SpeakEasy Ales and Lager - Prohibition Ale

Wow - very nice mix of Malty Amber with the perfect hoppy bite :)  Enjoyed this Ale from the first taste.

American Style Amber Ale:
A boldly hopped ale that strikes a perfect balance between caramel maltiness and it's aggressive hopping.
Demand Prohibition!

RJ King Wingwalker Amber Ale

Just moved to Las Vegas and am having trouble finding solid Craft Brews.  The local Albertson's had a very limited selection, but I discovered the WingWalker Amber Ale - A Roasted Malt and Creamy Marzen Style Amber Ale.  First impression was not good, but not bad - unimpressive.  Perhaps it's the Marzen style I don't appreciate, but I won't be adding it to my list of favorites anytime soon.

Wingwalker Amber Ale

89 • Highly Recommended

Silver Medal • World Beer Championship 2010

85 Points • Wine Enthusiast Magazine, March 2010

GOLD MEDAL• Monde Selection, 200

Wingwalker Amber Ale - 5.5% ABV

Deschutes Brewing - Green Lakes Organic Ale

To celebrate Earth Day, bought a sixer of Deschutes Brewing - Green Lakes Organic Ale.  Nice, smooth, easy drinking Amber Ale with a light hoppy aftertaste.  Starting to get used to the hoppy undertones and am enjoying them in subtle tones.  Still do not like the bold hoppy IPA's or strong Cascade Hop beers.  Don't really get the current bent by Craft Breweries to "out hop" each other.  Give me a nice, smooth Amber any day :-)

Deschutes Brewing Green Lakes Organic Ale:
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/brews/year-round-brews/green-lakes-organic-ale/default.aspx
Environmental pedigree aside, Green Lakes Organic Ale is a finely balanced beer with a mellow malt profile and  subtle hop leading edge. On the  ingredient roster: five types of 100% organic malted barleys and a  complementary dose of Liberty and Sterling hops. It’s a profoundly satisfying, easy-drinking beer.
Alc by vol - 5.2%
IBU's 45

Lagunitas Brewing - Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale

Very interesting beer, really enjoyed it and still trying to figure it out a bit.  Strong, dark, malty, hoppy, but with a smooth finish.  A great occasional ale, but not a smooth, every day ale like my current favorite - Alaska Brewing Alaskan Amber.

Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale
http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/undercover.html
"Our oxymoronic 'Imperial Mild' - A redux to remember the '05 St. Paddy's Day Massacre. Defiant as to style. We Can say for sure it is unforgiven and unrepentant."

Approx. Release – March ABV: 9.75%

Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing

Enjoyed (is that the right word?) a deep, bold Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing with Tamales from The Tamale House - both were excellent :)

The ale was outstanding, not for the timid or, as they say, people that have been convinced that "fizzy yellow beverage" is beer.  Not a beer that I would choose to enjoy all the time (like my go-to Alaskan Amber), but one for an occasion that calls for a bold, deep, hoppy ale.  A great drink.

Arrogant Bastard Ale

This is an aggressive ale. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory–maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it’s made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beverage will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think multi-million dollar ad campaigns make things taste better. Perhaps you’re mouthing your words as you read this.

McMenamin's Hammerhead Pale Ale

Enjoyed one of my faves tonight with my honey, a delicious HammerHead Pale Ale from McMenamin's Brewery in Sherwood, OR.  A very nice Pale Ale with the perfect blend of Cascade hops, but actually not too hoppy for me - a very nice drink. @CaptainNeon

Hammerhead Pale Ale:
A classic Northwest pale ale and McMenamins top selling beer. This rich chestnut colored gem is a model of harmony between hops and malted barley. Hammerhead's signature Cascade hop nose and intense hopped flavor blend nicely with the caramel tones from the crystal malt. This beer has a vocal following. To run out is an unforgivable sin.


Malts: Premium 2-row Malt; 75L Crystal Malt
Hops: Cascades
Original Gravity: 1.056 Terminal Gravity: 1.010
Alcohol by Volume: 5.93%
Calories: 241 per pin

Anchor Steam Liberty Ale

Enjoyed a couple of nice Anchor Steam Liberty Ale's while BBQ-ing on the back deck in the frigid Oregon Spring (42 degrees, brrr) - but never-the-less, there I was enjoying a Liberty Ale or two grilling Brats.

I found the Liberty Ale to be a nice drink.  It was light and refreshing, but was a little hoppy for my current tastes.  I confess that I am an Amber Ale enthusiast, but am trying to evolve my taste in Craft Brews.  Also, sorry I missed the CBC2011 this year in SF, would have been a blast.

Anchor Steam Liberty Ale:
It is “dry hopped,” a classic Ale tradition, and slowly completes its fermentation in sealed vats in Anchor Brewing cellars. This unique process creates Liberty Ale’s distinctive bouquet and uncommonly delicate, entirely natural carbonation.

The Making of a Beer Snob - part 1

It all started in High School in the late '70s when one of my buddies scored a sixer of Schlitz Malt Liquer - yep, The Bull!!

I discovered that this malted barley substance was, indeed, delicious - and I was hooked.

Following was the college years where $5.00 got you a red plastic cup and entrance to "the kegger"  I remember the "big event" when in 1984 it was legal to sell Coors in Oregon and ... oh the parties on 01/01/1984 ... Having spent my formative years in Oregon, we had ready access to Blitz Weinhard beer and stocked up on it in the dorm rooms by the case at $5.00 per 24-pack (on sale).  It was during that time when I discovered (or could afford) import beers - i believe that is the starting point of beer-snobbery in my life and it hasn't been the same since.

I don't over-indulge or make a fool of myself, but do enjoy a great beer from time to time.

(to be continued)