What did you think we’d post an article on St. Paddy’s day that wasn’t Irish Whiskey? Well you’d likely have been a loyal reader as we’ve previously either been too drunk to post anything or have once again mixed up Mexican and Irish holiday’s and posted some Tequila
White Birch Indulgence Ale: 4.5 – I’m not sure what exactly I was expecting with this, but as far as “Indulgence” goes this feels very weak and normal, nothing really indulging, or heavy or flavorful that makes it worthy of the title. It’s not a light ale or not without flavor, but it’s really no different than an amber or brown ale.
Google Shop Average: White Birch Indulgence Ale $11
Website: http://www.whitebirchbrewing.com/
White Birch Birchwood Smoked Stout: 6.5 – To be fair this score is based on other smoked stouts, and sadly it’s pretty much average comparatively, and yet there’s one aspect that makes it better – in that because it’s not bourbon barrel aged it doesn’t make it sickeningly sweet.
Google Shop Average: White Birch Birchwood Smoked Stout $10
Website: http://www.whitebirchbrewing.com/
Apologies HBR readers for the lack of Weekly Wine, I was rather ill, and neglected to get my compatriot to get scores from the weekly tasting. (I’ll be sure to keep a backlog of personal wines for a rainy day from now on.) Anyway that aside let’s move onto the complete opposite of wine, with some tequila. Yes continuing on with some lighter less recognized spirits we move onto Agavales Tequila
603 Brewery Winni Ale Amber Ale: 3.5 – As far as Amber Ales go I was not a huge fan of this, categorically it wasn’t bad, nor was it something where it was just distinctive, it just felt so underwhelming. Amber ale’s are usually the bread and butter of brewing companies where it’s often very high-middle of the road, and they go out from there.
Google Shop Average: 603 Brewery Winni Ale Amber Ale $9
Website: http://603brewery.com/
Shipyard Mint Chocolate Stout: 5.5 – I admit I was rather excited by this due to Shipyard’s record of flavored beers (Pumpkinhead comes to mind); however the taste here is sadly just not enough mint. You get those chocolate flavors, and the stout is still there, and then like a whisper the mint is at the end, and it’s just a bit too weak.
Google Shop Average: Shipyard Mint Chocolate Stout $9
Website: http://www.shipyard.com/
Our wine tasting store occasionally has a spirit or beer as a sidebar to their normal wine tastings. This week they had some Four Roses (which we don’t have the review since we tend to take a bit more time to appreciate a spirit that a public tasting can’t provide.) They did however have something else which we feel we can talk about.
