2008 Champalou Vouvray

20110831:
I wrote: "Tastes... I don't know... strange. Champalou Vouvray. I guess I'm still a newbie when it comes to wine." 4:43 pm

[20110911]

---

2008 Champalou Vouvray

Relevant Links:
2008 Champalou Vouvray, France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (CellarTracker.com)
Champalou Website (to see the site in English, click on the Union Flag)

---

CellarTracker.com Information:

Vintage 2008
Type White
Producer Champalou (web)
Variety Chenin Blanc
Designation n/a
Vineyard n/a
Country France
Region Loire Valley
SubRegion Touraine
Appellation Vouvray

---

Website Information:

THE SEC

Terroir: Clay and limestone

Vinification: The harvest is carried out at the cold temperature of the morning, and the grapes are directly pressed on arrival at the winery. Fermentation is carried out in stainless-steel tanks in our cellar. The wine is matured at cold temperature on its lees for eleven months before bottling.

Food matching: The freshness and and delicate aromas of the wine make it a perfect partner with grilled fish and white meats, shell-fish, roasted vegetables and oriental food. When young, this is also a first-rate aperitif wine.

Serve at 10°C

Flying Dog Road Dog Porter

20110831:
I wrote: "Flying Dog Road Dog Porter. Nice chocolate taste. Good. 6% 31 IBU." 4:13 pm
I wrote on Facebook: This one was decently good.

[20110910]

---

Flying Dog Road Dog Porter

Relevant Links:
Flying Dog Road Dog Porter
Road Dog Porter (BeerAdvocate.com)

---

Website Information:

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 6.0%
AVAILABILITY: Year-round in select areas
HOP BITTERNESS: 31 IBU
PLATO: 14
HOPS: Warrior, Cascade
YEAST: American Ale

Road Dog is one of our most versatile beers to pair with food.

Flavor notes: Roasted malt with nutty, earthy, coffee, and chocolate notes

Pairs with: Smoked cheeses; big meats like pork chops, ribs, and beef stew; black beans; hearty desserts

Samuel Adams Octoberfest

20110830:
I wrote: "Smells good. Enough. Nice subtle taste. Slightly hoppy." 9:06 pm
I also wrote: "$4.36 Samuel Adams Octoberfest. $4.00 Chili."

(20121007)

[20110907]

---

20120906:
Tonight I went out drinking with some friends. Our first stop was Speakeasy Saloon & Dining House.

If I remember correctly, this beer was a standard, good-tasting Ocktoberfest beer.

After having a shot of Fireball, I resumed enjoying this beer.

It was the only beer on the menu that was close to being non-standard. Other draft options were Stella Artois, Yuengling, Guinness, etc.

[20121017][20180712 Edit][Part of Drinks at Various Places]

---

20121007:
I wrote: "It doesn't really have a distinct taste. Maybe its a bit better than their average Samuel Adams Boston Lager." 7:01PM ET
I also wrote: "Hmm. A little taste kicked in just now, but not much." 7:09PM ET
I also wrote: "The consensus among my friends and I was that the Octoberfest was average good and very drinkable." 7:20PM ET

(20110830)

[20130323][Part of Drinks at a Friend's Wedding]

---

20140219:
I wrote: "Samuel Adams Octoberfest. This beer has a weird taste. It's not so weird after a couple of sips, but its nothing special either." 8:37PM ET
I also wrote: "It has a bit of sourness to it. Overall, I don't like it." 9:07PM ET

[20140310]

---

20140312:
I wrote: "This Octoberfest has a slight sour taste to it. Overall, its an average/slightly below average tasting beer." 4:19PM ET

After having the Octoberfest, I opened a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale. However, later in the evening I had a Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

---

Samuel Adams Octoberfest

Relevant Links:
Samuel Adams Website MM DD YYYY. YYYY.
Samuel Adams Octoberfest (Samuel Adams Website)
Samuel Adams Octoberfest (BeerAdvocate.com)
Samuel Adams Octoberfest (RateBeer.com)

---

Website Information: (as of 20110907)

Flavor: Smooth with a deep malt complexity. Lightly hopped for a smooth sweet finish.
Color: Deep red amber, 20 SRM
Original Gravity: 13.6° Plato
Alcohol by Vol/Wt: 5.3%ABV - 4.1%ABW
Calories/12 oz.: 187
IBUs: 15
Malt Varieties: Two-row Harrington and Metcalfe pale malts, Munich-10, Moravian, and Caramel 60
Hop Varieties: Tettnang Tettnanger and Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble hops
Yeast Strain: Samuel Adams lager yeast
Availability: Seasonal (August - October)
First Brewed: 1989

Nothing beats a classic. Octoberfest’s roasty caramel malt blends perfectly with the complex flavors of sausage.

---

Website Information: (as of 20121017)

Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, Munich-10, and Caramel 60
[All other details remain unaltered.]

Taj Mahal Premium Lager

20110827:
I wrote: "Taj Mahal Premium Lager Beer. 1 pint 6 fl oz. (650 ml). 4.5% ABV. No real smell. Carbonated. It's alright. Head dissipated quickly. Slight bitterness. $6.50+0.59." 6:06 pm

When the beer came out, I was surprised to learn I ordered a 650 ml bottle of beer. There really should be a warning. Anyways, you should feel free to pass on trying this beer.

[20110907]

---

Taj Mahal Premium Lager

Relevant Links:
Taj Mahal Premium Lager (BeerAdvocate.com)
Tamber's Restaurant Website

Jack and Coke

20110826:
After trying to drink some Jack Daniel's on the rocks, I filled the cup with Coca-Cola. I drank half of this Jack and Coke directly from the cup (as opposed to using a straw) and it was almost a good balance of the two; there was just a little too much whiskey.

I proceeded to fill the half-full glass back up with Coca-Cola. The whiskey and Coke was easier to drink by mouth than through the straw.

Finally, after finishing another half, I filled it up again and this tasted perfect." 1:04 AM ET

Side Note: I wanted to take a picture of the Jack and Coke, but the interior of the plane was dark. I needed to use my camera phone's flash, but most people were sleeping. I solved my problem by taking the blanket provided by United to create a little tent which would block the light from waking the other passengers.

[20110907][20180620 Edit]

---

Jack and Coke

Relevant Links:
Jack and Coke (Wikipedia.org)

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey

20110826:
Today, while on a plane, I got a (50 mL) bottle of Jack Daniel's.

I started by having the whiskey on the rocks. It smelled spicy. I drank it through a straw and drinking it straight was difficult. As such, I proceeded to drink it with Coca-Cola (Jack and Coke). 1:04 AM ET

[20110907][20180620 Edit]

---

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey

Relevant Links:
Jack Daniels Website Country Language MM DD YYYY

Blue Moon Pale Moon

20110825:
I wrote: "Pale Moon. I was in a rush and drank about half. It was decent. Possibly dry? It was hoppy."

[20110910]

---

Blue Moon Pale Moon

Relevant Links:
Blue Moon Pale Moon (Beer Advocate.com)

Corona Familiar

20110823:
Supposedly this is just Corona Extra, but family size. However, I think it is darker and better than Corona Extra. My dad observed it has more of an aroma than Corona Extra, and I agree with that observation. My dad and J. K. liked it better. If Corona Familiar is in fact just Corona Extra in a bigger bottle, then the dark brown bottle makes a big difference.

[20110907]

---

Corona Familiar

Relevant Links:
Corona Website
My Corona Extra post

Caipirinha

20100814:
I had a caipirinha after drinking a Leinenkugel's Red Lager. I didn't describe how it tastes but I made note of the ingredients: "lemon, sugar, ice, and cachaça."

Notes indicate towards the end of the night I had another caipirinha which I didn't finish and then drank some of someone else's caipirinha with passion fruit.

[20200111]

---

20110514:
I've had caipirinhas twice before. I might have a record of this somewhere. It's a great drink.

(20110822)

[20110521,2]

---

20110822:
My fourth time having a caipirinha.

I wrote: "Leblon 40% ABV. Thanks Josh, but something was up with the lime. He says maybe he added too much lime if a wedge is an eighth of a lime instead of a fourth of a lime."

(20110514)

According to the recipe on the Leblon website, a wedge should be an eighth of a lime. In any case, thanks for the caipirinha, dude!

Assuming a whole lime was added, a whole lime produces 3 tablespoons (1.5 ounces) of juice, and 0.5 ounces of water was produced by melted ice, then the completed caipirinha would be approximately 20% ABV. If one used half a lime and rounded up to a single ounce of non-alcoholic liquid, then the completed caipirnha would be approximately 27% ABV.

(20110514)

The Leblon Caipirinha (from the Leblon Website)
2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
2 tsp. superfine sugar or 1 oz. simple syrup
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
Muddle the lime and sugar in a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add Leblon Cachaça. Shake vigorously and serve in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

(20110822)

[20110907]

---

Caipirinha

Relevant Links:
Caipirinha (Wikipedia.org)

Leblon Cachaça

20110822:
Today my friend Josh used Leblon Cachaça to make us some caipirinhas.

[20110822][20180620 Edit]

---

Leblon Cachaça

(20110822)

Relevant Links:
Leblon Website Yes/No Country

---

Website Information:

Welcome to Leblon Cachaça. We created Leblon Cachaça for anyone who wants to discover this great new spirit at its best. Cachaça, the third most-consumed spirit in the world, is the key ingredient to the Caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink.

Cachaça (ka-SHAH-sa) is made from fresh-pressed cane juice fermented and distilled, and can only come from Brazil. Many are proclaiming Cachaça as the ‘Next Tequila,’ with the Caipirinha (kai-pur-EEN-ya) as the new ‘Margarita.’ Muddled with fresh lime and sugar, the Caipirinha is something special – made with Leblon Cachaça, even more special.

We produce Leblon Cachaça at our distillery in Patos de Minas, in the heart of Minas Gerais, Brazil (think sugar cane fields). We combine traditional approaches with creative European winemaking techniques to create a Cachaça that is extra special. Gilles Merlet, famous master distiller from the Cognac region of France, takes Cachaça to a whole new level with his ‘French touch,’ transforming our distillery in Patos de Minas to the state-of-the-art Maison Leblon.

Josh muddles the lime and sugar. (20110822)

Gilles produces small batches using alembique copper potstills, then polishes the Cachaça in XO Cognac Casks for an ultra-smooth taste. The Cachaça is then blended across batches for flavor complexity, body, and aroma.

If you are new to Cachaça, the Caipirinha, and for that matter Brazil – Bem Vindo! If you are a Cachaça connoisseur or bar chef, we invite you to taste and enjoy Leblon Cachaça – first neat, or with a twist of lime. Then we invite you to try it in a Caipirinha or one of your favorite creations. We hope you enjoy the final result. Saúde!

Shaken Margarita

20110822:
Today my friend's father mixed margaritas for us.

It was a combination of alcohol shaken with ice.

I thought the margarita was smooth and tasty. Thanks Mr. K!

[20110907][20180620 Edit]

---

Shaken Margarita

Relevant Links:
Patron Tequila Website Year Country
Patron Anejo (Patron Tequila Website)

---

Ingredients:
Chambord Liqueur, Grand Marnier Red Ribbon, Patron Anejo, and Calle Azul Golden Margarita.

Chambord Liqueur (16.5% ABV)

Grand Marnier (40% ABV)

Patron (40% ABV)

Calle Azul Golden Margarita (12.7% ABV)
"Made with Calle Azul Tequila and DiAmore Quattro Orange Liqueur"

Grappa Alexander Prosecco

20110822:
I wrote the following: "Wow, that was smooth and tasty. Drinkable. Taken as a shot. Cheers." Thank you for sharing Mr. K.

[20110907]

---

Grappa Alexander Prosecco

Relevant Links:
Grappa Alexander Prosseco (Alexander Website)

---

Website Information:

GRAPPA ALEXANDER PROSECCO

Alexander is a prestigious name given to a wide range of high-quality mono-variety grappas, made from the marc of selected grapes. The best Italian grape varieties have been chosen to fully satisfy the palates of distillate connoisseurs. Uve d'Alexander is a name that over time has developed a prestigious reputation and is the guarantee of superior-quality eaux-de-vie.

CHARACTERISTICS

The name Prosecco calls to mind the famous wine, expression of happiness and poetry. The aromatic marc obtained from the typical yellow-green grapes of the vine Glera is distilled following Sandro Bottega's method when it is still fresh and vinous. The resulting grappa is then refined inside stainless steel containers for 3 to 6 months, in order to allow the different aromas to blend.

BRAND: Alexander
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 38 °
CAPACITY: 0,70 l
TARGET: Men/Women. Age: 24-64 years. Target: medium-high
PRICE LEVEL: High
AVAILABILITY: Restaurants, wine shops, duty-free shops
SUGGESTED PRICE DUTY FREE: € 22,00 (30.94300 USD)
ORIGIN: Provincia di Treviso (Veneto)
VINE: Glera
COLOUR AND APPEARANCE: Colourless and crystal-clear
BOUQUET: Fresh fruits, apple
TASTE: Soft and slightly peppery Persistent flavour of fresh fruits
RECOMMENDED GLASS: Slang Alexander
SERVE AT: 12/14° C
SERVING RULES: Grappa can help digestion, so it is perfect after meals. It can be drunk cold or even chilled. It is an ingredient for cocktails and long drinks. It can accompany the tasting of dark chocolate. It is traditionally used to correct the espresso coffee and, in the Veneto and Friuli, to dilute the last drops of coffee, remaining on the bottom of the cup (Resentin).
BEST BEFORE: no time limit recommended
BOTTLE WEIGHT: 1,6 Kg

Captain Morgan Lime Bite

20110822:
Unfortunately, I either didn't write down my impression of the drink or I accidentally erased it (along with other first impressions). Anyways, I recall neither liking it on its own nor with Coca-Cola.

[20110905]

---

Captain Morgan Lime Bite

Relevant Links:
Captain Morgan Website Country MM DD YYYY or DD MM YYYY (depending on which country you choose)
Captain Morgan Lime Bite (Captain Morgan Website)
Captain Morgan (Wikipedia.org)

---

Website Information:

Introducing Captain Morgan ® Lime Bite, a silver lime-spiked spiced rum from Captain Morgan ®. Captain Morgan Lime Bite was specially formulated to taste great with beer or lemon-lime soda. Captain Morgan Lime Bite also tastes great with juice, cola or energy drinks. "Bite Your Drink!" with new Captain Morgan Lime Bite!
ABV: 35%
AVAILABLE: USA

Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori Sake

20110820:
I wrote: "Smells of alcohol and rice? Tastes sweet." 7:06 pm

[20110822]

---

Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori Sake

Relevant Links:
Hakutsuru Website
"SAYURI" Story (Hakutsuru Website)
Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori Sake (RateBeer.com)

---

Website Information:

ALC. 12.5% BY VOL.
INGREDIENTS : RICE, RICE KOJI
SAKE METER VALUE (NIHONSHUDO) : -11 (lower=sweeter, higher=drier)

Using only selected rice and rice koji, "SAYURI" is brewed up carefully with the natural spring water from Mount Rokko. It has a refreshing aroma, natural sweetness and smooth aftertaste.

Scale 1-5, 1=Sweet and 5=Dry, "SAYURI" is 1.
Scale 1-5, 1=Full-bodied and 5=Light, "SAYURI" is 2.

With food
A good match not only with Japanese food like Yakitori or Sukiyaki but also with Western cuisine.

Temperature
Enjoy chilled. Shake well before serving.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

20110820:
I ordered this beer at Finbar's Italian Kitchen in Metro Pointe.

I wrote: "Peroni. Smells like apple cider. Light, low carbonation. Very drinkable (no bitterness)." 12:31 pm

In the end, the conclusion would be that Peroni is nothing special. It's light and plain like a Bud. Sadness.

I chose to get this beer, because I had tried most of the other available beers on the list.

[20110821]

---

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

Relevant Links:
Birra Peroni Website (Italian) Day Month Year
Peroni Brewery (Wikipedia.org)
Peroni Nastro Azzurro (BeerAdvocate.com)
Peroni Nastro Azzurro (RateBeer.com)

---

Website Information:

Nastro Azzurro
Premium Lager chiara prodotta a bassa fermentazione dal colore giallo paglierino brillante.
Gusto secco, aroma delicato di luppolo.
Gradazione alcolica 5,1% vol. temperatura di servizio consigliata tra 4° e 6° C.
Nastro Azzurro
For over forty years, Nastro Azzurro, Italy's leading premium beer, has been brewed using only the finest two-row barley malts and quality hops. The result is distinguished by its intensely crisp flavour and sheer clarity, the fruit of a brewing process that guarantees the refreshing and natural freshness of the beer off the tap. The stylish design of the elongated bottle captures the soul of the brand, underscoring the values of style and quality that have made Nastro Azzurro the world's most popular Italian beer.

Abita Purple Haze

20110817:
I wrote: "Abita Purple Haze. No real smell detected, but nice fuit taste, not fruity. My sister says if you smack your mouth at the taste its beer, but otherwise let it sit for the fruit. I start to think it tastes like some candy I've had letting it rest. Smacking it stirs the carbonation. The Abita is better than the Sea Dog Blue Paw." 6:03 pm, 6:12 pm
I also wrote: "Ah maybe mine tastes like candy grape. At first I thought wine. But yeah, some sort of Jolly Rancher." 6:28 pm.

It turns out that Purple Haze is a raspberry-flavored beer. Delicious.

Because my sister didn't strike gold with the Speakeasy White Lightning, I suggested she try the Sea Dog Blue Paw. However, she ended up not liking that either. I think she liked the Speakeasy White Lightning more than the Blue Paw. She also liked the Abita Purple Haze better than the Blue Paw.

My reason for trying the Abita Purple Haze: In reply to my Drink Aprihop post on FB, my friend OA said "If you like fruit flavored beer, try Purple Haze by Abita, Pyramid Apricot Ale, and if you're lucky to find it, Orange Blossom Cream Ale. Now if you want to get fancy, try a Cherry Lambic. That is like dessert." April 28 at 8:43am. Thanks OA.

Yard House:
5.2% Drink Deschutes Black Butte Porter
5.2% Drink Speakeasy White Lightning
4.2% Drink Abita Purple Haze
4.6% Drink Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale 20110817

[20110821]

---

Abita Purple Haze

Relevant Links:
Abita Website Month Day Year
Purple Haze (BeerAdvocate.com)
Purple Haze (Abita Website)
Abita Purple Haze (RateBeer.com)

A day after my friend recommended me various beers to try, I went to a local liquor store and snapped a picture of  this six-pack of Purple Haze. I ended up getting other beers instead.

---

Website Information:

Purple Haze is a crisp, American style wheat beer with raspberry puree added after filtration. Therefore, you may see raspberry pulp in the beer. The raspberries provide the lager with a subtle purple coloration and haze, a fruity aroma, and a tartly sweet taste.

This beer is best served with salads or light fruit desserts, such as soufflés or chiffon cakes. Many people enjoy it with chocolate desserts. Purple Haze pairs well with certain cheeses, such as ripened Brie or any dessert made with Mascarpone. It’s also great paired with entrees prepared with fruit, especially citrus. Consider enjoying Purple Haze alone at the end of your meal as dessert.

ABV 4.2%
IBU 13
Color 8

Nutrition Facts
12 oz serving
Calories 128
Carbs 11g
Protein 1.8g
Total Fat 0g

A day after my friend recommended me various beers (see above) to try (20110429), I went to a local liquor store and saw a six-pack of Purple Haze sitting in the fridge. I snapped the picture below. I did not, however, buy it, because I was there looking for something else.

Speakeasy White Lightning

20110817:
My sister got this in a Shorty. I had a sip or two of it.

I wrote: "Speakeasy White Lightning. Smells normal light beer. tastes normal. I wouldn't say refreshing or crisp. Light citrus flavor. Slight bitter, then a citrus finish." 5:41 pm.

I definitely like the Deschutes Black Butte Porter better.

Yard House:
5.2% Drink Deschutes Black Butte Porter
5.2% Drink Speakeasy White Lightning
4.2% Drink Abita Purple Haze
4.6% Drink Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale 20110817

[20110821]

---

Speakeasy White Lightning

Relevant Links:
Speakeasy Website
White Lightning (BeerAdvocate.com)

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

(20160407)

20110817:
Smelling the beer, I initially get a whiff of alcoholic fumes followed by a chocolate smell. Tasting the beer, I find it has a chocolate taste. As for the mouthfeel, it was just lightly carbonated. My sister said it smelled like coffee and that it tasted like burnt coffee. 5:33PM PT

Yard House:
5.2% Drink Deschutes Black Butte Porter
5.2% Drink Speakeasy White Lightning
4.2% Drink Abita Purple Haze
4.6% Drink Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale 20110817

The Deschutes Black Butte Porter on the left (20110817)

[20110821][20160311 Edit] Shorty @ Yard House.

---

20111221:
I tried and compared two porters: Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter on the left and Deschutes Black Butte Porter on right. For the Ballast Point, I noted that it had a good chocolate taste. In comparison, the Deschutes was more carbonated and had less of a chocolate flavor. (At the time of writing) I found myself liking the Ballast Point more. 12:37AM PT

There might be an unfair advantage as I don't recall cleansing my palate and thus the chocolate flavor of the Deschutes might have been diminished by that of the Ballast Point.

The Deschutes Black Butte Porter is on the right (20111221)

At the moment, reviewers, overall, like the Deschutes Black Butte Porter just a bit more than the Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter.
BA Score: 93 (1050 Reviews); The Bros: 100; RateBeer 97 Overall; RateBeer 98 Style [DESCHUTES]
BA Score: 89 (0256 Reviews); The Bros: 096; RateBeer 96 Overall; RateBeer 97 Style [BALLAST]

Remark: [20150117 Edit] An hour after creating a new Deschutes Black Butte Porter post, I realized that I already tried Deschutes Black Butte Porter and made a post for it. My guess is that while the beer tasted great, the name wasn't memorable.

Yard House:
5.3% Drink Alaskan Amber (SIP)
5.2% Drink Deschutes Black Butte Porter (SHORTY)
6.0% Drink Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter (SHORTY)
5.2% Drink Young's Double Chocolate Stout (SIP)
5.4% Drink Red Nectar (SIP)
4.9% Drink Blue Hawaiian Hefeweizen (SHORTY)

Snakebite (Deschutes Black Butte Porter and Crispin Cider) (20160208)

[20120115][20160311] Shorty @ Yard House.

---

20160208:
It's the Lunar New Year and I bought a six-pack of Deschutes Black Butte Porter to share. Actually, I also bought a bottle of Crispin Cider to mix with it (Snakebite). And while I didn't take any notes on the blend, I noted that the Black Butte Porter on its own had a watery texture and a malty and caramel flavor - both characteristic of what I've come to expect from a porter.

---

20160305:
My friends and I headed into town and started out looking for something to drink so we poked our heads into Pastime. With a couple of good craft beers on tap, I decide to start out with a Black Butte Porter. The beer had a mildly carbonated mouthfeel with a delightful porter taste. I found the carbonation kept it from tasty watery. 7:49PM PT

(20160305)

I like Deschutes. Not only do they offer a variety of beers, their offerings are high quality craft beers and are frequently found on tap at bars. In fact, here at Pastime, Guinness isn't on tap. They have Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin', unknown, Deschutes Blacke Butte Porter, Shock Top Belgian White, Deschutes Mirror Pond, and Stone Arrogant Bastard.

---

20160407:
The first sip had a chocolate, creamy taste to it. All sips thereafter were good, but lacked this same taste. Overall, I like the Black Butte Porter because it has a consistent and delightful mouthfeel with a nice subtle malty aftertaste.

---

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

(20110817)

Relevant Links:
Black Butte Porter (Deschutes Website)
Black Butte Porter (BeerAdvocate.com)
Deschutes Black Butte Porter (RateBeer.com)

---

Website Information:

Black Butte Porter

Porter
Alc. 5.2% | IBUs 30
192 Calories, 12 oz serving

With a dark beer as our first and flagship brand, Black Butte defined Deschutes as a radical player. A slight hop bitterness up front enhances the distinctive chocolate and roasted finish. It’s prized for its creamy mouthfeel and intense complex flavors.

The Critics Speak:
See the Deschutes website.

Food Pairings:
Salmon & Wild Rice
Elk Burger
Onion Soup

BJ's Piranha Pale Ale

20110816:
This beer smells like a pale ale. It tastes hoppy (and bitter). I wonder if I'm shifting back to preferring light beers over pale ales and IPAs. 9:10 PM PT

BJ's Piranha Pale Ale

The pale ale is better after having some alcohol in my system. 9:42 PM PT

[20110821][Part of Beer Flight at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse]

---

Piranha Pale Ale

Relevant Links:
Piranha Pale Ale (BJ's Website)
BJ's Piranha Pale Ale (RateBeer.com)
Piranha Pale Ale (BeerAdvocate.com)*

*This beer had multiple (BeerAdvocate) entries. I tried to choose the most useful entry.

---

Website Information:

Piranha Pale Ale
Winner of multiple awards, including a Silver Medal in American-Style Pale Ales at the 2002 Great American Beer Festival. This hoppy ale is dry-hopped with the snappy flavor and bite of Cascade hops…for hopheads only!
Style: American Pale Ale
Alcohol: 5.7% by volume
Malt Variety: 2-row Pale, Crystal, Wheat
Bitterness (IBU): 45
Hop Variety: Chinook, Cascade
Awards: Silver: American Pale Ale at 2008 California State Fair; Silver: American-Style Pale Ale at 2007 Great American Beer Festival; Silver: American Pale Ale at 2007 California State Fair; Bronze: American-Style Pale Ale at 2007 Los Angeles County Fair; Bronze: Pale Ale at 2005 Amador County Fair; Silver: American-Style Pale Ale at 2003 Los Angeles County Fair; Silver: American-Style Pale Ale at 2002 Great American Beer Festival; Gold: American-Style Pale Ale at 2002 Los Angeles County Fair; Bronze: American-Style Pale Ale at 1998 Great American Beer Festival; Silver: Pale Ale at 1998 Colorado State Fair; Gold: Pale Ale at 1998 California State Fair
Menu Pairing: Hoppy pale beers are excellent with spicy foods.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza

BJ's Harvest Hefeweizen

20110816:
This beer appears cloudy with a persistent head. It smells orangy. It tastes like salmon. I don't like it as much as the LightSwitch Lager. 9:10 PM PT

BJ's Harvest Hefeweizen

I don't like the taste of this beer. It reminds me of salmon, yuck! 9:42 PM PT

[20110821][Part of Beer Flight at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse]

---

Harvest Hefeweizen

Relevant Links:
Harvest Hefeweizen (BJ's Website)
BJ's Harvest Hefeweizen (RateBeer.com)
Harvest Hefeweizen | BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (BeerAdvocate.com)*

*This beer had multiple (BeerAdvocate) entries. I tried to choose the most useful entry.

---

Website Information:

Harvest Hefeweizen
Not just another wheat beer. This award-winning hefeweizen is fermented with an authentic Bavarian weizen yeast to produce its unique flavor profile — fruity, spicy and refreshing. Try it without a lemon!
Style: Bavarian Hefeweizen
Alcohol: 4.9% by volume
Malt Variety: Wheat, 2-row Pale, Vienna
Bitterness (IBU): 15
Hop Variety: Perle, Hallertau
Awards: Bronze: South-German Style Hefeweizen at 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition; Bronze: Bavarian-Style Hefeweizen at 2009 North American Beer Awards; Gold: German Wheat & Rye at 2006 California State Fair; Gold: South German-Style Hefeweizen at 2005 Los Angeles County Fair; Bronze: German-Style Wheat Ale at 2004 Los Angeles County Fair; Silver: Continental Wheat Beer at 1997 California State Fair
Menu Pairing: The fruity and spicy acidity of wheat beer is a good match for most salads.

BJ's Brewhouse Blonde

20110816:
This beer smelled more orange than the LightSwitch Lager. It is enjoyable with respect to its category. As described, it has a balanced flavor. It does not have too much of an orange taste; it's just right. 9:10 PM PT

BJ's Brewhouse Blonde

Overall, this beer is the best out of the four beers in the flight. 9:42 pm

[20110821][Part of Beer Flight at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse]

---

BJ's Brewhouse Blonde

Relevant Links:
BJ's Brewhouse Blonde (BJ's Website)
BJ's Brewhouse Blonde (RateBeer.com)
Brewhouse Blonde | BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (BeerAdvocate.com)*

*This beer had multiple (BeerAdvocate) entries. I tried to choose the most useful entry.

---

Website Information:

BJ's Brewhouse Blonde
A light and refreshing pale beer in the style of a German Kolsch. Slightly malty with delicate hopping to balance. Well-conditioned for exceptional smoothness and drinkability.
Style: Kolsch
Alcohol: 4.7% by volume
Malt Variety: 2-row Pale, Wheat, Vienna
Bitterness (IBU): 15
Hop Variety: Perle, Hallertau
Awards: Gold: Kolsch at 2010 North American Beer Awards; Gold: Cream Ales at 2010 North American Beer Awards; Bronze: German-Styke Kolsch at 2009 Los Angeles County Fair; Bronze: Light Hybrid Beer at 2009 San Diego International Beer Competition; Silver: German-Style Kolsch at 2008 Los Angeles County Fair; Silver: German-Style Kolsch at 2007 Los Angeles County Fair; Gold: Light Ales at 2005 California Brewers Festival; Bronze: German-Style Kolsch at 2003 Los Angeles County Fair; Bronze: German-Style Kolsch at 2002 Los Angeles County Fair; Silver: Kolsch at 1998 Colorado State Fair
Menu Pairing: As with white wine, pale beers like Brewhouse Blonde® pair well with poultry and seafood.

BJ's LightSwitch Lager

20110816:
This beer has a subtle smell. It has a buzzy, lemony taste. It is light and refreshing. It has a nice, orange aftertaste. I like it a lot. 9:10 PM PT

BJ's LightSwitch Lager

This beer is okay. 9:42 PM PT

[20110821][Part of Beer Flight at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse]

---

BJ's LightSwitch Lager

Relevant Links:
BJ's LightSwitch Lager (BJ's Website)
BJ's LightSwitch Lager (RateBeer.com)
LightSwitch Lager | BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (BeerAdvocate.com)*

*This beer had multiple (BeerAdvocate) entries. I tried to choose the most useful entry.

---

Website Information:

BJ's LightSwitch Lager
Our flavorful alternative with even fewer calories than many popular domestic light beers. BJ's LightSwitch® Lager has a pleasant malt flavor balanced by a clean, dry finish with the handcrafted quality you have come to expect from BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.
Style: Light Beer
Alcohol: 3.5% by volume
Malt Variety: 2-row Pale, Wheat
Bitterness (IBU): 18
Hop Variety: German Hallertau
Awards: Bronze: Light Ales Ale at 2010 North American Beer Awards
Menu Pairing: Like white wine, BJ’s LightSwitch Lager is best when matched with poultry or seafood.
Crispy Calamari, Santa Fe Salad*

Hennessy X.O

20110813:
I wrote on 20110816, "It tastes like burning, but good, and yet strong to drink straight. But I kept on drinking it [straight]. Some of the men drank it with ice and some didn't. The men were all my dad's age."

Fact: Hennessy is a brand of Cognac, which is a type of brandy, which is distilled wine.

I drank the Hennessy neat. Next time I'll try it on the rocks. I'd also be willing to try out the various mixed drinks listed on the Hennessy website. I had Hennessy poured into my cup three different times. I'd estimate drinking between 3 and 4 fl oz.

[20110822]

---

Hennessy X.O

Relevant Links:
Hennessy Website Country Year
Hennessy X.O (Hennessy Website)
Hennessy (Wikipedia.org)
Cognac (brandy) (Wikipedia.org)
Brandy (Wikipedia.org)

---

Website Information:

HENNESSY X.O
Description: "The first X.O since 1870"
Tasting: Woody, Spicy, Vanilla, Matured fruits, Structured, Cinnamon
Serving: Hennessy X.O can be served neat, but is also often enjoyed "on the rocks": a great tasting experience. "When I add ice to my X.O, this immediately releases the subtle flavors and aromas of this magnificent cognac", says Mr. Gilles Hennessy, 7th generation of the legendary Cognac family.
Composition: Hennessy X.O is a blend of around one hundred old "eaux-de-vie" from Cognac's finest growing regions, carefully matured in our cellars.
History: Great grandson of the Founder of the House of Hennessy, Maurice Hennessy was inspired by his intuition that modernity and rarity would become synonymous, hence he created this original "eXtra Old" cognac.