Beer Review: Baltika Breweries Baltika #9 Extra

I went out on a beer run looking for something different and I thought have I had a Russian beer? And I couldn’t remember having such, so finding one became somewhat of a mission and that is how I ended up with this one. The Baltika #9 Extra is seen as a strong lager from the Baltika which is located in St. Petersburg, Russia and is exported to 40 countries around the world. It is part of the Carlsberg family of breweries so it is considered a macro brewery, which is something that I found out later but that’s okay. I am just happy that I was able to find one and look at giving it a try.

So let’s talk a little about this beer which comes in with an alcohol content of 8% ABV. The beer pours a nice golden straw color capped by a decent white inch and a half head, although it did dissipate quickly. Clarity was very nice as the carbonation streamed nicely up the glass and as far as aroma; the notes of the sweet malt climbed out of the glass with ease and was able to provide nice aromatics of the barley used with a hint of the hops on the back end.

Taste on the beer was also flavorful enough for a consistent enjoyment and for a higher alcohol content beer, it did provide a nice smoothness and a came across as a nice medium body beer. There was some breadiness of course, but it is a lager so that was also expected. Carbonation sat well and wasn’t over done which was nice as it left a good mouthfeel and a nice tingling in my cheeks.

So how was my score on this one overall? It received a decent and doable 74 out of 100.

Score Makeup:

• Appearance – 10 out of 15
• Aroma - 12 out of 15
• Flavor – 11 out of 15
• Palate – 11 out of 15
• Overall – 30 out of 40

See my video review below to see the actual discussing of the beer in more detail…Cheers!

Beer Review: Great Lakes Rally Drum And YouTube Updates

The Rally Drum Red Ale from Great Lakes Brewing is a May offering that coincides nicely with the baseball season and is one that can be enjoyed in the heat of summer or the game in a way that is as nicely balanced as the hops and malts used. It definitely packs a nice bitter kick but is not overly bitter and it swings away with some great hop and malt flavor.

Stats slide in on this beer at 5.8% ABV with an IBU of 45.  It doesn’t carry any thinness and stands sturdy in the box with its smoothed out texture. Lacing is good as a left behind reminder of what was in the glass, although the duration of the flavor will also serve as a nice reminder as well. Bang the drum for this one as Great Lakes delivers once again with a solid hit of a beer.

Overall Score of this one totals a solid 88 out of 100 for me!

Score Makeup:

• ·         Appearance – 12 out of 15
• ·         Aroma – 13 out of 15
• ·         Flavor - 13 out of 15
• ·         Palate – 14 out of 15
• ·         Overall – 36 out of 40

See my video review below to see the actual discussing of the beer in more detail…Cheers!

Beer Review: Dogfish Head Pennsylvania Tuxedo

Who doesn’t look good in a Tuxedo? By that thought process, if Tuxedo is on a beer then wouldn’t that follow the same thinking? I sure hope so as I decided to pick up the Pennsylvania Tuxedo from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery following this idea. I mean it is bold to put a Tuxedo on a beer, all dressed up like that I’m thinking this one may be tasty for sure. Noted as a Pale ale brewed with spruce tips, this fine looking beer comes on with an alcohol content of 8.5% and an IBU level of 50. And without further ado, let’s get this one undressed and see what it has to offer.


Grab a pint; click the video and join me while you “Get Your Beer On!” Cheers!

Beer Review: Carmelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter

Moody Tongue is a microbrewery out of Chicago, Illinois and recently we have started to get some of their beers in our area; and with a name like Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter, it was almost an automatic get in my cart as I saw this one on the shelf. Now granted, porters are usually a mix bag for me because of what I usually find in their thinness, but definitely wanted to give this one a shot to see how it delivers. The alcohol content on this one brings it in at an even 7% ABV, and looking forward to seeing how the Mexican cinnamon and Madagascar vanilla come together. Let’s see how it does.

Grab a pint; click the video and join me while you “Get Your Beer On!” Cheers!

Beer Review: Ballast Point Nitro Red Velvet

The Red Velvet from the Ballast Point Brewing Company is one beer that I had saw numerous times but consistently just passed over in the past, this last time though I decided to call its number and give it a look. Now I am a fan of velvet cake so I am really interested to see how this beer plays out. Reviews I know have been mixed although I have tried to ignore many so that I am not biased by the opinions of others. The idea of beets being used in beer is not one that is all that appealing to me either, but I am willing to take the challenge so that you and others can know what to expect. The alcohol content for this nitro oatmeal stout is 5.5% ABV and IBU is 35, so let’s see how it does.

Grab a pint; click the video and join me while you “Get Your Beer On!” Cheers!

Beer Review: Goose Island Peach Fuzz IPA

My pick up of what I can best describe as the ABInBev subsidiary brewery IPA variety pack led me to coming across this one from Goose Island Brewpubs and a subsidiary of Goose Island Beer Company. The Peach Fuzz IPA seems to be a limited as well as seasonal offering that uses peach puree in the fermenting process, and carries an alcohol content of 6.1% ABV. Outside of these little details not much else was readily found about this beer. It’s almost like a mystery, so cue the Scooby-Doo music and let’s see what’s hiding in this beer.

Grab a pint; click the video and join me while you “Get Your Beer On!” Cheers!