briz
Brian Ulrich
Registered Since: 2008-01-03 04:06:45
Profile: Beer lover, home-brewer, former liquor store manager, stuff.
Reviews by briz:
Surly Furious - In your face.
Week 4: Surly Furious (January 21-27) | Reviewed on January 27th, 2008
I recall when first I tried Furious, being a hop-enthusiast, I enjoyed the first 1/4 of the beer, but then it became unpleasantly excessive for 1/2 the beer, and then good again. Now it has grown on me, and I love it on almost any occasion. Interestingly a friend of mine who hates alcohol and bitter beers sampled mine and compared it to the pint of amber he had bought, and found it “fruitier” and more drinkable. If you find a tap that’s not so fresh, it does have a tendency however to have a gritty dry stale bread flavor. Furthermore, despite Surly’s assertions to the quality of canned beer, i find it to taste different (even when poured in a glass) out of cans. I admit there are a lot of variables at play like temperature, freshness, pour, carbonation level, atmosphere, and expectation to name a few, but generally the hops are more subdued and the beer has less body. Nonetheless I am glad to have another tasty option in a narrow field of canned beers for outdoor activities in safe packaging. In other news, I hate the name for reasons I won’t expound upon at this time, especially considering it’s pointlessness. :) Despite all my criticism, the beer’s merits overshadow all else.
a mixed bag.
Week 3: Flat Earth Belgian Pale Ale (January 14-20) | Reviewed on January 21st, 2008
Poured great; I like a lot of head out of my belgian’s without blowing out of the glass. This one did not disappoint, however it receded fast. I suspect it was too cold at first. My first impressions commiserate with Aaron’s “homebrew” comment. However the flavors opened up some as it warmed up. The hops became a nice green herbal sensation. Citrus flavors mucked about. Soon however, it was drowned by dinner: pizza. Overal, very drinkable but a near miss. The nose remained a little pungent and the body lost most of its carbonation.
Cheers,
-b
April Showers.
Week 1: Schell Snowstorm (January 1-6) | Reviewed on January 10th, 2008
Honestly I don’t remember a great deal about this beer, having started long before, except that it had a nice lemony zest and some belgian tasting yeast. All-together better than I anticipated but felt out of season. However beware; gravity kills those who don’t pay it mind, and it’s lurking in there.
‘Gluek’s de beer in de silver can, it taste de best?’
Week 2: Gluek Honey Bock (January 7-13) | Reviewed on January 10th, 2008
The first words out of my mouth were. “mm, tastes like aluminum.” (We got the canned version, but despite pouring in glasses, still tasted metallic. Perhaps our local establishment does not move a great deal of this product either.) That aside, it was disappointingly much like a Milwaukie’s best ice with a smattering of caramel malt to disguise the fact. :-/ It is what it is. One could do worse, and it may prove an effective gateway beer, but not likely for those who would be inclined to engage in the reviewing of beers.