Tröegs - Nugget Nectar

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Nugget Nectar
Tröegs Brewing Company
800 Paxton St.
Harrisburg, PA USA
Est.1997
www.troegs.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0 (Sample) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Reddish orange color. Some particle suspension.
Citrus hops with sweet malt background.
Frothy white head with strings for lacing.
Big hops presence in taste without overpowering.
Moderate amount of carbonation.
Very easy drinker, but be careful of the high ABV.
Medium to heavy bodied.  Tremendous balance. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Meeting new friends can be so much fun.  Our host Mark, the mastermind of Mr. Beery's, treated us this evening to a sample of his private stock from Tröegs Brewery.  This is the reason, dear readers, that you should pursue your adventures in craft beer.  The payoff in friends along with little gems of beer, such as this Nugget Nectar, is worth the pursuit.

This ale is incredible. It has a beautiful copper bodied color with 7.5% ABV to tantalize.  There are 93 IBU's of hops for us hops freaks.  Despite the 'hops grenade" on the label, you will get the pine/citrus hops notes on the nose, but amazingly they will not overpower the taste.  Superb balance of ingredients yields an excellent brew.  One whiff and one sip is all it will take to convince you that those boys in PA got their brewing stuff down pat.  Oh, it helps to share over a discussion about who crafts these beverages.

Once again, the formula for success is to seek out friend opportunities through you beer experiences.  That is the best way to bring out your true inner beer geek.

Victory - Golden Monkey

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Golden Monkey
Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Lane
Downington, PA USA
Est.1996
www.victorybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0 (On Tap - Flight) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Syrupy light golden color. Some particle suspension.
Sweet fruit aroma; think apples. Not a lot of yeast.
Soapy white head that reveals excellent string lacing.
Light tasting like a wheat with sweet fruit finish.
Very little carbonation leaving a slight viscous body.
Alcohol is well hidden for a Trippel.
Light to medium bodied.  Well balanced flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
A new craft beer bar has come to town in Sarasota.  Mr. Beery's opened this week and we thought we'd give it a go.  Since we were having an unseasonal downpour, the regular stop would have been treacherous to transit.  We agreed upon this meeting place for the evening.  Partly due to the proximity to home and the bus line, should it be necessary.  Practice safe imbibing skills, my followers!

A tidy, non-nonsense brick and wood interior contained a gleaming chrome tap line.  We were dazzled!  It contained a tremendous assortment of suds from which to choose.  There were North American and European brews on tap and chillin' in the fridges, too.  A chalkboard in the corner proclaimed the oft seen and spoken words of true craft beer establihments, "No Crap On Tap!"  Yeah, baby!

When confronted by the plethora of delectable beer choices, our beer-tender, Rick, helped us settle upon a flight of four.  The first up was this delicious Belgian style trippel from American craft brewers, Victory.  There was so much going on in this one.  The fruitiness, the low carbonation, the high ABV, the sumptuous pale golden color.  I didn't get all of the yeast complexities associated with this style.  Nevertheless, it was a treat for the eyes and the taste buds.  You gotta' get yourself some of this, monkey!

Stoudt's Pils - German Style Pilsener

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Stoudt's Pils - German Style Pilsener
Stoudt's Brewing Company
Route 272
Adamstown, PA USA
Est.1987
www.stoudtsbeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  

Postmortem Brew Review
Fairly clear yellow with a slight hazyness on the pour.
Balanced malts and hops in the fragrance.
Tall foaming crisp white head that lasts.
Wonderful spiderweb lacing.
Tasty hops with refreshing body.
Light and easy to drink; refreshing.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Few beers are a maligned as the everyday pilsener.  When they are bad, they're awful and will test your tongues patience.  But when they are good, they can be a thing of beauty to behold.  Let me tell you, this is a beautiful pils!

I noticed the bit of haze in the pour that meant there was a lot going on in this glass.  It settled clear and with a tall crisp white head.  The preponderance of hops noticed in the nose was unexpectedly inviting and intriguing. I mean, yes, there are hops in pilsener beers, but these were oh so delacate and floral in aroma.  The taste was clean, dry and refreshing giving a soft 'twang' of hops.  This puppy has 40 IBU's under the hood!

Oohhhh I'm so sad I only picked up one bottle of these.  I would recommend pairing this with the other 5 I didn't buy. Sigh!

Victory - Prima Pils

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Prima Pils
Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Lane
Downington, PA USA
Est.1996
www.victorybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.3 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.0 (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear golden yellow color.
Pine hop scent; unusual for a pilsener.
One finger head disappears over a short period of time.
Citrus hops taste with good amount of carbonation.
Dry and light bodied.  Refreshing taste.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Interesting situation here.  First Victory the Reaper has laid his bones on. I asked my local beer-tender for something light to start.  He also happens to have an inside track that I like my beers on the hoppy side, so he suggested this one.  One sip and I knew it was gonna be good.

Prima Pils is clear and yellow just like a pilsener should appear.  Nothing new about that.   But on the nose, there is a fair amount more hops than you'd expect from your everyday pils.  Even those that are "triple hopped".  The hops aromas in here rivals those of a pale ale.

Then there is the nibbling of hops on your palate as you sip.  So there you are!  More hops than expected and more refreshing than pale ales.  And, Prima Pils achieves refreshment as only a pilsener can.  It's amazing. It's different.  It's from Victory and I'll be back for more!

Iron City Beer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Iron City Brewing Company 
Iron City Beer
3340 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA USA
Est.1861
www.ironcitybrewingcompany.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0
 
Postmortem Brew Review
Crystal clear yellow color.
Grain smell, hops aroma.
Malt and slight hops taste.
Two and a half finger, white colored head that rapidly dissipates, leaves no lacing.
Light body with carbonated mouth feel. Not too watery.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Another retro American lager.  As an old standby in the Pittsburgh area, it is simply known as the "Burghs" beer. Not too watery, but very light to drink.  It's amazing there is also a light version of this beer.  So clear, you can read through your pint glass!

Not a favorite of mine, but a good example of an American lager style beer.  You'll know if it's for you.

Penn Brewery - Penn Dark Lager

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Penn Brewery - Penn Dark Lager
800 Vinial St
Pittsburgh, PA USA  
Est. 1986
www.pennbrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep brown color.
Roasted malt smell and hints of toffee; all aromas are subtle. 
Toffee and roasted malt in taste with small hops bite at end.
Minimal tan head with some lacing.
Medium to light mouth feel with active carbonation.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is an interesting brew that brings darkness bun not heft to a beer.  In that sense it makes a handy session beer, the next time you are looking for a change of pace.

The brewery has been 'resurrected' from near death, something that interests The Reaper in me, muahahahahaa.  The neck label boasts "Celebrating 20 years" and they have seen some changes in that time.  You can read about it on their one web page, that right, one page only.  See for yourself.

This company is a work in progress that appears will culminate in bringing brewing back to Pittsburgh now that Iron City has closed. Let's hope for a revival as this brew is a good indication of future success.

Yuengling Porter

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Yuengling Porter
D. G. Yuengling & Son Brewery
Pottsville, PA USA
Est.1829
www.yuengling.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown opaque color.
Roasted malt taste and aroma.
Minimal half-fingered tan head with some lacing.
Not too heavy, silky in mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Some dark brown goodness lies in wait for you inside this bottle. I was a bit skeptical and thought that Yuengling might only be adept at lagers, but no! This may not be a heady european porter but it holds up on its own. There is a silky smoothness and solid malt tones at the end of each sip. In all, a solid session porter drink, if you prefer your brew on the dark side!

"Brewed Expressly for Tavern & Family Trade" is printed on the label. My family will have to go down to the tavern, because I'm not trading with them! Get your own!

Yuengling - Original Black & Tan

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Yuengling - Original Black & Tan
D. G. Yuengling & Son Brewery
Pottsville, PA USA
Est. 1829
www.yuengling.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark chocolate brown color.
Full, rich hop aroma.
Remains surprisingly refreshing for a dark brewed porter/beer mixture.
Not too heavy, easy drinker.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Once again, inexpensive, tasty, QUALITY beer. This is a mix of their wonderful lager beer with a rich, dark roasted porter. Absolutely wonderful to behold and consume. Second to none. You must add this to your list when you next go shopping. It will be an eternal reward!

Yuengling - Traditional Lager

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Yuengling - Traditional Lager, Original Amber Beer
D. G. Yuengling & Son Brewery
Pottsville, PA USA
Est.1829
www.yuengling.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 4.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear amber color.
Mild hop aroma.
Consistently refreshing.
Not too heavy, easy drinker. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Inexpensive, tasty, QUALITY beer. The best part is it's brewed right here in the good old U S of A. My regular choice of lager beer. Served where ever thirst is available!