Rod J Beer Review: Talking Jackie O's Mystic Mama IPA

Athens, Ohio is the home of Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery and the Mystic Mama IPA. This India Pale Ale comes in at 7% ABV and 130 IBU, that’s right, 130 IBU. But despite the high number, the beer doesn’t play out as high on the bitterness. There is that initial bitterness to be expected and there is a little harshness on the finish, but there is also a refreshing type quality with it. The beer pours out a nice golden straw color and is capped by a foamy that becomes rocky, white head. The mix of the five hops used creates a nice piney aroma that is also joined by notes of grapefruit and tangerine.

This medium to full body beer carries a nice dry texture with a very palatable amount of carbonation. It will be a winner for any hop head in my opinion, and one to definitely check out for sure. Check out my video review to gather my other thoughts.

Rod J Beer Review: Talking Stone IPA

The Stone IPA is an iconic IPA from Stone Brewing and is also listed in the book “1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die.” It comes on at a nice 6.9% ABV and 77 IBU so bitterness is to be expected. However, while it tends to present bitterness on the front, there isn’t much harshness on the finish. It displays a nice balance between the malts and hops, and sits well as a medium body beer. It may be a little too bitter for the IPA beginner, but to those that love hops it is a nice fit. When drinking it, there should be an expectation of a good duration of flavor that is highlighted by tropical and citrus notes in the aroma as well as the taste. This golden orange colored beer is definitely one of a delight and always seems to deliver.

Check out my review to gather my other thoughts on the Stone IPA.

Rod J Beer Review: Talking Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA

From Samuel Adams comes the Whitewater IPA, a hybrid of a
Wheat Ale and an India Pale Ale. This, what can be best described as an
Eclectic IPA, combines these two for what could be seen as an ale that is both crisp
and refreshing. Brewed with apricots and spices, it definitely brings some
unique characteristics that help it stand out as unique. The beer itself
provides a nice golden hue that is capped with a somewhat quick dissipating
head, but one will get the taste and aroma of the apricot as well as the pine
dankness from the hops. It sits at a nice 5.8% ABV and one should expect
bitterness, as it is also sits at 60 IBU.

Check out my review to find out more about my thoughts of
this offering from Samuel Adams.

Rod J Beer Review: Talking Samuel Adams Got to Gose

The Got to Gose from Samuel Adams is a 4.8% ABV Sour Ale
that is brewed using salt, coriander and also cucumber. It pours out a nice
golden orange color, which is illuminated nicely when held to the light. And
although there is a slight haze, the carbonation is easy to see as it streams
upward toward the white head that caps the beer. There is a spicy quality from
the Saez Hops that are used, as well as an earthiness created in the ale. There
is some bitterness up front which is then followed by a salty pickle taste on
the finish.

Check out the video to get my view on this beer.

Rod J Beer Review: Talking Samuel Adams Heaven Or Helles

Heaven Or Helles from Samuel Adams is a 5% ABV Lager that comes in at 20 IBU, and is described as a beer highlighted by spicy floral hop notes with a compliment of honey malt sweetness in the taste. Other expectations include that of a golden straw color with a slight haze, along with a flavor profile considered to be refreshing that make the beer highly drinkable.

Check out the video to gather my thoughts on this Helles Lager and to see if I think it delivers as expected.

Rod J Beer Review: Talking Samuel Adams Boston Lager

The Boston Lager from Samuel Adams is what I would consider a
classic in its relevance to the craft beer movement and the work of Jim Koch.
This flagship beer played an integral part in the craft movement and really did
create a surge into many of the beers that we enjoy today.

This lager features some great qualities from it clear appearance
which is highlighted by its golden amber color and streaming carbonation, to its
balanced aroma of its malts and hops as well as its flavorful taste. At 4.9%
ABV it isn’t too heavy and still carries a decent texture which does avoid
being too thin and it leaves a nice crisp and refreshing feel. Check out the
video to get my other thoughts on this classic lager and feel free to let me
know your thoughts as well.