smells sweet, malty. Slightly sweet, definitely brown sugar – 7.0

Jugsy: Slightly murky/brown, coffee, malt, yeast scents. Wow! Coffee and sweet barnyard funk! Brown sugar, coffee, rotten fruit – good brew but not for my taste – 7.0

Beer #8 – Tappistes Rochefort 10 (Quadrupel)

Mugsy: Malty, sweet, fruity & slightly hoppy, sugary finish – 7.6

Jugsy: Dark brown, slightly murky, roasted malt & candy sweet scent, roasted malts and bitter hops, coffee and piney hops. Very complex, piney aftertaste with coffee grounds – 8.5

Beer #9 – Malheur 12 (Quadrupel)

Mugsy: Sweet, funky smell; lots of barnyard funk, sweet, sugary -- brown sugar, coffee can be tasted and roasted malts. May be a bit sweet for me – 6.9

Jugsy: Clear, reddish brown, sweet, malty, brown sugar smell, licorice. Very sweet taste with funky yeast, slight roasted malt flavor. Nice aged brandy feel – 8.25

Beer #10 – St. Louis Kriek Lambic

Mugsy: Cough syrup.– 2.5

Jugsy: Sweet, funky, sour smell & taste. Not very pleasant. Like dessert wine that’s gone “off” – 4.0

Maui Brewing Co. CoCoNut PorTeR

2010-02-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

Beer: CoCoNut PorTeR
Brewed by: Maui Brewing Co.
Style: Porter
ABV: 5.7%
IBUs: 30
Can: (Yep, you read that right!) 12 Fluid Oz.
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: Beverages and More! (BevMo)
Price: $9.99 / 4-pack

There's no denying that our prejudice against beer that comes in cans prevented us from trying the Coconut Porter sooner, but as soon as we took a look at their reasoning, we couldn't argue against it. As it says right on their can, "Cans are lighter, chill quicker... eliminate light damage and reduce the risk of oxidation, keeping our beer fresher than in bottles!" And "Aluminum is the most recycled and most eco-friendly material." It struck a chord in both the environmentalist and the beer lover within us!

Personally, I don't think Mugsy was too excited about drinking Coconut flavored beer of any kind, but I couldn't wait to try it! After all, not only has the Coconut Porter won several awards; not only is it brewed with six varieties of malted barley, hops and hand-toasted coconut, but it's brewed with Aloha! How many beers can say that?!?!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, MouthFeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from
1 to 10.

CoCoNut PorTeR

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Extremely dark brown. Completely opaque and unable to be seen through, even when held to light. Light tan colored head that dissipates to practically nothing. No lacing left on glass whatsoever.
Jugsy: Very dark brown -- almost black. Thick and dark, even when held up to light. Tan, frothy head dissipates quickly down to nothing.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong smell of roasted malt is first to hit the nose. Very sweet. Lots of dark chocolate aroma mixed with toffee, as well. Slight hint of coffee is in there also.
Jugsy: Sweet chocolate, toffee and sugary coconut scents are right at the forefront. Spicy aromas are also present: vanilla, nutmeg and allspice blend in with a slightly funky yeast. Roasted malt/coffee marries nicely with toasted coconut for a candy-scented harmony throughout.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Strong taste of chocolate and roasted malt. The toasted coconut is prominent. Very nice balance between hops and malt here. While the malt is dominant, the hops are quite obviously present, unlike what is found in some porters.
Aftertaste is slightly of coffee and definitely of toffee and caramel. The sweetness and bitterness do a lovely little dance with each other.
Jugsy: Bitter roasted malts and hops are among the first flavors to hit your tongue, followed immediately by sweeter toffee and coconut taste. The coffee, spices and sweet coconut combine to deliver a complex flavor palate with the distinct
aftertaste of toasted coconut and coffee grounds.

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: The coating left on the tongue, as if one has just eaten dark chocolate is the dominant factor here. Slight sting from the roasted malt and hops. Goes down nicely, if not just a tiny bit watery.
Jugsy: Creamy and bold with a fair amount of carbonation. Leaves a roasted malt and bitter hops coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: The aforementioned watery finish (really, very slight) actually makes this somewhat of a refreshing beer, if one can imagine saying that about a porter. At 5.7% ABV, I'd have no problem throwing back several of these before feeling like I'd had enough. However, the sweetness, which is not overbearing after only one, might become an issue after two or three. Also, the heavy tongue coating might become an annoyance after a while.
Jugsy: Very nice beer. Only the price-tag would keep this from being a session beer. It's rich in flavor, but not heavy feeling and I could certainly enjoy drinking this brew all evening.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Nicely done! Overall, quite a nice balance between the sweet and the bitter, even if the sweet does take over a little. While some porters become more complex in flavor as they warm, this one most certainly does not. The flavors become far less distinct and the finish becomes even more watery. This is definitely meant to drunk cold. Still a nice job and I would be happy to drink again. Would go well with sweet chocolately desserts and would go extremely well with rich, hearty stews on one of those cold winter nights. Ahhhh, cold porter, warm stew and a hot wife! Tonight, I think I'll take all three!
Jugsy: I had to overcome the idea that quality beers only come in bottles. After looking at Maui Brewing Co.'s reasons for choosing cans (both environmental and to protect the flavor of beer) I was convinced that they really cared about what they were doing and became very curious about what the CocoNut PorTeR actually tasted like! The smell and taste of this porter is truly unique, rich and extremely pleasant. I became an instant fan the first time I tried it. (The colder, the better on this one!) It doesn't taste like it comes from a can, but it does taste like it costs $9.99 for a four-pack! You'll forget all about the price-tag once you taste its greatness!

SCORE:
Mugsy: 7.65
Jugsy: 8.95

Stone / BrewDog / Cambridge - Juxtaposition Black Pilsner

2010-02-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Beer: Juxtaposition Black Pilsner
Brewed by: Stone Brewing Co.,
Escondido, CA / BrewDog Brewery, Fraserburgh, Scotland, UK, /
Cambridge Brewing Co., Cambridge, MA
Style: Pilsner (That's what they say, but even they know it's tenuous. We'd call it an Imperial Stout. You be the judge!)
ABV: 10%
IBUs: 100
Bottle: 12 fluid oz.
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: BottleRock, Los Angeles, CA
Price: $6.99

As followers of our blog may know, we are big fans of Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA. So, what might a collaboration of Stone Brewing along with two other world class craft brewers be able to produce? Well, in this case a true beer anomaly: a black pilsner!

You read that correctly, a black pilsner!!! (If you're keeping track, the Juxtaposition is the first lager ever brewed by Stone!)

Stone, BrewDog and Cambridge collaborators decided to use lager yeast, and a longer, colder storage / fermentation time. So, naturally, one would think they were making a pilsner, which would mean the beer would be super crisp and hoppy, possibly a low
alcohol type of brew, right? Think again. You've never tasted anything like this before.

The folks at Stone, Brewdog and Cambridge set out to push the envelope and succeeded in pushing said envelope to its limit! This is definitely a unique hybrid beer and the three brewers certainly had a lot of fun making it. Three cheers!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Juxtaposition Black Pilsner

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Well, it's black. That's right. Just as the name would imply - black. As Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap put it so profoundly, "It's like, how much more black could this be?' And the answer is... None. None more black.'" You can't see through it at all, even when put up to the light. Slightly off-white colored head that dissipates somewhat quickly. Some lacing left on the glass.
Jugsy: The blackest beer I've ever seen! Completely opaque and seemingly impenetrable to light. Medium tan head dissipates, but thin head remains.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Malt comes to the nose first followed closely by woodsy hops. A tiny bit of funky yeast is present, as well. Little bits of chocolate and toffee are in there, too.
Jugsy: Coffee grounds and an immense fruity funk hit the nose immediately! Rotten Banana peels, pineapple, and dried apricots comprise the funky scent, followed by a touch of yeast. It smells a bit like sweet garbage. Possibly some piny hops mixed in with the roasted malts, but the funk is overwhelming.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Bold taste of semi-sweet chocolate hits the tongue, closely followed by slightly bitter roasted malt. Hops are really only an aftertaste here. There's another sweetness in there, as well, quite possibly from the yeast. Very complex.
Jugsy: Bitter hops and burnt malt taste right off the top, but there's also a sweetness I can't quite identify. The bitterness is actually heightened by a very sour (yeast?) flavor. Very complex palate - I can taste different components in every swig. The yeasty funk is in there, too, tying all the flavors together.

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: This one is chewy and very creamy. The creaminess is almost like drinking chocolate milk. Going on that same path, the coating left on the tongue is quite similar to what one might have after eating cacao or a dark chocolate bar.
Jugsy: This is a creamy pilsner with a moderate amount of carbonation. Bitter, yeasty coating on tongue that lasts for a while.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: I can already feel this one. At a whopping 10%, one could only throw back a few of these before getting into serious trouble. And let me tell you, I'm looking for trouble.
Jugsy: The beer is a little on the heavy side. At 10% ABV, I feel confident saying it isn't a session beer -- even for Mugsy! If you can tolerate the bold punch of flavors - or if your taste buds just like a challenge - this may be your beer.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: OK, I know this is considered to be a pilsner. It has lager yeast and is stored for a longer period of time, like a lager. But I mean, seriously. If I described a beer as black, smelling and tasting of chocolate and being extremely creamy, wouldn't you figure I was talking about a stout? Nonetheless, pilsner, stout, apples, oranges, who cares - this beer is fantastic. Extremely complex in flavor and aroma. I would drink this again within a beat of my black heart. I only wish the $6.99 price tag for a 12 fluid ounce bottle didn't leave a black hole in my wallet! Oh well. Guess I'll just have to savor this one. Hey! Looks like Jugsy drank the last of it. Black is black. I want my Juxtaposition back....
Jugsy: I'm having a love/hate relationship with the Juxtaposition. Now I see why they decided to call it that! So many opposing, clashing even, flavors, yet there is an undeniable harmony - a beauty to the madness. Stone, BrewDog and Cambridge set out to push the envelope and they definitely succeeded in doing so. On one hand, I feel like I've been tricked into drinking alcoholic garbage water, but on the other hand, I kind of like it! Definitely a unique brew. Try one for yourself and see!

SCORE:
Mugsy: 8.80
Jugsy: 6.75

Patron Saint of Beer!

2010-02-18T14:20:00.000-08:00

Since yesterday was the official start of Lent, we thought it would be interesting to look into whether or not there were any patron saints for beer.... Buoyed by the the fact that there appears to be a patron saint for nearly everything under the sun, we began our search!

Mugsy and Jugsy are happy to report back that there are, in fact, several saints overseeing the harvesting, production and - naturally - consumption of beer!

Although there are many fine souls protecting our beloved beer, one in particular really stands out: Arnold of Soissons.

According to Beer Church, "He is said to have spent his life warning peasants about the health hazards of drinking water.... Beer, on the other hand, was quite safe. Arnold frequently pointed this out to his congregation. He is credited with having once said, 'From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world.' It goes without saying that the people loved and revered Arnold."

For more info on Patron Saints of Beer, you can visit here and here!

Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale

2010-02-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

Beer: Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale
Brewed by: The Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA, USA
Style: American Double/Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.74%
IBUs: 72.51
Bottle: 1 pint 6 fluid oz.
Served in: Tulip glass
Place of purchase: Red Carpet Wine & Spirits, Glendale, CA
Price: $4.49

Mid-February means many things to many people. It could mean a few -- or several more -- weeks of Winter (depending on how much you believe in Puxatony Phil's weather forecasting skills); it could mean time to take advantage of President's Day sales; or it could mean, as is the case for Mugsy and Jugsy, time to celebrate the accuracy of Cupid's arrow! By that I mean, of course, Saint Valentine's Day! Given that Valentine's Day is a day for sweethearts, Jugsy and I thought it appropriate to review a beer known for its sweet taste. From Mugsy and Jugsy to all of you: Happy St. Valentine's Day!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Golden yellow. Slightly murky, much like a wheat beer. Some carbonation visible. Thick, frothy head that dissipates to thin, yet still sudsy head. A bit of lacing left on glass.
Jugsy: Golden amber in color with a thinnish head. Clear enough to see carbonation when held to light. Some lacing left on glass.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Very fruity. First is sweet pineapple followed by citrus. Strong smell of hops, as well. Very slight scent of yeast.
Jugsy: Fruity yeast and a touch of hops at first sniff. Apricots, citrus and pineapple scents abound. In fact, the pineapple sweetness overpowers the other scents when beer is cold. Mild scent of sourdough. As the ale warms, hop aromas come to the foreground - flowery is a given, but I think some piny hops are present, too.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Wow. This is very sweet. Hops are in the forefront but fighting to share the spotlight is the pineapple and citrus. It's so sweet that it makes me entertain the idea that they added a simple syrup or maybe just a big spoonful of brown sugar! Aftertaste is of malt. As the beer warms, the hops and malt become even more present. This is quite unusual, as most ales release additional flavors as the temperature slightly rises.
Jugsy: Hops - beautiful, aromatic HOPS! Flowery hops and sweet orange flavors explode in the first sip. Bitter, yet extremely inviting. Fruity yeast comes together with soapy hops in a sinfully good combination.

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: Creamy. Also, I get that coating on the tongue that one gets after eating something really sugary, like super sweet cake icing or, well, a big spoonful of sugar. Goes down very easily.
Jugsy: Creamy and slightly chewy - very smooth to drink. Carbonation mixes with the hops flavor for a tingly and bitter/flowery coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: I'd have no problem throwing back many of these back, let me tell you. The 8.74% ABV might come knocking at some point, but not too soon, I would hope. The extreme sweetness might become an issue at some point, however.
Jugsy: Extremely pleasant to drink. Although the ABV is high, the beer feels light and drinks light.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Fine beer. Would absolutely drink again any time. Fairly well balanced, if you understand that they were going for a sweet beer, which I believe they were. If that's not the case, well, then balance my be an issue. The strong pineapple scent makes it quite original in character. The folks at Lagunitas care about what they do and it's obvious in presentations like this one. Because of the sweetness, I think this would pair nicely with foods that are both sweet and sour or sweet and savory, like Thai, Chinese or glazed entrees. Have a sweet Valentine's Day!
Jugsy: Everything an Imperial IPA should be! This ale is far more complex than I can describe. All the Lagunitas brews I've ever tried have been excellent, and the Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale was just what I needed to usher in Valentine's Day! This beer makes me feel loved! Uh oh... maybe that's the 8.74% ABV talking. Then again, I am sitting a little too close to Mugsy! Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetheart!

SCORE:
Mugsy: 8.70
Jugsy: 8.95

Sierra Nevada Harvest Wet Hop Ale

2010-02-06T01:47:00.000-08:00

Beer: Harvest Wet Hop Ale, 13th Release
Brewed by: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA, USA
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.7%
IBUs: 60-65
Bottle: 24 fluid oz.
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: Red Carpet Wine & Spirits, Glendale, CA
Price: $5.99

We're into the second month of 2010 and our review beers are piling up (seriously, we've got five that we haven't even touched.) Due to a yet another bout with this Winter's cold/flu season, we are now quite behind on the reviews.

That being said, Jugsy and I now feel GREAT (knock on wood) and are ready to officially, DRINK BEER - on your behalf, of course. After all, we're really doing this for you.

As we browsed our beer-laden shelves looking for the right beer to review, something intriguing caught our eye.... Wet Hop Ale! Being the hop-lovers we are, we had to know more! According to Sierra Nevada's website, their 2009 Harvest Wet Hop Ale uses "Cascade and Centennial hops ... [which] are harvested and shipped as “wet” un-dried hops — the same day they are picked — to our brewery in Chico where our brewers eagerly wait to get them into the brew kettle while their oils and resins are still at their peak." Hops, oils and resins -- Oh, my!!!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Harvest Wet Hop Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Deep amber color. Turns deep golden color when held to light. Thick, creamy looking head that dissipates very quickly. Still, what's left is fairly creamy looking, for what's there - which isn't much. Some carbonation visible. Leaves some lacing on
glass.
Jugsy: Golden and murky in color with a somewhat reddish hue. Initial thick head dissipates very quickly, leaving no lacing behind. Almost no visible carbonation.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong smell of flowery hops is first to hit the nose. Underneath it all, sweet malt can be detected. Also, the faintest smell of slightly funky yeast. The hops take the prize on this one, though.
Jugsy: Yeast and malt aromas seem to dominate when the ale is very cold. Hop scent is faint and more of a subtle background note. Swirling the beer releases the piny hop bouquet and makes me eager to taste this ale. There's a sweet, honey aroma to the yeast that is very inviting.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Hops, hops, hops. Very slight bit of sweetness comes through also. Hints of citrus become noticeable, especially as it begins to warm. Aftertaste is slightly of pine and certainly of hops.
Jugsy: Mmmm... The instant hoppy bitterness delivers just what a name like "wet hop ale" promises. Piny hops come through first, but as the ale warms, the floral hops taste emerges, as well. I can also taste a pineapple-y yeast flavor tying it all together.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Extremely smooth and creamy. The bitterness stings the tongue a fair bit. Overall feel is quite enjoyable, due mostly to the creaminess.
Jugsy: This ale is a tiny bit on the watery side, but very refreshing, nevertheless. What it lacks in carbonation, it more than makes up for in bitter hop bite and flavor. Leaves a bitter hops coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Goes down very easily. This could fall into the realm of the session beers for me. The 6.7% ABV might creep up on me, of course, but luckily, not too quickly.
Jugsy: The Harvest is a very drinkable ale for any "hophead." While the bitterness may be off-putting for some, to others this ale will feel like a homecoming. At 6.7% ABV and a 24 fl. oz. bottle, you might want to limit yourself to just one... or two!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Very nice beer. Not completely balanced, however, I don't believe that's what they were going for here. The brewers are certainly presenting this as a hop-lover's beer. To quote from the bottle, this is an ale that "hop fanatics like us dream of all
year." And on that note, I've tasted several other beers also catering to lovers of the hop that were nearly one-dimensional, with almost all the focus on making sure that hops dominated everything. Not here, however. While the hops are in the extreme forefront, there are several other notes that come through - citrus, pine, etc. And that super creamy feel as it goes down is fantastic. Would certainly drink again.
Jugsy: This is one of the lightest tasting beers of its caliber that I've had. I'm not positive that I can tell the difference between wet and dry hops, but my impression is that the wet hops deliver a deeper and smoother flavor. The 13th Release Harvest Wet Hop Ale is another fantastic brew from Sierra Nevada that I would happily drink anytime. I can picture this ale going well with a variety of foods; anything from a gourmet poultry dish to a guacamole and chips Super Bowl party! Hey... there's a thought!

SCORE:
Mugsy 7.90
Jugsy 7.25

Random Beer-Related Facts!

2010-01-18T19:17:00.000-08:00

In our never-ending pursuit of beer, Mugsy and Jugsy often come across interesting little tidbits of beer facts and trivia.

We'll be posting some of them here from time-to-time. We hope you enjoy them!

For instance, did you know that if you collect beer bottles, you're a labeorphilist?

And, if you collect beer coasters, then you're a tegestologist?

Is there such a thing as fear of an empty beer glass?

Well, if you're a serious beer lover like Mugsy, you may suffer from a condition known as cenosillicaphobia, the fear of an empty (beer) glass!

Deschutes Jubelale

2010-01-16T21:49:00.000-08:00

Beer: Jubelale
Brewer: Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR, USA
Type: Winter ale
Bottle: 12 fl. oz. bottle
ABV: 6.7%
IBUs: 60
Served in: Pint glass
Place of Purchase: Unknown - gift from our friend Louis!
Price: Also unknown! Thanks, Louis!!!

Happy 2010! It's our first beer review of the new year! It's definitely a late start for us (thanks to lingering illness - seriously, sick from December 25th to just a few days ago.) Your two Beeraucrats, (that's us - Mugsy and Jugsy), are finally able to actually SMELL and TASTE beer! We are now more than ready to bring you another year of loving beer!

It's mid-January and certainly still mid-Winter, so we will continue with our seasonal brew reviews!

On January 1st, our friends Louis and his wife Lindsey were kind enough to drive all the way from Idaho to Los Angeles just to bring us a couple of bottles of beer! OK, so maybe their trip was really to show off their new baby boy, Soren, to friends and family in Southern CA. Any way you slice it, the proud parents were kind enough to bring us a couple of bottles of Deschutes Jubelale to review!

Each year, Deschutes Brewery's Winter offering features a unique label with artwork by different local artists - this time by central Oregon artist, Tracy Leagjeld. We're thinking about starting our collection now.

Thank you, again, to Louis, Lindsey and Soren! And thank you to our Beeraucracy readers! We wish you a happy, healthy and beer-filled 2010!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Deschutes Jubelale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Dark brown yet not opaque. Becomes deep bronze when held to light. Average sized, lightly tan colored head that dissipates very quickly. Not much noticeable carbonation. No lacing is left on the glass as glass is emptied.
Jugsy: Reddish brown in color with strong copper hues. Carbonation is barely visible. Medium head dissipates very quickly. Particulate matter in bottom of glass. Leaves little to no lacing on the glass.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong, sweet malt aroma - almost a "chocolate milk" type of smell. Very slight hints of toffee. Hops are almost imperceptible but do come through in the end, especially after swirling glass.
Jugsy: Chocolate covered cherries and vanilla rum comprise the initial sweet scent. Strong aroma of chocolate malt along with a wheat and berry bread smell. The faintest hint of piny hops can also be detected.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Bitter roasted malt comes on first. Then a sweeter malt immediately follows. Hops are definitely there, however, more as an aftertaste. Very slight bitter dark chocolate aftertaste and slight coffee aftertaste.
Jugsy: Heavy roasted malt flavor dominates. Predominantly chocolate flavor with a hint of coffee. The fresh and bitter taste of piny hops reveals itself more in the aftertaste than the initial sip. If I really concentrate, I can sense a hint of fruity yeast, as well. The flavors are not as complex as the aroma would have you believe.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Creamy; almost like drinking a glass of watered-down chocolate milk. Slight sting from the bitterness of the malt and/or hops. Not even close to being watery, this one is on the heavy side. In fact, almost chewy - but not quite. Very slight coating left on the tongue. Goes down quite nicely.
Jugsy: Initial impression was creamy, but the more I drank, the more watery it seemed to become. The Jubelale is very mild on carbonation, perhaps too much so, as it gives the beer a thin feel. However, it does leave a malty/hoppy coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: At 6.7% ABV, this might not necessarily be everyone's best candidate for a session beer. However, I could easily throw back several and enjoy every drop. The heaviness may become a problem for me though when considering drinking more than one or two.
Jugsy: While the Jubelale might feel like a lighter Winter ale, its 6.7% ABV certainly packs a punch. Going on flavor alone, one could certainly drink a fair number of these, but the higher alcohol content would limit me to only one or two.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Nice, complex beer. Quite a bit going on here as far as taste. Also, the creamy mouthfeel is quite nice. Just a little on the heavy side for me and maybe the tiniest bit too sugary, but hey, that's never stopped me before. Would pair very well with rich Winter foods or with desserts. Even with the heavy-handedness I would absolutely drink again, but only one or two. Or three.... Maybe four.
Jugsy: I wish I could have actually tasted all the complex aromas I smelled in this brew! I was looking forward to tasting this beer, not only because Louis went through so much trouble to get it into our hands, but also because its smell promised to deliver so much flavor! Overall, this is a fine seasonal ale - maybe not my favorite - but I will definitely seek out next year's batch!

SCORE:
Mugsy 7.0
Jugsy 6.6

Brew Free Or Die

2010-01-06T12:42:00.001-08:00

Brew Free! Or Die

Provocative name! We'll take the "Brew Free!" please!

Mugsy and Jugsy typically search for the best airfare when choosing airlines, but we may just need to forgo that tradition the next time we fly and go with Virgin Airlines instead.

"Why?" you ask? We love to support our fellow Beer-lovers and Virgin America is doing something pretty special. For the first time ever, craft beer is making its way to the blue skies! Hooray!!!

According to RealBeer.com:

21st Amendment Brewery is set to launch their Brew Free! Or Die IPA in cans aboard Virgin America Airlines. Starting now Virgin America will serve complimentary Brew Free! or Die IPA in First Class and Main Cabin Select and the beer will be available for purchase in the Main Cabin for $7.

21st Amendment Brewery says their "Brew Free! or Die IPA is brewed with some serious west coast attitude. This aromatic golden IPA starts with a sucker punch of six different hops to the nose, quickly balanced by a solid malt back bone. The Brewery’s top selling beer, this IPA starts big and finishes clean leaving you wanting more."

Mmmmmmm... we haven't even tried it yet and we want more already!!!

BEERS OF THE YEAR -- 2009!!!

2010-01-01T21:54:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010 promises to be another great year for beer!

Here at Beeraucracy, your two Beeraucrats, Mugsy and Jugsy, promise to bring you many more fun and insightful reviews throughout the year, all from the husband and wife perspective!

At the moment, Jugsy and I are still under the weather (can you believe it?!), and still unable to do a proper review.

That being said, this seems like the perfect time to bring you Beeraucracy's Best of 2009!

We have gone back through all the reviews of 2009; studied and scrutinized - read and re-read, and come up with...

(drum roll, please!)

MUGSY & JUGSY'S BEERS OF THE YEAR -- 2009!!

Ladies first! Let's start with Jugsy's 2009 favorite....

Jugsy: At a mind-boggling 100+ IBUs, my pick for 2009 beer of the year (you might call it my own personal pursuit of "hoppiness") is the Stone Ruination IPA!

Click HERE for the full review
And now Mugsy's favorite for 2009....

Mugsy: January 1st just happens to be the day that I proposed to Jugsy. So, what better way to celebrate an anniversary than with the Sierra Nevada 2009 Anniversary Ale?!

Click HERE for the full review

Sometimes it can be difficult to get a husband & wife to agree on anything! However, Mugsy & Jugsy sure do agree that the Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron was one of their mutual favorites of 2009!

Click HERE for the full review

Happy 2010! We wish you happiness, health and lots of beer throughout the year!

Out on sick leave...

2009-12-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

Mugsy and Jugsy are under the weather (and therefore cannot properly smell or taste beer!) Reviews will resume as soon as we feel better!

Stone to Considering Brewery in Europe

2009-12-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note in the midst of the Christmas hustle & bustle to share the news that Stone Brewing is considering opening up a brewery in Europe! (Mugsy and Jugsy still haven't made the trek to the San Diego brewery! Although, in all fairness, we're waiting for Santa to bring us our new digital camcorder.)

Wouldn't it be funny if we made it to Stone Brewery in Europe first? Stranger things have happened!

Stay tuned for our next Winter Brew review tomorrow....

Rogue Santa's Private Reserve Ale

2009-12-22T15:00:00.000-08:00

Beer: Santa's Private Reserve Ale
Brewed by: Rogue Ales, Newport, OR, USA
Bottle: 1 pint 6 fluid oz.
Type: Red Ale
ABV: 6.0%
IBU's: 44
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: Beverages & More (BevMo)
Price: $5.49

"Going Rogue" is more than Sarah Palin's new autobiography - Mugsy and Jugsy are going "Rogue" for the holidays! As our two beeraucrats continue their sojourn into Winter beer reviews, it seems that a little nip of Santa's Private Reserve is just the thing to take the chill off, as everyone waits patiently for "The Man with the Bag."

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Santa's Private Reserve Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Medium to dark brown in color which turns into a beautiful copper shade when held to light. Also, when held to light, beer appears extremely murky and cloudy. However, carbonation can be seen through the swampiness if you look hard enough. Thin head which quickly dissipates into a VERY thin head. Very little lacing left on the glass.
Jugsy: Brownish-red and opaque. Looks a little bit like swamp water! Frothy head disappears in seconds (couldn't even capture it on film)!

AROMA:

Mugsy: Sweet, roasted malts are the first scent to strike the nose. Slight aroma of caramel follows, along with just a touch of sweet yeast. The overall aroma comes off as extremely sweet. This is like a candy shop in a glass.
Jugsy: Smells Earthy, like warm honey-wheat bread. Slight caramel and toffee aromas, along with the roasted malts, seem to marry quite nicely with the piny hops scent. There's also more than a hint of sourdough. The aromas are present yet in delicate form, making them different to parse.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Wow. The taste is not at all what I expected after smelling it. Extremely bitter roasted (almost burnt) malts are the first thing to hit the tongue. This tastes almost like rye. Very toasty. The hops are there too, but overpowered by the malt. Aftertaste is that of dark, semi-sweet (emphasis on the "semi") chocolate. There is also kind of woodsy or bark flavor that comes in as an aftertaste.
Jugsy: Call me crazy but is there peppermint candy in this? Because it tastes like someone swirled a candy cane in my beer! Having said that, the taste is predominately roasted malts with a strong hops presence. (Chinook an Centennial according to the bottle.) I can still taste the warm honey and wheat bread in the body of this ale.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: While this ale tastes like it would be chewy, the mouth-feel is surprisingly light and almost a little watery. Goes back extremely easily. It does leave a strong coating on the tongue, as if you've been chewing on sawdust.
Jugsy: This is a light-tasting, smooth beer with a lot of flavor (some subtle, some not-so-subtle). Not a lot of carbonation present. Leaves a very hoppy, almost piny or woodsy coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: No problem to have several of these, especially at 6.0% ABV. However, the bark-like aspect of the aftertaste might be a little off-putting, especially if seeking refreshment or just a session night with the guys and gals.
Jugsy: Very drinkable and enjoyable ale. Not only is it flavorful and not too heavy, but at 6% ABV, most of our friends could certainly handle drinking this all night.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Quite interesting. After getting so much sweetness from the aroma of this beer, I was completely surprised by the bitter taste. Now, don't get me wrong - I like bitter beer just as much as a sweeter brew, sometimes more so. And that wood-like aftertaste is so unique. It's quite obvious that the folks at Rogue really do care about what they brew. This beer is fairly complex and certainly not your run-of-the-mill ale or Winter ale, for that matter. However, it all comes down to the question, "would I drink this again?" And the answer is "Yes, but as a novelty." The complexity and uniqueness of flavors are a hit with me, but it's not quite balanced, with the hops being far overshadowed by the bitter malt. And the bark-like aftertaste while without a doubt different, left me kind of wanting to wash it back with something else. Would pair with bold foods like heavy barbecues or rich, dark stews.
Jugsy: I admit that I wasn't expecting much out of this beer. Maybe it was the packaging -- of Rogue's beer in general, as well as the Santa's Private Reserve. It was too cutesy for my liking and I questioned the potential quality of the brew itself. Boy was I wrong! I truly enjoyed the successful balance of flavors in this ale. The folks at Rogue got it right. Although they recommend pairing it with beef or pork, I am thoroughly enjoying on my own! Perhaps it would pair well with our X-Mas Tofurkey? What do you say, Mugsy?

SCORE:
Mugsy: 6.85
Jugsy: 7.50

Full Sail Wassail

2009-12-18T00:10:00.000-08:00

Beer: Full Sail Wassail
Brewed by: Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, OR, USA
Bottle: 12 Fluid ounces
Type: Winter ale
ABV: 7%
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: Trader Joe's
Price: $6.99 per six-pack

As we venture further into the holiday season, the Winter ales become all the more readily available at the local watering holes and purveyors of liquid refreshment. For this review, Jugsy and Mugsy find ourselves tasting the product of the tiny, 47 man-powered craft brewforce that is Full Sail Brewing. The Wassail, brewed with four different malts and Pacific Northwest hops promises to be a beer lover's Winter Wonderland. Season's greetings!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Full Sail Wassail

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Deep bronze brown with slight red tones when held to light. Very thin head that dissipates to almost nothing very quickly. Leaves only a little lacing.
Jugsy: Dark brown with reddish hues. Almost no head to speak of and no visible carbonation. It looks like a tall, flat glass of Coca-Cola.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong scent of malt that includes hints of caramel, coffee and chocolate. Undertones are of slight hopppiness and a yeast that smells almost, well, like sweet cream.
Jugsy: Roasted, burnt malts and a slight smell of funky, bitter yeast. Coffee and bourbon vanilla scents are secondary. I can also detect a very light hint of peppermint candy. Smells bitter-sweet.

TASTE:

Mugsy: First off, the malt provides a somewhat sweet taste of raspberry preserves and roastiness of coffee. The hops provide a fair bit of bitterness but the malt is without a doubt the star in this show. Aftertaste is slightly of dark chocolate.
Jugsy: Roasted malt and bitter hops comprise the initial flavor. There may be a hint of cloves along with the funky yeast taste. Aftertaste is bitter coffee grounds with a touch of hops coating on the tongue.

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: Fairly watery going down, much more so than most seasonal ales. Very little carbonation. Does coat the tongue quite a bit, though.
Jugsy: The Wassail feels watery and thin, not at all creamy like its Winter brew compatriots. The carbonation is mild and the beer has a very light feeling overall. Goes down like water.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Would have no problem with a few of these even at 7% ABV, however, the slight sweetness does make it seem like it might be a little headache-inducing.
Jugsy: The beer is certainly drinkable - particularly if you hate doing dishes, as no lacing whatsoever is left behind on the glass. If you enjoy bitter beers and want a somewhat higher ABV withouth the heaviness, then this is your beer.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Not bad. The somewhat watery finish could be a plus if pairing with a rich holiday meal. It could also be a minus if expecting to warm up by the fire while chewing one your more typical seasonal ales. This is not a terrible beer by any means. However, after being extremely pleased by Full Sail's other brews (their Amber Ale and IPA are solid and their Pale Ale and LTD are FANTASTIC and highly recommended), I was slightly underwhelmed by their seasonal offering. I found it to be just a little bland and not very complex. I would certainly drink again, but wouldn't necessarily seek it out. Would pair with either rich entrees or lighter desserts.
Jugsy: The Wassail is decent Winter ale. It's dark and a little spicy with a hint of funk as well as a fair bit of malt and hops. The lightness certainly sets it apart from most Winter ales. The main problem with this beer is that it's just average.

SCORE:
Mugsy: 4.75
Jugsy: 5.0

Affligem Noël 2009 Christmas Ale

2009-12-16T22:07:00.000-08:00

Beer: 2009 Noël Christmas Ale
Brewed by: Affligem Brewerij, Odwijk, Belgium
Bottle: 750 ml Champagne bottle
ABV: 9%
Served in: Belgian chalice
Place of purchase: Whole Foods Supermarket
Price: $6.49 (on sale!)

As the holidays rapidly approach us (I believe that tonight is the sixth day of Hannukah; Christmas is 9 days away; Kwanzaa 10 days away and throw in any other Winter holiday you want), Mugsy & Jugsy find ourselves craving the seasonal brews. Just thinking about those Winter brews, with their Winter spices & high ABV's make us ready to curl up close to a not-so-roaring gas fire & exchange gifts & kisses. For the next few reviews, we, Mugsy & Jugsy will find ourselves, just as we have for the past 3 years, under the glow of our pink Christmas tree drinking good beer.

(You read it right. We have a lovely little, PINK Christmas tree. With black ornaments. We are fashion-forward. When everyone else starts buying pink Christmas trees, just remember who started the fad, okay?) On to our first Winter beer review...!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Affligem Noël

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Dark brown with deep bronze tones when held to light. Lots of carbonation visible when held to light. Fairly thick, foamy head that seems like it would last well past the holidays. Lots of creamy lacing left on the glass.
Jugsy: Thick, frothy head which flattens slightly but does not disappear. Color is dark copper with gold, red and brown hues. Mild carbonation bubbles are visible.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Very difficult to detect in the Belgian chalice glass, however when Jugsy & I poured some in to a tulip glass, the aroma became much more pronounced. Yet, still, the aroma doesn't give itself up easily. First off, a fair bit of funky yeast. This is followed by strong scents of holiday spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.
Jugsy: Yeast and malt right at the top, followed by a spicier scent. Smells a little like bread, but not sourdough - more like sweet bread, maybe even a faint hint of fruitcake. Vanilla, pecans and dried cherries, (possibly some dried orange, too) with a touch of allspice and nutmeg. Smells like a Christmas cookie! (Note: for best smell, drink from a tulip glass - it makes all the difference!)

TASTE:

Mugsy: Very subtle spiciness (again nutmeg) combined with robust malt and slightly bitter hops. Very sweet aftertaste, maybe of honey and raisins combined with that of a little bit of alcohol.
Jugsy: Don't be fooled by the sweet smell. This is a dark and bitter beer. Roasted malts are the predominant flavor, followed by a citrusy grapefruit taste. There's a spice in there I didn't smell... cloves, perhaps? Definitely a sour yeast flavor as well. The aftertaste does carry a sweet bread flavor, though!

MOUTHFEEL:

Mugsy: Incredible! I don't think I've ever had a beer this smooth & creamy. It's almost like egg nog! While it goes down a just a little watery, I still can't say enough about the creaminess. Almost like drinking an ale mixed with Irish cream liqueur. Wow!
Jugsy: Moderately creamy. Goes down very smoothly. Despite its complex flavors, the beer feels light. Carbonation and spices combine to create an unmistakable bite. Leaves a bitter, yeasty coating on the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: While the sweetness & creaminess would lend itself to wanting to drink this all night in front of the X-mas tree, the 9% ABV says otherwise. Mind you, I haven't eaten in a good 6 hours, but after just half a glass, I'm REALLY in the holiday spirit! This one should be handled carefully.
Jugsy: I would say that the Affligem Noël is a very drinkable Winter brew. At 9% ABV, it most certainly is not a session beer, unless your "session"involves getting toasty with a loved one, at home in front of the fireplace. Luckily, that happens to be exactly my definition!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: If Jugsy ever turned to me & said, "You know, Mugsy, I'd love to drink a glass of cinnamon raisin bread!", I'd break out the Affligem Noël Christmas Ale. For such a strong, dark ale, this beer is suprisingly delicate. This would go well with holiday treats like fruitcakes (even the Jerky Boys kind) and other sweets. Perfect for tree-trimming parties, Hannukah parties, Kwanzaa parties and "it's too cold outside, let's get warm by drinking beer" parties. Would definitely buy again. Hope the holidays are extended this year.
Jugsy: This is one of those beers that I know is good. I can smell, taste and feel the quality of both the ingredients as well as the craft that went into making it. Unfortunately, it doesn't hit my personal favorite palate notes, so it's still a little difficult to get very enthusiastic. The Noël is a wonderfully complex, yet light tasting Ale with the requisite high ABV we've come to expect of our Belgians. I be this would go amazingly well with Grandma's fruitcake! 'Wish I had some now!

Score:
Mugsy: 8.70
Jugsy: 7

Raise a Toast to Dead Beer Brands

2009-12-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

We're not quite at the end of the year yet... but Mugsy & Jugsy thought it would be appropriate to raise a glass to the beers that are no longer with us.

Luckily, someone beat us to the punch (and by that, we mean they did all the work - yay!!!) Click here for the list!

So please remember, the next time you drink your fancy new bottle of Craft Beer, tip a little out for the Beers who are no longer here (but always in another glass, so you can drink it later!)

*Mugsy and Jugsy do NOT condone the wasting of good beer!

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

2009-12-10T16:50:00.000-08:00

Beer: Black Butte Porter
Brewer: Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR (USA)
Bottle: 12 fl. oz.
ABV: 5.2%
IBUs: 30
Served in: Pint glass
Place of Purchase: Silver Liquor, Sherman Oaks, CA
Price: $2 per bottle

Mugsy and Jugsy really wanted to get our hands on a Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery, but after combing through all of our local "rare find" brew stores, we still came up empty handed! Not ones to be deterred, we decided to review one of Deschutes's first beers, the Black Butte Porter!

The brewery actually gets its name from the scenic Deschutes River which winds down through central Oregon and upon whose banks the brewery was originally founded in 1988. They pride themselves on producing (and experimenting with) quality craft beers.

That's handy; since we pride ourselves on drinking and appreciating quality craft beers!

In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Black Butte Porter

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: They don't call this Black Butte for nothing! Color is indeed black. Can only see hints of lighter brown when held to the light. Thick, creamy, beige colored head which dissipates some but not completely. Leaves lots of thick lacing.
Jugsy: Dark brown, almost black with a medium frothy head that lasts a while. With a keen eye, you can see carbonation when held directly to the light. Sudsy lacing on the glass.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong roasted malt aroma with hints of coffee and maybe even a little licorice. Faint scent of toffee and caramel.
Jugsy: Yeast and roasted malt aromas are the first to hit the nose, followed by chocolaty malts and coffee/toffee scents. Chocolate scent intensifies as the beer warms and I think I detect a slight hint of vanilla as well.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Roasted malt at the forefront. Aftertaste is slightly of hops but leaves the mouth full of chocolate, specifically cacao blended with a hint of slight caramel and even some chickory.
Jugsy: Mild yeast and burnt malt flavors at first blush. There's a bitter and acidic element to the palate, something between hops and strong coffee. Aftertaste is heavy on chocolate and bitter coffee grounds.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: While it does coat the tongue just a bit, this beer is surprisingly light going down; not anywhere near as heavy as it looks. Not a lot of carbonation present. I'm quite amazed at its lightness!
Jugsy: Initial impact seems like it's going to be creamy but this is interrupted by somewhat watery consistency and carbonation. The carbonation gives this beer a sharp, biting finish.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: If you wanted to drink all day and had only porters from which to choose, this would be the way to go. Easy to drink; not heavy or soupy at all, like so many porters and stouts can be. And at 5.2% ABV, I'd have no problem drinking quite a few of these.
Jugsy: As porters go, Black Butte is light - yet it targets all the rich flavor notes one expects of a porter. At 5.2% ABV, this is a beer you can drink all night.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: I'm amazed at how much flavor has been packed into such a drinkable porter. Quite complex, yet easy to throw back. Would go well with roasts, potatoes, soups -- you know, comfort food. Nice job!
Jugsy: This is a good beer, but not fantastic. I've heard a lot of good things about Deschutes Brewery, so my expectations may have been a bit high. I will certainly try some of their other beers to get a better idea of what they produce, but I probably won't be revisiting this one too often. In fact, I'm going to let Mugsy finish my beer now!

SCORE:
Mugsy: 7.65
Jugsy: 6

Stone Cali-Belgique

2009-12-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

Beer: Cali-Belgique IPA
Brewer: Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA (USA)
Bottle: 1 Pt. 6 fl. oz. Bomber
ABV: 6.9%
IBU: 77
Served in: Tulip glass
Place of Purchase: Beverages and More, Sherman Oaks, CA
Price: $5.49

We briefly considered shelving this review for a few more weeks so as not to have too many reviews of the same style of beer, but the Cali-Belgique IPA is a Stone Brewing Co. Limited Release for the year, and we'd hate for beer lovers to miss out on this one!

The Cali-Belgique IPA is a fresh approach to combining different IPA styles, American - or, Californian, to be more specific - and Belgian. Its unique flavor comes from the combination of Californian hops and Belgian yeast.

In an effort to pay tribute to both the French and Dutch influences in Belgium, Stone has labeled 50% of the bottles "Cali-Belgique" ("Belgique" being the French word for Belgium) and the other 50% "Cali-België" ("België" being the Dutch name for Belgium)!

In every proper review, the Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Cali-Belgique IPA

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Golden-red color. Definitely looks like an IPA. Thin but creamy head that leaves lacing on glass when swirled. Can see fair bit of carbonation present.
Jugsy: Golden, copper in color with a thin head which dissipates quickly. Amber when held up to the light; visible carbonation.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Interesting blend of IPA-like hoppiness, mixed with slight fruitiness (grapefruit) and a little bit of yeasty funk. This is exciting.
Jugsy: Aromatic hops, not flowery per se, but sweet nonetheless. Orange and vanilla scents, possibly pineapple, too. Fresh woodsy aroma of crisp Autumn air. Barley and yeast are background scents. Smells like beer candy!

TASTE:

Mugsy: Immediate taste is hops, though not the over-the-top hops that Stone IPA lovers (like myself) have come to know and love. This is slightly more subtle. Secondary taste is grapefruit. Aftertaste is grapefruit also, but this is where the yeast comes into play, leaving just a hint of the barnyard so commonly associated with Belgian Saison Ales. Grapefruit lingers on the tongue well after swallowed and becomes more prominent as beer warms, as does the funkiness.
Jugsy: Sophisticated bitter hops flavor bursts in your mouth. The aroma almost makes you think it's sweet. Definite pine flavoring with orange peel and hops aftertaste. Flavors play out like a well-orchestrated symphony.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Lots of bite on the tongue from the hops. Crisp and clean, yet to contradict here, leaves just a little bit of warm coating on the tongue and mouth, much like a Belgian Ale.
Jugsy: Creamy and rich without feeling heavy. Adequate carbonation and pleasant, hoppy tongue coating.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Can feel the slight beginning of what a 6.9% ABV can do, but still light enough to be a "semi-session" beer. Easy going down. Crisp and fresh.
Jugsy: At a 6.9% ABV, you might not want to drink too many of these in a row, but that aside, you will love every minute of having the Cali-Belgique in your mouth. I know I did!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Nice and very well balanced beer. Fairly complex. Would go quite well with spicy food like Indian or Latin. Leave it to the wonderful folks at Stone to come up with yet another complex (and quite experimental) Ale that is tasty and easy to drink. Stone continues to set the benchmark for so many other breweries and makes this beer lover happy to live in a world where Stone is readily available.
Jugsy: The minute I smelled the aroma of this brew, I wanted to dive in head-first! It felt like Christmas! And not in the sense that I was about to drink a Winter brew (which this is not) but in the sense that I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, who just knows that Santa got his letter and his dream toy is under the wrapping before him! I don't know if I can do this beer justice. Just do yourself a favor and allow X-mas to come a little early this year -- try a bottle of Stone's Cali-Belgique IPA now, before it's no longer available!

SCORE:
Mugsy: 7.99
Jugsy: 8.75

World's Strongest Beer!

2009-11-28T18:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday BrewDog, a Scottish Brewery, launched its most daring beer yet. (Their website is worth a visit!)

At a whopping 32% ABV, Tactical Nuclear Penguin - as the ale is called - is almost as strong as Whisky! BrewDog suggests the serving size to be the same as one would enjoy for spirits. (If you did that, wouldn't the remainder just go flat?!?)

It's doubtful that Mugsy & Jugsy will be among the lucky few to try this brew, as only 500 bottles have been produced, with half going on sale for £35 each! The other half will be offered at £250 with a share in the company also on offer -- no word on how much that's worth.

Looks like Beer Tutor will have to update its site, which currently lists Hair of the Dog Dave as the beer with the highest alcohol content at a miserly 29% ABV!

Mugsy and Jugsy wonder at what point exactly does beer meet the spirit world?

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

2009-11-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

Beer: Palo Santo Marron
Brewer: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE USA
Type: Strong ale
Bottle: 12 fl. oz. bottle
ABV: 12%
Served in: Pint glass
Place of Purchase: Silver Liquor, Sherman Oaks, CA
Price: $15.99 per 4-pack

Recently, one of our Beeraucracy readers brought it to our attention that Mugsy and Jugsy had been focusing way too much on West Coast breweries, and he reminded us that there are some excellent breweries "East of the Rockies." Of course there are! And we are only too happy to drink (and review) them for you!

Having said that, Mugsy and Jugsy were also beginning to realize that there were a few too many Belgian and IPA reviews and not enough of all the other styles of beer. We're rectifying this immediately! (Although, we still reserve the right to review our favorite styles!)

The Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron calls itself a "Malt Beverage aged on Palo Santo Wood" and according to the bottle, this special Brown Ale is aged in handmade wooden vessels measuring 10,000 gallons - the largest brewing vessels built in America since before the Prohibition. This brew's distinctive caramel and vanilla flavors actually come from the Paraguayan Palo Santo wood used to make the tanks.
As an aside, "Palo Santo" means "Holy Wood" in Spanish (not to be confused with Hollywood, which is just over the hill from Mugsy & Jugsy's place!)

To quote directly from the bottle: "We have wood. Now you do too."

In every proper review, the Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Palo Santo Marron

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Dark! This beer looks like a cup of black coffee. Absolutely impossible to see through, even when held to light. Have to look very closely to see carbonation. Thin, but malty looking light brown head. One could easily mistake this for a glass of Coca-Cola. Lots of creamy head retention as glass empties.
Jugsy: Super dark black / brown - no light penetrates this brew! If I squint just the right way, I can see ruby tones near the bottom of the glass and a slight pinkish hue in the medium, tan frothy head. Leaves behind thick lacing.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Deep, roasted malt mixed with chocolate. Slight hint of vanilla also, maybe Bourbon vanilla? If sniffing this with the eyes closed, I would think it a glass of chocolate milk.
Jugsy: Sweet! Heavy chocolate, toffee and vanilla candy scents right off the bat. Caramel and coffee aromas are secondary. The faintest touch of roasted malts are present as well. If I were blindfolded and had to go on smell alone, I would think I was smelling a sugary iced-coffee drink!

TASTE:

Mugsy: Incredibly chocolaty, like cacao. Strong flavor of roasted malt. Tastes like those candy chocolate malted balls. Surprisingly, there's a little bit of hop flavor in there, too. Aftertaste is of vanilla. Tastes very much like a porter.
Jugsy: Definitely sweet and chocolaty. The beer equivalent of a coffee ice-cream flavored root beer float! Surprisingly sweet with a complex flavor palate. Toffee, chocolate and coffee flavors linger alongside toasty malts in the aftertaste. The vanilla flavor almost masks the high alcohol content. Very pleasant taste!

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Very creamy & rich. Very heavy. Imagine drinking a bowl of melted chocolate ice cream that's been watered down with a porter. This is a meal - or at least a dessert - in a glass. Even though the hops are not incredibly present in the taste, there's a fair bit on the tongue.
Jugsy: Creamy, rich and smooth. Carbonation is mild. This is a heavy beer, but absolutely lovely to drink.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: A bit too heavy to be a session beer, unless you're on the Arctic Tundra & throwing these back to keep warm! Also, the 12% ABV (12%!!!) would become prohibitive at some point. However, I'm only feeling a little bit of it right now. Guess I'll have to drink more!
Jugsy: If my taste-buds alone ruled this category, I'd drink it all night! However, due to the 12% ABV and the hearty nature of this brew, it needs to be relegated to the oft-neglected "dessert beer" category. One can only have so many root beer floats!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Quite complex and very well-rounded, balanced beer. If not for the "Brown Ale" description on the bottle, I would have thought this a porter or a stout. Would go well with rich desserts, fruitcakes or chocolaty treats. Would love to drink again, especially if the cost were just a little more affordable. (Feeling the 12% ABV now, by the way.) This beer would be great on one of those cold, winter nights in front of the fire with a girl named Jugsy.
Hmmmm... Gonna have to make that a reality... tonight!
Jugsy: I was not excited about reviewing this beer, despite generally being a fan of Dogfish Head, but Mugsy and I were determined to get out of our Belgian / IPA habit. Not excited, I should say, until I smelled it and became captivated by its curiously sweet aroma! This beer was a delight and a dream. For me, it's the first beer I've tasted that can truly be a companion for any dessert. I love it!

SCORE:

Mugsy: 8.05

Jugsy: 8.88

Hollywood Brew Fest

2009-11-13T15:39:00.000-08:00

Just a quick mention about something that’s happening right here in Mugsy & Jugsy’s hometown of Hollywood, CA! In fact, some are even calling it the ground zero for beer in Los Angeles!

The Hollywood Brew Fest, an all-day festival celebrating small craft brewers, will be taking place tomorrow at one of our favorite bars in town, the Blue Palms Brewhouse!

The Beer Chick is even personally selecting the beers on tap for the event! That might well be worth the cost of admission alone!

The Brew Fest has all the makings of a great event – we’re going to do our best to swing by – but if any of you out there make it, please leave a comment and let us know about your experience.

Happy Friday the 13^th and Happy Drinking!!!

Sierra Nevada 2009 Anniversary Ale

2009-11-12T22:24:00.000-08:00

Beer: Sierra Nevada 2009 Anniversary Ale
Brewer: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA USA
Type: American IPA
Bottle: 12 fl. oz. bottle
ABV: 5.9%
IBUs: 47
Served in: Pint glass

Place of Purchase: Silver Liquor, Sherman Oaks, CA
Price: $2 per bottle (Supermarket sells them for $9.99 / six-pack)

As you might have noticed, Mugsy and Jugsy are big fans of Belgians and IPAs. Many of the best beers in these categories can sometimes be difficult to find. And what’s the point of reviewing beers if YOU can’t try them?! Exactly.

So, we’re very excited about the Sierra Nevada 2009 Anniversary Ale because not only is it a fine example of an American IPA, but it’s also widely available pretty much everywhere!

Drink it up!

In every proper review, the Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Sierra Nevada 2009 Anniversary Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Deep golden honey color with lots of red highlights. Plenty of carbonation visible. Medium, creamy looking head that lasts. Looks delicious!

Jugsy: Deep amber with red tones; visibly carbonated with a medium, frothy head that lasts. Leaves lacing on the glass.

AROMA:

Mugsy: First off is strong scent of bitter hops, a little bit of sour, mixed with citrus; lemons and even a little orange. Very slight note of fruit, like peach comes from underneath the hops and citrus. Smells delicious!

Jugsy: Citrus and spice notes hit the nose first, followed by mild floral hops and a healthy dose of yeasty sourdough.

TASTE:

Mugsy: First of course are the hops - and a little citrus, which is to be expected; but the there’s so much more! Aftertaste is of warm, roasted malt with a hint of toffee at the end. Little bit of orange peel, too. Taste is hoppy but not “soapy” as so many IPA’s can be. Very complex flavors here. Tastes delicious!

Jugsy: The sharp, bitter hops attack the tongue – and, if I didn’t know better, I’d say this beer has Quinine (because the aftertaste is very reminiscent of Tonic Water!) Strong citrus – orange peel flavors – throughout. The spice notes, possibly cloves or cardamom, are buried somewhat in the abundant hops flavor. Complex taste.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Head is wonderfully creamy as you first bring glass to lips. The bite of the hops is there and the carbonation is big. This goes down so smoothly, with a crisp, fresh feel.

Jugsy: Creamy but not heavy. Full-bodied with a fair amount of carbonation. Bitter aftertaste coats the tongue.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: This one would be a perfect session beer. Not overpowering in its ABV nor too heavy on the palate. Refreshing and clean. Could drink this all night.

Jugsy: This is a very drinkable and enjoyable beer. At only 5.9% ABV, this brew manages to incorporate the complexity and flavor of a much higher ABV beer. Could certainly enjoy this in any atmosphere.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Fantastic beer. Extremely complex, yet not overdone nor heavy. Thoroughly enjoyable beer! Wish I had purchased more than just the two bottles for Jugsy and me to review. Would go well with spicy foods, like Indian, Thai or Latin.

Jugsy: At first blush, it seemed surprisingly bitter for only 47 IBUs, but the bitterness mellows over time. The flavor blossoms upon warming – so let this brew rest for a while to taste its full complexity. Each sip made me more and more a fan of this Anniversary Ale. Good job, Sierra Nevada!

SCORE:

Mugsy: 9.0

Jugsy: 7.0

I'll take a Lowenbrau for $8,000, please!

2009-11-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

We all know that rare bottles of wine can command hefty price-tags, sometimes even reaching the six-figure mark, according to Forbes Magazine.

However, Mugsy and Jugsy have never even contemplated a bottle of beer selling for thousands of dollars! What would that take? How unusual or rare would this prized beer have to be?

Turns out, pretty darn special! A bottle of Lowenbrau from the Hindenburg disaster is being auctioned this weekend and is expected to fetch between $4,000 and $8,000!

You can read the whole story here.

Now you know what to ask Santa to bring you this Christmas!

Chimay Ale Red

2009-11-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

Chimay Ale Red

Brewed by: Scourmont Abbey, Belgium

Bottle: 11.20 fl. oz. bottle

ABV: 7.0%

Served In: Tulip glass

Place of purchase: Lucky Baldwin's, Pasadena

Price: $6

In honor of L.A. Beer Week, Mugsy and Jugsy decided to get out of the house and enjoy a great brew with our fellow beer-lovers! We certainly have our favorite spots, and from time-to-time, we'll be reviewing "live" from various quality watering-holes. Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena, CA, is a (beer & wine) bar with a fantastic selection of specialty beers and frequent Beer Festivals.

Mugsy and Jugsy can be found there often!

On this particular occasion, we went specifically to meet Chimay's Head Brewer, Dominique Denis, and review Chimay Red! As you can imagine, the Chimay was flowing liberally that evening - so much so that the pub ran out of proper Chimay glasses!

(Ironically, had we reviewed this at home, the picture would have displayed our authentic Chimay glassware!)

In every proper review, the Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Chimay Ale Red

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Cloudy brown with a thin head. Very muddy even when held up to the light.
Jugsy: Rich brown and cloudy in appearance. Opaque, even when held up to the light. Virtually no head.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Fruity and spicy. Notes of apricot and clove. Slight bit of yeast comes through.
Jugsy: Subtle. Fragrant yeast and light malts. The competing scents at the pub make it very difficult to differentiate aromas.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Strong taste of sour fruit, apricots and sweet malt. Slight funk from yeast in aftertaste. Hints of spices; cloves come through.
Jugsy: Seems like a good balance of malts, yeast and hops. Has a woodsy character with yeast and slightly bitter hops aftertaste. Slight cola aftertaste as well. Can certainly taste the alcohol. Some kind of spice I can't quite identify - cinnamon?

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Little bite from the hops; goes down quite easily & smoothly.
Jugsy: Creamy and light / refreshing taste. Finishes with biting carbonation.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Certainly begin to feel the 7% ABV, yet the smoothness when it goes down makes this one I could drink over and over again throughout the night.
Jugsy: Goes down very easily. Flavorful but light. Can drink this all night.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: This is certainly one of the great Belgian - let alone - Trappist Ales of the lot; a force to be reckoned with. Would go great with any rich meal or dessert. This legendary Ale's reputation is well-deserved. Would drink again any day of the week!
Jugsy: I'm told this is your classic Trappist Ale. If so, I like it a lot! Drinking Chimay on an empty stomach is not recommended! Once my french fries arrived, I was pretty sure I could drink this all night!

SCORE:
Mugsy: 8.25
Jugsy: 7

A Second Honeymoon? Why not!

2009-11-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

Mugsy and Jugsy will be making some changes to our blog.
In addition to our weekly (nearly!) beer reviews, we'll be posting relevant information about beer, beer festivals, specialty craft beer news and anything else that catches our brew fancy!

To all the beer lovers in Southern California, here's something you just can't afford to miss: San Diego's first ever BEER WEEK!
And it starts today!

Did you know that San Diego county is home to over 33 working breweries??? With over 100 events planned for San Diego Beer Week and new events added daily - including a Ten Year Line up of Stone Imperial Russian Stout at the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, a Barrel Tasting Night with Lost Abbey and a Green Flash 7th Anniversary Party - Mugsy and Jugsy seriously consider a second honeymoon in San Diego this week!

Abbaye D'Aulne Triple Brune

2009-10-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

Abbaye D'Aulne Triple Brune

Brewed by: Brasserie Val De Sambre, Gozee, Belgium

Bottle: 1 pt., 9.4 fl. oz. - champagne bottle

ABV: 9.0%

Served in: Tulip glass

Place of purchase: Cost Plus World Market

Price: $5.99

OK, another beer served in a tulip glass. Why not? Mugsy and Jugsy like the Belgians!

But this one is a little different…

As you may have noticed in previous reviews, Mugsy and Jugsy often agree on the general characteristics of the beers they review. However, their views on this particular brew were so different as to cause them to question, “Are we even drinking the same beer???" Pick up a bottle and try it for yourself! You be the judge!

In every proper review, our Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Abbaye D'Aulne Triple Brune

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Dark, coffee brown with slight hints of red in the light. Thin head which dissipates quickly.

Jugsy: Pours dark like cola, reddish-brown when held up to the light. Medium head which dissipates somewhat, but thin head remains.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong smell of fermented fruit, like plums or prunes. Can smell the alcohol in this one. Hints of dark chocolate, as well.

Jugsy: First scent is that of strong malts, followed quickly by yeast aroma. Chocolate and oak smells detected. Faint scent of smoke and cloves - like someone is smoking a sweet pipe in the next room!

TASTE:

Mugsy: Spicy Winter berry and clove, mixed with more fruit; again, prunes. Aftertaste is of roasted malt, almost like a lighter and nuttier porter. Little bit of sourness and of chocolate in the aftertaste, as well.

Jugsy: Roasted or burnt malt flavor is initially overwhelming. Secondary taste is of bitter hops. The aftertaste is definitely chocolate, possibly with some coffee grounds. Yeast flavor emerges as the brew warms. There may even be a touch of citrusy spice buried underneath.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Lots of hops bite the tongue but don't really come through in flavor. A little watery going down.

Jugsy: Creamy and thick, almost chewy. Goes down smoothly with a moderate amount of carbonation.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Easy to drink and not really feeling the alcohol. Would be easy to have a few more.

Jugsy: After just a few sips, this beer already feels a bit heavy and I can certainly feel the 9% ABV - although the brew itself doesn't necessarily taste strong. I think one bottle, shared with Mugsy, is quite enough!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Pretty good beer. Have tasted many beers similar to this before, especially those from Eastern Europe, interestingly enough. However, this slightly more complex. Would go well with desserts, like fruit pies or fruit cakes. Not bad but would not necessarily seek out again.

Jugsy: As Belgian Abbey ales go, this is a pretty decent one. It's flavorful and complex and would be a great accompaniment to a rich, meat-based dish. It's a little heavy for my taste and I think I have a slight headache developing - - not sure if I can blame the beer, but there it is.

SCORE:

Mugsy: 6.50

Jugsy: 6.75

Saison Imperiale

2009-10-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Saison Imperiale, Belgian Farmhouse Ale

Brewed by De Proef Brouweij
Special Reserve

8.5% ABV – 11.2 Fl oz. champagne bottle

Served in a Tulip Glass

Mugsy had been craving a brew with what he called “Barnyard Funk” for a while and, like a good little wife, Jugsy wanted nothing more than to make him happy! So, when she spotted this intriguing Brewmaster’s Collection with the words “Farmhouse Ale” right there on the bottle, she snatched it up immediately!

After clearing a patch in the barn and kicking up our heels onto ready bundles of hay, Mugsy and Jugsy dusted off their Tulip glasses from last week’s review and popped the champagne style cork from the Saison Imperiale!

Ahhh. This is living!

In every proper review, the Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Saison Imperiale, Belgian Farmhouse Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Deep brown; impossible to see through, with thick, creamy head that doesn’t ever seem to dissipate! Looks like a glass of iced tea with a beer head.
Jugsy: Deep brown and garnet in color; opaque but not cloudy, with medium, creamy head that does not dissipate quickly. Carbonation is visible.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Slight bit of yeasty, barnyard funk straight off. Hints of spiciness, like Cardamom and maybe a little Bergamot orange peel, but funk stands out.
Jugsy: Initial aroma is one of sweet yeast with a fruity fermentation. Scent of sourdough with just a hint of malts. Apples, pears and mellow citrus are present. The fruity funk lingers throughout.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Slightly spicy, like a winter brew. Cinnamon and Molasses mix with hints of over-ripe fruit, like oranges. Also, hops are prevalent here, more so than most Belgian Ales of this type. However, the maltiness, yeast, fruit and spice overpower. Aftertaste is of Bergamot orange peel.
Jugsy: Very lightly roasted malts with a secondary yeast flavor. Delicate hops flavor provides a bitter middle-note. Spicy citrus and apple taste intertwine with a slightly bitter aftertaste. There seems to be coffee in there somewhere, too!

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Is this where I should mention the creamy moustache I got with my first drink? This Ale is spicy on the tongue, as I mentioned before, similar to winter brews. Goes down with a smooth, creamy finish.
Jugsy: Feels creamy and rich as it goes down. The flavors fan out smoothly across the palate. Briefly biting carbonation appears then disappears, leaving the tongue coated with mildly bitter funk.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Goes down easy! Not heavy at all. I began to feel the 8.5% ABV P.D.Q.! Got that warm, fuzzy feeling all over and a little bit of a flushed face. This would be a great breakfast beer on a cold, winter day. Then another at 11 a.m. and one more for lunch….
Jugsy: The Saison Imperiale is complex but doesn’t taste like a heavy beer. Due to its 8.5% ABV, I wouldn’t recommend this as a session beer, but it’s great on its own. I have to agree with Mugsy, I certainly felt the effects of alcohol very quickly!

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Nice beer. Just complex enough to know that the brewers care about what they do. Would be happy to drink again.
Jugsy: Thoroughly enjoyable brew. The combination of flavors is fresh and surprising. I get the feeling this is a cold weather drink that warms one after a hard day’s work on the farm (or at the office?). This beer is meant to be savored.

SCORE:
Mugsy: 7.65
Jugsy: 8.3

[This beer was purchased at BevMo for $9.49.]

Stone Ruination IPA

2009-10-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Beer: Stone Ruination IPA

Brewer: Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, CA USA

ABV: 7.7%

Type: American IPA

Bottle: 1 Pt. 6 Fl oz. bottle / Bomber

IBUs: 100+

Served in: Tulip Glass

Place of Purchase: Beverages and More (BevMo)

Price: $5.99

Just in time for Halloween, Mugsy and Jugsy bring you… Ruination! At a staggering 100+ IBUs [International Bitterness Units], this brew is not for the faint at heart. And, there’s no getting around the menacing demon staring down at you from the bottle, just daring you to take it all in!

The bottle is as interesting to look at as it is to read. (Stone Brewing Co. rarely disappoints in this regard!) Ruination IPA warns: “If you are not already a confirmed hophead … this is NOT the place to start.”

Mugsy? Check.

Jugsy? Check.

Let’s begin!

In every proper review, we will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Stone Ruination IPA

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Reddish brown, almost copper colored with average size heat that dissipates fairly quickly. Can see fair amount of carbonation.

Jugsy: Golden / red, copper color with medium head which dissipates quickly, light enough in color to see carbonation bubbles rising.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Strong, biting hops attack the nose instantly. Hidden in the background are faint scents of honey & fruit – possibly pineapple. Very slight bit of yeasty funkiness becomes discernible later on.

Jugsy: Sweet, fragrance of flowery hops with very mild yeast undertones. Fruity pineapple and apricot scent, almost smells like sweet bread!

TASTE:

Mugsy: Extremely hoppy and bitter as the 100+ IBU rating would imply. These are not floral hops. Tastes as if it is dry-hopped, perhaps. Aftertaste is hoppy as well; almost soapy.

Jugsy: Immediate taste is bitter and soapy; flowery hops. Mid-notes include a sweet and lightly funky yeast flavor alongside the full-bodied hops. Leaves a distinctly bitter yet pleasant aftertaste.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Fair bit of carbonation present, but not overwhelming. Feel is surprisingly light for such a strong taste. Not heavy at all. Goes down like a Pilsener more than an Ale.

Jugsy: Smooth and creamy with a perfect amount of carbonation.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: The extreme hoppiness is fantastic, but by the same token, does not lend itself to being a session beer. Would go well with spicy or rich foods, like curry.

Jugsy: At a 7.7% ABV, this isn’t the type of brew one can throw back in mass quantities. However, even at 100+ IBU, Stone Ruination IPA is light and bursting with hoppy flavor. This is a beer which deserves to be savored.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Great IPA, but not very complex. Not that an IPA should be overly complex, but maybe just a little more than bitter. However, if you love hops, this is for you -- as the bottle states, this IPA is all about the “Glorious Hops.”

Jugsy: From the moment I smelled its alluring, hoppy aroma, I was dying to taste the Ruination. It certainly did not disappoint! This is one of the finest IPA’s I have ever sampled. The balance of aroma and flavors sets this IPA apart from the competition.

SCORE:

Mugsy: 7.0

Jugsy: 9.0

Hoptober Golden Ale

2009-10-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hoptober Golden Ale

New Belgium Brewing Company

6% ABV - 12 fl oz. bottle

40 IBU

Served in a Pint Glass

Staying with the Oktoberfest theme from last week, Mugsy and Jugsy decided to review another season-appropriate brew. With a name like “Hoptober” this beer was just begging to be sampled, savored – and naturally, reviewed! At a relatively high 40 IBU [International Bitterness Units] Mugsy and Jugsy couldn’t wait to whet their palates with all the Hoppy goodness this beer promised to deliver!

Let the Hoppiness begin! (Jugsy couldn’t resist that one.)

In every proper review, we will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Hoptober Golden Ale

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Deep golden color, with a thin-ish head; lots of carbonation visible.

Jugsy: Golden, deep amber color with slight reddish tones, medium head (most of which dissipates rapidly), visibly carbonated; leaves lacing on glass.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Intense flower hops immediately singe the nose hairs. Smells almost like a West Coast IPA.

Jugsy: Immediate smell is one of flowery hops; noticeable orange undertones with a hint of Vanilla; sweet, inviting scent.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Very hoppy, but not quite as hoppy as the aroma indicates. Definitely bitter, but not like an IPA; slight aftertaste of orange peel, lemon. I can’t help but take a big whiff of hops with every gulp!

Jugsy: Soapy, flowery taste of hops; secondary citrus flavors with a hint of nutmeg and possibly something spicier. It has a pleasant, bitter finish with strong hops aftertaste.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: The 40 IBU rating is apparent as the hops bite the tongue. Goes down very clean and crisp. More like a Pilsner rather than an Ale, but not quite as carbonated.

Jugsy: Slightly watery, more than moderately carbonated; crisp and light.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Would be very easy to throw these back on a hot day and be loaded before you knew it! The Pilsner-like quality makes it not heavy as an Ale and very drinkable.

Jugsy: Very drinkable – light and refreshing, yet flavorful enough to be enjoyably consumed as a good session beer.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: Good beer. Not overly complex but would be a great beer to drink with friends or with a sandwich (or other light food). Would definitely drink this again!

Jugsy: I’m a big fan of the flowery hop taste. At 40 IBU, Hoptober has a good ratio of bitterness to overall flavor. While I did enjoy this beer, I can’t help but feel that something was missing! It left me wanting just a little more. Having said that, I wouldn’t turn down a tall, cold glass anytime soon!

SCORE:

Mugsy: 6.5

Jugsy: 7.25

Märzen Madness

2009-09-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

Märzen Madness

Brewed by Indian Wells Brewing Company
12 fl oz. bottle – 5.5% ABV
Served in a Pint Glass

As our second beer for review, we decided to review Märzen Madness, which is actually an Oktoberfest-style beer. We were curious as to why an Oktoberfest beer would be named “Märzen Madness” or “March Madness” -- so we decided to do some investigating!

It turns out that Oktoberfest beers were traditionally brewed in March, before the summer weather rendered brewing impossible. The remaining stock of beer was consumed in the in the interim and then, the special “Märzenbier” or “March beer” would be ready just in time for Oktoberfest.

Works for us!

In every proper review, we will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Märzen Madness

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Golden color with a hint of red; appears to be fairly carbonated by number of rising bubbles, yet has a very small, thin head.
Jugsy: Amber / caramel in color, very thin head which dissipates quickly.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Nose is a little funky, almost like some very yeasty Belgians; sweet note of fruit, but the funky smell dominates.
Jugsy: Light smell of apricot; scent of sourdough bread, mild yeast, possible pineapple; fruity funk.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Crisp hops; strong at the top, which dissipates; takes a taste or two to get the flavor of malt, which is completely hidden and is only a distant aftertaste. Overall taste is light and fairly watery, although there’s a tiny taste of hops bitterness left on the tongue.
Jugsy: Strong sourdough aftertaste; more complex than the aroma would suggest, mildly bitter, but bitterness dissipates quickly, giving way to lightly roasted malt, crisp, moderately carbonated with some kind of muted fruit flavor in the background.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Lots of carbonation. Bubbles! The bubbles go right up your nose. The beer itself is extremely watery.
Jugsy: Average - definitely not a full-bodied beer; light, crisp, moderately carbonated and very watery.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Can throw these back as this beer is so light. Not very complex, though.
Jugsy: Since it’s not heavy, you could certainly drink this all night, but with all the other great beers in the world, you might not want to. Just an average brew.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: A bit bland; lacks complexity; extremely one-dimensional. Due to its lightness, this would be a good session beer, after you run out of your first two or three session beers.
Jugsy: I’m not a huge fan of most Oktoberfest brews I’ve tried thus far and I’m sorry to say that Märzen Madness doesn’t do much to change my mind. This beer is so average as to be completely forgettable. I’ll take a beer with character any day of the week.

SCORE:
Mugsy: 3
Jugsy: 4

Black Hart - Our first beer review!

2009-09-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

Mugsy & Jugsy’s first beer up for review… {drum-roll, please}

Black Hart – Irish Style Dry Stout

Brewed by North Coast Brewing Company

12 fl oz. bottle – 5.5% ABV

Served in a Pint Glass

Mugsy, who is by far, the more discerning beer enthusiast is open to trying anything. He actually likes stouts! Jugsy, on the other hand, has a strong preference for certain types of beer – stouts not generally among them. But when faced with the taunting question: “Are you afraid of the Dark?” She knew she had no other choice but to face the challenge head-on.

In every proper review, we will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.

Black Hart – Irish Style Dry Stout

APPEARANCE:

Mugsy: Extremely dark, brown to black with slight reddish tint, medium dark cola-ish head; head dissipates, but not overly rapidly.

Jugsy: Small head, very dark in color, almost black even when held up to the light; leaves a delicate lacing on the glass, head evaporates quickly.

AROMA:

Mugsy: Roasted malt, with big toffee taste and slight coffee undertones.

Jugsy: Funky, burnt malt, sour smell of yeast, slightly reminiscent of sour milk/cheese, sourdough, hint of coffee grounds.

TASTE:

Mugsy: Roasted malt, slight smokiness detected, big toffee taste that stays long after drinking; hint of caramel aftertaste; very slight coffee ground aftertaste; hint of bittersweet chocolate.

Jugsy: Strong chocolate flavors; bitter, with creamy roasted malt; light coffee aftertaste; simple flavors, not a complex palate.

MOUTH-FEEL:

Mugsy: Good amount of carbonation, much more so than a true English / Irish stout; obvious that this is a U.S. brew. Fair bit of bitterness on palate as it goes down; dry, like a stout should be.

Jugsy: Creamy, smooth feel, mild carbonation and a delicate finish.

DRINKABILITY:

Mugsy: Easy to drink, especially for a stout, but wouldn’t drink more than a couple of glasses at a time due to the dryness and bitter-sweetness.

Jugsy: Surprisingly light and refreshing, particularly for such a dark brew – very drinkable.

OVERALL:

Mugsy: A fine beer. I like this better than many English / Irish Stouts. It would pair well with rich foods. I would definitely drink this again, any time!

Jugsy: This is a pleasant stout, refreshing, not heavy – not overbearing – just the thing for those chilly Irish twilights.

SCORE:

Mugsy : 6.95

Jugsy: 6.75

BEERAUCRACY - Introduction

2009-08-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

BUREAUCRACY
Defintion: Rule of a governing body; also systematic inefficiency, especially as in government.

Includes such elements as:
*Over-abundance of rules and regulations
*Layer upon layer of authority
*Stacks of paperwork
*Form over function

BEERAUCRACY
Defintion: Rule of Beer

Includes such elements as:
* Aromatic hops
* Rich, malted barley
* The purest water
* The multi-faceted breath of yeast (& other ingredients)

Join our two BEERAUCRATS, Mugsy and Jugsy, as they cut through the red-tape to discover the true essence of good beer!

WARNING: Reviewers are not professionals. Please, DO attempt these stunts at home.

Note: This blog intended for persons of legal drinking age.