We have another near no-name brand, owned by the Suntory, a bottom of the shelf rum. Now, sure enough, there will be someone in the comments saying – oh you hate this because it’s low-tier because we’re snooty. We truly and honestly wish this was better, and having gotten rums before like DonQ at the same price we were hoping for it. That hope is dead.
Rhinegeist ‘Dad’: 3.5 – It has the hoppy part of a red ale, but it lacks that characteristic taste and suffers for it. It’s just too pale and not enough spice.
Price Average: $10 for 6-pack
Website: https://rhinegeist.com
While we understand how integral horse racing is to the Kentucky area, and that by extension it’s not insane how many bourbons associate with that heritage. (Lord knows KY has some other stuff not to latch onto). Between other industries, Nascar, bluegrass, and more – you’d just sort of wish to get a bourbon that doesn’t have a stupid 4 legged creature.
Trosten Lager: 4.5 – It is a darker and smokier lager and it does rather well in that style. It did have something though that threw us for a loop – the word gemütlichkeit. It said it was a lager full of it, and curious at what sort of hop or yeast (or how to say it) we looked it up. It means friendliness, which is ironic as it’s made us angry. Overall it is a nice relaxing, simple, and tasty beer though.
Price Average: $2 single
Website: http://www.vontrappbrewing.com/
We should mention at the top that we are a Massachusettes based review site, we should also mention that as far as craft dstilleries go – Mass can go fuck itself. We are impartial and not above giving places like Berkshire a 4. We say this so that when we give this the score it deserves you know we do it impartially.
Oktoberfestbier Marzen: 7.0 – It’s a bit sweet and buttery for an octoberfest. You sort of miss that light, but varied spice and citrus and get more spice and butter smoothness. It’s a nice beer though, and while it’s certainly not the kind you go to a festival and drink 10 of – you would order 1.
Price Average: $10 for 6-pack
Jolene American Porter: 6.5 – It’s a sort of darker porter, thankfully not leaning on the super coffee/cream/chocolate/smoked or other things porters often use as a crutch aspect. It’s fairly simple, but well executed – and that’s fine.
Price Average: $12 for 6-pack cans
Website: http://www.bentwaterbrewing.com/
If there’s one sad effect of running this site for years it’s the dispelling of the illusion of premium vodkas. Something that looks like this, with the name of some old dead guy, and the price tag to match – you’d think one day I’ll try that vodka and it’ll be amazing. We’re wiser though, and – not so much.
