Eewcastle

Beer: Schneider Aventinus Dopplebock
ABV: 8.20%
Home: Kelheim, Germany

As soon as it was poured, it was clear that the Aventinus is not messing around. There's a huge tan-colored head sitting on top of a cloudy brown ale that gives off a fruity aroma. I figured that in terms of strength, this beer would be similar to the Weisse, but realized my mistake as soon as I started drinking it. Definitely gotta watch out for 16 oz at 8.2%!

Beer: Newcastle Brown Ale
ABV: 4.70%
Home: Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK

After getting sucker punched by the Aventinus, I decided to change gears with a low-ABV choice. When I ordered this beer, the bartender smiled and rolled his eyes. I know, I know... First of all, clear bottle = bad start. The Newcastle just doesn't have the qualities that I expect from a brown ale. The flavor is sweet, yet flat, and disappointing in the same way as a Coke that's lost all its carbonation.

Malt liquor, really?

Beer: Jack's Abby Hoponius Union
ABV: 6.70%
Home: Framingham, Massachusetts, USA

I was warned that the Hoponius Union was ridiculous hoppy (as to be expected), but I wasn't put off by it like when I tried, say, the Smuttynose IPA a couple months ago. I would describe it as very crisp and dry. I think I'm warming up to these beers. Since Jack's Abby Brewery is only about a 30 minute drive from home, I'm thinking we should go pay them a visit!

Beer: Carlsberg Elephant
ABV: 7.20%
Home: Copenhagen, Denmark

We've been putting this one off for a while, but we ordered it in solidarity with our friend who did her second 40 since this challenge began. Europe should probably stay out of the malt liquor business and let America take full responsibility. The Colt 45 was better than the Elephant, if that says anything at all. The smell was a bit skunky (not surprising with the green bottle and no real label), and there was too much alcohol to make out anything else. I'm just glad this beer didn't come in a large bottle!

According to Beer Advocate, American malt liquors typically use more adjuncts to supplement the malted barley (unnecessary ingredients such as corn, rice, dextrose, etc.), usually with the goal of cost cutting during production. Adding these ingredients boosts the amount of fermentable sugar in the wort, which yields a high final ABV. Basically these are cheap, overly strong beers that I'll avoid in the future. I drank a couple glasses of water before moving on to the next beer.

And the malt liquor lineup:

Beer: Franziskaner Weiss

ABV: 5.00%
Home: Munich, Germany
Slogan: "Refreshingly different"

I'm used to getting this one on draft, so it's a little strange to see it in a regular-sized glass out of a 12 oz bottle. The pour features a neat, long-lasting head crowning a cloudy golden brew. I would describe it as quite sweet and a bit heavy, with banana and cloves being the dominant flavors.

Fancy Taco Night

Beer: Jan de Lichte
ABV: 7.00%
Home: Erpe-Mere, Belgium

Nothing like getting a super fancy beer on Taco Tuesday! I was so excited when this bottle was put in front of me wrapped like a Christmas present. Whatever keeps the light out! This is the champagne of beers, in my opinion. The pour yields crazy bubbles with a fruity aroma, but with no real head retention. The most noticeable flavor for me in this Belgian wheat beer was tangy lemon, but online resources also indicate spices such as coriander and white pepper. It's a good thing I didn't look at how expensive this bottle was when I ordered it - $26 for a 25.4 oz bottle! Needless to say, this was my only beer of the night.

I learned some interesting things while reading about this beer: In terms of history, Jan de Lichte was a Belgian gangster during the 1700s and was broken on the wheel (a particularly gruesome execution method originating in the Middle Ages) at the age of 25. I'm not quite sure how this beer is connected to the criminal, since it was developed in 2005, but it's brewed in a traditional style using 4 grains: barley, wheat, oats, and buckwheat. I also learned that a Belgian wheat (witbier) is a completely different style from the German wheat (weissebier), and the differences would be well-demonstrated by trying this beer alongside a Hefeweizen. The witbier usually has a slight sweetness with citrusy flavors while a weissebier is darker colored and often characterized by banana and clove flavors.

And unwrapped (after what felt like my 10th refill):

Someone's 40 Night

Beer: Schneider Weisse
ABV: 5.40%
Home: Kelheim, Germany

A great choice for the hot, humid, and often rainy conditions that we've been dealing with for a while. The Schneider Weisse is a cloudy, dark amber beer with a large head that sticks around for a while. I thought it was quite refreshing with its carbonation and lemony flavors. Very good, especially for a wheat beer!

At this point, an older man walked in and asked about beers in large bottles. The bartender was half joking when he pointed to the collection of 40s on display, but the guy was like "Yeah! I'll take the High Life!" We chimed in at that point, letting him know about the Hobo Special, which includes a 40 and hot dog for $7.99. His mouth dropped open and he ordered the special right away. The next thing I know, he's pouring High Life from his 40 into a glass. I'm in awe.

Beer: Ithaca Cascazilla
ABV: 7.00%
Home: Ithaca, New York, USA
Slogan: "Capturing the Spirit of the Finger Lakes"

Having lived in Ithaca for nearly 5 years, it's surprising that I'd never tried the Cascazilla. Then again, I'd always shied away from big IPAs (until this summer anyway)! This red IPA pours a dark amber and has a generous head that leaves some good lacing. The Cascazilla's flavors aren't all that unique or memorable, but it's not bad.

After leaving the bar, the rain had passed and we were left with this gorgeous sunset on our short walk home. Hope this heat wave is on its way out soon!

Cheating (again!)

I was full of doubt when I saw the open windows at Bukowski's on this 90 degree day, but we figured we'd grab at least one since we'd already ventured here through the heat.

Beer: Stone Ruination IPA
ABV: 7.70%
Home: Escondido, California, USA
Slogan: "A liquid poem to the glory of the hop!"

When the bartender mentioned that the Ruination was on draft and would count towards the card, I ordered it immediately. What a steal, especially since I'd normally have to pay for this beer in a 22-oz bottle! The rest of the mug team was so jealous! The draft pour yielded a thick two-finger head on top of the dark golden brew. I'd heard rumors that this beer was especially rough (and it was) with its powerful bitter hops, but I had a more difficult time with the Arrogant Bastard. Then again, I'm pretty sure I'd be singing a different tune with the bomber-sized bottle!

Beer: Blue Hills Black Hops
ABV: 6.75%
Home: Canton, Massachusetts, USA

Why not continue taking advantage of the draft beers on the list... Next up, the Blue Hills Black Hops, which I thought would be a tough one. Not at all! This black IPA has a coffee aroma that sets the tone for the rest of the drinking experience. It tastes like a strong iced coffee with hops that mimic coffee bitterness.

Back Home

After a grueling week-long conference in Colorado and a solid day of sitting in planes, it was nice to drop my stuff off at home and head out for some beers to relax.

Beer: Einbecker Schwarzbier
ABV: 4.90%
Home: Einbeck, Germany
Slogan: "Beer of all beers"

This beer pours a dark brown with very thin head. Not a very strong aroma, but the taste is slightly sweet and a little malty. Thin texture. I can still detect a subtle licorice flavor like I did with the other Einbecker beers, but this one is my favorite from the Einbecker family.

Beer: Weihenstephaner Dunkel
ABV: 5.30%
Home: Freising, Germany
Slogan: "The world's oldest brewery"

The Weihenstephaner beers have the best pours - the super-generous head is just so pretty! This dunkel has more tang than the Julius Echter, which was almost too smooth (but also quite good). No bitterness at all, but lots of malt and yeast!

Bad Decisions

On Friday night after a rough work week, I was super excited to hang out with some friends that I've only seen a few times this summer. If only I knew the extent of what I was about to do to myself.

Beer: Delirium Tremens
ABV: 8.50%
Home: Melle, Belgium

Pours a beautiful golden color with a light, fluffy head. This beer is surprisingly light and citrusy for a Belgian golden, and it's my favorite in that category. Watching this beer settle is mesmerizing - There's a regular formation of tiny bubbles rising from the very center of the glass. When I first looked this beer up online, I learned that its name is Latin for "shaking frenzy," and the term was originally used to describe the condition caused by alcohol withdrawal. Just something to note.

Beer: Moinette Brune
ABV: 8.50%
Home: Tourpes, Belgium

The Moinette was certainly my undoing. Coming out of Brasserie Dupont, it's no surprise that the Moinette is the size of a champagne bottle, but at 8.50% ABV it was definitely a ridiculous choice for a multiple beer night. I figured that since my friends were there, I'd have some moral support! It pours an amber color with a light, airy head. There are dark fruit flavors with a dry finish. It's actually quite delicious - ideal to split with someone over a steak dinner.

And the after shot for completeness...

Beer: Dos Equis Amber Lager
ABV: 4.70%
Home: Monterrey, Mexico
Slogan: "Stay thirsty, my friends"

When this beer was put in front of me, my fellow mug clubber yelled, "Oh my god, I hope you're eating!" At this point I realized just how bad of an idea this was. I almost knocked the glass over to get the first sip, but caught it with surprising speed. According to the tasting notes on my phone, I felt the need to document that "I have the reflexes of a god damn panther." Someone should have stopped me from ordering the XX. From the picture, it looks like there was a thin head and I don't remember the aroma. A little sweet and a little metallic, but not too bad.

Halfway Point!

The first beer of the evening is #68, marking the halfway point in the Mug Club Challenge!

Beer: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock
ABV: 6.60%
Home: Bamberg, Germany

Since May, I've heard several mug holders talk about how the smoked beers are the toughest on the list, but they're dead wrong. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this one is quite good! The dark caramel color and big bubbles on the sides of the glass make it look like a glass of Coke. We had a discussion about how these bubbles are indicative of a slightly dirty glass, likely from hard water residue. That's all right, though. The taste is like liquefied sausage with a hint of sweetness at the finish. According to online resources, the smokiness, which has been a specialty of the Bamberg region for hundreds of years, comes from drying the malt in a smoked stove.

There's a saying written on the brewery's coasters (translated): "Even if the brew tastes somewhat strange at first swallow, do not stop, because soon you will realize that your thirst will not decrease and your pleasure will visibly increase." Our time at the bar tonight verified the truth of this statement! There's one more Rauchbier on the list, but I'm saving it until Fall.

Beer: Geary's Pale Ale
ABV: 4.50%
Home: Portland, Maine, USA

Since there weren't any more bar seats by the time we got there, we took one of the high-top tables by the windows. A definite trade-off, I know, but it was the only available option. Anyway, we got "new guy" as our server, who definitely improved since last time, but the fact that both of tonight's beers had very little head tells me that maybe his pouring skills could use some fine-tuning. The Geary's pours a coppery color with a healthy dose of hops and earthiness on the nose. Very clean and crisp.

Weekend's End

Beer: Ephemere
ABV: 5.50%
Home: Chambly, Quebec, Canada

A delicious hot-weather beer hailing from Unibroue. Just by the aroma from the fluffy off-white head, you can tell there's a lot of fruit going on. The Ephemere is brewed with apples, coriander, and orange peel, making it fruity, but not overly sweet. Wonderful!

Beer: Einbecker Maibock
ABV: 6.50%
Home: Einbeck, Germany
Slogan: "Beer of all beers"

Oddly enough, the Maibock was already marked on my list, so this review is based on several tastes of my friend's beer. I thought this one tasted strange like the Urbock did, but maybe slightly better. I still can't put my finger on that strange taste and it bothers me. Pours a golden color with a quickly dissipating head. Moving on.

Beer: Reissdorf Kolsch
ABV: 4.80%
Home: Cologne, Germany

Maybe I still had the taste in my mouth, but I thought this Kolsch wasn't much different from the Maibock! It's not bad, but not great. I'm not really a fan. It pours a light gold with lots of bubbles and a noticeably funky smell.

Beer: Genesee Cream Ale
ABV: 5.10%
Home: Rochester, New York, USA
Slogan: "Always served cool"

Upstate's finest! I must say, I'm either running out of ideas when it comes to describing this type of beer or it really is indistinguishable from the others. The Genny delivers in predictable fashion. It's not bad and I'll drink it if it's in front of me. One thing I've learned in this challenge is that a glass can improve any beer. I really should have gotten one.

Independence Day

I can't think of a place I'd rather be than Boston on the 4th of July! After a short run at 9am (before it broke 90), we finished watching the Tour de France stage and Wimbledon semifinals before checking out the situation at Bukowski's. Ideal way to start a holiday if you ask me. Going American all the way today.

Beer: Lone Star Beer
ABV: 4.72%
Home: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Slogan: "The National Beer of Texas"

The self-proclaimed "National Beer of Texas"... Seriously? What the hell did I order on our nation's birthday? This one is mild and a tad bitter, just like the other lagers on the list. If it weren't for the packaging, I wouldn't be able to tell them all apart! However, it's a refreshing, ice-cold brew that really hits the spot on a hot summer day. The cap had a picture puzzle that I was actually able to decode: "Strike while the iron's hot." How appropriate!

Beer: Samuel Adams Summer Ale
ABV: 5.30%
Home: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Slogan: "For the love of beer"

I was able to get another draft substitute for Sam Adams lager with the Summer Ale. I've always liked these glasses and we've been talking for a while about buying our own. The flared-out lip retains the head the laser etching on the bottom creates a constant stream of bubbles. Now for the beer... Golden-colored with a generous head and flavors of lemon and spice. Lightly hopped. A good choice for today!

Cold snap

Well, more like a warm snap (70 deg as opposed to 90+)... With a break in the heat wave and a little rain, it's a perfect opportunity to cross more stouts off the list. I wouldn't be in a hurry to do it, but I definitely didn't plan ahead about the summer heat!

Beer: Murphy's Irish Stout
ABV: 4.00%
Home: Cork, Ireland, UK
Slogan: "No experience required."

The Murphy's has very faint flavors and aromas, owing to its extreme smoothness. Super dark with a neat tan head. No detectable bitterness. If push came to shove I could gulp this one down, no problem. The beer comes in a can with a nitrogen widget, a hollow plastic ball that interestingly aids in producing a draft-like head during pouring. Murphy's (from Cork) and Guinness (from Dublin) have a long-standing rivalry, but I'd lean toward Team Guinness. It's also still my fave above the several nitro cans I've tried on the list!

Beer: Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 9.00%
Home: Fort Bragg, California, USA
Slogan: "A sincere friend is not born instantly"

This beer is not screwing around. It pours pitch black with a thick head that smells of mocha. It's a powerful brew that tastes the way it looks. Chocolate and coffee with just the right amount of bitterness at the finish. I enjoyed taking my sweet time with this one.