RyansBooze

Cigar City Brewing Maduro Brown Ale American Brown Ale at 5.5% ABV | 25 IBU (US$2.09 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 4-Apr-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 25-May-2017)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: cocoa, oat bread, nutty, toffee & caramel, hint of leather. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, soft to moderate carbonation, dry medium finish. (4/5)

Pleasant chocolate and toasted oat character combine with a smooth body to make this easy-drinking and mellow. Nothing too exciting, but a solid (if somewhat middle-of-the-road) example of a not-very-exciting style. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Boulevard Brewing Co. Tropical Pale Ale American Pale Ale at 5.9% ABV | 45 IBU (US$2.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 16-Sep-2016, best before 14-Jan-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 25-May-2017)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of rocky ivory head diminishing gradually to a loose cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, citrus, caramel, tropical fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short finish. (4/5)

Definitely past its BB, but instead of going off or becoming caramelly (is that a word?), this appears to have simply faded. Not quite bland, but not far off. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Terrapin Beer Co. Luau Krunkles American IPA at 6.5% ABV | 72 IBU (US$3.33 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 1-Mar-2017, best before 17-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with one fat finger of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resin, passionfruit, zesty citrus, pineapple, pale crackery malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

Damn, that is some serious shit. Simultaneously dank and bright, with resin and passionfruit leading the way over citrus and pineapple. Malt is way, way towards the back for this one, pale and clean and just barely sufficient to support the hops. Taste is similarly fun, with sweet, almost syrupy fruit juice leading the way before fading to reveal the big hop iron fist inside the velvet glove. Gotta say, I could drink a whole lot of this. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Terrapin Beer Co. RecreationAle Session IPA Session IPA at 4.7% ABV | 42 IBU (US$3.33 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 28-Jan-2017, best before 20-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grapefruit, pine, biscuity pale malt, earth, garlic, hint of coffee. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, crisp lightly bitter finish. (3/5)

“RecreationAle,” huh? What d’ya get when you move up to a stronger brew, “ProfessionAle” or MedicinAle”?. This… is odd. It starts off brightly hoppy, with lots of citrus and pine, but that fades rapidly, leaving behind earth, onion and garlic, and most puzzling of all, a hint of coffee. I first rated the aroma as an 8, but by the time I was done, it was a 4 or 5 – so, split the difference and call it a 6. Everything else was more consistent. It’s not bad, it’s just very, very strange how the hop character changes (dissipates, I guess) so rapidly. This continues to be a slightly tricky style to get right. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Swamp Head Brewery Big Nose American IPA at 7.3% ABV | 50 IBU (US$2.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 21-Mar-2017, best before 20-Jul-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with two fingers of fluffy ivory head that retains well, well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, resiny pine, caramel, tropical fruit, floral, very light diacetyl. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

I’m always deeply concerned when the label starts off with “crystal clear water”. Seriously? That’s your lede? “We don’t use tainted ingredients”? Well, good, I guess, though it’s a little distressing that you felt it necessary to point it out, and/or that’s the best you’ve got to say. Anyhoo, this is Stump Knocker’s big brother, and in a lot of ways, the familial resemblance is clear. This is a little cleaner, though, and a little more hop-forward – although there’s just the slightest hint of buttery diacetyl I could do without. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Swamp Head Brewery Stump Knocker American Pale Ale at 5.6% ABV | 35 IBU (US$2.29 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with one finger of creamy ivory head that retains well, well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, caramel, citrus, tropical and dried fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short mild bitter finish. (3/5)

A little meh-tastic. Slightly dull hops don’t really rise above the somewhat doughy caramel malt. Possible it’s old, I suppose, because there’s no BB on the can. (sigh) Nothing special. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sweetwater Brewing Company Hash Session IPA Session IPA at 4.2% ABV | 55 IBU (US$3.17 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, best before 1-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, floral, pale crackery malt, grass. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, dry crisp mild bitter finish. (4/5)

Some lovely dry hopping gives pleasantly bright hop aromas on the front end, but it drops off rapidly with a crisp, short finish. I guess some might argue that’s entirely the point of a Session IPA? This is basically a ghost beer – once it’s gone, it’s like you didn’t even drink it at all. So… well done… I guess? (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sweetwater Brewing Company Cool Breeze Cucumber Saison Saison at 4.9% ABV (US $3.17 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, best before 1-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: cucumber, doughy wheat, lime, peppercorn, coriander and clove. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, light peppery spice. (7/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, dry crisp moderately bitter and slightly spicy finish. (3/5)

Very different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Cucumber leads the way in the aromas, which might seem odd for anybody who hasn’t had gin & tonic with cucumber instead of lime. (I recommend trying it some time if you haven’t!) Through the middle, this is a decent enough Saison, with an appropriately light body and lively carbonation, if a little too emphatic on the spice notes (as so many American Saisons are). Overall, it’s cool and refreshing, and would pair well with a spicy meal. Ultimately, though, it’s a bit too vegetal, both on the nose and in the finish, resulting in a slightly unbalanced bitterness verging on astringent. An interesting change from the everyday, and worth trying for that reason alone, but not one I’m likely to go back to. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Uinta Brewing Hop Nosh American IPA at 7.3% ABV | 82 IBU (US$2.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, best before 5-May-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 23-May-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with two fingers of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, pine, citrus, grass. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter finish. (4/5)

Definitely an old-sk00l IPA, with a pronounced malt backbone vying with the hops for dominance. Definitely not bright or juicy, but very well done regardless. (And come on: 7+% ABV and 80+ IBU? How is this not a D/IPA?) (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sixpoint Craft Ales Puff American Double / Imperial IPA at 9.8% ABV | 108 IBU (US$3.99 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 20-Apr-2017, best before 19-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 23-May-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one fat finger of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, citrus, melon, caramel, tropical and stone fruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, massive bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium oily body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter finish. (4/5)

Oh yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. I was really looking forward to this, and it did not disappoint. Dank, deep, and complex, with a massive spicy hop bite.  Big caramel sweetness, but appropriately balanced and barely sufficient to stop the huge hops from becoming overwhelming. Puff, puff – but I ain’t passin’. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com