various notes

I've tried an assortment of new beers in the past few weeks, in addition to the aforementioned summer brews-- those were just the only ones I could remember the last time I was in front of the computer. Now I have in front of me the notebook which I've been writing beers down in, I can fill you in on these:

Widmer Hefeweizen: This hefeweizen is legit, but no Love or Sam Adams. But good.

Trader Joe's Hofbrau Bock: I expected this to be kind of thick and sweet like a lot of bock beers I've had. Thankfully that was not the case. Not too sweet, not too hoppy, plenty drinkable. I approve. I've been told that I'd love Trader Joe's on the whole. I've still never been to one. I need to remedy this. This was provided by my lovely roommate, Lauren, who also provided Trader Joe's pumpernickel pretzels, which are also suggestive that I would love that place.

River Horse Summer Blonde: Good summery beer, kind of light and crisp tasting.

Flying Dog's Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA: Perhaps this entry should be carrying a rating of PG-13 for some language. Actually, should probably be rated R since it's all about things that only concern people of legal age. ANYWAY. For not being into IPAs really much at all ever, I survived this. In fact, I enjoyed it more with each sip. It came across as a Belgian witbier--a little sweet, very smooth, light and crisp-- with that sharp IPA after taste, but it faded pretty quickly which is probably why I survived to recommend this beer.

Flying Dog's Snake Dog IPA: Didn't really survive this one. It's probably a good IPA, but that style of beer just hasn't grown on me yet.

Otter Creek Solstice Session Ale: This was a pretty good pale ale. Very straightforward, nothing offensive about drinking this. I'd say it's leaning toward summer solstice, however, being pretty light and refreshing. This would be good on a hot summer day. Someone else will have to test that theory for me.

Dogfish Head Festina Peche: What the heck! This does not in any way resemble a beer. Lauren gave it to me because she didn't like it. It was ok, but not as a beer. It reminded me more of a really really fizzy cider, but peach instead of apple. The label says "malt beverage brewed with peach concentrate" but is considered a "Berliner Weissbier". I would deny its identity as a beer but I try to be open and accepting of differences in this world... plus, this puts me another one ahead of Paul.

The cool thing about living with and catching up with my old camp friends is that in addition to being neat people who like stuff like hiking and trees and cooking over campfires, they also like good beer. I have another good friend who likes good beer who we haven't heard much from in a while...

Paul: 229
Colleen: 253