Friday, March 31, 2017

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Beer Review: Ei8ht Ball Home Alone 7.8% Brewery Finale

Well this is most likely the end of the road for me and Ei8ht Ball Brewing beers, unless I make one more run before they close on Saturday April 1st. With that being said, this is a look at their Home Alone which is a 7.8% Milk Stout that seems fitting for closing out my beer experience with them as stouts are my second favorite style behind Belgian Ales, and a milk stout always seems to be delicious. Check out my video here to see how this one tastes and raise a glass with me to this brewery that will be closing its doors shortly.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Beer Review: Goose Island Preseason Lager 5.8% ABV

Going from craft to crafty with this one, the Preseason Lager from Goose Island Beer Company comes in with an ABV of 5.8% and an IBU level of 48. So yes, you can expect some bitterness with this amber hued beer that shares hints of what one would usually expect from the hops used. But, there are also qualities commonly found on a lager. Check out my look at this one here to see my overall thoughts.

Monday, March 27, 2017

A Re-Visit to Wooden Cask Brewing

Recently, I decided to make a trip down to Wooden Cask Brewing in Newport, Kentucky during March Madness to watch my Mountaineers play ball and to enjoy some beer while doing so. Wooden Cask proved to actually be a good choice as surprisingly, I was only one a few there initially. Now this was the day after St. Patrick’s Day so I am not sure if that had something to do with it or not but not having to fight for space worked for me.

Now, if you haven’t been to Wooden Cask, it sits toward the bottom of York Street and is very accessible with a decent size parking lot for sure. I am not sure about if they are pet-friendly or not, although I believe they are. They regularly team up with food trucks and there are also restaurants around that can deliver food for you to the brewery. Although, during my afternoon visit, a food truck wasn’t available but there was one planning to come that evening. They also have wifi which is nice and provide a lot of space, and if you like board games then they have them as well.













But what about the beers right? That’s why I am blogging and that’s why you are reading this. So, on tap they hold a good assortment of beers, I believe the number including their and guest taps is around 12 or 13. I should have taken a picture, but failed to do so. Now I have been here previously, so for me it was about trying ones that I had not had, although I do recommend the 7th Street Runoff if you do enjoy Brown Ales. But my first four choices via a flight can be seen here.


From left to right: #4 Pacific Time IPA, #9 The Scottsman, #10 Ruby, and #11 Hell Yes

The Pacific Time – American IPA 6.8% ABV


This one delivered a very nice aroma with good dankness. It had a nice bitterness as it hit the tongue and opened up with a great flavor in the mouth. If you like the IPA style then this one does represent it well as it provided the fruitiness and duration that should be expected from the hops used, and it had a decent crisp break from the initial to the finish. It proved to be a very solid IPA for sure.


The Scottsman – Scottish Ale 8% ABV


You talk about a style that delivers some malty goodness and coats the mouth, the Scottish Ale style does just that. This one also was very pleasing in that respect. The texture was syrupy in fashion which really worked well for mouthcoating and delivered a smooth creamy like feel. You will get some of the booziness with this one, but that’s okay and somewhat expected. I can best describe this as some sweet goodness for sure.


Ruby – Irish Red Ale 4.5% ABV


This one provided an aroma that was similar for me to many of the wheat ales and what I usually pick up from the yeast and tend to describe as a horse blanket smell. This is not a bad thing by the way, it’s just what I relate it to from my experience as does anyone that reviews beers or anything else. It did have kind of a different type of sweetness with this one, almost like that of a cereal. The mouthfeel was good and it definitely is light in body which makes it an easy beer to chug, not that you should do that. For someone that doesn’t like bitterness then this one can also work, as even on the initial there was only a little subtleness of bitterness that hit my tongue. It is a little thinner than I prefer and I could detect that watery quality, but at 4.5% I kind of expected it.


Hell Yes – Mailbock or Helles Bock 8% ABV


I tend to like bocks from time to time and are for me, one of the more popular lagers that I prefer. This one though was a little different as it was almost kind of sneaky at the 8% ABV. I didn’t get as much aroma, and didn’t really taste the alcohol. It  was smooth, coated the mouth well and left a good mouthfeel. I didn’t get much on the aroma as expected but overall, it delivered for what I was expecting.


Newporter – American Porter 5% ABV


After finishing the flight there was only one left that I hadn’t tried from Wooden Cask and what a nice way to end, with an American porter. So, I went ahead and called fro a pint on this one and decided to see how this one compared. I was hit pretty quickly with the decent aroma that easily climbed out of the glass with chocolate and coffee notes. It was malty and bready as well with some bitterness in the taste that tapped the tongue nicely. Now there was some slight thinness, which is probably my only knock with Porters and is a key reason why I usually prefer stouts over them. But away from that, the taste and flavor was definitely there despite a little harshness on the finish as it went down.

Overall, it was a great visit back to Wooden Cask and I hope if you are in the Cincinnati area, that you will also decided to pay them a visit. Between the variety of beers available, there should not be any issue in finding something that you will like. My only other thing that I would mention is that there was only one television, and with a few more around I think that could be a great draw for some. But, we are really there for  a beer and there is no shortage of those.

Cheers my friends…and keep drinking those great craft beers!

Beer Review: Ei8ht Ball Tarnished 6% ABV

The last days of Ei8ht Ball Brewing are upon us, and this is my look at their Tarnished. A Golden Ale that had become one of their flagship beers over the years. Light in body, this 6% ABV Golden ale was good enough for just about any craft beer lover and a good bridge for the usual macro drinker. This review is a look back at this beer and check out the video to hear more of my thoughts on it as well as this style of ale.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Beer Review: Smuttynose Imperial Stout 10.5% ABV

This is a look at the Imperial Stout from Smuttynose Brewing Company out of Hampton, New Hampshire and this American Imperial Stout comes in at an ABV of 10.5% along with an IBU level of 99. Now when one hears an IBU level of that high then bitterness is often the first thing that comes to mind, but the malts used actually bring a nice sweetness that is both rich and malty that it works to offset the aggressive dry hopping. This is a beer that you can take fresh or cellar to smooth out, check out my review here to see what else I think about this offering.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Beer Review: Ei8ht Ball Brewing Prodigal A Farewell Video

We have been seeing a lot of things happening in craft beer, including the closing of some of the breweries that we have come to appreciate. Ei8ht Ball Brewing is unfortunately one of the latest to see its doors closing which will take place April 1st. They have provided some good beers over the years and this is a look at their Prodigal, a 6.5% American Pale Ale that has become one of their flagship beers. This is a look at that beer and a farewell to the brewery, check out the video to see my thoughts and farewell to what was a fine brewer.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Beer Review: Omnipollo Table Beer 5% ABV

Table Beer is part of a series and this one is from Omnipollo out of Sweden and is a version of an American pale ale that comes in at an ABV of 5%. It seems the name gets thrown around a bit as other breweries have used it for a Czech pilsner (Westbrook Brewing Co.) as well as sour ales (Evil Twin Brewing and Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project). So, I am not sure who really owns the name, but is interesting on how that’s done. But as for Omnipollo they make some fantastic beers, so check out the video to see what I think of this one.

This Week In Beer 3/23/17 Turn Your Head And Cough!

This is a look into and around the beer world on what is taking place and sharing the details with the beer community. This broadcast is recorded live on 3/23/17.

This week includes:

Rod J: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasJ2pPa0BPeGUKuf8PwxSQ

Jean H Pierre: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8tRXrqZzhiGsuMuEyx1Y-w

Beer Healer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC92ifhf3KSwO4F2tbTfliHw

Albino Rhino: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5IBwS_Df_KZqHzy0U98vQ

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Chomolungma Honey Nut Brown Say What?

Athens, Ohio, home to Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery and this is a look at their Chomolungma Honey Nut Brown. Say what? This is an American Brown Ale that comes in at 6.5% ABV and 33 IBU and happened to catch my eye on one of my recent beer runs. For those that know Jackie O’s, they know they make some good beers and I am looking forward to see if this one follows suit. Check out my video as I see how this one does.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Beer Review: Golden Road Back Home Gingerbread Stout

It is often fun to check out some of the things being done with stouts and the Back Home Gingerbread Stout from Golden Road Brewing wasn’t much different. This stout comes in at an 8.5% ABV and pretty much packs the Christmas holiday in a glass. Notes open up nicely featuring cinnamon, nutmeg, and other flavors along with the chocolate coming from the malt. It is one that can also easily be cellared for a bit. Two hops and come together with 5 malts for this one and despite the 45 IBU, bitterness is not much of an issue especially if you let it warm a little. Not too bad from this Los Angeles Brewer, and check out the video to gather my other thoughts.

Monday, March 20, 2017

A Visit To Listermann Brewing

Listermann Brewing is a brewery that is nestled away just off of the campus of Xavier University here in Cincinnati. Known not just for its beers as a brewery, they are also noted as being a top supplier of supplies for home brewers.  Being a person that loves to review and discuss beer, it is always good to find time to get out in the community and see some of the local spots and in the Cincinnati area, we do have many.

We Have Lift Off


Listermann did well providing a nice selection of beers from which to preview and had a total of 12 being available on my visit, along with a wine for the non-beer drinker. The variety shown was fitting and allowed for a good covering of all to be offered.



There was definitely enough here to intrigue the craftiest of craft beer drinkers for sure, and a good amount of beers for experimenting and satisfying the taste buds.  Listermann did well providing a nice selection of beers from which to preview and had a total of 12 being available on my visit, along with a wine for the non-beer drinker. The variety shown was fitting and allowed a good covering of all to be offered.

Time To Take Flight


What I like to do when visiting a brewery is get an essence of all of their beers by going the flight route. This can give a nice sampling of what is offered and also proves to be an effective way to gain an understanding of the beer under review. Listermann actually proves to have one of the best deals on flights from any of the breweries I visited with each 5oz pour being only a dollar ($3 for Barrel Aged). That my friend is a deal or a steal…whatever you would like to call it.


Flight 1 as pictured above from left to right: Maple Bacon Barrel Aged Coffee, Brewer’s Delight, Gravitator, Riveting Rosie.
My first flight as noted involved the four beers shown and from the great bacon aroma and nice smokiness of the Maple Bacon BA Coffee to the crisp and refreshing quality of the Riveting Rosie, my mouth was able to enjoy some great mouthfeels. The Gravitator was sneaky in that the ABV was not even detectable, and the Brewers Delight with its pineapple and mango qualities was just juicy goodness.


Flight 2 as pictured above from left to right: Roots, Cranium, Chickow and PAC.
My second flight was able to provide even more flavor and this one introduced an old favorite, Chickow, which is so decadent that it’s like drinking a brownie in a glass. But my introduction to the Cranium was a pleasant surprise as I do enjoy barrel aged beers and you really had that coming through on this one. It really had my mouth going for sure. There was also PAC which was a dedicated IPA to Tupac and the Roots, a clean and crisp beer that provided a nice effervescence and refreshing taste. But the one thing that I would add in the handling of flights would be for them to indicate on the paddle what is what. This helps for people to remember and is a good convenience.  The key would be adding a number to the board for each choice which would then allow for an easy writing down of the details when serving.

Coming In For The Landing


All in all, my time spent at Listermann proved to be a fantastic time and definitely is a place worth visiting for any beer lover here in the Cincinnati area. I didn’t get a chance to check out the home brewing store but will on my next visit. If you are in the Cincinnati area then I say definitely look to check them out. They also pet-friendly as well as family friendly as they have various board and other games around for kids or parents alike. If you would like to visit their website then you can also click the link here: http://listermannbrewing.com/.





With that all being said, Cheers, and Keep Drinking Good Craft Beer!!!

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Beer Review: Green Flash Fearless Fifty

Trader Joe’s turned 50 here in 2017 and to help them celebrate, Green Flash Brewing collaborated with them on the Fearless Fifty. This Saison comes in at a 5.5% ABV and an IBU level of 10 and is brewed with the use rose hips and sweet orange peel.  Check out the video to see the beer and to hear my thoughts on it.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Beer Review: Lagunitas Hop Stoopid

Most of you know my fondness for IPA beers, and this Imperial IPA from Lagunitas Brewing is just another reason why. Hop Stoopid is an Imperial IPA that comes in at 8% ABV and 102, yes 102 IBU. But despite the high IBU level, it is matched very well with the malts to create a fantastic and wonderful balance. This is one to be enjoyed for sure and check out the video to see and hear my other thoughts on this, what I would call fantastic beer.

Beer Review: Christian Moerlein Wild Hunt

Wild Hunt from Christian Moerlein Brewing is a limited Black IPA that seems to have been released in limited availability and finding it proved to be a nice surprise. Although I had a couple of issues with the labeling of it, the beer itself was a pleasant surprise for sure. This 6% ABV Black IPA had a nice balance of the malts and the hops which pulled the beer together nicely. Check out my video here to see and hear my other thoughts on this Cascadian ale.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Beer Review: Boulevard Tell-Tale Tart

From time to time I like to enjoy a sour ale, and for this review I decided to look at the Tell-Tale Tart from Boulevard Brewing which is located in the “Show Me” state of Missouri. This 6.2% ABV and 10 IBU ale does bring some nice flavor and tartness which of course is to be expected, but it also adds a nice mellowing effect on the palate that provides a nicer finish than expected. Check out my review here to see my other thoughts on this beer.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Beer Review: To0l Gose To Hollywood

Sometimes it’s the look of a beer design that catches your eye, and that was the case for me with this one from To0l Brewing and their Gose to Hollywood. This sour Gose ale comes in at 3.8% ABV from the Denmark brewer and despite being said to be a good summer beer; a good Gose can be drank all year round. Check out my video to see how it compares.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Beer Review: Moody Tongue Steeped Emperor's Lemon Saison

Out of Chicago comes Moody Tongue Brewing and this is a look at their Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison, a 6.3% ABV Saison or Farmhouse Ale. The beer is described as carrying the flavors of a lemon meringue pie along with the aromatics of Meyer lemons. Now as a kid, I used to love lemon meringue pie so I am definitely interested in seeing how this one plays out. Check out the video to see what I think of this one.

Friday, March 10, 2017

This Week In Beer 3/9/17

Beer Review: Labatt Blue

So I had a Labatt Blue left in the fridge so I figured why not do a review? This Canadian Pilsner has an ABV of 5% and an IBU level of 12, so like many lagers hoppiness is at a low with this North American Adjunct. Labatt Blue from Labatt Brewing is the largest selling Canadian beer and is also now a part of the AB InBev family. I’m not expecting much, but let’s see how it compares. Check out the video to gather my thoughts.


Thursday, March 9, 2017

Beer Review: Heineken Lager Beer

I don’t often drink a lot of macro beers, but will do so from time to time. And I realized that I have never done a review on Heineken Lager Beer, so I figured why not. This Dutch beer has been around since 1873, so history is definitely on its side as far as being a proven lager. At 5% ABV it does also make an easy one to session which is never a bad thing. So with that all being said check out my video here on this beer and to hear and see my overall thoughts.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Beer Review: Highland Early's Hoppy Wheat Ale

Asheville, North Carolina, home of Highland Brewing Company and this is a look at their Early’s Hoppy Wheat Ale. I must admit, this style has actually got me more involved with trying more wheat ales, which at one point I found to be kind of hum drum. This ale comes in at an ABV of 5% making it a highly sessionable level beer. I was pleased by the aroma and taste dually on this one, and it can be a fitting one for spring. But I don’t want to give too much away, so check out my review to gather my other thoughts on this American pale wheat ale.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Dark Horse Kamikaze Kaleidoscope - Beer Review #495

Kamikaze Kaleidoscope from Dark Horse Brewing out of Michigan is a Witbier offering from the brewer that comes in at a sessionable 8% ABV. At 16 IBU bitterness is not a concern, and its availability runs from May to August bringing in a desired refreshing quality for those warmer months. Brewer’s comments include that drinkers can expect a subtle flavors of orange and lemon along with a big mouthfeel from the wheat and a slight tartness due to the Wit used. What did think of this beer? Check out my video here to see.

Monday, March 6, 2017

New Belgium Whizbang - Beer Review #494

Whizbang from New Belgium Brewing is their hoppy American blonde ale that comes in with an ABV of 5.7% and features the use of Mosaic, Nugget, Simcoe, UK Admiral, and Centennial hops that are set against a malty backbone to create a flavored taste explosion as described from the brewer. The availability of the beer is that of a rotating one, so availability is limited. Check out my video to see my thoughts on this beer.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Golden IPA - Beer Review #493

It seems Beer Camp is already in session for Sierra Nevada as they have released their Beer Camp Golden IPA for 2017. This American IPA comes in at 6.5% ABV, 50 IBU, and is described as being citrus-heavy with the hops. Wheat malt was used to create a light, dry body. Being served up as a spring seasonal, let’s see how it compares.

Rod J BeerVentures Swag