Double Mountain Hop Lava

Brethern,

Brother B and I watched the Ritual of Play-off Football at the local sports pub. With 22 brews on tap, there's always a good selection to choose from.

I picked first.

I went for the Double Mountain's Hop Lava. I knew nothing about the beer. I picked in out of instinct and a I was rewarded.

It's solid beer. It's sweet on the front and a bit bitter on the back. The more I drank, I less I tasted the bitter, and the sweeter and the more savory the IPA became. Hop Lava is not extreme. It's not over-hopped.

Brother B thought it was a bit flowery.

I thought it tasted fresh.

We both liked it.

Cheers,

RD

Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale

This Gnome was gifted to the Church for Christmas, I cracked it open last night to accompany the assembling of furniture from IKEA. Like many winter brews, Ill Tempered Gnome is a dark, red beer. Opened, it has a nice aroma. From first taste to last, from front to back, it's a bitter beer, not unbearable, but bitter. I suspect its the hops. Underneath, is the more more subtle flavor of a traditional English Ale. It's an beer. It's worth a try, but I'd probably not buy it, but I'd definitely drink it, if offered.

Cheers,

RD

Rant

I went to a brew pup over the weekend, three guys walk in and all order Coors Light. What's the point. Why go to a brew pub? Coors Light is served everywhere. Why bother going to a brew pub, if you won't drink micro-brewed beer?

Schell's Stout

Over the summer, my dear parents, stopped in New Ulm, Minnesota and visiting the August Schell Brewery. Fortunately for me, they brought home a mixed six pack. Brother B and I shared a few during the Rose Bowl, but tonight being beer night, the first night of my weekend, I cracked open a stout. Mmmmmm. Tasty. A perfect beer for a cold, rain-doggy night. It's like a Baltic Porter without the anise flavor. It has a hint of maple without being sweet. It's a smooth beer that doesn't bite with bitterness.

Cheers,

RD