Shiner Kölsch

Date:	8/29/2007
Brewery:	Spoetzl Brewery
Beer:	Shiner Kölsch
Origin:	Shiner, TX
Style:	Kölsch
Container:	12oz. Brown Glass Bottle, Twist-off Cap
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$6.99 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	4.9% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Refreshingly effervescent, this Summer brew is fashioned after the Kölsch biers that originated in Cologne, Germany in the 1800's. Hallertau Magnum and Mount Hood Hops combine for an especially clean, crisp finish. Handcrafted with small-town pride in Shiner, Texas. Since 1909, the Little Brewery has been the source of every drop of Shiner Beer. We hope you enjoy this beer with the same passion that went into brewing it. Prosit! Here in Shiner, Texas (Pop. 2,070), we've been handcrafting beer for nearly a century. It all started when Czec and German farmers built the Little Brewery to satisfy their thirst for old-world brews. The passion of our original brewmaster, Kosmos Spoetzl, continues to inspire our efforts today. This traditional Kölsch bier is the product of our proud German heritage.
Appearance:	Medium golden yellow in color. Slow bubbles evolve while sitting in glass. Poured about an inch of head and retained it for less than a minute.
Aroma:	I pick up only a little bread smell compared to the Curve Ball, but more noticeable than in something like Bud Light.
Taste:	Decent. Not as good as Curve Ball, but I would drink it if I couldn't get Curve Ball. Not too bitter. Just about right on the bitterness/sweetness scale, for me.
Mouth Feel:	Carbonation releases when held in mouth, but not too much. Smooth afterwards.
Drinkability:	Good. See taste comments.
Score:	5 / 10

Other links:

• Shiner Kölsch scored 81 on
• Shiner Kölsch scored 2.59 on

Original Wexford's Irish Cream Ale

Date:	8/28/2007
Brewery:	Greene King Brewing Company
Beer:	Original Wexford's Irish Cream Ale
Origin:	Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Style:	Cream Ale
Container:	1-pint Aluminum Can w/ Pressurized Widget
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$8.49 per 4-pack
Alcohol:	5.0% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Based on a traditional Irish recipe from County Wexford that dates back to 1810, we use only the best ingredients to ensure that our Wexford ale has a smooth mellow creaminess we believe you will enjoy. Following in an age-old tradition only the freshest, most natural ingredients are used to create the smooth mellow taste of our Wexford ale. For best results chill for at least 2-3 hours but do not freeze. Pour carefully down the side of a glass, observe the creamy head and enjoy the smooth mellow taste of Wexford.
Appearance:	Medium amber in color. Lots of foam immediately when pouring. Very long head retention. No bubbles rise while sitting.
Aroma:	Pleasant smell. Nothing in particular sticks out. Not strong smelling.
Taste:	Not impressed. Perhaps too much hops for my taste? Somewhat bitter.
Mouth Feel:	I can see what they mean by cream. Very smooth, maybe too much so. Not enough carbonation. Seems very flat. Almost like drinking tea that tastes like beer.
Drinkability:	Not good at all. I will not miss this beer. Lady at Kegs & Barrels said that it's no longer imported to the US. Good riddance!!!
Score:	1 / 10

Other links:

• Original Wexford's Irish Cream Ale scored 81 on
• Original Wexford's Irish Cream Ale scored 2.86 on

Fuller's ESB

Date:	8/27/2007
Brewery:	Griffin Brewery
Beer:	Fuller's ESB
Origin:	Chiswick, London, England
Style:	Extra Special Bitter
Container:	11.2oz Brown Glass Bottle, Normal Cap
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$10.99 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	5.9% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Fuller's ESB is the famous winner of many awards around the world; bursting with powerful malt and hop flavors, it is the world's original and the one by which others are judged! The Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, has been brewing fine ales since 1654. The Fuller, Smith & Turner partnership, dating back to 1845, brews an excellent range of award winning ales, many of which are available in the USA, including London Pride Pale Ale and the world's original ESB.
Appearance:	Dark amber. Does not evolve many bubbles at all while just sitting in a glass. Had about 1 inch of head when poured. Retained head fairly well. Bubles evolve when drinking.
Aroma:	Having trouble picking out any distinct smells. Definitely smells like an amber beer, but that's about it.
Taste:	This is another beer that has more aftertaste than anything. A little bitter for my taste, but not the worst. Not as good as Old Speckled Hen.
Mouth Feel:	This does have a good feel. Carbonation releases in mouth and provides just the right bite. Afterwards, it's smooth.
Drinkability:	Overall, I would prefer an Old Speckled Hen or Anchor Steam/Liberty. This is not bad, I just prefer others.
Score:	4 / 10

Other links:

• Fuller's ESB scored 88 on
• Fuller's ESB scored 3.64 on

Pyramid Curve Ball

Date:	8/26/2007
Brewery:	Pyramid Breweries
Beer:	Curve Ball
Origin:	Seattle, WA
Style:	Kölsch
Container:	12oz. Brown Glass Bottle
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$ per 6-pack
Alcohol:	4.9% ABV
Brewer's Description:	My oh my! This one's not your standard straight over-the-plate pitch. Our brew boasts a clean, crisp slightly herbal taste and a lighter body in the German Kolsch style. Try swingin' at it on a hot summer Day! From website: Inspired by the traditional Kölsch style beers of Cologne, Germany, Curve Ball boasts a clean, crisp slightly herbal taste and a lighter body. With its sporty packaging and refreshing taste, Curve Ball is the perfect accompaniment to summer grilling and ballpark outings. Try swingin' at it on a hot summer day! Original Gravity: 11.3 Alcohol By Volume: 4.9% Malts: 2-Row Barley, Malted Wheat Hops: Vanguard, Perle Availability: March - September Best Paired With: German Sausages and other BBQ favorites
Appearance:	Golden yellow in color. A little darker than a Bud Light or Miller Light. Slow Bubbles. Had about 3/4 inches of head and retained it for a couple of minutes.
Aroma:	Has the aroma of bread dough. Presumably due to its yeast.
Taste:	Quite pleasing taste. Not bitter. Not too sweet, but very easy to drink. Had it with a meal and I thought it was better before the meal than during and after.
Mouth Feel:	Seems quite smooth with just the right amount of carbonation.
Drinkability:	Very drinkable Summer brew. I would definitely buy this again and wouldn't hesitate to suggest it.
Score:	8 / 10

Other links:

• Curve Ball scored 78 on
• Curve Ball scored 2.67 on

"Old Speckled Hen"

Date:	8/24/2007
Brewery:	Morland Brewing
Beer:	Old Speckled Hen
Origin:	Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Style:	Pale Ale
Container:	12oz. Clear Glass Bottle, Normal Cap
Purchased:	Goody Goody, Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX
Price:	$0 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	5.2% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Named after an unusual, speckled vintage MG car, Old Speckled Hen is a pale ale which owes it's distinctive character and dry taste to a unique strain of yeast, first used in 1896. The complex flavour reflects skills developed across more than 280 years of independent brewing history.
Appearance:	Medium amber color. Slow bubbles. Retained head for only a couple of minutes.
Aroma:	Taking a deep breath of it yields almost a nutty aroma, but not immediately.
Taste:	OSH has a very complex flavor. It's unlike any I've had, so it is kind of hard to describe. There is definitely more of an aftertaste than a taste while in your mouth. Not too sweet, but not too bitter. Can't really pick out any specific flavors.
Mouth Feel:	Much smoother than the Sunshine from last night. Only a little bite from carbonation when held in mouth. Not as much carbonation as the Sunshine, which is a good thing.
Drinkability:	Very nice overall. Would not drink this beer for effect. Should be very good with a meal. Will definitely get this again. Will be interesting to compare this to Boulevard Pale Ale (one of my favorites).
Score:	6 / 10

Other links:

• Old Speckled Hen scored 81 on
• Old Speckled Hen scored 3.15 on

Sunshine Wheat

Date:	8/23/2007
Brewery:	New Belgium Brewing
Beer:	Sunshine Wheat
Origin:	Ft. Collins, CO
Style:	Wheat
Container:	12oz. Brown glass bottle, normal cap
Purchased:	SuperTarget, Rowlett, TX
Price:	$0 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	4.8% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Sunshine wheat beer is brewed for year-round enjoyment, using equal portions of wheat and barley malts. It is spiced with coriander and orange peel in the Belgian wheat beer tradition. Sunshine wheat is silky gold in color with a spicy aroma and a subtle citrus character.
Appearance:	Golden yellow, not cloudy, one quick bubble trail with a few slower random bubbles. No real head retention.
Aroma:	Smells somewhat sweet and somewhat "biscuity." Can barely pick up a hint of citrus.
Taste:	Doesn't taste real sweet, but as far as beer goes, I can understand how it could be viewed that way. Aftertaste yields a hint of citrus.
Mouth Feel:	Not real smooth. Maybe a bit over-carbonated. Can definitely feel a bite from carbonation when held in mouth.
Drinkability:	Pretty easy to drink. Not my favorite wheat beer, but not the worst. I think I've had enough, though. Probably won't get it again. A little sour for my taste.
Score:	3 / 10

Other links:

• Sunshine Wheat scored 81 on
• Sunshine Wheat scored 3.14 on

First Post

I started keeping a journal of beers that I've tasted and reviewed. I'm sort of a beer noob, so I'm still getting used to the different tastes and terminology like what tastes hoppy and what tastes malty. Anyway, I thought that a blog would be a great way to keep track of these reviews. Comments are more than welcome. Let me know if you like what I like!