Magic Hat Hex

Hex
Magic Hat Brewing Company
Burlington, VT
5.40% ABV
Style: American Amber / Red Ale

C: Clear
H: Orangish Amber Color
N: Roasted Malt, Caramel, Weak Hop Scent but Never-the-Less Mild Hops

The Cerveza Chica: Well the Ferm picked up this beer a few times between six-packs and the variety packs. I have had tastings out of his bottles, which is perfectly fine with me. Nothing stands out to me about this beer. It had some sweet malty flavors to it, but then again the taste disappeared very quickly. I really don't have much to say about this beer. I don't think I would go out of my way to get it, or have the desire to drink a whole bottle myself.
Score: 2.77

The Ferm: Well this was the first Magic Hat Seasonal Beer I had from the Fall line-up. I found a six pack of this at a gas station in downtown Delray Beach....yes a gas station. Shared the sixer with some friends, and revisited this beer when I picked up the variety pack.
The beer reminds me of the movies SAW, I guess the label art and the pig looking people are the reasoning behind it. Like the movies the beer is average. Nothing that is going to scare the crap out of you (which is a great feeling when watching a horror movie). This beer is just sort-a there. Amazing? Not by a long shot! It is very average. Everything from the beer just screams AVERAGE!
The taste isn't packed with some crazy flavors, and the nose leaves one looking around for another beer to dunk their nostrils in. Yep....pretty "Plain Jane" on this one.
Score: 2.5 (can't get much more average than that!)

Overall: 2.635

Magic Hat Hi.P.A.

Hi.P.A.
Magic Hat Brewing Company
Burlington, VT
6.7% ABV
Style: IPA

C: Hazy
H: Yellow Almost Gold in Color
N: Floral and Piney Hops, Hints of Citrus

The Cerveza Chica: Well I am normally a huge fan of IPA's, although this beer did let me down a bit. There was too much bitterness to this. I am sure that The Ferm will love this one, I thought it was a bit over the top. I would prefer a Dogfish Head 60 minute instead. This was just a bit over the top. It was a solid IPA though.
Score: 3.27


The Ferm: Variety Packs are the best, especially Magic Hat Packs that I can get 3 new beers. I am always happy when one of these beers is an IPA. This was big on the hops and very strong with the piney hoppy flavors. A very drinkable beer, like most Magic Hats, although this beer has a bit more flavor to it. The beer sort-a reminds me of a hoppy-er version of the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Good choice for a Hop Head.
Score: 3.46

Overall: 3.365

Magic Hat Odd Notion Fall 2010

Odd Notion Fall 2010 - Green Apple Wit
Magic Hat Brewing Company
Burlington, VT
4.50% ABV
Style: Witbier

C: Hazy
H: Pale Yellow
N: Bubblegum, Sweet Blueberry

The Cerveza Chica: I will start by saying that it is good to be back in the guest blogger rotation. I have really missed beer. As far as breweries go I would have to say that Magic Hat is one of my top 3 favorite breweries. It is the brewery that began my introduction into craft beer. The new variety pack was very exciting for me. I always am interested in what the new Odd Notion will be and this one didn't disappoint me because it was just that, odd. It was very light and drinkable. I could drink a lot of them on a hot Florida day. The nose reminded me of some sort of bubblegum as did the taste. The ABV won't knock you on your butt so if you enjoy the taste this could be a good session beer for you. I would highly recommend purchasing the Night of the Living Dead Variety pack if you want some easy drinking beers that are not macro brews.
Score: 3.97

The Ferm: Well as always I saw the new Magic Hat Seasonal Variety Pack and had to pick it up. To think I use to trade for this stuff, I am soo happy that is it available in South Florida. This beer smells like bubblegum with hints of blueberry from the minute the top of the bottle is popped. I didn't really get green apples from this beer, but it was still very good tasting. This beer honestly should be part of the summer pack and not the fall. Although I will say that I am very happy it is out now because I can use this with Magic Hat #9 as part of my go to beers for tailgating. A very light and refreshing beer, sadly the only way to get this beer is in the variety pack. They need to release this stuff seasonally and remove it from the one off odd notion line.
Score: 3.75

Overall:

Funky Buddha Brewery and FAU Football

Well most you my regular readers here know I love beer, and I do....trust me I really do.

There is something that is a bit closer to my heart...well besides The Cerveza Chica! That object of affection is my FAU OWLS. Yes that's right Florida Atlantic University, no we are not the team that got into a fight with Miami, yes we are the quickest startup division 1 program that is undefeated in bowl games (2 for 2).



Today the FAU Owls kick off their football season at home against the North Texas Mean Green (really what kind of name is that?!).



The past was filled with Dos and I chugging some Miller High Life and PBR but this year is a bit different. I have found beer lovers in Owl Country. Good Beer will be at the tailgates but I have a feeling that the PBR will find its way into my cooler.

Regardless, while the 7pm kickoff begins a bit north of the stadium, my friends and fellow beer lovers will be celebrating the Grand Opening of the Funky Buddha Brewery!



That's right Boca Raton, FL now has a real life brewery! The Boys..and Girls from the Buddha will be serving 12 of their own beers on draft at the grand opening. This should be a great time! Am I sad I am missing the door opening on the event...yes...BUT! The Buddha will be open till 2am on Sunday, and you bet your ass I am going to be there celebrating an Owl victory!

Come out tonight to the Funky Buddha and celebrate with me and the rest of #FlaBrew!

Russian River Consecration

Consecration
Russian River Brewing Company
Santa Rosa, Ca
10.00% ABV
Style: American Wild Ale

C: Clear but has some sediment to it
H: Dark Browinish
N: Sour Funkyness; Cherries, Hints of Plums, and Vinegar = HEAVENLY

Eduardo; Pours a brown color with sediment. I could be wrong here as I am color blind.
I get get vinegar & sour cherries on the nose.
I get sour & funk on the palate. I am not picking out any oak aging really.
The carbonation level is ok. This is a refreshing beer. The alcohol is pretty well integrated.
Score: 4.0

The Ferm; Why is it that Russian River does not distribute in Florida? This is one of the only breweries that I would love to have in the state. There are very few beers that I have had from them that have not be FANTASTIC. The crew at the brewery in Cali really knows how to put the sour funk in a beer. Ohh yah and that little beer called Pliny the Elder is pretty damn tasty too.
Well how about this beer does Consecration deserve to be in the family of royalty....aka Russian River. Damn Right It Does! This beer was filled with super sour notes of cherries and vinegar, had a solid malt backing, and lingered on the palate just how I like my sours too....for a LONG time. Palate Killer? Not really, but it was a treat to try. I will revisit this beer again....it was that good!
Score: 4.231

Overall: 4.1155

Smoke From The Oak (Wine Barrel Aged)

Smoke From The Oak (Wine Barrel Aged)
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Pleasantville, NY
6.40% ABV
Style: American Porter

C: Dark and Clear
H: Blackish-Brown in Color
N: Cherries, Pinot Noir, Wood, Beets, Vinegar-y Funkyness

Eduardo: This is aged in French oak wine barrels, merlot & pinot noir, for twelve months.
This had a very interesting nose.
There are definitely smoke & wine influences present. I get more sour influence from the wine then a smoke presence.
This beer reminded me of a Jolly Pumpkin beer, style wise.
Score: 4.40

The Ferm: This was an interesting beer, I heard a lot of people talking about the Smoke from the Oak series, and when I got my hands on one I was VERY EXCITED.
Sadly the beer gushed like a 3rd grade science fair volcano when I opened it. That was a let down, but it kept me on my toes.
The beer was pretty complex had some hints of Coffee, Bret Sour-ness, then followed with some dark fruits. The sourness and the coffee didnt really blend well in my opinion. Was it bad? No. Was it good? Ugghh. Was it different? Yes!
Overall a solid beer which I would drink again if I had the opportunity. If you are in the northeast see if you can get your hands on a bottle and tell me what you think!
Score: 3.99

Overall: 4.195

AleSmith YuleSmith (Summer)

YuleSmith (Summer)
AleSmith Brewing Company
San Diego, CA
8.50% ABV
Style: Imperial IPA

C: Cloudy
H: Yellow/Gold
N: Sweet Honey, Fruity-Hops, Hint of Caramel

Eduardo: This beer looks like it was an old Christmas beer since it is labeled holiday. However the holiday it is apparently referring to is the 4th of July.
Wow. Impressive carbonation. I’m not sure I’m going to be in the majority here but I get vanilla yogurt here. That’s not a bad thing.
Nice balance. Very smooth. Nice fruity hopiness presence.
Very dangerously drinkable at 8.5%
Drink fresh if you can get one.
Score: 4.43

The Ferm: Big thanks to Eduardo for sharing this bad boy.....Christmas Beer...NOPE! This is the Summer Version of the beer that does have a Winter Sibling.
The Beer poured with a ton of carbonation, in fact it was almost too much carbonation for an Imperial IPA. Regardless of the amount of head that came out on a "proper pour", the nose was dominated by sweet hops, sweet citrus fruits punch you in the face, and then laugh at you as they do not settle down. The flavor follows right through, and is a pleasant blend of citrus hops, light malt build that balances well with the sweetness. Fantastic Imperial IPA. This is a GREAT SUMMER IIPA. Drink now though!
Score: 4.41

Overall: 4.42

Hitachino Japanese Classic

Hitachino Japanese Classic (Aged in a Cedar Cask)
Kiuchi Brewery
Japan
7.00% ABV
Style: English India Pale Ale (IPA)

C: Cloudy
H: Yellow....yep just yellow
N: Citrus, Pine, Cedar, Pepper

Eduardo: As I try this beer, I am comparing this to my point of reference for a cedar aged hopped beer, Humidor Cedar Aged IPA by Cigar City. Unfortunately, it is not as good. In the Cigar City offering the cedar aging enhances the base Jai Alai beer. The cedar influences are not nearly as well integrated into the base beer here. The hop bitterness isn’t working for me either. There is some pepper showing up as well.
Score: 3.09

The Ferm: Wow....a Cedar IPA, where have I had this before??? Ohh yah Cigar City Humidor IPA! Well we remember what I thought about that beer. It was pretty special.
Similar to Humidor IPA the Hitachino version has the cigar box taste to the beer, but unlike the Cigar City counter-part the Japanese Classic is packed full of PEPPER! Spiceyness really dominates the flavor of the beer.
Is it better....no, but thats just my opinion. Overall both beers are close and unique....but I'll take the Cigar City version.
Score: 3.116

Overall: 3.103

Kelpie Seaweed Ale

Kelpie Seaweed Ale
Williams Brothers Brewing Company
Scotland
4.40% ABV
Style: Scottish Gruit

C: Dark But Very Clear on the Edges
H: Dark Brown/Black
N: Light Soy Sauce and Hints of Coffee

Eduardo "The Sexiest Man In Craft Beer"; Yes, I said seaweed and it really does contain it. I won’t lie. I wasn’t sure I was going to like this beer. I tried it because it was unique and I was curious to see how the seaweed influenced the beer. The beer was the color of a light porter, with reddish highlights at the end of the glass. The first thing I notice when trying the beer is a light roastiness. There is some sea salt qualities in the background. The mouthfeel is a bit watery. There is a lingering saltiness in the finish. Not bad at all. I could easily finish one with some fish or BBQ. This beer is definitely worth a try if you come across it.
Score: 3.37

The Ferm: Hmm seaweed beer huh? I figured it was worth a try since I have tries beers made with all kinds of crazyness. Honestly the first thing that comes to mind when someone says seaweed is Sushi, and I love some Sushi. This said the beer poured dark brown/black and had an aroma of Soy Sauce....interesting since soy sauce goes so well with Sushi! The odor of the beer did follow through to the taste. The body was light and easy to drink. The back-end of the beer was dominated by a salty flavor. Honestly it would be a great substitute for Soy Sauce while eating some sushi. Other good food pairings would be some Sweet BBQ'D Goodness.
Score: 3.4112

Overall: 3.3906

The Bruery Black Tuesday

Black Tuesday
The Bruery
Placentia, CA
19.50% ABV
Style: Imperial Stout

C: WAYY TO DARK TO TELL
H: Honestly The Darkest Beer I Have Ever Had.....PITCH BLACK
N: Bourbon, Chocolate Malt, Caramel, Toffee

KirkDiggler:
-Cue up the music from Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey- Or at least that's what I imagine the EPICNESS surrounding this beer would be. So much hype, mystique, rarity, aggravation, and emotional appeal surrounding this beer. Not to mention this years tickets for this beer sold out in 6 minutes (myself included did not get a ticket - yeah I was one of "those" unfortunate few). So thanks to the Ferm for breaking this one out for GABF war planning party.
A: Poured black w/ a ruby colored bubbly head w/ quick dissipation. Ruby color retains around the edges of the beer.
A: Boozy bourbon, toffee, and caramel. No hop aromatics. No diacetyl or esthers.
F: Sweet Maple syrup, caramel, toffee, and warming to light chocolate notes. Light bourbon flavor in the finish.
M: Heavy body and mouth feel, low carbonation, w/ slight alcohol warmth. Not necessarily "burning" Drinks smooth and viscous - syrup like.
O: Really? That's It? You just reviewed one of the most EPIC beers ever in ~ 63 words? Yes I did and here is why. This beer tasted pretty straightforward to me: It's sweet and rightfully so for an 19% beer. Comparable to Dark Lord, if you removed the fruit and complex notes, I believe you would have Black Tuesday. Black Tuesday is boozy and sweet. Did the beer hype around this one blow my mind? Yes...The beer itself? Not so much. Tasty yes, drinkable yes, would I give my first born? No. I'm glad I can put to rest the aggravating ambitions of trying to secure one of these bottles for myself.
Score 4.40


The Ferm: Big Beer for a Big Day, this is the day before the Great American Beer Festival....or atleast for me it is. So how did I celebrate this years trip with some of the Beerigos? I broke out a bottle of Black Tuesday that was so graciously traded to me. Excited damn right I am, and not just for the trip....I have looked forward to opening this beer for the few weeks that it has been in my possession. On BeerAdvocate.com alone it has over 1,000 wants and only 80 gots! Rare....yep!
So how about the beer? Damn its dark! Honestly the darkest beer I have ever had, it is sooo dark it reflected my image taking the picture with NO FLASH! Needless to say I was ready for something big taste wise....well it was there but not anything that knocked my socks off. The Bourbon was up front and center....it was pleasant and not over powering. Had a good amount of syrup flavors to it....honestly some pancakes with Black Tuesday would be magical but a waste of beer. This was a real treat, but there are soo many other Imperial Stouts that I would rank higher. Dark Lord seems to be more complex, Marshall Zhukov Barrel Treatments are always amazing, and Hunahpu. Overall very solid though.
Score: 4.79

Overall: 4.595

Founders Nemesis 2009

Nemesis 2009
Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, MI
12.00% ABV
Style: Wheat Wine

C: Clear
H: Redish/Amber
N: Booze, Hint of Pepper, Licorice, Caramel


KirkDiggler:
A: Poured light amber with a light and wispy white head, head was quickly dissipated / no lacing.
A: Sweet caramel malt, no hop aromatics, light peppery / black licorice aroma on the back end.
F: Sweet caramel malt upfront - malt forward - no hop flavor, finish is lightly spiced w/ the black pepper.
M: Medium body, carbonation, and mouthfeel. This beer is dangerously smooth and showed no alcohol warmth. Mouthfeel is viscous / syrupy. No alcohol warmth at 12% = dangerous ;)
O: This is only the second wheat wine I've had next to Terrapin Gamma Ray, which was one of the few beers that I actually remembered from GABF last year, however this beer did not leave me with the same memorable impression. Being a wheat wine, I didn't really pick up on any wheat character, rather this beer presented alot of caramel malt in the aroma and taste. While tasty, not too 'special' IMO Also left some weird impressions with the licorice finish.
Score 3.2

The Ferm: Well I had this at the Hunahpu's release back in March, at the time I did not know what I had my hands on. Now I am a bit more seasoned and know how special this beer actually is. After reading a review on BeerAdvocate.com stating that this beer is past prime and to drink it now. I decided ehh hell why not.
So the second time around with a proper review. Overall this is a good beer, I honestly don't have much to compare it to style wise, as I think I may have only had one or two other Wheat Wines. Gamma Ray specifically sticks out in my mind, and that was just amazing. Nemesis is similar but a completely different taste. There is a nice boozey taste to this one, which proves that the 12% ABV isn't joking around. Malt forward taste that sticks around for a while. Worth the hunt....yes! I am interested in the 2010 version!
Score: 3.99

Overall: 3.595

Mikkeller I Beat U

I Beat U
Mikkeller
Denmark
ABV 9.75%
Style: Imperial IPA

C: Clear
H: Golden Amber
N: SUPER Hoppy Citrus Notes, Sweet Malt....Honey

KirkDiggler:
A: Poured golden amber with an off white foamy head w/ quick dissipation.
A: Sweet malts upfront (honey) with a medium herbal hop aroma.
F: Same as the aroma. I think this beer was pretty straightforward: honey malt sweetness with accompanying herbal hop bitterness. The balance is pretty equal between the two, when the hops IMO should be the dominant factor in a IIPA.
M: Drinks smooth but lacking carbonation. Medium across: body, carb, and mouthfeel. No creaminess or alcohol warmth.
O: This is a tasty drinkable IIPA, but minor flaws in regards to malt and hop balance and carbonation / lacing. I think the hops were balanced with the malt rather than the focus of the beer. I'm glad I got to try it but probably would not purchase again or recommend for cellaring.
Score 3.40

The Ferm: Toss your head in a hop bag and enjoy this cleverly named beer I Beat U....get it I.B.U.! That Mikkeller, he is a smart one! The beer is a hop mess.....straight hop bitterness. Luckily there is a good malt build to the back end that does not allow the beer to be hop-dimensional flavor wise. The malt build brings some nice hints of honey which pairs fantastic with the INSANE amount of hops in this beer.
Compared to the 1,000 IBU from Mikkeller, this beer is better IMO. Then again what do I really know?!?!
Score: 3.61

Overall: 3.505

Cigar City Jose Marti India Porter

Jose Marti India Porter
Cigar City Brewing
Tampa, FL
ABV 8.00%
Style: Porter

C: Clear
H: Brown
N: Sweet Coffee, Dark Malts...Roasted Chocolate (faint)

KirkDiggler:
A: Poured dark brown with a thin light tan head w/ quick dissipation.
A: Roasted and dark malts, medium coffee aroma, no hop aromatics.
F: Roasted cubano coffee flavor from start to finish with some residual malt sweetness and backing. This is a breakfast beer for sure. I didn't get any hop bitterness. The coffee was the dominating flavor to me.
M: Medium body and mouthfeel w/ light carbonation, no warmth. No creaminess.
O: I enjoyed this beer. Well brewed with no major defects. I would have liked some more smoothness / carbonation. I would pair this beer with my morning eggs and bacon.
Score 3.85

The Ferm: Jose Marti was another treat brought from the Cigar City Brewery from KirkDiggler to share.....this is one of the newer porters that Cigar City has released in the past few months. As of now it is the only one to make it to bottle. The beer had a nice strong coffee presence. There is a hint of vanilla in the taste of the beer. While there is a bit of hop bitterness, it doesnt bother me at all. Pretty solid Porter from a 12oz bottle.
Score: 4.012

Overall: 3.931

Cigar City Jai Alai White Oak

Jai Alai White Oak
Cigar City Brewing
Tampa, FL
7.5% ABV
Style: IPA

C: Cloudy
H: Golden Amber
N: Pine Needles, Sweet Oak, Hints of Citrus, Dill

KirkDiggler;
A: Poured golden amber with a thin off white head w/ no persistance / lacing.
A: Fruity maple sweetness with piney and sweet oak aromatics. The wood really stands out and is really complimentary with the piney hops. Imagine an oak tree, a maple tree, and a hop plant got busy one night...this is their offspring in regards to aroma.
F: Piney hops and oak stands out all the way through. The malts are sweet (maple, caramel) and give great body. The finish is lightly bitter with hints of remnant oak.
M: Medium across the board (Mouthfeel, body, and carbonation), no alcohol warmth.
O: One of the more complex and enjoyable noses of an IPA I've ever had. The taste is equally enjoyable. My only issue with this one is appearance and mouthfeel. I like my IPA's to have a creamy kick and some nice head retention. Other than that this smells and tastes great. Hopheads will enjoy a change of pace with this beer.
Score 4.20

Phil: Had this beer before at the Double Barrel Aged Zhukov release, but I did not get a real good try of it. I expected something similar to the Humidor Jai Alai, which is aged on Spanish Cedar. The nose of the beer was dominated by piney and oak notes that carried over to the taste of the beer. One thing that was just a bit off was a hint of dill that showed up in the nose, once it was pin-pointed it kept re-appearing in the taste as well. While I felt it was an odd flavor, it worked really well. Better than Humidor IPA????? NOPE, but still a very good beer.
Score: 4.21

Overall: 4.205

PS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE CERVEZA CHICA! 2 YEARS OF PUTTING UP WITH ME! LOVE YOU BABE!

Great American Beer Festival Tune Up

Well the time is almost here. Great American Beer Festival is almost here. Myself and several other members of the Craft Beer Scene will be departing South Florida late this week and heading to the Mecca of Craft Beer Festivals. Sadly, The Cerveza Chica will not be in attendance as this was deemed as a "Guys-Trip".

Check out some of the tips to surviving the GABF on the United We Drink Podcast

Come out and meet up with myself, Miguel, KirkDiggler, Eduardo, and TCK. The only thing that I can honestly say we WILL be at except for the AHA Session on Saturday, is the Sour tasting Friday Night at 11:30pm at Star Bar in Downtown Denver. Come out and have a beer with the Beerigos!

Speaking of Eduardo and KirkDiggler, they will both be assisting with guest blogging for the next two weeks. Diggler's up and Eduardo is in the hole....

See you at GABF!

Creme Brulee Imperial Milk Stout

Creme Brulee (Imperial Milk Stout)
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY
9.20% ABV
Style: American Double/Imperial Stout

C: Super Dark
H: BLACKKKKKKKK
N: Once again dessert in a glass; Toffee, Caramel, Sugar

The Ferm; Had this bad boy off draft from The Coffee District in Delray Beach. Served in a bad ass St. Bernardus "Pimp Cup" aka chalice. Like the Kuhnhenn which was reviewed yesterday this beer is just like shoving your face in a huge dish of Creme Brulee.
The taste of the beer follows to a tee the way it smells. Southern Tier could rename this beer Toffee because that flavor overpowers everything on the initial attack. Don't get me wrong I like Toffee but JEEEZZZZZZ. Hints of caramel and coffee linger but nothing that stands out. This would be pretty challenging to drink a whole bomber by myself. Though I think I could handle it.
Overall I felt that the Kuhnhenn Creme Brulee was better simply because it was more balanced all around. Although I would not discount the Southern Tier version. They are both VERY GOOD!
Score: 4.160

Kuhnhenn Creme Brulee Java Stout

Creme Brulee Java Stout
Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
Warren, MI
5.80% ABV
Style: American Stout

C: Too Dark to Tell
H: Dark Brown/Black
N: If dessert was a beer....Espresso, Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Burnt/Caramelized Sugar

The Ferm: Holy Cow! How about some dessert before dinner. This beer is just down right sexual. Kuhnhenn has learned how to bottle sexy-ness in a bottle.
The nose follows up in the taste. Tons of espresso, almost like freshly roasted, attacks and then PoW-PoW a combination of Sugar, Cinnamon, and Chocolate follow up for the sneak attack. The flavors linger for quite some time and I LOVE IT!
While I have had the "other" Creme Brulee Stout from Southern Teir...well I wont say which I like better, as they are pretty close in flavor. Stay tuned to tomorrow to see which I liked more!
Score: 4.469

The Bruery Black Tuesday

Mainly the webservers for the Bruery Shop was crashed by the volume of traffic that was known as "Black Tuesday Ticket Sales". The servers crashed before the tickets went on sale, but have no fear the crew has fixed the problem and tickets will go on sale for the event tomorrow 09/2/2010 at 9am PST.



So this will give everyone else one more day to find a mule to pick up bottles for them at the release.