Beer Journal #23: Shiner's Wild Hare, Crabbie's Ginger Beer, Dos Equis Ambar, New Holland's The Poet and More

Wild Hare
American Pale Ale
Spoetzel Brewery
Shiner, TX

Label fun:
Wild Hare is a classic American Pale Ale--richly hopped, fruity and floral. Munich malt nicely balances the assertive character of the U.S. Golding and Bravo hop varieties that give this brew its signature bitterness and aroma. ENJOY!
-Assertive aromas & hoppy brightness-
-Golden color & Rich malt flavor-
Hop to it!
Every drop of Shiner is brewed in Shiner.

My rating on 9/30/14: So So

Mad Hatter
India Pale Ale
New Holland Brewing
New Holland, MI

Label info:
Dry-hopped for a distinctive, floral hop aroma; subtly balanced with delicious malt notes. Pairings: spicy dishes, greens and aged cheese.

My rating on 10/1/14: So So

Dox Equis XX Ambar
Lager
Cerveceria
Mexico

Label info:
Crafted in Mexico since 1897 to commemorate the arrival of the 20th century.
Dos Equis was created in Mexico in 1897 by a German brewmaster, who blended his brewing heritage with the spirit of Mexican traditions. Originally called Siglo XX to celebrate the arrival of the 20th century it later became known as just Dos Equis (or simply two Xs in Spanish). Dos Equis Ambar is a full flavored, yet surprisingly smooth, amber-colored lager from Mexico that is easy to drink with a clean finish.

My rating on 10/1/14: So So

Kingpin
Double Red Ale
Bridgeport Brewing Co.
Portland, OR

Label info:
Double Red Ale is feared by some, cheered by many.
Kingpin Double Red Ale showcases the spicy tone of the Liberty hop variety grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley. We start with Pale, Rye and Caramel malts to create its dark red color and distinctive dry character, then add the hops at three stages during brewing for an offer you can't refuse.

7.5% alc/vol

My rating on 10/2/14: So So

Crabbie's Original
Alcoholic Ginger Beer
John Crabbie & Co.
Glasgow, UK

Label info:
Best served chilled over ice with a slice of lime or lemon.
For more than two hundred years Crabbie's has shipped its ginger from the Far East - following in the pioneering footsteps of the first Scots Merchant Adventurers - hence our distinctive Elephant Trade Mark.
Following a secret recipe, the steeped ginger is combined with quality ingredients and matured for 8 weeks to release a deliciously distinctive flavor.
Contains sulfites.
Crabbie's Ginger Beer provides a uniquely refreshing experience - only for grown-ups!
Enjoy responsibly.

4.8% alc/vol

My rating on 10/2/14: No No (too much ginger)

The Poet
Oatmeal Stout
New Holland Brewing Co.
New Holland, MI

Label info:
Oats bring a creaminess and soft-mouth feel to rich, roasty malt character. Pairings: mushrooms, beef, blooming, soft-ripened cheeses & chocolate.

My rating on 10/3/14: Yes Yes

Chainbreaker
White IPA
Deschutes Brewery
Bend, Oregon

Label fun:
Crafted for explorers everywhere since 1988.
Ale brewed with spices.
What if wheat wasn't the goal in itself? But a route to something awesomely new?
You pair wheat, hops and Belgian yeast and suddenly 'Bingo, a wheat like nobody else's.' With real depth, coriander and sweet orange peel, it's citrus-packed and silky smooth going down.
Pouring tip: Pour two-thirds in a tilted glass. Swirl what's left around the bottle. Resume pouring in all its hazy glory.

5.6% alc/vol

My rating on 10/3/14: Yes Yes

#9
Not Quite Pale Ale
Ale with natural flavor
Magic Hat Brewing Co.
S. Burlington, VT

Label fun:
The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavorful beer is a performance to behold. Our mysterious melange of time-honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith to create unique beers to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits. Cheers!

5.1% alc/vol

My rating on 10/4/14: So So 

60 Minute IPA
India Pale Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Inc.
Milton, DE

Label info:
The continually-hopped, India Pale Ale.

6% alc/vol

My rating on 10/4/14: Yes Yes

Sibling Rivalry
Blended Beer
Brewed and bottled for:
 4 Brothers Blended Beer Co.
by Sand Creek Brewing Co., Black River Falls, WI

Label info:
This blend contains red ale, blonde ale, brown ale
Medium body, well balanced blend between sweetness and toasty malt

My rating on 10/5/14: Yes Yes

Hop-A-Peel
Ale
Atwater Brewery
Detroit, MI

Label info:
Ale brewed with orange peel
Beer is good. Enjoy responsibly.
Brewed in Detroit

7.5% alc/vol

My rating on 10/5/14: So So

Waterslides
India Pale Ale
3 Sheeps Brewing Co.
Sheboygan, WI

Label info:
Really Cool Waterslides India Pale Ale

6.2% alc/vol

My rating on 10/6/14: So So


Awards go to:

Waterslides and Mad Hatter for the cutest labels.

Hop-A-Peel and Kingpin for the most alc/vol, tied at 7.5%. (Many beers don't state their alc/vol so I can only include those that do).

The Poet for having a Halloween-oriented label.

3 Sheeps, Dogfish Head and Magic Hat for the most unique brewery names.

Chainbreaker for including pouring tips.

I could go on with awards for the cutest beer names, and so on and so forth, but I'll stop for now as I was impressed with a too many beer features in this journal.

CHEERS!