Cherry Wheat: 5.5 – It does have a wheat and cherry flavor, but the cherries feel odd? It doesn’t have that tart so you get more of that sort of vegetal cherry-like flavor that feels slightly candied with some sugars. It’s not what you would typically expect going into a cherry beer, but it’s good.
Price Average: $9 for 6-pack
Website: https://www.samueladams.com/
Finally, a brandy that’s actually good, we’ve been having more than a few middling to lower tiers. There is a drawback though – you’re certainly paying for that ‘goodness’. It might, however, be worth it because ultimately this is a very pleasant, mellow, and warming beverage.
Walawang W12: 6.0 – Japan‘s craft beer scene is nascent, so it’s a little unfair to expect things to blow you away. This barleywine though…it doesn’t really have much going on. You get the taste of the alcohol upfront, and then a strong sugary flavor (like concord grape, or plum), and then…that’s it. It’s drinkable, but not terribly exciting or interesting. At ¥600 (about $5.50 USD) it’s just not a good value proposition.
Price Average: ¥600
Website: https://www.rakuten.co.jp/hopstar-walawang/kaiso.html
Little Cascara: 5.5 – Overall a bit underwhelming for a sour with any lack of fruit, tart, or definition. There’s a bit of nice maltiness, but the ‘Cascara’ tea really has mellowed this out making it otherwise forgettable, but not awful.
Price Average: $6 draft
Website: https://www.redemptionrock.beer/
It has been a hell of a long time since we’ve reviewed Buffalo Trace’s Bourbon (nearly 8 years) since then it’s remained a bar staple for a good time on rocks or request for an Old Fashioned (if in the mood for non-rye). They apparently have a vodka now, and where that has a more diverse and muted flavor – this is a big wheat and grain scenario.
Chakra Beer: 2.0 – This is about as basic Budweiser but India beer that you can get. There’s nothing great about this at all aside from it not being the worst thing in existence. Bleh.
Price Average: $4
Website: https://chakrabeer.com/
We really have to ask the makers of this – where do you get off? Sorry but time and time again we get a unique bourbon, one that isn’t awful, but is still littered with faults – and yet they charge WAY too much. We’re sympathetic (a little) to smaller distilleries, or small batches, hell even single malts – but this just a blended bourbon charging way above its paygrade.
Imperial Barley Wine Ale: 3.5 – It’s okay and as a weird combo of an imperial stout and barley wine there are certainly worse ways this could have gone. The problem is that the high ABV affects the easy-drinking barley wine and this is just not great. Also need to deduct from the look meant to be Russian, when it’s UK and imported via Mass.
Price Average: $13
Website: http://www.ridgewaybrewery.co.uk/
