April 2006 Archives

The cousin to the classic "Blackened Voodoo" lager, Crimson Voodoo is another fine red ale. I suppose I should wonder how long this was on the shelf (i.e. is Dixie Brewery reopened yet?) but it didn't seem any worse for wear.

Characteristics: Rich brown color with red highlights; light body; warm malty flavor that opens smooth and finishes with a tang (especially as the beer warms slightly).

Minor Gripes: The tanginess becomes overpowering if the beer warms too much.

Bottom Line: As red ales go, I'd rank Crimson Voodoo pretty high... just behind Boulevard Irish Red (a Kansas City seasonal, hopefully to be reviewed when I'm out there next week) and perhaps equal to Smithwick's (which has a drier profile and greater carbonation than Dixie).

Rating: 6.5 / 10

... otherwise known as a news roundup (thanks mostly to Engadget and Gizmodo).

I'm somewhat torn on this one -- the Teamsters local in Philadelphia has called for a boycott on Yuengling beers in support of negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. I grew up in a union home, respect what they were able to accomplish in the past, and fear that we need some kind of worker's rights movement more now than ever... but I'm reluctant to join a boycott just because the Teamsters say so.  More information would definitely be welcomed.

Our friends in the land of the macrobrew, Miller Brewing, have licensed the technology to offer self-cooling beer cans -- opening the door to charging more for less liquid (16 oz. can, 10.5 oz beer).

Until that technology hits the streets, however, how about the portable chiller (with optional car lighter plug)?

Here's perhaps the strangest device I've seen in some time... place your freshly poured (but non-widgetted) pint of Guinness on the small disk and watch the magic of ultrasonic technology power bubbles through the stout just like a true nitrogenated, two-stage pour.  Unfortunately, Guinness claims you need to buy special beer (likely with saturated nitrogen activated by the ultrasonic waves).

For those who want to feel better about their consumption, look to Brooklyn Brewery or New Belgium Brewery who are finding ways to use (and generate) alternative energy sources. 

How to avoid the scourge of drinking alone? That's right... try the "lovers cups" and be connected to others around you. 

Finally, I've scored a few wacky soundbites from the world of malt and barley advertising.  There's obviously more to be unearthed, but for now I'll offer you the "Young Adults" (MP3) on the joys of Hamm's (from the land of sky blue waters) and WFMU's remembrance of Olde Frothingslosh.

Technorati: beer, environment, Guinness, Hamm's, Brooklyn Brewery, New Belgium, Olde Frothingslosh

Lemony.  Chalky.  Not particularly dry.  Are these adjectives you'd use in connection with an "India Pale Ale"? I have to say I'm increasingly disappointed with Magic Hat... They have good ideas, but I haven't found any I've enjoyed since Jinx last fall.  (The St. Gootz was so dull and uninspired I couldn't even bring myself to review it.)

Characteristics:  Light golden color with a little cloudiness, thin body, minimal head. Flavor profile isn't worth discussing, whether ice-cold or closer to room temperature.

Gripes: Did I mention the powdered lemonade that gives way to chalk?  There's almost no bitterness, either -- a slight problem when compared to either the American or English styles of IPAs.

Bottom Line: Best consumed ice-cold and in a frosty glass so you can't taste much of it.

Rating: 2.5 / 10

Technorati: ale, Vermont, Burlington, I.P.A.

When I lived in central New Jersey, Yuengling Porter was this secretive beer that was rarely found -- in the paths I travelled, most often the Khyber Pass Pub in Philly.  The Black & Tan and standard ruddy lager were far more common.  That pattern seems to continue today, though I'm not entirely sure why.  Perhaps it's the fear of dark-colored beers... it shouldn't have anything to do with drinkability or flavor.

Characteristics: Dark reddish brown with a thin (but persistent) tan head; light to medium body; smooth warm flavor with coffee notes (as opposed to chocolate) in the midsection.

Minor Gripes: Availability; occasional inconsistency in flavor, within a six-pack and even within a bottle -- it doesn't always hold a steady profile as it warms up and can run bitter.

Bottom Line: Yuengling is an excellent "summer porter" -- when you want a darker, flavorful beer but can't handle the motor oil consistency of many porters.

Rating: 6 / 10

Since when does a small town in East Anglia get to pass itself off as the southeast of Ireland, claiming to use a recipe dating back to 1810?  Again, "truth in advertising" counts for something.  Putting aside that issue, I did enjoy the beer... very much like a Boddington's, including the nice pressurized widget can.

Characteristics: Smooth gold color and a persistent head emerging after the nitrogenized pour; smooth flavor somewhere between the tang of a red and the flat (yet refreshing) of a pilsener: light body despite the appearance. 

Minor Gripes: Working from memory, I can't distinguish this in any way from Boddington's, other than the misidentified origin (noted above).  It's also not immediately different from my memories of Kilkenney Ale (another beverage I'd like to find stateside) or even Genesee Cream Ale (though Genny doesn't have the widget, of course).

Bottom Line: Did I mention how smooth this beer is? 

Rating: 5.75 / 10 (docked a quarter-point for fraud)

Chalk one up for "truth in advertising" -- this is a fine red lager formerly offered as "Murphy's Amber."  I'm a little confused by the contract brewing situation (by Heineken), but I suppose it saves on shipping since a Heineken affiliate handles the US imports. And though I'm partial to red ales, the lager finish makes a nice difference with this beer.

Characteristics: Rich reddish color just slightly on the brown end of the spectrum, light body, warm, slightly malty/sweet flavor finishing with a true lager bite (almost like a Budvar/Czechvar). There's even a whisky-like hint of alcohol in the finish, even though it's only 5%.

Minor Gripes: The malt starts to go syrupy as the beer warms up -- though you're not likely to notice if you drink it quickly enough.

Bottom Line: Supremely drinkable, excellent change of pace if you can find it.  Murphy's conveniently offers a beer-finder on its web site -- but only for pubs in Ireland.

Rating: 6.5 / 10