Beer Review: Mikkeller Mosaic Black IPA

The Mosaic Black IPA from Mikkeller proves to be yet another
pleasant surprise and pleasurable beer from the Denmark brewer. It comes in at
a 6.9% ABV and provides a nice hoppy experience from its 69 IBU. The color
poured is a nice deep black color, although toward the bottom there is a nice
reddish brown tint which illuminates the bottom nicely. The head is a nice tan
one and in my case, proved to have a nice amount of foaminess. The aroma provides
a nice amount of citrus and tropical tones, while the taste also does the same
and the finish is nice and dry with a refreshing crispness. Overall, this
medium body beer seemed to hit the spot but check out the video to see and hear
my other thoughts on this one.

Beer Review: Mikkeller Better Half

Better Half from Mikkeller is an American IPA that comes in
at a nice 6.8% ABV along with a nice hop experience at 80 IBU. The beer poured
out a nice golden orange color and was capped with a tannish head. Aromas
presented included the normal and expected notes of an American IPA, along with
some of the hop dankness that is usually in line. A nice mouthfeel was
experienced with this one, and as expected there was the usual bitterness to be
experienced, although there seemed to be more on the finish than the initial
tasting. All in all, this proved to be a decent beer but check out the video to
see my other thoughts on this medium bodied beer.

Rod J Beer Review: Samuel Adams Longhsot Nanzer's Belgian Golden Ale

Samuel Adams teamed up with home brewers through a
competition where the three finalists were all placed into a 6 pack to form the
Longshot Series. The Longshot Nanzer’s Belgian Golden Ale is one of these
beers. Out of the mind and created by Kevin Nanzer of California, this Belgian
Golden Ale comes in at a 9.1% ABV and 18 IBU and brings with it a nice essence
of Belgian Ales. The beer itself provides a nice overall appearance as it is
golden orange in color with clarity that allows one to notice the lively
carbonation that takes place. The aroma dispenses nice notes of clove and
banana along with a slight tinge of the hops in the background that draws one
into the beer. A flavorful mouthfeel can also be expected as the taste is
Belgianesque and it proves to be pretty smooth on the finish. Check out my
video here to see my other thoughts on this somewhat well-balanced beer.

Rod J Beer Review: Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot

Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot comes in at an ABV of 7.85%
and an IBU of 64. This Limited Release Imperial Brown Ale pours a nice reddish
brown color capped nicely by a foamy tan head. Haze is little as clarity is
somewhat possible, although the dark color of the beer does make it somewhat
not as easy to see. It is a malt forward beer and you get the malt sweetness
from the aroma, which is also followed up on in the taste. This beer provides somewhat
of a nice mouthfeel as the flavors really open up, but the texture is a little thinner
than I would like for this style. All in all it is an interesting medium to
full body beer, but check out the video to gather more of my thoughts on this
adult beverage.

Craft Beers Gone Wild: Send In The Pumpkin Beers

Hey what's happening beer world? Well, we decided to go pumpkin beers for this episode. Join us to see what the crew has chosen as some of the pumpkin beers that you may want to try.

Rod J Beer Review: Mikkeller Simcoe Hopped IPA

Out of Denmark comes Mikkeller and their Simcoe Hopped IPA,
a 7.3% ABV and 100 IBU beer that just pours out a nice dark amber copper color
from can to class. Once poured, the carbonation races to the top to create a
large off-white cream colored head that sits on the tip of the beer like a
foamy pillow of goodness. It’s just waiting for you to dive in and take that
first sip. It teases you with the aromas of grapefruit, orange and tangerine,
beckoning you to pick it up and drink it as you wonder what is behind that hazy
veil on the glass. But yes the taste, that’s what we want to know. How does it
taste? That is the question asked by the same reverence as when Brad Pitt asked
“What’s in the Box” in Seven. But don’t worry; this one does have a refreshing happiness
at the end of the journey. How does this journey end? Check out my video to
find out…

Rod J Beer Review: Samuel Adams Longshot Raspberry Berliner Weisse

Samuel Adams teamed up with home brewers through a
competition where the three finalists were all placed into a 6 pack to form the
Longshot Series. The Longshot Raspberry Berliner Weisse is one of these beers.
Out of the mind and created by Tim Thomssen of Nebraska, this Berliner Weisse
comes in at a 4% ABV and 8 IBU. It pours out a nice deep dark ruby red color
that is capped by an off-white head that carries through it some of the reddish
tone of what you see in the body. The aroma of the raspberry just climbs out of
the glass and the taste is like that of a raspberry jam without the toast,
although the tartness that follows is reminiscent of sweet tart candy. There is
some harshness to be expected on the finish from the carbonation, but nothing
too off putting. Overall, it is a decent beer, but check out my video to gather
my other thoughts on this beer.

Rod J Beer Review: Samuel Adams Longshot Neighborino

Samuel Adams teamed up with home brewers through a competition
where the three finalists were all placed into a 6 pack to form the Longshot
Series. The Longshot Neighborino Flanders Red Ale is one of these beers. Out of
the mind and created by Colin Foy of Ohio, this Flanders Red Ale brings
tartness in a 6.3% ABV and 10 IBU offering. Pouring a red amber color, the
cherry notes pretty much jump out of the glass. There are also some other berry
notes, but cherries do dominate. As far as the taste, this medium body ale does
pack some tartness and is reminiscent of a cherry lifesaver. Bitterness isn’t
as much of an issue, but it does carry high carbonation which can be felt on
the finish. However, the mouthfeel does come through pretty decent and thinness
is not an issue. Check out my video to hear more of my thoughts on this beer.

Rod J Beer Review: Frankenmuth The Hef

The Hef is a classic type Hefeweizen and is another offering
from the Frankenmuth Brewery in Michigan. It comes in at a 5.2% ABV and 13 IBU,
and stacks up well to what is expected from this style. The beer pours a cloudy
golden amber orange color and is capped with a nice foamy white head. Aroma
notes that are quickly noticed include banana and clove, which are also a solid
part of this style. As for taste, one can expect an initial burst of flavor
creating a highly decent mouthfeel for its medium body. And on the finish,
there is a nice crisp break and a refreshing quality. The Hef is one that may
be a good fit for any fan of wheat beers, but check out my video to gather more
of my thoughts on this beer.

Rod J Beer Review: Frankenmuth Little Bavaria Pilsener

The Little Bavaria Pilsener is another offering from the
Frankenmuth Brewery, which is located in Frankenmuth, Michigan. This 5.25% ABV
and 26 IBU German Pilsener is one designed based on the German Purity Laws for
which it follows. It is a nice golden amber colored beer that is capped with a
white head that will dissipate quickly. Expected aroma is that typical of a
lager with the yeasty and breadiness notes, and the taste carries a nice medium
body feel with a good burst of flavor. Find out more of my thoughts by checking
out my review here.

Rod J Beer Review: Frankenmuth Twisted Helles

The Twisted Helles is a Summer Lager from the Frankenmuth
Brewery located in Michigan, which is also the state’s oldest brewery. It is a
seasonal meant to capture the essence of summer and pours out very nicely as a
Helles Lager. It is a decent golden straw color in appearance, which is capped
with a nice white head. Clarity is also nice as you really get to take in the appearance
of the carbonation doing its work. Aroma jumps out rather easily and the taste
does bring some crispness. The ABV is 5.5% and the IBU is 18. Check out the
video here to see more of my other thoughts on this beer.