Monday, April 25, 2011

Kronenbourg 1664

There is a single reason I am trying Kronenbourg 1664. Motorhead. Here's the commercial Kronenbourg had Motorhead do with a slowed down, acoustic version of Ace of Spades, one of the greatest metal songs.



The beer itself starts off like you would expect from a French lager. Pale gold color, fluffy white head, just a hint of skunk familiar with green-bottled European lagers that you get here. The taste, however, is a bit surprising. There's still that light sweet grain, but there's some honey and a little bit of spice, too. Just a touch of clove, maybe. The mouth feel is fuller than similar beers. Really good lacing, too. I'm surprised I like this as much as I do. This would work well after mowing the lawn on a hot July day. Worth a try if you want something light, refreshing, and with at least a modicum more character than anything with "light" in the name.

Grade: B

P.S. Here is the full version of the slowed down Ace of Spades. Give me the original every time.

Monday, April 18, 2011

21st Amendment Monk's Blood


How could I resist a beer called Monk's Blood? This offering from 21st Amendment is also canned. More on that later.

Not red like you might imagine, but more of the brown of a Monk's Robe, keeping with the Abbey style. While the nose is nothing but sour, it would be nearly impossible to pick out all the subtleties. Cinnamon, vanilla, wood, caramel sweetness, clove spice, sweet malt. There is some sourness at first and at the very finish, but not as much as the smell would have you expect. A ton going on with this one, and at 8.3% ABV, by the time you figure it all out, you won't be able to figure anything!

The can throws me, though. I took the first couple of drinks in the can and it just didn't feel right! Too much of the metal taste, as well.

Give it a try and hold on!

Grade: A

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Dark Horse Reserve Special Black Ale


I know things have been a little slow around here lately, and they're going to be for a while. Along with work being super busy, I have agreed to do a play that a friend of mine is directing. She was in a pinch because someone bailed on her not even 2 weeks before Opening Night, so I have just been studying this part as much as I can. That said, I need a beer!

So here is Dark Horse Brewing's Reserve Special Black Ale. It is indeed black with a creamy dark tan head. Lots of roast and toffee in the nose. Kind of smells like a Heath Bar. Wrapped in bacon.

Big, bold flavors in the first sip. Dark, bitter chocolate, smoked meat, roasted coffee. Late hop bite, too.

I really dig on this one! 7.5% ABV doesn't hurt, either. As they mention on the site, it's not quite a porter, not quite a stout, but golly is it good!

Grade: A