Day 110, October 31

The Offering: Chatoe Rogue First Growth Pumpkin Patch Ale. Oregon, USA

ABV: 5.6%

Happy Halloween! The Rogue Pumpkin Patch is great way to celebrate. Overall the pumpkin is subtle and delicious. The pumpkin and spices are apparent on the nose but not overpowering. Quite pleasant and brings nostalgia of Halloweens and Thanksgivings past. More subtle pumpkin and spice on the mouth along with a slight sweetness. This is a great brew that does not blow you away with pumpkin. I would drink this year around.

Points: 92

Thanks to Katie (and City Beer Store)

Cheers

Day 109, October 30

The Offering: Goose Island, Matilda, Belgian Style Bret Beer, Chicago USA

ABV: 7.0%

You know this is a Bret beer from the beginning. The bretonomyces is very strong on the nose. Dirty grass, barnyard and wet earth hit the olfactory glands right away. For some reason Bret beers always remind me of French food and wine. The mouth on this follows nicely, along with the funky barnyard there are great notes of fruity sweetness and citrus. The wheat and grass are the primary tones but overall it is very balanced between wheat sweet and funk. For those who like something funky this is your brew.

Points: 93

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 108, October 29

The Offering: Achel Trappist Blond Bier, Belgian Trappist blonde ale.

ABV: 8%

The only downside to this beer is that I had to drink it out of a wine glass because I broke my snifter. Besides that this is another splendid Trappist ale. The nose is a nice funky sweet yeasty wheat. The mouth is funky too with yeast and wheat coming through strongly. There is a subtle sweetness with bitter notes all the way through. Great brew and I recommend it to all types of beer drinker.

Points: 91

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 107, October 28

The Offering: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. India Pale Ale, USA

ABV: 9.0%

San Francisco Giants, World Series Champions!!!! Once again it matters little what was consumed, but this one was pretty good. This is standard fare for IPA drinkers. The continuously hopped 90 min boil really brings up the ABV% and brings out the big hoppy notes.

Points: 90 (100 in this atmosphere)

Thanks to Pablo, Scutero, Posey, Crawford, Belt, Pagan, Pence, Blanco, Cain, Lincecum, Bumgarner, Vogelsong, Zito, Cassilla, Lopez, Romo, Wison and Bruce Bochy

Cheers!

Day 106, October 27

The Offering: Deschutes, Chainbreaker, white IPA. Oregon

ABV: 5.6%

I was told by an Oregonian friend to try another Deschutes brew as he was disappointed that my Day 96 review of the Hop in The Dark was only so-so. This is round two and we're a little above so-so.  Keep in mind this was straight out of the bottle so some of the characteristics may not have had a chance to develop.

Even out of the bottle the Chainbreaker has a good citrus nose.  I get more of the "White" than the IPA on the mouth.  There are no really bitter hoppy notes, it's mostley wheat and a lot of spice.  There is definitely a yeasty undertone throughout and it finishes on the dry side.  This is a nice refreshing brew.

Points: 84

Thanks to Libby and Mike

Cheers

Day 105, October 26

The Offering: Gaffel, kolsch

ABV: 4.8%

This brew is created using an ale yeast which is "lagered". Ale yeast and lager yeast are very different and ales are fermented hot while lagers are fermented cold. This one ferments cold using ale yeast. The process is quite a bit slower and in this case I'm not sure it was worth it. The brew is balanced but boring. It's bitter and a little astringent but has some malt sweetness to balance. This Kolsch seems standard but on the low side.

As I complete this I noticed that this is actually a repeat of Day 63. I will keep it on the blog because the Day 63 Gaffel was from the tap and I had a different experience (more positive) with it. It's interesting to compare the notes and scores.

Points: 75

Thanks to Katie

Prost!

Day 104, October 25

The Offering: Wurtzburger Hofbrau Pilsener, Germany

ABV: 4.9%

Pretty solid offering but more of the same from ze Germans. Another typical German pilsener, crisp, bitter and delicious.

Points:84

Thanks to Katie

Prost!

Day 103, October 24

The Offering: Hacker-Pschorr, Original Octoberfest, amber marzen. Germany.

ABV: 5.8%

Malty sweet nose. I also get a little buddhist temple incense, not really sure where that is coming from. The mouth is a little boring. It's sweet and malty but there is almost no bitterness to add complexity. It's kind of mehhh.

Points: 74

Thanks to Katie

Prost!

Day 102, October 23

The Offering: St. Feuillian Saison Farmhouse Ale. Belgium

ABV: 6.5%

A nice little funky Saison. This one is polite enough that most beer drinkers will like it. It's definitely not funky enough for the hardcore Saison lovers. The nose is a little fruity with wheat and bread. There is some definite citrus. The mouth is a little funky with more wheat and citrus some herbal notes. Bitterness really comes through on the mouth and stays with you. The finish brings out more bitterness and the underlying yeast that took a backseat in the beginning. This is a good starter Saison for the lovers of the less than funky.

Points:91

Thanks to Scarby

Cheers

Day 101, October 22

The Offering: Flensburger Pilsener, Germany.

ABV: 4.8%

Let me start this by saying LET'S GO GIANTS!!!!

That said this more of the same from the German pilseners. Solid but not great. Crisp and bitter but it loses a little on the end. It finishes a little funky and leaves a bit of sourness on the mouth. I'm hoping the Germans get better for the World Series.

Points: 77

Thanks to Katie

Vamos Gigantes!

Day 100, October 21

The Offering: Jever Pilsner. Germany

ABV: 4.9%

The nose is a little bready and really doesn't hint at the brews crisp and bitter flavor. The mouth is very bitter but clean, not the bitterness that leaves a foul taste in your mouth. Classic German pils that drinks cleanly. Nothing fancy here but I wouldn't not order it :)

Points: 82

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 99, October 20

The Offering: Pabst Blue Ribbon, American Lager.

ABV: 4.74%

PBR and Roller Derby. America, **** Yeah! No better place to drink a PBR. I've never actually tried to "taste" a PBR but it proved to be slightly interesting. Most surprising is the subtle smokiness. The rest drinks like a typical American lager. A little yeast, a little citrus and the rest is just bland and bitter. Be sure to put a few of these back if you bother with one.

Points: 75

Thanks to Kevin

Cheers

Day 98, October 19

The Offering: Spaten Optimator, German Dopelbock

ABV: 7.6%

I remember this being better. This one is just not doing it for me. The nose smells like sour malts. The mouth follows with a bitter sour malt. This really drinks like syrup with very little carbonation. Not recommended.

Points: 72

Thanks to Katie

Prost!

Day 97, October 18

The Offering: Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel. Germany

ABV: 6.5%

Here comes another round of German Brews. This is a decent start to the 12-pack.

The nose is all malts. Sweet rich malts. The malts are not really roasty they are far to the sweet side. The mouth is sweet with malts and mostly dark fruit flavors like current, cherries and plum. The finish closes with more bitterness combined with the sweetness. The main thing i noticed about this brew was the super low carbonation, almost syrupy. Not bad but not my favorite

Points: 79

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 96, October 17

The Offering: Deschutes Brewery, Hop in the Dark, Cascadian Dark Ale. Oregon USA

ABV: 6.9%

This brew has a great cascade hops nose, which is surprising in a dark beer. I must say the brew was named well. A bit of sweet malts come through too but mostly hops. The mouth is another story. I get a lot of the darker roasted malt flavors first rather than the hops but the bitter hops come through in the end. The bitter hops and roasted malts don't quite work for me on this one. Not bad but the balance isn't quite there. Not to be avoided but I'm not crazy about this brew.

Points: 80

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 95, October 16

The Offering: Grand Teton Brewing Co. Bitch Creek ESB, Idaho USA

ABV: 6%

Malts are the front runner in this one. Starting with the nose the sweet malts are apparent. The mouth is dark with coffee and chocolate combined with intense bitterness from the hops. No floral notes make it in from the hops but the hops do well to balance the maltiness. I wouldn't call this a smooth beer but it's pleasant.

Points: 83

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 94, October 15

The Offering: Magic Hat #9, Vermont USA

ABV: 5.1%

I remember considering this upscale in college. In a way it still is, but not quite as I remember. Perhaps it's just gimmicky now. If nothing else, it is unique. I would get this as a change of pace brew if you wanted a sweetish fruity wheat.

It's really an apricot bomb. Sweet apricot nose. Sweet wheat and apricot on the mouth with a little citrus. The finish is more apricot with some strong bitter and sweet notes. The flavors are just like I remember but the quality is simply not as good.

Points: 79

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 93, October 14

The Offering: Devils Canyon

ABV: 6%

Wonderful brew. These guys are right down the street and have some good brews on their roster but nothing outstanding. This one is off the charts in comparison. (side note: the Triple Voodoo brewers from last nights offering brew out of Devils Canyon brewery)

Apricot nose. Apricot mouth yeasty wheaty. Drinks like a belgian. They call it a sparkling ale and it drinks like a yeasty sparkling wine. This beer is solid.

Points: 95

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 92, October 13

The Offering: Triple Voodoo Inception, Belgian Triple style. California, USA

ABV: 8%

This is one of the best American attempts at a Belgian Triple that I've had so far. Bonus that its made right down the street. I had the pleasure of trying it at the Redwood City Octoberfest.

The nose is citrusy with some yeast and a mix of unknown herbs. Very pleasant overall. The mouth is typical tripel with strong notes of wheat, yeast a little citrus, maybe some banana. The overall flavor is quite complex and pleasant. Solid brew.

Points: 87

Thanks to Becky and Alex

Cheers

Day 91, October 12

The Offering: Dogfish Head Ancient Ales, Midas Touch.

ABV: 9%

This is another unique brew by Dogfish Head. I have liked the Ancient Ales so far and this one continues the trend. This was brewed from a recipe concocted of remnants left in pottery from King Midas' tomb 2000 years ago.

The nose is subtle but the smell is definitely sweet white grapes with some herby spiciness. The mouth is sweet too and I get more cherry than grape. The herby spiciness continues mixed in with notes of wheat and barley. It's a well balanced brew that is worth trying. Definitely not standard fare.

Points: 86

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 90, October 11

The Offering: Speakeasy Payback Porter, San Francisco, USA

ABV: 7.5%

Sweet chocolate nose. Bitter coffee mouth. Typical porter and a delicious one. Definite hoppy background with some sweet and nutty notes. Speakeasy makes some quality beer, nothing outstanding but always good. Enjoy!

Points: 86

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 89, October 10

The Offering: White Hawk, Select IPA. New York, USA

ABV: 7%

Well this finishes off my first round of East Coast brews. Sad to see them go, but so far none of them have knocked my socks off.

This brew is standard fare and definitely solid but nothing outstanding. Floral nose with some dark fruitiness. The mouth is florally bitter and the aftertaste has a slight herbiness with the bitter finish.

Points:85

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 88, October 9

The Offering: Long Trail, Blackberry Wheat. Vermont, USA

ABV: 4.00%

Blackberry club soda. Nothing more.

Points: 52

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 87, October 8

The Offering: Worthington's White a shield, IPA. UK

ABV: 5.6%

Smells a little too metallic. Sometimes the super bitter IPAs get that way but it's never a good thing. This is definitely a super bitter IPA and not really a good one. I taste a little coffee from the malts but mostly bitterness. Not terrible but not going to be a rebuy.

Points: 78

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 86, October 7

The Offering: Blue Moon, Pumpkin Harvest Ale

ABV: 5.7%

I was more than a little skeptical that this would be a gimmicky ploy by Blue Moon to add sales in the fall. Quite honestly, maybe it is. But it is a good one.

I like this brew because it not overwhelming. Great pumpkin nose and mouth without overpowering the senses. There is also a sweetness and solid spice that brings out a little pumpkin pie nostalgia. What I really like though is the clean bitter finish it keeps you in check and reminds you you are drinking beer here. Good fun brew.

P.S. Once again I find myself at odds with other brewheads as to the merits of the beer. The online community seems to think this one too kitsch. I say enjoy it.

Points: 87

Thanks to Mike and Libby

Cheers

Day 85, October 6

The Offering: Sierra Nevada, Kellerweis, hefeweizen. California, USA.

ABV: 4.8%

I typically do some research on the brews i drink. I find the brewers' websites and beeradvocate.com helpful resources. I always personally score a brew before looking a beeradvocate to make sure i am not influenced. Usually, my scores are in the general ballpark as the beer advocate beer drinking community. Obviously i have my own personal preferences in style and taste but a good beer is a good beer.

This is the first time so far where my opinion has truly differed. I thought the Kellerweis was terrible. It was muted, yeasty and a bit sour. The sourness wasn't even citrusy. Because of the raving reviews online (best hef I've ever had, best American hef etc.) I think I could have had a bad batch. What I drank was nowhere near a top hef. Anyway, take the review with a grain of salt. I will revisit this brew and keep you updated.

Points: 70

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 84, October 5

The Offering: Long Trail, IPA. Unfiltered IPA. Vermont, USA

ABV: 5.9%

This is Long Trails unfiltered IPA. They have been doing the filtered version for 13 years but this is the first year of unfiltered. I'm not really getting much of the unfiltered aspect, there are no yeasty beasties at the bottom of the glass and it really drinks like the filtered version. That being said it is a very drinkable IPA. It's not super bitter and it goes down smooth. The nose is muted with a little bit of the hoppy flowers. The mouth is pleasant with a little bitterness but not much else. Not a lot going on here but still a very drinkable beer. I'd call this an IPA to please the masses, more like an IPA to not turn off the masses. You will not not like it.

Points: 84

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 83, October 4

The Offering: Southhampton Publick House, Double White. "Belgian Style Double" (my ass). New York USA

ABV: 6.6%

Though it says Belgian Style Double on the label, it is not even close to the same style or quality. A tripel I could maybe understand, but not really.

The nose is citrus and wheat with some odd funk. The mouth drinks like a hef with wheat and citrus still apparent. There is a bit of sourness that comes through in an unpleasant way. The finish is wheat and yeast. Not for me.

Points: 78

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 82, October 3

The Offering: Heavy Seas, Loose Cannon Hop^3 IPA, New York USA

ABV: 7.25%

I was never familiar with this brew on the East Coast. I can see why, as it falls into the generically pretty good category of small brewery IPAs. Floral hop aroma with some light malts and a little apricot. The mouth is bitter all the way through with a bit of astringent tartness on the end. Nothing really stands out but a quality choice if it's what they're serving.

Points: 85

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 81, October 2

The Offering: Taj Mahal Premium lager, Indian Lager

ABV: 4.5%

Once again, if "premium" or any other self aggrandizing verbiage is on the bottle you can pretty much guarantee it's a dud. Not that I had high expectations but those expectations were soundly met. When in Rome, or in this case at an Indian buffet, why not.

The nose is fruity, apple maybe? It's hard to place. A little bitterness on the nose as well. Not much going on in the mouth. Definitely bitter but quite watered down. Seems around the same quality as Bud to me. Also, I must note this brew did not compliment the Indian buffet. If anything it made the spices more harsh.

Points: 62

Thanks to Katie

Cheers

Day 80, October 1

The Offering: Wagner Valley, Summer Sail Hefeweizen. New York USA.

ABV: 4%

Solid hefeweizen. The nose has great citrus and wheat which is quite inviting. The mouth follows well with pretty strong yeast, wheat and citrus. The only complaint is that it kind of dies at the end. It leaves a dull flavor on the finish.

Points: 90

Thanks to Katie

Cheers