Three more to round out 2014

Squatter's Snowbird Dunkelweizen is true to the style with a distinct taste of banana. Even though it was well chilled, it poured with a nice head. Because of the prominent flavor component, not an ideal session beer. 

Shades of Pale Publican Pale Ale. Probably my favorite of the evening. Attractive in the glass. Malty smell and taste. Reminds me somewhat of Deschutes Mirror Pond but with a slightly odd finish but still good. 

Eager to learn more about Shades of Pale brewing, I hopped over to their Facebook page and, as with a lot of what I see on FB, I came away with a lower opinion of the human race. Evidently, they are changing the label on Publican Pale Ale. Seems some folks thought it was a reference to "republicans."  If this is the case, I hope those idiots who didn't know the difference will keep drinking and stop voting. (You can take the beer snob out of remedial reading but you'll never take the remedial reading out of some beer snobs, I guess.)

Last up was Squeaky Bike Brown Ale from Moab Brewery. This one was okay; looked nice and all, but it just seemed to lack something. I'd be willing to try it again some time, even if the bike reference strikes me as a bit over done. 

I expect there will be more beers this evening-it's New Year's Eve for hell's sake!  I will resolve to do more posting in 2015

A post from the road: Utah

How long has it been since I posted here? God knows. 2014 had been a shit year, frankly, but I'm grateful for an opportunity to ring in 2015. I'm hoping for better. Meanwhile, here are a couple of beers from the past week. 

A Wasatch Bobsled Brown Ale that has been sitting in my daughter's fridge since Christmas 2013!  I have to say, it held up pretty well.  

A mug of Trader IPA. The beer was great!  The prime rib sucked. 

First Post from Altitude

First Miller-Coors product of 2014, sampled and blogged at over 30,000 feet somewhere between Salt Lake City and Phoenix. 

First Post of 2014 - Photo Dump

 

October 12, 2012, Nero’s Apeccchio Red Ale

Picked this one up at Trader Joe’s and haven’t seen it there since, which is regrettable.  The notebook entry for this one reads:

Sweet malty smelling with a medium weak head.  Orange red with a beige head.  Surprising alcohol bite with a sweet almond finish.  Good. 

The alcohol content on this one was 6.5% but my notes show that there was more of a bite to this than was reflected in the posted abv.



 

June 24, 2012, Black Star Brewing, Black Star Lager

As I recall, I picked this one up when the new Winco store opened up down the road from BeerRant HQ.  It didn’t make enough of an impression on me that I have bothered to buy more after that first six-pack, but here’s my initial impression:

Weak Head, no noticeable smell.  Active beading, apple juice color.  No significant taste profile.  A bit corny or grainy – that’s it.  Good hot weather lager.

In hindsight, perhaps if the price is right, this is one to pick up in the middle of summer for use as a post lawn mower beer.

 

June 25, 2012, Murphy’s Premium Red Ale

Here’s another one that evidently didn’t make my price point as a bargain based on the notes, which read:

Pours reddish bronze with a decent head.  Smells malt sweet like a lot of reds.  No significant taste profile – somewhat bitter and a bit dry at the finish.  Okay beer but only if it’s cheap.  Bought as a single at BevMo.

 

Since I’m in the Beehive State at the moment, perhaps it’s best if I close this first entry of 2014 with a past review of a Utah beer.

December 27, 2011, Uinta Brewing, King’s Peak Porter

Dark coffee brown, not opaque.  Decent tan head with a distinct coffee smell.  Medium mouth feel.  Faint coffee taste at the finish.   Best Utah beer so far this visit (2011).

I have some King’s Peak Porter squirrelled away in a secret location that I hope to sample while I’m in Utah this season.  Wish me luck and Happy New Year to you all.