Beer Journal #31: Smuttynose Brewing Company's VUNDERBAR!, Door County Brewing Company's SILURIAN STOUT & More

Mississippi Blonde Ale
Bent River Brewery, L.L.C.
Rock Island, IL

Label info:
A refreshingly crisp light bodied ale
Get Bent!
The "River Stuff" of Bent River Brewing Company are stubbornly dedicated to producing quality handcrafted beers that capture the true spirit of brewing.

4.2% alc/vol
IBU 14.2

On 11/5/14, I rated this ale So So.

FYI: Although I did get some beers in IL recently, I found this at Woodman's in Beloit.

2XIPA
Double India Pale Ale
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY

Label info:
Brewed with 4 varieties of hops and 3 types of malts

8.2% alc/vol

So So is the rating I gave this IPA on 11/6/14.

I'm surprised that beer with a high alcohol content isn't more expensive.

Silurian Stout
Milk Stout

Door County Brewing Company
Bailey's Harbor, WI
(Door County)

Label info:
"Most legendary milk stout in all creation!"
"Thrills to come."

I gave this stout a Yes Yes rating on 11/7/14.

A few weeks ago, we visited the brewery where this beer is made. I had a couple of beers earlier in the day, a 4 beer sampler at the brewery, followed by a pint of Silurian Stout. My head was whirling and my stomach was twirling after all that. I laid off all beer for a few days. I avoided my bottle of Silurian Stout for quite some time for obvious reasons. On the 11/7/14, I lifted it off the refrigerator shelf, removed the cap and poured it in a glass. Any fears I'd had evaporated. I'm so glad we're on good terms again.

Fallin' Oates
Oatmeal Amber Ale
Hopothesis Beer Company
Monroe, WI

Label fun:
"Be Enlightened"
"For centuries, we've relied on beer to keep us grounded. That and F=Gm1m2/r2.
Don't take the gravity of this formula lightly, for without it making delicious craft beer is pretty improbable. We here at Hopothesis leveraged this formula to drop in an extra special ingredient, oats.
Our full-bodied amber ale starts with smooth caramel malts, balanced by a backbone of rolled oats, finished with a crisp mix of American and European-style hops. Enjoy it sitting down."

5.5% alc/vol

I enjoyed this oatmeal amber ale on 11/8/14 and gave it a So So rating.

I got a kick out of the arrow on the label following the path of the FALLIN' OATS.

This is the left half of the next featured beer bottle label. The right half follows.

Vunderbar!
Pilsner
Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Hampton, NH

Label fun:
"Make mine a Smutty!"
"Come visit our brewery and restaurant at Towle Farm in Hampton, New Hampshire. And check us out online at smuttynose.com for events, releases and great Smerchandise in our e-store. As always, thanks for saying: Make mine a Smutty!"

I gave Vunderbar a Yes Yes rating today, 11/9/14.

What is there not to like about the humor behind this brewery name, the beer name, the couple featured on the label and the cute furry friend whose bust graces the bottle?!

CHEERS to another week of fine beers....burp, burp. Oh my dear, excuse me!!

Beer Journal #30: Hop Czar, Ouisconsing Red Ale, Peninsula Porter, Espresso Stout, Scotch Ale & More

Ouisconsing Red Ale
Central Waters Brewing Co.
Amherst, WI

Label info:
With its mellow malty flavor and subtle flowery nose, Ouisconsing Red gets its name for the Algonquin word for the Wisconsin River (or "Red Stone River"). Featuring a range of caramel malts for mild biscuit-sweetness and a warm, rich mahogany color.
ALE, SUN, EARTH AND SKY

On 10/29/14, I gave this red ale a Yes Yes rating. I was so delighted that our Pumpkin Man agreed to hold the bottle for this photograph.

Hop Czar
Imperial India Pale Ale
Bridgeport Brewing Co.
Oregon's Oldest Craft Brewery
Portland, OR

Label fun:
A robust ruler of IPA is here. All hail the king!
This robust golden monarch requires a king's ransom of hops. Brewed with over two pounds of whole leaf hop cones in each barrel.
Hop Czar is brewed with an irresponsible amount of hops and balanced by a robust malt backbone. Bridgeport revolutionized the IPA style and this Imperial India Pale Ale is a worthy bloodline to our award-winning heritage.
"Reach Beervana."

7.5% alc/vol

I consumed this beer on 10/30/14. I gave this IPA a So So rating.

I appreciate the detailing that went into the design of the label. The czar is decked out with hop cones galore, that is, on his robe, as a belt buckle, as a ring and necklace besides atop his sceptor.  

Peninsula Porter
Shipwrecked Microbrewery
Egg Harbor, WI (Door County)

I gave this beer a So So rating on 10/31/14.

The captain with his pipe and mug of beer adorns all Shipwrecked beer bottle labels. We visited this brewery during our visit to Door County in October.

Zenith
Farmhouse-style Saison
Wisconsin Brewing Co.
Verona, WI

Label fun:
The sun is high, the sky is clear, the mercury is rising--and everything is cool. Because this day has found you in an awesome place. It's summer in Wisconsin, baby, and it only comes but once a year. So ride that heat wave, bask in the glow, let your mood, mind, and spirit soar right up there with that yellow ball in the sky. With one hand, drop your cares and worries and cell phone, with the other, put a kung-fu grip on this farmhouse-style saison, this coriander-and-orange-kissed brew, this delicious golden haze of a beer. Drink it in, take in the view from your personal mountaintop, and smile. Whatever the day brings, you and this brew are gonna' face it together. And it's going to be great.
Our craft. Our passion. Your beer.

5.5% alc/vol

I had this beer on 10/31/14 and gave it a So So rating.

ZENITH #007 is boldly on the label around the neck of this beer.

Espresso Stout
Stevens Point Brewery
Stevens Point, WI

Label fun:
Whole Hog Limited Edition 1857
Beer aged on coffee beans
Handcrafted using a blend of supreme roasted malts, delicately aged on hand-picked espresso coffee beans. Smooth and full on the palate with a roasted finish.

6.5% alc/vol

I drank this beer on 11/1/14 and gave it a So So rating.

I don't usually drink coffee anytime after noon so I was concerned that the caffeine might keep me awake. Fortunately, I didn't find that to be the case. 

Alphorn Pale Ale
Pecatonica Beer Company
Monroe, WI

Label fun:
Like the Alphorn air, this Pale Ale is crisp and refreshing. Relax and enjoy this product of our love for artisan craft beer.
This beer was proudly brewed at the Pecatonica Beer Company, Monroe, WI.

5.9% alc/vol

On 11/2/14, I rated this beer--Yes Yes.

Scotch Ale
Central Waters Brewing Co.
Amherst, WI

Label fun:
Brewer's Reserve
Malt beverage aged in used oak bourbon barrels.
This rich, malty ale has been aged to perfection in our barrel house. Subtle and smooth, this is a decadent display of patience and process. Join us in a toast to good health. Slainte!
I don't enjoy giving beer a No No rating, but that's what I gave this Scotch Ale on 11/2/14.

I drank as much as I could, gave up and poured a few swallows down the drain.

Pumpkin
Seasonal Ale
Wasatch Brewery
Utah Brewers Cooperative
Salt Lake City, Utah

Label fun:
Ale brewed with pumpkin and spices
Grownups need treats too, and our pumpkin ale is just the trick. Careful though--this malty amber has more than a hint of pumpkin, and might just put a spell on you.
Food pairings: Bat wings and giblets
Misbehaving in Utah since 1986.

BigLeaf Maple Autumn Red
Ale
Anchor Brewing Co.
San Francisco, CA

Label fun:
Red ale brewed with maple syrup
Our fall seasonal, BigLeaf Maple Autumn Red, was inspired by a native California tree, its incredible leaves, its delicious syrup and the colors of fall. Bigleaf maple thrives along the banks of California's mountain streams. Native Californians once made rope and baskets from its bark. Today, artisans handcraft its wood and burl into custom guitars. In autumn, its huge leaves, up to a foot across, can display a full range of color as they slowly turn from green to gold to red. Bigleaf maple sugaring in California dates to the 1800s; yet this tree's unusually flavorful syrup remains the product of a small group of hobbyists. A hint of maple--including bigleaf maple--syrup in every brew perfectly complements the malty complexity, balanced hoppiness, and rich fall hue of BigLeaf Maple Autumn Redd, a red ale like no other.
(All of the above is printed on the narrow label that circles the neck of the bottle!)

6% alc/vol

I gave this beer a Yes Yes rating on 11/4/14.

CHEERS!

Beer Journal #29: Polka King Porter, Fantasy Factory, Oktoberfest Beer x 3, Captain's Copper Ale & More Brews For You

"Captain's Copper Ale"
Shipwrecked Microbrewery
Egg Harbor, WI (Door County)

We visited this brewery and I brought this bottle home. I enjoyed it on 10/24/14 and gave it a So So rating. 

"Oktoberfest"
German-Style Marzen
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Chippewa Falls, WI

Label fun:
The Pride of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Since 1867
Carefully Brewed by The Leinkugel Family For Six Generations
A perfect beer to celebrate the fall season, featuring Munich, Pale & Caramel malts with four specialty hops.

I enjoyed this beer at Copper Falls in Clinton, WI on 10/24/14. I gave it a So So rating. Unfortunately, I undressed this bottle before taking its photograph!!! 

"Blonde"
American Lager
Guinness Brewing Company
Latrobe, PA

Label fun:
No. 1 in the Discovery Series
Finest Mosaic & Willamette American Hops
Guinness Artistry & Brewing Tradition
Est 1759

5% alc/vol

I awarded Guinness Blonde with a Yes Yes rating on 10/25/14.

"Oktoberfest"
Berghoff
Seasonal
Marzen Style Lager
Berghoff Brewery, Inc.
Stevens Point, WI

Label fun:
A stone-cold autumn celebration, no more, no less.
Since 1887

5.6% alc/vol

On 10/27/14, I rated this Oktoberfest lager as a So So beer.

"Hop Rise"
Session Ale
Central Waters Brewing Co.
Amherst, WI

Label fun:
An explosively hoppy yet sessionable IPA, bursting with a citrusy array of mango, orange and pineapple pleasantries. Hop Rise is a brewer's beer for one and all, generously hopped throughout the boil, then dry-hopped at the tail end of fermentation for a large bouquet.
ALE, SUN, EARTH AND SKY

So So is my rating for Hop Rise on 10/27/14.

"Fantasy Factory"
India Pale Ale
Karbena4 Brewing, LLC
Madison, WI

Label fun:
I must say that the armed cat atop the fire breathing horse with a rainbow background is a fantasy indeed.

6.3% alc/vol

I had this beer at The Rock on 10/25/14 and rated is So So. They had only recently added this bottled beer to their inventory.

"Oktoberfest"
Maerzen Style
Rhinelander Brewing Co.
Monroe, WI

Label fun:
This is a classic Maerzen style Oktoberfest with rich, biscuity malt flavors highlighted by old world noble hops.

5.2% alc/vol
IBU 21

Yes Yes is my rating for Rhinelander's Oktoberfest which I enjoyed on 10/26/14.

"Polka King"
Porter
Door County Brewing Co.
Brewed & bottled by Sand Creek Brewing Co.
Black River Falls, WI

Label fun:
You Sir & You Ma'am, Thank You for Your Kind Attention
Good Beer Will Make You Want to Dance
Hey-Hey  What-U-Say
Long Live the King!
Brewed With Pale Chocolate Malts & English Hops
OOM-PAH-PAH  OOM-PAH-PAH  OOM-PAH-PAH

On 10/28/14, I gave this porter a Yes Yes rating. That is quite amazing, considering that it was this beer that nearly did me in when I had it in Door County!


Awards go to:
Polka King, Guinness Blonde & Rhinelander Oktoberfest for Yes Yes ratings.
Leinie's Oktoberfest for the most colorful label.
Polka Kind for the most entertaining label, although I enjoyed Hop Rise's beer description on its label as well.


CHEERS!

Beer Journal #28: Cheers to 3 Sheeps' Baaad Boy,Deschutes' Mirror Pond, 2XONE, Hop Whoopin' Beers & More

Baaad Boy
Black Wheat Ale
3 Sheeps Brewing Co.
Sheboygan, WI

Label fun:
Well, just look at all the sheep on the label. I'm not sure what that green thing is on the forehead of the dude in the forefront but his earrings are quite stunning! Oh my gosh! He's got a pierced eyebrow and nostril as well!

5.5% alc/vol

I gave this beer a So So rating on 10/18/14, but it rocks anyway.

It's truly BAAAD!

Mirror Pond
Pale Ale
Deschutes Brewery
Bend, Oregon

Label fun:
Crafted for explorers everywhere since 1988.
"A distinct hop nose and deft balance made this pale ale an instant classic. It is aromatically complex, multi-layered and unmistakably honest. Your handy compass of 'right' when exploring beer."

5.0% alc/vol

The best by date on my bottle of Mirror Pond was 10/27/14.
Phew, I just made it by enjoying it on 10/19/14!!

Hold on folks; I gave this beer a Yes Yes rating!!

Let the good times roll!!

IPA
Shipwrecked
Egg Harbor, WI

The familiar face of the captain adorns this beer label.

No alc/vol is available.

No label fun is available.

Woe is me!

I drank this IPA on 10/19/14 and rated it So So.

2XONE
Single Varietal Ale (Seasonal)
Southern Tier Brewing Co.
Lakewood, NY

Label fun:
Brewed with 1 variety of hop and 1 type of malt.
Upon close inspection, I was delighted to find several male figures on unicycles on the lower edge of the label.

8.1% alc/vol

Regarding the taste, I gave 2XONE a So So rating.

Hop Whoopin'
Ale
O'So Brewing Co.
Plover, WI

Label fun:
S.M.A.S.H.  95 IBU  INTENSE  FREAKISH  OBNOXIOUS  EXCESSIVE DERANGED
Join the fight against boring beer at OSOBREWING.COM!
Discover the art of freestyle brewing.

No alc/vol is available.

On 10/21/14, I rated Hop Whoopin' as a So So beer.

I must say that I do love the radical adjectives.

Brown & Robust Porter
Wisconsin Brewing Co.
Verona, WI

5.2% alc/vol

Today, 10/21/14, I give this porter a So So rating.

So So isn't a bad rating. This beer relaxed me and helped make it a good day. That's the main thing! That's really all I ask.

Summer Ale
Summit Brewing Co.
St. Paul, Minnesota

Label fun:
Ingredients: water, barley malt, wheat malt, hops
I like the birch trees and the duck on the label.

4.4% alc/vol

I had this beer on 10/22/14 and I couldn't do better than a So So rating. Sorry! 

Outboard
Cream Ale
Milwaukee Brewing Co.
Milwaukee, WI

Label fun:
"That's local flavor."

5.0% alc/vol

I gave Outboard a So So rating, today, 10/23/14. I wasn't thrilled.

The beer name "Outboard", makes me think this may be a seasonal (summer) beer. I found it at the local grocery store a few days ago and I'm drinking it today for fear it's approaching old age. (I'm still researching the subject of beer freshness).

Awards go to:
Hop Whoopin' and Baaad Boy for the cleverest names
2XONE for the most alcohol at a whopping 8.1 % alc/vol
Mirror Pond for the loveliest name, prettiest label and also for a rare Yes Yes rating!! 

CHEERS! 

Beer Journal #27: My Growing List of Beers Consumed Since I Began My Quest

I have a ritual when I have a beer. After I select a beer from the refrigerator (my selection always includes several single bottles of beers I've never drank). I record the name of the beer on my computer beer list. Next, I take a picture of the beer bottle. Then I pour the beer into a glass (a Teku glass) and photograph the empty bottle and the glass. I also write the name of the beer on my calender on the date I drink it.

When the bottle is dry, I apply a sheet of Label Lift to the bottle label, take the label off, write the date and my rating on the back of the label. I put the label on a shelf until I accumulate enough to create a beer journal blog post. After they've made their appearance on my blog, I put the labels in my album.

You're right. It's a challenge to find time to actually drink the damn beer!!!!

If we dine at a restaurant that doesn't have a bottled beer available that I've not tried, I drink water. Then, when I get home, I have a never-tried beer; several are always chilling in my refrigerator.

Call me crazy and I'll reply "Thank you."

P.S. I don't expect you to read the list, just to see how long it is. 

Beers I've drank:

A
Abita Turbodog
Abita Amber
Against The Grain (Wold Top Brewery)
Alaskan Alt Style Ale
Alaskan Amber
Alaskan APA
Alaskan Freeride
Alaskan Hop O Thermia Double IPA
Alaskan Icy Bay IPA
Alaskan IPA
Alaskan Stout
Alaskan Summer
Alaskan White
All Day IPA (Founders Brewing Co.)
Amber Ale (Bell's Brewery)
Ambergeddon (Ale Asylum)
Amstel Light
Amstel Radler
Angry Orchard Hard Cider
Angry Orchard Traditional Dry Cider
Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
Avalanche Amber Style Ale

B
Baaad Boy (3 Sheeps Brewing Co.)
Batch 19 Pre-Prohibition Style Lager (Coors Archive Brewing)
Bayside Blonde Ale (Shipwrecked)
Bedlam! (Ale Asylum)
Beck's Sapphire
Berghoff
Berghoff Germaniac Alberbier Kotbusser Style Pale Ale (Berghoff Brewery, Inc.)
Berghoff Original Lager (The Joseph Huber Brewing Co.)
Berghoff Reppin' Red Ale
Berghoff Sir Dunkle Crispy Dark
Berghoff Solstice Wit
Berghoff Straight Up
Biere De Seigle (Door County Brewing Co.)
Big Sky IPA (Big Sky Brewing Co.)
Big Sweet Life (Wisconsin Brewing Co.)
Big Wave Golden Ale (Kona Brewing Co.)
Billy Bock (Minhas Brewing Co.)
Bitch Creek
Blue Moon Belgian White Wheat Ale (Blue Moon Brewing Co.)
Blue Moon Summer Honey Wheat (Blue Moon Brewing Co.)
Blue Point Long Island Toasted Lager
Boatilla Amber Ale (Big Bay Brewing Co.)
Booyah (Milwaukee Brewing Co.)
Bud Light Aluminum
Bud Light Lime
Busted Knuckle Irish Style Ale (Gray's Brewing Co., Janesville, WI)

C
Calypse Spiked Island (Adult Lemonade)
Capital Wisconsin Amber
Chainbreaker White IPA (Deschutes Brewery)
Cherry Wheat Ale (Shipwrecked)
Coast Radler
Commodore Perry IPA (Great Lakes Brewing Co.)
Corona Light
Crabbie's Ginger Beer (John Crabbie & Co.)

D
DayTime (Lagunitas Brewing Co.)
Dark Voyage (Capital Brewery)
Dortmunder Gold (Great Lakes Brewing Co.)
Dos Equix
Dos Equis Ambar
Dos Equix Azul
Drafty Window Farmhouse Ale, Hopothesis
Dream Machine IPL (Magic Hat Brewing Co.)
Drop Dead Blonde (Stevens Point Brewery)

E
Edmund Fitzgerald (Great Lakes Brewing Co.)
1845 Pils (Minhas Brewing Co.)
Ellie's Brown Ale
Extended Play Inda-Style Session Ale (Lakefront Brewery, Inc.)

F
Fire Rock Pale Ale (Kona Brewing Co.)
Fixed Gear American Red Ale
Founders Porter
400 Pound Monkey (Left hand Brewing Co.)    
Relative Madness (4 Brothers Blended Beer Brewing Co.)
Whipper Snapper (4 Brothers Blended Beer Brewing Co.)

G
Geneva Lake No Wake
Glacial Trail India Pale Ale (Central Waters Brewing Co.)
Good JUJU (Left Hand Brewing Co.)
Goose Island Endless IPA
Goose Island Honker's Ale (Goose Island Beer Co.)
Goose Island Ten Hills Pale Ale
Grolsch
Guinness
Guinness Draught
Guinness Extra Stout
Guinness Foreign Extra

H
Harp Premium Lager (Guinness)
Hazel's Nut House
Headless Man (Tyranena Brewing Co.)
Heineken
Hilbourn Hop Ale (Wisconsin Dells Brewing Co.)
Hofbrau Original
Honey Ale (Gray's Brewing Co.)
Honey Ale (Wisconsin Dells Brewing Co.)
Honey Blonde (Port Huron Brewing Co.)
Hop-A-Peel (Atwater Brewery)
Hopdinger (O'SO Brewery)
Hop Whoopin'(O'SO Brewery)
Horizon Red Ale
Huber Bock

I
Ice House
Imperial Jack Double IPA (Rhinelander Brewing Co. LLC)
In-Heat Wheat
Innis & Gunn Original
IPA (Shipwrecked)

J
Jockamo IPA (Abita Brewing Co.)

K
Kilbourn Hop Ale
Killian's Irish Red
Kingpin (Bridgeport Brewing Co.)
Kink (Ale Asylum Brewing Co.)

L
Lake Louie Pale Ale (Lake Louie Brewing, LLC)
Landshark
Lazy Mutt Farmhouse Ale (Minhas Craft Brewery)
Left Hand Brewing Co. Good JuJu
Legacy Lager (Minhas Craft Brewery for Tonka Beer Co.)
Leinie's Canoe Paddler
Leinie's Creamy Dark
Leinie's Hoppin Helles
Leinie's Orange Shandy
Little Sister Witbier (Door County Brewing Co.)
Little Sumpin' (Lagunitas Brewing Co.)
LoneStar
Longboard Island Lager (Kona Brewing Co.)
Lucky U IPA (Breckenridge Brewing Co.)

M
Mad Hatter (New Holland Brewing Co.)
MadTown NutBrown
Memory Lane (O'So Brewing Co.)
Messiah Nut Brown Ale (Shmaltz Brewing Co.)
Miller 64
Mirror Pond (Deschutes Brewery)
Modelo Especial (Cerveceria Modelo Brewery)
Molson Canadian Lager
Molson Golden (
Moose Drool (Big Sky Brewing Co.)
Moosehead Lager (Moosehead Breweries Ltd., Saint John, NB, Canada)
Murphy's Red Ale (Murphy Brewery)
Mystical Jack (Rhinelander Brewing Co.)

N
Negra Modelo
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale (New Belgium Brewing Co.)
New Belgium Snapshot Wheat Beer
New Belgium Trippel
New Castle Brown Ale
New Glarus Back 40 bock (New Glarus Brewing Co.)
New Glarus Blonde
New Glarus Coffee Stout
New Glarus Dancing Man
New Glarus Fat Squirrel
New Glarus Moon Man
New Glarus Spotted Cow
New Glarus Staghorn Octoberfest
New Glarus Totally Naked
New Glarus Two Women
New Glarus Yokel
Night Train (O'So Brewing Company)
Nitro Milk Stout (Left Hand Brewing Co.)
Nitro Sawtooth Ale (Left Hand Brewing Co.)
#9 (Magic Hat Brewing Co.)

O
Oarsman Ale (Bell's Brewing, Inc.)
Oatmeal Stout Dark (Breckenridge Brewing Co.)
Oberon Ale (Bell's Brewing, Inc.)
Oktoberfest Marzen Style (Stevens Point Brewery)
Oktoberfest (Upland Brewing Co.)
Ol' Reliable Beer (Wisconsin Brewing Co.)
Old Scratch

P
Pacifico Clara
Pastoral (Door County Brewing Co.)
Peroni Birra
Pike Kilt Lifter Ruby Ale
Preservation IPA (Minhas for Tonka Beer Co.)
Pumpkin Ale (Shipwrecked)


R
Rampant (New Belgian Brewery)
Redbridge Gluten Free Sorghum Beer
Redd's Apple Ale
Redd's Strawberry Ale
Red Stripe
Relative Madness (4 Brothers Blended Beer Co.)
Rocky's Revenge (Tyranena Brewing Co.)
Rogue Dead Guy (Oregon Brewing Co.)
Rolling Rock
Rustic Red (Wisconsin Dells Brewing Co.)
Rusty Red Ale

S
Sam Adam's Boston Lager (The Boston Beer Co.)
Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat
Sam Adam's Cold Snap
Sam Adam's Escape Route
Sam Adam's Irish Red
Sam Adam's Maple Pecan Porter
Sam Adam's Summer Ale
Sam Adam's White Water IPA Ale (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA)
Satisfaction Jacksin (Ale Asylum)
Scrimshaw (North Coast Brewing Co.)
Scurvy (Tyranena Brewing Co.)
Session IPA (Wisconsin Brewing Co.)
Shipyard Brewing Co.
Shiner Bohemian Black Lager (Spoetzl Brewery)
Shiner Kosmos
Shiner Premium Beer
Shiner Ruby Redbird
Shiner White Wing Belgian White
Shiner Wild Hare (Pale Ale)
Shock Top Belgian White
Shock Top Honey Bourbon Cask Wheat (Shock Top Brewing Co.)
Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat
Shock Top Honey Wheat
Shock Top Raspberry Wheat
Short Straw Farmhouse Red Ale (Expressionist Collection--Blue Moon Brewing Co.)
Sibling Rivalry (4 Brothers Blended Beer)
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA
60 Minute IPA (Dogfish Head Craft Brewery)
Smithwick's Premium Irish Ale
Smitten Golden Rye Ale (Bell's Brewery, Inc.)
Snake Dog (Flying Dog Brewery)
Special Lager (Stevens Point Brewery)
Sprecher Special Amber Vienna Style Lager (Sprecher Brewing Co., Inc., Glendale, WI)
Stella Artois
Stella Artois Cidre
Sunset Wheat (Leinenkugel's Brewing Co.)
Swiss Style Amber (Minhas Brewing Co.)

T
Tampa Bay Rollin Dirty Red Ale
Tecate Imported Mexican Beer
Tecate Light
The Big O (O'So Brewing Co.)
The Poet (New Holland Brewing Co.)
Third Shift Amber Lager (Band of Brewers Co.)
3rd Wheel (O'So Brewing Co.)
Three Beaches Honey Blond (Tyranena Brewing Co.)
312 Urban Pale Ale (Goose Island Beer Co.)
312 Urban Wheat Ale (Goose Island Beer Co.)
Thumper American IPA (Rhinelander Brewing Co.)
Trilogy 2 (Bridgeport Brewing Co.)
Trout Slayer (Big Sky Brewing Co.)
Two Hearted Ale
2XOne (Southern Tier Brewing Co.)
2X Stout (Southern Tier Brewing Co.)

U
Unshadowed Hefeweizen (Ale Asylum, Madison, WI)
Uptown Girl (Uptown Girl Beverage Company)

V
Victoria

W
Waterslides (3 Sheeps Brewing Co.)
Wavehopper Kolsch Style Ale (Big Bay Brewing Co.)
Wheat Monkey Ale
Whipper Snapper (4 Brothers Blended Beer Co.)
White Rascal (Avery Brewing Co.)
Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider

X

Y
Yuengling Lager

Z

Beer Journal #26: In Praise of Pastoral Farmhouse Ale, Door County Brewing Company

I love reading beer bottle labels for the interesting tidbits often hidden in the fine print. I've discovered that the beer carry cartons are worth examining as well.

I found the following narrative on the Pastoral Farmhouse Ale carton pictured above.

"It's about your everyday man. The dirt underneath his fingernails is not just a constant, but a comfort. He wakes and dawns with the sun, he farms his own land, and he brews his own beer. Not just any beer, but a beer brewed in the tradition of the Belgian farmers before us. In Door County, Wisconsin, hard seasonal workers forged our rich heritage. Pastoral is a celebration of the seasons and the land--from farmhouses past to fields present. Both refreshing and dry, with hints of pepper, citrus and green grass, the recipe is not just about the beauty in simplicity, but also the pride in tradition."

I find those words to be as comforting as the affects of a good beer.

CHEERS!

Beer Journal #25: Let's Take a Look at 5 Beers Including Trout Slayer, All Day IPA, Biere de Seigle and Pastoral

All Day IPA
(Unfortunately the frog doesn't come with the beer).
Session Ale
(A session ale is any beer that contains no higher than 5% ABV, featuring a balance between malt and hop characters which creates a beer with high drinkability. The purpose of a session beer is to allow a beer drinker to have multiple beers within a reasonable time period or session without getting drunk).

 Founders Brewing CompanyGrand Rapids, MI

4.7% alc/vol

I give this beer a Yes Yes rating. I liked it and learned what a session ale is by googling it in the process of posting this here.

In other words, drinking beer makes you smart!! 

Biere de Seigle
An authentic rye farmhouse ale
Door County Brewing Company
(brewed and bottled by
Sand Creek Brewing Company
Black River Falls, WI)

I love the label fun scattered here and there:
"Vive la Port des Morts!"
"A tour de force"
"You are thristy, non?" (spelled that way)
"Oh la la! A biere au naturel!"

No alc/vol number on label

I gave this beer a So So rating. It was quite strong.
 

Trout Slayer
Wheat Ale
Big Sky Brewing Co.
Missoula, Montana

No clever wording on the label, although the picture of the trout fishermen is sweet nice and colorful.

5.0% alc/vol

I tossed a So So rating to this beer.

Pastoral
Farmhouse Ale
Door County Brewing Company
(brewed and bottled by
Sand Creek Brewing Co.
Black River Falls, WI)

Label info:
Of The Land
For The People!

A alc/vol is not on the label.

I wasn't thrilled so I gave this a So So rating.

Bayside Blonde Ale
Shipwrecked
Door County
Egg Harbor
WI

No label cleverness although the picture of the captain is fine and dandy.

I found no alc/vol statistics. Perhaps, it's sometimes better not to know.

I bestowed a Yes Yes to Bayside Blond Ale. And yes, blondes do have their share of fun!

I feel compelled to award:

Biere de Seigle with the most entertaining label.
Trout Slayer with the most beautiful label.
Pastoral for honoring the hard working farmer.

CHEERS!
(I hope you've enjoyed your visit).