Newcastle Brown Ale: 5.0 – That is by far in the top 5 of least offensive beers I’ve had. It’s not that it is particularly bland or watered down, but if there was some alien society that wanted a very accurate depiction of ‘beer’ in the most generic way – this is it.
Price $3
Website: https://www.newcastlebrown.com/
Count: 2/71
Sunny And 75: 4.0 – As far as Belgian whites go it has all the right makings, but maybe it’s a bit of carbonation or something but the beer is a more ‘technical weirdness’ that causes me to not like it especially compared to other favorite whites.
Google Shop Average: Sunny And 75 $9 for 6-Pack
Website: http://www.rockartbrewery.com/
Alright let’s begin.
Heineken Lager: 3.0 – It’s simply just too light. The last time I had this was a wedding where I drank it like water, and to be honest it feels like they simply have the wrong ratio of ingredients.
Price $3
Website: https://www.heineken.com/
Count: 1/71
So over Christmas a friend of mine gave me a joke gift of a beer poster. At first glance I was disgusted. Upon second glance I saw more that I recognized and realized it was a collection of just subpar beers. However after third glance I placed it on my wall and began a journey that we will embark upon together. I count 71 beers on there of which I’ve had close to 3 dozen, but oddly none have been reviewed here.
Now I must admit some of these will actually be hard to find solely in a New England store, but with some time and ingenuity I think it’s possible to get the whole list (although some may not even be available any more forcing me to get creative.)
Beer reviews will continue as normal, and the only change to the format will be the special linkback to the challenge and the number of the challenge completed.
Something that actually you can help with. So far I can identify 71 beers on this poster, but two of them the names are not shown, and I was unable to initially find out what beer they are. The images and the full list of names are below. I will also add a page that shows updated pictures as I feel it’s about time to break out the label maker and ruin this poster with some Honesty.
(The two beers I can’t identify at the top, click to enlarge)
Anyway here is the full list of beers:
Interlude: 6.5 – This is a slightly tamer version than the short-batch FV-13, it has a wine like character but also some nice tartness. It certainly is an interesting beer, and if I had a complaint it’s the price.
Google Shop Average: Interlude $20
Website: http://www.allagash.com/
Ridge Runner: 7.0 – Tastes great, less filling. In seriousness though this beer tastes delicious and it goes down smoothly. This is a beer I want in a can for a shower year-round.
Google Shop Average: Ridge Runner $9 for 6-Pack
Website: http://www.rockartbrewery.com/
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale: 7.0 – This is a delightful tasting beer, and while I had this in prep so you lot could see it for Christmas, it makes a fine Christmas beer.
Google Shop Average: St. Bernardus Christmas Ale $13
Website: http://www.sintbernardus.be/
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/
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