Monthly Archives: July 2009

Miller High Life

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Miller High LifeBeer-a-Day #203

Over 100 years of brewing tradition and the finest ingredients have made this smooth, golden lager an American classic.

The Champagne of Beers® is one of those “old man beers”. I certainly thought so in my youth, as my friends and I opted for the much hipper Miller Genuine Draft. (Would you believe there’s also a Miller High Life Light?)

Like all of the rest of the macro lagers I’ve had this week, this one is very pale with a white head that drops quickly. It’s slightly darker than Miller Lite, but that’s like saying ivory is slightly darker than eggshell. I get an aroma kind of like putty. On second sniff I get something like soap. What little flavor is gone when I finish swallowing.

To be honest, of all the macros I’ve had in this stretch, I like this one the best so far.

Miller High Life

Miller Lite

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miller-liteBeer-a-Day #202

Everything you’ve always wanted in a beer. And less.

I’ll give the Miller people credit, they’ve made some awfully amusing commercials over the years. The “Tastes Great. Less Filling.” campaign may have been one of the most successful ever.

Super pale with a white head. Unlike the other macros I’ve had the last few days it actually has a little head retention. Not much scent; a little vegetable aroma. Has a bit more flavor than the others I’ve had lately.

Miller Lite


Bud Light

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Bud LightBeer-a-Day #201

It’s the most popular beer in the world*. It offers “Superior Drinkability”**.

Why, then, am I dreading this?

(Come on, Al. Keep an open mind.)

Pale, pale straw, with a white head that drops nearly instantly. I smell virtually nothing. There might be a bit of hop fruitiness. There’s carbonation, and some essence of beer, but there’s virtually no flavor at all.

Or, as someone else so delicately put it, it’s “best used to wash the sidewalk“.

Bud Light

* According to Anheuser-Busch InBev
** Again, according to ABIB…or at least their marketing people

Budweiser

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Budweiser canBeer-a-Day #200

I am in the midst of a two-week (or so) stretch of drinking macro lagers. It seems appropriate then at this milestone to have the King of Beers®.

This is the famous Budweiser beer. We know of no brand produced by any other brewer which costs so much to brew and age. Our exclusive Beechwood Aging produces a taste, a smoothness, and a drinkability you will find in no other beer at any price.

I used to have that little speech memorized.

The can still opens with that classic “pss-ch-kok!” that I remember. Pale yellow with a big white head that dissipates quickly. Smells like lavender dish soap. There’s a beer in there, but it tastes vaguely of boiled vegetables. I wouldn’t exactly rate it a one on the Unofficial Hop Talk beer rating system, but it’s pretty close.

Budweiser

Coors Light

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coors-light-canBeer-a-Day #199

Nothing’s more refreshing than an ice cold Coors Light. Our Rocky Mountain heritage and unique Frost Brewing® process deliver that crisp, refreshing taste you can’t find anywhere else.

Yeah. Right.

Okay, let’s keep an open mind. Besides, I got a dozen other macros to get through. I did make sure my mountains were blue, though.

Very, very pale; head drops very quickly. Actually fairly fruity aroma. And…virtually no flavor. It’s like beer-flavored water.

Coors Light

Schaefer Beer

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Schaefer BeerBeer-a-Day #198

Schaefer is the one beer to have when you’re having more than one.

And so I begin macro beer…well, more than a week.

I had hoped to get this for Father’s Day, but none of my local retailers had it. I had to go pretty far afield before I found it. As I’ve mentioned, this was my Dad’s beer of choice eons ago. It was certainly the first beer I ever tasted.

Pale straw with plenty of white head. Some floral aroma and a touch of sulfur. Flavor is light with a slightly unpleasant aftertaste. Actually, it tastes better straight from the can.

Wil Wheaton @ Stone Brewing – July 23

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Wil Wheaton, author, screen star, and geek icon, will be reading some of his work on the evening of July 23, 2009 at the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens.

in which we combine wil wheaton, books, and beer. (mmmm … beer.)

Wait. That’s not what I was going to say. I mean, yes, it’s personal, but that’s not what’s awesome about this time. What’s awesome about this time is that I’m just the opening act for Rifftrax! They’re doing The Matrix: The One That Really Sucks Out Loud And Makes You Want To Punch Babies. (No, not that one, the other one.) For the six of you who don’t know: Rifftrax is a few of the guys from MST3K doing that thing they do so well, only this time they’re doing it LIVE. I think it’s safe to say that it’ll be awesome.

I start at 6pm. I plan to read for either 20 or 40 minutes, depending on how many people show up, and what they’re in the mood to hear me read. I’ll be prepared with stuff from Happiest Days of Our Lives, and stuff from Memories of the Future. I’ll also be prepared to stare into an empty space, wipe a single tear from my eye, and go drown my sorrows in beer. (That, by the way, is one of my default settings and is not specific to this event. It is a class feature, if you will.)

I wish I could go but, alas, it’s on the wrong coast. Details here. More here.

Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale

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Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale AleBeer-a-Day #197

Meet the Alpha of the pack … Flying Dog Classic Pale Ale is brilliant amber in color and dry hopped with buckets full of Cascades for an unrivaled hop flavor and aroma. This is a true representation of an American-style pale ale, using the finest ingredients. Flying Dog Classic Pale Ale is a multi-award winning product and is consistently ranked as one of the best pale ales in the U.S. This is what craft beer is all about.

I would have written this up long ago, but my wife likes it so much I can’t keep it in the house long enough.

Copper colored and clear. Very pretty. Hops, hops, and hops in the aroma. Nicely balanced with just a little extra kick of bitterness.

Now to hide a few bottles…

Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale

Redhook Sunrye Summer Ale

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Redhook Sunrye Summer AleBeer-a-Day #196

One needs a light, refreshing ale to slay a summer thirst. Our golden-colored Sunrye fits the bill. Brewed with six barley malts and a touch of rye, it was practically made for trips to the lake and open-flame cookouts.

Bright golden yellow with not much head. Looks light, smells light; a little like sunflower seeds. The taste is light, a little nutty, with a pleasant bitterness. Not heavy at all. I’d have this again.

Redhook

Victory Whirlwind Witbier

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Victory Whirlwind WitbierBeer-a-Day #195

A swirling dynamo of flavor, with a steady calm of satisfaction at its heart, that’s Whirlwind Witbier. Offering a tamed tempest of flavors both spicy and sublime, this softly fermented ale greets the nose and tingles the tongue. Imported Belgian yeast charges Whirlwind with an energy all its own. It is a refreshing interpretation of the classic, Belgian ‘white beer’ style.

Cloudy lemonade. Banana and clove and a bit of lemon. Light and subtle, yet refreshing. I’d have that again.

Victory Whirlwind Witbier