Gift of the Magi Ale: 5.5 – (We normally do a post Wed/Thurs, but we lift this a bit later for Christmas theme) Anyway we come to the Gift of the Magi, and while I have no idea what Frankincense and Myrrh taste like, I suppose the dark and sweet fruit is meant to represent that somehow. Either way while this is a nice beer, I’m just not sold on the taste.
Google Shop Average: Gift of the Magi Ale $10
Website: http://lostabbey.com/
If this whiskey could have an intro song it would be “Let me tell you bout my best friends” or “Come Together”. It’s a beautiful collaboration of a whiskey made from barrels that were used to make beer, where the beer was made with the same whiskey’s barrels. It’s the pinnacle of the trend of ‘upcycling’ so hard it almost hurts.
Merry Monks: 6.0 – There is a nice sweetness to the tripel, and it makes a good Christmas beer (actually enjoyed this whilst setting up decorations). Aside from the pleasant sweet taste though it doesn’t do much to distinguish itself.
Google Shop Average: Merry Monks $9
Website: http://weyerbacher.com/
Your Father Smelt of Elderberries: 4.0 – Figured I would give another try for Stone, and again I am disappointed. I’m sorry, because while I have never tried elderberries on their own – this is not what you taste. You get the medieval style ale alright, and then you recall why we got out of the dark ages. This isn’t bad – but when you buy a Monty Python beer you expect more.
Google Shop Average: Your Father Smelt of Elderberries $9
Website: http://www.stonebrew.com
Alright of the recent vodka reviews I have saved the best for last. This vodka was bought simply because of how beautiful the bottle looked. I wanted to buy an iceberg and lo and behold a NH liquor store supplied. I do wish with a name like Anestasia that this was as Russian as Putin himself, but it comes from Oregon.
Gandavum: 4.5 – A bit too mild for a belgian ale lacking the nice sweetness or sharpness of flavor. There’s depth here but overall it’s not spectacular.
Google Shop Average: Gandavum $13
Website: http://belgianexperts.com/beers/special-selections/gandavum/
St. Peter’s: 3.0 – I know this will sound cliche, but this tastes like it’s organic. It’s not bitter, but it tastes like how weed smells, add that to the bottle shape and this is hipster-king.
Google Shop Average: St. Peter’s $5
Website: http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/
As part of a three-whiskey box special I got a selection of Jameson’s. Of course you know we’ve already reviewed the classic, but the next two up are the Caskmate and this the Special Reserve (or as it’s being slowly renamed too – the Black Barrel). However with either the name of a special reserve or black barrel this feels not like a better more exclusive Jameson, but simply another breed in it’s line.
