VooDoo Vator – Atwater Block Brewery

So, it’s that wonderful time of the week again. Brewsday Tuesday. Today was a fun-filled day of doing pretty much nothing except looking forward to trying the last of the six-pack I picked up at Bert’s Better Bears. Some people might think that might have been a boring way to spend a day…..not I.

So, I opened the top to this DoppleBock High-Gravity Lager and immediately the smell of pine and tangy hops. I took a sip and the maltiness of the beer was quite overpowering. There were some slight citrus flavors intertwined with chocolate. After several tastes the flavors seemed to take on one basic tone, carrying it through the majority of the beverage. Simple: chocolate and a dash of hops.

It was very good, yet quite boring. I was expecting much, much more from a beer that uses a skull wearing a fedora with a bone-feather sticking from it’s band as it’s logo. And trust me, if you want to label a beer as a DoppleBock, you truly need to make sure it lives up to it. This doesn’t come close. It’s more like a Black Lager.

So, if you’re looking for a darker beer with a minimalist approach to hops, this is your beverage. Now that I’ve tried it, I’m pretty sure it’s not worth me opening my wallet again. But please, “You don’t have take my word for it” (LeVar Burton). It’s your choice, you just need to make it.

Monkey Fist IPA – Shipyard Brewing Company, LLC.

Yes, again, I’ve been shirking on my responsibilities when it comes to my Brewsday Tuesday blogs. The excitement of returning to work, even though it’s a short project, pushed me back into my lazy-ass mode when it comes to reporting on frosty beverages. Luckily I visited with my brother yesterday, and on our way to dinner, we stopped at lovely establishment by the name of Bert’s Better Beers in Hooksett, NH.

This place definitely is well-stocked and (if you don’t plan on bringing a sleeping bag) it’s tough to get out without spending some serious time deliberating. I settled on 6 brews, but it was a difficult decision. Tonight’s pick: Shipyard’s Monkey Fist IPA.

After I popped the top I immediately noticed the extreme hoppy aroma exiting the bottle. There was no subtleness to it, this was in your face hops. I took a quick pull and my taste-buds were overwhelmed by hops, hops and more hops. The second sip had a lemony zest accompanied by the faint flavor of apples. No matter where I’ve looked (other blogs, Shipyard, etc) does anyone mention apples, but that’s what I got.

From the first taste, to the final fizzy tug, this delightful beverage is full of flavor. If you like IPAs and you enjoy zips and zings then this is the next one on your list.

Namaste – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

So, it’s been two weeks since my last Brewsday Tuesday. Yes, I don’t have any excuse for being a slacker…except that I’m a slacker. On our way back from Ogunquit, ME, we swung by the Hannaford in Hamptead, NH. The parking lot was ridiculous (for some reason I don’t know) and I said “F” it. We headed to The Wine Steward, also in Hampstead, NH, and headed right for the rear of the store. They’ve got a pretty good sized selection, including some higher end limited brews.

After some deliberation, Ash pointed out the Namaste. I like Dogfish Head, and for $7.99 I went for it. I popped the top and immediately the aroma of coriander and orange came rushing out of the bottle. I poured half of the contents of the bottle into a pint glass and the color was a soft orange with some sediment floating around.

The first sip was full of lemon-grass and orange flavors, and very well balanced. The finish was sweet and the coriander enveloped the taste-buds. It is similar to a Belgian White (color and light flavors) but it definitely has it’s own space on the shelf.

So, Namaste is definitely a HIT!. If you can find it, it’s definitely worth the $7.99. I’m sure that the ladies will love this one as much (maybe even more) than the fellas. Drink this beer and enjoy you life!

Flying Dog – Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale

So, after a busy day I finally got a minute to sit down and celebrate Brewsday Tuesday. This evening’s choice is a pale ale from Flying Dog. To be honest with you, I’ve never even sampled one of Flying Dog’s products (I know it’s hard to believe!). But there’s always a first time for everything and that’s the true motivation behind Brewsday Tuesday.

I opened this brew and the aroma was quite hoppy with a subtle zest of grapefruit. The first sip was rather bland with a mediocre hoppyness and a flat hint of grapefruit. The second sip was dominated by the bland hoppyness and the flavor profile really didn’t change. I was hoping that as time passed there would be some development of the overall character of the beer but, to my dismay, there wasn’t.

This would definitely be on my least favorite list for Pale Ales. This beverage won’t stop me from trying another of Flying Dog’s product but if this is what they consider their “Classic” Pale Ale, I’ll have my reservations.

If you like a beer that’s weak, doesn’t mind being slapped around and put in the corner and all around “eh”, give it a shot. I know I won’t open my wallet again to purchase the Doggy Style (beer!).

Dos Perros Ale – Yazoo Brewing Company

So, after my first wonderful experience with the Yazoo Brewing Company and their SUE, I decided to give them another shot. I picked up their Dos Perros Ale (translated: Two Dogs) with big hopes. I opened the bottle and the aroma was relatively stale smelling with a subtle hoppyness.

The first sip was shockingly terrible. It had the full assault of a warm Corona mixed with a flat Tecate. I actually considered not drinking it, which is something I have RARELY ever considered with a brew. I took a second sip and the flavor was primarily lemon and piss. Yes, I said piss.

I continued to “enjoy” this “beverage” primarily to finish it and get something that didn’t trash my tastebuds. Unfortunately the flavor profile never developed and it continued to taste like the smell of stagnant puddles you’d find in the alleyways of Guatemala City. I managed to finish, as terrible as it was, and promised that I’d never drink it again.

So, please don’t be discouraged from sampling the beers of the Yazoo Brewing Company. So far, they’re 1 for 2, which isn’t terrible odds (if you’re playing tee-ball). If you like drinking beer though, I would suggest avoiding the Dos Perros Ale.

Ruthless Rye IPA – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

So, today I was lucky enough to hit up the Publix in Clarksville, TN, and I resupplied myself with an additional 6 brews for future Brewsday Tuesdays. Today I will be enjoying the final frosty beverage from my first 6-pack. Sierra Nevada has been putting out delicious beers since 1981 and the Ruthless Rye is definitely on that list.

The aroma from the freshly opened bottle is both fruity and hoppy with a subtle sweetness (almost like the smell of nectar). The first sip is not overwhelming at all, with a very light hop and the full-flavor of rye. Halfway through this delightful beverage the rye mellows out and the grapefruit takes over and the finish is punctuated with the zip of the hops.

If you’re able to find this one (which shouldn’t be that hard being a Sierra Nevada product) don’t hesitate to grab a 6-pack of it. It’ll satisfy the tastes of just about any beer drinker, as long as you’re open-minded. You definitely won’t be disappointed!

Kingpin: Triple Hopped Double Red Ale – Bridgeport Brewing Company

This is the second to last brew remaining in my 6-pack variety. I opened the beer and immediately the strong malty aroma was emitted from the beverage. There was also a grapefruity tang hidden in the background. The beer has a slightly foggy wonderful amber hue.

The first sip is shockingly unhoppy for a triple hopped beer. There is a bitterness which plays along with the grapefruit flavors and it’s merged with a light maltiness. The finish is almost raisin-like in flavor mixed with a dark chocolate bitterness. At the halfway point there was a subtle black cherry that became apparent.

Please don’t be fooled by the labeling, I find that this beer is far from tasting like a triple hopped. It is, however, and exquisite example of a double red ale. If you enjoy a nice red with a bold and well-layered flavor profile, definitely grab a 6-pack of it. It was my first and definitely will not be my last!