Entries tagged with “California” from Malt & Barley Chronicles

With this review, I may be done with the Trader Joe's beers for a while.  I expect Octoberfests to vary widely, but this particular version just doesn't fit the bill.   A lager that behaves like an American Pale Ale isn't really necessary in my book.

Characteristics: Medium-copper color, light body, slightly stinging carbonation without any real head, sour hoppy tones dominate at start and finish over a yeasty middle.

Gripes: I've gotten headaches from drinking this beer, for no perceptible reason.  I'm also not a fan of the hop-heavy American pale ales, so your mileage may vary.

Bottom Line: Trader Joe's produces a dull and uninspired effort at a fest beer.  Even the mass-produced Sam Adams Octoberfest beats this one, never mind the heavyweight Hofbrau or other import variations.

Rating: 4 / 10

This beer clearly highlights the variability of bocks, as it runs far closer to the porter camp than the more traditional amber-style bocks, but without the syrupy side of the doppelbocks. Unfortunately, I have a hunch that this six pack was somewhat aged and therefore not a completely accurate example.

Characteristics: Dark brown and nearly opaque, minimal head and low carbonation, medium body, roasted/toasted grain flavors with a hint of sour cherry, finishing dry and slightly bitter.

Minor Gripes: The overall taste is awfully close to stale, slightly burnt toast -- the hops don't mesh well with the wheat and malt flavors.

Bottom Line: This is one of the more unique bocks I've tasted, and I'd prefer to try it again in a fresher context (perhaps a tavern by the bay?). For those closer to the West Coast who like Samuel Smith's porter and stout offerings, the Anchor Bock is definitely recommended.

Rating: 5.75 / 10

I don't know exactly when Trader Joe's specialty grocery store started brewing its own beer (or at least formulating its own recipes), but it makes sense since they've been known for "Two Buck Chuck" wine for many years.  There are about four varieties right now, but the Bock seemed like the most promising starting point.

Characteristics: Warm gold color, decent head when poured that settles quickly with low to medium carbonation, medium body, overall smooth flavor with occasional yeasty and slightly sharp malty moments.

Minor Gripes: Surprisingly, I can't taste the 7% ABV, which is a dangerous thing given the overall drinkability.

Bottom Line: If not for the overloaded alcohol content, this would easily be a "session beer." It's mellower (and less complex) than most bocks I've tried, and it goes down easy.  If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, this is certainly worth checking out.

Rating: 6 / 10

Perhaps I should call this edition "Press Your Luck"  (with apologies to the late Peter Tomarken and the Whammy).  After the Belgian Frostbite and Black Chocolate Stout, I decided to try another "winter beer."  Pyramid may be a fine brewery, but I'm still not having real success with their beers.  And now that I've been put to shame (no surprise) by the Hedonist Beer Jive holiday round-up (though he hasn't hit my selections yet), I will retreat from the "holiday ale" category and wait for Bock-season to kick in.

Characteristics: Deep brown-red color, light carbonation, medium body that gets heavier as it warms, starts with a hoppy bite and then goes through a brief roasted malty phase before the Belgian sugar element takes over.

Minor Gripes: There's an odd, uncomfortable sourness that emerges as this beer warms, beyond the sugar -- and sour isn't a taste I particularly want in my beer. 

Bottom Line: Neither the worst nor the best of the winter seasonals I've ever sampled.  Drink it cold and quickly unless you're ready for the sour and syrupy moments. 

Rating: 5 / 10

After the Oktoberfests, my favorite beverage of the autumn is a hearty pumpkin ale.  Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to brew with fruit... the first pumpkin I tried this year was so bad that I didn't even review it.  Buffalo Bill's, however, does know something about fruit, as shown by their brilliant Orange Blossom Cream Ale.

Characteristics: Rich amber-brown color, medium body, medium-to-high carbonation, tangy amber start that mellows through the pumpkin and slight cinnamon flavor to a nutmegy finish.

Minor Gripes: Unfortunately for the average American beer drinker, the flavors really don't burst until this beer warms up a lot... definitely skip the frosted glass.  Also, the nutmeg sometimes resolves to a bitter aftertaste -- the pumpkin doesn't hold through the finish.

Bottom Line: Among the better pumpkin beers I've sampled, and perhaps the only where one can enjoy more than one in a sitting.

Rating: 6 / 10