The Beer Cellar

In the madness of the last few weeks, I have failed to conclude my Summer beer blog competition. NOW, I will post about the next three beers and the winner of the beer competition. (Kinda Buzzkill I know, but I’ve been putting it off too long)

Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale- Flying Dog has been one of the most honest brewers I’ve tried. Their label matches very much the gritty, powerful and sometimes craziness of their brews. Thus their flavor notes description of ‘slight biscuit, toast malt flavor with subtle hop bitterness’ is spot on. The only thing I will add to their description is that the beer is very tasty without the typical awkwardness of uniquely flavored varieties. This is a great beer that beckons to be paired with wings, ribs, burgers, steak, or anything sticky and edible- aka summer.
      Grade:
      Classic American: 9/10 (Flying Dog should start to be included in American originality
      Aroma: 9/10
     Originality/Complexity: 9/10
      Clever Name: 8.75/10 (sometimes Gonzo is a little weird)
     Overall:  9/10

Kulmbacher Edelherb Premium Pils Bavarian Lager: Now, you will learn soon, that I like to drink international beers. Until January, I wasn’t too knowledgeable of Bavarian beer, nor even what Bavaria was. Now that I have a degree (haha) I’ve learned where Bavaria is in Germany. More importantly, I’ve established in my mind that I have a palette for their often old and quite famous brewing tradition. I wasn’t sure what Kulmbacher would be, but I had predispositions for it. Nonetheless, I was startled by how simple and elegant it was compared to other Bavarian beers I’ve had. Maybe I should have learned a bit more. Not all Bavarian beers were hefty. This one was light, with even bubbles. Now, this was one of the only deviant aspects of Kulmbacher from other Bavarians, but it had a substantial effect. Pairing its easy sipping potential and its rather indescribable elegance with traits most Bavarian beers seem to have (a great thick head, a great color, a bitter but crisp taste, and its smooth and increasingly flavorful remnant tastes) this beer is a winner. Like Tire Bite it is so unique and my biggest qualm with it was that I did not have more bottles to drink. Oh well.    
       Grade:
       Uniquely European: 9.5/10
       Slow Sippers: 8.75/10
       Originality/Complexity: 9.5/10
       Darkhorse: 8/10     
       Overall: 9/10

Full Sail LTD: I Hate to do this, but I seem to have forgotten to rate this beer. All I remember was I was quite disappointedby a brew that advertised uniqueness and limited quantities. Certainly it did not make me feel special for drinking it: that wasn’t something new or substantial. I wouldn’t take this review of Full Sail too seriously because I failed to be a great researcher. Still, I know I wouldn’t recommend it. 7/10?

Still, I think I overlooked Full Sail Limited because of a surprising find: Victory Summer Love is by far the best beer with the word “summer” on the label I’ve had thus far. Now, Victory Summer Love was not part of this competition, but I drank one after a Full Sail LTD and was blown away. Maybe it’s why I forgot to grade you Full Sail. Anyways, Summer Love starts with a hoppy bite like an IPA and transitions gracefully on my palate to a sweet flavor reminiscent of caramelized apple or a super sweet mango/apricot smoothie. I’ve never had a beer to transition from bite to sweet so quickly. I love it. Also, Summer Love is from Victory, a brewery I’m learning to love more and more. 
      Grade:
      Classic American: 9/10
        Blend: 8/10
        Seasonal Concoctions: 10/10
        Originality/Complexity: 9.75/10
        Overall: 9.5/10

*WINNER*

Tire Bite & Kulmbacher have tied!! (Try them)

Three great beers and the summer has really just begun (in two days)

Love,