Our Tastes-- Weyerbacher Belgian Style Golden Ale

In much the Mitchell fashion in the 11th hour and last few minutes I taste, Merry Monks' (aka Belgian Style Golden Ale) by Weyerbacher. I have accumulated many of the Weyer styles of beer recently and all of them relatively high gravity. This one seems fitting as I close a Halloween at Merry's outpost. At first glance with this being a 9.3%abv liquid, I expected a flat head head but this one pour a relatively large white head and quickly dissipates to the usual. The aroma is bland and nondescript with a cloudy color (like wet straw, as I watch Man vs. Wild, for Bear Grylls everything is a simile). Truly a bottle conditioned beer this one has added sugar and yeast which explains the intriguing gook that has rested to one side. Taste explodes in your mouth with bananas and clove with this Trippel. Made with Pilsner malts and Belgian yeast strains my mouth is alive with multiple dimensions. Wow this one is really a great beer to start this line with.

Our Tastes-- Shiner Munich Style Helles Lager

Closing in on my goal of 31 beers in 31 days, I finally try Shiner's latest anniversary beer, Munich Style Helles Lager (aka. Shiner 99). These beers initially were thought to be simply tributes to Shiner's upcoming centennial year, the brewery I hope to visit next year, but really this is ingenious market research. When Shiner 97 (Bohemian Black Lager) came out it was an absolute smash; therefore, people begged for its return. Currently they offer what is supposed to be the same recipe (it isn't, trust me) as a regular in the line up in an all black package. They are simply testing out new niches for the sake of mass market research!! Brilliant! So begat Shiner 99, a clear light straw yeasty tasting bread beer with flat head that when I poured my mouth full I sat patiently and waited...and waited for a taste...of something...but there was nothing. Moral to this tasting is that if you want BMC taste, don't have it shipped from Texas. Made with wheat, barley and Munich malt, this one pays tribute to the Czech brewers that founded Spoetzl Brewery. To tell you how "bright" which is what helles means, this one is 6 SRM, yeah, only water may be clearer, 4.9%abv. Well maybe 100 will be something special.

Our Tastes-- Saranac Promegranate Wheat

Keeping the spooky taste buds rolling tonight I wane about Saranac's Pomegranate Wheat. This one has a cool brown bear on the front of it with mirrored sunglasses and juggling pomegranates. Pouring a golden straw and light white head this one is unique in its own right. The aroma is unnoticeable but the taste is light crisp an tart. Made with white wheat and 2-row then jacked around with Columbus (a hop I've noticed a lot of brewers going to). 4.7%abv and a year-rounder.

Our Tastes-- Terrapin Style IBA

Even though the 1st time I have had this beer before, specifically at the 2nd Annual Magic City Brewfest, I thought since this was the 11th hour and I needed to taste 4 more beers, that I would give Terrapin's latest India Brown Ale a good bloggin'. This beer since first tasting has been one of my absolute favorites. The complexity of this beer is phenomenal! Made with 7 malts (Pale Dark Munich, Victory, Special Roast, Crystal 60, Crystal 77, Chocolate) and 5 hops (Nugget, Chinook, Centennial, Willamette, Columbus (for Dry Hop). Now to the beer appeal itself, a deep reddish-brown with an extremely distinct well balanced hop and malt aroma. Lattice is amazing spider-like webbing (Halloween;) the mouthfeel is hop explosion from beginning to burn. Have some nice AL-worthy 6%abv bevvy.

Our Tastes-- Flying Dog Biere de Garde

Trying one of the new Flying Dog brews, Garde Dog, Biere De Garde is a real treat. Named like the French beer "beer for keeping", this one is a nice light treat. The light toasted aroma and color to match are amazing. Made with German Pilsner, Belgian Biscuit Malt, Rye Malt, Flaked Wheat, Malted White Wheat then smacked with US grown French hops, somehow that makes it ok? 5.5%abv will get you through the spring ans summer fo sho'.

Our Tastes-- Red Hook Long Hammer IPA

I picked this little surprise up at Sea Side as well and it has quickly become one of the best "sweet" IPAs I've ever had. I must have bought a case worth of Long Hammer of this stuff during my vacation down there! It pours a creamy white head and aggressive yet balanced aroma. The pale color (brass) is a bit confusing because I would have expected more of a red hue but nonetheless awesome. It has a great mouth feel that explodes with hop variety on the aftertaste. This is listed as the "Go To" IPA. Made with 2-row Klages (?), Munich and Crystal malts then hopped with Northern Brewer, Willamette and dry-hopped with Cascade. Characteristics: 6.51%abv, 186 kcal/bottle, OG 1.05773, best Red Hook I've ever had, oh and by the way all of them are ales, meaning they are great styles to start with when homebrewing.

Our Tastes-- Full Sail IPA

I found this little beauty on vacation down in Sea Side, FL. Full Sail IPA. It pours a wonderfully balanced white frothy head and sweet hoppy aroma. A medium brown color with awesome malt and what must be Cascade hops taste truly sets this one apart from the run-of-the-mill IPA. The lattice hangs well on this beer made by it's "massive brewforce of 47". 6%abv from the independently owned brewery in Hood River, OR.