Day 51 - Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Sierra Nevada Brewing - Pale Ale
Chico, CA (USA)
ABV 5.6% Calories 175

I had this at my fraternities Centennial celebration in the Bay Area; it is the best pale ale I've tasted so far - ranks up there with the IPA's and definitely in the top echelon of my favorite beers.

Day 50 - Beer Lao

Lao Brewery - Beer Lao
Vientiane, Laos (LAOS)
ABV 5.0% Calories 130*

Wow, I'm already on my 50th beer! Beer Lao is just like all the other Asian beers, a little lighter and sweeter than the Vietnamese Beer I had couple of weeks ago but you know how I feel about these Asian brews... I'll be out of town this weekend and most likely without internet so I'll update what I drink Sunday evening or Monday. Have a good one everyone.

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Day 49 - Old Scratch Amber Lager

Flying Dog Brewery - Old Scratch Amber Lager
Frederick, MD (USA)
ABV 5.5% Calories 150

Not very hoppy but this Amber Lager has a nice sweet taste that isn't too overpowering. It goes down real smooth; light and crisp - the difference between this tasty beer and the Asian brews or Mexican cervezas is simply the flavor. I've had some beers that were oozing with flavor but were way too heavy and full-bodied, but this Old Scratch is a happy medium; easy to drink (like the light Asian/Mexican beers) with a lovely taste. Never heard of Flying Dog prior to this but I have high expectations for their other brews.

Day 48 - Kirin Ichiban

Kirin Brewery - Kirin Ichiban
Torrance, CA* (JAPAN)
ABV 4.95% Calories 145

Out of all the Asian beers I've had so far, I'd have to say this is probably the best. It has a slightly addicting, hoppy, and subtle metallic undertone. Just as smooth and easy to drink as the rest of the Asian beers. Being the best out of a bunch of cruddy beers doesn't make this a good beer, but I would gladly sit back and knock down a six-pack of these...

*yes, they have a brewery here in Los Angeles... still a Japanese beer to me

Day 47 - Tiger Beer

Asia Pacific Breweries - Tiger Beer
???, ??? (SINGAPORE) - Tiger is brewed in 1 of 7 breweries in Asia
ABV 5.0% Calories 132

Tiger Beer is only 1 of about 120 different beers brewed by the big beer conglomerate; Asia Pacific Breweries. It actually runs 30 different breweries in 12 countries. However, after having quite a few Asian beers (and several more in queue) I've finally come to the conclusion that they all taste the same. If there are 120 beers coming out of 30 breweries there has to be some overlap somewhere. Don't get me wrong, Tiger is fresh, crisp and easy to drink - I just wait for the day some Asian brewery pumps out an IPA.

Day 46 - Zhiguliovskoye Golden Beer

Ochakovo Brewery - Zhiguliovskoye Golden Beer
Moscow, Russia (RUSSIA)
ABV 4.0% Calories 102

Zhiguliovskoye is a nice, light, crisp, and clean Russian beer. Easy to drink and has the tiniest bit of spice to the tail end of the drink. However, I feel Russia should stick with communism and vodka.

Day 45 - Corona Light

Cerveceria Modelo - Corona Light
Mexico City, Mexico (MEXICO)
ABV 4.5% Calories 109

Didn't have internet yesterday but did have one of these; this is Corona... light.

Day 44 - Sierra Nevada Stout

Sierra Nevada Brewing - Stout
Chico, CA (USA)
ABV 5.8% Calories 225

I just found out that Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale is the 2nd best selling craft beer in the United States (after Sam Adam's Boston Lager). I know I've had the Pale Ale before but can't put my finger on how it tasted. This is the first time I've had the Stout and it does have a very smooth taste; not very strong and not as heavy as the Sam Adam Porter/Stouts. It has a nice bitter after taste but I have recently realized that I much prefer an IPA over the darker, full-bodied stouts/porters. That being said, I still have high expectations for the other Sierra Nevada brews and will try to get my hands on some soon.

Day 43 - Moosehead Lager

Moosehead Breweries - Moosehead Lager
Saint John, New Brunswick (CANADA)
ABV 5.0% Calories 153

I had a nice fill of Hite Beer tonight at an all-u-can eat Korean BBQ. After coming home I just wanted to drink a light beer, take a shower, and head to bed. The Moosehead was easy to drink and had a nice sweet after taste (although that may be because I had some apple juice beforehand). Not much interesting here like most things from Canada.

Day 42 - Total Eclipse Black Ale

Hoppy Brewing - Total Eclipse Black Ale
Sacramento, CA (USA)
ABV 5.6% Calories 180*

Yet another California micro brew - Hoppy Brewing brews its beers in our State Capitol. This is actually the first time I've had a Hoppy beer and it won't be the last. The Total Eclipse pours very dark with a nice soft head. It is a unique beer with an overwhelming taste - it makes your mouth 'hoppy'. A glass of this would do as any more would be too sweet and filling.

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Day 41 - Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout

Buffalo Bill's - Blueberry Oatmeal Stout
Hayward, CA (USA)
ABV 7.5% Calories 225*

The Blueberry Oatmeal Stout smells fantastic; like warm blueberry pancakes right off the grill. Unfortunately that is where the fun ends; the brew didn't have any significant flavor on the palette. After taste had a subtle blueberry tinge but the overall taste is sub-par. I'd pass on this one; it is even worst than the Pumpkin Ale.

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Day 40 - Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale

Buffalo Bill's - Pumpkin Ale
Hayward, CA (USA)
ABV 4.9% Calories 150*

There is a nice spice to this beer upon entry; and you can taste the subtle pumpkin only after the beer goes down. This is another CA micro brew and if this is an indication of the other beers coming out of Buffalo Bill, then it certainly won't rank up there as one of my favorites. Nice to try if you like pumpkin.

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Day 39 - Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse

Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu - Hefe-Weisse
Munich, Germany (GERMANY)
ABV 5.0% Calories 160*

So far on my list of close to 40-beers, only a few have been hefeweizens. I think they are refreshing. This Franziskaner met my expectations and went down very smooth. It also went well with the fish tacos I had for dinner. But like the Paulner, it was a little bland and had no over-riding flavors. I still prefer the Hoegaarden over these two German brews.

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Day 38 - Hop Ottin' IPA

Anderson Valley Brewing Company - Hop Ottin' IPA
Boonville, CA (USA)
ABV 7.0% Calories 220*

This is my second beer from Boonville. This Hop Ottin' IPA is coincidentally brewed in the same county as the Mendocino Imperial IPA from yesterday (Mendocino County). Comparing the two, I'd have to say this Boonville IPA is just a tad more flavorful and with a much sweeter after taste than the Mendocino; its a toss-up. However, both are inferior in my mind to the Dogfish!

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Day 37 - Mendocino Imperial IPA

Mendocino Brewing - Imperial IPA
Ukiah, CA (USA)
ABV 7.5% Calories 225*

With winter passing us by here in sunny Southern California, I needed something to remind me that we are still in January (and that 85-90 degree weather is not normal). This is yet another winter seasonal from a NorCal micro-brewery. It is an imperial IPA and has a nice heavy, hoppy punch - like most IPA's (which I am beginning to enjoy more and more). These aren't quantity beers and I don't see myself chugging down a six-pack, but one or two of these and I will be happy. IPA's are quickly climbing the ranks as one of my favorite types of beers.

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Day 36 - Modelo Especial

Grupo Modelo - Modelo Especial
Mexico City, Mexico (MEXICO)
ABV 4.5% Calories 145

This Mexican brewery brings you many of the countries most famous exports including Corona, Victoria, and the Modelo's. Surprisingly this is my first Mexican brew after 36 days (considering my close proximity to the border). This, like Corona (and most Mexican cervezas), is a light beer; has a little bit more bite than the Corona but just as drinkable/smooth. Not much taste but refreshing nonetheless and much better than those El Salvador brews.

Day 35 - Whitbread Pale Ale

Whitbread & Co. - Whitbread Pale Ale
Luton, England (ENGLAND)
ABV 5.7% Calories 150*

I had pretty high expectations because it poured a nice reddish color with a nice sweet scent. But can a beer be too alcoholic? This Whitbread is; not a big fan as it felt like I was drinking a watered down shot of vodka. No distinctive flavor but a strong alcohol presence. Pass on this one.

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Day 34 - Tsingtao Beer

Tsingtao Brewery - Tsingtao Beer
Qingdao, China (CHINA)
ABV 4.79% Calories 153

Tsingtao tastes just like Taiwan Beer and since I'm connected with my Taiwan roots, I have to give the go ahead nod to Taiwan Beer.

Day 33 - Newcastle Brown Ale

Scottish & Newcastle - Newcastle Brown Ale
Dunston, Gateshead (ENGLAND)
ABV 4.7% Calories 150

In my mind and memory, I always had Newcastle grouped as a dark full bodied beer similar to that of Guinness. I should have paid more attention to the label as 'Brown' clearly suggests that this is not of the dark beer nature. I have to say, Newcastle is very drinkable and very smooth but it is rather bland and tasteless. I know it is a big time beer but I would prefer a Dogfish, Boston Lager, Hoegaarden, or even a Bass Ale before the Newcastle.

Day 32 - Steinlager

Lion Nathan - Steinlager
Auckland, New Zealand (NEW ZEALAND)
ABV 5.0% Calories 132

If this is the finest from New Zealand, I don't want to have another beer from what I hear to be a beautiful, lush island nation. Steinlager has a sour smell and a burnt after taste. I needed a Taiwan Beer to wash the lingering smell out of my mouth. Go to New Zealand to see scenes from Lord of the Rings, not for the beer.

Day 31 - Full Sail Wassail

Full Sail Brewery - Wassail
Hood River, OR (USA)
ABV 7.0% Calories 225*

Full Sail is a micro-brew up in the snow capped mountains of Oregon. They are proud of their brew force of 47 as well as their motto, 'stoked to brew, brewed to stoke'. This seasonal winter ale is called 'Wassail', which in modern times is a hot, spiced punch often associated with Christmas. In medieval times Wassail was most likely a mulled beer or mead (information from Wikipedia). Actually after having a few winter brews, the different beers seem hard to distinguish. Wassail is very similar to the Powder Hound and the Snow Cap; probably more bitter on the palette but with a similar sweet aroma. I will definitely try to find some of the other brews coming down from Mt. Hood.

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Day 30 - Kiper Pils

Browar Kiper - Kiper Pils
Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland (POLAND)
ABV 5.5% Calories 150*

This is one more from the 'beers from around the world' collection. I wanted to give these beers a chance but it seems they just threw together a group of crap beers that no one would buy on their own accord. This one is from Poland and had a weird sweetness to it; 'weird' in a nasty way. I have 7 more of these cruddy beers to go...

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Day 29 - Powder Hound Winter Ale

Big Sky Brewing - Powder Hound Winter Ale
Missoula, MO (USA)
ABV 6.2% Calories 180*

This Powder Hound is a lovely amber color with a sweet honey like aroma. It tastes like a sweeter Newcastle and has a nice mix of hop and sweet after taste. It does leave a good impression which is nice since this might be the first beer I've ever had from Montana. I also love the bottle label; pays homage to my dear monstrous Tank.

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Day 28 - Caballo Cerveza

Cerveceria La Constancia S.A. - Caballo Cerveza
San Salvador, El Salvador (EL SALVADOR)
ABV 4.0%* Calories 110*

Another Corona imitation. Actually I think this is the exact same beer as the Arriba in a different bottle. The only interesting thing is the bottle reminded me of my middle school days.. go Mustangs!

Day 27 - Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale

Anderson Valley Brewing Company - Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale
Boonville, CA (USA)
ABV 6.9% Calories 200*

This is one of many legendary Boonville brews, also my first tasting of a Boonville beer. The very existence of a place called Boonville makes me happy, this beer makes me happy. Sweet aroma and goes in sweet before a slightly bitter after taste. I will definitely search out more beers from Boonville; looking forward to the Summer Solstice!

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Day 26 - Henninger Premium Frankfurt Beer

Henninger - Premium Frankfurt Beer
Frankfurt, Germany (GERMANY)
ABV 4.8% Calories 140*

Another one of the 'beers from around the world'; although it is a German beer I didn't find it very appealing. Smooth, drinkable, and just plain boring.

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Day 25 - Stone IPA

Stone Brewing - IPA
Escondido, CA (USA)
ABV 6.9% Calories 200*

I really enjoy drinking IPA's and this is no exception. It has a very arousing aroma and pours a beautiful golden brown. It does have a distinctive hoppy bitterness but I recall the Dogfish being smoother and having a sweeter aftertaste. Also at 6.9% you can taste the strength of the beer (which could be a positive or negative). I like it and I would love to have another.

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Day 24 - Grolsch Premium Lager

Koninklijke Grolsch - Grolsch Premium Lager
Enschede, Netherlands (NETHERLANDS)
ABV 5.0% Calories 145

Hmmm... other than the swingtop cap and packaging, the taste is a carbon copy of Heineken. It has a slight sweetness to it but is otherwise pretty bland - probably more like the new Heineken lights.

Day 23 - Arriba Importada

Cerveceria La Constancia S.A. - Arriba Importada
San Salvador, El Salvador (EL SALVADOR)
ABV 4.0%* Calories 110*

This is 1-of-10 beers from one of those 'Beers from Around the World' collections. I'm wondering if I should have kept these on the shelf. The beer itself is very drinkable; you can probably drink a dozen of these in an hour. It was actually refreshing like drinking ice cold water after a long workout, however this is far from a good brew. The only reason I would ever drink this beer again is if I find myself in El Salvador. As for the remaining 9 beers in this collection; I'll have to intermittently intertwine these with better beers...

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Day 22 - Pyramid Snow Cap

Pyramid Brewery - Snow Cap
Seattle, WA (USA)
ABV 7.0% Calories 225

I always thought Pyramid was a Berkeley micro-brew but it is actually based in Seattle with only one of their four 'Ale-houses' in Berkeley. The Snow Cap is their seasonal brew and if nothing else, it has one of the coolest artworks on any beer I've come across. The beer itself is very sweet - like caramel and chocolate swishing in your mouth. I'm sure it would go good with a candy cane but I'm not particularly impressed especially since they have much better brews (which I will have to get a hold of soon). Worth a try but one is enough for me.

Day 21 - Lost Coast Great White

Lost Coast Brewery - Great White
Eureka, CA (USA)
ABV 4.8% Calories 160*

This is the first time I've had any of the Lost Coast brews; they actually have a restaurant up in Humboldt County near the 'Lost Coast' that I would love to visit. The Great White is obviously a 'white' beer; it smells sweet but actually is more bitter with only a subtle hint of sweetness. It reminds me of a Blue Moon or a sugarless Hoegaarden. I do look forward to some of Lost Coast's other micro-brews. Happy New Year once again!

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