Beer Journal #33: Contorter by Ale Asylum, 5 Grass Hoppy Ale, Flywheel Lager by Metropolitan Brewing LLC & More

Oktoberfest
Holiday Release
Traditional Marzen
Goose Island Beer Company
Chicago, IL

6.4% alc./vol.
IBU rating 17

Label info:
"Serve in a stein.
Bottled on: 05Aug14
This beer will remain brewery fresh for 180 days after the bottled on date."

I enjoyed this beer on 11/16/14, well before the brewery fresh expiration date.

I gave Oktoberfest by Goose Island a So So rating.

Prima Pils
A Refined Pilsner Beer
Victory Brewing Company
Downington, PA

Label info:
"Victory For Your Taste
Prima! An exclamation of joy. A recognition of accomplishment. Though it's spoken in German, it's felt in all languages. It's what escaped from our lips as we sampled the first brew of this mighty Pilsner beer. Though we'd been through a few in our years with other breweries, finally, with whole flower European hops and fine German malts, we had achieved what we'd sought for so long. Prima...an exclamation of Victory! Prost!
Bill & Ron,
The Brewmasters of Victory
A refined pilsner beer for natural enjoyment.

Enjoy by: 22 Dec 2014"

I gave Prima Pils a Yes Yes rating, today, 11/17/14.

Flywheel
Bright Lager
Metropolitan Brewing LLC
Chicago, IL

Label info:
"The kinetic beauty of spicy hops grabs you by the nose and proclaims a German-inspired beer. Best for bombastic celebrations of singing voices and clanging mugs. Prosit this!

On 11/18/14, I gave Flywheel lager a Yes Yes rating.

Anchor Steam Beer
Anchor Brewing Company
San Francisco, CA

Label info:
"Brewed from all barley malts.
Made in San Francisco since 1896.
Anchor Steam brand beer is virtually handmade with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. The deep amber color, the thick, creamy head, and the rich flavor all testify to our traditional brewing methods.
 Anchor Steam brand beer derives the unusual name from the 19th century when 'steam' seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the west Coast of America under primitive condition and without ice. The word 'steam' may have referred to the pressure of natural carbonation developing in the beers. Today, the brewing methods of those days are a mystery and for many decades Anchor alone has used the quaint name 'steam' for its unique beer.
Today, Anchor is one of the smallest and most traditional breweries in the world. San Francisco's famous Anchor Steam brand is unique, for our brewing proces has evolved over many decades and is like no other in the world."

I gave this Anchor Steam Beer a Yes Yes rating on 11/18/14.

Contorter
Porter Ale
Ale Asylum
Madison, WI

Label info:
"Our porter is dark in color yet soft on the palate. English chocolate malts give it a complex flavor wrapped in a silky smooth finish. Contorter is brewed with passion and is best enjoyed that way."

On 11/19/14, I gave Contorter a Yes Yes rating.

Floppin' Crappie
Ale
Northwoods Brewing Corp. LLC
Eau Claire, WI

I enjoyed Floppin' Crappie on 11/20/14. I gave it a Yes Yes rating.

5 Grass
Hoppy Ale
5 Rabbit Cerveceria
Bedford Park, IL

6.4% alc./vol.

Label info:
"5 Grass is a bright hoppy ale with the fresh outdoorsy aroma of the desert. A smooth backbone of malt showcases complex, piney and citrusy hop aromas and a brisk bitterness (60 IBU) from a variety of unusual hops. Spices and herbs add sage, juniper and other uniquely refreshing notes.
In Aztec mythology, 5 Grass (Macuilmalinalli) is one of the 5 Gods of Excess (Ahuiateteo) and reminds us that all living things form a grand community that is counting on us to do our part as thoughtful, caring stewards and good neighbors to all life.
Suggested foo pairings include: barbecoa, puerco en adoba, grilled lamb and steak.
Best served at 48F (9C) in a short tulip or red wine glass."

This is proving to be a great week for beer. Today, 11/21/14, I'm giving 5 Grass a Yes Yes rating.

Sixty-One
India Pale Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Inc.
Milton, DE

6.5% alc./vol.

Label info:
"The continually-hopped India Pale Ale brewed with Syrah grape must."

Let the good times roll! What we have here is another Yes Yes rating on this date in history, 11/21/14.

Fire Rock
Pale Ale
Kona Brewing Company
Kona, HI
Portland, OR
Woodinville, WA
Portsmouth, NH

6% alc./vol.

Label info:
"Fresh, Responsible, Always Aloha.
GO WITH THE FLOW!
Active volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii leave visitors awestruck by their power. The glow of lava as it meets the ocean is an amazing sight. Our Fire Rock Pale Ale is inspired by this place with a bright copper color and rich roasted malt taste. Aloha!
Since 1994, Kona Brewing Co. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.
We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii. Mahalo!"

I finish this batch of beers with another Yes Yes rating. I had a fine Saturday, 11/22/14 with Fire Rock.

* * *

Awards go to:
All the Yes Yes beers I enjoyed this week.
Floppin' Crappie for the most creative name.
Anchor Steam Beer for packing the longest narrative in tiny letters on the small label around the neck of the bottle.
5 Grass for the brightest colored label.
Flywheel for encouraging bombastic celebrations of singing voices and clanging mugs.

CHEERS!