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Big Storm Brewing Co. Arcus IPA – American IPA at 6.9% ABV

Big Storm Brewing Co. Arcus IPA – American IPA at 6.9% ABV

Can at Sheraton Sand Key Resort Clearwater. Not bad for zero expectations. Fruit punch, resiny pine, caramel malt, and grassy/floral. Somewhat heavy but not malt forward. Worth trying. 7/10

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Arcus IPA

Patrick is drinking a Arcus IPA by Big Storm Brewing Co. on Untappd

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Pair O’ Dice Brewing Turtle Ale – American Amber/Red at ??ABV

Pair O’ Dice Brewing Turtle Ale – American Amber/Red at ??ABV

On tap at Sheraton Sand Key Resort Clearwater. Not bad at all. Crisp and hoppy for an amber, decent head and lacing. 6.5/10

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Turtle Ale

Patrick is drinking a Turtle Ale by Pair O’ Dice Brewing on Untappd

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Cigar City Brewing Invasion Pale Ale – American Pale Ale at 5% ABV

Cigar City Brewing Invasion Pale Ale – American Pale Ale at 5% ABV

Can from Whole Foods Orlando. Not bad. Grassy and resiny, with a little tropical fruit. Pale malt and a reasonably robust presence for a relatively low ABV. 7/10

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Invasion Pale Ale

Patrick is drinking a Invasion Pale Ale by Cigar City Brewing on Untappd

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Abita Brewing Company Purple Haze – Fruit Beer at 4.2% ABV

Abita Brewing Company Purple Haze – Fruit Beer at 4.2% ABV

Bottle at Universal CityWalk Orlando. Wheat, sweet malt, fruit puree (maybe raspberry). Not terrible, but really too sweet. 5.5/10

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Purple Haze

Patrick is drinking a Purple Haze by Abita Brewing Company on Untappd

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Breckenridge Brewery Agave Wheat – American Pale Wheat Ale at 4.4% ABV

Breckenridge Brewery Agave Wheat – American Pale Wheat Ale at 4.4% ABV

Bottle at at Margaritaville Universal CityWalk Orlando. Wheat, sweet malt, fruit puree. I guess it’s agave, but I’m not really experienced there, so I’m assuming. Pleasant enough. 5/10

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Agave Wheat

Patrick is drinking a Agave Wheat by Breckenridge Brewery on Untappd

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Margaritaville Brewing Company Landshark Lager – Pale Lager at 4.7% ABV

Margaritaville Brewing Company Landshark Lager – Pale Lager at 4.7% ABV

On tap at Margaritaville Universal CityWalk Orlando. Decent pale lager. Clean, crisp, and light. Especially good when you’re tired and thirsty! 5/10

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Landshark Lager

Patrick is drinking a Landshark Lager by Margaritaville Brewing Company on Untappd

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4 Hands/Bale Breaker/Stone Sorry Not Sorry IPA – American IPA at 9.3% ABV

4 Hands/Bale Breaker/Stone Sorry Not Sorry IPA – American IPA at 9.3% ABV

Aroma: caramel malt, peaches and other stone fruit, citrus, light pine, earth. Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. Oily body. 7/10

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4 Hands/Bale Breaker/Stone Sorry Not Sorry IPA

Patrick is drinking a 4 Hands/Bale Breaker/Stone Sorry Not Sorry IPA by Stone Brewing on Untappd

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Orlando Brewing Alligator Drool – American Pale Ale at ??% ABV

Orlando Brewing Alligator Drool – American Pale Ale at ??% ABV

On tap at Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando. A fairly pedestrian and unremarkable pale. Not a lot to recommend it one way or the other. Better than a macro lager – but only barely. 4.5/10

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Alligator Drool

Patrick is drinking a Alligator Drool by Orlando Brewing on Untappd

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New Belgium Brewing Company Lips of Faith Series Eric’s Ale – American Wild Ale at 7% ABV

New Belgium Brewing Company Lips of Faith Series Eric’s Ale American Wild Ale at 7% ABV (US$17.78 at Specs Main Houston, 650 ml, best before 2-Apr-2017, acquired 23-Jan-2016, reviewed 11-May-2016)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with a short, short-lived fizzy off-white head, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tart vinous, stone fruit, woody. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, light bitter. (7/10) Medium-light body, low carbonation, off-dry mildly tart finish. (3/5)

So, the bottle says it’s a “sour beer for those who don’t like sour beers and a fruit beer for those who don’t like fruit beers.” This comes perilously close to the truth in the contrapositive: it’s not really a sour beer for those who DO like sour beers, or a fruit beer for those who DO like fruit beers. That’s not to say it’s bad, as such, but it’s more like a bottle of supermarket chardonnay, than a beer. A light vinous tart aroma presents upon decapping, and pretty much sets the stage for the white wine character that follows. Stone fruit is present, but not well-defined. There’s even a light, gose-like saltiness toward the end, making this very much a hybrid style, but it’s more a case of “too many cooks” than anything else. A bit muddled, but ultimately not unpleasant. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Brasserie Thiriez La Blond d’Esquelbecq – Saison at 6.5% ABV

Brasserie Thiriez La Blond d’Esquelbecq Saison at 6.5% ABV (C$7.17 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, best before 30-Jun-2016, acquired 31-Jul-2015, reviewed 10-May-2016)

Appearance: clear deep gold with one fat finger of creamy dense ivory head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: floral, citrus, yeasty, grassy, honey and pale malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart, light peppery spice. (8/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, moderate bitter and slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

Another solid performer from Thiriez, if maybe not quite as good as their Etoile Du Nord. I have to admit a real weakness for this Franco-Belgian style, but even so, this is a good interpretation of that style. (14/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com