Brooklyn Brewery - East India Pale Ale

What: Brooklyn Brewery - East India Pale Ale
Style: English IPA
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $1.79
Where: Home
When: April 10, 2008
Rating: 5
Comments: I really wanted to like this beer. I'm not sure why I wanted to like it - maybe because I remember hearing some good things about this brewery. I can't say this was a great introduction for me. For an IPA, it's a bit different than I expected. It has a malty smell, but a hop taste (kind of). The hop flavor isn't the hop flavor I'm used to - it's more earthy (less pine or crisp than what I expect). I wouldn't buy it again, but I will try some of their other offerings.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brooklyn-east-india-pale-ale/530/

Coors Brewing Company - Blue Moon Belgian White

What: Coors Brewing Company - Blue Moon Belgian White
Style: Witbier
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $3.50
Where: Chili's (Trader's Point)
When: April 10, 2008
Rating: 5
Comments: Yeah, we went to Chili's again. I'm still not proud. I think I've been to Chili's more in the past month than I have in the past two years. The wife was having a boneless buffalo wing craving (pretty random, especially for her) and we were having dinner with the neighbor. Anyway, it was between Coors Light and Blue Moon (on tap - for beers I haven't "reviewed"). Which one would have you chosen? Yeah, I thought so. It's been a long time since I've dipped my toes in the Blue Moon waters. It was a better experience than I expected. It's not really a great beer that I'd seek out, but it's OK. Given the situation, I'm happy with my choice of beers (between the two). I did learn that Coors brews this - who knew? Not me.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/blue-moon-belgian-white-ale/2228/

Two Brothers Brewing Co. - Hop Juice

What: Two Brothers Brewing Co. - Hop Juice
Style: Imperial IPA
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $7.99 (22 fl. oz.)
Where: Home
When: April 6, 2008
Rating: 5
Comments: Wow. I was surprised by this, but not necessarily in a good way. After a long week of mediocre lagers and other uninspired beers, I was thinking this might just be the one I needed to get me back on track with great craft beers. Well, the reality was that this DIPA just didn't stack up. It had a nice hop aroma, but when it came to tasting time it was just a little sweet for me. The malt kicked in a bit too early and I don't think I would make a huge effort to track this beer down again. It was a nice adventure to a new brewery and beer, but next time I'm looking for something with some kickin' hops, I know this won't be the one. You'd think with a great name like "Hop Juice" it'd be all about the hops, but it had just a bit too much malt for me. Now having said all that, I did enjoy the change of pace from lagers.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/two-brothers-hop-juice/44597/

Kirin Brewing Company - Ichiban

What: Kirin Brewing Company - Ichiban
Style: Japanese Rice Lager
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $6.00 (!)
Where: Omni Championsgate - Orlando
When: April 3, 2008
Rating: 5
Comments: I know, I know - I just said I would quit ordering beers from foreign countries, just because I was eating food from that country. Well, I lied. I decided to unwind by reading the paper, getting a beer and a sushi roll after I was done with all the activities for the day. I thought I was going to go to bed, but I decided I wasn't quite tired yet, and didn't want to be cooped up in my room. So the Japanese restaurant in the hotel is excellent. I remember being here three years ago with my wife and we had the "Zen Experience" and we really enjoyed it. I thought it would be a shame to be back and not stop by the place at least once.

Anyway, back to the beer. Having had all the options offered, except the Ichiban, I knew I had to breakdown and order it - you know, for the sake of having another blog entry. I'd say the beer was OK, but nothing I would recommend. Because it was on tap, it was better than it probably would have been out of a stale can or bottle. Have I said I'm over lagers yet?
Ratebeer Link: http://ratebeer.com/beer/kirin-ichiban/268/

Molson Breweries of Canada - Molson Canadian Lager

What: Molson Breweries of Canada - Molson Canadian Lager
Style: American Macro Lager
Vessel: Tall plastic cup (24 oz.)
Price: $9.00
Where: Tampa Bay Lightning Game
When: March 31, 2008
Rating: 5
Comments: I felt obligated to have a Molson at the hockey game. The game was between two teams based in the US, but I really thought we should give some respect to our neighbors to the North for introducing hockey to us. The beer was pretty good. Next time we're celebrating anything Canadian, this will be a must have beer.
Ratebeer Link: http://ratebeer.com/beer/molson-canadian/237/

Boon Rawd Brewery Co. - Singha

What: Boon Rawd Brewery Co. - Singha
Style: American Macro Lager
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $3.75
Where: Sawasdee Restaurant
When: March 27, 2008
Rating: 5
Comments: Had a lovely dinner with my wife and our neighbor. Sawasdee never disappoints on the food front. It's our favorite Thai joint in Indy. Unfortunately they only have the major domestic beers, and a couple of Thai beers (Singha lager and light). I had never had either of them, so I decided I better try both. The lager wasn't too bad for the style of beer. It was better than some of the American macro brews, but not as good as what I consider the standard - Budweiser. I enjoyed having the Thai beer with the Thai food, but I wouldn't seek this beer out. I think next time we're at Sawasdee, I'll stick with Miller Lite, or Bud (if I don't want a light beer).
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/singha/1092/

Boston Beer Co. - Samuel Adams White Ale

What: Boston Beer Co. - Samuel Adams White Ale
Style: Witbier
Vessel: Pilsner Glass
Price: $4.50 (23 oz. draft)
Where: Chili's (Trader's Point)
When: March 23, 2008
Rating: 5
Comments: Yeah, we went to Chili's. I'm not proud. We needed something fairly quick, that we knew would be open. To my surprise they had a couple of Sam Adams beers on tap, not just the three major domestics. It's been a while since I had the White Ale, so I decided I'd try it again. It's OK. The first couple of sips had a pretty strong alcohol taste, but near the end it really evened out and finished well.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/samuel-adams-white-ale/165/

Goose Island Beer Co. - Oatmeal Stout

What: Goose Island Beer Co. - Oatmeal Stout
Style: Oatmeal Stout
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: Don't remember
Where: Home
When: Over several months
Rating: 5
Comments: Part of the Costco mixed case. I'm a fan of stout beers, but I've recently focused on IPAs. This beer has an extremely smoky (almost burnt) taste. It's not a very "thick" beer. It's no Guinness, but it's OK.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/goose-island-oatmeal-stout/815/

Goose Island Beer Co. - Harevest Ale

What: Goose Island Beer Co. - Harvest Ale
Style: ESB
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: Don't remember
Where: Home
When: Over several months
Rating: 5
Comments: I saw a case of this at Costco and decided to buy it. I wish I had only bought a six pack. It's a decent beer, and Goose Island rarely disappoints, but I'd much prefer their IPA or Nut Brown Ale over this one. It's a good Fall beer, but now that spring is coming, it's time to finish them off.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/goose-island-harvest-ale/76811/