Raj IPA

Raj IPA

Well well, don't we love our IPAs here. I know a little about Four Peaks Brewery in Arizona because Brooks and I have effing been there and tried this right out of Schut's faucet. However it was only until recently that I came across this beer in Dallas and was reminded that I should write a little about it. 

But let me tell you that it isn't amazing. I am probably a jerk when it comes to compliments on IPAs because I drink them all the time, yet still don't get me wrong this is worth a try. After all, this is my opinion. Therefore I can say whatever I want. I can say you're a dumb face. Now, back to the Raj, it's dry like an IPA should be, and it's also strong at 6.9% and leaves a good aftertaste that is not overly bitter. It's not fruity, though I've read other people say that, which to me is cliche because everyone likes to use that adjective to describe an IPA as a compliment. I didn't find any reminders of fruit in this ale, and in fact the smell if anything was a nice, crisp surprise: it was simply fresh. 

Before you raise the glass up to your mouth the smell has an appeal to it that I liken to water, which makes your mouth want to take it down in satiating gulps. Drinkability here is on another level. Four Peaks Brewery should also get props because they sell it at their bar in Tempe. I have a great respect for Breweries who have made it to the point of brewing in the back and putting their product right over the counter in front. I give this a 7/10.

Modus Hoperandi

I don't know why in the hell I haven't gotten around to posting a brief about this beer. Wait, yeah I do. I end up beginning to drink a few of these until it erases my memory along with all thought of writing about it. Well, suddenly sobriety is good for something isn't it?

The 6.8% ABV may have something to do with my above comment, but this is indeed a very good IPA with a very strong, biting hop flavour. You will notice some citrus-y taste...and maybe pine...well if anyone really ate pine this might be a hint of what it would be like. These kicks in my opinion aren't too powerful, it's the hop that is the victor here. This makes me wonder what the time frame is on their boil times for flavouring and bittering...maybe they really put pieces of wood and bark in there. I don't know, but this could be fun to clone one day. 

Props to Ska Brewing Company, and props to possibly the best (and probably only) IPA I have ever drank out of a can. Maybe these guys in Colorado are figuring out it is cheaper to manufacture cans instead of bottles without modifying the taste?

Westmalle's Tripel

It was sweetness. It was in my opinion, the best tripel/strong pale ale I have ever had. You can tell from the taste that the malt is light, and the sugar is not of your grocer variety. I also won't hesitate to mention the greatness of the idea to top off the bottle with a bit of yeast and MORE sugar...it does not go unnoticed. I'm going to keep this in mind with my own brewing endeavors.

Unlike many of your other Trappist beers that tend to be a rich, less-is-more treat, Westmalle's Tripel was so clean and savoury that I found myself realizing that I could enjoy several. No spiky aftertaste follows your drink and the smell is slightly citrus-like. I want one now. I want a few now. Too bad I couldn't afford to keep up with the $9 a bottle at the bar I went to. The fact that I was seeking more still surprises me, it's not every day you find a Trappist that is so strong and delicious at 9.5%, and you find yourself unquenched with one. Go Catholic Monks go.

Dogfish Head's Raison D'Etre

I've read some other people's reviews of this beer, and it's been complimented to the tune of "like no other beer" or "sour but yet sweet to make you think you are chewing raisins" and "take to a dinner instead of wine".  Well well.

I get it, a craft beer that is intended to be enjoyed with a steak.  A compilation of a light burnt sugar and raisins with a Belgian-style yeast that resembles a dry, sweet flavour.  "Let's make a beer that tastes like wine" ...they must have said.  I'll take the wine please.  Raison D'Etre for me was a borderline fail. I suppose it may succeed in that you ONLY drink it as a substitution for a Bordeaux or the like with a meal, but it is not worth going to the store to buy a six-pack on a Friday evening like I did.

I shall still drink it all anyway!  But the sweet flavour that comes with it clashes with almost what I feel like is a metallic aftertaste that makes it hard to finish the beer...whether it is in a glass or the bottle itself.  I'm not so sure it is a good idea to make a beer taste like another genre of alcohol.  Well, maybe it isn't a bad idea, but this experiment...though 13 years running now, screams of "Try again".  Or at least from my perspective, "No thank you, wine is much better."

Uhh Whiskey...

Though I'm not used to much merry-making these days in The District, my office recently "inherited" a stock of left over spirits from an event last night.  One was a bottle of single malt whiskey, which comes from the Laphroaig distillery located on a British Isle called Islay, just north of Ireland and southwest of Scotland.

From: http://www.laphroaig.com/whiskies/

I've never been a huge whiskey guy, I know, shame on me, but then again it isn't like I have EVER turned down a shot or glass of it either.  I just prefer other spirits.  I'm not apologizing to you.

This 10 year old scotch comes from a pretty rich history you can read all about here if you are interested, but the reason I am writing about this is because of the pure serendipity of how I have come to be enjoying a glass right now.  And don't worry I'm not spoiling this with a Coke, drinking game, or a bias against the wretched Tudor and Windsor houses of England. 

Besides, I'm convinced that the Laphroaig 10 Year Single Malt Scotch deserves no less than to be sipped gingerly.  The whole event has to be handled like that first time with a girl you really like.  You can't screw it up, and you are working feverishly to put forth a good impression, and at least masking that you are actually caring about her boundaries and alluding to the idea that you are in it for what she likes.  

But unlike a girl...well maybe...this beverage has a peaty flavour to it.  It's definitely rich and has a good smooth bite to it that one would hope for.  Okay, maybe like a girl.  But I recommend this, and though I don't have a super selection of whiskeys that I have had to reference with, I'd still give this spirit a strong 7 out of 10 on taste.