Bada Boomz Downtown - Samplers

What: Bada Boomz Sampler
Vessel: Sampler Glasses
Price: $9.00
Where: Bada Boomz Downtown
When: April 25, 2008
Comments: Here's a continuation from the guy's night I had with Brewer McDuff. After dinner at Rock Bottom, we hit Bada Boomz for some good craft beer. We had a great time, with an entertaining bartender (Christopher). There was also a group of folks who stopped in on their way from Atlanta to DarkLord day (it was the next day). For an update on Bada Boomz, check out DIG-B. These are my comments.

Founder's Dry Hopped Pale Ale:

This was an OK beer. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. It had a bit of a smoky flavor, compared to some of the others we sampled. I also gave it another shot at Hot Shotz on 5/3 during lunch. My opinion hasn't changed.

Rating = 4

Mad Anthony IPA:

This seemed more like a pale ale than an IPA. Having said that, it was nice and hoppy. I'd order it again (and again).

Rating = 3

Bell's Hopslam:

Yeah, I really like this beer. The hand pull adds another dimension to it.

Rating = 1

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA:

It seemed to have a smoky aftertaste, similar to the Founder's. It also seemed to have a nutty flavor. I was enjoying it until the aftertaste kicked in. I really didn't like how it finished.

Rating = 4

Stone IPA:

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It was smooth and hoppy. It really seemed to smooth out at the end also. A very nice finish.

Bell's Oberon:

As the bartender, Chris, said - this is just like Blue Moon, but everyone loves it just because it's Bells. I wasn't crazy about this year's offering. There just wasn't too much to it. It tasted a bit like a lager to me. (For the record we sampled all the IPAs after all the non-IPAs).

Rating = 5

Red Hook CopperHook:

The mouth feel on this was a bit slimy, but not necessarily in a bad way. It seems a bit like Budweiser, but more "funky" (in a weird way). I don't think I'd get this again.

Rating = 5

Abita Turbo Dog:

I didn't write down too many notes 0n this one. I might need to give it another chance. My notes say "nutty, watery, but smooth".

Rating = 4 (with a 3 scratched out)

Brugge's Triple De Riple:

I really like this beer. It was pretty solid, but not as good as I remembered it being. Having said that, it was still one of the best of the night.

Rating = 2

3 Floyd's Gumball Head:

This had a nice floral hop profile for a wheat beer. It also had a nice hoppy flavor. Pretty good.

Rating = 3

Founder's Devil Dancer Triple IPA:

Christopher, the bartender, was nice enough to let us sample this one. He was raving about it. It was pretty good. It's an extremely complex beer. It had a nice hop profile, but it was also scotchy, warm and buttery. Evidently the only places this is on tap is at Founder's and at Bada Boomz (although they were almost out of it at Bada Boomz).

Rating = 3

Brugge Brasserie - Blonde

What: Brugge Brasserie - Blonde
Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $4.25
Where: Brugge Brasserie
When: April 20, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: I wrapped up the evening by finishing off a Brugge Blonde. It was also a great beer. Our dining companion had recently been to Brugge for work and hadn't been to the restaurant in Broad Ripple, but after our experience last night, I'm sure we'll be going back for some mussels and beer sometime soon. He's also inspired us to add Brugge to the list of places to visit. I wasn't too sure after seeing the movie, In Bruges, but after his commentary on the city, it's on the list! The movie, by the way, was pretty darn good - a little more disturbing than I expected, but there are some great lines in the movie.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brugge-brasserie-gentlemans-preferred-blonde/51781/

Brugge Brasserie - Black

What: Brugge Brasserie - Black
Style: Belgian Dark Ale
Vessel: Tulip Glass
Price: $4.25
Where: Brugge Brasserie
When: April 20, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: After enjoying a great cigar, we decided to move on to Brugge, in hopes of having a beer and a desert crepe. Unfortunately, we were too late for the crepe, but we were able to fit a few beers in. After starting with the Triple de Ripple (still quite enjoyable), I moved onto the Black. It was pretty solid. I remember it being a bit better the other times I've had it, but it is still worth seeking out and sampling. I would NOT recommend trying to make a "black and tan" with the Black and the Blonde - it's amazing what sounds like a good idea after a few drinks, vs. the reality of what a good idea is. Good thing we only poured about a shot of each into the glass, and not more!
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brugge-brasserie-the-black/55500/

Brugge Brasserie - Triple de Ripple

What: Brugge Brasserie - Triple de Ripple
Style: Triple
Vessel: Sampler Glass
Price: $9.00 for a sampler of 5
Where: BadaBoomz (downtown)
When: April 7, 2008
Rating: 1
Comments: Yeah. This is the stuff. This might be my favorite beer. It's tied with, or maybe just surpassing Hopslam. It's incredibly smooth and complex. Wow. Now this is what I'm talking about! Go find some. Now. Really - stop reading this and go find some. It's that good.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brugge-brasserie-tripel-de-ripple/46931/