Day 166 - Alaskan IPA

Alaska Brewing - Alaskan IPA
Juneau, AL (USA)
ABV 6.2% Calories 170*

Pours a clean pale ale color with very little head - has a lovely pale ale scent. Semi-bitter, with tastes of some citrus spices (very little). A bit heavy and leaves your mouth malty. Not the best IPA out there but still one of the better beers I've had in the last week or so. The bottle art is pretty interesting; I never knew there were gnarly waves up in Alaska.

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Day 165 - Dos Equis Amber

Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery - Dos Equis Amber
Monterrey, Nuevo León (MEXICO)
ABV 4.8%* Calories 150*

I love the Dos Equis commercials but the beer itself is sub-par. Nothing extraordinary about this beer - it isn't even that drinkable (in large quantities). I prefer the Sapporo or Taiwan beer over this Mexican brew - even the Modelo, Tecate, Corona are much more fun and easy to drink.

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Day 164 - Kingfisher Premium Lager

United Breweries - Kingfisher Premium Lager
Bangalore, India (INDIA)
ABV 5.0% Calories 140*

This is actually an India beer but here in the US it is brewed by the Olde Saratoga Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs, NY. There is nothing really special about this beer - it lacks any distinctive taste and is a very plain lager. Easy to drink and refreshing but I won't be rushing out to the store to pick this one up anytime soon.

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Day 163 - Karl Strauss Woodie Gold

Karl Strauss Brewery - Karl Strauss Woodie Gold
San Diego, CA (USA)
ABV 4.6% Calories 120

Another solid Karl Strauss beer. Not sure why some people don't like this one either but I think its quite tasty. Simple, light, to the point - very much like a pale ale with less hops. A good balanced beer.

Day 162 - Karl Stauss Endless Summer Light

Karl Strauss Brewery - Karl Strauss Endless Summer Light
San Diego, CA (USA)
ABV 3.3% Calories 110

I've had some Karl Strauss beers on tap before but this is the first time drinking it from a bottle. The Endless Summer Light is fairly refreshing and tasty for a beer that is 3.3% abv. Not as citrusy as Blue Moon but has a similar taste - a lighter version perhaps; with a hoppy finish. I've read some reviews that bash this beer, but I enjoyed it and would order one with wings next time I'm at a Karl Strauss restaurant.

Day 161 - Weihenstephaner Korbinian

Brauerei Weihenstephan - Weihenstephaner Korbinian
Freising, Germany (GERMAN)
ABV 7.4% Calories 180*

Although another great tasting beer, this doppelbock Korbinian was too heavy - full-bodied and malty. I had half a glass and felt full. Great tasting with hints of chocolate and cherries - sweet aftertaste. I'll have to save the other half of this glass for later.

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Day 160 - Weihenstephaner Original Premium

Brauerei Weihenstephan - Weihenstephaner Original Premium
Freising, Germany (GERMAN)
ABV 5.1% Calories 150*

Another Weihenstephaner beer; very pale in color and mellow in taste. Again, you can taste the quality - looks and pours like a Coors but is simply on a different level of beer. Has very light citrus flavors and goes down clean, crisp, and smooth. Weihenstephaner advertises itself as the oldest brewery in the world; I guess they've had 1000+ years to perfect the ingredients that goes into their brews. Not one of my favorites but quality nonetheless.

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Day 159 - Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel

Brauerei Weihenstephan - Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel
Freising, Germany (GERMAN)
ABV 5.3% Calories 170*

Never heard of this beer before and was very surprised with its great taste and quality; probably the finest German beer I've had to date. This beer has a nice soft taste to it, a little sour, a little spicy - easy to drink and a top notch hefeweizen.

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Day 158 - Harbin Lager

Harbin Brewery - Harbin Lager
Harbin, China (CHINA)
ABV 5.5% Calories 150*

A China brewery, founded by a Russian, owned by an American company - very interesting. The beer itself is a pissy color, light and easy to drink. Wheaty taste giving you a phlegmy after-taste. I'd go with the Sapporo or a Taiwan Beer any day.

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Day 157 - Sapporo Premium Beer

Sapporo Breweries - Sapporo Premium Beer
Tokyo, Japan (JAPAN)
ABV 5.0% Calories 140

I haven't had an Asian beer (not including these past two Indian beers) in quite some time. In terms of enjoyment, I really enjoyed drinking this Sapporo; it was easy to drink, refreshing, and didn't have any of those weird tastes (Indian beer) or metallic underlying (English brews). Not a beer for flavor, but great to quench your thirst - good for sake bombs.

Day 156 - Yeti

Yuksom Breweries - Yeti
Sikkim, India (INDIA)
ABV 7.0% Calories 175*

India is not known for its beer and there is good reason; although at 7%, this Yeti was bland and very little going for it in all regards. Have some curry, drink some Corona.

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Day 155 - Hen's Tooth

Morland Brewing - Hen's Tooth
Suffolk, England (ENGLAND)
ABV 6.5% Calories 175*

Bottled in what looks more like a whisky bottle, this Hen's Tooth is yet another one of England's lackluster beers. It is decent and doesn't have the bad metallic taste of other English brews, but it just doesn't compare to even the mediocre craft beers I've had so far... my first and last. Another pass; forever.

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Day 154 - Firestone Double Barrel Ale

Firestone Walker Brewing - Firestone Double Barrel Ale
Paso Robles, CA(USA)
ABV 5.0% Calories 160

Another winner from Firestone; their one beer that can be found in most Southern California grocery marts. It is a very solid beer; not as flavorful as some other pale ales or IPA's but you can taste the quality ingredients, the malt, and a nice bitter finish - great for someone who doesn't like their beer too hoppy. Smooth, would definitely buy more of these in the future.

Day 153 - Old Thumper

Shipyard Brewing - Old Thumper
Portland, ME (USA)
ABV 5.9% Calories 180*

Old Thumper is actually an English beer brewed by Ring Wood Brewery (as seen on the bottle); however the story is that the master brewer's apprentice was allowed to brew this beer for an American brewery (Shipyard Brewing Co.) and has been doing so for the last 15+ years. I've never heard of this beer and don't believe I've had a beer from Shipyard yet. I do like Old Thumper, which is a non-traditional English bitter (great, I'm not too fond of those 'traditional' English beers); it is malty with just the right amount of bitterness. All around decent beer.

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Day 152 - Scaldis

Brasserie Dubuisson - Scaldis
Leuze-Pipaix, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 12.0% Calories 200*

Advertised as the strongest beer produced in Belgium, the Scaldis comes in at a wine like 12%. It has a strong alcoholic scent but the taste itself masks the alcohol quite well. A fairly mellow taste and deceptively light. Today the Lakers beat Houston, we beat our opponents (basketball league), I get to drink this fairly sophisticated beer to end my Belgium week; all would seem perfect except for the fact that I screwed-up my knee during the first 4 minutes of our game...

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Day 151 - De Koninck

Brouwerij De Koninck - De Koninck
Antwerp, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 5.0% Calories 178*

Probably the most toned down, 'drinkable' Belgian beer I've had so far; this says it all, "Amber coloured, top-fermented beer with a lively taste and velvet soft aroma".

Day 150 - Gulden Draak

Brouwerij Van Steenberge - Gulden Draak
Ertvelde, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 10.5% Calories 300*

150 seems like a milestone but I still have 206 more beer to go! Today I drink the 10.5% Gulden Draak - it is deceptively sweet and easy to drink. It tastes almost like a dessert wine (and has the alcohol content to compete) - has several lovely note, pieces of citrus, and some minor spices. One of the few I've had so far this week that I would venture to drink again... and again.

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Day 149 - Maredsous 10 Triple

Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat - Maredsous 10 Triple
Breendonk-Puurs, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 10.0% Calories 200*

At 10%abv you'd think there would be an overpowering taste of alcohol but it is not the case; an easy to drink beer (just don't know how many you can knock down) with a fruity sweetness to it. This is a strong, solid, Belgian triple but compared to my favorite Belgium beers, this one doesn't crack the list. I would probably prefer a nice IPA to most of the Belgian brews I've had so far this week.

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Day 148 - Sloeber Ale

Brouwerij Roman - Sloeber Ale
Oudenaarde, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 7.5% Calories 175*

Sub-par Belgium brew; not much to be excited about here - will pass on this one in the forever future.

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Day 147 - Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale

Brouwerij Van Steenberge - Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale
Ertvelde, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 5.5% Calories 160*

Definitely not what I expected, but I like it. From the initial scent, it almost mimics the English metallic beers that I'm not very fond of; but the taste is very unique. Not bitter at all, it has a refreshing sweetness and a mild sour aftertaste. It almost doesn't taste like a beer and maybe the surprise is why I enjoyed it so much. There is actually a restaurant/brewery in Philly named Monk's Cafe which is famous for the amount of Belgian beers on tap - will have to visit that place next time I'm traveling through the city of brotherly love.

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Day 146 - Duvel

Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat - Duvel
Breendonk-Puurs, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 8.5% Calories 198

I'm starting a week of very special beers; my first (and hopefully not last) full week of Belgian beers. I've only had a handful of Belgian beers so far but it is clear that they are some of the best beer makers in the world. Today I drink the quintessential Belgian beer; Duvel. Other than Chimay, I always thought this was one of the better Belgian brews - I certainly hope for my sake that I am wrong; I had the Duvel once in Belgium and enjoyed it immensely, however, this time around I wasn't very impressed (maybe my expectations were too high). It is a strong beer at 8.5%, great yeasty, citrusy, flavor that covers the alcoholic content. Crisp, with a frothy head laced with bitterness. I would definitely have a Chimay over this any day and I do hope some of the other Belgian's I have are better than this Duvel.

Day 145 - Flying Horse Royal Lager Beer

United Breweries - Flying Horse Royal Lager Beer
Bangalore, India (INDIA)
ABV 4.7% Calories 140*

Not a great beer - almost a fusion of Mexican cerveza and Asian lagers; but easy to drink and smooth. Has a little sweet aftertaste, pours a very pale yellow. Probably goes well with spicy Indian curry - I'd probably leave this one on the shelf next time we cross paths.

On a side note, happy Mother's Day to all.

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Day 144 - Stone Smoked Porter

Stone Brewing - Stone Smoked Porter
Escondido, CA (USA)
ABV 5.9% Calories 200*

I have to say, I'm not a fan of most Porter's but this Stone Smoked Porter is the exception. It is a full-bodied, heavy beer, (which is the reason why I dislike most Porter's) but with a very unique smoked finish. It is very tasty and the malty heaviness stays with you; I finished the 22oz. in one sitting but can't imagine having more than that - this would go great with a nice juicy steak.

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Day 143 - Anderson Valley 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA

Anderson Valley Brewing Company - Anderson Valley 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA
Boonville, CA (USA)
ABV 8.7% Calories 250*

This is an instant favorite; not sure if they make Imperial IPA's on a regular basis but this 20th anniversary has all the hoppy greatness I look for in a beer. It comes very close to the Dogfish; I will have to do a side-by-side taste test one of these days - actually once this is all said and done, I will plan an IPA fest and bring in all my favorite IPA's for a long night of tasting. I'll have to remember to pick up another bottle of this before they disappear from the shelves.

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Day 142 - Santa Cruz Ale Works IPA

Santa Cruz Ale Works - IPA
Santa Cruz, CA (USA)
ABV 6.5% Calories 180*

I like this beer. It's been awhile since I've had an all around good tasting IPA. Just the right amount of hops with a nice citrusy after taste; it smelled great right out of the bottle. The only gripe I have is the large amount of head; 1/2 the glass was head - should have drank it straight from the bottle - its good enough that I'll get it again once this is all said and done.

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Day 141 - Affligem Blond

Brouwerij De Smedt - Affligem Blond
Opwijk, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 7.0% Calories 180*

On a completely random side note; I had two casualties this week - both very unexpected and sudden. Out of 40+ different beers, two of them were Erdingers - earlier this week I found one of the Erdingers cracked and beer spilt all over the pantry (where I keep all my beer). Today, after doing a little cleaning, I put a broom back in the pantry and top tip of the broom clipped and literally exploded another beer. Randomly it was the second Erdinger out of the group. Eerie - I think I will stay away from Erdingers from now.

Back to the Affligem; another Belgium blond; twice as cheap and twice as GOOD as yesterday's La Divine. Less sweet, more bitter with a mouthful of yeasty goodness. I still prefer the Chimay, but at $1.89, a nice cheap Belgium alternative.

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Day 140 - La Divine Double Blond Ale

Brasserie de Silly - La Divine
Silly, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 7.5%* Calories 180*

A beer from 'Silly' Belgium with Venus on the bottle must be a good beer. The first gulp was mouth tingling; sweet like licorice but in a bad way. The more I drank the more the alcohol came out; the flavor and taste unable to mask the 7.5% content. The 'double' blond is just too much for me; I would skip this Belgium and go for a Chimay.

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Day 139 - Golden Stone Amber Ale

Metolius Brewing Co. - Golden Stone Amber Ale
Portland, OR (USA)
ABV 5.5%* Calories 170*

I lowered my expectations after a middle of the road IPA from this brewery yesterday; this Golden Stone Amber Ale met and probably exceeded my low expectations by just a little bit. It is actually a beautiful amber color with a nice malty aromatic entry - the after taste is a little metallic but like I said; better than what I originally expected but still middle of the road.

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Day 138 - Dolly Varden India Pale Ale

Metolius Brewing Co. - Dolly Varden India Pale Ale
Portland, OR (USA)
ABV 5.5%* Calories 160*

From Belgium IPA back to good old fashioned American IPA - this Dolly Varden (named after the trout/char pictured on the bottle art) had a nice initial scent and taste. Fairly hoppy, the bitterness stayed in your mouth - there was a small amount of citrus flavor but not nearly enough to balance out the bitterness. I wouldn't put this up there with my favorite IPA's - definitely not an overachiever.

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Day 137 - Piraat Ale

Brouwerij Van Steenberge - Piraat Ale
Ertvelde, Belgium (BELGIUM)
ABV 10.5% Calories 180*

I wasn't aware of this beer's alcohol content until after I finished the beer. The Piraat Ale is considered a Beligan IPA, a new breed of IPA's that have the American hoppiness and a 'cleaner bitterness'. The beer itself has a nice spicy maltiness to it - the alchol is masked fairly well for such a high ABV. I would have liked a little bit more to make a final judgement but overall a solid beer, but I'd stick with the American IPA's for the time being.

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Day 136 - Lost Coast Raspberry Brown

Lost Coast Brewery - Lost Coast Raspberry Brown
Eureka, CA (USA)
ABV 5.0%* Calories 160*

Today I take a stab at another fruit induced beer; this time it is Lost Coast's Raspberry Brown. It pours a nice dark amber and has very little head; you really can't smell the aroma of raspberries - but it does give you a mouthful when you drink it. The raspberry is more pronounced in this beer than the strawberry in yesterday's Strawberry Blonde. Nice to have a different type of beer from time to time but I probably wouldn't drink this on a regular basis.

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