Ballast Point Sextant Oatmeal Stout Nitro

Wonderfully delicious stout, just as good as Left hand milk stout nitro. Very smooth. That's all I got for you. Delicious. Also, I think it's a limited edition for San Diego beer week, so we probably won't be able to find in Texas. But if you're in Cali and like stouts, get some! 

Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter

This is a coffee vanilla Imperial Porter. I unfortunately took a huge first sip- wow was it strong! I had to let the flavor settle down. This is definitely a porter with very pronounced coffee and vanilla tones- similar to drinking a pretty stout black coffee. It's got a bold chocolate tone, with some caramel-y hints and a bitterly flavorful aftertaste. This is a delicious beer for fall/winter time sipping with a friend. Would pair nicely with a sweet dessert or after dinner drink. 

Saint Arnold Pumpkinator

We are making our rounds on the pumpkin beer as we can. This stuff can be hard to get your hands on (TWSS). This is an imperial pumpkin stout, nice and dark, mildly bitter, with exceptional pumpkin flavor. It isn't as spicy as some of the other pumpkin beers. Very nice. I like this one much better than the Harpoon. That one nearly put hair on my chest. #texascraftbeer

Stevens Point Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale

Omg. This stuff is so bomb.

- that's my review. So much flavor! Reminds me of the pumpkin pie ice cream from Baskin Robbins. On draft at Hi Hat Public House in Austin, TX. Get some! 

Dogfish Head Theobroma

A pretty sweet ale, with some hints of chilies. According to the label, it is made with honey, cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, ancho chilies, and annatto. I couldn't quite pick out the cocoa nibs and powder. Not sure I would buy again....not bad, but pretty sweet. Purchased from Spec's ~$15/pint.

Ballast Point Indra Kunindra

This is a Limited Release India-style export stout....whatever that means. According to the label, this beer is crafted with curry, cumin, cayenne, coconut, and Kaffir lime leaf. I was pretty skeptical and figured I wouldn't like, but boy was I wrong! This is an amazingly smooth, mildly sweet stout packed with so much flavor. To me, the coconut hints are the most prominent followed by a mild hint of cayenne,probably bc my pallet isn't used to the spices used. This was the last one on the shelves at Spec's. I would give it a whirl if you're able to track one down. I'm impressed! 

R & R Coconut IPA

I was sooooo excited when Chris tracked down this hard to find collaboration brew.  We popped it, and well, drumroll please: it had zero coconut flavor. We both agreed it is just a fruity hoppy IPA. :( bummer. I couldn't taste a single hint of coconut! Well, at least we were limited to just one! 

Southern Tier Imperial Pumking

I've been anxiously awaiting the Dogfish Head Punkin Ale....yup, you start to feel like you might have a problem when you learn the delivery dates of beer trucks at more than one of your local liquor stores, just because you want to make sure you don't miss out on a delivery. I gave the Harpoon Imperial Pumpkin a shot, but it was like pumpkin motor oil, not my cup of tea. But I gave this Pumking a try, and wow, amazing pumpkin flavor, lots of great fall spices. It can definitely compete with Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, and if I don't get in on any of it, i might be okay with it. If you like beer and pumpkin with a punch, give this one a whirl! Found this at my local Spec's, ~$8/ 650mLs.

Jester King Brewery Salt Lick Censored

Yuck! This is a pecan wood smoked saison....what does it taste like? Umm, sour mold, with a smoky aftertaste that lingers. I took several sips, and I tried to like it. Chris did the same. We took our $13.99 loss, and tossed it down the drain! And let me tell you, beer lovers don't do that often! I must not have a palate for saisons. I think this is the second one I've tried and didn't like. I might have to refer back to previous blogs....absolutely "turrible!"

Left Hand Brewing Co. Stranger Pale Ale

This beer is just mildly hoppy (maybe bc I've been drinking IPAs a bit lately) that doesn't linger too long. It's really refreshing, with lime hints. We bought this in a Left Hand Multi-pack from Spec's. This is a nice summer beer!

Pinthouse Pizza 2013 Belgian Beer Festival

What an awesome fest; we were able to sit inside and order food in the air condition and head outside as needed to fill our snifters. Great beer selection, 47 draft beers, 5 bottles. There was plenty of staff, and all were very friendly. I look forward to another beer fest here! Great day hanging with Chris, Javi, Mickey, Sam, Olen, Erin and the babies!

Rogue Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

Wow, a very stout, stout. It's definitely not one of the sweeter ones. It packs a punch full of coffee/chocolate hints and some hops,with a non-lingering bitter aftertaste. I'm not sure if I could drink a whole one by myself, but definitely has some quality flavors. If you like dry stouts, then give this one a whirl. Available at Spec's in a 22 oz. bottle. Cheers!

Sixpoint 3 Beans

I've been wanting to blog about this one since I first tried it at the kite fest this year. This one is loaded with flavor, strong hints of chocolate and coffee, with a mildly bitter hop aftertaste. It contains a blend of cacao, coffee, and Romano beans, according to the box. The can is labeled as an ale, but it resembles a thin porter that would be great for the spring/summer months. It's available in a can, which is ideal for the pool, the beach, or the lake. This can packs a punch at 10%ABV, so sip responsibly! Available at Spec's, haven't found at any smaller grocery chains.

Real Ale Brewers' Cut Altbier

This beer is quite similar to Hops and Grain Alteration (another altbier) but maybe a bit lighter. Has the maltiness of a lager, but has a perfect bit of hoppiness, mildly bitter. Excellent beer. I'd definitely try again, available at Spec's.

512 Pecan Porter with Fuggle Hops Cask

Delicious pecan porter, very smooth. Not quite sure how to describe the Fuggle hops. I like this cask better than the Nitro version; its less smoky. If you can get your hands on some, give it a whirl!

Don Jalapeño Ale

Definitely an ale, and definitely heavy on the jalapeño. I definitely would not order it again. I think this would be better as a jalapeño smoked porter. Ehh, oh well, always fun to try new beer! Cheers to the weekend!

Lone Pint Jabberwocky Imperial IPA

A floral IPA, pretty sweet for an IPA, kinda like a belgian, but still hoppy and very smooth. Just lovely. Sipping on it here at Craft Pride at Rainey Street.

Real Ale Morgul

This one poured nicely, nice head....and then it went away. Initially, its a very fruity porter, with licorice hints that fade, and coffee hints become more prominent after. It was a little too fruity and licorice-y for me. I could have finished it, but decided to trade it in for something else. Should have just asked for a taster. Oops.

Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Ale

This is a dark beer, similar to a stout. The chocolate and banana favors are more prominent than the peanut butter. Although not super sweet, I'd make this more of an end-of-the-night dessert beer. It was $14 for a pint at a specialty mini mart. I dig it. Pricey. But I dig it.

Hops and Grain Alteration

Sitting here at Hi Hat Public Hpuse, a brewpub in Austin. It's only been here 3 months. Lots of craft taps, really pleasant owner, the ideal peaceful Austin atmosphere. I tried too many beers to blog about. Settled on Hops and Grain Alteration. It's a dark brew, kinda tastes like a porter, a bit hoppier than a lager, kinda like a craft Shiner. I don't think they bottle, but its a good standard craft to work on, on a Sunday afternoon. Happy Sunday! Cheers!

Thirsty Goat Smoked Porter

So....I'm just sitting here at at Thirsty Planet here in Austin. At first sip, I was thinkin' this was a wee bit too smoky. But by a few sips in, I was digging it. This would be great paired with BBQ or a burger. I love porters, but I think they're more of a fall/winter beer. I could probably drink this porter in the warmer months. Yum. Try some.

Real Ale 4 Squared Dry Hopped Ale

Smells like grapefruit and arm pit. Tastes kinda like a dirty arm pit, if I had tasted one before. Very Hoppy. Not sure if I would drink it again. Got it at Hopfield's in Austin.

New Belgium Dig Pale Ale (Spring Seasonal)

Hmm. I wanted to blog about this one last night, but I didn't know how to describe it. So, 24 hours later, all I came up with is, perfect. Not too hoppy but pleasantly flavorful with a bit of citrus. Too bad it looks like its around just for Spring. It's delish. Get some! Should be easy to find at any local grocer that carries New Belgium.

Saint Arnold Spring Bock

Tried this brew a couple of weeks ago at Trudy's. Its a really smooth malty beer, not too sweet and definitely not heavy on the hops. It's not too heavy or thick. It's one of those beers you could drink on for a while (and have more than one). Nothing too extraordinary, but in a restaurant or store with a small selection, this would be a decent buy.

Pouring the Perfect MILK STOUT

I had previously told you how much I love Left Hand Milk Stout, but that I prefer it on draft b/c you get better head than when you get it on draft (TWSS).

Then....I noticed one of those scan codes on the side of the 6-pack, leading to instructions on the perfect pour. You definitely pour this differently than other beers. So...I thought I would post: milkstoutnitro.com. Check it out! Easy and yummy!

Rogue/Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale

Got this one for Christmas from Chris' cousin Julie. I'm going to guess she picked it up at Spec's or Whip-in. I was holding it for a special day and figured ehh- it's Registered Dietitian Day, why not celebrate with BACON MAPLE ALE?! This is the smokiest beer I've ever tried, like you have the flavor of burnt BBQ lingering in your mouth. I thought the maple flavoring would make it sweet, but fortunately that hint isn't too distinguished in this ale. The beer itself is made with applewood bacon....but the beer is so smoky, I couldn't pull too much pork out of it (thank goodness bc I was kinda scared). Definitely not putting this on my wish list, but glad I got to try it! That's half the fun!

Left Hand Brewing Co. Milk Stout Nitro

I tried several beers over the weekend, but eh, forgot to get their names, evaluate....etc. I first tried this Milk Stout Nitro at Pinthouse Pizza in Austin. I loved it so much; I call it chocolate milk stout. It's smooth and mocha-y, not dry, and just mildly sweet and smokey. I prefer it on draft by a bartender that knows how to pour it perfectly so each sip gets the perfect amount of head, over a bottle. The foam makes it that much creamier and yummier. It's my favorite stout out there, right now. I've seen it all around Austin, and of course we saw it around Colorado, since that's where Left Hand Brewing Co. is located. We bought this six-pack at Whip-In, but I think it is pretty easy to find! Give it a whirl. I'm sure I won't be drinking porters and stouts as the weather warms. Cheers! And also, I hope you like my Easter lavender nails!

Jester King El Cedro

I had no intention of posting about two beers in one night....and well, then....Chris cracked open a Jester King (brewed just outside of Austin) El Cedro. It is a "hoppy cedar-aged ale." It is hoppy like an IPA, but the bitterness doesn't linger as long. I think it is very citrus-y, particularly grapefruit. Only other beer I have had with grapefruit hints is Shiner Ruby Redbird (the nastiest ginger/grapefuit beer I've ever had). I would drink it again. Bottle came from Spec's and it is a Limited beer. So, there you have it, hoppy and grape-fruit-y. Hey...I told you this was a NOVICE blog!

Breckenridge Brewery Vanilla Porter Ale

I've postponed some beer drinking previously, as I wanted to have the "perfect" beer review for my first blog. But, well, then we drank some of those "perfect" brews, and I still hadn't started my blog. So....today, I start my first real entry, with a cool, light porter we had in the fridge, BRECKENRIDGE VANILLA PORTER ALE. I tried this for the first time on my 30th birthday in Keystone, Colorado. This porter carries just enough sweet, without making it a cocktail. It has the perfect amount of vanilla if you ask me too (I don't recommend to people that don't like vanilla). I think it is fairly light for a porter, not quite as heavy as a stout. I think it is a great cold-weather beer. It might not be one to drink all night, but is a nice dessert, or after-dinner beer. You can find it at Spec's.

Welcome to my novice blog, where I express my non-expert opinion on various craft beer (because we all know I love sharing).