Tag Archives: Beer

Spaten Pils

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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

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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

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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

Father’s Office: 54 Years of Euphemistic Glory

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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

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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

Killian’s Irish Red

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Killian’s Irish RedYou pour this stuff into a glass and the head disappears like you were pouring a can of Coke. With a name like Irish Red, you might expect the texture to be a little thicker. BAD NEWS: Killian’s is actually a lager, not an Irish Red ale like the name might lead you to believe.

Killian’s was originally an Irish Red Ale, but when the original brewery went out of business, Coors bought out the rights to market this drink in the US. They screwed around with the formula and re-released this beer as an amber lager in 1981. The unsuspecting population either didn’t notice, or didn’t care.

The body is clear and sparkling, and when held up to the light, the redness of the beer really shows. Do they get this color from the brewing process or do they just dye it to make it pretty?

Hoppy aroma is overpowered and dominated by a sweaty, sticky floor smell. Medium body & good texture. Slighty bitter at first with a malty acidic finish.

  • Appearance: 2/3
  • Aroma: 4/12
  • Palate: 3/5
  • Flavor: 10/20
  • Overall: 6/10

Rating: 2.5

Firestone Double Barrel

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Firestone Double BarrelFirestone Double Barrel Ale is made up north in Paso Robles, California, just outside of San Luis Obispo. So for us kids at UCSB, it always had the street cred of being our local brew. Just like the kids from Chico who can never have a conversation about beer without claiming Sierra Nevada as their own, us UCSB’ers love us some Double Barrel.

It was on tap all over the place, you could get it at Woodstock’s with a Garlic Bird pizza, MMMmmmm. But in LA I am just as content to drink it out of the bottle.  Fortuately, it’s starting to show up more and more around here, in grocery stores and on tap.  I found one at Ralph’s the other day. Such a pleasant and soothing taste that always puts a smile on my face.

Small & diminishing head, clear (and quite loverly) light brown color. The hops give an earthy, flowery smell. It has a complex, full body with medium carbonation. Sharp and crisp at first, yielding to a medium bitter, short lasting finish.

  • Appearance: 2.5/3
  • Aroma: 10/12
  • Palate: 4/5
  • Flavor: 17/20
  • Overall: 8.5/10

Rating: 4.2