Bell's Hell Hath No Fury

This beer comes from the Bell's Brewing Company out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. I was able to try this beer the last time we were home in Cleveland for Cathy's birthday.

I have yet to try a beer from Bell's that I haven't liked. Hell Hath No Fury didn't change that one bit. It says on the label, which Bell's does very well and is one cooler label designs I have seen, that...

A brew that gives you either sympathy for the devil or the courage to face him. Goes especially well with your favorite lost my girl/truck/dog/trailer song.

I didn't have any sympathy for the devil after having this beer, but would want to face him either...Anyways, it was a solid Belgian Dark and I am sad that it is only for a limited release in October and November. Although I feel that Bell's best beers are their limited brews. I think that is the case with most brewers, knowing that they don't have much room for error, they put their best efforts into these beers.

It poured a dark chocolate brown color with heavy brown head. Smells of dark smokey chocolate. A very roasted bitter dark chocolate taste with a slight caramel malt flavoring. Reminded me of a stout which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Had a medium body, which allows one to have a few in a sitting. Would love to get my hands on another, but regrettably will have to wait until next Fall.


Who: Thad
Where: Visiting Cleveland
Price: FREE
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Magic Hat Odd Notion (Winter 08)

Magic Hat Brewing Company, Burlington, Vermont brews a solid winter ale with their Odd Notion (Winter '08). It was in the Feast of Fools Winter 12 pack, along with #9, Circus Boy and Roxy Rolles.

I really enjoyed this years Odd Notion beer. I believe that they brew it differently every year, which is a pretty cool idea to retire a beer every year. Last year if I remember correctly it was a darker (wheat?) beer, with some cinnamon. This year it is a lot lighter in color and is brewed with some honey flavor. It was a very light beer with a hint of orange and spice, very drinkable.

Chances are I'll probably give this another try since I will certainly buy another 12 pack before the season is up (Gotta get a few more Roxy Rolles). I wish that I could substitute out the Circus Boy because I really don't care for the Hefe's.

In the end, I was glad I had a try but won't be sad when they come up with a new recipe next year.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

100 Drinks You Must Try Before You Expire

I was reading Musings Over a Pint, and David came across this list of 100 drinks that Art of Drink believes everyone should try, at least once.

Remember, this is just a list of things you should try, not the "best of the world" list. The list is about contrast and variation of flavour. I’m sure a few scotch addict’s, vodkaphiles and beeroholics will recommend a particular brand, but in most cases, this list is style specific, instead of brand specific. But please feel free to make recommendations.

Anyone is can play along.
Instructions:
1) Copy this list into your blog, with instructions.
2) Bold all the drinks you’ve imbibed.
3) Cross out any items that you won’t touch
4) Post a comment at Art of Drink and link to your results.
OR
If you don’t have a blog, just count the ones you’ve tried and post the number in the comments section.

I've come in with a weak 37...But I'm only 26 and really only drink beer and water, so I have a ways to go!

List of Drinks You Must Try Before You Expire

1. Manhattan Cocktail
2. Kopi Luwak (Weasle Coffee)
3. French / Swiss Absinthe
4. Rootbeer
5. Gin Martini
6. Sauternes
7. Whole Milk
8. Tequila (100% Agave)
9. XO Cognac
10. Espresso
11. Spring Water (directly from the spring)
12. Gin & Tonic
13. Mead
14. Westvleteren 12 (Yellow Cap) Trappist Ale
15. Chateau d’Yquem
16. Budweiser
17. Maraschino Liqueur
18. Mojito
19. Orgeat
20. Grand Marnier
21. Mai Tai (original)
22. Ice Wine (Canadian)
23. Red Bull
24. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
25. Bubble Tea
26. Tokaji
27. Chicory
28. Islay Scotch
29. Pusser’s Navy Rum
30. Fernet Branca
31. Fresh Pressed Apple Cider
32. Bourbon
33. Australian Shiraz
34. Buckley’s Cough Syrup
35. Orange Bitters
36. Margarita (classic recipe)
37. Molasses & Milk
38. Chimay Blue
39. Wine of Pines (Tepache)
40. Green Tea
41. Daiginjo Sake
42. Chai Tea
43. Vodka (chilled, straight)
44. Coca-Cola
45. Zombie (Beachcomber recipe)
46. Barley Wine
47. Brewed Choclate (Xocolatl)
48. Pisco Sour
49. Lemonade
50. Speyside Single Malt
51. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
52. Champagne (Vintage)
53. Rosé (French)
54. Bellini
55. Caipirinha
56. White Zinfandel (Blush)
57. Coconut Water
58. Cerveza
59. Cafe au Lait
60. Ice Tea
61. Pedro Ximenez Sherry
62. Vintage Port
63. Hot Chocolate
64. German Riesling
65. Pina Colada
66. El Dorado 15 Year Rum
67. Chartreuse
68. Greek Wine
69. Negroni
70. Jägermeister
71. Chicha
72. Guiness
73. Rhum Agricole
74. Palm Wine
75. Soju
76. Ceylon Tea (High Grown)
77. Belgian Lambic
78. Mongolian Airag
79. Doogh, Lassi or Ayran
80. Sugarcane Juice
81. Ramos Gin Fizz
82. Singapore Sling
83. Mint Julep
84. Old Fashioned
85. Perique
86. Jenever (Holland Gin)
87. Chocolate Milkshake
88. Traditional Italian Barolo
89. Pulque
90. Natural Sparkling Water
91. Cuban Rum
92. Asti Spumante
93. Irish Whiskey
94. Château Margaux
95. Two Buck Chuck
96. Screech
97. Akvavit
98. Rye Whisky
99. German Weissbier
100. Daiquiri (classic)

Fort Collins Retro Red

A Classic Ruby Red Ale, Fort Collins Brewing comes in with Retro Red.

Cathy and I picked this one out purely based on it's label. We really enjoyed the red wagon, carrying the beer bottles. I never did this growing up, but I know everyone has seen the kid with his red Flyer wagon corralling up used bottles and cans to take bake to the corner store. Very cool.

Not the best red ale I have had, and it pales in comparison to Founders Red's Rye. I think that drinking this so close after that beer really put a damper on what I think of it.

It has a very nice deep red color with a slight tan head. Smells of toasty caramel malt with a hint of nuttiness. Taste's like the smell (sweet caramel nutty) with a small amount of bitterness at the end. It was a good beer but not the best. I'll probably give Retro Red a try again because Cathy likes the Red Ales so much.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Founders Red's Rye

Red's Rye was my first beer from Founders Brewing. I have heard some great things about this brewery and this beer did not disappoint. What I can't get over is the creepy old man on the label. I can only assume that he is "Red" and it's almost like he is staring right into your soul.

On to the beer...

Red's Rye was right up Cathy's alley as she loves the red/amber ales. Just the right amount of sweet malt and hops for her. I had to agree with her on this, a very nice blend that was easy to drink. Pours a very nice red color with a light tan head. Could really smell the caramel, grapefruit and malted rye. It was such a pleasing blend of the sweet caramel and bitter grapefruit. It kind of felt more like an IPA, but I think the rye malt was what distinguishes it in the end.

A top notch brew and recommended to everyone. I would love to get my hands on another 6 pack soon.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 5 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Lagunitas Censored Ale

Lagunitas The Censored Rich Copper Ale

Another beer from the California based brewers. They claim

"This ale contains no actual copper but we're pretty literal... It looked coppery, so we lamely called it a copper ale."

Pretty funny claim, yet true none the less. I picked this one up when I made my own 6 pack at Bruisin' Ales in Asheville.

This wasn't my favorite red/amber/copper ale, but it wasn't the worst. You could smell the sweet and toasty caramel malt and maybe a bit of the hops, but it was tough to smell it over the malt. Has a "gasp" copper color...

The caramel malt hits you hard and their is a slight hop bitterness at the end. I think I got hung up on the metallic aftertaste, which kind of turned me off. I think the best part was how easy it was to drink and that isn't what I look for in a beer.

All in all, not great but not terrible. I'll probably try something else before I get this again.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Budweiser American Ale

Budweiser is trying to get into the "craft brew" market, and have failed. I was excited to give this a try, hoping the American brewing giant would come up with something good. There really is nothing good to say about the beer at all. It was a pathetic attempt at something they are not suited for. You can't just take Bud Light and make it an reddish amber color and then say you did something different.

If this is supposed to get people excited to try craft brewed beers, they are going to be in a world of surprise if they ever try a "real ale".

I guess I shouldn't get so worked up about it, but I have a great passion and respect for craft brewing that I expected so much more from a company that has way more money than most to put into a new beer. This is not what craft brewing or Ale's are about. In my opinion AB is trying to get their foot in the door, but it is way to late, and have failed miserably. I am offended as a craft beer drinker that they are really trying to get into this market with this kind of beer. I would guess that most will reject this kind of beer until they start doing it right.

Go ahead and give this a try, but don't expect anything. This will probably be one of the only beers that will get a 0 from me.

Who: Joey
Where: THE BORZONE!
Price: $
Score: 0 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Great Lakes Burning River

Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale.

One of my all-time favorite beers gets its name from the 1969 burning of the Cuyahoga River (really it happened: Burning Cuyahoga). The label shows the Cleveland skyline with the burning Cuyahoga River running through it. A nice play on an easy target if you want to make fun of Cleveland.

I have said before that I am partial to the GLBC and almost all things Cleveland (my wife, Indians, Cavs, Cuyahoga Valley Ntl. Park, etc.), but I think that many will agree that this is a solid American Pale Ale. It was in the running for my Session #21 favorite beer but since I hadn't reviewed it yet, I didn't want to choose it.

The beer pours a light copper color with slight white head a decent lacing. Very hoppy citrus and floral smells, but not overwhelming. This medium bodied beer makes it very drinkable and has a very hoppy bitterness at the beginning. You really get to taste the malt and caramel at the end making this a very balanced APA.

I think that GLBC really comes through on this brew and if you haven't given it a try yet, I would recommend that you do.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 5 / 5

Happy Drinking!

The Session #21: Favorite Beer

This is my first session post for beer blogging Friday. The 21st installment of The Session is hosted by A World of Brews. The topic chosen by Matt is "What is your favorite Beer and Why?"

This is a tough question, because I rarely ever buy the same beer over and over. When my wife and I are traveling one of my rules is to always try a beer from the region we are in, so I'm forced to try something new all of the time. That is the beauty of the craft beer world, their are so many choices and it's so hard to choose your favorite. Same goes for when we are in a bar, I never order the same beer at every bar. Most of the beers that I enjoy are not available in bars anyways.

But, since I don't like to break the rules, I'll go with Breckenridge 471 Small Batch IPA. It was the latest beer to get a 5 / 5 rating from me. Here is what I said in my review back in October

"This beer is not for those who don't like hops. It was a great combination of the malt with the double hops though. Although the bitterness and hops are in your face from the beginning, it wasn't overwhelming. The sweetness of the caramel was their at the beginning, but it isn't enough to take away from the bitter finish. The brewmaster really outdid him/herself with this beer. Even with the high ABV (9.20%) I could sit and have a handful of these.

Highly Recommended!"

I have to give a shoutout to Dave over at Musings Over a Pint and Chipper Dave at Fermentedly Challenged for alerting me to The Session. Be sure to check out A World of Brews for a summary of all of this month's Session posts.

Pints for Prostates Delivers Men’s Health Message Using the Universal Language of Beer

Last week I posted a banner on the side of the page promoting this. I learned later in the week that my Uncle had been diagnosed with this very cancer. Weird how that stuff works. So if you are over 40 please get tested at your next doctor's visit.

The symptoms of prostate cancer rarely show before the disease has progressed, but a simple PSA blood test can serve as an early warning and save men’s lives. But how do you reach men in their late 30s and early 40s, when statistics show they often skip regular physicals and avoid doctor’s offices?

“Pints for Prostates is an awareness campaign designed to reach men through the universal language of beer. We want to communicate with them in a friendly and non-threatening way about the need for regular PSA testing,” says Rick Lyke, a 47-year-old Charlotte, N.C., marketing executive and drinks journalist who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February. “Early detection is the key to fighting prostate cancer and a PSA test and a physical exam are the best method to catch it early.”

Read the Enitre release here or Visit the Pints for Prostates Website

Have a 'MAN-tastic' Holiday Season

NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE OFFERS RECIPES AND ENTERTAINING TIPS DESIGNED TO GUARANTEE A ‘MAN-TASTIC’ HOLIDAY SEASON

#1 Imported Ale Partners with Popular Consumer Brands and TV Chef “Sam the Cooking Guy” to Launch a National Grocery Store Campaign

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (October 27, 2008) – Slaving over the bird, dressing and gravy. Shopping in vain for the right gift for that special someone – and then having to wrap it. Those darn icicle lights. If there’s one thing thousands of men across the country share in common during the holidays, it’s overcoming these and other maddening, yet traditional, to-dos. Newcastle Brown Ale to the rescue. The leading imported ale will introduce a complementary guy’s guide to entertaining in style, dubbed the “Man-ual” and slated to hit supermarkets nationwide in November.

Along with lifesaving tips for navigating the entertaining season, the Man-ual will also offer consumers delicious, easy-to-make holiday recipes on perforated recipe cards courtesy of cookbook author and TV cooking personality “Sam the Cooking Guy.”

Newcastle Brown Ale partnered with national brands Cabot® Creamery Cooperative and Java-Log® to offer promotional discounts (where legal). The Man-ual boasts recipes including an Au Revoir Fondue made with Cabot Cheddar Cheese. For easy fireside entertaining with not-your-average Yule log, check out discounts on Java-Log®, the first and only eco-friendly firelog made from recycled coffee grounds. Other highlights from the Man-ual include tips on toasting co-workers and how to avoid committing a fashion faux-pas at holiday parties.

Kheri Tillman, vice president of marketing Newcastle Brown Ale, Dos Equis and Amstel Light said, “We are proud to announce this holiday campaign and promotional partnership with nationally recognized brands like Cabot and Java-Log®, as they are well-known consumer favorites and share a similar consumer base as Newcastle Brown Ale.”

##
The holiday “Man-ual” and surrounding collateral were designed by San Diego’s VitroRobertson.

For media inquiries, including interview scheduling, please contact Formula at 310-578-7050.

ABOUT CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE

Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919 and is most widely known as makers of “The World’s Best Cheddar and World’s Best Lowfat Cheddar.” Cabot is owned by the dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast’s premier dairy cooperative. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, please visit www.cabotcheese.coop

ABOUT JAVA-LOG

Owned by Jarden Home Brands, Java-Log® and StarterLogg® brand firelogs are innovative fireplace alternatives offering easy-lighting, longer-burning, and brighter flames. Java-Log®, the first and only firelog made with recycled spent coffee grounds and 100 percent renewable, non-petroleum wax, diverts more than 20 million pounds of coffee waste each year that would otherwise end up in landfills. Approved by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), Java-Log® produces up to 80 percent fewer emissions than traditional firewood. StarterLogg® is made of premium wax and kiln-dried hardwood sawdust and is non-toxic. For more information, visit www.java-log.com.

ABOUT HEINEKEN USA
Heineken USA Inc., the nation’s premier beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, which is the world’s most international brewer. Brands imported into the U.S. include: Heineken Lager, the world’s most international beer brand; Heineken Premium Light; Amstel Light, a leading imported light beer brand; Newcastle Brown Ale, the leading imported ale in the United States; and Buckler non-alcoholic brew. Heineken USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Tecate Light, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from FEMSA Cerveza of Mexico. Please visit EnjoyHeinekenResponsibly.com.

Bad Penny Brown Ale

Brewed by the Big Boss Brewing Company in Raleigh, North Carolina. The thing that drew me to Bad Penny was the label and branding of the beer and brewery. As a designer I am always looking for things that excite and inspire me and this is one of those times. The design is fantastic and one of the better options in the craft beer world. All of Big Boss's brews have this same kind of design and feel. Very cool.

Now on to the beer itself.

Bad Penny is a brown ale and a pretty good one at that. Pours a dark brown, more like a porter than a brown ale, with a creamy off white head. Smells of dark chocolate and coffee. The taste reminds me a bit like a chocolate soda, it has this thin malty flavoring with a hint of nutty/hoppy bitterness at the end.

This really felt more like a porter than a brown ale, but I think that the bitterness at the end categorizes it as the brown ale over a porter/stout. Can't wait to try another brew from Big Boss.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Taste of the World Wine and Beer Festival

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Taste of the World Wine and Beer Festival - Sat., November 8 at Newport Aquarium.

The committee, led by chair Roseann Hayes, is busy planning and preparing a night of “fish and sips” for LLS supporters and local “foodies” to enjoy once again this year. Roseann is a lymphoma survivor who has made this event her personal attack on the blood cancers that affect her life and the lives of over 894,000 Americans.

Click here to read more.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the Society’s Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

SweetWater IPA

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the SweetWater Brewing Company has been brewing beer since 1997 and are doing a pretty good job of it, based on their IPA.

Nice looking light yet foggy amber color with a slight head at the top. Decent lacing as the beer was drank. Big hop smell of citrus, flowers and a slight hint of caramel malt. Great hoppy explosion from the very first taste, but balances well with the sweet malt. Medium bodied which made it easy to drink, could have a few of these for sure.

A very good IPA that reminds me a lot of a West Coast brew, probably because the founders of SweetWater were roommates at Colorado University. Another good beer to try if you can find it or trade for it.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!