Chicks Love Beer

it did not make me cry, but i did want to grill...

This was my second review in one evening and I was a tad underwhelmed.  I had sampled WR’s Black Radish recently and LOVED it.  It was so unexpected and subtle for a dark brew, which frankly, usually scare me.  If I had to blindly guess, I would have pegged myself for a Gold girl any day.  Seems more my style.  On with the review:  This lager in no way warrants any particular criticism.  It’s a solid  brew.  Molasses and malt rule the palate and the nose-there may have been a bit of dark honey there too.  I think I was just looking for a little more.  I don’t really have a ton to say about the character.  It was pretty standard-not too hoppy.  Not too yeasty.  Not too malty.  It was nice but nothing was jumping out at me.  Would I drink it again?  Absolutely.  I might not go out of my way, but it was definitely pleasant.  I guess I could chalk this up to the fact that fall is here and I’m a sucker for seasonal anything.  I’m willing to bet that if I had sampled this earlier in the summer by the grill with some burgers and picnic fixins that it would have been right-on.

Weeping Radish is brewed in Jarvisburg, NC.  You’ve probably seen the place if you ever vacation in the Outer Banks.  I have, and the next time I make it down that way, I’m  going to make a point to stop in and say hi.  The folks there were more than kind in providing a few samples of their wares for ‘Chicks Love Beer’ review.  They are a small farm brewery and they are making some solid brews.  Some I’ve loved, and some I’ve liked-all of them worth a taste.

Corolla Gold was poured from a 22oz bottle and has 5% alcohol.  Not sure of the price point on this one either…

If you couldn’t tell from my Oktoberfest post, I love fall, and fall beers.  Especially pumpkin beers (true confession:  I actually love just about anything pumpkin).  Every year, in early September, I head to my favorite beer shops to pick up a season’s worth of pumpkin beer.  I usually grab some of my favorites, and check out new ones to try.  The owner of my tried and true beer store recommended Schlafly to me, saying it was his favorite.  I was a little dubious, as his second favorite is one I’m not a fan of.  But I decided to give it a try, and I am very happy I did.  This is the first Schlafly beer I’ve tried, and I’ll definitely be looking for additional styles.  (more…)

I can’t help myself, I get very excited about all things fall – and as a consequence, start drinking Oktoberfests as soon as they appear.  So I was happy to see Ayinger Oktoberfest on the draft list at my local uber-beer garden.  While Ayinger isn’t one of the original Fests from 1810, it’s still regarded as a classic.  It all started well, as it was a beautiful copper fest-color, with an even head.  But when I started drinking it, I was a bit disappointed.  (more…)