I stole this pic form my friend JP. I actually did not get any pictures from Brewz Crewz, oh well.

This festival was super fun! I’ve never been to a big beer fest like this before and I definitely enjoyed myself. Everyone was really nice and pretty much everyone that noticed me taking notes asked about this blog. Hopefully some of them found it!

The fest was 3 hours long, and I managed to snag 36 samples and two full bottles of beer :)

Because of the time crunch and the fact that the friends I went with were on a beer tasting mission, my notes were a bit brief and probably got more confused and biased the drunker I got.

Anyway, here are the 36 beers I tried (in chronological order):

1. Orlando Brewing Organic Blonde Ale, ABV: 4.73% , Rating: 3/5
   Very light color, light scent, nice clean taste, nice head. Simple, sweet, nice balance, good carbonation. Could drink a lot.
2. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye, ABV: 6.60% , Rating: 2/5
   Hoppy! Citrusy hoppy taste. Dark tan, small head. Smells like pine. Not my style, but good for an IPA lover. The lady that worked the table was very enthusiastic and sweet.
3. Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils, ABV 5.30%, Rating: 3/5
   Smells sweet, tastes kinda sweet. Nice balance. Bubbly going down - nice and tingly. Very light yellow color with nice small white head.
4. Lagunitas Censored Rich Copper Ale, ABV 6.75%, Rating: 4/5
   Really big gorgeous head, light clear brown color. Smells amazing. Warm, sweet taste - very nice and interesting.
5. Full Sail Pale Ale, ABV 5.40%, Rating: 3/5
   Nice head, light tan color, clear. Smells sweet. Sweet taste, high carbonation. I like! Not my usual style, but I approve.
6. Ace Perry Cider, ABV 5.00%, Rating: 4.5/5
   Sweet smell, sweet taste, but not too sweet. Very good balance for a cider :) Pear taste, tastes like candy, but in a nice way. Champagne color, light green.
7. Napa Smith Lost Dog Amber/Red Ale, ABV: 7.20%, Rating: 4/5
   Great malt smell. Nice brown clear color, little head. Tastes great - cold, crisp, high carbonation, light, good balance. I love it and JP (IPA LOVER) loves it.
8. Napa Smith Organic IPA, ABV: 7.10%, Rating: 3.5/5
   I don’t like IPAs and this is good! Sweet, not too hoppy. Organic FTW.
9. OBP Toasted Coconut Porter, ABV: 5.35%, Rating: 4.5/5
   Smells awesomely like chocolate coconut. Taste surprising light, milky taste and feel. Pretty thick head, very dark, almost black color. So pretty! Awesome :)
10. Orange Blossom Pilsner 2, ABV: 11.0%, Rating: 4/5
    Light orange color, nice head. Smells amazing, like oranges and cream and honey. Nice crisp taste. Definitely taste honey. Sweet, but not overly. Medium carbonation. Goes down smooth, can’t taste alcohol. Nice orange after taste.
11. Flying Dogs’ Stray Dogs Amber Lager, ABV: 5.5%, Rating: 3.25/5
    Smells like spring water. Light taste, taste like spring water! Medium brown, small head. Light, crisp, cool / can’t place taste but nice goes well with chili. Could drink at a party.
12. Flying Dog Hefeweizen In Heat Wheat, ABV: 4.7%, Rating: 5/5
    Banana and cloves! Light cloudy yellow. Very little head. Smells like cloves, taste like awesome!  Would drink all the beers. Light, crisp, refreshing.
13. Brooklyn Brown Ale, ABV: 5.6%, Rating: 4/5
    Medium brown color, cloudy, small head. Nice smell, dark and malty. Medium body. Tastes lighter than it smells. Sweet finish. Goes down smooth, med/high carbonation. Good retention and lacing.
14. Brooklyn Lager, ABV: 5.2%, Rating: 3.75/5
    Smells hoppy. Tan, good, small head. Surprisingly sweet and light. Little/med carbonation. Goes down smooth. Can’t taste the hops I smell. Filling but feels light?
15. Boulder Beer Hazed & Infused Dry-hopped Ale, ABV: 4.85%, Rating: 3/5
    Very slight hop smell. Nice head - deep tan, slightly cloudy. Sweet and hoppy but good hoppy. Medium body, medium carbonation. Smooth, bubbly in throat. I approve.
    (Should be noted I’m kinda drunk by now)
16. Twisted Pines Billy’s Chilies, ABV: 5%, Rating: 3.5/5
    Smells like straight up chili - awesome! Light yellow, slightly cloud. Woah! Weird! Slight chili taste, but great chili aftertaste! So interesting. Not for every day, but would be a great party favor. :)
17. The Native’s The Eleven Brown Ale, ABV: 4.2%
    Deep brown, awesome thumb-sized head! Smells amazing - chocolate? coconut? deep, malty, crisp, nice! Good, light carbonation. Bubbly going down, malty aftertaste.
18. Native Lager, ABV: 5%, Rating: 3/5
    Smells hoppy. Light color with good head, slightly cloudy. Doesn’t taste hoppy, tastes really light and smooth. Pleasant. Would totally dig it if I weren’t such a porter lover. Little plain, but in a nice way.
19. Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale, ABV: 7%, Rating: 3/5
    Nice caramel color, good white head. Smells awesome - like caramel. Caramel taste, sweet but not too sweet. Pretty solid, not the best but good.
20. Coronado Orange Ave Wit, ABV: 5.2%, Rating: 3/5
    Bright yellow, cloudy, no head. Smells awesome - citrusy. Light, crisp, med/high carbonation. Kinda smooth. Solid beer.
21. Coronado Mermaid Red, ABV: 5.7%, Rating: 2.3/5
    Smells great, caramel color. No head. Kinda hoppy. Okay. Pine tree aftertaste.
22. Cigar City Brewing Jose Marti
    Mmm.
23. Abita 25 Vanilla Double Dog, ABV: 7%, Rating: 6/5
    Dark, cloudy brown; nice head. Smells am-zazing - deep caramel and malt, slight vanilla. OMIGOD. Vanilla goodness. I can’t even Best beer tonight. Phenomenal. Yes yes yes.
24. Terrapin Moo-Hoo, ABV: 6%, Rating: 7/5
    Deep rich brown with deep brown beautiful head. Smells like oatmeal cookies and chocolate. CHOCOLATE! What just happened in my mouth? This is amazing! Milky smooth. Gorgeous body. Perfect balance. Low carbonation. What even is this? Is this real life?
25. Dogfish Head Chicory, ABV: 5.2%
    Yes. Awesome. Not as good as previous, but awesome.
26. Breckenridge Agave Wheat, ABV: 4.2%
    Bright yellow, cloudy. Smooth, good. I love stouts, what is happening with my life?
27. Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout, ABV: 6.10%
    Omigod Yes.
28. Konda Longboard Ale Pale Wheat, ABV: 5%, Rating: 2/5
    Light yellow, no head. Smells yellow. Tastes okay. Unimpressive.
29. Victory Lager, ABV: 4.8%, Rating: 3/5
    Bright yellow, cloudy. Smells super familiar but I can’t place it. Fruit? Flowers? Light, faerie taste. Med carbonation, good balance.
30. Southern Tier Phin & Matt’s Extraordinary Ale, ABV: 5.7%, Rating 2.5/5
31. Gordon Biersch Lager, ABV: 7.5%
    Medium brown, good head. NO smell. Tastes okay.
32. Highland Oatmeal Stout, ABV: 5.8%
    Dark black, opaque. Good head. Warm, cozy, oatmeal breakfast.
33. Holy Mackrel Mack in Black, ABV: 8%
    95% head, brown. Dark black. Smells hoppy and weird. Mocha? Kinda love it. Chocolate mocha alcohol yes. More.
34. Redbrick Brown Ale, ABV: 6%, Rating: 3/5
    Alt. Med brown. Okay head. Smells like chocolate coffee. Good. Like.
35. Laughing Skulls Amber Ale, ABV: 5/7%, Rating: 2.5/5
    Light tan with nice head. Smells like amber and light hop. Smooth. Okay. Party beer?
36. Highland Mocha Stout
    Yes.
    

Brewing Company: Cigar City Brewing; Tampa, Florida
Name: Peppermint Maduro Brown Ale
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: unknown (probably around 5.5%)
Serving type: draught - cask
Price: $4

Aroma: Smells like peppermint bark. Candy. Delicious.

Appearance: No head, small retention. Medium/dark brown, light shines through.

Taste: Tastes like warm peppermint bark. Light, refreshing, mild. Goes down easy. Okay balance. Smells better than it tastes.

Finish: Super sweet aftertaste of malt.

Pretty good but not awesome. Slightly underwhelming. I think I’d like it more if it were a stout.

Rating: 2.75/5

Meh.

Brewing Company: Sweetwater Brewing Company; Atlanta, Georgia
Name: Blue
Style: (blueberry) fruit beer / Belgian Wheat Ale
ABV: 4.6%
Serving type: 12oz bottle
Price: unknown

Aroma: Smells hint of blueberry. Cold crisp scent of wheat.

Appearance: Nice thumb-sized head, little retention and very little lacing. Clear, light wheat-tan color. Lots of bubbles!

Taste: Crisp taste of blueberries after taste of wheat. Very interesting going down throat, slightly tart. Very light taste. Light body, med-high carbonation. Bubbly and crisp - not exactly my style.

Finish: Strong blueberry finish. Can’t really feel or taste alcohol.

Not as good at the Sea Dog Blue Paw. It would probably taste better with some fresh blueberries in it. Would be a good summer afternoon beer, I may try it again come summer time. I wouldn’t buy a bottle to drink at home, but I’d take it to a party or have a pint at a bar.

Rating: 3/5

Recommended.

Brewing Company: Samuel Adams; Boston, Massachusetts 
Name: The Vixen
Style: Chocolate Chili Bock
ABV: 8.5%
Serving type: 22oz bottle
Price: $5.99

Aroma: Smells deep, dark, roasted, chocolatey.

Appearance: Nice head, small and tan. Decent retention, barely any lacing. Head reappears when swirled with light lacing. Black color, opaque.

Taste: Smooth, velvety. Distinct chocolate taste. Good, high carbonation. Medium body, goes down easy. Hints and undertones of cinnamon and chili.

Finish: Leaves bubbles on the lips and in the throat. Mild aftertaste. I can definitely feel the alcohol after just a few sips.

Rating: 4/5

Recommended. Very interesting. Worth it for the price.

Brewing Company: Tampa Bay Brewing Company; Tampa, Florida
Name: Black Velvet
Style: Bourbon cask aged vanilla stout
ABV: ~7.0%
Serving type: draught - cask
Price: $5
4.5 months old, tapped (and drank) on Feb 2. 

Aroma: Smell is faint, hints of smokiness. Vanilla and cocoa are prominent. Wonderful smell. Smells like than it tastes. 

Appearance: Gorgeous head, thumb-sized, light tan color, great retention. Beer is dark brown, almost black, very opaque - when it was just poured I could see the sediment falling to the bottom, so it was slightly cloudy. There was just a little light shining through the bottom. Very nice lace - doesn’t even drip, just sits beautifully on the glass. The head stays with the beer - went down a little, but stayed pinky-finger thick through the rest of the glass. Sediment at the bottom of glass at finish. :)

Taste: Very creamy - goes down really smooth. Sweet, but not super sweet. Has a dark, warm taste. Full body, light carbonation. Bubbles on side of glass, looks like cola. Feel holds true to the velvet name. The first sips tasted a little hoppy, but hoppiness dimishes with each sip. Feels like drinking milk. Very filling. Feeling tipsy half way through the glass. 
Seriously, I’m in love with this beer. I’ve said that before but this time I mean it.

Finish: Incredibly smooth finish. Wonderful aftertaste - can’t quite place it… chocolate? coffee? not exactly. Leaves a warm, happy feeling in my mouth. By the end, I’m full and drunk. Solid drunk, bro (I actually wrote that in my notes). 

Rating: 5/5

Highly Recommended.

May I also add that the bartender was sexy as hell. And he guess the ABV just by tasting it. No joke. 

<3, c.

Brewing Company: Harpoon Brewery; Boston, MA
Name: Harpoon Chocolate Stout
Style: American Stout
ABV: 5.9%
Serving type: draught
Price: Not exactly sure because a friend bought this for me, but I’d guess ~$6.50 at WOB

Aroma: Smells phenomenal!! Like deep chocolate. So good. Smells like eating a bar of chocolate. I can’t get over how good this beer smells.

Appearance: Beautiful dark tan head. Not great retention. Nice lacing. Very dark color. Practically black. Very opaque.

Taste: Oh. My. God. This is so delicious. Like out of control delicious. Deep chocolate flavor. Like a deep chocolate milk. Tastes as good as it smells. So smooth! Good medium carbonation. Goes down so smooth. Easy to drink. Light to medium body.

Finish: Small after taste. Nice and light bubbles down the throat. So chocolaty!

I could drink all of the beers. Seriously. This beer is wonderful. Much better chocolate milk.

Rating: 5/5

Highly Recommended.

Wrote this review on my phone at the bar (as I do most of my reviews…) and I’d already had a shot and a beer before this, so I was a wee bit tipsy. I still think it’s accurate, albeit a bit scattered.

<3, c.

Brew: Polygamy Porter  “Why Have Just One!”
Brewer: Wasatch Brew Pub and Brewery, Park City, Utah
Style: American Porter
ABV: 4.0%


Okay.

Okay.  … A Polygamy Porter?!  CLEARLY I purchased a six pack of this brew within the first 7 hours of my arrival in Albuquerque.


I landed at ABQ, rented my car, started to drive toward the rental house, and promptly got distracted by a sign on the interstate for Rio Grande Nature Center.  Anyway, after a 3-hour sidetrack at the park, I met up with the wedding party at a yummy restaurant in Albuquerque, had lunch and then made a trip to Sunflower Farmers Market to stock op on food for the weekend.


I, of course, promptly made my way to the back of the store to check out the local beer selection. I… LOVE travelling out west.  One, because there are mountains (duh), and two, because I can get all sorts of brews (delicious, west coast brews) that I can’t find in Tampa.  While browsing the beer section (in which I, thrillingly, didn’t recognize half of the brewers), I happened upon… this.  This sweet, polygamous nectar, straight from the Mormon capital of the world: Salt Lake City, Utah.  Which would explain, as a porter, it is only 4.0% ABV (apparently, no beer in Utah can be brewed above this percentage).


My decision was swift and certain.  Why would I NOT purchase this beer?!  First and foremost, it is called Polygamy Porter.  Um, not short of brilliant.  And secondly, IT IS BREWED IN DAMN UTAH FOR CHRISSAKE!


But really.  Let’s get down to biznaz.


Upon opening this brew, I saw that it poured a nice, deep brown, that displayed a beautiful garnet shine in the middle of the beer when I held it up to the porch window and let the last rays of the desert sun penetrate the glass. And pleasingly, the beer in the corners of the pilsner glinted with a nut-brown color.  I have never seen such an interesting color combination in a beer before — and in a porter, of all things!


And the head of the beer is amazing!  I mean, just look at the picture. At least two inches of light, fluffy, chocolatey cotton candy. And, as I drink it, it has left a really romantic ecru lacing around the inside of my glass — reminiscent of the aerial view of the brambles of pinyon pine scattered across the dusty desert landscape that I observed as I landed in the city early this morning.


The smell is really quite delicious. Dark malts, chocolate (milk, not dark), and caramel. Standard delicious combination of smells for a porter.  One review said it smelled faintly of tobacco, and upon further sniffing, I find that I agree.


As for the taste — it is, to be fair, nothing to sing about.  It is a porter, certainly, but all the normal porter characteristics that you might have are simply subdued and kind of leave you wishing for a richer, deeper, more complex taste. That being said — it is not a bad beer! It is a tasty porter. Just not inspiring.  There are burnt notes in the taste, and some nice caramel.


The mouthfeel is also uninspiring, sadly.  Again, not bad! But a bit watery. I’d likes some chewiness or more carbonation. 


The Polygamy Porter, overall, is actually a very drinkable beer. I mean, it is a 4.0% ABV brew! It’s a really light porter; the water used to make it is clearly crisp and clean. That, in combination with its low ABV, make it an excellent brew for first-time porter drinkers who need to start easy. …Really, why have just one?


Cheers!  To love.  All love.

xo, Mary

Brew: Woodchuck Hard Pumpkin Cider
Brewer: Woodchuck Cidery, Middlebury, VT
Style: Cider
ABV: 6.9%

So.  Woodchuck.  I am not impressed.  I am not blown away.  I am not overwhelmed.  I am simply… whelmed.  This cider is yucky.

I bought like 20 different kinds of pumpkin brews a few days ago, because if I’m going to have to endure the month of October, I’m going to do it drunkenly and with pumpkin-flavored things.  I love Woodchuck’s other ciders, so when I saw that they’d made a very limited number of barrels of a hard pumpkin cider, I danced a little jig and bought a sixer.

SO SAD!  It is just not good.  =(  It is, however, the first pumpkin cider EVER (according to this website, anyway).  Upon discovering that information I became less opposed to it.  I mean, the first incarnation of anything kinda sucks, right?  Eeesh.

Okay here we go:

Appearance:  Beautiful.  The brew has a darker, orangey tint to it that the normal ciders do not exhibit.
Smell:  Overly-sweet cider.  I don’t pick up pumpkin.

Taste:  …Overly-sweet cider.  I don’t pick up pumpkin.  Eh.  In fact, it leaves a syrupy sweet aftertaste/coating on the back of my tongue that is just unpleasant.

Mouthfeel:  I mean you know.  It’s fine.  It’s like any other cider’s mouthfeel.

Overall/Drinkability:  Okay well I have five more of these now sitting in my fridge.  Does someone want one?

xo, Mary