Mmmm...Beer! Budweiser American Ale

American Ale is a relatively new brew from Anheuser Busch released in 2008. Budweiser (the diesel) is one of my favorite 'low end' go to brews, so I was excited to try out the American Ale. I first tried it out this past fall, and its been a few months so I'm giving it another go-round. Jen and I have thoroughly enjoyed the craft packs that Michelob (another Anheuser Busch company) has been putting out, and they have clearly been trying to appeal to those of us who desire taste and quality in our beer. Good for them and luckily they've hit some home runs (most notably the Michelob Dunkelweissen). I'll probably be doing a full blown craft pack review here pretty soon. Enough with their other offerings, onward with the review!

American Ale is a Red Ale that clocks in at 5.1% alcohol content. As you can see in the stock picture above it pours a very pleasing, almost mahogany, color and a decent amount of foam that doesn't dissipate very quickly when poured into a pint glass. It smells pretty sweet, the cascade hops are definitely there, but not overpowering, and a little bit of that amber malt scent you get with most red ales.

The flavor is somewhat sweet upfront and there is little bit of red malt on the tongue. The cascade hops are definitely present, but not like you would expect from a pale ale or an IPA. I'm a hop-head, and this is by no means that, but this flavor profile fits with the Red Ale style. The bitterness from the hops lingers on the back of the tongue for about 5 seconds, but then again, it probably depends on how many you've had!

All in all a pretty decent beer. Not something that I will rave over, but it is a good go-to if you're looking for something that tastes a little bit more microbrewish, but is easy on the wallet (around 10-11 bucks a 12 pack). I would think this would be a good introduction for someone who isn't used to craft/micro-brew beers. Budweiser accomplished their goal with this one and put together a mass market brew that even beer snobs can't stick their nose up to...ok, not stick their nose up to that much! At least give it a try, you won't be disappointed. I give it 3.5 out of 5 pints. Cheers...

Mmmmm...Beer! Duvel Review

Duvel...Delicious? Delectable? Devilish? Heavenly? Yes, Yes, Yes (if you had too many), Absolutely!! Its the best beer I have ever tasted, end of story, put a stamp on it, Fed-ex it! I have no words...

Ok, now that I'm finished drooling (for now), lets press on. My dad has been talking about this beer for probably a month or two now, (he had it at some B&B in Zionsville, IN) and we finally were able to sit down and polish off a bottle of this stuff. It comes in either a 750mL bottle or an 11.2 oz bottle as you see above. We were lucky enough to have the 750mL bottle, but unfortunately we didn't have the glasses to match, yet... It is classified as a Belgian Strong Pale Ale and it clocks in at 8.5% alcohol. If I had not checked out the bottle beforehand, I could have been in some big trouble with that alcohol content! If you pour it correctly (i.e. very very slowly! directions are on the bottle...) it has a beautiful light pale color, and a head that clings and almost clumps to the side of the glass. I think the lacing on this thing would stay on a glass for weeks, maybe months. Sure it looks great, but looks can be deceiving right? Well, fortunately this only gets better. I think I caught a hint of clove, very nice apple aromas, slight alcohol smell, very slight yeast scent. The flavor of this thing is just incredible, absolutely heavenly. I made the comment that if Jesus made beer, this had to be it. It also has great carbonation which made me ponder why Duvel isn't the champagne of beers? Sorry Miller High Life... It has such a refreshing taste that started with a little bit of hops, little bit of fruit, some spiciness, mild alcohol flavor. It is remarkable the a beer with this high of alcohol content can be so refreshing and make you forget you are drinking a Belgian Strong Ale. I would highly recommend this for any special occasion, as you cannot go wrong and you will have anyone who has a remote appreciation for quality beer ranting and raving that they can't believe they hadn't tried it before. Something this good has got to cost upwards of a nice bottle of wine right? Well guess what? It costs the same as a cheaper bottle of wine. I've seen it anywhere from $8.50 to $12 for a 750mL bottle. Go pick yourself up some, but just be prepared to be disappointed with every other beer you try for the rest of your life. Bravo Duvel. I can't even put a rating on you as you truly are the King of Beers, Beer of the gods, the Michael Jordan of brewski's, the Tiger Woods of... well you get the point...I award thee the Golden Pint Glass...cue the music...

The Lounge - Mmmm..Beer - Sea Dog Blue Paw Review

This is my first review in a series I'm going to start called "Mmmmm-Beer." Its going to be part of a bigger ongoing series tagged "The Lounge." In the Lounge, Jen and I will be reviewing various beers, liquors, cigars, and wine (that's more Jen!) So kick back, take off your shoes, relax, put on some good music and enjoy the Lounge!

Today, we're going to be enjoying a delicious, refreshing beer from the Sea Dog Brewing Company , located in the great state of Maine, "Americas Mitten." Jenny and I love this beer and get extremely excited when we are able to find it. The latest batch has traveled back from our vacation in Florida with us and we are saving and savoring every last drop. Usually it is around 8 bucks a six pack, but unfortunately we had to pay a couple of bucks more for it down in Florida, but it was worth it! Sea Dog has several different fruit beers, but I'm always so excited when I have the opportunity to have the 'Blue Paw,' I haven't been able to try any of their other brews, even though I'm sure they are just as great. Enough with the background, on with the brewski! The Blue Paw is a wheat,fruit-based ale that is infused with blueberries. I first tried this down in Bloomington, Indiana while still in college and got my first 6 pack from the legendary Big Red Liquor store off of Walnut Ave. I have yet to have a bottle that disappoints. This beer is best drunk out of a pint or pilsner glass so you are able to enjoy the aromas this puts out. It pours a nice amber color, little bit of lacing on the glass. Smells like blueberries, but doesn't lose the wheat beer scent. The flavor is reminiscent of a blueberry muffin, ton of blueberry goodness, but not overpowering or overly sweet. Very refreshing and Jen and I actually nicknamed it 'the breakfast beer' because the flavor is so similar to blueberry muffins. If one had to go tailgating in the morning, this would be the beer to do it with. One of my favorite fruit beers, if not my favorite. Mmmmm..Sea Dog, we salute thee. Pick yourself up some, you will not be disappointed and you'll impress everyone who tries it. I award the Blue Paw 5/5 pints!