Day 20 - Spaten Optimator

Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu - Optimator
Munich, Germany (GERMANY)
ABV 7.2% Calories 250

Happy 2009! I actually had this beer after midnight but it serves as an important milestone; I consider this the last beer I drank in 2008 and also the first beer to reign in the new year. And what an extraordinary finish (or rather a spectacular start); the Optimator is very rich, bitter, and sweet - bittersweet it is; and many consider it to be one of the finest dark beers from Germany. An interesting fact I read is that you can distinguish a dopplebock such as the Optimator by the suffix - 'ator'. The dopplebocks were considered 'liquid bread' to the monks that originally brewed them - old school European monks know how to live.

Day 19 - Samuel Adams Cream Stout

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Cream Stout
Boston, MA (USA)
ABV 4.69% Calories 195

I made the mistake of drinking this beer with some left over fried rice. This Cream Stout is thick and malty and way too heavy to go with any substantial meal. It poured into the glass with a large amount of head and went down as think as watery milk shake. It would probably be a good substitute to coffee paired with a nice dessert, but I wasn't feeling it today. Boston Lager is still one up on this brew. Now that I'm done with the six Sam Adam beers - I can move on to some lesser known micro-brews.

Day 18 - Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Boston Lager
Boston, MA (USA)
ABV 4.75% Calories 160

I've had this beer many times before but I never really appreciated it until tonight. After taking my first mouthful it really reminded me of the Anchor Steam I had on the very first day. I actually had one Anchor Steam left in the fridge so I decided to pour it out and have a one-on-one, head-to-head taste test. Surprisingly both the wife and I preferred the Sam Adams. It has a nice bitterness to it and a sweet aftertaste. In my books, this Boston Lager is far superior to any of the other seaosnal Sam Adam brews. Thumbs up from the two of us!

Day 17 - "33" Export

VBL Tien Giang - "33" Export
Tien Giang Province, Vietnam (VIETNAM)
ABV 4.5% Calories 120*

I had my first taste of Bò 7 món at a Vietnamese restaurant today. Bò 7 món literally translates to 7 courses of beef. I'm not sure I would go out of my way for this type of cuisine again, (as I prefer the simpler Pho) but at least the meal did allow me to try a Vietnamese beer; "33" Export. The beer has a similar taste and color to Taiwan Beer with a subtle sweet undertone. It went well with the spicy, tangy Bò 7 món.

*estimated

Day 16 - Samuel Adams Holiday Porter

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Holiday Porter
Boston, MA (USA)
ABV 5.8% Calories 211

This is one of the better Sam Adams brews so far. It is a beautiful dark brown color and smells of holiday cheer; some chocolate, caramel and other sweet spices. This is a full bodied beer; great with any kind of dessert - I had mine with those frozen cream puffs you get from Costco; magnificent combination. This Holiday Porter has a sweet taste in your mouth and then leaves with a dark chocolate, 85% cocoa bitterness in its wake. Not an everyday beer but I can see myself drinking one of these during future holiday celebrations.

Day 15 - Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Cranberry Lambic
Boston, MA (USA)
ABV 5.9% Calories 175

Back to Sam Adams today; this Cranberry Lambic has an interesting reddish/orangish tint, it has a sweet savory scent and is tangy on the entry. I didn't know what Lambic meant but here is a good definition I found:

'Traditionally, lambic is a style of wheat beer, made with a combination of malted barley and unmalted wheat. Hops are added not for the sake of bitterness, as they are in many beers, but to act as a preservative. The brew ferments in barrels, like certain examples of that other fermented beverage, and evolves into a dry, almost sour beer with a fresh, lively acidity and an appealing funkiness. As the brew ages, it mellows and takes on a rich, fruity complexity.'

Lambic comes from a specific region in Belgium and this Sam Adams brew is an attempt at replicating this unique type of beer. I have no reference but hopefully I can try a true Belgian Lambic sooner than later.

Day 14 - Asahi Black (Kuronama)

Asahi Breweries - Black (Kuronama)
Tokyo, Japan (JAPAN)
ABV 5.0% Calories 130*

Merry Christmas everyone! Today we had dinner with dad at our favorite local Japanese restaurant. They had a few different beers on tap and in bottles but I asked for the Asahi Black (kuronama; kuro=black, nama=raw/draft/fresh). The label says it all, 'rich and smooth'. Its suppose to be modeled after European darks but is definitely not as full-bodied - its light and smooth enough to throw down a few with your sashimi, tonkatsu, specialty rolls, tempura, and green tea ice cream.

*estimated

Day 13 - Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Old Fezziwig Ale
Boston, MA (USA)
ABV 5.9% Calories 210

Old Fezziwig pours out deep brown and has a matching chocolate aroma. It is a tasty ale with a hint of Christmas spices. However, it is a heavy, full-bodied beer and a meal in itself - drink this one slow and savor the taste otherwise you'll be full before you know it (no wonder they don't sell these in a 6-pack).

Day 12 - Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Winter Lager
Boston, MA (USA)
ABV 5.8% Calories 190

Since we are on the eve of Christmas Eve, I got my hands on the readily available Sam Adams Winter Classic Mix. Four out of the six beers included in this sampler can only be had during these cold winter days. Back in college Sam Adams was the filet mignon of beer - it was a special treat when we held a Sam Adams in our hands (as opposed to our daily dose of Budweisers and MGDs). Enjoying the Winter Lager with a Lakers win was a nice treat - but I have higher expectations for the other seasonals since this one lacked the true tenderness of a good filet.

Day 11 - Paulaner Hefe-Weizen

Paulaner - Hefe-Weizen
Munich, Germany (GERMANY)
ABV 5.5% Calories 148

This is a very light and refreshing beer and would have been perfect on a hot summer day. However, in the middle of winter, too cheap to turn on the heat, and accompanied with a cold salad (thanks to the leftover salad bar that was barely touched yesterday), I felt this hefe was out of place. This one doesn't come with the sweet citrusy scent like the Hoegaarden but does go down smooth - without much aftertaste. All I really wanted after I finished this beer was a nice hot bowl of Pho (hmm, are there any Vietnamese beers out there?!?!)

Day 10 - Taiwan Beer Gold Medal

Taiwan Beer - Taiwan Beer Gold Medal
Wujih, TaiChung (TAIWAN)
ABV 4.5% Calories 150*

I had several beers and glasses of wine, but this Taiwan Beer Gold Medal is my beer of the day. It is the number 1 selling beer in Taiwan and is very similar to the Original in taste; in fact I can't tell the two apart. Both taste like piss water. Enjoy in large quantities.

*estimated

Day 9 - Mavericks Obama Presidential Ale

Half Moon Bay - Mavericks Obama Presidential Ale (aka Harbor Light Ale)
Princeton-by-the-Sea, CA (USA)
ABV 4.8% Calories 181.5 (22 oz.)

This beer is so awesome it deserves two pictures. This is actually a limited edition bottling of Half Moon Bay's Harbor Light Ale in commemoration of our 44th President elect. I wonder how Half Moon Bay managed to get Obama's picture plastered on a beer bottle; either this Bay Area micro-brew is a big financial supporter of the democratic party or Obama must really love this beer. Upon pouring, it had the similarly sweet scent of Hoegaarden but a more oakish taste. Almost like drinking a fluffy cigar; Swishers anyone?

Day 8 - 90 Minute Imperial IPA

Dogfish Head - 90 Minute Imperial IPA
Milton, DE (USA)
ABV 9.0% Calories 294

Wow, I'm an instant fan - this is one good beer. Dogfish Head brews its IPA 3 different ways; 60 Minute, 90 Minute, & 120 Minute - each reflecting the amount of time hops are continuously added during production. The 120 Minute has 20% abv and is 450 calories per 12 oz. This brewery also brews a ton of seasonal beers! Over the next few months, I will definitely be on a quest to secure as many Dogfish Head beers as I can find. Go out and get this beer today.

Day 7 - Zhu Jiang Cold Draft

GuangZhou Zhu Jiang Brewery - Zhu Jiang Cold Draft
GuangZhou, China (CHINA)
ABV 5.3% Calories 140*

Zhu Jiang or literally translated to 'Pearl River' is produced in the Southern part of China; it is said that 48,000 bottles are produced each hour. This beer is also labeled as the 'official beer for state banquet'. Zhu Jiang is bland, has no flavor, and like most things made in China - poor quality. However, I can see this beer being a great compliment to the spicy and flavorful cuisines from down South, the deep China South.

*estimated

Day 6 - Blue Marble Organic Pilsner

Butte Creek Brewing - Blue Marble Organic Pilsner
Chico, CA (USA)
ABV 3.9% Calories 120*

This one is for all the greenies out there; this brew is made from all organic products and if you live in CA, you are supporting your local brewery. I thought it was interesting to try an organic beer, my first to date, and truthfully it wasn't all that bad (especially since the six-pack was on sale for $3.99 at the World Market down the street). It's light with a frothy head but leagues away from the Hoegaarden I had earlier this week. Interesting, yes, but I probably won't be supporting this brewery again.

*estimated

Day 5 - Taiwan Beer Original

Taiwan Beer - Taiwan Beer Original
Wujih, TaiChung (TAIWAN)
ABV 4.5% Calories 150*

This is the grand champion of beers in terms of my personal consumption. It is likely that I have drank more Taiwan Beer than all other beers combined. Not really because I like the taste but based on its pure availability when I was in Taiwan. You could get your hands on a Taiwan Beer at every corner store; and there are a lot of corners stores in Taiwan. Drinking Taiwan Beer brings back many years of wonderful memories. Even though it looks and tastes like piss, I would never say no to my favorite beer of the motherland.

*estimated

Day 4 - Hoegaarden (Witbier-Biere Blanche)

Hoegaarden - Hoegaarden Witbier-Biere Blanche
Hoegaarden, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 4.9% Calories 173

This is the first of many Belgium beers sure to appear on my list of 365; it is advertised as, 'naturally cloudy and brewed using a unique recipe of wheat, malted barley and a subtle hint of coriander and orange peel.' That just sounds light and refreshing. And it is smooth, sweet scent and taste. I first had this in Taipei (random, I know) and felt it was too girlie; this time around I love it. It gets a star for - must drink again soon.

Day 3 - Singha Lager Beer

Boon Rawd - Singha Lager Beer
Bangkok, Thailand (THAILAND)
ABV 5.0% Calories 160

I have some good memories of Singha and other Thai beers in Phuket. At about 50 baht at the local store ($1.50US) you can have a jolly good time on the streets of Patong. On the streets of California and in the comforts of my own home, I'd much rather prefer the Anchor Steam.

Day 2 - Bass Pale Ale

Bass - Pale Ale
Luton, England (UK)
ABV 5% Calories 160

From San Francisco to half way around the world. Most famous for being part of the original Black and Tan (Bass Pale Ale & Guinness), this English brew leaves much to desire as a stand alone. Bitter, but easy to drink - would fare much better with the help of Guinness.

Day 1 - Anchor Steam

Anchor - Anchor Steam
San Francisco, CA (USA)
ABV 4.9% Calories 153

I'm setting myself up for a big year by shooting out of the gates with this Bay Area favorite - one of the great micro brews of our day. I wonder how many of the next 355 beers will match Anchor Steam's golden quality. Slightly bitter on the entry but has a deliciously sweet after taste. I'm glad this came as a 6-pack to supplement the not-so-good beers of the future, however, Anchor has a few other beers that I hopefully get my hands on later this year.

The Beginning

Last night I had an epiphany and today I start on a new path of discovery. In the distant past many would say that one of my many vices was overindulging in the sweet taste of liqueur, and on many occasions, I decided to seclude myself only to return in full embrace. Recently I've been reading through some old letters that my mom had written me; at the end of each letter she would always write, 'wishing you health, happiness, and personal growth.' For a year after she went to heaven I contemplated this without a drink; I got married, gained 10 pounds, stayed with the same job, moved into a new house, and ran my first ½ marathon. Now it is time for a fresh new perspective on life; time for change! I intend to drink a different beer every day for the next 365 days - starting today and ending on December 11th, 2009. It definitely seems much easier not to drink at all, but the goal is set. What will life bring this year? How much is this going to cost me? How many empty calories am I going to intake? It begins now; the new year starts for me today and I will be posting my first beer later this evening.