Zywiec 1881 Porter: 7.0 – It’s very malty, and there’s a twinge of spice akin to cayenne that reminds you of a mexican hot cocoa alongside the other roasted malt flavor. Overall it’s a delicious porter. There’s no faults, and while the final aftertaste is a bit ‘bland’ it has other flavors to help it out.
Price Average: $4
This was purchased for a friend as a Christmas gift, it was given to them in late April and then (among another 2 gifts) was forgotten here. So having taken some initial notes the night before, and a follow-up glass we bring you something unique. However much like that bent fork in your silverware drawer that you hate but won’t throw out, there are some downsides.
I Love Lamp: 5.0 – If you came here signed up for pineapple, you are at least in luck – it is there. However the initial taste of the beer with it’s muted spices feels more like an ale mixed with pineapple juice. It’s not great almost like a nothing beer despite this flavor, but it does give way to a classic pineapple aftertaste. The main problem is that those who like pineapple alot will be disappointed alongside those who like beer – should be fun for a BBQ sauce though.
Price Average: $11 for 6-pack
Website: http://evilgeniusbeer.com/
Bacardi has graced our shores a few times, and whether it comes Gold, White, Spiced, of screaming in hellfire they’ve always had a slight around average rum. So we were expecting more of the same for the black. Of course, we knew it would be no Kraken, but what actually poured into the glass was truly surprising. It was utter shit.
Pub Style Pale Ale: 5.0 – It’s a little sweet and nutty, but otherwise fits the idea of a more ‘pub style’ beer you’d expect to get in a British pub, even if it’s not really a ‘pale ale’. As for a typical Maine beer it’s certainly easy to see this more with some hearty winter grub than seafood, but overall it’s a passable beer.
Price Average: $3
Website: https://grittys.com/
St. Peter’s Golden Ale: 3.0 – It has much more depth and almost lager like quality over a golden. It’s almost nutty. There is a weird mint like aftertaste, overall it just feels like a wrong grab bag mix of beer flavors.
Price Average: $5
Website: http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/
When one thinks of Brandy and France – the mind turns to a single word – cognac. However dear friends it is worth recalling that cognac is a specific region of France and that there is no reason a brandy couldn’t come from elsewhere in the country. The question does hang in the air though – should it?
Little Sal: 8.5 – It’s not often a mere trio of words can make one salivate, but Allagash, Sour, and Blueberry fit the bill. We don’t talk much about ‘color’ here on HBR because it’s often meaningless, but you pour this and look at the color and know it’s going to be a good time. As for the beer itself, it’s as expected – well executed, the sour is there, but the sweetness of the blueberries means it’s never not enjoyable. If we have a complaint it’s that the local store only sells 1 per customer and that soon enough this will likely be gone forever.
Price Average: $14
Website: https://www.allagash.com/
