30 and 31

Cambridge's first 90*F day of the year... I'm not sure I'm ready for it.  Bad things happen, like your beer getting warm and legs stick to chairs.

First beer tonight is Sierra Nevada.  I've learned that some people really like this beer, but I've just not been on that band wagon.  It's hoppy and that's about all I have to say.

Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

ABV: 5.6%
Home: Chico, California

Birth: 1980

Slogan: ""

Vintage style can with gold writing. Tastes like MGD.  They should really do a blind test to see how many people can tell the difference.  

Beer: Carling Black Label Beer
ABV: 4.0%
Home: Canada (originally)
Birth: 1870s
Slogan: "Over a century of international brewing tradition"

28 and 29

Just another $2 Taco Tuesday :)

Up first tonight: Tetley's.  After pouring, this brew is fun to watch setup.  The head is thick and slow to form creating a monochromatic effect through glass. Just as the can says it's smooth.  This English Bitter style would make for a nice session (perhaps for when I have my 22 oz. mug) - has just the right amount of bitterness.  It might be an acquired taste as other reviews I've seen weren't the best.

Beer: Tetley's Smoothflow from Carlsberg
ABV: 3.6%
Home: Leeds, United Kingdom
Birth: 1822
Slogan: ""














Finally, a stout with an ABV to match its full bodiedness!  The head on this one is thick, dark and velvety... almost like chocolate mousse.  Coffee and chocolate are very apparent on the nose.  This beer is black - cannot get darker than this I'm pretty sure. VERY NICE!

Beer: Ipswich Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 7.0%
Home: Ipswich, Massachusetts
Birth: ~1991
Slogan: "Proudly brewed in Ipswich since 1991"

25, 26, 27

It's Memorial Day!  Going ALL-American!

Brew #25 is the Black hOPS.  This American Black Ale tastes almost stout-like, but has next to zero head and is relatively clear.  Chocolaty and roasted hops are very apparent. Creamy and full-bodied.  Sidenote, they have a brewers internship program!

Beer: Blue Hills Black Hops
ABV: 6.75%
Home: Canton, Massachusetts
Birth: ~1994
Slogan: "This microbrewery is dedicated to the art of brewing the finest beers using only choice, American grown, ingredients."












Back in Black!  The only beer that makes me think about AC/DC and Paul Revere.  Another American Black Ale - this one is more carmel and hops drop in for a bitter finish. Has a large bubble frothy head with medium lacing.  This can is awesome as well.

Beer: 21st Amendment, Back in Black
ABV: 6.8%
Home: San Francisco, California
Birth: ~2000
Slogan: "Celebrate the right to be original"














Last one for the day: Full Sail Amber.  This American Red Ale sits real pretty with me.  Nice copper color, thick head to start, leaves a thin lace ring.  Has a bready, citrus feel and finished with that floral hop that I love so much!  I've been to this beautiful brewery before - you must go too!

Beer: Full Sail Amber
ABV: 5.5%
Home: Hood River, Oregon
Birth: 1989
Slogan: "Specialists in the liquid refreshment arts since 1987"














It was a good day to be an American.

21, 22, 23, and 24.

My camera was exceptionally bad tonight, so I'm linking all these in case you want recognize any of them later...

It's hard to make out here, but the Celebrator comes with a complimentary billy goat ornament (which I will attach to my mug in a few months)!  This was not a beer that I've heard of before and certainly one of the reasons I love this challenge.  I'm going to say this will be in my top 5 post-mug-challenge re-order.  Nice dark creamy head, lacing marks each sip like rings on tree trunk.  Very chocolaty with some hints of darker fruit.   Popes love it!

Beer: Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock
ABV: 6.7%
Home: Aying, Germany
Birth: ~1999
Slogan: ""















Flying Dog Old Scratch... what a name.  Head isn't thick, but has good staying time.  Very easy to drink session beer in my opinion.  Smells hoppy and citrus infused - way heavier than tastes, but crisp and refreshing with more citrus hops in the aftertaste.  The Flying Dog ranch up the mountain from Hunter S. Thompson... now their labels make more sense.

Beer: Flying Dog Old Scratch
ABV: 5.5%
Home: Frederick, Maryland
Birth: 1994
Slogan: "Good people drink good beer"














An old favorite and standby of mine, Bass.  Can't go wrong with this pale ale.  Moderate hop, bready, little bit of a sour aftertaste. Has a thick head that fades quickly.  A real meat and potatoes brew.  Serves as both your black and your tan.

Beer: Bass Pale Ale
ABV: 5.0%
Home: England
Birth: ~1889
Slogan: ""















Raspberry UFO... Just in time for summer.  The berries are certainly apparent in this New England favorite.  Head is thick, but resides quickly.  Bready to start, with fruity finish.  Sweet, unfiltered goodness.

Beer: Harpoon Raspberry Unfiltered Offering
ABV: 4.8%
Home: Boston, Massachusetts
Birth: 2006
Slogan: "Love Beer. Love Life. Harpoon"













We have a guest blogger tonight folks, stay tuned!

18, 19 and 20!

I absolutely love Oskar Blues' cans and the head on this beer.  Starting off with the Old Chub tonight.  This great big scotch ale makes me wonder why I'd ever drink anything lighter again.  It has a lot of chocolate going on and some light smokiness. Smells sweet like you're more savory candies - carmels maybe.

Beer: Oskar Blues Old Chub
ABV: 8%
Home: Lyons, Colorado
Birth: ~2008
Slogan: "its like SPUTNIK!"















Warsteiner.  Oh, man! I did not like this beer.  I'm not much of a Pilsner fan, but I really can't imagine this is ordered by non-mug challengers.  Very skunky.  Check out Beer Advocate for a less negative opinion.

Beer: Warsteiner Premium Verum
ABV: 4.9%
Home: Warstein, Germany
Birth: Brewery is 200+
Slogan: ""















So close to my heart... Pretty Things.  Bombers only!  The Jack D'or is unfortunately the only Pretty Things on the mug challenge menu.  It has a nice floral hop and hints of clove, some get bananas.  The head is frothy and has good staying-time, laces moderately down your glass.

Beer: Pretty Things Jack D'or
ABV: 6.4%
Home: Somerville, Massachusetts
Birth: ~2009
Slogan: "Stay pretty and drink real beer"

14, 15, 16, and 17

Tonight, I decided to do an ebb and flow of crazy flavor and dirty water.

Up first, G'Knight!  This little can packs a punch.  Smells sweet and head settles thinly, leaving a light lace on you glass. Imperial is all you need to hear, full flavor and although a carmelly crystal clear beer, full-bodied (not apparent in this photo).  The hops are floral, then bitter with quick finish.

Beer: Oskar Blues G'Knight Imperial Red
ABV: 8.7%
Home: Lyons, Colorado
Birth: 2011
Slogan: "can'o bliss. satisfy ya."














There's some tricks to the mug challenge I'm finding.  There is a category labeled "Specials" which is all the special bottles Bukowski's has for whatever period of time.  Most of these are $18 or more.  Occasionally, there's mirage on this list - you have to look twice at the price, then want to give it back after ordering.  Right now, it's MGD. Gag.

Beer: Miller Genuine Draft
ABV: 4.66%
Home: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Birth: 1986
Slogan: "...best draft beer in a bottle..."














I usually like to start things off with bomber, but mid-session works too.  22 oz. Arrogant Bastard up to bat!  It is a nice deep reddish color.  Not as scary as the bottle portrays, but not one I'd drink all the time.  Great bitter hops, nice malty body.  Damn heavy.

Beer: Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
ABV: 7.2%
Home: Escondido, California
Birth: 1997
Slogan: "You're not worthy"















Last and least... Amstel Light.  Does Europe even claim this beer?  Watery.  Lowest ABV I've ever seen.  Good choice for the end of this session.  What you would expect from most light beer.  Crisp, refreshing, hydrating.

Beer: Amstel Brouwerij Light
ABV: 3.5%
Home: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Birth: 1872
Slogan: "We believe it will be time well spent"

11, 12, and lucky 13 which is really a 9

Saturday brunch for a one and done... ha.

First Hefe from the list: Julius Echter Weis.  Cloudy and bread-like.  Golden in color.  Way less citrus than I expected - many describe it as bananas.  A little on the watery side, but good and very easy on Saturday afternoon.

Beer: Wurzburger Hofbrau Julius Echter Hefe-Weissbier
ABV: 4.9%
Home: Wurzburg, Germany
Birth: ~1643
Slogan: "Premium Bavarian Ale"














"I love stouts.  If all other beer fell off the face of the earth and all that was left were stouts... I'd be just fine" in direct reference to: Murphy's.  This super creamy stout has a thick head with accents of roasted coffee followed by a dry finish.

Beer: Murphy's Irish Stout
ABV: 4.0%
Home: Cork, Ireland
Birth: 1856
Slogan: "Smooth, like Murphy's" (from a random ad)














Last beer before Somerville Porchfest: #9.  An old favorite, there's lots of raisin in this New England bar staple.  Crisp to start, it's full bodied-ness gives you many flavors through to the finish.  Really, a straight-up, weird beverage.

Beer: Magic Hat #9
ABV: 5.1%
Home: South Burlington, VT
Birth: 1994
Slogan: "not quite Pale Ale"

8, 9, 10

After tonight, I remembered why we tried to set a strategy.  Brew ocho: THE 60 Minute.  Fabulous IPA that I really don't drink enough of.  Try not to sip this beer - get the full flavor by taking swigs.  This way you get the full spectrum of bitter to sweet to a nice hoppy finish.  Light, lacy head. 

Beer: Dogfish Head 60 Minute

ABV: 6.0%

Home: Renhoboth Beach, DE

Birth: 1995

Slogan: "The continually hoppy India Pale Ale"

This next beer could have put me on the road to disaster: Moinette.  Holy goodness! This is the true meaning for "champagne of beers".  There is nothing sneaky about this Brune's ABV.  It has a rich flavor of dark cherries, and plums maybe.  The finish is extremely light and dry.  Prepare yourself - you'll get 3 glasses out of this bottle (which the beer is aged in as well, fun fact).  

Beer: Brasserie Dupont Moinette

ABV: 8.5%

Home: Tourpes, Belgium

Birth: 1986

Slogan: ""

Stay thirsty my friend: Dos Equis.  Should have saved this one for Taco Tuesday, but needed a thirst quencher.  Has many Oktoberfest characteristics.  Crisp and just dark enough to not be light. 

Beer: Dos Equis Ambar

ABV: 4.7%

Home: Monterrey, Mexico

Birth: 1897

Slogan: "Crafted in Mexico since 1897 to commemorate the arrival of the 20th century"

Happy Friday.

5, 6, 7

Discovery... Tuesday is Taco Night!  I think we found our weekday meet-up.  There's also a cheap burger special, but I can never remember what time or day that happens.

Tonight's first beverage is magnificent: Delirium Nocturnum.  Aside from the beer itself, Delirium's packaging is... rad!  You just have to know what's in the white bottle and there's pink elephants floating on their glasses.  This Belgian Brune or Belgian Strong Dark Ale, however you'd like to word it, finishes dry and is smooth with nice cherry or raisin accents (NOT like cough medicine).  Nocturnum's drinkability is not implicated at all by its relatively high ABV.

Beer: Delirium Nocturnum
ABV: 8.5%
Home: Brouwerij Huyghe in Melle, Belgium
Birth: Brewery in 1654
Slogan: "Welcome into the world of the pink elephant"













Tall Boy number three: Old Speckled Hen.  This beer is easy to drink, smooth with hints of spice and fruit... Just watch this video.  British humor.

Beer: Old Speckled Hen
ABV: 5.2%
Home: Abingdon, England
Birth: 1979
Slogan: "Strong Fine Ale"















Last one for the evening: Victory Hop Devil.  Sharp, awesome IPA.  Smelling this beer is as if you're sniffing a handful of whole flower hops.  You get both the floral and a punch of bitterness in each sip.  Some people will love this while others see it as a milestone in this challenge.

Beer: Victory Hop Devil
ABV: 6.7%
Home: Downingtown, PA
Birth: 1996
Slogan: "European tradition. American ingenuity."

Volume 1, 2, 3, 4

Last Saturday night, two close friends of mine and I started the mug club challenge at Bukowski Tavern in Cambridge.  135 brews from wicked local and the world in 6 months - from the watery yella stuff to the $50 "Vintage".  Do the math however you want to, but that's a lot of heavy, pricey beer.

First to get knocked off the list: Schlitz Tally Boy.  Now, I am pretty sure I've never had this before oddly enough, and pretty sure that I won't willing order it again.  That's not to say I wouldn't drink one again if handed to me in a coozy.  The first half is fine, refreshing when next to frozen.  Once it starts getting warm, time to slam it and on with next one.  Don't mess around... you'll regret it.

Beer: Schlitz Tall Boy (16 oz.)

ABV: 5.0%

Home: Milwaukee, WI

Birth: 1850's 

Slogan: "The beer that made Milwaukee Famous"

Choice two: Brewdog Punk IPA.  I have never had this awesome IPA before today.  Even my friend who doesn't like IPA's thought it was good.  The floral bitterness hits you at first, then finishes so clean.  No sour taste or tinge in your jaw that some IPA's leave behind.  This will be the 136th beer that I order from Bukowski's - calling it now.

Beer: Brewdog Punk IPA (12 oz.)

ABV: 5.6%

Home: Scotland

Birth: 2007 (IPA 2009)

Slogan: "post modern classic pale ale"

Number three: Ballantine Ale.  Similar to Schlitz or a "Gansett", drink that sucker quick.  I had never heard of this beer, though it claims my home state of Indiana (the only one on the menu here).  However, I found different facts on the interwebs.  

Beer: Ballantine Ale (half quart)

ABV: 4.85%

Home: Newark, NJ

Birth: 1850

Slogan: "America's Largest Selling Ale"

On Sunday, we met up for "just one" - which translates to "just one bomber".  My 4th beer down: Rogue Brutal IPA.  It was brutal and tasty and fruity.  Smells nice too.

 Beer: Rogue Brutal IPA (22 oz.)

ABV: 6.5%

Home: Ashland/Newport, OR

Birth: 1988

Slogan: ""

That's it for now.  Peace!