The Gateway's spring 2008 beer guide
R.J. Wilch
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Arts & Leisure
Every season breweries dream up new recipes to release, and every season some are decent and some pure garbage. Fortunately, readers don't have to risk injuring their livers on sub-par beverages, because I went out and reviewed some of the micro-brews available for spring 2008.
Stevens Point Einbock 2008
This beer, to say the least, is under whelming. It doesn't contain the traditionally rich malt flavoring of a bock and has an odd metallic after taste. If you have never had dental work with metal fillings, feel free to drink this. I have already had that pleasure and so I am forced to give this 1 out of 5 stars.
Samuel Adams White Ale
With a light body, medium carbonation and smooth finish that leaves little to no aftertaste, this wheat ale is surprisingly refreshing. Mild orange and lemon flavors highlight the taste of this brew. This ale made me long for warmer weather so I could sit outside on my porch and pound a few. Because of that, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Rising Moon Spring Ale
This ale from the Blue Moon Brewery is a sweet concoction of malt and lime. Although Blue Moon's Belgian White is amazing with a slice of orange, the Rising Moon Spring Ale's sharp citrus flavoring doesn't mix well with the malt. This concoction has way too many problems to warrant more than 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Sierra Nevada ESB 2008
The hops used in this early spring beer give it a spicy, grassy flavoring that starts off strong and finishes dry and bitter. Fans of Sierra Nevada's other beers will want to give this a shot. Although it isn't an amazing brew, it certainly isn't one of worst either, and so it deserves 3 out 5 stars.
Boulevard Irish Ale
Those who wish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by drinking beer that tastes more like an authentic Irish beer may consider giving this ale a try. However, I wouldn't recommend it. The spicy, hoppy flavor immediately turns into a bitter aftertaste that seems to linger for hours. Trust me, either drink Guinness or dye your Budweiser green. The aftertaste alone forces me to give this 2 out of 5 stars.
Samuel Adams Double Bock
This bock has a rich, caramel flavoring to it that is surprisingly deceptive. At 8.8 percent, the alcohol volume of this brew is nearly double that of domestic beers, but you can hardly tell. Fans of darker beer will be amazed at how smooth this goes down and how little aftertaste remains. Since I haven't tried Samuel Adams Triple Bock yet, I can only give this beer 4.5 of 5 stars.
Typically I am not a fan of Samuel Adams' products and find it surprising that out of all of the seasonal beers reviewed, the only two that can be recommended are the Samuel Adams White Ale and the Samuel Adams Double Bock.
Certainly such reviews are completely subjective and based upon the reviewer's taste. Just remember if you do decide to give any of these brews a chance, please remember to drink them responsibly.
Stevens Point Einbock 2008
This beer, to say the least, is under whelming. It doesn't contain the traditionally rich malt flavoring of a bock and has an odd metallic after taste. If you have never had dental work with metal fillings, feel free to drink this. I have already had that pleasure and so I am forced to give this 1 out of 5 stars.
Samuel Adams White Ale
With a light body, medium carbonation and smooth finish that leaves little to no aftertaste, this wheat ale is surprisingly refreshing. Mild orange and lemon flavors highlight the taste of this brew. This ale made me long for warmer weather so I could sit outside on my porch and pound a few. Because of that, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Rising Moon Spring Ale
This ale from the Blue Moon Brewery is a sweet concoction of malt and lime. Although Blue Moon's Belgian White is amazing with a slice of orange, the Rising Moon Spring Ale's sharp citrus flavoring doesn't mix well with the malt. This concoction has way too many problems to warrant more than 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Sierra Nevada ESB 2008
The hops used in this early spring beer give it a spicy, grassy flavoring that starts off strong and finishes dry and bitter. Fans of Sierra Nevada's other beers will want to give this a shot. Although it isn't an amazing brew, it certainly isn't one of worst either, and so it deserves 3 out 5 stars.
Boulevard Irish Ale
Those who wish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by drinking beer that tastes more like an authentic Irish beer may consider giving this ale a try. However, I wouldn't recommend it. The spicy, hoppy flavor immediately turns into a bitter aftertaste that seems to linger for hours. Trust me, either drink Guinness or dye your Budweiser green. The aftertaste alone forces me to give this 2 out of 5 stars.
Samuel Adams Double Bock
This bock has a rich, caramel flavoring to it that is surprisingly deceptive. At 8.8 percent, the alcohol volume of this brew is nearly double that of domestic beers, but you can hardly tell. Fans of darker beer will be amazed at how smooth this goes down and how little aftertaste remains. Since I haven't tried Samuel Adams Triple Bock yet, I can only give this beer 4.5 of 5 stars.
Typically I am not a fan of Samuel Adams' products and find it surprising that out of all of the seasonal beers reviewed, the only two that can be recommended are the Samuel Adams White Ale and the Samuel Adams Double Bock.
Certainly such reviews are completely subjective and based upon the reviewer's taste. Just remember if you do decide to give any of these brews a chance, please remember to drink them responsibly.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Hellbrewer
posted 4/26/09 @ 8:25 PM CST
You have forgotten German Hefe-weizen, das richtiges deutsches Bier fuer Fruehling.
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