Czechvar aka Budweiser Budvar

Czechvar aka Budweiser BudvarWay back in August of 2005, I went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a group of 12 Northwestern students. They were bringing their play out for 30 performances, one each day at 3:30. Riding on my actress girlfriend’s coattails, I lived with them in a five bedroom apartment right across the street from the west end of the Meadows. I offered up my services as a stagehand, and they provided me a place to sleep. It was a fun month.

About a week into the run, I discovered a quaint little pub around the corner from the venue called Proctor’s, a great place to drop in for a wee dram. Continue reading

Spaten Pils

Spaten PilsAlthough the name isn’t as awesome, I’d say Pils has a leg up on it’s cousin Optimator. Both can be found in 16.9 oz. bottles at Gelson’s for $2.59.

Spaten (which is German for ‘spade’) is brewed in Munich by the same people who make Franziskaner. Can’t make it to Munich for a tour of their brewery? Their website offers an online virtual tour, a reasonable alternative if you haven’t budgeted for any Beer Tourism this year. (Dang!)

Spaten Pils pours a light straw yellow, with a quickly diminishing head and almost no bubbles. Continue reading

Oregon Honey Beer

Oregon Honey BeerIn all honesty, the only reason I picked this beer up off the shelf is because I recognized the label. My special lady got me a collection of assorted beer glasses from World Market last Christmas, and Oregon Honey Beer just happened to be one of them. That’s why the picture looks like it came straight out of their promotional campaign.

True to it’s name, the beer poured into the glass with a golden honey hue. An inch or so of head to begin with, but it didn’t stick around for long. A ton of champagne-like bubbles. Sweet caramelish/honey aroma with a light maltyness. This beer is crisp, with a sour twang to it. Light body, with a good amount of carbonation, Oregon Honey is a bit tingly when it touches your lips.

  • Appearance: 3/3
  • Aroma: 10/12
  • Palate: 3/5
  • Flavor: 16/20
  • Overall: 7/10

Rating: 3.9

Boddington’s Pub Ale

Boddington’s Pub AleBeing that it’s called Boddington’s Pub Ale, it just didn’t feel right to write a review based on a nitro-can I bought at the store. So in the name of authenticity, I stopped by Sonny McLean’s after work one day for a pint. I was not disappointed.

After a minute or two of trying to get his attention, the bartender poured me a damn-near perfect pour. On tap, Boddington’s is a cloudy light yellow (dare I say ‘manila’?) color. The head was a great consistency, with excellent retention, and extremely thick lacing. I took a big whiff and was greeted by that classic malty smell.

That familiar first sip was such a relief, in that “thank god I’m done with work” sort of way. Boddington’s isn’t the most complex beer, but that might be why I love it. It doesn’t really have a start or a finish, its bitterness is consistant throughout. Low carbonation, and that creamy head stays with you til the end.

This should be a staple at every self-respecting pub.

  • Appearance: 3/3
  • Aroma: 8/12
  • Palate: 4/5
  • Flavor: 15/20
  • Overall: 8/10

Rating: 3.8

Beer Advocate in the New York Times

Alström BrosWhat a pleasant coincidence that on the very day I decide to launch my site, the New York Times chooses to run a story about Todd and Jason Alström, the founders of Beer Advocate. It’s a great article, and it really goes toward supporting my claim that we are living in times of a Beer Renaissance.

The Web site is just one of the gathering spots for beer lovers — not the guys sitting in front of the tube with a six-pack of mass-market brew, but a rapidly growing body of connoisseurs who are as devoted to their chosen beverage as wine lovers are to theirs.

Hear that? We are a rapidly growing body of connoisseurs. Awesome. The article goes on to identify a problem that beer culture faces – backlash from macro-brewery advertising, and the negative image that can sometimes be associated with “people who love beer”. Continue reading

Father’s Office: 54 Years of Euphemistic Glory

Father’s Office“No sweetheart, your father won’t be joining us for dinner tonight, he’s working late at the… office.” -Suburban Housewife, circa 1965

Next time you go to Father’s Office, stroll right up to the bar and order a pitcher of Natural Light. Other patrons will be amazed by your exquisite taste in beer, and you’ll probably get a few high fives. Alternate Cool Move: Order some of their fries a la ‘cart’, and demand ketchup. You’ll be the life of the party! Continue reading

Sam Adam’s Black Lager

Sam Adam’s Black LagerThey’re not kidding, this beer is black. Like Guinness black. Same color head as Guinness too, but not nearly as thick. Damnit, it kind of smells like Guinness too. Medium body. Very roasted taste, with a coffee-ish sort of bitterness to it.

The coffee-like flavors are reminiscent of some incredible Green & Black’s dark chocolate I had last week. Finishes clean.

  • Appearance: 2.5/3
  • Aroma: 9/12
  • Palate: 3.5/5
  • Flavor: 16/20
  • Overall: 8.5/10

Rating: 3.95