Wyld Extra Pale Ale

Wyld Extra Pale Ale

Where purchased: Trader Joes

Cost: About 7 or 8 bucks

ABV: 4.0%

Size: 6 Pack - 12 oz

Yes, I'm finally back.  As I mentioned previously, I'm allergic to the nickel in my previous laptop.  I purchased a cover for the laptop and keyboard, but they just didn't cut it.  So, I ordered an all plastic laptop.  I finally received my new laptop this week, so I should be able to start posting reviews again.

Let's get on with this review.  

On my most recent trip to Las Vegas, I saw a six pack of cans packed neatly into a box.  I thought to myself how convenient and easy it would be to carry this six pack back to Hawaii.  So I went for it.  I really didn't spend much time looking at the details behind the beer, so when I got home, I realized that the beer was only 4% alcohol.  I was worried that the beer was going to lack flavor. 

I worried for nothing.  This 4% Extra Pale Ale by Uinta Brewing in Salt Lake City is a very refreshing, flavorful, and sessionable beer.  The interesting thing about this beer is how light it is, yet how much hop flavor is in the beer.  The nose is initially malty and sweet with the slight aroma of hops.  The flavors mirror the nose in that the flavors are hoppy yet, not very bitter.  The beer has an amazing amount of flavor for something that seems so light.  I guess the best way that I could put it is that the beer is light and vibrant.  

I was very pleased with this beer, and it's a shame that I'll have to wait for my next trip to the Mainland to get this beer.  

I'm allergic to my Laptop

I posted this over at my other blog, but I'm allergic to the nickel in my laptop.  It's going to be a few days before a new post, because I don't want to spend an extended amount of time photo editing, and writing anything until my palm guard comes in.

Until then, have a great week!

Youngs Double Chocolate Stout

Youngs Double Chocolate Stout

Where purchased: Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor

Cost: $13.49

ABV: 5.2%

Size: 4 Pack - 14.9 oz

When I saw this 4 pack at the store, I couldn't pass it up.  Not only is the labeling on the can appealing to me, I do love my stouts.  This beer is meant to be poured into a glass.  In fact, the instructions on the can ask you to let the beer settle much like you would a Guinness.  After I poured the beer, the nose on the beer was of roasted malt with a chocolate finish.  The beer smells sweet probably due to the chocolate character.

The beer was very smooth and not very carbonated with flavors primarily of roasted malt.  It might just be that my palette isn't very refined, but the overall flavor of roasted malt, and mouth feel was very similar to a Guinness.  What wasn't similar however were the subtle chocolate flavors that pervades the beer.  I enjoyed drinking this beer.  So much so in fact, that I'm looking forward to drinking the last one tonight.  

Widmer Alchemy Ale

Widmer Alchemy Ale

Where purchased: Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor

Cost: $7.59

ABV: 7.0%

Size: 6 Pack - 12oz

I had a chance to try this beer last year, and I thought it was delicious.  Shortly after I tried it, I went back to the store, and all of the entire stock was sold out!  I haven't seen these resurface back on this island until recently.  This Alchemy Ale reminds me of the Widmer Drifter Pale Ale, which by the way, I do not see around town anymore.  

The nose on this beer is slightly malty and hoppy with a bit of a fruit note on it.  The flavors of this beer mimic the nose in that the initial flavors are slightly malty with the flavors of hops coming through towards the middle and the back of the palette.  I really enjoyed the flavors on this beer as I characterize them being fruity.  I can't detect whether the hops are more citrusy or 'tropical' like some sort of passion fruit or something.  Either way, the flavor profiles of this beer really appeals to me.  If you are a fan of citrusy or fruity hops, you may enjoy this beer too.  

Coronado Brewing Islander IPA

Coronado Brewing Islander IPA

Where purchased: Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor

Cost: $4.59

ABV: 7.0%

Size: 22oz

I was pleasantly surprised by the Coronado Brewing Company's Islander IPA.  This IPA has a very nice fruity nose on it.  At first I thought this nose was a bit citrusy.  But, the more I smelled the beer the more I thought it smelled a little like passion fruit.  I guess I wasn't too far off.  The description on the bottle describes this beer as having notes of apricot, grapefruit and mango after all.  I suppose that's why this is an Islander IPA.

The flavor of this beer is slightly sweet and bitter while simultaneously providing flavors of fruity citrusy hops.  Overall, the balance on this beer was right up my alley.  This is definitely an IPA that I will buy again.  This was after all the third time I purchased this beer in the last couple of months.

Rogue Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

Rogue Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

Where purchased: Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor

Cost: $6.99

ABV: 6.1% according to Beer Advocate

Size: 22oz

I bought this beer a couple of months ago to taste for the purpose of creating this blog.  But, I was still trying to figure out how to photograph my beers back then, so I decided to scrap the photos, and give this beer a shot again.  Let me just say that I was more than happy to give this beer another go.  I love this beer in all of its toasty goodness, and this second tasting did not disappoint.

The nose on this beer is of a toasted/roasted malt with hints of chocolate.  There is also a hint of alcohol coming through on the nose.  The initial flavors of the beer is predominantly bitter roasted malt.  But, something starts to come through shortly after that, and I can only describe it as that bitter full bodied flavor of high quality cocoa chocolate without any of the sweetness.  Finally, the subtle flavors of chocolate finish off this beer.  Books on brewing, and other reviewers will say that oatmeal lends a nice "mouth feel" to beer.  Admittedly, I forgot to notice the mouth feel on this beer because I was too busy enjoying the complexity of the flavors.  This is definitely a beer I could enjoy on a weekly basis.  

Rogue Mom Hefeweizen

Rogue Mom Hefeweizen

Where purchased: Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor

Cost: $6.99

ABV: 4.8% according to Beer Advocate

Size: 22oz

When I first grabbed this beer off the shelf, I hesitated.  I wasn't keen on drinking a beer brewed with roses.  Quite frankly, I don't care how roses smell.  But, I decided to keep an open mind, and I purchased the beer anyway.  

I was pleasantly surprised by the flavors and the aroma of the beer.  This beer actually smelled a lot like the typical malty home brew that I brew up at home.  The nose was of fermented malt which is fairly pungent with no hops aroma.  The flavor was also tart through the entire tasting.  I would have to guess that this tartness is from the fact that the beer probably isn't heavily hopped.  Overall, I really liked the clean yet tart flavor of this beer.  What was interesting to me was a slight flavor of citrus in the aftertaste.  It might be the rose flavors that I'm interpreting as citrus.  

I consider this beer to be clean and sessionable, and considering that it's only 4.8%, I could definitely enjoy more than one of these in one sitting.