Beer reviews and blog posts by John
John is a pastor near St. Paul, the home of now-deceased Hamms Brewery. Beer tasting has become a hobby of sorts. The Twin Cities provides a host of local beers - Surly, Summit, etc., so the hobby has great potential for growth. He enjoys a Corona with pizza, a dark beer with chocolate and "the house" beer with ribs.
by John | Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams), Irish Red Ale, Massachusetts, Mug, Pint Glass, United States |
I would have never bought this beer on my own but I couldn’t pass up the gift. A wine drinking friend of mine won a variety 12 pack and wanted to get rid of a bunch so I accommodated his wishes gracefully. I wouldn’t buy this because I lean toward craft...
by John | American Pale Ale (APA), Great Waters Brewing Company, Minnesota, Mug, Pint Glass, United States |
On March 17 I purchased my first growler! For those who are new to the beer world a growler is 64 oz of beer in a bottle. Great Waters doesn’t sell their beer any other way. I had some extra on may GW gift certificate and wanted to spend it ASAP. So I bought the...
by John | Imperial / Double IPA, New York, Snifter, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass |
Two words — GREAT BEER. Wow. As I look back on this a story emerges. First, I love Southern Tier. Just about anything they brew I like. Second I’m a six pack guy more than a four pack. For a couple reasons. If it is a bad beer I’d rather go cheaper...
by John | Imperial / Double IPA, New York, Snifter, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass, Wood-Aged Beers |
“Unearthly” is a great IPA. It was another hit that I discovered at a local beer festival. I wrote down “get this one” and two months later sipped the 22 ozer helping all alone. It poured a tan, sudsy head that disappeared quickly. This amber...
by John | Imperial / Double IPA, Oregon, Snifter, Tulip, United States, Widmer Brothers Brewery, Wine Glass |
Deadlift was another hit at the St. Paul Beerfest. I quickly noted to pick up a couple of these for the frig and a review. So here goes. If the words “smooth”, “thick”, “complex” and “berryish” appeal to you for a IPA...
by John | American Amber / Red Ale, American IPA, California, Hoppy Brewing Company, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, United States |
Beer Festivals are great. You ought to go at least once in your life. It was a 90+ degree day in St. Paul so by the time I got to the display booth for Hoppy Brewery I was really in the mood for a hoppy beer. I had tried stouts, pilsners, blondes, porters and a number...
by John | Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado, Mug, Oatmeal Stout, Pint Glass, United States |
I was visiting a Binny’s in Chicagoland when I asked “the beer man” what was a great stout. He pointed me to Breckenridge Oatmeal. One of my first experiences with a stout was to get an oatmeal stout so I was ready for a very smooth drink. Good...
by John | American Pale Ale (APA), Mug, New York, Pint Glass, Southern Tier Brewing Company, United States |
I picked up this great ale in the Southern Tier mixer pack. I find it hard to not like every beer among the selection. This is a wonderful beer for the summer. Light, refreshing, sessionable and effervescent. Perfect. I pulled this out of frig at about 37 degrees. It...
by John | Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company, Mississippi, Mug, Pint Glass, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States |
I love Brett Favre so when I saw that Lazy Magnolia is brewed in Kiln, MS (Brett’s home town) I was even more curious about the great name “Lazy Magnolia”. This light amber colored spiced ale starts with little fragrance and a mouth...
by John | Fruit Beers, Georgia, SweetWater Brewing Company, United States |
While visiting Atlanta I was on the hunt for Blue. I had tasted Sweetwater’s 420 and Geogia Brown but was not impressed. Tom (see Reviewers) had pointed me toward Blue and spoke highly of it. One taste and I too was hooked on this facinating beer. It was light,...
by John | American Pale Ale (APA), Ellicottville Brewing Company, Mug, New York, Pint Glass, United States |
I have learned to be cautious about my expectations when opening a bottle of beer from a “Beer-of-the-Month-Club” selection. So when I popped the EBC Pale Ale I was delighted. Ellicottville is located in southwestern New York state. It has been called the...
by John | American / Robust Porter, Deschutes Brewery, Mug, Oregon, Pint Glass, United States |
This was a $2.99! When I bought it from John at Dennis Brothers I looked at the receipt and told him there must be a mistake. No mistake. A 22 oz great porter for under $3. I lean toward the stout side of beers but liked this anyway. It is a “stout light”....
by John | American IPA, Massachusetts, Mug, Pint Glass, Sherwood Forest Brewers Ltd., United States |
Who doesn’t love Robin Hood? A tough guy, hero type who restores justice to the land. It doesn’t get any better than that. As to be expected he loves beer too! In fact he started a brewery in New England. Marlborough, MA to be exact. Today Robin and his...
by John | American Strong Ale, Imperial Beers, Mug, Oregon, Pint Glass, Rogue Ales, Snifter, United States |
I loved my first Dead Guy Ale so when I saw the “Double” I thought I’d better grab this one. I’m not sure what “double” does but this is a fine beer. I think it has something to do with it being categorized as a “Strong...
by John | Great Waters Brewing Company, Minnesota, Mug, Oatmeal Stout, Pint Glass, United States |
The Great Waters Brewing Co is nestled in the quaintest part of downtown St. Paul on the corner of the “Hamm” building. Right there you have rich beer history. St. Paul has a long history of beer making and beer pride so when we entered into the GWB my...
by John | Anheuser Busch Brewery, Missouri, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States, Witbier |
The commercials are better than the beer! You’ve maybe seen Budweiser’s campaign to capture another audience. On TV the bottle of BL (male) meets the grains of wheat (female) and they start a relationship. Provocative marketing out does the product. I...
by John | Minnesota, Pint Glass, Saison / Farmhouse Ale, Surly Brewing Company, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass |
Main Entry: cyn·ic Pronunciation: \’si-nik\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle French or Latin, Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos, literally, like a dog, from kyn-, kyon dog Date: 1542 1 capitalized : an adherent of an ancient Greek...
by John | American Brown Ale, Minnesota, Mug, Pint Glass, Surly Brewing Company, United States |
I hate warm beer! However, when it comes to Surly’s Bender I’ve modified my convictions. Bender is the darker cousin of Furious. It has a similar fragrance but richer. A similar color but deeper. A similar mouth feel but smoother. It has the Surly unique...
by John | American IPA, Minnesota, Mug, Pint Glass, Surly Brewing Company, United States |
Surly Brewing Co. has got to be the bright spot of Brooklyn Center, Mn. This is a Twins Cities suburb that made a decision in the 70s to not redevelop! Ouch! Ever since crime has gone up, commercial businesses have moved out and blight has come in. It’s a mess...
by John | England, Inveralmond Brewery Ltd., Mug, Pint Glass, Scottish Ale |
“Inver” is a Scottish thing! Inverness is the most famous “inver” I assume but “inver” will now turn my thoughts not just to a fabled sea monster in a long, narrow, deep body of water but to beer. This beer is brewed just 2 and a half hours from the sight of the Lock...
by John | American / Robust Porter, HaandBryggeriet Brewery, Mug, Norway, Pint Glass |
Haandbryggeriet is the brewer of Nissefar, a Norwegian ale. It’s a seasonal brew called “Father Christmas” in English. You need two things to want buy this beer; appreciation for a nice bottle and a love of molasses. This is a very dark beer. I...
by John | California, Moylan's Brewery, Mug, Pint Glass, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States |
Seeing as it’s “the most wonderful time of the year” I have been enjoying Christmas brews. A friend of mine owns a “ma and pa” liquor store so I dropped into inquire about this season’s selections. This was their newest one. I...
by John | Avery Brewing Company, Colorado, Goblet, Quadrupel, Snifter, Tulip, United States |
Avery Reverend is a Belgian Quadrupel Ale brewed in Boulder, Colorado. The brewers tell us that “The Reverend, was created in tribute to the life of Sales Mgr. Tom Boogaard’s grandfather, an ordained Episcopal Reverend.’ I’m always looking for...
by John | Biére de Garde, European Dark Lager, Fischer Brewery, France, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, Tulip, Wine Glass |
Fischer is a nice ale brew from Strasbourg, France which proves that the French can do more than whine about Americans, take long vacations and make wine. I was pleasantly surprised by this find. A year ago at Christmas time our family was in France drinking wine and...
by John | Adjunct Lager, East African Breweries Ltd., Kenya, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass |
Tusker is the main brand of East African Breweries. It was first marketed in 1923, shortly after the founder of Kenya Breweries Ltd, George Hurst, was killed by an elephant during a hunting accident. It was in this year that the elephant logo, that is synonymous with...