Grolsch - Amber Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Grolsch - Amber Ale
Royal Grolsch N.V.
Enschede , Netherlands
Est.1615
www.grolsch.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Reddish amber color.
Aroma of malted wheat and malted barley.
Medium lasting head with good lacing.
Medium bodied flavor and mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Another amber ale to sample. Seems everyone has one these days. Grolsch makes theirs with malted wheat according to the side label. I have had their beer and enjoyed it, perhaps more for it's relative affordability than for taste.

Also interesting to note, I had been choosing Grolsch beer over domestic brands of lager due to the afore mentioned negligible price difference. I thought, "Why not have a beer that is imported for only $1 more per 12 pack?" Then, here's the twist; they have a partnership with AB (Bud)! Isn't that interesting? I thought so. Why would you assist an import on the shelves for only a buck more than your flagship domestic, (or is Bud now considered an import with the acquisition by InBev?) I'm soooo confused.....

So back to the amber ale...it is average compared to other amber ales on the market, but refreshing none the less. Good ale at a decent price.

Samuel Adams - Octoberfest

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Samuel Adams - Octoberfest
Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA USA
Est.1985
www.samueladams.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Ruddy amber, almost orange hue.
Pleasant aroma of roasted malts & hops.
Adequate, long lasting head with good lacing.
Medium bodied. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Mmmmm, I thought as I passed the grocer's shelves looking for something different! There it was...the beer that had finally won me over with their "Brewmaster's Collection" that you've seen in my previous posts. I am a fan of 'Marzen' style Oktoberfest beers, so off to the lab to experiment.

At first blush the looks of the color and head were good indications there was another winner in the Sam Adams bunch. Upon tasting, however, I was less than thrilled. Oh, don't get me wrong. It's a fine lager worthy of purchase, but it's either my level of expectation of a Marzen style beer (oh, my favorite) and a bit of how the other Sam beers & ales had recently won me over. I give it a solid "B"...Jim, keep up the good work.

Shock Top - Belgian White

Dead Soldier

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Shock Top
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
St. Louis, Missouri USA
Est. 1852
www.anheuser-busch.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light golden to amber color.
Faint citrus aroma.
Foamy head (when poured by directions on reverse label).
Light bodied and refreshing. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
A wit-beer, or wheat beer is brewed with about 50% wheat (in the Belgian fashion) instead of the traditional barley malt. The beer will produce a cloudy pour that you think will go away, but never does. That's the released protein enzymes that embodies a wheat beer, more than those found in barley. Also, this style of wheat does not roast or 'malt' the wheat. Enough science!

The fact is, it's also brewed using lemon, lime and orange peel to give it a zesty taste. A great beer for the summer time and a sure hit with the ladies. Oh, it also has coriander inside! Very unusual beer considering AB just sold out to the Belch, er...I mean Belgians. This beer and other wheat beers are cracking into the, "...what else can we do with fruit and beer" theme. Corona used to have it all locked up with the lime slice, but these wheat beers are now adding lemon or orange slices to a pour of theirs...but not in the neck of the bottle, no! In the glass, itself. Hanging on the pint glass, deliciously stuffed into that rich, soap-like & foamy head.

Enjoy the cool half-moon orange slice dude with his "wheaty" mohawk and Ray-Ban's! Then enjoy the beer.

Coronita Extra

Soldadito Muerte 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Coronita Extra
Cerveceria Modelo, S.A. de C.V. Mexico
Est.1925
www.corona.com
www.thecoronabeach.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.6 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 7.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Pale, clear and light yellow color.***
Negligible head and zero lacing of the glass.***
Light watery flavor.*** 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Are you in the mood for less than a full sized 12 ounce Corona Extra? "...Okay. Say hello to my little friend! "
***Here's a repeat of the post dated Friday, May 23, 2008.
http://alesfromthecrypt.blogspot.com/2008/05/corona-extra.html
Does this look familiar to you? Look closer. That's right, it's a cute little 7 oz. bottle of Corona. Even though it is smaller in stature, they still had room to squeeze in two more letters on the labeling! C O R O N I T A !

Restating the obvious, the review made me stop and wonder why I like this beer so much in spite of its weak standings against other beers. It bears repeating, void of it's bottle and lime slice it's like a fish out of water, it misses the essence of the what it truly is. This wee beer has the same amount of tasty refreshment as his bigger brother. But drink it in the bottle and not in a glass. Just be sure to buy yourself some miniature limes!

Pete's Wicked Ale

Dead Soldier

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Pete's Wicked Ale
Utica, NY- San Antonio, TX USA
Est. 1979
www.peteswicked.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Ruby brown color.
Nice hops smell throughout.
Good, full head on pour with great lacing.
Great balance of hops and malt.
Smooth drinking.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Oh, the flames licking up the label! Oh, the horns on the heads in the netherworld! Pete is a man after the Reaper's heart...and soul! Muhahaahaahaaaaaa! Enough self indulgence now; I'll try to show some restraint.

I command you to go and get some of the Wicked Ale. It's wickedly delicious. Ah, restraint seems to have left me, er, umm...please try this (wickedly) delicious tasting ale. Pretty please? Ahhh, forget it! If you listen to the fellow in white on your right shoulder, you'll never know what you're missing. And there will be more for me, The Reaper! Muaahaahaahaahaahaaaaaa!

Bud Light Lime

Dead Soldier

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Bud Light Lime
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
St. Louis, Missouri USA
Est. 1852
www.budlightlime.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light golden, straw color.
Basic beer aroma, but with a hint of citrus.
Average head with minimal lacing.
Light watery mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
There is a pretender to the throne! Okay, I'll give them credit for having "100% Natural Lime Flavor" as posted on the label, but this 'King of Beers' is trying to take the crown from Corona. So instead of a garnish like Corona, they, "...put the lime in the coconut and stir it all around" like the song says.

It's all good, if you are in a hurry and want some heat scorching refreshment. Unlike Corona, you can skip the trip from the beer aisle to the produce department and hit the checkout line quicker!

Genesee Cream Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Genesee Cream Ale
Genesee Brewing Company
Rochester, New York USA
Est. 1960
www.creamale.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light golden, straw color.
Basic beer aroma, but with a hint of citrus.
Average head with minimal lacing.
Light watery mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Okay, so I've been called old fashioned. But of all the old timey beers I remember most from my college days, there was always Genny Cream Ale. Oh, and by the way, if you think it 'aint got taste, then you should visit their ultra cool website. This is not your father's beer, here!

The reaper has been digging Genny for so long for four reasons. One, it was local and therefore cheap to buy. Two, it has smooth, great taste. Three, it has a 5.2% kick above your regular beer. And four, did I mention it tastes great?

Nothing else here to write about....now go out and get some!