Filed under: Pilsener (flute or footed pilsener), Victory | Tags: beautiful, bologna, Bread, bubblegum, cabbage, cereal, cherry, deep, doughy, floral, ginger, golden, great, leathery, moldy, nice lacing, no head, nuts, oats, pilsner, pork, raisin, resinous, rich, simple, smoke, smoky, thick, Toast, very herbaceous, yellow
Victory Prima Pils
ABV: 5%
IBU: ?
Calories: 150
Volume: 12 fl oz
Glass: Tulip
Purchased at: Joe Canal’s
Price per fl oz: $8 / 72 fl oz = $0.11 per fl oz
Consumed on/at: home on March 18th, 2008
sensory first impression: No head but a beautiful yellow golden beer. A pilsner, to be sure – pale, clear, and plain, visually. Aroma is smoky. Aroma is deep and rich. Aroma is hints of pork and cabbage. Taste is delicious, rich and hinting of other flavors. I taste bologna. I taste bread. I taste lettuce. I taste toast. It’s wonderfully balanced, a superlative taste but so very simple and unidimensional. Lacing is nice, but head is minimal. Warm with light alcohol. A great simple beer.
Aroma/Olfactory:
Malt flavor is: bread, cereal, nuts, toast, oats.
Hop flavor is: resinous, floral, very herbaceous
Yeast flavor is: doughy, thick, moldy, leathery, deep.
Other flavors include: bubblegum, lightly cherry, ginger, raisin, smoke
Visuals/Appearance:
Color is: pale, golden, amber, light, thin, white.
Liquid is: clear, immaculate
Head and lace are: minimal, white
Taste/Flavor:
Maltiness or Sweetness level is: medium to heavy
Hoppiness or Bitterness level is: light to medium
Sour level is: none
Palate/Tactile:
Body or Mouthfeel is: medium
Texture is: creamy, thick, silky
Carbonation is: lively
Finish is: long and wonderfully balanced.
Overall experience: Visually this is not a stimulating beer, but so rewarding in other ways. It’s delicious in terms of taste, though not overwhelming in any way. It’s feel is enveloping, smooth, and mellow. Its aroma is enticing, but not overwhelming. It’s a wonderful beer, and easily my favorite pilsner.
Filed under: Mikkeller, Stout (English pint) | Tags: absolutely loved, alcohol, amazing, bacon, burnt toast, caramel, carbon, cashew, chocolate syrup, cilantro, drying, dust, espresso, espresso roast, excellent, favorite, fresh, genius, gift, hazelnut, incomparable, lemon, licorice, mint, mold, oat, phenomenal, resin, rye, sugar, tar, Toast, Toffee, warming
Purchased at: OakTree BuyRite, South Plainfield NJ (Thanks, Jay & Matt!)
Price: $14.99
Size: 22.3 fl oz
ABV: 7.5 %
IBU: n/a
Estimated Calories: 175 C
RateBeer Rating: 100
Aural: quick release in opening, dark, quiet carbonation, intense but uneventful pour
Aroma 10 out of 10
Intensity: strong
Balance: sharp
Impression: so nice
Malt Aroma: oat, sugar, toast, hazelnut, caramel, espresso roast
Hops Aroma: mold, licorice, tar, resin, lemon
Other Aroma: bacon
Notes: An amazing aroma. An aroma by which to compare all others. Phenomenal.
Appearance 5 out of 5
Color: black
Clarity: wholly opaque
Head Retention: persistent
Lace: poor
Notes: A full darkness with a dark tan head. An exact replica of deep roasted coffee.
Flavor 10 out of 10
Intensity: strong
Balance: bitter
Impression: so very nice
Malt Flavor: oat, rye, chocolate syrup, burnt toast, carbon, cashew, caramel, toffee, espresso
Hops Flavor: mint, cilantro, dust
Other: alcohol
Notes: An amazing flavor. Comparable to no others. An instant and lasting favorite.
Palate 5 out of 5
Mouthfeel
Sensation: drying, warming
Body: full
Carbonation: faint
Finish
Length: long
Intensity: strong
Balance: bitter
Notes: Leaves you wanting another taste. Would make a great gift. I wish I was having pancakes right now.
General Impression: 20 out of 20
Craftmanship: excellent
Freshness: fresh
Personal Taste: absolutely loved
Notes: I cannot find more superlatives to apply here. It is, without a doubt, my favorite beer. Mikkeller is a genius.
Filed under: Founders, Scotch ale (thistle) | Tags: bitter, burnt, caramel, chocolate, cocoa, delicious, long finiosh, mellow, red, Toast, whole wheat, wispy
RateBeer rating: 94
Calories: estimated at 175 C
Volume: 12 fl oz.
Glass: thistle, shaker
Purchased at: Canal’s Discount Liquors, Burlington, NJ (Thanks, Mike!)
Price: $1.89
Consumed at: home
Tanka: Chocolate surprise
mellow red white wisps
deep cocoa and caramel
long bitter and burnt
chocolate on whole wheat toast
when can I have another?
aroma 10 out of 10
visuals 4 out of 5
taste 10 out of 10
palate 5 out of 5
overall 18 out of 20
Filed under: Great Divide, Imperial/Double IPA (snifter, tulip) | Tags: bitter, caramel, excellent, favorite, good head, good lacing, grapefruit, great aroma, great for pairing, herbal, hoppy, lively, maple, nice, Nut, orange peel, remarkable, resin, strong, sweet, Toast, warming
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Purchased at: Joe Canal’s, Lawrenceville, NJ
Price: $7.29
Size: 22 fl oz
ABV: 9.1%
IBU: 85
Estimated Calories: 400 C
RateBeer Rating: 99
Aroma 10 out of 10
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Sweet
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Sweet Toast Nut Caramel
Hops Flavor:Floral Herbal Spice
Other: Syrup, maple, nuts, grapefruit
Notes: One of the best aromas I’ve encountered – fills the room.
Appearance 5 out of 5
Color: Copper
Clarity: slightly Dull
Head Retention: Persistent
Notes: One of the best head retentions I’ve seen in quite some time. Lacing is remarkable. Color is deep and very good looking. Body is not perfectly clear, but I imagine that’s by design. There is no mention of bottle conditioning.
Flavor 10 out of 10
Intensity: Strong
Balance: well balanced between Sweet and Bitter
Impression: very Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Sweet Toast Nut Caramel
Hops Flavor: Floral Herbal Spice Resin Citrus
Other: Grapefruit, orange peel
Notes: quite spicy – could stand up to the most potent foods and flavors.
Palate 5 out of 5
Mouthfeel
Sensation: Creamy Slick Drying and Warming
Body: Full
Carbonation: Lively and visible
Finish
Length: Long
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Bitter
Notes: The finish is superb. The carbonation is present and active. The mouth is affected and warmed all over.
General Impression: 20 out of 20
Craftmanship: Excellent
Freshness: Fresh
Personal Taste: Loved
Notes: One of my all time favorite beers – remarkably drinkable, smooth, bitter, sweet, and tasty. Beautiful to behold, and nicely crafted. Aroma is enticing. Price is reasonable for the product, and the finish keeps you interested. A superlative beverage.
Filed under: Flying Dog, IPA (shaker, tulip) | Tags: Bread, brilliant, citrus, creamy, Grain, nice, Nut, resin, sweet, Toast, well done
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Purchased at: Varsity Liquors, Princeton, NJ
Price: $1.30 as part of a mixed pack
Size: 12 fl oz
ABV:7.1%
IBU: 60
Estimated Calories: 170 C
RateBeer Rating: 71
Aroma 7 out of 10
Intensity: Faint
Balance: Middle
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Sweet Toast Nut
Hops Flavor:Earth Floral Herbal
Other:Fruit
Notes: A very nice aroma.
Appearance 4 out of 5
Color: Copper
Clarity:Brilliant
Head Retention: Poor
Notes: A very pretty body without much of a head or lace.
Flavor 8 out of 10
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Bitter
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Sweet Toast Nut
Hops Flavor:Spice Resin Citrus
Other:
Notes: A very good, deep flavor. Nice exemplar of the style.
Palate 4 out of 5
Mouthfeel
Sensation: Creamy Drying
Body: Full
Carbonation: Lively
Finish
Length: Long
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Bitter
Notes: An extremely nice finish
General Impression: 18 out of 20
Craftmanship: Excellent
Freshness: Fresh
Personal Taste: Liked
Notes: Another well crafted beer from Flying Dog.
Filed under: Heller Bock (lager, shaker, stein), Rogue | Tags: beautiful, Bread, brilliant, creamy, nice, resin, spice, sweet, Toast
As white crane – bitter, deep, and luxurious. As Dead guy ale. Dead simple. Nice lace, head and body as White crane, but very nice as White crane.
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Purchased at: Circle Liquors Super Saver, Pennington, NJ
Price: $2.50
Size: 12 fl oz
ABV: 6.6 %
Estimated Calories: 160C
RateBeer Rating: 82
Aroma 8 out of 10
Intensity: Middle
Balance: more Sweet
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Sweet
Hops Flavor:Spice Resin
Other:
Notes: Very nice from an aroma standpoint.
Appearance 4 out of 5
Color: Amber
Clarity: Brilliant
Head Retention: Persistent
Notes: A beautiful beer. Brilliant, clear, and golden.
Flavor 7 out of 10
Intensity: Faint
Balance: Sweet
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Sweet Toast Nut
Hops Flavor: Earth Floral
Other: Mild
Notes: Not an overwhelming flavor – not watery at all, but not hoppy nor very malty either. Deep in solidity.
Palate 4 out of 5
Mouthfeel
Sensation: Creamy
Body: Full
Carbonation: Faint
Finish
Length: Long
Intensity:Middle
Balance: middle
Notes: A very well balanced beer. Dull in impact, but not in craft. Well done.
General Impression: 15 out of 20
Craftmanship: middle to Excellent
Freshness: Fresh
Personal Taste: Liked
Notes: Rogue know what they are doing, but I have more likely favorites from them then Dead Guy. They do the craft very well.
Filed under: Abbaye Des Rocs, Belgian Strong Ale (trappist, tulip, tumbler) | Tags: alcohol, belgian, cherry, fruit, Grain, herbal, lemon, long finish, nice, Nut, peach, spice, strong, sweet, Toast
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Purchased at: Circle Liquors Super Saver, Pennington, NJ
Price: $8.99
Size: 25.4 fl oz
ABV: 9 %
Estimated Calories: 400 C
RateBeer Rating: 100
Aroma 10 out of 10
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Sweet
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Sweet Toast Nut
Hops Flavor: Floral Herbal Spice
Other: Cherries, kiwi, peach
Notes: A wonderful aroma – a strong scent of fruit and a delicious introduction.
Appearance 4 out of 5
Color: Brown
Clarity: almost opaque
Head Retention: Poor
Notes: Highly carbonated upon opening, such that it was a slow open, but it was worth the wait, though the head is lacking.
Flavor 10 out of 10
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Sweet
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Sweet Toast Nut Toffee
Hops Flavor: Floral Herbal Spice Citrus
Other: Fruit
Notes: A classic Belgian brown.
Palate 4 out of 5
Mouthfeel
Sensation: Warming
Body: Full
Carbonation: Faint
Finish
Length: Long
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Sweet
Notes: A very smooth brew, with a well hidden alcohol content, and quite fruity.
General Impression: 18 out of 20
Craftmanship: Excellent
Freshness: Fresh
Personal Taste: Liked
Notes: A very nice beer, despite the slow opening session.
Filed under: Sierra Nevada, Stout (English pint) | Tags: Bread, coffee, Grain, long finish, Nut, Toast, very nice, well done
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Purchased at: Circle Liquors Super Saver, Pennington, NJ
Price: $2.00
Size: 12 fl oz
ABV:5.8 %
Estimated Calories: 150 C
RateBeer Rating: 89
Aroma 8 out of 10
Intensity: stronger
Balance: Sweet
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Toast Nut Coffee
Hops Flavor:Earth Herbal
Other:
Notes: A nice scent, and foretelling of a great taste.
Appearance 5 out of 5
Color: Black
Clarity: Cloudy
Head Retention: Persistent
Notes: A very good looking beer – sierra nevada tends to pay close attention to this aspect in particular.
Flavor 9 out of 10
Intensity: middle
Balance: Bitter
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Toast Nut Coffee
Hops Flavor: Earth Herbal
Other: yeast
Notes: The flavor is very nice, deep, and layered. There is a slight watery undertone, but not underwhelming.
Palate 4 out of 5
Mouthfeel
Sensation: Warming
Body: Medium
Carbonation: Faint
Finish
Length: Long
Intensity: Strong
Balance: Bitter
Notes: The finish is one of the best parts of this beer – the roasted toasty nutty flavor is retained long after the last sip. You’ll want another sip.
General Impression: 17 out of 20
Craftmanship: Excellent
Freshness: Fresh
Personal Taste: Liked
Notes: Again, Sierra Nevada is doing a nice balance of widespread distribution and availability with a certain craft quality and deeper flavors. Nice work, Sierra Nevada.
Filed under: ABT/Quadrupel (trappist), St. Bernardus | Tags: aromatic, Bread, caramel, cherry, citrus, cloudy, drinkable, earth, explosive, floral, fruit, Fruity, grains, herbal, jungle, nuts, peach, pleasure, sharp, spice, sweet, tame, tea, Toast, Toffee
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Glass: Trappist
Purchased at: Circle Liquors Super Saver, Pennington, NJ and Canal’s Lawrenceville, NJ
Price: $4.25 or less
Size: 11.2 fl oz
ABV: 10%
Estimated Calories: 200 C
Aroma 10 out of 10
Intensity: Strong
Balance: between Sweet and Sharp
Impression: very Nice
Malt Flavor: toasted Grains Bread Toast Nuts Caramel Toffee
Hops Flavor:Floral Jungle Spice
Other:Fruit and lots of it
Notes: This is beautifully aromatic – one of the finest aromas I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy in a beer.
Appearance 5 out of 5
Color: brown
Clarity: Cloudy
Head Retention: Very, very good.
Notes: My original tasting was a gusher, but my subsequent tasting gave no such issue. An absolute standard for the type. Dark fully opaque body, with a long lasting, consistent bright white head.
Flavor 9 out of 10
Intensity: Middle
Balance: More sweet than bitter, but fairly well balanced.
Impression: Nice
Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Toast Nut Tea
Hops Flavor: Earth Herbal Citrus
Other: Fruit and lots of it
Notes: The flavor is nice, and the fruity backdrop is a well balanced and delicious setting.
Palate 4 out of 5
Mouthfeel
Sensation: Warming
Body: Medium
Carbonation: Faint
Finish
Length: Long
Intensity: Medium
Balance: more Sweet
Notes: This is quite enjoyable as a standard of the Belgian Abbey Trappist style.
General Impression: 18 out of 20
Craftmanship: Very, very good.
Freshness: I think that this second tasting was fairly fresh.
Personal Taste: Liked, quite abit.
Notes: A lesson — always enjoy a beer well within its intended tasting period, or suffer the consequences of enjoying at a later date.
